After getting home last night, Virgo and Libra decided instead of screaming at everyone for covering every surface with rainbow glitter, they'd plan their revenge instead.

It was nine am. Virgo and Libra were in the dinning room, finishing their breakfast while sitting on chairs covered in rainbow sprinkles. Their clothes were also covered in sparkles, and so was their hair from all the sparkles in their beds.

"Are you texting the others?" Virgo noticed Libra typing on her phone.

"No. I'm texting Olive. She's feeling a lot better now."

"Didn't she almost faint during her history final?"

"Yeah, but she was almost finished. A teacher filled in her bubble sheet with the multiple choice that she circled. I hope she's alright. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with her, but she was noticeably sick for a while."

"She could have some kind of condition that the doctors haven't discovered yet."

"I hope that she just got really sick and it's all over now."

"I'll text the others for their punishment now."

Virgo texted a group chat called: rainbow glitter is the best glitter fight me Virgo

Virgo: I hope you guys are awake

Pisces: I was but now I'm going back to sleep

Libra: since you guys covered the entire house in rainbow glitter, we have a punishment for you guys

Pisces: kinky

Pisces: just don't do anything that could hurt my face

Libra: for his vulgar comments, Pisces will be giving everyone a free foot bath and massage later

Cancer: I'm going to make sure my feet are nice and sweaty

Cancer: wait but what if he has a sweaty foot kink

Virgo: ANYWAY we will give you guys ten minutes to hide. You're not allowed to leave the house, hide in bedrooms, or get in any cars. When me or Libra find you, we will lock you in a cage until everyone is caught. Then you'll all receive the consequences of your actions

Libra: Scorpio is excluded from this because we're not even going to try to catch her

Scorpio: SUCKERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Scorpio: Cheeto says meow

Sagittarius: MEOW

Scorpio: Cheeto says thank you

Virgo: we know Taurus and Aquarius didn't participate. Anyone else?

Aries: I'm innocent!

Libra: if you're a fire sign, a water sign or an air sign named Gem you're not allowed to even pretend you didn't participate in the prank

Gem: I wasn't even involved in this conversation. Why did you have to bring me up Libra?

Libra: because you're always guilty. 100% of the time

Taurus: you're right. I would never do anything so immature

Virgo: who else didn't participate?

Gemini: I didn't

Taurus: it's true he didn't

Capricorn: I didn't either

Taurus: that's not believable. Sorry Cap

Leo: so what happens if you don't find us?

Virgo: if we don't find you within three hours, you get to avoid punishment

Scorpio: I have a feeling you won't find Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gem or Pisces

Libra: why are you so sure of that

Scorpio: gut feeling. It's not like I'm keeping SECRETs

Leo: 👍

Gem: if you don't find us we get to throw sparkles in your faces

Libra: i'm actually okay with that

Pisces: and you'll have to clean the glitter instead of making us do it

Virgo: okay

Libra: we'll find you all. Virgo and I will use our detective skills to find everyone

Virgo: we're detectives now?

Libra: yeah. We're that pair of detectives that love each other

Libra: but platonically

Virgo: I know you're joking but I actually see the word platonic in my nightmares

Libra: I could feel my soul slipping away every time I said it

Cancer: THEN WHY DID YOU SAY IT SO OFTEN

Virgo: we had to convince each other that we didn't like each other

Taurus: I was starting to think you guys were going to just hang out a lot and... like... stuff like having a child, but call it platonic

Pisces: we usually just call that friends with benefits

Pisces was kicked from the chat

Gemini: so you're looking for everyone except me, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aqua?

Libra: if you try to help the others, we'll punish you too

Virgo: your three hours start... NOW

Gem: okay guys lets make plans

Virgo was kicked from the chat

Libra was kicked from the chat

Cancer: Taurus, Aqua, Scorpio and Gemini are you guys on our side?

