You just sat on your bed and kept staring at the wall, your eyes blank. Shiro had brought you to your room to rest a bit while the others would try to figure out the next phase of action.

You let out a deep sigh. Everything again felt the same as the time you had arrived to the castle. Suddenly your room felt gloomy, and the castle felt foreign to you. As melancholy took over, you started to miss the sound of rain and the feel of wet grass under your bare feet. And suddenly you wanted to hug your mother, which you hadn't done for so long. Your mind was such a mess.

You felt so helpless as you couldn't do anything for Keith. The thought of what he must be going through at the moment just broke your heart. You wanted to help him, but he just pushed you away. And that's when you realised your thoughts kept running around in circles as you found yourself just thinking of him.

Suddenly you wanted to get out of there. Your mind was such a muddy mess. You had to get out of there, so you just got up, changed to your Paladin armour and made your way to your Lion's hangar. It just felt too suffocating at the moment, you needed a breather. Maybe a flight with your Lion would steady your restless mind?

But when you were walking towards the hangar, lost in your thoughts, you were stopped in the hallways. "(Y/N), where are you going?" You snapped out of your thoughts after hearing Shiro's voice call out your name.

You lifted your gaze to see Shiro looking at you with a worried expression. And when you shifted your gaze behind him, you saw Kolivan and another Galra that had a mask on. "This is Antok of the Blade of Marmora. He just arrived." Shiro immediately introduced him when seeing you glancing him curiously.

But as you again shifted your gaze back to Shiro, you were still somewhat disorientated. "Oh, sorry...I'm going for a short flight. If that's okay..." You then finally gathered your thoughts, replying to Shiro's previous question.

For a moment Shiro looked at you like he was inspecting you. But just as he was about to say something, you interrupted him by speaking yourself. "I'll be back soon. I just need a breather." You then said while trying to smile reassuringly. You weren't really paying attention anymore to the Galras that were just watching your exchange of words with Shiro.

"Alright, if that's what you want." Shiro then answered you, even though a bit hesitant. "Everything will turn out right." He then still added while putting his hand on your shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze, saying those magical comforting words which you desperately needed to hear. You needed that reassurance. It made you feel slightly better. "Thank you." You then said as you started to walk away, leaving them behind.

As you entered the hangar, you stopped. And as you looked at your gorgeous Lion and how calmly she was waiting for you, a gentle smile appeared on your face. You going to see her now must have been the best idea you have had in ages. Only you and her. For some reason it made you breathe a bit more easily.

As you walked in to your Lion and sat down on the chair, she purred calmly. "Hey, girl." You said to her with a melancholic tone as you leaned forward and petted the surface of her console. "Would you like to go for a flight?" You then asked and she agreed straight away. Maybe she had missed you too?

Soon you soared out of the castle and into the open space. And as you flew there without destination and nothingness surrounding you, you felt more relaxed and more calm than before. You felt like you could breathe again. "This is great..." You then sighed as you boosted the speed more, flying without knowing where to go.

After awhile of just aimless flying, you arrived to an asteroid field of some sorts. It wasn't composed of debris or boulders, but more like glass shards. And those shards were glimmering in every shade of the rainbow.

You stopped and let your Lion just float there. You were mesmerized of the sight. That was why you loved being there so much. It was ever so surprising, and ever so wondrous. "Isn't that beautiful." You then sighed and your Lion purred in response. And that's when you smiled. "I will be alright. Don't worry." You answered her before turning your gaze back at the sight in front of you.

Then you lifted your legs up on the chair as you closed your eyes. You hadn't meditated in awhile, and now you needed that. You laid your hands on the chair, to feel your Lion. And then you took a deep breath, trying to just focus on clearing your mind from every emotion and every thought. You loved being with your Lion. She didn't demand anything from you. She wouldn't push you away.

You steadied your breath as you tried connecting with her more. Soon you saw how every part of her was connected and how her energy flowed freely through you. And you just relaxed, sharing everything you felt with her.

