Chapter Text
His fists were clenched on the entire ride to Altea. Shiro laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “At ease, soldier,” he said softly. Keith relaxed, though he still could not unball his hands. He was terrified of ruining their first diplomatic mission.
Forming an alliance with Altea had always been their goal. He’d been part of the Blade of Marmora since he’d been born, growing in a constricted space filled with ever-changing faces that he secretly glimpsed over the masks. They worked quietly, going from one planet to another, hopeful that their cautious dissent would reach the Altean kingdom. No one was meant to endure a life of Zarkon’s tyranny. Many Galra believed and died for their cause. Keith had always known one day he’d die for it too. Their fight was endless and fraught. Any moment, spies could be discovered and killed. The rebellion could be snuffed out, in an instant.
But they had some wins - they’d freed prisoners from Galra warships; liberated several colonies. Shiro had been one of them; a human subject to Galra experimentation, barely alive when they’d recovered him. Keith had stared at him for days, half in shock at seeing someone like him for the first time. He’s from Earth, Ulaz had told him. The planet were were found you.
Keith had latched onto him since that day. Shiro eventually recovered and proved willing to join the the Blade, ready to lay down his life in the fight against Zarkon.
And now, after so long, they had finally made contact with Altean intelligence.
Ulaz had deemed Shiro and Keith as the least likely to incur the Alteans’ hostility, especially with the recent attack on the kingdom by Zarkon’s fleet, and sent them for first contact. The Altean kingdom had survived, just barely, but the esteemed King Alfor had not. The universe had mourned. His death was a blow for the resistance. But his eldest daughter, Princess Allura, had stepped up in his place, and was prepared to continue the battle in his stead.
“They may hate us,” Ulaz had warned. “And they will be suspicious. We must convince them we are on their side.” Shiro had nodded. Keith was no stranger to being hated, so that was no issue. But he had no experience speaking in behalf of the Blade of Marmora. He could engage in hand-to-hand combat, he could spy on enemy grounds, he could pilot a fighter jet. But to negotiate? He was out of his element. Fortunately, Shiro’s presence kept him steady. He breathed through his nose. Shiro was here with him. Everything would be fine.
They soon entered Altean atmosphere. The comms beeped, requesting for their identification. Shiro replied, enunciating clearly. Keith kept his hand on the controls, mid-brake, worried they’d be shot down. After an excruciating minute of silence, they were given permission to land.
They were greeted by several Altean soldiers upon disembarking. A man with red hair stepped up in front of them. “The Blade of Marmora, yes?” he said, doubtfully.
Shiro nodded respectfully. “At your service.”
The man eyed them carefully, leaning close. Keith stiffened at the scrutiny. Did he smell weird? Not for the first time, he wished they were allowed to keep their masks on. But Ulaz had decided they had to give a show of faith to the Altean princess. It was a risk they had to take.
The man nodded to the soldiers, and then he turned to Shiro and Keith. “All right then, follow me.” Before them was the Castle of Lions, the legendary Altean warship. Keith had never thought he’d see the day he would see it up close, much less enter it. They were led past endless silver hallways. Keith glimpsed of several Alteans scurrying past, avoiding their eyes. Keith didn’t blame them. The entourage of soldiers would frighten anyone.
He saw someone about his height walk past, his stride proud and unwavering. Unlike the others, he didn’t swerve to avoid them, simply walking head on, undisturbed by their presence. His skin was a deep, dark brown, while his hair was a shocking contrast of white. But what kept Keith staring was his eyes. They were shockingly, amazingly blue. Keith had never seen anyone with eyes like that before. For a moment their eyes met, and the boy blinked at him.
“What are those ears?” he said, his nose scrunched.
Keith resisted the urge to clap his hands over his ears in mortification. People in the Marmora base asked him that all the time, disgusted by their round shape. He’d been insecure of them all his life. Thank goodness for Shiro, who shared the same ear shape.
