Chapter 1: Mewni Law

Star slouched on the floor of her room, legs crossed and head in her hand, absentmindedly chewing on her recently "broken" wand. It can still shoot a narwhal at a charging monster, Star always thought. Why does Glossaryck keep calling it broken?

Everyone had been hounding on at her, like what was she supposed to do? Let Marco get squished? No object is worth the life of a living, breathing person, especially not her best friend's life. Even if her wand is the most powerful thing in the-

"Star Butterfly are you even listening to me?"

Star jolted upright in surprise. In her current state of lackluster boredom mixed with the ongoing morality discussion in her head, she had almost forgotten what she was doing. Looking up to face the mirror on her wall, she saw the looming, intimidating figure of her mother gazing down at her, looking tired and completely unimpressed. Star hastily removed her wand from her mouth and returned Queen Moon's gaze.

"Pfft … yeah mom, of course I'm listening!" said Star, giving her mom a cheeky grin. "Hanging on every word."

Moon just sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, the disbelief etched all across her stern face. "Then do tell me this one thing, Star. Whats was I talking about?"

Well that is anyone's guess, thought Star as she racked her short term memory for the answer. Was it about my wand again? I mean, maybe, but I honestly have no idea what more she could say about it. Hmm, my training maybe? Seems more likely, let's roll with that.

"Mom you have nothing to worry about." Star said nervously, tapping her forehead with her index finger, "All that book knowledge is up here. I'm really starting to get all this magic stuff down, even Glossaryck said-"

"While the prospect of you burning down entire kingdoms on a less frequent basis does thrill me," Moon interrupted, the thick layer of sarcasm and impatience evident in her tone, "That is not what I was telling you about."

Before Star could ramble up another excuse, Moon just continued on. "You may not be aware, but in a few days time, we are holding the annual Ball of the Butterfly."

In all honesty, Star had no idea that there was a ball in a few days, or what this ball even entailed, but she instinctively groaned with annoyance. "Another stupid ball where I have to act all prim and proper so all the nobles can ooh and ahh at me? Sounds great."

Moon sighed. She knew that Star would never be like her, and while she loved her daughter unconditionally, she still had to understand that some things are expected of her. "We all have to do things we don't want to sometimes, Star. It is called life."

Star just nodded, still sulking at the thought of having to go to this stupid dance thing. Moon noticed this and chose her following words carefully, knowing Star would really not like what she heard next.

"Anyway," the Queen continued, "This is a very special ball. Princes and princesses from all across the multiverse will be attending, and it just so happens that Mewni has been chosen to host this year's ball. Now that you're 14, you are eligible to participate in the … in the mingling."

Star just stared at her mother, a confused look spread across her face. "What does that mean?"

Moon took a deep breath. "Well, basically, the princes and princesses from all different dimensions chat and get to know one another, and when the ball ends … the princess picks a suitor."

If Star was drinking anything right now, she would have spat it out all over her mirror. "WHAT?!"

Moon tried to calm Star down, to no avail. "A suitor? At fourteen years old?! Mom, are you crazy? I can't even decide what I want for breakfast most days, and now I have to pick out the guy I'm going to marry? What the heck?!"

Her mother once again sighed. "Listen Star. I know this is a big ask of you, but the future of Mewni depends on you finding the future king, as to secure your hold on the kingdom and to make a lasting alliance with another dimension."

Star was at a loss for words. She could not believe this was happening. She didn't want pick some snobby, persnickety prince to marry. She wasn't even sure what she wanted in a husband, let alone a king. "And I have to do this? There is nothing I can do to get out of this?"

"Mewni law states that you must pick a suitor when you become of age, which is now." Moon states, then briefly pauses. "...Well, unless…"

That was all Star needed. She jumped up and moved closer to the mirror, a glimmer of hope sparkling in her deep blue eyes. "Unless? Unless?!"

"Well," Moon began, scratching her wrist, "The law does state that if a princess is in a preexisting relationship at the time of the ball, then she is exempt from choosing a suitor, as not to alienate the princesses' … significant other."

