Hello! Shorter chapter but a new one is out! Far more light hearted compared to before. Hope you enjoy.

Momijifan Low-Ki - River showing up in this chapter brings both humor, serious moments and a little flashback. He's going to stick around for a while :). And the darkness isn't gone, but just going to be put on the back-burner for a while.

OshiroNai - Gotta have SOME happiness after thick piles of darkness :P. But yeah, Star and Marco are a couple now, which changes their dynamic a bit more. You will see that even now in this chapter. River is...you will see how he acts.

Bedrock Armor - River is very wise, having emotional intelligence on many levels. Didn't mean to bring up such a sour topic for you :(.

Anonymous. MISTER Anonymous - The past two chapters were 'Sadness: The Story' so expect far lighter happenings to go down here...though the darkness never fully leaves. Just lingers...

RobLebron - Your character has a very...special role in the story. One that I'm quite excited to delve into once Tom comes back into the story (around...I think chapter fourteen or fifth-teen). You will see how Star and Marco react to River in this chapter, so hope you enjoy :).

Kuriyan BBQ - River is a man that loves his family. A lot. Him losing Star the way he did PISSES HIM off greatly. You will see how much he really loves Star in this chapter. If you think Star and Marco are the only ones that dislike Moon, you are wrong.

Johana - The story was set out from day-zero to be dark. Moon...is odd here. In my other stories, she is far more in-line with her canon personality. If I'm happy about anything in the canon show (currently down on it), it was how Moon was handled in Battle for Mewni and Season 2. She really loves Star. But uh...my take in THIS story is...interesting. I will explain WHY Moon isn't that close with Star but you will get her backstory later in the story. She has reasons for her actions and similar to River, will patch things up with Star. HOW though, is very, very different, will tell you that much.

your manDrake - Hehe...sorry about the double reviews :P. I approved both of them manually, as both touched on different things. Sorry if you preferred one over the other :(. But thank you for reading! I will dive into the many dimensions and your ideas for Marco in the future, but death is something I will not revert. When a character really dies, they STAY DEAD. That is a rule of mine here, as this will be a realistic story. My take on Toffee and Marco is something I'm quite proud of here, so glad you like my characterizations of them!

Zeta999 - I'm sorry about the spelling and grammar. I sent you a PM explaining this but I even installed a grammar-checking program. Shame that isn't not helping much :(. But uh, at least it isn't fully hindering your ability to enjoy my story. The darkness and realistic interactions are something I'm very proud of. Thank you so much for reading my story and I will try to continue improving the spelling/grammar.

Silence lingered in the room, the air thick as if it was dense fog. Between the nervous Marco Diaz, was two forces. On his left, best friend and girlfriend, Star Butterfly. On his right, her father, and King of Mewni, River Butterfly. The two had very heated glares, but Marco could tell one thing; both exchanged bitter sadness. Feeling sick from the tension, he took a deep breath.

Star and River kept their glares but drifted their attention to Marco. "Well, I'm sure a lot of questions are popping up now." He clapped his hands together, looking directly at River. "But boy, I have a lot of questions for you, River my friend. Come, sit down." River sat down on the couch, feeling Marco nearly break the man's shoulder with how hard he was clenching it. Marco had a small smile, feeling his right eye twitch slightly. "I will make us all some coffee. Star, why don't you…talk to your dad for a bit?" Marco walked into the kitchen, releasing a held breath once near the coffee pot. "Thank god for those anger management lessons, or I would have flipped out back there."

Star played with her gloved hands, moving her fingers around anxiously. River nervously looked around, paying close attention to his daughter. He was surprised at her appearance; she looked older and more mature to him, almost a mirror reflection of Moon herself at Star's current age. 'My little girl just…grew up without me…' Letting out a held-in breath, he looked at Star. "Pumpkin, can I speak?" Star nods slightly, not meeting his eyesight. "I'm deeply sorry for not being there for you."

