The Third Sphere Part I: Keith's Redemption

Author's Notes: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have written reviews on this fanfic. It really warms the heart to read them all. Thanks FroofyB and cubbieBlueMako for adding this fic to your favorites list and following. Thanks for Julie Horwitz, KittyLyne, WadeWells and sunshineleo for following this fic.

Reminders: Personalities and character description will also be loosely based on the Voltron Force TV series (Keith's and Allura's eye color, Lance's physique, etc.) as well as some of their techs (e.g. Voltcoms and Lion upgrades). Back story of the Voltron Force were taken from Dynamite's comic Voltron: Year One.

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron and its characters. I'm just a fan of the universe.

-oo-

Chapter 3

She was straddled to him as he leaned his back on the headboard. They were completely naked as their kiss continued. Their kiss deepened, tongues dancing as they explored each other. Their hands travelled, discovering new spots and rediscovering the old ones. They changed positions, lying her down as they continued to explore. Blankets and pillows were in a tangled mess around them as they try to satiate their need for each other. He trailed kisses down her neck to her shoulder, down her breast. She moaned with pleasure as she held his head to deepen his kiss on her breast. His hands continued to explore downward and he smiled inwardly as he heard her gasp when he found a new spot.

"Oh, Keith!"

"Keith, wake up!"

Keith woke up with a start. He sat on his bed, a bit disoriented. He tried to get his bearings. He was back in his room, the lights still off and everything in the room was as it should be…all except for the lone figure at the foot of the bed.

"Sven?"

"Good morning to you too, commander!" he greeted Keith with a hint of sarcasm in his voice and in his Norwegian accent. He was wearing his space explorer uniform beneath the overcoat that was usually used by the real Counselor Vonn.

"How did you get in here?" Keith asked as he got off the bed wearing only boxer shorts and began his morning ritual.

"Apparently, I am still an active Space Explorer Commander," Sven answered as he took a seat in the living room area of Keith's quarters. He watched as Keith did his stretches and exercise. "I still have override access to the officer's quarters."

Keith just shook his head and smiled as he moved around his quarters to prepare for the morning ahead.

Sven looked around as Keith continued his morning regimen. He noted that even after all these years Keith remained to live in a simplistic lifestyle. An image of the whole Voltron Force with him and Romelle was framed and displayed on a bookshelf caught his eye. It was a photo taken during their wedding. Tears started to form in his eyes but he held it in. As he continued to scan his surroundings, he noted that most of the decorations and personal touches were done by Allura. Sven knew that if Keith had his way it would just be a sleeping area devoid of any personal articles. Allura had a knack of getting Keith to loosen up.

Keith looked at his friend and it still unnerved him sometimes that Sven looked different. The complete change have to be very convincing to everyone so no one would suspect, but whenever Sven talked in his usual accent, Keith have to double back to remember that it was his friend Sven talking to him and not the counselor. He just hope that they can finish this mission so that Sven can have his real life back…well, whatever kind of life he has for himself back in Pollux.

It had been five days since last they met when their friends left the planet. Keith delved into training the new pilots for the two new Voltrons that were commissioned by the Galaxy Alliance, and training with Sigis to develop his magic. Meanwhile Sven – as Counselor Vonn – has been busy with the counselor's duty as well as searching for the location of the Third Sphere. With the resources of his office at their disposal, Sven was making headway on their search.

"Did anyone see you when you came in?" Keith asked thirty minutes later as he poured coffee for himself and another mug for his friend. Now freshly showered and wearing his Voltron uniform, Keith handed the mug to Sven as he sat on the couch across him.

"I was discreet, Keith," Sven answered as he sip his coffee. "All the protocols were in place when I went up here."

Keith closed his eyes as if he was in pain but quickly tried to hide it taking a sip off his coffee. Sven easily spotted it though and said, "What's wrong?"

"Sigis," was all he could answer between gritted teeth.

"What does he want?"

"He has issues with my dreams."

"Allura?"

"Yup."

