Chapter Text
She walked alone, viewing the trees, taking an interest in this world's bright, colorful nature. She adored it. It… Intrigued her. Some of the other stars warned there was a chance she couldn’t go to Earth again, if something bad happened. She didn’t want to stop visiting Earth, though. She found this world unique. She especially loved the animal known as ‘a horse’. A creature that galloped, a fine coat, with hooves and a beautiful mane.
She would soon come across an odd thing. A large, metal gate. Connected to not only large, strong trees, but also large metal fencings. That isn’t made by nature. That’s hand-made, isn’t it? A human thing, perhaps? She could vaguely sense a sort of energy. It emitted from inside the gates. Whatever it was, it wasn’t human. It was some kind of magic. She took a step closer to the gate, before hesitantly yet curiously teleporting through. Inside the fencing, the magic was a bit stronger. More… Energetic, mind a pun? The ground was soft grass, flowers sprouting everywhere, or at least at first glance; Before she noticed a few patches of grass seemingly burnt and dead.
She looked up, seeing a sight that piqued her interest, but made her frown. While it was clearly a metal, scrap yard (She’d seen at least one during a visit here on Earth), There was some kind of yellow, metal body? Were they alive? What was it? She hasn’t seen things like these before. She walked over, stopping a few feet away, looking at it. They were a bit miscolored on their torso, almost as if they’d been a bit burnt. Their eyes were closed, seemingly unconscious. If they were alive, anyway. They had red-and-yellow striped trousers, and a ruffle collar, both one on their neck, and one on their waist. They had ribbons, with bells attached, resting on their wrists. She took a step forward, sensing an energy source coming from within the unmoving body.
“Get- Back! Don’t touch him,” A loud voice shouted, startling her as she took a step back. She’d look to her right, seeing a smaller, different metal body, staring up at her, with a bit of startle them self, but also protectiveness. “Who are you!? How’d you get past the gate?” The metal one’s voice asked, blue, starry eyes looking up to the newcomer.
“I-... Apologize, for coming in unannounced,” She said, taking a step back. The shorter one looked at her, squinting at her before asking another question.
“... What are you? You aren’t human or an animatronic!”The shorter exclaimed, eyes widening. He wasn’t sure whether this feminine-sounding newcomer was acting, or something else.
“I do not believe I am allowed to say- what I am…? I apologize?” She seemed confused, but also a bit startled still. “Am I not allowed to be in this specific location?” She questioned.
“...No? No one is! That’s why we have the gate..?” The shorter one said, finally lowering his voice once he realized this newcomer was actually confused, and not acting.
“Oh. I apologize then. I can leave if that is what you want,” She apologized sincerely, taking a step forward, eyes locking with the shorter, light-blue-and-light-lavender-bodied one. She couldn’t sense it at first, but seeing this one, she felt it. Another energy source. One she’s quite familiar with, she thinks. Was this short, metal-bodied person filled with star energy?
“Why are you staring at me??” The other asked. The star hadn’t realized she’d been staring. She shuffled backwards, awkwardly.
“Apologies. You seem to be what I am. Are you not?” She asked, uncertain and awkward.
“...No? I’m an animatronic. Is that not obvious to you? You look like you’re a literal void combined with a human, or something.”
Animatronic. Hmm. So that is what these metal bodies are referred to as. But she should clarify she isn’t a literal void, right..? “No. I am not a void. And I am not human. I apologize if that bothers you.” The newcomer seemed to apologize a lot. She wasn’t used to basic conversation, was she?
“Oh. Uh- Cool. Dunno what you are. Uhh- Two questions! Are you here to hurt anyone? And how did you get past the gate?” The shorter asked, stepping forward now. He sensed something about this newer person.. Like the sensation of energy he had.
“No. I do not- hurt- people?” She responded. It seemed most things she’d say were in uncertainty. “I teleported in. Are you able to do that?” She’d ask curiously, her glowing, pink eyes glowing just a bit more as she squinted down at the lavender creature.
The animatronic nodded slowly, before asking one more question, after taking her answers in. “Yes, I can. What’s your name, mysterious lady?” He’d ask, in a less wary, more frolicsome voice. There was most likely a bit of cheeky tone underlined in his voice as he’d emphasized the word ‘mysterious’.
“I am Nebula. What is your name, ‘mysterious’ child?” She asked, seemingly repeating the same emphasis the shorter used, despite the awkward, short pause between ‘is’ and ‘your name’.
“Lunar. And I’m not a child!! I’m just short!” He exclaimed, eyes lighting up with acknowledgment, as he’d puffed up his chest dramatically, hand over his chest as if to feign offense. Despite the actions his body did, his eyes gave it away that he wasn’t truly offended.
