Chapter Text
"Once upon a time, there was a conqueror who was feared by all the galaxies. She ruled with an iron fist and by her side was her magical star. Their reign was like no other. Her and her armies were equipped with the best technology, and her star learned magic. No force could oppose them! Even family became foes to this unstoppable couple. Sides were picked, war was waged! It was The War of the Stars. The Makara Astralis tried to erase the conqueror and her star. But with the power of the Stars on her side she won the war defeating their weapon. The Makara Astralis were back in favor of the Stars as the heir to the throne was crowned Grand Celestial, pardoning the conqueror and her star! The new Grand Celestial formerly known as the Golden Spear restored the conqueror to the royal family so her legacy would be recognized by her people forever. Peace was here, ushering in The New Golden Age.
The conqueror continued to expand her empire. But something was missing from her and her star's life. She had her family, her friends, and her army. But she wanted something she could never claim by force. The conqueror wanted to be a mother. But her and her star couldn't have children, for her star was not of her kind. The conqueror had convinced her star she was okay with the fact she could never have a child of her own, she didn't want him to feel guilty.
But one night, after everyone went to sleep. The conqueror visited a quiet dimension. Stars painted the sky like a treasured masterpiece. She sat alone with the familiar thoughts in her mind, questions she asked herself time and time again, waiting for her mind to magically find an answer. She was favored by the stars since she was the one who restored the Astralis to the way of the stars. And to thank her for this, the stars came to her that night as she sat alone under the cherry blossom trees. The stars granted her wish. She would bear two children. The stars pulled magic from the conqueror's star combining it with the conqueror's to create their children.
The first daughter had hair like the rays of the sun itself and eyes like fire. From a young age she begged her mother to let her fight by her side. She was strong, fast, and intelligent. She trained with the best. Everyone was sure she would be the next great conqueror following in her mother's footsteps. She would make her people proud. After completing her training, she set off on her first solo mission at the age of 15. She said goodbye to her father, and her mother who was now pregnant with her younger sibling. She couldn't wait to meet the baby when she returned. But that day never came. The drop of sunlight disappeared into the cosmos without a trace. The conqueror and her star were heartbroken. They did not know if she was missing or dead. Fearing this would happen to their second child, the pair agreed to keep their next child away from the life of the Astralis-"
"When is Mr Eclipse coming back?" A cadet impatiently interrupted already growing bored of this story.
Vesta looked up from the story book to see the group of hungry cadets. Not a single one seemed interested in the tale. One was even dozing off. She desperately wanted to escape the daycare. Eclipse had left the daycare briefly to grab some more snacks for the children. Mrs Claudia had forgotten to order more for the daycare. Eclipse had left Sun, Moon, and Vesta with the kids. That was about 45 minutes ago. Each attendant was with their own group of kids to keep track of everyone until Eclipse returned. She sighed closing the worn storybook. She would have played a game with the cadets, but Eclipse and Saturn didn't allow her to play games with the cadets unsupervised anymore. Too many incidents that led to unhappy parents. Stars forbid she wanted to do something exciting for once. But the cadets apparently shouldn't play Floor is Plasma? So the only activity left that was of interest to her was story time. She was a big fan of fairy tales, but much to her dismay the cadets quickly grew bored.
Her mother was gone for the day, something about a birthday party? Vesta didn't question much about her parents lives. She was used to getting vague answers that gave her more questions than answers. Sometimes they'd be gone for weeks. Usually Vesta would stay with her Aunty Chica and Uncle Ace. Whenever she was with them Uncle Ace would sneak her some chocolate. Everyone always seemed so worried around her. Like she was something fragile that could break to the slightest amount of pressure. Vesta knew people weren't telling her something. She just didn't know what.
