I was planning on having this chapter up yesterday but something got in the way so it's a day late. In other news I've been considering implementing my OC's backstory some more but because he's … and OC, I don't know it I should more than I have. But while I think about it I have something else to say, why is everyone surprised that Star is in love with Marco? Does anyone remember the ending of chapter 21? But I digress, I need to get to the reviews.
Kurokawa Kazunari: Killing a main character? That's a great idea but it's so unlike me, now one of my OC's on the other hand, now that's another story.
Finnjr63: The one known as Mathew is in fact in love with Star and I think I already said that Star loves Marco.
JJ: I apologize, this story has in fact, gotten out of hand, I guess I could blame my love of 'one piece' for that but I take the blame for myself.
deadshoot12345: Actually 53 is a 'her' and I've done nothing to her or her twin sister 54. I can say the same for their younger siblings, 55 and 56.
Sabrina06: It was my pleasure, and thank you for the claymore.
JW TS: Well JW ST, This story has passed the half way mark some time ago (thankfully) so you won't have to deal with much more of Marco's suffering … but sadly, his suffering hasn't reached the half way mark.
acosta perez jose Ramiro: Thank you again.
Exodis: Actually, I'm glad you brought that up, see, thing is, ever since the finale, I've been … hesitant to touch Ludo. I like to keep a sense of continuity with what I write even though I started this around … the first few episodes and now the first season is over. I might still write him in or make a few modifications to earlier chapter (really minor like removing Yvgeny Bulgoyaboff or making the sceen between him and Tom take place somewhere else) but I'm trying not to mess with the cannon.
Gb: I know that feeling, I also have a 3DS and I used to use the internet on it until I got my phone.
i stay 12 4evr: Your 16.
Mt4: What is an F pod? Is that something I should be worried about? … HA! I know what you meant and thank you.
starco 4evah: Chapter 21 my friend, chapter 21.
Zachson: I'm going to make you all glad that I waited this long to bring them together.
hobos 4 evr: Well my trolly friend, your comment made me constipated which prevented me from working on this chapter during my free time yesterday. (But in actuality, it wasn't your comment)
mr: A code is pointless unless it is properly encrypted and I can't help but feel that there is a mistake here somewhere because there isn't a word in the English dictionary that is four letters long where the first, third, and fourth letters are all the same. It also can't include slang or acronyms.
aliyaperez101: Lannister escaped? When did this happen?
H. Mae: Yeah, that one was the most unstable so he was a little … crazy. It was a really powerful spell, Stella wasn't the only student who saw it but Marco wasn't nearby when it happened. Marcus and Bagel? That's actually a good question, I'm not really sure what their up to. You can trust me.
Guest: You want them to kiss? Please remember that you said you wanted that.
Revewsifconfused: That reason? Oh, it was a really good reason, a reason so good that it prevented me from answering his question it was so important.
Disclaimer: Star vs. the Forces of Evil characters belong to Daron Nefcy.
Stella, Marcus, Lannister, Roy, Mathew, and story belong to me
Beta read by Sabrina06
(Marco's POV)
(The next day)
I made it to school with enough time to spare before class started to have a nice little talk with Mathew. "Damn paint." I said as I tried to rub my lower eyes without removing anything; the face paint worked really well, only it was painfully irritating ... even though the package said that it was safe if it got in the eye. "Must be different for magic eyes." I said to myself. I continued walking until I found Mathew alongside Ryan and Kevin. I made my way up to them, rather annoyed. "Mathew!" I exclaimed.
All three of them turned to me, surprised, and Mathew took a few steps back. "Marco!" Mathew exclaimed, trying to be happy. "I thought you would come here and lecture me on the importance of protecting Star."
"You know me so well." I said before grabbing him by the collar and throwing him against the locker. "Are you even capable of protecting her? This is the second time something like this happened under your watch."
"I'm aware of that!" He exclaimed as he brushed himself off. "I'm doing my best, but as it turns out, I'm not very good with our offensive roster."
