Nyle POV 

We were all at our stations in the bridge when a bunch of strange alarms sounded. 

"What's going on?" Keith asked. 

"Yeah," Pidge says. "These have never gone off before."

"Allura? Is something wrong? Is everything alright?" I asked. 

"Looks like you guys just saw a ghost," Hunk adds. 

"That's just the thing," Coran starts. "It's an old Altean distress code. Once used by King Alfor's ships." 

"Could it be?" Allura asked. "Are we not the last Alteans alive?"

"Wait," Keith starts. "What if someone's cloning the signal to try and lure us in?" 

"The signal is from an Altean ship, and we're going to find it," Allura says as she pulls up a wormhole, sending us to where the signal was coming from. 

When we got there, we saw what looked like a big yellow vortex with half the ship in it.

"That looks like a Tel-Galax exploration shuttle," Allura mentions. "One of my father's deep-space vessels." 

"According to the ship's identification code, it's Commodore Trayling's ship. But I don't see any records of its destination or mission," Coran says. 

"What happened to it?" Lance asked. 

"Is it stuck in a wormhole?" Hunk asked. 

"That's unlike any other wormhole I've ever seen," Coran says. 

I pulled up a few screens and looked at the information. "There's a massive amount of energy emanating from it," I said. 

"Centered right where the ship is stuck," Pidge finished. 

"We have to see if anyone is aboard. They may need our help," Allura says. 

"We could send a probe over to it, see if we can get some kind of idea what this thing is?" Pidge questioned. 

"Do it," Keith urges. 

Pidge sent the probe over as I kept an eye on the energy signatures. 

"The energy shows no signs of radioactive decay and it's not thermal," Pidge says. 

"Well, it's nothing gravitational either. Our probe is perfectly on course," I added. 

"And the light is radiating out, not in, like it would in a black hole," Hunk mentions. 

"But out from where?" Pidge questioned. 

"That energy signature," Coran starts. "I know it. It's radiating quintessence!" 

Then as the probe entered the rift-like thing, it destroyed itself. "Ooh! That's weird," Hunk says. 

"Okay, well, let's not go anywhere near there," Lance says. 

"We must," Allura says.

"Allura, did you not see what just happened to that probe? Imagine what could happen if we went in there," I warned. 

"Voltron's compositional strength far exceeds anything else in this universe," Allura starts. "We received an Altean distress call, which must mean that someone is alive on the ship. As Paladins of Voltron, it is our duty to help."

"Princess, I still think there's a chance that this whole thing is a trap," Keith says.

"Even if it is a trap, it's far too dangerous to go in there," Coran says.

"I'll do it myself if I have to," Allura says. 

We all watched Allura walk off before Keith got up. "Alright, everyone suit up. I guess we're going in." 

We all shared uneasy looks but did as we were told to do but before I could barely take a step, Keith stopped me from leaving the bridge. "You stay here. We don't know how much Voltron's power compares to the Purple Lion. We shouldn't risk it with this. Stay here and help Coran with whatever you can." 

I frowned and narrowed my gaze. "Excuse me? I can't stay here while you guys could die."

He sighed before crossing his arms. "I'm not asking you to, I'm telling you to. It wasn't a request Nyle." 

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "I'm going, Keith." 

"No. You're not," He replied, standing in my way. "I told you to stay and you will." 

I glared at him and shook my head before heading to the control panel, standing next to Coran. I heard Keith sigh and then heard him leave. 

"You know, he's right Nyle. Voltron is the lion's powers combined, and the Purple Lion is the protector of Voltron. So we don't know what could happen if it was only you that went in. I've seen Voltron do this before in the old days. But, due to your lion only being one, it was never attempted in fear the lion and the pilot would perish." 

I scoffed before shaking my head. "Great. Glad I could do everything to help." 

"He's trying to keep you safe as well. This is already putting them all in danger. Better it is not everyone that is in danger." 

I sighed and just watched as Voltron started heading to the yellow rift, Coran putting a small screen up of Voltron's integrity. 

"All right, let's take it slow," Keith says. "Pidge, any chance you can explain what I'm seeing right now?"

"The Euclidian space around the ship is obviously some kind of anomaly," Pidge starts. "But the energy source doesn't originate from anything that registers with my understanding of how reality works."

"I'll take that as a 'no'," Keith responded.

"I'll scan the ship for biorhythms," Hunk says. "That's strange. I'm not showing any signs of life on the ship." 

"Maybe not on this half," Allura points out. "But there is more to this ship than we're seeing. We need to go through there." 

