The Scarlet Executioner

By: Bubbajack

Beta/Co-author: IcySnowSage

Disclaimer: We do not own Star vs, or ANYTHING else that shows up in this fic. WARNING DISCRETION ADVICED: Topics discussed in this story cover self hatred, suicide, and depression.

Ch.1: Scarlet Lamentation.

'She looks so beautiful sleeping,' Marco thought to himself as he watched Star slumber the night away. It had been his secret duty as her squire to keep an eye on her as she slept and make sure she didn't portal travel in her sleep. It was during these silent hours when Marco could finally let his walls down and just admire the girl he had a crush on. Her flaxen hair was a messy golden halo around her, and her snores sounded like a lumber mill was in full swing and she was making a small lake on her pillow with drool again. Others might be disgusted by this scene, but Marco found it to be the cutest thing in the world. Others also would have commented on her being chained to her bed and that handcuffs hadn't been used.

'I'm gonna have to send her pillows to be cleaned by Sir Lavabo again today,' Marco noted to himself as he took out his notepad and going over everything Moon would tell Star that she seemed to tune out about being a proper princess, dates and times for balls, tips on decorum, and other things, Marco copied them all down into Star's day planner like he did every night leaving the decorum tips in the margins. That done, he reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a small circular flask. Popping the top, he took a swig of the corn mead inside. "Thank goodness there is no drinking age on Mewni… I just hope River doesn't notice me dipping into his stash," Marco muttered to himself in exasperation and exhaustion.

In truth, the teen has had a rough couple of months since he came back to Mewni. He crashed back into Star's life much like she'd originally done to him in the first place. Was she happy to see him? No. Could she even appreciate the irony of the situation? Not in the slightest. Then she apprentices him to Sir Lavabo in the deepest section of the castle. Should he have complained? Probably not but he did come to Mewni, basically dropping out of highschool just so he could see her again. Not that he would be petty enough to tell her that. 'It probably would've been better if I'd just stayed Sir Lavabo's squire. At least then I wouldn't have to subject myself to a personal hell everyday,' Marco thought to himself as he took another sip of the Johansen Clan's Personal Reserve.

By personal hell, he meant seeing Star the girl he loved, and Tom, the best friend he felt more akin to a brother nowadays, together. He died a little inside everytime he saw them kiss these days, hold hands… do other couple things. Marco smiled as he watched the sleeping princess. 'But moments like these almost make it worth it.'

Keyword being almost.

Hearing his pants pocket buzz Marco pulled out a black sleek pixie compact. He flipped it open and spoke in low tones. "Hello Mister Kay? I'm kinda busy right now so if you could both keep it down and make it quick I'd appreciate it."

"Of course m'boy, terribly sorry," The posh voice on the other end of the line replied apologetically in whisper tones. "I just wanted to know if you'd be interested in filling the main event for tonight?"

Marco grimaced in thought. 'Star has a date with Tom. She seemed eager to drag me to this one for whatever reason. But…' Who is it?" He asked.

"Ivan," The grin in Kay's response was palpable.

Fire that hadn't burned in Marco's chocolate brown eyes for a while ignited. "I'll be there," He replied all but growling the last word. "Expect quite the show for this event."

"Excellent m'boy. Tata," With that, Mister Kay hung up.

Marco closed his compact. 'Ivan,' he thought a dark grin coming over his face at the thoughts of what he was going to do to his opponent in the arena. 'I'm gonna enjoy this.'

Star awoke with a stretch, she looked over to see Marco her best bestie from earth and ever dutiful squire at his usual post, sitting by a stool near her bed ever vigilant. "Good morning Marco!"

"Hey Star," Marco said with a tired grin as he undid all the chains and locks used to keep her tied to the bed.

"No incidents then?" Star asked hopping out of bed.

Marco shook his head. "Nope, not tonight."

Star nodded sighing in relief before she went over to her day planner, "Good good, let's see what's on the itinerary for today shall we?" She flipped through to the current date. "Breakfast with Mom and Papa, Meeting with the MHC on how the reconstruction is going post-Ludo invasion, History lessons, magic practice, and I can finally go on that date with Tom!" She said with glee in her tone.

"Yeah well, I'm sure you'll have fun," Marco told her doing his best to sound upbeat even though he was dog tired.

Star turned to him a slight frown on her face. "What do you mean, you're coming too right?"

Marco took a breath to compose himself, "Actually Star, if it's alright with you, I'd like to sit this one out."

Star had crossed the room and had invaded his personal space in a matter of moments. "Why, is everything okay? If something was wrong you know you could tell me right?" She smiled at him encouragingly. "You can tell me anything my best bestie," the words meant for comfort felt like daggers stabbing into Marco's chest as the guilt and self hatred grew inside of him and writhed like an angered beast.

'I'm in love with you and you're oblivious to it…' Marco thought 'But I suppose it was the same with me and Jackie, the only difference is, I'm not running away,' He returned her smile in kind even though his was fake and barely holding on. "No Star I'm fine it's just… it's been awhile since I've seen my folks you know so I thought that maybe I could… drop in on them? Surprise them with a visit?" Marco lied through his teeth. He'd been getting good at that lately.

Star bless her, bought it hook line and sucker. Her mouth formed an 'O' and she nodded. "Of course Marco. It's been months and you have dimensional scissors… they're probably wondering why you haven't visited sooner," Star nodded vigorously. "Right, right, say no more! You go say hi to Angie and Rafael… give 'em a big hug from me when you see them alright?"

Marco kept his smile up doing his best to mask his guilt but it was getting so hard. He just wanted this charade to end. "I sure will Star. I'm gonna go get ready for the day, see you at breakfast."

Star's smile was as radiant as the sun and offered warmth to his cold downtrodden soul. "Kay! Seeya in a few best buddy!"

Marco smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. As usual Star failed to notice, more occupied with getting ready for the day. "Yeah in a few."

Marco made his way down the hall to his room. The first thing that happened when he got there was him being bombarded by laser puppies. This never failed to make him smile despite how terrible he was feeling otherwise. "Okay guys, okay, that's enough!"

"Globgor!"

Marco sighed upon seeing the deranged blue man on his dresser jumping up and down. "Hello to you too Glossaryck," Marco reached under his bed and pulled out a wooden crate. Within were small green vials full of a slightly oily looking liquid. Popping the cork off, he downed the substance like a shot. "Blegh, why do these stamina potions have to taste like soaked sweaty socks?"

Regardless of their wretched taste they did their trick, and Marco felt his tiredness begin to subside. Now he felt like he could get rid of the rest with a quick shower which he proceeded to do so, but only after taking the Laser Puppies for their morning walk. Marco missed the look of contemplation and sadness on Glossaryck's face as he walked out of the room. Marco also didn't see him shake his head in sadness before following him out. Upon entering the bathroom the first thing he did was remove his colored contacts. He looked at his eyes, where he used to see chocolate brown, now icy-blue was reflected back at him. He glanced at his hair. The very tips of which were showing the purest white like fresh snow. 'I'll need to dye it again,' Marco thought to himself with a sigh.

Standing still for just a moment caused a white halo to appear around his head like a holy corona, and to add to the saintly effect small white butterflies flitted around his face. Then there were the pure white angelic wings that appeared behind his back as well, not unlike Star or Moon in their Mewberty forms, or as he liked to refer to them in his own thoughts, their Warrior Goddess forms. Marco shook his head at the display and how foolish it was and the act caused all of his holier than thou attributes to disappear.

"The purity of an Archon's soul is reflected upon their flesh, as Mister Kay would say," Marco echoed to himself as he got ready for the day. Marco could not believe those words for some as depraved as him there was nothing pure to see. He was vile and deserved only one thing. Now if he could get it.

Once under the hot spray of the shower, the copious amount of blush he applied to his face to hide those odd light blue tattoos he'd been spontaneously developing was washed away. The glowing sky blue marks criss crossed his body in curves and swirls. They even trailed up his throat and even framed his face. Contrasting sharply with all the blue on his body was a pair of red crescent moon shaped cheek emblems. Emblems and and markings of which Marco went to very long lengths to hide along with the various scars marking his body. 'Thank goodness I got used to applying makeup as Princess Turdina. Mister Kay told me they were connected to my growing Will abilities… well if I'd have known they'd friggin glow like this I wouldn't have bothered learning in the first place!'' He thought as he scrubbed himself down quickly. It took time to apply the amount of makeup and hair dye he needed to put on even if it was magical, and he didn't like to keep the others waiting. He knew he was extremely privileged to be able to eat with the royal family every morning and was not going to keep them waiting. He had done enough to them already.

Makeup coated his face, put his contacts in place, and pulled up his hoodie covering the rest of his scar marked visage. Marco skid into the dining room and plastered the fakest smile he could on his face. "I'm not late am I?"

He then noticed Star wasn't even there yet, and the King and Queen were already seated. Moon smiled at him warmly. "No Marco dear, punctual as always. My dear daughter could take a page from your book I think," Moon said with a sigh and a hint of annoyance tingeing her tone.

Marco gave an awkward chuckle. "Well, don't take this personally Queen Moon, but it's a simple but well known fact that it takes women a lot longer to get ready to go anywhere than men," Marco shrugged, "It's just how it is."

Mirth shined in Moon's eyes as she replied, "Oh, is that so?" Turning to her ever faithful husband, the ruling monarch asked, "Do you agree with his assessment dear?"

River cleared his throat and replied, "Honestly… yes! You look good no matter what you wear Moonpie so next time we go out, can you just put something on so we can leave and make our reservations on time?!"

Marco thought he might've just ignited a fight but Moon just rolled her eyes. "Oh very well, I enjoy getting all prettied up for you but if you insist."

"And I say you're just as gorgeous as the day we met and you needn't bother dear," River replied, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh River," Moon said blushing a bit. "Stop it, you're going to make Marco uncomfortable."

Marco shook his head. "No it's fine really… you two kinda remind me of my parents. And I mean that in the kindest way possible."

Moon beamed at the compliment. While River asked. "Ah, and how's old Rafael doing lad?" River and Rafael had bonded after River had inadvertently thrown a party at his house… over their kids of all things.

"I haven't seen him since coming here… I'm planning on visiting tonight though. I'll pass along your regards though King River," Marco said, keeping up with the lie.

River pulled out the chair next to him and patted it, "Come sit down lad, and how many times must I tell you to quit being so formal with me eh? It's just River you hear? After busting me out of my own dungeon I think you've earned the right."

"Yes dear, and Moon is fine," Moon told him with a warm almost motherly smile.

"You're both really too kind," Marco replied nervously not knowing how to feel. 'I mean I'm just secretly in love with your daughter and am lying to your faces but whatever right?'

"Marco dear?" Moon asked worriedly. "Is everything alright you've seemed… off lately."

The young squire gave the queen his best smile. "I'm fine Queen Moon, thank you for asking."

Before the queen could question the boy further for her years of politically honed senses told her she was being lied to, the hurricane of chaos that was her daughter burst into the room. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to hold up breakfast."

"Good morning pumpkin," River said, hailing her with a wave and a kiss on the cheek.

"Papa, Mother. Marco, how do you always manage to get here before me?" Star complained jokingly as she sat on her mother's left hand side.

"Practice," Marco replied easily as he focused on his corncakes covered in butter and delicious corn syrup.

Moon let their previous conversation go but she never stopped watching Marco all throughout breakfast. She watched out of the corner of her eye for when his eyes would light up when Star, River, or herself addressed him only for the smile to practically melt from his face and his eyes to darken whenever he thought no one was looking. Moon almost took a double take as Marco almost seemed to age right before her eyes when he let his guard down.

'Something is most certainly wrong,' Moon thought to herself worriedly.

For she took Marco's safety seriously. He was Star's guardian, guide and protector while she was on Earth and his family took her in without a second thought. The least she could do was return the favor while he was here on Mewni with them. Moon gave her head a small shake.

'No there's more to it than that,' She told herself. For she had heard her daughter's confession to the boy before she came back to Mewni with her. It took Marco all of a week to follow after her, when he didn't have to, when he was supposedly courting another back on Earth. To insert himself in the center of a war that had nothing to do with him all because he wanted to make sure her daughter was safe… 'And now he comes back to her and he sees her with another,' she realized.

She'd taken peeks at her daughter's diary of course, privacy be damned when her daughter's safety was involved. Through it she learned Star too had suffered silently when Marco had dated this Jackie Lynn Thomas girl yet according to the latest entries she'd broken up with Marco more than a week before he came to Mewni.

'Dear Diary, I can't believe Marco just showed up on my doorstep today! I mean who does he think he is?! Here I am trying to be a better princess and he just shows up out of the blue! Ugh, wants to be a knight huh well I hooked him up with Sir Lavabo of the Wash in the sub basement… and apparently he broke up with Jackie… but does he thank me for this? No! He complains about how he'll never see me! Grr ungrateful jerk!'

An entry written later that day said something else. 'Dear Diary, I almost got Marco killed by a lint monster! Apparently according to Eclipsa of all people, the Knights of the Wash are the most dangerous order in the castle. Got to him just in time though. Also I broke the rules and made him my personal squire. Clearly I need to keep a closer eye on him while he's here or he just get himself into trouble again'

'There was a good reason we told you there were no openings for squire positions Star. We know 'exactly' how dangerous the Wash is, we'd never send Marco there in a million years,' Moon thought to herself as she autonomously chewed her food. Also she thought of giving Sir Lavabo an honorary title for his service to the kingdom. Thinking about other diary entries as she did so.

'Dear Diary, I got a day planner from mom so I can keep track of all this princess stuff. I swear I've been so busy lately I don't remember filling half of it out, but I must've because it's all written down in this thing plain as day. I even scribbled little notes in the margins about proper decorum and junk. Haha take that mom, I'm taking this princess stuff super seriously!'

