Intruder Alert

Chapter 23

After making their way out of the tunnels Coran and Lance heard several different sounds coming from the lounge. Upon entering Lance was immediately questioned as to why he was there.

"Lance, what are you doing here?" Keith asked, standing up from his place next to Shiro. None of them had noticed Coran standing next to him yet. This was perfect as Cana's back was to him.

"I'm here to show you guys that you've all been tricked." He replied gesturing towards Coran.

This spiked everyone's attention and they all looked stunned. Cana on the other hand looked beyond pissed. "Now Lance," he said with a smile, "I told you not to mess with the holographic gadget."

"Don't even try!" Lance snapped, "I know that you're the intruder and now they need to know too!" He pushed Coran forward, "This is the real Coran. You broke his legs in the bunker so you could assume his identity."

"That's quite a hefty accusation, especially since his legs are clearly not broken," Cana smiled thinking he had Lance trapped in a corner.

"Allura." Lance said, not looking at her. "Ask him anything you want about your childhood." he said, gesturing to Cana.

"Umm okay," Allura stepped forward, "What did I like to do as a child?"

It was a simple question, but the answer would determine everything. Not even a verbal response was necessary.

Everyone in the room could see the uncertainty flash across Cana's face. "It's quite obvious isn't it. You played in your room with toys."

Allura frowned, turning to Coran.

Coran gave her a smile, "Your walks with your father to the Purple Juniberry Flower field."

Tears flooded Allura's eyes as she went for Coran arms wide. She was stopped when Cana grabbed her, gripping her head and upper arm. He pulled in opposite directions snapping her neck in one smooth motion. Allura crumpled to the floor, eyes open in shock.

No one moved, they couldn't.

"I warned you Lance that this would happen. Did you listen? No." His eyes flashed a deep golden as he revealed his true form. The familiar caked mud skin filled Pidge's vision and she was lunging for him.

Cana grabbed hold of her. Lifting her up he came back down against his knee breaking her back. He then dropped her on the ground as if she was a rag doll.

"Who's next?" Cana asked, smirking.

Keith and Shiro came from behind and Lance from the front. Cana easily evaded lunging towards Coran. By the time all three got to their feet Coran's throat had been slit. He was gone before Cana turned around.

"Feeling bad about exposing me yet?" Cana asked.

"Not in the slightest," Lance replied, activating his bayard. Shiro and Keith followed suit, spreading out in order to corner Cana against the wall.

"Big mistake," Cana mumbled, extending both arms towards Shiro and Keith. Lance had no time to react before they both dropped to the floor daggers formed with caked mud protruding from their skulls.

Lance stumbled back when Cana stepped forward. He tripped over Allura and Pidge's bodies, causing him to slide the rest of the way on his hands.

Something stopped him and he fell onto his back hitting his head on the hard metal. Cana wasted no time to crouch over him. His smile widened as he came closer.

"The blood is on your hands," was the last thing Cana said as he plunged his arm into Lance's chest piercing his heart.

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Lance jerked awake into a sitting position. His labored breathing and heart pounding were the only things he could hear as he looked around. He found himself on the floor of the training room wires leading up under his shirt connected to patches. An IV was in his arm delivering him fluids. On his temples were patches monitoring his brainwaves.

Movement to his left and right drawing his attention. He wasn't alone. In fact, all the Paladins were in the training deck the same wires attached. Allura and Coran were the only ones who had nothing attached to them.

"What happened?" He asked aloud.

"You were in a simulation," Coran replied, "It broke halfway through and we weren't able to pull you out."

"It felt so real," He mumbled, glancing over at the others and seeing them move. They were alive and not lifeless bodies crumpled over one another.

"That was the idea," Coran said, removing his IV and taking off the patches.

Once he was free of the wires he made his way over to the others. As soon as he was close enough, the other paladins held him close wrapping each other in a hug.

"I'm so happy that wasn't real," Keith whimpered, holding onto everyone tighter.

"Same here," Hunk echoed, his voice was dimmed. Not the usually upbeat tone that it normally was.

They stayed like that for a few more minutes before pulling apart. All five made their way to the lounge sitting somewhat close together. Allura and Coran sat across from them their faces filled with concern.

"The simulation was a lot more intense then what we were planning for. We lost control of the machine and were unable to pull you guys out for the longest time." Allura said softly," But we want you guys to know that we're not going to plan another training session like that again."

Pidge, Shiro, Hunk, Keith, and Lance all nodded. They were all still processing what they had experienced. If anything it was going to take them longer to feel more like themselves.

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AN: So this is the last chapter for this fanfic! Thank you so much to all that have read! And a special thanks to all that have commented and voted!! Really appreciate you all!! :)