Like Father, Like Daughter
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Star vs the Forces of Evil
Chapter 22: Princess Seraph
"I liked your hair the other way." Heinous told Marco, "It was cuter."
Marco stared daggers at the woman. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't just sit back and do nothing when you are named Princess Of the Year," Heinous scowled, "You?! The Princess of the Year?! You are the farthest thing from a proper princess."
"Why are you even here?" Marco asked, "This whole thing is not supposed to be revealed until the next issue."
"For the love-" Madam Dramaturge held back a curse, "Steve! I've told him not to reveal anything! I will have another talk with our social media manager."
"What are you here for?" Marco kept his focus on the woman backed with the metal guards. "And I thought you were broke, where did you get the new guards?"
Gemini coughed to clear his throat, "Oh, these are our old guards. We were digging through the dumpsters. They had barely gotten around to tossing them out. All we had to do is repair them."
"Yeah, Pony Head… is gonna be an interesting queen."
"That brings us to our purpose," Miss Heinous spoke up, "I've come for your daughter. Imagine what people will say if I can turn your born out of wedlock wild child into a proper princess. I'll have parents bringing me their children in droves."
Marco didn't hear the end of that sentence, his world went red as his blood started to boil at the very idea of this woman taking his daughter away from him. Marco rushed at the woman, but was stopped by one of the robotic guards punching him in the gut.
Marco was flung back only to be caught by Seraph.
"Yes, how can you be a proper parent with behavior like that?" Heinous chuckled petting the severed arm.
"Are you okay?" Seraph whispered to him.
Marco nodded as he forced his breath to get regulated; he couldn't lose his head again. He pulled himself to his feet and stood before his daughter, his scissors finding their way to his hand with a burst of flame turning into a sword.
Gemini shivered at the glare Marco was giving him. It was the look of a warrior that would not allow themself to be stopped.
Marco voice was low and serious, "I'm going to give you one warning, leave now or I won't be held responsible if you try to even touch my daughter." His grip tighten on the sword's handle.
The room grew quiet, even the robots seemed nervous.
"Gemini, go get her and make sure to silence those reporters." She motioned to the staff that had gotten stuck in a corner away from the door.
"Ma'am?" Gemini questioned.
"They're reporters, they will talk and her mother is Hekapoo. We can't have her find out about this too soon, if she comes after us we will need a healthy head start."
Marco stood between them, "Seraph, go with them and make sure they get out."
Marco didn't wait for a reply as the robots walked forwards and with two swings of his sword he slashed through them.
The two robotic guards lingered before falling to pieces to the ground. Marco walked forwards straight at Heinous.
"Hurry!" Heinous ordered.
The robots rushed at them with four times the speed. Marco quickly took down another pair as the rest pushed past him.
Several robots rushed at the magazine staff, "Move!" Seraph yelled at them.
Her flaming fist struck one of the robots forcing it to collide into the other.
Seraph quickly put herself between them and droids. The flames danced around her arms as she fixed her stance.
All at once, the robots all rushed at her, trying to over power her. Flames flickered in Seraph's eyes as she rushed them right back with her arms spread out. She let out a battle cry pushing forward as flames erupted outwards striking the machines.
Cracks and sizzles followed and their metal began to boil and crackle.
And with one final push, the machines tumbled to the ground and mostly in a puddle.
Seraph huffed wiping some of the newly liquid metal from her. Her breathing was hard; that took a good deal of effort on her part.
The magazine staff stared at awe at the young woman before them and sheer power she had started to display.
"Yes, we'd expected you'd do that." Gemini held out a silver gun and fired it.
Something struck Seraph and wrapped around her torso pulling her hands together as it did, "Uh, is this duct tape?"
"Muspelheim duct tape, not only can it withstand high temperatures but also absorb heat near it."
Seraph tried to ignite her hands again only to feel them getting cold and the tape glowing a little bit.
"You are not the first hot tempered princess we've dealt with."
Seraph growled, "Sorry about the floor." She glanced at Madam Dramaturge.
Seraph's feet ignited burning away her shoes and the edge of her skirt and scorching the floor black. Seraph had tried flying before; it hadn't worked out for her. She couldn't find the right balance and without her hands to stabilize her it wouldn't be any better.
