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Disclaimer: back at it again with these updates. And spell check machine broke.
Chapter 25
Redemption Arc
XxXxXxXxX
"FUCK!" Hekapoo seethed once she was brought up to speed by the three girls, they stood where Marco had been minutes before, "Where did he go!?"
"HEY! WATCH YOUR FUCKIN' LANGUAGE!"
Kelly, Janna, Jackie and Hekapoo instinctually ducked as the waitress came striding in, she glared at all of them before the four of them got back to the booth. Kelly fidgeted as she sat next to Hekapoo, she looked like she just got out of a fight, one of her horns were cut nearly to a stub.
Janna and Jackie looked at the newcomer, Janna had some knowledge of Hekapoo, Star's tidbits while Jackie had almost zero, although she felt a strange connection to the lady blacksmith…like she and her had someone in common.
"…does this place have any liquor?" Hekapoo snapped suddenly, the three hopped at words but before they could answer the waitress was back, she frowned at Hekapoo and threw the menu at the table before stalking away.
"…ugh, all kiddy drinks; this is something Marco would drink…" Hekapoo tossed the menu aside and leaned back, feeling the injuries covering her body throb. Kelly looked at the table seeing no one ready to speak, she mentally braced herself,
"Hekapoo…what are you doing here?"
"…I came to Earth to find Marco; lo and behold he runs the moment I get here…typical."
Jackie and Janna frowned at the brusque way Hekapoo spoke of Marco, it was as if they knew each other pretty well.
"Excuse me, but who are you."
"Hekapoo of Magic High Commission—look if Marco isn't here, I'm going to bounce." She winced at the utterance when a surge of pain racked her, however the three collectively watched the top-heavy newcomer's rack match her words. Kelly felt a jab to her self-esteem while Janna and Jackie stared at it longingly.
"…ah."
"Yeah. Later." Hekapoo tried to get up before she sat back down, wincing in pain.
The trio looked at her concerned before the waitress came around the booth and handed Hekapoo a drink and a roll of bandages, a glass of water for everyone else,
"It's on the house, sweetie."
"…thanks."
Hekapoo took a sip of the drink, frowning before she looked around for some hot sauce before she gave up and continued. The trio looked at each other, unsure what to say or do; it was hella awkward for all of them.
"So…Hekapoo, what's your relationship to Marco?"
"Muscles? What's it to you?" Hekapoo replied offhandedly.
Before Jackie could retort, Janna eager for more information on the newcomer and Kelly getting ready to get the hell out of dodge from the ensuing catfight
Something slammed on the table, spilling drinks on their respective owners before the chaos could even erupt.
Marco laid on the table as wayward memories filled his mind as the occupants were yelling around him…
[Prima Arc]
Marco contemplated the offer that the Concept laid before him, but instead of jumping right into it, he decided to get his Warband back on its feet first before disappearing for who knows how long. He also went back to Earth and make sure time was still working to his advantage, knowing that Chronos close proximity had shielded him from the adverse effects of many dimensions.
After informing his Warband of his absences, much to their dismay, Marco set off for Chronos's secret home world of Prima. The Concept insisted that it would be worth his while but he couldn't help but feel it was going to cause a lot trouble for himself and the Concept.
He was right.
Landing in what he assumed was the capital, Marco was greeted to the wondrous sight of what he suppose was a city carved out of nature; the overwhelming sense of life brimming was palpable to Marco.
The Concept of Time bounced off his head and the pocket watch turned into an unearthly but beautiful woman, gracefully curtsey before him as several beings of nature came running, flying, gliding, sliding, slithering and other modes of movement towards them from the distance.
/Welcome to Prima, Marco. You're the first in eons./
Goddamn, she's hawt! Hol' up, there are a ton of hos here! And undressed too!
Monster Arm's proclamation was, albeit a rude one, on the money: they were so scantily clad they might as well been naked as they drew closer. They greeted Chronos with hugs, kisses and worry however those who waited their turn soon forgot as their eyes fell upon Marco, feeling their…predatory looks at him. One wrapped in wing angel wings merely stared at him.
"Uh, hi?"
It's a male.
Marco felt his entire body tense as they slowly stalked closer, Chronos spared a glance at Marco and yelled,
/Sisters, wait!/
They paused.
/I want to break him in first!/
"WHAT?!"
Ooh yesss!
They looked at Chronos.
Before they leapt at Marco as he scurried away from them.
/Marco don't run! That'll just make them hornier!/
Marco ran faster.
He felt the ground tremble as he skidded from what looked like a rippling underground torpedo headed straight for him, he jumped just as two hands tried to grab his ankles before latching on a nearby tree to avoid it.
Oh my. The first male in eons…and he's a tree hugger~
Marco almost snapped his neck as he swivel at the voice, a face was on the tree trunk, looking amused at his plight.
This is the part you yell and run away. Don't make it too easy for us~
Marco did just that and sprinted away, he could hear devious mischievous laughter tickling his ears as he tried to lose them in a nearby grove: he had the home field advantage now.
Uh, idiot, they're Elementals right? Doesn't that mean this entire place is their home field?
"...fuck"
Hah…dumbass.
Marco didn't have time to contemplate his miscalculation when a gust of wind tore through the grove and pinned him to a tree, a girl appeared before him, smiling widely,
I've got—!
Marco summoned the Traitor's Sword and held it threateningly at her throat, the girl's eyes peered down on him: not a shred of fear in it.
Instead he felt something primal stared back at him.
Go on. See if you leave here alive.
"…I don't want to hurt you. Any of you. So why are you all acting like—" dick-starve cock sleeves in front of an all you-can-suck-dick-buffet?
…okay, now that's just hurtful. And true.
Marco was more surprised at the fact the girl could hear Monster Arm rather than the insult it just spouted.
Sister, you big meanie!
AH!
Marco watched as the girl shot away from him as massive crystals grew out from the ground, a little girl ran up to him, her eyes a bright teal, hair a shade darker and her skin an unnatural blue tinge.
This way! Hurry!
Marco blinked as the girl ran to a tree before the roots parted and she crawled in, unsure what to do, Marco followed down the tunnel. In less than a minute he found himself in an underground room, the girl waved to him.
That was close, I don't normally get to scare off my sister like that.
"…what's the deal with all of them?"
Easy: Prima has been isolated for eons. Only a chosen few are granted the luxury to leave when they please. So rare for us to get…visitors. Especially of the male persuasion~
Marco turned and saw another girl, she laid on her side, smiling at him.
She had wavy fiery red, yellow and orange hair, like a living flame, her skin tawny and eyes like glowing coal. Marco how no doubt what element she was.
Greetings, I am—sorry! It seems you can't comprehend our names.
The Elemental stopped as Marco rubbed his ears,
"Yeah, but surely you have a name that I can use?"
She spoke again but Marco shook his head, each one just sounded like more screeching.
Hmmm…I guess you'll just have to give me a nickname for now.
"How about flame?"
…why that?
"Eh? Aren't you the element fire?"
She frowned and rested the back of her hand under her chin, looking peeved.
No. I'm—what you do call it?...ah! I'm Radiation.
