The Greatest Gift Part Five
Keith’s AngelHome, Fan Fiction, The Greatest Gift, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Adaptation by MoiraOriginal story by Philip Van Doren Stern
Story adaptation for the big screen by Frank Capra
Further adapted by me, borrowing from both the authors’ classic tails.
This is a stand alone tale, not pertaining to any other story I have done.Legal Stuff
Voltron, Defender of the Universe and its characters property of World Events Productions, Ltd. ‘The Greatest Gift’ originally written by Philip Van Doren Stern. Story adapted for the big screen by Frank Capra. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce, or repost without permission.Rating NC17
The NC17 rating due to sexual situations, violence, drug use, and strong language.
So, if you don’t care for that kind of stuff, stop now! You’ve been warned.
And yes, even with all that, is really is a Christmas tale.So, if you dare, grab a fresh box of Kleenex, a cup of cider, dim the lights, and dive in.
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Christmas Tale
Part Five
Keith’s AngelKeith walks out into the night weaving his way back and forth along the bridge, slowly making his way to the monument with the Black Lion sitting atop. The water is now half covered with ice and snow is falling as he looks down into the dark depths. He gets precariously close to the edge looking down into the black water. Just one step and it’s over. If I wasn’t here this wouldn’t have happened. If I hadn’t let her know how I felt, she would have never tried that stunt. How could I allow her to have feelings for me? I mixed my feelings with my job. I’m not fit to command. Anyone else could do a better job than me, would do a better job than me. I failed her, I failed my parents, I failed my sisters. I’m not fit to live. He closes his eyes, extending his arms out to the sides as far as they will reach, his body beginning to waver. “All over… no more death… no more war, just quiet.” He drops his head. Just as he is about to step off the bridge he hears a splash and then a faint voice crying out into the night. “Help… Help!” He quickly looks for the source, shaking off his haze. He sees a form flailing in the water. Keith going into autopilot quickly dives into the water and swims to the man. “Relax, I have you.” He swims to the shore pulling the man behind him, hauls him out of the freezing water, dragging him up the bank. Keith helps the man up, pulling his arm over his shoulder and heads to the Lion Monument and into the guard room at its base. To Keith’s surprise, the man seems fine, a little shaken, very wet, but fine. Keith turns up the heat and they start to strip out of their wet clothes to warm up. “Are you alright? I can call for a medic?” Keith asks.
“Oh no please. I’ll be fine. Just need to warm up is all.” He rubs his hands by the heater.
Keith studies the man as he sits down to remove his water logged boots. He looks to be about Keith’s age, with medium length brown hair. There is something familiar about his eyes but he can’t place it. “How did you fall in?”
“I didn't fall in. I jumped in… to save you.”
Keith looks up, surprised. “You what? To save me?”
“Well, I did, didn't I? You didn't go through with it, did you?”
“Go through with what?”
“Suicide. It’s against the law where I come from.
“Where do you come from?”
“Heaven. I had to act quickly, that's why I jumped in. I knew if I were drowning you'd try to save me. And you see, you did. And that's how I saved you.”
“Very funny.”
“Your mouth is bleeding, Keith.”
Keith's hand goes to his lips where Nanny had belted him earlier, puling his fingers away and finding blood on them. ”I must have reopened the cut jumping in.” He clutches at his wrist, which is starting to throb the numbness of the cold wearing off. “Wait! How do you know my name?”
“Oh, I know all about you. I've watched you grow up from a little boy.”
“Oh sure you have. What are you, a mind reader or something?”
“No.”
“Well, who are you, then?”
“Al”
“Just Al?”
“Al…Your guardian Angel”
Keith rubs his head trying to clear his mind. “Oh, gee I should have known.” He looks up at Al standing beside him. “Why… why save me?”
“That's what I was called down for, to help you. I'm your guardian angel.”
Keith just glowers at the man.
“Ridiculous of you to think of killing yourself. You’re a hero. You didn’t hurt her, they did. Do you really think killing yourself will bring her back?”
“Yeah . . . just things like that. Now, how'd you know that?
“I told you … I'm your guardian angel. I know everything about you.”
“Well, you look like the kind of an angel I'd get. Sort of a fallen angel, aren't you? What happened to your wings?”
“I haven't won my wings yet.”
“I don't know whether I like that very much, being seen around with an angel without any wings.”
“Oh, I've got to earn them, and you'll help me, won't you?”
“Sure, sure. How?” Keith decides to humor him.
“By letting me help you.”
“Only way you can help me is to heal the Princess and destroy Doom.”
“Oh, no, no. I can’t do that.”
“Some Angel.”
“Oh, tut, tut, tut.”
“I knew it. I'm better off dead.”
