chapter 7: The heir

Toffee was sitting on one of the swings, in the front yard of Mrs. Marigold' house. He used to go there all the time when he was a boy. He was not there to swing now, but to have some private time with his own thoughts. He was holding his favorite khopesh in his hands- it belonged to his father.

How could he lose his temper like that in the restaurant? He always hated those outbursts- they made him seem weak. And he shouldn't have acted like this towards Mrs. Marigold.

The facts were all there- he was a prince, an heir to the throne and nothing could change that. That was Seth's final wish before his death. He remembered it like it was yesterday. The monsters and the mewmans were very close to signing a peace treaty. Archduke Batwin was the monsters' leader back then and Toffee was one of his generals, representing Septarsis.

Seth could not lead the septarians in the war anymore. He was feeling weaker than ever. He was too old, and aging was killing him slowly. Lying on his deathbed, Toffee and Rasticore were there to keep him company in his final moments. The old king was holding Toffee's hand for comfort. He turned towards the boy and said:

- Who the Hell, does that Comet think I am? "Signing a peace treaty"? Hell, no! Like it's that easy. Mewmans bring nothing but destruction and misery.- he coughed.

- Don't torment yourself.- Toffee tried to advice him not to speak too much in his current state.

Seth smiled at him:

- I am so glad you are the general now. I made the right choice. I knew the son of Grisly and Yolanda will not disappoint me.

Toffee smiled back and replied:

- It's all thanks to you!

- If only I could get to that piece of junk Comet the Chef!- Seth complained aggressively.- She would not be so happy about this whole "peace treaty" crap. Toffee, my son!- he placed his hand gently on Toffee's cheek.- I want you to take my place after I am gone.

Both Toffee and Rasticore's eyes widened. Seth never told any of them about this decision:

- I'm leaving the throne of Septarsis to you.- Seth continued.- I know you will be a great leader, just as you are now. Everything is in the will on my desk.- his attention shifted to Rasticore.- Take care of him, Rasticore!

Rasticore hesitated for a second before he answered:

- I will.- and he nodded.

Rasticore, himself, was suspicious of his own sincerity. He was loyal to Toffee and indeed understood why Seth choose him to be the next ruler of Septarsis, and yet the fact that Seth always trusted and respected Toffee more than his own flesh and blood, could not stop torturing his mind.

With his final breath, Seth let go of Toffee's hand and calmly died. Toffee and Rasticore stood on one knee, they placed their fists in front of their chests as a sign of respect and bowed for the last time to the king.

Toffee's tranquility was interrupted by the presence of his daughter- she brought him a cup of tea:

- Here!- she gave him the cup.- It will help you feel better.

- Thank you, dear!- Toffee accepted the tea.

The khopesh in her father's hands caught the attention of the septarian girl and Toffee noticed that:

- Do you like it?

- It's beautiful.- she said.

- You know.- Toffee continued.- It used to be my father's. It is the only thing I have left of him, and when you grow old enough I will give it you.

- Really?- Razzles said surprised.

- I can survive without it.- her father replied.

Happily, Razzles sat on the other swing, right next to Toffee:

- You need a push?- he asked with a fond smile on his face.

- No, thank you.- she responded politely.- I can handle it.

She definitely learned that from him. Razzles tried moving forwards and backwards to swing, but she was having trouble with it. Believing she needed help after all, Toffee stood up from his own seat and gently pushed his daughter so she can swing properly.

This time swinging was easier and much more fun than doing it by herself. Razzles started laughing out of joy:

- Higher, papa!- she encouraged him and so he did.- Is this how you used to do it when you were my age?

- No.- he answered.- I stopped swinging when I turned 7.

- What why?- she asked, shocked by this piece of information.

- The age of 7 was a very hard time for me.- Toffee replied.

- What do you mean?

Toffee hesitated for a moment, until he decided that he trusted Razzles enough to tell her the truth:

- This is when my parents died.

- Oh!- Razzles stopped swinging, feeling guilty.- I'm sorry!

- Don't worry, hunny!- he caressed her hair.- That was a long time ago.

- Do you miss them?

Razzles' question caused her father to think his answer very carefully. He was not sure if he missed them himself, as he was still so mad at them for the way they treated him:

- It's complicated.- was all Toffee could tell his daughter.

- What do you mean? What happened?

- Razzles!- he kneeled.- This is one of things you are too young to understand.

- This is what you always say.- she said disappointed.- I can handle it.

- No, you can't.

- I am not as young as you think.- she lamented.

- I used to think exactly like you when I was your age. I used to ask my father all the time whether I could come on a battle with him and mother, but he always refused. The truth was that I was not ready, and neither are you.

- You can't push me away forever.- she accused him.

- I am not.- he disagreed.- I am protecting you. Remember what happened earlier? That marauder could have killed you, if you were not a septarian.- he grabbed her by the shoulders.- The marauders have no mercy on anyone. Do you understand?

