"Katie's okay?' Matt's voice was filled with relief his eyes almost smiling at the red paladin who had slumped down against the cell wall too weak to carry his own weight.

"Yeah, she's a Paladin of Voltron now."

"No way." Matt finally let a genuine smile crack the depression that shadowed him for so long. "Oh Katie, dad would be so proud."

Keith didn't get to say another word when several Galra soldiers stopped by his cell, yanking the door open and eyeing the paladin in repulsion.

"You're up, Paladin." The nearest Galra grunted before letting his two companions lift Keith from the ground.

"Hey, where are you taking him?" Matt's question fell on deaf ears and watched helplessly as Keith was hauled from the room, grimacing in pain.

The Galra soldiers threw Keith to the floor demanding him to get up only to be ignorantly ignored by the paladin. Keith was kicked violently in the gut before he was forced onto his wobbly feet, the excited chatter from afar had red paladin gazing out the barred gate. Beyond the large gate was the arena Shiro had been forced to battle in, imagining the horrors his friend had to face caused Keith to clench his teeth. A booming voice echoed across the stadium causing the paladin to freeze as the voice announced to the crowd of tonight's entertainment.

"Ladies and gentlefolk do we have a show for you tonight!" The voice vibrated through the paladin's body and he grasped his arm to steady himself. "Facing not one, not two, but three opponents is none other than the Red Paladin of Voltron."

The gate rose and Keith refused to move only to be thrown forward as his capturers pushed him roughly. Glancing behind with venom to see the guards threatening him to move Keith reluctantly obliged, the thought of the boy back in the cell pushing him forward. He was going to get out of here and he was determined to unite Pidge with Matt. Standing tall Keith walked forward, hearing the jeers and taunts that followed the announcer's words had the paladin even more unwavered to fight. Keith had to shade his eyes from the sudden bright light as he emerged from the depths below and found himself in the middle of the arena surrounded by thousands of sneering Galra. The red Paladin glanced up to the left to see Zarkon sitting contentedly, smiling mercilessly at him. There was a Galra man beside him who was eyeing Keith with interest, his long white hair obstructed his facial features as the Galra leant over to speak with the Emperor. Not being about to decipher what was being discussed Keith focused his attention to his right and found a weapon rack. Lined with a variety of swords, daggers and a few axes Keith's eyes drew him to the familiar red handled bayard hanging conveniently in the middle. Keith's eyes widened in suspicion quickly taking a glance to the Emperor to see him watching intently. It was clear the Galra knew that a Bayard was an essential part of being a paladin and perhaps thought giving the red paladin his weapon back would provide some better entertainment.

Keith gripped his Bayard tightly sighing a little in comfort as his blade formed, taking reassurance in the familiarity it carried. The red paladin was given no warning and just barely managed to throw himself to side as a large bull-like figure barrelled into him. Keith groaned as he hit the floor, the wounds from his interrogation flaring up. He didn't have much time to even consider the pain as a slick dagger flew towards him, flashing his arm up his shield materialised and the knife bounced off the shield clattering to the floor. Keith quickly stumbled to his feet dodging yet another barrel from the huge figure before finding himself pinned down by a vicious snarling woman, daggers in hand. Keith quickly slammed his shield into her side causing her to fly off him skidding a few feet away. His muscles were screaming with pain as the paladin picked himself up wobbling on his feet, his body begging for him to stop. The warning was disregarded immediately as Keith was forced to leap back, eyes widening in horror at the scorch mark sizzling in the spot he had been moments ago. The caster had fear rush through Keith, a druid, standing hunched upon a large pillar already in the progress of another bolt. The cheers that rang through the arena was background noise as Keith continued to dodge the purple lightning shot his way, avoiding the sharp horns of the bull man and the poisoned daggers of the swift assassin. That was until his body suddenly seized, trapped in what felt like quicksand crying out as the bull-like man clipped his side throwing the paladin aside like a rag doll. Keith grunted as he hit a pillar, screaming out in agony as purple lightning hit him. He was shaking heavily, feeling the energy from the bolt coursing through his veins and screamed in horror at the burning sensation it spread through him.

"That's enough!"

