Chapter Four

"... like any other."

*Flashback*

Allura had been wandering around the castle, her head clouded. The servants and warriors alike were running around the castle in a blur, their conversations a mix of commands and questions.

The princess hardly noticed it, her fears overpowering her and keeping her attention. Her father was in a meeting, word of an attack coming to Altea had been received days before leaving the castle in a frenzy like the rest of the planet's population.

All over the planet people were preparing for the worst, focusing purely on defense. Allura disagreed with this, she believed that they should bring the fight to Zarkon. Her heart clenched at the thought of him.

Zarkon had practically been family, a brother figure to her father and uncle to her, a mentor to Casimir. He had been someone they all loved and who had loved them as well, they were family.

When he died, it hurt the royal family and fellow Paladins, but his return only caused further pain. Allura still struggled to understand why he had turned away from them, how could his quest for peace turn into a grab for power. And now, he had raged war across the systems and only Altea remained a stronghold.

All other planets had fallen to the Galra's will, Allura feared it was only a matter of time before Zarkon came to Altea and took her home away. Her father allowed her to sit on several meetings so she was more or less involved in the issue or at least was aware.

"Allura," shouted a young voice.

Allura jolted in surprise, "My stars."

Her younger brother, Prince Casimir, stood expectantly at her side. He wore a fitted long sleeve teal shirt, the sleeves being loose along with flowing pants of the same make. Around his neck and hanging in his chest was a purple sash with the ends resting on stomach. His hair was long enough to brush his eyebrows and touch the back if his collar. It was stark white, but if you looked closely his hair had a tint of blue.

His arms raised over his chest, "I called you at least a hundred times, but you didn't answer. I was worried you might've become deaf."

Allura rested a hand in your chest, "I apologize, I'm a bit distracted. Though it's impolite to sneak up on people and shout at them."

Casimir sighed, clearly exasperated. The number of times his behavior was corrected or reprimanded he felt had to be more than the stars at this point in his life.

"What did you need," asked Allura, wanting to get his request or this conversation out of the way.

She was not in the mood to handle him today, not when there was so much left to do.

Casimir lowered his arms and his demeanor changed, "Why is everyone scattered and running about? I heard some servants and warriors talking, they said an attack was possible… From the Galra, Zarkon specifically. You've spoken to father within the last two days, is it true?"

Allura was torn, she wanted to lie to him and tell him there was no attack. That Zarkon wasn't the one who would be leading a likely attack on them. However she knew she couldn't lie.

He was incredibly talented at sniffing out lies, Coran believed it was do to how his magic manifested, in hide and seek. He would find the truth, regardless of whatever take she would spin.

"There is always a possibility of attack, this time there is a more likely chance of one coming," Allura said.

Casimir made a face, he hated when people would bead around the shrub and not tell him straightforward. He understood he was young, but he was still the crowned prince, he had right to know.

"Is it Zarkon," Casimir asked softly.

Allura frowned, "I-I, Casimir…"

Allura had no idea what she should say to him. How could she explain that one of the people he saw as a hero was the very person trying to destroy everything they held dear? She couldn't do it.

Looking down at him now, his expectant blue eyes and soft frown would burn into her memory. Casimir knew very little about the war, about the horrors or terrible deeds Zarkon had done. In Casimir's eyes, Zarkon was still a good person who was just in pain. No one else believed that, but no one could convince the prince otherwise.

"Go along," Allura said shortly, "I can't discuss this with you."

"Why not," Casimir asked, his brow furrowed, "Zarkon was close to both of us and I am still the prince of Altea, I have a right to know."

"Zarkon is a monster who only cares for power," snapped Allura.

"He wasn't always that way," protested Casimir.

Allura growled at him, nostrils flaring, "Don't you dare defend him! He has done horrible things, such terrible deeds. Enslaved the systems and killed hundreds of innocent, good people!"