"Sorry doesn't change what I've been through," Star said softly, looking at hands. She pulled off her gloves, showing River many scratch marks and minor scars. "Every night, I feel like I'm in chains, someone pulling me into a dungeon or dark room." Her eyes were closed, briefly recalling those bitter nightmares.

Hello Starship, my lovely Queen of the Underworld…

WHAT did you say dog? That isn't what a perfect princess acts like!

You are such a fun time, fairest Princess of the land…

She clenched her right hand into a fist, letting small tears come down her face. River moved back, feeling intense magic hovering around Star. "I…I'm no one's toy. Only me, Star Butterfly. Will never let anyone treat me like that again. I won't." She sharply glared at River, feeling intense purple flames in her blue orbs. "Even if you didn't hurt me, all that stuff did happen. I…fought back, but simply couldn't win. I'm free of that now…but not because of you. Father."

"Even if I couldn't fight against your mother…I should have tried." River said in shame. "I've believed you about everything. Moon just…does not understand." He ruffled his short blond hair. "She hasn't understood a lot of things for a while now. I'm sorry my little starlight."

Star noticed the pain in her father's eyes, frowning in response. "Mom doesn't really care about me, so I stopped getting upset over that. You know, I don't ever want to return home, right Dad?" River nods, having a small smile. "And…you aren't here to take me back? I thought that's why you showed up, to bring this 'doll' back to her castle."

"Why would I do that? And ruin the happiness you gained with that boy?" River points toward Marco, brewing coffee and making something else. Star blushed at the comment, rubbing her bare arms. "You care about him. Besides, any man that dares threaten me OR my wife over my little girl should get my respect."

"Can't believe he told off Mom…" Star snickered at the thought, with that still shocking her. "So…you are going to stay for a few days?" River shrugs his shoulders, relaxing on the couch.

"I just want to visit my daughter and get some time away from that dreadful castle. Without you making magic everywhere, it's oddly quiet." Star rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

"Considering everything..." She looked toward the kitchen and sighed. Putting her finger-less gloves back on, she got up and stretched her back. "Going to check on Marco, so…"

"Say no more," River picked up a nearby remote, turning on the TV. "I know how things work here pumpkin. Get your boyfriend here, want to chat with him about something." Star just walked away, feeling oddly happy.

Marco finished brewing the coffee and was just about to mix in the creamer. "Hey, Marco." He turned around, seeing Star waving hello. He put the creamer down and leaned on the counter, giving Star a small smile. "Uh…dad wants to speak with you."

"Figures…" Marco groaned inwardly but didn't show his sight anger. "But how do you feel? I mean…your family might bring up bad memories." Star sat on the counter-top, kicking her black booted feet in the air.

"I should hate my dad, blasting him with a Narwhal or something…but just don't feel that angry anymore." She looked at Marco, worry evident on her face. "What does that mean? I know that I'm still really damn mad about everything."

"It means, your heart is trying to move on from the pain." Marco held Star's hand, looking right into her eyes. "I went through something like that when Jackie and I broke up, growing resentful toward her but slowly, letting my anger wash away. While part of me will always be mad at her, she…really didn't do anything wrong. It was just a shitty situation we were both in." Marco locked his vision upon the coffee pot. Its vapors were hovering out of it, the smell of coffee evident in the air. Star held on to Marco's hand tighter, getting him out of his thoughts. "Anyway, just try to patch things up with him…I get the impression he's a good person, despite everything that happened."

Star only gave a weak smile, hopping off the counter. Taking her cup, she took a slug before wiping her mouth. "Just don't let him kill you…my cute boyfriend." Giving a sly smile, Marco only shook his head, grinning stupidly as he took coffee for himself and River back into the living room.

River watched the TV, feeling a wave of memories come over him. An old western was playing, with two cowboy's having a shootout. "It's been so long since I've been on Earth. Got much to catch up on." His thoughts were interrupted by a loud 'thud', pushing the king to look at the table in front of him. Coffee was present, with Marco sitting down next to River. "Ah, thank you." River slugged some coffee down, feeling his eyes grow wide from a rush of caffeine.

