Multiverse Heroes: Magical Destinies(AmphibiaxSVTFOExTOH)

Things were going well in Mewni for the moment, especially for all of the new knights.

Sasha was busy showing off to some other knights, especially proud that she was an official member of two armies while also trying to chug a bottle of champaign. Of course Anne was there to make sure she didn't actually go through with the drinking.

Luz was still thinking over what this meant for her, being a Knight did sound cool, even if it wasn't her goal. Though she had to wonder why Star decided to do what she did.

Amity talked things over with Tom, she too trying to understand the situation all the while Maddie showed off to Sprig and Ivy while Willow and Gus watched over.

Marco and Marcy had reunited with the others, the two happy to be back together, and just as eager to share this information.

"To us! Mewni's new knights!" Sasha cheered. "And to me, the future Lieutenant of the Mewni Army! I'll lead us to victories just like I did for the Toads!"

"What victories? Pretty sure you lost a number of times," Sprig said. "You failed to take over Wartwood, then you failed to control Newtopia."

"I had other victories, Sprig!" Sasha insisted. "For starters, I took down Belos, pretty much by myself."

"Willow and I were there too, though," Gus said.

"Yeah, I was also there, remember?" Tom asked. "I fought that Darrius guy."

"Which is impressive," Eda commented.

"That all may be true, but I fought Belos, with a little help from Hekapoo," Sasha said, the girl suddenly feeling sad. "Really wish she were here."

"Kind of wish she were here too," Marco said. "Despite what happened in Newtopia, she's usually been kind of cool to hang around."

"We'll make finding Hekapoo and order of business," Star said. "Oh, by the way, I made you this."

Star presented something to Marco, confusing the boy, "Thanks...what is it though?"

"It's a Knight Cape, something all knights usually wear. It has a lot of our key moments together," Star said, pointing to them. "There's you as Princess Turdina, there's the dimensional scissors, and there's also the Goblin Dog."

"What's a Goblin Dog?" Anne asked.

"It's really tasty, you should come try some," Marco said. "Be warned, things get a bit trippy after eating one. But it's totally worth it."

"I already like the idea," Sasha said. "Still, nice thing you made for Marco. Surprised you already made one though, Marco just got knighted, like the rest of us."

"I started working on this after Marco's injury in Newtopia, it kept my mind off of the stress," Star said. "I figured I'd give it to Marco after he got Knighted."

"Which we appreciate," Marcy said. "But, is there any reason you did so out of the blue?"

"Yeah, this was very sudden," Marco said.

"Look, I already had to knight a few other people today, I figured I'd squeeze all of you in," Star said.

"Even so, they likely knew in advance, we didn't," Sasha said. "Was this a last-minute decision?"

"Geez, you're sweating the small details way too much," Star said. "If anything this was to give the citizens extra security, so they know that their protectors are absolutely committed. Plus it wasn't exactly difficult to knight any of you, and you all have the esteemed honor of being among the few non-Mewmans to get knighted."

"Well I'm flattered," Marco said.

"Yeah, we all are," Luz said. "Thanks for making us feel special."

"We won't let you down," Anne said.

"Sure, and I'll try to make capes for all of you later, though it'd help to know more details about your earlier trips in Amphibia and The Boiling Isles."

"Make sure you include my service with The Toad Army," Sasha said.

"Oh, and you may all have to pick a Lifelong Post if you're going to be knights here," Star said.

"Huh? Lifelong Post?" Marco asked.

"What's that?" Marcy asked.

"All knights have a post they have to stick with for the rest of their lives, it's kind of how things work around here," Star said. "For more information, you can see Sir Crandel."

"Sir who?" Marco asked.

"That would be me," a man said, getting Marco's attention.

"Mr. Tandal?" Marco asked.

"Who's that?" Marcy asked.

"A Guidance Counselor from my school," Marco said.

"Cute, but I'm not Mr. Tandel, I'm Sir Crandel," the man said. "I've never even been to Echo Creek."

"Uh...I never said that's where I'm from," Marco said.

"So, you can all come with me, and I'll help you decide your posts," Crandel hastily insisted.

"Whoa, I'm not agreeing to anything just yet," Sasha said.

"Yeah, I'd like to really know our options here," Marcy said. "Like, is it really necessary to spend all of our lives at one post, is that normal?"

"Sure, lots of knights do that, and there's plenty for you to do here Marcy," Star said. "But...I can understand that this is a bit out there."

"A bit? When you knighted us, you could have warned us about this rule," Sasha said.

"I'd be happy to explain everything," Crandel said. "Now if you could just-"

"Back off weirdo, not interested in discussing this with you," Sasha warned.

"That is a bit harsh," Crandel insisted. "I just wish to-"

Sasha grabbed one of her swords and whacked the guy with her hilt, knocking him out cold. "I warned you!"

"Whoa! That was a bit much," Star said.

"Star, just tell us more details yourself," Sasha said. "Like, did Mina Loveberry have to deal with this? Or that one guy who trained you?"

"Of course, they all had their posts," Star explained. "Mina had her duty, Sir Lavabo has his."

"Star, let's talk this over in private," Marco insisted.

"Uh, sure, if you want to," Star said, leading everyone to her room, all the while Crandel laid unconscious.

Everyone had made their exit, leaving Gus, Willow and Maddie behind, and very confused.

"Did Star say something about a lifelong post?" Gus asked. "I don't think my dad would like that."

"Neither would mine," Willow said.

"My dad probably won't, not that it matters, I make my own choices," Maddie said.

Gus furrowed his brow at the girl, "Maddie, that's not as cool as you're making it sound."

"It totally is!" Maddie said.

"Should we join Star? I feel like this is a conversation we should be a part of," Willow said. "After all, we're knights too."

"More knights, huh?" Higgs said, getting their attention. "How exactly did you become knights anyway? Are you friends with Star and her so-called Squire too?"

"Yeah, I'd say we are," Gus said. "This knight thing is very last minute though."

Higgs grumbled in annoyance, "Shame that Queen Moon is in the shape she's in, at least she's never made anyone a knight willy nilly. What Queen Star is doing is basically nepotism."

"She's not wrong," Willow said. "I don't think any of us were proper squires. Before this, we were students at Hexside. We probably shouldn't have been made knights, we never even got proper training."

"At least one of you realizes how bogus this is," Higgs said. "I worked hard to get where I am, I don't appreciate the idea that all my hard work is being taken for granted."

"Hey, some people just have the talent," Maddie boasted. "And we're three witches with unlimited potential. Need a good illusion? Gus is your man. Want to grow a pretty garden? Seek out Willow. Desire the best potions? Come to Maddie." The frog girl pointed at herself. "That's me, I'm Maddie."

"Well, since you're an actual squire, would you care to give us some pointers?" Willow asked. "What do we need to be prepared for?"

"Hm...not sure if I want to indulge in this, given my own personal feelings," Higgs said. "But, you seem like a nice girl, so I'll give you one piece of advice. Always be prepared for anything."

Just as Higgs said that, she was taken in by a random sack, the same subsequently happening to Willow, Gus and Maddie.

"Hey what's happening!?" Gus shouted.

"You're messing with the wrong person!" Higgs warned.

"I'm so gonna place a hex on you!" Maddie threatened.

"Someone help!" Willow called.

Meanwhile Star had led Marco's group toward her room, uncertainty still filling the air around them. They weren't too sure about their current situation and hoped to make the best of things.

The group stepped into Star's room as the Princess made herself comfortable sitting on her bed. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"This lifelong post thing," Marco said. "Star, this isn't what I expected when I became a knight."

"I know, but it's a huge honor," Star said. "You'll be dedicated to serving the Kingdom of Mewni, isn't that neat?"

"Wouldn't this be a Queendom since the first-born daughters take the throne?" Marcy asked. "Which, now that we're knights, can we vote on or something? Making it first born daughter only seems kind of backwards. It should be first born child."

"You don't have that kind of pull," Star said. "Things stay as is."

"Look, Star, I don't know if I want to do this, I'm thinking about quitting," Marco said.

"Quitting!?" Star asked in disbelief. "But why? Don't you want to be my knight!?"

