Forgotten Ventures

by Ronald reagan

If you could go back two years in your life, and you could remember everything, what would you change? When Marco Diaz wakes up in his old bedroom, with memories of events that haven't come to pass, he finds out that some things should stay the same. And that some things will change on their own. Rated M for language, violent scenes, and some spicy stuff.

33. Frenemies Pt I

CASTLE BUTTERFLY, MEWNI:

681 years from now

"I don't care what it takes. Slaughter them in droves if you have to, so long as you get it done!"

"But m'lady, we have agreements in order to keep the peace! We can't just march in there and fight to retrieve some lost soldiers!" the stiff man opposite to the queen argued. The gentleman appeared to be aged over fifty, the years showing signs against his worn skin. He wore a pristine generals uniform, weighed with a dozen medals and shined to perfection. He moved a stack of documents across the table for her highness to read, now taking the offensive in his discussion.

"M'lady, these are our peace accords with the monster kingdom, and they clearly specify operations to take place should something like this happen. Our men violated protocol, wandered into foreign territory, and allowed themselves to be captured. If we move in now, it will spell conflict, and war."

The queen, a shorter woman with red hair and a flowing green dress, furrowed her brow in frustration. A frown deepened between her two semicircle cheek marks. "To hell with these agreements. The moment they captured my men, they signed their own death warrants, those monster scum. Send out a legion of troops, accompanied by my most powerful mages. Burn their fortress to the ground, and see to it that the monster kingdom learns what happens when they try my patience!"

The slender general before her sighed deeply, gathering his documents and summoning his assistants. "I do not sponsor such an egregious act of violence against civilians, but I will see it done, Queen Nebula Butterfly."

With that, he and his accomplice's departed the war room, no doubt to begin preparations. Now with just herself and two other advisors remaining, Queen Nebula laid out a map of the bordering monster kingdom that appeared to have been marked with trade routes, and battle movements. "This will surely spark a war with those heathens. Have the army prepared at once for a full-scale assault, in the instance of retaliation."

One of her advisors, a short man with tan skin, a beauty mark on his left cheek, and dark brown hair, eyed her nervously. "My queen, is it wise to start such conflict so soon after your husband's untimely expiration? The people will-" The queen slammed her fist down onto the map table, nearly splintering the wood as her wand, a modified bracer on her right wrist, hummed with orange energy. "Those monsters deserve everything that's coming to them. The people will gladly take up arms against those murdering scum. Begin the preparations at once, Lieutenant Gonzalez." she growled.

He sighed, rolling his eyes at the display of power that was clearly unnecessary. "As you wish, my queen. It shall be done."

O - O - O - O - O - O

GRIMOR PALACE, MONSTER KINGDOM

681 years from now

"Vartek. What you are suggesting is impossible. We can't mobilize our forces to the border without sparking conflict. We've worked hard to strengthen our crumbling relations with the Butterflies, and now you want us to tarnish years of work based on a hunch? Our King knows better than to act in such a way."

The small advisor resembled some kind of lake monster, and was clearly as slimy as an eel. Vartek, however, was prepared for the onslaught of denial from the court, and waited intently for the king's response.

The large, four-armed monster with scaly, charcoal black skin shook his head miserably, nearly dislodging the small, rusted crown on his head. "It is foolish to act so quickly, against a threat we wish to befriend. I cannot sponsor such a movement, Red Knight." His words echoed a dull chorus against the withered walls of the crumbling throne room, mirrored by the faces of the creatures around him, save for one poised at the center of the room.

The lone, reptilian skinned man wore a simple red robe, etched with a small crescent moon on the chest, and a deep black sash around his waist. His soft, expressfull face shifted from one of worry, to one of anger and defiance as he stood to face the ruler of the house.

"My King, the Butterflies hate us after the events that have transpired. They believe we have wronged them, and stand ready to fight for any reason. Now, we capture their spies running through our territory, and sit them at the closest stronghold to their border? They will attack, and I refuse to let our people suffer to their injustice."

