This chapter was far harder then it should have been. I published this chapter slightly unsatisfied thinking it was finished but not two hours later I realized what was needed. Well I finished it now despite everything and I hope you are satisfied by it.
Star looked to the ground as the men in black in front and behind her escorted her through the hallways of the base with their presence subconsciously reminding her not to run. She could probably beat these guys down if she was quick about it but where would she go and what about the others or her wand? She quickly looked up from her tail hugging and saw a blank hallway that branched off at times with simple office doors occasionally sitting like closed mouths all around. She shivered both from the cold and fear at what they were going to do to her and were probably doing to her friends. She didn't spend a lot of time on this however before they arrived at one of the doors that was somehow important and waited for her to go in. She looked up at them with grayish-green eyes and opened the door slowly like she was about to be executed upon entering and stepped into the room. Inside it was actually quite warm and looked rather comfortable with multiple sitting chairs and other amenities that made it look like a public solar in a high end workplace back on Mewni; adjusted with a flat screen TV and electrical lamps. The main point of interest however were the people in the room with a group of strangers talking with her…
"DADDY!" Star bolted across the room on all fours with Toffee only having enough time turn around before Star leapt onto him hugging him tight. Star sobbed for a second with Toffee quickly comforting her holding her back and kissing her softly on the forehead. "Wha-what's going on daddy and where's Marco?" At this Toffee straightened up holding her close as he turned back to the group of strangers.
"Bring Marco here; Star will only be convinced if she sees him in person." Star looked up to get a good view of the strangers at last.
There was a red demon guy with filed off horns and a right arm made out of stone from the elbow down who looked completely at ease leaning back against a wall and looking at the other strangers with bored amusement. There was also a guy wearing what she recognized was an earth old fashioned deep sea diving suit with thin wisps of steam coming out at a few points. There was also a professional looking woman in black looking at Star with observant caution who was accompanied by the two men in black who had brought Star and Marco to this place. But the most prominent of them was some sort of high ranking military figure who was deferring to Toffee professionally with carefully disguised frustration that most people would not have been able to pick up on. He spoke up for the group after a second of no one speaking up in a curt and clipped tone of voice.
"Put your wife on screen and we will get the boy for you sir." Star caught on he was frustrated with something but was not quite sure what. Toffee nodded to him and pulled out a pocket mirror going to the flat screen with the general calling out to the two men outside. "Go get Marco Diaz." The two nodded and walked away shutting the door with Toffee speaking to Star as he connected the mirror in with the flat screen… somehow.
"Well Star you have caused quite the stir on earth by coming here 4 ½ months ago. Just by walking around you have exposed people to the fact that there are more than just humans which it turns out is rather risky not for you but for the people of earth. The agency here claims that you could not be allowed to walk free and expose people to such sights especially when you began using your magic to heavily influence the world. Like that football game where you threatened the lives of multiple people by trying to help out through a misunderstanding." Star rubbed her tail somewhat ashamed of her actions still but was put at ease by Toffee shooting her a lopsided grin. "Of course you learned your lesson considering that the only real big incidents after that were a birthday party that was crashed by your Aunt Mavis and your friend Marco using your pass to take kids to the museum dimension. Speaking of which I need to have a talk with that boy on using you to further his own goals as I heard he did it to impress that Jackie girl." At this Star perked up and spoke quickly to him.
"Please don't dad, Marco felt ashamed by it and apologized to me so I don't want to bring it up again. Also he and Jackie broke up not too long ago and he feels even more ashamed by how he did it to keep up a 'failed' relationship." Toffee blinked in surprise at this and nodded respecting Star's wishes as he finished up.
"There, let's connect in with Moon before she sends a warning shot." Star looked up in concern as Toffee turned to the group of strangers who were talking with each other. "Can you turn this contraption on for me please?" The man in the diving suit raised his hand and sent forward a line of steam that curled around a remote control and made the TV come on. "Thank you." Star turned towards her father and spoke to him.
"How did you hook up a mirror to a TV and what did you mean by 'warning shot'?" Before Toffee could speak the screen fully turned on and Moon appeared on screen.
"Hello, is anybody there?" Toffee smacked his forehead and turned the mirror so Moon could see the whole room. "Oh there you are dear. Star are you alright?" Star smiled and spoke to Moon.
"Yes mom but…" At this however the doors opened again and Marco came into the room looking around nervously until his eyes landed on Star and Toffee. "MARCO!" Star bounded across the room on all fours again with Marco rushing towards her as well.
