Hello ! We are now in chapter 3 of this story! Last chapter I left you guys on a cliff hanger with Marco coming back from a little heart to heart with his new knight teacher El and a brand-spanking new appearance that has left our favorite mewman princess STUNNED and SHOCKED! Also there will be a few more surprises you're going to have to find in the story while you read.

So, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!

Disclaimer: Star vs belongs to Daren Nefcy and Disney.

Chapter 3: Welcoming a Knight and Potential Rivals

Star just stood dumbfounded with a look on her face that said 'HOLY CORN SHAKES' as she looked at Marco's new clothes after coming back from wherever he and his new knight/Jenny's friend El had gone off to.

In place of his usual red hoodie; Marco was now wearing a black hooded vest with red lining along the edges, two coattails and a red five-pointed star on the back. He wore a red T-shirt underneath the vest which was open and showed three swords crossed together in the center on the shirt. He wore black jeans with grey shin guards in place of his gray skinny pants and black trainers with red details in place of his olive-colored shoes. Star also saw the rather large sword on Marco's back. The blade was currently in a grey sheathe, but the guard was a polished silver color and the handle was dark red. But the biggest and most eye-catching thing Star noticed about Marco was what he had on his face.

More specifically, his cheeks. Resting on both his cheeks were two red crescent moon shaped marks that were giving off a slight golden glow.

'How does Marco have? But he's not a…? Unless he somehow?' Star thought as about a million more questions swarmed about in her head. She unconsciously moved closer to get a better look which unsettled Marco at how close she was right now.

"Uh Star?" Marco said. "You're a bit – "

"Shut it." Star said as she cut him off, before suddenly grabbing his face. This little action not only caused Marco's face to start doing an impression of an overly red tomato, but also caused Jenny's own blush and El to cover his mouth as to not burst out laughing.

"So, any questions you may have at the moment princess?" El asked after he had managed to gather some level of composure.

"Heck yes!" Star shouted as she let go of Marco's face to look at El. "First off, how in the name of Mewni does Marco now have check marks!? Next, where did he get those clothes and that sword from!? She asked rapidly as she got close up to El's face.

El backed up slightly to get some space before he answered.

"To answer your first question Princess, the marks on Marco's face appeared because he's basically awakened something that was previously closed off to him." El said but saw that Star was still confused about what he meant. "Hmm; I guess to put it simply, Marco's unlocked the ability to channel his own personal version of the kind of magic that you can use. Does that make sense?"

"Ohh, I think get what you mean." Star said. "So if Marco can use his own version of magic, does that mean the sword he has is like my wand?"

"Uh, not exactly." El said. "And since you brought it up, let me answer your second question. The sword Marco has now is more or less a… training sword I let him take from where we were."

"What?" Star asked as she looked at the weapon that was on her friend's back again. "That's… a training sword?"

"Uh Star?" Marco said getting her attention. "I know it sounds weird to hear how this sword I've got now is only just a training sword, but I sort of agree with El on this." He explained as he took hold of the handle of his sword. "I can't really explain it, but this sword feels more like something… I'd be starting out with as a squire."

"But Marco; if that sword is only for training, what's going to happen when you go up against something that you can't cut with it?" Star asked worriedly.

"No one said the sword couldn't cut anything, Princess." El said. "Actually, that sword Marco has now could rend any opponent he faces no problem. It's just that the sword is not his "True" sword if that makes any sense."

"Uh, I'm not sure. But if Marco can make sense of all that, then I'm okay with it." Star said. "So what about the clothes Marco's wearing now, where he get them?"

"Oh these?" El said. "I made those myself actually. I just weaved a bit of my own power into what he was already wearing, changed a few things and BAM! New outfit." He explained.

"Still wished you'd asked for my permission before just doing it out of the blue like that." Marco said.

"That's so cool!" Star said excitedly. "Hey, do you think you could that with the rest of Marco's clothes? You know that red hoodie of Marco's you turned into his new outfit? He's got like a bunch more like it."

"Seriously?" Jenny asked looking at Marco.

"What? They were on sale and liked how they look." Marco said.

"Hmm, I suppose I could help update his wardrobe a bit." El said which had Star jumping for joy. "With his permission if that's okay?"

"Well... sigh. I guess it wouldn't hurt to maybe... try some different styles out." Marco said.

