Now we shift gears for the next few chapters to the POV's of two very critical characters in the narrative. Author's notes below as usual but special thanks to Blackwolf and RickRolland for looking over my drafts for the story so far.

This is a boring dream.

Janna sighed, dully looking at the abyss around her. Nothing but pure darkness surrounded her, making it hard to see much of anything but herself. Janna looked at herself, surprised to find herself wearing the same witchy outfit she donned when helping out Star in that one dream.

But no sign of either air head or Marco…

Folding her arms, she frowned at her curse yet again offering no results.

Did I drink the wrong blood vile? Or potion?

She slouched forward in defeat and dully closed her eyes.

"Alright, time to wake up. Dealing with shitty teachers is better than standing in literal nothingness." She closed her eyes and was about to snap her fingers.

A familiar laugh got her attention, making Janna open her eyes. In an instant, the abyss around her shifted into something more familiar. It was the Echo Creek Cemetery, one she went to once every week.

"Really want Skullnick to get on your case? I'm not there to cover for you."

Her eyes widened, frantically looking around for her best friend. But his annoying laugh kept taunting her, causing Janna to run around the damned cemetery in heels of all things.

Going to kill him later for this, I hate wearing these things.

Ignoring the minor pain in her ankles, Janna's brown eyes scanned every grave stone and tree around her for Marco. The normally enjoyable drab and mecab atmosphere felt suffocating, making her harshly frown as she followed his damned laugh.

But she eventually caught up to him, leaning back on a tree wearing a black hoodie and his eyes flashing a dark purple.

Janna would've raised an eyebrow at a cute attempt to look emo but was too out of breath to comment. She covered her knees and held up her hand, taking some needed breaths to collect herself.

"Don't make me fucking run after you again. I usually make you chase after me, buddy."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't it fun when the tables are turned through?"

They blankly looked at each other, with Janna's frown turning into a cocky grin.

"Nah, all witches like being in control." She walked up to Marco, the two being very close to one another now. "And I don't like my minions acting out of line."

Marco's eyes flashed a harsh purple, making a minor shockwave sending Janna back somewhat.

How did he…

"I'm no minion."

He folded his arms and frowned.

"I'm your equal, friend."

Janna blinked at how harsh his normally dorkish voice sounded, but she collected herself and put on a brave face.

"Sure, whatever. So what are we doing at our old stomping grounds?" Janna threw an arm around Marco's shoulders.

She looked down at the grave they were standing near, making Janna recoil.

"Paying respects to Mariposa, of course."

Janna looked at the grave, blank expression on her face. She caught every little detail on the stone, feeling unnerved how similar it looked to the real deal. Cute little purple butterflies painted matched the frequently changed white lilies and a rather large white candle in the center.

"I'm even dreaming about visiting her now?"

She knelt down, taking out her lighter to ignite the candle, making a soft orange glow paint the soil beneath the tombstone.

"This never gets easier…"

Marco tilted his head down, paying his respects. He put a hand on Janna's shoulder, giving her his support. She would've gladly accepted this if she wasn't feeling the ringing of alarm bells in her head.

Why aren't I feeling any of his curses?

Them being so close to each other now, she should've felt that one tracking curse she put on him ring off.

Even in that damned dream I felt it.

Marco didn't notice Janna looking at him funny though, focusing intently on the tombstone.

…I'll play along. Maybe I will get an answer or two.

Part of her felt bold, getting on her two feet and leaning into Marco's face.

"So, how's it sucking face with a Queen from another Dimension? She seemed like a bitch when I talked with her."

Marco didn't flinch, making Janna pout.

"Come on, you get to hang out with a 'Queen from another dimension' and bail on eeeeeveryone that loves and cares about you!" Janna started pacing around Marco, like a cat playing with a dying mouse.

He remained stone-faced. Janna stopped pacing, pausing in her tracks and her eyes started twitching.

Really? Got nothing to say?

She closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

"Diaz! Fucking say something you…"

"You think I'm willingly going along with it?"

Janna just gave him a confused look, backing away. Marco then made this odd laugh, sounding very much not like him.

He held up his right arm, Janna's eyes widening at the strange gauntlet covering it. She would've made a joke about him cosplaying some villain but part of her felt genuinely scared, backing away as he took one step closer.

