Hey guys, it's been a while. I had to step away for mental health issues. I hated taking a break, but even doing something you love can be stressful. So I am back, and I reaffirm my commitment to finishing my stories. It is my fullest intention to do so and to continue contributing to the Star fandom. Thank you for your patience! Now enjoy!
Marco!
At the moment of the eclipse, when the moon devoured the sun at the edge of the horizon, extinguishing its feeble rays and turning the dark sky into a bleeding wound, tragedy struck Butterfly Castle. Lady Fate revealed her tapestry, the outcome of the battle for Mewni's soul, and it was stained red with the blood of the fallen prince lying at the threshold of the throne room. Marco was dead. His fragile human body did not stand a chance against Mina's magic, which had been intended for Star or Meteora who, at the time, were grappling each other, mid-air. When the blast occurred, setting the room ablaze, Star had no idea Marco was nearby. Meteora's string magic distracted her from checking the Blood Moon bond, so the silence, she assumed then, must have been a good thing. She trusted that his warriors and own resourcefulness would keep him safe. But now she knew, and the gravity of the situation was difficult to accept. When she gathered him in her arms, she jumped at every imagined heartbeat and breath, expecting him to rouse. He couldn't be gone. He was just here a minute ago, racing to warn her about Mina. At any moment, Marco would open his handsome brown eyes and reassure her with a hopeful smile that they were going to make it. But time wore on and each second carried Star farther away from him and into the dark future that overwhelmed her with despair. Marco wasn't coming back. She failed him and Mewni.
Star's piercing wail brought the battle to a standstill. The knights sheathed their weapons, and the royals emerged from their hiding places in the alcoves, gasping in horror at the sight before their eyes. Moon was the first at her side, followed by the Johansens and other sympathetic royals, and then the members of Team Starco and River's tiny expedition force, which had set out to find them. Star couldn't bear to look at their sorrow; she kept her gaze fixed on the empty space in front of her. This can't be real, she watched Mrs. Diaz collapse in Mr. Diaz's arms and her friends fall to pieces. Out of the corner of her eye, Star caught a glimpse of Eclipsa, and anger began to replace her grief. Crying would have to wait; she needed her revenge first.
"Oops, guess I missed my target." Mina shrugged coldly. "Such a shame that the puny human had to muck up my shot."
"You idiot!" Rhombulus yelled. "You were supposed to kill Meteora, not the prince! That's not a part of the mission."
His snake hands hissed, warning him to keep quiet.
"What mission?" Moon turned to the Magic High Commission, her voice sharp and scathing. "I most certainly did not authorize any sort of mission involving Mina." She approached the Magic High Commission when none of them met her gaze. "Your queen is waiting…"
"Oh, Moonie, you're just now figurin' out the game?" Mina scoffed. "While you were cowering like an ol' nag, the MHC and I were getting busy solvin' an age-old problem: Monsters! There's no way we're letting a Monster Lover become the queen, and that includes the princess and her mongrel mate. Honestly, I—"
"Not another word from you, and that's an order!" Moon's shout echoed on the stone. "I cannot believe you all colluded against my family behind my back and murdered my son-in-law. You're lucky I don't have larger issues to attend to, or I'd—" She balled her hands into fists to contain her wrath. "—No matter. From henceforth, I strip the members of the Magic High Commission of their ranks. Your partnership with the House of Butterfly is over!"
"But—" Omnitraxus Prime tried to argue but Moon silenced him with a glare.
"That is an order from the Queen of Mewni. Captain Andrew, see to it that Omnitraxus Prime, Hekapoo, and Rhombulus are escorted off of castle grounds. They are no longer welcome here."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Captain Andrew dipped his head and motioned for the Kingsguard to follow him behind the Magic High Commission.
Good riddance! Star narrowed her eyes as they left. I would have done as much if I were queen. But the thought of being queen dragged her deeper into despair. Without Marco, there would be no king and no heirs after her. The Butterfly royal line, which had remained unbroken for a thousand years, would die with Star.
Moon turned to Mina. "As for you, Mina, I accuse you of conspiring against the Queen of Mewni and her royal household, murdering a member of the royal family, and high treason, and, therefore, I sentence you to death. Is there anything you want to say for yourself?"
