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Disclaimer:
Chapter 40
The Mewni Crisis:
A Path to Destruction II
XxXxXxXxX
Marco waved to the Knights of the Hood, Tad being a drama queen as he wailed tearfully as he spouted things along the lines of his best friend, his right-hand man, the Demon of Echo Creek before Elf Usu slapped a hand over his mouth.
He smiled at their faces, wishing Raymond and Alec Ro were present but they had more important things to do than see him off. He quietly walked off, not needing an escort, as the entirety of Mewni seemed unnaturally quiet, no doubt Darcy had begun her war preparations.
But the stillness
there was something quite refreshing about it.
Too far from any kingdom and prying eyes, Marco stared far off, listening to the dimension in its tranquility.
"It's a pity this place is only beautiful at the threat of all out war." Marco shook his head and walked back in the direction the Butterfly Kingdom. Thankfully, the person he needed to see was still there, waiting for him, even as the sunset had finally begun.
Hekapoo watched his approach silently.
He saw her a ways off and took shorter steps to reach her.
Watching her voluminous red hair flutter softly in the wind, a red stray catching on nose then gracefully tucked behind her pointed ear.
Marco wished he could take a slower approach but knew it would simply mean he would have to stand in place to continue to gaze upon her.
He sighed internally once he was within her earshot,
"How fast can you run?" he questioned, the blacksmith gave him a look, "...I know you can't use your portals here, I can't get to Eclipsa in a timely fashion before Darcy attacks. So I ask: how fast can you run?"
"...you're not going ask how I am after waiting for you for hours."
"H-Poo, you didn't need to." Marco replied as he tried to determine how long he was gone but as her eyes harden at the words he didn't dare argue, "But thank you."
Hekapoo's shoulders slump before she adopted a sour look.
"Oh, so you're going to reveal where you've been keeping Eclipsa?" Hekapoo drawled, "I'm ecstatic you're telling me."
"I'm telling you because I trust you and I know you can get me there so I can prepare for Darcy." Marco said simply.
"Flattery wont get you anywhere."
"It will get me to Eclipsa's kingdom of Knightshade." Marco insisted.
"...hmph, okay then."
Marco looked at the horizon; he glanced at Hekapoo who watched him intently.
"I'm going to point at the direction you're going to run." He paused, seeing Hekapoo's eyes dart to where he was going to point, "But you're going to carry me whilst we go there."
"Why?"
"Because I can't run as fast as you."
"And I know what you're thinking H-Poo," Marco got closer, his words just above a whisper, "You will not utter the location we are going to anyone else."
Hekapoo smirked,
"Because you're protecting her? Protecting us?"
"YES." Marco said firmly, "Darcy drank Solarion blood and overcome the Elementals attack, if she gets Eclipsa's volatile dark magic she'll be the end of us. What's more if she takes Omni and Rhombulus's powers just as she took yours?"
Marco heard something slither in the background and he ducked, grabbing a pebble and chucking before he grabbed Hekapoo's hand.
"We need to go there now, the sooner the better, I don't want to be tailed."
Hekapoo threw a glance back and saw a shadow against a tree, she hefted Marco into her arms, surprising him, she grunted,
"Heavy! Ugh! Where to lover boy?!"
Marco gave her an apologetic smile,
"We need to do a couple detours before we get there."
"UGH!"
And the two ended up turning into a blur of red zigzagging through the Mewni land before racing for the horizon to a land only few had ever heard of and fewer that ever seen.
Hekapoo kept running even as her dress tattered at the hem, stained with ocean water and sweat, Marco kept her bangs from her face, so she could see where she was going.
"I wish I still had my horns easier to tie up this hair!"
"Want me to ponytail your—"
"No! Keep your paws to yourself!"
"…" Marco frowned as Hekapoo ran clear above the ocean, he glanced skyward seeing the stars as the sun finally dipped under the horizon, he squinted before he glanced to the side.
"And on your left, is the Boiling Isles—"
"Not a word, Marco!"
.
