Right Behind You
Chapter 12
Mewni Castle
Moons POV
"Eclipsa" Moon knocked on the tower door "Eclipsa I need to talk to you"
"You know I don't know why you bother knocking, I'm essentially a prisoner" came the voice through the door "but please do come in anyway" it finished sullenly
Moon waved her hand and the chains and bolts unlocked themselves, she opened the door to find Eclipsa sat on her bed, her mascara had run in tracks, obscuring her marks, she'd obviously been crying.
"I wanted to apologise for yesterday, I should've been a little more circumspect when bringing up your past" Moon took her hand "I didn't mean to upset you"
"Oh Moon" Eclipsa gave a halfhearted smile "it wasn't your fault. You didn't do this to me.. to my family, your ancestors did. I don't blame you"
Moon smiled at her, I think perhaps I may have jumped the gun with her she thought to herself.
"I do however blame the High Commission and their archaic views" she finished with her eyes narrowed
Or maybe not… "Eclipsa" Moon sighed "it was 300 years ago, things have changed"
"Oh really? The same wastrels occupy the High Commission, Rhombulus was the one who imprisoned me! Don't tell me things have changed, how can they have when the same people who were in positions of power then still are now!"
"My daughter, Star.. she is the future Queen of Mewni and she has spent the last few months trying to bring Monsters and Mewmans together, in friendship. It's slow going, yes, of course it is, but even I came to the realization not so long ago, that we are not so different, thanks to a Monster"
Eclipsa raised her eyebrows in surprise "Do tell"
"A monster named Buffrog, he tried to keep Star safe for me.. even if she did end up sneaking out despite our best efforts.. anyway, my point is, things are changing, for the better. I know it won't bring your love back, and it won't save Meteora from what she's become, I can't imagine how you must be feeling" Moon soothed "but when my daughter becomes Queen.. everything will change"
"That doesn't make it right Moon" Eclipsa clenched her jaw and spoke through gritted teeth "That doesn't even come close"
"I know" she's not going to let this go "look I'll make sure you get a fair trial, I won't have you imprisoned again if there was no just cause I promise.. just, don't do anything stupid, please, for Star's sake, she sort of looks up to you, I want to believe there's a good reason for that"
At the mention of Star Eclipsa's eye betrayed her with a twitch
"Eclipsa.. what is it" Moon stared at her "what's wrong"
"Is Marco back yet?" she responded quietly
"No, my husband has gone to retrieve him, but I've had no word"
"Get him back. You have to get him to come back or he'll be lost forever" Eclipsa grasped Moons hand tightly "how did you not see it!" she practically shouted at Moon
"Wha..?" Moon was shocked "what are you talking about?"
"I wanted to tell you yesterday, but my daughter.. I was confused, I'm sorry.. I.. Marco is in grave danger"
"What danger Eclipsa?" Moon grabbed Eclipsa's shoulders "what danger!"
"It wasn't a healing spell!" Eclipsa looked terrified "I recognized it's aura because.. because I had it cast on me" she lowered her eyes to the floor "the Stone Heart spell.. yes it heals physical ills, but it hardens the heart, removes love.. how did you not feel it?"
"No" Moon whispered "no that's not possible, I felt his emotions, his love for my daughter was an inferno.."
"It blinded you to it's true purpose. It will drown that love in nothingness, until eventually all Marco will be able to feel is hatred and bitterness" Eclipsa looked at Moon again "his love for Star is all that's stopping it right now"
"How do you know this..?"
"Because it was the same for me, all those years ago" Eclipsa took on a sorrowful expression
"But you're okay! Why!" Moon was frantic now
"The Stone Heart spell can only be uncast by the one who cast it, or.. if Marco dies, the spell is broken"
"WHAT! You're telling me the only way to save Marco from this horrid spell is to.. to.. kill him?" Moon squeaked in disbelief
"If he can be brought back.. he will no longer be under the effects of the spell. How do you think I did it?" Eclipsa sighed softly "I died"
"But.. how?" Moon whispered "how did you come back?"
"Remember I spoke of my loves abilities yesterday? Well.. he could reverse his life extraction, he could give up life to extend anothers… he… he saved me, but in doing so he threw away his own life" Eclipsa felt a tear escape as she remembered her loves sacrifice "and when the High Commission realized I was still alive despite their best efforts they crystallized me instead"
"You're telling me we either find someone with this ability.. or Marco is dead, or so changed he may as well have died" Moon whispered
"Yes" Eclipsa looked heartbroken "and for Stars sake I suggest you find someone soon"
"But.. where do I even begin to look! I've never even heard of this ability!" Moon was beside herself now Star will be broken, I can't let this happen.
"Start with my home, there are books there that my love kept, they may aid you Moon"
"You mean that creepy temple?"
"It wasn't creepy.. but yes"
Moon stood and made a beeline for the door, she stopped just before the threshold and turned suddenly "I.. um.. thank you Eclipsa"
Eclipsa nodded "Go Moon, you don't have much time"