Marco couldn't help but snicker at this, recalling when he first had Cuban Coffee. "It gives you a rush for sure." Marco moved his cup around, taking a sip before putting it down. "Helps with school work and all that." He gave a more serious look at River, one that the man recognized; he gave that very look of sternness and anger in the past. "I know nothing about how Mewni works politically, but Star said you come from Earth. Tell me," He leaned forward, hands folded like a business man talking to his worker. "Why did Star have no rights on Mewni? She is a Princess, so saying 'no' to attending Saint O's or demanding Tom being punished for his actions wasn't off the cards." The two cowboy's on the TV was talking the other down, but Marco nor River heard the exchange.

River rubbed his neck, nervously laughing. 'This boy is a smart one…' He coughed, looking at Marco seriously. "It wasn't from the fact Star had no rights boy. I agree that demon should have been executed for his actions against my daughter." He sighed, rubbing his temples tiredly. "It's my wife. On Mewni, the monarchies mirror joy ol' England. The Queen has full control, with the King only offering moral support and leading the armies." Marco made a 'huh' sound, looking at his coffee.

"So it was the Star's Mom that made her go through so much?" River nods, making the boy sigh. "Damn…guess that's why Star hates her so much. You couldn't do anything though?" Marco refuted, looking darkly at River. "Power or not, you are her father. Someone that has their kids back!" The cowboy's in the TV loaded their guns, aiming at one another intently, having looks of death within their cold eyes.

"What do you know about raising a kid, Marco?" River got up, staring down Marco. "It was painful losing my daughter over the past three years, so don't you dare accuse me of being a bad father." Marco matched his glare, eyes twitching and fists clenched tight. '1…2…3…4…' Marco began counting down in his mind.

"Prove you love my daughter." Marco stopped counting, eyes turning bloodshot red. He picked up his coffee cup and violently tossed it on the ground. "I said it, prove that you love…" Marco had his hands around River's neck, feeling his entire vision tint a vivid red. Shattered glass trickled across the ground, leaving the coffee soaking into the ground beneath him. The cowboy's in the TV fired their guns, leaving trails of smoke steaming in the air. River looked darkly into Marco's brown eyes, silently talking to the boy's soul.

Marco looked back at the king held up within his hands, seeing his own father in River's blue orbs. Memories of Marco and Jessica sitting in Mr. Diaz's lap as he read a bed-time story flashed in the angered boy's mind. 'I…I can't do this. He's a good person.' Marco put River down slowly, blue eyes meeting brown. River felt the torment raging through Marco's soul, giving an understanding smile. "I…I'm sorry." He curled into a ball, shaking after crashing into the couch. "I wouldn't hurt anyone…I don't know what got over me."

River studied Marco, seeing this young man change so much rapidly. Rash and Intelligent. Angry and Violent. Weak and Scared. 'He's just like me…' He placed a hand upon Marco's shoulder, giving a proud smirk. "I'm not mad at you for that. Just proves to me how much you love Star."

Marco laughed bitterly, messing with his brown hair. "I shouldn't be trying to kill people though. That's…just not me. I'm really sorry about that sir." He looked at the coffee stain on his rug, groaning internally. "Damn it, made such a mess."

"Oh, that's nothing a little soap and scrubbing couldn't accomplish." River patted Marco's back roughly, nearly knocking the boy over. "I'm sure some gold can pay for a new carpet." Marco shook his head, giving a weak chuckle.

"Nah, I got a lot of cleaning supplies. But thanks' for the offer. Though I kind of caused the mess." Star rushed into the living room, seeing a coffee stain on the ground and Marco shaking slightly. She grits her teeth and aimed the wand at River. "Star, calm down. I'M the one that dropped the coffee, it's fine." Star looked at River, seeing him nod in agreement. Lowering the wand, she walked back over to the couch, jumping right into Marco's lap. He blinked a few times, blushing in shock. "Uh…there is room right next to…"

"There is a stain there." Star spilled her coffee on the center cushion, making Marco's eyes grow wide. "Besides, you are cozier." River looked at the couple, smirking like an idiot. "What? I'm just sitting in my boyfriend's lap Dad."

