We're almost done...The last couple of chapters of Sign are among my favorite because they're so impactful, and I can't wait to unveil them. I also have a special author's note attached to the end, which deals with a sensitive topic I found important to share. This is just a head's up, but otherwise, enjoy.

Lady Fate was said to be a cruel, fickle mistress. She never strayed far from the great loom that guided the strings of all things into place, chronicling the story of the universe in a tapestry more magnificent and beautiful than anything else created. One day, when the last stars died and Father Time ended his run, Fate would finally step back and admire her work along with the other Spirits forever. And once that blessed day came, long after the End of All Things, then there would be no change. Nothing can spoil her work, and because of that, Mewmans often feared her more than even the Sun and Moon. They pleaded her to weave fortune in their destinies and eschew ruin and disaster. When trouble came, they raised their fists and cursed the Great Weaver for mocking their requests and taking sadistic glee in suffering, which some said, added more vibrancy to her tapestry. But Eclipsa knew better. One Mewman's misfortune was another's gain, and Fate showed no favoritism. Although there is nothing wrong with helping her out, Eclipsa smiled to herself, letting a wayward string wrap around her finger.

Below her, the royals of Mewni were gathered in the Butterfly throne room, waiting for the trial of the millennia to begin. Moon had been captured yesterday after spending weeks on the run, and it was time for Mewni to see who was fit to rule: the Queen of Darkness or the Undaunted Queen. At long last, it was Judgement day for the Butterfly family. Eclipsa's vengeance would be hers. In the east, the sun threatened to rise, letting a sliver of light touch the horizon, but it had no power during the Darkness of Darkness—the one-day month of Mondarn. It's all going according to plan, she remembered the oracle proclaiming this day hundreds of years ago. The pieces were falling into place.

"Your Majesty," a young Butterfly dipped his head when he approached the Queen's throne. "The Kingsguard have brought Moon Butterfly."

"Bring her in," Eclipsa ordered, and the chatter in the room died down in anticipation.

The heavy oak doors swung open, and the Kingsguard escorted Moon in chains that rattled with her every step. The Lucitors sneered haughtily, but the other royals were distressed by her treatment. Eclipsa smelled their fear. The mighty Queen Moon, the Revenge-Taker, the Severer of Fingers, and the Warrior with Cold Eyes, had fallen. Eclipsa remembered the day they first met in Rhombulus's prison dimension. Although it felt like a lifetime ago, she remembered the fire crackling in Moon's eyes, portraying the determination and audacity that brought the new queen into covenant with her. But that fire was extinguished now, replaced with dull pain and humiliation. Her silver hair was unkempt and dirty, woven into a loose braid to keep it from dragging on the ground. Eclipsa's heart was moved to pity; there was no honor in defeat.

When Moon stood below the throne, Eclipsa dismissed the guards and ushered forth the trial. Etheria Butterfly took the stand first. "Blessed Mondarn, royals of Mewni," she said. "Today, we are here to witness the long-awaited trial between two queens, both who have a rightful claim to the throne: Queen Eclipsa and Queen Moon. They are also both accused of breaking Mewnian law. Queen Moon is charged with breaking her most solemn oath to uphold the kingdom and her allies by allowing her wayward daughter to marry and run away with a human!"

The royals clucked their tongues disparagingly, but Eclipsa rolled her eyes in reply. Only repressive tyrants could turn an act of true love into a crime.

Etheria continued, "Queen Eclipsa is accused of breaking her marriage bond with King Shastacan of the Spiderbite Kingdom and bearing the illegitimate child of Globgor, the Prince of Darkness. She also stands accused of using Dark Magic, conspiring in the destruction of Tarantula Town in the Spiderbite Kingdom, disrupting the Mewman-Monster war, and radicalizing Monsters with the Prince of Darkness."

"See?" Rhombulus interrupted from his seat with the Magic High Commission. "This is exactly why I object to giving the crown to Eclipsa. Sure, Moon broke her oath, but she isn't a Monster Lover."

"But Star is," said Omnitraxus. "Even if we continue to side with Moon, we need to do something about Star's behavior."

"Like what? Marry her to someone she doesn't like?" Moon challenged, and the grit in her voice made everyone, including Eclipsa, flinch. While she looked defeated, Moon did not sound like it. "It is insane that I have to prove my worth compared to Eclipsa, the Queen of Darkness," she contended. "Our crimes are hardly in the same league as each other. And you know what? I'm starting to think Star is right. Why should any of us sacrifice our happiness, as long as it is within reason, for the throne? Why can't a queen honor herself and Mewni at the same time?"

