THE TALE OF STAR - THE FROZEN BUTTERFLY
"Corpus petrificatus antithesis!"
This ancient incantation was a spell created by an ancient queen of the Butterfly Kingdom, to reverse the effects of petrification. Typically, it was used to cure mewmans who ingested yada yada berries, like poor, helpless Star. Moon had brought her to Eclipsa's fancy modern home in Cornstalk Flats, a new housing district built to provide shelter for those displaced by the Cleaving.
Moon's reason for bringing Star there was to try and cure her, as Eclipsa knew how to use this spell; While the old magic was indeed gone, it returned months later in a newer, stabler form. The Butterflies were still the only full-fledged magic users in Echo Creek, but that was set to change; Eclipsa's new mission was to seek out those blessed with the gift of magic, and teach them how to wield it responsibly.
"There, all done. How do you feel now?" Eclipsa queried. Star tried to get up off the couch, but alas, she was still immobilized. Disappointed, Star let out a soft whimper.
"Drat! That spell worked on Manfred when he was petrified...and that rotten scoundrel repaid me by defecting to Mina..." Moon cringed when Eclipsa mentioned that calamitous crisis. While Star, Eclipsa, and many others had forgiven Moon for her betrayal, there was still one person who hadn't; Herself.
"Perhaps it doesn't work when the berries are undercooked." Moon suggested. "Looks like you'll just have to wait it out." She ran her fingers through her daughter's soft, honey-colored hair to placate her, and Star let out a sigh in return.
"It's alright, I can take it. I just hope my friends can handle my responsibilities."
"I'm sure they can, dear. They're quite dependable." Eclipsa replied.
"Is there anything else I can get you? A glass of water? Another blanket?"
"I'm fine, Mom. Thanks, though."
"Anything for you, darling." Moon kissed her daughter's forehead, and headed into the kitchen to start cooking some hearty soup. As Star laid still, the hybrid toddler Meteora excitedly ran around the living room, happy as a lark.
"Zoo! Zoo! Zoo!" She squealed, as she ran up to her mommy and started tugging on her dress.
"Okay, okay, we're going! Eclipsa picked up her adorable daughter, and placed her in her baby pouch. "Angie and I are taking the little ones to the zoo today. Won't that be exciting?"
"Sounds like it. Have fun, guys." Once Eclipsa and Meteora headed on their merry way, it was just Star, her mother, and a Y.O.U.T.H.S. marathon. She had nothing to do and nowhere to go, so all she was focused on was watching some good TV.
At least it started that way. Unfortunately, as time began to pass, Star's mind drifted off into anxious, doubtful thoughts. By encouraging Charlie to make that toxic sandwich, she thought she had done a good deed; Alas, it was one bad choice that put a whole day's worth of important events in jeopardy. Furthermore, her doubts started to spread from herself to her friends.
While she greatly appreciated their generous help, Star felt as if she wasted their days; Besides, were they even the right fits for the jobs? Tom still had a bit of a temper when pushed far enough, and the Unity Council was certainly "enough." Being from Earth, Marco hardly had the experience necessary for Cornball; In fact, he once said it himself. Lastly, Janna wasn't the Pony Head Show's biggest fan; Would her as a guest be divine or disastrous?
The consequences of Star's actions were always worrying for her to dwell upon, and this was no exception; Even worse, she couldn't take her mind off it. Her paralyzed limbs meant she couldn't read a book, play a video game, or even check her phone; She was alone with her thoughts, plus a marathon of a show she was hardly paying attention to. Star continued to fret for a couple of hours, until the doorbell's ringing broke her trance.
"I'll get it!" Moon left the kitchen to get the door, and greeted the unexpected guest. "One of your friends is here to visit." She spoke, piquing Star's interest; Who could it be in the middle of the day?
"Hey, Star." Greeted a calm, smooth voice the mewman certainly recognized. Into the living room stepped the lovely Jackie Lynn Thomas, a warm smile present on her freckled face.
