Sorry for the long wait guys!
...
With her adrenaline and shock draining rapidly, she must have dozed off because next thing she knew, Tucker was trying to hoist her out of the back of the wagon. She shook her sleep away and shoved Tucker off of her.
Tucker uncomfortably dismissed it, letting her get down herself. "We're here," He told her.
Halley gazed at the little collection of cottages and tried to figure out where they were exactly.
"It's a little village right off the border of the kingdom." Tucker said, somehow reading her mind.
As the sun was rising and the border was a good 200 miles out, Halley realized they must've been traveling for a while. Doors began to open and Halley was im even more surprise as monsters and Mewmans alike had begun to step out of their homes.
They all stared at her in wide eyed amazement, saying, "She's really here!" "The princess made it!"
"What's going on?" Halley asked.
Tucker exchanged a glance with Celine before turning to her, "It's best we sit down to tell you..."
"What—"
"Your Highness," A voice came. Halley turned and saw Buff Frog standing before her. He bowed, "I am sorry about what happened to kingdom."
"I...I still don't even know what happened myself." She said quietly.
"Yes. We will tell you everything." The monster said. "Come."
Halley followed them to a dimly lit hut. Inside seemed to be some type of empty tavern. Halley realized that Tucker and Celine had followed them along with some others.
"Princess, it is understanding that Mewni has been taken over by a dark and powerful force, otherwise known as Prince James."
Halley nodded solemnly as Buff Frog continued, "There's already been word that his forces have started ransacking villages. Specifically those inhabited by monsters."
Halley clenched her her fists into tight balls. It had been three measly hours and James was destroying everything they had worked to achieve.
"With the King and Queen missing," Halley noted how he strategically avoided the word "dead." "We need leader. Rest of the Mewnian population needs you, Princess Halley."
"Me?" She breathed. "I...what could I do? James has taken the throne. Any access I have to the kingdom is gone."
Buff Frog nodded, "Our only shot at getting Mewni back is by declaring war."
"War?" Halley staggered. "With me leading!? I-I'm not a General! I can't lead anyone!"
"Princess you're the only one who—"
"No!" She yelled. "We'll save my parents then we can get Mewni back. James will...he'll listen." Her tone was doubtful at best. Regardless, she stared firmly at her audience, "I'm not starting a war. Not against my brother."
No one really knew what to say. Of course they all sympathized with their princess but Mewni was in danger. Family or not, a war was the only way out.
A brave soul finally stepped forward, "Princess, I understand that you have difficult decision to make," Halley looked towards the entry way and saw a frog-like monster step from behind the taller people in the crowd. Her arms and legs looked like they didn't quite match her quite small body.
"But without you, thousands will suffer. Your duty is to your kingdom and when someone threatens that, brother and all, it your responsibility as our princess to lead us when we are in the dark." The small monster stood right in front of her now. "King and Queen Butterfly would want you to do all you can to protect everyone to the best of your ability. Don't you agree?"
Halley gave her a small nod.
"Well Princess, can we entrust our forces unto you? Will you do all you can to lead those willing?"
There was a long lapse in silence where Halley stared at her feet. There was so much to consider. War. She hated fighting. She hated violence. It made her sick to her stomach. But the little monster was right. Halley was being selfish. With a small sigh, the demi-demon looked up and mumbled in a small voice, "Okay."
...
It was quite strange how fast a peaceful little village could turn into a war camp. Swarms entered the village by the dozen. Most ready to fight, others seeking shelter from James' torrent. Homes for four now housed as many as twelve. Mewmans, who weren't quite comfortable with monsters when they arrived, found themselves living side by side.
While the integration regime definitely had it's positive effects, not everyone was swayed into the peacemaking attitude. However, seeing the kingdom taken over and lives being turned upside down caused them to turn the other cheek (as much as they could).
Halley was given her own quarters. It certainly made her feel bad that most residence in the village shared a bed with three other but it also gave her the privacy she needed. Ever since she agreed to lead them into war, she had holed herself inside, trying everything she could to get her family back.
Several charred and broken dimensional scissors were scattered across her room. Getting into the castle by dimensional portal didn't seem to be working. She'd heard that no one was able to leave Mewni either. Another attempt to try and find her on James' part, she assumed. Spells were much harder to do without a wand. It seemed that the farther away she was from the castle and wand, the weaker her magic was. She could barely make a spark. So in her room she sat, denying entry from anyone, trying to avoid her responsibility.
Responsibility my ass, she thought angrily. Her duty was to her family. What the hell had Mewni done for her?
