Author's Note: This chapter came out longer than expected! Wikipedia is my buddy as I had to think of names for planets and race. I am using Greek mythology in this chapter and next few chapters!

Some Klance cute interaction and per usual, Lotor is just plain evil.

Haggar watched and monitored the flowing quintessences in the tubes that connected to her laying Emperor. She had to save Zarkon immediately after battle when Voltron got disbanded and retreated. His unhealthy ambition to take the Black Lion blinded his judgement and hence, the downfall of the Emperor. The Empire cannot operate without a ruler so it forced Haggar to summon Prince Lotor back.

He was supposed to conquer a certain planet when he just vanished from radar. No one knew what happened to him until several vargas later, they found out. The planet he was conquering was destroyed by the Weblum and most believe he died with the planet. What became a rumor was only a partial truth.

Zarkon's son survived the Weblum's attack, but instead, he was imprisoned inside the creature until he was released. When Prince Lotor arrived at the Command Center, he immediately asked her about the Paladins, but he was most interested with the Red Paladin. She didn't care much about the other Paladins except for Black since the Champion was her best subject.

The first order from the Prince was restoration of the Command Center and have the Galra fleets across the galaxy to engage and capture Voltron. But his second order was more of a personal fascination to find out more about the Red Paladin. To decide if he wanted to pursue him or not.

Haggar was ordered to investigate about the Red Paladin so she summoned her Druids to gather all known data and information from several places that Voltron has infiltrated. She expected to find some disappointing information about the Red Paladin so that the Prince can concentrate on taking down Voltron and conquering the universe.

She was wrong.

The more information she received from her Druids, the more her interest peaked. She knew the Paladins were fledglings and same human race as the Champion, but it seems the Red Paladin was quite different.

He had Galra blood. There was no way he could access their systems unless he was like their former Champion who had their signature quintessence imprinted in his mechanical arm. This was by his own flesh hand. However, when one of her Druids came up and showed her the memory of its battle with the Red Paladin at one of their secret quintessence factory, Haggar knew this one was a hybrid like Prince Lotor.

Human flesh cannot withstand the contact of raw quintessence. It would melt their skin like hot magma. Haggar knew when she experimented on the Champion with his arm.

Unlike Lotor who has the physical Galra feature with some Altean aspects like his hair and ears, this one kept his human appearance. She has her suspicion, but she needed the Red Paladin here to confirm her theory.

To see if he has the Altean blood in him. It is a well-known knowledge that the Altean race has the chameleon-like ability.

When she informed her findings to the Prince, she saw his ambition in those golden orbs, just like his father, when they want to obtain something. Emperor Zarkon wanted the Black Lion back in his grasp. For Prince Lotor, he wanted the Red Paladin. To either have him serve the Empire or become the Prince's personal amusement.

Haggar leaned towards for his personal amusement since he was quite known to have his own harem. But if the Red Paladin refuse to serve under them (which she knows that he will), then she would have her own quality time with him as long he survives and then return him to Prince Lotor. She smirked as she knew the Prince enjoys to play gentle before revealing his true color.

She watched Prince Lotor, who had a smile on, walking into the room and stood next to her while keeping his gaze at his Father.

"Prince Lotor, I can see you are in good spirit despite in your Father's presence."

"You said so yourself, Haggar. He will not wake anytime soon. Father was heavily injured, both mentally and physically by the very weapon he wished to obtain."

Haggar lowered her head. "How was your meeting with the Red Paladin?"

Lotor gave a quick glance at Haggar and back at his Father's fallen form. "You said the Champion piloted the Black Lion, did you not?"

"Yes Prince Lotor. He was the Black Paladin."

"Do you wish to have the Champion back, Haggar?"

She looked up with slight confusion. "He has slipped through my grasp last time."

"I heard something interesting from my prey's sweet mouth."

He turned his body and focus to Haggar with his arms behind his back as he walked towards her. He leaned down close to her ear and whispered. "The Red Paladin currently pilots the Black Lion."

Impossible! As Haggar's eyes widen and looked at Lotor quick when he stood up straight with his knowing smile.

"That's impossible! How can this happened?! Your Father lost his connection with the Black Lion against the Champion and now, it has chosen a different pilot."