"Because that's not how it's done," Dave argued. "Star isn't a child. She's old enough to know better."

"And so, you're going to side with Eclipsa, Dave? How hypocritical of you."

"She was a close friend of King Dante, who was one of the best rulers of the Underworld. I have to honor that."

"Yet when it comes to the careful alliance forged between our parents—"

"Enough!" Eclipsa stood up, and the room fell silent. "Clearly, history has not been kind to my image. Since this is a trial before the kingdoms, I will tell you my story to show you who's really guilty."

Eclipsa could finally breathe again after the attending ladies-in-waiting stepped away, revealing her new look to the rest of the royal family. "How do I look?" she asked, although she knew the answer even before the servants brought the mirror before her.

"Oh, Clipsy, my dear! You look like a beautiful, young princess!" Grandma Skywynne cried, dabbing the tears on her wrinkled hourglass cheekmarks with a handkerchief.

"I'd say she looks more like a queen," said Uncle Jushtin. "How rare is it for three generations of queens to be alive in the same room?" Eclipsa heard the wistfulness in his voice, knowing how much her uncle hated his forced abdication once his sister came of age. "What do you think, Solaria?"

The queen's lips curled upward only slightly; she never smiled. "Very nice." Her comment was curt and dry.

Thanks, Mother, Eclipsa never expected a compliment from her mother, but she still hoped to hear one to calm her nerves. When the princess summoned the courage to look into the mirror, she gasped at the unrecognizable phantom staring back at her. The reflection couldn't be hers. Thick layers of white makeup caked Eclipsa's face, smoothing over imperfections and giving her the appearance of a maiden who had never been outside before. A gaudy blush lightened the rich mauve of her spade-marks, turning them as pink as roses to match her dress. The ladies-in-waiting had put a lot of time and effort into Eclipsa's appearance, but she wanted to rip the pearls and pins out of her hair and free it. She wanted to toss the wide hoop skirt and cut the ties binding the tight corset around her waist so she could breathe again. I want to be myself! She tried her best to hide the frown threatening to form creases in the foundation.

But the makeover was far from the worst part of tonight. At fifteen years old, Eclipsa was old enough for marriage, and she would be betrothed to her future husband during the Prince's Ball held in his honor. It was supposed to be a night of celebration, her first step towards queenship, but the wedding felt more like a funeral. Eclipsa had no say in her choice, and she knew nothing about him. Her mother arranged everything the moment she experienced her first bleed—the earliest a princess could be considered for betrothal. Some said the queen's eagerness to marry her daughter stemmed from her sordid affair with Captain Alphonse, the leader of the royal navy. She never took a king after she bore Eclipsa, letting her brother, Jushtin the former Boy-Queen, take on the role unofficially.

"Is everything alright, dear?" Uncle Justin frowned when Eclipsa failed to say anything.

"I'm fine, uncle." Eclipsa tried her best to smile. "Just a little nervous."

Solaria scoffed, "It's just a ball."

"It's more than a ball, sis," Uncle Jushtin argued. "It's a very important event in a princess's life—one I remember well. I was a nervous wreck for my Prince's Ball—Princess's Ball, rather—but it all worked out. We believe in you, Eclipsa."

"And you'll bear the weight of your duties well," said Grandma Skywynne. "We're Butterflys, after all. Duty must come before self."

Eclipsa tuned out the rest of her grandmother's well-intentioned speech and focused instead on the necklace she kept wrapped around her wrist as a bracelet. Itwas a simple piece made of purple beads woven together with wolf leather. In the middle, framed by thin silver wire, dangled a red moon carved out of solid ruby. The moon of lovers, Globgor had called it when he presented the necklace to her one night. According to his people's stories, the Blood Moon bound two lovers together with a bond surpassing Fate itself. It was a shame that he and Eclipsa were born in the middle of the Sixth Dance—his name for the era. The Seventh Dance would not come to pass for another three hundred years. I'll be strong for you, Eclipsa vowed when she thought of her lover, the only one who truly possessed her heart. If only Monsters and Mewmans were allowed to marry.

Night came quickly, and the ballroom became crowded with musicians, servants, knights, and royal guests. Eclipsa watched them mingle with indifferent eyes, hating everyone gathered to celebrate her betrothal. Their smiles were thin and their laughter at trivial matters sounded forced, devoid of life and warmth. But that was the nature of royalty—as slimy and shallow as piss in a chamber pot. If Eclipsa wanted to torture herself anymore, she'd consult Baby, the royal governess, for another magic test.

