Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You remember when you were about 6 or 7 years old, your grandmother would always tell you fairytales. You knew why; you would always watch things like Rainbow Fairies and My Little Pony. You've forgotten most of them but you remember a specific one.

The Sun and The Moon.

It's your favourite, your grandmother would read it to you every night. Maybe that's why you've forgotten all the others while this one has lived rent-free in your head for so long. Anyway, every night, she would tuck you in bed then open the book. Sometimes, she wouldn't but you would beg her to anyway.

"Are you ready for this story little one?", she would ask you.

You would reply with, "Yes!" and she would smile at you warmly before starting the story. You've heard it so many times you know it off by heart. (Shame you can't do that for language techniques) It went like this:

Once upon a time, there was once two princes. One radiated like the Sun and the other would shine like the Moon. The two princes were brothers in a world of human and automation. Hand in hand, they would do everything together.

However...

As they grew older, people began loving the Moon more. Every moon-filled night, they would stay awake and sing praises to him leaving the Sun in his shadow. The Sun gave life to everything, it nurtured life. It kept animals and people warm. It kept everyone alive. The Sun prince was much like this, carrying his subjects' burdens on to his shoulders yet no matter how he tried people loved his brother more.

One day, as the Sun was taking a walk to clear his mind, he bumped into an old lady along the way.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry Miss!", he had cried out but the old lady just smiled at him. Her eyes were covered by the cowl of her hood.

"It's quite alright young prince. We all make mistakes.", she said kindly. The prince and she had made idle chat while he helped the old woman pick up her things. Slowly, though, the prince began delving into his insecurities and jealousy. It was like releasing tension from your hand. The old lady put a hand on his shoulder. "Oh I pity you young prince I truly do.", she whispered gently. She added, "I can change that." The prince was shocked by this.

"You? How?", he asked.

The woman pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to the Sun prince. It was a beautifully crafted necklace. It was painted orange and black and was in a shape of the Sun. It's rays were sharp and a crescent moon, painted a bright orange, covered half of the circle. "Wear this at all times and when you believe the time is right, break it." The Sun prince thanked her and said goodbye then left.

A few weeks later, The Sun Prince fell in love with a commoner wolf animatronic and everyone celebrated the wedding soon to come, causing him to gain even more attention than The Moon Prince.

Unfortunately, not everyone was happy with this. The Princes' father, the cruel and wicked King, didn't wish to see the Sun Prince married off. "He should have married a princess! Not some commoner! I will not allow this stain on our pure royal bloodline." So, the King came up with a wicked plan and poisoned the Sun Prince's lover. After that, everyone turned against the Sun prince believing that he had killed his lover. The Sun prince was distraught and once he had learnt that his father had poisoned the poor soul, he grew enraged. His brother tried to calm him but the Sun prince, blinded by anger, threw the necklace down to the ground causing it to shatter.

With that, a black chariot stormed stormed into the room and riding it was The King of The Shadow Kingdom. He took The Sun Prince away, leaving the Moon Prince alone.

The End.

It really wasn't an ending for you, more like a cliffhanger but every time you'd ask about it, your grandmother would get all shifty eyed and then tuck you into your bed tighter. You had no idea why she didn't just tell you but you figure it for a good reason. A reason you didn't understand.

Yawning, you stretch yourself then lie down allowing sleep to overtake you.

-----

Grandma watches you from afar, making sure you were asleep so she could do her work. After a few minutes, your small snores confirm it and she goes to the basement. Down there, she takes a deep breath then mutters a spell. A purple portal activates and she sighs, "Hang on guys." With that, she goes in.

Chapter Text

It was 3am when you woke up.

It had been two hours since you started searching for your grandmother.

You always woke up at ungodly hours, never knew why but it never affected you in the long run. You went to your grandmother's room so you could seek comfort from her but-

She wasn't there.

What was even stranger was that her bed looked untouched. As if she hadn't even lied down on it. It was completely tidy, not a single wrinkle in sight. So, that's when you started searching for her.

Now you were here.

In the basement.

In the basement and in front of a...door? No, not a door.

A portal.

But it couldn't be a portal, right? Magic wasn't real let alone portals. Yet here one was. It was a square shaped portal, like the ones in Minecraft only the frame of this one was dark purple in colour. There were strange symbols carved on it, ones you couldn't understand. They didn't look Mayan or Wingdings or- or-

Or any language from this world.

You take a step closer to it. Then another. Then another. Your face is inches away from the empty space the frame surrounds. You turn your head to the mysterious symbols and, out of curiosity, you gently placed your palm on one of them.

You gasp as a purple light fills the empty space. You fall backwards in shock. Sweet Lord, it- it really is a portal! In awe, you cautiously step forward until your nose is only one inch away from touching the swirling light. Your logical part is screaming at you that this is dangerous but your instincts are telling you to hop through.

As always, your instincts win the battle.

After taking a deep breath, you hope through the portal and anticipation yearns to see what's on the other side.

{---}

You gasp as you hit-

Grass?

Soft, dry grass. You feel it brushing against your face as you groan. Oh well, at least it wasn't stone. You force yourself up and stare at a field. It's yellow and the crops there seem to be dead. Soon, you notice heat beating down on you. You shade your eyes with your arm as you look up at the sun.

