All of the sudden, everyone started talking at once. Keith just stood there in shocked silence. His grandmother. He never really thought of Lotor having a grandmother. He never really thought that Lotor was actually born. Keith had figured that he sort of….happened, like earthquakes and tornadoes. The fact that he had a grandmother meant that he was born, that he had family. Suddenly, Lotor wasn't that annoying force of nature that made his job harder. He was a living creature with the same feelings and the same heart as Keith had. It made Lotor more real and for some reason, Keith didn't like it.

"All right everybody, just calm down." He walked over to the petite woman. "I think you better explain yourself."

"I will just as soon as I get my tea. It's a long, difficult story and the tea calms my nerves." Right on cue the door opened and a servant walked in carrying a tray. Coran was right behind her. He looked at the old woman curiously, giving Keith a questioning glance.

"Coran this is Mrs. Amy…"

"Dehandrea. Amy Dehandrea." She politely shook Coran's hand.

"I am Coran, chief advisor to Princess Allura."

"She's here to see her grandson. Lotor." Coran looked at Keith in surprise. Then his gaze turned suspicious and he took a step closer to Allura. Amy seemed oblivious to the tension in the room and took a sip of her tea.

"This is very good."

"Mrs. Dehandrea-"

"Remember, it's Amy or Nana if you prefer." She laughed and put down her cup. "I guess I should start at the beginning. My people are what we call the Gifted. We can manipulate and channel, metaphysical energy, what some people call Magic."

"You mean like telepathy?'' Pidge piped in. Telepathy had been recognized by the Alliance as the "Sixth Sense". A few telepaths have been used in the Alliance. Unfortunately, it was a rare talent.

"Oh, I'm talking about something a little more powerful than simple telepathy. I'm talking about the ethereal energies that flow through the galaxy. It can create doorways to other realities, or destroy whole star systems." Keith heard a snort coming from Coran.

"You seem doubtful, sir."

"I'm sorry ma'am, but what you're saying does seem a little…farfetched."

"I think you mean I'm off the fence crazy, huh." To Keith's surprise, Coran actually blushed. Very few people could faze the cool advisor. Keith was impressed.

"I know it seemed a little strange, but please suspend judgement until you heard my story." Everyone around the room nodded. Amy took a sip of tea before she continued.

"When I was a young woman I studied with a very powerful magic user. We called him an Adept. He had only five apprentices. One of them was a friend of mine. Jessiel. She had so much potential, but she was as ambitious as she was beautiful. She secretly delved into more darker arts. The dark powers became addictive. We are a peaceful people, but she was starting to preach war and conquest. She said that with all the power we had, it was our right to dominate the galaxy. Some were pulled in to her teachings, while others were outraged. The elders soon discovered her dark obsession and she was arrested. Before she could be sentenced she called on an amtosa, or a demon, from the another reality. It infused her with the power that she wanted so badly. That power had an awful price. It deformed her, aged her, blackened her skin and whither her body. It was like the corruption of her soul overflowed and saturated her physical form. She went mad. She would have destroyed us all had it not been for my teacher. The Adept defeated her and exiled her off the planet.

"Years passed and we soon forgot about her. I became an Adept, got married and had four beautiful children. My youngest was Tallia. She was beautiful, with her white hair and golden eyes. She was also a very powerful Gifted. Even though I loved all my children equally, she was my favorite. We were very close. When she married one of my students I was so full of joy, I felt like I was about to burst. They were deeply in love, everything was perfect. Too perfect. Unfortunately, that is when the most devastating events happen. And it did, seven months after the wedding.

"Dark creatures attacked our city, killing anyone in their path. They had the stink of dark magic on them. A magic that only one person would dare to use. It took the power of all the Adepts in the area to stop them. Many didn't survive, including my old teacher. It wasn't until I returned home, did I realize that the attack was a diversion. I found my husband and my eldest son dead…." She stopped to wipe away tears from her eyes. The room was deathly quiet. Keith handed her a napkin from the tray; she smiled gratefully and took it. They waited patiently for her to continue.

"She was still there, waiting for me. Even though her body was deformed I knew it was Jessiel. I'm not a violent person, but that day I would had killed her. The only thing stopping me was my daughter. The coward was using Tallia as a shield. She said that she was taking my child to be a bride to one of her disciples. That her children will follow the ways her Master, Drak, the daemon that gave her this power. I was in a rage and I attacked her. I was prepared to kill Tallia rather than have her at the mercy of that witch. We fought, leveling my family home, but I was still weak from battling Jessiel's creations. She defeated me, and would have killed me if it wasn't for Tallia. She agreed to go with the witch and do as she said as long as she spared my life. I can still see her face as Jessiel transported them away. It…there…there's no way to describe the pain I felt that day. I still feel it today. I'll feel it on my death bed.

