The episode begins with the main ballroom of the castle being decorated in red and pink ribbons, streamers and balloons. Classical music is heard playing in the background while Star, Marco, Kelly, Tom and Janna are seen helping with the decorations. Star looks eager to get everything ready and looks way more relaxed than she did in the episode "Monster Bash". Marco turns around to see Star running back and forth with decorations and gives her a slight smile due to the hard work she's putting in. Tom walks over to Marco and gives him a slight nudge on the arm.
"You doing okay there, buddy?" Tom asks Marco.
"Oh, um...yeah, i'm good." Marco replies. "So you ready for this "huge extravaganza"?"
"Of course. The Golden Heart Ball is a huge deal to the citizens of Mewni. It's just as important as the Silver Bell Ball and even the Blood Moon Ball to some kingdoms." Tom says. He looks over at Star, who is still running with decorations and hanging them at the speed of light. "Though...anything is fine as long as i'm with her." Marco looks over at Star as well.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Marco says, looking at Star.
"Sooooo you have a date in mind yet?" Tom asks Marco with a smuh grin.
"Actually, I do. I'm...thinking of asking Kelly to the ball." Marco answers, looking at Tom nervously.
"Dude! She would be a great fit for you!" Tom says in excitement.
"I don't know. I've been thinking about it, but...we're just really good friends and I don't know what i'd do if we took that next step and things got...you know...complicated." Marco tells Tom. "You know what I mean?"
"I honestly do." Tom replies. "To tell you the truth, when Star and I first started dating, I kind of felt the same way you did. I mean, our parents kind of wanted us to get together but we were really good friends too. It was like we were inseparable. Then we got together, drama hit and before you know it, we stopped talking to each other. So if I were you, i'd stay friends with her until you two are ready to make that next step."
"What happened, if I may ask?" Marco asks curiously.
"Well, I..." Tom says, before getting cut off by Star.
"There you are! Start being useful and hang up these streamers!" Star says to Tom, throwing streamers at him. "We don't have time to lose!". Tom looks at Marco.
"Well, duty calls I guess. Talk to you later!" Tom says, running after Star. Marco watches as Star and Tom laugh with each other, talking about who knows what since they're too far away to be heard. Marco starts walking when he sees Kelly decorating on a ladder and smiles at how cute she looks.
Meanwhile, Moon and River are seen talking about the plans for the Golden Heart Ball. Moon looks around and judging by her face, she's pretty happy with the way things are going.
"Everything looks in place, the entire kingdom has been notified about the ball, and even the desserts look divine!" Moon says, looking at the cupcake cart. River looks at it as well and grabs one, about to eat it. Moon slaps River's hand before he has a chance to eat it. "Don't you even think about it! We need all the desserts we can get for the guests that arrive!"
"Fine, fine! Though you know it doesn't hurt to have one or two. I mean our chefs did make everything." River says, putting the cupcake back but on the very edge of the cart.
"Now go take those cupcakes back to the kitchen so we can put them in the cooler." Moon tells River.
"Yeah, yeah." River says, walking away with the cart. The cupcake that was placed on the edge suddenly falls off and River steps on it, sliding on it like a banana peel and pushing the cart to go fast. The cart aims for Kelly on the ladder and Marco sees it coming towards her. Marco reaches his hand out to her as if pure instinct when the monster arm suddenly comes out of nowhere and grabs Kelly, pulling her off the ladder before the cart crashes into it. Kelly is pulled into Marco's arms and the monster arm disappears before anyone can see what happened. Kelly looks at Marco with a confused expression and Marco looks concerned.
"Um...hey there?" Kelly says.
"Hey there to you too." Marco replies. Everyone looks at Marco holding Kelly, including Star.
"Are you two okay?" Moon says, running towards Marco and Kelly.
"Yeah, we're fine, thankfully. Though...what saved me?" Kelly asks, looking around. Marco suddenly puts Kelly down and walks to the back towards the kitchen. Star sees Marco walking off and follows him.
In the kitchen, Marco walks back and forth panicking, looking at his hand.
"What the heck was that?" Marco asks himself. "How did it just come out of nowhere? Did I summon it? Someone tell me what just happened!". Star walks into the kitchen.
