Chapter twenty-nine: Aurs Prom

It had been a while since the visit to Xadia and things have been going great without no incident for our group of heroes.

After dealing with Haggar again who in turn, preformed a powerful ritual that summoned a creature of darkness that haunted Shiro on his first day at Xadia and nearly reach the Lunarium and the Lunar Lenses but luckily Shiro was able to stop her from destroying the lenses.

After that, the group spending the time remaining for the rest of their vacation with numerous activities together, from a Sauna, getting massages, and more time in the Steam Grotto like friends do like trying on the most ridiculous sweater that Pidge's mother make for Shiro, one that he might or might not have brought back with him.

That was only two days ago, Shiro and company had since returned to Aurs with the feelings of juvenation on their minds, or at least until now.

"Hey, Romelle! Open up!" Shiro called as he pounded on Romelle's bedroom door. "I got an invitation to the All Aurs Prom, Do you know what this is?"

"I see that you got the invitation!" Keith said.

"Um? what invitation!" Shiro said.

"You know the great prom!" Keith said as he showed him the scene of the ballroom where staff were setting up decorations, tying balloons to the railings, hanging streamers from the ceiling and hanging posters that said, "Prom Night!"

"Oh, that explains a lot!" Shiro said.

"What gave it away, Shiro?" Keith asked with sarcasm. "The posters, the balloons or the streamers?"

"Okay, I see your point!" Shiro laughed. "I just can't believe you guys actually have a prom!"

"Yeah, it's a really fancy party with everyone dresses up!" Keith said. "Everyone in Aurs was invited!"

Suddenly, somebody carrying invitations bumped into Shiro and snapped, "Watch it, nitwit!" It was Romelle. She suddenly corrected herself and acted a bit nicer when she realized she bumped into Shiro. "Oh. Hi, Shiro... and Keith. Sorry about that."

"No problem, let me help you!" Shiro helped her pick up her invitations.

"Thanks, I have a lot invitations to send, this year we're going all out!" Romelle said. "With the dancing and the fancy food!"

"Dancing!" Shiro questioned.

"It only happens once a decade. I've been waiting years for this!" Keith said. "No wait I'm not!"

"Uh, so are you sure I should even go, in my world, The Garrison didn't have a prom!" Shiro questioned.

"Of course! Everybody is invited! That includes you!" Romelle said. "It's all in the invite..."

She explained as Shiro opens the envelope, his eyes widened at the sheer amount of things required and expected at this party.

"Rules for greeting the host. Expected curtsy depth? Proper stair descending etiquette?" Shiro chuckled.

"Don't worry about that, Shiro, Coran is hosting this year, so you don't have to worry!" Keith said.

"it's true! he does!" Romelle said.

Shiro whimpered, worried about all these rules and etiquette stuff, bowing and being polite wasn't exactly taught in Garrison training.

"Don't worry, I'll be right there with you!" Romelle said. "so will Keith' right Keith!"

Staring up into the open space, Keith counted off. "Hmm how about no, no, and my favorite, no!" He rolled his eyes as he started to walk away again.

"What?!" Romelle shouting. "Bu you can't leave, Keith! It's the Aurs Prom, and you're invited!"

"Mmmh, let me think! no I'm not exactly a big fan of parties!" Keith said.

"Rights, you have no etiquette whatsoever!" Romelle deadpanned.

"Exactly, you got it, right Shiro!" Keith said.

"Yeah, you got it!" Shiro said, too distracted by the invitation, read off the numerous events and requirements for the prom to the two of them, at least the ones he found in the middle of the incredibly long list as he examined the contents' multiple rows of information again.

"Exactly!" Keith said. "This festival going on for centuries. There's a lot of old etiquette stuff you got to do before you can party."

"You don't say..." Shiro rubbed his chin as he examined the list again and was interrupted by two paramedics pushing a boy on a gurney down the hallway and stopping in front of a girl. "Come with us immediately," the paramedics said to the boy. "Your disease- it's advancing!"

"Is there a cure, doc?" the boy asked.

"Only one... finding the perfect date to Prom!"

"If that's the cure... then, Okara, will you go to Grom with me?" The boy gave Okara a beating heart with the word "prom" written in blood on it.

Okara let out a scream of delight and hugged the boy. "Of course I will, or whatever!" The people watching the even unfold cheered.

"Okay, let's go we still have a lot of proposals left on this thing!" Coran said as he helping the services set up the room for prom night. "Very good. Lower the streamers, fill the punch bowl, and- how's my disco ball?"