Hekapoo panted laying on the sandy shore of the Roots, just south of Knightshade, Marco found some driftwood and made a fire, keeping the chill off from the evening air.
"Get…Eclipsa…now..."
"No need, she'll come to us, so don't waste your breath and get some rest." Marco tended to the fire, "No one except me is ballsy enough to start a camp here, so they'll send a search party and give us a grand entrance."
Hekapoo snorted,
"What about me?"
"Oh, they don't like you. But with me around, I can say you're my guest."
"Really chummy with the Queen huh."
Marco ignored the comment just as lights winked in the distance, he waited for the search party, no doubt Eclipsa leading it herself…
.
Marco helped Hekapoo off the wagon, she stood weakly next to him before he decided to carry her in his arms, much to her disgust and voiced it, loudly. He shrugged off the insult and blows as he walked up the castle steps, he could already see the running shadows to greet him.
"Marco!"
"Princess Marco."
"Enough of the pleasantries I need to speak to your mother.
Hi, Jackie. Evening Kelly. Janna."
Marco let Hekapoo down on a nearby couch once they had entered, the trio of girls waved from the stairs while Meteora frowned seeing Hekapoo, but said nothing about her. Yet.
Marco wanted to treat all the concern and hugs he received with a bit more care but he had to speak to the queen, "Marco, there was a huge earthquake!" "And something flashy happened, too." "Are you okay? You brought Hekapoo. The right one, I hope."
Questions shot left and right, he could only answer so many without going into a long discussion before he found himself in front of the Dark Queen herself. She sat on her throne munching on a Snookers bar, she glanced at him before she dusted her lap and wiped her chin, tossing the candy out the window. She stood up and strode towards him, he frowned seeing her in her usual regal disarray, he didn't think she would be so casual but then again what else did he expect from such a childish queen.
"Marco, love, you look terrible."
"Thanks."
Marco managed to get Janna off his literal shoulders before he readied himself, the Queen waited patiently.
"And what news do you bring, Marco? I assume all that shaking—"
"Darcy has elevated herself into a god. Star is dead."
"…"
Jackie and Kelly gasp, Janna stared dumbfounded; Eclipsa was a loss for words, Meteora was mid way to a reaction before Marco gave her a death glare and she shut down immediately.
Eclipsa stiffly walked to a nearby column and leaned on it, Marco exhaled deeply before he spun out his tale, taking to the most direct explanation of the situation, he had no desire to lay into the situation as if was an epic tale.
This was urgent.
By the end of it, everyone was deathly pale, Marco walked off to the window and looked out of it while they processed what had happened.
"…"
"...are we still safe here then?"
"Yes, so long as I kill Darcy."
"And if you don't!" barked Meteora.
Marco shook his head, "Then you'll be safe—for a while." "Great."
"I will rally my people then Marco, if Darcy coveted people from this catastrophe—"
"Don't." Marco replied quickly, "If any of your people come then all she needs to do is break one of them and then she'll know where you are. Right now you are hidden from her eyes."
"The same thing happens if you fall, Marco!" the queen snapped.
"Even in death my mind is Warded."
"Ugh, so hard-headed!"
Marco and Eclipsa bickered while Jackie, Janna, Meteora and Kelly seemingly watched, the whole scene feeling surreal. The sudden tragic news and the dimension in peril made everything seem so insignificant, it was the café all over again.
"I can't believe it…"
"…she's really gone."
"This really spiraled out of control." "Yeah, no kidding."
The three looked at the aged princess, Meteora rolled her eyes, "Mewni kingdoms never knew how to control themselves—this whole mess is on their heads. The fact we're getting dragged into it makes my blood boil."
"Star just died! Aren't you the least bit—"
"I'm going to say—"
"You oughta shut your mouth before I do it for you." Kelly spat, Meteora gave her an ugly smirk, "I know your relationship with Star and Marco, you bitter crone."
"Ah, the Woolett finally speaks her mind!" Meteora sneered.
Kelly unslung her claymore and Meteora grew out her claws.
"If you two start fighting—do it outside!" Eclipsa barked before she continued to argue with the Dark Knight.
