"He just started a war with your most powerful enemies, my empress."

Gnov glared at the commanders who had gathered to confront Krolia about Lotor's meddling during the armistice. "And he's going to face the ramifications of his actions as any galra would."

Krolia sat up straighter and waved a hand in dismissal. "I know you are all concerned about the days and weeks to come, but leave disciplining Prince Lotor to me, your sovereign leader. Now go. You'll have your orders by the end of the day." The commanders filed out leaving Gnov alone with Krolia. Krolia sighed and and pinched the bridge of her nose. "What am I going to do about the boy, Gnov? He's gone too far this time, but..."

"My lady," Gnov said and knelt beside Krolia's throne. Krolia wiped at her eyes and met Gnov's empathetic gaze. "Exile may be your only option at this point. He... he's gone too far as you yourself said."

Krolia looked away. "Kolivan refuses to give up on him, Gnov. How can I be so heartless, his own blood."

Gnov gently rested her hand on Krolia's and said, "It is not his beloved aunt who would voice his sentence, but the Blood Empress of Diabazaal." Silent tears coursed down Krolia's cheeks and she put a hand to her mouth. Gnov stood and Krolia abruptly embraced her. Gnov counseled, "Exile is not forever. When he changes his ways, he is always able to return. Right Krolia?"

"I knew there was a reason I made you my adviser, my friend."

Gnov barked a bitter laugh. "Where is the unruly prince now?"

"With the paladins to protect him from internal backlash, but I haven't seen Alphonse so angry in a long time. I don't know how long he'll hold himself in check."

"Then we'd best tell them the news."

Krolia groaned and folded her arms. "I hope Kolivan accepts this."

"No! Absolutely now," Kolivan objected.

Gnov countered, "There is no alternative!"

Allura winced where she sat beside Lotor. The prince was listless and barely reacted while their elders loudly debated his fate. It had been nearly four vargas since Pidge had left almost as soon as Krolia named Lotor's sentence. Allura knew Pidge had more reason than the rest of them to be angry with Lotor, but they were all hurt by the imperial prince's rash impulses.

Hunk and Lance had gone after Katie, leaving Allura alone with an apathetic Lotor and five shouting adults. Allura reached for Lotor's hand and squeezed. He cast her a sideways glance, but failed to muster any semblance of emotion. She leaned into his shoulder. If only he knew. If only...

"Kolivan, please be rational-"

"I am, Krolia! You haven't even given me a chance to train him! If you exile him now, he's only going to self destruct without guidance."

"And what would you suggest? The last thing I want is to send him away, but I'm backed into a corner. We were so close, Kolivan. The witch was going to accept! Keith and Haggar would have been brought to order in addition to the colonies under his rule. Instead, we are at war and my generals are demanding action. If I don't handle this with neutrality, infighting may break out and we'll lose everything."

The empress's words echoed within each of them. Gnov murmured in the silence, "Krolia, your people are not so callous."

Krolia sat heavily in a chair with her head in one hand. "I used to think the same of another," she replied with a tired glance in Lotor's direction.

Lotor scowled at the ground beside Allura. Coran asked, "Do you have anything to say for yourself, lad?"

Lotor remained silent and Allura rescued, "It's not important. We all feel the same toward Haggar and her druids, but-"

"Excuse me a moment," Lotor interrupted and walked out of the room.

Gnov glared and tried to follow. Allura intercepted her and said, "I'll talk to him."

Alphonse nodded his approval and she ran after her cousin. "Hey! Lotor, wait! Hey, wait!"

Lotor came to a stop and sighed, "Leave me alone, Allura."

"I really wish I could, but that's not an option given the circumstances." Allura took several deep breaths when she finally caught up to him.

Lotor leaned against the wall with folded arms and a permanent scowl. "Do you intend to lecture me as well?"

She felt the stab of a painful memory and looked away before she saw another angry boy in his place. "No, Lotor... I won't do that to you. Not after everything we've been through together."

"Keith?"

Allura looked up into Lotor's eyes. "You've started saying his name again?" Lotor didn't answer. She reached for his hand and suggested, "Let's go to my room."

Once inside, Lotor looked at a pile of dirty laundry in the corner and asked, "How long have you and the black paladin been sleeping together?"

Allura shut the door with crimson cheeks. "Oh... well, it was about two years after Haggar..."

"You know he's still in love with him, right?"

Allura jolted. "Lotor, how do you know Lance-"

"I heard him confess to Hunk," Lotor explained, "a day before the rescue mission. I never confronted him about it, but when I was here last, Lance made me aware of something I thought I was incapable of."

