Keith opened his eyes. The painted ceiling was from Krolia's childhood bedroom. His room now. Turning his head, he saw Lance sitting crooked in a chair with one leg over the armrest reading a book. It took Keith a moment to find his voice and he croaked, "Lance? What happened?" Lance sat up. Keith went on, "How did I- Dar!"

Lance dropped the book as he stopped Keith from climbing out of bed. Holding Keith's shoulders, he eased, "Steady now. You've been sleeping for a few days." He gently pushed Keith until he was laying again.

"But Dar! The hunt! Is he-"

"Dar is fine, thanks to you. What do you remember?"

Keith closed his eyes as Lance's even voice calmed him. "The stag hit Dar. My mother killed the stag. I went to Dar... the lions..."

Soft hands cradled one of his. Keith opened his eyes. Lance's thumb rubbed the back of his hand to soothe worry revealed in his own eyes. Blue... like the ocean... a well of concern for others deeper than the depths of space. Keith blinked to free himself. He couldn't become entrapped and drown in those eyes ever again. From the corner of his vision, he saw Lance's brows draw together.

Lance set Keith's hand on top of the covers and explained, "You channeled quintessence from the roen stag into everything around you. Allura doesn't know how you did it without training. When you wouldn't wake up, she and Lotor went with Coran to look for clues in Haggar's lab."

Keith sighed and slowly sat up under Lance's watchful scrutiny. "They won't find anything. The lions guided me. Azurine... sorry, Blue and... my dad... It was like he was telling me what to do."

There was a moment where they let those words sink in. Then Lance began, "So, your dad really was her paladin. I'm... I'm sorry she never chose you to follow in his footsteps."

"Hey," Keith replied and reached for Lance's wrist. "She chose you because of who you are. The lions taught us to know ourselves. Trust our instincts. Blue and the others did what they thought best at the time. There's nothing stopping us from flying together now."

"What are you talking about, Keith? You fly Black."

Keith shook his head and slid his hand back to the mattress. "We are paladins of Voltron, Lance. We specify by lion to differentiate ourselves to others. Pidge and Hunk will never want to fly any other, but the bonds are there. They're in us all. I've flown Red, then Black, and I feel Azurine calling to me. Allura is a natural leader who only lacks experience, which she's quickly gaining with the coalition.

"And you, Lance," Keith emphasized and risked the depths of his eyes one final time, "I see what the others do, a greatness within you. Lance, you wanted to lead Voltron. At the time, you weren't ready. I wasn't ready, but we learned to depend on one another. So... believe me when I say you're ready now, Lance, and I would gladly follow your lead wherever our battles take us."

"Keith," Lance whispered. The galaxies in his eyes shimmered with tears.

Keith smiled and opened his arms. "Come here, buddy."

Lance crawled onto the bed and clung to him. Keith held the back of Lance's head as he sobbed. Hot tears landed on the curve of his neck and Lance sniffled out, "You're such a jerk, mullet! In a few days, you're gonna go back to the empire, so don't talk like... like..."

Keith blinked back tears. "I know, Lance. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Ten minutes later, Talias arrived with a soft knock on the partially open door. "Keith, sweet boy, I am glad to see you awake." She entered with a small cup in hand. Lance finally let go and sat by Keith's feet with his long legs beside Keith's. Talias reached into her apron pocket and removed a pill bottle. Shaking three into her palm, she handed them to her charge. "Here." As Keith diligently swallowed her medicine and what was in the cup, she placed a wrist to his forehead then checked his eyes.

"What time is it?" Keith asked while she checked the lymph nodes on his throat.

"The sun rose seven hours ago, but you have been unresponsive for close to five days."

"What?"

Talias ran a hand over his hair. "Shh, beloved one. Princess Allura assured me that your fatigue was a natural consequence of what you did for Lord Darek's son. I monitored your vitals the entire time. Krolia and Kolivan were more anxious, of course, but I am familiar with your risks."