This is the grief talking, a little voice told her. She ignored it.
"Damn it!" She growled, slamming her fists into the ground after another futile attempt at a simple spell. "Why can't I do this?!"
There was a tentative knock, "Hey Halley? Can I come in?"
Tucker's fourth attempt at trying to talk to her. Why couldn't he understand that she wanted to be alone?
"Go away!"
"I was just reminding you that the army is expecting an official speech or something from you. It's really quite a site. I never expected that there would be this many willing to fight."
She ignored him and tried again. She couldn't take this anymore. She couldn't take waiting to see what would become of her family.
"I summon the All-Seeing Eye to tear a hole into the sky," There was a spark of pink magic from her hands. "Reveal to me that which is hidden," Her cheekmarks flickered. "Unveil to me what is forbidden."
She held her hands up and used all of her might to summon something, anger leading her to keep them there as long as possible. Although Halley was indoors, a wind started to blow around the room. The light outside dimmed.
"Uh Halley?" Tucker came. "What's going on? What are you doing in there?" Another spark came and before she knew it a burst of flame shot out, making her slam backwards into the wall. Halley grunted and rubbed the back of her head.
Tucker opened the door and stopped when it bumped her. He bent down beside her, "Halley, are okay? What..." His eyes flickered to her cheeks, "Why are your cheeks glowing?"
Halley's eyes widened, and pushed Tucker aside. On the opposite wall, a portal shimmered with green flame. She crawled towards it. Examining it closely, it didn't look like the Seeing Eye portal, she couldn't even see past an ocean of green flame.
Halley slumped down hopelessly. She'd failed. Halley wanted to see her parents. She wanted to see Phil.
There was a gust of wind and the flames parted. She could see shadows and that was almost it. There were a few distinct shapes but she couldn't quite make them out.
Within the image there was a groan then shuffling. A clearer picture came to view. She almost burst into tears.
They squinted at the portal. Halley let out a tiny gasp. His eye was black and his skin looked like it was made of paper.
"Halley?" He rasped. "Is that you?"
"Yes, I'm here. It's me!" She spoke rapidly. "Where are you? Where's Mom and Dad? Where—"
Phil coughed, "Halley. Please. You have to be quiet." He moved towards the light. Halley saw that his hands were completely covered by iron chains.
"Phil where are you?"
"I don't know. Some spare room in the castle. When they captured me, James had his generals try and force me to talk. I wouldn't." She glanced once more at his black eye. "He threw me in here. Keeps me chained up. Since then, he's been weirdly nice, but I know he's trying to get me on his side. He knows how dangerous I am to him. That's why he's so dead set on finding you. We're the only ones who can stop him."
"Don't worry I'm going to get you out of there—"
Phil looked over at a sound. "They're coming." He breathed.
Halley's heart rate increased. She looked at her brother, "Phil grab my hand."
"I can't," He winced.
The princess lunged forward into the portal. She only barely realized Tucker grabbing her other hand. Halley was engulfed in her own pink magic and it seemed to be the only thing keeping her from the room. She pushed and pulled but it wouldn't budge. It was like some sort of unbreakable plastic. Halley could faintly hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Phil come on. You need to grab my hand. I'm not leaving you. Not again."
Her frail brother looked up and weakly raised his chained hands towards her. As they made contact, the barrier melted away. Halley pushed her hand through as soon as a hole big enough formed and grabbed Phil's hands. She pulled but she couldn't get a good enough hold. Halley soon became conscious that she was slipping once she grasped tightly onto Phi's chains. Halley was thankful when she was pulled backwards through the portal. With a considerable amount of effort she was able to pull her brother through and they landed on the floor. The room inside the portal disappeared and was replaced by flames once more.
Halley shot up and was immediately at her brother's side. She wrapped him in a tight hug, only to flinch away at his pained moan.
"He needs a doctor," Tucker said. For the first time, Halley looked directly at him and nodded, "Take him for me."
Tucker hoisted the broken Butterfly upwards, "You're not going to go?"
"I'll be there in a second, you go. Hurry."
Tucker obeyed and left her alone. Halley turned towards the portal.
"Show me Mom and Dad."
There was a gust of wind and the flames parted. Sure enough, there were her mother and Queen winced at the sudden light.
"Mom? Mom!" She leaned forward, only to suddenly frown. Her parents, unlike Phil were in what seemed to be a dungeon cell. Her father was lying on the ground, not too far off. He was still.
"Halley!? Sweetheart, you're alright." It was a quiet sigh of relief.
"I'm fine...But Mom, you..."