Keith didn't know when shielding figure got there but was forever in the man's debt, standing in front of the paladin, arms out in defiance, a powerful aura surrounded Keith's saviour. The red paladin watched as the three warriors knelt before the man and the paladin rose a brow in confusion at the sudden halt of his death. When the man glanced behind at the heaving paladin Keith recognised him as the man who was sitting beside Zarkon himself.

"Who are you?" Keith wheezed out clutching at his side in distress.

"Oh, please, let me introduce myself." TheGalra turned mockingly bowing to the downed human. "I am Prince Lotor, Son of Emperor Zarkon and the Galra Empire."

  ***  

"What kind of stunt are you pulling?" Zarkon growled low at his son as they stood once again in the throne room this time with the red paladin present in and out of consciousness. "How do you think it portrays seeing the Prince of the Empire defending the enemy?"

"Father if you just let me explain." Lotor stood his ground motioning to the blood stained clothes Keith was bleeding through. "And get the boy a healer."

"Haggar!" Zarkon snapped, turning to the woman as she entered the room. "Make sure he gets medical attention."

Haggar began to move stopping as Zarkon put a hand out to stop her advance. The druid clasped her hands together and waited patiently for the order.

"Now Lotor, would you explain why you have caused such a stir?"

"The paladin is the one who saved my life. If he had not come to my aid I would still be inside that Weblum."

Zarkon growled low glancing to the paladin on the floor who was breathing heavily, his face betraying nothing but the obvious suffering evident in his glassy eyes.

"Very well Lotor." Zarkon turned his back to them waving a hand motioning for Haggar to proceed. "If you wish for me to express my gratitude towards him then I shall let him live."

Keith snorted in derision at the Galra's words and gave Zarkon a feral glare at the king's ferocious scowl. Within seconds Keith was writhing on the floor howling out in pain as the burning sensation returned. Lotor was at the boy's side and the three watched as the purple pigment of Keith's Galra DNA spread from under the paladin's shirt, crawling up his neck halting by the paladin's jaw line. Keith thrashed his head to the side and Lotor had to bite back a gasp as the boy's eyes widened in alarm and the blue grey colour of Keith's irises were slowly enveloped with piercing yellow.

"Paladin?" Lotor shook the teen gently before increasing in strength as Keith continued to lash out. "Paladin?!"

"Haggar, remove the interface, the screaming is giving me a headache."

"Father," Lotor spoke harshly watching the druid with her magic, float the howling paladin out the room. "Is the boy Galra?"

"It seems so."

"But how?"

"I do not know." Zarkon furrowed his brow eyeing the small blood pool that stained his floor. "But I intend to find out."

  ***  

When Keith woke he felt different, the world around him seemed different. His eyes seemed more in focus of his surroundings and his body felt more insulated. It wasn't long before he woke did he have a visitor. Prince Lotor was at the door with his arms folded with the look of captivation present of his features.

"Why did you save me?" Keith asked warily unsure whether to even consider trusting the Galra.

"You saved my life, only fair to return the favour, no?" Lotor smiled handsomely.

Keith snorted a little shaking his head remembering Zarkon's utter detestation to Lotor's confession. "Seemed a little more complicated than that."

"Ah well. Now that you mention it." Lotor approached settling down beside the healing paladin, no sign of caution in the face of his enemy. "Galra had a set of laws so to speak, a particularly ancient one that is rarely practised anymore. 'If one saves your life you are to save theirs in return.' A strained event in our history had us dismissing such a law and it seems I am the only one who still follows it."

"So, why did Zarkon agree?"

"Other than the fact that you saved his heir's life, I believe he still follows the law. Not that he would ever admit it." Lotor poked at his nose, gesturing it as a secret. "My father is strong willed and stubborn but he is disciplined and respectful. He may seem one minded and cruel but in some essence, my father knows what's right and though you may not see it Zarkon is just."

Keith rose a brow noting the words the son of the Emperor spoke, seeming a little too well practised in Keith's opinion and his thoughts were confirmed as the prince turned and bowed his head.

"You're Zarkon's son?" Keith asked who received a nod in return. "So where is his daughter? Nara?"

Keith didn't know how he ended up on his back with Lotor's hand around his neck with the Galra's claws threatening to pierce his skin, but the vicious look on the prince's face had Keith regretting his words.

"How do you know that name?!" Lotor all but hissed out tightening his hold slowly obstructing Keith's airway causing the paladin to claw helplessly at the man's iron grasp. "How do you know that name?!"