"Almost getting ready!" said a Altean who was setting up a massive disco ball.

"Good, because I really want to win the ball!" Coran said.

Coran left the ballroom just as Romelle about to leave too, "Well I better get going, these invitations are not going to deliver themselves".

As she did, a thought dawned Shiro, turning him, too excited beyond words smile into a slightly uneasy look of dread. He couldn't believe he didn't think of this part of it sooner. They were now going to be facing the one problem worse than the party itself, and that dealt with socialize.

"Shiro are you okay!" Keith said.

"Yeah, I'm going to my room to study this!" Shiro said.

"Okay!" Keith said as he was left alone in the ballroom.

"I'm sick of this." Adam grumbled as he scribbled out something on the poster-sized paper on his desk. "Haggar failed to get back at Shiro and if Zarkon finds out on what she's doing, she'll take us down with her. She's obsessed. We need to think big picture. It's time for someone new to take over. Me. So, you in?"

Adam faced his team and Sendak as he angrily crumbled the large board of paper on his desk as he tossed it to the overflowing trash bin across the room, the same one buried under a mountain of other crumbled paper.

"Why are we hanging out in your room!" Wakun said.

"Yes why!" Sendak said.

"Unfortunately, you're the only ones I can trust around here." Adam said. "I have the beginning of a plan, but it's not enough. I need figure out way to defeat Shiro so Haggar doesn't get on to me again! or demote me. I need to impress Zarkon so he'll make me the new Haggar. How do I do both?"

"Do I have to remind you, you already did that!" Sendak added as pointed out the Crystal on his desk.

"That's different, plus I didn't tell Haggar about it!" Adam said.

"Why don't you try something at the All-Aurs Prom? Everyone is gonna be there, so Shiro probably will be too. Ooh! This year's theme is Winter Ball." Sendak said

"...Excuse me?" Adam blinked as he stood out of his chair to face the galra man. "How did you get this?" he swiped the paper out of Sendak's hands. Sure enough, detailed word for word was a formal invitation to a Aurs Prom, one that promised to house a number of everyone all gathered in one location.

"They sent it to me. I'm invited!" Sendak answered casually.

"What!" Adam asked with visible shock.

"of course, remember we invaded Aurs!" Sendak told him all of this as if it was common knowledge.

"All right I forgot about that and you're going to a Aurs Prom".

"Oh, no, I'm not going. No". he said, "is not socially acceptable for Galra but you, you can!"

"Okay, I'll buy it!" Adam said. "but still how am I going to be unnoticed, everyone hates me especially Keith!"

"And that's exactly why you have to go! How dare they pretend they're better just because you're different!" Sendak said.

"Yeah, How dare they abandon people just because they don't fit into their perfect little lives!" Adam stood straight up, hands on his hips and staring down at Sendak.

"Exactly!" Sendak cheered.

"How dare they take boyfriend and turn them into sword possessive freaks who run off with people clearly inferior to you!!" Adam said.

"You're telling the whole life story with your words!" Enmu said. "it's like a dream!"

"Not exactly a fan of parties but I'm in!" Kam said.

"I am too!" Rose said.

"Well, normally I'd be busy but going to prom might be fun!" Rokuro said.

"So we're going to that prom and nobody's going to have a problem and we'll make this a night no one will ever forget!" Adam said.

"Yeah, The lower moons is going to Prom!" Wakun cheered.

Meanwhile, Keith watched for hours as everybody was setting up for Prom, choosing their outfits and getting dates. There were so many things they needed to discuss between what they would do, how what to do.

But luckily, Keith wasn't going to these things, due to the obvious...reasons as he was holding a piece of paper.

Then suddenly, Keith accidentally bumped to Lance, Hunk, and Pidge who were walking down the hallway the same as him.

"Hey, Keith!" Lance said as he and the others were excited for Prom.

"Oh, hey!" Keith said.

"Hey, are you okay!" Lance said.

"...Not exactly, I'm trying to get away from all this...Prom...ts." Keith said.

"Oh come on, it's your first dance experience." Hunk said. "I can't wait to get overdressed, take awkward photos, and talk to people you don't really know!"

"No, not really!" Keith said.

All of a sudden, Shiro bursting from his room "Guys! Good. No time to waste" then he forcibly Keith, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge into his room.

Where they casually sat on his bed and watched in shock at Shiro's battle plans.

"I think advance prep will be key to success. I've divided the rules into base parts. Dance rules, etiquette rules, rules for greeting the hostess." Shiro said, pointing to everything with a baton he found, "I'm familiarizing myself with targets. Ask me anything. Stats, show them the cards".

