Hey guys, I'm stuck on chapter 7 right now and am currently banging my head against the wall trying to figure out how to continue with Marco's time on Earth. While i try to get past this point of soul crushing despair at my utter inability to finish the chapter, there may be a bit more of a wait than usual. Sorry guys.

"I'm sorry Star, but it has to be done. After the Ruberiot escapade the people no longer trust your father or I. They trust you though."

Star looked up at her mother. "What? Why trust me?"

Moon smiled and had a look of pure pride at what her daughter did. "It seems the truth was the right call sweetie. You were the reason the truth got out and due to your honesty you are viewed in a better light. They feel you will lead them down a better path."

"Okay, but I still don't understand, why give me the crown just because of that?"

"There is more to being queen than just ruling, Star. The crown only has as much power as the people choose to give it." Moon let out a sigh, "Since the people no longer support your father and I, every day we remain on the throne increases the risk of insurrection. Mewni cannot afford this at such a critical time and the people need a leader they trust. I'm doing this for the good of the kingdom."

"But I don't know how to run a kingdom! I don't know the first thing about being queen." Star was desperate to change her mothers mind. How could she possibly hope to lead?

"Star, I will still be there to help you. You will be queen but I will help guide you through it and handle the more complex issues, but you must take the throne."

"Fine. We should get ready for the meeting." Star was not happy about her mother just dropping this bombshell on her and needed to vent. "I'm going to the garden to try... try to calm down."

Moon cast Star a worried glance. "Alright sweetie, we still have about an hour. I'll see you then." Moon went to leave.

"Oh, and Mom."

"Yes dear?" Moon said, turning.

"We are not done here."

Stars voice was icy and this worried Moon. Frowning she simply replied, "Very well dear." and hurried off.

Heading to the garden, Star began to go through everything in her head. Her best friend for years was now dead, murdered by the very enemy she failed to stop. Toffee's new powers were her fault, and by extension, so was her friends death.

Once Star reached the garden she sat underneath her favorite tree. It was an old pomegranate tree that, before earth, had been her favorite place to relax and take a break from her usual craziness. She didn't know why but she always felt calm here, able to think.

Sadly the ability to think did not help her state of mind. She blamed herself for all of it. So many deaths, all because she failed to stop Toffee. Star was near the breaking point. She wanted to scream but instead sat on the stone bench under the tree. Hugging herself she continued thinking of everything she believed could have done differently.

I should have objected to bringing them into this. I should have been there to help them. Their deaths are on my hands. It's all my fault.

Star heard flames sprout up behind her, followed by a cough. "Huh, cool. The old tree's still here."

Star, shaken from her self destructive thoughts, whirled, only to come face to face with Tom. "HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE!?" Etheria had the castle warded six ways to Sunday. For Tom to so easily appear before her within it's walls, well, it was impossible.

"Star, that isn't important right now. We need to talk." Tom sounded desperate, his eyes pleading.

"No Tom. Go away." Star began to walk away.

Tom gave an irritated growl. He spoke his next words softly so Star could barely hear. "I'm sorry Star, not this time." He grabbed star by the shoulders and immediately materialized within his home.

Star twisted away from him, glaring. "What do you want Tom! What is so damn important that you had to abduct me!?"

Tom just stared at her, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"What the hell is so amusing?!" Star snapped.

"Since when do you curse?" Tom was barely keeping himself from bursting out in laughter.

Star immediately flushed and went to hit him only to have Tom sidestep her with every attempted strike.

"Sorry, sorr-OWW" Star finally found her mark and satisfied went and sat down. "Jeez Star."

"Okay, why have you brought me here? How did you get past Etheria's wards? What is a suitable punishment for kidnapping the queen?" Star asked this last question with a frown as she plopped down on his couch.

"First: I have important news for you. Second: I had a thing with Eclipsa. Its amazing the things you can learn whe-"

"A THING WITH ECLIPSA?!"

"Yeah, but she was crazy. Queen of darkness doesn't begin to cover it. I mean I'm no stranger to evil but she took it to far."

"How old are you?"

"A few thousand years. Now, as for your third question, the correct answer is no punishment at all." Tom did his best to look innocent and Star, despite her best efforts, giggled at the sight.

Tom noticed then that tears were streaming down Stars face. "Why are you crying? What's wrong Star?" Concern creased his brow.

Star went and touched her hand to her cheek. Wet with tears. Star was starting to worry, she thought she had been completely cried out yet the tears streamed just as fast as when she was sobbing into her mothers arms. Will these tears ever stop? Will this be my legacy? The Queen of sorrow.

Star shook herself free of those thoughts. "It's not important. Now, what do you want?"

