This chapter is long overdue, my apologies! I wrote half of it a while ago then motivation returned just this week. As apology, this is probably the long chapter I have ever written at almost 10k words! Hope you enjoy!
Edit: As you may have noticed, I've changed the title of this story. This story has grown so much from what I had originally planned, that I feel this title suits where we have come in this story! (Disclaimer: All my titles are going to be the title of a song because I am insanely unoriginal XD)
...
It was a breezy morning. The rustling of the trees was the only sound that could be heard as Halley led her troops over the hill. The final battle had arrived.
Braid tightened, and crown upon her head, it felt like the real thing. Like this was it. Life or death for Mewni. She shook her nerves away. She was leading every single able body they had on their forces right now. There was no time for hesitation.
She stopped her troops as a figure came over the opposite hill, just like he had done years prior. Halley walked alone down the hill to meet him in the middle and unlike their first meeting of the war, Halley felt calmer. More confident. She took that feeling and ran with it. It'd be her greatest asset in this final battle.
James was clad in dark violet armor, a helmet covering his head. He had gotten taller, Halley noted with a touch of nostalgia.
"So we're ending this." Halley stated. Getting the first word out would lessen the enemies' doubt of her ability, her officers drilled.
"It seems so." He said cooly. "I intend to keep this short. I have a kingdom to get back to."
"Who's to say you'll be taking the throne once this is over?"
"General," He said in a mocking tone, "I have no intentions of going easy on you."
"Neither do I." Halley retorted.
"It looks like you've changed much since we last crossed paths," James said. "I will admit that you've put quite a dent in my forces. It's a shame you'll still lose." He took his helmet off. Halley had to stop herself from flinching. He looked so much like their father now...
"As soon as I win this war, I'm releasing Mom and Dad and throwing you in the deepest darkest trench we can find."
"I'll have you know," James glared heartlessly at her, "The former king and queen have been placed in a location no one can access except for me. You'll never see them again."
She had been told that James might try and do something like this. Trying to get under her skin and leave her shaken.
It's a lie, she told herself in reassurance. It had to be.
She made the first strike. Aiming directly for his throat. He blocked it with his arm. Eyes narrowed, the Iron King let out a loud whistle and his his troops descended the hill. Halley gave her respective signal and her troops were off as well.
The two stood still for a moment before James' skin darkened a hue and wings began to sprout out of his armor.
"Your move, General." He mocked.
Halley stepped forward and sprouted gossamer wings, meeting her opponent's gaze readily. Attaining this form had been far from easy. Another reason she could add to the long list of things that she was grateful for those who cared about her.
...
Focus.
She just had to focus and maybe no one would get killed. The catch was that retaining focus was incredibly hard in Halley's butterfly state.
"Focus," Phil told her again. "You can do this. You're not going all the way, just give me a gage on your power."
After a long day of intense training and making preparations, Halley and Phil began her training at sunset. The two sat cross legged in a clearing located a good ways off from camp. That thing had been trying to fight its way out for a while now. Releasing it would give them unknown results.
"Okay," He grasped her hands firmly. "Slowly now. I'll be right here. If you don't feel like you can do this just come back."
Halley nodded timidly. Closing her eyes, she let the demon out.
And it was pretty fucking painful.
The monster was back with a vengeance after being locked away for so long. It wasn't going to give Halley an easy time drawing her out slowly.
"You idiot." It hissed in her ears. "Thinking you could keep me away? You're pathetic."
Halley gasped, clenching her brother's arms tightly.
Bones snapping was all she could hear. Screaming. That day... She had turned and—
Halley drew in a sharp breath and desperately fought the monster back down. It was like she had been running for miles. Halley couldn't quite catch her breath and clung onto her brother.
"Halley," He shook her. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Fuck," she shoved Phil away from her. "I can't do this."
"Hal—"
"No! Just shut up...give me a second." The princess rubbed her temples before gruffly grabbing Phil's arms. "Okay." She closed her eyes again.
There was uncertainty practically radiating off of her brother, the pain again, and the memory was back. It was like she was reliving that day— one of her first battles— all over again.
She had felt a little more confident than usual that day. After all, Allison had been there. She was fighting alongside her best friend. What could've gone wrong?
Everything.
There were more soldiers than they had anticipated. They were losing badly. She was desperate. Bringing the monster out was her only option.
It had been bloodthirsty, grabbing every soldier in her path and swiftly killing them. Halley, however, had no control. All she could do was watch in horror as she took dozens of lives in mere seconds. There was a distinct screaming. A choking sound as the Iron Soldiers scrambled around to kill as many as possible before they fled. The monster had snapped someone's spine in half before turning to the noise. It hadn't registered who or what the sound was coming from. She picked up the body and was prepared to silence it when Halley noticed something very familiar about the mutilated corpse. Halley screamed and the monster had lost its control.
Her eyes shot open once more and she vomited in the grass.
"You're straining yourself." Phil rubbed her back.
Her body convulsed miserably.
"I got a good read on it this time," He said softly. "Your power is...extraordinary."
"It doesn't feel like it," She mumbled.
Her brother smiled, "I know. Soon you'll see. We'll get it under control. For right now though...take a walk for a while."
"But—"
"You need a breather, Sis. Go ahead, I've got a few errands to run anyway."
With a sigh, she got up and headed off. This whole thing was proving to be way more emotionally draining than she had expected. She would never ever forgive herself for letting Allison die right under her nose. She would never forgive herself for the ruthless way she had killed those soldiers, even as a few surrendered. That was why she could never lose herself like that again. It never brought anyone any good.
Halley found herself trudging over a patch of foxgloves. It only added to her pain and utter hatred of herself.
A weed, Allison had called it once. Halley had ignored her and planted it anyways.
She should have torn it from the fucking ground.