"Yay! Marco's getting an outfit do over! This is going to be so much fun!" Star said happily jumping all over the place. "Let me go and tell my mom and dad that you guys are back. She said she wanted to introduce you to the other knights of the castle as well as show you to a room she's set up for you. After that we can then get started on Marco's new outfits!"

"Just me only? What about Jenny?" El asked.

"Oh, mom said Jenny could bunk with me. I mean my room is plenty big enough, plus it'll be nice to have someone new to talk to about with stuff." Star said.

"Sounds like you two really hit it off while we we're out, huh?" El said looking to Jenny.

"Well given that Star is the only other girl I've had the chance to talk with and get to know without having to leave due to traveling with you, then yes I'd say we hit it off very well." Jenny said with a bit of sarcasm.

"Alright, messaged received." El said, holding up his hands in false surrender while Star and Marco snickered at the two.

"Okay, now while everyone waits here, I'll go tell mom and dad that Marco and El are back." Star said as she ran off, leaves the trio to go get her parents.

After Star left, Jenny gave Marco's new appearance another onceover and had a good idea of where the two had gone to. She then noticed that her examining of his new look didn't go un-noticed by the young man.

"Um Jenny?" Marco asked. "Is there something you want to say to me?"

"Oh, sorry for staring like that. I was just getting a better look at your new outfit, it really does suit you Marco." Jenny complimented. "It also tells me where exactly El took you to. Seeing as he's told me about that place a couple of times during our travels." She said looking to El.

"Should have figured you'd know where I was taking the kid." El said. "Well don't be too surprised if he's not the only one I decide to bring there from time to time."

"Wait a minute, Jenny you know about that place that El took me too?" Marco asked.

"Elrianode Training Grounds? Yep." Jenny said. "It also goes by the name of "Birth Place of Beginnings", since El said it was there that his journey to be the strongest knight/swordsmen truly started."

"Wow, I didn't know it was that important of a place to you, El." Marco said, before remembering what said. "You said Jenny shouldn't be too surprised if I'm not the only other person you bring to that place. Does that mean you plan to take other people there too?" he questioned.

"Whoa, you catch on quick." El said. "Alright then, I'll let you in on a little something. Truthfully speaking, I sort of got the feeling that along with you there are about… five others that have the same kind of raw talent I'm looking for and want to temper."

"Five others!?" Marco said surprised. "do you know who they are already!?"

"Oh no, not in the slightest." El said scratching the back of his head as Marco looked stunned and Jenny rolled her eyes mumbling "of course". "I'll know who they are when I see something… special about them."

"Huh?" Marco said confused by what he meant.

"What he's basically saying Marco is that if he sees something that sets someone apart from others, then he'll ask to see how far he can bring it to getting better." Jenny said. "Or if you want an even simpler answer; someone does something cool in his opinion, he'll ask if he can train them."

"That sounds pretty…. Simple." Marco said.

"Hey, sometimes simple is best. Over-complicating things is just too much for me." El said as Jenny sighed and Marco laughed sheepishly.

After a while, Star came back to the room and told everyone to follow her to the throne room where her parents were waiting for them. Once they got there, Marco, El and Jenny noticed that the castle's knights were all assembled there as well.

El noticed that among the assemble of knights, there were a couple that stood out the most due to a couple of things.

The first was a woman with a very hefty upper-body build, brown skin, long and poofy maroon hair, hazelnut eyes, and dark reddish-orange lipstick. She was wearing a light blue royal guard uniform with a yellow star on the chest plate, light blue wristbands, and a light blue helmet with a yellow star on the front, small blue wings on the sides, and a large pink feather on top.

The second person was a tanned skinned male with two scars on his face, black eyes and a black goatee, with stubble across his face. He also wore a light blue guard's uniform, with a star on his chest plate, spikes on his shoulders, and two spikes on his wrist bands. He also has a light blue helmet with a star symbol, a pair of yellow wings, and one yellow spike on top.

Next was another male with a slight muscular build and the same skin tone as the woman before. He had a pale blue mustache and beard, dark gray eyebrows, and blue eyes. Unlike the first two he wore a green tunic and hood, gray undershirt, yellow rubber gloves, brown pants, and maroon boots.

