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Disclaimer: Star Wars references.
Chapter 26
Mewni Unchained
XxXxXxXxX
Month 1 XXXXX : A New Hope
I remembered…being was pulled out of a pool of blood.
Strange beings washed me. Dried me. Talked in gibberish.
But almost immediately I understood, even if I didn't understand the meaning, I knew the tongue…
They called me a 'success'.
I was frightened at first but their tenderness in their actions made me latch upon them, I happily latch and looked forward to them caring for me. They taught me words, taught me gestures, taught me manners, taught me everything I know.
Except one.
They called her 'the Queen' and she looked at me with such intensity.
I did not understand.
At first.
She began to replace my caregivers, teaching me her ways, her morals, her desires, her dreams.
Her fears. Her ambition. Her plans. Her hope…
Not once asked me in genuine concern if I was happy. Or address my well-being. Or loved me, the way I was first brought up by my initial caregivers.
She was more concerned with what she wanted.
And after she saw what I could do…she wanted more.
She craved more.
More…
Soon I only had her for company.
Every lesson.
Every meal.
Everyday.
After my 'basic education' was done she had me undergo several rigorous training with new instructors, I was happy to see new faces but they only looked at me grimly and addressed me just the same. Teaching me how to use all sorts of 'weapons' especially the 'sword'.
I did not understand why but it felt natural…almost comforting…
The Queen became more fanatical with my progress.
I was becoming the 'Hope' she could only dream of.
I was glad when those lessons ended.
I asked for my old caregivers.
But she dismissed my pleas.
She insisted that I had better things to do than be treated like a child.
Whenever I insisted she scolded me like one…
The things she said…that look in her eye, I…I…
You're the pinnacle of our race! The apex Mewman! Special!
No contest! No warrior alive, dead or future can match you! Not even—
You will prove that we don't need outside protection!
Epic poems and legends will talk of you for eternity!
Do you see these results! You've mastered it so quickly!
You are Mewni's Hope!
You're better than anyone else!
You are the one and only!
…but why is there
Two of me now?
If I'm so great…why do you need two? That doesn't make sense…
Maybe…maybe the Queen thought I would be lonely?
Maybe she did care!
She's awfully cold, but…maybe now we can be a 'family'.
She always mentions them and her 'kingdom' and 'Mewni'. Sometimes Butterfly, Pigeon and the like but not…happily.
Seeing the softness in her eye when she talked about her family, kingdom, Mewni…I wanted her to look at me like that, instead of that look.
I asked her if I could be a part of her family.
I worked so hard, I learned what she taught me, did what she wanted me to do, I could ask for that right?
Right?
The Queen stared at me for a long time.
Then she sneered at my innocent request.
"As if you'd ever be part of my family."
"…but why not?"
She gave me a hard look,
"Do as your told. Don't ask questions. You're a means to an end. Be grateful for that."
"…if I do that…will I be—!" I grabbed on the hem of her dress, looking at her with earnest.
My hands faltered, it was that look again she was giving me…
"You will never be a part of my family."
And wretch herself from me.
I stood there as the Queen turned her back to me and walked away.
I wasn't aware I was crying at all.
Month 2 XXXXX Awakens
My schooling continued.
Along with the other one.
I dawdled, growing more and more discontent with it.
Until a deeper and harsher emotion blossom within, scalding me: resentment.
Affection Scorn; Hatred Born.
I copied the look the Queen had, practicing with the pool of water or mirror…until I felt the same way I looked.
I grew to resent the lessons.
The expectations and responsibilities.
The hope foisted upon me.
I looked at the other one, realizing she was just like me…a means to an end.
She didn't know the truth…she was blindly being led forward. Like I was before I knew…
Then a terrible thought struck me for a moment and it solidify my resolve: she was my replacement should I fail.
My recent shortcomings had not gone unnoticed…the Queen…
Could...could she do such a thing? Why? Was it my questions? My pleas? What did I do wrong?
What would happen to me? I shudder to think what the Queen would do…
I looked around the room I was raised in…I realize it then: it was a prison.
I didn't want to be caged.
It…didn't feel right.
It wasn't right…
I would…escape. Yes…
I would do anything to leave this wretched place.
