The crystal shattered and a roar surrounded them. Gemini's attention was finally aligned with his companions. The shards flew off the creature and melted in the air, raining down and sliding off of everything. It flapped it's wings swaying the now completely liquid gem on the ground.
"I am free." The manicore groaned and recoiled. It's mouth gaped revealing it's very large, clearly very sharp teeth. "Oh, my legs cramp. Legs cramp. I haven't moved them in-"
He stopped for a moment, "However long they had me trapped down here. I can barely move my fingers. I can just feel the blood slowly pumping back in."
The creature brought it's heavy limbs up towards his face. Sagging down limp were the four snake like monsters attached to his forearms. It looked genuinely concerned for a moment, "You boyz alright?"
The things looked dead or maybe just exhausted. One of the serpents made efforts to move it's eye and look directly at the head.
"Meh" it very effortless said.
"Very good. Very good." He began to shake his wrist. The many heads started to dance, less like the cracking of a whip and more like limp noodles, "Dance for me. Dance for me."
It eyes scanned the room and there were no time for the three to hide. It took a turn to stare at them each individually. It stepped forward, proving that moving upright was perfectly naturally for the monster. "Now you chums."
"Marco." Star cried. The boy tried to ready his defense but it was far too late for that. The serpents wrapped around his knees and he was flung up into the air.
"Star." He was caught by the other of the manticore's 'hands', hanging upside down by his ankle. "Hey let go of me."
"Thank you. You have no idea just how much this means to me. Let me tell you that going for so far without moving is just not healthy for you. I got a-" The manticore cranked it shoulder in a small circle. It hissed and stopped, "It feels like there's a ball in the back of my neck. I just can't like move it how I want without flinching. It's really bad."
Despite any debilitation that it claimed to have the manticore didn't hesitate to scoop up both the princess and the minion before they could even react. "I got to repay you blokes somehow."
Star couldn't even hold onto her wand, the serpents swung her at a 180 degree angle and the artifact were spun onto the floor.
They felt the joys of blood rushing to their heads as they were dangled. Star had the bonus of having both long hair and a sheet tied around her. Both submitted to gravity, obscuring her vision, "That's okay."
"Nah, no. I'll have you know that I repay my debts. Now what can I do for you?" The lion head looked absolutely insulted at the idea of not repaying them somehow, "Ah I know. I'll make you guys part of me crew. You can all be my visions."
The face on it's torso shifted. It's eyes shook and then opened. It looked upwards at both of the kids hanging, "I believe you mean viceroy."
"Right. Thanks stomach. Ya, you can all be one of those 'vices' thing." The lion looked down at it's gut. At first he looked confuse but he appreciated the other face piping in. "Course first we gotta conquer some hole first but we can figure out the when and the where later."
He spoke about conquest with the same casualty one would throwing a party.
"No, really we're kinda a bit tired with adventuring right." Marco said, a bit too enthusiastic.
Gemini agreed, "It seems in all good fun sir, but I'm afraid we're have to decline."
"Besides I'm already royalty. So that just seems a bit redundant." Star smiled. Well probably, couldn't really see her face with that blanket covering it.
"Oy really? What are you a duchess or somethin? Normally I find you types to be a bit unbearable but if you're out here 'ploring you can't be bad. Bit of the adventuring type of myself." The manticore smiled. He held her above his head, trying to get a peek of the royal from underneath the tarp. "So miss where you're from? Always good to know the neighbors. A ruler gotta practice good daphnomancy."
"Diplomacy." His stomach corrected.
"That too."
"Oh, you know. Just the princess a little old kingdom called Mewni."
The manicore's grin faded fast, "Well at least two of you can be my viceroys."
"Mewni. Mewni. Mewni. That old slum is still around." The way he held onto the party, if he had been shorter he might've been dragged them across the ground. He stopped, then stared daggers at the statue of the warrior queen before lifting up Star so hr could look at her eye to blanket, "And what are you suppose to be exactly? Solaria's daughter? She should really take better care of her cub. Oh well. Her lost, my gain."
"Wait a minute. Don't you lay a hand on her." Marco struggled. He couldn't build up any momentum and only succeeded in slapping the manticore's side.
"Sorry, this is kind of a personal thing." The monster looked apologetic when he lifted up Diaz "Really appreciate you getting me out of a jam, but you have to have your priorities. You understand?"