- Yes.- she replied very quietly.

Toffee did not give a verbal answer and simply patted her head affectionately. This conversation reminded him of one of the goals of this entire mission- finding his father's journal. However, it was already too late to look for it, besides he had no idea where to start. He could just start the search tomorrow. He could ask Mrs. Marigold whether she had any idea where the journal was.

Star, Rasticore and Mrs. Marigold finally got home, where they found Toffee and Razzles already sleeping in their bedroom. The rest of the group thought that this was not a bad idea, so they decided to go to bed too.

The night was not very calm for Toffee. He had no problem with falling asleep, but his dream was very hectic. He dreamt of that time, when he was a child and his parents were rocking him from side to side, as if he was lying on a hammock, with his father holding his wrists and his mother holding his ankles. Those moments with his parents were rare, but he remembered enjoying them, while they lasted. The memory shifted to one of the many times, when he was tied to a tree, with his father whipping his bare back. The other memory was about Layla and her gang beating him up at the playground yet again. Then many different memories followed- another one of his father's scary and aggressive outbursts, his failures during training sessions and the other cadets pranking him, him giving a drawing as a gift to his mother, him crying when he spotted Solaria's skull in the living room and his mother comforting him, the day Seth adopted him after his parents died, the day he himself adopted Razzles and raised her as his own child. From the moment he adopted her, he promised himself, that he shall never repeat his parents' mistakes.

With this last memory, Toffee woke up, only to find himself still in the same bedroom, lying on the same bed with his precious adopted daughter, lying next to him in an embryo-like position. That was a relief! Toffee smiled at the charming sight of his sleeping daughter and hugged her. Sometimes he thought it was just the two of them against the world. If it wasn't for her, he would have gone completely mad by now.

The next morning, Toffee just got dressed when he heard laughter, coming from downstairs. He went to check on what was happening, Razzles following him, and saw Star, Rasticore and Mrs. Marigold looking at an old photo album. Star found Toffee's childhood pictures adorable and the ones from his teenage years ridiculous:

- Wow!- Rasticore laughed.- I forgot he used to have this hairstyle. He looked like his mother.

- I can't believe his hair, either!- Star laughed as well.

- I was going through a phase back then.- Toffee was quick to defend himself behind their backs.

They turned around and were happy to see him awake:

- Hey, Toffee!- Star greeted him.- We were just looking at old pictures. You were such a precious, adorable, little bean!- she said in a cute baby-like voice.

- Hey, Toffee!- Rasticore joined.- Remember that?- he did an impression of someone- "Hey, I think my sword is broken."- and he chuckled, while Toffee only smiled, finding this amusing.

Star looked at them confused, not understanding the joke:

- It's a little joke between us- Rasticore clarified.

- Okay.- Star said bluntly.

Toffee remembered today's goal. He got close to Mrs. Marigold and asked her:

- Remember my father's journal?- she nodded and he continued.- Do you happen to know where it is?

- Of course, sweetheart!- Mrs. Marigold replied.

She stood up and went to the drawer. She opened it and took a book out, which she gave to Toffee:

- Here it is!

- Bless you, Mrs. Marigold!- Toffee thanked her.

- No problem, baby boy!- Mrs. Marigold waved her hand in a "no biggie" manner.- He gave it to me before he went on his last battle. He asked me to give it to you when you grow older. Too bad he is not here to see you now! Look how much you've grown!- she touched his hair affectionately.- You look so much like him, with the exception that you are better dressed.

- I know you mean well, madam, but could you please stop comparing me to my father!- he demanded.

- What? Why?- Mrs. Marigold looked worried.

- Just don't!- he replied.- Okay?

- You don't want to be similar to that butthole, right?- Rasticore supposed.

- Rasticore!- Toffee's voice sounded intimidating.- Watch your mouth, for your own good!

- Is it true?- Star joined.- You don't want to be like your father?

Since when did everybody care what he wanted? Toffee was not in a mood for that:

- Can we just stop right here?- he suggested politely.

- No, you're not getting out of this!- Star insisted.- Tell us! What is your business with your parents? And Eclipsa too.

- Eclipsa killed them.- he answered.- You already know that.

- Is that why you hate mewmans and wanted to destroy magic?

- What do you think?- the septarian general asked rhetorically.

- It was that spell my mom used on you to blast your finger off, wasn't it?- Star asked loudly, without realizing what she just did.

When Star realized what she just said, she put her hands on her mouth, but it was already too late, and this gave Razzles a little "uh-oh". Mrs. Marigold heard it all:

- What?- she asked in disbelief.- Your "mom"?- she faced Toffee.- Wasn't it Moon the Undaunted, who used that spell on you?