"The glowy, explode-y area?" Lance asked.

"Pidge, keep an eye on Voltron's vitals," Keith says. "Everyone, be prepared to abort if things get hairy." 

"Roger that," Hunk replies. "Ready to abort immediately."

Coran and I watched as Voltron got closer to the rift. I held onto myself, getting antsy as they got closer.

"Guys, my sensors are going crazy," Pidge says. "Technically, we should be torn apart the same way the probe was. But somehow Voltron is completely unaffected by the stress of the spatial distortion." 

The screen and comms line was becoming fuzzy and distorted, causing Coran and I to get more worried. 

"Hello? What are you seeing? We're losing visual. Hello?" Coran asked. 

"Guys?? Guys answer us! What's going on??" I yelled. 

Voltron went completely into the rift, causing all communication to be cut off. 

"No!" Coran yelled. 

I teared up and covered my mouth, staring straight in front of me with wide eyes. "Oh my god. W-what happened?" 

Third Person POV

Voltron came out of the other side of the rift, completely unharmed. 

"We must have crossed through because there's the front of the ship," Pidge says. 

"Wait," Allura says. "The back half of the ship, it's gone!" 

Voltron flew to look at the back of the rift, not seeing the ship or the castle. "Coran! Nyle!" Allura shouted. "We've lost sight of the castle. Coran, Nyle, are you there?" 

"Where did they go?" Keith said. 

"And where did that planet come from?" Lance adds.

Pidge did a quick scan of the area. "According to my sensors, we're still in exactly the same place we were before."

"Guys, this is gonna sound strange," Hunk started. "But now I'm detecting multiple biorhythms aboard the ship." 

"Alteans," Allura whispered under her breath.

"It seems like we've only got one clue to help us figure out what's going on," Lance started. "And it's floating right over there."

The paladins separated into lions and landed on the ship before heading inside of it. Allura put on some kind of flashlight and looked around. 

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

They started looking around before a door opened to a dark corridor. "Oh, man," Hunk started. "This place is totally freaking me out. Does it feel like a haunted ghost ship to anybody else? Is it just me?" 

They found themselves in the control room as Allura put her hand on a screen, turning the ship's power and gravity back on.

"So, did the crew abandon ship?" Keith asked.

"I don't know, but they couldn't have gotten far without their spacesu-" Lance screamed as he took a helmet off a body to reveal a decomposed skull. "Those aren't empty!" 

Allura stepped forward to the controls and pulled up a video to show an Altean. "We located the second comet based on King Alfor's information. We managed to get it aboard, but it seems to be causing massive disturbances. We're heading back to Altea, but I don't know if we'll be able to make it that far. At this rate-" 

The video was cut off by a blinding light and the Altean screaming. 

"What happened here?" Hunk asked. 

"Something deadly," Lance replied. 

"This still doesn't explain the biorhythms I picked up in this area," Hunk says, looking at a screen coming from his armor.

A vent above them was busted open, two individuals coming out of it.

"Look out!" Lance yelled as he formed his gun, shooting at the people as Hunk tackled one of them.

The other person was about to shoot at Lance when Keith cut his gun and managed to get his helmet. 

The person threw his gun at Lance, hitting him before pulling a sword out, going to swing at him before Pidge hit him in the head as a part of his helmet broke off, the rest following after.

The person's face was revealed to look like Shiro's, except there were a few differences. The other person managed to get away from Hunk, going next to his buddy. 

"No way!" Hunk started. "Shiro?"

"How?" Keith questioned. 

"Stay back!" The man shouted, he had an accent, very different sounding than Shiro. 

"If you've come for the comet, you'll never get it," The other person says. "I'll die before I let it fall into Altean hands." 

"Shiro, please," Keith says as he puts his sword away.

"My name is not Shiro," The man replied. 

"What the heck is happening right now?" Hunk asked. "Did everyone get amnesia and then wake up with weird accents?" 

"You know us?" The many-armed alien asked. 

"Of course we do!" Lance shouted. "You're Shiro, our leader. Paladin of the Black Lion? And you're Slav. I rescued you from space prison. You're also slightly crazy."

"I may be crazy, but you've never rescued me from anything before. Unless," Slav started. "You're from an alternate reality."

"This is an alternate reality," Pidge said at the same time.

"Uh, what's that now?" Hunk asked. 

"I think when we passed through that glowy, explode-y area," Pidge started. "We entered an alternate reality." 

"You mean, like, what Slav is always talking about?" Lance says. "Well, not you. Well, you, yeah, but a different you. One that talks about alternate realities a lot." 

