Special thanks to Blackwolf for doing extensive editing for the chapter. If the writing sounds sharper, it's because of her extensive feedback this chapter. Some author notes at the bottom as usual. Happy 4th of July!

"What do you mean?" Star hastily whispered, pushing Marco away from her. "I know you can fight, but I can't just leave you alone with those monsters."

She was shocked at the idea of Marco willingly facing some of her greatest threats, all on his own. Her mind recalled the many brave battles knights both from her kingdom and allied ones had during the war.

Star closed her eyes, remembering the stories told by her late father about brave Sir Lavabo and Sir Stabby.

Opening her eyes, she watched Marco stand tall, gripping the wand in his hands as if it was his blade and giving her a knowing look.

"I won't let those guys kill me. I got people back home waiting for me."

Star bit her lip, feeling very unsure.

Why am I so scared of him dying?

Part of her already knew the answer but another part didn't want to admit that just yet. They just looked at each other, Marco's brown eyes blazing in confidence. Star's mind started racing, playing a memory not her own.

Star and Janna stood back to back, the two watching as Ludo slowly approached them. He was riding on top of an eagle and spider, with various rats following them. What should've been a fun seance and bonding time with her friend quickly turned into an unwelcome battle.

Star gritted her teeth, clenching her fist and feeling her cracked-wand glowing a dark pink. She turned toward Janna, part of her cursing at the fact Marco wasn't here this very moment.

"Huh. Didn't know that Kappa guy was Bon Bon." Janna rubbed her chin, clearly confused at the situation.

"That's not Bon-Bon," Star hissed, jumping in the air and charging up her wand. "Starfish Tsunami!"

Ludo held on to Eagle, letting the creature fly him to safety. Spider used its silk to shoot toward a nearby tree, only leaving some poor rats getting washed away. Star landed on her feet, eyes locked on Ludo.

Really? Now of all times?!

Star cursed the Stump itself for giving her such a hard night, aiming at Ludo and hoping the little jerk would back off after a mean Narwhal Blast.

"You seem distracted, Princess!" Ludo shouted, jumping off Spider and shooting a green blast of magic from his own cracked-wand. Star rolled away from the attack and followed it up with a Narwhal Blast.

"Uh, Star?"

She turned around, seeing Janna surrounded by rats. She used her purse as a makeshift mace.

"Can I get a hand? Or a weapon?"

Star shot the ground and conjured up a spiked rainbow bat, tossing it to Janna. She caught it and grinned, swinging the thing and charged into the rat army.

"Yeah, tonight's not a good one." Star shot a furry of Razor Heart Daggers, with Spider using its silk to make a make-shift shield for Ludo. "Can we do this tomorrow?"

He laughed, his clown makeup making him look even more stupid than usual.

"Not when destiny is at hand, Butterfly!" He whistled, his two minions rushing toward Star. "Get the book, girls!"

So, that's what he wants.

Star spun the wand around, getting a Warincorn stampede going.

Like hell he's…

But she was surprised with Spider's silk hitting her. Before she knew it the silk fully wrapped around her body, and she couldn't break free.

What is this made out of?

Even with her Mewman strength, she couldn't budge from the silk. Ludo jumped on top of her, laughing right in Star's face.

"Can't believe that worked!" He eyed the wand laying on the ground and looked at his own. He just stared at it, eyes widening. "You mean we could… And the book can…"

"Get off me!" Star struggled, but Ludo only looked at his wand, ignoring her completely.

He turned toward her, a dark grin forming on his face. "Finally, I will win!" He grabbed both wands, pointing them right at Star's face. "Prepare to die, Butterfly!"

Star glared at Ludo, almost daring him.

Dark green glowed in her face, and Janna yelled in the background. Star just closed her eyes, hoping her flight-or-fight instincts would kick in and dip down.

What should have been a dark blast of magic hitting her square in the face or a loud blast exploding in the graveyard was instead met with a loud sound of breaking bones.

Star opened her eyes, shocked at what stood before her.

It was Marco Diaz, grabbing Ludo by his little neck. And in his right hand, was Star's cracked wand.

"M-Minions…" Ludo gasped, sending Spider and Eagle rushing toward Marco. But he simply threw Ludo like a ragdoll, turning around and shooting a red-blast of magic from the wand.

Star wordlessly watched as Marco's face glowed marks just like hers, but they were crescent moons. Even the wand looked different, reflecting a spiked compass.

"Woah, didn't know you had that in you, Diaz." Janna teased, rushing over to the two and taking out a pocket knife, cutting through the silk covering Star.

He was about to say something, but the small army of rats slowly approached them. Holding up the burning candles as make-shift weapons, they circled the three.

