Hello guys, and Happy Late Thanksgiving to my American readers! Sorry about the delay with this chapter, school and work have been preventing me from writing. Anyways, enjoy! The plot thickens...
"Star! Come chase me!" Marco playfully bounded into the meadow on a warm night.
In an instant, Star knew she was dreaming. It Ooag, the first month of winter, on Mewni, and summer was a distant memory along with pleasant, sunny days. But in her mind, the meadow remained a paradise. A stiff breeze rustled the long grass, churning the blades into steady, green waves that flashed silver under the moon and stars. In the distant shadows, herds of Mewnian red deer grazed and suckled their young. When they heard the commotion by the edge of the trees, they lifted their tawny heads and swiveled their ears towards the royal couple. A few nervous hinds retreated deeper into the forest, but the others returned to their meal. Star and Marco were well known to them. There was no need to fear.
Likewise, Star's imagination perfectly captured her husband's goofy playfulness. Starlight danced in his eyes, daring her to claim him under the silent witness of the heavens just as she did after the Prince's Ball years ago. Marco's enthusiasm was unusual for a king. For the most part, a king's job ended once he successfully provided the queen with a female heir to the throne. And although he still appeared by the queen's side as her legal consort, she often turned to lovers for pleasure and to satisfy rampant Mewberty urges. In a rare circumstance where a queen called upon her king to perform his duty to her, it was done briefly and out of obligation.
But Marco was different. He loved being with Star as both her partner in ruling the kingdom and her partner in bed. They shared a relationship only a few other royal couples had—one that was healthy and functional. Very functional, if I say so myself, Star thought of their three kids and giggled.
The dream version of her husband continued to prance around her in a wide circle. "Catch me, Star!" his teasing laughter sang in her ears.
"You asked for it," she smirked and stalked forward slowly. It gave Marco time to sidestep her first charge and run deeper into the meadow.
At first, Star followed closely behind him, but she soon slacked off to let him take a good lead. As a Mewman, she could easily outrun her human mate, but it wouldn't be fun to end the chase after a few seconds. The thrill was part of the allure. They ran all over the meadow, from one side to the other, laughing until the night filled with their joy. Star marveled at Marco's stamina. Exposure to magic had strengthened his abilities, and he held his own against her now, even though her imagination partly augmented his speed.
No matter—a queen always caught her prey. Star sprang on top of him, and they rolled several feet until a tangle of grass stopped them. They then snuggled in each other's arms, laughing breathlessly.
If only the moment was real! The dream world failed the recreate the true vividness of Marco and the meadow. She missed the way the grass tickled her legs with wet dew and longed to feel Marco's chest rise and fall underneath her to the drumming of his heart. For a fleeting second, Star thought of calling him to join her but declined soon after. Marco was too tired to dream after a long day of king duties, both to the kingdom and to herself. He needed his rest.
Dream Marco rolled from under her and set his eyes towards the castle. "I'll race you home," he challenged.
"You don't tire easily anymore, do ya?" Star snorted. She trained him well. "Alright, one more race, my love."
She gave him a head start before plunging into the forest after him. This time, Star sensed him lagging behind her. She knew she would win. Her feet carried her down familiar deer paths and over stones, sticks, and small logs. Ahead, the green tangle of foliage began to thin. Almost there! She burst through the last line of trees and into town.
"Ha! Marco! I—" her celebration was cut short by the pungent scent of blood flooding her nose.
What on Mewni happened? Star gasped, scarcely able to breathe as the oppressive odor clogged her lungs. The more she drank of it—tasting the metallic bitterness sharper than knife blades slicing across her tongue—the sicker she became until fear trembled in her body. Yet as repulsed as she was, Star knew she had to investigate.
She ventured further into the desolation until it swallowed her in despair. Thick, black smoke lingered over ruined buildings reduced to charred wood and crumbled bricks. Entire sections of road collapsed into deep craters that pockmarked the landscape. Fires spat and crackled in fury, but the physical destruction was not the worst of it. Dead were strewn about everywhere: young and old, Mewman and Monster, great and small. They lay twisted in piles of bone and flesh to the point where individual bodies could not be distinguished. Ravens swooped from the sky to pick at the remains, squabbling over hazy eyeballs and rotted limbs.
The sight made Star vomit until her stomach ached with emptiness and tears poured from her eyes. None had escaped the great calamity. A tiny baby's head rolled next to the queen's feet in a puddle of gore—the poor victim seemed only a few days old. What kind of beast could've done this? Star's sobs grew violent, but her sorrow sharpened into wild anger as blood boiled red-hot under her skin. This was her home. These were her people. Whatever evil jerk decided to mess with them had to face the wrath of the Underestimated Queen!
Fueled by her rage, Star stormed towards the castle. Darkness consumed her mind and rimmed her vision. I'm going to tear apart whoever did this! She balled her hands into white-knuckled fists.
Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the broad plain between the castle and town. In the withered grass—stained red with blood and black with ash—two armies were fighting. Warriors on deadhorses and warnicorns clashed with swords and shields hissing like cats. Beleaguered townspeople rushed to join, carrying simple weapons of shovels, axes, and torches. The armies' ranks swelled as kingdoms took sides, neighbors turned against neighbors, and families murdered families. Even without the tattered banners fluttering in the air, Star knew the Butterflys and Lucitors were at war. The scene reminded her of the story of the First Queen's fight with the King of the Underworld and the destruction that almost split the dimension in two.
"But why?" she asked the Blood Moon aloud. "Tom and I are friends! We'd never let this happen."
In reply, the vision changed, showing darkness rising from the heart of distant mountains. It turned day into night and blotted out the stars and the Blood Moon. His wrath shall cloak the sun, a voice whispered. His anger is complete. His revenge is final. He comes to bring an end to all things.
