Landon was training with sky and angel.

That was something he had to repeat to himself, before he forgot and assumed he was dreaming.

He never had trained before, much less with kids who were not his brothers. But granted, he never had much of magic before, so this was all new for him. He didn't know angel well but had to admit, he was actually pretty alright for everything he used to do. He was getting more powerful though, just like sky was saying he was. Not as powerful as some butterfly but powerful for his species though that wasn't saying much considering they weren't even trained in magic anymore.

Angel seemed to be impressed on his end too actually.

Now part of him seemed to prefer being alone on this one and having the alone time with sky, but landon was rather nice. He would simply watch them work and try to replicate it, even if nothing happened. They were under supervision while this was happening but it was better then before, landon taking notes and asking questions as he watch and observed the madness before him.

Sky had no idea landon could be so studious, he never really liked to come off like a complete nerd. Well, he was a nerd, she just meant a nerd who was interested in magic and history and all the things nerd seemed to like. Landon wanted to learn and replicate and actually focus, his instrument still on his backside to help him whenever he might need it.

Now when sky said they had supervision now she didn't meant the guards, as nice as that would be considering they were quiet and didn't bother the royals when they were practicing. But this time around and with others being controlled even guards were hard to actually trust to be around the kids or any of the royals for that matter, so no guards were here today.

No, instead marco was nearby, watching for themselves, wanting to be there for landon while he was doing this right now. It was better then one would think cause if landon blew something up now he had someone else to witness it. Marco was used to their kids blowing things up all the time, ti was very much apart of their process into becoming strong and powerful demons so this was nothing new for them.

Angel was still hoping they found the notes for additional spells he could practice, it had been a good bit of time so they had to getting close going through that old junk right? but it was still what they had for now. Marco was still in contact with others while this was going on. The plans were almost fully ready and after this sky had clothing to finish, so this little break was something they all needed.

Landon was a tad distracted tho, if his staring off into space and smiling wasn't key enough of a indication that he wasn't paying attention to the magic being cast.

"Thinking about him?", sky asked with a smirk.

Landon turned sharply, as if scared.

The question felt as if it had almost come from nowhere and it made the teen blush and turn red faced. He had suddenly became very distracted from what he was even doing at that time. Which everyone else seemed to find very amusing and cute, landon wanting to hide in his notes. "Not really any of your concern but...yeah, i'm still thinking about how i could help him with his parents".

"Landon i don't think you can do much in that situation", marco spoke up, "It's very noble but some things are just best to stay out of, this might be a battle bernard has to fight on his own, and intervening might be a bad idea". Landon looked upset but in a way he knew they were right, "Right now they're upset and i think we all want to stay on their good side right now".

"I know but...it's not fair".

"I know it's not, but unless bernard asks for help, he might want to keep you from getting hurt, you are still his best friend after all, and he wants to be able to still spend time with you". They weren't trying to be harsh and he knew it, landon just wanted to help and he knew the situation was far more complicated then that. Though that was not the only thing he was thinking about.

"Well, do you have advice on well...asking someone out instead?'

Everyone turned back to look at him with some astonishment.

"Wait...ask him out?", sky said, looking landon over, "You're considering the idea of asking him out?".

Landon turned a bright red and nodded, "Well, i thought at the very least we could do to jude's party as friends but...the problem is he might not say yes and i know he's still on the fence and his parents hate me". He tugged at his hair, "Sorry, you weren't even supposed to know, i'm just nervous thinking about the whole thing, it's probably such a bad idea".

"You wanted to take him to judas's coronation?"

Landon nodded, "I guess the more we talk about it the more i don't even know why i considered it, i just was thinking it would be a great place for a date free food, all the people he'd get to meet, we'd get to dance and he'd get to actually have some fun. It was just something i was thinking about sorry i even brought it up. I just wanted your thoughts".

Landon coughed and shut his mouth, angel worried if what they said really had upset him. "Well, i think it sounds like a lovely idea, maybe you really should consider it, he might actually like going...gets him out of the house right? you might also never get another chance to take him to a dance like this for a very long time, especially for anyone in your family".

Wait, was he actually encouraging him to ask out his crush on a date? Landon felt himself get even redder, "Well, uh, ok, lemme think about it just a little more tho, i don't wanna get right to it, if that's really ok and everything i'm so sorry". The poor boy was so overwhelmed having everyone be aware of his crush like this, he wasn't even sure how bernard felt in return.

If he did ask him out would he be rejected? He probably would since it was too early to ask, his parents might stop it too after what happened. Oh great, was this about to be the confession all over again? Where he could barely say anything? No, there was no way he was going to go there again, he was going to get in done with if he asked him out.

It...just needed to wait.

This was one of those things where he needed to wait and see what bernard was feeling, making a move like that was risky. His feelings were out there, they were still friends, he needed to wait. Though he had to admit, the thought of the two of them dancing together sounded so much fun, a chance to get out together, do something really romantic and fun.

Bernard would love it too, he loved the underworld so much.

Just the thought made landon sigh sadly, he needed to get back to his practice and notes. He was starting to get distracted and his lessons were important as well, he couldn't waste them thinking about his crush. He shook his head and went back to looking at the scribbles he was making, frankly he was barely processing anything but at least it was better then nothing.

Sky took a break and eyed marco, just remembering something, "Oh hey queen lucitor, may i ask, how's jude doing? You guys have been pulling him away so much for his party i can't even get to talk to him...his grandparents aren't still trying to get at him right?". The human sighed, "He's...practicing with his arm, but yes, the former king and queen have been trying to flag him down still".

"You know why?".

"Yeah, i know why...they wanted to talk to him about preventions for his coronation, which...i think is the last thing he'd interesting in talking about all thing considered", judging by the tone shift it seemed marco had been sharing these complaints about them quite often and had been asked by more then just the kids on the matter, tired and annoyed.

"Well i can imagine, who wants to spend their party trying get cages for you to be put in if you did anything bad? Of course judas wants to take a break from all of that, he doesn't need to be reminded of his curse every time he turns around". She huffed and grabbed a bottle of water to start chugging, "Jude's a nice guy and he needs a break, time to relax and not think about any of this".