The king weighed Varteks words with care, but his solemn expression did not change. Waving his hand, he shook his head and stood from the throne, making his way towards the kingdoms fiercest warrior. Vartek, unlike his wife, wasn't adept in magic, but rather, was extremely skilled with the blade. Together, they were unstoppable, much like the last chosen pair had been. Stories of legend, Star the underestimated, and Marco, the just, were comparable to his own, even being over six hundred years old.

"You have good reason to worry, but we cannot act yet. The Kingdom of Mewni knows well that it wasn't by our hand that the king was slain. A rebel, a zealot, is to blame for the grief in her majesties heart." Vartek growled at the ruler, fuming at the blatant naivety directed his way. His eyes flickered red for a moment, but the king placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him.

"Be tranquil, my knight. Trust that we will prevail in the midst of our misfortunes. Their soldiers will be returned unharmed, and you will see that the Butterfly family is forgiving."

"My king, please. You know that Queen Nebula will not forgive us. Even after we delivered the head of the murderer who stole her husband, her spirit roared with anger. They. Will. Attack us."

King Crimax sighed and stepped back, giving Vartek a rare, but solemn smile. "My boy, I admire your caution and devotion to your people, but we have nothing to fear. If it eases your troubled heart, you may travel to Fort Forræderi and stand guard, with your partner Merina, but that is all I will allow."

Vartek seemed to soften at this, if only slightly. He gave the King a short nod and bowed respectively. "Merina is stationed to the south, and I will not take her from her mission for my own deeds. I alone will go, and watch over our people. You have my gratitude, my king, and I pray to the goddess of the blood moon that I am wrong."

"And you have mine, Vartek. You have earned your accolades ten times over. Go now, and take caution in your journey."

Giving the king one final nod, Vartek bowed and left the gloomy throne room, eager to make his way to Fort Forræderi. His mind began to worry about the dangers drawing closer, but as he stepped through the palace gates, he reminded himself that it was his duty to die, if need be. He had nothing he wasn't prepared to give to his kingdom, save for his wife.

Luckily, she was stationed to the south, far out of harm's way. In the event that Vartek was right about the Butterflies, then she would be safe, and he had nothing to lose.

After a short trip to his home, picking up his armor, his scimitars, and some provisions, he was ready to begin. Vartek was reasonably nervous about the prospect of war, but even more nerve-racking was the chance at being caught off guard. As foolish as the Monster Court may be, they were wise to reposition him.

He thanked his servants for their diligent and loyal work, and stepped outside. The courtyard surrounding his manor was well tended to, and with Merinas magic, flourished in full bloom. Just past the walls of his home, Vartek could see the tops of the surrounding buildings of the capital, and hear the bustle of the monsters and demimewmans that inhabited it.

It wasn't long after the last bonded pair started their journey, that Monsters and Mewmans first began to cohabitate, and not long after that, that they first began to copulate. The first demimewman was some kind of slime being, able to phase in and out of its liquid state. Of course, that was if the old texts were true. And as avid as a reader as Vartek was, that was only ancient gossip to him. He stepped through the gates of his home, and eyed the sprawling Monster city around him.

'I won't be gone long, my king. I trust you to keep my home safe in my absence,' he thought to himself. Unsheathing his scimitar blades, both of which he had helped forge with Hekapoo herself, he cut a portal to the outskirts of the distant fort residing along the border.

Normally, the journey would take two days by foot, but Vartek and Merina had earned the right to travel instantaneously through 8 years of hard work in Hekapoos dimension. The chase began like any other, using his skill of hunting and her prowess in tracking to get them started, with some difficulty acclimating to the burns on their heads. Merina had pressured him to take the challenge, something about the last pair doing it together as well, and Vartek ultimately agreed.

After a second of mental preparation, he stepped through the portal and was deposited just outside the walls of the fort, which was protected by a tramorfidian crystal.

"Who goes there?! State your business and purpose at once!" a guard from the gate shouted out. Vartek smiled at the diligent reaction of his comrade, and stepped closer, sheathing his scimitar blades. "It's only me, Wawindaji! Just Vartek! I'm here on the king's orders to keep watch against threats that our captives may have incurred."

