A darkly silhouetted figure walked down a large stone hallway in a deeply confusing castle. He had heard about an ad put out for a new monster minion to some hell-bent ruler named Ludo. He smiled to himself, excited for his plan to begin coming to fruition. He had been waiting for over 30 years to take revenge on a young princess that had shot off his finger, demoralizing his army when they were so close to victory.

It shouldn't have been a problem. He had natural regenerative powers that kept his lizard-like form from ever being destroyed or ravaged by time. But she had done something to him. Try as he might, his finger never grew back. And he was continuously haunted by the fact. But now it could all be made right. Now he could take revenge on her and her family. On Moons entire kingdom. Toffee was ready to begin.

That is to say, he was, until a similarly built man appeared before him through a portal of green magic. Toffee sized up the Man and his weapons before gracing him with a returned gaze. "And who might YOU be? Did someone send you to kill me? Good luck, dark warrior." The Man simply smiled, gripping his blades at his sides and keeping his green eyes fixed on Toffee.

"You may grace my ears by calling me Vartek. And no, Id never kill such a skilled septarian warrior such as yourself. I have been sent, to aid you any way I can." Toffee looked at Vartek with disdain. "My sources tell me that you, much like ludo, haven't come close to beating these two children. Do you know why that is?"

Vartek eyed the lizard but spoke in a humble and collected manner. "I lack the patience you have mastered, Immortal One. And you lack the magic, that I have stolen. We have a use for each other." Toffee held his chin and thought about it for a moment. "Very well, Vartek. But my goals may seem unorthodox to you. Play by my rules and you will get what you want. Do you understand?"

Vartek allowed himself to smile as the two began walking towards the throne room. "I believe we understand each other perfectly."

O - O - O - O - O - O

"Star! Let's go! We're gonna be late for school!" Marco shouted from downstairs. He didn't like rushing Star, but she had never taken so long to prepare herself for the day. She called out from her room as thumping could be heard down the hallway. "I'm almost done! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get my hair straight in the morning!" She came running down the stairs and met marco with a large toothy grin. "Sorry, we can't all wear the same clothes every day."

Marco shrugged it off and walked with her out the door, waving goodbye to his parents as they stepped outside. "What can I say. I like red, and I like hoodies. Bought twelve of them and never looked back. It works for me." Star smiled at him and skipped along the street to the familiar bus stop. "I won't argue with you there, Diaz. But I think pink is more your color."

Marco shuddered for a second as the bus rolled up, collecting the two. Star sat next to her best friend and the two began casually discussing the events of the week.

"It was nice of your dad to keep your lifestyle a secret from your mom. Even if he did sorta wreck the house in the process." Star smiled sheepishly at him and started playing with her hair. "I'm sorry about your socks. But you have to admit he was really fun!" she laughed at his sour expression and laughed harder as he softened and broke into a smile.

"I'd rather not remember. Your dad is amazing though. I'd have never guessed he was so good at mini golf. Or rather, hitting the golf ball into the next country." He smiled at Star and remembered how he and River had fought to help save Mewni from Ludos grasp. But his smile faltered as he remembered how he was humiliated in front of Star and her family, wrapped in a meat blanket and treated like an intruder.

"What about that lobster monster?" Star interrupted his thoughts and brought up a minion of Ludos that befriended the two, only to betray them and try to steal her wand. "He was such a good guy. I can't believe he actually held my wand."

Marco looked at Star with a blank and puzzled expression. He remembered how he had used Stars wand to find her in the realm of magic. He grew his own cheek marks and successfully summoned a dark magic spell. "Star? I don't know if even you from my future knows this, but, I've used your wand before." She looked at him with a blank look and held her wand in front of her. "How, did you do that? No one can just pick it up and use it. You have to be of royal blood."

He shrugged and slumped into the seat some. "I don't know. I just picked it up and summoned a spell to find you when you got lost." He rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I got so worried about you that the wand gave me a pass?"

She giggled at the idea and gave Marco a shove. "That's dangerous talk, thinking you could up my power, 'mortal'," she mocked. He immediately got in on the idea and played along. "Well my apologies, Magic one. I should have known better than to test your grumpy face and strong willpower," he mocked back. The two howled with laughter and joked along all the way to school.

