Summary: Shiro appears?! Lance found his courage to tell Keith. Allura and Keith meet with the ruler of Scythia.

Slowly and carefully, his eyes flickered to adjust the sudden brightness of the room and his head turned to the side on the soft, firm pillow. He let out a low moan as he tried to get up, but was stopped by a pair of gentle hands rest on his collarbone area and gave a gentle push for him to lay back down.

"Please." as he heard a soft, female voice. "You must stay rested. You are still healing and recovering."

His eyes blinked more to gain more focus when he finally saw a clear look of the person in front of him. She was smiling and for a moment, he thought he saw an angel. An angel who looked similar to Princess Allura.

"Allura?" his voice was raspy and dry.

She chuckled. "So I've been told I looked like her, but I'm not."

"Who-" as he felt her soft finger tips on his chapped lips.

"Shhh... I can answer all your questions once your wound heals up. Please rest up, Black Paladin." as she leaned over and gave a gentle kiss on his forehead.

His eyes felt heavy and every muscles he tried to move became tiresome so he listened to his angel and closed his eyes. A moment later, his breathing became steady. She smiled while brushing his white locks away from his peaceful face and used her blouse sleeve in a gentle damp motion to absorb his trickling sweat.

She knew the Black Paladin's name, but wanted to wait for him to recover so he can introduce himself to her. A simple admiration and respect as she has heard about him from her followings. She adjusted his blanket, but kept her seating on his bedside while she whipped out her data pad and reading more information data she got recently.

Her last raid to release the prisoners has gotten her someone who was able to hack any Galra systems. She had enough people who can hack through their system, but this prisoner was different.

It wasn't until she had the Black Paladin back on her ship that the prisoner knew who he was.

"Shiro? Is that Takashi Shirogane?"

"Is that his name? He's known as the Champion in the Galras, but he's the current Black Paladin."

"Yes. That's his name. We called him Shiro for short."

Shiro. What an unusual name.

She looked back at Shiro's sleeping face and back at the data pad. Whether it was a coincidence or not, she followed her instinct to travel through an unknown system and waited until she felt him. His wandering presence.

Her face grimaced as she read more reports on Prince Lotor's activities. She was forever disgusted by that vile creature and it seems he has been planning something in secrecy as she tried to connect the dots of his movement. So far, she hasn't been able to pinpoint his true intentions except for his orders against Voltron.

She knew Lotor has hidden agendas and each time she tried to thwart him, he slipped through her grasp. But this time, she felt this one will required Shiro's help. As much she hates to admit, her instincts are telling her that something sinister was going to happen.

Sooner than she anticipated.

"Okay! We are in the Sarmatia system and Planet Scythia is two vargas away!" as Coran spoke up cheerfully.

Lance has his arms crossed while he was in his seat on the bridge. "I wanted to go check out the planet, Coran."

Coran turned around with one hand on his waist and another hand up in the air with his index finger waving. "Sorry Lance, only with authority can go first so we can gain permission to enter."

Pidge was chuckling. "Beside Lance, you can get to tease Keith a lot more this time~~ You should of seen his face when he had to dress up! It was priceless!"

"HA! Like that Mullet can pull it off. I make a better woman than him."

"Yeah, with the amount of beauty regime you do, Lance. You can truly pull off as a woman easily." with Hunk speaking up.

"The Blue Paladin has 82.9% of pulling off as woman, but 30.53% of attractions in this reality, but the Red Paladin has 86.72% of attracting both sexes in this reality." as Slav spoke behind Coran. "But 93.75% that he can pull off as a woman."

Lance glared at Slav. "Shut up! How can he have a higher percentage than me?!"

"Please Lance, you're part of the 86.72% that is attracted to him." with Pidge pointing it out. "I bet you it will be 100% the moment he steps out with Princess Allura."

"You're on!"

"Paladins." with everyone on the bridge looking at the screen and seeing Allura in Blue's hanger with the Blue Lion in the background with her shield barrier up. "Please come meet us in the Blue Lion's hanger."

"I thought we were going to discuss it here, Princess." as Coran scratched his head.

They saw her amused chuckling. "You have to come here before Keith finds the nearest airlock to throw himself out."

Everyone arrived at Blue's hanger and their eyes were locked on Allura immediately. She wore a long, shimmering V-crossed sapphire blue dress with an open slit near the front right side. There were intricate golden patterns laced around her shoulders with a white cape hanging behind, a golden corset wrapped around her waist and two matching golden bangles on her wrists. Her boots were up to her calves and were white with powder blue linings. She had her tied and curled up as it was resting in front of her chest with two thin golden bands wrapped around her forehead.

Lance gave a wolf whistle. "You are a knock-out, Allura. Now I wish I went with you."

Allura chuckled. "Thank you Lance. This was my mother's dress when she visited the planet. I thought I would pay the same respect and hopefully, they remember it too."

