LAST CHAPTER RECAP

"How far to the Balmera?" Shiro asked,

"Not far, just a couple of vargas." Coran responded cheerily from his post at the front of the bridge.

"…we have an ion cannon locked on us; the castle's particle barrier would not be able to withstand the attack!"

They had barely been able to move the ion cannon, just a fraction, from the Castle of Lions. At this rate, they would for sure be decimated.

"Destroy that ion cannon."

"Shiro!"

"Keith no!"

'..there's too many.' Pidge panicked

"….I'm taking heavy fire over here!"

"Pidge! Hunk!"

"The cannon it's firing!"

..Her alarms blared, she saw the aiming of the weapon, the growing purple shimmer that signified a laser beam ready to be shot.

….five blue laser shots cut through their ship.

The Blue lion was here…..hovering right in front her.

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Chapter 3

ScarletMidnight19

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In the vast darkness of space, the castle of lions flew on auto command. The Paladins and the Princess along with her advisor were all taking some much needed rest, the princess needing that rest the most, after what she did to heal the Balmera.

Lance was still pretty much in awe about that.

However, he still felt at a loss.

Confused.

He still did not know how to feel about the Princess. While his people suffered, it seemed like the Royal family of Altea had been relatively safe. Shiro had mentioned there was more to the story, but with the princess out of commission, he had to wait for his questions to be answered.

He sighed. The castle was eerily quiet. No one was making rounds or keeping watch for unexpected Galra ships that may come their way. May it be just shipping ships, or their regular war ships.

Lance did not understand why everyone in this ship was so lax with security. It looked to him like they weren't taking this seriously enough.

The castle was old from what he could tell, and didn't have the advanced security he was used to, so he felt exposed. Like at any second now a Galra ship would find them and take them to Zarkon.

So, instead in order for him not to feel like that. He had taken it upon himself to make rounds around the ship. He wasn't bothered by the notion of not getting enough sleep.

He was a warrior.

He had been trained, ever since he learned how to manipulate quintessence–which he learned before he could walk he was just that great–on how to properly hold a saber, how to maim someone in insignificant spots no one would be the wiser on the cause of the soul leaving the body. His training had been ruthless and he had been forced to stay awake for a phoeb, which was nothing compared to his siblings. His older brother could stay awake for half a deca-phoeb if need be.

He took pride in his training and heritage. Many of the species that he and his people rescued were grateful to them, but that did nothing for him. Not when he knew so many others were suffering and he couldn't do anything. At least not without risking his people. And the species that were grateful to them understood that, and they never blamed them.

But, Lance did.

They were powerful, and mighty, they could take down Zarkon if they so chose to do it. Instead, his people had been reduced to hiding and working in the shadows. Refusing to step in the shine of the stars.

Sometimes, Lance did blame his people. His father. Himself.

For what was the reason for so much power, so much potential if not one of them used it. If not one of them risked it all for the good of the universe.

He sighed. He could not be thinking like this. These were the type of thoughts that had always gotten him in trouble with his father, and older brother.

They were noble thoughts, but Lance also understood that he had to see from a wider perspective. See the consequences that his actions would bring not only to him, but his people as well as his family.

Lance understood he had to think long term instead of short term. Rushing everything now would just cause problems that no one would be ready to deal with. Playing the long game and hitting small spots was how they would win, without a doubt.

He knew Blue had brought him to the paladins for a reason. And that reason was glaringly obvious. However, it was also obvious that they all lacked something vital.

Actually they lacked MANY vital things.

If they kept going like that, Lance was sure their souls would be traveling the galaxies in a few phoebs. He needed to help them to get stronger.

These humans–as their species were called– were weaklings, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and too slow.

Lance had a little sparring session with the humans, just to assess how they were in battle. It was humiliating and extremely way too easy to beat them. The only one out of all of them who even had a smidge of efficiency in battle was Shirogane, the black paladin, who yes he defeated easily too, but that was only because the black paladin was underestimating him.

He could see potential in the red paladin, Kogane Keith, but if he didn't stop swinging his sword so wide and leaving himself open for the enemy to take advantage, he would undoubtedly not survive. The green and yellow paladins were tricky. If he trained them hard enough he would eventually find out what they're good at and he would help them develop that skill set and strengthen it.

