A Space In-Between (Shidge/Klance AU)

21-Their Return

The scientists returned the pod to its original position and scrambled to leave the abandoned mansion. "We'll need a way to dispose it so when Nora awakens, it's too late. We can't let the people of this world get their hands on dimensional travel," Katie spoke, thinking of the people she met in Shiro's realm. "If it fell into the wrong hands, and knowing this world it would, it could be extremely bad."

"We need someone to destroy it after we're gone," Mrs. Holt added, holding her chin in thought. "Though there is no one here we can trust and we all need to go." They all fell silent. It was beginning to seem like someone would have to stay behind for the sake of the dimensions. 

"Mom, are you sure about leaving this life permanently behind?" Katie suddenly questioned. Mrs. Holt turned to her with a raised brow. 

"What is left for me to stay for? My family is on the other side and the lab won't trust me after this. It's probably for the best that I go with you guys," she explained to Katie with a smile then returned to pondering about what to do. "We only have a limited time before Nora awakens and tells everyone."

Katie looked around and spotted their answer. "There's a plant! I can tell it to destroy the pod after we're gone and encase the entire place so no one can enter and try to piece together the remains," Katie cheered, happy with the plan she formed.

"Good. That is a great plan. I'd trust a plant over a person any day," Shiro said and stepped into the tube. The clear stripes of the design began to glow purple and he disappeared. Mrs. Holt and Katie were left in amazement.

"So that's what it looks like from the outside!" Katie commented and pushed her mother in. "You're next since you don't know what to do. With me here and Shiro on the other side, you'll have a safe travel!"

 Her mother nodded and she vanished too with the light of teal. It was Katie's turn. She looked to the flower and gave it its silent command and left through the tube with a familiar green. Behind her she heard a large bang and sounds of circuits breaking. She landed with no trouble and looked around her. They were back in the cathedral. 

They had returned to Altea. 

Keith bowed before leaving Lotor's presence. It had been days since Katie and Shiro were sent to another dimension. Lotor had refused to see if he could bring them back saying it wasn't the time. "Did he agree yet?" Lance asked him, joining Keith at his side. 

Lance had been staying in the castle, curtesy of Lotor, and they frequently walked like this after Keith was done talking with Lotor about duties. "No. He keeps muttering about magical interferences. I think he's already tried and failed. He's been worried for the past day. I think something broke the link between the two dimensions,"  Keith replied, troubled by the recent events. 

"What!?" Lance choked, "That means we'll never see our families ever again!" He seemed really panicked. Lance had always had a fondness of his family no matter how annoying he said they were. He told Keith many times about fond memories involving his family. 

"Well, I think you and Hunk are the only ones with family and precious memories to return to," Keith whispered and began walking. Katie and Keith suffered due to their imprisonment in that blasted institution and he had no intention in returning to those days. Lance raced after him, intwining their hands.

"It's okay Keith. You do have a family. That's me, Katie, Shiro, Allura, Matt, Shay, and Hunk! You guys are my family too. Though, that won't cover the fact that I miss my blood relatives," Lance reassured as they walked the long passages. 

Keith nodded. He knew he had a family now, but it's like Lance said: It doesn't take over the want for his family that he never had. They turned a corner and bumped into a low-level guard. She glared at Keith and Lance with cold eyes before they melted to warm. 

She hurried along, keeping her eyes trained on the two. Another guard, a buffer and taller dude with a piece of white hair sticking out his helmet, followed her with a slim woman in a low-level guard's uniform. An odd number to be patrolling together. 

"Keith...," Lance breathed and Keith nodded. Something was suspicious about those three and Keith could've sworn he'd seen those woman's eyes before. He began to shadow the three, following them until the buff one pulled the two women over to talk. 

"Why did you hurry past them!?" the slim woman asked through the steel mask. The short guard turned around, brushing her arm against the buff man's armor and getting the chains caught.

As she tried to free her lower arm from his waist with one hand, she responded, "They were together and when I saw them I kinda freaked out. I know we were looking for them, but I never thought I'd chicken out last minute! Plus, I don't know how to start. 'Yo we're back from the dead!'" Keith knew that voice from anywhere. How could he forget?

"Well we could march back there and take off our helmets for a starter," the broad man said, now helping the smaller woman untangle their armor chains. The slim woman slapped their hands away and fixed the problem in a few seconds, freeing the two.

"Let's do that. We've been walking around this castle for a day and a half now! And you know what happens when we bump into this friend of yours? You back off just because he's with his boyfriend? I want to see my son and husband as soon as possible. The thought of Samuel in the dungeon makes me sick," the slim woman lectured, her shoulders slumped.

Keith was sure now. These were no guards. His friends had found a way back and brought a guest with them. He stepped out into the light. "There's no need to turn back. Take off those helmets now," he ordered.

Their hands flew to their helmets and slowly removed them. Before him were Shiro, Katie, and a woman who resembled Katie. He had seen the woman around the institution talking with Samuel, Matt, and Katie. 

It was Katie's mother. 

Well I'm trying my best to catch up!! I still have four others to do T^T Ah, I'm excited for Monday (And Saturday)! Mainly Monday

-ThatOneServant, the aging girl, out!!