Chapter 8
Another Way
An adrenaline rush triggered as a natural response to heading down for your death. Lack of decent sleep, exhaustion and blood loss influenced its effect. Through the falling debris Star barely noticed traces of light shooting up at the sky, outside of the collapsing mess. Whatever it was, she found it of no help in the current situation. Her brain discarded the unknown event and continued the search for escape from the death scenario.
If she had the wand, Cloudy would have been her first rescue choice. For a moment the Princess wandered if she could use her wild magical skills in some way to save her.
Star remembered the pair of pink wings on her back. Forcing an energy flow through them, they entered in a synchronized flapping motion. Underdeveloped and unused, the wings only helped by slowing down Star's free fall. Like a cartoon character, the Princess tried to assist by swinging her arms. Even if she could generate any lift, her moves were too clumsy and uncoordinated. For some reason, the pain in both arms was much more tolerable.
Focused at the failing task, Star noticed a floating unicorn head getting closer. Dodging the raining debris, Pony Head called out to her friend:
- I'm a comin', B-fly!
The unicorn passed around leftovers from a wooden crate and dived at where Star was heading. Suddenly she stopped her vertical descent. The Princess fell over her friend and both started to sink again. While Pony Head struggled to control their free fall, Star used her working hand to pull herself up. The girl took the stable position of lying on her stomach, with both hands and legs sticking out.
Despite Pony Head's efforts, both of them continued going down, even if it was at lower rate. A brick-shaped stone passed down half a meter away from them. Star deduced their speed was good enough for a safeish crash landing, if Pony Head could keep it up long enough. The girl stared down to try figure out how much height was left until they hit the ground. Raising grey clouds of dust were consuming the scenery below and she gave up.
Thick piece of wooden beam missed Star and continued on its way down. She could feel Pony Head struggling to keep both of them from falling down like a bag of corn. Her worries doubled when she noticed the unicorn's head had burned spots all over. The Princess' friend was not spared from the fight with Toffee. With such wounds, it was normal for Pony Head to struggle carrying her passenger.
"Desperate times..." Star though, closed her eyes, and tried to focus.
Suddenly Star's body became light as a feather. Surprised by the sensation of weightlessness, she lifted her eyelids to check what was going on. Sky blue aura had surrounded both her and Pony Head. Both were floating lightly, while the background kept on collapsing.
This time the falling debris did not miss Star. A sharp stone with the size of a football hit the back of her head. She did not feel any pain. Only a warm, wet sensation was spreading from where the stone hit her. Star tried to touch the spot with a hand, but both arms did not listen. Somebody from far away was screaming her name. He sounded terrified to death.
Then without a warning, everything was consumed by darkness. Star's brain stopped responding to the outside world and she fell into a coma.
XXX
In the nothingness a light was born. A twinkling dot in the darkness, like a star in a night sky. It changed into a bigger, brighter star. Continuing its expansion, the dot had become as big as Mewnie's sun. Its warmth felt both comforting and invigorating. Then it became too bright to keep Star asleep.
Slowly she opened her eyes, both narrowed for protection. The blinding light faded and Star's vision cleared. Both of Mewnie's moons were partially covered by orange clouds. A distinct figure of a winged goat man stared at her, with eyes big as pancakes.
- I always knew I'll end up in Mewnie Hell - Star spoke calmly.
The goat man's expression shifted from serious to relief. He spoke in his own language and stepped back. Star tried to stand up. Her efforts were met by a strong, almost suffocating hug. Looking up, she recognized the complex face of her mother. Warm tears flowed down her cheeks. Star decided to put her confusion aside, for now, and hugged back.
- Don't you ever do that again! - Moon said and squeezed her daughter even tighter.
Before Star could respond, more people leaped to hug her. Pony Head, Kelly and Marco surrounded their friend and embraced her. Getting an affection crushed from four different directions was too much.
- Can't... breathe...
- What is it, Star? - Marco asked without letting go.
The Princess barely found enough air to repeat herself. This time Macro and the rest understood that they were choking their friend. Quickly they stepped back and let Star get some air. Queen Moon was the last one to let go.
