Hello! I have one more bonus chapter to write after this, but I really got into the idea. I also touch on a few plot points mentioned in the main story. Remember when I mentioned Marco planned the Love Handel Concert? Or how he begins debating whenever or not Star really likes him back? Well this bonus chapter touches on some of those. The final 'bonus' chapter of this three-part story is going to be emotionally powerful, so that will release a bit later.
Hope you guys don't mind this side-tracking from the main story, but I promise, the Toffee chapters will come soon. Just really wanted to explore this story arc. For reference on where this take place in my 'cannon' of the show, it's during during the 'Baby' episode and leads into 'Just Friends'.
Just coming off of completing the trails, one should feel as if they are on top of the world! Besting the all-mighty Heckapoo and saving people along the way. But…I feel empty. I know why, but that doesn't help much. Rolling out of bed, I sigh and toss on some cloths. Spotting my leather jacket, I decide to throw it over my red hoodie. Hey, I got this from that mess, might as well wear it. Shoving my hands inside my pockets, I head downstairs and spot Star munching on some cereal.
Smiling at her bubbly joy, I sit across from her, munching on an apple I took from the counter. "Morning buddy."
"Hey Marco. So…how are you holding up? Yesterday was…something." She rubs her neck, trying to not look at my face.
"I'm not great, to be honest. But could be worse." I shrug, roughly biting my apple. "Sorry for asking about that thing yesterday. Wasn't really cool of me. While I was gone for years, it was only a few minutes for you."
She grabs my hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Look, its fine. How about we eat this stuff and head out for another boring day of school?"
I sigh, not looking forward to struggling with work. But I force a smile and squeeze Star's hand back. "Yeah, could be fun." We get our things ready and head out to school. It was…odd being back here to be honest. Everyone being so carefree, not having any issues to worry about too much. Lucky people…I remember…don't go there Diaz. The trials pushed you into dealing with harsh things. I shake my head to get the thoughts away, but Star notices.
"Marco…" She guides me to our lockers and puts her warm hand on my shoulder. "We could go back home if you want. I mean…"
"No, it's fine. I can do this Star." I re-insure her. I spot a bright smile on her face, glad she is happy.
"Okay…good!" She punches my arm lightly and walks ahead of me. I find my seat and lean forward, honestly zoning out as our teacher droned on about history and stuff. Fate wasn't very kind to me today, as a chalk hit my head.
"Marco Diaz!" Our teacher shouts. "Pay attention." I grit my teeth and stand up. Walking up to the teachers face, I grab her collar.
"Listen troll. I learned about history in 20 different languages, mastered mathematics from ancient scholars and I aced every test this year so far. So if I feel out of it today, excuse me. I was in a dimension for sixteen years and seen things that would make you not sleep for nights." I let go, releasing my held breath. "I will take my detention slip after class. Sorry for disrupting the class ma'am." I storm out and slam the door shut.
I hear faint chatter from outside, but what surprised me was the teacher coming outside…giving me a somber expression. "Kid…do you want to talk about anything?"
"What about class?" I ask. She waves her hand and helps me up.
"I let Butterfly teach them about…magic. That counts as a teachers sub." She winks at me.
"Okay…I was away for a long time in another dimension. I don't think I need to explain that, right ma'am?" I ask, which I get a shrug as a response. "Anyway, I was stuck there for sixteen years."
"Six…sixteen years?" She asks dumbfounded, which I respond with a nod. "But you look so young still."
"Dimensional time differences are quite funny." I say bitterly. "So…I am kinda down right now. Being used to things again will take a while. So I hope you can work with me…despite my outburst from earlier."
"I'm surprised you didn't snap sooner Marco." I raise an eyebrow at that comment. "You live with her. You know, the one that turned me into…this." She points to herself. "I will let it slide this time, as I know you didn't mean anything."
"Thank you…thank you so much for understanding ma'am. I promise that won't happen again." The teacher nods and walks back into the class, with shouting coming from the doorway. I chuckle a bit before coming back into the class myself.
Today has been a very long day to be frank…school is really annoying. People blabbering on about pointless stuff, school work oddly enough being easier than before I left, and the most surprising of them all…Star outright not doing anything crazy. I know she is getting better with magic, but even still, I expected one thing to blow up or a flaming rainbow to close the day out. But no, it was nice and quiet. I'm honestly impressed, though I have the feeling she dialed her hyper-go lucky attitude to do events from yesterday.
