Chapter Text
The mountains this time of year were his favorite. The leaves were slowly changing, giving a fiery glow to the forests surrounding his home in the abandoned castle he had taken residence in, the crisp air always fresh and clean. A nearby waterfall roared gently, creating prisms within its mist.
Keith sat on a rock near the waterfall, inspecting his scales and the wounds across his form. The dragon frowned, amethyst eyes scanning over the scars. He had been through hell in those Pits, fighting for the Empire's enjoyment. A plaything for Lotor, the Emperor’s son. The Prince took great pleasure in hurting him. The last dragon, he would say, made to submit and do his bidding.
It made Keith sick, and his refusal was only met with agony.
He fought for his freedom. Keith always thought back to the night he escaped, fire and blood and cries of pain. He really didn't know how he managed to get free, but he was certain Lotor had done something to him during his flight. Keith couldn't hold food down, his once pristine white scales were turning grey, even black in some areas. He had been free for roughly a year now, travelling the mountains in search of the bare minimum of what he needed. He wanted to keep low, and he was pretty sure he didn't have the energy to fly anymore.
Slowly, Keith rose, shaking the water droplets from his wings as he limped back up to his castle. Upon entering the dilapidated structure, he took in the few belongings he allowed himself. A small pile of furs, some clothing for when he needed to venture into a village, a few stones he couldn't help but bring with him. The stones held no power, no helpful properties, but they were his.
Keith would need to go to a village soon. He was hungry, and he refused to hunt within the mountains. The trees sang of his presence, that he was dangerous. They weren't wrong, of course, but it put the Olkari on edge. Once they got word if danger in their forest, it spread like wildfire.
He had been caught once, chased away by a group of Balmerans. Keith simply fled. He refused to fight anymore, he was so tired, and the less people that knew about his existence the less of a chance Lotor could find him again. Though, he did hate using his glamor. It exhausted him.
The click of his talons on the stone floor echoed off the broken walls as he approached a small wooden chest near his pile of furs. Rummaging through it, he retrieved a large pouch of gems he gathered from the many caves surrounding his castle. There was one person he could sell these to and make a quick buck.
He caught a glimpse of himself within a broken mirror that rested against one of the walls. Keith sighed, taking in his appearance. One set of his horns curled back behind his head, their points facing upward, two smaller sets sat near the top, curving back gently and framed by his wild snow white hair. His skin was pale. A little too pale to be precise. Where his skin ended at his elbows and waistline, his scales began. Clawed hands, dragon like legs, his tail. Fuck, he looked fucking awful. Keith could count his ribs. The scars, though, the scars are what made his stomach turn. So many, crossing over each other in a sick portrait of violence. His right eye was also scarred over with a single wound, damaged beyond repair. It baffled him that he was still alive.
A trip to a village was definitely in order. Maybe, he could get a little something to hold him over for a while.
The sun reached the middle of the sky by the time he was ready to descend the mountain. Casting his glamor took him too long anymore, and he panted with the effort. Though, he looked more Altean than dragon now. Slowly, he pulled on the clothing, always the strange sensation. Modesty amongst the races always confused him. Then again, the other races couldn't exactly hide what they had, either. So he supposed that clothing would be the best option.
After he was dressed, pouch secured to his belt, Keith started down the mountain trail. No one came this far up, so he was able to run most of the way down. Sometimes he was caught running, and while he was faster than most races on foot, no one questioned him. His glamor made him look like one of the Alteans, so his speed was easily overlooked.
During his run, however, Keith had to stop multiple times to catch his breath. He even had to dig out some of the less precious gems from his pouch, quickly choking them down. He winced, feeling his body absorb the energy from the gems, his father's voice quietly echoing in his mind about how dragons could eat gems if they were in a pinch. Keith felt a deep loneliness wedge itself deep within his heart. He was so young when he was ripped away from his clan, forced to watch them die in front of him.
The hope that he truly wasn't the last dragon had been a driving force to get free. For months after his freedom, he sang his woeful songs to the night sky when the reality of his situation. He was the last.
When he finally reached the village, he made a beeline to the kiosk he was searching for. Keith's eyes landed on the Imp running it by the name of Slav.
“Well hello there, young one! I was wondering when you would stop in again!” Slav eyed him curiously. “You're looking a bit worse for wear, kiddo.”
