His desperate plan had gone better and worse then he ever could have hoped.

Lotor's betrayal had been a shock as was the news of surviving Alteans. And Keith's mother . . .?

That was – to put it simply – incredible.

He couldn't help the swell of pride when Keith returned to pilot the Black Lion. Black's joyous shock bringing a wide grin to his face. Watching him going after Lotor and attempting to rescue him – Not Me! – Keith showed that he had become the leader Shiro had always known he could be. He didn't think he had ever been or could ever be more proud of anyone then he was of his little brother in that moment.

Using the discharge of Voltron's separation in order to enter the wormhole before it closed was – clever. It also filled him with dread. He had miscalculated.

Keith still believed to clone was him, that he was being controlled. His little brother would gladly die if it meant he could bring Shiro back.

Brilliant, clever Pidge had saved the castle and the others had things well in hand. But he had to save Keith. He couldn't let him die because of his mistake.

"My Paladin?!" Black exclaimed "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Black." he said as he reached out to grasp the puppet strings of the monster wearing his face "This might be the only way."

Desperately he dove down the connection he had forged in the clone's mind, ignoring the echoing scream of protest from his lion.

Falling, the burning sting of air as it rushed past. Through a red haze the feel and tension of his arms locked around a struggling form.

Let go. He commanded.

Startled, the clone obeyed as they struck a cable. The shock of one of the steel robes snapping drove them apart. The clone grabbed one end of the snapped cable and swung. He released the cable to fall in a graceless heap on a catwalk. He came up and his eyes widen in shock as Keith came swinging in on the other end, legs extended as he used the momentum to add power to the blow. The clone tumbled over the side to a lower level. Shiro shuddered as the jarring impact to their shared body and the clone stumbled as it tried to regain its footing. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Keith coming, blade posed to strike.

Lower your arms. He commanded, setting it up for the perfect kill blow.

A wave of malevolence washed over him, bowling him over.

Stop Interfering! The Clone's voice growled, more animal then man. You will leave. This one is mine!

Actually, nigher of us are leaving.

Get out of my head! With a shriek of rage, its mind struck him again, clawing and tearing, an agonizing surge of power ripping though them both, The force of the blow nearly driving him out.

But Shiro kept his grip and thrust himself back in. The world spun and blurred. When he was filly able to see again the scene had changed.

PAIN!

Blinding, all consuming pain. His arm . . . his arm was gone. And Keith . . . His little brother was standing over him, was hurt.

The sound of an explosion tore through the air and the floor shook beneath their feet.

Everything tilted.

The strings snapped.

He stumbled and his eyes widened as he recognized the stars spreading out around him. He was back in the Astral Plane "No!" he cried out and spun around "Black! Black, where are you? I need you! We need you!"

"My Paladin." The short response was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief as the towering figure faded into sight before him.

"Black, it's Keith. He's falling. He needs help. I have to talk to him!"

"The darkness has weakened you. It is too dangerous." Black countered, its worry rising like steam from its metal hide.

Shiro, his panic fading and replaced with determination, met the glowing yellow eyes of the head of Voltron "I made him a promise. I won't abandon him. Now will you help me?"

Their bond glowed with fond pride "Do you really have to ask?"

The glow of its eyes brightened to a blinding glow and he closed his eyes as its power washed over him.

The stars of the Astral Plane swam back into view. It was different though but familor. It felt like . . . "Keith." he breathed and cast his gaze over the expanse surrounding him "Keith?" he called out and smiled as a familiar figure slowly faded into assistance before him, eyes squeezed shut "Keith."

The younger man gasped eyes wide.

"Keith." He called again, more urgently "Keith!"

"Where are you, Shiro?!" He demanded, voice panicked, hurt and filled with a desperate need as he turned this way and that, violet eyes searching.

"I know this must be confusing for you." Shiro said, unable to keep the sigh out of his voice, and watched the younger man fondly as he activated his bayard.

"What is this place? Where are we? You – you were trying to kill me. The others . . . You – you said you-"

Keith broke off and spun around as Shiro materialized in a flare of pale light. Violet eyes focused momentarily on his hand, which was once again flesh and blood – or at least appeared that way before raising to meet his gaze.

Keith let out a choked gasp and stiffened as fear filled his eyes.

"I'm not here to harm you." Shiro promised, voice heavy with regret and reassurance "Everyone is fine. Just let me explain. The thing that attacked you . . . wasn't me. Since my fight with Zarkon I've been here."

Keith's brow furrowed, desperate to believe him but to hurt to accept so quickly "When you disappeared?"

"Yes. I didn't know where I was. How much time had past. My physical form was gone. I existed on another realm. I died, Keith."

Violet eyes went wide in horror and his breath caught in his lungs.

"But the Black Lion retained my essence." Shiro continued, drawing the younger man back before his thoughts could spiral out of control

"This . . . Is that where we are?" Keith asked, unable to keep a choked sound out of his voice though there was also a clear not of wonder "In the Black Lion's consciousness?"

"I tried to warn the others about the impostor while on Olkarien." Shiro confessed "But our connection was not strong enough for them to hear me-" he broke off, eyes widening as Keith faded from view "Wait! Keith!" he exclaimed "Black! Black, where did he go?!"

A sense of apology and concern flowed through their bond "You are weakening, my Paladin." the Black Lion rumbled "Any longer and you could have been lost."

Shiro stared up at the lion in shock then looked away, bowing his head.

Shiro, if your here I could use your help.

He squeezed his eyes shut as Keith's voice echoed in his ears.

I need to get to the team before Lotor.

"Lotor?" Shiro breathed, and let his eyes slid back open, staring down at the emptiness beneath his feet without really seeing it.

Shiro, I have to get to the Paladin's. Keith's voice had become more urgent, desperate and pleading. I need your help. Shiro.

Shiro.

SHIRO!

Keith froze, startled, as the Astral Plane reappeared around him. He turned in surprise as Shiro clasped a hand on his shoulder and looked up at him in surprise.

"Keith," Shiro fixed him with a intense stare, unable to keep the weakness completely from his voice "you can get to them. But you must see them first."

"But how?" Keith asked, sounding so young and so lost.

Shiro smiled at him fondly and turned to gaze out at the starscape surrounding them "See though the Lion's eyes." he told him, remembering how he had watched them all for so long "Patience yields focus." a great golden glow flared in the distance and Keith turned towards it.

Shiro stayed by his side as the Black Lion's spirit settled over him and he faded away. Back to the land of the living.

"I'm so proud of you." he whispered.

And his tenuous grip . . . slipped.

He fell to his knees the stars blurring and spinning before his eyes. And his hands . . . OH GOD, HIS HANDS!

He raised them before his face, gaping in horror as they flickered in and out of existence. This must be what Black meant when the lion said he would be lost. That he'd fade and disappear.

Forever.

"Shiro?"

Shakily, he raised his eyes and blinked at the image before him uncertainly "Allura?" he breathed

The Princess was bathed in a white light and their were tears in her eyes "Shiro, you've been gone too long. It is time to come home." she reached down to him "Please, take my hand."

he blinked up at her then slowly – ever so slowly – clasped her hand in his.

And was drawn into the light.