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Star was getting ready for a day of school to begin after a week of life and death situations, heartbroken apologies, and dancing flair that would make anyone jealous. She wasnt just tired, she was mentally exhausted.

So much had happened in the span of a few days, she wasnt sure where her thoughts should lie.

Marco and her had danced like flaming pros at the kingdom of corn dinner, keeping everyone in awe, but truly solidifying their relationship. And not only was it in front of the entire royal gathering, but her parents as well. Her mother clearly approved of their courting, which was an amazing feat in it of itself, but it was also something more than that.

Star felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The Queen seemed content with her current life choices, and her father, well, he was usually pretty happy with what Star was up to. Except for kissing Marco in front of the royal community. That might have been a bit much for even him.

There was also the incident with the wand, which she felt had largely come and gone. Vartek was still after them, but now she had a broken wand to deal with. It worked fine, for the most part, but it had some hiccups with its use. Sometimes it would cast the wrong spells, or other times it would tackle Marco into the closet. Which brought Star to the last and most dramatic incident she had been dealing with. The thoughts in her head were gone.

She no longer could hear her own voice chiming in on what was happing. There was no longer a second presence inside her that would give her advice when something seemed awry. She did, however, feel more content with herself, and she felt better about her future. But in its place was something different. She had flashes of memories like deja vu, only it pertained to things that never happened.

Just last night she had a moment where she could swear she remembered making out with Tom on the beach, but before she could think about it, it was gone. Or another time where she thought she saw Marco holding hands with Jackie, and she got so mad she almost punched a hole in her wall. She was largely clueless as to where this was coming from, but she knew that it had something to do with the other Star, and the goodbyes the two shared.

Marco was talking to Star, but not her. Just the other her. Star was beyond confused even thinking about it, but she could tell that whichever of her he was talking to, the other Star was gone now. There was a long moment after she disappeared that Marco seemed dazed and happy, before changing to a mood of somber acceptance. He asked to be alone and spent some time in his room, but afterward, he seemed fine.

Star remembered his distant stare slowly turn into a content smile as the night went on. To Star, he was largely feeling better, which was fine in all honesty, and he did seem more focused on her. But it felt different. Like it wasnt exactly her he was focused on. There was almost an air of nostalgia to him. It couldn't be helped, of course, he HAD been through a lot too. But something was clearly still bothering him. So she decided that talking about it might help.

M

On the bus ride to school, the two sat near the back in silence. Marco stared out the window and Star fidgeted with her backpack as she thought about what to say to her moody boyfriend. She took a nervous look at him and put on a happy face. "So, you ready to talk about it?" Marco blinked a few times and stared at her. "What do you mean? Talk about what?"

Star gave him a deadpan look and furrowed her brows. "The thing after the closet?" A moment of silence went by before he acknowledged what she said. "Oh. That." He turned to look out the window before he began speaking again. "Star, do you ever regret doing something so much that it hurts? Or hurting someone really bad and wishing like crazy you could fix it?"

Star eyed her wand before glancing towards the roof of the bus. "Noo, no no never. Never had anything like that." He turned to look at her and for the first time since yesterday, let his confusion with how he should feel show.

"Star, I made a lot of decisions in the past that I'm not happy with. Like, when the Star from my time talked about Jackie, and how we acted around her." She looked at him, confused, before tilting her head. "How you, acted around her?"

Marco slumped back in his chair and stared at the seat in front of him. "Yeah. I'd go on dates and stuff, and I ignored how she felt about everything. I didn't really realize how awful it was until it was happening to me. When I came back here, I wanted to fix things and do things right. While still letting you make your own choices, obviously. But I feel like nothing I can do will fix what I did."

Star seemed more confused than before as to where he was going with this but coaxed him to continue. "And?"

"And I never thought I'd see her again. I acted like a real jerk in my time, and, just finding out that she's been here this whole time enjoying things going right, but having to let her go? It's a lot to take in, and its a lot to realize."

Star caught on and hugged him, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "Marco, I think I can tell you personally, she's really happy that she got to say goodbye. And that you acted how you did this time around."

Marco looked at her in shock. "Really? She was happy?" Star nodded and rested against his shoulder. "Yeah. She, in a weird way, was living it for herself as well. And you really did well with that goodbye kiss, lover boy." He blushed through a smile and relaxed his shoulders. "So is she like, you now?" Star thought about that for a second before answering. "In a way. I have all her memories, and I was already her to begin with. So yeah, I guess."