- Wha- Star took a loud, deep breath. - What happened? I remember the tower was collapsing with me and Pony in the middle of the mess.
- Yes, the tower was falling apart - Marco started giving an explanation. - Queen Moon used her magic to break our fall. Unfortunately, a rock hit you on the head.
- A rock? - Star reached for the back of her head.
- It sent you into a coma. Technically, for a couple of minutes you were dead.
Moon gave Marco a burning gaze. He instantly regretted his last words.
- The High Chancellor came here immediately - the Queen continued. -He is the one who healed your wounds.
- Thank you, your goatness - Star said to the Chancellor, then turned back at her mother. - But... how? Toffee had drained the magic from all members of the Magical High Commission.
- Blowing up Toffee with the wand had released all the magical energy he had stolen. And it was returned to their owners - Moon smiled at the goat man.
- So Rhombulus is back too?
The Chancellor nodded and said something in his goat language. Star was pretty sure nobody but Moon knew he was saying. By the puzzled look of her daughter, the Queen understood.
- Yes, he's fine.
A breath of relief got exhaled by Star. She continued with the questions:
- So, is Toffee dead?
- He is gone. For now.
"For now". The destruction of the wand was the cost Star willingly paid to stop the lizard monster. It was not enough. Even without a body, he was still not dead. Someday, somehow, Toffee will restore his form, he will be back. The memories of invading Ludo's castle replayed back.
Star looked around her surroundings. Moon had brought the Princess and her friends on one of the wider balconies of castle Butterfly. Evening sun casted long dark shadows all over the scenery. The marble floor beneath Star was painted with puddles of dried up blood. First, she touched the back of her head, then the spot where her right hand used to be bandaged. Not a single wound. She admired the healing skills of the High Chancellor.
The door to the balcony opened, ending the moment of silence. Through it, a knight in mewnian armor entered and kneeled before Queen Moon. It took Star couple of seconds to figure out why he looked so familiar.
- Queen Moon! - Eric started. - King River sent me with report of castle Butterfly's defense.
- Go ahead - the woman nodded and approach him. Eric raised up and continued:
- The monster army is fleeing! Their arms had vanished into thin air.
- It's because of Toffee's body was destroyed. He is gone - Moon informed the man.
- Castle Butterfly's defense is a success, but high price was paid. The walls are heavily damaged. Many men lost their lives on the battlefield.
Hearing Eric's last words, Star's heart sank. The battle for Mewnie was a nightmare she found herself less prepared for both physically and emotionally. Winning it would have been impossible without the dedication of the men who defended the castle with everything. Casualties in a war was unavoidable - she understood that. It did not make her feel any better.
Fresh memory of the massacred men from the Royal Guard reemerged. While it reinforced her sadness, it also made Star remember something very important.
- Have there been any cases of mewnian soldiers fighting one another?
Eric turned at Star and his eyes widened. The Princess wondered was it because of the weird question, or because of seeing her here.
- Fighting one another? No, no such reports, Princess.
With her Eric spoke with a familiar casualness. Star noticed her mother detecting the unusual attitude towards the Princess of Mewnie.
- Star, what is going on? - the Queen let it slide.
- Toffee used a shape-shifter to infiltrate the castle and lower the barrier. I tried to stop him, but he got away.
- A shape-shifter? - Eric exclaimed.
- Rally the troops for an inspection - Moon ordered. - I have a spell, wh-
A shockwave of light passed through Star and her companions. Faint earthquake followed it. For a moment everybody had a second shadow, casted under different angle.
Queen Moon leaned on the golden railing and gazed at where the strange light originated. The Princess joined her mother and looked down.
A few floors below them were the ruins of the collapsed tower. Emerald light pulsated from inside the wreckage. For a brief moment stone and wooden debris defied gravity. Magical force lifted them up, then they fell back in the rubble and raised tiny clouds of dust.
- No... Toffee... It's too soon... - Star whispered, trying to hide her terror.
