.
Disclaimer: Now I'm free...there are no strings on me. As said by Ultron.
Chapter 14
Exiled
XxXxXxXxX
"You just let Eclipsa Escape. Again."
"No I did not. I don't know how she escape your clutches—"
"You beat up the Magic High Commission and allowed her to escape!"
Marco nodded at the words, Hekapoo rolled her eyes as the other two glared at him, Moon sighed rubbing her temples.
"You let her back to her 'kingdom'…Marco, you're her accomplice now."
"I'm not. Yes, your verdict was made, but I'm not your servant, I have no master or liege. I don't have to listen to you."
"So why should we listen to you?" Queen Spiderbite snapped.
"Because I know better than all of you. How long would it take for you all to go at each other's throats? How long before you have a Mewni Civil War? No—shut up." Marco pointed to the royals about to rebuttal him.
Moon frowned.
The queen glanced at the MHC.
Marco took notice.
"Hmph, fine. Go ahead. Arrest me." Marco pointed the sword at them, "Make an enemy of me. Fight on two fronts: Mewni and Earth. You can all unite to fight, but know Earth has been hankering for a common enemy for years now, we're getting bored fighting each other. I hate to say it but humans are bred for war and we've been fighting all our lives and history; we've exercised our body, mind and will for such a purpose."
The mewman royals weren't impressed.
Marco smirked.
"Imagine an entire dimension full of humans comparable to myself, I've fought alongside Star without any relic or magic, I've completed the Trials of Hekapoo and I've beaten Tom with unarmed. Do you really want to piss us off?"
"…yeah."
"SHUT UP TOM. You don't want me here. I don't want to be here anymore. Let me walk away and you can go back to squabbling amongst yourselves."
"Marco, while your threat is quite troubling…you still let her go. Why are you protecting her?"
"Her? I'm protecting you. All of you. You want to die, pathetically I might add? Eclipsa is no hedge magician. And she's none of your concerns. Take care of your people, they are your foremost responsibility."
Marco looked at the Elementals and they quietly seeped into him, Sylph paused before looking at them all.
You'll die screaming. You're just blades of grass thinking you're a forest of thick oak trees to a hurricane.
"You're keeping your dimension Ward free?" Hekapoo questioned.
"Yes, I am against my better judgment." Marco couldn't shake that cry from his mind.
"And your Exile? You're not going to come to Mewni but we can come to you?"
Marco smirked, "Yes, you can, after you contact me that is. Otherwise, when I catch you, I'm going to beat you to a pulp and call your kingdom to pick up your sorry ass. And this way you have to police your citizens better, otherwise I'll know you are the ones stirring up trouble with me."
The royals gritted their teeth: Marco made it a situation where if the Mewmans cross dimensions illegally into Earth, Marco could declare war and exact vengeance upon them.
"Are we really going to make Marco walk free? After all he did?"
"Oh my god, yeah you are. Because I already proven I can beat Eclipsa plus Meteora on my own, you are afraid of her so by logic Marco ＞ Eclipsa + Meteora ＞ You. And while I allegedly let Eclipsa go, she's not looking for trouble anymore. The verdict was to put her in indefinite stasis without the chance of parole and in retaliation she beat up Queen Moon, I don't if that's fair but it is what it is."
The sound of wood straining under Moon's fingertips was heard.
"And how will we know you wont cross dimensions into our lands?" King Spiderbite asked, "Especially since you don't use your Dimensional Scissors anymore."
The jab wasn't lost to Hekapoo, she did after all used Marco's own since he left and she did monitor their usage. His sword circumnavigated that problem easily.
Marco pulled a gold nugget from his hoodie and ran it across the Traitor's Sword until it glowed before asking Gnome to shape the nugget.
I'm not as good as Automata, but I can try.
The nugget twist and turned, Marco held it aloft as worked itself into 16 rings after a minute before he gave it to all of the royals present. He placed 6 rings on the floor for the Lucitors, Johansens and Spiderbite.
"These rings will herald my arrival to Mewni if I cut a portal and cross it to your dimension, this way NO ONE can lie and is accountable."
"What if it is stolen?"
"Then whoever has it will have to tell the others otherwise you'll know whose been lying to your fellow mewman royals."
Again Marco made it difficult to sabotage the situation.
The royals looked at Marco, some reluctant others livid.
Marco got a good look at all of them before he turned and left without another word.
