Treading Twilight:

Chapter One: After Mewni

*Just a little something I wished to share, will upload the next chapter as soon as I update my other story. Enjoy!

After the battle of Mewni and the defeat of Toffee, things gradually transitioned back to normalcy. Construction of Mewni began shortly and Star was allowed to return to Earth for that 'summer break' she had heard so much about from Marco. It was a relief to go back to Earth, and prepare herself for a little more fun. The whole entire ordeal with the resurrection of Toffee had been stressful and irritating nonetheless. Stressful, not because of Toffee, no by no means. It was mainly stressful because of the way her mother had handled the entire situation, playing passively. Star had much rathered gone guns blazing, and fortunately, she had been able to save the day with her new transformation… which... was weird and Star actually had no idea how to gain access to it again.

That transformation was without a doubt cool and well, it made her skin goosebump thinking about the absolute power she held. The whole entire ordeal was just stunning—exhilarating might have been a better word to use actually. Her mewberty form was power and magic to which Star would never believe that she'd ever had access to. Her mother informed her that it was bound to happen, and the whole experience a day later was of course still fresh in her memory.

Toffee was dead and Ludo was incognito for the time being. Everything seemed as if things would turn out for the better and life would return to normal.

Regardless, everything was progressing from entropy to order. There was just only a small issue that needed to be addressed and Star was not entirely ready for it. She knew it had to happen, but the thought laid on her head heavy like a cast iron radiator.

Right there, in the living room of the Diaz family, after they all reunited with Marco's parents and the laser eye puppies, and when both the elder Diazs made their exit leaving the two, not before telling them to behave...it all started.

To be reiterate...everything started when Marco's parents stepped out of the house.

"Star… I'm not sure how I'm supposed to approach this, but I think it's best if I just come and say it and am completely blunt. But… Star I think we need to talk about this… especially since I am dating Jackie."

Again she wasn't prepared for any of that, and the long-haired blonde girl kept her eyes trained on Marco. She looked away nervously, yup, that happened.

"Just confirming, you do have a crush on me?"

She simply nodded her head and "I do." Not wishing to make eye contact with Marco as she said it, despite that, it felt like a barrel full of sand had been lifted off her chest.

"Star, Jackie and I are dating, you even got us together. It's all—ugh, she's the girl I've always… ya know wanted."

"I know… I know." She said hitting herself on the head. "Stupid stupid feelings."

"No, they're not stupid, not at all!" He shook his hands in an attempt to comfort her. "I just want you to know that this won't in any shape or form ruin our friendship."

The girl smiled, but she felt her heart tear slightly. It wasn't as if she didn't know they would never be. It wasn't the fact that he did not share the same feelings as her; there was just something about the boy actually saying it and rejecting her that completely made her feel like yesterday's trash. Her eyes fell to her feet, as she inhaled through her nose.

"Marco, I wouldn't have it any other way." She eyed him and made sure her smile looked as genuine as possible.

He grinned and put his arms forward taking the girl in an embrace. She wrapped her arms around his torso and took in the embrace placing her face on his chest. It was bittersweet and only succeed in throwing acid on the wound she had already developed. It wasn't a hug that was filled with the emotion of a significant other, or of the one you cherished the most. It was a hug that someone gave to their friend, nothing more nothing less. It was entirely platonic. It was nothing like the way she saw Marco hug Jackie, and this knowledge embedded itself in her brain. And she felt terrible despite the outward mask and appearance she made sure to keep. In the mists of the hug, in the whole entire duration of the embrace, all Star could think about was Jackie and how she was just so absolutely lucky. She internally sighed. she wouldn't allow this to ruin her fun with her best friend, not that would be absolutely dumb. They'd still be friends and it would all still be good times.

"Now, I think it's time we start planning our summer out!" Marco declared breaking the embrace and raising his arm to the roof.

She kept her grin and placed a hand on her hip.

"So, what are we gonna do?"

"Fun THINGS!"

"Like always?" She retorted.

"But, with NO school!"

She actually liked the thought of no school, it was dope.

"So, first?"

"To the beach!"

"Um, what about somewhere more exciting?"

"The amusement park?"

Star shook her head. "The park seems like more of a chill day, ya know. Walking, talking, and maybe going on the swings."

Marco scratched the back of his head. "No Star, an Amusement park is totally different from a regular park."

"How? I'm sure regular parks are amusing to some."

"Amusement parks are pretty different. There are rides for one!"

"Rides." She repeated, albeit not entirely sure what he meant.

"There is candy and all the sugar you could want."

Now she knew what that meant, and her eyes widened. "Candy...Suuugaar."

"Games! Star we'll have so much fun! We should go tomorrow!" The brown-haired boy exclaimed.

It sounded like a great time and had successfully brightened her mood. Whatever this was she was willing to do it.

"Just us?" She states rubbing her arms.

"Just us…" he laughed. Now it was Star's turn to embrace the boy and she did so with the biggest bear hug she could possibly muster, closing her eyes and allowing herself to be consumed by Marco's sent. "...and Jackie." Star's eyes shot open.

And nothing was ever the same.

Rhombulus stepped forward, his eyes glued to the spot in which he could have sworn Eclipsa had been imprisoned in. His eyes scanned the crystal cave. This was the correct spot! He knew it was the spot they had encased the evil ancient woman, and now she was gone. He looked back and forth between her former prison and the current crystal that had completely shattered. It didn't seem possible, but the witch of a queen had released herself.

"Oh no. She's escaped!" He declared before his eyes fell onto the vending machine in the off distance, and the many discarded candy wrappers.

"And she ate all the Snookers!"

"We have to tell the rest of the commission!" His right snake hand stated within reason.

His left nodded, "And it has to be done immediately!"

The crystal humanoid sighed. "Always something, huh? Sure whatever."