"It's not you Star, it's just that...I don't think I can just stay on Mewni forever," Marco said. "My little sister was just born, and I gotta think about college."

"The rest of us plan to go home too," Anne said. "Being a knight sounds awesome but the goal was always to stay on Earth with our families."

"We stuck around longer than expected because of Belos and Andrias," Luz said. "Once they're defeated, I still want to return to Hexside and continue my Witch training."

"I don't mind being a knight here, but I have a responsibility to Grime's army," Sasha said.

"I don't know if I can make that commitment either," Amity said. "Plus I don't know how my family would take it if I just moved to Mewni. I doubt they'd want to come given my mom's company."

"Well...I can probably stay," Marcy said, getting everyone's attention.

"Marcy, you can't stay, what about Marco?" Anne asked. "You two just got back together."

Star winced upon hearing that, barely able to lay eyes on Marcy.

"Yeah, I guess so," Marcy said. "But I figured with my scissors, I can do my shift as a knight and go home to Marco when my shift is over. Assuming it works like a typical nine to five job."

"Well Star, as you can see, being a knight is not exactly convenient for most of us," Marco said. "I'm sorry, but I might need to turn in my armor...or however it goes."

"Oh, it's fine, really," Star said, the girl in obvious pain. "Not like I really expected you to stay, right? If anything, you can be, Sir Marco and his fellow quitters."

"Hey, I am not okay with that title!" Anne said. "Can't you just bend the rules for us a bit?"

"I'm already giving you all special treatment as is, gonna be really hard to explain why you're getting more," Star said.

"Star, that's not ideal for a Queen," Marco said.

"Acting...Queen..." Star emphasized.

"Queen, Acting Queen, it's basically the same thing at this point," Marco said. "Point is that it's not the best thing to do. This is why Higgs got so mad at us before."

"Don't worry about Higgs, all knights act a bit selfish," Star said.

"Selfish is not an accurate term for Higgs," Marco said. "Petty maybe, but not selfish."

"Star, why did you knight us exactly?" Luz asked. "That's one thing I'm still trying to figure out. Inviting us out of the blue and knighting us like you did, while really cool, is a bit strange given this hindsight."

"Honestly...I always planned to Knight Marco, and I think he knew it was coming eventually, since he is my squire," Star said.

"Yeah, I did expect it, just not this soon," Marco said.

"Thing is, given everything that's going on and how worried my subjects are, I figured if I did this Knighting ceremony, that maybe they'd know that despite the invasions and the monsters and everything else plaguing this world, if I knighted a few people, then my subjects would feel better. Especially ones who have shown to be very capable fighters in their own right."

"Wait, so are we famous among Mewmans?" Star asked.

"Sort of, I doubt there's an Anne Boonchuy fan club, or a Luz Noceda one, at least ones that I know of," Star said. "But thanks to friends like Eda, The Plantars and even Tom's word of mouth, many of my citizens have heard tale of Marco's human friend and witch allies. I figured if I knighted you and showed you as an official part of Mewni, that there would be less worry. Because these great heroes they've heard about are not only real, but committed to protecting Mewni."

This realization took a bit to process for many of them, but in time, it did start to make sense in their eyes. Star was in need of not only good knights, but the good will of the Mewmans.

"So, we provide a sense of comfort?" Anne asked. "I never would have expected that."

"Come on Anne, you already are a sense of comfort," Sasha said. "Everyone in Wartwood admires you after all."

"And Luz is pretty popular in Hexside," Amity said. "Not for the best reasons at times, but still popular."

"Thanks..." Luz took a second to process. "Wait, what reasons?"

"Point is, I know this was sudden but I just...I really needed a win to keep the good faith of my subjects," Star said. "Also hoped this knight post would keep Marco here but how do I do that and consider his friends?"

In the middle of this, Star's phone had gone off, the girl quick to leave.

"I guess I gotta take this, talk later," Star said, exiting the room in haste.

Marco awkwardly rubbed his head, "Did we make the right call? Like, I don't want to upset Star but I still have life on Earth to think about."

"At the very least, this is something that could have waited until we were older," Anne said. "Not something you just spring on a teenager."

"Well technically, we're all in our thirties," Marcy said. "Remember the Neverzone."

"Ah yes, the Neverzone, the perfect excuse to do things you wouldn't expect kids our age to do," Sasha said. "You know, we should ponder this in there, give us more time to think."

"What's there to think about?" Anne asked. "I can't do a lifelong shift on Mewni, not yet at least. Technicalities or not, I still feel thirteen and that's what my birth certificate says I am."

"Right, we have no proof of our true age," Sasha said. "How am I going to prove that I am actually in my 30s now?"

"Why are you so keen on doing so?" Marco asked.

"So I can legally drink," Sasha said, earning some deadpanned glares. "What? I want some rum."

"Sasha, give it a rest," Amity said. "Let's try to compromise with Star. Clearly she needs us and maybe while we're dealing with this Andrias and Belos situation, we can accept a temporary post or something."

"Are we allowed to do that?" Luz asked.

"Can't hurt to try," Amity said. "Come on."

As everyone was led out of the room, Marcy took Marco by the hand, getting his attention, "I know you don't feel comfortable taking a lifelong post, but if we get something together, would you consider it?"

"Marcy, remember, I have to think about Mariposa," Marco reminded. "Plus I still have college to consider, as do you. Thinking about it, you and the girls left school for months, is this going to affect you in any way?"

"Maybe, but I'm not worried, I don't need school when I have my goals," Marcy said. "I'm just thinking that we can both move to Mewni and start a life here. You can still visit your family, you have the scissors."

"Hold on, did you just say you wanted to move here?" Marco asked. "You and me?"

"Yeah, the way I see it, being a knight is probably good pay, and given our skills, we'd make a living off of these posts," Marcy said. "We can afford a house where you and I could live. We can get married and start a family, personally I'd love about three to four kids, and if the mood is right, we can-"

"Whoa, dial it back," Marco said. "It's too early to think about marriage. We're only teens."

"Marco, remember, technicality," Marcy said. "You and I are in our 30s so-"

"No, don't even," Marco said. "We're teenagers, end of story. We can't think about living together and getting married. I love you and all, but marriage is a huge commitment."

"But Marco, it's destiny!" Marcy said. "I've already decided you're the guy I want to be with, we can get married, I'd be Mrs. Marcy Diaz and we'd raise a wonderful family. With Star's help, we probably don't even have to wait until we're 'officially' eighteen or whatever the age of marriage is in this world. I'm thinking that in a year or two, we can try for kids."

"You want to be a teen mom?" Marco asked. "And don't use the technicality thing again, you have a teenager's body here."

"Marco, we've known each other for a long time now," Marcy said. "A few weeks out here, a few months in the Neverzone, mutually speaking of course."

"Marcy...look, let me think about this," Marco said. "I know you're not eager to go back home, and if you do want to live with me, you can stay with me at my house. Personally I'd rather you make peace with your parents but-"

"I can't go back to them, they won't let me leave," Marcy said. "You think my parents would be okay if I went to them now? I'm not going to see my parents until we're either married or I'm carrying your baby. Whichever comes first because they're both happening."

"Yeah, I'm not getting you pregnant until you're at least eighteen in this and every other realm that isn't the Neverzone," Marco said. "Honestly it's a miracle I haven't done so by now, good thing I use protection. That and I'm fast at breaking contact if I don't have any protection."

"My favorite is when you unload in the backdoor," Marcy said, earning a blush from Marco.

"Please don't say it out loud," Marco said.

"I didn't, the only person who can hear me is you," Marcy said. "Besides, I don't mind letting everyone know how good you are in bed."

"You're so dirty minded sometimes," Marco said.

"Still, I'm serious about not seeing my parents," Marcy said. "I am not letting them take me away from all this."

"Don't you miss them, at least a little?" Marco asked.

"Well...maybe," Marcy said. "But every time I think about them, I just remember how my dad tried making me move away."

"Marcy, if your dad got a job out of town, that can't be helped," Marco said. "I really don't think your parents did what they did out of spite. It might have been a really hard decision."