"WHAT!?" Marco's hands shot over his nuts.
The Elemental looked at his shocked face before doubling over, laughing at him,
Ooh, that's what you get for giving me such a plain name!
"…so you are the element of fire?"
Mhmmm, yes I am…hot stuff~
"…right. Hmmm, how about Ignis?"
The Elemental tilted her head back and forth before nodding at the new christen name,
That'll work, better than called just 'fire' anyways.
The little girl watched the display, the two so comfortable with each other upon meeting...the girl watched them for a moment longer before she made a gesture behind her back, Ignis tensed for a second before she suddenly fell out of view shocking Marco, he scamper forward seeing a hole had swallowed Ignis.
Marco tried to yell out to her but the little girl immediately latched on to him, her hand over his mouth muffling it.
One of my sister must have sensed her. You have to stay still.
"But she just—right...right."
The little girl smiled widely as Marco calmed down, she pulled herself closer, taking a discreet sniff at the nape of his neck. Disturbed at the sudden disappearance Marco began to formulate a plan, only to be distracted when the little girl took a crystal and dangled it in front of Marco and swayed it like those generic hypnosis gags.
Sleep. Sleeep~
"…?"
Close your eyes…drift to sleep~
"…I really shouldn't."
…eh?
Before Marco could question what she was doing a loud voice thundered from above.
/Where are you, cock meat!? ANSWER ME!/
Marco froze.
It was the most masculine voice he had ever heard.
The little girl shrunk into the darkness.
/FINE! I HAVE OTHER WAYS TO FIND YOU…/
Rain drop~
"—drop top!"
Marco slapped a hand over his mouth at his utterance, unsure why he was compelled to answer.
Without warning the top of the room was pried open and a victorious woman smiled upon him,
/FOUND YOU~/
.
[Musica let him go.]
Marco was in a full nelson by the Concept of Music, she sneered at the words made by the Light Elemental, Chronos sighed at her sister as the rest of them gathered.
/He's mine. ALL MINE!/
"What is wrong with her?!"
/Musica is tied to the Concept of Music. Meaning all music in the universe./
[Sadly, the state of music has gone downhill in recent years. Hence why Musica is so easily agro.]
"…that is so meta." Marco said, wrestling himself free, finally.
/I KNOW/ + [I know.]
The Light Elemental looked at Marco,
[What is your business here, outsider.]
"Wow. Name calling."
[Fine. What are you doing here, intruder.]
/He is here at my behest. I bore witness to his heroic nature and deeds, someone of his caliber has not been seen in eons, I should know I've been passed down so many family lines and bore witness to rise and falls of civilizations. He is worthy of wielding our powers. So I brought him to Prima and if you agree: lend him your blessing./
The Elementals murmured at the declaration.
The Concept had discarded expressions.
[No. Chronos send him back. I don't want him here.]
Marco looked at the Light Elemental, she looked at him with guarded eyes,
[Prima is a special place. If you care about it's inhabitants then you will leave. And never speak of it to anyone.]
/Now, now, that's pretty harsh, I brought him here and he will NOT leave empty handed. Buuut, I do see your point. Okay, if Marco can't get a blessing from an Elemental then I will comply and boot him out of Prima. Are we agreed?/
[No. He may be heroic in nature and deed. But he isn't pure.]
Two Concepts walked over the first pressed a hand over his heart, the other hand on his forehead.
The other grabbed his dick.
Marco hopped at the sudden grab.
/Good news: he's a virgin. Pure as the day he was born./
[…oh by the elements, you have to be kidding me!]
The Elementals and Concept immediately latch upon Marco, Musica grinded against him, nibbling on his earlobe.
I promise, I'll be gentle!
I'm an amazing lover!
Pick me! Pick me!
[GET OFF HIM! You're supposed to be the pure embodiment of nature! Virginal spirits and avatars of nature!]
The Elementals and Concepts pouted at the words.
Others snickered.
Pffft. Sure. Virgin.
To be fair, we still are.
…I mean—technically.
Marco's vision was soon obscured by many vying women and so he only caught snippets of Chronos and the Light Elementals arguments, but it came down to if Marco could handle the Light Elemental's powers.
The other Elementals and Concepts pouted that their sister would take Marco first and kept an iron grip on him.
Until a warm hand caught his and pulled him free.
Ignis smiled at him.
Before glaring at the rest of her sisters and pulled Marco to the Light Elemental.
Ignis ushered him forward whilst he stood in front of the Elemental,
[…if my Light doesn't kill you…then you may be able to use any of my Sister's element; so long as they are willing to give you their Blessings.]
/Or a Concept's Favor./ Chronos chirped in.
Marco looked tentatively at the Light Elemental as she unfurled her wings revealing a gorgeous woman. Frowning.
She held out a hand and he took it.
And his vision went stark white as Light flooded into his being.
Monster Arm screamed in agony at the invading light.
Marco!
His vision returned and he painfully glanced over to the Elemental, Ignis's eyes shining with every color facet of flames, concern etched into them.
Don't die!
"…I'm trying to!"
As if the words were an insult, the Light Elemental cranked up the intensity and Marco was racked with god awful pain, he grabbed his chest feeling a burning sensation: the Roman Numeral went from II to I. The smell of sizzling hair and skin became apparent.
/*inaudible* that's enough! Are you trying to kill him?/
[…I had to be sure.]
Marco fell to the ground, gasping for air as the Elementals crowd around him concerned, some even caressing him.
Intimately.
Marco swatted the hands away, getting to his feet and glaring at the indifferent Light Elemental,
"What's the big idea? HUH?"
/…sooo, now this little test is over, who wants to give Marco their Blessing?/
All Elementals shot their hands up into the air eagerly.
The Light Elemental exhaled noisily.
/I see everyone is excited. Hey! What did I say! Alright, since all of you would give it to Marco in a drop of his pants—hat, I meant hat, you got to make him do a test so—hey, quit pouting! Devise a test so it's not just a freebie!/
"Hol' up, I want to give you a name like I did for Ignis—I can not take anymore screeching."
/Ignis?/
[No. What right do you have to name an Elemental. Sacrilege!]
Chronos looked to override her sister, but the death glare from the Light Elemental made her hesitant.
/Only if you complete their test may you deign them a name, Marco. Now listen here, sisters: do not go easy on this legal cock meat. And I mean it!/
The Elementals weren't happy with the instruction.
And they weren't entirely creative with their test either.
There were the generic tests:
[Ignis] Climb that mountain but the fire can't go out!
[Sylph] Run as fast as me.
[Undine] Empty out this lake with this bucket in a day.
[Gnome] Push this boulder.
[Olive] Bring me to your fineness fast food restaurant.
[Salt] Help me get good at Fortnite, I keep running into Tryhards and 9yearolds. Salty af rn.
[Hanabi] Let's go prank my sisters!
[Dunes] Do you want to build a sandcastle~?
[Yuki] Do you want to build a snowman~?
There were the ones who didn't listen:
[Jewel]+[Automata]+[Moku]+[Raigu]+[Flask]+[Chronos]+[Spatial]+[Psyche]
/Take off your clothes!/
Go on.
