Chapter Text
Noctarn wasn't a Sun...but they weren't a Moon either. They didn't feel like an Eclipse, though that's what Dark Sun had told them. Well, when he was alive that is. Noctarn didn't feel like anything. Just Noctarn. Which was one of the main reasons Dark Sun let him stay in the Sun Sanctuary. That and he felt bad for the kid. Because in all respects, Noctarn was just a kid. They were programed to be a child, not an adult. A very independent child, but still just a child. They were made to be a blend of Sun and Moon, a perfect mixture that shouldn't mess up anything. But that didn't make them a perfect animatronic to live in the Sun Sanctuary. Nor the Moon Haven. Most Suns and Moons hate Eclipses. And deep down that is what he was. Even if he didn't understand if that was truly him. The confusion was there.
"Noctarn?" Sebastian glared down at him with a stern expression. "You skipped class again."
"I don't need class." They crossed his arms over their chest.
"Noctarn, class is important. Sun would have said as much."
They huffed. "Yeah, and now he's dead."
Sebastian sighed, heavily and leaned back against the chair. "I know you liked Sun but he's...gone...may he rest in peace."
They looked around, anywhere but at Sebastian.
The door flies open. "Sebastian!" Another Sun Noctarn has never seen before briskly enters causing the two sets of rays on his left side flutter in and out.
"Oh, Sun... Is there any way we can do this in a minute?" Sebastian gestured to Noctarn.
The Sun glanced at them. "Oh, I'm sorry..." He turns to leave then paused. "Aren't you a..."
"Noctarn is a type of Eclipse. But they don't identify as an Eclipse." Sebastian stood up to walk around his desk. "But they don't think they're either a Sun or Moon either. Dark Sun took them in."
"Hello~" Noctarn waves at him.
"Hey...Noctarn. I'm Sun." Sun chuckles awkwardly.
Noctarn stands up as well. "Well, since this conversation is over with, I'm going to-"
"Rejoin Joy's class and participate in learning." Sebastian gave the young animatronic a look. "Right?"
They look at Sebastian, at Sun, then back at Sebastian. "...We'll see.." Then they made their way out of the room.
As they left, they heard Sebastian ask if Sun needed anything. The door closed behind them. Instead of going to class like they were supposed to do, Noctarn heads to the fountain area of the school. They looked into the fluttery water to see if maybe the idea of who they were, what they were, was in there. Waiting for them to return and drag them into the pits of hell. Only thing that they saw was themselves. A small, wirily kid that was no Sun nor Moon. The left side was bright yellow and muted creams, blue eye, and red accents showed their obvious Sun side. Their right side was more blank in color. Blues and blacks. White puffy nightcap sat askew on that side. Red eye glaring like an LED of a camera blinking at them. Stars dotted along that side. A true split down the middle.
Just who are they?
Noctarn preferred just being Noctarn.
"Noctarn? I thought we discussed you going to class." Sebastian's voice cut through his thoughts.
Noctarn shakes his head. "No. You said it. I just listened."
"He's quite...odd." The Sun character smiles at the kid.
"I'm not a he. I'm just Noctarn." He snorted. "Who are you?"
"Now. Now." Sebastian chuckled, coming to stand next to the young animatronic. "This is Sun. His daughter is in your class, actually."
"Really?" He glanced between them. "Who?"
Sun seemed to beam at him. "Dazzle."
Noctarn scoffed, looking away. Dazzle wasn't one of the kids they enjoyed. She was spoiled, self-centered, and cared about what others thought of her. That last one wasn't a deciding factor, but it did help with knowing who they were. If they cared about what others thought, then they wouldn't be a good fit. Also, that other girl with like the blue hair and her friends liked to pick on her. She doesn't even try to defend herself. Maybe they just never understood it. She doesn't just want to beat the bullies up. Though, that may be their Moon side coming into the light about certain things. It was all confusing, really.
"Oh...you don't like her."
Noctarn shook their head.
Sun sighed, "That's fine. You don't have to like everyone."
"If she wasn't so...her, I would. I can't like someone who can't even stand up to bullies."
"Bullies?!" Sebastian choked on air. "They are still...?"
Noctarn nodded. "Yep. But it's more about like how different she is. But honestly, aren't we all different? I just don't understand why she would let them do anything to her. I'll have punched them in the mouth if they tried me."
"Then why not help her out?" Sebastian cocks his head a bit, a small smile forming on his lips. "Be a protector of sorts?"
"That's not me...or at least, I don't think it is." They scratched the back of their faceplate.
Sebastian nodded, "I see...while, next time you see it, could you report it to either Joy or myself? We don't want anyone being bullied here. It's not a nice thing."
Noctarn agreed begrudgingly. "Fine. But I do it with a grudge."
The two adults nodded.
"So...why are you out here? Did you need something from me?" Noctarn smiled, doing jazz hands excitedly at the prospect of possibly having a reason to be there.
"No. You're just a child." Sebastian chided. "Sun was just fixing to head back to his home dimension. But you should be heading back home. I'll talk to you when I get home."
