Hello everyone, back with a major project. This is going to be a long-running (yes, I really mean it this time, have various chapters planned already) story that explores a concept first established by Prinnyramza with his one-shot 'You Wouldn't Even Notice'. I highly encourage you to give that a read if you have the time. You don't need to read that to understand this premise but I was inspired by that concept and ran with it.
This is a love letter to the entire show and considering Star Vs is almost at its final episode, I wanted to celebrate the series with another massive 'Quest for the Falling Star' or 'Connecting Troubled Souls' caliber project. Hope you all enjoy. Special thanks goes out to Blackwolf for being my beta reader and giving me pointers on a few ideas.
Panic quickly took over Star as she kicked open the door to a locker. Stumbling to her feet, she blinked seeing not the Monster Temple but rather… Echo Creek? Star scratched her head, wondering how the heck she wound up here. One moment she was in day-dream land after having some breakfast, the next she 'woke up' in her old stomping grounds. "Anyone hereeeeee?" Star shouted, but her voice simply echoed across the empty halls. "Huh…" Star fixed her teal dress and pondered her current situation.
Not time travel, past events told me to stay far away from that. She shivered at helping Pony Head out of her jam a year back. But a quick flash to that Beach Day photo Star had firmly hung by her nightstand made her second guess that logic. Alarming her though, was the sound of a familiar voice coming from around the corner. She quickly dashed toward it, magic charging through Star's vanes. Making a quick peek around the corner, she saw a sight oddly familiar. It was of herself, about a year or so younger, wearing Marco's hoodie like that fairy tale he read her that one time. Even her favorite pig-goat Moon let her rode time to time Lil Chauncey was guiding Star.
"This isn't right…" Star said aloud softly, leaning on the nearby lockers. "I don't have the wand anymore, how the heck…" Her eyes went wide upon saying this. Inside the wand… But it's Eclipsa's now. She tapped her chin, walking ahead carelessly through the nearly haunted halls. As she was about to talk again, Star collided with a mess of blond hair, both girls falling on their rears. "Hey! Watch where…"
"How about you watch where…" The voice stopped, blinking and holding out her hand. "Sorry future me didn't see ya there." Star narrowed her eyes, taking her double's hand and getting off the ground. "Here to get the thing that doesn't belong too?"
Star studied her past self seeing… So much hope and joy in her blue eyes. Star wanted to laugh at how that will change in the coming… She once again paused her thought, an idea forming in her mind that even she would question. But after everything… "Yeah, Glossaryck said that if we aren't careful…"
"We can replace ourselves, so you actually listen to him?" The younger Star asked with an eyebrow raised. Both Star's laughed heartily before calming down, letting the school's odd silence linger in the airwaves. "So you found the thing?"
"I think I'm that thing," Star stated, with her younger self simply sighing and walking off. "What? If I'm from the future, how could I belong here?"
"Cause this is our wand silly? Doesn't matter where we come from, we are all Stars." Seeing that her future self was 'stunned' for a moment, Young Star simply walked off, likely running into another version of herself along the way. Star went the other way, a slow jog turning into a full-on sprint.
Getting across the football field using her butterfly form, making the other Star's beneath her gasp in surprise and nearly rolling into the tapestry room or as Star called it 'grandma room', she found Moon's tapestry, holding out her hand and zapping a specific spot. A small, grey finger flopped to the floor. She knelt down, her hand hovering over the object. If I pick this up, everything changes. Mind playing the past year in her mind… She grits her teeth, picking up the finger and holding it up in the air just as a cluster of Star Butterfly's piledriver on her.
Star closed her eyes, expecting to be trapped in the wand like her doubles… Instead, however, she saw her room on Earth, looking as if the past year or so of adventure, heartbreak and more never even happened. Her eyes gravitated saw the spellbook sitting on the floor, the object fully restored. She even saw the fractured wand, incomplete as it was when the unicorn went into it after Toffee's first defeat. Picking up the wand, Star felt it feel… This isn't mine. Star put it down, sighing at herself.
