Chapter 1

Messenger of War

On Earth days had passed so fast, Star could not say exactly how long she had stayed with the Diazes. Every day was an adventure in its own way. One such was when she visited the zoo and "liberated" all animals from their cages. Another fun time was with the roller coaster ride: Star enjoyed it so much, that she extended the ride with five mega-tornado heart-stopper loops. Time simply flew when you have fun in the Earth dimension. Except when you're in class. Star had learned a lot about Earth culture, but math and physics simply were killing her slowly.

Two weeks had passed since the Princess had returned to Mewnie, but it felt like two decades. Either Father Time was messing with her, or here she did not had as much fun as before.

At first Star was in some sort of a depression, if she could be at all. But a great evil was back and she had to put her personal problems aside, be serious and all that. Only when she was back in her double-sized bed, then the mess left on Earth would be allowed to be back in her head. After a few sleepless nights Star got over it and stopped overthinking.

Then there was Toffee's return, the only reason for her to be back. And the reason why everybody in castle Butterfly was so tense. None of Star's pranks made the guards even smile. The only thing she got them was a nervous scolding. Maybe Moon had cast a spell of seriousness on them?

Star's mother was not helping with the lack of entertainment. The Queen had the large force field replaced with a small protective barrier. It was covering only the castle, and it was up at all times. Nobody was allowed to get in or out without the King and Queen's approval, especially their daughter. While the barrier was up, dimensional scissors were useless as well. For Star that meant no friends coming over, no wild unicorn rides, no monsters to fight.

The Princess of Mewnie was a prisoner in her own castle.

XXX

After Star had breakfast, it was time to practice her magic. Every day Moon would take the role of a mentor and help Star improve her spell casting, some days even teach her a new spell. Moon was already tough on her daughter, but when they were training, the strictness level was reaching new limits.

The spell casting gap between Star and her mother could not be described with a mere line. It was some weird geometrical shape, taught back at an Earth school class. Basic spells were almost out of Star's league, and Moon decided they could skip them for now. More advanced spells were fun to learn, and Star was casting them without breaking a sweat.

And once she performed a master level spell with such perfection, that the whole castle started shaking. Moon had to use her butterfly form to stop the spell. When Star realized what had happened, she decided not to try such powerful spells inside. Then excitement overcame her and she circled the castle three times, bragging to everybody about her achievement. Star was proud of that weird shape and it was changing every day.

The Princess was waiting for her instructor at a specially designed training chamber. It had high ceiling shaped like a dome. Bright colored rune-like drawings on the walls were leaving a mystical impression. Star looked at her wand and an hourglass replaced the shattered crystal. It was half empty, meaning that Moon was late. "Usually that is me" - she mumbled with irritation. Today Star had a thirst for some havoc and destructive magic. Maybe starting with a few warnicorns to make some noise and find the Queen, wasn't such a bad idea as it sounded.

Echoes of metallic footsteps were coming from the corridor, just outside the chamber. And they were untypical loud, as if an army was passing through. It was definitely more interesting than waiting for a missing queen, so Star agreed with herself to take a peek through the door. She barely got a look outside, when her face met a blunt round metal object.

A distant voice was saying something, maybe to her, with regret. It took Star several seconds to see an armored man kneeled next her. His expression had a mix of worry and shame.

- ... I shouldn't have entered with such rush. Are you all right, Princess?

- Yeah yeah yeah yeah - Star muttered, while trying to focus. - Just, uh... just give me a sec.

With the help of the guard she managed to get up, while staring at a single distant point. The world had stopped spinning.

- What's up?

- Her Majesty sent me to inform you that she wants to speak with you in her private quarters at once. The matter is urgent.

- Urgent? Private quarters? Had something happened? Is something happening? - she cheeped from excitement.

- Soldiers have been ordered to gather at the gate and wait for the Queen. I think she is leaving for somewhere. You better hurry, Princess.

Star immediately left for her mother's chamber, which was on the other side of the castle. If the guard had told her to hurry, then she had no choice but to break a few rules. For starters - no running inside the castle with a wand.

For some reason, today the path to the private quarters was filled with obstacles. The main chef wanted Star to taste his latest creation. A few nobles tried to have a friendly conversation with her. To all of them Star just smiled and made up some ridiculously random excuses.

Then there were dozens of soldiers, going around to either get armed or to get to the gate. It was easier for Star to just blast her way through them. Another rule broken. Or even two, if you count blasting soldiers.

