Author's note: This chapter was a MONSTER to type out. About 4k worth.

Summary: Keith's downfall.

Shiro's nightmare.

Allura's guilt.

"Keith, I like the new you and all as our leader, but your ability of a strategist still sucks."

Keith glances down at her. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pidge. Have a better idea?"

"I do actually, but that requires the rest of the team. Not just the two of us."

"They'll come after us. I know they will."

Pidge looks up. "Keith, is there something you're not telling me here? We're a team and all, but you're like a family too."

He sighs and explains to her about his nightmare encounters with Lotor. "I was told to bring the Lions to the Pollux in exchange for Lance's life."

"Keith, wait. How can we believe that they will keep their words?"

"Why you think I'm only asking you to come with me? Green is the only one with the cloaking ability."

Pidge's mind perked up and smiled. "I get it now."

Keith smiled back. "They only said to bring, but not hand it over."

"We got that part, but how do we get in?"

"The front door."

"Really Keith?"

"Correction. I will enter in the front door and you will sneak in as I distract them."

"But Keith-"

"Pidge, trust me on this one." as he looked at the Green's monitor. "Plus, they're expecting me so I might as well use it as our advantage."

Pidge opened her mouth, but closed it immediately. There were many questions she wanted to ask, but decided not to. She wasn't sure what was going on Keith's mind, but after what happened to Lance, something clicked inside of him. With a sigh, she turned her attention back at the monitor.

Pidge loves Keith. She really do like a brother, but right now, she wants to slap his head hard until his brain rattles as she watches Keith just stroll right up to their front door of this huge castle-like building and knocks out two guards before running off in the opposite direction. It gave her enough time to sneak past in with Rover and moved in with stealth as she watched more guards heading out.

She tries to search for the main center of this low-graded technology with Victorian style surroundings that she barely noticed someone grabbed her from behind with her mouth covered and pulling her back into darkness as more guards marched by.

Keith watches while running past several guards when Pidge got inside the castle undetected. Step one of the plan worked and hoped step two will succeed too since it will be all on Pidge to take down whatever jamming their signal they used so they can communicate with the others. In doing so, they would have to come into the planet undetected which was why they took Green and of course, Pidge who was more level-headed of the group to pull this task.

He exhales quietly from his hiding place as guards were searching for him in such a sloppy manner. They weren't serious in their search as they barely comb through the small forest. He exhales again until he felt his body tingling and made a swift move to avoid a sudden attack from behind. Keith activated his shield up to block the debris and moved to his left when another attack came again. He jumped back when another came from above and then raised his shield up to block his body when it came straight towards him.

His shield gave out from the direct hit as he flew back fast and hard towards a tree with air knocked out of him as he gasped and keeping his body up by leaning back against it when his legs were about to give away. He wiped the side of his mouth and blinking out the white dots in his eyes. He shook his head and raised his Luxite blade up in a defensive stance as he watched the figure walking towards him with a glowing purple arm from the smoke of dusts. He snarled.

"Sendak."

Sendak just smiled and stopped within a foot in front of Keith. "We meet again, Red Paladin."

Crap. Keith cursed his luck. He never expected to encounter Sendak here after his sudden escaped from the Castle's holding pod.

"Can't really say I'm glad to see you though after your disappearing act."

"But you see, there are things you will never understand especially with Druid magic."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not here for small talks, Red Paladin." as Sendak held his robotic arm up and charging it up. "I have an order to capture you alive and preferably unharmed."

"No, I rather fight than surrender myself willingly."

Sendak cracks his neck side-to-side and grins. "Sad. You won't get a touching reunion with the Black Paladin then."

"Wait...what?"

It only took that small distraction for Sendak to move in quick on Keith and used his Galra arm to knock out the Luxite blade as it flew out of his hand and used his other hand to choke hold Keith by the neck. He lifted him with ease and slammed him back hard at tree. Blood coughed out of his mouth and feeling light-headed, Keith clawed on Sendak's arm. Sendak continued to apply more pressure to his grip and yanked off his helmet where he tossed it aside.

