#Jackie_Lynn

[aspiringarmstrong]

Star vs Destiny - Chapter 10

Everyone around Marco erupted with yells, orders, accusations, and panic. Marco took a breath and looked at the twitching Ludo and BuffFrog. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

“SHUT UP!” he screamed. The room fell silent. “Glossaryck. Check Jackie.”

The tiny genie creature floated and looked at her. He gave a thumbs up.

Marco pulled the dagger out of BuffFrog and checked his pulse. It was still there.

“Get BuffFrog some medical attention. He’s still alive.” Marco ordered. Some guards looked over and King and Queen Butterfly. They looked at each other and nodded.

Marco knelt over Ludo and picked him up. He wiped the foam from his mouth and checked him. The black vines have almost covered his whole face. His breathing was shallow as he twitched violently.

“Star… can you use the magic that reverted him from stone to try and pull as much of this out of him?” Marco asked, Star looked at him and nodded.

“I’ll help.” Queen Butterfly said.

Mother and Daughter stood between Marco and engulfed the quartet in a radiant light. Once his visioned cleared, the twitching creature in his hands didn’t move. The black veins had receded, but not fully gone.

“The worst should be gone.” Queen Butterfly said.

“Woah… that’s a bit woozy.” Star said as she stumbled and fell on her bed.

“I tried to use all the poison on Ludo,” Marco said. “You two are still going to need to do that for him. I… tried to aim away from anything vital. I’m just glad I was there to attend the frog dissection in class. If we could save anyone, BuffFrog has kids, so he was my priority.”

“Wait… you had a plan?” Star said from her bed. She still couldn’t seem to sit up. “That whole crazy killer Marco was an act?”

“It was a sloppy plan, but it was the only way I could see out of it. I was more making it up as I went.” Marco said. He looked over at his shocked parents. “Mom… Dad… I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re disappointed in me.”

“No matter what happens.” Mrs. Dias said as she held her son. “We love you and are so proud.”

His father gave him a pat on the back.

Everyone turned when they heard Jackie groan.

“Did anyone get the license plate of that truck?” She grimaced, holding her head. She looked up at everyone with confusion. “M...Marco?”

OoOoO

After they had recovered a bit, Star and her Mother did another treatment on Ludo. The black vines receded once again but her old enemy still looked in bad shape and the doctors didn’t know if he’d make it.

She kept thinking of the look on Marco’s face. She’d never seen him like that and it scared her. How was sweet, loveable Marco capable of being so… cold? Even if it was an act… there was definitely more to it. He almost broke.

“Star…” Her mother whispered and held her hand. “Let’s go and let Ludo rest.”

Star nodded and followed her mother out. She was going to head to see Marco, but a regal hand rested on her shoulder.

“Can… we have some tea?” Her mother asked with a smile. Star smiled back and nodded. She hasn’t spent much time with her mother for a while, and it would be nice to sit with her.

She followed her to the Royal Tea Room. The place hadn’t changed since she was little. All the old Mewnie Queens watched regally, holding a cup of tea from the old royal tea set passed down through the generations.  

In the center of the ornate room sat a pot of tea, and two cups. The enchanted teapot was always hot and fresh. It would pour the preferred tea for the drinker, and could only be used by the Queen and her daughter.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in here,” Star said, as she looked at all the portraits.

Queen Butterfly sat in her chair and poured Star’s cup. Star sat down and took a sip.

Peppermint.

“What’s on your mind?” Queen Butterfly asked.

Star took another sip and averted her eyes

“Nothing… I’m fine mom.”

“Star… You know I can tell.” She said and took a sip of hers. “We’re in a safe space, this is where we go to talk about anything.”

Star let out a sigh and set her tea down.

“It’s… Marco.” She admitted quietly. “I’ve… never seen him like that.”

“It was an act to fool Toffee,” Queen Butterfly said with a smile. “That’s all.”

“No,” Star said solemnly. “I don’t think it was. I think part of Marco worked out a plan of sorts to save everyone… but, a part of me thinks that he didn’t care if Ludo or BuffFrog lived or died.”

“Star,” her mother held her hand reassuringly. “None of us knew what to do. That girl’s life was in Toffee’s hands. Who knows what he would have done.”

Star realized something as she took another sip from her tea.

“You… know him, don’t you?” Star asked.

“Marco?” Her mother replied, confused.

“No… Toffee,” Star said. “He called you Moon. He said you two have fought before.”

“That… was a long time ago. When I first became Queen.” Queen Butterfly said. “There was a war. I used all of my power and I thought I defeated him. I never thought he’d manage to return.”

“Is there anything you can think of that will be of help getting the wand back?” Star asked. Queen butterfly shook her head.

