TWs: Altered memories (literally for most of the story), talking down/degrading someone, referenced Pre-Moon Revolution and Earth Alone arcs (again, for most of the story). Stay safe :)

Earth sat up, glancing around his surroundings, "Woah, where am I... and why does it look like my life?"

"That's because we're on your surface," Jupiter spoke upon noticing Luna's saddened demeanor.

Earth looked curiously at him, head tilting as he took in the others, "And you are...?"

"Jupiter." He pursed his Iips, silently cursing in his mind, 'Damn... not again.'

Saturn latched onto Jupiter's sleeve, expression just as forlorn as his partner.

"Did you hit your head or something? Why are you pretending not to know us?" Venus scowled, his brows furrowed and his glare cold as he stared at the lively Celestial, yet he couldn't stop his heart from beating faster, panic rising in his chest.

"Uh, no... I seriously don't know who you guys are." Earth chuckled apprehensively, shrugging the rude behavior off before peering at the smallest in the group, "Are you a moon?"

Luna hesitantly nodded, his gaze cast away from the other.

"I figured as much! You're quite small and defenseless..." Earth extended his hand, playfully pinching the other's cheek, "So cute!"

Luna swatted the hand away before covering his cheek, rubbing at the sore spot. Earth hadn't pinched his cheeks in about a year ever since Luna spoke about it being demeaning, and that conversation happened just after-

Luna's eyes widened, 'No... no, no, no!'

"Earth." Jupiter spoke, prompting the other to look at him, "I have a few questions. Answer them truthfully, alright?"

"Uh, okay...?" Earth raised an eyebrow.

"Do you remember what happened before you passed out?"

"No..."

"Do you remember having life on your surface?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have a moon?"

Earth took a minute to think, wracking his brain for the answer, "Uh, no- wait... yeah, I do."

"Is this him?" Jupiter gestured to Luna, who appeared as if he would break down at any moment.

Earth peered at the smallest figure, "Uhm... nope! He doesn't look familiar."

Luna bit his lip, letting out a small whimper. He rose to his feet, and on trembling legs, he walked away in a random direction, feet becoming quicker with each step.

"Luna...!" Mercury called after him about to get up only to fall once again due to his uneven footing. His eyes were desperate as he couldn't help but watch the smaller one get further away.

Earth hummed, silently wondering what he said or did to get such a reaction from the humanoid moon.

Sun frowned, taking in the situation. He couldn't help but remember a story from his younger years and how it was eerily similar to what they'd witnessed thus far.

'Could it be...?' He thought, shifting his weight as he leaned forward. He shook his head, 'Nah, Rigel said it was an urban legend, it can't be true...!'

Yet as he pondered more, a strange feeling deep inside his chest made him second-guess himself.

'Could it...?'

"Well, I'm going to look around." Earth spoke, rising to his feet, having no trouble walking on them, "See where we are."

"You idiot! You can't wander off alone!" Venus scolded.

"Venus is right, it might be dangerous." Mars continued, "We're in unfamiliar territory."

Earth scoffed, "It's not that unfamiliar. Just by looking at the scenery, I can tell we're somewhere... in the United States! I can also see utility poles in the distance, we must be near a city."

"...Does anybody understand a word he said?" Venus asked, glancing at Mercury and Mars, who both shrugged.

Earth rolled his eyes, "Fine, if anyone wants to join me, now's the time to do so."

"Ooh me, me!" Neptune raised his hand, standing up with a jump in his step. Mercury made an incredulous face as he noticed the blue Celestial having no problem standing and walking, "I love exploring!"

"Oh, sure, let the two amnesiacs wander around, that's a great idea." Venus huffed.

"Wait- I'll also go with you guys." Mars slowly rose to his feet, wobbling on his two limbs, arms raised as he tried to balance himself, "Man, this is so- ack!"

Mars fell forward with a yelp, eyes closing and arms shooting out in front of him to hopefully break his fall.

"Oof-!"

Instead, he found himself grasping onto someone, shaky hands clutching a denim jacket. Mars blinked, face becoming red as he realized who had caught him.

Earth chuckled, "I know I'm handsome, but you didn't have to fall for me."

Mars felt himself heating up, feeling something in his chest pounding away.

"I'm Earth, and you are...?"

Mars took a breath, calming himself down. He looked at Earth, eyes holding indiscernible emotions as he stared at his best friend, "Mars... my name is Mars."

Earth hummed, "As in the Roman God of War and Agriculture?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess..."

"Cool!"

Uranus stared at the interaction with an envious gaze, his core longing to be the one in Earth's arms.

"Staring isn't going to help." Nine told him, "The longer you do so, the more pain you'll feel."

Uranus frowned, looking at the other curiously, "When did you become so good at giving advice?"

Nine didn't respond, merely looking away as he became acutely aware that his partner wasn't around. He bit his lip, brows furrowing as he thought, 'Sedna... please be alright.'

"Come on, Uranus! Nine! The more, the merrier!" Neptune grinned, pulling his cousin to his feet.

"Woah- hold on a sec, mate!" Uranus' eyes widened as he was pulled up by Neptune, immediately latching on to the other as his legs nearly gave out.

Nine huffed, pushing himself up to his feet, "Interesting... the gravity here is strong, yet unrestricted."

"Thank you! I think?" Earth grinned, helping Mars to his feet, hands hovering in case the other fell again.

"You coming, Venus?" Mars looked over his shoulder to where the hothead was sitting.

"Nah, I'm gonna hang back with the pipsqueak." Venus gestured to the smallest, whose eyes never moved from the path Luna disappeared in.

Mars squinted his eyes, a teasing smile rising on his face.

Venus glared, clenching his fists, "No. No. Do not give me that look!"

"Why, Venus-"

"Stop it."

"I never knew you-"

"Shut up!"

"Actually cared about Mercury!"

"Of, course, I care about him! I care about all of you dumbasses!" Venus faltered, realizing what he said. Mars gave him a cheeky grin. Venus scowled, "You are so lucky we aren't in space or else I would sautee your ass!"

Mars laughed, catching Earth's attention. The lively Celestial looked between the two, brow raised as he tilted his head. He stared at Mars, smiling slightly, 'He has a nice laugh...' His smile twitched, falling just a little, 'Though, it reminds me of... someone.'

And for a split second, Earth could've sworn he saw a sepia-colored person before his very eyes, laughing wistfully before vanishing.

« NOTE »

I doubt I'll post again before Christmas, so MERRY/HAPPY KWANZAA, HANUKKAH, CHRISTMAS :D

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