"A coronation should never be so stressful, especially for a future ruler, but sadly things are not that easy, they never are when they are going to make you a perfect leader, or at the very least look like the perfect leader", they put their book down and looked at sky with concern, "Tom had to go through his and it was nice but you're being judged like crazy doing all of that, it's good to be out of it".

"How bad did they judge?"

"Why do you think we're taking this all so seriously in order to protect judas? We love this place but mewni is such a judgmental place and you already know what happened before, the important thing is you all stay safe and focus. With judas mixing things up though, it could be a great or terrible thing here, demons can be rather picky so we'll see what they think".

"You like the idea, y'know? As itself and not as a trap?".

"Oh it's the best idea for a ball ever, brings back so many memories i haven't had in a while to be honest".

Oh right, the blood moon ball.

Not that they could ever wear that old costume again, or that the ball was a masquerade, but still. At least this time around there was no moon, or having a ball be soley run by a teenager, or a reason for marco to even hide out in the first place. It was a celebration and if they were lucky it would not end in the ost being frozen in ice after a rampage of anger.

"Hey mom?", landon bit at his lips, eyeing the human with uncertainty, "You think...the moon, is why we're well...y'know?". He pointed to his marks and marco gave a shrug, "I'm not certain but, i think so sometimes, i just can't imagine the moon didn't do anything to me...and maybe, it just passed down onto you somehow...like how judas got my monster arm".

"You think it's a problem?".

"If it was a problem, well, i've lasted this long without any real issues, so maybe it's not as bad as we assume it is, personally i like to think me bonding with star transferred some of her magic to us and gave us markings, but i can't prove it either. But hey, could be worse, learning to use my powers is pretty neat...though magic in general is so tricky to learn".

"Well i'm sure it would be if you don't inherently have magic" angel joined in, "Magic, even for us born with it takes forever to learn unless you have a gift with the stuff. Monsters to an extent can have their own unique powers but those aren't the same thing as learning an element of the universe you can control, getting my own species to relearn it was a hassle".

"How did you manage? It had to be stressful considering their lack of knowledge on how to do it? Not to mention you had to hide yourself from them while doing so?".

"By handing them flyers with instructions basically, but to be fair they would've figured it out eventually. At least i had no idea what i was doing either so it made me feel better about screwing up as much as i did. You have no crazy how it was to watch for me though, especially given the context", angel looked like he might burst, "Now that they have that knowledge again, we might have to...get a teacher or something".

"Angel you're at the beginning of watching your kingdom return to how it used to be, a teacher sounds like a great idea, when you have someone fitting that role entirely. Though at this rate it might take awhile so perhaps you could pass on what you know". Angel felt his ears press against his face, "Me? Teach them? Would they even want to learn from me after what happened?".

"Angel you're better then anyone, look at the progress you've made! You could teach them everything you know and who knows, maybe they won't hate you at all for any of it. Giving them powers must both be scary for them, but also kinda cool, you could really show off just how cool you are by teaching them everything they need to know, you're smarter then you think angel".

Angel smiled wide, "Of course, thank you queen lucitor, I'll take those words into account when i go back, i promise".

"Oh and your parents are doing well, your mother has been walking, having pleasant trips around the castle, your father won't leave her side...i think her memory is improving", the queen stop up to get a better look at their forms, "Oh and globhpr sent me an update, the kingdom is doing well with him in charge, your people seem to love him in fact, they're getting some great crops".

The news indeed seemed to make angel very happy, though how was he ever going to compete with globgor? The monster king that was so easy for others to love?

Well, the king himself seemed to have faith in him at least, so that was something.

"So the plan is ready?".

Marco smiled, "Finally yes, we just had some things to work out but i think we finally got all the main issues sorted out, a plan for every possible outcome. Now, as long as nothing else going wrong we should be in the best of hands, katrina is helping get everyone the all way up to speed. So as long as nothing else goes wrong we have got this, a perfect trap.".

Marco looked slightly nervous about it, but confidence was kinda important here.

"Oh there you all are"

Right on time as always, eclipsa had finally made it in, brushing herself off as she joined the rest of the group, "Sorry i've been late, meterora and i have been talking and well, things kinda just breeze by when you get to busy", she seemed in a good mood thought she usually always was. Sky slightly unnerved thinking about if meteora had told eclipsa about the...y'know.

There was a good chance eclipsa might not appreciate the accusation at all and last thing she needed was that to escalate. She swore meteora was giving her the weirdest looks already whenever she walked past and having eclipsa on top of that was a disaster in the making. Eclipsa was a nice person though, so if she was thinking it she had never spoken up about it at all.

Maybe she was really just keeping it to herself.

At least she wasn't here for sky, or angel, but for Landon.

Which was the best news she could get right now, better him then her right now. She could barely do anything as is and there was still some conflicting feelings with her on top of the meteora stuff, so best not to make it any worse until things blew over. Just focus on angel and her magic and try not to draw any attention to herself while she got back to work.

Landon however, did not seem that excited, in fact he looked nervous at what she might say, he could feel her judging him already.

But she was still smiling, "It's good to be teaching again, honestly...even if i'm on a tight leash with this one. But hey, it's better then being in that room going through all of that junk, it's messier then my old room, and mine was full of little trinkets. But thank you landon, and marco, for letting me do this...it means a lot to me that you trust me to this high extent".

"At this point we need any strength we can, so might as well at this point, landon should be able to protect himself if need be...and my free time may be varied coming up so go on ahead". Landon gulped as eclipsa greeted sky and angel, sky still with some mixed emotion though not as harsh as she used to. Before she took the prince off to the side to give him some pointers.

"So marco has gone over the basics right?".

"Yeah, kinda, but i still can't...do the thing, at least not unless something triggers it...like..."

"Like your crush?".

Landon turned red.

