Predator


The sun began it's decent above the skies of Echo Creek. The afternoon wind was picking up, waving around the hair of Brittney Wong as she stood in her backyard. She watched over her three maids cleaning the shed with face masks and surgical gloves on. Her face was consoling, being that her housekeepers had to wipe up the torrented blood of a teenage boy. She watched Serena spray with the hose and then bend down to soak it up with a reddened sponge.

"Serena, you don't have to do this.." Brittney called out to her. "Just let us. I'll make Diaz do it when he gets up." Serena stood up from her wiping position and exited the shed to twist the blood out from the sponge. She looked at her mistress with honorable eyes.

"We could never let your guests do something like this, Miss Wong." She said with an unwavering conviction. "It is our duty to aid you and your father to the utmost of our ability." Brittney looked down in defeat, feeling completely unhelpful. "Don't fret, Miss Wong," Serena comforted with a smile, "it pleases me more than you think to be at your aid." After saying that, Olivia rushed out of the shed past Francesca. She had a panicked look in her eyes as she turned the corner of the shed and threw up after removing her mask. Brittney approached her and put a comforting hand on her back, using her other hand to pull back the red head's hair. Serena watched with sympathy.

"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.." Olivia said between heavy breaths. "I—.. I'm a little squeamish to blood." Francesca listened from inside the shed and rolled her eyes, not having much patience. "Please, Miss,.." Olivia stood tall, removing her gloves and mask to get new ones. "Don't worry.. I can do this.." Brittney watched her newest maid equip a new mask and set of gloves before adhering to her work. Serena smiled proudly before doing the same. It didn't feel good to watch, but Brittney didn't want to leave the three alone. Deeper in the shed, Francesca wiped down her section of the mess with a frustrated face. She heard Olivia wincing as she cleaned.

"It's just blood, Olivia." Francesca said to her with aggravation. "We all have it."

"You talk big," Olivia responded with a sly smile, "but I've seen you gag a few times now." Francesca let out an irked exhale. "Serena has been fine, though." Olivia looked over to her superior, watching her scrub down the redness with her usual stoicism. "What did she do before being a maid?" Francesca thought for a moment.

"If I remember, she served as a field medic in her mid twenties to mid thirties." She informed quietly, not wanting to be heard by her. "So I'm sure this isn't the worst she's had to clean up.." Olivia took in what she had to say. It didn't really surprise her. She always had a feeling Serena had seen plenty of hardship.

"What about you?" The red-head asked. "What did you do before this?"

"..Maid Cafe.." Francesca said with a light blush. "And you?"

"Stewardess." Olivia told her with a smile. As Brittney leaned against the oak tree near the shed, she heard a pair of footsteps approaching from the mansion. She looked over to see a pale Marco moving with determination and Janna closely following in concern. Brittney stood up and crossed her arms, not happy to see the troubling boy.

"Marco, you don't have to do this.." Janna told him. "You should stay in bed more."

"I can't." Marco said to her with resolve. "I have to clean up my mess." Janna looked at him with worry. She noticed something earlier; Marco's hair had a streak of white that trailed from the top of his right ear to the bottom of the hair on his nape. He didn't have that when he arrived at the mansion, so it must have appeared after he woke up. Whatever he saw in his dreams, took a toll on his mentality. Serena saw the two approaching and stood up from her cleaning.

"Master Marco, you have lost a severe amount of blood." She said, stepping out of the shed. "I recommend you rest and stay hydrated. I shall bring you a healthy meal once I have finished here."

"Li-Listen! Everyone!" He called out, making sure the maids in the back heard. Olivia stopped scrubbing and stood up, giving Marco her full attention. Francesca glanced at him but continued to work in passive aggression. Marco noticed with a pained face. "..My behavior as a visitor has been kinda.. disgraceful.."

"'Kinda'.." Francesca mocked from the back of the shed. Serena furrowed her brows at this but let it go to let Marco speak.

"I want to apologize for the trouble I've made.." Marco bowed his head. "I'll be much more respectful from now on!" Francesca grit her teeth in frustration. Olivia raised her hands in defense.