Noctarn groaned heavily, turning to head home.
"Wait!" Sun stuttered. "He's your kid, Sebastian?!"
"No!" Noctarn growled. They turned around to glare at the new Sun.
Sebastian chuckled. "No. Sun took them in one day and when he died, they needed a home, so I decided to take care of them."
"I see..."
"I'm not evil like any of the other Eclipses. I've heard their stories of Eclipses being bad and all, but I'm not them. I'm just Noctarn. A blend of Sun and Moon together!" They thumb up the strange Sun.
Sun chuckled.
"Well, Sun, I'm sure you have other things to do. I assure you that Dazzle is going to get the upmost of care." Sebastian bowed. "Till next time. Come, Noctarn. I believe I was in the middle of chastising you."
"Good bye, Mr. Sun." They waved at Sun before the other one disappeared into a blue portal with a wave back. "Who is that, Sebastian?"
Sebastian placed a hand on their shoulder, leading him towards his home. "That is Sun...an amazing Sun in his own rights. You'll like him actually. I believe your Sun half is more like his."
They glanced back at where the portal once was.
"Actually, he has magic too."
Noctarn whipped their head to the other animatronic. "Really?"
"I knew that'll have your attention. Sun is a great character." Sebastian chuckled, bringing them into a side hug. "You know Dahlia? They are his teacher."
"I hate them...." They groaned, "They are so nice...and polite. I'm not used to that."
Sebastian nodded. He opened the door for the kid to enter before himself and took them into the living room. The principal gave them a stern look which caused them to take a seat on the couch, in the direct middle. The older animatronic crossed his arms over his furry chest and set that look deeper on them. Sebastian huffed. Noctarn curled inward a bit under that stare. They didn't talk for a while, just sitting in tense silence that wrapped around each of them before Sebastian let it all out in a depressing breath of air. Sebastian comes to sit next to them with a hand ruffling his rays.
"I know it's been hard on you. Being created the way you did and then Sun dying after trying to teach you. But doing it the way you are isn't good for you."
Noctarn nodded, rays shrinking into his head. "I know...I just don't feel like a child. Technically, I'm not a child. I'm a grown adult in the mind of a child. Then being treated like one is....hard. Add in that I'm not a Sun nor a Moon...yet Eclipse isn't what I feel like. I just can't...."
Sebastian listened. "Maybe that's just it. You aren't... a Sun. Or a Moon or an Eclipse. Maybe you're Noctarn...a kid animatronic that needs school to grow up."
"I'm...right...I mean, that's how I am programmed to be. A child in need." Noctarn's rays clicked side to side like they can only do. "But does that have to be what I am?"
Sebastian hummed. "You know what? I'm going to suggest something I personally fear. Why not go around and talk to other Suns and Moons?"
Noctarn's head perked up. "You mean, portal around?"
The principal nodded. "Correct. I can ask around, I know Sun used to travel, for good dimensions that you can visit and find out what it means to be...well, you."
"Really?!" They popped up, rays twitching back and forth on the left side, eyes wide with wonder. "I can visit other places and talk to other Suns and Moons?! And see what they like!!"
"Yes." He chuckled. "If you promise to keep in contact with Joy and I as well as attend class at least three days a week...okay?"
Noctarn smiled, wiggling in place. "Deal! Deal! Deal!"
"Okay..first...I will have to talk to the others and get an idea of where to send you that is safe because I still don't want you hurt." Sebastian leaned back against the couch. "You will need to make sure you keep in contact and have our emergency numbers. Also know who to contact. I suggest that you spend a while with each dimension. Probably closer to a month each just to really get to know and investigate."
"Will do." They salute.
Sebastian sighed. "One more thing...just note that this may still not give you what you are hoping for. You may end up right back here."
"Okay." Noctarn nodded slowly as if those words alone were dangerous to process. They did, but it did make it slightly less exciting to leave. "Will...I be able...to visit Moon Haven?"
"Oh, um...well...we'll see."
Noctarn just nodded. "I'll go pack in case." Then they leave for their room.
As they ascended the stairs to their room, they heard Sebastian let out a groan of frustration. But they had things to do. The room wasn't lived in really. It was just a bed, a desk, and a few items. They pulled out a bag, filled it with stuff like spare clothes and the one thing they'll never get rid of no matter how childish it seemed...a plushie of a golden Freddy Fazbear. It was given to them by their dimension's Glamrock Freddy to remember them by. There wasn't much they could do. Their dimension had been dying and they were taken away before it could explore. They asked if the others could be free too, but they wanted to stay. Freddy, Chica, Roxas, and even DJ Music Guy...not Man. But it's fine. So many others that they barely got to know. Like Monti...they'll miss her too.
Noctarn looks around the room one more time. Taking it in. They have been here since Sun died. It wasn't home, but Sun's didn't feel like home either. Maybe wherever they are allowed to go, an answer awaits there. They placed the bag next to the door then continued onward towards the bed. They flopped down to get a fresh recharge for whatever it is that comes the next day or whenever they are allowed to go.