"I don't see what was wrong with what we already had," Marcy said. "Making friends is not easy for me, Anne and Sasha were all I had. I could not handle being separated from them."

"Marcy, it's great that you're loyal to your friends, but I still think you overreacted," Marco said.

"Hey, you're my boyfriend, you're supposed to be on my side!" Marcy said.

"It's because I'm your boyfriend that I have to be honest with you," Marco said. "I don't want to upset you, but I can't let you think what you did was okay. I'm sorry, but I do feel like you took things a bit too far. Fortunately you can still make things right."

"Marco, please don't make me do anything I just can't handle doing," Marcy said. "Honestly, I'd rather fight Meteora again than deal with my parents."

"Hey, you don't need to do it now, but even you know you can't just ignore this," Marco said. "Do you ever think about how they're feeling? You've been gone for several months, I imagine they're worried sick about you."

"It's their own fault," Marcy bitterly insisted. "All I wanted was for them to see things my way, but that was apparently too much for them."

"Marcy...one day you're going to be a mom, that's a goal you made very clear with me," Marco said. "I know that when that day comes, you're going to understand your own mom, as well as your dad."

"When I'm a mom, I won't force such terrible decisions on my kids," Marcy said.

"I wish I could say that same, but the future is unpredictable," Marco said, placing his arm around Marcy. "I'd like to think we will get married one day, and have kids. I'd also like to think that we'd do everything we can for those kids. But, it'd be foolish to assume we'll have everything figured out, because unfortunately, we don't. All we can do is our best."

"I just hope our best is good," Marcy said, leaning against Marco. "But if you're by my side, I think we'll both be alright."

It wasn't long before everyone caught up with Star, the blonde girl speaking with Lilith near a balcony.

"I just don't know what to do, my Kingdom needs me and I still feel like I haven't given them nearly enough to keep them from worrying," Star said.

"You're doing your best, this is a big responsibility for a girl your age and your citizens need to understand that," Lilith said.

"My mom was my age when she became Queen, and she's doing fine," Star said, before reconsidering her words. "Okay maybe not fine since she lost her memory, but prior to that, she handled it well."

"Did she really? She wasn't the friendliest to Eclipsa, and just assumed her evil," Lilith said.

"To be fair, Eclipsa was known as The Dark Queen," Star said. "Of course anyone would think she's evil. I thought so too until I actually talked to her. My mom eased up on it too."

"I see your point," Lilith said. "But I do believe your mother was affected by the stress of being Queen. She seemed so hardened when I met her, and I know a Queen must be tough, but I fear her heart was closed off. For the most part, at the very least she greatly adored you and King River."

"Me and my mom are pretty close of course, and my dad just worships her," Star said. "He's the type of guy who would treat my mom like a Queen even if she wasn't one."

"Moon is lucky to have you two in her life, it may have relieved a lot of stress," Lilith said. "Stress I fear for when it comes to you Star. I don't want you to be overwhelmed by your position as Queen, and yes, I know you like to say 'Acting Queen', but you're still in a position of power regardless."

"I just hope things go back to normal with my mom," Star said. "Maybe then I won't have to worry so much."

"I understand that Andrias and Belos remain a source of stress for you, which I perfectly understand," Lilith said. "I do believe that in time, we will put a stop to them. You still have Luz, Amity and their friends helping out after all. You even have Marco."

"I hope they want to help still, I knighted them but they had second thoughts," Star said. "Kind of worried I did too much too fast."

"Why would they have second thoughts?" Lilith asked.

"Knights have to pick a lifelong post," Star said. "I don't think Marco, Luz or anyone else wants that."

"Oh, I see," Lilith said. "But, they still want to stop Belos and Andrias, don't they? They didn't need to be knights for that."

"It's not just those two, what if more threats come?" Star pointed out. "Before Andrias and Belos, we had Ludo to worry about, then Toffee, then Meteora. Belos and Andrias are just another dangerous threat and even if they're defeated, more will come. I didn't knight Marco and the others just to stop Belos and Andrias, but to see if they'd stick around long enough to help with all the other threats. Just recently I ticked off the Pie King, he and the Pie Folk may want revenge!"

"You're doing well to secure your future, but don't neglect your present," Lilith said.

"What are you, a fortune cookie?" Star asked. "This is serious stuff, I have to be ready to make sure our world isn't threatened!"

"I know you do, it's good to prepare for the future, what's not good is worrying about things that have yet to happen," Lilith said. "Focus on Belos and Andrias, then talk things out with Marco later."

"Yeah, sure," Star said.

From the distance, Marco and his friends could see that Star had just vented her frustrations to Liltih, wondering their next course of action.

"Should we talk to her?" Marco asked. "She sounds a bit stressed out."

"Well Lilith seems to be handling it," Anne said. "Let's try not to rush it, we should-"

Suddenly a bad went over Anne as well, more surrounding Marco and his friends.

"What the hell!? Get off!" Sasha shouted, stomping the foot of someone trying to bag her, the blonde girl turning around for a punch.

Amity summoned her Abomination to attack as well. Soon all of Marco's friends were fighting away those who tried capturing them, this getting Star's attention.

"Hey, what's going on over there!?" Star asked.

"These guys are trying to take us hostage!" Sasha said, kicking some on the ground.

'Wait, hold on, those are knights!" Star said.

"Knights?" Marco looked around to see that these indeed knights, including Lady Whostis and Sir Dashing of Muscleton. "Wait, why are knights trying to capture us!?"

"Explain!" Amity shouted, ready to instruct her monster to attack.

"They must have been trying to take you to a party," Star explained.

"...What party?" Sasha asked.

"It's kind of a Mewni thing, when you get knighted, other knights show up, pretending to take you hostage, then bring you somewhere to party," Star said.

"And you couldn't tell us this!?" Sasha shouted. "Star, is there anything else regarding being a knight we need to know about!?"

"Just that, and you get a quilt showcasing all your amazing deeds," Star said. "I even made one for Marco, it's incomplete right now, and I hoped he would have picked a post so I could complete it, but eh."

"Oh wow, a quilt, how amazing," Sasha said. "Seriously, I thought they were enemy soldiers or something. Given that we're still in the middle of a war against Belos and Andrias, maybe a game like this is not the best idea."

"Yeah, in hindsight, that was poorly thought out, I'm really sorry," Star said.

"Well fortunately, I can't stay mad at you, since you have cheeks cute enough to cup in my hands," Sasha said.

"Aw, you're sweet," Star said, her face turning red. "I guess it's my heart marks, they tend to attract attention."

"Huh? Oh yeah, heart marks," Sasha said. "The ones on your face."

"Well I don't have them anywhere else," Star said.

"Right, of course," Sasha nervously said, this earning her suspicious reactions from Anne, Luz and Amity.

"Well in all seriousness, we did want to talk to you, Star," Marco said. "It's about this knight thing."

"If you don't want to be a knight, that's fine," Star said. "I can't make you stay in Mewni."

"It's not that, I really do want to be of use to you, and to help protect your Kingdom," Marco said. "The problem is, I just can't commit full time like that. Not yet. I want to be a knight, I just can't pick a post."

"Same," Anne said. "I don't mind fighting with you, and I know you're already pulling a lot of strings, but given the circumstances, we may need you to pull a bit more."

"It's for the good of not just your world, but also Amphibia, The Demon Realm and Earth," Luz said. "Plus any other realm that might be affected by whatever Belos and Andrias plan to do."

"So, what are you proposing?" Star asked.

"That we do what we've already been doing," Amity said. "Bringing the fight to Belos and Andrias."

"Yeah, we don't need to be knights to do that," Marcy said. "But if you still want to give citizens hope, then by all means, consider us your knights."

"...I guess that works," Star said. "So obvious that it just flew right over my head."

"And if anyone has a problem, we'll mess them up!" Sasha said.

"I must object to this," Sir Dashing said as he tried standing up. "We have a strict tradition that must-"

Sasha whacked him in the face with a shield, "Put a cork in it."

Luz had a sudden realization, "Say, if they were gonna do this to us, what about-"

"Um...is that part of the knight training?" Lilith asked, gesturing to some knights being led by a giraffe with some more sacks.

"Maddie!" Amity shouted in worry.

