Chapter Text
This place was definitely big, Moon could say that much. It felt like they've been roaming around for hours now. But time is an interesting thing. Never know if it truly has been that long or not. Especially when the lunar bots internal clock seemed to be messed up. Though he could only assume that was because he was in a different dimension.
Some of their time differed to others after all. It was probably throwing his clock off. Did time even pass here actually? The animatronic was curious about that. They've talked enough, surely the sun wouldn't mind if he asked. "Does time pass in this place?"
Sun looked toward him as they walked, a questioning hum coming from his voicebox. Yeah, he should probably clarify. "I mean, some dimensions time is different compared to others. Some go at the same period of time, others pass by slower or quicker. But where does a dark matter dimension stand from that viewpoint?"
It was quiet for a couple minutes, before Dark Sun let out a sound reminiscent to a chuckle. Moon's, always quite the curious ones. "I should have figured you'd ask a question like that at some point. I'm certain time does pass here Moon. At what speed, I could not tell you. The day and night cycles are a lot longer here than on earth, and even that doesn't tell us if it's quicker or slower compared to other dimensions. I would have to look into that more to know how long it's truly been."
The sun couldn't miss how the moon's eyes lit up as he talked about the dimension and its cycles. He knew it was just right up his alley, learning about stuff. Even if he wasn't as smart as the old Moon, he shared that same curiosity and craving to learn.
It irked the sun. But he refused to acknowledge his emotions on that. He didn't need to after all, there were much more important things to do.
The silence between them stretched, before Sun caught Moon staring around at the architecture. That was something he didn't mind talking about at least. "I was always interested in.. I suppose fantastical architecture."
The moon looked toward Dark Sun, neverending smile eternally etched onto his face. A hint of glee in his eyes. Dark Sun didn't care what it was there for. Moon spoke up not a moment later. "Oh I can tell. Blue fire is a nice touch."
It was bound to happen, that Moon would comment on that. He seemed particularly intrigued by it. "Blue fire. Yes, wasn't enough to light up the place unfortunately. So there's little things lighting up the whole of the area."
And the moon hums in response. Figures it wouldn't. While fire was a decent light source, it wasn't the best for large buildings. Especially when it was so high up. Obviously for aesthetic purposes over anything else.
"But as we pass every single room imaginable, I would like for you to keep in mind whatever you want." Moon looked back towards the sun as he kept speaking.
It particularly caught his interest when he mentioned keeping in mind whatever he wanted. What did he mean by that exactly? "Oh, what do you mean whatever I want?"
Dark Sun continued to explain a moment after he asked his question, keeping that cheerful tone in his voice. He didn't entirely know if he could call it cheerful. "Oh, there are a great many spaces for you to explore and to use at your leisure, if you so wish to. A lab for you to concoct and make your own creations, again at your own leisure."
That he definitely enjoyed the sound of. His own area to do whatever he pleases, make whatever he pleases. Obviously he's had his own lab before, but those were still the old Moon's. And it wasn't like he could go back anyway, they'd find him and try to kill him again.
Dark spoke up again, picking up where he left off. "But you will have to choose at some point. Won't just let you run around making lab after lab and then forgetting that you have another lab."
And the lunar bot scoffed at that. He wasn't the one who did that, and he didn't entirely like being accused of doing something like that. "Oh don't worry, that was never something I did. That was the other- Creature in my head."
That made the solar bot laugh this time. "Right. Right. That one certainly di- Kept forgetting where everything he placed down was going."
The two entered a new area, and the moon hardly realized they were in a completely new area. Not when he was, more or less, more focused on their conversation.
"Oh no, it was backups and backups and backups and backups and who CARES about a backup??" It almost irritated him, because who needed THAT many labs? Perhaps backed-up codes, he could understand. But he didn't really do that either, Eclipse was the only one that did. That also really irritated him.