"How did that just happen?" Star asks Marco. According to her facial expression, she saw the same thing Marco did.
"I don't know! I was going to save Kelly and before I know it, that arm came out of me and saved her." Marco replied.
"So you summoned it without knowing how to?" Star asked.
"Apparently! Great, this is all I need. What if it comes out again? People will know i'm a monster!" Marco tells Star, panicking still.
"No one will find out anything! We just need to make sure nothing like this happens again." Star tells Marco, attempting to calm him down. Marco sees Star put her hand on his shoulder and looking into his eyes. He gives her a slight smile.
"Yeah...you're right. I know you'll help me figure this out." Marco tells her.
"Of course. You're my bestest bestie in the whole wide world after all!" Star replies. Star and Marco give each other a fist bump.
"Thanks, Star" Marco tells her. Marco walks back to the ballroom and Star follows. Star's smiles suddenly fades. She was starting to think really hard about the incident that just occurred. She was glad no one saw anything and they were distracted by the planning for the Golden Heart Ball, but why did his squid arm show up? Was it to save Kelly? Was it random? No, the reason had to be something significant, and the reason had to be found out fast.
A few days passed and the Golden Heart Ball was only a couple of days away. Star was busy practicing her magic spells outside in the fields in the front of the castle while Marco was in his room, looking down at the princess. Marco opened a portal and walked through it. Where he ended up was none other than Lake Lava Beach, his and Kelly's perfect meeting spot. Marco walked down the shores of the ocean while thinking to himself. It didn't seem like his problems were going away anytime soon and now with his squid arm randomly appearing, it seemed as though things were about to get worse. Marco looked out into the ocean when he heard footsteps coming his way. He turned around to see Kelly in what appeared to be not her usual attire, but a beach dress that matched her hair perfectly. It was emerald green and it seemed to shine when the sun hit her dress just right. Marco couldn't help but stare and who could blame him? Kelly looked amazing.
"Hey, Marco!" Kelly said. Marco couldn't reply, he was too mesmerized by how pretty Kelly looked. "Um...you okay there, buddy?"
"Oh um, ye-yeah. Just peachy!" Marco said, looking confused as if he didn't know where he got the word "peachy" from. "H-how are you?"
"I'm okay. Never been better, to be quiet honest" Kelly replied.
"So um...what's the occasion?" Marco asked her, waving to her dress.
"Oh, this thing? I just thought to wear it since i've never gotten the chance to before. My parents got it for me and since there isn't a beach where we live, it's kind of hard to finally have an opportunity to wear it." Kelly replied. Marco finally regained his composure and looked at her.
"So um...there's something I wanted to ask you" Marco said.
"Sure, what is it?" Kelly asked.
"Would you...um...well, if you're not busy that is..." He stuttered. "Would you...want to go to the...Golden Heart Ball with me?"
Kelly looked at him for a couple of seconds, then smiled widely. "I would love to, Marco Diaz" she said. Marco smiled back as if he had just won the lottery. He reached out for Kelly's hand and Kelly took it with no hesitation. It seemed as though Tom's warning wasn't heeded by either of them as both of them took that next step in their strongly bonded friendship, and now, their newly formed relationship.
"I can't wait to tell Star about this, to be honest." Marco said.
"I hope they last long enough to make it to the Golden Heart Ball" Kelly said.
"What do you mean by that?" Marco asked her.
"You don't know, do you?" Kelly replied with a question. Marco looked at Kelly confused. "There's a reason their last breakup ended so badly".
"Yeah, Tom was going to tell me about that but he never got the chance to. Do you know what happened?" Marco asked.
"Unfortunately, I do. Star told me everything the night it happened." Kelly said.
The scene changes to a night out at the carnival in Mewni. Star and Tom are seen holding hands and having the time of their lives. From roller coasters to shooting demons in a bottle, it was a blast. Star looked into Tom's eyes and thought she had found everything she was looking for, despite only being 13 years old. They didn't know much about love, but they knew they were what seemed to be a perfect match for each other. The couple walked through the carnival when suddenly, a thin boy around Star's age came walking up to her. Star's eyes suddenly widen as if she knew exactly who this person was.