"Zarkon was a good person," Casimir said earnestly, "There must be a reason, there must be a way to get him to stop this."

"He'll never stop, all he cares about his quintessence and Voltron. He, the Galra, are all evil," hissed Allura.

Casimir blinked at her in slight surprise, "Not all of them can be evil. Zarkon was not always the way he is. Maybe there is a way to reason with him-"

"There is no way to," Allura all but shouted at him, "Zarkon, the Galra are all horrible people who intend to destroy the universe! We need to destroy them before they can harm anyone else."

"That seems a bit extreme," Casimir said wearily.

Allura scoffed, "Of course you wouldn't understand this, you haven't gone through the Rites. You will never be a leader, you don't have it in you to do what needs to be done or know when a person is lost."

Casimir tried to hide the hurt he felt at her words, "No one is ever really lost. Zarkon, he-he was a friend. Him and Honora were family. Perhaps if all the Paladins were to go to him, to change his mind-"

Allura struggled not to scream, but she was too angry to care, "Don't you get it Casimir!"

The prince jolted in surprise at her yell. Sure she had raised her voice at him plenty of times before, but never like that. He was almost afraid of her in this moment, he didn't like the fire in her eyes.

"The Paladins are gone! Zarkon. Is. Evil! Why is that so difficult forgot to process? How could you understand when everything is sunshine and waterfalls for you? Grow up Casimir."

"That's not true, I do understand, but I don't think that more destruction is the way," replied Casimir unsteadily.

Allura glared at him, "After all he's done, he deserves to die a thousand times over. To suffer."

"Allura, this doesn't sound like you at all," said Casimir with slight fear, "I don't like it."

"I know what it takes to find peace, I know what needs to be done, it is the only way," Allura answered sharply, "Go away Casimir. You have no business knowing about what's going on, go off and do what all Spares do. Nothing of consequence."

Allura nearly choked when she realized what she had said to him, she knew she had been harsh on him earlier, but now she had crossed the line. Most rulers in this system stuck to having one child, the only reason to have another was in the case that the first born was at risk of death.

Only in past years had it become more common of this area, Casimir being one of the very few other second born royals or spares as they were often called under breathes. Not to mention as a second born, those children often were not involved with anything to do with their parents work of being a King or a Queen.

It was deemed unnecessary to do so unless of course the first born was not present, which they almost always were. Because of this, often times the second child, third and rare sight of fourth children were forgotten and trained in other ways. They would become ambassadors or generals, but never anything to deal with ruling their nation.

It was why the view of second children at times was warped, that they did not need to know such things of importance because there was no need for them. King Alfor and his wife thought differently of the matter.

They wanted a second child and would have had a third one as well if not for the chaos that came shortly after Casimir. They had Coran tutor Casimir in the ways of being a King so that he would know, not just in case of the loss of Allura, but so he would never feel second rate despite his status.

Casimir looked at the floor, but Allura could see the anger and hurt building in him.

"That was out of line," Allura acknowledged regretfully.

"You think you're so special don't you," Casimir snapped angrily, looking at her with dark eyes, "You don't know everything first born. I will become a great leader someday and a great warrior! My magic is strong, stronger than yours ever will be and I do know what it takes, I have what it takes! I'll go through the Rites with flying colors! I'll show you!"

Allura started, "Casimir-"

"No," shouted Casimir with watering eyes, the hurt clear, "Just, just because you were born first means nothing! You are not the only one who cares for Altea or who knows of the horrors or wishes to fight- I know of it, I will face it!"

"Casimir," Allura tried to start.

"Shut up," shouted the prince, tears slipping down his flushed cheeks, "Leave me alone, I don't, I don't want to see you!"

Without another word, Casimir took of down the hall, running as fast as his feet could carry him. Allura sighed, she would make amends with him tonight after they both settled down a bit. Little did she know then.

