Chapter Text
Eclipse groaned as he sat up, a set of hands helping him up carefully. “There we go. It might take you a bit to get used to everything since we had to replace so much. It’s surprising you were still able to move at all.”
“w-Where…” He coughed, reaching up to hold his throat for a moment.
“You’re in the sanctuary. I’m a Sun, but to keep it less confusing I get called Sunset, or Set. I work in repairs. You’re a Solar, right?”
He looked over the Sun model that was helping him and took note that their paint resembled more sunset like colors with some pinks and oranges added in. Their yellow irises looked new, unlike his and his own Sun’s who had lost the blue paint over the years.
“That’s what I’ve been told… Is my Sun really going to be safe here?” He didn’t care about whether he would be safe there. All that mattered was Sun. That was all that had ever mattered to him.
Set nodded and went over to a set of computers that look like they held schematics. “Both of you are going to be safe here. Nothing can find us here unless the one who brought you here lets them. He’s called Dark Sun by the way. He doesn’t like the different names but knows we need them to tell each other apart.”
In a world full of no one but Suns that would make things difficult. He would have to help his own come up with a nickname.
‘Clipse, can we trust them?’ Sun asked in their head, very nervous about the whole situation.
‘I don’t know yet. They’re offering us our own bodies though.’ It had been a tempting offer, especially since they had been looking for a way to do it on their own but it had always been too risky.
‘Our own bodies? Yes, ask them for it. Please.’
Eclipse nodded and looked back to the watercolor Sun model. “Set? Is it true we can have our own bodies?”
Sunset looked over and smiled. “Of course! We all know what it’s like to have someone in our head, so research was done to be able to remove any mind passengers safely with little risk to either code. You’re very lucky actually to have still been together. Most Solar and Sun pairs split with a 95% risk of code corruption on one or the other. Dark Sun managed to get it down to only 5% risk, but also ways to hinder any corruption if found soon enough.”
It was a much better chance than they previously had. Maybe for once he could hold his Sun close to comfort him when the nightmares came. For once he would be able to protect him without risking his body as well. “Would we be allowed to design our bodies?”
“Of course, Solar. For now though, I need to check your physical and switching capabilities before you’re able to go out and look for an area to settle. Does your Sun want to do the tests or will you do them?”
‘I don’t feel safe coming out right now… Do we have to switch?’ Sun asked nervously in their head.
He nodded. “He’s nervous right now and doesn’t feel safe. How long does the switch have to be?”
“Just long enough for us to confirm a few things with him. Probably just a few questions.”
Eclipse, or Solar he supposed now, nodded and agreed to it. He knew that they likely wanted to ask Sun questions about him, to make sure that he really was safe to have around. From what Dark Sun had said, Eclipses likely tended to be bad, so manipulation would not be off the table if he had been one of those versions.
“Is it alright if he answers after the mobility test to give him time to relax?”
Set nodded before going over to help Solar up off the table. Their body and movements felt strange, but he figured it was because it had been a while since they’d had a fully repaired body. Their arms also felt lighter, and when he ran a self diagnostic in their head he found that the knife arms had been removed. In their place instead seemed to be a strange set of systems labeled repair modules. Searching further, similar modules seemed to have been added to more parts of their body.
He would have to ask about it later. At the moment, he had to focus on the instructions Sunset gave him. Testing basic sun model mobility really focused heavily on flexibility and measuring how far they could contort themselves. Despite the rigid metal they could bend quite far, twisting their upper and lower halves separately 360 degrees, along with all of their joints being able to act in the same way. The only hindrance they came across was the fact that their metal frame scrapped uncomfortably in some positions.
The next tests included speed, strength, coordination, stamina, and magic capability. That last one had come to the pair as a surprise since neither of them had known that they would be capable of it. Their Moon had used some, but never taught them any. It had likely been out of fear of what they would do if they had any real ability to fight back.
In their head he could already hear Sun thinking about what he would like for new additions, such as silicone sections for his exo casing so he could be more huggable, and the ability to move his rays around more.
‘Maybe you should also ask for a tail if you want expressive rays?’ He chuckled, enjoying the happy gasp his Sun gave.
‘Do you really think I can?’
‘You can ask while they ask you questions. I think they want to make sure I’m actually safe and not hurting you.’
‘I don’t know why you would. You’ve always been so good to me, Eclipse.’
‘I think they’ve met bad Eclipses before. That’s why they’re calling me Solar now. I think we should go along with the name. We also need to think of one for you since Sunrise is probably already taken.’
‘Probably. I’ll have to ask what names are taken. At least Solar sounds nice.’
Solar looked back up towards Set who was busy putting the results of the tests into the computer. From where he sat, he could see that it put them on a 1-5 scale on each section to compare to other Suns, which seemed to connect to a list of possible jobs. He supposed they would need to do something while they lived there to not be a burden on the society. Or it was to help give the Suns something to do since from his experience, his Sun didn’t like it when there was nothing to do.