There was some quiet discussion between some of the guards, but after a moment, the leader stepped forward and signaled for the gate to be opened. "My apologies Sir Vartek. We were not informed of your arrival, much like Lady Merina. You may proceed, and I'll have Jogtu show you to your quarters."

Vartek nodded and stepped past the guard, but stopped after several steps. "Wait, you said Merina has arrived? When? And where is she now?" Vartek asked, his voice getting shorter and more impatient with each word. The guard looked around nervously but complied with the questions nonetheless. "Sir, Lady Merina arrived half an hour ago and is currently residing in your chambers."

Vartek gave that a moment of thought, his face now furrowed into a frown. This was certainly unexpected, but sadly, it was also unsurprising. Merina always was a free spirit. A rebel. "Very well. Thank you for your help, and keep a watchful eye out for any foot traffic nearby."

"Aye Sir, it shall be done. Good day."

Vartek was shown through the fort and was led directly to his chamber, a smaller stone room near the center of the structure. Giving Jogtu his leave, Vartek stared at the door angrily, attempting to calm himself before entering. He had learned to control his anger through his studies, both written and combat based, but it was usually Merina who could find a way to test his resolve. He rubbed his temples, practicing his breathing exercises, and steadied himself as he pushed the door open.

The room was partially illuminated, but quite a mess. A set of armor was strewn on the floor, with a pile of books stacked precariously atop a desk. The bed was also not to Varteks liking, being unmade, as a soldiers bed should never be. And... occupied? Vartek stepped closer as the sound of deep snoring got louder. He loomed over the lump of dingy bedsheets, and in one motion, pulled them all aside.

There, on the bed, was a young mewman woman, about the age of twenty-two, sprawled about in a deep sleep. She had curled forest green hair, an array of freckles, and was sporting under armor garments. Her build was muscular enough to pass for a warrior, but also defined enough to pass as beautiful beyond compare. Before they had been unceremoniously bonded, Vartek never had a chance with someone like her. But after their dance, and a year of courting, the two found themselves inseparable.

She snored loudly as Vartek stood over her, she still being unaware of the annoyed presence in the room. Vartek eyed her vindictively before clearing his throat, prompting the woman to wake.

She took in a deep breath, retracting her limbs towards her center slowly, as she cautiously opened her eyes. They were deep blue, and seemed to hold a universe of wonders. "Mmmrphh. Varteeek. Why'd you wake me uuup? I was having a nice dream about you."

Vartek eyed Merina with a softening scowl on his face, before crossing his arms and taking a seat on the desk chair beside him. "I woke you up because you shouldn't be here. Why arn't you at your post in the south? You told me it was an important mission."

Merina yawned and sat upright, stretching her arms wide before smacking her lips and eying the room around her. "It was important, but when I heard we captured some Mewni soldiers, I knew I needed to be here, standing guard. Pluuus, you're here, and you know I can't miss a post with my husband. So I gathered what intelligence I could, and ended the mission early."

Vartek sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose and giving her an impatient look. "Merina, you shouldn't be here. I fear that this place will bring the birth of a new war against the Butterflies. It's dangerous, and i won't have you put in harms wa-" Merina pulled Vartek into a soft kiss, holding his chin before pulling back with a smile. "Always such a white knight, red knight. You know that one, I can handle myself, and two, I'm a soldier. Harm's way is never that far away for us. And you need someone to watch your back, stupid."

Vartek gave her a wistful smile before running a hand through her curled hair. "I recall watching your back far more times. However, I have my doubts that this is a safe place for you to be at this time."

"Oh, hush up now, tough guy. You need me here. The bond makes us stronger together, so if a war is coming, we need to have each other's back." She held his face and leaned closer, pressing her forehead to his. She seemed to have finally shaken off the last of her sleep, giving him a soft expression of care. "And after this is over, I think we should hang up our swords. Y'know, become farmers or something boring like that. Have a family, raise some kids, get all old and stuff. Then, you can be grouchy all you want and nobody can complain."

"I'm not grouchy," Vartek grumbled, pursing his lip at her. She merely gave him a sideways grin back, raising an eyebrow and doing her best not to burst into laughter. "You are too grouchy, my love. But I like it. Just trust me, Var. We can keep each other safe, and I won't leave your side until it's over. I promise."