We won't tell~
And the ones who really didn't listen:
[Toxin] This is my juice (ﾉ∀` ) please drink it~
[Life]+[Death] /This is a matter of life and death! Take off your clothes!/
[Historia] /You know there's a history where you DO take off your clothes and [bleep] me. Wanna see if it's this one?/
And the ones that were actually worth the effort to write:
/This here is a Walkman, Marco./
"…okay? But why do I need one?"
Musica smiled sinisterly at him.
/Because how would you be able to fight a Concept of Music without using music to fight back!?/
Marco was flung back as Musica made a gesture to him, the other Elementals and Concepts watched from a distance: amused and afraid.
Be careful, Marco, Musica is one of the most powerful Concept in Creation. Her body count is astronomical.
"I'll keep that in mind."
/9 out of 10 were Immortals./
"WHAT!?"
Musica sang out as she blurred forward,
You've been hit by…
You've been struck by—a smooth criminal~
Marco felt as if he was stuck to the floor even though he intended to dodge, Musica landed two solid hits and sent him skidding across the ground.
"What the—?"
/Song has power, little boy! Not only can I stop you from reacting I could even do this!/
Marco quickly scrambled through his Walkman searching for some counter to Musica's unorthodox power as she sang the verse while showing her shapely butt:
When she bend over it's a full moon
Say girl you gon' fuck around and
Turn a [bleep] into a werewolf
"What the fuc—!?"
HOLY SHIT!
Marco felt as if his body suddenly went through a painful growth spurt, he tore through his clothes as rippling muscle formed before a thick purple fur covered it, his face elongated, his features taking more canine appearance including a tail.
Musica laughed as Marco snarled baring his teeth,
Oh for fuck's sake, I have the Walkman now brat, just rake her with your claws.
"I—!"
Just fuckin' do it!
Marco got on fours and launch himself, Musica readied to sing again,
Shut up
Just shut up
Shut up [3x]
Shut it up, just shut up
Musica blinked when she was muted by the Walkman as Marco raked her, Monster Arm quick in the follow-up,
Crawling in my skin,
These wounds they
Will not heal
Musica staggered back feeling the gashes on her before she grinned,
/Not bad! But only one song effect may be used at a time!/
Marco huffed and groaned as his body morphed back into human, he pulled his pants up as the Elementals tried to peek on him.
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the FLOOR!
Marco and everyone else present found themselves with their faces on the ground, the Elementals cursed and complained while the Concepts merely sighed.
/Had enough little boy?/
Musica taunted, Marco scrapped the ground and bore his head up, eyes burning,
I will not bow
I will not break
I will shut the world away
I will not fall
I will not fade
I will take your breath away
Musica doubled over as Marco lunged forward and punched her in the gut, she gasped and was sent flying.
/Yes! YES! Play more with me, Marco!?/
He flinched seeing Musica back up already, her eyes manic.
"Monster Arm!"
…I really didn't want to play this…oh well.
DES
PA
CITO
/Fuck that. I'm out./
Musica threw her hands up in the air and walked away.
"…did I win?"
/Heck, no./
"Damnit, Monster Arm!"
Wha—fine. I'll fix this. Hey, B quit playin' I know you want to—
/Oh, Concepts…why don't you eat my ass./
Hah, as luck would have it, I'm a professional ass eater.
/…okay, now I need to see some credentials and a demonstration./
Step into my office, don't mind the recording cam, that's for quality assurance.
Marco, startled at the sudden turn of events, grunted as Musica powerwalk over and seep into him, Monster Arm pulled out its rap sheet and listing off his accomplishments.
Now we can go on and on about my past conquests OR you can quit playin' and let me tongue yo booty hole.
/Bet./
"WHAT THE FUCK? YOU BETTER—Aaaaaah! AAAHHH!" the sound of clothes hitting the floor and wood creaking.
DAMN BITCH YOU'RE TIGHT!
/DEEPER~ I CAN BARELY FEEL IT!/
Marco was rolling around on the ground.
You see Marco, I really hate how you flesh bags spout how good you are at a rim job, like you only get the tight pucker lips and 2 inches in, but me? I can make my tentacle sprout multiple mouths and all I have to do is my patented Slobber Drill maneuver: all I do is stick out my tongue and turn like a drill so I can taste every inch of her Hershey Highway.
Marco clawed his ears.
The sound of wet slithering slobber invaded every decibel range to which even the reader could imagine it.
Toxin and Spatial fainted.
I could tell you what she had for dinner…last week~!
Historia puked and immediately began to change history, the Elementals and Concepts frantically urging her.
"GET OUT!" Marco roared before Musica moaned out content with the tongue lashing.
/Aah! Ooh, Monster Arm…I had better~/
NANI!?
.
/I am the Concept of Soul and my test is simple, Marco./
"I hope so." Marco said warily, the Concepts were a whole other league than the Elementals, to be sure they were powerful but the Concepts drew power from those who believed in the concept of their subject and with the universe chuck full of planets, dimension and civilizations…they were neigh unstoppable.
However, from what he understood: him asking to use their power and them giving it freely were two separate things.
When he asked them to help him, like Historia to rewrite his history to something better; better results from his past doings…they asked something in return for the Favor. And Marco could never pay such a price.
/We'll step into my Domain…the Soul Ston—I mean, the Soul Room and there: your judgment will be at hand./
"!"
Marco felt himself transported from Prima into an alien plane of existence, he looked around and only saw himself and the Soul Concept.
/I will recall all the souls linked to you, the dead only otherwise the living would just muddle up this judgment of ours./
"…you won't include the souls Warco and Ocram took?" Marco asked tentatively.
The Soul Concept smiled warmly.
/Of course, I am. This wouldn't be proper otherwise~/
And in an instant the blank plane-scape was filled with a tidal wave of deceased bloody souls crying, begging and positively angry at the sight of Marco. They charge at him with claw hands ready to rend him to pieces.
The Soul Concept faded from Marco's sight as a wave of weeping and bleeding bodies wash over him, their screams and cries, delirious with pain, suffering and hatred. Victims of Warco and Ocram.
Claw hands.
Hateful words.
Bleeding eyes.
Sorrowful fates.
Marco tried to yell over the demonic din,
"I didn't—! I know I—! Warco! Ocram! They—!"
YOU KILLED US!
We did nothing wrong! A bleeding woman cried.
Killed in cold blood! A sightless boy shook his fist.
The weak and sick not spared! An elderly man yelled his disembodied head held underneath his arm.
Marco was swallowed up in their pain, despair, hatred and scorn, a swirling mass of limbs kept Marco down, as if to drown him in their misery.
/Do you not feel regret for their deaths, Marco?/ came a grave voice.
"I do! But I did not slay them all!"
/Hah…excuses. And I thought you were above that. Fine. How about the ones you did kill?/
With a snap 99% of the bodies vanished and Marco got up, shaking from the ordeal, Soul smiled and gestured to the remaining.
Marco's face drain in color.
Standing were the souls of those he did kill in his past adventures and mercenary career.
The dragon roared at him.
The disgraced Dark Knight lifted his sword.
King and Baron marched on him.
