"Why do you keep coming back?" Typhon asked. Rosetta moved around him measuring his wingspan with a tape measure. Once she was finished she began scribbling it down on her notepad. It had been like this for nearly the past two weeks.

She kept coming back to study him, despite the obvious danger. Most people who were lucky enough to survive one encounter with him didn't dare try again. But she had strolled right back as if she was waltzing into a friend's house.

At first he didn't bother asking. He just tolerated her presence since he had little to no interaction and he found her a bit bizarre. But now he questioned if this woman really was sane or not.

"I have an interest in ancient magics and history, and you my dear are living history," she said, closing her notepad back up. "I couldn't pass up a chance like this."

His eyes narrowed. "Tell me something. Does studying history have anything to with why you're grabbing my rear right now?" he asked annoyed. At least once every visit she found some way to cop a feel off of him. Which was strange. It was usually the other way around…

She smiled mischievously. "No. I just think you have a nice bottom…" she said before reaching up and plucking a hair off of his head. "Going to need this."

He growled. "You're getting a little too comfortable touching me…"

"Feel free to return the gesture," she said, winking at him.

Typhon, for the first time in his thousands of years of life, blushed. This woman was unreadable. He kept telling himself he should just end this and be rid of her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. "Something is wrong with you…"

"You're far from the first to tell me!" she laughed. "Now hold still. I'm going to pluck one of your feathers." Before he could argue she reached out and pulled one away.

He winced and then glared at her. "You… are lucky I find you interesting."

Nia, Micah, Amber, and Sear waited in the middle of a large field as they tried to keep themselves busy. Micah was playing a handheld he'd brought along with him, Nia was already halfway through her bag of snacks, and Amber was sitting up against a tree patting Sear, who was laying his head in her lap. The dragon had been nothing but depressed since Astro left.

The younger princess sighed. She knew it would take a while for Vera to get Maria, but she was so bored. What was taking them so long? A portal suddenly opened up and Vera walked out. She looked nervous. "Maria is here…" she muttered pointing behind her.

Nia grew wide eyed and then shot up as Maria stepped out of the portal. Though she was smiling as sweetly as ever, the trident she was carrying in her hand told Nia her brother was in more trouble than he knew. "Where is he…?" she asked politely. She spoke kindly, but there was a dangerous tone hidden in her voice.

"Oh stump, she brought the trident," Nia muttered. The princess of the Waterfolk gripped her weapon tightly in anger. Nia slowly approached her. "Uh… hi Maria."

She noticed the young girl. "Oh hello Titania! How have you been?" she asked.

"Good… good… are you feeling okay?"

Maria laughed. "Well, I just found out my boyfriend has been keeping a secret from me for pretty much our entire lives. And then he just leaves to a dangerous deadly place without so much as a goodbye. So yes, I'm doing fine," she said gripping the trident even tighter. "Just… fine."

Nia and Vera both felt a little sorry for Astro right now. Maria looked over and then noticed Micah and Amber. "Ah! Pardon me! I didn't notice you!" she said bowing. "You must be the princess of the Septarians. It's very nice to meet you. Vera speaks very highly of you."

Vera blushed slightly and nudged her friend. Amber smiled and bowed back. "It's an honor to meet you as well princess Maria. The rumors of the Waterfolk Princess' peerless beauty were not exaggerated," she said.

Maria then turned to Micah. "And you must be Micah."

He nodded. "Yo," he greeted casually.

She put a hand on his shoulder. "Astro spoke very highly of you when we talked. I'm sure he hasn't said it, but he considers you a close friend," she said, suddenly tightening her grip. Micah winced in pain and then looked at her. She really didn't seem to notice what she was doing. "He's going to need your support when I find him…"

His eyes widened, and he said a small prayer for his friend. "Okay! Now that we have introductions out of the way let's get going!" Nia said pointing forward. "Since Sear can't carry this many people we'll have to walk."

Amber shook her head. "No, I arranged for a ride," she said, smirking.

They looked at her confused, when suddenly Vera saw something in the distance. A carriage was coming towards them. The carriage, being pulled by two warnicorns, stopped in front of them. In front of the carriage was a purple septarian girl.

