Hello everyone! Been a while but uh...been busy with college and other matters. Will be posting weekly again! And this chapter, we dive into many different shoes...including the Monsters.

Anonymous. MISTER Anonymous - River is a very interesting character, as his history with Moon is one I'm very excited to dive into as the story continues. Sorry about this chap. taking a bit too long, but it should come out more often from this point onward :D. And good to hear my spelling/grammar is getting better.

Guest - River is a troubled soul not unlike Marco and Star. But unlike those two, he had the power to fight back. But didn't. He will get his connection to Star in upcoming chapters, but it's nice he's trying.

RobLebron - My good friend...your introduction happens here ;).

Bedrock Armor - Thank you for the review! It was great exploring River's character.

Momijifan Low-Ki - River is a character that will continue to take steps that will help restore his bond with Star. So yes, he completed step one.

JJmmmmmlol - Thank you for reading my story that late! It reminds me of when I read 'The King of Mewni', where I read one of it's massive chapters for five-hours in a row, sleeping for only two hours that night. Really happy my story had that impact on you.

your manDrake - Dude, I love your lengthy and in-depth reviews. It shows how much my story connects with you, telling me I'm doing a good job on something XD. But I wanted to be smart with how 'dark' I make things. You don't make darkness show up for no reason, and using cursing/mature jokes sparingly (or not at all) in a mature-rated project shows great restraint. Mortality is a key aspect of my stories, something that will ripple throughout this story going forward.

JoyArchive - I sent PM's responding to your massive reviews but...thank you. Thank you so much for that. Reading those really made my day, more so when college and personal stuff is starting to get to me. Hope you enjoy this latest chapter :D!

Guest #2 - Hey, I wanted to respond to this right away (Chap. 13 review). This is a DARKER take on Star Vs the Forces of Evil. And what makes you think only girls attended Saint O's? I never mentioned anything about Princes or anything... The canon show makes the school what you are describing; mentally scarring the princesses and that's really it. My take on the show in this story, it's a lot more sinister and serious. Just know this too, I don't touch on subjects that are serious lightly. I ALWAY's have a plan in place if I use dark topics. Sorry if you got upset or anything but I promise, everything has a purpose in my story. Hope you understand my creative choices.


Dark snow crashed against the purple landscape, its slashes of corrupted water soaking into the seemingly tainted ground. Warped trees were swaying to the harsh winds, nearly being yanked from the ground they feed off of. Joined with a purple-tinted sky, it showed an almost beautifully twisted image.

But this silence was interrupted by a lone young demon, tightly holding onto his gun-blade. Marching through black snow-covered grounds with torn-up brown boots, Tom tries looking ahead, seeing if anything was on the horizon. "Gotta find some food soon…" He fixes his make-shift coat, made from leather fabrics that once coated his little couch. Clenching the gun-blade, Tom had a focused gaze, each stomp making the faintest of embers. 'Must have been here for days or weeks by now…' He pondered, jumping over a hill and sliding down.

Spotting an open cave, he rubbed his chin. "I found this odd gauntlet from that last dungeon I raided…maybe this has some good stuff." His stomach roared, making a faint echoing sound. "…Food would be nice." Walking toward the entrance of the cave, Tom noticed two locks keeping shut. "Figures…"

Digging through his pockets, he finds one lone key. Placing it within one of the locks, it makes a clicking sound, but the key vanished. Pouting in disappointment, he took out a small sheet of paper, jotting something down. Putting the paper away, he resumed traveling, seeing smoke in the distance. "What idiot would be hanging out in the freezing cold?" Tom looked at his shivering hands, shoving them into his pockets in self-annoyance. Walking toward the smoke, he was ready to dig into something.

Finding the campfire, he spotted a hooded man. He was poking the fire with a stick. "So kiddo, what'ya doing here? Seem too prissy to be wandering around the void." Tom folded his arms, sitting down on a nearby log. The hooded man snickered, studying Tom. "So…demon? Half-demon too…but your magic is locked away for some reason. Interesting."