Lotor just shrugged and turned his back on her. "It seems we are not the only one who had suffered a loss from the last battle."

"What are your plans, Prince Lotor?"

"The plan is already in motion, Haggar." He smiled and walked towards the exit, but stopped at the threshold when he glanced over his shoulder. "We will deal with the annoying rebellion pests first before I can claim my enchanting prey, Keith. Who knew my little personal fascination with the Red Paladin has its benefits for our Empire."

He laughed wickedly as the door closed when he stepped out, leaving Haggar alone in the room. Lotor knew he got Haggar within his fingers once he laid out some of his cards as she would take care of dealing with his least important agenda such as Voltron and that annoying rebellion group.

It wasn't the Blade of Marmora, but another group led by someone unknown with power, but he had his own suspicion of who it is.

He just need to dangle a perfect bait to lure them out and he knows perfectly what to use.

"ACHOO!" as he shook his head while his whole body came down with cold shivers.

"Are you okay, buddy? You're not sick, are you?" Lance asked as he handed Keith a tissue.

"No, I don't think so." as Keith took the tissue and wiped his nose.

"Maybe someone was talking good about you behind your back?"

"I hope so, but with a cold shiver too? It felt like it has double meaning." as Keith took a sip of his drink pouch.

Lance shrugged. "Oh? So you want to say that there's someone out there who was talking good about you and yet, have bad intentions?"

Keith nodded.

Lance blinked and laughed while holding his stomach. "Really Keith? Sorry buddy, but who wants a temperamental person with an emo personality?"

Keith huffed and turned his back on Lance while drinking. Lance wiped away his build-up tears and watched Keith's back side with slight admiration. Lance knew what he said earlier was harsh, but it was in fun intention.

To be honest, Lance wanted to admit to Keith that he liked him the way he is now and was before.

Before, Keith would been unbearable to be with since the Garrison days. Lance would constantly hear their instructors, especially Iverson, about how Keith was the best cadet (beside Shiro) before his drop-out. He hated being compare to him since it hurt his self-esteem and pride. He wanted to beat Keith in everything he do so people can recognize his own skill.

And now, he felt his rivalry with Keith has subdue with every missions they accomplished together. With every challenging obstacles, they had each other's backs, minus that one particular day during team bonding simulation in their early beginnings.

But he was terrified how Keith would react if he did confess. It terrified him when he found out about his own feeling. He did not expect to fall for his own teammate. A male teammate, nonetheless.

His mother once told him that it doesn't make him less than a person to love another if that person was the same sex. It shows how love was not picky in choosing, but only the mind that causes the confusion. He wondered if his mother would approve his decision.

Lance was so lost in his thought that he didn't saw a hand waving in front of his face until he felt someone pinching his nose closed. He gave a slight snort while swatting the offending hand and rubbed his nose with both of his index fingers.

"What gives?"

"You spaced out like an idiot. Coran just called us to be on the bridge now. It seems the Castle picked up something on the scanner."

"Oh." as Lance paused his rubbing. "Hey Keith, can I ask you something personal?"

Keith quirked his brow. "It depends. What is it?"

Lance took a deep breath and exhaled. "Have you ever fallen for someone before?"

Keith blinked three times. What?

"Forget I asked." as Lance raised his hands in surrender. "Ah, we should hurry to the bridge. We can't let the others wait long!"

He dashed out quick like a mouse being chased by a cat.

Keith cocked his head. "What the hell was that about?"

He could hear Black's reassurance and yet, Red's groaning growl in his mind. Keith sighed as he followed Lance's fainting trail to the bridge. He will have to corner Lance one of these days to find out what's wrong with him. Just when he thought he got through Lance, he was thrown in another loop and he just don't seem to understand right now.

Why did he asked if I had fallen for someone? Is he talking about love? Cuz I have no clue and no time to ponder about it.

Keith paused in his steps and touched his right ear. He could still feel those lingering phantom touches on his body. He really, really did not understand Sincline's intentions nor the physical attraction he has on him.

We never met before and yet, I've let him in my personal space beside Shiro. I let my guard down too much.