"One of the reasons why you lost." Certainly a way to switch the topic, but Sun didn't entirely want to hear him end up going on about that right now.
That did make Moon laugh though. "No, I lost because of Puppet's power."
And the solar bot hummed in response to that. "Oh, right. Correct, Puppet's power. I don't know what that thing has too much, but I can hazard a guess." Dark Sun pauses. He could switch the topic back. Not like there was much there anyway. "But, I'm not taking you all the way down here for you to just.. Choose rooms as well. I wish to show you something, beautiful."
The lunar bot remembered Dark mentioning that before. Him seeing something more beautiful. He was still really curious, what was it? "I don't suppose you're going to tell me what it is you want to show me?"
The sun only chuckled at that. "I wish for you to see it yourself instead, before I explain what it is. I'm sure you'd be fine with that though."
"Sure. I assume we're almost there anyway." It wasn't that he minded, no. He was just really curious about it. "What could possibly be here anyway?"
The solar animatronic knew he'd ask that eventually. Not that it mattered much. He stopped, turning to look toward Moon. "What could be here.. Oh, something so magnificent, I could never really have fully described to you yet. Words would not be enough. Come."
The two stood upon a platform, a red diamond in the middle of it. Moon stared at it for a moment, but seeing Dark Sun disappear the moment he stepped on it, he could only assume it was a teleport. Smart, an easier way to get around this place. Maybe he should have that for his areas, if he didn't feel like walking.
He followed after him. It definitely felt weird, but he couldn't quite describe how it felt. It worked though, that's all that really mattered. He turned to try and spot the sun, which didn't take long.
Dark turned back around as Moon looked at him, walking to another door and standing before it as his hand rested on the door frame. "Once we step through this door, you'll see it. And I warn you now." The sun turned to look at the moon, his gaze serious as he spoke. "Uphold your breath. And do not disturb it as it slumbers."
Now Moon, his nerves were a little racked as he stared back at Sun. What was he getting himself into here? He wasn't going to back out now obviously, but he couldn't say he wasn't the slightest bit nervous. His intrigue was probably too high to avoid whatever Sun wanted to show him anyway. "It? Slumber??"
Dark only turned back to the door, gesturing for him to enter first. "After you."
And of course, Moon had to enter through the door, inching towards what he was talking about. If he could breathe, his breath would definitely be caught in his throat. Dear stars, Dark Sun was not wrong. It was an absolutely magnificent sight to look at.
He saw the horns, those large crystal-like horns, before anything else. They couldn't see much else from where they were standing, so he wanted to get a closer look. He needed to see what this was. He could be wrong, about what it was, but stars, it was absolutely breathtaking.
"What do we have here?" Of course, he walked up the staircase, just staring at what was just.. Laying there. A dragon, but absolutely covered in some.. Crystal-like substance, he assumed. Its horns and claws were made of it, even its tail. But it was absolutely majestic.
As Moon stared at the creature before him, Sun followed not too far behind, simply stopping beside him. "It took a long time to procure."
The lunar animatronics gaze was fixed solely on the dragon, and he laughed in bewilderment. "Is that what I think it is?" After he asked that question, he finally turned to look at Dark Sun.
And the solar animatronic was pleased with his reaction, but did see it coming. Finally, someone else to appreciate it in all its glory. "A wither storm. A baby version of it still but, slowly being cultivated."
Moon's gaze turned back toward the dragon as he spoke. That seemed almost impossible. How'd he even get one? There was no way he could've without dying, surely. "How??"
Sun just walked closer to it, and Moon followed not too far behind once he realized he was getting closer.
"Remember when I,, talked to you and was asking about how to make a star that worked in any dimension?" He knew it'd probably click for Moon eventually. Hopefully especially with that comment.
It took a moment, maybe two, before he replied with, "Oh, that's what you meant."
So he was using the wither storm as some sort of star? That.. Wasn't actually a bad idea, if you could get one without dying.