School had largely been uneventful. Oscar was now keeping his distance from Star and would drive away when she came near, which she found odd. But she didn't mind. He was probably just upset bc of the phone call. "I can live with that." She thought to herself.

She was quite impressed that she hadn't gotten into any trouble from the school for damages. The two must have really kicked the cleaning out of the park. She still remembered chasing marco around the hallways and her smile wilted.

I don't understand. Why did I chase Marco? Isnt he, like, my best friend?" She wondered. It was true, the two were far closer than she had expected them to get, much to Marcos credit for predicting it. But to be such good friends she chases him around in Mewberty was ridiculous. "You might have a problem. But its only a problem when it runs out." Her inside voice from nowhere wondered for her.

"Nope I'm ignoring you this time," Star said with disdain as she walked towards Marco and Jackie. She frowned and felt her blood boil for a moment before letting it go back down. "Why am I so jealous?" she wondered. "Jackies super cool."

As she approached the two, Marco turned to her with a smile that faltered in a worried crack. She immediately saw it and wondered why he looked sort of worried. Jackie wore her cool smile as always. For some reason, it annoyed her ever so slightly.

"Hey, guys! Whats, going on over here?" she asked sweetly. Marco smiled again and rubbed the back of his neck. "I was just telling Jackie about what happened a few days ago when you had Mewberty. " Star felt a twinge more annoyance at hearing this. Who was Marco to talk about her personal business with Jackie of all people?

Why did she feel like this all of the sudden? She liked Jackie. "Well, I'm about ready to head home if you are." Marco looked at her and then back to Jackie. "Well, sorry, Jackie. I'm gonna head home too then. I'll catch you later?" Jackie just smiled at the two and collected her board. "Sounds good Marco. You two have a good one."

Star and Marco started heading for the way home when she spoke softly to him. "Why did you tell Jackie about my Mewberty issues?" He looked at her with a puzzled face. "I didn't think you would mind. I'm sorry if I overstepped, Star." She glared at him and kept walking. "Maybe you should ask next time. Jackie doesn't need to know about my body issues and my weird problems," she grumbled.

Marco smiled a bit and hugged her. "Star, you don't have weird problems. I think you're the coolest girl I know. I'm sorry for talking about your personal business without asking first." Star hugged him back before releasing him and the two started walking.

She kept a frown on her face and gripped her backpack straps. "What's the deal with you and Jackie anyways?" she mumbled. "I thought you weren't interested in her." Marco returned her look and gestured in the air. "I didn't say that I was Star. She's a good friend of mine." Where was this coming from? Why was Star already acting this way about Jackie?

She glared at the ground and was silent for a moment. "Yeah. A good friend of yours." Before Marco could question her, a fountain of fire erupted in the street in front of them, allowing a carriage of darkness and a skeleton horse of fire to rise out of it. It settled on the freshly burned ground as the door slowly opened, allowing the demon, Tom Lucitor to step out.

Marco eyed the demon with light rose hair and two horns poking from the top of his head. He wore a clean black suit with a red flower on the lapel and his eyes were seeping with a calm, collected front. "Hello, Star. I'm here, to take you, to the Blood Moon Ball." By now, everyone who was within seeing distance was gawking at the boy whos steps radiated fire. Except for Star.

"Nope no no nope nuh uh no way Jose." She pushed him back onto the carriage and started walking away when a fountain of fire lifted her into his arms. "Cmon, Starship. The Blood Moon Ball only happens once every 667 years."

Star glared at him and jumped away from him. "We broke up Tom! Seriously. Move on." He was about to bring up his day's anger free button and rabbit when someone he hadn't noticed stepped up. "Hey Star, are we gonna walk home or not?" Marco crossed his arms and smiled at tom. While Tom was internally seething with rage, he smiled cheerfully back to keep up his front.

"Aww, who is your little friend Star? You should tell him it's not polite to interrupt." Marco uncrossed his arms and continued smiling. He knew he'd have to make nice with Tom eventually. But now wasn't the time for niceties. "The names Marco Diaz, Lucitor. And maybe I should tell you it's not polite to act like a weed to your ex."