"Queen Butterfly is forcing me to be her partner, using the Blood Moon to help her fight off monsters and evil ex in the way."

Janna felt her blood boil, even though part of her smelled bullshit from Marco's comments. Remembering the very brief interaction with Marco in one of her dreams, she watched him mercilessly cut down people left and right for Star's sake.

Even…

She absentmindedly touched her chest, a sense of sadness coming over her. But she shook it off and let anger take over. Janna harshly slapped Marco in the face, standing tall as Janna's brown eyes bore into his purple ones.

"Then fight it, idiot! The Marco I knew wouldn't let some air-head Queen make him a damned puppet."

He held out his hand, with Janna blankly staring at it.

"I can help you get to Mewni, to help me overcome this."

She looked at the seemingly endless pool of dark magic leaking out of his right hand. Looking up at Marco, she finally saw his warm brown eyes again.

That's really him…

She was going to take his hand and finally get her best friend back home, but both of them recioled at a bolt of lighting striking Mariposa's grave. To Janna's surprise, Marco looked utterly horrified by this.

"NO! I need more…"

Janna grabbed Marco, embracing him in a warm hug.

"I got you, I promise to never…"

Janna hugged him tighter, but she stumbled to the floor. Marco vanished within her very arms, his ash slowly flying toward Mariposa's grave.

She fell on her knees, slamming her fists into the ground and screaming bloody murder.

"Come back!"

Janna bolted out from her desk, vision somewhat clouded by her beanie.

"What happened?! Did I set the school on fire again?" Janna's somewhat faded beanie fell off her face, limply landing on the ground and the entire class laughing at her.

Janna looked around the entire classroom with genuine confusion on her face as she picked the beanie up and fixed it on her head.. The class was surprised to see this, their faces quickly turning into concerned grimaces.

"Oh… Uh, too much demon blood last night I guess." She made a fake laugh, earning a few chuckles from her piers. "Night."

Janna covered her face, feeling like a fucking idiot.

All I need is that…

An annoying voice forced Janna to lift her head up, seeing Skullnick blabbering about nonsense.

"Look, I get it you are underpaid and want us to really care about the 'knowledge' you are teaching us. But frankly, I'm never going to use it anyway Skillet."

"It's Skullnick, Ordonia."

Janna sat upright as the overweight teacher walked toward her desk. She harshly slammed a large ruler on the desk. Janna gave her best poker face as Skullnick's face turned another shade of red.

"This is the fourth time you day-dreamed about that Diaz kid on my time." She kept shouting at Janna. Unlike how she usually handles her teachers, Janna couldn't just ignore her teacher pestering her this time.

Bolting out of her desk, Janna got in Skullnick's face.

"So what if I am? I can't be upset that my best friend is GONE?!"

Skullnick backed away, normally harsh eyes softening.

"...Never mind, I'll just head over to detention. Don't even have to punch in my slip this time, Skully."

Skullnick was surprised to see Janna willingly take the detention slip and walk out of the room. Part of Janna wanted to make a big joke about the situation, or even toss her dead rat she kept hidden away at Skullnick.

But Janna slouched forward, not really feeling into being a chaotic mess like usual. Instead, Janna dug into her pocket and put on her headphones. She started zoning out to one of her favorite songs as she made her trek to the familiar detention room.

Pressing a button on her phone, Janna smirked as the harsh metal guitars and loud screams echoed in her skull. Before Janna knew it, she was softly singing to herself.

"Hear me coming into you, eons I've been waiting for you…"

'To find me.'

Janna paused, looking around and was surprised to hear Marco's voice of all things singing back to her. She caught some onlookers giving her confused looks but a quick flick of the middle finger made them shut up.

I'm imagining the dork singing metal music with me? I'm really losing it now.

She sighed, resuming jamming out to her music as more joyful memories played in her mind. Playing violent fighting games together always was a highlight to her, but the two of them bonding over rock and metal music always stuck with her.

Even my little Witch loved that good stuff. Made sitting through Mrs. Diaz grilling me on tainting her 'angel' worth it that one time.

She closed her eyes, thinking back to the dance from one month ago.

Janna felt her cheeks heat up imagining Marco of all people being bold with her. She stopped walking, leaning on a wall and focusing on the memory.

