So this is a shorter one, but next chapter will be longer. Our heroes finally made it to Ludo's Family. Will they offer answers? Or will more questions be raised?
But first, review highlights!
Momijifan Low-Ki - Why yes, it IS great Jackie is cool with Marco again. And Rasticore was bound to show up at some point anyway. What will he do? Well...read below to find out ;).
Enternal Flame - This will respond to both reviews you posted. For the first, I like referencing a lot of stuff but if you or anyone feels 'lost', PM or contact me. More than happy to explain! But for the second review...thank you! I worked hard on this project, so happy you are enjoying it.
Before us stood Rasticore, having a playful grin on his face and chainsaw revved up. Looking quite hostile, I wonder why…though after recent events exploring this forest, Toffee isn't one to be trusted, even IF parts of his story had to be true. I clench my firsts, feeling fire overcome them. "So Rasticore Eclipse, plan on fighting us?" He stopped having a playful grin, only looking at me intently. My gaze was piercing seemingly, as he looked deep in thought.
"…Yes Marco. I'm not sorry for this." He leaps back and swings his blade, with Star and Janna casting a shield surrounding us. A wave of magic from his blade bounced off, so none of us got hurt. I look at our foe and feel rage overcome me. If you want a fight, I will give you one… I give Star a look, with her nodding. Canceling the bubble shield, I charge ahead dagger-sword in hand. I feel the sparks of Rasticore's chainsaw sparking as we continue slashing blades, but I hear chaos behind me. Seems to have brought back-up…
"Why? I thought you wanted to help us." I cast Flaming Inferno, pushing the lizard back. Summoning my Crystal Shield, I charge magic within it. Hitting Rasticore, he looks distracted. Perfect. I leap in the air and make a loud slash. It rippled across the forest, stopping the fighting around me. Looking at my blade…I noticed blue blood. "No…" Dropping the dagger-sword and shield, I look over to Rasticore, looking at his now missing chainsaw hand. He only grins at me, focusing on something. Soon a large green arm grows from his bleeding stump, grabbing my neck.
"See Marco…you think that things will change. They won't. No matter what you say to your allies. No matter the promises you make. And no matter how close you are to the princess. Everyone will turn on you. Just as they did my brother." I feel his hold tighten.
"LET HIM GO!" I hear Star scream, blasting some white light at Rasticore. He only holds me in front of the blast. Star's magic hit me hard, making me fall on the ground. My body felt…tired. Not weak or beaten up. Just…tired. Looking up, I feel myself kneeling in front of Rasticore. I'm not going to be a burden. My eyes flicker bright red and I punch the ground. Flames soon erupt right under Rasticore, burning him badly.
"You…are…good…" He backs away, huffing. My friends soon charge ahead, ready to take out Rasticore, but I only laugh loudly.
"Marco?" I hear Tom ask with worry.
"Dude…" Jackie said in confusion.
"This is bad…" Janna said horrified. Out of everyone, she knows what will happen next. I soon feel an evil grin etch across my jaw, picking up my dagger-sword.
"Hey, lizard guy…you really think I will get hurt by you of all people? No…I'm Marco Diaz of Earth; Champion of the Heckapoo trials, best friend of Princess Star Butterfly, warrior that fought all kinds of monsters across dimensions." I grab Rasticore's neck, holding up him with hidden strength. "And victor of a battle against your brother a year ago. Now, you DARE attack me?" I slam him into the ground, pointing my sword right near his throat. "Where is your brother? Answer me. Now."
Rasticore had a look of terror plastered across his face, but oddly enough, I felt no sympathy at this point. He attacked me. After talking with him before, seemingly willing to help us. He turns his back on my party. Anger dances in my heart and I feel my sword inching closer towards his neck.
"Remember your promise to us…" I feel my anger subside, looking right next to me. I spot John and Steven, looking at me with confused expressions. "Don't be like them Marco." Looking at my hands, I feel…mortified. I almost killed a monster…
"I'm…I'm sorry." I feel any power within me fizzle out, falling on the ground. Star and Tom stand next to me. I look and spot my other allies pointing various magic and weapons toward Rasticore. This feeling of shame washed over me. "I…I am a horrible leader."
