Chapter Text
"Question, if you knew this place was here why did you never attack it when you were a general attacking the city?" Keith whispers as they pass through the lines crowds of refugees living in dirt and poverty.
On their way to Full Moon Bay where the ferries to Ba Sing Se were Keith was given more context as to Iroh's history in the war and his contributions to the war effort including the Siege of Ba Sing Se.
"This bay is full of refugees with barely enough supplies to get by and not soldiers. There was no honour or gain in attacking them," Iroh answers. Zuko nods in agreement to this testament. "It is dishonourable to attack an unarmed opponent and one who could not fight back," Zuko agrees. "Oh like when your father attacked you?" Keith asks and Zuko grits his teeth glaring at Keith who doesn't care at all.
Due to the passports Iroh acquired for them they were given priority boarding ahead of people, some whom had been waiting days if not weeks for a ferry ride across the river to safety.
Getting up on the plank Iroh and Zuko gave their tickets and walked ahead, but Keith got stopped by the guard. Some lady young lady in an ugly uniform. "Ferries full. You'll have to take the next one," The worker informs him.
"What?! But I'm with them and there's plenty of room on the ferry for one more person," Keith said.
"I'm sorry sir there are no exceptions. If we make one for you we make it for everyone and it's important to make sure the boats do not become over crowded," The girl explains. "What are you twelve? Let me on the dam boat!" Keith said beginning to get angry.
"Sir either you wait for the next ferry or I will be forced to arrest you and you will be detained until the workers here decide if you are fit to enter Ba Sing Se which could take days or weeks," The girl states.
Keith glances besides him seeing security was looking at him just waiting for him to make a racket. These people must deal with desperate people all the time and Keith wouldn't be the first to make a scene.
Keith looks to Zuko and Iroh.
"Do not worry Keith we will meet up once more in Ba Sing Se. Look for a tea shop as that will be where I go for work," Iroh explains.
Keith takes a deep big breath trying to remain calm.
"Fine, make sure Lee doesn't do anything stupid and... take this," Keith handed Lance's bag over to Zuko and Iroh. "Inside was stuff that belonged to Lance. Please make sure it stays safe," Keith said and Iroh nods smiling.
"We promise not to part from it," Iroh promises and Keith walks off the plank with his ticket and his own stuff glaring at security as he went.
He subtly finds a private place to wait atop a wall and took out his tracker checking it and then the boat Zuko and Iroh were on. As long as the two kept Lance's bag which held his tracker Keith would be able to keep some tabs on Zuko and make sure he made it.
Keith sighs and sat on a bench atop the wall looking over the crowded caverns with the refugees. He made sure Zuko looked and saw everyone there and reminded him of why they were there whispering "is this really greatness?" to him over and over getting in his ear definitely annoying him. Keith has no idea if he was really helping Zuko or making him go crazy, but whatever he hopes he got the kid thinking at least.
Keith's attention became drawn to the wall at the end of the cave as it was lowered and more people came in.
Keith looks at them and then he sits up when he spotted possibly very, very, very familiar clothing and people.
~~~~
Lance and the kids all got out of the desert and due to the desert being not far from Ba Sing Se they managed to quickly make it towards the city, yet they had a long way to go before they would make it to the city so it was agreed everyone would make a rest stop at a relaxing water fall lake before they headed off.
Sokka was on the side studying a map with Momo to find a route, Toph was paddling her feet in the water, Lance was in the water doing breath strokes just as a way to keep up with training, and Aang was just floating on his back.
He went under at one point freezing himself in ice up to his neck to create a flotation device.
Lance took a deep breath and dives under the water completely.
He loves water. His favourite hobby of any planet was to have fun in the water and just enjoy it. He came up for air right as Katara does a cannon bomb.
She lands in the water creating a huge splash of water bending that sent Aang safely careening out and Lance to get thrown up in the air before landing back in the lake.
Once he resurfaced everyone laughs and giggles at the actions except Sokka. "Sure five thousand year old map from the spirit library. Just splash some water on them," Sokka said showing the drenched map.
"Sorry," Katara said sheepishly and bends the water from the map drying it off. Sokka lays it on the ground for everyone to see. "So did you figure out what route we're going to take?" Aang asks Sokka.
