Museum of Stars- A Zodiac Story

Chapter 35: Behind it All

In Aquarius' Point of View

Everything was going well until Cancer disappeared.

He was slightly conscious- looking around with his eyes just barely open- but not at all having any idea of what was happening. He had been floating around Moon's throne room when we had found him. Pisces stared at him blankly, as if she didn't know how to react. It probably had dawned on her just then, because she rushed over to hug him.

That woke Cancer up completely, and he hugged her back. "Pisces, I'm-"

"Completely unharmed," Pisces smiled. "That is good. That is all that matters."

"I don't remember much..." Cancer scratched his head. "There was this thing about me being a part of a rescue mission." He looked at Pisces, "What Moon told you... about the two of us being separated because we weren't for each other-"

"That's complete and utter poppycock," Pisces replied simply. "We're still friends, aren't we? And we are no longer separated. Whatever she said before doesn't affect what's happening right now."

Cancer smiled gratefully, "Thanks, Pisces. I wish we could keep talking, but there's this thing..." he took a second. Virgo looked at him, and it seemed they were thinking the same thing.

"When Moon said you would be part of the rescue mission," Virgo said, "that doesn't mean... what I think it means, does it?"

The two of them looked at me, but I'd already figured it out. "The one we're going to rescue--"

Then Cancer disappeared in a puff of orange dust and the symbol of crab's pincers.

"Oh," Libra fretted. "We're going to rescue Cancer, aren't we?"

She and Pisces shared a worried glance. I looked around, took my "magic jar" and yelled, "Teleportation!" to transport us to the house.

"Hey," Taurus grinned at us once we arrived, "You're back! And you've found Pisces!"

Capricorn pulled Pisces away and started asking her questions about Moon and Cancer. I looked at Scorpio and decided I'd talk to him.

"Cancer wasn't just captured because of the rescue mission, was he?" Scorpio asked me.

I shook my head. "He has conflicting emotions. Moon wanted his item. Pisces knows where Libra's item is. She couldn't tell her because of her conflicting emotions. Basically, it's all my fault."

Scorpio furrowed his eyebrows, "What? Because of your item?" he looked around, "Where is it?"

I looked down just as Leo walked toward our group. "Chin up, Aqua," she looked at me, "It's best you tell him."

"It's... it's with Moon."

Better tell my end of the story now.

This happened just before Cancer and Pisces snuck out to buy from the convenience store.

My item- The Panpipes of Conflicting Personalities- was glowing wildly. It was made of pure gleaming deep-blue crystal, but it wasn't supposed to be glowing in the dark. Besides, it was New Moon- which was what the humans called it when Moon disappeared from their view from Earth.

Anyway, I was incapable of feeling emotions, but I could still feel completely done with things. At that moment, I was completely done with the light from the panpipes waking me up from my sleep. I stepped closer to it, and I was immediately drawn to the multifaceted surface.

I played a note, and a rolled scroll appeared. I unrolled it and began reading.

To Aquarius The Water-Bearer,

I cringed at the words. I never paid much attention to my own name, but it was still... awkward to hear my whole title. I continued reading.

Twelve fates would be at stake if your item you do not return to your friends' captor. The ones who go missing will only have gone missing with their consent, their fault, and their emotion. Wherever they will have been brought to will be where they ought to be, and will stay there to suit their needs.

Something, however, shall hinder your mission. Love is one of the greatest of trials faced by constellations many before you. I am aware of the "Love Meeting" issued with Venus herself, however, I believe it shall be better if you shall cancel this feeling before it even brews.

Though some of you may have gone missing, do not fret. They've only returned to where they belong, and now, you must find the rest of the items. All of you. It would pain me to see you last longer on the projection that is Earth, so I will give you only two more months to find the rest of the items. And hopefully, you will figure out how to go back to the sky.

Best Regards,

The Grand Master of the Zodiac

I read the letter thrice, just to be sure I fully understood what it said. In the end, I was able to decipher what Master meant. Leo probably sensed it- which would make more sense if she were emphatic like the Water Signs- because she came rushing into my room.

"Aie, sacrebleu," she exclaimed. "You're awake at this time of Moonrise?"

"Well," I told her, "so are you."

Leo sighed in frustration. "You're the reason I'm awake right now, Monsieur Yeux D'ange. Pisces and Cancer left, and I heard you scurrying around after that."

"Oh. Sorry abou--" I paused, "What did you call me?"

Leo looked down, her glow-in-the-dark blonde hair brushing her cheeks. "Pardon, it slipped out."

"Chin up, Leo."

She held her head up, "Certainement..." (Certainly) her voice trailed off, with her gaze redirecting to my item. I just realized then that I was still holding onto it. Leo reached out as though she were in a trance, "Très beau! (Very beautiful!) Has it been glowing like this the entire night?"

I nodded, and to this, she looked sympathetic.

"I can take care of it," she said, her eyes glowing blue from the light of the panpipes.

"The least I want," I replied, "is to be the reason you lose sleep."

Just at that moment, the very being I least wanted to show up... showed up. "Good Moonrise, my dears."

"Moon?" Leo sounded surprised. "What are you doing here? It's supposed to be New Moon tonight."

"Well, I suppose so. However..." Moon stared at me from top to bottom with her flickering black and gray eyes. Her silvery gray hair was seemingly as thin as mist, matching perfectly with her silk dress. She turned to Leo, "Tu te souviens du conseil d'amour que tu m'as donné il y a longtemps, n'est-ce pas?"

Alright, I didn't understand a lot of French words, but Leo seemed so shocked I didn't want to know what Moon meant.

Moon closed her eyes, silver steam swirling around her palms. Her eyes reopened, and she suddenly had my item in her hands. "Please, Aquarius the Water-Bearer. Please understand."

Leo looked at me, dazed. I could tell she didn't understand at that moment, but she probably figured it out now. And I think I did as well.

She got rid of her feelings for Cancer, and possibly strengthened Pisces' care for him.