That aside, he seemed proud when he responded in turn. "I found it. Wherever we go, now, that thing will drag with it negative energy. I have not taken the time to go to many other dimensions, but at the current moment, I don't think it's necessary."
He swore he was listening, even as he stared at the massive creature before him, but the thought just wouldn't leave him. "How long?"
Dark Sun made a confused hum and looked at him in confusion. "How long have I been making it?" Stars, Moon never could clarify what he meant until questioned on it. He'd hope he would eventually work on that. It wastes needless time. Though, it wasn't like it would be worth anything in the end.
The lunar animatronic seemed to quickly catch onto what he needed to clarify on and made a sound reminiscent of clearing his throat. "I mean how long until it matures?"
He could have just said that with his question in the first place. But nevermind that, the solar animatronic replied in return. "Depends at the rate we go at things. If I wanted it to mature early or as fast as possible, could be taking less than.. Less than a month. But, I'm in no hurry. So, I'd say a year."
Finally, Moon looked over at Sun once again. "So what's your plan with it?"
Sun thought for a good moment or two. Technically he didn't quite need to explain his future plans with it. Moon didn't need to know that quite yet. Perhaps there would be a time where he would tell Moon about it, but until then, he didn't fully need to know.
So he simply replied with, "Right now? Guard dog."
The other almost seemed disappointed with his response. "Seems like a waste." For all the things he could've chosen to do with a wither storm of all things, he chooses guard dog? He probably had other plans with it, but surely he could find a better purpose for it other than that, right?
And he could hear Sun chuckling at his response. Maybe it was just how he responded, but something told him that it was his reaction as a whole that was making the sun laugh. "Of course I have more plans than just a simple guard dog Moon. Just some things I'd rather not reveal yet."
It was definitely his reaction as a whole. He decided to ignore that, and stare back at the dragon. He was silent, but there was something plaguing his mind. That damn name. He hadn't entirely realized he'd hated that name until now.
He knew he hated the individual with the name, but the word itself? Moon was starting to realize just how awful it felt being called that now. It was only a reminder of everything bad that had gone on in his life. Waking up with it and having to fix all his problems and essentially being treated like he was him.
Why was it only now that he was actually thinking about it? Because of recent events? Actually no, the recent events probably made it worse. Maybe that's why he was starting to think more on how he felt about it.
..He could almost feel someone watching him. And seeing as Dark Sun was also admiring the dragon, there was a big possibility that it was something he didn't want to confront now. So that was probably enough thinking, it was way too quiet for his liking.
Moon let out a hum, to try and get Dark's attention. "You know.. The name "Moon" almost disgusts me."
It definitely got the sun's attention. As hard as he was to read sometimes, he almost seemed shocked by his statement. "Disgusts.. You? What?"
"It's not me." And it never was him. Thinking about it, he was essentially acting as a dead man to help Sun cope with the loss of his real brother. It was.. Awfully weird if he thought back on it. He never got the chance to think on what he wanted to be, he was just immediately thrown into caring for Sun.
The solar animatronic stared at him for a moment, before actually responding. "Then what.. Word, or name, would you like to use instead?"
And Moon would be lying if he said he'd expected that question, especially from him. He'd only expected to mention it and neither of them would do much about it. So he squinted, and his gaze shifted toward the ground.
What name did he want? Not Moon. Probably nothing Moon related either. But maybe he'd change his mind on that. That wasn't his worry right now. What felt like it'd fit him?
He couldn't think of anything for the time being. So after a bit more silence, he sighed and responded with, "Give me a little bit to think."
Dark Sun nodded his head after he said that. "Wait I shall. Until then, I shall refer to you as Moon. Is that alright?"
As much as he hated the name, he had nothing for him to call him instead. So it'd just be better to stick with it until he thought of something. "That's fine for now."
The sun only replied with a "Very well". If he didn't mind it for the time being, he could stand to be called it a little longer. It was still surprising to the Sun. Never had he met a Moon who despised the name they had.