"Okay so we just got out of the desert so we must be here and we need to get to Ba Sing Se which is here," Sokka explains pointing out a large stretch of land that had these two circles in them. "What are those things around the City?" Lance questions tracing the outline.
"Those are the cities walls. They were built when the earth kingdom capital and government was first founded by a past Earth Kingdom Avatar. The walls have only fallen once since they were originally built," Toph explains her home lands history. Growing up rich and privileged did give Toph an extensive education.
"Cool," Lance said with a nod.
"Back on track it looks like the only passage that connects the south to the north is this sliver of land called the Serpents Pass," Sokka explains pointing out said sliver of land on the map. "Are you sure that's the way to go?" Toph asks. "It's the only way. I mean it's not like we have Appa to fly us there," Sokka answers folding the map back up.
"Shush up about Appa. Can't you at least try to be sensitive?" Katara asks her brother as they glanced at Aang who looks a little miffed by their conversation.
"Katara it's okay. I know I was upset about Appa before, but I just want to focus on getting to Ba Sing Se and telling the Earth King about the Solar Eclipse," Aang explains looking down at the water with his knees to his chest,
"Hey Ligro remember. The sand benders said that Appa was in Ba Sing Se so this isn't just about seeing the Earth King. We'll find Appa soon," Lance explains to Aang who does offer a small grateful smile.
"I'm glad you're doing better," Katara said sincerely to Aang. "Then off to Ba Sing Se we go no more distractions," Sokka said.
"Hello fellow refugees!" All eyes turn and they saw two people. Man and woman in green earth kingdom clothes waving to them. One of them was sat on an ostrich horse.
Sokka groans already knowing this was going to be a distraction. "Word of wisdom buddy. Never voice anything rhetorically or otherwise. The universe loves to prove you wrong," Lance said patting Sokka's back who gives him a dry look not appreciating the advice.
The couple walks over to them and now that they were closer everyone could see the woman was heavily pregnant.
"Congratulations!" Lance said walking over and gesturing to the woman who beams. "Thank you. We were told we'd never have children, but we were blessed by the spirits," The woman said with a proud smile.
"So are you heading to Ba Sing Se too?" Aang asks.
"Yes my wife is a strong woman. We started travelling to Ba Sing Se when we found out so that our baby will be born in a safe environment. She travelled across most of the Earth Kingdom before a kind young man gave us his ostrich horse. It has truly helped her," The husband explains then gestures to himself.
"My name is Than and this is my wife Ying. We're hoping to enter Ba Sing Se before she gives birth to our baby," Than explains.
"Great than we can travel through the Serpants Path together," Katara smiles always happy for company.
The mention of that route makes the couple jump in fright. "The Serpants Pass? Only the truly desperate take that deadly route," the couple informs them.
"Deadly route. Great pick Sokka," Toph states punching Sokka hard in the arm making him stumble and rub it.
"But we are desperate," Sokka defends. "Honestly the danger is in the name," Lance muses.
"You should come with us to Full Moon Bay. Ferries take refugees across the lake. It's the fastest way to Ba Sing Se," Than tells the kids. "And it's hidden so the Fire Nation can't find it," Ying adds with a bright smile.
"If it's hidden how do you ensure the Fire Nation doesn't discover it and how do you know about it?" Lance questions.
"There is a meet up spot with Earth Kingdom Soldiers in the Full Moon Bay who then use earth bending to take us to the hidden spot with the ferries. We know about it because the Earth Kingdom army directs travellers where to go," Ying answers.
"Hmm peaceful ferry ride or deadly pass?" Katara wonders out loud. "All in favour of ferry ride raise your hand," Everyone including Momo raise their hands. "All who favour deadly pass?" Lance asks as Sokka just scowls at everyone. "Okay Ferry ride it is!"
With the couple they showed the group the way. It was about a hours walk where they came to find the Earth Kingdom guards. Upon seeing them they the soldiers informed the couple that they had to give the Ostrich horse up as animals weren't allowed to be brought into the city. The couple parted with the animal and thanked it before the soldiers opened the tunnel for them to enter with more guards and glowing crystals to light the way.
They follow the route watching as the soldiers opened and closed multiple routes within the tunnels. Lance assumes it's so that no one could report the exact route to the hidden bay.
After about a half hour of walking the last wall slides down and they came to the bay with the refugees.
