#I WISH WE HAD SOME MORE OF JANNA

[gingernut1314]

Welcome back to Gingernut's After-Show Debrief

This is the show where this gingerbread girly completes another series that completely WRECKS her mental stability and she'll never recover

Before I crash out I'm gonna throw a spoiler warning up here real quick because the show I'm about to talk about is...

Arcane: Season 2 Act 3

I actually.....I just feel like....this was....😭😭

So 😭

And 😭

I am actually stunned that this show is over.

I didn't know figure out that is was ending for real for real until the last ep of Act 2 so I'm kinda new to this just distraught feeling and then...then.....

😭

I really enjoyed ep. 7 it was the cutest fucking thing to come out of this whole show. To know that there is a universe out there where they get to be happy, even if it means Vi is dead, is nice.

And Himerdinger's little song was too cute (and he's not dead. I saw someone on tiktok say he wasn't because he's a yordle and you know what I'm gonna believe it because if I don't?? its not gonna be a good time. Also I really thought he turned invisible then because I SWEAR I heard his little footsteps walk away som maybe I'll go with that)

Clogger and Milo being back!!!

SILCO WITH THE GOLD EYE EHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHE

If I were to get my hands on that man omgggggggg ✋😩 the fanservice was fantastic this season I was very well feed.

BENZO 😭 I sobbed when Ekko just attacked him in a hug like yesss he gets to have his goodbye moment and I'm happy for him

But I am UPSET for Ekko because what do you mean he's all alone sitting on the same ledge he was sitting on with Powder??? Why isn't he with friends??? WHY IS HE ALL ALONE SOMEONE GO CHECK ON HIM PLEASEEEEEE

The French song when Ekko and Powder were dancing was wonderful and I love both Stomae and POMME!!

I am upset that Sevika didn't get more screen time then she did, but I am SO happy that she 1) lives and 2) is on the council now!! She deserves it and she IS ZAUN she everything that Zuan stand for and she'd been there since day 1 and just UGHHHH I love that woman let me marry her right here right nowwwww

Piltover and Zuan teaming up to fight against a common enemy was wonderful. I loveee a good war/battle/invasion scene and that whole ep FED ME

Ambessa was badass and I hate her AND love her?? Like I have very mixed feelings on her and that's okay because that's what the writers want.

I'd let her completely annihilate me on the... battlefield....and that's all I'll say on the Ambessa topic.

Well actually that Shadow Black Rose mage was LeBlanc right?? I slowly trying to learn all the League lore and I read a bunch of people saying it was her but I really don't know enough yet to be like oh yeah. That's her.

ALSO MEL YOU BADASS BABE YES GOD YES GOD

Stunning, beautiful, let me sit on your lap as you rule over your kingdom pleaseeeeeeeeee

The creators of Arcane want to do other tv shows right for League? I know they are working on Penelope of Sparta but we've GOT to get some more for Arcane seeing different stories and stuff there are too many characters NOT to do it, Noxus and whatever Mel is gonna do with it being one of them

CaitVi being end game was wonderful. Caitlyn was looking scrumptious these last few eps and unfortunately, I've been a big Cait hater but she's....okay now....i guess....got played HARD by Maddie though like fuck that girly omgggggg Maddie was horrible even those she really didn't get us a reason to dislike her till last ep.

Talking about end games

JAYVIK

WE GOT JAYVIK!!!!!!

I LOVE that that was the victor in the PfP Jayce Wars from tiktok just stunning. 10000/10 right there. Yes, go be little space partners for all eternity love you bothhhh

MACHINE HAROLD WAS AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH SO GOODDD

I like how they changed it to be more in line with the lore for Arcane like the look of those Arcane creatures very nice very good love him would join his cult I don't need free will pffffttttt

And VIKTOR BEING THE GUY WHO SAVED JAYCE WHEN HE WAS A BABY LIKE YESSSSSSAHSGHAGHDGAHGDH they will be together forever and always I love those two

Ekko and Jinx entrance to the battle was perfect and they both were so good and--and--and--

SHES NOT DEAD

NOPE

She just got teleported to a different area in Runeterra like she's with her girlfriend Lux she's okay....😭

I will deny deny denyyyyyy that's dead like I won't even let the thought cross my mind and the ending of the show I think allows me to do so perfectly

The ending, after some thought and not just going off of my instant reaction which was to scream and cry and pull my hair out, was perfect for the show.

I honesty like how it gives you that feeling of I guess unfinished, like you know there should be more because that's what they want us to feel. The arcane world is so big and there are hunters of stories to be tole and even though I'm sad Vi and Jinx's story is done I know it's not really done, done which is in a way comforting.

This show really was beautiful.

I liked the mix between magic and reality. It really has set a high standard for any animated TV shows that I really doubt anyone will be able to replicate.

But I'm pumped for Penelope of Sparta because greek mythology AND stunning animation/storytelling??? Yes please sign me up I will eat it up.

.......now I'm just gonna...sit in my room....in silence for a good while because even though this show was stunning I'm sobbing

[princesssmars]

you sometimes forget how… slightly obsessive, violet could be. nsfw.

when you were younger you had a love hate relationship with her tendency to become so completely fixated on something. staying up for hours at night thinking about their next score, holding a grudge for years against anyone who got piss drunk and pissed off vander in the bar, planning and fidgeting over the perfect way to ask you out for weeks before you finally took the step yourself.

even if it got her into danger, got her and her siblings into a temporary struggle that made your heart stall with the thought of nearly losing them, you always reminded her that you thought her fixation on things was cute, and a useful tool about half of the time.

(you even said that the trait reminded you of powder, always blabbering to you for as long as she could talk about her new ideas for gadgets and bombs. the girl was overjoyed in sharing something in common with her big sister, immediately climbing on her back to ramble about something new.)

but then you actually you lost her. you lost all of them. and you wished you had told her that that insecurity she had, all the insecurities she had, were stupid and inconsequential to how perfect you thought she was.

but maybe you’ll get the chance to tell her (and tell jinx that yeah, you were right, i did start seeing ghosts too) because a scarily realistic replica of your ex is standing in front of you and before you can shoo it away she’s hugging you so tight you think your ribs will break.

you follow as ekko gives her the tour of the firelights base, admiring each and every way she’s changed. she’s taller, obviously stronger, wearing a prison uniform that you don’t if you’re allowed to say looks good on her and a red jacket she stole from some guy because of course she did. you stifle a laugh as she tells the story and she smiles at you, indiscreetly wrapping your hand in hers.

it’s obvious by the look on his face ekko is so going to tease you about this later, but you don’t get a chance to care when she turns to you and ask where she and her enforcer friend can sleep. and janna knows you want to offer for her to sleep with you, but it’s been years and you don’t want to make her uncomfortable so you lead her and caitlyn to the newbie dorms.

but it seems like you’ve forgotten just how damn stubborn she is, because not even half an hour later a loud banging at your draws you from your bed, her flushed and nervous face shocking you into silence.

she asks to come in, but with her it’s always more like a demand then a question. you try to ignore the burning feeling of her eyes trained on you as you lead her to your bed, rolling your eyes as she aggressively flops back onto it.

“holy fuck, i haven’t been on something this soft in years. i think i’m gonna fall asleep right now.”

“i wouldn’t be mad if you did.” well, you’d be a little upset. you have so much to talk to her about everything, anything that’s happened since she disappeared. granted a lot of it was bad but there were still a few things you think would cheer her up. she’d already told you enthusiastic she was to eat jerichos again, just wait till she found out that-

you must of zoned out for a minute because you’re shocked back to reality by soft lips pressed to yours, vi’s bandaged hand cupping your cheek like you’ll fade into dust if she lets go. you mentally kick yourself in the head for not responding quicker when she pulls away and looks at you with that sad puppy look she gets.

“i, i’m sorry. it’s just, you were staring at me for a while! and it’s been so long since i’ve seen you and i don’t even know what we are or if we’re still girlfriends but you’re even more beautiful than the last time i saw you-“

you cup both of her cheeks in your hands,(maybe a little too hard) give her a second to back away if she wants, and pull her back in. her arms wrap around your waist and she lets out a whimper when your hand travels to the back of her neck to pull her closer and closer-

and now it’s around one hour? maybe two? it’s a while later, and as her hand travels back into you for the fourth time, yeah, you’re starting to remember how obsessive she could be.

“vi, baby - oh my gods, y’know you can slow down!” your voice pitches when her fingers, her beautiful long and big fingers push up against that spot inside you, her other hand keeping your hips down when you involuntarily raise them off the sheets.

“don’t think i can, princess.” she groans into your breast as she sucks another path of bruises down your chest, slate eyes amused at how your hands grip the bed like it stole from you, how your mouth opens so cutely before you bite your lips to hold back your sounds.

her mouth finally closes around your clit and the increased sensitivity from your past orgasms combined with the almost growling sound she makes when she tastes you sends you right over the edge, thighs clamping around her head as she carries you through it.

the rubbing of her rough hands over your thighs and her gentle words of praise merry drag you into the beginnings of a soft slumber.

until you can feel the damn brute lift your legs onto her shoulders and stick her tongue inside you, laughing at your shocked squeal and resumed grip on her hair.

“besides, we’ve gotta make up for lost time, don’t we?”

writing a drabble based on the fic you’re writing instead of finish the fic i’m such a genius like 😍😍 glad her tag is coming back but i want content coming out like a factory line ok everyone get to work 🙏🏽

[viwifey]

If you don’t mind telling me, can you tell me what you found wrong with act 2? I did think it was a little rushed but I still love it, I’m probably biased tho

yes!! i was debating on making a post about this so i'm glad you asked lol

just wanna say that this is not me saying that my opinions are right; i find it great that you loved the act and who knows if my opinions will change in the future anyways

i'm going to break my thoughts down by character and compare what happened to them in act 2 from where they left off in act 1 to help organize my thoughts

JINX

last we saw jinx in act 1 she had fought vi with the help of sevika and isha and lost her middle finger due to a shot fired by caitlyn. sevika released the air from the janna temple and kept jinx and isha covered while caitlyn and vi were separated from them. the strong wind causes piltover to be covered in these paint explosions which incites the people in the undercity to start riots in jinx's image

we start act 2 with jinx and isha doing sisterly things that she wished she got to do with vi when they were younger. we also see, with some conflictions, that she isn't interested in being a symbol for the undercity and doesn't seem to have much going on outside of that because her goal of "finishing what's left of her family" basically ended when she realized that vi still loves her during their fight. when isha and the other people from the rally are taken to stillwater, jinx breaks in, releases them and receives more love/praise from her supporters. here it can be strongly interpreted based on jinx's reaction that she was going to be accepting the role of being the symbol for the undercity and help lead the fight against piltover's rule. but after all of that, her reunion with isha is interrupted with the introduction of warwick/vander. then she spends the next two episodes trying to find and cure him with the help of vi and there no further development on her role in the rebellion, aside from the mural in episode 5 and her calling herself a hero because of the jailbreak.

i love that jinx was able have her family back again, it was my favorite part of act 2, but i found it strange that there was a lot of focus spent on jinx being the symbol for the undercity rebellion in episode 4 and how she was presented to be ready to step into that roll only for it to be almost forgotten about for the next 2 episodes. i don't know if the possible death of isha and warwick is going to be used as reasoning for get her to actually "join the cause" but if not then i don't understand why it was implemented into the show in the first place. my guess is that its going to be used just as a way for jinx to easily get people to fight in whatever battle is going to take place in act 3 since it seems like the noxians are already going to be attempted to be removed by caitlyn anyways since she betrayed them in episode 6

JAYCE

jayce ended episode 3 possibly entering ??? into the hex thingy after touching it and smashing it with his hammer (way to go dude!!) while he was with ekko and heimerdinger. we do not see him again until the end of episode 5 where he emerges from the hex looking like he had survived some crazy arcane apocalypse and experienced a shit-ton of trauma... after realizing how powerful viktor has become and killing salo, he makes his way over to viktor's cult base and kills him too before fleeing the scene lmao

i've already seen people joke about how it's no wonder jayce has haters because he just continues to fuck things up but this is the most interested i've been in his character since first watching the show. but i'm worried that were not going to get to see much of what happened to him while he was in the hex and that the show is either going to just have jayce tell us what he witnessed or use quick flashbacks instead. (and like... the show is named arcane because of the arcane magic and hextech is crucial for a lot of the story arcs so i would've anticipated that there would be more focus on that i guess??) though it isn't really fair for me to use this as criticism for act 2 since act 3 is not out, with only 3 episodes left and a lot of story to wrap up i feel like that is going to be the case

MEL

mel ends act 1 getting captured by the black rose and spends act 2... being captured by the black rose... i also really like mel and have enjoyed watching her character develop but i feel like her story is part of the show that has bitten off more than it can chew. i am not familiar with anything from league so the black rose stuff is very new to me and as much as it is interesting, it just doesn't feel necessary to have as part of the show. i think if it were introduced more in the first season then i would understand why it's a part of this one but it's being used as a storyline that is either put to the side or is getting ran through to get to the other stories arcs that need their own attention.

on a positive note, i am excited that the show is writing her as a character more than a piltover counselor and that we get to see what her tattoos, or is it armor??, are truly intended for

EKKO

so ekko also entered the hex with jayce??? i guess we don't know for sure since he didn't physically interact with it and i guess we still don't know now lol

i realllllyyy missed him in act 2 and his story is another one that i'm worried is going to be reduced to quick flashbacks or dialogue. my guess is when he returns from the hex, that is going to be the explanation for how he can manipulate time and he's going to use it at some point to help with the final battle

HEIMERDINGER

no complaints it was refreshing not seeing him ngl

AMBESSA

we finished act 1 with ambessa declaring martial law on the undercity and appointing caitlyn as commander with the intention of manipulating her and using piltover's recourses and weaponry for her own gain... and i would say that's basically what continues in act 2 for her as well

ambessa is a great antagonist and her motivations were set the moment we saw her in season 1: she wants control hextech and she wants her family to be safe. i don't think there was anything specific about her character or story that didn't fit for me because honestly everything with ambessa has been very consistent. i really look forward to her fight scenes in act 3

VIKTOR

viktor because jesus in act 1 and continues to be jesus in act 2 BUT a more powerful jesus... plus he has a cult

i just think he is another rushed storyline and that's pretty much the sum of it. it was wild watching him be able to enter people minds and float around in those celestial planes but i wish we got to see more about how he got to that point. when i think back to season 1, i liked how that season took time to show viktor's desperation with the hexcore and trying to find a cure for himself. it made me feel almost as desperate as him and i wanted him to be successful. watching act 2 didn't make me feel much of anything for his character and same goes for his death, although i'm sure that isn't going to be the last we see of him anyways

CAITLYN

we all know where caitlyn's arc finished in act 1 lol

i was really surprised that her first scene in act 2 was of her already showing doubts in how ambessa was running piltover because i think a lot of us expected her to do that much later in the act. i also wasn't a fan of how the show chose to have her character express these concerns with a couple scenes of dialogue rather than have us see her do something about it. if she were concerned that the noxians were being too violent with the people in the undercity, then show her trying to do something to stop it ! i feel like her scenes were either her saying she wasn't sure she was ok with being commander or it was her being like "i have to find jinx" and avenge my mother. so when she ran into vi in episode 6 and was somewhat casual about it, i was almost confused that there was nothing else to it... especially when the next thing we know is that she and vi devised a plan to stop ambessa from getting warwick??? it felt soooo random and i started laughing because it was practically ridiculous to me

i'm glad the act 3 trailer showed vi calling caitlyn out because there needs to be a discussion between the two of them over everything that happened. also it looked like it was taking place in caitlyn's house (mansion) and idk i think i just assumed that they wouldn't feel safe to go back to piltover after pissing ambessa off so maybe there's a reason for that?

VI

saving my best girl for last cause i'm biased oopsie... uhh we also know how things went for vi in act 1

ugh this might just be me getting my expectations too high but i was really hoping we were going to see more with her pitfighting than just those first 2 minutes. if anything i would have liked some scenes with loris before he decided to leave after her drinking got too bad. and thats other thing... you have vi being presented as an alcoholic but she's totally fine the second jinx shows up?? as mentioned in cait's section, i don't love how their reunion scene went. i find it really difficult to believe that vi would have enough trust in cait right away to let her be brought to ambessa without any concerns that something could go wrong. but in general it feels like vi doesn't have much of an arc going on anyways... she started off working with cait to find jinx which didn't go well. then she's working with jinx to help vander which as far as we know could be dead. so now is she going back to working with cait to stop the noxians? it just seems like she doesn't have a solid motivation this season when it could have been something about her finding self-acceptance for all the guilt she's had over the years or idk making her lead the rebellion in the undercity, just something to make her feel like she has purpose.

and i'm going to stop here :) i think i got everything i wanted to say somewhere in here but either way i'm sure i get my point across just fine. i want to reiterate that i don't think i'm right about my opinions and also wanna say that i am enjoying the show, though it may not seem like it with this lol. i think act 3 will make me change my mind about a couple things anyways but this is how i feel currently and that's pretty much it

[itsthatpearl]

Layout idea from @secret-smut-sideblog 🩸

Previous chapter

Astarion x F!OC

Dawn of Love

Chapter 2: Destroy Everything You Touch

AO3 LINK

Aura meets her pale companion in the pale moonlight (re-telling of the Tiefling party and the first romance scene)

Word count: 1.6k

Thank you Janna for beta reading <3

TRIGGERS: PinV sex, blood, kissing, vampire bites, restraining, fingering, oral sex (F!receiving), sexual tension, angst, ptsd.

----

The tiefling camp was full of happy companions chatting and drinking. The raid to goblin camp had been challenging, but now we had a new member in our tiny group, a druid named Halsin. Astarion returned early in the morning and during the day he had been normal, as if nothing had happened last night between us. I tried to push everything aside during the battle, but it was hard. 

I was sitting alone watching two Tieflings kiss happily next to Gale, who tried to ignore it and talk with Lae’zel. I could see the githyanki was unable to distract him from the two lovers. 

Great. I felt everything Gale was feeling. The weird feeling of a crush had crept into my heart. I was falling hard for the vampire rogue, who just abandoned me last night after I was an idiot and decided to scare him away.

Suddenly I felt the air get a bit colder right next to my arm. I looked at the silver haired rogue as he handed me his bottle of wine.

“It’s quite boring in here. I see you have been trying to look at Gale who is trying to look at Lae’zel so you wouldn't notice the two tieflings getting ready to make more tiny tieflings” he chuckled. 

I took a huge gulp from the wine bottle. I am not enough drunk for this. 

“So what have you been doing then?” I stared at Lae’zel who had noticed the couple now too and looked disgusted.

“I’ve been looking for a little more excitement. A little more fun.” I didn’t even have to see his face to know he had that stupid grin on his face.

“And what's your idea of a ‘little fun’ if I may ask” I took another gulp from the wine bottle.

“By the hells. Sex, my dear. A night of passion” and the wine went straight to the wrong pipe. I coughed hard and looked at him shocked.

“With who?!” I asked maybe a bit too quickly. 

He looked at me and laughed out loud. Prick.

“I thought you were already waiting for it?” he flashed a smile enough to kill.

I looked at him in silence. Was he kidding?

“I just…thought….” I started to mutter but he was quicker.

“Once everyone else is asleep, I’ll be waiting at the clearance in the woods” he smirked and took the wine bottle from my hand and gestured at the tiefling couple that had gone from kissing to actually something I wouldn't do in front of anyone. “Enjoy the show”.

What the fuck am I doing. I looked at the clearance in front of me. I am insane.

Suddenly a pale creature appeared through the bushes. He isn’t wearing a shirt. I could feel something stir inside me.

“There you are. I’ve been waiting. Waiting since the moment I set eyes on you. Waiting to have you” he purred. 

I suddenly felt how dry my mouth went. It had been hanging open. I closed it and wished he didn't notice it but he was already walking closer with that stupid grin so slowly, almost like a predator to it’s pray.

“You don’t have me yet” I said as bravely as I could. I am still winning here.

“Don’t I? You’re here. And I don’t think you want to talk. I think you want to be known. To be tasted”.

If I wasn’t soaking wet before, that finished the job. No NO this man just abandoned me yesterday after things got somewhere. 

“And what do you want?” I said, raising a brow.

For a moment the vampire in front of me looked like I had spoken in some foreign language thinking he would understand it. Then the smirk came back in.

“What do any of us want?” he tilted his head to the side.

I shrugged.

“Pleasure” he straightened his posture.

Shivers ran down my spine.

“Yours. Mine. Our collective ecstasy” he closed the distance between us. 

As his arms wrapped around my waist and lower back, all I could do was bite my lip and look into his eyes. It was almost like he had put a spell on me. I was utterly helpless in his arms.

“That’s what you want, isn’t it? To lose yourself in me” he purred into my ear.

A soft moan escaped my lips. He was too good.

“Y-yes” I gasped before his lips devoured mine. And there we were again. Lips moving bruisingly hard as he started to remove my tunic. 

I felt the chilling breeze brush over my nipples as the night air met my skin. Astarion had a satisfied smile on as he lifted me up and pushed onto a tree. “May I?” he whispered into my neck.

“Yes” I answered.