"Ha, you think I fear dying?" Mina mocked. "Plus, there's no queen strong enough to defeat me!"
"I'm not the one delivering the punishment. Your life is not mine to take."
Even before Moon finished speaking, Star was already on her feet, her fingers itching to deliver revenge. I must go now, my love, she set the wand next to Marco. I will protect our kingdom to the death.
Mina rolled her eyes. "Oh no, here comes Princess Monster Love. I'd like to see you try 'n' hurt me."
"I think you forgot something, Mina," Star snarled. "I was the one who killed Toffee!"
In a single motion, she summoned her Butterfly form and seized Mina by the throat. A flash of golden light filled the room, melting even the shadows hiding under debris and in the corners. It was as if the noonday sun itself stood in the castle. A terrified shriek filled the air and boiling flesh sizzled, burning Star's own hand, but she held on until the last of the magic subsided, leaving behind a charred creature almost disfigured beyond recognition. Metal and skin had fused together, forming a hideous exoskeleton that contorted Mina's body into unnatural shapes as she writhed in pain. An empty eye socket glared at Star.
"You didn't kill me," Mina wheezed, her tongue lolling in a jaw that dangled off its hinge.
"Don't consider it mercy," Star said. "Seeing the state you're in, death would've been too nice."
"You'll pay for your mistake one day, Star Butterfly," Mina rasped in a low whisper. "This isn't the last of me. I'll come for you. I'll killyou and your line!"
"I'd like to see you try," Star dared and hurled Mina's dried husk out of the castle.
With one enemy defeated, she directed her ire to her true target. Eclipsa remained rooted in place on the throne, her face unreadable and smooth like a mask, one perfected from years of molding as a royal. Something had to be on her mind—Star noticed a thin wrinkle on her brow. Was she upset that her well-crafted plan had fallen apart, or that her granddaughter, the one who pitied her and believed her lies for so long, stood against her?
She continued to eye the dark queen, preparing for her next attack, but at the last second, she pivoted and struck Meteora with a bout of fire magic. The flames consumed her while she screamed. It's time to end this!Star prepared for the final blow, but strings sliced into her skin and held her in place.
"Leave my daughter alone!" Eclipsa hissed and yanked Star back.
Just as she planned to strike, Moon countered Eclipsa's spell with magic. "And you leave mine alone," she said, then quickly helped Star. "You deal with Meteora," she told her. "Eclipsa is mine. I will notlet her get away with what happened to Marco."
"Thanks, Mom." She nodded.
"And we'll provide support where we can," Kelly added. "I've sent archers after Meteora to slow her down and a patrol to hunt down Mina. Need anything else, Star?"
"I have a special task for you, Kelly," she replied somberly. "I—I don't want Marco to be alone and—"
Kelly placed a hand on her shoulder. "I completely understand. Once I make sure everything's set, I'll move Marco somewhere safe and stand vigil. It's the least I can do…for both of you."
"I'm glad you're on the team."
"I am too."
The friends shared a glance and split off to complete their assignments. Star faced Meteora, who glowered from the corner of the room. Arrows stuck out of her body like porcupine quills, and the scent of burnt fur made Star gag. Nevertheless, green fire blazed in the Monster's eyes, indicating that she was not yet defeated.
"I'm not dead yet," Meteora challenged. "I can still kill you easily, and this time your little human can't save you."
"Watch what you say about my prince, or I'll cut your tongue out!" Star warned and picked a sword off the ground.
"You think I'm afraid of you, Star Butterfly?" Meteora snorted. "The Era of the Seventh Dance is over! You lost. The Dance cannot survive without both parties. Leave it to the rebel failure of Mewni to let both her mate and the kingdom die! Once I put you down, the prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Age of Monsters will come at last. In fact, I—"
Before she could finish, Star seized her by the horns and pried them off her head. Blood spurted from the gashes left behind, and Meteora's bellowing cry shook the castle. A shockwave of rubble knocked Star aside, and she lay reeling on the ground while her ears rang. When she tried to rise, hot magic scorched her face, but instead of immediately fighting against it, she bided her time and savored the ire growing in her belly. I'll show you, she smirked. She waited for the moment Meteora, who became drunk with false victory, ended her magical barrage, and attacked. Star slammed her into the ground with enough force to form a crater several feet deep. A section of wall crumbled, raining bricks and frayed tapestries around the princesses. But Meteora rose to her feet again, unfazed by the attack, and raked Star across the chest with her claws, nearly shredding one of her arms. The pain made her hiss, but she kept fighting. They collided with the force of a hurricane—hissing, spitting, clawing, and kicking. Magic continually flashed like lightning, but both princesses refused to cede until eventual exhaustion began to set in. The world became a blur of noise and chaos around Star, but she fought through the fog with sheer determination. She would not die until her enemies did first.
