Thanks goes out again to Blackwolf for reading the early draft and giving me feedback.
"If you lay a single claw on him, you'll join your brother!"
Marco simply watched in awe as his newfound battle buddy tackled the chainsaw monster like a football player, her voice much deeper than before.
She's that protective of me already?
Marco thought as he readied himself, standing on guard as the remaining monsters started circling him. Marco's brown eyes intently studied three monsters surrounding him. The clear leader of the trio was a frog man, having a rather large armored belly and focused yellow eyes.
"So, you are human," The frog-man spoke in a thick Russian-like accent. "This should be quick."
"Wait, aren't humans like us?" The slime monster asked, his body doing its best to keep the armor it was wearing in place. "Maybe we should convince him to join us."
The bird creature laughed, readying his longbow and narrowing slitted eyes at Marco. "He's siding with her, Slime." He shot the arrow, with Marco rolling away before it struck his leg. "Fast one… Alright, wear him down Buff Frog."
Following the command, Buff Frog charged into Marco. He quickly held up his wand gauntlets, using them to block the heavy blows.
So he's the heavy hitter, while the others are ranged and speed fighters.
Marco grinned, quickly using a sweeping kick to knock Buff Frog off his feet. He then rolled away from a flurry of arrows from the bird monster.
He's gonna be a problem.
Marco looked at his hands, thinking of a silly idea.
I'm in a fantasy world, so this should…
He focused on the budding energy within his hands, sliding back and thrusting both palms forward. A blue fireball escaped them, striking the bird monster.
"Dennis!" Slime shouted, sliding over and using his body mass to catch him. He looked at Marco, black eyes narrowed. "Good shot, kid."
The monster flung a wave of slime at Marco. He tried blocking the attack, but a good amount of the toxic substance burned away his clothes.
Marco hissed in pain, doing a quick drop-n-roll to cancel out any potential flames. He looked over himself for a quick moment, thankful his pants were still intact.
Don't want to fight naked.
Seemingly fed up with the battle, Buff Frog charged into Marco with a harsh side-tackle. Marco gasped for air as he collided into a tree, falling on the ground. He rubbed his head, looking up and his eyes dilating.
The monster was high in the air, ready to do a lethal belly flop on the poor human. Marco simply took a steady breath and entered a defensive position. Right as the monster was going to strike, Marco caught him with both hands and harshly threw him a few feet away.
Grinning at his success, Marco made a playful battle pose. But a sharp pain in his leg made him scream in pain. He fell on his knees, looking at a rather nasty wound.
An arrow went through his right leg.
Deep breaths Diaz, remember…
But his training at the dojo did nothing to stop the amount of pain coursing through him. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the arrow and yanked it out of his leg.
"Hijo de puta¡" Marco screamed in frustration, ripping off part of his paints and wrapping up the wound in haste.
The monsters just blankly looked at him.
"I'm not… Not done yet, you jerks." Marco cracked his neck, slamming his fists together and standing guard. He hoped they didn't see the tears in his eyes or his right leg somewhat limping.
Can't kick anymore, but I still got my fists.
To his surprise, the monsters simply took a step back. He raised an eyebrow, seeing an almost pitying look in their eyes.
All expect one though.
"Wait, give the human a chance to…" Buff Frog's cries were ignored, Dennis shooting an arrow right at Marco's chest.
His life flashed before his eyes, but he was shocked to not feel the sharp arrow pierce his flesh. Instead, he was bathed in a soothing golden glow. Star Butterfly was standing before him, holding the arrow with her hand.
Marco simply studied her, seeing she was just as battle damaged. The golden glow simply highlighted how torn up her dress was and also revealed a rather nasty gash on one of her arms. But she acted like those wounds meant nothing, her glow only getting brighter.
"What did I say to you ungrateful, pitiful creatures?" Marco backed away, feeling terrified hearing Star's almost demonic voice screech. "Lay a claw on him and you'll join your brother…" His eyes went wide seeing her almost sadistic smile. "In the case of some of you though, I guess you'll see family."
This clearly touched a nerve for Buff Frog, who charged into Star. But she effortlessly slapped the monster, sending him flying into a nearby bush. Slime was ready to charge into her, but Dennis pulled him back, simply throwing a pellet into the ground. Smoke covered the arena and before Star or Marco knew it, the monsters were gone.