Loss. It was natural in war. Expected, not fair. She could never truly mourn the loss of her best friend. As General she had to put up a brave front. Even— especially when she was dying inside. Her needs came last.
Wandering around aimlessly led her back to the clearing not to long later. Phil was speaking to someone. Tucker.
What was he doing here?
Halley approached the two and Phil turned to her.
"There's been a change in plans, Halley."
"How so?" She asked warily.
"I know we said we were going to ease into this but I'm not sure we'll have enough time...I don't want you to hold back."
"What?" She stammered. "Now?"
"Hal, you've got to trust me on this. Everything will be fine."
Halley involuntarily looked towards the camp. It was a good distance away but she wasn't sure if anyone could stop her if she lost out of control.
"Halley," Tucker snapped her out of her worried thoughts. "Trust him."
If she was being quite honest, Tucker didn't look so on board with her brother's plan but went with it. She noticed the faded grief in his eyes.
Stepping as far away from the two as possible, Halley nervously clenched and unclenched her fists, "I-If I get out of control... don't hesitate to kill me."
"It won't come to that," Phil assured her.
"Promise me," She snapped.
He held her gaze for a moment, doubt finally flickering across his features. "Okay."
With an exhale of shaky breath, she let go, and the monster practically burst out of her. There was a rush of air and her hair was swept up off her shoulders. Her wings and arms sprouted quickly after as if the monster couldn't possibly wait to come out. Suddenly she was whisked to a back seat view of her surroundings. Halley was no longer in control of any rational thoughts.
She examined her body after being gone for so long. Gazed at all six of her arms in absolute fascination and eerie delight.
Phil and Tucker stood almost perfectly still as the monster took in her surroundings. She turned on them with her bright green gaze. Her third eye could sense heat signatures and the closest was Tucker's.
No... Halley thought.
But Halley and "Halley" were two disjointed beings and the monster narrowed her eyes before she began to slowly incircle them.
"Halley..." Phil began slowly. "Focus. Come on. I know you're in there."
Halley's annoyed gaze flicked to Phil for a second before shooting back to Tucker. He was just...staring at her. None of the monster's three eyes could read his expression.
"What?" She hissed. "Do I bother you? You think I'm some freak, don't you?"
Tucker opened his mouth to speak but Phil silenced him. He looked at Halley's brother in alarm before warily turning back to Halley.
She slowly advanced, poison seeping into her thoughts.
He hates you. He's always liked Celine better than you anyway. And why wouldn't he? She's not some freak.
Tucker began to slowly back away and the whisperings only got worse.
He's toyed with your emotions for years. He doesn't care about you. No one cares about you.
A tiny voice in the back of her mind yelled and screamed at her not to do it but she told it to fuck off and pounced.
She pinned him down and his head hit the ground with a thud. He groaned. At the smell of blood something strange happened. That tiny voice got louder and stronger until suddenly, Halley blinked rapidly and gasped.
"I'm sorry." Her voice shook.
Her eyes turned back to normal. Once she looked down and realized what was happening.
Tucker gazed at her in wonder, "You did it."
She hastily got off of him, not quite used to her form, "What?"
"You got control." Phil answered. "I knew you could do it. You just needed the right incentive." He smiled.
"What?" She growled. "I could have killed him! You brought him on purpose?" The princess wavered, there was a shooting pain in her head and suddenly she couldn't quite see out of her left eye.
Tucker and Phil's eyes widened.
"What?" She asked nervously. "What's wrong?"
"It doesn't seem like you've gotten full control yet." Phil examined. "Two of your eyes are normal, but the left one looks like the one from your butterfly form."
Sure enough, Halley could feel the power of the demon slowly creeping back, "I don't have much time left."
Phil nodded, "You can turn back now. I've gotten what I need."
"But I can't. I don't know how."
"That certainly complicates things..."He thought for a moment. "We'll just have to counter it."
"With what?"
"Your Full Butterfly form."
"Full Butterfly form?" She echoed. "How do we even know that will be better than this?"
"It's only a hypothesis but I'm almost certain it will work. You need to follow my instructions exactly."
Halley nodded firmly.
"Alright. You're going to have to sit as if you're meditating for this to work."
Halley complied, folded in her wings, and sat cross legged on the ground, "Okay now what?"
"Focus your energy on pushing the monster away. I imagine it will be hard given its strength is stronger than yours but just focus and you can do this."
With one last look towards Tucker, she closed her eyes and the mental battle began.
It was as if the monster itself was beating her to a pulp. The darkness was slowly consuming her and she felt so lost and alone. She really did try to overpower the monster but it was just too hard. So many obstacles were in her way. Doubt. Self-hatred. Guilt. Fear. They were all intensified in this state and were eating her alive.
Hands. She was suddenly aware of hands grabbing two of her own. Halley pried open an eye and saw Tucker sitting cross legged in front of her. He gave her a comforting smile.
It took a considerable amount of effort to smile back. As soon as she did she lost the sight in her second eye.
"Time's running out," Phil's muffled voice came.
She focused what little concentration she had left on trying to fight for control. The princess was trembling now. If she couldn't overpower this monster, there was no telling what she'd do and who she'd hurt.
"Hal," It was an echo. "You can do this, I know you can. Come on."
She couldn't. She just couldn't do it. She wasn't strong enough.
"Hey, you remember that night we first met?"
What could he be taking about?
"The moon. It looked just like it did tonight."
Yeah I guess so, she thought.
"And remember that time you snuck out of the castle and we went to that concert?" It was Phil this time. "I mean...we got caught but the first part was pretty fun."
She almost laughed. They'd gotten in quite a bit of trouble. The struggle lessened just a bit.
Tucker rejoined, "Then there was that time you threw Allison the most impressive surprise birthday party I've ever seen..."
And on and on they went and gradually bit by bit, the strain she was under dissipated.
There was light. A tiny little speck. She looked down at her hands, now normal but neither Tucker, Phil, or even the forest was in sight.