"While your heartfelt concern is noted, Marco: I don't care! I am going to fight that damn thing too! You need all the help you can get and what you're proposing is fighting with the bare minimum!" "And there's a reason for that—"
"Uh-huh, and I'm going to call it a dumb reason and going to ignore it: I'm coming to fight Darcy."
"Me, too."
"Count me out."
"…maybe, I could—"
"No.
Yes.
Of course you would, Janna.
No, Jackie."
The four of them blink.
Meteora rolled her eyes.
Eclipsa grabbed the front of his hoodie then pointed at Kelly,
"Explain to me why she can go and I can't."
"Kelly was teleported directly here so she has no knowledge on getting to Knightshade and...no offense, Kelly, but out of everyone in this room, only Eclipsa would add onto her powers."
Eclipsa scoffed and let go of Marco.
Kelly nodded sagely.
Everyone in the room cringed when she gave Marco a sweet right hook.
"I understand your reason so I take no offense," Kelly smiled sweetly, "but I'm still angry, Marco."
She held out a hand to which Marco gratefully took, pulling him to his feet and hugging him.
"Wait, you're missing someone Marco: what about Meteora? She has my blood and her father's gifts flowing through her veins."
Marco glanced at the daughter, "Will you fight for Mewni?"
"Go fuck yourself."
Everyone present merely stared.
Eclipsa shook her head,
"You really do need everyone you can get Marco."
"…that's exactly what Darcy wants, too."
"Why?"
"You just have to trust me."
He got Kelly to let go of him before he dug around his pocket, pulling out some bullets, handing them to the queen.
"If you want to help so badly, charm these with your brand of magick, make each one different from the other."
"And how is that any different from her just absorbing it."
"Because by the time I shoot her with it, she won't have the magical artifacts in her left hand. It will keep her debilitated long enough for me to lop her head off with the Traitor's Sword."
Eclipsa was unconvinced by his plan.
Her eyes shifted to Kelly, then to Janna and Jackie.
The first looked determined, the next nonchalant and finally worried.
"No." She shoved the bullets back to Marco's hand, "I won't do it. After all the debates and arguments we've had—you are still going to do this: alone."
"Eclipsa." Marco urged.
"NO." Eclipsa felt her lips tighten, "I won't help you run into a battle you wont come back from."
"There are more at stake than just my—"
Eclipsa eyes flashed dangerously at the words.
"I'm going to stop you right there, Marco." She whispered deathly calm, poking a finger against his chest.
"…"
"Mewni doesn't deserve you.
And you don't deserve Mewni to be your grave.
So don't…don't ask me to give you a shovel for it."
"…"
Marco slump his shoulders before he walked off; Kelly, Jackie and Janna looked unsure between the two, Eclipsa obviously upset but at the same time, she looked ready to burst into tears and Marco stoic as ever.
"What's this, a lover's spat?"
Everyone turned to see a haggard Hekapoo come into view, she gave them all a rueful smile. Eclipsa slowly rounded to her,
"Yes, it is. Here's your wedding ring back." Eclipsa made the smallest dark bolt and flicked at Hekapoo who slapped it away.
The bolt left a hole in the castle wall.
"Hmph." "Tsk!"
"All this posturing is really helpful right now."
Eclipsa gave Marco a withering glare, "What's really the plan then, Marco, I understand you are quite nearly 'disarmed' but foregoing allies like myself and the Magical Mooks?"
"Because you'll be prime targets to be devoured. And as much as I want to say I can protect you all…I can't take the risk. Not only will she grow stronger but…"
Eclipsa straighten up, hearing an undercurrent in his voice, she drew close to him, hoping to be only heard by him,
"Can't risk? Or…won't risk." Eclipsa whispered, Marco clenched his jaw, the queen smiled softly, a tenderness reaching her eyes now, "…is there more to why you wont risk me, Marco?" "…do you want me to ruin the mo—" "Shut up~"
Eclipsa gave him a knowing smile, forcing him to shift his eyes only to see orange, Hekapoo giving him a jealous death glare. He could feel the barbed looks from the rest of them, this only made the queen feel quite advantageous.