"...I didn't expect this at all," Glossaryck hovered around Star, rubbing his long beard. "This changes everything." Star simply got up, holding Toffee's finger. Taking a deep breath and channeling some of her golden-form magic, she blasted the thing into nothing. What was once a little innocent finger, was a pile of ash. "And why did you do that?"
"He won't be a problem now," Star turned around, folding her arms and harshly poking at Glossaryck. "Now fix the wand with those silkworms of yours. Then we can get the shard from Ludo and maybe him help get out of Toffee's influence." Star started pacing around her room, picking the book of spells off the ground and putting it in her closet. After placing it in a safe place, she locked the door and wiped sweat from her forehead.
"...What happened exactly to make you so mature?" Glossaryck rubbed his chin once more, but Star caught surprise in his tone, not the usual annoying 'I don't care' attitude he usually has. Star simply sat down on her bed, hands clasped together and mind deep in thought. She sat still for a good minute before turning toward Glossaryck.
"How could I enter the wand, when it wasn't mine, to begin with?" Star asked, making Glossaryck sigh, the blue man sitting next to her on the bed. "I gave it back to its rightful owner, so how did I end up inside it like my other selves?"
"I don't know, and I don't say that very often," Glossaryck answered bluntly, closing his eyes and mumbling to himself. Star studied him, hoping for some genuine guidance in this situation. "...All I can say is that given this second chance, don't make the same mistakes…"
"Star! Did you see my hoodie?" Marco pushed open the door, wearing his grey t-shirt and having a somewhat worried look on his face. Star smiled, not even replying to Glossaryck and hugging Marco. "Huh… Are you okay? Look tired." His eyes saw Glossaryck smiling on the bed. "...Another lesson went wrong, huh?"
"It went right actually, just tuckered out," Star smiled sweetly, holding Marco's arm. He blushed at how close she was. I'm not making the same mistakes twice. She thought firmly, guiding the two out of the room. Before she closed the door, Star saw Glossaryck give her a knowing look, one he gave whenever she thought, at least, he was proud of her.
Sitting in the Diaz's kitchen, Star simply watched Marco as he was making the special nacho dip he always made for his trademarked Nachos. Seeing him so blindly happy, not a worry on his expression… What did I do to him? Star thought bitterly, memories of how strained they got in the future playing on loop. "So that lesson really was rough," Star lifted her head up, blinking owlishly at Marco's worried comment. "Never seen you this quiet before."
"Got a lot on my mind," Star smiled, as Marco put down the freshly toasted nachos on the table. He got the mix he just made, slowly pouring it over the delicious corn chips, making Star's mouth water from the downright tempting aroma. "Oh, I love you so much…" Star said in her hunger-infused trance, munching on some of the chips. Marco just stayed frozen, unmoving at Star's comment. After taking a few bites, she looked at Marco in confusion then realized what she just said. Coughing up a nacho, she pat her back, with Marco passing her a cup of water. Taking a large gulp of it down, she blushed vividly, looking away from him. "Uh…"
"You were just commenting on us being great friends, right?" Marco asked carefully, with Star biting her lip. Right… He still likes Jackie. Knowing it's going to be hard to sway Marco in her direction without making things awkward, Star simply gave a nervous smile, standing up and swaying back and forth.
"How about we sit down and talk for a moment. I got a lot on my mind after all," Star started, picking up the nacho plate and darting toward the couch. Marco nervously followed, sitting down next to Star with only the nachos separating them. "...I like you, a lot." She continued, sitting firmly on the couch with not an ounce of worry, fear or anything on her face. I know he likes me too, just can't figure it out yet. Marco's eyes were wide like dinner plates amused her to no end.
"But… I thought you didn't like me that way. Figured as much after…" Star held up her hand, interrupting Marco.
"I didn't reject you at the Blood Moon Ball. I just was confused back then on why you acted like that and was a bit of a jerk," She stated, clasping her hands together. "I… I really loved that dance we shared, seeing your bold side was sweet."