Tom flinched, grabbing his gun-blade. "Look, I'm here for some warmth and maybe a bite to eat. I have some gold…that I 'borrowed' from someone." He tossed the gold to the hooded man. Studying the gold, he spun it around using his robotic arm. "What happened too…"

"Butterflies." He grabbed the coin and put it in his pocket. Taking his hood off, he exposed his scarred face. It was rugged but had a playful quality to it. One eye was slightly robotic, matching his cybernetic arm. The other eye was dark red, looking oddly playful. "They are quite the buggers. So hard to catch, flying around without a care in the world. But when they show their fangs. Oooh… There something fierce." He tossed a can to Tom, containing some cooked beans. "So, demon kid, want to hear a story?"

Tom grinned, taking a bean out of his can and munching on it. "I'm all ears. Not too pleased about a butterfly either. Funny thing, I caught her too. Was fun, having her as my lover. Too bad she escaped though." He chucked another bean into his mouth, noticing the shocked expression on man's face. "Uh…you okay?"

"I'm fine…but you caught one? I was only able to nearly kill one before." The man grinned, holding out his human hand. "Name's Lebron, but you can call me Leb if you want." Tom shook Leb's hand, feeling intense power course through him.

"Now, tell me this story about you nearly killing a butterfly." Tom leaned forward, letting the embers of the fire coat his darkly grinning face. "Could teach me a few things."


In a far-off location within Mewni, was two monsters. Toffee and Ludo faced one another in the Avious Castle Training-Grounds. Toffee cracked his neck, with his knuckles turning in and out of hardening balls. Ludo just grinned, holding up his staff. "So boss, ready to train? I'm not really confident in my apparitions…"

"Oh, nonsense. We need to get ready soon." Toffee held out his right hand, making a faint green ball of fire appear within his palm. "Magic is faint, but something I'm getting back." He closed his fist, feeling the magic within him dance across his nerves. Ludo nodded, holding his staff with two hands. Mumbling dark chants, two figures appeared before Toffee. One was a Mewni Guard holding a long bronze sword. Another was more interesting. It was a hooded woman, having glowing diamond marks hiding her face. Ludo looked at the second figure and panicked. "Toffee?! I mean to make a version of your…"

Toffee only grinned, charging into the hooded figment. She slid back, avoiding a swipe from Toffee's large lizard claws. He smirked, jumping back and concentrating. His hands were now covered in green flames. Holding them together, a small stream of fire escaped from them, hitting the figure dead-on. It made no sound, not even flinching. The attack did nothing. "So, putting up a challenge my little Crescent? So be it!" Toffee acted on his animalistic instincts, making swipe marks and kicks toward the figure. He managed to grab her hood, using it to pin her into the ground. The figment made a small grunt, sounding very elegant. "Ready to give up?" The figment has a blank face, making Toffee grit his large jaw. "I spent five years of my life with you. You better have something to say you…"

Ludo had enough, making the figment vanish. "I…I should have made it vanish right way. Sorry…" Toffee's feral body huffed, even his jaw was slightly foaming. Looking at his hands, they were all scrapped up. Calming down upon seeing his friend having a worry, Toffee fixed his training armor and walked toward Ludo.

"I'm fine friend. Just…she brings back very bitter memories." Ludo looked right into Toffee's eyes, both sharing a silent thought. "Yes, it was a shame things turned out the way they did." He walked towards a weapons rack, picking up his curved blade. "Can you make that warrior knight appear again?"

Ludo nodded, making a knightly figure appear before Toffee. While the monster leader slashed and trained at his target, Ludo walked toward a nearby bench. Sitting down, he took out his mirror phone, looking for a number. Finding the right one, he pressed 'dial' and began a call. "Come on…pick up already…"

"Brother?" A kind voice responded on the other end. Ludo perked up, kicking his tiny legs in the air. "Brother! How are you doing? Mom is so proud of you for working with our leader."