The bay was held inside of a massive cavern that had light shining into it from a giant hole above letting in sunlight along with a large exit overlooking the exit. It was only big enough though to just allow one ferry to exit at a time.
The bay had large towering walls with earth kingdom symbols on it with stairs that could be climbed. The bay was large and giant able to hold many people and that's what it was doing. Within the cavern hundreds of people, woman, men, children, all were cramped inside the cavern with makeshift tents huddled together. Children's crying could be heard and everyone walking around had this tired frightened walk and look to them.
"I can't believe how many people's lives have been up routed by the Fire Nation," Katara said shocked as her friends were by everyone, but Lance only frowns.
To them this looked like a lot of people, but he's personally dealt with entire races of people who had to flee their homes from the Galra. Still seeing this, in small or large groups, always made him sad. No one deserved to be forced from their homes or have them destroyed. Still at least this place was relatively safe if not ideal. Better than what Lance has seen before.
"At least this place is safe and secure. That's more than the refugees I worked with had," Lance said softly making the group all look at him aware he was talking about his time as a paladin.
"We're all looking for a better life. Safe behind the walls of Ba Sing Se," Than explains as they part from the group so they could get tickets to the ferries.
Entering Lance looks to a guard. "How often do the ferries leave?" Lance asks. "Depends on reported Fire Navy activity. They don't search these waters often, but we're cautious so they don't find this bay. Some refugees wait weeks before they get a boat, but you all," The guard looks over the group. "Children and the disabled are given priority," He assures.
"Disabled! While I'll," Toph tries to punch the guard, but Lance grabs her.
"Thank you so much sir," Lance said dragging Toph away before they could get banned from the ferries and it was not an easy task.
The lady giving everyone the tickets was really rude and scary. The guy in front of them had a cart of cabbages and while he was given a ticket the lady sicked a security platypus bear on his poor cart.
"My cabbages!" He cries out freezing in shock and had to be dragged off by security so he didn't hold up the line.
"And I thought travel and bio security was strict where I came from," Lance notes. Earth didn't allow foreign plants, fruit, or anything to enter the planet, and everyone needed a full but since Earth had very unique fruits and plants that was their main export with other planets. Funnily enough the spiky fruits were the most popular.
"Next!" Crabby lady yells. Aang walks forward shyly. "Uh five tickets to Ba Sing Se please," he asks politely. "Passports," the lady said. "Uh no one told us we had to have passports," Aang said.
"Don't you know who this is! This is the Avatar!" Sokka said pointing to Aang. The lady didn't even glance again writing on some documents.
"Ba! I see fifty avatars a day and by the way not a very convincing costume," The lady points to a nearby crowd of boys dressed in various costume versions of Aang's appearance surrounded by security. Some just put on an arrow while others went all out with monk gear. The most impressive one had a glider.
Aang smiles and nods finding the imitations pleasing and complementary.
"Well this true original right here can prove it! Aang do a bit of bending," Lance urges.
Aang brightens and took out some metal marbles to use air bending to swirl them around and then his lifts his other hand summoning rocks to them displaying simple but obvious bending ability of two different elements.
The woman's eyes widened at the proof and she gasps. "Oh Avatar Aang I'm so sorry you must understand I have seen so many fakes. Here you go," The lady stamps one ticket and hands it to Aang.
"Thank you, but uh I need four more," Aang said shyly. "Do they have passports?" The attendant asks. "Well no but," Aang began.
"NEXT!" The ladies generosity did not extend to the rest of the Avatar's crew, but then Toph came in to save the day.
"I'll take care of this," Toph said going to the table and sliding a green and gold official document across it. "My name is Toph Beifong and I'll need four tickets,0 she orders.
The lady's face melts in shock and honour seeing the fancy document. "The golden seal of the flying boar. It is my honour to help anyone of the Beifong family," crabby lady said bowing to Toph, a honour she didn't give Aang.
"It is your pleasure. As you can see I am blind and these three imbeciles are my valets," Toph explains gesturing to herself and then her friends dressed in blue who all smile big at the lady.
"But the animal," The lady began unsure. "Is my seeing eye lemur," Toph explains as Momo jumps to her shoulder.
"Which has had multiple in house check ups with an animal medical professional proving it has no diseases, ticks, fleas, bugs, or germs," Lance adds.