'Moon' continued with what he was going on about before. "I won't say it doesn't spark a light amount of anger in me."
That didn't surprise Sun. A Moon would get upset over such a thing. So Dark Sun quietly scoffed at that. "Then use that anger appropriately." The solar animatronic paused, to see if he'd continue on with anything else. When he didn't, he changed the subject. "If you come down here, on your ownsome, I warn you now, it will be very dangerous for you."
The lunar animatronic chuckled, looking back at Dark Sun. "Oh what, does it only listen to father?" The thought of such a thing seemed to amuse the Moon.
And it, admittedly, did amuse Sun as well. So he decided to, minorly, play along. "Oh yes. Don't disturb it when it sleeps. I can not protect you otherwise. These little columns here keep it contained.. And happy. But!" The dark Sun turned around, and walked towards 'Moon', hand now rested on his shoulder.
"We're getting off track now. Let's focus back in. You have full range of this.. I suppose the word would be castle, abode, or home. Just the only warning I give you." He turns back to look at the dragon and gestures towards it. "Is that."
And 'Moon' also turned to look at it. "I won't touch your pet. As much as it fascinates me to the deepest parts of my core." He understood that could potentially cause some problems for him.
That didn't seem to be much of a problem for the Sun though. "If you wish to research it, you'll have to have me there with you."
Which.. Did sort of shock 'Moon'. He was allowed to with him around? That'd be something he'd be interested in learning more about. "Maybe at some point. With the energy it expels."
The Sun hummed, looking toward 'Moon'. "It does not expel energy."
What.
'Moon' looked towards Dark Sun, a little bewildered. "Really?" How was that possible? All witherstorms expelled energy, how did this one not?
His question wouldn't go unanswered, as Sun replied after he questioned him. "Unlike other witherstorms that slowly die out, the star that I made keeps it within."
The lunar animatronic hummed in reply to that, staring back at the dragon. "Now that.. That's tantalizing."
Dark Sun let out a little giggle as he looked back at the dragon as well. "Technically immortal. But of course, you know that's not truly the case either. It can die eventually."
"Oh, of course. All things must die." Nothing would ever truly be immortal, everything had to inevitably die. Yet that felt like a dark way to look at things, despite it being true.
The Sun mostly ignored his comment, continuing on the topic before. "Now, you have layaway of all the rooms here. Is there any that truly interested you?"
'Moon' thought for a moment, before replying with, "Oh, I think just a couple floors up will suit me just fine." It was a nice area, he certainly wouldn't mind having it.
Sun nodded in return. "Very well. Do with it as you wish. And I think you talked about, uh what was it, making robots to do mining or something?"
Oh yeah, that whole thing. He corrected the Solar animatronic. "Mechanized workers take away the dirty work for us." It'd be useful, take care of stuff so they didn't have to do it.
"Ah. Well if you so wish, be my guest. I'll have your room set up eventually, or you may set it up yourself." He didn't care which he wanted to do. One would save him more time, but he could set up if he so wishes for him to.
Moon changed the subject rather quickly though. "Why do you go by "Sun" still?"
Which, he didn't entirely understand. "..Why do I go by Sun?" Most of his.. Questions, didn't entirely make sense to him. He didn't get why he cared to know either.
"You know we called you "Dark Sun"."
As if that made it make any more sense. Not like he'd reply like that though, not if he wanted to gain his trust. "Ah yes, Dark Sun. I think a uh.. Well a ridiculous name, but I can go by it if you so wish."
Despite that, the lunar animatronic continued. "No. I just wonder why you haven't picked something else."
Ah. So that's what this is about. Questioning his own identity must be making him wonder about others and their identity choices. At least he assumed that's what this was about.
But he didn't mind answering that. It was a simple curiosity. "Because Sun is my name. Not everyone else's name." He stepped closer towards 'Moon', "And though you hold resentment for your name and whatever you're so called, I don't hold the same resentment."
