The next day, Gem woke up and got dressed. She found her roommate Sagittarius in the cafeteria. Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Pisces all sat at one table while a few of the alternates sat at the other.

"So we have different tables?" asked Gem.

Pisces nodded. "We don't want to sit with them, they don't want to sit with us."

Gem walked towards the food counter and grabbed a food tray. The food options were toast, fruit loops, and eggs. After receiving a plate of eggs that were half cold, Gem walked over to a small drinks table and poured herself a glass of apple juice before sitting down with her friends. "Where is everyone else?"

"They got up early to train," replied Leo. "I heard a lot of people get up at about six am."

Cancer checked the time on his phone. "They've been up for four hours?"

"Virgo told me that Libra and Cancy won't be able to come to training today." Aquarius bit into his last slice of toast. "Cancy is still unconscious and Libra has to rest."

"I still can't believe everything that happened yesterday." Pisces sighed. "I feel like it was a nightmare. Pie didn't hesitate to shoot Scorpio when she tried to attack Lee."

"That's how it is around here." Aquarius glanced at the alternate table. "If you try to attack them, they'll just kill you."

"We're not all like that." Leon sat beside the original zodiacs with a tray of food. Today, his long blond hair was curled into ringlets, and he wore a white blouse, a long pink skirt, and knee-high black leather boots.

"Why are you sitting with us?" asked Cancer. "Shouldn't you sit with your murderer friends?"

"I like you guys more. You're nicer. So, what happened since I left?"

"You mean after you tried to kidnap us and stalked us for months?" asked Aquarius.

Leon nodded. "I'm glad you guys are all still alive. I was worried you'd die from the curses."

Sagittarius rolled her eyes. "I DID almost die. My heart stopped functioning and I only survived because Cancy healed me."

"Wait!" gasped Cancer. "Can Cancy heal Taurus' spine?"

Leon furrowed his brow. "Spinal cord injuries are complicated, but she could try."

"Leon, what can you tell us about the alternates?" asked Leo.

"Ares and Scor are going to be your toughest opponents. Lee is tough as well, but not as much. Aquari and Pie are stealthy and they're not above playing dirty to win. Taur is softhearted, he won't hurt you guys. You already know what Cancy and I are like since we're your friends-"

"I wouldn't say friends," muttered Aquarius.

"Saggi is like a robot. He tried to seem emotionless but he's secretly a caring person. He's also really quiet and always leaves our group chats."

Sagittarius elbowed Aquarius and smirked. Aquarius rolled his eyes.

Leon fidgeted with the ends of his hair. "Capri is tough as stone, but she's really nice. She's dating Lee, but she deserves better than that asshole."

"You keep glancing at Scor," Gem casually glanced at the alternate who was casually watching them.

Leon nodded. "He's always watching everyone. Ares, Scor, Aquari and Pie are extremely observant. Did you know Scor is really popular? I know of at least three people that have a crush on him."

Leo shrugged. "He's not that attractive."

"But you're not attracted to men," whispered Sagittarius.

"Touché."

"Scor and Vinn have a relationship similar to Virgo and Libra," continued Leon. "Except they don't always platonically flirt, they're just really good friends that are always together. Everyone suspects that they both secretly like each other. Your turn! Tell me stuff I don't already know about you guys."

Sagittarius smirked. "Aquarius is still a single loser who nobody likes."

Aquarius elbowed Sagittarius.

"Aries and Leo are dating, so are mom and dad," replied Pisces.

Leon's eyes widened. "Virgo and Libra got together? Are they actually dating and not pulling that platonic stuff anymore?"

Cancer chuckled. "Even Leon was sick of their shit. Wait, this should be concerning, you were our stalker."

"So, what do we do all day?" asked Gem.

"Mostly train," replied Leon. "You're allowed to leave the hotel, but only between ten am and eight pm."

Leo nodded. "I guess we should all head to the training room after this."

***

Taurus wheeled into the training room, not expecting to be able to do much. She was surprised to find that it was already full of people. Aries and Gemini were climbing the rock wall, Virgo was climbing across the monkey bars, and Scorpio was lifting weights beside Ares. As for the alternates, Lee and Saggi were climbing the rock wall and Capri was beating a punch bag.