"Well... normally it is only one ticket per passport, but this document is so official..... I guess it's worth four tickets," the woman said stamping the rest of the tickets for everyone which Toph promptly took.
"Go Toph! You're a queen!" Lance exclaims happily shaking her shoulder.
"What?" Toph asks confused. "It's a figure of speech. Means you're the best or the boss," Lance explains and Toph grins. "I like that," she said.
"Yeah we scammed that lady good," Sokka grins when suddenly he yelps. Everyone turns to see Sokka got stopped by a young earth kingdom attendant wearing. Official uniform with dark blue eyes and brown rusty hair done up in a short pony tail.
"Tickets and passports please," she orders with a frown. Sokka blinks confused. "Is there a problem?" Sokka asks. "Yeah, I got a problem with you. I've seen your type before. Probably sarcastic, think you're hilarious, and let me guess. You're travelling with the Avatar," the girl said getting it spot on.
Sokka raises a brow confused. "Do I know you?" He said getting a familiar feeling. "You mean you don't remember me?" The girl grabs his shirt pulling it closer.
"Maybe this will remind you," Lance was ready to step in if the girl punched Sokka, but instead she kissed his cheek.
Sokka blinks and then lit up. "Suki!" He exclaims in glee hugging the girl who smiles dropping the act. "Sokka it's good to see you!" Suki smiles to the water tribe teen who looks to his friends. "Guys it's Suki," Sokka said as Aang and Katara smiles.
"That Kyoshi warrior who helped train you?" Lance asks and Suki grins to Sokka. "You talk about me?" Sokka blushes making Lance grin. "I like you. Name's Lance," Lance said bowing at the waist. "Suki," Suki introduces.
"I'm Toph Aang's earth bending teacher," Toph introduces. "It's nice to meet you," Suki said and gestures for them to follow her.
"Here let's talk somewhere a little less," she began when Katara, at the back of the group, suddenly screams.
Everyone turns around to see she was water bending an ice shield for herself that was cracking under the pressure of a knife above her with a grown guy above her.
He had long black hair, pale skin, dark green basically black clothing, a dark knife in his hands with cloth wrapped around the hilt. He pushed through the cracking ice shield, and purple feline eyes with the hints of fangs in his mouth.
"You! You little bitch I am going to make you," They began to threaten when a gentle hand was on his shoulder. He looks up moving to stab them, but stopped seeing who they were.
"Keith!?" Lance said and Katara's assailant looks up at him and froze eyes wide. It was silent for a moment as the two looked to each other.
"Keith buddy hey," Lance said bending down to eye level with Keith gently grabbing his arm with the knife aware any sudden movements will means he stabs someone. Everyone around him was tense, but Lance remains relaxed.
"What's got you so worked up?" Lance said with his signature smile and humourful voice honestly happy to see Keith.
Keith blinks, looks at Lance's hand squeezing his bicep, then Lance.
And tackles him in a hug completely forgetting about Katara.
"Lance! Lance fuck I thought you were dead! I felt it and I heard that Princess Bitch killed you and! Fuck Lance!" Keith yells at Lance and pulls away shaking him growing angry now. "Hey it's okay! I was dead, but blue and these kids saved me," Lance said trying to calm Keith down.
"IT IS NOT OKAY! YOU WERE DEAD YOU!" Lance holds Keith steady as he was getting worked up.
"Hey I'll catch up guys let me just help calm Keith down first," Lance said and they all nod so Lance took Keith to the edge of the entire encampment to a quiet private corner.
Keith gripped Lance's arm tightly and then turns around to him. "Keith hey, it's alright. Why did you think I was dead and more importantly why did you attack Katara?" Lance asks.
Keith was looking at Lance with an emotion in his eyes Lance couldn't name because it's not one he's ever seen on Keith's face.
"R-red. She felt it and so then I felt it and," Keith pulls Lance into another tight hug. "And I was so close to finding you. We were following the bison trail me and Zuko. He took one way, but I took the way with the bison because I thought you'd be with them, but you weren't and-and then that fucking bitch froze me to a tree before I could explain. By the time I got out I was stiff and that pink jumping pansy paralyzed me. Before I could even feel my limbs again I felt your pain through red and then it was just..... gone," Keith gains a faraway look at Lance.
"You were gone," Keith said squeezing Lance's hand to convince himself he was here.