Allura sat on the bed and Lotor sat beside her. She whispered, "Keith... you still love him."

Lotor hugged himself and bent forward over his legs. "Why? I've tried so hard to... to despise him. He told me to hate him, but... I love him too much. What- What do I have to do to fix this?" Allura wrapped her arms around Lotor and pulled him against her. He went on, "I can't- I know that I deserve exile for the trouble I've caused everyone, but... what Kolivan said is true. I will not survive exile again."

Allura rocked him gently until he was slightly more firm against her. "Shh, Lolo. You won't be alone this time."

"Lolo?" Lotor sat up slightly. "You haven't called me that since we were kids... Alulu."

A giggle escaped her. "Oh, quiznak."

Lotor's lip twitched and some of the sparkle returned to his eyes. "Quiznak indeed." He looked away and asked, "Remember Coran when Alphonse and your father taught us to swear?"

Allura pursed her lips in fond memory. "Coran was so proud, but our mothers had never been so outraged."

"My father laughed so hard when mother told him."

Allura bit her lip and asked, "Didn't he have to promise never to teach you any galra curses to get back into her good graces?"

"Yeah," Lotor chuckled and wiped a hand across his mouth, "but Krolia already had."

Allura said through a laugh, "Those two are the worst role models."

Lotor bumped her shoulder with his and raised an eyebrow. "You mean the best? And somehow Keith is the product of both of them."

She snorted and covered her mouth with both hands. She met Lotor's eyes and he broke into a full smile for the first time in over a year. He tried to smother it and couldn't. She started laughing and he couldn't resist joining. They were beside themselves when there was a knock on the door.

Lance called as he entered, "Allura who're you talking t-"

Lance froze and Lotor instantly stopped laughing. Allura's giggles died off when she noticed the two men glaring at one another. Lotor stood and lifted Allura's hand to his lips. "Thank you, my wonderful cousin, for your company, but I should return to Krolia."

"I'll walk you back," Lance volunteered.

Lotor narrowed his eyes. "I know my way."

Lance watched Lotor leave before going to Allura and demanded, "What were you thinking, Allura, being alone with him? He's dangerous."

"He's wounded, Lance."

He held her shoulders, thumbs digging in slightly the way he did when he was genuinely freaked out. "Exactly, baby. He's unpredictable and... and..." He hugged her tight.

Allura kissed his neck. "He needs to know. We are the ones hurting him now, Lance. If he... Lance, I think he could help us get Keith back."

Lance sighed and flopped down on the bed. "I know. I tried to get him to see beyond his preconceptions, but I mean, Pidge and Alphonse will never agree."

Allura took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. "Then we won't tell Alphonse. Leave Katie to me."

Lotor could hear yelling from outside the room. He sighed and closed his eyes. So much of his interaction with the ones he loved and respected sounded like this. He straightened up and lifted his chin when he entered. "I am returned."

Krolia and Kolivan barely spared him a glance while Coran and Gnov didn't even bother. Lotor sat and crossed his legs. This whole thing was tiresome. It was some time before he noticed Alphonse staring directly at him. Lotor shifted uncomfortably, but Alphonse never looked away.

"Put him through the trials." Lotor stopped breathing as Alphonse brought all conversation to a grinding halt. Alphonse stood and repeated, "Put him through the trials. The generals will be satisfied with the corporal punishment for his crimes and he'll begin training if he awakens the blade."

"Forget the blade, he'll die if he fails, Alphonse!" Gnov refuted.

Alphonse looked around the room with his full regal bearing. "Think about what he's done, Gnov. Consider all the future loss of life this war will cause. Lotor is being held accountable for all of it. Without the risk of death, Krolia will lose support from her subjects. This is all he has. A singular chance at redemption or an honorable death."

Krolia broke eye contact and paced the length of the room with a hand over her mouth. Kolivan turned on Alphonse. "He's not ready!"

"And he may never be ready, Kolivan. It has always been a risk to undergo the trials, but you passed, Krolia passed, and so did Keith. You can't honestly tell me anyone is ever completely prepared."

Lotor was on the verge of a panic attack. Exile or the high probability of willing execution? "I'll do it!"

Kolivan scowled at Alphonse. Gnov lifted her chin in respect. Krolia froze, wide eyes locked on his with her mouth slightly parted. Lotor's heart faltered. Had he seen her that scared since she lit the Kral Zera? She walked to him and cupped his cheek. "Are you sure, Lotor?"

Lotor stood and hugged her. "Yes. If... If this will help in any way to... to fix everything I've ruined, how could I oppose your judgement, my empress?"