"Oh! N-No, don't worry, Master Marco, you needn't apologize!" She told him nervously. "We have actually served way worse people than what you've shown today!" Serena bumps Olivia on the arm for this, making her blush in silence.

"Your graceful apology is admirable, Master, but unnecessary." The veteran maid informed. "Your thanks and amends are not our inclination, your needs are."

"Right!" Olivia nods her head enthusiastically. Marco still couldn't help himself.

"I wasn't in my right mind. So either way,.. thank you for being patient with me." Francesca throws her soaked sponge on the floor with ferocity and approaches Marco. She passes Serena, to her ire.

"Then what was going through your mind before? What impulses you to be so selfish and narcissistic?!" Francesca's eyes were filled with outrage. Marco looked at her in shame, knowing she got the worst of his havoc.

"Quiet, Francesca!" Serena commanded with a stern tone. "You will acknowledge your place under the guests!"

"My place here is to housekeep and serve," Francesca revolted, "not be a toy to be led on and played with!.." This scandalous statement shocked the group. Janna looked at Marco, scared to know what the maid exactly meant. Even Serena wanted Francesca to speak her mind now. "..The way you looked at me, the way you spoke to me, the things you let me to do to you, are not acceptable when you already have a woman." Janna felt a pierce in her heart with that. "A maid has her dignity.. I serve people, not dogs." Marco took in what she had to say, feeling the sting of every word. Janna looked down, unwilling to have a presence.

"..I came here to apologize." Marco said softly. "Whether you accept it or forgive me or neither, I wanted you to at least hear it.." This didn't help the insecurities of Francesca at all. "If I can do anything to make up for it, tell me!" Marco moved closer to her, wanting to make his point. "Make me clean! Forbid me from the mansion! Hit me! Anything!"

"Just—!.." Francesca backed away, a grimace of disgust on her face. "Go away.. If I could hit you, I would. But I don't want to lose my job.." The maid walked into the shed, her back turned to Marco. "..so you're not worth it.. Just go away.." The air around the group felt thick. A few moments of silence crept by as Marco looked at Francesca solemnly go about her work.

"..If you would be so kind, Master Marco," Serena said quietly, "please, leave us to our work.." The veteran maid walked in to the shed, checking on Francesca. Janna walks away to the mansion, stricken with embarrassment. This was the first time Brittney has seen Serena visibly distraught. Olivia gives Marco a look of distrust before checking on her fellow maids.


Marco walked down one of the halls in the manor. Every corner he turned made him feel more lost. All he wanted was to find Janna. The way she walked away without a word, hurt him more than anything she's ever said to him. Did she give up on him? It might have been for the best. At this rate, Marco was coming to the conclusion that his friends would be better off without him. He looked down at his right arm. The darkness was spreading upward from his hand to his forearm. No matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn't make it go away.

After another turn through the labyrinth, Marco spotted Janna sitting against the hallway wall with her head down. She had her arms resting on her knees, covering her face. Marco approached her and sat next to her. Should he leave her alone? She hasn't even acknowledged him. All he wanted was to make her happy but he knew he couldn't.

"I'm sorry you had to find out that way.." He told her softly. "But I had to apologize.." Janna rose her head slightly, no longer covering her eyes. Marco saw her tears. They were hard to miss in the sun's rays.

"I've been crying too much lately..", Janna told him between sniffs. Marco knew it was because of him. If he wasn't around, she would be so much happier. "I'm so sick of all the complicated bullshit." Marco thought for a moment, debating on whether or not to say what he wanted to. He knew he had to though. For her sake.

"..I think.. we shouldn't be seeing each other anymore..", Marco said softly. Janna shifted her eyes to him. They grew tired. Not the reaction he was expecting. She even gave a small laugh.

"I thought when you finally found me," Janna began, "you would try to make me feel better." The girl wiped her eyes and sat up. "Then you tell me this. You're a really bad boyfriend, you know?"