Countless faceless mooks and goons pulled out their weapons.
His fallen Warband members stood before him.
Hello…StudMuffin.
Marco threw the Concept a look of contempt, she smirked and gestured to the mob; Marco grimly took them on, dodging and fighting them with an astral projected Traitor Sword.
But when a Warband member came he…he fled, he turned away, he couldn't strike them down.
Soul watched as Marco thin out the herd until the Warband members remained. Tired, Marco looked at who remained, he grimace at their accusing gazes and for a moment considered to resist...but in the end he simply closed his eyes and tilted his head to his feet. Resigning himself to his fate. His punishment.
He killed them once.
He couldn't do it again.
And so they overwhelmed him, howling their anger and ire upon him.
Have you nothing to say!?
Did you think you would get away from what you did!?
We will be waiting for you in the afterlife!
DIE STUDMUFFIN!
DIE!
Marco felt every blow they did and he didn't bother to defend himself, this was his punishment for letting them die and lying to them. Marco felt ribs crack, fingers broken, he was choked before his body was pulled by the dead Warband, screaming for blood and their turn to exact vengeance upon their 'fallen leader'.
He looked at them with his good eye, seeing their mangled bloody bodies, he croaked,
"I…deserve…this…I'm sorry…I let you die…"
They screamed at his apology, even more embolden by it as they all grabbed a piece of Marco and ready to tear him apart with their bare hands.
"That's enough!"
The mob was sent flying.
Marco felt a hand wipe his face, running down his broken body, mending it.
His vision returned and he saw someone he loved alive once again: Vixen.
"Can't help yourself, huh, Marco~?"
Marco got to his feet as Vixen stood in front of him, proudly smiling behind her were the Dread Squad, grinning.
And StudMuffin.
You shield him?! After what he did to us!?
"You were given the chance to walk away. But you stayed because you believe in him. Like I did, like we all did."
I expect nothing less from StudMuffin's whore.
Vixen laughed mirthlessly as StudMuffin eyed her up and down at the insult,
"I wish I was his, but I was not. Not that one either." She jut a thumb over her shoulder, the merc scoffed,
"For fuck's sake…cock blocked by my own protégé."
You will not protect him! He will die!
Death to StudMuffin!
"The fuck did I ever did to you?" the Merc looked hella annoyed.
…?
The dead Warband shoved a finger at Marco,
He's StudMuffin!
"He's Marco Diaz. I'm StudMuffin." Snapped the Merc.
"…no, I'm both." Marco replied coldly.
The dead Warband went berserk at the back and forth and charged, uncaring,
THEN YOU WILL DIE TOO!
The Dread Squad, Vixen and StudMuffin pushed forward and merely stood between them and Marco, grim at the sight of them all,
WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!
"And we forgave him."
The dead Warband were inches away from bulldozing them before they vanished.
The Concept smiled, as they stood resolute of being totally overwhelmed for Marco.
Vixen looked around curiously; once she was sure the danger had passed she faced Marco who was busy catching up with the eager Dread Squad members and walked up to him, brushing past former Warband members earning Marco's attention,
"Vixen, I—!" Marco started before soft lips met his own.
"Atta boy." StudMuffin nodded.
Dreda, Dreadbot, Deadr, Eradd, Dread Beast and Lord Dread wolf whistle.
Iron Dread, Dreadscar, Dreadguy, Dread & Bones, Dread or Dead and Dared applauded.
Aeddr, Dread X, Mr. Dreadful and Weapon Dread whooped.
Lady Dread and Mildread squee at the sight.
Vixen pulled away as Marco blinked confused but completely aroused, she smiled when he tried to speak, but she cut him off.
"Shhh~ did you unshackle yourself yet?" she asked kindly.
"…no, but I'm close. Listen, Vixen, when you died…that laughter, I didn't—"
"It doesn't matter. I know you wouldn't be so cruel. What I care about now is that you're alive, safe and happy."
Marco looked at his Warband, Vixen and Studmuffin.
"Aren't…aren't you angry with me?"
"Hmph, what for?" the merc questioned.
"Not really. Although we do want to apologize for dying without your permission." Dared spoke up, the Dread Squad nodding.
"Whatever for?" Vixen asked.
"For lying to you. For getting you killed. For letting you die." He said to the Warband, to Vixen and to Studmuffin.
All of them looked at each other before they all yelled at him in unison,
"YOU ARE FORGIVEN, (BOY)(MARCO)(STUDMUFFIN)!"
Marco just stared at them, confused and shock.
"You carry that burden of guilt because you believe you need to be punished to be absolved."
"You yearn to be forgiven, but first Marco, you must learn to forgive yourself."
"Forgiveness…you already have it, Marco, from all of us. We do not blame you for what befell us. So walk with head held high, don't dwell on bitter memories…we weren't that to you and likewise us. Do what you have to do; and live."
Marco looked at their smiling faces minus StudMuffin who merely smirked and turned away, a smile spread across Marco's own to match, tears forming.
"…thank you."
/And that's all you get, Marco./
The Soul Concept gave a gesture and they slowly began to fade, Marco reached out to them but they merely waved to him, Vixen blew him a kiss before he was alone with the Concept.
"…"
/You seem upset./
"…I'm not. I just wished…they could have stayed a bit longer…" Marco whispered.
/You'll see them again. Eventually. Now let's get the second part of your test started./
Marco hopped back as Warco and Ocram materialized in the plane of existence, the Dark Knight glowered at them.
/Defeat them. Or they will consume you and forever be dominant for the end of your days./
"…you're cruel."
/No. I am fair. Now you have something to fight for, something you truly believe in. You were unfocused coming here, now you are determined. You know what must be done, you know what is at stake./
Marco faced off with his doppelgangers.
"…I know."
"Ah, if it isn't Marco Diaz!"
"You will not be victorious."
"Get back in your cages."
.
/Congratulations, Marco! You got so many Elementals and Concepts under your sway! Not bad~/
"It's crazy…there are Elementals and Concepts here I never even heard of…"
/…mhmm, yes, I suppose. There were a lot more of us in the past…but that's a story for another time, so let's go—!/
[Not so fast! Where do you think you're going!?]
The Concepts and Elementals stood behind Marco as the Light and Dark Elemental marched forward looking upset and grim respectively.
/We were just going out to get some milk./ Chronos said cheekily but the Light Elemental glared at her.
[None of you are leaving Prima.]
He beat your test! He is worthy!
[I don't care. You all will stay put.]
[Sister…perhaps if I go with them, they'll stay out of trouble.]
The Light Elemental looked at her sister for a moment, draped in black wings that obscured most of her features except for her meek dark eyes, [You would betray me too?]
/O—kay, I see where this is going. Sister: would you like to follow us too?/
The Elemental looked indignant at the words, Chronos smiled as she moved closer,
/Are you…jealous that we're gonna leave Prima? Or maybe…you're jealous of something else?/
[…]
Marco watched the exchange for a moment, he felt a warm hand clasp to his, he didn't bother looking he could tell who it was already.
"Don't worry Ignis."
…this is Jewel.
"…oh. My mistake." Marco glanced at the small girl that was the Crystal Elemental.