He bit down onto my neck and took a long gulp. I bit my lip to stop myself from moaning loudly. Our camp wasn’t far away, and I was sure if I made enough noise I would hear about it tomorrow during breakfast.

He moved from drinking my blood down to kissing my collarbone. I closed my eyes and smiled. 

Then I felt a sting in my nipple. I looked down and saw Astarion grinning and licking the tiny drop of blood he had drawn from me. Asshole. I couldn’t help but grin back. 

Then he laid me down on the meadow. The cold ground welcomed the bare skin of my back. Astarion started to remove my leggings. I looked at his hands and took a deep breath.

“What is it?” he stopped and looked at me.

“It’s just…I haven’t…” I sat up but he was once again a step ahead.

“You haven’t had sex before?” he asked, a bit shocked.

“NO! No, I mean, I HAVE had sex before. It just…it was over 150 years ago. And…only once” I shrugged.

I could swear Astarion hesitated for a tiny moment but he moved up and smiled, kissing my lips softly.

“Then relax and enjoy” he said quietly.

I blinked a few times. Was this really happening? I nodded and laid back down.

He removed the rest of my clothes and smiled. 

“You are beautiful” he purred. 

I blushed and looked away. 

“Tut tut, eyes on me, darling” he tutted. 

I looked at him mouth wide open. He is too good.

He returned to kiss my lips. I could feel my muscles relax under him. He started to slowly kiss down my body until he reached the end of his destination. He lapped his tongue across my folds and all I could do was tilt my head back and moan.

After 150 years I sure didn’t remember it felt like this. I bucked my hips to meet his agonizingly slow tongue. Then he started to suck the little nub of nerves, which made my eyes roll into the back of my head.

“Gods, Astarion” I gasped as my hand flew to grip his hair.

“You are doing so well” he purred in between sucking.

I felt his fingers starting to outline my folds before he pushed two of them inside. I bit my lip as hard as I could. His tongue sucked and lapped faster than I thought anyone could while he pumped his fingers curling them deliciously into just the right spot. I was not going to last long.

“Hells below” I moaned. I glared at the white haired elf in between my legs looking at me with his lustful eyes that shined like two giant red rubies. 

A déjà vu.

Then my climax hit me like never before. I moaned loud enough to the whole forest to hear, legs shaking. Astarion slowed down his movements and lapped the hot gush of fluids that dripped down my thigh.

“Delicious” he whispered as he stood up to remove his breeches. I propped myself up on my elbows and tried my best to steady my breathing. He was gorgeous. His pale skin glistened in the moonlight as he slowly stroked himself.

I smiled panting. Astarion returned the warmth of my skin and kissed me while he pushed himself inside me inch by inch. I groaned, biting my lip. After a moment he was fully inside and started slowly thrusting into me. Soon the chilling night air was filled with silent moans and slick skin slapping into each other. 

I moved my hand to touch his chest. It was supposed to be cold, but the warmth of my own chest had radiated its heat onto his. I dragged my fingers across his chest back to his shoulders and from there to his back where his smooth silken skin turned into bumps and ridges. I had forgotten it. 

Astarions hands flew to grab mine and ping them above my head as he fucked me harder.

“I told you I wanted you to enjoy this” he purred into my ear and nipped the lobe.

I gasped and tried to stay in my senses.

“I thought I’d-” I started to say in between gasps before Astarion devoured my lips and sped up his pace.

“Shh, quiet, or I won’t let you finish you cheeky little-” he purred before slamming even harder into me.

I moaned loudly as I felt my body starting to give up under him.

“Bite me” I tilted my head back whispering. I could feel his lips twist into a smile when he moved them on my neck bit down drinking eagerly. 

It didn’t need more than two deliciously perfect pushes until we both tumbled into a shared climax. After a few moments of panting Astarion let go of my hands and laid down on his back next to me.

I looked at him and opened my mouth to say something but closed it. Don’t ruin this.

Instead I turned and wrapped my arm around him burying my face into his side. I could feel him tensing his muscles, but after a few minutes I felt his arm wrap around me and him relaxing. I fell asleep listening to my own heart beat, because his wasn’t beating.

[percival-templeton]

truth serum: of all your flings and past betrothals, who do you wish worked out the most?

Percival remained silent for a moment, thinking over the question, considering the answer. There had been a reason for all of his past attachments, most of them with an advantageous or beneficial reasoning behind it. Some of them, however, had ended up surprising him in that he'd actually gotten quite attached to the ladies in question. He could think of Lenora, his first love. He could think of Janna, his first great loss. He could think of Jeyne and the bad timing of it all. He could think of Fiona and the unbreakable bond he felt had formed with her. “I do not dwell on the past, really. Not much, anyway,” he admitted, for he never truly allowed himself to mourn or regret too much. “I would have wed any of them, had the timing and the circumstances been right, and I do believe I would have found a way to be sufficiently satisfied,” he added, using similar wording than he'd used when discussing his sister's betrothal to Lord Swann. Satisfied. Happiness had never been a goal, truth be told. The notion did taunt him sometimes, thinking that he might have been happy with one of them. “I believe it would have worked out with Lady Grafton or Lady Waynwood. Maybe more so with Fiona. I don't know. We only became friends after the betrothal ended. Who knows if we would have gotten along as we do now had we become husband and wife then”.

( @lencra, @jeynewaynwood & @ofwrittenwhispers )

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

Allowing Kion to speak, in his own voice. "You saw that he hit his head, Rafiki has said that Scar never was the same after that moment. And look at the current situation here, Scar able to possess me. No reason something couldn't have possessed him back during... with grandfather Mufasa... What he said about then, as he's a part of me now is truth. Back when I was a cub, when I got the Roar... My fear was becoming much like Scar, however after receiving this scar of my own from him with Ushari in the volcano... I understand much better, what has been affecting him. My journey... was longer than expected, even with my friends... my Lion Guard... We had some close calls. Not sure if I told you before, father. I pushed a peacock over once then, aggressively at that. Definitely not who I am. And if not for Bunga, Fuli and I would have physically fought at one point. Scar had it worse, having brain damage on top of the altered cobra venom."

Shari hanging near, confirms: "neurological damage after a brain injury may cause emotional volatility like intense mood swings or extreme reactions to everyday situations. Such overreactions can be sudden tears, angry outbursts, or laughter. It is important to understand that the person has lost some control over emotional responses. Take for instance his reaction in the dreamscape regarding Timon... No control over that outburst due to part of the brain not functioning properly." A head shake, "As a cub myself growing up, out of all of us cubs of his; only me and a halfbreed sister heard much of his his self mutters, frustrations on many things. But mainly, why he was the way he was. And about the lack of control over himself and his outbursts. Yes, he did kill Zuhour in the end. Best she'd be gone, if you ask me for that hyena dont care bout anything but keeping herself in power and having all the food. Uncle Mufasa on the other paw, well. It was his - Scar's body that did the deed, not his spirit. And..." Looking to Kion now. "Am sure you both remember that day the scorpion Sumu stung your tail, Simba? Scar could have ended everything right then in the volcano, the Lion Guard also. Not just prevent the ash getting to you. He purposely chose not to take the win right then, despite having the moment to."

A bit of magic from a paw wave gesture, the unsceen scenes of then shown to Simba.

"...Reason I laugh like that when a fiery spirit, a coping mechanism... Hell makes even a tiny prick wound feel like ten or so times worse of pain. That scar, even in live still caused me much pain." Scar's voice.

"You don't have to believe me, I wish none to go down the path I fell to. Darkness, Corruption. Power... Power corrupts. Breaking the... for lack of better word, spirit bond between myself and Kion may destroy both of us. Could potentially result in a Zuhour-version or worse of myself using Kion. While I can't change the past; and even if one could it is not recommended to as more often than not that causes more problems... I can, at the very least keep your son Kion from leaning into the path I fell..."

Kion looking to his dad, "If even Grandfather can still forgive Scar, and I've spoke to other family - Grandmother Sarabi, even, can forgive him just as I have... Mother has too.. Knowing now that he wasn't in control of a lot regarding what he did, due to the brain damage and scar. It's only you left, father. And as you may need to see what affects the venom hand on me, to understand some of what he went through..." A small roar, the surroundings showing times of Kion's journey to the Tree of Life - the one far away.

- Events from facing Scar, getting his own scar and up to reaching the destination, and the first verdict regarding the Night Pride on Kion. -

"I understand their reasoning now, if I had lost control of the roar again... especially by their sacred tree... Seems some luck was on our family's side, as it was Rani's grandmother Queen Janna that told her a bit about the Roar, and to welcome us. But if not for her, I realized while my friends were clearing the accidental blockage and getting Bunga out, that they would have found another way to help me. If the Tree of Life was off limits." Continues the scene from the pausehold, his song at the denial of entering the Kingdom at first, then on hearing and seeing his friends. "Scar had friends like that once, lost them early. All he had left after was Mufasa, and as his nightmare shown us - his biggest fear was being abandoned. By his only remaining family, big brother Mufasa. Perhaps, like I ended up ruling the Tree of Life alongside Rani, Scar was meant a similar fate in another Kingdom."

Scar voice adding, "I had gone to that same Kingdom - twice even, that tree. First had a rogue healer, let's just say things didn't go quite as intended. Second time, had others with me. Family. Which convinced them to give me another chance, and a closer looking at. Well, short of it is simply - there is no cure anywhere for the altered venoms, but one can train one's self against it. That, is what I helped the Night Pride of then focus on. Focusing on getting those affected like myself focused, calm, patient, relaxed while still attentively alert. And, as all can see that worked even for Kion here."

@thepaststillhurts:

"Not his spirit?" Simba burst out in anger. "If only his body wanted it, his spirit wouldn't have become fire. His spirit is evil, just like his body was." Of course, Shari was trying to protect her father, it was understandable, Simba knew it. But he had a different point of view.

The king paused here. He let out a long sigh, shaking his head in puzzlement. In silence he looked at the barren land that lay beyond, illuminated by the moonlight. What was the point of this? Why did they have to fight for so long?

Simba then looked at Kion when he started talking about forgiveness. He was angry and hurt by the past, but as he looked into Kion's eyes somewhere deep inside his heart he knew his son was right. Forgiveness was a noble trait, indeed, and anger would not make things better.

His inner temper soon calming down, the lion glanced at the starry sky above for a moment, and as he did so, a wise saying came to his mind. He could almost hear it in the wind, whispering,

You can't fight fire with fire.

Finally understanding the meaning behind, Simba gave his son a warm smile before he nuzzled him. It seems, it was always his kids who reminded him of virtues: Kiara of the truth of 'we are one' and Kion of the truth of forgiveness.

[oleanderandwatermelons]

Hello,

My name is Mohamed Ashraf, and I am 20 years old. I am writing to you from a place of suffering, pain, and anguish...

My life was very normal and beautiful until war came and destroyed everything. Before the war, I had graduated from high school with a 90% average and enrolled in a Computer Science and Internet of Things program at the University of Gaza. However, my joy was short-lived as the war struck Gaza, destroying my university and my dreams along with it.

My father is 45 years old and worked as a sound director for Palestine Television. However, during the war, his work stopped due to the destruction of all the media outlets. My mother is 37 years old and had many dreams, but the war shattered all of them. My middle sister Hala, who is 17 years old, was supposed to graduate from high school this year, but the war deprived her of that opportunity. My younger sister Janna is 13 years old, and my youngest brother Adam is 10 years old.

Our suffering began from the first day of the war. We were forced to evacuate our home, which was destroyed, leaving us without shelter. My family and I fled from northern Gaza to the south, believing it would be a safer area as claimed by the enemy. However, there is no safe place in Gaza. We were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and the house we had moved into was hit. All my family members were injured, some severely and others mildly. My mother needs bone grafting for her fingers, and my father requires surgery for multiple fractures, nerve grafting, and physical therapy. My sisters need to have their scars treated and require medical care abroad. However, we need funds to cover all travel and treatment expenses.

We are now seeking the opportunity to live abroad after our treatment, but this is very costly. I urgently need your help to make our lives better and to help us forget the nightmare we are currently living. I want to provide my family and myself with a decent life and a better future. I believe that humanity and compassion still exist among you and that there are those who will respond to our plea.

My wish is to provide my family and myself with the life we deserve. Every donation, no matter how small, will have a significant impact on our lives. Your contributions will help cover all our travel and treatment costs.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my family and me during these difficult times. I believe that goodness still exists and that there are those who share our hope for a better life. Thank you for considering supporting us. I am grateful for any assistance you can provide.

NOT VETTED

if you have any information let me know and I'll update the post

I will write fanfiction for your donations, more info here

[psych0t1c-bread]

Hello,

My name is Mohamed Ashraf, and I am 20 years old. I am writing to you from a place of suffering, pain, and anguish...

My life was very normal and beautiful until war came and destroyed everything. Before the war, I had graduated from high school with a 90% average and enrolled in a Computer Science and Internet of Things program at the University of Gaza. However, my joy was short-lived as the war struck Gaza, destroying my university and my dreams along with it.

My father is 45 years old and worked as a sound director for Palestine Television. However, during the war, his work stopped due to the destruction of all the media outlets. My mother is 37 years old and had many dreams, but the war shattered all of them. My middle sister Hala, who is 17 years old, was supposed to graduate from high school this year, but the war deprived her of that opportunity. My younger sister Janna is 13 years old, and my youngest brother Adam is 10 years old.

Our suffering began from the first day of the war. We were forced to evacuate our home, which was destroyed, leaving us without shelter. My family and I fled from northern Gaza to the south, believing it would be a safer area as claimed by the enemy. However, there is no safe place in Gaza. We were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and the house we had moved into was hit. All my family members were injured, some severely and others mildly. My mother needs bone grafting for her fingers, and my father requires surgery for multiple fractures, nerve grafting, and physical therapy. My sisters need to have their scars treated and require medical care abroad. However, we need funds to cover all travel and treatment expenses.

We are now seeking the opportunity to live abroad after our treatment, but this is very costly. I urgently need your help to make our lives better and to help us forget the nightmare we are currently living. I want to provide my family and myself with a decent life and a better future. I believe that humanity and compassion still exist among you and that there are those who will respond to our plea.

My wish is to provide my family and myself with the life we deserve. Every donation, no matter how small, will have a significant impact on our lives. Your contributions will help cover all our travel and treatment costs.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my family and me during these difficult times. I believe that goodness still exists and that there are those who share our hope for a better life. Thank you for considering supporting us. I am grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Unfortunately my bank account is frozen right now, so I am unable to donate. However, I will continue to reblog and spread your GFM around so more fortunate people can donate 🙏

[peysbookmims]

SHE’S A SELFISH GIRLFRIEND

My girlfriend and I decided to move in one apartment which is just few blocks away in our university. The reason was, apart from it’s time consuming and more convenient, it’s also our way to practice ourselves to live in a single roof together. Para pagdating ng araw na ikakasal kami ay hindi na kami maninibago. Glad that our parents allowed us to have our own independence as a couple. Both of our families told us that we are already matured enough to distinguish what is wrong and right. In other words, we must finish our studies first before building our own family. Janna and I have been in a relationship for four years already and I believe, we are so sure of each other. I courted her not just for some source of temporary happiness but because she’s the only woman I could envision with who will walk down the aisle while wearing a wedding gown, the only woman I could picture out who will carry my first baby and the woman I could see in my future. Siya lang at wala nang iba. Honestly, she’s not a perfect girlfriend that every man could ever wish for. She has lots of imperfections and bad sides too. But that’s what love is all about, right? It’s accepting your partner’s flaws and imperfections. “Love, I have two apples here. This is your favorite, right?” The sweet, cheerful voice of Janna pulled me back from the reality. She then flashed a dulcet smile as she seated beside me on the couch. The succulent scent of the apples in her hands instantly wafted through my nostrils and my mouth couldn’t help but to water in hunger. “Love, akin na ‘yong isa.” I pouted my lips and begged. She just chuckled and rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry pero kaya ko 'tong ubusing mag-isa 'no.” She then took a monster bite towards the first apple on her hand and I was expecting her to give me the other one but she took a bite on it too. My chest instantly felt heavy and I couldn’t help but to be frustrated. I smiled bitterly. Who would’ve thought that those apples could be the source of my disappointment? As what I’ve told you earlier, she has awful attitudes too and one of it is being too selfish. For the past four years of being with her, this is one of her toxic traits that might be the reason of our downfall. Sobrang selfish niya sa lahat ng bagay. Yes, I do love her but I don’t know when can I still stand with her selfishness. Because somehow, it’s draining the hell out of me, too. As we graduated in College, her selfishness just heightened up when she told me that she will work as a domestic nurse in abroad. “Mas malaki ang kikitain ko 'pag pumunta ako ng ibang bansa, love. Trust me,” pangungumbinsi niya sa akin. I just stared at her dreadfully and it felt like all my energy has been taken away slowly by slowly. “P-Please stay, love… 'Di ko kaya,” I begged, my lips trembling and now in the verge of crying. Janna just flashed a reassuring smile as she cupped my face. “Believe me with this, love. Mas magiging maganda ang kinabukasan natin 'pag nakaalis ako. At isa pa, hindi lang kinabukasan natin ang matutulungan ko, pati na rin ang pamilya natin. Love, trust me. 'Pag nakaipon ako, babalik agad ako dito at magpapakasal agad tayo atsaka bumuo ng sariling pamilya.” She gave me a heart-warming smile as tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. Both of our parents agreed with her decision and I had left with no choice but to agree too. “Don’t worry, I promised that that I will contact you if I have a vacant time. At isa pa, sinabihan ko na rin ang bestfriend ko na pakitignan ka.” I just stood there, barely able to move and breathe. Janna hugged me so tight as she whispered, “I love you so much, Arjay. Mahal na mahal kita.” Those were her final words before she left me.

[shimmerbeasts]

Vi had been among the last generation of Zaunites, which had grown up partly with the Grey. She was painfully aware of how much it clung to your lungs and turned you dizzy and disorientated. Thus she could not fault Caitlyn for being completely wiped out by the Grey without her breathing mask. No wonder, these strangers had been able to get the jump on her. Whatever they had in their tanks ensured they could outlast Caitlyn in the sickly green smog.

That hiss of pain caused the Zaunite to wipe her head around. "Cait?" She took note of how her partner massaged her side, no doubt feeling a bad bruise underneath. As Caitlyn brushed her palm over her face, she aggravated the small cut on her temple causing it to bleed more. The familiar sight of the red gash caused Vi to step closer. Without hesitation, she leaned over and began to lap at the wound, trying to clean it off any dirt and grime, which might have come into it.

All the while, she listened to Caitlyn's words, only briefly pulling back. As she did so, the slight sting of her busted lip made Vi pull a face. Before she could wipe some of the blood away though, Caitlyn leaned over and licked across her lower lip. The soothing moisture of her tongue made the Zaunite relax and give an appreciative smile.

"Vander's told me of this stuff before", Vi replied, "Whenever a Chem-Baron dies, either his deputy becomes next in line or if there is no deputy, the gang dissolves and the territory gets absorbed by surrounding ones. Silco leaving a vacuum like this is not new. What is new, is how bad this is! Based on Vander's accounts, stuff like this should have solved itself by now. However I think it takes a special quality to lead the whole Undercity. And let's be real: Cross, Margott or Smeech do not have that in the slightest! Renni would have never dared to pull that stunt she did at the Memorial if someone like Silco was still in charge. I know you Pilties never noticed that, but people like Vander or Silco prevented that stuff from happening."

She snickered and said: "I once hit someone with a rucksack and promptly got punched in the face for it! Believe me, getting caught by surprise is almost a badge of honour here. Especially if you get to walk away." She followed Caitlyn's lead and curiously inspected the dark metal, frowning. "Janna, damn it!", Vi murmured, "I wish I had paid more attention when my mother taught us how to identify valuable metals and gemstones. She could tell a diamond from a pebble. I was more invested in learning how to dig through rock with my bare hands than all that fine-tuning stuff. Maybe Jayce would know what that metal is?"

"Woah, easy there, Cait!", Vi called out as Caitlyn almost stumbled over her own feet as she tried to get up. She rushed over and grabbed her by her arm. "I got you. Deep breaths." Easing Caitlyn's arm over her shoulder, Vi wrapped a hand around her waist and waited for her to pick up her rifle with her free hand. Shuffling their way back towards the bridge and crossing the bridge, Vi said: "I would applaud you for the idea and back you, but you seem really badly hit. So I would recommend that I go. Or well, the Baroness goes. I am sure she can shake any information we might need loose."

Caitlyn’s head rested against the wall, taking in deep clean breaths of air. Caitlyn might breathe the toxic air underneath the land, but it left her mind far more lethal and aggressive than she liked. But this, clean and opened allowed her to clear her head and think a bit more clearly. A shift of her shoulder brought a small hiss, feeling a deep bruise against her skin as she reached up to rub it slightly through her outfit. Then she moved to brush her hand against the side of her face, the streak of blood staining her glove as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Much worse than I thought. I expected some chaos with the chem barons being taken off the map, but now its like... a den of predators with no direction,” Caitlyn admitted as she shifted to the side and touched Vi’s face gently, brushing her thumb against her bottom lip and seeing the broken lip. She leaned forward and lightly licked at the wound, hoping to ease some of the ache. “I didn’t think about the vacuum it's that would come with his spot being open, but I honestly thought that maybe one of the other chem barons might take the lead; instead, it’s just... them going at each other’s neck for blood,” Caitlyn put her hand up against her brow.

