ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, NO TIME TO FUSS, and no time for chatter! Let's get on with the third chapter!

WOOOOOO~!

The moon was very bright tonight. The stars were glistening extra brightly too. The soothing lights swayed over the Diaz house, and they all landed on her.

Leaning over the balcony of her room, she watched as the night skies were flashing like cameras. And next to her was the boy that made her heart jump every time they touched.

"Pretty tonight isn't it, Star?"

Before she answered, Star rested her head on his shoulders. "I like nights like this. So calming, so totally quiet and peaceful..."

"A total opposite of you."

"Oh shut your talking hole, Marco," she laughed and playfully pushed him away. He chuckled as she did so. "Mewni's is better. Our three moons are better than your singular puny Earth moon."

"But have you landed on yours like we did? And without magic, I might add. I bet you guys can't do that."

"Silly Marco, you can't land on the moon without a little help of magic!" She waved a finger at him. "Even if you can, it could just be slow. I can just teleport us on the moon with a simple spell!"

Marco tilted his head. "Is there actually a spell that can do that?"

She recoiled. "Uh, not really? But I can delete gravity so we can float up there!" She savored the worried look on his adorable widdle face, and booped him on the nose. "Just kidding, silly. I won't actually delete gravity... unless by accident."

"I hope what you're saying is just a joke," Marco scratched the back of his head, awkwardly looking away. "So... why did you call me here this late?"

This time it was her turn to look away. Here goes nothing...

"Marco, I'm... nervous."

"Nervous? You?" He sounded surprised at that fact.

"Ugh, yes, me," she groaned. "I've been thinking about... complicated stuff. Ever since I've split the wand, the complicated stuff just keeps increasing by the minute."

She started listing each one.

"I'm trying extra hard to become a proper queen so I can support my people one day, and it doesn't help that mom is checking on me every day with even stricter lessons than before. More Monster problems are popping up in Mewni and I have to be the one to negotiate with them peacefully, and still flopped at every single one. And blah blah blah!"

She murmured the rest of her words as she plopped her head against the balcony.

Marco raised a confused brow. "So what? You seem to be doing great so far, even without the other half of the wand. What's wrong?"

Oh Marco, so supporting yet ignorant of her daily stress.

"I'm just..." She paused, thinking over her words.

What does she feel about it? The future is all set in stone for her. She can't change that. She can still do magic, but it's much harder now. She has all the time to prepare, all the time to learn, and when the day that she leaves Earth comes, she won't be with...

"I'm just not sure if... I'm ready to accept the responsibility..." She tried to cover her eyes with her arms, pushing the limb hard enough against her face to stop the tears from forming. "I-I can't do it. I can't handle this. I just c-can't..."

"Star... look at me." She felt a hand touch her cheek, and another pulling her arm down. Her vision was blurry, but she can still see the light brown eyes of her... best friend.

"I was the first to believe in you, and I've watched you doubt whether you can be worthy to be queen ever since we've met. But you know what? I am the person I am today because of you."

What is he trying to...?

"Marco-"

"I know I don't really say things like that, but it's true," he held her firmly by the shoulders, making her look at him directly in his eyes filled to the brim with determination. "You are the bravest, most stubborn, most determined magical princess I know. The wand didn't give you that, it made it-"

"Easier..." She whispered. She starting to see what he means!

She isn't useless without the entire wand... she is stronger without it!

Marco grinned, a sly look in his eyes. "And now it's going to be a lot tougher. So, what are you gonna do about it?"

"Probably something dumb," she grinned back.

"That's the Star Butterfly I know. Now come on, I think there are some leftover nachos in the fridge."

Before he can walk away, something stirred in her gut. A strong urge to stop him before he could leave.

"Uh, w-wait!" She grabbed his hand without thinking.

What is her body doing?! This is stupid, this is something dumb, this isn't the right time!

"Yeah, Star?" Marco looked confused, but stayed nonetheless.

Too late to turn back now, she thought.

With a deep breath, she spoke with all her heart.

"Marco, I lo...! I-I love...!" Her voice kept fading on the last second.

Come on! Say it, me!

His head tilted. "You love...?"

Say it!

"I love... to thank you. I really needed it."

Coward.

