Chapter Text
EARTH WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. YOU GIANT IDIOT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR YOU”. Venus yelled at the blue planet. He felt like screaming, crying hitting Earth in the face with an Asteroid. It made him even angrier seeing Earth looking sheepish and smiling awkwardly like an idiot. He acts like what he did wasn't something very serious; he treats it like some joke.
Earth looked around at all the plants gathering around him asking him a bunch of questions and lecturing him about everything that has happened. Earth sighs and decides to speak up to try and reassure everyone that he is fine. “Listen everyone I know I really messed up. I MEAN REALLY MESSED but… I'm… I honestly don't know what to say anymore. If I'm being honest I haven't been doing well lately. I thought that I was going crazy. I thought that maybe it was all in my head or something. I kept hearing voices and kept seeing memories. It all felt like a dream. Seeing you all and hearing you all acting and looking so different. Then I kept hearing her voice. Theias voice would call for me… for Proto. I could hear her laughter as I would make a joke. I would stare off into open space and hear her talking about her hopes and dreams. I could hear her cries of pain and terror. I hate myself for what happened and I have a lot to work on because I'm not doing great but realized that I don't need to do this alone. I'm sorry for being awful and I'm sorry for running away.” Earth said to his fellow planets. He had a smile on his face to help keep his composure but he can feel the tears slipping. Saturn was crying using his gravity to bring Earth closer apologizing to the smaller planet. He kept apologizing to Earth telling him everything is going to be ok and he can always come to him whenever he needed to talk. Jupiter got closer and told Earth the same thing. He told Earth he has a lot to make up for and he will always protect him. Uranus and Neptune tried to offer reassurance trying to make the smaller planet laugh by cracking jokes and making funny faces. Everyone rushed over to talk to Earth but everyone froze as a loud voice caught everyone's attention.
“It’s so nice to see my planets getting along but before anyone get carried away I NEED TO SPEAK TO EARTH.” The sun said rather angrily. Earth flinched knowing he is going to be punished for creating all this chaos. Saturn and Jupiter tried to block Earth in a protective way but the sun shifted which knocked the two gas giants away from the rocky planets. Earth slowly made his way towards the sun and hesitantly made eye contact. “YOU HAVE A LOT TO ANSWER FOR. YOU THREATEN AND ATTACKED YOUR FELLOW PLANETS, YOU LIED TO ME AND YOU LEFT YOUR ORBIT WHICH CREATED CHAOS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM.” The sun said sternly in his deep scary voice. Earth felt scared because he didn't know what was gonna happen. He wasn't big like the gas giants; he had no effect on how orbits are kept.
Earth felt scared but he knew he needed to face this.
Jupiter spoke up trying to stand up for Earth.”Sun please don't punish him he didn't mean to do this. It's our fault for not noticing his behavior and trying harder to help him. It's my…” Jupiter was harshly cut off by a rather large solar flare. The sun glared at him making sure the gas giant stays silent. “Anyway where was I before I was rudely interrupted… Oh yeah… DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR ACTIONS COULD HAVE DONE. YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS BEING THE ONLY PLANET WITH LIFE AND YET YOU DARE ACT SO RECKLESS AND CAREFREE.” The sun continued on his lecture. Earth could only stay there and nod his head.
“I understand the things I did has had a huge impact on the solar system and I know I was reckless putting the lives of my earthlings on the line for not being able to control my emotions and I apologize for that. I will accept any punishment you believe I deserve.” Earth said in a tired tone. He could hear the other planets chiming in begging for the sun to forgive his mistakes. The sun stayed silent for a second acknowledging Earth's words before finally speaking up. “AS PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR RECKLESS ACTIONS YOU PLANET EARTH WILL STAY IN YOUR ORBIT FOR THE NEXT 5 CYCLES. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE YOUR ORBIT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SPEAKING TO ME ABOUT ANY CURRENT EMOTIONAL ISSUES YOU ARE FACING. IN THE CASE YOU ARE CAUGHT LYING ANOTHER CYCLE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR PUNISHMENT. AS FOR THE OTHER PLANETS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PLUTO AND MERCURY, FOR THE CRIME OF HIDING THE MENTAL STATE OF YOUR FELLOW PLANET AND PUTTING HIS OVERALL HEALTH AT RISK YOU WILL ALL BE FORCED TO WRITE ME LETTERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN YOUR ORBIT AS WELL AS EXPLAINING WHY ITS BAD TO LIE TO THE ONE CELESTIAL OBJECT WHO ALMOST ALWAYS HAS THE POWER TO FIX ANY SITUATION.” The sun said, sounding rather annoyed at the last part. He looked at his planets with an annoyed expression with the one thing running in his mind wondering if he raised them all to lack common sense.