"This ends here, Meteora!" Star barked, using her scary voice. "There will be peace between Monsters and Mewmans, but it'll be done the right way."
Meteora laughed. "I don't think you get it. The throne rightfully belongs to me!"
"That's what you think!" It was Tom who answered with Janna trailing behind him.
"I'm really tired of seeing her ugly-ass face," Janna scoffed. "Are there any places in the Underworld where we can banish her forever?"
"I know just the place." He grinned devilishly. "Wanna raise hell, babe?"
"Of course."
Together, they summoned a black coffin with gold chains that snaked around Meteora's limbs and pulled her inside. The floor opened into a gaping mouth, spitting with smoke and flame, consumed the Monster whole, and then closed again.
"That's what you get for messing with my friends!" Janna kicked dirt where the coffin disappeared. "Where'd you send her, Tom?"
"Someplace very warm and very secure," he said. "Won't be seeing her again."
Marco would've been very proud of us, Star wiped a stray tear from her grimy cheek. But the battle was far from over. She had to help Moon. When she caught up to her mother, she watched Eclipsa slowly pick herself off the floor and wipe the blood from her mouth.
"So this is how it's going to be," Eclipsa said darkly. "My family has betrayed me again. My own flesh and blood."
"How dare you act like you're innocent in this," Moon spat. "I trusted you, as both a little girl and as an adult, and where has that gotten me? My body is tainted with Dark Magic, Marco is dead, and my castle is in shambles. And you used my daughter to enact your revenge! She trusted you when no one else did!"
The rage in Moon's blue glare was unlike anything Star had seen before, not icy and distant, but fiery and raw and bright. For once, she imagined the little girl, not much older than herself, who ventured into Rhombulus's prison to beseech the help of the Queen of Darkness, taking an awful curse upon her body in exchange for a way to retaliate against Toffee. But was it worth it? Now Star understood the regret in Moon's voice, compounded by years of concealing her greatest defeat from the rest of the world. Yes, she won the Mewman-Monster War by scattering the Monster army in a series of battles, but she lost her freedom in the process, which was stolen by Eclipsa. All of her choices had led to this day.
Moon clenched her black hands into fists. "I grew up hearing of your cruelty, but now I know it's true. You are a monster—just like Toffee!"
Enraged, Eclipsa leapt forward and slammed Moon against the far wall.
"Mom!" Star raced after them and pried the dark queen off of Moon, hurtling her away. "Leave my mother alone!" she hissed and lunged at Eclipsa.
"Wait, Star!" Moon cried, but it was too late.
Eclipsa grabbed Star's wrists and muttered a curse under her breath—one that caused Dark Magic to stain her skin.
"You…think…Dark Magic can hurt me?" she growled, using her determination to fight through the searing pain that flared up her darkening arms like lightning, searing through skin and muscle and bone.
Her head filled with evil thoughts: of letting Eclipsa take over Mewni so the Monsters would have free reign at last, of letting the world burn to ash, of sinister yellow eyes gazing at her through a sea of fire. Give in, Star Butterfly, a voice called to her. Your day of reckoning is coming! She almost obeyed, sinking into the inner darkness of her impulses, but then Moon wedged herself between the wrestling queens.
"Leave my daughter alone, you witch!" Moon dug her nails into Eclipsa's throat and drew blood.
The magic rebounded on Moon, causing the stain on her arms to spread throughout her body. It was as if the queen had been shattered like glass. Screaming in agony, Moon managed to tear off one of Eclipsa's wings before the spell reached her face, turning her eyes into black pits.
"Mom!"
Star watched helplessly as her mother spiraled to the ground, colliding into several pillars and then skidding to a stop in front of the throne.
