Back again and this may be a shorter chapter but this closes out the current arc. The following few chapters will have a major shake up but will explain that bellow.

Star sighed in content, holding on to Marco as the duo were driving across the forest on Nachos. Feeling the Blood Moon's warm embrace cover them on their quest made Star smile, feeling confident in their mission.

He smells nice.

Now that the stench of dark magic was mostly off him, Star could take in his somewhat musky scent. She hugged him tighter and took in another whiff, her heart marks glowing.

"...I really smell that good? I haven't taken a shower since I got to Mewni." Marco took one hand off Nacho's horns and smelled himself, grimacing at the harsh scent. "Ugh, remind me to take a long bath later."

He tapped his chin and turned toward Star.

"Mewni has baths right?"

Star giggled and nuzzled into his shoulder.

"Of course we have them, silly." She kissed his cheek and leaned into his ear. "And I have one specifically built for two."

She noticed his ears turning a shade of red and her smile widened.

"W-What?"

She giggled watching him get flustered.

"I like you smelling like this."

Marco made a shaky laugh and sighed in disbelief.

"Duly noted."

Tightening her hold on Marco, she felt her mind drift toward her worries. Part of Star felt overjoyed to finally do something she wanted, not what was best for the kingdom.

Plus I never really dated anyone but Tom, this could be a lot of fun.

But thinking of the demon king made her frown.

Even after everything, how can I even break it to him?

She looked at the ring on her left hand, it felt heavy all of a sudden.

"If you're worried about Tom, I wouldn't be."

Star looked up at Marco, surprised he caught on to her worry.

"I've only ever been on the receiving end of a break up and your situation is… A lot more serious. But he does love you, on some level."

Marco's voice went low, looking ahead.

"If he's a real man, he will let go. It's hard, but we all have to do it."

Star hugged Marco tighter, trying to focus on the rush of cool wind and warm red light from the Blood Moon.

"...You don't know him, Marco."

Marco gently patted Nacho's neck, causing the dragon cycle to slow down. They stopped after a few moments, parking the steed near some bushes. Marco got off Nacho's first and then held out his hand for Star.

She took his hand and hopped on the ground. Star felt Marco take her other hand and looked directly into his determined brown eyes.

"Even though I want to not be Mr. Edgy again, you know how protective I can get. If Tom won't accept your decision, I will make him accept it."

Star saw a flicker of purple within his brown eyes but didn't feel worried. She instead smiled and nodded in agreement.

The two walked a few feet after making sure Nachos was safe, surveying the area. It was another forest area but Star did make out some landmarks from Ember Village in the distance.

Making some progress.

"I think we found our 'friends', Star."

Star looked toward where Marco was pointing, seeing a trail of blood and footprints. Going on all fours, Star let her Johanson hunting instincts take hold and focused on the horrid monster scent.

Very close.

She looked up and was about to say something but pouted at Marco's knowing smirk.

"What? You've never seen a Mewman warrior hunt bub?"

"No, I've seen you hunt, Pluto." Marco ruffled her hair.

"I'm no hellhound, Diaz."

Marco snickered and began following the trail. She put past her annoyance and followed him, the duo not having very far to walk before they found a small campsite. Star and Marco climbed up a nearby tree, looking around for Rasticore and Denis.

Star easily spotted them, the two licking their wounds by the campfire, but she noticed Marco was squinting and unable to see much of anything.

Even my little magical king can't do everything a queen can.

"I'll let you know what they are saying, just keep an eye out for anyone else." Marco nodded and slowly got down the tree, surveying the area.

Star sat cross legged and just focused on the monsters, her heightened sense of sight and sound working in her favor.

Rasticore was hissing in pain, his advanced regeneration abilities taking longer than they used to. Looking into the fire, the Septarian's yellow eyes were clouded in thought.

"Still thinking of Yvgeny?" He nodded, not looking at a wounded Denis sitting next to him. "I can't believe he took the hit. We all know you could've survived that thing's punch."

Rasticore leaned forward, clasping his hands together.

"You really think so, Denis?"

Denis raised an eyebrow, folding his arms and looking at his ally confused.

"Well, doesn't the limited magic we have come from darkness? Pretty sure we learned that since we were mere Kapas and little Lizards in your case."

Rasticore made a tired laugh, looking at his right arm.