"Yeah, we all know, don't worry though...it's great that something got that much out of you, your first dip is always one of the hardest, once you master it you'll be able to start doing magic on your own", landon looked down at his own feet, grumbling. "But, without the wand, it's going to be so much harder, and none of the girls are just going to let me-".

"That's where you're wrong...".

Landon turned to see sunny, accompanied by celeste and galexia, two as bright as ever and one barely looking landon in the eye. The demon seemed baffled, Marco nodding, "I gave them permission, but don't think we won't get you in trouble if you break them or get them taken, this is for you and only you, even had the garden blocked for the day so you could do this in private".

He was...touched, to say the least.

The prince then looked at celeste, "Even you? You wanted to do this?".

She didn't seem to know how to answer him at first, looking at the ground as she closed her eyes and huffed, "Well, they talked to me, and they told me what you did, that you admitted to your private lessons...and that you're trying to deal with your anger so...i decided...to trust you. Not that you have to use my wand or anything, i just...wanted to try and trust you again".

"Well, i'd like to, and be fully best friends again...y'know? The tension is...hard for me to deal with, i miss us getting along".

Though she said nothing, landon could tell she wanted more of that as well. Celeste was just like that, hard to always express how she felt, but when you've lived with her this long you pick up on stuff like that. They could get more into it after, he was just thankful celeste wasn't still too mad with him about all the stuff he had said about the wand and attacking Her and everything.

Sunny pushed her along, "Gotta admit, celeste is kinda fun, when you get past her grumpiness she's a sweetheart!", celeste turned red and only frowned harder at that comment, but it only made everyone else smirk in retort. At least she was being more social again, she hadn't been as active as everyone else so seeing her even talk to her sisters again was more then relieving at this point.

"Anyways, if you break any of our wands while you practice, we'll break you so don't do anything weird with them, these are supposed to be previous family heirlooms, even where we come from" and before landon could say much else celeste was already handing over her wand to him, it quickly transforming back into the familiar golden violin wand landon had seen.

He actually kinda missed it somehow, he had only gotten to see it once but had quickly gotten just the least bit attached to it, though he people in the room who had not seen it all gawked at it with wonder. None of the other queens had a wand quite like this one, it almost made things worse because landon's wand seemed to be slightly more complex to figure out.

It was like Rhina all over again, a wand that didn't work right unless you had to jump through hoops and ladders to get it to do the right thing.

At least landon had musical talent, no wand would ever transform itself into something the owner could not control after all.

Though that didn't stop the boy from being confused with it, he did pretty well the last time he did a spell with this thing but even that took a few tries once he figured out what he wanted to do with it, part of him wished he had a normal boring wand instead. Even Celeste, whose wand was technically an instrument didn't have to think about strings or melody or anything in regards to her spells.

Marco looked impressed, it was a beautiful wand after all.

Landon felt the slightest bit of anxiety with everyone staring at him how they were, but he knew it was only because they were so fascinated.

Yeah, this was too much attention for his liking.

But being fascinated by his wand aside, landon should get right to practice, they had a tight schedule these days. Eclipsa pulling him aside as celeste followed to keep better track of her wand. Landon felt better using the wand though, something that made channeling his magic so much easier, though he was maybe just a little too eager to get better.

He could make his own spells, maybe if he was allowed he could write them in the magic book of spells, or maybe his own. He wasn't even sure what kinda spells he even wanted to make though he had a few ideas of where he could go with it. His attention was turned away when eclipsa tapped him on the shoulder and got his focus back on the matter at hand, "Alright, so we'll start with the basics, especially since your parent is sitting right there".

Marco waved at them from where they were, they seemed to be talking to someone on the phone. The fact they weren't entirely focused on them both worried hunter but made him slightly less nervous. On one hand his mom wouldn't have to watch him screw up, on the other hand there might have a harder time pushing them if they were distracted right now.

He could feel himself starting to sweat.

"The basics?", he said in a voice smaller then he had intended it to sound.

"Levitation, small fire spells, that bit, granted, you have demon magic too so you should already be able to do all of those things without a wand right?", well, she wasn't wrong about any of that but landon knew he wasn't as powerful as his brothers in that skill. Regardless, it did seem to make using the wand at all kinda moot if he could do those things without one.

"Maybe...something i can't do then?", he wished he didn't sound like an idiot when he asked questions like that, but how else was he supposed to ask? He might as well learn spells he can't do as a demon, he did always wanna try spells that sky did where she would shoot animals out of her wand and summon pets and all kinds of fun things when she got really creative.

"Water spell it is then, best part is, you can't burn the garden with it", she said with a smile.

Well with his luck, he probably would find a way in his mind.

But at least he had some stability now, eclipsa helping him straighten his wand just a little better so he could aim properly. Though with how weird his wand was, aiming might not matter at all, it was just going to move wherever the boy could hold it and there wasn't much he could do. Though maybe he could manipulate the movement with his music too.

This really was something he needed to look more into huh? But he was starting to at least think like a wand user now and that was pretty impressive. Eclipsa telling him how to perform the spell in her own goofy way, making landon feel more awkward about it. Did he have to move his body like that to perform spells? Wasn't it as simple as pointing his wand?

He suddenly felt weird having so many eyes staring at him.

Sure, when he was performing maybe this wasn't too bad, but performing was one thing, at least he knew he was good at performing music to a degree. He was already not good at magic and watching him try and do it was bound to look very silly to all these magic users who had been able to do spells perfectly for years, and he felt himself start to clench up.

Eclipsa merely laughed, but tried to block out his sense of anyone but the two of them, he was going to have a hard time doing much of anything if he was panicking like this all the time. He gulped, closing his eyes and waving his wand as he chanted "Water Whoosh, only to get nothing in response. Guess his wand really didn't work like a normal wand.

"Guess you really do have to play it".

Sounded simple, except for translating movements of a wand to strings on a violin.

But he was a musician right? Surely be could figure something out here? He didn't exactly spend all those years learning to play on his own just to fail as soon as he got ahold of a magic violin? He could figure this out right? There had to be a simply language to it just like there was to music, the wand was transformed to fit him so there had to be a way for him to control it.