Anywhere was better…
And I would use her: as a means to an end…
I began to discreetly study my holdings: feeling the walls, learning I was underground, when shift rotated, when they were watching me, the duration of lessons, the time food came…the works.
I learned the routine.
I got the other one to follow my bidding…told her she was my family.
And just like me…she followed me without hesitation.
Eager to be wanted. To be loved. I almost pitied her.
Almost.
The Queen liked her better than me.
She shared her eyes after all.
I used her to find out the best place to break out, she was allowed to the floor above and I followed her footsteps on the ceiling. Double-checking with her, I knew the place to break out from…
Soon…
After filching spoons and her getting a paperweight, I told the other one to help me push a shelf and chip away at the ceiling at night, it was solid stone but the mortar was old and I exploited it.
It took many nights of chipping but finally I could feel the stone compromised…
By the time she caught on what I was doing and she insisted we stay.
I was furious! How could she not see that she could be so easily replaced!
But I knew she could undo my work if she babble, so I coaxed her to keep it a secret, to trust me…her family…her sister.
She looked ready to talk, but she nodded her head.
So sweet…so innocent…how I wish we could have stayed like that…but the Queen ripped my eyes wide open. I knew my 'sister' couldn't keep her gob shut for long so the following night I decided to make a break for it.
Without my darling 'sister'.
I pushed the shelf fast, climbed and pushed the heavy stone; she was there seconds later looking at me furiously. I didn't care and pushed the stone up and crawled out, she followed me afterwards.
"You can't do this!"
"What do you want me to do?! Sit all smiling like nothing is wrong!? What have they been teaching you huh?! Ask yourself! What happens when you ask to follow them? To leave the Room? They do nothing, say nothing. The Queen does the same! They tell you to don't worry what's outside of the room…then why are we in there in the first place if there's nothing wrong!?"
She glared at me and I glared back.
"Go back to your room, sister."
"I'm never going back. Not now. Not ever."
She grabbed the front of my dress and tried to force me back down the hole: back to my prison.
"Let go of me!"
"No! We belong down there! Please!" she pleaded.
I slapped her.
She looked at me, frighten.
"That's where you're wrong! The Queen said we are the Hope of Mewni! That we are so much better than everyone else! But why hide us? Why keep us in the dark? Why not bring us into Mewni so we can do exactly what she taught us?! She's been lying to us! We don't even know what we are or why Mewni need us! Why are we here, sister!?"
Our yelling garnered some reaction as the floors above us buzzed with activity. I wasn't the least bit concerned, knowing our prison was a secret only a few knew of us after all. My concern was my sister who turned a violent shade of red as she couldn't retort back.
"Go. Back."
"NEVER."
Her hand darted forward but I was faster and I caught her arm, before sliding behind her holding her, "Naive little sister! You go back down! But I won't! Hope we don't cross paths again!"
"NO!"
She broke free and grabbed the rock slab and hurled it at me, I leapt over it as it smashed against the wall, cracking it.
She caught me in mid air and threw me against the hole and pushed me, I pushed back, blood rushing to my ears as I resisted! Argh! Strong! And foolish!
I wasn't going back! I would never go back! I would not die in a—
She punched me in the back of the head.
She…she wanted to stay? She wanted to be used?
I thought she would at least understand our plight, she was—
She punched me again.
I snapped.
I spun away as she tried to punch me again and wrapped my arms around her torso, surprising her as I threw her as hard as I could into the ground knocking the wind out of her. I grabbed her again and threw her this time I could dimly tell her bones broke on impact, she cried out in pain but I could only see red. My heart was close to her pain, her desperation, her life.
I drove my fist into her scared crying apologizing face, breaking her cute nose to bits.
Again.
I broke her jaw. I punched her teeth in. She gurgled bloody words.
Again.
She was choking. I punched underneath her eye and it fell out. So much prettier than mine.
Again.
Her forehead split open. I punched harder even as dark blood spurted on my face.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Her head was just mush now. I looked at her, her body twitched and punched her again.
Before I realized in horror what I had done.
Then I threw up.
I looked at the half digested food mixed with bile and blood on the stone floor. This wasn't…what I wanted…one day I would have came back for her. My foolish little sister. I felt hot tears run down my face, I had only thought of her as a tool to escape but now with her gone…the guilt of not truly getting to know her…
I covered my face with the gore on my hands: I killed the only real family I had…
Now…I was alone on Mewni.