As more robots came closer to them, she jumped and kicked one of the robot's head right off. In mid air, she put her feet together and forced more flames to erupt and fire her like a rocket.
"Oh my!" Gemini mumbled out watching Seraph's horn rip through the robots and slamming one of them right into him and then a wall.
Marco's dress swirled around him as sliced the robots that dared get close. No motion was wasted, each move perfectly planned not to use extra unneeded strength or leaving any opening until he made one. Marco rushed right at Heinous and held out his sword
"Rasticore!" Heinous let out.
The severed hand she'd been holding raised the saw blocking the blow.
Marco fell back to the ground; some of the robots were starting to move towards him. They were starting to surround him.
The old headmaster didn't hide her disgust, "I heard about your trials with Hekapoo. Sixteen years of fighting and struggle all alone except for few moments of a torrid affair, such undignified activities for a princess much less one that has so much focus on her. Then to have an illegitimate daughter with that depraved termagant-"
Rasticore was forced to block another sudden blow from Marco.
"Don't you ever speak of them like that." Marco spat poison.
She snapped her fingers as the closest robots all turned their attention to Marco, surrounding him.
"I will speak of them any way I like." Heinous spoke haughty, "You've lost. Surrender with some dignity, like a proper princess. You're alone and will remain that way."
Marco smirked, "You don't know anything about my trails with Hekapoo. If you did, you'd know I'd never give up. That and I'm never alone; I wasn't alone on that trial I had a friend." Marco took a deep breath and let out a loud whistle.
Heinous looked around as if expecting something to happen, "Was-"
A terrible roar ripped through the air, Heinous's eyes bulged as Nachos rushed towards her. She barely had a moment to dodge the dragon cycle.
Nachos rushed to Marco's side, smacking some of the robots aside with her tail as she went.
Marco patted the dragon on the head, then with a whisper, "Get Seraph out of here."
The loyal mount gave a solemn nod and rushed towards her charge. As Nachos moved to her, Seraph struggled to pull herself free as her horns got stuck in the robot. Nachos used the horn on her nose to rip through the tape that bound Seraph.
"Seraph use your scissors and get out of here." Marco ordered,
"I can't." Seraph admitted through gritted teeth. "I left my scissors in my jacket, which is back in the dressing room."
Marco moved to change his sword back to scissors and hand them to her, but Seraph placed her hand on his. "No, I'm not leaving you! You wouldn't leave me, so I'm not going to leave you!"
"I'm the parent! My first job is to make sure you're safe!"
"I'm your kid! It's my job to make sure I keep my family!" Seraph argued. "You wouldn't leave me, Mom wouldn't leave me, why'd you'd think I would leave you?"
Marco couldn't help but smile, his daughter had a good heart and protective of those she cared for.
She also seemed as determined as him.
"Okay, if you're not going to go get back to back." Marco told her, his mind trying to come up with a plan to fight everyone off. He was thinking maybe they could fight for a while, and if he acted quickly, he might be able to use the scissors for a portal shove Seraph through. He needed to make sure she was safe above anything else.
They got ready to fight back to back with Nachos by their side ready to fight.
They didn't get a chance.
Something struck him, something wrapped around him and he tumbled to the floor. His sword fell to the side as his hands were bound. Then something hit Nachos, keeping the dragon from moving around.
As Marco struggled on the floor, he saw what was happening. Gemini from under one of the robots was firing his duct tape gun. He barely managed to free himself from the robot to have some sort of aim. He fired rapidly at Seraph hitting her a few times, she tumbled to ground this time with the duct tape wrapping around her torso and legs.
Marco hadn't noticed him under the robot.
Heinous looked over to the small man struggling to free himself from the broken robot, "Gemini, I never thought I'd say this, but good work."
"Thank you my lady."
Seraph had managed to keep her left hand from being bound. She tried to create a ball of fire, but as soon as the flame manifested the tape drew out the heat and it sizzled out.
"Get her." Heinous snapped at the robots who quickly picked up Seraph.