Star ran to her but stopped short when she saw blood and Dark Magic trickling from Moon's mouth.
"Don't worry about me," Moon insisted. "I'll…I'll be fine."
"Mom, you're really hurt," Star's reply came in a scarce whisper, full of a fear she did not want to voice. "Let me—"
"—No," Moon said firmly, and Star stopped in place. "You can't interfere…too much Dark Magic. It'll…it'll…" She wheezed then continued, "You have to beat Eclipsa now. I've done as much as I could. Don't let her take the throne."
Her words sent a shiver down Star's spine. They sounded like a final wish, something she refused to accept from her mother, especially right here when the world fell apart.
Undeterred, Star reached for Moon once more, but dark energy brought her to her knees, holding her body in a deathly embrace. As the world began to fade to black, she caught a glimpse of Eclipsa glaring at her with eyes colder than ice, devoid of the familial bonds that once made them close friends who confided in each other over tea in the Rose Garden. Eclipsa was no longer her granny—the arms that held her when she cried, the comforting words that reassured her unpopular opinions, or the smile that brightened her day. Eclipsa was an enemy now; someone to be killed. I have to keep trying, Star tried to muscle her way through the spell, but the Dark Magic had eaten through her Butterfly form, leaving her exhausted. Maybe this was the end for her too. Maybe she should lay down and let her soul find Marco. I can't do this without him, she wailed, seeing the empty years stretch before her without his warmth and smile and laughter. Why should she fight Eclipsa's magic when it meant living without her lifeline? Why not give in?
Star!
Someone called her name, giving her the courage to stand, and when she turned around, the moon turned red.
Death.
Mortals lied about Death, masking its cruelty with idle euphemisms that neither comforted the dying nor the grieving. Death was not an old friend. It was a devouring enemy who stole with impunity and with complete disregard for the victim snared in its icy maw. Marco did not feel at peace when the darkness came over his eyes, when his final breaths rattled in his throat: third to last...second to last...last. He was terrified and alone, left to drift across the indifferent void, knowing that he could never go home. His heart struggled, faltering among the sludge of blood filling his chest, but when that too gave out, the darkness grew deeper and colder. He fought one last time, holding fast to the Blood Moon bond, but it slipped through his fingers, unmooring him from reality. Star, I love you. It was her presence he missed the most: her calming touch and warming smile. He wanted to hold her and comfort her in the darkest hour, but Marco was at the end. He neared the glass ceiling where existence ceased and Oblivion began. Despair gripped him. What was on the other side? There had to be something to keep him from becoming nothing…but maybe life was meaningless. Maybe there was nothing after death. Maybe his whole life—his memories, emotions, and experiences—was fated to fade against the background radiation of an uncaring universe. This is it, he cried bitterly. Fifteen years. Fifteen years becoming none…
But then there was light.
Out of the womb of Oblivion, Marco emerged into a place of tremendous beauty. Everything was more alive, almost as if he had finally woken up from a long slumber. Colors were richer and more vibrant than he remembered them: reds deeper than blood, oranges and yellows as rich as cream and brighter than fire, greens bursting with life, and blues and purples as vivid as starshine. The golden waves from the shallow sea shimmered like liquid sun, but its touch was much gentler on Marco's skin. He looked up and beheld the sky, where countless moons, stars, and planets danced together, each sharing in glory with none more luminous than the other. He wanted to lift off the ground and visit each one, spending entire lifetimes exploring the depths of eternity. This is just the beginning, said the breeze, bursting with scents of sweetgrass and wildflowers. Come with me, Marco Diaz-Butterfly. Come find rest.
He followed the wind to the distant shore, where the whole world opened before him all at once like a blossoming flower. His wildest dreams were out there, among deserts and forests and mountains and cities full of people and beings he couldn't have imagined before.
Wow, Marco blinked in awe.
Welcome home, Marco, the wind said. All of this is yours forever.
I wouldn't listen to her if you want to see Star again. A white unicorn appeared, shaking buttery seafoam from her mauve mane and tail. You do not belong here, she insisted, at least not yet.
Who are you? Marco wondered, sensing a familiar presence from the unicorn. Who's Star?