"Hey Star!" the mystery boy said. Star gasped at the sight of him.
"Ken?!" Star yelled, running to hug him. Tom stood there puzzled as to what was going on, scratched his head as he saw Star and Ken laughing, then walked up to the two.
"Umm...hello?" Tom said, looking at Ken.
"Oh my god, how rude of me! Tom, this is Ken. We were absolute best friends back in elementary. Think of Ponyhead, but as a guy and not a floating horse head." Star explained.
"Oh, that's cool! I'm Tom, nice to meet you" Tom introduced himself.
"Pleasure's all mine" Ken said.
"Yeah, we sadly lost contact after we went to separate junior highs but I would never forget this face. He made elementary a blast." Star continued. Tom looked at Star then back to Ken. Something about this to Tom just didn't seem right. After introductions, Tom, Star and Ken walked around the carnival together with Star and Ken laughing and enjoying themselves while Tom suddenly felt like the third wheel. After about an hour of exploring, Tom went and sat on a bench while Star and Ken continued talking. Star saw Tom by himself and went to go check on him.
"Hey, are you okay? You suddenly stopped talking to me." Star asked him.
"Oh, no, i'm fine. I didn't want to interrupt your little reunion is all." Tom said.
"Tom, it's not like that." Star said.
"Not like what? You seem to be having a great time with him, more than me at times too." Tom said.
"Tom, you're my best friend and my boyfriend. No one can replace you. Okay?" Star said, kissing Tom on the cheek. Tom smiled a bit and got up from the bench.
"I'm gonna go get us some sodas, okay?" Tom said to Star. Star nodded and kissed him on the cheek again. Tom walked off to the concession stand while Star walked back to Ken.
"What was that all about?" Ken asked her.
"Oh, Tom? He was just being jealous over nothing. You know how boyfriends can be." Star told him.
"I don't blame him. I would be jealous too if someone as beautiful as you was trying to take you away." Ken said. Star giggled a bit.
"You're so sweet, Ken." Star said.
"I mean it. Princess of Mewni, a beautiful woman to be, you're the perfect package." Ken continued. Star softly punched Ken on the arm.
"Oh, stop it!" Star said, laughing a bit more.
"Sorry if i'm telling the truth" Ken continued once more, going for Star's hand and holding it. "Honestly, i've missed you since our grade school days. It seems like a bit of my world has been missing since you transferred.". Star softly pulled her hand away from his.
"Look, Ken, i'm glad you're doing great and I don't know what you're trying to do but i'm with Tom. I don't need anything trying to come between us." Star told him.
"Oh, no no no! I wouldn't think about doing anything like that." Ken said. "Hey, what's that over there?"
Star turned around to see nothing, followed by a hand pulling her face towards his and ending up locking lips. Star couldn't believe what was going on. This wasn't the Ken she remembered from back in grade school. Star pushed him away but not before she heard the sound of cups dropping to the ground followed by Tom staring at the two with a shocked expression. Tom's eyes suddenly turned dark red and flames appeared around his body. Tom summoned a huge fireball into his hand and threw it at Ken. Ken ran like there was no tomorrow the other way and didn't stop to look back. Star couldn't help but reaching out her arm to Ken but it was too late, he was already gone. Tom came back to his normal self and walked up to Star.
"Tom, it's not what you think, I swear." Star said.
"Oh, really, Star? Then what was that?" Tom answered back in a mad tone.
"Ken forced me onto him! He kept trying to hit on me!" Star explained herself.
"Looks to me like you wanted to kiss him!" Tom said.
"Of course not! I wouldn't do such a thing to you!" Star said, starting to tear up a bit.
"Garbage! You wanted to get rid of me the minute he came back into your life! I can't believe I ever gave someone like you a chance." Tom said, starting to walk away.
"What do you mean 'someone like me'?" Star said, starting to get an angry tone herself.
"Someone who can get any guy she wants, someone who throws out old toys as soon as she's done playing with them!" Tom yelled.
"That is ridiculous and you know it!" Star yelled back. "You are jumping to conclusions so fast right now!"
"What i'm doing is breaking things off! We're done!" Tom yelled again, walking away and not looking back. Star dropped to her knees and started to cry under a bright street lamp.
