The Mission

"Keith, what are you doing?!" Allura called over the coms after Red shot out of her hangar.

"You know exactly what I'm doing. They need help!"

"You know you can't help! You will just get hu-"

Keith cut the coms to the castle and raced to the others. As he got closer he saw Hunk and Pidge's lions floating lifelessly away from the battle. Black and Blue were trying their hardest to protect the two downed lions. Keith screamed and raced past both of his fighting teammates and shot a fire blast straight at that damned witch. It hit her head on and she was blasted backwards.

"Keith! What the hell! Get out of here!"

"No!" Keith screamed at Shiro. "I will not abandoned my family!"

Shiro froze at the word family. He had never heard Keith use that word since his parents died. Keith was always distant and avoided close relationships. But at the use of that word in the middle of a battle with Haggar, Shiro just froze. But this just gave Keith more time to join the fight.

Lance, who hadn't realized the significance of Keith using that word, continued to try and stop Keith while fending off attacks. "Keith! You know you aren't supposed to be out here! Shiro! Shiro a little help!"

Shiro finally snapped out of it and began helping with the battle once again.

Haggar was soon back on her feet and furious at being hit so easily. She began sending a fury of attacks at the three lions. It was too much for the two larger lions to avoid. Black and Blue got hit several times but nothing that was permanently damaging. Keith and Red, however, easily avoided all attacks and was now speeding right back towards the druid. The cannon he had once used on Zarkon appeared on Red's back, powering up for an attack. Lance and Shiro both saw Haggar building up an immense amount of energy, readying for a final powerful attack. Keith failed to notice. But there was something… different… this time. Her attack was not only her usually purple and black energy but also had a sharp yellow glow to it.

"KEITH!" They both called to him but it was too late.

Red was only about fifty feet away when both he and the witch attacked simultaneously. Everyone who was still conscious, including Allura and Coran, heard Keith's piercing screams over the coms before there was dead silence. The ship Haggar was on was blown to pieces. Haggar, however, had escaped. But for now, it was a victory to Voltron… maybe. Shiro flew out to grab Red, then flew over to grab Green as well. Lance flew to help Yellow back to the castle.

When they all landed in their hangar, Shiro wasted no time trying to get into Red to check on Keith. Lance had already been able to enter both Green and Yellow and woken up the other two. They were okay mostly, just a couple of headaches. The three of them turned to Red, who was still closed with Shiro banging on her to open.

"What happened to Keith?" Pidge finally found the energy to speak.

"Did we win the fight? Is Haggar gone?" Hunk tried to sound hopeful.

"Yea, buddy, we won, but Haggar escaped. And Keith…" Lance didn't know what to say.

Red finally woke up and opened her ramp to allow Shiro entrance. He ran inside to find Keith unconscious in his pilot's chair. The straps on the chair were the only things keeping him upright. His skin, however, was blotched purple similar to the last time Haggar attacked him. Not that Shiro knew about that. But it wasn't just his hand this time, it was his whole body.

"Keith!" Shiro's call remained unanswered as he approached his friend. "Keith, what the hell happened to you?" he said quieter, "How could you be so stupid?" Shiro smiled softly, knowing that nothing he could have said would have change Keith's actions in the fight, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He picked him up and carried him out.

Allura and Coran had just come running into the hangar. "Is Keith alright?" Allura saw Shiro carrying an unconscious and injured Keith. She looked at them speechless as Shiro walked passed.

"He needs to be placed in a healing pod right away!" Coran fell in behind Shiro. He opened one of the pods and got it set for Keith.

Shiro placed his friend inside and watched at the pod encased him and began its healing process. Shiro wondered silently if Keith would be able to be completely healed after an attack like that.

"Was your mission a success?" A low voice rumbled through the large ship.

"Yes, Lord Zarkon. The Red Paladin was successfully hit with a combination of my magic and the quintessence."

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this story! I have already started planning the sequel and I hope everyone is looking forward to it. I know I am. I love to hear from my readers so review and feel free to PM me! I look forward to starting the next story! Until next time,

NyteXade