Thanks to Janna cutting through a layer of silk, Star was able to break out on her own and got on her feet.

"Why didn't you call me?" Marco tossed Star her wand, entering battle stance and cracking his knuckles.

He's seriously asking that?

Star felt rage bubble up, letting a dark green glow escape from the wand. She shot a surge of green heart daggers, the broken hearts splitting in half as they struck down the different rats effortlessly.

"You were on a date with Jackie? Besides, we could handle ourselves."

Marco grabbed a rat by its tail just as it lunged at Star, spinning around and throwing it at a cluster of rats.

"Sure you can."

Star gasped, anger replaced by righteous fury.

"Excuse me?!" She shot fire at the ground, burning fighting rats coming toward her. One did a tuck and roll, but Janna kicked the poor rat away.

No one noticed as she leaned on a tree and folded her arms, taking out popcorn out of thin air and started munching.

"You ditched me! We were supposed to resurrect Bon-Bon together, Marco!"

Marco turned toward her, and she recoiled at his hurt frown.

"Then you should've said that!" He shouted, punching a rat jumping at him without looking.

"Uh…" Ludo spoke up, slowly coming up to the two riding on Spider.

"Not now, Ludo!" Star and Marco spoke in unison.

They looked at each other, harsh glares matching each other. Ludo gulped, carefully taking his broken wand and moving toward the unguarded spellbook.

"You've been acting strange all day, Star!" Marco shouted, ignoring the battlefield around him. "If you have something to say, then say it!"

Star closed her eyes, her heart screaming to answer his question.

"I…"

"Fools!" They turned toward Ludo, holding the book in his hands with Spider and Eagle ready to take off. "You were too focused on petty hormones! I win! Haha!"

"Mystic Room Suck Transform!" Star shouted, shoving Marco away and shooting the spell right at Ludo. He dropped the book as the pink vortex started sucking him and the rat army in.

"Not again! Not again…" Ludo pleaded, gripping the ground with his clawed hands. Part of his costume started falling off, the monster's pathetic screams deflating any serious danger he presented earlier.

Janna dropped the popcorn she was munching and quickly dashed toward the spell book, grabbing it and rushing away from the vortex.

"Got it! Now let's get…" She waved at her friends, with Marco sending her a thumbs up.

Star, however, was gritting her teeth as she felt dark emotions creep up. Flashes of that image plagued her mind like a virus, as well as all those stupid times her best friend fawned over some sporty girl that wasn't even interested in him.

The vortex shifted from pink to green with Ludo being pushed away from the vortex. He whistled to Spider and Eagle, the trio rushing away from the battlefield.

Star felt the air behind her intensify, pushing her toward the portal. She gripped her wand for dear life but lost her footing.

The black abyss was inches away from her, nearly taking her if it wasn't for Marco grabbing her hand.

"Hold on! I got you!" Marco grit his teeth, digging his feet into the ground using all his strength to pull.

Star watched Marco be her literal lifeline. Blue eyes meet Brown as the vortex eventually closed, and she landed on top of him.

The cemetery was silent as if the battle never happened. Sobs broke the silence, and Marco held onto Star for dear life.

Though profoundly confused, Star embraced him and the two held one another, unbothered by the eyes still watching them.

…Star shook her head, shocked a memory like that played in her mind and what felt like hours were but mere seconds. Marco took her hand and squeezed it. His confident eyes didn't waver, just like the ones from the memory.

"Woah, that…" Star breathed, her mind partially winded from the intense vision.

"You okay? You spaced out for a minute there." He asked, holding Star's hand.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't expect those visions to come out of the blue like that." Marco's eyes grew concerned, but Star powered on giving him a focused look. "But you really want me too…"

"Yes." He gave Star a serious look. "I need you to lure Rasticore out of here and get those creatures that attacked us…"

"...To attack the monsters."

He nodded.

"What makes you so sure they will listen to me? It's not like I'm their favorite person or anything."

Marco closed his eyes and a laugh escaped his lips.

"P-Part of me, thinks you could channel your inner Princess."

Star tilted her head in confusion.

Inner what now?

Marco looked away from her, his cheeks blushing. Star's eyes went wide, watching him pace back-and-forth for a bit.

"I don't know, back home I saw this movie where a Princess can talk to animals."

Star rolled her eyes, grabbing Marco's hand and squeezing it.

"I can't believe it; you're flirting with me now."

Marco's face turned a deeper shade of crimson. "W-Will you just listen to my plan?"

Star giggled, enjoying seeing Marco squirm for a moment.

He's really cute.

Cracking her knuckles, she wiggled her fingers and took a few steps back from the boulder they were hiding behind.

"Let's make some magic."