Defiantly the more 'out there' was the last one he noticed. He was another dark-skinned male with raspberry-colored hair that was in an Elvis Presley style. He had muscular build and was wearing a pale gold tunic with gray chainmail sleeves, white pants, brown boots and a dark-blue cape that stopped at his ankles. He also had a smug look in his eyes from what El could see.

Standing not too far away from the assembled knights were a group of youths who looked to be around Marco and Star's age.

'Well… a couple of them are around their age.' El thought as his line of vision lingered a bit on the one from that group that caught his eye.

The person was a young teenage girl who looked to be as tall as Star. She had slightly-dark cream-colored skinned, short orange hair, green eyes, and freckles. She was wearing a blue tunic with red spiked shoulder pads, a red belt, white pants, red thigh-length boots, and pale yellow elbow-length armbands.

El noticed that she was sending a rather skeptical look towards Marco who hadn't noticed due to the young man busy examining the other knights.

'Doesn't even know he's a squire yet, but she's already sniffing him out huh? Not bad.' He thought.

As Moon watched her daughter lead Jenny, El, and Marco over to them, her eyes widened in shocked as she quickly noticed the cheek marks that were now on Marco's face.

A million questions were already forming in her head. But she chose to shelve them for now, and address the gathered knights of why she had called them all here.

"Now that our guests have arrived, I would like to address our knights as to what will be taking place now." Moon said in her 'Queenly' voice. "Firstly, I'd would like you all to meet our newest knight and his recently appointed squire. One who recently had been acting as a host to our daughter and your princess, Star."

Moon then ushered El and Marco to come stand next to her so she could introduce them.

"Everyone this is Sir El; he will be staying here at the castle while also aiding in its protection. So please do try to make him feel welcomed." Moon said as El moved a bit closer to greet the group.

"While I may not be of this kingdom, I will spare no amount of my strength in protecting it when its needed. I look forward to the day were I can fight alongside all of you as fellow knights." El said dutifully. "That being said, I have noticed the small group standing off to the side. Can I assume that they are squires to some of you here?"

El saw the ones that he had picked out from the group walk out to him, minus the one wearing the green tunic. He then saw them look over to the other group as three individuals came forward. This included the orange-haired girl he noticed before.

"Well, you certainly have keen eyes, Sir El." River said jovially. "Now would you three knight please introduce yourselves as well as your squires?" he asked.

"Yes King River." The female knight said. "I'm Lady Whosits, I am part the Royal Guard. I'm usual tasked with protecting certain areas of the castle at times." Lady Whosits explained. "Right here is my squire, but also my son Baby-Man." She said patting a large male who looked to be about the same size as her on the back.

The male in question was Caucasian, wearing a pale green tunic brown vest, black pants, grey boots, blue rope belt, and grey shoulder pads and helmet with a single spike on each.

"Oh, so becoming knights runs in your family I see." El said. "It's good to train the next generation in one's lineage." He complimented.

"Oh, well thank you." Lady Whosits said as she and her son bowed thankfully.

The next pair were the scared knight and another male who looked way too old to still be a squire.

'O-kay, what the heck is the story here?' El thought as the scared knight spoke.

"Name's Sir Scarsguard; like Lady Whosits, I'm also part of the Mewni Royal Guard. I also taught Princess Star how best to defend herself as well as teaching her to wield a sword." Sir Scarsguard said. "The… stripling… next to me here is Old Guy."

"Huh. I mean no disrespect when I say this Sir Scarsguard, but is your squire here a bit umm…" El trailed off before Scarsguard pick up what he meant.

"I'm aware of it. But let's just say… it's a favor I'm doing for a fellow knight and just leave it at that."

"Alright then." El said sensing that the scared knight didn't even want to talk about the subject further. So turned to the last duo. "And you might be?"

"Sir Stabby my good man. Mewni's finest and possible best knight in the kingdom." The now dubbed Sir Stabby said confidently as both Whosits and Scarsguard were rolling their eyes at the proclamation.

Something that El clearly noticed. 'I can definitely see this guy as a possible problem down the line, Geez.' El thought.

"Now Sir El, yes? Would it be alright for me to assume that the young man standing with Princess Star is your squire?" Sir Stabby asked looking passed El and directly at Marco.

"You definitely catch on quick, huh?" El said as he massaged his neck, before ushering Marco to come over.