The oblivious boy smiled at her, never knowing the words she truly wanted him to hear.

Please, just give him a sign.

Not a hug, not a friendly cuddle, just a sign!

*Woom!*

Then the pale blue light turned crimson. The atmosphere surrounding them both felt warmer than before, and the air became thicker than fog.

She looked around, confused and worried. "What's going on? Marco? Marco!"

"Star..." A deep, gurgling voice responded.

Her gaze quickly went back to him, and she gasped.

His right arm was infected with blackish flesh, growing to the size of a tree trunk. Its roots went up all the way to his eye, causing the brown iris to turn a monstrous yellow. The left eye turned completely red, and a sickening scar grew from the top of his brow down near the edge of his lips.

His gentle nature was gone completely. His body and soul warped by corruption and dark magic, disfiguring him into an unrecognizable creature.

Before her is not her best friend that she knew and loved.

In his place...

... is a heartless Monster.

"Star Butterfly. Where were you when I needed you...?"

"S-Stay away!" Her back was to the edge of the balcony, the air becoming unbearable to breathe as the Monster drew closer.

"You were SELFISH."

"No!" She covered her ears as hard as she can. Yet its voice is still clear in her mind.

"You abandoned them. You FAILED them!" The tentacle arm wrapped around her body, crushing her in its grip. "Your friends, your family, everyone you know and love... gone because of you."

His voice, full of malice and hatred, shook her to the core. Deeper than any abyss, the words he whispers, she tries to reject. She can't breathe... the arm... choking... her neck...

No. No no no no! Stop it! Stop the pain! No more! I just wanted to dream! To dream with him! Let me go!

"All of that power in your hands... wasted. You're not a queen. You're not even a princess. You're just a child crying for someone to pick them up from the ground." He drew her close, and the eyes of his white skull mask tearing her very soul. "I hoped you would grow up, but you ignored your destiny..."

She kept hitting the limb with her free arm, but it refused to budge nor loosen its grip. He raised his left hand, conjuring a flaming green skull.

"Perhaps in the end, did you know..."

He pulled his arm back, the flames growing impossibly large and bright.

"What I've BECOME?"

MARCO! SAVE ME!

-/-/-

"Gah!" Her eyes snapped open, her chest heaving from jagged breaths. Her hand was stretched out to the ceiling. Her body was still shaking from that nightmare, trails of sweat still left on her face.

W-What? Where...? How is she...?

Then the memory came back to her.

Oh. Right.

She was taken hostage after her loss. Defeated by Mar... by Ocram Ziad.

"Ow! Ow ow ow..." Star flinched as she sat herself up from the purple bed. The sores and aches are still there, but bearable now.

Where am I? She inspected the room.

The room was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light being the barred window. It was much different than the last time she was awake. More spacious, very organized, and clean. Kind of like how Marco-

No! She shook her head and slapped her face twice. He's not Marco! He's a fake!

She pulled away the covers, revealing that she was still wearing her ruined, tattered blue dress.

First task, change into better clothes, then find a way to escape.

She squinted at the darkness, seeing the vague shapes of a lamp, a bookshelves, and some paintings on the wall that she recognized are mostly from Earth. She kept looking until she found...

Aha! A wardrobe!

Gently twisting her body and placing one foot on the cold floor-

"Ah!" She pulled it back instinctively, hissing as a small tinge of pain ran up her right leg. She leaned back on the bed, carefully lifted what's left of the hem of her dress.

On the leg, just above of the ankle, was a barely noticeable and small glowing red line. Its size is akin to that of a small paper-cut.

Curious, she drew a finger near the cut, almost touching it-

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Gah!" Star screamed, shuffling back to the back of bed. She pulled the covers up to her face, using it as a shield against whatever just spoke to her. "Who said that?!" Her eyes frantically searched the room.

There was no one near the door, floor, nor the walls. Unless the paintings themselves are talking-?!

"Up here, you idiot." The girly voice spoke again.

Her eyes trailed up to the ceiling. Two bright magenta eyes stood out from the shadow's ceiling.

"AHHHH!" Star screamed again and fell out of the bed, dragging along the covers with her in a messy pile.

The glowing eyes blinked twice, rolled once, then let out a disappointed "humph".

