"Star? Star, wake up little buddy." Marco said as he was still walking.

It had been hours since he found her best friend in the forest, but not quite like this. Instead of the 15 year old girl with her wand going through dimensions Star, he found an 6 year old playful childlike Star. Marco was still shocked at what he saw, but realized that it wouldn't help them with their predicament, so he just took Star in his arms (which was awkward especially when said best friend was hugging him the whole time, making him blush for a while.) But Star eventually started to wake up, and Marco tried to start a conversation while on the way back.

Star rubbed her eyes as she woke up and tried to understand where they are.

"Mawco?" Whewe awe we?" Star said.

"Were going back home, where you belong, to the butterfly kingdom." Marco replied. "Also, it's Marco not Mawco, okay?"

"Okay, Maw- uh Mawco? Sowwy.." "Oh, you have a speech impediment? Just realized that now, im sorry too." Marco stayed silent after that mess. She looks so cute when sleeping, even for a child. He thought.

"Soooooo Star, how did you end up in the forest in the first place?" Marco asked after a while.

" I don't know Mawco, I couwd onwy see smoke when 2 people got me, they said that they know whewe mommy and daddy was, but they werwe bad and weft me in the fowest, Is was so scawy Mawco.." Star said, tears starting to form in her eyes. Before Marco could reply, feeling bad for leaving her, Star hugged his chest tighter, saying:

"Pwease don't weave me Mawco, im scawed."

….

"I won't Star, just like earlier, I'll never leave my friends alone when they need help." Marco replied. Gosh so that's what she's been going through this whole time? Marco rarely or has never saw Star in such a vulnerable state, perhaps because she was turned into a child is the reason why.

"Look on the bright side Star! At least were soon going to be home with Queen Moon and King River, and you can be one whole family again!" Marco said as he put on a smile. Star however, only replied with confusion in her face. "Queen Moon?"

"Yeah, you know, Queen Moon, your mother, queen of Mewni. That Moon?"

"Wow, she sounds so great! Can we meet her after we get home Mawco?"

"Uhhh are you joking right now? I really don't have for that, especially your mom when we get back."

"Wait, Queen Moon is my mother? Wow now I reawwy wanna meet her!" She happily said, feeling enthusiastic.

W-What?! She doesn't remember her own family?! Marco started to panic, with similar thoughts. Not only I must tell the queen that Star became a child, but now that she dosent remember her or her father? no no no! I have to find out what happened to her fast! But…..

How does she know me? And my name?

"Mawco? Is something wwong?" Star said, seeing his panicked face, which made her frown. Maybe someone was following them, she didn't want to get captured again and be left alone.

"Uh...no Star! But if you don't know your family, then.. how do you know me?"

"You were the only one I wemember, befowe the smoke and the 2 bad guys."

*Yawn* Star was getting sleepy again. Perhaps she couldn't sleep after being left out of the forest. She deserved to rest.

"Getting tired, little buddy?" Star nodded and started to sleep, again while on Marco's shoulders.

He only smiled, and continued to walk back to the kingdom.

Unknown location, Mewni 7pm

"Are you sure leaving behind the heir to the kingdom to a bunch of monsters was a good idea?"

asked Acronix.

"Why of course brother, that brat has no use for us after all," Krux replied. "Plus, our real goal is to get the reversal blade, im not expecting those fools to actually get the blade from Marco, but that would be a bonus if succeeded."

Both brothers were standing in front of a huge army. Gathering them all was a real challenge for Krux, but his years of scheming was about to come into motion. The army was a mixed bag of sorts. Monsters, mercenaries, even some of the butterfly kingdom's knights were part of it, as they were fiercely loyal to the rogue general, instead rather than the royal family. But above all, his most impressive achievement in assembling all of them were his elite troops, from a mysterious species, named the "crimsons" for their color, considered to be indestructible like the septarians, where toffee was from. They were led by what Krux thought as the most superior of the whole army, by general Selene. Krux and Acronix's army was led by 5 people, them, general Selene, general Darius, and general Augustus. While Selene was from the crimson's elite troops, generals Darius was a monster and Augustus a human, all 3 have respective control over the huge, diverse army. However, the Crimson troops was personally controlled by the hands of time. All 5 were together in a tent, talking about their next move after the news that the ambush at the forest failed.

"So, these fools failed to get the reversal blade? Why am I not surprised?" General Selene said.

"What did you expect? It was Darius's troops after all." Augustus replied with a quick laugh.

"Oh just watch when we attack the butterflies! My army will outperform both of yours!" Retorted Darius. "Why you little!-"

"Silence!"Acronix was irritated. "Why did you have to create this kind of leadership?" He asked his brother.

