Avatar Voltron AU book one: the revolution

Chapter four: loins vs. ferrets part one

Keith woke up and groaned. Sleep did nothing to help his headache. He looked over at Lance and started pushing him closer and closer to the edge of the bed. Lance woke up as he slipped off the bed and hit the floor with a thud. "Ow! Keith!" He groaned. Hunk startled by the noise jolted awake only to fall off the couch.
"Ouch! Guys be quiet!" He shouted.
Shiro had already been up and was in the kitchen already.
"Alright boys look alive! Big day!" He called to everyone. Keith quickly ran out of the room and into the kitchen, sliding on the smooth floor.
"Shiro, what are you planning? Why is it a big day?" He asked, still wanting to tell him about the apartment he found.
"Because." Shiro said smiling. "I heard from Beifong that the tournament is still on."
"Really?!" Lance and hunk asked at the same time.
"Yes! We still have a shot!" Lance cheered, throwing his hands into the air. Keith climbed onto one of the counters to grab some medicine.
"I'm excited too, but can you guys quiet down?" He asked and went to get some water.
"Right, sorry Keith." Hunk said.
"You know Keith I've been working on my water healing." Lance said, "I can take care of that nasty bump on your head."
"Is there really a bump or are you just being you again?" Keith asked and crossed his arms. He didn't believe Lance, but the water bender might be right.
"Yeah Keith there's a bump." Shiro said looking over his shoulder.
"Come on man. I can help you out." Lance said.
"Yeah Keith we all need to be at the top of our game if we want to stay in this thing." Hunk agreed.
"Fine. You better not make it worse though." Keith muttered and walked over to Lance so he could heal him.
"Don't worry mullet I got this." Lance said, he stared water bending. The water began to glow a faint blue when he started to work on Keith. Slowly, the bump went down until it was gone completely. Lance removed the water. "Alright all done. How's it feel now?" Keith shivered when Lance worked on the bump. Memories from the previous night flashed in his mind, and when it was over, the headache was gone.
"I dont know how just water can do that, but my head doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you, Lance." Keith said.
"No problem." Lance shrugged, "to be honest that's the first time I've done that right." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Yeah but you got it buddy," hunk said clapping Lance on the back.
Shiro chuckled, he handed each of them a steaming bowl of sweet rice. "I assumed you three wanted to carbo load for tonight's match." He said.
Keith took the bowl of rice and grabbed chopsticks off of the counter. "Of course!" He said before starting to eat the rice. Out of everyone there, Shiro was the best at making rice, and Hunk was better at almost everything else in his opinion.
"Thanks Shiro!" Lance and hunk said before digging in. Shiro smiled.
"Well I'd better head to the station. I can pick up something for myself on the way." He said putting on the rest of his uniform. "You three try and stay out of trouble."
"I will, I think Beifong is getting pretty tired of me helping the police out." Keith said nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "We need to go to the gym today before the tournament."
"Keith it's not a bad thing that you want to help. But this is our job." Shiro reminded him, he ruffed Keith's hair, "knock em' dead for me little bro. I'll see you when I can." He said before heading out the door. They could hear him outside chatting their team name.
"Yeah let's head out," Lance agreed.
Keith took all of their bowls over to the sink and turned back around. "Okay, I'm ready to go when you guys are." He told them and grabbed the key to the apartment.
"Ready." Hunk said standing up.
"Yeah lets do this!" Lance cheered.
"Let's go, Lion Turtles!" Keith said and opened the door for them to run out.
Lance and hunk followed Keith pumping their fists in the air. They weren't as loud as they had been last night; mostly because it was still early and there weren't many people out on the streets yet. But they did get some enthusiastic cheers from a few people. Keith led them to the gym, ignoring the equilist protester he heard. It wasn't the time to start another fight.
"Gah! Why do they have to set up right outside the gym?" Lance complained. "I thought Shiro pushed them back to the city park."
"Looks like they're the ones pushing back." Hunk said a concerned expression on his face. "You guys don't think there are any chi blockers around do you?"
"Relax hunk. Those people out their are just the public equalist face. They can't do anything other than annoy us." Lance said.
"Yeah, the chi blockers look different. I've seen...and felt them before." Keith admitted as he walked inside the gym.