"Father was right, you weren't worthy of being a queen. You're a dimwit. No brain of your own."

"Wha...?" It took her some time to process those words. "You take that back!"

"Tch. I don't listen to tools. How your people survived under your rule, only the Gods and Father know." The young girl continued to mock. "Were you really a challenge for Father? I bet it was a cakewalk for him conquer your pathetic kingdom."

Star clenched her fists. This brat!

"Hey! Who are you to say those things about me anyway? At least I don't hide in the shadows watching someone sleep like some hideous creep!"

"'Hideous creep', huh?" The voice sound irritated.

Sounded like she hit a nerve. The small figure slithered down the wall and stood up to the light with a smirk. The brat motioned to her violet dress that sparkled in the sunlight.

"Do I look like a hideous creep to you?" She flipped her lavender hair proudly. "Father says I'm the most beautiful girl across the infinite dimensions, and I have the dress to match."

Star's eyes widened. "Wait a minute, you're..." That hair, that face, even that malicious smile! Though she looks way WAY younger and with a few new features here and there, without a doubt, this young girl is-!

"Heinous?!"

"You think I'm a heinous creep now?!" Young Heinous' eye's flashed green and her body grew monstrously tall, reaching the height of an adolescent teen. The sparkly dress was stretched out by the sudden growth, stretching and tearing slightly. Raising one of her red claws, the grown princess conjured up a flame.

The same green flames from her nightmare.

"Lets see who's hideous and heinous after I'm done burning your fancy gold hair! Father wouldn't mind a little change of hairstyle." Heinous' claws reached for her head, and Star tried to move away, but she was already backed up to a wall.

"S-Stay away!" Star attempted to smack away the claws, but the flames burnt the back of her hand. "Ow! Please, s-stop! I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean what I said!"

"Oh boohoo," Young Heinous laughed at her words. "Just like you didn't mean to keep your promises for peace. Now hold still and-!"

"Now now, Meteora, what did I say about toying the important hostages?" A voice interrupted, this one Star knew all too well.

The flaming claws were pulled back and Heinous nearly jumped away from her. She stood straight, chest puffed out, and beads of sweat trailed on her neck. Her cruel and mocking haughtiness attitude was gone completely.

"D-Do not harm them." Young Heinous shivered in place. Her Monster body shrank back to the tiny form.

"I see you've remembered well. Now come here, hija."

Young Heinous walked out from her vision, presumably towards Him. She heard the snap of his fingers and the room was lit by a hanging chandelier appearing above.

"Look at you... your gorgeous dress is ruined! Did you know how hard Gemini worked on that for you just for this day?"

"I'm sorry, Father..." Young Heinous' - you know what she'll just call her Brat - Brat's voice was quieter, more timid compared moments ago.

"We have to control that temper of yours, it wouldn't do good the for the True Princess of Mewni to have such stress at such a young age. It isn't good for your health."

"I know, Father..." She heard Brat sniffing, and some shuffling of clothing. Curiosity took the best of her, and Star took a peek. Her eyes widened.

He was giving the little girl... a hug.

Ocram Ziad, the cruelest and heartless Monster of Mewni, hugging a child with such love and care.

Once they finished the hug Star quickly looked away. Only hearing their voices behind her.

"Oh don't make that face, I can't stay mad at you even if I tried. Gemini did expect this to happen, so he made a spare dress the night before. I will meet you in a few hours, so be ready."

"Y-Yes, Father!"

She heard the door open and closed shut. A screech from a chair, and Ocram sat down. "I apologize for her recent behavior. Meteora isn't usually prone to anger so easily. Luckily I came just in time, right?"

"..." Star didn't dare to face him. She could only face away, using every ounce of her will to not use a single muscle to turn to him.

"You know it's awfully rude to ignore someone trying to talk to you. This is a chance for us to catch up on what things we've missed together. You know, for old time's sake."

He's poking fun at her.

Ridiculing her.

Using Marco's voice to get under her skin.

And as worse as it is to admit it, it's working.

"I see you're still having trouble adjusting to this place. Or is it perhaps that you haven't been served breakfast yet? Even I would be very cranky in the morning with an empty stomach-"

"Stop." Star growled through gritted teeth.

"Hm? Stop what?" His tone was mocking, and she could practically imagine the smirk on his scarred face.