She headed towards the light and slowly grabbed it. The light began to make a pulsing noise. Halley opened her hands to catch a glimpse of what she had caught and for a moment the princess could have sworn there was a tiny unicorn there.
The terrain appeared in front of her. She'd wondered what happened. Nothing seemed to have changed.
"How do you feel?" Tucker asked her.
"Uh...fine. I think—"
More bright light, coming from her this time. A warm sensation shot throughout her body.
The princess' green hair faded away and turned a glowing pink. Her skin became its usual tan and her eyes formed pale green stars. The dragon's wings on her back gradually changed into those of the most beautiful rose colored gossamer. Her horns turned white on the ends and curled upward. Once the transformation was complete, she blinked at Tucker and Phil, who were gazing at her in awe.
"I...did it?" She looked at her hands.
Phil smiled knowingly, "I knew you could."
...
The two Butterflys waited until their armies made contact before shooting up into the air.
The clash of metal could be heard from far down below but as the Butterflys fought, strong beams of magic were exchanged between the two. Halley was in the defense, the wand making him more powerful.
Halley drew forth a good amount of energy. She wasn't sure how long she'd last in her Butterfly form so she needed to end this quickly.
"Dancing Petal Explosion!"
Rose petals shot out of all six of her hands and circled around James. They stuck to his body and he readily batted them away. The petals sank to the ground with only a few sticking to her brother. He waited for something to happen but when there was nothing, he smirked.
"Flowers aren't going to win you this war." He shot her down with a blast of magic.
The impact left Halley reeling and she shook away the dizziness as best as she could. James hovered over the crater he had created. He pointed his sword towards her.
"Hm. I didn't expect you to put up much of a fight anyway."
Halley raised up a hand, "Explosion."
James' eyes widened as the petals that stuck to him detonated. The general shielded herself from the shockwave.
It wouldn't kill him, she wasn't able to gather up enough energy to have that much damage but he would be weakened. Halley estimated that she only had a short while before James would be back up. Quickly, she rushed to the aid of her citizens. To her surprise (she most certainly didn't know her own strength or speed), the princess was able to clear out a whole line of Iron soldiers. That was before a giant fist collided with her back.
She landed a few meters away from where the main battle was going on, taking out a few trees with her. If she hadn't been in her Butterfly form, she most certainly would have died.
"Are you ready, Halley?" She heard.
James? No...it wasn't. He sounded different.
"Of course! Come on already!" But that was...her. Images flooded her blurred vision, images of the past.
The two were standing there in the sun washed study about a foot or two away from each other. They were smiling. In the 5 year olds' hands were small weapons James had sneakily acquired from the armory. They were playing "real live soldiers."
"On your mark, get set, go!" James laughed.
Brother and sister scuffled with each other, clumsily throwing around the daggers, but avoiding harm towards the other. A few playful blows later and Halley had managed to pin James to the ground.
"Ha! I got you! I win!"
Her brother was not happy with her declaration. He shot up and readied his weapon, "No way! Let's go again."
She jokingly twirled her dagger around her finger, "Fine but you won't win!"
James gave her a mere half second to turn before he began his attack. In the back of her mind Halley sensed something different about the way he fought. Still there was a determined smile on his face but his moves were less careful.
It did take the princess a considerable effort to dodge all of her brother's attacks. Twist, turn, duck, strike, turn. James caught her at a disadvantage and was close to actually hurting her. She narrowly dodged by stumbling under his arm. Her foot fell down on James' tail. He yelped and turned on her too quick for her to catch. His dagger grazed her shoulder drawing blood.
They both froze. Halley fell down on the ground and James hovered over her, both blue and lavender eyes fixated on the blood that was beginning to well.
Their parents, who were in the other room, noticed the sudden silence, and went to see what was the matter.
"James? Halley? What's going on? What do you two have there?"
Whatever resolve Halley had not to burst out into tears was shattered, as the two came up. As she cried out, her mother scooped her up into her arms and pried the dagger from her hands.
"What were you two doing with weapons?!"
Since Halley was too busy sobbing into her mother's neck, James was taking the fall for it all. He stood, head down, not looking at his sister.
"I...I wanted to play soldiers."
"With real weapons?" Tom interjected. "James you could have seriously hurt Halley. More than you did."
"I-I didn't know." He stammered.
Tom sighed and kneeled in front of his son, "Buddy, I know you want to be a soldier and all, your time will come, but you've got to be gentler. No using weapons unless an adult tells you you can, and especially no hurting your sister. She's your family along with Phil and me and your mom, so you've got to be kind. Promise?"
James sniffed, "Yeah. O-Okay."
"Do you have something you want to say to your sister?"
James nodded and looked up at Halley, sadness filling his eyes, "I'm sorry Halley."
Pain. She ached all over. The princess tried to move but immediately winced. Her shoulder was dislocated. Other than that and some bruised ribs, she was fine. Halley looked down at her skin and noticed it has lost its sparkling hue. She was losing energy.
A gust of wind hit her face before her brother landed in front of her. His eyes were angry and full of murderous intent. As Halley had surmised, he was weakened. Bits and pieces of his armor had been blown off and blood was smeared across his face.
"Weak," he hissed. "That's all you are and that's all you'll ever be."
"I'm...I'm not weak," She raised herself off of the ground, and popped her shoulder back in place. There was a moment's pause before they were back to exchanging blows. Halley was surprised to find out that he was getting sloppy. James was using a considerable amount of energy. This gave her the confidence boost she needed and she was on the offense, James on defense. His rage grew with every punch she landed. He swung his sword and his magic wrapped itself around her, preventing her from flying. She landed on the ground, struggling to get free.
James approached her, rage practically radiating off of him.