"T-Thanks," Marco replied as he sheepishly rubbed his arm. Star simply looked at Marco, letting the boy collect his thoughts. I'm not rushing things, just nudging them along in the right way. After a good minute or so of silence, Marco leaned forward, eyes locked on the TV before them. "When… When Toffee captured and almost crushed me, I was afraid I would never see you again." Marco looked at his hands, clenching them in and out of fists. "I've been having this odd dream lately, where everyone I know flies away on red balloons and I'm left all alone." He turned to Star, giving a genuine smile. "But you didn't leave, you kept saying my name." He then frowned and covered his face. "I've been talking about Jackie non-stop lately and you even heard me during that sleepover." Marco's mind then clicked on something, sharply turning to Star. "Wait a minute, so you were the one that lied to that death cube!"
Star waved her hand like incoming death meant nothing, making Marco laugh sheepishly in response. "Yeah, almost killed us to hide my feelings. Not the worst thing I did about that…"
"What did you…" Marco raised a finger when Star just kissed him on the cheek, silencing him in the spot. "H-Huh… You just…"
"I just did, cutie." Star winked, making Marco blush another shade of red that nearly matched his iconic hoodie. "I'm not going to rush this, but…" She took Marco's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "I know our friendship is special, so let's let it develop, you know?"
Marco squeezed her hand back, a warm smile itching across his still red cheeks. "I… I would like that too." They looked at the TV, seeing it's blank screen staring at them. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"You know it," Star leaned closer to Marco, him closing his eyes… "Movie marathon for the next five hours! And we got your super awesome nachos to enjoy boyfriend," Star replied slyly, with Marco sighing and laying back in the couch, seeing the latest superhero movie that he got for their Friendship Thursdays. It's been so long since I had one of these… Star thought to herself, the last time this even happened was… When I was on Earth. Shaking her thoughts on her future that will never happen now, she just relished finally. Finally getting what she wanted for nearly two years.
Ludo was pacing around his cave, trying to get his stupid wand to work. Why isn't this working?! He hissed, waving it around like a caveman's club. He nearly socked one of his many rat minions in the face, it ducking before the impact could hit. Other rats simply tilted their heads before scurrying away. Bird and Spider, the ever-loyal pets, just stayed at their post, watching their master have his usual bout of insanity.
They looked at one another, with Bird tilting her head as if gesturing spider to check up on their master. Spider shook her heard before Bird poked one of Spider's many eyes. Hissing in annoyance, Spider scuttled into the monster temple, rubbing up against Ludo. "I said…." He saw Spider, the creature purring in worriment. "...Sorry girl, just having a rough time today. This stupid thing won't…"
"Because the magic in that wand is gone," Ludo and Spider turned toward a voice, coming from Glossaryck himself, riding on the spellbook of all things. "My student told me something I never expected about my silkworms, so…" He grabbed the wand from Ludo and suddenly snapped it in half.
"THAT'S MY WAND YOU BROKE! GIRLS, ATTAAAAAAACK!" Ludo shouted at the top of his lungs. They were going to attack, Ludo's rag-tag army, but Glossaryck snapped his fingers, pinning them all in place.
"I'm helping you," Glossaryck stated softly, holding up a very small star-shard. He picked up a nearby bone, squeezing one of his eyes to drop some liquid on the object. It glowed a faint golden, no green magic in sight. The wand, only this time having a small crystal in the shape of a circle, was given to Ludo. He was surprised at how it mirrored a miniature version of his staff. "Now, my students will be visiting you. Eventually. But you shouldn't be hearing voices from a friend anymore."
"Oh… Okay." Ludo replied, fingers brushing against his new wand. "W-Why did you help me?" Glossaryck paused, rubbing his long beard. He sighed, turning around and facing Ludo, having a thin expression on his face.
"At some point, you are going to play a role. Just giving you the tools needed for that," He snapped his fingers, vanishing in an instant, and Ludo's army crashing into one another from Glossyarck's time spell wearing off. Ludo just sat down in the corner, his fingers brushing over the magical object.
Unknowing to Ludo, was a large bird creature just like him, watching form the distance. "Brother…" He muttered worriedly, flying off after noticing Spider watching him.
In another time, the monster temple was getting ready for an upcoming event, with Star supposedly set it up… But she wasn't anywhere in sight. This isn't like her… Marco thought to himself, looking all over the castle. Marco looked through a planner he's been using the past few months, helping with event organization for both Star's very active plans a few months ago and with everything she's done to help Eclipsa.