"Stop... using his voice. That voice doesn't belong to you, y-you Monster."

"Ah~ the name game? Couldn't expect any less from you, Princesa." Star felt his magic coating her, forcing her to turn her body and face his masked face. "Do I really look like a Big Bad Heinous Monster to you?"

So he heard that much. She was hesitant to say anything more, but steeled herself forward. "A Monster is a Monster, inside and out. You're the worst of both sides!"

Ocram leaned back against the wooden chair, shaking his head and dramatically clutched his chest.

"Ouch. My heart bleeds so much, but I don't have any reason to deny that. But may I have your opinion on one thing?" He took off the skull mask, showing the corrupted face of her best friend. "As you can see, I have all the characteristics of a human being: flesh, blood, skin, and hair. Can't you see it in my eyes?"

No. No she did not.

There was absolutely no light reflecting in those crimson and amber eyes. The face, the shape, the hair and everything just keeps screaming to her that this is Marco Diaz, but the chilling gaze of those eyes as they stared right through her said otherwise.

Beneath that cold gaze, Star could feel her body shaking nonstop.

"Although, even I have to ask myself, am I even human anymore?" Ocram raised his right arm, showing her the tentacle tattoos pulsing with every movement. "It was of no fault of my own, that's for sure."

"It wasn't...!" Star clenched a fist for a punch, but just like last time her body couldn't move. The words from the dream came flooding back to her mind. He didn't become like this because of her. It couldn't be.

M-Marco isn't a Monster because of you. Don't let the faker fool you!

"It... it wasn't my fault..." Those words she whispered out. It felt like she said that to justify herself, rather than to him.

"I didn't say it was, Princesa," Ocram waved his left hand, and the force on her body disappeared. "But you were one of mine. I was always stuck to be the one to fix your messes. Your small and big mistakes. Everything I did, I did to make your goal come true."

He gently traced down his scar, and his glare hardened even further. "Everything I have ever known in this world, I've had to learn against my own will. It was my fault to believe you in the first place. I was blind. A gullible idiot. A FOOL!"

For every word he spat at her, Star felt her heart tear itself apart. She can hear the pain and suffering that he endured... all because of her. How much had Marco done for her that she couldn't see?

Marco - Ocram, coughed composed himself. "Sorry. It seems recently my emotions get the better of me as well. I believe we've talked enough about the past." He clapped his hands and the barred window was coated in his green magic. It grew larger, wider, transforming into a balcony. "Instead look at the future happening right before you." He motioned to the outside world. A few seconds of silence passed, and she was still on the floor.

"Uh..." She can't get up. The pain over her right ankle preventing her so. "I sorta... can't..."

When she continued to not move, Ocram sighed, swirled his arms around and made a chair appear beneath her, then pulled her to the balcony. "W-Woah-!"

The sunlight stung and she raised an arm over her eyes. When her sight adjusted, she gasped.

High above her prison, she can see there was life. Gorgeous houses as far as her eyes allow her to see. The streets clean and neat as pearls. Monster and Mewman people getting along and happily decorating the streets with flowers and flags. The younger Monsters tossing a cornball to the younger Mewmans.

Each and all living in peaceful harmony. They look so happy.

No.

They are happy. With honest smiles that don't hide disgust and terror.

It was as if Earth and Mewni had combined together.

Her ideal world of peace, right down there before her.

"Beautiful..." Star murmured.

"And it has yet to truly flourish."

Her mind reminded her where she is. And who is accompanying her. At the corner of her eye, Ocram was leaning over the edge, looking down at the beautiful world with pride.

"This is but a tiny seed," he turned to her, offering his hand. "And I need your help to make it grow."

Hesitating, she reached for the limb. Her fingers inching closer and closer to touch his.

*SLAP!*

"Don't lie to me," Star smacked away the hand, leaning on the arm of the chair. She glared at her kidnapper. "You're not that simple. There's more to it than there is, is there? Well I'm not falling for it this time!"

That was a dumb move, she knows, but she won't be tricked again. She expected him to get angry. To clench his fist and punch a wall, or scream at her at how stupid she is. And when that happens she will laugh and be satisfied with making him lose that calming face of his.