Krolia's cheekbones dug into his shoulder, but he didn't want the hug to end. Kolivan said with an audible glare toward Alphonse, "Then Lotor shall be released into my custody."

"But of course, Blade Leader," Alphonse snidely replied. "I'll open the teludav for you myself."

Alphonse left without another word and Lotor shuddered. "He's terrifying when he's angry. I'd completely forgotten what that's like."

Krolia squeezed him tighter and Gnov noted, "Keith was lucky to have your temper, Krolia."

"You never saw him before, Gnov," Kolivan mused aloud. "The boy was wild with fire, quick to flare, and scathing to touch. I had to prove myself to him before I gained his trust. Only then did I learn how to help him calm the inferno within... and I never doubted Keith's patronage once I learned who his father was." His gaze focused on the present and he cleared his throat. "Forgive me for dredging up old memories. Lotor, come. It's time to go."

Lotor closed his eyes, putting his forehead to Krolia's since he was too tall to show her the love of a child. Krolia kissed his cheek and whispered, "Return to me, precious boy, or I will surely follow where you go."

Lotor swallowed the lump in his throat unable to promise anything. Stepping back, he saluted Gnov and received a nod in answer. Then he fell into step with Kolivan. When they boarded Kolivan's ship in the hangar, Lotor felt eyes on him and turned. Allura watched him with wide eyed worry, but the green paladin glared down her nose at him. She unfolded her arms and stalked away. Allura gasped and ran after her. Lotor shook his head and climbed on board.

Kolivan primed the ship for take off and instructed, "Go rest in the cabin."

"I'm rested enough."

Kolivan repeated with unwavering iron, "Go rest in the cabin. The trials are not to be taken lightly. The longest ordeal lasted just over thirty five vargas."

Lotor raised an eyebrow. Legend of the trials already tested his courage, but to endure for so long without succumbing to despair or forfeit was alarming on its own. Lotor tensed and asked, "They passed?"

"Yes."

Lotor exhaled. "I don't know whether to be relieved or intimidated. Are they still alive? Such a blade must be invincible."

Kolivan chuckled. "Yes, he is still alive."

"Will I train with him?"

"Perhaps, though when is still debatable," Kolivan answered thoughtfully.

Lotor asked curiously, "Will you at least tell me his name?"

Kolivan's hands lowered from the control panel and he closed his eyes. Releasing a long breath, Kolivan looked over and answered, "Keith. It was Keith, Lotor, though his trial was something of an anomaly. He never should have lasted so long. I was sure he would give up Krolia's blade if given the choice between life or death."

Lotor fell into the co-pilot's seat. "He never told me. Why-"

"Did you ever bother asking?"

Lotor thought back. Had he asked Keith about his time as a blade agent? Had Keith ever opened up about the struggles he faced? Was the Naxcela blitz the only time Keith confided in him? Lotor closed his eyes. He knew it was five deca-pheobs ago, but he couldn't remember supporting Keith half as much as Keith supported him. Lotor slouched in the seat and answered, "He talked about you, but never anything specific about your work."

Kolivan set their course and the black of space was before them. "You'll learn first hand soon enough."

"You think I'll pass?" Lotor asked hopefully.

Kolivan answered, "You have no other option, boy, but I promise you this. When you've awoken the blade, I'll tell you everything." He reached over and squeezed Lotor's forearm. "Now go rest, my son."

Lotor caught his breath. Glancing away, he nodded. "Alright. Wake me when we are close?"

Kolivan agreed, "I'll alert you when the path opens."

Kolivan stood between Lotor and the door holding his future. Lotor clenched a fist to keep from trembling. This was it. Whatever awaited beyond would change him forever. His throat was tight and he knew his jaw was locked. Kolivan reached to his belt and removed a small luxite knife. "Take your weapon, novice. Remember, there are only two outcomes of the Trials of Marmora. Knowledge or death."

Lotor gripped the knife glad the uniform hid his white knuckles. Lifting his head, he entered the chamber. A small circular panel on the floor slid back and an agent rose into the room. Lotor tried to settle his breathing and rushed the agent.

The knife was too short! He wasn't used to a lack of ranged attacks and the agent quickly brought him to a submissive posture on his knees. What had happened? It was over so fast? He closed his eyes and awaited the final pain of the agent's sword across his neck.

The strain on his shoulder lessened and he looked up in confusion. The agent was silent behind their mask. A door opened on the other side of the room. Lotor stood cautiously and skirted around the agent before sprinting through the door.

Pidge glared at Allura. "Why are you even suggesting this? What reason do I have to work with him? He's a bastard for everything he's done to Keith and us."