"You," He said through clenched teeth. "Aren't just weak, but selfish. I am trying to make a stable kingdom in Mewni for all. I am creating order yet you and your rebellion tear it all down. It was you who created disarray and chaos in this kingdom. It was you that caused so many innocent lives to be lost. It was you and your selfishness that killed those I loved."
Halley was stunned. Was he actually being serious?
"I'm being selfish? I'm the one who's being selfish?" Halley asked in a low voice. "How dare you?"
"How dare I—?"
"Shut up! You are going to listen and listen well for once in your damn life," She growled. "My entire life has been nothing but hell. This kingdom has made my life hell. People like you have made my life hell yet I've stuck it out for years to be the princess of Mewni. To live up to Mom's legacy when I knew no one would ever give me that chance. I tried so hard but I've gotten nothing but shit. Yet...I'm still here. Still here after this kingdom has kicked and pushed me down. Still here after so few had faith in me. Still here after I was raped, James. I did consider taking my life, I won't lie about that, but every time, for some reason, one way or another I couldn't because of Mewni. Because of my duty to this kingdom. And I intend to serve my duty until the day I die." She broke free of her bonds.
"Don't worry. That time will come shortly." He came at her with renewed persistence and she was just as up o the challenge. Duck, parry, thrust, thrust, duck, parry, there. An opening. She shot out a beam and threw the wand from James' hand as far as she could. James glared menacingly at her before brother and sister were both racing for the wand. A vapor started to fill the air, her vision was becoming limited. She looked over and saw James completing a spell. The fog had thickened so Halley resorted to searching on foot.
The sound of fighting was so close yet she couldn't see a thing. Currently though, she needed to get her hands on the wand before James did. Closing her eyes, she felt an unknown force guiding her to her destination. The fog began to part and she saw it, James' sword lying in the dirt.
She ran to it, reaching out to grab it, but as the fog cleared a bit more, a hand happened to be clamped around the handle. Halley slowed her pace. Something was off. She approached the body and the fog cleared almost completely.
She wondered just how her heartbeat could stop in her chest yet it rung loudly in her ears. Laughter suddenly surrounded her as she stared in horror at Tucker's broken and bloodied body.
"This one's special isn't he?" James approached from in front of her. "I'll take your silence as a yes."
"What did you do to him?" She mumbled, not being able to take her eyes off of Tucker.
He shrugged, "He tried to steal the Butterfly wand Halley, one of the highest offenses. Surely I had the right to punish him."
"You monster," Her voice cracked.
"He's still alive. For now. Go on," He tapped Tucker's head with his boot. "Say something to your General."
His breathing was hoarse and Halley almost shattered when she saw him cough up blood.
"Hal..." Just speaking was hurting him, "Take this wand and win the war."
Just hours before, he was grinning at her, talking to her about who knows what. All had been perfect then. She didn't make any attempt to stop the tears from flowing.
Tucker feebly lifted his hand to give her the wand, but James brought his foot down on his wrist. Tucker cried out in pain. The princess instinctively rushed to his aid, but James stopped her.
"Not one more step," He had a beam of magic at his disposal aimed at her. "Or I kill him."
Halley stopped in her tracks. James chuckled menacingly, "You're really infatuated with him. It's too bad I'll just kill him anyway." He blasted her and she was sent flying.
After taking a direct hit at such a close proximity, her form was fading rapidly. Halley attempted to push herself off the ground but all six of her arms failed her and she kissed the dirt. Her third and part of her left eye were able to see that James had taken the wand back and was standing with the tip pointed at Tucker's throat.
"James," She begged around all the blood and dirt in her mouth, "Please. Don't."
"It isn't becoming that a general beg," He raised his sword.
"James..." She was trying to muster up whatever strength she could but there was hardly any left. With the way her hair ceased levitation and fell into a disheveled clump atop her head assured her that her form was just about used up.
"And I'd never take any orders from you," He swung down.
She reached out, screaming, "No!"
...
It was past midnight, the night before the war ended, and Halley managed to sneak past the guards Phil appointed to make sure she got some rest.
She made her way up their hill one last time. He was there like she had expected but she couldn't urge herself to move forward. Sensing something behind him, Tucker turned.
"Hal? What are you still doing up? You should be resting."
"I uh..." Her mouth was suddenly dry. "Um..."
"What is it?" He stood and walked over to her. Halley just knew she'd collapse, her legs were shaking so violently.
"Uh..."
"Well there was something I wanted to tell you..." He rubbed the back of his neck. A nervous habit, she recollected. Halley couldn't let this go on any longer.
"Here." She extended her clench fist, head bowed. There was no way she could look at him.
"What is it?" He unfurled her hand. "This is...this is the necklace I got you." The hurt in his voice shattered her making this even harder than it already was.
"I...can't keep this. I'm sorry."
"No. I gave this to you. I don't want it back." He closed her hand.
"Tuck, I'm going to battle tomorrow and... with my experience and James' inevitably strength. I...I don't think I'll make it—"
"Halley shut up. You're going to be fine."
"Tucker please." She begged. "Please just take it. I can't...can't waste your hard earned money."
"I won't."
She crumpled to the ground, a trembling mess.
"I don't understand why you're trying to give this back to me," He muttered angrily. "Don't... don't you care..."
"It's because I care!" She covered her face with her hands. "I love you so much I just can't stand it sometimes. I can't go into battle knowing that you're waiting for me. That someone out there cares about me at least a little.
So she had done it. She finally confessed. Halley mentally cursed Phil, she, in fact, did not feel better.
Tucker gently hoisted her to her feet and gazed into her eyes.
"Hal... going and cutting all of your ties isn't going to do anyone any good."
She shook her head stubbornly, "But I don't want to hurt anyone—"
If she were to describe their kiss in one word, it would be perfect. Even though she was under an incredible amount of stress, he just made it all melt away. There was no one she wanted to be with more yet. She pulled away.
"You can't...I can't... we..."
