.
Disclaimer: I'm stressed out.
Chapter 7
Mewni Once Again
XxXxXxXxX
Life in Echo Creek is a pleasant one, there was just enough action and peace to sate anyone carving it. The people are good, the education was great, the employment opportunity was nice and there's always something to do, be it parties in the city, at home or at the beach. Life is good in Echo Creek.
Janna yawned, she pulled herself out of bed, running her hand through her hair as the morning hubbub moved along. She threw on a lazy ensemble and walked downstairs, her parents were already gone to work, so she got the whole place to herself. Normally, she would find something juvenile to do, but since it was the weekend she couldn't go to school and do it, although that wouldn't stop her.
No, it was just boring to get into trouble in Echo Creek nowadays.
If she could do something outrageous in other dimensions like Mewni.
Yeah, that would do.
She sat on the couch, turning the television on and sighed as she flipped through the channels, seeing the weekend line up. She tried her darnness to get Marco to spill the beans but that safe kid turn bad boy just side step the topic every time, but she was relentless. Finally after weeks of cornering him, feeling his dominating aura wash over her, he found out she enjoyed it when he did that so he kept it to a minimum, he told her he warded the dimension.
She nearly went nuclear on him, demanding he drop it, but he refused. She pointed out he was just as stranded. His response was cutting himself a portal with a sword and left her. High and dry.
It was infuriating! He wasn't some boy she could toy and mold, he was turning into a man. And she liked it even better. He spent time with his friends, but the moment his commitments were up, he would vanish.
She managed to follow him once, but she was introduced to another portal and she landed back on Earth. She didn't even get to send her text to Star or any of her friends in that brief moment. Marco kept a vigilant eye out for her whenever he tore a portal to do his 'heroics', she would just have to wait until then.
Marco wasn't attentive when she tried to take his sword, to her surprise he didn't need to. The sword felt her touch and immediately taze her, growing teeth and drooling, Marco just raise a brow at her, "Knock it off, Janna, this sword is off limits. To anyone. And it'll let you know."
Janna sighed and sunk into her couch, wondering where he was.
He didn't show up for days now.
Marco carried the starved mewmans to his built cabin using his mud men, there was holes here and there, but it was sturdy and ways off from any nearby kingdom or roads to be found accidentally. The mewmans fell asleep again, conserving their energy to heal. Marco rolled out blankets on the hard mud floor, after his mud men were done building the cabin days prior, they flatten themselves before he used several fireballs to purge the moisture out of them.
His cabin only had two rooms: bedroom and a kitchen/living room. He stuffed the mewmans there while Lavabo and Higgs shared his makeshift bed. Lavabo stayed awake long enough to see his new surroundings before falling asleep. Higgs on the other hand stared at Marco who took a seat in the corner, a stump for a chair.
"Trouble sleeping?"
"…"
Higgs shut her eye and snuggled into her blanket, Marco sighed and leaned back, trying to catch some rest himself.
…
A growing boy needs his rest.
…I still see no reason why you should be here.
Don't be frigid.
Crying.
Marco woke with a start, his hand pulled his pistol on instinct. He looked around before his eyes fell on Higgs, her hands like iron on her blanket. Marco silently walked over, she was shaking like a leaf, she winced and cried.
Nightmares…
What a sad creature.
Marco tentatively put a hand over hers, she begged weakly in her sleep against her assailant, "…please…no more…"
I could have prevented this…
…
…No.
Yes…blame yourself.
Marco held her hand and the few tears Higgs had in her were shed soaking into her blanket, she merely shook and winced in her sleep, her back arcing and feet tucking. He thought of waking her up, showing her she was safe and away from that horrid cell, but the moment he made his decision, she calmed and slept on.
Marco pulled his hand back, looking at it for a second before taking a seat again.
No windows in his cabin.
He looked at the small fireballs that hover in the air, he poked it and watched it float away lazily.
He got comfortable again and slept.
.
Marco yawned, stretching for a moment before looking at the light filtering in between the gaps, thankfully the draft didn't matter much when fireballs were heating the place. He got up and walked to the kitchen, avoiding the mewmans and getting a fire going on the stove, he gave a pot to a mud man and told it to fetch water by a creek nearby.
Pulling a few pieces of the wall free allowed him to divert the smoke elsewhere, he pulled more to glance outside, seeing the sun rise chase the night colors away. He saw the mud man walking, glad for the help before he went through his tiny cabinet pulling out some hard tacks, aged cheese and some dense cubes for soup.
He took a clean knife and began to prepare them just as the mud man came back with the pot, he took it from the gap and told the mud man to recon the area. He set the pot down and boil the water for a minute before taking out a strainer, a cloth and a filter and pouring the lukewarm water through it to another pot and boiled it again.
Don't know if the water here is contaminated…better make sure it's clean, I don't think any of these mewmans can take being sick.
He boiled the water thoroughly before adding the cubes and stirring it with a wooden ladle, the smell rousing the mewmans. Marco ignored them and continued to work, grabbing a bowl as he finished the soup, he carried it to the awake mewmans to feed. Softening the hard tacks with the soup he fed them the combination one by one, they greedily ate, the cheese was sharp but they savored the slices he gave them.