Allura leaned forward and folded her hands. "I know you're angry, Katie, but what if he could help us? You know how hard it is for Keith to do this, alone as he is. If Lotor can get close to Haggar-"

"It's never going to happen and Keith isn't alone. He's got the rebels and blades we've implanted into his colonies and that woman, Acxa. We don't need Lotor."

"Why are you so against this, Pidge? He acted in ignorance. Ignorance we placed upon him."

Pidge clenched her fists at her sides. "Ignorance only went so far, Allura." Her eyes were welling with tears. "He hated us all, but me and Matt..." Her lip trembled and she hugged herself. "It was bad enough I blamed what happened on myself, so when he... when Lotor took out his- his stupid grief on my brother and I... There is no way I can forgive him, Allura. What he did was beyond disgusting."

Lotor cried out as he rolled, only coming to a stop when his back slammed into the wall. He grit his teeth and stood on shaking legs. The agents all stepped back, as though to mock him. What was going on? Why weren't they finishing what they started?

A door opened and he jogged through it. What was he missing? Were they just going to keep doing this until he died of fatigue?! Was this the honorable death he was promised? He shook his head, sweat flicking from his hair. He bore his teeth when seven panels opened, revealing as many agents. He shouted and attacked.

"Allura, please, don't do this now," Hunk pleaded.

Allura glared at the wall. "We have no choice in the timing, Hunk! If we don't make a decision, we may lose an ally in this war."

"Or a liability," Pidge shot back from behind Hunk. "Lotor cannot be trusted. I've never felt comfortable with this and he's proven unstable more times than reliable."

"You're not even willing to give him the benefit of the doubt?"

"Allura!" Hunk snapped. "That's enough. Tension's running high as it is, we don't need to make it worse."

Allura flinched. Hunk wasn't going to be swayed unless the others were. She frowned considering a different angle. Then the door opened. They looked over as two men entered. She greeted, "Matt, I take it Lance filled you in on the situation?"

"Matt?" Pidge's voice shook with emotion.

Matt smiled at her. "Katie, I..."

She shook her head and hid behind Hunk. "Please, don't... Matt..."

Allura met Lance's gaze and nodded. He winked back and went to the table. Allura stepped up beside him and settled her hand over his. Matt folded his arms on Lance's left and reached for his sister. She was led over grudgingly by her fiance. Matt wrapped an arm around her and she leaned into him for a side hug.

Lance looked around their circle. "Alright, paladins. Here's the plan."

Lotor closed his eyes. Just a moment. All he needed was a moment to catch his breath. He paid for it by opening himself up for attack. He was sent to the the ground screaming. The agents shared a look. "Do you yield?"

Lotor wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. "Pardon?"

The agents shared another look and the one who had spoken held their sword to his throat. "Do you yield?"

So that was the latter half of the trials. He pushed up off the floor. "No." He wobbled where he stood, the hilt of the knife loose in his hand. There was a moment when he was sure he was going to pass out. He pushed through it and started walking toward the next door. Don't faint. Please don't faint.

He couldn't keep this up much longer. There was just no way. What was he missing? There had to be something. He leaned on the door frame. Was it the blade? How did it awaken?

"The blade accepts those who accept themselves, and you've blinded yourself so thoroughly, you think your hate is genuine."

The black paladin's words were a strike of clarity. Kolivan's guidance came to him then. He needed to listen to the blade, but he couldn't do it here. He glared around the room. Surely there was another exit. He narrowed in on his target and started sprinting. This was it. When the agent stepped off their circle, he shouldered them out of the way and dropped down the hatch.

His knees buckled when he landed and he rolled painfully. He bit his thumb to keep from screaming as he tucked into the fetal position. "My sweet boy, what are you doing here?"

Lotor gasped and crawled away backward. "No, it- you can't be here."

"Why not, Lotor? It's me, my precious one." She crouched beside him where he pressed into the wall in panic. Her dress flowed around her figure exactly how he remembered. Her hair bounced and curled about her face. She reached out to touch his cheek. "You remember me, yes?"

Lotor's jaw trembled as he held back tears. "Of course I do, Talias."

She giggled and held his face in her warm hands. "Then why are you so frightened?"

Lotor shut his eyes. "This- this isn't real. You aren't here. You can't be here. I'm sorry, Talias. I want nothing more than for this to be reality, but it isn't. I-"

"Shh, my child." Her soft lips brushed his forehead and she stroked his hair like she used to. "Tell me what's bothering you."