It's burning with rage, rays of yellow emitting devastating heat. Jesus, where did that portal sent you?! DUBAI?! You rub your head groaning once again. You remember you went on a trip to Dubai once. You went with your parents, your cousins and your-

Oh crud! Your grandmother!

You suddenly remember the reason why you're here and search around frantically. It sounded ridiculous but she must be here right? If she knew about this- place she had to be here. You couldn't find her in the house so she must be here right?

"Y/N?"

You turn away from the dehydrated bush you've been searching after you hear an all too familiar voice. Your mouth gawked open. "G-grandma?"

Your grandma stared at you then smiled awkwardly. "I...can explain..."

Chapter Text

Sun has become quite an important factor in the war.

His powers, granted by his 'father', has allowed a deadly drought to come over the land. Causing the crops to wither and the people to starve.

Serves them right.

Let them wither, let them rot, let them die. They should've thought twice about banishing Eclipse for no good reason.

Along with turning against the sun prince.

Eclipse grimaces every time he thinks of that. He is many things but someone who applies favouritism is not one of them.

However, if not for them Eclipse wouldn't have this beautiful automation as his heir. It matters not whether he is a son of his arch nemesis or not, Eclipse will still always love him...as his son.

Chapter Text

"So let me get this straight." You stare at your grandmother in the eyes.

"The story you would always read me- my favourite story- is actually real and this is a kingdom called 'The Celestial Kingdom'?" Your grandmother nods.

"Yes."

"And The Sun Prince- Sun- has been kidnapped by the big baddie 'Eclipse' and every other story which you have read me is also real and somewhere in this Kingdom?"

"Yes."

You slowly turn to your grandmother.

"And you didn't...TELL ME?!"

Your grandmother winces and you feel guilt slightlyyy twist your guts.

You sigh, "Why didn't you tell me?.."

In turn, your grandmother looks at you sombrely. "I'm sorry dear but you know what would've happened had I told you sooner." She's...not wrong in that regard. Had you been told sooner that 'Hey! I'm actually a witch who has a portal to a completely other world!' you would've never believed it but now...seeing all of this is enough to defy logic.

Your grandmother's eyes- once grey- now were glowing a light pink. She's in the typical witch outfit, a coned hat and a simple purple dress.

"And not all of the stories I read to you are in this Kingdom. This is only one of many lands which I aid daily. The stories are still connected they're just...in different places right now."

You tilt your head. "So...like the Land Of Stories book series?"

Your grandmother chuckles, "Yes you could say something like that?" You look around.

"So...where is he?"

Silence.

"Where's the Moon Prince?", you elaborate. Understanding dawns in your grandmother's eyes.

"Oh you mean Moon. He's upstairs in his room working. Poor thing, not allowing himself to take a break...." There's a note of sympathy in her voice and you mentally note it.

"Can I...meet him?"

"You can go meet him in his room." She nods her head to the door behind her. You walk towards the doorless exit and your grandmother calls, "It's the room at the very end of the hall!" You keep her directions in mind even though they're- relatively- easy to remember. You make it to the door and let your thoughts ponder. I mean, you were expecting celestial themes coming from the two princes but you didn't actually think they would be called Sun and Moon. Their father seemed kinda shitty for not naming them properly but then again he was always shitty.

You think of Sun. You wonder what's happening to him right now. Is he being tortured, being mutilated? You hope not cause the poor guy's been through enough. He had been ignored, neglected, lost the love of his life, tricked and then kidnapped by Eclipse.

Eclipse....

What was he like? Was he a bloodthirsty madman or a charming deceiver? Since he had tricked Sun, you assumed it was the latter. Your grandmother had also said that Moon was working himself to the bone- or endoskeleton- and not allowing himself to take a break. You saw that as a way to cope with his lost brother. Judging by that, he would probably be the anti-social type.

You take a deep breath then knock.

Chapter Text

Hey guys, so I need to ask you all something. I'm in need of some ideas because, I know what characters I'm using but I don't really know how to push the story forward. Can you please help me? I'm open to suggestions.

Chapter Text

Knock.

No response.

Knock, knock.

No response still.

You shift awkwardly in front the door, biting your bottom lip. Okay...not responding. You look over your shoulder and an idea sparks in your head. Your feet take you back to your grandma. While power walking down the hallway, you notice the decor and the big doorway obviously meant for tall people. You reached the end of the hallway and notice something.

Your grandma is talking to someone.

It looks like one of the servants of the castle- but...metallic. It was quite clear she was an automation. You walk behind your grandmother and tap her shoulder. She flinched before relaxing once she recognised you. "Ah Y/N...What do you need?", she asks in that grandmotherly voice of hers while the servant practically runs away. Odd.

"Uh..." Oh wow. What a smart answer. Your tired brain wracks itself as you search for something to say. "Uh- yes...Moon didn't answer the door...", you reply, "Is he...usually this...disrespectful?" You didn't want to blatantly insult Moon- him being a prince and all- but you couldn't think of a better word other than 'rude'.

Your grandmother's eyebrows furrow in thought before she snapped her fingers with a loud 'Oh!'.