Marco smiled and kissed her gently while the two held hands. After he pulled back, he smiled warmly at her. "Well, thanks for giving me a second chance without knowing it." She smiled back at him and shook her head. "You can't undo what you did. But I forgave you a long time ago, Marco. Even though you didn't really do anything bad to me."

Marco thought about that for a second before tentatively asking Star a question. "Did she like me back? Before I left?" Star felt a tad uncomfortable with the fact that her boyfriend was asking her if she liked him in another life, but nodded. "You shoulda seen how fast she grabbed the picture, Marco. She still had a thing for you, but dont get any ideas. You already have her all to yourself."

The two arrived at school to find the other students waiting in line outside the school guidance counselors office. Star noticed how Marcos face immediately reverted to one of distaste, but before she can ask, Fergusson and Alfonzo approach to greet them. The large red-headed boy waved a piece of paper in the air as he ran up. "Hey guys, guess who got a sick future in web design and Stock port-holios?" Alfonzo smacked his face as he groaned. "Stock. Portfolios. And that's not even a career." "Whatever dude, you're just jealous because youre only getting a job as a keeOo."

Alfonzo nearly screamed in frustration as he began walking away. "ITS PRONOUNCED, C E O! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Fergusson smiled at the two before walking after Alfonzo. "What? I can't just NOT mess with him. Lemme know what careers you two get after school!"

Star waved the two off and turned to Marco, only to find him face first in a locker. "Whats, uh. What's up? Another one of those future things?" Marco nodded and sighed. "Its gonna be a long day. Let me go first, and you can get your 'Career' next okay?" Star shrugged and stood in line behind him. "Whatever you say, babe. Not like its any surprise what Im gonna be."

She thrust both hands into the air in front of her as if she were building a billboard. "Queen, Star Butterfly!" Marco did a double take and looked at her in disbelief. "Seriously? You're cool with that?" This question caught her off guard and brought her down from the happy high she was riding.

"Well, yeah. I mean, what else could I be? It's my job, Marco." He looked at her with a more understanding inquisitive look. "Last time you were told you would be-" Star held up a hand and shook her head. "I know, I got upset and trashed my room. But, I kinda get it now. It's not a bad gig anyways. Like you said, I can do it how I want."

Marco smiled as he placed his hands in his pockets. "I guess the other Star left you some foresight huh?" Star nodded and sat in a newly available seat. "Its weird, I know some useful stuff, but some of its different now. I can almost, see the future. Like you."

This gave Marco a bit of peace. He looked around at the school with humor. "You know, aside from the homicidal warrior from the future that wants us dead, Im really happy I got to come back to this. I missed how close we were." Star smirked and the smallest trace of white light could be seen shining in her eyes before disappearing. "Me too, Safe Kid."

Marco turned to look at Star. "Did you say something?" "Huh? No? I thought you did?" Marco shrugged it off as the door to the counselor's office swung open.

Marco stood to greet the trick counselor, Mr. Candle, but found something completely different. "Good morning you two!! Im your counselor: Mrs. Saras!"

Both Star and Marco glared at the overly excited woman before them. She had orange frizzy hair and a neat green dress. She wore large yellow boots and a pair of those old lady glasses, though she couldn't be more than thirty. Star spoke up first, her voice toxic with distrust.

"Who introduces themselves as "Your counselor"? Who the heck are you?" Mrs. Saras tilted her head before opening her office door wider. "I do! Hurry up, kids! We're going to talk about your future careers!" Marco stood unmoving, causing Mrs. Saras to become more distressed. "Both of us. At the same time." She nodded in such a way that Star began to fear that the woman's head would fly off.

Without a word, both teens shuffled into the office and took a seat in front of the desk. Unlike last time, where a bowl of candy and a cat figurine were some of the only things on it, this time it was loaded with objects and relics that Marco and Star vaguely recognized. Mrs. Saras sat down and began rummaging through some papers while the two examined her knick-knacks.