The hallway around her vanished as she imagined holding Marco as they danced the night away together. The crowded gym, the surprised gasp from Jackie and even a sea of eyes looking at them did nothing to ruin the moment for her.

It was just two best friends, finally embracing what was always there between them. She closed her eyes and hugged herself.

He called me 'Star'.

Her eyes opened, a thin line forming on her face as the joyful moment turned sour on a dime. Janna felt her eyes twitch as this strange furry was coming over her.

Can't believe he's messing around on Mewni with that Star person.

Her fury was only amplified by the dark screaming vocals blasting in her ear drums.

He's likely being bold with the airhead too. Calling her cool and stuff.

Her fists clenched into thick balls, brown eyes so hostile that they made a frequent punching bag of hers run off in fear.

Fucking spiriting away MY best friend after I waited years for him to finally get over…

"Hey girl."

Janna snapped out of her furry, looking to her right and seeing Jackie Lynn Thomas. Her ocean teal eyes looked at her friend with concern, kicking up her skateboard and walking toward Janna.

"Well, nice to see Echo Creeks 'Queen' of the Sea grace me with her presence. Sup."

Jackie fist-bumped Janna's held out fist, the two exchanging friendly smiles with one another. Jackie stood next to Janna, leaning on the wall and pointing down the hallway.

"Gotta knock that off one of these days, Janna. Anyway, what were you seething about? You made Alfonzo piss his pants."

Janna blinked, but soon a knowing smirk formed on her lips. She laughed it off and put her headphones away.

"Listening to some music to vent my angries. Got sent to the 'pit' again."

Jackie rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced. Janna watched as Jackie hopped on her skateboard.

"It's called 'detention' and if you weren't such a rebel, maybe you wouldn't be sent there nearly every other day."

Janna waved her hand and looked away from Jackie. But she knew Jackie caught her distress.

Damn it, how come she can read me so well? Second to Diaz with that stuff.

"I really miss him, that's all. Hasn't been an easy month."

Jackie paused, looking down at her feet. She was silent, as if unsure what to even say to her. Silence was broken as Jackie passed Janna a spare helmet.

"I miss Marco too, we had a good thing going for a few years."

Janna took Jackie's held out helmet and hopped on the ocean-blue skateboard. Jackie started riding it, with Janna holding on to her friend's toned stomach.

Jackie started speaking again, with Janna intently listening.

"I'm shocked the Diaz's are still holding on after all this. After…"

Janna caught her friend's hestance, finishing Jackie's thought for her.

"My little Witch really left an impact."

Jackie nodded in agreement, but noticed she didn't mention Marco.

"You holding up okay? I… I saw you two dancing."

Janna tightened her hold on Jackie as they stopped by the detention room. She didn't let go of Jackie as she continued.

"I… I know you really loved him. And… This may be late to say, but sorry I robbed you of your time with him."

Janna let go of Jackie, harshly punching her in the arm.

"Ow! That's a bit much…"

"Don't you…"

Janna bit her lip, looking down at her feet in defeat.

"...Don't you dare say you regret your time with him, Jackie. He really loved you, even if things didn't work out. And trust me, I was the damned wall he vented too."

Jackie forced a smile on her face and hugged Janna. She returned the hug back and the two girls smiled at each other.

"Promise me you won't murder anyone in there, okay? We promised to hang out today. And don't you dare tell me you 'aren't feeling it' again." Jackie folded her arms. "I won't let you be a homebody."

"Thanks, Mom."

Jackie laughed as she hopped on her skateboard and rode off. Janna was left alone, looking at the boring detention door unamused.

Well, at least it's quiet.

Janna was slouched forward, dully staring out the nearby window as the detention teacher was flipping through a crappy magazine.

Looking around her, Janna saw the same sights and sounds. Dull yellow walls were progressively getting washed out, only helped by poorly taped up motivational posters. And the almost deafening sound of a keytar playing only made matters worse.

She turned behind her, seeing Oskar jam away about his parents hating him or some other nonsense. Next to him was Brittany Wong, filing her nails and complaining about missing hanging out with the other cheerleaders.

The only somewhat pleasant sound was of various chimes and spring bounces escaping from Alfonzo's gaming handheld. Janna was going to ask if she could play it for a bit, but the moment he noticed her the scared loser tucked beneath the desk like a turtle.

