WH: Crossbow check, all weather cloak check, rations for three days check,

OP: Wait why do you need three days rations, we're only going to be out for two hours?"

WH: In case if I get mighty bewildered of course. It rarely happens but I'm not taking chances on this one. Now then to the hunt. Say what are we huntign anyways? *piece of mud hits me in the face*

Janna: Me obviously, catch me if you can. *uses a smoke bomb to disappear leaving everyone confused*

SN: You know I'm starting to get annoyed by her ability to break the fourth wall.

WH: She's born from Ed, Edd, n Eddy characters, not much we can do about it.

"Well can you believe that? It was almost like a fairy tale evening between those two." Moon spoke smiling a mile wide and giggling a little as she and Toffee stepped into their private study right beneath their bedroom. "I mean I thought they wouldn't go thanks to that 'riffle' in magic but what that Marco did… it's just like what a prince charming would do." Moon pulled out a photo of the night with the parents on either side of Star and Marco who were both smiling. "The fact he asked me to put that 'mistake' on him just so Star would feel less self-conscious about herself…" Moon sighed in a dreamy fashion at how great Marco was treating their daughter now prompting Toffee to speak up.

"Should I be worried about you going for a younger model?" Moon looked up as Toffee flashed a lopsided grin prompting Moon to giggle.

"Why would I do that, the older model has perfect form and function. Not to mention I would never steal my daughter's boyfriend, although my milkshakes do bring all the boys to the yard." She giggled with Toffee chuckling at this. "So, you think he's a great guy do you?" She raised her eyebrow but stopped when Toffee hesitated. "Oh come on are you really pulling the 'he's not good enough for my daughter' like a stereotypical dad would? What would Odrick think about that?" Toffee chuckled a little nervously holding a hand up.

"No no no, Marco's a fine young man and the way he has made up for his 'immature actions' showed me just how blessed our daughter is to have a guy as good as him." Moon triumphant smile came and faltered as Toffee got a serious look on his face. "I'm not worried for Star; I'm worried for Marco's sake." Moon blinked in confusion as Toffee elaborated. "You know the law stating that the queen can marry whomever she chooses right?" Moon chuckled and spoke up.

"Of course, in fact it was because of that law that Baby could not push an official complaint against us being married." Toffee nodded with his serious look remaining.

"Well the issue is many a noble house has been pining after Star ever since you made her your official heir on her birthday. I've had to deal with dozens of potential suitors knocking on my door looking to become king of Mewni." Moon groaned at that as she knew most of them found Star hideous and were only interested in exploiting their daughter for political power. "And what do you think they are going to do when they find out a 'peasant boy' from another dimension has won her heart?" Moon looked at Toffee about to say something lighthearted but the grim look on his face made a chill run up her spine as she spoke nervously.

"What are you getting at dear?" Toffee breathed in and out slowly as he spoke.

"Even at the best of times nobles compete with each other to see who is on the top and the best way to do that is to intermarry with the Butterfly lineage itself. If you remember many groups remained on The Shadow Clause's side despite what had been done to them simply because we were a couple." Moon nodded sensing things were going in a bad direction. "And now is not a good time to be a noble. The lands are being restructured due to multiple lesser kingdoms being incorporated into ours and the plans you have in place, thanks to the new bureaucracy, means that many noble families will have nothing in terms of power and very little in land. This 'Constitution' and 'Bill of Rights' that Mr. Lancer and Ludo have proposed to us is also hitting them hard by giving more power to the commoners. That means consolidation will be occurring and the best way to do that is to marry with the Butterfly royal family to preserve their noble lineage." He raised his eyebrow in warning as he spoke softly. "And what do you think these desperate households are going to do when they find out the heir to the kingdom herself is being denied to them by a boy no more important in their eyes then a stable hand?" Moon blinked as she spoke trying to figure out what he meant.

