Happy 2022!

chapter 3: My death was very exaggerated

At the Monster temple, everything seemed alright. Monsters were sitting on the balcony and drinking tea. Their children were playing in the garden. No mewmans were around to bother them- they were living in an isolated village, outside of the town. This small mewman village was ran by Moon Butterfly, Star's mother, and the main purpose was giving the mewmans a home, for they have lost their houses after Eclipsa returned them to their original owners, the monsters.

Moon and River went to the Monster temple, as Star asked them to do. She told them that there was something important she would like to discuss with them. This got the two parents worried. Moon thought that maybe something bad was happening in their daughter's life, but her husband River was there to remind her to be optimistic and that Star could take good care of herself.

Once Moon and River climbed all the stairs leading to the temple, with River who was rather crawling out of exhaustion, they were greeted by none other than Eclipsa herself:

- Moon! River!- she welcomed them with a friendly smile and open arms.- So good to see you again!

- Hello, Eclipsa!- Moon greeted very awkwardly. She still did not trust Eclipsa.- Star asked us to come here. Where is she? Is everything alright?

- I have no idea.- Eclipsa shook her head.- She never told me. But I do know where she is. Let me show you.

Eclipsa led the couple to the room Star asked for. It was not a big room. It was not spacey and except for Eclipsa and Star's parents, there was not a single soul there. Star specifically asked for privacy. She did not want anyone to interrupt them or spy on them.

Star herself was already in the room, waiting for her parents' arrival:

- Hi, mom and dad!- she greeted her parents with very little enthusiasm. Something was definitely bothering her.

- I'm gonna just leave you here.- Eclipsa smiled and left the room.

Now when the three family members were finally alone, Star had to take as much courage as possible to tell them the reason for calling them:

- Mom! Dad! Something arose.- she started.- I know that you'll probably tell me not to do it. That it's dangerous. And insane. And risky. I know. Trust me! I know it's all of that, but...- she stopped speaking and tried to look for the right words, but she could not think of anything.

However, Star did not have a chance to continue anyway, because her mother interrupted her to comfort her:

- Sweetie!- she placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder.- Whatever it is you can tell us. We'll understand.

- I don't think you would.- Star murmured. The 15-year old girl breathed in heavily, closed her eyes and was finally ready to spill the beans.- I am going to Septarsis.

Once the teenager opened her eyes, she saw her parents' surprised and even horrified reactions. This meant that they knew about Septarsis.

- Septarsis?- Moon said very scared.- Where the septarians live?

- Yeah..- the girl said insecurely.

- STAR!- Moon quickly grabbed her daughter's shoulders.- ARE YOU SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING?! SEPTARIANS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY ARE BLOODTHIRSTY MONSTERS, WHO THINK ABOUT NOTHING BUT SPILLING BLOOD. THEY ARE NOBODY'S ALLIES. NEITHER TO OTHER MONSTERS, AND ESPECIALLY NOT TO MEWMANS. DON'T YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED WITH TOFFEE?!

- Huh..- Star gave a false and sheepish chuckle.- Interesting that you bring up Toffee.

Moon felt something even more disturbing than her daughter's decision:

- Star?- Moon asked almost as if she did not want to know the answer.- What else is there?

Star hesitated whether she should tell her parents. River noticed his daughter's worried look and how she was avoiding looking at them and said:

- Pumpkin, whatever it is, you can tell us.

- I think you better see.- Star responded. She turned around and said.- Okay, you can come out now.

Moon and River both looked at the same direction Star was looking. Out of the shadows, a familiar figure appeared. A face both parents hoped they will never see again- Toffee.

The couple were remained still, not saying anything, only staring with wide open eyes:

- Mom! Dad! Guys!- Star was worried and waved her hands in front of their eyes.

- I told you so.- Toffee said.

After they heard Toffee's voice, Moon and River seemed to have snapped out of it and they panicked:

- GHOST! GHOST! A VENGEFUL AND EVIL GHOST!- River yelled, while pointing his finger at the said "ghost".

- I am flattered.- Toffee responded sarcastically.

Instead of panicking like her husband, the only thing Moon felt she could do was punching Toffee. She tried hitting him with her fists, but she could not even touch him. He was too quick:

- Not again, Moon.- Toffee said, bored and annoyed.- I am not here to fight.

- WHY DO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT!?- Moon yelled.- YOU BASTARD! MURDERER! SON OF A...

Moon did not have a chance to finish the insult, as her husband also joined the assault on the septarian. Toffee had no problem defending himself, but the situation was of big discomfort for Star, because she needed all three of them to calm down:

- EVERYBODY STOP!- Star shouted and waved, trying to get their attention.- Seriously! Calm down!

"Don't tell me, tell them!", Toffee thought. Toffee was by no means surprised that Moon and River reacted like this, especially Moon. If there was anyone in Mewni, who hated him the most it was her. After all, he was the one, who killed her mother when Moon was still a teenager and a few decades later, he tried to murder Star herself too.

