Actor: Tyrone Smithers

Aries presses his face to the window in sorrow as Pisces and Libra were being taken away to Flammae for a few days. His best friend was gone and now he had to actually work. This was unfair. He'd been bullshitting his way through the entire job so far because he managed to befriend the prince, and now he had no clue what he was doing.

"Excuse me, Aries?" Nebula asked from behind him. "Why the hell do you look like a sad puppy?"

"They took Pisces away," Aries replied, not looking at her. "And Leo, Libra, and the weak general dude."

Nebula shrugged. "Cool. Mom wants you in the throne room."

"Okay, Neb," Aries replied, taking his face off the glass. At least one of his friends remained in the castle. Except she's the one who can see through his bullshit.

Aries walked to the throne room mournfully. What was Andromeda going to have him do? Clean the floor? Do the dishes? Help out Gemini during rush hour? To him, each of those were scary thoughts.

He pushed open the throne room door to see Queen Andromeda sitting there alone. She smiled when she saw him and beckoned him closer. Aries gulped and obliged.

"Aries, would you do me a favor?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes, your majesty," Aries replied, bowing.

"Take me to that bakery you like, please," Andromeda asked. "My mother will be in town for the wedding, and she has incredibly high standards. If this baker is as good as you say she is, it will work out well."

"You've had her treats before, your majesty," reminded Aries.

"Yes, but I'd like to properly meet this girl," Andromeda said, leaning in. "I do believe you once described her as anything but common."

"Well," Aries nodded, "You've got that right."

Aries took Andromeda through the village, pointing out little thins as they went. He was kind of nervous. Imagine what Gemini would say. At least a days notice! Honestly, your timing is so bad. Hey, branch. Yeah, this wouldn't end well.

Aries opened the door to the bakery. It looked as if rush hour had finally ended. Gemini was sitting down, her hair in a messy ponytail and she looked extremely tired. As soon as she heard the bell ring, she stood back up again and plastered a smile on her face, until she saw it was Aries.

"Hey, Branch," Gemini said with a smile.

"Heya, Gem," Aries replied. "I've brought a friend."

"Wow, didn't know you had any," Gemini snorted, before bursting into a giggle fit.

"God, you're tired," Aries muttered, before saying, "This is Queen Andromeda."

Andromeda stepped into the bakery. Gemini blinked twice and immediately started bowing. Aries grabbed her arms and forced her to rise before she could make a fool of herself.

"Your majesty, it's such an honor to have you here," Gemini said brightly.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you again, Gemini," Andromeda replied. "Let's have a seat, shall we?"

Gemini nodded and pulled out a seat for Andromeda. Gemini sat in her own, leaving Aries to fend for himself.

Andromeda smiled at the girl. "Gemini, your baked goods are amazing. I suppose you get your talent from your grandfather?"

"Yes," Gemini replied. "He was the best baker in all of the kingdoms."

"I also heard he was a good man," Andromeda added. "My mother fell in love with him when they were young, but he knew it wouldn't work. He wasn't willing to give up his passion to be royal. Does this story sound familiar?"

Aries could tell Gemini was internally screaming. She cooly said, "I never heard stories of him and the former queen. Just of him and grandma."

"Does it perhaps relate to your life?" Andromeda asked.

Gemini turned to Aries. "Aries what did you say to her?"

"Nothing!" Aries defended.

"Gemini, I need to thank you for shooting down my son," Andromeda said.

"Wait, What?" Gemini asked.

"Pisces always deserves love," Andromeda continued. "But he's not mature like you. He doesn't know the difference between puppy love and real love yet. And something tells me you two's world would not have mixed well."

"You're welcome, I suppose?" Gemini was still confused.

"Your name is so lovely," Andromeda changed the subject. "Who picked it out?"

"My dad did," Gemini replied. "After mom."

"You've passed," declared Andromeda.

"What?" Aries and Gemini cried in unison.

"How would you like to cater Pisces and Libra's wedding?" Andromeda asked.

"I would love to, but what the hell?" Gemini asked.