"I know, I am." Marco looked down. "That's why this is for the best. Star said dark magic is just a part of me now. That I have to control my inner demons to not let it take over." Marco thought back to the dream-like experience Star gave him. "Even now, I feel something fighting me on every word I say. Every movement I make, something is just waiting for me to drop my guard and take over.." Marco looked down at his right arm. His elbow was getting covered by the darkness.

"If you're gonna break up with me, say it to my face." Janna's demand grabbed Marco's attention. He looked up to see her stringent eyes looking into his. "I won't accept it if you don't look at me." Marco couldn't look away. Even in the seriousness of the issue, he received great comfort from the girl's gaze. He couldn't help but give a weak smile.

"I can't..", Marco responded softly, "Even when I know I'll put you in danger. I can't force myself to leave you." The pained expression on his face grew. "I really am weak, aren't I?" Janna furrowed her brow and rested her head on Marco's right shoulder.

"Shut up, already", she told him. "Even if you don't think you're strong, I do." Marco felt her warmness calm him. "And I'm gonna keep loving you regardless." A comfortable smile spread on Marco's face.

"Well, if you wanna get your jollies," Marco said, "I can't stop you." Janna laughed, giving his arm a light smack. "..I love you too, Janna.." The two share a silence and relish each other's presence for a short period. They felt like they were in their own world. All that mattered was each other.

"Ah.." A relaxed voice rips the two teenagers away from their trance. Marco felt something on his left shoulder. He and Janna look at the disturbance to see Star comfortably easing her head on Marco's open side.

"..Star?.." Marco called out in confusion.

"Shh!" She hissed, her eyes still closed. "I'm comfy."

"How long have you been here?" Janna asked her with some displeasure.

"How long have I been listening or cuddling?" Star asked.

"Both.." Janna clarified with grit.

"Since Marco found you." She informed casually.

"Have you been following me?" The boy asked with concern.

"Yup. I wanted to tell you my game plan but you seemed busy." Star giggled. "You guys are cute." The others got flushed faces before standing and composing themselves. "Aww.." Star wasn't happy with the loss of her pillow.

"Star," Marco began, "why is my arm still like this? It's like I have less control now." He rose his arm expecting the darkness to be up over his elbow but to his surprise, it was only to his wrist. Did speaking to Janna help lower it?

"Maybe the confidence you had before helped you." Star informed as she stood up with the other two. "What I did was only tranquillize your brain so you can spend some time with your thoughts." Marco looked down in disappointment, thinking the visions Star helped him see would cure him with no strings attached."..What did you see?" Janna looked at her boyfriend with worry.

"..It was like living my worst nightmare.." His dejected tone shook Janna. "It really showed me what a monster I was becoming."

"I expected as much", Star said with a sad smile. "Even your hair got a white spot."

"Wh-What?!" Marco put his hands on his head, surprised to hear this. "Where?! Where?!"

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Janna took her phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture of Marco's white hair. "I forgot to tell you." She showed the boy the picture on her phone, his face contorts to one of worry and discomfort.

"Oh.." He groans, touching the spot that corresponded to the photo. "Mom's gonna freak out.."

"Eh.. Jackie and I can help you dye it." Janna assured as she brushed it with her fingers. "..Or not. I think it's kinda hot."

"Yeah, me too." Star agreed.

"Well, I don't." Marco shooed Janna's brushing hand away. "It makes me look old." He exhaled in exhaustion. "What I saw messed me up a bit, Star. What did it do for me exactly?"

"Those visions made you aware." Star told him with a sympathetic smile. "The most dangerous part is over. Now all you have to do is learn to control your negative emotions. Don't let them get to you." Marco pondered, unsure of how he could do it. He had always been susceptible to his self-esteem and he knew it.

"About that game plan.." Marco brought up, shaking his head from his thoughts. "Let's gather everyone to hear it together."


Star gathered her friends in the lounge she played Interstellar Sphere in. Marco sat next to Janna and Alfonso on one of the couches. Jackie sat next to Oskar and Ferguson on the other. Brittney shared the loveseat with Claudia. Star stood proudly in front of them.