Marco just felt warm, both from the sensation of Star's body heat on his lap and from how shocking this was for him. 'We never did this yet…' He hugged Star, making her gasp in surprise. "What? Can't surprise you now?" The two smirked at each other and relaxed their nerves. Marco noticed the remote on the table-top, the movie playing coming to a close. River studied the show, seeing one cowboy watching over one that fell after their duel. Looking to Marco and back at the TV, he grabbed the remote and pressed the 'next' button. "So…is Television on Mewni?"

River gave a weak smile, flicking through the channels. "No, we couldn't really install electricity to Mewni…even though I argued that it would be a good idea." He pressed the remote harder. "Just like my suggestion for working toilets being thrown out the window…" The TV flickered frantically at this point. River felt his arm tense up, shaking the hand holding up his remote. "…None of my ideas are ever considered." He put the remote down, taking a deep breath. Star looked at her father in surprise. "Nothing is wrong…I…I'm just going to use the bathroom."

"Need help finding it?" Marco asked but River waves his hand, walking up the stairs. "I…I think your dad got upset when you jumped into my lap." Star just holds Marco tighter, making him bite his lip. "Uh…I really like this, but I don't want your dad to kill us."

"You nearly strangled him, Marco, I mean…I wouldn't be so afraid." Star said casually, but this only made Marco gulp. "He will be fine, I think he's more upset with my Mom." Marco looked into Star's blue eyes, silently exchanging a thought. "Yeah, I know that isn't right."

"Maybe he will open up to us. He really seemed sorry for what happened." Star nods, nuzzling into Marco's chest. He brushes her hair gently as the duo enjoyed this peaceful, calming moment.

Looking into the bathroom mirror, the proud King of Mewni shot a bitter scowl at himself. Hands tightly holding onto the sink, he feels a storm of emotions dance inside him. "I…lost my baby girl. And she doesn't even need me anymore." The scowl turned into a somber frown, feeling regret wash over. "I should have put my foot down!" He slammed the sink's countertop, causing nearby toothbrushes and cups to rattle. Taking a deep breath, he looks at his hands. Clenching them in and out of balls, River calms himself down.

The door opened, with Mr. Diaz walking into it. Looking at River in surprise, the two men looked blankly at each other. "So…you are Star's father?" River nodded, folding his arms together. "Mmm…so why are you in my home?"

"Just to visit my daughter. Is that a problem?" River asked, narrowing his blue eyes. Mr. Diaz walked slowly up to River, being inches away from his face.

"No, but your daughter is troubled. She faced great danger and I heard reports from the school." Mr. Diaz places a hand on River's shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "She was abused. Can you explain that?"

"That is my daughter place." River placed a hand on Mr. Diaz's shoulder, glaring coldly. "I had no choice in what she's been through, but I want to make up for my lack of action. As a father, you understand, correct?"

Mr. Diaz let go, giving a somber expression of understanding. "One thing though…your daughter is part of my family. We protect family. If you or your wife tries hurting Star…I don't care how powerful Mewni is. I will fight for my family." Mr. Diaz looked at his right hand, clenching it tightly. "Already lost one daughter…"

River had a puzzled expression but decided to be silent. "Thank you for letting me into your home." Mr. Diaz snapped out of his thoughts, looking directly at River. The room felt silent, with the two men standing still.

"No…problem." Mr. Diaz opens the door. "If you need anything, just let my wife or I know. A guest room will be set up for your visit." River gave a small smile as Mr. Diaz smirked back. Now alone in the bathroom, River took out a photo from his royal dress pants. It was of Star as a little girl, holding on to a stuffed pony doll. She was sitting on River's lap, giggling and smiling like the shining sun. A lone joyful tear crept down his cheek before putting the photo away, recalling a distant memory.