"Oh, that's him," The man says. 

"Why did you attack the captain and his crew?" Allura asked. 

"Stay back, Altean," The man exclaimed. 

"We found the ship this way," Slav started. "But I can't say I'm sorry they're gone." 

Then a rapid beeping came from Slav's armband. "Oh, no! More Alteans!"

"Wait! More Alteans?" Allura questioned. 

"Their scanners must have picked up your arrival," Slav started. "Sven, let's go! If I were you, I'd run," 

The two went back into the vent and ran away. "What the heck just happened?" Lance questioned.

"Did he say we're being boarded by Alteans?" Allura asked. 

There was a bunch of noise as the doors opened to reveal a bunch of robots similar to the robot in the training deck as an Altean approached them.

"Put down your weapons!" The Altean commanded.

Allura gasped and stared at them. "Alteans,"

"It can't be," The same Altean said as she bowed down. "Empress!" 

The rest of the entourage bowed down as well. "Uh, I'm confused," Hunk says. "What is going on?"

"Are you Empress Allura?" The Altean asked. 

"I am Princess Allura," She replied. "Please, stand." 

They stand as the Altean speaks. "I am Commander Hira, Empress. How can you be here? You put down the Galra Uprising and established the Altean Empire 10,000 years ago." 

"Where we're from, all the Alteans we're wiped out by Zarkon when he destroyed your planet," Keith spoke.

"Where did you come from?" The Altean in the back asked.

After some explaining from both sides, they went to where the comet was being held. "This is the comet that Commodore Trayling must've been talking about in his transmission," Pidge said, flying around it in her lion. "It seems to be caught between two realities, just like the ship."

"Could you obtain a sample for us with your lion?" The Altean in the glasses asked. 

"I can try," Pidge says as she landed her lion on the comet before gathering a sample for them, bringing it back. 

"Amazing," Pidge says as she scanned the comet. "It's Voltron."

"What?" Lance asked, dumbfounded.

"I mean, it's not Voltron, obviously," Pidge states. "But the reading from the comet are the same ones Zarkon was searching for. The same ones that led us to the Blue Lion." 

"That's how you were able to pass through to this reality," The Altean says. "Your vehicle was made from the same trans-reality material."

"So, that's why Voltron's so powerful," Hunk adds. 

"With this material, Altea can create their own trans-reality traveling ships," The Altean says. "We can spread our peace and stability to all realities."

The Altean pulls up a screen with the other Altean. "General Hira, I have just stumbled across something in this ship's hold that will ensure Altea's rule for millennia to come."

While with Hira, Allura, and Keith, they were walking towards where the bridge was. "So, the Alteans of this reality defeated the Galra?" Allura asked.

"Led by you, my Empress," Hira responded. "Without your will to fight and avenge the loss of your father, Altea would not have been able to spread peace and stability throughout the universe. Defeating Zarkon was the first step, but we refuse to give up until all words know the true peace Altea has achieved."

"That is so wonderful!" Allura exclaimed.

While back in the storage dock, the paladins were starting to question this reality's Alteans.

"No struggle, no wars," Hunk starts. "That doesn't even sound possible."

"Is it not?" The scientist asked. "Look at Moxilous. For generations, his people have been in constant battle with the other planets in their system. It was a barbaric, futile existence. But look at him now." 

The paladins looked at him and stared. 

"So, what changed?" Lanced asked. 

"The hoktril," The scientist said as the alien turned around, showing a device in his head. "our civilization's most advanced technological achievement." 

"What does that do?" Lance questioned.

"It saps the fighting force from our enemies," The scientist answers. "Their will, you might say."

The three stare in horror, almost not believing the man. 

As in the bridge, Hira continued to boast to Allura and Keith. 

"Advancements have been made," Hira started. "Citizens that might have been casualties of war in Empress Allura's day can now be rehabilitated. Entire races who warred for millennia can now know peace and help us to further our new world." 

"So, they become a part of the Altean peace movement?" Allura asked. 

"You mean, slave labor?" Hunk asked as he stared at the scientist.

'"Oh, no, no. They're not slaves because they don't have will," The scientist answered. "Slaves are always trying to escape or revolt. The non-cogs are content doing what they're told. Preservation of life is the Altean Empire's highest priority. And with this material, we can do even more than we thought possible."

"But you're taking away their free will," Keith mentions to Hira.

"The same will that would end your life with no remorse," Hira responded. "Thanks to us, no innocent will lose its life to the free will of an evil being. Empress Allura, let me show you something." 

