Kelly's sword sliced through Marco's chest, leaving a light cut across it. She had insisted in assisting with Star's training and in the process Marco had found someone who loves fighting almost as much as he does. It was quickly becoming a matter of concern for both Janna and Star, as Kelly and Marco tended to get carried away and seriously harm one another. Tonight was no different and the two of them were already beaten and bloody. The week had come and gone without much of note, and the group had a hangout planned. Sabrina and Daron were both expected soon, far too soon for the two bruisers to be healed in time to greet them. Not that either of them cared, being as caught up in their brawl as they were.

"Are they still at it?" Janna exited into the yard and took a seat beside Star.

"Yeah" Star let out a heavy sigh "I didn't even manage to figure out the movement spell I was supposed to be practicing today before they started going at it"

"I wouldn't have thought you had friends like that" Janna nudged Star with her elbow.

"I met her through my friend princess Ponyhead. Kelly's usually one of the more chill and responsible of us, which is why we got along so well. I knew she was a professional adventurer, and even did some gladiatorial combat on the side. I didn't know she was a combat freak like this though." Star had always been insecure about how she was a non-combatant from a family of warriors, and it was only getting worse as she spent time around her friends. How was it that she was the only one not always up for a fight.

"I guess it's not a problem if there's only one of them. Put two like them together and it's a recipe for disaster." Janna feigned a laugh. Suddenly she felt her phone go off, a call from Sabrina. She answered it "Hey, you on your way?"

Star watched as Janna's face grew a mischievous cheshire smile. It unnerved her. She couldn't tell what the other person was saying, but she had a bad feeling about it.

"We'll be there" Janna replied and hung up the call before whipping the phone full force into the side of Marco's head.

"Agh! Janna what the hell?" he turned to see her devilish grin.

"New plans: Sabrina called. Brittney's throwing a house party for her birthday tonight."

Marco's lips curled into a matching countenance "What are we waiting for then? We have a party to crash"

Star was severely uncomfortable. Not only did she not want to show up to a party uninvited, but her companions: Marco, Janna, Kelly and Daron had already polished off one bottle of tequila and started on another (both "borrowed" from his father's liquor cabinet) before they even got to their destination. At least they dressed up for the occasion, a princess should always look her best after all and that was a rule that extended to the company she kept. Marco wore a dark red button up tucked into a pair of black jeans and a unbuttoned grey vest. Janna was dressed in a black military style collared shirt adorned with numerous pins and patches for an eclectic selection of bands, numerous bracelets and armlets most of which were spiked and a her usual beanie. Kelly had borrowed some of Janna's clothes and wore a red plaid skirt and a black leather jacket with numerous superfluous zippers and spiked shoulders. Daron had on a red dress and black jacket, meaning that Star was the only one who didn't match. Her magenta skirt and pink dress shirt made her stick out like a sore thumb amongst them.

"Sure you don't wanna drink before the party, Star? You seem nervous." Janna shouted to the princess.

"No. I'm fine" she replied in a slightly higher than usual voice indicating clearly that, no, she was not fine.

"Suit yourself princess" Marco jeered, knocking back a long swig from the tequila bottle before handing it to Kelly who took an even longer swig, eliciting a laugh from Daron who snatched the bottle and attempted to out do them both only to choke halfway through. The entire group erupted into laughter, still unaware of Star's discomfort.

They could hear the party before they saw the house, and as they approached Sabrina appeared to greet them. The nervous girl was likewise dressed up in a green-ish dress with blue and purple frills. "Hey" she greeted them with a shaky voice.

"Sabrina!" Daron shouted and ran over to the other girl, nearly finished tequila bottle in hand, and hugged her.

"Um, it's nice to see you?" she responded before smelling the tequila on her friends "Oh no. You guys aren't already drunk are you?"

"We're not" Janna motioned to herself, Marco and Kelly "but she is. Human constitution and whatnot"

"Why don't you finish off that bottle" Marco nodded at Sabrina "Help with your nerves."

"I…" Sabrina looked at Daron who was waving the bottle at her. She remained still in thought before suddenly snatching the bottle and chugging at least 4-5 shots worth. "Haaa…" she let out an exaggerated breath "Let's go" she led the troupe through the gangway and into the backyard, entering the house through the backdoor.

Sliding through the gathered crowd of teenagers, Marco and the others split up in that way you do at parties. They inserted themselves into various groups, joined conversations and filled red solo cups with spiked punch. Of course the punch wasn't spiked when they arrived, that was courtesy of Janna with a flask of rum (an alcohol whose taste is more easily overpowered than that of tequila). It did not take long for the party to escalate to cacophonous heights with the arrival of the rowdier crowd. Overwhelmed, Star eventually extricated herself from the event.

Walking across the backyard, Star was deep in introspection "I don't belong here" she thought aloud "I don't belong anywhere. I have no kingdom, I'm no warrior, I'm hardly even a princess. They can get on fine without me." she wiped the beginnings of tears from her eyes.

"You do have somewhere you belong" a voice Star recognized spoke from behind her. Turning around she was greeted by the last person she expected to see.

"Tom?" she gasped in surprise.

"Hey Star." the demon boy greeted her, dressed in a white suit and red collared shirt.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take you home." he smiled, showing his many sharp teeth.

"Home? But the Butterfly Kingdom fell."

"I mean, I'll take you to the underworld. Your parents took sanctuary with us after they escaped the monsters. They're waiting for you." he held out his hand for her to take.

Star was silently weeping tears of joy at the news. Just as she reached out to take his hand another voice called out.

"Is that why you're here with a platoon of monsters?" Marco's voice was harsh and his words were slightly slurred.

