Ugh, I know I know I know, I'm so fucking late. But I want this to be one of the stories I actually continue with. Sorry for the short bit.

The day is pleasant, warm with a cool breeze every so often. Star and Marco, along with Moon, River, Eclipsa and Globgor, carrying Meteora, roam the hilltop. The seven had just had a makeshift funeral service, honoring Glossaryck and the MHC. Marco had held Star's hand through the speeches, knowing she wasn't just thinking of the dead, but of the friends she had sent back to their home dimensions. Kelly, Jorby, Talon…sure, Star was happy they were safe, but she can't imagine what her days will be like now, knowing she'll never see them again.

Once Moon and Eclipsa finish their speeches, the party dissolves, either to mourn alone or say a final goodbye. Star approaches Glossaryck's grave, stomach in knots and throat tight.

"Hi, Glossaryck," Star says, gazing softly down at the freshly turned dirt. "It's, uh, it's me. Star Butterfly. I hope it's okay we buried a cup of pudding, since, um. Since we didn't have you. To bury." She swallows, slightly unsure. "Um." Star pauses, takes a breath, and lets it out slowly. Get yourself together, Star.

"I don't know if you can hear me. But I want to say thank you. You helped me understand a lot of my magic, even though I didn't completely understand you. Everything you said, everything you did, it was all to help me. I'm sorry if I lost sight of that at times." Star smiles warmly, her vision going a bit blurry.

"I'll miss you. I'll miss you so much." She digs in her pocket a moment before pulling out a plastic spoon. "This is for the buried pudding, in case you feel like a snack, wherever you are." Bending down, Star sticks the handle of the spoon in the dirt, fixing it straight before standing up herself. "Baloo balee, baloo balo. I let you go. I let you go."

And even if for a moment, the pit in her stomach lifts, and Star is content.

"So, uh…what up, H-poo?" Marco says awkwardly. The grave offers no response, seemingly staring him down, making each passing moment harder and heavier. Marco sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "Okay, yeah, that was a bad start."

Marco lowers himself to the ground, sitting cross-legged in the grass. "Right, so I'm going to try and imagine that I'm actually talking to you. Maybe it'll make this easier." He did his best to remember what Hekapoo looked like. Thick red hair, obviously. Furry white arms, a large, flame-like dress. A bored expression, a hint of a smirk.

Marco takes a breath. "Here we go. Hekapoo, I—I'm gonna miss you."

Duh. Of course you're gonna miss me.

"You're one of my closest friends. You helped me grow up, in a way."

Are you going sappy on me? Dude, gross.

Marco lets out a half-chuckle, half-sigh. "Sorry. Just…thank you. For everything. I'll never forget you, Hekapoo."

You better not forget me, or I'm gonna haunt your butt until you die.

He laughs, for real this time, though it's tinged with sadness. "I'll visit when I can, but for now, uh…goodbye."

Marco sits for another minute, then gets up and brushes himself off. He imagines Hekapoo doing the same, giving him one last mock-salute and smirk before turning on her heel and disappearing.

Star comes up behind him and slips her arms around his waist. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Marco lets out the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. "I'm good. You?"

"I'm all right." Star nods in the direction of her family. Her parents, Eclipsa, Globgor and Meteora are taking their time, going from resting place to resting place, sharing memories and telling stories. "Once they're done, we should let them know about the barrier thingy."

"Yeah, you're right." Marco turns in her arms and hugs her back, holding Star close. "In the meantime, do you want to go get some lunch?"

"Sure!"

"Miss Loveberry, please, if I may, where are we going?" Manfred wipes the sweat from his brow, panting. He glances around, the woods seemingly endless. The pair had been hiking for ages since they woke up. "And if it's not too much trouble, could we please stop for a moment? To-to catch our breaths, and—"

"A break?" Mina suddenly appears in his vision upside-down, and Manfred stumbles back and falls, his balance weak. "You want a break?"

"Uh, yes! Yes, please, Miss Loveberry." Manfred smiles tiredly, believing his wish granted.

"HA! Breaks are for the weak. You can "catch your breath"—" Mina mocks his accent, flipping down from the branch she had been perched on. "When we arrive at our new hideout!"

Manfred shuts his eyes tight, willing himself to stand up again. "When should we be arriving, Miss Loveberry?"

"Mm." Mina surveys the surroundings, eyes darting from one identical tree to another. "I dunno."

"Pardon?"

"It's been hundreds of years since I've seen the place! Not to mention the landscape is totally different." Mina throws her arms out, spinning wildly. Manfred can't understand how she has so much energy, especially after her speed-aging and being stomped by a super-powered unicorn.

Mina stops abruptly and whips her head to stare straight through Manfred, the former manservant shrinking back under her unnerving gaze. "So I dunno! We could get there tomorrow, or in a few months, or maybe never!"

Manfred sighs, breathing still a tad labored. "Of course, Miss Loveberry. My apologies."

Mina shrugs, a grin materializing, though it was far from a happy smile. It was biting, it was testy, a warning. "It's okay!" She swings about and points in a random direction. "Onwards!" The former Solarian warrior sprints ahead, ignoring the many bushes, branches and thorns that scratch and prick at her legs.

Manfred follows at a slower, more careful pace. At the very least, she'll have to stop and sleep at some point.