Hira then pulls up a hologram of a planet. "This is our Altea. Come with me. Allow me to show you the magnificence it has achieved." 

"Is anyone else getting a strange vibe from these guys?" Lance asked after the three left to the hallway to talk.

"Yeah, there's definitely something off about these Alteans," Hunk says. "I mean, is it me or did they pretty much scramble the big dude's brain?"

A vent cover fell from above them and they backed away. "Yoo-hoo! Up here!" 

They looked up to see the same two from before.

"Whoa! How'd you find us?" Lance questioned.

"I figured there was a high probability that-" Slav started before Lance interrupted him.

"Wait, stop. Nope. Never mind."

"We gotta get to Keith and Allura and figure out a way to stop the Alteans from getting that comet," Pidge says.

"Already on it," Slav started. "We just need to do one more thing and you guys can help." 

Before they could say anything more, the scientist and a few robots had pointed their weapons at them. 

"Perfect! I had a feeling the Guns of Gamara were on this ship," He started. "But I didn't know Empress Allura's friends would be working with them."

"Returning to Altea," Allura starts. "It seemed like such an impossible dream, I could never allow the thought."

"Allura, this might not be the Altea you remember," Keith says.

"You're right," Hira says. "This Altea is home to a people who made sure that the Galra scourge was unable to spread across the universe, as it did in your reality. Empress, I assure you, we will do everything in our power to help. The comet in this ship's hold possesses the ability to travel through realities. If you activate this ancient ship's power, we can fly forward and remove the comet from the tear. We can use it to travel to your universe and bring peace there, even to the Galra."

Allura then started to walk towards the controls, Keith trying to warn her. "Maybe you should think about this, Allura. It wasn't that long ago that we thought all Galra were bad. Maybe things aren't as black and white as she's making them out to be."

"Keith, these are my people," Allura starts. "And they may be the strongest allies we have in this war."

Allura continued to walk towards the controls, activating the ship as she started moving it forward. 

Coran POV

"I've tried every scan and test I can think of. There's no sign of Voltron anywhere," I spoke, typing on the panel.

"Then what do we do Coran? This doesn't seem right! T-they couldn't have just disappeared!" Nyle shouted, trying to find a solution at her chair. 

"I don't know!" I shouted back.

The mice squeaked at me and I narrowed my gaze. "How could I have stopped her? You know how she is."

The mice squeaked again before I raised an eyebrow. "I can't understand anything you're saying, but I'll assume by your tone that, that was an insult."

"Coran! Look!" Nyle yelled. 

I had looked forward to witness the ship going into the rift, a blinding light following as the rift closed. 

"Not good," I said under my breath. 

Keith POV

Allura pulled the ship out of the rift before turning to us. 

"You've done it, Allura," Hira spoke. "Soon, we'll use the comet to spread peace throughout every reality."

"What's going on?" Allura asked.

I turned to see Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and the other two from before tied up.

"Empress, the Guns of Gamara have infiltrated this ship," The other Altean said. "These people were working with them."

"Let out friends go!" I slightly yelled. 

"Hira, you and the rest of Altea have turned this universe into an army of slaves," Slav says. "Peace at the sake of freedom."

"Slaves?" Allura questioned. "Is this true?"

"Non-cogs are not slaves!" The Altean shouted. "You're the ones who spread chaos and destruction! We're going to scan that little brain of yours and get every last rebel location. Finally, our wars can end."

"Allura, we cannot let this happen," I said to her.

"Hira, please," She begged her. "We both want the same thing. Peace."

"Do we?" Hira asked. "Your weakness has brought nothing but pain and suffering to your people at the hands of the Galra. We have brought peace and order to ours. And, with this comet, we will bring our peace to every reality. You're no empress of mine."

"And you're no Altean," Allura replied as she brought her bayard out, as the robot pointed his gun at us. I pulled out my bayard as Slav started laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" Lance asked. 

"Because this is the reality where everything works out fine," He responded.

Then sudden explosions caused us to wobble and regain our balance.

I threw my sword at one of the robots, knocking it back as they tackles the other one.

Allura used her bayard to grab Hira's sword, dodging the shots she fired before pulling her across the bridge and slamming her down on the ground.

"Let's go," Allura said as we started to get back to our lions.

Then a few Altean robots blocked our way as Lance and Hunk shot at them while we pulled our shields up.

"Pidge, which way to the lions?" I asked.

"To the left!" She replied.

They got rid of the robots before more came from the left, shooting at Lance before Sven pushed him out of the way, getting shot in the process.