Lance took a deep breath. "For a moment there yeah I was, but Keith. You can't go around killing people that make you mad. You really scared Katara and we talked about you doing this. There was an intervention, Hunk made snacks," Lance said sounding disappointed.
Keith looks at Lance and slowly his breathing picks up. Lance's eyes widened, but he wasn't fast enough and got pinned to the wall by Keith.
"If she hadn't frozen me to the tree I could have been there! I would have protected you! I would have taken the shot!" Keith insists.
"Keith then you'd be dead. I'm only alive because Blue healed me with water. No offence but I doubt she would have done that for you," Lance explains.
This just makes Keith more mad his purple eyes slitting and his fangs coming in.
"We are leaving this planet," Keith states. "What?! Keith we can't!" Lance denies vehemently.
"No, we are leaving, we are going home, we," Keith began. "Keith please we can't! These kids need me especially now! The kid with the arrows Aang just lost his bison and we got stuck in a desert, there was this owl," Lance began. "Wait is that why I found your stuff with those desert people?" Keith asks confused.
"Oh you found my stuff? What about that cook book I got Hunk?" Lance asks looking hopeful.
"Yeah I-wait no! Do not distract me Lance this is not our fight! We are breaking laws here!" Keith whisper hisses.
"We saved the universe. We could commit murder and we'd be fine, which by the way you have done on multiple occasions," Lance states casually pointing fingers.
"So have you!" Keith hisses. "Correction I was self defence and I do quick clean headshots. No suffering, you're stabby, make it slow, and bloody and do it whenever someone makes you snap," Lance points out.
Keith groans. "Lance you died, you, died, because of those kids and I am not letting them get you hurt again. We're leaving," Keith states gripping Lance's wrist.
"What about Zuko? Where's he?" Lance asks. "He's on his way to Ba Sing Se right now. He's a messed up kid, but his uncle is a good influence he doesn't need me to do anything," Keith said.
Lance thinks for a moment. He knows very well that while they're both veterans of war and paladins of Voltron Keith can beat him in hand to hand combat and force him back to the lions and off the planet. He needs to convince Keith to stay.
"Keith these kids need someone. They're just like us. Kids thrown into a war that was meant to be sorted out long ago, but still isn't and now it's on their shoulders. We need to help them, we need to be the adult influences protecting and shielding them from the blood no one was able to shield us from. Please Keith I want to make sure these kids have the opportunity to stay kids as long as they're supposed to. Protect them from what no one protected us from," Lance said sincerely with an empathic voice and face.
Keith blinks at him his features going back to be more human. He gives a unimpressed expression. "How long have you had that practiced for?" he asks dryly.
"Awhile, but it is true," Lance admits with a shrug.
Keith groans and takes a deep breath looking away obviously thinking. Lance stays quiet letting him think as Keith looks from him and away several times.
Lance fiddles with his sleeve nervously. "You," Keith takes a deep breath. "Care about these kids that literally kidnapped you," Keith said. Lance nods. Keith thinks again. "Lance, we can't use our lions here. If things get bad we can't summon them no matter what," Keith states.
"I know, but Keith please. I'm involved now and if I leave before I see this through I will never forgive myself. Besides the coalition already knew we would be gone for like a year and a half at the most and it's only been like six months. We got time to kill," Lance reasons with a laid back smile.
"Lance it takes more to end a war than just that we both know this," Keith said. "I know, but ending it is the first step and that's all I promise, but Keith please I can't leave these kids to fend for themselves. They are painfully naive. Like painfully," Lance said.
Keith looks to be in internal conflict with himself obviously anxious and getting annoyed. Lance reaches a hand out and stretches behind Keith's ear. Keith looks at him confused. "What are you doing?" He asks. "I heard cats like getting scratched behind the ear to calm them down," Lance said.
They stare at each other for a few moments before Keith slaps his forehead muttering something.
"I am going to regret this but... fuck fine!" Keith said and Lance cheers silently. "Thank you! I knew you had a heart mullet! Although your hair has really grown out, betcha I could braid it," Lance said putting his fingers through Keith's hair. Keith grabbed Lance's wrist and then glares.
"But you're still going to pay for everything you put me through the past few months," Keith said coldly and deadly.