"What does any of this mean!" Star clutched her throbbing head as the words repeated themselves over and over again.
"Star! Wake up!"
For a second, Star thought she was still dreaming, and she lashed out with glowing fists. "Leave me alone!" she snarled. Something grunted when she kicked, and the hellish nightmare instantly dissolved, revealing Marco wincing in pain a few inches away.
"Ow! Star, calm down," he wheezed and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay. I'm right here."
His scent drove away the memory of blood, and Star could see clearly when her eyes fully opened. Their cozy bedroom materialized out of the emptiness. The moon was lower in the sky, and the terrified queen shivered as winter's chill evaporated the sweat drenching her clammy skin. Only Marco's body heat kept her warm, but, instead of relaxing, Star remained on edge. This was the first Blood Moon dream she experienced in fourteen years, which was not a good sign at all.
"I don't understand," Marco muttered after probing her thoughts gently. "What would make us and the Lucitors fight?"
"I don't know…" Star's lips quivered as she spoke. As far as she knew, both kingdoms were doing a great job upholding the alliance. In fact, the relationship between the two most powerful families in Mewni was arguably at its peak. Unless…
"Unless what?" Marco echoed.
She pulled away and sighed, "Growing up, I heard mentions of an old Promise made between the First Queen and the Lucitors. A pact sealed by magic…"
"And?"
"Something about the rulers promising to unite the kingdom within the next thousand years or else a curse would consume the land," Star went on. "My father really embellished the story when I was a kid. He talked about plagues and darkness and fire demons."
Marco shuddered, "Aren't you concerned about that…?"
"Marco, it's just a stupid story used to guilt generations of Butterfly princesses into marrying Lucitor princes," she said casually. "Plus, I doubt this whole 'Promise' thing even happened. Only queen magic is strong enough to create a binding oath like that. Not even demon magic is strong enough."
"I've seen Tom do plenty of creepy things…"
"So have I, but nothing Butterfly-strong."
"If you say so…by the way, I received a letter from Eclipsa earlier today," Marco changed the subject. "She wants to talk to you and Tom about something going on in her kingdom."
"Did she specify what about?"
He shook his head, "No, but she stressed that it's urgent. I know traveling to the mountains is risky in winter, but I feel like we should take up her offer."
"Yeah, and I've been meaning to bring the kids to the mountains," Star replied wistfully. Plus, a visit to Eclipsa's kingdom meant they could swing by the Borderlands. Although there were no more mysterious reports from the region, Star wanted the peace of mind.
"I'll call Tom and Janna in the morning," she concluded with a yawn.
"It is morning, Star," Marco joked, earning him a playful jab to the chest. "Careful," he whined. "You got me good earlier."
"Sorry," Star gave him an apologetic kiss.
Marco cradled her in his arms and drew the covers over both of them. "I don't know what's out there, but there's nothing we can't face together."
"Of course," she smiled, snuggling closer to him. What would she do without him: her partner, her lifeline, her soulmate? He gave her the courage far beyond her deepest fears. "I love you."
"And I love you always," he kissed her forehead.
They held each other close through the fleeting hours of the night, letting their presence drive away their lingering unease and the glare of the Blood Moon watching them.
"Mom, are you okay?"
"Huh?" Star blinked her eyes opened, and the royal stables and Andromeda emerged into view. Did I fall asleep again? the queen yawned and watched Nova shift nervously in her crossties.
Several hours had passed since the Blood Moon nightmare, and Star never made up for the sleep she lost. She woke up early to fulfill her royal duties before embarking on the unexpected quest. She called Tom, filed paperwork, briefed River, who would stand in as Acting King in her absence, and rounded up the kids. At first, sheer adrenaline kept Star awake, but the lack of sleep finally caught up with her. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was thinking about how the hay in Nova's stalled looked like a tempting place to lie down.
Star rose to her feet and picked the hay from her hair, pink winter coat, and jeans. "I'm fine, Andie," she insisted.
As much as she wanted to sleep the next week away, she had an important job to do. A queen protected her kingdom with her life, and she would stop at nothing to ensure the horrible vision stayed just that—a vision.
"Are you sure?" Andromeda studied her skeptically.
The concern in her eyes made Star laugh softly. She knew that look well. It reminded her of the countless times Marco tried to dissuade her from doing something risky, such as downing another bottle of vodka while drunk or fighting wild beasts.
"Positive," Star nodded firmly.
Yet when she turned to grab the warnicorn's saddle, the world suddenly spun in a violent whirl of colors, causing her to tumble into Nova's flank. The mare shrieked loudly out of concern. Thankfully, the dizziness was short-lived, and Star recovered before Andromeda could reach her. Apparently, throwing up in the Blood Moon dream had made her sick in real life too. Her stomach protested loudly.
"I'm okay," Star reassured her daughter with a thumb's up.
"You really don't look like it," Andromeda placed a hand on her forehead to check the temperature. "If we're still going on the quest, I think we should switch mounts. I can handle Nova, and Chauncey XIII would be a smoother ride for you."
At the mention of his name, the princess's pig-goat perked his ears and wagged his curly tail. Two years ago, Star brought Andromeda and Orion to the royal stables to select riding animals. On Mewni, twelve-year-olds can travel on their own, so it seemed appropriate to allow the princess and prince to ride more than fat swamp ponies. While Orion chose the largest war-mare he could find, Andromeda felt intimidated by the queen's warnicorns, so, instead, she chose a smaller companion—the humble pig-goat. Despite being shorter and stouter than a Mewnian swamp pony, pig-goats were more than capable of carrying an adult Mewman. In fact, the early queens rode them into battle before domesticating warnicorns. Chauncey XIII was a direct descendant of Lil Chauncey, Moon's old companion and war-beast. Star thought of how pleased her mother would have been to see her granddaughter with her favorite animal.