Heinous walked over to Marco, "Worry not, I will make sure to teach your daughter proper manners."
"By brainwashing her!" Marco tried to break his bounds.
Rasticore's fingers wriggled around the saw, "Ah, yes," Heinous continued, "Rasticore is still upset about what happened at Quest Buy. Since you destroyed his body, I say that it would be fair for him to do the same to you."
She held out the arm as it held the saw, then paused to revved it up. "Give me a second. The cord is stuck again." Heinous tried to pull the cord.
Gemini suggested, "Pull from above."
"I know what I'm doing!"
The Magazine Staff held themselves in bated breath. They expected this to be a big interview for them; they didn't expect that this would turn into a obituary piece, not that they thought they would get a chance to write about this anyway. The robots were all around them waiting for their orders.
"Got it!" Heinous yelled out as the saw finally got going.
Seraph panicked. She pulled out her flames as much as she could, desperate to do anything. Sparks shooting off her hand, she could barely hold a flame. She focused on her flame. She could control it. She had to stretch it out to do something. She had to do something.
The saw came down on Marco but stopped; a long whip like flames wrapped around it. Seraph held out her hand with a stretched out flame in it, controlling its shape and tugging on it, pulling the saw away.
The flame whip sizzled out, and Seraph let out a tired breath.
"Get her hand!" Heinous ordered.
"I've got it." Gemini pulled out the gun and aimed it at her hand, his eye lens focused on the target.
A small triangular dagger formed in her hand, and with a flick of her wrist it flew and struck his false eye.
Gemini yelped as he fell backwards, and the flame dagger vanished.
"Gemini!" Heinous let out as she moved towards the girl.
Seraph formed another dagger, but instead of throwing it, shot it out much like how she had shot before. The dagger made contact with the saw forcing it out of the lizard's hand.
These constructs were more compact, more solid, and easier for her to aim.
"You impudent wretch!"
Seraph, in a panic, let the flames dance on her hand. She tried pulling her hand out as far as possible letting the flames take a bit bigger form than the daggers, a small sword forming. Seraph already felt the flames weakening so close to the tape, she acted quickly using it to slash at the robot that held her. The robot dropped her and it's now half melted arm. Seraph tried to move back.
Marco didn't waste his chance and moved towards the still spinning saw and used it to cut the tape. He quickly ripped through it, jumped up, and pushed Heinous aside. Marco picked up his sword and rushed to his daughter's side.
Using the sword, he cut through the tape.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Seraph got up ripping a bit of tape away from her.
More robots rushed at them, and Seraph held out her hand, creating more daggers and shooting them at them. Marco slashed at them with fury making his way to Nachos and freeing her. The dragon roared and started to leap on the robots and tear them part.
"Lady?" Gemini made his way to Heinous. He was having a hard time seeing anything with his false eye.
"Do something!" Heinous ordered him.
"I would if I could."
There was a clatter as the last robot fell to the ground and the room went silent.
Seraph formed a long blade, copying the sword her parents gave her. The flames flickered wildly, but it held its basic shape.
Heinous got that her plans were not going where she wanted them to grabbed the chain saw and quickly created a portal away.
A well placed kick from Marco tossed the saw away. Heinous turned to find Marco's blade right at her neck.
His eyes were cold and black, Heinous expected pure fury and rage but instead saw Marco… almost calm. Yes, there was rage in his eyes, but his body was steady, focused, and thoughtful.
He spoke in just barely a whisper, "I've seen a lot of things. I've been in the front lines of battles. I've seen enough broken bodies and blood to last me lifetimes. I do not want my little girl to see such horrible and bloody deaths. I won't let her see that. And I don't want to be the one make her see that," The tip of the sword digging into her neck and drawing a single drop of blood, "But you attacked my little girl, so make sure you listen. I'm giving you one more chance."
Marco took a step back and spoke louder to make sure she heard him, "You can leave now through that portal or you can deal with me. If you go through that portal know that you don't get another chance if you come after my family."
Even Heinous, who wasn't exactly reasonable, understood the finality in his statement.
"I- I- I- will take your kind offer."