It's just as I feared, the unicorn snorted. Mortals always lose themselves when they get Here.
Where's here? Who are you? Are you God?
The unicorn shook her mane. I would be careful throwing around the term 'God' so flippantly, Marco Diaz-Butterfly. There are forces more powerful than you can imagine Here. As for me, I am the Firstborn, a creation of Princess Star Butterfly, the one you call Beloved. I was called into being when she reestablished connection with Here. Mortals have many names for Here. Some call it the Afterlife, Paradise, Heaven, but I like to call it the Source. The Source of Magic, the Breath of Creation and All Things.
Magic? Marco echoed. I kinda remember...but, I thought Magic belonged somewhere else.
You're thinking of the Realm of Magic, replied the Firstborn. That's only part of the Source, placed in the mortal plane for the living to use. No, Magic exists far beyond there. It just Is. It exists everywhere. Regardless, you do not belong Here, Marco. You must go home to fulfill your duties as part of the Seventh Dance, lest Mewni falls to chaos.
Huh?
The Firstborn sighed, Just come with me, human.
What's a—
Before Marco could ask, the Firstborn set him on her back and whisked him away from the gleaming shore. There's no time to talk, she spoke while galloping through the sea. We only have a short amount of time to reconnect your bond to Star.
To Star.
Marco felt warm and safe when he heard mention of her name again. Star. He thought of forgotten nights, of darkness bathed silver by moons and stars, where he lay next to an essence that reminded him of fire—bright, hot, and energetic. Star. He thought of suns and stars dancing above a magnificent kingdom. Star. He saw blue eyes clearer than the sky. Star. He also saw proud green eyes, much like hers, followed by an intelligent brown pair and… Star! My Bright and Shining Star, Marco smiled with tears cleaving his glowing moons.
I knew you'd remember closer to the Realm of Magic, the Firstborn said. We're near the Mortal World.
I can't believe I almost forgot about her, Marco whimpered. How could I forget about Star?
You wouldn't have forgotten forever, the Firstborn said gently. Death is such a cruel thing that Mortals often forget living because they want to forget dying. You'd remember your past connections soon enough, especially once they cross over.
Marco still didn't feel better. He abandoned Star to fight Eclipsa alone despite his promise to follow her like morning follows night. What kind of general was he to leave his princess, family, and kingdom so vulnerable? If there's anything left, he thought bitterly.
You did as much as a human can do, the Firstborn comforted him. As much as any Mortal could've done. Dying doesn't make you weak—it takes courage to lay down your life. Immortals will never taste Death, will never know fear, though, in my case, Death gave me Life.
I guess, Marco thought about the Firstborn's words.
We're about to cross over. Hold on tight.
The Firstborn reared and plunged into the sea while Marco tightly gripped her slippery mane. They emerged again by a small purple island, which sat in a lagoon fed by a ring of waterfalls that stretched into the sky. Marco realized that they must have descended to a lower plane of existence, to the Realm of Magic where Mortals had access to the Source. While he longed to be with Star, he felt sad knowing that one day, he'd have to face Death again, but destiny always came with a price. I'd rather die a million times than to be without Star, he thought.
I must let you off here, the Firstborn said. Until we meet again, Father.
Father? Marco wanted to ask what she meant, but the Firstborn vanished into the sea once more.
About time you showed up. I was about to yell at Fate for interfering with my plans. The voice belonged to a small blue man nearby, who tended a cauldron of boiling stew.
Glossaryck? You can talk? Marco gasped.
I could talk the entire time—I mean, what're a few wasted months to an Immortal? Glossaryck took a sip from the ladle and grimaced. Ugh, needs more Cajun seasoning. Anyways, I wasn't crazy, Marco. I had to find a way to make Star learn things on her own while also telling her about Globgor.
Who?
That's of no concern right now, Glossaryck changed the subject. Come over here and eat some stew.
Do I have to? Marco questioned as he sat by the fire. Can I even eat?
You really think Immortals don't enjoy the finer parts of life? You haven't lived—or died—before having some of the Mother Sun's chili. Eat that, and you'll never want to leave.
That's right! I have to get out of here and help Star. Marco jumped to his feet. Please, Glossaryck, you have to help me.
