TWs: Intimidation, rude behavior, mention of past injuries. Stay safe :)

Nine watched the main dwarf planets from afar, his eyes squinting as he focused on the ex-planet.

"Nine, you better not be planning anything," Pinwheel spoke.

"You know I'm past those days." Nine grumbled, "For now."

"Nine, please." Pinwheel urged.

"What's wrong with a little confrontation?" Nine questioned, moving forward.

"I can think of many things..." Pinwheel muttered.

"Well, keep them to yourself. I have to talk to a certain dwarf." The white Celestial flew over to where the dwarf planets were situated.

Haumea noticed the Ice Giant first, eyes widening as he poked and prodded Makemake, who winced and grabbed the other's wrist.

"Ow, what is it, Hau- oh my Stars!" Makemake lifted his gaze once he saw the glistening surface of the giant Celestial out of the corner of his eyes. Haumea hid behind Eris, who crossed her arms and gave the Giant a pointed glare. Pluto and Charon held onto each other's arms while Ceres huddled between them, seemingly confused about what was happening. Triton eyed Nine momentarily, examining the Giant's look.

"Huh," He hummed, "Cool."

"Literally and figuratively." Nine spoke.

Eris raised her eyebrows, looking between them, "Did we miss something?"

"Not really." Nine and Triton responded.

Makemake raised his hand, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"No." Nine quipped, "The less you know about me, the better."

"Nine." Pinwheel cautioned.

The white Celestial sighed, "Fine, I can answer a few questions, but not now. I'm busy at the moment."

Nine's eyes darted to Pluto, who had moved behind Charon. The moon glanced at her partner, eyes growing concerned.

"And why are you here?" Eris asked.

"I need to talk to 'Declassified Planet' over there." Nine gestured to Pluto.

In the Ethereal, one would facepalm and sigh exasperatingly, muttering under their breath as they shook their head.

"May I ask why?" Charon scrutinized the Giant, looking at him cautiously.

"I just have a few questions... is that so wrong?" Nine furrowed his eyebrows.

"What's so wrong is that you still haven't apologized for what you did to us." Charon frowned.

"Oh, is that all? Fine," Nine sighed, "I'm... sorry for kidnapping you guys and holding you hostage. I just needed to convey that I was serious about seeking vengeance."

The dwarf planets looked at each other, a silent conversation with their gazes until Charon turned to Pluto, who gave a small nod.

"Okay, you're forgiven," Charon spoke as she turned to face the Giant Celestial, "But, I would like to hear what you have to say to Pluto."

"Charon, I can handle it." Pluto cut in, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I know, and I'm not saying you can't, but whatever he has to say, he can say it to your moons." Charon frowned, and Pluto noticed her eyes glimpsing at his shoulder for half a second. Despite being covered by his puffy brown jacket, Pluto still had the scorch mark from where Nine released his anger.

Pluto looked at her, and despite the anxiety rising within him, he found himself nodding. He turned to Nine, "If you don't mind, I would like Charon to join me."

Nine shrugged, "Yeah, sure, whatever. Let's go."

Without another word, Nine flew away. Pluto and Charon shared a glance.

"You guys continue playing, we'll be back," Pluto spoke to the other dwarf planets and Triton, who nodded, albeit hesitantly.

As Pluto and Charon followed after the mysterious Celestial with a redesign, Triton frowned, furrowing his eyebrows.

"So," Nine stopped once they got a good distance from the others, crossing his arms and looking at Pluto with a squinted gaze, "Do you know what happened to Uranus?"

Pluto blinked, not expecting the question. He nodded hesitantly, "Yes...?"

"So you know he got hit by a large asteroid?"

"What?" Charon squeaked from beside her partner.

"It happened before we collided with each other, Charon." Pluto explained, "I tried to warn Uranus, but he didn't hear me in time."

"Wow, that happened at the beginning of the solar system...?" Charon muttered, "It does make sense, though- there was a lot of rubble and debris floating around at the time."

"Did you see where the asteroid came from?" Nine asked.

"I don't think so?" Pluto responded, "It came out of nowhere."

Nine glowered, giving Pluto a hard stare causing the dwarf planet to back away and avoid the other's gaze.

"Is that all you wanted to ask?" Charon pushed her partner to the side upon noticing his discomfort, "If so, we would like to get back to our game."

Nine huffed, "Alright, you may go... see you around- or something."

"Right!" Charon grabbed Pluto's arm, dragging him away.

The white Celestial stared after them, eyes glazed over.

"Okay, what aren't you telling me, Nine?" Pinwheel spoke up, "And don't try lying, 'cause I know when you are."

Nine glanced down into the void, "You know how I made many mistakes in the past?"

"Yes...?"

"This was one of them."