The scene changes back to Marco and Kelly.
"That's when Star and Tom stopped talking to each other." Kelly said. "Star wouldn't return his calls, blocked his emails, everything. She didn't want anything to do with him for a few months. Then Star came back to Mewni after meeting you, and both of them reconciled after the Silver Bell Ball."
"Wow...that's...harsh to go through." Marco said. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to me like that."
"Yeah. Me too." Kelly said, as both of them watched the sunset.
Meanwhile, Star had finished her training and went to Moon's office room to ask her some questions, mostly about Marco's situation but she didn't know how to bring it up. Of course, instead of knocking on the door, she kicked it down and startled Queen Moon. Moon jumped in her seat and saw Star with that eager look in her face.
"Hey mom!" Star yelled. Moon sighed.
"What is it, Star?" Moon asked.
"Sooooooo are you ready for the big night?" Star asked. Moon got a concerned look on her face.
"What are you plotting?" Moon asked. Star stopped in her tracks.
"N-nothing, mom! I just wanted to know how you were doing is all!" Star said, looking at Moon with a nervous look.
"Is...there something you want to tell me, hunny?" Moon asked her daughter. Star got even more nervous.
"W-well, there is something" Star said. "Did you need any help with final preparations?"
"Honestly, no, dear. We've already finished with decorations, the catering, everything. We've even sent out all of the invitations to the mewmans of Mewni already." Moon said.
"Just the mewmans? Why not the monsters of Mewni?" Star asked.
"Well, dear...monsters aren't allowed." Moon said. Star suddenly had a blank expression on her face.
"Excuse me?" Star asked nervously.
"Monsters have never been allowed at the Golden Heart Ball. If one were to appear, they would be thrown out immediately." Moon said. Star couldn't stop thinking of Marco's situation.
"Oh..." Star said. Moon looked at Star with a concerned look again.
"I hope you didn't think about inviting any monsters to the ball. Right, Star?" Moon asked Star.
"Oh, uh...of course not. Wouldn't dream of it." Star said, walking out of Moon's office. Moon kept staring at her daughter as she slowly made her way out the door and picked up speed the closer she got to exiting.
"That daughter of mine" Moon said to herself. Moon picked up her pen and continued with her duties. Star had to think of something for Marco and fast.
Marco had just returned to his bedroom when Star turned the corner and entered without knocking.
"Okay, Marco. We have to do something about that arm and..." Star said, cutting herself off after seeing Marco's portal still open. "Where did you go?"
"Nowhere. Just hung out with Kelly for a couple of hours." Marco said. "Why are you so nervous?"
"Because my mom just told me monsters aren't allowed at the ball." Star said.
"What?" Marco asked.
"I know! Not only is this blatant discrimination but this means you're in trouble. We gotta think of something to make sure that arm doesn't come out at the ball or else." Star said, looking through her handmade book of spells. "I don't remember how that spell went that sealed it the last time, but maybe something in here will do." Star kept flipping through the pages when she saw a spell that was meant to keep anything from forming or taking over a life form. Star grabbed her wand, pointed it at Marco's arm and looked at the spell book.
"Permanento Monstrous Armus Sealencio!"
A purple blast of light came from the wand and struck Marco's arm. He could feel a slight pinch but it only lasted a second. Marco looked at his arm and it looked as normal as it could possibly be.
"There, now nothing should go wrong at the ball. Speaking of which, I hope you've found a date already, you stud." Star said, hitting Marco's arm with her elbow.
"Actually, that's why I was meeting up with Kelly. I asked her to the ball and she said yes!" Marco said. Star looked at Marco with a shocked face.
"That is so awesome! I'm so proud of you! You two will make an adorable couple!" Star gasped. "We could double date! I gotta tell Tom. This will be the most awesome night of our lives! I gotta call Ponyhead too! Now where is my..." Star ran out of Marco's room and back to her room. Marco smiled as he couldn't believe how great Star took the news. It seemed like that crush she had on him was now nothing more than a memory to him and he could finally move on from her. He looked at his arm and back to the door. Everything was finally going to be okay. Or so he thought.