XXX
With most of the monster army gone, mewnian soldiers were busy cleaning up the rubble from the destroyed tower. When light started pulsating from beneath, they formed a defensive line with a relatively safe distance. Immediately after her arrival, Moon ordered the men to leave. If Toffee was being reincarnated, then the troops could do nothing but put themselves in great danger.
Star, her friends, and the High Chancellor followed the Queen of Mewnie to the wreckage. A painful realization passed through her mind. "I've left Buff Frog to guard the tower's entrance". Now she expected a mortal enemy to return. At the moment, a hopeful though for the toad man's safety was all she could spare.
Once again light made the rubble float. Moon changed into her butterfly form. Star prepared a sword. Kelly and Marco did the same. Pony Head aimed her unihorn at the wreckage. The goat man stood back, ready to support.
From the debris, an unknown object shot itself straight up, made a turn, and landed a few meters away from Star. A dust curtain raised up, cloaking the object. The Princess' nervousness intensified. She stepped back and kept the blade between her and the hidden object.
As by somebody's will, gush of wind cleared the dust, revealing the Book of Spells. It opened by itself, flipping pages until Glossaryck popped out of it.
- I'm never going on this ride again.
- Glossaryck! - Star uncontrollably yelled from happiness.
Everybody shared her reaction. Except for Marco. He looked more irritated than surprised. "Nothing new there".
- Yeah, that is me. So... how are you all?
- Where in Mewnie have you been?! - Star asked annoyed.
- Me? Well, I've been inside Toffee.
- Inside?! - the Princess blushed.
- He means that somehow Toffee had consumed him and the book - Moon joined them.
- Ex-xacly! - the blue man snapped with fingers and pointed at the woman. - And thanks to you, my Queen, Toffee is gone and once again, I'm free.
- Actually, Star stopped Toffee.
- Star? - Glossaryck scanned the Princess from head to toe. - But she doesn't have her wand.
- Well... - Star made an innocent smile - It's not like I didn't have my wand-
- You used the Whispering Spell again, didn't you? - the tiny man wasn't looking amused. - Eh, as long as it worked.
- We have a big problem, Glossaryck - Moon spoke again. - Toffee got his finger back. The Eternal Phantom spell has been broken.
Glossaryck's expression changed from unimpressed to concern.
- A big problem indeed.
XXX
By the end of the sunset the last remains of Toffee's monster army were dealt with. Injured mewnian solders received proper medical care. Then all of King River's troops passed through a Moon's spell to detect if there was a monster among them. Only positive result was Buff Frog, dressed in knight's armor. The Queen of Mewnie was ready to turn him into dust on the spot. Star had to intervene and explain who the monster was, what he had done for her. The fact that instead of running away, Buff Frog fought side by side with the troops played in his favor and Moon let him go.
The shape-shifter was not found among the solders. Orders were given for the castle's staff to pass through the same spell. Guests and members of the royal family followed them. Nothing came up. Star and Moon refused to believe he was gone. River gave the order to triple the castle's guard and have shorter, but regular shifts. Whoever was not on duty went to rest, until called.
Once the tension settled down, Star, Pony Head, Kelly and Marco received a late-evening dinner. When the Princess smelled the freshly cooked Ingerian pork ribs, her stomach reminded that for the last few days she was a prisoner, who refused to eat. Too busy to stuff herself like an anime character, Star spoke only when somebody asked for her opinion. Later Buff Frog and his tadpoles joined them. At least an hour passed into a discussion about the last events.
After dinner, each of Star's friends received a separate room to rest. The Princess's hunger was replaced by sleepiness and she desperately wanted to see her bed. Before entering her own chamber, she got informed that her parents had a late night meeting with the other Magical High Commission members. Star stuffed that information in the "later" corner of her mind. She dived in the king-sized bed and entered the realm of dreams.
The unicorn-shaped clock told Star she had slept for around three hours. It was one of those enough-to-function sleeps. Considering this was the only proper sleep she had in a few days, it was surprising it didn't last at least a day.