"Well… they can't officially protest and they wouldn't rebel in protest as they have no hope… wait…" Her face went white as she realized what Toffee was getting at. "You mean… they might assassinate him?!" Toffee nodded as Moon stuttered for a second before reforming herself. "Ye Gods no… Marco just got dragged into a pit of vipers!" Toffee immediately pulled Moon into an embrace and rubbed her head to calm her down. "I knew some wouldn't like it but that much?!" Toffee spoke softly at this.

"They are desperate Moon and desperate people do horrible things. But worry not because as strange as it may seem it's not as bad as you think it is." Moon blinked in confusion as he elaborated. "He has us on his side and all our friends to back him up if push comes to shove. In addition Marco himself has proven to be far from defenseless in many instances. And we have one weapon on our side in particular, no one in Mewni knows about them." Moon squeezed him back a little as Toffee continued to pet her softly. "We can take this time and prepare Marco so that when the vipers begin to stir he is not a mouse but a mongoose ready to fight back." Moon smiled at this the panic ebbing slightly as she spoke.

"True, but how are we going to prepare him? We can't exactly draw much attention to him without their relationship being revealed?" Toffee flashed her a lopsided grin and spoke up.

"Everyone knows that Star is in another dimension and most assume it is somewhere on earth at this point; it is the worst kept secret of ours after all." Moon nodded at this a bit unsure. "We can tell people he is a friend of hers who has proven rather capable and valiant to the point where we are considering making him a squire to the princess herself. That way we can spend time educating him without drawing the wrong kind of attention to him." Moon's smile broadened as that likely meant she would able to visit him and her daughter more frequently or at least have them visit Mewni more frequently. "Of course as tradition demands we do have to 'initiate' him to see what he is actually worth." At this Moon finally pulled back to look up at a surprisingly mischievous look on Toffee's face.

"What exactly do you have in mind?" Moon spoke both nervous and excited at his enthusiasm.

"You know the gathering of nobles that is coming up on The Red Wulf's Day."

Marco finished up the bacon pancake flipping it to Star who caught it in midair with her teeth before setting it on her plate. Marco smiled mischievously and flung three more pancakes in rapid succession with Star catching every single one of them with her mouth. Star set them down on her plate which she promptly filled with syrup as she stuck her tongue out at Marco before speaking.

"You can't best me you know that right?" Marco chuckled as poured the last of the batter in the pan to make one big pancake for himself.

"Yeah, but I'm gonna try regardless." As he finished up someone knocked on the door making him groan. "Seriously, I had just finished this up." He set the plate on the table and went to the door to answer. "Hello…" He stopped mid-sentence however when he saw an elderly man in a butler's outfit standing there with a scroll.

"Hello there my lad, is this the Diaz's residence?" Marco nodded with the man offering a small smile. "Are you by chance Marco Diaz?" Marco nodded with the man smiling even more and unfurled the scroll. "Well my dear Marco, I come bearing a message from King Toffee himself. He wishes to cordially invite you on a friendly hunt to better learn more about you guide and guardian of the princess. It shall happen tomorrow at the stroke of noon and I do suggest you attend as it seems Toffee views you with great interest sir." As the man finished Star peaked around the corner and spoke up.

"Say Marco who is… oh hi Butler." Star stepped around the corner with the man's smile growing even more before speaking.

"Ah yes Star Butterfly, tis a pleasure to see you." Star leapt forward and hugged him with Butler speaking to Marco again. "A portal shall be opened in your room at the set time and you best wear outdoor clothes as it will involve strenuous activity." Marco nodded and spoke up.

"I will be ready sir." Butler nodded and pulled apart from Star opening a portal speaking up.

"I do hope you enjoy the outing, I will be there once the hunt has concluded to offer refreshments and what not. Have a good day sir." He stepped back through the portal closing it behind him with Marco turning to Star eagerly.

"Star you're not going to believe this, your dad has invited me out for some bonding time. I knew he liked me; no worries about over-protective dads today." Star blinked in confusion speaking up.

"On a hunt?" Marco nodded with Star getting a puzzled face. "But dad hates hunting, why would he take you out to bond over something he hates." Marco's smile faltered as that bit of information was given to him with Star shrugging. "Oh well, maybe he's making it a group event to introduce you to several people. So when is it happening?" Marco's smile brightened up once again as he and Star went back to finish breakfast.

Marco stepped through the portal wearing his ordinary clothing with some hiking boots as per Star's suggestion as this was likely an unofficial event; although he was carrying one of Star's translators so he could speak with everyone. Marco glanced around the area he stepped in getting a good look at what he identified as the Forest of Certain Death due to the last few times he had been in Mewni. As he breathed in the cool clean air he was suddenly squeezed from behind with the air being pushed out of his lungs.

"Comrade, nice to see you still drawing breath." Marco gasped for a second before Buff Frog put him down spinning him around. "You ready for this hunt?" Marco nodded speaking up.

"I have never actually hunted in yours terms a day in my life but I am ready." Buff Frog chuckled as if to a hidden joke before speaking.

"Perhaps you are. A few things to note before we get started though." Buff Frog faced with a serious look. "One, do not let on that you and Star are a couple. This hunt is not just bonding time between you and Toffee it is presenting you to several notable nobles and family members so is best to keep that under wraps for now da?" Marco nodded a bit confused.

"Um ok."

"Second, the reason why you are officially here is for Toffee to judge whether or not you would make a good squire to be trained as a knight. Keep that in mind." Marco nodded his smile returning.

"So this is a type of test or initiation?" Buff Frog's smile returned as he replied.

"Da comrade, you catch on quick. You're going to need to." At those words Buff Frog led Marco off through the woods a little ways. After a few minutes they arrived in a clearing with multiple figures who appeared to have hunting garments or various armor on them. "These Marco are the hunters you will be with. And if you don't see Toffee he will be… joining you later on." Marco blinked in confusion at the tone of voice Buff Frog used for the last few words and looked everyone over.

"Who are those two?" Marco pointed to two figures in particular that stood out in his eyes.

One was an older man who had dark skin, darker then Marco's dad, but with icy blue eyes and an impressive silver beard and mustache. He was tall and while thinner than most was solidly built to the point where he could likely get in a shoving match with an ox… and win. The figure next to him was around Marco's height and appeared to be the same age with pale freckled skin, fiery red hair, and brilliant emerald eyes. She also while thin was solidly built as well made even more impressive given her likely age. They both wore well-made hunting garb that seemed to have been put through a lot of use giving the impression they knew more than most in the crowd of what they were doing out there. But what caught Marco's eye was how they were relaxed while still observing everything around them; in fact he was fairly sure they had spotted them already. Buff Frog smiled in an impressed manner and spoke up.

"You know how to pick your warriors Marco. That there is Sir Lavabo, knight of the wash and the household, easily the most dangerous job in Mewni despite how it may sound. The one next to him is his squire Higgs, the only one to survive the trials of the wash in nearly 20 years and out of more than 150 applicants." Marco nodded in awe at them as Buff Frog continued. "She was actually a squire for a certain Sir Slicer before Lavabo but he threw her out after she complained he was taking her for granted. But enough of that let us join them." He stepped out of the woods calling out to the group who immediately came over. "Comrades comrades, I would like to introduce the guide, guardian, friend, and potential squire to Princess Star Butterfly, Marco Diaz Shadow Slayer!" Everyone nodded to Marco as if impressed and began speaking at once.

"Are you from another dimension?"

"Is it true there's no natural magic in your realm?"

"What combat training have you had?"

"Guys slow down slow down!" Marco waved his hands trying to get everyone to calm down. "There will plenty of time to learn more about each other after initial introductions." Several chuckles ran through the crowd as people took a few steps back.

"The boy speaks true; the hunt is where we will learn much about him." Sir Lavabo spoke with a Spanish accent strangely enough. "It is an honor to finally meet the one who aided the Shadow knights in defeating TWO rouge shadows to protect the princess." Marco shrugged playing it off a little.

"Just doing what I needed to help Star, she's my best friend." At that Higgs spoke up.

"Pretty close to Star are you? Expected for the princess's body guard." Everyone chuckled at that. "So how did you get elevated to your position aside from slaying the shadows?" Everyone leaned in close on that one with Marco speaking up this time trying to build himself up.

"Well after Star was sent away as a foreign exchange student I was picked to be her guide in my world. Of course not one day into her stay and a group of Forest Barbarians came to try and take her family wand led by Mavis Butterfly herself. I leapt in to help protect her and did so good a job that day I was appointed as her guardian to keep her safe." Buff Frog spoke up among the impressed looks and the curses on Mavis and the other Forest Barbarians.

"Well plenty of time for that later, for now we must prepare." He nodded and the groups split off with Lavabo and Higgs sticking close to Marco with Lavabo speaking up.

"Impressive set of credentials given what the King has said about you. You ready to back them up?" He raised an eyebrow as Marco replied.

"Hell yeah, I just hope Toffee joins us soon." Higgs chuckled at that as if it was a private joke and spoke up.

"Oh he will be joining us soon enough." Lavabo nudged Higgs motioning to Marco with Higgs nodding looking a little flustered. "Say um you wouldn't happen to be single now would you?" Marco blinked in shock at this and spoke up.

"Yes, I mean no. I mean… it's complicated right now." He hoped his flustering had not given anything away as the duo chuckled with Higgs responding.

"Alright keep your secrets. Nice to finally meet you." At Buff Frog's voice the duo moved over to the center of the clearing. When Marco went to join them however Buff Frog had him stop a little apart of the group. 'Interesting.' Marco thought to himself as there had been a few odd things today so far.

"Alright we are here to initiate Marco as a squire to the princess herself to become a knight of Mewni, everyone knows that da?" Everyone nodded with Marco pumping himself up. "Today we will be participating in a hunt, for the world's Most Dangerous Game." Everyone smiled carnivorously as they turned towards Marco who responded confused.

"Ok so what is this world's most dangerous ga…" At that point hints started adding up together at long last when the words 'Most Dangerous Game' were spoken. The current year in Language Arts his class had read a book by that same name… and if it was true he should be terrified. "Wait… you don't mean…" He pointed to himself with everyone nodding and Buff Frog responding.

"The Most Dangerous Game is one of our own. If you wish to join you must first survive to escape the woods." Everyone immediately pulled out Bows and Crossbows holding them at the ready. "And now for the sake of realism and because we are only too kind you will get a 10 minute head start. You may commence running." Marco looked around in fear as he backed up a few steps.

"Is this really nec…" He was cut off when a bolt zipped so close to his head it cut off some of his hair. "AHHHHHH AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Marco ran off panicked into the woods as Higgs reloaded her crossbow with everyone laughing as Buff Frog spoke again.

"Now remember people, we are not to purposefully kill Marco under orders of Toffee. Now get after him." Everyone looked a little confused as Buff Frog's face fell. "I mistook 10 minutes for 10 seconds again didn't I?" Everyone nodded as Buff Frog sat to the side with Higgs speaking up to Lavabo.

"Is that really the boy who destroyed two rouge shadows, looks more like a frightened goat fit to be roasted." Lavabo chuckled and spoke up.

"Ah he was caught completely off guard by what he assumed were friends, a harsh first lesson but necessary. Now we see how he adapts and overcomes." Higgs nodded and they both looked out after where Marco had run.

Toffee watched the screens as they caught Marco running for his life in a panicked state from being shot feeling both amusement from watching him run and nervousness that he was nearly killed. They could pop in at the last second and heal Marco from almost any injury if they needed to, thank Gods for portals, but if he died no magic was strong enough to bring him back. He shook his head looking around the large room where various Mewman nobles and Monster chiefs had gathered and were talking to each other. This was an informal gathering of various high ranking officials Moon did at times to try and smooth over still untrusting minded people. However, as per normal, they were gravitating into four groups; Monster chiefs, Mewman nobles, Butterfly family members, and those close to Moon. He looked over Moon's group, which he was a part of containing Rhombulus, Heckapoo, Lekmet, Omnitraxus Prime, River, Helsinki, and two other officials; Lily Forest of the Guardians of Mewni and her husband Lord Avarius of the Monster clan Avarius, the most influential and powerful clan of Monsters in all of Mewni. Moon's eyes locked with his clearly showing how she didn't like the separation going on to which Toffee shrugged… before an idea got into his head.

