A Space In-Between (Shidge/Klance AU)

16- Finding the Lions

It didn't take long for a broad woman with big ears to come to Katie with news. She had been sitting in a tree swing, deciphering something Emerald gave her for a test to prove her intelligence. The strangely buff girl had swung down from the roof, not caring if Emerald was next to Katie.

"I found the remaining lions. After you send them off in search of them, I was commanded to take you with me," the woman said. This must be the general Zethrid. Katie nodded, ready for her fate.

"So? Where are they? I'll get Allura and Lance to take them. Keith knows of today's end. He said he's willingly to take me to keep his spot as Lotor's buddy," Katie said, twisting the machine around and around to fix its issue. 

"The yellow is in that cathedral you were found in when you first came and the black is in the castle. We can help them in," Zethrid announced. Katie nodded once more and put the machine at Emerald's feet. Good thing she was sleeping.

"Thank you. I know you're doing this for Lotor, but it is still admirable. Your loyalty and friendship towards him is amazing and desirable. Now, can I really trust you?" Katie said, getting up off the swing. Zethrid gave her a hearty laugh.

"You really ask that now? After days of working with us and trusting us with information," the commander asked, trying to keep her voice down. It was early in the morning and everyone was asleep. 

"I guess I just realized I never saw to it that I could trust you. Now, let me tell them and get Keith to turn me in. Get the others so you can escort us," Katie commanded as she opened the door. Zethrid cawed like a raven. 

The signal. Katie entered the house and climbed the stairs quietly, avoiding the fifth loud step. She opened the room that Keith and Lance were staying in. She was surprised to see the two cuddling on the bed, Lance's arm slung around Keith. She smirked to herself.

She hated to have to wake Keith up. She studied the scene as much as she could, burning it into her memory. She was wishing so bad to have her phone so she could take a picture. Katie lightly shook Keith and when he opened his eyes, he sprung from the bed in embarrassment. 

"It's time. P.S. when did you two become close?" she said, smiling down while raising her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Keith turned red and allowed her to help him off the floor. 

"We're finally friends. The pillows separating us must've fallen off," he muttered, looking at a pile of pillows stacked neatly at the foot of the bed. "Maybe not... Who took them off?" Katie giggled.

"I bet it was your boyfriend over there," she whispered before getting serious. "It's time. We need to leave them a note and go now, saying that we're out in the town or something." Keith nodded, obviously against turning her in. "Keith you know this is how it's gotta be!"

He grumbled but helped her write a note anyway. They placed it on the coffee table in the living room. Keith went to the front door and opened it. Katie didn't follow, but instead, she looked at Shiro, who was peacefully sleeping on the couch.

She wouldn't see him, Matt, Allura, or any of them again. She lied to Keith saying she'd be thrown in a dungeon, but she knew what was really going to happen. She'd be a guinea pig for Lotor's dimension traveling project.

She lightly ruffled Shiro's hair and smile to herself. "Hurry up," Keith said as he walked out onto the porch, ready to leave. Katie sighed and sat on the floor, wanting to take a few seconds to take in Shiro's facial features for one last time. In the chair next to him was her brother, snoring away. 

She kissed both of their foreheads before running to the front door and closing it. She nodded at Keith and the two slipped on cloaks, covering their faces with the hoods. Katie noticed the generals hiding in trees, waiting for them to walk closer.

They did and the three jumped down. "Good. Come on. Lotor would be waking any moment now," Ezor said, nodding at the two to confirm their cooperation. They nodded back and they were off.

Shiro watched Katie leave. What was that about? What were the two up to? After he made sure the two were gone, he snatched the piece of paper they left behind. He'd been up for hours because of Matt's annoying snores. He watched Katie leave, reenter, and leave with Keith.

The letter read, "We're off to the town. We located the final lions, Allura. Have Hunk go to the cathedral where we first met and Shiro will be going to the palace while we're gone." Underneath the short note was their signatures. She seemed too distant to simply be leaving to the market.

It was as if she planned to never return. Katie's lion pawed at his feet and he looked down. Emerald looked up at him when eyes that reminded him of Katie's. "She's going to turn herself in. I saw her meet with one of Lotor's general. Well, heard. That girl is too caring for her own good. She's tricked Keith and the others to have you all secured and undoubtedly placed in the castle after she's gone."

Shiro dropped the note. "What!?" he hissed and prepared to leave. The lion blocked his way.

"That will be troubling. They haven't gone too far. I suggest you put her hopes into motion. You're going to the castle for your lion. If you came upon her there, you'd have a reason, but not now. Its too early. We'll save her, but wait. Let her think its working," Emerald explained and waited at the door. "What are you waiting for!? Rally the others so you can get Hunk's then yours!"

Shiro didn't want to listen to a random lion, but she spoke sensibly. He just hoped that they could when this race. This race of time and cleverness. 

AHAHHAHAH WOA!!! *-* About an hour since I started with a few breaks lolol.

-ThatOneServant, the rushing author, out!!!