“Now, now, Lance,” The red-haired man admonished. “That isn’t any way to talk to our visitors!”
Lance pouted. “I was just asking! They look so weird! ” He stuck out his tongue and kept on walking in the opposite direction. Keith hung his head, keeping his eyes trained on the floor miserably. He felt Shiro touch him lightly on the shoulder, and instinctively he stilled himself. He looked up; the soldiers were drawing open towering white doors. Keith blinked at the light, his skin crawling at how endlessly bright it was.
They were ushered into the room. At the end of the high table sat Princess Allura, the current ruler of Altea.
“Greetings,” she said formally. She was dressed in battle gear. She did not smile.
Shiro bowed. “It is an honor to have an audience with you, Princess Allura. The Blade of Marmora is at your service.”
“You’re not Galra,” she stated. Keith tensed at the venom in her tone.
“No,” Shiro replied. “I’m not. My companion here, Keith, is part Galra. The Blade of Marmora represents the Galra resistance, but we have allies spread far and wide.”
Allura’s eyes turned to Keith at Shiro’s statement. “What are you, then?” she asked, the question directed to Shiro though she maintained the gaze on Keith. Her stare was damning. Keith fought the urge to look away.
“I’m from Earth,” Shiro said. “But I don’t see how this would matter to you.”
Allura laughed hollowly. “Everything matters to me. What is your name?”
Shiro introduced himself. Allura pursed her lips, and then finally held out her hand. “Then, Shiro, of the Blade of Marmora, please convince me why I should trust you.”
It was the most agonizing half hour Keith had ever been through. If this was what it meant to be an emissary, then Keith would never laugh at Ulaz ever again. He was itching to reach for his knife, hidden away in his suit. The feel of it would calm him. But the Princess would probably not appreciate such a thing - or worse, she’d misunderstand it, and they’d be locked in Altean prison cells for the rest of their lives. Shiro did not deserve such a thing.
“You must understand,” Shiro was saying. “Zarkon may be Galra, but he does not represent all the Galra. There are many who do not agree with his rule. The Blade is ready to stand by your side.”
Princess Allura stared at him, eyes flickering to his prosthetic arm. Her gaze was piercing. “You have suffered from the hands of Galra,” she said.
“Yes,” Shiro said. Then, unexpectedly, he put his hand on Keith. “And yet it was also Galra who saved me. Keith himself pulled me out of a Galra warship.”
The princess turned to him. Keith swallowed, his throat dry. Shiro was also looking at him encouragingly. Slowly, he began to recall the story of how they helped Shiro escape. “He’s not the only one,” he added hoarsely, once he was done. “We’ve been going to prison camps, freeing them and giving arms to those willing to join the fight. We have men inside of Zarkon’s commanding army, sabotaging where we can. We’re doing our best.”
“And yet, your best cannot stop him.”
“No,” Shiro agreed, before Keith could argue, incensed in behalf of the Blade. He wanted, desperately, for the Princess to understand how they lived in constant fear. How their betrayal made them outsiders to everyone. He believed in his cause and yet this Princess, the symbol of the galaxy’s hope, refused to trust them. “Alone, we cannot stop Zarkon. But together with the Altean kingdom, we might stand a chance. You have Voltron.” The legendary weapon that everyone whispered around. The universe’s last hope.
Something in Allura’s expression snapped. Beside her, the red haired man’s eyes widened. “Voltron,” she said, her voice cracking. “And how do you propose we use Voltron when my father, the paladin of the Red Lion, is dead ?”
--
Keith stumbled out to the Altean castle grounds, relief flooding his system at finally, finally being free from the Princess’ cruel gaze. He’d known that there would be animosity, but not like this. She bled him and Shiro dry until they were exhausted. Keith wanted to scream. He hated feeling helpless like this.