Star refused the offer, "I'll make it."
"If you insist," Andromeda muttered and rode Chauncey XIII outside.
At least I think I'll be alright, Star clutched the fabric around her unsettled stomach. Hopefully, a lungful of crisp mountain air would sort her out.
After saddling Nova, Star led the warnicorn out of the stable and into the courtyard where the rest of the group gathered. Only a small party was chosen to accompany her on the quest. Tom, Janna, and Marco conversed with Higgs while the kids raced their animals in a nearby paddock.
"Hey, Dante! Check this out!" Marco Jr. tugged his warnicorn's reins sharply, causing the surprised mare to rear. "You gotta take a picture of me on this old nag. I wanna show my woman how far I've come already!"
The prince turned from Andromeda and frowned, "I don't think that's a good idea. Warnicorns are sensitive creatures, MJ. Didn't you pay attention to Sir Katrina's lecture yesterday?"
"Ah, c'mon, Lucitor, lighten up!" the older teen scoffed. "A warnicorn's no different from one of those shitty carnival ponies on Earth. They're just big dopey babies—nowhere near as awesome as yours truly."
I have a bad feeling about this, Star noticed the mare pinning her ears in disgust. Though they resembled normal horses, warnicorns were braver, stronger, and more intelligent than their Earth counterparts, especially a well-bred animal such as Sardonic, who was one of Rage's foals. She took the offense personally and made sure to show her contempt by dumping Marco Jr. off her back mid-brag. The other warnicorns and Chauncey XIII neighed and bleated in laughter.
I knew it, Star shook her head slowly. Her brother-in-law had a lot to learn about Mewni.
Marco Jr.'s antics drew Higgs's ire, and if the mare didn't wound his ego enough, the Captain of the Kingsguard would certainly make sure of it. She yanked Marco Jr. to his feet by the ear, "You ginormous dolt! You're fucking lucky I decided to drag you along despite being a new squire and you repay me by acting like a damn meathead!"
"S-sorry, my Captain," Marco Jr. stammered in genuine fear, terror swiftly replacing the pride in his eyes.
"Good," she growled and let go. "We're about to visit another queen, so I better see you on your best behavior, or I'll make you clean the stables with your bare hands—horse shit and all!"
The knight returned to the other adults, and Marco Jr. grumbled something under his breath while rubbing his sore ear.
"Looks like your luck with girls keeps on growing," Andromeda said dryly, which made Dante and Jupiter snicker.
"I'm an absolute stud-muffin, Andie," Marco Jr. puffed out his chest and declared boldly. "My prowess with the ladies is not to be questioned. Right, Rye?"
Orion lifted his eyes off his phone for a second and nodded.
"You're not even listening to your ol' uncle," Marco Jr. pouted.
"Yeah, I am," the prince replied.
"Besides what's so important on that screen? Y'know staring at your phone rots your brain."
"No, it doesn't!"
Orion stashed the phone in his pocket after sending another message, and Star saw the faint smile lingering on his face. "I wonder when he's gonna bring her home," she thought to Marco.
"Who?" He was confused.
"The Earth girl he keeps spending time with every day," she replied. "His thal." The Mewnian word for "best friend" sounded eerily close to the one for "lover" or thaal. The similarity made for many lewd puns, and, of course, Star alluded to both meanings in her conversation with Marco.
"What if they are just friends, Star?" Marco replied flatly. "It's not like a guy and a girl can't hang out platonically."
"I know, but I also know my son."
The level of happiness sparkling in his eyes when he talked about Mia spoke for itself. Marco and Orion might say otherwise, but Star had a feeling that there might be a Princess's Ball in the not-too-distant future.
"If you say so," Marco shrugged through the bond. "By the way, we're all ready."
Star mounted Nova and rounded up her troops. It was time to hit the road. "Alright, guys," she addressed everyone when she had their attention. "As Queen of Mewni, it is my job to ensure the safety of my kingdom. That's why—"
"Star Butterfly! Where do you think you're going?"
Etheria drifted towards the gathering, flanked by a reluctant Uncle Heartrude and Aunt Felicity. They quickly abandoned her once she safely reached the queen, but the old Mewman didn't seem to care. Her beady eyes glared at Star with enough malice to freeze the Underworld.
"What is all of this nonsense?" Etheria demanded. "You can't just run off into the countryside with the Silver Bell Ball coming next week."
I forgot about that shitty dance! Star buried her face in her hands. Stupid Silver Bell Ball! It attached itself to the calendar each year like a leech—a reminder of how tradition stubbornly clung to royal life. If it were up to Star, she would've abolished the ball outright years ago but many of the other kingdoms insisted otherwise. But why? The Silver Bell Ball served no real purpose anymore. In the past, it was used to arrange marriages between princesses and princes, but the practice was abolished many generations ago.
Star groaned, "I'm not just running off into the wilderness for fun. I have a formal meeting with Queen Eclipsa, and I need to check out something in the Borderlands." She skipped the parts about the Blood Moon. Why waste them on Etheria's deaf ears?
"But your real job is to stay here and maintain a good appearance," Etheria countered. "Leave this silly matter to your knights. That's what the old queens did."
"You think being concerned about the safety of the kingdom is silly?" Star spat and grew hot under her coat. No one told the Queen of Mewni—the inheritor of the Butterfly throne and most powerful magic user in the kingdom—what to do! "If anything is silly, it's that stupid, antiquated dance. I am Mewni's protector, and I will be on the frontlines doing my job the way I want to!"
"Still acting like a rebellious teenager, I see," Etheria jeered. "When will you give it up? You're an adult, and it's unbecoming of a queen to act this way."
