ACT IV: Eclipsine, King of Darkness Chapter 2: The Size-Shifter

"Now, just like I showed you, your highness." Indexia hovered over the desk, watching her newest student practice a special technique.

In spite of the fact that he was still too young to inherit the the scepter, Eclipsine was given the Great Book of Magic to get a jumpstart on his studies. Based on his father's biological inability to "dip down" - to use magic without the use of the scepter - Indexia feared that the prince's body would follow suit. Thankfully, the blue mage had developed an effective workaround that would require more study and practice, but would also be just as powerful.

Eclipsine had been studying this particular spell for two weeks, and he was eager to finally put it into practice. Focusing all his concentration on his left hand, the prince silently whispered in ancient Mewman. Halfway through the enchantment, he felt a strange tingling sensation building up in his arm. At last, a dark purple flame burst into existence. Eclipsine gasped in surprise as he curiously observed the fruition of his hard work dancing in between his fingers.

"So… this is dark magic?"

"Indeed, my boy." Indexia hovered around her newest student like a moon orbiting a planet. "But be warned; you must never use this power out of anger. Otherwise, you will risk letting it consume your body. So be sure you keep your emotions in check."

Eclipsine nodded in understanding before Indexia disappeared into the Great Book. With nothing better to do until his father returned in the evening, he dug through his closet for a long rope and tied it to his bedpost. Once he was safely on the ground, the prince headed towards the Forest of Certain Death, hoping to finally see a monster for himself. He had studied his father's entries in the Great Book, and knew almost just as much about monsters as any member of the Solarian army.

Much to his delight, the prince was able to hide up in the trees and spy on several monsters of different species. He found conjoinicorns, bat-creatures, frogmen, kappas, and even a few lizards. He was very careful not to let them see or hear him as he observed their habits and routines.

He was about to head home when he heard a faint wail in the distance. Curious, he headed towards the source of the noise. What he saw nearly made him fall out of the tree. A size-shifter - an extraordinarily powerful and rare breed of monster - was caught in a Mewman-made trap meant for hunting bears, lions, and other big-game animals. Based on the darker stripes of the fur, he realized that this monster was a female. But more importantly, she was in pain.

The teeth of the trap were digging into her leg, drawing blood, hence the wail. Eclipsine's heart ached at seeing another living creature suffer. Against his better judgment, he climbed down from the tree and quietly approached the trapped monster.

Her whimpering didn't stop until she spotted the Mewman. Eclipsine stumbled backwards, slightly, as she bared her razor-sharp teeth and growled as a warning. Regardless, he moved towards the trap, waved his hands around the jaws, and began to whisper. Just as he'd hoped, purple sparks began to swirl around his fingers until a small lightning bolt blasted the trap to pieces.

The size-shifter quickly jumped to her feet before pinning Eclipsine to the ground. He shuddered, slightly, as the monster's teeth got closer and closer to his face. However, her growl slowly died down as she looked back at the scattered shards of metal that were just recently piercing her leg. She looked back at her liberator with an indifferent expression. "... thanks." She hissed.

"Any time." Eclipsine breathed, slightly relieved. The size-shifter released her grip on the boy and went to pick up a piece of parchment she had dropped after being caught in the trap.

"You know, that wasn't put here, recently." The prince got up and cautiously moved closer to the monster. "This place used to be a hunting ground for Mewmans up until the war. That trap has probably been here for decades, and it was covered by tall grass, so that's probably why you didn't see it."

The size-shifter turned around, visibly confused. She briefly scanned the surrounding area before looking back at the prince. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes."He smiled. "I just want to make sure you know how to prevent yourself from getting caught in another trap."

"Yeah, right." She rolled all four of her eyes. "Why would you want to help me?"

"It's the right thing to do." He shrugged. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Seriously?" She took a deep breath and spread her arms. "Okay, listen, little Mewman… take a good, long look at me. What am I?"

The prince took a step backwards to do as she asked. Starting at the top of her violet-colored hair and horns, down past the four of her eyes, then to the swaddling cloth she wore, then to her bare feet before going back up to meet her eyes. Yet, he still wasn't quite sure what kind of answer she was looking for. "Um… red?"

"NO! What are you, stupid!" She flailed her arms in frustration. "I'm a monster! A size-shifter! I can rip a tree out from the ground! It takes a small army just to hurt me! And I eat people! Doesn't that bother you?!"

Eclipsine shook his head. "No, not particularly."

The monster blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"... huh."

"Oh! Of course! I see what the problem is; I haven't even introduced myself." The prince took off his hat and bowed, respectfully. "I am Eclipsine Totalis Dragonfly. And you are?"

The size-shifter wasn't sure what to say. Most Mewmans only ever wanted to kill her at first glance, not set her free from a trap and then make small talk. She wasn't entirely in any mood to talk, anyway; she had a mission to carry out. But giving her name wouldn't be too much. "Uh… Globgal." She shrugged and walked away.