He went to Higgs and Lavabo next, they were already awake, the smell had wafted to them. Marco fed Higgs and Lavabo, they were significantly weaker than the rest of the mewmans, unable to chew the tacks and instead slurp the soup and nibbled on the cheese.
Marco kept his feelings in check, at least the two were able to eat, in such a condition…he shudder to think what another day would have done to them.
He continued to feed them until they had their fill and merely sat there.
Marco went back to tend the other mewmans, who once they knew they were out of immediate danger, began to groan and whine for the Butterfly Kingdom. He glared at them as he set the bowl of soup down, Lavabo and Higgs didn't voice it but he knew they did yearn for the same.
"Before I get you back…I want some answers, because your Queen was quite cryptic with me. Now, tell me what happened?"
They shudder at the thought.
Marco couldn't see them but Higgs and Lavabo flinched at the memory resurfacing.
They weren't keen on talking about it.
Marco sighed and looked at his watch, days were passing on Mewni and he needed to get back to Earth, he didn't have much time. He thought of solutions but it was all risky, leaving so many to defend, he thought of bringing them to the bar, he had plenty of protection there, but that also revealed a hideout of his.
And this hideout on Mewni was fashioned recently, eventually the mewmans would be strong enough to make the journey back, but he still wasn't done with them.
Maybe send everyone except Higgs and Sir Lavabo…I know they'll tolerate it better than the rest. Damnit…
"Just take us home…" one said weakly. They murmured in agreement.
"If you're strong enough to whine then you're strong enough to tell me what happened to you all."
They all looked apprehensive, Lavabo and Higgs leaned over to try to see what was going on. Marco sighed loudly, "Why are you all afraid to talk? You're well away from that prison and that spider freak can't hurt you anymore."
"…but you're the Dark Knight."
"For fuck's sake, REALLY? I saved your lives and that's what stopping you?"
They looked down.
"Just fucking answer me."
"We…we don't know why…us. It happened so fast."
"One second…I'm in the kitchen…next I have a bag over my head."
The collective mewmans shudder. Marco looked at them impatiently.
"Yes, I know they kidnapped you. I meant what did they do to you? Where did they take you? Who did you see?"
They sat there, some of them starting to cry, other starting to shake and hold themselves. Marco sighed and walked to Higgs and Lavabo, he soften at the sight of them, "What happened?" his voice gentle.
Lavabo shook at the thought before he weakly spoke,
"After they snatched us…they took us to the forest…then somewhere else…I don't know…there are days I can't remember. I remember…ugh, they drew blood…sometimes flesh…teeth too from each of us…I think…then that cell…I know we were there for weeks…"
"I know…they brought us to a house…we were at some auction…they spoke in a code…or language, I don't know…most days I had a bag over my head…sometimes they beat me, without warning…or do something painful…needles and clippers…I thought it was over when they put us in the cells. I would lick the walls…taste the soil and gravel on my tongue…just to wet my mouth…" Higgs sniffled, "…sometimes, if they felt like it…someone would toss slop on the floor…I would lick every bit…they treated us…like animals…I was so hungry…"
Marco saw Higgs look at her hands and he nearly lost it, her fingernails were gone.
"…I'd chew them…one every day…even my toenails…until I ran out…"
"…was one of your tormentors…a spider monster?"
The two weakly shook their head.
"Maybe…? They wore hoods…they made us wear bags most of the time…"
"More than one…they worked with…a handful…like an organization…or cult…."
Marco nodded, he didn't want to press them on so soon but that was good enough, he took out his journal and jot down some notes:
Monster group abduct mewmans
Small gradually to big scale abduction
Numerous members, must have many hideouts
Started after I left Mewni, Eclipsa's Escape
Have harvested biological materials from many victims
Goal: try to recreate Meteora in their image
Group size and alias unknown
Marco tuck the journal away before showing the parchment, "This was tack to the door, does it look familiar?"
The two looked at it but shook their heads, Marco walked to the mewmans next door, finding them reaching for the cheese on the table, he took it and held out the parchment, "Alright, does this look familiar to any of you? No cheese unless I get a better answer than 'uhhh I don't know'."
They looked blankly at it, Marco sighed and put the cheese away, one of them croak out, "That's Eclipsa's brand…isn't it?"
Marco paused and showed it to the mewman, "This? Her brand?"
"Yeah…isn't her cheek marks a spade?"
"Yeah, I know that, but her brand? What does that mean?"
The mewman looked at it curiously too, "I…can't remember…seems familiar…"
Marco frowned at the answer before cutting more cheese slices and giving it to them again, they happily nibbled it. Marco looked at it, a spade on fire with chains…a spade is good enough to show her birthright…why go the extra length? Maybe it was the monster's design…I better catch one and wring some answers out…I'm getting in too deep with this affair as it is.
Marco looked at his watch again, he measured how much time he had left before nodding, he'll have to make time it seemed.
"Alright, mewmans, take a nap, I'll take you to the Butterfly Kingdom when you wake up."
The moment StudMuffin revealed himself to Queen Moon Butterfly and First Princess Star Butterfly, the whole castle was in a tizzy. Star ran after him but only found he was already gone, the knights pointed out he simply walked out the door and vanished, like he sunk into the ground or something. Queen Moon spoke to all the knights and they all swore to keep the sudden appearance of the Dark Knight quiet.