Marco quickly made his way over until he was standing on El's left, where he was face to face with Sir Stabby's squire who was slightly shorter than him by a couple of inches.

"Right so introductions. This guy here is Marco, Marco Diaz. And I'm planning on training him to be Mewni's best and strongest knight." El declared which had Marco and everyone else's eyes widen in surprise.

Except Jenny who simply sighed and folded her arms.

After that little declaration; the next sounds that were heard were that of Sir Stabby laughing and holding his sides. While his squire simply looked as Marco covered his face with his hand in embarrassment.

However, it was at that moment that she noticed the marks on Marco's cheeks. The same ones that were only found on members on the royal Butterfly family.

'What the? Why does he have cheek marks like the Queen and the Princess!?' She thought frantically as it was commonly known that only females of the Royal Butterfly family bore cheek marks. The only male in the family that had them was King Jushtin Butterfly or Jushtin the Uncalculated as he was also known by.

"W-Well, after that very funny and entertaining introduction of yours, I feel I am obligated to introduce my own squire." Sir Stabby said in between his laughter, before stopping and coughing while sending a look to his squire who quickly picked up on this and stood at attention. "Now then; allow me to introduce you to my squire, Higgs. A fine young girl who listens to everything I say, follows every order I give her, gets me anything I ask of her no matter how difficult. Given all that, I'd say she's more likely to become the kingdom's strongest knight before your squire." Sir Stabby said in a poorly concealed cocky way.

"Really now?" El said before looking to Higgs. "And what's your take on the matter little miss? How would you rate yourself compared to Marco here?" he asked.

"Why are you asking her?" Sir Stabby said. "I've already said what she's – "

"It's one thing to be told how great someone is from someone else. However, it is a different thing when you hear it directly from the people themselves." El said as looked back at Higgs. "So? How good of a squire would you say you are, hmm?" asked Higgs.

Higgs had to take a moment to really think about how to answer the question. Usually, she wouldn't hesitate and say she was the best squire and would become a knight in no time flat. But, when this new knight with the long hair and red eyes asked her, she suddenly found her voice stuck in her throat.

"Higgs, what are you waiting for?" Sir Stabby said. "Answer the question. You've told numerous people before of how you're the best squire of this year's group. So just say it as you always do."

"Maybe she's reevaluating herself?" El said as he shrugged.

"Nonsense! Higgs has always shown to be far superior to others." Sir Stabby insisted. "But if you want to see proof of what I'm saying, why have both our squires take part in a little sparring match?" he suggested.

"Sir Stabby!" Queen Moon said. "You would do well to not be so – "

"I don't see why not?" El said, which surprised everyone else besides Jenny. "So long as it's okay with Queen Moon that is?" he asked looking to the queen herself.

"Sigh, well I don't see any real issue." Moon said. "But shouldn't you consult this with your squire as well?"

"Oh right." El said as looked to Marco. "So you up for it Marco?"

"How is it that the first day of me being your squire gets me into a fight?" Marco asked before looking back to Higgs who he saw giving him a very competitive look. "But I can't just say no here. So… I accept the challenge."

"Haha! That's the spirit Marco my boy!" River shouted jovially.

"Well it appears both parties have come to an agreement." Moon said. "If that's the case, let us all move to the knight's training grounds for this… unexpected sparring match shall we?"

As the two young squires continued to eye each other, Marco couldn't help but take notice of the sudden spark of excitement that just went off in his heart.

'My first day as a squire starts with a fight.' Marco thought. 'Well, I just hope I don't disappoint.'

As everyone was making their way to the training grounds, Higgs took a glance at Marco and noticed that he was grasping the handle of the sword on his back while a slight grin was on his face. However, her eyes widened when she also noticed that marks on his cheeks were giving off a slight golden glow.

'What in the hell did I just get myself into here?' She thought as began to contemplate the mystery that surrounded this guy she was about to fight.

A/N: Sorry for the wait on this chapter guys, my job was a mad house this week. But anyway, what do you guys think Marco and El's meeting with a couple of the knights? And how do you think the match between Marco and Higgs will go? And how do you think Moon and a couple others will feel about Marco having cheek marks? Leave your thoughts and reviews and I'll see you all next chapters... See Ya! ;)