The Ghost of You (klance)

Chapter 10: Epilogue

It had been months since then. and while the team now had Lance and his new found powers, they were glad they had Mino as well. Even if he technically wasn't alive. Now, they were back at home, on Earth, haven driven Sendak and the rest of the Galra, freeing their planet and being reunited with their families. Lance and Keith were still together, going strong. Mino was present when Lance introduced Keith to his parents. He was present when Pidge finally saw her father and mother. He was present when Hunk finally found his parents. He was present when Shiro didn't find Adam. He was there for all of it. He was even there when Lance proposed to Keith, right after Keith had Allura revive his favorite tree. In reality, Keith was going to propose too, but, for once, Lance beat him to it. Mino was there for it all, since Lance refused to remove the necklace off his neck, even though they found out long ago that Lance didn't need it anymore. Mino's magic had been transferred to his body long ago, and if it hadn't accidentally fallen off one morning while he was using the magic to brush his teeth, they never would've known.

Then, finally, they left to finish the war. To fight Honerva. To save the existence of the universe and every reality. Mino was there with Lance and the team through all of it. He was there up until he couldn't be.

Until he went with Honerva to save all the realities she had destroyed. And as he said goodbye to all the paladins, he cried harder when he stood in front of Lance and Keith.

"You were suppose to be the best man at our wedding." Lance cried as he held one of his hands. Keith cried with him as he held Mino's other hand.

"You have my magic, Lance. Are you ever going to give those up?" Mino asked after giving him a warm smile.

"Only to save Keith's life." Lance shook his head, looking at his fiance. Mino smiled again and looked at them both, a new wave of tears leaving his eyes.

"Then as long as you have that magic, then I will always be with you. Both of you. Just like I have always been." Mino said, cupping the faces of both of the men he had grown to consider his family. They both attacked him in hugs, crying as he hugged them both.

"Thank you. Thank you for everything. You gave me back the love of my life." Keith told him. Mino shook his head and pulled away to look at the mullet head again.

"You gave me a purpose to live. Another chance. So thank you." Mino told him. Keith squeezed Mino's hand.

"You never have to thank me for anything." Keith cried. Mino looked at Lance, then at the glowing necklace around his neck.

"I hope you do not mind, but I am going to have to ask for that back." Mino said, a weak smile on his face. This was it. It was really happening.

With shaking hands, Lance removed the necklace from around his neck and sniffled as he held it by the chain, holding it out to Mino. The black crystal hung from the silver chain, the little mutli-colored sparkles twinkling. Mino wrapped his hand around the crystal. As he did so, it seemed as if the transparent celestial figure was stepping back into his body, the color of his skin and his eyes came back to him and he closed them as he let out a deep breath, sighing. All the paladins stared at him glossy eyed, new tears flowing down their faces as he stared back with the widest smile on his face. Mino let go of the crystal, now clear, as he and Honerva looked behind them. Lotor and Zarkon were there suddenly, smiling fondly at her. Standing next to them was a woman, man, and a baby wrapped in a blanket, being held in the woman's arms. Only Keith and Lance knew who they were and all three gasped as they saw Mino's family, the latter crying as they saw their son.

Mino looked back one last time and waved at the paladins before he ran towards his parents, Honerva following behind.

And just like that, they were gone.

-

They all lived their lives in happiness once the war was over. Lance and Keith were married only a few months after they got back to Earth in Cuba and later, turned the BOM into a humanitarian effort, traveling the universe as the two, along with Zethrid, Axca, and Ezor, helped entire planets get back on their feet. Allura and Coran helped to rejuvenate the new Altea, Allura now Queen of the planet, with Coran and Romelle acting as their advisors. Romella, however would get a different and higher stance in the future, along side her Queen. Hunk and Shay, along with the rest of their culinary team, would also travel along the universe, learning about food from planets among vast galaxies. His knowledge would later make him a diplomat; he always said people were nicer on a fuller stomach.It seemed the same applied to aliens. Pidge and the rest of the Holts helped create the next line of Legendary Defenders, their illusive giving way to a new era of technology and weaponry, making Earth one of the most technologically advanced and safest planets, nearly as much as Olkarian. And, of course, Shiro; finally able to walk away from the war, he also got married- with Adam. Somehow, Adam had been found unconscious in Lance's lion, lying where Mino would usually stand behind him. Shiro nearly had a heart attack when he saw his ex-fiancee, very much alive,but he wouldn't lose him again.

As the years went by, as the paladins lived their lives, doing all they could, they continued to carry Mino in their hearts, telling the story of the boy with the colors of the universe in his eyes. They remembered his selflessness and the beauty of his heart, and they would never forget the way he gave up everything for love and for them. They all knew Mino was forever a part of the galaxy, a part of the stars, a part of every reality. And forever a part of their hearts. The End.