I sighed and shook my head. "Well get better or find someone who is because you know this is far from over."
"I know that!" He retorted. "As a matter of fact I was just talking about this with Ryan and Kevin, wasn't I?"
Ryan nodded and Kevin turned away. "I was more interested in why Mathew doesn't want to have more men protecting Star." Kevin noted.
"It's not that easy Kevin." Mathew retorted. "I told you, she doesn't like being protected."
"Well then how are you going to keep her safe? They got at her once before and they have two more who are just as strong as Lannister."
"No." I replied. "They were failed test subjects that Lannister used, in an attempt to cure his insanity by combining his personality with Mathew's." I paused for a moment.
Both Ryan and Kevin turned to Mathew as if expecting answers. "Don't look at me, this is my first time hearing about this." Mathew replied.
"Star doesn't think it's dangerous enough to warrant telling people right away." I replied. "She doesn't think anything is dangerous enough, unless it endangers one of her friends." I turned away. "Also, the count isn't two anymore." Both Ryan and Kevin looked at me, surprised. "The two that were held on Mewni; someone broke them out."
Kevin turned to Mathew. "Mathew, you have to … why am I talking to you?" Mathew looked hurt as Kevin turned to me. " Marco, can you convince Star to postpone my parole?"
"Why?" I asked.
"Out of all our members ever, I'm the best fighter; save for the leaders themselves ... and Roy's personal body guards. Mathew clearly wasn't enough to protect Star, so she needs me."
"They got the drop on us!" Mathew retorted.
"But if I was there then it would have bought Star a few extra moments to blast him before he got to her!" Kevin exclaimed.
"Then it doesn't need to be you." I added causing Kevin and Mathew to turn to me, they seemed curious. "If you have all of her traveling companions on alert, and semi-trained then it should be enough to keep her safe; she's stronger than anyone." They all turned to look at me. "You have the alert part taken care of with all the danger that's going on, so all you need are about … two, maybe three others in addition to Mathew and you should be all right, save for an attack from Ludo or Lannister himself." I paused. "Maybe Tom would also be one to worry about, but body guards wouldn't help against him." I paused again. "Actually we're past due for an attack from Ludo, might want to keep an eye out for that."
Both Ryan and Kevin turned to Mathew. "All right." Mathew replied. "I'll … take inventory and see who our best are, now if you'll excuse me." He began trying to walk away/.
"Wait." I said as I walked in front of him. "The main reason I wanted to talk to you was to ask you if you had any more info on Paul, then I got sidetracked; so what do you have?"
He reached into his pocket. "I almost forgot about that." He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. "When we investigated the mill we found a sheet of paper that was encrypted, I've been deciphering it and found a few locations." I took the paper and looked it over. "I've made teams for the other locations but I thought that I would give you one as well … just so you have something to do."
I put the paper into my pocket. "Thank you, I'll check it out after school."
"You're welcome." Mathew said before walking away.
(Star's POV)
(Meanwhile)
I was walking through the halls constantly bumping into my followers, who were eager to find out what happened yesterday and if I was all right. I was constantly reassuring them that it was okay, but everyone was still so concerned and although it was sweet, I still found myself trying to avoid them as I made my way through the hall. "Man, they are persistent." I said as I hid behind a corner.
"Or they just really care about you." Someone said from behind me. I slowly turned around to see a guy in a black jacket, gray t-shirt, and gray pants, with long dark hair. "But the real question is … do you care about them?"
I paused for a moment at this guy's question. "Um … yeah? I care about all of them."
"Is that so?" He asked. "You care about all of them? What about Marco? Do you care for him too?"
"He's my best friend, now who are you?" I demanded.
He looked to the side. "He cares about you a great deal … he will of course have to go … maybe the new one will end him, but if they end up killing each other than that would work too."
I raised my wand and pointed it at his face. "I'm going to count to three and if you haven't answered my question then I'm going to blast you." My wand started to glow and I leered. "Who are you?"
