M
Marco sat in a chair clearly not meant for comfort, with his body clearly not up to the task. He was sore from jawbone to toe, and the gash in his side was still fresh and tender to the touch. He had been cut by Varteks blade before. But this time, he was gifted healing magic to help expedite the process. It took immense amounts of energy from the rest of his body, and he was finally finding that bill due. He had broken three ribs, and fractured his jaw bone, but he was otherwise good to go.
After a morning of life or death battles, he was now sitting outside of the Infirmary of the Knights. They'd taken well enough care of him, albeit except for a spiteful redhead, and now all that was left to do was meet Star in the Great Hall.
After more than ten minutes of struggling, he managed to get himself out of the bare wooden chair and unsheathed his blades. While using one as a crutch, he cut an orange portal through the air and stepped through, deposited rather ungracefully next to Star. She seemed better off of the two, to Marcos relief, but something seemed off about her. Her usual energetic nature was gone and in its place was one of dull surprise.
"Hey, Star. Are you holding up okay?" She wasnt quick to respond, but smiled warmly at him and shook her head. "No, not exactly. My mom took my wand and now I'm kinda just the princess that failed. I had my wand for less than a year and I already broke it." She dropped her smile and glared at the ground. "I couldn't handle it on day one, I dont know why I thought I could handle it now."
Marco frowned as he cupped her cheek and held her hand. "Star... you have no idea how great of a princess you turn out to be. You go on to do amazing things for everyone." She pushed his hand away and turned around, her arms crossed over her chest. "That's your Star. I'm not like her. I haven't done anything amazing, except broken my wand." Marco stepped closer and put a hand on her shoulder. "'My Star' broke her wand too, you know. She did it to save my life, and although you may not know it, you saved my life back there."
Star turned around and looked at him with surprise, though she let his hand rest in hers. "What happened after she broke her wand?"
Everything sorta fell apart, and I made some mistakes. But I pulled it back together.
"Well, I shouldn't tell you that, but-" Star glared at him. "You owe me." He smiled and held up his hands as he continued. "I shouldn't tell you, but I think I've been hiding things from you for long enough. She got her wand back, learned to use it, fixed it and her kingdom, defeated her enemies, and set out to unite monsters and mewmans." Star looked at him in awe, before her starstruck look turned to one of defeat.
"How on Earth am I supposed to do any of that? How can I fix things like her?" Marco smiled warmly at her, which she loved more than anything, and held her face. "By being Star Butterfly. Be yourself and trust your instincts and you'll be the best you, you can be. I believe in you, and I always will." She blushed as she smiled back at him and held his hand to her cheek. "No more secrets Diaz. If we're gonna do this, we need to be on the same page. If I ask you about something important, I need to know. Okay?"
Marco nodded and kissed her softly before stepping back. "I love you, Star. And I can't wait to watch you tear through your goals like a raging warnicorn again." As he said this, Queen Moon and King River stepped back into the throne room with the last two people either teen had expected to see: Marcos parents. "Mijo! Are you alright?" Raphael Diaz rushed forward and looked his son up and down as his wife stared in worry.
"I'm alright dad, just a little scraped up." Angie gestured to Marco and looked inquisitively at Moon and River. "What happened to him? Why does it look like our son just lost a fight with a bull?" For the most part, both the king and queen were at a loss for words. "We're not sure how it happened exactly, but Marco was kidnapped from the castle, and when Star snuck off to rescue him, they both took on an interdimensional assassin." This time, it was Marcos parents who were at a loss of words. They threw darting glances from their son to the princess of Mewni, then back to the king and queen.
Raphael spoke up first, though he and Angie fought over who would be doing the questioning. "Marco was KIDNAPPED?" Angie demanded. "What do you mean Star snuck off?" Raphael questioned. Angie stepped forward again and this time spoke with a voice of worried concern. "Who was the assassin after? Are our children safe?"
River held up a hand and spoke calmly to try to quell the concern of both parents before they had a meltdown. "Look, we dont know who the assassin is. Star didn't tell us who or why and left with a tip to where Marco was taken. She returned to us a while later without her wand and informed us that she had found Marco, sacrificed her wand to set him free, and that he required our help to fight off an assassin who is presently after Star."
Moon butted in after taking a deep breath and held up Stars wand. "I dont know who this man is, but he was adamant about destroying this. You have every right to refuse, but I feel that given recent events, the children would be safer on Earth. Where Star can continue training with her wand, however broken it may be."
Angie seemed concerned, though she softened. But before she could speak, Star stepped forward. "Mom, are you sure I should have the wand? I'm the one that broke it."