Star watched her best friend go again, she feeling all sorts of terrible.
The royals watched Marco leave before slowly getting up and leaving as well after getting their rings too.
Despite what the blasphemy Marco had caused and said, no royal there could deny that Marco was right in some degree.
"…Marco."
"…wasteful."
Marco Diaz…
Having a knight in his caliber was an attractive asset to have among their arsenal and army. The Dark Knight was simply put too useful to not have and dangerous at the same time to let run free. If he didn't want to use his talents, skills and authority to the fullest then he should be at the service of another. Plus, he is an excellent deterrent for Eclipsa as well.
The royals were amidst scheming how to get Marco into their pockets, however with him exiling himself stopped that plan prematurely. When they really thought about it he had almost nothing he wanted from them: he was wealthy already, he had power in the form of the Traitor's Sword and was not interested in Mewni politics and affairs.
Put simply, there was nothing to dangle before Marco Diaz he could not already obtain on his own accord.
Still, if they could not have Marco Diaz…then they would make one.
An exceptionally skilled and gifted Knight could best the Queen of Darkness, however this Knight would be loyal to their kingdom respectively. Marco may have thought his actions were a waste but to the royal monarchies…he did something rather grand instead.
Marco Diaz, the Traitor.
Marco Diaz, the Fuck Boi.
Marco Diaz, the Unfortunate.
Marco Diaz, the Foolish Knight.
Marco Diaz, the Delusional.
Marco Diaz, the Misguided Knight.
Marco Diaz, the Fallen Knight.
Marco Diaz, the Dark Knight of Mewni.
They would make Marco Diaz in their image, which would solidify their safety and in turn absolve them of their fears from Marco and Eclipsa. In time, Marco would die, he was mortal after all: a human. A lesser race than the Mewmans. When their chosen Knight had been finally made, Marco would be 'invited' back to Mewni where he would relinquish the Traitor's Sword—no.
The Magnificent Sword of Mewni.
To the rightful hands of the Mewman royal family.
Their family.
Marco walked down the hall of the Butterfly Castle, his sword carefully tucked away, trying to block out his outrage and frustration with the Mewni royals. He stopped and took a deep breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"…yeah, that doesn't help at all." Marco frowned and continued to walk, ignoring the stunned castle staff. The knights watched him cautiously, a mere glance from him made them touch their weapons, but did nothing else. Marco kept an impassive face, there was some grain of truth what Tom said: this was Mewni, he had no business telling anyone in the dimension how to run themselves.
Still, he didn't want innocent people to die.
He stopped when the Monster Arm scoffed.
Hey, Marco, uh why don't you let their monarchy worry about them.
And you: worry about yourself.
You know they are going to the shitter, just let them. Fuck, I get you got a big goddamn heart, so do I! But there has to be a limit to this. It's one thing when you became a Dark Knight and everyone is scared of retaliation, it's another when they know you're not going to kill them and they are still scared. There's no helping that. So why don't you break your baloney curse, slap a condom on and just go fuck Kelly, Hekathicc! Brudda you have how many girls looking for your sweet ass in the multi-dimensions! Shit, some of them are willing to be just casual fuck buddies, but here you are—crawling back for that girl who put me inside of you.
…
One day, you'll dissolve me and you'll get over that bitch. Then you'll look back and think…I could have been smashing years ago! 'But I had to be the Paragon Knight! I had to be righteous!' ...you are human, you're not perfect…unlike me.
I know I'm not perfect…I just want to be a good person. And fuck you.
Yeah, look what that cost: your happiness, your friends lives and you wasting your time. Hmph, at least now, since you cut Mewni from your life, you can focus back on the important things: your bitches and my bitches. So when are you going back to Kelly's? Ooh, while we're at it, swing by Prima I want to spend some time with Musica.
The Dark Knight was silent on the requests.
Not wanting to admit that Monster Arm did had a point, like it did sometimes.
It took so long before he realized that the sacrifices had cost him dearly.
Pride.
Guilt.
Sometimes it was just hard to let go.
I'm finishing the Impossible Tasks.
…fuck dude, do whatever you want and whatever you like. Kiss my purple ass while you're at it. Maybe that's an Impossible Task, you limp-dick cuckold shithead.
Hahaha!…you won't be missed when I kill you, Monster Arm.