"Hal, I'm...fine. Everything is okay."
Halley glanced at her mother's tattered dress, the frightened look in her eyes, and the way her smile was strained.
"What about Dad?" Halley asked. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah," Star looked away from her daughter. "He's fine... just sleeping."
"Mom. You're lying. Aren't you?" Halley shakily replied.
The Queen sniffed, "He...he hasn't woken up since. I don't know what to do. I haven't seen Jamie. H-He'll know what to do."
"Mom..." She was trembling. "James won't...He won't help."
"But he has to," Star sobbed. "It's his father! He loves him, he loves me. He wouldn't do this."
Halley let out a shaky breath, "Mom, just take my hand. Alright? Take my hand and we'll fix everything okay?"
Halley reached into the portal and held her hand out. Star wiped her tears away and went to grab her daughter's hand. As soon as they touched, Halley's arm was engulfed in flames and she burned the tips of her mother's fingers. Star quickly retracted her hand.
"No," Halley whispered. "No no no!" She beat against the barrier but it wouldn't budge. She couldn't get her mother out.
"I'm so sorry, Mom..." She mumbled hopelessly.
"No, honey..." Star smiled through her tears, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't a good enough mother to you, your brothers..."
Halley shook her head, "Don't say that..."
"It's true. Look at what's happened. Because of me. My best friend is dead,"
Halley's heart dropped. Marco was...dead? "Tom won't wake up, and you three... Halley I'm sorry. I've wanted to apologize to you for so long. I'm sorry that I've not been able to be there for you when you needed me. I'm sorry I couldn't understand..." The Queen's shoulders began to shake.
"Stop it. Mom stop it. Please. I-I'm gonna get you guys out okay? I promise."
Star gave her a tearful grin, "My Hal." Despite the deterrent, Star reached up and cupped her cheek.
"Be strong." She said. "For us."
Halley's gaze darted over to her father for a moment—she couldn't handle it for any longer— before she nodded.
"You have to go now, Halley." Star said softy.
"But, James—"
"Won't hurt me. He won't. I'm sure of it. I'll be fine. You go."
"O...okay."
Halley took a step back and the portal shrank.
"I love you."
With a final gust of wind the portal vanished.
The princess stood in silence for a few minutes afterward, collecting her thoughts. So she was doing this. She was waging war against her own triplet. Halley spent a moment making herself look presentable and for the first time in a week, she stepped outside of her quarters.
The village had more than quadrupled since she had seen them last. Monsters and Mewmans were milling about, crowding the streets. Halley passed through the crowds and a hush grew over them. By the time she reached the village square, an audience had formed.
"Uh, hello...um," (she was never very good at public speaking.) Halley stepped onto the fountain. "I apologize for not being here this past week. I was uh...taking care of some business. As some of you may know, my brother, Philharmonic, was rescued not too long ago. While my parents are still in the castle, I plan to free them and the rest of Mewni with your help." The crowd applauded. Halley nodded self-consciously and continued, "Prince James has taken over Mewni. He intends to purge it of all its monster population. I will lead those of you willing to take back the throne and bring peace back to Mewni. It won't be easy, but I'm willing to try if you are."
"We're all with you, Princess." A furry monster stepped forward. His proclamation was met with applause.
Halley smiled towards him, "Thank you. Thank you all. Together, I know we stand a fighting chance."
The crowd erupted into cheers. This now was her responsibility. This happiness, this hope. She had to protect this no matter what. It could feel it within her.
Later on, she sat, head resting on her arms at her brother's bedside. He had come to quite some time ago but neither had said a word.
What would they say? Everything had taken a turn in the worst possible way and now...
Halley clenched the sheets and Phil turned his gaze towards her.
"It's not fucking fair..." She mumbled. "Why couldn't we just live a normal life. We couldn't just be a normal family. People couldn't just learn to be fucking tolerant. Why...why did I have to be born?"
"Halley..."
"This is all my fault. James has all this hate because of me. Innocent people are dying because of me. I need to make this right. If only... if only I weren't around..." She hadn't noticed but a flaming dagger willed itself to life in her palm.
"It could all be over if I just..."
Phil's eyes widened and despite his injuries, he shot his hand out and the blade disappeared, "Halley. Don't. Don't even think about it."
Halley turned to him with a terrified look in her eyes.
"Phil, I don't want to do this. I don't want to fight him. He's our brother, but Mom, Dad, Mewni..." She buried her face in her hands, "I'm scared."
"Hal," He sighed. "I am too. I know James is our brother and we love him but he took Mom, he took Mewni. We don't have a choice."
