The 'Red Center' in Seromi appeared more somber than usual. The vast spherical hall, lined with red walls adorned with historical engravings, reflected a strange dimness this Kai, as if light itself hesitated to penetrate the atmosphere heavy with tension.
The planetary presidents gathered as usual, but this time, the atmosphere was charged with a strange tension, weighted with secrecy.
The enormous hall, illuminated by its faint lights, intensified the prevailing anxiety. Everyone knew that this meeting was unlike any other; mysterious information had leaked, shaking the entire solar system.
Exchanged glances, cautious, filled with unspoken suspicions.
Mars stood from his place, with his sharp features and eyes glowing like burning embers, announcing the start of the meeting in his usual resonant voice:
"I declare the beginning of the planetary presidents' meeting.."
But instead of the words flowing as usual, a complete silence prevailed where no one dared to speak, as if a single word might ignite another cosmic war.
Their gazes collided then evaded, each trying to read what the others' eyes concealed, but everyone was sealed like fortified castles.
Finally, one voice broke through, attempting to break the dry silence:
"Well.. what happened with you all?"
But the question was lost in the void, as if unheard, even Neptune continued to stare at each of them for an answer.
In a desperate attempt to break the constraints, Earth began talking about the state of his planet in a wavering voice:
"For the first time in many cosmic years, no major disasters have occurred on my planet. It seems things are finally starting to improve."
And finally, since the beginning of the meeting, those rigid features changed; faint smiles appeared on the faces of those present, though most were not devoid of sarcasm.
Everyone knew that the third planet of the solar system suffered every Kai from natural and criminal disasters, and that what he was saying was merely calm in a sea of chaos.
But Mars couldn't contain himself and didn't hesitate to indirectly mock his friend, pointing to the weakness of his planet's inhabitants:
"Perhaps your inhabitants have exhausted their energy in destruction.. so they decided to take a break!"
The flames of Earth's anger ignited as his eyes reddened, but he suppressed his response amid that atmosphere that had become more tense, like a stretched thread about to snap.
Discussions about the conditions of the planets and their moons, problems and suggestions continued, until they were interrupted by a resonant voice, thundering like thunder:
"Enough procrastination.. why.."
The speaker was Saturn, whose voice echoed in the hall to bring everyone back to the main topic and he continued:
"Let's talk about the information that concerns us all now.. why.."
Neptune finally moved, his flashing eyes revealing uncertainty, saying in a cold voice:
"I found no evidence regarding that information."
Then Venus continued:
"I've already visited Eris, but he didn't know anything.. however, he indicated that the only possible source of information is.. planet... Pluto."
The hall was temporarily paralyzed after mentioning that name which was enough to flood the place with a wave of conflicting emotions; sadness, pity, and perhaps awe.
But Jupiter quickly broke that rigidity, denying what was said:
"Impossible! Pluto would never do any of that!"
But Uranus, who had been silent since finishing talking about his planet, finally surprised them with a low voice:
"Maybe it wasn't him, but one of his moons."
Everyone looked at him astonished by his reckless conclusion.
But Mercury, in a suspicious tone, supported part of his idea:
"If this is true.. there is a second possibility; perhaps the leaks are just a trap.."
Then he added a sentence that sent a shiver through their souls:
"Unless Pluto is planning something huge.. that we cannot face.."
Anticipation filled the hall, and yet, after slight hesitation, Earth raised the information on the X-Politas, the giant cosmic screen where a map of the solar system appeared extending from Mercury to Pluto, interspersed with colored lines, some heading toward the Sun... and others forming a complex network around them all.
Jupiter, using his scrutinizing gaze, caught the most terrifying detail that no one else had realized:
"Look! The line extending from Pluto to the Sun bears the same color as the one connecting Pluto to Uranus!"
Everyone turned toward the latter, whose features suddenly changed, as if he had been stabbed with the dagger of truth, but before he could utter a word, Neptune suddenly jumped up, pointing to a change in the nature of the lines:
"Here.. every line in this map is different from the other! There's something unnatural!"
Earth's fingers trembled as he stared at the suspect with eyes radiating a strange glow. Inside him, a storm of doubt and certainty fought for victory.
"No.." he whispered to himself, his inner voice shaking like a stretched thread about to snap.
"Uranus..."
But his lips remained tightly sealed. For Earth, contrary to his usual self, was certain this time of Uranus's involvement, as certain as a killer who only comes when his victim is in deep slumber..
But this is impossible! The evidence is still incomplete.. just one piece of evidence could turn his suspicions into absolute truth.
Even Mars was overcome by the same certainty, though he had wanted to avoid it from the beginning.
The crisis reached its peak, as if everyone was standing on the edge of a catastrophe.
Then... he finally appeared...
The X-Politas screen became distorted as if warning of danger.. that had already arrived, before that familiar face appeared..
Pluto...
Sitting on his worn chair, his body fortified with blue armor, leaning slightly forward, he didn't need to move to inspire terror... his mere presence was enough to paralyze everyone.
His gaze pierced them one after another, slow, deliberate, he didn't just despise them... he belittled their entire existence.
Silence prevailed, and no one dared to speak, the situation was like a terrifying aura waiting for a single signal from this being to announce the beginning of the end.
With absolute dignity, Pluto changed his body position, as if his appearance before them was natural, but the truth was far from that.
No one had met him for twenty-five cosmic years.. since that ill-fated Kai.
Mercury couldn't restrain himself, so he stood up pretending firmness, saying:
"Hello Pluto.. it's been a long time.. what do you want from the planetary presidents?"
But an evil smile had crept onto his lips before transforming into an expression of deep hatred.
Then he whispered in a voice they hadn't heard for a quarter of a cosmic century:
"Don't you remember what I said before leaving this filthy place, you failure? Tsk.. Earth must have transferred his disease to you all.. Uranus's question was the last question I answered for you.. and now..."
He pressed his back against the chair, and placed his hand on his face in an irregular manner, where his fingers spread unevenly, revealing one of his wide eyes that ignited with a crazy look, before saying those words:
"Let's start the fun, you fools..."
But the shock hadn't reached its peak yet..
Pluto moved with terrifying slowness.. and revealed the "guest of honor" in his horrifying play.
His body was like a mass of moving black fog, refusing light to reveal its details.
His black cloak rippled like living smoke, as for his metallic mask, it was nothing but a blank plate hiding all the details of his face.
But the smile of the fourth planet's president broke the anticipation that precedes disaster; that smile that appears on a soldier's face when he sees the enemy his fallen comrades had warned him about...
"It's him.." he whispered in amazement, while the memories of Phobos's last conversation raced in his head:
"Someone stepped among them, I couldn't see his features, his mask was strange, and his cloak concealed all his details. He approached me, his walk was slow, deliberate, as if enjoying seeing me surrounded..."
"You've finally appeared... you coward.."
The game finally begins! But how will it end?
— End of Chapter —