You couldn't help but flinch at the loud tone. "Grandma you're too loud-" but she interrupts you before you could continue.

"The Prince is in town today! He's usually in town to help the needy but since it's...Friday he'll be out and about helping with the decor.", she explains as you try to process all the information handed to you.

"Uh...thanks Grandma.", you say friendly, "Hey? What were you talking about with that servant?"

Your grandma's smile drops at that.

"Oh just some...you know. Helping with the rebellion and all that.", she responds waving it off.

You're a bit suspicious but you simply reply with, "Oh- okay." You head off- not missing how your grandma's eyes shifts around the room. A sign that- you recently realised- meant she was lying.

But enough of that. Right now, you have a town to explore and a Moon to find.

Chapter Text

You hum as you walk through the streets of the Kingdom's town. Phew! Was it busy today. Bustling with noise, the town and its inhabitants is lively. People running around, decorations being put up and even some songs being sung.

And hot too, you think, as you pull at the collar of your shirt. You're so caught up in looking for Moon that you forgot how boiling hot it is. Jesus Christ, what did that Eclipse do?! 

"Hey give it back!"

You're snapped out of your thoughts by the noise of what seems to be a struggle. It seems to be coming from your right. You avert your gaze there and your eyes widen.

A girl about eight or seven jumps up and down as a boy keeps something out of her reach- leering at her. Your shock quickly turns to rage, how dare he?! No one else seems to notice the struggle, too busy with the festivities to notice. You stomp closer to the duo and yelled, "HEY! Leave her alone!" The boy looks at you and sneers.

"What did you say to me?!"

"I said LEAVE HER ALONE! God, don't you have some decency?!" The man's personality makes your blood boil. You clench your fists.

He sneers, "Yeah? And what are you going to do about it? You; prissy little-"

The man is shocked by the punch you give.

Straight. In. The. Jaw.

He stumbles back, you can see blood coming out of his mouth. He opens his mouth to speak but is cut off when he sees the glint in your eyes.

There seemed to be a fire in your eyes, burning and angry.

Common sense taking him, he runs off leaving you with the kid. You sigh and kneel down so you're eye level with the child. "Hey...you okay?", you murmur softly.

The kid sniffles. "My- my doll..."

Ah, that must be what that bully took.

"Hey hey...", you assure gently, "Look; there it is!" You're right, it's not gone. It's in the mud, yes, but it's still there. You pick it up and hold the girl's soft hand. "Come on; let's get her cleaned up alright?" She nods and you ask her where they can get 'her' cleaned up.

{---}

Moon watches them from an alleyway, the darkness giving him cover. Who are they? And why do they look so...strange? They're aren't dressed like a man or a woman but they look human. Keyword: Look. Moon has learnt not to judge appearances.

Especially after...

He sighs and rubs his forehead. Best to investigate. He's not having another one of Eclipse's freaks attack his Kingdom.

Chapter Text

The Sun and The Moon wasn't the only tale you hadn't read. It was just the only one you could remember. However, you got a massive nostalgic moment when you saw a book lying in the grass.

After the scuffle you had with that kid, you kept on fruitlessly searching for Moon. You soon gave up and decided to go back to the castle...until you noticed a black figure with red eyes slip into the shadows and that was when you realised you had found Moon...almost. You...kinda got lost in the forest and that's how you came across the book but not just any book. A fairytale book. Eyes in awe, you picked it up scanning its cover.

The title read: Le Château. You don't know what it means but you know it's in French. You look around and you're all met with are trees surrounding you. You shrug, you can worry about finding a way out of the forest later. Right now, you would read to see what this book was about.

You open it up but confusion strikes you when you see there are no words in the first page- or any page. What? The inside of the book suddenly starts to glow bright pink, an eerily similar colour to your grandma's magic. You scream out loud, "WHAT THE FU-!" You're pulled in and you scream as you get sucked inside the book.

{---}

You groan as you get up from the muddy ground, still holding the book in your hand. You look at yourself, gross! You're covered in mud but the book looks completely fine. You huff, why couldn't you get a mud protection spell too? You look forward and see that you're in a village....

But not yours.

Chapter Text

You stare, mouth gaping, at the bustling town. People walking around, chatter filling the air. An overall pleasant atmosphere. You suck in a sharp breath. What the fuck had just happened?! You process it in shock for a moment before, for some reason, you look at the book. Maybe it could help you pinpoint where you are, though you're not sure how or why. You open up to the first page.

Once upon a time, in a shining castle, lived a prince. The prince was to be the heir of his father's Kingdom, ruling over a land of automations and humans. However, the king did not find him to be worthy of the throne and thus sought out a sea wizard to get rid of the prince.

Next to the writing was a picture. A picture of a grey-coloured man and a tall moon animatronic. You turned over to the next set of pages.

The sea wizard was a master of transformation and, when the king asked him to get rid of his son, he obliged. "I shall turn your son into a beast.", he said, "One so hideous that he will not be fit to be a king. The only way he may break this wicked curse is if he learns to love another and that love be returned."

The picture portrayed 'the sea wizard' as a sun animatronic with golden rays and black tentacles for his lower body. His face was shrouded in shadow, red eyes in the void.

