Setting: Deep space—inside the Castle of Lions. It’s late, and the storm outside isn’t just weather—it’s a space storm. Charged particles flash across the atmosphere like lightning.

Rain slammed against the glass dome of her room, even though she knew it wasn’t Earth rain. It didn’t matter. It still sounded like it. Familiar. Heavy. Cold.

Pidge tossed and turned in her sleep. Her face twisted up. Her lips moved, but no words came out. Her breath hitched.

In her dream, she was running. Through the old Garrison hallways. They stretched and twisted endlessly, walls closing in, lights flickering. Matt’s voice called to her, but every time she turned a corner—he was gone.

Then she heard screaming.

It was Lance. Then Hunk. Then Allura. One by one. Each cry stopped with a horrible, wet sound. She ran faster, her lungs burning, legs shaking, hands bleeding from falling again and again. She reached a door—jammed open. Inside—

The Paladins. Lying motionless. Limbs twisted. Eyes open.

And written on the wall, in something red and glistening: “You couldn’t save them.”

She turned and saw herself.

Another Pidge. A twisted reflection. Smiling.

“You’re just a kid playing hero. And now? Everyone’s dead because of you.”

That was when the dream shattered into panic. Her chest caved in. Her heartbeat exploded in her ears. She couldn’t breathe. Her vision blurred in every direction.

---

Back in her room...

Pidge whimpered in her sleep, breath coming in fast, shallow gasps. Her fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, sweat soaking her sheets. She clawed at her chest like she was trying to rip the fear out.

But no one heard her.

The halls were silent. The rest of the team was scattered or deep in sleep. No alarms. No comforting voice. No one rushing in to wake her.

She was trapped.

Alone in the storm. Alone in her fear.

And the worst part? Even when she woke up... the panic didn’t go away.