Hunk shook his head fast and looked around. "So? Where is our fearless leader Keith?"

"He should be back soon." with her hand covering her laugh. "He tried getting in Blue so fast, but she put up her barrier before he can. I asked Blue to take it down, but she refuses. So, he went either Red's or Black's hanger, but-"

"UGH. Why won't they let me in-" as Keith barged in with heavy breathing, but stood up in shock as he saw the team.

Lance's mouth gaped wide open with Hunk blinking several times and Pidge was keeping mental note and sneaking in take a few pictures. Pidge looked up at Lance and used her index finger to push up Lance's open mouth to close.

Yup. 100%. As Coran, Pidge, and Hunk nodded in agreement.

Keith wore a sleeveless short white blouse dress around his thigh area with the back area of his skirt hanging an inch below his knee with rose gold lacing. Rose gold belt wrapped around his waist and same color with his lace scarf buttoned on his outfit shoulder's straps with tail end hanging close to his waist. He had an inch long rose gold bangle on both of his wrists and wore the same boot style as Allura except with ruby color. He kept his same hair style except with little volume as he refused to have Allura change it.

Keith's face went pinkish red before he glared at Blue who finally let down her shield barrier.

And now, Keith understand why the Lions did not let him in. They wanted everyone to see his new feminine look.

Thanks a lot. As mentally mumbled.

He could hear all of their satisfying purrs. He crossed his arms.

"Go ahead and make fun of me now."

Lance blinked without breaking his eye contact with Keith. "You look beautiful like a goddess, Keith."

Keith's eyes blinked several times and cocked his head. Somehow, his body felt a bit warmer than before and quickly stroll past the others towards Blue without looking. He was stopped when he felt a strong grip on his wrist and saw it was Lance.

Before Keith can get a word out of his mouth, he stood frozen still when he watched Lance lifted his wrist up as he felt those firm hand moved from his wrist to his own hand and was pulled close until he felt a gentle, firm touch on his knuckle. He felt extreme warmth on his cheeks and ears.

Did...did he just kissed my hand?! I-I thought he would? Why is Lance so confusing to understand?

Wow. Where did I get the courage from? It's the dress and probably his cute look of embarrassment.

As they both expressed their thoughts at the same time.

Lance had his eyes closed when his lips met those firm, callous hand and reopening his eyes to see a speechless, more embarrassed Keith. He smiled and let out the most gentle voice he had ever given to anyone until now.

"Good luck, Keith."

He released Keith's hand and watched his crush looked away quick and nodded with a quiet thanks as he walked away. Lance looked up at Blue and gave her a gentle nod.

Please take care of him, Blue.

She gave a gentle mental nudge and purred.

Allura smiled and spoke up. "We will let you guys know once we make contact with them."

She looked at Lance and gave a wink before she followed Keith and asked Blue to open up for her entrance. They had to watch from afar and safe as they watched Blue left the hanger.

Lance almost fell forward when Hunk slapped his back. "Wow man. That's one bold move to let him know."

"I don't know what gotten into me. I just acted on auto pilot." as he scratched the back of his head.

Coran placed his arm around Lance's shoulder. "At least, you showed him how you felt about him. That's a good start! I mean, he didn't even do his usual scowl with you!"

"But still-"

"No buts! Tell him how you feel once they get back, okay?"

Lance nodded.

"Well then guys, let's just sit back and wait for our next orders."

Blue Lion landed with little turbulence when they had to make in a dense, lush forest near the river. Luckily, Allura had Keith giving instructions of how to land in the forest. It felt different piloting her Lion without her uniform and she noticed how Keith kept looking away whenever she moved her right leg where the slit was.

She smiled as she remembered how Keith tried to run away from her when she handed him his outfit. He looked paled and disgust that she had to force lock the room so he can't run away. It took a little convincing for Keith to dress himself and all she had to do was help with the little details. It was quite enjoyable and probably convince the other Paladins to join.

As they walked out of Blue's mouth, they were greeted with several partially armored warriors from different race as they move apart to create a walkway. Standing tall and regal at the end was their current ruler. She was tall as Allura, but with more lean muscles wearing dark brown armors with two slits from waist down, dark tan knee high boots and wearing a sleeveless beige animal coat with furs around her shoulder. She had those faded coin-like band wrapped around her head. Her skin were tan like sand with strange markings on her right arm and left side of her face. Keith gulped as he saw her short, but sharp fingernails.

"Princess Allura. This is the most pleasant surprise after many years. I am Atalanta, ruler of Scythia." as she opened her arms wide.

"I've heard many words from Mother about your planet. I'm glad you are well." as Allura went into her embrace.

Atalanta shook her head. "We are still in war and planning a way to take back our planet from the Galra Empire."

She looked over Allura's shoulder. "And who this young man might be?"