"I'll do as you say: I'll stay put, Marco…if you only just admit it~"
"…"
Marco remained silent, shoving the bullets back in her hand, she frowned but rolled the eight bullets in her hand, seeing each one scribed with a letter, she smiled.
"Kelly could you follow me, I'm going to raid the armory for some weapons and I could use the extra hands. Hekapoo, you really shouldn't be walking around right now, just take a seat and please rest up. I'll grab you when I'm done."
Marco and Kelly left for the armory despite the loud protesting from the lady blacksmith.
.
Kelly watched Marco stack weapons, grabbing things they might need for the upcoming battle. Kelly's gear was neatly stacked and she casually watched as the Dark Knight rummage through the place, the armory captain baffled by their intrusion. He later ordered the rest of the castle guard to leave them be even as Marco began to grow his pile of supplies ever higher.
"Marco…you couldn't beat Darcy?"
"…no, I couldn't."
"Why?"
"…" Marco paused before sitting down with Kelly, "Other than what I already said? Darcy, she…Darcy got in my head, not surprising she's my clone but it was enough for me to blunder. Then I lost it, so much that I couldn't remember and it just got worse and worse; Darcy's in the best position she could ask for in this situation."
"Then it's impossible."
"No, it isn't." Marco shook his head as examined some mail shirts before setting it with the pile, Kelly racked her brain for a moment before she realized it.
"Then she's overconfident…but if she's your clone then wont she know you're about to pull the rug from under?"
"There's a chance, yes; she's definitely has a contingency for a 'surprise', but right now she thinks she's Queen Bitch of the Dimension. It's best to keep it that way, keep her off from making any more contingencies. The moment she thinks she's endanger she'll become less predictable and might throw a bitch fit that would dwarf just about anyone."
"Lady upset." "Indeed."
Kelly looked at the pile of weapons, sighing, "You're going to need more than that to contend with her. No matter how high grade those weapons are, Darcy's magick will surely break 'em. My claymore won't stand a chance…just like last time."
"I agree, that's why you're going to use my Runic Warblade."
Kelly stared at him alarmed, "What! No! You're better off with that, my claymore will do just fine! Besides that sword was forged for you!" "Its built like a claymore, sure I can use it, but if you're going to fight with me, I want you to use it, because I know it will keep you safe."
Kelly to no avail tried persuading Marco, but he put his foot down, her side comment did not go unnoticed to him.
"Shadesbane will go to Solid Spider, I'll will make do with NightFang and BanditTerror."
"…wait, Solid Spider?" Kelly asked perplexed.
"Another clone of me. A good one."
"Oh. Mewni really loves its clones."
"Too bad they don't feel the same about their last Dark Knight." Eclipsa said, leaning against the doorframe, Marco rolled his eyes at her sudden appearance.
"That's a lot of grocery you got there. I wonder how you're going to get it back to your little hidey-hole."
"I am not carrying that AND you." Hekapoo remarked loudly, she brushed past the queen and sat on a nearby crate, Jackie and Janna spying behind the queen.
Marco gave Hekapoo a disapproving face at her disregard for getting some rest.
"That's where you come in Eclipsa, you can rip a portal for us."
"Nuh-uh."
"Yeah, you can." Marco went on, "Your magic should still be working inside of the Ward, what you're doing doesn't interfere with the Ward."
"And why is that. My powers should work then." Hekapoo countered.
Marco sighed, "When I gave the sword instructions, I meant it for Darcy and she had already have been augmented by your powers, I'm sure the sword decided to just blacklist all powers concerning yours. But since Eclipsa's powers are quite something else than your typical hedge magician, I'm sure it slid under the radar."
"Are you assuming this, Marco?"
"...yes."
Eclipsa picked up a sword, making herself a portal and tossing it through,
"Yep, landed right on some bandit's head. Poor dear."