O - O - O - O - O - O

MEWNI, UNKNOWN LOCATION: present day

"I promise..."

Vartek stalked through the dense brush of the forest of certain death, his eyes keen and panning across the dark landscape in search of his destination. He had left The Land of the Passing a little over a week ago, given a new directive by the other half, and was somewhat closer to finding the little avian man who had what he needed.

Palms of branches raked over his shoulders as the small shafts of sunlight seeping through the canopy waved over him. He was looking for a run down estate of a long forgotten noble, too engrossed in planning to worry about the threats around him. He knew monsters of this time were out in this wild land, though they were not as refined as they had been in his time. These monsters were more savage, tribal even, compared to his, as told in the ancient texts. But that couldn't be helped. Vartek remembered from the library of Mewman history what had brought such demise to his ancestors.

He had pawed through the darkness of their castle, deep in the subchambers where they kept there darkest secrets and there deepest history. Days of reconnaissance, hours of research, and the risk of his new life, all for a pop-up book. In truth, he had some ides of what had happened in the ancient times, but the pop-up had explained it in some more detail.

Vartek barely avoided a branch that swept near his face, clearly too lost in thought to care. Thinking back to the library proved a healthy distraction for this bothersome journey. His real objective had been seemingly ancient texts regarding the last blood moon pair, Star and Marco. He and Merina were versed in the bond mates, as they were heroes of Mewni, but he needed more. He needed more information on their whereabouts, their actions, and their, at the time, future. Their history was laid out in another pop-up book- 'Typical, he grumbled -and recounted a great deal of the information Vartek needed. Once he had made notes, and memorized what he could, Vartek had left the library with minor difficulty, and began his journey.

Stepping into a clearing, still largely darkened by the thick canopy and the overhanging haze of decay, Vartek saw a small manor, sitting in its own state of decay as well. He stepped closer quietly, crouching behind a thick brush, eying the building down.

He had changed from his usual armor, donning a more sporty, lighter set, that had polished black metal, leather guards, and proper sheathes for his scimitars. His helmet was gone, leaving only an improper face wrap to hide the burned skin. Once he was sure that there were no wandering eyes around the simple, crumbling abode, he approached the side of the building and vaulted up the wall, scaling the three-story structure with ease.

Swinging hard through a long broken window, he rolled silently into an empty, wooded room overcome with mold and dust. His deep green eyes flared for a moment, assessing his surroundings before making his way through the floor, finding no one occupying it.

'Seems my tip might have been a little outdated,' he thought to himself. 'Whatever. I'll get what I want, one way or another.'

He was prepared to move further through the home, but a quite creak on the first floor drew his undivided attention. Unsheathing his scimitar, he cut a portal to the first floor, using the thought of what he had seen through the window below to anchor its destination. As he stepped through, he found a simple mewman, dressed in rags and looking as though age might take him, sifting through the abandoned garbage.

The old man jumped in place, clearly startled, but said nothing, choosing to instead stare at the dark warrior before him. Vartek eyed him with placid irritation before stepping closer, holding his blade ready to strike. "You. You're not who I'm looking for. But I'm going to cut you to pieces, unless you tell me where to find the one known as Ludo," he snarled, his voice a low growl edged with malicious intent.

The old man gave him a questioning look before taking a seat on a moldy, algae-ridden armchair. "It's rude to threaten someone without giving a name first, young man. My names Seamus, in case you were wondering."

Vartek suppressed his rising anger and stepped closer, holding his blade towards Seamus's chest. "Introductions are unnecessary to a dead man," he growled, letting the green glow of his blade flare. "Tell me what I want to know, or-"

"Or you'll kill me? Son, I'm a homeless peasant on the verge of death already. You don't scare me. Have a seat and we can speak like adults."

Varteks eyes flared bright green for a moment as he stared at Seamus, fury evident by his quiet rage. But after a moment, when it was clear that threatening wasn't going to get him anywhere, he lowered his blade. "Tell me what you know," he began, using his best imitation of calm manageable. "Please. I don't have all day."

Seamus gave him a small smile and leaned back, rubbing his right knee. "Yeah, I probably don't either. If I may, what's with the towel on your face? Or is that just a gimmick."