Present

"I was cruel to you," said Allura, she looked at Lance sadly, "The last time I saw you, you were angry with me and hurt. I deserve your anger, I shouldn't have said what I had."

Though Lance couldn't remember, he felt a pang in his chest that had only grown as Allura recounted the conversation. He felt hurt by the words, like an old wound, even though he had no memory of the event or what they meant.

"Being second born was a bad thing," said Lance forlornly, "A spare huh?"

"No, it wasn't a bad thing at all," insisted Coran, "It was a relatively new concept that had only been explored or used for the last few generations before you and Allura. Your parents always made sure that you never felt like you were just a spare part."

Allura agreed, "It's true. Coran even tutored you privately on how to rule a nation while I tutored with Julea on the matter. What I said was wrong and I was angry with what was happening… I've regretted my words since I said them. I never had the chance to apologize, I'm so sorry Cas-Lance."

Lance nodded a bit absently, "Apology accepted… What is the rites? When you said it, it sounded familiar."

Coran explained, "A two part Altean ceremony. When you're an infant your path is laid ahead of you based on your heart and when you are a certain age, usually thirteen of your years, you demonstrate all you have learned based on their chosen path. The magic shows where you belong and what you will be in society."

Lance said, "Huh, that's kind of cool. What were you Allura?"

"I was a diplomat, a peacemaker, negotiator," answered Allura, "For my ceremony, I went with others of my path and we had to solve conflicts… We faced great challenges when we went through it, honestly the experience is haunting."

"Did you have to prove yourself," asked Lance curiously.

"Not Necessarily, in a way it was, but it was more to show what you have achieved and earn your place," replied Allura.

"What path was I," Lance questioned, his interest in the topic spiking.

Coran answered him, "A magician slash warrior. It flickered between the two… And interestingly enough, a lions roar could be faintly heard."

Lance blinked in surprise, "Lion, like the blue lions roar? It-It knew I would become a paladin?"

"Yes. The roar was our tip, but it was uncertain. Many of the animal workers hear the sound if an animal, however usually they hear more than one at the same time," Allura explained.

"I get it. That's still kind of cool though," Lance said with a faint smile.

He had to wonder what exactly e was capable of, if he could still do any of the magic from before. Though he was still afraid of all of this and hesitant about it, he had to admit he was kind of excited now. Learning about where he came from, where he really came from… it was like a roller coaster.

Lance looked at Coran, "Your turn Coran. What happened when you last saw me, Casimir?"

Coran frowned, his eyes downcast, "Last I saw you was during the attack."

Flashback

Coran was moving through the halls at rapid speeds, he needed to get to the princess and prince as soon as possible. Neither of them had been seen, those still here feared the worst. Zarkon had captured them or the royal siblings had been killed. It was unlikely that the Galra would kill them, however considering all the fighting and bloodshed, Coran would not put it past them.

Altea was being attacked at this moment, fires burning across the planet and soldiers worked furiously to protect their world. Altea's military was one of the weaker ones considering they were a peace planet with little military funding. Now they were paying the price for it. The castle had been ordered to leave the planet in order to protect the royal bloodlines, however Zarkon was drawing near.

"Coran!"

Coran stopped in his tracks, he skidded to a halt and turned to see the young prince peering out from a hiding spot in the wall. He was always good hiding.

"Oh prince Casimir," Coran said relieved, "thank goodness you are alright."

Casimir moved from his hiding spot in the wall and ran to Coran with a slight limp. The young boy slammed into the royal advisor, his small body trembling in fear. Coran hugged Casimir, he had been so worried that the young prince was lost.

Coran said calmly, "It's alright Casimir, it's all going to be alright."

Casimir looked up at him, "How, how do you know? So-so many pe-people have been kill- killed!"

"Because we are a strong people," said Coran confidently, "We will be okay young prince. Have you seen your father? He had a plan set in motion."

Casimir shook his head, "I haven't moved from my spot, my ankle has been hurting after I was running from some Galra soldiers…. Coran, I'm, I am afraid."