"Bring me closer to your face and I'll show you just how much I understand." The kid thrashed, aiming for the beast's nose. All the manticore had to do to dodge was hold Marco a bit further away.
"They did let us out."
The lion head looked at it's stomach and glared, "You can't be real. It was her mom that shoved me in there in the first place."
"Solaris isn't my mom." Piped Star.
"What is this now?" She was brought really close, enough so that if she could see beyond the clothe she'd be staring straight at his pearly whites.
"Moon is. Granny Sol has been dead for like centuries."
The lion huffed, he puffed. He was definitely in the beginning stages of throw a fit. He kick the pillar of granny Solaris. "Dang it. Then why are you even here? She couldn't even stick around til I got out?"
He leaned back against another of the stone pillars before swiping the forearm holding Marco and Gemimi through his mane. He stood back up, bringing Star back to his mug, "Let me tell you that's what wrong with the Butterfly family. No consideration. What good is even having you here?"
"None." Star sounded annoyed, "You can stop having your tantrum and let me and my friends go."
"I'm not having a tantrum. You're having a tantrum." The lion hissed.
"Well I wouldn't say that she's worthless." Attention returned to the monster's gut. "Where there is a mewman princess-"
The torso's face smirked up knowingly at it's counterpart, "-there's the magical high commission."
The lion nodded, "You're right. I have a few choice words for that lot."
"And the perfect reason for them to come to you."
The main head blinked before it's face broke into a huge and sinister smile.
"Oh come on. I thought you were on my side." Star groaned knowing exactly what type of terrible plot was being formulated in front of her.
"Yowch" The manticore jumped. Serpent flailed at it shook the arm that had been previously holding Star's new friends. They ran behind the pillars. Which one's he didn't know, "Hold on for a second. You bit me? Who even does that?"
Below the statue of Hekapoo, of course it would be her, stood the escapees. Marco's back was against the pillar with Gemini peeking over him towards the behemoth in the center.
"Thanks" Marco smiled at the hunchback's quick thinking.
Gemini didn't acknowledge the gratitude, instead focusing on the task at hand, "Quick madam. I believe that that acting now is in our best interest."
"Ya I know. I just have no idea what to do." Marco nodded, "Can you throw me like you did before?"
Gemini frowned, "I'm afraid not. Doing anything of such physical intense as that usually requires a great deal of magic. Which Madam Heinous usually provides."
"Dang. Well we got to get Star down somehow. Stay here. I'm gonna show this guy what I'm made of." The teen started to move out cover only for gemini to grasp his arm and move him back in.
"Wait madam. This seems awful dangerous." Concern was evident in his voice.
"Well I can't just sit here." Marco shot back.
"I think there is something rattling around in my noggin," The minion peeked around the corner before giving his chin a stroke. He pinched onto Marco's signature hoodie. "Hand me your garment."
"Well can't really say that I love to see em go but they make it back to the surface and all your kin will know we're right here. If only I could see ol Lekmet's face when those stiffs know I'm free." The monster leaned over to the pillar where the statue depicting a winged goat stood. The snakes of his now free hand wrapped around the sculpture, hissing and laughing.
"Hey kitty cat. Put the princess down and step away." There the boy popped out into the open. He waved his arms, gaining the beast's attention. He was the same as when he had last seen him sans for the red cloth he had on before.
"Hey no one calls me kitten but me girl," The manticore turned. He then stopped and shrugged, "or me boy. Or whatever. Being cooped up for so long hasn't really given me too many dating prospects."
"I'll call you whatever I like. You dumb stupid idiot." Marco shouted, stepping forward.
"Now you're just trying to be hurtful." The manticore huffed, "And I'm not going to lie that it is working just a wee bit."
"That doesn't matter you pathetic weak" Marco stares upwards trying to remember any array of insults that he might have subconsciously picked up over his young life "Piece of garbage."
"Okay now that's just unnecessary. I mean a lot of people have been mean to me over the years but that just takes the cake."
The manticore started unwrap itself from the stone pillar so that might approach Marco. That would've been a good idea maybe moments before. By the time he has started to move, Diaz's distraction had already paid off. The monster didn't even notice Gemini climbing up onto Lekmet's leg.