"Yes, our magic does come from the dark and corrupted breed, but it's pure magic. Not the 'tainted' magic that princess has." He sighed tiredly. "If that human wasn't smitten with the Princess, he could've been a great ally."

Denis scoffed, looking away from Rasticore.

"Doubt it, he's just like those Mewmans." His eyes narrowed at the fire as one of his fists started shaking in rage. "He cut down Yvgeny just like she would."

Rasticore rubbed his large jaw, looking up at the sky.

"I think the Blood Moon is playing with his fate, sadly."

Denis gave Rasticore a look.

"You believe in that nonsense too? Whenever Yvgeny told me about it, I just laughed it off. Even…" He paused, his voice quivering for a split second. "...Big bro thought it would benefit us. Why did it pick her and the human?"

Rasticore shrugged his shoulders and looked back at the fire.

"...So, how are we going to pull a fast one on the demon?"

Denis jumped, having a panicked look.

"Don't be stupid, we were aways going to betay the boy."

"I know Rasticore, but didn't expect plans to progress this quickly." He sat back down, rubbing his beak.

Rasticore closed his eyes, a knowing smirk forming on his face.

"My time, for this cursed land, is running out." He opened them, putting a clawed hand on Denis. "No matter what happens, you survived and avenge us."

Denis' eyes widened before they narrowed.

"The Princess and Human are near, aren't they?"

Rasticore nodded, standing up and turning around.

"Princess, I hope you enjoyed watching my little heart-to-heart with my chum over here." He folded his arms, a sly smirk forming on his jaw. "You want to finish the job, huh?"

Star froze in place, shocked Rasticore was able to spot her.

Damn it, do I wait for Marco to get back or…

Star bit her lip, gripping her blade and narrowing her eyes at the monsters.

Maybe I can bear the burden, I can take loss better than him.

Jumping off the branch, Star confidently walked toward Denis and Rasticore, cocky smirk firmly planted on her face.

"Wow, guess the ol' Lizard brain hunting instincts are useful sometimes huh?"

Denis sharply turned around, taking out his bow and shooting a volley of arrows at Star, but she effortlessly blocked them using a pink magical dome.

"...Here to finish us off, Princess? Thought that thing would be with you." Denis' beak formed a knowing grin. He turned toward Rasticore, the two exchanging knowing looks.

Oh no you don't!

Star shot a surge of golden magic at Denis as he flew off, completely setting his wings ablaze. The monster screamed in agony as he collided into the ground, passing out cold once the flames died down.

"...Smart, but I know the human is very close."

Star held her blade with two hands, blue eyes narrowing.

"Took one of his blades, didn't you? Trying to tame his darkness I wager."

Star grit her teeth, surprised the monster saw right through her.

"I'm genuinely surprised with you, Star Butterfly." Rasticore started pacing around her, Star never losing track of his moment. "Abandoning your kingdom for a demon mongrel, and now willingly accept a Blood Mooned fate with a ticking time bomb."

"You know nothing about Marco, you creep." Star lunged at Rasticore, but the monster caught her slash with his clawed hands.

"And you do?"

He pushed Star back, the two now standing a few feet away from one another.

"He's a mere human, a species that's even lower than Monsterkind. Yet he has our breed of magic? I would be more curious, princess."

Star grit her teeth as she charged magic into her right hand, making a Rainbow Lasso and throwing it at Rasticore. It grabbed the monster's arm, with Star picking the beast up and throwing him at a nearby tree.

He quickly recovered but Star took his limited downtime to her advantage, shooting a surge of flaming narwhals at Rasticore. Trying and failing to block the attack, Star jumped in the air and was about to land a leaping slash, but screamed in pain as an arrow struck her stomach.

She fell on the ground and winced in pain, looking over her stomach wound opening up again.

"Y-You will meet the same fate as… As my brother…" Denis wheezed as he embraced death, a content expression on his face.

Star looked over her wound, eyes dilating at a stone forming from where the arrow struck.

Yada Yada Berries?!

She quickly closed her eyes and activated her golden form, being able to cancel out the arrow's effects.

"Another one of my allies fell because of you…" Rasticore clenched his clawed hands, furry present in his slitted eyes. He charged into her, with Star holding him back with four arms. Her other two arms were charging with golden magic, slamming her palms into the monster's chest.