“You shouldn’t talk like that. I won't get my wings with that attitude. You just don't know all that you've done. If it hadn't been for you…”
“Yeah, if it hadn't been for me, everybody would be a lot better off. The Princess, the planet, Voltron…” He glares at Al. “Look, go off and haunt somebody else, will you?”
“No, you don't understand. I've got my job…”
“Shut up, will you.” Keith drops his head into his hands.
Al glances up, as he paces across the room thoughtfully. “Hmmm, this isn't going to be so easy.” He look at Keith “So you still think killing yourself would make everyone feel happier, eh?”
“Oh, I don't know. I guess you're right. I suppose it would have been better if I'd never been born at all.”
“What'd you say?”
“I said, I wish I'd never been born.”
“Oh, you mustn't say things like that. You …” Al’s eyes light up. “Wait a minute. Wait a minute. That's an idea.” He glances up. “What do you think? Yeah, that'll do it. All right.” He looks at Keith. “You've got your wish. You've never been born.” A strong wind springs up blowing open the door to the guardhouse and reviling that the snow outside has stopped falling. Al goes over and closes it.
Keith cocks his head curiously, lifting his bound wrist up in front of him and eyeing it inquisitively. “What did you say?”
“You've never been born. You don't exist. You haven't a care in the world.” Keith rotates his wrist as Al talks. “No worries… no obligations…no Galaxy Garrison …no Lotor hunting you down.”
Keith unwraps his wrist. “This is weird, this was just broken yesterday.”
“No it wasn’t. Your mouth’s healed too, Keith.”
Keith feels his lips, which show no sign of the recent cut he received from Nanny. “What …What's happened?” Keith looks around, as though to get his bearings. “Come on, soon as these clothes of ours are dry…”
“Our clothes are dry.”
Keith feels the clothes on the line.” How? Heater must be hotter than I thought. Now, come on, get your clothes on and we'll walk to the castle.” Keith turns to Al. “Oh, I'm sorry. I'll walk. You’ll fly.
“I can't fly. I haven't got any wings.”
“You haven't got your wings. Yeah, that's right. What kind of name for an angel is that anyway, Al? Peter, John, Paul, that I’d expect but… Al?”
Al turns half dressed and walks out the door only half dressed quickly returning with a very long duffle. “Here you better put this on instead.” He hands Keith the long bag.”
“What? Why?”
“It will be you’re ticket in. The way to get your foot in the door. Your reason for being here.”
“Will you get off it? My clothes are fine.”
“Just take it will you. I’ll check on you later. Be careful things are a little different out there.” Al walks out the door, disappearing into the night.
“Al, wait, you should really see the Doctor.” Keith rushes out the door after him and freezes in his tracks. He’s not on Arus. The snow is gone. The lake is gone he quickly spins around looking at the monument he just stepped out of. His eyes travel up it. On top stands not the Black but a giant gold statue. A statue of…of…“Lotor?” It’s the very statue Lance destroyed. Keith shakes his head. He then hears the sound of robot feet on the bridge coming his way and ducks back into the room closing the door. Now looking around it more closely he sees all the boxes stored there have Drule script on them. “What the…?” He then reaches into his jacket pocket for his com, but it’s gone. Searching all his other pockets he finds no gun, no knife, nothing. Everything is gone. He decides to climb up the access ladder in the monument that would normally have lead to the black. He reaches the top access hatch and opens it, wind flowing around him as he climbs up onto the top on the monument. Before him is the massive golden foot of Lotor. “I’ve got to be dreaming.” He turns to face the vista before him. There stands the Castle but it’s different. Alfor’s coat of arms is gone replaced by an image, one that he is to far away from to make out. He looks down to the lake or, more accurately to where the lake was. It’s gone, the water all drained away. In its place are buildings, lots of buildings, huge buildings that look as if they were transplanted from Doom, with huge smokestacks, reaching up into the air filling the sky with a gray smoke blocking out the stars. It should be winter, but it the air is warm. There is even a replica of Zarkon’s arena standing where the Blue Lion’s home should be. Below the bridge is a view that gives Keith chills. It looks just like the Pit of Sculls on Doom. He spins around and makes his way to the other side of the statue and looks out upon Arus. Arus? The trees are gone. The forest is dead, in its place a huge landing pad with many various ships. “How? My God what happened?”
“Simple, you were never born.”
Keith spins around to find Al sitting on Lotor’s golden foot, now dressed in a flashy blue mercenary uniform with a long, flowing red cape. Keith shakes his head. “What are you talking about?”
“You still don’t realize how much you’ve done?”
“Me?”
“Come, get changed. I think we should pay a visit to the castle.”
“Fine. Let’s go Gabriel, uh I mean, Al.”