"'Globgal?'" Eclipsine rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "Well, I must say, that is a very interesting name! Is it ethnic, or are you named after someone close to your family? You see, I'm rather interested in different cultures."

"That's nice." Globgal nodded, uninterested. "Now, why don't you run along home and play with your friends?"

"Oh, well… uh… I don't really have any friends." The prince admitted, sadly. But his dejected demeanor quickly faded as he followed the purple monster. "So, perhaps I can spend some time with you!"

Globgal's blood pressure was rising. What did she have to do to get this Mewman to leave her alone? She turned around again, pointing a razor-sharp claw in his face. "Listen, you obnoxious, prattling, little Mewman…" She growled. "I gave you a chance to walk away because you got me out of that trap, but you are really pushing it!"

"But, I just-"

"No! Shut up!" She bellowed. "I have to try to figure out what this damn map is saying! The only clue I was given was to head north, but I can barely make it through these woods without setting any more traps! So just leave me alone! The last thing I need is some worthless Mewman slowing me down! So get lost before I bite your head off!"

The size-shifter turned around to study to map again, trying to make sense of the directional guide. But before she could even take one step forward, Eclipsine called out to her again. "Globgal, wait!"

The size-shifter was on the verge of murdering the boy at this point. In the blink of an eye, she pivoted on her feet and snarled. "WHAT?!"

"You're heading southeast." He pointed in the opposite direction, while maintaining eye contact. "North is that way."

Globgal reexamined her map then back at the Mewman. "How did you know that?"

"My father taught me how to navigate when I was five." The prince smiled. "I can always find my way around, but it works better if I have a map."

"... really?" Globgal pointed to the X on the parchment. "Can you find where this is?"

"Oh, yes! It's easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!" He replied, cheerfully. "You just have to go this way, that way, that way, this way, this way, this way, that way, this way, that way!"

Globgal bit her lip, as the gears in her head conjured up a plan. At last, she cleared her throat and puffed out her chest, proudly. "Ahem. After careful consideration, I have decided to make you a deal. In exchange for leading me to my destination, I will not eat you alive."

"Okay!" Eclipsine eagerly snatched the map up and led the way into the woods. "But, for the record, you could have just asked."

The monster was thankful that her fur covered up her blush. "Just keep moving."

Over the next few hours, Eclipsine and Globgal maneuvered through hundreds of trees as they tried to find the mysterious treasure. During the journey, the prince marveled at the enchanting scenery. An adorable hummingbird swooped down and hovered around the boy's face as if to say hello, much to his amusement. Soon afterwards, the duo came upon a stream for a short break. While Globgal drank the water, Eclipsine observed the rainbow-colored fish.

Hours later, Globgal decided to stop for the day to set up camp. While the female monster hunted for dinner, Eclipsine started a roaring fire. His friend came back with blood dripping from her chin as she chewed an entire deer in her mouth. She sat down next to the Mewman and warmed herself by the fire. Meanwhile, Eclipsine beamed as a group of fireflies danced through the air while listening to the crickets.

"Who knew the Forest of Certain Doom could be so peaceful?" He chuckled.

"Ah, we just call it that to keep Mewmans out." Globgal replied, wiping her mouth.

"What? Really?"

"Yeah, the official story is that a hunting party wandered into a conjoinicorn's den, and they threatened that anyone who entered too far into the woods would die, instantly."

"... I am not even upset. Color me impressed." Eclipsine pursed his lips as he looked over the map again. "So, what exactly are you looking for?"

"Well, not that it's any of your business…" She remarked, licking her lips and fingers. "But I made a special deal with the Kappas to find some precious idol for them in exchange for a little something for myself."

"The Kappas?" The prince's eyebrow arched. "Do you really think you can trust them to uphold their end of the bargain?"

"Ha, not on their lives." She snorted. "But this time, I'm gonna have what they want. I don't get what I want first, they don't get their idol."

"Ha ha! My, you are tricky!" He praised. "So, what did you ask for in return?"

Globgal ignored the Mewman and crossed her arms. "Like I said; it's none of your business."

Eclipsine looked hurt. "Why don't you want to talk about it?"

"Why do you want to talk about it?"

"Why are you answering my question with a question?"

"Why are you asking questions I clearly don't want to answer?!"

"Well, why do you have trouble expressing your wants?"

"I don't. I want you to shut up. See? No problem."

"You're just displacing your anger."

"Trust me; it's properly placed."

"You seem rather upset at whoever did this to you."

"No one did anything to me!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Someone hurt you long ago! They hurt you so terribly, that it made you want to push away everybody else!"

"LEAVE MY PARENTS OUT OF THIS!" Globgal instantly doubled her body mass, and barred her razor-sharp teeth at the inquisitive Mewman.

