Chapter 4: The 47th Floor

Hana runs to the doors but finds herself locked in the circular room. Every time her hands tries the elaborate handle a purple haze shoots out, striking her backwards. Her arms would feel as if electrical currents were running through her veins for a few seconds afterwards. Not a pleasant experience in the least.

Sweat breaks across her forehead as she reaches for the headset about to request for assistance when she realizes that this wasn't MEKA anymore. Fighting the urge to kick the doors she retreats further into the room casting her eyes around, noticing that a violet particle barrier has been put up. Hana runs to the window trying to make out the two figures standing just outside the barrier.

Keith.

Of course, it's only been a couple of days but she's dreamt of him enough times now that she could discern his stance even from this distance.

Of course that's the Princess…she's always around him, isn't she? A snarky voice whispers in her head sounding oddly like Angela. Shaking her head Hana waves her arms frantically trying to catch their attention, looking around she curses the fact that she'd left her helmet.
Her only way of communication.

Damn it.

-()-

The lack of a clock in the room was driving Hana insane. It didn't help that she could see Keith and the princess pacing outside of the barrier and she has no idea where Shiro, Pidge, Hunk and Coran were.

Frustration barely scratches the surface of her current feelings. She's never felt more useless. Pacing in circles around the armchairs she realizes that the old fashion fireplace is still burning and settles on the idea that the best thing she could do was try and figure out what the room is.
Clearly the parchment wanted her to get inside, it wouldn't have led her here otherwise. She wonders if Princess Allura or Coran knew about the rooms' existence. Hana heads to the nearest bookshelf, immediately confirming her fears. All the books were written in Altean.

Of course.

Hana runs a finger down the spines of the books walking aimlessly, her footsteps sounding extra loud to herself. She was desperate to throw the feeling of danger off her shoulders but there was nothing…

Hana stops suddenly noticing a silver glimmer behind the rolling ladder. Crouching down she pushes the ladder out of the way, she found herself facing the stainless silver spine of a thin book.

"What's this…" She mutters under her breath pulling the book from its place. Her heart did a double flip in her chest when she finds herself able to read the entries.

1401-230489

Zarkon's armies have taken over the military base the King had built at Roaddahlia. It'll only be a matter of time before he goes after Voltron. The other paladins do not believe me. They wouldn't, of course, they've never lived on Earth. Never seen the savage lengths that corrupted kings have gone through to conquer kingdoms. It was my mistake…I should've never brought Zarkon to Earth.

Hana frowns flipping towards the end of the journal, Zarkon had been on Earth? Why?

1932-040589

As I've feared, Zarkon's plans to break the paladins bond of trust is working. Freida, the quietest and gentlest of us suddenly threw a fit during dinner yesterday. Never have I seen such anger in those eyes of hers before. Of course, she has more to lose than any of us if Zarkon rises to power. If he gets the heart of Voltron.

We need to hide. It's not safe anymore.

1358-170589

It's been decided. Percival is creating a serum as we speak, the people who know about the White Lion and its purpose have to forget and when they do, its legacy cannot continue. Soon Zarkon will begin to doubt if he ever saw it in the first place. It's an elaborate scheme of skullduggery involving magic that I rather not think about. The Altean priestess know better and I'll keep my qualms to myself.
Easier said than done.

1615-010689

I will not lie. I'm afraid. I'd rather not be doing this but it's the only way. After doing more research, we've found the original engineers. The head, a Mr. Lompell, confesses his regrets creating something so powerful.

"The lion chooses the person it trusts." Mr. Lompell said.

I know there are days when I feel less than the person it trusts rather, a person that stumbles upon a horse that doesn't trust its rider. And one cannot ignore that feeling. I'm afraid that if this doubt continues to grow, it'll weaken the bond between the Lion and I making it easier for Zarkon to gain control from within.

I have to do this, for the good of Earth and Altea. No, for the good of the universe.

The last page has been torn out. Hana fingers the feathered edges realizing with a jolt that the parchment originally came from here. Just to be sure she grabs it and does a quick comparison – it matches.

A forgetting serum? Can that stuff even exist? Wait, in the last couple of days I've been introduced to the idea that aliens exist and I'm questioning a forgetting serum? It has to be. But why would Coran remember it as a fairytale?

Hana sits on the plush armchair pursuing the rest of the journal, folding her legs beneath her. Her questions whirl furiously in her mind and every so often she'll look upwards at the ceiling wondering how the Altean architectures managed to create such a beauty. A loud ziiing captures her attention.

The particle barrier has dropped.

Tucking the journal under her arm she leaps out of the moss green armchair, hurrying to the door.

-()-

"All the proof you need." Hana hands Princess Allura the journal.
The princess frowns, "I can't…what is this writing?"

"Oh right," Hana takes the journal back. "I forget this is written in English…it's a journal. A log," She explains. "-the sixth paladin exists, Princess. Someone created a forgetting serum-"

"A forgetting serum?" Coran scoffs. Hana narrows her eyes in his direction, clutching the journal to her chest. "Look, I know you're upset with everything that happened with Sendak and the castle but there's no reason for you to take it out on me. I'm trying to improve our chances in defeating Zarkon."

Princess Allura looks lost in thought, her gaze looking past Hana's soul.

