Saving Destiny

Unforgiving

Team Voltron was on another rescue mission to free prisoners from the Galra. Really, it was all in a day's work. A 'get in and out' trip to an overtaken planet to free the natives from their own home. Unfortunately the trip didn't go as smoothly as expected.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, sorry. Please wake up, you didn't deserve any of this... please." Heart-wrenching sobs bounced despairingly from the metal walls of the lion.
"Keith!"
"KEITH!"

At that moment, space had never felt so unforgiving.

All five lions landed a safe distance away from the sinister edifice that seemed to suck all the colors of nature into its gray walls, leaving the surrounding area funereal and somber.
"Alright Paladins, you know what to do. This is solely a quiet mission: get in, free the prisoners, get out, avoiding any type of open fire." Announced the black paladin.
The team had managed to safely infiltrate the prison and broke into groups. The green, yellow, and blue paladins went to the upper level while the black and red paladins stayed on the ground. "Team Voltron, there are signatures of Galra in the base. I suggest you hurry." The royal advisor's warning crackled into each paladins's helmet. "You heard him," the red paladin gave a kirt nod before the black paladin gripped him by the arm, "Be careful Keith."

~...~

Keith had no luck in finding prisoners, each wing he combed through was void of life. He hoped Shiro was fairing better.
Just as he retired his search, a small scream broke the silence Keith was uncomfortably settled in. His heart clenched, a familiar tug pulled at the back of his mind. Something wasn't right.
Keith hurriedly made his way towards the voice, it led to a dark hallway. A hallway that siphoned any light that was caught in its grasp, hollowing any emotion leaving only emptiness. It wasn't a place Keith wanted to venture but the tug in his head was beginning to pound against his skull as if trying to burst free. With whatever courage he managed to reel up, Keith hesitatingly took his first step into the black hole that was before him.

The quietude grew louder the further he ventured.

~...~

This was not a sight Keith ever wanted to see again. There in a dark room that looked awfully similar to a modified torture chamber, that stunk of mold and bodily fluids, lay a metal table surrounded by trays of equipment that would make a grown man shiver. What really perturbed him was the body that occupied the metal table: a girl who seemed like she would only reach to his shoulders, with a long, black, tangled rats nest upon her bleeding head. Not only did crimson liquid cascade down her crown, but also along her entire figure. If not for the slight quiver in her chest every half tick, she could be stone cold above the grave.

Keith burst into tears as he ran over to the table, "O-Oh my god, it's really you. Wha-what are you doing h-here?" He hiccuped.
Keith knew better than to expect an answer but it still twisted his stomach when the girl remained silent. Questions flew a mile a minute through his head but he had to go. Keith grew pale as he felt how cold and thin the girl was. All Keith could do was hope that nobody would find him, both his hands were occupied as he ran with the frail girl snuggly tucked into his arms.

~...~

The other paladins had aggregated long ago, but there was no sign of the red paladin. "C'mon buddy, where are you?" The black paladin chewed on his lip.  No one could get any sort of contact with Keith, he was M.I.A at the worst possible moment.

~...~

Keith ran on but his lungs screamed as he was losing breath. In the distance Keith heard a screech, this time instead of pursuing the sound he pushed himself further down the hall.

~...~

"I'll deal with you after you all make it back." Shiro gulped as he could sense he was going to get a mouthful once they returned to the castle. "Y-Yes princess." Just as Lance was about to storm off to find that stubborn mullethead, they heard a bone-chilling cry. "I thought we got everyone out?" Pidge questioned, "Then it must of been-" The team went pale, "Keith!"

The four Paladins sprinted to where they thought the scream came from. Just as they caught sight of what they assumed to be Keith, they jumped every which direction to evade the laser that shot towards them. "It's the Galra!" Hunk cried, the team went into a defensive stance as they saw more soldiers coming their way. Both groups advanced towards the other before letting out a battle cry.

Shiro let his hand fade once he made sure every Galran soldier was disposed of. Frantic footsteps and breathless sobs came from down a dark hallway, the Paladins quickly got ready to attack once again. "Wait! It's Keith!" Pidge yelled, "Who is he-" Lance began to ask but the collar of his suit was quickly yanked by Hunk as they ran towards the lions.
The silence seemed almost threatening as they ran, the only sound being heavy footfalls against the floor. Suddenly, the team cried out in shock as a purple blast of energy slammed into the wall barely missing Shiro's left shoulder. "After them!" Just a moment's glance was enough for them to realize that they had a group of angry druids coming their way.
Luckily, as they ran no one was hit but once the lions were in view and the team dispersed an ear-piercing shriek filled the prison. "Don't let them take her!" One Druid screamed, in an almost animalistic sprint in the most monstrous way possible the druids were gaining on Keith.
Keith fiercely ran into his lion before determinedly taking off almost immediately after entering.

Once the team had safely escaped the druids, they contacted Allura to notify her of their upcoming arrival. Although one paladin never answered, "Keith, are you alright?" The princess had softened her tone, worried about her red paladin. The others soon voiced their concerns as well, but were quickly shut down as Keith turned off his comms and ripped his helmet off, chunking it harshly against the ground. Keith knew his lion would safely take him back to the castle, so he quickly shot up before making his way to where he had laid the body. Dropping to his knees, Keith began to get hysterical.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Please wake up, you didn't deserve any of this...please." Heart-wrenching sobs bounced despairingly from the metal walls of the lion as he cradled the body close to his own.
"Keith!"
"KEITH!"

At that moment, space had never felt so unforgiving.