Stats did as he told as gave the others quiz cards that he made earlier and gave them to Keith.

"Coran!" Keith read off one of the cards.

"Leader of the Alteans". Shiro recited, "he has hosted the prom for years now and has been neutral in the fight against the Galra, Allies with with the Balmerans and Olkari but not with the Pollax, who have joined forces with the Galra as as you can tell by the string. Up means friends, down means enemies. And I made an obstacle course!"

Shiro excitedly revealed the messed up obstacle course all over the room with a smile on his face.

"I'm feeling good! I'm prepared for any and all scenarios. I am so ready for this dance." Shiro said, proudly.

"Great! What are you wearing?" Lance asked.

Taken aback by the question, Shiro slightly froze.

"I don't really know what outfit I'm wearing!" Shiro answered. "plus I'm carrying my sword with me, so yeah!"

"Well, you can't carry your weapon!" Pidge said, walking towards the invite. They have a strict no weapons rule. Neutral ground and all." Pidge pulled down the invite and pulled out a small tab that said "No Weapons".

"So, you'll have to leave your sword at the door."

"Ugh, how are there more parts to this invite?" Shiro groaned. "I'm usually repaired on this stuff, I was the bouncer back at the Garrison!"

"Hey, don't worry about it!" Hunk said, before he gasped with a new twinkle in his eyes. "You know what this means?"

"That clothes don't matter and I should keep on studying?" Shiro said.

"It's makeover time!!" Hunk squealed excitedly.

Hunk quickly took a hold of Shiro, Pidge and Lance and dragged them away out of the room.

"Have fun!" Keith said.

"Oh no you don't, you're coming too!" Hunk said as he also drag Keith out of the room, unwilling.

"But, I don't want to!" Keith said.

This was it! The Aurs Prom! The glorious destination that Keith, Shiro, Lance, Pidge, and Hunk have been torturing themselves over for the last several hours.

The ballroom itself really didn't look like a winter wonderland, From the base of the room, everything was coated in a sheet of beautiful reflective ice. Even the ground they walked on leading up to the magnificent structure was covered in ice, just enough to keep it from being too slippery for people to slide on and beautiful enough to walk across.

Thankfully after the tiring day they had, the Makeover session they had didn't prove as terrifying as it could've been. Not comparatively at least.

It took a good hour to find the right clothes for Lance, Hunk and Pidge, trying on various dresses, suits and outfits they could find within the shrine's Dressing Room. Pidge couldn't hide the small smile she had growing on her face, enjoying the activity as they tried the numerous combinations of jewelry and outfits Aurs had to offer.

Then it came time to work on the harder part of the makeover- Keith and Shiro, the ladder was already back in battle mode, reviewing everything he would need to know about this dance, while the formal had made it clear that he doesn't want to do anything for this dance as when he didn't like a suit, he tore it out of frustration, albeit accidentally, whenever he tried to pry it off his body soon after.

When all hope seemed lost for the two, he finally found the perfect outfit! ...Just not one they were expecting. For Shiro, it was a classic formal military outfit with golden accents and similar to the ones on Earth and with Keith, a dark red short-sleeve tux, rolling up the sleeves of it and matching pants he found to go with then around his knees. He didn't bother tying the bow tie around his neck either, finding it better just to hang loose so he didn't need to go over any etiquette training for that of all things. And along with the fingerless knuckle gloves he had, he deemed his own outfit complete.

And to be honest, the trio actually agreed to it! It was surprisingly fitting for someone of Shiro and Keith's characters and as for Lance and Hunk's outfits, they found a blue and yellow tuxedos and for Pidge, her dress was beautiful as it had rich bright green colors and shades with a tuxedo jacket to go with it.

Overall, the group of friend-ish were complete and ready, making their way through the the palace gates as they had to deal with one more obstacle, Shiro arguing about his sword.

"Be careful and don't just lean it somewhere and don't keep it with the other swords or it might get confused!" he shouted as Lance tried to pull him away from the man who took the weapons.

"Shiro, c'mon!" Lance called out to him and soon they walking down the entrance hall.

The hall was beautifully decorated with icicles, pink drapes and gorgeous carvings along the walls. It was as if walking into another world.

"Wow..." Shiro muttered as the group passed on through the doors. It's no wonder Keith was so uptight about everything up to this point, this place has sparkles everywhere floating all around them and walked into the dance.

Many people from all over Altea were there having so much fun, with the music playing and people laughing and cheering, lt was amazing! But then something in the wery front of the room, straight in front of them, was Coran sitting on an icy throne.