Marco walked through the castle, looking at some bitter but familiar hallways and corridors, he sighed and walked into the courtyard getting some fresh clear air, hoping to clear his head. He paused before shaking his head as if this was expected the moment he stepped out: Sir Lavabo and Higgs were making their way to him.
Just as surprised as he.
Marco grinned as they came closer.
"Ah. The two Mewmans I sorely wanted to meet. How are you Sir Lavabo? Higgs?"
"Better now, thanks to you." The knight tilted his head.
"I'm fine."
Marco looked at Higgs then to the sheathed sword in her hand, he glanced at the older knight then back to the squire,
"I'm sure you being in full squire garbs and a sharp sword, you're not here to talk about my health. I'm guessing you want a rematch?"
"I don't want a rematch. I'm owed a rematch."
"Ah. I'm sure you've been dreaming about this for a long time haven't you, Higgs?"
"I have!"
"Good to know I've been on your mind."
Higgs's face turned scarlet in anger and embarrassment, Sir Lavabo face was momentarily stunned but he sagely nodded his head at his student's wordplay, oho, the boy has truly become a man.
I have. Not only as a man of the cloth, but a man of the sheets.
Nasty.
This is hella nasty, how are you two talking to each other?!
"Fuck you, nerd!"
"Peace Higgs, I'm only teasing. Very well, I will indulge your need for a rematch." He pulled out the Traitor's Sword, she scoffed at the sight of it.
"With that sword you'll just shoot fireballs or electrify me and call it quits!"
Marco blinked.
"But…but I beat you with this sword, shouldn't I use the same one?"
Higgs gave him a withering glare.
"Pick. Another. One."
"Fine."
Marco pulled on Gnome's blessing and willed out a stone coffin and began to rifle through it. He ignored the two slack-jaw Mewmans as he picked out a sword from the coffin and sunk it back down as Higgs leveled hers at him. The long awaited rematch they were both due 2 years ago.
Higgs got discharged two days ago and she quickly got back to the hard squire lifestyle, she was nearly 18 to boot. Just a few more hard weeks before she could put together her portfolio and work her way into knighthood early, at least she sorely hoped.
She smirked as Marco took a relaxed stance, the sword angled to the ground. Higgs tighten her grip on her sword and glanced to Sir Lavabo, he looked hesitant for a moment before he raised an arm and brought it down,
"Squire Higgs versus Royal Squire Marco, begin your duel!"
Higgs took a step forward, her sword in mid-thrust. Marco tilted his blade and a shine of sunlight race across her face.
The squire immediately brought the sword into guard and Marco took a step forward and brought the blade hard, the metallic ring clear in the air. The mewman squire staggered at the sudden hit and she brought the sword in hard cuts for the human squire, Marco parried and sidestep her advance.
Higgs blinked away the spots in her vision and glared at Marco.
"Can't win without trickery?!"
"C'mon Higgs, we both know we would do the same." Marco grinned.
The squire grunted and leveled the sword at Marco, she took a step forward and Marco took two and brought the sword in a vicious arc. She saw the strength behind it and sidestep before attempting to cut Marco through his guard, he pivots on his foot and danced away, the blade nicking the air.
Again, Marco delivered another arc, this time Higgs met it the blade. The hit rung down to her arms and bones, the squire grunted as she held off Marco's sword with both hands while he used just his left.
She expected gloating or taunts, but Marco's lips were sealed. His warm brown eyes bored into her, she felt her cheeks tinge with exertion as she tried to hold off the Dark Knight as he leaned into his blade.
Higgs huffed at the added pressure, glancing at his footing before she spun to the right making him falter forward. Smiling viciously, she feinted for a thrust deciding to bodily push Marco back before raining blows on him.
He blinked at the sudden ferocity, blocking the hits and bobbing and weaving the faster ones. Just before she could overwhelm him, he locked her blade with his and held her down, she grinned at his reaction: he was surprised and now on guard. She wasn't some hindrance when he fled; she was a legitimate threat.
Marco leaned and angled the sword, trying to decipher her weak footing but she quickly adjusted leaving them in a tense stalemate. It was now a battle of attrition.
"Hmph, is that all you got, nerd?"
"!?"
Marco pushed forward and slid his foot behind her own, she blinked and tried to untangle herself. Marco's free hand found the front of her tunic and pulled hard, she grunted as she the locked blade got dangerously close to her flesh.
"Grrr, get off me!"