Toffee sighed desperately. He shook his head and massaged the spot between his eyes. The undercover was ruined, so it was pointless to hide the truth:

- You did this, little butterfly.- he told Star.- You tell her!

Embarrassed, Star stood up and faced Mrs. Marigold:

- The truth is, Mrs. M., I am not a monster. I am a mewman and my real name is Star Butterfly.

- Star Butterfly?- Mrs. Marigold repeated, trying to find a connection.- You mean...the former queen of Mewni, before Eclipsa took over.

- Same one.- Star confirmed.- Surprise!- she said innocently.

- Mrs. Marigold!- Rasticore looked for an excuse.- We swear, it was not our idea. She insisted to come.

- I just want to help.- Star explained quickly.- Honest!

Mrs. Marigold placed her hand on her chest, where her heart should be. She breathed in and out a few times, before saying:

- It's just too much for me! This is so..so... I need to sit down.- and so she did.

Toffee caressed her back gently, as a way to help her calm down, similarly to how he often did with Razzles. Mrs. Marigold was not crying, nor she was angry. She just looked incredibly shocked. And how she could not be?

Mrs. Marigold herself did not hate the mewman kind, but she was not their biggest fan either. She has spent her entire life, fearing mewmans, believing they were Septarsis' biggest enemy. Throughout Mewni's history, mewmans and monsters have always been enemies. Each party loathing and mistrusting the other. Mewmans declared ownership on much of the territory and the food, leaving a lot of monsters both homeless and starving. When the monsters tried to get their homes and food back, the mewmans attacked them, which inspired the holiday of the Great monster massacre. Things got worse after queen Solaria was put in charge. It was not until very recently, when Solaria's daughter Eclipsa, the Queen of darkness, was given the throne again after her dethroning. After Eclipsa was put in charge, all monsters were given their houses back and got access to all the food. All monsters, except for the septarians.

So far, no other species of monsters is more despised than the septarians. Both mewmans and monsters do not trust them. There are a lot of negative and offensive stereotypes about them, such as the one that all septarians are bloodthirsty killing machines, who are incapable of sympathy and love.

And yet, here she was. Star Butterfly, the last queen of Mewni before Eclipsa. Staying in Mrs. Marigold's living room, claiming she just wanted to help. For the first time ever, she heard the words "I want to help" coming out of the mouth of a mewman. Since it's the thought that counts, maybe she should give this teenager a chance to prove whether this was true or not.

Mrs. Marigold faced Star and gave her her hand:

- If you really want to help us, then I will support you.

Star felt overjoyed. She felt an incredibly big wave of both relief and happiness, because Mrs. Marigold not only forgave her for lying to her, but also for giving her a chance. The teenager spread her arms and hugged the septarian woman tightly. Mrs. Marigold hugged her back.

Toffee and Rasticore were still there, watching their beloved former nanny embracing their worst enemy. Was this a dream? How did this happen? However, Rasticore could not help but smile. What he saw was an example of what Septarsis could have, if it was given a chance, maybe even the other way around. So, with open arms, he joined the hug, much to everyone else's surprise. Razzles agreed on a hug as well.

Toffee, himself, was not sure what to think of this. It would not be so strange if it was just the naive Rasticore hugging Star, but the fact that his former babysitter and his daughter were there too is what made it so odd. It is a feeling that tends to happen when you see someone you love and respect in a situation like this. Although, unlike Rasticore and Razzles, Toffee had no intention of joining the hug, despite the others asking him otherwise.

Toffee and Star were now spreading their duties. Toffee's mind, however, was elsewhere:

- I think you should get back to the Butterfly kingdom.- he admitted out loud.

- WHAT?- Star was surprised.- WHY?

- First the marauders.- Toffee began naming reasons.- Then Mrs. Marigold. I don't want to think who will learn the truth next.

The fact that the marauders had spies, did not help much either:

- Mrs. Marigold found out I was a mewman and nothing happened.- Star thought she could weasel her way out of it.

- This is Mrs. Marigold we're talking about.- Toffee was not buying it.- It's the way she is. This cannot be said about the others, though. Don't you realise what the risks are?

- Even if they found out I was not a monster, what is the difference?- she asked rhetorically.

- They will not trust me anymore.- he answered.- How can I lead them, if they do not trust me?

- You don't know this.

- Yes, I do. I grew up here, after all. So it will just be better if you return home. Besides, your family will have less of a reason to come after me.

- They are not like that.- Star felt offended.- They trusted my decision.

- But they don't trust me.- Toffee replied.- If you refuse to return voluntarily, I will have to use force.

- Just try and stop me!- she challenged him.

- Little butterfly, use your head, at least, sometimes!

- How about you start using your heart sometimes?- she suggested angrily.

- I don't care what mewmans think about me.- Toffee admitted.

