STAR!!!

STAR!!!

STAR!!!

No, I was able to get through for a moment, c'mon, c'mon, please, maybe I need to........no that won't work, Marco replied to himself.

Is there anyway out of this mind prison, Marco said to himself.

Marco floats around in his mind space, which was empty at the moment, due to the fact that he wasn't in control of his body. He just wanders the ever lasting feeling of complete emptiness that is his prison.

But as Marco was losing all hope, he saw something, it didn't seem to be Darkforce, since Marco knew who they would take on as an appearance, but this figure wasn't them, it seemed to take on a....Dragon?

A Dragon? What would a Dragon be doing in here.

Well I mean I have a Dragoncycle, so I guess it would make sense, but this doesn't seem to be it, Marco suggested.

The Dragon suddenly starts moving in a certain direction. Wait where are you going? Marco said.

The Dragon looks back to Marco, and signals him to follow him. Wait, you want me to follow you, Marco asked.

The Dragon nods in approval and continues moving. Wait for me, Marco replied.

Marco and the Dragon ventured for some time, it felt like walking down a infinite hallway, except that hallway isn't there. Soon they approached a door.

Why is there a door in here, and why did you lead me here, Marco said to the Dragon.

The Dragon doesn't respond and just phases through the door. Wait, why did you bring me here, Marco said as he opens the door to follow the Dragon.

Once Marco opened the door, he was greeted by a room full of crystal arches, and a lot of them, in fact the room is so big, you can't see the other side of the room from where Marco is standing.

Where am I? Marco asks himself.

You are in memory lane, literally, A undisclosed voice replied back.

Huh?? Who said that, Marco said in shock.

Down here, The undisclosed voice replied back.

Wait! You......You can talk, how come you didn't speak up before, Marco asked.

Because I didn't want them to know that I was here, in your mind prison, being in here prevents them from detecting my presence, The Dragon replied.

Okay? But why are you in here, helping me? Marco asked.

Well do you know a small blue being, you know wears yellow robes, big crystal on his forehead, likes pudding and for the most part, speaks in cryptic riddles, The Dragon said to Marco.

You mean Glossaryck, guardian of magic and the bridge between magic and mortals, that Glossaryck, Marco replied.

Yep, that Glossaryck, I mean he is the bridge between magic and mortals, who do you think is on one end of the bridge kiddo, The Dragon answered back to Marco.

Wait, hold on, your the embodiment of magic itself, Marco said in awe.

Well, not really, well half right, I am, per say, embody magic, just not every single form of it, just the one you seem to be familiar with, and I only embody half of that magic, The Dragon replied back.

Wait so who embodies the other half, Marco asked.

Well they are known as the Butterfly, and frankly, I wouldn't be here helping you if it weren't for her, The Dragon said.

What....do you mean by that, Marco curiously asked.

Well, I guess I have to tell the origins of "Butterfly Magic", The Dragon said.

Why call it Butterfly Magic......Oh I get it now, Marco replied.

But please, I don't have time for a long explanation, just give me an abridged version, I just need to figure how I can get my body back, Marco said.

Okay, I'll give you an abridged explanation, The Dragon replied.

In the early universe, Myself and The Butterfly were accidentally brought into existence, each with unique magical abilities. We started as, well wouldn't say rivals, but wasn't comfortable with The Butterfly just yet, but gradually became allies due to our complementary powers.

During our progress to become allies, we accidentally created the Magic Dimension, which would later influence your Girlfriend's world. Our combined magic formed Glossaryck, who became a guide for the Butterfly family.

We couldn't directly interfere in your affairs due to universal laws. Magic couldn't be destroyed, and its impact on your world was complex. The Whispering Spell affected the Realm of Magic but didn't erase magic itself. Our role was to observe, guide, and allow civilizations to evolve on their own, even if mistakes were made.

So, the intricacies of magic, our existence, and universal laws led to the complexities of well, alot of things.

Okay, that was something, I'll take note of that, but I need to know why bring me to this place, Marco asked The Dragon.

Because in order to defeat Darkforce, you need to overcome yourself and know what kind of person you want to be, The Dragon replied to Marco.

What, I'm in the best place I can be in my life, well except recent events, but that's it, Marco responded.

But are you sure you believe that, deep down you know that isn't all true, you still have self doubt about yourself, even with the successful achievements you've accomplished in recent months, you still feel that something is missing, The Dragon replied.

