"Ok… Just Earths location will be removed, Pidge?" asked Keith, with his arms crossed. "You're not planning to wipe the entire galaxy from their navigations system, right?"

"Yeah, cause I think they'll notice that," said Lance hinting at sarcasm.

Pidge nodded, "only Earths"

"Isn't that a bit selfish?" voiced Romelle. Everyone turned to look at her with questionable expressions.

"Romelle…" questioned Allura softly, looking at her new friend, knowing what she was wanting to ask.

"What about the other planets the galra might conquer? All those innocent families" Romelle stood from where she was sitting, raising her voice. "Can't you remove those places from their system?"

"That would take too long and, just like Lance said, the galra would notice and start looking for the cause of the disturbance" answered Pidge, then turned to look at Keith. "If we go through with this we would only have a few doboshs before we're discovered… but we have to try. Right?"

Keith hesitation showed on his face. He didn't know what to do.

"But why should Earth only survive?" Romelle continued, clenching her fist into a tight fist. "Just because you're all from there… well what about us…WHAT ABOUT MY PLANET? MY HOME?" Romelle yelled, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Romelle," Keith turned and focused his attention on the altean, lowering his arms to his side.

"We can't save everyone…" Romelle tsked at Keith's words, spitefully turning her head so she wasn't looking at him.

Keith lowered his head, upset at what he just said. It was true. They were only 4 human, 1 half human half Galra and Altean fighting what seems like an eternal struggle. "As much as we want to… we can't save everyone. You've seen that for yourself haven't you?"

Romelle knew this was true. Her brother. Her colony. Altean's she cared about gone... and so suddenly.

Keith raised his head and tried to connect with Romelle's eyes. "We can't say for sure which planets, homes, the galra have already taken over or ones their planning to conquer. All we can do is protect the ones we do know about… and right now Earth maybe their next target." Romelle's fists softened. She then dropped her cold exterior and felt some warmth reach her cheeks. "As protectors of the universe we have to help in any way we can."

Keith walked up to Romelle and placed his warm hand on her shoulder. She looked up at Keith and saw a small smile on his face. "And we could really use your support." Romelle was suddenly hit with a wave of determination and strength coming from Keith. She straightened herself up and wiped the few tears that fell on her cheeks. Nipping at her bottom lip she nodded and then let a smile grow on her face.

"But, we can take a vote." Keith surveyed his team. "Everyone who likes Pidges idea raise your hand…" Everyone did, including Romelle. "Great. Now the only issue now is which ship to infiltrate. Got any ideas?" Keith questioned looking at Pidge.

"Mmm, I will have to do some research. But I have an idea… I'll get back to you."

"Pidge, before you start looking can you check some signal frequencies for me…" said Krolia walking to Pidge but stopped for a second to speak to Keith. "I think we should check in with the blades. Let them know were ok and see if they can help us out."

Keith nodded "Great thanks. Everyone while Krolia and Pidge do that lets take a break."

With everyone disbursing Keith gripped his hand that was still on Romelle's shoulder. "I promise Romelle," Keith whispered, "we'll help your colony. I haven forgotten them." Romelle smiled and quickly leapt onto Keith, giving him a hug.

"Thank you." Romelle said softly. She soon let Keith go and went to a standing Allura, with her arms out waiting to give Romelle a reassuring embrace.

…..

Romelle's hug didn't go unnoticed as Lance, Hunk and Coran watched the situation, with wide eyes, and childish giggles soon following. "Wooo-Ohhhh…" howled Lance, "Keith has a girlfriend… Keith has a girlfriend."

Keith could feel a blood vessel grow on his temple. 'Damm it' he thought.

"Now, now Lance. I'm sure Keith will treat Romelle like the lady that she is" "I don't think I've seen a human-galra, altea off spring before. I'm sure the child will be very cute." Coran joked, twirling his mustache.

"WOULD YOU GUYS JUST SHUT UP!" Keith yelled and stomped towards the Red Lion.

"Where are you going? We need to decided what to call you two... will it be Relief or Kell?" Lance laughed as Keith speed up his walk and removed himself from the joking trio.

…..

Keith needed to clear his head so he took a stroll behind the lions. "Urgh…" sighed Keith as he sat against the Red Lions tail that was lying on the ground. "You ok?" Shiro asked following Keith.

"Yeah, just worn out I guess. Who knew being in charge was this difficult?" Shiro giggled a low laugh. "Well making hard decisions is part of the job when you're a leader." Keith joined Shio in the low giggle. "Don't know how you did it. There's just so many options to choose from. Different paths to take…" Shiro perched next to Keith and sat close to him. There wasn't much room on a large lion's tail

"How do you decide on the correct path?" Keith asked bluntly titling his head to Shiro. "By experience," "yeah well... I don't have any experience." "That's not true" said Shiro, looking down at Keith. "When I was gone you took up your role as leader." Keith smiled but tsked at Shiro's words. "In case you're intertwining memories have forgotten; I left the team pretty much as soon as the other you returned..." Keith realised what he just said and turned to Shiro. "I… I mean… the other… I mean… you… I mean… Urgh, sorry. I don't know how to… I'll shut up now" Keith shut his mouth and lowered his head. 'Boy its's confusing.'

