Chapter Three

In the repair bay

Larmina was in the bay doing some minor maintenance on Blue Lion. Ever since taking over as the pilot of Blue Lion from her aunt, Larmina had taken great pride in caring for the Lion. All the other lions were in the bay because Keith had ordered Daniel to clean them all. Larmina had already told Daniel that he could do Blue last once she was done with the maintenance on her. Larmina was thankful that Hunk had taught her how to take care of the Lions and make repairs as well. She loved that she could be able to fly her lion and take care of it at the same time. Daniel on the other hand was not happy about it, and Larmina knew it. She could hear him sloshing the bucket full of soapy water around as he cleaned Black. Daniel was also angry that he was still not the pilot of Black yet and Larmina knew about that because of the fact that he and Keith had gotten into several arguments over it. Keith would tell both her aunt and herself about them in the royal quarters and so Larmina was well aware of what was going on. She'd come to Daniel's defense on more than one occasion over this. But Keith had made it perfectly clear, Daniel was still not ready. Larmina also suspected that Daniel might not make the team at all by the way Keith was telling Allura and the others. So she decided not to argue with Keith over it in order to keep the peace in the family.

Larmina figured that when she was done with Blue, she'd go check on her aunt. Aunt Allura was pregnant and this pregnancy was not an easy one for her aunt. Her aunt was five and a half months pregnant and the baby wasn't making thing easy for her, so Larmina would help keep her company and help her out in carrying out royal duties. Larmina was wrapping up on systems checks when she heard something fall to the bottom of the bay and a frustrated grunt from Daniel who was over on Black. Once she was finished, she came out and saw Daniel leaning against the railing clearly not happy.

"Hey, you okay," she asked.

Sighing, "No," he spoke with frustration in his voice. "I'm sick and tired of having to be the one who is still not a pilot and being told that I'm still not ready."

"Daniel, don't worry, you're just taking a bit longer to be ready," Larmina spoke. "Don't worry, you'll get it."

"Get real Larmina, no I won't. Keith still thinks I'm still not ready, but I am."

"You just need a little more time Daniel that's all."

"A little more time. Yeah right," he spat. "I'm ready but almighty Keith says I'm not. So where does that leave me."

"Daniel, we haven't given up on you, we all know you're the one for Black but you're just taking a little longer to take the pilot's seat."

"I should be in black by now, but I'm not."

"Daniel, don't worry, you're almost th …"

"Stop saying that, everyone say's I'm not ready but I am," his voice was rising in volume as he spoke each word.

Larmina noticed that he was getting angry, "Daniel calm down, you're going to make it …"

"I AM NOT," he yelled kicking the bucket of water that was in the middle of the gangway toward Larmina. Seeing the bucket she ducked.

"Daniel what the …" but she never got to finish the sentence as Daniel's eyes flashed purple and his claws activated and he headed right at her. Larmina activated her staff and quickly deflected Daniel's attack. But he quickly recovered. "Daniel stop!" But he didn't. Using his speed he went right back at Larmina and this time she couldn't deflect or move out of the way fast enough as he slashed her with one of his claws. Somehow, Larmina was able to push him off and get a better position. As Daniel turned for another strike. Larmina tried her best to keep up with Daniel deflecting some of the strikes but he was too fast for her and ignoring her injuries, she fought to keep him back his purple Haggarium eyes staring rays of hatred at her. He tried another strike and this time hit her staff and she took the opportunity to sideswipe him and get clear. Blue was not happy at what was happening to her pilot and made her displeasure known. But Daniel did not stop coming at Larmina again, Larmina realized that he was going even faster this time and realized with horror that she was not going to be able to get clear of him much less deflect his strikes.

V

Keith was heading toward the bay to check on Daniel and to see if Larmina was finished with her maintenance. The sound of one of the Lion's roar told him something was not right as he ran toward the bay.

V

In this bay, Larmina was losing the battle with Daniel and even Black was not amused either. As Larmina tried to avoid another strike from Daniel, she saw the door to the bay open and Keith enter.

"Daniel," Keith yelled at the cadet.

Daniel hearing Keith's call sent one final thrust at Larmina sending her flying. She struck Green hard on its head and Green reacted by turning it's head so that Larmina slid down the lion's head to the gangway instead of the lower level below. Green roared its displeasure as well as Keith engaged Daniel. When Keith saw Daniel's eyes, he realized to his horror that Daniel was infected with Haggarium.

They fought it out but Keith realized he had a challenge because Daniel was too quick for him. Daniel's speed, boosted by his Voltcom was incredible. The Black pilot couldn't keep up with him, but Keith was not giving up on this battle. He had attacked Larmina and now he was in a battle that was testing his skills against Daniel's speed. Keith couldn't believe that Daniel was going at the speed he was going at. But he had to try and stop Daniel before anyone else got hurt.

Daniel's haggarium filled mind was enjoying the thrill of the fight, taking on an opponent who couldn't keep up with him and he was enjoying it. He increased the speed knowing that Keith wouldn't be able to keep up with him.

Keith saw Daniel's speed increase and knew it was bad news. Daniel had used this to his advantage and slashed Keith several times and just kept on going. Keith fell to his knees but fought to get up again and tried to block one of Daniel's claws with his sword but he didn't react fast enough as he felt another slash and blood come out of the wound. Keith was able to strike Daniel's leg with his sword but that only enraged the teen as he slashed Keith again and again and then kicked him over the railing of the upper gangway.

"Keith," Larmina cried out from her position by the Green Lion and knew she couldn't help him. She was too badly injured herself and was weakened by the blood loss. She had already sent the alert out on her Voltcom and hoped that help would come fast as she watched Daniel try and enter black. But Black rejected him and with that rejection, Daniel fled.

TBC ...