The entire cave shook.

"Why do I hear death calling for me?" Slime asked aloud, feeling his slimy body tremble. Before he knew it a large boulder slammed into him. Star smirked as his body dissolved into a pile of his namesake.

"Pitiful creatures, you want me? Come and get me!" Star boasted, flying off at the speed of sound. She didn't have to turn around to sense her main target was chasing after her, the monster driving up the wall using his dragoncycle and following her through the dark cave.

Remember, don't use magic unless I have to.

Star told herself, needing to stay in her Golden Butterfly form as long as possible. But she felt her blood pumping, magic fueling every twitch and move of her golden wings.

"You know I love a good chase, Princess," Rasticore taunted, slashing his chainsaw arm and emitting a wave of red magic. Star flapped her wings, avoiding the attack. But she quickly shifted left and right as he continued his slashes.

Come oooon, almost there.

Star tucked her arms in as the cave narrowed and closed her butterfly wings just as she got out of the cave, shooting out of the ditch like a speeding bullet.

She rolled on the ground, taking very much needed deep breaths.

"I know you can't stay like that for long, Butterfly," Rasticore taunted, jumping out of the ditch and landing feet away from her. "How about we make things easy, okay lass? I'm sure you don't want my friends to damage your new boytoy."

Star sharply turned around, clenching her fists and feeling her body tense up.

"How dare you…"

No! Trust, Marco.

She didn't finish her thought, an angry frown morphing into a cocky grin.

…You're the stronger one here. Have fun with your prey.

"My mate can take care of himself. As for you?"

Star turned around and wagged her finger.

"Have to catch me first."

She flew off yet again, feeling newfound vigor flowing through her veins. Star heard Rasticore mumble a curse before revving up his dragoncycle again, driving after her.

Star shifted her attention to the much-more spacious forest, golden eyes studying for her targets.

"Sure would help if it wasn't nighttime…" Star's eyes widened at a series of trees blocking her path. She gritted her teeth, generating a magical field around her as she sped up and charging through them.

Shaking off the branches and leaves in her hair, Star clenched her six arms as she spotted large demonic owls following her.

They formed annoying formations, shooting beams of fire from their large eyes. Star dodged them, gritting as the blasts brushed against her sensitive wings. She flapped her wings, rising up in the air and using a sweeping kick with her thick boots.

The blow sent a few of the creatures crashing into bushes and even into one another.

Almost there, I smell Mama up ahead.

She resumed her flight and charged through a final wave of trees, tumbling into an open field. Star's eyes dilated at what she saw.

Star quickly hid within a bush, watching Mama Bear tend to her cubs' wounds. She smiled, seeing each one react differently to Mama. The white one seemingly enjoyed Mama using her tongue to clean the wounds, though the black one was sulking in the corner with focused eyes looking around.

She paused; the gray one looked squarely in her direction with wide eyes.

Was I spotted?

It didn't take long for the grey one to slowly crawl in Star's direction.. Star did her best to stay perfectly still, knowing animals back home tend to ignore the hunters if they aren't bothered.

The cub was bold, tripping over itself and rolling into Star's lap. She blinked, her wide eyes going soft.

Should…

Star touched the little cub with her right hand, gently petting its soft fur.

Her heart melted, memories of petting tamed waricorns playing in her mind. "You know Mama's going to be mad, since you are talking to a stranger."

The bear ignored her, snuggling into her lap and closing its eyes.

Her mind went over the plan Marco suggested one more time and a dumb smile formed on her face.

Can't believe he was right about this. Guess Miss Heinous wasn't lying when she said Princesses have an innate connection to nature like this.

Those lessons in particular confounded Star, always zoning out during them during her time at Saint O's. But seeing this little bear cub that got a good bite or two in an hour ago, treat Star as if she was her mama?

Her heart melted and she felt compelled to hug the daylights out of the little bear. But her mind remembered her entire reason for looking for the creatures.

Rasticore has to be coming soon.

Gently picking the little cub up, she walked out of her hiding spot. Mama Bear instantly spotted her and the other two cubs went into the defensive and huddled around her. Their hostile, violent glare softened seeing Star gently cradle the gray cub.

"I know, you guys don't like me, but hear me out." Star gently put down the gray cub, the little guy opening its tired eyes and yawning. It looked between Star and its Mama, making a small cry before running over to the Mama. "I need to distract some real jerks bothering me and my boy…"

Star's eyes dilated, covering her mouth in shame.

Oh corn, did I just…

Star felt the ring on her left hand burning into her flesh.

"Boy that's my friend, that I think is super hot and…"

She groaned in frustration, not noticing the amused expressions on the Mama Bear.

"Can you help me?"