Moon paced in her study, Star walked back to her room in a gloomy manner. King River looked at his wife, unsure what to do, Marco had always been a good squire, a good friend to Star. But after being nagged off by Eclipsa, how repulse and angry she was with him, he shudder to think how Marco saw King now.
In truth he wanted to make amends but it had been two long years since Marco's Departure and warding his home. Even if he wanted to, using his pet birds which came back angry at him as it seemed even the ward blocked them, he had no chance to. He was a King but…he held no real power like his wife, looking back at it, he should have put more thought into his gifts than presenting them as he usually did.
"Moon pie, darling, calm down, Marco…might not be so angry with you. Or myself for that matter." he said weakly, but Moon ignored him, night had long fallen over the kingdom.
"River, he said he went to plenty of kingdoms, yours included, Marco isn't a dolt, he must know we put a bounty of his head. Not to mention I sick the Magical High Commission on him and he had to fight them off. What if he wants revenge? What if he is working with Eclipsa? He has a sword comparable to the royal wand and had two years to learn it's secrets, Marco could very well level a kingdom with a swing of that sword."
"But he hasn't! You're putting yourself into undue stress and fear. Isn't he currently in your employ? What did you make him do?"
Moon calmed and looked at her husband for a moment, "Search the Forest of Certain Death for those abducted Mewmans…"
River sighed and sat down, "…we've lost hope on that front, dear. Marco's going to be stomping up those steps and handing you a bag of bones."
The queen looked out the darken window, "…it's better than telling the worried families we're still investigating, still searching…at least they'll have closure."
"How about Star? How is she taking it that Marco's back on Mewni?"
Moon shook her head, "I don't know…they were so close, joined to the hip even. But after Marco left, Star just…didn't want to talk about him anymore. She just wanted to learn how to run the kingdom from me."
"…why did he come back?"
She shook her head, "…I guess we'll have to ask him when he gets back."
"The other kingdoms are sure to know he is here."
"If they did, they are lousy in telling us. I think he only revealed himself to us, otherwise we'd be hearing an angry mob right about now. I better send word to the Magical High Commission."
River walked over to his wife, "C'mon dear, come to bed, you should have some rest. I doubt Marco is going to show up in the middle of the night." "No. No, River, I have a mountain of paperwork to do, I'll come right after."
River looked at his wife for a moment before sadly nodding, hearing that worn out excuse many times before, "Right-O, Moon pie. I'll frump up your pillow for you."
.
Star went to her room, her thoughts racing of Marco. She knew he would return one day, but in a disguise and not going into a screaming match with her family sword drawn, especially her confused her to no end. She thought of all the reasons why he would come back no matter how absurd, a few things came to mind, namely the Blood Moon Ball Goddess.
She searched through the library and found the book Marco must have read, she was aghast at the history, somewhat hurt Marco never showed it to her or told her. But then again the Goddess's powers would make her not believe him until she showed up authorizing the exchange of knowledge. She confronted Tom about it, going to his kingdom and searching through their library and found a book there as well however it wasn't as filled out as her own.
Tom admitted that it was an alluring ceremony and what luck it was during their lifetime, an air of romanticism for them to share. Star kept her anger in check, he was not to be blamed entirely since his own knowledge on it was lacking, how was he suppose to know it would turn into a shit storm. Right? Get an actual goddess to descend from above and personally give her a piece of her mind.
For the past two years, Tom and her remained boyfriend and girlfriend, minus any physical contact, they continued deepen their relationship with other activities that didn't involve cuddling, kissing, hugging, etc. Writing each other love letters, poems, doing other things together sufficed for the mean time.
The Goddess didn't reappear again, something Star was thankful for, the fury she had made her shiver at night, every full moon she prayed that she didn't show up. After her initial shock, she studied up what the Goddess had put Marco up to: the Unbinding aka the Impossible Tasks. It was self-explanatory, but she couldn't believe Marco agreed to a fool's errand.
However, there was a small part of her that Marco would not be deterred. He did spend 16 years of his life chasing Hekapoo, enough to impress and gain a measure of respect from her.
Still, the past two years had been rough on the princess, she couldn't make physical contact with her boyfriend, her best friend Pony Head was upset over Marco and extension her, she couldn't contact anyone on Earth and Kelly was distant after Marco's Departure.
Kelly had become fast friends with Marco, she found out that he saw her and Tom kissing leading Marco and Kelly to bond over their mutual relationship problems. Kelly admitted she didn't know if that meant her or Jackie, but to be sure Marco was hurt and Kelly lend him a shoulder to cry on and they comforted each other over their mutual problem.
When the Ward was put up, Star asked Kelly if Marco had come to see her and she replied,
"Yeah, he has."
"WHAT? Wh-why didn't you tell me?"
Kelly shrugged, "Because he said to keep it low-key, he didn't want to drag me into his problems while he was sorting it out."
Star stared at her, "So…what has he been up to? How is he? Who else has he been talking to?"
Kelly frowned and folded her arms, "Star, please respect his privacy and mine as well. What he does in his free time and mine are our business."
Star saw and felt the tone, she held her hands up, she didn't need to alienate another friend, "Kelly, I'm just worried for him, that's all."
Kelly kept a neutral face, she sighed, "I don't know, he just comes around, talk a little and leaves. So far he's just been readjusting on Earth, beyond that, I don't know. I don't pry and he tell me what he wants to tell me."