Ludo had a beaming smile form on his beak, looking into the mirror phone proudly. "I'm doing great! Learning new kinds of magic, really well at using the family wand…" He studied the long staff, feeling its power course through Ludo's tiny body. "Figured you would be good at this Dennis."

Dennis rolled his eyes and folded his large winged arms together. "Well, I'm great a fighting and scouting, Studo is good at numbers and…" Ludo rubbed his feathered head, making Dennis snicker silently. "You get the point brother. We are all good at something. You are great a magic."

Ludo bit his tongue, wanting to ask a question. "Dennis…is dad…" Dennis sighed, looking away from Ludo. "Figures…still, hates me."

"Well, couldn't say hate but he still calls you the runt." Dennis wanted to say more but kept silent, looking to his right. "But please, keep in touch with us. I heard the news." Ludo raised an eyebrow, making Dennis grow a more serious look. "The princess killed the one of the Lucitors and Heinous, two very important and powerful figures."

"Fighting isn't our first option here," Ludo said seriously. "Remember, Butterfly is a powerful rebel figure." Dennis rubbed his neck. "You seriously don't believe that?" Ludo froze at the intense glare his brother sent him. Cold, lifeless eyes. Eyes of great knowledge.

"The Butterflies are evil." Dennis hissed coldly. "For generations, they keep harming us. Stealing our land and nearly driving us to excitation. Brother, we are some last Kappa Creatures on Mewni. You know how serious that is?" Ludo only nodded somberly. "I'm not saying Toffee's goals of peace aren't right. We seriously cannot have another Monster Massacre." Ludo winced at the mere mention of that event. Dennis noticed his brothers worry, sighing in self-anger. "I'm not mad at you but please, be careful when dealing with the Butterflies."

"I know." Ludo grinned darkly, holding up the family staff. "I got this now, don't I?" Dennis shook his head, smirking proudly at his older brother. "But you be careful. Dad keeps sending you out on those missions…"

"We aren't going to…" Ludo had a blank expression, making Dennis stop speaking for a bit. He rubbed his chin, a smile soon forming. "What's happening on that 'holiday' brother?" Ludo shrugged his shoulders.

"Not sure yet really. But that's between myself and the leader." Dennis gave a sly smile. "I will call later Dennis. Keep on flying."

"Keep on pecking," Dennis said coolly. Before Ludo could refute, the call ended. He simply shook his head, putting the mirror phone away and getting up. Toffee looked at him expectantly. Getting up, he joined his leader and friend for more mock battles, getting ready for a big day.


The prestigious castle once called 'Saint Olgas School for Wayward Princesses' was shut down recently, with one person in charge of fixing up the place. "Okay punks! Keep moving! I gotta get this place in tip-top shape for when daddy pays a visit." Princess Pony Head screeched. Two robotic guards glared coldly at the princess before listening to her commands. "Good, they know their place those posers." Hovering around the halls, she noticed more color and life was coming to the school. 'Glad my gals are fixing this place. Star would be proud.'

She stopped floating, having a frown grow on her normally sassy face. "Star…you went through hell here girl." She sighed and kept on floating, this time through a special pathway. Hovering past torn-up red carpets and an odd special ball room, she opened a door, seeing Heinous' former desk. Using her horn, she telepathically opened a draw and took out various files. Looking through them, Pony Head hissed in disgust. It showed pictures that would make any innocent soul have nightmares for life. "My girl…" She blasted a wall in pure rage, with the rainbow blast leaving a small trail of smoke. Huffing from anger, she didn't notice a pixie princess walk through the door.

"Uh…Pony Head? Can I talk with you about something?" She was meek, being short and having a glittering pink dress. Her face had very bright eyes, but they were cold as if they saw great horrors. "I know what the guards did to people here."

Pony Head raised an eyebrow, floating toward the princess. "Did they touch you?" She said in the most serious voice, something that even shocked herself. The pixie princess nodded, sitting in a nearby chair. Pony Head nussed her face, with the girl hugging tight. "There…I'm here for you girl."

