Who wants another AU!?

Klance is established. Shallura is established.

The Paladins are practically trained soldiers now. They’ve become excellent at killing/assassination and stealth missions. Going back to earth wouldn’t feel the same because they have changed so much but they do want to go back eventually.

The AU takes place three years after the series starts. They have been fighting Zarkon and the Galra Empire for those three years. The families of the Paladins have pretty much given up on their children being found. They believe they’re dead.

Near the end of their first year out in space Lance was captured by the Galra while on a partner mission with Keith. He was imprisoned for two months. Keith blames himself for Lance’s capture because he wasn’t able to protect him.

After Lance was rescued, he wasn’t able to speak at first due to the torture and experiments he went through. He also came back with two bionic legs similar to Shiro’s arm. The Paladins noticed that they gave him some sort of tattoo like they were branding him. He slowly gained his voice back but he has to talk quieter and it sounds scratchy sometimes. Lance occasionally has fits of coughing up blood.

Shiro lost his bionic arm on the mission to rescue Lance. Hunk and Pidge made him a better arm with the crystals Allura and Coran use to power the castle. His PTSD has become less of a problem over the years. He also became much more protective over his fellow comrades, especially after the incident where Lance was captured.

Pidge, with the help of the others, had finally found her family and they now live on the castle with them and help on missions and the fight against Zarkon the best they can.

It was discovered that Keith was part Galra while they were out in space, but he doesn’t ‘look’ Galra. He only has the physical capabilities of a Galra.

The Paladins have gotten much more mature, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have most of their old personalities.

The group visits the free planets to gain allies against Zarkon. On these diplomatic trips they were special Altean outfits in the the color of their lions. They also free as many planets as they possibly can, making allies with them along the way.

On one of the their diplomatic trips they discover intel that Zarkon is planning on heading to earth next, because it was discovered in had quintessence that was of interest to him.

While they were on their way to earth to prepare for Zarkon’s arrival, they were ambushed by Galra flagships. The group was separated and scattered across earth. Lance and Keith were together on an escape pod. Hunk, Pidge, and her family were also on an escape pod. While Shiro, Allura, and Coran crashed with the ship. The lions were separated from the ship and crashed in separate places as well.

Lance and Keith happen to land near where Lance’s family live (Florida) and are found by them. It’s a tearful reunion. Lance has to explain to them about where he’s been the past three years. His family take him and Keith home to rest up and promise to help in any way they can.

Hunk, Pidge, and her family land in the desert near the Galaxy Garrison in Arizona. They go Keith’s hut and discuss how they were going to find the others and the lions.

Shiro, Allura, and Coran land at the site of Stonehenge. Guards soon come towards the area to investigate the explosion and they unfortunately have to leave the castle behind. But Allura manages to put an invisibility barrier up, so no one will find it.

The team have to work to find each other and the lions again before Zarkon comes to destroy earth or it will be too late.