Author's note: This chapter was a quite a monster to churn out, but a good set up for what I planned for the next two chapters. To clear this out early, as far as I went with how Lotor and Lance interacts in this chapter, it won't be nothing more than Lotor teasing and torturing Lance's mind and emotions in future chapters.

The last two chapters will be the long-awaited meeting between Lotor and Keith as it will be the main set-up for the 3rd installment of the series. Expect it to be a bit dark and full of angst.

This chapter about Lance's condition was based on episode 30: The Sleeping Princess from Voltron '84 series.

Summary: An intimate one-on-one interaction between Lance and Lotor.

Allura tapping a bit of her power with the help of the Black Lion.

His eyes were still closed, but his conscience stirs from sounds of muffled noises.

"No! Lance, come back!"

"You're lying, Coran! Lance can't be-"

He heard their cryings and shouting.

"I'm sorry, Paladins."

He wonders what was the apology for.

"It's my fault."

He recognized the familiar voice, but unfamiliar with its accompany sounds. It was choke up and in despair. What happened and why can't he opened his eyes? He heard their voices calling out to come back. Calling out Keith to return as he heard a slamming sound on glass and a sniffling cry. Was Keith crying? Why?

Wait.

His last memory was being with Keith in the fields of flowers. It was their first time alone together and wanted that day to be special. His heart flutters high when he heard Keith's confession and he was going to return the feeling when he felt something stabbed instantaneously behind him through his heart. He can only remember his body falling and the warmth from Keith on his cold body.

He was going in and out of conscience to hear broken conversation from Keith and another person. That said person happens to be evil witch, Haggar. Allura spoke about her. Why did she have to ruin on their first date? Then again, evil beings are known to ruin a perfect moment with their timings. Haggar just have to ruin their special bonding moment.

"What do you want?"

Keith was asking the question when he held him very close to his chest. He can feel his fear trembling throughout his body. Keith hardly expressed his fears openly, but right now, as if that witch had found an opening, the walls he had built for himself was crumbling down bit by bit.

"It's not what I want."

What the quiznak. It's not what she wants? Why the blazing hell she did this then?

"What does Lotor wants?"

His blood ran cold. Lotor? As in Prince Lotor? Zarkon's hidden child? How the quiznak-ing hell did Keith have to jump into that conclusion? Scratch that. He knew exactly why.

"If you want the Blue Paladin to live, you will bring the Lions to Planet Pollux."

No no no. He cannot let them do that. No way they will hand them over to their evil hands. He will not let them use his current predicament as their bargaining chip. Nope. No way in hell.

"Do you wish to see that?"

See what? What the hell is the witch talking about? His mind was swirling in many questions until he felt something wet fell on his face. Wet? Was it raining? It can't be since the sky was still clear before he passed out. Another drop fell and that's when he knew those raindrops came from two violet skies.

Keith was crying. The strong-willed and temperamental Keith Kogane was crying for him.

"Prince Lotor wishes for a private audience with you."

"Alone."

No. His heart stopped and realization had dawn on him. His mind was suddenly flooded with memories of their past encounters with the Galra fleets. The memory from that particular mission on Planet Scythia.

"I'll be there."

No no NO! Keith, no! Take that back. Don't go!

Lance's eyes opened wide with an immediate gasp for air as he sat up and shook his head with his hand on his forehead. He blinked and looked at his dark, empty surrounding. He looked at his hands and carefully got up from his seating with his eyes scanning around. His eyes stopped when he saw a familiar person lying down on a flat table, motionless, with the one being he wished he did not want to see when he woke up. It was sitting next to him with his filthy hand on his beloved's face.

He ran fast towards them, only to be stopped by an invisible wall. He pounded hard and yelling loud at them, but what loud sound he produced at his end was only silence on the other end. His blue eyes made direct contact with yellow eyes and growls vibrated in his throat when he saw that disgusting look of that amused smile. He wanted to slap that smile out, but he felt sick in his stomach when that vile being gave a quick kiss on the lips and got up to walk towards his direction.

Lance stepped back as he watched him walking through the invisible wall as if it was nothing and smiled at him.

"You must be the one." in his smooth voice.

Lance clenched his hand. "Why? Why him?!"

He moved closer to Lance with his hand outstretch, cupped his chin and staring straight at his blue eyes. "You're not bad yourself."

Lance bit his lip. "He is not a toy for your sick game."

"He was, but he's not now." as he cocked his head. "He's my prize after this game is over."

His blood boiled and instinct took over when Lance slapped his hand away and went straight to punch him, but the man dodged quickly and was already behind Lance when he grabbed his wrist and twisted hard onto his back and pulled him straight up with a strong choke hold on his neck. Lance tried to break free from his grip, but it had a very strong grip. He had underestimate him because of his physical feature.

"You are twisted, Lotor."

"It's Prince Lotor." but he gave a small shrug. "But you won't bother with a proper greeting so I will let it slide."

Lance continued to struggle. "What did you do to Keith?"

