I don't need no light to see you SHINE

19

TWs: Drama, brief confrontation, cliffhanger, manipulation/torment. Stay safe :)

"Everything about this is risky..." Regulus muttered beside Spica as they made their way across the abyss of the void.

"I know, but we're running out of options." Spica spoke, "Luckily, Arcturus is one of those Stars who listens before acting."

"Luckily..." Regulus huffed.

"We're getting close..." Spica squinted, spotting a red twine in the distance, "There."

Regulus pushed forward, reaching for the string, "Allons-y!"

Spica glanced around before taking the glowing red string in her grasp, "Here goes nothing..."

The atmosphere shifted drastically as she felt a heavy pull overwhelming her.

"Ah... if it isn't the Little King and the ear of grain." Arcturus grinned, flashing his fangs, "What brings you two here?"

"Lovely to see you too, Arcturus." Regulus crossed his arms.

"Arcturus." Spica stepped forward despite the tight feeling around her throat, "I have a favor to ask of you."

"A favor...? This is new." Arcturus smirked, "Last time we talked, you preferred doing things independently."

"Times change, Arcturus." Spica frowned, "As time goes on, we grow weaker... while Black Holes grow stronger."

Arcturus raised their eyebrows, "Black Holes, you say...? I'm listening..."

Spica nodded at Regulus before looking at the bigger Star, "Sagittarius A* has been... unstable recently. It threatens to upset the balance of the Milky Way."

Arcturus' eyebrows twitched as they angled their head, "Is that so...?"

"Yes, and we figured we could use your help."

"Why my help?"

"Talk to BH Messier 87 for us." Regulus spoke.

Arcturus eyed the smaller Star, "M87? Real shame... I've heard that Black Hole's grown soft."

"Well, Sol has something it might fight for." Spica told him, "A NovaStar."

Arcturus raised their eyebrows, "My, my... It's a one-in-a-hundred-thousandth chance for a Star to drop a Novae- how in the one hundred ten astronomical objects of Messier did he get it?"

Spica and Regulus looked at each other, their eyes holding a conversation.

'Should we tell them Helios has two more?'

'Are you crazy? Of course not!'

"Sol is just lucky, I guess." Spica shrugged, acting casual about it.

Arcturus squinted, "That so...? Well, I will admit, I am intrigued. It's not every day that a Black Hole wants to rip apart its own galaxy."

Spica pursed her lips, "Right, so... you'll help us?"

"You've got yourself a deal." Arcturus' eyes radiated with red flames as he peered at the smaller Stars, "But if I do this for you, you have to do something in return."

"And here we go..." Regulus scoffed as they turned away.

Spica glared at the smaller before turning her attention to the Red Giant, "What is it?"

"You," Arcturus leaned down to Spica's height, "Have to find a NovaStar for me."

Spica didn't seem bothered by the proximity as she bowed her head, "Okay."