Star exhaled a heavy breath, golden glow vanishing and she was about to fall on her knees. Marco caught her, though he hissed in pain as some blood started leaking from his right leg.
"I couldn't kill Rasticore, he ran off like the coward he is;" Star started, hugging herself and a warm glow covering her. The glow vanished, Star's wounds completely gone. "Good work holding your own, but…"
She winced, seeing Marco's bleeding leg. But her eyes drifted to his exposed chest.
"What?"
She took off the gauntlets off his hands, allowing the wand to reform into its normal form. Then she tapped the object on his right leg, the wand now forming a simple brace as she started healing him.
"You got nice abs."
Marco blinked, unsure how to even respond. He just decided to remain silent as Star carefully traced her gentle fingers over his wounds.
Why is she healing me like this?
He picked on how fast her wounds got healed but here was Star, this magical princess from his dreams, tending his wounds as if he was her lover after a tough battle.
N-No, I'm a human. She likely has to be more careful with magic on humans.
"Alright, that should do it buster," Star helped Marco to his feet, seemingly ignoring his flustered expression. "We should make camp, no one will bother us once I set up a protection spell."
"R-Right," He just let Star somewhat carry him to a nearby log. Seeing he was propped up well, she wandered into the forest nearby and after a minute of silence, she came back with some firewood and a few berries.
She conjured up a simple log to sit on, throwing the firewood into a small pit and shooting a fireball at them. Warm embers were flying in the air, with the two finally having a moment to study one another.
Marco felt almost naked seeing Star's blue eyes study him. They looked everywhere, making him feel a little confident in doing the same to her. They eventually locked on her face and suddenly he felt nervous.
"So… What brings you to Mewni, uh…"
"Come on Star, we somewhat know each other thanks to those odd dreams," Marco interjected, holding his hands toward the fire. "I know you're the Princess of this place and we are… were friends."
Star sighed, hugging herself.
"...Well, I know a bit about you too." She started counting down on her fingers one by one.
"You have a family, even a cute little sister. Dated some girl named Jackie who dumped you. You're even friends this Janna person annnnd we are…were?"
She tapped her chin, shrugging her shoulders and smiling.
"Yeah, we are friends, though we just don't know each other…"
Marco bolted up, ignoring the throbbing pain in his leg.
"How do you know all that?" His voice deepened, narrowing his eyes and towering over Star.
She paused, looking away from him and her smile vanishing.
"The dreams? I'm pretty sure we have different ones."
Marco blinked, feeling guilty all of a sudden. He sighed, sitting back down.
"Right… Sorry for that. I… I get defensive when people talk about Mariposa." He leaned forward, his eyes lost in the embers. "She died two years ago and while I should be over it by now, it's hard."
Star just watched him in silence.
"But I guess your dreams show a lot about me, huh? Hope it's nothing too annoying."
Star made an awkward laugh and looked into the fire, eyes unsure.
Tense silence hovered between the two, the only sounds being the screeching demonic wildlife and uneasy wind gusting in the breeze.
Deciding to break the silence, Marco spoke up first. "So can you explain what's going on? I was having a moment back home before that Blood Moon brought me here."
Star's eyes narrowed for a split second, before they softened.
"Well, I found out thanks to the Blood Moon something really serious about what really ended my family and I ran off from my soon-to-be-husband." She looked down at her left hand, seeing Tom's ring. Marco caught it too, eyes studying the red ring.
"He's got good taste, I'll say," Marco recoiled at Star's hostile glare. "I meant the ring, not… whatever." He rubbed his neck, Star still glaring at him. "What? Am I supposed to be upset about something?"
Star eyes softened, brushing her thumb over the ring.
"Tom...Is a good man. He was by my side for a lot of my life." Star giggled, covering her heart. "Even though our families nudged us together, it still feels like I picked him."
"Oh, so Mewni has arranged marriage stuff too." Marco caught Star's curious look. "On Earth, in the past when kingdoms were still a thing, people married not out of love but out of obligation to their families or governments."
Marco frowned, looking into the fire once more.
"Never really liked that, but glad it worked out in your case."
"Yeah." Star looked at Marco.
"Come on, you clearly want to ask me something. Go ahead."
