WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ONE OF MY NEW STORIES(WIP) “10,000 APART”
TW:
- Minor Violence
- Blood
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The Transmission ended, and the Galra ships began charging their weapons and IonCannons.
This couldn’t be happening. What was happening? Keith was alive, after all this time! And he recognized him, like he had hoped that Lance was alive just as Lance had hoped he was. But then he was suddenly shocked out of nowhere, and…
No! No, Lance had to get to him!
“Prince Lance,” Shiro said through the coms. “I don’t know what’s going on, but don’t do anything crazy.”
Princess Alurra cut in. “Paladins, Lance is going in that ship. Do whatever is necessary to protect Lance and bring that Galra general to the castle alive.”
“What?!” Pidge shouted.
“I will explain later.”
“What is happening—LANCE!” Hunk cut himself off, blasting off to follow Lance into the Galra ship.
…
The Blue Lion smashed her head into the side of the Galra Battle Ship. Lance didn’t care who he had to fight or how many, he would get to his fiancé. Lance exited the Blue Lion, and turned to see the Green Lion and Pidge had joined him.
“Hunk and Shiro are in their Lions, guarding ours.” She explained quickly. “The Castle of Lions is trying to pick up the slack.”
Lance nodded, and they began running further into the ship. They hadn’t encountered any soilders or sentries yet, but it wouldn’t be long.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Pidge said. “But I know that look in you’re eyes. I have it every time I find a lead on my brother and father.”
Lance looked at her, he wasn’t sure what to say.
“Someone you care about is on this ship, and its that Galra General. Right?”
“Yeah.” Lance finally spoke. He knew Pidge’d personal grudge against the Galra was strong especially. After all, they took her family too. What was she going to say about this?
“Alurra said she’d explain on the ship, and I expect you to too. Ok?”
“Okay,” Lance smiled, relieved that she wasn’t upset with him before he could explain.
Lance and Pidge fought their way through the ship, first through many squads of robotic sentries. After that, it got harder when living Galra soldiers began to get in their way. Lance had to break out his Altean Broadsword, which Pidge hadn’t seen before. When she was distracted she got whacked in the shoulder. Not fatal or urgent, but definitely would leave a bruise.
Pidge had never seen Prince Lance fight like this. He was a good fighter and a good pilot, but not like this. This was like some of the people she’d see doing shows at the Garrison festivals and events. The people who were considered heros in the military. Where was he hiding this?!
Finally the two arrived at the main control room. Lance stopped Pidge before she could go inside.
“If I can’t get through him,” Lance instructed. “Use your bayard to subdue and capturer him. I’ll give you a signal. Until then, keep an eye out and cover me from any other enemies. Ok?”
Pidge nodded.
Lance took a deep breath, and entered the room.
Inside was General Keith Kogane of the Galra Empire. It was like 10,000 years had never even passed, he looked the same. The same scruffy fur that Prince Lance would insist he should take better care of. The same beautiful indigo eyes above yellow, which Lance would stare into for hours. The same big fluffy ears that could hear Lance coming to pet them from a mile away. The same scars along his body that Lance would fuss over the in the medical bay. But the hostile glare sent his way told Lance this was not the same Keith.
“Keith,” Lance called out.
“Blue Paladin,” Keith responded, as if he had never met the Altean man before him.
“I’m more than that,” Lance said. “And I know you know it.”
“I have no idea what you are referring to, Paladin.” Keith unsheathed his sword, and held it out to point at Lance. “Surrender Blue Paladin, or face the consequences.”
“Keith, I know you are in there. You said my name, you recognized me!”
“Silence!”
Keith charged forward with his sword. Lance barley dodged out of the way in time, and managed to pull his own sword up to block the hit Keith sent just seconds after. Keith made another swing for Lance’s side and while Lance did dodge, he stumbled and didn’t block Keith’s next hit just right. Lance’s ankled rolled a bit as a result.
“Keith! Wake up!” Lance shouted. “You’re stronger, I know it!”
“I am stronger,” Keith said. “Stronger than you, so why do you fight?”
“Because the Keith I know would never stop fighting! So I won’t either.” Lance managed to get a hit on Keith, but it did almost nothing other than giving him a bruise.
But maybe it did do something more. Because Keith’s hits slowed down a slight bit, and he seemed to become more distracted. Lance could tell by his face he was thinking about what he just said. It got to the point where the hits stopped completely, and Keith just zoned out. His sword rested at his side, and his head hung low. Keith’s other hand slowly started to reach to the back of his neck, shaking while doing it.
“Keith,” Lance said, his voice now soft instead of the battle-focused stern it was moments ago. “I know you’re still in there.”
Keith didn’t respond, but his eyes did close tightly as his hand gripped the back of his neck. What was he doing?
Lance got closer, and saw it: A tiny device of Galra Tech was attached to the back of his neck. Clearly that's what electrocuted him earlier. And the way Keith’s hand shook as he tried to touch it, the way his face contorted in determination and effort….whatever this tech was, Keith was fighting against it.
Keith finally gripped the tech, and it let out harsh sparks. Keith cried out in pain, but didn’t let go this time. He continued to scream, as the sparks got brighter and more powerful. He fell to his knees at once point, dropped his sword and using the other hand too.
Lance rushed closer to him. He couldn’t touch Keith, lest he get electrocuted too. “Keith, you can do it! Whatever it is your doing, you can do it!” He encouraged.
Keith screamed through the pain, as he pulled and picked and yanked on the tech at his neck. This was Keith, the real Keith. Pushing himself to his limits to do what he felt he needed to do.
Somehow, through everything, Keith opened his eyes and looked at Lance. He clearly recognized Lance again, and Lance smiled as best he could despite the pain Keith was in. Keith took a deep breath, and made one final yank of his neck. He screamed as the tech ripped off his neck, taking some flesh with it. He collapsed into Lance’s lap, unconscious. Blood dripped from his wound. While it wasn’t fatal, it wouldn’t take long for it to become so. Lance scooped Keith into his arms, resisting the urge to pepper him with kisses. He rushed back out of the room, passing Pidge as she followed him back to the lions.
After 10,000 years apart , Keith was back in his arms again.
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This scene was fun to write a draft for! LOL!
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