"Have at thee." With a bit more vigor than one would expect from an old man, the old lump pounced onto the lion's back. In one hand he spun around Maco's hoodie by it's sleeve like a lasso.
"Do I look like a pony to you?" The giant snarled. His comment was awarded with the sweater being looped around his eyes. The hunchback held onto both sleeves, allowing him not only to hold onto the chimera but also blind him. Claws flew up as the beast tried to rid himself of the pest. He only grabbed air and his own fur as he kept missing the hunchback, "Where are you?"
Marco ran, full speed towards the monster. One would almost think that the kid was going for a tackle of some sort, but considering that he was smaller than the thing's leg, he opted instead for sliding between his feet. When his momentum had ended, he rolled the rest of the way to a familiar object.
"To the left. The left." The stomach exclaimed, trying to help the main head.
"Your left or mine?"
"I'm on your stomach. It's the same left." The torso gave the head a exasperated look.
"Hey you!" The manticore turned to Marco or at least the was sure he was turning to the boy. He still couldn't see. If he had been able to remove the hoodie from his eyes he might've been able to see the earth boy holding Star's wand, gripping it in a manner that he have seen his friend carry the object."Wish I could think of something cool to say, but I honestly don't know enough about you to say something ironic."
"Like man, what is even your name?" Marco lowered his arms, before jerking the wand in the air, "And why isn't this working?"
"Oh that one is easy. My name is-" The monster stopped his struggle like he had completely forgotten that he was in the middle of being assaulted.
Gemini helped remind him. He snuck his sharp nails into the beast arm. "It doesn't matter!"
The minion started to lose his grip, sliding down scratching superficially to the lowered arm. He found himself tangled in the snake fingers which he hugged and smacked despite them each being as thick as his body. He bit and attacked them until Star had been shook loose from their grip.
The princess belly flopped onto the hard floor, rolling away from the threat. She stopped when her body collided with one of the stone pillars. Her arm shot up and she clawed at the rock. She stood, "Woah that was a tizzy."
"Star, are you okay?" Marco ran to her side. Her head was spinning aching but once the dizziness had passed she was sure that she would be all right.
"Princess Marco. You must take the lady and go." Gemini continued to ride the hydra like appendage. The servant was no longer on the monster's back. It's sight had returned without him there to keep the hoodie over his eyes.
"Wait Gemini." Star reached out a hand to him but Marco had already grabbed her other.
He led her to the still opened entryway. "Come on."
"Don't spare a second worrying about me. Old men don't live so long just to die in a place like this. I'd meet you back top side." Gemini's voice grew softer and softer until they could no longer hear him.
Marco looked backed, fearing the creature would follow them. Only thing they did see were the tiles once again. They were forming back behind them, coming together until the were back in the halls of the labyrinth. "Which way?"
He turned his head to the left than the right but without Gemini doing whatever it was that he had been doing before there was no clear direction. Marco paused.
An explosion set off behind them and suddenly there was a presence with the two. "Why you lot run off for?"
It didn't matter exactly where they went as long as they made a choice quickly. Star made an executive decision and lead them to the right.
Cracks started to form on the walls and ceiling. Bricks were starting to fall. The monster had been too big for the halls of the maze, but instead of him being squeezed his body crashed against the stone which started to collapse. The manticore than flexed and it began to tear.
The duo zig left and zag right, but behind them they could digging, claws flowing through dig like water. As she turned another corner Star spun around, pushing Marcho ahead of her.
"Stringray Armageddon!" She cried and two of the named fish flew ahead. They stuck onto the monster and released a large beep before exploding. It only cause it to pause slightly. The princess sent fish, bird, and mammal at the juggernaut with the same result.
"Star he's gaining on us."
"Diamond slope." Magic hit the floor and in front of them a ramp grew up like a plant. Star could only hope that the unrefined diamond could hold against the force of the charge. When the full weight of the manticore hit the slope. He deflected up in the air, right into the ceiling right above the duo.
Rock fell as the as the monster's body broke away at the structuring of the labyrinth. The first few boulders were easy enough to dodge but as the entire ceiling came down there were no where they could maneuver.
"Watch out" Star made a choice. When the full weight of the floor above them dropped, the girl flew at her companion, shielding him from the impact.
