Flowers and Stars 9

Where Are They Now?

A/N: BONUS CHAPTER :3 Enjoy, I'm sorry about the end.


Life continued the same for a small while. Each person following their own path.

Marco and Kelly delved deeper into the magics of the universe. Marco realised that he had a greater affinity with light magic. Using his magic and the knowledge he gained from being the safe kid he developed new magical medical techniques. Dox had taught him everything he could and even charted out all the future books and studies he could pursue to advance his knowledge. Marco had taken his Karate further studying chi and using magic he could now control it. With a simple tap of his finger he could immobilise someone's whole body.

Kelly had taken the more physical application to magic. She learnt all the enchantments and runes she would need to buff herself and Marco up. As time went on she found herself gaining strength from their love. She had to learn to control her strength after breaking Dox's rib when she tried to jab him after one too many bad jokes. He'd fixed himself easily and run off to avoid her.

Dox was no longer sure he'd finish the year. He had to balance his time between healing himself from the dangerous duo, making sure their training and studies were on track and popping back to earth to help the Diaz's. Since Alessandro had some of his magic Angie and Rafael would call Dox every time he so much as sneezed. He tried to explain that his magic would stay mostly dormant until his teenage years but they insisted. His date with Nurse Ivy had been no joy as she took the time to lecture him on looking after himself. Much to the danger duo's amusement.

Star had kept the MHC working hard and finally they had leads. Heckapoo's research into what she was now calling Void portals had shown results. If she could stabilise the portal they'd have access to the Dark Dimensions. Glossaryck had uncovered ancient texts written by dark mages that had ended up being warnings that they should stay away from the dark. Janna's research on earth concluded that in every culture their was some mention of "The Abyss" and "The dark" translating had been difficult as most of the detailed texts were of dead languages. All that she had found she'd acquired through robbing museums and kidnapping historians. She had gained infamy on Earth as the Witch of the Night. She did enjoy her new found fame.

Tom had tried to help Star. He was worried for her. Eventually he had gone to Eclipsa and asked her for help. She talked to Star as someone she could trust and depend on to be there. Eclipsa realised Star was just hurting and that it was because of how unstable her growing powers were. She worked with Star for over a month to gain better balance in her power. Teaching her not just light but dark magic too. By learning both sides of magic Star gained clarity. She gained stability which unfortunately for Tom just drove her to work harder. She was willing to talk to him now but most conversations would end the same way. Tom wondering what would be left after Marco had been saved. He thought of the broken Star that stabbed the Marco of the future and saw none of her in the Star now. The future had already changed but Tom wondered if it was for the better.

Monsters had moved into the kingdom, at first there was some tension and disputes but the people of Mewni could adapt and they did. The monsters moving in breathed now life to the kingdom expanding both it's opportunity and culture. Moon and River had been working to expand the kingdom. Before they hadn't because it might have sparked war with monsters to invade the small land they were left but now they were aiding the creatures to build homes and families. They connected the monster village to the kingdom establishing it as an independent part of the Butterfly kingdom.


2 month had passed since the Monster/Mewman Peace Accord and the date was November 28th.

Marco's 16th Birthday.

Dox had prepared everything he could in advance. It wasn't easy to plan things with Marco popping out at every chance. He wanted to know and followed Kelly and Dox whenever they tried to sneak off. Dox headed out that day leaving the pair at home.

"So Marco what you wanna do today? Light sparring? Magic practice? Or.." Kelly drew close to him. "Or maybe just cuddle" she tapped his nose and walked away as he followed after her.

He walked into a room to find it empty. He looked back down the corridor just enough to see her disappear into a different room. He chased down to the room flung open the door to find her not there. He sighed. She had been taking lessons from Dox on how to use her powers and she had gotten very good at disappearing.

"Ohhhh Marco" came her voice from the study. He thought to get one up on her and cut a portal to the study jumping through and falling through the floor. He landed gently on the sofa and she followed him landing on his lap. She kissed him deeply laughing as he tried to pretend he wasn't interested. One thing Kelly had realised is that Marco's bracelet would change temperatures depending on how he felt. She could always tell with him. Dox's on the other hand was always cold. She guessed the enchantment must not work the same.

"Kelly stop please" He said pushing her away.