Lotor sobbed and shoved her off. "No! This isn't real!" He curled up on the floor and hid his face so that he couldn't view whatever hallucination this was. He screamed and curled up unable to hold his grief back.

"Lotor, Lotor calm down," a man said.

Lotor flailed wildly, too scared and shocked to focus on anything. Strong hands gripped his wrists and his hand was forced open. There was a clatter as something metallic hit the floor. Lotor screamed as he was forced to his feet. Then something was held over his mouth. He breathed in something that cooled his sore throat, then he passed out.

He awoke in complete darkness on the floor of a cell. The glow of his uniform provided enough light to see the outline of the door. Sitting up slowly, he considered what had happened. He began to cry, the gentle sobs loud in the silent space. Was this it? Had he failed the trials? If so, why wasn't he dead? He thought it would hurt less to be dead.

Lotor pulled his knees to his chest and put his forehead on them. Talias. What madness had come upon him that he'd hallucinated her? Maybe he was mentally ill. That would explain it. He started crying harder. He truly was the child of his parents. Why had he ever thought he could be better than them?

A noise beyond the door made him jump. Lotor wiped at his eyes when the door opened. He flinched at the sudden light and held up a hand. Two figures were outlined, however they were not blades. The one that was slightly taller offered a hand. "Come with us. We're getting you out of here."

Lotor hesitantly took the hand and let the stranger pull him to his feet. Their mask cloaked their voice, but they were dressed in such a fashion he'd never seen before. Pirates? He whispered, "Who are you?"

The shorter one looked down the hall. "We'll explain later, but if you don't come with us, you're never going to get to fix your mistakes."

The taller one asked, "Where's your blade?"

Lotor shook his head. "I'm not sure."

The shorter one groaned. The taller one said, "Take him and go. I'll meet you at the ship."

"Five dobosches."

"Affirmative."

Lotor watched his taller rescuer run silently down the hall before disappearing. His eyes widened in alarm, but then the shorter one pushed him and gestured the other way with a nod of their head. Lotor fell into step beside his mysterious guide. They had to stop several times as agents went about their business. Then they were at the hangar.

Lotor's guide tapped a button on a controller and the air shimmered near the door. His guide put a hand on his head and pushed him down to enter. The shuttle was cramped, barely large enough for the small space behind the cockpit where Lotor managed to fit his sizable frame. His guide went to the pilot's seat and Lotor felt the engine hum to life rather than heard it.

His guide tapped their fingers on the toggles, clearly upset with their partner's delay. Then the alarm began to sound. Lotor looked out through the camouflage to see the taller stranger appear in the hangar door firing a blaster the other direction with a familiar luxite knife in his other hand. The one in the pilot's seat revved the engines and their companion gave up defending and shot the panel locking the hangar. Then he sprinted to the shuttle.

"Go, go go!"

"I am!"

The taller rescuer pressed a button and Lotor jumped as an explosion went off. He and the taller one were thrown into the side of the shuttle as they were sucked into space. The pilot gunned the engines. They were a torpedo in space. Lotor concentrated on breathing. What kind of ship was this? He'd never experienced the pull of gravity to this extreme.

There was a loud clunk and Lotor asked in panic, "Did something grab us?"

The inertia instantly stopped, throwing him and the other forward toward the pilot's chair. The pilot answered, "Don't worry. That was normal. Wait here. I'll tell you when you can leave."

Lotor bit back a rebuttal. Who were these people? Had news of his exile traveled so fast? His head was swimming with unanswered questions. The pilot squeezed past their friend and exited the shuttle. Lotor didn't see much before the door shut. The other rescuer stayed with him, the luxite blade held almost casually in his hand. They both stayed silent until there was a knock on the shuttle.

The taller rescuer crawled out backwards and offered Lotor a hand again. Lotor followed and stretched. Looking around, he realized he had an idea where they were. Lush purple grasslands waved in the breeze. Flowers scented the air. "Why have you brought me here?"

The two who had rescued him shared a look then walked toward the guest house. Three people waited in the main room. Lotor looked between them when his rescuers stood beside them and removed their helmets. Lotor felt his heart stop when he recognized the green paladin and her brother, the rebel leader. He took a step back. "What's going on? Where is Alphonse?"

Allura came forward and reached for his hand. "He isn't here, Lotor. He wouldn't agree with what we have planned."

Lotor swallowed his confusion. "This is not right."

"Tell me about it."

Lotor froze and looked beside the black paladin. A man he knew better than any other held up a hand while his other rubbed the back of his neck. "Hi, Lotor."

"Keith?"

The silver executioner chuckled nervously and cleared his throat. "Yeah, Lotor. It's me."