Helloooo! Wow it's almost been two weeks and I apologise for that but writers block is the literal devil. Anyway, can we frickin talk about season five and how frickin GREAT IT WAS?? We got angry Holts, sweet yellow baby, MY SON KEITH AND MY SON LANCE BEING AMAZING AND LANCE'S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT HAD ME SHOOK, I CRIED GUYS. If I keep going I'll spoil everything so if you haven't, watch season 5, it's a blessing and I miss red paladin Keith, ok. Anyway, as usual, I hope you enjoy!!!
oOOo
Keith tapped his foot impatiently as he stood in front of Lance's cryo pod. He could hear Shiro pacing behind him while Hunk kept going back in forth from Lance to Pidge. He was in the corner of the room with Allura and Pidge while Coran worked on the remaining tonic's. Keith could here them talking quietly about Pidge's condition while also having long pauses that he knew were spent staring at the pod. Keith felt the same uneasiness that he experienced the first time that Lance was in a cryo pod but this time seemed worse. This time.. Lance would have more than just physical damage. Keith couldn't even imagine what he had gone through.. and the fact that it was Lance seemed to make it far worse.
"How much longer until he's out?" Shiro asked, turning to Allura.
She looked up at him, "He's experienced major wounds and bloodloss along with hypothermia and a concussion.. he's already been in there a day so I would give it a couple of vargas.." She answered, her eyes straying on the pod before returning to Pidge.
Keith heard Shiro huff.
"Shiro.. why don't you come with me to heal the lions and then you should really eat something." Coran suggested.
Shiro shook his head, "No.. I'm not leaving until Lance is out." He responded stubbornly.
Coran frowned, "You standing here all melancholy isn't going to speed up his healing process and.. it wasn't really a request." He said before motioning for Shiro to follow him.
Shiro glanced at Lance before letting out a small groan and following Coran.
Keith watched him go, understanding how badly he wanted to stay. Keith wasn't even on the planet with Lance and he still felt terrible.. He just hoped that Shiro wasn't blaming himself.
"I've got it!" Allura exclaimed as she pulled up a screen from the center control panel.
"Got what?" Hunk asked, peering over her shoulder.
"I figured out what effected Pidge's mind. It was a type of gas in the air, like you said and it somehow altered her memories. It took her last thought and changed all her memories to make it believe that it was true." Allura explained.
Hunk stared at her, "So.. what was her last thought?" He asked, glancing at Pidge who shrugged.
Allura scanned through her screen, "It was of.. us.. her family. She wanted all of us to be together along with her earth family.. but it seems that they were altered in a different way than what she wanted." She answered, looking over at Pidge.
Pidge felt her face go hot but didn't say anything.
Hunk bit his lip, "Okay... so, how do we fix it?"
Allura gave a small hum as she pulled something up, "There is a healing pearl that is found on a water planet called, Mesmoride. They're quite easy to find as it is the most populated thing growing on the planet but to get to it we need the.. Blue lion." She explained, her voice tightening towards the end.
Keith tensed up as he heard Hunk let out a huff of disbelief, "Of course." He muttered. Keith flinched at how the normally cheerful paladin's tone sounded so dry. He let out a sigh, "Are you sure that's the only way?" Keith asked, turning to face the group.
Allura gave a small nod, "As much as I wish for there to be an easier way.. this is the best we can do and if we wait any longer, I don't know what will happen to Pidge's mind." She answered.
Keith huffed, "Well that's just great, except for the fact that the Blue paladin is kind of unavailable right now." He snapped, feeling his temper rise.
Allura looked taken aback before responding, "I understand that, Keith... but you did pilot the Blue lion before.. who's to say that you can't do it again?" She asked softly.
Keith closed his eyes and took in a breath, "I don't know if she'll let me again.. her paladin isn't in danger anymore.." He replied.
"We could still try.." Hunk suggested.
Keith gave a curt nod and glanced at Pidge who looked lost and out of place. He felt his shoulders sag as he realized how helpless she felt. He let out a sigh before looking back at Lance's pod and then heading towards the hanger.