[…will you leave even if I forbid it.]
/Yesss~/
[Very well. Then I shall kill Marco.]
/!/ [!] "!?"
Marco leapt forward as light slammed from above, the Elemental glowed and blitz Marco and slammed him into the ground, she held him down even as the Traitor's Sword appeared.
[You will not take my sisters, boy.]
"I did what you asked. Do not go back on your word, Seraph!"
[…what did you call me!]
Marco felt her hand on his throat, choking him,
"That's…your…name…!"
[I HAVE A NAME ALREADY I'M…I'M…WHAT DOES SERAPH MEAN?]
"…it pertains to the heavens…angelic…"
[Oh. So flattery.]
Marco gasped as she squeezed harder, feeling tears prick her eyes, memories flooding her. In his last moments, Marco managed to get a good look at her, the brief eye contact caused her to flinch and she let go off him and stood up, feeling suddenly unclean. She looked around and held back a surprise: her sisters were inches away from prying her off, their faces almost feral…Primal.
[…fine. Go with him.]
The sisters didn't relax, she sighed before she grabbed the Dark Elemental and pulled her along.
[All of you will be a handful to handle, you'll be coming along to help me.] [I am?]
"That's…great news…Seraph."
She frowned seeing Marco being helped up, he rubbed neck before Seraph walked forward and healed him despite his wary face.
"Um, thank you."
[…]
Noting the silence from Seraph, Marco turned to the Dark Elemental,
"Ah, right you're coming along now yeah? Hmmm what to call you…"
[Something nice. Please?]
Marco looked between the two Elemental
"You're like Seraph's twin sister right? Light and Dark?"
[In a way.]
"Okay, then you'll be Hallow."
The Dark Elemental blushed as the Elementals and Concepts gave their cheers and pulled all of them into a hug.
So where are we going, Marco?
"Well, you've been so kind showing me around Prima, I want to return the favor. I want to show you my home: Earth."
[Kelly's Parents Arc]
The next time Marco landed in Kelly's room he was greeted to the sight of Kelly looking nervous with a tall woman reminiscent to Kelly and a short but stout man next to her.
He assumed they were her parents.
And so the Dark Knight of Mewni found himself sitting awkwardly in the living room with the two and Kelly.
Afternoon tea already premade for his arrival.
Along with the patented parent analyzing glances from the two, the mother more subtle than the father.
Marco just sat there as the parents and Kelly let the awkward silence reign supreme.
They didn't even touch the tea.
Marco looked at Kelly and she looked away, embarrassed and unsure what to say to him.
He looked at the other two before awkwardly extending out a hand to the nearest of the two: Kelly's father.
"…so, you're Kelly's father—" Marco started, however he kept his arms crossed at the gesture.
"That's Mister-Kelly's-father-Harold to you, punk." Harold said with some force at the end, his eyes hard on Marco.
Marco froze.
Kelly covered her face with her hands.
"…excuse my husband, dear. I'm Ruth, Kelly's mother."
"That's Missus-Harold's-wife-Kelly's-mother-Ruth to you, buster."
Ruth reminded Marco of a willow tree: thin, tall and all graceful.
Harold may have been short but he was like the trunk of an oak tree: strong and thick.
Kelly even more embarrassed hid her face with some of her bushy green hair, Marco blinked twice before retracting his outstretched hand,
"…right."
"I am right."
Harold eyed Marco, while Ruth shot her husband a side-glance, obviously this was not what she wanted.
"So, Marco…you've been visiting my daughter." "OUR daughter." Harold chimed.
"…yes, Harold: daughter, I thought that would be clear." Ruth looked annoyed for a moment before looking back to Marco, "Why have you never thought to see us? We wouldn't spurn your visit nor be bad hosts whilst you visit." Ruth said kindly.
Marco fidgeted uncomfortably; despite the kind words he knew the intent:
WHY ARE YOU HIDING FROM US? WE JUST WANT TO SEE YOU AND PASSIVELY INTERROGATE YOU.
"Er, Mom, Marco he, well, I'm his confidant!" Kelly blurted out.
Harold looked at him,
"What are your intentions with my—our daughter."
Marco turned red at the words Harold implied while Ruth resisted the urge to roll her eyes before addressing him properly,
"Ignore that question, I know you wouldn't do anything—untoward. But why does he need one for, Kelly? He's so young, what problems could weigh on his mind? Girl trouble?" Ruth asked curiously.
"Can't get it up?" Harold said not so subtly.
Marco frowned.
This was getting bothersome, so he spoke up with deliberate conviction,
"Running from the law."
Kelly looked at him alarmed, he stated numerous times wanted to keep things low-key but now he wanted to flaunt it all over her parent's faces!?
Ruth blinked.
Harold laughed, "Ooh~ edgy. Careful kid you could cut yourself with that much—"
"You might have heard: I raise some hell in Mewni recently. I am Marco Diaz, Mewni's Dark Knight." Marco said quietly.
"…huh."
"…you're…Mewni's newest Dark Knight?"
"Yes."
"Is that still a knightly status on Mewni." Harold asked.
"...yes?"
"Hmmm..."
"Marco! You said—!"
"Kelly!"
"Yes!?" she answered, her head spinning at the conversation.
Harold got to his feet as did Marco, the latter peering down on him as Ruth stood up too, supporting herself on her husband. Harold looked at Marco much more intensely, as if trying to decipher if he was truly as bad as the media had portrayed.
"…I approve of your boyfriend. A knight is a good first choice. A respectable profession and he is almost as good looking as me."
"Ooh, Kelly~ You really hit it out of the park with this one!"
"…wat?" Kelly barely formed the word.
"Huh?"
The two parents grinned and shrugged at their shock faces.
"We don't believe squat on the newspaper and social media as much anymore, most of the time they blow things out of proportion."
"I've been to Mewni many times before, it's been in a sad state for a while now, Marco sounds like a very convenient target for their governing woes. We're good judges of characters or we like to be, you don't strike us as someone who would 'terrorize' Mewni, maybe do something juvenile but nothing beyond that."
Marco was taken back how accepting they were over who he was.
"…but...but I did do those things: fighting and stuff."
"But you throw the first punch?"
"No?"
Harold and Ruth gave him a knowing look,
"Can't really blame you for defending yourself, can we?"
"Sounded really fishy when the news came in, all sorts of baloney. Did you really grow to be 5 stories tall?"
Marco shook his head, his faced marred with disbelief at the tall tales the media spewed.
Harold smiled for the first time since Marco met him and clapped him in the back,
"You can tell me that escapade later! So tell me: how did you meet our daughter, Marc? Can I call you, Marc? Nah, you probably prefer son instead. No need to be so formal."
Ruth hugged her stunned daughter,
"Ooh~ Kelly, I much prefer him to your last one. Always hiding on your bald spot—" "MOM!" Kelly said in hush tones, alarmed.
"…what do you mean 'last one'? Kelly: this is the first guy you brought home." Harold questioned.
Ruth, Kelly and Marco collectively sweatdrop.
"Er, Dad, I had a boyfriend before…Tad." Kelly said meekly.
