Here's a quick chapter. I was soo excited to get this one out that I finished it super early lol. Enjoy!

Marco knew something was wrong even before Star returned to him later that night. He sensed it in her gaze before leaving the club with Orion, although she promised she'd tell him the details later. The trouble, whatever it was, involved the twins. Jupiter mentioned something about Orion avoiding Andromeda and feeling sad earlier, though that was all she knew. And now, hours after he took Jupiter and Andromeda home, Marco sat on his bed, deep in thought. The twins never had a problem with each other before. They were an inseparable force since day one—since he and Star learned of their existence in her womb. Plus, they were Blood Moon bonded. I hope they can sort things out, Marco sighed, looking at a picture of them as tiny newborns in his arms.

It was hard to believe that so much time had passed. Back then, he was a nervous, eighteen-year-old father with two sleeping bundles snuggling into his hoodie. Now, everyone was bigger and ready for the next stage of life. Marco neared his prime as a ruler, and the twins were rising into their own futures. Maybe that drove a wedge between them, he realized. Growing up tested bonds of all kinds: shattering them, twisting them, changing them. Friends drifted away, families feuded, and old things lost their appeal. But growing up wasn't all negative. After the storminess of adolescence came the relative stability of adulthood. The twins will make it, Marco had no doubts about it. Things might be rough for a season, but Andromeda and Orion were his children. If he could find his way, so could they.

When Star arrived in the dark bedroom, the moon was low and next season's stars peppered the sky. But even the beauty of the heavens paled in comparison to the shining goddess slipping out of her clothes. Silver light bathed her body, highlighting her curves and petite frame—supple yet strong enough to battle evil foes. Her hair formed a halo of fire that pooled around her fluttering Mewberty wings. Marco scarcely breathed while watching her as if afraid he'd wake up from a dream. There was no way he was married to such an amazing queen, who bore him three, equally-amazing children. Soon to be four, he smiled, remembering her request from earlier.

"Easy there, Wild Man. You're tempting me," she winked at him and reached for her thin nightgown.

"You're tempting me," he welcomed her into bed.

They lay together, arms and legs tangled under the soft blankets. Usually, their closeness would have led to something more, started by passionate kisses and tender caresses, but Star wasn't in the mood. Her touch felt grounded instead of heated. It searched for his companionship to ease her worries, and as much as Marco ached to be with his wife, he held back. They couldn't start baby-making until their current children were happy.

"Marco," Star inhaled sharply. "I feel like I've let the twins down." She paused and spoke again, her breath tickling his chest. "Orion is struggling with his role as a prince, and I don't know what to do. We've fought to include him more included, and you know I want him to rule alongside Andie. Mewni is just still stuck in her old ways."

"I know," he replied quietly.

They both struggled to get Orion the recognition he deserved ever since he was born, and it was natural that their son had a hard time finding his place. Andromeda owned the throne by birthright, but the magic also chose her brother in an unprecedented move. Even Jushtin the Boy-Queen relinquished the crown when his sister, the future Queen Solaria, was born. Never before had there been two siblings entitled to the kingdom. Yet the road still remained steep for Orion, and Marco knew the trials that lay ahead. The kingdom only started to respect him as king after he killed Globgor.

"And Rye's not even my biggest concern right now," Star went on. "It's Andie. She's about to go through Mewberty."

"Mewberty?" Marco's shout woke the laser puppies sleeping in the corner. "My precious baby-girl is about to go through Mewberty?" He remembered when it happened to Star. It was the first time he realized how alien she was—something stronger, deadlier, and wilder than any human on Earth. Andromeda couldn't be going through that kind of change. Didn't her human blood prevent it from happening?

Star shook her head, "Nope. Mewberty has more to do with magic than biology. Andie has to go through with it. I wish she didn't either, but it's truly unavoidable."

"When will it happen?"

"When she lets it. The signs are there, but it's up to her when she unleashes the change."

"What signs have there been?" Marco was still feeling denial about the situation.

"Boys were following her around," Star replied. "Her blood calls to them."

"I don't remember boys following you around."

Star giggled and traced shapes on his bare chest. "Because you kept them away," she said. "The boys thought you claimed me as your mate."

"How?"

She gave him a kiss, "You know how…"

"But you chose Oskar…"

"Only because I was distracted. If not…let's just say you would've grown up a lot that day."