« × »

"If you don't mind me asking, dear Neptune, what was so important that you dragged us all the way out here?" Saturn asked, looking around the atmosphere, eyes growing wary upon how empty it was, "I don't think I've ever been this far from the Sun before..."

"Right!" Neptune grinned, blinking one eye then the other, "Sorry to drag you away from your husband, but-"

"M-M-My what!?" Saturn stuttered, feeling his face flushing deep red as his eyes widened.

"Your husband- Jupiter," Neptune stated as if it was obvious.

"Wha- I, uh- n-no, no, no!" Saturn shook his head as he waved his hands dismissively, "W-We're not- we're just, w-well..." Saturn trailed off, averting his gaze as he thought, 'We both like each other, so... what does that make us?'

"Anyway!" Neptune blurted before Saturn could spiral on it further, "I wanted to give you something!"

"Oh...?" Saturn blinked, "What is it?"

"Do you remember when you got attacked by that black hole?"

"It happened less than ten hours ago... so, yes." Saturn smiled, eyes creasing in trepidation.

"Well, I figured I would give you this." Neptune reached into his coat, pulling out his NovaStar.

Saturn's smile fell upon seeing it, eyebrows raising, "Wha- but Neptune, that Novae is what's keeping you from being attacked."

"Exactly! The Black Hole attacked you for some reason, who knows what would've happened if you gave in?"

"But I didn't give in. I'm here and I'm fine." Saturn gestured around, "Besides, you need it for yourself."

Neptune seemed genuinely confused, "Why? It's not like I know anything."

"That's because you don't have the best memory, dear..." Saturn uttered.

"Precisely! Why would I be attacked if I know nothing?" Neptune grinned.

The ringed Celestial looked at the other, eyebrows twitching, before finally letting out a sigh, "Fine... if it'll make you happy, I'll take the NovaStar."

"Yay!" Neptune practically leaped for joy, "Saturn, this is Messier- Messier, Saturn."

Saturn tensed when Neptune handed the Novae over, wide-eyed and looking at it apprehensively.

"With him around, I almost forget that my orbit is 165 years long!" Neptune laughed, then whispered, "Haaaaa, almost..."

"Neptune..." Messier sighed, catching Saturn off-guard and nearly causing him to drop the Novae, "Woah-!"

"Ah- sorry, sorry!" Saturn apologized profusely, "I didn't expect you could talk."

"Nobody does, it's fine," Messier spoke.

Neptune watched the interaction, practically glowing, "Well, I'll see you later, Messier! I expect you'll take good care of Saturn."

"Please be careful, Neptune." Messier advised, "You never know when Sagittarius A* will strike next."

"He's right," Saturn nodded, "Why don't you stick with Uranus and Nine, Neptune? They also have NovaStars, right? So they'll be able to protect you."

"Sure! If it eases your minds, I'll head to Uranus' orbit now." Neptune smiled reassuringly.

"Thank you, Neptune." Saturn bowed his head.

"For...?" The blue Celestial tilted his head.

Saturn chuckled, glancing at the Novae in his hands, "Being you."

...

"Be careful with Hippocamp and Psamathe, Galatea and Larissa! They're the smallest of the bunch." Neptune warned, eyeing his moons as they chased each other, "Proteus, Nereid, keep an eye on them!"

"Okay!" The bigger irregular moons yelled.

"Man, how do you do it, mate?" Uranus questioned, tearing his eyes away from his canvas.

"Do what?" Neptune glanced at his cousin.

"Your moons," Uranus shifted closer, gesturing, "They seem to admire you and even listen to you. How do you do it?"

"Hahah, well that's easy! It's because I-" Neptune stopped, blinking one eye then the other, "Because I... because...?"

"You okay, mate?" Uranus placed his hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.

"Mmh, I suppose it's because I was like them once," Neptune spoke.

"What does that mean?"

"Oh, it's nothing, really..." Neptune let out a yawn, suddenly feeling drowsy, "I can just communicate easily with them."

Uranus nodded, rubbing the back of Neptune's shoulder, glancing at him when he yawned once more, "Tired?"

"Yeah, but I swear I wasn't sleepy earlier."

"Maybe all of the excitement has finally caught up with you. You should rest for a bit, mate." Uranus pulled away, "I'll watch your moons for you."

"Thanks, Uranus," Neptune spoke, his voice groggy as he closed his eyes.

Uranus smiled upon realizing the other was already asleep. He pulled his canvas, setting up where he got a good view of Neptune's moons, and started to paint.

Unbeknownst to him, Neptune twitched from where he slept, his mind and body plagued.

« NOTE »

*Laughs maniacally in the distance*

You also may be wondering; "Where is AstroDude? He was in the prequels- where is he now?"

That's a good question, and it'll be answered.

Not saying when ;)

Comments are appreciated 3