Lance blinks before he tenses up. "Remember the agreement Keith! Not the-OOMPH!" Lance fell to the floor clutching his stomach.
"And there will be much more where that came from," Keith promises.
"You cracked a rib, I think," Lance groans. "Oh that can be arranged," Keith states.
"Hey bozos," Their eyes look to Toph who had approached at some point. "That couple that came in with us got their stuff stolen and Aang couldn't get them more tickets so now we're taking Sokka's dumb death path instead. You coming Lance?" Toph asks.
Lance got up from the ground still in pain but he's had to walk off worse.
"Oh yeah totally! Keith you can meet up with me in," Lance began.
"Nope, I am not letting these kids get you killed again because you have a bleeding heart. I'm staying with you," Keith said. Lance opens his mouth to protest, but one look from Keith and he backs down. "When we get home I'm still going to sick your siblings and nieces and nephews on you," Keith states and Lance gulps nodding.
"Yep okay," he agrees.
They move away from the wall and Lance smiles back at Keith. "This will just be like the old days Mullet you'll love it," Lance said and Keith looks into his bright kind blue eyes. In those eyes Keith saw something he hadn't seen in years, something he hadn't seen since before he left for the Blade.
A genuine sweet smile and playful spark in Lance's eyes.
Keith smiles a little. "Yeah, whatever you say sharp shooter," Keith said and Lance grins moving ahead to meet with the others and slipping his hand from Keith's.
Keith clenches his fists on empty air his heart skipping a beat.
"Are you okay? Your hearts acting funny," Toph said and Keith looks to the girl confused. He hadn't really paid attention to her before. "What? I'm fine," he states, and Toph just shrugs going ahead.
Keith takes a deep breath and follows where Lance went meeting with the others as well. Lance excitedly pushes him forward. "Okay everyone officially meetup! Keith this is Aang the Avatar master of all four elements total sweetheart and animal lover, Toph a twelve year old boss that can kick anyones butt without even trying, Katara and Sokka siblings from the water tribe and people you owe an apology too. Everyone this is the Keith I told you all about," Lance smiles. "I do not apologise unless Shiro makes me," Keith states sternly.
The team look at Keith and Keith looks at them.
The kids thoughts on Keith were.... scary. While Lance was open, smiling, mature, calm, empathetic, thoughtful, an open book, nurturing, and tactical Keith was the opposite. He was taller than Lance with a broader frame, he had a burn scar that went down his right cheek, long dark hair, purple eyes, pale skin, and could be mistaken for Fire Nation, and his eyes seemed to stare right into your soul as he towered over all of them. Lance had described Keith as a wet cat. Get him into water and he'll hiss, scratch, and bite you, but as soon as you dry him off and get through his rough edges he's kind, loyal, and even has a fun sense of humour. The best thing you can do is not piss him off and Keith will be your most loyal friend ever. To them Keith seemed closed off, angry, held a grudge, impulsive, and unempathetic.
They were polar opposites.
Aang smiles and holds his hand out, a custom of greeting he learned from Lance. "Hello it's great to meet you. Lance told us so much about you," Aang said smiling wide. Keith looks at the hand and took it.
Then squeezes hard and stood over Aang as the young monk fails to hide his pained whimper. "If anything else happens to Lance I'll make sure the Firelord doesn't need to worry about you for at least twelve more years," He states coldly making even Toph shiver in fear of his dark voice. Lance glares and Keith let's go.
"I'm sorry, but I saw him in my vision and I knew he was important and Lance really," Aang said. "Stop talking I don't care," Keith states.
The team now have a clear impression of Keith. Lance is too bias towards his leader. Keith is obviously a black hearted jerk with no sympathy.
"Oh Avatar we just gathered the rest of our stuff and-IT'S YOU!" Ying was approaching when she spotted Keith and lit up going over and hugging him. Keith stiffens up as Ying pulls back. "Oh thank you! Thank you for what you did," Ying said with tears in her eyes. "Wait you know each other?" Sokka asks surprised. Than nods equally happy.
"This is the kind soul that gave us the Ostrich horse," Than said as he goes over hugging Keith as well.
Lance grins and Keith awkwardly pats the man's back obviously uncomfortable.
Okay scratch that. Lance was right Keith does have a heart.
Just very deep down.
Very.
Very.
Very.
As deep as a Unagi is long.
Down.