"STAR!" The two embraced and fell to a sitting position with the two crying on each other's shoulders with Moon speaking up.
"What exactly is going on and what were you planning to do to our daughter and her friends?" At this the woman in black spoke up with a curt tone.
"We were acting to see if your child was a potential threat to earth by keeping her under observation for the last few months. After getting no word from our higher ups we decided to bring her and those in closest contact with her in for questioning." At this the general spoke up.
"My view is we should have done this sooner but the higher ups kept on advising caution and to not interfere with what was going on. If you think we were being too hard well we have to maintain an airtight seal in order to keep earth safe from other worldly invaders. I mean just tell your kid what you would have done if we had not given in to your demands." At this Star and Marco looked up in concern at Moon and Toffee who looked uncomfortable at the attention being directed towards them.
"Um… what are they talking about?" Star asked cautiously with Toffee replying.
"*sigh* You know that warning shot I mentioned earlier Star?" Star nodded slightly worried. "Well we wouldn't have sent you to earth unless if we had some insurance of making sure earth authorities didn't kidnap you for various reasons if they found out you were there." Moon went to speak up but Toffee kept her from taking any of the blame. "We devised a spell that would affect the entire planet taking out electrical power, gunpowder, and any internal combustion or nuclear powered engines that were not magically sealed." At this Marco's jaw dropped and he spoke in a shocked tone of voice.
"Tha… that would wipe out billions of people and undo centuries of technology advancement." Star blinked in shock at this fact and the strangers looked at Marco slightly impressed that he found out how bad it would be so quickly. "And you would do this if anyone kidnapped Star?" Toffee went to speak but Moon cut in.
"Only as a last resort if the people of earth were not willing to compromise and return our daughter under any circumstances. We are not people who bring genocide." At that moment Marco saw Moon look far older then was as she continued. "I don't want conflict of any kind but I need to protect my daughter." At this the man in the diving suit nodded and spoke up.
"Vhile zis comes from a gut place you can see how vulnerable earth is. Ve can't let any ground be gained by any group as most races don't look upon humans kindly except as slaves und a resource like cattle. Also, how many humans vould you know of who vould side vith the other vorlders if they came vith conquest in mind; like zat Janna girl and her vitchdoctor she set free." Despite all the pressure suddenly put on them Marco got sharp eyed and spoke up.
"Wait, Janna brought that witchdoctor back from the museum?" At the nods of consent Marco face palmed. "Damn it Janna I do NOT need to deal with your obsession over 'spooky' stuff and magic." Star chuckled at that nervously despite everything and turned back to the group speaking shakily.
"Sorry about all the disturbances and damage I caused and the threat hanging over your heads; I don't want to be a problem you know." At this she got a sympathetic look from the black man in black as he spoke up.
"You know we should at least open up with these people. I mean getting in good with royalty is always a…" The woman in black turned towards him speaking sharply.
"Agent J, we will talk about opening up with them at a later date in private. For now we just need to set things in order here." At this the other man in black spoke up.
"Agent L, with all due respect, perhaps this is the best time to open up with them as we never know when we could get a decent meeting with them." As the group looked at each other unsure the demon spoke up.
"Oh yeah you probably want introductions so we aren't just a group of strangers to you kids and your majesties or whatever you are. Those people are Agents J and K and Agent L, top agents and the leader of the 'Men in Black' as they like to call themselves." He pointed towards the two men in black and them to the woman in black. "That there is Dr. Echo the leader of the Unknown Research Organization that's been poking and prodding since 1834 at supernatural stuff or otherwise." He pointed to the guy with the German accent inside of old fashioned diving outfit. "And that there is…" The general cut him off introducing himself.
"I am General Hawk, commander in chief of the GIJoe's who do most of the field work of our coalition of organizations." As he finished Marco spoke up again.
"Wait, there's a coalition of you guys? Like a secret organization web of people that work in the shadows to keep order and stability on earth?" The group nodded with Marco smiling slightly. "Well guess Janna's gonna be rich when we all get out." At the confused looks he elaborated. "Janna made a bet with all of us that if she could prove groups like yours existed everyone who joined the bet would pay her from a one-time loan she gave our group of friends a long time ago." The group chuckled slightly in amusement as Moon spoke up with a sigh.
"Does this remind you a bit too much of The Shadow Clause Toffee?" Toffee nodded begrudgingly at Moon with everyone focusing on her. "We… have bad experiences with groups in the shadows claiming to serve a greater cause through secrecy and subterfuge. I almost became a puppet of said group in their quest to 'protect' Mewni." General Hawk stepped forward at this and spoke up.