"You're an amazing baker, Gemini," Andromeda told her. "I just wanted to make sure you were a good person."

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"I spy something—" Pisces was cutoff by a chorus of his friends saying, "dirt."

"How did you guys know?" Pisces pouted.

"Look around, there's nothing else for miles," Libra huffed. "Let's just play a different game."

"Like what?" Pisces asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter. We're here," Leo pointed out.

Libra sighed in a short-lived relief as they all exited the carriage. The palace was grand, but the air around it held its breath. Leo put a hand on her sword, feeling uneasy. Something was wrong here.

They all entered the castle, with Libra leading them to the throne room. Inside was Cepheus, a woman, and Taurus. Taurus glanced at Libra uncomfortably as Cepheus turned around with an unsettling smile.

"Libra!" He said, rushing towards her. "Perfect timing, I would like you to meet my fiancé."

"Hello, Dear, it's nice to see you again," the lady said. "I'm Corona Borealis. I believe you've met my daughter Taurus?"

Libra looked numb. Pisces glanced around, confused as hell. Taurus was giving the stink eye to Cepheus. Sagittarius watched the whole thing play out. Leo squinted. Something was wrong there. She could feel it.

"I, uh, yes," Libra stuttered out. "I have."

Libra turned to her father. Her hands were suddenly fists and her jaw was clenched. "When were you going to tell me about this?"

"Right now," Cepheus explained, with a wide smile.

Libra's eyes widened and she spun around to face Taurus. "And you're okay with this?"

"Do I look okay with this?" Taurus asked sarcastically.

"Mood," Pisces commented, which evidently did not help the situation.

"You can't just tell me like this! How do you expect me to not be upset?" Libra yelled.

"Your highness, it would not be wise—" Sagittarius tried to warn Libra, but it didn't work.

"Oh, fuck wise. Fuck it all," Libra scoffed.

"But, Princess Libra—" Sagittarius attempted again.

"Let the girl talk,"' Leo decided.

"Listen, I know you aren't happy with this, but—" Cepheus tried to reason.

"What about mom?" Those three words hung in the air. They would stay there for a long time following.

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"King Draco!" Capricorn yelled, rushing into the throne room. "Urgent news from Flammae!"

Draco stood up. Ursa was running right behind Capricorn. Draco asked, "Is it Pisces?"

"Luckily, no," Capricorn said. "It's worse."

"Spit it out, boy," Draco demanded.

"King Cepheus is getting married to a woman named Corona Borealis," Capricorn said in a hurry.

"He's stalling," Draco realized. "He's going to drag out the time before Pisces and Libra get married. He's going to drag this war out as long as he possibly can."

"Does this mean...?" Ursa asked, his eyes wide.

"I'm afraid so," Draco grimaced. "Prepare the soldiers. We don't know when the next attack will be."

"Yes, sir," Capricorn agreed. "Anything else?"

"Deliver the message that we accept their invitation," Draco said. "Oh, and Capricorn?"

"Yes, sir?" Capricorn asked him, straightening his posture.

"I believe it's time for a promotion," Draco paused, "and a raise."

"Really, sir?" Draco nodded. "Thank you, sir. I won't disappoint you."

"I know you won't, General Capricorn," Draco assured him. "Once Leo gets back, you and her can discuss military tactics and you can train under her for a while. Perhaps you could even accompany her to Solis for a while."

"That would be amazing," Capricorn said with a stupid grin. "Thank you again, sir."

"Move your stuff into the general's quarters immediately," said Draco. "Ursa, endure Scorpio and Aquarius get this urgent message. Tell them we need to meet."

"Yes, sir," Ursa agreed. He turned to leave, but before that, he gave Capricorn a pat on the back. "Congrats, Cappy."

"Thanks, man," Capricorn replied. "Good luck. Be safe out there."

Ursa nodded and left. He needed to get to Solis, and fast.

—————

"Scorpio, there's a man pounding on the door! He says King Draco sent him," Cancer told her.