"Jackie? What are you doing here?"
"Marco told me what happened; You ate a poison sandwich, and now you can't move." The skater girl explained. "So, he asked me to keep you company."
"H-he did? That's so sweet!" Star gushed, thankful for her boyfriend's kindness.
"Yeah, he's a good egg." Jackie lifted up Star's numb legs so she could sit down, and draped the blanket back over her. The green-eyed girl set down a small cooler bag that was draped over her shoulder, and pulled out a cup with some strange Earth food in it, plus a metal spoon.
"Whatcha got there?"
"Frozen yogurt. I like mine topped with strawberries, pineapple, and granola." Jackie tilted her cup to show its contents to Star, making her mouth water.
"That sounds good...can I have a little?"
"Nope." She curtly replied, disappointing Star. Jackie reached back into her bag, and pulled out another cup. "I got you your own!" She scooped up a spoonful of the tasty treat, and held it out for Star to taste. Once she did, she was whisked into a whole new world of sweetness.
"Rainbow sprinkles...gummy narwhals...Captain Blanche's Sugar Seeds?" Thanks to her remarkable sweet tooth, Star had guessed every single topping right, and they were all her favorites. Jackie continued feeding her the rest of the fro-yo, and once she was finished, she was on cloud nine.
"Oh, that was delicious. Thanks a trillion."
"Anytime, Butterfly."
"That really made me feel better." Star admitted. Judging by her expression, Jackie could tell something was wrong with her mewman pal, and it was her job to fix it.
"Something bothering you? Other than not being able to move, I mean."
"Yeah..." The ex-princess sighed. "There was so much I was supposed to do today, but I screwed it all up. Now everything that's counting on me could be in big trouble."
"Marco told me about that; You overbooked yourself." Jackie replied. "Even if you could move, that's a lot to do in one day. Maybe it's better that your friends are helping you."
"I know, it's just...everyone in town thinks I'm a hero—that I'm a role model. I can't let them down! I created this weird new world; It's only fair I keep it running."
"But that's not your job." Moon interjected. "It's everybody's."
"I know, but doing that stuff makes me feel good."
"And that's great, dear."
"Just don't overextend yourself." Jackie added. "Right now you can't move, so it's the perfect time to chill out!"
And just like that, they did. Star and Jackie hung out for hours, telling stories, exchanging gossip, cuddling, and just enjoying each other's company. Currently, they were watching the Warnicorns play the Meatheads, with Moon and Eclipsa's family accompanying them. Once Marco scored the winning goal, the whole household erupted into loud cheers.
"YEAH, MARCO! WOO-WOO!" Star happily hollered, her heart fluttering with pride. "Man, his tush looks cute in that uniform. Amirite, Jackie Lynn?"
"Oh, stop." She playfully retorted, and lightly punched Star's shoulder.
"Look! Marco's being interviewed!" Globgor cheerfully pointed out. When Marco appeared on screen, Meteora blew a raspberry, and threw the stuffed cheetah she was holding at the TV.
"Well, I did it for someone very special to me. My sweetheart, my brightest star, and my best friend in the whole Multiverse; Star Butterfly."
Once Star heard her lover's accolades, the waterworks burst open. She began to weep not out of sadness, but out of joy, for the saccharine praise he had given her on live television. "He is so sweet..."
"That he is, darling. That he is." Moon complimented, proud of her potential son-in-law. Once the game ended, it was time to change the channel.
"Alright, time for the Pony Head Show!" Jackie pressed the remote to tune into the show, and was greeted with an interesting surprise; Janna was already onstage, watching random civilians give their thoughts on her.
"It already started?" Star wondered.
"Huh; Looks like you couldn't have done both of those, anyways." Jackie noted. The Butterflies and their guest watched the program till its very end, and they were very entertained by their friend's eerie antics.
"Summoning a demon in the studio? Janna, you rapscallion!" Star giggled. As the credits rolled, Meteora let out a high-pitched yawn, and held her plushie tightly.
