As Star and Marco walked through the halls of their now buzzing school, inquisitive glances were tossed their way. Amidst a crowd of energetic and excited faces, theirs were a pair that would not go unnoticed, being foreboding and rigid.
Talk of the dance taking place that evening was all that seemed to be worth talking about, and it did little to ease their nerves. Once the two had made it to their locker, both released a subconsciously held breath before looking around. "So," Star began, desperate to ease her nerves, "we'll have my spellbook hidden, and we have a plan, so now we just wait for them?"
"Yeah. No clue when they'll show up though," Marco added, glancing at the students passing by. "We can assume it'll be during the dance, so as long as we're out of the way, nobody gets hurt."
"Wait, I thought we were going to the dance?" Star asked, quickly turning to face him. He gave her a confused glance before opening his backpack and putting his textbooks in his locker. "Star, we talked about this. You were right. If we go to the dance then people might get hurt."
"That's if he shows up tonight," she countered, leaning against the lockers as Marco finished packing his things to head home. "And Vartek knows what happened last time, so wouldn't the dance be the last place he expects us to go?"
"Well, yeah, but things are changing, Star. We shouldn't risk it. As much as I want to go, we'd be better off at the clown seance with Janna."
"Yeah, alright. Keeping things as close to last time as possible is pretty important," Star agreed.
"Aww c' mon you guys, I worked hard to make the dance fun this year," A voice interjected from behind, making Marco jump slightly and recoil away from the surprise. Jackie had just walked up to the two, tailed by Janna, Fergusson, and Alphonzo.
"You shoulda seen how crummy it was gonna be before she got put in the planning board," Janna mumbled, tossing Jackie a subtle nod with a smile. "Now, it might actually be fun."
"What do you care? We're doing the clown seance tonight," Marco said dryly, shooting her a suspicious glance. Janna pursed her lips as her eyes shot wide open, looking around nervously.
"Well, I had to actually...uh...cancel that. Since...uhm. Well, ya know."
Star and Marco traded looks before turning back to Janna. Marco had an idea of where this was going, but there was no possible way it was still a thing.
"Janna," he began, peering at her suspiciously, "are you...going to the dance...with Fergusson?"
She appeared to be visibly trembling, her eyes now dinner plates as she gazed blankly at the floor, begging for this moment to end. "Yyyyes?" She whispered.
"WHAT?!" Star screamed, earning the attention of everyone around her.
"Wait, did you guys not know? Her and Fergusson have been dating for like, two months now," Jackie asked curiously.
"NO!? OH MY GOD JANNA THAT'S AMAZING!" Star screamed once again.
"Shut up!" Janna shouted in a whisper, "I don't like people knowing about my private junk! So keep it down, Star."
"Well, if you're going with Fergusson, what about Alphonzo?" Marco asked. All eyes turned to the olive-skinned boy carefully hiding at the back of the group. He immediately mimicked Janna's body language.
"Oh come on! You too?" Marco groaned, holding his head. Jackie raised an eyebrow at him, curious what the outburst was about. "Are you guys not going? You're like the life of the party."
"We can't," Star and Marco said in unison. "We have other stuff we have to take care of."
"Ugh. You're doing that thing again," Janna grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Sorry. But yeah, we can't go. Some really significant stuff is happening tonight," Marco explained. He knew the dance would be a perfect opportunity to finally make things up to Star for last time, something she concurred with, unknown to him. But despite that, things could get dangerous if a fight got out of hand.
"What could be more important than going to the spring dance?" Jackie implored, "I did what I could to make it fun, but having you guys there would make it perfect."
"We just have-" Star began, but Janna interrupted her. "Look, even I'm going, and BonBons seance is tonight. If I have to go, you guys have to go. No butts."
Star made to contend, but Janna wasn't having any of it.
"But there's-"
"No butts!"
"Janna," Marco interjected, stepping forward and doing his best to look serious, "People could die tonight if we go to that dance."
"And if you don't show up, I'll make sure you're the first," Janna returned, fatally intense as everyone took a subconscious step back.
"Guys, we can't. You remember at the sleepover, that guy I said was after Star? Well, he and someone equally dangerous are probably gonna attack us tonight to steal her spellbook. We can't let that happen, and we can't let any of you get hurt, so we have to go to the cemetery where they came after her last time, and wait."