"Which is?"
Kelly frowned, "That's enough Star. Leave Marco be. He's obviously trying to sort himself out."
From then on whenever Marco was brought up in a conversation, Kelly became very wary, so Star and Pony Head tend to avoid the subject.
"B-Fly, I'm telling you that Marco makin' trips to Kelly's pad, just pop in there unannounced and you'll see your second bestie."
Star ignored the advice.
She wanted to make amends but Marco clearly wasn't ready then.
When he comes back from his mission, she wasn't sure if he was ready now.
The memory of two years ago flashed in her head and she felt horrible all over again reliving it, the memories still brought tears to her eyes and the nightmares. Sometimes she woke up in cold sweat, reliving Marco cowering against her wand sword, other times, darker times she didn't stop savagely beating him.
She thought over what she wanted to do, but she didn't know what good would come of telling Pony Head or Tom. She tried to make a mirror call to the Diaz home or Janna or anyone on Earth, but all she received was static.
Looking out the window and seeing the distant lights in the dead of night…she discarded her clothes and put on her nightgown and went to bed. In the morning, she'd see a friend she hasn't seen in a very, very long time.
.
Breakfast was a quiet affair, the three Butterflys ate, all tense that at any moment the doors would burst open and Marco drenched in dark armor and a glistening sword would strode forward and throw a bag of bones at their feet.
He never came to interrupt their breakfast.
Star followed her mother and they went to her study, Moon pulled out parchments and such for those who would be deceased, she made one for each 20 that was abducted already. She sincerely hoped that she would not use any of them but that naive thought died after the first month rolled by. Star sat on her desk, signing and reading the stack parchments she was handed, Star need to start putting her signature down somewhere while she mother was alive.
Moon didn't want Star's first signature to be her signing in as a Queen.
Moon and Star worked quietly in the study until River visited them, lunch had come, "You could have told—" "I have stout legs, Moon-pie, why shouldn't I use it?"
Moon paused at his words before agreeing and the three of them sat down for lunch, they ate in relative silence, subdued even. Star glanced at the door, Moon noticed, "Star, searching for them and bringing them back won't be an easy feat. If anything he'll be back in a fortnight."
"…I guess you're right."
The three continued to eat when Manfred walked up to the royals, "Yes, Manfred?"
"Excuse me my liege, but a coffin was delivered to the undertaker…a note stating to be gentle with everyone inside, including the bat, which is to have a coffin as well."
Moon stared at the mewman, nodding slowly at his words, "Very well, Manfred, no one is to open that coffin until I come there to inspect it myself. Understood."
"Yes, my Queen. We couldn't open it if we wanted to, it's sealed shut with some sort of mud substance."
Manfred bowed and left, the three looked at each other,
"Marco's…done already?" Star said in hushed tones
"…that must be a big coffin then. I wonder how he snuck it in."
"…"
Moon stood up, dabbing a napkin on her lips and chin, "I'm going to see that coffin."
"How about you see to these mewmans first?"
The three flinched when a golden portal opened, a figure walked out carrying something, they watched in cautious fascination as it was person of mud carrying a bench, one side anyways. The mud man walked backwards and the missing mewmans were seated upon it, until the other end was shown another mud man.
Marco walked out next, wearing a brigandine over his red hoodie, dark jeans and boots. He had his favored sword strapped across his back, a pistol holster to his leg, throwing knives and pouches on his belt. The mud men put the bench down and walked back to the portal as it closed itself.
Moon, Star and River merely stared at Marco who had grown considerably. The scrawny-confidence-lacking boy was replaced with a taller, more muscular young man. His eyes still twinkled with boyish mischief, his hair longer and combed, accentuating his handsome rugged tan face.
If servants weren't edging for the door or the knights leveling their weapons, they were awestruck.
Marco looked around curiously, "Hmmm, I don't see the donut patrol…I guess you thought I would take forever. Ah, well, Sir Lavabo, Higgs get some rest. Hey! You and you, take them to the Infirmary Wing and be gentle about it!" Gosh, even his voice was deeper and more mature.
Moon's eyes followed and the knights remained, she gave them a curt wave, "Do it, take the bench, no use carrying them one by one."
The knights protested, loudly.
Moon looked at them, "Do not make me repeat myself. All of you clear out as well. I want to speak to…Mar—him. Alone."
"And I want sealed lips!" King added.
Marco stood back as the knights took them away, Sir Lavabo and Higgs looked back at him and he merely nodded. The rest of the castle staff left leaving the three Butterflys and Marco alone in the dining hall.
Marco smiled at them.
"Safe and sound. Like I promised."
They looked at him cautiously.
"So, are we going to stand around like this for the next few hours or…?" Marco inquired.
"No. No we are not, Marco."
Marco nodded, his eyes on the queen before he looked to Star and River, "Hey, Star, River. You look well."
His easy tone suggests he'd but only saw them yesterday.
Star stiffens at the greeting, River weakly smiled, "H-Hello m'boy."
Silence.
Marco's smile fell.
"Hmph. Seeing all your faces like this…cautious; scared even. It really hurts. I was expecting hugs and all that. Pity." He sighed, "Tell me: did you think I came back to Mewni to seek revengeance against all of you?"