He plucked at a few strings before experimentally sing his bow on the instrument, eclipsa watching to see what he was trying to do and preparing for anything to happen at this point. Landon kept stopping during the whole ordeal but he soon playing something short and soothing and while he was lost in the moment just the littlest bit of water seem to come out from his wand.

He reacted shocked, he didn't actually even think that would work.

Eclipsa giggling on her end at his small accomplishment.

"Try it again".

Well, he had nothing to lose by giving it a shot did he? He found himself quickly getting a little lost in the melody, his eyes closing as he felt more water drip down under him, this time he chose not to look but to smile. He was actually doing it! At least he hoped he was doing it and it wasn't just raining now or something. But based on the reactions he was getting, no, this was indeed him.

After years of not doing magic to the standards of his own brothers he was actually doing it! Well, he did do that spying spell as well but this was entirely on his own, he was doing this new magic, all on his own, with a wand. Not many could say they ever used the wand, especially non-butterflies, he had to have been one of the very few to do something like this.

To even be allowed to hold this wand was already crazy enough, to be able to use it's magic was even more crazy. He suddenly felt the urge to try that spell again, and without even asking he did, opening his eyes this time to watch a burst of water come out from the tip of the violin, spinning and landing on the ground around him, making him smile.

He wished bernard could see this, but he could show him later.

Marco looked impressed, clapping for landon and the boy felt himself start to cry in joy, hearing some of the others clap around him. He screwed up, several times, and he should of made better choices when it came to his friends and family. But right now they had his backs and that alone was making him feel better then he even could have imagined.

Even celeste, had some bit of a smile growing on her face, despite how much she tried to hide it.

Eclipsa clapped her hands together, looing over sky and angel with excitement, "Time for a new spell!".


Luna saw this coming frankly, telling sky and judas her theories and investigations was bound to bite her at some point or another. So having meteora in her room, pretty pissed off was far from surprising. Though in luna's case she had pissed off so many people in her lifetime she was kinda numb to it in ways, meteora was no exception to this rule.

She wasn't like judas or sky to her, all she had done was try and get her in trouble.

So she didn't regret it, she was suspicious and she had every right to be.

It almost made it funny, that they were both accusing each other of crimes like that.

Well, it was funny to her, meteora seemed less amused.

"You're testing me aren't you?", she grumbled, walking around luna who was still chilling there, enjoying herself as she sipped her tea and read her book.

"I'm sure you have better things to do then bother me".

Her answer did not calm meteora down, the monster getting right in her face, accusatory.

"You are currently my mission, i don't have better things to do, you're being accessed of being one of the most slimy criminals right now".

Luna gave her a look, like she didn't know that while being trapped in here? Still, if meteora came in here to lecture her she was wasting her time, luna would never do this on the job, it was a waste in her eyes. Usually if someone did this she wouldn't come back till she felt she had to do so. The fact meteora was doing this only amused her more then anything.

"And-?".

"And the last thing you should be doing right now is making me mad", she flashed her fangs at her but luna didn't react, her position unchanged in fact. "Look, all i did was share my ideas, no reason to get so paranoid." She sounded so smug about it too, something meteora very much didn't like, "Only reason you should even be worrying so much is if there's some truth to the whole matter, otherwise...you're worrying over the words of a criminal".

She was right and she knew it.

Meteora narrowed her eyes but backed up, "Why'd you even look into that anyway? Was it part of your plan to manipulate angel into working for you?". While that was actually an idea that made any sense it was also not the truth of the matter, luna raising an eyebrow at her like she was crazy. "If i wanted to manipulate angel i would mind control him, i'm not wasting time on soldiers who can't take orders".

Actually, she was right, luna would never stand for someone so incompetent to work under her. She at this point displayed very little sympathy for others and did not seem to have any issue dropping people who slowed her down. Picking a prince who could barely do magic and failed at every turn was a waste of her time and energy when she could just find someone better at their job and hire them, or do it herself.

and that was enough to make meteora back away from her and shut her up.

"Anyways, i was doing some investigating myself, and that's how i came to those ideas, and i'm allowed to share them thanks", meteora didn't press further, luna just hoping she would leave already, "I know those pests only come from another dimension, so i have to assume they got here through someone else, and how better then you or your dad".

"We have nothing to do with this".

"Not unless you prove you didn't, once that info gets out there you'll be in serious trouble".

Ok there was no way she wasn't doing this to spite her for accursing her, she had to have been doing this to mess with her. But it was hard to read luna, she looked like she might be serious

She wouldn't lie she really was enjoying herself, watching meteora squirm after what she did was actually pretty funny. But t was also too far from the point of the mission as well and they knew it. "Anyways, if you're hoping to make me confess then again, a waste of time, you'd be better off fighting a dragon without magic then try and get something from me".

Well, maybe that was something not worth making into a challenge, because she would do it and that was clear.

"Luna i know something off here, it's obvious you're not telling me something, and neither are your friends. I'm starting to wonder if you're all in on this and i'm not liking the sounds of it. When i heard the commission accused sky i was upset, but now that i'm back i can see why they came to that conclusion. You all are suspicious and you're doing nothing to make anyone feel less uneasy about you".

That seemed to shut luna up.

Did she really just get sky in trouble all over again?

Meteora seemed to have taken note of that, "She's so insistent in protecting you that it comes off to me a lot like she really might be working with you, that maybe the commission did have a point to be made, otherwise why would she defend you so much? You don't seem like the friend-making type and you don't also seem to be fond working with others traditionally".

Great, another person who could read her, just great.

She might as well be in prison right now.

"Well, perhaps you don't know me as well as you think you do huh? Being a professional...doesn't mean you know everything, you can misjudge and make mistakes and...make choices you regret later". She felt her voice start to waver and meteora look at her suspiciously, "Point being, i didn't do this ok? And when the others are able to prove it you'll understand".