He exhaled shakily, pacing. After the meeting, the Princess had nodded stiffly and requested they remain in the castle until she came to her decision. Shiro had agreed, and now they were Altean guests for the time being. Funny how it only seemed like a fancy word for prisoners. They sent word to the Blade of this arrangement, and then they were free for the rest of the day. Keith shook off the soldier following him, uncomfortable with supervision. He hoped that wouldn’t come off as suspicious. The last thing he needed was to start a diplomatic incident.
He found the gardens soon enough, framed with towering trees and filled with flowering shrubs. He always thought it strange that there were mobile plant-based organisms as well as non-mobile ones throughout the galaxy, and that the former were decorative for other alien species. Every time Keith went to a different planet he was always surprised how unique each place really was - even to their plant life. Keith liked spending his time among them, especially the ornamental ones. For one, they didn’t try to talk to him.
Keith wasn’t much for conversation. He’d grown up in the headquarters all his life, in a tiny base in the middle of two black holes. He asked Kolivan sometimes to describe the Galra planet, but their commander was blunt, and often occupied with work. Shiro was more lenient, often speaking of Earth with hopeless nostalgia. Keith wondered if he’d ever see it. The Blade of Marmora had recovered him from Earth when he was a baby, and rarely mentioned his birthgiver. His mother was an enigma that Keith had many questions about that went unanswered.
Keith also had just as many questions about his home planet - Shiro had said people there looked like him. He couldn’t imagine it. Before Shiro, he’d always thought he was the only one like him in the universe. Keith hoped one day to see Earth with his own eyes, even just once.
There was a rustle in the trees, and Keith stiffened. A shadow emerged, and Keith slipped into a defensive stance immediately, reaching for his knife. Was it an intruder?
White hair poked through, with a bit of grumbling. “You’d think they’d loosen up,” he was muttering. Then he stopped at sight of Keith. “Oh,” he said, mouth falling open. Then he brightened. “Hey, weird ears!”
Keith’s face flamed. “My ears aren’t weird!” he snapped, gesturing at him. He realized his mistake soon enough, when the Altean - what was his name again? - backed away, eyes wide. His knife was in his hand.
Horror iced his veins. No. He’d scream for help, and they’d think he was attacking this Altean. No no no no. He lowered his hand, holding out the other in a weak attempt at being non-threatening. “I’m not - ” he began wildly.
“Holy quiznak!” The Altean yelled. Keith cringed. Shiro would be so disappointed. He needed to control this situation, now. He’d apologize, beg for forgiveness, and hope to hell the Princess Allura wouldn’t use this against the Blade of Marmora.
But the Altean, rather than run away screaming, just strode closer to him, until he was already at Keith’s side. “That is so cool!” He gestured at Keith’s hand. “Your knife is glowing!”
“Wh-what?”
The Altean was unperturbed. “Look! See! Glowing!” He reached for Keith’s knife, which Keith instinctively pulled it out of the stranger’s hands. The knife, reacting to his movement, became a blade, nearly cutting the Altean. Keith was going to have a heart attack.
“HOLY QUIZNAK!” The Altean yelled again. “That’s even cooler - what is that? Some really cool alien tech? Where did you get it?”
“My mother gave it to me,” Keith said dumbly. It was the only thing he had from her. He brandished the blade, and it went back to being a knife.
The Altean nodded. “A family heirloom! That is out of this world!” He grinned. “My dad gave me some cool weapons too. Look at this.” He drew out a round looking weapon. Keith was about to ask what it did, when the weapon glowed, and transformed into large gun. “Badass, right?”
Keith had to agree it was cool. He nodded, tucking his knife away back into his suit. The Altean looked at him shrewdly. “Ohhh, a hidden weapon,” he cooed. “That definitely comes in handy. What’s your name, anyway?”
“Keith,” he replied.
The Altean grinned at him. “I’m Lance,” he said, and Keith remembered the name from earlier. He resolved not to forget. “Anyway, Keith, what are you doing here? Are you one of the competitors?”