"Yes, my dear but you did it for noble reasons, and because you had no other choice. I believe you should continue your training on Earth, should the Diaz's consent of course." Angie shook her head and looked at Marco. "Marco, you've been acting different since the day Star arrived on Earth. And since that day more destruction and danger has befallen you than ever before." Her son stepped closer to try to protest but his mother simply held up a hand, and all the room went quiet again.
"However, you've become so much more mature, and you've gotten so much stronger, my little man. You kept Star safe and with this man out there, if the Butterflies think it's for the best, I guess youre the most qualified to keep doing so." Marco smiled and nodded as his father spoke. "However, next time things get weird, or wild for you, both of you will ask for help and find us. ¿Lo entiendes?"
"Yes, dad. We understand. Thank you." Star ran forward and hugged her parents before slowly taking her wand back. "Thank you for trusting me, mom. Dont worry, if anything happens, I'll tell you right away." River smiled and patted his daughter on the head before turning to the Diaz's. "The thanks go to you all. For protecting my daughter, and for keeping a watchful eye on her."
Raphael shook the king's hand and grinned. "It is really no trouble, your highness. We love having her, so long as things dont get too crazy." Moon smiled and let out a sigh. "I'm so sorry for the trouble, and truly, thank you both for everything. Star waved her parent's goodbye as Marco cut a portal to Earth, and the group stepped through.
River sighed and turned to Moon. "Dear, are you sure its a good idea to send her away again?" Moon frowned and began walking to a mirror on the wall. "We haven't much of a choice, River. Marco was kidnapped here. Our best option is to have them stay on Earth where they were safest." She activated the phone mirror and shook her head. "We will keep an eye on them. And we will find out what we can about the higher power, in charge of this assassin. It's time we spoke to her teacher."
S
Marco stepped through the portal last and flopped down onto the couch. He lulled his head back and held his side as his parents went about preparing something to eat. Star could tell that they were still stressed beyond words, but noticed that they found ease with each other. It was the kind of relationship everyone strived for, where you're in love with your best friend and both of you know it. Where every little thing about that person interests you and makes you happy. Marcos' parents had that relationship. And thanks to the events that seemed to plunge the world into chaos around her, so did she.
She sat next to Marco and began tinkering with her wand, which of course mostly consisted of simply poking it and trying basic spells. She used a simple levitation spell to move the coffee table closer, then created a small spider in a top hat that simply smiled before dissipating into mist, like all conjured creatures from the wand did. Though each blast exhumed a toxic green tint that seemed incredibly unusual. She was about to try a lighting cloud spell, but Marco put a hand on her wrist. "Star, I think you should give it a rest. We should just try to relax for a bit."
She frowned at slumped backward, fidgeting with her new, old wand. Star had always been one who was full of energy, but now she was on edge as well. Her mind raced to the events of the morning and previous night, how her boyfriend was almost killed after being held hostage by a homicidal lizard. Relaxing wasnt easy by any means at this point, but luckily, a delightful distraction made himself known.
Glossaryk popped out from between the couch cushions and made himself comfortable between the two. He smiled smugly at them, despite how glum and worn they seemed. "Well, I see the attitude around here has certainly taken a turn for the worse. May I suggest a fun activity for the three of us to lighten the mood?" Star perked up slightly, excited that Glossaryk was finally showing some semblance of teaching, but she was sure to not get too excited. Glossaryk was known to have two plans and to never actually teach anything important.
"Marco and I would love to. Something to liven up the mooood." Marco sighed but stood slowly, his entire body aching in protest. "Alright, but only if you can keep the crazy to a minimum." Glossaryk smiled and the three made their way upstairs to Stars bedroom.
Glossaryk sat in the center of the book of spells and smiled as he closed his eyes. Star and Marco stood anxiously waiting for some sort of lesson to begin, but there was nothing. Star was about to speak but Glossaryk opened his eyes and pointed to Star. "What I'm about to teach you isnt something conventional or interesting at all, but I think its time we get into it. So, Marco, if you would, please come here." Marco looked at the small blue being with curiosity and a hint of distaste but did as instructed. He stepped over to the book and waited patiently, as Star had a hard time following suit.
"Now, Star, are you ready?" Star nodded and began bouncing up and down in excitement and anticipation. "Cmon hurry up I'm ready!" Glossaryk smiled and placed his hands together. "Good. Hold your breath, Marco." "Hold my wha- OAF!"
Marco had no time to react as Stars wand shot forward into his stomach and launched him into the closet, followed closely by the book of spells. The door slammed shut behind him and glowed for a split second with a bright radiant pink light. Star stood speechlessly, trying to process what was going on as Marco immediately began to try defusing the situation.