"I was going to say that... I love you too. There's no way I could've let you go and fight without telling you."
Her voice cracked as she stared hopelessly up at him, "I'm going to die..."
"Stop saying that Halley. Everyone knows how far you've come. We know that you'll win. I know that you'll win. You are the strongest, most qualified person I know. There's no doubt in my mind."
She buried her face in his chest, managing to even burn holes in it. "Thank you. Thank you so much. For everything."
He took the necklace from her hand and clamped it around her neck.
He rested his hands on her cheeks, "Just promise that you'll come back to me."
"I...I promise."
...
Her entire body was drained yet there was power surging at the end of her arm. When it was all over her right arms were a familiar red. The powerful fireball she somehow created had launched itself into James and stopped him just in time.
Her vision was distorted in the right eye, and she awaited the tugging sensation that overcame her whenever she took her imperfect form. It never came.
With the only strength in her body residing in her arms, she still couldn't move.
A light almost air-like hand rested on her shoulder. She turned and standing above her was her father.
"Dad!" She launched herself into his arms, not sure why she felt fine. He wrapped his arms around her.
She pulled away and began speaking a mile a minute, "Dad, how are you here? Where's Mom? Are you guy alright? Where—?"
"Halley, that's enough for now."
"What?"
"Your mother is fine, but we need to find, Phil."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Halley looked around. They weren't on the battlefield anymore. They were in some strange realm where bright white light stretched on as far as the eye could see.
Her father had begun walking and she reluctantly followed suit.
"There." He said all of a sudden.
Just up ahead, Phil was drawing his bow and seemed to be shooting at nothing. He ducked and rolled. Something struck him. He winced and kneeled in the ground.
"Keep at it! We've almost broken through!"
"Dad," Halley turned to her father. "How're we seeing him?"
The King walked up and put a hand on his shoulder. Phil turned and his eyes widened.
"D-Dad? Is that you? How—"
"I don't have time to explain. I came to tell you both something."
"What is it?" Halley asked.
"You both are the only ones who can and will end this war."
"Dad, I know that already. I—"
"Halley, listen. James won't stop once you claim your victory. He has frightening powers and if you don't act quickly, he will unleash them."
"So...what do we do?" The princess mumbled, knowing the answer already.
"It's up to you two," Was all he could repeat.
"Dad..." Halley looked up at him, a sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. "How...How do you know all this?"
He blinked at her, "I've been watching over you three for a while now. James' mind has been corrupted for so long and I'm afraid there's no saving him—"
"What makes you think I could kill my own brother?" Phil bit out. Halley and Tom looked over at him. His head was lowered, fists clenched at his sides. Halley's heart broke. It had been forever since Phil had gotten so emotional. He left all that behind as he and Halley were forced to lead their own war. He had to grow up. But along with their father's unspoken confession and what they had to do to save Mewni, she could tell her brother was holding on by a single thread.
"Hey, bud," Tom placed a hand on his head. "I'm confident that you'll know what to do. I believe in you Philharmonic."
As much as Halley saw him desperately trying to keep it together, tears escaped. The blue haired commander still refused to look up at his father. He turned his head away, "What about Mom? Is she..."
Tom sighed, "Your mother is still alive."
"But you're not," Halley mumbled.
Tom solemnly shook his head, "I'm afraid not."
"How can you just except us to be able to kill him?" Phil angrily turned on their father. "How could you ask us to do that?"
"Phil, this is no easier on you than it is on me. He's my son."
Her brother gazed at the ground, tears falling at his feet. Tom put a hand on his shoulder.
"Dad," he started. "We're not little kids anymore. You don't need—"
He pulled them both into a hug, "This isn't so much for you than it is for me."
Halley clenched her father tightly, sure that this was the last time that they'd see him. Phil quietly allowed his tears to flow, holding tight to whatever resolve he could. He had grown so much over the past years, Halley realized.
He released them with both of his hands on their heads, "I believe in you, kiddo. I know you'll both save Mewni."
All they could do was nod as their father turned away.
"Where are you going?" Halley asked.
He smiled sadly, "To pay a visit to your mother before I go. You two on the other hand, have a war to finish." With one last parting glance he left the two alone.
Halley blinked rapidly and suddenly she was back in the dirt, arm extended in front of her. It seemed like not a second had gone by.
She seemed to have regained some of her strength and pushed herself up. The general trudged over to her subordinate who lay still now.
She kneeled down in front of him, almost too afraid to touch him, "Tuck?"
He was still.
Halley shakily raised his head and rested it in her lap. She parted his hair, now matted with blood, and stroked the side of his face gently.
"Tuck," he voice wavered. "Come on. Please. You have to get up and get out of here."
She felt warmth coming back into his cheeks as she rubbed circles into it with her thumb. He coughed and drew in a sharp breath. The Captain blinked his eyes open. Halley let out a relieved breath and smiled down at him.
"Hi," she said softly.
His chest was heaving rapidly up and down. He looked to be in pain, but when his eyes met hers he returned her smile with a lopsided grin.
"Hey," He rasped. "You know, you don't have to cry over me."
Halley supposed it was a mix of both saying goodbye to her father and having almost witnessed Tucker's death. She wiped the lava away and laughed, "I'd never cry over you, dummy."
He chuckled breathlessly only to have his face contort in pain. Halley frowned and looked around. Phil would be on his way soon and it wouldn't be long before James arrived again.
"I've got to get you out of here," She mumbled. In hindsight she was glad that she had six arms to support his body as best as she could when she stood. He audibly groaned when they left the ground.
"Are you alright?"
"'m fine," He slurred.
With another worried glance, she took off. It was short lived however, since five seconds into flight, her arms were coated in blood and it was dripping down her dress. When Halley looked down, Tucker's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she quickly descended.
"Tuck," gently slapped his face, hoping he'd come to. "Can you here me?"
He moaned and hacked up blood.