Marco's cheeks turned red when he realized what she meant. "I wouldn't have survived back then," he said. Now, he could withstand her Mewberty cravings when they happened, but only after years of building strength and stamina. She would've broken his fourteen-year-old body in half.

Star rolled her eyes, "I know how to be gentle."

"Then show me," he dared.

Star straddled his waist and began to run her hands down his torso.

"Gladly."

Morning came quickly, and Marco woke to Star snoring contently in his arms. The gentle smile on her face was a testament to another wondrous night together. And we'll start having more of those too, he smiled. Since they were trying to conceive again, Marco rearranged his schedule so he could stay in bed later with Star. While he loved his kingly duties, he had to care for his queen's needs.

He cradled her close, ready to doze off again when a loud crash jolted him awake. Then he heard yelling and began to worry. Star jumped out of bed and immediately searched for her armor. "It's today," she panicked.

"Today?" Marco shivered. "Already? So soon?" Couldn't nature give them another day to plan and talk to Andromeda first?

"She's ready," Star replied. "So we'll have to be too."

"What's the plan?"

"There's a Mewberty Containment Chamber in the basement. Andromeda will have to stay there until Mewberty wears off. It'll keep the kingdom safe…if we can get her there." Star grabbed her sword and strapped it to her chainmail skirt. It was then Marco realized that his wife was preparing herself for war. With real weapons!

"You can't be serious?" he objected aloud. "She's our daughter!"

"Marco…"

"And we can't just lock her away!"

"Marco…"

"She's just going through puberty!"

"Marco!" Star grabbed him. When he looked her in the eyes, he felt her fear and remorse as clearly as his own. She didn't want to do this either. She didn't want to face what her genes did to Andromeda or lock her away like a raging animal. But it had to be done—for her sake.

"I love Andie too much to let Mewberty destroy her," Star's voice ebbed into a hoarse whisper. "I remember what it did to me…and that's not even the worst of it, Marco. You didn't see the whole thing—the hunting, the rages, the destruction. You don't know how many males have been hurt by a princess in Mewberty, or about the queens killed by their daughter. Same-sex aggression is something I'm prepared for. Andie will see me as a competitor—not as her mother."

Oh, Marco blinked.

"But she won't hurt you, Jupiter, or Orion," Star handed him a sword. "A princess in Mewberty doesn't imprint on close kin. I'm going to prepare the room, so you'll have to find Andie and keep her contained until I can get to her. Just keep her away from boys. It'll be difficult, but you can do it."

Marco nodded, although uncertainty filled his blood instead of courage. He had to be strong for his family. It was a father's job to protect his own. The second he finished dressing, they heard banging on the door. "Mom! Dad! Help!" Jupiter and Orion screamed. "Andie's gone crazy!"

"We'll keep in touch," Star opened a portal to another part of the castle, leaving Marco alone with the growing dread in his belly. I'm here for you, Andromeda, he vowed, placing a hand on the door. Your lifeline. He toggled the knob, and his other two children came rushing in. Orion shielded Jupiter with his shaking body until Marco closed the door.

"What happened?" Marco tried to remain calm, but the terror in their eyes set him on edge. He'd do anything to make them feel better.

"W-we were just eating breakfast downstairs," Orion's teeth chattered. "And Andie…she started sprouting these purple stars all over her…"

"And then she turned purple and grew these huge wings," Jupiter finished the sentence. "She started talking about boys and went flying around trying to find them."

"I tried to stop her, Dad," Orion continued. "But she's unstoppable. My magic won't even hurt her. I-is this…Mewberty?"

Marco nodded solemnly, "I'm afraid so."

"Will I go through that?" Jupiter asked quietly.

"Only the queen's firstborn daughter can go through Mewberty unless something's wrong with her magic," Marco remembered that much from one of Star's books. "You'll be fine, Jupiter."

"Phew, what a relief!"

"So here's what's going to happen now," Marco said, trying hard to remain calm and professional. The castle was a warzone, and as General of the Queen's armies, he needed to lay out a plan. "We have to find Andie before she hurts anyone, and Rye, I'll need your help. She won't attack you. Jupiter, you stay here with this—" he passed her a dagger. "Sirius and Glossaryck will guard you."

"We aren't going to hurt her, are we?" Orion gazed at the weapon.

"Hopefully not. Can you sense where she is?"

Orion closed his eyes and clutched his head, "I can…but her mind gives me a headache, so I've been keeping the bond shut."

"I won't have you open it for too long," Marco insisted. "Just long enough to locate her. I know this is scary, but we'll get through it and help Andie get through it too."