Toms smile faltered for just a moment but he kept his front up. Before he could retort, Star stepped in. "Both of you calm down. Tom, you don't want to mess with anything Marcos got right now. And Marco, I'm talking to you when we get home." Marco continued smiling at Tom and started to leave. But Tom spoke up, his smile long gone. "Well wait. Star, at least think about it. If you change your mind, ring this bell."

He handed her a small metal bell with a crisscross handle capped in a blood moon.

"Whatever Tom. Now get out of here." she spat. He nodded at her and smiled blankly at Marco before hovering back into his carriage and sinking into the ground.

Star and Marco began walking home as Star eyed the bell. "Should I go? What did I do last time?" Marco rubbed the back of his head and thought for a moment. "Last time, you went. But it didn't go well." She eyed him curiously before asking, "Why? What happened?" He looked at her with indecision all over his face and star smiled innocently. "Oh yeah. I got him this time. Spread that sweet truth on the curiosity toast, Diaz" she thought to herself.

"I can't tell you. But I do know you really shouldn't go." She frowned. "No sweet truth on the curiosity toast..." She stared down the road in front of her, thinking about how she interrupted Marco and Jackie earlier. Maybe she wouldn't mind a little ball. Tom did seem to be exceptionally well mannered.

"I think, I'm going to go." She muttered, glaring at the sidewalk. Marco turned to her and stared. "Star, you really shouldn't. It's not even that good." She turned to face him and glared." Why can't you let me be happy when I want to do something? It's just a ball, Marco. Ease off." He stared for a moment, frowning at her. "Fine. Go and enjoy your night at the ball. You can have all the fun you want with your demon ex-boyfriend and I'll sit at home enjoying a good book." He huffed and stormed away.

Star glared at him before shouting at his back. "Fine! I will have fun! It'll be the best ball I've ever been to!" She stomped all the way home.

Star sat in her room. She had picked a dress she liked and put on the boots that matched it perfectly. She was about to do her hair when she realized that Marco hadn't said a word to her this whole time. It was unlike him to be so against a fun activity, and get so mad without coming to say anything to her. She blasted her hair into a frilled bun and started walking to Marcos room.

She politely knocked on his door before stepping inside. She found him reading on his bed. "Hey, Marco. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You have plenty of fun with me even when you know how its gonna go. But I'm still going. So, can you tell me if this looks okay?" She stood before him, turning slightly. He looked up from his book and his eyes went wide. He remembered the dress she wore to the ball. A beautiful piece of art made of reds and whites and hearts that made her look stunning.

"You look amazing, Star. Really. And that's fine. You do you. This time I'm staying here." He glued his eyes to his book and Star stared at him. "What do you mean 'this time I'm staying here'..?"He looked up and decided to tell her just enough. " Last time I snuck to the ball and, we left. Without doing anything else."

She eyed him curiously. Not believing him. "Well, okay then. Still going, but ill leave if anything weird happens." Marco stood up and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. It caught her by surprise, but she hugged him back. "I'm sorry I can't tell you everything. And I'm sorry I keep telling you not to do stuff without an explanation. Enjoy the ball, Star. And be safe for me."

He released her and sat back down on his bed as she pulled out the bell. She rang it once with a tiny hammer, and to her surprise, It rang like a two-ton gong at a monastery. Flames erupted outside Marcos window and a personal carriage, flown by a demon in a pillory, slowly rose to meet the window. "Well, have a good night, Diaz," Star said with a smile as she climbed into the carriage and was taken away.

He looked up and when he was sure she was gone, he walked to his closet and pulled out a Mariachi band outfit. He then reached to the top shelf and grabbed a skull mask, etched in the Dia De Los Muertos fashion and began getting dressed.

"I won't interfere. But I will make sure she's safe."

O - O - O - O - O - O

Star arrived at the ball and immediately noticed the decorum of the dark underworld room. Its grandeur and decorum were certainly nothing to sneeze at, and those in attendance were clearly cut of their own crop. Demons and ghouls alike strolled from the entrance in an attempt at posture, but she knew just by looking at them that they were only acting civilized.

She signed in with some guards and walked around before a familiar voice shouted out to her. "Hey! Starship! You made it. Its good to see you. You look good."

'NOT AMAZING.'