Well, I, um, yeah, it's true. Even with all that's happened, I don't know what comes next, I never really envisioned what comes after, being a Therapist, well it seems like I need the therapy after all this is over, but I just......just can't........Marco said without finishing his sentence.

Look, calm down, I'll help you get through it, maybe a trip down memory lane might help, The Dragon suggested.

How would that help, my life before Star wasn't as exciting and there is nothing Star doesn't know about, she still loves me, past, present and hopefully the future, but what does my past matter anyways, Marco asked The Dragon.

If you want to defeat Darkforce, you need to take back control of your body, and to do that you need to accept who you are and know past mistakes will always be there, you can't change that, heal your inner self to purge your body of this darkness, so are you ready, Marco Diaz, The Dragon said.

Well, I don't have any choice, but if it helps me to take back my body, then so be it, I've faced far worst, this would be a piece of cake, Marco said.

Alright, let's begin, where should we start off, The Dragon asked.

Well, I'm not sure, but I guess I'll start at the beginning, well not the very beginning, I meant the day I first met Star, Marco replied.

And what makes you uncertain of this moment, The Dragon said.

Well, if I had known what would happen, I could've been alot nicer to Star on her 1st day on Earth, heck I even said I wanted a little danger in my life to Star, I mean that was some kind of response from higher beings, no offense tho, Marco said to The Dragon.

None taken, and besides, Myself, nor The Butterfly had any involvement with that moment, The Dragon responded.

Right, back to what I was saying, I should been nicer to her, it was her first day after all, Marco said.

But you couldn't, the past is the past, you could never change that, The Dragon said.

But what about travelling back to the past, I mean, Star and I did use Father Time's wheel to travel back in time to where we encountered a young Moon and River, Marco pointed out.

Well the two of you were lucky to not change anything, either that or it was always meant to happen, meaning it never altered the flow of time, The Dragon said.

Um, I'll get back to looking back at my past self, anyways, I did act out at Star, but I did make things right by accepting her into my life, and let me tell you, that was the right call, and things would never be the same, in a good way that is, Marco replied.

Good progress, but there is still a lot to go, so should we proceed, The Dragon said.

Yeah, but one thing, what is that over there, Marco said as he pointed to what seemed to be more memories across from them, but Marco doesn't recall any of this.

Oh, that's Darkforce's memories, they are not just one being, but many beings, across years of The Butterfly Dynasty, and, well, you draw up your own conclusion, you be surprised to discover what you find in those memories, The Dragon replied.

Marco walks towards the memories of the very being that has taken over the body, and is shocked to what he has discovered.

The first one he sees is what seems to be the early days of what would soon become Mewni, as he discovers the fact that various species of Monsters, were already inhabiting Mewni at that point, which would make them the natives of Mewni, not Mewmans, and it showed the first Butterfly use her magic to shoo those monster away, and not in a lightly manner.

Oh my, Marco replied.

Truth hurts, doesn't it, The Dragon replied.

Well, its just one moment that showed Star's Family as the bad guys, and frankly Star knows this, why do you think she tried to stop magic, Marco replied.

Well, that's not what I'm getting at, maybe a few more memory recollections should help you understand, The Dragon replied.

Okay, fine, what next....... oh, how about Jackie? Marco asked.

Don't look at me, its your memories after all, so what you choose for self realization is all you, not me, The Dragon replied.

Oh, right, well, I guess, I've had this huge crush on Jackie Lynn Thomas ever since Kindergarten, it was always like this until I met Star, when Star entered the picture, I was questioning who was the one, and frankly it was a bumpy road, but even when I got Jackie, I thought to myself, now what, all these years of crushing and minimal interactions with her, and once I finally get together with her, I didn't know what to do then, and frankly, Jackie knew this as well, Marco said.

Continue, The Dragon said.

Well, I never really got to know who Jackie really is, like I do with Star, and clearly Jackie had better insight than me, she knew how close Star and I were and it led to a break up that was a bit jarring to me, but it did work out in the end, Marco stated.

How so, The Dragon asked.

Well, after spending a year on Mewni, I returned to Earth to be there for my baby sister, and for my future, but I didn't expect Star to also return, eventually we hung out at Britta's Tacos, reunited with old acquaintances, and after a year, I saw Jackie again, and I thought everything would be bad between us, but I was wrong, turns out Jackie also had a sudden realization at the time and took a trip to Paris, turns out she met someone there and the two of them came back to Echo Creek, she was at peace and ensured me I didn't do anything wrong to end things, and she suggested we become friends, no bad blood whatsoever, Marco said.