"What's he talking about?" Star began backing away.

"You need to come with me, Starship" his words were curt and strained, spoken through gritted teeth.

"I don't think she's going anywhere with you" Marco had his collared shirt untucked and unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up. He held out his arm and let it immolate as he stared down the young prince.

"You need to stay out of this earthling" Tom shouted, his eyes taking on a demonic glow.

Stumbling forward Marco retorted "Where's the fun in that?"

Tom hurled a fireball at Marco who dodged to the side. Rushing in close Marco opened with a swipe from his burning claw, blocked by a conjured axe. Igniting his axe, Tom took hard swings with skill and care belied by his apparent rage. Marco continued to evade when he could, alternatively blocking with his skeletal appendage. Tom waved his hand, calling forth spikes of stone from the ground. Slamming his energized claw on the ground, Marco's own geokinetic capabilities overpowered Tom's.

Star was crushed. For the first time since coming to earth she honestly believed things would get better, and now that was torn away from her. She just wanted to collapse and cry, just curl up on the ground and die. Instead she stood in stunned silence and watched the battle unfold in front of her. The demon prince of the underworld displayed the exceptional combat prowess one would expect from someone of his stature. The fact that Marco was keeping pace was testament to his own power and skill. It then struck Star that Marco was hammered, or at least halfway there. She still had no idea what he or Janna truly were. It was frightening now that she thought about it, but he was still willing to fight tooth and nail for her. What he was, was her friend.

Marco was annoyed in his buzzed state. He attempted to use his typical stratagem and it was rapidly backfiring. They were surrounded by blades of fiery grass, and Tom's axe was likewise transmuted to a fire construct but the demon had no difficulty wielding it. It would seem is opponent was fireproof on a conceptual level, which meant he needed to formulate a new plan. Even in his booze-addled state he knew that most of his attacks would endanger Star. He decided there was only one recourse and called out his third manifestation. A single slim gunmetal horn grew from above his right eye, accompanied by several small spikes near its base.

"What's that supposed to be?" Tom laughed at Marco, who simply ran a burning claw along the horn in the way one would swipe hair out of their eye. As he did energy crackled and sparked, and even Star could feel the rapid shift in air pressure.

"A true King commands their entire realm as lesser rulers command men. So little prince, are you ready to see what a real king can do?" a shit-eating grin was plastered across Marco's face. Tom berated him in a rage but Marco was shutting out any distractions. His most complex capability, the one that took the most focus and power, the one that held the most destructive potential could also be his most precise. Clouds seized control of the sky above them and static electricity filled the air, enough to interfere with nearby electronics. As Tom bore down on him, Marco brought all he could into a single concentrated strike. A single superbolt, more x-ray energy than electrical, reached down from the sky and engulfed Tom. The light was bright enough and the thunder loud enough to temporarily blind and deafen both Star and Marco.

As his vision cleared, Marco made his way over to the princess. She was shouting something at him but his hearing had yet to recover. Star ran at him as fast as she could and knocked him aside, Tom's dimensional knife stabbing into her shoulder. Marco was back to his feet in an instant and he grabbed Star, leaping away with her held bridal style in his arms. Turning around he saw Tom shaking and staring at his bloodied blade, his body and clothes charred and his head missing a horn. Tom and Marco's eyes met and the demon turned and fled, using his knife to open a portal with which to escape.

"Are you alright Star?" Marco continued to hold the princess.

"I'm sorry" she replied.

"For what? You're not the one who showed up with an army of monsters to ruin our night. You have nothing to apologize for."

Star began to cry "You keep fighting for me and I can't do anything for you. I'm just a burden."

"Don't be silly." Marco snickered "I've been having the time of my fucking life these past weeks. You're not a burden Star. You're a sweet, innocent girl who needs help. How could I call myself a man if I didn't help you. Now no more talkin' like that. Let's check on the others" Entering the now nearly empty house, Marco laid Star down on the first chair he could find before making his way across the building to meet an awaiting Janna and Kelly. He greeted them with a nod "All clear?"

"Yeah" Janna answered "Daron helped evacuate everyone and we dealt with the monsters."

"No casualties?" he asked.

"No but, she's not taking it well" Janna pointed across the room. Marco became suddenly aware of the sobbing coming from behind him. He turned and saw Jackie, head held in her blood soaked hands. Marco took a step towards her. "Marco." Janna interjected sternly. He waved her off and approached the skater girl.

"I know you aren't very accepting of your heritage, but remember that you saved a lot of people tonight." He didn't look at her as he spoke and she didn't look at him. Returning solemnly to Janna he spoke again "Star got injured. I'm going to take her home"

"Okay. I think I want to make sure Jackie gets home safe. Kelly, you mind coming with me?"

"No problem" Kelly replied.

And so Marco returned to Star "Heal yourself?" he questioned her and she nodded in response. He once again lifted her up and carried her the entire way home, only putting her down to unlock the door. As he placed her down on her bed she reached out an caressed his face. She leaned up to kiss him and he pulled away. "What are you doing Star?"

"I thought since I can't fight I could…" she blushed and looked away.

"Star. You've had a rough night. I couldn't take advantage of you in an emotionally compromised state. I'm not that kind of guy. Just rest now, we can talk about everything that happened in the morning when the others get back." Marco quickly left the room and headed to his own. Star curled up in her bed, hugging her knees tight to her chest. She had run out of tears so all that came out were stifled sobs. When she awoke the next morning she was in the same position, exhausted from a restless sleep. As she stretched out and reorientated herself on the bed she noticed something. Opening her right hand she found a single heart-shaped purple scale. She was overcome with the urge to cry again.

When it rains it pours, it seems.