"Not...gonna," He paused to take several breaths. "'m not gonna make it. Go."
"You're not gonna die, Tucker, you here me?" She yelled. "You can't die. I promised I'd come back to you. That won't work if you die!"
Tucker reached a hand up an cupped her cheek. She didn't even mind the bloody hand print. "You'll...be alright. Without me."
"No, I can't. I won't. My dad, my troops, I can't have you go too."
He brought her head down and kissed her softly. Halley thought it tasted of iron this time. She preferred it when all she could feel were dreams and hope for the future.
"I love you."
She choked on a sob, "I love you too."
His breathing was getting more and more erratic. He didn't have much time and neither did she.
Halley supposed if her father was able to come back from the dead to advise her and her brother, then there was no sense in not believing that an angel would come to her aide now.
"General Butterfly!" A voice called.
Her head shot up and rushing towards her was Beth and one of the senior medics. She had never been more thankful.
The aquatic monster kneeled beside the two and gasped, "Captain Gray?! What happened?"
"I don't know. He tried to take the wand from my brother and he..." She shook her head. "Is he going to be okay?"
The senior medic nudged Beth aside and examined the Captain. "He's lost a lot of blood, but if we can get him somewhere where I can properly treat his wounds, then he just might make it. But Princess," The medic looked up at her. "His chances are very slim."
Halley wasn't aware that she was holding his hand until it twitched in hers. But just as he believed in her, she believed in him. He wouldn't die on her. There was no way.
"I understand. Do what you can."
The medic and her apprentice began to wrap his heavy wounds. Halley heard a distant boom. That couldn't be good.
"You all need to hurry and get as far away from here as possible." The princess told the two.
"General," Beth glances worriedly in the direction of the explosion. "How are we supposed to transport Captain Gray all the way back?"
So there was a fault in her plan. She had carried Tucker for just a few seconds before he almost completely bled out. Sure his wounds were moderately taken care of but there was no way they could make it back to the safe zone.
Halley looked at her blood soaked hands. That was right... In their Butterfly forms, they could open portals. But, Halley realized, that required a level of mastery she wasn't sure she had accomplished yet. Time was rapidly running out. Her eyes shot to her right hands. They were still in the form of the imperfect Butterfly transformation. Years ago, she vaguely remembered loosing control once and being able to raise doors to the underworld. If she was able to combine her powers, maybe she'd be able to lessen their journey.
She stood and raised both of her arms. The General closed her eyes just briefly, remembering a time when she was very young.
Her mother, so beautiful and so powerful, entertained her young daughter with her Butterfly form. She gracefully scooped her daughter up and opened a portal, enticing a flurry of delighted giggles and clapping.
The princess clenched her left and right hands and with a deep breath, and intense concentration, she opened them. The ground shook and then parted. Stairs carved from the stone led down to a shining green portal. Halley let out a sigh of relief. She was extraordinarily lucky today.
"Alright." She looked over to the two treating Tucker. "That portal should lead you somewhere safe."
They nodded and began to slowly lift Tucker. The medics slowly made their way towards the stairs. Halley grabbed Tucker's limp hand.
"Don't let him die on me okay?" She chuckled. In actuality she was terrified, but Tucker wouldn't want her to cry over him.
"We'll do our best, General." Beth smiled.
Halley watched as they made their was through the portal. When they were safely through, she closed it and looked back towards the distance. Now, she could focus on ending this war.
Half of her vision had that same distorted feel to it, notifying her to the fact that, her imperfect form had spread. She had no time to dwell on that now. Instead, she used her power to her advantage and could now sense energy signals. Phil was making his way towards her. Halley took off to meet him halfway, but she sensed something not to far off. Something giving off powerful readings. Quickly, she diverted her path to find the source.
There, wedged in ground was the wand. Halley picked it up, and it transformed from James' to hers. It was odd really. When she grasped the wand's handle after so many years, it felt like a piece of her had been restored.
Not wasting another moment, she took off to meet her brother.
She landed when she spotted a head of familiar pale blue hair. It was safe to say, once she was in front of him, that he had seen better days. Quite frankly, they both had.
Phil looked at the blood she was coated in, with concern.
"It's not mine. Don't worry."
"Your eyes... Does that mean your form is fading?"
She shook her head, "I don't think so. This feels different. Like...Dad." Halley thought back to when he put his hands on top of their heads. "I don't feel like I'll go on a rampage. Not even close. I think Dad helped me with this power." On a sadder not she added, "Like he always has..." She knew the grief hadn't had its full impact yet, but now wasn't the time.
"I know what you mean," Phil mumbled. "I feel...different too."
"We'd better find James." She said.
Phil nodded, "He's that way."
Halley glanced at him, slightly puzzled. She could sense energy but how did Phil know?
Sensing her unspoken question Phil spoke, "I can't explain it really but I've always been able to know where you two were. Like triplet intuition or something, I've never known." He turned as they walked and smiled at her, "I suppose it'll come in handy one last time, right?"
This was tearing him apart inside. She could tell behind the smile. That was her triplet intuition, she supposed.
They came upon a large crater not too long afterwards. Both knew who was at the bottom of it. Halley was confused for a moment. She knew her attack was powerful, but not enough to make this.
At the bottom, James was on all fours, breathing heavily, a strange smoke rising from him.
"What's he doing—"
"You think that you could defeat me!?" James bellowed. "You think that you've won? You haven't. Not by a long shot. You haven't even seen my real power."
The smoke thickened and there was a bright flash of light.
"Phil, whatever power Dad unlocked for you, you've got to use it. I've got a feeling this won't be easy." She said, staring gravely at James. Her brother said nothing but stare on at James' transformation.
Their brother began to scream in agony as his transformation took place. His arms turned a deep purple and his shredded gossamer wings were replaced by dragons wings, even more immense and menacing than hers had ever been. Fangs emerged from his teeth and his eyes were glowing a piercing gold.