"I hope she feels better," said Jupiter.

Marco kissed her head, "She will. I promise."

He led Orion out of the royal bedroom, firmly closing the door behind them. They stayed close and silent in the halls, both pairs of eyes hypervigilant for any signs of Andromeda. So far, the castle seemed empty, but the king and prince refused to let their guards down. They finished their patrol of the upper floors and ventured downstairs.

"Where did you see her last?" Marco asked through the Blood Moon bond, which was activated by their fear.

"In the dining hall," Orion replied. "But that was twenty minutes ago. I don't know if she's…whoa."

As soon as they stepped onto the lower floor, they entered a hellish, new world. The ground was covered in feathery purple stars that swept across the floor. Furniture was overturned, claw marks covered the walls, and sticky webbing dangled from the ceilings. Judging by the vibrancy of the color, Marco knew this was fresh sign. She was just here.

"How do you know that?" Orion asked.

Marco blushed, "I'll tell you when you're older."

"Gross," his son gagged. "Is this about you and Mom…?"

"Maybe."

Thankfully, Orion dropped the conversation, and they continued to tread into Andromeda's domain. The lights flickered on and off overhead, and the air was heavy with her pheromones. They weren't sweet and inviting like Star's; instead, they made Marco restless and prickled his flesh. He wanted to drop his rapier and run, but he knew better. He had to persevere. "You know what's kinda weird," he commented. "I don't see a lot of boys in her webbing."

"That's because squire training hasn't started—" Orion looked at the time on his phone and gasped. "Oh shit…"

I need to tell Star to stop cursing around the kids, Marco quickly made a mental note. He was about to say something but screaming echoed in the halls, followed by frantic footsteps. Darrion exploded from around the corner, covered in stringy, purple webbing. When he saw Marco and Orion, he sighed in relief.

"Uncle Marco, Orion! Praise the Blood Moon you're here!" He panted and leaned against the wall to catch his breath. "I thought I was a goner for sure."

"Where's Andie?" Marco demanded.

"Uncle Marco…," the boy coughed and wheezed. "We were just about to start training, and she just flew in and started rounding up all the princes and male squires. Shot them with this gooey stuff. Rye, man, you shoulda seen Aster. He started crying like a baby."

"I'm sad I missed it," he snickered. "Serves him right."

"Focus, you two," Marco reminded them. "Where is she now, Darrion? Has she done anything to the boys she's caught?"

"No, and what kinds of things would she do?" Darrion eyed him until he finally pieced it together. "Oh dear…Well, Dante isn't here yet…Oh. I think we should tell him to stay away."

"You know, sometimes his lazy Lucitor genes come in handy," the prince smirked and whipped out his phone.

"Tell me about it," Darrion laughed.

"Enough joking around," Marco said gruffly.

"Dad, we—" Orion froze mid-sentence, and his eyes flashed with fear. "She's coming…" his alarm came out in a harsh whisper. "Coming for you, Darrion. I can feel it."

The squire jumped behind the royals and shakily drew his blunt practice-sword. The atmosphere became dark and saturated with her looming presence. Marco tightened his grip on his rapier, keeping the tip pointed towards the end of the hall. His heart rate skyrocketed, and he was convinced the others in the hall could hear it. I know she can, he gulped. Faint buzzing tickled his eardrum, growing into a deafening roar from the darkness just mere feet away. In the gloom, he saw a shape drop from the ceiling and hover towards them slowly as if in uncertainty. Yellow eyes flashed warily. I know what to do, Marco's fatherly instincts kicked in, and he felt brave enough to drop his sword.

"What are you doing?" Orion gasped.

"You'll understand when you have kids one day," he said, then turned to the shadows.

"Andromeda, sweetie," he called to her gently as he took a step. "It's your Dad."

The buzzing stopped, and two diamond-shaped eyes focused squarely on him. It reminded Marco of the moment they first met face-to-face. She was still warm and wet under the royal-blue blanket wrapped around her tiny body. She couldn't find him at first. Her eyes were too new and hazy to see Marco's face only inches from hers. But she knew his voice from the darkness of the womb. She knew his love for her. And even here, that love seemed to call to her through the primal hunger of Mewberty.