Halley let out a shuddering breath.
"That person though..." Phil murmured. "I don't even recognize him. He...he isn't our brother. He's not the James we knew, if that gives you any consolation."
Halley said nothing and Phil rested his hand on her own, "Hey. I know. It's going to be hard but I'll be with you, alright?"
The princess finally offered her brother a small smile, trying not to think about the last time he tried to reassure her like that. She almost lost him...
Halley pushed that to the back of her mind, "Katrina—uh, I mean, Lieutenant Katrina," Buff Frog's daughter had insisted that they start being more formal. "Says that we should make a formal proclamation to the opposition. As soon as possible...It's just all happening so fast."
"Halley if you really don't want to do this we could—"
"I'll...be fine. I always have been able to manage. What makes now any different. And besides," She sighed. "It's my duty."
...
It was early in the morning. The sun was just beginning to rise and the pink and orange sky stretched out above her.
She walked alone.
Of course though, several soldiers were hidden all around her, just in case they were walking into an ambush. Still, she felt so lonely walking over the hill to the kingdom. At the top, on an adjacent hill, her brother stood. Clad in the same dark armor and cape as that fateful night.
The princess' breath hitched. It had been so long since she had gotten a good look at him. He looked so much older, much more powerful. His lavender glare was bone chilling, even from that distance. Halley was the first one to walk down. James followed shortly after. Their eyes were fixed on each other, unmoving.
Once in the middle of the two hills, brother and sister stood about a yard apart.
"James," Halley started, her confidence surely surprising her. "I ask that you give the throne back to its rightful rulers and retract your forces."
Her brother smiled, "It's been a long time, Sister." Halley twitched at his detached use of the word. "I must admit. I didn't expect you of all people to lead this little rebellion."
"'Rebellion'?" She echoed. "We aren't the rebels here."
"Of course you are. I am the King of Mewni now. By defying my wishes of the eradication of monsters, you are all rebels."
"'Eradication of monsters'?" She repeated in horror.
James rolled his eyes, "Do I need to repeat myself?"
Lieutenant Katrina had advised that she not let her emotions take hold of the exchange. Only a minute and a half in and she was already going against her orders.
"Are you out of your mind!?" Halley growled. "Have you forgotten who you are? You are as much of a monster as me."
"Silence!" James barked. "I am no monster."
"How could you say something like that? Dad's part monster and so are we. We all are." She added, making a point to swish her tail behind her.
"Oh please, I've had that thing removed for quite some time. Any roots of the past are now gone and I am fully Mewman."
"You're insane," Halley shook her head in disgust. "I don't know how or why this hate against monsters developed but like it or not it's who we are. Dad—"
"Father and Mother tainted the Mewnian throne. My only intention with gaining the throne is to right a wrong."
"That's not true! Why do you think Mewmans are so much better than monsters? Why can't they be equals in your eyes—"
"I, nor any other Mewman, will not be equal to any monster. I am above them. They were not meant to grace this world and I intend to follow up on it." Halley glanced at the sword in his sheath. A diamond shaped ruby adorned the pommel and Halley recognized it as her wand. James strategically placed his hand around the hilt and chuckled, "So, why have you come here? Is it to scold me or to die?"
Her heart began to race but she forced a steady reply, "Neither. I've come to declare war on behalf of Mewni."
"You? Declare war?" James snickered. "You're a coward and always have been. You won't last a week."
"War James," She repeated. "That throne isn't yours."
"Fine then," he said nonchalantly. He turned on his heel and was prepared to walk away. Halley blinked a few times before calling out to him, "James!" He stopped and turned his head ever so slightly. "Don't underestimate me."
"Only time will tell," He responded and strolled off back towards the castle.
Halley stood watching her brother as he climbed higher and further away. The wind had begun to blow, sending the princess' rose locks billowing against her face.
"And oh," James turned around one final time with an almost sinister smile on his face. "Happy Birthday."
...
The camp— it was a camp now; not a village— was bustling with activity. The battle was set to begin the next morning and the inhabitants of camp were scrambling to get ready. The mothers staying behind were gathering all the children whose parents were serving and moving them to a safer area in the camp. The officers of higher power were making final preparations and making sure that their soldiers knew their positions. The general however was way above the activity. She resided on a cliff near the camp. A pink bubble kept the raging green flames she was emitting contained.
Halley wasn't sure she could do this. James' doubtful remarks from a few days ago left her wondering how capable she actually was. She was a 17 year old general for Comet's sake. She was a kid.