Nebula hadn’t seen many others act like this other than maybe Pollux, but even then, it wasn’t completely like this. Pollux, sure, would sometimes act ‘overdramatic’ (as her brother Castor would attempt to joke it as, he wasn’t completely excellent at jokes just yet), but it wasn’t often. Pollux was simply the hyper, more upbeat and lively twin, between her and Castor. But, Nebula had learned from her the difference between actually being offended, and simply joking. It, a bit, amused Nebula, causing her to smile a little, although it wasn’t like this ‘Lunar’ person could see.
“It is nice to meet you, then, Lunar,” She said, before repeating one of her previous questions after Lunar had lowered his arms, and reversed what he had done, no longer puffing up his chest or acting dramatically. However, his eyes didn’t leave their playful, lively sights. “Would you like me to leave, Lunar?” She questioned.
Lunar thought for a moment. “Hmmm… Well-l-l-l…” He thought for a moment, tapping the side of his face as he glanced to the ground. “My siblings would probably be upset if I leave a stranger alone in here, because you are literally right beside one of them right now-” He glanced up when he said that, before clarifying. “The yellow animatronic is Sun. He’s my brother. He’s charging right now- Which is basically sleeping for us animatronics, just in case you didn’t know. We can also go into sleep mode, too-. That’s kinda like a human-y way for us to charge!”
Nebula nodded thoughtfully. Interesting. Animatronics had a different way of ‘slumber’, as Taurus has referred to it. And they could sleep like humans could, too. As a star, she herself didn’t quite need sleep, but she had the ability to, of course.
“Okay-! Well, as I was saying, my siblings would probably not like it if I left a stranger alone. And, even if I think, personally, that your harmless probably, they probably would like to get an opinion themself before reaching a ‘verdict’,” He’d say, placing the word ‘verdict’ in quotations.
Nebula usually heard Castor put words into quotations, so it wasn’t too strange. For a creature that wasn’t human, and could speak, of course.
“Maybe I can take you to my sister, first! Earth is pretty nice! I’m sure she wouldn’t mind meeting someone new!”
Earth? Like.. The planet? Is this Lunar genuinely a star, as she was? Was Earth able to walk and talk? That was a thought that never quite caught Nebula’s mind. Did she upset the planet simply by walking on it? Was it and it? Is there another Earth? Nebula’s head subconsciously tilted, confused and uncertain what to say.
Lunar, thankfully, recognized the confusion in the head tilt, and her sudden quietness. “Earth! She’s an animatronic like I am! Based on this planet! Me and my siblings are based off stuff! My brother Sunrise is based off the Sun! Moondrop’s based off the Moon. Solar’s based off a Solar-Eclipse, and stuff like that! I’m like a Crescent Moon!!” He rambled on, swiftly chirping away.
“I.. see. That is an interesting thing. I suppose I could tell what I am…?” Nebula considered her options. Should she tell this strange, ‘crescent moon-based’ animatronic she was a star? Or should she keep quiet. She decided to go through with telling this one, as she already figured this younger person (Or, at least, she assumed they were younger -- They sure seemed like it. Doesn’t metal do some sort of thing called ‘rusting’ if it is too old?), might have a clue on non-human and non-animal beings. He sure didn’t seem afraid. And they themself had an energy she could sense, much alike to her own.
Lunar waited patiently, awaiting for this new person’s answer. His eyes widened slightly when she responded, “I am, a star.”
“A star!?” He exclaimed rather loudly. “So you are like me! With star-power! Right!?”
That was confirmation to Nebula, about her swift hunch. She nodded, a quiet reply to what Lunar had exclaimed loudly. She would need to pass a message to the other stars about this, sooner or later, though. Someone with star powers must be made aware of the stars. Or at least, vice versa. “Star power is different for us, but yes,” She said awkwardly.
“Wait wait- More!? There are more people with weird powers?” Lunar asked, to which Nebula nodded.
“Yes. But I believe we are getting off-topic, are we not? I think you had a question?” She asked, uncertain of whether he did or she was simply misunderstanding words once more.
“Oh- Right. Yeah! Uh- Not much of a question, but can you come with me? To meet my siblings? I’ll bring you to Earth first. Hopefully, her lover won’t be too protective- But to be fair! If I’m with you, and I say you seem trustworthy, maybe it’ll be fine!” Lunar quickly encouraged. “Come on! I’ll lead you to our home! But we gotta go through a metal door to get there-- Usually, we’re up here since Sun and Earth like the sky and stuff! Actually, all of us do. But most of us prefer the night sky. ‘Cause the stars are pretty nice! So I guess it makes sense you’re a star!” He’d add cheekily, clearly wanting to be nice to his possible-new friend. Lunar seemed rather trusting. Perhaps it’s because he’s realized this person also shared star-power.
