HI STARLINGS!
I think this might be the first chapter story that I will actually complete. Like. I am super stoked to finish this to the end. I have the storyline planned and noted a few things here and there. The characters and the setting is set in place. But depending on the word count of each of the chapters, this might extend to 10 chapters... at the most. Lord help me if i even get passed 5 haha.
Anyway, thank you for your kind words and patience. I truly treasure your words. I take them into consideration for my next stories and change things around to suit readers. I'm really grateful.
Inspiration: DAOKO Kenshi Yonezu "Fireworks" (I wrote this with Natsu especially in mind. So I recommend the cover of this song by XIA. Please listen to this cover first before reading for a boost of inner stomach rolling frequencies haha)
AND ALSO! THIS WOULD BE A WEEKLY UPDATE! WOHOOOOOOOO. I HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN FOUR CHAPTERS SO FAR IN ADVANCE. I'll let you guys know when this story would end (in terms of chapter, lols)
Anyway. Without further ado. Let's move on!
Lots of love,
B7K
Perhaps, that tonight is yet again making such a beautiful face is not because of those stars nor the lights, but because of us - Mikrokosmos, BTS
Natsu Dragneel had a hobby.
He loved looking to the sky and he wondered if there was any life beyond the dark atmosphere.
He loved how his mind just escapes itself and gets lost in the beautiful nothingness.
His mind would wander to the many possibilities of exploring space once he properly became good enough at managing his own life before he could manage his interests.
And if there was life beyond the stars, he wanted to be the first.
"Looking at the sky?" A voice came from the side of the window. A boy with dark blue hair. Dirt marks on his face and scuff marks on his clothes. Hands dirty with oil and grease from machines. Clumsy hands reached and wiped the dark oil on the side of his trousers. Boots thudded across the floorboard to sit next to the pink-haired stargazer.
Sitting in his own rooftop home, Natsu built himself an outdoor part where there was no roof just so he could watch the stars. Nothing too fancy but a place to just let himself melt away in the stars.
"Yeah. Something like that." Natsu grinned, "I came straight after scouting."
The world, as one would usually come to know, was not as before.
The world was passed the age of when it needed humans to function. But civilization began to explore other methods to make life easier. To make it much accommodating to their favored lifestyle. Thus, began the era of machines and robots. Of course, no one complained because the launch of robotics into the world was a success.
Work wasn't a requirement of adulthood and school wasn't necessary for students to learn.
Jobs were easily replaced with robots to fill where human resource was needed and money was never a problem for households and other struggling families. The economy, the infrastructure and the vision to be so advanced finally reached new heights.
It was all taken care off by the robots.
But slowly, things crumbled away and the humans got greedy. Too greedy. And wanted more. The leaders created a system. A bizarre system that ruined and divided the country. Forcing the higher ups to have a dictator-like over the commoners. Thus, began the era of where the mid and low-income individuals were segregated from the rich. Walls were built and the leftover remnants of humans were locked out to rot.
The robots who became useless were also thrown over the walls to rot with the abandoned humans.
And those who had power, influence and money moved into the new area, protected by these big walls. And the citizens of both sides called it the City of Walls.
Thus, the current dilemma of people scattered amongst rooftops and broken parts of robots stacked on hills. The abandoned ones were called Outcasts.
Scouting was a term used for people who would wander amongst the hills of ruins. Searching for something. Anything. To restore and build. To fix and create their own companion of robots. Or perhaps to build something for themselves. Sort of like inventing.
"Anything you found out there?" The boy asked, removing his dirty shirt and throwing it to the side.
"Yeah. Look at this, Romeo." Natsu beamed, reaching to the side to fetch his own scout bag. He unbuckled the straps and emptied its contents on the floorboards. After giving it a few shakes, a large piece of metal fell out.
"Is that..?" Romeo gasped, pointing to the foreign object, "what I think it is?"
Natsu grinned. "Yup. I found a telescope!" The pink-haired male exclaimed with enthusiasm. Proudly showing off the metal piece and turning it around for Romeo to see.
"And it's in mint condition too." Romeo murmured with amazement, leaning closer and taking note of the details.
"Right? The pieces that I've found is also part of it too. I think it might be something to make the stars closer or something." Natsu added, nodding to the other pieces of steel bolts and glasses that was scattered on the floorboard.
"Looks like you had luck during scouting. I only found robotic body parts." Romeo replied, "But it's not all that bad."
"It's really not. I'm sure you'll find something of value soon."
The two boys stayed a little more on the rooftop. Talking aimlessly about the wall that sheltered the rich, about the current situation and about the past. Sometimes the conversation went off topic and they would end up laughing at nostalgic memories, but they would end up back into reality.
It didn't take long before Natsu reminded Romeo of the time, who had to head home before his dad started stress-smoking and calling people to search for his son. As it had happened before, both boys rather not have that repeat again. Especially Romeo, who showed up after sleeping at Natsu's due to being too tired and seeing crowds around his home with fire and spades. And Natsu, who walked the boy home and also was confused at the sudden attention.