"You okay Star?" I ask, throwing my arm around her as we head home.
"Not really…I feel tired and stuff." Star mumbles.
"Sorry about…" She holds up her hand.
"Look Marco." She says in an irritated tone. "You didn't do anything. If you say 'I'm Sorry' again, I will blast you with my wand. Got it?" I just nod, not used to Star being angry with me. "Good. I have to train my magic tonight anyway."
"Something happening with family?" I ask, but she just grows a somber expression.
"If I fail this…I have to return to Mewni. So I need my full focus on training." I feel horrible in that regard; this is coming up right after I was missing. Such fun for Star I would imagine.
"Hey, I could help." I form a grin on my face. "I could be your magical test dummy and make food for you." Her hearts glow a bit before dimming out.
"That's sweet…thanks Marco." She hugs me, which I respond back. We let go and continue walking home. Star throws herself on the couch while I walk up to my room, getting my things off. Before I even take my leather jacket off, a red portal opens up in my room.
"Marco!" I hear my demon friend shout. "I heard you went on the trails from some of my minions and…" I place my hand on his shoulder.
"I'm okay…sigh, not really. I feel like dirt to be honest. Have time to talk?" Tom nods and sits next to me on my bed. "I came back here after doing so much and I feel…empty. You ever get that feeling?"
"I got that when Star broke up with me." Wow…didn't expect him to ever mention that to me. "Don't get nervous, I'm not mad with you about that. Anyway, she broke up with me from my temper issues and us being 'forced' together."
"Forced?" I ask…wait, I get the picture. "I'm sorry Tom. No wonder why Star felt so upset being with you. Not because she didn't want to, but her family forced her to be."
"Hit the nail right on the head…those trials make you grow, huh?" He says with a smirk, with it soon dropping. "But I really did love her…still do. However…you let anger fester inside you, it just comes out bad. You know this first hand."
I snicker, remembering Tom pushing me at the Blood Moon Ball. "Oh I do. Also remember when you tried to torture me through the whole Mr. Candle thing." We both laugh for a short while before becoming quiet. "I just wish I could feel whole again. Something to distract my feeling of emptiness."
"You have a girlfriend, right?" I look up and nod. "Okay, why not hang out with her?"
As if I'm going to mention my feelings about Star to my best friend. I will think of something else to say. "I talked with her yesterday about the trails but that didn't help much." I rub my chin…I got an idea. "Tom, you have training arenas, right? I mean, you are a demon lord after all."
"Demon Prince but yeah, have one of those. Want to fight and train?" I nod. "Wow…you want to keep on adventuring, but don't want Starship to think you left again."
"You are quite smart, my clever demon friend." I lightly punch his arm. He smirks and places his arm over my shoulder.
"We can get something set up. Know just the guy to train you." I tap my chin, pondering what warriors he has.
"Sanns the Undead Skelton? Kratos the God of War? Oh! How about Dante?" Tom just gives me an annoyed look. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. Going to be fighting you, right?"
"Yep." He snaps his fingers and opens a portal. "I will contact you once things are set up. Please Marco…take it easy. I get exactly where you're coming from. I honestly do." The portal closes and I lay back in my bed. Jackie and Tom…two people outside of Star I can fully tell everything too. So thankful I have them as friends. Closing my eyes, I drift into the realm of sleep.
Waking up a few hours later, I hear a loud banging hit my door. "What is it…" I mumble. Opening the door, I spot a panicked Star. She looks scared…oh now. "Um…that test person is here?" She nods. "I…I need a few minutes to wake up but I will start making food for you guys. Please..." I place a hand on her shoulder. "You got this. Don't worry so much. Be bubbly happy self and let both sides of you work together. That is when you have the most powerful, passionate magic." I walk downstairs and once I'm in the kitchen, I slap myself. Ugh…hope I didn't make things worse.
Making fingers sandwiches, various drinks like punch & lemonade, and even my trademark nachos. I put them on a try and walk up the stairs. Before I place them down on the table, a blast of wind instantly eats everything. H…How did that happen? I look in front of me, spotting a flying cat thing. "Um…you want more food ma'am?" I ask it.
The creature turns to me and grows wide eyes. "So you are that warrior…"
"That what now?" Star asks, turning to me.