Everyone processed that for a moment, before Fergusson held up his hands and tilted his head, prodding them for more information. "So wait, you guys don't even know if they're coming, and you're worried if you go, they'll hurt people if- again, if -they show up?"
Star and Marco nodded. Janna shook her head and stepped forward. "That's so dumb. I know you guys. You can take 'em, and that's if they even show up. You're going to the dance, and if something happens, we can help get everyone out of the way."
"But-" Marco began, this time interrupted by Jackie. "Marco, please? It wouldn't be the same without you guys. Plus, it would help you two forget about last time."
That hit way too close to home for him. He desperately wanted to make the dreaded night of the spring dance memory something Star could look back on as enjoying, instead of hating. And now Jackie was showing that she thought the same thing? How could he refuse?
He let out a deep sigh and pursed his lips, visibly torn by the two prospects. "Fine."
"Wait, really?" Star asked, her eyes opened wide as a small grin barely passing as hidden was forming.
"Yeah," he sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "We can go. But the minute something happens, we're pushing them through a portal and following them. Got it, you guys?"
Everyone nodded, eagerly accepting his cryptic parameters. "Not a problem. You two are gonna love it," Jackie said with a genuine smile. "I promise."
"Well, Star and I have to talk about it, and plan a few things, but...yeah. Can't wait," Marco said formally.
O - O - O - O - O - O
After Marco and Star had arrived back home, the two walked into Star room and immediately flopped face-first into Stars bed. For a few moments, the two laid there, saying nothing and enjoying a few moments of quiet peace before a soft rustling of pages captured their otherwise lacking attention.
"Are you two prepared for the dance tonight?" Glossaryck asked with a sincere, but sly smile. Marco raised his head from the bedsheets, staring blankly forward as he asked "Why did we agree to go?" to no one in particular.
"Maybe it'll be fun," Star answered, lifting her own face from her sheets as Glossaryck floated before the two and rested on the bed. He wasn't much for prying, as he was one of the few people in the universe who could rightfully claim to know just about everything, but he knew the two could use a good venting after everything that had been dumped on them.
"How do you feel about it?" He asked them both in a calm voice. "You know you don't have to go if you really don't want to. But in my expert opinion, they're going to come after you regardless, so why not enjoy yourself first."
Marco knew he was right. Without the book in their current possession, they'd be targets, and being at the dance made things complicated. Then again, not having the book could be a good enough reason for Ludo and Vartek to not bother coming. But that was optimistic thinking at best. "Do you think we can keep them contained, or better yet, just portal them to some desert and fight them there?" He asked, weighing their options.
"I'm not sure. Since your arrival, I can't see the path of your decisions as easily as I used to. Right now, I would plan for it, but not rely on it," Glossaryck answered.
Star rolled over on her back, staring up at the ceiling as a few minutes of silence rolled by. "Marco?" She asked in a quiet voice. "I know I was...super against going, for a lot of reasons. But...is it bad that I wanna go now?"
"Well, only as bad as me changing my mind too. Things keep coming up and making tonight really...difficult," he answered in the same tone. Glossaryck looked from one to the other, before his eyes shot open and a grin spread across his face. "You two need someone to decide for you both. Someone completely out of the loop on this with no idea what the context is. Like flipping a coin."
"Ugh!" Star fumed silently. "We asked you to do that earlier and you said no! It was my idea Glossaryck!"
"Yes, but now it's mine. Soooo, Marco, will you agree with the final decision reached?"
"Uhhhhh, sure?" He answered nervously. He wasn't sure what Glossaryck was up to, but if it made things easier, they could instead focus on what their plan would be. Glossaryck smiled and nodded before tapping his gem twice. No sooner than his finger making the second contact, red beams shot out for the crystal and traced a different intricate pattern than before. It was far messier, and triangular for some reason.
After the lines had been drawn, the shapes pulled back, folding over themselves like origami to reveal a heavily forested landscape, made of thick redwoods that reached into the blue sky. Both Star and Marco sat up to look into the portal, but Glossaryck pushed them back and out of the way. Something about 'tampering with the ruling'.
No later than had he positioned himself, a young boy walked past the portal, deeply engrossed in a very old book he was reading. He hadn't even noticed the anomaly until Glossaryck spoke.
