Disclaimer: I don't own Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil!
Title: Sealed Lips
Summary: In which Star, after giving up her wand and resigning as a princess, has become a captain of the royal guard, with lieutenant Marco Diaz as her right hand. Queen Pony Head finds herself in danger from some familiar faces, and Star finds herself questioning her decision to back down.
Chapter Title: The Pony.
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werepirechick- Star doesn't have the heart to sit back in luxury while others suffer, no. =)
loonytunecrazy- Thanks!
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It wasn't much later that the doors to the upper balcony were thrown open. The lone figure of queen Pony Head floated into the room, eyes bright with excitement.
"Heeey! S'good to see all of you! This is a killer party, huh?"
She listened to the polite clapping of the royals and the cheers of the guards with a self-satisfied nod.
"Don't ever be afraid to be loud in my castle. Scream and shout; bring the roof down!" She cleared her throat. "Anyway. I just want to say this; all of my folks from Uni? You're my friends. Not my best friends- spots taken, sorry- but my best-est not besties. And if you know me, then you know jus' how protective I am of my friends. Ain't none of you got anythin' to fear; I'll fight to the death for you, you hear?"
The shouts of glee informed her that she'd indeed been heard. Pony Head let out a laugh of triumph. "Enough mushy stuff! I'm queen now, and I say we get to partyin'!"
With that, she leapt from the balcony and plunged into the crowds below.
"She's certainly... different." River commented blandly.
"She may be a bit odd, but she cares about her people." Ex-king Pony Head rumbled. "The ponies of Uni will be in good hooves, so to speak."
They both glanced to captain Diaz without a word, quietly watching from a corner. Her shoulders were slumped slightly, her eyes troubled.
"She's putting herself through a lot of unnecessary pain." King Butterfly sighed, comparing the two females without meaning to.
"I don't know about unnecessary." The old stallion returned. "She's very happy in her line of work."
"Tell me, friend." River turned to him slowly. "You don't seem very surprised. You never did. How long have you known this would happen?"
"Since our daughters were young, of course." He gave the floating head equivalent of a shrug. "Queen Pony Head may be brash, but she'll do what she has to for her people. If she was required to send her armies into battle, she would. Star could only bare to do so if she were leading, or at the very least, part of that army, fighting the same battle they were. She can't allow them to suffer alone. It's not the mentality of a long-lived queen, I must say."
"I suppose that's our fault." River said. "Letting the guard babysit her."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. You can always have another."
"We don't want another one." He stated, running his fingers through his beard thoughtfully. "I just don't know what to do."
He glanced around the room a bit, then leaned closer. "Let me tell you a royal secret. It wasn't until recently that we began having one or two offspring. It was tradition for a king and queen to have at least five, depending on the dimension."
"Of course. Everyone knows that."
"And those offspring spread their blood elsewhere, after a prince or princess was chosen." He finished grimly. "It's more than possible that you're related to many commoners. Some might even be around Star's age. Have them followed. Choose the best one; name them your heir. It's that simple."
"And if that doesn't work?"
Ex-king Pony Head didn't answer for a long moment. "Then Star may have no choice than to step into the role of royalty."
Marco stumbled over not long afterwards, legs like jello. "What is it with Uni-folk and dancing?"
Star laughed. "It's a cultural thing, Marco. Lot's of Uni's dance."
"It's crazy. How can you keep up so easily?"
"You seem to be forgetting that I grew up with one." She replied, smug. "But what about you? You kill it on the dance floor."
"Eh." Marco shrugged. "I'm more of a slow-dance kinda guy when it's not individual. Speaking of." He held out a hand for her to take. "Friendly dance?"
"Hey, I'm always up for a good shindig." Star took it, grinning ear to ear. "Let's do this."
"Ahem."
The captain and lieutenant both jumped, exchanging a guilty look- they were on duty, not to mention in different ranks, and being so overly close can lead to embarrassment on the royal guard's part, should someone feel the need to bring it up- before twisting around.
Her majesty, queen Pony Head, didn't seem fazed by the display. "Hello."
"Your highness!" Flustered, Star dropped into a bow, Marco close behind. "I apologize; I didn't hear you coming."