But who is he and why he asked me those questions? Why did I even answer?

He was lucky that Black came to pull his sense back, but it was Red's roar that helped clear his hazy mind. He was very confused. He would talk to Shiro about his problem, but he's gone. Keith didn't know who he could turn to.

This leadership thing is very draining and demanding..

He sighed as he resumed his walk to the bridge.

"It could be a trap. Why would they leave an abandon Galra cargo ship in the middle of nowhere?" as Pidge mentioned.

Everyone minus Slav are on the bridge and looking at the map of the vast galaxies.

With his arms crossed, Keith spoke up. "But it is worth a shot to find out any clues about the Empire's intention. Pidge, you and I will go in the Green Lion and check it out."

"It could be a trap as Pidge mentioned earlier. Keith, you should let one of us go with Pidge instead." as Allura spoke with concern.

"I know, Princess. But," as Keith held up one hand and staring at it. "I can access their system quicker without detection. I need you and Hunk stay behind in the castle just in case."

Keith walked up to Allura and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I am not saying this because you're the Princess that needs protection, but as a fellow teammate, I need you be our support if anything gets past us and Lance."

She nodded.

He looked over her and at Lance who was standing behind Allura. "Lance, I need you with Red to guard the Green Lion when we're inside. Watch out for any surprises."

"Gotcha, buddy." as Lance gave a thumbs up.

"I still don't like it, but it's something to go with knowing how little clues we have for anything." Hunk said.

"I understand Hunk, but it's the risk we have to take. Okay team, suit up and roll out."

"Have you found anything, Pidge?" Keith asked through his communication from his helmet.

"Not yet, Keith. I'm downloading the encrypted data so I can analyze them back in the Castle." as her fingers furiously typing away on her laptop. "Just need a few more ticks for download to finish. How about your end?"

Keith looked around the dim-lighted hallway with his bayard ready. "Nothing so far. It just stinks down here. Lance, Allura, how about your ends?"

"Nothing picked up in the surrounding area by the scanner." Allura responded.

"Same here, Keith." as Lance responded with his eyes looking around. "Red hasn't picked up anything either."

"Stay alert. I believe I have two more rooms to go before heading back. Pidge, let me know when you're done."

"Gotcha!"

Keith was finished inspecting the room he was in and was heading towards the last one near the end of the hallway. He really didn't like the musky smell that lingered throughout his search. He wondered what this Galra ship was holding as he carefully leaned back on the wall near the pad and placed his hand on it. It beeped and turned green when the door swooshed open and he finally found the source of the smell.

He took slow steps towards the entrance and was disgusted at sight and turned around quick with his mouth covered and his eyes widen with horror. He coughed loudly and erratically as he placed his hand immediately on the pad to close it. He cannot handle it anymore. It was too much to swallow.

"Keith? Are you okay?! What happened, buddy?"

He could hear Lance's panic voice through his communication and took several deep breaths. More concern voices heard and stood up straight with his right hand placed on his ear.

What the hell was going on in this ship?

"I'm okay, guys." as he took another breathing. "Can you repeat what you said, Pidge? Everyone was calling me all at once."

He could hear Pidge's sigh of relief. "I found out what this ship was used for and it's not a pleasant information."

Keith looked back at the room. "Nothing can compare to what I found here. We're heading back to the Castle to discuss. And Lance."

"Yes Keith?"

"Destroy this ship."

"Keith, what happened in there?" Lance asked as the team watched Pidge's cracking the encrypted data in the bridge.

"Pidge, tell them what you found first."

Pidge explained her findings with Keith when they were heading back to the Castle in the Green Lion. He told her the reason why he gave that order to Lance. Her face paled.

"After going through several encrypted datas on the ship's computer, I found out it wasn't a warship, but a cargo ship. A specialized Galra cargo ship."

"So? What it was holding that made Lance blast the ship?" Hunk asked.

Pidge looked at Keith which she can see something unfamiliar emotion in his eyes. She took a deep breath.

"It's a slave ship." as she watched their neutral reaction, but her next response will hit them hard like Keith. "Not just a slave ship we have encountered before, but a sex slave ship."