Heinous made a move to grab the saw, but Seraph got it first and shoved her fiery sword through it. "Oops!" It glowed bright red before it started to melt. "I'm a wild child, don't know what I'm doing."
Heinous grabbed Rasticore and shoved Gemini into the portal before rushing through it.
The portal closed behind them, and Marco took a breath and rushed to his daughter and gave her a hug.
"Are you okay? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Seraph smiled at him, "Are you?"
"Don't worry about me." He looked at his daughter's hands. "I didn't know you could shape your flames like that."
"I didn't either. I just did it right now. I just focused my power into them and kept the flames closer, and I found it easier to control."
"Probably because it's more solid that way."
Marco mused, neither realizing they were being watched by the magazine staff nor that they were taking notes in a hurry.
0000
Marco's parents decided to throw a party as the magazine came out. They were very proud of them, and made a note to sit down and talk to Marco. It was a bit shocking to find out he lead a rebellion. They really needed to know more about their own son.
It was a small party, only inviting some close friends. The trophies for the pair sat on the coffee table for all to see by a box full of the magazines.
Jackie and Janna sat down the couch flipping through the pages.
Marco sat down, "Okay, give it to me. Go ahead and just say it."
They both looked at him confused. Janna finally speaking up, "Yeah, I already knew about you being Princess Marco."
Jackie smiled, "I think it's cool; you're role model for girls and preaching individuality."
Marco was stunned, "Oh, okay. I'm gonna get some pizza, want me to get you anything?"
They shook their head, and Marco went to get some food.
"So…" Jackie began, "Marco is like super pretty in a dress."
"Yeah, he really is." Janna said sounding a bit jealous.
Marco's parent sat by the table reading over the magazine. It had been pretty much been taken over by Marco and Seraph; the magazine promised to talk about the other winners in the next issues. No one complained. When someone attacks you during an interview, you have a lot to talk about.
Miss Grant and Miss Kim and even their co-workers talked about everything from the interview to the fight. Jimmy had actually taken pictures through the whole thing, getting several action shots.
The picture Marco's parents liked most was the one chosen for the cover. It was a picture of Marco and Seraph hugging, the one that was first taken. It just showed how close they were, and how much they loved each other.
Angie started to read out loud the interview they had with Seraph, "… My grandparents are amazing. I love them so much! They're so warm, kind, and inviting. When I first showed up at their home, they welcomed me with open arms. They've been nothing but loving and supportive. They also helped me develop some creative projects I've been working on. My Abuelo makes great sculptures and he's been letting me work with him. I'm starting to make my own things, and he's helping me learn how to make them better. My grandma is sweet and kind. She writes poetry, and they're just a wonderful. She often reads them to me, and sometimes she let me rest my head on her lap as she reads them. I could spend hours like that…"
They had to stop reading as they started to cry with joy.
0000
Star, in another room, was reading to herself, "If I have any inspiration for being a princess, it would have to be Star Butterfly. She's one of the kindest and bravest people I have ever met. During the coup at the Battle Nexus Tournament, she fought with me trying to keep everyone safe. She was so amazing! And she's so kind, when I first came to Earth she was so nice. She took me shopping to get me things for my new room and just overall was nice. She really helped make it home for me. She's been nothing but kind and caring to me. If I can be as half as good princess as she is, then I know I'll be a good one."
Star smiled through tears, not only did someone actually say she was a good princess, but Seraph was just saying such nice things to about her. She just to go find her and give a great big bear hug.
0000
Marco had just wanted some pizza, but now he and Seraph were signing some magazines for Pony Head.
"You can't have this many sisters." Marco objected.
"Oh, I don't." Pony Head confirmed, "I'm selling the rest online."
"Hey Pony Head, I need them alone for a moment." Hekapoo walked in.
"Uh, sure," Pony Head made herself scarce, still a little nervous around her.
Hekapoo sat across them, a lot has happened in the last few days. She couldn't admit that she was happy that Marco let Heinous go as she was wanted by the High Commission, but like him she wouldn't have been sure if she wouldn't have done something to her she'd regret showing Seraph. Then she read the magazine; she still blushed when she read Marco's interview. They seemed to slant it so it seemed like the whole thing between them was some big tragic romance straight out of some sort of pulp romance novel.
