Chapter 2: Talking (Hunk's POV)
Hunk looks at the Yellow Lion. Nothing looks of sorts. It looks powerful, but did the faunatonium work? Will it be enough to get them home?
"What are you looking at?"
He twitches a bit and turns to his right side. "Oh hey," he says to Romelle, not expecting her to be there. Chuckling nervously he adds, " Didn't see you there. I'm just checking out the Lion."
"You know a good pilot can tell you everything about their ship through a solid visual inspection. It's very time consuming and it takes impeccable attention to detail but it's worth it."
If you can actually do it. His lion looks fine, nothing out of the ordinary to be spotted.
"Amazing," Romelle comments, awed.
"Hunk, I just ran a multi-lion diagnostic test. The report indicates that the faunatonium did work but it didn't replenish the cores completely so we'll have to take it slow."
"Yep, 'partially replenished' power core. Nailed it." Hunk responds to Pidge's report, not wanting to make a fool out of himself for not noticing that in his visual inspection. But then again a lot of things are internal meaning it's probably hard to spot any problems on the outside.
He then walks to where the rest of the group is as Pidge goes near Shiro, not the clone, the real one. The one without his mechanical arm cut off.
"Were you able to contact Earth?" Shiro asks.
Pidge sighs, "No luck. The low power levels are probably affecting our broadcast distance. I'll keep trying as we make our way towards Earth."
"I can't believe we're going home." Lance comments.
Hunk smiles, "I'm going to hug my parents and never let go of them."
"I can't wait to see what my dad has done with integrating Altean tech with Earth tech. I bet he came up with something amazing! And my mom…. Oh god, she's going to be so mad at me for running away. I hope I'm not grounded."
Shiro chuckles, "I can't wait to see Keith and Adam again. I would like to know what Keith has been up to these past few months…. And Adam"
"I would love to see my parents as well. I wonder how the Bakery's changed since I've last been home. I bet they've made some more new yummy treats." Marinette says, grinning.
"How long do you think it'll take us to get home?" says the clone looking at Coran. But before he can reply, Hunk suddenly remembers. They haven't given the clone a name.
"Wait! I just realized we haven't given Shiro's clone a name!"
"And how is that important now?" Krolia asks.
"Because we can't just refer to him as Shiro's clone or the clone. That's insensitive."
"I agree with Hunk," Marinette says, "We have to call him something."
The clone blushes, but clears his throat, "That's not nesscar….."
"How about Kuro?" Coran suggests enthusiastic about the whole thing. Hunk smiles, "I think it's great, what about you Kuro? Do you like it?"
The clone looks back and forth between everybody and smiles, "I like it. It has a nice ring to it. Thanks Coran."
"No problem Kuro."
"Now that's aside, does anyone have an estimate on how it will take to get to Earth?" Krolia asks, changing the subject abruptly.
"I do. I was just calculating it a bit ago when we decided on a name for Kuro. According to my calculations it will take us approximately one hundred fifty thousand years Earth years without the luxury of a wormhole and diminished power cores."
"One hundred fifty thousand years!" Kuro shouts, shocked.
Pidge quickly says, "I think your finger counting is a little off. It'll take 1.5 years to reach Earth."
Hunk breathes a sigh of relief and everyone else does as well.
Coran apologies sheepishly, "Oh right, I forgot to carry the three."
"It will be a long and difficult voyage, but it's our only hope to rebuild the Castle."
"So like when me and Krolia spent two years on a space whale," Marinette comments.
"You spent two years on a space whale?! How?! And when?" Lance yelps shocked.
"Collapsing stars around the Quantum Abyss made time messy and weird. Not to mention those flashes of light of the past and future."
"But that's not important right now," Krolia dismisses, "Our focus should be heading to Earth. I suppose that means we have to figure out who rides with whom."
"And what about the animals?"
"What about them?"
Coran responds, "The cow and mice shouldn't be in the same space because aren't cows afraid of mice?"
Lance laughs, "No. Elephants are afraid of mice."
"Elephants?"
"Big gray animals that have long noses that they use to grab things with."
"There's also the fact of who's going to fly Red. Shiro's back so I doubt the Black Lion will want me to pilot it." Marinette states.
Hunk sighs. He didn't realize that with Shiro back, he's thankful that he is, that Marinette, Lance and Allura might have to switch places. Again. And when they get to Earth maybe Marinette will have to switch with Keith again. It would be great having him back on the team, but Marinette has made her mark here, helping them through so many battles.
"Which means switching Lions, again." Lance says, his arms crossed.
"We don't know for sure that's what Black wants…." Kuro says.
"Since Black didn't want you to pilot him because he somehow knew you weren't his Shiro begs to differ." Pidge comments.
"Enough. We'll just have to pilot like we used to when Marinette first joined the group. Meaning she is going to be my right hand again. Lance you'll pilot Blue again and Allura…."
"I don't get to pilot one of the lions anymore." Allura says seeming downcasted at the fact. Her right arm is holding her left, and her face is turned away to the side a bit. Hunk wants to say something, to comfort her, but Shiro says something before he can.
"I'm sorry Allura, but ultimately it's the Lion's decision and considering that Black let me pilot him for the battle with Zethrid, it's pretty clear he wants me to pilot him."
Allura just sighs, but says nothing more.
"Now about who's riding with whom…" Lance says, changing the subject.
"I'll keep the cow in Red's cargo hold. I can also take Krolia with me." Marinette says.
"Then I'll take my… I mean Kuro and Allura with me." Shiro offers.
"It would be nice to get to know you better," Kuro says, accepting Shiro's offer.
"I can take Coran and Romelle,"
"Then that leaves Lance with Lotor and the Space Mice." Shiro says.
"Perfect, now let's get flying!" Lance shouts excitedly.
Hunk smiles, we're all going home. It feels like a dream, a dream come true.