Marco and Star traveled about the school. She skipped around while not straying too far from her Tour Guide, surveying everything with childlike curiosity. Oohs and ahhs emanated from her as she marveled over every little thing her eyes happened to catch glimpse of, even at mundane things like the vending machines and water fountains.
Being enraptured by her surroundings left Star completely unfocused to what's in front of her, leaving the responsibility of avoiding every hazard and obstacle in her path to her new caretaker.
"Like honestly, who does he think he is- careful, loose tile." Marco cut off his grumbling when he pointed out said tile.
"I mean, my parents are better off taking this responsibility, but they're living in- broken glass." Marco quickly picked up Star by the waist, carrying her over the pile of glass shards and placing her back down.
"And Safe Guy?" Marco threw his hands down. "C'mon, I thought I left that all behind years ago! Geez, you wear a helmet to the showers once, and you're labeled for- careful!" Marco shouted as he closed a locker that was carelessly left open.
Tired of being Star's eyes, Marco begrudgingly decided to hold her hand. Star gazed at where their fingers interlocked and her smile widened even more than before. Her grip on his hand tightened and she walked closely beside him, taking in the sights of the school from the safety of her caretaker.
Marco couldn't help but notice the brightly colored object that has been in her other hand the whole time.
"Uh, Star?"
"Mmm-hmm?" She looked up at him quizzically, chewing on the item in question.
"May I ask what that is you're holding?" He points out.
"Oh this?" Star held up his hand, dashing his expectations. "It's your hand, silly!"
"No, I know you're holding my hand." Marco pinched the bridge of his nose. "I mean that... Toy or whatever."
Star gasped dramatically as though Marco just stabbed her in the heart. They both stopped in their tracks. Star's face held ta contempt that would usually be followed by physical retribution.
"Toy? I'll have you know, that this is the most sacred possession of my entire family! A treasured heirloom passed down generation upon generations!"
Marco peered down at her with remorse for his actions. He shyly scratched the back of his head. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know it was tha-"
"The Royal Magic Wand!" Star boomed with pride and bravado as she extended it to the heavens.
Marco's regret left as quickly as it came. He sighed. "Oh I see. You've got a really active imagination."
"Why yes I do, which is why I've got a million spells in this bad boy."
"Ok then. How 'bout you show me one of them?" Marco humored the girl, challenging her claim, not thinking anything could come of it.
Without a second thought, the girl twirled gracefully, her hair trailing behind her like a comet's tail. Her "wand" began to glow a bright golden color before she lunged it forward. A beam of energy shot forth, materializing a gigantic moth-like creature.
It immediately flew away, snatching a poor student in its clutches before vanishing off into the horizon.
"What the heck was that!?" Marco was on the verge of a heart attack. His arm outstretched in front of her out of instinct.
"Whoops." Star said with a palm to her mouth. "I didn't mean to conjure that one."
Marco then slowly backed up away from this crazy kid. He began questioning his life decisions up to that point. Ever since he stepped into that Principal's office, nothing seemed to make sense to him.
"What are you?!" He asked, his usual composure long abandoned.
"I'm," Star began, with all the style and majesty of a magical girl, her wand crossed the air in an arc as a bright rainbow trailed behind it. Cute little woodland creatures popped out of said rainbow.
"A magical princess from another dimension!" She declared with fanfare. Just seconds after, the rainbow above her burst into flames, prompting the woodland critters to flee screaming.
The flames began to spread at an alarming rate. Marco, completely stone-faced, walked to the nearest fire extinguisher. He punched its glass casing, disregarding the shards and blood that rained onto the floor.
He aimed the nozzle, directly towards the fire, squeezing hard as the extinguishing agent erupted forth, putting out all the flames.
Once that was done, the extinguisher fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Oops. Sorry about that." Star shrugged as she apologized.
"Well, that's the end of our tour!" Marco said with a wavering smile. He waved to Star as he walked away. "I'm gonna go to the nurse and call it a day."