"The Prom is one of our most ancient traditions." Romelle explained as the group minus Keith made their way down the stairs. "he or she's first dance is a huge rite of passage."

"I'll say." Shiro looked across the rom, still surprised by its surprise, and a little uneasy at the hundreds of people that filled it.

"Hey, don't worry I'm sure everything's going to be fine!" Romelle said. "And we don't have to bow we know it's Coran!"

After stood in place for a minute, the group went separate ways, Hunk went to the buffet, Lance when to find a dance partner and Pidge looking as if she was confused on what to do, Suddenly, Romelle took her by the shoulders.

"Oh! There's Claire! heh". She said and then led her over to where her friend was.

Just outside the ballroom, Keith waited by the door, occasionally glancing down at the paper he had and swallowed, Speak of the devil, Shiro appeared at the door again. "Is something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I'm fine." Keith replied, not giving him any attention as he spoke. "I am not exactly the kind of person to do these kinds of things!"

"Hey, but you're here!" Shiro said, putting his hands on Keith's shoulders. "Especially the type of person who is who enjoys being alone!"

"Hah, yeah, right! You goin' push my buttons all night, Shiro?"

"In your dreams," Shiro said with a chuckle.

At that moment, Keith could go with socializing with people but then again, Keith wasn't the type socialize.

"Hey, is that Shippo?" Keith wondered as he lead the way towards a large pillar. Sure enough, as he thought, the two were greeted by the perky but annoying ninja from the Kitsune Valley.

This was actually a welcoming change of pace for Keith. Maybe if they found some familiar faces to socialize with it would give Keith enough time to cool off and get a chance to mingle with people.

Spotting the two familiar faces under him, the ninja grinned as he playfully slid down the extremely large pillar, twirling around it as he slid down using his bushy tail. "Shiro! Keith!" He greeted, chipper as always. He was dressed in his black ninja outfit like he had on before.

"Hey shr- I mean, Shippo." Keith corrected himself as Shiro pump him on the side. "What are you doing here? trying to gang up on people!"

"What? Of course not, don't be silly! gang up on people with last week, so now I'm observing a Social Experiment!"

"Social... Experiment?" Keith repeated to Shiro, who shrugging back uncertain, Putting the pair of goggles over his head again, the ninja squirmed with anticipation as he gazed around the room.

"Different groups are thrown together and forced to mingle." There was an exceedingly excited anticipation growing in his voice, the Kitsune flexing his fingers on the pillar with enthusiasm. "Hierarchies form and break. It's the perfect place to observe behavior! And they have tiny foooood!" His mouth watered at the mention as he lifted his pockets, displaying the magnificent treats he discovered during his observations.

"Yeah, they sure!" Keith said, sarcastically.

"Sure, give me another joke!" Shippo said.

"Okay, that's enough!" Shiro chuckled. "it's great to see you again!"

"Me too!" Shippo said, "We Kitsune really own you our Lives!"

"Well, we're glad we were able to help!" Shiro said. "Even if it was dealing with...Galra..."

Then, thereby, walking through the doors, taking in the view of the entire room in one sweep was something that Shiro wasn't believing in.

There, he stood. Elegantly, beautifully, and proudly, as he arrived with his group, the lower moons, They were dressed appropriately for the party, almost too much in fact.

With Emmu, he went all out in the theme of dark as he wore a simple tux and with Wakun, he wore a white shirt, a dark blue Vest with Brown Khaki Trousers and Suede Tassel Loafers, and Kam, he wore a white Blazer and Grey Chinos, White Dress Shirt and Brown Formal Shoes, and for Rose Nebel, a red Sweetheart A line Tulle Short dress.

And finally with Rokuro, a purple steampunk gentlemen's vintage tailcoat. And Adam himself was dressed appropriately, yet simple, all at the same time. He wore a simple white shirt with dark grey pants with black blazer. all of them were Simple, elegant, pristine, and pure.

And in his hands was the one troubling factor in all of this. There she held a simple box, wrapped over with a piece of green wrapping paper covered over around it, and a dazzling blue ribbon tied neatly over a bow on top of it

Thus, here they were. the lower moons, and their friend and Commander, Adam.

The Galra had officially crashed the party...

"I feel like everyone is staring." Rose commented as she walked down the hallway with Adam.

"Oh let them stare. It's not like their opinion matters anyway. " Adam replied holding his black package.

This was it. The Aurs Prom! The center stage and location for all of Adam's planning. All the lands and cities gathered under one roof for a night of celebration, one that's held every ten years! He could not begin to describe how long he worked the previous night for this day, or all the preparations that came with it.