He wheezed in pain as Star landed a spinning kick. Spitting out green blood, Rasticore got on all fours and charged at Star like a raging bull.

But to their surprise, a trail of fire started circling Rasticore. Once the trail ended, a mighty roar from Nachos echoed on the moonlight battlefield.

Marco jumped off Nachos, landing right in front of Star. Being completely decked out with his wand armor and sword in his left hand, he stood before her heroically like a knight.

He's so handsome…

She would've kissed him if they weren't fighting for their lives right now. Star got in battle position, the duo standing back-to-back as Rasticore started landing a rush of attacks at them.

As Star blocked each blow, Marco counted them with sword slashes and punches of his own. They kept this going for a short while, Star and Marco grinning as they saw an opening.

Star threw Marco in the air with her six arms as Marco charged the wand and his inner dark magic into his blade. Then he made a leaping slash toward Rasticore, a ripple of blue and purple fire escaping Marco's blade.

The explosion made it hard to make out if the attack landed but after a few moments of tense silence, the smoke cleared.

Rasticore was on his knees, body battered and scarred.

"It's… It's over now." Marco said with shaky breaths.

He looked at his shaking hands, jabbing his blade into the ground and taking some deep breaths to compose himself.

Star felt equally as tired, her golden form gone and used her remaining magic to seal up her wound. Tracing her finger over the scar, she hissed in pain as her flesh sealed itself up.

Marco turned around and noticed Star sweating bullets. He tried to help her but Star shook her head and covered her wound.

"It's fine… Mewmans heal fast, remember?"

Marco accepted her excuse, but Star felt worry bubble up.

I need to put armor under my dress for now on, this isn't normal.

She made a sideways glance at Marco, a twinge of fear shining in her blue eyes.

He… He would never do that again. Take it easy, Butterfly.

Seeing the wound fully covered up again, Star slowly walked toward Marco and did her best to avoid limping.

Rasticore noticed Star's strained expression and smirked. He then started laughing, confusing both her and Marco.

"What's so funny? We defeated you." Marco narrowed his eyes, grabbing his blade and wielding it protectively.

"Nothing boy, just… This is the first time I've seen the Princess wounded by anything." He leaned forward, a dark grin on his jaw evident. "And it's all because of you, human."

Marco turned toward Star, noticing her wound. The very place he stabbed her in the dream.

"I… I thought…"

Rasticore laughed again, causing Marco to harshly turn around and stab Rasticore. The monster kept his grin as Marco leaned closer into the beast's face.

"I thought we told you to stay down!"

"Marco!" She quickly put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm okay, let's just…"

"No." He turned toward her, his eyes glowing a harsh purple. "We can't let these creatures hurt us again!"

"Spoken like a true monster. Toffee would be so…"

Star screamed in frustration, grabbing Marco and throwing him aside. Rasticore couldn't finish his comment, as Star shot a surge of golden magic at Rasticore. Marco could only stand back in awe as the monster turned into pure ash.

The duo stood in silence once Star finished her attack, with only a single eyeball remaining. Star walked over to it and crushed it with her boot, body visibly shaking.

Star felt her world spin, with Marco catching her.

"We… We are no better than them."

Marco watched Star as she started crying.

"I… We only proved exactly what they said." She wiped her face and turned toward Marco.

Marco pulled her into a tight hug, expression on his face unreadable.

"...So what?"

Star stayed silent as he continued, unable to look into his eyes.

"You said it yourself, magic can cloud us and…" He let go of her, looking at the pile of ash and the sword laying on top of it. "We let it."

He picked up the blade and looked at his reflection.

"When we face Tom, Eclipsa or whatever else next, we can't let them best us."

Star nodded in agreement, looking at the pile of ash that was once Rasticore. She walked over toward it, kneeling on the ground and picking up some of the ash. It slid through her finger tips like sand in an hourglass.

…I finally finished what I started.

She looked toward Marco, sitting on top of Nachos and holding out his hand. The blood moon was shining proudly over them, giving Marco this almost heroic and hopeful glow to him.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

"I promise to be a better Queen, Mom."

She walked over to Marco and took his hand. After climbing on Nachos' back the group began their drive toward Ember Village, their hearts somewhat less heavier.

Thank you all for reading so far. The following few chapters will change to a POV to a character you might have met already... Please stay tuned and see you all next chapter!