"Yes." the three responded immediately in unison, Marco loudly sighed.
"It makes me wonder why I even bother coming back…" Marco muttered under his breath.
"No. I came here to tidy up my so-called 'mess'. This whole Eclipsa business and what came after that I am apparently being scapegoat for. Although, I did hear the blame has been tossed between kingdoms so I'm not as insulted." Marco shook his head, the royals watched him as if he was going to lash out like a rabid dog, "Star, did you tell your parents what happen two years ago."
Star felt her parent's gaze on her, Marco folded his arms, "You had two years to tell them, did you take another break?"
Moon snapped her head back to Marco, "What was she suppose to tell us."
"About Eclipsa and Meteora." Marco ignored the alarmed look on his best friend's face.
Moon looked at Marco for a moment, a brief understanding between them, she shook her head, "Not by Star's admission, no. I piece together that you could not possibly only know, Star had to know also. After the transgressions you caused after your Departure and upon what I later learned I decided beating dead horse would be pointless. Star suffered already as have I and my kingdom."
Marco nodded, "So Star got off the hook."
"SHE DID NOT GET OFF THE HOOK, MARCO." Moon said sternly at him, Marco rolled his eyes.
"Whatever you say, Queen Moon. But I do recall you publicly admitting that you would 'make me talk', I don't know what extent you were willing to go, but your words really painted a bleak picture for me back then. By the by, how's the Magical High Commission?"
Moon glared at him, Marco looked back innocently.
"They are fine. In fact why don't we invite them?"
Marco smiled eagerly at the suggestion, "Sure, why not? We have a lot to catch up on."
Moon narrowed her eyes.
"Is that a threat?"
"Is anything a threat when it comes out of the mouth of a wanted Dark Knight of Mewni? Is that bounty on my head a collective decision or one of the kingdoms has a bone to pick with me." Marco demanded.
Moon stiffen at the words nonetheless nodded her head, "Yes, all of the kingdoms of Mewni decided upon it."
"If only you all worked together towards a common goal." Marco shook his head unhappily. He caught Star's eye for a moment, she looked away, he shook his head again.
"Has my room been prepared? I don't mind bunking in my old room."
"No, it hasn't. Nor will it be." Moon said quietly, she reign in her fears, frustration and paranoia. She gestured to the table, tired of standing and he complied, River and Star just stared at them as they sat down.
Moon composed herself for a moment and looked at Marco with meaningful eyes and with a measured voice she spoke. Marco knew the routine and what was coming: someone wanted him do work for free, out of the goodness of his heart. In this case, already done.
"Marco Diaz, I am beyond grateful that you did what I asked, you've done me a great service and to the families of the abducted, the rescued mewmans…I wish your situation wasn't what it is now: this Dark Knight business. Had you been still Star's royal squire I would gladly induct you as a Knight here and now. But after all you have done and wrought…I can only tell you 'thank you'. But please you must leave. I'll say you came here in good faith to help, anything to placate fears, but right now you'll just cause more friction."
Marco nodded, "I understand the situation and what it means for you. However I am still going to be paid and on what we agreed upon. Whether I did it under an alias or you practically trying to weasel your way out of an agreement is up to debate."
Moon gave him a not so subtle glare at his words, Marco didn't care if she was displeased.
"But that will have to wait. The main reason I'm here is to stop all of the kingdoms from fighting each other. Please, Queen Moon, your sentiments and concerns are pleasant to my ears, but it doesn't rectify anything beyond that. The reason all of you are building those damn walls, arming yourselves and are in seclusion is because of Eclipsa and the irrational fear of who is working with her. I'm actually a small part of the problem. You really thought Eclipsa was going to take your punishment without retaliation?"
Moon frowned as he shook his head at her naiveté, Star and River quickly sitting down too.
"Then what the feck do you want to do about it, Marco." Moon tersely asked.
"It's as you just said earlier: placate fears, try to brush off or deny that I have reappeared, you're just staving off the inevitable. That changes nothing. What I want is getting all of the kingdoms leaders to convene in the Butterfly Kingdom within a fortnight. Your lack of communication and trust with each other are causing so much strife and suffering, yet you are blind to it and unable to act without another kingdom freaking out. Mewmans and monsters are banding together and not in the good sense."
Star felt an ache at the words.
"Psh, Marco—"
"You've been into the Forest of Certain Death, haven't you? Tell me what you saw."
Moon gave him a concerned look, "Tents. Dozens of them. With many hooded figures with weapons. An organized mob by the looks of it."
Marco laughed, startling the Butterflys, "Alright, maybe months ago. Try a fecking community mimicking yours and any other kingdom. You're about to have a war on your hands with every grouchy and outcast mewman and monster as an organized military, up for it? Ready to commit thousands of knights, warriors and citizens to their deaths?"
Moon, River and Star froze at the words.
"And if you think that's bad, all this tension has brought in the mercenaries from foreign dimensions. You know what all this means to a merc? A paycheck: a fat one at that. I should know: I made a hefty fortune once in a dimension going through something awfully similar. Queen Moon, Mewni is a literal powder keg and you don't need a fuse to set it off, the barrel is open and any spark will do."