"How are my favorite princesses?" Hekapoo smiled at the pair.
Marco sighed, "Yeah, I was wondering when you were gonna get to that. You haven't said anything about Princess Marco."
"Yeah, you got me the doll and never told me my dad was Princess Marco." Seraph wagged her finger at her mother.
Hekapoo grinned, "Oh! I had this whole thing planned! My initial plan was for your next birthday to be Princess Marco themed! But that didn't work out." She looked over her daughter, "So, you can shape your flames now?"
"Yeah!" Seraph held out her hand, the flames taking shape of a dagger. She'd gotten better and more detailed with it, slowly turning it into a kunai.
"Yeah, that's amazing, I can't do that, I mean I can get a basic shape, but nothing like that. You've really grown."
"Really?" Seraph looked at her.
"I mean, I go basic shapes and can shape heated metals, but I can't work flames like clay. That's amazing. Let's do something special, anything you want Sweetie It's yours."
Seraph's eye lit up, "I want to go on a family trip, the three of us."
Marco and Hekapoo looked at one another, Marco spoke up, "Sure, I guess, where do you want to go?"
"I saw this commercial for this theme park!"
0000
At St. O's, the princesses were a buzz. They had all heard rumors, mostly from Pony Head, that their Hero Princess Marco has a child with the High Commissioner Hekapoo. That was truly interesting, and more interesting things came as rumors about their daughter circulated. She fought brainwashed warriors at the Battle Nexus Tournament, showing that she could be a hero just as much as Marco.
Now the news that Heinous attacked them, and they took her down. All the princess were eager to read the new magazine and didn't hesitate to tear it apart once it arrived.
They loved finding out the new princess was kind hearted, caring, with a flare for art, and that she could be strong, devoted and protective of those she cared about. She loved, and she could fight. She was this warrior poet princess.
Their Rebel Princess was the princess of the year, but Seraph was clearly the most up and coming princess. They all expected her to do great things.
One princess finished putting a poster on her wall; it was some new merchandize.
The poster depicted Marco on Nachos with Seraph sitting behind Marco. Marco was rocking the typical Princess Marco look but with a pair of sun glass and a leather jacket added.
This picture was actually taken right after the fight with Heinous.
Seraph was still wearing the yellow dress, the trim burnt. She also now had on her hoodie jacket combo, and over her head she held a sword made out fire.
Yes, the poster was of two princess riding a dragon ready to kick some butt.
They would sell like hot cakes.
Marco was actually getting more royalties because of the new surge of product, and now Seraph was getting royalty checks.
All the Princesses at the school were happy to have a new princess to inspire them. Many of them starting looking into the arts because of her love of art with many taking to sculptures or poetry because her mention of her grandparents.
The school had started to change. After all the princesses realized that Pony Head wasn't the best person to leave in charge, other princesses stepped up and took charge. Many begun to see how trashed the school had gotten from partying so much, and they wanted an education.
In the interview, they read about how Seraph was working hard at school, and how Marco was helping her with her work.
They took a note from that, they hired teachers that cared about their education and not brainwashing them. They finally got around to paying the power bill and payed for food and other necessities. Slowly the school was changing for the better.
They hired teachers who would teach them about histories and cultures about other worlds and about politics. They even made sure that there were also some art teachers.
If their heroes were trying to better themselves, none of the princesses could think of any reason why they shouldn't too. They were even looking into hiring someone to teach about Earth culture.
Author's Notes: Hey, so here's another chapter sooner than most of you expected. Me and My beta wanted to finish this quick arc. Here in the United States, we have a holiday coming up. Plus I am in this writing thing so I want to focus on it a bit. So taking a break for a bit. I have another update in the drabble stories and a story with Seraph about the Marcapoo base and its kids. So check that out. It's been a while since the Tv Tropes page for this story got updated so maybe some people should show it some love. Either we well be back to work in a bit. Until then have fun, eat, stay warm and be happy. Leave a review and tell me what you think.
Beta Note: Your friendly neighborhood beta here wishing you all a happy early Thanksgiving.