One of which was Sendak himself.

There was no end to the number of troubles he kept bringing up, the issues he pointed out with Adam attending the Prom like this, even with the lower moons as it took a lot of convincing to convince him that he would be fine with them, as well as having all his training under his belt to keep himself safe.

The Prom itself was also the very first Prom Adam had ever attended, much less the very first party Adam had ever attended, and he had to say, it was beautiful! Lights glistened and sparkled off the various icy structures, the moon lighting played a gigantic part in presentation outside of this place, and everyone around him was someone new to meet, someone new to make potential alliances with!

This place was going to be a blast!

Making their way up the stairs to the throne, the group proudly curtsied respectfully, Adam giving off more of a bow given the contents in his hand.

"Revered Host, I-"

"Stop!" The two turned around at the shout of panic coming from Shiro, one of two people Adam was looking forward to meeting him again, as well as Keith who he was less than happy to meet again as ran up to the throne.

"Revered host, you can't let them in. They're from the Galra." Shiro said.

Adam looked taken aback by this sudden accusation and chuckled.

"Revered hostess, The Galra was invited as per the rules of this dance." Adam said, "Rules which I personally have the upmost respect for."

"You do not!" Shiro shouted at Adam.

"Shiro. The rules state that all people and their chosen guests are welcome." Coran said, firmly.

"They're up to something. I can feel it. You have to--"

"That's enough!" Coran said. "For centuries the All-Aurs prom has been neutral ground. I will not dishonor that legacy, and and even if they are Galra, they get plus one, they stay".

One of the servants took Shiro and Keith by the shoulders and shoved them down the stairs.

"man, I never bought that prom get any weirder!" Coran sighed, "but I have to do everything I can to maintain order!"

"Really, Shiro? I'm shocked. We're not breaking any rules. Didn't you read the invite?" Adam said.

"I know you're plotting something. From now until the second the dance ends, I'll be watching. Wherever you go, I go." Shiro said.

"Suit yourself. Have fun with following us!" Adam said.

Shiro Grumbles as he knew they were up to something and he was going to find out, no matter what it takes.

Meanwhile, Lance was talking to a few of the other people, trying to get a dance from a woman. but so far all of them bailed out.

"Still struggling to get a date!" Pidge joked.

"Pidge! not now!" Lance said.

"What, I'm just trying to help!" Pidge said. "Right Romelle!"

"Totally!" Romelle said, giving high five with Pidge.

"Well, I don't see you getting a date!" Lance said.

"Oh please, I am not interested in--men or guys!" Pidge said.

Lance sighted, giving up. "We'll work on it!"

Lance then took a sip of his drink, before gagging as it entered his body. It was the most disgusting thing thing he had ever drank in his life. And that includes that time he snuck in a sip of beer during his sister's birthday party last year. He violently coughed, trying to get the taste out of his tongue. He turned to Romelle.

"Romelle, what is this?" he said.

"Oh, this is Nunvill, the so-called nectar of the gods." Romelle said.

"It tastes like hot dog water and feet." Lance complained.

"I know everyone has their own taste! but it makes a wonderful hair tonic as well." Romelle said, nonchalantly, before walking away.

Lance just slumped his shoulder as he stood there trying to process what Romelle had said. it also didn't help that the taste that still lingering in his mouth, like a piece of gum. Pidge looked at him weirdly, wondering if he was truly okay. As that happened. Shiro had carefully push back as he didn't trust Adam and his team. So together with Keith, they made sure that he do not make any mischief as he waltzed around the room.

he had to keep Aurs safe from Adam and his team as wasn't his first time that Adam attack this place, so he followed him to the hallway and saw Romelle.

"Are you already, Shiro!" Romelle asked, but Adam walked up behind her with that strange smile on his face.

"Don't touch her!" Shiro shouted and ran to Romelle. But just as Romelle was about to fall, Adam caught her to his surprise.

"Oh, thank you, I almost flip!" Romelle said to Adam.

Shiro glanced from Adam back to Romelle.

"What, I was just helping out! you got have a little bit more trust in me!" Adam answered, bringing Romelle closer to him, "Is this what love feels like?"

Shiro glared at Adam and pulled Romelle away from him.

"Romelle, you know Adam is from the Galra, right!" Shiro told her.

"Oh, I know!" Romelle replied in a clear face!

"Then you must know that he has got to go!" Shiro said.

"But we can't, you know as well as I, we cannot force him out because of the no violence rule!" Romelle reminded.