"Thank you, all, for coming!" Star told them with an excited tone.

"Most of us were in here already.." Alfonso said softly.

"What do you have to say, Star?" Jackie asked.

"Just want everyone to know what's gonna happen." Star took a deep breath, ready to explain. "Tonight, another shadow will attack me. I don't want any of you hurt, so I'll be leaving somewhere secluded before nightfall." A frown grew in her face. "I think this one's gonna be strong.. I can't do it alone." Star looked at Marco with a dependent expression.

"..Y—..You need me?" He asked at a shock.

"You're the only one with powers." Star told him. "You saved me from the last shadow. I need you to do it again. I can't beat the next one without your help." Marco was hesitant but he knew what he had to do and nodded at her assuredly. "I hope you don't mind, Janna." Star regarded her.

"Only if I can go." She proposed with her arms and legs crossed. Marco and Star looked at her in concern. "Don't worry, I won't get too close. Like last time, I'll only step in if things get really bad." Janna had a sure look on her face. "If Marco's willing to risk life and limb, so am I."

"..I guess that's okay.." Star agrees reluctantly. "From what we've seen, the shadows will only attack others if you get in their way." She gave a smile to the willed girl. "You did help me from losing too much blood last time too. Powers or not, I would've died without you." Janna smirked proudly.

"Then, I'm going too." Jackie stepped in with a shrug. "Can't let my bitch do all the work." She looked at Janna who was surprised at her self-inclusion. Before Star could object, another joined in.

"M-Me too!" Alfonso rallied. "I'll do everything I can to protect you, Star!" The girl blushed in embarrassment. Ferguson laughed at his male friend's excitement.

"Gotta be there for my wingman." He told Star. "Me too."

"I don't got anything better goin' on." Oskar joined.

"Wait! Wait!" Star halted, overwhelmed. "Janna going is already a risk! I don't want anyone else getting hurt!"

"Star," Jackie called out, giving a sympathetic look, "you can't just expect us to sit at home, hoping you don't die." Star exhaled, at a loss. "If we can help just a little bit, that's enough."

"I wanna go to!" Claudia joined in, nervously.

"No, Claudia." Jackie scolds, disappointing the young girl.

"But that's not fair!" She whines.

"Dad's gonna pick you up soon anyway." The older sister softened her voice. "It'll be okay. I promise to text you when we get back.." Claudia looked down in low spirits before Star pats her head.

"I really liked hanging out with you, Claudia." The space princess said joyfully. The little girl smiled back.

"Hey," Brittney gets Star's attention, "so the shadows come out at night because the light hurts them?" The princess hesitated, not sure where Brittney was leading up to.

"..Yeah. Sunlight, at least. Maybe any powerful light, even if it's artificial." Star remembered the shadow of Matilda under the light post. "It has to be very bright, though." Brittney thought for a moment.

"I'll be right back." She tells the group before standing up and leaving the room. The rest wonder what she was up to. Jackie smiles at Brittney's actions. Something about her changed ever since Star stayed over.

"So, everyone," Star announced, "I don't know how the shadow is gonna show up." The look on her face was severe. "It might try to disguise itself as a person or it maybe it'll be less subtle. I don't know."

"If we go somewhere secluded enough, that won't be a problem." Marco brought up. "If we find a good spot, anyone that shows up in the vicinity would be too suspicious to trust."

"Does anybody know a place like that?" Janna asked, facing the group. Everyone but Oskar looked around at each other. He had a wide grin and nodded proudly.

"I do." He said confidently. The group looked at him with distrustful faces. "No, really, it's a small beach like, an hour away." He explained. "I've only ever seen a few people there during summer. I take girls who I think are 'the one' over there. Haha."

"How many girls have you taken?" Alfonso asked.

"W-Well, like, all of 'em but trust me, it's low-key." Oskar defended. Brittney walks into the room with a bright orange box, getting everyone's attention. She sets it down on the table between the couches.