"I assure you your majesty, even if we wanted to there is no way we could seize control of earth. All we can do is protect it from threats most of mankind is not even aware of and we can barely do that at times. If we didn't have the secrecy everyone would weigh us down with various demands for the truth and regulations that make no sense." He huffed in annoyance as Toffee spoke again.
"So your group is a coalition you say? Who is the one who organizes it and leads it?" As he said that the door to the room opened and an aged British voice came out of it.
"In 1944 a demon was summoned to the earth to turn the tide of World War 2 by the Nazi's in a endeavor known as Ragnar rok." A surprisingly young looking man stepped through the door wearing a brown sports coat and a black bowtie walking with a cane. His hair was a salt and pepper mixture on both his head and in the thin beard and mustache on his face framing his brown eyes. "But their plans were thwarted and the child of hell was rescued by good men who taught him honor, kindness, and a sense of right naming him Hellboy." He nodded towards the demon who smiled warmly at the man. "Sensing the threat these powers possessed to humanity the scientists and researchers who gathered around the boy became the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense; an international organization that protects the world from occult and supernatural threats. However as times have changed so must we to combat and protect the earth from said threats and in 1994 the various organizations that combat these 'unusual' threats and dealing with otherworldly beings began combing into a single coalition. I am Trevor Bruttenholm, as close to a set leader of said coalition and the leader of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense which spearheads our collective efforts to protect the world." At this he smiles in a sly way at Star, Marco, Toffee, and Moon. "There are things that go bump in the night, we're the ones who bump back." After a moment of silence at this Marco spoke up again.
"Definitely going to need to pay Janna back that 'loan'." Star giggled with Agent L speaking up.
"You all do realize you will need to keep our existence a secret from the people of earth in order for us to do our jobs properly right?" Marco and Star nodded eagerly as Trevor spoke up again to Moon.
"I came here myself in order to hopefully request a meeting with you your majesty by communicating through Star Butterfly." At this he bowed to Moon and Toffee in a well-practiced fashion. "And while the circumstances leading up to this are less than pleasing at least we have gotten to good point, right?" He looked up hopefully with Moon blushing slightly as she replied.
"Well indeed. But before we begin speaking what do you plan on doing with my daughter and her friends and host family." Trevor stood up straight smiling calmly at Moon as he replied.
"We will not interfere with their day to day life and will allow circumstances to resume as normal unless if a major threat emerges in which case we will work to protect your daughter from said threats." He turned back to Star and Marco. "Speaking of which I think it is time you two got home as there is school tomorrow am I right?" He raised an eyebrow with Marco and Star both groaning slightly eliciting a soft laugh from everyone with Marco speaking up.
"Wait before we go, how did you know these guys kidna... took us into custody?" Moon smiled slightly before replying.
"Well after the 'storming the castle' incident I placed a permanent scrying spell on Star and you invade if anything were to happen to you." Marco nodded in understanding before he got a scared look on his face and covered himself up with everyone looking at Moon worriedly. "Don't worry it's only a sensing spell not an actual revealing spell; I don't peep on boys anymore since I'm married." As everyone's looks deepened Moon got a bit exasperated. "Oh come don't tell me you haven't considered peeping on people in the past." At this Hellboy spoke up.
"To blatantly change the subject I'll show you the way out, if there are no worries about security clearance?" He looked with a cocked eyebrow at Dr. Echo who sighed slightly.
"Zey are already zis deep, zey have top security clearance until zey leave ze facility I guess." Star and Marco chuckled as they accompanied Hellboy leaving Moon and Toffee to discuss via Mirror diplomatic stuff with the coalitions leaders.
After a short walk the trio made it to a larger waiting room where everyone else was at waiting nervously. At the site of Star and Marco however the group immediately rushed them with Marco's parents getting priority.
"Hijo, thank God you are ok we were so worried!" Hellboy let the group reunite before coughing to get attention and speaking up.
"Now you all do realize you can't talk about what happened here or any secrets you learned about the coalition right?" He turned to Janna in particular and took on a slightly intimidating tone. "Same goes for you if you want to keep your witchdoctor friend." At this Janna nodded begrudgingly going along with it before speaking up.
"Say demon guy..."
"His name is Hellboy." Janna smiled at Marco's words and spoke again.