The other planets looked shocked and Earth was utterly speechless. He had imagined the absolute worst case scenario for his punishment. He thought the sun might launch him from his orbit or at least shoot him with a solar flare strong enough to wipe out all life on his surface but instead what he got was basically a small slap on the wrist. Earth just stared in awe at the sun and stupidly asked why he was given such a light punishment. The sun looked at Earth and just shook his head annoyed. “Despite how reckless your actions were, I can't severely punish you for something like that. You were right that we should have told you about Theia and by lying and hiding this from you we unknowingly caused a lot of distress. You my dear little planet need someone to talk to and despite how you all view me I understand the pain you are in. The grief you feel is something I feel anytime I remember one of my many little planets who have been destroyed since my creation. I remember Theia and I have many regrets with how I treated her. I regret a lot of things I did. Earth, just know that I am here for a reason. It is my job to keep you stable. It's gonna take some time but let's start building trust amongst each other since me and you have a lot of time to talk.” The sun said plainly. Despite Earth hesitating a bit he knew that the sun was telling the truth. The sad look the sun had when he mentioned old planets, when he mentioned theia… Earth knew if anyone could understand him it might be the sun.
Earth looked around at the other planets. They are his family, his big crazy family with A LOT of emotional issues. They all looked at him with joy. Everyone was just happy to see Earth safe and sound. He gave them all a big smile before looking back at the Sun. “I believe the punishment you are giving me is fair and appropriate. I have no complaints and will be returning to my orbit soon.” Earth said trying his best to sound mature while his voice shook a bit his anxiety and relief. Earth rushed to everyone to continue giving his thanks and apologize for everything that has happened. After all the heartfelt goodbyes he took his moon and made his way back to his orbit. Being stuck in his orbit will probably get boring but he knows this is for the best. It also allows for him to spend time with his moon and be more mindful of his earthlings.
Luna still felt slightly worried. Worried that Earth might change his mind and run away again. Worried that just the sight of his moon will cause Earth a lot of distress. Luna felt like a burden. All he wants is for his planet to be happy. “Earth if you ever feel like I'm causing you distress just tell me and I'll leave. I can swap out with a different moon so life can continue to flourish on your surface. I don't want to be a constant reminder of something that was painful for you.” Luna said in a quiet voice. It was hard to meet Earth's eyes as he was scared they would be relieved. The silence felt like an eternity and finally when Luna looked at his planet he wore a horrified expression on his face. “My little moon I know I haven't been well lately but please tell me this is just another illusion. Please tell me you never thought I would ever not want you with me. Everything that has happened has been stressful but none of it was your fault. I was the one acting irrational and dumb. You are the best moon in the universe, the brightest object in my night skies. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. Luna, you're my precious little moon. Nothing in my past, present or future will ever change that.” Earth said to his moon in a gentle tone. Luna by this point was in tears again clinging to his planet. The fear of him leaving will always linger but right now he knows that he's here and he cares.
Earth knew he had a lot to make up for. Right now he needs to focus on the present. Focus on those who matter, his family, his little moon. Earth was comforting Luna when he heard a voice call out his name. He looked up and saw the apparition of a planet. One that has haunted him for billions of years.
The planet looked at Earth with a soft expression and smiled. “Earth” she said while giggling “Truly what a beautiful name. Cherish these happy moments and continue to live a great life with our family. Our moon. Until we meet again my beloved Earth.”
Goodbye
And just as she had appeared she was gone. Earth with tears in his eyes looked at the abyss in front of him. The billions of stars made it look so beautiful but nothing will ever match your beauty Theia. I'll continue to live life and find happiness with those around me. When the time comes when we meet again I hope you welcome me with open arms.
My beautiful Theia.
Goodbye