She waved at the group. "Hey Amber! I'm not late am I?"

"Right on time Minerva!" Amber said stepping forward. "Everyone, this is my friend Minerva. She's my right hand monster and she knows all of Mewni like the back of her hand. She'll get us there in no time flat."

Nia smiled. "Amber, you're awesome!" she said before turning to Minerva. The girl looked a little surprised to be face to face with a member of the royal family. Nia gave her a thumbs up. "Thanks for helping us out Minerva! I owe you an official royal favor!"

Minera blinked, but then smiled back at the girl. "Thank you princess."

"Nia is fine," she said before climbing into the carriage. "Let's go!"

Everyone else followed Nia into the carriage, except Amber who sat beside Minerva. The blonde monster looked towards her friend. "So she's the princess huh? She's a lot more… chill than I expected the royal family to be. I like her."

Amber shrugged. "Yes, she seems to have a way of drawing people to her. Her mother is sort of the same. Maybe it just runs in the family." she said. "Now let's get going. We have a prince to drag back."

Astro sat on the edge of the tower and sharpened his sword. He had no idea what he should do right now. Every answer he came up with seemed like the wrong one. If he left he risked everyone outside of this place coming down on him. Not to mention it'd be a scandal for the royal family.

Plus he wasn't sure if he could stand having to work under the high commission again. Even if he didn't have to see them, he knew they'd be pulling the strings. Not to mention his father was here and… well, he wanted to know him.

He'd heard nothing but stories about his father, and now that he knew they were all lies he couldn't deny that he wanted to see what it was like to actually be with someone he had a blood bond with. He had Eclipsa and Meteora, but that was different. They were like aunts.

Typhon was his father.

But if he stayed, he'd pretty much be abandoning the women who raised him. Not to mention his baby sister, his girlfriend, his teacher. Everyone who ever cared about him.

"That's a fine blade you have there." Astro turned and saw Typhon walk up behind him. How someone so huge was able to move to silently was beyond him. "Well crafted, and such a rare material. Most blades wouldn't be able to handle the amount of dark magic you have flowing through you."

Astro hummed. "It was a gift from my girlfriend…"

Typhon said down beside him. "The septarian girl?" he asked. Astro's eyes widened. "She's quite a fine catch. Beautiful and well-trained. She'll no doubt make a fine mate."

"No! God no! Amber is NOT my girlfriend! She didn't even qualify as a friend until yesterday!" he said blushing furiously.

Typhon rubbed his chin. "Really? That's disappointing. She's got some real fight in her," he said before crossing his arms. "But oh well. You're still young. You've got plenty of time to pick a suitable lover. Or lovers. When I was your age, I was quite the wild one. Before I was sealed away I had an entire harem of-"

"Oh my god! Shut up!" Astro said covering his ears. He was having an inner crisis right now, and this was not what he wanted to hear.

Typhon laughed and patted him on the back. "Oh come on now! There's no harem in getting it out of your system before you settle down. I was glad I got that wild streak out of me before I met your mother," he said. "She really was an amazing woman. My legend of death and destruction was known far and wide, yet she just strolled into my domain without a care."

Astro hummed. He didn't remember much about his birth mother. Vague things like her singing lullabies or walking into town to go shopping with her. "She would have been proud to see how you turned out. Resilient and strong," he said looking back at Astro.

"Is this how you're trying to get me to stay? Telling me stories of my mother?" he asked.

Typhon grunted. "I'm not an idiot boy. I know at this point Star is far more of a mother to you than she could ever be. And despite my best efforts I have objectively failed as your father," he said before putting a hand on his shoulder. "But this is a chance for us to start over. To make up lost time."

Astro looked back up towards him. "I can show you how to control your real form. I can teach you about your heritage, about your mother. I can get to know my son. We can make up for lost time," he said smiling. "I wasn't there for you back then, but I can be now. We can watch over this place as a family."

Astro could tell he was being genuine. It was just… hard to accept. He had spent his whole life hating his father. But now he knew that was all just a lie. He didn't even really know his father. Not really. Staying here would give him a chance to know his family… but he'd be leaving behind his other one.