"Let's save them!" Marcy said, using her crossbow to create a zipline while as everyone went down to help their friends.

"But I just said...ah forget it," Star dismissed.

A few minutes later, Marco and his friends led Higgs, Gus, Maddie and Willow through the gates of Mewni's castle.

"So they were inviting us to a party?" Willow asked. "That was a bit of an unconventional way to do so."

"For real, I thought we were being ambushed by Coven Guards," Gus said.

"See, they were worried about an ambush too," Sasha said.

"Still kind of went too far before, beating those guys up like that," Willow said.

"They'll live," Sasha said.

"Plus they kind of deserved it in my opinion," Maddie said.

"Still, any of you decided on your post?" Marco asked.

"I don't know if I want to take one," Willow said. "I'd like to graduate Hexside first."

"Same, plus being a Knight already doesn't seem like fun," Gus said.

"I felt the same at first, I nearly quit," Marco said.

"Seriously!?" Higgs shouted. "So first Star makes you her squire for no reason, then you have the nerve to quit after she just knighted you!?"

"I didn't actually quit, we worked out an agreement so I don't have to worry about this post thing," Marco said.

"Oh I do not believe you," Higgs said. "You just come across as so damn spoiled."

"Hey chill," Luz warned.

"Yeah, don't talk crap to our friend," Anne backed up.

"Luz, Anne, it's fine," Marco said, focusing on the girl ahead. "Higgs, I know you feel like I weaseled my way in, but it's not like that. I don't want to brag, but I have done stuff to earn Star's knighting."

"You already mentioned your fight with Meteora, not that impressive," Higgs said.

"What about my fights with Toffee?" Marco asked. "Or how I liberated a school full of Princesses from an evil headmaster trying to corrupt them? Or my fight with King Andrias and Emperor Belos? Two very powerful beings from other worlds, ones Mewni is warring with. This is not even covering the stuff I did in the Neverzone. I got knighted like nine times there."

"Wait, you never mentioned that," Sasha said.

"You didn't ask," Marco said, earning a glare from Sasha.

"Again with this Neverzone, I feel like you just made that up," Higgs said.

"Look, see for yourself," Marco said, opening up a portal. "Fair warning, there is a time-"

Higgs wasted no time going through the portal. She emerged a couple of minutes later while flexing. "Behold my awesome...wait, where are my muscles?"

"Time works differently in the Neverzone than it does here," Marco said. "Years in the Neverzone is just minutes out here."

"...I have nothing left in this world," Higgs said, going back in.

"Higgs, wait!" Anne said, going through the portal, everyone else following.

Once through, Gus, Willow and Maddie could not believe their eyes. All their friends were taller now, but there was much more to each one.

Marco became so much more muscular while sporting his pants and jacket, with no shirt to cover his abs.

Anne now had her breasts becoming more plump as she sported a busy ponytail with a leaf-made top and skirt with no shoes.

Luz had her hooded cloak with only a top and some speedo looking shorts, slightly longer hair and more roundness in her butt. She also had leather boots.

Amity was wearing a her purple body suit and punk cape. She had more noticeable curves to her body and her hair was longer, with less purple and more of her natural brown.

Marcy now had her armor around her chest and some shorts, while also sporting boots and longer hair. While she didn't gain that much more muscle, she still looked well enough to fight.

Sasha was now seen no longer with a ponytail, her hair even cut a bit while she had strong looking armor that cover her whole body.

Higgs was seen with longer hair and a fur shirt that exposed her freckled cleavage while sporting leather shorts and furry boots.

"Holy shit!" Maddie said. "You all look so badass now!"

"I'll say," Sasha acknowledged. "First time I'm seeing all of you like this."

"My figure is back!" Anne said, glancing down at her body.

"Mine too," Luz said, checking herself out.

"You all look amazing," Sasha said, eyeing the only transformed male. "Especially you Marco."

"You look well yourself," Marco said. "But, we came here for a reason."

"I'd like to know the reason," Higgs said. "Any reason you all followed me in here?"

"Higgs, first I wanna say, you look really cool right now," Marco said. "Second, I know we had a bad start but I'm hoping now that you've seen that I wasn't making up some of the stuff I said."

"Eh, I guess you weren't totally lying," Higgs said. "If you survived in here for this long, then I guess you really are worths something."

"My friends also have been in here as you can see," Marco said, gesturing to everyone. "We're all capable and worthy of being knighted. I know I did kind of sneak in like I did, and you had every reason to be mad. The fact that you survived in here too is proof that you work as hard as you say you do. I am more than honored to be a peer alongside you, Higgs."

The woman sheepishly rubbed her head, trying to downplay the situation. "Yeah, I guess you are." Despite this, she couldn't help but feel a bit flustered, Marco was too nice to keep being mean to, at least for the moment. "I'm sorry I got as jealous as I did, and cheating that one time in Quest Buy."

"Cheating?" Anne asked.

"Squire competition, long story," Marco said.

"It was how Marco and I met," Higgs said.

"Sounds like fun," Marcy said.

"Well anyway, we're good here," Higgs said. "Me, I'm gonna go hunt some monsters."

"Are you really going to stay here?" Luz asked.

"Well there's nothing more for me in Mewni," Higgs said.

"But you're a knight," Anne said. "Star needs someone determined like you to keep her safe."

"We're still in the middle of a war, you can be a big part of that," Amity said. "Don't give up so easily, not when you have so much potential out there."

"Plus if you do well enough, maybe Grime will induct you into his army," Sasha said.

"Grime?" Higgs asked.

"If you saw a Toad during the Knighting Ceremony, that's him," Star said. "He's got a scar over his eye."

"Oh yeah, I remember," Higgs said.

"So, what do you say, wanna join us?" Marco asked.

"...I guess, sure, I'll join you then," Higgs said. "Not like I got much to lose, plus I have more to teach our friends here."

Gus, Willow and Maddie were still in disbelief over the new forms their friends had.

"You're all so awesome!" Gus said.

"Looking really sexy, Marco," Maddie flirted.

"Y-yeah, totally," Willow happily agreed. "So muscular."

"He is sexy and muscular, isn't he?" Marcy said, wrapping her arms around him from the side and planting a kiss on his cheek. "I almost feel bad for keeping him all to myself."

"Gonna share him then?" Sasha asked.

"Huh? You said you weren't interested in me!" Marco said.

"Maybe not a relationship, but I am down for some casual sex," Sasha said.

"Wow, that was forward," Higgs said.

"Look, we should be heading back now," Anne said.

"Why the rush? We got time to spend in here," Sasha said. "We do some stuff, and be done in a minute. Literally in Mewni."

"...I guess we can spend a little time in here," Marco said.

"Sweet, you girls go on ahead," Marcy said, taking her boyfriend by the wrist and leading him toward some nearby woods. "I need to catch up with Marco."

"Try not to get pregnant!" Sasha called.

"No promises!" Marcy replied as she left with Marco.

"...We're gonna go outside, see you soon," Gus said as he and the girls walked through the portal.

Once on the other side, Maddie let out a large sigh, "Wow, Marco looked amazing."

"Oh thanks," Marco said, his sudden appearance startling the three.

"Right, time differences," Gus said.

"So, all done in there?" Maddie asked.

"For now," Sasha said, flexing her arm. "Got in a bit of exercise, plus seeing my friends in action in their adult bodies was pretty amazing."

"Still wish we could keep them," Luz said. "But soon we'll grow up and hopefully look like that."

"You're on the right track, Luz," Sasha said. "You're already pretty enough as is, wouldn't mind seeing you all grown up again."

"Uh...are you flirting with me?" Luz asked.

"Maybe," Sasha said, grinning at the girl. "Don't be surprised, you're super cute after all. I wouldn't mind taking you out for dinner, and then dessert."

Luz's face turned red as she awkwardly looked away, "Uh, wow...okay."

"Is it me, or are you just horny all the time?" Higgs asked.

"Hey, sometimes I'm in the mood for romance, other times I'm in the mood to fight," Sasha said. "Plus, we're all close comrades here, I don't feel weird flirting with anyone."

"Let's talk about this later, we just got Higgs in our group, I don't want to scare her off," Marco said.

