The sleek, white Altean shuttle was gliding into the Castle's hangar. Allura was shaking with excitement. Nayni knew the girl was dying to see her father again. The thrill in those indigo eyes brought Nayni both such elation and such sorrow. She still had not told the Princess that she would not be staying. She couldn't bear to do that. She couldn't handle saying goodbye to this precious girl. Allura's petite brown nose was pressed up against the window of the shuttle. Her breath was fogging up the glass.

Nayni stared down at the lengthy letter she'd typed up on her beat up datapad. Her finger hovered over the button that would send this message to Coran. Nayni's bottom lip was already quivering. She couldn't succumb yet, she had to wait until Allura had departed. Nayni slid her finger across the orange display and her message was sent. She had finally executed the first step of her plan.

She felt like she was being so selfish but she didn't want this to be drawn out. She didn't want to endure that torture. So she would allow this one moment for herself. She wanted these last moments with the Princess to be happy. She didn't want to cry. She wanted the last expression she saw on Allura's face to be one of happiness.

The shuttle bounced as it landed in the hangar. Nayni already felt like she was choking up. Allura unbuckled her safety belt. She clamored out of her seat. Her silver curls had fallen about her like a cape. She was such a beautiful young woman and she'd grown to be so strong. Nayni felt such a swell of pride that it was almost painful. Their days of running had finally come to an end. Allura would finally be able to help her people as she had so desperately wanted to.

The shuttle door swung forward and the boarding ramp descended to the glossy floor of the hangar. Allura was so excited that she was tearing up a little. Those were the only tears that Nayni had ever wanted to see on that girl's face. This was a betrayal. Nayni knew that. She'd been so honest with the Princess for her entire life and in the end, she'd decided to hide this from her.

Allura was fidgeting. She was waiting for Nayni to get up and come with her. Nayni was the only one who knew that wouldn't be happening. Allura looked at her guardian rather impatiently.

"Nanny, hurry up! Please, I just can't wait anymore!" Allura pleaded.

Nayni smiled. She unbuckled her restraint and crept over to the Princess. Nayni looked up at her and tried to memorize every curve and feature of that face. She rested a hand on the Princess's shoulder. It was taking a great deal of strength to restrain herself from bawling.

"You go ahead, Lurie," Nayni said. "I've just got to gather up my things."

Nayni didn't have much and she wasn't going to bring it with her to the Ark. The pamphlet and photos in her pocket were the only things that were going with her into the sleep chamber. Allura nodded. The girl just couldn't stop smiling. She seemed to be sparkling.

"Okay, okay," Allura said. "But don't doddle!"

Nayni watched Allura scamper down the loading ramp. She just couldn't wait. Coran was already standing at the entrance to the hangar. The tears finally came when Nayni saw him. Allura lept on the Royal Advisor and engulfed him in a hug. He laughed and squeezed her tightly. Nayni bit down on her bottom lip to stifle her sobs. Even from this far away, he still looked so gorgeous. He was still one of the most beautiful creatures she'd ever seen.

All of the memories just came flooding to her. Nayni should've kissed him that night they'd gotten drunk. When he'd held her in his arms after she'd gotten injured, she should've looked into his eyes and told him how perfect he was. Nayni should've danced with him at the quiznacking ball. She should've held his hand when they played that game of muril. She should've let that awful wine do the talking for her and slipped into bed with him. Nayni let out a gasp as the tears rolled down the curve of her plump olive cheeks.

There was no going back. There was no undoing all the mistakes she'd made with him. He'd never know either. He'd never know how deeply she regretted every choice she'd made with him. He'd never know how much her heart ached over every single time she'd run from him. The guilt of disappointing her long-dead wife was crushing her too. Tomyko wouldn't have wanted it to be this way.

Tomyko would've wanted Nayni to confess everything to Coran after Zarkon's supposed death. She should've gone to that sleeping redhead on her couch and invited him into her bedroom. He was so dedicated and gentle. He'd let her cry on his shoulder. He'd encouraged her and always saw the best in her. Nayni watched Coran smile as he chatted with Allura. They both looked so excited and content.

He looked up at the shuttle and Nayni felt her heart breaking. That devilish grin and that twinkle in his eye was too much to take. He was still expecting her to descend down that ramp. Nayni had no doubt that he knew about Alfor's orders but Coran must've been expecting her to take the few days that the King had given her. Nayni smiled back at him.