"First off cool name, second what is this coalition?" Hellboy looked down at Janna's question before answering nonchalantly.
"Well aside from The URO, BPRD, GIJoe's, and MIB who deal with unknown research, occult defense, special military missions, and dealing with alien threats and immigration respectively several others. There are also the Secret Scientists who specialize on cryptids which is just a fancy term for unusual animal that is led by the Saturday family. There is Section 13 who deals with human terrorists making deals with otherworldly groups, mostly east Asian varieties for some reason. And there are the Guys in White who specialize in dealing with Ghosts and other undead of that variety that I belive your... Mr. Lancer I think it was, has had past interactions with. Aside from those the groups aren't that important, though there are still four independent ones outside of our coalition. One each in China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa but they aren't that important either unless if you go to those countries." Everyone chuckled relived at the demon's manner of explaining things with Mr. Lancer speaking up.
"Say you wouldn't happen to know Danny Phantom would you?" Hellboy have a wry smile at that before replying.
"I figured you would ask about him. He's an independent agent still hoping to become an astronaut but whatever, at least his skills aren't crap." Hellboy went to led the group wit Janna smiling at Marco, Ferguson, Alfonzo, and Oskar.
"You all of course know what this means." The four groaned as they followed Hellboy out of the headquarters.
Star was talking with her parents via mirror later the next day having gotten home from school and was idly reminiscing over the last few days. Every one of her group had sworn to secrecy in order to protect the coalition and in the process themselves from any threats of discovery as it was supposed to be a secret Star was on earth right now. Everyone of course paid Janna up begrudgingly as she began pricking Hellboy with questions about the supernatural which he responded in his calm and begrudgingly fashion. Star chuckled to herself as she remembered the dinner that night as the Diaz's celebrated getting out of a sticky situation like that. She also got some answers from Mr. Lancer on Danny Phantom saying that he was the half-ghost he served as vice-principal to and was currently training to be an astronaut but served as an independent agent, going by the code name Danny Phantom, in order to make money for college.
"So Star, how are thing going with you?" Star snapped to reality at Moon's words and spoke up.
"Oh it's like nothing has really changed from the normal honestly. Although I do think Marco has finally gotten over Jackie as he was able to hold a full conversation with her today and not act all sullen afterwards." Moon nodded in appreciation and spoke in a sly tone.
"Say, Marco is a rather nice boy despite some his flaws. Perhaps you should consider…"
"Moon we agreed not to push Star in getting a boyfriend as that was what you were pushed to do remember." Star blushed as Toffee silenced Moon and spoke up a little too loudly.
"Besides we're just friends, he doesn't view me that way." *Throb pang* Moon chuckled at Star's words as she quickly tried to change the subject. "Say you never answered my question yesterday dad. How were you able to set up the mirror with the TV despite you not knowing how it worked?" Toffee smiled gazing off into the distance as if reminiscing.
"Well not long after I became your mother's tutor I had to help her learn how to dance and fortunately had a VHS set of dancing lessons from earth to help me out. I of course had to set it up and studied how to connect mirror technology with earth technology in order to do so." He and Moon looked at each other smiling softly and blushing slightly. "In fact the first lesson night was kind of when our bond really began to grow into something more than just tutor and student." Star smiled at her parents for a minute before hearing Angie call for her.
"Oh got to go. I'll call you guys later!" Moon and Toffee waved at Star as she hung up leaving them alone with Toffee speaking up.
"So do you really think Star is interested in that earth boy?" Moon giggled and spoke in a light manner.
"Oh come on I know you are dense but just look at how close those two are; reminds me of us." Moon leaned in close hugging Toffee with Toffee returning the embrace and rubbing her head.
"I guess you might have a point there. Now then we should…" He was stopped by Moon pulling him to the bed and sitting him down.
"Not now, I have had a stressful few days and you are going to pet my head Toffee you hear?" Toffee nodded with Moon laying her head on his lap purring as Toffee rubbed her head.
Seems a little anti-climatic but I wasn't going to eliminate anyone's memories... yet. Also this week is going to be a bit shaky on publishing though I will still get one out once every one to two weeks at least as per my original promise. Well this heavy stuff seems a bit heavy so I think it's time for something a little more lighthearted... like committing a felony to save your favorite hangout spot from debt. Next time people we will be committing 'The Heist' to save the Bounce Lounge.
Side note, the spell I had Moon and Toffe come up with is actually a reference itself to a book called 'Dies the Fire' by S.M. Stirling one of my all time favorite authors.