The sea wizard cast his spell upon the poor prince along with also transforming all of the servants to the prince's name. Ashamed of his son's monstrous appearance, the king exiled his son to one of his old summerhouses.

You bite your lip. God this guy was an absolute jerk.

Over time, the beast's heart grew blacker and blacker with growing despair- for who could ever love....a beast?

The final picture shows the beast hunched miserably over a glass container with...a starfish? What? You tilt your head to make sure you're seeing correctly and it's a starfish for sure. You close the book pursing your lips. Okay, if you guess correctly, this village is where this story takes place. It would make sense given this was the perfect fairytale setting. Still, that doesn't explain how you got here. A conversation with your grandmother comes back to you.

"-not all of the stories I read to you are in this Kingdom. This is the only one of the many lands which I aid daily."

The pieces slowly come together for you. You gasp.

Holy shit, it really is the Land of Stories. Your grandmother has been using these books to go to these other lands. These other stories. You take a deep breath to try and calm yourself. "Alright...alright...try to calm down. Just- ask someone where you are and you'll be on your way.", you mutter to yourself. Wiping some mud off your clothes, you walk downwards to the little town.

{---}

"What do you mean you lost it?!"

Grandma winces at the loud voice. "Moon please I don't know how-"

He scoffs, "Yeah right. You don't know how you lost what's essentially a portable portal." The witch sighs in defeat and Moon paces around the room anxiously. First, one of Pandora's magic books disappears and now you've gone missing too. After returning back to the palace, Pandora had told him that the young person he had seen was their grandchild: Y/N. He doesn't know how exactly but he does know yours and the book's disappearances are connected. He comes to a halt and rubs his hand over his faceplate. If his father returned to see this... 

"Pandora.", he essentially growls, "You better find that book and spawn of yours or I swear to God I'll rip off your limbs."

Chapter Text

"Mother! Mother!" Stella woke up to ecstatic screaming. She rubbed her eye as BloodMoon was grinning from ear to ear. Red must be in control.

"Morning boys...", she said tiredly as she sat up in bed. BloodMoon was jittering excitedly. They had been orphans. No one had known where they came from or how they came to the village but they all stayed away from them, claiming and thinking they were a curse. It didn't help that they started to grow more violent, biting children and eating raw meat. Only Stella had shown kindness to the young automations, giving food to them, causing them to be attached. If you saw Stella, chances were you would see BloodMoon clinging at her leg. Stella decided to adopt them, giving joy to the twins but to the villagers it was taboo. Since no one would tutor them, she had to do it herself. It caused her to get more weird looks.

Sunlight filtered in the room and fell on Stella like a spotlight. It made her look beautiful, as if she wasn't beautiful already. Her galaxy-coloured hair, pastel yellow optics and slender body caused her to be dubbed as 'the most beautiful girl in town'. Sometimes she didn't mind, sometimes she did. She would always feel eyes upon her like something being burned into her plating. She sighed and got up taking off her clothes, which was a white nightgown, and changed into her outing clothes. It was a dull purple dress with a white apron over it. Underneath it, she wore laced shoes. She combed her hair, untangling the knots, before going downstairs to get breakfast ready.

BloodMoon was at the table, waiting for her, and the tall animatronic got out some bread. "How was your day BloodMoon?", she queried politely while she sliced up the bread.

"It was good mother.", Crescent responded.

"That's good.", she sighed as she placed the bread on the table, "I'll be going out to the village to do some shopping. Try not bother Solar too much."

"But bothering Solar-man is the best.", Red whined before viciously chewing on the bread.

"Don't worry mother I'll keep a close eye on him.", Crescent quipped through mouthfuls of bread before gulping. Red gasped and began arguing with his brother. Stella chuckled at the display before heading towards the door.

"Mother if that Moon-man approaches you we will bite his knees.", Red promised, "Creepy bastard he is...attacking our mother!"

"Red language!", Stella scolded but the gesture was welcoming. The 'Moon-man' was called Frost and was the most handsome man in the village. He was an automation like Stella and was an absolute work-alcoholic. He was an hunter, killing animals for food, and for trophies and had a weird obsession with Stella for some reason. His compliments and affections were welcoming but Stella knew he wanted something more. "I appreciate the gesture boys but I think I can handle him." She opened the door. "I'll be back soon I promise. Don't bother Solar and get those chores done!" She went out and walked farther and farther away from her quiet little home.

In seconds, noise filtered her audio receptors. People were talking and bustling about as were the norm. The animatronic was like a sore thumb amongst them and her tall height certainly embellished that. "Hello Stella!", the baker- Chica- greeted. Stella smiled at the white chicken automation.

"Good morning Chica. I came here to buy some bread then I'll be going off to the tailor's."

"Really? Whatcha ya doing?", she asked.

"To buy a new dress. You know how crazy I am for them.", Stella answered.

"OMG! You go girl!", Chica said, "Also I heard that there's a new set she's making." She said the last part as a whisper. Chica had always been a gossiper at heart but it was rare that she wasn't busy and merely listened to Stella. "GET THOSE BUNS READY! HURRY UP!", she squawked. Stella shrugged and handed the money to Chica before heading to the tailor's. Her optics looked up in the sky. She wondered if she could find adventure someday. Someday find her place in the world.