'No, you're not… well yes, you are but you don't seem to realize just how much Marco is covering for you,' Moon looked over to the hoodie wearing boy who was half slumped in his seat, clearly exhausted despite whatever means he was using to keep himself awake. 'You're taking advantage of his kind nature Star and you don't even realize it. Nor do you realize the cost it is taking out on one of your closest friends.'

The next entry that came to mind filled her with worry, 'Dear Diary, I've been going into my Mewberty Form and opening portals in my sleep! Why is this happening? How is this happening?! Mom and the MHC can never know! For all I know they'll have Rhombulus freeze me or something! But Marco my ever faithful squire and best bestie has volunteered to watch over me at night to make sure I don't go galavanting off to who knows where. Bless him I don't know what I'd do without him… Looking forward to going to the Soulrise with Tom this weekend, it's supposed to be super romantic. Hope Marco finds it a cool reward for doing this for me.'

This entry in particular made Moon shake her head in disgust. 'So you've not only been making him lack all sleep, but run around with you while you do your princess duties and as a 'reward' for his selflessness he gets to see you likely make out with Thomas? Oh Marco… you poor, poor boy,' Moon shot him a sympathetic glance.

"Moonpie, is everything alright?" River asked his wife in concern after he noticed the worried look in her eyes.

Moon shook herself out of her reverie and gave her husband a smile. "I'm fine dear. I do believe it's time we appraised the MHC on how the reconstruction is going…" Moon stood and then paused before giving Marco a motherly look, surprising him, "Marco dear, you look positively haggard, why don't you go lay down and get some extra shuteye hmm?"

Marco flushed a bit, "I-I'm fine Queen Moon really," Marco stuttered out all while trying to suppress a yawn.

"Nonsense, you look like a feather could knock you over," Moon gently chided. "Go rest Marco dear."

Star practically leaned across the table so she could get a good look at him. "Mom's right, you do look peaky Marco. I'm giving you a royal order. Take the day off."

Marco rolled his eyes. "As you command, oh princess."

Star cocked her head to the side, confused at his slight snark. "Is everything okay Marco?"

He turned and smiled at her. Moon could tell it was fake. "Everything's fine Star... I'll see you all later then?"

"Of course dear boy!" River said slapping him on the back as if he were the son he'd never had, but always wanted.

Marco nodded. "Then if you'll excuse me."

The royal family watched as the squire from Earth left and Star stared after him in confusion. "What was all that about? For a minute there, Marco wasn't acting like Marco."

Moon resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'If you only knew my dear.' She instead said, "Well we should get going, we have some very important things to discuss with the High Commision today."

As the Royals entered the usual meeting chamber with the MHC, Hekapoo frowned and asked, "Hey Princess where's Muscles?"

"I'm right here!" River boasted proudly flexing his muscles and showing off his pecks. Moon … wouldn't complain at her husband showing off his muscular form.

"No, haha, just no!" Hekapoo laughed causing River to pout, "Seriously though princess where's Marco?"

Star glared at Hekapoo saying, "My Squire is feeling under the weather today so I gave him the day off."

Moon couldn't help but notice how possessive her daughter was being of her supposed 'best friend' even though she already had a boyfriend.

"Right, squire… pretty low of you to make him, your supposed 'best friend', a servant… and every time I see the poor guy, he looks dead tired…" Hekapoo put her hand on her hip and asked, "I wonder what you could be doing to him to make him look like that… to seemingly keep him up all night."

Star cheeks blazed crimson to the point her cheek emblems disappeared. "Not… not that!"

Hekapoo nodded. "Right because you have a boyfriend. Tom right? I guess if you were up to anything naughty it would be with him…" Hekapoo put her hands to her cheeks as she continued, "But if you take him everywhere with you as your squire… does that mean you make him watch?"

Moon put her hand on her daughter's shoulder before she could launch herself futilely at the demigoddess. Moon then fixed Hekapoo with a glare. "That is quite enough Hekapoo. We are not here to discuss my daughter's lovelife or lack thereof. We are here to discuss the state of the kingdom, so might I suggest we get down to it?"

"Of course Moon. Sorry for being untoward I'm just worried about Marco… he's looked like shit the last few times I've seen him and on top of everything else going on with him right now…" Hekapoo trailed off.

"Everything else?" Star asked, "What 'everything else'?"

Hekapoo just shook her head. "Sorry but if you don't know, then he hasn't bothered to tell you. So it's not my place to spill the beans."

"Spill the beans?" Omnitraxus Prime asked.

"Human expression meaning to tell a secret," Hekapoo and Star said at the same time before shooting each other a glare.

"What do you know about my squire that I don't?" Star asked in a huff.

"Plenty," Hekapoo said with a saucy wink, "He chased after me for sixteen years remember?"

Moon heard Star's knuckles pop. She was gripping the royal wand so hard. Motioning her daughter to her seat, she sighed saying. "Let's get this over with shall we?"

It took five hours to go over everything, and at the end each member of the MHC gave their own updates on their own sphere of influence. After listening to Rhombulus rant for twenty minutes about the many reasons he had on why they should just let him refreeze Eclipsa, Hekapoo went off on him and put him in the timeout corner. She then gave her report.

"I don't know the cause yet, but whether it be a rogue scissor user or some punks who got their hands on a blackmarket knockoff, but portals have been left open randomly all over the place."

Moon felt Star stiffen in her seat. She knew exactly why her daughter was so nervous. Moon coughed. "Do keep us informed of the situation won't you?"

Hekapoo nodded. "Of course Moon."

The meeting ended shortly after that. And as they walked down the hall Moon sighed. "Star, might I have a moment please?"

Star looked at her mother curiously. "Look mom, if it's about Hekapoo I'm sorry but she started it."

Moon waved her hand silencing her daughter. "No it's got nothing to do with that… well partly." Moon amended as she led her daughter out to the rose gardens where they wouldn't be overheard with River following curiously, behind them. Sitting Star down on a stone bench Moon said, "Star, I know about your little nightly jaunts."

Star's eyes became pinpricks. "What? But-but how?" She became angry glaring at her mother as she accused. "Did you force Marco to tell you?!"

"No, of course not!" Moon said affronted, "I read your diary. Much easier task then trying to get Marco to betray you."

"Mom!" Star said, totally affronted and scandalized, "That's a complete invasion of my privacy!"

Moon scoffed. "Well I'm sorry but how else am I as your mother supposed to know what you're going through when you don't tell me anything?"

"Um ask me?" Star retorted.

"And you'll just lie and say everything's fine," Moon retorted flatly. "I was a teenager too once you know…" Moon got a thousand-yard stare. "What feels like a long, long time ago now."

"Mom," Star hugged her mother's side at her sudden terrified expression. "Toffee's gone, I know it won't bring granny Comet back but… it's something at least."

Moon ran a hand through her daughter's golden tresses. "Indeed it is. Comet… she would've loved you Star… so much. She would've spoiled you rotten… well, even more rotten than your father and I already have," Moon said with a little laugh.

"Hey!" Star poked her mother in the side with a finger.

"What exactly is going on?" River asked, confused but happy his wife and daughter were closing the seemingly impassable gap between the two of them.

"Star has been going into her mewberty form and portaling in her sleep," Moon explained.

River's eyes widened. "Oh dear, so the random portaling Hekapoo was speaking of?"

Moon nodded gravely. "Indeed."

Star threw her arms around her mother's waist. "Please don't sell me out to the High Commission Mom! I swear I don't know why this is happening! If I did I'd make it stop! I don't wanna be frozen in crystal for three hundred years like granny Eclipsa!"

Moon stroked her daughter's hair to soothe her, all while berating herself in her thoughts. 'See Moon, this is what you get for always being so hard on your daughter. She's afraid of you. Afraid of doing a single thing wrong. Why if your own mother were here, she'd be ashamed of you, making your daughter see you as some kind of cold hearted tyrant instead of a mother she can come to when she has problems.' She shushed Star gently. Something she hadn't done since she was a little girl. "There, there dear, I'm not going to tell the commision about this."

Star sniffled as she hesitantly looked up from her near vice like grip. Her cerulean eyes so much like her father's wet with tears as she stared up at her. "Y-you're not?"

"Of course not Rhombulus is well…. He's Rhombulus," Moon said by way of explanation. Star nodded understanding completely. Moon continued. "But this phenomena is odd to say the least. I'll do some research into it and until then well I want you to take a Deep Sleep Draught alright?"

Star nodded. "Okay, what's that do exactly?"

Moon sighed a little but smiled knowingly. "You didn't read Celena's chapter did you?"

"I skimmed it?" Star said with an awkward laugh. "That's how I found out Marco's Aureole sign was a Dead Horse."

Moon frowned at the mention of Star's squire. "Star dear, do you happen to know what Thomas' Aureole sign is?"

Star thought about it. "Umm… No actually."

"And did you tell Thomas about your random teleporting at night?" Moon asked.

The princess scoffed. "No why would I do that?"

"Do you know what Thomas' favorite color is?"

"Umm… red I think?" Star said, sounding very unsure.

River picked up where his wife left off. "What is Marco's favorite color?"

"Prussian Blue," Star answered immediately.

"Favorite food?" River continued.

"It's his Super Special Nachos, I love em too," Star answered, quick as a whip.

River had one more question. "His biggest accomplishment?"

"It would either be getting his red belt in Tang Soo Do or helping save Mewni from Toffee. What's with the twenty questions you two?" Star asked.

"Our point is dear, that the person you are with the person you choose to spend your life with… you should know them just as well as you know yourself," Moon told her daughter.

'Wait a minute just what are they trying to say here?' Star asked herself. "Oh, so you two know each other perfectly huh?"

"Of course!" Moon replied with a smile.

"Naturally," River beamed.

Star crossed her arms in challenge, "Then you wouldn't mind if I tested this theory of yours would you?"

"Go right ahead. Feel free to ask any three questions each," Moon bade her daughter.

Star blinked she didn't expect them to actually take her up on this. "Seriously?"

Moon nodded and River grinned. "Go for it pumpkin."

Star rubbed her hands together in glee. "Okay, Dad first question goes to you, what's mom's Aureole sign?"

River laughed. "That's an easy one. She's a dead horse just like dear Marco."

Star looked to her mother for confirmation and she nodded. Star moved to her mother next. "Mom, what does Papa really do when he says he's preparing to go give a speech?"

This made River sweat a bit. "Now, Pumpkin... " He began but Moon was quick to reply.

"He goes hunting non sentient monsters in the Forest of Certain Death."

"You knew?!" River said, shocked.

Moon rolled her eyes. "River, of course I knew. I'm the queen. It's my job to know everything. Including that you're safe dear," She gave him a loving kiss on the cheek.

"Get a room, you two," Star huffed.

"It's my castle, the entire thing is my room," Moon told her daughter matter of factly.

That made Star chuckle. "Well I think we know which side of the family my sass comes from."

"Oh that's all your mother, your angry side comes from my half of the family," River commented.

Star shook her head. "Anyway question number two Papa, what was the name of mom's favorite pig-goat?"

"Lil Chauncy. Corn rest his soul," River said with reverence.

"I miss that pig-goat almost as much as I miss my own mother," Moon said wistfully.

River patted his wife's hand comfortingly. "He died a hero dear. Taking arrows in the chest meant for you like that. Loyal to the end ole Chauncy."

Moon smiled. "Yes he was." She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief as tears began to form from all the sad memories she was going through today. "Anyway your second question dear?"

"Umm, what happened that one time dad came to Earth after you kicked him out of the house?" Star questioned.

River crossed his arms and shot his daughter a rare glare. "Are you trying to get me in trouble with your mother young lady?"

Star shook her head. "No I'm just honestly having trouble coming up with questions."

"He destroyed a 'mini gulf course' whatever that is, then threw a party and nearly flooded the Diaz' residence, after he almost burnt it down when Helios showed up," Moon replied.

"I'm honestly curious as to how you know about this," Star said. "Do you have like spies following me around when I'm on earth or something?"

Moon scoffed. "Oh Corn no, I kept getting the bills for the random acts of destruction you caused."

"What?" Star asked, her eyes becoming pinpricks.

Moon sighed. "Star dear, why do you think no one ever ran you out of town or arrested for flagrant destruction of property. I was paying to have it fixed."

"But… but how could you know?!" Star asked.

"Marco kept me apprised of the chaos you caused," Moon said simply. "It was one of his many secret jobs as your guide while on earth."

"He did?" Star said angrily, feeling betrayed.

"He did," Moon said sharply cutting her daughter of quickly not allowing her anger at the boy to fully form. "He was going around town constantly and apologizing to people in your stead, for the messes you caused, likely being yelled at profusely in the process just to get their contact information, get the price to get the damages fixed, and then report back to me."

With every word her mother spoke, Star's head sunk lower and lower as her anger fizzled out. "Why didn't he ever just… say enough was enough?"

"He could've… I told him that he could've opted out at being your guide at anytime…" Moon replied. "But once he learned the only other destination for you would've been St. Olga's, he absolutely refused to give up on you."

Star felt her guts twist in shame. 'Marco. Always looking out for me, even when I did know you were doing it huh?'

"In fact one time he contacted with a blackened eye. Apparently someone whose vehicle you destroyed didn't take too kindly to his apology."

Star recalled the night she was talking about. Marco came in the back door, black eye, bloody lip and nose. When she asked what happened he just chuckled and said. "Things got a bit intense at the dojo today that's all Star, don't worry about it."

"He told me it was just dojo practice. It wasn't unusual. I'd seen him come back banged up before."