"Yeah about that..." Lance said rubbing the back of his neck. "I think we might have to listen to Shiro this time and stay out of it. I know you don't like it but we need to leave this to the police."
"Yeah I mean... just hearing about these attacks is one thing. But we were in one last night." Hunk said shaking slightly.
"I know we were in one, but that's why we need to help them. They're sponsoring us after all." Keith pointed out as he played with fire on his fingertips.
"Yes But Beifong And Shiro told us to stay out." Lance said, "Besides they have the avatar on their side, not to mention Tarrlok's task force. Say what you want about the guy but he's doing a good job."
"I don't know Lance, I think I agree with Keith." Hunk said tentatively, "it's the least we can do."
"We should focus guys. Hunk, I think that the earth bender on the Fire Ferrets will be your biggest issue." Keith pointed out. "Lance, the water bender will probably give you the most trouble. Don't hold back against her."
"Right." Hunk said with a nod. He didn't waist time getting started on his training.
"I never hold back." Lance said, "even if she is a pretty girl, and the avatar."
"Lance, how about you against me? Like we used to." Keith suggested and got a fist full of fire ready.
"Alright mullet, let's dance." Lance dropped into his fighting stance, water at the ready.
Keith launched fire at his teammate and jumped back, keeping both of his hands on fire the whole time. "Come on, sharpshooter."
"Ah Ha! I knew it would catch on!" Lance shouted, he sent a volley of water flying at Keith careful to quell any flames that might get in his way. The water moved like a snake, hitting Keith left and right and trying to knock his feet out from under him.
Keith stumbled back, steam coming off of him as he charged forward, aiming fire at Lance's water source to evaporate it.
"You know, I like it a little warmer in here."
"Gah!" Lance jumped back to avoid getting roasted. He sent what little water he had left straight at Keith's face. If anything he could at least mess up the fire Bender's hair.
Keith chuckled. "Looks like I win again, Lance. My fire isn't hot enough to burn too badly." He reminded his teammate. "I don't know why you act to scared."
"Hey Fire is Fire." Lance said brushing himself off. He smiled, "You got me though. I'm glad we're on the same team."
"I just hope Mako isn't as good as people say he is, that can be an issue for me." Keith admitted and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh come on we've got this." Lance said, "they may have the avatar but we've got each other."
"Here, here!" Hunk cheered from his area of the gym.
Keith cheered and punched the air above him for an effect, fire shooting up. He walked over to his group and smiled. "We will wipe the floor with them!"
"Yeah!" Hunk and Lance cheered together. "Go Lion Turtles!"
((Sure
Keith smiled and turned around when he heard footsteps. "Who's there?" He asked when a short and familiar person came into view.
"Cool it hothead, it's just me." Pidge smiled. "I came to wish you guys luck tonight."
"Pidge!" Lance and hunk raced over.
"It's been like forever!" Lance said.
"Yeah you hardly ever come around anymore. I know our apartment is kind of gross but..." hunk rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sorry guys, I've been busy at my job. I'm an engineer for Future Industries now. I still listen to your games by the way, you all are amazing." Pidge smiled.
"That's good to hear," Lance said, "I take it you heard what happened last night."
"Yeah you had to have heard." Hunk said sounding nervous again.
Pidge nodded. "Yes I did. I'm glad you all made it out unharmed. Good luck with the fire ferrets though, they've been doing a lot of training."
"And so have we." Keith said, trying to sound somewhat nice.
"It was so terrifying," hunk said.
"Yeah I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life." Lance said, "I was so relieved when Shiro showed up."
Pidge growled slightly when he heard Shiro's name, causing Keith to get mad.
"What do you have against Shiro?" He snapped.
"Um..." Lance backed away from Pidge when she growled. "Pidge, what's wrong?" Hunk was quiet looking from Keith to Pidge and back again.
"Shiro is the reason Matt's dead!" Pidge yelled, causing Keith to step back. "Shiro got all the fame when it was Matt who saved all of those people, not Shiro!"
Keith sighed. "Pidge, Shiro didn't and still doesn't want that fame, I can guarantee that. He still has a hard time even thinking of your brother." He said calmly.