She felt eyes on her again, knowing she looked different, knowing she was different. She ignored them, trying to ignore the urge of curling in on herself. She would also hang out with her cousin who the whole town thought would end up in a mental asylum one day. Not to mention the feral children she had adopted. They were all just waiting for the twins to run into the forest and never be found again. She walked briskly, not wanting to focus on the insults any longer, wondering about her own life.

That's too many!

I need more than that!

Would you like a chicken Sir?

At last Stella made it. She felt her metaphorical heart go giddy, here was a place which she could call a second home, where she belonged. "Oh hello Stella.", Puppet- the tailor- said to her. She was a white and black automation with a dark pink dress around her. She was one of the only few people who didn't give Stella weird looks or judged her. Instead, she loved Stella's introvert personality.

"Morning Puppet. I came to purchase a new dress." Puppet raised an eyebrow.

"Another one? Haven't you got- a bajillion of them?" Puppet was amazed at how many dresses Stella bought.

"Oh yes! I decided to give some away since everyone needs some dresses right? Anyway can I have a pale blue one please?", she exclaimed as she looked around, "I think I'll have...this one!"

"You sure? It's quite expensive." Puppet looked up at the taller animatronic and smiled.

"Oh yes please!"

"Well then" Puppet shrugged. "It's all yours. Free of charge."

Stella gasped, "Puppet I can't do that to you!"

"Take it. It's all yours." She shook with excitement. Hers? This dress could be all hers?!

She squealed before hugging Puppet, "Thank you thank you thank you!" She grabbed the dress then practically hopped out. She hummed a little tune, feeling the sun on her face-plate-

"Excuse me? Excuse me?"

Stella snapped out of her bliss and looked at the source of the voice: a...human trying to get the attention of someone but the bustle of the town went over their voice. Stella walked over to the human, hoping she could help them out.

{---}

Oh god, why are there so many people? For a town, it's pretty crowded and everyone ignoring your pleas for assistance certainly embellish that.

"Excuse me?"

You blink and turn around to find yourself face to face with a veryyyy tall animatronic. You only came to her chest. You sigh, "Oh thank god...Hi. what's your name?"

The animatronic chuckles, "Why you can call me Stella dear."

"I'm Y/N...Say Stella do you mind telling me where I am?" God, why are you so awkward in conversation?

"Why you're in Comet Coast of course! It's a neighbour of Lunar Lagoon." Lunar Lagoon, where have you heard of that name before? Before your queries could be answered, another animatronic strolls to you two. The man looks like a moon automation, like Moon, but his optics are more redder and he wears hunter clothing instead of royal robes.

"Stella! If it isn't the woman I've been looking for.", the other Moon exclaims happily.

"Frost.", Stella glumly greets. She doesn't seem very happy to see him. 'Frost' looks at you and you try not to wither under his hard gaze.

"Who's that? Your pet?", he says smugly- as if he had just made some brilliant joke.

You open your mouth to say something but Stella beats you to it. "They're not a 'pet' Frost. They're a newcomer to the coast."

"Oh," he huffs, "So..you wanna come hang at my place?"

Is he...flirting with her? It'd make sense, she is very pretty, but it's just damn uncomfortable to you. It seems to be uncomfortable for her too for she says, "No thank you." She gently grabs your wrist and narrowly dodges his touch. "I need to help Solar and the twins."

"Ha!", Frost laughs, "BloodMoon you mean? No one can tame him. Much less your cousin! We all know he'll go crazy soon enough!" Okay, you really didn't like this guy now. Stella goes deathly quiet and turns to face Frost. If looks could kill, he'd be a puddle right now.

"Enough! The BloodMoons are not animals and Solar isn't crazy! He's a genius!" Just then, an explosion happens in the distance. Damn, shit really happens in this place. Stella gasps and runs to the house, with you tagging along. You have no idea what the fuck's happening but you do know you're in one hell of a ride.

Chapter Text

"Solar!", Stella cries out as she pushes open the door. What you- and her- see is a bunch of black smoke and the sound of coughing catches your attention. You two head into the smoke and find an animatronic coughing hazardously. He appears to have a crown of rays adorned around his head which are orange along with his plating. He wears a simple brown apron over a white shirt and black...trousers? Trousers existed in the medieval times? You mentally shrug, this is a fairytale. The male animatronic notices you and smiles. "Hey Stella and..whoever you are."

You friendly smile back. "Hi I'm Y/N."

"Solar what happened here?", Stella asks 'Solar'.

"A mistake happened is what." He stares critically at the machine. "It was meant to cut wood not blow up!"

"Maybe something got stuck in the cogs?", you suggest. Solar rubs his rays.

"Yeah..maybe you're right. Hang on let me see." He walks over to the busted up thing, opens a panel up then starts digging. Meanwhile, Stella and you just stand there...awkwardly. You look at the floor made of wooden planks. Do these people know about the other kingdoms? Do they know Moon? Do they know your grandma?