Taurus: I'm the one who came up with the glitter prank

Gemini: we'll secretly help you guys

Scorpio: I'm going back to sleep

Aquarius: I'm not getting involved

Sagittarius: AQUA YOUR BESTIES NEED YOU

Aries: WE NEED YOU AQUA

Aquarius: I don't care

Leo: don't you dare let your best friends down

Taurus: yeah, help us out

Scorpio: as your best friend I demand that you help them

Gem: I officially declared us best friends yesterday so you have to help me too

Capricorn: why is Aqua literally best friends with all the girls except Libra

Aquarius: I don't know. I have many regrets

Leo: you love being our bestie

Aquarius: a week ago you guys made me participate in your annual girl's "spa session" and made me get a manicure and pedicure, before admitting that you made the whole thing up just to paint my nails and toenails

Gem: was your nail polish not fabulous enough

Leo: of course it was

Aquarius: I don't like having hot pink nails, and sparkly baby blue toe nails

Capricorn: somehow I'm satisfied with not being best friends with all of you

Cancer: me too

Gemini: especially Gem. Who would want to be associated with her

Gem: I'm your twin sister

Gemini: we should take a DNA test because maybe (hopefully) you're not

Gem: that's so mean! I'm actually crying why would you say that

Sagittarius: she's not crying she's laughing

Sagittarius was kicked from the chat

Gem: anyway I'm really sad! Ten dollars for emotional support would make me feel better

Gemini: stay sad then

Gem: this is bullying

Taurus: sometimes I wish I had a sibling to torment like that

Gemini: NO YOU DON'T

Gem: NO YOU DON'T

Cancer: but I'm Gemini's twin sister

Gemini: yeah. You're a better sister anyway

Leo: that joke is so old

Cancer: jokes don't have ages it's ageless

Leo: where are you all hiding

Taurus: in plain sight since they don't suspect me

Gemini: they kinda suspect me so I'll pretend to help them

Aquarius: since I'm not allowed to stay in my room, I'll just do my daily routine

Aries: I'll hide with Aqua

Aquarius: but I won't be hiding

Aries: EXACTLY!

Aquarius: then how are you going to hide

Aries: you'll see

Leo: my hiding spot is a secret

Capricorn: I'm going to hide in the ball pit

Gem: roof

Cancer: bottom of pool in Scorpio's room

Scorpio: no you're not

Cancer: yes I am

Scorpio: step one foot in my room. I'm waiting for you

Cancer: kitchen cupboards behind all the pots

Scorpio: I'm not hiding from them so I'll be sleeping in the pillow room since I can't stay in my bed

Scorpio: don't wake me or else

Gem: or else what

Scorpio: you don't want to find out

Cancer: Pisces is hiding in the art room

Cancer: where is Sagittarius hiding

Leo: she won't tell me

Aries: I have a feeling it's the same place you're going to hide Leo

Aquarius: where

Aries: its a secret

Gemini: we should all start hiding now

While everyone quickly found hiding spots around the house, Virgo and Libra sipped from their coffee and hot chocolate.

Virgo tipped his mug back to drink the last sip, when he spit out his coffee.

Libra immediately jumped to her feet. "Are you alright?"

Virgo nodded. "There was a bunch of sparkles in my coffee."

"Lets go find those suckers."

***

Aquarius lifted weights while Aries watched.

"Can you at least lift some weights so it's not awkward?"

Aries furrowed her brow. "How is this awkward?"

"You're just watching me exercise."

"I'm only here because Libra and Virgo aren't interested in finding you."

"I'm only going to stay here until I'm finished my workout. Then I'm going to swim laps in the pool."

"You must have a lot of muscles if you work out so much."

"Do you have a thing for muscles?"

"Yes."

"Elaborate?"

"No."

Aquarius finished his set and moved to a different machine. He paused to drink from his water before starting to use the weights. "So you're just going to talk to me for my entire training program?"

Aries jumped up at the sound of footsteps. She hid behind a rack of weights.

Virgo opened the door and looked at Aquarius. "Hi."

Aquarius nodded. "Still looking for everyone?"

"Yeah. Let me know if you see anyone." Virgo closed the door and left.

Aries got up and walked back to where she was. "Now that he thinks there's nobody here, I'll work out with you. Pass me an earphone."

Aquarius handed Aries a wireless headphone so she could listen to music as she worked out.

***

Gemini walked in the living room to see Capricorn sleeping in a cage on top of the coffee table.