"It's fine, this doesn't bother me," Higgs said. "Now I think it's time we got to know each other a bit."

"That might need to wait," came Eda's voice as she flew in with King and The Plantars.

"Hey Eda ,what's up?" Luz asked.

"First, I may have said it already but I want to be sure since I'm sober now but, congrats on getting knighted, I'm really proud of you," Eda said, rubbing Luz's head.

"Aw, thanks Eda," Luz said.

"Second, there might be something going down later at the Boiling Isles," Eda said. "The Coven Day Parade is tonight, we might get an update on Belos."

"Oh, sweet," Luz said. "Maybe Andrias too."

"So, it's off to the Boiling Isles then?" Marco asked.

"Yeah, just stay on the down low, don't want to attract any attention from the guards," Eda said.

"It might be a good idea to stop off at my house," Amity said. "Edric and Emira might be able to get us through with little trouble. Plus both are really good at disguises."

"They are?" Anne asked.

"Let's just say, I'm not the only Blight kid that changes her appearance," Amity said.

"Do they dye their hair too?" Marcy asked.

"No, only me," Amity said, showing off her brown roots. "They got my mom's hair color, and I got my dad's. I'd tell you more but they'd likely freak out if I so casually revealed something personal about them."

"Think they can help me with my looks too if that's the case?" Hop Pop asked. "I want to grow more hair."

"Uh, that might be beyond even our magic Mr. Plantar," Amity confirmed.

"Worth a shot," Hop Pop said.

"You look fine, Hopediah," Eda said. "Now, I'm gonna stop off at the Boiling Isles, you kids go to the Blight home when you're ready."

"Sure thing, Eda," Luz said.

"Try to stay out of trouble," Hop Pop said.

"No promises," Anne said.

"Before anything, I should head home and let my parents know that I'll be busy," Anne said. "I just hope that they won't tell me I can't go."

"I'll help you with that," Luz said.

"Same here," Sprig said. "Polly and King can come too."

"We're right behind you Anne," Polly said.

"Same here," King said.

"Awesome, Marcy and I will talk to Star," Marco said. "Sasha, mind helping Higgs around?"

"Sure," Sasha said.

"I'll go meet with my brother and sister," Amity said. "Willow, Gus, Maddie, wanna come?"

"Uh...will your mom be there?" Willow asked.

"Don't worry about her, if she makes a big deal about it then I'll say something," Amity said. "Fortunately she's usually very busy, so I doubt she's home."

"Alright, everyone split up," Marco said.

Eda opened a portal to the Boiling Isles, allowing herself, Hop Pop, Amity Gus, Willow and Maddie to enter through.

On the other side, Emira was applying some manicure on herself while Edric was checking on his potions, keeping them carefully labeled.

"Hey, I'm back," Amity said, taking her siblings by surprise.

"What happened to using the front door?" Emira asked.

"Sorry, but the less we're outside, the better," Amity said.

"Hi Edric, Hi Emira," Willow greeted.

"Oh, Willow, pleasantly surprised to see you," Emira greeted. "It's been so long since you were at our house."

"Yeah, long time," Willow said.

"So, what brings you here?" Emira asked. "I take it that it's not just some fancy visit."

"Afraid not, it's the Coven Day Parade," Amity said. "We're gonna need to be there, but preferably unrecognizable."

"Hm, I think I may be able to come up with something," Emira said.

"You work on that, I gotta go get some stuff," Eda said.

"Huh? Eda, it's dangerous to go out there," Amity said.

"I've been wanted my whole life, I know how to get through the crowds with no trouble," Eda said. "Don't worry about me, do what you gotta do."

"Probably should go with her Mr. Plantar," Maddie suggested.

"Me?" Hopediah asked.

"She shouldn't be alone, and you're not as likely to be recognized since most of the two Kings' wrath is aimed more toward Amity, Luz, Anne, Sasha, Marcy and Marco," Maddie said. "The rest of us will wait here."

"Uh, sure, guess I could stretch my legs a bit, and see the sights," Hop Pop said.

"Just don't draw too much attention to yourself, let's go," Eda said, leading Hop Pop out.

At the Boonchuy residence on Earth, Anne had gone up to the door, calling out to her parents. "Mom! Dad! I'm home!"

"About time, you almost miss your curfew," Oum said, taking note of her guest. "Oh, you brought Luz with you."

"We're here too," Polly said, getting her attention.

"Thank you all for bringing Anne home," Oum said.

"Actually mom, I was hoping to get your permission for something," Anne said. "There's a parade tonight, and I want to go."

"Parade? Where?" Oum asked.

"Oh, you know...around," Anne said.

Oum squinted her eyes in suspicion, "I have not heard about any parade, what are you up to Anne?"

"Probably should have been a bit more vague," Luz whispered.

"Wouldn't have worked," Anne insisted.

"You girls have something to say?" Oum asked.

Luz quickly shook her head, "No Mrs. Boonchuy, nothing important."

"What's going on?" Bee asked, poking his head out.

"Our daughter want to go see a parade," Oum said. "This sound suspicious."

"Parade? It's not the Christmas parade, is it?" Bee asked. "That's a few weeks away."

"You have a Christmas parade?" Luz asked.

"Yeah, I can show you when Christmas rolls around," Anne said, then focused on her parents. "But no, it's not a Christmas parade, it's some other parade, something my friends are taking part of."

"Yeah, I'm one of those friends," Luz said.

"Then you tell me what this parade is," Oum said.

"Who? Me?" Luz asked.

"Yes you, start talking," Oum ordered.

"Dear, go easy, she is not our daughter, we should not talk so tough to her," Bee said, then focused on Luz. "It would help if we knew."

"Uh...it's complicated to explain. But we promise, it's legit," Luz said, earning a curious look from Anne.

"...That is not very reassuring," Oum said. "Does your mother know you're going?"

"Uh...the parents I'm staying with know," Luz said. "At least, they wouldn't mind. They're cool people."

"May I speak to your mother?" Oum asked.

Luz's pupils shrank, "Uh, any reason?"

"I need to know what's going on, I want to know more about your living arrangements, make sure it's real and not you trying to trick our daughter into anything," Oum said.

"Honey, that's too much!" Bee said.

"Sorry, but something's been very suspicious about our daughter lately, and her friend," Oum said. "I feel like you are all hiding something. This nonsense got Anne sucked into a new world for five months and now she's sneaking away a lot, staying at some boy's house. Is this about that Amphibia world? Or is there something more?"

"What more could there be?" Anne asked.

"I don't know, that is why I want to know," Oum said. "I warned you that you would be on curfew, be happy that is all. I was ready to never let you leave this house again, and I just might do that."

"Mom, that's ridiculous, I just want to see a parade!" Anne shouted.

"Do not raise your voice to me young lady, I did not raise you to do that," Oum warned.

"I have to raise my voice! Otherwise you never listen!" Anne said.

"Oh geez..." Polly commented.

"Anne, please, you shouldn't talk to your mom that way," Luz said.

"Listen to your friend," Oum warned.

"Oh, I thought Luz was a bad influence on me," Anne sarcastically remarked.

"Anne!" Bee scolded.

"Too much..." Sprig insisted.

"You think you are too old for spanking, young lady?" Oum warned, this causing even Luz to freak out and instinctively hold her backside.

"I might as well be a kid given how you talk to me," Anne said. "It doesn't matter how much I try to grow, does it!?"

"I never see you grow," Oum said.

"Because you don't freaking pay attention to anything other than your own authority!" Anne shouted.

Things were getting tense, Luz feared for Anne knowing how bad it could be to upset one's mother, even Bee worried his wife was about to lose her temper.

However, before things escalated, the door behind them broke down, from the other side were Hunter and Cloakbot, the two looking ready for a fight.

"Finally found you!" Hunter shouted.

"Hunter!?" Luz asked.

"Who is this?" Bee asked. "And is that a robot?"

"Cloak-Bot, destroy Anne and Luz!" Hunter ordered.

"Destroying," Cloak-Bot said, sending an explosive into the house, Luz quickly summoning ice to shield the Boonchuy family.