As he vacated the premises with his back towards her, his walking suddenly became faster.
"Byyyeeee Marcooo! Bye new frieeeend! Byyyyeee!"
Marco's legs burst into a full blown sprint. Firetruck sirens echoed in the distance. He didn't even bother to turn around, he just wanted to get home and leave this nightmare miles behind him.
...
The school day had ended. Marco hadn't seen hide nor hair of that crazy girl since he last saw her. The entire school body had to be evacuated from the school when the firefighters arrived. Marco took the opportunity to inform Principal Skeeves he was taking an early leave. He showed him his bandaged hand. When Skeeves questioned him about it, the young counselor didn't respond. Merely walking off towards his car instead. Once he left the school area, he practically gunned it to his house.
As soon as Marco reached his front door, he noticed his welcome mat was slightly askew. Upon reaching down and flipping it over, he saw that the backup key had disappeared
Janna. He thought. Always breaking into his house and stealing his stuff. Or raiding his fridge.
And like he assumed, the door was unlocked.
"Janna!" He called out, putting his hoodie on the coat hanger. "What did I tell you about breaking and entering? Do I have to call the cops this time?"
"Mr. Diaz!?" Star gasped as she burst from the kitchen. "This is your house, too!? Does the whole town live in here?"
"What the-" Marco's mind sought for some semblance of rationale but came up short. "How did- who..."
"Oh yeah." Janna sauntered out of the kitchen. She sunk her teeth into a sandwich. "I kinda let her in."
"You what!?" Marco's fists balled up as he shouted.
Janna then drank some orange juice straight out of the carton. "Aren't you supposed to take care of her anyways? Not very responsible leavin' her back at school, man."
"What did she tell you?" Marco turned to Star.
"Janna told me it was her house." She answered.
"Excuse me? Her house?"
"It might as well be." Janna finished the last bite of her sandwich.
"This is definitely not your house. And I suggest you leave. Now." Marco stepped up to her threateningly.
"Whatever man." Janna shrugged. She was about to walk before Marco stopped her. He held his hand out, expecting something to be handed to him. The girl dropped the spare key atop his palm before making her way to the door.
The moment her hand touched the knob she turned and smiled at Marco.
"I got copies of your keys anyways."
The door shut, leaving both Star and Marco alone in the living room.
"She's nice." Star flashed a smile Marco's way. "She walked me over here."
"Uugghhh..." Marco grunted as he fell limply on his sofa. He let his head hang from tge back of the couch, his eyes stuck to the ceiling. "So yeah. Make yourself at home, I guess. Just... Please don't burn my house down."
He noticed a rather large treasure chest sitting next to the couch. He turned to Star, who was most certainly the reason for its being there.
"That yours, I'm guessing?"
"Mmmhm!" Star nodded.
"Well, I guess I better..." Marco walked to the giant box, grabbing its handle. A hefty grunt boomed from his chest each time he dragged it across the floor, stopped, then continued. "...take this to your...rragh! New! Room!"
It was a hard fought uphill battle, but Marco managed to drag Star's luggage up the stairs to the 2nd floor. He let it down in front of one of the doors.
"Alright-hurgh- Star!" He struggled to hold the chest up with one hand while opening the door with the other. It led to an unused guest room, which consisted of not much other than a bed, a few drawers, and a closet. "here's where you'll be staying."
"Ooh!" Star's eyes surveyed the room as she walked in. She tapped her chin with her wand ponderously.
"It's nice, but I think it needs a lil... Somethin'. Ooh I know!"
She raises her Wand to the ceiling as it emits another bright glow.
"Sparkle Glitter Bomb Expaaaand!"
She shouts out, throwing the wand down as Marco's vision was obscured by a blinding pink light.
When his eyes opened once more, they, along with his jaw became wider.