But instead of being intimidated, Eclipsine smiled and clapped in triumph. "Ah-ha! A breakthrough!" The monster was dumbfounded as her companion paced around the campfire, attempting to further the investigation. "Let's explore family origins, shall we? Were you hugged as a child, Globgal? Did your parents abuse you?"

"Alright! Alright!" Globgal conceited, crossing her arms in frustration. With a solemn expression, the size-shifter sat down and explained her anger to the boy prince. "They… they left me when I was young. At first, I thought it was just a size-shifter thing, like a rite of passage, but… I've seen other size-shifters with their parents who are much older than I was."

"I see…" Eclipsine rubbed his chin. "And how does that make you feel?"

"Like nothing." Globgal laid down on her back, rubbing the sadness from her eyes. "The Kappas promised me my own castle in exchange for the idol. I just… I want a home. And someone to… share it with. Someone who can see past the big, scary, ugly monster and appreciate me for my soul."

Eclipsine felt his heart skip a beat as his cheek marks glowed. Something sprouted on the bridge of his nose. He peeled it off, revealing it to be a Mewberty love-mark in the shape of a purple spade. This could only mean one thing: the prince had fallen in love with Globgal. Smiling nervously, the prince sat down next to his companion, leaning forward to look deep into two of her eyes. "Um, you know… when we met? I didn't see you as just a 'big, scary, ugly monster.'"

Globgal's frown slowly shifted into a modest grin as she looked back up at the Mewman. "Yeah. I know." Her gaze shifted away from her new friend up to the sky as a soft sigh slipped through her lips. "The stars are coming out early, tonight."

"Stars?!" Eclipsine looked up at the sky in terror. Sure enough, the sun had disappeared he had no idea how late it was. "Oh, dear Stump! Am I gonna get it!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"My father! He is going to be livid when he founds out I snuck out this late!" Eclipsine bit his nails out of fear. "I have to go home!"

"Whoa, wait! You can't go!" She protested. "You're my guide!"

"I'll meet you back here tomorrow, I promise! But I need to-" Suddenly, a knife zipped through the air, sliced the prince's cheek, and embedded itself into a tree. Eclipsine cried out in pain, while his companion found the source of the attack. A bat-creature stepped out from the shadows, holding another knife in a menacing manner. Globgal immediately moved her arm in front of the Mewman to protect him.

"You are not welcome, boy." He snarled.

"Uh, heh-heh, w-we don't want any trouble, kind sir." The prince stammered, nervously.

"Oh, you don't, do you?" The bat taunted. "Well, that's just what you're going to get."

"He's mine!" Globgal growled. "Leave now, before I eat you!"

"You shut up!" The bat snapped. "And you, poor little Mewman boy… consider this a lesson to you for wandering into monster territory!"

But before the bat could even throw the knife, a muscular man clad in Solarian battle armor tackled him to the ground and proceeded to beat him to death. "YOU! WILL! NOT! TOUCH! MY! SON!"

"Dad!" Eclipsine cried out in relief.

"DAD?!" Globgal spluttered in disbelief.

Unfortunately for the size-shifter, the Monster Carver whipped his head around at the sound of his son's voice. Acting on impulse, she grabbed the boy and dashed away as fast as her legs would carry her. But it was no time before she heard a warnicorn stomping after them. To make matters worse, her new friend kept squirming in her grasp.

"No! Stop! It's okay!" Eclipsine held onto the monster's hand for dear life, trying to talk her down. "You don't understand! That's my father!"

"No, you don't understand." Globgal retorted. "That's your father… out to kill me!"

The prince looked back at his father's angered expression, noting his clenched teeth and bulging eyes. Globgal was right; if he caught up with them, she wouldn't survive. Luckily, as they approached a steep incline, he conjured up a brilliant plan. "Throw me!" He said.

"What?! Are you crazy?!"

"Do you trust me?"

"What?!"

"Do you trust me?!"

"... yes?"

"Then let… me… go!" At last, Eclipsine slipped free from Globgal's hand and stumbled down the rocky slope. Unfortunately, it was a bit more steep than he expected and soon found himself spiraling out of control. "Dad! Help me!" He cried out.

As he suspecting, the king gave up on his pursuit and dove after the boy. Solarius finally grabbed onto the boy's jacket and dug the scepter's magic blade into the ground, halting their decent. Eclipsine hugged his father tight as they climbed back to the top. Once they were back on even ground, Solarius didn't hesitate to hug and kiss and inspect his child for any injuries. If he hadn't been so hysterical, he might have noticed that the size-shifter was hiding in the bushes to make sure for herself that Eclipsine was unharmed. She didn't leave until her friend waved her off as his father took him back to the castle.

That night, Eclipsine wrote a special chapter in the Great Book about his day with Globgal.