"Tad? The pizza delivery guy?" Harold said confused.
"…yeah?"
"Huh. Excuse for a moment." Harold walked to the other room, Ruth quickly ran to the room as the sound of a shotgun was being pumped. Marco and Kelly looked at each other as their voices pervaded to the room,
"—honey, I just want to talk to him."
"Then put the gun away!"
"…it's a conversational piece."
"Fine! Just take out the shells."
"…no. I need to show him it works."
"HAROLD!"
After a bit more arguing Ruth and Harold came back into the room, Kelly looking even more nervous as her father eyed her,
"…so Tad huh."
"…yes."
Harold sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose,
"I wish you told me you had a boyfriend, Kelly. Sure, I would have overreacted but I'm still your father, I do it because I look out for you."
Kelly looked embarrassed for a moment before she walked over and hugged her dad,
"Thanks for understanding, Dad."
"No problem sweetie."
Whilst Kelly wasn't looking Harold mouthed to Marco,
'Where the fuck does this Tad lives? I want to talk to him, by which I mean—'
'Marco if you know: do not tell him. His last bail was ridiculous.'
Marco stared at Ruth's mothing as well before she elbowed her husband and Kelly hopped back in surprise.
"Dad?"
"It's nothing—oh, by the way, you're grounded." He rubbed his arm while Kelly froze then pouted.
"So, Marco, how long have you been seeing my Kelly?" Ruth asked, Marco looked sideways nervously.
"About 2 years…"
"Ah. That's a lot of time to know each other." Ruth said happily.
"But…but not like that, I come to her when things are on my mind. Not as a boyfriend! We're…not that."
The two nodded: they were taking it nice and slow. Good choice. Smart choice.
"But you're dating."
"…er, no, no we're not."
"…huh."
The two leaned forward,
"Not fu—?"
"Ah. No." Marco quickly shot it down.
"Dad!"
God, I wish that was true. You do not know how stale it is to listen to Marco jerk his cock to his ex, his best friend, his best friend's mom, his old flame, his—
"I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT."
Fine. You never jerk it off to Queen Moon or Eclipsa or Kelly. Happy?
"I'm forbidding Musica from seeing you."
And I thought you couldn't be a bigger asshole, Marco.
"Why not? Kelly beating you with her claymore skills? She's not pre—" Harold started hotly, but Marco immediately responded.
"It's not a question of Kelly's skill or beauty! I'm…I'm tangled in so much shite that…if I'm in a relationship…it'll end in heartbreak. I won't do that to anyone…especially Kelly. I won't. Oh, excuse my language."
Kelly cast Marco a sad look, Ruth and Harold looked at each other, the latter scratching his chin,
"Alright, I see that…there's some things to be worked out. But treat her right, you hear me?"
"Yes…I will."
Harold was reasonably deflated at the news, Ruth looked at him for a moment before speaking,
"And when you straighten your affairs, Marco I hope you can give a proper answer." Marco nodded catching her meaning.
"I understand."
"Good. Good. How big was he, Kelly?"
"Oh, about—MOM!"
"I'm hung, Marc."
"DAD!"
[Introducing Kelly to the Diaz Household]
"Mom, Dad, this Kelly—"
"Oh, mi hijo we were wondering when you'll bring a girl home." "Pretty too."
"!?"
Kelly blushed.
Marco stuttered to rectify the misunderstanding.
"When is she moving in~?" Angie teased, Rafael held back his laughter.
"MOM!"
[Post Eclipsa Arc]
After his battle with Eclipsa and Meteora, Marco kept a closer eye on the two Butterfly, making sure they wouldn't overstep their boundaries and ensuring their kingdom was well hidden from sight and stumble upon by accident. Meaning he had to be more and more involved with everything in the kingdom, finding out the lack of knowledge from the both of them, despite Meteora's long life and Eclipsa's upbringing there were massive gaps in their combine know-how. Marco even found century old books they were using, many of which were being used in Mewni's current government and were pathetically getting by.
So Marco deep down and got busy...
Marco helped with planning out the kingdom's layout, defensible locations and plans, how to acquire resources and secure trading treaties, produce and maintain agricultural assets for the foreseeable future and proper economy building and health, proper education and expansion procedure, annexing laws as well as civil offices and a maintaining a standing force be it a militia or proper army.
Eclipsa marveled how much Marco knew for one so young.
He kept the fact the knowledge came from his merc career, running Sinful Sips and a majority from Ocram, his alter ego of cold logic.
Seeing her kingdom on its way to a thriving future, Eclipsa and Meteora (somewhat) welcomed Marco's visits and insisted he stayed for longer periods of time. Not only loving what he contributed but to have someone who shared their estranged fate, although Eclipsa being the reason for Marco's Departure from Mewni's good graces.
And in time Marco, Eclipsa and Meteora became comfortable in each other's presence.
Kind of like when you're with your close friends and the weird part of your surface and you don't care at all.
.
Marco stared at Eclipsa, she smiled at him invitingly, Meteora glared at him,
"Well, don't be rude and gawk Princess Marco."
"But—"
"Hush, Marco, just give it a taste."
Marco looked at the two helplessly,
"Look, I can't just eat the beaver—"
"Princess Marco, my Mother's beaver is delicious! Do not be rude."
"Stop saying that!"
"But it's true!" Meteora remarked harshly, "Why I've tasted it so many times since our reunion!"
"STAHP!"
"Marco, my beaver is delicious," Eclipsa said firmly, "See how pink and juicy it is? If mine is so bad have Meteora's beaver instead."
"Mother…mine is not as good as yours."
"Psh, child, yours has a, er, flair to it."
Marco put his head to the dinner table.
"I should have had dinner back home."
The two Butterflys looked at him before shrugging, chewing on their dinner that Marco had refused.
"Hmph, suit yourself."
"More for us then~! Oh, Marco, if you're appetite is spoiled just have some dessert: creampie!"
Marco groaned.
.
"Marco, it's hot and gooey! It's so thick it sticks to my throat when I swallow—"
"That was funny the first time! No more innuendo eating with my Nachos!"
.
"Mother, I—!? MOTHER!? PRINCESS MARCO!? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?"
Meteora stared horrified as Eclipsa was on her knees before Marco, his sword resting on her shoulder, Eclipsa sighed as she pulled her dress blouse up covering her shoulders.
"Marco was just putting his collar on me."
"Don't call it that." Marco sighed as the golden runes flashed on the Queen's neck.
"But you put it around my neck."
"As a precaution, Eclipsa. And it was your idea!"
Meteora looked ready to blow a gasket, "Mother, why were on your knees?! Princess Marco, why was my mother on her knees!?"
Marco sighed, "It wasn't necessary. But she did anyways."
"It's about perspective dear~"
"I'm about to give him the perspective from a grave!"
.
"Where are you taking me, Marco?"
"To Earth, you need to see a dentist."
"My teeth are fine!"
Marco gave her a smoldering look, "Last night I was kept up from all your moaning and bellyaching of a tooth ache."
"…what if I was moaning about something else."
"What would you moan about? And if you say 'Snooker Bar Man', I'm taking all those vending machines away."
