Survival of the Innocent (A Voltron fanfic) (Book 1 of Fates Entwined)

Extreme Excavation Part 3

"I'm impressed that you managed to escape. Perhaps it would be worth the trip to your planet to see if the rest of your kind have your spirit. Of course, they will all end up broken, just like you. Now that we have Voltron, every planet, every race, all share the same fate," Sendak says.

"Quiznak! I can't believe they saw through our disguise," Coran curses, before listening to the sound of footsteps approaching, "Someone's coming."

"Shay?" Hunk acknowledges his friend, who turns the forcefield off.

"Make haste to your pod. The crystal is prepared for departure," Shay tells them.

"How did you get the crystal?" Coran asks.

"I was assigned to take it to the upper levels, but instead I took it down. Soon, they will discover my ruse. Time is short," Shay hurries them.

"Why are you helping us? You'll get in trouble," Hunk worries.

"Because your words touched my heart. I wish for freedom for all Balmera. Perhaps your Voltron can make it so," Shay admits as they all reach the ship, where Rax is waiting with drones, "No. Rax, why?"

"These two bring only trouble to our family. It was the only way to protect you," Rax replies easily.

Hunk growls and goes to shoot but Shay stops him, "No! The Balmera will save us."

"Shay, no!" Rax cries as the Balmera groans and the drones and Hunk exchange fire.

Shay yells and groans when a rope from the drones grab her and pull her back.

"Shay!" Hunk yells.

"Go! Make haste!" Shay tries to stop him.

"Let her go!" Hunk tries to save her.

"No, Hunk! We have to go!" Coran pulls him away desperately, "For Keith."

Hunk hesitates and heads to the pod, yelling, "I'll come back for you, Shay! I promise!"

"If we can't shake these patrols, we might be back here sooner than we want!" Coran replies as they try to escape the Galra.

Meanwhile, the mice squeak, working on the computer to bring the forcefield down.

"It worked!" Lance cries, impressed.

"They did it!" Allura celebrates.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, Sendak growls at Pidge's hologram.

Pidge pants, trying to wake Shiro, "Shiro, wake up. It's me, Pid-" she yells as she is grabbed from behind.

"You really thought your little hologram trick would work with me?" Sendak growls.

Pidge groans as Sendak holds her in an attempt to keep Lance and Allura away, "Stand back!" he threatens.

Lance fires his gun, causing Sendak to drop Pidge.

"No!" Sendak yells

The computer beeps and Shiro charges. Keith gets up and attacks Sendak with him, straining his injuries, Lance assisting him. Sendak grunts repeatedly before retreating. Keith collapses and Shiro catches him, lowering him down to the ground, whilst sitting down, causing Keith to rest his head on his lap. He strokes a few strands of hair form Keith's face. Lance immediately runs over whilst Allura checks on Pidge.

"Keith, are you okay?" Lance worries.

"We did it. We are a good team," Keith groans, before falling back unconscious.

Lance raises the hand Keith clutched to his forehead, holding it tight, "We really do."

Shiro smiles at his kids and whispers in Keith's ear so that Lance can't hear, a tear escaping his eye, "Wake up Yurak. Please don't leave us. Don't leave me."

Meanwhile, "We can't shake them! We're not going to make it!" Coran yells, but Hunk suggests the button, "Uh, it may turn us into a giant fireball."

"Maybe, but it's our only chance."

"Fine. Fire in the hole!"

Both start screaming and then there are a few explosions and they escape from the Galra and back to the Castle.

"We did it!" Hunk cheers as they rush the crystal into the Castle.

"After a day in here, he should be fully healed," Allura tells the team.

"Pidge, we can't thank you enough for all you did. I can't help but feel that you were meant to be a part of our team... but I understand if you want to leave," Shiro turns to Pidge, able to focus on something besides Keith.

"Dad used to tell me how close he was with his crew members. They were like family. Now I understand what he was talking about. I'm staying with you guys. Let's stop Zarkon for all of our families. For those like Keith ," Pidge replies.

"Good to have you back on the team," Lance grins, slapping Pidge's shoulder, bringing her into a hug that soon becomes a group hug; all of their eyes remaining on their ill teammate.