Marco stretched out his hand and met hers. "That's it, Andie," he crooned. "It's okay—I've got you." Gently, he guided her into the light so he could see her. She's beautiful just like her mother, he smiled at her dark plum skin and the strength rippling in her six arms. Her long hair turned into a proud mane around her shoulders, parted by a pair of sweeping antennae that twitched constantly. Fuzzy moth wings kept her aloft, and Marco saw the intricate patterns of constellations on them.

"You look amazing," he breathed. "This isn't even your final form. You'll get that one day when your magic matures. It happened to your mother when she resurrected herself and the Realm of Magic."

One of her star-pointed antennae touched his cheek. Was he sure of that? While Marco couldn't read her thoughts outright, he sensed her question.

"Of course," he said warmly. "You're my amazing warrior-princess."

Her eyes became clear, and she gripped his hand tighter. She was scared—Marco could feel it. According to Star, Mewberty usually left princesses completely unafraid of anything. They chased boys and fought with reckless abandon because the magic engorging their skin gave them a sense of freedom and power that rivaled bloodlust. But Andromeda was afraid of what she had become. She hated her instincts, her magic, her lust. When would she be normal again?

"Soon," Marco promised. "Once you get through Mewberty, it'll never happen like this again. Growing up is scary, Andromeda, even without dealing with Mewberty. But you've got me and your mother and your family. We'll make sure everything will be okay. I love you."

I love you too, Dad, she purred.

"Will you come with me?" Marco asked. "Your mother and I have a place that'll keep you safe until Mewberty wears off."

Before she could answer, a column of purple flame erupted in the hall, and out came Dante. "Sorry I'm late," the prince yawned and scratched his back. "Just didn't wanna get out of bed this morning. Also, what the hell happened?" Then his eyes fell on Andromeda, and he recoiled in shock. "Andie?! What happened to you?"

"You idiot!" Orion thumped Dante on the back of the head. "I told you not to come here!"

"Boy…" Andromeda growled and let go of Marco's hand. "Dante…"

"Don't do this, Andie," Marco tried to grab one of her wrists, but she batted his hand away. She was hungry again, and nothing could get in the way of a princess and her prey. Not even the power of love.

"Andromeda, no!" He tried to restrain her, but it was too late. She was on Dante in a heartbeat and pinned him to the ground. The prince screamed as she started ripping off his clothes, "She's gonna eat me!"

"Andie, stop it!" Marco used all of his strength to pry her off. "I know you want to, but I'm not letting you do this."

Enraged, she body-slammed him into the ground, leaving him sore and winded. His vision blurred from blood dripping into his eyes, and by the time he wiped the drops away, he saw her charging towards him. Don't make me do this, he pleaded and weakly grabbed his rapier. He aimed the point at her shoulder—where it would do the least amount of danger—and braced for impact. I'm sorry, he closed his eyes.

"Get away from Dad!" He saw Orion stepping between them. "Electric Butterfly Storm!" His wand unleashed an attack of yellow and white butterflies that shocked Andromeda, stopping her mid-flight. She bared her fangs and lunged again.

"I said 'get away!'" Orion sent a follow-up blast, which sent her careening into a wall. "Find Mom," he begged Marco. "I can hold her off."

"But…"

"Go, now!" Orion shifted his attention to his sister. "Rainbow Hammer Swing!" He hit her with a colorful spell to slow her progress once more. The twins were locked in a heated battle, allowing time for Darrion to escort Dante away. Marco wanted to obey his order but found himself unable to move. His children were fighting…with the intent to kill each other. I have to do something, he found the strength to stand. What kind of father would let his children hurt each other?

"Killer Shark Attack!" Orion summoned a wave of sharks at Andromeda, but she battled through it and flung him into a stone pillar. His body snapped it in half, and Orion lay motionless on the floor. Son! The room spun around Marco, transforming into a dark memory of a bloodstained altar. He heard one baby cry, but the other turned blue and lifeless. The other did not stir in his arms despite his desperate pleas...

"That's enough!" Marco's cheekmarks glowed in rage. I don't want to do this. Yet he also couldn't let Andromeda thoughtlessly kill her own brother. "Atomic Uppercut!"

He used the attack to create space between the siblings then wrestled Andromeda to the ground. The attack didn't hurt—Marco knew how much she could take—but the princess whimpered pitifully under him. She had had enough.

"Good," he got up and held out a hand. "Now, let's find your mother."

"I'm right here," Star waved her hand from around the corner.

"It's alright, Star," Marco said. "She can be reasoned with. Isn't that right, Andie?"