"Well, good, I don't feel like running across the seas again." Hekapoo sighed, leaning back and getting comfortable. Marco looked to see Jackie and Janna joining them once again, he looked at Kelly and Hekapoo then back to them,
"...we'll be leaving now, Eclipsa, if you would do the honors?"
"Certainly~"
Marco and company pushed the crates and supply stockpile through the portal, he turned back to the three,
"This is good-bye for now...I wish I didn't bring you three here especially with it being my fault," he glanced at Kelly, Jackie and Janna, "But I'll make sure you all get home, I promise—"
Marco wasn't prepared for Jackie pushing forward and hugging him, he smiled weakly as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, feeling her tremble,
"You better come back, Marco." "...I'll try."
Marco returned the hug, sensing Jackie shiver feeling his arms around her too, making the hug a bit more intimate than he intended. Realizing how much shorter, or rather how much taller he had grown, he glance down to see Jackie finish with the embrace. He caught her eye and without warning Marco felt the softest and quickest peck on the lips from the blonde before she hurriedly left the room, leaving him to appear like a deer in headlights.
"Quick, while he's stun, KISS HIM." Janna spoke in mocking mirth, but she nonetheless made a beeline for him.
Marco shook out of his stupor and walked into the portal, Kelly and Hekapoo giving him a look as he passed but nonetheless followed him.
He breathed in the brisk Mewni air, far different from the one in Knightshade.
The exclamation from Hekapoo and Kelly broke the serene atmosphere,
"You really don't listen, do you?"
"Marco deal with this!"
The Dark Knight wasn't even surprised.
Not in the least.
Eclipsa beamed at him, the portal long closed.
He sighed at the childish queen.
"You promised to stay from harm's way, Eclipsa, I mean what I say."
"Marco, anyone with eyes can see—"
"This isn't up for discussion."
"...I'm not leaving, Marco. And there's nothing you can say that will make me otherwise."
Marco gave her a long hard look, Eclipsa met it grimly,
"Eclipsa—"
"Nope."
"I'm not in the mood for—"
"But I am."
Marco stared at her with an unnatural stone-dead face.
Eclipsa merely smirked.
"If I can't convince you...then someone I know will."
Marco begrudgingly performed the Gesture.
Whatever clever quip Eclipsa had up her lip died as her smile fell.
A sudden cool breeze made everyone shiver.
The entire situation put everyone on edge, sans Marco as he seemed troubled but seemingly resigned himself.
As ethereal being came walking at them.
And as if sprung from the ground, Musica walked right beside.
Seeing things unfold, the Concept began to sing under her breath,
/Sam Smith – Too Good At Goodbyes/
Marco inwardly shudder, knowing the likely outcome of this appearance...
Truth be told, Marco couldn't find Eclipsa at first. He did not want to seek out the runaway queen but after a vivid foreboding dream, he went back to the land that thought less of him and he began to scour the lands for the Queen of Darkness on Mewni.
Alas, he could not find the manic Queen.
He could have revealed himself but he thought better than that…
Until someone approached him he never thought possible…
King Shastacan, Eclipsa's first Husband, Father to Festiva Butterfly.
He was a specter of his former life, decayed and missing flesh, stained clothes and near incorporeal. The phantom bargained with Marco…he would reveal Eclipsa's location and secrets…for a Favor.
Eclipsa glared at Marco, a look of betrayal on her face as the specter stood before her, looking at her with an impassive face. Eclipsa barked at Marco, "How dare you, Marco…all these good deeds you've done for me—" "—don't forget the arm twisting."
Eclipsa looked hurt at Marco's calm face,
"…I was warming up to you, Marco…I liked having you around…things were—bearable."
Marco shrugged,
"You kept forcing me to stay, all I wanted to prop up your kingdom but there was always something to be done."
"…the time we spent together…did it mean—"
"Don't misunderstand me, Eclipsa—it was just part of the Favor."
"…was it?" Eclipsa whispered, her eyes welling up, Marco merely looked on.
Shastacan moved forward, Eclipsa's face turned to fury at the sight of him,
"Why are you still here!?"
