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

Chapter 55 - Lance attempts to plan a bake sale *BONUS CHAPTERS*

"Alright guys, this is what we're doing," said Lance, clapping his hands together and looking around. "We're having a good old fashioned brainstorming session. I'm going to start throwing out keywords just to get our creative juices flowing. White – lion –circus – trapeze – acrobats – clowns – terrifying – final exams – high school cafeteria – bake sale. We'll hold a bake sale!"

No one reacted. Veronica looked to Keith, "Why didn't you stop him?"

Keith shrugged. "It's his process. Sometimes he's unexpectedly brilliant. Not this time though."

"Hey," said Lance, defensively. "There are no bad ideas in brainstorming."

"Yes, babe, yes there are."

"It's not my fault," said Lance. "Usually I say something weird and then it triggers a light bulb in Pidge and Hunk's collective brain and they solve all our problems. Bing bang boom. You're not playing your part." Lance pointed an accusing finger at them. "Especially you, Pidge. There's three of you here!" Lance gestured to Colleen and Matt.

"What kind of material was the White Lion made from?" asked Colleen, looking like the gears were turning in her head. "Maybe we can manufacture a new one."

"She was the soul of the universe and souls are made from quintessence," clarified Mel. Another realm tremors roared its way through the astral plane, far stronger than before, forcing everyone to grab hold of each other to stay standing.

"Contractions are getting closer together," said Bored, once it had passed.

"How much longer?" asked Melenor.

"Until we birth the apocalypse? One varga, maybe two at most."

"Is there a way to build a new White Lion out of quintessence?" asked Colleen. "Or from a new soul?"

"I volunteer my soul," said Allura, stepping forward.

"Seriously?" snapped Lance. "Sacrificing yourself is your kneejerk reaction?"

"I agree with Lance," said Lotor. "I volunteer my soul instead."

"Yeah, take Lotor's soul," agreed Lance.

"Lotor, no," said Melenor firmly. "The universe does not want your soul. Allura, also no."

Allure stomped her foot. "Why won't you let me sacrifice myself? You did it when you fought Zarkon for control of the Black Lion!"

"So I set one bad example and now I'm forced to watch my daughter die in every reality?"

"You died in every reality on me first!" yelled Allura.

"Wait," said Pidge, "You died on Allura in every reality? You literally Disney Princessed her in every reality. That explains a lot..."

"That's it! Go to your realm!" Melenor bellowed.

"I can't!" yelled Allura. "It has a sink hole and I can't move the veil!"

"Melenor," said Alfor, calmly, "Don't you think you're being a bit hard on the her?"

"You always take her side," snapped Mel, turning back on Alfor. "You're too soft on her and that's why we're in this mess in the first place. B Team Allura never got a level up from me and now everything is ending."

"Y'all need to knock it off!" yelled Krolia. "Your family problems need to wait. At this rate Lance's bake sale idea is the best idea we have."

"Oh yeah," cheered Lance.

"It's also nonsense which means we need a more practical idea. Is someone giving up their soul an option?"

"I'll do it," said Adam, quietly, but then said, "Oh? What's that? Not powerful enough to be of use, but I still get bravery points for volunteering? That's cool."