Chapter 1: Star Butterfly

Maybe it was the warm weather or the fact that Marco had just taken a bath, but he was beginning to feel sleepy. Sunlight filtered dimly through his curtains, warming his body. The cool AC blew cold air throughout his room, and its soft hum made his eyelids heavy. If it weren't for the hole through his shoulder and the thick smell of blood seeping through his shirt and spilling onto the floor, this would have been the perfect time to get some sleep.

He was also pretty sure that if he fell asleep right now, he wouldn't wake up.

"Shit," Marco muttered; the pain was starting to set in. The burning sensation from the wound was excruciating. The momentum of the laser that had hit him had smacked him onto the ground, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Even now, his body was refusing to move, which didn't bode well as Star Butterfly was slowly walking toward him, her wand steaming from the laser she had just shot Marco with. Her white porcelain face and light blue gown were splattered with blood, yet her expression remained emotionless.

Star tilted her head slightly. " I hadn't anticipated such profuse bleeding from what appeared to be a mere shoulder wound."

"That went through my entire shoulder," Marco grunted. "So, um, any chance I can talk you out of this?" Marco's body slowly began to respond, and he forced himself to sit up, using his good shoulder for support.

"Indeed, you can," Star smiled graciously. "I harbor no desire to inflict harm upon you, Marco. Rest assured, this ordeal pains me more deeply than you can fathom." She maintained a composed countenance, despite Marco's difficulty in finding any warmth in her cold, azure gaze.

"My sole intention is to safeguard the well-being of my kingdom. To achieve this, it is imperative that I address any potential threats to its stability promptly. Those creatures you have aligned yourself with are indeed criminals, Marco. I cannot discern the falsehoods they may have propagated, but I assure you they are exploiting your trust. Once their ulterior motives are fulfilled, they will undoubtedly betray you."

Star advanced toward Marco with measured steps, continuing to wear a serene smile. She gently cradled his face in her blood-stained hands. "Am I not your dearest friend, Marco?" Marco could swear he detected a glimmer of benevolence behind her otherwise frigid eyes. "Reveal to me the whereabouts of these creatures, and I shall administer just retribution, ensuring they never pose a threat to you again." Then again, maybe he was hallucinating from the loss of blood.

Marco shook his head away from Star's hands. "They're literally children, Star. What are you talking about?" Marco growled. "All they did was take food from some random food cart in your kingdom because they were starving. Even if they had money, there's no way any merchant would give them food."

Star's smile began to waver. "Marco, a crime is a crime, regardless of circumstances. They have committed an act knowing full well the repercussions of their actions. The merchants have the right to sell their products to whomever they want."

"Fine, sure, but there's no way stealing some food means they have to be executed," Marco exclaimed. His hand was still searching around and found a baseball bat on the floor; he gripped it as Star's forced smile disappeared, replaced with a frown. "I have followed the rules of Earth accordingly, Marco, because I understand that it is a different place. Therefore, out of respect, I have obeyed the laws despite my personal beliefs. Yet you refuse to do the same within my kingdom," Star asserted. Her wand began to glow bright blue. "I am going to ask you once again, Marco. I don't want to do this, but you are leaving me no choice." Star pointed her wand at Marco's head, the bright light now beginning to glow brighter, blinding Marco.

"I implore you, Marco," Marco was almost certain now. Star's eyes began to waver slightly, her posture unsure. "Where are the monsters?"

Where had it all gone wrong? Marco was sure he had done everything right, yet Star refused to listen to any of his reasons. He thought that if he had just talked to Star about everything, she would understand. Star was the only one who would always understand him, comfort him. Yet it was all a lie; she was simply using Marco to get to know Earth better. Everything they had been through was just a deception. For once in Marco Diaz's life, he had felt happy with Star around, someone to talk to, someone who would listen to him instead of labeling him as some problem child with anger issues. Star was Marco's best friend, but it seemed it was only him who thought that. Star was a princess-dictator from another dimension, and Earth was just another place to conquer. Marco was just another criminal who needed to be taken care of.

"It's fine, Princess," Star's eyes grew in surprise. When was the last time Marco called her "princess"? "You don't need to hide it anymore; we're not friends. I'm not telling you where they are." Marco tensed his arm, preparing to swing the bat. "Do what you gotta do, Princess."