In an instant Star transformed a plain, near empty room into basically a second house that jut from Marco's. It was very spacious and painted everywhere in bright pastels that fit Star herself very well. There was a spiral staircase that led to the second level. The important parts of a girl's room, the dressers, wardrobes, and medieval weapons, lined the walls. A gigantic canopy bed, being the centerpiece of it all was being jumped on repeatedly by Star.
"Ok, this is pretty cool." Marco admitted. "I wish I had a room like this."
"You do!?" Star gasped before bouncing off the bed and running out of the room.
Star reached Marco's room, with the man himself close behind.
"Star, what are you thinking of-"
"Mystic Room Suck Transform!"
With another glow of the wand, a black hole formed on the floor, consuming every furniture and item in the room.
Both Star and Marco scream as they hold onto the doorframe for dear life, the blackhole trying to suck them in as well.
Luckily, Star managed to close the door saving them both. They lean against the door, breaths short and hearts pounding.
"Star." Marco calmly called out.
"Yyyeah?"
"Please explain to me why the f- Heck! That spell had the word 'suck' in it!?"
"I-I dunno! It just came out that way!"
Marco buried his face against the door, groaning as he slid down to his knees in frustration. He swears this kid would be the death of him soon.
"I'm sorry, Mr Diaz..." Star's eyes dart back and forth, presumable seeking some way to lessen her host's pain. "Uh, how about a little sunshine to brighten your day?"
A quick flick of the wand and a small sun instantly materialized above Marco's head. It brightened above him briefly before suddenly shifting into a gray cloud that showers him in rain.
"Aw..." Star remarked remorsefully.
"Ok! Y'know what? You can take my house! I'm moving ou- AAAAHH!"
Marco unwittingly moved towards the open window, taking a two story fall into a bed of cacti. Honestly, the pain from the fall couldn't surpass the mental strain from being anywhere near that blonde looney.
"Mr. Diaz! Are you ok?" She shouted from the window.
"I'm...fine." He struggled to say. He pushed himself off the bed of cacti and onto the less harmful grass below. "The cacti... Broke my fall."
"You need any help?"
"I'm. Fi-ow!" Marco flinched as he felt the cacti needles piercing his skin with each step. "Fine! Just stay... The heck away from me!"
Marco walks off in a fury. He heads for the street, going to a place he never thought he'd go back to, but definitely needed. He left Star behind once again.
...
The door of the pub slammed open as Marco came tumbling onto the asphalt below. The rain cloud still constantly drenched him.
"C'moooon, Meeelll!" Marco pleaded, his words slurred and his movements sluggish "Just. Just one-hic! One more drink! Last one, I promise!"
"No, Marco." A balding, middle aged man in an apron looked down at the Latino man, shaking his head in shame and refusal. "You said that 8 bottles ago. You've had enough!"
"I'll tell you when I had-urp! Enough!" Marco threw his hand down in a dismissive gesture. His legs wobbled hard as he struggled to rise. "C'mon Mel, I don't haaave any tabs or nothin'! You know I'm good for it!"
"This isn't like you, Marco. You barely even drink at all, and suddenly you come here after like, what? A year? You already tired of your own liver?"
"Ah phooey! You don't know jack... Nothin'!" Marco staggered before just barely getting his balance. "You don't knnnowww! What I've-hic! Been through all...urf...DAY!"
"Hmph. Maybe not, but drinkin' yourself to an early grave definitely won't help."
"Mel, buddy. Pal. Amigo." Marco got close enough to wrap an arm around the bartender's shoulder and blowing his alcoholic breath into the bartender's face. "Just. Just lemme back in. C'mon I'll even pay double."
"The only way I'm letting you in is if you wanna use my phone to call Brantley or a cab to come take you home."
"Oh yeah, well ffffff...forget you then. I ain't leavin' till I get another drink!"
"Look, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. And I'm not letting you in."
The door slams right in Marco's face leaving him alone with the rain cloud still keeping him wet and depressed. He sinks into the ground, holding his head in his hands.
"Hey." He hears a familiar voice snap his head up. He flinched the moment he laid eyes on her.