'Moon' only hums, seemingly.. In thought. Sun waited for a moment or two, to see if he'd like to say anything. But when he didn't, he continued himself.
"While I do not hold the same resentment as you do, I did not go through the same process, of becoming you. I am just Sun. And you are no longer Moon."
If his face could move, Sun was sure he'd be frowning and his brows would be furrowed. His silence almost gave off that energy, somehow. But he did speak eventually, it didn't take long. "Right. I just need to change this body. And I'll figure out a name eventually.. In time I suppose."
"And that can be a low priority, as it's still functioning. But, it is your priority to make it how you wish." Just as long as he prioritized the right things when they needed to be prioritized, he cared not for what he did with his body and himself.
And the lunar animatronic nodded in reply. "I'll do it on my time, don't you worry. It won't take up any useful time."
And of course, that pleased the sun. "Very good. Now, would you like me to set up your laboratory, or would you-"
He didn't want him to. He didn't even let himself think about getting help from the sun. He didn't need help, he could do it himself. "Oh no no no. I have a process."
"Very well! You'll find instruments available in waiting for you in storage. Make use of them how you see fit." Clearly, the solar animatronic wasn't looking forward to the possibility of having to help either, with how "joyful" he seemed knowing that he'd do it himself.
He didn't care about it. It gave him more time to himself, more time to look around the place by himself. He only needed himself now anyway.
"You need to stop wishing for something that'll never be there."
Stars was he GLAD his face couldn't move. He nodded, keeping a, more or less, "cheery" tone of voice. "Oh I will! See you soon!" Now would be the best time to leave, much rather than later. He just left as soon as he could, only briefly sparing a glance back.
Despite how.. In a hurry 'Moon' seemed to be leaving, the Sun waved in his direction. "See you soon, Moon." Whatever that was, he knew he wouldn't stay away for long. Either he would have to go to him, or the lunar animatronic would eventually visit him.
Otherwise, he simply watched as he exited the room, making sure he was gone, before turning to the dragon. Yet again, a magnificent thing it was. "You will grow up to be a fine beast yet. Soon enough. Soon enough.." And it would help with many things in the future he was certain.
The solar animatronic was quiet for a few moments, before looking up toward the ceiling. He knew a...Certain someone was watching him. So he hummed and spoke, "Do you usually stalk like that by the way?"
He heard a tiny voice stutter out its answer, fear evident in its voice. "Uh. W..What, no?"
And Sun turned to look in the direction of the small voice, looking around to try and spot the little bot, watching as the little head popped up from the stairs. "I know you, Neptor."
Neptor floated over to Sun, stopping in front of him and nervously clasped his hands together. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stalk like that."
The sun only watched as he floated over. He was curious though, "What are you doing Neptor?"
Neptor tilted his head. He was just.. Here. He didn't have much of a reason at the moment. "Uh.. I dunno."
Sun sighed in reply. Of course, he wasn't surprised. Neptor was much like a kid, he didn't expect him to think of a reason for coming here. "He didn't see you, did he? Moon?"
He could see Neptor's expression change into a more gleeful one. "No, I made sure!"
Good, he didn't need Moon knowing about Neptor. Not yet, at least. He moved forward a bit, towards Neptor. "Good. Now, you've proven yourself to be very helpful Neptor," He crouched down in front of the smaller bot. "And I very much appreciate that. Right now, all you need to do is just stay.. With being friends with them."
Neptor knew who he was talking about. It was part of his purpose after all. "I can do that! I like Jack and Dazzle!"
That amused the sun, and he may have laughed a bit. "I know you can. And you'll do a very good job at that. How have they been, ever since Moon's gone away?"
Neptor held one of his hands up to his face, seemingly in thought. "I don't think most people know. Uh. Except maybe uh, Monty? Because they tried to find the body. And then, it's not there. So now they're just trying to, make a new, Moon?? I think?? I don't know."