"Taurus!"

Taurus smiled as Capricorn approached. "What's up with Ares and Scorpio?"

Capricorn rolled his eyes. "It's their rivalry. They insist on staying beside each other as much as possible to keep an eye on their enemy or whatever. They hate each other so much."

"I don't know what to do. I can't do much in my wheelchair."

"We can do target practice." Capricorn wheeled Taurus towards the target room.

The target room was empty. Capricorn picked a spear off the weapon rack and threw it at a large target on the other side of the room. It missed the target.

"I haven't tried throwing spears before." Capricorn's retrieved the spear. "What do you want to throw?"

Taurus looked out the window to watch the others. "I want to know what the alternates are like, but I don't want to have to talk to them."

Capricorn shrugged. "Just ask Scorpio later. If she's not too busy trying to intimidate Ares, she'll be watching the others."

They watched as Scorpio and Ares took turns on a weight machine, trying to prove they could life more weight than the other.

Taurus sighed. "That's so dangerous. They're already at sixty pounds? I don't know if I could even lift that much, let alone complete a set."

Capricorn handed Taurus a slingshot and a few rocks. "You always used a slingshot in our simulation training."

Taurus fired a rock with the slingshot. It hit the ring outside the bullseye. "Wait, why is there weapons for training? Will one of these trial involve physical combat?"

Capricorn gasped. "Maybe that's the big final trial Ophiuchus was talking about."

"I can't do much in my wheelchair though."

"But you have great upper-arm strength. Let's go show these assholes what you can do."

"WAIT-"

Capricorn pushed Taurus towards the main training room where everyone else was. He brought her over to the ropes.

Everyone paused to watch as Taurus sighed and started pulling herself up the rope.

Taurus groaned from having to use only her arms as she made it to the top of the rope, before carefully lowering herself down.

The room was silent.

"You can't use your legs, but you're still better at using your arms than most people here," smirked Capricorn. "You're more useful than anyone I know."

When Taurus caught Scorpio's gaze, she was smiling proudly.

"Let me try." Lee untied himself from his harness at the rock wall and ran over to the ropes. He grabbed the same rope Taurus used, but fell after getting one third of the way up. "Someone cheated! I was pushed by a bunch of wind!"

"What wind?" asked Gemini from the top of the rock wall. "That rope didn't swing so obviously there was no wind."

"It was a downwards current."

Gemini shrugged innocently. "I guess you're just weaker than Taurus."

Lee muttered a stream of curses before storming out.

"He's probably just in a bad mood." Capri approached Taurus and gave her a high-five. "That rope climbing was pretty impressive considering the height of the rope. Despite not having working legs, I think you'll do well in the trials."

Taurus smiled nervously. "Thanks."

Aries finished her rock climbing and ran over to Taurus. "You really showed him up. That was awesome, he stormed out like a baby."

Capri sighed. "He's just... really sensitive. He doesn't mean to be like that."

"He's an asshole. Nothing excuses his behaviour." Aries grabbed the rope. "Now I'm going to try."

"He's not usually like that."

"Stop making excuses for that piece of shit, we literally don't care." Aries managed to get halfway up the rope before she fell, landing on a section of the floor that was extra-cushioned.

Capri returned to her punching bag.

Gemini approached his friends, leaving Saggi alone on the rock wall. "How are you guys doing?"

"Considering our circumstances, not bad," admitted Capricorn.

"I don't like the alternates." Aries glared back at Ares who was now glaring at her. "They're either really rude or overly nice."

Virgo joined his friends, panting. "I've only been here for half an hour and I'm already dead. I don't know how the alternates train so hard every day."

"I wonder how Libra and Cancy are doing. I need a break now anyway." Gemini headed towards the door. "Anyone want to visit them with me?"

Aries, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn followed.

"Want to to visit your friends with the others?" asked Ares.

"And let you get more training time than me?" asked Scorpio. "No."

"You're so competitive."

"You're the one that almost pulled a muscle by trying to life more weight than me."

"Go visit your friend. I'm sick of being around you."

"You can literally walk away."

"But I need to watch you so I'll know all your training techniques and strategies."