"What are. You-hic! Doing here? This isn't a place for kids."
Star slowly flicked the wand in Marco's direction. He no longer felt water constantly falling upon him as the cloud dissipated.
Star had her hands behind her back and her eyes to the ground. She sighed.
"I didn't get a choice coming here to Earth," Her voice held a sorrow that softened Marco's anger towards her. "and you didn't get a choice having to deal with me."
Even in his inebriated state, Marco still felt the sharp pang of guilt in his chest. Now he started to hate himself for being so annoyed with her from the beginning. Even if she had caused him a lot of grief the entire day, he remembered that she's still a kid. With unfortunately too much power literally in her hands. Power she struggles to control.
Like she said. Maybe she didn't have a choice. And the power of the Wand was just as much of a burden to her as it is to him.
"I'll. I'll find another family to live with."
Star was on the verge of walking away before she stopped dead in her tracks. Then backed away slowly.
Marco was confused at first until upon closer look, there were several massive shapes looming over her.
Creatures he'd never seen before stood in front of Star. Of all various shapes, sizes, and anatomies. He didn't know who they were or what they wanted but something told him they had ill intentions towards Star.
"Star Butterfly!" One of them called out. A short, green bird creature was the source of the voice. And despite his diminutive size, he seemed to be the one in charge.
"At last, I found you!"
"Ludo! How'd ya know I was here?" Star demanded as she took a defensive stance."
The bird guy named Ludo chuckled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Well yeah, that's why I asked."
"Well, Buff Frog- hey! I don't have to tell you anything! Get her!'
All of Ludo's goons roared as they all readied themselves to engage Star. Some held weapons, some used their bare hands, claws, or paws. Even if she wielded a Wand with unimaginable power, there was no doubt that she could still get overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.
Star took a few steps forward before Marco, who instantly sobered up, jumped in front of her. He punches a three-eyed dog creature in the gut., forcing him to fold over forward allowing Marco to follow up with an uppercut to the face that gracefully led into a straight kick that launched him into a giant chicken, knocking both of them down.
"Whoa. How did you do that?" Star stood in awe at the way Marco handled those monsters. It was as if all her prejudices about Earth people were shattered.
"I teach Karate, remember?" Marco reminded her as a horned bear with a battle axe charged him. The monster swung down, prompting Marco to sidestep the strike before landing a single punch on his face that knocked him out cold.
Star nearby fights a buff deer humanoid wielding a hammer. A few swings of it yielded no results, until Star kicks him in the stomach and sends it flying upwards then dove back onto his head.
A massive, three-eyed potato shaped monster charged at Marco. Using his momentum, the Karate Master grabbed him by the hands as he fell back and tossed him backwards with his legs.
Marco flipped back onto his feet as he came face to face with a two-headed monster. The man threw a punch to each head before grabbing him by both heads and tossing him into the monster he flipped moments prior. He was running towards him with his mouth wide open on a battle cry that went silent when the two headed creature was jammed down his throat.
A tall giraffe creature was ready to strike Star when she jumped behind him.
"Rainbow Fist Punch!"
She shouted as a giant rainbow colored fist blasted forth and knocked the giraffe into a nearby car window.
The three eyed potato creature from before spat his two headed comrade out before foolishly charging Marco once more, backing him into a car. Seeing what was inside, the man opened the car door and out popped the giraffe's head like a spring. It unwittingly struck his potato friend and knocked him into the two headed one, squishing him beneath his massive body.
Marco backs up into someone and immediately readied himself to strike before putting his fist down after seeing it was Star. She had to have had the same thought because she lowered her Wand after leveling it his way.
They smiled at each other.
Breaking the tender moment, a muscular frog creature comes charging into the parking lot with a streetlight torn from the sidewalk. He charged at the two, yelling wildly.
"Jellybean Hallucination Mist!" Star called out before blasting the frog with a burst of blue, jellybean-covered energy.
The frog dropped his weapon, his eyes dilated as he gazed into his own hands in bizarre wonder.