"…why? Why did I do this?!" I screamed in despair.
But no one answered and I was left sobbing on the stone floor.
I raked my fingernails through my hair, my face, unable to express my grief coherently.
I found myself sobbing again...wiping my mouth, smearing blood across my lips.
I tasted it.
It was sweet.
And innocent.
My sister…that was what she was…something I could never be anymore.
Not after the Queen had done to me…would I taste vile in comparison?
I numbly shook, my thoughts were erratic as I tried to think rationally of the befouled situation…and the consequence—
Then it struck me: no one outside of the Queen and her lackeys knew we existed.
…had the Queen made 'me' and my 'sister' before?
…and if we didn't meet her expectations…what happened?
I looked at the corpse before me…the answer was morbidly clear.
If we failed…the Queen could just pretend we didn't exist.
Act as if we never—EXISTED!
The mere thought made me angry! I am alive! I would not disappear!
…but my sister…no one would know her…
My vicious anger evaporated as abrupt grief swallowed me again. I closed my eyes remembering my sister for a moment, truly and desperately wanting to preserve the memory of her forever.
I will live for the both of us…I will preserve you any way I can…
I solemnly vowed before my eyes fell upon the body I had pulverized in blind zeal.
I looked at the bloody mush, my thoughts racing back to my vow:
…any way I can.
With trembling hands, I shovel some into my mouth as strands of hair caught between my teeth, tasting the still warm chunky wet morsels, staining my gullet and feeling like a lump in my stomach. I felt tears run anew as I chewed and swallowed the meat, I felt…ashamed and unclean but I pushed down my guilt and bile and ate handful after handful.
I ate more, I even ate the bones, it cut the roof of my mouth and gums, but I broke it apart, crushing it with all my might, blood seep out of my lips.
I ate…and ate…until I was done.
I sat there. In silent shock what I had done.
But I didn't have time to lament.
I could hear them…they were coming…it was just a matter of time.
Thoughts of escape still lingered somewhere in my head, if I ran, they would hunt me down…
I have to throw them off my trail, but how!?
I looked at the body, then to myself…we were identical except…except for the hair.
Without hesitation, I yanked my hair out, I nearly tore my lip off as I pulled and pulled, lock after lock came bloody lose and I threw it around the body, blood dripped down my face and neck.
I looked at my handiwork before I began to demolish the wall, slamming it with the stone slab, over and over again. It didn't go unnoticed as the hundreds of footsteps rang in my ears; this time in my direction and I worked even faster, sweat covered my palms as I broke brick and mortar.
The shove my fingers into the cracks and pulled, skinning them and prying off my nails but I didn't care, I was so close! The doors, the many doors that hid me bang open and open, someone was yelling and the thundering footsteps stopped but the beating of my heart didn't; I clawed the wall tearing an opening just wide enough for
"WHAT IS GOING—OH MY SPIDERBITE! WHAT!? NOOOOO!"
Icy fear struck me.
I dived for the hole in the wall, the jagged rocks cut me but the Queen's screams gored me deeper, screams not for me or the dead one…her hope was gone. She looking at me now but I was long gone, leaving her with the body as I fled into Mewni, she screamed into the night…
"NEFON!"
Month 3 XXXXX : the Phantom Mewman
I ran and ran, the evening air whipping at my face and the tough dirt underneath my foot until I could no longer.
I looked back and saw forest and before me was just as foreboding: strange lands stretching to the horizon.
But I wouldn't go back—oh no…she—the Queen she…
I felt a sudden rush of heat from my chest melting away my icy fear, it bubbled and frothed the more I thought of her and until I ripped open my maw and bellowed into the night, full of repressed emotions! I roared until my throat was raw, freeing whatever this feeling was!
I never felt so liberated!
I was free!
I could live my life! I could live…
An empty life…
…I was free, but…now what?
My sister was dead…I was alone now…
I looked around, not recognizing anything.
So I walked to the lights in the distances…anywhere was better than here.
And like that I wandered through Mewni, drifting from one place to another like I was in a daze...I had formal schooling but in the real world Mewni, that came off as snobbish especially since my dress was dirty and stained in blood and my appearance didn't help either with a scalp all bloody.
