Worlds collided. Dimensions collapsed. The universe – cleaved.

Magic and portals, darkness and time. These used to be simpler things in a simpler time. During a period where princesses and queens wielded the most powerful weapon in the universe – the magic wand. As a child, she wondered about the limits of the royal magic wand. Star once asked her mother what the wand could do. And her answer?

Anything.

Those were exciting times, Star could hardly contain herself when she first received it. But there was a lesson to be learned from all this.

And that lesson: maybe the magic of the cosmos was never so simple, even back then in those so-called 'simpler times.'

There were forces beyond darkness, beyond portals and beyond time. Forces that were not magical in nature. Scientific perhaps, or something else entirely. Chaotic.

Things were starting to get out of hand. Just when Star thought she could have a moment of peace to reunite and spend some quality time with all her friends.

A body fell from the sky, covered in steam and coal. The earth cracked at the point of contact. And it drew everybody's attention. Not only because of the burning heat nobody dared go near. But because none of them knew it then, at least not yet.

Tom was about to die.

Nobody saw what happened. Nobody knew how, nobody knew why.

But there he lied in the crater cracked from the fall. He struggled on his feet as the crowd of people closed in. With one hand clasping his shoulder and the other his leg, he limped towards the first person he could reach.

Grabbing Star by the shoulders, he panted his last breath:

"HE IS NOT DEAD. NONE OF THEM ARE… save… Marco… he's… coming…"

The boy collapsed on the ground, crumbled like ashes with steam still furiously breathing out of his skin. And before long, nobody could hear his heartbeat anymore.

"What on earth is going on?"

"How did this happen?"

"Who did this to him?"

"What happened?"

"Why did he fall out of the sky of all places?"

"What did he mean by that?"

"What did he say? I didn't catch it."

"What does it mean?"

"Can you repeat that? I can't hear you."

"EVERYBODY BE QUIET!"

Marco yelled at the top of his lungs, instantly silencing the crowd. There his friends stood there staring at him from all directions. Anxiously waiting for what he had to say. Marco took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts and emotions to put up a strong façade for everybody around. It was difficult.

"Look…" he clasped his hands together, "I know you are all confused, concerned, and upset of what happened. Believe me I am, too. But we're doing the best we can to investigate what happened. And panicking and running all around unorganized aren't going to help anybody. Least of all Star. She's going through a lot right now. Tom was a long-time friend of hers, you know. He was… he was my friend too."

"Marco's right."

Janna stepped out through the crowd and hurried towards by Marco's side, standing there in front of everybody.

"What we need to do right now is to stay calm," Janna said, "and give as much support as we can. Getting all up in arms is just going to make everything worse."

"Well… alright…" Jackie said. Standing by with Chloe at her side. "We're here if you need to talk okay, Marco? We're here for you."

"Thanks Jackie."

"Keep us updated," Jackie said. "If there's anything we can do just let us know."

"Come on, Marco," Janna dragged his arm. "We've got to see how Star is doing."

Across the crater where Star sat down, being comforted by her parents and Eclipsa, there the paramedics got Tom into a stretcher and into the ambulance. They hooked him up to the devices inside, trying to pick up on a heartbeat, a breath, a single twitch in his muscles, anything.

It was difficult. The paramedics never had to deal with a demon before. They weren't entirely sure of what to do. His skin was rough, tough to penetrate and still somewhat steaming with heat.

"Star?"

Marco stood there, above this scene of silence. Neither River nor Moon said a word as they held their daughter together, fearing she could fall apart at any moment.

But when Star looked up, with tears flooding in her eyes, it did not matter to her that she might break and fall apart. She leapt away and up into Marco's arms. He too was desperately fighting as hard as he could to prevent the tears stream down his cheeks.

"He's gone, Marco," Star wept, "he's… gone."

"I… I'm so sorry, Star," said Marco, embracing her, holding her close. "I… I… I should've been there. He was my friend… and I wasn't there."

"No, Marco."

"I got complacent," Marco whimpered with his tears. "After destroying the magic and after everything. I thought…"

"No, Marco, you don't get it," she held Marco by the shoulders, trying to reassure him, "it's not that. There's nothing you could've done. Or any of us for that matter."

"What?"

"How do I say this… we… um… literally do not know how he died."

"Wait, what?"

"How is that possible?" Janna asked. "He can't just magically die out of nowhere. I thought you destroyed all the magic in the universe."

"We did," Moon responded. "But this… this is something else."

"Is it?" Eclipsa wondered. "It's awfully suspicious to me. There was no wound, no injuries, no marks of any kind from the outside except for his body's natural steam. It was as if he had just suddenly… combusted into flames."

