Lady Avarius summons a meeting in the downstairs living room of the castle. As big as it is, it is not enough to house all 50 children at the same time. It is quite obvious that Lady Avarius and Lord Brudo would not allow their youngest to partake in the storming of Septarsis, but anyone old enough to participate, is encouraged.
Lady Avarius: We are summoned here today because one of our own, Ludo, is trapped in the den of the malicious Septarians, ruled by none other than the tyrant known as Seth. Ludo is in grave danger with Seth, and the longer he stays there, the more Seth will try to weave his corruption into Ludo's brain. We all know impressionable he is, so when we get there, we go and we get him out.
Do not engage in battle if you don't have to. Remember, we are birds. We have wings for a reason, and that gives us a massive advantage over Septarians. I want you to go out and wrangle my son's army together. You know who they are by now, and for those that don't, I've written a list of their names. If they care at all about the safety of their old boss, they'll comply.
Lord Brudo: Chet, You know where Buff Frog and Bearicorn live, right? You will go and retrieve them.
Chet: They may be at work. I'll check there too.
Lady Avarius: Dennis, you've been keeping track of Ludo's friends as well. You help him.
Dennis: Yes mom.
Lady Avarius: Everyone, move out!
Lady Avarius distributes her birds all over the kingdom, rallying Ludo's army. Many of them, craving the good fight, and a good old family reunion, are in agreement. With Ludo's army combined, that makes over 80 individuals to push on to Septarsis. Lady Avarius lays out her blueprint, Brudo shows her the front entrance as well as the rear trash exist. There would only be one way in, and a Septarian, or reptilian at least, would be needed to get in. They know very well the possibility that Septarsis could be waiting for an attack. But would they be prepared for an army of monsters instead of Mewnans?
Jade is headstrong on going back to Septarsis. The Eagle guides her high over the clouds. When Jade knows she is near where Septarsis, she points downward, directing Eagle to land before utilizing Spider to maneuver across the ground to the base of the shoreline. Jade summons the Serpent, which rises to her as usual and she participates in the routine to let her into Septarsis. Fortunately for Jade, Seth was is present within his office to oversee the entrance, leaving the guards to watch as Jade enters.
Guard 1: Hey, take a look. It's that Jade. What's she doing back again?
Guard 2: Who knows? She can't make up her mind whether she's coming or going.
Jade descends the stairway into Septarsis, looking around carefully. She sprints up to her house, where her mother is inside. Sitting at the table, sipping coffee.
Jade: Mom, where's Ludo?
Emerald: I don't know. Ever since Seth's taken him, he hasn't come back.
Jade: Damn! I have to find him.
Jade heads to Seth's office, very cautiously peering in, as to make sure he isn't seen. Seth is nowhere in sight.
Jade: Where could they be? Think Jade, think!... IGGY!
Jade runs all the way through Septarsis, bumping into individuals and excusing herself as she barges up to Iggy's castle. She kicks open the door, running inside in an act of desperation. Inside, Jade can see Ludo and Iggy, staring into mixed vials.
Iggy: Okay Ludo, so the triglycerides in this vial_
Jade: Ludo!
Ludo: Jade! You're back!
Jade: You're coming with me!
Ludo: What? Whoa!
Jade grabs Ludo by the hand and rushes him out.
Iggy: Hey! I wasn't done teaching Ludo about chemistry!
Ludo: Ah, Jade, where are you taking me?
Jade: No time to explain. We have to get outta here!
Ludo: But Jade, wait!
Ludo yanks free of Jade's grip, standing there with his hands folded.
Ludo: I thought you were mad at me, now you want to rush me out of here, just as I'm becoming good friends with Seth and Iggy?
Jade: We have to go, Ludo, now! I'll explain when we get outta here.
Ludo: No! You've been running back and forth like a crazy person! This is the 3rd time you've come back to Septarsis just to leave immediately.
Jade: It's your parents. They sent me to get you back.
Ludo: My parents? My parents know where Septarsis is?
Jade: Your dad was here! Remember the intruders Seth was talking about? It was your dad, and someone named Croccy.
Ludo: My dad came to save me?
Jade: Yes! Now lets go!
Ludo: Goodbye Septarsis... I'll miss you.
Seth: Where do you guys think you're going?
Seth shows up with an entire fleet of guards behind him.
Seth: Ludo... my boy... are you trying to abandon me, after everything I've done for you?
Jade: We're leaving, Seth. The Mewnans are threatening an attack on Septarsis if Ludo doesn't go home, but if I take Ludo back, everything will be fine.
Seth: Ludo, are you really gonna let Jade do this to you, tear you away from Septarsis, tear you away from me?