Another look of pain went across Keith's face and this time bolts of energy surged through Keith's body. Dropping the mug, it crashed to the floor spilling coffee on the rug. Sven stood and immediately took a defensive stance. Keith stayed seated but a struggle began within him as Sigis took this time to launch a "training regimen". On the outside, Keith remained on his seat, energy surged all around him. A few grunts could be heard from him like he was being physically attacked.

In the confines of Keith's mind where the ancient Arusian, Alexander Sigis, currently resides, they were battling it out. Sigis was once a consciousness residing in Voltron. Decades ago, he was sent from Arus to help the human race with the threat of planet Doom. Upon his death, instead of moving forward to the next world, he stayed with Voltron. The threat of the Third Sphere still decades away from his time, his consciousness stayed dormant until King Zarkon awakened him once more. He was able to leave Voltron and now resided with its commander, Keith, recruiting his help to stop the Third Sphere from happening.

"I told you to focus!" Sigis shouted as he threw an energy ball at Keith. Keith deflected by raising a shield in front of him.

"I am!" Keith answered as he willed the shield to grow outward. The shield changed into an energy field sizzling with live electricity. "Just because I was dreaming of Allura, it doesn't mean that I am not focusing. Make no mistake, Sigis. I am doing this for her. She's the reason why I agreed to this, why I let you in."

The energy field was released and Sigis was thrown off. He hit the ground with a grunt but spun and found himself on his feet again. Sigis threw another energy bolt at Keith which Keith deflected with another shield.

"Don't be stupid, boy!" Sigis said. "Do you really think that the Royal House of Arus does not know anything? Do you really think that our young monarch does not have any idea about the Third Sphere?"

Keith was about to throw an energy bolt at Sigis but hesitated. He could not believe what he had just heard. Allura knew about all this? Was Sven right that Arus lies?

Keith's hesitation gave Sigis the opening he was looking for. He created another energy bolt, but this time much bigger and stronger than his previous ones. He threw it at Keith and it made contact right in the center of Keith's chest. Keith was thrown off and hit the ground hard. As he struggled to get up, Sigis advanced. With his magic, he bound Keith with a magical force. Keith struggled to break free but it was too strong for him.

"I do admire you very much, Earthling," Sigis said as he stood over Keith. "Not even Zarkon had that kind of control over magic, and he had trained with me for decades. You have a special talent that I only find among my fellow Arusians. You are such an extraordinary being. I can see now why Princess Allura admires you."

"You've made your point, Sigis," Keith grunted as he continued to struggle with his bonds. "I'm out of focus. I get it."

"I don't think that you do, commander," Sigis remarked. With a little twist of his wrist the bonds on Keith tightened. "For months that we've been training, trying to locate the Third Sphere you have been distracted. Your sense of loyalty to your friends has affected your ability to focus on what's more important. Your infatuation for our young monarch has clouded your judgment."

Sigis levitated and stretched out his arms. Vines of magic coursed through his outstretched arms with each vine attaching to invisible walls.

"The Third Sphere and everything it contains is dangerous to the galaxy," Sigis continued as the vines of magic crept around the invisible wall that surrounded both him and Keith. "If Lotor reaches the Sphere before we do, this dimension will cease to exist. It is important that we find the Sphere first before he does. The Third Sphere needs to be stopped at all cost."

"What are you doing, Sigis?" Keith asked as he struggled to get free from the magical bond but he couldn't. The magic that binds him was too strong for him to counter. The vines of magic creeping through the invisible wall were starting to connect.

"Clearly," Sigis replied. "You lack the focus and discipline to do this important task. You have not grasped the enormity of the situation. Your feelings always get in the way on what's more vital. I can no longer count on you to complete this mission. It's time I took matters into my own hands."

Finally, all the vines have connected. Keith suddenly felt disconnected from his body and he knew that he was going to black out. Sigis has taken full control. The vines of magic solidified creating a sphere around them both.

"Allura forgive me," Keith sighed as darkness enveloped him.