“I see. Well, thank you,” She responded, though it seemed a slither bit more of a question than a statement. “I suppose I would like to meet your, sister, Earth.”
“Great! Come on, Nebula. Follow me!” Lunar exclaimed, turning and waving Nebula over. As she followed, Lunar led her over to a large pile of destroyed cars, and grabbed onto a hood of the middle one, that was on the bottom of the pile. He’d open it, and it’d reveal a large, grounded staircase; The color of grey concrete, seemingly with a slather of darker stains, most likely from mud, during rainy days or nights, and a few flowers seemingly growing between cracks on the stairs. Lunar propped the hood up, so it wouldn’t fall. It seemed all the cars were connected, in a sort of wall of sorts, to keep this staircase hidden.
As they walked down, down the staircase; Nebula had a clear view of a large place. A large, well-lit building. A building underground, as large as this one was, wasn’t something she was used to. Although, she always lived in the sky. It was understandable she wasn’t used to this. But, to see glowing neon lights aligning the large ceiling, with large posters and pillars, was something quite unique. She couldn’t help but ask, “This is your home?” To which Lunar would nod, eyes sincere, but slightly sad.
“We used to live above ground, together, in a house like humans and stuff, but a lot of things kinda happened. This is the pizzaplex,” Lunar awkwardly explained, as he led Nebula around the building. Sure, there were quite a few vines here and there, and a few cracks, but it seemed Lunar and whoever else lived here took great care of their home. “It sorta caved into the ground somehow. I’d rather not explain that…” He sheepishly admitted, leading Nebula farther into the huge, now-known-as-the-pizzaplex building.
Nebula liked the sights of this building. She’d seen the large, golden statue of a bear basically immediately after making it down the stairs, and was now taking in the unique signs, doors, and things called ‘escalators’ (At least, that is what she heard they were called), and more. She’d spot things called ‘trash cans’, seemingly based on characters, perhaps. They looked, to her, either adorable or interesting. “Your family takes good care of this place,” She said, consistently looking around as Lunar led her through the location. Finally, they made it to something Lunar called the ‘Solar’s-Theater-That-He-Still-Runs-Despite-No-One-Visting-Here’ area.
“If we go down the staircases that way,” Lunar explained, pointing over the long, seemingly newly-repaired railing, and to the other staircases. “Then we’ll make it to the daycare. Earth is probably there ‘cause she was watching over my niece Dazzle today, since Sun is up on the surface charging since he kinda burned his charger yesterday and didn’t want to use anyone else’s.”
“I see. Earth is nice, for looking after your, niece,” Nebula stated, still with pausing moments before and after some words. “I hope she will be okay with meeting me?”
“Probably will! You don’t seem to mean any harm. Oh! By the way, could you maybe not mention that you have star power? Unless she asks? She’s kinda a bit uncertain on this stuff,” Lunar said, before quickly adding, “If it’s okay, of course! I mean- You can tell me about star stuff! If you want! Instead of her, if you want. I’m fine with star power, since I kinda got it from being revived in space. Earth’s a bit hesitant on the stuff, since we’re still trying to figure it out…. and ‘cause I may or may not have hurt her accidentally with my powers…” Lunar quietly added that last part self-consciously. His eyes lost a bit of their light and sparkles as he admitted that silently.
Nebula thought for a moment, pausing her steps just as Lunar had when he started to ramble. But she continued on just as they did, responding politely. “Of course. I will avoid speaking of stars in front of Earth. Perhaps I could talk to you about stars later on, once I do go back home to the others. I believe one or two may want to meet you, if you are comfortable with that, if I tell them of you,” Nebula responded honestly. “Perhaps we can discuss your powers with the other stars sometime.”
Lunar’s eyes changed from their slight sadness and tinges of guilt to a relieved, and thankful look. “Thank you, Nebula! That means a lot. Even if I did just meet ya!” He said, light-heartedly as they and Nebula continued down the staircase, making it down the stairs, and eventually up to the large, wooden doors of the ‘daycare’. Lunar took a deep breath (Feigning one, of course, granted he’s an animatronic and they do not exactly need to breathe, though can subconsciously do a ‘breathing pattern’ during sleep mode), and put a hand to the doors, ready to open them. He’d turn to Nebula. “Are you ready to meet my sister, if she’s in here? Or do you need a moment, ‘cause you seem a bit awkward with talking a bit.”
Nebula thought for a moment, before shaking her head no. “I do not need a moment. I think I am ready to meet your ‘sister, Lunar.”
Lunar nodded, turning back to the doors, and saying, “Then welcome to the daycare,” before opening the doors.