~Author's Note~
Hey everyone! Welcome to my first ever multi-chap fic for this fandom! So in this story, Keith is not a Paladin of Voltron. Instead he's a human who is a part of the Galra Empire and ends up being put in charge of guarding the Paladins after the Galra succeed in capturing them. Things aren't as cut and dry for Keith after that.
This is a darker fic at times and there is plenty of violence and blood to go around as the story progresses, so keep an eye out for warnings at the tops of some chapters. Any and all relationships between Keith and the Paladins in this story are purely platonic.
Any type of support or feedback in favorites, follows or reviews would be extremely appreciated! Updates should hopefully be semi-frequent and as always, reviews would make my day. I hope everyone enjoys the first chapter! :)
Rated High Teen for blood, gore, violence, dismemberment, scenes of torture, aftermaths of torture, descriptions of injuries, serious injuries, language, angst and some triggers (which will be labeled at the top of chapters that contain them.)
Notes:
This is supposed to take place sometime way Post-S4, and the upcoming S5, but there are no mentions of Lotor or Matt in this, so it could take place during any of the seasons. Everything is the same timeline-wise, the only thing that has changed is that Keith is Galra.
Lion Lineup: Shiro - Black Lion, Lance - Red Lion, Allura - Blue Lion, Pidge - Green Lion, Hunk - Yellow Lion
Though Lance is piloting the Red Lion in this fic, he still has blue armor just because I feel like it'd be too confusing to have him be in red armor because of the show's original lineup.
Mainly Keith/Lance friendship and Keith/Pidge friendship, but Keith warms up to Shiro and Hunk too. Hurt!Voltron Paladins, Langst, Keith angst, Pidge angst and a lot of hurt with little comfort.
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Torment
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you're no angel
you're no angel
and no heaven would want you now
Chapter I: The Galran
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Zarkon wants them kept in separate cells.
"His orders!" The lieutenant in charge of Keith's sector barks, and no one questions his orders. Keith's assigned as their guard. Security is going to be amped up for the first few weeks—someone will be looking for them—and then, if nothing happens or anything's attempted, it'll be lessened as time goes on. Then it'll just be Keith and a hallway full of what are supposed to be the world's saviors.
Funny how that turned out.
They aren't allowed to die. They sent their Lions away before capture, and Zarkon needs those lions, needs the information stored in their heads—they aren't allowed to die. Unless he has a change of heart.
This is the biggest honor Keith's ever had—guarding such high value targets. Guarding the Paladins of Voltron. They didn't succeed in nabbing all five, the Blue Lion escaped, but four was enough; four was enough because they had gotten Voltron's leader, and Voltron couldn't be formed without the leader.
Keith thinks that if his father was still around, he'd be proud.
He thinks he'd be proud of the medals on his chest, and the battle scars dotting his arms. No pain, no gain he used to say over the blade before Keith's throat, pulling it away and taking a few steps back. You'll get it soon hollered from his defensive stance, Keith breathing heavily but charging again anyway. Practice makes perfect, he'd whisper as he'd grab Keith's hand and pull him up from the ground, eyeing the new bruise on his elbow.
Keith thinks his father would be proud.
"Kogane!" Keith grits his teeth, whipping around, meeting the yellow eyes of one of his few superiors. He's pretty high in rank, and there's only about eight Galrans who bypass him. "The prisoners are boarding."
He glances at the blade Keith's polishing, and opens his mouth to say something else. Keith cuts him off before he can. "I'm coming," he replies firmly, pitch nearing a growl. He turns back to his blade before the alien can say anything else, and the Galran considers arguing with him just for the hell of it, but decides against it, stalking away instead.
Keith exhales, glaring at his pristine reflection from inside of the blade. This is no time for memories. It's time for him to show the Galra his worth, to show them he's just as strong as his father, if not more. It's time.
He stands, sliding his blade into the brown pouch attached to his hip, and slipping the gun strap over his shoulder.
It's time.