He smiled and closed his eyes. "Yes, of course, you've already met me before … well, not me." He said as he motioned to himself. "But … you know me." He said as he motioned outward.
"One." I said as I continued to leer.
"Right, right, more specific, well … I … am … the hybrid."
"Two."
He looked at me, a little worried. "You know … the hybrid? The combination of two different things?" As I inhaled he began to wave his hands in front of him. "No, stop! I'm the result of the combination between Mathew and Lannister's personalities!"
I stopped counting as my eyes went wide. "You … like yesterday?"
"He didn't explain it?" He asked. "Of course not, he was so unstable, didn't even know what was promised to him."
"What was promised to him?" I asked.
"It's a long story and I don't want to talk here, let's meet after school, in the theater, where this all started."
"And if I refuse?" I asked, as I continued to leer.
He smiled. "Then my partner will kill your followers one by one." My eyes went wide as he let out a laugh. "Oh and … come alone." He walked away leaving me speechless and shocked.
Eventually the bell rang and I had to make my way to class. "This can't be happening." I said to myself. "This simply can't be happening."
(Star's POV)
(After school)
I was on my way to the theater where I was attacked by Lannister; I felt like I was walking into a trap, but I knew what this really was, a surrender. I stood at the door and took a deep breath to gather my courage. "You're doing this for your followers Star, you have to be strong."
I opened the door and made my way inside. There, I saw the punk from earlier, as well as another boy with short blond hair and a gray T-shirt and shorts. "Star!" The punk greeted as he noticed me. "And here I thought you were going to be a no show."
"Drop the formalities." I said as I walked in. "I'm only here to protect my followers."
"You mean you didn't come here to see me?" He asked. "Of course not, you just want to protect as many people as possible."
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Not so fast." He said as he held out his arm. "First … the wand." He pointed to a table with a tray on top, near the entrance. "Now don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to touch it, I don't want to be corrupted."
I looked over at the tray and placed my wand in it, then walked over to where he was standing. "All right, what do you want from me?"
He smiled and looked down. "Nothing much Star, you're just a means to an end for now." He placed his hand over his right eye and laughed. "You see, the failed attempt you met yesterday was … well, a failure in every way, but me? I was perfect, a mixture of both personalities, I am my own person."
"From what I heard, Mathew wasn't enough to overcome Lannister's insanity, that makes you a ticking time bomb."
His hand fell and he turned away. "That is true; I feel it growing with every passing second." He turned back to me, an insane smile on his face. "But Lannister found someone who is strong enough, and he already has the perfect concentration after only a few short tests!"
"Get to the point already!" I demanded.
He sighed. "Well, after testing it on the two liberated hybrids, Lannister said that he doesn't need any more test subjects so he's not going to save us. Thing is, he will still need you; so when we deliver you to him, he will cure us and we will be free from madness."
"You're always going to be mad." I said with a leer. I gave him an uppercut to the jaw, causing him to fall back, then took the opportunity to backflip to my wand.
When the punk finally regained his composure I already had my wand pointed at him and he just looked at me dumbfounded. "How-"
"Super Aquatic Hydro blast!" A massive blast of water erupted from my wand, which collided with the punk, sweeping him away until it collided with the far wall leaving him unconscious. I pointed my wand at the other one and he just raised his hands with a smile.
"I surrender!" He pleaded.
I walked towards him with a leer and my wand at the ready. "You threatened my followers, my friends!"
"I did no such thing." He replied. "I wouldn't have done a single thing to any of them."
"I don't believe you."
"It's true." He pleaded. "I'm not like him at all, I really care about you, I actually, dare say, I love you."
"Mathew is the one who's in love with me." I said with a leer. "You're just a cheap imitation."
"No." He replied as he walked forward slowly. "I'm my own person, Star."
"No, you're one of the so called 'Lannister test subjects'."
He laughed. "Well, yes I am, but … there is … something I would like to share."
"All right then, start talking."
He laughed then ran his hand over his right eye. "Well … if my sense of timing is right … Marco is dead."