The princess hissed but nodded. Nevertheless, the queen remained on high alert until they safely escorted Andromeda to her temporary room in the castle basement. Although Marco originally imagined a creepy dungeon, he saw that Star had turned the room into an inviting space with pleasant lighting, books, snacks, and a TV. He also noticed a bunch of magazines spread on the bed, and he scowled, "Really, Star, boy magazines?"

"She needs to work it off somehow," the queen shrugged.

Andromeda cautiously entered the room and tested everything in it before settling down on her bed. Her Mewberty adventures had worn her out, and she sought rest above boys. "Goodnight, Andie," Marco smiled as he closed the door behind her.

"Wow, she really was kinda tame," Star admired.

"I know," Marco replied.

"But don't let it fool you. She'll relapse again before it's over."

"How long will that take?" he asked.

"It depends," Star shrugged. "I went through Mewberty pretty quickly. Usually, it takes a few days."

"Let me guess, I had something to do with it."

"Actually, I don't know."

"Well, at least we're done with this Mewberty stuff," Marco breathed.

"Agreed." Star nodded. "Wanna celebrate with some nachos?"

"Okay. Let's do it." Marco led his wife back upstairs, feeling relaxed for the first time that day.

A few days later, the door to Marco's office slowly opened, and the king spied Andromeda standing before him. She had returned back to normal and shivered mightily under the blanket draped over her hoodie. As much as he wanted to run to her, he held back to let her gather her words. "Dad…" her lips trembled as she softly spoke. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I—I couldn't control myself…" Her brown eyes were dull with regret.

"Shh…" Marco got up and embraced her. "Don't beat yourself up over it, Andie. All that matters to me is that you're okay."

She pulled away sharply and became rigid. "I'm not talking about Mewberty, Dad," her eyes grew wider as she continued. "It's Orion. He escaped…he got out, and I couldn't stop him."

"What do you mean?" The words tumbled out of his mouth. A dark feeling froze his blood to ice. It can't be…he staggered into his desk. But it was. He saw into Andromeda's thoughts and discovered the truth. "Star, we have a situation!" He desperately called to her.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"It's Rye. He's going through Mewberty too."

He wasn't exactly sure how it happened. One moment, he was fine—that he remembered from faint recollections of his old self. He was just sitting alone in his room, listening to music. An innocent activity. While he wouldn't say he was happy then, he remembered feeling content. Satisfied. Just as every teenage boy should feel with his basic needs met. There was nothing Orion Diaz-Butterfly—that was his name once—needed in the world. He was fine.

Then he became less fine. A hunger grew in the pit of him—in the very depths of his being. A hunger that could not be satisfied with food or drink. It ate at him. Even his best headphones couldn't drown out her wailing deep within the castle. Holding his breath couldn't drive her pheromones from his nose. Oh, how terrible both had become—hissing, piercing, grating. Heavy with lust. Boys. Boys. Boys. Like a cloud bursting with rain. Boys. She needed boys. She craved boys. She must have them. All of them.

At first, he could manage with her cries in the backdrop of his mind. Boys weren't his thing, and neither was she. They were kin. Her scent, while intense, wasn't appealing. It smelled too much like him and mother and father. But the cries stirred the Longing in his soul, and even his strong resolve couldn't keep it at bay. Ripples formed in the water of his mind until a picture formed—first hazy, then clear. Girls.

What if that's what he wanted? Girls. What if that was the answer to his loneliness? Girls. What if that's what would fill the Longing? Girls. He needed. Girls. He desired. Girls... He must have girls!

And now he did have them. After shedding his skin and unfurling his wings, he set out on a simple mission. The Mewnian townspeople screamed and hurt him, so he went elsewhere for easier prey—among his father's people. Girls were there too, and their scent called to him even from the castle grounds. It called him out of Mewni to a place called New Echo Creek. There, the humans kept a lot of teens his age in one convenient place. There were lots of girls. His for the taking. There had to be hundreds of them—eight hundred and three, to be exact—milling around the hallways and rooms of this place. They left their scent trails everywhere, and it drove him crazy. There were so many to choose from: short, tall, blonde, brunette, blue-eyed, brown-eyed…. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't decide which one he wanted.

So, he decided to have all of them. Just like a greedy kid in a candy store, who stuffed his cheeks and pockets full of sweet treats. He collected all of them, shoving them into lockers and corners, then patiently sealed them with the blue goo that shot from his fingers. For later. For his collection. Though they ran and screamed and fought, he found them all. How could he not with his superior senses? He tasted them in his mouth, buttery and sweet like caramel. He sensed their movement vibrating in the air with his antennae. He saw them hiding under things with eyes that could see through dimensions. He allowed none to escape his harem.