Star blinked.
"What? I get the impression you have a lot to ask me even though you apparently know about stuff I don't like talking about."
"Alright, you know about my husband. What about your Princess?" Marco raised an eyebrow, before entering a dumb laugh.
"She's not a Princess, she's more like a Witch," Marco smiled. "Janna was always there for me, even in the hardest times. I never really… pushed, for anything out of fear of messing up."
"Like you did with Jackie."
Marco frowned, feeling annoyed at Star's knowing smirk.
"Okay, you need to give me the context on that later."
Star giggled, with Marco pressing on.
"Anyway, I made my move because… Of you, actually." Star blinked, leaning forward in surprise. "Those dreams I have, you're always just 'going' for it and never letting crap get you down. So, I used your fearlessness as inspiration."
"Did it work out?"
Marco sighed, slouching forward.
"...I don't know, the Blood Moon sent me here before I could find out." He covered his face, feeling embarrassed. "Worst part? That damned thing made me call Janna your name."
Star bolted up, eyes wide in surprise.
"I'm guessing your big day had a similar thing happen, right?" Star sat back down, looking at her lap horrified.
"So we are… that close."
Marco shrugged his shoulders, unsure how to even answer her. They sat in uneasy silence until Star let out a loud yawn. She blinked in surprise, with Marco sending her a knowing smile.
"It has been a long day for the two of us, let's put a pin on… confused things, and get some sleep." Star nodded, holding out her hand and a simple protection spell releasing from her palm. The campsite was now coated in a simple white glow, showing the spell was active.
Marco was going to suggest they make a tent but Star simply passed out, hugging herself and drooling on the ground.
You are really cute when you want to be.
Marco scooted next to her and used his warmth to keep her safe. "Goodnight."
He closed his eyes, feeling a strong set of arms holding him like a teddy bear. Not wanting to protest, he just let Star hold him. Barely opening his eyes, he made out the shine of the Blood Moon coating their battered forms before he closed them again and entered into a deep slumber.
Marco was sitting on his couch, heart somewhat lighter after a good heart to heart with his best friend. Watching over what felt like the entire population of Echo Creek partying in his home, he just couldn't help but smile.
But was that what I wanted to hear?
He frowned, clasping his hands together. Sighing, he closed his eyes and reflected on what felt like a lifetime of memories with Star Butterfly.
Fighting monsters daily, surviving adventures beyond his mortal understanding and even spending sixteen years in a hellscape just to get something back for Star.
I wouldn't trade any of that for the world.
Marco's frown deepened, his brown eyes watching his girlfriend Jackie talk to Janna about something.
Did I really move on from Star?
Even months later, that thing Star told him still haunted Marco. "You really just want me to be your friend?" He mumbled to himself, silent as he could be.
He looked toward the stairs, wondering if Star would bolt down them on Cloudy and tell Marco the three worlds he was hoping to hear from her mouth, not some shoddy musician.
"Am I really doing this…" Marco got off the couch and slowly walked up the stairs, surprised at how heavy his footsteps were feeling.
As if a sudden panic took hold, he rushed up the stairs and knocked on Star's door, hoping she would answer. He got no response though, closing his eyes and barging through the door.
He stumbled on the floor, looking up and seeing Star's parents of all people. What shocked him the most, was Moon holding out her palm and it glowing a bright blue. He quickly got to his feet and held up his hands defensively.
"Mom! It's just Marco," Star stood between the two of them, with Moon eying him coldy, before her gaze softened and she sat back down on the bed.
"Dear, I know you have… Unfinished business with your friend, but we need to leave." Moon spoke, her blue eyes soft and understanding.
Joining her was River, who was lugging five chests worth of clothing and other belongings to Star on his back. "Come Pumpkin! We got a monster to slay!"
"Wait, what's going on?" Marco asked, gently pushing Star aside. He only was given somber frowns from the royals, his eyes going wide in realization.
Star put a hand on his shoulder and he sharply turned around, taking her hand and words simply unable to escape his lips.
Why does this feel like a final goodbye?
"I have… To go away for a while. Remember Toffee? We are the only ones who can fight him, so…"
"Let me get El Choppo and visit the Neverzone, I'm sure Hekapoo has Nachos…" Marco was about to run off, but Star grabbed him by his hood. "Come on! If we are going…"
She simply hugged him, Marco's body locking up.
