Out Of Reach

14: Without You

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Did you think that was it?

A tearful goodbye and the universe would right itself after impending doom almost consumed it.

Yeah, right.

Retirement was the last thing on everyone's minds right now.

There was no Zarkon, no Haggar, no Sendak, there was no Alfor, no Allura and there was no Voltron.

The universe was in the grasp of anyone who saw fit to take ahold of it.

The power seemed irresistible.

And that was why this wasn't over.

A new tyrant decided he would draw the universe into his control but that proved to be nothing more than an egotistical maniac.

"Don't whoa, whoa, whoa me!"

"Well you should listen more!"

Lance groaned slowly sinking in his chair as he ran his hand down his face.

"Please shut up." He grumbled.

"He started it!" Matt and Lotor both shouted.

"But your irritation towards one another is putting a strain on our team." Shay frowned.

"You wanna deal with this one?" Lance asked shooting a look to Krolia.

Krolia turned, her eyes dark as she glared at the boys.

Matt and Lotor both dropped into their seats and fell silent.

"Thank you." Lance breathed before he sat upright taking a firm grip of the controls. "Alright team this is your captain speaking."

He glanced out the cockpit to see Coran standing by waiting, Honerva was there too along with Rax and Axca and Kolivan.

"Let's test out this new ship, shall we?" A smirk grew on Lance's face and then he was launching the ship forwards into open space.

A cheer left him almost immediately and Lance would be lying if he said he didn't miss this.

"Coran, how're we looking?" He asked as he opened the coms.

"Everything appears stable on our side, how about for you guys?"

"We're all clear." Matt nodded.

"Are we going to try and actually do something other then fly around the castle?" Krolia asked raising an eyebrow at him.

Lance grinned as he tapped the controls, the power shifted to her. "It's all yours."

Krolia flew the ship with remarkable ease and Lance had to admit he liked this. He liked letting the others take the wheel from time to time while he just sat back and watched.

"Can we try the seperating?" Krolia asked shooting Lance a quick glance.

"Everyone get your controls ready." Lance nodded. "Coran, were going for attempt number 8."

"It had better work this time." Lotor grumbled as he pulled his helmet on.

"It'll work." Lance said sharply. "I have confidence."

"You said that the ast few times." Shay reminded with a bright smile.

"Alright." Krolia said her hand moving towards the center console. "Divide."

Lance vered off of the others as his part of the ship detached. He swerved back around to see the others racing around too.

"It worked!" He cheered with a massive grin. "Coran it worked, you're a  genius!"

"Thank you my boy."

"Alright guys." Lance said as he started moving. "Let's land and then we can take these on a test mission."

"Roger that." Matt nodded as he appeared on Lance's screen. "I said that right didn't I?"

Lance smirked. "Spot on." He flicked through the controls. "You guys are getting there."

"Of course we are." Krolia hummed. "We have you."

Lance glanced out across the ink of space. "Right."

~~~

Lance jumped out of his ship as he pulled his gloves off with his teeth. He was tired after the many attempts to make this ship work.

But it had all paid off.

He tugged at the strapping of his suit and found the seam, he pulled his arms from it and tied them around his waist.

He knew he had a lot to get done and he was not getting into trouble with Coran again for damaging the new uniform.

"Lance!"

Lance turned to spot his dad heading his way with a warm smile. "Hey dad." He grinned.

It was incredible having his family back in his life and being able to put the pain of the past behind.

Also Lance just loved the comfort that they all made sure he felt.

"How did it go?" André asked, ruffling Lance's hair.

"Alright." Lance shrugged leaning into the touch, he couldn't get enough of it.

"I would say it's going more then alright." André chuckled as they started walking.

"Yeah I guess." Lance sighed pushing his hands into his pockets. "I just... I don't know if I'm the right leader."

"And why's that?"

"I mean Krolia holds so much more authority then I do." Lance admitted. "Lotor is a literal prince, Shay is the nicest girl I know and Matt is a genius."

"They chose you." André said softly. "I fail to see why you can't trust their decision."

Lance sighed leaning against the wall as the lift carried them towards the food hall.

"It just hurts." Lance whispered staring at the ceiling. "I miss them, every minute of every day, but I try to... I know they would want me to keep going but it hurts that they're not here."

"I understand." André nodded squeezing his shoulder. "When we lost you everything changed. But I know you are stronger than anyone else in this whole universe, you're the heart of each family you make and the power they need to keep going. So please my son, don't give up."

Lance gave his a small smile as the lift doors opened. "Thanks dad."

"Lance we need your help." Nyma demanded the second she spotted him.

Lance groaned.

His dad chuckled. "Go on, fearless leader, go help."

"I am not-" Nyma snagged his arm and dragged him deeper into the dining room. "Whoa slow down."

"Rolo went on a mission to deliver aid to a planet just north of old Altea." Nyma explained as she stopped at a table with a map.

She pointed to the planet.

"Krell." Lance nodded. "I know of it."

"He hasn't come back." Nyma added. "No one will come with me to try and get him back."

Lance sighed rubbing his face. "You want me to talk to-"

"I want you to go and get him." She explained her eyes narrowing at him. "You claim to protect us and help us so do it."

"You always say exactly what you feel don't you." Lance deadpanned. "Alright, I'll ask Coran if we can borrow his new ship."