I thought I was being polite despite my appearance! What did it matter if I looked the way I did? My intentions were good! But I guess I was wrong…especially when a Mewman trader sneered at me, damnable cur!
But I took it in stride, I didn't know the world as they did and so I learned the ways of the world from the people I saw in cities, towns and villages, but I only got hostility or ridicule there. I had better luck in the slums and alleyways: begging, scavenging and foraging what I could.
I ate a bunch of berries and I defecated loudly afterwards.
Still, I got odd looks sometimes I was even chased when I got too close to a food stall…well no one was offering to feed me, even when I asked nicely, calling me a 'freeloader', 'layabout' and 'runaway' or such.
A group of hoodlums took an interest in me, telling me how 'pretty' I was after giving me a bandana to cover my scarred scalp. I could see the pox-marks, acne and sores on them while I was pristine on the face. I guess I didn't look 'dirty' to them; so I played along.
I hadn't had a decent meal in a while.
And it was good too…until I passed out.
Imagine my surprise when I awoke with them tying me up and lifting my hem.
The nerve! They were even more surprise when I broke free and beat them senseless. Licking the blood off my knuckles felt good.
Real good...
"You eval glue eye bitch!" he shrieked, I blinked. I punched him again. And walked away, leaving the hoodlums in a pool of blood.
I looked into one and I didn't recognize who stared back.
.
My sojourn across Mewni bore fruit in some unexpected ways, like how much resources was readily available in the form of books, everyone was more content with 'phones' and 'gadgets' and 'magick' so I found stockpiles of books no one cared for. I dragged them to my little hidey-hole filled with discarded and stolen knick-knacks, my prized possession a very polished piece of tin serving as a mirror. I spend nights reading them, devouring book stacks of every subject, the most interesting one were that of history of Mewni.
I couldn't be more shock when history book after history book from varying kingdoms had their own take on events and battles, common events; some taking credit others completely omitting them; as if they never happened.
I had my misgivings but I decided I didn't know enough.
And didn't know the Monster's side of it.
Especially when they showed up for nearly every battle no matter the book.
But even then I despaired…
Monsters were so hostile, afraid or suspicious of me; it took forever before they allowed me to read their ancient tomes. Surprisingly, they used the same archaic runes that I was taught.
Their take on Mewni's history was incredibly cruel, bias and sad; cross matching dates and events…they swore up and down that they were innocent.
The Mewmans swore they were defending.
Mewmans. Monsters.
Who was telling the truth? Who was lying? Who do I believe?
It was clear neither side had any desire to make amends. Make treaties. Make peace without bloodshed. Oh, they were terribly close so many times…so many times…but even their best efforts were always undone by some eerily convenient source.
I even observed some interaction across the land and it just looked as if history repeating itself: Mewmans lording over Monsters…Monsters raiding Mewman settlements…Mewmans dying…Monsters dying…swearing revenge…the wheel of suffering turning indefinitely…
It made me sick.
This is what the Queen intended for me?
This is what I had to fix?
To be sure I could fight the Monsters…
But even Mewman fought Mewman over resources on Mewni.
Would I fight them too?
Mewni…I racked my head for possible solutions, the Queen's words haunting me…her desire for what I was to be…it didn't want to think about it but I did…her 'programming' instilled in me…
But every solution would be abject failure…because Mewni…
Was rotten to the core…
But instead of shouldering the blame that fell on their shoulders for both parties, they instead blamed the other, the situation or some other excuse.
And most recently 'Marco Diaz'.
His name…it had an interesting effect on those I asked…sometimes they trembled…sometimes they look approvingly, once a Mewman girl turn beet red and left in quite the hurry…they were all different but in a way they all respected this 'Marco'.
Marco…
No contest! No warrior alive, dead or future can match you! Not even [Marco]
I nearly threw up.
Marco? That's who the Queen raved about almost religiously!?
First, I despised him: he was the reason for my birth. My sister's death…
Slowly, I overcome my angry and nearly berated myself for growing curious over him.
I finally asked what happened to Marco and both Mewman and Monster all told me he left Mewni behind, he couldn't help the dimension so he turned his back to them.
Was he Mewni's Hope? Was I his replacement?
I asked what he was and even then it was mixed.
Inferior. Human.
Traitor. Savior.
Murderer. Defender.
Dark Knight.
