A/N: The next chapter isn't done, but I wanted to give you guys some insight on the relationship between Moon and the mysterious woman, so I wrote this bonus chapter. My finals are steadily approaching, so I'll most likely post the chapter next week, then go on a hiatus until the end of July (Although I'll probably post one update in between just to prevent you guys from having to wait too long ^^!)

Anyway, enjoy this bonus! And as always, reviews are welcome!

Replies to the latest reviews:

Sugar: I was kidding. But yeah, the writers have no idea how to handle characters. Thankfully, I am alive and succeed where they fail.

allen Vth: The worst day for Star? LOL! Good joke!

SuicideGuy: Well, any advice on how to name them?

Starco4Life: Can't believe it myself, to be honest. The 1st chapter of 'My Star' seems like a lifetime ago! But I'll make sure to finish this story, no matter how long it takes!

Disclaimer: I do not claim the right to Star vs. the Forces of Evil or any of the characters that appear in the show. They belong to Disney and the show's creator, Daron Nefcy. I do, however, claim the right to the plot as well as any original characters that may appear in this fic, and would kindly ask you to inform me should you want to use anything from this fic in your own story. -jolleIQ

Beta read by ElleFreak.

Story cover by Luzz015. Be sure to check her out on DeviantArt!


Star vs. The Forces of Evil: Staring it up!

Chapter 8.5

A Dance, my Queen?

Castle Mewni, Royal Bedchambers

"River, are you sure that this is a wise idea?" Moon asked her much-shorter husband, who was strapping on a set of chainmail while two servants were busy attaching a couple of steel shoulder pads onto his shoulders. The small king, against the word of his royal advisors and his wife, had come to the decision to personally march against a small group of monsters that were terrorising the countryside and the villages outside of Mewni's magical monster-proof barrier. He didn't perceive them as a real threat since Toffee was in captivity and they'd beaten them effortlessly the last time, but after hearing that yet another village had been ransacked, he decided that enough was enough.

"Honey," River replied with an undertone of anger adorning his voice. "This has been going on for long enough! Those beasts have not only been burning our crops and our villages to the ground, but they've also had the nerve to attack us directly last time. I refuse to stand by idly as they burn our homes and slaughter my people!" River stomped his foot angrily, scaring his two servants. "This ends today!"

Moon sighed and looked at her husband with a weary look. "Dear, I completely understand your anger, but we have plenty of men looking for those monsters. Just three days ago, our scouts found two of their encampments and our men made shift work of them. There's really no need for you to risk your life, as well. What if something were to happen to you, River? What could I tell Star?"

River flashed his wife a cocky smile and chuckled. "Risk my life? Haha! That's a good one!"

"I'm being serious, River!"

"I know, honey. I know." River admired the now-completed set of armour that his body was overlaid with, then turned towards Moon and smiled a reserved smile. "I can't deny that it would truly suck if something happened, but those men of our clearly have no idea how to hunt monsters! They don't mask their scent by rolling around in monster droppings or even lick the imprints of their feet to get a good sense of how close they are! It's high time I take charge and teach these wiper-snappers how we used to hunt monsters in my day!"

Moon rolled her eyes whilst the two servants exchanged looks of disgust upon hearing their king's 'methods' of tracking monsters. Seeing that their work was done, the more than happily left the royal chambers, mumbling something to each other with disgusted faces.

Evidently, Moon was still worried about his well-being, so River strode over to her and took her hand, grabbing her attention. Smiling softly at his queen, he spoke in a gentle yet confident voice, "Moonpie, you don't have to worry about me. I've fought my share of battles under Mewni's banner and not once have I encountered an opponent strong enough to bring me to my knees! I'll show those monsters who's boss and I'll be back before you know it!"

Moon gave him a reluctant sigh and a nod of approval.

"Very well. Just- please stay safe out there..."

"It's those monsters you should worry about," River joked, kissed his wife's hand, then turned to leave the chambers. Moon watched him leave with a sorrowful look, then sighed and walked over to the giant mirror mounted on the southern wall of the room. She stared at her own reflection for a time, losing herself in her thoughts. She gazed down at the ring on her left hand, allowing herself the tiniest of smiles as she remembered the day River proposed to her. Well, it wasn't much of a proposal as it was him tripping over the leg of a chair and knocking her over while holding the ring box in hand. Not exactly a fairytale proposal, but he always was a clumsy oath, one that she loves dearly.

How smile vanished as a single thought crawled into her mind.

How much longer until the final stage of the game would begin?

How many would soon lose their homes and their lives?

Was her course of action truly the most optimal one?

How much longer could she keep quiet about it?

"Oh, not much longer, my dear Moon. Not much longer at all..." A rich, sinister womanly voice answered the question for her. The Queen recognised it in a heartbeat, for that same voice belonged to her.