She tried to kick him but he simply shied away and pushed her, she fell back but as she did she tried to jab him but he took a step back, out of reach.
"That's cheating!"
"Hey, you're the one fighting with both hands, I got a free one and I intend to use it."
Higgs huffed feeling the pressure he managed to exert on her one-handed, but she pushed it out of her mind as she took up her stance again. Marco looked at her before deciding to use both hands, Sir Lavabo noticed it and felt a tad more nervous.
Higgs noticed too and was wary at the change of stance.
The breezed lapped at their sweat, but they hardly noticed, their eyes locked on each other.
In a single instant, they crossed the distance and the clangs and rings of metal shrieked in the air.
Higgs was putting her form into each swing, measured and sustainable, just like drill, just like another day…
Marco seemed to have the same idea and his form was true, they were evenly matched, neither slowing, neither giving ground, neither giving up.
Sir Lavabo's jaw gradually dropped seeing such a fierce display; the two seemingly lost in a conversation of swords, each hit a compliment, each ring a praise, each echo a story of their journey of their skill.
The two weren't even aware how much sweat or the ache in their muscles took their toll on them, they just continued to batter their blades over and over again, no longer senseless din but rather sharp rhythmic peals.
It was if they were just the two people left in the world…
Marco's eyes met Higgs's, and the two gave their silent affirmation of each other's skills.
Then the moment was gone.
Higgs felt her teeth jitter as Marco's riposte scored across her sword, the following strikes forced her on the defensive, stepping further and further from the Dark Knight. She came at him with determined strikes and follow-ups but Marco held his ground, swatting her blade strokes with ease.
Feeling her strength in wane, Higgs unleashed a flurry of desperate thrusts, jabs, slashes and cuts in varying angles hoping to overwhelm Marco in the last instance.
Blocked.
Parried.
Sidestepped.
Her gut dropped when the Dark Knight broke through it and sent her sword spinning out of her hand.
She shut her eyes as the sword embeds itself into the ground behind her with a thud.
Marco looked at his sword for a moment, nicked and cracked in several places, he discreetly sheathed it, hmph, a few more hits and this could have been anyone's victory…
Sir Lavabo clapped happily and mercifully at the end of the duel, thankful no one was injured, but one look at Higgs's closed eyes and pained expression spoke how much she felt.
Marco walked to her, she peeked out with one eye and sighed heavily, "Damnit…I still couldn't beat you…"
"Not at all, you've proven a capable squire."
She looked at him ruefully, "Define capable." "Well, you're not dead and no, I wasn't going easy on you, that was my actual swordplay."
Cut the bullshit, you could have broken her sword in three hits.
And I know self-control, and I wasn't lying, that was my swordplay skill I exercised.
Yeah-yeah, keep that bullshit to yourself, I know that style is just when you're using a plain sword. That's not going to make her feel any worthier to stand in your dastardly presence, you cuck.
Indeed, Higgs wasn't too flattered by the words, Marco refrained from good-guy patting on her shoulder. Sir Lavabo saw the look of the squire and quickly came to his student's aid, "I must say Higgs, I haven't seen that kind of clash in many seasons, truly a sight to behold."
"Gee…thanks." Higgs replied dejected, Sir Lavabo looked at her reproachfully, "Now Squire Higgs, there is nothing to be unhappy about a lost duel." "It will be on my record!"
"Pish, I doubt they'll count it since I'm a 'Dark Knight'." Marco rolled his eyes, "Besides this is a private duel, what you do is your business."
Higgs looked at the two of them before she took a deep breath and sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before opened them up again, beaming and a cocky grin on her face, "Heh, then you admit that I would have bested you then! Hmph, maybe you a tad more endurance, now that I think about it, I was feeling a bit off this morning."
Marco smirked, "Learn to take defeat gracefully." "Heh, I'll get you next time!"
Marco's face fell at the words, Higgs and Sir Lavabo saw this, "What? What's the matter?"
"Well, we'll never get a chance like this again…I'm going on a self-imposed exile from Mewni permanently. I've…'interfered' too much with the workings of the world and I've decided I have done more harm than good."
"Marco?"
He shrugged, "Can't win them all…anyways Higgs I came here to reconcile with you and Sir Lavabo. I appreciated you taking me under your wing when I was forced into your station, I know I never really showed it but I am forever grateful you taught me."
The older knight looked troubled at the words while Higgs was upset, "What on Mewni did you do?!"