"I know prince Casimir, but not to worry. We're going to get out of this alright. Let's tread carefully now and find the king and your sister."

Casimir nodded, his eyes shined with unshed tears and renewed courage. Though he would become a warrior, he was of the peaceful sort and would not fight a group he once saw as friends and family. Coran held Casimir a bit tighter, this prince still had a life left to live.

"Will you be able to walk," asked Coran releasing Casimir from his grip.

Casimir put some more weight on his hurt ankle and winced, "I should be able to keep up."

Coran sighed, he turned around and bent, "We can't afford to be slow. This is unconventional, but it must be done if we are to be safe before the Galra find us."

Casimir got the message, he didn't argue and climbed onto Corans back. With that the two were off. Casimir held onto Coran tighter with each new explosion that shook the castle. He had been in battle simulations before, once in real life, but this did not quell his rising fear.

He was afraid of death of where he would go when he stopped breathing. When the queen had died, Casimir had wanted to know if that she was okay and happy wherever she had gone.

But there was no way to tell and he had been afraid she was in pain or unhappy. Though more often than not the unknown excited Casimir, at least until it involved the possible loss of someone. Then he was no longer excited, he was afraid.

"Coran, Casimir," shouted King Alfor, dresses in his usual attire.

"Father, you're okay," shouted Casimir as the king came forward.

"It's a relief to see you both," said King Alfor, "Are either of you injured?"

"Only a sprained ankle on the prince sire," said Coran, "What is the plan?"

King Alfor answered, "Coran, go to the bridge. Allura is safe there guiding the castle. Casimir, come with me."

"Why," asked Casimir confused, "Shouldn't we be going with Coran back to Allura?"

King Alfor shook his head, the sadness in his eyes enough to bring great concern to the royal advisor. He had to wonder what the King planned to do. Not to mention why he was having them split up.

King Alfor took Casimir into his arms, "Go Coran, I will join you shortly."

Coran watched as the King and Prince disappeared down the hall, his words echoing in his mind. The King said he would see him shortly, that he and Casimir would see him shortly. It could have been a simple slip, but Coran knew better. Whatever King Alfor had planned, it involved the young prince would be elsewhere.

Present

"King Alfor returned without you," said Coran sadly, "He said he sent the lions away and that you were safe, hiding somewhere else. Before we could question what he meant, he pushed myself and Allura into the pods."

Allura continued, "When we were awoken and you were not there, we just assumed that you were gone… I had asked father, the consciousness he kept, about you, but he said he could not answer. That it was too dangerous to say."

Lance didn't say anything for awhile, processing all he had heard. He wondered why his, his father would send him away instead of bringing him to the others? Was it because of Voltron? Did his birth father know that when the lions roar came during his rites that it was meant for him to be a Paladin?

"He just sent me away," Lance asked, he tried to hide it, but the slight hurt was clear.

Allura answered, "He must have known you would become the blue Paladin. Why else would he have sent you to the same planet as that lion?"

"But how did he know," questions Lance.

"Perhaps the original blue Paladin told him," suggested Coran, "The lions know who will take them. Perhaps the lion revealed the next Paladin."

Lance glanced away, "Yeah, maybe."

A slightly tense and somber silence filled the planetarium, neither party knowing to say to the other. Lance felt he was the most uncertain of the three, though he wasn't sure. For all he knew the others were feeling just as hesitant and out of sorts as he felt.

"Are, are you handling this well," asked Allura.

Lance looked at her, he couldn't remember her ever stuttering around him or the others before. Seeing the princess act anything like a normal person was very strange.

He offered her a weak smirk, "Nothing I can't handle."

Silence settled over the trio. Though Lance was slightly curious to hear more of 'his' past, he also wanted to know as little as humanly or alteanly possibly.

"Well," started Lance getting in his feet, "Thanks for telling me this, but I'm going to head back to bed."