Keith then felt a large hand on his head and looked up at a humbling smiling Shiro. "Stop apologizing already." Keith hummed in agreement. "Try not to worry and go with your instincts. Your training with Krolia will come in handy. I know you make the best decision" Shiro turned Keith's head to look at his missing arm and then back to him. "Trust in yourself… the team trust you, I trust you... So trust yourself. We're all beside you."

Keith reoccurring blush returned to his face "Thanks" he said softly. With Shiro letting go of Keith head they both retuned to looking at the view in front of them.

They were currently on a moon that seems to have constant wind that blew orange dust in the air. Small rocks and large creators covered the area and soon, without noticing it, Keith leaned his upper half against Shiro and laid his head against his shoulder blade. "The view doesn't compare to the view on Earth right?" said Shiro, holding his frame but looking down at Keith.

"Mmmm," Keith answered warmly.

"The view of the desert, just as the sun begins to set, after our bike races, is better."

Keith moved himself away from Shiro's body to look at him. He was surprised that of all the places Shiro could compare the view to he would chose that one. Keith smiled and returned his head to Shiro's shoulder murmuring a "yeah. The desert is much better…"

…..

A few days later the team was still traveling towards Earth. Pidge had yet to find a suitable ship to infiltrate but she did manage to locate the hidden signal that Krolia was looking for.

"It's a way the blades could commutate without attracting suspicion" explained Krolia over the lions commination signal. "Only a hand full of blades know of this code" "Kolivan?" questioned Keith. Would he be using this signal to communicate? But why was it being signaled? Was Kolivan in trouble? Were the other blades not aware of this line of communication and ignored it?

Krolia didn't want to ignore this message so the team followed its source to a large asteroid.

There they met a native who told them that the blades had helped his race fight the invading Druids that attacked their homes and died in the process. But when Krolia found Kolivan's blade she was suspicious. Sure enough their 'new alley' turned on to be a druid that Keith had once fought; Macidus. He set of a freeze bomb stopping the paladins in their tracks. All but for wolf and Keith who, thanks to wolf's quick teleportation ability, transported them away from the bomb and into a room just underneath where they were standing before.

Keith fought Macidus. It was an even battle as the druid seemed to have the same teleportation ability as the wolf. Lucky for Keith Allura had managed to use her magic to unfreeze the team and use the power of the bomb to blow a hole below them, to Keith's location.

The team helped Keith fight and kill Macidus. Once defeated the team found Kolivan alive, but only just. "He's badly wounded but he'll survive," concluded Pidge surveying Kolivan's injuries.

Kolivan explained that Macidus was using blades signal to lure other blades to him so he can kill them to show his loyalties to Haggar. 'So the witch is still alive,' thought Keith with Allura thinking similar thoughts.

"I have to find the other blades... the universe needs us more than ever" said Kolivan drained of energy. He had been captured for a long time and he was worried about his comrades. Krolia thought for a moment then with a heavy sigh she looked at Keith and then clasped her palm on Kolivan's shoulder. "I'll join you... together we'll get the blades back together and help with the rebellion."

Keith was stunned. His mother was once again leaving him... and just when they had finally been reunited. He watched as Kolivan and her quickly debated on their next step. He moved himself away to give them a moment.

As the team gathered to leave Shiro watched on as Krolia walked up to Keith. "I'm sorry Keith," she said with a sad tone in her voice. "It looks like I will have to say goodbye to you again."

"It's not goodbye. Just… until we met again" said Keith trying to hide how upset he was.

Shiro saw his hand shaking. He walked up and grabbed a hold of Keith's wrist and slowly slid it down to his shaking hand and held it tightly. "Keith…" Keith turned and looked at Shiro "we need to get going."

Wolf walked up to Krolia and rubbed his head against her leg. Krolia looked down and smiled at the creature, placing her hand on his head and giving his dark blue fur a shake.

"Did you want to take him?" hinted Keith "he can protect you?" "Hmmmm," Krolia hummed a laugh. "No. He's your wolf. Besides, I know that if he leaves your side he'll pine for you..." Wolf then walks to Keith and sits by his feet "like you will for him." Tiling his head wolf wined a sad wine. Shiro let go of Keith hand so he could bend down and tussle his head and ears. "Then take this…" Keith stood and handed his dagger to his mother. "This will protect you and when we met again you can return it."