"And it's unbecoming of an old hag to tell the queen what to do," Star grumbled under her breath.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me," she said in a slightly louder voice, feeling a fire ignite in her soul. "I'm not a child anymore. I will not be treated as such."
"How dare you disrespect your elder! Queen or not, I'm the matriarch of this family!"
"Okay, brailough." The term Star used roughly translated to "spent grain" in English. It was the greatest insult that could be directed at an older Mewman.
Marco Jr. whistled, and the rest of the group gasped at her curse.
"Damn, Star…I never thought you'd finally tell off your dumb great aunt," Janna grinned. "'Bout time you grew some mammaries."
Utter shock smoothed the wrinkles on Etheria's face, and she turned white in rage. "W-what did you call me, you insolent—"
"Alright, that's enough!" Marco moved Sol between them. "We're not doing this in front of the kids." In secret, he said, "I have to applaud you on the comeback, but let's fight this battle later."
"Fine," Star backed off.
Once the bickering ceased, Marco said calmly, "How about a compromise? We'll continue with our plans to see Eclipsa, but we'll return here in a few days to prepare for the Silver Bell Ball. But, once the ball is over, we will finish this quest. Yes, there's royal protocol, but Star's main job is to make sure we're safe. If I say so myself, she's doing an excellent job at it."
Just as Etheria opened her mouth, Uncle Heartrude stepped in, "Great idea, Marco. I think it'll work well."
The praise caught the king off guard, but he dipped his head in gratitude, "Thanks, Heartrude. Let's put this behind us and get moving."
As much as Star liked her husband's idea, something warned her that this might be the only chance they had to ensure Mewni's safety. Why am I being paranoid? It's not the Star Butterfly way, she dismissed the annoying thoughts. Nothing would prevent her from returning to the Borderlands after the Silver Bell Ball.
She shot Etheria parting glare, then followed Marco and the others through a portal to the Musty Mountains. The instant Nova stepped in the snow on the other side, Star felt layers of stress and anger roll off of her in soft waves. How could anyone remain upset in standing in the beauty of the mountains?
On the surface, the Musty Mountains appeared a simple world of shadow, ice, and snow, but Star knew better. It was also a land of deep mystery. Of red moons and magical dances. Of Fate and destiny. Prophecies whispered in the breeze and roared in the howling gale that shrouded the sacred peaks in clouds. It murmured in the clear mountain brooks that gurgled over smooth stones and fed alpine meadows. It rustled in thin branches of dwarf willow and pine. Everything in the Musty Mountains radiated with cosmic importance, and it called to Star each visit. It was not only the fabric of the region but of her own life as well, woven in unbreakable, red string. What does the Blood Moon have in store for us now? She wondered as she rode deeper into the mountains.
"Are you okay?" Marco asked after a long pause. "You've been quiet since we left the castle."
The rest of the group had spread out to socialize while on the journey. Higgs lectured Marco Jr. about proper conduct on formal trips, Tom and Janna hung back to escort Persephone and Jupiter on their swamp ponies, and the other kids took up the rear. Dante and Andromeda seemed very friendly with each other, riding so close that their feet touched. Did I miss something with those two? Star sensed deep joy from her daughter.
"Star…"
"I'm fine, Marco, geez!" she snapped.
Suspicious, Marco narrowed his eyes but let the matter go.
Snow continued to fall, forming puffy drifts along the side of the road. The rest of Mewni would not see snow like this for another few months, but winter always came to the Musty Mountains earlier than anywhere else. In the summer, the weather became even more unpredictable with sudden storms consuming entire valleys in only a few minutes. Because of the harshness of the mountains, most of the Musty Mountain kingdom's territory remained uninhabited. There were no other towns along the barren road to the main city, and the fields were empty except for snow and browning rye left as a cover crop by farmers. I hope they harvested enough for the winter, Star knew how much the kingdom struggled with growing food in the rocky soil.
After an hour of cresting icy ridges, Star and her party arrived at Ithgartha, the ancient mountain citadel of the Monsters. Unlike the countryside, the city bustled with life. Smoke rose from chimneys, smelling strongly of stews, firewood—mostly mountain cherrywood—and baking bread. Monsters briskly traveled along the thin, twisty streets, bundled in wolf, fox, and bear fur coats. Ice crusted the exposed parts of their faces: on noses, cheeks, and lashes. There were also Mewmans and humans in the city too. The kingdom was open to anyone interested in reviving the old Blood Moon religion, and the same true of the Jaggy Mountain kingdom as well. It was refreshing to see the Monsters reclaim parts of their lost culture. The architects tried to keep the blueprint of the town as historically accurate as possible, and signs were written in Monster, Mewman, and English.
On the outskirts of Ithgartha, high on a solitary black hill, sat the Monster Temple. The great red and green fortress sat between the city and the sacred mountains in the distance—symbolizing the important role of the High Priest, the official leader of the ancient Musty Mountain tribe. A proper High Priest both led his people and acted as a mediator between the mortal world and the realm of the Divine. Even though the last one, Globgor, died years ago, the priestly line still survived. The Monsters hoped Meteora, his daughter, would take over as leader one day, but, until then, Eclipsa ruled as Queen of the Musty Mountains.
By the lower gate of the temple, the Queen of Darkness stood wrapped in a fine fox-fur coat with her Queensguard. The knights watched the visitors traveling their way cautiously but relaxed when they recognized the royals. Eclipsa rushed to meet her family.
"I'm glad you made it, my dear," she welcomed Star with open arms. "I was afraid I wouldn't see you until spring."
Star dismounted and embraced her granny, feeling a biting warmth spread in her cheeks from smiling and the cold. "It's great to see you again," her teeth clattered as she grinned.