The last time she'd look upon that dashing man would be this moment. He had a smile on his face. He was so happy to see her back. She couldn't take it anymore. Nayni walked back into the shuttle. She sat down in one of the tiny uncomfortable seats and buckled back up. The Guard Captain took in deep hungry breaths. It did nothing to help ease the sobs that were making her shudder. Nayni looked to the cockpit at the young Altean pilot.

"Do we have enough fuel to make it to the outpost?" Nayni stammered.

Her voice was cracking. The Altean boy looked over his shoulder with a quizzical look on his face.

"Yes, Captain, but why?" He asked.

Nayni closed her eyes. She laid her head back against the seat and let out a sigh.

"Take me there," Nayni said.

The pilot nodded. Nayni's bottom lip kept quivering. She listened to the sound of the loading ramp retracting and the shuttle door closing. She let the grief come pouring out of her. Her sobs were so loud they were echoing off of the shuttle walls. She didn't care if that pilot heard. She clutched on to her safety harness tightly as the shuttle bucked. She felt that familiar tingle in her gut as the vessel launched into the air.

Her vision was blurred by the constant stream of tears. She felt like she was abandoning them. She had faith in Alfor's plan but it was destroying her. She felt like the universe was punishing her for all the mistakes she'd made over the years. She'd hold onto this one moment of paradise. She'd cling to it as her beacon of hope. The joy on the faces of the people she loved most. It's all she'd ever wanted to see over the course of this awful war. Her sobs only grew more loud and desperate as she watched the white silhouette of the Castle grow more distant until it was swallowed up by the inky abyss of space.

Coran's jaw dropped as he watched the shuttle depart. Allura whirled around as soon as she heard the sound of the engines firing back up. The Princess started running back to the shuttle. Coran grabbed her and pulled her back away. Allura was shaking. Her indigo eyes were wide and wild.

"Coran! Coran, what's happening?" Allura cried. "Why is she leaving!?"

The Princess's cries were so heartbreaking to hear. His hands were trembling. He'd been expecting Nayni to get off that shuttle. He thought she was going to spend a few days on the Castle before she left. He had a bottle of Space Pirate Gin and a box of sweets that he'd been hoarding in his quarters. He was supposed to tell her. He was supposed to take her by the hand and tell that woman how much she meant to him.

Allura buried her face in her hands as the shuttle flew out of the hangar. Coran wrapped his arms around her slender frame and pulled her closer. He felt the tears burning in his eyes but he wouldn't let them out. He had to keep it together for Allura. He had to be strong for her. But the pain was so immense that he didn't know if he'd be able to do that.

Nayni had run from him again but this was by far the worst of all the times she had. There was a chance he'd never see her again. He'd never get to tell her. He'd never get to face the Guard Captain and tell her how much he loved her. She'd never know how many years he'd spent pining for her. Nayni would never know how splendid it felt to have her on his arm at the Veteran's Banquet. He'd never get to tell her how much he appreciated her ceaseless nagging because he knew it had come from a place of love.

Coran gingerly tried to shepherd Allura back into the hallway.

"Come, Princess," Coran said weakly. "Come see your father. He and I will explain everything."

Allura's hand felt so limp as he grasped it. She needed the King right now. Coran needed him too. Coran heard the soft chime of his datapad. That sound made it feel as if his heart had fallen to the ground. He knew what that sound meant. Allura was starting to outpace him as they made their way down the hallway. The heels of her shoes clicked as she sprinted down the corridor. Coran could barely find the will to keep walking.

His hand trembled as he pulled out the datapad. He saw the icon on the orange display that indicated he had an unread message. He took in a sharp breath. At least he wouldn't have to lie alone in bed and wonder why Nayni had done this. At least she'd had the heart to give him some kind of explanation. He opened up the message. He tried to wipe the tears away from his eyes but the white words on the screen still looked so blurry to him.

Mister Smythe,

I have no idea if you were involved with this plan. It doesn't matter. I know you did your duty and that is the most important thing to me. As much as it pains me, I respect Alfor's decision to send me to the Ark.

I just cannot bear to see her. I can't bear to say goodbye to her. I love that girl too much. I have spent my entire career protecting her. I watched her grow from a messy toddler into that exquisite young lady she is today. Parting ways with her is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do.

