Ugh, finally updated this thing! I promise the next chapter won't take as long!

Replies to the latest reviews:

Rock Raider: Wow! That's amazing! You got exactly none of that right :P. Wait and see, my friend, wait and see.

. : Not just this time of the year; I've got a lot going on in my life right now, so I'm always busy, but hey, I said I'd finish this story and I will!

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 11

Queen's Lament

Part 3

If I can recall correctly, not long after I'd received the wand, I was given the faithful task, the same that would cause much grief, sorrow, ruin and bloodshed.

If anyone were to have told me that this was the day on which the pathway to my own ruin would begin taking shape, I'd have had them exiled to the Forest of Certain Death!

I awoke to the merry rays of Mewni's Sun beaming through the windows and brushing along my face, stirring me awake. A single glance out the window unto the cloudless sky was sufficient enough to build up the illusion of an idyllic day. As per usual, I found Diana wide-awake, awaiting my arousal. I got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast, where my mother and father informed me that due to the absence of our steward and an important diplomatic meeting they would have to attend over the next few days, I would be taking care of an important guest and ensuring that his stay would be nothing but pleasant.

As usual, Diana concealed herself and thus remained visible only to me, much like a child's imaginary friend, only she was much more real, just as real as her odd behaviour over the last few weeks; if only I had questioned her about it, about why she had ceased playing as much and was much more reserved than usual.

But no point in pondering over what could have been, I suppose.

Once my mother and father were off on their trip, I was appointed as the temporary head of the kingdom until they returned. I was nervous, but I'd been training to become the head monarch for years, and River was more than eager to help out wherever he could (and I probably should have taken the hint, especially with the way he kept looking at me) so I wasn't that worried. I also had Diana whom I could rely on, but I didn't want to pester he given her odd mood.

In any case, the hour struck noon when River announced the arrival of a very familiar figure, one that you two, Star and Marco, are too familiar with.

Castle Butterfly, Throne Room

The young princess and temporary stand-in ruler, Princess Moon, sat atop the throne, calm and composed. Anxiety was eating her from the inside, the sudden burden put upon her being too much for the young monarch, but as was fitting for a Queen-to-be, she needed to show none of it on the outside. Her parents and her Kingdom were counting on her to welcome the foreign ambassador and ensure a pleasant stay until her parents return. Their forced departure and the coming of the renowned ambassador came at an unfortunate timing, but nothing could be done about it, she would simply have to fulfil her duties mindfully, all at the age of 14.

Moon swallowed audibly.

"Nervous?" a voice identical to hers asked. The princess nodded. Diana sighed and sat on the throne next to Moon's. "You know, you don't have much to worry about."

"Hmm? What do you mean."

"You're a smart mortal, you'll handle the situation without much issue."

"Being smart does not equal making smart choices all the time. What if I mess up?"

"Then you mess up," Diana replied nonchalantly and shrugged. "Besides," she continued, sinking into her seat and gazing at the ceiling tapestry, "You're only supposed to welcome him and ensure he is well-received for a few days at best, how much could you possibly mess up?"

"Remember a few days after I'd received my wand-"

"Oh, pish posh! That flaming rainbow you conjured up was not your fault!"

"It kind of was..."

"Well, yes... but it wasn't that bad!"

"Diana, it took two months to repaired the damages, with magic!"

"Well, yes... but it could have been much worse!" Upon hearing that, Moon arched her eyebrow sceptically at the ancient spirit-turned-girl, and Diana added, "You could have spawned a vortex and sucked the entire Kingdom into a wormhole! That would have been worse!"

"You're not helping, Diana." Moon sighed and cast her downcast gaze at the floor. "I mean, even River laughed at me! River!"

"Oh, you mean lover boy?" Diana said with a teasing smirk.

"We're just friends!" Moon snapped back.

"Of course, you are, dear. Of course, you are."

"Diana!"

The spirit replied with a playful snicker and stood up from her seat. "Call it what you will, conjuring up something so... destructive on your first try was quite the feat, Mona."

