ｔｅｍｐｏｒａｒｙ ⇒ 𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥

Sunken

By ElectricBlueMadness
When Lance was little, his family would always take him to the beach. Lance would stand as salty ocean waves lapped over his feet. He would stand, mesmerized at the view in front of him.
There were huge waves, clashing like gladiators in the Coliseum. Fighting for dominance over the ocean, just to climb up the sand and return to the ocean.
Lance loved how the waves were reckless and free, but always returned back to their home, the ocean. He loved the special salty smell unique to the ocean. He loved every creature in the ocean, and every coral reef they called home.

However, in space, there was no ocean.
There was an ocean of stars, an infinite pool of planets and nebulas. Lance looked at it every night, but the feeling wasn't the same. This sky ocean didn't move like the real ocean, didn't frolic around and sing.

One day, Coran told everyone excitedly, " Paladins, we are now approaching planet Waziviscia. This planet has a thing you humans call an Oce Ean. Princess Allura and I have agreed that we all can stop there for a few quintants. Everyone head to their lions and go to this planet. The princess and I will land the castle."
Everyone cheered, as they were excited to see something similar to Earth. They also wanted a break from training. All the paladins sprinted to their lions and took off for the planet.

When they arrived, they were overjoyed! It looked just like the beaches on Earth. The salty smell filled their lungs as they ran in excitement towards the ocean.

Lance had a feeling. Not like a premonition, but like a gut feeling that something was terribly wrong. He knew better than to voice his concerns, because everyone would call him crazy.
So, he walked in. Farther. And farther. Until the water was up to his neck. He looked around for the rest of the paladins, but he couldn't find them. Naturally, he started panicking.

Pidge and the others had decided now would be a good time to play a prank on the unsuspecting Cuban. They all left the ocean, sat on the sand, and watched Lance panic through binoculars.

Lance saw a blue fin emerge from the water. "I'm going insane," he thought. He flailed his arms around, screaming for the paladins.

They all thought he was being overdramatic.

Oh how they would regret that...

Lance felt an arm on his leg, dragging him down. He struggled and shouted for his life.
Then...

All was silent.

The paladins saw blood flow in the water, tainting it. They called for Lance, but he never came up.

They left, crying, not noticing the flick of a blue tail, and a dangerous blue glint in the water.

To this day, they still say Lance was sunken...