She wanted to make things better for the Undercity, not worse! She gritted her teeth as she closed her eyes, her vision blurring slightly thought from the pain or concussion she wasn’t sure. “Um.. Yeah, my head is pounding from the beating it received. And very pissed at myself for letting myself get caught like that. It was unexpected. I’ve never seen these men working so well together, and it’s different from Silco,” Caitlyn said as she nodded, with understanding.

Her fingers reached forward, twisting the bolt within her fingers. “This isn’t Piltovan made, and the metal looks too dark to be metals from Zaun, if I’m correct,” Caitlyn whispered, twisting it around in her fingers and looked back up to Vi. “I was on the same thought, that this might have been Jinx. But the congregation I found. They were organized, controlled, and not trying to create chaos like Jinx does. Instead, they were talking about finding the strong and capable, and the weak would die under their feet.” Caitlyn passed the bolt back over to Vi as she rubbed her hand up against her face, shaking her head. “I need more information to know what, or who, this is. Maybe go back to the crime scene after a day or so to see if I can find more details.”

Pushing herself up to her feet, she grabbing her rifle only to stumble and hit the side of the wall. She had stood up too fast and caused the blood to rush to her head and making her lightheaded. That or it was the concussion she suffered as she pressed her palm to her head and shook her head as if that would make a distance. “Come on, Tiger. Let’s get back home. We can do more there,”

[kittyt-hexxed]

Hexed (Vi/POC!Reader) - Ch.9

Next Upload Date: January 23rd

Act 1: Chapter Nine - The Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea

Summary: You ran after Vi and the crew with the intention of helping them, only to arrive a few seconds too late. Powder’s monkey bomb explodes and now you’re dead... right?

You pushed the door open and saw your father kneeling on the ground. In front of him was a little wooden bluebird surrounded by candles. He was mumbling to himself, praying he would say, and paused when the floorboards creaked. He turned and gave you a soft smile, “Hey there, sweetheart. I’m guessing you couldn’t sleep?” You nodded your head and clutched your stuffed animal to your chest.

“Why don’t you come sit with me then?” He called you over and you went to sit with him. You knelt down on the carpet with him and watched the fire dance on the candles.

“Do you know what this is? Do you remember what I told you it was for?” He pointed to the carving.

“A little bird?” You questioned.

“Mhm, a little bird. It’s Janna’s symbol. A little bluebird. She was the one who made Zaun possible.” He picked up the carving and showed it to you.

“Doesn’t that make her a bad person? People say Zaun is a bad place.”

“Well… she isn’t a person. She’s a wind spirit. When Zaun collapsed, she used her magic to protect our people and save us. That’s how our family survived.”

“So she’s good, then?”

“Yup, and she’s always looking out for us, even when we think she isn’t. Would you like to hear the story?” Your father grinned at you. You squealed excitedly and nodded your head. He picked up a very small journal and opened it, “This is a notebook from one of our ancestors who were alive when it happened.” Your eyes widened and you shuffled closer to your father.

March 4th of 772 - The construction of the canal through the land is almost complete. Today will be the last day that excavations will be necessary. The citizens are excited to be able to unite the two sides of the isthmus. This project will make trade easier and bring more fortune to our people. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness this life-changing moment of the Sun Gates.

Update: Excavations have been completed, but the earth below our feet has begun to tremble once again. This feels different from the quakes that have happened before. I am worried that the excavations may have caused an issue with our home.

March 8th - I fear that my worries may be true. The quakes have only increased in intensity and it has been a few days since excavations have ended. I am noticing cracks in the earth beneath my feet, yet no one else seems to care. They all believe that it will cease soon.

Update: The quakes have stopped. Maybe I was being paranoid for no reason. Still, I have stored my prized possessions and will be adding this to it too.

March 9th - I was right. Shortly after sealing up my journal, the quakes had returned, except for this time it was stronger than ever. The ground collapsed by the riverside, crumbling under our feet as we ran, but my husband and I were not fast enough. As we plummeted into the depths of the fissure along with the roaring waves, I prayed to Janna. She had protected us from the waves during our seafaring, and I desperately wished for her to do so now. Thousands of people fell with us and I was separated from my Tristian within the currents. As I screamed out to Janna, others around me joined in, while we fought to stay above water. Then, the water was pushed away by the intense gusts of wind and I couldn’t help but watch in awestruck wonder as a gigantic wall of water was held back. I collected what was left of my things and ran. My sweet Tristian found me by some miracle and we fled the depths. Eventually, the wind dispersed and everything flooded. Our home was no more but we were alive. Many of our neighbors were not as lucky and lost their lives. My ability to swim kept me above water long enough, but I would have joined them eventually. My life is indebted to Janna. I write this so that my family may never forget who kept us alive. I am forever faithful to her and her powerful winds regardless of god-warriors.

“I want to be like her.” You said in awe. Your father closed the book and placed it back into the bookshelf.

“A spirit?” Your father gave you an amused grin. You shook your head and held your stuffed animal tighter, “A protector. I want to protect my family too.” You said with determination. Your father gazed at you with searching eyes before he opened a wooden box. He reached inside and pulled out two amulets on a leather cord. You leaned in closer as he held them up in the light.

“I made these for you and your brother. My mother made one for me as her mother did for her. They’re all personalized but have the imagery of Janna and her bluebird on it.” He flipped it over. On the back was the phrase: ‘The winds will guide you to your destiny.' Your father flipped the other one and it said ‘Become one with the wind and soar to change.'

“Can I have mine now? Which one is mine?” You said eagerly as you reached for one. Your father gently grabbed your hand and shook his head, “You’ll get yours for your fourteenth birthday, just like your brother.” Your father placed them back in the box and you sighed.

***

You opened your eyes and yawned. The sound of someone hitting something caught your attention and you looked around to orient yourself. Your eyes found Vi punching away at the boxing game and mumbling under her breath.

You giggled causing her to pause and get nailed by one of the boxing gloves. You gasped as she fell over with a thump. Vi groaned and glanced over to you letting you see the bright red mark on her cheek. You snorted, trying to hold in your laughter until she glared at you. You broke and started laughing really hard, “Y-Y-You’ve got a little something on your-” You indicated to your cheek, laughing too hard to continue your sentence.

A shadow fell over you and you looked up from your position on the floor to see Vi standing over you. She leaned down and got close to your face, “Think that’s funny, do you?” You grinned at her and nodded your head, “You gotta admit, it was hilarious.” Vi extended her hand and pulled you up. You dusted your clothes off as she grabbed a water bottle. You watched her drink half of the bottle and wipe her face.

“For you, maybe. For me?” Vi pointed to her cheek, “That hurt like a bitch.”

“Awe, babe.” You cooed and wrapped your arms around her, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to distract you.” You kissed her on her cheek and stepped back. Vi placed her water back down and lent up against the railing. “You didn’t mean to, but your giggle was so cute I didn’t think I actually heard it.” Vi grinned at you, “You should do it again.”

“Do it again-?” You squealed as Vi started tickling you. You backed away from her and she kept advancing forward, “Oh, come on! It’s only fair!” Vi teased and lunged towards you. You yelped as you fell to the ground before it morphed into giggles. Vi’s fingers raced up and down your sides as you tried to stop her. She grabbed your wrists and held them down so you couldn’t push her away.

“Vi-! Vi-! S-Stoop!” You laughed, “I can’t take it!”

The door to the arcade opened causing Vi to pause and you both turned to the door. Powder was standing there with her wide eyes and a deep blush on her face. She squeaked out an “I didn’t mean to interrupt!” and slammed the door shut behind her.

Vi got up and ran to the door shouting, “Powder, wait! It’s not what you think it is! Powder!”

***

“Powder!” You called out while looking around the backroom. She became upset when Mylo told her that she couldn’t join them because she was too young. She ran away from the group in tears and you followed her back to The Last Drop.

“Powder, please come out! What Mylo said was dumb. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” You sighed and sat on the couch. Mylo was always causing issues for you and Powder. He was mean and always so negative when you two were around. You noticed that when it was just him, Claggor and Vi, he wasn’t as horrible to be around. Those were the days you’d sneak behind them on heists.

The couch dipped next to you as Powder leaned against you. You wrapped your arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to you. You hummed softly while listening to her sniffle. “Mylo’s right. I’m too young to hang out with Vi.” Powder whimpered, “But, I don’t like being left behind. It’s so scary being on my own back here.”

“You don’t have to be on your own. You have me and Ekko too, you know? We’re always here for you.”

“You don’t have to be. I’m not worth it. Ouch!” Powder winced as you pinched her arm.

“Don’t say that.” You turned to look at her, “Don’t you ever say that. You are worth it, Powder. I think you are. What would Vi say if she heard you say that?”

Powder sighed, “She’d say she doesn’t agree.”

“Exactly, because you are worth it. You always will be to me.” You kissed her forehead.

***

“Sissy!” You froze. Your mom’s eyes widened as your father walked into the room. You were down in the kitchen helping your mom watch Ekko while she cooked. You had been playing with him so he wouldn’t try to go around the stove.

“Sissy!” Ekko whined again. He pulled on your shirt as you stared at him in shock. Ekko was four now but he had never called you anything. He would tug on your shirt or nudge you to get your attention but he had never said your name or anything. Your parents thought that your name might be too hard for him at first, but as he got older he was saying more difficult words. They had even tried to get him to call you “sister” but he would just giggle and ignore them.

“Y-Yes, Ekko?” You stuttered out.

“Is mom done cooking?” He questioned you with curious eyes.

“Not yet, okay?” You gave him a small smile, too shocked to do more.

“Okay.” Ekko went back to playing with his toys. You looked at your parents and saw the huge grins on their faces.

***

You gazed up at the ceiling and whimpered. Where did Ekko go? Why is the ceiling cracking? Your body wasn’t responding to you. Why wasn’t your body responding to you? Everything hurts. It tingled and burned and when you tried to move it got worse. You were panicking. ’What happened to me?! Why can’t I move?!’ Your vision blurred as tears formed and you couldn’t stop yourself from crying. ‘Move! Please, move!’ You pleaded with yourself. You watched in shock as the ceiling started to fracture more. Your heart was racing. You could see a blue light peaking through the cracks.

The cracks kept on growing and showed no signs of stopping. You watched it crawl to cover the whole ceiling before it stopped. You held your breath. ‘Is it going to break? I don’t remember this memory. Wait, why am I going through my memories?’

Then, the ceiling shattered causing you to scream as the room fell away. You felt your body fall as everything shook around you. The room disappeared and all you saw was blue.

“H-Hello?!” You called out with a shaky voice. You were terrified. ‘What’s going on?’

There was music playing. Two beautiful, yet different melodies that complimented each other. Suddenly, there was silence. For a second, you thought you imagined the music. Then, you heard a soft tinkling noise, almost like the wind chimes you’d hear up in Piltover. A bright light flits across your vision and you raised your hand to shield your eyes. ‘I can move again.’ Another bright light followed behind that and another until you watched in shock as dozens of little blue lights spun around you. They flickered like a flame and the biggest one rocketed forward and hit your chest. You screamed in pain as the others followed. They hit your arms, your neck, your chest, and your stomach. It burned like crazy forcing you into your knees when your legs couldn’t support themselves anymore.

“Can you understand us, human child?” A gentle voice said. You froze in fear, desperately trying to catch your breath as the burning slowly calmed down, “W-Who are you?!” You shouted into the void, “What’d you do to me?!” The voice didn’t answer. The pain in your stomach got worse, causing you to hunch over and clutch at it. Your hands felt wet and you pulled them away to see blood covering them. Panic flooded your system and you looked down and screamed. You saw a rod sticking through your stomach, but when you went to grab it, it fractured and disappeared.

“ANSWER ME!” You screamed. You started hyperventilating. The blood wasn’t on your hands anymore but that didn’t settle the fear. ‘What the hell is going on?’ You whimpered.

“We didn’t do anything to you. You did that to yourself. Calm your fear.” The voice responded.

“No. No. That’s impossible. That’s- Where am I? Where’s my brother?” Your hands shook as you thought about how you got here ‘… wherever here is. The last thing I remember is talking to Ekko and then- and then what? What happened after that?’

“You died, child.”

“I- WHAT?!”

“I will show you.” The area around you rippled as if you had stepped into a puddle. The ripples slowly edged their way across your vision as the world around you changed. You tensed and gasped as an image of yourself ran past you. You looked around and found yourself in a familiar alleyway.

“Powder!” You snapped your head forward and saw Powder again, but this time you saw yourself sitting there too.

“What are you doing here?” Powder hissed to the other you.

“I came here after hearing that my girlfriend, her friends, and her little sister ran to trouble!” The other you hissed right back at her.

You flinched and held your head. It started to ache and you whimpered. You felt a cool hand touch your forehead and you jolted back. Looking up, you made eye contact with golden irises. Your eyes widened and the woman raised a finger to her lips before motioning back to the images in front of you. You had missed a large part of the conversation because the next thing you witnessed made your heart stop.

“Explosion?!” The other you shouted. There was the high-pitched sound and then the crystal blew up. Your breath caught in your throat as you watched the other you get launched into the air. You flinched hearing the cracking of bone. You could finally place the familiar blue color as the smokey glow from the explosion.

You watched in horror as the other you fell, and landed directly on a metal rod. You gagged as the other you let out a blood-curdling scream and your body hit the ground with a sickening thud. You wanted to turn away from the gruesome scene but found that you couldn’t. So you were forced to watch your own death.

A soft blue glow appeared and you narrowed your eyes. You walked towards the other you as your curiosity outweighed the disgust you felt. Surrounded by a small pool of blood was one of the blue glittering crystals you had watched Powder drop into her jolly monkey. Confusion settled in as it glowed, the blood collecting around it disappeared before the glow got brighter and flickered out.

“So, you see… it was not our fault.” The woman appeared next to you. You couldn’t answer her. A torrent of emotions rushed through you as you stared down at your dead body. ‘I really died? That… actually happened.’ The weight of the situation set in and the blood drained from your face.

“I… died.” You breathed out in shock. You turned to the woman and she gave you a sad smile. You dropped to your knees as the image rippled and faded back into the blue surroundings. You closed your eyes and felt a hand on your shoulder.

“But… that doesn’t explain where I am.” You sighed and opened your eyes.

“You are here.” She tapped your head and you gasped feeling a spark in your chest. You placed your hand over the area and you felt the rough edges of the crystal. You looked up to her, “Let’s say I believe you-”

“-You do.”

“...Does this mean I’m alive? You said that I died, past tense. Not that I am dead.”

“Correct. We healed you.”

“We? Who’s we?”

“All of us. Those of us for generations who have died. These crystals carry our souls and connect us all. You sacrificed yourself to save a young one and it opened a pathway for us when you died.”

“It- wait… You called me a human child… What are you?” You questioned. She gave you a chilling smile that made the hair on the back of your neck raise. Her pale skin darkened to a deep purple that was not normal for the human species.

“A creature you have yet to learn of. One that isn’t very fond of humans. But, you do not need to fear us. We respect your sacrifice and admire all that you have done for your sibling. Your spirit has moved us.”

“Wait- You’ve seen Ekko?” You said hopefully all of your anxiety melted away.

“We’ve seen your memories and the world around you. Yes. Your Ekko is a sweet child. I can see why you’d do everything to protect him.”

“If you’ve seen my memories and have been here this whole time… Why am I still here?”

“We have healed you and brought you back to life, but you are still recovering. I showed you your memories so you wouldn’t wake up. You are almost recovered, so I pulled you from the memory loop to speak with you.”

“This is a lot to process… I-I need some time.”

“Of course, you have plenty of time.”

“Um… What do I call you?”

She chuckled and gave you an amused smile, “My people once called me Umbra.”

“Umbra… I-It’s nice to meet you?”

“It’s pleasant to meet you, human child.” You blinked and Umbra disappeared. Alone once again, you curled in on yourself and started to cry. ‘Why did this happen to me? This is so much to process. How long have I been here?’ You whimpered and started to sob. ‘All I want is to see Ekko again. I just want to know if he’s okay.’

***

Ekko’s knuckles were bloody and burning from the broken skin. He panted and pushed his exhausted body off of the ground. It had been eight months since the explosion down at the docks. Shimmer has flooded the lanes and destroyed the lives of so many people and their families. It was highly addictive, made weak people feel powerful, and made powerful people feel invincible. A lot of people had been slaughtered by their own family members or friends for a fix. It was horrifying and Ekko watched his own parents succumb to the addiction.

It started off with the miners taking a small dose before their shifts. It wasn’t bad until they started taking more and more each time until they got to a full dose. At first, shimmer only seemed like a good thing. That was until people started throwing up their own organs or bleeding from their noses until they died. Those who didn’t immediately die after their first dose kept taking it. Taking a full dose of shimmer every day deteriorated their bodies faster than the fumes from the fissures did. It turned them into walking skeletons and caused grotesque growths to appear on their bodies.

Ekko had pleaded with his parents to not take it. They agreed at first until they realized how much money their friends were making with it. Then they started lying about it, but Ekko could tell. The years that Ekko’s parents did have left were drastically cut down to a few mere months. Every day his parents came home they were looking worse and worse and it hurt. There was a part of him that hoped his parents cared enough not to do that to their bodies, but he had been wrong. He found himself avoiding them like his sister did.

Ekko was scared. His parents didn’t have long left and you have been in a coma since the explosion. He knew that he was incredibly lucky to be able to say that. Mylo and Claggor had been found dead in the ruins of the explosion. Their death was gruesome and no one under eighteen was allowed to help get their bodies out of the rubble. Vi and Vander had gone missing. There was no sign of their bodies or a trail to where they could have disappeared to. Out of everyone, Powder was the luckiest. Physically, she was perfectly fine except for a few cuts and bruises. Mentally, Ekko had no idea how she was doing. He didn’t like thinking of where Powder was now. It brought too much pain.

Ekko was working hard with a large group of people to build a new home. He had taken the words you left him seriously. The undercity was quickly becoming unsafe and they needed a new place. He had stumbled upon a tree growing in a large patch of grass in the undercity by some miracle. It was past the crevasse and perfectly hidden unless someone was looking for it. The group had decided that it was the best place and started working on it.

With a sigh, Ekko rebandaged his knuckles and headed upstairs. He walked into the medical ward and stopped by your bed. Your natural hair was growing back in, showing off the black roots in vivid contrast to the dyed white curls. Your complexion was looking a lot healthier and your wound was healing very well. The doctors were amazed that you managed to survive with so much blood loss, but couldn’t figure out what the foreign objects were in your body. Every time they tried to remove a shard you would seize, so they gave up on trying to remove any. Whatever it was, Ekko had a strong suspicion it might be the reason that you’re still alive. He just hoped that it wouldn’t turn you against him as the shimmer had done to your parents.

Ekko ran his fingers against your cheek, “Please, please wake up soon… I need you, sis. Our parents aren’t doing great and you promised I wouldn’t be alone.” Just like every afternoon, Ekko cried himself to sleep at your bedside. He was only eleven years old and his world was crashing down.

[artgirllullaby]

Chapter 16: After Shards

There is much stuff i want to say about this update, but not enough space. So I decided to make an author Notes close to the end.

For now I wanna thank everyone who was patient, understanding and welcoming me. Many of you probably forgot this existed, some stopped around to ask how I was doing, and i'm thankful for it.

You guys have no idea how your reviews and knowing i had to complete this had saved my life. And I say this more than I really would like to admit. Your reviews, comments and messages were the line to bring me back to end stuff many times. For that, thank you.

Thank you every single one of you who stop by, leaving a comment, review or not. You who take few minutes to read what I'm writing, those of you who are silently lurking and hoping for an update, this is for you. Thank you for existing, thank you for saving my life in more ways than i can ever put in words.

Thank you.

Now let's get back on where we left, shall we?

Chapters: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

You can read Ever After at Ao3 | FF.net | DeviantArt and on Tumblr, feel free to go read where it pleases you the most

Chapter 16: After Remembrance

"So let me see if I got it…" Janna said crossing her legs on Marco's bed, he tried not to get annoyed on her dirty sneakers on his sheets given he was asking a favor to her "You want me to perform some kind of witchery-"

"Enchantment." Marco corrected.

"Whatever, you want me to try to make magic in a world that has become void of it to recover your girl?"

Marco shifted on his computer chair replying with an awkward "Yes?"

His childhood friend frowned a bit in deep thought, "Don't get me wrong Marco, but how in the hell am I supposed to do that?!" resting a bit back on his bed she continued "you said yourself that when she left it also erased not only her existence but every trace of magic here, including my own magic as you say. How would I be able to use magic if there's none around or in me?"

"You see, here is the catch. I don't think you're completely void of it."

Janna exchanged looks with his dog before both of them looked back at him as if they were reconsidering the option of calling the hospital to take him in.

"OK, let me explain." He took a breath, "When Star had come to this dimension, we had no idea that magic truly existed. In fact, there is- or at least had by then, a bunch of magic creatures living among us and we had no idea because we were used to our routines and livelihood. But Star had to adapt and she had to question and understand everything and while she had to discover and learn, she ended up showing and doing the same for us."

