Chapter 27: Finding the Altean Pilots(Part 1)(Shiro's POV)

Shiro looks around the hallways wondering where Keith could've gone. He swears he was only talking to Adam and his friends for just a bit about the ongoing plan to find those pilots and then Keith is suddenly out of the room along with Team Miraculous members. The battle goes through his mind and the meeting also. Did Keith really see…Hawkmoth? It sounds so far-fetched but he looked really rattled after the battle and during it. He wouldn't make up such a thing would he?

Heading down another corridor Shiro sighs. These hallways are endless. It's like a maze. Then he spots Krolia looking at a room. Walking towards her he asks, "Hey Krolia, what are you doing?"

Krolia looks a little startled but quickly regains her calm demeanor, "I'm watching Keith duel."

"So you still haven't told him yet?"

"No and he must hate me. I left him, even if it was for a good reason."

"How long are you going to ignore him? To watch him on the sidelines? He was really rattled after the battle, he could use some comfort from his mother."

"But I'm a stranger to him. Older than him, it would be, how do you say….Weird."

"I'm surprised Marinette hasn't tried to get you to talk to him."

"She respects my boundaries and that I have to talk to Keith on my own time."

Shiro sighs, relying there was no winning with Krolia being as stubborn as a mule. Instead he switches the topic and looks into the room, "So why is Keith dueling anyway?" He sees two people dueling on a mat with white suits and they're smack dab in the middle of the workout room with three people watching in interest. Their swords are long and thin and Chloe cheers whenever a strike is thrust.

"He and Kagami are dueling in friendly combat."

"They made up that fast?"

"Yes. They did. I was surprised as well. When one of the Blades keeps any secrets and they are revealed they are immediately ousted. No second chance given."

That's harsh, Shiro thinks, though he is glad that Keith made up with his other friends. But with a pang in his heart he wishes that Keith would open up to him just like with his friends. He must have told them how he got the Peacock Miraculous in order for it to be resolved so quickly.

"Why don't we sit down and watch?" Shiro suggests, tired of standing.

"I think I'll stay here."

He shrugs, guessing she is really set in stone about not talking to Keith. Though he thinks he could use some support from his actual mother, considering his foster parents are back in Paris unaware of the dangers they're facing. Unless Marinette, Adrien, or Keith have facetimed them.

Going to sit down he ends up sitting close to Adrien. Watching the duel commence he realizes he has no idea what is going on. "So, ah, Adrien, what exactly are the rules of this duel Keith and Kagami are in?" He whispers.

"You don't know the rules of fencing!?" Adrien whispers.

Chloe looks at him and responds, "Cut Raven's big brother some slack. Not everyone knows fencing…"

"Apparently the Olympics do" Adrien mutters before saying, "The object of Fencing is to use your sword to strike your opponent whilst also avoiding being hit yourself by your opponent. Points are scored by hitting the opponent in accordance with specific requirements for the type of sword being used, which in this case is a Saber. Using a Saber means that hits below the waist do not count. Barging the opponent, using your hand to cover the target zone or foot faults can lead to a points penalty at the referees discretion. Since this is a friendly match we aren't using a point based system but rather a system of whoever lands a strike first."

After his explanation Zoe comments, "And not everyone watches the Olympics you silly."

"I was forced to watch it, especially fencing so my father could teach me more about the sport." Adrien retorts.

"And you eventually dropped it because you wanted to find a hobby you did yourself. Which no one is blaming you for. But just because your dad forced you to watch it again does not mean everyone else does."

"You have a point Zoe." Adrien agrees.

"So how long are they going to duel for?" He asks, looking at Keith and Kagami clashing swords on the mat they're on, being unable to tell who is who because of the white suits.

"Hard to say. This is only their second round so far," Zoe answers.

"Only their second round?"

Chloe answers him this time whispering, "Keith and Kagami are both evenly matched when it comes to their fencing skills. Keith still kept up the practice at the Garrison to keep his body in shape and Kagami even flew out on occasion to challenge him to a duel every once in a while. Kagami has participated and dominated in most of the tournaments she's been in."

