Chapter 25: I Need Her

Rating: (T-M) Not for Kids.

Pairings: Starco, JanTom

A/N: Prepare yourselves with this chapter. It's... something. I was excited when I posted this!

It took long for me to finish and post because A: Its sort of long, (PAUSE) and B: Because I spent the time to edit these good. I read through it so many times I got sick of it, and I spent a lot of time rewriting. The original chapter for 25 was finished with only 11,000 words a long time ago. However, my friend told me all these things I had to work on and BOOM, this chapter was born.

(Also, this is a 28,000 worded chapter).

I want to take the time to apologize for how long I've been gone. With my other stories, I'm sort of in a book. :( Now with this quarantine though, I feel like I can catch up easily. If only my teachers weren't meanies.

Anywho...

I hope you enjoy.

Narrator's P.O.V

[. . .]

Green eyes skimmed across the almighty kingdom of Mewni, bright and alert.

They examined each tower, each home—each remnant of festivals and great celebrations left after such destruction following each amusement, in search of the trouble yet to come. Her eyes centered now on the tall concrete walls surrounding the kingdom, a frown of distaste forming on her face.

Her bright green orbs noticed each crack and each stain of old blood from old wars, decorated with vinal activity crawling across the wall and into the other side.

She saw the gate, rusty and worn and bent, focusing intently on the petite guards patrolling the area, disapproving.

Then, her green eyes had turned to the desert-looking plains on the outside. Far enough away, at the boundary of the kingdom of Mewni, miles, and miles separated—

A deeper frown had caressed her lips and her brows had knit together upon noticing the various tents circling camps full of monsters. There was a fire.

There was always fire.

"Despair," She whispered, voice gentle and calm, "Despair, sweetheart. Your Mother."

In the distance, there was a chant.

"Despair. Your mother... She's in danger." Eclipsa said gently, her green eyes becoming purple, "You must save her."

She could see it. The shine of a sharp blade had reached her eyes, the rise of the sun emitting an orange glow.

"For Monsters!"

"Save her. For you."

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves and removing the small particles of dust in the air, inhaling the scent of ash, and resentment.

Again it had gone quiet.

And again, there was nothing left.

[. . .]

Everyone stood tall and guarded themselves against the almighty presence of—

"The Lizard." Someone whispered as others' backs straightened from the sight.

Their feet came together and their eyes immediately trained forward as he walked by, forming two straight lines on each side of the dictator himself. Swallowing their fear, they stood tall and proud, hopeful that their dignity would be able to hide the fear they held for their lives.

The Lizard walked with a shift of metal against his boots and the sound of small hard balls of dirt crunching beneath him, his presence emitting foul waves of discomfort and sorrowless judgment.

"General." A green lizard declared, hitting his chest as a greeting, stepping out of the line.

The Lizard became still, a placid expression on his face. "Rasticore." Toffee addressed evenly, hands folded behind him.

The Green lizard offered him a knowing look in his one eye, his purple jewel glowing with regent pride. "I believe we're ready for your command." He said to him, an evil grin forming on his reptilian mouth.

A few of the other monsters in the line had grinned at the announcement, while others stood still, holding onto their fear.

Toffee looked to one side then his other, and finally, back at Rasticore, eyes concentrated on his one only. "We attack at next day's sun." Toffee said without hesitance, blank. "At the next light, we will prepare," He turned around to look at all his soldiers that were around at the moment, "We will sharpen our weapons, we will bring down Mewni's walls," His voice curled with evil intent at each barking word, "And we kill, take, and sabotage our taken land, bringing Mewni's kingdom into ruin."

The crowded lines of all monsters erupted in a loud howl of approval the instance Toffee made his statement, sounds of banging metal and stomping earth accompanying their cheers.

At their cheers, Toffee's frown curled upwards, and his sense of recognizing doom came to him.

It is inevitable, He said, brushing past Rasticore, Only I know how this will all end.

"For monsters!" They cried as Toffee left to his study, off to retrieve a source of magic useful enough to start a war.

He gripped the horn, electric magic coursing through him.

"It is time we end this game, Moon."

... R ...

Marco was starting to believe what Brantley told him a few days ago when he was sparring with his punching bag.

Yesterday night, he had concluded that Oskar broke one of his portraits of his parents he found a while ago. It wouldn't have been quite a big deal if it wasn't for the fact that he kept that portrait in his room, hidden, behind his closet door.

When Oskar had confessed and shown him the damage, he had felt nothing.

'It's okay,' He remembered saying while picking up a glass shard, 'I'll just buy a new frame.'

'But dude, you made this frame when you were little,' He remembered Oskar replying, guilt-ridden.

'It's fine.' He said, and it took him until this morning to realize he hadn't felt anything. A perhaps minor annoyance at best because he had to clean up the mess, but nothing more.

It... bothered him. If he was willing to even admit it, it scared him. And yet here he was, calm, collected, and minding his own business.

The anger, the hatred, and so many other negative emotions inside his chest that persisted within him for so long were... And then all of a sudden, they dispersed and were somehow... gone.

Maybe not gone. Maybe there was still some there. He still felt mad and frustrated when he would remember.

But maybe they were gone. The feeling now was faint. It certainly felt like it. After yesterday, he was convinced they had to be.

Brantley seemed surprised.

And now Marco knows why. It didn't bother him.

Something that used to be so sensitive to him, so dearly held by his heart had been shattered to pieces (not to mention seen), and he felt nothing at its loss.

Nothing.

Throughout today, he had been thinking about it. It was a Monday. Halloween had passed, Thanksgiving had passed, and somehow he was so confused as to why he felt it be such little time, and why in such little time again, December's three week Holiday was going to begin for the last time in his Highschool Career.

And he had wasted his entire day, his universality in high school, thinking about such changes.

Around this time, he would be broody. Bland.

Boring. Bothered. Betrayed.

He had changed for the worst. It was a thing for him. His life went into a pit of flames.

But today? Even after what Oskar had told him?

Nothing.

He felt nothing.

Nothing but freedom. Maybe confusion.

But... free seemed more accurate.

"You seem... happy."

Oh.

He turned his head to lock eyes with Star, and in a sudden halt, his thoughts had vanished and his mind now converged on her and her alone.

Is that what this is?

"I don't feel like it," Marco replied honestly, cracking a small smile.

Star had frowned instantly, "Is something troubling you?" She asked, sincere like always.

It made him blush. "It's nothing big. I'm just being overdramatic." He said, staring. He always stared.

Star always noticed he did, and she never once commented on it. "Well... If it continues to do so, let me know. Maybe I can offer some assistance?" She suggested, smiling again.

Marco watched her sit next to him, and his body went still. "Uh... yeah, sure. Of course. Don't worry," He said, the smell of watermelon reaching his nose. It was heavenly.

Her eyes were also... heavenly.

She...

was heavenly.

"Your eyes are so pretty," She mumbled, staring deep within them.

Marco flushed and he looked surprised, "What—Wait—My eyes?" He asked, flustered.

Star blinked in surprise, confused as to why he would respond that way. "Why of course," She said earnestly, tinting a bit pink herself, "Your eyes are so unique."

"My eyes are brown, Star," He said while stating the obvious, still confused, still fluttered and buttered.

She tilted her head, imitating confoundment. "That is precisely why I love them," She said bluntly, affectionate in her tone, "There are no eyes that are brown back in my dimension." She said. (Okay, for this AU, let's just say there are no brown-eyed beauties in Mewni.)

She loves my eyes. "But there are tons of brown eyes here," He insisted, clearing his throat beforehand as to not stutter. He was sure he was a tomato right about now.

"Other's eyes don't matter to me," She told him truthfully, her orbs sparkling an affection so sincere it was beginning to choke him up, "Your eyes just speak volume, and they're just so..." She wanted to reach for him and touch his face, "Beautiful..."

But she didn't.

And he remained in place.

"Oh," He said meekly, unsure of what to say.

What could he say? 'Gee, thank you Star, I also think your eyes are beautiful, and I want to kiss you and hug you and keep you with me forever because I can't stop loving—'

Yeah, no, he didn't think that was a wise idea. He could freak her out. Or she might just leave him. However, it's highly doubtful she would, considering on various occasions she almost lost her life trying to protect his. Though that might sound like leaving if he views it objectively, supposing she holds his life much more precious than her own. Which is something she should never think about because her life is more important than his. She was thinking about it all wrong.

If she dies, she would leave.

He doesn't want her to leave. But he was afraid she might do so. He would be alone again. And this time, he would be sure that with her absence, there would be no point of even bothering to keep going.

As unfortunate and somber as it was, he didn't think he'd be able to lose one more person. Not even his godfather. It would just pull the darkness onto him completely.

"...Marco?" She said in a mere whisper with her centers peering at him with such concern it made his heart melt.

"What?" He asked, blinking at her innocently.

She looked sad. "I'm right here if you wish to talk to me, you know." She said, smiling at him comfortingly. The smile she wore was a sad one, because it was clear, to him, that there was still a dullness she hid behind her caring front.

Despite his observation, a wave of relief washed over Marco. "I know. Don't worry." He replied softly, smiling back at her, wishing that his smile was enough to assure her that he was there for her also.

At his smile, she had blushed. He noticed, and he found himself confused.

Oh, what troublesome souls.

"Are you guys done kissing yet?" Oskar mumbled from above the stairs, staring at them with an evil smirk on his face.

Marco whipped his head around and glared at him, his face reddening once again, this time at a greater volume.

"Kissing?" Star asked, confused, "If we were to be kissing, it wouldn't be here." She said nonchalantly, tilting her head in innocence.

Marco almost fainted and Oskar laughed, walking away as if he didn't just ruin the beautiful moment they just had.

[. . .]

Tom was probably early.

His eyes cast to the sleeping woman in her bed.

Definitely. Though, he was sure she would be awake during this time...

Maybe she woke up late? It fit her nicely that she would. Not that he noticed her sleeping times or anything. He wasn't a creep.

He stepped out of his portal and walked to her after closing it with a snap of his fingers, his three eyes entranced on her sleeping form. She looked so alone and yet so comfortable...

A heavy warmth had overtaken his unfeeling being, and with a misguided edge, he approached her close enough to touch her features and remove a few thick strands of her short hair away from her face. His hand had then felt warm and he retracted it, a dark hue of purple adorning his cheeks transpiring after what he had just done.

"You're doing it again," He muttered to himself, stepping back, "Stop that. You know she doesn't think of you like that."

No, you don't.

Tom widened his eyes. She had never acknowledged what they were. Maybe friends. That's what they had to be, right? Just because he kissed her didn't mean he had feelings now. Or whatever he had.

Why are you thinking about this now?

He stared at her.

You kissed her before. Does that matter? Isn't that what you wanted?

Tom bit his lip apprehensively, confused. They were friends. She liked being just friends. He shouldn't be bothering with anything now. He was hiding everything just fine.

You like her.

"I don't," He said out loud to nobody.

You love her.

"That's way over the top," He lied to himself. The rose he brought for her and only her in his hands burned to ash, "We're just friends."

She was jealous because of you before. You have kissed her before. You were jealous because of her too.

"Stop," He whispered, closing his eyes, shaking his head. This was stupid. He didn't think anything of her. She was just a cunning and not at all pretty looking girl that just somehow pulled him in because he was—

Her movement caught his eye and this stopped his thoughts.

"Ugh..." He heard her murmur, stirring in bed, "Stupid school..."

His body froze, and just like the other times he had gone in to visit her, his heart accelerated even if it should not have been because he was dead, and a demon. His eyes had become soft when he saw her move and sit up, and his heart did a tremendous flip when she turned her head, only to spot him standing innocently in the center of her room.

"Huh," She snorted with a smirk, "You look horrified. Don't worry, I get scared when I see you too." She joked, giving her body a stretch.

I know.

"Shut up," Tom said, a roll of his eyes following afterward, "You're just jealous of how good I look."

"That's true," She said nonchalantly, getting off her bed and heading straight for her bathroom. "You are rather ravishing."

He had only a second to compute what she said when she had winked at him and closed the door to her bathroom.

She likes you.

She loves you.

"No, she doesn't." He replied bitterly, clenching his fist.

Nobody answered him this time.

[. . .]

Oskar blinked tiredly from his position on the couch, a yawn escaping his mouth. Tears prickled in the corner of his eyes, and as he wiped them away, he realized Marco wasn't going to finish talking on the phone anytime soon.

"Man," Oskar said, "Are we going to school or what?"

The week had gone without trouble. It was Friday now—The trio was more than ready for a good vacation. Although Star managed to pass her classes with a B with Marco's help, Oskar had failed. He didn't care, he said, and Marco couldn't even care about that himself. Marco passed with good grades; He only had one C on his report card. He didn't need to go during his winter break to make up his work anymore. Not that he ever did go. Oskar wasn't as fortunate.

Star cast him a glance, smiling assuringly. "Of course. It is the last day we will attend until January, in your dimension's time. Why would we miss it?"

Oskar blinked at her slowly. "Because it's the least important day of our school year, besides the actual last day of 12th grade. Kicking out graduation and junk." He replied.

"Well, we must have perfect attendance. If not, further consequences may ensue," She said, eyebrows furrowing together in worry when she recalled what the principle said the first day she had ever arrived here.

'How times have changed,' she thought softly, looking at Marco.

"Oh no, endless detention and no graduation, what a nightmare," He waved his hand around, mocking fear. "Star, chill. You don't even need to go to school," He pointed out, "Aren't you like some sort of magical princess from another dimension? Or maybe Marco was on crack when he was gushing about you the other day." He said dumbly, disinterest in his voice.

Marco shot him a glare from where he stood, still talking on the phone.

"Marco talks about me?" Star asked, intrigued. "What does he say?" She turned to Oskar with bright eyes.

Marco's angered expression became panic, and when Oskar opened his mouth, he shook his head furiously.

Oskar had wide eyes and clamped his mouth shut, unsure of what to do next. He promised Marco that he wouldn't say anything to Star, and yet deep inside his very soul, he knew Marco would never make a move if he didn't tell Star.

"Well?" She asked, a blush forming on her cheeks and a smile breaking onto her lips.

"Uhh..." Oskar glanced at Marco who was practically threatening him to say anything, "Nothing important. It's shitty."

Star instantly frowned, "Does he say mean things...?" She asked, sad.

Marco shook his head and Oskar clicked his tongue, "Definitely not! Ahah... He just talks about you. You know... Like uh..." Oskar moved his arms, trying to think about what to tell her, "Just... stuff."

Star perked up, "Does he say good things?"

"Obviously. He loves you and junk," He slipped out, and then covered his mouth.

Marco clicked on who he was calling, "Hey, good news," He said between gritted teeth, "Brantley's going to give us a lift to school."

"A lift to school?" She asked, curious, "Is he going to lift us and throw us?"

Oskar breathed a sigh of relief that she didn't press on about what he just exposed.

Marco's guard had lowered, "No, Star. He's going to give us a car ride and drop us off at school." He explained with a small amused smile.

"Oh," She said, chuckling sheepishly, "How... foolish of me."

"It's okay," Marco told her, then glared at Oskar, "There are tons of people who don't know things."

Oskar swallowed when Star laughed a bit, hoping that she managed to ease Marco down and distract him for the whole day from what just happened.

[. . .]

"Something's up with you," Janna said out of nowhere, her voice sounding irritated and bothered.

"W—What?" He asked, jumping, "What are you... uh... Talking about?" Tom asked, smiling sheepishly.

Janna issued him a pointed look. "You're usually an annoying fuck when you take me to school. But now you're just quiet," She said, poking his side, "What's up?"

"The sky," He replied.

Janna glared at him. "That was terrible."

"It was good enough to give you a response," He replied.

Janna rolled her eyes. "You're not going to avoid my question this time, Tommy. You'll spill it eventually." She said, a sudden determination befalling her features.

Tom swallowed when a smirk rose to her face, his mind going rapid as to what she would plan. He usually wouldn't mind it when she would do so because he's gotten used to her shenanigans, or really, Jannanigans, but at this moment, she was giving him off-vibes. It was almost as if something else other than his silence was irritating her.