“I’d already exhausted every option when I fought him. We… barely made it out alive.” Queen Butterfly said and pulled off her left glove and rolled up her sleeve.  

All her life, She’s never seen her mother remove her gloves. At first, she thought that was her normal skin, then she grew older and knew what they were.

Under the glove was a withered hand that contained the same black vines Toffee had used on her.

“It goes all the way up my arm.” Queen Butterfly said, ashamed. “I had to make a deal with a very… evil person to gain the power to defeat Toffee and his invading army.”

Star held her mother’s hand.

“One day… it will do what it’s supposed to do. But I’m using all my power to keep it where it is.” Queen Butterfly wiped a tear from her eye. “I have quite a few years left, so don’t you worry. I’ll be an old grandmother when I finally succumb to it.”

Star got up and hugged her mother. She cried into her soft dress as Queen Butterfly stroked her hair.

“It’s okay.” She said. “It will all work out.”

OoOoO

Marco held Jackie’s hand as they walked through the castle market.

“Oh my god… that hat is so corny!” Jackie giggled.

“Okay, you can stop with the corn jokes,” Marco said with a sigh. “Mewnie’s main agricultural product is corn. Everything has corn in it. I mean, I’m Mexican, so I get it. Corn’s great! We use that for everything… but I’ve learned… it can be taken too far.”

Marco pointed to the Iced Corn cones. Jackie winced at the sight.

“Yeah… that’s a bit too much there.” She said in agreement.

“So… how much do you remember,” Marco asked, looking down at his feet.

“I wish I can say nothing,” Jackie said. “It’s like I was there, it was me, but it wasn’t. Until I started saying weird stuff and playing with that dagger, I didn’t feel like I was being controlled.”  

“Glossaryck said some of the spells can influence your desires. I’m thinking that’s what Toffee whammied you with, and at the last moment, he must have enforced his full control on you.” Marco said. “I mean… you wouldn’t just come to the park and tell me that you weren’t… um.”

“I decided that a while ago,” Jackie said quietly. “I told myself when I see you next… I’d umm. We’d… well, if you were cool with it and all.”

Marco couldn’t believe his ears.

“Ahaha… yeah, but that was Toffee. Not you.” Marco stammered. “I mean, I’ve never… and I mean… I… I don’t really know what to say right now.”

“Marco… I’ve been at home, alone and scared. I get random messages from you whenever you come back from another world.” Jackie said. They continued to walk, but Marco leads her to a table and lets them sit. A waiter gave them a menu and some water. When he left, Jackie continued.

“I love you, Marco… and I feeling like I’m losing you.” She said and squeezed his hand. “Toffee or no Toffee. I wanted us to… be together. Then I can be sure that I had all of you.”

Marco was at a loss for words.

“Jackie… I-I don’t know what to say.” Marco said.

“Let's find a quiet place and talk.” She said.

“I kissed Star.” Marco blurted out. He closed his eyes to wait for the oncoming barrage. Jackie never let go of his hand. “We first started going out… it was after one of our dates. Tom took Star out and she was kind of upset about it. I was consoling her and we kissed. We both said it was a mistake and I never wanted to hurt you.”

Marco slowly opened his eyes. Jackie’s eyes were filled with tears, but she put on a brave smile.

“I figured something like that would happen at some point.” She said. “I’m… not mad.”

“Jackie… I love you.” Marco said.

“Okay.” She replied. Her eyes still watered, as if she was fighting back a torrent of tears. “Show me you love me more than her. Let's go back to the castle.”

Marco was pulled up to his feet and lead by the vice grip hand of Jackie. The pit in his stomach growing bigger with each step. He tried to talk to her, but she ignored anything he said. It looked like she was on a mission.

OoOoO

Star was walking back to her room when she saw the briefest glimpse of a bright red hoodie duck down one of the halls.

“Marco?” She called out, but no one answered. She jogged to the hallway and heard a door close, but didn’t see where. She walked down the hall opening the doors to the spare rooms, each one meticulously cleaned and perfect.

Marco must be tired and taking a nap, she thought. As she was about to open the next door, she heard Marco’s voice. He sounded agitated.

“Jackie… we don’t have to…” Marco’s voice said through the door Star was about to open the door when her hand trembled.

Was Jackie in there?

“Marco... Please.” Jackie said. She sounded desperate and on the verge of tears. “We haven’t seen each other in weeks. I almost died. I need to feel you. I need you next to me.”

Star remembered her night with Marco. She felt the same way. She knew how safe it was to be in his arms, wrapped up in his hoodie.

“Jackie… I don’t…” Marco stammered.

“Do I look bad naked?” Jackie asked.

A cold chill ran up her spine.

Were they? Are they going to?

“No, you’re beautiful,” Marco whispered.

“Then come to bed,” Jackie said.