But the plan hit a snag as all plans do. The boys and the adults weren't happy to see the girls run. So, they threatened him. They called humans with thundering sticks to pelt rocks at him, but they didn't hurt his blue skin. However, they did make him angry, and that was a big mistake. No human could compete with an alpha prince such as himself, and he dispatched them quickly. They ran from his fury, and he herded them away from his glorious harem, which was now all his. Part of him wondered if he should find more, but he figured eight hundred and three was enough for now. Which one should he try first…?

Suddenly, his senses picked up another girl arriving into his territory. Eight hundred and four. What a treat! He retreated into the shadows on the ceiling and watched her come in. She wore capris and a black shirt. Her hair was dark and curly in tight ringlets like newly woven chainmail, and her eyes were a deep brown. She was also new to the area. She smelled of forests far away from New Echo Creek—of creeks and pine and fields. It reminded him of Mewni.

When she saw the scene before her, she dropped her book bag with a loud thud. The fear emanating from her made her even more delicious, but he waited patiently. Good things came to those who waited.

"Mia! Get outta here before he finds you!" a girl cried from her holding cell.

The new girl remained dumbfounded even as more girls begged for her to run.

"What's going on?" she stammered. "Are the drama kids filming another zombie apocalypse film during school hours? Ugh, this is what I get for having a dentist appointment!"

"No, it's worse!" exclaimed another girl. "This is real! We've been attacked by a giant, blue bug boy."

"A what?" Mia sounded confused.

"Sharonda's telling the truth," said another. "Girl, you gotta get out fast!"

"Is this some kind of joke? I get it. You guys are still trying to prank the new kid…"

"No, it's true! He'll get you!"

It is time, he decided to make an appearance. While the girls screamed and pointed, he crawled out of the shadows and floated right in front of Mia's face, his wings hissing as they beat. She turned and ran, which only excited him even more. He loved a good chase. It gave him a chance to show off his fitness and to let adrenaline embolden his spirit. And she led him on a good chase too—through classrooms, down the halls, across the cafeteria. Her stamina amazed him. She would be a great companion for him later.

The chase ended in the other courtyard when she stumbled, and he pinned her with his web of blue suns. Once on her, he studied her with all of his senses. She smelled amazing. She felt amazing. She even tasted good through his antennae, especially when drenched in sweat. "My queen…" he purred.

He opened his wings and let the sunlight filter through them, casting blue prisms on her face.

"He's gonna eat her!" One of the girls fainted.

Eat her? He would be an ignorant swine to waste such a beautiful girl on feeding. No, he was going to woo her, love her…bury himself deep inside her until she bore him fine sons and powerful daughters. The others might conceive, but only her children would be the ones to inherit his place as rulers of Mewni. But first, he was going to show off. Show her the prize she had earned.

Fluttering his wings, he started to sway in a hypnotic dance while staring deep into her eyes. "What the—?" Mia tried to protest, but the repetitive movement and light put her at ease.

In fact, all of the girls relaxed around him, lured into a deep trance that chased away their fright. Little did they know that he was spraying his powerful pheromones on them all, calling them to him in an olfactory-driven song. He brushed his antennae against the smooth skin on her neck, leaving ticklish bug kisses that made her giggle. And her laughter was heaven—heavy and melodious. Soon, there would be more of her voice in the air. So soon…He stalked closer to her, pressing himself against her squirming frame.

"Orion Diaz-Butterfly! Get back here now!"

He knew that voice once. Even in the darkness of Before-Life, he had heard his father's praise and felt his love. He should have run to him and affirm the familial ties that bound them together, but he couldn't. He couldn't leave his girls behind with another powerful male nearby. There could only be one. These girls were all his! He won them. He guarded them. He protected them. Plus, his father had a mate. Why would he come here to steal a girl?

Mine! A feral growl rumbled in his chest and rattled his wings. My girls! He backed off his chosen mate and crept closer to the intruder. Marco must be annihilated. He must be put in his place. My girls. My territory!

Two more Mewmans appeared from the portal—both female and kin. He watched his mother's nostrils flare and eyes grow wide in alarm. "Marco," she warned. "You need to go. Remember what I said about same-sex aggression."