"I'm sorry," Star whispered.

If only Marco were smarter, if only he hadn't trusted her, if only he had trusted his friends. If only... Marco smiled at the uselessness of the word.

"Oh well," Marco muttered as he swung the bat blindly into the light.

8 MONTHS AGO

Examining herself in the mirror, Star ensured her dress appeared impeccable. "I fail to comprehend why we do not simply seize control of Earth at this moment," Star adjusted her bow, her tone composed. "The guise of a transfer student seems rather futile."

"Please, Star, you are well aware of the reasons," Moon Butterfly remarked, walking beside Star to assist her in properly tying her bow. "Earth is a feeble realm bereft of any magical essence. Conquering it would yield no tangible advantages for us. Their technology, while impressive, pales in comparison to our magic. What we require are potential recruits for our cause, as well as the discovery of any monster and demon refugees concealed on Earth."

Moon delicately rested her hands on Star's shoulder. "Those disloyal traitors shall stand no chance against you. If they attempt to flee, they shall inadvertently lead us to them." Moon smiled warmly. "Any portal not created by your wand will direct them straight to Butterfly Prison. This presents the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your readiness to join the war alongside your father and me."

Star harbored a deep desire to partake in the war, but Moon had been exceedingly protective, refraining from allowing her participation in any military engagement, even as her friends had ventured into battles. Pony Head and Kelly had taken part in the capture of a monster castle while Star could only watch from a distance.

"Very well, Mother," Star responded determinedly. "I shall illustrate the extent of my growth and endeavor to make you proud."

Moon smiled with approval. "You have already done so, my dear princess. Now, make your way downstairs; the portal awaits."

"You have been assigned a human guide who will instruct you about Earth. I have requested that they provide you with a physically capable guide to safeguard you against potential monster attacks," Moon explained as she walked with Star downstairs.

Star regarded her mother with a quizzical expression. "Why would I require protection? I am more than cap-"

"Your power, while undeniably impressive, is currently uncontrollable. There's a risk you may inadvertently harm innocent humans, and they may compel you to return. We need you there to persuade specific humans to join our cause," Moon interrupted. "The guide will handle any unexpected attacks, sparing you the need to soil your hands."

"I understand," Star replied. "Who is the guide?" Moon smiled.

"He is a delinquent boy from Earth. Despite his background, I have been assured that he won't harm you, and if he attempts anything untoward," Moon looked at Star, "You won't need to exercise restraint."

Star grinned. "Understood, Mother."

"However, I have personally observed the boy, and from what I have seen, he appears quite inept. Beyond his physical prowess, he possesses no significant talents," Moon explained. "He avoids confrontations that don't pose a challenge to him; he is merely a fool who seeks out challenges. He is bound to put himself in danger. So, it is in our best interest to recruit him. When he inevitably meets his end, it will be in service of our cause."

Star Butterfly and her mother arrived at the portal just outside the royal throne room, where her father awaited, struggling to hold back tears.

"You must stay safe, Star," he said. "Make sure to eat properly, avoid those wild savages, make sure to sleep on time, and remember to clean the blood from your body after you kill someone. Oh, and also—" Moon covered her husband's mouth.

"You will do well, Star, I am certain of it," her mother interjected. "You are a Butterfly, the most formidable family in all of Mewni. Make your kingdom proud." Star smiled and hugged her father, who reciprocated with a tight embrace.

"Be sure to visit," River sobbed, "preferably every day."

Star chuckled. "I will do my best, Father. Goodbye, Mother."

Star nodded at her mother, who nodded in return. With that, Star Butterfly stepped through the portal, ready to embark on her journey to assist her parents in their quest to conquer all of Mewni.

Thank you so much for reading. Sorry I wasn't able to write as much as I wanted to, I am planning to make the second chapter at least 5,000 words, but for now I feel this is a good enough introduction.

Please let me know if you enjoyed the story and if you have any feedback please let me know!

Chapter 2 will come out in about 2 weeks. Chapter two will include much more background details about the Butterfly Kingdom and Marco.

I hope you enjoyed the story!