So plans changed somewhat, going to have one more chapter for this 'arc', since I came to a great end point here. More comments below but special thanks to RickRolland for the frequent reviews and giving general impressions on this chapters draft.
Opening her eyes, Star winced as the warm sunlight from the Lucitor Kingdom's bright suns covered her battered body. She tried getting on her feet but collapsed, wincing at the sharp pain coursing through her.
Clenching her ribs, she looked over herself. Her eyes widened at the rather large scar on her stomach, in addition to a good portion of her dress being ripped up.
What… Happened?
She forced herself up, hazy vision making out four blobs in front of her.
"Back off, monsters!"
Star recoiled at the harsh voice coming from the figure standing before her. Her vision cleared up somewhat, she noticed a battered red hooded-cape and the figure holding two red swords. The blades were noticeably dripping with green and blue blood.
Is that, Marco?!
She tried to speak but her voice seemingly fell on deaf ears, with Marco charging into the monsters and continuing his assault.
Star could only watch as the wounded forms of Buff Frog, Dennis and Rasticore fought back against Marco's seemingly faster-than-light slashes and strikes.
Buff Frog only had his left eye open, with blood dripping down from where his right eye should be and barely jumping away from Marco's strikes. Dennis wasn't fairing much better, with one of his wings badly cut up. Surprising her the most was Rasticore, with his infamous chainsaw hand nowhere to be seen.
She looked around for Slime, wondering where he was at but her answer was met with a pile of blue and green goop just laying limp in a puddle.
Wow…
Star had no words, seeing Marco become a warrior not unlike her late father. She would've felt swooned if it wasn't for the stench of dark magic reeking from him.
He… He was like that in the dream, I think.
Recalling her forced bout with him, Star faintly remembered him using dark magics involving rifts and dark fire that even Glossy told her to avoid playing around with. She wondered how he even got in contact with dark magic, but couldn't ponder on the thought for long.
Marco was sent flying toward Star after a nasty punch from Rasticore with Star using her limited strength to catch him. He sharply turned around, Star nearly recoiling at the harsh purple eyes staring back at her.
"You're alive?!"
Star felt her skin crawl hearing Marco's deeper voice.
He thought I died?
She shook off the morbid thought.
"Yeah, I'm okay." She hissed in pain, almost falling on her knees again if it weren't for Marco holding her up. "You did a number on me back in the dream. Didn't know we could hurt each other in those."
Marco grit his teeth and turned toward Rasticore, who laughed at the duo.
"Look who finally stopped being a monster. Gotta say kid, you pack a punch." He spat out some blood, grinning with his large jaw. "I'll give you and the Princess a head start, always love a good chase."
Star clenched her fists and tried to channel her golden magic, body flickering golden but she couldn't maintain the magic. She harshly pointed her finger at Rasticore.
"You're lucky I can't vaporize you, Rasticore."
Dennis and Buff Frog limped toward Rasticore, entering a battle stance and harshly frowning. Star forced a grin on her face upon noticing the monsters.
"Guess a mere human can best you jerks, huh?"
Dennis screamed in frustration and was going to charge into Star but Buff Frog held him back.
"You saw nothing, Princess! Your hero over there fought like the worst of our kind!" Dennis pointed at Marco, the human not flinching at the monster's slitted eyes. "Honor… What a damned joke."
Buff Frog closed his sole eye and sighed, grip on Dennis lessened.
"...Human ruthless like Toffee."
Star backed away in shock, looking at Marco horrified.
Her mind briefly flashed to one of Mewni's most legendary battles, herself versus the Monster General. Both sides were at odds with one another, but the clashing between the General's darkness-infused curved swords and Star's rage-fueled golden magic rippled across all of Mewni. She came out the victor, but only after great losses on both sides.
Looking at Marco, the young man from her dreams…
No way he's like that… Right?
Marco took a step forward and gripped his blades, ignoring Star's horrified expression.