River put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "He likely wanted to spare your feelings. We often do that to those we love."

"Love? Marco doesn't love me, he has… had Jackie," Star amended, reminding herself they'd broken up.

Hearing the anger in their daughter's voice, the King and Queen shared a glance. "Anyway you have one final question for your mother pumpkin?" River asked, steering the conversation away from dangerous waters.

"Um…" Star tried to think of a question. "Mom, who on your side of the family does Papa hate the most mom?"

"Seriously are you trying to get me banished to the couch?!" River complained.

"My Aunt Etheria," She quirked an eyebrow at her husband. "What? Come now River dear it's no secret. I'm not exactly a fan of hers either… I swear to Corn, if she brings up how I should've married Count Mildrew one more time, or how I've sullied our family line…" Moon sighed, and collected herself before turning to her daughter. "And your last question, dear?"

"Papa, why did you and Mom end up dating in the first place?" Star inquired.

River stroked his beard. "In all honesty… I'm not entirely sure. I mean I just knew I couldn't leave here there in the Castle all by herself so I stayed. I stayed and helped in whatever way I could, which wasn't really much at the time."

"Oh River you did so much for me back then," Moon told him. "Back when everyone was trying to tell me what to do, you just listened and that… that meant the world to me. Someone who would just let me vent about being forced to be Queen at such a young age and not really try to sway my opinion one way or the other. Why I recall after one particularly nasty meeting you sought me out with sandwiches of all things, let me shout myself hoarse and then after offering me a mug of Johansen Reserve which was the first time I tried it, you asked me what I wanted to do. No one in the meeting room had actually asked me that. Then you came along with food, drink, and a listening ear and… and it meant the world to me," Moon leaned in and gave River another kiss on the cheek.

"Anytime moonpie, anytime… speaking of my Johansen Reserve, I think someone's been sneaking it… but I've no idea who… this calls for... reconnisense!" River said sticking his hand in the air. "Reconnaissance and meat! I'll be in the larder if anyone needs me."

"Oh River dear, are we still on for tonight?" Moon called.

"You bet!" the King called back, "This is going to be a bloody good time!"

Star turned to her mother as her father walked off. "Are you two going out tonight?"

Moon smiled. "Yes, your father got us five VIP tickets to the Crucible Arena. We're thinking of inviting the Lucitors and King Ponyhead… Poor man needs a break from his daughters."

Star's jaw dropped. "You too?! Tom got us and some friends seats for tonight in the same section!"

Moon beamed. "Well it looks like this became a family outing I do hope we won't be… cramping your style? Is that what the kids say these days?" Moon asked.

Star chuckled. "I'll manage, I just hope Papa and Tom's Dad can get along unlike the Silverbell Ball…"

"You let Wrathmelior and I worry about our husbands dear, just focus on having a pleasant evening with Thomas and your friends," Moon advised.

Star nodded. "I will… I just wish Marco could be there, it wouldn't be the same without him."

Moon patted her daughter's shoulder. "Well it's been awhile since he's seen his family."

Star again nodded. "True. Well since we're all going together we should probably start getting ready huh?"

"Indeed dear. Maybe you should check up on Marco, see how he's doing?" Moon offered.

Star nodded. "Yeah. Seeya soon mom."

Star poked her head into Marco's room. She saw him wrapped up like a burrito in his green blankets with the Laser Puppies piled on top of him. 'Awe how cute.' Star crept closer. She saw his mop of dark-brown almost black hair sticking out of one end of the massive roll of sheets ever so gently she reached out and ran her hands through his hair. 'Marco's hair is always so soft, I wonder what kind of conditioner he uses? Tom's always feels like straw.'

"Hmm, wha?" Marco mumbled rolling over groggily.

Star bolted upright and several paces back. "Umm, hey best Bestie!"

"Star…?" Marco's eyes shot wide open and he ducked under his covers. "Star! What're you doing in my room?!" he asked while silently praying his magical makeup hadn't come off yet. He didn't want to explain anything to the Mewman Princess.

"S-Sorry!" Star said blushing, thankful Marco couldn't see it. "I just came in to check up on you, that's all! I-I'll be going now! Have fun with your parents!"

Star made to leave only to stop when she heard Marco call out, "Wait!" Turning, she saw he was still under his blankets but he spoke in a much calmer tone. "I hope you enjoy your night out with Tom, wherever it is you two are going."

Star beamed at him. "Thanks Marco. I appreciate it. Give your mom and dad my love okay?"

The blanket lump moved up and down, likely signaling a nod. "Yeah, will do."

Marco didn't get up from his bed till he heard both the door shut and Star's footsteps fade down the hall. Then he threw off the blankets and looked at the mirror that hung on the back of his door. He sighed in relief when he saw his magical makeup was still on. "Thank God for small mercies." He looked to the Laser Puppies who had been both scattered and awoken in his haste to cover himself. They now yipped playfully. "Sorry guys, didn't mean to wake you. You need walking before I head out?"

"I can do that for you Marco dear."

Marco turned on a dime. "Eclipsa, where did you… how'd you get into my room? And how do you know my computer password?"

The Queen of Darkness herself was sitting at his desk casually surfing the internet reading page after page on wikipedia of all things. "Oh, you can get anywhere you want to if you know how," Eclipsa clicked on another random page and scanned its contents. "Oh, did you know that the Narwhal's horn is actually a giant tooth?"

Marco chuckled. "I did, you really like learning don't you, Clipsa?"

"All knowledge is good knowledge I like to say. And you humans on Earth have infinite knowledge at your fingertips with this internet of yours… I simply love it!" Eclipsa gushed.

Marco smiled. "Well I'll tell you what Eclipsa, if you watch the Puppies while I'm gone, you can use my computer while I'm away, okay?"

"Deal!" Eclipsa said, shaking Marco's hand. Two cords of magic passed between the ex-queen and the boy and caused both of their cheek emblems to glow shocking the elder of the two. "You… you have magic!"

Marco didn't break his grip but he did look away. "It's complicated."

Eclipsa smiled. "I'm sure it is dearie, and I further swear to keep your secrets secret, as long as I get to use this wonderful device of yours on occasion."

Marco nodded. "Sure that's fine, just stay out of the folder labeled Vacation Photos."

"Why would you not want vacation photos… they aren't vacation photos are they?" The question made Marco blush the same shade as his hoodie as he shook his head. Eclipsa covered her mouth with her free hand. "Oh my, well your secret's safe with me dear."

"Thanks," Marco said, looking away in shame.

Eclipsa patted Marco on the shoulders. "Now, now, nothing to be embarrassed about, you're a teenage boy." Eclipsa kissed him on the cheek, "Good luck Marco dear. I'll be rooting for you."

"Thanks Eclipsa…" He turned to go pulling out his dimensional scissors, only to turn back and say, "You know, I've always wanted a cool aunt… and I know you can't really pick your family, but if I could, I'd pick you."

Marco felt himself hugged from behind. "And I… don't have anyone as far as I know, but if I could choose who my several times grandson in law would be, I would choose you dear boy."

Marco gave a bitter smile. "Yeah, I… thanks. I need to go, 'Clipsa. Seeya."

The sound of fabric ripping was heard as Marco cut a portal between dimensions. He walked through, and the hole between dimensions closed with a snap.

Star arrived at the Crucible. She looked around in awe. It was a gigantic stone tower made of obsidian stone, a hundred floors high and giant braisers were lit with ethereal green flame lined the entrance. Kiosks lined the wide thoroughfare where all manner of merchandise from various fighters was being hawked. The closer they got to the Crucible itself, the more elaborate the kiosks became. One that people seemed to be crowding around had a solid granite statue of a warrior wielding an axe in one hand and barbed chains floating around him in the other which ended in vicious looking khopesh blades on the end.

"Step right up folks, come and get Scarlet Executioner merch right here," a large rotund creature with three eye stalks upon which yellow bulbous eyes and a long flat purple nose with peach colored skin sat in the large booth called out.

"Woah, I totally want a t-shirt with that guy's face on it," Star said.

Tom ribbed her playfully. "Should I be jealous, Starship?"

"Hmm," Star pretended to think it over for a second, "Nah! Think we can snag a shirt in Marco's size too?! Just cause he's gonna miss tonight doesn't mean we can't get him a souvenir right?"

Tom smiled. "Yeah… plus I still feel like I owe him for his hoodie," Tom said, wearing said ripped hoodie tonight.

Star rolled her eyes. "Tom, it's Marco. You and him are best buds. He's not gonna take that personally."

Tom rubbed the back of his head unsure. "I dunno about that Starship, you don't just mess with a bro's things. It goes against the code."

Star just shook her head. "You worry too much. Now go get me a t-shirt of that badass with the axe!" Star slapped her boyfriend's butt to get him to hurry up.

"I'm going, I'm going!" Tom chuckled, as he made his way into the fighting crowd to go his quest to get t-shirts for Star and Marco.

"Geeze gurl, trying and keep that lovey dovey crap on the down low will ya?" Ponyhead said, floating up to her best friend.

"Ponyhead!" Star said, before hugging her fellow princess. "You made it!"

Ponyhead rolled her eyes. "Course I did gurl! I wasn't gonna miss this! Plus, I've heard that Executioner guy is real brutal, like tearin' limbs off and junk! He's half the reason they had to put puke buckets under all the seats!"

"Woah!"

"Hey Star dear!" King Ponyhead called.

"Hi King Ponyhead, Mr. and Mrs. Lucitor!" Star waved.

Ponyhead scoffed. "Can you believe our folks showed up. They're totally gonna harsh our fun gurl."

Star just shook her head, "Ponyhead, when was the last time your father's been out without all of your siblings since your mother… you know?"

Ponyhead looked downtrodden for a moment. "It's been a hot minute. I guess he could use a break from all the crap me and my sisters give him huh?"

Star nodded. "Yeah just treat tonight as a bonding night between you and him. You haven't had many of those right?"

"Not since my other sisters came along." Ponyhead gave Star a sideways glance.

"What?" Star asked.

The floating horse head replied, "You gettin' all wise and junk girl. Like I'd expect that kinda stuff to come outta Earth Turd… where is he anyway?"

Star rubbed her arm uncomfortable. "He couldn't make it tonight, he's spending time with his parents."

"Uh, gurl, you sure about that? Cause that looks like them right there." Ponyhead motioned further down the pathway at a few people she did not expect to see tonight.

"What?!" Star looked and sure enough, the Diaz' were being led by a waving Kelly, a smirking Janna, an uneasy looking Jackie and a dark-skinned girl she'd never seen before in her life. Angie and Rafael were taking pictures of everything just like they did back in Mewni… but there was no Marco in sight.

'Did Marco… lie to me?' Star thought to herself, feeling a bit hurt in her chest at the thought like someone had just stuck a knife in her chest.

"Gurl you ok, you look like you just been slapped," Ponyhead noted.

Star shook her head breaking herself out of her funk. "I...I'm fine. C'mon, we should go greet the others while Tom get's souvenirs."

"Yo TOM! I WEAR AN EXTRA SMALL!" Ponyhead yelled into the crowd.

The demon prince gave her a thumbs up. "Got it!"

Star approached Angie and Rafael with a big hug. "Angie, Rafael! It's so good to see you both!"

"Easy there Estrella darling," Rafael pleaded. "You don't want to hurt the little one."

Angie shooed her husband off. "It's fine Rafael."

"Little one?" Star looked down at Angie's stomach and noticed she had a slight bump.

A baby bump.

"EEEEEK! You're pregnant!" Star squealed in joy.

"My daughter better not be pregnant or so help me Thomas Dracionus Lucitor there will be nowhere in the Multiverse you can hide from me!" River screamed as he appeared from …. somewhere

"What?!" Tom screamed amidst the merch crowd, his voice pitched with fear. "I didn't… we didn't.. I swear!"

Star flushed in embarrassment, running a hand down her face in shame. "Not me Papa! Angie is!"

River rubbed the back of his head."Oh, well, congratulations then Rafael you sly old dog! Haha corn shakes for everyone! My treat!"

"Nice save papa," Star said under her breath before she turned to the Diaz family, "Is Marco with you by any chance?"

Both Rafael and Angie shook their heads and frowned. "No, we haven't seen Mijo since he left for Mewni. You'd think he'd visit considering he has those scissors of his but training to be a knight must be very taxing."

"Heh, Diaz a squire, right."

Star felt her hackles rising, she knew that voice. "Higgs," Star all but growled. The auburn-haired girl stood there, flanked by her cronies Old Guy and Baby Man and their knights too were within hearing distance. Before the girl could open her mouth to spit out more venom, Star got all up in her face, pulled her down to her eye level and hissed at her, "Listen here, squire bitch! Normally, I'd ignore your bullshit because you're beneath me. I am the princess of Mewni and if I tell you to jump, you ask how high. But tonight, I'm not going to do that, and do you know why?" Higgs shook her head, and Star gave an almost imperceptible nod towards the Diaz'. "Because those are Marco's parents! And I will not have you badmouthing him in front of them, got it?"

She then shot a steely eyed glare at the fellow squires and then at their knights. "Am. I. Understood?"

"Yes Princess!" All six said at once.

"Estrella dear, is everything alright over there?" Angie called.

Star put on her biggest smile. "Everything's just fine Angie! Just greeting some of my knights and their squires… and reminding them of their place," Star finished in a dark tone that only the six could hear.

Upon hearing that other knights and squires were here, Angie and Rafael made their way over smiling brightly.

"Hello it's nice to meet you, I'm Rafael and this is my wife Angeline," Rafael said, as he offered his hand to Sir Stabby.

