Chapter Text
It was a typical day in the land of Earthni. Dragoncycles were flying, Ludo and Dennis were playing basketball, and the yurt people were arguing about something pointless.
Of course, this sense of peace never truly lasted long. In an empty clearing in the middle of the Forest of Certain Death, there was a sudden flash of light visible only to whatever dwelt there. When the flash faded, all that remained was a man kneeling on one knee. He was dressed in a black robe with a hood and mask covering his face. He knew he was in a forest, but had no idea how he got there. However, he didn't have time to ponder his situation as a dozen monstrous flower plants rose from the ground, intent on killing whatever had disturbed their slumber. If the man was concerned, he didn't show it. He raised his hand high above his head, unleashing forked electricity from his fingertips that instantly turned the plants to ash. Confident and composed, he strode into the dark forest.
~ Butterfly Castle ~
A meeting was held in the rebuilt butterfly castle to discuss current affairs. Present were the mayor of Echo Creek, the current Queen and King of Earthni, Eclipsa and Globgor, the princes and princesses of the Underworld, Spiderbite, Pony Head, Butterfly, Johanessons, Pidgeons, and Jaggy Mountain kingdoms: Thomas Lucitor, Penelope Spiderbite, Lilicia Pony Head, Star Butterfly, Rock Johanesson, Richard Pidgeon, and Jaggs Jaggy, as well as the captain of the royal guards, Marco Diaz.
Just as the meeting was ending, Lady Higgs barged into the room.
"Higgs, this is a private meeting!" Marco scolded.
"Sorry, sir, but I have urgent news," Higgs replied.
"Speak your mind, sweetheart," Eclipsa chirped.
"Your Majesty, there is an unidentified force causing all creatures within The Forest of Certain Death to flee. The knights are stretched thin in their efforts to protect the populace, and we need someone to investigate and stop whatever is causing this disturbance,” Higgs answered respectfully.
"Oh dear, Sir Marco, Prince Thomas, go to The Forest of Certain Death and herd the wildlife back, then find out what is causing this," Eclipsa ordered the two, as they nodded and prepared to depart.
"You're going to the forest of certain death? Sweet, count me in," a voice called out from the corner.
Star instantly recognised the voice, saying, "Janna banana, this is a closed meeting. You're not supposed to be here!"
"And?" Janna retorts.
Star sighed, "Oh, whatever, I'm going too. Wherever my handsome boyfriend goes, I go." Star said, making Marco blush slightly.
~ outside the Forest of Certain Death ~
The four made short work of whatever emerged from the forest, Marco wielding a blade and Star using her black belt in martial arts. Tom flew around dealing with any plant-based wildlife, and Janna rode on his shoulders.
"Ah, it feels good to be fighting again," Star said as the last of their opponents ran back into the forest.
Feels like old times, eh, babe?" Marco said, sheathing his sword.
"Better than old times since now I get to do this!" Star exclaimed, giving Marco a peck on the lips.
"You two need to get a room," Tom said as he landed with Janna hopping off his shoulders.
"Like I don't try to do worse to you, handsome," Janna said with a smirk.
"I seem to recall avoiding that as much as possible," Tom said, stroking his chin.
"You'll fall for my traps one of these days, Lucitor!" Janna swore, as Tom looked over at Star mouthing, 'help me.’
Star chuckled, saying, "You should see what Marco and I get up to inside our room..."
"Star!" Marco shouted as his face went redder than his hoodie.
"What, you don't want people to know how we hav-
There was a quiet rustle from the edge of the forest, so silent that only a superhuman would have picked up on it.
”Quiet." Marco interrupted, suddenly serious as his gaze was fixed on the forest. "I think we're being watched..." he whispered.
The group paused for a few minutes, listening to see if they could hear anything, only for Janna to get impatient.
“Marco, you’re just stopping Star from spilling dets, we've done our job here, let's go! I'm starving, let's grab some corn shakes. I mean, whatever was causing this, clearly isn't anymore," Janna pointed out, turning to leave with Tom and Star, as Marco glanced back at the forest now and then, feeling like something was looming over him.
"Star, I'll go report to Eclipsa. You head on home for Relationship Thursday. I'll catch up." Marco told his girlfriend, giving her a long kiss as she went to prepare the movie.
~
By the time Marco started to walk home, the sun had set. Marco didn't want to leave Star hanging for their date, but they had both agreed that responsibilities came first, especially since they had a date once a week, every week.
Despite wearing his iconic hoodie, Marco began to shiver. There was an unnatural chill running through him, as if a prescence of untold power was lurking over him. He quickly realised it was the same feeling he got outside the forest.
"Greetings, Marco Ubaldo Diaz," a deep, resonant voice called out, echoing through the dimly lit alley as Marco spun around swiftly. His eyes darted to the figure draped in a flowing black cloak.
"Who are you!" Marco called out, trying to sound intimidating, but his trembling made it difficult.
"Who I am is not the question; the question is, what is the code to the royal gate?" the mysterious stranger asked.
"As if I'd tell you that," Marco said, surprised at how confident the man sounded.
"You already have. Thank you for your time, Mr Diaz," the man said as he vanished into thin air.
Marco didn't know what to make of the bizarre encounter as he continued home to his beautiful girlfriend. His mind shrugged it off as stress playing tricks on him, stress that instantly evaporated as he saw Star. She was lying on their bed in one of his spare hoodies with a bowl of half-empty nachos and a Mackie Hand movie set up. He quickly changed into his jam jams, with Star briefly drooling over his exposed six-pack. She snuggled close to him, laying her head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat, as they both went off to sleep.