"I never stopped looking for her. Every night I went into a Trance, trying to locate my daughter using my Gift. If she was alive anywhere in the galaxy, I would have been able to find her. Jessiel cloaked Tallia with her magic. No one could find her. I eventually had to take care of my family, my home. I never gave up, but life did go on. We heard nothing, until eight months later. It was a psychic cry so powerful it rocked even the slightly Gifted. We all felt it; we all knew it was the cry of a newborn Gifted. My heart, my soul told me that it was my grandchild, Tallia's child.

"Except for that one flickering moment, we've heard nothing of my daughter or her child. Jessiel's power hid them too well. Then three days ago, we felt the powerful shock wave of a Union. That day I was able to Feel my grandchild. The Union was powerful enough to break through Jessiel's barriers and I was able to create a tentative Link. It was through the Link that I discovered that I had a grandson and that his name was Lotor. I was able to follow the Link here. Now I've come to claim my grandson and bring him home." There was a long heavy silence. To Keith, it felt like he was waking from a dream. The woman's voice had pulled him into her sad story. He blinked to clear his vision; surprised to find a tear rolling down his cheek. He looked around to see the others wiping their eyes as well. Allura was the first to speak; her voice was shaking with emotion.

"How do you know that Lotor's is your grandson."

"I wouldn't be much of an Adept if I didn't know the soul of family." She smiled sadly. "I'm only sorry that I couldn't find him sooner."

"If Lotor is your grandson than Jessiel's disciple was Zarkon," Coran said. "And that means…"

"Yes, that means that Jessiel is the witch you call Hagar." Well, today is full of surprises, Keith thought. He never would have thought that Hagar was ever beautiful. What kind of power did she meddle in to cause such a drastic change.

"There's no telling what she's done to Lotor or Tallia," Amy continued. "The last time I saw her, the power of Drak, burned in her eyes. Now do you understand why I must see him." Keith could only imagine what it was like living with that crazy witch. He'd never thought he would feel sorry for Lotor. Coran, however, wasn't as easily moved.

"I sympathize with you Mrs. Dehandrea, but I don't think you realize-"

"I'm perfectly aware who Lotor is and what he's done, Advisor Coran. Elysian may keep to themselves, but we are not isolationists. I just didn't realize that Lotor and my grandson were the same person until three days ago." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What would you have me do, turn my back on family."

"Of course not, it's just that Lotor is a very dangerous man." Coran was not intimidated by the woman's hard stare. "We can not let you through security with just a sad story. We need proof."

"Coran!" Allura was shocked by Coran's cold words.

"I'm sorry if I seem harsh, Your Highness, but we must be vigilant. This may all be a ruse to get Lotor back. We cannot let him slip through our fingers." Coran had that stubborn look in his eyes. Keith knew that Coran had lost his family, because of Zarkon and Lotor. He was a forgiving man except when it came to those two.

Amy's eyes flashed slightly making Keith think of a cat. Maybe there was something to what Hunk had said earlier. Keith suddenly realized that she and Lotor had the same eyes.

"At least let me see your friend." The room focused again on Amy. She calmly picked up her mug and drank the cooling tea. "When I Linked with Lotor, I felt another presence. His name is Lance, yes?"

"How did you know that," Keith asked. He never really believed all that stuff about psychics and magic, but this woman was starting to the chills.

"It's all part of the Union."

"And what's a Union?"

"It's a very powerful bonding spell. It literally bonds two souls together, making them one. Whatever happens to one, happens to the other."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Hunk said. "What do you mean their souls are bonded."

"This bonding spell creates what most people call soulmates, one soul in two bodies. Despite all the romantic myths about soulmates, not everyone has a soulmate. It's a very rare occurrence. Of all the trillion of life forms in the galaxy there are only a few hundred that actually have a soulmate. It can occur naturally or through the use of magic. This spell actually creates that soulmate bond through the use of magic."

"So you're saying that Lance's soulmate is…LOTOR!!" Keith didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The expression on Hunk's face would have been funny, if the circumstances were different. Lance, his best friend and Lotor, his worst enemy? No it couldn't be, Lance would never…Keith couldn't even finish the thought, it disturbed him that much.

Amy looked everybody in the room as if she didn't understand why they were so shocked.

"But…but Lance isn't…I mean he doesn't…" Pidge was turning a dark shade of red as he tried to put his thoughts to words. "Lance likes women."

