Chapter Text
The death was quick and relatively painless. Who knew an orbital laser wouldn’t be the worst death Eclipse had faced? Certainly not himself. He wasn’t ready to die, but he also wasn’t willing to fight back anymore. He knew that the astrals would drag him from his afterlife and punish him for his crimes against star power. They would’ve done it if he survived. Death changes nothing. He must still face consequences.
When he opened his eyes, he was not in some form of afterlife. It was a miracle he could open his eyes at all. He felt like he was floating. It was surreal. He saw the inky abyss of space all around him. He wasn’t looking forward to what they had in store for him. Would they sentence him to a floating, lonely fate forever? Conscious, but understimulated? Or would they torture him with unending amounts of pain and suffering? He didn’t know which was worse.
A judge’s bench appeared before him. The judge herself had a scale for a head, with a singular eye in the middle. She did not look happy. A jury stand appeared next to the judge. There was an assortment of ethereal star beings that were staring down at him. They were all showing versions of anger, disgust, disappointment, satisfaction, and fear on their many strange faces. Eclipse sighed. He knew that his fate was in their hands, and they weren’t going to be merciful.
Their eyes… He had seen them before. The star had warped his mind and perception. The more he used it, the less he knew what was real. He only saw one astral in the flesh, but he saw so many eyes. These eyes were familiar to him. Only now can he know that those were real and they were watching him, both then and now.
“Eclipse,” The judge’s booming voice called down to him. “You have been called before the astral bodies to determine your punishment for the crimes of abusing star power and withholding the Newton Star. As well as evidence, regarding previous plans of attempting rewriting this dimension’s code, attempting to rule this dimension, attempting to abuse star power, attempting to withhold the Newton Star, plotting homicide against the astral bodies, and disturbance of dimensional peace.”
Eclipse knew what they were talking about. They were linking the first Eclipse’s crimes to him. Did the first Eclipse not get punished for these crimes when he died? Did he even die at all? Did they just want to punish him more because his crimes were truly terrible so they wouldn’t feel bad just slapping more onto the list? Before Moon killed him, he didn’t have much time to study and learn about the astrals. He didn’t know how they worked or why they did what they did or what their powers were or what their normal punishments were or-
“Do you wish to plea? Or be subjected to a trial? We will assign an astral to defend you or you may defend yourself. Your punishment if you lose the trial will be worse than if you plead guilty. You may not plead guilty if you choose to trial.” The judge stared down at him. She looked less angry than most of the others.
Eclipse sighed. Despite knowing this day would come, he didn’t quite feel ready. Perhaps he should’ve tried harder to convince Moon not to kill him. He knew that wouldn’t have worked either. No, he would always have to face this. Better sooner than later. He’d rather go through this than just float mindlessly in whatever afterlife would be. Would there even be one for him? It’s best not to find out. Torture would be better than not existing.
“Trial.” A mistake as soon as he said it. He didn’t mean to say trial, but then again, he can’t help going down without a fight. But picking a fight with the keepers of star power was probably not a good idea.
“Are you certain?” The judge asked. She must’ve also known it was a dumb idea. Or maybe… she had alternative plans. Eclipse nodded.
“Very well, then. You will be contained in a cell until the astral that will testify for you is chosen. Your trial will begin three days after that. We hope you are ready. It would be in your best interest to pray to the stars.” Some of the other astrals rolled their eyes, some scoffed, others made a praying motion with their hands. Eclipse nodded again, until he suddenly blacked out.
He awoke on a bed made of bronze. Uncomfortable, but very pretty. His cell was also made of a metal but it looked like a galaxy. The floor was a dark bronze. Everything else inside was a similar bronze, it was only the walls that were made of that space metal. The bars weren’t very thick, but he didn’t want to risk trying to squeeze through. Besides, he couldn’t see well outside his cell. Probably some sort of star power trick.
Well… time to wait three days, and hope he doesn’t lose the trial or get assigned an astral that wants to see him fail. He wondered who’d be assigned to him. Probably not the judge, who assumed was Libra, and probably no Gemini either. They might still be on Earth.
Suddenly, a red looking bipedal ram creature banged on Eclipse’s cell bars. It startled him since he couldn’t see them coming. Embarrassingly, he did scream a bit. The ram snickered.
“Are you going to be my astral attorney?” Eclipse asked, trying to sound much less shaken up than he really was. The ram cackled a bit.
“No way, string bean! It’d be a death sentence to volunteer for such a thing. Cancer must’ve not gotten the hint.” He chuckled. “I just wanted to see you in person before I’d have to watch you die.” He shrugged and crossed his arms. Eclipse gulped. Not a good sign.
“Are you Aries?”
“Duh! Is it not obvious?” He opened his arms to show himself off. His fur looked coarse and not very soft. He had armor on his legs and the bottom of his chest, but everything up was bare. Not very smart.
“Technically, I probably should be defending you, since you were born under my constellation, but like I said, I don’t really want to get dissipated.” Aries crossed his arms again, making sure to flex his muscles.
“Dissipated?” Eclipse asked.
“How an astral gets fired from the job. It’s a form of death for us. We get turned into lifeless stardust. Defending you is at risk of ‘treason’ which is a punishable offence for astrals.” He moved his hands to his hips as if he was bored explaining all of this.
“Who knows, string bean! I might change my mind.” Aries winked at Eclipse and started to walk away.
“Wait! You’re not going to leave me here, are you?” Eclipse moved closer to the bars.
“Uh, of course, I am. Thems the rules, beanpole.” He turned around halfway to grin at Eclipse. Eclipse scattered his brain to keep Aries here for longer. He didn’t want to be locked up alone.
“You mentioned Cancer! Are they going to my defending me?” He asked, clutching the bars. Surprisingly warm compared to the bronze bed.
“Most likely. They seemed really excited to as well. Good luck with them. I’d get ready to be tortured or something, or find a way to escape before going to trial with THEM.” Aries proceeded to laugh loudly like a middle aged dad laughing at his own joke. He was gone before Eclipse could get more answers out of him. Maybe Aries would be useful in the future, he didn’t seem to be exactly AGAINST Eclipse. Only problem was he wasn’t FOR Eclipse either.
He was already getting a terrible impression of his defender, Cancer. He knew that it was the sign of the crab, and they ruled the moon. Very helpful. Not.
Eclipse trudged over to the metal slab meant to act as a bed. It was very pretty, but not very comfortable. His situation hadn't changed much from before the laser. He was alone and hated. Not that he blamed anyone, but still, how cruel was this world going to continue being to him?
He plopped down, which was a mistake, and hurt himself. Not on purpose. He was positive that there was going to be a dent. He wanted to cry, but he didn't. He didn't know if there was anyone out there to hear him.
Thankfully, he didn't because there was someone out there, waiting for him. They scuttled closer to the bars, but not in a threatening way like Aries. In fact, they were very quiet.
“Hello?” An almost whisper echoed into the cell. Eclipse slowly turned around on his bed to see who was there. Although there wasn't much good in that. He could barely see them. Not that the room was too dark, but because they were blindingly white and silver.
“What-" He began to ask a question but was quickly cut off.
“You're a Gemini! Lovely!”