The planet beneath them cracked like dry glass. Wind howled through jagged ravines, carrying the moan of a dying world.

“We’ve got a few hours before this place is space dust,” Shiro’s voice came through the comms. “Pidge, Lance—you’re up for the underground sector.”

“Copy that,” Pidge said, already descending stone steps carved into the planet’s skin, scanner in hand.

They reached a wide, circular chamber. A massive machine stood at its center, rooted into the floor like a tree. Faint blue glyphs pulsed along the walls.

“Whoa,” Lance breathed. “It’s like a cathedral and a motherboard had a baby.”

“Looks like a data core,” Pidge said, fingers flying over the console. “Might tell us who lived here… or what destroyed it.”

The machine began to hum—louder, faster. “Uh, Pidge?” Lance said, stepping back. “That doesn’t sound friendly.”

Then the core flared.

A beam of light shot out—aimed directly at her. “Pidge, move!” Lance dove, slamming into her.

Then—nothing but white. Lance jerks awake like he’s been thrown into his body. He’s on his feet—dizzy, nauseous, ears ringing. He collapses, groaning, and blinks up at… glowing cave walls?

He spots Hunk, Pidge, and Keith nearby—all in armor. He glances down. He’s not.

He’s in formalwear.

Kolar. They’d saved the planet. There’d been a party. Dancing. Then… pain. And now—this? “-Which brings me back to my original question,” Pidge says, sounding extremely disgruntled. He watches as she pushes herself to a sitting position “What was that?”

“And the more important question,” Keith adds, sounding like his usual grumpy self as he gets to his feet. “Where is Lance?” Lance scoffs, pushing himself into a sitting position and holding a hand to his head. There’s a dull ache behind his eyes, but at least he’s not dizzy anymore. “You got mullet in your eyes or what? I’m right here.” He grumbles. Then he’s sprinting over and hugging him. Lance blinks, stunned.

And then Hunk, bless his soul, dissolves the tension before Lance snaps.

“Lance! Buddy! You’re okay—“ He stops when he reaches the edge of the platform, arms out like he’s about to scoop up both of them into a crushing hug. As he stares, confusion colors his features, and his arms slowly drop to his sides. “Uh, what’re you wearing?”

Lance raises an eyebrow and glances down. Yeah, he’d like to know why he’s not suited up, too. He looks back up. “Uh, we were just at a party, dude. I’d like to know how all of you got into your armor so fast.”

“Party?” Allura repeats sharply. “What do you mean, got into armor fast?” Shiro asks.

Lance shrinks under their stares. “Okay, weird. Did I miss a meeting? Also—Allura, did you cut your hair?” A quake shakes the ground.

“What the hell was that?” Lance asks, panic rising, his voice slightly higher. “The planet is collapsing,” Allura replies, cautiously. Too cautious.

Pidge frowns. “You… knew that, right?”

Lance shrugs helplessly. “We were on Kolar, had a party, then I felt dizzy—pain, maybe—then I woke up here.”

Keith stiffens. “You said Kolar?” Lance nods. “Yeah. Why?”

Keith's voice drops. “That was a year ago.”

Lance laughs, confused. “Okay… what?” Then, suddenly, Keith's holding his jaw with gentleness he didn't recognize, scanning his face. “He’s not our Lance,” Keith says quietly.

Lance recoils. Pulling away with a scowl. “What’s that supposed mean? I am Lance! What the hell is your problem, Keith?”

Shiro steps in. “Keith, are you sure?” Keith’s lips twist into a deeper frown, eyes suddenly guarded. But it’s Shiro who speaks. “Are you sure, Keith?”

Keith nods. “It’s not him…”

Lance glares at him, shoving at his chest. “Who the hell else am I supposed to be then, mullet?” Keith doesn’t break eye contact, nor does his flinch. “Lance,” He says, and there’s a weight of seriousness in his voice that holds him captive. “You’re in the future.”