Hunk and Lance backed up. "Pidge please calm down." Lance said.
"Yeah let's all just take a breath," hunk said, trying to keep his voice level.
Pidge started to sob and ran to Lance and Hunk for a hug. "Its not fair, he shouldn't have left me!"
Keith stood back, feeling emptier and lonlier than he ever had before.
Hunk hugged Pidge but Lance walked over to Keith. "You okay buddy?" He asked so the others wouldn't hear.
"Yeah...I guess. I never thought about Pidge's side of the story, and now I feel bad for being mad at her.." Keith murmured.
"I know..." Lance said, "we all miss Matt... he was a hero."
"We need to focus on the tournament or we won't have a chance tonight." Keith said, trying to focus.
"Yeah." Lance agreed.
"Sorry Pidge we have to get back to practice." Hunk said, "will we see you at the match?" He asked.
Pidge let go of hunk and nodded. "I may be there for the Fire Ferrets, but I'm cheering for you guys."
"Thanks, as long as there's one person up there not laughing at our team name" Lance said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Again Lance that's on you buddy." Hunk said with a smile.
"I kept telling him the dragons were cooler." Keith complained.
"Anyways, I have to head over to the Fire Ferrets now, they're in one of the other areas. Asami told me to bring them lunch." Pidge explained and walked away.
"See you Pidge," Lance said, when she was gone he turned to the others. "Alright let's beat those fire ferrets." He smashed his fist into his hand.
"Fire Ferrets are really small animals too. Lion turtles are massive creatures." Keith pointed out. "There's no way they can win against us when we work together."
"Yeah, a real lion turtle could sit down and crush a city." Lance said, he started beating the tar out of a punching dummy.
"You think we can use our new move?" Hunk asked, starting on his own training.
"You mean that one where we stack on top of each other?" Lance asked.
"I don't think that'll work.." Keith said hesitantly. "I don't want us to get more hurt than we have to." He said and blasted his training dummy with fire.
"Yeah, and we haven't perfected it either." Lance agreed. "Maybe next time hunk."
"Aw, Alright. Good call guys." Hunk said.
"You guys want to take a break or not?" Keith asked and wiped sweat off of his forehead.
"Maybe we should go talk to the fire ferrets. They might accidentally tell us something that we can use against them, like a weak point or something." Keith said.
"Oh that is so devious." Lance smirked. "Count me in."
"I don't know guys." Hunk said, "I mean it seems like cheating."
"Oh that is so devious." Lance smirked. "Count me in."
"I don't know guys." Hunk said, "I mean it seems like cheating."
"Why is it cheating? Using an enemy's weakness against them? Sounds normal to me." Keith shrugged.
"Alright. I'll come," hunk relented.
"Aw Yeah!" Lance pumped his fist in the hair for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"First, Lance, where's a strong point on you?" Keith asked.
"Uh du..." Lance flexed his arms.
"Be serious Lance," hunk said raising an eyebrow at the water bender.
"Fine, it's my legs." Lance said frustrated.
"My plan is to lie and say we have 'weak points' that are places that won't affect us if they aim there so hopefully, they tell us their actual weak points." Keith explained.
"Wow you are devious," Lance said.
"Well you guys know we're my strong point is," hunk said, pointing to his midsection.
"Yep. Never bet against hunk's gut," Lance said smiling.
"I play to win, not to get second place." Keith smirked. "So when we're there, I would say something like "Lance, how are your legs doing? I know they normally give you issues during games. And things like that."
"Oh yeah my legs are shaking like crazy." Lance said and convincing concerned voice. He made his legs shake and it looked real.
"Wow, where'd you learn to do that?" Hunk asked.
"Public acting classes baby!" Lance said in his normal cocktail voice.
"That's amazing Lance!" Keith smiled. "I'm giving my weak point as my arms. They may be small, but they're like steel."
"Yeah they are." Lance said, "those little twigs of yours are twigs of steal."
"So we've got, Keith's arms, lance's legs, and my gut." Hunk counted of on his fingers. "All we would need is head and we'd have a full person."
Keith chuckled. "You're right. Anyways, we should get going before they leave." He said and walked out.
