There were certain constants in this game. Each time he died he learned a new truth. Even if it was as simple as the fact that he didn't like tuna and bologna sandwiches.
Fact 1: Ludo is no longer in control of his minions.
Fact 2: Toffee wants to destroy the wand, not have it.
Fact 3: The universe seems dead set on killing him. Or Star. One of them, at least.
Marco had been burned to death, drowned, melted in acid, exploded, and even bled out from having his arm ripped off by a giant chicken.
The main problem was Toffee. The alligator lawyer was psychotic and focused. Something Ludo could never pull off. One of them always died. If Marco didn't kill Toffee first then Toffee would kill Marco. The monster had a grudge so deep you'd need a bathosphere to explore it's depths; and that grudge often manifested itself in losing his cool and killing Marco before Star could destroy her wand, leading to Marco waking up in his bed staring at his clock and wondering if this whole time loop deal wasn't just the universe punishing him for his lewd thoughts about the girls in his class.
But of course it wasn't as simple as killing the overgrown lizard. Bullets did nothing, swords were useless, and the only spell that Marco could cast was a simple water heating charm that he had found in Star's grimoire when he was looking for spells that might help him.
Even then it wasn't enough, because the couple dozen times that he had actually been able to kill Toffee had sent the monsters into a rampage that, more often than not, got his ass killed faster than a bug in a shoe factory.
But maybe, just maybe, with Star aware of the time loop he had options that weren't available before. Two heads were better than one, after all. He looked over at her as they made their way into the school building. "Remember, it's Thursday, so just act the way you did then."
"Morning Marco, Star." Alfonzo said as they passed him in the hallway.
Marco waved, "'Sup, Al."
Star smiled and waved cheerfully, though not as cheerfully as usual, "Good morning Alfonzo!"
Marco sighed, this wasn't going to be easy. Once in a fairly deserted hallway he pulled Star aside. "Listen, Star. I know it's hard. I know that you're hurt, and scared, and you feel like the entire world is slipping through your fingers; but you are strong, Star, the strongest person that I know. I am here for you. I will always be here for you. I love you Star, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that nothing bad happens to you."
Star was tearing up again. Her bright blue eyes stared into Marco's. "I'm sorry Marco, but you killed me, and I just can't keep my head on straight."
Marco looked around until he saw an empty classroom. He gently guided Star into the room, taking her to the side so that no one would be able to see them from the hallway. Wrapping his arms around Star's quivering body he gently tried to get her to calm down.
Star was breaking down. Star was strong. Stronger than anyone else Marco knew. Perhaps stronger than any human could be. But everyone has a breaking point, and having her best friend, having Marco shoot her in the back. She couldn't take it. Her left hand gripped his hoodie in a vice while she sobbed into his shoulder. Her right hand slammed hard into his other shoulder, making him wince.
"It's going to be ok Star, I'm here. I'll always be right here for you." Marco whispered into her ear, stroking her hair and back. "You aren't alone, and I'm sorry for hurting you, but everything is fine now."
"No it's not!" She sobbed, "Don't lie to me!" Star pushed him away.
Marco stood, helpless, while Star covered her face with her hands.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. Please, trust me Star, I'm your best friend. I wouldn't do something that I thought would hurt you like this. This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Then what was?" She half shouted, half sobbed at him.
"I'll explain after school. It's a long, sad story, and I won't be able to answer any of your questions if I start now."
"Fuck you." Star whispered into the empty classroom. She turned, reaching into her purse and pulling out her dimensional scissors. Marco lunged foreward and gripped her hand.
"Star," He said, "Don't run away, please. We don't have the time, and something terrible is going to happen soon. Please. I know you're hurt and I know that you might hate me, but please. We'll skip school. We can go down to that coffee shop nearby and we can talk about this. I'll tell you everything. Then, if you still want nothing to do with me, you can leave."
Star relaxed. "Fine," She whispered. She was hurt, but she didn't have the energy to resist, "But if I don't like what you're saying I'll blast you so hard you'll wish that I hadn't blasted you so hard."
Marco grinned. "Is that a threat or are you trying to seduce me?"
"Get moving Diaz" Star waggled her wand at him. His stupid joke had lightened the mood but it would take more than Marco being a cute idiot to heal her broken heart.