"That was close," Luz said. "Anne, we gotta go."

"Wait, where did this ice come from?" Bee asked.

"Talk later!" Sprig said. "Though the backdoor!"

The family ran off while Cloak-Bot punched the ice, allowing Hunter to step through.

"You girls can run, but you won't escape me for long!" Hunter said, following after the girls.

Meanwhile in the Boiling Isles, Eda was gathering some material needed for not only herself, but maybe the Blight twins as well.

"Wow, this is some good stuff, and it's on sale too," Eda said. "Maybe I won't need to shoplift this time."

"You shouldn't be doing that at all," Hop Pop said.

"Hey, I'm broke, I do what I gotta do to survive," Eda said.

"Still, show some integrity," Hop Pop said.

As Eda picked stuff out, she spotted Raine in the distance, who seemed to be talking to Kikimora.

"Raine?" Eda noted, Hop Pop seeing too.

"Hey, it's that friend of yours, the one who led that anti-coven group," Hop Pop said.

"Yeah, I haven't seen Raine since Andrias betrayed everyone," Eda said. "But why is Kikimora there too? She's with Belos."

"That's peculiar," Hop Pop said.

"I should see what's going on," Eda said. "Stay there Hopediah."

"Uh, sure," Hop Pop said as Eda went to her old friend.

After Kikimora left, Raine went about the parade business, checking on everything needed for the show later.

"Raine?" Eda said, getting the witch's attention.

"Eda?" Raine looked genuinely surprised to see the old witch.

"Hey Raine, wow it's been a while, hasn't it? I haven't seen you since before we went to Amphibia," Eda said. "Things really went to hell there. You would not believe everything that's happened."

"What are you talking about?" Raine asked.

"Huh? You remember," Eda said. "We were going to see Andrias, give him that music box, stuff like that."

"Andrias? You mean Belos's ally from Amphibia?" Raine asked.

"Exactly, the guy really went and betrayed us," Eda said. "Poor Marcy, getting betrayed by that creep Andrias."

"That isn't the proper way to speak of Belos's partner," Raine said.

"Huh? Since when do you care about Belos?" Eda asked. "Yeah he was your boss but that's changed, hasn't it? It's why you quit and spent the last few months liberating covens."

"Eda, I spent the last few months sick in bed from a really bad illness," Raine said. "Also, we haven't spoken in years."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Eda asked. "We ran into each other weeks ago, you and your team helped us fight against Meteora."

"You mean Belos's daughter?" Raine asked.

"Daughter? No, that's not his daughter, he stole her away from her actual mother, Eclipsa," Eda said.

"Eda, you're talking nonsense," Raine said.

"Don't you remember anything? Seeing Luz? Helping out Princess Star?" Eda asked. "Not too long ago you were gonna look into the whole Belos thing because he was terrorizing Anne."

"I don't know a Luz or an Anne," Raine said. "If the Princess you're referring to is Star Butterfly, then no, I would not help out the Queen of Mewni, especially given that she's using magic to enslave realms."

"What the hell are you even talking about!?" Eda shouted in annoyance.

"I'm sorry, Eda, but I gotta go," Raine said, trying to leave.

"Hey, I'm not done with you!" Eda went after her friend, to which her efforts were countered by Raine's magic knocking her back.

"Back off, Eda, this is your only warning!" Raine shouted.

Eda could not believe this, angrily she charged against Raine, the two getting knocked into a nearby alley.

"Eda Raine!?" Hop Pop said, getting closer. "What are those two up to?"

Raine started attacking using violin magic, sending some attacks toward Eda as she effortlessly dodged each attack.

"Please, Rainstorm, stop it!" Eda begged. "Get a hold of yourself!"

"I don't want to hurt you Eda," Raine said, readying more magic and using it to attack the other witch. "But you're not giving me much of a choice!"

"Come on Raine, I know when you're going easy on me!" Eda said.

Despite the hesitation, Raine mustered the strength to continue, despite the difficulty in doing so. Playing the violin, Raine generated the magic needed to send some lightning strikes down at Eda, the woman using an invisibility spell to run in for a sneak attack.

Raine however was quick to block, the two former lovers cancelling each other's powers out.

Suddenly Eda pulled out a tape recorder, "I don't suppose you forgot this too!"

Despite the familiarity in the music, Raine aggressively blasted Eda back, "Why don't you just leave me alone!?"

"Eda!" Hop Pop ran to check on the woman.

"Stay back Hopediah!" Eda pleaded, glaring at Raine.

"One final warning, leave," Raine said.

"Raine, don't you remember her? Or me?" Hop Pop asked.

"You...a frog," Raine said. "Frogs are the enemies to newts like King Andrias."

"No! Well, maybe, but only because he's the bad guy," Hop Pop insisted.

"Such blasphemy, I should destroy you right now!" Raine threatened, readying more magic.

"Wait!" Eda pleaded. "Fine, we'll go."

"But, what about your friend?" Hop Pop asked.

"Guess we're not friends," Eda said, leaving Raine behind.

Despite the fight prior, Raine couldn't help but wipe some tears away. However duty calls, and the parade was not going to set itself. Raine continued on, but not without being plagued by thoughts of Eda.

Back on Earth, the Boonchuy family did their best to avoid attacks from Cloak-Bot, desperately trying to outpace the machine by car. The robot sent several missiles, destroying several signs on the highway and leaving craters all around.

"So, what exactly is going on!?" Bee asked. "Why is that boy and his robot trying to destroy us?"

"Technically he just wants me and Luz," Anne said. "Maybe Sprig, Polly and King too."

"Wait, why us? Pretty sure you were the ones he was targeting," Polly said.

"How does she know that?" Oum asked. "Furthermore Anne, how do you know that?"

"Instinct?" Anne said, earning a confused reaction from Luz.

"Destroy them! Quick!" Hunter said as Cloak-Bot continued to rain down attacks on the highway.

Luz used her magic to try and wrap them in vines, but the robot was quick to cut them away. "He really means business."

"Seriously, how are you doing that!?" Bee asked.

"I'll tell you after we escape!" Luz insisted.

"Think you can turn this car invisible?" Anne asked.

"I don't think this glyph will work," Luz said, readying another. "But this might!"

Luz sent a fireball that knocked Cloak-Bot back, Hunter nearly falling off, but grabbed at the last second.

"Nice shot Luz, but where do we go now?" King asked.

"Just give me a second," Anne said. Suddenly their car nearly took a hit. "Whoa!"

"Great, this thing is hard to lose," Bee said, then noticed more trouble. "Not good, a split is up ahead. Which way do I go?"

"Try the 405," Oum said.

"At this hour? Way too much traffic!" Bee said.

"Make a choice fast, they're coming!" Luz said as Cloak-Bot got close.

Bee made a sharp turn to avoid the attack and took an exit. Cloak-Bot placed Hunter down and attempted to block the car, but Mr. Boonchuy aggressively ran the robot over and kept going.

"Whoa...that was so awesome dad!" Anne said. "Think you can give me driving lessons later?"

"Let's make sure we lose both of them," Luz said. "Mr. Boonchuy, is there anywhere we can hide?"

"There might be, give me a second to think," Bee said.

"Uh, gonna need more than a second," Polly said, gesturing to Cloak-Bot in the distance. "He's still coming!"

"Hang on!" Bee kept driving until he broke through the gate of the local junk yard. After driving a bit, they left the car and went to find some place to hide.

"Okay, I think we're safe," Anne said as everyone hid behind a pillar. "Now everything should be-"

"Anne Savisca Boonchuy!" Oum said, getting Anne's attention. "What is going on?"

"Oooh...middle name," Luz cringed.

"Uh, what do you mean?" Anne nervously asked. "There's a giant robot trying to kill us, seemed clear to me."

"But why Anne, is there something you want to tell us?" Oum asked.

"Take it easy mom," Anne pleaded.

"Honey, let's hear her out," Bee said.

"No! She's lying to us, I know she's done something!" Oum said. "That's why that thing is after us."

"It's complicated," Anne said, getting more and more nervous."

"You haven't changed one bit, you're still that irresponsible little girl who used to cut class!" Oum said. "When are you going to grow up? When are you going to stop getting into trouble? When Anne? When!?