"Hey, kid, can you help me out here for a second? I need a third party to help make a decision, and it can't be someone we know."
The boy jumped nearly out of his skin and screamed, dropping his book and tripping over himself trying to get away from the strange blue man speaking to him through a portal. Glossaryck just stared at him calmly and after a short moment, the boy collected himself and approached, if only slightly. "Who..or what, are you?" He asked nervously.
"Look the names not that important, young man. I just need an answer then I'll be on my way. Should my, ahem, associates, go to the school dance?" Glossaryck asked without an ounce of sarcasm or insincerity.
The boy looked at him with a million questions clearly shooting through his mind. He didn't answer right away, but slowly forced himself to nod. "Sure? Is that the right answer?" He asked.
Glossaryck nodded and gave the young man a thumbs up, beginning to close the portal before stopping to add "by the way, keep a close eye on that book." With that, he allowed the portal to close, leaving the brown-haired young man alone in the woods to collect his journal and take off running to inform his twin of what he had seen.
"There," Glossaryck began, sitting proudly between the two. "It's decided. You two are going, and you're going to be prepared. None of that surprise mumbo jumbo from last time."
Star and Marco exchanged an uneasy glance before turning back to the blue man and nodding silently.
"Alright. So I'm thinking that we try to blend in, obviously, but we need a plan Star," Marco stated, slowly donning an air of command and dare she admit, excitement. "Janna and the others will focus on clearing the field. Ludo and Vartek arrive, first and foremost is getting everyone out of the school. Using portals of we have to."
Star nodded, taking on her own air of seriousness as he spoke next. "Once they're out, we group up and focus on containment. We corral them through a portal if we can, and if we can't, we make sure they're dealt with quickly and quietly. We've beaten them both before, but since Ludo has a wand, I'll take him. You fight Vartek with swords and we get them down fast."
Glossaryck said nothing, watching the two, surprised at the sudden and sharp change of attitude from one of nervous care, to superior readiness. Apparently, more about them had changed than anyone had cared to notice.
"Okay so, once they're beaten, we should let Ludo go, since he has things in the future to do. But Vartek, I say we detain and disarm him as quickly as possible. He can't be allowed to run around changing things anymore. After they're both dealt with, if it's even both of them, we let the others know its safe, and head home to deal with the possible prisoner."
Star smiled, clearly over enjoying the commanding simplicity of the evening to come. "Evacuate, subdue, detain. I like it. But, what about the book?" She asked, tossing a glance over at Glossaryck who remained silent. "They're totally still gonna want that, so where are we hiding it if Ludo sends his rats looking for it?"
Marco held his chin, deep in thought for a moment before his eyes lit up and he faced Star, smiling. "Grenor! Vintal is out of the way, we can trust him, and nobody knows about it."
"Yeah, that could work. Once this is over, we can just pop back in and grab it. Glossaryck, what do you think?" She asked, looking over at the small Glossary of terms.
"Sure sure. But he's not allowed to read it. I'll be under lock and key until you retrieve the spellbook."
"That's fine," Star answered. Now that the initial seriousness of planning was out of the way, she could focus on something far more important. Picking what she would wear. "Alright! That's our plan. Now if you two will excuse me, I'm gonna go get changed!" she nearly sang before diving into one of her closets and slamming the door behind her.
"Well," Marco began, standing up and making his way toward the door, "I guess I should go pick an outfit that doesn't scream prince, like the Corn Dinner."
"Be careful, Marco. The flame of one candle can burn the world if given the chance," Glossaryck said in a voice that oozed with dark cripticism.
"When did you turn into a fortune cookie," Marco whispered before leaving the room. He shut the door behind him and made his way to his room, opening his closet to select something modest, rather than flashy.
O - O - O - O - O - O
Hours later, Star and Marco strolled down the street, making a final turn towards their school, which seemed abuzz in the night. Light dangled from various positions to illuminate hallways rather than fluorescent fixtures, and all of the trails of white illumination flowed towards the gym like a magnificent spider web covered in dew in the morning sunlight.
Banners had been set up, coloring the exterior of the gymnasium, with various people lounging about outside on benches, eager for the doors to open.