Moon looked at him for a second, contemplating his request, "…call the other leaders here and then what? If you told them the same thing you told me they'd just be hysterical, the situation here will get worse. Marco, you will make things worse for us, no matter how much you think you're helping. This is Mewni, not Earth, you can't just impose something like this and expect us all of us to fall in line. I see your reason Marco, I do, but the rest will simply see an outsider, worse a Dark Knight, attempting to govern them, to control them. You will be adding to the fear that you say we are plagued with."
Marco folded his hands and sighed, he was thinking, Moon and the rest simply waited. Marco took a chalice and looked at the contents before drinking it, "You're saying that I'm not trustworthy? My title and actions are making my words and warnings moot?"
Moon tilted her head side to side, "More or less, yes, Marco."
"What will convince them? What will convince you?"
The queen thought it over for a moment, "I can't say for sure, a lot of kingdoms suffered at the hands of a Dark Knight in the past. That in itself makes them not give a damn about your, warnings and see that they were right in some bias twisted way. They are also well within their rights to fear and hate you. Some would, if they could, slay you where you stand."
Honestly, I would like to see them try.
Behave.
Moon's shoulders slumped, "However…it's Eclipsa who has them worried the most. She's a powerful individual and has incredible sway in both Mewmans and monster society as she is a Queen and her monster affliation, if you want your words to matter…I don't Marco, you might have to bring proof she's imprisoned again or…" Moon trailed off, Star and River taking note how serious the Queen was.
"I believe that is the bare minimum that would let them consider your words. I…believe you, Marco, for what it is worth. I was in that forest and I saw things and I can only imagine things has gotten worse."
Marco sighed and leaned back, "Just do what I asked Queen Moon: get the leaders to convene, talk for once, quell some fears and deepen some bonds. I can tell you now Eclipsa has done very little in the grand scheme of things. In fact, she has done almost absolutely nothing these past 2 years."
"How can you be so sure Marco?" Moon asked curious, he shrugged, "I've been keeping an eye on her for months now. She did something foolish once and I sorted her out."
Moon shook her head, the boy had grown arrogant,
"Marco, there's a limit to joking around."
"Would you like her to say it herself? I can bring her here now."
His sword was in his hand and he slashed open a rift, the three stared at it before they froze as he spoke up, "Eclipsa, could you come her a moment?"
"Ah! Marco, dear, what's the matter? I was having my afternoon tea and Snookers Bar just now."
Moon stood up, her face pale, "That's enough Marco, I don't want to see that woman unless we have a room full of knights to deal with her. And even then, I—"
Marco blinked,
"Did something happen? Oh, Eclipsa, I have to go."
"Wait, was that Mo—"
Marco slashed the portal close, Moon shakily sighed and sat back down. Star and River also tense,
"Um, in any case you don't need that much protection. I'm more than enough to make her behave." "Marco I trust you are a…adequate fighter, but taking on Eclipsa even jokingly is in poor taste."
Marco frowned at her words, "Queen Moon, with all due respect, the reason Eclipsa can't very well march and army, herself or her daughter and raze Mewni to the ground is because she knows I'll be there to stop her. I'm partly the reason why Eclipsa has been so quiet."
The three didn't rebuke his claim, whether out of awe or disbelief.
"Wait, you're at odds with Eclipsa? Didn't she knight you? Gave you your 'freedom'?" River asked.
"And what, that makes her my Master? Hardly. That was a gift and it was never intended for it to spiral into this. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion she doesn't even care if I did turn on her eventually, would just be a jolly good time for her. Oh, since we're airing out my dirty laundry, would anyone else like to share?" Marco asked, looking around the table.
Moon pursed her lips, River nervously intertwines his fingers and Star averted her eyes.
"I see…I guess I've been in the wrong for the past two years. Queen Moon, I'll see you in the meeting." Marco stood up, Star looked at him quickly. He took his sword and readied to slash open a portal.
Ready to disappear again.
"Marco, I'm sorry!"
Moon and River looked at her, Marco frowned but kept his sword out.
"If I had been truthful things wouldn't have turned out like this. Mom, Dad…Marco and I knew about Meteora long before Eclipsa Trial…but I couldn't bring myself to tell you especially when things were so strained. Mom you didn't want to talk about Eclipsa and much less about Heinous."
Queen Moon looked at her daughter then to Marco, who tucks the Traitor's Sword away, "Then how did you two find out about Meteora?"
Star looked at Marco for some support, he merely stared back. She looked down for a moment, mustering up some courage and spoke up, "I wanted to make amends…between monsters and Mewmans, I wanted equality for us all to be treated without discrimination within and outside our walls. I realized that I would eventually become Queen one day and I decided to make a difference because of it. I went to the other kingdoms with Marco to gather signatures from the royal princes and princesses then hosted a party at the monster ruins, inviting monsters to mingle with them. My relationship with monsters changed with Bullfrog so I thought I could do the same with the other royals."
Her parents slowly digested her words.
"Are you referring to the one with Mina Loveberry escaping?" River asked, Star nodded, "Some things happened and we went to the basement level and we found Meteora's nursery with a portrait of Eclipsa cradling her. That's when we got attacked by Mina and when Rhombulus came investigating our, er, gathering."
Moon rubbed her temples while River looked at the two with concern, "You two were doing this behind our backs?"