Keith felt his heart speed up as he stared up at Blue through her barrier. He took in a deep breath as he pressed his hand against it, "Hey.. uh.. Look, I know that I'm not your paladin and that.. I'm far from what he is but.. I need your help. You're the only one that can go to Mesmoride and we really need you.. please." He said, trying to be as gentle as possible.
Blue let out a soft growl but remained unresponsive. Keith grew impatient, "Hello? I need your help... right now.. Blue, come on.. please?" He asked.
Blue's barrier faltered before it was brought down. She slowly bent down and opened the entrance for Keith.
"Thank you." Keith said as he entered the lion.
He quickly sat down and took hold of the controls, "I'll be back as soon as I can." Keith told Allura through the comms.
"Alright, I'll have the ship follow you and we'll be right outside the planets atmosphere so you can get to us.. and please be careful." Allura responded.
Keith gave a nod and then led Blue out of the ship.
oOOo
Keith fidgeted in his seat as they neared Mesmoride, his fingers twitching. He had Blue enter the planet and felt his breath hitch as they submerged into the clear water. Keith pulled up the screen of what the pearls looked like and then proceeded to scan the floor of the ocean like planet. He let out a breath as he noticed a collection of the pearls.
"There you are." He muttered as he got up to exit Blue.
Keith propelled himself forward and reached for the pearls. He scooped up a handful of them and placed them in his capsule. He whipped around as he heard a noise, causing his shoulders to tense. Keith quickly headed towards Blue but stopped when something swam in front of him, leaving behind a bright orange streak.
"What..?" Keith gasped as he watched the creature swim around him, the streaks blocking his vision of Blue. Keith activated his bayard but not before the creature swam towards him and threw itself into his shoulder. Keith let out a yell as he felt a surging hot pain erupt through his arm. He held onto his shoulder with one hand while his other stayed securely around his Bayard. He followed the creature as it quickly circled him, getting ready for another attack. As it lunged forward, Keith quickly reached up and impaled the creature before it made contact with him.
He let out a startled gasp as it shriveled up into dust and fell to the ground. Keith stared at it in shock before quickly making his way to Blue, his shoulder throbbing.
Keith stumbled into the lion and fell into the chair. He looked down and groaned as he noticed that the armour had a crack in it and that small droplets of blood were creeping through. Keith took a deep breath as he looked away from it and contacted Allura.
"I'm coming back now." He said as he flew Blue away from the planet, his hands gripped around the controls.
Keith flew the lion into her hangar and made a move to leave but Blue stopped him with a roar. Keith stared at the controls before slowly sitting back down.
"What is it?" He asked as he scanned through her monitor.
She let out a softer roar as she pulled up a screen that appeared to be an audio message.
Keith squinted at it, "What's this?"
Blue's only response was to play the message.
Keith tensed up at the soft static in the beginning before it abruptly cut off.
"B..Blue?" Lance's voice cut through the recording. Keith gasped as his eyes widened.
"Blue? Allura?... Hello?" Lance asked, his voice breaking. Keith felt his breathing pick up as he listened to the helplessness in the paladins voice.
"I'm.. I'm sorry.. I.. I can't do this anymore." Lance cried, his raspy breaths cutting through the silence. Keith reached forward and held onto the control panel, his heart pounding as he listened to the message.
He felt his shoulders sag and heart drop as Lance said that he didn't belong here and that he wasn't meant to be a paladin. Keith felt tears roll down his face as Lance expressed how much he missed his family and that he needed to get home. But what made Keith break down was that Lance mentioned that he wasn't good enough and that he was a mistake. Lance's sobs caused Keith to shut off the message before it finished, furiously slamming his hand down on the control panel.
Keith stared in shock at the floor as his tears flowed freely, his shoulders shaking.
How could he have not at least noticed that Lance was doubting himself and that something was wrong. Keith didn't even want to think about how long Lance had been feeling this way.
Keith looked up through Blue's eyes and let out a shaky breath, "Let me out." He said, his voice dry.
He stood up and quickly left the lion as she let out a roar.