Keith gave him a dismissive wave of his hand. “None of your concern.” his voice was rough, but he slapped the pouch of gems onto the counter.
Slav gave him a calculating look, The Imp grinned as he rooted through the pouch. “My boy you have found the jackpot! These gems are exactly what I need! Where did you find them?”
Keith simply jerked a thumb towards the mountains, absolutely uninterested in what Slav was talking about. The last time he got roped into the creature's over excited rant about an invention, he almost didn't leave until nightfall.
“Yes yes yes, business as usual with you.” Slav passed him a hearty bag of coins. “Though, seriously, kid. You look like shit.”
“Thanks.” Keith rolled his eyes.
“Yeah yeah, you're a stubborn little shit.” Slav came around the counter and looked Keith over. “There's a tavern just up the way, get yourself some food. Oh, and be careful from now on. Those mountains you like to frequent are getting dangerous.”
Keith raised an eyebrow, Slav continued.
“There's been rumors of the Empire letting their beasts loose in the forest.” the Imp hopped up onto the counter, leaning in close to Keith as his voice lowered to a whisper. “There's also talk of rebellion. Look into it.”
The dragon blinked. Sometimes, he had a distinct feeling Slav knew more than he let on, but he gave in. “What rebellion?”
“Word around the forest says that Alfor's daughter is still alive. Forming a rebel group and what not with her “Paladins”. Seems to be up your alley.” Slav grinned at him again.
“Right….” Keith scoffed. A rebellion against the Empire? Allura still alive? Paladins? “Thanks, Slav.”
“Any time, kiddo.”
Keith slowly made his way to the tavern Slav mentioned, the scent of hearty food almost made his stomach turn. Was it even possible to be so hungry that food made you nauseous?
The dragon ordered his food as soon as he sat at the bar. No one batted an eye at an Altean in here, a mix of races talking amongst themselves in light banter. Keith went unnoticed.
He slowly ate his food, not even sure what it was when he ordered it, but it tasted alright. Keith couldn't remember the last time he ate anything more than a gem or a small rabbit. He didn't want to throw any of it up-
“Well hello cutie.”
Keith blinked, looking up and beside him at a tall, tanned skin Altean gracefully sat in the seat next to him. He was dressed in a blue tunic and light tan trousers. Bright, ocean blue eyes looked him over, and Keith had to fight the urge to clock him in the jaw. This was the most attention he's gotten in, well, a very long time.
“So, cutie like you have a name or-”
“Lance!”
The Altean turned and groaned. A smaller female joining them, dressed in green. She grabbed the other by his ear and dragged him out of the seat.
“Stop harassing people! What would Hunk say?” the female, an Olkari, glowered at her companion. Or, at least Keith thought she was an Olkari from her height. The markings on her cheeks were exclusive to the Altean race. It confused him. Maybe he just wasn't as familiar with the races like he thought he was.
“But Pidge-”
“No buts! We're looking for someone to lead us into the mountains. You know, the one that Slav mentioned?” Pidge finally glanced at Keith. “Oh, you look just like the guy we're looking for.”
Keith's eyebrow twitched. He was going to murder that imp. He went back to his food with a sigh.
“Why exactly do you need to go into the mountains?” he stabbed up a bite of meat.
“Just gathering information about it. Are you Keith?” Pidge tilted her head at him, like she was trying to get a closer look. He glared at her. Yeah, definitely going to murder that imp.
“I know the mountains, yes.” he shoved his plate away, dropping some coins near the bar keep and getting up.
“Great!” Lance beamed at him, and Keith felt his eye twitch again. “Lead the way, Mister Grumpy.”
“Lance, don't piss off the guy that's gonna help us.” Pidge slapped his arm as they followed Keith out of the tavern. “Hey, there's Hunk!”
The dragon looked up to see a very tall, very big someone jogging towards them. Yeah, he wasn't as familiar with the races as he thought. The new guy, Hunk, looked like he was a Balmeran. He also had the same markings as an Altean.
“Oh, good, you found him.” Hunk gave Keith a gentle smile.
“Yup. Now, where exactly are we going?” Lance leaned against Hunk as Pidge took out a map. It looked unfinished, but reeked of magic.
“Well, Keith, how much do you know about the mountains?” she looked up at him as he studied the map. He recognized some of the places that were filled in, so he just gestured broadly to the whole thing.