She saw their horrified and disgusted expression, but she especially watched Allura's. Her expression was mixed with anger. Pidge knew Allura still have her hatred with the Galras, but this one might have cemented it. She would have to watch her closely so Allura doesn't hurt Keith on accident. She still remember the sad look on Keith's face when he told everyone about his blood heritage. It was something she didn't want to see again on him because of this. The guilt of being part of the very race that was destroying the universe.

"I found out where the ship's last coordinates, but..." she paused as she adjusted her glasses. "it was used as an escape ship and whoever was on the ship was trying to escape."

They all looked at Keith when Lance rushed up towards him and pulled his collar. "Why did ordered me to blast it if we can save them?!"

Keith placed both hands on Lance's shoulder and gave the commanding look at Pidge. She nodded with hesitation and typed in a few commands on her laptop.

The screen changed from encrypted Galra words into a visual picture of what Keith saw through his helmet. Two unknown female species chained up around the wrists and ankles wearing only lewd crop tops and panties. They looked beaten and torture with scars and dried blood crusted on their skins. A Galra solider was laid in front of them with his head blasted by its own blaster.

Hunk placed his hand over his mouth and turned around quick with a bag over his mouth. Allura turned quick and hid her face on Coran's shoulder as he patted her and looked away. Lance released his grip on Keith and took his frustration out by punching the closest thing to him which was Keith. Keith anticipated and stopped his punch with one hand.

"There was no way we can save them, Lance. I did not want this ship floating aimlessly with those bodies rotting in space. I thought it was the best course to respect the dead."

"They are Scythians." as Coran spoke up while holding Allura. "They are from the Planet Scythia in the Sarmatia system. A race of strong, female warriors that Princess Allura's mother used to speak highly of when she and King Alfor visited."

"Similar to the mythical story of Amazon women back on Earth then." as Lance responded.

"Zarkon must of taken over their planet." as Hunk finally regained his senses, but the moment he saw the picture again, he turned away again. He threw up once more.

Pidge shook her head and tapped a few buttons to change the visual back to Galra data. "No. It's Zarkon's son. They called him Prince Lotor and it mentioned how he has this disgusting habit of capturing any beautiful, especially females, into his harem."

"Just like his Father. They are monsters to the universe." with Allura's venom voice. "We need to free them!"

Keith nodded. "Pidge, continue to find out if there's anymore information about this Prince Lotor. Allura and I will contact the Blade of Marmora if they had any information about this. Coran, set the course to Planet Scythia."

"And Lance," as he watched Hunk trying to regain his composure. "take care of Hunk first. I need you two to work with Coran on finding more about the Scythian race. We don't want to provoke them once we get there."

Lance smile beamed and did his military salute as he walked close to Hunk and guided him away from the bridge.

Only Lance who would get excited about a planet full of women he can flirt with. As Keith pinched his nose bridge.

"Oh!" as Coran stood straight and placed his fist on his open palm. "I forgot to mention that they are not too fond of males and even more so after being taken over by this Prince Lotor; so when we do make it there and if they're still upholding their long tradition, we won't have a pleasant meeting especially if we want to meet their ruler except for number 5 and Princess Allura."

Keith raised his brow. "So only Pidge and Allura are allowed since they are females. Is that what I'm getting?"

"Correct!"

"How did King Alfor visited the planet then?" Keith asked, but the moment those words left his mouth, he felt an uneasy feel in his stomach.

"Why, my young lad. To appreciate and respect them, we would have to dress ourselves like them!" as Coran words beamed with sparkles and rainbows.

It scared Keith when he have that shining amusement look and even more when he looked at Pidge. She smiled while shaking her head. He groaned when his forehead met his palm.

Maybe he can make it a command for Pidge to go, but then again, he didn't want to know what she'll do if he did. Or he can convince Lance to go along and dressed up with Allura since it would be unwise to have her go alone.

"And Keith?" as Coran finally got out of his usual shiny universe. "Only those within power can have audience with their ruler. Beside Princess Allura, you would have to accompany her as the leader of Voltron."

Great. The universe was against him. What else could be more peachy? As Keith thought.

If only he knew it was the beginning of his downfall.

Thank you for reading! ;3

Next chapter will be a two-part story!