"Alright, fine, i need to move on from this anyway...work to do...i'll be there at the ceremony, so i'm either expecting to be there to fight something different, or for this to be your doing, just be careful when making accusations against me next time". She seemed to be sending luna a threat, glaring at the girl as she neared the door and was about to leave.

"Is that why you haven't been around too much? The Incident?".

What did this girl not understand already, she wanted to leave and head out and she was still talking crap to her like she didn't care at all. She must have hit some kinda nerve with luna to make her keep picking at her like this. "I know your job involves a lot of moving around but, even katrina doesn't avoid mewni as much as you do, just worth asking if you left more to avoid something".

"Don't test me".

"And what? What can you do to me that you haven't already?".

Meteora snorted, "I'm not playing these games, what happened if not your concern and frankly...you should be far more concerned about yourself then what happened awhile back. The matter has been resolved and that's what's important alright? Now again, i suggest you don't test me and spread any more rumors about me, you understand right?".

Luna smirked, and meteora ignored her.

"Fine".

Meteora was intending to head out but instead the door opened up, and of all people star had entered, surprising meteora completely. She turned to look at luna then back to star, apologizing fast. Star didn't seem to expect her as well, hoping luna would've been alone around this time so they could further talk between them. "Uh...sorry star, i was just...talking to the prisoner...", only for star to reassure her, "No no, i was about to do the same, you heading out?".

"Yeah yeah, i'll see you later, sorry".

Shameful, meteora passed by the queen and headed on her way out, star coming in and shrugging it off. "Well, that looked fun but i came here for my own matters, so i hope you don't mind another guest coming in to bother you". Luna wanted to send a retort back for all the people that kept coming into her room but at this point she was more then used to it.

"The wand is nearly repaired, but the reason i'm here is to update you on the gemstone, we may of figured out a way of getting it to work...as in, send you all home. It's a work in progress and we need to talk to sky about it, but there might be a way to send you back to your specific timelines, otherwise we might risk sending you to a whole other dimension again with no way back".

Luna's interest had peaked alright. "You might of figured out a way back? How?".

"Well, me, janna, tom, and marco might of figured out you can summon a portal through the gemstone, but the portal we get is...well...not predictable, but we think maybe your dna might trigger the correct one, that your dna is unique to your specific one. That way you could go to the right one instead of another random one, and be right back home soon".

It actually seemed rather hopeful, and like they were onto something.

Now that was a shock after so long.

They could all go home soon, back to their families and friends, go back to their worlds and their lives. After so long that idea almost felt like a memory, but now it made things flood back, and luna felt some warmth, some happiness. She really did miss home that much didn't she? She almost felt like jumping out of her seat and hugging star but instead she felt tears stroll down her face.

She was crying, and she couldn't help it.

They were tears of joy, but also of some relief, there was good news after so long of nothing. She never thought she'd hear the day at this point, they could go home for sure and make it back safely.

Safe, and with her family once again.

The delight was plain on her face, and for star it was a relief, she never knew with luna so seeing a good reaction was what she needed right now more then anything. Luna being happy like this was rare too, and star felt compelled to give the girl a hug and congratulate her for finally making progress to go back to her home. But she could not bring herself to reach out unless luna agreed.

Only for luna to reach out to hug her first suddenly, something she never did, squeezing her tight and refusing to let go, finally giving in. Luna gave tight hugs, she was strong after all, she might as well be squeezing star to death, but it was nice seeing her hopeful and happy, even when she was locked up. Star petted her head comfortingly, hoping that was ok and wouldn't make the girl push away.

But her words seemed more then enough for luna, who sent a smile her way and looked more pleased then ever.

But luna didn't move or anything, in fact she was still crying in the hug.

"Thank you thank you thank you...".

And she was thanking her as well? Luna was acting more like well...like a kid, something she never really did before this point. She probably never really did this kinda thing to her mom, her own version of star. The way she was hugging her felt desperate but thankful, and it really showed just how much she needed something like this for so long but never really got it, whether it was because of her parents or because of her.

Luna left the hug and started pacing, trying to cool herself off but she seemed to excited even if she wasn't getting to do anything. Mumbling and rambling as she paced around the room, "I can go back home, i can take care of things, i can talk to everyone again, i can give my enemies a piece of my mind and destroy them for doing anything wrong in my absence. Oh...it'll just be great to be back again".

"As long as we clear your name yes".

She maybe shouldn't have said that, as it made luna freeze in her tracks, right...she couldn't go home unless they proved her innocence here. if she snuck her out they could be in serious trouble, and who knew how long it might take to clear her. She felt a tick of anger towards meteora before cooling herself down, before pondering something, "Listen, i know it might be a bad idea...but i want to be in on the plan...as in...i want to be there".

That seemed to come unexpected to star, luna seemed content to stay back this entire time and now-

But i guess with her future on the line, this was something she would care a lot about. Being there meant she could step in if she needed to and keep herself from getting in more trouble. But it would get all of them in trouble as well, there was no way anyone would really approve of it without it coming off suspicious, and they already looked suspicious as is.

"Luna...".

"You can figure something out, at worst they see me and the masked freak in the same room together and that's when it becomes clear to them. But there is no way i am staying in this room while that all occurs, you need to let me help. I want to put them on a silver platter an give meteora a piece of my mind, i should be out there defending myself, not staying locked in this room while you handle the threat!".

She looked angry now, and star swore one of her marks where glowing. That was something she wasn't aware could happen, in no point in time had it ever been recorded that a queen would have one mark glowing and the other not, granted...luna's markings clearly weren't normal...but at the same time. The suddenness of it startling her but luna wasn't paying attention to that.

She wondered if maybe she should back up and leave before things got worse, but she didn't wanna leave luna like this either. As mad as she was she had every right to be upset about her situation and being forced to stop taking action. Luna wanted to be busy, she wanted to work, she did not want to sit around and let things get worse because she was not allowed to help out.

There was a anger inside her that was going to explode at this rate.

And star gave in.

"Ok, i will look into maybe letting you out for the party, when i can come up with something, but only because we need as many people as possible and you should be allowed a chance to do something. But remember this will be risky and not to abuse this, if you do there might not be much we can do for you. We can only do so much without getting ourselves in trouble".

