how we saved the world •a zodiac story•

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Quinst became more colorful as the sun ceased to show through the clouds. The streets and buildings and alleyways became to glow with paint that was only visible in darkness. Neon bursts of color painted the city. Invigorating art prevailed from as far as the eye could see in every direction.

"Whoa..." Gemini gasped, "See guys, this is why we gotta restore the Heart."

Vega shrugged in disinterest, he almost said something but his boot slipped. Aries caught him from falling.

"Looks like Vega's having trouble paying attention with all this excitement, huh old man?"

"Ha ha, very funny." He replied rudely, "Just follow me."

Vega stopped abruptly at a golden door.  The Zodiacs, as confused as ever patiently waited for him to turn and explain what they were doing in Quinst. Many of them began to wonder why they hadn't asked sooner.

"Leave your weapons and stuff here, they're not permitted here." Vega pointed over to a small compartment near the door. Everyone gave up their weapons, as well as their tablets.

He led them through the door, down a staircase. It was a dark, narrow hall that only ascended downward. The walls didn't seem to be made of stone but they were damp and although the architecture would suggest their voices would echo, it entrapped the noise they made, making their voices seem quiet.

"Gemini, be a dear and light the hall, I apologize for the murkiness."

Scorpio carefully observed the North Star as something felt... off about his mannerism. His accent seemed to melt away for a moment. Maybe Vega didn't like it here, he had done this before, maybe he was haunted by bad memories Scorpio sympathized.

"Why are there so many stairs," Leo complained.

For a while, Vega hadn't said a word, but his body language seemed to shift from when they spoke on the moon. He seemed to prioritize keeping Libra, Sagittarius Capricorn, and Aries upfront while he kept him, Taurus, and Aquarius in the back.

Scorpio couldn't place his finger on what felt sinister about this situation but it only got more unsettling as they reached the bottom of the flights.

Vega slowly turned, smiling in a way that hadn't looked familiar.

"We're here!" he cheered. He moved to the middle of the group, leading them forward.

"Vega, you never told us where we were going," Libra smiled, "you never answered Virgo's question either, what are we doing down here."

"Right this way," he said as Sagittarius opened the door. Scorpio squinted, he could see nothing beyond the door except pitch black nothingness. He gestured them to cut in front of him, "You first, young lady."

Capricorn wrinkled his nose, "I've never heard you talk like this before."

His brows buried downwards into an irritated glare, "Apologies."

He brought a firm hand to Libra and Sagittarius's back, shoving them forward, disappearing into the dark. He backed Pisces and Cancer towards the door.

Scorpio's stomach fell as he figured out why he hadn't seen anything inside the room. This was cleverly planned, as Scorpio could infer.

"What the hell," Aries outraged.

"There's no need to be to rough," Gemini scowled.

Aries and Gemini walked in after Libra and Sagittarius, not knowing what the doorway lead to. Just as Vega had planned. He must've known Aries and Gemini would go after Libra and Sagittarius.