"Stepped on too many toes. That and I beat the shit out of Tom. Again. So, I'm calling it quits."
"Sounds like you're running away again."
"Maybe. But whatever happens to Mewni…will be their doing. Ah, before I forget here you go Sir Lavabo, this time they will think twice about kidnapping you."
Marco raised the stone coffin again and pulled out a rather odd broadsword, split down the middle one side was pristine and the other tarnished. The knight took and inspected it, "Um, did you make this? You did well on one side."
"No. I found it but I figured with the Traitor's Sword I could manage with one sword alone. Bare your icy flame, Frost Flame!"
The knight held out the sword as the sword lit up and froze in the other, Higgs stared at it while Sir Lavabo gasped.
"It's a magical sword I found during my travels, use it to fight off another—?"
The older knight handed tried to hand it back but Marco stood perfectly still, instead it went to Higgs before looking at Marco, "I appreciate the gift, truly, but it is in better hands than I."
"What? Why? You're a stalwart knight that I've ever seen! You fought that lint monster by yourself!"
He smiled at the words, "Yes, I was a stalwart knight…but not anymore. What those dastards did to me…the physicians says I'm lucky to be able to perform my duties as the Knight of the Wash, but not as a knight on the battlefield."
Marco's face drained out of color at the words, Higgs looked at him frighten, feeling a roiling heat wave off the Dark Knight, even as she held the Frost Flame. Sir Lavabo took notice and tried to quell the Dark Knight.
"Marco. MARCO. No. Do not go on a path of vengeance. What happened to me was not your fault!"
…damnit, I can't tarry here and find those monsters! Fuck, I exiled myself too early!
"You're right. It's not." Marco said forcefully calm, Sir Lavabo wasn't fooled, "But it still doesn't mean I won't find whoever did this to you." One way or another…
Sir Lavabo looked at him, disappointed, "Marco, don't. It won't change anything. Now promise me you won't on the warpath for me." "…fine. If that's what you want, Sir Lavabo."
With that, Marco turned away from Sir Lavabo's accusing eyes, Higgs held on to the sword, unsure what to do with it as Marco's retreating figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
"FUCK YOU, MEWNI."
He yelled to no one in particular gaining some surprised and angry looks.
Marco continued to walk down the worn cobblestone road, earning him a variety of faces from the inhabitants: disgust, anger, indifference, recognition, appreciation and in between.
He saw the quick averting of eyes, stiff posture and hand twitching for their sidearms, the Dark Knight couldn't help but feel pity for them. If he started speaking to them they would flee, they would whisper and they would be interrogated for what he said to them.
It was a familiar and saddening sight.
He frowned, knowing what his late mentor would have said to him at the exact situation and the callous laugh that would follow it.
You can't save them all, hero…
Marco's hands tighten at the words, often a taunt, a callous careless answer, a sad reminder…his mentor only said it a painfully few times as genuine comfort to him. His pace quicken, wanting to see less of what he saw as the kingdom's gates were in sight, his mood settling with the thought of seeing his old mentors again. To be in the glade, talking to sensible people and
He's eyes saw something red dart out of sight in the corner of a shop. Marco paused staring at the spot before he continued to walk.
The gate was close, he could see the knights in their shiny armor, their wary eyes on him. He looked at them with a forlorn thought, I could have been like them…I wonder where I would have ended up if I didn't go 'rogue'…hmph, probably something boring and beneath anything worthwhile seeing how I was treated before…
His musings was interrupted again when he saw something red darted out of his peripherals. Marco felt eyes on him and he warily glanced back, the denizens were going out of their way to not to be in his path nor meet his eyes. He walked towards the space between the houses and saw red darting out of sight again, Marco looked at the knights before stepping out of sight, drawing his sword and walking down the narrow space.
Ambush.
That was likely.
The Dark Knight stomped on the ground, sending a subterranean tremor feeling out the area ahead, he frowned when the information led to five individuals waiting for him at the end.
Not spread out nor taking up any tactical positions.
It looked as if they were waiting for him.
Frowning Marco walked forward, letting the Elementals know about the ambush ahead, they were ready to lend him their blessings; Undine was more or less disinterested with the sudden attack. The Dark Knight looked at the open space, the five red hooded figures waiting for him: no weapons visible, nor did he felt the agitation of magic in the air.