Janna rested her chin on her hand in a tedious position "Your point being?"

"My point is that there was magic here before Star came along. Magic that was from here, from Earth. Like, very low and not much, but once was enough to connect our worlds and dimensions, then we can do it again."

"That… kinda makes sense." She agreed with a nod "But if she blocked the other side it would still be impossible."

"She might have blocked the way directly to Mewni and other dimensions I knew the way over. But it's impossible for her to have blocked all dimensions back and forth."

"So what? Your plan is to go aimlessly into a random dimension and find a way over into another until you jump onto Minnie?"

"Mewni, and yes. I will get the right way eventually. I know I will." Marco said determinedly, "I had to hunt down the entity that was responsible for creating the material for transportation through the dimensions and I did it. If I was able to do that by then, nothing will stop me from reaching out for Star. And I know for a fact, there's a place that connects all dimensions."

A place that once almost got destroyed by desperation and naiveness, by that's another story and a detail he didn't need to disclose right now.

"Except the fact I can't use magic." Janna reminded him.

"Not really, that's what I am trying to say. Star might have cut or blocked the magic traces that were unnatural from here, but she can't get rid of what is natural."

"Uh…" Janna squinted her eyes, having trouble understanding "I kinda get your point, but not what you aim at…"

"Look, think about this like… the seasons!"

Janna gave a flat look as if that seemed more confusing but gestured to him to go on.

"You see, in Spring it's the prosperous time, when flowers grow, fruits are there and things blooms, then comes summer and while the temperature is high, we still can get the supriments spring gave us, then comes autumn and that's when the hard time comes. Leaves fall, fruits are not that much, some plants die, all while we prepare to the winter, when it's cold and we need to survive without much food-"

Janna facepalmed herself "You know that's totally not how it works, right?!"

"Just listen!" He sighed "after the time at lowest, what comes next?"

"Spring?"

"Exactly!" Marco replied her bored tone with excitement, "It comes the time when it flourishes again! You understand?! It's a cycle!"

Janna frowned, understanding his logic but still questioning it "You think Star speeds up the cycle?"

"She did something. Knowing or not." He shrugged, turning to her once more "Nature finds a way. It will make magic flow again, if it follows the seasons or not I have no idea, but I know it does follow a cycle. He have magic in our history, we got historical events that none can explain, and that follows some impact, and it goes around the world not just a place particular, and we had quiet times and then the new things again and-"

"Breathe, boy" Janna said standing up and sighing a bit as she forced Marco to sit down and take a moment, "Did you take your medicine?"

"We don't have time to-"

"We made a deal." She crossed her arms standing up in front of him as she looked at him sternly from his bed. "You keep yourself sane and under the medical conditions, as long as you're stable and healthy I'm willing to help you." The dark-haired girl looked around and asked again, "So, did you take your meds?"

Marco sighed and thought for a moment, "I did take them this morning." He looked at his phone for a moment and took a breath of redemption, "It is a bit past the time for me to take some I guess…"

"Well, then." His childhood friend gestured to the door, so he could go ahead and get the medicine wherever they were. Marco did as she suggested, knowing she was asking for the best of him and she was indeed looking out for his health. The last thing he needed now he was getting his memories back and was determined to find Star, was to have a breakdown and lose control (his last one was still healing in his eyebrow), he ain't got time for that.

He got his meds and went to the kitchen taking a cup of water as Janna promptly got herself to sit on the couch with Barko Jr. After taking his meds and sitting on the couch he was about to continue when Janna gestured him to wait.

"Take a breath. You were getting anxious, so take a few minutes. I'll wait."

"We don't have time for this, Janna."

"Then you're gonna have to deal with this alone." She looked at him, her face completely serious, "We made a deal, and I'll make sure you stand your word even against your own wishes."

Marco huffed, dropping himself on the couch "What is this, your crush on me is back?!"

"Hm, kinda. Considering you're the best candidate? Maybe." At his unbelievable stare she smirked "What? You can see me dating Alfonso? Ferguson? Jason?! ugh, no. The girls aren't much better and the hottest take went halfworld away" Janna made a dramatic gesture "So I might as well take care of my last option in case the worst happens."

"Wow, thanks" Marco replied to her in a sarcastic tone.

"You're welcome. Don't worry, once our kid gets my talent and hits big, that will make me meet my true guy. I'll dump you right away."

Marco frowned "I really have no idea if you're serious or not."

"Me neither" Janna replied.

He looked at her in complete confusion and decided to let it go since it wasn't going anywhere. Taking some breaths instead as he watched the clock he was able to feel himself calming down slowly and organizing his own thoughts.

"You had always liked spooked stuff, remember?"

"So what?" Janna said, turning to lay with her feet up, "Does that have to do with anything?"

"Remember the time church used to hunt witches and other beings, but mostly witches?"

"Yeah, many women got killed, they never apologized and all that jazz… Why are you giving me a history lesson?"

"You are a descendant of the Witches…" He frowned "I don't remember quite much clearly yet, but… I remember you found out one ancestor of yours was hunted down, claimed to be a witch and got to escape, you found there actually two types of such thing and used Star magic to… Do something… I can't remember well, but I know you used her magic to make your own flow again from the sleepy state it was in."

Janna sat straight and looked at him in shock "Are you telling me, I'm magic?"

Catching her tone of both disbelief and sassiness, Marco joked back at her "You're a Wizard, Janna."

"I'm a what?"Janna whispered before laughing with him, "Seriously, you're telling me I'm a witch?"

"Pretty much. You used to say the others called you something else because they didn't consider you one of them, but you got it."

Janna stood up and paced slowly in the living room, murmuring to herself as she was making her own conclusions from the information he gave.

"OK, if what you say is true, then there might be a way to awaken what was inside of me. I mean, she didn't destroy the magic, she just erased what existed from her existence, right?"

"I guess? I don't know that much actually. It's just a theory"

"That makes sense," Janna prompted "if she truly had erased every magic or destroyed then that would erase even the ones who weren't involved with her… Like your dog and, well, me."

"You?"

"It's just as you say, if I already had a bit in me, even if too little to make a difference, doesn't change the fact I got it and could try to do again what I did last, if she had went far enough it would have erased the existence of those who have some magic connection in them, me." She pointed out.

"So you think you can do it?"

Janna smirked, grabbing her purse and fishing for her phone as she began to type "Only one way to find out."

.

.

.

It was weird enough how her mother had been hovering over her lately, but having Tom, Ponyhead and Kelly aside every other person around to do the same was becoming maddening.

Star knew she had been sick, whatever her cough was, made everyone worried since they didn't find a solution. It was recurring more and more, if she coughed in front of them there was a desperation to show in their eyes so quickly she had to find out what they were hiding.

The little petal in her hand told her it was a lot more than they let her know.

The doctors have told her if she ever coughs something, she has to go to them immediately, and so her friends often offered to give her a doctor if there was any signal of her cough…

If she wanted to find out what was going on, she couldn't trust either side about the petals in her cough.

Besides they should be busy and worried about something else, she was getting married soon for the sake of her kingdom, they should be trying to find a way out of the war menace.

Just like she should be if she wasn't busy organizing a wedding ceremony she would rather not have anyways.

"Why do we have to make it big?!" She moaned tiredly to her mother.

"You're a princess, simple as that. The people need to know and have security for their new king, the wedding it's not just about tying laces, but also about showing the people you have a ground and know what you're doing, in the fateful decision you're making by marrying this man." Moon replied and put her papers down.

"Can we like, make an agreement, sign stuff and bep bop do? No one is interested in anything else aside from keeping Mewni safe at this point."

Moon turned to her and took a breath, "Is that why you agreed to the marriage?"

"Well, yeah…" the princess replied, turning away from her mother. "It's not like I had many choices anyway."

"I'm really sorry for all of this Star…" her mother replied with a sad voice, "Of all people, I really wish you had the chance to make the choice like I did in my time."

"You're not helping much…" Star observed looking at another stupid list of things to get for a wedding. Why did they need a golden cornucopia?!

"I know… That's why I invited someone that knows about this to talk it out with you."

Turning to her mother, her eyes turned curious "Who did you invite?"

Moon smiled at her, "It's a surprise."

She rolled her eyes and continued to look in her to-do list about what there was to still afford for the ceremony. She couldn't wait until the papers had been over so she could get to…

To what?

Star shook her head and tried to focus again. There was no one for her to meet after that, she had been so sleepless and stressed about things happening that she had been catching herself into errands that didn't exist or lost in corridors trying to find a room that wasn't there.

Maybe she should see a doctor after all.

.

.

.

.

.

Marco stood blinking at a board that Janna made with pins, pictures, lists and scribes around and even a red string that connected to a question mark.

"Uh… what am I looking at?"

Janna sighed, "You're looking at the fact that you were right." Crossing her arms she looked away "Damn I was hoping you weren't so on point."

"What does the criminal board have to do with this?"

"This is an investigation board, thank you very much." Janna said and pointed at her notes, "I went around my stuff to figure out the blanks points or odd stuff that I couldn't remember how happened or that the explanation was just plain weird."

Marco frowned at a picture of her and pointed, "What does a picture of you in a pink dress have to do with this?"

Snatching the picture from his hand, Janna followed her notes as if there was never the said picture there, "So there are a lot of those blanks around like, why the heck I have a recipe for cupcakes? I don't even cook, and if I did, I wouldn't be interested in cupcakes!"

Marco looked around the said notes noticing the odd that Janna was mentioning. She was right about most of them, the pictures of scenarios and selfies were not her thing, just like notes on clothing, books, and… that Korean version of Twilight?

"What matters is that you're right. Whatever I had in me or that composed those pictures enough to make me interested, was changed."

He nodded, "and how are you finding proof I was right to help us?"

"It helps because I began to look into my stuff to see if I could find anything else and, BOOM!" Janna shoved her phone in his face.

"A… contact list?" He asked, confused.

"Yep. I went through my contact list, I don't know the majority of these names and some weren't even real numbers like this… Thomas the Train?! Why do I have the number of a toy train to begin with?"

Marco tried to bring her focus back again, "Well, and did you find anything that helped us?"

Janna began to tap her phone again, "Actually, I did!"

Turning the phone to him again Marco was to stare at the eyes on the screen looking right back to him. It was a woman a bit older than them, she was red haired and skin a bit paler than his, her brown eyes blinked at him then she smiled and waved at him from the screen.

"Tami, meet Marco. Marco, this is Tamir LesTrange" Janna said, motioning between them.

"Hello!" Tami said, smiling from the other side.

"Hi…" he replied and looked at Janna, "how exactly is she supposed to help?"

Janna put her phone on his table where the stranger could see them both, "Tami remembers what I can't, or at least most of it. To begin with how we meet and what we are."

"Hey! I thought you said you believed in me saying you were a witch?"

There was a giggle and Marco realized it came from the screen, "There's a difference between believing and fact checking," Tami explained, "she was trying to recover what was lost in the spell of your friend."

"Wait, you remember too?!"

"Kinda" the red haired replied, "your theory of Earth's own magic isn't completely wrong, but also has some fantasies into it. I can remember what is related to me, Janna and the betweens, but if you ask me specifically about that friend of yours, well, I'm afraid I'm not much help." She shrugged embarrassed.

"So, how can you help us then?"

This time Janna replied to him, "Dude, she's a Witch."

Marco blinked twice at Janna and then at the phone before letting a gasped "Whaaat" escape his lips.

"A witch, Marco." The other laughed, "Oh boy, Potter references never get old!" The red haired girl shook her head and continued "I'm one of the natural magic users from Earth, see?"

On a movement with her hands, there was a wave of energy that made some stuff on her desk float before getting down again by another gesture to make it disappear.

He looked at the lady's hands in shock. It was one thing to know magic existed and have memory of it, but to see it was something completely different. To see the proof in a live video of another magic user was… almost unbelievable.

Wow, he gets why the others had trouble believing him.

"OK, Tami, can you explain what you told me before to him?" Janna asked.

"Why don't you say it?" She questioned.

"I forgot already."

With a sigh, the woman on the other side began to speak to Marco. "As I told Janna, your theory is in the right way, but not quite. Our world is about cycles, from the survival and animal one, to life and magic one. So yeah, there are parts of history that magic is stronger and others that are not, but aren't related to seasons, but with world history itself and around."

"World history?"

"Yep!" Tami nodded, "It's one of the biggest and sadly most natural occurrences in humanity, history repeats itself. Kind of like a curse even. People study history to not make the same mistakes, but while they do, the other part is making up and learning that stuff and find themselves agreeing with the past and making their own conclusions to do over again and as a result it happens again."

"That… is awful, is there nothing to do?"

"It's human nature. To find themselves in a group and try to engage into their battles to survive and the goals to fight against the opposition. The only way to stop the cycle would be to put everyone in a stance of ultimate survival: work together or die."

"Like stone age." Janna replied.

Marco shook his head to focus again, they could talk about history lessons later "What does this have to do with the magic?"

"Oh yeah!" The woman said changing her sitting pose "Well, the reason is because once there was a limited or over-limits magic on Earth is pretty simple, the Inquisition and Witch hunting events."

"So the Inquisition was right?"

"Nope." Both women replied and Janna continued, "they did kill a lot of innocents while hunting. Most people dead weren't related to magic even, or didn't even know."

Marco tried to follow their line of thought "Uhh… That means?"

"That means that, whatever your girlfriend did, she can't change history. She at most repressed what was already around. So we can recover the state to what it was and make magic flow around Earth, however I don't know about the portals stuff, that was never knowledge of our world magic."

"We still have to try." He replied determined, ready to get up. "It's the best chance We- I have to."

"Easy there, Romeo." Said Janna pushing him back down to his bed, "So far we gave you the good news."

He sighed, of course it wouldn't be that easy. "Ok, tell me the bad news."

"Well, for beginners…" Janna started, "Thomas the Train it's not the only contact missing. There's a bunch of them, for both me and Tami."

Tami looked at him with a sad smile, "That's true. And while I'm good friends and a mentor to Janna, I'm still a minor witch. In fact, Janna was stronger than I was. I lost contact with the Witches and other creatures more or less around the data your friend had cut the magic flow."

"Did something happen to them?" Marco asked in worry.

"I don't think so." The witch replied "I think they sensed something to come and took the ways to be safe, even if we lost contact with others. They probably left the others safe from consequences out of it, like Wiccas and minor witches, and in Janna's case, an illegitimate Witch."

"Illegitimate witch?" Marco asked his friend.

"Long history to another history and time. Now," Janna said, focusing back on the matter, "the point is, all the people who have better knowledge on Earth magic or how we could make the portal thing work again are out of reach and the others who are left aren't powerful enough to connect to other worlds."

Marco crossed his arms and thought for a while, looking between a magicless-witch Janna and the witch on the phone before an idea struck him again. "What if we reunited you?"

"What?" Both of them asked.

"Alone you can't do much, but… United, maybe we could bring enough power to make a connection, even to another world…" Marco took his magical scissors out of his pocket and showed them "From there I can get to other places until I reach the right one to get to Mewni."

"YOU HAVE AN INTERDIMENSIONAL SCISSOR?!" Tami screamed from the other side of the phone "Damn, you were someone important! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get one of these? A human even?!"

"I have vague memories of it." Marco shrugged, smiling sincerely to her "So, we can get contact with others you girls find and reunite to try to make these work, how about it?" Tami smiled sadly at him again and Marco could already sense the bad news again, but this time it was Janna who let out a sigh as she crossed her arms.

"You think I didn't want to meet her or bring her here for a reason? Would have been a lot easier and better" She pouted.

He looked at Tami questioning in silence what Janna meant, but observing the scenery behind her, more specific about what he thought until then it was a poster until the moment he saw a bird flying there, it dewelled him the reason of why Janna was upset and the bad news.

Marco let out a groan as he hid his face in his hands, to which Tami confirmed in voice what he just concluded, "I'm in Japan."

"And as far as we had been, well, mostly her since they refuse to talk to an illegitimate witch with no powers, most wiccans and witches left are in the same situation. We are scattered around the world" Janna replied.

He let his back fall into the bed and groaned louder. It could not be easy, could it?!

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When she was told she had visitors, Star had expected to be one of her friends checking on her again for the fifth time that week, or maybe even a surprise visit from a messenger from her fianceé kingdom with more stuff arranged or to be arranged for the wedding.

She didn't not expected to meet Eclipsa sitting in the garden drinking tea as she waited for her.

"Oh dear!" Eclipsa smiled "There you are! It's so good to see you! Come sit!"

Confused, Star obliged to what the other queen requested, "Hi Eclipsa… I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you."

"Really?" She replied surprised, "Your mother invited me, I thought you do know."

The princess blinked confused, "You were the one she told me about? I didn't know. She just said it was someone I could talk about and it was a surprise."

"Well, she told me about what you had been dealing with and… I can understand. I think from all the people I'm the closest that can understand you, that's probably why she told me to come talk to you."

So that was it. Her mother was still worried, despite her doctor saying she was ok and that she agreed with the meanings behind the wedding. Yes, she was still trying to find a way out of the war menace, but it was more a precaution and safety than anything else. Besides, so far the plan is going very well and… If it came to worse than she had to make sure someone was left to look after what she left.

"I'm fine, really." Star sighed.

"It's natural for a mother to be worried, more so in this case in which the daughter was forced into a decision she wasn't ready or didn't want to take." Eclipsa replied "It's a different situation, but we both had to go with the decision for outside factors."

It was only then that Star was reminded of the fact that Eclipsa was married before Globgor, despite already being with him and having her relationship established. Solaria didn't accept their relationship and arranged her wedding with a prince from a fellow kingdom in hopes that the marriage and kingdom obligation would make Eclipsa forget her forbidden passion for a monster of all people. Star didn't know much details aside from the fact that Globgor broke his promise to never feed himself from human flesh again by consuming Chastican, getting away to have Meteora and get captured shortly after and separated for all those years.

So far, Eclipsa was really the one who could understand the situation the most, even if the reasons for the arranged marriage were different, neither had been out of love, but because the obligations of the crown required so, for the safety of the people. For Eclipsa, because the former queen's prejudice against monsters was so powerful, she took a blind eye to who she put her daughter with. For her, because the war menace was a risk to the whole of Mewni and other possible dimensions and kingdoms Mewni had been in peace, not to count the possible multiverses.

She looked up to Eclipsa again, the queen being patient in Star taking her time to speak if she wished. Eclipsa has always been a kind heart that didn't deserve what happened to her. Star was really glad she was able to help get Eclipsa's happy ending by letting her rule the Monster Castle, which was her rightful place given Globgor once was the king of monsters. Maybe she couldn't fix the time and all that happened, but she could at the very least help.

Besides, it was a great help given that monsters and Mewmans still had much distaste on each other to just live together magically, it needed time to adapt, and so far having the kingdoms nearby with a free pass to both sides was showing to be really helpful. Even those who disliked the idea, at the very least respected the new ways of living… Well, after the battle that is.

Eclipsa also had been kind to them by giving the Crown back and rebuilding Mewni. So now they could rule together and work so both kinds would live and work together, the progress has been promising so far. Both crowns had been working hard to make it possible to unify in the future.

"Do you think…" Star said unsure "Am I doing the right thing?"

Eclipsa thought a bit, "There's no way we can know. For as long as I know you, Star, you have been writing the history your own way, taking what you thought was best by following your heart but taking your mind into it." She smiled at the princess "You proved yourself over and over again, you showed every single one that you can do more than one can imagine and even yourself. When we think you're done, you come with something new and that is what makes you the best queen of us all. Even now, I have no doubt you have something in your mind of how you can make things right and fix, and if you don't have the answers… you're on the way there." She looked into Star's eyes and smiled "Am I wrong?"

For the first time in a long time, Star smiled. Eclipsa had her right, she was trying to find a way to fix things up… But she didn't know the cost of it. And if she were to admit…

"I am scared." Star replied.

"I would think it weird of you not to be. You're about to face something new, but then again, you can always overcome the obstacles given. You and Marco."

Star blinked, her heart racing to the name familiar and dearly but yet new to her. She repeated in a whisper to her lips, she could even see the image of a boy with a red hoodie over his head…

A loud childish laughter distracted her. Both of them looked beyond their table to where Globgor was playing with Meteora and… Since when Eclipsa had another child? Star felt her chest tight and the coughs coming up, but she couldn't take that since the feeling of dread and anxiety had been washing over her. To the memory of her holding the other girl as a newborn baby, to her older brother introducing them, and the images flooding back.

Her head hurt, breathing was hard, and she couldn't even walk in a straight line when she got up abruptly to leave the garden abandoning the worried calls of the other queen. She just had to leave that place. She had to be quiet and think, she had to…

Remember.

She remembers now. The friendship, the love, the heartbreak. Earth, the school, her friends, the time spent between dimensions, the fights and all that came along. She remembers him always by her side and their hands together, she remembers his little sister, who they had promised to let grow with Meteora again, she remembers Diaz, who asked to be called as her parents too, she remembers why the earrings were so important. She remembers Angie telling her goodbye and Rafael holding her close…

She was so stressed up by then she didn't get to think about Mariposa, who wasn't around and didn't get mentioned by them.