Krolia humbly accepted the dagger and pulled Keith into a hug.

"I love you Keith" "Love you to mum."

…..

The Voltron team decided that the Lions, and themselves, needed a few hours to recharge. At a nearby asteroid field, that seemed to go in the direction they needed to head back to Earth, the group landed so the Lions could rest and charge up their power cords and the team took their beds, all bar Keith.

He, with Wolf, decided to go for a walk just around the area they had landed on. Keith figured that Wolf needed the exercise and Keith needed the space. After checking the asteroids air tolerance he found that he would breathe without the need of his helmet.

Keith took it with him, just in case he needed to communicate with the team. So with the helmet in his hand he and wolf exited the Black Lions bay and went out to the traveling rocks surface.

With Wolf running ahead of him, enjoy the time they were having together, Keith stopped to catch his breath. "What's gotten you so happy?" Wolf stopped, transported back to his master, nuzzled his head against Keith leg happily and transported back to the spot he was once at. It looked like he wanted Keith to run and catch him.

Keith laughed but shook his head and planet himself next to a large boulder.

Leaning his back against the slab, and raising a leg to lay his arm on it, Keith took a breath threw his nose and looked up at the familiar sight of the black sky of space with the stars above him. Keith the lowered his head and looked at his surroundings. 'It seems that every place we stop at looks the same… but it's still so very different then on Earth… I do miss the hut,' thought Keith thinking back to his dad's home; his home.

'That wide open space of the desert. The orange glow of sunsets and sunrises and how they create long shadows the raise it hit a tree or boulders…'

Keith mind soon drifted, remembering other details of his home. He closed his eyes so he could image the view.

'I always liked it when it was a windy day... the dust showing the winds shape… it was so quite out there… until those times Shiro and I went racing on the bikes.' Keith grinned to himself. 'Ha, I hope we get to do that again, after all this. Just Shiro and I.' Keith could feel his face soften as he thought of the last race Shiro and he had. He took another deep breath.

The last time they raced, Keith was sure Shiro had let him win… he just remembered that smile that Shiro gave him as he congratulated him on beating him. 'He was so... happy. I wonder… if he thought he wasn't coming back from the Kerberos mission and wanted to spend his last few days just being happy.'

Keith thought back to that smile, it had been a while since he saw something that genuine on Shiro's face.

As Keith started to drift into a sleep state he started to have other visons of Shiro; the moments of his leadership of Voltron, the moments when it was just Shiro and him…

The moment where he had to fight for his life... to stop Shiro from attacking and attacking...

Those eyes, they were the darkest Keith had ever seen and as Shiro began to attack, unlike what happened back in that hidden laboratory, Keith was unable to defend himself as Shiro struck and struck again.

"Neither of us are leaving…"

Keith had somehow found himself on that satellite. He watched as falling debri fell from above him and into the bottomless void of space. Keith turned and watched as Shiro jumped down and land on top of him, pinning his neck to the satellites surface with his good hand... but unlike last time Keith didn't have his swords to protect him.

Keith looked and saw those dark eyes staring deadly at him. He could almost see his own reflection in this Shiro's eyes. "Shiro... please..." pleaded Keith, gasping for air.

"Please? Please have mercy on you? Sorry kid. You and your friends are done for..." as this version of Shiro began to laugh, above Keith's face, the face slowly began to transform into Haggar's with their voices merging into one horrid cackle.

"Ahhhh..." "Keith..." "Stop… Ahhhh..." "Keith..." "Get away from…" "Keith..." "… Shrio…"

"KEITH..."

Keith quickly opened his eyes and gasped for breath. The dark eyed Shiro had disappeared.

…..

Keith sat up and his hands gripping to the ground below him. It was just a dream.

With a cold sweat forming on his brow Keith took deep breaths to try and slow his sudden beating heart. Surveying his surroundings, Keith found himself at a different location to where he was once before.

Looking to his left he saw the wolf, sitting beside him with his head tilted; concerned about his master. Looking forward Keith saw metal boxes laying in different places. Keith began to realise that he was in the Black Lions storage bay. He could feel he was sitting on the folding out bed that each of the paladins were using to sleep on.

"Keith you ok?" Keith felt a strong hand on his shoulder as he continued to look around. To his right was Shiro looking concerned, almost frantic. "You ok there, Keith?"

"A-Humm," Keith nodded and murmured "how did I…" Keith took another look around making sure that he was where he thought he was. "Are we in the Black Lion?" Shiro nodded. "How?"

"I think you should thank your Wolf friend there," said Shiro hinting towards the wolf. Keith turned his head to look into wolf's concerned eyes.