"No!" She expected a lot of pain or maybe even some emptiness that indicted that she was unalived but what came instead was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Like she found that she was able to move a bit. She wiggled her fingers and she didn't explode in agony. That was a good sign. "I'm okay."
"Ya you are." A voice wheezed underneath her. The whole room was suddenly dark but despite that she knew who it had been. "I on the other hand feel like you cracked a rib with that tackle. Mind getting off of me."
"Ya totally." There was a small part of her that wanted to sob with relief. This part was however easily overpowered by the larger part of her that felt embarrassed that she apparently knocked down her friend for completely no reason and was now pinning him flat against the wet ground. She waggled back but her heels wouldn't move back. They were hitting something solid. "I can't"
"Can't what?" She could practically see him making some sort of face at her.
"Can't get off. There's like a weight on my back." Star pushed on her elbows but that did very little to move right ever was pushing on her back.
"Must be debris." Marco guessed.
"Wait a moment I'm gonna magic us something." Star remembered the near infinite power she held in her hand. It normally was a treat to see what solution Star could cook up with mana, besides all those times that ended in disaster, but there wasn't much to look at. Even the blue magic from the wand did little to illuminate the pile of stone that had just covered them. If there were any way to describe the spell it was a dozen tiny little hands digging through rock.
It seemed to take a bit more effort from Star than it normally would. The hole was only just but enough for the two to crawl out of. They were also afraid that the whole pile would become unstable and crush them. They didn't know why it didn't initially. "How did he get out of that okay?"
"Don't know." Star dusted off her cloak, "Just lucky, I guess."
They were still in the maze. Lucky them.
It didn't look too different then it did before. Other than the freshly constructed dead end creates by all the rubble. Besides for some large stones it looked intact. From where they were they still could go straight and see where that would take them. "Where's the big guy?"
"Maybe we lost them." Marco hoped. He gave a bit of a shrug.
The two didn't notice the giant hole in the ceiling created from where the monster had impacted, or maybe they did and just chose to ignore it. It was a bit too far up from them to climb. The scratching of stone brought their attention to it. Fangs gripped the stone and then tore. The fingered serpents of the manticore sucked onto the walls allowing the creature to climb down the walls.
It was only because of quick thinking and a bit of luck that the two could dash behind a stone before it could see them. Still it sniffed the air like a wild animal leaving the two wondering if they would remain hidden for much longer. It wasn't looking at them exactly but it wasn't moving away neither.
It was a silent agreement that the two were much better off trying to wait out the pursuit. Though it was taking a while. Everytime Marco peeked up he found that he had to dodge back down to avoid the monster's gaze. "Is he just going to stick around forever?"
"I messed up." She sat, hugging her knees to her chest. Marco could barely hear her. Her chin was buried into her leg.
Marco shook his head. He sat down next to her. His legs curled up to match hers. They could actually look a bit snug if it wasn't for the circumstance. "I wouldn't say that."
"I should've never brought you here."
"Star. There was no way you could've known this was going to happen." This hadn't been the first time the two of them bent the rules. They must've been through worst.
"It's going to be okay. We just-" Wait here? Hope that thing didn't find them? They had no control over that and it got close a few times already. "It'll be fine."
"I knew we weren't supposed to be here but I brought us here anyway." "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. We think of something." His shoulder nudged against hers. "Right, Star?"
She didn't reply. "Star?"
He kept on whispering her name, but she refused to budge. "Star?"
It was as if she had called it quits. It was just unlike her. She kept going after she broke her wand, after she lost her book, Glossaryck, and basically being told by a flying cat that she sucked at basic magic. Now she was stuck in a bottom of some pit with some unstoppable juggernaut. Marco couldn't really blame her. This whole year was kicking her over and over again.
He could hear the monster just standing there. No telling if it was even looking at their position but it decided for whatever reason not to move away. It could find them and there wasn't much they could do at that point.
Star seemed to have given up and he wasn't as strong as her. "Star."
He didn't know what he was saying until he said it. "Star. I have a daughter."
It was quiet but it rang through the air all the same. The words seemed to surround them and give him goosebumps. He was wet. Soaking after rolling around in his damp place for so long, but he still felt warm, unbearably so.
"What?" For a moment he didn't think that even that news would remove her from her slump, but after a little time she said one word.