I know you'll take care of her. I know you'll protect her as I did. I know you will be there for both of them. You will help guide them through all of this chaos and darkness. That is the only comfort I can take form all of this. I know I'll be leaving her in good hands. I trust you above all others.

It is why I can't bear to say goodbye to you either. I'm sorry my dear friend. I feel as if this is a betrayal to you both but I don't have the strength to do this. If I had to say these words to your face I don't think I could've brought myself to leave. I am a cowardly wretch when it comes down to it.

I need you to know that you are the most dedicated and brilliant man I have ever met. It has been an honor working with you over all these years. You have been my most cherished friend and colleague. Promise me that you will take care of yourself. Don't forget to eat three proper meals a day. Get a full night's rest. You must take care of yourself first if you intend to take care of Allura and Alfor. I will break down the barrier of that sleep chamber and scold you if you don't.

Your friend always,

Madame Nordontu

Coran cupped the datapad in his hands. He looked over those words. Every single one made his heart break a little bit more. If she'd just stepped off the shuttle. He would've been there. He would've gotten to settle things between the two of them before they parted ways. He didn't know if this would be the last time he'd lay eyes on her. He had no way of knowing.

Coran knew nothing could be changed. He knew there was no way to undo what had come to be. She was all that he had ever wanted and he was to be denied this. Even if he'd just had three days to hold her and to be with her. It would've been enough for him. Coran wouldn't have cared if she didn't feel the same way. He just wanted her to step on that vessel and finally know the truth.

He didn't know how he'd feel as the days dragged on. He'd have this war to focus on. He'd have duty but he'd always be wondering what had been going on in that woman's head over the years. Coran would never stop thinking of her. He'd never stop wondering what fate would befall her. No matter how this grim war went, she would always be lingering in his thoughts. He was just grateful that he'd gotten to see her face one last time before she'd been torn away from him.

Coran rolled over in their bed and wrapped his lanky arms around Nayni's plump body. He still couldn't get over how warm she was. She radiated such heat while she was tucked into these silken blankets. He could tell from the way she was breathing that she wasn't actually asleep. They'd been through so much that he couldn't really either. He nuzzled his face into hers. His mustache brushed against her ear. He smiled when he saw that little, pointed ear twitched.

Nayni rolled over. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked so drained. Her thick brows furrowed and he knew she was about to nag him. He was already smiling with anticipation. The woman had just gone through such trauma and she still felt the need to lecture him. Nayni rested her stubby little hand on his bare chest and let out a sigh of frustration.

"At least one of us needs to sleep," Nayni said.

Coran grasped her hand and ran his thumb across the surface of her knuckles. He had savored every moment they'd been together since they'd recovered her from the Ark. He'd thought her dead. He'd thought that he'd never see her again.

"Well, if you're not sleeping I don't particularly feel like it either," Coran teased.

Nayni just smiled. In the past, she would've rolled her eyes and called him stupid. He actually missed that a little bit but he was fine with this shift in their relationship too. Coran smirked and toyed with the end of his mustache.

"Well if we both can't sleep we could always try doing something else," Coran said coyly.

Nayni's cheeks and ears flushed. He doubted she was in the mood but getting her flustered was still such an enjoyable experience. It was rather intoxicating. It seemed she'd found him out recently though. She'd gotten wise to his ways. She shook her head though she didn't seem terribly annoyed with him.

"Was it part of your duties as Royal Advisor to constantly make me blush and work me into a tizzy?" Nayni said.

She sounded quite serious but he knew she was teasing him. It hadn't been one of his official duties but he did consider it a vital part of his job for many years. It was nice to hear the playfulness in her tone given the grim circumstances they found themselves in.

"I could ask you the very same question," Coran said.

This got her even more flustered and this occasion was infinitely more satisfying than before. She was well aware now of the effect that she'd had on him all those years ago but, she still seemed shocked everytime Coran brought it up. She was blushing furiously now.

"I don't believe that's why Alfor appointed me to my position," Nayni stammered.

Coran had never known exactly what had gone on in that room when he'd left. It had to have been a rather interesting conversation. Alfor had seemed very impressed with her after that private chat. Coran brushed a stray strand of brown hair away from her round face.

"I have always wondered what happened during your interview," Coran said. "What did you say? He was so confident that you were the one after that."