"If you think that any strong light can hurt those things, Star," she addressed, "then maybe we should take these." Brittney opens the lid of the box to reveal two flare guns, ammo for them, and fusee flares.

"Hey, those actually might come in handy." Janna commented, sitting up in her seat.

"What are they?" Star asked, perplexed.

"Flares." Janna answered. "See this?" She asked pointing at the fusee flares. "These turn on like torches. They're pretty bright. And these.." Janna grabs one of the guns with a smile and to Brittney's dismay. "These shoot flares. People use them for distress signals but in our case, we can use them to wreck some shit,.. I think.." Brittney takes the gun from her and puts it back in the box with some passive aggressiveness. Janna just smiles at her.

"..So, then,.." Marco announced, "should we get going? Night should be here in a few hours." The group looked at each other before agreeing to go.


After dropping off Claudia and saying their goodbyes to the little girl, the group of eight teenagers traveled for around an hour in Oskar's van. The musical boy took them through a secluded scenic road and even turned off-road through some trees. Past the walls of trees was a small beach with a hill that led to a cliff side. The sun was nearly upon the horizon, sparkling the ocean with beads of light.

Star sat on top of Oskar's parked car, looking out toward the seemingly endless ocean. She was in awe. She had never seen a body of water this vast. The sea on her planet was much too far from Danaus to ever see it herself. Adding to the difficulty, the coasts were always another kingdom's territory. She looked at the shore, seeing Brittney, Jackie, and Oskar wetting their feet. They would splash each other with a small amount of water every now and then. Further from the water, Marco, Janna, Ferguson, and Alfonso sat in a line, conversing as casually as always.

Star watched her friends have fun with a joyous smile on her face. She has never had this many comrades in her life. Her sheltered lifestyle never allowed it. Even though she's known them for less than 48 hours, she grew to cherish them immensely. Once she gets all of her memories back, would she have to leave them? The last memory she received showed that Danaus was in grave danger. It's very likely the next memory will be world-shattering revelation. Star wishes she could say she was prepared for it but how do you prepare for the unpredictable?

Marco walked up to Star as she was deep in her thoughts. His presence surprised her but she gave him the same loving smile, nonetheless. Marco smiled back at the girl he's grown so attached to.

"It's beautiful here, huh?" He asked her, looking toward the horizon. Star appreciated his face and form as the lowering sun illuminated his features.

"Yeah..", she agreed, looking out into the ocean. "I've never seen anything like this before. I've just read books about the sea. At least about the sea on Mewni. Hehe.." A brief silence befalls them before Marco looks at the girl again.

"Star," He called out softly, "we still have some time before night comes. Is there a way you can.. train me?" His question bewildered Star, making her give such a face. "If I'm gonna help you with the shadow, I wanna make sure I can do it reliably." Star let his intentions sink in before smiling at him with a nod.

"I'll try", she told him. "I've only studied dark magic, though. I've never actually practiced it." Star jumps off the van and stands near her pupil. "Let's go in the trees over there." She pointed at the wooded area the group drove through. "We can use the trees as punching bags!"

"Okay.." Marco acknowledged with a chuckle. Near the water, Janna watched them go, knowing her boyfriend's intentions. She hoped for the best, remembering how antagonistic he became when the dark magic took over. If anyone can handle it, though, it was Star, and that gave her comfort. Janna felt a tap on her right arm.

"So, you and Marco are really dating?" Ferguson asked Janna with a disbelief. "How long has that been going on?"

"Yeah," Alfonso joined, leaning forward to look at Janna. "Have you two been secretly pining for each other, or what?" Janna smiles at them before looking forward at her feet.

"I guess so.." She chuckled. "We only got together yesterday but.." Janna rests her arms on her knees and leans forward on them. "It feels like we have been for a while. The difference is now we could do something about it.." The boys notice a conspicuous look of infatuation in their friend's face.