Now as for the princess. He has some ideas that he needs to speak with her, regarding the ship, and the plans of action to take. To him it just looks like they're flying aimlessly with no actual plan thought out.

Lance sighed, his fingers pushing through his hair and messing it up even more.

Not for the hundredth time, Lance wished he was not a warrior. Burdened, by the fate of many, and having the pressure of the universe on his shoulder. Even if many did not see it that way. Lance saw it that way.

As much as he hated it, his siblings were right. He knew what his responsibilities were. Even if they were untold ones.

He stopped walking at the viewing deck. Just like it was called, glass decorated the deck, overlooking the vastness of space.

Lance looked at the stars that shone so bright. Shining like there was nothing wrong going on in the universe. He looked at the stars, very different ones than the ones he was used to.

He was just in an empty space, looking out to more empty space.

It made him feel small. Made him feel a bit lonely. A bit unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

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Keith was surprised to note he did not like when the castle was quiet, more so when everyone was asleep. The usual chatter was non-existent and it was eerily quiet. All he could hear was the soft hum of the ship in flight. His footsteps, as light as they were, sounded loud to his ears.

Keith had just finished his little impromptu training session. He had been pissed, and apparently swinging around his sword and smashing robots was a good way to decompress.

The Blue paladin had requested to spar with all of the paladins. The Humans vs the Alien, as Hunk had so eloquently dubbed it.

The results? The alien had won.

Four against one and the blue paladin was able to beat every single one of them.

Keith did not lose easily.

So he felt humiliated, and his anger was slowly bubbling up to the surface. So he decided to train a bit more.

Keith did not know how long he had been in there, but it had been longer than he expected as everyone was already asleep.

He was not feeling tired, he felt more energized than ever, so he walked aimlessly around the castle.

It felt so weird walking around, in what he assumed would probably be past midnight, on an alien ship hundreds of light years away from Earth as a paladin to the most powerful weapon in the universe.

Keith still felt it was so surreal, that he would wake up at any moment, and be back on his couch in his little shack in the desert, going crazy at the thought of Shiro being dead even if he knew that would be impossible. Keith did not miss Earth even for a second. Unlike the others, Keith had nothing and no one back on Earth. His only person that he cared about was aboard the ship. If Shiro wasn't here Keith did not know if he would have the strength to even be a paladin of voltron.

As much as he likes to tell Shiro that he knows how to take care of himself, he did not know if he would be able to actually take care of himself if he had lost Shiro. He's his only family, and he knows the feeling there is mutual. They may not be related by blood but they are brothers by choice.

And in all honesty Keith would do anything for Shiro. He is the only type of family he knows. For Keith, Shiro is his home, his brother, his family. Without him in his life he would not know where he might have ended up, and that's possibly one of the scariest thoughts he had ever had.

He stopped suddenly, when he caught sight of the blue Paladin, Lance, his mind supplied again.

Lance was so intent on looking out at space, he did not seem to have noticed him yet. Keith did not mind, as it allowed him to scrutinize this strange alien that was chosen by the blue lion to be her paladin, which he had nothing against, but he didn't know him. And Keith did not like the unknown.

Pidge and Hunk on the other hand reveled at the unknown. They had both agreed that the blue Paladin was really attractive, to which Allura and Coran had agreed wholeheartedly. And so, the duo geniuses had demanded both Shrio and him to act as bodyguards for Lance just in case someone tried to go too far with him. Which was funny considering they had just met the alien guy, and Pidge and Hunk were already so protective. Not to mention said Alien had 'fought for years' and was capable of holding his own. Although Keith was still a bit skeptical about that.

An image of him falling onto Pidge and Hunk when they were fighting against the blue paladin flashed through his mind, he felt Red's amusement at the sight, and Keith decidedly decided to ignore that jab.

He switched his focus back to the blue paladin and noticed how the subtle shine of the stars touched his tan skin and made him look a bit more like a dream. He felt the wave of amusement come from Red at that thought. 'Shut up' he grumbled. Red laughed at him, and Keith ignored her.

Lance was tense, that much Keith could see. His lean muscles tensed under armor which was definitely not Altean, and he glared at the vast darkness of space. He ran his fingers through his chocolate hair which just seemed to mess it up even more. As he brought his fingers down, he touched the blue bandana covering his forehead. He let his fingers rest there for a while before dropping his hand.