Keith blushed in embarrassment. "Where is my mother?"

Talias straightened her apron. "Your actions during the hunt... they changed things, Keith."

Keith straightened up and braced himself for the worst. "Tell me."

Talias laughed on an exhale and cupped his cheek. "Your marks finally came in. Lance, a mirror."

Lance fumbled and reached for his phone. Opening the camera, he handed it to Keith. Keith held his breath and looked at his reflection. He tilted his head and touched the galra mark running along the side of his neck, up his jaw, and halfway across his cheek. The width tapered to a point, curving like the marks Krolia and Talias both bore.

"Now there is no hiding the blood of Lethua in your veins. Our family marks are unique, like all the galra nobility. Krolia has formally reported you as the son she and Prince Alphonse conceived during the great war. She also filled out your birth information so my adoption has been voided. To the empire, you are Prince Keitaran, son of Alphonse, Prince of Altea, and Krolia of the house of Lethua, Princess of Diabazaal, Consort of Blood Emperor Lotor of the house of Lethua."

Keith ran a hand over his face. "That's a mouthful."

Talias stood and smoothed her dress. "I'll spare you the accolades that accompany your title then."

"Prince Keitaran," Lance tested, "your friends would be gladdened by your presence. If you'd allow me to escort you to lunch, that is."

Keith snorted and Lance gave a flashy bow. He shoved Lance out of bed and said, "Oh my god, Lance, just call me Keith."

Lance grinned, but reined it in with Talias's sharp look. Keith's smile faltered as well and he admitted, "I am hungry."

Talias gestured them to walk ahead of her. They started down the stairs as Krolia entered through the front door. Keith put on a burst of speed and called, "Mother!"

"Keith, you're awake!" She caught him against her chest and looked him over. "Don't scare me like that ever again."

Lance asked, "Where's Kolivan?"

Krolia took Keith's hand and joined them as they walked toward the dining room. "He's orbiting above making a conference call. It's unlikely, but..." Keith raised curious eyes. "the Blades of Marmora are considering whether to realign themselves to the royal family of Daibazaal. Your actions as a blade in light of recent events are powerful, Keith, and as Alphonse's son, having the blood of a former ally among them is of great influence."

They barely made it into the dining room when Pidge, Hunk, and Shiro were on them. Keith assured them he was fine, hardly tired, until they gave him space to breathe. He and Lance sat down to eat. Pidge stole a bite here and there as everyone filled him in on what he'd missed. Shiro added, "It's so quiet now that the gala's over and everyone returned home."

Pidge said as she chewed, "Even Matt and Nyma are down at the dock prepping to leave. You should come see them off with me, Keith."

"Yeah, I-"

Several servants and a soldier rushed through the doors. The servants were hysterical. Keith stood and wrapped an arm around one. "Margery, what's wrong?"

The soldier gave a shaky salute. "My ladies, my prince, there is an emergency in the front courtyard. It's Sendak."

Keith watched Krolia and Talias share a glance. He looked to Lance and nodded. Lance set his jaw and began, "We need to distract him long enough to reach the lions. Keith, the armory-"

"No," Talias interjected. "This will be handled without fighting."

"Princess," Shiro refuted, "Sendak isn't the type to back down. Whatever the reason he's here, it will not end well."

"Then I will handle that as well," Talias took the lead. "Keitaran, stay behind your mother and I."

Keith looked at Lance and nodded again. Lance nodded back and pulled on Hunk's arm. They darted down another hallway toward the training room. Keith had to run to keep up with Talias and Krolia. They finally stopped at the front door and two of their soldiers pushed it open. Shiro pulled Pidge out of view. Keith met his eyes then followed the two women outside.

Sendak stood just beyond the gates, but entered the yard to meet them partway. Talias called, "That's far enough." He paused and Keith shivered beneath his iron gaze. Krolia moved slightly in front of Keith and demanded, "Why have you come?"

