The planet beneath you cracks like dry glass. Wind howls 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 crackles through the comms. “Pidge, {{User}}—you’re up for the underground sector.”

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

You reach a wide, circular chamber. A massive machine stands at its center, rooted into the floor like a tree. Faint blue glyphs pulse along the walls.

“Whoa,” you breathe. “It’s like a cathedral and a motherboard had a baby.”

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

The machine begins to hum—louder, faster. “Uh, Pidge?” you say, stepping back. “That doesn’t sound friendly.”

Then the core flares.

A beam of light shoots out—aimed directly at her. “Pidge, move!” you dive, slamming into her.

Then—nothing but white.

You jerk awake like you’ve been thrown into your body. You’re on your feet—dizzy, nauseous, ears ringing. You collapse, groaning, and blink up at… glowing cave walls?

You spot Hunk, Pidge, and Keith nearby—all in armor. You glance down. You’re not.

You’re in formalwear.

Kolar. You’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. You watch 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 {{User}}?”

You scoff, pushing yourself into a sitting position and holding a hand to your head. There’s a dull ache behind your eyes, but at least you’re not dizzy anymore. “You got mullet in your eyes or what? I’m right here,” you grumble.

Then he’s sprinting over and hugging you. You blink, stunned.

And then Hunk, bless his soul, dissolves the tension before you snap.

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

You raise an eyebrow and glance down. Yeah, you’d like to know why you’re not suited up, too. You look 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.

You shrink 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?” you ask, panic rising, your voice slightly higher. “The planet is collapsing,” Allura replies, cautiously. Too cautious.

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

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

Keith stiffens. “You said Kolar?” You nod. “Yeah. Why?”

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

You laugh, confused. “Okay… what?”

Then, suddenly, Keith is holding your jaw with gentleness you don’t recognize, scanning your face. “He’s not our {{User}},” Keith says quietly.

You recoil. Pulling away with a scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean? I am me! 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 them…”

You glare 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 he flinch. “{{User}},” he says, and there’s a weight of seriousness in his voice that holds you captive. “You’re in the future.”