It was hard to believe how much their relationship changed over the years—from close confidants to bitter enemies and back again. Though her precious granny had been the bane of the Butterflys, eager to get revenge on the royal family for what they did to hers, Eclipsa was torn between her desires to rule Mewni and her love for Star and Marco. She sent them on a long quest to keep them out of the way, but the young couple returned to stop her insidious plans. After Moon's death in the Battle of Butterfly Castle, Star hoped to never see the traitor again, but the dark queen's spirit found a way to her years later. Shocked by the news of the twins, Star reluctantly let Eclipsa back into her life for guidance about the pregnancy, and they became close again. After all, if anyone could navigate the confusing mess of being young queen and a mother, it was the former Queen of Darkness. However, soon after the twins were born, their relationship fell apart again in a second betrayal that cost Star the throne of Mewni. But this time, Eclipsa redeem herself by helping Star and Marco put an end to Globgor's cruelty, winning newfound respect among her people. While she no longer occupied the Butterfly throne, her leadership skills and understanding of Monster culture were still needed elsewhere. This time, Eclipsa finally found the affirmation and fulfillment she always wanted.
"You look miserable, Star," Eclipsa laughed. "It's not even that cold outside, dear. It's rather balmy for Ooag."
"You gotta be kidding me..." Star groaned.
"I kid, but you do look a little green around the gills," Eclipsa studied her intently. "I take it that you and Marco have been busy lately."
"Of course," it was Marco who spoke this time. "We've got a whole kingdom to rule and three kids to raise."
"Oh, I bet you do…" Eclipsa glanced between the royal couple and laughed a little louder as if she heard something funny.
Star and Marco exchanged a confused glance but said nothing.
"Grandma Eclipsa!" Orion practically leapt off his black warnicorn to give her a hug, and his sisters followed closely behind. Even tthough Eclipsa wasn't actually related to any of them, she remained the closest thing they had to a grandma on Star's side of the family.
"Haven't you grown big and strong, sunningrau," she smiled and patted his hair. Her nickname for him meant "Sun-Lion" in honor of his golden hair. "And you seem very happy too. Tell me, what's her name?"
Jupiter and Persephone snorted.
"Her?" Tom flicked his tail in amusement. "My nephew never told me about there being a fair princess in his life."
"It's not like that!" Orion protested.
"Uh-huh…heard that one before once," Eclipsa glanced at Star. "You really are your mother's son, Rye."
"Not you too," he muttered bitterly. "You're supposed to be the cool granny."
Eclipsa jabbed him, "I'm the coolest no matter what. Now, how are my fierce warriors?" She turned to her granddaughters with a smile.
"I'm going to be six by the end of winter!" Jupiter bragged loudly, even showing her finger for emphasis. "That means I'll be able to train for battle!"
Meanwhile, Andromeda simply replied, "Just livin' the princess dream, Grandma."
"Nothing wrong with that, dear," Eclipsa smiled. "Us royalty have important jobs to do. It might seem tedious and boring now, but it won't always be that way." Her kind words made the princess smile slightly.
"What about me, Granny?" Marco Jr. whined from his mare. "I've got an important job too as Higgs's new squire."
"I heard about that from Star," she said with delight. "I hope you aren't getting into any more trouble."
The squire scoffed playfully, "Oh you know, I am."
"Wouldn't expect anything less. Now, let's all go inside where it's warm. I have mulled wine and snacks for everyone."
The kids hurried behind her, and the temple's servants came to escort the royals and take the warnicorns and Chauncey to the stables for warm water and oats. The first thing that greeted Star when she stepped inside the temple was the comforting sight of a roaring fire in one of several stone hearths. While the wind and snow howled outside, the temple was as warm as summer. Stone murals depicting important Monster lore covered the walls along with important religious symbols and text. It reminded Star of the inside of the Cave of the Blood Moon but more inviting. In some places, vines and flowers grew, carefully tended by gardeners. All life was sacred to a High Priest, so killing the invasive plants was not an option.
Eclipsa led her guests to the enormous throne room on the highest floor of the temple. Natural light streaming in from the magnificent glass windows in the ceiling. They offered a perfect view of the sky and mountains for the High Priests preferred being inspired by Nature than art. A small cushion sat on top of a stone pillar that was flanked by ribbon-thin waterfalls. They fed a small pool on the ground in the shape of a crescent moon.
"The High Priests believe in modesty," Eclipsa informed her guests. "That's why there is no real throne."
Janna smirked, "If this is modest, then I'm the Queen of the Underworld—oh wait."
"We don't have a lot of room to talk as Lucitors," Tom frowned at her comment.
They all assembled at a table in the shadow of the pillar, and temple servants filed in with the promised mulled wine and plates of hot meats, potatoes, and sweet treats. Everyone ate and drank their fill. Star partook in the snacks but shied away from the alcohol with her upset stomach.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Marco questioned her decision. "You love drinking."
She shrugged, "There's always later."
As the feasting started to wrap up, Star became aware of a pair of yellow eyes peering in from the hallway. Eclipsa smiled, "Don't be a stranger around your family, Meteora."
The others turned in her direction, causing the Monster teen to freeze. Andromeda stopped joking with the other princesses and instinctively moved closer to Orion, who shuffled nervously in his chair. Marco Jr. eyed the newcomer suspiciously, and Marco took Star's hand. Even many years later, the unpleasant memories made encounters with Meteora tense. She had no recollection of her past life and neither did the kids. Not even Marco Jr., the oldest of the next generation, remembered the altar, death, and destruction, and it seemed better to keep things this way for now. There would come a time and place for the truth, but it must be told gently and when everyone was ready to hear it. For now, Meteora played the role of the weird thirteen-year-old cousin in every family: aloof, quiet, and awkward around adults. She spent most of her days studying with the temple sages, which kept her away from the townspeople. Many of them did not trust her either.
Meteora tightened the light purple bun on her head but said nothing.