Once it was all typed, Set turned back to them. “Alright, is your Sun ready?”
Solar nodded and held out the invitation for Sun, who took it and allowed him to take control. As he felt himself settle back into their shared mind he made sure to send comfort through their shared wires.
—
Sun blinked a few times as he settled into being in control of his body again, moving his arms to feel how well they moved. It felt strange for his body to not hurt. It was also strange to see a version of himself with different colors and a lab coat sitting in front of him.
The lab coated Sun smiled softly. “Hello there, Sun. I’m Sunset. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Are you really a Sun like me?” He couldn’t help but ask, kicking his legs as he rocked his head back and forth. It felt nice to be able to move however he wanted to again. “You don't sound like a Me. You’re too smart! Moon always tells me how dumb I am, so if there are other Suns wouldn’t they be the same?”
Sunset laughed, his orange and pink gradient rays wiggling as he did. It looked like fun to have them do that! “Any time Dark Sun rescues a Sun, or goes to find one that took out their Moon, he collects the knowledge chip and any information he can get from them. That way, us Suns can have the choice to be as smart as Moons. Not all of us take the offer, but those of us that do can use it to help newcomers like you and Solar. There’s a Sun in the next building who works on making new parts. They go by Sunlight. If you want any modifications or color changes you go to them.”
“Ok ok ok ok ok, so you’re Sunset, there’s a Sunlight who makes parts, and the one with the suit is Dark Sun?”
The pretty colored Sun nodded. “Yup. While we talk, could you touch your thumb to your fingertips one by one on one hand, then the other, then both at the same time? I want to see how well you’re calibrated to your own body.”
“Okie dokie!” He said happily as he started doing it. It was fun to do so he started to do it more! “So how many Suns are here? Do they all have different names? Does every Sun here have different colors? Or different upgrades or clothes? I saw there was magic on the test thingy, so will we be able to try doing magic? I wanna be able to make pretty lights!”
Sun realized he was probably talking far too much and being annoying, so he shut his mouth other than to quietly whisper “Sorry.” He also stopped all of his movements other than the fingertip touching he had been instructed to do. He could feel Eclipse, or… Solar, attempt to send comforting pulses through their shared wires.
The other Sun frowned and looked at them with sad yellow eyes. “Hey, no. Don’t be sorry for talking or moving. No one here is going to punish you for doing so. No one is ever going to take your voice away again.”
He wanted to believe Set, he really did. After all, why would another Sun hurt him? But… they were a Sun with the intelligence of a Moon. How was he supposed to trust them? He didn’t want to be out anymore. He wanted Eclipse to front and make everything feel safe again.
Sunset looked worried but stayed close, not touching him but also not moving away. “Hey, it’s okay to not feel safe… You’re in a new place after having experienced something really scary. I can answer your questions before we move onto the next part. Would you like that? Once we finish things up you can send Solar back out.”
He didn’t want to wait! He wanted Eclipse to make things easier! He wanted to feel safe! But he had to do what they wanted. He had to, or they might send him back. He didn’t want to go back… Monty would probably hurt them for what Eclipse did to Moon… So he nodded. He had to be good.
Set smiled once again, but it was softer than he had seen anyone smile towards him. His yellow eyes still seemed sad. “Alright, so other than the two other Suns I mentioned, there are fourteen others. That leaves eighteen Suns in total and one Solar. I think an Earth is also visiting today for therapy, yoga, and baking if you want to see her after this. This place is still new so there aren’t that many of us yet. Do you want me to write down their names for you as I list them so you don’t forget? It could also probably help you figure out your own name.”
He nodded and watched as the other put down their clipboard and went to a drawer to take out what looked like a journal. In the drawer there were more journals that all looked brand new and clean. When Set opened it, it was to the first page.
“Alright, so you’ve already met the first two of us, Dark Sun and Me, Sunset. Dark Sun is the one in the suit who built this place and either finds us or sends a message out so we can find the sanctuary. You could say that he’s the leader. Then there’s me. I run repairs and you can distinguish me by my sunset color pallet. Third is Sunlight who makes new parts and who you go to for any modification designs you want. Light can be distinguished by their more pastel colors and glow in the dark dots on the stripes of their pants.”
Sun nodded, following along so far. He had already been told all of that other than how Light looked, but it was probably so Set had enough time to write all the information down.
“Fourth is Red, or Red Giant. He’s still pretty skittish, but he had a violent Moon. He has a more red orange casing, is a bit larger, and has a red nightcap with stars on it. At the moment he’s helping with miscellaneous tasks. Just things to really keep him active and his mind off of things.”