- Star, what's going on in here?- another familiar voice joined the ruckus. When Star turned around to see where the voice came from, she saw that it was Marco. When the human boy saw the cause for the noise, Star could swear he made the exact same face he made the day he met Pony Head for the first time. Marco screamed.- A GHOST!

- That is not how I want to be renamed as.- Toffee said quickly, while still avoiding Moon and River's attacks.

- Back of you...You... Son of a...- Marco took a karate pose and was about to insult Toffee.

- I am going to stop you right there.- Toffee interrupted him politely.- I have never said anything about your mother, so you will not say anything about mine. Deal?- after which he kept protecting himself from River, Moon and now Marco who joined.

- OKAY! I'VE HAD IT!- Star shouted before transforming into her "mewberty form".

All of a sudden, Star's body gained wings and extra arms. Using her magic, she blasted her parents, Toffee and even Marco to split them and stop the pointless fight.

The four were now lying on the ground, however they were all still conscious. They could still move, they were not paralised, but they were a little dizzy from the magical blast. Toffee was not just dizzy, but also annoyed due to the fact that Star had to use magic, of all things, to stop the madness. She could have used a different method. Why were mewmans so dependent on their magic?

- Will you now listen to me!?- Star said after landing on the ground and changing back to her normal teen form.

- Why is he still alive?!- Moon asked very angrily.- I saw him turned into goo. He could barely move.

- Did he come back from the dead?- River asked naively.

- Star!- Marco joined.

Star reached her hand to Toffee to help him stand up. He refused her help and stood up on his own, using only his own limbs as a support. Meanwhile, River stood up and helped his wife stand up as well. Marco was already standing, but took a battle pose, in case the septarian tried something funny again.

- Look, guys!- the girl began.- I know that this is way too much to swallow. Trust me, I reacted the same way, when I found out, but it's a fact. Toffee is alive and he is here now.

- We can see that!- Marco responded angrily.

- The thing is...- Star continued.- I am going to Septarsis with him.

- What?!- Moon raised her voice.

- Before you start pointing at me, let me say that I tried to dissuade her.- Toffee said.

- Yeah, he did.- Star agreed.- This is my decision.

- But why do you want to go to Septarsis in the first place?- Marco asked, trying to be more understanding.

- Something is happening there.- Star answered.- And it's making the lives of the monsters, living there miserable. If there is a way I can help them, I'll do it.

Moon looked at Toffee with worry in her eyes, before looking at her daughter:

- But, darling! Why is this so important to you? Septarians are...- Moon tried to look for the proper words.- They are...not our friends, Star. They cannot be trusted. I mean...just...Look at him!- she pointed at Toffee himself.- He is the embodiment of why this is not a good idea.

- I just have to, mom.- Star told her mother.- If I can help them, maybe this will help everyone in Mewni. Less fighting between monsters and mewmans.

- I know Septarsis is nothing but a smelly and filthy hellhole for all of you.- Toffee joined the conversation.- But for me, this is where I was born and raised in. A home. I will do anything for my people.

- Including accepting my help.- Star cheerfully finished his sentence, much to Toffee's annoyance.

- Star, whatever you decide, we'll support you.- Marco comforted her.- I can come with you.

- No.- Star quickly disagreed with her best friend.- I need to do this alone. Trust me, it's for the better.

"Besides, the less of them-the better.", Toffee thought. Star saw the disappointment in Marco's eyes and quickly reacted:

- Cheer up! If anything happens, I will call you. I just need some time.- she was not completely sincere. It was actually more because Toffee needed some time.

- Okay.- Marco responded with a friendly smile.

Star looked at her parents, waiting for their answer, but she saw only concern in their faces. Not that she could blame them:

- Pumpkin, if this is what you think is for the best, I'll support you.- River said.

- Me too.- Moon added.- Just, please, try to stay as far away from danger as possible. If you need anything, call us.

Moon and her daughter hugged, with both River and Marco joining them. Toffee remained there, watching them. He noticed how Moon was looking at him with malice, while still hugging her family. The feeling was pretty much mutual.

- Is everything all right in here?- Eclipsa entered the room, interrupting the silence. She was met with quite a peculiar view- Star hugging her parents and her best friend with a very familiar face in the distance. She recognised that septarian. She gulped, but tried to put on a friendly facade.- Hello, there! You must be Toffee. I've heard a lot about you. Sure, it was mostly bad things, but...

Toffee did not say anything. He just stood there, staring at her with cold and malicious eyes, and he even gave a brief growl. Eclipsa was afraid if he knew about what she has done. In order not to cause a ruckus between them, she tried to be friendly with the septarian:

- So, do you need something. Are you hungry? Lunch is almost ready. You can join us if you want to.

- Eclipsa!- Moon shouted with disapproval.- What are you doing?

- Asking the guest if he is hungry.- Eclipsa answered, seemingly pretending she does not know where Moon's anger was coming from. Eclipsa knew pretty well what Toffee had done to Moon, but it was not completely his fault.

- No need. Thank you!- Toffee responded very quickly.- I'll go home now.

- Wait!- Star raised her voice.