“Very funny.”
They make their way back down inside the monument. Keith then curiously opens the duffle that Al gave him revealing a flashy red and black mercenary uniform. He lifts it out and fingers the material in his hands. “You expect me to wear this?”
“Yes. It’s your ticket in the door.”
“Red leather? You expect me to wear red leather? How much did I drink anyway?”
“Nothing. That Keith doesn’t exist anymore?”
“Yeah, alright Al. Whatever you say.”
Al moves up to Keith’s side, putting an arm around his shoulders. “Tell you what, you just believe that you drunk yourself stupid and this is all just a crazy hallucination, okay? Does that help?”
“Hardly.” Keith holds up the uniform in front of him. “Lance sure would pay good money to see this.”
“Yeah, I bet someone else would too.” Al smiles. “Now get changed. We need to go.”
Keith starts to change. Shaking his head the whole time. Some dream. His hand brushes along his chest, grabbing his attention. He quickly looks down running his hand again over his skin. Smooth, his skin is smooth, no scars. He looks closely tracing where the scar left from Lotor’s laser sword should be but there’s nothing, no trace. His hands start searching the rest of him. The one on his back, also a gift from Lotor, gone. Nothing, not a mark, not a scrape… nothing at all mars his skin.
“You were never around to get any of those marks, Keith. You haven’t lived.”
Keith looks over to Al, hand at his chest. “I…” Keith shakes his head again and resumes getting changed. After some effort he is now clad all in red with black trim. He reaches back into the bag pulling out a pair of black over the knee boots and black gloves. He smiles at Al. “You are just to much.” He sits and pulls on the boots, which surprisingly, fit like a glove and are amazingly comfortable. He sets the gloves down, diving back into the bag. His eyes light up as he pulls out a scimitar and its accompanying rig in all black leather. He unsheathes the sword holding it out in his hand. It is remarkably light for its size and balances perfectly in his hand. “Where did you get this? This is amazing!” He swings it around a few times. Setting it down, Keith then attaches the belt, which also fits perfectly. He is quickly back into the bag pulling out another belt holding a blaster on the right and a long dagger on the left. He smiles putting that one on too. It sits just right under the sword belt, molding to him perfectly, gun right where his hand lies. He props up one leg at a time to tie the knife and gun to his thighs. Standing back up he moves around a bit. As ridiculous as he feels he has to admit he has never felt more comfortable or had more ease of movement. He quickly drops his hand and draws the blaster, which easily finds his hand. He regards the gun. It is his favorite make and model in a black finish. He holsters the gun then picks up the sword and sheaths it.
Al then walks over to the bag pulling out a large billowing black cape. “And now for the crowning touch.” He walks behind Keith attaching the cape to his shoulders. Turning to face Keith, he bows before him. “Impressive. Very impressive. Yes I believe you will pass.”
Keith shifts his weight. “Pass what, exactly?”
“Well, in order to gain admittance to the castle you’ve got to be somebody. And, when they get a look at you, I think they will believe you are somebody. You are now Lord Paladin. You are here in answer to King Lotor’s…”
“King Lotor! What? How?”
“Let me finish. “You are here to answer King Lotor’s summons for the greatest fighters to come and have audience with him and possibly have the honor to joining forces with him.”
“Me! Join with Lotor? You are off your nut.”
“Just pretend it’s a game Keith. You don’t believe any of this anyway. Come on have some fun!”
“Fun?”
“Come lets go, Lord Paladin.” Al pulls him by the arm and Keith again just shakes his head. “I’ve truly lost it.”
The two imposing men walk along the bridge toward the castle looming ahead. Once more, Keith is taken aback by the scene around him. All the beauty that was Arus is gone. Robot guards are approaching them in the distance from the castle. Keith’s hand instinctively goes to his gun.
Al leans in. “Remember your part and why you are here. You are a cocky Lord who is above all.” Al laughs. “Just pretend you’re Lance.”
”Oh, now that’s hysterical. Me, be Lance.”
“Wait! No, no better than that, pretend you’re Lotor! Yes that’s much better.” Al grins and hands Keith a bottle.
“What’s this for?”
“Just drink it. You’re going to need it.”
“Drinking got me here in the first place.” Keith rolls his eyes as Al’s eyes smile back at him. Keith shakes his head, grabs the bottle and downs it, suddenly feeling warm all over. “What was that?”
“Nothing much really.” He leans into Keith’s ear as they walk. “You are Lord Paladin, fighter extraordinaire. Remember your part, be Lotor. Just like Lotor.”
Keith laughs. “Lotor eh?”
They finally meet up with the robot guards. “Halt! Who goes there? What is your business?”