Coran had always found her muscles and ample bosom to be rather impressive but he assumed it took more than that to grab Alfor's attention. Nayni traced her finger along the curve of Coran's collarbone.

"He asked me how I felt about the nature of grief," Nayni said.

Coran had known that Alfor had been asking the Guard Captain candidates some rather unusual questions but he hadn't realized they were of such a delicate and personal nature.

"I told him that I didn't believe it ever really stops," Nayni explained. "Things may start to feel normal over time but there will always be something that reminds you of the person you lost. You never truly stop thinking of them."

There was the faintest of frowns on her face. Coran had come to feel the same way over time. He thought of Alfor a great deal. He'd thought of her quite a bit too when he'd thought she was dead. She'd always been a rather blunt person when it came to such sensitive matters. He'd been lucky enough to have her back. It had been a great comfort but he still was haunted by the loss of Altea. Facing off against these Alteans from another reality had torn open that wound again for him.

They were such familiar faces that it was jarring. It had been so long since Coran had seen an Altean other than Allura. But these were not the people that he knew. They were nothing like the Alteans he'd known. Nayni ran her fingers through the thin patch of red hair on his chest. Her delicate touch was making his skin tingle.

"You of all people know how terrible I am at letting things go," Nayni said. "But I suppose Alfor agreed with my sentiments and that's why he chose me."

Coran didn't really want any more of this sad talk. They'd had far too much of it lately. He ran his hand along the curves of her body and grasped at her wide hips.

"Yes your words sounded rather impressive," Coran said.

Nayni's ears twitched as the flush returned to her olive skin. It appeared that she might actually be willing to engage in a distraction.

"-but you have plenty of other impressive features," Coran cooed.

She laughed nervously. He waited before he made another move. Nayni shifted and gripped onto his wrist. He found himself smirking already. Nayni looked rather bashful. She'd parted her lips to speak but she kept giggling sheepishly.

"I—I have always found your hands to be your most impressive feature," Nayni stammered. "And your mustache of course."

"Really?" Coran said.

"Y-yes," Nayni stammered. "They're-they're like a musician's hands."

He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. Coran slid his hand between her thick thights. He wanted to do this for her. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted her to get some relief from all this stress. It might not accomplish these things but it would get her to sleep at the very least. He ran his teeth along the skin of her neck and she gasped.

"I had no idea they had such an effect on you," Coran teased.

He planted buttery kisses on her neck. He knew it would drive her wild.

When he'd brought her over the edge, she rested her head on his chest. He could feel her damp forehead pressed against his skin. Nayni babbled some nonsensical string of words that he assumed was an outpouring of gratitude. He planted tender kisses on the top of her head. Her messy damp hair was tickling the tip of his prominent nose.

"Do you feel tired now?" Coran asked.

Nayni just nodded and he chuckled. His hand remained between her thighs as she drifted off in his arms. He relished the feeling of her intense heat and the smell of her lingering in the air. Coran laid his head back on his pillow. He felt the warm, inviting wave of relaxation wash over him. Bringing her this one moment of pleasure during these times of strife meant so much to him. It was so deeply satisfying that he could finally clear his mind and join her in that peaceful slumber.

They had endured two battles now. The Queen was so drained that The Advisor knew it would be some time before she'd be ready to enter the fray again. Her addiction to quintessence hadn't helped her as she had thought. He had watched it unleash new and more potent powers but it had been at a cost. She constantly needed to be refueled. She always needed that feed of quintessence from the remnants of the transreality comet.

The Advisor didn't have time to wait. He wanted blood. He wanted oceans of blood for what had been stolen from him. He had waited thousands of years for this one chance. He'd waited so patiently for the forces of the universe to deliver this opportunity to him and it had been snatched away from him. That cursed woman had ripped Nayni from her pod and thrust her into the realm of nonexistence. He'd made Tomyko pay for that. He'd squeezed the life from her slender neck and listened to her bones crack in his grasp.

But he needed more. He was not going to stop until every last one of them was dead. He wanted to pick them off one by one until that Nayni was the only one left. He'd make her watch everyone she loved be torn apart. He'd make her wallow in their blood and hold their cold lifeless corpses in her arms. The Advisor was going to split open her lover, his doppelganger, right in front of her. He would listen to her cries of despair and he would relish in her torment.

The Advisor hovered near his Queen. He needed her. He needed her now and he could not wait. They needed to act.