"No no no no no. Glossaryk you let me out of here right now, I'm not doing this again." Glossaryk floated up to Marco and smiled coyly. "I have no idea what you mean by 'again', but I'll need you to keep Star busy while I see what I can learn about the wand and what's going on with it." Marco glared at the little blue creep and shook his head. "I already know, that you already know, that WE already know, what's wrong with the wand. Why am I back in here?"
Glossaryk smiled and floated down to the wand that was now perched on the books open pages. "Because I put you in here for two reasons last time. So this time, I'm going to investigate whats different and broken and youre going to do what you do best. Which is make Star open the door by getting her incredibly flustered over nothing."
Marco maintained his venomous frown and shook his head. "You're terrible." Glossaryk only shrugged and smiled as the book began to close. "And you're a busy man. Find the secret in this closet that's hidden from view to release yourself. Good luck, my boy!" And with that, the book of spells slammed shut.
Star, who couldn't hear the commotion of the closet, had already begun to try prying the door open with a dagger, to no avail. She dropped the blade to the floor and sighed, reaching for an ax as a voice reached out from behind the solid wood blinds. "Star, do you have anything you need to tell me? Glossaryk says I'm stuck in here until I find the secret hidden from view. So, before I start looking, is there anything, important you need to tell me?"
Star tilted her head and placed the ax back against the wall. "No? I tell you everything, and you tell me everything you can. I dont have any secrets in there that I'm hiding from you." Marco slumped against the wall, eyeing the massive amount of junk and debris piled around him. "Alright, well, here goes nothing."
Glossaryk leaned over the magical relic before his and sighed. He had been through this before, but he still hated the thought. "Let's just get this over with, and then I can do my job."
He clicked open the lid of the wand and peered inside. Within the wand was a larger space that should be allowed by its dimensions. At its center, was a unicorn running on a treadmill, huffing, and snorting as it ran. It whinnied angrily as it turned to face Glossaryk with glowing, hateful green eyes. "Yep, that's definitely still not good," he said as he shut the lid, encasing the panting entity within.
He hovered out of the book and floated past Marco, who was still busy sorting through the junk that littered the closet. He floated out and under the closet door and examined Stars scheme to laser puppie the door open. "Hey, Star, perhaps you'd like to skip ahead to a more advanced lesson in your training?" She glared at him and frowned. "Why, so you can lock me in the closet too? I dont play seven minutes in heaven like that."
Glossaryk simply shrugged, maintaining his smile all the while. "Now why would I do that, young lady? I'm all out of wands and books anyway. Now, let's begin."
M
Marco had sorted through a vast majority of the junk in the closet and sighed deeply, judging that his efforts would be fruitless. "I guess I just have to skip to the end at this point. If I threaten to read her journal, then that should get her to dip down." He reached for what he knew was her diary but frowned as he held it. What am I doing. Her diary won't be the same. No doubt she's written something different in that chapter.
He held the book aloft and slumped against the door, debating whether he should open it or not. This would be a breach of Stars trust, surely. But it would be a guaranteed means to escape.
She said she isnt hiding anything from me, so I might as well give it a shot. Worst case scenario, she just hits me with the book again. He took a deep breath and called out to his best friend. "Hey Star, I think I found the secret. It's some sort of journal." Star sat opposite to Marco on the outside and sharpened her dagger. "Whatever takes your mind off being trapped, babe. Just ten more minutes and I'll have you out of there."
"Well, it starts out with, 'moms a poop head.' But I'll keep reading I guess." Stars eyes went wide and she dropped her blade and sharpener. She turned around and stared at the door. "Marco, that's not the secret. That's my diary. Do NOT read it." He flipped some more pages and arrived at his destination. "Chapter Eleven: My thought on Marco."
Star felt the color rise to her face as she started frantically looking for anything that would break the door down. "Marco that's not the secret! Dont read that!" She started stabbing the door in a futile attempt to pry it open, and to Marcos disbelief, the door didn't open. He pressed on nonetheless, hoping that maybe a few more pushed buttons would get the reaction he needed.
"I met Marco on the first day of school. Principal Skeeves knew we'd be the best of friends." Stars stabbing at the door seemed to suddenly stop as Marco paused. He took a deep breath before continuing. "But in reality, we became so much more. I can trust him with my life, and he's absolutely the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. I love him, Diary. He's so kind, caring, and... hes always there for me when I need him. Even when it's not safe or fun, he never turns down a chance to help me out."