"River." River looked up at Toffee's unusually loud words that got the whole rooms attention. "How far do you think Marco will make it before he can't go any further for one reason or another." River blinked in confusion before speaking.

"Well… perhaps all the way up until you potentially have to step in. I mean he's good, I've seen him in action, but I'm fairly certain he can't beat you." Toffee smiled at that replying.

"Well I think he won't get past the blackened tree to be completely honest. He is a good warrior but he has some of Mewni's best after him." Moon saw the look in his eyes and whispered something to Lily Forest who blinked a second before replying over the murmur of officials.

"Really, how certain are you of that?" The groups were looking back and forth as Moon's group seemed to be catching on with Toffee replying.

"I say 3 shillings that he won't get past the blackened tree." At that Omnitraxus spoke up.

"Well 5 shillings says he's going to get to the cleft boulder. Trust me on this people, I see all." Lord Avarius spoke up at that one.

"Well I take things with a hearty dose of skepticism; 4 shillings says he won't even get past the first trench." The other groups were now chuckling and nudging each other only to be interrupted by Moon.

"Well 6 CROWNS says he will hold his ground around you long enough for you to back down Toffee." Everyone gasped at that fact Moon basically bet 60 shillings that the boy would hold off her own husband, one of the most dangerous entities in Mewni. A shilling was equal to a whole week's wages for a commoner worker and not even nobles threw that kind of money around lightly. Toffee's reply was swift and overly exaggerated for him at least.

"My dear, have you lost faith in me. Is my age really showing through?" Moon smiled at him replying softly.

"Oh I haven't lost faith in you, I just have more faith in that boy." She smiled snidly at him making Toffee shake his head before responding.

"My dear you can be a cruel mistress." At this Helsinki pulled out a silver tray and spoke up.

"Well put yur money were yr mouth is folks, cough em up." Everyone in Moon's group began putting in the money eagerly. At this one of the Monster chiefs spoke up.

"If Moon says he's good I believe her but Toffee is too strong for the boy to beat, 8 shillings says he works up to Toffee." Helsinki moved on over to him with one of the Mewman nobles speaking up.

"Well 7 shillings says he won't get past the swamp bridge, he's still just a boy."

"The cleft boulder makes sense, 3 shillings on that."

"Well 1 crown says he won't get past the first trench."

"4 shillings says he'll stop dead in the Willow Grove."

"Well I'm putting 6 shillings on the blackened tree."

As people began making bets the groups began to loosen up mostly to ask Moon why she had such faith in the boy. Toffee smiled to himself as the tense atmosphere was toned down enough for some people to relax. Lord Avarius spoke up to Toffee pulling in close.

"I must admit you have got a plan for everything your majesty." Toffee chuckled slightly before speaking.

"I wasn't even fully sure that would work to be honest. Speaking of which why do you have such low faith in him Trogdor?" Toffee raised his eyebrow with Lord Trogdor Avarius getting an annoyed look on his face.

"I told you not to call me by my name. And come on he's just a boy Toffee, that Shadow thing people have been talking about was mostly the Shadow knights doing. He may have experience in combat but he has not been hardened to the world just yet. If he wishes for my respect he must earn it first." Toffee nodded to the slim and well-dressed yellow eyed green bird man and replied.

"Makes sense. Heard about how Ludo's idea got through the Senate?" Trogdor nodded smiling.

"Looks like my brother has finally stopped asking Moon to fix the problem and figured out how to fix it himself." Toffee nodded as he glanced back over the groups.

"He's going to need to learn how to do that with the Senate regaining its power."