"I don't know!" Anne shouted, the girl tearing up a bit, everyone surprised by her outburst. "I'm sorry, but I don't know if I will ever be the daughter you want me to be. It's true, I have been lying, but I just wanted to protect the people I care about. Luz, Marcy, Sasha, The Plantars, and you. That's why I wasn't being honest, I just didn't want you to worry."

"It's true," Luz said. "Anne's been more than worried since returning. She really wanted nothing more than to be back home but, she has some responsibilities that she just can't turn away from."

"Responsibilities?" Bee asked.

"It's complicated, and I promise that after today, I will tell you everything, but right now, I just need to keep you all safe," Anne said. "I've really learned to appreciate you two recently. You're tough but at least you care, and that's all that matters to me. Please, let me make up for my screw-ups."

Sympathetically, Bee walked over to his daughter, wiping a tear from her eye, "Hey, it's alright. We'll get through this. By the way, you are not a screw-up, you are my daughter. You don't have to fit a mold just for me, I love you the way you are."

"I love you too Anne, that's why I worry for you," Oum said, going over to take her daughter's hand. "Just let us in a bit more. We promise to do the best we can on our side too."

"Thanks mom, and dad," Anne said, the two parents bringing their daughter in for a group hug.

Luz wiped some tears from her eyes, "Wow, so sweet. You have great parents Anne. You're so lucky."

"What about you?" Bee asked, getting Luz's attention. "Do you really have a mother in Connecticut?"

"Yeah, and since we're all being honest, she doesn't know I'm out here," Luz said.

"Your mother doesn't know you're on the other side of the country!?" Oum asked in disbelief.

"Weird, huh?" Luz said. "That's why I'm staying with my friend Marco."

"I don't like what I am hearing, you owe your mother an explanation," Oum said.

"I will Mrs. Boonchuy. I've also gotten to appreciate certain things being around you two as well, so thanks," Luz said. "I'm glad Anne has parents like you. It makes me appreciate my mother more. Now I realize that she needs to know about my well being. She already lost her husband, I don't think she wants to worry about losing her daughter. Especially now of all times."

"Now?" Anne asked.

"Around this time, many years ago, it was when my father passed away," Luz said. "Every year my mom and I would do something to honor him, guess Vee will take my place this year."

"It sounds like tradition for you though," Anne said.

"It's fine, I can honor him here too," Luz said. "But it's still several days away, so we got time. Maybe if we finish what we need to do, then I can be there."

"Regardless, I want to be there for you too," Anne said. "Maybe it's not my place to say ,but I feel like if your father were alive, he'd be so happy to see how his daughter turned out. You're an amazing girl Luz, I'm proud to call you my friend."

"Anne..." Luz's eyes began to water a bit as she placed her hands over her mouth. "Thank you so much."

"That was very kind of you Anne," Bee said, then turned his attention to his daughter's friend. "Luz, true to my daughter's words, there is no power that can rival a father's love for his daughter. If you were my daughter, I know I'd be proud too."

"Gracias Mr. Boonchuy, thank you so much," Luz said. She walked over to give the man a huge, taking him by surprise. "You and your wife raised an amazing daughter."

"Happy to know we did it right then," Mr. Boonchuy joked.

Luz turned her attention to Oum, "You're a great mother ma'am. You remind me a lot of my own mom. You're stern, but loving."

"Thank you, Luz," Oum said.

"Also, you both have accents, just something I figured I'd mention," Luz said.

"One of life's funny similarities," Anne said. Suddenly she heard some clanking sounds. "Cloak-Bot's coming back."

"Everyone, hold your breath," Luz said, creating an invisibility glyph.

Cloak-Bot searched around, finding nothing with Hunter right behind him.

"I know they're around here, keep looking!" Hunter said, the robot obeying.

Upon the two leaving, the spell wore off, Luz looking relieved. "Let's get going."

"So, how can you do magic?" Bee asked.

"I'm training to be a witch," Luz said. "Long story."

"...Wow, that's a surprise," Bee said.

The Boonchuys, Plantars, Luz and King had gotten back in their car and quickly drove away. Fortunately Cloak-Bot hadn't spotted them, making the escape much easier.

They were all back home, relieved to be done with this all.

"What a day," Oum said. "I can't believe our daughter knows a girl who does magic."

"Can you do magic too, Anne?" Bee asked.

"No, I never learned," Anne said.

"With my magic, I can keep Anne safe," Luz said. "But she's great at fighting herself if she needs to."

"Fighting what exactly?" Oum asked.

"Evil Kings for one..." Anne said.

"Evil Kings?" Bee asked.

"Don't worry, we're friends with a Princess that has stronger magic than mine, so it'll be good," Luz said.

"...This is so weird," Oum said.

"So, about that parade," Anne said.

"What is this parade?" Oum asked.

"It's a Coven Day Parade, we're just going to do a little reconnaissance," Luz explained. "No fighting at all."

"So, can I go?" Anne asked.

"It seems dangerous," Oum said.

"Please mom, my friends are counting on me, I have to be ready to protect them," Anne said.

"...You are quite loyal to your friends," Oum said. "I suppose that's good. Maybe you have grown. Alright, you can go."

"Sweet!" Anne said.

"But! You still need to come straight home," Oum said. "And Luz, I expect you to call your mother and tell her the truth."

"Yes ma'am," Luz said.

"And don't call me 'ma'am', you make me sound like an old lady," Oum said. "Call me 'Khuṇ p̂ā'"

"Khuṇ p̂ā?" Luz asked. "What does that mean?"

"It means 'aunt'," Anne said. "Mom considers you family now."

"Really? Wow, that's...really nice," Luz said. "What do I call you, Mr. Boonchuy?"

"Lung," Bee said. "It means 'uncle'."

"Alright, you two are my new aunt and uncle," Luz said. "Mi nueva tía y tío."

"It's so great that you speak, Spanish," Oum said. "Anne, you should really learn more Thai. Embrace culture like Luz did."

Anne glared at Luz, the girl awkwardly turning away, "I'll keep that in mind."

"We should hurry," Sprig said.

"I'm on it," Anne said, using the scissors to open the portal, everyone else following, aside from Luz, who had a question for Luz's parents.

"So um...would it be alright if I stayed over as well?" Luz asked. "Just for a bit?"

"Of course, our home is your home," Oum said.

"Plus we can play video games together," Bee said.

"I'd love that, thanks, I'll see you two later," Luz said, making her leave as well.

"So strange..." Bee commented.

"Yeah...things are changing," Oum said. "At least Anne is really growing up. She has a good friend too."

"Yeah, Luz is a great girl," Bee said.

"Something about her losing her father though, something like that can be hard on a young girl," Oum said. "It might explain why she felt attached to you before. She wants a father in her life."

"I am flattered she chose me," Bee said. "Her father must have been a really cool guy."

"At the very least, we can meet her mother, see the woman that raised such a lovely young girl," Oum said. "A girl just like our Anne."

"Yeah," Bee said. "Wonder what Marco's parents are like? Think they're cool?"

"Cool enough to let girls sleep over at his house," Oum said. "You think he and one of the girls..."

"I don't know, not sure if I want to," Bee said.

"I hope no girl is that irresponsible either," Oum said.

While in Wartwood, Sasha was explaining everything to Buff Frog, "Basically I'm a knight of Mewni now since Star is really adamant on stopping Belos and Andrias. We haven't had that many close calls since the attack on Wartwood but he still has that robot along with a young boy named Hunter. If either of them happen to show up here, take extreme caution."

"Dah, we do just that," Buff Frog said.

"Grime is going to stick around, meanwhile me and my friend here," Sasha gestured to Higgs. "We're gonna check The Boiling Isles."

"So you were really once a henchman to Toffee?" Higgs asked.

"Not pleasant memory for me," Buff Frog said. "Glad he is dead, no more trouble from him."

"Hopefully we can add Andrias and Belos to that as well," Sasha said. "Anyway, I gotta get to The Boiling Isles. Star may send her boyfriend here too to check on you, and possibility Lilith Clawthorne too. Keep out of trouble."