"Is that, A DRAGON TOOTH?!" Marco asked, bewildered. "Yessiree! Had to fight that ole bugger for seven hours before he agreed to shove off. Left me a tooth so the king of Betran would stop chasing after him!" Star let her mouth drop open before Marco promptly closed it for her. "I hardly believe you've fought-" "IS THAT A SUNFUSE CRYSTAL?!"

Star pushed Marcos face out of the way to observe the small glowing orange gem sitting on the corner of her desk. It had an intricate golden cradle that matched it flawlessly. Mrs. Saras nodded excitedly and leaned closer to it. "That it is miss! This little guy here is the combined power of several suns. Weighs a hefty bit I'll tell ya what."

To add a point to this, she gestured for Star to try to pick it up. Try as she may, it didn't budge an inch. Marco stared at it in flustered disbelief and then looked up at the counselor. "That's...That's literally not even possible. How the heck-" Mrs. Saras leaned forward and grinned at Marco with sincerity.

"Magic, my boy. This one rock could destroy the solar system, and the cradle nullifies its weight, so long as its resting on it. You can't question the possible or impossible, Marco. When you first met your friend here, did you know it was possible to travel to other dimensions? Or to age outside of time? To meet father time himself? Did you even think it was possible to date a magic wielding princess from another dimension or be sent back in time? No. You learn something new every single day, so long as you allow yourself to be taught."

Both teens sat wide-eyed, staring at the strange woman before them. Though it was Star who broke the silence. "Who...are you?" Mrs. Saras leaned back and smiled, eying her possessions. "I, my dear Star Butterfly, am Saraswati. The Goddess of knowledge, the arts, and learning." Marco eyed her in disbelief, holding his chin as he spoke. "Why should we believe that, aside from your trophies. And why exactly is the goddess of knowledge here counseling us anyway?"

Mrs. Saras tapped her desk gently, enveloping the room in blinding golden light. Star felt an intense heat all over her body until it suddenly died down. When the two opened their eyes, gone was the simple office where they were sitting seconds ago, and in its place was a grande library. Massive columns stood at the end of each row of books, which seemed to go on forever. The desk remained the same, as did the relics, but the woman sitting behind it was now adorned with jeweled robes and a golden circlet. Her hair sat neatly in a flowing bun, seated comfortably above the same simple pair of glasses.

"You of all people should know how rude it is to question a goddess, Marco. But hey, it's your first time talking to one so I'll glaze over that for now. Truth is, I know just about everything there is to know of you two. I was asked to 'Counsel you', on your future careers, and to examine you, in a way." Marco stood up and looked around the massive library, finally taking in his situation.

"Who asked you, a goddess, to talk to us about our future?" Mrs. Saras laughed and leaned forward onto the desk. "Well, Marco, Im not at liberty to say. Buuuut, because I like you two so much, I'll give you a hint. It wasnt the queen, and it wasnt your little blue friend either. Perhaps I wasnt sent by anyone."

Star stared at the ceiling and sighed. "That's not much of a hint. Can you give us another?" Mrs. Saras chuckled and began drawing a symbol in the air in front of her. It resembled a Star, capped with a pair of scissors. Both teens eyes lit up as they edged closer to the desk. "YOU MEAN-" Mrs. Saras held up a hand and laughed.

"Ah ah ah, no telling, im afraid. Anywho, shall we begin? I'm so excited to talk about your futures!" Star sat down, frustrated but excited, immediately followed by Marco. "So, what should we do?" Star asked curiously. Mrs. Saras held her chin and thought for a moment. "Mmmm, no, I'm sorry. That's not right. You already know what you're going to do."

Star tilted her head to the side and leaned closer. "Being Queen? That's kind of boring though. Isn't there something else?" The woman sitting in front of them gestured around the room and smiled gleefully. "Look at all of this around you. There's so much to read, so much to learn, to experience. There's so much here. But even as vast as it is, you still only call it a library right?"

Star nodded and smiled with bulging eyes. "Right-o, my dear! Your future may seem boring, but that's only until you experience all it has to offer!" Stars smile wavered and she looked at her counselor expectantly. "But I kinda already know Im gonna be Queen. What's the point of being counseled on what I know?"

Mrs. Saras looked towards the ceiling and thought for a moment. "There's not much I can tell. However, it's more than being Queen, young missy. You have a very long and important road ahead of you. Young Marco here already knows most of it, I'm afraid. And by extension, you do as well. But Im getting ahead of myself. Let's move on to you, young man." She turned to face Marco, who took a sudden interest in his hoodie.