Two men from the Royal Guard were assigned to watch over the entrance to the private quarters. And two more for each chamber inside, including Star's. One of the guards greeted her, while the other went inside with a permission from the Queen. Star was still breathing fast from all the running, when the guards invited her to enter.

Moon's chamber was lacking the mess of belongings that Star was used to. Its cleanness and orderliness was making the room look twice as spacy as it actually was. One of the larger wardrobes was left open and empty. Moon herself was sitting on the bed, with a long braided hair and in shining silver armor.

- Mom? What's going on? - Star asked puzzled.

The Queen looked at her daughter with eyes with all the seriousness capable only from Mewnie's matriarch.

- The magical breach. We found it. And we have a way to seal it.

Since Star returned Moon had invested a lot of resources in finding what was draining magical power from the universe. After the training session with her daughter, she would join other magic wielders and spent all day looking for the breach. It was even linked to Toffee's return and his new powers. If Moon had found a way to close it, then there was hope of stopping the lizard monster.

To Star this also meant a way out of the castle.

- I want to go too!

- You know you can't leave the castle - Moon shake head in disagreement.

- Oh, come on! I have been a prisoner here since we came back on Mewnie - the Star was going around in circles. - My spell casting have improved. Besides...

- Star... - the woman sighed.

- ... you will be there too. And a bunch of other warriors and mages. I'll be safe.

The Princess stopped and looked at her mother. Moon had moved from the bed, she was standing right before Star. Now she was finding a bit of worry behind the Queen's serious expression.

- There is a chance that Toffee will try to stop us. What if he gets to you? What if he gets his finger back?

Star had forgotten about that gross piece of monster flesh. Even after she and Glossaryck got it out of the wand, it was still a part of it. Moon had explained that she had cast a powerful spell on Toffee twenty years ago. Separating him from his finger was necessary for the spell to stay active. For some reason the best action back then was to seal the finger inside the magical heirloom.

Then the wand got cleaved, releasing the seal and letting Toffee's finger contaminate it. The danger of him deactivating the spell was more real than ever.

And Star could not argue with this threat.

- Here you are safe - Moon continued with both hands on Star's shoulders. - And right now, that is more important that anything. So please, Star, don't fight me on this - a soft smile grew on her gloomy face.

Immediately protests came to Star's mind. Instead of using them, she smiled back and wrapped hands around her mother. Moon was a bit surprised, but glad of her daughter's choice. She hugged Star back.

Outside of the room came ringing sounds from multiple collisions of metal armor, followed by echoes from swords hitting the floor. Two men started yelling at each other, then a dozen more voices joined them.

- Besides, somebody has to keep the guards from beating each other. - Moon was frowning - Because we all know they can't be trusted with that responsibility.

- I can handle then - Star giggled.

XXX

Since dimensional scissors could not be used inside the barrier, a rift had to be opened a few hundred meters outside the castle's gate. One by one soldiers were passing through by foot. With each man entering the gateway, a foreign swallowing sound could be heard. When the soldiers were gone, Moon joined them on the other side of the rift. Sharp golden edges of a scissor passed through it, leaving the scenery without a whirling blue hole.

Star watched from a nearby spade-shaped window. Despite her mother being one of the five High Commission members, she could not help but worry. Of course she knew how pointless it was. She went inside and started to look for a solution to a familiar problem - what to do with the remaining free time.

She was supposed to practice spell casting, so let's do that. The courtyard was empty and it was outside, making it a good place to train. Before staring waving her wand around, Star made sure there was no potential innocent victims nearby. Despite her lack of skill with more powerful spells, they tended to hit nearby people pretty often.

After a couple of spells, two broken windows and a hole in a wall, she gave up on that activity. Star left an explanation note for whoever finds it and moved on to the next idea.

The stable guards were warned to not allow the Princess to get nearby any of Moon's warnicorns. Hiding behind a column made of marble, she pulled out a cupcake and zapped it with her wand. A pair of legs popped out of its bottom, grinning with its newly acquired mouth. The magical cupcake had become as big its creator. Star's plan was ready to be put in motion.

The two guards spotted a giant dessert running around and humming cheerfully. They could not helped but abandon their post and with starving expressions go after the cupcake. With nobody left inside the stable, Star hopped gracefully to the warnicorns. She picked one with pale blue coat and light green mane, and rode off.

