A Space In-Between (Shidge/Klance AU)

4-Stage 1

Lance was forced to sit out the rest of the festival with Katie as his baby sitter. They watched Hunk serve food to person after person, chatting with each. His smile was calming so whatever he asked wouldn't seem to suspicious as it would have if Katie or Lance, especially Lance, did. In a matter of hours, when the festival was over, Hunk had two pages full of people who were against Lotor's rule.

"This is perfect Hunk. Nice to know that someone is reliable," she said, glancing at Lance with a glare. He didn't even look at her and slumped in his seat. Katie only hoped that Shiro and Allura got as much information as they had. "Hunk did you find any spies?"

"Well, all the people who came to the food stand seemed nice and none of them spoke kindly of Lotor and what he's done to their kingdom. I even had some people rant to me about his misdeeds. Did you know that he is taxing them three times what Alfor was? Many believe it is for some kind of project he has going on up in that castle of his," Hunk explained and ate a sugar-coated donut. Katie scrunched her nose at the sight. 

They stood and began to walk to the edge of town. Bon caught up with her. "Pidge, there is something I must tell you," he said hastily, looking around in fear. "Don't trust my brother. I may be obsessed with tradition, but unlike him I don't enjoy hiding my true emotions. You wanted to know about us, correct? Follow me I'll tell." Katie had begged him as a spy before, but now he seemed like a scared child.

She nodded. Maybe she had the roles switched. Bon lead them in the direction they were headed and into a storage. He cut the light on and pulled out boxes for them to sit on. He checked outside to make sure no one saw them enter. They were all busy with closing the festival.

Bon soon joined them on the boxes. "Let me tell you of Lotor. He's changed everything since he came to the throne. Zarkon was harsh, but he was a good leader and stuck with traditions. Lotor, on the other hand, doesn't even think of the citizens and leaves us to ourselves. He posts guards in every village just to make sure no revolts are taking place. The guards are told to retreat if someone comes and tries to take over cities, we've already lost seven of our outer-most cities. On top of that he taxes us relentlessly and barely gives us enough supplies to live off of. I've seen babies and their mothers kicked on the streets by husbands in the need to survive. I've also seen them die. You're lucky to come in on festival day where there's plenty of food to go around. That's why every last drop of food was served," Bon explained.

"I was wondering why people came up and got eight servings," Hunk said as he looked down at his half eaten donut. "Give this to someone who needs it." Bon took the plate and nodded.

"I will. But back to the matter. Lotor is up to something. I've seen my brother enter his study and I've seen his generals sneaking things inside. You're here for something else aren't you Pidge. You aren't here just because you've got no one to return home to. I'm right?" His words stung, but they were the truth. Katie nodded and his face brightened. "Your with Princess Allura and Prince Shiro aren't you?" 

Hearing their names with those titles made her feel a little uncomfortable. "Yeah," she said, rubbing her arm.

Keith nervously waited for his turn. Man after man went into the sparring room and returned with wounds and slashes. Keith could only think of the rewarding faces he'd get when he informed Katie and them of his success. That's all that kept him from running from the waiting room.

A woman with a half shaved head called out his name and he stood. "You're next," she said and moved aside for Keith to enter. When he did a man with a helmet on awaited. The sword the man held was bloodied to the holt of the blade. Even with the sparring helmet on, Keith knew the man's eyes were on him.

"If you even get close to beating me, you move on to the next test, newbie," the man informed, a sinister edge in his voice. Keith nodded and pulled out the dagger Shiro provided him. "That's all you're using? Are you automatically forfeiting?" 

Keith showed his a cocky smile he always gave Lance when they sparred, "No. This knife is all I'll need to defeat you," Keith said and took his stance. The man chuckled.

"Alright!" he called as he charge at Keith. He swung and Keith circled behind him. The man turned and slashed again, skimming Keith's cheek. 

"Finally a worthy opponent," Keith said as he jumped backwards. The man charged forward and Keith ducked below as the man cut air. Keith jumped and dug his head into the man's chin. The man stumbled back and took his helmet off to wipe blood away. 

Pale skin, that matched the albino hair that flowed down from his skull, reflected in the room's light. Silver eyes peered at Keith. "Amusing," the man spat and ran at Keith again. This time Keith blocked the blow with his knife. 

They continued to exchange blows until Keith tripped the white-haired man and removed his weapon. Keith squatted and held his knife to the man's neck. "I win, I assume," Keith said, a smug smile forming as he stood and offered his hand to the stranger.

One who observed the fight would've assumed that Keith had years of experience with the blade instead of the three days he had. Keith would admit that he once had to use a blade when he was in the institution, but he never counted anything that happened there important or worthy to be remembered. 

"Yes, you did," the man said and laughed. "Congrats, you have now moved on to the next level. If you pass that one, you'll become one of my generals. " Keith smiled as he shook the man's hand. 

"I enjoyed fighting with you," Keith said as they dropped each other's hand. The man nodded. The feeling was mutual. Keith departed and hoped to see the man again. He felt like they'd get along, but he didn't know who that man was at the time.

Well stuff is happening now XD I also realized that I skipped three days of quality Klance moments, but I'll fill some in when Keith returns to the group. Also I'm sure at least one of you has wondered what happened at the institution. There may or may not be some flashbacks and nightmares ahead!

-ThatOneServant out!