"I'm backkkk" Eclipse announced in a sing song manner carrying a large box. The group of cadets that were moments ago sitting in a circle rushed to him. A chorus of small voices all asking the same questions. Eclipse had to carefully walk to the desk to avoid stepping on them. Vesta found it funny how they never had the common sense to let him complete his tasks without clinging to him. They would get what they wanted faster. But alas the children adored him. They didn't have a reason to fear. Vesta picked up the book and made her way over to the group. Eclipse had managed to set down the box and began to prepare the snack. Sun and Moon ushered the children away. Eclipse was focused on his task. Today's snack was apple slices, pretzels, and animal crackers. He was always super focused on something. Which made it easier for Vesta to sneak up on him. She turned it into a game when she was younger. Now it was just a habit. She had gotten really good at it. Vesta crept behind him careful not to make any noise. She was almost as tall as him. Pouncing to hug him at his waist. She giggled as he was startled before realizing who she was.
"Ow! you hug like your mother used to." He chuckled as Vesta backed off grinning from ear to ear. He ruffled her hair before returning back to cutting apples. "Can I have someee?" Vesta asked already knowing the answer. "You know I have to make sure the children are fed first kiddo." Vesta sighed hopping up to sit on the desk setting her book next to her, kicking her feet as she watched him prepare the food for the cadets. This was boring to her. "Well if I can't have the cadet's snack can I go get something from El chips pleaseeeeeee?" She wasn't really that hungry. She just wanted to do something, anything. Vesta wasn't allowed to roam the plex during the day. But she was 14 now surely they had to start trusting her soon enough. She wouldn't talk to strangers, she knew better. "There should be some snacks in the theater I left for you. We can get food later if you still want plex food." Disappointed Vesta hopped down grabbing her book and headed to the theater.
She hummed as she walked, a habit she picked up from Eclipse. Art of her parents and family members covered the walls. She had every detail of each one memorized. She loved how they glowed in the dark. When she was younger Vesta would sleep under them when her parents were gone. Walking behind the counter of the theater concessions stand Vesta saw a small pink bag with a sticky note. Written on it was her name in her father's familiar hand writing. In it was a mini chocolate bar, pop rocks, an orange, and a bag of baby carrots. She snagged it turning on her heels. As soon as she got to her room she jumped onto her bed tossing her book onto the pile of plushies in the corner of her room. Most of them were merch of her friends and family members. Grabbing her red wired earbuds and choosing to listen to the same playlist as always she laid down looking at the ceiling. She could faintly hear the cadets laughter over her music. It was much quieter in the tower. Like the whole world was peaceful. All was right.
Until, she heard a loud ringing noise from her mother's bed in the other room startling her. Vesta knew she should ignore it. Her mother forbid her from messing with her technology. But it was so loud, she'd just turn it off.
Taking out her earbuds, she slowly and quietly tip toed following where the noise was coming from. Anxiety coursed through her veins. She shouldn't be doing this. Every fibre of her was screaming at her to just ignore it. Mother would be so mad. She wouldn't know right? Of course she would know. She somehow always did. Finally finding the source of the noise she picked up a small remote-looking piece of technology. It couldn't be anything bad. Her mother just enjoyed inventing so this was probably just a malfunctioning alarm or something! Yeah! She convinced herself this was a probable answer. Impulsively Vesta clicked the top right button. Surely this won't explode? Static came from the device. Vesta quickly dropped it as if it had burned her. SHOOT! She probably broke it. The static cleared and a strange nerdy sounding voice started to play from it. "Oh commander great! I need to discuss what new functions you want for the armor!"
What? Vesta froze. What did any of that mean. Who was that?! What were they talking about? Who's commander? Like her mother's made up backstory for the cadets? A million questions raced through her mind. This was her mother's tech. Whoever this was, they were talking to her. Breaking the silence the voice continued. "Ee.. if you're busy you can just say so, I just need to schedule the meeting." Meeting? "Right okay that's not scary" Vesta muttered to herself. Finally working up the courage she picked up the device. "Who are you and what do you want from my mother." She commanded, doing her best to cover up the terror she was feeling. "You're not Saturn." The fear in the mysterious figure's voice was clear. "I'm not supposed to talk to you." Who told them that?!
Her blood ran cold. Panicking she threw the device across the room with all her strength shattering it. She couldn't stop staring at it. It felt like everything stopped. They knew who she was.