"Back when I was with Hekapoo. I was there for years and it just happened. I only just found out." he didn't know where to look. He tried to turn to her, but while her eyes were cast down before they were now on him. They were like spot lights. He could feel himself sweating.
"Marco, why are you telling me this now?"
"Because." He didn't know why. It just seemed appropriate, or maybe he felt like it should be out there in case anything happened. "I just wanted you to know more than anyone else."
Maybe he thought that she wouldn't say anything. Just go back to be silent. Maybe he thought she would completely forget where they were and yell at him for keeping this a secret.
What he didn't expect was barely restraint giggling. "Star?"
She actually rocked a little, brushing against him in her fit. The teen coughed and calmed herself, letting a sigh escape.
"Marco." Star stood on her knees. She looked at her friend who despite everything looked more composed than she had just been and melted into him. Her arms fell into place around him and she whispered into his ear, "I love you."
Marco face grew red as his mind raced. He had many questions and concerns. Why she was telling him this now? Since when? They clouded his thoughts, preventing him from enjoying an embrace that was actually quite nice and warm.
"You're my bestie." Marco found that he could relax a little bit. Apparently this was less a declaration of love and more declaration of friendship. Though that didn't do much to stop his heart from pounding because of the initial surprise. "Now let's get you home."
She stood up and dumped the tarp from around her. It fell down, raining down on Marco. He tangled with the heavy fabric. It ended up slung around his torso like a toga, "Star what are you doing?"
She walked from behind the boulder, "Star."
"Hey, you big butt. I'm right over here." The royal heir shouted and no amount of hushing that her friend started to do could stop the monster from turning to them.
He stood up completely straight. His shadow loomed over them. He had an ugly snare read just for them. "Now that was a bit rude mate. Someone comes along, offers you riches and you won't even let them make a hostage out of you?"
Marco tried to pull her back, but Star wouldn't budge. She matched the beast in posture, meeting him gaze to gaze. She didn't blink as he continued to taunt her. "All I was gonna do is murder a few blokes, maybe some of them friends and family, but only a few. Now you're going to stay right where I see you. Stay right in my pocket til I'm about ready to start razing."
"Ok." was all she said.
"Ok?" It roared and spat. If their clothes weren't already wet then they would've been soaked "Ok?"
The manticore brought a serpent to his chin who rubbed the underside of his mawl. "Ok? I'm going to be honest I wasn't exactly expecting that one. I was mostly talking a big game. Not about the murder and all that. Just figured you could keep me chasing ya for a bit while more. Thought I would have to start crashing this place down on you."
He eyed the completely wrecked halls, "Well even more so."
"Well you don't cause I'm right here." The girl rolled her eyes. She feeled ready to get over it.
"Right and I appreciate it, honest." The monster seemed genuinely appreciative.
Star interrupted his good mood with four words, "Just do one thing."
"Course there's a catch with you royal blokes." The manticore frowned.
"My friend. You have to let him out." She demanded and Marco hearing this only pulled on her harder.
The monster look a look at Marco and smiled,"That's it? Fraid you were gonna ask for something hard. Never really had my sights on the kid anyway. I'll even give him a lift right out of here. Still love the whole 'not being stuck in crystal' trick you'd pulled on me."
"Now come here." For once the manticore didn't move with the lightning quick motions he had to before. Instead he chose savored his victory and let his arm slowly float towards the girl.
This of course just allowed him to be intercepted.
"No." Marco wrestled with the fingers. He stepped and strangled and punched the snakes as they struggled to get at his best friend. He flailed wildly forgetting every movement from his martial arts training.
"Marco." Star gasped. She should've expected this. It wasn't what she had wanted.
"Hey calm down. The lady has made her choice." He looked apologetic, but it could've also had been pain. The kid was mashing up his fingers after all.
"Are you kidding me. I'm not going to just let you give yourself up." He scolded his head. He couldn't understand how Star out of anyone he had ever known could think that this was an option.
"I'm trying to do the right thing." She explained.
"Trying and failing." He countered.
"You need to get home. What about your daughter?"
"I wouldn't be able to look her in the eye if I got you killed."
"Marco, I'm the one who got us into this and I'm going to get you out."