"Save your chastise." Marco grunted. Star looked at her parents, worriedly,
"Mom…I talked to Eclipsa…a lot before, too. I got really close to her. Talking about all sorts of stuff: magic, being a queen, other things…"
"Yes. I figured as much." Moon responded drily, "When she escaped she was banking on you freeing and escaping with her. If things had gone her way, you would…well as much as I hate the situation Mewni is currently in, I'm glad it didn't come to that."
Marco looked at her coldly, Moon took notice as did River, "Oh? Are you, Moon? Are you also glad what came of it?" he touched his scar over his eye, Star looked away.
Moon looked at it, "Where did you get that scar?"
"…Star's going away present."
Moon and River looked at him startled, the scar cut through his left eye diagonally and slowly turned to Star, she tried to sink lower into her chair, "Star?" "Star, what did you do?"
Marco glared at Star, "Oh. So you didn't tell them either."
Star shook her head slowly, "Marco…I'm sorry."
Moon looked at the scar, seeing one more reason why Marco Ward his dimension from contact.
Marco's eyes fell hard on the princess before it soften, much to royals' surprise, "I suppose this is balancing the scales. Don't fuss over it too much, I'm over it. Mostly. We'll continue this talk later, but I want to know something: how was Eclipsa imprisoned and how did she escape it."
"That's…highly classified information, Marco."
"Well, it's just the royal family plus a Dark Knight. Who would believe me?"
She sighed and looked at the two before looking at Marco, "She was crystalized in an unbreakable crystal and placed in Rhombulus's and…Lekmet's domain since her imprisonment. That must have been 300 plus years ago. When Toffee…killed my mother and the Monster Uprising in Mewni, I sought her out after seeing her locked chapter. I made a pact with her, dark magic to slay an Immortal for her freedom."
She felt eyes of Star and River on her.
Marco just listened.
"However, my confrontation with Toffee didn't conclude the pact, I did not snuff out his vile life only taking his finger however I was marred by the dark magic nonetheless. The pact endured long after my meeting with her and it was only when Star finish off Toffee did it complete…why Eclipsa broke out when I didn't deliver the final blow makes absolutely no sense, we agreed I was to kill Toffee. Somehow, she escaped and eventually got on Mewni where we captured her and set her on trial, the rest you know."
Marco nodded at the information, extremely concerned, "So how did she get here? Did she steal Dimensional Scissors? Powers like it? Or does she have contacts to get her here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"Regardless, she's here on Mewni. Thank you, Queen Moon for clarifying some gaps. I'm going to retire to my room, I take it's still available?"
"…yes it is, although it's been locked. Marco, please can't we just agree on something else."
Marco shook his head, "Mhmmm, I'm afraid not. Although, did you do anything about the graffiti? Got those off the walls yet?"
Moon didn't even look surprised he knew, "You've seen the state of your room already…and you insist on staying inside of it and being here? Marco, you'll be a pariah here."
Marco stood up, "I have unfinished business here and once it's over, then..." his eyes grew distant for a moment, he shook his head and slashed a portal and walked through.
Marco looked around his old room, it brought back some fond memories and the impressive amount of graffiti on the walls did give it a sense of character.
LYING TRAITOR
LAZY HUMAN
FILTHY ASS-KISSER
USELESS-SQUIRE
DIE COBHEAD
BETRAYER
He sat on his bed, feeling the wood give easily, "Hmph, someone has been jumping on my bed, broke it clean in two."
He looked around: the room was thrashed, floor to ceiling had mile long stains, desk crumpled and in pieces, the walls had holes, his closet ransack, vermin lived inside and he was sure someone used it like a latrine, the corner stank so bad even the fanfic writer failed to describe it.
Marco sat there, contemplating his visit, he deviated greatly from what he originally planned: just come down, make contact, set up the meeting, attend it and be done with Mewni. But he came to Mewni a lot sooner because of Eclipsa and was horrified at the extent of the condition it was in: isolation and paranoia to the extreme. And it was the same with each kingdom he visited, some worse than others. Those kingdoms cared little for what happened outside the walls and borders and when something happened within the realm they were quick to accuse or suspect the other kingdoms.
Queen Eclipsa made them barricade themselves.
The Dark Knight made them barricade themselves.
And when you're suspect of everyone around you especially outside of your realm, it was a recipe for irrational fear, hysteria and paranoia to settle in.
Without policing the lands regularly either by the kingdoms or knights the pockets of bandits and criminals grew tenfold. Mischief and fear grew from their negligent eyes.
When raids struck, the kingdoms either kept it quiet or lashed out at other kingdoms that did not help, although they had no idea or chose not to intervene. It was a downward spiral and it would only end in misery unless he came and set it right. Marco took great consideration of his actions, he could have just look the other way and let Mewni go through its violent death throes…but it wasn't him to do that. He was partly to blame this was his mess.
He ultimately decided he would give Mewni a fighting chance; it was more than they deserved especially how poorly they treated him but he was fine with that. He would have a clean conscious whether Mewni survived and prosper or fell into ruin.
He sighed, the smell was really getting to him and stood up, ready to head home. He paused when Star walked through the portal cautiously, he raise a brow, "Ah, Princess Star. Sorry, the place is a pigsty."
Star gave the room a quick glance, she tighten her hand on her wand, "You don't have to stay in here, I'll make you a new room, Marco."
Marco waved his hand, "That's not necessary, I quite prefer this. At least I know what I am here on Mewni."