He noticed it not too long ago, and even if she was smirking, at this moment, he could see it more.

"What about you?" Tom asked in return, surprised to see her eyes widen, "Something's up with you too."

Janna's expression faltered the moment she realized she was giving herself away. "Don't have a clue of what you're talking about, punky boi," She replied, looking onward, avoiding his eyes.

Tom tilted his head, "Doesn't look like it. You're not looking into my eyes like you usually do," He gave away, which made her promptly turn her head and glare at him.

"Your point?" She asked him, taking a risk by looking at him properly.

At that moment, her heart thudded upon realizing how he was looking at her.

Tom was giving her subtle concern and sincere bashfulness; his three red eyes sparkled such curiosity it made him look innocent. There was a held back frown on his smiling lips, and his eyes drooped so slightly it was hard to even tell if he was making a joke or being worried.

She wasn't sure why she felt so out of breath all of sudden, nor did she comprehend why blood rushed to her face. These feelings were back again, and she wanted them away.

"I'm just worried," He admitted, attempting to smile.

Janna looked away immediately. "Well, you shouldn't really," She shrugged, looking to the side, "I'm always bothered with things."

"That's true," He agreed.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"But you look bothered."

She inhaled sharply.

"And since you mentioned days ago that something was bothering you, I thought maybe that something had... grown?" He suggested, sheepish.

Janna was panicking. Why was she panicking? She never panics. Things panic because of her. She doesn't panic. No, she wasn't panicking. "I fixed it." She lied, happy to find her voice didn't sound as stupid as she thought it would've come out.

"Doesn't sound like it," He replied.

Janna didn't like this. He noticed everything about her. "Well, it's fixed now, so you shouldn't care about it." She said, snorting. "Plus, shouldn't I be interrogating you?"

"We all have secrets," He said.

Janna frowned. "Duh."

Tom scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, thinking.

Janna was looking ahead and hoping her body didn't look jittery, her mind trying to focus on the bits of rubble pavement on the ground she walked on.

The silence was back again.

She hated silence.

He hated silence.

"You know, you can tell me anything." They both said at the same time.

They turned to each other in a sudden jerky movement, eyes slightly widened. "What?" They said at the same time again.

"No, don't 'what' me," Janna said in a rush, interrupting him, "You heard what I said."

Tom blinked. "And you heard what I said." He bit back.

Janna and Tom stared at each other, unsure of what to think.

"Tell you what," Tom began, shoving his hands into his jeans' pocket, "I'll stop pestering you if you answer this one question," He said, suggesting while raising one finger.

Janna smiled deviously despite the bubble of worry becoming bigger, "What's the question?"

Tom looked very troubled.

Janna felt troubled.

"Did you feel any different the night of the Blood Moon Ball?"

[. . .]

"Has anyone ever told you you've changed?" Instructor Brantley asked, his eyes looking at the rearview mirror to stare straight at Marco.

Marco glared at him. "Nobody besides you," He replied. In truth, he grew accustomed to everyone telling him he changed for the worst. It was a norm he swallowed even if it stung him like acid.

Brantley glanced at Oskar who was looking out the window awkwardly and then at Star, who smiled at him. He sighed. "It's not bad." Brantley said, smiling, "It's good seeing you hanging out with your friends. And asking me for favors."

Marco continued to glare despite the surprise befalling him. "Didn't want to." He replied.

Star looked at him.

Oskar did too.

Brantley didn't show his frown. "I told you, Marco. It's completely fine with me if you need anything. You can always ask me." Brantley told him honestly.

Marco made a face. "I know. You've told me like, 500 times before." Marco told him.

Brantley chuckled, "Right. I keep forgetting."

Total silence.

The whirring of the engine and the occasional clicks of detour were the only sounds heard, and they all couldn't help but feel bothered. Star didn't mind. She thought that their small interaction was the usual ever since she met Brantley the last time Marco went to his boxing practice.

It was normal, she noticed.

But... There was a part of her who thought this wasn't normal at all. She looked away from the window to look at Brantley who's eyes were focused intently on the road, and then looked at Oskar, finding him shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Marco was the one who was still, with his arms crossed, and his gaze directed to the car floor.

Their demeanor didn't seem... well.

"Did you know Marco could cook?" Star asked all of a sudden, a gleaming smile on her face.

Marco snapped his head at her in surprise and blushed.

Oskar rose an eyebrow, an amused smile making its way to his face.

Brantley smiled. "Oh yeah. I've been knowing. I've always told him how great of a cook he was, but he denied it every time." Brantley said, shaking his head.

"I don't cook that well," Marco argued weakly, rolling his eyes.

"Dude," Oskar said, punching him lightly in the arm, "You make the best tamales in the whole town. Not to mention those Nachos of yours."

Marco scoffed, "Yeah, right. You guys must have no taste if you think my cooking's great. You guys sound like I'm a miracle." He said, feeling a little sense of pride bubble in his chest.

"I find you a blessing, Marco," Star said. (Okay... That might've been too cheesy on my part...)

Brantley's eyes had perked up slightly when he noticed the way a small smile made its way to Marco's face, noting that he didn't seem bothered by what she said. It looked as if he... appreciated it. Wow.

"She's right, you know." Brantley stated, smiling more to himself upon realizing Marco was finally opening up, "Your parents would have thought so. And they did. Always."

Marco's smile fell and his eyes became sad, "Gee, thanks." He said, mumbling.

Oskar's smirk softened to a sad smile, and he patted Marco's back, telling him silently that everything was okay.

Marco returned a sad smile of his own to Oskar, appreciating his silent words. He never thought, not ever, that Oskar, the guy who hurt him, belittled him, would be here to give him a hand. He never thought he would ever feel... Okay, again. At least for now. He felt soft and calm. And... safe, again.

He felt a hand lay on his, and he jumped.

He never thought he'd find himself feeling again.

Marco turned to look at Star, opening his mouth to ask a question, only to find she was staring at the window.

He glanced at her hand touching his and he found himself grasping her back, a rhythmic fast thud rushing in his chest.

Oh, he thought, looking at her again and seeing her blushing, Wow.

"We're here, kids," Brantley announced, turning a bit to get closer to the school.

And then they left. Except, this time, Marco thanked him.

'Didn't even get angry when I mentioned his parents,' Brantley thought to himself softly, a sense of happiness swirling in his soul.

'Thank god,' Brantley said, and drove off, suppressing the happy tears threatening to spill from his oh so sentimental eyes.

'Thank god he's okay.'

[. . .]

Buffrog was thrown off to the side, colliding against a yellow wall. He groaned as he landed on the carpeted flooring, his tired and bruised eyes glancing up to look at his attacker. "You..." Buffrog rasped, attempting a glare.

Dennis glanced down at Buffrog with a sad look on his face, wiping his claws against his already bloodied shirt. "I'm sorry..." He muttered softly, turning around to face the crew of guardsmen he brought with him.

"Alright!" The bird squawked, his tone set as steel. "I need all of you to search around this territory immediately. Waste no time to open devices or break things, and make sure to collect anything relating to the wand, the butterfly family, or even the Princess." Dennis ordered, slamming his spear down to emphasize that he was the general here.

Buffrog watched as the man-like bird commanded the small group of merciless guards, watching the way they all split up in different directions of the house. Damn it. It was too late, Buffrog was too trusting. He should've known they would come early, he should've been ready. What was he going to do now? Warn Star? Warn Marco?

He needed to.

But his body ached, and his vision was becoming woozy the more of the blood that he lost. He needed to tell them that they were here. Because if he didn't... then the end of magic was an order. And the end of Star. His children as well.

Everyone he once knew would be gone in a pit of flames.

They arrived a few minutes after Marco and Star had left. Buffrog was outside in a tree, visiting for two days or so when he heard the sound of a wall being torn down. He was surprised and most of all confused since Marco and Star had left. Nobody would be here, not even that Oskar boy because he was also attending school with the couple.

But he heard that, and when he checked, his eyes widened upon noticing various of Toffee's guard, and a new general...

"I'm sorry," Dennis said clearer now, turning to him with furrowed eyebrows.

Buffrog glared, "You will live with this guilt the rest of your life," Buffrog coughed and tried getting up, finding that it was no use. His body was exhausted and some of his ribs were broken. It hurt too much to even breathe. "You will be punished severely." He hissed angrily, his eyes becoming dark as he stared at the bird.

Dennis widened his eyes and stepped back, his words burning him. "I'm... I—I had no choice..." Dennis mumbled softly, petrified.

Buffrog groaned, unable to reply because of the pain.

"Oh, Dear..."

Buffrog tensed as a swirl of purple surrounded him, his eyes attempting to look around to figure out who was doing this to him.

Dennis's eyes became saucers as he took in a floating Buffrog, turning around.

Suddenly, a wave of magic surrounded him as well, noticing a petite woman with green eyes and beautiful red spade cheek marks.

"It seems I invaded in... personal matters?" She asked, smiling politely. "Do excuse me, I did not mean to intervene in any way," Eclipsa said earnestly, keeping her eyes on Dennis the entire time.

Dennis began to hyperventilate, his wings flapping around, "No-No! Please, I don't want to die, not today! I have my family in trouble, I don't want them to die too! Please—"

Buffrog winced as Dennis kept crying, his sobs loud, his mind spiraling out of control. Maybe it was just in the bird's nature, but he could tell that it was an immediate response when dealing with... anything dangerous. Especially the infamous Queen of Darkness.

Eclipsa wanted to frown and tell them they were fine, but she decided against it. These two were after Star, as it seemed that they both held Toffee's symbol on their armor. She needed to get rid of them before things progressed for the worst.

"Queen Eclipsa, do spare us mercy," Buffrog begged calmly, eyes sincere, "I have children to care for, and they need me," Buffrog coughed, his eyes lidding, unable to move. His condition was becoming worse.

Eclipsa looked towards the stairs, hearing massive steps head down. If she were to be found, she would need to kill a lot more than she needed to. With a wave of her hand, she blocked the stairs only exit with the couch lying around torn on the floor. "I shall... If I receive answers." She said cooly, offering a simple grin.

Dennis couldn't breathe and Buffrog swallowed the fear bubbling in his throat. "We will answer all you request," Buffrog said, defeated, as he feared for his life for the sake of his offspring.

Eclipsa blinked at his submission but didn't complain. "Why are you two around my great-great something granddaughters humble abode?" Eclipsa asked sourly, glaring right at Buffrog, daring him to answer.

And answer he did. "Star Butterfly took me in after Toffee threatened me for my life. She allowed me to stay here while I thought about where to go next, or to seek refuge for my children." Buffrog explained, frowning. "By any means, I did not come here to seek her death, your majesty."

Eclipsa didn't bat an eye at his answer and turned to Dennis. "Ah, so I suppose you're here for her death?" Eclipsa asked, smiling wider now.

Dennis didn't say a word and focused on his breathing to regulate it before he panicked.

Eclipsa nodded to herself and turned to Buffrog with a smile. "Do you happen to know where my darling is now?" She asked, humming.

Buffrog furrowed his brow. "I know not where they head almost every day, but I know they do mention about a place named School," Buffrog answered honestly, making Eclipsa's grin widen.

"No matter, I'll find her anyway. Thank you for your honesty, boys." She said politely, then turned when the couch on the stairs was broken off, and the trails of guards came running down.

Sharply, she turned to them, now wearing a blankness to her countenance that chilled even the most evil to the bone. "I will spare you both. If I dare see you—" She turned to Dennis, "—again around this place, I will kill you immediately." Eclipsa warned, her eyes brightening with color. Then, as if nothing ever happened, she disappeared in a puff of smoke, their bodies regenerating, their health back to normal.

In an instant, the guards imploded, dark essence spilling from their bodies. Their carcasses fell with a splat, staining the stairs with green, red, and purple colors.

Buffrog fell and landed, his eyes glancing down at his hands, looking around his body. He didn't feel his body enraged with pain anymore, nor did he feel weak. He could breathe normally now.

Dennis was gasping strongly now, eyes broad, staring down at the floor. It seemed that this experience was something he feared all along. Buffrog didn't think to do anything other than focus on his friends' safety.

Buffrog took a look around and noticed that the entire house was a devastating mess. He also needed to tell them to remodel...

Darting one last look at Dennis, he turned around and hopped out of a window, in hopes to find out where it was and arrive at this 'school' before the enemies did.

[. . .]

"Eclipsa's in the Terran Dimension!" Omnitraxus Prime said urgently, his skeletal eyes becoming wide.

Moon gripped her wrist in pain, feeling her skin burn from under her armor. "Star... I need to get to..." She felt her breathing labor and she clutched at her heart, feeling the dark magic crinkle and consume her. Her vision was fading in and out, and her body felt like it was going to fall into a void.

"Moon!" Hekapoo cried in alarm when she saw the queen fall. She rushed towards her with Rhombulus' help, and together, they both grabbed onto Moon's fallen frame, setting her down onto her bed.

Moon didn't move.

"Meheheheh," Lekmet spoke in shock and went to her bedside to check on her, a worry forming in his mind. If there was no queen, then Star would need to take the throne immediately.

"Is she okay?" Rhombulus asked. His pumping organ felt like bursting out of his magical chest, a dread forming in his stomach. Although he is considered the most childish member of the Magical High Commission, when things become serious, he takes responsibility and deals with it as any other respectful person does. At this moment, an army is making its way to the Kingdom of Mewni, Ms. Heinous, whom the allies of Moon Butterfly thought of as their own, is now just as a threat as everyone else, and Star was being chased—she has been chased for some time now—by Eclipsa herself. And now Queen Moon's sickness had caught up to her after all these years? Things weren't going well, and they, including the people of all dimensions, were in danger.

Lekmet frowned upon noticing a dark purple rising from Moon's neck, emitting crinkling sounds, looking as if veins were bulging out of her skin. His hooves reached over to touch her forehead as he closed his eyes, concentrating. There was a deep rumble from the outside, and the rest of the members present turned and rushed to the sealed window of Moon's room, opening it.

Toffee was here.

"We need to send Star to safety immediately," Prime said, glaring stoically over at his comrades.

Hekapoo pounded her fist against her palm, "Right. We need to keep her—"

"Wouldn't it be wiser to bring her here?" Rhombulus asked, and then pointed with one of his snake arms toward the army rising from the south, "We can't exactly handle all of those monsters."

"We call in Mina," Prime said, "We can't put the future queen in danger."

"We don't even know if she's dead," Hekapoo then said, glancing at Moon, "She could be fine."

"Eclipsa's dark magic did this to her. We can't reverse it, not without the wand." Prime explained. "And to have a future queen, Star needs to live."

"Then let's get the stupid wand!" Rhombulus cried indignantly. He was tired of all this waiting and preparatory. They were ready, and Star knows how to wield it. At least, she has to by now.

"No," Prime dismissed the idea immediately, "Star isn't ready—"

"Someone else could use it—"

"We can't trust anyone else to use it!" Hekapoo exclaimed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Remember what happened to King Orithmitus? His body exploded!"

"Enough," Said Prime, "We can't argue about this anymore. We need to just go with our original plan—To protect Star Butterfly. If we don't, the whole universe may be in danger," He explained peacefully and thoroughly, ready to dismiss any other ideas.

Hekapoo shut her mouth from deluding his idea, deciding that he was right. Rhombulus wanted to argue as well, but unfortunately, there was no other way around this situation.

Besides, they had a job to do. No matter how much they were against it.

They needed to step up, or the entirety of life itself was at stake.

"Meheheh..."

The magical high commission turned away from the window and looked upon Moon, and Lekmet.

Lekmet had a frown on his face and held Moon's purple hand with one of his hooves, his other not holding but pressing against the top of his cane to stand properly. There was a deep sadness in his eyes, and as if he could telepathically speak with them, they knew what happened.

Rhombulus had felt like crying. "Moon...?"

"She's dead," Prime announced finally without emotion in his voice. He turned to the rest of the high commission, "Queen Moon Butterfly has fallen."