"We need to press the attack," The Advisor hissed. "We need to open a rift and bring in more warships. They need to pay for their insolence."

The Queen's lips parted and she let out a weak sigh. Her eyes fluttered open. Her breaths still were labored. She tilted her head to face him. She looked so irritated with him.

"Do you wish to see me dead?" The Queen sighed.

He clenched his fists. The Advisor didn't care anymore. He had stood by her side his entire life. She had come face to face with the abyss and he had brought her back. There had been only one thing across all the infinite realities that he'd wanted and it had been stolen from him. He paced back and forth before her. He was not going to grovel and beg. Those days were so far behind him that he could barely recall them anymore.

"You owe this to me!" The Advisor snarled. "I deserve this chance for vengeance! After everything I've sacrificed for you, you have to give me this one thing! When have I ever asked for anything? When!?"

The Queen just clenched her jaw. She weakly gripped onto the arms of her cold, black throne.

"I owe you?" The Queen hissed. "That's laughable. I always thought what you did to her was sick."

The Advisor froze. The Queen's words had cut him to the core.

"She was the mother that I never had," The Queen pressed. "She had one wish and you denied her that. You disrespected her and everything she stood for. She was not some pet for you to keep in a cage. You let your selfish desires blind you to what really mattered."

She didn't understand. The Queen had never understood. He'd done nothing but remain loyal to her. He had set aside one piece of happiness for himself and now that it was gone she didn't care. They could've gone to any reality. They had chosen this one at random and it just happened to be the one where all of his hopes and dreams finally could've come to be. Instead, he'd watched it all dissolve right before his eyes.

The Queen squirmed in her throne. She was struggling to reposition herself.

"We're leaving here anyway," The Queen snapped. "This place isn't worth all this trouble. "That superweapon, that Voltron, it will be our downfall eventually."

No. No, they could not leave. He wouldn't leave until he'd gotten what he wanted.

"Once I'm strong enough again, we're going someplace else," The Queen said. "I will hear no protests from you. We have an endless number of realities we can go to. One of them will be easy enough prey."

The Advisor whipped around. He seized The Queen by the neck and tore her from her throne. The tubes that were feeding her a stream of quintessence broke. Red liquid spilled out and splashed along the floor. The Queen's eyes grew wide. She clawed at his hands to try and pull them off. She was too weak to win this.

"We're not leaving," The Advisor growled. "Don't make me kill you."

The Queen thrashed. Red sparks erupted from the tips of her fingers. She was trying to steal his life essence but she didn't possess the power in this feeble state. She was still trying to fight him. All she had to do was let go. All she had to do was let him have this. She coughed and gasped as she tried to speak.

"No," The Queen choked.

He tightened his grip. She continued to thrash. He pushed her against the cold metal of her throne. His feet slipped on the red liquid that was flooding the room. The Advisor grabbed her by her silver hair. He gazed into the fading glow of her red eyes. He yanked her head to the side. The loud cracking sound of her neck snapping made him shudder with delight. He let her drop to the floor. Her twisted limp body looked so fragile.

If she hadn't betrayed him he wouldn't have done it. The Queen could've lived. He could've continued to serve her but she had denied him this one thing. She was the one that was disgusting. After everything he and Nayni had done for her, she couldn't even give him this one small favor. He wasn't asking her to take this entire reality. He just wanted to see these enemies suffer. He wanted to see them writhe in pain as he made their last moments pure agony.

A laugh escaped from between his lips. He felt tears streaming down his cold skin for the first time in thousands of years. The Advisor cackled as the tears continued to spill forth. He had killed this girl that he had vowed to serve. He had snuffed the life out of her. She couldn't stop him now. Nothing could stop him now.

He knelt down on the floor. His robes were already soaked from the raw liquid quintessence. He cradled The Queen's corpse in his arms. He brushed his fingers through her long silver hair. Her eyes looked cold and foggy like a storm front approaching a seashore.

"I'm sorry," The Advisor whispered. "But I have to do this."

The edges of his mouth twitched as they curled up in a smile. This was his army now. This was his legion of warships. This was his Castle. He was going to take what he wanted. It didn't matter if it took every Altean life in his army. No amount of death could stop him from this. And this Voltron wasn't going to stop him. He wouldn't allow any obstacle to stand in his way. He would make them all pay. He would watch them burn. He would make them feel the same misery that they had inflicted upon him.