Not the Same

Intruders?

Lance woke up to a dull headache. He looked at his surroundings, not realizing it was his room until he was fully awake. Lance took off the damp washcloth that was on his forehead. He got dressed and walked out of his room. 

The halls were empty, so Lance decided to go to the control room. When he reached the control room, no one was there. He then checked the training deck, the kitchen, the lounge, and bridge. But no one was there. Eventually, Lance went back into the kitchen to get a snack. 

When he walked in, Lance finally saw the time; 3:15. No wonder why no one was in the castle! They were all asleep!

Lance went to the fridge and saw some leftover meals that Hunk made. Lance chose a meal that look a lot like shepards pie. Lance spooned out some into a bowl, then sat down at the island and ate. 

His stomach grumbled as Lance ate. And suddenly, he felt sick. Lance stopped eating and took a drink from a water pouch. But he then felt more sick. A wave of nausea hit and Lance threw up in a trashcan. 

Lance threw away the rest of his food and put the plate in the sink. He then went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Why can't I eat? Lance thought. He hasnt been able to eat a meal since he got here with out feeling nausious. 

Paladin, The Red Lion's voice rang in his head. Something's coming. 

What is coming? Lance was suprised that Red was reaching out to him. Blue usually did it. But red wasn't one to trust easyly. But Lance was greatful that Red accepted him. Their bond was so much stronger now that Lance was back.

Lance felt the lion mentally shake its head. It has arived.

Suddenly, a crash came from somewhere in the castle. It was very faint. Lance ran from the bathroom to where he heard the sound. Lance was about to turn a corner when he heard voices. 

"—No. You heard orders. We get the princess and leave. Don't mess this up." A man with a very low voice said.

"But—" A vaguely familiar voice said. Lance felt like he heard his voice before. But he couldnt figure it out.

"No buts. Now get to work. You know what to do."

The familiar voice sighed but started to walk down the hallway, closer to Lance.

Lance pressed himself to the wall. He needed to get the others. But if he moved he could be heard. Lance could fight. But he doesn't have his bayard. 

Two men wearing a black suit with purple markings came into view. Lance stayed still, barely breathing. He prayed that the two intruders wouldn't see him. But sure enough, the man in the front turned around and spotted Lance.

"We've been spotted!" The man yelled. Lance sprinted down the hall. The two men raced after him, shooting at him with their guns. Lance ran as fast as he could. Since becoming Altean, his senses had increased. Same with his agility, speed, and strength. 

Lance risked a glance behind him, he saw a man only a couple yards behind. His arm glowed purple. "Stop!" He yelled. 

Suddenly, everything clicked. Lance stopped and turned around. He ducked when the man swung his arm. Lance swept his leg and the man fell to the ground. Lance pinned him down. "Take off your helment." He ordered. 

The man struggled underneath Lance. Lance could tell that the man would not take of his helment. Suddenly, Lance was hit on his chest. He fell backwards.

The man with the gun stepped on Lance's throat. Lance grabbed onto his ancle, trying to pull it off. He couldn't breathe.

Lance tried yelling for help. But the man stepped harder.

"Go get the princess." The man told the other man.

"Sir, are you—" 

"I am the Leader! You take orders from me. Don't question me!" The man with the gun snapped.

"Yes sir." The man with the glowing arm took off down the hall way. 

Lance needed to tell the others. And to save the princess. He needed his bayard. Lance closed his eyes and focused on his connection with Red. Then he focused on his bayard. He imagined it forming in his hands. 

Red roared in his mind, his bayard formed in his hand. Lance opened his eyes and smiled. He activated his bayard into his sword and sliced the mans ancle. 

The intruder yelped in pain. He took his leg off of Lance. Lance coughed. He could breathe! Lance found the strength to get up. Then he sprinted away from the man. He needed to warn the others!

Lance sprinted to the princess's room. When he passed the other paladins rooms, he yelled for them to get up. When Lance reached the princess's room, he saw the man with the glowing arm dragging her. Lance ran towards the man.

The man turned and saw Lance. He dropped the princess just in time to block Lance's attack. They kept fighting. Lance attacked with his sword while the man attacked with his arm. Lance was running on adrenaline, that he didn't notice his chest burned.

A bullet was fired and missed Lance by a hair. Lance turned around and saw the other intruder with the gun fireing at him. 

Where are the others! Lance screamed in his head. 

Lance defended the attacks from the intruder he was fighting. Something from the attacks felt familiar. But Lance couldn't be sure. 

Suddenly, footsteps came running down the hall. Lance saw Keith, Pidge, and Hunk running, bayards ready. Lance relaxed a little. But he still kept fighting. 

Keith came up to the man with the gun and started attacking. Hunk was fireing at the man with the gun too. Pidge helped too. 

The man with the gun tried to deffend himself. But soon his gun was being pointed at him.

Without being shot at, Lance was able to pin the man with the arm against the wall. 

"What happened!" Pidge asked Lance, while tending to Allura.

"The intruders wanted the Princess."

"Why?" 

"She would have been vary valuble to the war." Everyone turned their head to the man with the gun. "She could help us win."

"How?" Keith asked.

"She is an Altean alchemest. She is very valuble."

"We would have succedded too if you weren't up." The man with the glowing hand spoke to Lance. "We just want to end the war. Can you please help us?"

"You broke into our castle, almost killed me, and tried to take the Princess. Why would we help you. If you needed help, you could have asked us." Venom hung onto each word as Lance spoke.

"We weren't sure how to approach you." 

"So you decided to attack?"

"I had a better alternative. But my friend here didn't listen." 

"Reveal yourself." Lance ordered.

The man with the gun took off his helment. He had light purple skin with yellow, gulra eyes. He had white marks on his head. "My name is Ulaz. I am a member of the Blade of Marmora."

The man with the glowing arm took off his helment. Everyone gasped. "Shiro!?"