Mewni's Forests – Six Years Ago

Deep within Mewni's great forests housed many creatures. When he was just a normal Earthling and not the King of Mewni, he enjoyed exploring forests and watching animals. River also liked hunting them, but only the more dangerous creatures. The latest king jumped down from a nearby boulder, landing gracefully on the ground. Wearing a dark blue tunic and an odd loin cloth, River Butterfly grinned at the trees up ahead. "Star! Find anything yet?"

The Mewni princess landed next to River, dusting off dirt and grime. She donned a battle dress, grinning back at her father. "Nah, but what'ya looking for? Been looking around this place for hours."

"Are you tired pumpkin?" River asks earnestly, with Star waving her hand casually. Her beaming smile and toothy grin warmed River's heart. He ruffled up Star's blond hair, which was in a ponytail to avoid getting stuck on nearby rocks or trees. "You have the adventurer's spirit."

"You always said that dad," Star answered back playfully, but she looked ahead, squinting at something. "Mama saw somethin dad! Follow me!" Star dashed head, short pink sword in hand. River chased after, having a matching grin. Star ran ahead, slashing through bushes and trees. 'Come on, that bird shouldn't be far ahead…' She stopped running after a few minutes, finding a large lake. Star dropped her sword, having wide eyes at the sight before her. "Dad…look."

"What is it dear?" River caught up to Star, looking at what she pointed too. He simply had a nostalgic smile, taking in the sight of Lake Comet. Named after Moon's fallen Mother, the lake was a Mewni national treasure. Having the clearest blue water across the dimensions, it's waterfall created peaceful steam that lingers at just the right spot. Fishes tended to swim around, joined by local wildlife drinking from its clean waters. The soft Mewni soil was covered by smooth rocks, giving an almost beach-like setting to the location. Star quickly took out her sketch book, spinning her pink pencil with a butterfly top. Sitting down on a rock, she drew the lake, looking back and forth between her pad and the waterfall. River sat down next to Star, smiling proudly as she continued drawing. After a few minutes, it was finished. River took the pad, feeling his heart warm up. "You take after my mother, little starling."

"Really? Never talked about Gran-gran." Star commented, now sitting in River's lap. He patted Star's head, smiling at the picture, within his hands. "What was she like?"

"Well, on Earth, she was an artist. Drawing some of the most breathtaking pieces. One of them was a bright Star, shining down on a lone boy and girl." He sighed longingly. "My mother was the kindest of souls…"

"Sorry, she…" Star was about to say but River stopped her. "So I take after Gran-Gran? Though the art stuffs came from one of the former queens?"

River turned Star around, looking into her innocent blue eyes. "My little girl, you may be a Butterfly. I can imagine you doing wonderful things for this land. But you are also a Johnson. Even though my side of the family is a bit more…"

"Wild and fun!" Star finishes, making River laugh joyfully. The laughter was contagious, with Star and River giggling. She grew quiet, watching the waterfall crash gently onto the lake's surface. "I always felt like…an outsider." River was surprised to hear this, pulling Star closer to him. "Family gatherings, royal meetings, trying to hang out with the other princesses…felt like everyone judges me. Being too wild and different…am I…broken?"

River pulled Star into a hug, tightly squeezing her. "Not at all. You are special Star, the perfect blend of the Butterflies and Johnsons. You may have all that magic inside you just waiting to come out." He pulls her back, poking her heart. "But you have my family's heart beating proudly inside you. Never and I mean never let anyone break you. Can you promise your dad that?"

Star gave a smirk, pounding her chest proudly. "YEAH! No one's going to mess with me!" River smiled and threw his arm around Star's shoulder. "Thanks for this trip dad…really felt nice after Mom yelled at me."

"Really? What was it this time?" River asked joyfully but felt anger in the back of his mind. Star rolled her eyes.