"I found him at the bottom of the ballpit. He must be tired because he was sleeping, then he fell asleep again in the cage." Libra sat on the couch, watching Capricorn.

Gemini sat in front of the cage. "Can't you at least give him a pillow and blanket? Look at him sleeping so cutely."

Libra shook her head. "I'm not going to open the cage in case he wakes up and tries to escape."

"But... he can't be too comfortable in the cage like that."

"If he escapes because you open the cage, I'll lock you up like everyone else. The only reason I'm excluding you from the punishment is because Taurus is innocent and she said you're innocent too."

"I'll watch the cage."

Libra squinted her eyes. "I don't know if I trust you to watch the prisoners."

"If I let Cappy out, then you know I'm on their side. Trust me, I won't let him out because I'm on your side."

"I'll go search the kitchen." Libra walked in the kitchen and opened all the cupboard doors. She was about to start looking behind things in the cupboards, when Virgo entered the kitchen.

"I see you found Capricorn." Virgo opened the fridge and opened a cup of yogurt.

"I didn't find anyone else yet."

"We've only been looking for twenty minutes."

"We only have three hours."

"We'll find them all later."

"As long as they obey our rules."

"Wait, there's sparkles on your face." Virgo gently brushed Libra's forehead before kissing her there.

Libra wrapped her arms around Virgo and hugged him to hide her blushing face.

"Are you blushing?"

"No."

"Then why did you randomly give me a hug?"

"Because I like hugs."

Virgo smiled and stroked Libra's hair. "You're hiding your blush."

"I don't blush. But don't pull away yet, I'm not ready to stop hugging you yet."

"I can see your blush in your ears. They're both red."

Libra pulled away from Virgo to smack his arm. "Let's go catch some more culprits."

"We'll find them all."

Libra entered the living room and sighed. Capricorn slept in the cage with a blanket under and on top of him. A pillow was placed under his head, and his fingers were interlocked through the bars with Gemini's who was now sleeping on the couch.

***

Leo and Sagittarius were relaxing in the secret lair.

"Do we have any cans of pop left?" Sagittarius opened the mini fridge and tossed Leo a can of root beer before taking a can of orange pop for herself.

"We just have to stay down here for another two hours and half." Leo sprawled out across the couch. "Why did they wake us up so early in the morning? I'm going back to sleep."

"Don't sleep. I need somebody to talk to or else I'll get bored."

"Alright."

"Isn't it weird how everyone is in a relationship?"

"Not really. Why? You want to date someone?"

Sagittarius shrugged. "There's nobody in particular. I just notice how almost everyone else is in a relationship. Sometimes, I wish I had someone to take me on dates and cuddle while we watch movies and stuff."

"You cuddle both Aries and Gem and watch movies with them."

"Yeah, but it's not the same."

"Not really, but you'll find someone eventually."

"Can you imagine me dating anyone in particular?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is there anyone I'd make a cute couple with?"

"I can't think of anyone."

"Not Aquarius though, because I'd never date him. I like having him as my best friend so I wouldn't want to date him."

"The only other guy is Pisces."

Sagittarius blushed lightly. "I don't think I'd date him either."

Leo smirked at Sagittarius. "You're lying."

"What do you mean? I don't like Pisces!"

"You're literally blushing."

"We're more close now, but I don't know if I actually like Pisces."

"Why would you like him anyway?"

"He's secretly really caring. Remember how he took care of me when I had that heart attack? And I like spending time with him. We stay up watching Netflix together."

"I can't remember seeing you smile that way very often. Saggi, I think you like Pisces."

"Definitely not!"

"You're in denial?"

"Not at all!"

"So... you wouldn't mind if he dated anyone else?"

"I don't care."

"I think Gem likes him."

"You're just saying that to see how I'll react."

"We're best friends. Why can't you admit to me that you like Pisces?"

"Because I don't. Actually, you should go to sleep like you said you were going to earlier."

Leo sighed and closed her eyes. Is it because you won't even admit it to yourself?

***

Taurus wheeled into the living room to find Capricorn in a cage. She was supposed to watch him while Gemini took a shower.

Capricorn woke up as Taurus approached. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"How did you get caught?" Taurus paused in front of the cage.