"That doesn't make any sense," said Marco. "Tom is a demon. Their castles are literally on fire half the time."

"That's what I was thinking, too," said Star. "If only I can still do the All-Seeing Eye spell. We could've looked inside to see if there are any internal damage."

"The paramedics told us they ran a quick X-ray scan," Angie said, standing by her husband's side.

"Yes," said Rafael, "and they told us they couldn't find any trace of internal damage. No broken bones, no internal bleeding."

"BUT there is nothing conclusive as of now," Angie quickly said. "These people have never seen a demon before, much less deal with them. So they may have to run a few more tests to be sure."

"Oh, Marco," said Star, still weeping, trying to wipe them off her eyes, "what are we going to tell Tom's parents? They will be heart broken. Maybe literally. It's happened once before, Marco, I read it in the Book of Spells. It is not pretty."

"I don't know, Star… I don't know."

"Okay, let's recap what happened."

Star took in one deep breath, trying to envision the environment once more before the crater appeared from the crash. Marco, Janna, Eclipsa and Moon all stood around above the crater, looking about, trying to look for more clues to see if they had missed anything. Turning over some of the rubble and the cracks in the soil.

"Where were you all when the incident occurred?" Star said. "If we are to figure this out, we need to retrace our steps."

"I agree," said Marco. "So why don't we go around in a circle, clockwise. Let's start with you Queen Moon, your majesty."

"I'm not a queen anymore, Marco dear," said Moon. "Well, let me see… my memory is a little fuzzy what with all that has happened. But I believe if I'm not mistaken, I was following closely after you, Star dear. To where the portal was, well, before everything got cleaved together and these two worlds became one."

"My memory is a little bit hazy, too," Eclipsa joined in. "But that I do remember as well. We all… went out of the magic dimension, and the rest was just as Moon said."

"I was on the human side of things helping out Marco," said Janna, still looking about the rubble. "I bought him time with the paramedics by faking my own death, purposefully made my heart stop, just for a short while. It was actually pretty fun."

"Alright, out with it Janna," Star pointed her finger at Janna. "You're the expert at all the dark magic voodoo-hoodoo. Is this just some kind of sick prank of yours or something? How on earth did Tom die, Janna? Answer!"

"Whoa, Star," Janna raised her hands, "I know you're upset and you're frustrated, but please. You have to believe me when I say I have absolutely nothing to do with this, okay? I only know as much as you do."

"We mustn't start pointing fingers now, sweetie," said Moon. "We will figure this out once we retraced our steps."

"Ugh, but retracing our steps isn't working out right now, mom," Star groaned. "What good does that do if none of us even saw what happened?"

"Maybe we should start considering possible alternatives," Marco said. "Maybe retracing our steps isn't what we need to do. Maybe it's better to investigate the evidence we have on hand right now."

"But Marco," said Star, "we literally don't have anything."

"That's not necessarily true," said Marco. "Remember Tom's last words? 'He is not dead, none of them are. Save Marco, he is coming…' it must've meant something, I just know it."

"What do you think 'save Marco' means?" Janna asked. "Is he in danger? What's going to happen to him?"

"Yes, I am concerned of this, too," said Moon. "Perhaps if we narrow down who he meant when he said 'he is not dead', maybe we'll figure out who is trying to hurt Marco. He must be the one who hurt Tom as well."

"I agree," said Marco. "Think back, who has just recently died during the destruction of the magic?"

Star gasped aloud:

"Glossaryck."

"Exactly, and let us not forget the Magic High Commission as well," said Marco.

"But that doesn't make any sense," said Moon. "Why would they be a cause for alarm for Tom?"

"She's right," said Marco. "I mean, I barely know Glossaryck and the rest of the Commission… except for Hekapoo of course. And Tom knows even less than me. How could he have possibly even have any beef with any of them?"

"Perhaps…" Eclipsa said, "he was referring to someone else?"

"Yes, that is a possibility," Moon tapped her chin. "Or maybe… maybe… no, that wouldn't make any sense."

"What is it, Moon?" Eclipsa asked.

"Toffee," said Moon.

"What?" Both Marco and Star shouted simultaneously.

"I know, I know, it's a crazy idea," Moon rubbed her temples. "But I think… it's time for us to entertain such possibilities."

"But how?" Said Star, "Magic literally does not exist anymore. It's just not possible. One plus one equals two. The apple falls to the ground. And grandmas who come of age goes to the grandma farm. Things work the way they are because they have to. It just makes sense."

"Oh darling," said Moon. "If only you could realize… things aren't always so simple."

"Um, guys…" Janna called from afar. "You might want to take a look at this."