Glossaryck shrugged. Sorry, but I can't. I don't know what the Firstborn told you, but it's impossible for a Mortal to return to the world of the living. Once you cross over, that's it.
No... Marco's knees buckled and he began to sob. No, I can't be stuck here. I have to get back to my friends and family! They need me. Star needs me!
Marco, look at me. There was a new softness in Glossaryck's voice that caught him off-guard. Just because we're here now doesn't mean we have to always be here. When Star died, she tried looking for a way out and—
Of course, the soup! Marco flung himself at the cauldron and dug into the scolding brew, ignoring the pain that crawled up his arms. Maybe it would work for him too. It had to.
Marco...
He faintly registered Glossaryck's calls, but he kept spilling stew until a wooden spoon connected with his head. Ow! He yelped. How do I even feel pain?
You know, Marco, I'm disappointed in you. Glossaryck sighed.
Me? I just wanna get out of here and be with my girlfriend! Marco cried. I love her so much, but of course, you wouldn't care about that.
Actually, I do. I know way more about the future than you do. As I was about to say, nothing happens the same way twice. Between you and Star, I thought you'd pay more attention at the Cave of the Blood Moon, but whatever, I'll show you.
With a snap of his fingers, Glossaryck brought Marco out of the Realm of Magic and into a black dimension tangled with blue strings. You're the first human to see the Void of Fate, he announced. All beings are bound to one another with these strings. As you see, I'm practically made of them since I am All-Knowing.
Marco winced when he saw them coursing through Glossaryck's body where a network of blood veins should be.
Glossaryck went on, When a creature dies, all the strings are severed, which allows said creature to break through the Mortal plane. Normally, that's it. No strings, no connection to the living world…but look at yourself, Marco.
Frayed gray strings radiated from Marco's soul, but among them, he spied a single, blood-red thread still bright and vibrant in the Void. He gathered it in his hands; it sizzled with heat and electricity. It felt like Star. She's my lifeline, he grinned. Now he understood.
I expected your wife to be this dense, not you, Glossaryck sighed. The Blood Moon bond is made of the strongest magic in the universe, binding souls across time and space, fate and fortune, life and death. Now that you see the way, it's going to take a lot of magic to make the leap, but I believe in you, kid. Always have.
Marco knew what to do. Just say words. He remembered the lesson Star taught him all those months ago and gripped the string with both hands, channeling all of his thoughts and memories towards the Blood Moon bond. It took a moment, but he found the right words to say, I call the Blood Moon unto me, the bond that unites us across space, time, and fate. Take me home to my true love and cleave our souls forevermore!
At his command, all of the strings in the Void rippled gold and then red, creating a blinding light that blazed across the dimension. The Blood Moon bond crackled and hissed, burning into Marco's hands. I have to bear it, he summoned his courage and held fast. Humans weren't built for this type of Magic, but he had a feeling that he wasn't exactly human anymore. Not after this. The Void of Fate faded away, and Marco watched Glossaryck smile.
You owe me pudding when you wake up!
Marco knew something was wrong as soon as he opened his eyes and saw darkness. His chest felt weird and heavy. It moved constantly, filling with thin iciness drawn through his nose and mouth, making him shiver against the hard ground. Fear seized him; the pulse grew louder and roared in his ears. What if the spell didn't work? What if he didn't say the right words and ended up trapped in a shadowy dimension, where frost demons possessed his body? Now I'll never see Star again! He bolted upright and tried to discern his surroundings, but it all flooded his senses at once. With each breath, he tasted tapestries, stone, and wood—not just the whole but the individual parts within them. He could taste the musty mildew growing on the chalky snail shells used in indigo dye. He felt the gritty stone on his teeth, the individual grains of mica, quartz, and granite. He also scented the blood and sweat of fifty people—it was so overwhelming that it made him gag. Gross, has the castle always smelled this terrible? Marco pinched his nose. His eyes saw through the gloom, as if he stood outside in twilight, right at the moment when the stars came out, seeing both muted color and shadow at the same time. The world was so different.
Nothing happens the same way twice, he remembered Glossaryck's words and reached up to touch his cheeks, tracing a crescent-shaped patch of magical energy. These aren't supposed to still be here, he frowned. Usually, his cheekmarks went away after casting a spell, but they were now stubbornly fixed to his face long afterward, glowing with faint light.