He headed up to the many stairs in the temple, wondering if she went to their secret spot for a quick bite to eat. I need to get more Sugar Seeds… Marco pondered, but his eyes blinked at the passed out figure of Star laying on the ground, a bowl of cereal covering her face. "Star!" Marco shouted, rushing to her side.
"Marco… I'm sleeping still…" Star moaned, not budging an inch. Marco groaned, remembering how she acted waking up for school. Nudging her some more, Star pushed Marco away and got up. "Yesh, I'm sleeping here…" Rubbing her eyes, Star blinked at her surroundings. "...Where am I?"
"This isn't the time for jokes, we gotta help set up Eclipsa's meeting with the Spiderbites. I don't even WANT to imagine what Meteora is doing to Tom right now…" Marco commented but Star backed away. "Star… You okay?"
"W-Where am I?" Star looked down at herself, seeing the dress she hated wearing. And her hair in that constrictive bun… Marco slowly walked toward her, Star's panicked state noticing him keeping distance for whatever reason. "Why are you mentioning Tom and what do you mean Eclipsa is freed?!"
"What are you talking about, Tom is your boyfriend," Marco tried to sound respectful saying that but it still came out as venom on his tongue. Come on, you will get used to it eventually… "And Eclipsa got freed after we defeated Toffee… Wait, why am I saying this, you know all this already."
"N-No…" Star covered her face, feeling the world crashing down on her. "I… I can't breathe." Marco rushed to her side but Star started screaming, pushing further into the temple. Marco knew something wasn't right, dashing after Star. Nearly colliding and saying various 'sorries' to Monster and Mewman workers, he eventually found Star's room. She was curled in a ball on her bed, tears coming down her cheeks.
Marco simply sat down on the bed, awkwardly rubbing her back to try and soothe her. "Star, what's going on? I haven't seen you act like this in a long time." Star just threw herself at Marco, hugging him as if he would vanish. "S-Star…" Marco wasn't sure what to do, but he simply embraced her.
"I… I'm a princess…" Marco bit his lip, letting Star vent in his arms. "I… I lost you, didn't I?" She pulled away, giving him a somber expression. You can never lose me. As 'wrong' as this might be, he simply put both his hands on her shoulders and bored into her eyes.
"I made a promise to never leave your side, during those squire vows," Star wiped her face, giving a weak smile in response. "Can you tell me what happened? You're acting like the past year or so didn't happen."
"I woke up, thinking I got the 'thing' that didn't belong back, but instead, I woke up in this castle," Star put her hands on her lap, unable to look at Marco's face. "I don't know why all this happened and…" Star clenched her right hand, surprised at not having her trusty wand by her side. "Wait… Where's my wand?"
"You gave it to Eclipsa, because…" Marco's eyes dilated. No… No way. Did Star pull time travel again? I thought we agreed to NEVER do that again after the deep trouble incident. Marco let go of Star, rubbing his chin deep in thought. "Never mind that." Marco took Star's hand, giving a serious expression. "We need to visit Father Time later and figure out how this happened. First though… Can you cast any magic at all?"
Star got out of her bed and focused on her right palm. After a few seconds of strained movements, only a baby narwal escaped her palm. "I can use wandless magic?!" Star clenched her hands into fists, trying all sorts of spells. Marco smiled seeing Star's joyful demeanor return somewhat seeing small versions but still variations, of many her iconic spells. Star gave Marco a joyful smile, melting his heart. Now's not the time to be smitten again, Diaz. Marco forced himself to think, walking over to Star and took her hand. "Thank you for calming me down. So what's it I have to do with Eclipsa now? I thought she was evil…"
"Long story but the short version is she's the current Queen of Mewni and we have a meeting with the Spiderbites. I told Tom to watch Meteora when we couldn't find you, so... " Marco groaned, being reminded of Tom's relationship with Star. How am I going to explain this… Marco sighed, rubbing his forehead for a moment before shaking off newfound worry. "Anyway, I'll stay close by but don't worry. You've dealt with royals before coming to Earth, right?" Star blinked, tilting her head to the right confused. "...We are in trouble."