Hekapoo gripped part of her dress in a stupor and watched as Lekmet let go of Moon's hand, placing it gently over her unmoving body. In her lifetime of immortality, she had witnessed many queens die. She was there from the beginning and witnessed 34, now 35, reigns of Queens die. It should have been no surprise for her. She was used to witnessing such things.

However, she found herself upset at each death that went by with time. Immortality came at a price, one she wasn't fond of.

The death of yet another queen was no different.

"We continue as planned," Prime told them all without change, addressing the rest of the remaining members with a hard look.

They didn't argue.

[. . .]

"Hey, man."

Marco turned his head from his position of staring at Star, eyebrow raised. "Yeah?" He asked, a question in his voice. His hand had gripped his backpack strap tight, and his stance became still, in wonder as to why Oskar wanted to talk to him. Especially in public. Though nobody was around him and Star.

Oskar crossed his arms and leaned against one of the lockers, catching the eye of Star and politely waving at her.

She waved back in a greeting, smiling.

He smiled back and then turned to Marco, his expression going grim. "Something's been going on." He said, serious.

Marco immediately narrowed his eyes, and his arms had crossed over his chest. "What is it?" He asked.

Oskar glared back, "I don't know much," He paused and then reached down to his pants pocket, retrieving a piece of folded paper, "Someone planted this on my locker the other day. Thought I should tell you since, eh, it seems pretty serious." He replied, handing the note over to him.

Marco took the note carefully from his hands and eyed it before opening it and reading it.

First off, it doesn't matter who I am. Second, I need you to listen to this letter carefully.

You know Marco, and you know Star. I don't want any problems, so you're going to tell me how and what happened for you to start talking to her, and Marco. You know better than to do that, and I'm warning you, if I see you alone, I'll jump you.

I don't know if the person who sent this will send it at all, so if he misplaced this note, ignore this message. And if it happens to land right on Oskar's locker, then listen to this warning, and watch your back. You disappeared for a long time and suddenly came back, and from what I've heard from my people, you've been staying at Marco's place.

I'm not going to warn you twice. This is the only note you'll get from me.

If you want to admit you still hate Marco after everything, meet me in classroom B9 afterschool Friday.

If you don't, then consider this a warning.

Star closed Marco's locker after organizing its contents, and with a frown of confusion, she walked to Marco to see what the fuss was all about. She went beside him and stood, reading over his shoulder, her hand lightly grabbing onto his forearm, "A note? From whom is it from?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at the stain of sloppy joe on the corner of the page, feeling it as a familiar thing.

Marco ignored her perfect scent, "It doesn't have a name." He mumbled and allowed her to read it before handing it back to Oskar.

"How odd," Star said, letting go of Marco much to his disappointment, "Where could this note have come from?" She asked, watching Oskar fold it again and put it away.

"I don't know. But I don't trust it. Looks like some asshole wants to murder me or something for hanging out with you guys," Oskar said, his eyebrows knitting together. "I admit, this is kinda freaking me out."

Marco stared blankly at the ground, thinking about it. How could they have known Oskar was living with them? They pretended to part ways after school, and during the morning, they never walked in together. So... who?

"I don't think anyone I know wrote this," Star said, "Janna would have mentioned writing a note to me." (I've briefly stated this before in earlier chapters that Star talks to Janna!)

"I don't think so either," Marco said, "Janna writes creepy love letters, not this," He mumbled, his eyebrows softening upon remembering.

"You still talk to her?" Oskar asked, surprised.

Marco blinked and looked at him, empty. "No. I haven't talked to her since... Well, a couple of months ago."

"Woah, wait, recently?" Oskar asked, "I thought you hated her, man."

Marco winced. "It wasn't exactly... talking. I kind of shit on her boyfriend and we almost fought. I guess it was more of an argument." He mumbled regretfully, sighing.

"Oh," Oskar said, a little defeated. "I guess you still... you know."

Marco frowned at him, "I don't know, to be honest. I don't feel angry. Actually, yes, I do, but..." He paused, glancing at Star, "Not all the time. Maybe sad, all the time. But... well, yeah." He said truthfully, looking away when he realized what he was doing.

Oskar noticed. He smiled, "That's good, man. Not being sad or angry all the time. I mean, I kinda understand why. And how." He said, his smile becoming a smirk.

Marco had blushed, eyes narrowing, "You don't even know why—"

"Why? For what question are we referring to 'why'?" Star asked, innocent.

Oskar gave her a shrug, "Dunno. Don't ask me. Ask Marco."

She looked at him, noticing his blush. "...Marco?"

"It's nothing." Marco said, turning his head away from her, "I swear."

Oskar snorted, earning a glare from him.

"Alright..." Star said, confused, "But do tell me if something is bothering you. And what we should do about the information given on the note," Star pointed out, snapping everyone from their small break.

"Right," Marco said, sighing, "Whatever. We'll figure it out later. I don't want to waste my lunch on that stupid piece of paper," He growled, eyeing Oskar's pocket with a glare. "Just make sure to call or anything if something's up," Marco then said, his previous glare faltering.

Oskar nodded. He paused. "Where are you going that's so important?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Marco held up two dollars, "Buying some snacks. Star's coming with me." He said simply.

"Oh." Oskar said, nodding, "Cool, cool. I'll see you later?"

"Don't we always," Marco replied without turning around, heading out to the vending machine.

Star followed him after waving goodbye at Oskar, a bit hungry herself.

[. . .]

"You didn't answer my question, yet."

Janna stopped putting things in her locker to issue him a sour look. "What? What question?" She asked him, slamming her locker shut. She thought she had avoided it perfectly. And he came to ask her again, at lunch of all times? Lunch was supposed to be the time where she debated whether skipping 5th and 6th! Not dreading a stupid question.

Tom looked stern, which, surprisingly, scared her a bit. "My question. If you... If you feel—felt any different after the blood moon ball." Tom mumbled awkwardly, frowning.

"Oh..." Janna mumbled, bending down to grab her backpack to sling it over her shoulder. "What type of stupid question is that?" She asked instead, making a face.

Tom huffed exasperatedly. "You said the same thing this morning."

"And?" Janna asked, panicking.

"And... You're repeating it. Are you trying to change the subject?" He asked, placing both of his hands on his hips.

Janna rolled her eyes and strolled past him, "I just asked a question." She said.

"So did I," He replied, following after her.

Janna wanted to disappear. "So answer mine."

"That is not how it works. I asked you first," He argued.

Janna decided to head to the cafeteria. Perhaps there she could hide, or avoid his questions.

"Janna, c'mon. Stop walking fast," He said and caught up to her in no time; though the fire coming from his boots left a trail because of it.

Janna scowled at him, "Did you feel different?"

Tom stopped walking, and so did she.

"Different?" He asked.

"Different." She replied.

His chest fluttered. "Nice try," He said, rolling his eyes, "But I'm not going to answer until you do."

"Pfft. Good luck with that," Janna said, and left him to continue her quest to the cafeteria.

But then she stopped again. "Shit," Janna mumbled, realizing that this was not the direction of the cafeteria. She was heading right into detention. How could this have happened? Then again, she's so used to getting detention it must have become a habit by now. Just like escaping from it.

She heard a sad sigh leave Tom's lips, and she turned around to look at him. She found him staring at her with melancholy and with... something else she couldn't describe.

"You didn't feel anything, did you?" He asked, gentle, quiet. Dismal.

Janna's cheeks burned, and she touched her forehead, feeling herself grow incredibly warm. What was he talking about? Of course, she didn't feel anything. She doesn't feel things. That's not who she is. Sadness, Romance...

"What do you mean?" Janna asked him, forcing out a humorous laugh, "Feel? Feel of... of what?"

Tom walked closer to her, and she kept going back.

And then she realized that her back touched the wall. She stopped. He stopped, near, almost enough to touch her, but still far enough for her to breathe.

"Look, Janna," Tom sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I'm not the type to do this. You know... confessing and junk."

"Confess?" Janna disclosed, eyes widening.

"Mostly because I'm just not... I don't know. I have to wait till' the person I like says it first—"

"Like? Whoa, whoa, what are you saying—"

"Janna."

She clamped her mouth shut, and for once, as she leveled her gaze on his and looked deep within his hypnotic eyes, did she allow her emotions to burst. There was... There was no way he was...

Tom swallowed and breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself. He wanted to say it.

But he couldn't.

The walls to the right of him crumbled down, and a bright light came from the fallen walls, hitting Tom square in the chest.

Janna gasped as she felt Tom being ripped away from her and shot down. She turned to the crumbled walls and widened her eyes when she saw a tall grey Lizard with black slick back hair emerge from said walls, pointing a sharp broken object sparkling white electricity right at her.

The lizard had no smile in his face, and he walked closer, making the object glow bright white.

'Oh no...' She muttered and covered her eyes as she braced herself for the impact, hearing the electric spark crack a broken sound, her covered eyes still able to see the brightness of the shot.

Her body was pushed down and she opened her eyes when she felt Tom's hands wrap around her, covering her. She looked at him, "Tom?" Her body shook when the wall behind her was hit.

"Sire, we have located Star Butterfly," Somebody with a scratchy voice said, which made Janna turn her head at an odd angle to locate the source.

She saw a green lizard and a couple of twisted looking things that resembled those of monsters from children books she read as a kid. They were holding swords, axes, spears, weapons of all kinds, and she could see on their torn clothes and scaly skin that there was a long-snouted skull printed perfectly on flesh and fabric. It was like some sort of symbol...

Janna felt Tom pull her close to him and lift her before the wind picked up from around her and erupted a cascading shade of debris from where she once lay. She closed her eyes from the impact and held Tom close, and felt herself move rapidly.

At each movement, there was a loud clap of a noise that resembled thunder and lightning, and she kept feeling pebbles of concrete land on her head and body.

"Tom!?" She hissed at him, feeling his hands tighten their hold on her and burn her skin in a pleasuring way. She didn't know what was happening, and moving around like a hummingbird wasn't helping her figure it out.

He didn't reply to her. Why wasn't he saying anything?

"Princess Starship's here if it means you're here," The scratchy voice of the green lizard said again, followed by a large bang of metal against metal.

Janna opened her eyes when she felt the rubble no longer come down, and turned to look at what was going on.

"What the hell are you assholes doing here?" Tom growled, still protective of Janna, and still overwhelmed.

Janna glanced at Tom to notice his eyes were now magma, and the tips of his horns flared fire with every word that he spoke. It was a surprise to her when she didn't feel a sear of pain from his palms holding onto her body. In the past, she was sure she felt it when he was angry.

She turned her head to the Green lizard when she heard him bang his sword and shield together, "That has Nuthin' to do with you. Sept' maybe the fact that we're here for miss majesty," The green lizard said, sneering.

Tom blanched. Oh no...

He was about to fly away when he felt something hit his head from behind—

Janna almost gasped when Tom ducked from the sword being thrown at him from the other side for the second time, and she felt her heart drop when she saw another sword flying in their direction again. They were going to be impaled, but Tom had moved one more time, once again dodging the attacks.

"Stop wasting time," Another green lizard said, this one carrying a metal arm and a purple jewel in his eye, "Kill them and let's go."

"I'm comin', I'm comin'. Keep your damn jewel in check," The green lizard replied, "Besides, don't cha' have the other immortals? Can't ya take em' and leave me and this demon lover by ourselves?"

The lizard with the purple Jewel scowled. "If you fail to kill the demon, then master won't be too happy about that."

"I'm aware of that," The lizard saw Tom land, "I won't take long."

Janna was still held close to him. She didn't mind. But what she did mind was these... lizard monsters trying to go after her friend. Who were they to do such a thing?

"You all need to leave," Tom growled, spitting fire from his mouth. He drew closer, keeping in mind that he was still holding onto his beloved.

The lizard issued one last nod at the general and focused on the demon in front of him, a smirk dancing along his lips. "And what makes ya think we'll do that?" The lizard challenged, taking notice of the human he was setting down, keeping her behind him. Interesting. How had he not noticed the human before?

Tom uttered one single breath. He then exhaled, slowly.

"This army's relevance in all the realms will have no more significance after I take judgment," Tom's voice was quiet and threatening. He cracked his neck with a scowl, and as harsh as he could, stated, "At least, for now, you won't have it."

And, he charged.

[. . .]

"Dumbass bitch," Justin hissed angrily, glaring at his cellphone while he scratched the stubble forming under his chin. "She could've done this herself," He muttered, turning off his phone and putting it away before reading her message one more time.

'Assault her.'

This was such a stupid plan. There was no way he wouldn't get caught. At least, not without the mask he'd wear. He has to wear his dirty pair of black clothes from the gym to do this whole damn plan. Why was he doing this, anyway? This was stupid.

'She'll tell the school you impregnated one of the teachers. And you'll be sent to trial. You have to do this.' He reminded himself anxiously, and he cursed to himself upon realizing that there was no other way around this.

The thought of this plan being so childish and stupid was still crossing his mind, and it will never stop doing so, even after he's done. He may be an asshole, and he may have been forced to agree to do the plan Jackie wanted him to, but he hated touching women. Inappropriately, that is. He wasn't that guy nor will he ever be, or, those were his thoughts before. He was contemplating whether to allow his life to fall to save another or to be selfish and keep himself in good condition, which made sense.

You had to be sick in the head to even do such a thing.

'You're doing this right now. You're just as sick like her.'

Justin swallowed thickly. This... This would not end well. He shouldn't do this.

'Jackie's going to expose you. Just fuck it and do it.'

But he had to.

[. . .]

"Do you want cookies and creme, or... strawberry?" Marco asked with a finger tapping at his chin. His eyes examined the display of treats trapped inside a metal container with glass, trying to decide one for himself while awaiting his friend's answer.

Star snapped out of her loving gaze to look at the vending machine, her eyes focusing on the strawberry pop tart and the latter. "They both sound tasty," Star admitted, smiling at him.

Marco made a face. "Ugh. Please don't ever say that again. That word is disgusting." He said with a shiver, sticking a dollar into the machine.

As his finger input the numbers, Star stood by him, confused. "What word...? They all sound alright to me." She said.

Marco moved his other hand around, "The word tasty. Ugh. Sounds terrible. It's almost as bad as the word mucus," He said, sticking his tongue out.

Star's eyes twinkled in amusement, watching him as he stuck his hand into the machine and pulled out his strawberry pop tart. "Do you dislike those words?" She asked, humming.

Marco looked at her, "They're... weird words. I don't know why anyone bothers to use them. They don't signify anything." He said. His eyes narrowed upon noticing the mischievous intent radiating off of Star. "...Why?" He asked, opening the wrapper of the pop tarts.

Star shrugged. "I was just... curious." She said, trying hard not to smirk. She would normally scold herself for acting like this. Smirking wasn't allowed, not unless you managed to grip the enemy's weakness. Anything else is not allowed. At least, in the chapters, she read in the princess book she was forced to read. She refused to read the chapters of how to treat a king in the bedroom. Dear god.

Marco decided to brush it off. This was Star. She wouldn't try anything, she was far too innocent. As for him... "So... Strawberry or cookie?" Marco asked, waving the other dollar around.

Star turned to the vending machine, "Strawberry, please."

[. . .]

Justin cursed to himself. She was with him...

He eyed Marco.

The national bad boy of the school... Justin didn't know him well. He knew he was an asshole, and that was about it. Jackie told him a bunch of stuff he did to her, and he belittled the laws of this country for not doing anything. Just what the hell made this guy so special not to get incarcerated? What purpose of good could he be to the community if he was free-running out and about?

He'd done his fair share of a beating with this guy. About once or twice, from what he could remember. It wasn't much of a beating coming from him though, his friends were usually ganging up on the guy. Justin didn't mind it, he didn't care for it. Marco was just some guy who happened to exist on bad terms with everyone in this world. He didn't like him, but he didn't hate him either.

"Is strawberry your favorite?"

Justin focused on the curious girl standing idly, silently waiting for her to be alone until he would strike. This is dumb, this is dumb.

"Yeah..." He heard her say, and he watched as she moved her legs eagerly, "I've never tasted anything else extraordinary."

She was going to turn his way.

"Have you ever tried chocolate? Vanilla?" Marco's voice was closer.