"Don't remind me!" Shiro groaned.

"Shiro, you need to relax". Romelle placed a hand on his arm. "I get that there are things we need to prioritize, but if we continue to worry about the little things in life, we will never be able to see the bigger picture".

"But what if, Adam attacks again?" Shiro questions.

"But he won't, Adam may be ruthless, he's not going to break the rules!" Romelle said. "Now, come on, we got join this dance!"

"Okay!" Shiro smiled.

The two then made their way to continue to enjoy themselves, while Adam watched them, a small, sinister smile appeared on his face, "Prepare to witness this your worst nightmare!" eyeing the package in his hand and open his package to reveal, a strange black slime.

At the same time, Hunk and Keith were having a conversation.

"Hey, hunk, have you seen a little girl with pale skin!" Keith asked.

"No, not really!" Hunk replied, "why do you ask!"

"Oh, that's because Adam and his team are here!" Keith said.

"Really, I haven't noticed!" Hunk said.

"Well, I'm trying to figure out what they're planning, Shiro thinks they're doing something evil!" Keith said

"Really, you think!" Hunk said, despondent.

"Think about it, Adam did a lot of awful stuff to us, what else is he going to do!" Keith said.

"I guess, you're right". Hunk said. "but still he hasn't done anything, cake pop!"

"Yeah, haven't done anything!" Keith said, still holding on to his piece of paper!

Shiro danced with Romelle, though his head wasn't really in the game. He stumbled his feet, he stepped on Romelle's toes and he seemed to be off in la-la land. Romelle got impatient. "Are you even going to try to dance with me?"

Shiro sighed. "Sorry. I keep thinking about what happened with Adam."

"This again!" Romelle moaned.

"I know I know I should keep my mind off Adam, but I know he's planning something, I just need to figure out what!" Shiro said.

"hey, if I was you! I would try relaxing a bit!" Romelle said.

Just then, somebody who is also dancing bumped to Romelle and snapped, "Hey...oh I'm so sorry!" it was Queen Astrid, dancing with her date and try to apologize. "Sorry, Noelle and I have a good dance, until we bump into you!"

"No, it's okay!" Shiro said. "it's good to see a familiar face!"

Then, the light went dim, a single spotlight shining down on Coran. "It is my duty as host to now announce, it is time for the first dance of the Prom".

the rush of the crowd flying down the stairs and on to the dance floor, people got into pair and prepared for the dance as music playing in the background.

Shiro looked around and saw everyone team up when a light shone on him. He turned back and saw Adam smiling at him, with hand up, ready to dance.

Shiro groaned and reluctantly placed his hand against Adam's beginning to dance.

"I don't know about you, but I am having a blast." Adam said.

"Whatever you're planning, it won't work." Shiro said as we spun around and got closer to each other as the dance called for.

"You sure?" Adam asked. The two of us spun around and separated and soon his partner changing into Keith.

"Hey Shiro, we need to talk!" he told him.

"Keith, now is not the time, I--" Shiro couldn't talk to his anymore since their partners changed and now he was dancing with Pidge.

"Have you seen Lance?" She asked as Shiro lifted her into the air.

"Huh!" he said.

Elsewhere, Lance was sitting on a chair next to a table, finding a girl who finally willing to dance with him was exhausted.

"Hey, Lance!" Hunk said. "how's your night going!"

"Terrible!" Lance moaned.

"Oh, okay!" Hunk said. "by the way the buffet was terrible and both good at the same time!"

"Great, graduations!" Lance said. The two looked away from each other as they tried to think on what to say next.

"UUUUUUGGGGHHHHH!" That momentous groan of exhaustion and irritation only belonged to the one person they knew, seeing Keith collapse onto the cushioned seat with a tired look in his eyes.

"Where were you?" Hunk asked a little worried.

He didn't care about the rules or the guidelines anymore at this point. He slouched down at the chair as he possible could. "Trying to get to Shiro, but Adam stop me in the best way he could."

"No, seriously, where were you?" Hunk awaited for a response to this serious question, and when nothing came, he blinked in surprise. "You... really wanted to dance with him?"

"Yeeeees..." He moaned, rubbing his aching head. There was only so much of a good nature he could force out of himself before he grew a headache. "but no matter what I try I can't... get to him!"

"Mmh...Wow... I can't believe you actually did it, or at least tried to at that". Lance said. "I mean, you are sometimes the hardest person to get along with, the one who barely had a sense of decency when it came to new people, actually tried his hardest to make to ask someone to go to the Prom with you."