"Sir Stabby," the gruff knight replied, taking the man's hand and trying to crush it in his grip but much to his surprise, Rafael gave as good as he got.

"Oh, is that a family name?" Rafael asked easily, smiling all the while.

Sir Stabby blinked. "Uh, no. Not exactly."

"And what might your names be hmm?" Angeline asked, smiling at the squires.

"I'm Higgs, this is Old Guy and Baby Man."

Angie covered her mouth and giggled, "What funny little nicknames you have for each other dear but yours sounds like a last name if I'm being honest. Now, do you mind too terribly if I ask your actual names?"

"Otar Guyford, Ma'am," Old Guy said piping up first.

Baby Man went next. "Braddon Maddon."

Sighing upon seeing her compatriots give up so easily, Higgs saw no point in being difficult. "Hilda Higgs of House Higgs, Misses Diaz."

Angie smiled. "What lovely names. Nice to meet you all."

"And what a fine mustache you have my man!" Rafael complimented Old Guy.

Old Guy nodded in respect as only men with mustaches could understand the pain of growing and maintaining facial hair. "Thanks, been growin' it fer years."

Higgs scoffed. "And here I thought you were born with it."

"And these are the knights they are squiring under!" Star said, "Sir Stabby you've already met. There's also Sir Dashing of Muscleton," The blonde mustached knight grinned, "And Knight-Captain Whosits."

"Hello. Pleasure to meet you," the amazonian Lady Whosits said, throwing her crimson locks out of her face.

"And out of all of you," Angie said smiling happily. "Estrella dear, who is Marco's knight?"

Uhh… Sir Lavabo of the Wash!" Star lied quickly.

"Estrella?" Higgs asked smartly, deciding not to call the princess out on her lie.

"It's Spanish for Star dear," Angie explained gently. "The wash you say? I'm surprised he didn't squire under a knight of the kitchens. He would've excelled there."

"Diaz can cook?" Higgs asked bluntly, receiving an elbow in the gut via Star.

Both the Diaz's nodded vigorously. "Oh yes, a regular maestro in the kitchen our Mijo is."

"Uh Mijo?" Higgs asked, hoping for a translation.

"Son… we should just speak English I suppose," Angie giggled.

"Ah that reminds me, Estrella," Rafael said, taking a large box shaped fanny pack off his back and unzipping the lid. "I need your professional opinion on something. Now I know they're probably not as good as Marco's but I tried my best." Rafael said as he brought out a large square container of tupperware.

"Are those?" Star asked with a gleam in her eye.

"Nachos yes," Rafael said as he pulled off the lid, allowing the spicy meaty heavenly scent to grace Star's nose once more.

Taking one, Star plopped it into her mouth and chewed it thoughtfully. "It's good," the princess said after a moment.

"But it's not Marco's recipe is it?" Rafael said, with a knowing smile.

Star shook her head sheepishly. "It isn't, sorry."

Seeing the knights and their squires hungrily eying the contents of the bowl, Rafael offered it to them. "Would you like some?"

Each rapidly nodded before taking a chip for themselves. Every single eye lit up on the first bite. "This is amazing!" Lady Whosits proclaimed. "And you say the Diaz boy makes this dish even better!?"

Star nodded. "Yep Marco has his own super secret Special Nachos recipe."

The knights and squires looked at each other and nodded. "All in favor of Marco Diaz, the first ever holder of Knight of the Larder, raise thy hand and say aye!" Lady Whosits said.

"Aye!" Every knight and squire proclaimed at once.

"Wait, what?!" Star protested. "You can't just make a new knight post… can you?"

Lady Whosits crossed her arms and grinned. "Actually I can princess. One of my granted powers as Knight-Captain is to assign knights to whatever positions I see fit, or if necessary, create new ones. Lately, your father has been complaining about missing Johansen Reserve so why not have a new post for a knight to guard and work, in the kitchens? Plus, you'll be able to see him much more often since he's not in the castle sub basement with Sir Lavabo now right?"

'That tricky bitch,' Star seethed. All while smiling for Angelia and Rafael's sake. "Yes of course."

Rafael and Angie hugged each other happily. "Our son being given a new knightly position!" Rafael said with pride.

"Do you hear that Marco Jr," Angie told the baby growing inside of her, "Your big brother is really going places."

"Oh yeah he's going places alright," Star said under her breath.

"Hey Star."

The princess turned at the voice. She felt her throat constrict a bit forcing her to swallow before she could reply. "Hey Jackie."

The surfer girl hadn't changed much. She still had that same aqua streak in her hair, and was now wearing a leather jacket on top of her light blue top and jeans. Her arms were crossed as she looked at the princess and she had a scowl on her face before she nodded off to the side. "Why don't we go over here and catch up?"

Star nodded, even though she had an apprehensive feeling of approaching doom. "Yeah sure."

Jackie nodded before smiling at Angie. "Congrats on the bun in the oven Misses D."

"Thank you Jackie dear. Who is your friend?" Angie asked. Nodding to the almost silent and almost shadow-like girl beside Jackie.

"This is Chloe, my… girlfriend," Jackie shyly admitted.

The Diaz' were always the welcoming sort and embraced Chloe wholeheartedly with literal hugs. "Where are you from Chloe dear?" Angie asked

"Paris," Chloe replied.

"Lovely city," Angie gushed, "I spent an entire school year there."

While the Diaz' distracted Chloe, Star and Jackie had their own conversation. Jackie turned to Star with borderline hatred glittering her green eyes. "Would you like to tell me just what the fuck you're trying to do to Marco?"

"Uh, excuse me?" Star asked.

"You heard me Princess," Jackie all but spat her title like it was poison. "I don't know how you do things in your dimension, but in ours, when someone gives up everything, and I mean literally everything to be with somebody else; it means something. Marco gave everything, just so he could be with you," Jackie poked her in the chest before she continued. "He gave up not just me, before you think I'm being jealous, but also his family, his friends, his hometown, his planet, dimension and anything even remotely familiar to him… just so he can be with you."

"Yeah but that was his choice…" Star couldn't continue because Jackie grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Choice?" Jackie gave Star a light shake before she shook her head. "He never had a choice Star. You confessed to him in front of everyone, and then you left… so of course he came running after you! And you know what, he never left Mewni even though he came back. His heart, his soul, never left you… Marco loves you."

'Marco loves me?' Star mentally asked herself.

"Then I come here, on one of Janna's wild adventures, expecting to see him finally happy, in love, and with the princess…" Pure vitriol burned in Jackie Lynn Thomas' eyes and fell from her tongue as she continued, "And what do I hear from the flying horse head instead? That you're dating the fucking triclops and that you've made Marco, sweet, kind, always had your back on Earth Marco, your damn servant."

Star had quite enough of Jackie insulting her friends. "Firstly her name is Ponyhead. Secondly, his name is Tom and lastly, I never asked him to come after me. He did that on his own."

"Did he ever ask you to drop into his life? Did any of us ever ask you to drop into ours and raise havoc on an almost daily basis?" Jackie asked, not letting Star answer before she continued, "No, we didn't but we accepted you anyway and treated you like one of our own," Jackie scoffed. "You? You pawned him off as quickly as you could on the laundry guy, and nearly got him killed!"

'Damn you Ponyhead and your big mouth,' Star silently cursed.

Jackie was not done. "And then if that wasn't enough, you make him your personal servant just so you can drag him around and watch as you suck face with your new boyfriend, who also happens to be his best friend?" Jackie gave a hollow laugh. "I mean you really know how to rub salt in the wound. You'll take his heart, his home, his family, his friends… and then you make him watch, forced to smile happily and support you, as you move on with your life?" Jackie gave her a look of utter disgust. "You really are something Butterfly… " Jackie turned around and began to stalk away, only to glare at her over her shoulder and add, "A real piece of work."

Star stood there stunned, shaken to the core, for she realized every word Jackie had said to her was true. 'What have I done?' she asked herself as a dark epiphany dawned upon her.

"Yo B-Fly, you alright?" Ponyhead asked, floating over, "You ain't looking so hot."

"I'm… I'm fine Ponyhead," Star said, still in a state of shock.

"Well if you sure gurl, we best get headin' inside. The show's about to start, and we got the VIP box!" Ponyhead yelled happily, before she groaned, "Even if we gotta share it with our folks."

"Right uh… let's… let's go shall we?" Star made her way into the stadium, her mind awhirl with thoughts, almost all of them dark in nature, and revolving around Marco.

The VIP rooms were on top of the Crucible, and magical lifts led up to their section. When they passed the red velvet curtain leading into a black carpeted room filled with large red booths, each one facing a clear crystal pane that loomed out over the arena itself. Behind the booths were all manner of snack and drink machines and two separate restrooms were off to the side.

Star immediately noticed they weren't alone. "Penelope?"

Penelope Spiderbite and her parents turned when they heard their daughter's name called. "Star… and Tom… and everyone else too."

"Yo gurl, it's been a hot minute. Haven't seen you since the Silver Bell Ball. How's things in the land of the creepy crawlies?" Ponyhead asked.

Penelope smiled. "Been better than usual actually… I'd say why but that would spoil things. This is your first time here, right?" Seeing her fellow royals nod, Princess Spiderbite grinned knowingly. "Then you're all in for a surprise by the end of the night."

The royals looked at each other and shrugged. "Okay."

"Oh hello, who're you?" Penelope said politely upon seeing the Diazs.

"We're Marco's mother and father, pleasure to meet you dear," Angie said.

Penelope's face lit up. "Oh you're Marco's parents! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

Star did a double take. "Uh Penelope, when did you meet Marco?"

Penelope gave Star a sly smile. "Oh he did my kingdom a favor, helped take out some trash."

Star waited for Penelope to elaborate but when none was forthcoming, Star pouted and sat down between her mother and father. She was glad to see Marco's parents getting along so easily with everyone though.

"What do you call these again, Nachos?" Dave Lucitor asked, taking a bite. "Oh, not bad."

Rafael nodded. "Indeed, my son is a better chef than I am in this regard though."

"Ah yes Marco Diaz," Dave said pensively, "The one in the Princess' Song Day Celebration…"

"Dad," Tom said in both a pleading and warning tone. "Please don't go embarrassing me in front of my friends by bringing up old wounds."

"What's embarrassing about it Thomas, it's just the entire kingdom seeing and hearing the princess' song calling young Diaz her boyfriend and correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't she more or less drag him there in royal attire? Almost as if she were affirming the fact?"

"I did not okay that last verse with Rubariot!" Star shouted, her cheeks flushing whether from anger or embarrassment at being reminded of Song Day, she couldn't even tell herself.

"Yet you were perfectly fine with telling all of Mewni how you lost the Book of Spells and Glossaryck to Ludo Avarious of all people," Dave continued to goad.

Moon actually stood up and glared at the King of the Underworld at this point. "David, if you say one more word against either Marco or my daughter, you and I will be having this discussion down on the arena floor. I'm sure you and I can put on quite the show for the masses don't you agree?"

Everyone's jaws dropped. This was a Queen Moon that hadn't been seen in quite some time. This was was the Queen Moon who earned the title 'The Undaunted'.

"Go Queen Moon, get down with your bad self," Ponyhead complimented.

"Go Mom," Star said in awed tones.

Angie smiled at the Queen gratefully. "Thank you Moon."

"Think nothing of it Angie. Besides you don't need any undue stress in your condition." Moon promptly replied before she sat back down.

Angie smiled and rolled her eyes. "You sound like my husband." Feeling a gentle tap on her shoulder, she turned to see Wrathmelior leaning over her worriedly.

She mumbled something in demonic and Tom made to translate. "My mother apologizes profusely for my father's rudeness…" Wrathmelinor shot her husband a glare and added, "And he'll be sleeping on the couch tonight."

Angie gently patted Wrathmelior's finger understandingly. "No need to worry dear, he's just a father concerned about his son's wellbeing I'm sure."

Tom scoffed and said under his breath, "Yeah right."

"Hey, you know the fighting is supposed to be taking place down there, not up here right?"

Everyone turned to see Hekapoo taunting them with Rhombulus and Omnitraxus Prime in sphere form following behind her out of a flaming portal.

"Lady Hekapoo, to what do we owe the honor of yourself and the rest of the High Commision this evening?" Dave asked politely.

Taking a seat the scissor crafter replied, "I'm the sponsor of one of the fighters here. So naturally I'm here to see him kick some ass."

"Which one?" Kelly asked giddily. She'd been practically bouncing in her seat since she arrived, surprising no one. As a Woolet, being able to come to the Crucible and watch the best of the best fight was like finding Nirvana or entering heaven for her.

"I'm the sponsor of the Scarlet Executioner himself," Hekapoo said with a bit of pride in her tone.

"The reigning singles division champ?" Kelly questioned while everyone else muttered amongst themselves, "Woah, how'd he get your sponsorship?"

"He asked…" Hekapoo shrugged before crossing her arms and adding in a huff, "Plus I just can't say no to him and his sexy, sexy voice and he knows it, damn him."

Suddenly, the clear glass pane in front of them became a giant television screen which gave an up close and personal view of a pale corpse like man wearing a tophat and wielding a cane. He had a cigarette holder straight out of the 1920's in his mouth as he smoked a fresh one. His voice was posh and regal sounding. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE CRUCIBLE! I AM YOUR HOST AND RESIDENT DEMIGOD, WICKED K!" A chorus of cheers wrang out as the posh man or ghoul, whatever he was, waited for the applause to die. Once it did, he continued, "TONIGHT WE'VE QUITE THE SHOW FOR YOU ALL, OUR GLADIATORS SHALL BE FIGHTING EVERYTHING FROM MONSTERS! TO EACH OTHER IN FIRST BLOOD MATCHES TO OUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING THE TITLE OF ARENA GRAND CHAMPION… IVAN THE BLACK KNIGHT VS THE REIGNING CHAMP, THE SCARLET EXECUTIONER!"