They both tensed for battle. In her hand, the wand sensed her fighting intent and morphed into a sword. James advanced almost immediately, taking her out. She was able to block his frontal attack with the wand. They stood at odds, with Halley glaring straight into the eyes of the monster, the true monster.
"Now, you'll both die." He hissed.
"We'll see about that," She retorted. Halley slashed him away, "Shooting star cascade!" A bright beam exploded from the wand, but James dodged it like it was nothing.
"Damnit," She cursed.
Her eyes glowed and ignited her sword with green flame. She'd have to try her hand at full frontal combat with whatever James was now.
Powerful. That's what he was. Even more so than he was before.
Come on Phil, she thought anxiously. Dad said that only the two of us can defeat him.
James managed to land a good punch directly in her face. Even in her form, she knew her nose was broken at best. James grinned and slowly advanced. Suddenly a an arrow grazed James' cheek. They both looked down and saw Phil drawing another.
James narrowed his eyes and shot down towards him. Halley knew there was no way Phil could survive an attack from their brother.
She conjured up a hand with her aura and grabbed James' leg. Halley swung him away from Phil. She quickly grabbed her brother and took off with him.
"Phil, what's the holdup!?"
"What?" He snapped. "I landed a blow on him didn't I?"
"Look, anyone can shoot an arrow Phil. You told me you felt different. I really need you to help me here."
"What if I don't want to?!"
She looked down at him, "What are you even talking about? Dad gave you power—"
"Dad is gone Halley. I...just can't use it. I just can't." He hung his head.
"I know it hurts Phil. I know it does, but Dad gave us this gift because he loves you. He loves all of us. He'd want you to help save the kingdom."
"I—"
She should have expected being shot down. They crashed into the ground, each tumbling in opposite directions.
James landed in front of Phil and glared down at him, "You're no better than she is."
Halley pushed herself upwards and looked between the two. Phil refused to look at James.
"How dare you join the likes of them, brother?" He rumbled. "Those monsters."
"In case you hadn't realized," Phil muttered. "You've turned into quite the monster yourself."
"I've been made into this because of them." James clamped his hand around Phil's throat. "I was forced to reach this form because of this rebellion. Because of her."
"I'm not talking about how you look, James." Phil glared at him.
"Weak," James spat. "You were always weak. You're no better than any of them. You deserve to die just like all the rest."
Halley, for a second, saw something snap within Phil.
James raised his fist, but when it came down, he was met with nothing but dust and ashes. Halley gasped quietly. He...He had done it.
Phil appeared in a burst of red flames above James and grabbed him tightly. Halley could smell the tears singeing his skin and her heart broke for her brother.
"Just like all the rest, huh?" James thrashed and writhed in his grasp, but Phil didn't let up. "Dad is dead because of you. This is your fault. All your fault. I'll make sure you pay."
James' struggle started to weaken and she could tell Phil was draining him. "All this pain was needless. There was so much suffering..." The lava poured down his cheeks. "You're not ever going to hurt anyone else again."
James' fighting spirit spiked and he shook Phil off, breathing heavily at having his energy sapped. With his energy, his form went with it and he was becoming more recognizable.
"You'll...you'll pay for your treachery, brother."
He charged towards him but Phil teleported once again. Giving him nothing but ash. He reappeared next to Halley and they both stared at their brother's backside.
"I...won't ever stop. You won't defeat me."
"We'll see about that." Halley responded.
...
One hour.
The fighting of troops had long ceased and all that was left was to see who emerged victorious from the battle.
Sixty minutes had gone by and they were still fighting. It was funny really, Halley thought. In the past, their arguments usually lasted for hours. She didn't think this would be any different.
The three stood facing each other, breathless, worn to their very cores. She glanced over at Phil. She knew his body couldn't last much longer. Teleportation took more energy than he was trained to give. But still he stood, bow and arrow ready. James' wings were beginning to retract into his body completely. He was spent, but would never admit that.
Halley supposed she was no better. Various cuts and bruises and sprains and dislocations adorned her body. Only determination pushed her onwards.
"I propose a wager." James said surprising both Halley and Phil. "One on one duel."
"And the catch?" Halley raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Nothing but a sword fight."
Halley narrowed her eyes, trying to read what James' plan was. He stared evenly back at her.
"Fine." She clenched her sword and stepped forward.
"Halley, what are you doing?" Phil whispered. "It could be a trap."
Halley stared back at James before turning to Phil again, "Don't worry..." She had an odd feeling about this.
They both stepped up and readied their weapons.
"There does happen to be a catch," James added.
"And that would be?"
"Try not to die."
They fought with alarming speed. James being more proficient at swordsmanship than she was a little intimidating but she had her eye on two things. His energy, which was rapidly dropping, and the sloppiness of his attacks. His logic seemed to dull as well. Sure he had more experience than she did, but he didn't have the strength to follow up with it. He was just scrambling for last resorts.
"James," She said parrying another blow, "Surrender."
"Surrender!?" He growled. "A King never surrenders."
"What and you call yourself a king? You're no king."
She missed his quick blow to her arm. She winced and look down at the gash on her arm. The princess kept at it, focusing intently.
"I'm going to be the best king Mewni has ever seen."
Halley suddenly could see an eager little prince who wanted to be just as great as their father.
She hesitated at striking. James took the opening and slashed at her again. He got one of her horns this time.
Focus, Halley.
She shook her head, trying to clear the images away.
"I won't let you take that away from me."
Ten year old James, insisting that he'd be King no matter what.
"I have to James." She responded. "You don't know what's best for Mewni no matter how much you insist upon it. I'm sorry."
"Halley? What about my dream?" Six year old James appeared before her. She blinked at him in confusion. The tip of her sword stopped centimeters in front of his forehead.