There they came around, surrounding where Janna pointed her finger. A spot that nobody had noticed before now which was odd. It was easy for any one of them to swear it was not there before. But none of them could really claim that with absolute certainty. As if gaps in their memories began to form.

A typewriter, laid on top of a small rectangular cardboard box. Both of which were surprisingly clean and well preserved. On the typewriter was a note.

"That," Janna pointed, "was definitely not there before."

Star took the note off the typewriter and began reading aloud:

"The Last Will and Testament of Sol."

"Sol… who is Sol?" Marco wondered.

"I don't know…" said Star, "let's find out."

Star cleared her throat:

"I fear that he will see me and know of my whereabouts if I were to reveal my true name. So I am being very careful of what I'm writing and how I'm writing it. But this is my will, my heart and my soul. The universe is in danger. There are certain truths and laws that cannot be broken. Many things exist out of necessity otherwise reality falls apart. One of those things is magic. The first law of Thermodynamics states energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form into another. As such your quote unquote destruction of the realm of magic has left some dire consequences to all of reality itself. Consequences that I fear may be irreversible. By now you may feel lost, you may feel frustrated. But you mustn't lose sight of what's important. Please open the box beneath the typewriter."

Marco immediately ripped the lid of the cardboard and swung open for all to see. They all gasped in shock.

A pair of dimensional scissors.

A small white diamond carefully and firmly secured in the middle of the black onyx handle. A simple design, but unmistakable.

Star continued to read on:

"This is the last dimensional scissors in the multiverse. I went through a lot of trouble to get it. Do not lose it. Otherwise, we risk him coming over to our dimension in which case all hope will be lost. This scissor is imperfect, as it only allows travel to one dimension. But that dimension is the piece of the puzzle required for you to solve the current crisis thrust upon you at this very moment. Travel there, and you shall be closer to the answer."

"Well oh boy, that's amazing isn't it," Janna cried in joy. "That means we'll finally be able to figure out what happened to Tom, right?"

"Hold your warnicorns, Janna," said Star. "There's this last line of instruction here."

Star read it out loud:

"Be warned, only the owner of this pair of scissors is allowed to travel through the portal. Simply hold it in your hand, and think – 'I am your owner' and it shall be yours. An unfortunate imperfection that now results in a journey of risk and uncertainty. Choose carefully who will carry this burden and travel to a place beyond the stars. This is all I can say at the moment, I fear saying more shall reveal me to him. I wish you all luck, and this is my will, my will be done. Sincerely, S."

"Guys, guys, please stop arguing, alright?" Marco waved his arms signaling everyone, "I've given this a lot of thought already. I honestly and truly believe Star would be the best candidate for this trip… and I'm not just saying that because she's my girlfriend and I love her."

"What?"

"Nevermind all that," Marco brushed it off as he blushed. "The point is – Star is an incredible person. The most amazing person I know. She has done things that I could easily call impossible. I mean, it makes no sense, impossible is impossible. But she's done it. Queen Moon, do you remember how she pulled herself back from the brink of death from the dying magic dimension to destroy Toffee?"

"It was both the most traumatic and the proudest moment of my life," said Moon.

"It was traumatic for me too," said Marco. "I still have nightmares about it. But my point is – if there's anyone who can fix this crisis, it would have to be Star."

"I just… I don't know, Marco," said Moon, scratching her head. "Normally I would agree with you. I want you to know, Star dear, that I am very proud of you for everything you've accomplished. But to send my own daughter off into an unknown place on an unknown journey possibly filled with all sorts of unknown danger? Think of what you're asking of me? Why not send me instead?"

"She makes a fair point," Eclipsa agreed. "I would be willing to go, too if you all would agree to it. I am the Queen of Darkness after all. That has to mean something. What if you encounter a dark creature of some sort? That pair of scissors and its colors are pretty ominous if you ask me."

"Mom, Eclipsa," said Star holding both their hands, "I appreciate your concern but I need you two to trust me on this and let me do this. Because you two are the only ones strong enough to stay behind and take care of things, making sure it won't fall apart. You two are the only ones who know how to break the bad news to the Lucitors who should be arriving very shortly now. I don't know the ins and outs of how to make someone's sadness go away. But Eclipsa, with your music and your positive attitude, and mom with your leadership abilities, I have absolutely no doubt you two will be able to keep it together here. Because I trust in you. So please, trust in me, too."

Moon took in one massive breath before quickly pulling Star in to embrace her tightly. Star hugged her back, almost as if this was a final goodbye, even though neither of them truly believed it was. Or at the very least they hoped it wasn't. Her touch was warm, and her breath was steady, a motherly touch that Star had carried and continue to carry with her until the very end.