"Because of our vows we made during our marriage. Like Marco, you keep calling me back."
Eclipsa sneered.
"I made my real vows to Globgor. He was the one I should have married instead of you!"
"…I see you're still the perpetual child you were when we first met. Granted, I only got better after I died but after so long Eclipsa…you're still living that dream and lie."
Shastacan looked at Marco, "You did what I wanted, Marco Diaz…I will honor my side of the bargain." Then he looked at Eclipsa.
"I will do away with your trifling curse, your Dark Magick only works on those who are alive however I live in a rather unconventional manner…so my memory will not be muddled nor addled. The reason no one remembers your past Eclipsa—" "YOU SHUT YOUR VILE MOUTH." "—is because you don't want others to know of the follies you have committed. Be it with Globgor or the intentions you had."
Shastacan drew himself up as if he was about to spin a tale, however Hekapoo knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. Not in the least. Kelly inched closer unintentionally, feeling awkward amidst the drama.
"You are ashamed of your mother, Eclipsa—oh you love her, I do not doubt that, but you hate what she did…Solaria Butterfly. She is the Butcher of Monsters and you…wanted to be nothing like that, to be associated even…so in your youth you tried to quell Monster's going so far as Globgor." Shastacan shook his head, looking dispassionate.
"And what I done was wrong!? What we did to them was wrong!" Eclipsa cried, Hekapoo narrowed her eyes.
"And the same could be said of what they had done to us. We just wanted survive on Mewni, life was hard as it was. But the way you went about it…was just selfish."
"Selfish? Is that what you call it? We took land and lives from the Monsters! We invaded them at the conception of the Butterfly Kingdom! And many times beyond that!"
Marco frowned, remembering Oblivion's account of the event…how the Early Mewmans actually been raided forcing them to band together and the events led to present day Butterfly Kingdom.
The tragedies of the past...still shape the future it seems...
"Oh, so only Monsters were the victims? We, Mewmans are the aggressors? Always?"
"We've done it 9/10 times! Mewmans have a history of being violent and discriminative!"
"So have the Monster, you only met the ones around Butterfly Kingdom but in Spiderbite we have a forest teeming with Monsters and Beasts of all kinds, using the undergrowth as highways and routes…and let me tell you, they are no different from us. The history of Mewmans and Monsters are no different from each other no matter how you want to twist it, wife: it is the history of Mewni."
The last bit made Eclipsa glare at him.
The dead king seeing her expression, shrugged tiredly, as if he knew it would get him nowhere but he did not relent.
"You only ever want to see it from the Monster's point of view, why do you hate your kind so much Eclipsa? Is it just because we've been the 'aggressors'? Alas no, it's not that, not entirely. It's because of your Mother—please wife: do not interrupt. No matter how much you loved her, you cannot forgive what she did; you never, not even for a moment forgive her for arranging us to be wed."
"I loved my Mother, how dare you insinuate—"
"Yes, you loved her; so much that you brought it upon yourself to undo what she did, yes. Pray tell—what did you do."
Shastacan looked at Marco, "This is the 'secrets' I learned about my wife after my death; excuse my slur but in Eclipsa's youth she wanted Monster Love—and to have only that in her life."
"Were you jealous I was full of love for everyone but YOU, husband?" Eclipsa jabbed scornfully, the specter merely raise an eyebrow, everyone sans Marco shivered at the volume of venom in her words.
"…please tell me there is more to the secrets of Eclipsa than—THIS! Because if there isn't…I'm cutting the both of you in half for wasting my GODDAMN time." Marco rubbed his temples, wishing the Traitor's Sword to be in his hands, how in the world is digging up Eclipsa's thotty past going to convince her to back off?
"Yes, I'm getting to that, I just want you to know that tidbit—"
"FUCK YOU!"
"—Eclipsa advocated for love among all races, but there is a reason why Monster and Mewman relations are widely taboo and for good reason: the hybrid children are mentally and emotionally unstable leading them to be extraordinarily violent, disregarding both parentage and going on a rampage to level Mewni. Eclipsa was not even the first to do such a thing…many had done it in the distant past and it laid waste to lands far beyond this one. Word spread of such an union and later became common knowledge and practice to NOT to fornicate with Monsters and vice versa."