Star could hear the rustling of sheets. She felt sick. She couldn’t see. It took all her effort to pull herself to her feet and stumble away.

OoOoO

“Jackie…” Marco stammered as he watched his girlfriend undress in front of him. “I’ve never…”

Jackie threw her bra at him and giggled.

“Neither have I.,” she said. “I told you before, I was waiting for my Marco boyfriend.”

“Now get undressed and come to bed.” She said and slipped into the oversized canopy bed. He stood on the other side of the room, unsure of what to do.

He felt his hands move almost on their own as he slowly peeled off his layers of clothes and almost robotically walked to the open sheets. Jackie threw them over the two of them and held her naked body to his.

He swore to himself that his body responded accordingly. Jackie looked up at him with a grin.

“Looks like Little Marco is happy.” Jackie chuckled and kissed him. His hand ran up and down her bare back and thighs. He couldn’t believe what was happening. All he could see was her face and warm smile. She really loved him and he could feel it with her passion and embrace.

He closed his eyes and felt her lips. He could picture her blond hair, beautiful blue eyes, those cute heart-shaped birthmarks.

“Marco…” Jackie whispered.

“Star…” Marco whispered back.

A cold chill covered him as soon as the word escaped his lips.

Jackie froze and looked up at him. He could feel her heart breaking as he held her. The muscles on her back loosened and her arms went limp.

“Jackie…” Marco whispered. “I’m… I’m sorry.”

Jackie rolled over and held a pillow to her chest.

“Go… just go.” she sobbed.

Marco quickly dressed and ran out of the bedroom.

OoOoO

Star sat on edge of the safety wall that encircled the observation deck of the largest tower in her castle.

She loved it up here. And felt like she could get a clear head with things.

Marco never broke up with Jackie. She told him he loved her, he never said it back. When fighting with Jackie-Toffee, he said the women he loved, but that could mean anything.

She knew Marco felt something for her, but he wouldn’t admit it. He’s responsible and committed to his duties… and she needed to accept that Jackie was one of them.

This whole mess they’re in… it was causing everyone to be crazy. And for once she felt like her mind was clear.

“Star?” a familiar voice said from behind her. She turned to see red hair and horns.

“Tom?” She replied and scooted off the ledge. His terrified expression relaxed when she was on stable ground. He must have thought she was thinking of jumping or something. “I thought you left.”

“I couldn’t leave… not when you needed me.” Tom said. “I was so scared I lost you.”

She felt her heart melt, seeing his genuine tears. He’d never shown that to her. All the years he’d been in her life, he’d been strong and bull-headed. Now, he was trembling having almost lost her.

Was this how Marco was feeling? Falling in love with two people? A part of her knew she still felt this way for him. Tom knelt down and pressed the back of her hand to his forehead.

“Please… I love you Star. I need you in my life.” he pleaded. “Anything you want, I’ll do for you.”

Star pulled Tom to his feet. Her heart was beating out of her chest. Her thoughts kept going to Marco and what she heard on the other side of the door. Without thinking, she pulled Tom to her and kissed him.

It was familiar, an old love reignited. His arms felt familiar and strong as he embraced her.

As she fell into his passion, she spotted the bright red hoodie of Marco. He was at the door of the observation tower.

Something inside her wanted to lash back at him. She was angry and hurt by him.

So, she slid off Tom’s jacket and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. She leaned against the ledge and pulled Tom to her, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Star…?” Tom said, confused.

“Shh...’ She said and kissed him again. When she looked again, Marco was gone.

Tom’s eagerness increased and his hands moved around from the back to her front. Her mind snapped back to reality, realizing what she insinuated to Tom.

“Tom… Tom…” She said, patting his back. It took him a moment to recover his senses.

“What’s wrong?” Tom asked.

“I’m… sorry, I thought I was, but I’m not ready.” Star said she could feel herself blushing.

“I… understand,” Tom said and pulled away. His dejected expression stabbed at her heart.

“No… I mean, just… that. I’m not ready for that.” She said with a giggle. Tom’s face lit up with a smile.

“Slow… okay?” Star said. Tom nodded in agreement.

OoOoO

Marco’s mind was in a daze… He didn’t know where he was going. He was just wandering the halls. None of the guards said a word to him, knowing who he was and his relationship with Star, he was given free reign of the castle.

His wandering led to a room filled with weapons and armor.

“Marco…” Glossaryck said after appearing from his hoodie pocket. “What are you thinking?”

“This is going to end,” Marco said, grabbing the sharpest, and biggest sword he could find.

One he let it out of its display case, it slammed into the ground. The thing must weigh a ton! Leaving it where it was, he grabbed a few daggers and a short sword. Threw on an enchanted cape and chest plate.