Yesh, scared him that bad earlier?

She shrugged her shoulders, turning back to her desk. Part of her really wanted to cause mayhem and unleash her wicked ways, but she just didn't feel that spark right now.

It's not the same, with him gone.

Part of the excitement of causing chaos was having her safe kid keeping her in check. As long as she could remember, Marco was always the one ensuring she didn't go 'too far' with things.

Looking out the window, she faintly imagined herself and Marco just chilling on the grass talking about random things. But to her surprise though, a little girl was with them too. She turned toward Janna, waving hello.

Janna blinked, rubbing her eyes and trying to make out if she actually saw…

But just like that, the three figures vanished.

Need to stop pulling all nighters, this is a bit much now.

She slouched back in her seat, taking out a phone not her own. Janna thanked Satan himself for swiping his phone before he vanished, being able to look through his neatly organized photos and preserve the memories they shared.

Even have to keep your phone neat… What a dork.

Looking through what felt like years of moments they shared together, she paused at one picture. It was of herself, Marco and his family posing in front of a Mickey statue in Disney World. She fixed her posture, looking intently at Mariposa in the middle between herself and Marco.

The little girl was the splitting image of Marco, right down to having that same cute little mole. The only difference was her shorter stature and lengthy brown hair.

She gripped the phone, closing her eyes and fighting back tears.

Damn it girl, can't be weak around these losers.

Janna wiped her face and put Marco's phone away, but was surprised at someone approaching her. She turned around, seeing Brittany standing next to her.

"Uh, can I help you? Not really in the mood to hear you complain about past pranks."

Brittany narrowed her eyes, leaning toward Janna.

"Personal space much?"

"...Nothing, just could've sworn I saw you crying."

Janna blinked, folding her arms and frowning.

"I'm like a Croc. They don't cry."

Brittany rolled her eyes, clearly not believing her.

Janna frowned, getting out of her desk and jabbing a finger into her chest.

"Look, I'm serious. Not in the mood for your crap. Dealing with a lot, if you haven't noticed."

She sat back down, taking out her phone and was getting ready to tune her out with some music. Janna found the perfect song to drown out Brittany with and was about to press play.

"Like your boyfriend vanishing?"

Janna pressed play hard enough to make a small crack on her phone screen.

"We all know you and the loser had a thing going on. To think, the Safe Kid of Echo Creek would be into a freak like you?"

Janna grit her teeth, doing her best to focus on the music escaping her phone's speakers. The female's harsh vocals matched Janna's exact feelings right now, singing about people pushing on you.

"And what did he call you before running off like a loser?"

"Knock it off Brittany!"

She turned toward Alfonzo, pushing up his glasses and putting his handheld down. He marched up to her and stood in front of Janna.

"She may be nuts, but Marco was her friend! Can you at least give her time to grieve?"

Brittany laughed, making Alfonzo's unusual confidence dwindle somewhat.

"Defending the girl that set your pants on fire? The girl that literally makes flaming rainbows out of gasoline and nearly burned the school down? The one that made a frog jump out of my chest?"

Janna snickered, feeling somewhat in control of the situation.

"Yeah, I'm psycho crazy. Bitch."

Brittany turned toward Janna, matching her hostile glare.

"Talk about my best friend like that again, and you will be very sorry."

Brittany didn't take the warning, jabbing a finger into Janna's chest.

"Best friend? Ha! He called you another girl's name."

Everyone in the room lifted their head up, looking right at Janna in confusion.

Please don't say her name.

"What is she talking about?" Alfonzo asked. "If he called you Jackie, it might've been a slip up. I would imagine he would be very nervous asking a friend out."

"I dunno Fonz," Oskar spoke up, putting down his keytar and smoking from his vape pen, emitting a gross weed scent. "Mango takes things too seriously. He needs to, like, lighten up."

Janna gave Brittany an almost pleading look, making the girl slightly hesitate before speaking again.

"He called Janna 'Star', and I don't know any Star in Echo Creek."

Janna closed her eyes, mind racing with thoughts not her own. Within said thoughts, was of Marco bravely fighting monsters with Star and even having tender moments with her resting by a campfire.

No, no…

"NO!"