She feels the tears on her eyes and coughs some more petals as she falls on her knees. She remembers the sickness and what happened. She remembers why it's so important that the plan works and she gets someone to take care of what's left once she's gone…

Eclipsa steps behind her carefully, and kneels to the ground, trying not to scare her after how she fled the garden. Her hand makes gentle circling motions until Star is calmed enough to speak if she wishes.

"Mariposa…" Is all she can say.

Eclipsa bites her lip and sighs, deciding to say once for all. "As you know, after how well Meteora and her bonded, we agreed with Diaz to have them grow together. The vacations here and school time on Earth… Since me and Globgor were going on the vacation trip early and Mariposa wasn't in school yet, we invited her to come."

Star slowly turned to look at Eclipsa as she continued, still sniffing for what she was about to hear, "That's when they contacted us and told about what was to happen. We spoke to Moon too and… We talked. A lot. So we decided that Mariposa was taken care of by us, and Diaz sent all her material to study, and also things to be remembered by. We thought about moving to Earth or they moving here, but… It didn't solve the problem in the end. Angie said they had Marco to take care after, and they had been parenting once, they would miss Mariposa everyday, but it would be the best. Rafael agreed they couldn't take Meteora away from us to take care of given she had magic, and that we had been apart for so long and we finally had our second chance…"

"So Mariposa is trapped in here."

"Mariposa is growing up with Meteora…" Eclipsa sighed, "She's too young to understand she can't go back to Earth. We have all the stuff from her to know and we're gonna tell her, but…" The queen took a breath, "The Evanescent magic took effect here too… Mariposa doesn't remember anything about Earth aside from what we told her."

Star choked as she started crying harder, she didn't mind to know if the petals were choking her or the tears, believing she deserved at this point. She just tore a family apart and erased a little girl's memory of her own family. Mariposa didn't remember her family back on Earth and by this she could only guess that the portals cutting severed those ties and by that maybe the Diaz couldn't remember her too.

She deserved to suffocate on those petals.

Now that she thought about it, the Diaz were looking into a family album when she left… They weren't looking into her pictures only, but the ones with Mariposa.

"What have I done?!" Star whispered crying in pain "Why no one told me?!"

"Oh dear…" Eclipsa caressed her head "You had already so much… None of us wanted to give you that pain and burden. It was a parenting decision for adults to take, and we did. We didn't want you to take the blame or responsibility."

"What for?!" Star continued to cry "How can I ever forgive myself from separating her from her family, for her losing her memories? for them to lose their daughter?!"

Eclipsa smiled sadly and was about to speak when she saw someone else in the room. Star looked up to see the little girl with brown skin and the cute mole as her brother, those big brown eyes confused looking at them as she slowly approached, her hair a bit longer than she remembered and she looked at Star sad.

"Don't cry…" She said, patting Star's face.

Star smiled sadly, trying her best to not scare Mariposa as she picked her up and hugged tightly, she looked so much after her brother it hurt. She continued to whisper how much she was sorry until she began to calm down.

Eclipsa stayed there supporting Star by staying by her side simply. It didn't miss her eyes the smudged makeup that covered the broken hearts, nor the petals on the floor.

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Janna walked into Marco's room letting out a whistle. There were papers all around, his computer open with at least thirty tabs open, there were scribbles, notes, and red strings on the floor, maps, pictures and even other stuff that Janna didn't pay attention to in the middle of her process.

"I understand why you weren't surprised with my board now."

Marco chuckled as he marked something in another note, "I'm the crazy guy, remember? This is organized close to how my mind had been before. I don't like to admit it, but those pills do help."

"Are you taking them, by the way?"

"Yup." Marco took the bottle out his pocket and shook so Janna could see and hear the pills inside before he put back in his pocket, "They are necessary, so I take them. I wish I didn't have to? Yes, but for now I need them and that's it."

Janna clapped to him and Marco rolled his eyes. He knew medicine was important, and took time for him to accept he needed the mental medicine just like any other sick person would need. If they were for the heart he would take them, so why not take them for his brain?

"You said you had news." The former witch replied, trying to step further into the room, "Is this it?"

Marco got up and bit his marker end thinking a bit more into how to voice his thoughts.

"I think I know how to open the portal." Janna stopped in her tracks, not daring to make any movement until he continued "If this place was once connected to Mewni through magic, it means it should be connected again, even if just a little. Might not be enough to create a portal, but the magic is already in both places, Earth is already connected to the magic dimensions as so. We could reunite a number of people to try to gather enough energy for the scissor to work, but even so might not be enough, and focusing them on one place might not help the magic to keep flowing."

His friend decided it was safer to step back and lean on the doorframe, "Ok, so, we need to reunite or not?"

"We need everyone to stay where they are." Marco replies nodding "If you had been scattered all around the world, there might be a reason for it. Tami said that the natural course is that the flow comes back little by little and the other witches and whatever are waiting the time for it, so I thought, 'what if that's it?' you know?" Marco said happily. Janna blinked slowly to him and continued her deadpan stare so he could continue for her to understand. "She cut the unnatural magic, her own and what came with her, the witches might have been influenced by the flow of her magic around, that's why they left."

Janna thought for a second, "Actually, that makes sense. If it wasn't much and suddenly there's a new one around they might have been caught by the new magic too… They could have lost all the magic like I did for mixing it up."

"Like filling a cup of water with orange juice. If you want to get rid of the mix you need to get rid of both." Marco said "And because they had the influence, they couldn't risk to stay. However!" Marco said pointing to a scheme drawing on his wall, "Tami said she and the other left were more natural magicians, that used Earth and natural sources, that's why they are out of risk!"

There was a gasp heard and then a voice replying to him, "It's natural magic!"

The trickster took her phone out of her jacket and showed him her mentor on video call who was clapping and smiling happily. "Well, that explains how I was so oddly and suddenly put in Japan."

"You weren't there before?"

"Nope!" She replied "I made a test to come here, but I was sure to fail because of some missing papers, but then they suddenly were found and approved at the last second." She thought for a second, "I wonder if there are others who have done this too."

"It might if we go by Marco's theory." Janna replied. "Maybe the Elders knew that we could restore the magic flow by ourselves and made a way to scarce us around the globe." She shrugged.

"If that's the case," The boy continued "I thought that if you all used your magic at the same time, it might be enough to get magic on Earth flowing on the levels that it was again."

The red haired woman frowned a bit in worry, "I'm not sure, it might need a lot of people doing it at the same time, and there are the timezones, not to say so far the ones I had contact don't have that much power enough to make our magic connect one point to another to make it flow." She sat back on the chair and crossed her arms thoughtfully.

"Marco, are you really asking us to do that? We would be risking to expose ourselves and be hunted down to death again for what? So you can be with your girlfriend?"

Marco gulped. She had a point, there were many factors to make it harder. to make one witch to pass the magic from a point to another, then that required that some ignored the timezones, and…

And this was the best chance he had to see Star again.

"Yes." He replied "I'm asking you to do this so I can go to her. I will cross every mountain, swim every ocean just to fix what I've broken. If I need to go around the world to talk and ask one by one to agree then I will. This is the best if not the only chance I got to be with her. So yes, I'm being selfish and asking you all to take the risk to restore the Earth magic and I can be with Star again."

There was a moment of silence before a loud squeal and giggling from the phone startled both in the room, "Okay!"

"Okay?!" Both Janna and Marco replied surprised.

"Okay." The witch nodded, grabbing some papers and writing something in them, "I'm a big fan of love, and that confession? That got me. So yeah I'm going to do it. I'll talk to my friends and the ones I got in contact to plan this and will get back to you. Ah! I can't wait to help you two get back together!" Suddenly the woman began to transform the notes she wrote into paper birds and sent them to the window. "I have much work to do, I'll see you later!" With another set of squeals and giggles she hung up.

Both teenagers stood there looking at the phone screen locking it up in shock. It was rather… easy. And that was exactly why Marco wasn't sure if it would work, if there is something he learned about this whole thing is that nothing would come easy to him.

Still, he had high hopes and for that, he grabbed the bracelet that once belonged to her and held it tight, hoping that soon he could give it back, that then he could hold her hand - if she allowed, he had to recognize that he had every right to reject by how things messed up.

"I would love to stay," Janna commented but stopped for a second, "Wait nevermind, I'll stay and look around your stuff to see if I get any other stuff to this mad plan of yours"

"Gee, thanks" Marco shrugged and moved for her to come into his room. "Be my guest. I'll get some air."

"By the smell of this room, you do need it."

He ignored the comment even through his blush. He knew she was just teasing him… right?

He was walking down the corridor when he saw his dog lying in front of the guest door crying. Once he saw Marco, it got up and began to scratch the door asking to be open for him. He was ready to open the door when he touched the handle and suddenly began to hear a song from the other side.

When I wake up, yeah I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you!

He stopped for a moment, he was sure the room wasn't in use for a long time and that there was nothing on the other side of that door. So that could only mean…

When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you!

Marco opened the door, but instead of looking into the visitor room that was very much like his, he saw a huge room, with an aquarium, stairs, and even a balcony. He stepped into the room with a fond smile on his face as he watched in admiration the figure on the bed jumping and dancing to the song blasting in her speaker.

If I get drunk, Well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you!

It was another of her times singing super glue songs, she was jumping on her bed as she sang the lyrics, laughing happily as she did so, her golden hair dancing up and down, her bed already a mess from her dancing.

And if I haver, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's haverin' to you!

He couldn't help but smile openly at the memory, it was such a happy and innocent time. She was just there dancing and singing to a good song and enjoying the moment, while he was making nachos down the stairs. She was smiling so brightly and it was such a good memory that made him laugh a bit to see her like that.

There was a noise beside him, she didn't notice because of the song and how distracted he was by the scene, he found himself years young putting down the table some nachos only to lean on the doorframe crossing his arms and watch her performance of happiness.

How he didn't realize by then he was already falling for her? That fond and loving smile and the joy he remembers to feel just to watch her jumping to the song and be happy for a moment… It was enough to make him smile and be happy himself.

He laughed, they were really oblivious.

Star soon took notice of him standing there watching her and motioning to him to get up her bed and join her, he gave an eye roll pretending to be reluctant but joined her more than glad.

"When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you!"

They began to dance together, both laughing above the bed as they continued to lip sync the song.

"When I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you!"

They began to run in circles in the bed, getting dizzy and then switching to another game.

"When I go out, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you!"

They began to try to ticklish one to another. Sometimes missing and others getting right making another fit of laughter go up.

"And when I come home, yes I know I'm gonna be, I gonna be the man who's coming home with you"

They both sang together getting louder and louder until they reached the chorus and began to shake their heads, messing up their hair hard as they sang one to another as they jumped in her bed.

"But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more! Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door!"

The song went on, and Marco grabbed a pillow to hit her, Star laughed, grabbing another to defend and attack him. They stayed like that until the chorus came back again and they sang together breathless.

"But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more! Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door!"

They both give a last jump and fall laying down on her bed in a fit of laughter with their belly hurting and red faces from all the energy wasted just for the fun and singing together and having a fun time.

The laughter began to fade in the air as the memory faded and gave place to reality. His dog was laying down on the bed that was just like his, he stepped closer and sat there looking at the bracelet once again.

"I miss her too." he told Barko, embracing the animal and caressing it's fur until he fell asleep.

At the door, Janna looked down at the floor before taking her phone and dialing some numbers. She couldn't let him go on like that, if Marco needed to meet the girl again to get his closure, then he would meet her. Even if she had to ask some favors she had been saving.

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"MOON!"

Her name echoed into the room and she flinched, but still took a breath. She should have expected that Eclipsa would find out about what was going on sooner or later, and given she took Star as a granddaughter/nephew it was no surprise she would be furious once she found out about the whole thing and not only what Moon let her know.

"Before you take out your fury on me, take a seat so I can explain…"

"You erased her memories!" Eclipsa slammed her fists on the table, "You took away her memories about the boy she loved!"

"I had my reasons to do so and you would understand if-"

"And she has broken hearts! Her magic is unstable, she's been crying non-stop! Moon, have any idea of what you have done?!"

"I have plenty of ideas of what I did and I did what was best for her!" Moon replied, raising her voice.

Globgor came into the door a bit after being accompanied by River, Glossaryck and Baby. The monster tried to calm down his wife by gently pulling her to sit, but she refused, still staring at Moon like she could punch her, maybe she would.

"What right do you think you have to take away her memories?!"

"It was hurting her far worse than it should!"

"And taking away was the answer?! That's not up to you to decide, Moon! You out of everyone should know this!"

"Sweetie," Globgor tried again, "let's hear what they have to say."

"I did what I had to do to save my daughter, you would have done the same!"

Eclipsa gasped more angrily than before "What harm could the memories of Marco could have caused?!"

"The memories are killing her! From inside out!" From the moment of shock of the other queen, Moon took a breath and looked down, she admitted in defeat the truth about the condition. "Star has the Deadly Flowers."

Eclipsa let out a breath and finally let herself be led by her husband to sit down as he stood beside her holding her hand, now just as worried about the princess' condition as his wife was.

"What stage is it?" The king of monsters asked.

Moon sat down, River coming by her side as her hands massaged her temples, "She was vomiting the flowers weeks ago. We didn't have many options, so…"

Globgor nodded and Eclipsa looked at him confused, as he clearly knew of the sickness better, it wasn't fully disclosed how many monsters fell victim to such sickness. As he explained what the disease was and the cure methods, Eclipsa felt more heartache for the princess that was playing with the two children in her room at the moment.

"So… you took the flowers out?" She asked.

"We did," River replied, "but she seed is placed in her heart so…" He looked down sadly and Globgor continued for him.

"The flowers will continue to bloom over and over again, and quicker every time, until it comes to a point where… There's no way out."

Eclipsa felt her eyes water and held her husband's hand tight, "There must be something we can do! Some potion or-"

"Don't you think I've been trying?" Moon replied looking up with teary eyes, "I sleep every night without knowing if my daughter will be there in the next day, or for how long… And she's about to marry someone she doesn't love because Marco is back on Earth where we cannot reach anymore."

Eclipsa sniffed and stood in silence for a moment with them. It was a serious situation, and if Star had come to pass before the wedding would be even worse.

Even so, she knew she should, but couldn't bring herself to tell them that Star had partially recovered her memories and the flowers are back. Star made her promise not to do so and now she gets why, she's afraid of losing them again and by now… That's all she has left of her happiness back then.

"So we… wait?" Eclipsa said reluctantly.

Moon closed her eyes with River, showing how much pain they have to admit that all they could do was to provide the best they could while they could, but they couldn't afford a cure or miracle to get her rid of her pain and death.

Eclipsa wished for a moment that she could have convinced Diaz to move to Mewni, this could have solved so many things… but they didn't know back then. Even if they did, once Star severed the magic ties, they would have been sent back to the place they belonged, without magic.

But if was like that, then-

"Wait, Star erased her magic back from Earth, then the same happened from here, right?"

"That's right." Glossaryck confirmed.

Eclipsa then looked up a bit more hopeful, "Then how's Mariposa still here?"

It took a moment for the others to understand what she meant, but when they did, the same feeling of a sparkle of hope that got into them.

"That's impossible!" Moon said, still hard-believing "Earth is magicless!"

Globgor got up and turned to them, "Eclipsa has a point, we had been taking care of Mariposa ever since the portals closed. The only thing that changed was that she also lost her memories, she is still affected by the magic, and possibly what happens back on Earth for that to happen."

The Mewni queen got up and turned to the magic guide, "Glossaryck, is it possible?"

The blue creature thought for a moment, "Earth has its own natural magic like all dimensions, but would be very unlike - not to say impossible to make it connected back or flow enough to connect again. It would be necessary to have an incredible amount of magical power to reconnect with their own magic to make it flow enough and then later they do it again for someone from this side to make the connection."

"We didn't have to do that the first time," River complained.

"The ties weren't severed or blocked then. Just out of use" Said Baby. "Besides, Earth has been out of Magic users for many years, and we have no communication now. They would have to make this plan on their own with none of our communication. No one knows about this to make it happen."

Moon was about to try to argue with another solution when Tom and Ponyhead got into the room in a hurry and were screaming with something in their hands. The queen was about to ask for them to calm down and sit when Tom put the device with a point blinking and made her go speechless.

"I don't know how, but somehow, they are up to something!" Tom said.

The others got around Moon to look into the screen and see what they were so amazed about too and felt themselves in shock as much as the teenagers were, but in a good way. Glossaryck groaned rolling his eyes, but smiled still after everyone gave a hopeful laugh.

On the other side of the room, Ponyhead was dancing in the air chanting happily "I cannot believe it! Earth-Turd did it! Earth has magic again!"

_________

This is for now.

On a brighter note, I'm out of the horrible writer block the finale and few other things gave me. That is to say I'm finally writing the final chapters to go.

Thank you again, and onwards to the finale!

PS: we got a discord now if interest anyone :)

A special shout out to @tamiletrange for having my back and also, a special tribute for her in this chapter as Janna’s mentor

@manifisto42 @judytrashcan @thatgirlinspace @ido100 @cid331 @krystalhuntress @mrevaunit42 @luigifan7 @avatarrocks132 @touya-r @dvvkroh @starkiller9903 @oofcorp @ironlightsheep @ironlord-firoh @the-x-files-fan

[shimmerbeasts]

There was the characteristic Rick Sanchez bravado. Janna forbid this man to show weakness for even a second. As much as Silco respected Rick for strutting around like he owned the place and throwing his weight around, he also had to admit that it wouldn't kill the man to appear a bit more malleable from time to time.

For as much as Rick liked to claim that he was the smartest man in the universe and that he had control over every situation in his life, his behaviour spoke of a different tale. The man, who was in control, did not need to announce that he was in control. You just felt it. It was how Silco had managed to dismantle Rick's lies and bravado the moment, the stranger had stepped into his dimension. Rick might have the abrasiveness of a honey badger, but that only impressed the other Chem-Barons. It was more a mild nuisance for as seasoned a killer as Silco.

He stayed almost deaf towards Rick's snark and sarcasm. By now, the Eye of Zaun was so used to this behaviour that even this life-or-death situation couldn't impact his responses towards his guest's snappy repertoire. Silco had made his feelings, concerning this behaviour, quite known prior. Outside of Jinx's habit, he had little respect for it. The only good thing, which came of this, was that Rick at least allowed him to get out and have his wound treated without making it more complicated than it needed to be.

And then the cranky old man actually did something, which surprised the Eye of Zaun. As they sat there in the rubble of the cave-in, Rick Sanchez started to speak of a war, he had never heard of, and drinking some alcohol out of a cheap flask. Silco gave a surprised rumble in response. His eyes locked onto the flask, the smell of alcohol penetrating his sharp nose. However, he then took the invitation and sipped some of the alcohol himself.

The liquor tasted terrible. It was strong and stale at the same time. Like it had been in that flask for only Janna knew how long. Yet at the same time, it at least, made him forget the bruising on his leg and even better it didn't make him think of the last time, he had been trapped underground with blood running down his leg.

Silco spoke: "There is nothing wrong with scarring. All it means is that whatever tried to kill you, failed. Only Piltover cares about the concealment of scars. They are terrified to seem blemished in any way." He handed the now much lighter flask back. "I could tell you were drinking to escape some kind of misery. I didn't know that you were a war survivor. You have my condolences. If we do not count gang wars, the only significant war, I ever fought in, was that first failed uprising. I was the one, who, for the lack of a better term, threw the first stone."

As Rick almost collapsed from his pain, Silco caught him underneath his lower arm. Shifting his weight, he slowly helped the scientist on his feet. Allowing Rick to lean himself on him with one arm over his shoulders, Silco began to shuffle towards the dark entrance, which led them deeper into the mountains. He tried to steady his breathing.

"Janna damn it", Silco cursed under his breath, "I cannot believe how much I wish Vander or Sevika were here right now." He fumbled out his lighter and clicked it, allowing the flame to grant them some meagre aid in their already obscured vision. "Let's hope we do not run into any gutter or plague rats. Not sure how large animals are on your planet, but our rats grow pretty big."

{ @shimmerbeasts - Continued from HERE }

If asked later, Rick would have denied it, but his shoulders relaxed a bit as Silco's voice answered from somewhere ahead of him. It seemed like the other man had landed further from the site of the collapse than he had, which hopefully meant that he was less injured than the scientist himself. Having at least one of them able to work properly would have been very helpful in their current circumstances.

"I-I wasn't worrying, just not looking forward t-to having to drag your ass all the way out of here," he shot back with a scoff, but the cockiness he had tried to convey was ruined by the slight slurring of his words.

Useless to say, it was pretty obvious that for once it wasn't due to him being intoxicated.

Rick scowled to himself, mentally cursing his body for openly giving away how bad his wound had to be. He was used to bullshitting his way through his injuries, as he did with everything else, acting like he was more in control of the situation than he actually was. However, Silco was usually too smart to fully buy his crap to start with and there was no way that the other man would have believed his act this time, with all the clues that pointed towards it being a lie.

The sounds of the other's approaching steps snapped him out of his thoughts, just in time for him to notice a hint of unevenness in them. Silco might not have had it as badly as him, but it looked like the Eye of Zaun wasn't unscathed either.