"Tsk tsk. Why the fruitless fight, my dear Red Paladin? Or should I say, Keith."

Keith gave only a low growl at the second voice.

"Prince Lotor." as Sendak gave a head bow.

With his arms behind his back, he strolled up next to Sendak which he gave an affirmative nod and looked at Keith with a smile.

"I only asked for a simple request and yet, you went ahead and did this. You are such a complicated catch."

Lotor lifted one hand up and with a swatting motion, Sendak released his grip on Keith and bowed at the prince with his Galran salute.

"Haggar awaits for you, Sendak."

"Yes Prince Lotor. Vrepit Sa." Sendak left.

Lotor crouched down toward Keith's level and harshly grabbed his chin while pulling him close to his face. Keith's eyes narrowed.

"You were quite charming with our first meeting, but now, you're nothing more than a temperamental weakling. I wonder why..." as Lotor hummed. "Can it be because of the Blue Paladin?"

Keith took a swing, but Lotor was faster as he stepped back and watched the Red Paladin getting up and wiping off his blood-stained lips with his sleeve. He licked his lips and wondered how his blood will taste like. He will find out later.

"You cherished him more than your Black Paladin. More than yourself even. Why is that?"

"I don't need to explain myself why."

"Of course. It looks like you're so dead on making yourself very unappealing then maybe I should focus on someone else instead." He smirked.

Keith's hands clenched. "I'm going to kill you before it happens."

"Strong words from someone with many disadvantages on his side." as Lotor moved closer to Keith with his hand up on his cheek and caressing it with his back fingers. "Give yourself up and I will set your friends and this planet free. It's a very simple proposition, Keith."

"There's always a catch with you."

Lotor chuckled. "Indeed, I always do, but you are fully aware of what I want. The question will be are you willing to? I've made my intentions quite clear."

"Why?" as Keith's breath hitched when Lotor's hand moved down along the center of his body as he snaked himself behind with his warm breathing down on the back of his neck.

"Come with me. I know about your little heritage." a lick on his neck which made Keith's body shivered. "I can tell you more about...your mother."

"My...mother?"

"Yes." with his arms wrapped around Keith's waist and pulling him back close. "You can learn more with me than with your Altean princess and Blade of Marmora. I can give you what you truly want."

Keith can feel his eyes drooping and drowsy with his muscles relaxing out to the point of losing his strength and the will to keep his mind and body awake. Why does this happened whenever he was with the Galran Prince? What did he do to him? He remembered Sendak telling him about not understanding Druid magic. Was that it?

"Yes Keith, let it all go and come with me." with his soft whispers. "I can make you feel complete."

"Feel complete?" with a drowsy response as his head fell back on Lotor's shoulder and looking up at a blurry face.

"Yes." as Lotor's hand caresses his cheek with his lips hovering close over Keith's. "Let me hear those words I've told you."

"I-I'm-" his eyes were too heavy to stay open and his mind was more calm to fight it. There was something with the way Lotor spoke in that gentle manner that made him lose his willpower to fight back. "I am yours..."

"Not exactly what I told you, but close enough." He kissed Keith as he felt a hand gripping hard on his white hair until it slid off. He smiled as he pulled back and looked at his unconscience prize.

The Red Paladin was such a fiery person. He saw how he fought with the sentries. How he flew the Red Lion. To use such bold and direct move to capture him will only give some unnecessary results. That's how his Father meet his downfall.

No, he will not be like his Father. Those fickle Lions were useless to him as they will not yield to anyone. So why should he go after those metal feline sentinels when he can go after their Paladins. After all, when he found out, were only weak fledglings (minus the Champion) with no experiences in this galactic war.

Before his unwanted stay in the Weblum's stomach, he already had plans to take down the Paladins one by one, but it was such a difficult decision to choose of who he wanted to strike down first.

He already scratched off the Black Paladin since his Father went against him and lost his control of the Black Lion. A pity that he didn't get to see the fall of his Father's demise.

That left him with four Paladins to choose. It didn't took long for his answer to come to him instead. He had a choice between the Red and Yellow Paladin, but he found himself being fascinated with the Red Paladin and knew he will be the first to fall. However, he didn't expect to form this elaborate plan until he got to know more about his prey.