"Awww, our little girl's in love." Alfonso jokes to Ferguson, making the two laugh a bit. The lensed boy glances at Jackie before leaning in for a whisper. "What about Jackie?" He asked Janna. "I thought Marco was crazy about her. Aren't you worried?" Janna exhales with a smirk.

"Well,.." she said, "Marco chose me over the prettiest girl in school with a billion hobbies.. and a powerful space princess." Janna looked at her friends with a proud smile. "So, no, I'm pretty confident." Ferguson and Alfonso chuckle before they give each other a similar look.

"Listen," Ferguson began with a solemn voice, "we know you guys are gonna be all honeymooner and showing too much PDA, and whatever, but don't forget about us."

"Yeah. It's always been the four of us against the world." Alfonso added. "We know it can't last forever.. but we want it to last for at least a bit longer." Janna gives them an affectionate look before standing.

"Aw.." She moves between them from behind and embraces them. The boys accept her hug and lean in. "How could we forget about our good boys?" She asks in a motherly way. "Don't worry, Mommy and Daddy aren't going anywhere.."

"Can I have some of mommy's milk?" Ferguson asks sweetly within her embrace.

"No, shut up. Ask Daddy for some of his." Janna responds coldly. The trio's hug is interrupted when Jackie approached them.

"Hey, what are you guys doing just sittin' there?" Her question makes the others look up at her. She was shirtless, only her bra covering her chest. She seemed to be getting carried away with getting wet. The setting sun cast a shadow over all of the curves on her torso.

"Muh—..Mommy?.." Ferguson shakily muttered in his fixation.

"Come on!" Jackie demanded with a laugh. "You guys are at a beach!" She pulled up the stunned Ferguson and Alfonso. "Get wet, you party poopers." Janna looked at the water to see both Oskar and Brittney with their shirts off, waiting for them to get in. "You too, bitch, come on." Jackie began pushing Janna toward the water.

"Okay, fine! But I'm not taking my shirt off." Janna told her with a nettled laugh.


Within the blanket of trees, that bordered the road and the beach shore, Marco and Star searched for an opening to train in. It took them a few minutes to find an area clear of trees.

"Magic is powered by the user's emotions." Star informed as she stopped in place. She placed her hands on her hips, ready to lecture. "Light magic depends on pleasant thoughts like adoration and humor. Dark depends on aggressive thoughts like anger and um.. lust." Marco felt a wave of shame as he listened attentively. "What can make it complicated, is that a lot of different feelings go hand in hand. Without the fear of loss, there is no love. Without inadequacy there is no triumph. Stuff like that." Marco raised his right arm. The darkness was but a mark on his palm. "Try to bring out your magic arm." Star told him with a stern look.

"Right.." Marco nodded before closing his eyes and focusing on what seemed right. That time he tripped during a middle school play. He got made fun of for that for months. Or what about the time he got beat up by that snot-nosed kid, Jeremy, granting him a black belt before Marco? The shame and anger that these memories brought back felt like the they were doing the trick. Marco opened his eyes to see the darkness barely about to reach his fingers.

"You need more." Star informed. "Whatever you thought about wasn't enough. Dip down into your insecurities and needs." Marco gives her a pensive look before trying to focus again. He thought about how weak he felt when he couldn't help Dad lift the patio table. He remembered his feelings of lust when the French transfer student, Desirée, kept hitting on him even though she stayed in the Diaz house. Looking back, Janna really didn't like her. Marco opened his eyes. The darkness only reached his wrist. Another wave of disappointment hit him. Star just looked at him with a blank stare before sharpening her eyes into a glare. "Is that it?"

"Huh?.." Marco gave her worried look.

"Is this what I can expect when the time comes to protect us?" Star's voice sounded like the one of a disappointed mother. It made Marco nervous.

"N—..No, I'm just having trouble thinking.." He defended, trying focus back on his arm.

"There won't be time for trouble thinking when we're about to die." Star scared Marco. She's right. What can he hope to do if he can't even bring out his weapon? "Do you expect to keep Janna safe like this?" Marco gave Star a desperate look of surprise before going back to his focus. Star noticed that the darkness was spreading further down now. "She and everyone else is gonna die because you couldn't handle the responsibility of your power.. Guess you don't deserve it."

