Star and Marco vs Evil Book 3

XVII

Possible spoilers between the ⭐🦋 and 🦋⭐.

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Buff Frog stepped from a dimensional portal into the stony ruins of a large town. It was deep in the Musty Mountains and completely abandoned; no being ever went there any longer. It was so old, predating the arrival of Mewmins, that Buff Frog knew most beings did not know of its existence, making it the perfect place for a clandestine meeting.

Rasticore sat among several metal crates. "The merchandise, as contracted for," he said.

Buff Frog swallowed a sob. Instead, he said, "Is being very good. You will install ... um ... detonation mechanism in New Septarsis with the help of minion, while I will take bomb to Butterfly Castle."

Rasticore bristled. "None of those things were part of the deal."

"I am altering deal ... pray I do not alter any further. You are wanted criminal on Earth, and Butterflys would be very interested to learn about device. Do not make mistake that they would believe you over me."

Rasticore laughed a raspy laugh. "You've learned well; you could join the Assassins Guild."

Buff Frog's stomachs turned at the thought, but he nonetheless said, "Spasiba."

"Still, this minion ..."

"This is delicate operation. There must be coordination of tasks for plan to work, not to mention I must remain above suspicion so I can sneak device into castle. I cannot be seen in New Septarsis so minion must do."

"Fine."

Buff Frog retrieved his personal pair of dimensional scissors from Rasticore, trading them for another set that he had acquired; Rasticore knew better than to ask about their origin. Buff Frog used his scissors to open a portal, from which stepped a cloaked figure.

Rasticore began to raise a finger, but, anticipating Rasticore's demand, the being removed its hood. Rasticore laughed. "Dennis Avarius. This whole conspiracy gets more interesting every day. Why ..."

Buff Frog cut Rasticore off. "Not your business."

Grumbling and shaking his head, Rasticore said to Dennis, "Hurry up, I have another job to do for your master." Turning to Buff Frog, he said, "I believe I have located every Septarian still living, around 1200 in all. That's a number more than sufficient to make Sept ... Monsters ... the rulers of Mewni."

Keeping his face neutral, Buff Frog merely dipped his head.

The merc opened a dimensional portal, then, with the help of Dennis, moved all the crates except the largest into the portal. Rasticore then stepped through. Before stepping through himself, Dennis exchanged a glance with Buff Frog.

After the portal was closed, Buff Frog let out a long sigh. He sat, making himself as comfortable among the ruins as possible. He would remain as long as necessary to guard the large crate containing the explosive device itself, until Dennis returned. Dennis would take it, plus several more crates that Buff Frog had brought and hidden from Rasticore's sight, to their final destination.

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A lone Mewmin walked into the now empty ruins. By pure happenstance, the Mewmin had stumbled upon Buff Frog and another being ... a Kappa Monster as far as he could tell ... in an animated discussion. Buff Frog, as Regent of the Monster Kingdom, meeting with another Monster was nothing remarkable ... except in such a remote, forbidding, place.