Eclipsa tapped her fingers on the armrest of her throne and remained so deep in thought that she startled when a familiar face appeared next to her. She first noticed the arrogance blazing like a wildfire in the prince's searing red eyes, matching the dark hue of the wine he drank. Typical Lucitor, she rolled her eyes when he laughed.

"Being all broody and mysterious, my princess?" he said coolly, though he choked on the wine.

"Smooth, Dante," Eclipsa giggled.

"You know I am," he said upon recovering. "I'm the best you ever had. We used to own the night, you and I. Honestly, I think we broke our parents' hearts when we broke up more than ours."

"Maybe, but that was long before I met Globgor." She pursed her lips thinking of him.

"I could never compete with him." Dante stared into his drink.

"Say, Dante." Eclipsa changed the topic suddenly. "You know all of the princes. Have you met Prince Shastacan? I heard he's a Spiderbite."

Dante wrinkled his nose and snorted a puff of smoke. "Unfortunately, I do. He's over there."

Shastacan was speaking to Solaria and Jushtin, and Eclipsa could hardly believe her eyes. Of all the males she'd ever seen, he had to be the ugliest. He seemed about thirty—twice her age—but was shorter than a prepubescent boy. His skin was sickeningly pale, matching the hideous, crooked powder wig perched on his round head. I'd rather die a virgin, Eclipsa shuddered. Why him? Why did her mother, the amazing warrior-queen, choose this lump to wed her?

"Was he the only eligible bachelor in the kingdom?" she wondered aloud.

"Beside me, yes," Dante said.

"At least you're easy on the eyes."

His cheeks turned red. "Hey now, that was another lifetime ago, and I'd hate to make the Prince of Darkness angry."

"He's here?"

"I worked some magic."

Jushtin made his way to the podium and all eyes turned to him. "Good evening, everyone," he announced. "On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Solaria, I welcome you to the Prince's Ball. Tonight marks an important step in my dear niece's life. Her Majesty the Queen has sought the kingdoms for a suitable match that'll keep the alliances and Mewni strong. Please welcome Prince Shastacan of the Spiderbite kingdom."

Shastacan blew Eclipsa a kiss when the cheering crowd prompted him, but the gesture made her hands itch under her gloves. Even looking at the prince turned her stomach. Why'd it have to be him? she groaned, wishing her mother had arranged her to Dante instead. The Lucitors begged Solaria to marry Eclipsa to their son, even promising to give the queen control of the Borderlands, but she refused. It was said that Solaria never forgave King Darcus V for failing to finance her campaigns against the Septarians.

"Now it is time for the princess to dance with her former suitor before being given into betrothal to Prince Shastacan," Jushtin continued. "Will Prince Dante Thomas Lucitor and Princess Eclipsa Butterfly have this dance?"

"Thomas, huh?" she whispered to Dante, who ran his pale fingers through his curly, raven-black hair.

"It's better than Infernius," he said. "That's my great-great-grandfather's name. I pity whoever gets it down the line." Then he bowed and gave Eclipsa's gloved hand a kiss. "May I have this dance, Your Royal Highness?" His voice was silken and thrummed with a slight purr.

"Of course." She took his hand.

Dante led them in a slow waltz as organ music droned in the background. All eyes fell on them, especially those of the Lucitors, who watched with special interest. Eclipsa knew what they were thinking and wrinkled her nose. "I wish your father would stop looking at me as if I were a piece of meat," she said.

"You know them, Clipsy," Dante sighed. "They'll never give up the dream of a Butterfly-Lucitor dynasty. We both know that. It's a dance—a ritual that will play over and over until they guilt trip our poor descendants together. One day, they'll win and will gloat until they've become drunken fools."

"That's pessimistic," Eclipsa said with a frown. "Perhaps, our descendants will fall in love with each other."

He twirled her and said, "Maybe. But is there such a thing as serving love and duty? I know we came close to it, but even then..."

"Our problem was that we became too popular with other princes and princesses. Our hearts may have been in the right place, but our eyes weren't."

"Such is life for royals like us," Dante laughed softly. "Destined to be two-faced in life and love. Speaking of, do you see him yet?"

Eclipsa glanced around the room and frowned. "You must've used a very strong Illusion Spell."

"I can't have a seven-foot-tall Monster walking around. Look closer after I do this." He gave her a quick peck on the lips, which made the Lucitors cheer.

You're lucky I don't have the wand on me, Eclipsa considered smacking Dante until she saw an unfamiliar Mewman walking forward, glaring darkly at her dance partner. Her heart skipped a beat, though she regretted the fact that Globgor had to hide under Dante's spell. We must make-do, for now, she thought soberly.