After a moment of just trying to clear your mind, you opened your eyes. You had no idea how much time had passed, but you were feeling more calm, even though still melancholic. Even though you tried so hard, you couldn't get away from it. You just kept thinking of Keith. You could only watch from the sidelines how he struggled. The most cruel thing you knew.

Then you again turned to look at the vast space around you, seeing how small you actually were. And even though you were a part of the universe's greatest weapon, you were still feeling yourself insignificant.

You put your hands on the console of the Lion again as you listened to her. She tried her best to comfort you, and you appreciated it. "Thank you for being here with me." You then said in a whisper while genuinely smiling.

After that you straightened out your back and took a hold of the handles. "Let's head back." You then said while starting to make your way back to the castle. You knew you would see Keith when you got back, but now it felt like you could at least deal with it. Like you wouldn't just crumble down. Your Lion had given you strength.

And when you landed your Lion back, you heard Coran's voice on the intercom. "(Y/N), would you please come down to the control room." He said and you confirmed it while getting up from the chair. But before you left, you still took a deep breath. "Wish me luck." You said to your Lion as you made your way out.

You walked back to the control room with your helmet in your hand. And even though you had felt a bit better just a moment ago, the closer you got to the control room, the heavier your feet seemed to get.

As you walked in the room, you felt like the tension in there almost suffocated you. Everyone was there already, gathered at the center, looking at a holographic image of Zarkon's ship. Well, except for Hunk, who was sleeping in his chair. But even Kolivan and Antok were there.

As you went to stand next to everyone, trying to act as normal as you could, you glanced at Keith, and saw that he was just staring blankly at the hologram. He hadn't even lifted his gaze when you had entered, and that just made you feel even worse. You were aching, immediately anxiety trying to creep up on you.

But just then Hunk woke up from his sleep with a snore. "What? What'd I miss?" He asked while looking around a bit dumbfounded, realising that he had fallen asleep. "Oh, nothing important. We've just figured out a way to defeat Zarkon." Lance answered him while smirking quite cheerfully. And that's when you turned to look at him baffled. Really?

"I dozed for ten minutes, and you guys figured out how to defeat the forces of evil?" Hunk asked impressed. "You've been asleep for three hours." Pidge then said, clearly not amused. So that meant that you had been gone for that long too. Time really had faded when you were away.

"Yes, I think we've got something here." Shiro then said, hope lingering in his voice. And it was quite comforting to hear that hope. It meant you really had a chance. "It's dangerous and there are a lot of moving parts, but if we can coordinate everything just right..." Shiro then started to speak. "...Zarkon's reign will be at an end, and the savagery that's poisoned our universe can finally be cleansed." Kolivan finished.

"As long as we all stick to the plan, it should work." Allura then said quite strictly, her voice really tense. And as you looked at her, you realised that she felt very reserved, her arms tightly crossed. It was clear she still had her doubts. When would she let go of her hatred and grudge? "It will work." Kolivan replied to her confidently. "Perhaps, then, you'll learn that not all Galra are as bad as Zarkon." He then still added.

Allura seemed to think for a moment before slightly glaring at Keith. "I hope not..." She then quietly said. And that's when you looked at her with a frown. You remembered how she had acted when she had found out about Keith's Galra blood. Did she not trust Keith anymore?

Keith didn't seem to even notice Allura's gaze as he just stared at the hologram. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't probably even hear anything that was spoken in the room. And as you looked at him, you wanted to know what was going on in his mind. But you just took a deep breath and pushed away all the emotions that stirred inside you at that moment. You had to block everything out so that you wouldn't crumble.

"Ulaz was right to trust you." Antok, who still had his mask on, spoke. "He sacrificed everything to bring us together. Let's honor him by taking down Zarkon." Shiro then said defiantly. And he was right. "We owe him a lot. Without him we wouldn't even be here..." You said silently. And that's when you saw Keith lifting his gaze, just a little bit, even though he still wouldn't meet your eyes. But you noticed that tiny gesture and it made you feel at least a bit hopeful.

