The Third Sphere Part I: Keith's Redemption

Author's Notes: Final Chapter Finally up! Thank you for sticking around this long and being patient with me. Part 2 is in the works but I will be taking some time before posting any updates. So, hope you enjoy!

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

-oo-

Chapter 10

Outside, the rest of the Voltron Force were waiting for the decision of their commander and the ruler of Planet Arus.

"Do you think they're getting it on in there?"

"Lance!"

"What?" Lance replied. "They've been in there for an hour already. An hour of just talking is really boring."

"And you've been wondering why I've bypassed you for commander before?" Sven remarked with a smirk.

"You're right, Sven," Lance replied with a smile. "Keith does boring very well."

Before their conversation could go any further, Keith and Allura emerged from their sleeping quarters, with their hands intertwined with each other. The team already knew that whatever problems the couple faced prior to this was resolved. They saw the two of them as a solid entity once more.

Keith had now freshly showered and changed into another Voltron uniform, all the rune markings completely erased from his body. He and Allura headed straight towards Alexander Sigis who was standing in between Sven and Lance. Sigis' eyes were focused on Allura, still filled with contempt but there was also resignation in his gaze.

"Alexander," Allura started when both she and Keith stood before the former knight.

"Your Highness," he answered with another bow of respect.

"As the only living heir to the Royal House of Arus," she stated. "I will decide your fate.

"I have every right to condemn you to eternal damnation by not granting you eternal rest for what you have almost done to Commander Kogane. And despite what you have done to him, Keith defended your actions, stating that you have done more than enough for your request for rest to be granted."

Allura moved closer to Sigis until they were only a foot apart. She looked at Sigis' eyes and did not waver as he stared back at her.

"You are so damn lucky that the person defending you is the man I love," she continued. "I will grant your freedom when the threat to the Third Sphere is over. But until then, you will return to Voltron as the sixth pilot. That is the only punishment that I will give you for your treachery."

Sigis lowered his gaze. He was silent for a moment and then he replied, "how will I know that you will honor your word?"

"You will have to trust my words, sir knight," Allura stated. "Believe it or not, I have never broken my word to anyone. Not even with Zarkon when he was alive."

"I will hold you to that, Your Highness," Sigis remarked and bowed once more.

Allura gave a nod of acknowledgement and added, "we'll hold the ritual of returning you back to Voltron later."

Sigis bowed once more and stood still. Lance and Sven followed Allura and Keith towards the dining area with Hunk and Pidge bringing up the rear.

Once everyone had settled in their seats, they started discussing plans on how to stop the Third Sphere. Suggestions were being passed back and forth, Sigis was making suggestions every so often that the team considered.

"I can't believe we're actually going to do this," Hunk stated after they have finished laying out the ground works on their plan to stop the Third Sphere.

Keith and Allura exchanged looks. Allura gave Keith a quick nod before his gaze returned to the big guy.

"You're not joining us, Hunk," Keith stated.

Lance, Pidge and Hunk gave out audible gasps as the former two looked at the latter with shock and then moved their gaze towards their commander.

"What do you mean, I'm not joining you?" Hunk inquired, slowly standing up to his full height. "Who's going to pilot Yellow if I won't be there?"

"If Sven would be willing," Keith remarked. "He'll pilot Yellow in your stead. But if Yellow won't like a change in pilots, Voltron was still able to function with only four pilots at the helm. You guys have proven that during your mission to Ryal."

"Why isn't Hunk joining us for this?" Pidge inquired, looking back and forth from Hunk to Keith.

"Hunk resigned as a Space Explorer effective after his last mission," Keith answered in a low voice.

"I'm taking that resignation back, Commander," Hunk remarked.

Keith shook his head and said, "you also mentioned that your resignation is non-retractable. Besides, this mission is pretty dangerous and you have a baby to think about. I can't risk your life for this, Hunk. Think of Justine and your baby."

"I can't abandon you guys," Hunk said as he slammed his fist on the table. "Justine will understand. She's also a Space Explorer. She knows the risks involved. You guys need me for this. We're a team."

"You'd still be able to help us, Hunk," Allura stated. "But not as a pilot. Voltron is still the possession of Arus and all the major maintenance and upgrades are done on Arus. You know the ins and outs of Voltron and all of the lions. We still need your expertise for that."

Hunk kept silent but narrowed his brows in question.

Allura continued, "you'll still be a part of the team Hunk, but out of the firefight. If you choose to accept this, we would like to offer that you head Voltron's maintenance on Arus. And if Justine would also be willing, to head security on the planet as well."

"Hunk," Keith added. "At this point in your life, you would need to see the bigger picture. I can't let you go on this mission especially when you've decided to leave this life. It's not fair for you or Justine if we let you join us. But you can still help us out by making sure that Voltron is in top form when we face the threat of the Third Sphere."

Hunk remained silent, trying to let the news sink in. When he found out the real reason why Keith was acting like he did, all thoughts of his resignation was completely forgotten. He realized that their commander was doing what he did best, to protect his team the best way he knew how. He couldn't possibly leave the team now that they know the reason for the secrecy. But Keith and Allura were right as well. He and Justine will become parents and they would need to get out of the fire fight if they would have a standing chance of raising their child. Both of them decided to leave the SE for the future of their baby.

Arus. Would Justine be fine with moving to Arus? When they've decided to leave being a Space Explorer, they never really have any plan in mind. Would she be open to the idea? He hoped she would because being a part of the Voltron Force, even with just taking care of the Lions would be great. He would still be with Yellow, even if he would be piloted by someone else. The thought of leaving Yellow completely bothered Hunk when Keith mentioned it. So if there was a sliver of a chance that he would still be able to take care of the Yellow Lion, he would gladly take it. But would Justine be all for it as well?

"I want to consider your offer, Commander," Hunk finally said as all eyes were on him for his decision. "But it wouldn't be my decision alone anymore. Like you said, I have a family to think about now. I would have to consider Justine's input on this as well."

"No pressure, Hunk," Allura answered with Keith nodding and affirmative. "The offer stands until you and Justine make the decision."

"In the meantime," Hunk remarked. "I could still run intel from down here. I've been sitting in with Pidge for some time now. I'll be able to help out even if I won't be flying with your guys in the lions."

Keith nodded once more then shifted his gaze on Sven.

"So," he asked his former commander. "Would it be okay with you to fly Yellow?"

"This is bigger than any one of us," Sven answered. "If Yellow is willing to take another pilot aside from Hunk, I'll gladly take his place."

Keith nodded and smiled. Allura held his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. He returned it in kind.

"Well then," Keith said as he stood up. "We have our assignments. We'll start this new mission in three days time."

"A mission," Lance remarked. "Where we will either be called heroes or traitors."

"Can't be helped," Pidge added. "Destroying the two Voltrons in Garrison wouldn't really give us good standing in the SE."

"But it's something that we need to do to save this dimension," Keith replied. "And we weren't called the Defender of the Universe for nothing."