Three Years Later…

Eclipsine held his newly inherited scepter aloft to light his path. He had spent hours trying to sneak out of the castle and through the woods, all while holding a neatly-wrapped box close to his chest. At long last, he found the monster temple on a cliffside just beyond the Forest of Certain Death. Focusing a telekinetic spell through the crystal, he forced the massive steel doors to open up. Inside, he inspected the impressive architecture, enjoying the ominous atmosphere.

A sharp chill suddenly crept up his spine. Something was sneaking up on him. With cat-like reflexes, he pivoted on his heels and shone the light just as a giant hand scooped him up. Globgal giggled at how she could still get the drop on him. "Oh, you." He sighed.

"You're late." She smiled. "I was worried you weren't coming."

"My apologies." He replied, holding up the box. "But it occurred to me today that I have never given you a proper housewarming gift."

"You didn't have to do that." She blushed. After placing the prince back on the floor, she shrank down to seven feet tall so that she could open the present, herself. Her eyes sparkled at the silver necklace.

"I put a special enchantment on it." Eclipsine explained. "So it will grow and shrink when you do."

"This is so sweet."

The hours flew by as the two friends wandered through the empty temple, catching up on everything they had missed since they last saw each other. Globgal told him about all the special renovations she had made to her new home, and even some new friends she had made. Eclipsine's stories weren't as interesting; ever since he inherited the scepter, his days mostly consisted of meeting with the people who would one day join him on the high council.

The worst person of all was Duchess Shastica Spiderbite. Eclipsine described her as hideous on the inside as well as on the outside. Her father, the Duke of Spiderbites, had consistently tried to persuade Solarius into an arranged marriage between himself and the horrible girl. Eclipsine was certain that the arrangement was only a feeble attempt for the Spiderbites to gain a higher position of power in the hierarchy, but he had faith that his father wouldn't force him into something that he would hate.

"This woman sounds awful." Globgal grumbled. "Would you like me to take a break from my vegetarian streak and eat her?"

Eclipsine snorted. "No. That'd be too good for her. Plus, she'd probably give you indigestion." After sharing a laugh, the prince checked his pocket watch and sighed, dejectedly. "Well, I should be going now. We don't need a repeat of when we first met."

"No kidding." She agreed. "Take care on your way back, Eclipsine. Tonight's rainfall is just a little heavier than usual."

The prince looked up at the sky just as he stepped outside and prepared the umbrella of his scepter. "So it is. I hadn't noticed."

"It's been storming for the past hour." She pointed out. "How could you not notice?"

Eclipsine chuckled and unfolded his scepter's umbrella. "Darling, whenever I'm with you the sun is always shining." In the spur of the moment, he pushed himself up on his toes and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Globgal's eyes widened with shock, speechless from the act of affection. Eclipsine grew nervous upon seeing her like this; worried she didn't feel the same way. It was enough to make his heart ache. "I-I'm sorry." He muttered, ashamed. "I shouldn't have… I just… you're a very lovely person, and I… I've cherished this journey we've spent together, and I-"

He was cut off by a finger pressed against his lips. Globgal had shrunken down enough to where she could meet his eyes without crouching down. The first time she had ever done that before. "You missed." She smiled.

Eclipsine cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean I missed?"

"You missed." She repeated and pressed her own lips against his. Eclipsine's eyes widened, his heartbeat quickened, and his cheek-marks shone brighter than ever before. Once the kiss was broken, Globgal waved goodbye once more before entering her castle, leaving the prince in a lovestruck trance.

With his cheeks still glowing, Eclipsine happily danced back through the forest with a broad smile on his face. Just the thought of his love kissing him made him feel happier than ever before. Then again, he would argue that even long before Globgal showed any romantic attraction she could make all his troubles and worries seem far away. She was his true love; his soulmate.

Looking up at the sky, Eclipsine held out his hand to feel the rainfall. He shrugged, folded up the umbrella into his scepter, and proceeded to dance and sing through the woods back to Mewni. As he continued his journey home, he made sure to playfully stomp and kick through puddles as he did when he was a child. His smile only grew wider as his path transitioned from wet mud to solid cobblestone. Still dancing and singing, he held his scepter as if it were Globgal.

It wasn't until he reached the castle's entryway that he finally noticed the citizens surrounding him. As always, they looked at him with a mixture of confusion and fear. Why wouldn't they? He was dancing and singing in the rain with a broad smile plastered over his face like a madman. But this time, it didn't bother him so much.

His lips were still warm from Globgal's kiss.

Feeling tired, the prince bid farewell to the citizens and lazily climbed up to his chambers to go to sleep.

To Be Continued!

Author's note: I understand that it takes me a while to update this story. But please try to understand that I have a life outside of this website, including friends, family, and work. Not to mention that I'm still working on Justice Legion of Avengers. So, in conclusion, try to be a little more patient.