"Okay okay okay. Enough with the biting." The manticore grew aggressive. His fingers started to coordinate. Instead of going af
ter him in wild abandonment they started to tie around him one by one. They pinned his arms and legs, tangled him on the cloak that Star had been carrying before. They bundled him up like a cocoon.
The monster lifted his arms and cracked his wrist, letting the boy crash against the stone floor. "I am sick and tired of the biting."
"Wait. I told you to stop let him go." Star cried out.
"I'll stop when he stops." He lifted up the covered Marco.
"I'll stop when I'm dead" Marco wheezed. He ignored whatever injuries he was suffering and still shouted loud enough to heard underneath the rag.
"You heard him. I'm being reasonable here." The manticore spoke as if he really believed that. He punctuated his sentence by slamming Marco down once more. The teen shouted in agony but still struggled.
"No you're not. Let him go now or I'll-" She didn't know what she was going to do. What she had done so far have proven ineffective, but she could fill a heat in her cheeks that just wouldn't go away.
"Or you'll do what?"
The manticore noticed far too late that Dtar had been glowing.
Miss Heinous was a patient woman. It was a skill that she had acquired and refined out of necessity over the years. It was as a skill that would always benefit her. Such as now. There was a chance that notorious Princess was dead meaning that her school was particularly solved of it's delinquency problem.
Course there was still the issue of understaffing. Gemini was now likely dead and he was the last of her puppets. She would have to go through so much trouble for another batch of servants needed to monitor on the girls under her discipline. It was difficult. The reconstruction of bodies, the binding spells, the subtle behavioral influencing. All of these were took ages.
Thankfully Rasticore was loyal with no strings attached. Once he was back she'll have all the muscle she needed to retake the school. He was all it would take for that much. After that recruiting and hiring would be simple. She just had to wait.
She'll be out of her car. She had grow a bit tired of the vehicle. Maybe she once held the thing dear but since she spent so long exiled in it she believe that when she returned to her rightful place that the car would have to be replaced. Not that she wouldn't be sad to see it go. She did have such lovely memories with her big growing lizard.
For example she held the arm in her arms, cradling the reptiles arm like a baby. Her cheek snuggling against it as they watched the night sky.
Too bad the ground started shaking ruining the entire mood. Cause she had to gain a peek at the commotion. A glance at whatever it was that dared to interrupt her precious time with her Rasticore. She had plenty of spare time to make whoever they were paid and a grand imagination to make full use of that time.
Of course she looked straight ahead and saw nothing. Which was confusing the crashing sounded like it should be very close to the couple but in front of her was nothing. Maybe they were behind a tree. Maybe the one that was currently crashing down onto the ground, completely uprooted.
Nope, no one behind there. Nor was it the tree behind that, nor tor the tree behind that. She could also rule out most of the forest in front of her for a couple miles. They all came crashing down after all. The ground underneath them just popped up, spilling dirt away from some event happening far away.
As Heinous looked up she had gotten a clue of what might've been causing this mass deforestation. Yards away was a pillar of light so bright that everything looked nearly pitch black next to it.
It last for a good moment before the ray slowly thinned and died off, leaving only the destruction it caused as evidence that the event that happened at all.
Well she better see what that was all about.
Star was pretty sure that she just coughed up a pebble. That didn't matter she had someone to look for. "Marco?"
Beyond her messy hair which draped over her face was dirt. Dirt and rubble. The walls that once surrounded were were gone. She could see in the distance the forest, or at least the remains of the forest. Above she could see the clear skies. Everything was a wreck. "Oh no no no."
"Star?" There was a groan. A thin layer of dirt lifted up, revealing a still tangled Marco. Tugged in the tarp like a pig in a blanket. With a little bit of struggle he was able to pop his arms out.
It was just in time. He had been able to meet a hug. "You're okay."
"Ya. In fact did I sleep through whatever happened here?" They broke apart and Diaz was able to see exactly where they were. "What happened to that big guy and the rest of the maze?"
"I don't know." No matter how much she wished to recall she couldn't. She just remember her friend's fight. Him being hurled against stone again and again and than nothing. "I think I might've slept through it too."
"Let's just go home. It's almost time for dinner." Marco unfolded the cloak from his legs.
Star thought that was one of the best ideas she heard in a long time. "Ya I'm over do for some grub."
"So am I." A rock shook and the two flinched. Star brought wand still in her hands. Marco balled his fist.