Such a fragile creature. His hand wandered down Keith's chest with his eyes following with admiration and smirking how easy it was to let their guard down when they had no information about him except for Princess Romelle, but she was preoccupied with other tasks to remain focus on his plan. She can be quite clever and observant; it would have been very troublesome if she caught on early. He can't let this game end early when he was enjoying the Red Paladin's torments.

Lotor stood up with the unconscious Red Paladin in his arms and smiled in satisfaction. "Let's get you settle in your new place."

He won this game.

"You know this big guy, Shiro?"

"Sadly I do, Matt."

"Well then, let's tag team and beat him down."

Shiro raised a brow. "You know how to fight?"

Matt pulled out a small stick from his back pocket and whipped it straight out as it extended into a 4ft long staff. He smirked as he stood in an attack stance with his knees slight bent.

"I'm not like before, Shiro. I've got some training during my time with the rebellion."

Shiro position himself in the same attack stance as Matt, but with his Galra tech up and charged.

Their opponent smirked. "I have a score to settle with you, Black Paladin."

"Of course Sendak. So do I." as Shiro moved closer to Matt and spoke low for him to hear. "I'll distract him so you can go on ahead."

Before Matt could speak, the castle's lights flicker and small debris fell on them as the castle shook. The alarms blared screeching loud. Both Shiro and Matt nodded as they ran towards Sendak and simultaneously attack him from both sides. Sendak was able to block their attacks and use his brute strength to push them away as they slid back and back into their attack position. They stood in silence.

Sendak chuckled and looked over at Shiro's direction. "He was here earlier. The Red Paladin."

Shiro's eyes widen and growled at Sendak. "Where is Keith? Where is he now?"

"With Prince Lotor." as Sendak charged his arm. "But Champion, you should worry about yourself more."

With full charge, Sendak swung his arm towards Shiro as he moved into a defensive position with his arms crossed in front of him. The charging force was strong enough to send Shiro's body flying through and breaking into the castle's stone wall.

"Shiro!" as Matt ran towards his friend, but Sendak was in front of him and swung his fist at him which Matt blocked it with his staff.

Shiro coughed and shook his head as he tries to regain himself and got up slowly from the rubble. He saw Matt fighting with Sendak and was ready to help him when he felt the familiar cold aura coming from behind. He turned around slowly until a dark, shadow figure stood quietly in the middle of the room. He knew who it was. Haggar.

She looked up with her face still covered up from her hood. "I've been waiting for you, Champion."

"I don't have time for you, Haggar. Where is Lotor?"

"It's Prince Lotor and he's not here in the castle. He has no reason to when he already got what he wanted."

"You will tell us where he is now."

Haggar's face shown as she stared straight at Shiro. "You won't be able to save him. It's about time you remember your place, Champion."

With her arm straight up and pointing at Shiro, she released her dark magic bolts at him. He dodge roll her first attack and ran in a crouch position as he continues to dodge her lightning attacks. She suddenly stopped her attacks and was giving him a wicked smile. Shiro paused his steps and looked at her with a suspicion and uneasiness. He followed her gaze down and took a step back when he saw the floor lighting up in purple with unrecognized symbols glowing and spinning in circles. Shiro screamed in agonizing pain as he felt his body and soul being ripped apart.

"No! Shiro!" Matt yelled, but was pinned back hard to the wall by Sendak's robotic arm.

Haggar's smile fell when she teleported to dodge an attack from behind. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her barrier broken when the exiled princess struck her staff down on the magic circle which caused a windy explosion. At the same time, Sendak felt something landed on his shoulders and feeling a pulsing shock on his neck as his body went into shock which made him released his grip on Matt. He grabbed the offending attacker, grabbed by its collar and threw it towards Matt when he caught her flying petite body.

Haggar clicked her tongue, but smiled at Shiro who was being held by Romelle. "My experiment is complete and ready to be awaken soon."

"What...experiment?" Shiro asked with heavy breathing.

"You should know, Champion. It was inside of you the whole time."