Maybe she could pretend to be someone else, if not they could always give her guards to keep an eye in her as well. Maybe she could also be bait for whatever creature would come through after them. Angel was the perfect bait but the more bait the merrier perhaps, though maybe luna would only want that as an excuse to be able to punch them in the face with a disguise on.

"Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this all means to me, i will do my best to make sure you don't get in trouble for doing this for me.", she bowed practically at the queen and star nodded, nervous. "Well, i still need to look into it for now, so just...don't do anything to get yourself in more trouble while i take care of it, and that includes messing with meteora".

That part seemed to annoy luna, but she agreed regardless.

"Good, i'll keep you updated, i'm telling everyone else soon, if it's not already known to all of them as is. This is something we still need to keep in the group though, so just be careful". Luna snickered, like she was going to have anyone to tell while she was locked up in this room, regardless, she wouldn't say anything since it might ruin everything if she did.

"Just get that wand fixed, as fast as you possibly can".

Star nodded, watching luna nervously before headed out and closing the door behind her.

Thankfully meteora was long away and not standing at the door this time around. Star could swear because of her job she seemed to be around every corner, trying to get intel on everything. It made things so much harder, because she could be anywhere, they couldn't even talk about anything without being in fear she might hear all about it and get them in trouble.

But she needed to pull herself together, focus on the good news, when sky's wand was repaired they could decided what to do next. Though the worrying part was the risk of sky never touching her wand again after breaking it. Sure, star got away with it, but it might not be so forgivable for sky, at least for the mewni people it would not. But maybe if she explained things more, after all, it got broken in battle, sky didn't do anything to break it.

She debated some things as a door opened nearby and a flood of faces entered, marco, eclipsa, sky, angel, and so on and so forth.

All coming from outside.

It nearly startled her.

"Hey mom", sky waved and patted angel on the back. Star waved back though she was shocked to see so many, were they all having a meeting and just missed her? Well, actually probably not but it looked that way. However they would never do this without judas so she felt herself calm down before she got in a worry. Eclipsa looked happy now, thought that only made her more worried.

"Oh come now star, i did nothing wrong this time i promise, i was just helping, and marco was there to keep me together, now why don't we talk about dinner-", only for star to pull her away so they could talk more in private. "Eclipsa no offence , but you have matters elsewhere to attend to, and we need you to help with those if you can. I don't see how-".

"Star, i promise, they needed me".

She sent sky a reassuring smile before whispering, "It's the same, every single page is mostly the exact same, i have some ideas but i'm not sure if the kids should know just yet. I'm worried if we say it we might scare them off, and i'd rather not go to another trail.". Star gulped but nodded, "Fine, but i just wanted to say we might of found them a way home".

The old woman's eyes lit up.

"Oh?"

"You heard me, they might be able to go home soon, but not until we catch this guy...for luna's sake, i'm not even sure i want to take that wand out into the open again after what happened. And since this person seems to target wants too, that also might be a massive red flag for me eclipsa, i'm just worried what they might do. I trust marco, but they rarely have good plans".

And if tom were here he'd agree too, even despite how much they loved marco.

"Relax star, we've gotten through the worst kinda things for awhile now, this will be a piece of cake after all of that. We all could just blast them to pieces with all of our magic combined if we have to, they'll be outnumbered and outmatched no matter who they are. My meteora could destroy them in a heartbeat if she had to, no need to worry yourself dear, worry about making things right with everyone".

Oh right, with her own mom and sky.

"Well, sky is better, but my mom-".

"Isn't perfect, i know, but you need her here and she needs you, so you should fix things up and get back out there.", she gave star a shoulder pat and nodded to the kids who were all leaving down different hallways, "Your daughter is now best friends with someone she used to hate, if she can do that you can work things out with your own mother...i know it's stressful".

"Eclipsa, knowing all these kids are my kids in a sense, it's an awful feeling, luna has so many problems. She has a hard time like...talking to anyone and making friends, celeste is so aggressive, sunny...actually sunny might be just fine, but lexi...i left lexi...i should not have wanted to know any of this...it's not a good feeling to know, when they see me it's just-".

"Star, they're not you, they are in some way, but they also aren't and you need to remember that".

"But to know i'm capable of that is heartbreaking eclipsa, after all that i went through with my own mother! How could any version of me agree to do any of this! These girls have...so any issues, even my own", she felt out her face, almost clawing it. "I know, i just feel so bad, it makes me feel...like a failure...i want to be a good queen eclipsa, but maybe i'm not, maybe you should've had the throne after all".

"Oh star, i gave it to you for a good reason, you are more then capable, more then me...i never cared for the throne. I would be useless on it, i just wanted my family, but you, you want change and you push to for that change, you command and lead with fire, you are right to be in charge regardless of blood and i won't hear otherwise, you are perfect".

"Thank you...eclipsa", she said, her voice soft, "I mean, i'm not perfect, but...i know what you're trying to say. I guess it just really makes me take a harder look at myself, knowing i'm...capable of doing stuff like that. For years i was trying to be a good mom to sky and found out how much i've been screwing up with her and now i heard this and i guess it just feels...more messed up. Makes me feel like i really messed up because of how they look at me".

"All the queens were messed up, every single one of them made dumb choices and had issues, you're no different, just because we're royalty doesn't mean we're flawless after all". Star sighed, "I shouldn't look at those other mes' and think so bad about myself, i should just...take them as a warning of what i could be if i don't try and do better right?".

"Yes, That's exactly right, be better then they are, sky needs you and so do these other girls as well right now, we can't mope over the stuff we aren't, just focus on us right now...i always say that it's best to think about what matters most and those stars? Not worth thinking about i assure you.". Star almost wished she didn't have to send these girls back to live with well, her, but they had to go home. Eclipsa seemed in good spirits today however, guess that training was a good thing after all, got her the time out she really needed to get more life back into her again.