"How are you—"
Present time James struck out at her, smiling maniacally. He was messing with her. He still had a few tricks up her sleeve.
"Wandering grass emersion!" The ground James stood on began to creep up his legs and trap him where he stood.
"Enough!" She hissed at him. Halley had had more than enough pain for one day. This war needed to end.
She drew her sword above her head and before she could swing another vision appeared in front of her.
"Together forever?" A younger version of her was saying. Her two brothers nodded and put their hands together.
"Together forever." They repeated.
Tears formed in Halley's eyes and she looked away, "It's not real. It's not real." She knew that they were nothing but visions but they were effecting her more than she thought possible.
"Halley," a familiar voice came. She opened her eyes and saw her mother standing a foot in front of her.
"Allison?" She breathed.
"Come on," Her best friend laughed. "I think your Dad is waiting for us."
"Waiting for us...?" She mumbled. "What are you—"
Allison interrupted, "Halley you've got to tell me all about you and Tucker on the way."
"What about the war?"
Allison tilted her head, "What war?"
"The one James started." Halley insisted. "The one where he's trying to eradicate monsters? Eradicate us?"
Allison smiled, "Halley, your mother successfully united monsters and Mewmans decades ago and it couldn't have gone better."
"She what?"
"Now come on. You're going to be late for your coronation as Queen!"
She looked down at her apparel and noticed the elegant gown she was wearing.
"Me? Queen?"
"Come on. Just take my hand and I'll hold your wand."
"Just...take your hand?" She lowered her wand.
Allison extended her slime-tipped hand, warmly inviting her to come along and Halley reached out. All that she had ever wanted in life was just a hand hold away. All she had to do...
As she handed Allison her wand, she caught a glimpse of herself. Her actual self she realized. Her face was bloody, black, and blue, yet in this reality, she had never even gone through any of it. Neither had anyone else.
She sighed. Halley had a responsibility. And that was her duty to her people.
She drove the sword into Allison, shuddering at actually stabbing her best friend. The vision faded and reality was left over.
Her sword, driven right between James' ribs, trembled as the tears fell from her face.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, not able to look at James.
Still in shock, James slowly looked down at the sword and the blood that began to pour.
"How...h-how," He said hoarsely. "could you s-see past my spell?"
"Because James, I know what's best for Mewni. Leaving them to you would be neglectful of my duties as princess."
"You're nothing but a monster," He spat.
"I'm your sister. And this kingdom whether I or anyone else likes it or not, is apart of me. I don't care about what you have to say about it anymore."
"No! This isn't the end." He squirmed against the blade, only causing more blood to flow from his mouth.
"James, please stop." Halley begged. "You're only hurting yourself."
He cursed, "Don't you dare give me your pity, monster."
Halley placed her hands on his temples, "Please James. I don't want it to end like this."
His head hung low and he stopped trying to pull out the quartz blade.
"I...I've always wanted to be king." The emotionally sedated James spoke. "It's been my dream for as long as I can remember."
She heard Phil come and stand beside her.
"We had the same dream, you and I, even if...you didn't realize it. That's...when I started to hate you." He tilted his head back. His now blue eyes were fading.
"James..."
"I've always hated you, Halley. Even...even when we were young and I regarded you as my sister...a little part of me always hated you."
"I don't understand." She mumbled.
"You were...always Dad's...favorite and even though I...admired him more than anyone, I hated...him a little too." He glanced at the ground, his stoic disposition giving away sadness for just a moment. "You know...I didn't even know that he was dead...though I felt nothing when you told me."
Halley dug her nails into her palms.
"Power is all...that's ever mattered to me. I've been filled with...so much hate...since the day I was born. There was...nothing anyone...could do about it either, but feed the flames. Etheria did just that...and I killed her anyways." He coughed long and hard.
"James..." Her voice was no more than a whisper now. "If you'll just stop we could—"
"No. I'll...die here. I won't be...saved by you two. This...is my fate now."
She heard Phil sniff.
"My hatred...has long been justifiable by myself and...I don't regret it." He chuckled bitterly, "I even...hated my own mother...for betraying...her own kind. This is how...I deserve...to go out I...suppose. Brought down by those I...came into this world with...'Punishment.'"
Halley couldn't understand how he was so calm about death, as desperately as he fought against it.
"As these...are my final breaths, I'll...tell you this: I carried...hatred for so many things, so many people, for you two. However...I believe...I...loved you two the most."
"Shut up!" She yelled at him. "How can you sit there and lie to us as you're dying?!"
"As...crazy as...it may seem, I can't even...explain it myself. The bond that...we were born with...couldn't...be severed...no matter how hard...I tried. I...realized that not...too long ago. Which...is why I...spared you both."
"You what?"
"I...could have...killed you...both...whenever I pleased...but I wasn't...strong enough. I...was weak...just like...the both of you." His chest began to heave unevenly.
"In...life I...was wrong...about one thing," He wheezed. His nearly lifeless eyes shot towards her, "H-Halley...you..."
And just like that their brother was gone.
They all promised once upon a time ago, that they'd stay together forever. That they'd always be a team. She often wished that life would return to innocent promises between siblings.
Halley, Phil, and James, sitting together at the dinner table. Halley, Phil, and James sneaking into the grownups only ball. Halley, Phil and James staying up late to catch the Stump.
Over the years it became Halley. Phil. James. Individuals making their way through life alone. Halley. Struggling to get through it all. Phil. Focusing on his music rather than what was around him. James. Training harder and harder everyday.
It had been a long time but for just a moment it was Halley, Phil, and James. Just like the good old days.
And before the sound of sobbing echoed throughout the forest Halley, Phil, and James, were together again. If only just for a moment.
...
Oof, I got a little teary eyed writing this one. One more left! Thank you all so much for coming with me this far! Here's to hoping the last chapter comes out essily!
(Hope there weren't too many flashbacks lol)