"Star saved me." Pony Head moved back, seeing the girl have tear stains coming down her face. "She…saved me from being…violated. But she was made an example of…many times." Pony Heads blue skin turned pale, knowing what this princess means. "I…I know where the recordings are."

"We are exposing this school's secrets." She looked out a window, seeing Butterfly Castle of all things standing tall. "For Star, to prevent anyone else from suffering again." Pony Head hovered out of the room, with the Pixey Princess following her. They walked in silence, but as they passed a specific hallway, the Pixey Princess felt her blood turn cold.

The duo made their way to the reformation chamber, seeing it…completely untouched. Pony Head locked this section off, surprising the other Princesses. "Okay girl, you know how to shut this joint down?"

Pixey Princess looked over the various buttons but the operating table made her freeze in place. "So many princesses were on that table…" Pony Head studied her companions face and sighed. "Sorry…this is really evil."

Pony Head flipped a switch, seeing a projector come down. Lights dimmed automatically, seeing the picture of Heinous take up much of the screen. In the center was…Star. "My…" Pony Head felt sick but the Pixey Princess held her down. "What are you…"

"Watch. This." She said with cold rage. "This is what my hero went through." Pony Head nodded fearfully, watching the display. Little did Pony Head know, that this would last many hours in length. After watching five hours of her bestie, Pony Head's face contorted, looking at the projector behind them.

"I'm paying Mewni's Queen a visit. Get the girls ready." Pony Head flew off, determined to prove to a specific queen, a fact she refused to believe.


Deep in the Mewni forests, sounds of chirping were heard. The bright moonlight shined down upon the trees, making the normally horrifying forests of death look actually peaceful. But the screaming trees and angry shouting said otherwise. One frog monster didn't mind this though, strolling through the muck-covered grounds casually. Holding bags of berries and corn in each hand, Buff Frog was heading back home after a day or work.

"Mission was…tiring." Buff Frog mused, hopping over a nearby log. "King Toffee worried about princess…but confused why." The frog monster tapped his chin, thinking of reasons. But once he came to that thought, he stopped in his tracks. "I know the feeling. Fathers love kids, even if they do not know it." Walking through the muck once more, he eventually found his lovely hovel.

It was modest, a small hut surrounded by mud and various tall plants. Opening the door, he was tackled by chirping tad-polls. "Babies!" He hugged them all with his two arms, feeling the love oozing from the little creatures. "Did you listen to Sister Katrina?"

"Yeah, they listened dad." Katrina walked in, mixing together a bowl. She was half of Buff Frog's height, developing into a full-frog Monster. The other babies were newborns, creatures left on his doorstep. "Though did you get them sweets again?"

"Uh…" Buff Frog sheepishly passed Katrina the berry bag, making the girl sigh. Her green eyes shined, grinning at her brothers and sisters. Kneeling down, she picked up one of the tadpoles. Bopping it on the head, it blinked and giggled.

"It's okay dad. Just gotta hide them well." She glared playfully at her family. "You all better watch me putting the berries away." They ignored her, making Katrina roll her green eyes. Opening a cabinet Buff Frog hand-crafted, she hid the berries away. Buff Frog passed her the corn, making her mouth water. "Wow…where did you get this?"

"The king treats us well." Katrina raised an eyebrow, making Buff Frog sigh. "I mean Monster King. Toffee has a plan." She leaned on the counter, studying her siblings. They were rolling around and playing some board game that was set up. It was the 'classic' Mewmans vs. Monster game, with one of the babies picking the Mewni Queen. The other picked the Monster King.

"You think that…don't you think he's, I don't know, using us?" Katrina commented. The Queen Piece moved a few spaces. Buff Frog glared at his daughter, folding his large arms. "The queen is the one in charge dad, so if we lose…"

The Monster King piece moved a few spaces, taking out a few 'soldiers'. "No, lose. Toffee friend took care of us in dark time." Katrina rubbed her forehead, looking sternly at her dad. "Please, no fighting. Do this because I love you."