"Ready?" Dante asked.

When she nodded, he ended the dance and bowed as the audience applauded. According to tradition, Dante would now hand Eclipsa off to Shastacan for their dance, but he beckoned the stranger to take his place instead. "Royals of Mewni," Dante said. "Forgive me—or not—for my breach of decorum, but I give the hand of Her Royal Highness to the Prince of the Musty Mountains for this dance."

The crowd gasped in outrage, wondering what kingdom existed in the southern wilderness, and Shastacan's wig sagged as the mysterious Mewman claimed Eclipsa in his stead for a dance. Globgor snorted, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "It's one thing to sneak into this den of opulence and pageantry and another to know that the history of your people has been erased. Has everyone forgotten about the Musty Mountains? Do they not know about the crystal clear streams as sweet as mead or the stern faces of the mountains? Have they no decency to venerate the Blood Moon or the Spirits?"

"To answer your very poetic question, no they don't," Eclipsa said. "None of the royals have been south of the Mewni River, and my mother hasn't sacrificed to the Stump since I was born."

"Figures," Globgor said, narrowing his eyes. "I don't know why the Mewmans hold such power when they don't know the basics of Mewni. Anyways, how's your night, my darkest star?"

"Absolutely dreadful. I hate this outfit. I hate the royals. I hate my new husband. The only parts of this ball I don't hate are dancing with my ex and seeing you."

Globgor laughed, "Must be a bad night if your ex is a highlight."

"Oh, come now, Dante isn't that bad."

"I know, but I still keep an eye on him. He's a Lucitor—he might try to bed you too."

"Oh please. He's gotten over it. We both know that we aren't young anymore."

"Yeah, but I know how you Butterflys are."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek, feeling the soft fur under the illusion of porcelain skin. "We aren't all bad, are we?"

"I certainly have my exceptions."

They leaned forward for a kiss when the doors to the ballroom flung open with great force. The music, dancing, and conversation stopped as Rhombulus barged into the room, blasting crystal shards from his snake hands. "There he is!" He pointed at Globgor. "There's the fugitive. The Prince of Darkness!"

With his identity revealed, the royals screamed and ran, pleading the Kingsguard to save them from the Monster. Smirking, Globgor shed the Illusion Spell and faced the Magic High Commission. "I knew you'd find me sooner or later," he snarled. "May I say it took you long enough. I'm surprised that you led the merciless Queen Mercuria to my people faster than you could find little ole me!"

"That's what you get for murdering her daughter," charged Hekapoo. "Don't feign innocence with us."

"I did no such thing." Globgor's hiss sounded more pained than angry. "And I'm not here to talk about three hundred years ago. You're going to leave, Hekapoo—you and the rest of your dogs—and leave Eclipsa and me alone."

"Yeah? Look around, Globgor, you're surrounded!"

"That's what you think, H-poo!"

A new Monster strode into the room, followed by a legion of warriors. He was muscular and tall, with cascading white hair that glowed against his dark teal scales. A Septarian! The cry froze the royals in their tracks, and they looked on in dread. Very few Monster tribes were as nefarious as the Septarians, a race of long-lived, near-invulnerable lizard-men. Queen Solaria dismissed the knights around her and drew her sword.

"Seth of Septarsis." She gritted her teeth. "I knew we'd meet again."

"I say the same of you, Your Majesty," he spat. "Wasn't but ten years ago that the Massacre of Trehelm happened. Had fun killin' all those women and babes, Monster Carver?"

"That battle secured my reign and rid the south of Monsters like you," Solaria said. "Now, I don't have time for this. Get your filthy warriors out of here, and no one will die tonight."

The Septarians unsheathed their swords.

"Make me!" Seth challenged.

At that, the ballroom became alive with the clanging of swords and the shouting of men. Uncle Jushtin ordered his personal guard to escort Skywynne and the other royals to safety, and he joined Solaria in battle. Eclipsa stood fixed in place, torn between two worlds. Seth was a friend, but her family also needed her. Why can't I have my corn cake and eat it too? She watched the fighting, unable to choose a side.

Globgor saw her standing in the middle of the room and withdrew from the fight. "C'mon, Clipsy," he said. "Let's get out of here."

"Oh no, you don't!" Solaria blocked the entrance. "There's no way I'm letting a Monster lay a hand on my daughter! Eclipsa, find Prince Shastacan and hide with him."