He looked at himself in the mirror, impressed with how cool he looked.

“Marco… this isn’t a good idea.” Glossaryck pleaded.

Marco grabbed a large satchel from the armory and ran to the kitchen. He loaded it up with bread, dried meats, and cheese. A few flasks of water and a small pot completed his rations.

He ran back upstairs to the infirmary. Ludo was still unconscious, but BuffFrog seemed to be up and about. A bandage over his chest covered his knife wound.

“Marco?” BuffFrog looked up at him in surprise. “I appreciate the visit… are you okay?”

“How do you feel?” Marco asked, looking around for anyone who might notice him.

“Much better. I was surprised at what you did, but once I saw where knife hit… I knew you miss on purpose. You really are good man.” BuffFrog said.

“That’s much is still debatable,” Marco said. “I need you to take me to Ludo’s Castle.”

“So plan is now in motion? Where is Butterflies?” BuffFrog asked. Marco didn’t answer and his new friend seemed to read Marco’s intentions.

“This bad plan,” BuffFrog said. “This a very bad plan. But you saved Tadpoles. My life is yours… I will take you.”

As the two of them stormed down the hall, the blue Glossaryck floated in front of them, holding out his arms.

“Marco… I can’t let you do this,” he said. Marco shoved him aside and stormed ahead. With the next step, his foot was stuck to the ground. He looked down to see it encased in ice.

“Marco… go back to Star and talk to her.” Glossaryck pleaded. His normal senile look changed to someone wise and knowing. Almost someone you could rely on.

“I’m her fated knight,” Marco growled. “I’m supposed to do this to protect her… and her…”

Marco’s mind flashed to her and Tom. Without thinking he grabbed Glossaryck and threw him as hard as he could against the stone wall. With a hard tug, he broke the ice around his foot and continued to storm out of the castle, BuffFrog following suit.

OoOoO

Star sat with Tom in her room. They had a small tray of food sent up and had their dinner set out on one of the tables. They quietly ate and stared at each other with small giddy giggles. Her foot would inch out and rub his leg… and he would do the same. It felt nice and familiar, but part of her still felt it wasn’t Marco.

She shoved that away any time it came to her mind. Hopefully, if she shoved it away enough, it would go away.

There was a small knock on the door. Tom looked over at Star who shrugged. It was probably Marco.

“Come in.” She said. A small devilish side of her wanted him to see the two of them together.

She wasn’t expecting Jackie to come in.

“Um… Star?” She said, holding her arms close to her chest. “Can… can we talk?”

Star gave Tom a glance. He nodded and excused himself.

Once Tom left, Jackie burst into tears. Star hurried over to her friend and gave her a hug. She didn’t say a word but led her to sit on the edge of her bed and rubbed her back.

“What happened? Did Marco do something weird? I’ll have him flogged for you.” Star said reassuringly. She may be mad at him but Jackie was still her friend.

“What? Why would he do something weird?” Jackie asked.

Star’s face felt flushed.

“I… I saw Macro and… followed him. I heard you two in the guest room.” Star admitted. Jackie burst out into tears.

“I… I felt so alone. I asked him to show me that he loves me more than you. I pulled him in there and we… it was going so perfectly.” Jackie hiccuped.

Star wanted to run out of the room. She didn’t want to think of Marco and Jackie doing things like that, but her friend needed her. She rubbed her back and let her cry.

“What happened? Why are you upset? Should doing that be… a happy thing?” Star asked, choking down her frustration.

“We… didn’t.” She whispered.

“What?” Star said.

“We were in bed… and things were going well and he…” She hiccuped and sobbed unintelligibly.

“I didn’t hear that last part,” Star said.

“He said your name,” Jackie said and cried into her shoulder. The little evil part of her set off a ton of fireworks in her brain. “He got dressed and ran out of the room.”

“I’m sorry,” Star said and hugged Jackie.

Wait…

Marco ran out on Jackie to find her… and she was…

“Oh no…” Star said. Jackie looked up at her.

“What?” Jackie asked. Wiping a tear from her eye.

“I sorta… was kinda pissed… sorta made out with Tom… and when Marco showed up… I kinda hinted that Tom and I were going to…” Star said sheepishly. “I was really mad.”

“Did you?” Jackie asked. Star shook her head no.

“Oh no…” Jackie said in agreement.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Star said with a giggle. “Let him suffer for a bit, I’ll explain everything to him later.”

Jackie giggled in agreement. Star flopped on her bed, Jackie followed suit.

“Are we losers?” Jackie asked. “I mean… I sorta knew that you two felt that way about each other, but… I’m not a catty, jealous type of person. I felt almost crazy when I pulled him into the room.”

Jackie paused and looked up at the canopy of her bed.

“Do… you love him? What about Tom?” Jackie asked.