"And all that is just to make me a little happier, after I'm not the type to go in this dance!" Keith added.

"No... I'm sorry." Lance apologized back, catching Keith by surprise. "you shouldn't have pushed through all that stuff this morning just for a stupid dance... To turn you into something you're not."

"Eh, forget about it." Keith replied, closing his eyes as he tried to relax, but then, suddenly, Keith felt like something got drop on his face, something wet, and something black.

"What is this!" he wondered as he touched the black something on his face.

"What are you talking about" Hunk said.

"This!" Keith said as he show the black stuff to him.

"Is that a--" Hunk Gasps "Oh no!"

"What is it!" Lance said.

"is it a Grom!" Hunk cried.

"A what!" Keith said.

"A Grom!" Hunk explained as more black stuff become dropping down from the ceiling to reveal on what looked like a writhing black mass of slime. "A Grom is a monster and it devours people and sometimes weapons."

"Why is it here!" Lance said. "who brought it here!"

"I think I know who, Adam!" Keith said. "We got to stop him!"

They left the table and try figure out way to stop it. in the meanwhile, Shiro continued dancing with the enemy with Pidge.

"No, have you!" Shiro said.

"A while ago, Isn't he with a girl!" Pidge said. The two separate and Adam came back to him, falling into his arms and glancing at him for the side of his eye.

"Maybe my plan won't work. But then again..." he said, taking Shiro by the waist and dipping him down. "maybe it already has."

Shiro got angrier as he pulled him back and held his arm. "Say, where's your friend, Keith?"

Shiro in his anger and shouted, tackling Adam to the ground and smashed him into an speaker and the music stopped, Everything turned to look at them, But Shiro didn't care or about ultralight territory.

"What did you do to him!?" Shiro shouts, demanding an answer.

"Nothing permanent." Adam said, smirked. he grabbed him by the scuff of the shirt, the people around him gasped and whispering.

"Tell me what you did to him, right—" before Shiro could finish his sentence, a group of Aurs guards separating them.

Shiro looked up and saw Coran staring at him with an angry look in his eyes.

"Coran, he's got—" he tried to explain.

"Aurs Prom is a ceremony of unity. Violence is strictly forbidden." Coran said.

"You don't understand." Shiro said.

"I understand perfectly". Coran walked closer to me, then looked back at the guests, "In accordance with the rules set over the centuries, I hereby revoke your invitation. You are to leave and never, ever--"

All of a sudden, the whole castel began to shake, People gasping and shouted from the sudden tremors. Just then, several raindrops fall from the ceiling, making the people panic even more.

"Remain calm! Stop!" Coran said.

"Pidge!" Shiro shouted, "Adam has Keith. You have to find him!"

Adam leaned against the broken speaker and smiled at him.

"Adam. What did you do?" Shiro asked.

"I did nothing". Adam answered, "but a certain creature that the lower moons captured, were very busy. It was fun distracting you though."

"This isn't a game. People are gonna get hurt", Shiro said as Adam began to walk away.

"It's never been a game to me." He walked closer again, "I'm after something bigger, and no one is gonna stop me."

Adam grinned, letting Shiro be the only person to see it.

This. This was the trap. All along, he tricked Shiro from the moment he came here, by putting Shiro in a trap he knew he would never be able to escape from.

By putting Keith in danger.

He played with him from the moment they got here, from the moment Shiro first laid eyes on Adam at the dance, He toyed him to believe in that he had a attack plan which he did and this time, he doesn't have no mercy.

And he paid the price for it. As the grom began to move looking for its target.

"Shiro!" Romelle shouted.

Shiro turned to Romelle and dealing with Adam have to wait, Keith was in danger and have to save him.

Keith, Lance, and Hunk went into the end of the hallway, looking around until they found the stand where their weapons are.

"What you say!" the man who took the weapon said.

"We're saying that a grom is here and is attacking everyone!" Hunk said.

"But what about no weapons on neutral ground!" said the man.

"This isn't about neutral grounds anymore, the galra are attacking the prom right now!" Keith said.

On cue, the grom appeared in front of them and a tendril shot out of the creature's back and attack Keith.

"Okay, I see your point!" the man said.

"Oh really, you think!" Lance said.

And soon, the Grom chased after Keith, snarling back at him.

"Keith!" Hunk shouted.

"Don't worry about me, I find a way to kill it!" Keith told Hunk as he started to run away.

"Guys!" Pidge said as she, Shiro, and Romelle joining them. "Where is Keith!"

"The grom is chasing him, he's trying to stop me on his own!"