"People who see my face, typically find themselves dead soon after," Vartek grumbled, becoming unable to hide his growing frustration.

"Hoo? I can only hope. Lemme see yer face, since you won't at least tell me your name."

Vartek sighed and took a seat, clearly unprepared for such a difficult dilemma of dealing with an elder as crazy as this. "My name is Vartek of Septarsis. I'm what you Mewmans call a half breed."

"Ah, so you're a monster, and Mewman then? Gotta say Vartek, I've never seen someone like you."

"That is no surprise. In your time there is no one like me. Now," he began, straining the word like razors through his teeth. "Tell me where I can find Ludo."

"Monsters these days are given a bad run by everyone. Ludo seems to be the only one out there who wants to fight for them. Are you hunting him down?" Seamus asked, his voice sounding tired and curious.

"Something like that. I need what he has, so if he resists, I'll kill him."

"You don't have to kill just to get what you want, Vartek. Sometimes you can find another way, and choosing not to fight will help you move on."

"Choosing not to fight is what got me here, so forgive me if I don't put much stock into that plan. I have a mission to kill three people if I don't get what I came here for. Four, if you don't start talking."

Seamus gave Vartek a curious look, but decided to ignore his former statement, opting to answer at long last. "That little guy's been all over Mewni. Plannin' somethin' big from the looks of it. I wouldn't tussle with him if I were you. He's dangerous."

Vartek sheathed his blade and carefully removed his face wraps. As the tattered cloths fell away, he revealed a badly scarred, badly burned, reptilian humanoid face. Sharp teeth glistened behind a loose grimace, and slitted green eyes blazed at the elder before them. "So am I. I need the source of his power so I may return to my home, and save the one I love."

Seamus' expression didn't waver, except to show a look of curiosity. "You uh, carry some baggage don't ya, son? Well, I don't know what the heck you're talkin' about, but I can tell you where you should look."

Vartek, for the first time since he was forced back to the Land of the Passing, let his lips curl into the shape of a smile. "Please, tell me."

"Castle butterfly. He's been around that place, scouting, stealing, ambushing, he's up to something big, but no one seems to notice him behind his goonies."

"Yes. His...rats, I believe. The texts spoke of them. I wonder how many I can kill before I get tired," he thought aloud, placing his wraps carefully back atop his face. "Thank you, Seamus. I hate insufferable pests such as yourself, but you have been useful to me. I'll let you live." Vartek stood from his chair and unsheathed his blades, preparing to cut a portal when a quiet voice spoke from behind him.

"You sound like someone who's already lost everything, including a piece of himself. May I ask what happened?"

Vartek stopped for a moment, staring at the ground before him in silent contempt, his hands gripping the hilts of his closest possessions. He spoke coldly, his words curling with disgust, and pain. "I was betrayed. And I have lost everything."

Seamus stood slowly from his own chair, dusting off his rags and taking a step towards Vartek. "I don't know what you're after, Vartek, but you only lose everything when you give in to revenge. So many youngins spend so long trying to go around their problems, they don't even try moving forward. You can be better than what people make you out to be."

Vartek smiled cooly behind his face wraps, turning to face Seamus. He was right, in a way, so it almost felt wrong to di what came next. With one smooth motion, he thrust both blades forward into Seamus' stomach, letting his blades hiss past the gurgle of blood. He leaned down until he was at eye level with the terrified old man, grinning from ear to ear. "Like I said, Seamus. I've lost everything. And I will move forward." He ripped both blades out of the old man's stomach, letting blood and body fall to the floor as his blades glistened. "Forward through time, with the wand and my revenge to get me there. Thank you for your sickening assistance."

O - O - O - O - O - O

Fort Forræderi, Monster Kingdom:

681 years from now

"Merina! We have to move! We can't hold them off any longer!" Vartek yelled, holding back two spears with his blades, each glowing red with power. Merina kicked back a mewman soldier, and sliced another's head clean off, letting a fountain of blood flow out as she jumped back to avoid the swing of a sword. Her claymore was dripping with blood, and hummed with red energy as she glanced around like a caged animal.