Your breath hitches. Where is your grandma as of the moment? She must be worried sick by now. Is she looking for you right now? Does she know that one of her books is missing? You pull out the book out from your shirt, somehow you've kept it with you this whole time. You open the book and your eyes widen as you stare at the once blank pages. Keyword: once. Now the pages are filled with Stella, you, Frost and now Solar. The fuck?

"Whatcha reading?", Stella's voice cuts through your turmoil of thoughts and you yelp.

You look at the kind-hearted animatronic and sigh, "Nothing; nothing." You close the book not allowing Stella to see. Better not to let her know that you have a book containing pictures of her daily life.

The animatronic looks at you for a moment before her pale yellow optics break eye contact. "Hey Y/N?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think-" She hesitates. "Do you think I'm weird?" You're silent for a moment before you smile at her assuredly.

"No Stella you're not weird and if anyone thinks otherwise they're idiots.", you respond.

Stella chuckles, "That's what Solar says too."

"Aha!", Solar's voice butts in, "Found the source!" The 'source' is a rubber ducky. Now filthy with oil and grime. Solar grimaces. "I'm gonna strangle those twins of yours someday Stella."

Stella dramatically gasps, "Solar!"

Solar huffs, "They'd deserve it." He closes the panel and pulls a lever attached to the machine. A whirring sound fills the air and the machine springs to life, cutting wood precisely. Stella gasps.

"Your- your invention works..." Then she smiles; wraps her arms around Solar and laughs, "Your invention works!"

"It- it actually worked. It actually worked." You swear you see tears in his golden optics. You bit your lip, unsure what to say.

"So uh...what are you gonna do with this?", you finally ask. Solar and Stella break the hug and the former looks at you intently.

"I'm going to take this to the science fair," he states proudly, "then me and Stella are going to move out of here to one of the bigger kingdoms." One of the bigger kingdoms? Maybe they could take you back.

"Oh uhm..what kingdom would that be?", you prod.

"Haven't decided but we'll come up with something once my invention is a success."

'Well...good for you. Can I come?"

Stella smiles at you. "Of course you can dear."

{---}

"Bolt I said stop!"

Solar pulls on the reins of his horse harder. However, Bolt refuses to settle and he's forced to unmount him. Solar sighs, rubbing his faceplate. He had wrongly predicted when the storm was coming and now it's biting him in the ass. As the thunderclouds subtly boom, he looks around for any signs of wolves because if there were wolves they would probably eat his horse and then he'd have to reverse this storm alone and then....

When there's no howls, he releases a breath he hasn't realised he's been holding. In the distance he spots something: a castle eclipsed in shadow. Since he has no other option, he decides to go there- the cold wind biting his plating.

With some effort he manages to get the huge, sturdy doors open and he calls out, "Hello? Is anyone here? I- uh- I got lost in a storm and I'm in need of some shelter." Two red, glowing optics is what greets him in the shadows. He flinches and feels his core begin to pulse.

"You may stay. Just do not touch what is yours.", the eyes say in a tired tone as if it had said it so many times before. Solar nods, his rays swishing, keeping a distance from himself and the eyes.

{---}

The fire crackles as it gives you its warmth. Its orange glow gives the little cottage's interior a warm atmosphere, coaxing you to sleep, but you can't sleep. Not when you need to think.

How will you get home after Stella and Solar head to another kingdom and leave you behind? Maybe they'll have a map which you can use but how will you know which kingdom is yours? It's impossible to tell and you curse the fairytales you read for making their kingdoms so eerily similar.

Maybe you can use Comet Coast and Lunar Lagoon as checkpoints. They are the only two kingdoms you know the names of and the latter sounds so familiar to you but you can't figure out why.

You pull Le Château out from your shirt, this might help you. It has been up to some freaky stuff recently. You open the book to the first page, checking to see if anything's changed but nothing helpful comes to your eye. Only a recap of everything that's happened in a fairytale manner...until you come across two newly filled pages.

The right page contained a picture of Solar riding through the snow with his invention and on the left page was writing.

The inventor, however, found himself caught in a storm and was forced to seek shelter in a castle.

You turn the page over then slap a hand over your mouth in terror.

"Y/N?", Stella calls out innocently. You turn to her, eyes wide with horror, how are you...? You take a deep, shaky, breath then look Stella dead in the optics.

"Stella, Solar is in danger." 

Chapter Text

The wind hits your face as you- and Stella- ride through the woods with Solar's horse. It had returned shortly after you told Stella that her cousin was in danger. Twigs and dirt crunch under the black coloured horse's hooves and you're careful to avoid branches hitting your face. Stella slaps the reins harder and the horse whinnies as it goes faster. Finally the horse skids to a halt at a dark, ominous castle- or really luxurious house you're not sure. Stella jumps down from the horse and you do the same, looking up at the gargantuan thing, resisting the urge to whistle at it. Now is no the time for jokes brain.

With a bit of effort, the two of you push open the gates. It's dark and gloomy and reads introvert in quarantine. You call out, "Hello? Anyone here?"

Stella does the same. "Solar? Solar?" Her yellow optics have a soft, concerned, glow to them and her hair glitters as if there are a million tiny stars in them. Those same soft optics look at you now. "Y/N stay here. I'll explore the rest of the castle."