"Why of course we must know which one is superior than the rest, if we know who to trust when controlling our elite troops." Krux said with a smile. "General, give me the troops and I will promise-" "N, give me the army sir! I won't fail you!"

"Oh please, I will only see who is worthy when our plan commences. Now focus on our task!" Krux said.

"What about the reversal blade and the girl?" Asked Augustus.

"Oh don't worry, that girl is practically useless for us right now. As for the blade, shame that we didn't get the chance at the forest." Krux looked at the remaining monsters who fled after their failed ambush at Marco and Star earlier. "Which reminds me, take care of those for me will you Selene?" "With pleasure sir, troops! Take them!"

"WHAT? PLEASE NO! GIVE US A SECOND CHANCE!" The monsters begged for mercy.

"Im sorry, but you time is up." That was the only reply they got before they were taken away by Selene's troops and were 'taken care of'.

"Besides, our real goal is her and her little child here." Krux had somehow got into a baby with a purpleish skin, her eyes having a sort of magenta color. She had a tail and cheekmarks of clover.

"So, shall we plan now without any distractions?" He said with a smile. All 3 agreed and there, they planned on their first move.

Butterfly Castle, 8pm

Moon and River were finished with their dinner and were only waiting for Marco to return with hopefully their daughter. But Moon was called by all 3 Members of the high commission in order to have a talk about the rogue general Krux and it's possible threats to the kingdom.

"So general krux becomes a traitor, just great!" Rhombulus started the meeting with.

"But why?" Asked Omnitraxus, still not understanding why would one of Mewni's generals would go rogue, and for no reason.

"Umm hello you tow? How did you think they stopped us from beating up Krux in the first place?" Heackapoo said. Right, those stupid time blades prevented them from even touching the general, freezing them in their place like one of Rhombulus' crystals.

"Yes, obviously he wants those blades, but why? For most of the time I saw him, he was actually pretty loyal to the family, and hardworking also." Moon said

"Well he could just be pretending just so he could strike at any moment." Omni said.

"*Cough* Speaking of Krux, many people in the kingdom are starting to notice something strange regarding our troops." Continued Moon. "Many are starting to disappear like snowflakes. I have reason to believe Krux is behind this, either kidnapping and taking our soldiers, or even desertion ."

"Do we know where Krux is?" Asked Rhombulus.

"Nothing on that front. But I hope that we get some information once Marco… Marco finds Star that is." The MHC looked at each other. No doubt the Queen wasn't acting like herself hours after her daughter's disappearance. "Any news from Marco?" Hekapoo said.

"No."

"I'm sure Marco will bring her back. That boy never stops to surprise me." She replied, thinking of the trials.

"I hope so, because if he can't, then I don't know what I'm gonna do to Krux." They can see Moon's anger taking over, but then something they heard made it stop.

This can't be! She must be cursed in some sort of spell! She can't be like this! Oh my oor girl…

River? Poor girl? could it mean…

Moon immediately left the room, hoping that what she thought might, no, MUST be true!

Marco succeeded and has Star beside her.

Once Moon got downstairs, instead of seeing Marco and River hugging their daughter, what she saw was something different, something WRONG. She saw Marco indeed, but his head was down and the look on his face seems like he was disappointed at himself. She also saw River, on his knees crying as he shouted:

"Please there must be a way! I can't live like this and so will Moon once she finds out-"

"What should I found out river?" Marco looked at the queen and tensed at how she would react, River only replied to her with a look of surrender. "Tell her Marco."

"But your highness, I don't think she would-"

"There's no point in lying at this point." River added with his hand showing Marco.

"Marco, where's Star? Did something happen to her?." Moon asked him, her eyes focused on him alone, and this made Marco tense even more so.

"Your, uh, highness, heh, Star, umm-" "Marco tell me now! Where is she!"

Marco looked at his legs, there was a small child behind it, clutching at his legs. The kid was a girl, with a blonde hair, little devil horn headband, and hearts in her cheeks. She looked scared, and said to Marco:

"Mawco, I'm scared, why do they hate me?" The girl said looking at him.

"Nonono Star they don't hate you, they are just relieved that you're back, that's all." Marco said reassuring her that nothing was wrong, but she had a different outlook, tears were forming in her eyes.

" Then why do they talk like they don't want me like that guy? I think they hate me." She buried her face in Marco's legs crying and sniffing. Marco stood on one knee and patted her back.

" No that not true at all Star, your dad loves you! And so will your mom Queen Moon-" Marco widened his eyes, remembering that the queen was in the same room, all that time. He looked at the queen, expecting a burst of anger for failing his mission.

Well here goes nothing Marco thought as he stood again in silence as waiting for the queen's response.

Star? No… what….but how?