[Later]
"Sir, she's…well, she bit me."
"Eclipsa!"
Marco marched himself into the room again as Eclipsa looked at the dentist implements forebodingly.
"He was sticking something phallic in my mouth!"
"…oh my god."
"Sir, maybe she'll be more…comfortable if you were present."
"Yes, I would. Hold my hand, Marco."
"You're too old for hand holding."
"Fine, maybe you'll be more willing if I let you hold my tit then."
"…I'll hold your hand."
.
"Eclipsa? Eclipsa!" Marco called out as he looked for the Queen of Darkness, he followed a trail of Snooker Bar wrappers until he spotted her in a park. Two guys speaking to her.
"Wow, I can't believe you're a grandmother! You must be joking!" "Not bad, not bad at all~"
"No, I'm very much telling the truth."
"Eclipsa, there you are!" Marco called out, the queen turned back and waved to him.
"Who that."
"My chaperone." She replied brightly.
The two looked at each other before whipping out a card and handing it to her before they stalked away.
Marco narrowed his eyes and came closer to the queen who eagerly met him halfway.
"Marco look! I got invited to so many parties!" Eclipsa excitedly held out business cards, Marco took one and balked at the names.
"No. Nope. You are not going to these."
"What!? Why not?"
Marco frowned and read some of the cards,
"[Bleepinsertpornsiteherebleep], I know I put my foot down a lot, but I'm really putting my foot down on this."
"What so bad about [Bleepinsertsecondarypornsiteherebleep]? They said they would pay for my admission and reward me…a bag of candy bars! A whole bag, Marco!"
"You just came from the dentist! And no." Marco snatched all the cards even as Eclipsa complained, "You won't be going."
"Wha—why not?! Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't go at all!" Eclipsa stamped her foot.
Marco sighed and whispered it in ear.
Eclipsa gasped.
And slapped him.
"Marco Diaz, I am not that sort of Queen!"
"Then you oughta slap those two next time! And not me!"
"Marco! Marco wake up!"
The Dark Knight gasped as Eclipsa and Meteora stared at him from his bedside, he sat up, drenched in sweat, his damp blanket wrapped on him like a python.
"…why...?"
"You were yelling in your sleep…"
"It woke us up. We thought we were under attack or something."
The two looked at him with concern as he wiped his face, trying to mask his embarrassment with exhaustion but it didn't fool Eclipsa.
"Are you gonna tell us why—"
"No."
"Ugh. I'm going to bed. Next time you think of screaming Princess Marco in the middle of the night, have some courtesy and gag yourself." Meteora then stormed off, Eclipsa gave her daughter a glance before looking back at Marco, who mumbled an apology.
"…it might be better if I just head home."
"No, causing your parents to worry wont help your plight."
"The fact I'm spending the night here makes them worry. I really should get back."
Eclipsa hummed at the words, "Do you tell them what you're up to?" "…not particularly." "Then they worry regardless you say anything or not. C'mon boy, what's on your mind? What made you cry?"
Marco looked guarded for a moment,
"I already have a confidant. I don't have to tell you jack."
"…was it Star."
"No."
"Oho! Then what could possibly make the great Marco Diaz cry like a child?"
Marco looked snubbed for a moment, Eclipsa sighed,
"It was Star, because it is always Star. I don't need mind reading to know that."
"…yeah, it was Star."
"Mhmmm, what could she have done to you, boy?" Eclipsa said without much thought.
Marco touched his scar, "Gave me a very permanent present."
Eclipsa's smug self-serving smile fell.
"My word…I'm sorry, Marco, I didn't mean it like that."
"It's fine. The damn dream was just…vivid. I'm over it." A flash of pain crossed his eyes.
"Now Marco, there's not need to put up a brave front for me, you can tell me how you really feel."
Marco turned to Eclipsa, his face etched with anger,
"How I feel? How I really feel? What I feel Eclipsa…is that Star cost me so much this past 2 years…from the spilling blood to losing close friends…Star has cost me near damn EVERYTHING in my life."
"..." Eclipsa was stunned at the break in his character.
"And to top it all off I have to bar this flow of oppressive emotions from going to her? To bottle it up? The—!"
Eclipsa slapped him.
She trembled when Marco didn't even registered the hit and just continued to rant until he ran his soul dry from how he felt, how he truly felt about Star. His bitterness, his anger, his sadness, his guilt and desire for it to end drove him forward, he was nothing like the boy she had seen before.
"...and that Eclipsa is how I feel."
"I won't deny what Star did to you wasn't terrible but you can't believe—"
"But she is—!"
Eclipsa slapped him again.
Terrified, when Marco merely crinkle his nose.
"What you are insisting is a lazy and weak argument Marco and you know it! We've been over this before."
"And what she did to me is nothing!?"
Eclipsa gave him a withering look,
"You already know the answer, boy...so seeing her in pain like you have would make you feel better?"
"Yes, it would." Marco spat.
Eclipsa narrowed her eyes at the words.
She leaned closer, her eyes meeting his,
"I won't deny you're no saint, Marco: there's plenty of blood on your hands, but in the very least you'd be different. Noble sacrifices...but you're just like them, just like the Mewmans who imprisoned me and after 300 years."
"You make it out as if those who were wronged shouldn't be feel as if they aren't justified to their anger and pain."
Eclipsa forced herself calm at the notion and quietly whispered,
"Is that what you believe then? How about me, Marco? Was I not wronged too? I want justice for my 'injustice' and you stamp me out just as ruthlessly as I would them. I waited 300 years and lo and behold, you came crashing down to stop me. I felt the same as you: cornered and isolated, no one to turn to. I had the means to retaliate but then what? I would just fuel the fires that drive them to hate and fear me even more. Ultimately, they would unite and destroy me."
Marco opened his mouth to retort but this time Eclipsa stopped him.
"I know what's really eating at you: 'It's not right for them to get away with it.'
That's what you tell yourself, but you don't exact vengeance because you'll be herald as the villain instead. You only want the ones responsible to suffer but you can't stop the chain reaction of their punishment will incur, in the end you will make more suffer because of it, the innocent that had no business with what happened to you nor them. And you won't take the dark path because you know yourself: you won't do it. So now you're just angry with yourself...
Now you must compromise your vengeance. And just makes your blood boil...even after all they had done to you, you have to be the better person, above your base emotions...
Compromise is difficult. Moving on is difficult, Marco. Because sometimes you have to let wrongdoings go when it is done to you. And I understand it all too well. I'm doing it even now. My husband is dead. My daughter's birthright stolen from her. You caging me from my rightful throne. But I allow it…because it's better than the alternative: you would destroy me and Meteora the moment you felt we would be a threat to the ones who hurt you. This 'plan' you intend for Mewni...that's your vengeance...if it works then you effectively made those ineffectual leaders look competent, but on the flip-side, if they fail: they all die. Mewni burns to the ground."
Marco sat there, looking at Eclipsa, not yet ready to speak in his defense.
The queen sighed and shook her head,
"What you feel is justified, what Star made you sacrifice is justified, what she is going through is paltry to what you had to give up in return…is there anymore to it, Marco?"