The debris fell over, revealing a familiar one eyed face. "Madams, you wouldn't happen to have any biscuits or the like at your residency would you?"
"Oh Gemini." Star perked up. She felt happier to see the hunchback then she thought she would.
Marco couldn't stop himself from shouting. He was just as glad, "You're alive."
"Alive?" Gemini gave a hearty laugh. "Like that overgrown pelt could sink claw or tooth into me. I've survive through tougher and sharper."
He stood with as much bravo as his old body could muster. "Now about food?"
"We see if mom can set aside another plate." Marco smiled.
The butler punched the air. "Wonderful. Now Marcia if you would lead the way."
"Um Gemini, it's Marco." The teen blinked, point at himself. "Princess Marco."
The minion readjusted his eyepiece. For a moment he looked embarrassed. "Oh sorry about that princess, slip of the tongue. I happens time to time as you get older."
"Come on. Let's just get out of here." Star swung her arms around the two.
"Think the scissors might work now?" Marco asked.
"I'd be surprise if any of the defenses are still up and running after whatever happened here." Star reached into her bag. "Now come on. I want to know everything about the baby when we get back."
"Everything?" Marco raised his brow.
"Of course. I need to." Star picked out her scissors, snipping them mindlessly. "How else am I going to be the best auntie there is?"
Marco just smiled. That just seemed exactly like something Star would say.
"Well isn't this an unpleasant surprise. You survived." It seemed the umpteenth time that day that any merriment had been swiftly killed.
Standing across from them was the headmaster of Saint O's. "But not before destroying the place. How typical of you juveniles."
"Miss Henious." It was easy to see how relax Gemini had been before because now he had tensed up so tightly that not even oil would loosen his joints.
"Gemini. I should've known. Still felt something leeching off me." She called to him. "Come. It is almost dark and I need my rest."
The man nodded. He steppes forward but a hand caught his sleeve. He turned around and his gaze met the Star's soft face. "Wait Gemini. She nearly got you killed."
"I am quite aware." He grumbled. He looked only mildly annoyed at such a severe offense.
"Why are you even working for someone like her?" Marco agreed with Star. He moved beside them.
"Gemini. Come on." She stepped away, not for a second believing that the man would deny her.
"Yes." Gemini coughed.
"No." Star stepped between them. "I don't know what's going on here, but you can't treat someone like this."
"I can not?" She laughed. It was dry and appropriate for a lady of her statute. When it died down she revealed a scowl which she aimed right at the teens."I don't believe that you should be the judge of how I treat my property."
"He's not some slave, lady." Marco too stood in front of Gemini. He didn't care how tired he was. He wasn't going to allow Heinous to just do what she wanted.
"Oh I honestly can't see why you are even bothering trying to fight me on this." The hag hissed. "Not for Gemini of all the insignificant things."
"He's not insignificant." Star burst over the woman's words. She subconsciously tried to make herself seem bigger.
"Allow me save your breathe and explain it in the simplistic terms. He belongs to me." The woman explained like it was the most obvious of concepts. "Whatever desires you think, or even he thinks he has, plays no part."
Star couldn't believe the woman's words. She reasoned with her new friend, "Gemini. You don't have to follow Henious if you don't want to."
"M'am I absolutely wish that was the truth." The man couldn't look her in the eye. All he could do was sigh deeply. The tip of his shoes must've been fascinating because he started at them.
"Gemini." Star cried out but he couldn't get the servant's attention. She pulled at his sleeve and that was just as effective. The heir glared at the hag. "Let him go."
"Let him go?" The mistress seemed amused at the idea. She relented. "Well if you insist."
There was a thud. Before Star could even comprehend what Heinous had said, Gemini had crashed to the ground like a lead weight.
"What?" She didn't understand.
"It actually relieving. Not having him under my control. It feels like I can concentrate a bit more."
Star waved her wand at the witch. She didn't what spell she had at the tip of tongue but it would be devastating if the woman didn't reverse what she has just done. "What did you do to him?"
"Just flexing the rights of my contract." There was a wicked smile. "Showing you exactly why this is meaningless. He can't move without my say so. He can't live without the same conditions."
"Hold on. I can help. I can-" Star moved to the prone body. She spoke to the man as if he could hear her. She looked at Marco as if he knew something they could do. "There must be someone who."