She ignored her thoughts and walked with him around the attractions of the ball. "You're gonna love it, Star. I toned down some of the creep underworld stuff this year just for you." She nodded half-heartedly and looked around at some of the cheezy, prom-themed activities. "Thanks, that's...nice of you, Tom."

Tom tried to get Star to enjoy the photo opportunity, the games, and other attractions available for guests to enjoy. But she wasn't really having it. She just walked around aimlessly with him, almost bored by what she saw around her. It wasn't like her at all, he thought.

"Star. Are you, not happy to be here? Be honest." She looked at him with a surprised smile on her face. "Noo-noo I'm having a good time. I'm just a little tired from school is all. Forgive me." He looked at her nervously before smiling back at her. "Alright then. Well, how about we head over to the dance floor?"

Star looked over his shoulder at the Ballroom and notice it was crowded with monsters and demons alike, all shuffling lazily. "Maybe in a bit. I'm gonna go get some punch." She started to walk off but noticed he was holding something behind his back. She walked around him and saw a man holding a rabbit up for Tom to rub as he seethed silently.

"What the heck is that?" Star asked. Though she already knew where this was going. "Are you getting angry?" He held up his hands and smiled a toothy grin dripping with nervousness. "No, not at all. I'm just so excited to dance with you and the rabbit helps for stress," he lied. Tom was pretty good at lying, but Star was even better at reading people.

"Whatever dude. I'll be right back." She walked away, not noticing his angry expression and the small bit of fire enveloping the rose on his chest. She strolled over to the punch bowl, which was really a bowl of searing hot liquid, next to a regular one, and got herself a drink as she eyed the other party goers and noticed one that stood out in particular. He was dressed like some sort of dark, frilled outfit that seemed oddly formal for a ball of the underworld. But the moment she started to really look at the guy, he disappeared behind a couple.

Before Star could question herself as to who he was, a short man dressed like what she recognized to be a puritan from Earth history stepped up to her, clearly upset about something. "Hey! You! This whole ball is-" She grabbed him by the collar and eyed him with ferocity, glaring daggers at his quickly shriveling form. "Do NOT, Talk to me right now. I didn't change it, and I dont care what you have to say. Go enjoy the party, and I will TRY to do the same without blasting you. NOW."

The small, pathetic man cowered and stepped away angrily, allowing her to collect her thoughts for a moment before Tom came up and grabbed her hand. "Hey, Star, the dance is about to begin, we should hurry before it's over." He led her to the dancefloor, his date still confused by the familiar stranger, and seething at the disrespectful imp. The two waited for a moment as a song began to play. Tom looked visibly frustrated and glared at the speakers as if they had insulted him. "Ugh. Nooo. This is all wrong. I gave them a good song to play. I'll is back, Star. This is gonna bug me."

He ducked away to go change the song as star walked around the floor aimlessly. She was mesmerized by the familiarity and pageantry of the ballroom. Then she noticed the boy again. He was wearing a skeleton mask with intricate engravings on it, and a dark suit covered in frills and patterns. She couldn't help but stare at him as he almost seemed to be avoiding her.

She frowned and began walking after him. She didn't know what it was, but she needed to get a better look at him. There was a strange familiarity to him that she couldn't quite get a grasp of.

He ducked behind another group of people and tried to get away around a couple, but as he turned around them, he was met with a very intrigued Star. "Who are you?" she asked, determined to know why this boy was avoiding her. He simply turned around to try and run from her again. Though it did little besides piss Star off even more.

She reached out and grabbed his wrist, and pulled him back. He turned quickly and bumped into her front, graciously putting a hand on her waist. Before either of them could process what was happening, the whole room went dark, save for a spotlight of deep red that shone directly on the two.

The boy, eager to either move things along or get things over with, began dancing with Star. She looked at him with complete shock and awe and smiled at him. She turned and swayed with the rhythm of the soft tune playing above them and spun when he moved her hand above her head. He extended his arm and sent her gracefully forward before pulling her back into his embrace.

As he sidestepped and led her around the ball, groups of demons and monsters around the two took notice, giving them some space. The man stepped left, and right, leading Star in a wide circle with perfect timing, before dipping her low to the floor. Atar couldn't tell what it was about him, but it certainly made her insides feel warm.