"So what if I am like this Toffee person? You messed with my Star. I won't let you survive."
Rasticore cracked his neck and laughed heartedly.
"That a boy, show me what us monsters are truly made of."
Marco turned around and gave Star one of his blades.
"Don't let go of this."
Star was going to ask why but Marco then threw the other blade at a far away tree. She then felt her body vanish and her entire body warped toward where the other blade landed. Star winced at the throbbing in her head, studying both swords after calming down somewhat.
The red steel shined just like the dimensional scissors Marco 'took' from one of their shared visions. Her eyes widened upon a realization.
He was able to channel their magic…
She wanted to join in and help him fight but her body refused to channel any form of magic. Groaning in frustration she just hung back and hid in a bush, watching Marco fight Rasticore one-on-one with his bare hands.
He was using magic she was used to seeing from him, magically charged punches and kicks. But they looked 'different' than usual. Instead of a bright blue aura, they instead had a dark purple fire aura attached to them and Marco's attacks were noticeably more underhanded.
Careful punches and kicks were replaced with sweeping kicks, furies of punches and even cheap upper cuts and a groan kick.
What exactly happened in his dream?
Something changed within him and part of her was scared to find out what.
"Boy, you really remind me of my brother." Rasticore started, dodging a lethal punch from Marco.
"And I should care why?" He rolled away from a leaping claw-slash from the monster, countering it with a harsh uppercut.
Rasticore winced in pain, but his grin was plastered on his large jaw.
"Because, monster kind needs people like him." He charged at Marco, grabbing him by the collar.
"Ruthless." He threw Marco aside after a harsh headbutt.
"Heartless." He kicked Marco's battered form, sending him flying toward a tree.
"And most importantly…"
He got right in Marco's face, his grin dangerous.
"Prideful."
Marco only stared back at the monster, unmoving at his words.
"My heart is vandalized."
He made a spinning kick, using the dark magic within him to send Rasticore back-somewhat. Harsh dark fire surrounded Marco as he walked forward.
"I refuse to lose anyone else."
He charged right at Rasticore ready to land a finishing blow on the monster. His right fist was shaking as purple and blue fire coated it. Emitting a loud scream, Marco felt his fist collide into harsh flesh.
Star gasped at the sight, watching as Marco realized who exactly he finished off. It was Buff Frog, standing in front of Rasticore and taking the blow for his ally.
Marco's eyes dilated, pulling his fist back and unsure what to even say.
"...Human." Marco caught Buff Frog in his arms, watching as green blood leaked from a large hole in the monster's chest. "Violence… Is needed, but you must keep honor." His sole eye slowly closed. "Katrina and babies… I will see you soon."
Marco checked the monster's pulse, eyes closing once he realized he felt nothing.
"A brave warrior, having pride and honor for the art of battle," Rasticore's head tilted forward, giving some words for his ally. "Sadly, that mindset is not for us monsters, who have to fight in an unjust world."
Star turned toward Dennis, beak agape and an ear-piercing scream escaping his mouth.
"He killed two of our friends!" He spotted Star in her hiding spot, an evil look forming on his face. "...Time we kill one of his."
Star ran toward Nachos, who was hiding in fear nearby and jumped on her back. Despite the shock of a new rider, Nachos listened to Star as she gripped her horns and drove toward Marco. He had no time to react as Star grabbed him by the hood of his cape and drove away from the two surviving monsters.
She pulled Marco up on Nachos, letting him hold her as they escaped. Tense silence hovered in the air as they drove off to safety.
"Phew, that should do it."
Star wiped sweat from her forehead and folded her arms smugly watching over the campsite. Despite her magic still not working, she managed to make a simple campsite with nearby logs, some leaves and a few berries and fruits that the forest dwellers were kind enough to share.