Ludo: I... I... I don't want a war on Septarsis.
Seth: Ludo, look at this place! Look at the people here! We can more than handle a group of knights should they come marching at the door.
Ludo: But... what about the people?
Seth: Look, Ludo. It's either me... or Jade... come on...
Ludo: I...
Seth: You were like a son to me. I was gonna teach you everything.
Ludo: I, uh...
Seth just looks at Ludo, utterly heartbroken.
Seth: I loved you... my little Enos.
Ludo: What?... What did you call me?
Seth: Ludo! I-I meant Ludo!
Ludo: Is that this is about? Seth... I'm not your son... I'm not Enos.
Seth: You could have been! You're so much like him! You're so much like my little boy, it gave me hope! I just wanted to be your father, Ludo! We were gonna rule everything together!
Jade: Dude... this is so messed up.
Ludo is utterly taken aback by the sad desperation of Seth's fragile mentality.
Ludo: I'm not Enos... I'm not your son, Seth... I'm sorry. You're sick... Please, get some help.
Seth: Ludo! Why are you saying this to me? Are you really willing to throw everything away so that you could just go home? After I taught you everything? After I taught you MAGIC!
Jade: Say what?
Guard 1: Father? Did you say what I think you just said?
Seth is snarling, he is fuming mad, but quickly, he takes a deep breath and regains his composure.
Seth: Well, the cat's out of the bag now. I'm sorry you two, but i just can't let you leave. Ignius Blast!
Seth launches a stream of fireballs right at Jade.
Ludo: Titanic Tower Shield!
Jade: Ah! What's going on? How do you two know magic?!
Ludo: Never mind, Jade! Lets get outta here! Smoke Screen Distraction Attack!
Ludo creates a smoke screen distraction, blinding the Septarians and Seth and causing them to choke.
Seth: Cough, cough, get them!
Jade and Ludo are running hand in hand. Even while being chased by Seth, he feels happy, just to have Jade touch him again. He smiles as he ran towards the exit with the Septarians tailing him from behind. They stumble up the long stairway up through the snake's maw.
Ludo closes his eyes and just pretends he doesn't hear Seth as Jade runs with him outside, directly towards Spider and Eagle, who are waiting for him.
Ludo: Girls! I've missed you so much. How are my babies?
Jade: Now's not the time for cuddles Ludo, hop on, hurry! Ludo hops on, but as they're about to take off, Seth grabs the leg of the spider. They get hoisted up in the air.
Seth: How could you do this to me Ludo? You're breaking my heart, boy! Come back! Please!
Ludo: You're... not... my... father! You imprisoned my father! After he came to rescue me!
With that statement, Seth looks up towards Ludo like he is about to have an emotional breakdown. Filled with despair, he lowers his gaze, letting go of the Spider's leg, allowing himself to fall towards the ground.
Ludo: Seth!
Jade: He'll be fine, Ludo... it takes more than a fall from a great height to take a Septarian down.
Seth collides with the ground in a loud stomp. He looks up towards the sky with radiating fury. Ludo decides to look away and try to accept that that part of his life is over. Still, Ludo is starting to feel bad for Seth for abandoning him because of his mental illness.
Ludo: Do you think he'll be okay without me?
Jade: Ludo, that was a whole new class of weird back there. And MAGIC! He's been teaching you MAGIC? How long has this been going on?
Ludo: Really, I just started the other day. Seth taught me how to dip down, so I'll never need Star Butterfly's wand ever again.
Jade: I thought you gave up on that stuff, Ludo.
Ludo: Honestly Jade, it was partly about distracting myself from how much I really missed you.
Jade: Oh really? You missed me?
Ludo: Of course I did! Things being the way they are doesn't change how I feel about you.
Jade: Well... it does change how I feel about you.
Eagle starts to pant, feeling fatigued.
Ludo: What's the matter old girl? Need a rest?
Jade: Let's lower down for a moment.
They descend into the forest, leaving Eagle to rest. Spider is set to guard while they catch a break on the way back.
Ludo: You know... I didn't tell you that stuff so that you could be angry and hate me.
Jade: Then why did you?
Ludo: Because I wanted you be able to heal from your sadness and your anger. I wanted you to have closure over your dad so you could move on with your life and possibly find your happiness again, even if it meant you'd never want to talk to me again.
Jade: I heard from Star Butterfly that my dad did ridiculous and heinous things. Things I would never believe. Are they true?
Ludo: You want me to tell you more about your dad?
Jade: Yeah... I want you to be as blunt with me as you were during your initial confession. Tell me everything.
Ludo: What difference will that make?
Jade: Well, if you're telling the truth, then your story will match up with Star Butterfly's story.