"I just…don't know. It seems odd, if there was a sixth paladin wouldn't there be more proof?" Princess Allura murmurs.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you. There was a forgetting serum that someone made everyone take. It makes sense." Hana declares. Shiro looks apprehensively between the young girl and the princess.

"Look, Hana, I know this means a lot to you but maybe we should concentrate our efforts in rebuilding the castle? It took a severe hit with Sendak and Hunk is adamant about returning to Balmera."

"I promised Shay." Hunk adds. Hana looks between the rest of the team her gaze finally landing on Lance submerged in the cryo-pod in front of them. His hair flats gently in the healing liquid and Hana couldn't help note how peaceful he looks. Sighing she tears her eyes away, "I'm not going to stop. There's something about this that bothers me. I don't care what any of you have to say, if we do find the White Lion, that might just be our secret weapon in defeating Zarkon."

"Hana, where was this room you found?" Princess Allura asks.

She shrugs, "45th floor? Wherever you said the library is."

"The library is on the 17th. I don't think there's anything remotely like the room you're describing on that floor of the castle, or anywhere really." Princess Allura says. Hana laughs easily, "Well it exists if that's what you're trying to say. I was trapped in it for the last couple of hours."
Hana could see the princess hesitate but it was another voice that interjected, "I agree with Shiro, it's a great backup plan if it does exist but we can't put all our hopes into it. Sendak's attack proves how vulnerable we are, we need to get back to training if we even want to stand a chance against Zarkon."

Hana digs her nails into the metallic journal cover. "Whatever." She mutters. "I'll find the White Lion myself then."

-()-

"Pidge, wait!" Hana runs after her. "I want you to know…I'm glad that you told the guys who you really are. I mean…I honestly can't believe that Lance never knew. Did you see his face?" She couldn't help giggling.

"Yeah…he's…absent minded that way. You'll get used to it once you spend a lot of time around him." Pidge explains. Hana nods, "How long have you been…?"

"A year." Pidge shrugs. "Ever since Matt…"

"We'll find them." Hana places an arm on the younger girl's arm trying her best to sound assuring. "I…I'd rather have hope. My parents were killed in one of the fights against the omnics."

Pidge stops walking. To Hana's immense surprise Pidge turns around and hugs her. She hadn't been aware that the top of Pidge's hair only brushes her chin, "If it helps. These guys aren't so bad." Her voice came out muffled.

"We should get to bed. It's been a long day."

Pidge nods, "Goodnight, and Hana? I know it feels like everyone doesn't believe in the White Lion…I want you to know…I do. It's out there. Somewhere. You'll find it."

Hana smiles, genuinely this time.

Hana walks out of her room remembering Princess Allura mentioning a sauna somewhere in the castle. Nothing sounded better to her sore muscles and sleep deprived mind than a steamy room where she could unwind. Tying her terrycloth bathrobe tight around her as she enters the elevator that would take her to the fifth floor.

"Need some company?"

Lance saunters into the elevator topless save for a pair of baby blue Bermuda shorts and a towel slung around his neck. She couldn't help letting her gaze drift down his lean body.
The sound of elevator doors being forced upon startles her. Not as much as finding herself facing familiar heliotrope irises.

"What are you doing here?" Lance asks rudely. Keith barely glances at him, walking in to stand beside Hana, "Allura said there was a pool somewhere. I'm going to find it."

"That's where I'm going too." Lance folds his arms. Hana didn't want to openly stare but it was hard not to when Keith was dressed similarly to Lance. Except his body was leaner, toner…Hana bites her bottom lip hands tightening the knot around her waist. Hana clears her throat, "I was going to use…the sauna."
Both simultaneously turns to look at her:
"The sauna doesn't sound like such a bad idea."
"Saunas are better with two people actually."

Hana blinks slowly trying to discretely pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The elevator came to a sudden stop jerking all three upwards then into a pile of tangled limbs on the floor.
The lights went off.

Great.

She hears the two boys grumbling in the darkness.

"You think Coran directed the castle's power elsewhere?" Hana asks.
"More than likely." She hears Keith reply somewhere to her left. That meant the person breathing down the right side of her face was Lance. "Do you mind giving me some space?"

"Oh. Sorry there isn't much left in the elevator when Keith walked in." Lance grumbles but shifts anyway. Hana rolls her eyes despite knowing that he couldn't see her in the dark.
"There may be an escape hatch on the ceiling. Hana, I'll boost you on my shoulders and-…"

"Why do you get to boost her up? I'm taller than you! Don't you think it'll be easier if I boosted her?"

"What? No?! There's no way you're taller than me!"

"Oh yeah? Let's measure it out right now tall guy." Lance exclaims.

"We're standing in the dark! Will you two stop it?!" Hana interjects, "Now isn't the time."

Without warning she feels a pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist, hoisting her on a pair of shoulders. Hana couldn't explain it…maybe she couldn't. It was Keith. She knew it is. She also knew that feeling his strength easily lifting her, makes her wish he never has to let go.
"Is there anything?" Lance asks.
Hana feels around for a couple of moments before her fingers came in contact with a latch, pushing upwards a beam of light fell through the small crack. "Found it." She grins. It was only then she was highly aware of Keith's hands on her thighs. She climbs through the hatch with Keith and Lance closely following.

"Now what?" Lance asks looking up the tall elevator shaft.