"Refusing the hand of 'another' Prince. She said I'm going to meet the Underworld Prince in at that stupid Silver Bell Ball in two weeks." Star sighed, resting her head on River's shoulder. "I don't like anyone Dad…so why is Mom throwing these Prince's at me?"

"Wanting to pawn off my daughter like some damn trophy…" River mumbled bitterly, but Star heard every word. He looked at Star's worried face, shaking his own frantically. "Nothing pumpkin. Just…annoyed about something."

"Mom angers me too, so I hear ya." Star said kindly. The toothy smile Star gave calmed River down instantly, making him pull Star into a hug. "Dad…hugging…too…tight…"

"I won't let my little girl go…" River said softly. Star felt sadness in her father's voice, hugging him back. They stayed like this, enjoying the sounds of water splashing in the background.

Present Day, Echo Creek

River looked at the photo within his hands, clenching it tightly in his right hand. "Damn you, Moon…" He shoved the photo away, walking out of the bathroom and walked downstairs. He stopped, looking at some photos of the Diaz's.

Looking at the nearest one, it showed a younger Marco having his arm around Jessica's shoulder. She was wearing a baseball cap, covering a seemingly bald head. The girl gave a peace sign, showing many people surrounding her. Jackie, Janna, Mr. Diaz, Mrs. Diaz and a nurse were around Jessica and Marco. River noticed the pale but joyful face upon Jessica. Taking the picture off the walls, he studied Marco specifically. The boy had a happy face but his brown eyes looked…colder. Almost broken. "That little girl was sick with…" River put the picture back up, trying to wipe away tears coming down his face.

River looked toward the couch, seeing Star and Marco laughing at some show. He leaned over the arm-bars, smiling joyfully at the couple. 'They look so happy together…' Star's face growing a toothy smile shook River to his core. He clenched his right fist but slowly uncurled it, growing a relieved expression on his face. Walking down the stairs, he sat down next to the couple, watching the TV with them.

In Echo Creek Park, a blue portal appeared nearby the playground. It was early in the morning, so no one was around. Two figured jumped out of the blue vortex, one being a semi-robotic lizard, the other being a hooded skeleton. Pete stretched his back, cracking his many joints. "So…where is the Princess?"

"I know the location but we aren't going there yet." Rasticore walked toward a specific spot, being on a burned-up tile. He picked it up, tapping robotic eye. It scanned the tile, showing various 'ERROR ERROR' messages. "Yep, that witch died here." Rasticore took a small box from his belt, tapping the center of it. Expanding into a larger size, he picked up the tile and placed it within the box. Sucking it in like a sponge soaks up water, Rasticore put the cube away, covering it with his cloak. Pete looked in confusion, but Rasticore simply glared at him. "This was a request from Toffee. Not saying anything else."

Pete threw his hands in the air, resting them behind his skulled-head. "Oh, that's cool." He looked around the town, growing a small frown. "This place reminds me of somewhere…" Rasticore raised an eyebrow. Pete shook his head, walking ahead. "Nothing, so I get the feeling she's that way?" He pointed toward the nearby Slush N' Slurp. Rasticore nodded and followed Pete.

"I'm only here to ensure you don't harm the princess," Rasticore said firmly, taking out a small dagger of his own. "If anything happens to her, your skull will join my trophies." Pete stopped walking, glaring coldly at Rasticore.

"You think I was okay with Tom being an abusive prick?" Pete spat, earning a surprised look from Rasticore. "I'm in full agreement with Toffee from before. If Tom wanted a plaything, plenty of options were available." Pete rubbed his bony neck, feeling shame come over him. "She was a nice person, someone I thought could change Tom for the better. But…" He let his body slouch forward. "The Past is the past. We both harmed the princess, in ways we regret." Rasticore felt his face pale up.

"I…I know the feeling. Let's just complete the mission and return to base." Pete nodded and the duo walked silently through town under the guise of an invisibility spell. Both weren't looking forward to meeting the princess again, but for different reasons.