Moon closed her eyes and responded with a heavy voice, "Is it really you, or another one of your spells playing tricks on me?"

"Turn around and you'll find out."

Moon opened her eyes and spun around, facing the figure that stood there calmly. Their gazes met. For a moment, she thought that she was looking at her own reflection until she noticed the two black spade marks on the woman's cheeks and her dark-purple gown that was not unlike her own in shape.

The womanly figure smiled a thin smile at the queen.

"Miss me?"

Moon shook her head sternly, maintaining her calm posture, her hands crossed below her waist.

"Can't say I have."

"That's rude," the woman replied, sighing. "And here I was, thinking we used to be so close, you and I. I guess even the closest of relationships are destined to fade into nothingness..."

"Relationship? Is that what you call it?"

The woman chuckled.

"I suppose that's stretching it. Shall we settle on the term partnership, then?" the woman suggested. "Yes, partnership. I think that best describes it."

"What do you want? Why've you come here?" Moon got straight to the point, narrowing her eyes at the woman whose thin smile lingered. "If this really is you and not another one of your illusions."

"Why don't you come closer and find out for yourself, my dear Moon? I don't bite..."

The mysterious woman offered and stretched out her hand with an open palm, inviting the Mewman Queen to step forward and convince herself that what she saw was no trickery. Moon reluctantly stepped over to her lookalike and placed the palm of her own hand atop of the woman's. The woman smiled.

"See. That wasn't so hard, was it? And yet you accused me of trickery. That's a very rude thing to do, you know..." the woman smiled ominously at the Queen, their gazes locked and their hands intertwined. "A dance, my Queen? Like the good old days?" Without waiting for a response, the woman took a step sideways, then another, and another, all while maintaining eye-contact with the Mewman queen. Moon followed suit, and the two found themselves shuffling in a circle, mirroring each other's footsteps to the letter.

"You haven't changed," Moon commented after a time, smiling a pained smile. "Always toying with me. You truly are awful..."

"Come now. Don't lie that you've not enjoyed every shared moment with me."

"That I won't. I only wish it were a good thing."

"Is it not?" The woman smirked and took a step towards Moon. The queen raised her hand, creating a bridge underneath which the woman passed whilst fully spinning around her own axis. Once she was through, she raised her own hand and allowed Moon to pass underneath. "Wasn't it thanks to me that you managed to step up and end Mewni's struggles all those years ago?"

"Yes. And for that, I hate you."

"Yet here you are, talking to me and sharing a dance," said the woman, smirking suggestively. "You're a true hypocrite, Mona."

Moon stopped in place, ending their little dance and withdrawing her hand.

"It's been years since anyone's spoken my birth-name. Not even River knows about it."

"There are but two others who know it, both of whom wish death upon you, one of whom is prepared to do it herself."

"Toffee and Nerida," Moon said flatly, then flashed a faint smile at the woman. "Although, you've done a good job with hiding the latter. Took me almost twelve years to find her, and that was only because I sent Star to earth. Dumb luck, I suppose."

"Yet you've not taken action against neither me nor the two. Well, Toffee is locked in your dungeons, but still, I wonder, Mona, just what is going through that pretty little head of yours?"

Moon remained silent for a time before mustering up a response.

"Would things be any different had I acted otherwise?"

"Hmm... no." The woman smiled. "Your fate was sealed the moment you made that pact with me. Still, I thought you'd at least try to avoid it."

"I deserve whatever's in store for me. I just wish that my family and my kingdom are kept safe."

"Worry not, Mona. Once he is summoned to this world and Mewni falls, there will be peace. Just like I promised you."

"Did you come here to gloat?"

"A little," the woman giggled sheepishly and shot Moon a sinister smirk. "But I do miss our conversations. And I'll miss them even more once all is settled and our deal is completed. Won't you?"

"No."

"I can tell when you're lying, you know. But you always were the proud type. Then again, it was thanks to your pride that we met, so it's not all bad, I suppose," once her rambling was done, the woman waved her hand, opening a dark portal. "Anyway, I must be off. Your daughter and her friends seem to have discovered a piece of the puzzle, and I need to get back and handle this mess."

"Just make sure you keep my daughter out of this like you said you would!"

"No harm will befall her. I'm not a evil, unlike someone else in this room." Moon recoiled, knowing full well that she was in no position to bargain. "Anyway, be seeing you soon, Mona. Take care." As she stepped into the portal, she heard Moon bid her goodbye and smiled upon hearing the Queen of Mewni speak her name.

She hasn't forgotten. Good to know that she does still care about me. A real shame that she's such a fool. Oh, well.

Once the portal was closed, Moon sighed and exited the chambers.

Time was running out.

End of Chapter 8.5


A/N: Liked it? Confused? Good! The woman's name will be revealed eventually, but I'd like to hear what you guys think it will be.

Anyway, feel free to leave a favourite and a review, and I'll see you next time!

Bye!