"No need to be shy, dear," Eclipsa beckoned gently. "Come sit down. You'll need to hear this too."
"Whatever, Mom," the Monster teen rolled her eyes and reluctantly pulled out a chair at the far end of the table. She buried her face in a book to ignore everyone in front of her.
"Ah kids these days," Eclipsa giggled and reached for a sip of wine.
After satisfying her thirst, the playful light in her eyes disappeared in a flash, and she transformed from granny to queen before Star's eyes. It was odd seeing this side of Eclipsa materialize—contemplative, mature, and serious—but the office of being queen tended to change even the more carefree of spirits. Or it should, Star thought of the empty-headed queens in the past. Their laxness was the reason the Mewman-Monster wars went on for so long.
Eclipsa rose out of her chair and paced towards the freestanding hearth in the middle of the room. She stoked the flames with her magic, but the warm, festive spirit was long gone. Not even the fire could salvage it. "I've received chilling reports from my knights and travelers about the Borderlands to the east of us," she said with great concern. "Reports of there being a demon on the loose. At first, I ignored them. After all, it's natural for demons to roam the Borderlands then return to the Underworld, and I needed to focus on making sure there was enough harvested to get us through the winter. But the survey reports have come in: this demon might be a Fire-Bringer."
Tom spat out his wine, "A what?"
She turned to him and nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so."
"But that's impossible! They've all been sealed away ages ago," he sputtered.
"I know. I'm hoping the rumors aren't true," Eclipsa sighed. "But I can sense very powerful magic—unlike anything I've ever experienced before."
The Lucitors urgently whispered amongst each other, and even their kids seemed disturbed. Persephone stopped talking to Jupiter, and Dante squeezed Andromeda's hand.
"What's a Fire-Bringer?" Marco suddenly asked.
"Don'tcha know your demon classes, Diaz?" Janna sneered. "Fire-Bringers are serious shit. They're near-immortal shapeshifters that prey on the souls of living beings, which is strictly taboo in the kingdom. I mean, you can eat the souls of the damned lurking around the Lake of Fire but that's it. The law's been in place since the First King."
"And not to mention King Draconius banished the remaining Fire-Bringers to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire over a thousand years ago," Tom added. "They're cursed to never see the sun again."
"Precisely," Eclipsa said after the two leaders spoke. "I'm still on the fence about whether the demon terrorizing the Borderlands is a real Fire-Bringer or just an abnormally powerful demon. They aren't supposed to exist. That's why I haven't made the news public yet to my people. They needn't be alarmed. Nevertheless, the rumors are causing fear in my kingdom, which is why I've called you guys here to help me investigate."
Star leaned back in her chair with a cocky grin on her face. Nothing excited her more than fighting evil foes. "We're here to help, Eclipsa," she smiled. "Tell us where to go, and we'll deliver your demon's head on a platter."
Her bold words inspired confidence in the others, and she saw a fire burning in their eyes. The dimension followed her direction as queen, so if she didn't freak out, her companions wouldn't either.
Even Eclipsa relaxed a little. "We'll head out in the morning. It'll be night soon, and it's too cold to travel. Until then, we feast and rest."
The merry atmosphere returned along with another round of wine. I hope I'm right about this, Star tried to ignore the Blood Moon lurking behind the clouds.
An eerie calm, as tense as a held breath, weighed down the dark firs even more than the snow on their branches. There was not a single sound in the entire forest aside from the gentle plop of mini avalanches from bowed trees trying to straighten themselves up from winter's fierce grip. Otherwise, there was no movement. No life. No soft fluttering of flying owls on their last hunt before dawn. No timid stepping of deer looking for food. No squeaks from foxes and mice or grumbling bellows from stags and bears. Nothing.
It set Nova on edge. She threw her head and snorted a wreath of condensation around herself and Star, stomping in protest when her rider urged her deeper into the Borderlands. "Come on, girl," the queen stroked her mane. "There's nothing spooky over there."
Several times the mare almost bolted, her eyes bulging at every flickering shadow and ears anxiously searching for phantom noises. Easy, Nova, Star tugged the reigns and waited for her to settle again. Sometimes, she missed Sir Runs-A-Lot's steadiness. He rarely spooked, never bolted, and always listened to her commands. But even the old gelding's ironclad will would have been tested in the Borderlands—the otherworldly place of fire and ice. Orange fissures split the ground, spilling occasional plumes of fire like lolling tongues. The stark-white snowpack and black-slick mud striped the forest, casting odd shadows in the setting moon. No wonder Nova hated the place—it made Star feel uncomfortable too. She thought of the weird Demoncism cultists and the rumors about the Fire-Bringer. The sooner they found the demon, the better it would be for everyone.
Morning sunlight spilled over the horizon, flooding the monochromatic forest with fire. Star turned her face into its warmth and closed her eyes as its energy invigorated her stiff, travel-weary body. Her stomach still hadn't settled since the beginning of the quest, but she ignored it. The quest was of utmost importance and today was already the last day to find the Fire-Bringer before the group had to return home. Star refused to abandon the quest for a hot minute if it meant that a dangerous demon continued to pose a threat against her kingdom.
When she opened her eyes to watch the sunrise, she realized that she wasn't in the Borderlands anymore. Instead, she stood on a tall mountain, looking down at all of Mewni below her. The sun continued to rise above the snow along with a bright blue star, and they revolved around each other in a dance. The other stars in the sky fled, leaving only three to witness the celestial dance. Suddenly, Star saw thin clouds roll across the sky, concealing what looked to be another star igniting in the sky…
"Are you alright, Mom?"
The vision faded, and she came face-to-face with a pair of concerned green eyes watching her. Scourge, Orion's mare, tossed her head in impatience.
"Yeah, all good here," she nodded, feeling embarrassed that her son witnessed her space out again. "Let's keep going."
