Chains That Bind

Chapter 1

"Sure Star. And thanks for being supportive of me and Jackie." Marco smiled at his alien-princess friend.

Star smiled as believable as she could, "duh, that's what friends are for."

Marco hugged her. To him, it felt just like any other hug to give a family member or friend, but to Star, it felt like hugging a stranger. She didn't even know if she should hug back or not. Luckily, it was just a quick hug and Marco quickly left the room. Most likely to get ready.

Glosaryck took one last bite of the apple before shooting it down the trash can. "I think I've seen this before. Mhm, yes. Your great great great great great great great great great grandmother, Polly Butterfly. Loved someone who loved someone else. A domino motion if I could put it."

9xgreat grandma Polly?

The princess of Mewni turned to her immortal tutor. "Glosaryck, can you tell me more about greatx9 grandma Polly?"

"Greatx9?"

Star sighed, "it's just to tiring to say great again."

"Mhm, well. I could.....but I won't. We still have to polish your magic."

Star groaned, "fine. But you will have to tell me about her one day."

"Time will tell. Now, based from previous tests from today and yesterday, your magic seems to work better when you're in danger."

Star crossed her arms, "so I always have to be in danger for my magic to work then?" She asked sarcastically.

"If I may continue, princess. When you're in danger, your instincts are linked with your emotions. And as a princess of Mewni, you must always be linked with your emotions. It helps run your magic."

"But I am always linked to my emotions!"

"Different spells require different emotions. For example, I want to use a spell that requires fire, but I am on air. That won't work no matter how hard you try. To use the element, you must be the element."

Star looked at Glossaryck hard before walking towards the mirror on the wall.

"Mirror mirror on the wall, call mom."

Calling Tom...

"Ugh! I swear this things broken!"

Tom's face appeared and though Star knew it had been only days since they last saw each other, but Tom looked a bit more...mature....for the better word. Gone was the red ripped shirt. It was replaced with his royal attire. Tom's expression softened at the sight of his Starship, but it was hardly evident.

"Princess Butterfly, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Star blinked rapidly, trying to make sure she wasn't seeing things. She even checked her ears to see if anything was in there. Nope nothing. She heard right.

"Princess Butterfly?"

"T-Tom?" Star found her voice, "what happened to you?"

Tom's face remained stoic, "I just grew up thats all."

Star gave a nervous laugh, "seriously Tom, what's going on?"

"I should ask you that. Weren't you the one that called?"

Star but her lip, "true.....but I was actually trying to call my mom when the mirror -"

"-called for Tom instead of mom. I suggest buying a new mirror. I have to go. I'm very busy. Goodbye Princess Butterfly."

With that, Tom ended the call. Star stood shocked. What happened to him? What's going on? Star cleared her throat.

"Mirror mirror on the wall, call dad."

Calling dad...

.....
.....
.....

"Star! How are you my little pumpkin?" River asked.

If Star was shocked at Tom's changed of appearance, she was flabbergasted at her father's. King River looked as if he had aged 3 times. Gray hair was showing in his blonde and unkept hair. His royal attire was wrinkled and dirty. To sum it up, he looked like a mess.

"Dad! Are you okay?! What happened to you?!" Star cried.

"Oh, what? Oh, this! This nothing Star. But how are you? Are you okay? Why are you calling?"

Star paused, "I wanted to talk to mom but end up calling Tom-"

"Tom? Tom Lucitor?"

"Yeah, and he was and looked so weird-"

"Star. Did he say anything to you?"

"Well, he did say that I have to get a new mirror. This ones broken, but I think it's fine."

King River still looked worried, "nothing else?"

Star shook her head slowly, still a bit skeptic about her father's behavior.

"That's good. It would've been too early."

"Dad, what's going on? Where's mom? I need to talk to her about Glossaryck."

King River held back tears.

"Dad?"

"Star. Just....just tell Glossaryck this. Code 945688."

"Code what?"

"Code 945688." King River repeated.

"945688."

"Yes. Now I have to go. Love you sweetie."

Call ended.

"Love you too?" Star looked at her reflection. Her dad acted weird. And when she asked for her mom, she didn't see her. That was weird. Her mom would always jump at the chance to see her.

"Glossaryck?"

No answer.

Star grabbed a cup of pudding from her drawer.

"Pudding!"

There he was.

"Glossaryck. Dad said something about Code 945688 or something."

The blue man stopped his actions. He looked at Star with unblinking eyes. "Excuse me? Code 945688?"

Star nodded.

"Glossaryck? What's going on?"