The cheers reached another fevered pitch when the Scarlet Executioner was mentioned and Penelope was right there screaming along with them and even waving a handmade sign. Star frowned at something their host said though.

"The Gladiators kill monsters?"

"Not Mewman ones Star," Penelope explained with a sigh. "The Crucible gets monsters from all over the multiverse. They don't make sentient monsters fight unless they have bounties placed on their heads."

"And what happens if they have bounties on their heads?" Star questioned.

Penelope grinned almost maliciously. "Then nine times out of ten they get turned in here because the Crucible pays better for cannon fodder."

"Dang Penny, didn't know you could be so vicious gurl," Ponyhead said, both shocked and awed.

Penelope just smiled as she watched the first match start. "There's a lot you don't know about me girls."

The night carried on in a flurry of gratuitous violence. They watched and cheered as gladiators fought against both monsters, and each other, then came the penultimate match of the evening. Wicked K's voice and face overtook the crystal viewing screen again. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PUT YOUR HANDS, TENTACLES, AND CLAWS TOGETHER FOR OUR PENULTIMATE MATCH OF THE EVENING. SHE FLOATS LIKE A BUTTERFLY AND STILL STINGS WORSE THAN MY LAST DIVORCE SETTLEMENT. WITH SIXTEEN WINS AND THREE LOSSES, SHE'S AMY THE 'FLOATING BUTTERFLY' SOREL!"

The crowd cheers as a petite young girl with curly vermillion hair wearing a dark purple gothic lolita style dress with billowy sleeves and wielding a rapier stepped out onto the arena floor from one side. She curtsied to the audience and stood ready to fight her opponent. "Hopefully I can please father with this," were the thoughts going through Amy's head.

"Wow she's so pretty," Star gushed.

"En Effet," Chloe agreed.

Wicked Kay went on to announce. "AND IN THE THE OPPOSING CORNER, HE'S THE MONSTER FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE NOXIAN DESERTS, HE'S THE MEAN, LEAN, SUPER MURDER MACHINE WITH EIGHTEEN WINS TWO LOSSES AND TWENTY DEATHMATCHES UNDER HIS BELT, ITS DRAVEN, THE GLORIOUS EXECUTIONER OF NOXUS!"

Out of the opposing tunnel came a grinning man. He was wearing simple leather and iron armor with a white fur pelt covering his back, two giant swords were criss crossed over his back and he had a long dark fu manchu mustache trailing down his face, with his equally dark hair tied in a ponytail behind him. Drawing both blades off his back he spoke and everyone could hear him clearly as if they were down in the arena with him.

"I'll make this quick little butterfly, after all I bare you no ill will… you're just a stepping stone on the way to my rematch with him."

"You won't lay a finger on Scarlet! I'll end you right here!" Amy seethed with her green eyes glaring at Draven as she raised her rapier into a defensive position.

"Hahaha, bold words, insect!" Draven laughed before banging his blades together in challenge causing sparks to fly. "Come and get the Draven Whelp!"

The two fighters charged each other down, Amy moving with fluid dancer-like grace while Draven pounded across the stone like a wild beast, grinning all the while. They met in a clash of steel in the center of the crucible, Amy twirling to the side as she poked at Dravens defenses with the needle fine point of her rapier. The Noxian fighter just laughed as he batted away her prods with his massive blades. The sheer heft of his weapons moving the fencer's own blade aside. Draven twirled his blades back and forth show acrobatic grace as they richoeteched off walls and flew at Amy, forcing her to defend herself against not only her opponent but attacks from her blind spots.

Amy was quickly put on the defensive and the crowd was forced to watch as she was swatted into a wall. Spiderweb cracks formed in the wall around the girl's body as she huffed from the pain and slight exhaustion of having to stop those blades from cleaving her in half. Draven then laughed. "Is that all you can do little Sorel? Your father would be so disappointed… him even more so. The Draven requires more entertainment in his fights!"

"Shut up!" Amy charged at Draven and unleashed a flurry of quick thrusts and light lightning quick slashes at her hated foe, but anger had made her sloppy and easy to avoid. Draven easily parried and dodged her thrust with ease as if he was fighting a new recruit in the Noxian military. All the finesse but no force or accuracy. Draven then laughing mockingly, smacked her blade to the side before ramming his fist into her gut, doubling her over before dropping her at his feet. Amy then spat up some saliva and vomited from the impressive blow to her gut and felt her ribs crack from the impact. It hurt to breathe and all she could do right now was look up at Draven in contempt.

"I expected more," Draven said honestly as he raised one of his blades for a finishing blow to lop her head off.

[Fozzy- Judas]

Then he heard it, that song started playing in the arena as the lights turned crimson. Draven grinned. "He's here!"

From the rafters, a figure dropped down before landing in the center of the ring. The figure was a man in black spiked armor with a crimson mantle wrapped around his head. His face was covered by a white mask whose mouth was in the form of a cracked smiley face that had been stitched shut golden filigree and paint lined the chipped and marred edges showing the age of the mask. The figure drew a wide bladed single edged axe from his back, It was ornate, its face both darkened and covered in golden knotwork along the back of its gleaming silver edge which itself bore runes just as intricate, being gilded in gold and serpent motifs while the back blade had a golden eagle embossed on it.

"EVERYONE, THE CHAMPION OF THE ARENA, THE SCARLET EXECUTIONER HIMSELF HAS ENTERED THE FRAY! COULD THE RUMORS OF A BACKSTAGE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE CHAMP AND THE SOREL BUTTERFLY ACTUALLY HAVE SOME WEIGHT?!"

The Arena champion ignored everyone and he pointed his axe blade at Draven and spoke his tone dark and sinister as it echoed across the arena. "Draven! You miserable dog! Do you want to fight me so badly you'd harm an innocent girl to get to me?"

Draven cocked an eyebrow, "Innocent? Ha! She's hardly innocent if the rumors about her and you are true eh, not even a maiden anymore… tell me, how was she? The Draven is honestly curious." To further prove his point Draven stabbed one of his blades into the ground and leaned on it patiently waiting for a reply.

"I'm going to hurt you very badly now Draven," The Scarlet Executioner spoke in a deathly calm tone. "You can insult me all you like, but sully Amy's honor… and I'm going to make it hurt… and enjoy every second of it."

The sounds of chains rattling were heard. And then the audience saw the source coming from the Scarlet Executioner, black chains hooked like rose thorns were unwinding themselves from around the champions wrists, drops of blood falling from their points where they had dug into his flesh, and at their end gleamed two sinister khopeshes that were made of the same black iron as the chains themselves. They floated in the air beside their master like hypnotized snakes, prepared to strike. "Prepare yourself!"

In a burst of inhuman speed, the Scarlet Executioner was in front of Draven, one of his black hooked chains already wrapping around the Noxian's leg as a vicious high kick was delivered to Draven's jaw sending him skyward. He was then sent spinning, flung like a ragdoll into the stands only to stop when he struck the crystalline barrier that protected the arena and also provided everyone the best viewing experience possible.

Slowly sliding off the magic barrier, Draven pulled himself to his feet, his leg bleeding profusely from where the black chain had tore into him like the jaws of a trained guard dog. "Yes, yes! This is the fight I wanted! Draven is most pleased at this outcome."

"So eager to be beaten down again, are you?" Scarlet said, sounding both bored and angry at the same time.

"He talkin' some serious trash B-Fly!" Ponyhead said, big shit eating grin plastered on her face. "I love it!"

"I'll kill you this time! There's only room in this Crucible for one executioner!" Draven raved but the audience he was enjoying himself with the smile on his face. Draven then threw his blades as they bounced off the walls heading for the champ while Draven himself closed the gap between them.

Scarlet shook his head in clear disgust. "I didn't even choose the name you idiot! You can thank Mister Kay for that," he replied as his chains swatted Draven's blades out of the air with just a thought which then caused them to ricochet and bounce around the arena.

"HEY CHAMP DON'T PIN ALL YOUR WOES ON ME!" Wicked K complained, making the audience laugh at the play by play between announcer and gladiators.

"But this is directly your fault sir," Scarlet replied easily, continuing the banter as he walked towards the now weaponless Draven who still smirking as his axe swords were still spinning and came towards Scarlet from behind.

"OH YEAH, WHAT ABOUT THAT SUPPOSED HAREM YOU'VE GOT GROWING BACKSTAGE?! THAT MY FAULT TOO?" Wicked K asked with a large smile on his face as he puffed his cigarillo.

"I've no idea what you're talking about Mister Kay," Scarlet replied evenly, his chains lashing out and catching Draven by the legs, dragged him towards the champion. He had to dodge at the last second or the blades would have hit him. To give credit where credit is due Draven then cot the spinning blades and was at least able to sever the chain links holding him and letting him tumble away from Scarlet.

"SURE YOU DON'T… DO YOU WANT A LIST?!" Wicked K pulled a paper list out from under his tophat. "CAUSE I HAVE A DAMN LIST RIGHT HERE BUCKO!"

"No thank you… I've got business to attend to soon, so I don't have time for pointless distractions," Scarlet replied as he hefted his axe with his free hand. His arm moved in a blur and threw his axe at Draven timing it just right where it passed through his twirling blades and cutting Drave right down his face. The Noxian cried out in pain and dropped one of his blades holding his face that now bore a vertical cut across his eye actually going quite well with the tattoos he has on his face. Scarlet slowly walked up to Draven and glared down at the 'Glorious Executioner' as he spoke. "Listen and listen well, Draven of Noxus. Twice you have fought me in an official match. Twice I have held your life in my hands and twice I have been gracious enough to give your life back to you… pull a stunt like this again, and there will not be a third time."

"YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS THE CHAMP IS ALL BUT PROMISING A DEATHMATCH FOR DRAVEN'S BEHAVIOUR!" Wicked K boomed.

"That's not what I said you puffed up British zombie," Scarlet called out.

"I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I'M CREOLE MY FINE SIR!" Wicked K retorted in now thick Louisiana drawl as he pulled out a bottle of Rum and drank heartily. "NOW ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR MATCH OR DO YOU NEED A MO'?"

"I'm fine just let me get Amy out of here, and will you please send in the Hobbes to take out the trash?" Scarlet asked, glancing back behind himself at Draven.

"Draven can and knows when he is beat and he can take care of himself Scarlet," spoke Draven as he grabbed his dropped axe sword and walked in the opposite direction of Scarlet and Amy. Dravens thoughts were best summarized as this, "Gotta train, work harder, and get my blades repaired."

"CERTAINLY CERTAINLY, YOU'RE ALL IN FOR A HELLUVA MATCH I GUARANTEE!" Wicked K said with a sly grin on his face. "WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THESE COMMERCIALS! SPEAKING OF, TONIGHT'S FIGHT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEKAPOO SCISSORS! THEY SLICE, THEY DICE, THEY GET YOU WHERE YOU NEED TA GO! GET YOUR CHOSEN PAIR TODAY!"

Hekapoo covered her face in embarrassment. "Damn it K! I told you I don't need any advertising!"

"Which is probably exactly why he did it," Janna pointed out.

"Yes indeed lil lady," Wicked Kay said from right behind them, causing them all to jump.

"Why must you do this? Why must you torture me so?" Hekapoo asked.

The undead gentlemen winked at Hekapoo. "For a bit of honest good fun of course, my girl."

Hekapoo sent Wicked K a glare. "I hate you."

The undead laughed. "Nah you don't darlin' cause if you did, you wouldn't be here, we both know that."

Hekapoo scoffed at his attempt at a joke. "I'm not here for you, I'm here to support my fighter."

Wicked K laughed heartily. "Course you are darlin' course you are and with no ulterior motive to boot I'm sure. After all you are fire and oh so hot while Scarlet is a cold, cold man when he needs to be."

"Shut up," Hekapoo growled warningly.

The demigod twirled his cane as he looked around the room. Noticing the Knights of Mewni and their squires huddled in the corner out of the way, he mozied his way over. "Why greetings and salutations there! I'm glad to see that Scarlet's Guests of Honor were able to make it."

The Knights and their protoge's blinked. "Guests of Honor?" Lady Whosits asked. "Why would the Arena Champion want us here? I mean we got the tickets but there wasn't any explanation as to why."

Wicked K leaned in close to Higgs in particular. "This next match, it's gonna be somethin' special little lady. For you in particular. Some old ghosts are gonna be laid to rest on the arena floor tonight and the dead will be avenged. That, I guarantee. Hehehehe!"

His words and the dark vengeance they promised shook Higgs to her core. 'Could he be talking about 'that'?'

Before she could ask, her host had turned away and addressed the royals. "Well, well, well! Looks like ole Wicked K got himself a full royal flush in the house tonight!" That earned him a round of laughs. "Have y'all been entertained? Wicked K wouldn't be doin' his job if y'all hadn't been entertained!"

"Everything has been amazing Mister K," Moon spoke for the group. "Though I do have a question if you'll indulge me?"

The undead swept into a bow, "For you, oh fairest Queen of Mewni? Anything."

"Where exactly do you get all of your… combatants from?" Moon inquired.

Wicked K swept his arm out in a grand gesture. "Why, from all over, Your Royal Highnesses! From every nook and cranny of the multiverse. Some join up, some are hunted down… and the more unsavory are bought from dungeons and prison cells all across the multiverse. The more dangerous and deadly, the better!"

Moon turned to her husband. "Is that why our dungeon is always empty River?"