“You know all of it?” Hunk's eyebrows shot up.
Keith simply nodded, already walking towards the forest. The three strangers followed him closely, chattering away behind him.
“So, Slav told us that you live up here somewhere?” Lance trotted up to walk next to Keith, ignoring the disgruntled noise from him.
“Is that what Slav told you?” Keith sighed, apparently not speaking would not be enough for this, Lance guy.
“Yup! He also said he doesn't know jack shit about you, only that you bring him gemstones every once in a while.” Lance elbowed him slightly.
“Lance knock it off. We're on a mission.” Pidge kept an eye on her map, watching more of it fill in as they walked. Stopping when the sun set, moving again when it rose. Keith still had no idea what they were looking for, but they were deep within the mountains now.
On the sixth day of their travelling, the group stopped just off the trail Keith was leading them on, setting up camp. Keith tried to keep his distance, the food he was fed boosted his energy enough for his glamor to stay, but he didn't trust these people. Hunk was the one that lured him closer with more food. How could Keith resist such a gentle smile?
He ate the sweets in silence, listening to the three babble about rumors of the mountain side. Surprisingly, none of them were about him. Not that they knew what he really was to begin with.
“Alright, let's cut to the chase.” Pidge swallowed her food, looking at Keith. “Slav actually wanted us to ask you something.”
Keith raised his eyebrow, looking at her. She seemed to get nervous under his gaze.
“He seemed worried about you, for some reason.” She smiled at him. “Wanna join us?”
Keith blinked. “.....I'm already here, aren't I?”
“No, well yeah, I meant-”
“What she means, you wild haired elf, we're Paladins. Slav seems to think you have what it takes.” Lance smirked at him.
The dragon stopped chewing, staring at the trio. They were Paladins? Was, was Slav actually right about something? Wait, he didn't know these people. This could be a trap, but what would Slav gain from it? Keith paled at the thought of the imp working for Lotor. That couldn't be, there was no way in hell Slav knew what he was.
“Hey, you alright? You don't look so good.” Hunk scooted towards him, but Keith flinched away from the impending contact.
“M'fine…” Keith took another bite of his food. “What's the catch?”
“Why would there be one? We've been searching for someone that Princess Allura had seen in a vision.” Lance took a long draught of his drink. “You're the only one that comes even remotely close to what she saw.”
“.....What did she see?” Keith leaned in a little closer.
“Amethyst eyes.” Pidge grinned at him. “You're the first one we've met that has them. Seems to be a unique trait.”
“So what do you say?”
They were all looking at him, expecting an answer. Keith opened his mouth, but snapped it shut with a click, ears twitching to the sounds around him.
“What's wrong-”
The area around them suddenly exploded into chaos. Galran soldiers surrounded them, weapons raised. A few of the larger ones had chained beasts snapping in their direction. The trio quickly stood, summoning weapons and forming a protective barrier around Keith.
“Ah, Paladins. Fancy meeting you here.” A large Galra approached them, grinning. “Seems to be only three of you though. Where is your fourth-”
He looked passed the Paladins, and right at Keith. The dragon felt cold fear wrapping around his heart.
“My, you found Prince Lotor's pet. He will be very pleased.” The Galra snapped his fingers, a small group of druids stepping forward.
The Paladins cried out when strings of magic flew past them, wrapping around Keith and dragging him away. They were frozen in place by another druid, watching Keith shriek and wail and begging to be released.
“Let him go!”
“He isn't a Paladin!”
“Oh, we know he isn't a Paladin. He's something much more valuable.” the Galra snapped his fingers again. One of the druids cast a spell on Keith, and they watched as his body exploded with wounds. He wailed in agony, his fight against the magic holding him picking up in his desperation.
‘I can't go back!’
Keith could feel his glamor flickering. There were sounds of a fight, but they sounded far away. He went limp in the hold on him, his vision tunneling. Keith could hear the pained grunts of the Paladins as they were subdued.
“Prince Lotor wants his pet returned to him. It's been far too long.”
Hands pried his mouth open, a foul liquid dumped down his throat. The familiar taste had his eyes widening, pupils slitting.
Damn this, and damn them .
He let his glamor slip, the furious roar that tore from his throat shook the forest.
Keith was not going back there, and he would die fighting for his freedom.