That was certainly something he could use if the subject ever.. Came up. For his plan to work, he needed Moon to stay with him. If he found out they were already "replacing" him..
He let out a small laugh. He could think on that another time. "I suppose it doesn't matter." Sun sighed and stood back up before continuing, "Thank you Neptor."
Sun turned to walk away, but Neptor raised his hands and spoke to try and get the sun's attention. "Uh uh! I have, quest..question?"
In reply, he hummed and turned to look at him. "Yes Neptor?"
Neptor momentarily moved forward and then back, trying to figure out his wording. "Uh, why did you, let, them.. Bring Solar back? Or dis.. Un-? Undisabled- Un.. Unhurt Eclipse? Unhurt Eclipse!"
Ah, that. He tilts his head. "You mean why did I disable the,, clogging of Eclipse's processors and allow them to bring Solar back?" He needed to make sure that's what he was talking about.
The tiny bot paused for a moment, thinking, before exclaiming, "I.. Yeah! Yeah that!"
Certainly an entertaining little individual he's made. Sun chuckled at his reaction. "You are an interesting creature Neptor. But, you don't need to know that, do you?"
He stumbled over his words and shifted in place, hands clasping each other once again. "Uh, I'm, I'm sorry. I, I didn't mean anything by it." While he was speaking, his metal antennae lowered, and he backed up the smallest bit.
Sun could tell, he was afraid. Not simply nervous, no, his movements didn't carry that. And that's not what he wanted. If this was to work, he'd need the tiny bot to trust him. He couldn't get him to do things out of fear alone, that never worked out well for.. Some others in the past.
So he decided to lighten his tone, immediately replying, "No Neptor. I built you to be like this, questioning." He saw Neptor's antennae raise after that. Good, that's what he needed. "After all, it's your whole purpose. If you so really want to know, I don't suppose you'll tell anybody, will you?" He walked closer toward him and crouched down in front of him.
And that got Neptor to lighten up, so he exclaimed cheerfully, "Never! I will not tell a soul! Uh, wait-" But got confused mid sentence because of his own wording and who he mostly hung around. "Animatronics, don't technically have souls, do they? I, I don't. Huh?"
Certainly had the mind of a child. It had its amusing moments, but he couldn't get carried away now. "They don't have souls, Neptor. I understand what you mean though, just don't tell anybody. Okay?"
"Yeah!" He exclaimed once again, nodding in reply. He was really curious, and wanted to know why he did that. He wanted to understand.
And Sun knew that. That was part of his purpose after all. "I allowed them to bring Solar back, because Solar is still part of this grand scheme of mine. And Eclipse needed to bring him back because no one else would have the ability to do so. And if they brought him back too soon, well.. We wouldn't have a new friend here, would we?"
The little bot tilted his head to the side, before saying, "Oh, I see. Okay. Thank you for telling me, I- I'm sorry," Neptor's metal antennae lowered again out of nervousness. "I don't want to seem like I'm, you know, uh, questioning your orders, sir."
"You're not questioning my orders." The solar animatronic finally stood upright, looking down at the smaller robot. "You're just doing as you're told. Now, run along. Do your thing, spy on them, tell me of anything of interest." That was all he needed him to do for now. He still needed other parts of his plan to go smoothly. He had to get them going first though.
"Thank you!" The small bot said and rushed off afterward, leaving the solar animatronic alone with the large dragon.
Once Nexus was finished setting up his lab, familiarized himself with his surroundings, he could move on with what he planned on doing next. Yet for the time being, he could scope out some other dimensions, get some parts he may need.
Sun just hums to himself while in thought. "Soon, everything will come together soon enough. Soon enough." That time would come eventually, one way or another. For now, he turned away from the storm, and headed back towards the halls. He had stuff he needed to do in the meantime.