"If you mean the trials, I just completed them from Heckapoo a day or so ago. I know you are helping Star with an important test, so won't keep you. More food is on the way." I say with a wide smile before going downstairs. I make food but spot the cat creature warp in front of me a few minutes later. "Is something wrong? Sorry the food is taking too long and…"
"No…you didn't do anything. She is returning to Mewni." I drop my tray and grow a hateful look at the creature. "You can't change that warrior."
"Why? She works her butt off training magic, she lost EVERYTHING and just like her parents, you have the audacity to give her more stuff to deal with?!" I hissed at the creature. "She is my best friend and like hell if I would let you take the one thing away keeping me here."
"You…you wanted to stay?" I know what the creature is referring to, so I nod. "And the princess is the only reason you returned to Earth?"
"Yes." I say bluntly. "But that doesn't matter, now does it?"
"It does. She is one of the most powerful magic casters since Eclipsa. But she needs a push." She leans closer to me. "I'm not really sending her away. She just needs a 'push' to cast her magic better. Follow along when you come up again."
"Oh…okay." I say in confusion. "Sorry for snapping. Still fresh after that whole sixteen year adventure."
"It took you sixteen years? Wow…no wonder the stories about you are so vivid. My name is Baby." She holds out her paw. I shake it in response.
"It's nice to meet you. Name's Marco." She warps away and I continue making food. I follow along with her plan and come up Star's room with food. Baby scolds her and lists off every failure of Star. I want to say something but I don't. I just grit my teeth and show my true emotions; anger. Baby is about to leave, but Star focuses her magic. Soon, a pink blast of light is enveloped with green magic. It hits the apple, forming a beautiful tree, growing a perfect red apple. Baby bites it, turning around and giving us a warm smile. She eats whatever food I brought up before vanishing in thin air.
"That…that was stressful. But I can stay!" Star tackles me into a hug, which I warmly embrace. "Sorry if Baby scared you."
"It's okay Star. She isn't that bad once you get to know her." Star lets go and grows a confused look.
"She kinda talked to me a few minutes ago. To my surprise, guess my adventures are well known. She said I was a great warrior." Star grows a grin, having her arms lean on her sides.
"My, guess my Safe Kid turned into a Safe Man, huh?" I blush hearing that but shake my head. Star giggled and punched my arm. "But how about we end the day with a movie? I'm honesty really tired."
"Sounds good buddy." We head downstairs together and watch a movie. After the 20 minute mark, she lays on my shoulder. "Marco…I felt scared before. I didn't want to leave. I love my home."
"Y-You consider Earth your home Star?" I ask dumbfounded.
"Yeah. This is the place I grew real friendship with people. And I met you." She turns to me and grows a wide smile. "I mean, I don't know what would have happened if you told me to return to Mewni after our little fight."
"Yeah…I was a jerk back then." I snicker at myself. "But I'm happy you are here too. I would honestly be lost without you." I lean on her shoulder. "Happy you made Baby happy with the trial."
"Me too Marco." She closes her eyes and passes out. I let myself drift into slumber too, happy my best friend isn't leaving me.
The next day I wanted to do something special...to celebrate not only coming back home, but to also help Star relieve stress from recent events. So, I went online (finally found my password), and ordered two tickets to a upcoming Love Handle concert. Two days later, I got them in the mail and put Star's neatly inside a special Shooting Star-styled card.
Dear Bestie
It's Marco here! I wanted to get you something to relieve the stress from recent stuff. So…how about we go to a special Love Handle concert together! I wanted to see them go on tour for a long time and despite my sixteen year adventure, I still love their music…can't beat those melodies. I know it might be odd considering…things, but I wanted to make everything up to you.
You have dealt with a lot of emotional trauma, with the spell book being lost and my odd disappearance. Not to mention the recent trial with Baby. But hopefully, you accept this offer to join me in having some fun listening to awesome music.
Thank you for being my best friend…
- Marco Diaz, Your Safe Kid
I don't know if putting this in a card is the best idea but hey, what could go wrong? I put the card on her desk and head back in my room, letting myself feel honest joy. I've felt happy at times since I returned home, but this is the first time I felt pure joy. Feels nice honestly.
Ah, Marco has noble intentions. Well, we know what happens next ;). I already covered what happened during the concert, so I will touch on the aftermath of it. THAT is going to be really fun to write about. So stay tuned for the final chapter of this mini-arc coming soon.