"So, what's the plan?" Hunk then asked, getting to the point. And that's when Lance got really excited, quickly hurrying to the hologram of Zarkon's ship. "The plan is amazing!" He raised his voice while spreading his arms. And then, before anyone could say a word, he started to explain the plan while prancing around the control room. It was like he had planned a show beforehand.

"First, we infect Zarkon's ship with a virus." He tapped the hologram and the image of Zarkon's ship started to glow in red. "Then, we make an extra-large wormhole and lure Zarkon inside of it, zapping him a bajillion light-years away." He explained as a huge holographic wormhole appeared below the ship, sucking it in.

"Then, when he pops out on the other side, all like, 'Oh, why doesn't my ship work?'" Lance then continued while imitating Zarkon. And that surprisingly made you chuckle a bit. How come he could always make you laugh, despite of what you were feeling? He was just so entertaining.

"Then Voltron kicks his butt! Pew, pew, pew! Womp, womp, womp! Hi-yah!" Lance then imitated Voltron as if it was kicking Zarkon's butt. And then he put his finger on the bridge of his nose and imitated Shiro. "I'll form the head!" He said with a lower voice than usual. "That's what you say, Shiro." Lance then said while looking at Shiro, like you wouldn't understood otherwise. And that's when you couldn't contain your chuckles anymore, and you let out a small laughter.

But just then you felt someone's eyes on you. And as you lifted your gaze, you saw that Keith was looking at you with an unreadable expression. But as he realised that you had noticed him looking at you, he immediately averted his gaze back on the ground. And as your laughter cooled down, you were only left with a confused feeling inside you.

"Yeah, yeah! We won for all time!" Lance then yelled while finishing his show. And as you looked at him, you didn't know what to say. Well, it was a brilliant plan and Lance's performance was great, but suddenly everything seemed so final. Everything seemed so overwhelming.

A pressuring silence fell over the control room. Was this how your journey would eventually end? Even though you were going to save the universe, you weren't feeling happy at all. Your heart felt heavy. You just couldn't find peace of mind that day.

"I guess the only question is, when do we strike?" Pidge then broke the silence. And that's when Coran tapped on the holographic screen and a diagram of a teludav appeared on it. "As soon as we build a teludav big enough to wormhole Zarkon's ship." He then explained. But that's when Hunk sighed. "Oh, man. The teludav again? Does that mean we need more scaultrite?" He asked sounding quite annoyed.

"That's just one of the many things we'll need." Allura then spoke up. "For this plan to succeed, we're gonna need to split up. We all have a task to do." Coran continued with a serious tone.

"Keith, Hunk, you'll be in charge of getting the scaultrite. You're going to go into the belly of a weblum to harvest it." Coran then said while turning to them. "Belly? Like inside of it?" Hunk asked kind of nervous and disgusted at the same time. "Yes. But don't worry, you'll get my scientifically accurate instructional video to help you. It will explain everything." Coran then said while smiling widely.

"Fine..." Keith then just sighed disgruntled, kind of ruining Coran's good mood. And in any other circumstance you would have been really happy to go on a mission with Keith, but now you were relieved you didn't have to go. It would have been too agonising.

"You others are going to Beta Traz, a highly fortified prison." Coran then turned to you others, just disregarding Keith's bad mood. "What for?" You asked him. And that's when Kolivan stepped forwards. "We need Slav. He is a scientist who developed the gravity-bending technology to help us conceal our outpost. He is now imprisoned on Beta Traz." Kolivan explained to you.

Then Coran also explained that at the same time he will return to Olkarion to start with building of the teludav, and Allura will go and get a crystal from Balmera with the castle. And as he had distributed everyone's tasks, he stated seriously. "If any one of us fails, the entire plan fails."

Then when all was said and done, it was time for goodbyes. Everyone else except Kolivan and Antok made their way to the hangars. And as you were walking along the hallways, a bit behind the others, you looked at Keith's back. You had never felt as helpless as then, and you wanted to say something to him, even if you didn't know what.