"Star...i've got some good news you might not have heard yet, sky is learning to do magic without a wand! She's working on her way to dipping down and doing magic without a weapon, just like you learned around her age!". Eclipsa was making it sound like sky was her daughter by how giddy she was, clapping her hands together, "You must be so proud of her".

Now that caught her off guard, looking to the smiling eclipsa, "Wait, i never knew that! When were you planning to tell me she was learning magic without a wand? I had to do it mostly all by myself when i did it for the first time. I guess with her wand being taken away i'm not surprised at all it's just...wait is she any good at it is far? Or do you need me to step in?".

"Star, she's just fine i assure you, you did the best you could when training her, now she's doing it for herself and helping others. Now she hasn't done much as far as actually magic like this, but as far as i know she's trying hard to be able to dip down, it just seems she needs a proper trigger to get it to work and right now it's been harder as usual, but it's fair, same happened to me".

"Really?"

"Of course yes, i couldn't do magic without my wand remember? I had to learn to do wandless magic rather recently, and even then it took me till i dealt with my trauma till it worked, it's not easy. You made it look easy thought i must admit, it makes me kinda jealous, not everyone can do something like that so easily.", then her voice got sad, "Meteora must be so sad to have never gotten a chance with her own wand, that i took that away from her...".

Star patted her back, "It's ok, she knows you never meant anything by it, maybe she can borrow the wand sometime, just for fun. Though uh...that's something i want to talk to you about anyways". Eclipsa looked up at her and blinked, star sighing, "I think things are...rough with her and luna, guards hear yelling over and over. Luna seems to have been...spreading rumors about her.

"I heard, even the kids are talking about it".

Wait, she had heard about it? Knew about it?

"And what did you think about what she said?",

"Well, if meteora did anything, she won't tell me", she simply shrugged, "no proof, waste of time trying". Eclipsa seemed more meh to it, no real reaction the idea of this being her fault, meteora's fault. "Meteora would never poison someone or globgor, she's a good kid, so i'm not sure why-". Then she shut herself up, "Well, i guess if it was her job then maybe, spying isn't exactly...all great, it does involve some...darkness...but still".

"Eclipsa...you...trust your daughter right?".

"Well, yes, i just...i guess after what i told her i'm wondering if there's things she isn't keeping from me too,i mean normally i'm an open book about these things but i don't know if she'll trust me again after all of that...it was a big secret to get into and spill on her and she must still be processing it. Maybe i broke her trust, maybe she is keeping something from me".

"Eclipsa, no no, hey, you're a good mom. You had good intentions, maybe after meteora has cooled down you could sit her down and like...talk to her? Then you can sort all this junk our and get things back on track! We all might as well go to therapy together at this rate...". When she thought about it, eclipsa might also be concerned because of meteora's past as well.

What if some of that was leaking in and she had no idea because meteora never told her, or maybe she was just paranoid after what happened last time. She didn't want another strained relationship with her, but maybe there was one. She was starting to stress more and star wished she had kept her mouth shut on the topic, she needed eclipsa ready for the plan and for their work.

"Don't worry about it eclipsa, we'll figure out what happened to arana, we don't even know if meteora has anything to do with it, it's only a theory and rumor luna made...for all we know someone evil attended." She was trying to reassure her and it seemed to be working a little, a little. Eclipsa pondered for a moment and sighed, "Sorry for my worries, i've tried to stay level headed throughout all of this and well...it's easier said then done".

"Hey, sunny is doing the same thing to a degree, it's ok to not be...great all the time, i think i stopped being that way years ago...i'm not as y'know...crazy happy star anymore, i'm like, an adult." A goofy adult yes, but she could not deny she wasn't the same anymore, she was more stressed then ever, janna was more stable then her and she was...janna.

"Eclipsa, hey, it might be asking a lot, but...you wanna join me and my mom, i have to meet her soon and well...i want your input, i know you'd like to see her again too and spend more time with her". Eclipsa seemed to actually light up at that, nodding, "That might be nice, i would love to tell you how things went with the kids and just take a break with friends for a while".

Only for their moment to be cut short as moon appeared down the hall, looking for star. She looked more stressed then before, and that was saying something, relieved at seeing the queens. "Star, i can see you're busy but there's an important matter we need to talk about, these girls you're keeping, you should send them home, it's not safe here and they'd be better off with a relative".

Little did she know...

Send them back?

"You should write a letter to their homes and send them back, they'll only serve to distract us. As sweet as it has been to take them in, and they are lovely, they should be with their families, it's safer for them. As long as they are here they are targets. These girls should be somewhere safer, i think we can send them some guards to escort them and take them back safe-".

"Wait wait, shouldn't we ask them first?", her heart was racing and eclipsa looked as if she was trying to figure out what to say to keep moon from doing what she was trying to do. "These girls love being here right now, we can't just throw them back home without asking them first, they're even best friends with the kids, and if they're here we can keep a better eye on them-".

"Star, they've been here for months, they were never planned to stay here forever right? They should head back soon, they have long since overstayed their welcome and they should get away rom us." This was all so sudden, it caught star completely off guard, but she knew she was going to have to go against it. The girls couldn't leave and most of the reasons why weren't selfish at all.

"Mother, i'm sorry but i have to say no, you're making good points but the girls should stick with the rest of us until further notice. What if someone took them if we released them? Took over their bodies to use against us? It's not a risk worth taking, these kids should be safe and happy too." Moon didn't seem to like that answer, "Star, those are someone else's kids we're taking care of".

"Yeah, so what? Now they're ours"

Moon seemed taken aback by that comment, "Star, i know you're attached to them, but this is an important matter. They could have their minds taken over and they could be hurt, separating them puts them less at risk then them being in the crossfire. They nearly got hurt several times already, if it helps we can give them protection till things wrap up".

"Mom, I said no".

Star was holding her stance on this, she had to, for the kids's sakes and their identity's sakes.

Moon stopped, biting her lip and looking at eclipsa for assistance.