“Competitors?” Keith asked, confused.
“You know! For the tournament!” Lance flailed his arms. “There’s so many ships coming in, I can barely keep track. There’s five million guards everywhere, I can’t even go check!” He crossed his arms and pouted.
Tournament? Ships? Keith had no idea what was happening. Why would Altea be holding some sort of contest amidst the war?
Lance grinned at him. “I bet you can fight, Mr. Weird Ears.”
Keith growled at him. “There’s nothing wrong with my ears!”
“Are you sure?” Lance peered at him. “I mean, they’re so different from mine! And all other aliens I’ve met so far have pointy ones too!” That was something Keith had noticed too. Maybe there was something wrong with him. But he wasn’t going to admit it to Lance.
“I can hear just fine,” Keith said, folding his arms. “So my ears are perfectly normal, thank you.”
Lance shrugged. His own ears had several gold things pierced on them. The gold looked good against his brown skin. “Where are you from anyway? Balmera? Arus? Calum?”
Keith panicked, wondering what to reply, but Lance was still talking. “They’re sending the best fighters all over the galaxy,” he said. “I’m so excited. I wanted to compete, but of course I’m not allowed. Coran wouldn’t even let me sign up. Like, it doesn’t matter, I’ll just be like a special combatant because I know I’m not allowed to win, but like, I could be a wild card, right? It would be cool! And then I might meet who the other paladins might be - ”
Keith had never been so confused his whole life. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said finally.
“Oh ho,” Lance said, winking at him. “You say that now, but I bet I’ll be seeing you on stage soon enough.” He switched into a fight stance. “Come on,” he said. “I wanna see you fight.”
Keith was bewildered. Was this part of Altean culture? Ulaz had instructed him and Shiro briefly on it. They were predominantly a peaceful race. But were displays of power a diplomatic tactic? Or was this Lance simply an anomaly? Either way... “I’m not going to fight you,” he said.
Lance rolled his eyes. “It’s not a real fight,” he said. “You’re just going to show me what you can do.”
“Lance-” he started, but then the Altean launched a kick at him. Keith tensed, blocking it with one hand, crouching low.
Lance grinned. “Yeah, like that!” He began his offense, a series of complicated kicks and jabs. Keith remembered what Ulaz had told him; for a peaceful race, Alteans were taught at an early age the importance of strength. And Lance was strong; behind each strike was pure power.
“That all you got?” Lance taunted as Keith deflected each attack.
Keith gritted his teeth. “Lance-” he narrowly avoided a hit on his chest. “Lance!” he shouted, grabbing to twist his arm. Lance flailed; a feint, Keith discovered, after Lance kicked his legs below him, making Keith nearly hit the ground. He rolled just in time, recovering on his knees as Lance pulled back.
The Altean stretched. “You’re a bore, Keith,” he said, his grin smug. “You wouldn’t last a day in the galaxy, fighting Galra.”
Keith growled. This guy had no idea what he was talking about. Keith survived the Galra every single day. “You’re the one who wouldn’t make it,” he snarled, and he lunged at Lance. He saw the blue eyes narrow in delight, and soon they were trading blows.
Keith had never felt adrenaline pump through him like this. Often he was fighting for something on the line; gunning enemy fighter ships, slashing Galra sentries. He was always thinking, one mistake, and it was all over. But this - this wasn’t training in the Blade of Marmora base, which was relentless and unforgiving. This was a spar, both friendly and competitive at the same time, and for once he felt a smile lighting his face as slammed his elbow towards Lance’s stomach.
Lance doubled over. Keith stepped back, nervous of having hurt him for real, when Lance barreled at him suddenly, ignited with more fervor. “That’s more like it!” He crowed, and he was actually laughing. Keith realized the Altean was having fun, followed by the realization that he was, too. Even sparring with Shiro had never made him feel this way.