Justin sweated with bated breath, hoping he wouldn't be seen. It was a long shot. But considering there were no more students nearby...

Maybe he could take Marco on. It's not like he had much muscle to him anyway; he once saw Ferguson beat him up. And that guy's much smaller than he was. It was also known Marco wouldn't try anything since for as long as he's seen him, he'd always get jumped on by Oskar's group. The guy deserved it, anyway. He should beat him up now, just to repay Jackie. Even if she is stupid...

"Chocolate? Vanilla? I thought those were only... colors?" Star asked, astonished at the new information.

From the corner, he could see her face. It was still as pretty as he remembered it. No wonder Jackie didn't like this girl. She was of utmost perfection.

"Colors? Star, they're flavors." Marco corrected.

Justin heard the input of numbers, and he saw Star stop.

"See, look," Justin heard a few things fall, followed by the sound of clanking metal, "You should try them."

Just when Star began to walk away, he reached for her and snatched her back, eliciting a terrified yelp from her. He covered her mouth and stood, kicking her against her knee to make sure she buckled low enough so that he could grab her arms.

But his short victory was through. The moment he grabbed her he was punched square in the face and knocked back far enough to let go. His face felt like it was on fire and he clutched at it, feeling something wet begin to run down his nose.

"What the hell!?" He heard Marco cry and Justin stood, almost dizzyingly so, trying to focus on the guy standing in front of him. "Don't you dare touch her—"

Justin grabbed Marco's fist before it could hit him, and with his other sent a good punch against his stomach. Marco stepped back and held his stomach, the wind knocked out of him.

Justin was about to punch him again, but a spinning kick to his head sent him stumbling to the floor. He could barely register being hit when he fell; faintly he saw the shadow of someone else standing over him. He then felt several punches against his face; his jaw unhinged and he was sure his golden tooth was finally knocked out.

"You fucking asshole!" It was Marco who was hitting at him, "You have the damn nerve to hurt her—"

"Marco, don't—It's okay! He's already on the floor, you don't have to do anything else!" Star said, regretting kicking the assaulter. Not entirely so, though, for she was glad it was Justin getting the beating and not Marco.

Marco stopped punching when she said. He let out a ragged breath and glared harshly at the man below him. He wanted to hurt him. He wanted to kill him. Marco was convinced he was asking for a death wish after the stunt he just pulled. Nobody hurts Star. No one. Not as long as he was alive. No, he wasn't about to let anyone hurt her, not anymore, not ever—he will get rid of everyone who tries doing so. Starting with this asshole who dared to even touch her!

He let out another breath. No. Thinking like this was wrong. People are still people, and he can't do such a thing. He couldn't. The guilt would fall all over him. It was best to just defend, only when it was truly needed. Not to offend, because, at every expense, he's always tried and always failed.

After calming down, he turned to look at her, "Star, are you—"

Marco was kicked off and he landed grizzly on the floor, "You ain't shit, Diaz!" Justin hissed at him, standing without any warning as he removed his mask, feeling the fresh air conditions of the room sear open the cuts along his face, "You. aren't. Shit!" Blood poured from his mouth, and dark purple bruises began to form along his face.

Marco glowered at him menacingly, "You've got some balls to you if you even dare—" Marco stood, his blood boiling, "—talk shit to me after what you just tried doing!"

Justin couldn't feel his face good. It was pounding, and he swore he couldn't speak properly. It felt like his jaw was side-ways. "I wasn't doing shit!" He slurred with his bloody tongue, only tasting bitter saliva. "I was getting rid of something that doesn't belong!"

Marco's nostrils flared. He pointed an accusing finger in his direction, his expression riling with such anger it almost burned him alive. "Who the fuck sent you? There's no way you—Justin, Star Athlete, ruler of minding his goddamn business—would ever think of doing something so stupid. I know you, Justin, and I'm not about to murder you and let the fucker who sent you get away with it!" Marco snarled at him, walking up to him so that he was close enough to hit him again.

Justin almost flinched. Almost. "Nobody," Justin lied, his teeth ringing from the pain, "Nobody sent me, Diaz! I'm doing this because this stupid bitch," He pointed at Star, "Has to go."

Marco lunged at him.

Star, however, held him back.

"Marco," She said softly, holding onto his shoulders, looking at him right in the eyes in the kindest way anyone ever had. "Stop. He's lying," She shook her head sadly, frowning, "I know who sent him."

Marco stood still. He was still tense, and Star could tell from his eyes how angry he still was. "Who?" He growled at her, his voice quiet even from such a harsh tone. "Who, Star? I need to know." He pleaded, and it was from how close she was to him that she noticed the sad expression morph into his face.

Star didn't know. She lied, just so that Marco wouldn't get himself in trouble. She didn't know, and she was so scared as to why Justin had it out for her. At the same time, however, a sense of anger rose from within her trembling soul, demanding for her to stand up for herself and deal with the beings who hate her so much.

She turned to look at Justin, eyeing him up.

Justin flinched from the sudden cold stare she gave him, feeling his insides turn wrong and a horrid feeling touch lightly up his spine. He could've sworn her eyes had gone green for a split second, and only when he had a sense to even consider they had, did he suddenly hear a scream so piercing it almost made him scream too.

Star and Marco were caught perplexed. They each snapped their head in the direction the scream came from, and before they knew it, the ground began to shake violently.

Justin almost fell and he held onto the wall for support, letting out a strained breath.

"W-What's going on?"

"Earthquake!?" Justin whispered to himself, eyes wide with panic. It was so sudden! And why did the screams of agony continue?

There was a noise so loud it resembled that of a bomb—

"Look out!" Marco cried and leaped toward Star to bring them down onto the floor—The ground shook again and the walls from the other side of the hall crumbled.

She closed her eyes tight as the screams became louder and the blasts only continued to repeat, breathing in the misty air of Marco's scent. She could feel his arm around her and she held him tight, bringing her arms around his neck to have him as close to her as possible.

Then, they were up on their legs the next second. Marco was still holding her, he carried her, in fact, and ran as fast as he could to avoid confronting whoever threw that bomb. Or was it a bomb? It had to be.

Star saw the fire from where the blasts came from and the screaming students that moved out of the way as they stumbled toward an exit. Some moved past her and Marco in a strenuous hurry while others remained to gape.

"What...?" She whispered, confused, looking toward the source of the commotion. She could barely even register anything that was going on because Marco was moving so fast. His movements made her body jump as they ran away, his breaths of panic the only thing she could process.

"What the hell's going on?" Marco hissed, bewildered, running in panting haste.

"I'm not sure..." Star mumbled, and she squeaked in surprise when she felt Marco jump; below, after running some more, she saw a student on the floor. He shouldered his way across the students, not bothering to care whether he dropped some or not.

He stopped immediately when he saw a white crackle of lightning hit one of the walls full of lockers and make it explode. The metal of the lockers landed on some of the students and brought them down to the floor, and Marco widened his eyes, seeing something gray blur at the end of the hall.

He felt a tug on his arm, "Star?" He looked at her and found she was in a state of panic.

"Marco, oh my goodness," She felt her breathing increase in rhythm, "We need to leave immediately!" She cried.

"What? Why? Star—" He didn't even get a chance to finish.

"Marco, please," She held onto his hoodie tight, clenching the fabric, "We need to go!"

He didn't think twice, and turned right, avoiding from going back from where they came, and forward, where the students continued to run.

[. . .]

Janna couldn't believe her eyes. I mean, she could, but she couldn't.

There was fire. Everywhere.

There were so many bodies on the ground.

She couldn't process anything. She walked and walked, unaware, away from the sounds of the screams and the sound of bombs being let off. There were the occasional stumbles when the ground would shake, and her eyes would close when growls and roars echoed. All around, she could see the dead and the unconscious, she could see the same fire, the same halls that once looked so tidy and clean, the halls that were littered with chaos...

She tried calling for Tom. So many times.

He was gone, he had to be.

The moment Tom had dashed at the lizard he told her to run. She stayed back of course, not because she didn't want to leave him, but because she didn't take any orders from him. He wasn't her nanny, and she wished dearly that the thought of losing Tom wasn't so hurting for her. She always lied to herself.

She wasn't sure what had gone down. All she could remember was a flash of red, and herself suddenly found in the middle of a hallway full of students. They pushed passed her and even managed to stomp her onto the ground, kicking at her face and her body, step on her fingers and legs, make her nose bleed when they would trip and fall just like her.

Those that fell were most of the time bleeding.

Some got back up, and others remained to trip more.

Perhaps that's why, at this very moment, breathing in and out hurt her. She was sure her ribs weren't broken; maybe bruised, perhaps a bit dismantled. Two of her fingers hurt a lot, though, and she hated to admit she was a bit shaken up to see them bent the wrong way. It felt like a fuzzy kind of pain.

Her eyes had sunken as the chaos continued, her free hand that didn't clutch at her stomach holding onto the broken lockers that lined the halls and littered the ground with papers and books burned to a flame. It hurt all over. Her ankle had this twitch of pain that wasn't bad, but it was still something that bothered her as she walked the halls.

If Tom was here, he'd give her rides. Carry her, heal her. He'd do everything to make her feel better.

If she had read her cursed books, she would probably be home by now.

"Help me! Please!"

Janna hadn't turned to look. She didn't want to. They sounded like they were dead already, anyway.

"J-Janna!"

Janna turned this time. She eyed the pile of concrete that moved at each word uttered, and peered closely, looking to see who had called her at such a time.

There was a numb feeling that overtook her.

Alfonzo lay under the heap of rubble, the upper portion of his body covered only a bit in the dust, and his lower frame unseen, under the heavyweight of the ceiling that fell.

"P-please!" He pleaded, tears flowing from his eyes, most likely stinging the cut across his upper lip. He probably couldn't see her well because of his broken glasses that lay beside his head, though it mattered less because he still managed to see her.

"I-I don't want to die—" He sobbed loudly and Janna saw the way his fingers twitched to remove the heaviness on top of him.

Janna didn't think of it much. Maybe because the thought of losing Tom was the thing that plagued her the most at the moment.

"Always getting into trouble, huh?" She said casually, surprising herself. Her voice hadn't quivered or broke.

Alfonzo only replied with a heap of quiet sobs.

She went along and looked at the debris. Without a glance at him, she asked, "Can you still feel your legs?"

Alfonzo tried moving, and more tears came out. "N-No. No, I can't feel them. A-Are they broken? Is-Is that why?" He asked, desperate almost, trying to move more and get out.

Janna blinked and reached forward, attempting to remove one of the heavy lights that came down. "Do your legs feel funny? Do they hurt a lot, and does it feel tingly?" She asked again, grunting a little when she pulled at the walls and threw it off. Her breath labored and she held her side, hurt.

"N-No," He said, feeble. "I-I-I can't feel anything. I can't feel anything below-below-below my waist," He stuttered and tried to move again, but his legs wouldn't budge.

Janna kicked away one of the large ones that were over one of his legs. She pushed another that landed on his waist, this one long and thick. It looked like a light, too. "You'll be fine," She partially lied, "You're probably in a state of panic. That's why you can't feel your legs." Her fingers hurt so badly, and tears pricked at her eyes. If it was from the pain or Tom, she wasn't sure.

"O-Okay, okay," Alfonzo swallowed thickly, nodding, "Just the panic. It's just the panic."

Janna frowned at him. "Can you feel them now?"

Alfonzo shook his head, "No. No, I can't. I can't... I'm trying to move them," Only his upper body wiggled, "I... Janna, I can't!"

She removed the last of the things that fell on him, avoiding looking at his tear-streamed face. If her suspicions were right, then Alfonzo might have... broken something else other than his legs. Oddly enough, she dreaded that thought.

She let out a breath. "How... How about now?" She asked again, calm despite herself.

"It hurts really bad... on my ankle," Alfonzo breathed out, and he tried reaching for it, in hopes to numb it, but he couldn't. It hurt so bad, everything, his back, his stomach, he couldn't feel his legs.

Janna furrowed her brows. "I'll ask... I'll ask this again," She looked at him, "Do your legs feel funny? Anything? Any tingle sensation—"

"A lot, a lot," Alfonzo shook his head and he let out a raking sob as more tears came out, "Everything hurts!"

Janna frowned sadly at him. "Your legs are most likely broken. They... don't look weird, but they were probably bent backward. Which is a good sign, believe it or not," She tried joking.

Alfonzo continued to cry. "Is an ambulance coming? Are the paramedics here? What happened? Why did this all happen?" He continued to bawl on and on about so many questions she shared, most of which she couldn't answer.

There were many. And now it was only her.

"J-Janna? Wh-where are you going? Don't leave! I'm—" There was another sob as she walked off, "I'm scared!"

Janna turned to look at him, about ready to round a corner. She ignored the welt of pity that encircled her. "They'll be here. The ambulance, I mean. I can't... help because I can barely walk as it is," She glanced down at her bruised legs, "Yeah... Just... Just wait there. I promise they'll be here," She told him, meaning every word she said.

Alfonzo hadn't replied. He only looked away and continued to breathe in shortly, staring shockingly at the ceiling.

She didn't need an answer.

She only wanted Tom now, more than anything else in the world.

[. . .]

Marco closed the door before he had a chance to even breathe. He made sure the lock was gripped and the one single chair left in the forgotten janitor's room was placed by the door handle, just something that could stop someone from entering. It was dumb, though, considering he had just seen the walls of his school crumble down into pits of defeating red.

Star was put down the moment he properly 'barricaded' the door, and she, being paranoid, didn't waste any time to push him away from the exit and remove the wooden chair from it.

Marco was going to ask but he stayed quiet, trusting Star that she knew what she was doing. She wouldn't just walk out, that would put her in danger, wouldn't it?

He watched as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the door, only realizing how much she was shaking as she held it out in front of her.

"Camouflage!" She said in the tiniest voice possible, and the wand emitted a green blast, hitting the door. It made his hair whip back and his eyes squint from the brightness, and oddly enough, the thought of dying today had gone away for a split second.

In that instant, the door was gone and replaced by the green walls around them. Or at least, they looked green. There was no light. It was hard to tell if they were.

"Okay..." He heard her say as she let out a breath, "They... They won't look here, I'm sure. They already went through here, it seemed..." She muttered weakly, and in the dark, Marco could see her pace.

There were more sounds of explosions and the ground shook less. They couldn't hear the students anymore. "Seemed like it," Marco replied, anxiously remembering the destroyed bits everywhere he ran to. "Are..." He saw her stop, "Are you okay?"

Star held her hands together, fiddling with her fingers. "I-I'm okay. I'm just... If I were to be a little honest, I'm quite petrified at the moment," She let out an awkward chuckle. Marco could've sworn her voice had broken, too.

She was lying, of course. She felt like crying her eyes out. There were so many things that happened at once, and she swore she saw someone that they warned her about from so many years ago...

Her hand reached up to her face to remove some strands of her hair that fell from her ponytail, placing them behind her ear. "...What about you?" She asked, surprised to find that her voice remained the same.

Marco rubbed his face and let out a large sigh. "I... don't know how to answer that. Angry. Upset." He looked into her eyes, "Worried."

Star trembled and fisted her hands, trying to keep from letting her panic show. She felt like she was going to pass out any minute, and her breathing was beginning to labor. "...Worried." She repeated, frowning, "I don't blame you. I don't know what's going on," She bit her lip and thought, "I'm..." She stopped. She can't lie. It was Eclipsa. It had to be. But the thing she just couldn't understand is why she saw grey and white, and not the normal green and purple her great something grandmother had.

It had... It had to be someone else. There was no way it could be...

"You know, the only reason I'm not freaking out right now is because of you," He folded his arms over his chest, shaking his head, "We... could be dead, or something. I don't know. We're not being targetted, I hope," He bit the inside of his cheek. His heart dropped at the thought. They would be more screwed now, and from there he would have a good reason to panic. So far, all he knew was that some people were blowing this school up because they wanted to.

He hoped it was just some sick fucking prank.

Star squeezed her wand. "I don't know." She said, unsure as well. "I'm hoping as well, that we aren't somehow... in the center for all of what's happened." She frowned.