My eyes went wide as my wand stopped glowing. "Say that again?"
"I said, Marco is DEAD!" He exclaimed. "Lannister's latest test subject has a … bone to pick with him, and by now he's done the deed."
"You don't even know where-"
"He's at the sports field, right now probably getting killed as we speak."
I turned around and ran as fast as I could leaving both of the test subjects behind me. "No." I said as I ran. "Marco you can't die on me!"
(Marco's POV)
(Meanwhile)
The rest of the day had been as normal as days go around here; but I kept asking myself the same thing over and over again. "Why on Earth am I doing this?" I asked as I wiped the paint off my eyes. "Sure I want to keep Star safe … but even if she did get captured once, or twice, … should I really be risking so much?"
"Are you having second thoughts?" Monster Arm asked.
"What do you think?" I asked. "You know exactly how little I trust you."
"Only slightly more then you trust Star." He replied.
"I trust Star a lot more than that." I replied.
"Oh really?" He asked. "Then I must have been asleep when you told her what really happened after she left."
"Stop it." I stated.
"No one's going to hear me Marco, or do you yourself not know that you told her father, who did arrive, that she shouldn't return to Earth at all."
"That was before, this is now."
"Right." He said sarcastically. "Now that you know that there are four insane bodyguards, and the assassin is free, and it's more dangerous than when you thought it wasn't dangerous at all."
"Shut up." I retorted.
"How about when you told him about me? How you thought that I would be a threat to her? Even that is more obvious now; but your mind has changed? Tell me, why do you want her to stay here?"
"Because Mewni isn't safe either, at least here her cult will protect her when I'm not around ... for the most part."
"Yet you don't trust Mathew at all, just a few days ago you were going to attack him."
"Star can handle Mathew if something goes wrong." I replied.
"There's something else, isn't there." He noted. "You can't keep everything from me, Marco."
I took a deep breath and leered. "I'm not in love with Star."
"I didn't say-"
"What else are you trying to get at?" I demanded. "Every time you ask me about this, you always think that it somehow involves my feelings for her."
"I'm sharing a bunk in your head Marco, do you really think I wouldn't notice?"
"Why do you want me to be in love with her so badly?" I asked. "Better question, why do you care?"
"Excuse me?"
"Far as I can tell, there are only two things you care about, keeping me alive, which you should because you'll die if I die, and my relationship with Star."
"Well there's not much for me to do aside from-"
"Why, Monster Arm?" I asked. "What is it about Star? Why is she important?"
Monster Arm didn't respond right away. "I live to help you get what you want Marco, to help you get everything you've ever dreamed of."
"I have a hard time believing that." I replied.
I continued until I reached the address that Mathew had given to me, much to my surprise, it wasn't an abandoned office building, but one of those all-in-one sports fields that could be used for anything except hockey, thankfully, for the moment, no one was here. "What on Earth am I supposed to find here?" I asked as I walked past the gate. Aside from the field, all that was here were some bleachers, a concession stand, and some old sheds. When I opened my other eyes I saw that there wasn't much magic going on here either. "Why do I feel like this was a waste of my time?" I asked as I walked around. Before I could moan further, I saw something strange coming from one of the old sheds. As I walked closer, the problem became more apparent. Earth wasn't a magical place, but when I closed my normal eyes I would still be able to make out shapes and whatnot but this shed was so devoid of magic that when I closed my normal eyes it looked as though it were a black hole. "I bet I know what that is." I said as I walked over to the shed. When I got there, I found that the lock had already been cut; which gave me pause for thought. "Someone was already here." I said before opening the door.
"Yet there is still no magic." Monster Arm added. "Whatever is in there, they didn't take it."
"Yeah, but why?" I opened the door and low and behold there it was, a small pile of sterilized silver just sitting there like it was nothing at all. "Why on Earth would someone just leave this here?" I asked as I walked in to take a closer look at it.