Sendak mockingly saluted. "Princess Talias, Princess Krolia, I come on behalf of the emperor's mother to escort her son and his consort to her residence. She wishes to bestow her blessing upon their union."

"No."

Sendak raised an eyebrow at Talias's single word. "No?" His altered hand twitched and Keith flinched. He said almost amiably, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist."

Krolia angled her body in front of Keith and reached back for his arm. "Leave now, Sendak, and tell that witch the only way she'll see either of them is over my dead body."

A predatory sneer twisted his lips. "Is that so?" He raised his hand to reveal a small device and said, "Are you sure?"

Pidge gasped and shouted, "It's a bomb!"

Keith turned and caught her around the chest as she ran down the stairs and hissed, "Pidge, wait."

"You," Sendak growled. His fist clenched and he paced forward.

"You were told to leave," Shiro stated. He took up the position beside Talias. "This is a peaceful planet and besides, Lotor isn't even here."

Sendak's eye slid over each of them in careful consideration. "Then I'll just have to improvise." He glared at Shiro and said, "Operation Kuron, activate final stage. Bring me those two."

"What are y-"

Keith watched as Shiro's words stopped forming. He straightened up, but the motion wasn't organic. Talias and Krolia hadn't noticed yet, but something was very wrong. Keith pulled Pidge behind him and slowly distanced them both from his brother. "Shiro?"

Krolia turned at the fear in his voice, but so did Shiro. Except, everything that made him Shiro was gone. The husk of his brother watched them with emotionless, dead eyes. Krolia moved half a second before he did and shoved Talias out of the way of his attack. Then she shouted at them, "Run!"

She blocked Shiro's attacks, giving them precious seconds. Gritting his teeth, Keith grabbed Pidge's hand and fled into the manor. His mother cried out. When he turned back, she was fighting Sendak. Shiro fought through their soldiers without pause. His galra arm glowed. Then he was on them.

Keith shouted, "Keep going, Pidge!" and turned to meet Shiro. He knew his brother, but this was something different. His attacks were unpredicatable which frightened Keith more than his sudden hostility. He misjudged and was kicked across the head. He flew into the wall and crumpled.

"Keith!"

He looked over as Hunk and Lance ran toward them. Then there was a loud beep. He shouted, "Get down!" at the same time the ceiling collapsed. He and Pidge were cut off. As the dust settled, he and Pidge coughed. Keith found her silhouette and called, "Pidge, you ok?"

"Yeah. Keep talking. I'm coming to you, Ke- ahh!"

"Katie!" Keith stood and stumbled through the rubble. There was a violet glow near her. "Shiro! Leave her alone!" The debris cut his bare feet as he sprinted after them, but he didn't care. She was screaming and fighting as Shiro forced her out the side door. Keith heard her scream his name, but his own call was drowned out as a ship dropped from the sky. He paused in abject fear.

"Found you."

Keith screamed as a vice circled his chest. His arms were pinned to his sides by Sedak's altered hand. He was lifted off his feet and Sendak walked toward the commandeered ship, Retribution. Keith snarled, "Let go! Let me go!" He kicked and received a mocking chuckle.

"Pidge!" Matt ran into the garden from the side path and drew his weapon. Readying to fight, he asked, "Shiro, what are you doing?"

"He's not himself, Matt! They-" Her words ended in a cry of pain as Shiro grabbed a fist of her hair and tossed her to the waiting galra aboard the ship.

"You fucking bastards!" Keith shouted and renewed his struggles.

"Kuron, kill him," Sendak ordered as he went to board.

Shiro moved fast as lightning. Matt blocked again and again, but Shiro's enhanced arm sliced through his staff. The doppelganger caught the broken end and stabbed Matt through the gut with the sharpened edge. Matt's eyes widened in shock and pain and he stumbled before falling onto his side. He lay there unmoving.

"Matt!" Pidge shrieked.