You took a deep breath and went next to Keith, looking at his profile from the side as he was walking. You were certain that he had realised that you were there, even if he didn't look at you. "Keith." You silently called out to him, but didn't get a reply.

"I just hope you will be alright. I meant it...I do love you." You then just silently whispered to him, not really knowing if you should say more. But as Keith slightly lifted his head, you started feeling somewhat self-conscious and immediately lagged behind. For some reason you didn't want him to look at you now as you felt so vulnerable. But at least he had heard you.

And when you arrived at the hangars, everyone started saying their goodbyes like it was something final. After Keith and Shiro had hugged, wishing each other good luck, Hunk came to you, seemingly nervous. "Please be safe...and look after him." You whispered as you hugged Hunk. And when he parted from you, he nodded while smiling, making you feel a bit more relieved.

Then you again glanced at Keith and just then your eyes met. And for a moment it looked like he wanted to say something to you, but wouldn't. So you just turned your gaze away, feeling disappointed. You didn't want him to see how upset you were, even though it must have been pretty evident.

But Lance must have seen how upset you were as he suddenly wrapped his arm around your shoulder while smirking at Keith. "Don't you worry, I'll take care of her!" Lance said to him while leaning closer to you. And for a moment you were a bit puzzled, even though you knew he meant well. He just wanted to make you smile, but it just made Keith glare at both of you.

"Just stick with me and you'll be safe." Lance still added while putting his face in front of yours and smiling like a true hero. But that's when you heard Keith's irritated voice. "Keep your hands to yourself." He said while glaring at Lance with a murderous look.

But that just ignited fire in Lance. "Oh, whose hands?" He smirked while taking a hold of your hands. "Get away from her." Keith then said with such a cold tone, that it made you frown. "Well, at least someone wants me around..." You said quietly, almost whispering while glancing at Keith. And then it was silent. You immediately regretted saying that. You just couldn't help it. You knew you didn't always think clearly when you were feeling bad.

That's when Keith just turned around and walked in the Yellow Lion. Hunk went quickly after him, looking back at you almost apologetic. And once they were in, the Yellow Lion closed it's mouth and eventually left.

You covered your face with your hands as you slouched your shoulders. Even though you tried to hide how you were feeling, you were struggling with everything. You hated the situation and you just wanted to sink into your bed and sleep. But once again you were reminded that first and foremost you were a Paladin there. You just had to forget about your feelings, otherwise you couldn't concentrate at all on the mission ahead.

Then all you others made your way to the Blue Lion, got in and soared out of the castle. And as you went through the wormhole and started flying towards your destination, there was a slightly reserved atmosphere in the Lion.

As you closed in on Beta Traz, you saw the prison further away. It was a large structure surrounded by a purple field. You remembered Kolivan telling you that according to their information, Slav was the only one imprisoned there. What exaggeration.

"This seems like an awfully large place to hold only one prisoner." Pidge pondered aloud what you were thinking. "Is that Slav so powerful that he has to be kept in a place like this?" You asked also puzzled. "I hope he is as good as the Blade of Marmora said he is." Shiro then said.

"Me and Shiro will first infiltrate the prison. Once we get the surrounding Galra drones inactive, you will scan the place and fly the Blue Lion inside. Alright?" Pidge explained the first part of the plan. "Be safe. Let us know if something goes wrong and we'll come and get you." You then said to them. And in return you got smiles from both of them as they left the head of the Blue Lion.

"All right, guys, we're ready to fire." Lance then announced to Shiro and Pidge as soon as they were in position, in the mouth of the Lion. "Be careful, you've only got one shot." Pidge answered, sounding a bit reserved. "Don't worry Pidge, I'm an excellent shot." Lance just stated proudly, just ignoring her comment.

"You are?" Pidge asked sounding really sarcastic. And that made you chuckle. That kind of bickering released the tension in these missions. That's why you loved it. "Just get ready." Lance then muttered annoyed. "Lance, you can do it!" You encouraged him a bit too over the top, making him just look at you not amused.