"You have nothing. Nothing to threaten me with, nothing to do with all your strength." She made sure to smirk back at him, all wide and clear. "I win this game."

Which one will he react? The first one? Second? Both?

But the next thing he did, she did not predict.

He knelt right in front of her.

And gave her a hug.

The movement so sudden she couldn't react in time. No words came out of her and her mind a jumbled mess.

"Wuh? Eh? H-huh?" Was all she could spout.

When her body and sprawling limbs re-aligned themselves, she first felt warmth in this hug. The kind of warmth that she hadn't felt since she was on Earth...

"I'm not playing any games here, Star. I know you don't trust me. I know you hate me. But for once I need you to tell me what I need to know." He hugged her tighter, and, unconsciously, her own arms are slithering under his and reaching for his back. One of his hands rubbed the back of her head and combed her hair. "I am so close to finishing your dream. Please, help me just this once."

The moment her fingertips touched the clothes of his back, her eyes were watery and vision unclear. The desperation, the need, the heart in that voice begging her to help.

To help... M-Marco~

The dream of just her and Marco kept coming back to her. The hopeful memories, his encouraging words, her raw emotions of... love.

Her heart kept beating faster with every breath. Her hands held him in a tight embrace.

"Star, can you..." He whispered in her ear. Rasp and hoarse. Her mind kept crumbling down with every lingering word.

"Tell me..."

If... If this could help Marco...

"Where the other half..."

Then she would do anything...

"... of the wand is?"

The... wand... ? Yes...

"I-It's... it's..." She began to say.

Something isn't... right. Why am I...?

"A-at..."

"Where, Star? Where is it?" His voice kept echoing and echoing in the back of her mind. His grip on her getting even tighter.

Sto... Stop...! Get...!

"Get away from me!"

Star pushed him away. The force of it made her fall on her back and she yelped in pain, but her senses came back. Her stomach felt rotten. The gentle warmth now gone, but she was free from his grasp.

She kept gasping for breath as she crawled back to the bedroom, keeping her eyes on him the whole time. She glanced at his left hand, the one that combed her hair.

It was glowing green.

"Y-You!" Star shouted, pointing at the hand. "You tried to mind control me!" She almost fell for it. She almost told him. It felt disgusting.

"You couldn't just tell me one thing?" Ocram put out the magic with a flick of a wrist. "This would have been so much easier for you if you can just tell me where the other half is."

The wand. It's always the wand that he wants. This isn't about her dream. This isn't even about her at all, and she was foolish to think that. Does he even care about her at all? Does he hate her to the point that she's just a tool to him now?

"Information. Is that what you need me for?" Star scowled. "You kept me alive just so you could get even more power for yourself." She forced herself to stand up, limping over the bed.

It really hurt to know that she was only acting out of fear, and that whoever ended up being the most powerful was going to control her life for all time. Did he already hate her for being the one who wanted to stop him?

Ocram stood still at the balcony. The sun shining behind him hid whatever expression he wore on his face. Star's breathing was shallow, her chest was heaving hard, and her legs are shaking.

But no matter what, she is not giving up.

"Why do you always choose the path that drags everyone down with you?" He suddenly asked, taking one step forward.

She grimaced. "I'm not going to listen to you anymore." Star spat at him, and she held still.

But it seems her words didn't matter to him. "Why are you so selfish to the point that you become so blind to the pain and suffering of others?" Another step forward.

She felt herself quiver.

"Why do you continue to fight back when there is no one for you to fight for?"

He stopped.

She stepped back.

There was only a few feet of space left between them. Her back was touching the edge of a table.

"I... I never had the option to choose." Star whispered. "A-At least that's what I know. That's why I..."

She stopped talking when Ocram raised his hand.

"You don't have to give me the full answers. I know them far too well. But I must say, do you know what they are?" He questioned her. His voice sounded so tired. So... disappointed.

Why does she feel so hurt at that thought?

Before Star could say anything more, Ocram wore the skeletal mask once again. He turned away and walked until he stopped before the door.

"Two months." He suddenly said.

She blinked. "What?"

"You have two months to tell me the location of the missing half of the wand."

Star clenched her fist, her anger rising again. "What makes you think that I will tell you by then? I will never tell you where it is, Ocram. Even if it costs me my life."