Shiro face palmed. "of course he does, why am I not surprised about this. Gotta save him again." Shiro took off running after Keith.

"Shiro, wait!" Pidge said.

"Some on, I know a quicker route!" Romelle said, and soon, the group took a different, quicker route to get to Keith, Shiro, and Grom.

Somewhere in a forest, Keith was still running with the creature still chasing after him and finally Keith stopped running when he came to a cliff. He turned around to see Grom towering over him.

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Grom fell backwards and collapsed as Shiro suddenly appeared, stood between Keith and the creature.

"Keith!" Shiro shouted.

"Shiro!" Keith said.

"Are you all right!" Shiro said.

"I...LOOK OUT!" Keith shouted

The black mass shot a tentacle out and touched Shiro's forehead. His eyes glowed briefly before the mass took on Shiro's sword's form.

"Seriously, this thing takes on the form of weapons!" Keith said as he and Shiro try to dodge and began to back away as the large blob reached for him, unaware he was about to walk off the cliff until...

Suddenly, Romelle and the others came out of the trees with Pidge hurled a smoke ball at Grom, making it turn around and face her. "Hands off my friends, you misshapen excuse for a monster!"

"Pidge!" Shiro cried out.

"I don't worry. I got this one." Pidge said as she hurled an another smoke bomb at the creature.

But before she could, the Grom headed towards her but Keith jumped towards the creature and put himself between Pidge and the Grom. "Stay away from her!" The shape-shifter reached out and grabbed him.

Shiro cried out, "Keith! No!"

"Shiro, it's all right! I..." his eyes glowed briefly as the Grom read his mind.

The shape-shifter took the form of a young man. It didn't have any visible features, it was like a shadow with a pair of glowing eyes.

"What is this!" Lance said. "I thought you said it takes the form of weapons!"

"It does, but this is different!" Hunk said. "Who is that?"

The thing reached into Keith's pocket, took out the paper and tore it in half. Keith looked away, embarrassed, clutching his pants. He picked up one half of the paper and held it close to his chest. Shiro and the others ran to aid him. Shiro bent down and picked up the second half and looked at it. On it were the words, "Will you go to Prom with me? Keith." Shiro and Lance gasped as they realized, "that's the reason why you don't want to go to prom, You were afraid of getting rejected!" Lance said.

"Yeah, you're totally right but no one will want to go out with me!" Keith said.

"Keith, it's okay. What if I went to Prom with you instead?" Shiro said as he held out his hand.

"Really, but what about Adam!" Keith said, reached for it, a little hesitantly.

"That's what friends do and don't worry about him." Shiro said.

Keith smiled, then looked sternly to Grom. It rose and towered above them, roaring menacingly with huge jaws.

"Well, then, if that's settled, may I have this dance?"

He held out his hand to Shiro who took it. They held each other close, the moon shining brightly before them. Lance and the others watched in awe as they began to dance.

"Shiro, Keith! here!" Hunk shouted as he hurled their weapons and soon Keith did his signature move with his dagger, forming a strand of fire, while Shiro summon a single slice from his sword and together they slice the grom's tentacles, caused the creature to Screeching in pain, leaving the perfect opportunity for Shiro and Keith to slice the creature's head or wherever the head is.

With a final move, Shiro and Keith finished their dance with a flourish as they finally slice the monster and caused the creature to explodes behind Shiro and Keith, leaving nothing behind.

"So... who did you wanna ask out?" Shiro asked.

Keith blushed. "Oh, it's... not important," he said as he tossed the other half of the note to the ground.

Lance let out a cheer and Hunk pulled the two boys into a group hug.

"That was the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life!" Lance said "Keith, those were some sweet moves!"

"I've been practicing," Keith said.

Suddenly, Coran came out of nowhere and said. "Oh my, don't mind what happened here!"

"it's a long story, Coran!" Romelle said. "but this was the Galra was planning! Shiro is right!"

Keith flashed a toothy smile as Shiro blushed awkwardly. The party goers popped out of the bushes and run toward them, cheering. They paraded the girls, holding them up. Shiro puts a hand on Keith's shoulder. Watching nearby, Adam clapped for the boys in the shadows.

"It looks like the plan was success!" Adam, holding a stand of Keith's hair.

Nearby, Lance was about to follow them when he found the torn note from Keith. He brought both halves together and his eyes widened when he saw the note was for Shiro. His eyes shifted to Key, still being paraded with Shiro. "Well, I'll be darned..."

"What is!" Hunk said as Lance show him the note. "Oh! never mind!"