"Star, hey Star!" He whispered at her from behind his mask. She looked at him dreamily and asked, "How did you know my name?" smiling from cheek to cheek. The boy lifted his mask to show her his face. "It's me, Marco!" Star felt the color drain from her face as she mindlessly continued dancing with him. "MARCO?!" She shouted while stepping in perfect sync with him back to the center.

"Cmon, Star. Let's beat it. This place is-" Before he could finish, the red spotlight turned a cold blue, enveloping them in its chilled light as a voice boomed from all around them, and seemingly nowhere.

"Two dancers have felt the light,

and moved in harmony for a second night.

Waste not your chance, you've paid the price.

These two souls can't be bonded, twice."

Star looked at Marco with eyes the size of dinner plates, and his gaze read the same level of shock. "Bonded..?" star began. "Twice..? Marco added. Before either of them could react, Tom marched up to Marco and shoved him away from Star.

Before Marco could get up, and before Tom could say anything, the chilly blue light that had engulfed the room faded. The lights returned and Tom stared at Marco in utter shock. His eyes glowing white hot.

" That dance, WAS MEANT, FOR ME!" At the end of his words, fire began erupting from all corners of the room. Fountains of flame began shooting up everywhere and anywhere. He slowly began lifting into the air, but Marco just walked up to him and pulled him back down by his leg. The moment Tom was in reach, he pressed on a spot between the demons jaw and ear, immediately rendering him unconscious.

Star walked up and changed his Anger free button to zero days before walking back towards marco. "Portal time?" he asked calmly. "Portal time." Star returned, with an edge of annoyance as groups of monsters began to whisper to one another and check on their prince.

The two stepped gracefully out of their portal and onto Stars balcony, letting it close behind them. "That was infuriating." She muttered. Marco slumped his shoulders and looked at her. "I'm sorry. I just had to make sure you were safe. I don't want to interfere with your life choices but I seem to keep doing exactly that."

Star whirled around and stared at him. "Not you Marco. Tom. He used the ball as a ploy to do some weird ritual with me to get back together." She looked at him and gasped. "Wait. That voice said twice. and that it was the second time. Did you do that last time?" Marco put his hands in his pockets. "Star, I...yes. I did. I'm sorry."

She stared at him and walked closer, seeing the genuine look of guilt on his face. "Marco, It's okay. You did what you thought was right and stopped Tom from taking advantage of me like that. It was very brave."

He looked up at her, his guilt not fading as he spoke softly. "But I used what I know about the future to change things. Again. I took away your right to choose what happens to you." Star smiled at him and held his hand. "You didn't know about it the first time. Which means you dove in headfirst to keep me safe. You're my hero, Marco Diaz. And my best friend."

With that, she did something that made her insides flip several different ways and her head spin. She leaned forward and kissed him softly. Their lips met for only a moment But to Marco and Star, it felt like an eternity. She felt the blood rise to her face as she held his hand tighter. Marco could barely breathe but kissed her back with fervor.

The world seemed to slow around them as he kissed her soft, perfect lips. She crept her hand up to his face and held his jaw as her cheek marks glowed deep red, and unknown to her, the moons on his did the same. The kiss was short lived, but to those two, the intoxicating feeling of one another completed them.

They parted lips and stared into each other's eyes. "Star, I-" she cut him off before he could deny the feeling they just shared. "Ep ep ep, no ya don't. Thank you for everything you do for me. I really appreciate having you as a friend. And speaking of which, go make me some nachos!" Marco smiled at her and started walking towards the door when he turned back. "I might need a hand from my best friend," he said sincerely.

She smiled at him and skipped to the door, both teens heading for the kitchen. Neither of them noticed the Icy Blue Moon in the sky above them, and the slight glow between their cheeks during their kiss. However, neither of them cared. They were just happy to spend time together and enjoy some magical triangle food.

"No, Star don't blast the cheese!"

"I got it, Diaz, we're gonna have SUPER NACHOS!"

"That's not how it works, Star!"

"Well then fine. Ill just LASER THEM!"

"NOOOOOO!"

AUTHORS NOTE

Okay so, big changes. But I hope you all feel alright with the way it's going. Sorry XD I'm a HUGE fan of Starco so don't expect that to go away in the near future. Enjoy your day and leave a review so I can reply to you! Have a good one!

~Mr. Ronald Reagan