Sitting down on the cool ground, she munched on some of the berries and sighed in content, having some nourishment after a long trip. Turning toward the sleeping form of Nachos, she was surprised at the dragoncycle refusing to stop even after Star sensed the monsters were off their trail.
She's likely terrified of Rasticore, can't blame her.
Her attention then shifted to Marco.
The young man refused to look at her, instead staring at the darkness ahead of him. Star studied him and was unsure what to do.
Dad never acted like this after a bad hunt or losing a battle.
She frowned, realizing Marco was doing a bang up job imitating Tom.
Okay, I'm not traveling with Mr. Grumpy pants. Mama's gonna fix this.
"Hey! I still have some food left over if you're hungry, Marco." He didn't respond despite his stomach grumbling in protest. "...Do I have to come over there and drag you to the fire?"
"I'm already in hell, what's the difference?"
Star blinked.
Silence hovered in the air, Marco saying nothing else and walking toward where Star was sitting. He sat two feet away from her, holding out his hand to accept some of the food.
Star awkwardly put some in his hand and he nodded in thanks as he slowly munched on the sweet berries.
"I think we need to talk about…"
"That I killed you?"
Star froze up, unsure how to respond.
"Come on! You remember the dream. I… I killed you."
Star pulled up her dress, Marco looking away for a moment before Star pointed to her stomach.
"You don't understand Mewmans, do you?"
She took Marco's hand and traced his finger over the scar.
"We heal really quickly, in addition to having heightened strength and agility. And not to brag, but since I'm a Butterfly, I have some mean magic in me."
He pulled his hand away, looking at it dumbly.
"So what did you did? Nothing more than a typical mating spar." Star scooted close to Marco, taking his hand and squeezing it. "Remember our promise, that we would be open about everything."
He sighed, nodding in agreement.
"I will tell you about my dream, but you have to tell me about yours."
Marco turned toward her and paid attention, with Star smiling at his warm brown eyes staring back at her.
"In my dream, I saw Eclipsa again. I was in Saint O's, it being very different to the one I remember. The other royals and even friends I've had were all mindless puppets for some reason. Thankfully, your friend Janna helped me."
Marco's eyes dilated.
"Wait, you saw Janna too?"
Star blinked.
"S-Sorry, continue."
Star forced a smile as she continued speaking.
"Yeah, she helped me find a way out but I was forced to fight Eclipsa and… I faintly remember sitting on my throne waiting for you to show up, but I saw Tom."
She made an awkward smile.
"Sorry I was kinda ruthless."
"It's fine, you clearly have issues with Tom. And with how I've been acting, don't blame you for assuming I was him."
He covered his face and sighed. Looking into the warm fire, he started speaking.
"I woke up at the gates of Saint O's, holding these things."
He lifted up his swords, their red steel reflecting himself and Star.
"Since I couldn't use the wand for some reason, I relied on these things and… Lost myself trying to find you."
His brown eyes narrowed at the fire, Star putting an assuring hand on his shoulder.
"I… I cut down the guards, seeing blood. And I had to cut down the princesses. A… Horse head, a hairy princess and even… Even Jackie."
"Jackie? She's your ex from Earth, right? Why would…"
He turned toward Star, tears coming down his eyes.
"She wasn't the only human there. Janna was too and… I killed her."
Star pulled him into a tight hug.
"She vanished, so I assume she's okay… But you didn't vanish."
Star felt him squeeze tighter.
"Eclipsa taunted me, telling me I actually killed you. And… I let the darkness take hold."
She just let Marco let the pent up emotions all come out, mind racing at the implications.
If losing me affected him this much, how did he handle losing his sister?
Marco let go of Star, wiping his face and looking at the fire once more. He picked up one of the swords and harshly frowned at his reflection.
"When Mariposa died, I… I lost a piece of myself. I still trained, got good grades and was friendly to people." He stabbed the blade in the ground, disgusted at his reflection. "But I wasn't me anymore. I felt this… this frustration. This rage gnaws at me."