…[Wolf's POV a few moments ago]…

As Wolf sprinted off he once again looked back to see if his master, Keith, was chasing him. He loved playing this game. Keith would almost catch up to him and right at the last second he would teleport behind his master and pounce on his back, making him laugh. He loved seeing his master happy and his mistress... the older person that was always with them... Krolia. Wolf loved her too and was very upset when she left their pack.

But right now, Wolf had Keith. So, when he looked back to see if his master was still chasing him he found his master sat down and lying against a rock. 'Is he tired?' thought Wolf, 'Or is he ticking me? Making me come to him so he can catch me?' Wolf though that this was fun and squeaked at Keith from the distance between them. 'You can't fool me…' reckoned Wolf as he jumped up and down luring Keith to come and catch him. But he didn't move from his position.

'Why isn't he coming?' Wolf was getting worried as he teleported his way to Keith, hoping that his master was indeed playing a trick on him and that Keith would grab a hold of him as soon as he got up close.

As wolf got closer he found his master slummed against the rock. 'Master?' he thought as he sniffed around Keith, looking for a sign of conscious. Nothing. He tried nuzzling him but instead of waking Keith up wolf was strong enough to push him to the ground.

Wolf was now getting anxious. 'What's wrong with my master?... he's not waking up?' Wolf started to pine and nuzzled Keith's face again. 'Master… master… Please wake up. Master Keith… open your eyes' Still nothing. 'What do I do?' Wolf looked up and gazed around the area. He saw in the distance the 5 coloured lions. 'I can get them to help…' as wolf began to run back to the lions he looked to make sure Keith was still asleep. 'Stay safe my master… I'll go and get help.'

Wolf quickly teleported and landed below the Black Lion. Wolf turned and stared at the lion's eyes. 'Hey… Hey Black Lion. Your master, my master needs your help…. You have to help him…' The Black Lion didn't move.

Wolfs pointed ears flapped down in disappointment, 'what do I do? This lion doesn't hear me? Maybe it only works when there's someone in it… Like when Keith takes control.' Wolfs ears perked back up. 'Wait, that other person was riding with the Green creature,' Wolf started to look around. 'Where is that small person? I was with them not to long go?' Wolf had a thought; 'Green, the small person was wearing green.'

Wolf located the Green Lion and teleported inside. 'Where is that small person?' Wolf looked around the Green Lions bay and started to sniff the air. He soon picked up the scent and transported to where the small person was sleeping.

There he found Pidge, tucked up in her makeshift bed, holding onto a spare pillow. Wolf tilted his head 'now how do I wake up this person?'

Wolf first tried sniffing and nuzzling the person; which caused Pidge to stir. "Urgh… Nurgh…" Wolf tired again only this time he tried to pull the blanket, which was wrapped around Pidge, off. He tugged at the blanket, being careful not to rip the material but Pidge just pulled the blanket closer to her. "Noooo mommy… 5 more doboshs …."

Wolf was getting annoyed. 'Come on small person, my master needs help…. You have to help him.' Wolf tugged more but Pidge pulled harder. At the final tug Pidge pulled the blanket right out of Wolf's teeth. The pull was so hard that it made Pidge fall over to the other side of the bed. Wolf jumped up on to the bed and looked down to where Pidge had fallen but still she did not wake up "Hurgh… ok... I'll only have 3 more doboshs…"

'This is hopeless' thought Wolf when he then heard something behind him.

"Ugh.. Pidge? You ok? I heard something?"

Wolf turned and saw a large person beginning to sit up. 'It's him' thought wolf, relief following over his body as his eyes fell upon Shiro. 'It's master favorite person...' Wolf jumped down from Pidge's bed and hurried over to Shiro, tugging at his blanket.

Shiro looked to his left and, as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the Green Lions bay, saw Pidges empty bed. "Pidge?"

As Shiro was about to swing his legs over to stand, he was stopped by the sensation tugging of his blanket. He looked down and saw the black and blue wolf. 'Hurry, hurry…' "Hey bud… what are you doing here?" 'Please, please hurry. You have to help my master.'

As Shiro watched wolf tug of the blanket he suddenly realised Wolf was tugging on his blanket. "Er-hey," Shiro reached his hand out and placed it on Wolf's head making him stop the tugging. Wolf looked up and looked into Shiro's eyes. "Hey, where's Keith?" 'Hurry, hurry. My master needs help. You must help him…You must help Keith!'

Shiro watched as Wolf panted and wined. Getting a sense that Keith was in trouble he swung his legs down from the bed and placed his feet on the floor. "Can you take me to him?" With a slow nod to confirm that he could Shiro, still in his suit, stood up and within a flash Wolf transported them back to Keith's location.

When they arrived, Keith was still slumped on the group and still unconscious. Shiro emergently kneeled and tried to lift Keith up but with only the one arm it was difficult. "Keith? Come on buddy wake up… KEITH?"

…[End of Wolf's POV]…