"What's wrong?" She asked holding his arm.

"Did you forget?" She could feel how much he didn't want to ask and she figured she'd have to change the plan.

"That its your birthday? That this time last year we were at lava lake for the Soul Rise. That we have spent the last year growing closer. The last 7 months living together and the last 2 months and 13 days as a couple? That about cover it." She smiled before leaning back and pulling them both into a portal. They landed in the training room where she picked up a sword and threw it to him.

"No magic, No tricks and if you win I'll tell you where your present is" Kelly winked at him. She used her bracelets to tie up her hair before taking her stance.

Marco looked at his girlfriend with a smile. His face bright red both embarrassed and blushing from thinking of all of their time together. After much persuasion they had got Dox to allow them to have a date night once a week. The last few had been magical with Dox picking the location and sending them through. One night they were on an enchanted ship flying through a stary sky. The ship had struck something and the crew along with the passengers were panicking. Trying to regain the peace Marco had grabbed a guitar and gone up on stage he'd started to sing a cover of 'Make Your Own Kind Of Music' immediately stopping everyone.

"Nobody can tell you,
There's only one song worth singing,
They may try and sell you,
Cause it hangs them up,
To see someone like you,

But you gotta make your own kind of music,
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music,
Even if nobody else sings along,

You're gonna be nowhere,
The loneliest kind of lonely,
It may be rough going,
Just to do your thing is the hardest thing to do,

But you gotta make your own kind of music,
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music,
Even if nobody else sings along,"

Kelly stared at him in wonder. People had started to clap along and lose themselves in his voice. Kelly wandered to the front of the stage where Marco picked her up before he kept singing. The band behind him had started to play alongside him. From that moment he was singing only for her.

"So if you cannot take my hand,
And if you must be going, I will understand,

But you gotta make your own kind of music,
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music,
Even if nobody else sings along,
But you gotta make your own kind of music,
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music,
Even if nobody else sings along,
But you gotta make your own kind of music,
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music,
Even if nobody else sings along,

No, no, no, no,
Even if nobody else sings along,
If nobody else sings along."

Marco kissed Kelly deeply and the two would have lost themselves to the passion if they hadn't been interrupted by the crowd cheering for his performance and wolf whistling. The captain had come down to tell them all that the crisis had been averted and thanked Marco for keeping the peace. The pair were the guest of honours for the rest of the cruise and totally lost themselves in it staying for days. Marco was asked to perform frequently with the band and Kelly took a mental note of his list of cover songs. The pair had eventually headed back promising to return some day. They walked in and were about to apologise to Dox when he asked what they were doing back so soon. It was only 9pm. They had been gone for two hours. He winked at the pair before pushing them through another portal. They landed back on the ship just in time for its next cruise. Apparently Dox had a great understanding of temporal differences and the pair ended up spending a whole month on that single date. Each date was mysterious and amazing and they thanked him greatly for each time.

Marco turned to Kelly and readied his own stance. He lunged forward and tried to disarm her only for her to step aside and swing at him. He raised his sword enough to block her but the blow sent him into the rooms wall.

"I thought you said no magic" He laughed rubbing at the pain now in his arm. She laughed back.

"I am using no magic my dear, you are just WEAKKKKKKKKKKK?!" Kelly had been told by Star how Marco convinced her that he was strong enough to fight Meteora and she knew he'd always take the bait.

He rushed her forcing her to hold her blade up to block him. They clashed swords again and again both with big smiles on their face. Their training time together made them aware of each others moves and technique. They circled each other closing in and drawing back when the time was right. It was as if they were dancing and the swords were just parts of them. One final strike had left both their swords in pieces. Kelly wasted no time dropping and taking him out with a leg sweep. He back flipped from the force and the pair began to fight with hand to hand combat. Marco knew her hits were heavy so used his agility to dodge her. It use to be much easier but after Dox had sent them to dance classes on one of their dates Kelly had gained an understanding of ballet and it movement. Her rough technique had turned graceful and elegant. If he wasn't trying so hard to dodge her he'd watch her for hours. He grabbed her fist and flipped her over his back. She landed firm and returned his technique throwing him into the wall. She closed in aiming to punch him but he dodged and used his foot to trip her causing them to fall. They both tried to stand while trying to stop the other getting up. She leapt onto him and they rolled till Marco was on top of her pinning her to the floor.