"I'm sorry moon, but i'm siding with star on this one, i agreed that the confrontation was dangerous and we had to help, but i must be honest...i'd rather have the girls with us then away from us where we can keep an eye on them. If they're out of our sights anything could happen to them, Star may be selfish sometimes but...i do think this is good for their safety".

"Very well", moon wasn't pleased but star was the queen here and therefore had the final say, "I don't agree, but i suppose for now you're going to enforce that regardless. Nevertheless, i have one more thing to talk to you about...you see, the former king and queen of the underworld came to speak to me recently, since they couldn't get in contact with their grandson to talk about his...situation".

"And-?"

"and maybe we should be more wary of the boy right now, he's not well and if things go wrong he could be a problem. He may want to control his curse but we don't have the time for him to learn to do it, it's still a new idea and the chances of him knowing everything about it and mastering it before the big night are slim. I know this event is about him but he could hurt someone without meaning to-".

"So what do you suggest exactly?".

"I suggest we keep him away from the other kids for now This is nothing against him as a person but if they got hurt because of him things would simply get worse, so i suggest he takes a strict backseat. Keep him well trained for the night but keep him far away from the others, , i don't want that arm anywhere near all these kid right now, He seemed to have been a target and with that in mind they might try him again".

"That's unfair to judas, these are his friends, sky is his best friend. Pushing him away would take away moments with friends friends, and give up the lighter moments he needs mom. He needs his friends to keep him together. his grandparents would not agree to this either, they want him to be safe and happy and this would not be it despite your best efforts".

"He's a weapon star-".

"We're all weapons mom, we turn into giant bug creatures that can blast people to pieces, you might as well lock sky up, or all the lucitors for that matter. I know you're trying but let me handle this, you don't need to but in every single time and make choices for me, i did no ask for your help and i do not need it. I know these kids better then you do, and they do not need isolation".

"Star, i don't mean it in a harmful way, but he's being targeted. I'm sorry if i made that sound worse then i was intending to make it sound, it's just you were also targeted at once point and i don't want that to happen again, i nearly broke apart because i thought you may of died. Losing a child is a horrible feeling star, i don't want that to happen to any of you again, you have no idea what could happen to them if someone was willing".

"But we're stronger this time mom", the queen sighed, "I...know you're only trying to help and because you want us all safe, but you never seem to trust me as a queen and being trusted is really important to me. I need your support to be a good queen but it just feels like you are trying to take over and keep me from being a good queen, i want your help, not for you to replace me".

"Star...i never meant to try and replace you. I've just...this has been my life for years, i'm...good at handling this kinda stuff, and i know you struggle with it. I was never intending to take it away from you, i just wanted to make things easier for you because i would've wanted that with my own mother and i never got to have it. I should have asked and i'm sorry that i didn't, you at least deserved that from me".

Star huffed, "We'll talk later, just...don't do anything without my permission". She didn't exactly want to have this conversation today, it was starting to get her to welt up and she needed to focus, but at the same time, it meant something for her mother to be honest with her like this. It was a conversation that had been a long time coming and should have happened ages ago frankly.

"Wait star, i...wish to apologize for my arrival not being the best, i could tell you were not happy to have me and i felt the presence of not being wanted by the others when i came in either. But i'm your ally star, i'm not your enemy, as your mother i want to be there for you and help you. You needed me here, as stubborn as you may be you did need me here to help you".

Eclipsa wasn't sure whether to say something to not between them, on one hand she might be able to help but on the other she might make things so much worse. She held her breath and coughing into her hand, "Listen, your problems are your own problems, but, we all need help sometimes and moon's heart was in the right place. She may not be making the best of choices but i don't think she has any malice towards these kids...just lots of concern after they almost died".

At the end of the day the priority was the kids, and that was something they all could agree on, they wanted the kids to be safe. The kids were getting to step up to the plate but they were still at risk and if anything bad happened to them it was their fault, if they were going to sort this out they were going to have to agree on the best way to keep the kids safe.

"Star, it was never my intention to make you feel...like a bad queen, i don't think you're a bad queen at all...but you're struggling, and you need to ask for help. not just help from your friends, but from your family. We know about this more then anyone, and the sooner you have our help the sooner we can get through this. I only am asking for you to hear me out on some ideas and let me make changes".

Star huffed, but maybe she really was being too stubborn about this, as always, if her mom was just trying to help then rejecting her would not be of much help right now. Star stomping her feet into the ground and looking at her mom with intent, "Fine, i'll let you do some things, but...you need to run them by me first, i...i don't want to fight either".

Moon seemed more then relieved, her sternness fading to something far sweeter. Star had been doing nothing but rejecting her since she got here and with the date drawing closer they were running out of time to help with the trap. A trap big enough to keep one from escaping within the palace walls, something they all were better off working on then just a few.

Sure, marco said it was ready, but marco's plans weren't always...foolproof.

Moon was knowledgeable on defense after all, so it would be better to have some of her input then not have any of it and let things get far worse. Right now it was as if everyone was getting ready for battle, underneath a fun party. It was like one of those wooden horses she heard about in stories, well it was close to something like that she thought.

"Just...let me work, and don't make any decisions around the kids without me, I mean it mom", star eyed her mother with a stare that told her she would not hesitate. Moon had to admit, she had not expected star to get so...scary and threatening. She wasn't normally like this, this whole thing must've unlocked a whole other side of her moon had yet to really see.

Sure, she had seen star angry and she had seen her take down monsters, but this was different.

"Alright mom, do me a favor, i want you to look into something for me...", Star pulled moon aside and whispered something in her ear before pulling away and giving her a nod, "Get it by tonight, the sooner the better. We can go over it after you do...in the meantime, i have somewhere to be...the wand is nearly...well, as it should be. So i'm going to supervise the rest of it".

"and what will you do after it's been finished star? You're not planning to just hand it right back to sky after what happened are you?".

Star paused before she headed on her way out, turning and facing her back towards the both of them with a voice that said she wasn't even entirely sure.

"I'll think about it".

Leaving eclipsa and moon both behind as she quietly headed down the hallway.