Mother and son traveled along together in their quiet section of Borderland forest. In order to cover more area efficiently, Marco suggested that the group divided and conquered the wilderness in pairs. With more eyes looking in more places, they should—in theory—have more opportunities to spot the demon. Each pair consisted of at least one adult and one child—Eclipsa and Meteora, Marco and Andromeda, Star and Orion, and Tom, Janna, and Dante. Persephone and Jupiter were left at the Monster Temple to be pampered by temple waitstaff.
Star heard Orion yawn next to her and sensed his boredom as well as her own. I don't blame him, she commented with frustration edging her tone. Only an insane person would've thought that they had any chance of finding a demon hiding somewhere in a forest that stretched over a thousand square miles. And in two days too!
However, being able to spend time with her son made it all worth it. She remembered when he was a tiny infant—small enough to nestle in her arm. Now, he truly looked like a regal, young prince—strong and handsome like his father was at his age. Everyone immediately claimed that Orion was more like Star than Marco, but he started to resemble the king more with age.
"Hey, Mom," he suddenly asked. "Quick question—who'd you invite to the Silver Bell Ball this year?"
Star replied, "The usual crew. None of the girls from St. O's are invited. Last year was a special anniversary for the school." And she knew about her son's short-lived romance with one of the princesses. Luckily, relationships before the age of fourteen did not count as anything. "Why'd you ask?" she added.
"No reason," he said quickly and averted his gaze.
He's so obvious, Star bit her lip to stifle an amused laugh. She knew this day would come ever since Orion's Mewberty cravings took him to Earth.
"Did you ever go to the Silver Bell Ball with Dad?" Orion asked another question.
"No, I never did," Star shifted in her saddled and felt the regret rising in her soul.
"Why not?"
"Long story," she began. "It was after your father and I defeated Toffee, and, well, I guess he missed Earth, so he left about a week later. I thought we'd stay together on Mewni, and... y' know, but he was still with Jackie then. I tried to convince him to stay with me, but he couldn't be talked out of leaving." She winced at the pain buried deep in her heart, then continued, "I was devastated and lonely, so when the Silver Bell Ball happened a couple of weeks later, I started dating Tom again."
Orion rode his warnicorn closer so he could reach out and place a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Oh, I'm sorry."
She shot him an appreciative glance, "Thanks, Rye. Plus, even if Marco did stick around, the Silver Bell Ball isn't open to commoners. It would have been forbidden for us to dance."
The prince withdrew his hand as if he'd been stung, "Oh..."
The Silver Bell Ball had strict rules against class mixing since its purpose was to match the royal children together. Even if Marco were her squire, Star would've had to act distant around him the entire time, lest she drew the ire of the other royals. But then again, who was the Rebel Princess of Mewni to let a bunch of crusty laws tell her what to do and who to love? She would've have broken them all by declaring her love for her best friend in front of everyone, including the Lucitors. Some traditions—the vast majority of them—needed to die. No one should be criticized for who they loved, especially not in the new era.
"Look at me, Orion," she spoke aloud to draw his attention. She met his gaze sincerely and said, "If you want to invite your Earth friend to the Silver Bell Ball, then do it. You don't even need my permission, though you certainly have it. Never miss an opportunity like this—trust me."
Her words echoed off the winter pine and set a chill in the air—a chill of destiny. She thought about her missed chance to go with Marco to the homecoming dance, which she ceded to Jackie. One honest decision could have saved so much heartache, and it was Star's job as a mother to steer her children away from her mistakes.
"Okay," Orion replied. "Are you sure I can ask Mia to the Silver Bell Ball—as a friend, of course? What about the other royals…?"
"Forget about them," she replied. "Seriously, if I listened to those tightwads, I would've been a miserable queen in a miserable marriage to Tom. Don't let your title define your life, Rye."
A smile appeared on his face. "Thanks, Mom."
"It's what mothers do," she said, playfully rustling his hair.
Their laughter was cut short by a strange odor floating on the morning breeze. Unlike the earthiness of warnicorn and pine, this new scent was sharp, sour, and unpleasant. It stung the back of their throats and itched their nostrils, causing them to flare in a warning. Star thought of burnt toast when she smelled it. Oh no, her eyes grew wide, and the realization eased the nausea building in her stomach. Only demons from the Underworld emitted such a smell.
Star positioned herself and Nova in front of Orion protectively. "Launch a flare," she ordered and drew her sword.
While the prince fumbled with loading the cartridge into the heavy gun, she relayed their location to Marco through the bond. "Andie and I will be right there. Hold on!" he replied frantically. "I'll also call Tom and Janna too!"
"Okay, because we really need—"
"Holy Stump, Mom!"
Just beyond the screen of trees ahead, something moved. At first, Star thought it was a trick of her mind, for she saw nothing but shadow under the swaying black trees. Then it moved again, and the queen realized with horror that the shadow was the demon. Black energy crackled in a fire that both burned with heat and nipped with cold. It bore no discernible shape or features, though Star saw what she guessed were eyes—two golden orbs suspended in the darkness. They suddenly locked on her and Orion.
"Stay away from me and my son!" She brandished her sword. "Go back to where you belong."
The shadow stopped moving. "I…belong here, Star Butterfly, daughter of Mewni," it growled in a voice like thunder. "Mewni belongs to him."
Who's him? Star remembered the cryptic words from the Blood Moon dream. Was the demon related to whatever threatened her home? "Who is this 'him' you speak of?" she demanded. "Mewni belongs to no one but her queen!"
The demon swayed, uttering ancient words, "His anger is complete. His revenge is final. He comes to bring an end to all things. Broken promises shall come to reckoning, the Darkest Heart of Darker things. What is Forbidden shall be honored as true and what is honored shall be Forbidden."
