I don't need no light to see you SHINE

37

TWs: Past extinction events, loss of emotions, brief crying, cliffhanger. Stay safe :)

"I wonder what the planets are up to..." Charon muttered as she gazed out into the atmosphere, "They're not in their orbits."

"They're probably with the Sun." Pluto spoke, "I wouldn't worry about it... unless the Sun forces them to change their positions again."

Charon laughed, "Now that was a nightmare!"

"Yeah, I still feel suffocated sometimes..." Pluto raised a hand to the base of his neck, "I didn't think the Sun had the power to make it happen."

There was a thudding sound behind them as Makemake pushed through the debris. He adjusted his glasses before floating up to the duo, "Of course, he can! He is one of the more powerful Stars in the Milky Way!"

"Really?" Pluto raised his eyebrows.

"Really!" Makemake fiddled with two large shiny objects in his hands.

"What do you have there, Makemake?" Charon gestured to the eight-pointed entities.

"Oh, these? They're called NovaStars." The pale red Celestial spoke.

"Nova... Stars?" Pluto tilted his head, eyeing the objects in his friend's hands.

"I'll explain their purposes as soon as the others arrive!"

Charon peered at the stars, a reminiscent feeling rising in her core, 'I feel like I've seen these things before... but where?'

« × »

"Hey, you!" Messier heard a voice shout from behind. He turned his head, spotting Celestials and Celestites flying toward him.

Messier blinked, mouth opening as he stared owlishly at the group, "Well, this is interesting..."

"You're one to talk," Decima crossed her arms, "You scared all the smaller moons half to life."

"Decima," Morta eyed her sister with a frown.

Theia cleared her throat, pushing herself forward to be face-to-face with the NovaStar, "Hello! My name is Theia, a past planet that used to reside in the solar system."

"Messier," The Novae gave a curt nod, "And there's no need for introductions; I know who you all are from Nine and Saturn's memories."

"And you're here because...? No offense, it's just this kind of situation is strange..."

"Understatement of the millennia..." Morta muttered, "But I agree- why are you here?"

"Honestly, I expected to be transferred to the Ethereal, not the In-between... but I suppose it's because the moon I need to talk to is already here."

"Oh? Who would that be?" Theia glanced around, noticing all the past moons gathering around.

Messier's eyes landed on the figure next to the sepia and chestnut Celestial, "A past moon of Saturn named Chrysalis, and... the Earth, as peculiar as it is seeing an active planet in the In-between."

"I'll get Chrysalis," Morta told Theia, flying off with some small moons following.

Earth tilted his head, noticing how Messier stared at him with an indiscernible gaze.

"This sort of thing has happened before," Theia started, squeezing Earth's wrist, "Only he appeared in the Ethereal..."

"I see..." Messier raised a hand to his chin, contemplating. He turned to look at the lively Celestial, "If you don't mind, Earth, I'd like to try something."