"No." Eclipsa shook her head firmly. "I'm not marrying Shastacan, Mother. Globgor is the love of my life, and I will not be made ashamed!"

"You can't possibly love a Monster," the queen laughed. "That's just stupid teenage hormones speaking. Now, step aside. The Prince of Darkness is the last living Size-Shifter, and I'm here to finish what our ancestors started. His fur would make an excellent trophy."

"No!"

It happened in a blink of an eye. Just as Solaria drew her magical sword, ready to slay Globgor, Eclipsa unleashed a spell that rendered her a lifeless corpse. Dark energy swirled around the queen's body and blackened the terrified princess's fingers. The magic was cold and blistering like frostbite yet surging with a seething rage that startled even Eclipsa. She had tampered with Dark Magic before, taught by Globgor himself, but never had she unleashed it on anything living. Never had she dreamed of killing her own mother. I—I didn't mean to...she backed away in horror as the Monsters and Jushtin gathered around in disbelief.

"The queen is dead!" one of the knights lamented.

The Kingsguard turned their swords against Eclipsa, but Prince Dante appeared and kept them at bay with a fiery sweep of his rapier. "Leave her alone!" He stared them down. "This stupid fighting needs to stop before something worse happens."

"Get away from the princess!" King Darcus ordered. "She's a Queenslayer!"

"As if our family has room to talk," Dante said. "Eclipsa's my queen, and I swear to protect her."

"Alright, this has gone too far," Omnitraxus Prime said. "Hekapoo and Rhombulus, take Globgor away to be imprisoned. I'll take care of this scene." He clapped his hands. "Lights out, everyone!"

Centuries later, Eclipsa gazed upon a familiar sea of shocked royals as the last of her story lingered hauntingly in the air. No one moved or made a sound. The truth is always harsher than fantasy, she mused, wondering if she should have resorted to manipulating the strings instead of confessing her crimes to they had to know. The historical record stated that Queen Solaria died bravely defending the kingdom from a Monster ambush, but she really died at the hands of her daughter, while trying to kill her lover. A cruel, bloodthirsty queen to the end.

"That is my story," Eclipsa concluded her account. "The real enemies of Mewni are the disastrous warmongering policies of the old queens and the Magic High Commission. They are the most responsible for my tainted image and the death of Queen Solaria, even if the blow was dealt by my hand in self-defense."

"Wait, if the Magic High Commission wiped everyone's memories, then how do you remember what happened?" Moon asked.

"The Dark Magic shielded me from the mind-erasing spell," Eclipsa said. "I've carried this secret until now."

"And so, what really led to your crystallization?" Dave asked. "It seems now that I am to question everything in the Butterfly historical record."

"I was five years into my reign when I became pregnant with Meteora, who was fathered by Globgor," Eclipsa said. "I kept her parentage a secret as long as I could, but that proved impossible after her birth. It's not like queens have passed illegitimate daughters as legitimate before, but the Magic High Commission used Meteora's birth to justify my imprisonment. I was close to making a deal with Seth and his armies."

"But what about the destruction of Tarantula Town?" Rhombulus folded his hissing arms.

"You stole Meteora and imprisoned me, how was Globgor supposed to react?" Eclipsa glared. "You baited him into retaliating, so you could imprison him too. This entire controversy was orchestrated to keep the Mewman-Monster wars alive."

"I can't say, I'm too surprised." A new voice startled everyone in the room, and they turned to see Star emerging from the doorway, dragging a coffin behind her. "The Butterfly royal family has always been close minded and horrible, but it doesn't mean things always have to be this way."

"Star!" Moon started to tear up at the sight of her daughter. "You came home."

"I know." Star gave her a hug. "I'm never leaving Mewni like that again. I promise."

But Eclipsa did not share their happiness. She looked onto Fate's tapestry and saw the string tied to her success unraveling before her very eyes. Should I call this off? She couldn't bear to see Star suffer, even if the plan would soothe the deep wound left by the Butterflys and their allies. But then what about Meteora? This was her only chance to accomplish her destiny. Was she willing to betray her daughter after centuries of longing to be with her?

Eclipsa saw steady courage in Star's eyes, one that belied her age. "I know what you're planning, Eclipsa," Star said calmly, without a hint of anger or sorrow in her voice. "The Blood Moon showed the future to me and Marco. We can achieve equality for everyone without going down this path. What's the point of revenge if it may hurt those you love?"