Halley groaned and drew her legs in closer to her chest.
Someone came up behind her, "Halley?"
"Hm?" She knew exactly who it was. Halley was in no mood to speak to him though.
"You... okay?"
She gave him a half-hearted shrug. Halley sensed him place a hand on her bubble. Her flames grew. Tucker flinched back at the rise in heat.
"It's...been a while since we've talked."
"Mhm."
"Are you mad at me or...?"
Halley stood up and marched over to him, the fire growing bigger and brighter.
"No. I'm not mad at you." She growled. "I'm just fine thanks for asking."
"You're lying."
"Oh, you don't say," she snapped.
He was getting irritated now, "Okay what's this about?"
"Does it even matter?" She yelled. "I have a war to lead tomorrow so I'd kindly ask you to fuck off!" She turned away from him.
"This isn't even about that is it?" He asked frustratedly.
"I don't know why don't you ask Celine?" She scoffed.
"What are you—"
She extinguished her flames and lowered the barrier when turning to face him again, "You know, it has been weeks and no one has told me why she's here. She could be a traitor for all I know and I'm not sure if I want her here any longer."
Tucker's eyes flashed with anger for a moment before calming down.
"Yeah I guess I should tell you..."
"Tell me what?" Her voice was crackling with emotion as she rose in pitch. "That you're dating the enemy?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Tucker placed it in her hands. Halley unfolded the little scrap of paper and looked at a picture of a father a mother and a little boy.
"This is your family," She mumbled. Tucker looked a lot like his mother but had his father's eyes. Unlike his son though, Tucker's father's eyes were hard and cold. Halley wasn't quite sure why he gave this to her. Before she could say anything, Tucker gave her another photo. It was torn and stained. It was a picture of a little girl and her mother. The mother looked very thin and her eyes were devoid of any life. The little girl had platinum blonde hair and now that Halley was looking at it, the same eyes as Tucker's father...
Halley's entire face flushed red and her cheekmarks began to glow brightly, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh... I'm so so sorry. I-I didn't know. You two were spending so much time together, I thought..." She covered her face with her hands, "I'm so embarrassed."
He laughed, "Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner!?" She slapped him in the arm.
"Well I didn't know until a few months ago." He shrugged. "When I transferred to Mewni High, she must've recognized me. You see when my father would leave for months at a time, he did some pretty bad things one of those things included having an affair. A few years after Celine was born, her mother got sick and died. My father was nowhere to be found so an aristocratic family ended up adopting her. She still kept a few pictures from her old life and one included me. I guess my father must've told her about me. Then one day at school she came up to me and told me everything. Now I have a little sister."
"I'm so stupid," Halley cringed.
"You're not stupid, dummy," Tucker thumped her on the forehead good naturedly. "I'd be skeptical too, but Celine is doing her part for this cause too. She's a spy."
"A spy?"
"She's one of many we're working into Mewni, but she's our greatest asset."
Realization came onto Halley's face, "Because she's James' girlfriend..."
Tucker nodded, "She left yesterday to start her mission. I'll be keeping in touch with her."
"Wow," Halley breathed a laugh. "You've really been taking charge haven't you? You've been doing a much better job than I have, I'll say..."
"Hey that's not true."
"I've been an emotional mess and half the time I'm not even general-ing."
"You've been through a lot, Hal," Tucker told her. No one could have done any better. Plus, you're way younger than any General I've seen. You're doing alright in my book."
"Thanks Tuck," She smiled. Halley sighed once more, "I treated you terribly. I'm sorry."
"Hey," he pulled her into a hug. "Don't sweat it."
Halley wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly. Half was nerves and the other was just because she missed him.
They stood that way for a long time and Halley could confidently say that it was out of fear for tomorrow and the day after and the day after that...
Tucker has begun to mumble something around her hair, "...my one and only."
Halley's eyes widened and she slowly glanced up at Tucker who was blushing heavily.
"What did you say?"
Tucker stammered, "I-er...um... was wishing you good luck. For tomorrow you know." It was a horrible lie but she let him get away with it.
She smiled at him, "Sure."
"I am uh...going to go... you should get some rest..." He turned averting his gaze. "See you tomorrow I...guess..."
She couldn't fight back a laugh, "Yeah."
Tucker retreated back to camp and Halley faced the edge of the cliff with a smile. Her strength seemed renewed and even heightened by that single exchange. She was going to lead her people into battle. They were going to win this war. She was going to win back Mewni for her subjects, for Tucker, for Phil, for Mom and Dad, and most importantly, for herself.
...