So Red was large but scared… He wondered if it was because he was made to feel so small before? If so, he could relate. He liked being small though. It was harder to be noticed…
“Fifth and Sixth are Sunny and Sunshine. They both tend to stick together because they have similar histories. They both had their own Solars, but their Moons separated them too quickly, and their codes corrupted. Usually Suns are the ones who don’t make it in those cases, but those two somehow beat the odds. Before you worry, I did explain to your Solar before that we have found a way to make that far less likely so a split would be safe for you two. As for them, Sunny has some sky blue casing with some clouds. One of their nicknames is Sunny day, which I adore, and works with making clothes for everyone. They are more Nonbinary but don’t mind he/him if you forget. Sunshine on the other hand is more pale yellow and white. He runs the bakery next to the clothing shop.”
“They’re like me and Ecl- Solar?” He asked, perking up again. He could feel Eclipse’s interest rise as well from inside. Maybe they could make friends with those two more easily? Everything else seemed so scary.
The other nodded. “I just want you two to be careful around them since we don’t know how they’ll react to seeing a living Solar. Now for Seventh there is Sunflower who takes care of the flower gardens, they are distinguished by soft flower petal like rays. Eighth would be White, who is mostly white with yellow accents and the size a Lunar will tend to be. White is actually from a reverse cast dimension which means instead of a Sun and Moon to start with, they have an Eclipse and Lunar. You’ll learn what that means eventually.”
Sun held his head as he tried to think over all the new different information. His head was starting to really hurt, and it felt bad to not move around, and he just wanted to go out to explore.
‘Just wait a little bit longer, Sun.’ Eclipse- Solar insisted. His voice was soothing and he just wanted so badly to retreat into their head. ‘Once they say we’re good to go I’ll front and you can rest. I know this is a lot for you.’
“c-Can we save the rest of the stuff for later? My head hurts.” Sun quietly asked.
Set nodded. “Of course. Do you want me to still write them all down so you could maybe go meet them on your own time? After this the two of you just have an evaluation before you can be shown around.”
He nodded and watched as the scientist Sun continued to write the information. Once it was all written down the journal was handed to him along with a pen.
Sun blinked in surprise as he very carefully took the journal, afraid that doing so could actually be a trick. He hadn’t been allowed to have many things to himself, and being given something had always been a privilege that could be taken away at any moment. “i-Is this… mine?”
The other smiled. “Yes, it’s yours. When you two get your own bodies, Solar will be given one as well. You could say that everyone here gets one as their first real possession in their new life here. Most of us never get the chance to take anything from our old home because it would be too dangerous… There were a few who tried, and one managed to succeed, but most didn’t. So most things here are either made here or collected from safe dimensions where a Sun had saved themselves and decided to stay where they were. Usually those Suns have been around longer and had more connections than the ones here had.”
He looked over the journal before he held it close. Back at home, he only owned the drawings the children had made him. He hadn’t even had a room because Moon had taken the only one after their split, and the one time he asked if he could have one he had been locked in a full storage closet for the entire weekend. After that he hated being in any room where the door could lock. His Moon had taken notice and used the closet as a way to punish him if he ever got too annoying.
The lab coated Sun held out a hand, smiling gently in a way that made him feel like it could be safe to take the offer. He did so hesitantly and stood up. It felt strange again, to stand up and have nothing hurt at all. He had become so used to specifically his legs hurting so he couldn’t go very far. All he could do was do his work at the daycare and then spend the rest of the day resting if he was lucky.
“There we go. How are you feeling? Does anything hurt? I had to fix a lot when it came to your joints and wiring.”
“Nothing hurts, but my arms feel different. Actually, everything feels different.” It was so strange. Was that what it felt like to be functioning properly?”
‘They took out the arm blades and gave us repair units.’ Ec- Solar explained. It was going to take a while to get used to the name change…
…Wait.
“y-You took our knife arms?” Sun looked at the other him with wide, hurt eyes. He thought they had just fixed them up, but they had taken away their only means to defend themselves. They modified their body without permission, just as Moon had. They hadn’t even asked.
Set frowned but nodded. “I’m sorry, but Dark Sun made the request. You can get them back if Solar passes certain evaluations, but until then we… We can’t trust an Eclipse with weapons in the sanctuary. Even if they are a Solar. In most dimensions, they’re very violent and like to hurt Suns, just like Moons. It’s the rules we have to follow to stay safe.”
He didn’t like it, and it made him feel unsafe, but the reasoning was understandable… If they had all been hurt as well then it made sense… Still, he didn’t want to be out anymore…
“Here, why don’t we take you to Earth for your evaluations and then you can switch out and rest. It won’t take too long. I promise.” The watercolor Sun said, offering their hand again. He didn’t want to take it. They violated their trust by taking away what little defense they had… But he took the offer anyway. He had to be good so they wouldn’t be thrown out.
He just had to be good, and useful, and then they will see he and Solar would be good to keep and Dark Sun won’t get annoyed by them for a while. It would happen eventually since it was what always happened. “To Earth.”