"No you're not." I hear Rasticore wheeze. Looking right at my face, he looked just as guilty. "I pushed you into ending me…but you didn't. You aren't like Moon and River."
"But they were your friends." I say softly, still feeling winded. He shook his head, looking directly into my face.
"They…changed. Rather than stick up for us Monsters, they abandoned us. Like everyone else. The truth is…cloudy." He chuckles softly. "History is written by the victors after all." Rasticore gets up slowly, picking up his chainsaw. "Believe me or not, I have reasons for my actions Marco Diaz and Princess Butterfly."
"You made me hit my Marco!" Star hissed, beginning to lunge at the lizard. Tom stops her though, giving her an 'it's not worth it' look. Star grits her teeth and locks her vision on Rasticore still. "…Tell your brother this; We will give him hell." Her tone was cold and bitter, something I normally never hear out of Star's mouth. Rasticore only gives a somber nod, jumping into a green portal. After he leaves, I feel completely exhausted and pass out. Voices of my worried friends linger, but they drown out soon.
Waking up, my body felt like I got sucker-punched by an angry demon. Looking around, I spotted myself laying down on a neat bed, with Star cuddled up next to me. This felt nice, no wonder I got better after that attack…attack?! I want to get up but a soft smile reassured me to stay put. This didn't come from Star, but rather a tall humanoid bird. He wore a basic shirt and brown paints, but his head mirrored how Ludo styled his hair without that silly horned crown. I try to move without waking Star, getting a closer look at him. "Who are you? Oh…and thank you for helping me. Name is…"
"Marco Diaz and next to you is Star Butterfly. Yeah, know you two." He said softly, pulling up a chair next to me. Folding his large arms, he smirked. "Knew the princess since she was little. We played together sometimes. Though my brother keeps bothering her…"
"You are Ludo's brother?" I ask, which I get a nod. "Nice to meet you and…sorry for attacking him. He tried to harm Star often." He only sighed, rubbing his feathered forehead.
"Oh brother…even years later you still pine for that wand." He looks over to Star and smiles. "She can do good things…" Soon he frowns. "…if she respects monsters." I get the impression this guy isn't very fond of the Butterflies.
"We want to help all monsters…uh…I never got your name." The kind bird man only folds his arms yet again, having a soft smile.
"Dennis Avarius. One of the many sons in my family." He hears some shouting from downstairs. "Seems your friends are quite the rowdy bunch. Come downstairs when you're ready." Dennis walks slowly out of the room and I finally take in all its features. Sadly…it's worse for wear. Having floor boards sticking out of the ground, crooked pictures and even some tare marks on some furniture; Dennis and his family live poorly.
"Marco?" I hear softly next to me, with Star chapping her lips awake. I kiss her forehead, hearing her coo slightly. "Marco…you are okay. Sorry about blasting you…"
"It's fine, hurt less than a Narwhal honestly." I joked, earning a playful punch from Star. She giggled as she got up. Looking around the room, she smiled. "Yeah, we found Ludo's family."
"Been so long since I came here..." I notice a frown grow on her face. "But this looks really bad. Maybe I could...fix things up a notch." She forms a playful grin, with her wand glowing a vivid shade of pink.
"Don't use suck in the spell please…" I plead, earning an eye roll from Star. She silently casts the spell, with the entire room soon looking brand new. This likely applied to the entire house, as I heard shocked screams from downstairs. "Looks like it worked! Great work Estella!"
"I got dis buddy." She winked at me and soon got out of bed. I joined her feeling minor pains. "You okay to walk?"
"I'm fine Star. Honestly." This isn't the complete truth but I need to be strong. Star doesn't look convinced, folding her arms. "Still sore…"
"Let me help with that." I expect Star to use some kind of healing magic but instead, she kissed me on the lips. We stayed like this for a few moments, feeling time stop. But oddly enough, her heart marks glowed white and after our kiss, I feel completely healed. I look surprised at Star, which she clearly noticed. "See, I learned that when 'Dipping Down', I can heal people through touch. Annnnnnd since we love each other…"
"So I'm Sleeping Beauty…Rapunzel?" I tease, with the two of us laughing loudly. "That felt wonderful honestly…thank you."
"No problemo. Now…we gets to meet new friends!" She yanked my arm, as we dashed downstairs.