"Hmm..." He stares at the sleeping figure and back at Lance's side profile. "Nothing much. Just comforting his now broken soul thanks to you."

"You bastard."

He tsk'd. "Such vulgar word."

Lotor turned him around quick and slammed him hard to the wall by his neck. The sudden impact made Lance's breathing hitched and gasping for air as his hands clawed at Lotor's arm. It only made the constriction tighter.

"I can officially make you dead right now." as he took a side peek behind. "It would make your dear Red Paladin come to me much easier."

Lance was feeling already light-headed and ready to lose his conscience when he felt the grip loosen.

"But your sad death will only take up his mind and I don't want that to happen. That's not what I was aiming for."

Lance coughed as his body fell down like a string puppet with his hand rubbing his bruised neck and glaring up at Lotor. "How nice of you."

Lotor smiled, crouched down to his level, and his fingers went to touch his cheek. "I saw bits and pieces of his memories of you. He thought highly and protective of you. It was enough that I had to punish him."

"You sick fu-"

He was about to move when Lotor grabbed his wrists and pulled them up over his head, his free arm laid across his neck, and settled rest of his body between his legs. He hovered dangerously close to his face with his warm breath over his lips.

"To answer your very first question, Blue Paladin. He enticed my fascination until I want to possess him. Tell me, do you actually know what he is? Who he actually is?" As his words purred smoothly.

"I know he's half of your creature that wants to conquer the universe."

He grinned and licked his side mouth. "Oh Blue Paladin, that's only a tip of it. He's more than that. You human species are still so primitive and such a waste for him to be under your and the Altean Princess's care."

"Keith is not yours!"

"Oh he will be." He released his choke-hold and his hand began to wander around Lance's body. "You see Lance, I've been a good prince and waited for the right moment, but the temptation has been quite unbearable."

Lance flinched more with his eyes closed from the violating touch. He felt Lotor's warm breath near his ear.

"I'm sure you have heard of my lovely reputation." Lance's eyes flew opened and gave a burning glare. Lotor chuckled. "I will make Keith wither in true pleasure. Have you heard the sounds he made? Or the feels of his soft, unprotected flesh? It was truly enjoyable to the point I got a small taste back on Planet Scythia. Oh don't worry, I won't break him in too much. It's such a rare case that someone like your precious Red Paladin can hold my interest this long and making the Prince of Galra Empire to work this hard to obtain it. "

"You sick, sick bastard."

Lotor looked up and smiled back at Lance. "It has begun, Lance. It was fun chatting with you."

He released him while standing tall and dusting himself with a mischievous smile still on his face. He held one finger up.

"Consider this one a settle debt for the Red Paladin. Your dear former leader is alive and well. He will be on Planet Pollux."

"Shiro's alive?" Lance didn't want to believe it, but somehow, he had. He looked up at Lotor. "What debt are you talking about?"

He gave a soft snort. "Ask your Yellow Paladin. Oh, and thank him for the scaultrites too."

With a wave, he disappeared with a puff. Lance didn't waste time to get up and moved immediately to Keith as he looked down at his peaceful look. His hand caressed his cheek and he swooped down with his arms around Keith shoulder as he sat him up and hugged him close.

Everything he heard and saw. He cannot believe the preposterous idea that this whole plan was to take Keith away from them. Away from him. If only they caught on early. If only he caught on, then this would have been prevent. And now, Lance can't do nothing, but to watch.

"Feel your Altean magic. Bond with your Lion and you will be able to find the one you're looking for."

Allura looked up at the Black Lion. Those words lingered in her minds since that day. She was confused and almost forgotten until now. It came back to her like a meteorite shower when she was lost after what happened in Med Bay.

No one wanted to believe Lance died, but his heart gave out after Keith gave him the potion given by Haggar. It was supposed to stall his death, not accelerating it. They placed him quick in the cryopod, but it was too late to save him. Keith took the hardest hit and left immediately to his room where he locked himself. Pidge left afterwards to her Lion with Hunk and Coran remaining with Lance.

She didn't believe Lance died or else she would have felt some kind of broken bond with his Lion. No, this was Haggar they're going against with and she must of placed something in that vial to make it look like Lance had died.

For Allura, she wanted to clear her mind and excused herself. She wanted to check on Keith, but her thoughts were tugged by her Blue Lion. She gave a slight nod and headed towards her hanger and that was when those words came back. When she arrived, Blue was gone. Allura panicked until Blue told her that she was with Black. How did and why? So many questions to ask, but kept them in the back as she went to Black's hanger.

Black wasn't alone with Blue. Red Lion was there too, but only sat next to Blue. She could feel sadness in their purrs, but she shook her head when she heard Black's purr and strangely enough, her words. Allura moved close to one of Black's paws and instinctively place her hand on it while closing her eyes.

Her mind was pulled harshly and swirling around until everything was still and in purple. She looked around until her eyes locked on the very person they've been looking for.

"Shiro."

