Clones and Despair

Courage

The timer went off for the cake for Coran. Hunk pulled the mini cake out of the oven. "Did you remember to add the medicine?" Pidge asked. "Yes, Pidge. I crushed it and mixed it in the batter." Hunk replied. "Well then, what are we waiting for? We need to give this to Coran." said Kuron. "You're right. Come on Hunk." agreed Pidge. "I hope this works." Hunk thought to himself. "Hunk, you coming?" asked Kuron. Hunk snapped out of his dazed, "Yeah, I'm coming, sorry." The trio went to the center of the castle where everyone was waiting. "Is it done?" Allura was the first one to notice the three's entrance. Hunk nodded his head and handed the cake to Allura. Allura looked confused, "You made it, you should give it to Coran." "You're the most concerned about him, you should be the one to give it." Hunk insisted. Allura took the cake from Hunk, "Thank you, Hunk." Hunk nodded. "Coran, let's go to your room." Allura said gently. Coran didn't hear Allura and kept rocking in the corner. Hunk sighed and walked over to Coran. Hunk picked up Coran, "Up you go." Allura looked at Hunk in disbelief, "What are you doing?" "He's not going to move on his own." replied Hunk, "Will you lead me to his room?" Allura sighed, "I suppose so." Allura headed towards Coran's room, while Hunk followed behind; Coran still in his arms.

"I hope this works." Keith was the first one to break the silence after Hunk and Allura left. They all agreed silently. Pidge sat down in a chair, Kuron followed behind. Keith and Lance were still sitting next to each other unmoving. Kuron stood behind Pidge's chair and rested his chin on her head. "Kuron! Wh-what are you doing?" Pidge asked surprised. "Resting my chin on your head; your hair is extremely soft though." replied Kuron. Lance started laughing at their interaction. Pidge glared at Lance, "What's so funny about this?" This caused Lance to laugh even more which then caused Keith to start laughing. Kuron tried to suppress his laughter so Pidge wouldn't snap at him. "Don't even start to laugh, Kuron." "But I wasn't!" Kuron exclaimed defensively. "Don't lie I felt it!" Kuron couldn't hold it back any longer and busted out laughing. Pidge smiled, "You guys suck!" "Don't lie." Lance mocked Pidge. Kuron buckled over in laughter. "Lance! Why are you like this?" Pidge shouted. "That's a great question." Keith laughed. "Haha, very funny." Lance said sarcastically. "I thought it was hilarious." Keith smirked. "Yeah, of course you did." Lance retorted. Kuron is now practically on floor laughing so hard. "Kuron, are you okay?" Pidge asked mildly concerned. Kuron tried catching his breath but ended up laughing harder. "Yeah- great." When the laughter finally died down, Hunk walked back in. "Is Coran okay?" Pidge asked. "He's currently asleep, but hopefully when he wakes up, he'll be okay." Hunk replied. The atmosphere of the room changed drastically. "He'll be alright, won't he?" Pidge said quietly. Kuron comforted Pidge, "I don't know, Pidge, but I do know that Coran is strong and he will make it."

Allura watched over Coran as he slept. Coran was sleeping peacefully, "This has to work... it has to, for Coran." Allura stood up and stretched. "I'm parched." Allura walked out of the room quietly to get a glass of water. Allura made her way to the kitchen when she got stopped by Keith. "Has Coran woken up yet?" Keith asked. "No, not yet. I was going to get a glass of water." "Oh... okay, sorry for stopping you." Keith walked back to the main center of the castle. "This has to be hard on everyone." Allura sighed and went to get a glass of water. Once Allura got the glass of water, she went back to Coran's room. Allura sat down and looked over at Coran's bed, it was empty. It took Allura a minute to realize that Coran was gone. "Coran?!" Allura exclaimed. Allura ran out of Coran's room- without even taking a sip of her water. Allura went to the center of the castle, "Has anyone seen Coran?" "What do you mean weren't you just with him?" Pidge asked. "I was getting a glass of water, and when I got back he was gone!" Allura said worriedly. "Coran couldn't have gone far." Kuron said calmly. Allura sighed, "You're right, Kuron. He has to be somewhere in the castle." "We should split up to find Coran and then meet up back here." Keith suggested.

The paladins split up into three groups: Hunk and Pidge, Kuron and Keith, and Lance and Allura. The three groups went off in search of Coran. Lance and Allura checked all the sleeping chambers and the center of the castle. Hunk and Pidge checked the lab and kitchen. Kuron and Keith searched the training room and the hallways. Hunk checked the kitchen while Pidge checked the lab. "He's not in here." Hunk told Pidge. "He's not in the lab either." Pidge said dejected. They headed back to the center of the castle. Hunk and Pidge were the first to arrive back. "Hopefully the others have some luck." Pidge sighed. Hunk nodded in agreement.

"Coran? You in here?" Asked Lance getting no response. "Any luck, Allura?" "No, sadly." Allura replied worriedly. Lance checked the last couple of rooms and walked back to the middle of the castle with Allura. Allura and Lance met back up with Hunk and Pidge. "I'm guessing no luck on your end?" Pidge asked already knowing the answer. "Well that only means that Kuron and Keith will find him." Allura replied still hopeful.

Coran was spacing out, all over the place, he couldn't tell what was left from right. At some point Coran blacked out and hit the ground with a thud. It was a while before he woke up, "Where am I?" Coran mumbled. He noticed two familiar figures walking his way. "Coran!" They shouted and started running towards him. "Paladins?" Coran said dazed. "Coran I'm so glad you're okay!" Kuron said happily. Keith and Kuron helped Coran to his feet. The three walked back to the main castle, happy to finally have some good news.

The four waiting for Keith and Kuron to come back all rushed to Coran. "Coran! You're okay! I was so worried!" Allura exclaimed. "I'm so relieved we found you!" said Pidge. The four buzzed around Coran excitedly. "I- I'm awfully tired and why are you all excited to see me?" Coran asked confused. "Yes! You must be exhausted, let's get you to bed!" Allura said rather forcefully, trying to avoid Coran's question. Allura whisked Coran away to his room before anyone could say anything else. Lance looked down, "It's my fault... I'm sorry" Kuron put his hand on Lance's shoulder, "No one knew he would have reacted this way, and I'm sure this wasn't all your fault; Coran has a lot of pent up stress." "Yeah, but I was the one who pushed him over the edge..." Lance trailed off. Pidge looked over to Hunk who then looked over to Keith who then looked over to Kuron. The four then made a circle around Lance; who was very confused. The four then walked up to Lance all hugging him. "What's this?" Lance asked. "A group hug, what else would it be?" Hunk laughed. Tears welled up in Lance's eyes, "Thanks guys." Lance noticed Allura walking back in the room and quickly wiped his tears. "Are you all hugging without me?" Allura teased. The paladins let Allura in the hug. "Allura, hugging me? It must me my lucky day." Lance laughed. The paladins broke off, "Is Coran okay?" Pidge asked. "Yes, he seems to being much better." Allura replied. They all seemed comforted by that response, but how long is that going to last?