Lance reached for his shoulder, but Keith anticipated it. He feinted to the left, grabbing Lance’s wrist, and, mimicking Lance’s earlier move, swinging his legs under him. He slammed Lance to the ground as carefully as he could, feeling guilty about his white clothing. “Give up?”
Lance twisted his head to look up at him, his eyes shining. “Never,” he said cheerfully. Keith wondered if he should let Lance up, or let him suffer for a few more ticks with his face on the ground.
“What the quiznak do you think you’re doing?!” A voice thundered over them, and Keith released Lance’s wrist in surprise. He turned, just in time for four Altean soldiers to throw themselves at him. A hand actually connected with his face. Keith gasped at the pain, shocked.
They dragged him, restraining his hands. Keith was too shocked to struggle. He looked up face-to-face with Princess Allura, fury written all over her face.
“Attacking one of the Royal Family,” she shouted. “I knew I was wrong to trust you Galra.” Behind her, Shiro and the red haired man from earlier were hurrying over, stepping behind Princess Allura’s side. Shiro’s eyes were wide and confused. The red haired man’s expression mirrored Shiro’s.
“You will be put in the cells,” she continued, her voice shaking in anger. “You and the Blade of Marmora will never be welcome to our Alliance.”
Her words took time to sink in. Keith just stared, horrified. What had he done? They’d been wrong to send him. He’d ruined everything. All they’d worked for was over. He was a disgrace, a disaster.
“Wait. WAIT!” He saw a blur of blue rushing up to his feet, and then Lance was beside Keith, dusting away his clothing. “What are you doing?”
Princess Allura turned to him. “Are you alright, Lance?”
“Am I alright - I’m fine!” Lance said, his voice loud. “Let Keith go. I said, let Keith go!” He repeated, when the soldiers didn’t react to his first statement. The hands restraining him released him, though the soldiers didn’t step away.
“He was attacking you,” Princess Allura cried.
“We were sparring,” Lance argued. “There’s a difference. Anyway, I asked him to fight with me. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Behind Princess Allura, Shiro raised his eyebrow at Keith. “Keith, is that true?”
Keith nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
“Even so-” Princess Allura started. “He shouldn’t have agreed. You’re-”
“I’m?” Lance said, his tone indicating that this line of thought was dangerous.
Princess Allura’s face reddened, but she stood her ground. “You’re the Crown Prince of Altea,” she said. “You are not to engage in such things.”
Keith stared, unseeing. The Crown Prince of Altea. He had attacked the Crown Prince of Altea. If he thought he was fucked earlier, then it was nothing compared to how he felt now. If an Altean guard skewered him at this moment he’d welcome his death with open arms. That was exactly what he deserved.
Lance inhaled noisily. “You have got to stop treating me like a kid, sis,” he said. “You hated it when Father did that to you; don’t do it to me now.”
“But-” Princess Allura looked lost. “This is-” she sighed. “You’re right,” she said finally. “I apologize, I simply overreacted. But you can’t fault me for that,” she added, upon seeing Lance’s smug grin. “I have every right to be worried. This is Galra we’re talking about.”
Lance frowned. “What?”
Keith wanted to sink to the ground. All that easy camaraderie he’d had with Lance would be lost once he found out he was Galra. He didn’t want Lance to look at him like Princess Allura did; with hate in his eyes. He looked down, terrified of the look on Lance’s face once he found out. Maybe he’d let Keith be thrown to the cells after all.
He heard Princess Allura say it. There was a moment of silence.
“Wait wait wait,” Lance said incredulously. “ You’re Galra?”
Keith’s ears burned. He didn’t dare look up.
“He can’t be Galra, he’s not purple!” Lance flailed. “And he has weird ears. Galra don’t have ears like that!”
He could hear a short snicker which sounded suspiciously like Shiro. Keith glanced up, meeting his eyes. Shiro had turned his face away, though he looked less worried than he was the last few minutes.