Star frowned at his words, then looked at him intently, "Then why come back Marco? You already know how you will be treated here? Why?"
"Why? You know why." Marco straighten up, Star gulped as the height difference had begun to show, "I have my Impossible Tasks to complete. I have Monster Arm to remove. And I have this mess with Eclipsa I must fix, I do not intend to spend the rest of my life remedying my past mistakes."
Star digested his words only one stood out, "Impossible Tasks?"
Marco smiled, "It's really none of your concern…for now, Princess Star. Just study up and be a good Queen, your people deserve one."
His smile and distant words were unsettling to her, Star felt the portal close behind her, Marco stood there as if waiting for something.
Star bit her lip.
Marco waited.
Star fidgeted, looking at her boots.
Marco waited.
Seconds ticked by.
Minutes followed.
Still Marco and Star were silent. Neither breaking the silence. The awkward silence.
"Marco!"
"Yes, Princess Star?" came the immediate answer. Star frowned at the formality, it felt…wrong for Marco to call her that.
"Marco? Why…why did you come back to Mewni?" asking again, hoping to get a different answer now they were alone.
"You were there and I just said it, Princess Star, I came back to fix a mess I help make. Come to the meeting and you'll know all about it."
Star stared at him. His tone polite, easy and respectful, his smile played on his face.
It was mocking to Star, she stomped forward and stood in front of him, "Is something the matter, Princess St—" "Quit talking like that, Marco! What happened to you? Why are you acting like this?"
Marco's eyes dimmed for a second at the words and suddenly Star felt a surge, it felt like an oppressive crushing force on her entire, her mind ached, her heart hurt. Marco caught her as she leaned against him, taking deep breaths as it suddenly passed as quick as it came. She looked up to see Marco, looking at her.
Contempt.
"Star." She shivered at the tone: neutral, "As you know, the Blood Moon Curse courses through between us, we feel each other without fail...however, the Goddess granted me a boon. I've been actively been blocking my distress. My despair. My agony. My misery and suffering. The hardships I've endured these past two years: all blocked. If I had not you would have drown in it."
Star stared, a loss for words.
"Not out of kindness, but out of respect for those it involved. And in doing so, I inadvertently allowed you to live blissfully unaware while I felt your own romantic bonds deepen. Imagine, when I should be mourning the loss of someone dear to me…I felt uplifted and happy. This connection…sullied the memories of those who gave their lives for me. And thereby you. To this day, I keep it in check, I would not encroach on your life and happiness…more than I already have."
Marco step aside from Star, taking his sword and slashing himself a portal, without a backward glance, he vanished again.
Star stood in that piss-and-shit-stained-graffiti riddled room for a long time afterwards.
XxXxXxXxX
Tada, another update and on my birth month too, that means it's gonna be chuck full of updates. Hopefully.
Marco is back on Mewni and everyone is taking it badly. I suppose some wounds just run so deep. As you read Marco doesn't know what happened to Moon and Eclipsa nor what she intended for Star.
So things have taken a nasty spill from the Epilogue, some kingdoms were doing 'okay' but now they all more or less become reclusive to each other. There's still communication but very minimal. And speaking of communication, ouch, Marco dropped some hurtful bombs on Star, I know it seems like a lot of bashing but Marco's Flashbacks are coming soon and then you can judge whether or not Marco was too harsh with Star.
Also, yay, SvtFoE is coming back in March so I better crank out these updates. Whew!
And now...
The Impossible Tasks, I've taken some time to really mold it in this story, since every lover who attempted it failed and the Goddess had grown sadistic over the years I thought of what it should entail:
1. The Tasks must be Impossible or rather thought to be Impossible. I.e. Hestia's case, it's Impossible because the portal cannot be closed no matter how much she or other's tried, some on 'divinity' level strength and power. One way to close the portal was with Marco's Sword, which refused to take another master. So in short, to Hestia: it is Impossible to fix. Hence is qualified as an Impossible Task as dubbed by the Goddess.
2. You might try to circumvent this by making a person think some task is 'impossible' then you come along and solve it, thus you did something impossible. No. The Goddess chooses an Impossible Task and you cannot have prior hand or influence upon it.
3. Impossible Tasks are not set. You can choose a variety of Impossible Tasks to complete. Hestia's Impossible Task is #777, Marco is not given #1 to #100 and cannot choose to complete #101 or #9999.
4. No time limit. Marco can choose to do 99 out of 100 and save the last one until he is ready to do it. Or not.
5. Exceptions made only by the Moon Goddess explicitly.
6. Once an Impossible Task has been started it must be Accomplished, Failed or Undetermined as reviewed by the Goddess.
7. Undetermined must fall under a strict criteria set by the Goddess, i.e. Marco fails to defeat an opponent because he gets teleported away by someone, the Task can become either Failed or Undetermined. If he got someone to teleport him away knowingly during the fight so he doesn't die then he has it as Failed. However, if Marco was teleported by a foreign power that he had no prior hand/influence upon then it can become Undetermined and Marco can try to defeat the opponent once again, however Undetermined can only be used once per Task.
8. Technicalities
Lot's of plot and lot's of drama and lot's of politics. Lovely.
But you know what is more? Your thoughts.
Ciao,
I AM NRG
END OF TRANSMISSION