There has to be an After for Us ~ (shadam / klance)

Chapter 4 - A Shiro's Journey

It was clear immediately that taking another path to the astral plane really was different from using the Lions as a conduit. The times they'd visited it before the Lions had basically worked like a teleporter from Star Trek. Materializing them in the astral plane mere ticks after they'd left their bodies.

This time their consciouness's were rising higher and higher into the sky until the Earth was just a memory and all that surrounded them were points of light. Pidge knew the star maps pretty well from memory, but of course these constellations made no sense. Why would they?

"Are we there yet?" groaned Lance like a kid on a car trip.

"Lance," warned Shiro.

"What? I see a whole lot of astral, but no plane in sight. Should we pull over and ask for directions?"

"Just shut up and keep floating," said Keith.

"Typical man," sighed Lance. "Doesn't want to ask for directions."

"Okay, I'm with Lance on this one," said Pidge. "How much longer?"

"Does time even exist as a concept anymore?" asked Hunk. "You know, asking for a friend."

"Time is part of the physical realm," said Allura.

"So that's a no?" deadpanned Pidge. "Because I was hoping this would be one of those adventures where we're home in time to watch Daily Show."

"Civilization collapsed," said Lance. "Pretty sure Daily Show was cancelled... Creating a vacuum of celebrities and content... Guys, should I become a teen idol?"

"Guys!" snapped Keith. "You're being disrespectful. How many times do I have to remind you we're doing this for Shiro? It takes how long it takes."

"And I accept that," said Lance. "And we're not trying to disrespect Shiro, but you have to know that if you take Pidge, Hunk, and I anywhere, a certain amount of comedy is expected. Sass and Plunk are a package deal."

"Plunk?" repeated Pidge.

"Yeah...," stuttered Lance, embarrassed. "I inserted myself in your celebrity friendship name. Thought we could be a trio."

"Once again, Lance. Please listen to yourself."

"Look, it's okay," said Shiro. "I appreciate you protecting me, Keith, but Lance is just being Lance. I'm glad you've all come along." Was he though? This experience was meant to be personal, but on the other hand Shiro might not have the nerve without the others along.

"Aw thanks, Dad," said Lance. "Can we turn the radio on?"

"Don't test me, Lance," warned Shiro.

Suddenly the floating up (or down or to the side if directions even existed anymore) slowed to a stop.

"Are we here?" asked Hunk.

"No," answered Allura. "I am afraid I'm not sure where we're going. At first I felt it, but I've lost it now."

"So we're trapped between planes of existence?" asked Pidge. "Great."

"Séances are not fun," complained Hunk, but then... "Hey wait! The Goddess said all those mystic riddles. Maybe there are clues contained within."

"Or we could follow the red and blue stars," said Shiro, surging upwards. The metaphysical strings connected to the Paladins went tight and tugged them up too.

"What red and blue stars?" demanded Lance.

"Those two there," said Allura, pulling ahead to match Shiro's speed.