At the moment the blue Paladin was not really aware that he was even here, so his walls seemed to have lowered to just a fraction. Keith could see the pain in his blue eyes, the sorrow, the grief, the loneliness. And Keith was way too familiar with those feelings.

Keith felt like he should comfort him, or at least say something. But, they don't know each other, and it would definitely not be good for either of them if Keith tried to comfort him. He was not good with people, or in this case aliens, so he was fairly certain he would just make things worse.

But Keith wasn't one to actually ever give a fuck.

"According to Allura, to maintain flawless skin and look beautiful one actually has to sleep." Keith started, and he paused as his brain caught up to what he said. He inwardly kicked himself. "Way to go you've scared him off Keith!" And he felt Red's wave of joy at his blunder. Why did he like Red again?

A cough caught his attention and he looked up to see the blue Paladin coughing a little too aggressively into his fist and looking away from him.

Oh great he broke him! And he just got here too! Everyone was going to kill him, he was sure of it!

"Are you okay?" he asked a little hesitantly. Not knowing if to help him or leave him. He honestly wanted to leave him, but Pidge and Hunk did vote him and Shiro as Lance's bodyguards and Shiro wasn't here right now.

"Im–" cough cough "I'm–" more coughing and Keith did not know what was even happening.

After a couple more minutes the blue paladin seemed to have regained his bearings and turned to look at Keith again.

"Good now?" Keith asked

Lance nodded. "Just took me by surprise is all."

Keith probably showed how confused he was because Lance explained, and Keith honestly wished he hadn't.

"You think I'm beautiful. A pretty boy like you thinks I'm beautiful." Lance grinned at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and suddenly Keith's whole face was on fire.

Lance chuckled even more, and Keith scowled at him.

But, he supposed, watching him laugh was better than seeing those too similar feelings in his eyes. Feelings that made him look lifeless. Feelings that he knew first hand could eat you alive, if you let it fester too long.

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"So, what are you doing up so early, Kogane? It is the pre-dawn of the morn you know?" Lance asked the red paladin who had sneaked up on him.

"It's that early still?" Keith asked.

"In this part of the system it is. We are currently piloting in the Amil system, home to a few Rebel outposts, and thus a hotspot for Galra activity."

"Rebel outposts? Amil system?"

"Are you okay?"

"Rebel outposts Lance! There are Rebels here!"

"Yes. Did I not inform you guys of the different types of species fighting for their freedom as well?"

"NO!" Keith sputtered, looking at him in shock.

Lance was mildly offended, because it should just be common sense for there to be rebels under a tyrant's rule.

"Yes, well there are Rebels in this part of the system. They have been active for about a thousand deca-phoebs, but it wasn't until their current leader, opposed the then leader, about fifty deca-phoebs ago that they were able to drive the Galra from this system. Not completely might I add, but enough so that they could taste a bit of what freedom is like. At the moment their home planet, Menurf, is completely free of Galra rule, however in order for them to keep that freedom they declared Menurf neutral ground. They may be 'free' in a sense, but they are not completely so. In order to gain true freedom the Empire must be taken down, if not, their planet, neutral ground or not, is still at a risk of being sieged once again."

Lance did not add that it was he and his people that helped the Menurians free their planet. That they helped evacuate those who wanted to leave and took them to one of their safe planets. Away from Galra and heavily protected.

He hated that Menurf was neutral ground. It should not have been. It should have been claiming freedom for its own, and giving hope to others to do the same and uprise against the empire. Instead in fear of being killed, and being enslaved once again they declared themselves neutral. Not aligning themselves with the empire, but not denying the empire.

When he had heard the news he felt as though a crystal was being shoved into his wounds. Where they would be open anew and he felt like he was bleeding. He had felt rage then, wanted to beat Ali for his stupid decision, he had even regretted helping them. But he had only been fifteen then. Still an unlit crystal compared to his brothers-in-arms and older brother.

He was seventeen now. Not much of a difference, but he had seen more, fought more, delegated more. And two deca-phoebs really makes a difference to change one's perspective. Declaring being Neutral ground was the safest option Ali could take. The Amil system was in between a few systems infested with Galra. If they had declared themselves a free planet, the Menurians risked an attack from all sides. If they wanted to evacuate–like the others had–they would have faced opposition then.