"I cannot wait to be free."

Shiro shook his head. "No, no. It can't be..."

"Oh yes, Champion. Your greatest enemy is yourself." She moved next to Sendak and looked down at him with disgust. "Taken down by a small Paladin. You are still weak Sendak."

Sendak clicked his tongue with annoyance.

"Prince Lotor will see to this, but we can't keep him waiting." as Haggar placed her hand on Sendak's shoulder.

"You can't stop us. You will witness the fall of an angel soon."

"Wait!" with Shiro's hand reaching out. "What have you done to Keith?!"

"Keith? Where is he? What are you talking about Shiro?!" as Pidge got up along with Matt.

"It seems the Green Paladin wasn't well informed. I leave it to your precious leader for the answer, but" as Haggar looked at Romelle. "for you, exiled princess, you lost."

Haggar and Sendak disappeared with her dark magic. They stood in silence.

"Pidge..."

She ran up to him and gave a tackle hug as she buried her face on chest. Shiro was thankful for Romelle's strong hold as he almost lost his balance. He patted her head until he saw Matt and pushed Pidge back while turning her around.

"I believe there is someone you should be hugging instead of me. Someone who you've been searching for, Katie."

Pidge looked back at Shiro and then to the person in front of her. She can't believe it. He doesn't looked like the Matt she once knew before Kerberos mission. No, he looked grown up and mature. No more of his geeky look which she used to make fun of. His hair was in lighter shade of aurburn and in short, layered cut style. She noticed his body was leaning more left, but other than that, he had grew a few inches the last time she saw him.

"Matt?" She was unsure if it was really him.

He smiled. "Hi Katie."

She launched herself to her brother and hugged him tight as he held her close and rubbing her back. "I missed you. I missed you and dad so much. I never gave up looking for you."

"I know. Shiro told me. I missed you too, little gremlin."

She snorted at him, but smiled. Their moment interrupted when Shiro and Pidge heard statics from their helmet's communication. It became clear after a few statics when they heard familiar voices.

"IF YOU IDIOTS HEAR US, I HOPE YOU GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE IN YOUR LIONS BEFORE I HAVE RED DRAGGED YOU GUYS OUT.."

It was Lance. Pidge perked up and smiled. Lance is alive.

"Lance, we're coming out now. I hope Black is with you guys."

"Did something happened to Keith? Black attacked the castle the moment we entered the planet."

Pidge looked at Shiro who looked back at her. She bit her lower lip.

"Pidge?"

"Lance."

It was silent again. They heard Lance cursing.

"We can catch up later, but you guys need to come out and help us here. We can't take this robeast down with only three Lions."

"We'll be out. Hold on guys."

Romelle and Matt watched from a distant as they watched them formed Voltron and fighting with the robeast. She placed her hand on her younger brother when he stood beside her silently while watching.

"I'm so sorry, Romelle. We should have listen to you." Bandor was sniffling and wiping his tears away as he tried to stay strong.

"It's not your fault, Bandor. We all fell into their tricks."

"But Romelle, they will-" as he hushed by her fingers.

"It's better if they didn't know right now." as she looked up at their battle. "It's the only way to save our brother Avok and wake up Father and our people's eyes."

Matt looked at Romelle. "Princess, are they fighting your brother? Your brother is that robeast?"

Romelle nodded. "They believe that they can gain power by becoming it in order to destory Voltron and take over other planets. Father thought he could fool them and now, this is our punishment for our betrayal."

Bandor looked up at his sister when he felt her hand clutching on his shoulder. Matt placed his hand on her shoulder as she looked at him and shook her head.

"I don't expect forgiveness for what we did, but we can make mends for an alliance with them." She turned to Bandor. "Aren't we, my dear brother?"

Bandor nodded. "As long I have you guiding me Romelle, I will make it happen."

"If you don't mind, I will help too."

Romelle nodded. "Thank you, Matt."

They turned to watch the moment when Voltron struck the robeast right into its chest and slicing upwards as they fall back when the robeast exploded. Both Pollux royalties closed their eyes and let tears fall as they said their goodbyes to their brother.