Congrats on the upgrade, Marco, he heard Glossaryck's laughter on the wind. Guess I can't really call you a human anymore.
Suddenly, Marco sensed movement through subtle vibrations in the air, and a familiar scent washed over him, reminding him of wild forests and freshly oil swords. "Kelly!" he cried. "Oh Kelly, it's so good to see you again!"
Her face turned pale and she shrieked, "It's a ghost! My mind's playing tricks on me."
"No, it's me." He grabbed her hands. "See?"
"Marco…" Kelly's lips trembled. "It's really you! I—we all thought you were dead. We saw Mina attack you."
"I did die." He grew tense when he recalled the memory. "A lot happened, but I'm here now. The Blood Moon brought me back. Where are the others? Where's Star?"
"In the throne room fighting Eclipsa. We took care of Mina and Meteora earlier, but I think this fight is wearing on Star. She lost it when—y'know."
"Then it looks like I've arrived at the right time. It's going to take the Dance of the Sun and Star to defeat Eclipsa."
"Agreed. Anything you need me to do, General?"
"Tend to the injured but be ready just in case."
"On it."
They raced to the throne room, past the wreckage left behind by errant blasts. Marco tasted the bitterness where flames licked stones and wood, and he saw the stars shine through holes in the ceiling. The Blood Moon was high in the sky, adding to Marco's strength and courage. He already had no issue keeping up with Kelly, which was a first, but now he felt energized enough to run through the Mewnian countryside, back to the top of Musty Mountains amidst the snow and ice. Is this how Star feels? His heightened abilities scared him.
At last, they reached the battle, and Marco quickly scanned the room to catch up on what had happened since his departure. Blood caked the ground, but there weren't any casualties laying about. The knights defended the royals, many of whom hid behind ruins, while Team Starco and the Lucitors banded together to deflect Eclipsa's spells. Even Dave fought side-by-side with Tom. This is getting weird, Marco noted. In the middle of the room, Star stood in front of Moon, struggling against Eclipsa's strings. Purple crisscrossed her body, threatening to eat her alive. Give in, Star Butterfly, the magic roared in her soul. You can never defeat me.
"Oh yes she can," Marco challenged. "I think it's mighty foolish of you to underestimate my Bright and Shining Star!"
"Marco! Marco's alive!" It was Tom who cheered first, but his cry soon spread among the royals and knights, sparking hope in Butterfly Castle. The Dance of the Sun and Star was not dead.
As Marco drew closer, the Blood Moon rested its ruby light on his shoulders, waving behind him like a triumphant banner. He called Star's name, begging her to look at him, but he sensed her doubt: He's not really there. It's just an illusion.
"No, it's me," he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm right here, Star. I'm home."
The contact unleashed a surge of magic from her that shoved Eclipsa aside, allowing Star to turn around. Grief melted when their eyes met. "Marco!" She threw herself into his arms and cried. "It's really you!"
"I'll never leave you again," he vowed. "We're sticking together from now on."
"Agreed," she murmured and gave him a kiss.
In the background, Eclipsa rocked back on her heels and waited for the lovers to separate. There was subtle relief in her murky gaze, buried under layers of treachery and bloodlust, but that it didn't sway Marco's hatred.
"I guess I underestimated the power of the Blood Moon," Eclipsa said. "It really is a bond more powerful than any force in the universe."
"Don't act coy with me!" Star growled. "This is all your fault. You betrayed us!"
She lashed out at the queen with a powerful blast that sent her flying across the room. Tom, Janna, and Pony Head provided cover, creating an opening for Star and Marco to slip through Eclipsa's defenses for a series of attacks. Several times, Eclipsa tried to defeat them, but the Blood Moon protected the couple from her Dark Magic and imparted its strength. Together, Star and Marco were truly unstoppable.
In a final effort, Eclipsa cast a web of strings, but Marco shielded, causing them to deflect and ensnare her instead. The interaction with Dark Magic had her paralyzed.
"You aren't going to hurt little old me, are you?" Eclipsa wondered. "I am your granny, after all."
"Not anymore," Star spat. "Let's do this, Marco," she said through the bond.