Star and marco had decided against portaling to the dance, rather to instead discuss tactics and plans for anything that could go wrong. Marco wore his attire from last time, at Stars request and his protest. The suit jacket fit nicely, and he still looked pretty great by most standards, but he felt weird about wearing the same clothes he broke Stars heart in, to the same dance he was now taking her.
Star on the other hand, eager to make a good second-first impression, was wearing a regal purple-colored bubble dress. It had poofy shoulders and a rather high front, opposite to the low cut back that showered her small wings under her bunned hair. The waist of the dress sat at her bellybutton and flared out into A-line creases, lightly shaded purple hearts and stripes from there. Marco was clearly more excited about her attire than his own, but in her opinion, she was floored to have Marco all to herself this time.
As they approached the crowded front of the gymnasium, they both took in the glamor and grandiose decor as a small group of people approached them.
"Hey! So you guys made it! Awesome!" Jackie called out. She was sporting the same dress as last time, much to Marcos silent discomfort, but her enthusiasm quickly overshadowed that detail. "What do you guys think?"
Marco couldn't help but smile. "As someone who genuinely knows what the dance could have been, I think you did amazing, Jackie," he said with sincerity. The group got a laugh out of it, all except for Star. She seemed to be almost uncomfortable, but quickly regained her composure before anyone could notice.
"When does it open?" She asked, scooching between the two as casually as she could. Jackie smirked and checked her phone, the others doing the same. "It should open in two minutes. Enough time for Janna to get up here so you can see her," Jackie suggested.
All eyes veered to the silent figure lurking behind Fergusson. Without much hassle, Janna stepped out, wearing nothing anyone would have suspected she'd be caught dead in.
"JANNA!" Star screeched, holding her face in sheer joy, "YOU LOOK AMAZING!"
Janna sheepishly held up the edges of her dress. A salmon pink A-line dress, with her usual green jacket over the top. Her hair was done up into a small bun, with a pink rose tucked behind her ear. "Thanks, Star," she mumbled, not caring about the noise. "I was gonna wear black, but Fergusson talked me into wearing something that would scare people more. Something I actually liked."
The man in question stepped out, practically beaming at his date. In truth, Janna wasn't the only one who looked good. Fergusson had lost easily twenty pounds and could now wear a black tux without showing any rolls. With a matching pink bowtie of course. His orange hair was neatly combed, and his green eyes were sparkling just taking in the sight.
"You wouldn't believe how different she sounded when I showed it to her. You can drop the act, Jan, they know you're excited about it," he chirped, taking her hand.
"Yeah yeah, truth box. I remember," she grumbled, clearly not excited about her position in all this. But slowly, she allowed her sheepish frown to turn into a look of quiet excitement. "You guys really think it looks nice?"
"Yeah, actually. I expected you to show up in something a lot more...dark," Marco answered. Janna immediately regained her usual air around him and flashed a dirty grin his way. "Jeez Marco, and right next to your girlfriend? Star, you better reel him in quick."
Rather than blush and frown at the obvious insinuation, Marco felt himself being pulled back into Star, with two cream-colored arms wrapping tightly around his chest. "Got him," he heard Star happily answer from behind.
Janna gave them a short nod before turning back to her date and lacing her arm into his. Jackie and Alphonzo, two solo attendants, just exchanged a quick shrug and laced their arms together to Stag the dance, all four making their way towards the now open door to the gymnasium.
"You ready?" Star whispered, nearly into Marcos's ear.
"Ready as I'll ever be," he answered softly, holding her hand to his chest before taking it into his own to begin walking towards the flowing crowd. "Let's go have a crazy night."
O - O - O - O - O - O
As the group walked into the massive gym, they were met with an array of Christmas light hanging from the ceiling, coming from every wall and leading into a disco ball hung at the center. Streamers hung from the rafters in every color, with a large banner hanging neatly in the back saying 'Spring Dance! Cut loose!'
The whole display was somewhat overwhelming, but so much more enticing. Loud music played over looming speakers as a D.J. racked and slammed one hit after the next. As the group took it all in, Jackie stepped forward and turned about to face them.
"So, what do you guys think now?"
A collective "woah" went out, confirming her suspicions that maybe she really was amazing at this.
"Well, I gotta go to help with the announcement, but I'll see you guys in a few, alright? Try not to drool on the floor too much, Janna!" Jackie called out before turning about and racing towards the far end of the gym.