"See ya around. And don't stay up too late." Romeo laughed, tugging on his backpack and heading out the door. Looking at the top to see the pinkette peering from a hole,
"Sure sure. Later."
Immediately, Natsu got to work.
Fixing the telescope wasn't too hard, thankfully. He looked around for defects and checked the scope. Everything seemed fairly in good condition. Quickly, he set up the tripod and fixed a little bit of its stabilization using a bit of weight from three water bottles bundled together. Happy with the position of the tripod, he moved to the finder scope.
"Shit." The pinkette cursed, rummaging carefully through the pieces of eyepieces. He wasn't too sure of which one to use but there was a particular one that seemed to be used often. There was a little bit of small marks.
Natsu slipped it carefully into place before standing back and admiring his handiwork. For someone who wasn't experienced with a telescope, or anything fancy to do with the stars, it was the biggest achievement he could ever gain in this damned world.
Wiping his hands clean with his shirt, he leaned forward and looked through the lenses. The sight left him breathless. With the sky filled up with numerous stars and a full moon, seeing through the telescope was like taking a gulp of fresh crisp water. His brain fizzed with the majestic view. It felt like he would disappear into space heaven.
In the background of simple blackness, gaseous clouds were studded with brilliant stars, including the brightest one at the top. Winding through are rivers of darkness where dust and gas block light emitted from the stars, a sight that made Natsu awe in amazement.
The sight was such like gems wrapped in silk, washed with glass and could only glow in the dark. As if the stars were dancing in brilliance to it's own unique song.
Natsu stepped back and felt tears well up in the corner of his eyes.
Feeling a bit silly. Getting emotional of looking at stars? He really must be that pathetic.
But just gazing at the stars, and losing himself in its sheer luminosity, it really made him feel somewhat small in such a vast sky.
And somehow, it made him think about what really could lie for him in the future.
The mornings are always the worst for Natsu.
Every morning, the winds are colder and the walls don't keep out the cold air well. And the heater that was installed two years ago kept failing now and again, needing a good kick somewhere.
Nevertheless, he had a shift coming up to scout and that meant, climbing out of the four-layers of blanket and taking the coldest shower. And looking for whatever food that may be in the pantry for the day.
Groggily, the pinkette dressed into his scouting attire. It was nothing more of a long sleeves shirt, black cargo pants and combat boots. Fixing another shirt over his head and grabbing his scout bag before heading to the kitchen. Grabbing an apple and heading out the door.
The Scouts Headquarters were based quite far from where he lived, hence the early wake-up calls. Catching the public transportation before another mile or two before he would reach his destination.
Perhaps he could eat his apple for lunch and scout for food.
The city intercom cracked to life. Playing it's annoying tune on the speakers and the sounds echoing off buildings.
"Good morning citizens. For today, there is a bright forecast of weather for the coming week. The weather today-"
Natsu scoffed, kicking a few pebbles with a hand stuffed in one pocket and the other juggling the apple.
He couldn't understand why the announcers even bother announcing irrelevant things on the city speakers. The harsh reminder of their current circumstance was right there, surrounded by thick walls, protecting its selfish owners.
"And for this afternoon until tonight, there is the bright miracle that would occur just today. There will be a meteorshower folks! And following after that, ladies and gentlemen. We are about to witness the red moon-"
Natsu paused momentarily in his steps.
Okay. That was definitely new. Maybe if he finds the time later in the afternoon, he would keep an eye on the meteor showers. And once he gets back from scouting, he could continue looking at the sky. Whichever he might do, he hoped he wouldn't miss both.
Without realizing, his hand shifted to his backpack. He had packed away the telescope with him. Unsure of whether to leave such a precious instrument at home, he had decided to bring it with him on his scouts.
And luckily he did.
If he didn't have enough time to run back home and set up the device, he might just possibly miss the red moon. Natsu continued walking, deciding to eat the apple because he was pretty damn hungry,
"WAIT. WAIT. OH MY GOD. WHAT IS THAT? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! EVERYONE. GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. GET OUT IMMEDIATELY! LOOK AT THE SKY! I REPEAT. LOOK AT THE SKY!"
The apple from Natsu's hand dropped.
"W-what the hell is that...?"
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I CANNOT BELIEVE MY EYES. RIGHT ABOVE OUR ATMOSPHERE. YOU WON'T MISS IT. ITS-"
There in the morning sky, another earth loomed in its own brilliance. The atmosphere of both worlds just barely touching. It's frightening. It's beautiful and also scientific inexplicable. As the masses begins to panic and the sirens from the city cried loudly in the city speaker, Natsu could feel his heart throb painfully in his chest.
I hoped the title of this chapter wasn't a give away. Anyway. That's the first chapter. Let's gooo!
AND REMEMBER. WEEKLY UPDATES FOR THE WHOLE LOT OF YOU GUYS WOHOOOOOOOO! THIS IS MY GIFT FOR ALL OF YOU! lessgeddiiiittttt!
Lots of love,
B7K