"I know dad, I love you too." She gave a warm smile but soon dropped it. The Queen piece moved, getting closer to the Monster King. "But we aren't strong enough. I mean…" Buff Frog placed both his hands on Katrina's shoulders.

"I protect you." They heard the babies mumbling something about a third player joining the game, but shrugged it off. Katrina just hugged her father, sighing contently.

"Okay, dad. Just next time you come home with cuts, I will…" She noticed a long cut on his arm, pouting her face. "Really? Ugh,…follow me." Buff Frog raised his hand, but a stern glare from Katrina made him slouch forward. As they left, the babies continued playing the game, with the Princess Piece getting right in the middle between the Monster King and Mewni Queen.


In the kingdom of Mewni, Moon was sitting on her throne. She studied the family portrait, now fixed and restored after River made it crash into the ground. Standing tall…it looked fake. It showed a proud Mewni Family, but really, Moon knew it wasn't true. She glared coldly at the picture, noticing her fake royal smile and Star looking stiff. 'She didn't even want to take the picture, had to force her in place with a spell…'

Sighing in defeat, she looked at her gloved hands, she wonders something. "If I only listened to her after that Lucitor incident…maybe she would love me still." She grits her teeth, shaking her head frantically. "No, my daughter should have respected the Lucitors. We royals accept our partners…" Taking out a hidden picture from her dress pocket, she saw a younger version of herself, River and a lone lizard. They look overjoyed, smiling in front of an Irish Bar. A lone tear came down her cheek. "Simpler times…" She put the picture away, looking at the closed castle gates. No knocks or anything was heard, surprising the Queen. "Surprised no one is here to visit…always have to have droning discussions…"

"I could chat with you." She turned around, seeing Hekapoo shooting a playful grin. "Your hubby is finally connecting with Star." Moon's face was surprised, making Hekapoo laugh loudly. "Oh come on, remember. He earned those scissors."

"Yes, I know." Moon glared at her friend. Hekapoo nearly sat in River's throne but Moon's cold gaze prevented her from doing so. "But why would he visit Star? She hates both myself and my husband."

"Uh…she hates you Moonie." Hekapoo comments, folding her arms. "You let her date that demon. You sent her to that school. I mean…you had good intentions, sure, but actions are done." She spins around a pair of scissors. "Want to leave the kingdom for a bit, having fun exploring a dimension or two?"

Moon had a small smirk. "No, my good friend. I have to watch Mewni, leaving this place alone isn't very wise." Hekapoo leaned on a nearby pillar. "Sorry."

"It's cool, but you need to cool off at some point." She gave a somber smile to Moon. "Ruling Menwi at such a young age changed you." Moon rested back, recalling a bitter memory. "You was quite the wild gal."

"Oh, don't remind me." Moon groaned at her past self. "But it was fun…" A small smile soon formed, recalling a specific memory with River and a lizard friend. Hekapoo rolled her eyes and started pacing around. "Should I…come to Earth and visit my daughter?"

Hekapoo raised an eyebrow. "And get kicked back here again? Nope. You should stay put and let River take care of things." She looked at the family portrait, having a somber smile. "She was a really happy one. That name you gave her fit like a glove."

"She was literally glowing after I gave birth to her." Moon comments, feeling a single tear come down her eyes. "Never saw her glow like that again…" Heckapoo places a warm hand on Moon's shoulder, making the Queen share a somber smile. "Thank you for this chat."

"Hey, we work together but never letting a girlfriend down." She made a portal, looking intently into it. "Peace!" She jumped inside, leaving Moon alone to her thoughts.


Mr. Daiz is getting a room setup, using one of their old guest rooms. Having a small bed, a nicely furnished desk, small CRT-Television and sizable closet; it was a well-organized room. "I hope he doesn't mind blue sheets…" Mr. Dias mused, making it fit nicely on the mattress. He looked over the room, feeling slightly proud of himself. "Having guests is always nice…" But a frown soon crept on his face. "Can't believe Star's father is paying a visit this soon. Hope…he doesn't take her away."