"Looks like it's bedtime, darling." As Eclipsa and her baby headed upstairs, Moon got up from her seat.
"It's time for me to go; River must be wondering where I've gone. Star, you stay here and get some rest; I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, Mom. Goodnight!" As Moon walked out the door, Star gazed into Jackie's bright viridian eyes. "What about you, skater girl?"
"I gotta go, too. Sorry."
"It's fine. Thanks for keeping me company today, I really appreciated it."
"No problem. Always happy to hang with you." After getting up, Jackie gave Star a tender hug, and re-fitted her blanket so it was nice and snug. "See you around, Butterfly." She then walked gingerly to the door to leave, but was greeted with a surprise when she opened it; Marco, Tom and Janna were all standing on the porch, wearing their pajamas. What's more, they had with them snacks, pillows, and sleeping bags.
"Hey, Jackie! Did you have fun with Star?" Marco asked.
"Mm-hmm. Lemme guess, you guys are having a sleepover?"
The teens all nodded in return. "Care to join us?" Janna offered.
"Sorry, it sounds fun, but Chloe and I made plans."
"The plans have changed, cherie." Suddenly, Jackie's French, parkour-loving girlfriend Chloe leapt down from the roof, and ambushed her with a surprise kiss on the cheek, making her giggle and blush.
Back in the living room, Star could hear the familiar voices of her beloved buddies; If only she could walk over to see them. Luckily, her prayers were answered when Marco entered the house, and saw his lover laying on the couch.
"Marco!"
"Star!" The hoodie-clad teen ran towards his girlfriend, and embraced her with a passionate kiss. As he hugged her tightly, Star smiled delightfully; After a long and challenge-filled day, her champion had finally come home...
Later in the night, the six teens were all hanging out in Eclipsa's basement, where they were finishing up a movie of Star's choice; Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Star and Marco had enjoyed the film; Eclipsa, not so much.
"That's it? That was dreadful."
"Really? I loved it!" Star responded.
"That ravishing Beast got transformed into some milquetoast prince! Shrek was a far better film." Eclipsa continued. "I've seen enough, I'm heading to bed. Goodnight, everybody."
"Goodnight, Eclipsa!" Janna wished.
"Hey, Marco! Throw me another pizza nugget!" Jackie directed, whilst receiving a shoulder rub from Chloe. She opened her mouth, and Marco threw the snack for her to eat. "Nice shot, cornball champ."
"Hey, thanks for all the help today, you guys. I couldn't have done it without you." Star thanked from the bottom of her heart.
"No problem, Starship. Always glad to help." Tom kindly replied, tugging at Star's heartstrings.
"Come on, everyone! Group hug! Even you, Janna." Star's five friends all gathered round to hug her, and she reciprocated the embrace by squeezing them tightly.
"Star, your arms! They moved!" Marco exclaime, causing his girlfriend to gasp.
"They did!" Overwhelmed with jubilant joy, Star jumped up and started to dance, but then stumbled; Luckily. Marco and Jackie were there to catch her. "Whoopsie."
"So, what should we do now?" Chloe wondered.
"Spin the Bottle, Seven Minutes in Heaven, Truth or Punishment..." Janna listed off more racy and possibly life-threatening games, then looked at Star. "What do you think?"
"I think I'll just kick back and relax..." Star replied, and snuggled up closer to Marco. 'Twas a long day full of hassles, commotion and chaos, but thankfully, it had ended on a high note. And to think, it all started with a sandwich...
THE END
And that's it! These stories were really fun to write, and I hope you enjoyed them. As for an update on my upcoming project, "Vacay Through the 'Verse:" It'll be coming some time after I finish the current semester, which ends in late April. In this upcoming fic, Star and her friends will vacation across the Multiverse, and visit exotic locales; The Underworld, Woolandia, Kill Devil Pass and so much more! Until then I'm FungusDungus000: Stay healthy, stay cool and stay tuned!