"Well isn't that the question of the day." A familiar voice said from behind me. I turned around to see Paul standing there; his hands in his pockets and a strange smile on his face. "So the rumors are true, you have accepted the monster that Star merged with you."
"How did you know that?" I asked with a leer. "And why isn't your arm broken anymore?"
He chuckled. "I have a friend who told me you'd be here, you might actually know him, he goes by Lannister."
I leered as I clenched my fists. "Lannister is in prison on Mewni, there's no way he could have helped you."
He smiled and shrugged. "Yet here I am, good as new, with not a pain in my arm, waiting for you to show up so that I could put an end to the monster that you have turned yourself into."
I smiled as I cracked my knuckles once. "And here I was thinking that I would have to go looking for-"
He interrupted me by swiftly closing the distance between us and elbowing me in the chest. "Not going to let you do that Marco." He said before grabbing my arm and twisting me into an arm bar.
"Monster Arm, I need-" Before I could finish, Paul released my arm then stuck my esophagus with the side of his hand.
"Not going to let you cheat against me Marco." He said before striking my face with the palm of his hand, causing me to recoil. Before I could regain my balance, he nailed me in the chest twice causing my legs to weaken and give out, which resulted in me falling to the ground. As I struggled to get up, Paul kicked me a few times before walking over to the pile of sterilized silver. "Time to end this." He said as he picked up a chunk.
As he walked over to me I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "No." I said softly. I opened my eyes and flipped over just in time to block him from smashing the chunk of silver into my head, catching him off guard. I took this opportunity to pull him down to me, while simultaneously landing an uppercut to his jaw; causing him to fall next to me grasping his jaw. I quickly made my way to my feet, as did he, but he still had one hand on his jaw; giving me a moment to land a punch to his chest.
"I don't need Monster Arm." I said before landing another punch. "I can beat you without his help." I landed another punch and continued. "I'm not Star's body guard." I hit him again. "I'm not her weak friend who she has to rescue all the time." I punched him again, harder. "I'm her partner." I hit him one last time causing him to keel over in pain. "And the only thing keeping me from her, is you."
He got up slowly and quickly tried to get away from me by making his way to the back of the room, only to find he was going the wrong way. "It appears that I need more time for the serum to take effect." He said.
"Serum?" I asked as I made my way over to him. "Interesting, so that's how you learned to fight."
"I just need one more day and I can take you no problem."
"Well I'm not going to give you one more day." I noted as I crossed my arms. "Not to mention that in one more day and you won't be able to kill Star."
He turned to look at me, annoyed. "What do you mean?"
"That serum Lannister gave you, it has some wicked effects and you won't want to kill Star by the time they take full effect." I smiled. "By now they have to have had a sizable effect on you anyway, so I don't think I would categorize you as a threat to Star's life anymore."
"What are you talking about?" He asked. "After I'm done with you I will be able to get to Star and then I will take care of her."
I smiled, getting a sense of joy out of this. "And what do you mean by that?"
"I'm going to make her my girlfriend of course." He paused as he placed his hands on his head. "No … no no no no no, I didn't say that, I don't love her, I want her dead."
I smiled at his confusion. "You're turning into Lannister … or a copy of Lannister fused with Mathew, I can never tell."
"It can't be, why do I love her now?" He closed his eyes tight. "No I don't love her, she's just a friend … no she's not that either, she's an abomination and I want her dead!"
I smiled as I walked closer. "Looks like you don't want to kill her anymore."
"No I don't … damn Lannister, what did he do to me!?"
"He doesn't want Star dead, so he turned you into someone who loves her."
"NO!" He exclaimed. "That's not what happened, it can't be."
"Mathew's influence might make you want to protect Star, but Lannister might take control at any time." I began. "It's best I take you to Mewni."
"My name's not Mathew." He replied. "It's Marc … no … Lannister? NO!" He exclaimed again. "My name is Paul!" He looked up at me and his eyes went wide. "LOOK SOMEONE IS STEALING THE SILVER!" he shouted.