"Sir Marco, we're not adversaries to you, far from it. We just want to talk please." "That's a first." He replied, no at all surprised they knew he was coming.
Marco walked into view, the Traitor's Sword glistening in the sunlight. Instead of flinching in fear, tensing at the sight of the Dark Knight or anything else to show their fright of the human before them, he heard something he would have never expected.
A breath of relief.
Making a gesture of fortune.
Whispering a prayer.
"Lord Marco! It's an honor to see you again, and in good health I might add." "Who…?" Marco started but it was cut by all of them saluting him and saying in unison.
"We are the Knights of the Hood."
Ooh, looks like you got yourself some freaks, brat!
Ignoring the comment, the Dark Knight took a better stock of the hooded figures, the general humanoid shape, seeing the varying height and lack of monster traits. Marco looked at the mewmans, at least that's what he assumed, before him garbed in off-color red hoodies to match his own. Many of them looked as if it was some garment before attaching hoods and sleeves onto it, many of them threadbare and patched in several places.
He shook his head in disgust.
It reminded him of Starfan13's adoration for Star.
"Listen, I don't know what you think you're doing but this is not a game or fad, now take off those hoodies and go back home. Don't make my misfortunes into some fan club of yours."
They flinched at the callous words, many of them looked at Marco with adoration in their eyes.
They still had it.
"No, Dark Knight. This is your symbol. Our symbol! Please don't take this away."
"We wear these hoodies in solidarity for you, Lord Marco."
Marco looked at them coldly.
"You know what they did to me? Do you mock me? Do you have any idea what Mewni has done to me?"
The five stood there, shoulders sagging, "Yes. We all were present when Queen Eclipsa knighted you against your will."
Marco blinked. He opened his mouth before he shut it again.
This was not something he was expecting: sympathy.
"Sir Marco, I know it may seem like a mockery to wear these hoodies, but we wear it because we believe you were wronged!"
"When Eclipsa knighted you, we let fear stop us from speaking up and when you were attacked, we did not stand up for you. But we want to make things right because for two years Mewni slandered your good name and it is not right the an innocent squire is made a scapegoat and guilty for something outside his control."
"If you would have us, Lord Marco, we will serve you faithfully from now till our demise. Whomever you point your sword at or wherever you tread, we will follow you, your enemies are our enemies, you will never be without an ally ever again here on Mewni."
Marco was disturbed at the words. The words were different, but the sentiment…the loyalty…the consequence was all the same to him…
We live…and die…by your command, Studmuffin…
It sicken Marco.
Monster Arm laughed at the muddled memories being dredged up.
"No." Marco spat coldly, "NO. Disband. IMMEDIATELY. Your lives are your own, you don't owe me anything. Go back to your lives and forget this…fantasy you all have."
"What?! Why?"
"It's not a fantasy! We want to fight for you, Lord Marco!"
"We're strong and skilled, we won't be a burden on you on the battlefield!"
Marco felt the sting of the desperate words, again he was before loyal followers willing to lay down their lives for his. Once again trading their precious lives for his miserable one.
"I SAID NO!" Marco roared, his eyes flashing pain and anger and the members hopped back at the sudden volume increase, all of them surprised. Their eyes looked at him questioning, but they didn't voice it.
"I do not want, nor do not need 'knights' at my command." Marco said deathly serious, his words unmistaken to the KotH members, "If you associate with me, dress like me or sympathize with me you can kiss what ever lives you had goodbye. Mewni has no need for a Dark Knight such as myself and I saw it fit that I will never step foot upon this land forevermore. Cast down those hoodies you have, wipe yourself clean off my history and your fantasy that I am someone who you should rally behind. You are all better off without me."
"…"
"…"
Marco couldn't make out their faces with the hood lowered, a shadow casting down their faces.
"And we answer no, Marco." came an unemotional unison reply, Marco frowned deeply.
"Why are you letting them kick you while you're down, Sir Marco."
"You deserve justice, Lord Marco. This…isn't right."
"You're a hero, not a villain. Don't let them run you through the mire."
"Do you know what they say about you? I tore all your wanted posters here."
"We all vowed to protect you, to aid you, to seek justice for you. If you can't do it for whatever reason trivial or not, then we will do it in your stead. Marco, please don't disband us."
Marco shook his head and turned around, "I can't disband you…you already said no."
And walked away.