Capricorn smiled at Taurus. "Libra found me in the ball pit. I think I fell asleep after she put me here. At least they gave me blankets and a pillow."

"I'm bored and nobody wants to do anything. Scorpio is sleeping and Aquarius is training with Aries in the training room. Everyone else is hiding."

"If you let me out, we can escape the house and go walk around or something."

Taurus glanced at the window. It was hot and sunny with a cool breeze. "Alright."

Taurus was in the middle of picking the lock, when Libra stepped out of the elevator.

Taurus gasped. "I can't believe he used mind control to make me try to help him escape."

Libra shook her head. "I didn't expect this kind of betrayal from you, Taurus."

"That's right. I came up with the glitter plan, and I participated."

"Then I'll have to punish you too."

"You're just going to punish the paraplegic girl with zero working legs?"

"That card doesn't work on me anymore. You're going in the closet."

"You can't do this to me!"

"We'll let you out later." Libra wheeled Taurus in the closet and locked the door.

"It's year two thousand nineteen and you're still forcing people to stay in the closet?"

Libra rolled her eyes. "Physically, yes. You won't trick me by saying stuff like that."

Capricorn stared in awe. "She's completely immune to your mind games. I'm impressed."

"Gemini will join you soon. We'll look for him now that Taurus is unreliable." Libra walked back in the elevator.

"Do you have any regrets?" asked Capricorn.

"None. I hid another bag of sparkles under the couch."

"They're not going to find everyone."

Gemini stepped out of the elevator. His wet hair was brushed back and he smelled fresh from just getting out of the shower.

"Gemini... help us!" pleaded Capricorn.

"Libra locked me in the closet!"

Gemini chuckled. "Sure, I'll help you Taurus." He opened the closet door before kneeling in front of the cage. "Why should I help you?"

"I'm your boyfriend."

"So?"

"Please... babe."

"Its more fun if I leave you there."

Capricorn smiled shyly. "Please?"

"How dare you attack me with your cute smile like that. Fine, I'll let you out." Gemini picked the lock to let Capricorn out.

Taurus glanced at the elevator. "We have to go before Libra or Virgo get back."

Capricorn kissed Gemini on the cheek before running out the front door with Taurus.

Gemini quickly looked around for somewhere to hide. If Libra knew that Taurus was involved in the prank, then she likely suspected him too.

***

Cancer was starting to feel claustrophobic under the cupboard, so he texted Pisces.

Cancer: where are you

Pisces: behind a canvas in the art room

Cancer: I'm hiding in the pool room

Pisces: wait, no you're not

Cancer: the only way you'd know that is if you're there

Pisces: will you betray me?

Cancer: no

Pisces: I'm in the towel closet

Cancer: I'm in a confined space so let's talk

Pisces: okay

Cancer: are you scared? It's summer

Pisces: not really

Cancer: the trials are coming up

Pisces: I'm not afraid

Cancer: I'm worried

Pisces: we'll be fine

Cancer: what if something happens

Pisces: then there's nothing we can do about it

Cancer: what if we all win, but our friendship falls apart again?

Pisces: we were manipulated into fighting that war

Cancer: but what if we get manipulated again?

Pisces: we know better this time

Cancer: I wonder what my alternate looks like. Maybe she has blue hair and blue eyes like me

Pisces: I'm sure she's hideous if she looks like you

Cancer: I can't say anything because your alternate is actually really pretty

Pisces: I've seen prettier

Cancer: who? 👀

Pisces: like on tv and stuff

Cancer: I also think she's really pretty. Not as pretty as Taurus, but still pretty

Pisces: what

Cancer: the girl you're talking about. Her hair is a weird colour though

Pisces: what's wrong with her hair colour? Red hair is really pretty, you're just jealous that you don't have red hair

Cancer: :)

Pisces: asshole

Cancer: you really like Sagittarius, don't you

Pisces: FUCK OFF

Cancer: you don't like Aries like that, so it's Sagittarius. They're the only girls with red hair

Pisces: that doesn't prove anything

Cancer: you're mad that I tricked you

Pisces: I let myself be tricked

Cancer: bullshit

Pisces: anyway, I have important stuff to do

Cancer: so you're just going to stop talking to me

Pisces: yes

Cancer: fine

Pisces: but don't tell Libra or Virgo where I am and I won't tell where you are

Cancer: okay

***

Scorpio was sleeping peacefully in the pillow room. She had herself surrounded by pillows while she slept on a quilt, with a thin blanket on top of her.