Star smiled to herself, overjoyed that there was a loophole to get her out of this stupid tradition. "Oh no, what a shame mom!" said Star, feigning shock and upset, "It just so happens that I actually am in a relationship at the moment!"

"Really?" Moon enquired skeptically, eyeing her daughter with disbelief and apprehension. Star eagerly nodded, unable to hold in her smirk.

"Yep," she lied, "And my dear sweet boyfriend would be so offended if I had to pick out some stranger the marry. I just couldn't put my sweetheart through that."

The Queen still wasn't convinced, "So who is this … boyfriend of yours?"

Star froze, not expecting a follow up question. "Just … erm … just an earth boy! Yeah, that's it! Just a nice boy I met on earth. He's a great guy, you would really like him. And dad too."

"Oh I'm sure," said Moon, apprehensive of her daughter's story. "Well then, I suppose you won't have to pick a suitor this year then, Star-"

"Oh well!" exclaimed Star, already ready to end the conversation, "Maybe next year, huh? Was great speaking to you mom, we definitely have to do this again some-"

"I'm not finished," the Queen said sternly, causing Star to shut her mouth, "While you don't have to pick a suitor, your presence at the ball is still required, with Mewni hosting the ball this year."

"Oh," was all that Star could say. At least I have dodged one bullet, she thought. It could have been a lot worse than-

"And you'll be bringing this earth boyfriend with you."

The words took a moment to process through Star's brain. "I … I have to bring my … my boyfriend?"

"Indeed," said Moon, smiling. "As you said, your father and I would approve of the boy, but I'm sure we would love to judge that for ourselves. And we wouldn't want all the other princes thinking that the Butterfly family have lied and cheated them out of a right to woo you, now, would we?"

Star couldn't even formulate an answer, so Moon continued, "Unless, of course, you don't have a boyfriend, and you're able to pick a prince to arrange a marriage with?"

At this, Star's mind sprung back into action. "No no! Of course, mom, we will be there!" she said through gritted teeth.

Moon smiled, "Lovely, Star. I shall see you and your boyfriend in a few days. I look forward to it." And with that, the mirror chat ended and her mother's image disappeared.

Star slumped down into her previous slouching position on the floor, deep in thought. Where the heck am I gonna find a brand new boyfriend on a few days notice?

Star pondered the options. There is always Tom, but no doubt he'll be going to ball anyway. Ugh, have that to look forward to. Even so, he would just twist the situation to his advantage, and I really don't want to spend an evening pretending to be his … urgh, girlfriend.

Who else? Oskar maybe? Just the thought of the keytar playing bad boy made Star sigh in longing. An evening with him would be magical, but … I have barely spoken three words to the guy. I doubt he'll just drop everything to come to some strange ball with me. Plus, I need to wait for the right moment to ask him out.

Star grumpily moved over to her bed and let herself fall down onto the mattress, putting a pillow over her head and screaming into it. "Why is this so hard?"

So all she needed was a boy, someone her age, someone who she knows would do this for her, someone who she trusts, someone who she would be able to spend an evening with, someone who-

"Star?" came a voice from her door. Star sat up and looked over at the entrance to her room. There stood her best friend Marco Diaz wearing his signature red hoodie and sporting a look of concern. "I heard your muffled scream, Star. Is everything okay?"

At that moment, a thought occurred to Star. Almost on autopilot, she stood up and walked up to Marco, observing every inch of him. Marco just looked at her in confusion, "Uh, Star-"

"Shh!" hissed Star as she continued to inspect Marco. A boy my age, someone who would willingly go to a ball with me. Someone I trust and someone who I wouldn't mind spending an evening with...

A small blush appeared on Star's face, unnoticed by Marco, who was still squirming uncomfortably.

"Oh," was all that Star could say, turning away from Marco to hide her slightly red face. Marco just stared at her, oblivious to the entire situation.

There was a small silence, in which Star's mind was going a mile a minute. Finally, Marco broke the silence and said exactly what Star needed to hear in order to confirm her decision.

"Star … I don't exactly know what's going on here, but … is there anything I can do to help?"