Voltron's Executioner

Lance spent his time being interrogated by Haggard, Lotor or the Executioner. She really was a bitch when she felt like it. Other then that, he talked to Pidge, often even training with her for his debut in the arena. Something he learned, Pidge now loved. She loved the adrenaline. She loved the idea of hurting those who abandoned her.

That scared the paladin. But then again, he knew she wouldn't hurt him. At least not yet. It was still nice to get tips from someone who survived it for countless years however. More often than not Lotor would ask her to accompany him for something and hours later she'd return. Never would she discuss what happened. "We've missed you."

"And I've been leaving clues Lance. I'm not talking about this right now." Pidge muttered fidgeting with several wires. "We both know that if you piss me off I could kill you and be rewarded."

"You wouldn't."

"Then send pictures of your corpse to the Atlas."

"Pidge!" Lance whined "That's mean. Besides, how would you get them to the Atlas? You're bluffing! I called it!"

"Same way I hack into the Atlas."

"What?"

"There's not one thing that goes on in that ship I don't know about. Like you and Allura for example. Lotor wasn't to happy about that. But he knew you were a rebound, so that helped."

"I never once signed up for this!"

"You snuck aboard, awfully. I never signed up to babysit you and look where we're at."

"Mean."

"Salty. You and Lotor are a lot alike. Never getting it right."

"We are nothing alike! How dare you!"

Katie shook her head taking off the glasses and turning away from the next rover. "Doesn't really matter what you think. I have somewheres to be. You touch my shit and I'll make sure you're up against someone who can snap your neck like a twig. Understood?"

Lance quickly nodded and watched her leave. Thankfully, she never noticed but he was smiling. Here he was talking, joking around with Katie just like the good old days. Sure she was maybe an inch taller, and her hair was slightly longer but overall it was all the same.

He remembered the night when they found Shiro. Caught her sneaking out and went on about this thing called Voltron. It was so long ago. Although he loved his experiences in space, he almost wondered if they'd all have a better life if that night they stopped her and all hung out in her room.

Most likely, the Garrison would have realized there was no Pidge Gunderson and kick her out of the Garrison but Lance prefer to think that they would've kept in touch. Maybe even tried a date. But he knew that if it didn't happen how it did, Voltron would've only had Shiro and Keith to start with. Sam and Matt would've been lost in space. Hunk and Shay would've never been together.

Earth would've been like all those other planets.

All Lance could now hope for, was to be able to bring Pidge home. Vouch for her. Then maybe, they could go on a date.

He stopped himself. Why was he thinking about dating? He moved on from the stupid crush years ago It was probably just because he, like everyone else, believed she died and now she was back.

It had been two days since the Atlas had received the message and picture. Two days, and they should be arriving in hours. Hopefully it would go down smoothly. Everyone was preparing.

Lance woke up to Katie returning, curses flying from her lips. Some he recognized, others he assumed she learned from the Galra. Looking over he noticed it was well past the start of the day light cycle. "Where you out the whole night cycle?"

"Not now. I had meetings with Lotor and the witch."

"You know, with how close you are to the Galras, it's a shock you don't adore her."

"Thin ice Lance. And it's not as if I worship them just because I like talking to Lotor."

"You realize he's the bad guy. That he manipulated Allura to get closer to exterminating Alteans still, right?"

"Lance, you don't get it. Now can I please go to sleep? I'm tired of watching footage of the Atlas going crazy because someone abandoned ship."

He watched as she climbed into the bed and relaxed. At least until she propped herself up to look at him. "What is it now?"

"They're coming?"

"Obviously. But, Lotor's prepared. He has a plan, whatever it is."

"You don't know?"

"Let me sleep will you. I'm tired and my next month is book solid."

This time, he stayed quiet and grabbed a book. One which didn't interest him in the slightest. As soon as he knew the overworked girl was asleep, he slipped out to find the emperor himself. If he got caught though, execution by Executor was almost guaranteed if he didn't die on the spot by guards. Even if he found Lotor, just because he was good with Katie and they seemed to be friends didn't mean he was safe.

Luckily Lance was able to easily find the enemy and knocked. If he was going to die at least he was trying to help those he cared about. "Paladin? I thought my Executioner made it clear not to snoop around."

"I wasn't. I wanted to speak with you." Lance answered pretending not to be uncomfortable with the stare down he was receiving. "Me? And why would that be? Your only alive for another motivation."

"I'm aware, but I was thinking, what if I helped and took some work from Pidge."

The half Galran had stared at Lance with narrowed eyes and an amused smirk. In truth, it took months after his mother even broke the young girl's mind that he even began talking to her without threatening Earth. He wasn't so stupid as to accept Lance's help. Even then, it didn't seem as if him and the red paladin would get along. They didn't before. However, it was something he did already talk about to Katie. She did say that if he proved himself to Lotor she'd be responsible if he betrayed them and he could always use a soldier that worked for easy reasons. In truth, Lotor really was just waiting to see him live in the arena before he announced that Lance would be working or him.

"And why would you do that?"

"There must be something I could do that Pige can't."

Lotor rolled his eyes. "I fully believe in Katie's abilities with everything that could possibly happen. I made sure of it. Tell me what she can't do but you can."

"Reach the top shelf." Lance stated then paled. He really just said that, what if Lotor decided to kill him due to their weird hanging out. She would kill him for even saying something as stupid as that. Lance realized he got way too comfortable with Pidge and should've thought before saying a word to Lotor.

There was a knock. Loud and froze the air all around. Lance turned to see the armour of the Executioner. He really was screwed. "I see the king found a pest. Here I was ready to set the mouse traps."

"Close call, paladin. I leave you to deal with him."

"Yes sir. Vrepit sa!" Her voice was changed, different as it always was with the helmet.

Both stayed still as the Emperor left the room. As soon as Lotor was gone, Lance was nearly face to face with the blacked out mask. "I hope you like going into the Arena Lance."

"What!"

"You had orders not to leave the room and you did. Punishment, arena. Maybe you'll be lucky and won't die a slow death."