Gem crawled towards Scorpio and sat beside her.

"Come here Cheeto." Scorpio reached for Gem in her sleep. She immediately woke up when she felt a human hand instead of her cat.

"Hi."

Scorpio glared at Gem. "You have ten seconds to explain yourself."

"I didn't mean to wake you, I just wanted to hide here since Libra and Virgo are avoiding this room since you're here."

"You woke me up."

"Just go back to sleep."

"I'm awake now. I can't just immediately fall asleep."

"We can fall asleep together. Do you mind cuddling?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"Aww. I fall asleep best when Sagittarius cuddles me."

"I don't like physical contact like you guys. I don't understand how you, Sagittarius and Aries are always cuddling and hugging each other. I hate it when people touch me."

"We just really like physical contact."

"Can you leave, please?"

"Libra and Virgo will find me if I do."

"Fine. I'll only let you stay if you be quiet."

"How do I do that?"

Scorpio pulled an imaginary zipped across Gem's lips. "Don't open your mouth."

Gem puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. "Hmm mmmhmmm mmmmph. Hmmmph hmmm mmmmhmmmf."

"That's just as annoying."

Gem pulled the imaginary zipper back across her lips. "Let's play Minecraft together."

"But I'm tired."

"What if we sneak out of the house and get chocolate desserts at the bakery nearby? We can walk and enjoy the fresh air, it'll only take fifteen minutes to walk."

"I'm feeling lazy right now."

"We'll get there in two minutes with a car. I'll drive."

"Alright. Let's go."

Gem skipped over to the elevator and froze. "Someone just got on the elevator. We have to wait until they're gone."

Scorpio glanced at the elevator panel. "They're going to the basement. We just have to wait for them to get off, then we'll go up to the third floor where we'll sneak out the window."

"Good idea."

After a minute, Scorpio pressed the elevator button. The elevator was empty. Scorpio and Gem walked in, thinking about the desserts they were going to buy.

***

Libra smirked at her cage. "We have twenty minutes left. I think we'll do this."

Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius and Pisces glared at Libra.

Aries got caught trying to use the elevator to find a new hiding place, Gemini was caught hiding under the couch, Cancer got claustrophobic so he had to leave the cupboard while Virgo was conveniently there, Pisces was found in the pool room, and Leo and Sagittarius were found in the kitchen when they left the lair for a snack break.

Aquarius watched tv, not paying attention to anyone.

"We just have to find Gem." Virgo checked his phone. "Gem and Scorpio are both signed out of find my I-Phone. Capricorn and Taurus were both already caught, so we'll just put them in the cage when we find them."

"They probably left the house." Libra crossed her arms. "Then they broke the rules, therefore we won."

"So what's the punishment?" asked Leo.

"We'll tell you when we find everyone," replied Virgo.

Aquarius glanced at the zodiacs in the cage. "You guys will like the punishment."

"Aquaaaaaaaa~ can you get me out of here?" Sagittarius made a pouty face.

"No."

"He's so cruel."

Aries pulled a hairpin out of her pocket. "I'll get us out."

Virgo sighed. "You won't pick that lock from the inside."

The door opened. Taurus and Capricorn walked back in the house.

Libra grabbed their arms. "Back to the cage and closet for you guys."

"Actually, we have time sensitive plans." Capricorn broke free from Libra's grip and wheeled Taurus towards the cage.

"What's going on?" asked Pisces.

"We have a double date planned for tonight, so we need our boyfriends back." Taurus picked the lock to open the door. Gemini and Cancer exited the cage, but then a wind wall prevented anyone else from exiting until Libra locked the door again.

Capricorn, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer walked in the elevator, all glad to have avoided Libra's punishment.

"But, how is it time sensitive if the date is tonight?" asked Sagittarius. "Oh. They exaggerated to avoid punishment."