"This isn't about sexual orientation, or social morality, young man. It isn't even about male or female, souls do not care about such things. Your friend and my grandson are eternally linked" She let out an exasperated sigh. "I understand that this is difficult to accept and I also understand your need for caution, but I can help your friend and in turn, help Lotor." Keith could feel her impatience now. She seemed to sense their reluctance and Keith guessed that she was getting desperate. She looked at Allura, who was rubbing her temples. She had been complaining about a migraine. He'd thought the doctor had given her something for it. Now that he really looked at her, she seemed paler than normal, thinner too.

"Come here, child." Amy held out her hand. After a moment of hesitation, Allura took it. Amy pulled her down so that she was sitting beside her. She then touched Allura's temples with her fingertips.

"He meant to bond with you, didn't he?" Amy closed her eyes and rubbed Allura's temple. "But he got your friend instead."

"He was trying to shield me." Allura sighed and visibly relaxed, like a ten ton weight was suddenly lifted from her shoulders.

"When Lance severed the connection all that psychic energy had no where to go except into you. You're suffering from psychic backlash." Amy opened her eyes and dropped her hands. Allura blinked, touching her temples softly.

"What did you do?"

"Just drain the excess power that you'd absorbed. You must have been in a lot of pain." Allura nodded slowly. She looked to Keith and smiled.

"My headaches gone." Keith could only smile back. Every time Allura smiled at him that way, he'd turn to jelly.

"You're friend is in much more pain than that, You Highness. Let me help him." Amy squeezed Allura's hand. She gave such a pleading look that Keith knew that Allura wouldn't be able to resist. Allura sighed and nodded.

"Princess I don't-"

"We'll be right there with her, Coran. She won't be able to do anything harmful." She stood up and helped Amy to her feet. The two women left the room before anyone could say anything. Keith just smiled and shook his head. She had said that she wanted to be less headstrong. Keith had a feeling that would be like trying to stop the planet from turning.

Allura watched Amy examine Lance. The old woman gently touched his temples just as she had done to her earlier. For all she knew, this could be a trap, but there was something about Amy. From the moment the woman touched her, Allura's instincts told her to trust her. It may have been Lance's only chance for survival. Amy closed her eyes and her chin began to drop. For a second Allura thought that she went to sleep. She looked back at Keith who'd shrugged. The doctor refused to let all of them into the room, so Hunk and Pidge had to wait outside. Keith stepped closer to Allura and put his hand on her shoulder. She was grateful that he was there with her. She needed his strength at that moment. She was about to wake Amy when the woman cried out and snatched her hand back as if burned. Instantly, Keith and Allura were at her side.

"What's wrong Amy?" The old woman gazed up at her with fearful eyes. Then she closed them tightly and shook her head to clear it. Allura knelt down, taking her hand.

"Amy-"

"You have to let me see Lotor." Amy opened her eye; they were practically glowing with a fire that made Allura flinch.

"I-"

"Child if you value your friend's life you will let me see Lotor now. If you don't they will be dead within a day." There was steel in her voice. It was a voice that wasn't use to being disobeyed. Allura hesitated, remembering what Coran said. This woman could be their worst nightmare or the answer to their prayers. Her instincts were screaming at her to believe the woman. After three days of second guessing and self doubt, Allura took a deep breath and made a decision.

"All right." Amy smiled and squeezed her hand in gratitude. They stood and were blocked by Keith.

"I don't think-"

"What do we have to lose, Keith? At least we have a chance to save him." Keith glanced anxiously at Lance. Allura could see conflicting emotions in his eyes. Then he focused on them; his decision was made.

"You're going to have to deal with Coran." He smiled slightly.

"Don't worry. Coran's a pussy cat." She winked at his doubtful expression and led Amy out the room. Hunk and Pidge were waiting anxiously outside.

"Hunk, Pidge, I want you to stay here with Lance," Keith said. Hunk nodded.

"Where are you going?"

"To see Lotor."

"Do you think that's wise, I mean…" Hunk glanced at the old woman. Allura felt Amy stiffen next to her.

"We'll be careful. If there's any change in Lance's condition, let me know." Hunk opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped when he caught Amy's stern gaze.

"Just be careful." Allura let out a sigh of relief. One call to Coran could end any chance of helping Lance. Despite what she said earlier, she knew that convincing Coran to do anything he felt was dangerous was nearly impossible. It was better to do it now and deal with him later.

"Let's go, Keith." She took Amy's hand and led her down the hall with Keith close behind.

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