Ludo: You met Star?
Jade: Yeah... I did. Don't worry. She's still alive... for now.
Ludo: I hired your dad as an efficiency expert to manage my incompetent army. At first he was really good at it, but over time, he started to win the trust of my army over me. I was a real jerk, and I talked down to my army. I should have treated them better, as maybe then they wouldn't have thrown me out of my own Castle. Your father, he kidnapped Marco Diaz, and used him as bait to lure Star Butterfly to my castle. From there it's a bit fuzzy, but long story short, my castle is gone.
Star Butterfly ejects me into the void where I eventually fumble around in orbit until I fall to the ground and am forced to live in the wilderness on the outskirts of Mewni. I meet these two lovely ladies, and I find that strange wand in the remains of my old castle. It turns out that wand is your father's severed hand, attached to a fragment of Star Butterfly's old wand. I pick it up, and immediately, I start to hear a voice. I didn't recognize it as your father at first, but it was indeed him. Slowly, he began to manipulate me, use me to take over Mewni, being the person I was back then, I fell for it. Toffee possessed my very body, utilizing the magic of the wand to be reborn, corrupting magic. He used me to attack Mewni and turn it to ruins, all so he could get his blasted finger back!
I eventually came to, and I felt betrayed, so angry that he used me, that I was nothing more than his puppet. I hated your father! Star Butterfly turns into that butterfly form, and she uses it to channel a big wave of energy that she fires at Toffee, leaving him nearly dead on the ground. With one final act, I pushed a pillar on top of him, killing him, once and for all. That's the story, the whole thing.
Jade just sits there, staring at the ground. They both sit there in silence for a moment.
Jade: It does match up... with Star Butterfly's story, almost perfectly in fact.
Ludo: I told you. I don't want to lie to you anymore.
Unknown Voice: Well, well, well, what a touching story.
Jade: Who's there?
Unknown voice: Oh come on. Don't tell me you've forgotten about ME already!
It's the Ludo Rat. Jade and Ludo are surrounded by an army of brainwashed rats.
Ludo: Who the heck is this? Do you know this guy?
Jade: He's some nutjob that thinks he's YOU! He's been going around stealing all the Mewnan corn and hoarding it for himself!
Ludo: Me? This filthy rat looks nothing like me!
Ludo Rat: Filthy rat! I am no mere rat! I am Ludo Avarius, and this is MY WAND! HA HA HA!
Ludo stretches out his hand and blasts the fake wand composed of a rock and a stick right out of his hand, exploding it in the rat's hand using his own magic. The Ludo Rat holds his hand in pain from the explosion. The rats surrounding them cower at Ludo's sudden use of actual magic.
Ludo: You filthy, rotten little charlatan! How dare you impersonate me, and do such a poor job of it?!
Ludo Rat: Poor job?! POOR JOB?! I'll show you! Get them my rats!
The rats are hesitant, reluctant to attack.
Ludo: You see, rat boy, I've gotten an upgrade. I don't need a pathetic stick anymore to show off my power.
Ludo walks up to the Rat Ludo, grabs him by the rustles of his Gold N Crisps potato chip tunic.
Ludo: You picked the wrong time to start with me! Now I'm gonna end you!
Ludo raises his fist, and the rat cowers in his grip. Ludo stares for a moment... trying to regain composure. "Don't do it, a familiar voice" rings in his head. Ludo's face slowly transitions from anger, to seriousness.
Ludo: Listen up, rat-fink! You take those rats, and you beat it, and you return every single last head of corn to their original owners, do you understand me?!
Ludo Rat: Yes... sir.
Ludo: What's my name?
Ludo Rat: L-l-ludo!
Ludo: And don't any of you flea-bags forget it! Now get outta here!
The rat army scampers away.
Ludo: You're gone for a couple weeks and everything just falls apart. You know what I mean?
Jade: I never saw that side of you before.
Ludo: That's a reflection of the man I used to be, the man I'm trying to get away from. I don't want to be that person anymore. I guess I still have a long way to go.
Jade: Well... telling those rats to return the corn was a good first step.
Ludo smiles at Jade. She returns a small one back at him, a tiny glimmer of hope. Ludo notices a shadow above his head.
Jade: What's that? Those are some pretty big birds way up there.
Ludo squints for a moment.
Ludo: Those aren't just any big birds. That's my family! Where are they going?
Jade: Oh no, they're not heading in the direction of Septarsis, aren't they?
Ludo: I don't know, but we have to stop them! They have no idea of the power that Seth possesses! They're flying right into their death!
Jade: Alright girls, time to go, back the other way.
The two hop back onto the Spider and eagle, retreating in the direction of Septarsis once more.