Marco paused, waiting to see if Star would say anything to this, but she remained silent. He continued reading, though a deep red blush adorned his face. "I dont know what I'd do without him. He's the love of my life, and I know he would never do anything to hurt me. After all we've been through so far, I know Marco will always be by my side. And I can't wait to fall more in love with him every day."
A sniffle could be heard from outside and Marco closed the journal as he turned to face the door, peering slightly through the holes in the wooden slats. "Star, are you okay?"
"No. I'm not. Why did you have to read that? I said to leave it alone." Marco slumped, feeling incredibly guilty as the tension began to build. "I just thought it would get you to dip down and get me out of here. It worked last time." "And did I let you read my diary last time? That's personal stuff, Marco. Words for only me to read." Marco could feel the weight building on his shoulders now that his plan had backfired horrendously. She continued, an icy chill coating her words.
"I dont hide anything from you, Marco. I trust you completely, and I'd appreciate it if you could trust me too." She sat with her back to the door and held her face in her hands. Marco sat much the same way and fidgeted with his hands in his lap. "Star, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have read your personal things. Even if it meant getting out of here sooner. Can you forgive me?"
She shot an angry glance at the door behind her and shook her head. "No, you can't just forget what you read, even if you basically already know it. It was private." Marco lulled his head forward and spoke softly. "I'm sorry. I just, it got me out of here before. I didn't think about you, and how you feel."
Star sharpened her knife with silent indignation as he continued. "Star, I haven't been honest with you. I should have told you this a long time ago, but, I lied." The room was silent as the sharpening sounds abruptly stopped. A single, soft voice broke through the deafening quiet with a timid curiosity. "What do you mean? What did you lie about?"
Marco stood slowly and faced the door. "Star, I had a crush on you in the future. And I wanted so bad to tell you, but, you were dating...Tom. So, when we got trapped in a photo booth at a wedding, I tried to get us out by kissing you. You rejected me, nicely of course, but, it hurt. When I got back, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to sway your choices in life or ruin our friendship. I lied about how I felt about you, and, I'm sorry."
There was a deafening silence coming from the other side of the door. Marco was debating whether or not just dying on the spot would be worth it, when a soft click echoed from the door. It opened slowly, revealing a very upset Star, with glowing cheek marks, and glowing eyes. "When did you start feeling that way for me?"
Marco eyed her curiously and stepped out. "A little after I got back from Earth, and after the Star from the future made me her squire. But I couldn't do anything with you dating Tom. I couldn't do that to my best friend."
Star tilter her head and reached out to touch Marcos' cheek. "After how you and Jackie acted around me, can you blame me for being so oblivious?" Marco was about to respond, but he caught himself. "Wait, how do you know about that? You weren't...Star?"
Yeah, it's... it's me, Marco. Sorry, I couldn't say goodbye to you. Though I've been watching you through my own eyes this whole time." Marco was silent for a moment but pulled Star into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry I had to leave you, Star. I'm so sorry you had to be-" "It's alright, I'm still me, just, living another life here. Every day I become more of your new best friend."
Marco held her tighter and felt tears stinging his eyes. "I was so afraid when I woke up without you. You had completely forgotten about me..." Star hugged him back and smiled through glowing cheeks. "I could never forget you, Marco. Even when I forget your name."
Marco pulled back and kissed Star deeply. She was surprised for a moment, but let it happen as she pulled him closer and kissed him back. "Oh..Sorry, I forgot. You and Tom-" "Its just you and me here, Marco. I wish I gave you a chance as early as she did, but I'm still happy with how things turned out." Marco blushed and stepped back. His cheeks were flushed but before anything else could happen, Stars eyes and cheeks began to dim.
"Are you okay? What's going on?" She smiled sweetly and shrugged. "I Guess I'm out of Time. Dont worry, I'll always be here with you. Thinking of how I'm going to repay you, for making me the happiest girl in the multiverse."
Marco reached out, but Stars cheeks dimmed completely as she blinked a few times. Her eyes returned to their natural sapphire color and she took a deep breath.
"What the heck was that all about?" she asked incredulously. Marco could only smile as he wrapped his arms around her. Warm tears streamed from his eyes and he could only manage to whisper a few words to his lover. "Thank you for trusting me, Star Butterfly."
To be continued in: Its more than a job
AUTHORS NOTE
Again, sooooo sorry for the late update. Things got wild with work and the holidays coming up. This chapter has been a long time coming, and I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll see yall next chapter, feel free to leave a review, and dont forget to follow the story for future updates. TOODLES!
~Mr. Ronald Reagan