Keith didn't even realise that he was sprinting towards the pods as his heart pounded faster.
oOOo
Previously
Hunk jumped as the doors opened and Shiro walked in with Coran following him, holding a plate of food goo.
"I really insist-" Coran was saying before Shiro interrupted him.
"Coran.. I appreciate you trying to help but I just can't eat right now.." He said softly, his voice tired.
Coran gave a small nod before setting the plate down, "Alright.. well, the lions are healed and Keith should be back in about a varga.. How are you all doing?" He asked.
He was given a silent response as Hunk shrugged.
Coran frowned and then glanced towards the pod. He sniffed a little, "I.. should.. uh.. excuse me." Coran muttered as he left the room, searching for something to busy himself.
Allura looked after him with concern, her heart aching. She then looked back at the pod and realised for the first time just how everything started going wrong the moment they lost contact with Lance. She rested her elbows on her knees as she rubbed her temples.
Allura glanced over at Pidge, who had fallen asleep on one of the steps, her face tense. Her gaze then wandered to Hunk fidgeting next to her and then to Shiro standing in front of Lance's pod.
She got up and slowly walked over to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "How are you doing?" She asked softly.
"Fine." He answered shortly.
Allura frowned, "Shiro, please don't bla-"
Shiro turned to face her, "Don't blame myself? Too late." He scoffed, holding his head in one hand as his eyes widened, "I can't even fathom that this happened to him. I was supposed to look after him, I was going to help him because he was hurt- oh no.." Shiro placed both hands over his face as he let out a groan.
Allura held onto his arms, "What is it?"
Shiro laughed dryly as he removed his hands, his eyes teary, "Lance was hurt and he still managed to get me off of that planet. He should've been the one to make it off- why didn't he just go on without me??" He asked, his voice cracking.
Allura held onto Shiro's arms tighter, "Because you're his hero.. he looks up to you and.. I don't know if he was able to get off the planet at the time.. his helmet was smashed and part of his suit was damaged. It's not hard to imagine why he decided to get you and the supplies off of the planet as soon as possible.. he didn't think he would make it. But something must've pushed him to do the impossible and make it out of there.. it might've been you, Shiro.. you've inspired him in so many ways already.." Allura said, her tone serious and straight.
Shiro stared down at her hands and sniffed, "I just hope he's okay.." He whispered.
"We all do.." Allura responded.
The two paladins jumped as Lance's pod opened, letting out a cloud of steam. Shiro moved forward and caught Lance as he drowsily stepped out.
"Hey, there bud." Shiro said as he placed him on the steps.
He heard Hunk let out a noise and before he knew it the yellow paladin was rushing forward and enveloping Lance in a bear hug.
"Lance, you're okay!!" He cheered.
Lance looked taken aback but then quickly hugged his friend, his face brightening.
"Hey guys." Lance said, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Oh I'm so relieved to see you." Allura breathed as she moved forward to hug him after Hunk let him go.
Lance hugged her back, shaking slightly.
"Oh, I'll get you a blanket." Hunk said as he rushed away.
Lance looked after him, a small smile on his face. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Shiro. Lance let out a gasp before hugging the black paladin.
Shiro let out a relieved laugh as he hugged him tightly. He pulled back and held onto Lance's shoulders and stared him in the face, "Don't you ever do anything like that again." Shiro stated, his gaze softening once he finished.
Lance nodded and chuckled slightly, his knees going weak with relief, "I never thought that I would see this place again.." He confessed as he sat on the steps.
Allura and Shiro sat on either side of him.
"Lance.. I am so proud of you.. not just because you were able to save me and the supplies.. but because you thought of using the ice to seal your suit.. that was briliant." Shiro said as he placed a hand on Lance's shoulder.
Lance felt his heart swell.
"How did you think of that?" Allura asked.
Lance looked at her and thought for a moment, "Well.. after I sent Shiro into space.. I just sat down and listened.. I could hear the cracking of the ground.. and the explosions.. and.. I just started having all these flashback's.. I don't know where they came from but.. I think they reminded me of what I was fighting for.. my family, back on Earth... and all of you... It just hit me and that's when I realised that I wasn't going to die on that planet.. Once I reached space though, I had no idea.. I was terrified.." Lance explained, his face growing hot.