“I do love Tom. We have history… a terrible flame ridden history filled with screams of torment and anguish… but we were young and in love.” Star said with a smile. “When I’m with him now, it’s different. It’s familiar… but that part of me is no longer there. Or, it’s changed.”

Jackie nodded.

“I felt that way with my old boyfriend,” Jackie admitted. “People grow together, others grow apart.”  

“I only realized how I felt about Marco when he was gone,” Star admitted. “He’s always next to me, I always relied on him. I know how you feel. I feel like a crazy person, pining over someone I can’t have.”

“He told me” Jackie admitted. “About the two of you that night.”

“The way you felt when you almost died… that empty feeling where you need someone else to fill that hole and complete you. I was like that… that night.” Star said. “I was ready to do… more. But Marco held me. He stopped me from doing something I’d regret. He’s always protecting me, even from myself.”

Jackie nodded.

“I wish I had that with him,” Jackie admitted. “He’s always cool and funny and clumsy around me. He’s normal and attentive, never ignores me. The perfect boyfriend. But, when the phone rings. He’s out the door and off to save you.”

“He stood up to a monster my mother had to make a deal with some demonic creature in order to beat and outsmarted him to save you.” Star pointed out. “I think that would bring up the tally pretty close. No one knew what to do when Toffee had that knife to your throat.”  

Jackie nodded in agreement.

“I felt terrible when that night happened, but that made me realize more than anything how I felt… and I loved him enough to let him be happy with you.”

“Was that the real reason you left?” Jackie asked, rolling to her side. Star nodded.

“Are we still friends?” Star asked. “I really like you and don’t want us to lose that.”

“Even though we’re both Marco crazy, I’d never want to lose my cool alien friend.” Jackie giggled and hit her with a pillow. “God… makes me think Janna might be onto something.”

“What?” Star asked. Jackie let out a snort of a giggle.

“She wanted to set up a schedule.” Jackie chuckled.

“She said that to me once before, I don’t really get it,” Star said. Jackie leaned over and whispered into her ear.

“Oh… Oh?” Star said as she realized what her other friend was hinting at. “Why did she want to be put on it?”

Jackie just gave her a look and she realized why.

“Really? Janna? I thought she hated him. She’s always stealing his stuff and pulling pranks on him!” Star said.

“Nah, that’s how she shows she likes someone,” Jackie said. “She’s been on the Marco train since kindergarten.”

They both burst out laughing for a moment when the door slammed open.

A battered Glossaryck flew into the room.

“Star! Star! Marco! He’s gone!” he shouted frantically.

[toaster-fashion]

Jackie Lynn by lyonqueen featuring biker denim jeans ❤ liked on Polyvore

WearAll print top / Balmain biker denim jeans / Lipstick

[aspiringarmstrong]

Star vs Destiny - Chapter 11

Marco emptied the boiling water into his water skins. He may be on a suicide mission, but he didn’t need to come down with a case of Montezuma's Revenge.

“It’s odd you only drink boiled water,” BuffFrog said.

“On our world, we have to purify the water so parasite and bacteria don't infect us,” Marco explained. Looking around the swampy forest, he was sure there was something nasty was waiting for him to ingest it.

“Ah, make sense. My grandmother once ate fish with parasite. Six weeks later, her belly burst opened and thousands of bugs covered the table.” BuffFrog reminisce. “It was a great feast for our family.”

“You… ate your grandmother?” Marco asked in horror. BuffFrog let out a chuckle.

“No… no… we ate the bugs. Grandmother still alive.” BuffFrog said. His leaned close to Marco, showing his a rather scary face. “My grandmother… she never dies.”

Marco didn’t know how to take that and turned back to his pot of water.

“Marco…” BuffFrog whispered and pointed up. There was a flying eyeball with bat wings staring at them.

“Toffee watches us.” He whispered.

Marco pulled a dagger from behind his cloak and threw it at the eyeball. It dodged the attack, but its wing was nicked, causing it to careen into the ground.

“Marco…” BuffFrog said with a pleading warning.

“He knows we’re coming for him now, There’s no turning back,” Marco said, recovering the eyeball. He looked dead into its center.

“You hear me Toffee? I’m coming for you! I’ll make you pay for everything you did!” Marco screamed and threw the eye on the ground. It flopped helplessly and let out a squeal as Marco’s foot crushed it.

BuffFrog looked away with a solemn gaze.

“Eyebat was longtime friend.” He said. “I will miss him.”

Marco stopped twisting his foot and turned to BuffFrog.

“I… I’m sorry. I assumed it was just a projection or something.” Marco said, regretting killing the creature.

“Was his birthday next week,” he said, picking up his friend and moved to the treeline. He turned his head to look back at him. “You assume many things Marco, this war… this will happen, but… losing good friend still hurts.”  