"No! Sendak! I'll kill you!" Keith swore. Then the abomination jumped aboard and the ship closed the hold and prepared to take off. The artificial gravity kicked in as a lion roared and Keith suddenly realized why they'd stolen this ship.

Sendak forced them to the cabin where a female was piloting. "Sir, the lions are pursuing."

"We'll outrun them. Fire again on the docks and manor. Give them a distraction. He threw Keith against the wall, then leaned over the navigation console. "Wait... what's that?" A small ship appeared around the curve of the planet.

Keith's heart leapt into his throat as Sendak changed targets. Kolivan! Keith was instantly on his feet, but Sendak's officers moved to hold him back. A severe constriction around his forearms didn't stop him from lashing out. He kicked free and body slammed the pilot.

She grunted on contact and the ship lurched. The blasters were thrown off target and Kolivan's ship was only grazed. The screens showed the lions giving chase, Red in the lead, and Kolivan's ship smoking as it went dead in the water. Keith fell and slid across the floor of the cabin as the pilot righted the ship. When he looked at the screens, Kolivan's ship exploded.

Keith stopped breathing. No. He couldn't be dead. Keith hung his head as they entered deep space where some of Sendak's larger vessels waited.

The red lion came to a stop and roared her vengeance before turning toward the ship Retribution had shot down. Keith met Pidge's terrified eyes where Shiro still held her by a fist of her hair and her arms behind her back. Keith grit his teeth and stood with a snarl and fire in his eyes. Again, Sendak's men moved to restrain him, but this time they were prepared. A sharp pain on the back of his skull sent him to the floor. Through a daze, he heard Sendak order him and Pidge to be taken to the holding cells. He faded in and out, barely aware of a hand dragging him across the floor and down the hall by his ankle.

"No! Let go of me! Shiro, stop! Please!"

Pidge's desperate pleas finally brought him fully conscious. He groaned and kicked with his free leg, but it was like kicking a rock. The floor bit into his back and arms, but he kept kicking until at last Shiro dropped his leg and tapped a screen. Keith struggled to rise as Shiro tossed Pidge into the small room. Then he gripped Keith's shoulder and threw him after her. Keith shouted when he fell, unable to catch himself cuffed as he was.

"You monster!" Pidge screamed and charged at Shiro.

"Pidge, stop!" Keith warned. It came too late. The energy barrier activated and she hit it like a wall of bricks. She flew back and landed in a heap. Keith went to her and knelt. "Katie? Katie, talk to me."

She whimpered and curled up on the floor. "Matt... he... he killed him."

Keith glared beyond their prison where the thing he'd believed to be his brother watched them as silent as a sentry. His hand glowed, their only light source. "It's not Shiro. It isn't him, Katie," Keith pleaded. She turned into him and wrapped her small arms around his stomach. He curled around her in a futile attempt to protect her and she buried her face against him as she cried. He looked away from the thing watching them and repeated into the night. "It's not Shiro. It can't be."

The two of them ran into the garden as a ship left the atmosphere. The four lions of Voltron roared and took off chasing it down. Hunk cried out, "Oh god, they're on that ship! He took them!"

Lance choked and blamed it on the dust from the explosion. Then a prone form among the flowers had him sprinting. "Matt! Matt, can you hear me!" He jumped the railing and rolled back to his feet with Hunk right behind him. Lance checked the wound while Hunk looked for vitals. Lance said over his heart thudding in his ears, "This is bad," and tore his shirt, pressing the makeshift bandage into the wound around the shiv in Matt's abdomen.

"I have a pulse! It's weak, but he's alive! We need to move him." Hunk wrapped his arms under Matt's and Lance took hold of his legs. They both moved on three and Matt barely groaned. That small sound was the only hope they had as a trail of blood followed them all the way to the house. "Out of the way!" Hunk shouted in the dining room. Servants cleared a space on the table and they laid their burden down. Hunk demanded, "Is there a doctor?"