The queen was in a mix of emotions, happiness that Marco managed that he got Star back from the twins, shock at his daughter becoming a little child again, anger, and sadness.

And sadness was the only thing Marco could see from the queen.

"S-Star? My daughter wh-what happened to you?" She tried to form a smile, but she barely managed one. In truth she wanted to frown at the sight of his daughter, but felt like it was risky that she would run away with how she looked at her father, what about her mother?

"A-Are you my mommy?" Star said after she stopped crying, but she still sniffed from time to time.

"Yes my child, I am, I'm so happy that Marco was able to bring you back here, your home, where you belong." Moon said.

"Then why does daddy *sniff* hate me?" Star asked, looking sad and ashamed at herself for disappointing her father, and maybe even her mother for that matter.

"What? No not at all Star! He is just cr-crying tears of joy because you're back! Right River?" Moon looked at her husband, but he was too busy sobbing, turning and covering his face in his hands.

"River?" Still, no reply came.

River you idiot! Help me here prove that we don't care!

But she knew from her heart that she can't accept what her daughter has become. The teenager Star she raised for years is turned into a child, looking vulnerable and so attached to Marco. In fact…

"Mommy, do you hate me too?" Asked Star. Moon snapped from her thoughts.

"Of course not dear! Why would I hate my own daughter?"

"You look at me like I'm a disappointment*sniff*."

Moon opened her mouth, making a response, but didn't say anything. That wasn't true, Star must know that, nut the more she think about it… all those times Star wanted to prove her mother that she was capable, like the game of flags.

"Let's go Mawco, I think they don't like me being here…" She said as she tried to pull him with her small hands.

"No young lady, you're staying here and going to bed." Marco said to her.

"But-" "No buts! Plus, you're getting sleepy, for the 11th time."

"No *yawn* im not…"

zzzzzz

With a sigh, Marco picked her sleeping bestie in his arms again, and looked at Moon with a sad face, saying:

"I'm so sorry Queen Moon! I didn't know that Star would end up like this, and wasn't able to do anything about it-"

"No Marco, don't be sorry, you did what you can to save my daughter, and that's what's important. Even though she's a child, at least she is back home. Thank you."

Moon might show kindness to Marco by saying that, but inside she had a bit of curiosity. How come Star doesn't remember both me and River but she remembers Marco of all people? Moon was aware that he was Star's best friend, but still….. Marco? She also remembered what he told about the time blades and him.

Acronix said that the blades 'chose me for some reason'

What if Marco did something that caused her to be a child? But she knew that would be impossible. Marco deeply cared for her best friend, perhaps even more so than usual. There was no point of suspecting him, she wold just have to find the time twins to get her daughter back (Her teenager daughter of course.)

The MHC just arrived at this point and noticed the odd scene.

"Moon what's going on?" Hekapoo asked. Moon realized who was talking and quickly replied:

"Hekapoo, the meeting is postponed, Me, river and Marco are going to Star's room, tell everyone in the castle to not disturb us, including all of you 3."

"But why?-" "Just do it!"

"As…. you wish your majesty" his whole thing was odd for the members, but before they noticed left the scene, Rhombulus saw a little blonde girl in Marco's arms as she was sleeping. He noticed some similarities to the princess and was about to say to the members when hekapoo said to start moving. He never got the chance to tell them what he saw.

Moon, River and Marco with Star, came to Star's room, which was fixed after the battle with Krux and Acronix, and Marco carefully lied Star to bed without, but she managed to wake up which was not for long.

"M-Mawco? Where *yawn* awe we?"

"Were on your room Star, you need to sleep, properly this time, please."

"Okay, but you have to sing me a song first!"

"*sigh* okay how about this?"

Twinkle twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky

Star's eyes were beginning to shut down, preparing for a lengthy sleep.

Twinkle, twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are…..

zzzzzzzzz

Marco put the blanket over Star. She slept so peacefully now, not to mention more adorable than ever.

"I miss you Star….. please come back...

Eclipsa was looking over the Butterfly Castle with a smile. Ever since these twins showed up, the people of Mewni cared less and less about the queen of darkness and more about the "Hands of Time" as they were called by the folk. She enjoyed this, even the commission weren't so active on interrogating her every move, which she was delighted. However, she cannot deny the danger the Time blades have ever since it mysteriously came back. That saying was still fresh on her mind.

"Who controls time…"

"Controls everything."

Eclipsa looked behind her to see who said that. Who knew that?

What she saw was a man about in his 40-50s with 2 blades on each hand, 2 blades the Mewmans have feared about.

"Hello there Eclipsa, nice to see you."

"Who are you?"

"The people of Mewni call me the 'rogue general', but you may call me by my name, Krux."

Thanks for reading :)