Keith was about half-way to Black Lion when a mysterious blast knocked some rocks above him loose. He managed to avoid them and spotted Wade on a ledge. Wade's eyes were bright purple and his hand was pointed toward where the rocks had fallen.
"What are you doing here?" yelled Keith. His thoughts rushed to what Allura had said about Daniel; could Wade have . . . "What have you done to Daniel?"
"Why is that any way to speak to at Sky Marshall?" said Wade. He threw another haggarium blast at Keith, but Keith dodged it just in time.
"Ex-Sky Marshall. Now answer my question!" ordered Keith. He summoned one of his swords and went after Wade, who pulled out an haggarium sword.
"A simple pit stop on my way to . . . help a friend." Said Wade as the swords collided.
"Keith! Where are you?" yelled Lance over the Volcom.
"Sounds like your friends are in trouble. Maybe you should send your little cadet sidekick to help them." Said Wade sarcastically. "Oh, wait. You abandoned him to whatever villain was able to . . ."
"What have you done to him?" yelled Keith. He knocked the sword from Wade's hand and pushed Wade to the ground. Wade was unphased. "Where is Daniel?"
"Aww Daniel: the disobedient cadet." Said Wade. He looked up and smiled."I wouldn't worry about him. You see cadets like him need discipline and guidance and let's just say he's go all the guidance he will ever need. I would be more worried about you." Wade paused and something flew past Keith's head. The commander looked down and saw three of Daniel's claws embedded in the stone floor. "Hmm . . . I guess we'll have to work on his aim."
Keith looked behind him and there on another ledge was Daniel. The boy's arm was shaking as it pointed toward them. His eyes were bright purple like Wade's and the expression on his face was one of pain. Wade took advantage of the distraction and knocked the sword from Keith's hand. Wade stood up and dusted himself off. Keith watched Daniel vanish and turned to Wade.
"Amazing how a little haggarium can turn even the most rebellious subject into a puppet." Said Wade. Then there was about ten feet between the two men and Daniel, ready to take another shot. Wade took a few steps away from Keith. He then said "Cadet, shoot him."
"No. Daniel, you don't have to do it!" said Keith, calmly (or at least as calmly as someone with a grappling hook pointed toward them could). "You are stronger than him."
"What has he ever done for you?" said Wade. The glow in his eyes brightened. Daniel groaned. "He is holding you back. He knows what you could be and he fears being replaced. Get rid of him and prove to the Universe who is stronger."
"You know that's not true!" replied Keith. He could tell Daniel was struggling. The cadet's arm was wavering back and forth between Keith and Wade. "Daniel, don't let him control you."
"He can't hear you. The haggarium connection is too strong." Said Wade. He turned to Daniel. "Kill him."
Almost on cue, Larmina's voice started screaming out of Daniel's Voltcom. "Daniel, please if you can hear me we need Black Lion! We need Voltron! We lost contact with the castle and Keith's not answering! Please hurry! We need you!"
Daniel's expression changed to one of focus, if strained. Finally, he took aim and his claw missiles blasted toward his target.
Sorry this took a while (technical issues). I've been working on my cliff hangers.