Star was getting tired. One hour of circling around the castle on the back of a warnicorn had exhausted her. They were was back at the stable, and with no guards in sight. It was probably OK to stick around for a little longer. Star tied the creature to where she found him and went inside for something. A minute later she was back with brightly colored seeds in her right hand. Feeding the warnicorn was her way to cool off after the exciting ride. She named him Thunderclap.

A distant ringing from a bell reminded Star that it was lunch time. On her way back she found the two missing guards. Both of them were lying on their backs with unfastened belts and crumbs all over them. The giant cupcake was nowhere to be found. The Princess could barely suppress her laughter.

XXX

Lunch with the King of Mewnie was quieter than usual. When Moon was gone, he had to handle responsibilities for both rulers. And Star knew her father was worried for the Queen as much as she was. To lift their spirits up, River promised Star a round of sword practice. That was the plan for the afternoon, so until then she needed something to kill the time with.

The fatigue from riding Thunderclap was still there, so getting a quick nap might be a good option. Doing swordplay without the necessary energy was same as asking for an injury.

On her way back to the private quarters Star remembered a simple promise she had made with herself. Now was as good a time as any, so she changed direction and went on to visit a friend.

As any other door, this was also guarded by armored men. When Star stated that she wanted to go inside, they granted her passage without hesitation. This was one of those doors, where Star was actually allowed to open freely.

Glad that there was no one else inside, she closed the door behind. Inside on separated bed lied three lifeless bodies. Hekapoo had void black eyes wide open, her typical flame missing. A skull with a casual grinning expression was the only thing left from Omnitraxus. The crystal that was Rhombulus' face was as dark as a cloudy night. Moon had brought the members of the High Commission here after their magical power were drained. She had experienced the same fate, and none of them would be here, if it wasn't for the Chancellor's sacrifice.

Star pulled a chair and sat next to Rhombulus' bed. She looked at what was his face and with a sad smile she whispered: "I'm here, you crazy friend. Just as I promised". The crystal did not answer. It was deprived from light.

These were one of the most powerful magic users in the universe. And yet Toffee had defeated them and took their magical energy. Such feat should have not been that easy, no, it should have not been even possible. If the breach is sapping magical power from the entire universe, then was everybody's powers weakening, or only specific users were affected? When it comes to spell casting, Star was becoming more confident every day, thanks to her mother of course. But that was the only explanation to why the members of the High Commission fell so easily. And if the magic sapping is really linked with Toffee, then that makes him a threat to not just Mewnie.

Somebody knocked on the door, interrupting Star's line of thoughts. It was time to go anyway, so she went to check who was bothering her. On the other side of the door was just another guard. Then she recognized him - it was the same guy who Moon had sent to find her.

- Princess Star! The King had summoned you.

It was too early for their swordfight practice.

- Did he say what for?

- Only that the matter is urgent.

Same code words as before.

- Urgent, murgent - I get it - Star sighed. - Then, lead the way.

XXX

Castle Butterfly's throne room had the size of a small chapel. Walls were covered with crosshatching patterns of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades, all made from various precious metals. Bright paintings of Butterfly dynasty's best moments were blending one with another, forming the room's ceiling.

When Star entered inside, she froze from confusion, and blinked a few too many times, just to make sure her vision wasn't lying to her.

Her father was sitting on the throne, alone, surrounded by men from the Royal Guard. That was the usual. The unusual was Buff Frog with both hands in the air, with a dozen sharp blades pointed directly at his throat. Left of him were his tadpoles, also surrounded by guards. Each of them had something new - a pair of arms, all raised in the air as well. And everybody was staring at Star.

- Hello, pumpkin - her father started. - Our guards had caught this wretched creature trying to go through the barrier - with his palm and fist he made a gesture of something smashing into a wall.

Star was focused solely on the tadpole babies. Her grip around the wand was tightening.

- He says he knows you and want to speak only with you - River shrugged shoulders. - I know it's a lie, but just to make sure...

- It's true - Star interrupted him. Her calm voice was contradicting the fists she was making - He helped me a few times. Against Toffee and Ludo.

- And Star Butterfly babysat babies - Buff Frog added.

- And I babysat babies -she confirmed, then turned her attention to the armed men around the tadpoles. - Which if you don't stop pointing swords at, I'll turn you all into swamp flies!

Echo could be heard in the silence, repeating the threat over and over again, unit it faded away. The guards turned their heads at the King with a bit of fear on their faces. He nodded back and they lowered their weapons, but remained on the same positions.

- So it's true. My daughter is a friend with a monster.

- He is not my friend! - Star objected with irritation. - He just... helped me with things no one could at that time. Besides, he's not evil as other monsters.