Marco watched BuffFrog fade into the forest to bury his friend. Marco shook off his guilt and continued with his water replenishment task.

OoOoO

Star, Mr. and Mrs. Diaz, King and Queen Butterfly sat in one of the meeting room with a newly conscious Ludo. Star looked around for Glossaryck all day, but he couldn’t be found. Jackie was in her assigned room with guards outside, and Tom agreed to keep her company.

She didn’t want to even think about Tom right now and the whole mess she’d made with that. Jackie was slightly apprehensive to have him hang out, but if Toffee tried another attack, she would be the most likely target, and Tom was best suited to handle something like that.

At least… the best chance of surviving.

“Are those two insane?” Ludo screeched once he was apprised of the situation.

Mrs. Diaz cried into the barrel chest of her husband. Star’s parents regarded the others with a look of grave concern.

“What are we going to do?” Star asked.

“As much as I regret to say it… we should assemble the guards.” King Butterfly suggested. “I’ll send the word out to the other kingdoms. We’ll need to assault Ludo’s Castle as soon as we can.

“I’ll send word to the Magic High Commission,” Queen Butterfly said. “We’ll need all the firepower we can get.”

“I’ll help,” Ludo said, standing up on the table. Everyone glared at him. He cleared his throat and stood up as regally as he could. “I still have monster contacts who didn’t join me or Toffee. I’m sure I can convince them to join us.”

“I can call Princess Ponyhead and see if she can get her family help too,” Star suggested. She thought of her other friends, but none really had the fighting power they need, and she didn’t want to put them in danger.

“It’s a five-day trek through the forest to get to Ludo’s Castle.” King Butterfly said. “We all know how sturdy Marco is, but I worry he won’t survive that trip. Even in my prime… I’d have difficulty.”

“He’ll be fine,” Ludo said with a grin. “BuffFrog is with him, and if anyone can get him there in one piece, it'll be him.”

Ludo thought for a moment.

“Well… I can’t really tell if that’s good or bad… what’s better? Dying horribly in the forest, or dying horribly by Toffee’s hand?”

“No matter what,” Star interrupted. “We need to move now. He’s got a three days lead on us. Why can’t I just scissor us to the castle and meet him there?”

“Ah..haha” Ludo chuckled. “That’d be my fault.”

Star looked at the green chicken creature with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, only my scissors would let us in there. I’ve set up various portal traps that redirects anyone attempting to breach my borders into the bottom of a lava lake.” Ludo chuckled.

“How can he do that?” Star shouted. “Mom! How can he do that?”

Queen Butterfly shrugged.  

“I’ll talk to Hekapoo when she gets here… see if she can figure that out.”

Heckapoo is a being on the magic high council and the creator of the Interdimensional Scissors. Everyone who has a pair has met her and passed her test. Each set of scissors is designed for the owner specifically. She’s a rather aloof person, but Star liked her when she met her.

“I suggest we start getting our forces together,” King Butterfly said. “If Hekapoo can fix whatever Ludo’s done around his castle, then we can portal there quickly, otherwise it’s going to be a long and treacherous march.”  

“We’ll get Marco back.” Queen Butterfly said, reassuringly. Her expression didn’t quite seem to match her confident tone.

OoOoO

Toffee watched his screen black out when Marco’s foot crushed his spy. The other monsters around him seemed upset over the loss of their spy. He didn’t understand why the loss of such an insignificant being was affecting morale, but it didn’t matter.

Marco was coming… alone.

He grinned in delight.

He knew that the boy was going to be useful.

Even though BuffFrog survived his attack, it was inconsequential. The creature served his use. Ludo surely had succumbed to the poison, even if he didn’t, It really didn’t matter. Those pieces were off the board.

He has the wand. The Butterfly Army was on their way. He was sure the Magic High Commission was going to be there, along with a force from the underworld and whatever other Mewmans who were stupid enough to join them.

What was the earth term he heard?

Fish in a barrel.

He flexed his right hand, staring at his missing middle finger. Turning his gaze to the right, he smiled at the pedestal that held the wand and toasted his glass to it.

To his future rule… and revenge on Queen Butterfly

OoOoO

Jackie set down her cards with a grin.

“Full house! Aces over sevens!” she declared.

Tom grunted and threw his cards down.

“Sorry that you got stuck babysitting,” Jackie said.

“Nah, it’s not a problem. I get why they asked.” Tom said as he shuffled the cards. Jackie piled up the poker chips on her side and took the cards as he dealt them. “If Toffee used Star’s wand to control you again...”

“Yeah I’d get all possessed and my head will spin around like a pea soup sprinkler.” Jackie laughed. She was terrified by the idea, but she was trying to put her situation in a better light.