"If we move back, then the fortress will be overrun! We have to hold our ground!" she roared, thrusting her blade into the ground and sending a shockwave of ruby energy out in a circle of death.

"If we don't then we will die! Theres no way we can fight! We're moving NOW!"

Vartek threw both scimitars out into the rushing crowd of mewman soldiers, their sharp points piercing body after body before calling them back to his hands. He turned sharply and grabbed Merina around her waist, throwing her over his shoulder before running back towards the crumbled wall of the fortress. Mewman soldiers rushed after them, charging over the bodies of both monsters, and demiMewmans.

"No! PUT ME DOWN NOW! They're going to kill everyone!" she screamed, pummeling the plating on Varteks back as they swept past a group of charging monsters. "If I have to die, then so be it! I won't abandon my people!"

"Merina!" he shouted above the bloodbath behind him, "You are not abandoning anyone! We can hold our ground further in the compound. They have strength in numbers, but our men-" he turned back to look at the battle, almost wretching at the sight of their forces being mowed down by an onslaught of Mewni swords. -"Our men will hold them off. We have to fall back."

Merina sobbed through grit teeth over his shoulder, her tears running clear rivers through the streaks of red, and green blood across her cheeks. "Vartek, please! Let me fight! We can hold them off!"

"No! We cannot! We've done what we could, and we were about to be overrun. We move back, regroup, and-"

Vartek was fast, even for a Septarian half-breed, but an arrow flies faster. Before he could even register the thwack, Merina applied pressure around the wooden shaft sticking out from his shoulder. "Gack! Ahhh!" he screamed, losing his footing and rolling into a heap beside Merina.

Her battle rage gone, she held his face and looked at him with terror across her own. "Vartek!" she screamed, "Hold on! Just give me a second!"

She laid him softly on his stomach and snapped the arrow at the base. The yellow and blue feathers dripped with purple blood as he hissed in pain, but held his tongue. Merina helped him to sit up and held his shoulders, pressing her forehead to his. His eyes drooped and a haze was growing in his vision.

A red aura glowed around them in the middle of the courtyard as the battle raged on, and drew closer. She spoke in a whisper, though her words were the only thing Vartek could hear:

"The moon is my guide and my saving grace, but my body has failed me in this dreadful place.

Free us from pain to rise up once more, and mend our wounds in the chaos of war!"

The purple stained wooden arrowhead slowly rose from Varteks skin, clattering loudly onto the stone floor. Red light poured from his wound as it slowly closed shut, leaving no scar. Vartek drew in a sharp gasp and looked around madly. "What?! What happened?!" he shouted.

Merina looked around her and helped him up, carefully observing the approaching battle. "You were shot by an arrow."

"I'm half Septarian, Merina! I could have healed! You have almost no strength left now!"

"They know who we are, Vartek. The wood from that arrow was from a weeping blood tree. One of the only things that can get past your healing."

"...they knew we would be here. We need to get inside and rally whatever forces we have left, now!"

She nodded and the two took off deeper into the compound, bursting through a heavily guarded door and rushing down the stone steps. Vartek was moving quickly, but he could see the tired, worried faces of his comrades as he went by. They looked ready to die, which might have been a blessing for them.

Merina pushed open the heavy iron door to the inner chambers, stepping through and approaching a decorated war chief. He was extremely built, sporting a sleeveless leather top plated with iron, and a tattered kilt of iron plates adorned with skulls. He turned his horned head to face them and stepped away from the map he had been standing over.

"Merina, Vartek, what happening? Winning battle?" he asked hurriedly, his clear speech impediment showing. Vartek shook his head and grit his teeth, the two warriors kneeling before the general with dismay. "Sir, we are being overrun. The Mewmans outnumbers us twenty to one, and our forces are dwindling. We need reinforcements."

General Ngumi shook his head and growled. "Not coming. We alone."

Merina stood up sharply and grabbed Ngumi by his collar, pulling him in close as she did her best to imitate a snarl. "What do you mean 'not coming'?! We need reinforcements or we will lose this battle!"

Vartek pulled her back, holding her shoulder. "General Ngumi. What do you mean? Why can we not call for more men?"