Lance and hunk followed him. Lance made sure to make his legs falsely shake. Hunk put on his own act though it was a little less dramatic. He merely clutched his stomach.
"Do you guys know where they are?" Keith asked his team, glad that they were keeping up a good act. "Down the hall. First door on the left." Lance replied. He hadn't slipped into his nervous shaking voice yet is he was being quiet. Hunk nodded in agreement. Keith nodded and walked down the hall and turned left. Sure enough, the Fire Ferrets were training. It didn't look like they had been spotted yet either.
Mako looked up from wrapping protective fabric around his hands. "Oh, it's you guys. What's up?"
"Just want to talk," Lance said, he added a slight trimmer to his voice and it had the desired effect.
"Woah man are you Alright?" Bolin asked.
Keith looked over at Lance then back at the Fire Ferrets. "Oh, his legs are bothering him again. Hunk, your stomach doing okay today?" He asked, hoping his friend was paying attention.
Korra walked over and looked at them skeptically. "You guys okay? Maybe you shouldn't play tonight."
"Oh you know, it's just prematch butterflies," hunk said he sounded like he did when he got motion sick.
"Naw, we're fine," Lance waved korra's concern off but still kept up his act.
"Well yeah, and last night has us shaken up. My arms won't quit hurting, even with Lance's healing." Keith told them.
"Last night was intense, but you were pretty brave, chasing after them." Korra praised.
"Keith wasn't going after equalists. He was going after his big bro." Lance teased, he couldn't resist the opportunity to tease the fire bender.
"Lance cut it out." Hunk advised.
"Oh shut up, I was doing both." Keith muttered. "Anyways, we'll leave you guys alone now." He said, dissapointed that he didn't get information out of the other team.
Once they were out of ear shot of the fire ferrets hunk said. "Did you guys see Mako? He was wrapping his hands. That's his weak point."
"Yeah you're right hunk." Lance said returning to his normal inflection.
"I saw it too. Too bad I have to attack him though, I would have been happy to go against any other fire bender that wasn't attractive." Keith muttered.
"Ahh..." Lance groaned, "Get your head out of the gutter Keith." He face palmed. Hunk stifled a laughed with his hand.
"Oh come on, you'd be acting the same way if it was a cute girl you had to go against." Keith said and crossed his arms.
"Um Korra is a cute girl." Lance pointed out. "But I'm not getting hung up about it. I want to win!" He struck his hero pose.
Hunk laughed out loud this time; Lance was just too much sometimes.
Keith laughed at Lance's hero pose. "Yeah you won't get a girlfriend with that pose." He said in between fits of laughter.
Lance huffed and crosses his arms. "You guys suck..." he muttered. Hunk clapped him on the back.
"Come on we know you love us." He teased the water bender.
"I wouldn't go that far.." Keith teased. He nudged Lance and called. "Last one back to the gym has to do something embarrassing on the platform!"
"Oh come on not another race!" Lance shouted as hunk took off after Keith. The water bender was left in the dust. "Gah! Guys!" Lance took off after his friends.
Keith smirked. Their area wasn't very far, it was just around the next turn. He had to go a little faster... Lance ran after hunk and Keith, a little frustrated but still in good spirits. He was even happier when he over took hunk and started gaining on Keith.
Keith shot fire behind Lance and made it into their gym first, and cheered when he made it. Lance tripped and slid on the floor. Hunk stepped over his friend and raced to the gym after Keith.
"Woo... made it..." hunk panted, gasping for breath.
"Ha! Lance...what should you do on the platform.." Keith tried to think about something. "Hunk, what should Lance have to do?"
"Oh haha, laugh it up you two." Lance said sarcastically, he brushed himself off.
"I know..." hunk said looking at Keith with a smirk. "Hey Lance, you've gotta do a song and dance on the platform."
"Oh I like that one. I was thinking he would have to jump off of the arena once we win." Keith smiled.
"Why not both?" Hunk said still smirking.
"Agh. You guys..." Lance grounded, "fine I'll do it.."
"Good idea. Belly flop into the water once we win." Keith grinned.
"Yeah!" Hunk put out his hand asking Keith for a high five. Lance groaned, but he still wanted to win the match. Keith high fived Hunk and looked at Lance. "Oh cheer up, Lance. We should head back to my apartment and get ready."