She looked at him.

"I'm glad I'm with you. That way I don't feel so... alone." She attempted to smile at him.

He could see right through her, for the smile she gave was one he wore ever since his parents died so many years ago. "I'm not exactly the best company," He shrugged and decided not to comment on how fake she perceived herself to be, "If you haven't already known, I'm pretty much an asshole."

"No," She refuted immediately, eyes wide. Her eyes flickered green for a half a second; it was so fast Marco hadn't even noticed it. "Don't... Don't call yourself that. It's not even close to who you are," She told him, sullen. Why was it so difficult for him to see how much of a savior he was to her?

Marco felt himself blush in the dark. He looked away from her, processing her words. Well, now he felt stupid. Star was the last person he should be telling this, and yet she was the only one who understood him enough to tell. Of course, she didn't think of him like that. It was so obvious, even from the start, that not once had she ever called him... A monster. No, she always thought he was better than who he thought he was.

At first, it was annoying. Unbearable, even, because he just couldn't understand why she couldn't accept that he was some stupid dumbass who screwed everyone over with whatever he did and said. Then, it became confusing. Super, super, confusing. She kept telling him 'thank you', she kept telling him he was nice, she told him so many things that weren't him, and then he found himself liking it when she would.

It confused him, made him mad all the time. He would repeatedly ask himself, 'Why? Why me?', but for different reasons other than despair and hurt. No, he asked himself why she ever bothered with him in the first place.

And then he ended up figuring out why he liked the compliments, why he liked it when she would just appear even if he put on a fake face of anger—why, by just existing, she would bring warmth in his heart.

It was so simple.

"Well, you're the only one who seems to think so," He told her softly, turning to face her again. "...Thanks, for that."

Star smiled at him, and his heart soared to the paradise he longed for since the start of his ruined journey. It was so, so simple.

"I..."

He loved her.

"There's no need to thank me," Star giggled lightly, the sound melodious to his ears, "I don't need someone to thank me for just thinking the truth, Marco."

Marco shrugged, his cheeks reddening once again. He hoped in the dark that she couldn't see the reaction he had from just hearing her. He felt very pathetic, and yet he couldn't help but feel great from it. He almost laughed out loud to himself.

His happy mood whisked away when he saw Star frown.

"I can't help but think about everything that's going on," She mumbled, her panic from before returning at an even greater scale. "It only further worries me when I hear you tell yourself such things."

Marco was confused. "...What things?" He asked. In the dark, he couldn't tell if she was upset or angry.

"Bad things, Marco," She replied wistfully, a down-cast expression moving along her countenance, her lips curled downward in an empathetic sad smile. She could feel her chest contract, pulsing achingly over the thought of Marco ever thinking anything regarding how awful he supposably was. It pained her to see such a marvelous person talk so badly of himself over the sad events of his past life.

Marco was never awful. Perhaps irritating, at best. But... awful? Monstrous? ...Bad?

No, it was something that Marco never was. People often mistook his untrusting behavior for hatred, his stubbornness for pride, his lonesomeness for evil... Something so common in human nature was judged by others for letting it show. She knew Marco had every reason to feel the way he did. He does. She thought the same of herself; disgusting, pathetic, weak. There were so many things said to her and so many things she listened to that she had forgotten how to feel about herself.

Free, confident and... loved.

Instead, she believed everything everyone else had told her. She had no other reason to. There was no one else to tell her otherwise.

Marco's intentions to get her to go away were so painfully obvious.

But his intentions to keep her with him were stronger. They were like glass; easy to crack, easy to see. It was just a barrier that hid nothing from her.

She had one herself, truth be told.

"I'm not anything else special. I was never told otherwise," He told her. He had shrugged.

She stepped close to him, her eyes looking right at his. They reflected the lonesome spirit of someone who had it all and lost it all. Her eyes stung for a moment, caught on whether to tell him everything she wanted to say or to tell him he was nothing more but a human. A simple human with emotions, a living being that happened to share her struggles.

She blinked a few times, trying to remove the small tears that formed from the sudden realization she had. "Oh... Marco..." She blinked more, quicker now, a full tear rolling down her perfect hearts on her rounded cheeks. "You..." She let out a whimpered laugh, looking so confused and so understanding all the same—"You are something so much more." To me. "You're... You're everything good in this world, Marco. You... You're everything everyone else said otherwise..." She cooed to him softly, her hand reaching over to touch his cheek affectionately, her body coming close to his.

Marco was no fool. In the dark, even through the bursts of nuclear sounds and rumble of small earthquakes, he could hear—he could see the passion that sparkled in her eyes, the true feeling that masked the sadness of her immortal soul, beaming with such virtue it stabbed him right into his chest.

His heart thudded and his body went warm from her contact. He found he couldn't look away from her, encircled over and over again into her eyes. He could only focus on her and her alone, for that was all he ever wanted to do.

"I..."

Star's expression scrunched up in agonizing sadness, and she began to cry.

Marco widened his eyes when he felt Star hug him close, bringing her face to be buried in his chest. "...Star...?" He asked softly, slowly putting his arms around her.

There was suddenly a soft whimper. "I'm so scared, Marco..." She whispered into his chest, and she shook, heavy tears wetting his clothes. She wrapped her arms around him, close, tight, intimate, feeling safe only when he held her. His heartbeat calmed her. She wanted to only listen to that and not the screams of agony or the sounds of things blowing up from before.

His heart shattered after hearing how broken she sounded. "...I know." He whispered back to her, engulfing her in a loving embrace that both craved most at the moment. "I... I am too." He admitted, heartbreakingly so, holding back the tears that wanted to fall for her.

They stood that way for a few minutes.

The noises of the explosions stopped eventually, and instead replaced with the sound of stomping. They hadn't minded. They held each other only amid the noisy silence, comforting one another as lovers would do.

They were so entranced with themselves in fact, that before they knew it, they had begun to let go.

He looked into her eyes as she did the moment they parted, their hands intertwined together. She held him as he held her; lovingly cast.

And then, it was over.

"Where is Star Butterfly!?"

The sound of a raucous, snorkeling voice had reached where they were, making them jump.

Star's body went still the moment she heard it. Her face went white, and a feeling of impending doom had dropped to her stomach, making her almost vomit. They were looking... for her.

Helpless, pleading fear had coursed through her. "My Queen Urania..." Star muttered in disbelief, squeezing her eyes shut, feeling her breath cut short. A sudden, gut-wrenching dread of her most plaguing thoughts came to mind: they had found her.

"Find her," Marco heard from near them, most likely down the hall. "Take the wand by any means necessary. Death is highly recommended."

Marco's breath left him and then he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame again. It was tighter, mirroring the distress that befell him. It... Oh my god.

He could feel her shake. He could hear her cry, more, suppressing the sobs of agony that were to come from such news.

"I need to leave, Marco." She said in a hurry, her voice barely audible, breathless as she gripped at his clothes.

At this, his body went cold.

"I can't—I can't stay. They'll kill me. They'll kill us."

He let her go and gave her a bewildered look. "What? Star—No. No, there's no way you're going out there. You can't. If you go outside, they'll kill you!" He shook his head vigorously, "You'll die either way."

Star's tears never stopped. "I'm sorry, Marco. I-I need to leave. It's putting everyone in danger if I stay," She said desperately, anxiously plucking at her wand.

Marco had looked like someone was just murdered in front of him. "No. No, no. You-You're safe here, they won't even detect you." He said, sounding much less confident of his statement now that he said it out loud. He didn't even believe it himself.

"And wait for what?" Star asked, shaking her head, "To die? Marco, I'm sorry, but I-I can't. I need to leave. Or else everyone's going to die," Star pleaded, gripping her wand tightly.

"Where would you go!? You do realize they'll continue to chase after you, right?!" Marco asked, beseeching her.

"I'll leave earth. To my dimension." Her voice broke. Her tears never ceased.

Marco began to sputter. "W-what?"

"It's the right thing to do," Star shook her head, "Whoever they are, they won't stop until they find me."

"Who knows what they'll do to you if they spot you?!" Marco countered, waving his hands around, trying to form valid sentences so that the worry he had wouldn't jumble them up. A rise of panic rose in his voice; he practically begged for her. Just what is she thinking? "I don't want to lose you, Star. I can't let you go out there by yourself!" His voice possessed a supplication so grand it broke her soul. She didn't want to go outside.

He was right.

But she didn't want to stay either.

A queen doesn't hide. She stands and fights for her people.

Star turned away from him. She pointed her wand at the wall.

That's what my mother did, anyway.

He grabbed her arm. "I... I need to tell you something."

Star felt her body go cold. She turned to him and found a troubled look on his face and his eyes were closed. It looked like he was going to regret the words about to come out of his mouth.

Marco licked his lips. "I... I know you'll go anyway," He looked conflicted, and she almost looked away just to bear not looking into his broken eyes when they opened. "But..."

His heart was beating so fast in his chest, he had trouble breathing. He made up his mind. This was it, this was what he was meant to do. He's tired of letting this emotion filter against his thoughts. It would be worth it, he hoped, anyway. If she left now, forever, to run away, somewhere, he would be satisfied knowing.

To know that she knew.

Star's hope diminished and rose every second. "What is it?" Star whispered, eyes longingly staring up at his own.

He opened his mouth to speak.

[. . .]

Tom was breathing heavily. He was anxiously looking around, searching for the one thing he almost died for just now. Or, well, a few moments ago.

There was so much fire, he realized. It must've been him, he realized. The red lizard blood on him made his skin boil from the heat of the fires.

There was also a lot of dead, a lot of souls. They looked like the humans Janna went to school with. Some were walking around, confused. Ghosts. Others remained on the floor. They weren't dead, he thinks.

A troubling feeling settled in his stomach.

Just where had she gone?

He teleported her away before things became ugly, setting her in a spot where he knew by heart. It was the same spot where they were always at, by her locker. When he came to check there, she was gone. Of course, she had to be. Nobody just stays still when troops of various monsters come into the school to blow it up.

Janna wasn't stupid. One of the things he...

He heaved a bit and coughed, feeling acid tears fall from his face. This was so stupid... He shouldn't cry. He wasn't sure yet.

You don't have her soul. You'll lose her.

"I don't know that," He replied to himself, his words tasting bitter on his tongue.

You lost her.

"She's here," He lied to himself.

You never got a chance to tell her.

"I had many," He rubbed at his eyes and the tears went away.

You love her.

Tom stopped and landed. His shoes made an ugly noise of a thud, squeaking against the broken tiles below his feet. He looked in front of him, blank, the windows of the outside broken enough for the air to come through. It was chilling, even for him.

"A lot," He admitted quietly to himself, swallowing. His throat felt raw, and to his ears, his voice had cracked.

Then find her.

Was it the book telling him this?

He turned a corner, picking up his pace. He almost flew again, the fire sparking below his feet.

Don't lose her.

"I won't," He assured himself, aware. He was aware now, for so long. Determined as he was, he never realized how much he...

Loved... her.

"...Tom?"

He was unaware. Unaware that she found him, too.

"Janna," He said, breathless, spotting her not too far from him, hunched up in a ball to cover herself. A well of happiness fueled his soul and he soared toward her, engulfing her in open arms.

"Thank god," He whispered, holding her locked to him, his tears falling again, the words burning his mouth. But he didn't care that they did.

Janna hugged him back, closing her eyes as tears of her own fell too. It was a tight and warm embrace and she felt herself whole again, uttering but a single word, "...Tom."

[. . .]

Time was running out.

For all or only for them, Marco wasn't sure. He was aware time was running out, though, and he needed to make a decision fast.

When he opened his mouth to speak and tell her everything that she meant to him, he had closed it right then. He was still holding onto her, softly but firm, internally desperate for her to stay with him. The look on her face still told him in so many ways that she wanted to leave.

It also told him she wanted to stay. The sadness and the tears that kept falling hurt him a lot, and he hoped by god's will that he would allow him to speak for himself and finally say the things he always wanted to say.

It was hard to because he found himself unable to.

Marco swallowed thickly, blinking repeatedly. "I..." He paused to think again. He felt a surge of fright when he felt Star tug her arm a bit. He opened his mouth to speak again, "Star, I know you... might not feel the same way as I do," He breathed in deep and exhaled at an attempt to try and come up with a way to say it. This was difficult. This was aching.

"Marco...?" She whispered, coming closer into his personal space. The tugging she did earlier was misremembered and his words grabbed her attention, making many gears stir and turn in her head. "You... I... What... is it?" She asked, unsure of what he wanted yet sure she knew what he was talking about. She was doing that too much; thinking and whatnot of the worst and the best. But... having him here with her let her remain his.

She needed to leave.

She lingered a little more.

You're hopeful.

Marco's concerned appearance fell, and soon, it became vacant. Star was confused when he saw his eyes studying her and her entire form, sensing the sudden blankness of his expression twist her shivers.

Her heart made a torturous thud upon her chest when she felt his hand slide down her forearm and hold her hand. She was sure she gasped a little too, from it.

When he opted to hold her hand, she looked at him properly, seeing something beautiful sparkle in his misjudged centers.

He, in turn, saw something be brought to life in hers.

The sounds of the explosions started again from before, except there were the sounds of marches. The screams of the dead were no more.

Time was running out.

He needed to tell her. Now.

"Star I... I..."

I love you. So much.

Star could feel his body come closer, his other hand slowly making its way to touch her back, to feel her in his arms. There was no intention to harm her. Star knew. She could feel it.

Her body froze from his touch. It felt warm and sincere, protective, ironically, something that made her breathing shallow.

It felt just like him.

Marco breathed evenly in hopes his pounding heart would regulate to normality. It was going too fast. And he knew why. He could tell Star knew too.

"Marco...?" Star breathed, her hands sliding down to touch his chest, to feel the fabric of his black hood. She could feel him tense at the touch, and she observed him, staring at him as so many thoughts ran through her head.

Marco closed his eyes, releasing his breath. God damn it. Of all the things he can do, he can't do something as simple as this?

Even if there was a time limit? Even when they were in danger, their lives at stake, he couldn't say one. simple. thing?

No. No, screw that. He was finished. He was willing. He had to be, and he'd been meaning to tell her for so long...

Opening his eyes, Marco stared downward at her, wearing a loving expression on his face. It screamed passion, and Star, for how much she tended to avoid it, had flushed and her hearts brightened in color.

Star waited, wondering, the wonder choking her, what he would say next. Her heart was beating probably just as fast as his. Part of her knew the answer. The other doubted, making her mind go into a cycle. It was just... His face said so many things his mouth had yet to say, and as much as she could hope for him to say something she's always wanted to hear, the hope always came down.

She had to mean something to him. All those times he'd been with her, all the times she'd catch him staring and giving her a look of such passion that made her legs go weak, all those times he'd compliment her... Star was sure it couldn't all be for nothing.

And so, she waited. She ignored when the empty expressions he possessed begun to replace themselves with those of the conflicted; it made her more anxious than she would like to feel.

Then, before she could speak and beg him what he wanted to tell her, he spoke.

"I fucking like you, okay?" Marco abruptly announced, cheeks flustering in red.

Her eyes went wide, and she stopped breathing.

"I know I sound super stupid right now, but I don't care—I need to get this shit off of my chest." Marco huffed in exasperation, parting away from her, walking to one side of the wall.

Star remained in the same position. Frozen.

He proceeded to walk back and forth from the two walls, arms waving around while he babbled about what he thought of her.

"And I don't just... like you," He sighed, stopping in the middle, "I just..." He paused, biting the inside of his cheek anxiously.

He didn't think he'd get this far. There were just so many things going on, so many things that they were too busy dealing with to announcing things out of nowhere. Marco should have waited, and he felt like such a love-sick fool for admitting something that could have... arranged. But... He couldn't wait. Not anymore. Especially since this would be the last time...

Then, he groaned, "Ugh! I don't fucking know! I just, like-like you, okay? Fuck!" Marco cried, his face still red over the fact that he just announced everything he kept secret from her.

Every.

Single.

Thing.