He was silent for a moment, but shook his head and stepped back to the map table and raked his sharp claws against it. "Monster Kingdom not want war. They stay away, not start one." Merina once against lunged for Ngumi as she screamed, but Vartek held her back. "START ONE?! MEWNI STARTED ONE WHEN THEY STARTED SLAUGHTERING OUR MEN! THOSE PANSIES DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT STARTING A WAR BECAUSE WE'RE AT WAR!"

Vartek kept a firm grip on Merina as he spoke quietly, keeping the discussion private. "General, do we have any hope to win?" Ngumi was again silent for a moment, before slowly shaking his head. "Doomed. No way to win." Vartek stared at him for a moment before nodding, grabbing Merinas wrist and leading her towards the stairs. "Get the men guarding the door. I'll open a portal and we can retreat to the village just east of here. From there we can prepare, and plan a counterattack against Nebula. Go."

Merina nodded and took off towards the stairs, her heavy claymore bouncing against her back as she disappeared from sight. Vartek cut open a large yellow portal at the center of the room and stepped back, ushering the soldiers around him through. He then gestured to the General, but Ngumi drew his battle axes and stepped back, glaring at the ceiling.

He spoke softly, nodding towards Vartek as a stream of men began rushing through the portal. "Ngumi stay. Go down fighting. Vartek go, and save men. Ngumi failed you, will die for you."

Vartek stared at him for a moment before nodding. "You have not failed us, brother. Our country abandoning her people, they failed us, not you."

"I die honorable death, like brothers and sisters. You save our people, and destroy hell queen."

Without another word, Ngumi left the inner chamber, charging up the stairs with booming steps. As he left, Merina ran downstairs after the last of their soldiers. She approached Vartek and looked around, her grimace not shifting. "Wheres Ngumi going? Almost everyone has been evacuated," she said, glaring at the portal like it was one of her enemies.

"He's going to hold them off, and go down with his soldiers. We need to go, now, if we want to honor his actions."

Merina glared at Vartek and balled her fists, some of the last of her magic rolling around her them. "We shouldn't be running. We should be fighting with him, not hiding like cowards!" Vartek took a harsh step closer and loomed over her, glaring with slitted red eyes. "We are not running like cowards, Merina. We are saving as many lives as we can. The citizens we evacuated would be dead if we were to follow the foolish ideas you hold dear! We retreat now, so we can have the strength to strike back later. There is no shame in not fighting."

Merina stepped up to him and slapped him across the face, knocking his helmet off. He turned to face her, finding a finger pointed at his face. "If we leave now. Promise me. Promise me we won't let this go. Promise me we will get revenge for this!"

Vartek picked up his helmet and pulled her close into a hug. She squeezed him hard and sobbed into his shoulder as he answered in a voice so quiet, she almost didn't hear it. "We will get revenge on the Butterflies, one way or another. I promise, my love."

A boom shook the compound as streams of dust and dirt fell from the ceiling. Shouts drew closer from up the stairs and the two red warriors raced through the portal, closing it just as a torrent of charging Mewmans burst through the heavy iron doors in a flurry of orange magic.

To be continued in: Frenemies Pt. II

AUTHORS NOTE

Hey, so. I hope yall like this part of the chapter. It's not over yet, obviously, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Unfortunately, I can't do it personally, or I would in a heartbeat. I know this episode is about Tom and Marco, but I took the liberty of advancing the story some, as the two aren't really, enemies anymore. I hope you liked a look into the future, and I hope you arn't too riddled with questions. Don't worry, many of them will be answered as it goes on.

The reason this chapter is split up is because, while I like writing bigger chapters more, I dont like making you wait. So, to not compromise the quality (fuck do I hope anyway) while still keeping you supplied with reading material, for this one I'm going to split it a bit. Since it's already split between the future, and the present. Next chapter follows more of Varteks journey, and as it goes on, you'll see why its called Frenemies.

Anywho, thanks for reading, sorry if splits arn't your cup of tea, and leave a review if you have any concerns, compliments, rants, or questions. Enjoy your day, and I'll see you next time! BUH BYYYEEE

~Mr. Ronald Reagan