"Rise, captain. As I'm sure you've noticed, I'm not of Mewni blood. You have no reason to bow. 'Sides, totally cramps my style."
"Er, right." The captain stood and coughed into a fist, eyes averted. "Is there anything you require, highness?"
"As awesome as this party is, I need some air." Pony Head announced. "But I'd rather be accompanied by you, captain Diaz, over my own guards. Blah blah blah politics, blah blah blah connections; I just want some company that ain't gonna fuss with every inch I float, if you know what I mean. Will you be that company?"
"Well..." She looked to Marco, making sure her presence wouldn't be missed. He nodded brightly.
"Dancing can wait."
"Okay then!" She chirped, perking up. "I'd be honored, your majesty. Lieutenant Diaz, watch the men while I'm gone. Make sure they don't end up on the chopping block before midnight. Got it?"
"Got it." He gave an informal salute and strolled away.
To anyone watching, queen Pony Head and captain Diaz looked to be the example of professionalism. The queen's snout was high in the air, floating at a leisurely pace. Diaz obediently marched behind her, hand on her mace protectively.
As soon as they enter the garden outside, however, that quickly gets stripped away. Pony Head wheeled around with what can best be described as a squeal, ramming into the girl's arms for a hug.
"B-fly! I'm so glad you could make it, girl. You and Earth Turd."
"Same." Star laughed. "I was starting to think you didn't, though."
"What? That whole indifferent thing?" The Uni dismissed with rolled eyes. "Look, I know how things have been tight between you and your folks-"
"Technically, I'm not allowed to call them my folks anymore." She admitted with a sigh. "Hence the 'Diaz.'"
"Ex-folks. Whatever. I just thought I wouldn't make things any harder for you, girlfriend! They probably wouldn't be too happy if they spotted the queen 'a Uni hanging out with the captain of the royal guard, you know?"
"Actually, I'm only a captain. There's more than one."
"Stop correcting me."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Anyway. Forget stupid regulations." Pony Head eyed her armor with a smile. "You're a captain now! That's awesome! Why didn't you tell me, B-fly?"
"Well, it's not like I could just drop into Uni with my new helmet, you know? I was gonna wait until things blew over, then stop for a visit." Star hesitated, looking away sheepishly. "You should probably stop calling me B-fly, actually. Seeing how I'm not a Butterfly anymore."
"You kiddin' me? Nuh-uh." She jerked her head side to side in a shaking gesture. "They'll pry that nickname from my cold, dead jaws. That's my special name for you; I've been calling you B-fly since I was a little filly!"
"I know, I know. I just don't want to cause you more trouble than I have to, you know?"
Pony Head stared her down. "B-fly... your folks aren't actually enforcing all this old law junk, are they?"
"What? No!" She waved her arms and bit her lip. "But you know how the old stuffed shirts get."
"I know I don't care. And it says a lot that they do." A blue snout bumped her head affectionately. "You and Marco'll always be welcome under my roof, you hear?"
"I hear you. You're the best bestie ever, you know that?"
"Aww, you makin' me blush. But same here. I'm lucky to have an awesome best bestie who leads men into battle all cool-like. Even if she does have another best friend."
"Hey now, you just proclaimed the entire kingdom of Uni as your best friends. You can't make fun of me anymore."
"I said they were besties. Not best besties."
"Ah, whatever." Star cheerfully waves a hand, eyes bright. "Come on, you've got to show me around your new place."
"Sure, girl." She agreed easily, but it was Star who led them into the shadows.
In the distance, a twig snapped. Pony Head glanced over her shoulder, eyes narrowed, before floating after the girl into the moonlit garden.
Author's Note: I actually like Pony Head, which I'm learning is a bit odd for this fandom.
Yeah, she's loud.
Yeah, she's rude.
Yeah, she threatened to hurt Marco.
No, she's not always a good creature.
Insecurity is a funny thing, and works in not-so-funny ways. I appreciate that she had a reaction like that, but they didn't immediately tear her and Star's friendship apart because 'well if she's jealous obviously she's not worth it.' I hate that trope.
-Mandaree1