"Will do," Buff Frog said, saluting the girls.

"See ya," Sasha said, making her leave with Higgs.

"Knight of Mewni, not just her, but baker man's daughter," Buff Frog said. "He must be so proud."

Meanwhile with Maddie's father.

"My daughter's a knight? What does that even mean!? Will she be alright? Oh no, they're gonna make my baby girl fight! All I did was let her go to that witch school, why is she a knight!?"

"It's fine dad, Maddie can handle herself," Rosemary said.

"Totally, she's got great magic and had her talents recognized by Mewman Royalty," Lavender said.

"We believe in Maddie," Ginger Flour said.

"Yeah, I do too...I just don't want her getting hurt," Mr. Flour lamented.

At the Boiling Isles, a dejected Eda sat on the roof, Hop Pop glancing over to her, feeling sad for the woman.

"Mr. Plantar," came Amity's voice, the girl disguised from the crowd along with some friends. Gus did something to him to make him recognize everyone in the group. "It's me, Amity, with my brother, sister and friends."

"Amity, you made it," Hop Pop said. "Almost didn't recognize you or everyone else."

"The magic's working," Gus said. "My skills mixed with The Blights really made things work for us."

"It's pretty awesome," Maddie said, noticing the witch woman. "What's wrong with Eda?"

"She ran into Raine," Hop Pop said. "It's weird, he didn't have any recollection of the last few weeks on Mewni."

"Really? That's odd," Amity said.

"We saw Raine chatting it up with that Kikimora woman too," Hop Pop said.

"Kikimora? She works with Belos," Willow said. "That can't be a good sign."

"Belos might have brainwashed Raine or something," Amity theorized. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

Seconds later, Marco came through a portal with Marcy and Star, "Are we late?"

"No, you're right on time," Gus said, using his magic to disguise Marco and allow him to see through the disguise. "Thank Edric and Emira as well."

"Are they here?" Marco asked.

"They needed to help my parents with something, mom's probably somewhere in the crowd right now," Amity said.

Sasha was next to come through alongside Higgs, the latter looking amazed, "Whoa..."

"Cool huh?" Sasha said.

"Sasha! Higgs!" Gus got their attention, using his magic on them. "Disguised!"

"Great work," Sasha said. "Looks like we're right on time."

"Are these really all witches?" Higgs asked. "Must be a lot of magic."

"Yeah, that's how this world is," Gus said.

Lastly, Anne, Luz, Polly, Sprig and King came through their portal.

"We're here," Anne said.

"Magic time," Gus said, disguising them. "Awesome huh?"

"The perfect deus ex machina," Sprig said.

"I'm sorry, did you just call my hard work a deus ex machina?" Gus asked in disbelief.

"Never mind that," Luz said. "Looks like the parade is about to start."

"Oh, by the way," Anne said. "Luz and I ran into Hunter and Cloak-Bot."

"You did what?" Marco asked.

"Are you hurt?" Amity asked.

"We got away, but they both seemed serious this time, like they were absolutely determined to destroy us," Anne said.

"They were willing to destroy to destroy a highway just to get to us," Luz said.

"Wow, sounds like they're really out for our blood now," Sasha said. "Fine by us, we'll take the fight to him."

Meanwhile near the stage, Kikimora is seen speaking on the phone, "I gotta go now mom, I'm up. Yes, alright mom. I really need to go now!"

"Hurry dear," Came the voice of a woman named Terra. "Don't keep Belos waiting."

"Tell that to my mother," Kikimora said, focusing on the phone. "Bye mom!"

"So...troubles with your family?" A nearby Ludo asked.

"What's it to you?" Kikimora asked.

"Hey, I totally understand it," Ludo said. "It's not easy dealing with parents. My parents think I'm an utter waste of existence. They value only my brother, he's the 'good child' apparently."

"Well maybe we can switch parents one day, I'd rather deal with parents who don't care than overbearing parents," Kikimora said.

"Be careful what you wish for," Ludo said.

"Whatever, so long as I keep my good relations with Belos, I never have to see Palm Stings again," Kikimora said.

"How terribly tragic to say," Terra said. "Well, time for your introductory speech."

Not too long later, Raine, Terra and Ludo all took to the stage, with Kikimora taking the stand, getting the heroes' attention.

"There she is, the little troublemaker," Hop Pop said.

"Thank you Bonesborough, for joining us on this Coven Day Parade," Kikimora said. "This year is extra special, because the Emperor himself has an announcement to make."

Belos's image appeared overhead, glancing down at his subjects. At present, he was fully dressed in his royal gear, including his gold helmet. The heroes of course grimaced at the sight of their enemy, hoping that soon they would be rid of him and free The Boiling Isles from his tyranny.

"Thank you everyone. We are striving to perfect the coven system as the titan intended," Belos said. "The Day of Unity will occur in a few weeks, when the tide is at the lowest, and the moon obscures the sun! To which we will journey to the heavenly isles, and the world shall inherit a utopia, free of wild magic!"

This got a gasp out of the crowd, and confusion from the group of heroes.

"Free of Wild Magic? What does that even mean?" King asked.

"We will not be doing this alone, my ally, the great King Andrias, will be at our side, ready to do his part as well," Belos said.

An image popped up of Andrias, the newt king seemingly trying to adjust the camera, "Is this thing on? Am I on the screen? Ugh, this type of magic is a pain to figure out, next time I'll just use my robots to-"

"Ahem..." Belos said, getting Andrias's attention.

"Uh...hello Boiling Isles, it is I, the great King Andrias!" the newt King boasted. "I am broadcasting live from Amphibia, one of the greatest realms in the multiverse. My buddy Belos and I have big plans to benefit not just this world, or mine, but all worlds. It will be a Utopia like you've never imagined! Just pledge your undying loyalty to us and you too will be able to bask in the glory of the new age!"

"What's he going on about?" Sprig asked.

"Just a bunch of mumbo jumbo," Polly said.

"There are two things I would like to share," Belos said, picking up a baby. "For staters, I recently became a father. I adopted this orphan from the world of Mewni, a terrible place that treats creatures like her with cruelty just because of her appearance."

"Hey! Is he seriously slandering Mewni!?" Star shouted in disbelief, getting hushed by the others.

"Her name is Meteora, she is my heir," Belos said, holding her up. "Give praise onto your future Empress."

"That piece of crap," Marco said.

"She's a great kid, too bad about that Mewni place, but I hear they hate anything that's not their own," Andrias said. "They were willing to attack Coven Guards from this glorious place, how cruel. Plus the tragedy that has befallen my castle as well, thanks to their miserable Princess."

"Well screw you too, buddy," Star said, offering a single finger to Andrias.

"In time, things will be fixed, thanks to some friends here, and a potential new recruit that I believe I can trust," Andrias said. "The Core of my plans."

"Well that's ominous," Marco said. "Marcy, do you know what he might be talking about?"

"Not a clue," Marcy said.

"Secondly, I have always kept my face hidden out of fear, but the support from all of you, and my friends has given me the courage to unmask," Belos said, taking his helmet off, revealing his face to the crowd.

"Pfft, he's just trying to distract everyone," Eda said. "I doubt it will-"

Suddenly the entire crowd began cheering, to the disbelief of the heroes.

"Okay that's next level bullshit," Sasha said.

"Wait, is that what he actually looks like?" Maddie asked.

Willow and Gus glanced at each other, neither of them too impressed with what they saw, "Eh..."

"Thank you, Boiling Isles," Belos said. "Happy Coven Day."

"We love you, grandpa!" a bystander said.

"...What is Belos planning?" Amity asked. "What does he mean with this wild magic thing?"

"I don't know much about this guy, or that King, but painting Mewni in bad light like that just makes me mad," Higgs said.

"Andrias is up to something too, kind of has me worried," Sasha said.

"Hey, don't worry, we'll figure it out," Marco said. "Belos and Andrias better watch each other's backs, their days are numbered."

The two evil rulers continued to bask in their glory, eagerly planning for what's to come while Hunter and Cloak-Bot continued their journey as well.

However, one other key figure remained, that being the Dark Queen, who had one goal, and one goal only. To get her daughter back.