"But he's my son," he insisted. "He wouldn't try to kill me, right?"

The question almost stopped him in his tracks, but an alpha prince couldn't let another male threaten his girls. When he saw Marco, he felt nothing but coldness in his heart. He wanted to drink the blood from his lifeless corpse. He ran into his father with the force of a train, smacking him clear across the courtyard and into a set of unoccupied lockers. Andromeda and Star screamed in horror. Marco struggled to get up, but the movement only attracted his gaze. Instinct fueled his rage and he bit and clawed whatever still moved. After a while, all became still, and he rubbed his wings together to gloat over his victory, but he knew better. His father was a king, the mate of the Queen. Nothing could defeat him so easily.

Marco drove him backward with a swing of his rapier and connected a red blow to his side. It didn't hurt, but the impact made him whimper. Something in him knew that this shouldn't be. He loved his father. He used to climb on his shoulders and wrestle with him. He used to sleep in his arms while he read him books. He used to want to be a mighty king like him. But he is male, the primal side of him growled. He can't exist here. The war on the inside made him bellow in frustration. He blindly lashed out, and wrapped his hands around Marco's throat, digging his claws into soft flesh. Instead of fighting him, the king stared into his soul as the air left him.

"I know…you're in there," his voice cut through the noise in his head. "I love you, Orion."

"Dad?" Orion remembered and let go, causing Marco to pant heavily.

Suddenly, something knocked him over, and golden light flooded his vision. "Enough!" Star snarl shook the Earth. "Fight me if you must."

The confusion returned, and he flew to meet her in the air. They tumbled, arms locked in combat as the ground and sky swapped places over and over. He didn't even know why he was attacking. A real prince would never fight a queen, and she was a female. He had no quarrel with them. Why was he so angry? So horny? What's going on? He let go.

"You're just having a bad day, Rye," Star said while panting. "It'll end soon. Glossaryck told me the secret of Mewberty. The more aggressive it is, the shorter it lasts."

Not long after hearing her speech, Orion noticed the ground rushing towards him at tremendous speed, and he crashed into a cushion of his suns. Blackness overtook him, then followed by light from both his mother and the sun. I feel awful, he turned over and vomited.

"Ew…" a girl named Mia—he didn't remember how he knew her name—recoiled.

"What happened to you?" He saw the blue gunk holding her down.

"You're not a bug-monster?" She asked, puzzled.

"Bug monster?" Orion echoed and looked around at the girls trapped in lockers, the petals drifting in the wind, and the gashes on his Marco's body. Did I…? The prince gasped at the dried blood on his hands. No…he stumbled and clutched his head at the sound of approaching sirens. This wasn't supposed to happen. Star said males couldn't go through Mewberty.

"Rye, are you okay?" Andromeda reached for him, but he pulled away.

"You…did this to me," he remembered her crying out to him, tugging on his soul with her longing.

"No, I didn't!" she swore. "And even if I did, I didn't mean it."

The noise and guilt drove him away from Echo Creek Academy in spite of Andromeda's calls and his parents' insistence that everything was okay. He just needed to be alone. Above him, the Blood Moon turned paled and glowed coldly.

Review Roundup

Aldal- Thanks! I love all of my Starco kids, but Orion holds a special place in my heart. He's going to have a rockin' arc that'll really test him as a character. He's got a tough road ahead of him, and it only gets steeper from here. Poor Orion has heard a lot of his parents' doings, so it explains why he's weirded out by his parents in the club. We'll see the children of our Earth cast soon. Also, can't wait for more fanart!

RJWritingInk- I have plans for Etheria...trust me.

Starco4everr- Thanks!

robertkellett- Thanks, I'll keep my words brief since we've talked before. Both Orion and Andromeda (and even Dante later on) have to deal with their parents' legacies. I'm always fascinated by the stories that tackle the kids of the heroes. What are they going to do with the footsteps laid before them? Both of the twins will answer that differently. Dante and Andromeda's relationship is going to be quite a roller coaster, starting with the fallout of next chapter, and Orion is going to have to find his place with them too. Star and Marco are a fun dynamic as always, and although they are still themselves, it's great to see them as parents trying to help their kids. Especially, Star who is just an amazing mother. We're in for a real treat soon.

Alfonso Sparda- Thanks! Star and Marco's date might've been crashed, but they love helping their kids through their doubts. Things are about to get wild with Andromeda...

Lyger 0- Nope. That's the song that inspired this chapter.