"I will beat you in the trials, stop trying to compete with me."

"You will never beat me. I hope you enjoy second place."

"You'll be second place because there's no way you could possibly beat me."

"Let's make a bet. Every time I beat you, you have to run around the hotel screaming Ares is the best! He is better than me in every way possible! You'll even have to wear a shirt with my face on it."

Scorpio smirked. "And when I win, you have to recite a poem about how obsessed you are with me and how I'm better than you in every way. You'll have to do it in the cafeteria when everyone else is there."

"Deal."

***

Libra opened the door to her hotel room, letting everyone in. They stood awkwardly around the bed because the rooms were really small. Libra sat back down in her bed and put a bookmark in the book she was reading. Cancy was still sleeping on the other side of the bed.

Virgo immediately kissed Libra and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so glad you're alright. You scared the shit out of me yesterday."

"How are you doing?" asked Gemini.

Libra shrugged. "My chest is healed, but I'm supposed to rest because of blood loss and stuff."

Taurus smiled at Libra. "That was so scary. We thought you were going to die."

"I thought I was going to die too."

"That's why Olive was in the hospital for so long." Gemini glanced at the sleeping girl. "She needs to recharge after using her healing powers. She healed Capricorn and Sagittarius."

"How do we respond to this?" asked Capricorn. "Should we treat Cancy as our friend because she saved Libra, or are we still mad at her for lying to us?"

Libra carefully stroked Cancy's hair. "She didn't lie to harm us, she just wanted to keep an eyes on us, and she saved both my life and Sagittarius' life, and possibly saving your broken ribs from puncturing a lung. I can't bring myself to be mad at her."

"You should have seen Taurus earlier!" grinned Virgo. "She climbed up a rope in the training room by using only her upper body strength. Nobody else could even climb it the top, let along get up and lower themselves back down."

"And the Lee stormed out. He tried to make fun of her yesterday but he's not nearly as strong as her," chuckled Aries. "Taurus will beat them all with her upper body strength alone."

"What's this?" Libra noticed a new group chat on her phone called Zodiac Party.

Leon: I decided to make a group chat for everyone! Now we can all talk and become better friends

Sagittarius: Leon I really don't think you understand the concept of the trials. We're your enemies

Leon: but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends!

Saggi left the chat

Aquarius left the chat

Sagittarius: I'm pretty sure Saggi and Aqua have the same personality

Saggi was added to the chat

Aquarius was added to the chat

Aquari: why do we need a chat with everyone? I hate half of you guys

Aquarius: well we don't like you either

Pisces: lol now I have all the alternates phone numbers

Pisces: enjoy my prank texts motherfuckers

Vinn: Leon why did you have to let them have our numbers

Leon: stop whining about the group chat

Sagittarius: but we don't want to be in a chat with you guys

Pisces: Saggi is right

Saggi: I didn't say anything

Pisces: I meant Sagittarius. This is confusing, I guess we can't use that nickname anymore

Gem: I'm only here because our chats are chaotic as they are lol this is going to be a MESS

Lee: I hate all of you

Lee left the chat

Aquari: nobody add him back

Pisces: normally I'd do it just because you said not to, but I don't want him back either

Libra: there's so many people in this chat

Sagittarius: only until the kicking wars

Capri: you guys have kicking wars too?

Cancer: what are your group chats usually like?

Vinn: usually Leon, me, Lee, Aquari and Pie get kicked at some point

Libra: lol that's only five people

Libra: must be nice

Taur: I knew they were crazy

Pisces: no YOU'RE the crazy ones

Pisces: no wait we're crazy

Leon: so let's get to know each other by answering questions!

Scorpio: I think Ares should answer a lot of questions so I can know him better. It'll be easier to find his weaknesses that way

Ares: is Scorpio afraid of anything?

Aries: she has no fears

Ares: I don't believe you

Ares: EVERYONE is afraid of SOMETHING

Scorpio: then what's your fear

Leo: she's afraid of clowns

Ares: WHAT

Scorpio: LEO HOW COULD YOU

Ares: is she afraid of literally anything else

Leo: nope

Ares: okay

Aries: is there any alternate who speaks a lot of languages?