With a slight twist of his neck, his amber eye glowed right at her. "Be careful what you say, Star. You know that tiny scar on your leg?"

She felt the tiny cut pulse, sending a small shock of pain up her leg. "What about it?" She hissed.

"Then you perhaps know about the Solarian Warriors?"

Solarian Warriors? She heard of them, mostly the fact that they were a powerful army created by many-great-grandma Solaria. Not much to take on them besides their physical strength and power, unless he's talking about...

"Wait, this scar..." It can't be. How did he place it on her without her knowing?!

"So you at least know that part of your family history," Ocram shrugged his shoulders. "Though I made some modifications. Normally a scar from a Solarian weapon will grow and consume the victim within a day or so, but just as I said, you only have two months."

"That's plenty of time for me to escape." Star snapped back.

"Oh Star," Ocram sighed, shaking his head. "You're only prolonging the inevitable."

He clapped his hands, and the bed began to change form. The silky lavender material and wood reforming in a swirl of green, turning into a fancy white-wooden dressing table with a large oval mirror. The legs were curvy with carvings of butterflies and roses, and a few hints of gold lining the edges.

"You'd feel lonely. Having a mirror in the room will be like having company. Feel free to use it, and check the drawer for a few gifts from me. I'll send someone to give you breakfast."

Star continued to glare at his back before the door was shut tight.

-/-/-

The thundering clank of the closed door resounded in the empty hallways of the tall tower. Marco simply stood by that same wooden door, staring at the thick brown wood through the hollow holes of his white mask. His eyes then wondered to the hand that he offered to her.

"Why..."

Star rejected the offer. It was a possibility that he knew she would choose, but that still doesn't mean he would hate her for it. Her determination is the one admirable thing he respects of her, albeit in the most annoying of ways. She has nothing. Nothing!

Yet, she still fights back.

Marco grunted and walked away from her current imprisonment. He never understood her motivations, but she sure could manipulate others. And she will not manipulate him again. Star wants this to be a game? Then he'll play with her, but with his own rules.

"Has your little butterfly been troubling you?" A gentleman's voice reached his ears. No, not a gentleman's, but a businessman's. "If you'd like, I would lend a finger or two to ease your struggles, though I would want something in return."

"Good morning, Toffee." Marco greeted without batting an eye. The lizardman simple walked beside him without any care. "It's always a decent time to meet up with each other from time to time, but I would have prefer it later in the afternoon. Oh, and I'll kindly decline your assistance. This is between me and her."

"Ahh, so it's a personal matter," the neatly-suited lizard gave a nonchalant shrug. "If that is you so desire, I won't try to interfere. Though it is an uncivilized approach."

"Star isn't so civilized to begin with. So it's the appropriate approach."

"Ha! Right you are, my friend. Right you are."

"Toffee..." The young lord said in an annoyance. "Stop with the stalling. What do you have to report to me?"

Toffee smirked as he side-glanced him."Oh nothing much to say compared to what your little frog guard has already told you."

"Then what made you take the time of your day to come and greet me so early in the morning?" Marco asked.

"It's the scavengers that you sent to raid the ruins of Butterfly Castle last night." Toffee stated. Marco went silent, and Toffee knew enough that he was listening intently now. "They've sent back a report of what they've uncovered deep within the castle's sacred treasury. Something that I believe would definitely catch your interest."

He reached into his suit and pulled out a photograph. Marco took the small picture, narrowed his eyes, and nodded back in satisfaction.

"You may be the most dastardly businessman to deal with, Toffee, but this...?" Marco slid the mask up, flashing his monstrously sharp teeth. "...Does put a smile on my face."

Toffee smiled back, giving a small courtesy and well-pleased nod. "Glad to uplift your mood, my friend. Now then, let's grab some breakfast to eat for this wonderful day."

The silence that followed was peaceful.

-/-/-

Poor little Star, I wonder what gifts that Marco left for her? Welp, better luck finding that out in the next chapter.

Will Star escape? Will she tell Ocram of the other half of the wand? You don't know, but I do! Have a great time and wear a mask outdoors, folks!

Leave some reviews for me to read! GUEST OR NOT!

SILENT-REAPER VANISHES IN THE NIGHT!