Mama Bear got on its hind legs and walked over to Star. It towered over her, sniffing her head. The bear gently patted its paw on her head and turned around.

A deafening cry escaped its four mouths, nearly making Star fall over. She maintained her posture, with the Mama Bear walking into the trees with her three cubs. The gray one paused, making a playful cry before catching up with its siblings.

She just stayed still for a few moments, rubbing her neck and pondering something.

Did I just ask nature herself to help me when I desecrated it my entire life?

She would've laughed at the stupidity of her question if it wasn't answered. A flock of owl monsters circled her, with smaller creatures like Red Squirrels and Five Tailed Foxes joining them.

Star stood guard, but they simply looked at her with expectant eyes. As other creatures of the forest heeded her call, she smiled and felt her magic flare up again.

"Follow Mama Star, kiddos. We got some prey to hunt."

Star readied herself, her body knelt over and golden wings flapping on her back. She didn't have to look behind her, feeling the forest's creatures huddled behind her.

Can't wait to see his reaction to this.

Letting her inner magic take hold, thanks to powerful emotions fueling it, Star shot forward like a speeding bullet. She heard a near stampede of creatures following her, and a knowing grin forming on her face.

Her golden eyes looked for her prey, her grin forming into a playful smirk watching the panic in his stilted eyes. "How… Doesn't matter, go!"

Rasticore harshly twisted the horns of his dragoncycle, the poor beast emitting an angry growl before listening to its master. The two driving ahead, Star relished at being the hunter this very instance, whistling and letting the forest creatures assist her chase.

Without moving a finger, she ordered the Demonic Owls to shoot fire at Rasticore and the foxes dug underground and made potholes to make the drive harder for him. She was surprised to see a pack of Hellhounds joining in on the fun, the pack of three slamming into Rasticore as he did his best to defend himself using his chainsaw.

But Star didn't have time to relish her foe being on the ropes, she focused on the goal at hand. She spotted the ditch she and Marco fell in earlier up ahead. Star snapped her fingers and gestured to the living trees to make walls and forced Rasticore down the ditch.

She dived into the ditch after him and gritted her teeth, hoping the creatures continued following her. Being back in the darkness again she did her best to follow Rasticore, thankful her Golden form was keeping the cave lit up somewhat.

Come onnn…

Star charged right through Rasticore, causing him and the dragoncycle to collide into the battered form of Buff Frog.

"Woah… Nailed it!" Star playfully posed, but let out a tired breath.

But her eyes went wide, seeing Marco wear completely different clothing than before. Gone were the animal pelts the wand made for him but instead was something not too dissimilar to what Mewni's knights would wear.

Royal reds and blues coated his entire body in steel armor, with a red hooded cape floating from his back. But what surprised Star was the location of the wand crystal; it was in his right shoulder, the very spot where the Butterfly Tattoo had been.

"Star, we have company!" Marco yelled.

She blinked, focusing on the battle at hand and spotted Rasticore simply toss Buff Frog aside and run toward them. But he was stopped by a flood of forest creatures tackling him.

"What trouble? I channeled my inner 'perfect princess' and charmed the animals."

Star watched amused as Marco's face blushed and turned away from her. He simply rubbed his arm and gave her a shaky smile.

"I was joking! But I'm surprised that…"

Star folded her arms, smugly smiling and hoping for a 'reward' from her dork knight.

Maybe a kiss?

Despite the absurd suggestion, she felt compelled to actually ask for that. She closed her eyes and rose her finger.

"Uh… Star?"

She opened her eyes, giving Marco a confused look.

He pointed behind her.

"Can you charm a dragon too?"

The loud revving of the dragoncycle's purr echoed in the cave, causing Star to turn around and her eyes to dilate.

"Alright, grab on and I'll.."

Star grabbed Marco and focused on her magic… But she felt nothing.

Oh no! I used too much getting them here.

She tried again and again to channel her magic but nothing was working. Fear was creeping through her veins, but she was surprised at Marco lifting her in his arms.

"Marco?"

She just watched as his confident, protective gaze looked her over before focusing on a small exit ahead of them.

"Let's go, Princesa!"

Star just felt her heart hammer as her Prince… Friend, carry them both to safety.

So Marco's word of the day is Princess in Spanish, though I think that would be easy to infer. The next two chapters are ones I'm super excited about, being Marco-focused and touching on an aspect of the show I love exploring. Both are partially outlined, with the next two days as of this publishing being focused on getting the drafts ready.

Quite a bit is happening on my end personally but I got a steady upload scedual in place, so for those reading, chapters are still weekly releases. If anything, this project is a personal escape from stuff lol.

Hope you all enjoy the chapter and stay tuned for more :).