Loving You to the Stars and Back // Keith x OC //

The Second Round Pt. 1

48

Just like before, the bacteria started to form a giant ball before attacking us. They split off into several channels, each coming at us individually. I grabbed my device, activating the bow as I flew around. I made one swift move, using my bow as a staff to cut through the large group.

Hunk screams as he struggles to attack, "They're everywhere!"

Suddenly, areas in the walls began to open, sucking out air and the creatures. Because of the pull, we were also being dragged in. I let out a scream as my feet lifted from the ground, facing backward as I struggled to grab hold of something. I flew past Hunk before I was able to hold on to the ground.

"I think this thing is getting rid of the excess gas produced from its multiple stomachs," Hunk says as we were still hanging on to our lives.

"What?" Keith and I were in unison, questioning what Hunk had said.

"It's farting!" Hunk laughs. I rolled my eyes a little before the walls closed, allowing us to stand on our feet.

"Hunk, what do we have to do to get that scaultrite gland to goop?" Keith asks. Hunk started to talk to himself, trying to remember all the facts that we were trying to get from the video that Coran gave us.

"Ah! I know what to do!" Hunk suddenly flies off, leaving us behind in confusion.

"What?"

Hunk turned around to look back at us, "If we want that third stomach glad to secrete the ooze, I need to get farted out of the weblum's butt and attack the face. This will get the weblum to fire its laser puke." The Yellow Paladin then strikes a heroic pose, throwing a fist up in the air, "For the sake of the universe, I'll provoke the beast. You guys stay here and get that scaultrite."

Hunk makes his way towards the center as the walls from the top and bottom began to open, "I hope he makes this quick," I said as I spotted the bacteria once again, forming the large group before attacking us.

✵✵✵✵✵

Completely worn out from fighting off the bacteria creatures and collecting the scaultrite thanks to Hunk, I leaned against the wall of the lion. Keith looked at me with a worried look in his eyes, "You must be tired. We'll get back to the castle soon."

I shook my head with a smile, "Just a little, but I'll be fine." I got back up on my feet and started to walk again, heading towards the cockpit.

All of a sudden, something tugged on my arm. I turn around seeing a smile on Keith's face, "Thanks for helping, Athena," Keith said.

"I didn't really do much. I just needed to do to help the team," I replied as I reached for his hand that was holding onto me. "If anything, I should be praising you for what you said back there," There was a dazed look on Keith's face as he stared into my eyes in wonder. "You're really starting to sound like the leader Shiro wants you to be. I could never be more proud of you. Shiro would be proud of you too."

Keith's expression changed, averting his gaze away from me, "I'm not a great leader like Shiro."

There was sadness in Keith's eyes as he spoke. I could sense that he was thinking about what Shiro had told him weeks ago about taking the reigns as the leader of the Paladins. "Don't doubt yourself, Keith," I spoke. "People can see the potential in you, and that's saying a lot."

Keith remained silent as we made our way to the cockpit. The doors opened as Hunk stayed seated in his chair, "Where's your buddy?"

"He's ditched us, taking a bag of scaultrite with him," I replied as I walked to the front of the cockpit.