"This is Keith. He is the current leader of Voltron and the Red Paladin."

He can hear many hush whispers around him as he walked to Atalanta and with both arms close to his body, he gave his bow to her. He could hear a hum from her as he rose back up.

"There isn't many men who outmatched our Goddess' beauty, but you are certainly an exotic one." as her words purred with amusement.

That's twice I've been told that... I'm just normal.

"Come to our hideout so we can discuss in private. We can't alert your presence here." as Atalanta motioned her guards and walking into the dense forest.

Both Allura and Keith looked at each other and followed them.

"Oh my god, why Allura?! I cannot handle wearing the-these outfit! I want my pants back!" as Keith tugged the soft silk fabric on his lap while sitting on a chair.

They had dinner earlier and waiting for the servants to clean their table. Earlier, both Allura and Keith had to change their outfit to a more appropriate casual wear if Keith ever consider it casual at all.

It was pure silk white dress with one-sided strap hanging long behind their back. The hems of their flowing dress were in a V-shaped angle with golden hems. An inch wide ribbon wrapped around their waists with a matching neck and wrists band.

"I feel too exposed the more I continue wearing this." as he used a napkin to cover his lap.

"Oh Keith, this is more loose than what I wore." as her eyes did a quick glance over. "And please keep your legs closed. It's unladylike."

Keith gave her a quick glare and placed his legs together. It still felt awkward and cold.

"Lady Atalanta, we'll get right to business. We found two of your people on a Galra ship not too long ago, but they were dead once we arrived. Would you provide us information about the enemy we are dealing with?" Allura spoke up and looked at Atalanta on her left.

"Yes. He is Prince Lotor, only heir and son of Emperor Zarkon. He has ruled countless galaxies under his reign including this planet. He does not see us beings, but just his sick enjoyment." as she took a deep breath. "I lost countless of my precious people because of him. Forcing us to hide and live in shame as I cannot face my people who has gave up their lives for our sake."

"Do you happened to have any images of this Prince Lotor?" Keith asked.

She shook her head. "No, we don't. None of our people who has seen his face are never return. But I heard many rumors about one of his slave was able to escape from him and has been in hiding since then."

"We must find her so she can help us. She might know him better than we are."

"I apologize Princess Allura, but I don't know where she is. However, I can inform you who she is." as she watched her servants placing their drinks on the table. "Her name is Romelle. Princess Romelle of the Planet Pollux."

Allura gasped while Keith looked at her with confusion. She looked at Keith. "Planet Pollux was the sister planet to Altea, but I heard they sided with Galra Empire after they destroyed my planet."

"It's true. However, Princess Romelle did not want to be part of the Empire so they captured her as a prisoner for treason."

"How can we recognize this Princess Romelle if we find her?" Keith asked.

Atalanta pointed at Allura and smiled. "She could have been your twin sister as she looked very much like you."

Atalanta held her cup and chugged her drink down. Allura and Keith looked at their own cups and drank their mysterious red drink. Keith scrunched his face when his tongue felt the bitter taste while Allura took it with stride. She was used to bitter drinks.

"We can discuss more once you two are well-rested." as she snapped her fingers with her servants appearing at each side of her guests. "Please take them their respective rooms."

They both bowed to her and followed their guide. When they were out of her sight, Atalanta felt her muscles release from being tense. She closed her eyes and gave out a long breathing sigh.

I'm sorry Princess Allura and Keith, but I must do this for my people.

Keith looked around his semi-spacious and decorative room. It has so many shades of red that he has ever seen to the point of a red veil curtain in front of his bed. It looked like one of those ancient China beds that he was just reading random history books back on Earth.

This is very awkward to be in.

He didn't like this one bit and even worse when Allura's room was at the opposite end of the hallway. It made communicating harder as there was one guard standing at each end of the hallway. He pulled out his cushion chair and slumped down while laying his arms out wide on the table with half of his face resting on the soft velvet cloth.

He looked up with his chin on the table and stared at the small silver urn with thin billows of scented smoke came out. He moved closer to take a quick whiff and leaned back in his seat.

It smelled good like jasmine and white lily with a hint of citrus. He would have to ask Atalanta about this incense since he didn't mind having it around to help him relax when they get back to the Castle ship.

His eyes felt heavy suddenly with his mind quick in relaxing. His whole body felt even heavier when he tried getting up. Everything he felt was shutting down quick and with every blinks, he swore he saw a dark figure standing near the door and moving closer to him.

With what little burst of energy he had, Keith stood up quick with his palms on the table to hold only to lose his balance and his body tilting fast to his right. He was expecting to meet the hard carpet floor, but found himself in something warm and metallic like armor.

Something firm and quite hairy, like fur, fingers were caressing his cheek and the only thing he saw before darkness took him was that joker-like grin as it made contact with his own lips.

Thank you for reading!