“The castle is really well protected. The only reason Toffee kept control was because Marco brought you in.” Tom explained. “But, I don’t know much about this guy. Queen Butterfly said he’s a real mastermind type… and he thinks like ten moves ahead.”

Jackie passed two cards and looked at her hand. It was three of a kind. Not that strong, but from Tom’s bewildered expression, she could make it work.

She added to the pot and gave him a wink.

“I get the rules to the game, but why do you keep on winning?” He said as he fumbled his cards around. He matched her bet.

“It’s more about reading people,” Jackie said and added more chips. “And taking risks.”

Tom matched her bet and chuckled.

“You sound like Star,” he said. Jackie grinned and added more to the pile. Tom raised an eyebrow at her.

“She never really talked much about your history…” Jackie said, adding another few to the pot. Tom seemed visibly agitated with the large pile of chips that had accrued. He changed his hand around a few times before matching.

“Honestly there’s not much to talk about. Ponyhead, Star and I were friends since kids. We dated for about a year, that felt like a lifetime ago but was only a few years ago. She was crazy, I was hot-tempered, Ponyhead… well, she hasn’t changed much.” Tom laughed. “I feel so stupid how I was used in all this, too. Honestly, part of this is my fault… I just, once I found out who Toffee really was, I couldn’t bring myself to really say much about it.”

“Oh?” Jackie said, adding more to the pile. “Do tell?”

Tom chuckled and matched her bet.

“I can see what you’re trying to do,” Tom said. “When I met back up with Star, I was trying to fix my anger.”

Jackie quietly listened. It seemed important, so she didn’t want to instigate another bet just yet.

“I used to have a counselor who would help me out. I thought if I fix myself for Star, she’d take me back.” Tom said. “It didn’t help much, because I realized I was doing it for her… not for me.”

“I see,” Jackie said. “Self-reflection can be good.”

“So, I found Toffee.” He said, ashamed. “My counselor told me he couldn’t do much for me and gave me his contact information.”  

“So… this evil mastermind… became your therapist?” Jackie said in shock. “Wow… that’s a lot to take in.”

“I know… I mean, he helped a lot with things. Aspects of myself I didn’t want to acknowledge.” Tom said, setting down his cards. “He helped me talk to Star and get close to her. Showed me how you can plant little seeds, and if you tend them gently, they will be able to grow into something powerful.”

Jackie leaned back and put her feet on the table.

“Yea, I guess I can see that,” Jackie said. “I mean, Marco’s been trying to plant his seed in me since kindergarten… wait… that sounded really bad.”

Jackie and Tom both erupted in laughter. They stopped for a moment and smiled at each other. She felt slightly guilty knowing what was going to happen to Tom once things settle down. He seemed like a really good guy.

“Are you worried about Marco?” Tom asked. He must have seen her worry and assumed it was about him.

“Yeah.” She said, throwing another chip in. “Are you?”

Tom matched her bet and nodded.

“All right, I call,” Jackie said and showed her three of a kind.

Tom grinned devilishly and showed a straight flush.

“What?” Jackie said astonished. “How?”

Tom whipped his hair back in a cool manner and threw on his shades.

“Well…  you are playing cards with a devil.” He grinned and took his winnings.

“Oh give me a break!” Jackie exclaimed with a chuckle. “And give me those!”

She snatched the sunglasses off Tom and put them on herself.

“Ohhh, I’m a devil” She mocked him.

“Hey! I don’t sound like that!” He protested and tried to snatch the glasses back.

“Oh, you so totally do!”

OoOoO

Star sat in another meeting room on the other side of the castle. She wondered how many of these rooms there were, and why her ancestors decided to scatter them all over the place. Why not just make a ‘meeting room wing’ or tower or something.

She sat next to her mother and stared at the Magical High Commission members. She had met and even grew up with some of them.

Lekmet: the bipedal goat with bat wings who could only communicate with goat noises.

Rhombulus: A large man who wears fur underwear and a cape, with snakes for arms crystal nipples and a massive rhombus shaped crystal for a head with one eye floating inside. He seemed to be the only one who could understand Lekmet’s bleats.

Omnitraxus Prime: A small floating orb with stars and galaxies swirling about inside the glass, a skull suspended in the center.

Two other chairs sat empty.

“Blaat,” Lekmet replied.

“He wants to know where Glossaryck is.” Rhombulus translated.

Queen Butterfly shrugged.

“Uhhhg,” Rhombulus grunted. “He’s always like that!”

“Where the heck is Heckapoo?” Omitraxus inquired with a small giggle at his pun.

A portal was sheared open near the door and in stepped Hekapoo

She wore a black and yellow dress. Spikes came out from the elbows of her long sleeves, flame red hair, and a golden crown with a flame on it.