"Take care of yourself alright, sweetie?" Said Moon, with tears in her eyes, "Don't take any unnecessary risk. I don't want to lose you."

"I'll come back to you, mama, I promise," said Star.

"Uh oh, guys," Janna called from afar, "there is this giant demon lady who's coming over. And she doesn't look too happy."

"Good luck, mom," said Star as she kissed Moon's cheeks, "tell them I will get their son back. And that is a promise."

"Alright darling, I will."

And with that, Moon and Eclipsa took off to meet with the Lucitors. With the sound of their footsteps fading away into the endless sound of the chaos of two worlds colliding, the sound of cities and kingdoms.

"It's going to be dangerous, you know?" Said Marco.

"I know," said Star. "All journeys are."

"I know I said I trust in your abilities because you're an amazing person and all," said Marco all flustered, "but all of this is very strange to me. I'm having an incredibly hard time wrapping my head around all this impossibility."

"We'll figure it out in the end. We have to."

"How could you be so sure?"

"Because I have you at my side," said Star caressing Marco's cheeks. "And we make a great team. As long as I know I'm with you, the world just feels… right, you know?"

"Yeah… I suppose I do."

The two of them embraced each other for a good long minute. Feeling each other's heartbeats and each other's scent. They hold one another in their arms tight for what seemed like an eternity, with neither wishing to break the hold. But they broke away in the end, because they knew they would be back into each other's arms sooner or later.

"Well… here we go."

The cut tore the very fabric of the space in front of them wide open. The cut was strong, stronger than any cut Star had ever done before with any of the older scissors. Like a valve opening a flood gate wide open after years of the metal pipes rusting and decaying. Star had always taken the scissors for granted. Back in a simpler time, in simpler days when magic was still abundant, she did not fully grasp the power of the space bending in front of her very eyes. But now the very deep black space that opened up in front of her sparkled of dark light that illuminated in ways she did not think was possible, dancing off into her pupils revealing new secrets of the fabric of existence itself, and shining in colors she was not even sure existed.

Stepping through a portal used to be instinctual and natural. But now she was more careful, slowly with each of her steps with a beating heart fearful of the darkness that swallowed her up and spit her out to the other side.

It felt different, nauseating even. And she quickly learned why.

What she was staring at was a land crawling with crumbling stones and dead soil. There beyond the ruins of the once great and massive buildings, behind the cracks in the concrete was a small sun burning with red. Its crimson light pouring through the currents of the wind and into the broken windows and shattered stones lying about in pieces. Illuminating the remains of the rotten carcasses hidden beneath the rocks, skeletons and flesh of small creatures once lurking in the dark and the humid underbelly of streets paved by men walking above. All around, everywhere Star looked, nothing but the dark and the red. Not even the sun was enough to brighten up the shadows that swallowed the land. It was almost as if the sun was a slave to the shadows themselves.

The portal closed behind Star.

And there in the distant – she could hear the echo of a laugh. A familiar laugh.

There on top a pile of old rocks was a throne. And he who sat on that throne sat above the world. It was him.

Donning a dark black suit with colors sucking in all lights around his body, he sat on this throne of metal and scraps like an old god. A god older than the universe. But Star recognized that suit. She could spot it from a mile away, and thus the shock and immeasurable confusion kicked in. His skin was wrinkly and brittle, grey like a withered dying tree trying to suck out the last remaining life on the barren soil it grew from.

And his skull mask – a flat white layer with peculiar but specific patterns hiding his evil grin and his demonic eyes. His eyes glowed red, covered by the shadows of his brows. His laughed echoed, carrying the unthinkable depth and heavy weight of his voice across the land. He laughed, and he laughed, and he laughed.

"Finally…" he echoed, a rumbling voice that shook the very earth itself, "It's been so long…"

"No… that's… that's impossible…" Star gasped. "I refuse to believe it. Who are you?"

"I am the hole at the center of the universe. The black spot that consumes your every dark thought. Every sin you've ever committed and will commit. I am the scion of those who rebelled against the heavens and have fallen into the depths of oblivion. A might that trumps every strength, every trace of willpower you could muster. A virus that eats away at your soul, emerging during your darkest hours to subdue you under my heel, my will. When you cry out in your nightmares, looking for answers, safety, it is I, your god and master, that you see."

A tear began welling up in Star's eye:

"M… Marco?"

"Hello, my love… it's been too long."

The laugh that echoed across the multiverse.

"Marco my dear," said Moon nervously, "would you be a dear and go fetch Lady Lucitor a napkin?"

"I… I…" Marco voice cracked, "I… can't…"

"What?"

"Oh no… oh no…" Marco hunched over, holding his abdomen, coughing violently. "There's… someone in my head…"

Hosanna.