"Of course it is dear!" River exclaimed with absolutely no shame whatsoever. "Why should we feed and take care of malcontents when we can be paid to have them taken care of, in both senses of the word for us?"

"So this is where the extra budget for the reconstruction has been coming from?" Moon asked, "You sold Ludo's rat army to the Crucible?"

"Indeed! One of my better business deals if I do say so myself!" River said proudly.

"We are going to talk about this when we get home dear… but I think you did a very good job and I'm proud of you?" Moon said uncertainty.

"Thank you Moonpie," he said reaching up and giving his wife a peck on the cheek.

Wicked K pulled a giant clock out from somewhere and glanced at it. "Oh well, will you look at that it's almost showtime. Gotta go folks," He made to leave then stopped when he saw Angie and Rafael. "Might I ask your names lady and sir?"

"I'm Rafael Diaz and this is my wife Angie," the Diaz patriarch introduced.

"Tonight is going to be a very interesting night indeed. "'Gratulations on the babe," he said tipping his hat to them before he seemingly teleported from the box and returned to his jutting balcony that overlooked the entire Crucible. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IT'S TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF THE NIGHT! THE ARENA CHAMPION WILL BE DEFENDING HIS TITLE AGAINST A CHALLENGER!"

Backstage, Scarlet's head popped up. "That's my cue," He gave Amy a worried look. "You gonna be okay Amy?"

The redhead gave him a smile. "I'll be just fine Scar, you fixed me up… but one question before you go?"

"Hmm?"

Amy hesitated holding her hands together nervously before she asked in a rush "Why did you come in and save me?"

"Your dad was worried about you," Scarlet replied.

Amy looked at her shoes so Scarlet wouldn't see her heartbroken face. "Oh I see."

"And," Scarlet continued, as he walked towards the end of the tunnel, "Draven needs to learn not to fuck with my friends."

"Friends," Amy said with a smile on her face now. "Well, it's a start."

"STANDING AT 5'10 WEIGHING IN AT I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MANY POUNDS,WITH TWO-HUNDRED WINS NO LOSSES AND THE VICTOR OF FORTY-NINE DEATHMATCHES, IT'S THE ARENA CHAMPION… YOU KNOW HIM, YOU LOVE HIM, MARCO…

'Oh wow he has the same first name as Marco,' Star thought to herself. 'Small multiverse.'

"THE SCARLET EXECUTIONER, DIAZ!"

WHAT?!" Almost everyone in the VIP box yelled at the same time.

The Scarlet Executioner walked out into the arena, his axe held above his head in both hands as the song played but this time, there was more to it, it came with imagery.

[Fozzy- Judas]

Images of him and Star dancing at the Blood Moon Ball, of Marco getting together with Jackie, of Marco breaking up with Jackie at the pier. Marco leaving for Mewni and then nearly dying in the sub basement. Marco having to see Star and Tom kiss and be very uncomfortable by the fact. How he stayed up for days as Star portaled in her sleep…

It painted a very bleak picture of a boy who had loved, lost, loved again and gave up everything to be with the one he loved only for that one to move on, and wanting the one he loved to be happy while still being in love with her. The lyrics of the song fit the images perfectly.

"Moon would you like to explain to me about this sleep portaling?" Hekapoo asked her head flame bursting into a small campfire as she spoke.

"Who did this camera work for this? Where did these images even come from?" Star complained.

"Eeeh… I might have a ton of hidden cameras in all of Marco's clothing… What?" Janna defended. "I worry about him okay?! Still, the fact that someone managed to splice all this together is pretty damn impressive," Janna complimented.

Wicked K continued motioning to the opposing tunnel. "AND IN THE CHALLENGER CORNER WANTED FOR MURDER OF A MINOR HOUSE OF MEWNI, WILL HE GET HIS COMEUPPANCE TONIGHT? ITS IVAN "THE BLACK KNIGHT" HIGGS!"

"No fucking way!" Higgs yelled in fury glaring at the screen with an intense hatred as a knight in soot black armor which included a visored helmet came out of the opposite tunnel. He bore a heater shield upon which was a coat of arms. Stalks of corn being cut down by a red scythe. In his opposing hand, was a longsword.

"Is he related to Higgs I'm guessing?" Star said.

"Star, Ivan Higgs is a prolific serial killer," Moon explained in hushed tones not wanting to anger the squire anymore than she already was. "Not satisfied with hunting down monsters he turned his blade on his fellow Mewmans of which at least thirty deaths are attributed, nine of which are children and five of them included his own family, sans his niece… Hilda."

Star's eyes widened in shock and she glanced at Higgs who's entire attention was focused on the crystal screen in front of her. Pure hatred was being directed at the black knight and Star was certain if she could, Higgs would kill the man with her glare alone.

"NOW BEFORE WE BEGIN THIS FIGHT, A BIT MORE BACKGROUND ON OUR COMBATANTS," Wicked K said his voice booming, "OUR ARENA CHAMPION HAS NEVER LOST A SINGLE MATCH AND HAS A PENCHANT FOR SEEKING MEWMAN JUSTICE! EVERY SINGLE DEATHMATCH HE'S CALLED, HAS BEEN AGAINST SOME OF MEWNI'S WORST!"

A list of pictures and names flitted across the screen in a scrolling manner. On the list was Seth of Septarsis, Elise the Spider Queen who was the whole reason the Spiderbite forest had its name, and…

"Toffee is alive?!" Moon gasped, her fist clenched in wrathful anger. Hysteria also set in a little that the monster of her nightmares just wouldn't die.

"He was," Hekapoo said with an uncaring shrug, "He's dead now. Turns out, cutting off the head and burning both the stump on his neck and his body to ashes will kill him, who knew right? Apparently some hero on Marco's world fought and killed something that could regenerate faster than Toffee. I can't remember his name though."

"And our challenger is another wanted fugitive wanted by Mewni, knight turned serial killer, Sir Ivan Reginold Higgs!"

"Boo! Kill em Scarlet! EXECUTION! EXECUTION! EXECUTION!" The crowd started chanting.

Marco dressed in his arena garb raised his hands for silence. A hush fell over the crowd… but it was heavy, as if they were waiting for something…

Then Marco reached over and twisted a piece on his gauntlet. With a pneumatic hiss, the spikes on his knuckles popped forwards and Marco pulled the gauntlet off his right forearm showing that the spikes were in fact nails that were being driven in between his very knuckles, causing him to bleed. Using this blood, he proceeded to draw a rune on the floor…

A crimson crescent moon. The Blood Moon. He then looked up at Wicked K and shouted to the heavens, "I declare, deathmatch!"

"AS EXPECTED OF THE CHAMP FOLKS! HE'S USED HIS BLOOD SIGIL TO DECLARE A DEATHMATCH AGAINST IVAN!" Wicked K shouted in glee as the lights turned crimson again. "THE RULES OF A DEATHMATCH ARE SIMPLE… TWO ENTER… ONE LEAVES."

"Execution! Execution! Execution!" The crowd chanted stamping their feet as they cheered.

Marco's chains unwound themselves from his flesh and crawled across the ground like black mamba snakes ready and waiting to strike as Marco held his hand out, causing his axe to fly into his waiting palm. "Ivan! Today, you die!"

Marco's voice distorted somehow by the mask he wore still carried every bit of his rage. It made shivers of fear run up and down Star's spine. 'I've never heard him so angry, where is all this coming from?' Her mind flashed back to the video,whose contents made her uneasy. 'Stupid question Butterfly. I just need to talk to him after this fight.'

For his part, the black knight scoffed. "I've seen how you fight boy, you can throw that axe and call it back to you like a loyal hound, and those stygian iron chains of yours make for a fine if flashy defense and offense, but I can get past it. Wouldn't be the first time I killed an upstart who thinks they are better than me."

"Oh?" Marco taunted. "So sure of yourself are you?" Marco held his arms out, leaving himself wide open his chains inert on the ground. "Well, go ahead then. Take your best shot."

"Do you think I'm a fool, boy?" Ivan snarled.

"Do you 'really' want me to answer that?" Marco retorted, causing the crowd to laugh.

"Do you intend to fight or mock me?!" Ivan roared.

A chill swept through the entire arena at Marco's next words for they were spoken with a near deadly calm. "I don't expect a fight Ivan… I EXPECT AN EXECUTION!"

Suddenly, the black chains lashed out like vipers twisting bending and curving around Ivan like a net before attempting to slam down on top of the man. Ivan was quick despite his armor though and evaded the trap rushing his opponent down in response. When he was within thrusting distance with his longsword, he was suddenly thrown across the arena floor by a wave of pure force, that caused the knight to bounce like a skipped stone before he sliding and slamming into the wall.

Ivan pushed himself to his spitting blood from the slits in his visor. "So it's true then, you do know the ancient Will Magics."

"Will Magic… Marco knows magic?!" Star said utterly shocked.

"Not just any magic I'm afraid, but Will Magic," Moon said gravely.

"Um what's the difference between that and our magic?" Star asked.

Moon glanced at her daughter briefly and replied. "Will Magic is brought into being by the users sheer force of will, hence the name. It has no other source other than the user and their body and it exacts a heavy toll."

"Marco," Star said worriedly as she watched the fight escalating.

Ivan held his shield close rolling every now and again to avoid a sweep from the hooked chains, as he closed in Marco readied his axe. When Ivan lashed out with his longsword, the brace on Marco's left arm unfolded into a golden shield edged with intricate knotwork. The longsword bounced off the shield's face and sent Ivan stumbling back a step, and now, the real fight began. Marco swung his axe down with a heavy chop, hooking his blade behind Ivan's shield, he pulled it behind it, before ramming his steel toed boot into Ivan's gut. Next, he smashed him across the face with the shield sending him reeling back. Then a rain of axe blows followed it. A cross cut wove into a spinning backhand slash, with the combo being ended by Marco throwing his axe into his foe, it spun like a buzzsaw carving a deep gashing through armor and into flesh before flying back into Marco's hand, the blade's runes now filled by his foes blood.

"First blood," Marco said flicking the sanguine liquid from the head of his axe. He then bent his body backwards like a bow, and flung his weapon with both hands. It struck the ground in front of Ivan, and released an explosion of freezing cold ice, some shards of which were drenched crimson. "C'mon Ivan, you're disappointing me man," Marco said, calling his weapon back to his hand. "You were talking such a big game just a minute ago, what the fuck happened, huh?"

"Why… why do you even care?" Ivan spat out, hawking up blood and phlegm his visor had been torn off in the explosion showing he had slightly gaunt features and a thin moustache. "Why are you so damn dead set on avenging my weak family, hm? Are you fucking my niece or something?"

Now that, caused Marco to stop… he didn't move for a moment and then… he burst out into laughter. "Ahah… Ahahahahahahahah! Oh, sweet Jesus Almighty thank you, I needed that," On command, the stygian iron chains wrapped around Ivan's arms and legs, pulled him spread-eagled and lifted him into the air until he was right in front of the VIP box to the point their viewing screen had to be turned off to see what Marco was going to do next. "For the record Ivan, I am not fucking Higgs. In fact, she hates my guts… but I don't care about that. This is about justice. Justice for Hrothgar, Odun, Igraine, Ilod, and Ivar Higgs."

'He knows my family's names?' Higgs asked herself a little impressed at Marco putting in so much effort for her.

"This," Marco said as the chain holding Ivan's sword arm began to tighten and pull causing the Black Knight to scream before with a sickening wet squelch accompanied by the sound of rending metal, the arm was ripped from its socket before being cast oh so casually aside. "Is for Higgs family," The traitor's left arm was quick to follow his right. "That, is for all the innocent people you murdered," His right leg was the next to go and it looked like Ivan was dying from shock and/or blood loss, only for a pale yellow light to flow into him staunching the flow of blood and bringing life back into his eyes. "You don't get to die yet Ivan!" Marco called up to him. His last remaining limb was tore off, "That's for the three knights you killed during your escape!"

"Kill me!" Ivan pleaded, "Just kill me already you son of a bitch!"

"Beg for it," Marco told him, forming a stair out of his chain which he climbed as he held the now limbless Ivan by his torso.

"W-What?" The murderer asked.

"Beg Higgs to let me kill you," Marco said as if he were talking about the weather. "She's right there, behind the glass, I made sure she got a frontrow seat to this show," Marco looked past Ivan and directly at where he thought Higgs was sitting, "I'm sorry Higgs, I know this isn't how you would have prefered to do things, that you would rather have killed this bastard yourself but, this… this is all I can do for you," He then flipped Ivan around and slammed him face first into the magical crystal. "Now beg!"

"Please… please," Ivan said to his niece whom he assumed was just there beyond the opaque glass. "Let him end it. Let him kill me. I know you want it so just let him kill me."

Suddenly, out from the bottom of the floor an intercom arose. Even one who had never seen one before could tell how to use it, after all, there was just one big shiny red button on its surface. As if in a dream, Higgs approached the device and pressed the button. She leaned in close and then, she spoke. "M...Marco?"

Her voice echoed throughout the arena and the boy took his time replying. "Yes Higgs?"

"Can I talk to him for a moment?" Higgs asked her voice gaining strength as she spoke, years of malice and hatred building up into this one single moment.

"Well now's the time for it. He won't be much for discussion once I'm done here," Marco chuckled at his own dark humor.

"Did my parents beg Ivan? How about my brother Ivar, or Igraine, my little sister? She always looked up to you! Did she beg? Did you make her beg before you killed her?!" Higgs screamed into the mic.

For a moment, Ivan said nothing… then he screamed in pain anew when lightning arced into his back, followed by Marco saying coldly, "Answer her!"

"They all begged," Ivan gasped out finally exhausted from the experience and his wounds began to ache again. "Igraine most of all."