- Actually Star, if he wants to go...- Marco disagreed with his friend, but she did not want to listen to him now.

- No, Marco!- the blonde girl interrupted her friend, without hesitation. She grabbed Toffee by the arm.- He'll stay here and eat with us. If we'll be working together, you all have to put up with him.- she also looked at Toffee himself.- This goes for too, young man. Mama's orders!

Toffee sighed and decided to simply bear with the situation. He will put up with the mewmans for a while and then he'll go.

- Daaaamn!- Pony Head gasped, once she saw the guest.- So, that's the infamous Toffee. Girl, he's even sexier in person.- she floated all around Toffee, making him him feel uncomfortable.- Just look at that butt! And the suit can barely hide how chiseled his chest is. I see why they call you "Toffee"- you look tasty.

- Okay, Pony Head! Stop it!- Star politely pushed the unicorn away from Toffee.- Sorry, she is just very flirty.- she tried to apologize to the septarian.- She has liked you ever since she saw your wanted poster.

- Don't worry! I'm used to it.- Toffee responded.

- Whaaaaat?- Star was surprised.- Oh, Toffee! Are you a ladykiller?- she bumped his elbow in a friendly manner.

- Not exactly.- he answered.

- Wow!- Tom seemed amazed.- I have never seen a septarian in person. I thought they had spikes.

- Some do.- Toffee answered.

- Hello, Toffee!- Globgor greeted him.- It's been a while. Look, I am sorry about the things that happened between us last time. Maybe we can reconcile. What do you say?

- Uuh...- Toffee could not finish, as Eclipsa called for the entire gang to sit on the table for lunch.

Toffee was now sitting on the table with all his worst enemies, surrounding him. On his plate he had bugs and worms:

- Sorry your meal does not look better.- Eclipsa apologized.- But we did not expect a septarian for lunch and since we do not have any meat, Globgor and I went as fast as possible to the nearest forest to get you some bugs and worms. I know that you septarians love those. I hope you enjoy them.

- There was no need for that.- Toffee said, trying to dissuade Eclipsa and Globgor from trying to be polite to him, but his own stomach betrayed him by growling, revealing to everyone that despite what he said, he was indeed hungry.

Eclipsa and Globgor both laughed:

- Wow! I could hear it from here.- Globgor said.

- Looks like there is a need for that, after all.- Eclipsa added.

- You eat worms and bugs?- Marco felt disgust.

- It's a normal diet for a septarian.- Eclipsa explained.- I know a thing or two about their kind. I dated one once. It was before Globby and I were an item.

- Hey, Toff! How is your daughter?- Star asked.

- He has a daughter?!- everyone at the table asked all at once.

- Yes.- Toffee answered bluntly.- To answer your question, Star, Razzles is with Rasticore.

- We'll be taking her with us, right?- Star really wanted the little septarian to accompany them.

- I cannot leave her here.- Toffee said.

- Yay!- Star celebrated.- I can't wait.

- This is not a playdate, little butterfly.- Toffee expressed his slight annoyance.

- Don't be so stiff, Toff! We'll have time.

- Toffee is right, Star.- Globgor warned.- Septarsis is not a safe place for a mewman. Nobody knows what happens behind the curtains. Only the septarians themselves know the truth and they have a burning passionate hatred for mewmans.- Globgor felt embarrassed, once he remembered his own past.- Not that I was any different. What right I had to disagree with Toffee's plan for mass genocide on mewmans, if I am the one, who ate Shastacan.

- Wha-What?- Star looked Toffee confused.- You planned a genocide?

- Back then I thought it was the best solution to the problem, until I discovered that magic is the true cause.- Toffee explained.

- Wait! Wait! Wait a minute!- Marco interrupted.- You two have known each other back then.- he pointed at Toffee and Globgor.- But aren't you and Eclipsa hundreds of years old? How old is Toffee then?

- I think you pretty much answered your own question.- Toffee responded casually.

- Whaaa...-Marco started it.

-...aaaat?- and Star finished it.

Toffee gave a small sneaky chuckle and said "Surprise!" with a very calm tone. This time, at least:

- But how?- Marco kept asking. He did not understand how could Toffee look so young if he was just as old as Globgor and Eclipsa.- Were you crystalised? Or something?

- No.- Toffee answered.- Septarians just age very slowly and can live for a very long time.

- Speaking of which, how come you're still alive?- Star joined the discussion.

- From what I understand, I was in a very inactive phase of my regeneration.- Toffee tried to explain.- Septarians' regeneration works in mysterious ways. One damaged or even lost body part, such as a limb or an eye can be healed in a matter of seconds, while the entire body can take much longer for the other septarians. Mine has no problem with regenerating the entire body faster, but that time, I was so damaged that it took me much longer. I was in a stage, where I was not considered alive, but not considered dead either. It's hard to explain how it actually works. It could depend on the amount of control the conscious has on the body, which can be influenced by how much of the body was lost.

- Wow!- Marco was in awe.- Interesting!

- Yeah! Totally!- Star agreed with him.

The title is a reference to the film "Megamind"