I was unbelievably frustrated with Mewni.
Mewmans. Monsters.
They were all the same…so many voices, so many hands guiding: all useless.
I wanted to turn my back on them like Marco did…
But I was repulsed by the idea…
It was like I was admitting defeat…
Just like him…
And I wanted to be nothing like him…he admitted defeat and that made him inferior to me—
I caught myself, I shook my head at the thought!
I hate what the Queen made me for…I hate it even now, her voice invading my thoughts…but I pitied Mewni. Despite what the Queen selfishly wanted from me after seeing Mewni firsthand, I felt innate that it was wrong to turn my back when I could help.
When they swam helplessly up to their eyes with their own filth.
What they needed, what they desperately desired was hope…
And I…
I would selflessly be their shining HoPe…
I reviewed what I dug up anything of Marco's activities and found he tried to change Mewni but his fatal mistake was putting faith that the archaic stubborn royals would listen, the system that had already proven detrimental and obsolete. The Queen came to mind.
But I would not fall for the same pit trap…
I would tear the system down…
The survivors would experience every horror…every violation imaginable…and only then would they appreciate their lives and rebuild anew.
But to lead Mewni out of the shit pit they dug themselves…
I glanced at myself: if I showed my face, the Queen would instantly recognize me and undermine my authority. If I wore a mask then Mewni would never warm up to me, a leader hidden behind a mask would always cast doubt, and only the most zealous would follow me.
No…I had to inspire hOpE like no other.
I glared at my reflection before I sighed, covering my face: it wasn't the kind that the masses would flock to…I wouldn't flock to it myself, it was heavy with pain and misery, my scarred scalp did me no favors either. If I looked like my sister then…
I put my hands down at the thought, if only…
I looked at myself again and flinched, instead of my green eyes.
Bright blue eyes gleamed back, sparkling with innocence and determination: my sister's eyes.
I touched my reflection with shaking hands, it was just like her's.
How?
How did I have her eyes now?
The only thing that came to mind was...devouring her.
I undid bandana and touched my scalp, covered in scabs, what little hair I did have only gave reason for others to mock me. I ran my hand over the sores, thinking about my departed sister, picturing her long hair…
Itchy.
I ran my hand over my scalp again.
Fuzzy.
I looked at my reflection and sure enough, sprouts of brunette hair were pushing through, I felt myself giddy at the sight contrary to how fucked the situation would be otherwise: I could look like my deceased sister.
I thought hard on changing my face, and in rapt horror my face turn mucky, pox-marks and ugly scars marred it.
I fell back in shock.
"Fuck, I'm ugly!"
Working some courage I looked at my reflection again and found the face familiar…it was the face of the hoodlum I beaten up days prior! But why did I have his face? I…I…oooh!
I licked my bloody knuckles after beating his meat to pulp…
I looked at my reflection focusing on myself and I watched as my flesh bend to my mental image; changing myself back…
I sat in my little hideout, gears began to turn in my head.
How or why was I able to change appearance didn't matter.
What did was I could look like anyone…be anyone…
With this I could change my appearance into someone that would be trustworthy in the eyes of Mewni!
My thoughts drift at the application of such a power...I mimicked Mewman no problem...I wonder if I could the same with Monsters?
Unconsciously, I licked my lips at the thought...
A strange hunger born.
I could manipulate the two races, guiding them to my masterful design.
Just like how those history books twisted information, I could too…
I could remake Mewni this way, where the royals and Marco failed miserably…
I looked at my reflection, an awarding winning smile gracing the polished mirror, my sister's blue eyes gleaming oh so brightly that my hollow green eyes could not match,
"Good bye for now, Darcy…Hello Nefon the Informant~"
XxXxXxXxX
And with that Darcy is born.
I know it's a tad confusing but to iterate Darcy is the Marco-clone and in some chapters prior, she was already causing a ruckus. Those were during the timeskip. I know, I am just all over the place with this fic.
Darcy might not seem like a handful right now, power-wise to the Great Dark Knight, but she does pack a wallop after 1 year of debauchery and depravity on Mewni. The following chapters will be Darcy focused plus what the Mewni inhabitants have been doing during Darcy's reign of terror.
Next Chapter:
Darcy: Mewman Eater
Ciao,
I am NRG
END OF TRANSMISSION