"You know, I get really tired of prophecy-speak," Star folded her arms. "Why can't you supernatural beings just tell me things?"
"Honestly, I don't know. Regardless, your bane is coming, Star Butterfly! You cannot escape the will of Fate this time."
Though his words concerned her, Star choked back the fear rising in her throat. "I'm done listening to your shit," she challenged. "This is my home, and I do what I want! Nova, ha!"
She charged into battle, swinging her sword in a graceful arc to slash the shade in the woods. The blade parted through the air and struck nothing, the darkness disappearing into a thin wisp right as Star rode through. Figures, she muttered. Higher-level demons were impervious to physical attacks. Turning Nova sharply, Star let magic channel into her fist. "Triple Rainbow Punch!" She unleashed the spell when in range and sent the demon flying into a tree.
"Electric Butterfly Storm!" Orion raised his wand and a swarm of yellow butterflies shocked the demon with jagged bolts of electricity.
The paralysis held the demon in place for Star to attack it with a Turbo Thermonuclear Butterfly Blast—a more powerful version of her destructive spell. Wooden splinters and black flames scattered everywhere, fleeing from a deep crater left where a grove of trees should be.
"Nice one, Mom!" Orion cheered.
It's not over yet, Star remained on guard. A blast like that could easily kill a mortal but demons were trickier, especially without a bodily form. The attack only bought them time to stall until help arrived. "Hurry up, Marco!" she heard the demon crawl out of the ground through the smoke.
"We're coming, hold on!" he answered quickly.
"Mom!" Orion pointed at the demon's new form emerging out of the destruction.
It had turned into a great fiery stag with sweeping antlers and long fangs peeking out of its mouth. Four yellow eyes locked onto the royals with hatred burning in them like a furnace. Bellowing loudly, the demon rushed past Star and slammed into Orion and his warnicorn.
"Orion!" Star exploded into her Butterfly form and grappled the demon off her son. "Face me, you damn coward!" She spat at the demon in rage and reached through the fire to wrap her hands around its neck.
The heat burned into her skin, but she refused to let go until it managed to break out of her grip. They met again with another furious charge, one that sent them both skidding backwards. Star struggled to her feet, shaking the debris from her golden wings. Why am I so tired? Her strength already started to ebb despite the brevity of the battle. Something else was feeding on her magical energy—a force from within her. Oh…Star's mind finally made sense of it all: the tiredness, the stomach ills, the drain on her energy, the vision from earlier. Something wonderful had happened to her, and the knowledge lent her extra strength to fight.
"Strawberry Annihilation!" Star raised one of her hands and shot pink magic toward the demon. She then followed it with another of the same spell to create more distance before closing in with a body slam.
"Save some for me, Mom!" Orion raced after her. "How about Crystal Dagger Snow Attack!"
A flurry of silver shards of ice sliced the deer's hide. Black goo oozed from the slashes, dripping to the ground and extinguishing the fire of its body. After taking a moment to recover, the deer leapt towards them, but mother and son were ready to meet it. Magic exploded into the forest in a multitude of colors and broke the silence. When the light faded away, Star saw the crowned head of the deer bow in exhaustion. One more should finish it off, the queen smirked, but before she could unleash the finishing blow, a blue blade stuck out from its chest from behind.
The demon screech as Andromeda drew her wand. "I couldn't let you two have all the fun," the princess laughed from her pig-goat. Her eyes met Orion's warmly, and the twins smiled at each other for the first time in months.
The other adventurers joined her in the clearing and formed a protective perimeter around the weakened beast. Tom moved in closer, seizing the demon by the throat. "Go back to where you came from!" The King of the Underworld uttered a curse, evaporating the demon in a puff of smoke. "There," he dusted off his hands when finished. "Our mission is complete. By the way, it wasn't a Fire-Bringer. If it was one, none of us would be standing here."
Eclipsa exhaled loudly, "What a relief! I'll inform the knights immediately."
"But I wouldn't feel too relieved," Janna studied the black stain where the demon once stood, smearing the pitch with her fingers. "Black fire isn't a good sign. This is something very ancient and very evil."
Tom and Janna discussed something in Demon, but Star released her Butterfly form and sunk into the snow, hardly able to keep her eyes open. Marco was by her side in an instant. "Are you alright?" he held her close.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she panted. More than fine really, she smiled, holding onto a wonderful secret. She was pregnant again.
Review Roundup
Shaeril McBrown- Thanks!
Starco4everr- Thanks!
Guest- Things are about to get interesting with these three! I caution calling it a "love triangle" in the tradition (i.e. bad) sense. I promise this will be executed far better than the Starco-TomStar plot in the show, but you are right about the tensions that'll play a role in this romantic subplot. We'll see how it impacts the three of them once they're aware of what's going on. Also, MJ needs a buttkicking from Higgs.
RJWritingInk- Lol. I like Mariposa and thought about changing MJ's gender to match but declined because I had too many ideas for male!Marco sibling. Mariposa is too much like girl Marco, which we have with Andromeda. With Marco Jr. I can play around with someone who is a complete foil to Marco in every way. Why he's like that will be revealed later, but you're onto something. MJ is def a character you should feel for but also really hate his actions.
Aldal- LMAO yes! He was always destined to be a troublemaker, and how here he is! Mia isn't dating MJ, but she does feel for him and tried to be his sorta-friend (like Star and Tom in s2 only), but yes, some drama is coming! And no, she lost her v-card to MJ the womanizer. Doesn't really affect much in the story, but just a fyi.
viceversa96- Thanks! MJ is going to play a major role in this story!
Lyger 0- Mia is the same person. She's both MJ's ex and Orion's bff.
Alfonso Sparda- Thanks! MJ is a troubled person but he has the chance to better himself. We'll see how that goes lol!