Disclaimer: I do not own svtfoe. All rights go to disney.

Chapter 1

After a battle with Ludo again in Marco's backyard, Star and Marco went back in the house to take a breather. "Man Ludo and his monsters are getting stronger and smarter somehow." Star said as she was breathing heavily. "Yeah he is Star, and he almost got the wand." Marco said looking down.

Usually he has no problem handling Ludo's men with his karate, but this fight was different. The monsters were stronger this time and he felt that his karate wasn't much help to him. He almost let Ludo and his men get the wand from his friend (and crush) Star. Marco wasn't sure when he started to catch feelings for the magical princess from mewni, but he believed it was sometime during the blood moon ball. The way she looked into his eyes and how they swayed and danced together in the night made his heart race and his face turn hot and red. Good thing he was wearing a mask so she couldn't see his blushing face. Marco felt weaker and he wanted to protect his best friend. But he felt completely useless during the whole fight. He wanted to be stronger. He wanted to be one of the greatest fighters ever just so he can protect his messed up twin.

Star knew how he felt and she wanted to find a way to cheer him up somehow "Marco don't worry about it. Im fine and I still have the wand. We just need to be prepared for next time." She said trying to get his friend to stop beating himself up for his weakness. "Yeah but i'm supposed to protect you star. And I couldn't do anything out there." He placed both of his hands over his eyes. "Look Marco, lets just call it a night and i'll take you to the bounce lounge tomorrow and we can have your awesome nachos." She said as she got excited for mentioning his famous nachos that are to die for.

"Yeah i guess you're right Star." He said with sadness in his voice. She walked up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek. "G'night Marco." She said sweetly. Marco stared at her as she was walking upstairs to her room. Good thing she left already or it would be really awkward when she sees the color of his face matching his hoodie.

Marco then stared at the floor for a bit. He knew that he wasn't gonna get any sleep tonight after what happened. He decided to go take a walk into the neighborhood to clear his mind and hoping that he would forget about how much of a help he was to his best friend.

Later

Marco still couldn't shake the feeling of guilt surrounding him. He still felt as if he was no use to Star anymore. He didn't want the mewnian princess to look down on him in dissapointment. He felt ashamed and embarrassed after the fight and he just couldn't shake the feeling of it. He wanted to find a way to get stronger.

Suddenly Marco overheard a small crowd in an ally rooting and placing bets on something. He decided to go check out what it was. He squeezed through the crowd of people that looked like a group of thugs and brawlers. As he finally got through the crowd, he sees two people in the middle of the alley that appear to be fighters.

"Hey what's going on here? What is this?" he asks one of the street fighter in curiosity. "Pfffttt. Kid isn't it past your bedtime. You shouldn't be out here." the street fighter says with a chuckle.

Marco was about to ask him again when all of a sudden the fight started. The 2 fighters were throwing punches and kicks everywhere like an intense boxing and karate match. Marco was watching in amazement as the fighters were blocking every punch and moving swiftly and fast.

The fight eventually ended with a fighter wearing a black hoodie with no sleeves knocked the shirtless fighter out with a right hook. Half of the crowd groaned as they had to pay up to others they placed a bet with as the other half of the crowd was cheering with excitement while they were collecting their money.

A man with a leather jacket walks up and raises the Black hooded fighters right arm for his victory. "Anyone else want to get their hands dirty and face the winner here!" he shouted as he tried to get more volunteers, but everyone else was just taking a step back with their heads nodding sideways.

Marco thinks about it for a moment. He needed to see if he was really strong enough and a great fighter. He needed to see if all that training he has been putting up with in karate has really paid off. He needed to see if he was ready for the next level. He needed to see for Star.

Marco threw his hoodie on and stepped up. "I challenge him!" Marco shouted with determination. The crowd of fighters only chuckled and laugh. "Kid, aren't you a bit young for this? How about you run along to your parents?" The black hooded fighter said as he laughed a bit louder.

"I said I challenge you." Marco says once again looking into the fighters eyes filled with determination and courage. "Hmph, fine kid but don't blame me if you end up in the hospital." the fighter said. The man in the leather jacket steps out of the area for Marco and the black hooded fighter to throw down.

"BEGIN!" shouted the man in the leather jacket as he rapidly throws his hand down for them to start.

The black hooded fighter was throwing both right and left hooks at Marco only for him to easily block and dodge them. Marco finds an opening and he uppercuts the black hooded fighter a few steps back. Marco then jumps forwards and kicks the fighter in the stomach and gets him to the crash into a few trash cans. The crowd had their jaws drop as they see a 14 year old knock the unconscious fighter into a few trash can.

The man in a leather jacket walks up to Marco and offers him a handshake. "You're good kid, never seen anyone fight like that before. What's your name?" Marco smiles and reaches his hand out to the man and shakes his hand "Its Marco Diaz." he says feeling proud of his victory. "Well Marco, the names Cass. say why don't you join us? We have fight nights every night at 10. You can also make a lot of money on this."

"Yeah, sounds great!" Marco says with excitement in his voice. He feels like he finally has a way to improve and to be stronger. He feels like he finally found a way to protect star.

"Great kid. Now run along now before anyone finds ya. Meet at the old warehouse down the road from here at 10" Cass says to the new fighter. "Yes sir." Marco says with cheer as the crowd goes up to him to give him cheers and high fives. "Welcome to the family Marco." one of the street fighters says while ruffling his hair. Marco felt like he was gonna enjoy his new family.

Midnight

Marco quietly opened his front door making sure his parents or Star wouldn't hear him. He quietly tip toed his way to his room and walks in quietly. He puts on his pjs and got in his bed.

"Best night ever." he says to to himself as he falls to sleep with a smile on his face.