"The rest of you will still pay!" Libra looked out the window. "I don't see Scorpio or Gem anywhere. Let me check the garage."

Virgo nodded. "I'll check the backyard."

After Libra and Virgo left, Aquarius got off the couch and grabbed the key Libra carelessly left on the small coffee table by the door. He unlocked the cage and escaped with everyone before Libra and Virgo returned.

***

Later on that night, Libra and Virgo still couldn't find anyone, so they texted the chat.

Libra: guys it's late at night. Come back I won't make any punishments tonight

Virgo: also Pisces has to give us all foot baths

Sagittarius: how do we know you guys won't punish us if we return?

Gem: you sound desperate for us to come back

Libra: I don't want you all out in the dark. I can't find either of you, so you're not in the house

Taurus: I'm on a date

Cancer: same

Gemini: same

Capricorn: same

Virgo: you guys shouldn't be outside in the dark

Scorpio: I'm not scared of the dark

Gemini: we're almost finished anyway

Aries: we'll sneak back home when you guys are asleep

Virgo: I can't believe Aquarius betrayed us

Libra: first Taurus, then Aquarius

Aquarius: I was bored

Leo: he's a good best friend

Pisces: we're actually having fun out here in the dark

Libra: make sure you're all home by ten

Gem: okay mom

Libra looked at Virgo. They were sitting beside each other on the couch. "Somehow I'm worried about them."

"That's just your motherly instincts. We are technically the parents of eleven children."

"Want to watch Netflix until they come back?"

"Isn't it a little early for Netflix and chill?"

Libra threw a pillow at Virgo. "You know that's not what I meant."

Virgo chuckled. "I know. I'd love to Netflix without the chill."

Libra was about to torment Virgo again, when she received a text from Olive.

Olive: hi. Where are you guys?

Libra: home

Olive: all of you, right?

Libra: actually, I don't know where the others are. Four of them are on a double date, and I'm home with Virgo. Why?

Olive: you need to get everyone home immediately

Libra: what's going on? Olive?

Olive: I'll explain later. Tell everyone to get home immediately. I'm dead serious

Libra showed Virgo the messages. "What's going on?"

"I don't know but I'm not going to risk it." Virgo texted the group chat again.

Virgo: guys you all need to get home immediately

Cancer: yeah right

Gem: do you think you can trick us like that

Libra: we're serious. Something is going on and you all need to get home right now

Scorpio: what's going on then

Libra: I don't know but trust me

Capricorn: Gemini is driving us home now

Virgo: hurry

Leo: this is obviously a trick

Pisces: you'll have to think of something better than that Li-bruh

Libra: THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE ANNOYING FUCKING SMARTASSES. GET HOME RIGHT NOW SOMETHINGS WRONG

Aquarius: guys let's just go home

Sagittarius: why can't you tell us what's wrong then

Libra: I DINT KNOW WHATS WRING

Libra: I'm typing quickly ignore my spelling mistakes

Scorpio: if you don't know then how is there something wrong

Aries: they think we're stupid lol

Libra: I'll send you the screenshots. Get home now and I promise you'll suffer no punishment

Virgo: only people who stay outside get punished

Aquarius: we're coming back now

Gem: NO WE'RE NOT

Scorpio: we're dragging Gem home too, don't worry

Libra leaned against Virgo. "I'm scared. Why won't she tell me what's happening?"

Suddenly the power died. Libra screamed while Virgo protectively wrapped his arms around her.

They both jumped at the sound of a knock at their door. Libra texted Olive.

They heard her ringtone outside the house.

Libra started breathing quickly. She was shaking as she turned her phone flashlight on.

Virgo was terrified, but seeing Libra like that made him get to his feet and slowly creep towards the door.

"Virgo. W-wait! We can just, we can just stay here. Don't answer the d-door."

Virgo slowly peeped out the window. "I can't see anything except a shadow."

Libra wrapped her arms around a pillow. "I'll make a wind wall around the door after you open it."

Virgo nodded. Then he opened the door.

On the other side, stood Olive. Her eyes were wide with fear.

A pretty girl with icy blue eyes and gold curls had a gun pressed to her head.