You shake your head in refusal. "No way! If there's any danger I want to be a part of it!"

Stella chuckles- half sad half amused, "You're an adventurous one aren't you? Alright fine come with me." Smiling, human and animatronic ascended the red-carpeted stairs laced with gold and blue. Subtle moonlight pours through the massive window, adding eeriness to the scene and it doesn't help that you think someone's watching you...

You stop and call out to Stella- who is still walking, "I'll catch up with you shortly!" You still for a few minutes before you turn around and yell, "Who's there?!" The result is...not what you expect.

A fox automation of some kind stares back at you grinning. "Howdy.", they say and you scream.

{---}

The more Stella travels deeper and deeper into this strange place, the eerier things get. A door creaked open, catching Stella's attention, which had led her to some kind of...dungeon. A shiver passes through her metal spine but she keeps going, for Solar. She's able to ignore it until a creak of footsteps could be heard causing her to freeze up. "Y- Y/N? Is that you?", she asks shakily as she looks over her shoulder. Nothing. "I could've sworn..." She shakes her head. "I must be making things up." She goes deeper and deeper, calling Solar's name until-

"Stella?"

"Solar?...", she whispers back. She runs over to one of the cells and clasps a familiar, orange hand. Solar looks at her mouth agape.

"H- how did you find me?", he questions.

"Your horse brought us here.", she answers.

"Us? Did you bring Y/N here too?!"

"That doesn't matter. I need to get you out of here. Your battery is god knows what percentage-"

"Stella- listen to me. You need to leave. This place- it's dangerous-"

"Dangerous how?"

"You need to leave Stella. That's all that matters! I can't tell you- there's no time!"

"I won't leave you-!"

"WHO ARE YOU?!" A hand roughly grabs Stella, causing her to drop the torch she had taken from its clasp. Solar cries out her name as she falls to the stony-cold ground.

"Wh- who's there?!"

"The master of this summerhouse." Summerhouse? This was a summerhouse? Stella's metaphorical heart races and a knot is in her throat. However, she gulps and soon finds the courage to speak.

"I- I'm here for my cousin."

"He must stay."

"What? Why?!"

"Because he-" The master points an accusing finger, sharp and cruel, at Solar. "stole from me."

Solar cringes. "I- I thought since you had so many-"

"SILENCE." Solar clamps his mouth shut.

"Please! I'm sure Solar didn't mean any harm just-"

"My decision is final and there is nothing you can do to change that."

Stella kneels before the dark shadow that is the owner of this state and pleads, "Oh please please! There must be something I can do."

The red eyes narrow in an angry manner. "There is nothing you can do to change my mind." He turns to leave and Stella's heart begins to sink but then an idea comes to her mind. A stupid one but...

She composes herself then looks at the red eyes. "Have me instead."

"What?"

"Stella-!", Solar begins. He grabs her sleeve but she gently pushes him away.

The red eyes look back at her, calculating. "You...would take his place?"

"If I did, would you let him go?"

"Yes- but...you must promise to stay here forever.", the shadow decides.

Stella lips' tremble, her heart is pounding but she has one final request in mind before she seals her fate. "Let me see your true face. Please." The owner does so and Stella's optics widen as he did so.

The owner is not man but automation. He has red optics and is a moon-themed animatronic with faded blue and white as his colour palette. His clothes are dull and torn and he has sharp claw at the tips of his fingers. The most prominent thing, however, is his looming height. He's even taller than Stella. Stella gives a small gasp and grasps Solar. Both as comfort and as a goodbye. "Stella no!", he shouts, "I won't- I can't let you do this-" Stella let go of his grasp before standing before the half-beast half-automation creature.

"You have my word." And her fate is sealed.

"Done!" The Automation is quick as wind, pulling Solar out of his cell as Stella falls to the ground- her face in her palms. Solar runs to her, his hands warm on Stella's shoulders.

"I'm not worth it Stella. I'm just not. You should live your life not me!" He's pulled away by the Automation though and Stella reaches out.

"Wait-"

"Stella-"

"Wait!", she cries again.

{---}

"So...you're like cursed?", you assume.

'Foxy', the fox animatronic, nods. "And...you need KillCode- the master of this summerhouse- to marry some girl to break the curse..."

"Yeah.", Foxy replies.

"And you think Stella- my friend- is the one you need?"

"Yeah.", Foxy confirms.

You breathe through your nostrils then reply, "Look I get you're all desperate but you don't hook two people up by kidnapping one of those person's cousin!"

"Well Monty did try to be hospitable-"

You interrupt, "No no. If your 'master' needs-"

A door slamming open cuts you off. You turn around to see this TALL AS HELL animatronic who's hand is encircling Solar's rays and- Oh god, are those claws?! "Hey!", you yell. You feel Foxy cringe behind you. The moon-themed animatronic, who kinda looks familiar, glares back at you.

"How many intruders must I get rid of?", he growls coming closer to you. You go to him first by stomping towards him pissed.

"What do you think you're doing with him?!", you ask nodding your head towards Solar.

The red optics of the animatronic narrows and he simply says, "I am merely making good on my word." Then he grabs you by the hair.