I wasn't going to turn around until I heard a voice from behind me. "Oh shit." It said causing me to turn around to see a boy holding a brown bag.
He ran away and I gave chase, catching up to him and tackling him to the ground before he could even make it to the field. "Who are you and why are you helping Paul!" I demanded.
The boy had short blond hair and looked feeble, almost like if you stuck him with a needle it would kill him. "I'm not helping him anymore!" He pleaded. "I just came for the silver and you two seemed like you were busy so I … didn't want to disturb you."
"You expect me to believe that?" I asked as I grabbed hold of his arm. "You're probably working alongside … Paul." My eyes went wide as I remembered that I had left him by himself while I gave chase." I dragged the boy back to the shed only to find no Paul, and no more silver. "Damn it." I turned back to the boy. "You! I almost had Paul, I could have gone back to fighting alongside Star, but you had to go and distract me; allowing him to escape." I sighed. "At least it's not happening again, Star's going to have a few words to say to you."
"No." He said softly. "No please, you can't bring me to Star!"
"You were working with Paul, what makes you think I'm not going to drag your sorry remains to her?"
"Please!" He begged. "I only meant to right the wrongs I've committed; I don't want to work with Paul anymore!"
I crossed my arms and leered at him. "Start filling in some blanks before I get upset."
"I have a safe house." He explained. "I have a lot of silver there that I got to before Paul had a chance to, some might be sterile but most of it is normal silver that is still full of life!"
I paused as I began to consider. "An entire safe house?" I asked.
"Yes." He pleaded.
I thought to myself for a moment. "Okay, you have my attention … now start explaining before I change my mind."
"I was a smith, I workied with the sterilized silver, along with Paul. I however didn't know it was sterilized at first."
"Really?" I asked in disbelief as I crossed my arms.
"Yes, I didn't know what it was; I was told that it was some kind of rare silver that took a while to melt down."
"That's it?" I asked. "That's the secret behind how to forge weapons with sterile silver? Keep it heated for an extended period of time?"
"Hours more than regular, it was so annoying that Paul eventually told me about how it's made only because it's easier to sterilize it after it's forged."
"I could have told you that." I replied. "So what happened when you found out?"
"I wanted to stop, I thought it was horrible but he said that after all the work I've done, Star would never forgive me."
"That was a lie." I replied. "She would have forgiven you, she still would; but after what you did to help Paul-"
"I didn't!" He pleaded. "I'm just trying to gather as much as possible before Paul."
"Okay, I'll contact Star and she can meet us-"
"NO!" He exclaimed. "Please, she will hate me for being associated with Paul."
"She's forgiving, she'll just give you a task to take care of and-"
"Please!" He pleaded. "I've done more work with it knowing it was sterile than I did prior."
I sighed, I figured that he would never want Star to know what he's done. "Fine, but I still want to see this storage you have."
"Of course." He replied. "I just don't tell Star about me."
"I will keep it a secret, but if I find that you pose a danger to Star then I will tell her everything about you."
(Star's POV)
(A short time later)
I had just made it to the park and had begun to fear the worst. "Marco!" I shouted. I ran onto the field and began looking around. "Marco! Where are you?!" I received no response.
I continued to look around until I saw an old storage shed with the door wide open. I ran over thinking that it might be where they fought, sadly though, no one was in there when I reached it; but I could tell that something was off when I walked in. I walked to the center of the room and knelt down to touch the floor. "There was sterilized silver here not too long ago." I said sensing that the magic had yet to return from this area. "And if Marco isn't here, then he must still be alive."
I ran outside and began looking around, frantically, for any sign of a trail. "Damn it, I won't lose Marco again!" I pointed my wand to the sky. "Heart Tracking Wayfinder!" I shouted. An arrow appeared above my wand and I began following it. "Don't worry Marco, your princess is coming to save you."
I was originally going to end it after Marco's POV but I couldn't resist robing him of his self-respect. Now keep an eye pealed for the next chapter, it's going to be coming at some point.
R&R