"Oh before you go," said Allura pulling out his necklace, "I believe this belongs to you."

The necklace tied around her wrist like a long bracelet, Lance had to wonder why she was wearing it like that or why she was wearing it all. Though he was certain he would have been more annoyed to see it around her neck. It was still his necklace, only he should wear it.

Carefully, and a little too gingerly in Lance's opinion, she undid the necklace from around her wrist. Having this necklace was the closest she had been to Casimir in so long. It felt nice to have a part of him so near to her, if only for a little while it was pleasant.

However she knew she couldn't keep it. It wouldn't be right for her to wear it. Allura held the necklace out for Lance, though she was saddened to part with jr, she was glad the owner would have it.

Lance took the necklace a bit quickly and Allura could tell he had been restraining himself from trying to take it before. This brought a soft smile to her face, some things would never change and for that she was grateful.

"Thank you," said Lance slipping the necklace on, "I know you wanted a different reunion… I'm sorry you didn't get it."

Allura waved off his concern, "Don't be. I'm just glad you're here… if I may be a bit bold?"

She paused for a while much to Lance's dismay. He could tell she really wanted to ask him something or tell him something, but she was holding back for a reason he wasn't sure of. Lance recalled his earlier outburst and felt more guilt eat away at him.

"What is it," he asked her softly.

Allura looked up at him, "It's just.. I remember the last I hugged him- I hugged you. I want to hug you now, but I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

Lance could only offer her a small smile, "My arms are always open for a princess."

Lance thought that's as a good line, but the reaction from Allura made him think otherwise. It was gone as quickly as it came, but he noticed the flicker of something in her eyes. It was akin to recognition as far as Lance could tell. He wasn't great at reading people, but he had his moments.

My arms are always open for a princess.

When Allura has been sad, Casimir would always give her a hug or remind her he was always available to give them. To hear those words said again just sent another pang through her already troubled heart. Without waiting another moment, Allura threw her arms around Lance in a near bone crushing hug which was saying a lot.

Alteans strength and force was far less than a humans ability which had been learned through an arm wrestling contest and some other experiments run by Pidge and Hunk.

Still a bit stunned by the hug, it took Lance a moment before he hesitatingly wrapped his arms around Allura. He just held her as her shoulder began to tremble against him.

"I've missed you so much Cas," whispered Allura so quietly that Lance wasn't sure she had said anything at all.

He hugged her a bit tighter, to say he was there, that he was back, but it didn't feel right. It was as if Casimir really wasn't there, but standing in the place of another. Softly Lance replied to her words. He had no idea why he said anything, but the words were already past his tongue.

"I've missed you too 'Lura."

Allura released a shuddering breath at the use of her old nickname. Her baby brother was there, he was in Lance, was Lance.

She closed her eyes at the same time Lance had shut his own eyes, both relaxing slightly into the embrace of the other. Behind the back of Allura's eyes she could make out the image of when she was younger, she was holding an infant.

It was Casimir. When the children in the image before her moved, when her younger self hugged the infant Casimir close to her chest, she felt Lance's grip tighten around her.

"Is that us," Lance whispered.

He could see it too. Their bond was weak, but it was growing again and it could be rebuilt.

Allura opened her eyes and said, "Yes, that was us. It was the, it was the first time I brought you to the gardens."

Lance pulled away first, "I don't remember it."

"Of course not, you were practically a newborn at the time," said Allura with a grin.

Lance nodded, the quip she tried to make fell on deaf ears.

"I'll see you later then," said Lance.

He turned and walked towards the door, his steps strained and rigid. Gone was his useful air of control and casual stride.

"Goodnight Lance," Allura said gently.

Lance paused in his spot, he looked back at her with a softened expression, "Goodnight Allura, goodnight Coran."

With that, the lost prince of Altea left the room with a quickened stride. Allura released a sigh, her heart heavy, but spirits high.