"I… I will try to come back."
Marco wanted to enjoy this hug, like all the ones they have shared. But he frowned, pushing her back and his face having a harsh frown.
"You're acting like I will never see you again," Marco shouted, taking the scissors out of his pocket and showing them proudly to Star and her parents. "You think just… Running away will solve things?"
Star's eyes flashed a hostile glare, one Marco matched.
Moon and River simply watched the two as if they were watching themselves as teenagers, deciding to stay silent.
"...You know I lied." Star admitted, looking at her boots.
"I'm sorry I made you feel this way," Marco looked away from her, eyes tearing up. "I… I should've been more than your friend after that ball."
Star's eyes widened and she pulled Marco into a vice grip. The two embrace, enjoying what felt like the final semblance of warmth they could share with each other.
Marco was the first to let go, wordlessly watching as Moon and River entered the portal first, with Star being inches away from it. She stepped one foot into it, the magic of her room vanishing completely once she entered the portal.
As if she was never part of his life, what was a mess of color and chaos, reverted back to a basic guest room… Just with a gaping hole where Star's tower used to reside.
He stood in silence for a few minutes, letting the gravity of what just happened settle. Marco fell on his knees and slammed his fist into the floor, letting out a loud sob.
"You here? I have your…" Marco didn't turn around despite hearing Janna's voice. "What happened to…"
"She's gone."
Janna's mouth was agape, with Jackie and Star's other friends slowly entering the room. Marco ignored all the annoying, loud voices his friends were making. Even the warm embrace from Jackie did nothing to soothe the giant hole present in his heart.
"She's gone."
Marco repeated, hugging himself and clenching his dimensional scissors tight enough for his right hand to draw blood.
I will find you, no matter what.
As if answering his call, everyone in the room vanished, leaving Marco alone in a black void. He blinked, unsure what was happening.
Looking over himself, he noticed his red hoodie was replaced with his torn up costume from the Halloween Dance. But what was still on his person, was those scissors.
"Huh… So you earned those from Hekapoo at one point." Marco frantically turned around, wondering where Star's voice was coming from.
"Calm down silly, I'm right here."
Marco turned toward his right, seeing Star sit on a simple log.
"Wait…" The haze on his mind lessened, helping him make out Star.
"Yeah, these dreams get pretty intense," Star sighed, looking at her gloved hands. Marco noticed she was wearing a red poofy dress with long white boots. "Mine was… The Blood Moon Ball thing."
She giggled, a flirty smile forming on her face.
"You are a good dancer."
Marco rubbed his neck, sitting on the log next to Star.
"Mine was about you running off to fight some monster named Toffee… And apparently I didn't realize you liked me, since I was dating Jackie."
Star shot him an annoying glare.
"I get the feeling I'd want to blast her with my golden magic if I ever met her," Marco nervously laughed before looking into the red void before him. "Surprised, usually I would wake up now or the Blood Moon would try to hurt me."
"Maybe because we are together it's not doing that?" Marco asked, with Star tapping her chin before she just shrugged her shoulders.
Marco closed his eyes, thinking of something.
If this is a dream…
"Woah, this is new." Marco opened his eyes, seeing his room back home. He just watched as Star walked around it, studying his Macky Hand figures and picking up a book he was reading for school. "I didn't know we could control these things."
"I didn't either, but I rather this than feel my heart torn in half again." Star turned around, putting the book she was holding on the desk. Her eyes softened, walking to his bed and sitting next to him.
"If it makes you feel better, my dream was the first time I actually had fun hanging out with you." Marco smiled, before looking away from her and looking at his shoes.
"...I get the feeling we will actually become good friends, so let's be open about everything." He faced her and took her hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "I don't care if it's the Blood Moon nudging my feelings along or if it's for some other reason, I want to be your friend."
Star smiled, pulling Marco into a tight hug.
He hugged her back and both felt a warm light overtake them.
I do wonder what our innocent young man spouted in Spanish... Regardless, hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the next one will be coming next week. Chapter 5 is in early drafting stages, but not much else got done. ...Getting sick is lovely, combined with life stuff too. Things are on track though so stay tuned for more :).