"Reminds me of when my parents died."
Marco turned toward Star, seeing her normally warm blue eyes turn cold.
"I never really saw eye-to-eye with Mom, but I still loved her dearly. And Dad, he was my person. So when Toffee and Rasticore murdered them in cold blood, I lost it." She looked at her hands, them shaking for a moment before she clenched them into harsh fists. "So I wanted to make them feel the same pain I did."
"And you could do that, since you had…"
"Yeah, and you just felt that."
Marco's eyes widened.
"Magic, light or dark, can cloud us." She sighed, hugging herself. "It's a constant battle to decide how to use our gifts. I could easily make someone into pure ash with a finger snap, or if I really wanted to, use the demon magics Tom tried teaching me to force people to listen."
"Damn…"
Marco looked in his lap, letting Star's words sink in.
"You are a good person Marco," She took his hand and gave him a loving smile. "That's why I'm letting you use my wand. I trust you…" She looked at the blades, her smile turning into a thin line. "Those swords? The portal things? Not so much."
"I don't want to lose myself either."
He picked up one of the blades and handed it to Star. She blinked, surprised at the blade's heft.
"Let's share these. I have one and you have one."
Star traced her finger over the red steel, the blade feeling right in her hands. Marco picked up the other blade and walked toward the fire. She mirrored him, walking toward the fire and pointing the blade at the flames.
"So you're thinking, if we 'share' the burden of the dark magic, it won't affect you as much?" Marco nodded at Star's question.
"I don't think you will get affected at all by it, since you have the golden magic. And since I will just keep the wand armor on at all times, give or take, I should be less… Uh, edgy."
Star giggled.
He's cute.
"Alright, Sir Diaz, I accept your pledge." She jabbed the blade into the fire as did he. The two swords suddenly took on slightly different forms upon being removed from the flames. Star and Marco's swords now had their names engraved in Mewman on each blade.
"Wow." They spoke in unison, sitting back down and studying their newfound weapons.
Marco and Star looked at one another, warm smiles firmly on their faces. But Star's eyes widened, seeing crescent moons on Marco's cheeks.
"Didn't know you had marks, how did you get those?" Star pointed at Marco's cheeks. He used the sword to look at his reflection, eyes blinking at the odd marks. "The dark magic must've really done a number on you."
He shook his head, looking up at the Blood Moon in the sky.
"I think it's because of that, not the dark magic."
Star looked up at the moon, a harsh frown forming on her face.
"I don't trust that thing after our bout with Eclipsa." Marco waved his hand, kicking back and finally relaxing.
"I think she won't bother us for a while… I actually scared her."
Star's jaw dropped, looking at Marco dumbfounded.
"...You're kidding me, aren't you?"
Marco shook his head.
"She literally shattered the dream since I was this close to finishing her off."
Star sat speechless, sitting back down and looking at her partner in disbelief.
No way he…
But looking over Marco again, seeing a much more confident person than a few hours earlier, she sighed in relief.
I really do love him, don't I?
Accepting that bubbling feeling, she scooted closer to him and held his arm as they looked into the fire. To her surprise, he didn't reject her embrace, throwing his arm over her shoulders and his smile widening.
"...You wanted us to be completely honest with each other, right?"
Star nodded.
"I think… I feel the same way you do."
Star's heartmarks glowed a vivid red in response, with Marco giving her a knowing look.
"I think after everything, I really care about you. Damn the dreams and… Whatever Eclipsa or Tom is trying to do."
Star kissed his cheek.
"So, what's next, partner? We kick some monster butt?"
Marco picked up his blade and gave her a harsh smile as the Blood Moon shined down on them.
"Time we finish the job we started."
I really enjoyed how this chapter turned out and the name for this chapter comes directly from a new song called 'Vandalize', which has lyrics that really fit with the tone/mood I was going for. Hope you all look forward to the next chapter and thank you for reading.