He groaned and palmed his face. "Uh… you know this would have been a much easier decision if you were the bastard everyone said you were," he said letting out a light chuckle.

"Didn't want to make it too easy for you," Typhon said amused. He then pointed downwards. Astro followed where he was pointing and saw a group of kids playing. Some of them were mewmans, some of them were monsters, and some of them… looked like him. half-breeds. "Just know that here no one will give you any grief for being half monster. Or being my son."

Astro hummed. This place… this place was everything his mother had wanted. Everything he'd been fighting for. He stood up. "I'm still not sure I want to stay here… not forever. But since I'm already here I might as well look around right?" he asked.

Typhon smiled. "Alright then. I'll show you."

The carriage pulled up towards the doors of the monster kingdom. Minerva and Amber tried to look casual as the others stayed hidden in the back. "Just try and act natural," Minerva said.

The two guards standing at the gate were different this time. One of them was a cat-like figure wearing an almost ninja-like costume, and with a scarf covering the lower half of his face. The other was a septarian with scaly spikes all over his body and knight like armor.

As they stopped at the gate both the monsters looked at them curiously. "Greetings fine sirs! We're just here to deliver some supplies for-"

The leopard like monster moved faster than either of them could see. He was suddenly standing in between them, his arms crossed and a glare in his eyes. "What business do the septarian princess and her little lacky have here?" he asked before sniffing. He grunted and then looked towards the back. "And trying to sneak a few rats in at that…"

Amber frowned and slowly reached for her sickle, but the other guard pulled out a large broadsword and pointed it at her. "Don't even think about it, little one. You may have managed to bring down Sever, but that does not mean you're skilled enough to take us," he warned.

"How did you know-?"

"His majesty has eyes everywhere," the cat like one said before jumping back down in front of the gate. "I regret to inform you that his majesty is busy reuniting with the young prince. Father son time you know. We can't allow you to interrupt. So be on your way."

The two girls frowned, and then suddenly Nia stepped out from the back of the carriage. The two guards looked shocked as they saw the young princess. "Well I want to see my brother. It's a siblings thing, you know?" she asked sarcastically. "So I'm ordering you to step aside."

After a few moments, the guards quickly recovered and glared at her. "You have no authority here, princess. Leave this place never return," he said threateningly.

Nia glared. "Listen up! I'm not here as the princess as Mewni right now! I'm here as Astro's little sister! So either get out of the way, or I'll move you!" she said before holding up the wand towards them.

The two guards look ready to brawl, when suddenly another figure jumped down between them. Sting rose up to her feet, a devious smile on her face. "Stand down," she ordered. The two guards looked towards her shocked, but when she slammed her tail against the ground threateningly they jumped. "I said stand down."

The two quickly dropped their weapons as Sting turned towards the group. "My apologies. Had we known you were coming I would have been here to great you personality. It's an honor to finally meet you, princess Titania," she said bowing.

Nia looked confused, as did everyone else. "I can see you're curious. I assume you didn't expect to be welcomed here. But we're well aware the young prince is very fond of you, so it would displease him to know we turned you away," she said before tapping the gate with her tail. "I assume you're looking for Prince Asterossa. If you'd follow me, I'll take you to him."

She turned around and began walking. Nia stood there for a few moments, but then smiled. "Well, that was easier than I thought it'd be!" she said as she jumped down off the carriage and began walking after her.

Amber quickly grabbed her shoulder. "Princess Nia, I don't think you should just follow her so trustingly. Remember what your mother said? There are many here who would wish you harm. It could be a trap," she warned.

Nia puffed her cheeks. "So what? At least we'll be able to get inside. If they try something then we'll fight them off. We're awesome," she said.

"You're just a little ray of positivity aren't you?" Micah asked, smirking.

Sting chuckled as she looked back at the young princess. "Hmm, I see why the young prince is so fond of you. Obviously my word means very little to you, but I can assure you we have no ill intentions."

"Good enough for me," Nia said as she walked forward. "Let's go!"