"Hey, hey! Let me go!" You try to break free of his grip but it's no use. He's too strong. Then he throws you two...outside? You and Solar fall to the ground with a 'oof!' and the moon-themed animatronic closes the doors behind you.

"No. No!", Solar yells. He runs to the massive double doors and begins to bang on them. "Let me in! Please let me in!" He sounds so close to crying and, meanwhile, you're just wondering what the fuck went down.

You gently grab Solar's shoulder prodding for information, "Hey hey what happened? Where's Stella-?"

He throws your hand off shouting, "Stella gave herself up for me Y/N! She made a deal with that...thing! To save me!" He falls to the ground as it sinks in, despair clutching his heart. "She- She's gone because of- me..."

"Hey hey," you soothe, "look at me. It's not any of our faults alright? It's that ugly beast's fault alright? Besides Stella is a tough girl. She'll make it through!"

Solar sighs, "I hope you're right..." He looks up at the massive castle, at La Chateâu.

Chapter Text

"Y/N? Y/N?!", Pandora calls out for you. She's worried sick about you- and the book obviously. She had never expected you to wander off like this, explore maybe, but to wander off like a foolish child who had no idea of the world around them? It seems your childlike curiosity would never change.

She arrives in the forest, her voice becoming hoarse from all the yelling she's been doing. "Where are you honey? Y/N? Y/N?!" Her panic increases as she tries to narrow down her options: you can't be too far away but you can't be too near to her either.

She peers out of a bush and-

Oh no.

{---}

While Pandora is seeking, Stella is hiding.

She had cooped herself up in her room- a very gorgeous room she had to admit: the bed was laid with purple silks and sheets, gold decorated the curtains of the massive windows which would allow her to see outside the castle and it was so massive it could probably fit a hundred people inside.

Yet it's also a prison, Stella is sitting on the bed with her arms crossed even as Montgomery- the gator animatronic- opens the door. "Hey gal...", they greet awkwardly, "You...gonna get ready for dinner?"

Stella huffs disdainfully, "I'm not going."

Foxy butts in suddenly, "Not going?! What do ya mean you're not going lass?"

She repeats emotionlessly, "I mean- I'm not going." Monty closes the door to her room and looks at Foxy nervously.

"You do know what this means right?"

Foxy nods. "Oh I do lad. I definitely do. Boss is not gonna be happy about this..."

Chapter Text

This is a stupid idea, you think to yourself as snow crunches underneath your feet. Snow is blowing in your face and you spit some snowflakes out. You've been trekking for a while, ever since you snuck out of the little cottage you've been staying in. You didn't tell Solar, why would you? You didn't want to make him worried than he already was, besides he'd berate you for this stupid idea of yours.

You find yourself in front of La Chateau and you look up. You're uninvited here, you know, but you're not going to just waltz through the door. That'd be stupid! Instead, using the grappling hook you got Solar to make, you climb the walls of the massive castle. The surface of the stones are slippery but that's fine! You don't need to-

You suddenly slip. A scream escapes your mouth but you regain your grip just in time. You heave yourself up...before putting your hand to your chest. Oh god- oh shit- that was close. You allow yourself a few more minutes before you you traverse across the castle walls. The windows act as a tightrope and you look into each one until you find what you're looking for. Aha!

Slipping through the hole, you face plant into the room where Stella is. Stella's optics are wide. "Y/N?!"

"Wassup?", You greet with an aching chin. You think you have a few broken teeth...

"W- what are you doing here?!"

You stand up and- instinctively- brush the dirt off your clothes. "Checking up on you, what else?" Your statement comes with nonchalantness. Stella shakes her head, chuckling but the moment is ruined by a pounding to the door.

"I thought I told you to come down for dinner.", growls a voice you remember all too well.

You groan, "Oh great it's mister asshole!" Stella opens her mouth then purses her lips, almost as if she's just remembered you're not the twins, before turning her head towards the door.

"I'm not hungry.", Stella answers defiantly.

"You will come and eat or I'll- I'll burst the door down!", KillCode threatens. You notice the hesitation in his voice and your eyes narrow. At the same time, you think to yourself: oh christ, these two would probably kill each other if they could. Your hear other voices- Monty and Foxy- and one of them's chiding their master for 'being impolite'. There's a pause before a more tentative knock reaches your ears.

"Please, I'd...appreciate it if you came down." Is he...trying to be nice? Somehow, that's weirder.

Still...this is a love story (if your memory serves correctly) and...you have to play matchmaker. You subtly coax your friend, "Stella...maybe you should give him a chance."

Stella snorts, "Give a chance to the man keeping me locked up in here?" Okay, she has a point there but still...

"Just at least...talk to him.", you try.

The galaxy-themed animatronic scrutinises you suspiciously. "You called him 'mister asshole' not even a hour ago. Why are you doing a sudden 180?" Sweat gathers in your brow. Crap, you haven't thought about that.

Luckily, you don't have to answer that question as KillCode suddenly bellows, "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?!"

Stella turns her head to the door. "I'M TALKING TO MYSELF THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" You rub your temple tiredly, sighing. How would these two ever be an item?