"I'm here," Talias called as she entered assisted by a soldier. Two more walked a barely conscious Krolia in and sat her in a chair. She was in shock and covered in bruises. Talias saw Matt on the table and stumbled into a run. At the table, she went into business mode assessing Matt's condition. Lance noted a sizable bruise on her temple. She could have a concussion, but she was all they had. She instructed, "I don't want to risk moving him again. I'll need my emergency surgery pack. Hunk, how long has he been like this?"

"I don't know, a matter of minutes?"

"Alright." She turned to the soldiers. "Send a message to the hub and secure the manor. Then have search and rescue go to the docks for victims, but we are too understaffed to put out the fires until help arrives. Go!" The soldiers left at a run and the servants arrived with her medical supplies.

She unwrapped the sterile kit and put the gown on. Donning her gloves, she instructed, "Hunk, cut away his clothes and remove the bandage, then scrub in with me. Lance, take a forceps and use the disinfectant to clean and sterilize the area around the foreign object as best you can."

"He's lost a lot of blood," Hunk said as he completed his task and Lance started his. "He's going to need a transfusion."

"Lance, in my kit," Talias said without looking as she began surgery.

"Way ahead of you," he answered as he singled out a strange set of tubes that resembled an IV line. He grabbed the tourniquet and wrapped it around Matt's bicep. Within seconds, he found the vein on the inside of Matt's elbow. He clamped the line and released the tourniquet. Wrapping his own arm, he bit one end of the tourniquet and pulled it tight.

"Wait, child, he needs blood like his own," Talias warned.

Lance put the needle cap in his mouth and said around it, "I'm a universal donor. He'll accept it," and buried the needle in his own arm. The flash of blood filled the hub and he released the tourniquet. He watched his blood travel to some odd looking contraption and un-clamped the line on Matt's end. His blood finished it's journey and entered their dying friend.

Talias said, "Lay beside him, Lance, so you don't pass out."

Lance did as she told. He kept flexing his arm to make sure the line didn't clot and focused on his breathing. It didn't seem like much, but he was doing what he could to help. He was lightheaded when Talias pulled the chunk of metal out of her patient.

She said, "We're over halfway done. How are his vitals?"

"He's starting to a-fib! We're losing him," Hunk said past the verge of panic."

Talias worked fast and threatened, "Don't you dare die on me, boy. I've healed worse in more terrible circumstances, so I will not let you go without a fight."

Lance put an arm over his face. "Guys... I don't feel so good." They ignored him and Talias injected Matt with something through the IV he'd placed. Lance closed his eyes. Only a moment. A single moment and he'd open his eyes to see them continue. A moment came and went. Their voices grew more distant until Lance lost his grip on consciousness and passed out.

Allura cried out as she lost her balance and fell into the table. Lotor reached out to steady her and asked, "Are you well?"

Allura frantically shook her head. "Something's very wrong. Blue is screaming in pain. I- I think something's happened. I need to return to Lethua!"

Lotor blanched and nodded. "Let's go."

Allura took a few steps before she was running toward the castle. The alarms began sounding and the empire's soldiers began mobilizing around them. In the hangar, Lotor stopped a commander and asked, "What's going on?"

"It's Lethua, emperor! Sendak attacked and he's taken Prince Keitaran and the green paladin, sir!"

"Oh no," Allura whispered in horror.

Lotor's face went from surprise to rage and his lips pulled into a snarl baring his fangs. "Allura, can you open the teludav for my armada?"

"Yes. I'll give you a quarter varga to prepare your fleets," Allura answered before they split up. When she entered the castle, Coran met her on the bridge. She explained what she knew and paced even as she felt Blue pacing below.

At last, Lotor appeared on her screens and said, "We're ready. Allura, we follow you." She was already activating the wormhole before the call ended. The fleets formed up on her and they made the jump to find Lethua in flames.

And this is what I desperately wanted to get out before season six! I made my deadline, guys!