The others followed after her and Sting, doing their best to ignore the dirty looks the guards were giving them. After they walked through, the gates closed behind them.

The Monster Kingdom was amazing. Astro, after having been convinced by his father, had changed into his monster form. He had been worried, but soon found there was nothing to be concerned about. He'd been able to walk around in his monster form without anyone batting an eye.

Everyone greeted his father happily, and when he had proudly introduced him as his son they were genuinely excited to meet him. There had even been a group of kids, some of them half-breeds like himself, who had crowded around him and started excitedly asking him all sorts of questions. He had shown them a few of his moves with his sword.

Mewmans, waterfolk, septarians, everyone was here. It was like a hub for every species in mewni. They had gardens to grow food in, and even a stable where they were raising their own dragons. But his father had been particularly excited about bringing him to the Arena.

Astro had never really liked fighting. At least he didn't like people knowing he did. As the prince he had to set an example, and finding joy in battle wasn't the type of image he wanted to give off. But here in the Arena everyone was welcomed to fight to their heart's content.

The greatest warriors in the kingdom came together to test their skills against one another, helping to sharpen each other's senses and instincts.

And Astro was right in the middle of it all.

He smiled as he blocked another sword headed his way. He easily pushed the opponent back, knocking him to the ground. Two more warriors ran at him from behind, but he spun around and rolled right between the two of them, tripping them up with his tail. His father had been right! Fighting in his monster form came so naturally! It was like his senses were working on overdrive!

A bull-like monster charged at him with his horns, and he smirked before charging back at him. The two locked horns, and for a moment it looked like Astro was going to be pushed back, but he bucked forward, knocking him back. The prince jumped forward tackling him to the ground before pointing his sword at him.

Everyone else was down already, and only Astro remained. The crowd cheered as he raised his sword into the air and laughed. Maybe it was because he could finally cut loose for once, or maybe it was his monster instincts kicking in, but he had never felt more alive than he had right now! The adrenaline of battle, the cheering of the crowd, it was amazing!

The bull monster groaned and shook his head before he suddenly began chuckling. Astro reached down and offered him his hand, which he gladly took. "You are indeed your father's son, young prince! You fight as if you were born in battle!" he said laughing as he was pulled up to his feet.

Astro bowed his head. "Thank you. It was an honor to meet you in combat," he said.

The bull-like monster nodded back and began walking off as Typhon flew down and landed next to Astro. The king smiled as he grabbed his hand and raised it up in the air. "The winner, in his debut in the arena no less, is my son, Asterossa!" he said proudly.

Everyone cheered louder, and Astro couldn't help but smile wider. After the day he'd had he needed all of this. Seeing this place, blowing off steam, being cheered, not having to hide. It just felt amazing. "Enjoying the attention son?" Typhon asked.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't take a bit of pleasure in all this," he admitted. It was still strange just… being next to his father. He'd imagined a ruthless monster when he was a kid, but he was acting like… a father. Kind of like River always was to him. Was this what having a dad was like?

"You know, if you decided to stay this could be your everyday life," he said obviously still trying to sway his son to stay. "Living peacefully. No worries. And hell, with few hundred years of training you might be able to give me a decent fight in the arena."

Astro chuckled, but then looked down at his feet. "I still… i don't know. I mean, I love it here. I feel like this is paradise. But mother and Nia…"

Typhon sighed. He opened his mouth to speak again, but suddenly something flew down and landed right between them. They both jumped back and saw that a trident was sticking out of the ground. The crowd gasped at the sudden attack "What in the world?" Typhon asked, confused.

Astro recognized it immediately. "Oh stump no…" he said paling. He looked up and then saw Sting, with Nia and the others standing behind her. A few feet away from them however was the princess of the Waterfolk. She did not look please. "Maria…"

Amber, Minerva, and Micah all looked at the girl shocked. The moment she had spotted Astro in the area, she had lined up her shot and nearly taken his head off. Nia and Vera on the other hand didn't look surprised at all. "At least she didn't hit him," Vera said. Nia nodded in agreement.

"Asterossa Butterfly!" Maria yelled angrily. "We need to talk, NOW!"

The prince gulped. "Fuck…"