Marco continued, ignoring the dread that tingled lovingly from his fingers, "I don't know how to tell you that I love you, okay?" He breathed, the angered expression on his face softening to one of aching affection as he stopped to look at her properly. I don't know...

He looked so pained. It broke her.

So many things rushed to her at once. It made her stop as she tried to process what he told her, replaying the words over and over again. Her head hurt and her chest had made a flip, feeling prickles of sudden joy pull at her fingers. Her legs felt heavy and she felt incredibly hot, unable to turn away from him. She looked at him, like, really looked at him, and found she couldn't possibly function. He...

"You..." Star's heart leaped over the wall of doubts. "...love me?" She uttered meekly, her hands tight to her chest in a hopeful manner. Suddenly, everything made sense. His actions, his words, his resistance to being with her—everything he did to avoid her had eventually taken him over to have her with him all the time, and now, could she really see why.

He... loves her.

He loves you. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you.

He.

Loves.

You.

Marco stopped thinking in vocals, eyes widening at what he said. Oh. Shit.

His cheeks bloomed a piercing red in the dark. He could see the hopeful glimmer in her eyes, the sudden excitement that was present in her face. And then he found that his panic was no longer there, but something else that made his heart beat faster than it did.

Star pressed onto him closer, her mouth up in a smile, tears almost welling up in her eyes. Somebody... loved her?

Marco noticed her small tears and frowned, wondering if he did anything wrong. "Star... I... I'm... I'm sorry," He whispered, reaching over to part her hair away from her face.

Star hiccupped and laughed, placing a hand on his hand that touched her cheek. "Sorry? Why... Why would you ever be sorry?" She asked him, emitting a chuckle of disbelief, "I... Marco—" She breathed in, looking at him right in the eyes, "I love you too."

And then everything changed in an instant.

Marco's wind left him the moment he heard her utter the three words he's always wanted to hear. His chest felt like a painful and yet beautiful emotion evoked his entire being, and he found himself breathless as he stared at her.

Her hand that lingered on his own had reached forward to touch his face, her delicate fingers brushing along his tanned skin like a burning flame to a wilted paper.

His heart finally felt like it was beating. And for the first time in his life, he felt like his world had been brought right again. Everything... Everything that ever happened to him was forgotten. He lost himself in the pools of her eyes, making him absorb her affection that cut right through him.

He felt free.

A smile came to her face. It was soft and kind that made her eyes look like dough, and he watched it form the closer her face came to his.

He hadn't even realized it himself that they were incredibly close; her arms wrapped around his neck with her shoes on its bare tip-toes.

No words came out of his mouth. They both found that words were unnecessary for the moment.

And they leaned forward.

"I've always loved you..." She whispered, her breath hitting his lips just centimeters apart, her eyes lidding to a close.

So have I, he replied to her internally as he brought her body close. His head tilted slightly to the side.

He found her.

And she found him.

And there will never be anything that will make them lost again.

They closed in on each other and connected their lips like lost magnets finding each other in their polar center, one lip capturing the other in a warm and beautiful embrace.

He kissed her.

After everything, he finally kissed her. He finally told her.

And she didn't even argue. She didn't fight it. She didn't recoil from it. Rather, she gripped it. The loving affection that so tormented her from the start was released in absolute bliss that the conflicting doubt she hid from the world was torn down, and replaced by something so pure and glorifying it made her scared of herself.

Her hand holding her wand lowered and she melted into his kiss, feeling a mounting of absolute purity rise to her chest. She even dipped her head to deepen the kiss, trying to savor his lips locked warm on hers.

Marco... Marco loved her.

He kissed her.

She felt a sense of fear drop to her stomach and her eyes snapped open.

He kissed her.

She shoved him away, eyes wide, "No," She breathed, looking at his bewildered expression and then at her glowing arms, "No, no, no!"

Terrified tears fell from her widened orbs as the golden glow on her arms began to make its way to her chest, feeling her legs go cold and her hair begin to float behind her.

"Star?" Marco breathed, confused, hurt, outrageously feeling in ruin, watching her body slowly become engulfed in the glowing color, worried to hell.

She looked at him then, shaking, scared unbelievably out of her nature.

And she bolted.

She raised her hand to the wall and blasted it from her bare flesh and bones, creating debris so grand it almost crushed Marco when it fell.

"Star? Star!?" He cried in shock, and ran after her glowing form, his feelings crushed and his worry grand.

The attackers heard the noise and went after it, breaking more of the walls, ready to fight.

"Not again..." She whispered to herself, running away, "Please, not again..."

[. . .]

Tom heard Janna hiss in pain when the bandage he was wrapping around her two broken fingers tightened and stopped. The bandage he dropped rolled on the broken tiled flooring of the hallway, and he cringed.

"Sorry," He told her, reaching for the bandage while still holding her hand, "Didn't mean to do that."

Janna stared at her purple fingers to avoid looking at his face. "It's fine." She replied briskly, using her other hand to remove some strands of her short black hair away from her face.

Tom picked up the bandages and continued to roll them around her fingers, "Right. I keep forgetting that's how they're supposed to be..." Tom mumbled and cursed to himself when he dropped the bandages again.

Janna didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what to say. There were so many questions and so many other complications she wanted to address, but she didn't. She wasn't the verbal type to express how much everything affected her.

And it seemed that Tom knew that. He, after picking up the bandages a second time, had looked at her and stared while continuing to wrap the cloth around her fingers. Janna didn't need to look at him to know that he was. His stare was strong enough.

"You know... I... I meant it back there. Everything." Tom told her quietly, "I'm... I'm not that good at confessing." He clarified.

Janna had stiffened. She looked at him, and her eyes became sad. There was something sour building up in her throat which made her feel sick to her stomach, and she hated that when she did look at him, something warm and fluttery had entered her system. It made her shake a little from her hand that Tom held for her, making her already weakened legs relax on the floor.

She pushed her hair back and sighed. "I know." She muttered, "I... I know what you're trying to say." She told him bluntly, and behind her sad eyes, a panic was forming.

Tom stopped wrapping the bandage to keep her hand still. "...You do?" He asked, and barely, she could see his three eyes widen in surprise.

Janna almost laughed at his surprise. She was sure he would at least know that the meaning of 'confess' would bring about suspicions, right? Or was he a little dumber than she thought...?

"You like me," She said, and her face became blank. From inside though, she was screaming.

I love you, He corrected, but he held his tongue. He didn't say anything.

Janna didn't need an answer anyway. She could tell just from his face that it was the most truthful thing, for a darkened blush danced along his face. At this, she laughed a little.

Tom blinked. "Um..."

Janna continued to laugh. It wasn't a full heartful laugh with a mischievous edge to it, rather a soft, hurt and feeble one that sprung from the joy in her body.

"Janna?"

"Sorry," She said and cleared her throat. The smile still danced on her face; she couldn't help it. "It's just so... dumb," She shook her head and held back another small chuckle.

Tom wouldn't admit that her words stung him a little. "...Dumb? Dumb how?"

Janna let out a nervous sigh. Despite that, she still smiled. "Dunno. You could've just..." She paused and pondered. There were so many open opportunities and so many things that could've happened if they had used those opportunities wisely... Maybe she was just being dumb. She was taking this whole emotion thing out of boundaries and making a big deal out of nothing. So what if he liked her?

He doesn't love you as you do to him.

She frowned, uncertain. She loved him. But he only liked her. Was that why she was so scared?

She looked at him straight on. There was something else he was hiding, she could just tell. Maybe... "I hate feeling like this," She told him, and she cursed at herself because her voice went soft.

Tom's pointed ears drooped. "...Like what...?" He asked cautiously. The bandage was going warm in his hands.

Janna didn't know. "Like this," She emphasized and pointed to him and then to herself, "I hate feeling these things. With you."

Tom got burned. He looked down to avoid looking at her. There was this strong and painful feeling that pulled from his hands and toward his chest as if the sadness that suddenly weighed down on him physically hurt him. She didn't feel the same.

"I..." Janna bit her lip and clenched her fist, trying to wash away the little doubt embedded deep in her heart. It was no use, however, for the more she did, the more it hurt for her to tell. It made all the sadness bubble again and block her throat, making it feel raw. The words were just at the tip of her tongue. Every time she wanted to tell him, though, a tremendous heap of green-gooey fear landed in her stomach that made her feel dizzy. She couldn't say it.

Tom sighed. His body felt numb. "No... I... I get it. Don't worry," He said, and rubbed at his face, hoping that by doing so the little tears that wanted to come out would be spread around so that it looked like he always appeared that way. He swallowed and lifted his head but still looked away, off to the side. "It's okay. We... We can't always get what we want. You don't have to love me." He muttered. He held his breath to avoid breaking down. Demons don't cry. He's strong. He's always been.

"I love you."

Tom's ears perked up. He snapped his head at her while his eyes went wide, the tingly pain that was pulling at his happiness suddenly whisked away. "...What?"

Janna looked defeated. A tired look was on her face, and her body relaxed, clearly exhausted. She attempted a small smile, "I love you." She said, and she meant it. She meant it so much, but she was so scared. She was scared because he... didn't feel so strongly for her. She was sure he would feel overwhelmed now that she told him. Ah, but really, why did it matter so much for her?

Tom felt like crying now. But it was so dumb because he's never been like this. He felt like it was dumb. With Star, when he was younger, the love they had was different. But it wasn't enough.

"You love me?" He asked.

Janna almost cringed. She was so frightened. But, "Well, yeah," She snorted, "Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought you didn't like me."

"I thought you didn't like me," She said, conflicted.

"Janna, I love you." He told her as if it was the most obvious thing, "I've had this whole love thing since like, we met I think," He explained.

Janna gaped at him. "You what—"

"—Love you," He face-palmed, "What, you thought I didn't?"

Janna sputtered. "Well—No shit! I'm not exactly loving material!"

"Well, neither am I! I look like some weird monster!" He pointed at his eyes, "Three-eyed freak, remember?"

"You're so stupid," She groaned, "How am I not going to love... you..." She blushed. "You're... you. Of course, I'll love someone like you," She looked pissed, but there was this shyness to her that told him that she was telling the truth.

"Well, how was I exactly supposed to know that—"

"Well, how was I going to know that you felt the same?"

They stared stubbornly at each other. The shock and realization hadn't even gone through their system yet. They were still confused. But they knew.

It was so clear now when Tom thought about it. She was telling him that something was bothering her, something that she couldn't explain. It made him feel a little conflicted at first because Janna seemed to know the answer to every witchcraft there was. So, when she explained that there was just this feeling, something wasn't right.

He thought a lot about it himself for a few days. Something was nagging at him too, which rose the suspicion that something else entirely was going on. He thought about all the things he did and compared them to what Janna felt, which only landed him nowhere because all these emotions pointed right at her. It wasn't until after a while that he realized that he liked her. Which then made no sense again, because he knew almost every little thing about her. He just loved her company.

And that was when he realized he liked her far more than just anything. It was a love type of thing, and he felt like all the souls in his body were just released. There were a lot of denials.

Today he just happened to accept it when he saw her.

"You know, you haven't exactly finished with my bandages yet," She deadpanned, still staring at him.

Tom blushed. "Oh yeah..." He muttered and continued to wrap. He paused. "You love me, right?" He asked.

Janna issued him a dry look. "No shit, Tom." Her face softened after. "Who wouldn't?" She breathed, her mind still in a fuzz. It was a stupid question she told, but at that moment, there was just nothing stupid to it.

Tom was going to reply with a proper confession, however, stunning rubble of sound reached his ears. His brows furrowed and he snapped the bandages to finish his work, taking a glance to his left to see.

Something golden brightened from where he saw, and he heard a large crash of windows breaking when he saw it bolt.

"What the hell was that?" Janna asked as she saw the golden thing as well.

Tom didn't reply. He was too busy trying to see why someone else was running after it.

Then, the ground shook.

"Oh no," Janna whispered to herself, looking around. "I think those assholes are back," She muttered.

Tom scooped her up, "We should follow—"

"Star Butterfly!"

Tom's blood ran cold.

Janna's eyes widened. She gripped his clothes, making him turn to look her right in the eyes, "She needs help."

Tom didn't need anyone else to tell him anything else. He was already flying.

"Now hold it, lovebirds."

Tom stopped and by instinct pulled Janna closer to him upon seeing a few dozen monsters marching their way.

Tom sneered angrily, "What the hell?"

The purple-jeweled lizard gave them a hearty grin. "Nobody's obstructing our leader's path." He turned to look beside him, "If you all would."

The monsters rushed in a war cry, and suddenly, Janna realized that maybe following after Star was deeper than whatever was going on and—a really bad idea.

Tom had no other choice but to fly back, hoping that Star could be safe on her own. For now, they needed to find a way to escape these things.

[. . .]

Marco rushed across the football field to catch up to her. In her sudden departure, Marco was left confused and heartbroken, riddled with insecurities that couldn't be answered. He was disoriented about what happened as he saw her run, glowing bright, wondering if it was the end of the world today. He moved so concernedly about her to even perceive that the maniacs had already figured out their location. What was unnoticed by all, however, was how quiet it had gotten.

He hoped that Star wouldn't get herself hurt if she was found outside by the monsters. There were so many questions that swarmed his already worried mind, making him feel a panic that was so rich he couldn't even regard anything else but her.

He shouldn't be running after her. It was wise of her to tell him that if she left, she'd put the others to safety. He felt selfish as he pursued, and because he was stubborn, he wasn't about to let her go. He couldn't. He promised her he would, but the thing was, he hadn't imagined having her glow.

Why was she glowing? Why was she crying?

She didn't love you.

"Star!" Marco yelled as his feet stomped the ground in a strenuous and aching hurry. She couldn't... Those things would get her sooner or later, and Marco begged that they wouldn't.

Star didn't bother to look back and continued to run, her entire body flaring a deep malevolent green before jumping high into the air and landing on top of the bleachers.

Marco gaped. Did she just leap 30 feet in the air?!

Rumbles began from behind him, and he didn't turn. The students who were hidden behind the bleachers emerged, running away all the same.

"What the hell is going on? Are you guys alright?!" A well-known voice shouted from the groups of students that fled the area, running along-side Marco.

Marco turned and issued a worried glare in Oskar's direction. "Obviously not. I—Someone's trying to kill her!" Marco panicked, and Oskar winced.

"Someone's after Star!?" Oskar said, alarmed, jumping when he heard more crashes from inside the school.

"What do you think, dumbass?" Marco seethed, panting a bit for breath, "I can't do anything else but run," Marco growled, stressed.

Oskar shook his head. "Just... Do something, act upset, or I don't know. Use your words, she likes them!" Oskar said, and Marco gave him a look.

"That won't work—"

"What the hell Oskar?" Jackie huffed as she caught up with him, a bit frazzled herself from what's been going on.

Marco instantly froze and felt his chest constrict with melancholy. Again. Just the sight of her made him sick to his stomach. Especially with what's been going on, he could just burst right at the moment from seeing her. It was a horrendous feeling of restricted agony that bubbled vile up his throat; he tried his best to suppress it.

Jackie took a look at him and, as if everything going on wasn't happening, she stopped. She had this blank look on her face—expressionless, the surprise she had was just somehow gone when she noticed him there.

Marco was uneasy. He could feel the ground shake from the rubble debris brought down by the lightning strikes that colored the areas white. He didn't have time to lose, he was sure those earthquakes were the monsters after Star.

He turned from her and began to run.

But he couldn't step forward; Justin was in front of him now. He looked a bit surprised and stepped back. As quick as his surprise came, however, it vanished, turning into anger. He snarled, "Get the hell out of my way!" His fists balled up.

Justin sneered, "As if I'd let you," He spat and made eye contact with Jackie who was staring at him coldly. Justin opted to ignore, "Where's your bitch?"

Marco's teeth began to grit. "You won't need to worry about that if you move the hell out of my way," He growled, stepping close enough to level his gaze with him. Although Justin was only a few inches taller, Marco didn't have a problem meeting his standards.

"Cool it, man," Oskar warned, glaring while waving his fist.