"Star?.. Wha—.." Marco's breath was getting shaky as Star's scorn continued. His arm was getting more and more darkened.

"No wonder girls like Oskar so much." Star shrugged. "I bet he can handle any responsibility dropped onto him. I wonder if he would be better for Janna." Marco began to grit his teeth and his arm was shaking. "I understand now why you asked me if you looked like a strong person. Maybe that fire I saw was just the dying spark." With that, Marco's arm shifted into its magic form. He jolted when the spikes shot out. His eyes widened at the sight and feeling of his arm. "Good job." Star told him with a proud smile and her arms behind her back.

"..Why is it so much harder now?" Marco asked her with shaky breath. "Before, I was able to bring it out easily and without any struggle. Now it feels like it's hurting my chest.."

"Becoming aware of your mind's insecurities can be overwhelming." Star explained. "It's not easy use them to your advantage. Now!" She shouted, startled Marco. "Mm.." She looked at the trees that surrounded them. "That one has a really punchable face." She pointed at one of the larger ones. "Go! Beat it up!" Marco exhaled vigorously.

"Okay!" He rushed at the wooden monolith at his top speed. Upon reaching it, he jumps and pulls his magic arm back before launching a forceful blow. The impact removed a large chunk of the side of the tree, as if it was hit by a cannon. Marco, shocked at his power, smiled excitedly. He looked at his left arm to see it overtaken by the dark magic as well. With little hesitation, Marco used it to punch the tree, removing another chunk from the wooden giant. Before long, he alternated his punches, laughing as the natural structure dwindled. The tree collapses and crackles with snaps before hitting the floor in a body-shaking boom. "Haha.. Ha.." Marco looks down at the tree with a shortness of breath. "Ah.." He puts his hand on his head and the other on the fallen tower as he leans over. Something in his head aches as he realizes he got over-excited.

"Awesome job." Star approached him with her hands behind her back. She had a sympathetic smile, noticing Marco's uneasiness. While it was promising that her partner could do his fair amount of damage, it was also quite frightening. Star wasn't sure if it was because it reminded her of the shadows she had fought, the possibility Marco could lose himself again, or maybe something more deep-rooted.

"Sorry, Star.." He said to her, standing up straight. "Got a little carried away." Star looked at his face. The darkness has spread to just under his eyes. It slowly went down, however.

"That's okay." She assured. "When you focus on your insecurities and use your strength to destroy, it's easy to feel.. empowered." Marco looked down, feeling a bit of shame. Star responds with a hand to softly caress his cheek. "Come on, not done yet." Marco looks into her eyes before nodding. Star removes her hand and gives him a confident look. "So, I know I can count on you for close-ranged combat.. but how about long range?"

"Long range?" Marco asked in a surprise. "I can do long-ranged attacks?!"

"Oh, totally, totally, totally." Star smiled. "Light magic excels at long range and dark magic at short but each can learn both. It'll help in a pinch." Star stepped back from her pupil. "You're gonna learn how to shoot a blast of magic like this." With that, she aims her palms at one of the surrounding trees and manifests an orb of light between them. "Try to focus your energy to your hands until you feel like it can explode at any moment. Don't lose concentration, or you'll blow it out." She tells him this with a large grin on her face. "Then release!" A beam of light fires away from her hands. The force of which pushes the air around them. It hits the tree, vaporizing a chunk before it tips over.

"Wow.." Marco lets out in awe as he puts his arms down from covering his face. Star puts her hands down and turns to her student.

"Ready?" She asks. Marco takes a deep breath and nods. He steps forward and finds an acceptable target. Putting his hands up, he focuses on his pains and insecurities. Star saw the darkness overtake his arms and crawl up his face. In a short time, a similar orb that she created appeared in front of Marco's palms. It looked like a ball of darkness that consumed any light around it. Marco began to breath heavily and his face was completely taken by the magic. He held his breath when he was ready to release and felt the recoil of the beam of magic he fired. It was thinner than the one Star fired but hit the tree nonetheless. It made a sizable dent but wasn't enough to knock it down.