The feeling of those eyes burying into his form almost made the scientist want to squirm. He wasn't too fond of the other man's penetrating looks in general, but in that moment he couldn't even balance the uneasiness they gifted him with how they made Silco look pretty hot, as he usually did.

"Y-Yeah, no shit, Sherlock," he grumbled moodily in response to the statement. And to hell with the fact that his companion wouldn't get the reference. "B-But yeah, it would help if you could get me out. I-I know that I'm a looker, b-but you can stare at me plenty later."

Despite his defensive sarcasm, Rick was more than willing to let Silco remove the rocks that had been trapping him and then drag him away from the cave-in site. He didn't even complain or make a lewd joke when the Eye of Zaun carelessly slashed his shirt open, as one might have expected.

Blue eyes followed the flame as it heated up the blade of the knife, fully knowing what was coming next. Yet, he didn't even try to move away when the scorching metal was pressed into his wounded flesh and the only sound he let out was a soft hiss through clenched teeth. To an attentive eye, it would have been clear that this wasn't the first time he got a wound cauterised in a similar fashion.

"W-Well, shit, that's gonna leave a scar," he commented once it was over, voice slightly hoarse. He pulled out his flask and downed a generous gulp of hard liquor. "A-All this is giving me war flashbacks. Literally. J-Just here we have less lasers an-and bombs going around."

He wordlessly offered the flask to Silco, in case the other wanted a dose of makeshift painkiller, while his free hand reached out to tap his temple. Unfortunately, as it turned out, his cybernetic eye had been damaged when he had hit his head and all he got in response was a light electric shock and his vision on that side turning into static for a few seconds.

"A-Alright, no cheating with night vision," he muttered under his breath. Thankfully his human sight was still as perfect as he had been in his best years, thanks to the repairing agents he had been injecting in his eyes through the decades. "W-We'll have to do this the old-fashioned way."

With that, he tried to push himself on his feet, only to have to stop because of the burning shot of pain that spread through the whole left upper side of his body, starting from where his injury was. Apparently Silco wasn't the only one to be forced to admit that he needed assistance.

"...H-Help me up first, will you?"

[redrascal1]

Why TROS didn’t just kill off Ben Solo..

I’ve probably already said this but...TROS didn’t just kill the last Skywalker...it also killed off my affection for the other characters.

First of all: Poe. Poe was likeable in TFA, chiefly because of his chemistry with Finn, but the character wasn’t really written well as originally he was intended to be a cameo role. But in TLJ, Rian Johnson actually reinvented him.

Poe was often compared to Han Solo, but they were actually very different. Han was a mercenary, grew up an orphan and was used to putting himself first. Poe had a loving family; he lost his mother at a young age, and then grew up with a mother substitute in Leia (ironic, isn’t it?) But, most of all, Poe was a rebel soldier. To him, the cause meant everything. He was wiling to die for it, but he was also quite willing to sacrifice everything for the ‘greater good’.

Poe was very close to a fanatic....and far more akin to Saw Guerrera than to Leia.

RJ saw this and gave him a splendid character arc in TLJ. At the end Poe had proven he had the necessary qualities to be a leader...but would he be the same kind of leader as Leia - or Holdo.

I think not.

‘We are the spark that will ignite hope in the galaxy’ - Amlyn Holdo

‘We are the spark that will light the fire that will burn the FO to the ground’ - Poe Dameron, at the end of TLJ.

Does this make Poe a bad man? Of course not.

Does it make him a man who would have accepted Ben surrendering to him, presumably which is what Rey wanted him to do? No way.

Poe would have in all likelihood had him executed for war crimes..in fact, he would probably have done it himself. Poe would have been a good leader, but far more ruthless than Holdo, or even Leia. Oscar himself loved his character arc in TLJ.

TROS Poe wasn’t the same person. Instead, he was reinvented yet again...as a Han Solo wannabe, with an excruciating past history as a drug runner. No mention of his mother Shara, no mention of his normal childhood. The only time I saw a spark of TLJ  Poe was when he shot Hux. It’s telling that Oscar Isaac admitted he wished the character had been killed off as planned. He was as disappointed as the rest of us.

Secondly: Finn. This character had plenty of potential but his tragic background as a child soldier was never really explored in TFA, so RJ had very little to go on with him. But he gave him far more of a role than Abrams, despite Boyega’s hero worship of the man. Abrams created him as Rey’s sidekick, nothing more. RJ gave him his own love interest, a story where he developed as his own person instead of following Rey around like a lovesick puppy, but most of all...set him up for the role he was born to play - the man who would lead the stormtroopers from rebellion from within. 

Abrams and Terrio gave that role to Janna, who was completely superfluous as a character, although I’ve nothing against Naomi. And Finn was once more reduced to Rey’s sidekick, with even his newly acquired FS serving zero purpose except for him knowing Rey was alive at the end.

Third: Rey.

Words cannot express my disappointment at TROS Rey. I loved TLJ, but I DID NOT like how she behaved at the end. Nevertheless, the scene where she gazes longingly at Finn tending Rose went in some part to endearing her to me again, especially as there was plenty of scope for her in the last film...the struggle with the ‘dark side’ of her nature, she and Kylo rebuilding their unique relationship, Rey realising that as a Jedi she would have to give up her desire for a family...

But what we got was...a stranger. Who was this coldhearted young woman who repeatedly attacked Kylo/Ben when he was unarmed - Very AGAINST the Jedi code of ‘using the Force for knowledge and defense, never attack’ - stabbed him as he was grieving for his mother, and worst of all....walked away from Exegol WITHOUT ONCE acknowledging what he did for her. She did not tell either of her friends he’d died for her. There was no memorial service, no tears...nothing. She cried more for Han who’d she’d known for five minutes, than she did for Ben, who was supposedly the ‘other half’ of her soul. Even Rae Carson’s attempt to add at least some emotion to her in the novel fell flat. The final straw was that smirking creature on Tattooine...one tumblr poster described her as a ‘creepy Stepford smiler’, but to me she came across as a sociopath who no longer resembled the character I liked so much in TFA.

But the character they destroyed the most for me wasn’t any of these...believe it or not, it was Leia.

As a kid, Leia was my hero. I’d never seen such an amazing female lead. But, I also acknowledged, as did Carrie, bless her, that Leia had flaws. The ‘greater good’ always came first. She found it difficult to bond with her only child because unlike her brother, she never saw ‘redeemed Anakin’ - only Darth Vader, so any childish tantrums to her weren’t simply a kid’s behaviour, but signs that her son was taking after her father. Her worst mistake was sending him away...but to a degree, this could be understandable if she genuinely meant well and thought Luke, as a Jedi master, was better handled to teach Ben to use the Force for good.

But TROS...TROS ruined Leia.

And it did it by showing she had had Jedi training herself. 

This completely altered her as a character. It showed her not as a loving but flawed mum who made mistakes, but as a selfish uncaring fembot who could easily have trained her son, but chose not to, instead sending him to ‘someone else’ while she focused on her career. And then this...’monster’ mother chose to train Sheev Palpatine’s granddaughter to...do what?

Kill him? 

Apparently yes, according to an incoherent prophecy subplot in TROS which gave a weird garbled ‘excuse’ for Leia not finishing her Jedi training by saying her son would die if she did. And as we all know...he did. 

Even worse...she was fine with it. And we get that revolting scene post Ben’s death, where her body vanishes into the Force while Maz grins at the camera as if to say;’ See, Ben fans? Everything is okay, Ben is dead but that’s fine because Leia doesn’t mind. Leia has found her ‘real’ heir....REEEEY’.

Ugh.

This has left me wondering if the real reason ‘Leia’ gave up her life force to contact her son was to save him...or Rey? Because the more I think about it, the more I am absolutely sure it was the latter, as he’d won the fight and disarmed Rey. And this very scene is yet another nail in the coffin of my affection for Rey, as Ben froze before he killed her - but Rey meanwhile, picked up his fallen weapon and impaled him with it....without hesitation. Even her healing of him was more to save her own soul than because she was ashamed of almost killing this man, who had once offered her the galaxy, helped her after her unhappy experience at the mirror cave, and had had ample opportunity to kill her but chose not to.

The supreme irony is that Abrams, who apparently has great affection for Rey, and Terrio, a huge fan of the Twins, have permanently damaged both Rey and Leia as characters. Bad enough to do this with Rey...but Leia? I’m sorry, but that is almost as unforgivable as killing off Ben. 

At the end of the day, it was a huge mistake to try and ‘resurrect’ Carrie to play Leia in the final film. Carrie, I’m sure, would never have played Leia Organa like this. Far better for her death to be explained as due to her injuries suffered on the Raddus, start TROS with a memorial service for her, and have Carrie’s deleted scenes used and carefully edited as a holographic message she sends to Ben, which is one of the reasons he returns to the light. Luke’s FG could easily have trained Rey. Or, even better...how about Ben returning to the Light earlier in the film, and taking over Rey’s training?

I’m sorry. I’m sure to a degree they meant well, but their handling of Leia demonised her character far more than anything Rian did with Luke. TROS has forever stained my memories of the OT as well as destroying the ST. And I doubt if I’m the only one who feels like this?

[jess-the-vampire]

Sky And The Forces Of The Multiverse, Chapter 47

Previous / Next:

-

"So what do you think angel?".

Sky motioned to the platters of food that were nearly finished, having prepped the chefs and even helped out with, lexi adding final touches wherever she wanted, much to the chef's dismay. Angel of course seemed super tired and still stressed, as if thinking any small thing could ruin the whole entire night and mess things up with the king of spider monsters.

His dad wasn't cruel, he was no toffee or shastacan.

But the disappointment was enough to scare him.

He never used to care about this before, but now...it was always on his mind, taking over it. He nervously looked over what they had prepared, his father was coming in a few minutes, he wasn't dressed because they had been occupied with getting the dining hall ready and checking and changing the dinner options...5 times, they had wasted so much time and angel still wasn't sure they got things right.

"I...I'm not sure...maybe-".

"Angel...we don't have much time left, we spent hours getting stuff ready...we gotta get you changed...we're going to have to go with this...", she wasn't saying it to be mean, but angel didn't have time to be picky right now, especially if he wanted to have anything ready at all for his father. She patted his back to reassure him and ask if there was anything else he wanted to add to the meal his father would like.

But he only shook his head, disappointed but knowing she was right and they had to get moving.

"Let's go get changed...", his voice sounded defeated as he waved to marco before heading his way out, followed by sky who also waved to the demon queen, "Just don't be long, we'll be calling everyone to dinner very soon, remember he's not the only new guest we have here tonight". They gave her a knowing look and sky felt a fit in her stomach at remembering her grandma was finally coming over.

"I'm surprised you're so calm", he mumbled to the butterfly princess.

"Hmm?".

Angel turned to face her, "Your grandma is coming over and you're acting like it's not a big deal at all, you're not panicking over food, what you're going to wear...you're the complete opposite of me...". Sky was actually nervous even if he didn't think she looked it, but at the same time this event wasn't exactly about impressing her or proving anything to her so she had little reason to freak...as much.

There were other reasons to worry about her grandma that involved stuff outside of sky herself.

Whatever was really happening was more between her grandma...and her mom, less so about sky, her own mom had way more of a reason to be packing just as bad as angel was at the moment. Her grandma could be soft and sweet but also strict and scary if she wanted to be, not to mention pretty overbearing, she seemed to think at times she knew better then others.

Which of course, did not work for the current queen at all.

She had been trying to keep her mom out of her work for as long as she could, and now she was coming and there was nothing more she could do to convince the former queen to turn back to her retirement. She was coming and it would take more then usual to get her to turn back and away from the mess she had come to help try and fix where her daughter had failed.

Moon had gotten involved with sky being queen...a little, but her main focus was usually on her own daughter, after all...her daughter was meant to be the one teaching sky in the first place. So if she had to butt in and do star's job for her that wasn't good on star herself, though sky would argue this made moon look just as bad when it came to teaching star in the first place.

Anyways, she hated to even be involved during their bickering with stuff like this, she was lucky so far her life involved a lot less of it then she could've had. Being involved in the drama of two adults is a lot like being involved in the drama of two annoying teenagers, and sky had the urge to ask landon to borrow some of his headphones just to be safe.

"Well...guess i don't stress as much about making a good impression...most of the time, even when people were treating me like garbage i never really put on a fake persona and look to impress them so i guess it's just something i don't do", sky shrugged and tugged the prince along further, "But i mean, you got it way worse then me right now so that also probably makes a difference...".

"This feels like something a child would do after breaking one of their parent's things...doesn't it?".

"I guess you can say that yeah".

He hid his face within his hands, red, "You must think i seem like a real fool right now, you keep trying to reassure me and i keep freaking out about it and i just can't help it..." and that's when sky held out her hand, him taking it...still embarrassed. "It's fine, i'm not making fun of you for it...i get it, this whole thing is kinda important to you...you're going to be ok".

"I need to breathe more often...".

"It's still a learning process, you'll get used to it...hopefully, c'mon let's just get you dressed before you melt into the floor", she tugged him along as they made it to her room, which of course, was very much guarded still, angel awkwardly sat on the bed as sky headed inside her own wardrobe. "I'm assuming you're personally not into dresses so we'll rule that out for now, besides, i don't think any of my dresses will work with your back legs anyway".

Angel touched one of them in response.

"Good call".

"Now what i DO have is some stuff i was going to give to judas for his coronation, i started working on clothes ideas and these are mostly scrapped...i haven't had a ton of time to work on them exactly...but i nearly forgot i had been working on a few things for him...so maybe you can wear one...if you want to that is...if not i got other stuff in here...".

"Such as?".

She walked out holding a leather jacket and jeans.

"I mean, look, i dunno what exactly is your style outside of fancy stuff...but you could try...?", angel stared at the clothing with uncertainty, he still clearly didn't know what he wanted to do with his appearance and he had little time to think about it. Sky placed the clothes on the bed, "Hey...look...you can do whatever you wanna do...just make sure it's something you want to do...".

He took a minute to really think about it, nodding his head as he softly spoke.

"Well...leather might not really be me...but...you...have any sweaters in there? That might be more my speed...but...i'll wear a shirt under it and um...I'm ok wearing one of jude's jackets...", something about how he said it made sky smile, he seemed actually happy with his own choice. A choice made by him for him and not to please his father or anyone in particular.

"Sounds good, i can find that for you, you can shower real quick and we'll be good to go".

"What about you?".

She turned to face him, "I'll be fine as is...promise, you just need to worry about yourself and what you wanna say when your dad finally arrives, that's WAY more of a concern. You can think about it more in the shower and everything...". Angel glanced at the clothes and drawings sky and sunny had been working on earlier, clearly being reminded of the upcoming plans.

But he didn't say anything, instead sky fetched what he needed and he was quickly shoved into the closest nearby royal bathroom. What emerged soon later as a fresher smelling prince of the Arachmen, wearing a collared shift with a sweater and jacket overtop, he still had some nice shows and pants on but he seemed quite comfortable, his hair tired back behind him but a lot looser then it used to.

"How do i look?", he held out his arms and spun around to show the princess all of his angels, just to make sure he wasn't missing anything.

"Like a goober".

"What?".

"You look great, trust me, but tell me how you feel about it?".

He looked down at himself, adjusting his sweater, "Well...i feel...warm...and...comfortable".

"Perfect".

"You really seem to care about...me liking this stuff...don't you?", she shrugged as she brushed his sweater to make sure there weren't any loose hairs on him, "Well i mean, as someone who got annoyed at my parents telling me not to wear my hat for fun events, i'm not the person that's gonna force you one way or another...i just want you to like...be comfortable being yourself...and being that way to other people".

He softened at that as they made their way to the dining hall, to meet up with everyone. Most of everyone did seem to be there, though the most notable absent ones were judas, landon, celeste, her other mom, and...mason? She saw Queen Lucitor dressed up nearby in a rather radiant looking dress before approaching, still tugging angel along, guess angel wasn't the only one who decided to dress up real quick before dinner.

"Hey...where's-?".

"Judas? Off taking some time for himself still...hopefully he'll rejoin us soon, he's being kept company by katrina right now actually, she called in a bit ago. As for mason, he's still with fae and janna, they'll be a little late to eat, and well...landon and celeste are apparently visiting luna right now...so i'm not sure how long they'll be there but sadly we don't have time to retrieve them all...we'll just have to check in on them at dinner".

"Wait...visiting luna? Why in the heck would either of those grumps even want to be in the same room as her right now?", but she didn't have the time to question it, as here came her mom, in a rather nice golden dress and fixing her crown as she ran past her own daughter and into the dining room, the heavily armed guards quick to get out of her way.

"Guess Grandma's here...".

And sure enough, as sky turned around, followed by a few more guards came a new flowing figure with silvery hair tied back in a braid, wearing a blue gown with a cape, and with diamond marks that matched her heavy makeup. Angel was stuck in place, unable to move, and sky followed, stiff as a board upon her arrival, now wishing she had changed her clothing.

"Hello Skyler".

And before sky could say more she noticed another figure approaching and if the situation didn't make it obvious enough, the spider legs did. King Amir ArachFord striding his way next to the former queen, standing in place, looking rather nice all things considered, guards nearby holding gifts for most likely his wife as he looked at the group who had been waiting for their arrival.

Angel looked like he might actually have fainted.

"Hello Angelus.".

"Hello...fath...dad".

This was going to one hell of an awkward evening.

-

"We outta do this with fae more often...", janna smirked, way too pleased with herself as the mole man trembled in his seat just looking at fae. Ever since the girl had come into the room everything had gone from bad to worse, the lights broke, his chair broke, a rock fell from the ceiling and hit him on the head, he fell over a dozen times, it was eerie to say the least.

Something about the little girl was off, and yet somehow, the other small demon in the room seemed so unfazed, sitting and cheering her on.

In fact everyone was unfazed but him.

The downside to working with her was well, she was a wild card, there was a high chance something bad to could happen to any of them, though the difference was he was alone, they were not. Fae didn't want to accidentally hurt mason but she wanted his companionship in this situation, she would've felt way more uncomfortable without a face she was used to helping her out.

She had never considered her cruse to be much more then an annoyance at least, burden at worst, being asked to put it to use had been an...interesting idea she never considered before. Though she did feel a little uneasy interrogating anyone, she wasn't exactly sure about this guy much and even with her abilities and protection...who knows what her powers might do.

Might make things worse.

But janna seemed confident, jackie writing in her notepad as janna lured around their prisoner.

"You really voluntarily decided to work for a criminal? I mean i get the appeal and everything but you made a bad choice in working with the one who nearly hurt my kid", nearby jackie sighed and shook her head, janna never changed did she? "I mean, sure she's super scary and everything, but you didn't even think to turn her into us? Woulda saved us a lot of work".

"Look, i had no idea she was a criminal, i told you, our kingdom barely knew about all of this...ok? She showed up, needed a place to stay, i had that old chamber and she stayed...that was it".

"You knew she was doing bad stuff though", Jackie added, "Otherwise you wouldn't have reacted the way you did in the bar when the queens and king confronted you, you keep denying you knew the full extent but you clearly knew something more you haven't told us about...there's no way you didn't know something, she had a child locked up down there for hours...and you ran from us when we tried to arrest you...".

"Well i-".

"If you are as innocent as you claim you're certainly not making yourself out to look that way to any extent, you're better off confessing the truth then risk us going any further to scare it out of you...there's no point in defending this person so much". She sent him a cold glare that challenged those of even moon's as the man shook a little as a result.

" You have no idea how scared i was...how much she made me fear for my life, that she would never leave me be and would destroy me if i said or did anything, i meant no harm to anyone, but i had to worry for my own safety lest it have happened to anyone else i had known in my home". Jackie kept writing in her pad, "Sir, we are not trying to pretend you weren't afraid...but you could leave, you should've told someone".

"And what? Risk being killed? Even now if i say anything more i risk them bursting in here and destroying me, you lot can't protect me, you couldn't even protect your own castle. I'm better off shutting my trap and keeping quiet about what's going on then risking my own life. Even if...you have dangerous children around to scare info out of me...at least dying to her might be...less painful then whatever that magical horror might do", she didn't seem as sure on that last part but he shut his mouth tight.

Janna didn't seem to enjoy that, she didn't felt they were getting rather close on the whole matter, they'd been in here for hours at this point and had only gotten just a little of what they were looking for, and they needed so much more. They could already feel themselves getting hungry and they couldn't stay much longer, but they didn't want to leave like this, without what she had been looking for since the moment she entered this room.

He had to know something more that he wasn't sharing, he couldn't be this out of the dark like angel was.

Janna stood in front of him now, face in his face, she was good at scaring people in her kingdom but he wasn't from her kingdom...so it was unlikely he knew who he was messing with. She couldn't exactly hurt him, jackie was in the room after all and so were two kids, but she had a thing for mindgames and of course...hypnotism. So maybe she needed to try something else to get it out of him.

"Janna?".

"Hmm?".

"I don't like that look on your face, i know what it means", and indeed jackie had remembered it since they were really young kids, it was the kinda face that told her to be very mindful of janna's next few actions, otherwise she might get into a mess herself. It was also the face she tended to make before marco got themselves in a whole heck of trouble from her.