"Maybe, but I can't help but worry if I'll cause a similar mess-up that will carry dire consequences." The young princess bore an expression of genuine concern. "I mean, mother and father are relying on me; if something goes awry, it'll take more than a construction crew to fix the mess."

"That much is true, but it is unwise to worry about the future. Be heedful of the consequences your actions may carry, yes, but do not allow future fears to take control of your present."

Moon nodded. Diana's words made enough sense. If she were to apply even more pressure onto herself, then she could royally mess-up instead of just messing up. Things done under panic never bear good results, after all.

"My Princess! My Princess!" cried the voice of a youngster, and River came running into the throne room, panting and sweating.

"My, he's become quite bold..." Diana smirked.

River ran up to the base of the throne and grabbed Moon by the shoulder, then shook her violently. "My Princess! My Princess! My-"

"River! Knock it off!" Moon yelled and slapped the boy's face, snapping him out of his panicked state.

"Thank you, I needed that."

"For corn's sake, Rive, I've told you to call me Moon. People may get the wrong idea if you keep calling me that!"

"Oh, sorry. Hehe..." River chuckled sheepishly and composed himself. "Uhm, I apologise for barging in like this, but our guest has arrived."

"What!? Already!?" Moon's eyes shot open wide and she stood up from her seat. She then grabbed River by the shoulders and shook him back and forth violently. "Where is he!?"

"Moon! Calm down!" River slapped Moon's face lightly, snapping her out of her panicked state.

"Thank you, I needed that."

"Ugh, it's like watching a bad sitcom..."

"What's a sitcom?" Moon asked Diana.

"Who are you talking to?" asked River, wondering why Moon was talking to an empty seat.

"Oh, uh, nobody!" Moon replied, then composed herself. "Now, River, where is our guest of honour?"

"He's at the door, Moon. I... kind of forgot to lead him in... sorry..."

Moon sighed, but didn't scold River for his carelessness, and instead instructed him to fetch the guest and lead him inside. River nodded and ran off. Moon sat down on her throne and took a deep breath.

"Nervous?"

"Very."

"Don't worry. Provided you don't conjure up another flaming rainbow, you'll do just fine."

"Your humour is impeccable," replied Moon with a dry tone, to which Diana chuckled. Moments later, River returned, walking into the Throne Room and holding the door open. He cleared his throat and announced the arrival of the important guest.

"Announcing the high ambassador of the Interdimensional Union of Monsters, Sir Stilio."

Through the door walked a tall figure dressed in a black tuxedo, his hear neatly combed back and glistering, coated in a layer of gel. His skin was grey and scaly, and his snakelike eyes bore much knowledge and wisdom. Moon knew that the lizard before her was no mere brute or amateur, but what one could call a true professional. With his hands placed firmly behind his back, he approached Moon, his expressionless gaze sending anxiety down the princess' spine.

"So soon..."

"What?" Moon questioned upon hearing Diana's whisper, but the girl played dumb, insisting that she'd said nothing. Before Moon could enquire any further, the lizard stopped before the throne and cleared his throat. Moon directed her attention at him, and noticed a hint of a smile on his lips.

"I thank you for accepting me into your halls. They're quite nice. Love the artwork." He spoke casually, glancing to and fro one place to the other, then stopping once he met Moon's gaze.

Moon, too, cleared her throat and put on a refined smile.

"Welcome, Sir Sti-"

The lizard raised his hand in protest, cutting off the young princess before she could utter the rest of his name, and smiled. "Please don't call me that. I question to this day whether my father was sober when he bestowed that name upon me."

"My apologies. Then what shall I call you?"

The lizard smiled.

"Toffee will do quite nicely."

"Ambassador Toffee." Moon curtsied a respectful bow at the lizard, who smiled in kind and bowed his head, then she sat down.

"Greetings, your Highness-" the lizard stopped mid-sentence as he finally registered that the person he was greeting did not give forth the vibes of an experienced monarch, but was instead a teenage girl. He arched an eyebrow at her.