Tom knew Star well enough to know that pressing the issue was a bad idea. So with a sigh he moved on to the topic at hand. "My spies have reported that Toffee has amassed an army numbering in the hundreds. I know that doesn't seem like much but his army consists of ancient monsters from a time when they were truly things to be feared. Star, your numbers just aren't enough. You need allies. You need Marco."

Star looked at Tom, mouth agape. "Since when do you want Marco around me?"

"Star, look, even I can tell you fight better with him around. The two of you together can beat anything. Besides, Marco and I are cool now. You need your friends."

"Yeah, that'd be a great idea if it weren't for Toffee deciding he'll kill every friend I try to bring into this." Star muttered, her chest constricting with pain.

"Wait, who'd he kill?"

Star turned toward him, her face betraying just how broken she was. "He slaughtered the entire Pony Head Kingdom. The bastard left no survivors." Star clenched her fists. "I should have made sure he was good and dead. It's my fault they lost their lives. I failed and now innocent blood was spilled."

Tom put his hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Star, stop it. This isn't your fault. You had no way of knowing Toffee would return or that he would attack Pony Head kingdom. Blaming yourself won't help anything. Do you understand?" Tom was worried. Star was clearly in a bad state of mind and he had no idea how to help.

Star gave a nod and, after collecting her thoughts, asked, "You have any more information?"

"Yeah. Toffee isn't just raising an army of ancient monsters, he's raising their gods, creatures of terrible power, my father included."

Star raised an eyebrow. "Your father?"

Tom looked like he was terrified to even speak of him, and he was. "Yeah. Tantibus, the Nightmare. His names rather redundant but his power is truly something to inspire both terror and awe. Mostly terror."

"So, we don't stand a chance. It really is hopeless."

"Since when do you give up Star? I thought you were stronger than this."

"I just lost one of my best friends today so forgive me if I'm a bit fragile." Star snapped.

"And you'll lose the rest of them if you don't stop this pity party and lead! Yeah, people died and it sucks. You want to blame yourself for it fine, then do something to make it right." Tom snapped back with twice the ferocity.

His voice got dangerously low low as he continued. "You think you are the only one who's lost people to that monster? The only reason that Mewni isn't bathed red in blood right now is that I've been working full time behind the scenes trying to help you. A lot of Demons lost their lives, its a hazard we all face."

Star only felt worse. "I never wanted this. I don't want to lead so many to their deaths." She put her head in her hands and started shaking. "I don't know what to do. I'm about to cave in."

Tom's face softened, his voice calmer, more soothing. "If you give up now, then every death will have been in vain. You can't afford to linger on their loss. Stand strong and fight to the end, and every death will have meaning. You said you don't know what to do, well here's the answer: Rebel against the odds, do what Star the rebel princess does best and fight against even fate itself."

Star looked up at him as though for the first time. "I'll try. That's all I can promise." Then giving him a hug, she whispered, "Thank you, for everything you've done."

Releasing him she took on a more serious tone. "Okay, you said that Tantibus is you father. I need to know everything, from him to what Toffee had for breakfast tomorrow. After you finish explaining, I'd like to put in place a plan to ensure the citizens of our kingdoms survive. Can you still give teleportation marks like you did for me last year?"

Tom nodded. "Yeah, I still have full access to my powers. My fathers release didn't adversely affect them." He wasn't dumb enough to tell her that he planned on having Glossaryck put one on Marco.

"Now as for my father, he's the most powerful of the monster gods. His domain of power is as his name suggests, nightmares. It extends past that however, as he also has power over fear, using it against his enemies to turn them on each other, or merely kill themselves. Only those who can keep their fear in check have any hope of facing him. There is an upside, as he is only able to access his powers at night, tethered by the same rules as Somnium, the dream god."

Tom thought for a moment. "If we can convince Somnium to help us, we will stand a far better chance surviving the night once war hits."

They continued to talk strategy for a few hours before Star remembered she was supposed meet with the war council.

"Sorry Tom, I have to cut this short and head back before my mom launches a country wide search for me."

Tom nodded in understanding before laughing at the thought. He went up hugged the only friend he had known in four thousand years before whispering, "Remember my queen: Rebel, rebel."

With a smile and a nod Star vanished in the flames, on her way back home, leaving Tom alone with thoughts of another friend who had changed him for the better back five millennia ago.

Star appeared within the garden and rushed off toward the war room. Her mother was in front of the doors, pacing back and forth, when she saw Star.

"Thank heavens your alright. Star where were you?"

"Mom, I'm fine, or at least I'm not hurt. I was talking with a friend who had important information for me. Is the council still here?"

Moon shook her head. "No, they left an hour ago. They will return tomorrow though. I'll brief you on what happened but first we need to announce your coronation. Are you ready to speak to your kingdom?"

Star brought her hand to her cheek. Still wet. "Fine, queen of sorrow it is."

Drawing in a shaky breath she replied, "Yes. I'm ready to address my people."