“Lotor.” Keith whispers. Getting a demonic grin. Standing up tall, glaring at the robots, he growls out. “What kind of insult is this? I arrive and all they send me are tin cans?!” The robots shift around a bit not sure how to react. Al just grins as Keith strides right up to one of them. “You tell your master if he insults me again by sending scrap parts to do the job of an emissary then he will feel my wrath!” Keith breathes fire on the robot who leans back to get away. “Get out of my sight!” Keith finally bellows. The robots quickly turn and scurry back to the castle. Keith straightens up grinning and growls out softly. “That felt gooooood.”
Al pats him on the back. “Well, now I’m impressed.” The two continue on towards the castle.
Soon another group approaches them on the bridge, humanoid this time. “What is your business here?” One asks.
Keith’s brow furrows. “Do you mean to tell me you do not know? Such incompetence!” Keith spins to Al. “This isn’t worth our time! First robots and now these minions? This Lotor fellow must be highly overrated if this is the kind of welcome an invited guest receives.” He spits on the ground. “My patience is done!” Keith spins on his heal and begins to storm away.
“Wait! Stop! My apologies sir. I didn’t…” The Doom officer calls after him.
Keith spins back. “That’s no excuse!“
“Please sir if you would come with us.”
“That’s Lord to you!” Keith venomously barks, dropping all the Doom soldiers to the ground.
The officer meekly whispers. “Sorry my Lord. We didn’t know. Please accept our apology.”
Keith ignores them and strides over their bent over forms towards the castle. Al falls in behind, laughing to himself.
Keith and Al march towards the door to the castle as if they owned the place. The men who greeted them tripping over each other trying to keep up and grovel at the same time. Reaching the giant door Keith looks up. Above it, there where Alfor’s coat of arms should be is an image of a skull. An image he recognizes as the same Lotor wore on his belt. The scull emblem of Doom. Keith laughs. “A little full of himself ain’t he?”
“And you expected something different? He is still Lotor after all.” The door opens and the sight that greets them turns Keith cold. Al leans in again. “Remember who you are…My Lord.” Keith swallows putting on a defiant air and strides forward to meet his greeter.
“My Lord, I am Yurak, commander of his majesties armies. You are welcome to Arus. Please come with me.”
Keith nods, and he and AL fall in behind Yurak, staying far enough behind to speak privately. Keith leans over to Al. “Yurak? Yurak’s dead. And this guy’s way to confidant to be him. Yurak was a sniveling pawn.”
“Amazing what bringing final victory over Voltron could do to a man.”
“What? No. No…Yurak died at the tip of Voltron’s sword.”
“No Keith, he won. He’s a hero.”
“I was there. He’s dead.”
“Ah, no Keith, you weren’t. Remember… never born… He died at the tip of your sword. You were piloting Voltron that day. But now… that day never happened.”
They turn down a larger corridor. “Wait, this is an outside wall. What is this?”
“Here.” Al thrusts another bottle in front of Keith. “If you can’t handle this…You’re gonna need help to handle what’s next.”
“What’s next?” Just as Keith asks the question the doorway at the end of the hall opens. Stepping through it they are suddenly in the arena. Keith grabs the bottle from Al and downs it, wiping his mouth.
Al laughs. “Told you. Welcome to King Lotor’s Arena. His proud father built it for him as a wedding gift. An exact replica of his own.”
Keith spins on Al, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Wedding? Wedding to who?”
“You really have no patience do you?” Al chuckles, then looks serious. “My Lord.” Snapping Keith around.
Yurak approaches the two men. “There will be a match in five hours. You are welcome to participate. His majesty will be anxious to see if you have what he is looking for.”
Keith stands tall and imposing. “And what exactly is he looking for?”
Yurak laughs. “A challenge of course!”
Keith interlaces his hands in front of him snapping his fingers back. “Well then, I’ll see what I can do. Lead on!”
Yurak leads them to a private lavishly decorated room, complete with a full staff of scantily clad servants to do their bidding. “Is this suitable?” Yurak bows.
Keith looks around scowling at his surroundings. “It will do…for now.”
Al spins around to face a group of servants. “Bring us food and wine! We are hungry from our journey and want to see what kind of delicacies this planet has to offer.” They quickly bow and back out of the room.
Soon they are surrounded in food eating their fill. Brushing off the offers for companionship, Keith grabs a bottle of wine and moves to an overstuffed chair. Settling into it, he draws his sword and begins to ritualistically clean it. His thoughts go to Allura and her living here with Lotor as her husband. The pictures that come to his mind are unbearable. He takes swig after swig to drown them out as the hours eventually pass.
A guard enters the room bowing before them. “It is time.”
Al stands up. “My Lord.” He bows before Keith. “It is time to meet the King.”
End of Part Five
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