"Uhm, aren't you a little young to be the Queen of Mewni?"

"Why yes, yes I am, which is why I'm not the queen. I'm the princess, Moon Butterfly."

Toffee struggled to make sense of the situation.

"Not to sound disrespectful, but where are your parents? I was told I would be meeting them today."

"I apologise, good ambassador, but they had urgent matters to attend to and left me in charge until their return. Whatever it was you wished to discuss with them, you're free to discuss with me during their absence, or you'll have to wait until they are back."

"I see. Well, it doesn't matter, really. It is a privilege meeting you, your highness." Toffee bowed once more and put a hand on his back. Upon straightening himself, he spoke, "Have you been informed as to why I have come to visit, my fair lady?"

"No. My parents left in a hurry and failed to inform me of much other than to assure your pleasant stay at our castle."

"Oh, well, that wasn't very wise of them, but no matter. Are you familiar with the Interdimensional Union of Monsters, at least?"

Moon shook her head. "No, I've not taken that many lectures on Interdimensional politics, but I do know that you are an alliance of all monsters who stand together in order to strengthen your influence and your power."

"That is correct, my lady. However, unlike the alliance amongst Kingdoms that Mewni is a member of, ours is simply that of bands of monsters sworn to stand together, for with the sole exception of the Siren Kingdom, we have no lands to call our own, which is precisely why I have come here. Under the generous invitation of your mother, nonetheless."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. I do not wish to bother you with this topic, but your mother and I have been in contact for quite some time. Both of us are appaled by the senseless hate and conflict that has been devouring our kinds for generations since the founding of your kingdom. But at last, we seem to be making progress to end this senseless conflict and ensure a new age of peace wherein monsters and Mewmans may coexist."

Moon smiled. She had no idea her mother was on the verge of making a breakthrough in monster-Mewman relations. Should her attempts prove to be a success, it would usher in a new age for the Kingdom of Mewni and make an ally of an age-old foe.

"That sounds wonderful!"

Toffee smiled a bittersweet smile as reality soon came into play. "Yes, it does. Almost too wonderful, which is why the negotiations have been so difficult. Distrust, assassinations from both sides, protests, threats; everything that one could muster up in opposition to these talks has been presented as an obstacle to us. I come here in good faith, to show the sincerity of both sides, not as an ambassador only, but as a guest. A friend, even. A friend of both your mother, your people, and yourself, your highness."

He bowed once more.

"Please, no need to bow before me," Moon said with a smile. "And please, stay for as long as you will. I swear on the behalf of my mother that no harm shall befall you within our domain. Consider yourself at home, Toffee."

"Splendid. Now if you'll excuse me, I must fetch my luggage and-"

"Oh, don't be silly. River will fetch it for you." Moon looked at the boy standing by the door. "Will you be so kind, River?"

"Yes my prin- I mean, sure thing, Moon!" After the awkward response, the boy rushed out the throne room and ordered a handful of guards to accompany him and help him carry the ambassador's belongings into the castle.

"Now then," Moon stood up from her throne. "Do you mind if I give you a quick tour of the castle, ambassador Toffee?"

"Toffee will do just fine," the lizard said with a smile. "And it would be a pleasure, your highness-"

"Moon." The princess smiled sincerely. Toffee chuckled.

"It would be my pleasure, Moon."

The two departed from the throne room while Diana lagged behind. The girl gazed at the palm of her hand which glowed bright red, and smiled a sad, sinister smile.

"And thus the tune is set for our final waltz, Moon."

Not long after, the news of my parents' demise reached my ears, and the responsibility of leading Mewni through those grim times fell upon me. And I swore to myself that I would not allow my disheartened kingdom to crumble so easily; I would do anything to guide my people through those dark times, and fulfil my mother's wish for peace amongst Mewmans and monsters, no matter the cost.

To be continued...


I'll try to update this as soon as possible this time; got 2 more exams until the new semester. Wish me luck!

-jolleIQ