Allura and Shiro were quiet and the silence was interrupted by Hunk returing with an armful of blankets. He set them up around Lance and proudly nodded at his work. Lance let out a laugh that he didn't realise he was capable of doing.
He felt tears roll down his face but gave a smile, "I'm just so relieved.." He said, his voice barely audible as he looked at the ground.
Shiro and Allura hugged him from either side and Hunk quickly joined in.
"We are too." Shiro responded.
"Wha.. What are you guys doing?" A drowsy voice came from the corner of the room.
The group broke apart their hug and looked over at Pidge.
Lance's face brightened, "Pidge!" He exclaimed as he rushed over and lifted her into a hug.
Pidge let out a surprised squeak and then laughed lightly as Lance spun her around.
Lance returned her to the ground and looked her over, "Please tell me that you had a better time than me." He almost begged.
Pidge's smile faded as she looked at Lance, "I.. can't." She whispered.
Lance faltered, "Wh-what?" He asked, looking over his shoulder at the others.
Allura walked over to them, "There's something we need to tell you." She said as she pulled up a screen of Pidge's bio monitor.
Allura slowly explained what had happened to Pidge's mind and how her memories were effected.
Lance's face fell and his shoulders sagged as he looked at Pidge, "You don't remember me?" He asked quietly.
Pidge shook her head solemly, "I'm sorry.." She said.
Lance blinked, "Not even.. it was yesterday.. You took a video of me dancing and then I stole your laptop and you chased me around the castle- you don't remember that?" He asked as he stood up.
"No.." Pidge answered, her face falling.
Lance stared at her in disbelief, looking between her and the bio monitor. He felt hot tears prick at his eyes, "What about Keith? Did he breathe the air too?" He asked.
Allura shook her head, "No.. he was unaffected except for a burn.. he's on a planet as we speak collecting something for Pidge's condition." She explained.
Lance almost laughed, "We have to stop going to unknown planets.." He muttered, placing his head in his hands.
Hunk rested a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay.. Keith will be back and then we'll help Pidge and.. everything will be okay.." He said softly.
"Yes.. it'll get better and then-" Allura began.
Lance snapped, "No!" He yelled, his face suddenly hot and his fists clenched, "None of this is okay! We will never be okay! In just a day we've somehow managed to loose half of our team just because we flat out panicked over our lions being sick! This isn't something that is just going to get better!!" Lance yelled, hot tears in his eyes.
The others stared back at him in shock.
Lance huffed and looked at the floor, "I'm sorry.. I just.. I have to go." He said before quickly making way for the door.
Shiro reached out to him but Allura stopped him, "He needs some time.." She said softly.
Lance opened the doors and walked out without a second glance at his teammates. He felt his tears roll down his face and wiped at them angrily. Lance's vision blurred and he almost yelled out as he collided with something while rounding the corner. The paladin fell to the floor, his face hot.
Lance looked up at what he ran into and saw Keith staggering backward as he rubbed his head.
"Keith?" Lance asked, looking up at him.
Keith stopped and immediately looked at Lance, his eyes widening.
Lance stared at him in shock as he noticed tear streaks on his face.
"Lance??" Keith asked in disbelief. He bent down and quickly helped him up, holding onto his arm and hand.
Keith looked him over, his breath uneven.
Lance did the same, his eyes falling on Keith's cracked armor that was tacky with blood.
"What..?" Lance asked quietly as he reached out and touched it.
Keith scoffed, "Again with you being concerned over me having a small cut." He said as he pulled Lance into a hug.
Lance hesitated before returning the hug, embracing the familiar feeling. He was shocked as he suddenly felt tears streaming down his face, his feeling of unease returing as fast as it left.
When the two pulled apart, Keith's eyes widened as he caught sight of Lance's face, "Lance what's-"
But Lance shook his head before quickly walking past the paladin, wiping at his tears.
Keith stared after him, an aching pain in his chest.
oOOo
Hey Lance is up, woohoo! Yeah, more angst to come for mah boys and Pidge, definitely. But shiz is about to get more real than it already is.