And what did you say, The Dragon asked.

Well, I said yes, and it worked out, in fact Jackie and her Girlfriend Chole also got close to Janna, Tom and Star, they've essentially become part of a very unique friend group......Oh no, I just realized for these last few months Chole has been stuck in New Echo Creek, her family must be worried sick, Marco said.

Hey don't panic, but look on the bright side, we've found the problem to your inner self, The Dragon said.

And what is that? Marco asked.

You overthink too much, The Dragon replied.

Me, overthink, nonsense, I mean sure, I do at times over prepare for something unnecessary and over plan things, but that wouldn't be the flaw, right? Marco asked with uncertainty.

Well, your overthinking and self doubt did leave yourself vulnerable enough to be possessed and have little control over your body, so there's that, The Dragon said.

Oh, so that's it then, my overthinking and self doubt led me to being corrupted and hurt those closest to me, Marco said.

No, you were possessed, not corrupted, there's a difference, The Dragon replied.

Well same thing, its hopeless, maybe I don't have the strength in me to take back what's mine, Marco said.

Come on Marco, you've faced alot in a short span of your life, this isn't any different to the rest, The Dragon said.

Well if that threat is in your body and using it for who knows what, then you and I aren't thinking the same thing, Marco replied.

*sighs* C'mon Marco, you still have a few memories left to browse through, if you still have any uncertainty we can take all the time in the world to make sure you are free of self doubt and uncertainty, The Dragon said.

But there isn't any time left, the longer I stay in here, the more damage Darkforce will cause, I need a quick solution to end all this, Marco replied.

Well, keep browsing for unresolved self conflict the, The Dragon said.

Okay, fine, if it really does help me, then what do I have left to lose, I am out of options anyways, so, let's continue, Marco said to The Dragon.

Marco and The Dragon soon browsed and alternated between Marco's and Darkforce's memories, Marco's remaining memories consisted of moments with his friends before Star, his "Break up Buddies" phase with Kelly and a few moments from his childhood.

Whereas for Darkforce's memories, it was just as disturbing as the first one Marco saw, although he did notice how all they wanted was peace amongst the colonizers (Mewmans) but it always ended with pain and suffering for all those, heck some of them were Mewmans caught in the crossfires throughout The Butterfly Dynasty.

Marco knew Star wasn't like them, he was there for Star's attempts at equality, so he knew Star really wasn't like her ancestors . But now Marco realises Darkforce is just many individuals who were unfairly punished or innocent civilians and just wanted something better, but now after many, many years, they're back with unfinished business with the family that took it all away.

Marco came to a realisation, Star would try everything in her power to end Darkforce, but she herself doesn't know what led Darkforce into their lust for revenge, so taking The Dragon's advice, Marco needs to concentrate, and focus his mind on taking back his body.

Marco, surprisingly reached the end of the corridor of his memories. Wait, I'm at the end, so what now? Marco asked The Dragon.

Don't ask me, this is your journey, you decide that, now, that all this is complete, I'll be on my way, The Dragon said.

Wait, where are you going, aren't you gonna help, Marco asked.

This is not my fight, and I can't intervene due to, well you already know, The Dragon replied.

Oh right, so is this farewell, Marco asked.

Maybe......Maybe not, who knows, its been nice to know you Marco Diaz, you remind me of a younger version of me, a less cooler version of me, The Dragon replied back.

Heyyyy!!! Marco replied.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding, you're cool, hope you succeed in this fight, and maybe we'll meet again, The Dragon said.

And with that The Dragon leaves Marco's subconscious mind and the memory hall fades aways, revealing the same emptiness he was wandering around since the takeover.

With all he learnt in that period of time, Marco aimed to focus his mind and inner self, in hopes to regain his body back for good.

It took time, but he got somewhere.......

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But Little did Marco know, he had little time on the clock, can he do it before it's too late.....

Find out the conclusion to The Butterfly Dynasty in the 2-Part Finale: Battle of The Star-Crossed Lovers.

Author's Note: It's been a while since I did one of these notes, and yes we are reaching the end of the story with only 2 chapters left, and from writing 3 separate stories, I'll be honest, this chapter was very difficult to write, so far, but I was able to push through with a long enough chapter to publish, after this story is complete, I'll take some time off writing long term fanfics, but will hopefully return with the next story set in this saga: Luzan's Requiem.