The five hooded mewmans looked at the retreating figure, whispering their words, knowing Marco would still hear them,
"…we will wait for you, Lord Marco. No matter how long it takes."
Marco walked past the walls, he ignored the glaring guards before he stopped, the vast Mewni landscape before him.
"Alright, Star, you can come on out now."
Marco waited.
Tentative steps reached his ears and he continued to wait.
Deliberate.
Slow.
Steps.
"Marco...? Are you really going exile yourself?"
He sighed, still back turned to her.
"You were there, Star. Every bit of it true."
"…"
He turned and looked at her, eyes downcast, tears dripping from her face.
"Go back to the castle. Your parents will look for you. Tom will look for you."
"I…don't want…you to leave." She cried.
Marco felt his heart constrict, every force imaginable pushed him to hug her. Comfort her. Make her feel safe. He glanced to the sky, his eyes on the moon: it flickered blood red.
…how could you?
"…you can bug me anytime on Earth. It's not like…oh yeah…"
"…please Marco just stay."
Marco shook his head,
"Mewni is better off without me."
"I'm not! Do you know I have nightmares?"
"And I don't?" Marco said quietly, "Star…you—" "I get it, Marco! I get it: you've been on tough times too! But we could have made it better! Why didn't you come back?"
"Why? You know why."
"I would have listened! I would have…"
Marco sighed and took her hand and walked to the side, sitting down on a log; the Royal Squire and Princess just looked at the scenery before them. Unsure what to do or say, so they let silence reign.
"..."
"...?"
Marco chewed on his words, Star too distraught to say anything.
"…"
"Your under your Mom's care now, you've been learning how to run your kingdom?" Marco asked, tired of the monotony.
"…yes, I've been doing small chores for her. Just like...when with her mom."
"That's good…where's Glossaryck."
"He's…somewhere, honestly sometimes I don't find him for days. But he always pops up when I call for him."
"Mhmmm." Marco answered distracted, his eyes flicking to the walls.
"…how about you, Marco? How's highschool?"
"It's fine. Just one more year left."
"I bet you're getting all those 'A's, like before. Have you...moved on?" Star asked, trying to not sound prying.
"No. I'm not dating anyone. Not back together with Jackie. Or Janna. Or anyone."
"Not even Kelly?"
"..."
Marco looked at the sky.
Knowing about their audience.
"Kelly…no, we're not dating, just friends." Friends? After what she did for you? Heh, 'friends' indeed. Hey. How about shut up.
"...oh."
"…"
"…"
Marco sighed and leaned back trying to get comfortable, Star glanced at him before doing the same.
"…"
"Marco. I love you."
"…I love you too Star."
"…"
The two sat there taking in the Mewni landscape.
It was nice.
Peaceful.
"…I wonder how much of that was us…and not the Blood Moon Dance curse." Marco's eyes welled up with tears.
"…" Star stifled a sob and covers her face.
Marco hesitated to pat her shoulder.
He grunted when Star leapt on him, sobbing on him.
"Please…please…make it stop…I don't know who I am...who am I, Marco? Do I love Tom? Do I love you? Why? I can't stop dreaming about you, Marco…I can't stop feeling disgusted touching Tom…when I'm happy, is it because of you? You block your pain from me…but do you block your joy? Can you feel my joy, Marco?"
"Yes…I feel your joy, Star…when I cradle my dead friend in my arms in the battlefield…I felt so happy I laughed and smiled around my frighten and disgusted WarBand…"
The two laid in the grass, Star rested her head on Marco's chest, hearing the steady comforting heartbeat. Marco resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her.
"…I have to go now, Star."
"…please don't. Stay…for me…"
"…I wish I could, but I have to."
"Is leaving more important than me?"
"Even after all I've been through…I will not betray my vows to you, Star…if I stayed: Mewni will be in turmoil…it will rip itself apart."
Star looked up at him: blue eyes meeting brown ones.
"I want you to have your choice back…when this curse…this Unbinding is complete…I wonder if we will still feel the same way for each other."
"…"
Star pulled herself up, eyes puffy and red, Marco softly wiped her tears.
She leaned in and kissed him softly.
Marco felt the weight lift off him and saw her quietly walk back to her kingdom.
The Dark Knight stood up and slashed a portal and walked through, disappearing.
A demon.
A blacksmith.
A queen.
One and another.
Slinking back into the shadows.
The blood moon painfully wept.
I've taken so much from you…and I will take even more…I'm so sorry.