Something bothered her. Something about Toffee. Something different from the fact that he had immortality and someday he will be back again. This was a pretty big deal none the less. The lizard monster's reincarnation was the only reason why Moon and the rest of the Magical Commission were having a meeting right now. To discuss how to deal with the undying monster. How to protect the royal family, the caste, and the people of Mewnie. How to avoid another bloody battle.
But Star's thoughts were focused on other facts. Facts that from the last chaotic events, she had forgotten to tell her mother.
Toffee was not brought to this world with immortality. It was given to him. His mother had bestowed him the gift of undying, for whatever malicious reason. The mental image of Toffee's female version made Star giggle.
There was another mysterious fact about the lizard man. Once, the wand was given to him by his parents. Or "inherited" as he said. Another fact supporting the theory of his mother being able to use magic. Advanced magic. Considering that what Toffee told the Princess were not lies.
On the left nightstand Star noticed the Book of Spell lying in perfect alignment with the wooden surface. She could not remember if the book was there before she came to bed, or somebody had brought it here. Glossaryck was a powerful being and his knowledge would be very useful at Moon's meeting. "This is not a magical problem" Star said imitating the blue man and dismissed the idea. But another, wilder one was born.
With both hands Star brought the book on her bed and started flipping pages. She stopped when a tiny sleeping man with a nightcap popped out.
- Wakey, wakey, Glossaryck - gently she shook him with two fingers.
The blue man slowly raised up, opened his eyes, and scratched his back.
- Ah, Star Butterfly. What do you want?
- I know it's the middle of the night, but I want ask you something very important - Star smiled innocently.
- Sure, but-
- And before you ask, no, I don't have any pudding. So, please, let this be an itty-bitty-tiny favor - with a thumb and index finger Star demonstrated how tiny.
- Alright, alright - Glossaryck sighted. -Ask away.
The Princess cleared any innocence she had shown.
- Do you know who Toffee's mother is?
- Yes.
Star's eyes became big as pancakes. Glossaryck's sleepy behavior didn't change.
- Well? Who is it?
- That's a second question-
- Glossaryck!
- Fine, fine!
The blue man's expression became serious and threatening. It scared Star for a moment. Chills covered the back of her neck. With a deep voice Glossaryck answered:
- Toffee' mother is Eclipsa, the Queen of Darkness.
Out of all the answers Star could receive, this was the most unexpected. Hundreds of questions, ideas, theories and predictions formed a pure chaos in her mind. "Am I related to Toffee?" was the most disturbing though. She found funny the fact that this was her biggest concern.
A dull knock on the door scared Star to death. Swiftly she closed the book and tried to act sleepy. Then wondered what in Mewnie was she doing? The Princess opened and checked out on her visitor. Seeing again Rhombulus was a pleasant surprise.
- Hey, Princess. Can I come in?
- Rhombulus? What are you doing here? - Star asked while letting her guest in.
- I've kinda let some steam out at the meeting. Hekapoo sent me out to cool off.
- Heh, classic timeout guy - the Princess suppressed her laughter.
- So I thought I could come and see how you are doing.
- How sweet - Star sat on the bed. Rhombulus joined her. - That's one really long meeting. What's going on in there?
- All members of the Magical High Commission agreed that until Toffee is dealt with, further action must be taken to minimize the risk of another invasion.
- Any thoughts?
- They want to imprison all the monsters, or put them in some sort of camps. I, for once, suggested crystalizing them!
- That's horrible!
- What? Freeze the monsters?
- No! Yes! - Star processed what Rhombulus said, again. - I mean both ideas are bad! You can't do that!
- Why not? It will stop Toffee from attacking the castle again. Until we find a way to stop him.
- Yes but...
Rhombulus was right. If there were no monsters to form an army, then Toffee can't launch another attack on castle Butterfly. But locking away every single monster, both guilty and innocent? Then the Commission was no better than Toffee himself. Moon was no better. But not her.
- What if, right now, there is a way we can stop Toffee? This time, for good.
- Really? How are we going to do that?
- It's a long shot, but... - Star took a deep depth for courage. - I know how to disable Toffee's immortality.