"You got any proof of this?"
"There was unground murals I found some 200 years ago as a ghost, I befriended a Mewman and together we decipher it, I'll show you where later."
Marco glanced at Eclipsa who looked like a cooked lobster at Shastacan's words.
"As for the reasons for obscuring her history it was to hide the fact of Globgor, Meteora's parentage."
"But all of Mewni knows she ran away with a Monster. Hell, even those drapes in the castle knew."
"Yes. A Monster. But the name of the Monster, lineage, background and the like? It was all for Globgor to be hidden, her relationship and his corpse."
"…why is that such an issue?"
"…the so called 'prince' is far and few on Mewni, no doubt the Mewmans and even Monsters would like to…grave rob the cadaver." "Shut up, Shastacan..."
[AN: I was going for the Nephilim for Mewman/Monster hybrids, like Dante/Virgil where they were OP as fuck and were systematically killed on sight, but in this case for a good reason because they were often out of control and torn Mewni asunder as result; FYI Mewni used to be one super continent in this fanfic.]
The two turned to Eclipsa shaking from head to toe, despite her short stature it didn't take away how angry she looked.
Marco felt a touch of fear.
Eclipsa's hand crackled with Dark Magic, the King looked indifferent to it as he spoke,
"Haven't we suffered enough. When was the last time has Mewmans gone of crusades upon Monsters, for no reason? Queen Moon Butterfly was the last one. After her mother died. That, in my eyes and opinion, is justified. Let me ask you, did she only killed those responsible? She did, didn't she? Broke their armies and scattered their leaders, but no more. How about you, Eclipsa? When your mother died, yes on her deathbed she looked gravely sick…she didn't tell you it was from a Monster ambush, what did Globgor say—"
The specter got a face full of dark bolt, it passed through it harmlessly, the mist quickly reformat and an impassive Shastacan looked down upon the Queen of Darkness,
"Why don't you just drop dead, Shastacan!"
"…Eclipsa."
"Don't say my name with those fat greasy lips of yours! I...I HATE YOU! I told you...I told you...you could have called off the wedding! But you...you juuust had to have me, all I was to you was a Queen to be obtained! To be coveted! Like some sort of PRIZE! You didn't even know who I was! You're the one who was selfish! You were the one living the lie! All you cared about was me giving you an heir! AND YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED!"
The amount of raw emotion in the air got Hekapoo and Kelly shaken up, Kelly unsteadily inched closer to Marco who saw the distress and quickly wrapped an arm around her. Hekapoo felt her anger tinge but Marco pulled the Woolet along with him as he held the blacksmith's hand.
Despite the comforting contact it did not dissipate the scathing and frigid words.
"Festiva—" "—IS. NOT. MY. DAUGHTER! Meteora is! She's my family! My only one left...my family is broken because of Mewmans like you...I wanted peace, you wanted peace...but you wanted it on your terms...Meteora's childhood and birthright was stolen from her!"
"It was never hers to begin with—" "—SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP, SHASTACAN!"
Eclipsa openly wept in front of the specter and company.
Hekapoo and Kelly felt conflicted.
Neither King nor Dark Knight looked apologetic.
The King looked to the dark horizon, unsure where the night sky and distant horizon line blend. He sighed and spoke up somberly, as if finally making up his mind,
"...Eclipsa, no matter how much you caused me grief, torn apart our family, gave our daughter a valid reason to hate her mother…
I still love you, Eclipsa.
You may not feel the same way as I do.
And that is why it deeply pains me to do this…"
Shastacan pointed a single finger at her, Marco step back as Eclipsa glowed, the King began to rapidly turn transparent as if he was being erased, he looked uncertain for a moment but Eclipsa's face made him resolute in his decision,
"I curse you, Eclipsa Butterfly, my darling wife…to never find any sort of joy and solace…in the arms of another Mewman…or Monster…an everlasting punishment for sullying our holy matrimony."