"I…" A meteor streaked across the dark, noon sky, and in its flash, Eclipsa saw her family reunited again. Globgor sat next to her as Mewni's king with Meteora and all the Monsters gathered around, praising her. It must be, Eclipsa raised her hand and unbound the coffin with Dark Magic. Star and Moon looked on in horror as Meteora assumed her Butterfly form, ready to slay the royals.

It must be...

It was noon, and the sun still did not rise. Instead, the sky matured into a deep purplish-gray—the color of an old wound turned gangrenous. Darkness was not natural during the day. At night, it mellowed into an ebony as rich and buttery as homemade ice cream, forming a satisfying conclusion to a long day. A special treat sprinkled with stars and garnished with the ever-changing moon. It soothed the soul and called Marco to bed—to his beloved—where he drank in Star's scent along with the wild coldness of the night until the sun returned. But Mondarn's darkness was different. It set Marco on edge as he waited for Mina to wander into the ambush. He wanted to see. He wanted to gauge her distance and alert his warriors of the danger that stalked in the shadows. He wanted to know exactly what he was up against, so he could protect Star, who had gone to meet Eclipsa alone. We only have one shot at this, Marco gripped his rapier tighter.

"Do you see her?" he whispered to Tom, his battle-partner.

"Nope." The demon's eyes flashed green in the moonlight. "I'm keeping my eyes peeled, though."

"I don't know what we'd do without your night vision," Marco said.

"You're lucky the Underworld is a dark place—oh, wait, I see something on the horizon."

Marco peered through the bushes in vain, but he heard footsteps. They were heavy yet deliberate, indicating that whoever headed in their direction was propelled by purpose.

"It's her," Tom hissed. "Tell the others to get in position."

Marco cooed a dove's call, which was responded to by the shrill cry of a Mewni hawk from Kelly. The girls were ready. Anxious, General Marco rocked back and forth on his heels, shaking with adrenaline. Mewni's fate lay in the hands of six teenagers, armed with only melee weapons, magic, and their wits against a beast with no known weakness. But no matter what, Mina must not be allowed through the line of defense. The castle was only a few miles behind them.

Several yards away, Mina stopped, and Marco imagined her tasting the air. "Hmm," she muttered to herself. "I betcha Mud Sister and Meteora are at the castle by now. As if that'd stop me, Mewni's greatest warrior! I love me nothin' more than a good Monster hunt."

Me too, Marco smirked. When the time was right, and Mina had drifted close enough to strike, he hooted the final call. It is time! Tom lit a containment ring around the area, and the flames revealed the startled villain in the middle of the forest.

"I knew Mud Sister woulda left her puny friends to fight me," Mina growled as she assumed her augmented form. "Now, show yourself! Let's finish this square dance once and for all!" But no one stepped out of their cover, and she grew agitated. "Oh, c'mon! Don't tell me y'all are cowards."

A sudden purple blast exploded in Mina's face, driving her towards the first part of the trap where Janna and Jackie waited patiently for the opportunity to attack. Once she was in range, the two girls charged into battle. Even with the fire aiding his eyesight, Marco could hardly see what was happening. There were three silhouettes against the orange flame, merging together and drifting apart in an elaborate dance of magic and blades. Once or twice, the larger figure gained an advantage, but Marco heard the bite of Jackie's axe against bone. Mina howled.

I think this is working, Marco removed his hand off the rapier's pommel and rocked back on his heels. They spent an entire day figuring out a plan to divert Mina's attention from the castle, and Janna was the one who came up with the idea of a battle relay. Instead of rushing out at once, they split into pairs to wear Mina out for capture. Although risky, it seemed the best way to utilize their small numbers and create the illusion of a larger force.

Janna and Jackie made a hasty retreat, leaving Mina alone in the middle of the smoke and fire. "I know there's more of you!" she growled. "Where's the rest of your posse?"

"Right here, ugly!" Pony Head taunted, rising out of her cover. "I've seen cosplay rejects look better than you!"

Mina snorted and shot a fireball at her. "Get back here, ya little shit!"

"You gotta get me first, anime wannabe!"

The distraction gave Kelly a chance to move in closer for her to unleash physical attacks with her sword. One impact, a blow to the face, sent Mina reeling backward. Blood splattered the ground.

Tom whistled. "Damn, I can't imagine how intense her fight with Starship must've been. So far, Kelly's the only one to make Mina actually flinch."

"Kelly might be an amazing warrior, but not even she's a match for Star," Marco said. "Anyways, our turn is next. Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, General Marco." Tom nodded.

Kelly angled her blade and flashed light towards their hiding place. Time to switch. "Then let's go!" Marco said to Tom.