Being Neutral was not only good for them, but it was also necessary. They were able to create a trade with the Galrans, and other neutral planets that needed resources from them. The business in Menurf was thriving and the people did better. They still kept their heads down at the sight of Galra, still scurried off when they saw them–at least the ones wearing the Empire's uniform proudly–still obeyed their whims when the Galra visited their planet, but it was better living conditions than what it was before.

He could not hate Ali for doing what he had to do, but he could hate the Empire.

"I guess when we beat the Empire, Menurf would no longer find the need in calling themselves neutral ground." Keith said, and Lance remembered what had brought him to those thoughts.

"Ali would probably still do it just to piss us off" He said off-handedly, crossing his arms in front of him and giving a faint smile at Keith.

Because Lance liked to think Ali would have done that, he's not sure if the leader of the Menurians would be able to see the day the universe was freed though. Not with all his old injuries acting up, his illness coming in full force, and what the stress of leading his people and delegating between the Galrans who had them enslaved would do to him.

The last time he saw him was a deca-phoeb ago, and he looked really bad. Like he might keel over, over the slightest use of his blade. And that man loved his blade. Lance wondered how he was doing.

"Ali?" Keith asked, and Lane realized he hadn't elaborated on that.

"He's the Rebel Leader, the one I was talking to you about? Who freed his people and declared his planet neutral ground? His name is Ali. A real firecracker, a master of his blade, and a leader that his people adore. Maybe you can meet him soon, you two would get along."

"If he's a master of his blade, like you claim he is, I wouldn't be opposed to meeting him."

"Of course you wouldn't not after that disastrous sparring session with your sword. Seriously swing it any wider and you might just cut yourself into pieces."

"I'm good with a sword. I collected blades back on Earth!"

"Oh my 'verse you collected blades? Isn't that sweet! What other treasures have you collected?" Lance teased leaning into Keith's personal space and grinning at him.

"Wha–did you just compare me to a dragon?"

"I didn't think you would catch the reference. Good boy Keith."

"I'm not a dog!"

"I don't know what a dog is, but you are reminding me so much of my little Quila!" Lance gushed looking at Keith in fascination "I hope she doesn't try to burn my stuff, I have been gone an inordinately long amount of time." he mumbled to himself.

"Are you saying you have a pet dragon?"

"Quila is just the cutest! She will bite your pretty head off though, so that meeting will have to wait!" Lance grinned cheekily as he saw how embarrassed Keith got. Really Keith was so easy to get a read on. And he was really easy to rile up too.

"Can I just not meet her?" Keith mumbled looking away from Lance

"But you would like her I swear!"

"Not sure I would, after you basically insinuated she would eat me!"

Lance scoffed "Quila is a lady, she would not eat you!" He harrumphed looking offended on behalf of his pet dragon. Keith relaxed a bit at that.

"Besides she does not like bones, she likes meat!"

Keith looked at Lance in shock "I'm fit!"

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And that is how Shiro found the Red and Blue paladin, bickering in the viewing deck over God knows what.

Keith had his arms crossed and was glaring at Lance who was grinning easily at him, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Shiro could not help but think that both of them together would be chaos for all of them. He sighed wearily before heading back the way he came from and leaving the two paladins to their bickering. He needed food before he could properly function anyway.


AN: Hi guys! *laughs nervously* Now i know! I know! *Dodges rotten tomatoes* I was gone for two (three?) years, but in my defense the computer I was previoulsy using stopped working and I had ALL of my work there. ALL OF IT! I'm still grieving the loss of that. My OC's! Their backstory! The plot notes! The World Building all GONE! T^T Just like my step-dad he went with Papa Dios (God) too, lol. Anyways... Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was more of a filler than anything, but there is a bit more info about Lance. So if you're smart you can start gathering the pieces and start to form a picture on who Lance is. I honestly don't know where Keith came from. He wasn't even supposed to be in this chapter, but this little menace could not take no for an answer.

If you want to know the vibe of this chapter, I was listening to Goshintai (RADWIMPS) Dance for me Wallis (Abel Korzeniowski) and Underground (Lindsey Stirling) not in that exact order.