Higgs looked down, her hair covering her eyes as tears fell." Marco, can you do me a favor?

"Certainly, what is it?" Marco asked.

"CAN YOU KILL THAT SON OF A BITCH?!" Higgs screamed into the mic.

"With pleasure," Marco lined up his axe for a vertical throw. "And this, this is from me!" He said as he threw his axe, Leviathan with all of his might, right at Ivan's neck, the blade's keen magically reinforced edge cleaving straight through the protective crystal at such close range, but only for a moment before it was yanked back out, heeding its masters call and returning to his hand, the crystalline lattice reforming stronger than ever after the blow.

"That's the same crystal Toffee imprisoned Marco in when he captured him… only its black," Star noted in a state of shock from such the brutal display she'd seen from her Best Bestie, as a crimson bloody streak was left on the box as Ivan's corpse was left to fall to the arena floor.

The fans went wild. It was another gory bloody display by the arena champion, and they loved every second of it.

A pixie with a microphone floated up to Marco buzzing around him like a certain annoying creature around another hero only it wasn't saying "Hey Link! Or Hey Listen!" Instead it was saying, "Scarlet, Scarlet! Pixie Bob, Reflexacorp News, I have to ask because all of your fans are just dying to know, firstly, who trained you and secondly why do you keep fighting in the arena? You've won enough matches now to have Wicked K grant whatever wish you could possibly desire and yet, you're still here, why?"

"You don't need to answer that m'boy!" Wicked K called down from his imperious imposing perch, "Your reasons are your own."

But Marco raised a hand, "It's fine… it's fine Mister Kay. I think it's about time I came clean and revealed 'why' I keep fighting in the first place," Marco let out a bitter tired chuckle. "Besides, it's not like 'she's' going to be here or even ever going to watch this fight. Sure 'she' enjoys a good scrap but watching somebody get ripped limb from limb? Nah, this place ain't 'her' scene." He turned to the reporter and replied, "To answer your first question Bob, may I call you Bob?" receiving a nod, Marco continued, "I've received training by three people in my lifetime. The first is in Tang Soo Do by my Sensei Brantly back on Earth, the second is by Hekapoo mistress of portals and master of Dimensional Scissor creation."

"You were trained by a member of the Magic High Commision herself?" Bob asked awed.

"In a manner of speaking, I spent sixteen years in her dimension trying to get myself a pair of dimensional scissors. I had to go through all kinds of hell to get them too."

Bob's eyes widened in awe. "I see and the last person?"

"Just the toughest cutest little woolet I've ever met…" Marco tapped the area of his mask where his chin should be thoughtfully "Maybe I shouldn't call Kelly cute? She might be watching this... " Marco shrugged. "Well I'm screwed either way now. Kelly if you're watching this, I'm sorry for lying about my squire duties. I was really training for all of…" He motioned around him. "This?"

Kelly laughed, "Oh you are so in for it when I get my hands on you Marco."

"As to the second part of your question, if I'm to be entirely honest the reason I'm still fighting is because what I wish for is something Mister Kay can't or more specifically 'won't' grant me."

"Which is?" The pixie asked holding the mic closer to make sure he got the champ's words.

"My own death."

These three solemn words shocked the crowd and none more so than those in the VIP room. Dead silence graced the arena for a good twenty seconds. "Mar-co?" Star said in a broken sounding voice.

"Let me clarify just to make sure there is no way we could be confused. You want to die? Here? In the Arena?" Pixie Bob asked.

Marco nodded like he was talking about the weather. "That is correct."

"Why?" both Bob asked and Star screamed at the same time with tears in her eyes.

"To put it simply, I have nothing left to live for," Marco said with a shrug, his tone becoming ever more emotionless and hollow the longer he spoke. "I… loved a girl once."

"Princess Star Butterfly of Mewni?" Bob asked matter factly making sure all in the audience understood as they are at the edge of their seats.

Marco looked at the floor, his boots had become very interesting just then. "The very same."

Star gasped. She never thought she'd ever hear him say it. Yet now he had…

"And now, she's with someone else… my best male friend," Marco continued. "I would even go so far as to say brother."

"Thomas Draconus Lucitor, Prince of the Underworld?" Bob egged him on, hoping to get more details. After all, it is not every day the Champion of the Crucible comes out as a death seeker.

"The very same. And I'm happy for them… but at the same time, I still love her and you know what?" Marco looked up and he spoke in a voice so full of loathing and disgust, you'd think he'd just stepped in a pile of dog shit as he slammed his axe into the ground with enough force to cause a small crater. "I fucking hate myself for loving her!"

'And there it is, my Emmy,' Bob thought to himself as he motioned for his cameraman, Seahorse to keep filming.

"I fucking hate myself because I 'should' be happy for them, I 'should' be fucking supporting them, but instead, I'm secrectly coveting my best friend who is dating my other best friend!" Marco raged as he began to pace and bent weeks if not months of frustration. "I hate myself I want to 'die', but I can't fucking kill myself."

"Is that why you have that song as your intro?" Bob asked.

"Yes, it's to remind me what an epic piece of shit I am," Marco said darkly. "Also for reference, Judas Iscariot is the man in my religion who betrayed Jesus, the son God, and got him crucified. That's… what I am, a traitor to both of my friends. Star for loving her while she is happy with Tom, and Tom for the exact same reason. But as I said, for me, suicide isn't an option."

"Why not?"

"Suicide is a sin in my religion," Marco said shortly.

Bob nodded understandingly. "Then why not just go home? Back to your dimension?"

Again Marco shook his head, laughing bitterly. "No, no, no. Firstly I… I royally fucked up back home. I made this huge ass deal about becoming a knight of Mewni… only I wasn't really made a knight. Apparently King Butterfly didn't think he'd be seeing me ever again! Did he forget I have fucking dimensional scissors and can visit whenever the hell I want?!"

River winced recalling his meat blanket fiasco. "Yes, yes I did."

"Secondly I know one Janna Ordonia would never let me live it down, much less the rest of my hometown. I would be the laughingstock of everyone."

"Hey man, I was the only one who cut you some slack!" Janna complained as she wiped some tears from her eyes trying to cover up how much Marco's words cut deep. "I wouldn't do that to you."

Marco was on a role and nothing was going to stop him now. "To make matters worse I was a God awful piece of shit boyfriend to an amazing girl, I'm so sorry Jackie."

Jackie was tearing up. "You weren't awful Marco, you really weren't."

"Then, I told myself I was gonna go to Mewni and become a knight. I expected my fucking friend who I spent three months trying to save from a coup de tat to at least be happy to see me, or at least be kind enough to show me around, I mean, 'after all' I did that for 'her' the entire time she stayed with 'me' when I was her guide on Earth, but what does she fucking do?! She pawns me off on the loony old guy in the basement and nearly gets me killed!"

Star was crying waterfalls now. "I'm so sorry Marco I'm so sorry!"

"But it doesn't end there, that's just the beginning of the shit show my life has become! Then Star makes me her personal squire. Sounds great right? Not when you're in love with her and you have to watch her almost every single fucking day be with someone else it isn't! And I'm supposed to be her friend… I'm supposed to be Tom's friend… but seeing them together is… has, killed me on an emotional and spiritual level… I feel for all intents and purposes that I am already dead and am in my own personal hell. That… is what it feels like for me. So my fellow Gladiators, if you care for me one ounce at all, I beg of you… become strong."

Marco grabbed his axe from the crater, picked it up with ease and then banged Levithan against his shield. "Become strong enough to kill me!"

His axe gonged off his shield once more and its echoes reverberated off of the arena walls. "Kill ME!" His arms then fell limp at his side, and his head was bowed. One wouldn't be mistaken for thinking he might've died right then.

Something gave out in Marco and he fell to his knees but he banged his shield and axe together one final time, and let out a keening cry of, "KILL ME AND END. MY. SUFFERING!"

Star had her head buried in her mother's dress like a child who was trying to hide from the scary monster. She had her ears covered, but it did her no good. Marco's harrowing cry still got through.

It was only when he spoke in a broken, pleading tone, that signs of life were confirmed. "Please," Marco was practically crying now, "Please."

"Is… is there anything else you would like the people to know, Scarlet Executioner?" Bob asked, sounding genuinely regretful for pushing the fighter to his breaking point.

"There… there is one final thing," Marco said, rising to his feet. "If you love someone, truly love them. I beg of you. Do not wait, do not hesitate like I did. Do not ponder 'what ifs'. Go out, find that person and make them understand. Do not be like me, and pine eternally after the one that got away. Forced to watch as they are happy but knowing that they have moved on and you cannot be with them."

What no one in the VIP box or Marco expected was an answer, hundreds of voices broke out across the arena. Gladiators across the arena stood up from the stands and other places and drew their weapons as one all of them answered with a warrior's salute, "To die honorably in combat is the way of the warrior. We salute you Scarlet Executioner. Be patient with us and we shall answer your heartfelt plea!"

No pity was shown on these mighty warriors faces as they offered the only respect they could give to their broken brother. A solemn promise to end his suffering and grant him peace. All the gladiators began to leave the arena. They had a place to be right now and that was the training ground beneath the arena proper. When a lost warrior in suffering beseeched death they would do their best and they will answer his call.

But that was not all. Up in the stands hundreds of thousands of people were on their pixie mirrors calling lost flames looking, hoping for another chance. They were moved by a wounded and broken warrior's words to not let life, and most importantly, love pass them by.

Then, Wicked K appeared before Marco, his visage solemn as he placed a hand gently, almost fatherly upon the broken warrior's shoulder. "Your day will come my boy, but it is not this day." He then turned to the Pixie and snarled, "This interview is over!"

"T-Thank you for your time Scarlet Executioner! Go! Go! Go! Run faster Seahorse!"

"Here at Reflectacorp, we have all of your reflectacorp needs… including speed."

"Shut up and run Seahorse!"

"Yes sir!" Seahorse replied.

"Fucking vultures," Wicked K spat. He turned when he heard the sound of steel scraping on stone. He watched as Marco tiredly dragged himself, Leviathan's edge scraping along the ground, over to Ivan's corpse.

"Mister Kay? A kindness if you would?" Marco asked as he picked up Ivan's bloody severed head.

The Crucible's master, was all ears, especially after that impassioned soul spilling speech. "What do you need me bucko?" Kay asked jovially.

"A silver platter if you would be so kind as to indulge me?" Marco asked, despite feeling emotionally drained, a hint of mirth was in his tone when he spoke.

Wicked K snapped his fingers and an eight inch thick, pure silver platter appeared before Marco who plopped Ivan's head upon it before using his now free hand to carry the tray towards the VIP Room, with Levithan dragging along behind him, smacking every step with a dull thunk.

Anyone with a heart was crying over Marco's speech, which meant that everyone sans David Lucitor was in tears over Marco at the moment. Jackie was clinging to Chloe harder than Rose DeWitt Bukater did the door at the end of the Titanic. Star wouldn't let go of her mother who's skirts were by now soaked with her tears, snot, and saliva, as she cried like a baby. Kelly wanted to beat some sense into Marco but didn't feel tough enough to take him to task, and Tom was in a state of shock, sitting there with tears and mascara running from all three of his eyes.

"Earth Turd you… you son of a… Dammit!" Ponyhead was crying rainbow tears as she rammed her horn into the crystal box over and over again. She always thought the turd was okay and just took everything in stride. She didn't expect him to be utterly broken and hollow inside.

Half of the room was up in flames due to the fact that Hekapoo was in a rage and it was everything Rhombulus and Omnipraxus could do to keep her from assaulting her protege. Wrathmeliore was crying small rivlets of lava that kept hardening into obsidian on contact with the ground.

"Damn… and we treated him like shit," Old Guy sighed through his beard.

"We done fucked up," Babyman agreed.

"Kid's a fucking badass!" Sir Stabby said in a rare show of praise.

"A man amongst men," Sir Dashing added, blowing his nose on a handkerchief.

Lady Whosits was solemn. Her expression forlorn at the lengths, she and her fellow knights went in their treatment of Marco Diaz. "He's broken is what he is, Mewni broke him. We broke him. We took his hopes, his dreams, his aspirations, and we shattered them all to pieces. Took everything he could ever want and destroyed it and made him watch."

Angie and Rafael… well they looked as broken as their son did.

"Rafael?" Angie asked in a quiet tone.

"Yes Angie?" Rafael asked in a choked up tone. He was always the more emotional of the two of them.

"Did we, somewhere along the line, fail our Mijo as parents?" Angie asked herself with tears silently falling from her eyes. "We've always wanted him to be happy, healthy, and encouraged him to chase his dreams haven't we? So how? How did he end up like this?"

"It's not," Star hiccuped as she sat up her eyes red and puffy from crying, "It's not your fault Angie, Rafael. It's mine, all of it. If I had never come to Earth in the first place, Marco would still be your happy lovable son. I did this to him, I… broke him."

"Star," Moon said, doing her best to force herself to stop crying, for it seemed even Moon 'The Undaunted' wasn't immune to something like this, "It's not all your fault dear. We all have a part to play in this travesty."

"You'll forgive me, but I fail to see my part Moon," David said dryly. "As far as I'm concerned the boy brought this on himse..." David didn't get to finish as River's hands were wrapped around his neck and he had a look of utter murder in his eyes.

"Not. Another. Word. Lucitor. Or so help me, if my name isn't River Johansen Butterfly, I'll kill you right here!" River screamed at him with his hands wrapped around the man's throat. This was like the Silver Bell Ball, but many, many times amplified. David, despite being a powerful Warlock, hadn't even seen River move.