They stepped into the ring with swords drawn, catching Mina's attention in an instant. "There you are—that puny human Mud Sister likes so much."

"I'm not just a human anymore, Mina," Marco snarled. "I'm Prince Marco Diaz-Butterfly, future King of Mewni, and I will put you down!"

She narrowed her eyes and laughed, "I'd like to see you try."

Marco channeled his magic and launched himself at her, connecting a punch to Mina's jaw. The attack sent molars flying from her mouth, but she shrugged off the injury. Her strength remained undiminished even when Marco and Tom had torn her skin and armor to ribbons. There had always been something otherworldly about Mina Loveberry, but the battle only cemented deeper dread in Marco. He wasn't fighting an organic creature. He was fighting a sort of machine, who would not rest until he and his friends were destroyed.

"Alright, I'm gettin' pretty tired of you varmints gettin' in my way!" Mina swept Tom and Marco away with a gust of magic.

She then enchanted her fist and drove it hard into the ground. A shockwave rippled through the dirt, knocking Marco into the trees beyond the clearing. The world became black and hot when he hit the ground, but his ears still worked. He heard screaming. He heard swords. He heard his friends in danger. I must get up, Marco clawed through the darkness. Everyone depended on him. By the time the clearing returned, he saw Tom and Kelly laying motionless beside him while Janna struggled to restrain Mina with black chains.

"A little help would be nice, Marco!" she groaned through gritted teeth.

The Blood Moon drifted into the sky, and Marco knew how he could help. He closed his eyes and dipped down, feeling the magical energy of the moon and Star coursing through his veins like consuming fire. It built into an explosive heat, begging for release and vengeance. The time is right, Marco grabbed his sword and performed the Incantation Dance from memory. He sensed Janna's skepticism, but he moved gracefully as the magic gathered around him in a red aura. When the pressure had reached its climax, he opened his eyes, raised the rapier above his head, and yelled, "WARNICORN STAMPEDE!"

A herd of angry warnicorns reared to life around Marco, and they galloped with hooves of thunder. Mina tried to run, but the spell trampled her to the ground, snapping her bones like twigs. She rolled several feet, carried with the momentum of the warnicorns, but she did not get up when they left. Janna tentatively kicked her head. "She's out. Nice work, Diaz."

Marco panted, leaning over to catch his breath. "You're welcome but, man, my body isn't meant for magic like that."

"There they are!" A sudden commotion in the forest drew their attention, and Marco heard hoofbeats in the shadows. At first, he braced himself for another fight, but he saw friendly faces emerge through the fire. Before he could react, his parents dismounted and embraced him.

"Mijo! You're alright." Mr. Diaz was on the verge of tears. "We missed you so much."

"Please never scare us like that again!" Mrs. Diaz kissed Marco's forehead.

"I won't," Marco said. "Star and I didn't mean to worry you. How'd you find us?"

"Oh Marco, my boy, everyone knows that Monster villagers have loose lips," River laughed, tugging his warnicorn's reins. "Good to see you again, but where's my Pumpkin?"

"She's gone to face Eclipsa," Tom said while getting up slowly. "She's taken Meteora with her."

"I hope she'll make it in time," River said solemnly. "Eclipsa's taken Moon Pie for trial. I managed to slip away with help from Lord and Lady Diaz, but I fear something terrible is about to happen. That witch turned the whole kingdom against us."

"Then we need to hurry," Marco said. "If things are that bad, then Star's going to need us."

Just as he turned to his troops, Marco noticed another pair of eyes staring at him from his mother's warnicorn. He thought it was either a cat that had stolen away in a saddlebag or a figment of his tired imagination, but upon further inspection, he spied rounded cheeks and fire-red hair. There's no way...Marco's knees buckled when he noticed the resemblance between the yawning baby in the special saddle-carrier, his parents, and himself. Those eyes were his mother's, the sturdy jaw and strong build were his father's, and the mole on his right cheek matched his. "Is that my brother?" Marco sought his parents for confirmation.

Mrs. Diaz smiled. "I was just as shocked as you were when I went to the doctor a few months ago, but yes, dear, that is your baby brother. His name is Marco Jr.—he was born on your birthday."

"You're not supposed to name a kid after your other kid." He tried to scowl but couldn't. His parents were always a couple, and Marco felt a little honored that they named his little brother after him. "May I hold him?"

"Of course," Mr. Diaz unstrapped the waking child and set him in Marco's arms.

For several moments, the brothers stared as if skeptical that the other existed. This is so surreal, Marco kicked himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He'd begged his parents for a sibling for fifteen years since he had so few friends before meeting Star. But at last, there was another Diaz in the world. Marco Jr. smiled and tugged on the prince's hair.