She turned her gaze at Buff Frog.

- At least I think he's not. So, what's going on?

- I came to warn you, Star Butterfly. A monster army is coming this way. Toffee is coming. He wants to take castle, have mewmans leave Mewnie forever.

An army? With Toffee? And when Moon was gone? This could not be a coincidence.

- A monster army? - River was getting closer to the toad monster. - How big is this army? When will they arrive? How well-armed are they?

- Very big. They have green glowy swords made of fire.

- Made of fire? Like real fire or magic fire? - Star asked.

- Magic fire. Toffee is making normal weapons glowy - Buff Frog turned back and faced the King. - Don't know when will arrive exactly. Three-four days maybe.

- Three days... - Star whispered.

- How do you know all that? And why risk coming here to tell us? - River continued to question the prisoner.

- I was there when Toffee's monsters came to recruit. Went to see what was happening. Then ran away to mewman castle. Because... - he looked at Star - ... because Toffee must be stopped. And Star girl is only one who would listen.

River wasn't taking his eyes out of Buff Frog, or saying a word. Star had seen this kind of look from her father before. Back when he would take her on a hunting/survival camping in the forests of Mewnie.

- Star. Do you trust what he is saying?

She looked at the prisoner. Memories of storming Ludo's castle flooded her head. And when they were searching Ludo's new hideout for the spellbook.

- Yes. Yes I trust him - Star answered calmly, and decided Buff Frog's fate.

- Then, beast... - River started with a loud voice.

- My name is Evgeni-

- ... you are in luck. You get to keep your head - he turned at the guards. - Take him to the dungeon-

- Dad! - Star protected.

- I mean take him to the cells. The nicest ones. You know - with the port window.

- Babies! - Buff Frog shivered.

- Put them in my room - the Princess offered. - There they will be save.

The King nodded with agreement.

- Thank you, Star girl.

Buff Frog was escorted out of the throne room without any resistance. Two maids returned with the guards and took away the tadpoles. Star and her father were alone.

- I have to go, dear. If a war is coming, then a lot of work is waiting for me.

- Are you going to call mom back?

- I will. But if Toffee is on its way here, then her mission becomes even more important. I hope she will return before the battle begins.

- What about the city in front of the castle? We have to help the people down there.

- Our top priority is protecting the castle, and you. We can't have them here, where the battlefield is going to be. I'll send a few men to warn the citizens. They will be evacuated to nearby villages.

When the people of Mewnie learned of Star losing the Butterfly family's spellbook, they were not happy. When they found out that the royal family hid the truth, they were angry. When the force field around the city was dropped in favor of the protective barrier for the castle, they got scared. Scared that the royal family will abandon them to protect their own skin. Now it seemed that these fears were becoming a reality. Star knew a better way.

- If we send only a couple of soldiers, people will get even more scared. They will panic and the evacuation will fail. Even worse - they will never trust us again.

River was surprised from her daughter's perception. But that was not changing his options.

- We can't send half an army to help them. I'm not sure we even have enough men to defend the castle.

- Then let me go. That way they will know we're not abandoning them. And I can help with the evacuation. It will be much faster with my wand.

- Absolutely not! - River was furious. - You are what the enemy wants. I'm not risking my only daughter and losing this war before it has even started.

The King knew that Star would try to persuade him. He did not give her that opportunity.

- When your mother is gone, I am the King of Mewnie. I know what's best for the people, and that is you staying inside the castle. End of discussion.

River left for the war room, leaving Star alone with her anger.

XXX

When a group of four solders left for the city, Star still believed that her presence down there would make the evacuation smoother. She spent the afternoon in waging her options for helping the citizens of Mewnie. With the King's orders in mind, Star left her room with the only viable choice.

The view from the port window of Buff Frog's cell was telling him that evening had arrived. As a prisoner of mewmans, the only visitor he expected was Star Butterfly. Still, the toad man was surprised when she came to his cell.

The guards let Star enter the cube-shaped cell and left them alone, as she requested. Her visit was not for some friendly chat and the serious expression she had was not hiding that fact. Both of them were staring at each other for at least a minute. Star finally broke the silence.

- You're gonna get me out of this castle.


And just for fun:

Ruberiot: "Star Butterfly is in love with her best friend..."

Pony Head: "Aw, I love you too, bestie! You go girl...

Ruberiot: "... and his name is Marco Diaz."

Pony Head: "GIRL! What is up with you?!"