For a moment, nobody said anything, before Star grabbed Marcos hand and yanked him closer.
"Our wedding. Her. Make it happen," she whispered venomously before kissing his cheek. Marco blushed nearly six different shades before leaning over to her and returning, "I feel like she'd agree to it. But I think we have some time to plan around that."
"Yo, lovebirds!" Fergusson called them from the drink table, sided by Janna and Alphonzo. "Come on before it gets warm!"
The two grabbed each other's hands and made their way over, everyone sampling a drink that tasted suspiciously like lemonade and Hawaiian breeze. Before anyone could comment on the drinks likely inspiration, the lights dimmed, with one bright beam focussing on Principal Skeeves onstage.
"Students and faculty of Echo Creek Academy! I am pleased to announce the beginning of this years spring dance!"
A large cheer rumbled throughout the audience as Skeeves continued.
"Yes, yes. It's quite a big deal. We have a record-setting attendance this year, no doubt thanks to our own, Jackie Lynn Thomas, head of the planning board. I'll turn it over to her for opening statements, and I'll see you all on the dance floor! Ahem, a respectable distance of course. Jackie?"
Jackie walked onstage in her glimmering seafoam green dress, smiling casually at the student body before her. After taking the microphone, she pumped a fist in the air.
"GO OPOSSUMS!" she yelled, earning a very enthusiastic chant from the crown before continuing. "Welcome everyone. I know you all want to get started, and get wild, but first things first. I'd like to thank those of you that voted me onto the planning board. None of this would have been possible without you. Next, Just enjoy yourself, guys and gals," she said to everyone, particularly a select two.
"You've worked so hard this year, and gone through so much. You all deserve to have a little fun. So enjoy yourselves, and let loose. You've earned it," she said, handing the microphone back to Principal Skeeves and stepping offstage to regroup with her friends.
"Let the Spring School Dance, begin!" Skeeves shouted into the microphone, signaling the D.J. to begin blasting more music throughout the gym.
(Six shooter: Coyote Kisses- D.J. first song)
Jackie walked up to her friends, greeted by hugs and applause from everyone.
"Alright alright, dudes, let's go have some fun, huh?" Jackie shouted to them, causing a near stampede to the dance floor. The lights dimmed, showing multicolor lasers shooting in rapid succession throughout the gym.
Janna and Fergusson naturally paired up, doing a simple two-step with one another and doing their best to avoid too much attention. Jackie stood much the same, except with the opposite effect of multiple boys coming up to ask her to dance.
"Sorry guys, but I'm just doing me tonight," she'd answer happily. Alphonzo however, earned himself the eye of a young lady in a poofy, short, blue dress. He awkwardly made to ask for her hand to dance, which made her giggle.
"Vi kan dansa. Om du förstår," she replied with a sly grin. Alphonzo immediately perked up, remembering his research into his future career, as suggested by their old guidance counselor.
"Jag förstår. Ska vi börja?" He returned. The blonde smiled at him and took his hand, the two starting their own dance-off to the side.
Star and Marco held raised eyebrows at the ordeal but decided not to comment. Something about the CEO of a Swedish wool company. Star turned to Marco and took his hands, pumping her arms forward and back as the two took turns leaning forward.
She grinned at him and twirled around before continuing their dance. "They're lucky it's not a slow dance, or we'd be setting the school on fire!"
Marco stifled a laugh and smiled back, enjoying the upbeat music that pounded against his ears. "Yeah, you say that, but school dances do have those, you know. So we gotta play it cool, supernova!"
"Loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds, yeah she's a sweet six shooter, she knows how to get down. Until the kick-back, when my heart hits the ground.
She said, 'You think you're so tough, baby put your hands up.' YEAH!"
The two switched tempos, dancing side by side and swaying into one another as the music played. "Yeah, yeah! Eyes open, and locked on target!" She yelled before opening her eyes wide and sarcastically staring at Marco's chest. Marco grinned and mimicked her expression as they continued dancing.
"She gets me deep in the chest, straight through my bullet-proof vest.
She kisses like a grenade, like a blade, or Bayonet, YEAH!"
Janna and Fergusson rocked back and forth to the beat as Fergusson leaned over to her. "Looking good, Janna-banana! But can you match my style?" He asked with an urban twang before launching himself into his own moves, stepping back and forth in quick succession as he laughably attempted to occupy his hands.