The barrel of his gun stays trained on the ground, and Keith's grip on it is loose. He knows they're going to try and escape, of course they're going to, but he's never liked guns. If they get anywhere near him or he gets anywhere near them, his knife will do the job well. Clean, too. Guns are far too messy. Keith doesn't like guns, normal guns, laser guns, he doesn't care they're all the same and he doesn't like them, but he's required to carry one, so he does.
Most of the time he keeps it hooked on his back, a weight holding him down, but today he's carrying the menace, and even now it's only for show.
Zarkon's there. His cape is bundled at his shoulders, armor shining bright, a half-smile formed over his lips. Keith's never seen him smile. The fact alone makes Keith stand up straighter as he enters the hectic hangar. Ships are flying in and out, and a good amount of Galran soldiers are talking loudly next to where Zarkon stands, all of them facing the empty spot of a particularly large docking bay.
There's millions of robot sentries stationed all around the room, and Keith's a little irked by their presence. He trusts his blade over their aim any day. When Keith makes it over to where the Galrans are standing, some lower their voices while others invite him in. He nods curtly at the few who welcome him with his name and glares at the ones who don't.
Only now that he's close enough does he see that Haggar's next to Zarkon and a shiver races down his spine. He's never liked that old hag. She's given him the creeps his entire life, and even now at the ripe age of eighteen, his paranoia still hasn't gone away.
Maybe it's because he knows that where Zarkon would hesitate, Haggar would not.
Zarkon notices his company first, leaning over and whispering something to his wife before calling Keith over with an even-toned voice. "Kogane." Keith approaches him proudly, and Zarkon barely spares a glance in his direction before returning his sight to the empty bay behind the human.
"You know your duty?"
"Yes. Sir." Even after all these years, Keith still has a problem with discipline and respecting elders. He doesn't like taking orders either, and having to tag sir after every single word? Yeah. Right.
"These are humans."
"Yes." Haggar's gaze feels like it's piercing through him and Keith stands even straighter.
"You will not be swayed by your own kind." He doesn't poise it as a question. Keith doesn't take it as one.
"I am Galra. No more, no less."
A huff escapes Haggar, but Zarkon doesn't react. "Vrepit Sa."
"Vrepit Sa." Keith repeats as he's dismissed, turning around and walking closer to the empty bay.
"Are you positive he won't be swayed?" Zarkon's gaze falls on the sole human walking among a sea of purple and he shakes his head.
"His father—"
"The boy is not his father." Haggar doesn't even look sorry about interrupting him and Zarkon allows it.
"If he dares to aid them in any way, we'll take care of it. I feel as if you have no trust in him, Haggar." She blinks as a large ship approaches the bay, the metal screeching and snapping as it locks into the empty dock.
"I don't." She answers simply, and the conversation ends.
Keith's sided by two superiors and all of the Galran soldiers who were previously chatting once the ship pulls in, and though the hold on his gun should tighten, it loosens instead. He knows what to expect, but also doesn't, as the ship doors slowly open with a loud hiss. The only human Keith's ever seen is his father, and he knows what they look like but not how they act, and if his impulsive actions were any hint, well then he'd be in for a treat with these four Paladins.
Keith surprised when he finally sees them, and a part of him scoffs at the sight.
These people? These people are the defenders of the universe?
"Move it!"
They're connected by orange energy cuffs around their wrists and ankles, and they've been organized by height, not color. The shortest of the bunch is the Green Paladin, and she leads them out with her head bowed, shoulders hunched in. She follows the Galran leading them obediently, and Keith wonders why she's so muted but then an unsettling thought hits him and he gulps inaudibly.
She's a . . . she.
From her looks she can't be older than fifteen, and something dark settles in Keith's chest. Zarkon said they couldn't die but he also hasn't given a limit on what could be done, and Keith finds himself doubting the system for a tick. Weren't women and children supposed to be excluded from war? Keith blinks and pushes the thought away. She wasn't a child if she was a Paladin of Voltron. She wasn't a child if she was out in space fighting intergalactic wars she should've known nothing about.
Next in line is the Yellow Paladin and he's a big guy, with beefy shoulders and a stomach the size of a boulder. There's an auburn bandana tied around his forehead, and he looks to be about seventeen. He's trudging along behind the Green Paladin with a look that's more fear than bravery. Keith's lips twitch. Good. They should be scared of the Galra.
The Blue Paladin's next, and he's talking—legitimately talking—to Keith's utter surprise. Some of the Galrans around Keith frown at the noise, and others look interested, whispers rippling through the crowd.
"Why's he talking?"
"Isn't he scared?"
"He's mine."
Keith chooses to stay silent, a primal part of him wondering when one of the Galrans next to him is going to pounce. They're like prey, the Paladins, prey that's chained up and defenseless, and the Galra don't have patience, don't hold back, don't think. His grip on the gun tightens, and he keeps an eye on the most suspicious-looking Galran, an older one with a fuzzy white beard and bushy eyebrows, towards the front of the crowd.
He's about five steps away from Keith, and he's closest to where the Green Paladin has stopped, and he's observing all of them with a look of pure disgust that's poorly hidden. Keith doesn't miss the way his fingers tic, or the way he's toying with the hook of the pistol holster attached to his thigh.
Directing his attention back to the Blue Paladin, Keith gives him a once over, but keeps half-an-eye on the older Galran within the crowd. He's lanky, with darker skin and short hair, and looks to be about a year younger than Keith but with none of the same composure. He ends up stopping in front of Keith, and Keith's too busy watching the elder to notice the Blue Paladin's gaze lock on him and then his jaw go slack from shock.
"You're—you're human?" From behind him the Black Paladin's stare also hones in on Keith and Keith doesn't move, all his muscles coiled tight. The older Galran he's been watching slips the pistol from his holster. "You're Galra?" The Blue Paladin sounds beyond bewildered, but then the Galran that was leading them walks over and slaps him in the back of the head, shutting him up.
A few Galrans next to Keith snicker.
The Black Paladin jostles his chains, "Don't touch him," he snarls, and Keith believes the bite behind his words isn't just for show. Keith believes that if those chains weren't holding him back, he'd rip them all to shreds with that metal arm.
The Black Paladin is obviously the leader, Keith can see it from the way he's holding himself, so similar to how his father did, and his left arm isn't human flesh but instead Galran metal. Keith has a feeling he was one of Haggar's experiments and is amazed he was even able to escape. He's got a streak of white in his hair and a pink scar stretched across the bridge of his nose and he stands bravely enough that it makes him look like he towers over the rest of his team, even though the Blue Paladin nearly matches him in height. He can't be older than twenty-five, from Keith's best guess.
And that's it. These four people are the Paladins of Voltron. Without all the bells and whistles, Keith thinks they look pretty lackluster. Why were they picked to protect the universe?
The Blue Paladin continues to stare at Keith as his eyes narrow more and more, and Keith scowls but doesn't meet his eyes.
Zarkon approaches then, Haggar steadfast at his side, and his vision sweeps over the four of them, an evil enthusiasm in his eyes. When Haggar sees the Black Paladin she strides over to him and runs a wrinkled hand down his metal arm. He jerks and glares down at her, but Keith can see the abrupt alarm cutting through him.
"Welcome back, Black Paladin." Haggar murmurs, voice scratchy and full of malicious delight. He stiffens but says nothing back and Keith frowns when he sees the older Galran move a clawed finger over the trigger, the gun muzzle aimed at the ground. When Zarkon finally speaks, the amount of pride in his voice is slightly staggering.
"Welcome, Paladins of Voltron." There's something nauseating hiding there when he says the last word, something that makes Keith's head spin. He doesn't know why he feels sick all of a sudden. "One of you is missing."
"You'll never get her," the Black Paladin answers gruffly, powerfully, "you'll never find her."
Zarkon chuckles, and it's such an odd sound coming from such an authoritative being. "Princess Allura has evaded my capture for ten thousand years. It seems her Paladins couldn't do the same." He pauses for a moment. The bout of silence drags on far too long for Keith. "If you tell me where the Castle of Lions is, I'll let you live."
All four of them stay soundless and Keith is amused at their defiance.
"You'll tell me soon," Zarkon declares, abundantly positive. He turns to Keith, a sneer decorating his features. "Get them out of my sight." Out of the corner of his eye Keith sees the older Galran hold up the pistol and Keith turns and raises his own gun, firing two shots that hit their target in quick succession. The older Galran falls to the ground with a loud thump, and the pistol slides across the floor and stops at Zarkon's feet.
He looks over at Keith and stares as the teenager lowers his gun and turns his attention back to the Paladins. "Let's go!" He demands, approaching the Black Paladin and shoving the nose of his gun painfully against his back. The Paladins are watching Keith with varying looks of confusion, from the Blue and Yellow Paladins, and understanding, mostly from the Black and Green Paladins. They don't start walking until Keith yells at them again.
"Move it!" He pushes the barrel further into the Black Paladin's back, wedging it between his rib cage and tailbone, and he winces but it's enough to make the Green Paladin start walking.
"If anyone else wants to try and shoot our guests, I would advise against it. You two, get rid of that traitor's body." Two Galrans scramble at Zarkon's order, rushing over to the body. Zarkon turns to leave the room without another word, flipping around so violently that his cape smacks against the floor.
Haggar doesn't follow him, and Keith tries to ignore her scrutiny on his back as he directs the Paladins out of the hangar. Five other Galrans meet up with him in the hallway to help escort the prisoners, two on the right side, two on the left and one taking position next to Keith, conversing with him amicably. Keith listens, but his main attention is on the Paladins.
"He was really going to shoot them?" The Galran asks in disbelief, and Keith locks his jaw.
"He had his hand over the gun as soon as they were off the ship."
"An old one too. Maybe they picked off his kin in a fight?"
"Next left!" Keith calls out to the Green Paladin as they approach an intersection, and then to the Galran, "Maybe." The Galran senses that Keith doesn't really want to talk, not that the kid ever does, but respects it and throws one last comment over his shoulder before taking the lead.
"Nice shot, Kogane. Zarkon's got you in his sights now."
Keith feels pride swell in his chest. About time.
They march down the maze of hallways for five minutes, and the Galran leading goes the back way to the cells because it's a harder route for the Paladins to remember and when they finally reach the hallway they're looking for Keith orders the other Galrans to remove the cuffs one at a time.
They start with Green, and she makes no noise as they tamper with the cuffs around her ankles, having a bit of trouble with removing them correctly, Keith watching her carefully the entire time. She makes no noise when the Galran fussing with the cuff hooked around her left wrist accidentally presses down too hard and leaves an angry red mark on her skin, and she makes no noise as another one thrusts her into the cell with enough force to throw her off balance.
She falls forwards towards the metallic flooring.
Keith hears a sharp crack as her nose collides with the unforgiving surface.
The other Paladins standing next to Keith hear it too, clear as day, and it's a chorus of fury before Keith can stop it. "What the fuck dude," Blue spits bitterly, followed by a muttered "Holy hell," from Yellow.
The Black Paladin looks furious. "Don't touch her."
A different Galran slams the door to Green's cell as the one who had pushed her moves onto Yellow's cuffs, pulling on them more than necessary out of spite. "What are any of you going to do about it? You're Galra property now. I can't wait until she's alo—"
"Enough." Keith interrupts, glowering at him. "That's enough."
Black's looking at him again and Keith nearly retorts a vicious what are you looking at but it's gone as soon as it came. Calm. He needs to be calm, collected and responsible so Zarkon knows what he's made of. So Zarkon knows he's the best of the goddamn best. He can do this.
Yellow mumbles something under his breath when the obnoxious Galran tugs harshly at his arm, and when the cuffs are off he does the same with Yellow, pushing him carelessly into the cell. Expecting the action, Yellow catches himself, but still looks aggravated as the door slams in his face.