"Concede" he managed to say through his deep breathing.

"I concede." She smiled she slid her bracelets back on and kissed his cheek. She fell through the floor and reappeared holding both their jackets.

"Let's go." She chuckled disappearing through a portal. Marco sighed exhausted as he chased after her. Sometimes he was worried about how much of an influence Dox had on her. He fell through the portal and landed in her arms. She held him in a princess carry and raised her eyebrow at him.

"Ready Princess?" she let him down before leading him through the woods till they arrived at a small lake. She gave him a blindfold and led him further. He could hear hushed voices and the sound of wings. One part of his training had been to be able to fight blind folded and he had a rough sense of his surroundings. There were 3 other people here at least and many things were whizzing past his head.

"Kelly are we there yet?"

"Almost"

Marco felt the girl turn his body before pulling his blindfold off. He looked up to see a beautiful lake covered in hundreds of moving lights. They danced in the sky and across the waters surface. The cloud cleared above revealing the most star filled sky he had ever seen. Shooting stars suddenly filled his vision as he watched the meteor 🌠 shower above him. Light filled his eyes as a smile of wonder filled his face. He turned to see his Mum, Dad, Kelly and Dox. Alessandro was sitting in his pram also watching the bright lights fly above. He reached forward and tried to grab them with his little hand.

Marco looked back at his family and saw that each had an instrument. Dox sat by a piano, Rafael held a guitar, Angie a violin and Kelly stood by a microphone.

"Marco Diaz, on my birthday you let me dance with you and made it so so special. On your last birthday we watched the dancing lights of lava lake and today we watch the light of the Hidden Lake of Dancing Souls. This isn't your birthday present but our present to you." She nodded to the others. Dox began to play a gentle piano melody, with Angie joining in with her violin. Rafael began to strum some chords gently setting an amazing ambiance. Marco went over and picked up Alessandro before sitting on the grass watching the lights dance to their music. Kelly stepped up to the mic again.

"My name is Kelly and this is Marco's song." She breathed deeply clearly showing nerves before looking straight at him and starting to sing.

"Marco, My hero who guides me,
My partner who sets me free,
My darling who always sees me,
For whoever i may be,

I promise to always love you,
And forever hold you close,
I promise and mean it too,
Even when you're old and gross,

My sweetheart and my safe kid,
My Marco, The Red Knight,
I implore you to listen well,
As i try to guide you, with my light,

I watched you grow from weak and scared,
To follow dreams and saw us paired,
I follow you because i love you so,
And i need you to listen and really know,
That Marco Diaz with whom i live,
My heart and body i willingly give,

My sweetheart and my safe kid,
My Marco, The Red Knight,
I need you to listen closely,
And witness all my might,

I love you my Marco and you are all mine,
I need you to know that it will be all time,
That i want you to stay by my side,
To love me and cherish me and keep my smile wide,

Marco my love, please listen to my song,
Thank you for being the place where I belong,
So happy birthday baby i want you to know,
That we here all love you and always will do so."

Kelly's voice carried through out the clearing as the lights danced slowly to her song. As she sang they began to circle her lighting her up. Marco watched captivated by the beautiful of the sight before his eyes and as she finished singing he picked up his brother, passed him to his mother and picked Kelly up by the waist spinning her round. He kissed her and kissed her as she chuckled at his display of affection.

"Marrrrrco.. Stop it.."

"Can't.. Your just so cute" Kelly stomped her foot on the ground and grabbed his face.

"I. Am. Not. Cute."

"Sure.. But that was amazing Kelly.. You wrote that? And wow can you sing!" He had heard her humming before but no matter how much he tried he could never get her to sing. Her cheeks glowed red at his words and she smiled.

"Your parents helped me lots.. I've never written a song before.. Or sang to anyone." Marco hugged her tight and mouthed thank you to the others as they smiled at the pair.

The rest of the evening was spent as a picnic under the dancing lights. They laughed happily as they ate, sung and danced. Marco was most surprised to find that Dox could sing too but most of his songs were love songs. Marco could imagine that Heckapoo had heard them all from him.