"Course I still have some use for him." Heinous snapped her fingers and the lump moved from underneath the girl.
He coughed as if he hadn't been breathing the entire time. Star didn't know if that was true or not. "Gemini. Are you okay?"
"He will be. As long as he plays his role. Now if you are all out of questions. I would like to say goodbye. It has been a long day and a lady must have her rest." The woman feigned a yawn.
"I'd normally try to exterminate you" She looked down at the princess's lost expression, "but I feel like this is a victory. A small one."
She turned away from the teens. "Now Gemini. Won't you bring me everything I might need for the night?"
"Yes." The butler lifted himself to his feet.
The crone raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Yes madam." Gemini followed after her.
The duo didn't give chase, but the boy did shout after them. "You're sick."
If looks could kill, Heinous would've turned to dust on the spot. "You're not going to get away with this."
"Star." He had hoped that Star would join in his heckling. Instead she stilled laid on her knees on the spot where Gemini had just been.
She covered her face. "Let's just go home."
"Are you sure you can't stay for dinner?" She had enough food. A tupperware container in her arms with more than enough for herself and her brothers. Still Angie thought that it would be nice to have the redhead over for the meal, especially since she helped so much.
Hekapoo smiled softly but shook her head anyway. "Nah I have to get out of here. My brothers tend to start burning things down if they're left alone for too long."
"If they're starting any bonfires, they're not doing it without me." The girl let out a laugh at her little joke and the Diaz mother giggled demon blinked. "And actually you haven't mentioned to anyone that I was the one helping out right?"
Angie blinked and paused. She looked up, trying to recollect, "Not by name, no."
"Good." Her face was purposely neutral as she nodded.
Angie breathed in and let out a deep sigh. She looked at the sky as if giving a prayer. "It's really a shame that my big man already has a girlfriend."
"No it's not. I'm happy for him." Hekapoo assured her. She even flashes her a little smile as she shook her head.
"Could you hold on for a second?" Angie stepped forward. Maybe Hekapoo had shook a little too violently because next thing she knew Mrs Diaz's arms were around her.
It could've almost had been called a tackle with how sudden it was. Even though it was gentle and there was enough room between the two to allow Hekapoo to comfortably hold the container of food in her arms, the abrupt nature of the hug still almost caused her to drop the lid.
"Sorry. Enough kids have been through this house. My mom senses was telling me that you were overdo for a hug."
"It's fine. Just don't go spreading it around. I have a reputation to uphold." While unnecessary, she couldn't say that it had been unwanted. Despite herself Hekapoo could feel her cheeks grow hot. She wasn't too embarrassed by it if the smile on her face was any indication. She cleared her throat. "So 'Mom sense', Does everyone have that?"
"I believe so. It's a bit different for everyone, but if they want it, it's there." Angie wondered what the girl's mother might've been like. "Though it's a skill that can take a while to build up. I've had a lot of practice."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." Hekapoo nodded. She didn't look upset at the answer so Angie assumed that she had said the correct thing. "For everything."
"It was no trouble." It was true and she silently wished that the young girl would return once again.
The demoness turned around and walked away. A red ring appeared in front of her, growing until one of the points kissed the ground. Hekapoo didn't rest before strutting into the portal, but once she was on the other side she allowed a deep breath to escape. "No. It was."
A portal closed.
A portal opened.
Out stepped her children. Star wasn't really her daughter, but as long as the princess was staying with them she could pretend. They looked dead on their feet to the point that she honestly wouldn't be surprise if one of them started to doze off right on the front lawn. She beamed at them, giving them a small wave. "Hi Star. Hi Marco. You two are just in time for dinner. In fact you even beat your father home. He's been out all day on a commission."
"Hey Mrs Diaz." Star leaned against the wall right beside the door. Her cheek smushed against the plaster.
Marco leaned against her, crushing the blonde alien a bit. "Mom, if it's alright with you. I think I'd like to pass out now."
"Oh, you must be exhausted, but you can pass out later. Now it's dinner." She opened the door, expecting her children to follow. They did or at least tried to. They were practically crawling inside. "Come on I tried a new recipe. You have to tell me exactly how much you love it."
She would write down every word if it didn't look suspicious. The mother wanted to relay every word that she could to the girl who was pining over her son.