“We don't need that dingbat anyway,” she said with a scoff and took her seat. “Let's get this over with.”

Star watched as her mother went over the events that had taken place. Once she was finished, the Magic High Commission all stared at her, mouth agape.

“That Septarian is still alive?” Hekapoo replied. “I thought we took care of him years ago!

“I’ll crystalize him this time,” Rhombulus said, waving his snake arms around.

“You know that won’t work” Omitraxus replied. “He can absorb magic.”

“I know this is a dire event… but,” Queen Butterfly stammered. “I think Marco needs to be the priority. We need to stop him before he gets to the castle and attempts to take Toffee on by himself.”

Queen Butterfly looked to Hekapoo.

“What? Why are you looking at me?” She asked. Queen Butterfly pulled out a birdcage with Ludo inside. “What… is that gross chicken looking thing?”

“It’s Ludo, the original owner of the castle. He did something to prevent any magic teleportation to his borders. It’s a two-day march from any point we can teleport.” Queen Butterfly said. Hekapoo gave the chicken a weird look.

“I don’t remember giving you any scissors.” She said suspiciously.

“Well… I inherited them… from my great uncle’s sister’s cousin.”  he said with a nervous chuckle. She glowered at him and grunted.

“What… exactly did you do to block portals for that big of a distance?” she growled.

“Well, you know how portals have a radius. They can’t be more than so much apart or they won’t work?” he chuckled and fidgeted his fingers. “I found out you can connect portals to each other if you overlap them.”

“YOU DID WHAT?” Hekapoo shouted.

“It took me years, but I linked the boundaries of my kingdom with portals from the scissors. They’re not active and open since they’re weaved together like a web.” He chuckled, showing some pride in his ingenuity. “There’s only one spot that’s safe to go through, and my scissors are the only pair that is programmed with it.”

“And… if I were to go there right now?” Hekapoo asked while brandishing her scissors.

“One of two things,” Ludo said nervously. “This room fills with lava… or you’ll be swimming in it.”

“Do you know the spatial coordinate for your hole?” Hekapoo said while glaring at the tiny birdman.

“No… It’s programmed into the scissors,” he said with a whimper. Hekapoo grumbled to herself, slashed a hole in space-time and left. A few moments later she came back with a massive book and slammed it in front of Ludo.

“What one is it?” she roared. Ludo looked up at her and down to the massive book. He gingerly reached out of his cage and opened it to the first page.

“No… that’s not it,” he said and turned the page. “Not this one either.”

“This is going to take forever.” Omnitraxus bemoaned.

“Yeaj… this is volume one of three thousand. I can’t fix what he did unless I know what pair of scissors his ‘ancestor’ bequeathed him.” she said.     

“Blaat.” Lekmet said

“He asked; doesn’t your dimension’s time run differently? Like… 12 days per second?”

Hekapoo glared at the goat. Grabbed Ludo’s cage and stormed off through her portal.

“Is Ludo going to be okay?” Star asked her mom. She shrugged.

An hour almost passed. Star was getting worried. The portal tore open again and the birdcage was thrown back through as Hekapoo stepped back.

“Mom… how long…?” Star was about to ask.

“A hundred and twenty years.. Give or take.”

“Can Ludos live that long?” She asked, looking into the motionless figure in the cage.

“He’s fine. I had to regenerate him a few times over the years.” She said. “We went through all my scissors… twice.”

“Snip… snip… snip...” Ludo said from the bars. “They all go snip.”

“The whole trip was a waste of time. His junking up the system like that, I can’t access the history of them from my main book. It’s going to take weeks to clean up his mess manually.” She groaned.

“Umm, Hekapoo?” Star asked, raising her hand. Everyone looked at her. She loved being the center of attention, but not the center of their attention. “From what I understood, it’s like a big web or net right? Can’t you focus on one part of it, and open it up enough to let us in? If it's around the borders, we can port there… walk through… and port to the castle?”

Everyone turned to Hekapoo. She closed her eyes for a moment as if mulling something over.

“Yeah… that could work. If the donk head here only did this to the borders, then inside should be fine. We just can’t emergency teleport out of there until I get the original scissors back.” She said and tossed a tiny fireball at his cage. He let out a small squeak and scooted back. “Yeah… that got boring after the first ten years.“

“I’ll go and let everyone know what the plan is and ready everyone for the first transport.” Queen Butterfly said and stood up. Everyone else agreed and left the meeting room. Star looked over at Ludo’s cage when she was halfway out of the room. She looked up at her mom who rolled her eyes and sighed.

She gave her mom a hug and ran over to Ludo’s cage, grabbed it and followed along behind her. She hoped that she would be a strong and powerful ruler like her someday.