Marco's parents had brought him all brand new clothes for his birthday including more hoodies, red shirts, red jackets and red pyjama's. They realised he had grown out of all of his other clothes.

Dox pulled out a small box with a key inside. Marco looked up to him confused.

"Well.. Whenever the times comes that I'm not around to look after it the Parahouse is going to need a care taker. I want to leave it and everything inside it to you. It's all yours" Dox smiled as Marco stood up and hugged him tight. Marco and Kelly understood just what he meant by this but his parents just assumed that Dox might be travelling for a while.

"I'll take good care of it.. I promise"

"Good now you have one more present." The key was on a chain that Marco put over his head and tucked into his shirt. He wiped away a stray tear before turning to Kelly.

She told him to lift his shirt which he complied with. She held her hand over his heart and channelled her magic into him. On his chest a tattoo appeared. It was a bright blue flower that was in full bloom. He held his hand over it and suddenly heard a voice in his head.

"Can you hear me?"

"Yes?" He thought back. He looked at Kelly smiling at him not moving her mouth.

"This is one if my presents to you, no matter how far apart we go you will always be able to speak to me, to feel my warmth and i can do the same" She pulled her top down slightly showing the top half of a red crescent moon.

She held out her hand and inside he saw another small gift. He opened it up to find a ring inside. It was black with red runes inside of it and out.

"To My Love Who Gave Me Power, I Give To You A Deadly Dagger"

"With It's Edge I Give My Fire, So That You Can Fulfil Your Desire."

He slid on the ring onto his right middle finger and tightened his grip. Suddenly a black blade appeared in his hand with the same design as the ring. As he let go it turned back into a ring.

"Kelly this is AMAZING!" He kept turning it from ring to blade and blade to ring. He looked up to see his whole family with the cake. They sang happy birthday to him and he blew out his candles.

"Best birthday ever!" Marco thought to himself.

"Good to know" Kelly winked at him.


/

Star sat alone on her balcony. She blew out the candle on her small cake beside her before letting the spell return to her wand. She had watched with the All-Seeing Eye spell all of Marco's birthday. The book was right. Spying leads to crying.

At first she thought she was crying because she had watched Marco be so in love with Kelly but deep down she knew it would never have worked with him. She was happy to have him in her life and she was in love with Tom. When he forgave her for her actions she wanted to confess to him just how much she had fallen in love with him.

He had stayed by her side and supported her. Helped her establish peace in her kingdom and was her comfort in the dark times. She hadn't treated him well after he learnt of her and Marco's kiss and he was being amazing waiting for her choice. She had never planned to tell him herself so was shocked when he told her he knew.

She would make it up to him. It would all be worth it.

She cried after watching through her spell because she wanted to be there. A part of Marco's family by his side. Her present to him sat wrapped beside her. She missed her best friend. She missed Kelly and she missed being in their lives. She finished her cake and went and laid on her bed. Letting sweet dreams take her away.


/

Marco sat alone in the castle, no one was here anymore. The only things still moving around outside were beasts and creatures one could hardly name. He stood up kicking aside the rubble walking through the blood stained walls of Butterfly castle. He ascended the stairs and walked to his room.

He heard the soft whimper under his bed. Marco Jr the laser puppy hopped and walked over to him. He picked him up and check its wound. It had recovered well after his attempt to remove its damaged paw. He was the last one. Marco's only companion in this damned castle.

He crawled into bed with the puppy and began to sing happy birthday to himself. Cold and alone. Tears soaked his bed as he choked out the words.

"You don't deserve that happiness Marco.. I'm coming for it" His cries turned to insane laughter as the puppy struggled to get away from him. It had watched its master get worse and worse each day. It scratched at the door but to no avail. It turned to hide under the bed but felt his rough touch grab it. He pulled it out from under the bed.

"Where are you going. It's my birthday. You can't leave me" The puppy struggled to get free and finally did. It went to run back under the bed but he kicked it into the wall.

"YOU WONT LEAVE ME!" The puppy tried to limp away from the abusive boy in the blue hood but it didn't help.

"Fine. You can join the others." He went to the window holding the puppy before throwing it out and waiting for the thud. "Now you can be with your brothers and sisters. Food for some beast at the bottom of my tower just like all of them." He fell to the bed again in silence.

Darkco was all alone.