"..."
"Look Marco, I shouldn't be the one lecturing you or anyone for that matter, let's just go to bed. It's late and I'm tired."
"Fine. I'll just figure this shit out myself." Marco finally spoke up.
"…that's more than anyone could ask for from you, Marco. Now, I'll be sleeping with you."
Marco did a double-take as Eclipsa slid into the bed, he scoot away, she frowned, "Marco, I don't want to walk all the way here from my bedchambers and check up you again when you start crying again. Now get over here and sleep with me."
"Was this your intention all along?"
"If I say 'no' will it get you under the blanket faster? C'mon let's just go to sleep, I hate for the both of us to go to bed angry."
Marco scooted to the other side of the bed only for the Queen to sigh, "I want some of the blanket too you know."
"Tough luck, this is my bed."
"This is my castle."
Marco grunted but Eclipsa grabbed a handful and yanked herself some only for Marco to resist and pull back.
Eclipsa yelped as she rolled and found herself being spooned by Marco.
"…"
"…I'm going to sleep now."
"NO."
"Marco. This is my favorite sleeping position."
Eclipsa purred and cuddle closer but Marco scooted further away ready to fall off the bed, the Queen sighed and turned to him,
"Now Marco, you're hurting my feelings; am I that hideous?"
Marco, if you run away now you will forever be a lil bitch! And I will NEVER let you live this down!
"You're married."
"I'm widowed. Thanks for reminding me." Eclipsa sighed as she slumped into the mattress, "I used to cuddle with my lover like this…now that he's gone it has been quite lonely."
Look at that Marco. Do you want to be responsible for a crying GMILF right now? LOOK AT THAT BACK ARCH!
"…why don't you cuddle up with your daughter." Oh for fuck's sake, Marco!
"I prefer to be nestle in the arms of a man."
"Well, you're out of luck: I'm still a boy."
"Nuh-uh, you're 30 something. You're anything but a boy." Eclipsa sighed, "Marco, I'm really fed up with all this excuses, when was the last time you had a beautiful woman in your arms? Or even had fun? You're so serious sometimes."
"I…well…fine, I haven't, I've been busy." Yeah…too busy to get busy… "You're the main reason why I can't have relations asshole!" So what if you have to merc the girl afterwards? You got your nut. "You're a sick fuck, you know that."
Marco scooted back into bed and Eclipsa immediately snuggled up, taking his arm and tucking it against her, "Ahhh, this is such a nostalgic feeling…I like 'em tall…and strong…it makes me feel safe…" the Queen purred and was snoring in seconds.
Marco held back a sigh, he could hear the dim ticking of a clock down the hall and other ambient night sounds, it was eerily peaceful in a kingdom full of Monsters, Mewmans and those crazy enough to flock underneath Eclipsa's banner...
Marco glance down at the slumbering Queen, she mumbled in her sleep, completely innocently,
"...mhmmm sodomize me with your monster cock~"
"O-kay, I'm going home."
[Present]
Marco groaned as the memories fled him as the pain of slamming on a cafe replaced all his feel-good-feelings he just had. With eyes still shut he could hear the effect his explosive entrance had on the occupants of the cafe.
"Whoa!"
"HEY!"
"Gosh—Muscles?!"
"Cold!"
"Whoa…is that on the menu?" "No. No it's not."
Marco was spread eagle on the table as Kelly, Jackie, Janna and Heckapoo stared at the return of the topic of conversation.
"MARCO!?" [4x]
"Ughhh…reporting for duty…" Marco groaned as the girls helped him off, he rubbed the back of his head before noticing the girls drenched in water and their drink. He could make out the outlines before he heard a very distinct disgruntled grunt: the waitress had returned.
"THE BILL."
Marco tentatively looked at it and saw more digits than he initially remembered.
"This is robbery…" he muttered before he fished out $650 and handed it to the waitress.
That settled, Marco turned and face the girls, registering that Hekapoo was part of the posse now, he tensed when she faced him but in doing so he could see she looked as if she had been in a brawl: hair disheveled, bruises on her pale alabaster skin, a general aura of being worn out and a horn missing.
"Hekapoo…what are you doing here?"
"…well hello to you too, Muscles." Hekapoo said gruffly as she nabbed herself with a napkin, Jackie and Janna up-down glance the wet MHS member while Kelly looked ready to step in if things escalated.
"…you're hurt, what happened to you?"
"Thanks for noticing, where have you been." Hekapoo said irritated.
"I…don't remember."
"…really? You left and came back for shits and giggles."
"I felt compelled to leave but I'm back now…why are you here?" Marco rubbed a sore spot.
Hekapoo looked ready to argue but she figured it was too much trouble; she slumped on a nearby seat, looking even more tired, "Marco…Mewni is in some deep shit."
Kelly looked perplexed, "I was just there this morning, nothing out of the ordinary, just riled up Mewmans and Monsters."
"Pfft, yeah, 6 months ago, maybe…" Hekapoo shook her head dispassionately, Kelly and Marco froze at the news.
"Hekapoo…how long has it been since I left Mewni?"
A shadow crossed Hekapoo's face,
"A year has passed in Mewni since you left…and I spent the last 3 months in captivity."
"A year!? Kelly was just—captivity?"
"Look, I don't care why time is fucked Marco! All I know is that Mewni is up to their eyes in shit! Some bastard took me prisoner…I don't want to talk about it."
Marco's head whirled from the information dump, Kelly looked worried while Jackie and Janna just stood there, unsure to make of the situation.
"…what's wrong with Mewni? I thought they hammered out their differences, I'm not anymore. Fuck, you guys were cheering when I left."
Hekapoo sighed and bitterly shook her head,
"Marco, Mewni is at war. Civil War."
XxXxXxXxX
Whew.
That's it, back to basics with this fanfic: violence, politics and violent politics.
So Mewni is permanently 1 year advance from Earth meaning Star will be 18.
Marco was only gone for about 8 minutes from him cutting his portal to Hestia and him landing back on the table. Also, the moment he left for Hestia's timeline; time stabilized for Mewni since he fixed the time anomaly. Like I stated many times: Time is Weird.
Songs in order of appearance:
Migos – Bad and Boujee ft Lil Uzi Vert
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
Trinidad James – Just a Lil' Thick (She Juicy) ft Mystikal, Lil Dicky
Black Eyed Peas – Shut Up
Linkin Park – Crawling
Drowning Pool – Bodies
Breaking Benjamin – I Will Not Bow
Luis Fonsi – Despacito ft Daddy Yankee
This also marks the End of Phase 2 of my fanfic the set-up to Civil War, now Phase 3 it's all about the conflict in Mewni so kiss Earth characters good bye for a while. The past chapters had been too feel-good, so I have to use the immediate counter-balance: some violent-sad-sick-political chapters. I'm also gonna do less of these chapters and get back to the gritty ones, it was fun for a laugh and getting out of the serious mood but now I have to be serious if I want to finish this fic before–things happen again.
Also good news: I'm in the process of getting my lemon ban repealed.
Next Chapter:
A New Hope
Backpfeifengesicht is the hint.
END OF TRANSMISSION