They held hands as the Blood Moon bled in the sky, churning red magic around them—magic only they had the right to use. They closed their eyes and recited the words given to their hearts: "I call upon the Blood Moon, who binds us across fate and fortune, space and time, and life and death, to grant us its mystical power to protect Mewni forevermore!"
A beam of magic shot out of the sky and consumed Eclipsa in a flash brighter than the morning sun. When it disappeared, the Queen of Darkness and her web of strings were gone, along with the wall behind her. The battle was finished.
"That was amazing," Marco breathed. "I can't believe we can use magic like that."
"Me neither," Star said. "She's just...gone."
There was a trace of sadness in her voice, but Marco understood. He once trusted Eclipsa too. When he went to comfort Star, he stopped, sensing that something was wrong even before Kelly rushed over to them.
"Guys, quick. There's something wrong with the queen," she panted.
In the far corner of the room, in the shadow of the thrones, Moon convulsed in a pool of black bile and blood. The Butterflys and Johansens were with her, frantically trying to revive her, but she convulsed in River's arms, spewing more purple vomit from her quivering mouth. Breath gurgled in her throat. Everyone had forgotten Star and Marco's victory over Eclipsa and grew silent in concern. It was a hard sight to watch, especially for Marco. He knew the long journey Moon had ahead of her.
"Mom!" Star went to her side. "Mom, it's okay. I can save you."
"Don't touch me." Moon warned with an intense glare. "My time has come, and I'm not afraid."
"No!" Star howled. "You can't leave me, Mom. We need you…I need you!"
Marco took her hand and let her lean against him, trying his best to soothe both of them with the bond. I wish I could say something, he groaned at his own uselessness.
Moon craned her head to speak to him, "Marco, my dear…my son. It's nice to see you again. I was so worried about you."
"I'm sorry," he said.
"You did well…very well. You are more than worthy of being my daughter's partner, and I pray Mewni will see what I see in you one day. I think you'll be a king like no other."
"Thanks." The words made him lightheaded. King? Was he really about to become the King of Mewni? Right now?
"And River, my love," she whispered. "Stay strong. We'll meet again one day…I'll always love you."
"I'll always love you too, Moon Pie," River whimpered.
"Star." Moon turned to her daughter. "My beautiful Star. Don't doubt yourself—you're ready to become Mewni's queen. More ready than I was. It's up to your generation to right the wrongs of the past…to do better than we did." She took in a ragged breath, coughing up black bile. "I haven't much time, but I love you…more than I can ever say, and I hail you as my queen…Your Majesty…"
She breathed her last and the light faded from her gaze, which now held nothing but eternal starlight. Heartrude closed her eyelids, and Tom murmured a gentle spell under his breath.
"It's a traditional Lucitor blessing," he explained. "We say it to help guide the dead to the other side. I figure it's the least I can do to help."
"You've done more than enough, Tom," Marco replied. "There wasn't much anyone could've done."
"Thanks for the kind words, Your Majesty," Tom dipped his head.
Oh, that's right, Marco realized the full weight of the situation. The royals and knights—his subjects—milled about and murmured to each other. A king like no other. They discussed his swift rise to power over the course of the year, taking him from squire to prince to king. And as a mere human too. Mewni's first non-Mewman king. The Butterflys and Lucitors seemed upset, but they did not voice their dissent at the moment—even they knew when to hold their tongue.
After saying her final goodbye, Queen Star rose to her feet and placed her mother's crown on her head. Although her spirit was heavy, her blue eyes glowed in the moonlight, full of determination and grit—the same kind that drew Marco to her the night they first met. Her subjects all bowed.
"All hail Her Majesty Queen Star Butterfly!" Manfred announced.
"Long live the queen!" they replied.
"And long live King Marco!" River passed his crown to Marco. "Don't look surprised, my son. I wouldn't dare rule without…my dearest Moon Pie."
He began to sob violently, so Marco gave him a hug. "It's okay, River," he said. "No need to say more. I'm honored to be Mewni's king—that is if the queen will have me."
"Of course, I will," Star said, adding for his ears alone, "You silly dork."
They watched the stars dance while the royals chanted their names, welcoming Mewni's new queen and king. The future terrified Marco, but as long as he had Star, he knew he could face anything. The Dance of the Sun and Star had just begun.