"Yeah." Hunk agreed, "rest up for now then a warm up run to the arena when it's time."
"Yep! And a fan rally in the streets!" Lance said, throwing his hands in the air.
"Okay, lets try to be on time today." Keith said and walked out of the gym. "Looks like we have a few hours until it starts."
"Yeah." Hunk agreed, "we've got a reputation to maintain."
"What reputation?" Lance asked, "We're the rookies remember."
"Well, the Fire Ferrets are rookies too. More than we are. They came out of no where!" Keith pointed out.
"Yeah... remember when people said that about us?" Lance reminisced as they walked.
"Yep it was almost two months ago." Hunk said, "man things in this city sure move fast."
"Well they also have more fame than we ever did because they have the avatar and they have Future Industries on their side." Keith said and unlocked the door to his apartment. "At least we have our neighborhood fan base."
"And the police department." Hunk added.
"So future industries isn't that cool." Lance said crossing his arm. "Don't ever tell Pidge I said that!" He added quickly.
"That's true, and I won't tell her. I still don't think she likes me very much." Keith said and walked to the kitchen and got some water. "We having pasta again?"
"Yeah I was sensing some tension between you two." Lance said.
"I'll get the pasta boiling." Hunk said heading to the kitchen. Keith sighed and walked to the living room. He flopped down on the couch. "Yeah, she doesn't like me or Shiro."
"I'll talk to her next chance I get." Lance said firmly, "it's not Shiro's fault. Matt knew the risks of his job but he did it anyway. Holding grudges isn't going to help any of us get passed this." He paused. "Is Shiro still having those nightmares?" He asked tentatively.
Keith nodded. "He does, they aren't as often though." He explained and played with fire on his fingertips.
"Oh sorry I asked." Lance said looking away. "I'm going to help sort Pidge out. She needs to realize she's not the only one who cared about Matt. He was our friend do and Shiro's best friend and partner." He clinched his fists.
"Why? I have nightmares of Shiro in the hospital and the accident." Keith shrugged. "I don't see the big deal. Every one has nightmares right?"
"Yeah about getting chased by monsters, or showing up to school in nothing but your underpants maybe." Lance argued, "but that stuff... the things you two relive when you sleep... I've never had to deal with something like that..." he looked Keith in the eye. "You and shiro are so strong... to see that night over and over again and still face what could happen... you're the strongest people I know."
"It's fine Lance. I'm not that strong really, I keep having them, which makes me, well, not that strong." Keith said. "The strong one is Shiro, but not me."
"Keith you're not hearing me." Lance said, shaking his head. "You're dealing with this and you're facing it. You are strong." He put his hand on Keith's shoulder. "Don't ever let anyone tell you different.
"Alright pasta is ready!" Hunk called, balancing the three steaming hot bowls on his arm. He passed them out to his friends.
Keith got up and grabbed one of the bowls from Hunk. "Thank you for the food." He said and sat back down to eat. "To the Lion Turtles!" He cheered to his friends.
"Lion Turtles!" Lance and hunk cheered together. They both started eating.
"Hunk you are a genius! Is that almond butter I taste?" Lance asked an impresses smile on his face.
"Yeah, no real butter. I know Keith can't have it." Hunk said smiling.
There was a knock at the door.
"Thank you Hunk, I appreciate it. I don't want to get sick in the middle of a game. The food is amazing." Keith praised and continued to devour the food. Whoever was at the door knocked again, louder and more errant sounding this time.
Hunk swallowed a mouth full of noodles.
"Who could that be?" He asked.
"Maybe Shiro got off early and forgot his keys." Lance suggested.
Keith set his bowl down and hesitantly got up. "I don't think so..." He walked over to the door and looked out of the peephole to see who was at the door. Officer Sygon stood at attention outside the door, a tense expression on his face.
"Who is it?" Lance called from the living room. Hunk started stress eating.
"Oh, hang on, its Officer Sygon." Keith opened the door and let the officer inside. "Is something wrong?"
"Keith kogane." Sygon bowed and walked inside. "Thank you." He looked at Keith, "your brother sent me. There's been a complication"

To be continued...