Janna couldn't help but smile, matching his steps easily and doing her best to mimic the frantic yet coordinated waving of his arms. 'The big goofball might not have style, but at least he can dance,' she thought to herself.
She slowed, however, watching as Fergusson stepped over his own feet and seemingly fell to the floor, only to catch himself in a handstand. He bent his knees and fell back down only to slide his legs through his open arms and turn himself about in a short 360 burst. He threw his legs back out behind him before jumping off of his hands and landing back on his feet to a dumbfounded Janna.
"What? How do you think I've been losing weight?" He asked with a wide grin. Janna smiled and continued matching his dance moves. "Figured it was running like most people, but I guess you've been keeping some secrets, big guy!"
Everyone around them raved to the wild and energetic beats of the music, too occupied to notice the dimming lights and random spotlights beginning to power up. Just as everyone began to tire, the D.J. signaled everyone to ease back up before switching the music.
(Death of a Bachelor: Panic at the Disco for D.J. track change)
"Do I look lonelyyy, I see the shadows on my face.
People have told meee, I don't look the saaaame."
The next song began to play, this one a bit slower, with just as much bass rumbling the walls as the last. Couples began to pair up once more, as Stags began filtering out in search for a dance partner. Jackie happily stepped to the side in search of a drink, while the others began swaying and rotating to the slow tune.
"Maybe I've lost weeiiight, I'm playin' hookiiiiee.
We're the best of the best, put my heart on my chest, so that you can see it toooo."
"Speak of the devil," Star said in a hushed but sly tone. Marco matched her grin and took her hand in his, the two beginning to replay their dance moves from the blood moon.
"I'm walking the long roooooaaaad, watching the sky faaaalllll.
The lace in your dress, tingles my neck, how do I liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive?"
The room suddenly exploded in sound and color as the lights began to cascade down on the dancers below, washing the gym in every color of the spectrum. Marco pulled Star in close before the two began to dance.
"The death of a bachelooooooor, oooohhhh, letting the waterfall.
The death of a bachelooooooor, oooohhhh,
Seems so fitting for, happily ever afteeeerrr, hhoooo, how could I ask for more?
A lifetime of laughteeerrrr, at the expense,
Of the death of a bacheloooorr"
Star and Marco spun together, emanating a short disk of fire at their feet before stepping back and swaying with the music, both captivated in each other's eyes. Some couples had stepped back to watch the blue-tinted display, while others simply continued dancing.
"I'm cutting my mind oooooff
Feels like my heart is going to burst
Alone at a table for two and I just wanna be seeerved
And when you think of meeee am I the best you've ever had?"
Star twirled around Marco before being caught in his outstretched arm. He brought her back up and the two stepped with the beat as he leaned closer to her. "Better than last time?" He asked. She gave him a smile and kissed his cheek, earning a soft blush. "Much better," she said honestly.
"Share one more drink with meeee, smile even though you're sad
I'm walking the long rooooaaaad, watching the sky faaaaall
The lace in your dress, tingles my neck, how do IIIIII liiiiiive?"
The two brought themselves closer before Marco flung Star outward to arm's length, a wide smile plastered on her face as a bubble of blue flames burst between them.
"The death of a bachelooooor, Oooohhhh
Letting the waterfaaaall.
The death of a bacheloooor, oooohhh, seems so fitting foor.
Happily ever afteeerrrr ooooh! How could I ask for mooore?
A lifetime of laughteeeerrr, at the expense of the death of a bacheloooooooor!"
The two collided with one another once more, holding each other close and swaying gently with the rocking music as a small blue flame held itself between them. Star smiled up at Marco with sparkling eyes, and his own warm smile was her reward. The two leaned in to kiss as the song continued on.
But before their lips met, the speakers cut out as a dark green portal cut its way through the D.J.s soundboard. The refractory noise echoed through the gym as the portal opened, allowing two lone figures to step through. One was a tall being with black armor and a skull capped helmet, the other being a small avian creature clutching a bony hand and wearing a bag of chips.
"Well, hello children," the taller being known as Vartek said, his voice clear as day without his normal wraps covering his reptilian face. "Having a party, and you didn't even invite me?"
To be continued in: Dancing with the Star pt. III