"Whoa... What is happening?'
Star was knocked backwards by the Chicken creature from earlier but fell into Marco's arms. He looked deep into her eyes, concern painted on his.
Her cheek marks pulsed and brightened briefly.
He brought her back upright before delivering a roundhouse kick that sent the chicken flying off into the distance.
Star raised her Wand high into the air as shining cerulean energy swirled around its Bell. The ground seemed to quake as she prepared one last powerful spell.
"Mega. NARWHAL BLAST!"
There erupted forth an all consuming stream of magical energy accompanied by a massive herd of Narwhals that struck every monster in the vicinity. Every monster that was up went down and every monster that was down stayed down. They all groaned and writhed from their heavy wounds.
Ludo looked around him. His whole gang had been completely wiped out. There seemed to be no chance of them fighting back again for the time being.
"You want some of this, Ludo?" Star asked as she pointed her Wand in his direction.
"No..." He answered, clearly intimidated and failing to conceal it.
He pulls out a pair of evil looking scissors before jumping up and tearing a literal whole in reality that gave way to a portal.
"You see, you morons?" He tosses insults at his failure of a team as they struggled to walk towards the portal he conjured. "This is what happens when you don't work out Your muscles are like pudding! Come on, back in the portal. Back in the portal!"
They could barely make it in without stumbling or limping. The frog was apparently still hallucinating.
"You even retreat like losers!"
Ludo enters the portal last. He pops his head out before leaving entirely.
"I'll get you Star Butterfl-agh!"
The portal closes around his neck, choking him. He pulls it in at the last second but leaves behind his skull crown.
"That was amazing!" Marco beamed. He looked at Star, his expression brighter than it's ever been all day. "I was amazing! You were amazing!"
"Yeah. I guess we were." Star chuckled a little. The events before this whole scuffle weren't forgotten. Her sullen expression returned. "Well, I should probably pack my bags."
"What?" Marco looked genuinely upset she suggested such a thing. "Why?"
"I'm gonna find someone else to take care of me, remember?"
"There's no need for that."
"Well, I can't go back home to Mewni."
"I'm not saying that."
"Then, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying..." Marco held his breath before letting it all out. "...I'm gonna take care of you, Star."
She gasped, glaring incredulously at Marco before her dropped jaw turned into the widest smile her face could possibly make.
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Eeee! Huuugs!" She shouted out before jumping into Marco's arms and squeezing his broad chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Diaz! I promise I'll be good from now on. No more ruining your day."
"It's okay, Star. You still got a long way to go with that magic stuff." Marco couldn't help but reciprocate the hug. He couldn't remember the last time someone showed him any kind of affection..
"And uh. Since we're off school grounds, you can just call me Marco."
"Ok, Mr. Di- er, Marco." Star corrected herself before jumping off his embrace and back to the ground.
They both reach out to hold each other's hands as they made their way back to his house.
"So. We gonna be attacked by monsters all the time from now on?" Marco asked.
"Yeah, probably."
"Alright, cool. I'm sure you could use the help."
"C'mon Marco, I fought monsters like that on the regular back in Mewni on my own."
"I can believe that, but two is better than one, y'know?"
"Are you sure it's not because you enjoy kicking monster butt?"
"It was pretty fun though."
"Heck yeah it was. It always is. Ya gotta teach me some of that Karate stuff sometime."
"Sure, you can attend one of my classes if you want."
"How 'bout a private session at your house instead?"
"Uh..."
Marco felt his mouth filled to the brim and his cheeks puff up before he fell onto his hands and knees and spewed chunk after brownish chunk onto the street.
"Marco! Are you ok?" Star knelt by him, trying to keep him steady.
"Ah. I'm. I'm good..." He says as he wobbled to his feet once again. "Forgot I had a bit to drink before all that."
"Here. I got you." Star wraps his arm around her shoulder, letting him lean on her as she helped him walk the rest of the way home.