Then, Wrathmelinor did something unexpected. She picked her husband up by his cloak and flung him through the viewing box. Then she screamed something in Demonic after his falling body. Funnily enough Dave looked completely bored at the situation and went poof.

"Well," Janna said in a half sobbed chuckle, "I think your dad's definitely sleeping on the couch tonight Tom."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing his name, Tom finally roused from his stupor, something even seeing his mother chuck his father out down a thousand foot drop couldn't achieve. "Yeah, yeah I guess so. I… does anyone else hear that?"

Everyone listened for a moment.

Thunk… thunk… thunk.

It was a dull, constant thunk echoing from the stairs, and it seemed to be growing closer. Then there was a long scraping noise like nails on a chalkboard, or more precisely metal on stone, followed by a brief silence before two monsters in Gladiator Armor entered the VIP box. One was a giant black bear wearing matching blue and silver trimmed cestus' on its forearms, and the second was a mecha in the resemblance akin to a knight, white with a red trim pattern weilding an energy sword of all things.

They smacked their weapons together and announced in reverental tones. "Now presenting his eminent one, Champion of the Crucible Arena, the Scarlet Executioner, Marco Ubaldo Diaz!"

The bear pulled the satin crimson curtain aside from the entrance and allowed a very tired Marco into the VIP Room. He stopped eyes widening as he looked around at all the familiar faces that should not be there, Espicially not his fucking parents. And especially, especially not her.

The platter fell from his grip, the head rolling across the floor as Marco hit his knees his eyes filled with utter horror as they locked with Stars… Then, he screamed at this living nightmare. "NooOOOOOOooo!" It was like a banshee's wail, a shriek to announce the dying. "You can't, you can't be here, you can't fucking 'be here'!" Marco denied with every fiber of his being shaking his head as if trying to deny reality itself. It was that, that look of utter horror and dread in his eyes as he locked eyes with hers that cemented it for Star. This was all her fault. She watched as Marco grabbed his head and dragged his gauntleted, nails down his cowled scalp, screaming. "No. No! NO!"

And as screamed he bent over himself his chains uncoiling all the while as they began lashing out at anything, everything, and nothing at all, like trained dogs sensing their master's distress and trying to ward it away. The khopesh blades smashed into the ceiling, the walls, the floor, they sliced clean through tables and couches, and one lucky swipe even gave Wrathmelior the equivalent of a papercut, causing her to suck her finger in pain.

The chains and blades smashed into the crystal viewing box, embedding themselves into it, then ripping themselves out as everyone got as far away from Marco as they could. River and Moon had to use all of their combined strength to keep Star away from the denial screaming boy while Kelly had taken to hiding the Diaz' safely in her hair.

Then, just as suddenly as the shitstorm began, it ended. For Marco had been banished to places unknown, and in the place where he once crouched, stood Wicked K. The god of this dimension snapped his fingers and the viewing box was once again spotless. Another snap and Ivan's head was once more on its silver platter. He then walked forwards and placed it on the table in front of a stunned Higgs.

"This, I believe was meant for you my dear. One enemy's head served on a silver platter. As is Marco's custom."

Wicked K then turned to the others. "As for the rest of you, I must ask that you leave. You are upsetting one of my best gladiators."

Angie made her way forward out of Kelly's hair, fire burning in her eyes that was a mix of motherly wrath and pregnancy hormones. "Where is my son Mister Kay?"

Wicked K bowed profusely. "I apologize madam, but you cannot see him right now. He is in no state to be receiving visitors."

Angie stalked up towards her host, having zero fucks to give about his demigod status as he poked him hard enough in the chest to make him stumble back. "Where. Is. My. Baby. Boy?!"

The gladiators growled and moved forward only for Wicked K to raise his hand. He spoke in a soft, understanding tone. "Misses Diaz, you do not understand. Marco is neither mentally nor emotionally fit to see anyone at the moment. The only thing sending you to where he is would achieve, would be the death of both you, and your unborn daughter."

"A daughter… but, but what kind of mother can call myself I if I can't even comfort my Mijo when he's hurting like this? Can I even call myself a mother if I can't help him now of all times?"

Wicked K gently took Angie's hand in his pale clawed own. "Madam Angeline, you have my solemn vow as Lord of the Crucible. Once Marco is able, you will see him again, that I guarantee…" Wicked K shook his head solemnly. "Now is not that time. Only tragedy awaits if you see him."

"Can you at least show us where you sent him?" Janna asked, her arms crossed.

The King of the Crucible sighed, not liking what he was about to do. "I really shouldn't for there is nothing to see but more heartbreak." He sighed again before twirling his cane through the air, revealing a viewing portal.

(Optional Music- Comatose by Skillet)

Marco lay crouched in a room made out of stained glass and mirrors. All around him were scenes of familiar images. The floor was a mosaic pattern of Tom and Star dancing at the Silver Bell Ball, on the walls were stained glass window pictures of Marco and Star dancing under the Blood Moon, Marco's semi failed date with Jackie that ended with them fighting Ludo. One of many scenes of Janna stealing his wallet, a picture of Hekapoo granting him his own dimensional scissors. Star, in her golden Mewberty Form blasting Toffee to dust, and one of Kelly munching on a Goblin Dog, symbolising their first meeting.

"What's so bad about that place?" Hekapoo who had finally managed to get herself under control asked. "It looks pleasant."

"Wait for it," Wicked K replied with sadness in his tone. The anvil was about to drop soon enough.

Suddenly the faces on the tile floor animated and began talking to Marco. "Wow," Tom started. "Did you actually think you had a chance with her? She's a princess you idiot! You… you're nothing. Less than nothing."

"He's right, Diaz," Star's mosaic replied with scorn in her tone. "You and I… Well," She scoffed. "We're as different as night and day, we come from two differnet worlds literally! Why would I, a royal born princess ever consent to, or even think of being with a no status peasant like you in the first place when Tom can offer me the Underworld and so much more?"

"Shut up," Marco said weakly.

Star's voice raged at him. This one coming from the stained glass picture of her dancing with him at the Blood Moon Ball. "You ruin everything! Just like you always do! I couldn't even go out and be with the one person I really wanted to be with and share a nice dance with him! As you had to butt into that too!"

"Stop it!" Marco raised his voice.

"Why?" Mewberty Form Star asked in a spiteful tone. "Why did you let me die Marco? Why do you have to be so weak? So weak you couldn't even avenge my death after it happened?"

"I did! I did avenge your death!" Marco screamed into the empty air.

"Long, long after the fact Marco… far too long after the fact for it to matter," Mewberty Form Star said spitefully.

"She's right you know?" Toffee added. "So you managed to punch a hole straight through my chest. Big deal. In the end, it didn't do anything. You're the same as when I first met you, a disappointment."

"I took pity on you, you know?" Hekapoo's visage spoke. "I mean, it was kinda hard not to. You are just so damn pathetic. It took you sixteen years! Sixteen years, to hunt down all my clones after awhile it just got so damn boring, watching you flounder around like a fish on dry land and I really wanted you out of my hair."

"I earned these fucking scissors, I bled, sweat, and cried for them!" Marco screamed.

"Well, you certainly did a lot of crying," the faux-Hekapoo mocked, "But I dunno about all the rest of that."

Janna's image piped up next. "You've always been such a damn easy mark Diaz! I mean, it's not like we've ever been friends or anything but you are just so damn easy… plus with all the info I have on you, how hard do you think it would be for me to make you disappear permanently?"

Jackie went next, "Why the hell did you ever even bother to speak to me? Like seriously, we could've just gone on nodding at each other through the rest of highschool and I would've been perfectly happy. Instead you have to go and talk to me, ask me out, I take pity on you and take you to the school dance and what do you do? You bitch and moan all night, and not in the good way, before taking me to a rat infested graveyard to save Princess fucking Peach… again!"

Last up was Kelly. "I know you like me Marco and that's real sweet and all but there's no way I would ever consider dating you! You're a human and humans are just so frail and squishy… Still you're nicer than Tad. So there may be a possibility."

"Shut up, shut up shut up! All of you shut the fuck UP!" Then there was a massive explosion of raw power that shattered the glass and destroyed the floor. Glass rained down on Marco like death, and shards clinked off its armor while his chains deflected the rest. Leaving Marco standing there in a ruin… one that rapidly began to repair itself. Within under a minute the chapel was pristine again and then, the nightmaish process began all over again.

With a snap of his fingers, Wicked K closed the portal in front of his shocked audience. Kelly was the first to speak. "What the fuck was that?!"

"That, my dear Kelly Wootz was Marco Ubaldo Diaz' happy place."

"Uhh excueeze me?" Ponyhead said, "Ain't nothin' fuckin' happy about a damn thang we just saw, you heard? So pull-eaze pull the other horn."

Wicked K shook his head. "You don't understand. In the Crucible every warrior is granted a room, one that is supposed to represent their happy place. The place they feel most relaxed and at home. It is to be a refuge, a reprieve, a place where one can rest and gather strength for their next bout in the arena… only Marco has no happy place."

The King of the Crucible looked to Star and he began a slow sarcastic clap. "I do believe we have you to thank for that the most Princess Butterfly. I must say my dear, that in all my many thousands of years in existence, I have never in all my days met a human so broken in body, mind, and soul as Marco. Why, I feel the urge to recommend Lucifer himself to come to you for tips on how to break a man so completely. You truly are, a natural at it."

Something in Star snapped at Wicked K's mocking. She threw herself at him like a savage animal screaming. "I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL MOTHER FUCKING KILL YOU, YOU PIECE OF CORN SHIT!"

Once again River and Moon had to use all of their non too prodigious strength to hold their now savage daughter at bay even as she clawed and bit and spat like a cat trying to be forced into bathwater doing everything she could to get Wicked K within arms reach.

A crack rang out in the air and Star's head roughly jerked to the side, a long thin red mark already forming across her face from where Wicked K had struck her with his cane. Star went limp in her parents arms like a marionette that had its strings cut and for a moment, they thought the Crucible's God had casually broken her neck. It was only when tears began to fall silently from their daughter's eyes that they sighed in relief.

"Why?" Star asked, "Why did this happen to Marco? He was the kindest, sweetest boy I've ever known. He doesn't deserve to hurt like this!"

Despite her earlier behavior Wicked K took a knee and said, "If you seek an answer you needn't look much further than a mirror Star Butterfly. However, even reflections can change, with time. When you look in the mirror and don't like what you see, that means it's time for a change. You seek to change the face of Mewni? To end hundreds of years of racism and bigotry between your forebearers and Monsters and to be a better princess in the process?"

Slowly Star nodded. "All of that, I want all of that…"

"But?" Wicked K prompted.

Star carried on. "But more than any of that. I want Marco my Marco to be the happy helpful, fun, danger-loving friend I remember him being, before I crashed into his life and ruined it."

Wicked K smiled but not unkindly. "A tall order princess but not undoable. Remember these words above all else that I will impart to you now… In order to change the world, first we must change ourselves."

Star engraved every word into her memory. "Okay."

Wicked K stood. "Good, you know what you need to do now… so will you all please exit stage left and get the bloody hell out of my dimension?" With a swish of his cane a portal opened and he bowed them all through. "And do come again."

"This isn't over," Hekapoo promised. "We will be back for Marco."

"Of course you will be my dear, but that day is yet to come ta-ta pip pip cheerio and all that." Wicked K replied with a smarmy smirk.

Mister K?" Penelope asked, unsure if she had the right to even address the King of the Crucible.

"Yes my dear Penelope Spiderbite, what can I do for you?" A shot glass full of tequila appeared in his hand, "A nightcap perhaps?"

Penelope shook her head. "No thank you, could you just give Marco my regards when he comes around?"

Wicked K tipped his hat to the girl. "I most certainly will."

Once the last of his guests had finally left, Wicked K stood in the middle of the empty VIP lounge and said to himself. "Well, this is a fine kettle of fish isn't it? Now, how should I go about fixing this mess?"

Chapter Length: 20,975 words Number of pages: 50 Date Completed:

AN: I hate my muse sometimes! Welcome everyone to Scarlet Executioner, likely my most ambitious and emotional Star vs fic to date. This came about from me thinking about something in canon. That simply being: if Marco has been Star's squire, secretly in love with her, and staying up all night watching her so she doesn't sleep portal… When does Marco actually get any sleep himself? My answer was, he doesn't. And secretly harboring feelings for one friend, while feeling he's betraying Tom by even having those feelings, combined with lack of sleep for who knows how many days can lead to all kinds of mental problems. Which leads us here.

I'm already expecting reviews to call Marco 'Emo' in this fic. He's not, he's incredibly mentally disturbed and needs help. There's a big difference. This fic, is about him eventually getting better, and it's going to be an epic journey to get there. I hope you'll all be along for the ride, but for now, I'm going to hand it over to my friendly neighborhood beta, Snowy!

This is a story of recovery from a broken soul. Marco is damaged now and he is hurting. The only problem is his selfless nature makes him attack the only person he will blame. Himself. The conversation of suicide and self hurt in this story is not to be taken lightly. All discussions are serious topics that me and Bubba are handling as delicately as we can. This story is a journey of Marco trying to regain the happiness he has lost. He is hollow now. He sees the world in lies that scream he is the cause of the troubles of those he loves. All he hears are the negatives and nothing good comes from his actions. This is a serious topic that we as writers will handle as delicately as possible. Some humor will be mixed but never to insult this situation but to help and try to bring a small glimmer of sunshine to the raging hurricane that is the majority of this story.

Well said Snowy, this story… It means something special to me as I can empathize with those going through such things. So it'll probably get updated more often than most. That said I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. Till next time everyone, this has been a Babbajack and IcySnowSage Production! Peace!