"Aww," Jackie cooed. "I can tell he's a little troublemaker already."

"I'm not usually a baby person, but the little tyke's kinda cute." Janna tickled Marco Jr.'s cheek.

"Congrats," Tom nudged Marco. "If I say so myself, you're a natural with him."

"What makes you say that?" Marco wondered.

"You haven't killed him yet."

Marco was about to say something when he noticed two bright stars next to the Blood Moon that he swore weren't there earlier. For a strange reason, he thought about being a father, holding two newborn babies in his arms while Star looked on with a smile. He saw their cheekmarks too: a pair of suns and stars. They were so vivid in Marco's mind that they seemed to glow. This is weirdly specific, he stared into their eyes until the vision disappeared. Afterwards, Marco returned his attention to Marco Jr.

"Hey, MJ." He touched the baby's button nose. "Welcome to Mewni. I have so many wonderful people for you to meet, like Tom, Janna, Jackie, and Kelly—"

"—What about me, Turd?" Pony Head interrupted,

"I was getting to you," Marco snorted. "Pony Head and Star. You have to meet her. She's absolutely the most beautiful and amazing girl in the universe."

"And she's MJ's sister-in-law," Kelly said.

"Right." Marco didn't expect the remark from her.

"If Mud Sister lives that long!" Mina sneered and rose to her feet.

Janna, Jackie, Pony Head, and Tom instantly formed a defensive ring around Marco and his brother while Kelly and River stood in front of the Diazes. "You little worms!" Mina scoffed. "I'm done with the likes of you. I've got a real nuisance to slay…at Butterfly castle!"

"No!" Marco gasped when Mina opened a portal and slipped inside. He quickly handed Marco Jr. to his parents and raced after her. I'm not letting you hurt Star!

On the other side, the Butterfly castle was in ruins. Knights scrambled to protect the cowering royals and secure the crumbling parts of the throne room. "Star, where are you?" Marco climbed over rubble, broken weapons, and dead royals. At last, he found her wrestling with Meteora in mid-flight, trying desperately to keep her from Moon and Eclipsa. "Star!" He ran to her. "Star, watch out, Mina is—"

But there was no time. Mina had a perfect shot on Star, and Marco knew he couldn't warn her quickly enough. With no other option, he took a brave step in front of the blistering blue beam shooting from Mina's outstretched hand. It lit his entire body on fire, but the pain subsided in a flash, replaced with a chill colder than the Musty Mountains. For a split second, Marco thought he was fine, but time slowed into a black crawl, each second growing longer until they had no meaning.

"Marco!" He heard Star calling his name, but his eyes had glazed over. He only knew she was with him through her fading touch on his clammy skin.

Star, I love you, Marco tried to use the bond one last time, but the darkness had claimed him.

Author's Note and Review Roundup

As I mentioned, this is a special author's note about a current even goin on right now. Since it is political in nature and about a sensitive topic, you are in no obligation to read it, but I leave my words here. Roughly a week ago, an innocent black man named George Floyd was killed by police, and his death has sparked massive global response calling for the end of racism and police brutality. At first, I was unsure if I should make mention of this in an author's note, but I decided that it would be more of a disservice to myself, my community, and my country to shy away from this topic. Racism and prejudice are themes of Star vs. The Forces of Evil and as a Person of Color, these issues are personal to me and my community. Although, it may be uncomfortable to watch the news and hear about what is going on, remaining silent on the matter is being complicit with oppression. I encourage all of you to participate in ending police brutality and racism in any way you can: joining peaceful protests, donating to social justice causes and bail fund networks, signing petitions, and voting. If you are a U.S. citizen who is 18+, please register to vote. We need you. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you find a way to create change out of such dark times. BLM

Review Roundup

viceversa96- Thanks! I can't wait to read your next story!

Adol116- Thanks

Aldal- I wanted to give Moon a moment in the spotlight and show how she views the situation. Here, she is a good mother who is gradually changing her worldviews once she's reflected upon them (unlike another version of Moon lol), and you know I have to keep MJ. He's my problematic favorite son. Star, I'd imagine, can pull swords out of thin air, but I think it's mentioned that she's carrying one. The stranger is someone very close to Janna...that's all I'll say, but yes, our witchy girl is quite the badass.

Starco4everr- Thanks!

Alfonso Sparda- Kelly's been stubborn the entire story, so yes, she needed a wakeup call. The next chapter is going to be heartrending-I hope you're ready.