"Take who away?" Mrs. Diaz asked seriously, coming from the hallway. "You mean that nice man hanging out with Star and Marco? I know that is Star's father. They share those same blue eyes." Mr. Diaz snickered, shaking his head as she sat down on the bed. Mrs. Diaz joined him, patting his back. "I don't think he's going to take her home."

"I'm not sure though…she is a Princess." Mr. Diaz said firmly. "I mean…what if he caused Estella to become so…"

"Broken?" Mrs. Diaz questions, making Mr. Diaz look away. She clasped her two hands together. "She is recovering though. Our son is very close to her." Mrs. Diaz formed a small grin. "It reminds me of when those two girls visited often. Janna and Jackie, right?" Mr. Diaz nodded. "They greatly helped both Marco and Jessica get more comfortable living in America." She frowned, clenching her right hand into a fist. "Though that Jackie girl broke my boy's heart. She better not show her face…"

"Honey? Remember what Marco told you about that?" Mrs. Diaz sighed, leaning on her husband's shoulder. "Besides, he has Estella now. They look so happy together."

"I know…reminds me of us at their age." Mr. Diaz snickered, making his wife roll her eyes playfully. "Come on, you were always the teaser." She poked his nose and they shared a loving glance. Before they could do anything a knock was heard from the door. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz snapped out of their embrace and got up. "Wonder who that is…" Mrs. Diaz opened the door, seeing River wave hello.

"May I visit my room?" River asked kindly. Mrs. and Mr. Diaz let him in, leaving the king alone to study his room.


Pete and Rasticore were walking through Echo Creek, but not as themselves. "Really? I look like this?!" Rasticore complained, tugging his long-sleeve shirt covering a very human-looking arm. Pete shrugged his shoulders, letting his baggy blue hoodie dangle slightly.

"You know how much magic I used to make these human disguises?" Pete asked rhetorically. Rasticore started tapping his soft human chin, making Pete sigh. "A lot, for your information." He dug into his hoodie's pockets, noticing two girls walking by.

"So you still like Marco? Can't believe this…the kid is trying to move on but nope, miss in-decisive is at it again." The girl in the beanie hat complained. A girl wearing with blond hair and blue streaks glared back.

"It's not my fault that…" She shook her head. "Just shut up. I know you like him too Janna. Surprised you are letting the princess take him for herself." Pete's human eyes grew wide, dragging Rasticore. The lizard was surprised but Pete didn't listen, taking his companion and walking behind the two girls. Rasticore studied them intently alongside Pete.

Janna glared harshly at Jackie, nearly bumping into her. "Sorry Jackie, but I give a damn about Marco. So I put my own shit to bed. What about you? Cheating on him while his damn sister died?! What the hell…" Jackie gave a look of hatred toward Janna marching ahead. "Oh, here it goes, the whole 'I didn't do anything wrong' speech."

"Sorry, but he was ignoring me! I get why but…Oskar gave me the attention I was craving." Janna snickered, making Jackie glare. "So what? It's not like Marco was ever interested in that."

"Unbelievable…" Janna shook her head and marched off, leaving Jackie alone. She sighed and followed her friend. Pete and Rasticore exchanged shocked looks, going into a nearby bush. Pete tried hard not burst out laughing.

"Humans…only caring about primal urges…gold." He wiped his human eye of joyful tears. "So that Princess has a new mate. Wonder what he's like…"

Rasticore only rubbed his temples. "Look, we aren't here for gossip; the Princess's Blood Moon Bond needs to be severed." Pete gave a stern look to Rasticore. "Yes, you are the one attacking her, not me."

"I know that but do you really think that human will make her happy?" Pete questioned, making Rasticore snicker softly. The lizard peaked out of the bush. Pete joined him, both getting out of it.

"I don't care, as we are here for one goal. But…" He formed a small smile. "Glad she found some happiness. I hated…" He looked at his right arm, feeling shame wash over him. Pete touches his shoulder, giving an understanding smile. "We won't hurt her like that again."

"I know," Pete said softly. The two made their way down the blocks, getting close to the Diaz Household.