Incoming Darkness

Star ran like her life depended on it, jumping over logs and dodging branches. She wasn't quite sure why she was so upset, but she wanted to run far away from her problems. I don't want to be like her, I don't want to lose who I am. By the time night had fallen, Star was out of stamina. She saw a trail of smoke above the trees and followed it until she reached a small cabin. She didn't know if it was safe, so she curled up under a bush. She shivered from the cold before falling into an uncomfortable sleep.

Small green frog babies were playing when they recognized the sleeping princess. One raced back to alert their father before returning. Buff Frog carefully picked up the sleeping Star and placed her inside. An hour later, the smell of something cooking woke Star. She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes before looking around. Where am I? This isn't another dream memory thing, is it?

"Star, you're awake! I was afraid something bad happened so I brought you in." The tall green frog monster hugged a confused Star.

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember anything so…who are you and how do you know me?" Star looked around at the muddy room, then back at the monster.

"My name is Yvgeny Bulgolyubov, but you and karate boy call me Buff Frog. I used to be bad guy, but you helped me and my buff babies. Now, we are friends!" Buff Frog smiled as the tiny frog babies jumped to hug Star. She guessed that Buff Frog called Marco karate boy. "Star, are you in danger?"

If I tell him anything, he might tell Marco or my parents where I am. If he knows me, then he knows them. I can't stay here too long. "No, I was just…testing my…survival skills. It will help prepare me for queendom." Thankfully, Buff Frog bought the lie and offered Star his baby picture book for her to look at.

Marco and Pony Head had reached their limit an hour before the sun had gone down. The two decided they would have guards sent out to search for Star while they rested. They trekked back in silence, both feeling guilty about Star. Meanwhile, Moon sat in her room, still being held by River. She stood when Marco entered her room.

"I'm sorry, we couldn't catch up to her. I sent most of the guards to keep looking. I'm…sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't bring her back, I tried!" Marco hung his head in shame, dark thoughts ran through his head. He worried for Star's safety. River patted Marco on the back and sent him to bed. He turned back to his wife, confused and unsure of what to do.

"I'll…I'll, I don't know what to do!" The tired king sat next to his wife, holding her once more. The sight of his broken wife shattered his heart to a million tiny pieces. He wished he could console Moon, bring back Star, and protect them from Eclipsa. Unfortunately, he was unable to do anything. Why can't I do anything? Why am I so pathetic? Defeated, River hugged Moon tighter as if he could take her pain.

"I don't know what to do, River. Even if she had her memories, her feelings are the same." Moon could cry no more, she had none left. River finally snapped. He grabbed Star's journal and angrily threw it into the fireplace. "River!" Moon ran to her husband's side. "How could you do that? Star will be mad at us for even more reasons now." River turned to face Moon.

"Enough! We do not sit idly by and sulk. We will go and find Star ourselves. We will remind her who she is and fix this mess. But first, we must pull ourselves together. I burned the journal because it causes too many problems. The two of you will have a long discussion when we get her back." Moon was taken aback by River's strong words, but she knew he was right. It wasn't like her to cry about little things. Moon nodded and began to change into riding clothes. They would find Star, and they would stop Eclipsa.

"I'll be back as soon as I find some fresh water for Star." Buff Frog hugged his babies and closed the door behind him. During his haste, Buff Frog had forgotten to set up his protection system. Secretly, Buff Frog wasn't leaving for water, but for Butterfly Castle. He was nearing the edge of the forest when he spotted two figures riding warnicorns towards him. Buff Frog leaped out and stopped the two figures.

"Buff Frog?" He recognized the queen's voice. She removed her hood before continuing. "We're looking for Star, she ran away not long ago. Have you seen her?"

"Yes, I have," Buff Frog quickly bowed and explained. "Frog babies found her sleeping near home, so I brought her inside. She is with babies right now."

"Can you take us to her?" The second hooded figure said as he revealed himself as the king. Buff Frog nodded and ran back into the forest. Moon and River followed swiftly, not wanting to risk losing her again.