Lotor watched in amusement when Voltron destroyed the robeast. He didn't care much with this particular one and made a very small mental appreciation for taking care of this thorn. He was humming in a certain tune that his mother used to sang when he was very young when he wanted to clear his mind while he tapped his finger on his arm. He smiled.

"You have finally return. I was wondering how long I have to wait, Haggar." as he turned to face her and Sendak.

Haggar bowed. "Beside some slight implications, I've completed my task, Prince Lotor."

"Good. We are leaving immediately." He looked at Sendak. "Take command and prepare for us to jump."

"Vrepit Sa." He bowed and left.

"How can you overlook his cowardice failures, your highness?"

"Hmm... I was going to let you deal with him after you're done with your special experiment. I only needed him for the surprise element. He has no further use."

"I appreciate your many offerings. How fares your special prisoner?"

Lotor gave a half smile. "Servants are taking special care with him. They should be done soon."

"You have spent more attention and care with him than your own royal duties."

Lotor shrugged, but paused when the room became red with alarm blaring loud. He snapped his fingers as he turned to look at the video feed.

"Report."

"It's Voltron, your highness. They are blocking our path."

Lotor laughed with his head back while combing back his hair. "Connect to them. I will personally speak with them."

"Vrepit Sa."

"They will not yield to your words."

"This is where I can prove you wrong. I can make them let us go freely without the use of force."

A line clicked in and the video showed two side-by-side images of Shiro and Allura.

"Princess Allura, it's an honor to see your lovely presence." He looked at Shiro. "I've heard many great achievements when you were in our care, Black Paladin."

"Cut your sweet talk, Lotor." Allura spoke. "We know you have our Red Paladin and we want him back."

"Why should I? You already have a replacement pilot for the Red Lion."

"He's our teammate. We don't abandon our friends."

Lotor laughed. "What touching words. However, your dear Red Paladin came on his accord and has agree to come with us willingly."

"You lied! You tricked him." as Shiro clutched on his controls hard.

"Not a trick, but the truth. As much I would love to chat with you both, but you will move aside."

Allura glared. "No."

"I hope you enjoy the taste of guilt." He snapped his fingers and another video popped up in the corner of the feed. It was the video image of Keith unconscious with his wrists tied up at each end post and he was striped down to his tight black suit. He could hear them calling out the Red Paladin's name.

"You have by the count of 10 to move or I will hand him over to our witch Haggar. I'm sure you know how she is, Champion." He smirked.

10.

Shiro growled. Allura spoke up. "How is it no different from your own dirty hands?"

9.

"Let's just shoot down his main engine so he can't escape!"

8.

"They will kill him before we even step foot in the ship!"

7.

"Keith, buddy, wake up!"

6.

"We are going have to make sacrifices! We can't miss this chance to take them out!"

5.

"Allura, are you crazy?! This is Keith. How can you say that?!"

4.

"Guys, stop arguing!"

3.

"Shiro, you are our leader. Decide quick!"

2.

"Shiro?! Hey! You hear us?!"

1.

"Let them go."

0

Lotor smirked when he dropped his last finger. "I knew you would understand. Move."

After 20 ticks later, Voltron moved aside.

He looked at Allura as the ship past by them. "Who knew you would be that cruel to sacrifice your own Paladin? How would your Father think of you now?"

"Shut up, Lotor!"

He waved at them. "A little parting gift. A thought for you Paladins, but especially to Altean Princess."

They waited and watched when a wormhole appeared and the ship lighting up for a prepare jump.

"Knight of Altea."

Allura's body froze stiff and her hands were shaking. Lotor gave a mocking salute as their communication closed and his ship disappearing into the wormhole.

They watched her trembling in Blue's cockpit with her hands covering her hiccups and sniffling. She shook her head until her hands covered her entire face. Shiro looked to his side and opened a line to the Castle when Coran popped up on the screen.

"Coran, do you know something about Knight of Altea?"

Coran went dead silent and looked down. He looked back up and stared blank at the video.

"Yes. They were the ones who helped create the Lions with King Alfor."

Thank you for reading!

Next chapter will the last one for the series!