Leon: Vinn

Aries: 진심 이세요?

Vinn: 是

Aries: è buono

Vinn: ngayon maaari tayong makipag-usap nang lihim

Aries: hii itakuwa ya kufurahisha

Vinn: はい、とてもそうです

Aries: nous pouvons dire ce que nous voulons et ils ne comprendront pas

Vinn: sì

Aquarius: between the rest of us we can probably translate what you're saying

Vinn: เราจะใช้ภาษาที่คุณไม่รู้

Aries: nu vorbești această limbă

Pisces: nu, dar Google o face

Aries: since they can use google translate we'll have to speak in other languages in person

Vinn: my prononciation isn't very good in a few of my languages

Aries: me either

Aries: guys I think I have a new friend

Leon: Wasn't it a good idea to create this group chat? Now there's even new friendships!!!

Sagittarius: I still don't like any of the alternates

Scor: you seem close with Gem

Sagittarius: fuck you she's not an alternate

Capricorn: I thought with 24 people half the chat would be kicked by now

Leon: we're getting along, that's why nobody is getting kicked

Aries: I actually don't mind being friends with you guys

Saggi: I do

Aries was kicked from the chat

Sagittarius: two can play that game

Vinn was kicked from the chat

Leon: guys no this is supposed to be a chat for everyone to be friends

Capri: I think they need to get used to each other. I don't mind the originals, I just have to be careful around original Capricorn because we're competing over who gets to rule Capra

Capricorn: how had Capra been doing since I left?

Capri: good! We've been producing a lot of new technology and the citizens are very happy

Capri: some towns urbanized and turned into small cities, but there's still a lot of areas that are just hills and farmland

Capricorn: good

Capri: I didn't want to turn too many towns into cities because I love the small farming towns and the pretty scenery

Capricorn: me too!

Capri: so I guess we're going to get along?

Capricorn: I still have to beat you, but I wouldn't mind being your friend

Capri: 😆

Ares: Leon there's got to be something about Scorpio that you can tell me

Leon: she's afraid of clowns

Ares: there has to be something else that's so useless

Scorpio: 🤡 you're afraid of clowns aren't you?

Ares: why would I be scared of those dumb things

Scorpio: 😏

Ares: fuck she's good

Ares: she may even be close to my level

Scorpio: I don't want to jump down there

Ares: you're the most annoying rival I've ever had. I can't stand you at all

Scorpio: that's because I'm better than you. Stay pressed little baby

Ares: I'm older than you

Scorpio: you are not

Scorpio was kicked from the chat

Ares was kicked from the chat

Taurus: am I the only one finding the rival thing amusing

Pisces: I'm going to get them pissed at each other on purpose and watch what happens

Scor: oh no there's an original like that too?

Virgo: like what?

Scor: shit disturber. Always creates chaos just to see what happens

Virgo: we have everyone except me, Taurus, Libra, and Aquarius. Which alternate is it?

Scor: Vinn, Saggi and Pie

Taurus: really? Vinn seems like she's mature like Virgo and Libra

Scor: yeah but she's also crazy

Pisces: yay another member for the crazy club

Sagittarius: we like crazy but we still don't like you guys

Sagittarius was kicked from the chat

Saggi: heh

Saggi: I am the best Sagittarius

Leo: she's really stubborn

Leon: clearly

Pisces: she's stubborn but at least she's not a loser like you guys

Pisces: Sagittarius sounds way better than Saggi anyway. Your name literally sucks it's just Sagittarius' nickname

Pisces was kicked from the chat

Pie: Im a shit disturber but I'm not rude like him

Aquari: ...

Pie: shut up you're rude too

Aquari: it's not that I'm rude. I just don't care so I say things as they are

Pie: yeah, you are really blunt

Aquari: it's your problem if it comes across as rude

Aquarius: wow

Aquari: something you want to say?

Aquarius: I'm blunt too lol

Aquarius: but I still don't like you just because we have something in common

Aquari: obviously not

Taur: it's hard seeing who said what because Aquari and Aquarius look the same when you just glance at the names

Scor: ikr

Pie: how is Cancy

Libra: still sleeping. Why?