“Regardless, Keith is Galra,” Princess Allura repeated. Lance whirled on Keith, crossing past all the soldiers to look at him. He stared down at Keith with his blue, blue eyes. Keith wanted to simultaneously look away and also stare into them forever. He didn’t know what to do.
“My mother is Galra,” Keith forced himself to say. “My father is...well. Supposedly he’s from Earth, like Shiro, but no one knows for sure.”
Lance frowned. “But you’re not purple.”
“No.”
“Or furry.”
“No!” Keith repeated, a little louder than expected. The fur was an extra sore spot for him, just like his ears.
Lance shrugged. “Then, as far as I’m concerned, he’s not Galra,” he announced. “He’s like, a spork. Sporks aren’t spoons or forks. You can’t lump him into one utensil category!”
Keith had a moment to feel outraged at being compared to a food eating tool. Judging by Princess Allura’s expression, she felt the same.
“Lance,” she said, a touch exasperated.
“Ah, ah, no,” Lance said, wagging his fingers at her. “Don’t ‘Lance,’ me, sis. My logic is sound. Right, Coran?” He winked at the red haired man, who was fiddling with his moustache.
“Well,” Coran said carefully. “I suppose you have a slight point there.”
“See? Coran agrees with me!” He threw his arm around Keith. The sudden weight was like a shock of warmth to his system. “Ok, now you guys all move along,” he said to the Altean soldiers. “And seriously, can we get a healer here? This looks nasty,” he said, waving at Keith’s face.
One of the soldiers hesitated, and then left to obey. Slowly the others backed away to a respectful distance, leaving Keith alone with Lance, Shiro, Princess Allura, and Coran.
“So are you part Galra too?” Lance said, turning to Shiro.
Shiro shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Prince Lance,” he said. “I’m a full Earthling.”
Lance waved his hand. “Please, don’t call me that,” he said. “I haven’t earned it. My sister here is the only one who gets to be called the royal title.”
Princess Allura heaved a sigh. “Lance,” she said warningly. Then she turned to Keith. “I truly apologize,” she said, her eyes downcast. “That was...unjust of me.”
“It’s fine,” Keith managed. His throat felt less strangled now. Lance’s arm was still around his shoulder. “I shouldn’t have - I didn’t know.”
“My brother here is very persistent,” Princess Allura continued, with a sharp gaze at Lance. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he pestered you into a fight.” Lance laughed nervously at that.
“He’s a good fighter,” Lance said brightly. “Not as strong as me, but pretty good.” Keith rolled his eyes at that.
“I had you pinned on the ground,” he reminded him.
“I was going easy on you,” Lance told him, grinning. “You’d never win against me on a real fight.”
“Yeah?” Keith said.
Lance looked at him, his eyes still shockingly blue. “Yeah,” he affirmed, folding his arms. “I’d like to see you try.”
Shiro coughed. “Then it’s a good thing we’ll be fighting on the same side, then,” he said. “Your strength will be better working with each other than against.”
Keith caught his breath. He’d forgotten, again. He kept forgetting every time Lance talked to him. He didn’t know why it kept happening. He was here as the Blade of Marmora. He shouldn’t let Lance’s little comments get under his skin.
“The same side, huh?” Lance said. “I’m excited to see that. Sis, are they going to participate in the tournament?”
Princess Allura folded her arms. “Perhaps,” she said.
“What tournament?” Shiro asked, his eyebrows furrowed. So Shiro didn’t know either. At least Keith was glad he wasn’t the only one left in the dark.
The princess sighed. “That was what I was debating on,” she said. “But I suppose you two can be trusted - for now,” she said pointedly, with a gaze at Keith.
Coran cleared his throat. “We’ll be holding a tournament here in two days’ time,” he explained. “All fighters from the galaxy who are part of our cause against the Galra are invited.”
“This is the tournament where we decide,” Princess Allura continued, her mouth a firm line, “on who will have the honor of being the new paladin of the Black Lion of Voltron.”