Justin glared at Oskar who made his way next to Marco, "Oh, so you're on his side now?" He asked him, the sound of betrayal to his voice.

"Get out of my way!" Marco hissed and tried running past him. It didn't work, as he was shoved.

"And what about it? This guy's the innocent one here, man," Oskar stepped back when Justin attempted to intimidate him by walking closer, "She lied."

"Shut the hell up," Jackie seethed, shoving at Oskar from behind.

Oskar stumbled a bit forward and glared behind him.

Justin rose an eyebrow. "She?" He asked, pointing to Jackie, "She lied?"

Marco shook his head. This was wasting his time! Who cares about who's right anymore? He certainly didn't. He just wanted Star safe. "I'm fucking done with this," He hissed, alerting the attention of the three. Before any of them knew it, Marco sucker-punched Justin in his gut so hard it knocked the wind out of him and kicked him against his knees to bring him down, making a distraction long enough to leave.

"Wait, stop."

Marco made a face when Jackie ran in front of him. Those same minty-green eyes stared at him almost like before. When... He was blind without rational and perception of what she could do.

"We need to talk." She spoke to him as if her words could sting him again. He could tell now; there was a string of hatred that she tried lacing with sincerity. He wasn't a heartbroken fool anymore. He wasn't going to fall for her tricks again.

The swirl of resentment in his damaged heart had sprung anew in grand volume, leading a painful sting to course through Marco's body. The glare that formed on his already angered countenance became livid with hatred, scorching daggers pointed into her eyes. He emitted a disgusted scoff. "Oh so now you want to talk? Now you want to talk to me after all these years, while Star's in danger?" He spit at her without remorse.

Jackie would rather die than admit that the look on his face scared her. Instead, she mustered one of her glares, disallowing for the others to see her weakness, "No but—Who cares about her? Why are you—"

"None of your goddamn business. Step aside," He held a scornful glower. His voice rose in ferocity the longer he spoke.

"No. I'm not moving until—"

"Jackie, stop. Dude, you realize there's some crazy shit going on, right? We have no time to talk!" Oskar hissed at her, moving both Jackie and Marco back with the use of his hands. "What are you even doing?"

Jackie scrunched her nose up in disgust and slapped his hand away. "I knew I couldn't trust you," Jackie hissed, pointing accusingly at him. "At some point or another, you were bound to take his side."

Marco was baffled beyond imagination.

"After all that you did, you're still playing the victim?" Oskar looked angrily shocked, "Are you serious?"

Jackie shoved at him, "You gave me your word! You said you wouldn't go behind my back and talk with him!" Jackie cried out indignantly.

Marco watched Star's golden form grow further from him.

"You're out of your mind, man!" Oskar snarled back at her, "You're the one to blame here! I thought you were the one telling the truth," He accused, clenching his fist.

Marco's eyes narrowed. "I don't have any fucking time to deal with this—"

"And you!"

Marco stepped back when Jackie stepped towards him, "Why don't you just—"

There was a whisking sound of heavy lightning hitting the ground just beside them, roaring Jackie away from completing her statement.

Marco was tossed back from the impact when the ground exploded, landing a bit far off from where he stood. He groaned and attempted to sit up, grimacing when he felt his head begin to pound. The pain was mild but it was there, and when he stood again, he found himself face to face with a green lizard.

"Hello," It greeted and a smile curled on his long snout, the purple jewel sparkling from the decaying sun.

Marco immediately formed a protective position, his fists out and his stance acute.

Rasticore twirled the ax in his hand, grinning wide with sharp, prickled teeth. "A human who knows close combat? Interesting." Rasticore then scowled and swung hard with his fist, sending Marco considerably backward even after he attempted to block it. "Still weak." He added with a new grin, this one far more predatory and menacing.

Marco groaned a little from the strength when he felt the muscles on his forearm physically bruise and go purple. He held his ground, however, and ignored the pain.

Oskar's eyes grew and crawled back when he saw the monster, locking eyes with Jackie who was on the other side with eyes just as wide. What the hell?

"Seems like you're pretty stupid," Rasticore shrugged, "Your other human friends are smarter not to fight me," He issued each a grin. Oskar swallowed and Jackie paralyzed in fear. "You... You must be that Marco guy Toffee was talking about," Rasticore then connected, moving his finger back and forth.

Marco didn't allow himself to feel. "You got the wrong guy," He growled.

"Nah, no," Rasticore shook his head and snorted, "You're the one with the scar on your cheek. Any other Marco in this Terran dimension doesn't fit your description," He caught a glimpse of something gold spiking way past the human, "And you're the only one with a close connection to... Star Butterfly..."

Marco sneered. "I don't know anyone named Star," He lied, quick to reply.

Rasticore watched the golden figure stop. "I find that doubtful," He then said, smirking at Marco.

"Call it whatever you want. That doesn't dispute the fact that I don't know anyone named Star Butterfly, nor am I affiliated with them," Marco barked at him as the monster crept closer, the ax it gripped beaming in the setting sun.

"That's not what my boss said," Rasticore pretended he couldn't see the golden figure running at him, "Either he's the liar," He could see it clearer, "Or you are."

Marco wasn't scared. He could take this giant thing on, and if he couldn't, he'd die trying. He wouldn't care. He wasn't anything special. "Maybe you should check in twice with your so-called 'boss'." Marco quoted, getting ready to move away when he saw the green lizard begin to lift his ax, "Maybe he's the stupid one here to lie to you like that. Do you think he wants you around? You're just his servant," He grinned wickedly at him when he saw the lizard's grin falter in the slightest.

"Second in command," Rasticore spat and placed his ax in his right hand. "And as second in command, I'll gladly present your head for all to admire."

"So you're some kind of bitch?" Marco asked, "You're just some asshole with no place other than 2nd," Marco hissed at him harshly, feeling himself internally smirk upon the reaction the lizard gave.

Marco moved when the lizard struck, swinging the ax close to his face.

"Maybe you've lived long enough, weakling. You wouldn't talk so much now dead," Rasticore grinned again and went for another slice, unbothered when Marco dodged it.

"You don't talk a lot in general," Marco moved again out of the way when the lizard punched, "Since you don't get much of a say as a stupid servant."

Rasticore had enough and began to slice left and right with his ax.

Marco moved out of his own accord and ignored the painful way the edges of the ax managed to cut on his thigh and parts of his forearm. That thing was sharp. He was moving back and ducking, sometimes even leading to one side and another when the lizard kept attacking. It was fast, and Marco had a bad feeling it could go faster.

"No attacks to return?" Rasticore asked as he kept attempting to cut Marco's neck, "I'm surprised."

"I'm surprised you haven't murdered me yet. Maybe you're not as good as you thought," Marco bent to avoid the ax again.

"You think I've been assaying?" Rasticore then challenged and stopped swinging his ax to run forward and knock Marco off with his tail, "You're getting foolish, human."

Marco jumped to dodge it, but by doing so, he got hit along his cheek by one of Rasticore's fists. It made him lose focus and land with a bit of a dizzying swing a few feet from where he was, evoking a deep rumble of groans from his throat. He held them back however, for the lizard stopped right in front of him. "You're being stupid for following someone else's' orders." Marco ridiculed and saw him lift the ax over his head, "Too bad the only thing you're good at killing is people weaker than you."

"It is too bad then," Rasticore said with a bit of a shrug, "At least you're fortunate enough to die by the hands of someone such as myself."

Marco spit out some blood. The punch he received made his tongue almost cut in half. "Then I died to a nobody." He hissed at him and waited. He watched as the ax struck down, the momentum suddenly slow; it was as if his life was recovering for no reason at all, waiting for the sweet bliss of freedom.

But then nothing happened.

Marco's eyes closed when he realized Rasticore went in for the kill, but they opened again when he didn't feel anything. A familiar scent of strawberry watermelon invaded his nose, and just as abruptly, he recognized he didn't die the moment he saw Star's glowing form over his fallen self.

He couldn't see her face but her back, but even if, he was witnessing her hold the ax between her hands as if nothing. She wasn't struggling and she held it there, staring deep into the eyes of the monster in front of her.

Rasticore's eyes widened upon seeing the princess, "You must want to perish." She said with a threatening knife to her voice that could kill, and if that wasn't enough, her gained strength had ripped the ax away from the lizard's hands to strike it to his body, sending his split-half off far enough.

Star dropped the ax to the side and watched his lower half fall to the ground, dusting it with green gooey blood.

Rasticore groaned and attempted to grow his bottom half, but found himself unable to. He growled and placed two fingers to his long snout, emitting a whistle loud enough to rattle the very bones of the humans who remained there.

Jackie and Oskar covered their ears from their hidden spots between the broken metal bleachers as Star took a protective stance in front of Marco, her hands glowing brightly in an intimidating stance.

The sounds of rumbles from within the buildings erupted in motion. Star could see through the broken windows the rows of many different kinds of monsters holding spears and swords and shields, all of each marching into the outside.

They surrounded and pointed their weapons at them when they formed a circle around, trapping them from every which direction.

"Star," She felt Marco tug at her shoulder, "You need to go."

Star looked at him with her brightened eyes colored blue, soaking in the morbid and tired expression on his face. "You can't hurt yourself like this." He muttered to her weakly, seeing something red trickle down on the side of his mouth.

Star was breathing fast. "Marco..."

"Surrender now, Star Butterfly!" Rasticore bellowed, dragging his bloodied torso with his strong arms, "And you won't lose your precious human."

"There's too many of them—"

"I can handle them," Star assured him and grabbed both of his hands, bringing him up, "You don't need to worry."

"You have the count until three to surrender," Rasticore yelled. "One!"

Marco felt how warm she was despite the chilling air. Her bright form was so close to him, and he had to doubletake on his hands when he saw them glowing like hers. He looked at her again, "Um... Is this normal?" He asked to hint at his hands held by hers, as he never was too fond of the magic she possessed; it freaked him out beyond imagination.

Star smiled. "Well, no. I don't know." She shrugged at him and came closer.

"Two!"

Marco became trapped again. Not... in the way before he met her. It was more of a freedom to be trapped rather than the forcefulness he was accustomed to. Either way, he felt like he belonged to her somehow. It was almost as if their souls were bonded into one.

"One—"

A swarm of fire engulfed part of the troops and induced them down to a crisp in that second their time was up. Marco and Star pulled away from one another when they saw the fire blaze where troops were supposed to be, shocking them. They looked around for the source, wondering who it was that came in their time of need. Marco had a faint idea, but he was sure he wouldn't be here.

"Who the—" Rasticore stopped talking when he spotted the demon his comrade had neglected to eliminate flying overhead. "Dammit," He cursed, observing the demon prince fly around while burning more of his people into bursts of demonic glare.

"You guys are about to die and all you can think about is smooching?" Janna asked them, baffled, clinging onto Tom's neck while he held her in front of him in a bridal position.

Upon seeing them, Star had blushed while Marco gawked.

The chaotic duo descended in front of the harmed couple with triumphant looks decorating their happy masks, "What? Didn't expect to see me?" Tom asked, raising a cautious brow at him.

Marco's expression became blank. He doubted with every fiber of his body that he would show up again, especially after what Marco did, just to save him. "Well, yeah," Marco replied simply, unsure whether to thank him or stay back. Since the last time they talked, Marco hated this male's guts with a passion.

Tom nodded. "Too bad, I'm here now." Tom paused to offer a polite smile, "We saw you with a little trouble. Thought you guys might need some help," He shrugged.

Marco was still uncertain about the demon's whereabouts. For now, however, Marco would behold a silent truce. He smiled back. "You have no idea," He replied, sighing.

"I think I have some idea," Tom muttered, glaring at the monsters encircling them again.

"And me," Janna added sourly. "Those things almost got my hair on fire. It would've been awesome, but I kind of like my hair," She followed her speech with a twirl of one of her tangled strands. She then took a look at Star's glowing form, "You never told me you could glow."

Star twiddled with her fingers uneasily, the expression on her face screaming fear, "I... I didn't think I could anymore." She replied softly. Marco could feel the way her heart dropped when Janna had mentioned it. He wondered why she was so scared about it, also wondering why she hid it from him all this time.

Janna hummed as she examined her.

Tom stared. He questioned if she could still remember the first time she had ever used it. "You said you couldn't go butterfly form anymore," He mumbled.

Marco narrowed his eyes.

Janna looked at her beloved, confused.

Star sighed. "I couldn't. After... everything that happened, I couldn't tap into it anymore. I lacked my magic for a long time," She closed her eyes and felt her golden form die down, "That was why my mother sent me here. At least, I suppose that's why."

The gold in her body had flared when she felt Marco's hand grasp hers.

Both Tom and Janna had noticed. They looked at each other and then at them, thinking.

"Enough of this!" Rasticore exclaimed, pushing past the soldiers that stood still, mesmerized by the four, "Seize them!"

The four snapped their heads at the butchered Lizard. Tom had cringed and looked at the other monsters, seeing them spring into action once more.

"Did we forget about the others we forgot to cook?" Janna asked them, expression grim.

Marco side-eyed her. "Sort of," He replied.

"Oh yeah, quick question..."

They all started going back when the monsters were coming closer, "How are you not fucked up and bleeding to death on the floor?" Janna asked him, narrowing her eyes.

Marco blinked at her and then took a glance over his body. His clothes were torn, but his skin was smooth. He internally freaked out. How had he...?

Star pulled Marco close to her and kicked a few monsters back, "My magic," Star replied for her, smiling.

"Oh..." Janna paused. "You think you can do that magic thing on me too? I kind of need my body in pristine condition if it means murdering—uh—helping," Janna grinned wickedly at her correction.

"Of course," Star agreed, issuing a kindred smile as she brought out her wand from within her hair and began to blast the monsters that came too close.

Janna was put down by Tom, "Awesome," She whispered, her eyes sparkling mischief.

Everything went downhill from there.

[. . .]

Buffrog leaped across another building and heard the screams of children near, causing him to settle above a home.

He turned to look at the crowds of students emerging from one small gate as specks of others jumped over such fences covering their path, screaming their heads off. They ran into each other and into the objects enclosed in every which way direction, the bright red and blue lights mocking his faint amphibian eyes.

The sirens in the distance that approached the area were stopped and almost turned over from the students begging or seeking safety, some covered in blood and some missing limbs.

Others lay on the floor to be trampled upon.

The blood trails that came from inside the school looked like an innocent war between life and death that took place, leading a misguided edge to be taken by the poor monster frog that searched for his friends.

He jumped over the piles of humans running away and went into the place he presumed was school, still searching. He went through one of the broken windows and landed on all fours, and he stood, looking.

He spent most of his time doing just that; exploring and seeking for the people he was sworn to protect. He made it so that he should fulfill his silent promise, as they had done all they could to protect him. It was the least Buffrog could do in such a desperate state.

Throughout his time searching, he found many more students on the ground and others against the wall, holding onto the only support they had.

Others took a glance at him and he could still see the fight of life in their eyes as they backed away with horrified expressions. Others merely looked and stayed that way, their eyes vacant. It was like a candle was blown out, never to be lit again.

This did not surprise him. Wherever Toffee went, destruction was its result. The only thing he was astonished about was how he had not seen a trace of Eclipsa anywhere. He wondered if she had trouble finding the school as he had.

The noises of bombs and screaming still resounded the burning hallways until little by little, as more time was spent, they died down.

Occasionally, Buffrog would hear things explode and walls crumble down. It wasn't until he discovered a demon boy carrying a human girl onto the outside from above one of the buildings on the other side did the noises increase in size, and he knew, in that moment, that it was most likely the place where his friends were probably being held.

He jumped and swallowed the fear lodged in his throat, praying to his own gods that his friends were safe.

Mustering his worry into courage, he commenced his route in that direction, his flippers slapping at the dry and broken pavement. If only he had listened to himself the day before. Buffrog knew all about Toffee's plans; he had the time to tell them. But then again, he was never sure. He was told today would be the day of the invasion of Mewni, not earth.

It was partly his fault for not telling. He wished he would've told. Toffee was smart, however. He knew well not to tell everything, as others can have the power to go against him. Buffrog wasn't sure if it was an excuse that he was trying to tell himself; he only hoped his friends were okay because of his mistake.