Pie: because I'm concerned since she's an alternate obviously

Aquarius: Pie cares about Cancy. Noted

Pie: I care about all the alternates because I don't want any originals to be in power

Pie: I do not care about Cancy herself at all I even had a gun to her head remember?

Aquarius: aww. You REALLY care

Pie: FUCK YOU

Aquarius was kicked from the chat

Cancer: there's more kicked originals than alternates

Pie was kicked from the chat

Aquari was kicked from the chat

Gem: who survived?

Taurus: me

Capri: me

Virgo: me

Libra: me

Cancer: me

Taur: me

Gemini: me

Leon: me

Scor: me

Leo: me

Saggi: me

Capricorn: me

Leon: Cancy is still here even though she's sleeping

Taurus: Gemini you didn't even say anything yet

Gemini: I was walking back to the training room

Gemini: I don't walk and text

Cancer: that's probably a good idea because I always crash into walls

Taurus: I'm going back to training now

Gemini: everyone is finished talking now that I'm here?

Taurus: yes. We don't like you

Capricorn: who does lol

Gemini: no cuddles for you tonight

Capricorn: haha I mean Gemini is my favourite person

Gemini: that's better

Taurus: don't take his side Cappy

Capricorn: I need my cuddles

Taurus: well Cancer is still on my side

Cancer: no I'm on brother Gemini's side

Cancer was kicked from the chat

Taurus: it's not too late to join my side Cappy

Capricorn: no

Capricorn was kicked from the chat

Gemini: that's just petty

Capri: I'm not Capricorn but I am still a Capricorn so I can take your side

Taurus: okay. Tell Cappy I have a new earth sign buddy

Capri was kicked from the chat

Gemini: now you have nobody again

Gemini: Cappy said he'll just replace you with your alternate

Taur: I don't like friends

Leon: yes you do

Taur: no I don't

Leon: yes you do

Taur: no I don't

Leon: yes you do

Taur: no I don't

Leon: yes you do

Gem: ANYWAY I'm taking Taurus' side

Gemini: not this shit again

Gemini: wait I have a solution

Taurus was kicked from the chat

Gem: now who's petty

Scor: you guys kicked almost everyone

Leo: yeah that's usually what happens

Scor: guess we're not getting along after all

Leon: SOME people are getting along. I'll just take what I can get

***

Later on that night, Gem left her room to meet Gemini in the hallway. "What?"

Gemini walked towards the lobby and sat on one of the couches. Gem sat on the opposite end.

"I don't care if you're my alternate or not."

Gem sighed. "Ophiuchus was probably telling the truth."

"Weather she was telling the truth or lying, you're still my little sister."

"But if Gina and I are your alternates, then we're like your cousins."

"You don't need to be my biological sister to be my sister. You've been my little sister for almost a year. I can't consider you to be anyone else."

"I think I don't want to believe it because that would make Gina my twin sister, which means my twin sister is dead."

Gemini scooted closer to Gem and pulled her into a hug. "Your big brother is here for you."

Gem frowned. "You love emphasizing that you're older, don't you?"

"And I like calling you little sister because you're short."

Gem stomped on Gemini's foot. "Asshole. You're only a few inches taller than me."

"But a few inches of height makes a big difference."

"I can't believe I could actually be an alternate."

"Gina is an alternate. You're still an original zodiac because you're still in our friend group. Anyone who tries to divide us with the original/alternate thing can go to hell, where Ophiuchus belongs."

Gem chuckled. "So if we're still brother and sister no matter what, does that mean I'll still be Capricorn's future sister-in-law?"

Gemini headed back towards his room. "I'm going to sleep."

"You're blushing aren't you? My twin senses are telling me that you're blushing!"

Gemini stuck his middle finger up before turning the corner.

A/N: I'll post this again in case some people didn't see it in the last chapter of Zodiac Trials:
There is an upcoming Truth or Dare chapter. Please request questions or dares for the original zodiacs (including Gem) and one mystery character. If you need inspiration, read the truth or dare chapters in Zodiac Mansion or Zodiac Adventures. The more questions/dares I get, the longer the chapter will be (I don't have a lot yet). Also request as many questions/dares as you want