"What does it mean?", the man asked, a slight tinge of nervousness in his voice.

This of course, immediately made janna very happy, she might of finally had something.

"Oh well, you won't have to worry about that, not unless you talk to us", she drummed her fingernails on the table between them, "I mean, you don't wanna ask questions you don't want the answers to after all". He didn't want to show he was worried, but janna could sense it on him, so distracted he didn't notice fae's bad luck triggering a glass of water nearby to shatter, scaring jackie and the kids.

"You're bluffing".

"I'm one of the queens of mewni, if i want to make a threat, don't assume it always means i'm just bluffing, you'd be surprised the kinda people i've been able to crack...much tougher then you".

He appeared as if he wanted to say something in response to that but chose to keep his mouth shut instead. Janna seemed pleased at that response, though maybe she would've liked for him to challenge her, would be a perfect way to start scaring him. Jackie tugged on janna's shoulder, pulling her back, "Trust me when i say, she doesn't really tend to bluff...but she is also right...you might be better off admitting what you have on you...".

"I...I stated my reasons...i can't".

"Sir, this is to help protect tons of people, if you tell us what you know many people can rest well at night, we understand you are fearful, so are we...but this is important and you need to be brave for them", he paused a moment, thinking on her words, but he still shook his head. "Sorry, no can do...if i have to live in this prison for the rest of my life, i'll take that over meeting a gruesome fate".

He just wasn't going to budge, and they were just going to have to change tactics.

Janna looked to Jackie, still grinning and clearly asking permission for her to go wild on the man before them, and jackie...as reluctant as she was...knew she just wasn't going to be winning this one.

"Look, i'm not ok with you doing stuff like that, but as long as not actual physical harm comes to him, then it's worth a shot i guess...but i am taking the kids outside, they really should eat something and i don't think they should be apart of this if we're about to make things get a whole lot worse, and i definitely don't want whatever you do affecting them...so...fine". Her reply seemed to make janna even more excited, and the man more confused, clearly expecting violence to have been what janna was talking about.

"We're leaving?", mason asked, stretching his wings.

"Yeah, we're not going to stick around for this mess, trust me, you don't want to...", she left her notepad out for janna, her look stern. "Write anything of importance, don't lose it, and don't go too far...i mean, i know you won't make any promises for sure but i still at the very least want to make sure i say that.". She moved fae away from the scene, and gathered her sword nearby.

"So did i do a good job with this or-?".

"Fae, you did well, but you're still a kid, you need a break...time to let janna take over for a bit ok?", she headed them out of the heavily guarded and locked door as janna rubbed her hands together, mason spotted the man sweating as the door shut behind them. "Is janna gonna do what the crazy mask person did to Loki? take over his mind and make him speak?", it was odd for him to come out with it like that but he wasn't stupid.

"Kinda...yeah, but not exactly, she's not using magic".

"It's a lot like magic though, magic for the mind".

"I guess if you really think about it, it is a little like magic for the mind, but just remember not to mess with the minds of others for bad purposes, janna is doing it to help us out, and no damage should come to the man...but never use it to harm anyone ok?", sheesh, jackie didn't have any kids and yet she was so...mom-like, patting the two on the shoulder as they nodded.

"Miss Jackie?".

"Hmm?"

"Are you upset about...miss luna?".

This seemed to make her stop in her tracks, blinking at mason curiously, "Well um...i can't say i'm not, i mean she was my top student and imagining her as being an enemy this entire time is well...not quite...what i wanted to happen. Putting your trust in someone only for them to be arrested rarely leaves you with any sort of good feeling, but why are you asking?".

"Cause everyone seems to be really upset about luna, including both my brothers...", his wings feel to the floor, "Judas was pretty close to her and landon...well actually landon kinda doesn't like her but having her here still makes him upset...and you were one of the people who hadn't said much about her since she got here...so...i wanted to know".

"I guess considering she was my student...i probably should've had more to say about all of this...truth be told, i just decided maybe i should stay out of it. It seems like whatever is happening, it's something that more involves the queen and you kids then me, so i just do my job and keep to that, i don't add my own thoughts unless i'm usually asked when it comes to this".

"Why not?".

"Because usually it's not my place, some things you gotta stay out of, i'll be here to help you all whenever you need me, but i won't intrude on your personal feelings and drama like that...not unless you want me too, you guys are going through enough to also include me within all of that. You don't have to worry about me with all of this, ok? Worry about you".

"But i want to, besides, i don't want you to feel upset and left out too~".

She affectionately pet his head, fixing up his hat, "Thanks mason, it's nice of you to care about me, it is genuinely sweet of you." She fixed herself up and took fae's hand, "Hopefully whatever is going on with luna gets sorted out, i'm sure i'll be updated on her as time goes on...since her parents seem to be...unavailable, I'll kinda have to be in charge of her throughout this".

"So...you're kinda gonna be treated like her mom?".

"Basically".

If only she knew.

"Anyways, we'll come back for janna, after you both eat and get whatever else you need, you're been in there long enough anyways".

"Oh yeah, it's dinner time isn't it?", he'd been in there so long he hadn't been keeping track of the time at all, no wonder he was getting so hungry, his family had to have been already eating by this point. "Yeah, though just be careful when we get there, we have guests tonight, we don't want to be impolite or anything...after we eat i'll personally drop fae back to her home...honestly i'm surprised your parents are so...lenient".

"if it makes money, they don't care if i have to do out for a bit", she shrugged and said nothing more.

"You know, you might be unlucky, but people should treat you a little better...being unlucky isn't your fault", she didn't respond again to what she said but jackie swore she at least saw her eye move to look at her a bit, "You're more then just your luck, you're a very charming girl from what i can tell, you're honest, you're helpful, and you clearly care about your family to be trying to help them".

"It's fine, i don't mind being alone and everything, more time to...think and everything", mason stuck his head out to look at her but she still didn't look at either of them, "Mason's my only real friend, everyone is always turned away. Bad Luck, either i lose to them to it or they decided they no longer want to deal with it, it's something i'm just used to".

"Well that doesn't seem fair, friends should stick by through all the trouble you go through, you clearly mean no harm to any of them".

"But i can't blame them either, even now i have to warn people when i first meet them to stay away from me, just in case they might get hurt, mason only hangs with me because he's...not scared of me, he doesn't care...but other people do...i mean, i told him to stay away the first time i met him because i didn't want to be in trouble if he got hurt hanging around me".

"You really feel like this all the time?", now the woman looked extremely concerned, more like a mom then she had expected to be over this small child. "That sounds really awful fae, i'm so sorry you have to go through that at your age...you shouldn't have to be scared about hurting your friends at your age, you should be making friends and spending time with them whenever you can".

"Easier said then done", she mumbled.

"Well, now that i'm here in mewni, i'll see if i can help you make some friends, i train all kinds of knights of many different ages here, they're unafraid of any danger and maybe they're a good fit for you! They probably won't mind your bad luck at all". She seemed rather doubtful of any of that but it was the nicest thing anyone had said to her in a good while that didn't come from mason.

"If you say so".

It probably wasn't the exact answer jackie wanted to hear, but not the worst kind either, at least fae seemed midely interested. "Hey, if anything, back there was a pretty good audition for you, you know how to be intimidating and you're already good with horses, i'd say it might be a match made for you, but don't pressure yourself, it's ok if you don't want to".

Fae nodded.

"You don't have to invite me to all your royal meals or whatever, i'm not exactly royalty...", but she quickly felt mason's wing pull her into a side hug, "Doesn't mean we can't invite you, you're friends of royalty, so that's just as cool and just as much of a reason for you to eat with us". She let out a smile, not a big smile, but a genuine smile that only made mason more happy.

"Just make sure to be on your best behavior, with moon there and king arachford, we're in for one heck of a night", she informed as they made their way to the door, being let in by guards to see everyone else already seated. Mason already noticing his missing brothers right away, but not saying anything in case that might of been out of line, though star was quick to notice her wife's absense.

"Is janna still working?".

"Yeah, she had a few other methods she wanted to try out, she should be here soon, i took the kids though", mason and fae heading to open seats for them, the woman looking between everyone. "I really hope i didn't walk in on anything, i know we're rather late but things took a lot longer then we were expecting and he was rather hard to break somehow".

"Even with fae AND Janna?".

"Well considering we just now got here, what else do you think happened? If it had been that easy we would've been done hours ago, but while fae did scare him, he apparently is way more scared of...Her, threats against his life it seems, and as far as i can tell he's never seen their face, so janna's going to try a new tactic and you'll have to meet up with her after dinner depending how it goes".

Star wasn't used to Janna not being able to scare the living daylights out of anyone before, she just hoped her mom nearby wasn't taking it as another sign of imcompintence on her or janna's part. Jackie took her seat after saying hello to the former queen and helped herself as more food was being set out, mason looking over to sky as if asking why his brothers weren't here.

She mouthed to him from across the table that it was a long story.

She really wanted to go find judas, he had to be hungry as well at this point, but she knew he needed his space right now either, it just was on her mind right now. She was worried in what state she might find him in the next time she saw him, sure he'd dealt with a lot before but this whole thing broke down most of his world, there was no coming back from that easily.

She just didn't want him to be alone through it either.

But she had to just wait it out, through dinner, and well...there was plenty to distract her if she wanted to be distracted. Her grandmother had wasted no time in getting into her reasons for being here, as anyone would expect of her. Star of course being incredibly nervous the entire time, worried just what her mother might point out and fuss over and make things worse.

Star loved her mom, she was helpful and not always such a pain.

But she could feel the disappointment in her voice. She had never had so much trouble with anything in a long time, she could usually handle threats like this and yet this one seemed to doop her at every level, it didn't look good on any queen but especially not her. Moon couldn't complain too badly, she herself had been involved with scary threats and hadn't always known what to do.

But that didn't mean she didn't need help.

It became very clear she needed to get involved, whether star liked it or not, maybe having her there might ponder different results. She was already talking about their plan and discussing what she did and didn't like, clearly the idea of using a royal celebration as a trap was not exactly her favorite idea in the world, even if it had a decent chance of actually working.

But that didn't surprise Star, at all.

Of course Star wasn't the only one at the table with parental issues that were on the rise, Angel and his father had been silent all dinner so far, most of the conversation being had by the two butterflies. They both had mostly just sat and ate, though Sky swore the king had been eyeing her a few times, probably wondering exactly how their friendship had been progressing considering sky was indeed sitting next to angel.

Nora however, was trying to be as cheery as possible, even though she also seemed worried for judas. She clearly sensed the tension in the room and was trying to be as cheery as sunny was, but even sunny was talking more to galexia and was staying out of the argument. Marco and Tom were keeping to themsleves as well, it seemed moon brought a new atmosphere then it was before now.

One that kept everyone quiet.

Sky wanted angel to just talk to his dad but that wasn't something she could just make him do, it was one of those things that had to naturally happen and right now was far from natural, as sad as it was. She did feel they wanted to talk though, but maybe more in private, where there weren't so many people around to listen in or make things more uncomfortable then they already were.

They just kept...looking at each other.

She could only imagine what was going through their heads, the king had barely left his kingdom in what must've felt like forever for him and now he was dropped in the middle of his wife being revived, his son dealing with his issues, and moon overall. This could've been a happier meeting if things were just a little less tense right now for him and everyone else.

"It's good to see you sir".

That's when the king turned to Sunny, who was waving to him, he waved back smally.

Remembering the small girl who had spent time with his wife in what felt like so long ago, he didn't seem to know what he wanted to say though, but he coughed into his hand to not be impolite. "Well, i appreciate being invited, having globgor take over the kingdom for a little...it's nice, i was really happy to come over and...not have to deal with too much at the moment".

Angel sunk more into his seat.

"Well we're happy to see you too ! It's nice having new people come over for dinner! You look good!",

Leave it to sunny to know how to talk to people and make them feel super welcome, even in the most awkward of circumstances. He looked over his old suit and nodded, "Thank you, it belonged to my father, i wanted to look my best...for Arana, i didn't want her to wake and see me look like such a mess, though...i'm sure i will when she wakes up...i ugly cry".

"She's going to be so happy to see you and angel!".

"Yes...", he glanced over to his son, who wasn't making eye contact with him still, "I'm sure she will. though she has so much to catch up on, being in this state for so long...and she might not even completely be herself after she wakes...her mind...damaged, there's going to be so much work to do...but we'll try and manage the best we can...hopefully".

"I semi met her...in her mind", sky mumbled, "I mean i wasn't intended to do that, mom just wasn't good at making a barrier around her to warn me before i got sucked in, she seems...well...she seems like she's still really lovely, i know i never was close with her throughout everything, but...i hope when she gets up to get to know her a bit better".

He was smiling, feeling more comfortable among everyone in the room, even if the queens weren't paying attention, even tom and marco looked pretty happy.

Angel was still quiet though.

He was having a hard time breaking his silence to just talk and speak up, even though he had to, he needed to. But sky put a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, if you want to talk to him after dinner...it's ok, like don't force it or anything...or you might say something you might regret. No one is judging if you don't want to get into it at the table with a bunch of weirdos...".

He nodded, appreciative.

"You cooked a wonderful meal for my arrival, i really do appreciate the effort, though you didn't have to make any of my favorite dishes", and that resulted in sunny glancing to angel himself, smiling, "Hey, if it wasn't for your son, we might of had a harder time preparing for you, he knows what you like and what would mean a lot to you, he really valued making this dinner".

Angel blushed deeply at the comment, he shouldn't be so embarrassed about that, it just felt weird still to be...complimented...and to his father too.

His father seemed really touched at the thought, and that only made angel more flustered, this whole thing was going better then he expected.

"I'm sad to see young prince lucitor isn't here, i would've liked to see him again after the last time at the trial, but i assume with everything going on he probably has other responsibilities at hand", tom and marco looked at each other and sky readjusted herself in her seat, "Well uh...something like that, you're not completely wrong, you might see him later though".

"I also have no idea if i've said this before, but i want to thank you too princess", sky froze in her seat, the man folding his arms on the table. "You put yourself on the line for my son and you did help him get free of all of this...that was not something you had to do for him or my family, especially considering everything you had been put through, i really can't thank you enough".

"I mean, i mostly just winged it, i barely knew what i was doing but...thank you, you're super welcome", He then turned to angel, and nodded, "I must admit...i missed having you home, it's been a lot lonelier then before, you look...good. It's really nice to see you with good friends and having a good time, i wouldn't want you to be dealing with...our kingdom".

"How bad is it?", nora meekly asked.

"Let's just say going out right now is not a great option, not to say our people had no reason to be mad, but i feel they have gone too far. I think they really feared four our livelihoods after that trail, not just with the butterfly family, but if the person angel had betrayed would come back and kill us all as some form of retribution. I think you can say for sure angel isn't...popular there".

Angel was about to sink even further in his seat as his father talked more.

"However, they seem to have a soft spot for what sky, nora, and judas did...they've never seen our kingdom be so...defended before like that, the spiderbites especially. So perhaps something about your friendships do regress some of the anger." Nora blushed red as she instinctively grabbed her hair, "It's no problem at all, i just wanted to help...her and...".

He smiled gently at her, "Not once in our kingdom have we gotten so close with the others like that, i think while the people are mad they can't deny they really are impressed angel somehow managed to get the spiderbites to be on decent terms with us". Angel felt an ease of tension and anxiety, sitting a bit more up back in his seat, did he actually do something...right? And people liked it?

Sensing angel feeling a little better at the words sky interjected.

"Yeah, angel's been doing pretty great recently, i mean, don't get me wrong, he's pushed my buttons quite a few times and everything, but he's been pretty helpful and making a lot of progress. Like i really appreciated his help when i went through the castle to save one of my friends, he had my back the entire time...even though he didn't have to".

Angel was definitely less anxious, but now he and nora both were blushing at being praised so much.

"Angel was really involved during the underworld castle incident?", guess the man wasn't aware of his son being involved in it at all, and sky patted the spider next to her on the back. "Oh yeah he was, i mean at first i came in to save him, but then he stuck with me the entire time even though he was scared, it was honestly pretty cool of him to do".

Angel's father actually seemed to be rather impressed, not expecting these kinds of actions from his son before this point, angel had done very irrational things before this point but nothing noble and brave like this. Though the man did seem still upset about what happened before he did seem impressed about what he was seeing now, and angel felt he could breathe again.

"I-".

"It's ok angelus, we'll talk more about everything later...we have a lot of catching up to do".

Angel nodded in agreement, and the table felt slightly more at ease, not that the argument up front had stopped anytime soon. The women hadn't been paying any attention to the nice moment at all, star was still debating her mom on all her ideas and moon was very much still telling star off for not getting her involved sooner to clean up this mess.

This was the kinda thing that made sky hate family reunions, did all famlies have to fight like a bunch of idiots when eating dinner together?, Cause even judas's family did that at times and he got annoyed about it.

The sooner they got out of here the better.

Even the Lucitors were getting tired of it, Marco quickly standing up, actually starling the butterflies from their talk. They looked over to their husband and sighed, "I'm going to look for landon and celeste, maybe judas...if they don't want dinner we can bring it to them later. But we'll be having dessert soon and they still haven't shown up, so i'm going to check on them".

In the back of sky's mind though, she was sure it was half actually that, and half not wanting to be here and hear the adults argue.

But Tom stood up to, "Actually i'd like to join you, we might be able to save time by spreading out, they're my kids too.". Tom taking their partner's hand and kissing their cheek as they headed out with a wave to the kids in the room. They were smart on finding a way out of this situation, that was for sure, even angel and his father were looking for an excuse out but that wouldn't do.

They needed some permission, especially since this wasn't their castle and they were here as star's guests basically.

"-I'm just saying star, you should've taken these precautions after what happened with toffee, i know you're struggling hard here but this is all too much and it's gone on for too long and has gone too far. It's time you let someone else take the reigns, i have more military experience, so i should be able to help with some of my ideas, then we might be able to work further on this".

"Mom, we have a plan!".

"Star, plans aren't 100% You know that. There's so much you might have not even considered, and even if it did work, things can go wrong, what if they escape?", of course moon probably didn't know it but her words were beating sky down just a little. It had been her plan for the most part and she knew it wasn't even a great plan but gee, thanks grandma.

But she had a point, this was a serious situation, they couldn't afford to have a plan with possible holes or cracks in it either. Ddi they want to capture the criminal or lose another time? Sky felt herself mindlessly start playing with her food, her mind wandering during their argument. Angel mumbling under his breath, "i mean, i thought it was a pretty smart idea".

If judas couldn't be here, she was glad angel and nora were.

"Well then we'll make it work! It's a good idea mom, we need to lure them, that's the only way we're going to get anywhere!", star was determined on this one, she had to fight her mom on it, otherwise they might not get another chance. Not to say her mom's plans couldn't work, but the sooner they did this the better and who knew if they'd get as good an opportunity later.

"Star, i understand, but it's dangerous, imagine how many people will be there, in the line of fire too! Safety is important here, and if things go poorly we have a high chance someone won't make it", even though his name hadn't been mentioned at all, angel knew she was talking specifically about him. His heard his father grunt across from him, before finally getting the ladies's attention.

"I do have to agree about safety, this is a young prince's coronation after all, you are inviting an enemy onto troubled grounds. Luring them is a smart move but perhaps moon needs to modify the plan however she can", the thing was, they all agreed the plan would need to be worked on anyway, they knew it, but obviously star didn't want moon to be the person in charge of it either.

"Look, i know you don't want me here but i promise star, this won't be as bad as you think, the more minds the better to work on this. Soon enough we'll be able to breathe again and i can go back to resting, we're just going to have to work together and no amount of yelling at me is going to be making me go back into retirement", the queen sat back in her chair and star let out a huff of defeat.

"Fine".

"Since meteora is back i'll be talking to her later, i want to catch up on anything i've missed recently, because judging by all the faces at this table, i have missed quite a few details it seems", she glanced at sunny and galeixa, then to fae. Guess when it came down to it, they probably would be minor details to any average mewman hearing about all the crazy stuff going on with the criminal.

She smiled at the spider king, fixing her dress, "Sorry, i know we were talking awhile over there, nearly forgot we had a guest over your highness, as soon as we finish eating we'll take you to visit your darling arana, she should still be resting right star?". Star still looked rather mad as she leaned against her seat, but she complied to her mom's question, "Well yeah...but like...no promises what'll happen when she wakes...the spiderbites are sure she'll have memory issues no matter what".

"She will", nora mumbled, "Memories can be healed but...having us heal all of them...was unlikely with how quickly we figured out what was happening...but...maybe over time, things might work...at the very least...she's not near death now...", it was a plus, they could give her that. She wouldn't be the same as she was but she wouldn't be too gone either.

"You...think...she'll remember me?", the king muttered softly, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I'm sure she will, her family seems to mean everything for her", she didn't honestly know at the end of the day, but she had to hope at least, she had been in her mind,

The door opened, and three figures entered, tom and marco back surprisingly quickly, but with a guest at hand. Judas was standing behind them, he didn't look great but he didn't look awful either. He must've been hungry though, as he didn't even look at anyone as he sat down to eat in silence. Even the spider king didn't get a look, the man shocked at the teen's demeanor.

He had never seen prince judas so...rough before.