"Woohoo!" Star cheered before running to the damaged tree. Marco put his arms down and tried catching his breath. "First try! Maybe we can do this after all!.. I mean.. We always could've.. haha.." She inspected the tree, seeing a broken amount similar to Marco's punches. "Not bad. Won't do major damage but could shut anything up." Marco felt his head throb. It felt like he was losing consciousness. He looked at Star. It shocked him when he realized he could see through her clothes like they were transparent. Why could he see her? Every one of her curves were completely visible. He hasn't seen her breasts in a while. It excited him.

"Star.. Gah.." Marco felt himself approach her as she looked at the damaged target.

"If we fight carefully, I really think things will be okay." She didn't see him coming. He was about to touch her, not sure what would happen next. As his hands nearly made contact, Star turned to him with an ecstatic smile and hugged him. "I'm so proud of you!" The sudden embrace tempted Marco to grope her. He wanted to let his lust take over her.

"I.." Then, in an instant, these feelings stopped. "Thank you.. Star.." He hugged her back, with a feeling of content and comfort taking over. The darkness that took his body dwindled rapidly until it was completely gone.

"You're so amazing, Marco.." Star said softly. "It takes a lot to use your insecurities to your advantage. Great job.." Marco felt himself rest his head against Star's, savoring their hug. "I love you.."

"..I—" Marco took a sharp inhale. "Wh—..What?" As his confusion left his mouth, Star released their hug. She looked into his eyes with a shock. Her face was flushed red.

"Oh!.." She looks away. Her shoulders rise in a fluster. "I—.. I'm sorry.. I couldn't help it. I'm.. I'm sorry.." They share a moment of silence before Star walks away without looking back.


The sunlight illuminating the beach was nearly gone. Soon, the shore would be a border to a view of a seemingly endless dark abyss. For now, however, the teenagers spent their last minutes of time to play together. Their laughs and jokes filled the air around them along with the splashes of the cascading water. The waves gave rhythmic crashes to their activity.

Marco was busy getting pelted by the splatters of salty water his friends flung at him. It was almost too much to fight back, he found himself backing away in retreat. He felt his hand touch something as he backed up. Looking back in a surprise, he saw Star, giving the same look he was.

Star looked away from the boy as she didn't have the strength to face them. Marco noticed her pain and wanted to say something but wasn't sure what. The two felt like their worlds stopped, unsure if they should even interact. Before long, Marco smiles at the blonde and splashes her with water. Star shakes her head, getting the water off of her face. She gives Marco another surprised look before smiling and splashing back. The two laugh and continue their assault on each other, along with their other friends.

The area around them was barely lit now. The moon was full and there were no clouds in sight. It was going to be a bright night. A shiver raced down Star's spine suddenly. Like a pair of hunter's eyes stalked her like a prey. She knew to look at the cliff. She knew there was something there. What she saw froze her still. Marco noticed her stiffness and looked toward her line of sight. He saw it too. More of the group did as well in fact, all following each other's motions.

There was a figure on the cliff of the beach. A tall, dark figure of a woman standing proudly and still. She was a silhouette of a person: unclothed, undefined, lifeless. Covering the shadow's body were bright white rings circling her limbs, torso, and neck as if segregating them. Her eyes were bright, similar to the way Star's light up when she performed her magic.

Marco felt Star's hand grab his when she noticed a terrifying detail of the shadow. Around the face cheeks, were diamond-shaped marks lit up by the same light that were in the eyes. Star felt herself nervously swallow and shiver. She almost felt tears coming.

"Good thing you're here to give me strength," she told Marco softly. He gave her a concerned look. He has never seen Star this scared of anything. "I think that's my mom.."

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The end begins!

Thanks so much for sticking through!

How will our group handle this mysterious shadow?! Will they survive?!

Find out next time, peeps.

Leaving, now.

Byyyyyyyyyye!