Whumptober 2021

No. 4 - TRUST FALL

His body was getting weaker by the second the adrenaline was starting to wear off but they galran soldiers just kept coming. Shiro, Lance, Hunk and pidge where fighting galra below the cliffs Keith however was surrounded until he was one miss step from plunging to the base of the cliff. He couldn't give up now so he willed his body to keep going, to keep fighting. One day he'll learn not to bring a sword to a gun fight but unfortunately his bayard was the only weapon he had. Caught up in the fight he missed the fact that he was running out of ground beneath his feet, he needed to call for back up soon otherwise he'd plunge to the bottom of the cliff that had to have been at least 2000 feet off the ground.

Keith- Shiro I need back up they have me cornered !

Shiro- Where are you ? we will start making are way to you.

Keith- Look up ...

Shiro- Wha- OMG KEITH ! We're on are way try and get them to move back.

Shiro and the others began trying to fight their way through the galra soldiers over to where Keith was but it was going to take some time, time which from Shiro's quick glances up they didn't have. Keith on the other hand was still only inches from falling 2000 feet and still fighting galra left and right until ... he isn't, there's only one galran soldier left standing.

The galra that the paladins new all to well, Sendak. Keith waited for him to charge up his arm ready for an attack but for some time they both stood looking into each other's eye until Sendak curved his mouth into a ominous smile.

Sendak- Any last words paladin ?

Keith- Screw you Sendak

Keith lunged forward activating his bayard unfortunately for Keith Sendak caught his bayard with his metal hand. Sendak used his grip on the sword to push Keith backwards before completely letting go of the bayard.

Keith's eyes snapped shut as he felt the force of the wind around him, he could hear Shiro and the other paladins screaming but all he could do was try to find something to grab onto. But of course the cliffs on this planet are all relatively smooth so despite his efforts of grasping out to the cliff side he was still hurtling to the ground at rapid speed, though to the paladins it felt like a life time as they where running towards were Keith was bound to land. They where too late, Keith's body hit the ground with a loud cracking sound. All he felt was pain, tears began to well in his eyes but he could just about make out a blurry face crouched down by his side.

Shiro- KEITH ! Hey can you hear me, Keith can you hear me buddy ?

Keith- S... S ... Shiro ....

Shiro- Yeah buddy it's me, don't move ok.

Keith- O... Ok

It was obvious to Shiro the second he got close enough to see Keith that at least 85% of his bones where broken he couldn't even begin to imagine the pain Keith was in right now. Keith unfortunately didn't have that luxury, every inch of his body felt like it was being stabbed, his cheeks where stained with tears and every time he breathed he felt a shooting pain that started at his feet and ended in his head. He supposed the only good thing was that he slowly started drifting into darkness until the voices telling him to stay awake where nothing but a whisper until ... nothing, complete silence.

Keith was woken by a bright light that had a blue tint to it glowing around him, once his eyes calmed the blurred vision he could tell he was laying in the castle with Shiro sat by his side holding his hand gently. He had assumed the paladins had placed him into a healing pod because the throbbing pain from before was hardly noticeable now. He had survived, but how ? Though when he looked down at the blanket covering his legs that was the last question on his mind... his legs they where gone ...

Keith- SHIRO WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY LEGS ?!

Shiro- Keith, calm down buddy. When you fell you landed on your back if we had left them you never would have been able to walk again. This way you can have prosthetics and we thought it was best to do it while you where unconscious.

Keith- You didn't think to ask me first Shiro!

Shiro- I know you Keith, I know you'd rather learn to walk again than to never be able to walk at all. I did what I thought was best bud.

Keith- I ... I know I'm sorry .... it's ... it's just ...

He tried to be strong but he couldn't hold it any longer, the tears stated pouring out whilst he sobbed onto Shiro's shoulder just as the other paladins entered the room. They cautiously approached the bed that Keith was laying in and gently joined the pair in a hug. Sendak would pay for this... Shiro would make sure of that. But for now all Shiro or any of the paladins was worried about was getting Keith back on his feet. This of course is going to be a challenge but Keith's brave, strong and if anyone can overcome this it's him.

[ Word count - 900]