Scorpio furrowed her eyebrows, but nodded. "Let him in. This may be about Cepheus' wedding."

Cancer nodded and ran to the door.  She pulled them open to reveal Ursa looking slightly bruised and beat up. He let out a long sigh and said, "Where's Queen Scorpio and Prince Aquarius? I've come a long way and we really need to talk."

Cancer nodded and lead him to the throne room. "Right this way."

Together they walked into the throne room, with Scorpio and Aquarius waiting. Scorpio looked rather serious while Aquarius looked very bored.

"What news do you bring?" Scorpio asked him.

"I assume you've heard about the wedding," Ursa explained. "Kung Draco assumes that it's a way to put of Pisces' and Libra's wedding. A way to drag the war on as long as possible."

"Is that so? Interesting." Scorpio frowned down at the boy. "Is that all?"

"He wants to meet with you and Aquarius tomorrow," Ursa explained.

"Why are you so beat up?" Aquarius asked. He was sick of war talk.

"Thieves from Flammae," Ursa said. "They wore the flag on their chests proudly."

"Cancer, get him to the infirmity and have the nurse wrap up any wounds," Aquarius said, leaving Scorpio's mouth open. "What? I'm just helping him out."

"Yes, Aquarius," Cancer nodded, leading Ursa away. "I'll see you both at dinner."

"You can't just dismiss people like that," Scorpio said, rolling her eyes. "He May have had more information."

"He was hurt. What did you want me to do?" Aquarius scoffed.

"Wait until I dismissed him," Scorpio explained. "What has gotten into you?"

"This war is hurting people," Aquarius said, exasperated. "Not us, our citizens. And goddammit if I want to keep them all safe."

"Aquarius, I know this is a concern for you, but right now—"

"No. Right now our citizens may be getting beaten and bruised in our own streets. Our people are down there; my friends are down there," Aquarius explained.

"Listen, I know how you feel—" Scorpio started, only to be interrupted again.

"No, you don't," Aquarius frowned at her. "You don't socialize with them. Hell, you don't socialize with anyone outside the castle—"

"When Mom and Dad went outside they died, Aqua," Scorpio said, slamming her hands down. "And forgive me if I don't want my brother to be next."

"Why can't you admit that you're scared?" Aquarius asked, running his fingers through his hair. "You act like it'll ruin your pride, but you know what? Fuck your pride. Pride doesn't do anything but get in the way."

Scorpio stayed quiet for a moment and studied Aquarius. He seemed upset. Different. Finally, she took a deep breath and approached him,

"I am scared. I'm scared for you," Scorpio told him. "I'm scared for Cancer. And I'm desperately terrified for myself. But would you like to know something? I wasn't always scared."

Aquarius raised an eyebrow. "Really? Give me one example of when you weren't scared for anyone."

"When You were first born, I tried to drop you down a well."

"Ding, ding, ding," Aquarius said. "We have a winner! Was I really that bad a baby?"

"The worst. I tried taping your mouth shut, basically killing you, dropping you off at an orphanage, but you still never shut the hell up," Scorpio admitted. "And look at you now. Not a single thing has changed."

"You know, I'm glad you were born first," Aquarius admitted. "I'd be a really bad king."

"You did just hear that I tried to drown you, right?" Scorpio asked, chuckling.

"One day, I'm gonna life with the normal people. Not royals, not nobles, just honest people like you and me," Aquarius said happily. "Try and make a difference. Maybe adopt a kid or two. Help my community."

"Yeah, well you can do that once you aren't a kid anymore," Scorpio promised.

"When will that be?" Aquarius asked.

"Depends on how long I'll need someone to boss around."

Aquarius groaned. "I'm never leaving, am I?"

"Nope. Now, go get ready for tomorrow. And don't look like..." Scorpio looked for a word that wouldn't offend him too much. "...you."

—————

Hello humans and inhumans. This is your captain speaking and we're just gonna take a trip to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and Lay there until a shark eats us so we don't have to take our bio tests. Anyways, see you on the Flip side my dudes.