Lance dragged him out of the way before I put up my shield again, letting Hunk shoot without worry.

"They're blocking our way to the lions!" I shouted

"Everyone, hang on!" Slav shouted as he went to the side, opening the airlock causing us to grab onto something.

"Does he do this in every reality?" Lance yelled.

"I'll take care of Sven," Slav says. "You just get to your lions!"

Lance handed Sven to Slav before we went towards our lions, getting situated in our chairs.

"This is all my fault," Allura starts. "I activated the ship. They're going to dislodge the comet and have the power to terrorize every reality."

"No," Slav says. "You can still get the comet away from them."

"Pidge, scan for the comet," I said.

"Yep," She replied. "Already picked up on its elemental signature."

"Everyone, we're going back in to get it," I said. "Form Voltron!"

Once we formed Voltron, we sliced open the ship and grabbed the comet before flying out.

"Okay, now what?" Lanced questioned.

"We need to find the exact spot we came in or else we might not make it home," Pidge replied.

After Pidge finished talking, the Altean ship started firing at us.

"I found it!" Pidge yelled.

We booked it to where we came in and headed through the rift.

Then a shot from the Altwean ship jolted us a little, causing us to let out a scream but we still made it back home.

"You're back!" Coran yelled I could barely hear him. "Oh, thank the ancients! Paladins, can you hear me? Are you ok?" Coran says as a blast shot at the castle, then Lotor's ship appeared, taking the comet.

"Paladins, can you hear me? Are you ok?" Coran asked again.

"Coran, we're here," Allura says.

"You know how fucking bad you scared us?! We thought something horrible happened to you!" Nyle screamed at us. 

We came back in, not even changing out of my armor yet before I found Allura sitting on the bridge. 

"Allura, you did the right thing," I started. "We couldn't let Hira get that ore."

"But Lotor has it," Allura replied. 

"You didn't know," I said. 

"That is the problem," She says. "We never know. And that is exactly why my father sent the lions away so many years ago. To avoid this reality. I finally understand."

"We'll get it back," I stated.

"But what if we don't? Lotor is always one step ahead of us. He has a plan for that ore, and if he succeeds, the Galra will finally have a weapon as powerful as Voltron."

Allura and I talked for a little while before we went our separate ways. I changed back into my clothes before heading to my room. I saw Nyle in the lounge with Mereida and I walked over. 

She looked up at me before shaking her head and looking away. 

I sighed before sitting next to her. "Look I know you're mad at me. But, we couldn't risk it Nyle. Please try and understand that." 

"We didn't know what would've happened when you guys went in either. But you went ahead and did that right?" She looked at me before crossing her arms and leaning back. 

"Well, kind of. But I mean, the lions are more powerful in Voltron. But, we don't know what would happen with you if you went in by yourself in your lion," I responded. 

She scoffed and shakes her head. "I wanted to help Keith! Do you know how scared Coran and I were that we thought you all died?? It was terrifying not to hear from any of you!" 

I frowned some before hugging her tightly. "Look Nyle, I'm sorry we scared you but, we learned that we can travel through realities and the information we've gotten can help us." 

I felt her hug back and heard her sniffle. "Yeah, but it was a trap. Lotor tricked us, and now he has the comet." 

I sighed and rubbed her back. "We'll figure something out. But, for now, we need to stop and plan what we should do."

"Right, yeah," Nyle spoke softly.

I pulled back a little and held her cheeks. "Hey, look at me. We really didn't mean to scare you guys." 

She held onto my hands and sniffled more. "Yeah, I know. But it didn't stop the feelings we had at that moment, Keith." 

I hum and wiped away a few of the tears falling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Ny. I'll try not to scare you again." 

She smiled a little bit and hugged me, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. 

I heard Mereida squealing as she got on her hands and knees, crawling over to us. "Has, has she done that before?" I asked.

Nyle looked down and shakes her head. "No. I-I've never seen her do that. This is the first time I've seen it."

I smiled widely and picked her up, holding her in between us. "You can crawl now huh? At four months you've already started crawling?"

She squeals and holds onto my shirt. "Well I mean she's got a lot of free time on her hands. You should've seen her with Coran a week ago. They were playing on the bridge, it was really adorable."

I laughed quietly before getting up, holding Mereida to my chest. "Come on, we should get some rest. It's been a long day."

She smiled at me and stood up before humming. "Yeah, seems like the best idea,"

We headed into her room as we put Mereida down for a nap before sleeping in her bed. Mostly because I was too lazy to go back to my own room.