"Then shouldn't she be the winner," he whispers back.

"No, Keith dominated Adrien when Adrien was considered to be top of the class. He's a natural when it comes to fencing and combat."

"I see," he murmurs.

Then the clashing of swords stop and Kagami pulls off her helmet, her blue hair falling from the helmet, with a smirk on her face. "Thanks for the duel, but as always we're evenly matched."

"Doesn't help that the person who was supposed to be our referee got distracted," Keith replies smiling.

"It's not my fault your older brother doesn't know the rules of fencing." Adrien says, crossing his arms.

"By the way Shiro, what are you doing here?" Keith asks.

"I wanted to check up on you after the meeting, but I got distracted. And eventually I found this room. You are okay, right?"

"After dueling with Kagami I feel much better."

"Good that was the point," Kagami states, smirking.

Chloe yawns, and stretches her arms, "It's been a long day."

Zoe chuckles, "No kidding, first the scare of being fooled by that Olkarion, then battling Honerva and then the meeting….Yeah a long day indeed."

"By the way, how was the progress of finding those pilots?" Adrien asks, curious.

"Pidge, Allura, Romelle, Luca and Lotor are working on creating a system to track down the Robeast mechs, so the Altas are going back to Oriande to pick up their signals and hopefully find them so we can get answers." Shiro states, "That's actually why I was distracted. They wanted to inform me of the plan going forward and how Voltron would be involved."

Out of the corner of his eye he notices Keith shudder for a brief second. He probably just imagined it. Keith said he's doing better. So everything will be fine going forward.

"That's great!" Zoe exclaims, "Maybe we could even find our first one tomorrow."

Shiro chuckles slightly, "Don't get your hopes up. They're still in the process of making the system." Feeling tired himself he adds, "Perhaps it's best if we get some rest now. We don't know what will be awaiting us in the morning."

"Okay dad," Zoe sarcastically comments.

"He does have a point, Zoe," Adrien begins, "We do need to be well rested for whatever comes our way."

"Oh come on, you have to admit that Shiro does sometimes act like a dad."

He smiles weakly and closes his eyes. Dad? Do I really act like a dad? But I'm just doing what any good leader would do. Making sure his teammates' wellbeing is good.

"I guess he does." Keith adds.

"Really?" Zoe asks.

"You're the one that made the comparison so I don't why you're asking 'really". But yeah he does. All our teammates felt comfortable around him, he was always giving out good advice and sometimes would even join in with the other paladins silliness. Like that squishy asteroid fight."

"Do you really think that of me?" Shiro asks, a little embarrassed about it.

"I consider you more of a big brother, but yeah I could see you being a father figure to us sometimes."

"Anyway…." Adrien begins, "We should all be going to bed like he suggested. There's nothing wrong with being well-rested."

"Except when you're a superhero dealing with constant akumas," Zoe adds, walking out of the room. He notices that Krolia left. Is she really so instant about not telling Keith yet? Shaking his head, he sighs, that's not for him to worry about. Once everyone else has left the room and he walks out with Keith.

"Are you sure you're okay, Keith? Today has been hectic."

"It was nothing I couldn't handle."

"I'm just worried about you. You seemed really shaken up."

"I'm fine."

"Okay."

He drops the subject, Keith obviously isn't going to tell him what's going on or why he's feeling off. Then why tell Pidge, why tell his other friends? It just doesn't make any sense. Is it because of the years they've spent apart? The years they missed because of the explosion sending them forward?

Whatever it is, he wants to rekindle his bond with Keith somehow. Him and Adam were his only close friends on Earth besides Sam. The only people he thought he would never see again during his time fighting in that horrible fighting arena for the Galra. And again when Keith was switched with Marinette. No matter what, even if he isn't the first person for him to open up to, he will be by Keith's side no matter what.

Authors Note: I got the Fencing rules from this website: .