In the distance, he saw the demon boy by himself shooting from above. Buffrog blinked repeatedly, as the fire was too bright for him, trying to pinpoint the exact location on where to land and help.

Unfortunately, the demon boy was shot.

Something white that resembled lightning came from the area behind him; it looked like a place where metal seats aligned to watch people fight. It mirrored that of an arena, he thought, and he ran to it.

As the smoke from the shot was discarded due to his body falling down, Buffrog increased his speed as to not lose where they were.

Then, the smell of cooked meat came into his nose. He made a face and stopped, looking over the edge of the broken building he stood upon.

He saw his friends and two others struggling to fight against the monsters Toffee sent holding onto each other. He spotted the demon boy being dragged away by a girl with short hair, his hands still blasting at the monsters even in his current disemboweled position. He saw the box boy fighting alongside the princess, his body stained with various green and red splotches. My friends, He thought grimly, jumping down from where he stood safe, You must be protected.

With his strong arms, he managed to disturb a few monsters out of the way; some recognized and they hesitated and those he did not attack; others did not show their mercy, and he made sure to kill those. He barely made it to the count of ten before he heard Star scream.

He stopped attacking as everyone else kept going, and turned to her to see Marco on the ground, held none other by the girl who had announced her presence. Buffrog's heart sank. He was too late.

Her golden form began to mix with the color green—a dirty green—and she clutched at him closely, hiding the Marco boy from everyone else.

Buffrog knew what was coming. He ran to the couple when she pulled away, quickly grabbing onto Marco and carrying him off somewhere else. He grabbed the girl and the demon, making sure as to not harm them. The girl had fought, but surprisingly, the box boy had stopped her.

"Star—" He rasped, coughing a bit as Buffrog set him down as well as the others, "She's—"

Everyone went silent when Star's entire body took to the sky, revealing a bright beam of light.

The monsters stopped to stare, some in fear and others in wonder.

Tom held onto Janna and Janna held him in return, wiping away the tears as she squinted in the brightness of it all.

Her form was so bright it made the monsters cover their eyes as to not go blind, and those who stared did, crying out as their claws dug at their eyes to hope to see again.

Marco grabbed onto where he was stabbed, finding that the pain had faded. He blinked and sat up, taking a look at where a gaping hole should be. To his surprise, he found nothing there. And he gasped.

"Star—"

"No, box boy," Buffrog hissed, going in his way and shielding his eyes, "You must not. She is too dangerous. She will kill you in her state."

Marco pushed the monster back and an angered expression took his worried one, "No! I don't care, she's going to—"

"Marco," Tom hissed, pulling him from his torn sweater, "Stop. He's right—"

There was a scream again. Marco knew it was Star, and he knew, that the gold and green thing flapping its wings was her.

"Star!" He yelled and tried running to her, worried to hell and back.

Regrettably, Buffrog pushed him back—not on purpose—hard enough toward the ground. Marco hissed out when the impact crushed against his shoulder blades.

High in the air, Star's wand had flashed a malevolent green. Her wings, one gold and the other the color of monster blood, were flapping behind her creating disturbing winds, and her multiple arms sent beams into random directions that happened to hit some creatures. Her hair had curled and twisted into two twin braids above her head, and her once pretty eyes were covered in a dark mixture of tawny and evil.

Her stance was ready to deliver one final blow to eradicate the remains of the monsters, a blow that will burst all into green smithereens.

But before she could do such a thing, Star was shot exact in the back, emitting a sound that resembled lightning following after a cloud in peril.

"No!" Marco screamed, quickly getting his dirt-covered self up from the ground. His eyes widened when he took in a falling Star, her golden glow becoming just a fade of darkness.

Her wings dissolved and her braided hair became undone as she fell, her once pretty ruby red bow now burned into an ugly black. She fell against the lumps of dirt and bodies, her back scathed with burns, bleeding her heart in painful images. Small puffs of smoke came from the dirt after the sudden crack of the explosion.

Jackie, who was hiding by the mass of students that remained in the bleachers, watched as Star fell, eyes widened with traumatizing visions.

Janna released a gasp of surprise as she saw her genuine friend fall into a pit of destruction. Tom remained still, groaning from the pain from his insides trying to reform, unable to perceive that the one he loved so long ago had fallen from her grace.

Oskar was still cowering behind the bleachers with Jackie, his eyes just as enlarged as the rest.

Buffrog could not function anymore.

Someone... shot her.

Marco started hyperventilating, still running to her side to see if she was okay—if she was alive. Something. Anything.

But another shot stopped him from doing such a thing.

His breath caught in his throat. It made him cough when the dirt leaped in dusty forms over him, his eyes attempting to pinpoint where exactly the shot came from. Then, when it all cleared, a tug of melancholic anger surged through his veins when he saw the figure among the smokes of the shot.

The once unrecognizable figure appeared before them, bearing a flashing horn that crackled with electromagnetism, looking almost similar to a sword.

"Be careful, boy." Toffee purred, expressionless. "You don't want to end up like your pretty little lover, here." He said smoothly, his sword still pointed at Marco. All the other monsters did not move and merely dropped their weapons to bow before him.

Marco blinked away the tears in his eyes. What can he do? Was Star dead? "You... what the fuck did you do!?" Marco yelled at him, hands balled into fists as his foot crunched the bodies that died.

Toffee glanced downward at Star and examined. It made Marco's blood boil when the expression on his face exposed nothing but carelessness. Toffee regarded Marco with a hostile look, "I shot her. A simple mistake, I suppose. I was aiming for her head." Toffee stepped closer to Star, lowering the horn down. He lightly kicked at her shoulder, and Marco stopped himself from killing Toffee on the spot.

"Hmph. How piteous. I would have loved her as my own if it weren't for her hideous reminder of her father." Toffee lied, then hardened his eyes as he focused on his true mission. He was here to capture Star, in efforts to make Moon step down and make her turn over her kingdom. So that once again, the royalty could be for him and solely him. Ruled by himself, stopping that petty Eclipsa from taking it all. That woman deserved death for messing with the tragedies implanted on the kingdom.

Marco stared helplessly with various disturbances mixed in with the hyperventilating dread that ravaged his worrying soul. Just what did he mean by such a thing?

"If you don't mind," Toffee began, the horn in his hands rising itself to point at Star. "I need to get rid of something, and get something else in return." Toffee explained, firmly gripping the sword in his hands.

"Hey—Hey! Wha-What are you doing? You can't—No!" Marco yapped, unable to form any sentences from how worried he felt. This was it. He knew he shouldn't have gotten attached. This was his punishment, he deserved this. Star was never his, Star was never going to stay. Star was never... Star was—

Toffee pressed at the horn and a sudden flash of energy overcame him, covering his eyesight for just a moment when everything that was part of his body glow white.

Marco watched, his legs slapping against the hard ground, ascertained to stop him from doing something he didn't want to happen.

He was too late. He didn't make it, and his efforts to stop Toffee from murdering Star went to unmoving purposes. The horn Toffee held shot at Star who was already left for dead on the floor.

And suddenly, everything went white.

The burst of energy pushed Marco solid with enough force to land on his back, and he winced as a flash of white overcame his eyes.

When the white subsided, Marco struggled to get up, trying—hoping that Star was somehow okay. That she was going to live—God fucking damn it, he wanted her to live! He needed her here, he can't—He can't—

Marco's eyes burned from the tears, tears that fell for someone he loved.

Someone that saved him and changed him for the better.

"No." Someone said in the clouds of white, her voice sounding dark and... sinister.

Toffee, who was alarmed to see that someone stopped his attack by forming a protective bubble around Star, turned to the voice in reasoning, and widened his eyes as he took in the dark purple aura she gave off.

Marco, bewildered, followed as the woman stepped toward the love of his life. Her body gave off strong views of purple flames that were left from every step that she took.

"Eclipsa..." Toffee murmured angrily, eyes hardened with fury.

Eclipsa? This—that was Eclipsa?

Marco gasped when Eclipsa turned his way, her cool expression investigating him over.

Though, without much thought, Eclipsa turned back to Toffee, a small smile appearing over her face. "Hello, Toffee. What a lovely day, no?" Eclipsa said, her strong Britain accent piercing through everyone's ears.

"It was," Toffee said coolly, raising the horn to point at her, "Until you came along."

Eclipsa kept smiling at him. "Pity. I was looking forward to this rendezvous," She muttered, her fingers crackling magic.

"Pity," Toffee mimicked, grinning at her. "I was not."

Upon saying such a thing, he shot a blast of magic in her direction.

Eclipsa stopped the attack. "Hmph. Haven't you heard?" Eclipsa said, kicking at the dirt. Why the change in the subject?

Toffee looked curious but mostly infuriated that Eclipsa's magic was too strong.

A grin formed on her lips. "The Queen. The Queen of Mewni." Eclipsa began, stepping closer towards Star.

Marco held his breath as Eclipsa reached down towards Star, her finger hovering over her head.

"What about the queen?" Toffee demanded blankly, at a bare minimum to begin blasting again as he stepped back.

Eclipsa's grin widened, her green eyes flashing before him. "Oh, don't be nonchalant. She's dead."

Marco's eyes widened, listening in on the conversation. Star's mom was... dead?

Toffee looked indifferent. In fact, he even refused to move.

Eclipsa wasn't fooled from the regulated facade Toffee brought upon. She knew well how to conflict and distract every being, and she did just that, taking that time to pierce her magic into Star's head. Eclipsa watched with resounding guilt as Star began to twitch.

Marco backed up when Toffee shot the sword again, right into Eclipsa and Star.

But...once again, the magic was stopped.

And this time, it wasn't Eclipsa who stopped it.

"Midnight..." There was bated breath, "Shriek." At those words, a shot of dark magic directed straight at Toffee. This hit Toffee straight into his chest, knocking him onto the ground flat. His hand grasping the horn had let go, and the horn, as if having a mind of its own, had rolled away far enough for him unable to reach.

Marco saw her. She... That couldn't have been her. Her dress had gone purple and her skin grew pale, her eyes lost in oceans of purple and green. Her hair blew back from the shot, and her pink rosy hearts were broken and colored green.

"Star...?" Marco murmured, standing.

"Good girl, Star." Eclipsa cooed motheringly as she pet Star's hair. "I'll give you one of my roses, you know. The pink ones you love so much." Eclipsa rewarded, smiling gleefully at her.

Star said nothing and shot at Toffee again, and continued doing so, not stopping for a second.

"Mirage," Star muttered, deflecting a beam when one of the monsters had grabbed onto the horn. She shot at the creature and made it explode, along with a few others that were defended behind it.

Toffee was desperately trying to recover his wounds, growing back his chest and limbs. The look of blankness still decorated his face despite losing to the young girl, somehow knowing that this would not be the end for him.

Eclipsa idly came by to Star and presented her wand now turned into an umbrella in front of her, allowing Star to grab it. It reverted back to its old form when she held it again.

Toffee rose again and grew his arm once more. "You can't kill me. I am inevitable." Toffee spoke with confidence. His minions had all gone behind him and stood their ground, aiming their weapons at the two.

Eclipsa smiled in turn. "Oh... How unfortunate."

Star stopped blasting some of the monsters, and Eclipsa stood behind her, before moving forward.

"Sing to me, my dear," Eclipsa said, humming in glee.

Star wasted no time.

"I call the Darkness onto me."

Marco felt an ominous chill run down his spine. Something... Something wasn't right.

"From Deepest depth of Earth And Sea," Star's wand began to glow a dark purple, "From Ancient Evils Unawoken, break the one that can't be broken," Star could feel something start rising from her arm, and Eclipsa smiled from beside her, waiting.

Toffee recognized that spell and his eyes went wide for only a moment.

"To blackest night, I pledge my soul and crush my heart to burning coal," Star's hearts began to glow, "To Summon forth the deadly power,"

Marco shot up and ran to her.

"To see my hated foe devour—"

Before she could finish, Marco tackled her onto the ground, knocking off the wand from her hands, bringing both of them onto the dirty mud.

Eclipsa's expression morphed to shock and her once green irises burned away into her normal purple. What had he done?

Toffee grinned, standing up, dusting himself off. "I'll return to you." He hissed with a sinister scorn, getting handed the horn by another. "Goodbye," He said simply and in a cloud of smoke, he vanished. It was all so quick the others who stood by hadn't even registered his departure.

Eclipsa said nothing as he vanished. She knew this war wasn't over, not with Toffee still looming in the darkness. Star needed to go to Mewni and take her mother's place. No longer could she hide here anymore, now that Toffee knew of her whereabouts.

Marco got off of Star and blushed a bit when she stared at him menacingly. She sat up and then stood, brushing away the dirt that covered her dress. Without another glance, she walked past him and toward Eclipsa, fixing what was left of her torn dress along the way.

"Oh goodie," Eclipsa said, smiling, "Come along dear. You are much too at risk staying in this dimension," She told her, reaching behind her to pull out some purple scissors. "Mewni is a much better option."

Star said nothing and observed her ancestor tear the fabric of reality, creating a blue portal. Home, she thought miserably from in her head, still there even while in control.

"No, wait!" Marco yelled, running towards Eclipsa and Star who were already making their way through the portal.

Eclipsa stopped momentarily from the outburst, her eyebrows raising in surprise when she saw Marco running towards them.

Star raised her wand and pointed at Marco, ready to shoot to protect Eclipsa.

But Eclipsa told her to lower her wand. Star obliged, and what was left of her individuality in her mind was desperately crying not to get away from him.

Marco stopped when he saw the blank look in Star's eyes. She looked vacant, empty. It broke him, and he realized that this wasn't Star anymore.

"Ah. You must be the man who won over my great-granddaughter's heart." Eclipsa said, a smile hovering over her face. "I'm impressed, to say the least." She chuckled, covering her mouth with her gloved hand.

Marco huffed and glared, tired and confused. Tired and worried, for Star. What was she doing? Where was she going? "Why are you taking her?" He breathed, staying at bay in case Star shot him again.

Eclipsa tilted her head in wonder. "Take her? Oh, no no no, I'm not taking her. I'm simply dropping her off back on Mewni, to take over." Eclipsa nodded, and Marco seemed beyond confused.

"Take over? What do you mean?" He asked desperately, trying to understand.

Eclipsa sighed. "She must be queen once again."

"But—But—she... I—She belongs here," His voice shook at every word, "I-I don't understand, she doesn't need to be queen. Not now," He gripped his torn black sweater, "Can't she stay?"

Eclipsa stared at him blankly. "I'm sorry, but her mother... perished not long ago. If I return to Mewni without her, the whole kingdom may be in ruin." Eclipsa said softly, trying to make him understand.

"Then she needs me," Marco breathed, coming closer, eyes almost watering, "I'm not letting her go alone, and she wouldn't want to leave me," Marco said sternly, confident.

Eclipsa tilted her head. "That is what you hope to believe." She told him, making his eyes widen, "I do apologize. The kingdom isn't even aware the Queen died. They need Star before it becomes a wasteland." Eclipsa said, furrowing her brows.

Marco breathed heavily, "No... I, Star—Please," He approached her closer, holding onto her arms, "Please Don't leave, I..." His voice broke, shaking his head, "Please, I don't want her to leave."

Eclipsa frowned.

Marco latched onto Star and hugged her tightly as she had done for him before, tears falling from his eyes. "Please," He looked up at Eclipsa, "Please, don't take her from me."

Eclipsa stood still, eyebrows creasing together.

"I need her." He whispered.

[. . .]

A/N: WOOOOOOO. GET A LOAD OF THIS. I feel like my old self again... Hi! It's been a while. Thank you to those who messaged me if I was well, and thank you to all of you readers!

I don't know when my other chapter will be finished. I'm hoping (REALLY HOPING) that my writer's block doesn't end up killing me. The next chapter has some parts written, but I assure you, things will get... real.

Now with the confession out of the way... OHOHO. Expect MANY THINGS. MANY.

Again, I'm sorry I took so long to post.

I hope you can forgive me.

Toodles~

Ana.