- Maybe you should.- Star tried to correct him.- How can anyone help you with anything if you just keep pushing them away? Ever since I got here in Septarsis, when I look at you, it's like something inside you is screaming. It's screaming and wants to be heard, but you don't allow it. Why? Eclipsa always says that feelings are worth feeling, even if they hurt.

- You expect me accept advice from Eclipsa?- Toffee asked sarcastically.

- Okay, maybe not the best example.- Star realized her wrong choice of words.- But the point is still there.

- Star!- Toffee sighed, tired of this conversation.- Whiners don't have a place in this world!

- Are those your words or someone else's?- Star doubted.

- Mine.- Toffee replied.- Just go back home! It's for the better.

- For who?- Star asked, believing it was for Toffee's personal interest.

- For everyone.- he replied, not falling into her trap.- Okay, here is how things are. You insist on having at least 5% of the solution and I prefer to get rid of you as fast as I can, so here is what I propose: you stay long enough to find the missing septarians, after which you return to the Butterfly kingdom, so I can do the rest of the work without you. Deal?

- Deal!- Star answered.- But how about me helping you beat the marauders too?

- No.- he said bluntly.

- OH, COME ON!- she shouted desperately.

- They are like nothing you have ever faced before. Besides, you promised me you will not cause me any trouble, but you failed. Think of it as a way to compensate.

- Toff, I know they are dangerous, but I know I can do it.

- What makes you say that, little butterfly?

- I survived the Box of truth, Meteora, Stump Day and even you. So, yes! I can do it!

- So what is your plan? Blast them with the same spell you used on me? You know this will not stop them.

- Eclipsa's spell!- Star remembered.- We can use that.

She wanted to use the same spell that killed Toffee's parents and took away his finger decades ago?

- Seriously?- he said.

- I know it might seem like too much, but it is the only thing we have.

- I think I had enough of that spell.- Toffee disagreed with this plan. He had better plans for the marauders' fate anyway.- Let me handle them the septarian way.

- Do whatever you think it's necessary for your country, but let me help you capture them.

- Do you have a plan?

- Yeah!- she said with confidence.- We find them and I blast them hard enough so you can capture them.

- Is that all?- Toffee asked.- All of them with one blast?

- Yeah!

- And how are you going to find them?

- Well, I just...- she paused, not knowing how to continue.

- You see, little butterfly!- Toffee gloated.- This is why I make the plans.

- Okaaaay!- Star said, shaking her hands in a sassy and "whatever" manner. Then she remembered something else.- By the way, why does everybody here call you a prince? Are you really a prince?

- Although, I am not a member of the royal family, it is I, who was chosen to inherit the throne. The situation is delicate. This is why you must not get in my way.

- Why?- Star smirked.- You have a competition or something?

- Don't act like you don't know what I mean!

- Yeah, yeah! I know. Just messing with ya.

- Amusing!- Toffee said sarcastically.- So funny, I forgot to laugh.

- Why are you so serious all the time?!- Star sighed desperately.- You never laugh. Never smile. You don't even cry nor yell.

- It's the way I am.- he answered.- Accept it! Besides, I need to be serious, otherwise nothing gets done here.

- Can't you just chill from time to time?

- No.

- Even I should have known you would say that.

- Star.- he put his hand on her shoulder for the very first time.- Not all of us have had the same priorities you had growing up. I was born and raised in a military base. War is the sole reason for my existence.

- Don't be so hard on yourself.- Star tried to reason with him.- You are much more than that. All septarians are much more than that.

- Really?- he responded in disbelief.- Then tell me something. What made you doubt all of that when you first saw me? How about Rasticore- what did you think about him when you first saw him? Why were we so different than your other enemies?

Star thought for a moment, looking for an answer, but so far, she had no luck:

- Because we are septarians.- Toffee answered, instead of her.- That's why we don't trust anyone, but our own. When a mewman screws up-everyone forgives it, when a septarian screws up- everyone remembers it.

- Why do you think I'm here, Toffee? I want to change that.

- You can't change something that has been going for centuries.

- Yes, I can. Monsters are happier now, when Eclipsa is in charge, because I gave her the wand back.

- That does not make things better. Are you saying now things are better between monsters and mewmans as well?

- No, but there is still hope. I am so, so close, Toffee.

Toffee was actually a little surprised. He had no idea how sincere Star was about bringing peace between monsters and mewmans. He has never seen any mewman so ambitious about helping monsters, not even Eclipsa. He smiled:

- Good luck!- Toffee said.- You'll need it.

- I can't do it without your help.- she extended her arm towards Toffee.- So, for the last time, are we a team?

Toffee hesitated and said:

- Is this what you really want?

- As serious as a heart attack!

- Okay, then.- he shook her hand.- Let's see where this will go!

- Thanks!- she playfully bumped his arm.- You know, you smiled moments ago. You had it in ya, huh?

- I am not a machine, Star.- Toffee replied unamused.- I am just treated like such.

- Okay. Sorry!