He smiled as he moved closer in view and stopping only a few inches in front of her. Her hands moved up in a slow, careful move onto his face when all of her bottled emotion flew open as she hugged him immediately. He stroked her bun hair and nuzzled top of her head.

"Princess Allura. It's glad to see you again."

"Oh Shiro." She buried her face further in his chest. "We missed you so much. We didn't know what happened to you. Where were you? What happened after Zarkon's defeat?"

Shiro made a gentle push on Allura's shoulder and smiled. "I missed you too and as for your questions, I really do not know. I only remember waking up after being saved by Princess Romelle and being on her ship."

"Princess Romelle? The exiled Pollux royalty?"

Shiro nodded. "Speaking of Pollux, that's where we are heading, but Princess Allura, there's something I must tell you. You need to keep Keith away from going there."

Allura gasped with her hands on her mouth while she shook her head.

"Allura? What happened?"

"Lance..." as she wiped her tears that just fell. "To save Lance, Keith agreed to go alone. Haggar did something to make Lance's heart stopped as if he died."

"No." Shiro shook his head in disbelief. "Allura, you have to stop Keith from going. It's a trap set for him."

"A trap for him? But why?"

"Romelle told me. I'm sure you have noticed too. We all know that Keith's half Galra, but the big question is why he's not in that form at all."

"Shiro, I-" Allura paused when she just remembered something that bother her on that day.

"Allura?" Shiro cocked his head.

"Remember the day that Keith and I were out to prove if Zarkon was tracking through us?"

Shiro nodded.

"I remember being confused that Red Lion found us from that far away and then your stories about how you all found the Blue Lion through Keith."

"Allura, I remember Coran mentioning how your life force is connected with the Lions and being able to pinpoint their locations." Shiro paused. "It can't be..."

"There's a very slim possibility and if it's true, then-"

Both Shiro and Allura's eyes were wide in realization.

"I will let Romelle know."

"I will let the others know, but I pray that I am able to stop Keith in time."

"Hurry, Allura." as he watched Allura turned and walking away until he yelled her. "Tell Pidge that Matt is with me."

Allura was about to respond when her mind was pulled back hard and she almost fell back until someone caught her. She looked back to see Coran and stood up immediately with her hands on his shoulder.

"Coran, Shiro's alive! I know where he is!"

Coran perked up. "That's great news, Princess! I came to tell you the good news that Lance has awoken from his sleep spell. Hunk is with him."

"That's wonderful news!" But Allura saw something else in his eyes. "Coran?"

Coran looked down and back up at Allura. "Princess, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to stop Keith."

"What do you mean, Coran?" as she pulled him close. "Where's Keith?"

"He-he went in the Green Lion with Number 5 to Planet Pollux."

Allura shook her head. "No, we have to tell them to come back. It's a trap! Shiro told me it's a trap for Keith!"

"A trap for Keith?" Coran was confused. "Why?"

"Because Lotor wants him."

Coran turned with Allura watching as they saw Lance walking in with Hunk holding him as his support.

"This whole plan was set up to-"

"capture Keith as his prize." as Lance finished her sentence.

"We have to communicate Number 5 about this."

Hunk shook his head. "I've tried, but something is jamming our communication signal."

Lance looked up at the Lions and blinked to see Yellow in the hanger. When did Yellow sneak in? "Then we are going to retrieve them."

"But Lance, you just woke up from the cryopod."

Lance shook his head. "We can't waste time now."

The Lions roared loud in the hanger which made the others spooked and watched as Black lowered herself and opened her jaw.

"Lance, Black wants you in her cockpit. She will be on autopilot so you can rest and regain your strength."

"I'm confused here."

Allura smiled. "Because she told me that Red is going to be piloting recklessly to save Keith and it's better if you don't get further injuries."

Lance snorted, but something dawn in his mind as he looked at Hunk. "Hey Hunk, have you and Keith ever met this Prince Lotor before?"

Hunk cocked his head in confusion and shook his head. "No? We never did."

"Then why he told me to thank you for the scaultrites?"

"Scaultrites?" He paused, but his face became pale fast.

"Hunk?"

"Oh my god." as Hunk looked at everyone and his voice was laced with guilt. "It can't be true. No way in hell that's who we just saved awhile back. The one who Keith helped out because it goes against the Paladin's code that we have to save those in need even if they are our enemy."

Their faces blanched.

"Hunk, tell us."

"We didn't know who he was!" as Lance could feel Hunk's trembling body. "If we knew..." Hunk hiccups. "If we knew, then this wouldn't happened..."

Lance pulled Hunk into a bear hug. "We all can drown in our sorrows and regrets later about how we didn't notice this once we get those idiots back."

Hunk chuckled and nodded.

Lance pushed him back and smiled. "Beside, I haven't finished my date and declaration of love to Keith yet. I am going to drag his ass back here and embarrassed the shit out of him in front of everyone."

Hunk laughed out loud and wiped his tears away. Allura and Coran smiled. Lance looked up at Black.

"Let's go retrieve our friends."

Thank you for reading!