Judas was usually a happy individual, making jokes and helping everyone around him. Now he looked to be too inside his mind to really focus on anyone in particular, he just wanted to get something in his stomach and head out to be back in isolation as soon as possible. Angel and Nora also looked deeply troubled, both wanting to reach out to the boy who was ignoring them.

Tom and Marco whispered to sky as they passed by, "We found him in a hallway nearby, he just wants to eat, give him his space...landon and celeste are still with luna". That didn't make sky feel any better though, judas seemed to have silenced everyone, even queen moon seemed a little stunned. She wasn't around that much but she knew enough to know this didn't sit right with her.

This was the prince who was supposed to be king soon, and not only that, but whose coronation was the center of their plan.

And here he was, looking like a depressed mess.

How were they supposed to casually have a conversation with judas like this?

Well to put it lightly, they didn't, the room was silent until judas finished eating and excused himself to go and sleep. His parents didn't even protest it at all, letting him leave the room before standing up a few moments later to drag landon and celeste over here. Both of them clearly having waited till they knew judas was a little whiles away before heading out as to not bother him.

It felt like without judas some soul had been ripped from everyone.

Even Sunny.

It said a lot when even she said nothing to him.

Judas came over to get some food and left without so much as a word, not to his friends, his family, anyone, it was the worst anyone had even seen him in a good while and it left everyone with a sense of dread and sadness.

It took a minute for anyone to even talk at dessert, and the one to actually break wasn't the person anyone had been expecting to speak first at all. A small cough coming from next to mason, Fae shoving chocolate cake into her mouth as she spoke. "Y'know, mason is super happy and everything and everyone talks about how cute he is, but honestly judging by how you all are, it seems judas is the one that usually makes everyone super happy when he enters the room...no offense mase".

"It's ok, i'm not mad".

No one argued against that, judas was pretty much a friend to anyone.

He really knew how to make everyone feel better about themselves, and be someone's shoulder to lean on, and stand up for everyone if he could. In some ways he was the life of the group, he kept everyone going even when they were breaking down. Sky bit at her lip, "I know we got stuff to do but...next chance we get...after he has some time...we should all be there for him...do something nice".

"I agree", they all looked to King Amir, who eyes his son, "He's a good kid, and he's done a lot for us as well, i would be happy to contribute if you wish to have my help. I would love to pay you all back as much as i can after everything you've done". Even though neither of them were in the room, tom and marco would be extremely grateful for the kindness once they heard about this.

Everyone cleaned up quick, most of them heading out to their room to sleep protected, though the spider monsters parted off to speak, moon and star were off to deal with their issues with janna included, and sky almost was out herself when marco quickly came running back. They seemed relieved to see her, panting, they looked a little panicked and that immediately didn't sit well with sky.

"Landon and celeste...they're not with luna?".

"They aren't?".

"And luna isn't in her room either!".

-

"Dad...there's a lot i want to say".

"I know, it's been on my mind since the trial, a lot has been on my mind, it's...really had me thinking", they closed the door behind them, angel taking a seat in the vacant room as guards blocked the door for them. "Don't assume i'm not mad, i am...even if i understand why, but i also could tell you were terrified...and...i can't be mad at you for something like that either", he paused for a moment, his ears twitching.

"I...haven't...been a great dad...have i?".

Angel didn't answer, but that was all he needed.

"Angelus, you disobeyed me horribly and put everyone at risk...but it's not just your fault...it's mine, i'm your father...i should've been keeping a better eye on you, should've been helping you deal with these issues and feelings and stopped comparing you to judas and sky and...it's clear i did hurt you. If i had done something sooner maybe i could've prevented something bad from happening, prevented you or anyone from getting hurt...i never really thought as hard as i should about the things you were going through...i expected you to just...be this or that, and all that seemed to do was turn you against me".

"But i didn't listen to you...you know that, i constantly skipped lessons and went out when you didn't want me too and even got myself hurt multiple times as a result...i would've protested anyway", he still felt guilty, if he had listened none of this would've happened in the first place. But his father went on, "Maybe, but that didn't mean i shouldn't have tried harder...i've been so overcome with grief...i've neglected you a bit...no...a lot. Ever since you stayed here i've had so much time to think to myself and...i screwed up, i know i did.".

Angel wanted to protest but he actually couldn't deny any of the words his father had been saying, his throat tightening. "Arana never would've wanted me to neglect you that way, not even for her...this entire situation was just as hard for you and...i didn't handle it in the ways i should have. No way that a dad should have, and i feel i should apologize to you directly, for any hurt i may of caused, we should've been dealing with this situation together...not apart...and i'm sorry".

Angel felt tears starting to wallop, as much ashe tried to hold them back, he then laughed a little in pain.

"I...Is it bad if i say i didn't expect you to come here and tell me you're sorry?", his voice felt cracky and he quickly cleared his throat, "I expected you to be upset with me...not want me to come back home, i was preparing to hear bad news even if sky was sure things might be different". His father didn't seem surprised by his words, he had probably been just as prepared for angel to lash out at him for leaving him.

And he wouldn't have been mad at him at all.

"I...reconsidered a lot, while we were separated...i'm not shocked at all you feel that way...you probably felt...i didn't care about you...thought of you as just an heir...and not my son, and...that was wrong of me to do...".

"And the people?".

"I want you back home angel, whether they do or not, you're still my only son, and you should still be allowed to come home and make a name for yourself, have a fresh start".

He stretched out his legs, all of them, his mind still processing his father's words. "How can i be sure things will be different? I don't want to go back there and have everything be the same, go back to being hated or alone...i'm worried things won't change for sure...i know i have changed, but that doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way".

"I know. i won't force it if you want to stay, i know you like it here".

Those words made angel feel more comforted, his father really was hearing him out, it was baffling. "Yeah, well, here is where my friends are and everything, i mean the citizens don't like me either but...at least i have friends". He tapped his fingers, his eyes closing, "But that doesn't mean i don't want to go back, if i could...i want both...i do want to be home...but i think this is also my home...".

"I understand, and i won't keep you from it...but if you want to go home, i think we can manage something...eventually", he paused, taking a seat next to his son and wrapping his cape around them both. "I think for now you will have to stay here, if even just to keep an eye on your mother, and until things are fully good back home...but I'll make sure to send you anything you want from home to make you more comfortable here...".

"I hope when i go back home, things will be a lot easier...i want to make things easier...to help, the kingdom, it deserves so much that i haven't given it", the king nodding, "I think you'll do great things...someday, we both have some learning to do...as kings and leaders. We...made a lot of mistakes...and it's going to take time to heal from them, but...i think we can".

"I...was willing to accept you didn't believe in me but...i like hearing it anyway", and angel shifted as his father hugged him, patting his bad and it seemed the man was even crying into his son's shoulder. "I...missed you...so much, more then i ever thought i could...it was alone without either of you...i want both of you back. I want something with you...i just...".

Angel's arms wrapping around him, enjoying the hug back.

"Thanks dad".

BOOM

The noise made angel's stomach drop.

Their nice moment interrupted by more noise coming from outside, angel getting up to check out the windows right away. The room they were in had a nice view of the courtyard of the castle and there he finally got view of what made the noise that drove him to panic. It seems somehow luna had gotten herself out of her room, and she was just...standing there...she wasn't trying to escape or fight or anything, but celeste was screaming at her, storm clouds starting to appear close by.

The booming of their thunder so loud it was impossible to miss.

Angel seemed really puzzled, what had been going on that he wasn't aware of this time?

But on closer inspection he could see sky down there, with judas's parents, trying to resolve the scene at hand before things go so much worse. Amir stood up to see what his son was looking at and then angel remembered his father didn't know about the uh...multiverse situation and seeing celeste accidentally perform magic was bound to be a bad idea, the boy quickly pushing his father away much top his confusion, "Incident in the courtyard...we outta get going".

Amir seemed skeptical that his son wasn't hiding something from him but followed angel regardless, just in case it was too dangerous for him to look.

And by the time they headed lower they found tom taking luna away back to her room and celeste and landon in marco's grasp, a tired sky nearby and nodding to angel, a sign they needed to talk later so she could explain further. "Sorry sir, seems we had a situation, er...the prisoner broke out and these two were um...handling it, you might of heard my son landon using magic a bit...i promise no one is hurt".

"Your fire powers can be that loud?", the king turned to the demon, who didn't respond, his face embarrassed and mad, but at least the king seemed to be buying the excuse.

"You'd be surprised", marco said with a cheeky smile, "We're one scary dimension for a reason after all".

"Well in that case, i'm glad you handled it, i got worried for a moment, the noise startled me and i thought something bad had happened".

"No no sir, it's alright, promise, landon will just be more careful next time".

It was a smart cover up, even if the idea of fire sounding a lot like thunder was a bit odd. The king just shrugged, and noticed the young prince and princess looking at each other, coughing to excuse himself. "Well angelus, i'm going to see your mother...you can come and join me later...alright?". Angel smiled back, "Thanks, i'll see you later", before his father left with guards right behind him.

Marco nodding their head to head to the nearby closet, the kids still in his clutches.

"What happeend?".

Sky snorted, "Celeste tried to challenge luna to a duel, that's what, not that it worked, luna didn't even fight, she just...stood there". Celeste grumbling under her breath, "I wanted her to face me for betraying us how she did...that's it...she said yes, we were only supposed to be out for a few minutes, but then she didn't...do anything, she stood there...she made me feel like a fool".

"She stood there?".

Landon shrugged, "I guess she changed her mind about the duel...", though it seemed there was more to it and under his mom's watchful eye he confessed. "I'm sorry i was hoping they'd reconcile or something, i wasn't trying to get anyone to start a fight or anything, i couldn't even convince her not to, she and luna pushed me back from it all...ok?".

At first marco wasn't sure whether to believe that but celeste added on.

"He's right...he...wanted me to go and get along and i just...look...i'm just angry ok? I just want her to apologize or something or just feel bad...i hate her stupid smug looking face and how she is to everyone...i'm so sick of it". She looked like she might break into tears, "I didn't mean to worry anyone or anything i just...i'm so tired of being walked over...".

"Celeste...hey...it's ok", Marco sighed, "Look, i know i'm not really your parent here but...maybe you need to talk to some adults about...your anger...like tom...if it's really taking over your life like this you need to seek some help". She sniffled and they pet her hair, "You should not have done any of that, ok? But it's ok, we'll deal with it from there...and get this sorted out".

"Did luna say much about what went on down there?".

Marco shook their head, "We'll talk about it later, i'll take landon and celeste with me...you both are expected to go see arana so you should head there, guarded of course, perhaps you can sort some stuff out on the way in terms of our next steps...but for now i'll see you both later...and take good care of each other. Oh, and make it back to sleep soon, ok?".

They both nodded, heading on their way to see arana, watching celeste and landon be wandered off like naughty children.

"Those two...every time"., sky shook her head, "Celeste needs help, i just hope she can get some...this all hasn't been much better on her". Angel's ears twitching, "We're losing people...aren't we? Judas, luna, celeste...we're falling apart a little...and right before we're supposed to react a plan too, what happens if we can't get everything ready or fall apart before this?".

"I don't know.".

That was the honest truth, she didn't know, it was all out of her control, but if things didn't get better there was no way they'd get this plan to even work. They'd be doomed before the plan even started. How much longer before she and angel cracked? Nora? Even sunny or lexi? She felt a bit of unease, she was now the leader or this group and said group was now falling apart.

"I'm going to keep up together...we have some healing to do...but i think we can do it...but...first...we should go see your mother, we can deal with it later...when it's a good time to do so", angel nodded to her, "Judas...helped me, a lot, and i want to return the favor to him. I...I don't know how exactly i can do that for what's going on but...i'm willing to try".

"You don't have to y'know?".

"He's my friend, and so are you".

She appreciated that, "It's not going to be simple sadly, the arm thing has been apart of his life for years, he's not going to be over it so quickly. It's kinda a lot to process...i mean, he had so many nightmares as a kid because of it, it ruined his life...he might feel like...it's all his fault for what happened and not...y'know, that it isn't his fault that no one knew".

"Yeah...i'm sure it will be".

They were contemplating what they could do and what might help as they made to what was now arana's own private room near the wing, upon special request by her husband to keep any onlookers from bothering her. Honestly, sky was happy not to have to keep going into that wing, some privacy was nice, the door opened for them and the guards standing outside.

"You're here!", the king was delighted to see them, still holding his wife's hand, "I wasn't sure how long it might take for you to join me, but i'm happy you're here, come, sit with me...she's moving...". He nodded to seats nearby, the teens making themselves comfortable. "When i see the Spiderbites i'm going to owe them so much for this, i never thought i'd even see her so...lively again".

"Well they're stuck here with us. so you'll get a chance i'm sure".

He was still occupied with his wife though, "I...have so much i want to tell her, but...i can't, not right away anyways...she's going to need time when she wakes up, her mind was so...damaged...but i promise once i can i'll make sure she knows everything she can and i'll make sure we celebrate her recovery. I could not have asked for a more...wonderful gift".

"In all fairness...it was partially dumb luck".

"You call it dumb luck, i call it fate", he pet the queen's hair gently, "You will always be welcome in my kingdom, princess".

"Well right now i can't even go within a few feet of your kingdom but thanks a lot, maybe we'll get to hang out...after everything rests." Her attention drawn to angel, "Besides, he still owes me a hangout to make up for the mess he put me through, so we'll try and get that done first before we make too many promises right now". she bumped angel next to her, who coughed.

"Oh yeah, right...thanks for reminding me again, all of this distracted me a bit".

"Whatever, as long as it's nothing crazy...the party is gonna be crazy as is...", she grumbled, her voice filled with dread.

"Perhaps you can accompany my son for jude's coronation...", the king piped up, looking between the two, "i assume you were planning to do that anyway, but I think he could use the company...he hasn't been allowed to really go to a party like this in years, and it might help to have someone around to well...watch over him and get him back into the swing of things".

Sky never considered this was angel's first party in a long time, maybe that's another reason he was nervous.

"Yeah sure...of course...as long as he doesn't go wild", she was joking of course but who could say for sure angel wasn't secretly a party animal now for all she knew. Angel laughed and in the moment things seemed easygoing and rather nice for all the stress of earlier, it had been such a long time since the entire arachford family had even been in the same room together.

Much less happy together.

Angel felt finally as if the butterflies had left his stomach fully, his stress about his dad gone.

But then a noise caught the attention of the group, interrupting the moment for them. Their first instinct was to turn to look at the queen, and sure enough, the noises were coming from her directly, she was stirring and it no one has seen her making noises like this in a while, especially with how silent these days she had been. It was a small breathe, then a whimper, then it almost sounded as if she was trying to speak some words, not that they could tell what the words actually were.

Then movement, the queen was stirring even more, startling everyone in the room further, the grip on the king's hand tightening. His mood was shifted, as if worried something was wrong for a moment, only for her legs to start moving as well. Her eyes started shifting around the room, her ears wiggling before she turned her head to face the group.

This was the most movement she had done in awhile and it had caught them entirely off guard.

"A-arana?".

She jolted again, her face shifting a bit more as she looked over the faces of her guests with a softness they hadn't seen in a long time.

"Angel?".

[christinaroseandrews]

The Duke of Greystoke is known far and wide for hosting the best Yuletide house party/grand soiree It’s not just an honor to be invited, but the Revelry (as it is known) has been the cause of not just delicious scandal but also some of the most prestigious wedding matches in the realm. Why, it’s known that the Duke has procured several special licenses for just such an opportunity. 

So join us for this season of love and merriment with the magic of Christmastide.

 As always, I will be reviewing each story individually and since this is a linked anthology I will discuss it as a whole at the end.

Let’s get to the Revelry!

A Mistletoe Kiss Eloisa James

As the youngest of her father’s children, Lady Cressida has long devoted her life to her father, the Duke of Greystoke, and putting on his famous Yuletide Revelry. In fact, it would be more honest to call it Lady Cressida’s Revelry, but with her father dying, Cressida is looking forward to either marrying or retiring to the Scottish Estate in her dowry. But when her father uses the estate to coerce his heir, Viscount Valentine Derham (Val), her dreams are shattered. Worse, he expects her to continue planning the Revelry for her cousin long after he’s gone. What is Cressida to do?

I didn’t love this first entry into the anthology. I found it weak and the romance was far and away the weakest of the lot. Instalove is expected in shorter stories like this, but it felt like this story had the worst case of it. First off, the hero is Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston... the BFF of Val and also a neighbor of the Duke’s. The Duke in this story is a huge bully and very much the antagonist but he’s almost too over the top. But honestly, my biggest complaint is that I just didn’t buy the relationship between the two leads.

Three Stars.

Wishing Under the Mistletoe Christi Caldwell

Granddaughter to the Duke of Greystoke, Isabelle had long ago given up her dream of marriage to a man of common means when he threw himself into his work to the detriment of everything else in his life -- including her.. Now a talented playwright, Isabelle is called upon to stage the pantomimes and plays at what promises to be her grandfather’s final Revelry. She never expects to be paired up with Cyrus, her former fiance and the man who broke her heart. Nor does she expect to discover that she still has feelings for him ten years on.

I liked this story of a second chance class-difference romance initially but then it swerved into two of my least favorite tropes that still make me gnash my teeth. It is made very clear in the beginning who is at fault for the relationship failing -- Cyrus -- and that Isabelle did everything to communicate with him and even talk with him to no avail. It wasn’t Isabelle’s fault. At all. Which is why I absolutely hated that she said that she was at fault for not communicating with Cyrus. It totally belied what we saw in the prologue. There’s also a public proposal which is something I hate with a passion. The story also requires a heapton of suspension of disbelief to expect that the eldest daughter of an Earl and granddaughter of a Duke would be allowed to marry the son of a stablemaster without so much as blink of an eye. Too much, in fact. In addition, Cyrus is the man of business for Val and the Viscount and future duke seems totally okay with his employee marrying his cousin. I really didn’t love this entry. But I liked it up until the very end.

Two stars.

Compromise Under the Mistletoe Janna MacGregor

Niece of the Duke of Greystoke, Caroline Whitmore has been abandoned all her life. First by her mother, then by her father, and finally by her husband. Unable to be ignored by her husband everywhere but in the bedroom, she flees to London and sets herself up as a patroness of the arts. But now, in order to get the remainder of her inheritance, she has to convince her dying uncle by the end of the Revelry that she and her husband, Stephen, have reconciled. The spark of attraction is still there. But is it enough to rekindle the flame of their relationship.

If this sounds familiar, to the second story with a second chance romance caused by the woman leaving a man who abandoned her for his work, then you are not alone. The Duke of Greystoke is once again a bully for this story (in the previous story he was much more sanguine and kind). However unlike the first and second stories in this anthology, I liked this one. The conflict worked and the relationship felt real and the fake/dating becomes real worked. I liked the fact that attraction had never been their problem... communicating and actually having a relationship that was built on more than sex was. The conflicts worked. The story worked.

Five Stars

Mischief & Mistletoe Erica Ridley

On the verge of being put on the shelf, Louisa Harcourt must make an advantageous match by the end of the Revelry. But thanks to the scandal sheets calling her insipid and bland, this is a challenge. Especially since all Louisa wants to do is be a poet. She feels as though she’s found a kindred spirit in fellow poet, Mr. Ewan Reid, a friend of one of the men she’s supposed to be encouraging, Viscount Valentine Derham. Ewan seems to be the man of her dreams, but he’s harboring a terrible a secret. A secret which could shatter her to her very core.

This story has the most tenuous connection to the rest and I felt it would have been better had it been actually a romance between Val and Louisa... not Louisa and Ewan. First off, I really didn’t like the hero... it’s revealed very early on that he’s not actually a poet, but a scandalmonger and the very author of the scandal sheet which torpedoed her chances of a happy marriage. He’s a bully. Worse, he never comes clean to her until she accidentally reads his notebook after they’ve consummated their relationship. To his credit, he hadn’t promised her marriage. But still, he deceived her and was super dishonest with her. Worse still, I hated the ending of this. It felt way too rushed. And one of the main conflicts... their class-difference... was just waved away with flick of a hand. Additionally, we again get a public grovel and proposal... which is one of my most hated things ever.

Two stars.

Over all, I feel like this linked anthology collection was uneven. First off, the Duke... who appeared in each story varied wildly from story to story. He was a bully and horrid in James and MacGregor’s entries. Kindly but stern in Caldwell’s. And downright nice in Ridley’s (giving his blessing for the heroine to marry his heir). It felt like inconsistent characterization. Additionally, all three of the heroes are good friends of Val, the Duke’s heir. Yet none of them are mentioned in any of the other stories.  Even events, locations, and characters appeared and disappeared as needed. It didn’t feel cohesive. Like there needed to be better communication between the authors or an overarching editor whose job was to make sure continuity existed. It is possible.

Additionally, I felt like the stories needed to be shifted around so that the two second chance romances weren’t right by each other. Additionally, only one story should have had a distant epilogue... since the two that did contradicted each other.

Honestly, I didn’t love this anthology.  Two entries featured tropes I hate... which is a personal thing. But it also needed a better continuity editor, which is a less personal thing.

Averaging everything together this anthology gets... 2.5 stars. Which in the spirit of the season I’ll round up to:

Three Stars

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I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley