A/N: Synopsis: (Takes place in season four; rating for injury and whumping) Keith goes on a Blade mission to free some prisoners. He makes a new friend and almost loses an arm. Prequel to Gravtron1's NOT a Chew Toy.
Rating: T
"Scans are picking up no sentries or Galra, but there is something big wandering the tunnels," Regris said.
"Just one?" Keith murmured, surprised.
"It's very big," Regris expanded. "We'll have to be careful."
Keith glanced at Vrek. The taller, mute Galra was hard to read behind the mask, but Keith didn't think he was any more intimidated than he was. Regris tended to err on the side of caution, so the guardian wasn't likely to be that worrisome.
Vrek, as the elected leader of the trio, raised a hand and pointed toward the cave that led to where the prisoners were kept. He pointed to Keith, then at the ground, to himself and above, and finally to Regris and back.
Keith stayed low, he'd cover him from above. Regris stayed back for support and observation.
"I'll track the creature," Regris said, settling atop a boulder with his tail coiled beneath him.
Keith nodded and rushed out of the cave that the Blades had used to hide their ship. He crossed a span of open ground and into the cave mouth.
The tunnel started low, a couple feet above Keith's head, but quickly enlarged to thirty feet high. While the tunnel started out rough, the walls became smoother further in. Keith realized that the beginning of the tunnel must have been mostly covered to keep… whatever inside.
The thought would have been less concerning if there weren't massive claw marks gouged out of the ground.
"You know that big thing you were seeing, Regris?" Keith said. "Just how big is it?"
"Having second thoughts?" Regris asked wrily.
"No, I just want to know what we might be up against," Keith said.
"It's hard to say. The creature stopped moving in a side tunnel, so it may be asleep."
"Let's hope so," Keith muttered, speeding up into a sprint.
He couldn't hear Vrek, but knew that the fellow Blade could be completely silent when he needed to be. He didn't even bother trying to spot him, either. Even if his helmet's light wasn't on a dim setting, there would have been no spotting the experienced Blade.
With Regris' guidance, it didn't take long for Keith to reach the thick metal bars that marked the beginning of the prison. Vrek dropped silently beside him and got to work at picking the lock.
Behind the bars, aliens of various races started to approach the bars. Keith gave a quick head count, and was relieved to see all the members of royalty they had been sent to rescue where there.
"We're here to rescue you," Keith whispered.
The prisoners began to murmur quietly in excitement. Vrek quickly turned his head to them, somehow silencing them with one move. Keith didn't blame them; Vrek's absolute silence was unnerving at times.
In a matter of ticks, Vrek had the door unlocked. He eased the door open.
Keith held his breath, glancing all around. This was just too easy. There were no sentries or cameras, and the guardian was nowhere in sight.
"Vrek, this-"
Keith's warning was cut off when the door slid all the way open. By way of some unseen button or lever, a blaring whistle suddenly cut through the caves.
Vrek jerked the door halfway closed and the whistle stopped, but the damage had already been done.
"The guardian's moving!" Regris barked out.
"Quiznak!" Keith growled. "Vrek, you can get them out, right? Regris, give me a route to intercept the guardian. I'll buy some time, and meet you outside."
Vrek shook his head, then pointed at himself and Keith rapidly.
Switch roles.
"No, I move faster alone of the two of us," Keith said, herding the prisoners closer to Vrek. His next sentence was directed at the prisoners. "If you want to get out of here alive, follow Vrek. Don't stop for anything, got it?"
The prisoners nodded quickly. The obvious fear in their eyes made him wonder just what kind of guardian he was facing.
The group took off running. After passing a couple branching tunnels, Regris ordered Keith to leave the group. Vrek glanced back and nodded. Keith returned the nod and veered away.
It wasn't long before Keith felt the ground shaking from the approach of something big. He stopped in a narrow section of tunnel in front of a larger space. He pulled out his blade and formed the sword, then waited.
The shaking slowed as the guardian approached the turn just out of view. Keith braced himself as it moved into view.
The first thing that Keith saw was a massive head longer than his arm. It had black, thick fur and glowing red eyes. It's mouth hung open to expose glistening fangs. Short, sharp ears swiveled in Keith's direction.
Keith blinked. With the exception of its size and eyes, the guardian looked like a dog.
Then, two more heads appeared. Each was the same, except for the ears. While the first's came to a point, the furthest away had droopy ears that hung to its jawline, and the middle one had half-flopped ears.
"I thought you said there was only one!" Keith hissed as the three heads sniffed in his direction.
"There is only one," Regris said, sounding a bit confused.
Keith was about to argue that he wasn't seeing things, when the rest of the guardian came into view.
There were three heads, but only one body. The heads connected somewhere along the neck, to a thick, stocky body. The paws were as big as Keith's head, and the body was ten feet long.
"How much do the Galra know about human mythology?" Keith asked flatly.
"None. Why?"
"Because I'm looking at Cerberus," Keith said, trying to not laugh despite the size of the guardian.
The guardian -Cerberus, Keith couldn't help but correct himself- didn't seem too concerned with him. The three heads sniffed at the air, only the pointy-eared head growling at him.
"You're sure this is the guardian?" Keith asked.
"It's the only other thing in there besides you. Vrek, hold up. Scanning for traps now."
Keith had to laugh when Cerberus walked closer to him. The floppy-eared head sniffed him, nudging him backward a few steps. Keith chuckled and rubbed a hand on the beast's nose.
The head flinched away, then pushed forward into his chest. The half-floppy eared head moved forward curiously, while the pointy-eared head turned away.
"This is definitely no scary guardian," Keith said. He put his blade away and rubbed the two heads with either hand. "There's got to be something else."
"I'm not seeing anything else. Vrek, you're cleared. Keith, come back if you can leave your new friend."
"Okay, okay," Keith said with a grin.
The pointy-eared head finally ventured close enough for Keith to give it a scratch. He laughed when the head cocked to the side under his fingers. The eyes closed and the hind paw on that side started to thump the ground.
"Okay, you over-grown pup," Keith finally said. "I've got to go now."
"Do you want us to figure out how to open the tunnels so you can bring him home?" Regris teased.
"It is a shame that he has to stay here, especially with how he 'guards,'" Keith mused.
"We'll see if there is time to free him," Regris said with a chuckle.
Keith lowered his hands and stepped away. The floppy-eared head whined and leaned toward him. Keith reached out to pat the head, when there was another shrill whistle through the tunnels.
Cerberus jolted to attention. His heads jerked up and he stared down the tunnel from where the whistle had come.
"Um… Cerberus?" Keith tried, watching nervously as the creature's hackles rose. "Guys, something is wrong."
All three of Cerberus' heads went up in a tunnel-shaking howl. Keith yelped and pressed his hands to his ears, then Cerberus leaped over his head.
"Oh, no, no!" Keith yelled, lowering his hands and taking off in a run. "Vrek, the guardian's coming and he does not look happy! Regris, how far away are they?"
"Not far enough, based on the guardian's speed," Regris said, all humor gone. "They had to take a roundabout way to avoid the guardian, and the guardian is going to block them off!"
"Vrek, hurry!" Keith panted, pushing his own legs faster.
While Cerberus was so much bigger, his size hindered him from moving much faster than Keith. He still reached the narrower tunnel that led outside before Vrek's group, though, skidding to a halt in front the tunnel. Keith reached Cerberus at the same time as Vrek.
"I'll distract him!" Keith yelled without slowing. "Everyone, get outside!"
Keith slammed his body into Cerberus. The oversized guardian stumbled and turned his three heads toward Keith, who quickly backed away.
"Hey, buddy, it's okay," Keith said in a low voice. "No one's going to hurt you."
The heads blinked at Keith in unison. While two of the heads were snarling, the floppy-eared head was whining.
Keith held out his empty hands. "See?"
Cerberus tried growling again, but the floppy-eared head seemed to take over. It stretched out and pressed its muzzle to one of his hands.
"Keith, what is going on?" Regris hissed.
"Just making friends," Keith said, keeping his voice in a low croon. "Vrek, I'll lead him out of the way. Wait until we are out of sight."
Keith glanced at Vrek, and saw the older Blade gesturing wildly. He was not happy with the arrangement, but there wasn't anything else he could do.
"Come on, Cerberus," Keith murmured. "Everything is fine…"
Keith reached his other hand out to scratch the half-floppy eared head when it wandered close enough. While the pointy-eared head continued to growl, Cerberus didn't give a fight when Keith started to sidle away. Cerberus turned with some difficulty in the narrow tunnel to follow.
They were halfway to the next tunnel when a flurry of footsteps caught their attention. They turned just in time to see two of the prisoners rush out the tunnel.
"No, no, wait!" Keith yelled when fury flooded Cerbrerus' eyes.
Cerberus bellowed and twisted around. Keith ducked under his paws and threw himself between Cerberus and the prisoners with Vrek.
"No, bad dog!" Keith yelled, unable to believe what he was doing.
Cerberus flinched away at the rebuke. His ears went back as he eyed Keith and the prisoners.
"I think he wants to make friends, but he has a job to do," Keith murmured to Vrek. "Hold on."
Keith offered his hand to Cerberus again. The creature whined uncertainly, but the floppy-eared head stretched out. Keith tried to lead Cerberus away again, but it didn't work a second time. Cerberus insisted on staying where he could see the prisoners.
Keith grunted in annoyance. Cerberus was much calmer then, but he would probably go crazy again once the prisoners started for the door. He had to figure out a way to distract Cerberus for just a minute…
Keith's thoughts were interrupted, but the scuffle of many feet. He whirled around to see that all the prisoners had finally panicked and run for the door. Cerberus howled, and Keith quickly turned back to face him.
"No!" Keith yelled, flinging his arms out. "Stay!"
Cerberus started to step forward, and Keith repeated the command. Cerberus froze, but his eyes filled with rage as the prisoners ran.
"Just take it-"
Keith's attempt at calming Cerberus broke off when the creature surged forward. Keith planted his feet; the tunnel was too narrow for Cerberus to pass without knocking him over. He could at least slow Cerberus if nothing else.
Except, Cerberus didn't try to pass.
Three large muzzles gaped open, headed right for Keith. Before he could move, three sets of fanged mouths clamped down on his left shoulder and upper arm.
Keith stared. Past experience said he should have been in agony within ticks, but he didn't feel anything. By the time Keith realized it was because the fangs hadn't pierced the armor, Cerberus had lifted him right off his feet.
Giving an inadvertent yelp, Keith scrambled to reach his blade with his free hand. He quickly formed the sword and stabbed it into the wall.
Cerberus was jerked to a stop, and Keith felt his arm wretched to the side. If one of Cerberus' heads hadn't been on his shoulder to provide leverage, his arm would have been horribly dislocated.
As it was, the wretch on his arm made Keith lose his grip on his sword. He groaned and pulled his free arm closer as Cerberus regained his paws. Keith cocked his head back to see the prisoners still bunched together.
"Everyone, get out!" Keith yelled. He turned his attention back to Cerberus and flailed his legs to kick the guardian's jaw. "Hey, Cerberus!"
Cerberus growled and tensed. Before Keith could recognize the stance, Cerberus began shaking his heads.
By the time Cerberus was finished, Keith felt like a few of his teeth had been shaken loose and he was starting to lose feeling in his captured arm. His stomach roiled uncomfortably, forcing him to swallow against the nausea.
"I'm not a dog toy!" Keith yelped, kicking disorientedly at Cerberus.
Fortunately, the distraction had allowed Vrek to herd the prisoners toward the exit. He was just pushing the last few through when Cerberus remembered his job.
Giving a muffled howl through Keith's arm, Cerberus leaped forward with his paws outstretched. He landed hard inches from Vrek's fleeting back.
There was a crunch on impact. Something tingled in Keith's arm.
"Everyone's out!" Regris said. "Keith, where are you?!"
"Busy," Keith said with a grunt. "Call back later."
Keith turned his attention back to Cerberus. He had to get the overgrown dog to let him go, which he hoped would be easier since the prisoners were now gone. As soon as he turned his head, though, thoughts of getting away from Cerberus vanished.
The crunch when Cerberus had landed, had been his armor. Three sets of fangs had broken through his armor and were currently sunk into his flesh.
As if the sight had summoned it, burning pain flared in his arm.
Keith yelled in pain, startling Cerberus so that he was dropped to the ground on his back. The jolt through his body enough to make his vision darken on the edges, but he squinted determinedly to stay conscious. Cerberus leaned over him, heads showing a variety of concern and anger.
Keith tried to get up, but his body was shaky. He glanced down, then quickly away, at the puddle of blood under his arm. He pushed backward on his feet, but even the injured arm moving across the dirt made him gasp. He gave up trying to move, instead watching Cerberus step closer.
"What happened, Keith?" Regris demanded.
"Go," Keith rasped.
"I'm coming in!"
"No. Go," Keith repeated.
Cerberus stepped closer to Keith, laying one paw between his injured arm and leg. The floppy-eared head -the most concerned looking of the three heads- leaned closer to sniff at him.
The jaws opened up and reached for Keith, who squeezed his eyes shut. He could only hope that Cerberus would finish him off quickly.
"Hey, guardian!"
Regris' shout made Keith's eyes shoot open. Cerberus' heads were focused on the tunnel. Keith cocked his head back and saw Regris inside.
"Regris! The mission," Keith forced out. "Go!"
"Not without you!"
Keith groaned in frustration. Kolivan had warned the pair multiple times about risking the mission to go back for fellow Blades, yet they always ended up running back to make sure the other made it safely back.
Cerberus snarled and stood over Keith. Protecting his prey, most likely, since the prisoners had now escaped. Regris took out his blade and formed the sword.
Keith was about to yell at Regris to leave again, when Cerberus leaped. His forepaw struck Keith's injured arm.
A shriek of agony escaped Keith as his body unconsciously clenched. His head fell to the ground, vision going black just as Cerberus landed.
"Keith. Keith!"
Keith groaned as the persistent voice dragged him back to consciousness. The pain in his arm -honestly, he knew Galra were all for toughing through the pain, but would it hurt to have a little of something to ease the pain?- made him want to sink back into the darkness, but curiosity as to how he was still alive made him focus.
If the pain was any indication, he was still alive. His body was propped up against something soft and warm. There was the sound of something breathing above him.
"Keith, wake up," Regris' voice pleaded. "You need to call off your guard dog."
Guard dog? Thoroughly confused, Keith forced his eyes open. He winced at the sunlight in his face, then blinked to clear his vision.
He was still in the tunnel, but the opening had been enlarged. Regris stood outside. He held the Blades' medic bag.
"Regris…?" Keith whispered.
Regris slumped in relief. "I was afraid you wouldn't wake up. Listen, you have to call off the guardian so I can get you to the ship before you bleed out."
Keith blinked, sluggish thoughts unable to sort out what Regris meant. Likely realizing this, Regris sighed and pointed over Keith's head.
Keith forced his head back and found the source of the breathing. It was kind of obvious, once he thought about it.
He was leaning against Cerberus. The floppy-eared head watched him closely, giving the occasional whine. The half-flopped-eared head was gently licking the wounded arm, doing wonders to slow the bleeding. The pointy-eared head was glaring at Regris.
"After you passed out, the guardian decided to guard you instead," Regris explained. "Which is good -he won't hurt you or leave you to go after me- but he won't let me bring you to the ship to get treated."
Deciding to wonder about Cerberus' actions later, Keith lifted his uninjured hand to pat the floppy-eared head. The whines trailed off, and the other two heads relaxed to lean in for some petting.
It took almost half an hour for Keith to have Cerberus calmed down enough that he let Regris come closer. The wounds had nearly stopped bleeding under Cerberus' care, and Regris quickly wrapped them up.
When it came time to move Keith, Cerberus pushed Regris away and carefully stood. His middle head then grabbed the hood of Keith's outfit and lifted the boy pup-style.
"I guess that means Cerberus is coming with us?" Regris asked with a chuckle, walking alongside the guardian as they headed for the ship.
Keith, full of painkillers by then, didn't answer. He was trying to figure out how he was going to explain his new dog to Shiro.
A/N: In case anyone is wondering, Cerberus became a guard dog at one of the Blade bases. He's pretty much useless at his job since he greets anyone like a friend. Unless Keith is there and hurt/ in danger, in which case Cerberus lives up to his name.
Gravtron1 and I came up with this idea just over 24 hours ago, and ran with it. XD Be sure to check out Gravtron1's Not a Chew Toy, featuring Keith and Kosmo, and fact that Keith will never live this down.