Eclipsa's face paled at the words, she roared at him not with fury but with panic,
"You wouldn't dare!"
Shastacan smiled, "Even if you die…you and Globgor will not be reunited in the afterlife…nor with me either…but even now as I know my days are numbered for this plane of existence…I still cannot let you live without hope…a glimmer of a chance…because no matter how wretched you were as a wife and mother, my love for you wont let me deny you happiness."
With that he turned and left.
Eclipsa threw curses at the retreating specter before she crumpled down and cried, hands covering her face as she lost any chance to see either husband in the afterlife. Marco however understood what the King had done…and he was torn between hating his action or pitying him for falling in love with Eclipsa in the first place.
"…I feel sorry for him."
"How dare you, Marco..."
Marco pushed Hekapoo and Kelly back as Eclipsa rose and marched at him, her face tear stricken, her spades bleeding red and dark magic swirling around her, she looked nothing short than a woman scorned.
A handful of dark bolts exploded in her hand, Marco didn't even blink even when Hekapoo and Kelly drew their weapons as the queen yanked him and his naked neck so close to a cluster of magic.
"YOU BROUGHT HIM TO WHAT—HUMILIATE ME!?"
"To prove, Eclipsa, that there is nothing I won't do." His eyes dead on hers, "This war has become failing, I admit."
"THEN WHY ARE YOU STILL—"
"Because YOU are the last thing standing between the razor thin line of victory and utter annihilation. You would not heed my words because you're so boneheaded. You hold too much affection for me—my words would never reach you…but your husband could cleave through that."
Eclipsa shoved him back, Marco wasn't surprised when a dark magic portal opened up behind her nor the words that follow.
"Never come back to Knightshade.
Or I will have your head."
Marco watch her leave, Hekapoo and Kelly looked at him unsure how he would take it.
"Marco...are you alright?"
"…no, I don't think I'll be."
A moment passed before the two realized something.
"Marco! Your friends!"
"She wont hurt them. That threat is only meant for me." Marco dusted his front.
"Heh, you really put Eclipsa in her place. Gave her no choice."
"I gave her more chances than she knew. C'mon, we have a war to wage."
Surprised with how quick Marco recovered over such an explosive display the two followed him with almost uncertainty.
Marco could feel the questions stirring but there was time for answers later.
Looking at the cache, they tossed enough foliage on it to temporarily camouflage it, he'd have to send word to the Knights of the Hood…
And time was running short as they made for the Grove...
.
Marco knew Kelly would eagerly take to the secret hideaway where he spent most of his time training and learning under his teachers, the garden where he did his drills and lectures.
Kelly however ignored all the wonderful splendor of the Grove when she saw the Elementals rouse themselves from their pain and greet her. She noticed the injuries they had now, the burn scars that crisscross all over them appalled her, and they quickly hid it with their shawls and veils.
When she saw Automata, she could hardly speak.
Even Hekapoo who wasn't too keen on the Elementals felt sympathy for them, knowing they fought in the castle and withstood the brunt of Darcy's madness.
"Marco, I know you just got here but you must follow us. There is something that must be sorted out at once."
"I…okay, then. Kelly, Hekapoo—"
"No," the ghost said flatly, "this concerns only you."
Marco sense the urgency in the ghost, there were only so many times that he was like this and he could count it on one hand. Buttercup gestured to his wife and she gave a curt nod,
"Let's go Marco, we can't keep them waiting."
"Where are you taking me exactly?"
The three of them already walking, Marco pushed aside long hanging branches as they delved into the Grove. The Dark Knight blinked, unsure why this part of the place he trained looked so different, he was sure he explored the entirety of it.
He looked at the ghost and historian but they were mute as they continued to walk.
"This isn't part of the Grove…is it?"
"Yes and no."
"This part of the Grove leads into nowhere."
"Sure, but you've been given an audience."
"With whom?"
The two looked back at him as they pushed through revealing a graveyard and a massive mausoleum.
"Your army."
.