His name's Zenak, and he's one of the more infuriating Galrans on the ship. He's also evil as anything, so that's a bonus. Of course he's been assigned as one of the guards to help Keith out. Just perfect.
Next up is the Blue Paladin and from the moment Zenak starts undoing his cuffs he's talking. He doesn't care if anyone's listening, he's just talking and talking and talking and when Zenak releases the final cuff from his right arm no one's expecting the right hook he lands to Zenak's face. Keith's stunned long enough that Blue's able to run halfway down the hallway, but then Keith's catching up and he tackles him to the ground, gun hanging from his back, knife hovering in front of his throat.
"That wasn't smart," Keith grumbles as he hoists him up, blade still pressed against skin.
Blue smirks and shrugs, though the movement hurts. "Worth a try."
He's easily a foot taller than Keith but that doesn't stop him from wrenching his hands behind his back and forcibly leading him back to his cell. "Not gonna try that again right?" Keith asks as he walks into the empty cell with him, and it's like a game with this guy for crying out loud. Zenak's cursing away and holding a hand to his cheek from outside the cell and Keith doesn't feel any remorse. He was an ass after all.
Blue seems happy at the fact that Zenak's mad. "No promises," he replies as Keith removes the blade and releases his arms, backing out of the cell slowly. The door closes after he exits which leaves the Black Paladin, four Galran guards and one swearing Zenak.
"Kogane," he growls, yellow eyes flashing, "let me at him." Keith shakes his head and can see the Blue Paladin perk up from inside his cage.
"After we're finished." Blue deflates and kicks at the wall. Zenak grins. Keith stares at Black as Zenak undoes his cuffs. "What are you going to try?" He inquires as the adult stares back at him. He stays silent until Zenak's done with his restraints, and Zenak keeps a grip on his human arm after the final shackle's gone.
"Anything I can."
Keith's reacting just as fast as Black's moving; his metal hand lights up bright purple and slices clean through Zenak's arm, and then Keith's drawing his blade and fighting him, right there in the hallway. Zenak's writhing on the floor, and the other guards assist him more than Keith because they know Keith can handle himself.
Blood's pooling on the ground, ugly red splattered against a dull grey, and Black attacks with the ferociously of someone not wanting to lose, every swipe going for something vital, even against Blue trying to shout reasoning from the background. "Shiro!" He calls, concern and terror all wrapped into one, "You can't kill him! He's a human working with the Galra! What if he's here against his will?"
"I'm here because I want to be here!" Keith grunts. He dodges what would've been a slice to his ear and slams the blunt of his sword against Black's—whose name is Shiro apparently—lower stomach. The blow winds him and Keith goes on the offensive, charging forward and slamming Shiro into the wall.
He's pinned for two ticks and then heaves Keith off him and slashes blindly, managing to cut Keith through the shirt, a long gaping line from the top of his chest to the middle. Pain sears his chest, and he can feel the blood running down his skin, and it just makes him livid as he charges again, purposely missing so that Shiro turns, and once he's turned Keith whips around and smashes the hilt of his weapon against the back of his head, knocking him out.
Blue stops shouting, and Keith exhales raggedly, placing his blade back in its holder and meeting the eyes of the Galran guards beside him. "Get him to medical and get me a blocker, before he wakes up preferably." Three guards pick up Zenak and start to tow him down the hallway, while the fourth hurries off in search of a blocker.
Keith hoists Shiro up all by his lonesome and drags him into his cell, dropping him in a heap on the floor, and then closing the cell door quietly. He can feel Blue staring as he investigates his wound and then when he can't take it any longer he turns and glares. "What?"
"You're on the wrong side of this war," he says quietly, and Keith scoffs.
"Says the one who lost."
Blue laughs. He actually laughs and Keith's glare deepens. "We didn't lose. We're going to get out of here." Keith doesn't answer, instead standing guard with his back against the wall and blood running down his chest because that's what his job is.
Keith Kogane is Galra, and nothing can change that.
Keith Kogane is Galra and nothing is going to change that.