In an instant, Brittany was floating in the air. She was holding her neck, trying her best to breathe as Janna held her hand out. Her eyes glowed a violent purple, dark veins spreading across her face as she clenched her held out hand into a throbbing fist.

"What's wrong? Frog in your throat?"

A green frog jumped out of Brittany's mouth, and soon a small army of the creatures followed. Everyone in the room screamed in horror as Janna started manically laughing.

"Marco would never abandon me like that! Don't you fucking DARE say that airheads name again, got it?"

Brittany nodded with the last of her strength and passed out cold. Janna released her hold on her, the girl falling on the ground violently twitching. Alfonzo rushed over to check the girl's pulse, sighing in relief that she was still alive. He and the other students started backing away from Janna, horror evident in their eyes.

"What? She had that coming. And my warning to her, extends to EVERYONE."

Janna sat back down, taking a deep breath. Her eyes returned to their normal brown but the dark viens remained.

She plugged in her headphones and ignored the horrified looks from her peers.

You want crazy, I will give you psycho.

Janna bopped her head to a familiar tune, walking through the hallways and relishing at her peers scared and confused looks.

Don't know why, but people finally fear me. Good.

Her entire time at Echo Creek Academy, she pulled pranks of all manner with Marco and Mariposa being reluctant accomplices. But they always laughed at the pranks, never taking Janna seriously. But seeing and feeling this fear from people empowered Janna, fueling this strange power within her.

Word spread fast of my 'talents'.

She grinned, kicking the front door and walking out of the school. Janna felt her dress pocket vibrate, taking out her phone and seeing Jackie leave a message.

Jackie: Are you coming to the park or are you still scaring people?

J: How did you hear about that?

Jackie: Oskar is shaking like a leaf about what he saw earlier. I think he's just high but he's never this… Vivid, about his trips.

Janna smirked despite herself.

J: I think that trip was a real one, girl.

She stopped walking, waiting to hear back. But was surprised her phone remained silent. Shrugging her shoulders, Janna took her short walk to the park and wondered how to explain her odd abilities to Jackie.

I don't even know how I did that. Was cool though.

Remembering the dream with Star, she vaguely recalled using an actual spell on the other airhead.

But that's a dream, how could that be real?

Even looking through her many witch spell books or demonic tomes, she wasn't able to use 'real' magic. Just imitations of it.

Is it related to that..

She looked up at the sky, seeing the bright sun shining as usual with no Blood Moon in sight.

…Should look into that.

Focusing on walking again, she enjoyed the dull noise of people chatting about nonsense and cars passing by. Even she would admit, enjoying the mundane from time to time could be fine. Her ears did perk up, standing on the sidewalk and listening in on some adults talking.

"You got the letter from the Diaz's too?" The lady asked, with the man nodding.

"Never expected they would hold a…"

He didn't finish, noticing Janna was watching them.

"Ordonia, didn't your parents tell you it's rude to spy on people?"

Janna folded her arms and smirked.

"I like people watching." She walked up to them and cutely leaned forward, batting her eyelashes realizing the couple were the Diaz's favorite people in the neighborhood.

"I was their sons best friend, so maybe you could tell me about that letter, Mrs. Mason?"

The Mason's looked at each other blankly, unconvinced at Janna's acting skills. Mr. Mason sighed, passing Janna the letter and she scanned it over.

Her eyes widened at what was written, her heart skinning after reading the entire thing.

"No fucking way…"

This chapter kickstarts a series of chapters (the next three or so) focusing on Janna. She's a very important character to the narrative and hope you enjoy the 'hints' at what is to come. And the songs I reference are 'Stygia' from Metal Hellsinger (this specific song is a core theme for Janna and another character) and the two Halestorm songs 'Psycho Crazy' and 'Strange Girl'. Her music in general really sums up Janna's overall character in this story, so recommend you give her stuff a listen.

And another thing I want to shout out is a recent AMA with the Star Vs crew that has the Star, Marco, Eclipsa and Moon VA's in addition to Daron discuss about their experiences working on the show ( watch?v=jOGjpoh9ORA&t=8152s). It was really illuminating and helped me understand why some things went down the way they did. Also inspires confidence in the (likely dumb) hope for more Star content down the line, since it's very clear after this AMA their relationship with Disney and the IP remain very positive.