Star was starting to fall back asleep when a soft knock came from the front door. Star answered the door to reveal a teal-haired woman. She wore a wide brimmed hat that shaded her from the light within the house.

"Good evening, are you the one named Star Butterfly?" The young woman seemed friendly to Star.

"Yes, I am. You are?" Star motioned for the stranger to enter Buff Frog's dwelling. The woman walked in and sat on the sofa.

"I am your great grandmother, many times over. My name is Eclipsa Butterfly." Eclipsa extended her small gloved hand to Star. Star cautiously shook hands with the forgotten queen. "Now, it's come to my understanding that you want to be a different type of queen than your mother. Is that correct?"

"Yes…how did you know that?" Star scooted away from Eclipsa and eyed her.

"Come now, I'm your grandmother, you can trust me. I simply have your best interests in mind. How would you like to live with me, you could have all the sweets your little heart desires?" The dark queen giggled giddily. "I once ruled, so I understand the pressures of being queen. Surely you would like some guidance?"

"What could you do differently than my mother? I don't want to be queen if I have to rule like her. I want to be different and rule independently." Star pulled on her hair in anger. "I don't want to be told what to do or how to do it, but I'll have to if I become queen under her." Eclipsa watched Star struggle to explain her desires.

"I can teach you how to rule independently. No one dared tell me how to do my job. Even the monsters loved me. So, will you come with me? I can give you everything you want and more." The intensity in Eclipsa's eyes drew Star in. It was as if the two were sisters, completely understanding and aiding one another. Eclipsa opened her arms, inviting Star for a hug. Throwing caution to the wind, Star embraced the sweet queen. She had never felt so safe and secure than when she was in the queen's embrace. The two left Buff Frog's home, swallowed up by the dark forest as the night continued.

The trio had finally reached Buff Frog's house, unknowingly too late to save Star. The royal couple dismounted and entered behind Buff Frog. Inside, it was strangely quiet and too perfect. The calm before the storm thought Moon.

"Star? Star, come out, your mother and I need to speak with you." River opened the door to the children's room. Inside, the frog babies were fast asleep.

"River, she's not here. Where could she have gone? Buff Frog, could she have used that tunnel we found?"

"No, I collapsed tunnel when I returned to stop babies from leaving." The three looked around for any sign of Star but found none. The couple rode back to the castle as the sun began to rise. They were afraid to tell Marco but knew that there would be trouble if they didn't. They found Marco pacing in the garden. He stopped to look at them, his face falling when he noticed Star wasn't with them.

"Marco, we have a big problem. We can't find Star at all. Last night, we went to Buff Frog's but she had disappeared before we could bring her back. At this point, there's nothing we can do but sent out a small group guards to track her down." The tired queen looked at the young teen, once more wishing her daughter were here.

While the queen had been talking, shouting erupted from within the castle. The doors opened as a guard ran towards them and presented a note to the queen. He withdrew himself and stood near Marco. Moon studied the note and looked up in horror. "Explain!"

"My group was walking out of the forest when we saw two females. They were near the Hill of Flags when we reached them. One was the princess, the other was a pale lady with teal hair. The princess pointed us out to the lady. She left the note on the ground before she disappeared with Princess Star into a portal." Moon handed the note to Marco and dismissed the guard.

"What does this mean, 'How'd that spell work out for you?'" Marco asked as he looked at the queen. Moon rubbed her temples and turned away.

"It means Eclipsa mocking me about Toffee and that she has Star." Moon looked at Star's bedroom window, wishing she had expressed her love for Star more. Marco handed River the note.

"I'm going to help you get Star back, I owe her too much to just leave. We'll remind her who she is and stop Eclipsa's plans." Marco looked out over Mewni and saw the couple do the same. They were unsure how they would save Star, but they weren't going to give up.

Update: So, this is the last chapter, but don't worry there's a sequel coming. This would have been posted sooner, but I was adulting. Hope you enjoyed!