"Well, what's my future? Garbage island janitor?" Mrs. Saras laughed and waved her hand. "Not at all, dear! Im honestly surprised you haven't guessed it. You did last time, in your own way of course." Marco thought for a moment before letting his jaw drop. "Im...supposed to be...king?"

She smiled at him and nodded, though it was Star who seemed far more surprised. She gestured to Marco and eyed Mrs. Saras in disbelief. "I marry Marco?! That's amazing! How does it happen?! Do we-" Mrs. Saras clapped her hands together, shifting the entire room back to normal in an instant.

"Nothing is set in stone, young Butterfly. But that is the future I predict for you both. King and Queen of Mewni." Marco looked around before leaning closer. "So, youre a goddess sent by us from the future to tell us we get married? Why?"

Saraswati stood and waved her hand across her desk, making all its relics disappear. "I haven't revealed who sent me. But I can say it wasnt you two. I was sent here to simply remind you of what to expect, even if you already know it. And of course, to give you a piece of advice." Star and Marco looked expectantly at her, but she only handed Marco a small blue rock.

"What's this?" he asked curiously. She smiled and waved an orange portal open before taking a second look back. "It will save you from the curses you've wrought. And to keep you both together when you need it most." With that, she stepped back into the portal, allowing it to close. The office was silent, allowing only the hum of the A.C. and the buzz of the fluorescent lights.

Stars mouth hung open as Marco spoke calmly. "So we get told we're supposed to marry, and that we have so SAVE OURSELVES WITH A DUMB ROCK!?" "Yah. That uh, seems like the lingo of it all." The two stepped out into the hallway, holding hands without realizing it. Star looked at Marco and kissed his cheek.

"You know, I think you'd make a pretty good king, despite everything." He smiled and began walking with her. "Thanks, Star. And I can't wait to see how great of a queen youre gonna be. Though, Im not sure what was supposed to do with this to save ourselves." They stopped as he held up the blue rock and the two stared at it expectantly as it did quite simply nothing.

Star shrugged and began walking again. "Eh, Im sure its nothing." Marco caught up to her and held her hand as they walked to class. "Why did a goddess have to tell us we would get married? That seems a little much dont you think?" he asked. Star thought about it for a moment and looked at his hand.

"Maybe it's for some other reason? Like reassurance that we really do work nicely together." Marco waved it off and spoke with inquisition. "Nah, We already know that. She knows we spent five years together, so it's not much of a surprise that we wind up getting together." Star stopped and looked at her wand. "Well, maybe it's not just that we get married. She said there was more to it than just a title."

This got Marco thinking as he grabbed his books from his locker. "What else comes with you and I ruling mewni?" Star shrugged and the two finished walking to class. "I dunno. Maybe we just have to find out. Though it still doesn't tell us who sent her." The two sat down for class to begin a long boring day or learning yet again. A far different pace from the past week theyd had.

Star leaned back in her chair, kicking her feet. "It has to be us, the symbol was obviously ours right?" Marco wanted to agree, but Saraswati told them that they hadn't sent her. What else could the symbol mean? "Maybe we're just reading into it too much. All she told us is that I would be king, and you'd be Queen. It's not much to go on."

He punctuated his words by tapping his chin as Star rested hers on her desk. "Marco, maybe it's like last time. We just need to not freak out. Lets just, keep doing us, and we can figure it out eventually."

He nodded as the bell rang, beginning another day for the two future rulers, both unaware of the silent pulse of green energy that rippled once from the stone in Marco's pocket.

To be continued in: On the run

AUTHORS NOTE

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of a Tuesday update, again. I really had no idea how hectic working the weekends would be. Saturday is easy, but Tuesday is left with almost no time to prepare. And I dont want to give you guys cobbled together chapters. Im happy to say though, I have a pretty light work schedule for the rest of the year, so when I say regular updates again, I mean it. Spoilers, kinda. This chapter has a lot, and not a lot, going on, only because Im setting up for my version of the season two arc. Bear with it and trust me, its gonna get a little wild! [Forced laughter at mandatory intro song joke] Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and get ready for the next one, featuring more adult Starco!! Yay spoilers!!!!!!!!

~Mr. Ronald Reagan