Please forgive me.
Marco walked into the oh-so-familiar glade, Oblivion and Buttercup already there waiting for him.
"The Ward just came crashing down. I'm guessing no Ward this time?"
"Yeah…I don't suppose—?"
The lizard threw him a rather large crystal.
"That's a Tracker Crystal, it will count up to 1 Trillion visitors that comes into your dimension, so long you harmonize it with the rest of the array, it will tell you who your visitor is, description, time logs and all those useful things."
Marco smiled at the crystal.
"I'm fucking up and you're still here…making sure it doesn't bite me in the ass."
Buttercup chuckled, "We're your mentors. Oblivion is your brother. You are my student. Who would want to see family get hurt?"
Marco wiped a tear at the corner of his eye, "Thanks…I needed to hear that. Especially after today."
"Marco…you did what was right, the best course of action. I'm sure you've heard these tired similar wise lines before, but that's why they are so overused. We've given you all we can offer, it's up to you to make these decisions."
"Why not just do it yourselves?"
"The kingdoms hates Lizards."
"And I practically demolish half of their 'myths', 'legends', 'culture' and 'traditions' just showing my face. No, Marco, we've had our chance to shape history, what we can do is make sure the next generation is best prepared for the future, whatever it may be."
"Thanks."
The two nodded.
"Self-imposed exile, not bad, I know some Dark Knights that did that."
"You still sore you won't learn from us?"
"Oh. No, I've gotten years to understand what you meant two years ago. I'm sure Mewni will be fine without me."
The two just looked on.
"You know Marco…even if you do say that…try and sneak your way back here, we have something important you need to undertake."
"Can't I just do it now?"
"Buttercup, we're in no rush, let's wait for Marco to come back to Mewni, it's not like the two of us are getting any grayer."
The lizard sighed.
"Fine. I suppose I could wait until Marco's ready. Will you be though, Oblivion?"
"I was ready hundreds of years ago!"
Marco looked at them, "Well? Just tell me already, what do you want me to do?"
They made shooing gestures, "When you decide to come back out from retirement, we'll tell you."
"That could be like never." Marco deadpan.
The two laughed.
"Sure."
Marco chuckled and slashed open a portal back to Earth.
"Thanks for everything."
"Take care, lad. We'll see you when we do."
"See you soon little brother."
Marco paused before he waved to the two of them before stepping through, knowing what it meant. He glanced back as the portal shrunk, the two nodded at him, encouraging him he did what was right.
"…"
"…Marco will make a fine Pendragon one day."
XxXxXxXxX
Chance versus Choice.
Another theme of the fanfic.
Yup, Marco is exiled from Mewni on his accord. Sad, but it has to be done.
Guess the royals never learn although to be fair reverse-engineering is a thing, when you have something good, someone will always want to have one too.
Yay, Higgs and Sir Lavabo got to see Marco off! And the Knights of the Hood too, although it's sorta depressing for both parties. And yes, the Frost Flame will belong to Higgs, for the time being, her only momento of her rival.
Monster Arm is a playa, I'm just saying it said 'bitches', Musica is its main one.
Aha...oh Star, honestly I say I'm soften from Booth Buddies, but how can I stay bitter for so long...well, I still can! I'm still angry over what BMB did to budding relationship...but with the series ending soon, it's best I make some kind of goodness out of it. It's just acceptable in my eyes that Marco got his due, especially since Star initiated it. Marco be kissin' two girls that night~
It was Nachos he kissed not Kelly ;-P
Just kidding he kissed Kelly that night too.
Oh, Blood Moon Goddess...she's been through a lot too...never had she had dancer so willing to complete the Impossible Tasks and seeing what he was willing to suffer through, oh the inhumanity! In a way, she's in despair, but also in awe that Marco could be so noble. And stupid. But in way Marco wants to break the Binding as no one has been able to, not for pride, fame or anything like that.
The goddess became like that because when dancers want out, it was a slap to her face and purpose in being.
The goddess would be as overjoyed as she would be in despair that someone broke it, happy someone could but lament at the cost.
It's strange but that's the Goddess for you, she's seen a remarkable person but sad to see what she put him through.
And last but not least Buttercup and Oblivion.
Nothing needs to be said, nothing to add on.
They said it best.
Don't hold back those tears...
tu ne me reconnaiss pas?
I AM NRG
END OF TRANSMISSION