Rifts

Part 22~Buff Frog

Sitting up, Moc began panicking. "No, no, let me out. Where am I? Why is it so dark?! Why is everything touching me?!"

"Calm down; you're just in a burlap sack." Janna chuckled. "This is classic kidnapping stuff."

"That is not helping!"

"Moc, take a breath. It's okay. Either of you know what happened?" Star pushed herself up as Janna shot her down.

"I don't care. Just get me out of here." Moc thought against the sack, struggling as Jann began ignoring them.

"Somebody really does not want us to know where Buff Frog is," Star grumbled as she took a breath. "Okay, let's get up, ready?" She leaned her back against Janna's. "On the count of three. One, two," they struggled up, standing up completely. "Woah!"

Janna smirked, standing up successfully. "Now, to get your pet to stop screaming."

"They're not my pet." Star stepped closer, tapping her foot out to find Moc. "Hey, you holding in there."

"Don't like this! Nope! Get me out! Get me out!"

"What's wrong with them?" Janna turned around, losing interest as Star hummed.

"I have no idea." Star turned as a monster roared. Screaming, Star ran away, running up a tree and flipping over, landing on the monster. "Woo-hoo! Okay, I don't know what I just did, but I think it was pretty awesome, and I am very proud of myself for it!"

Star's joy was short-lived as something wrapped around Star, lifting her off the monster.

"Hey, don't touch her!" Janna rushed forward, kicking the monster in the face before falling to the ground.

"Ow, Stop that. I have a message for you. Those that search for little lost frogs will find themselves at the bottom of the swamp!"

"What does that mean?!" Star struggled as the monster ripped the sack off her head.

"Stop looking for Buff Frog. And to make sure the message is clear, break her claws!"

A monster rushed over, pulling Moc off the ground and gripping her hands. Moc screamed, kicking wildly when the voice echoed out of the forest.

"What is going on here?" Buff Frog stumbled out of the trees, a frown on his face as Star grew confused.

"Buff Frog?! Oh! You're okay!"

Buff Frog smiled, greeting Star. His children jumped out, tackling Star to the ground.

"I was so worried! That letter freaked me out."

"Letter? I know nothing of letter." Buff Frog tilted his head in confusion as the small frog peered from around him.

"Excuse me. The person who wrote the letter was me." Katrina held out her new arms as Star squealed.

Buff Frog sighed. "Oy, yi, yi. How many times must I tell children to become spy, they must not to leave paper trail? Is like number one rule. Kids these days."

Janna placed her arms on Star's shoulder, helping her up. "But your house it was a mess."

"When you are single parent of pile of kids, I would like see your house!"

Katrina fidgeted. "I just want Star to know we were leaving."

Star frowned, tilting her head in confusion. "Leaving? Where are you going?"

Buff Frog sighed, lowering his head. "We must leave this dimension for good. We cannot stay on Mewni anymore." Buff Frog sighed as the monsters gathered around him."

"What are you... What are you talking about?" Star gasped as she looked at all the little frogs picking up their bags. "What? No, but... No, no, no! No! You can't leave! I need your help to bring Monsters and Mewmans together! We're so close!"

Buff Frog sighed, wrapping his arms around Star. "Sorry, Star, you tried, but it not work. This not problem you can solve." Buff Frog opened the portal, letting the monsters wander through.

"Fools!" Janna pointed a finger at the monsters as Buff Frog froze.

"Beg your pardon?"

"You heard me. You're all being a bunch of fools right now. How can you say things will never change? Things are changing. I mean, Buff Frog, you work at the castle now, right? You know who did that? Star did that!"

"True, yes, but everyone in castle still scared of me. Plus commute is terrible."

"What do you care? You're just a human who knows nothing about what we're going through."

Before Janna could answer, Moc screamed, ripping open her sack and jumping in front of Star and Janna. "You have to be kidding me?! You kidnapped me, tried to rip out my claws and then ignore all the work my friends have put in. When I was little, I couldn't even walk around; now, I can go to the castle whenever I want, so screw you!" Moc breathed harshly as Janna laughed.

"Nice."

"I'm gonna punch the next one who devaluates my friends. Oh, and whichever of you called me a girl, I'm gonna rip out your eyes and feed them to my chicken!"

Star grabbed Moc, pushing them behind her. "What Moc meant is that things are changing. We can make change together."

Buff Frog paused, walking closer. "Thank you for pretty words. Sorry for the whole kidnapping, attempted torture and misgendering. But for us to stay, we need more than words and guilt." Buff Frog leaned down, placing a hand on Star's shoulder. "Star Butterfly, you are good person. You tried your best, but it was not good enough. I'm sorry."

"No, no, no, no, Buff Frog, please wait! I can try harder! We have to stick together!"

"Goodbye, Star. Perhaps when it is your time to rule, we will come back."

"My time? But how will you know?"

"Princess, please, it's me, Buff Frog, master spy. Trust me, I will know. Babushkas, come say bye."

The baby frogs tackled Star, squealing in delight. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Okay, no more with the sentimental. Time to go, everyone!"

The monsters struggled, leaving one by one. Buff Frog counted his children in before pausing, looking for Katrina.

She stood before Star. "I made you something so you don't forget me." She held up the bracelet as Star leaned down.

"Aw, Katrina. I actually got something for you, too." Star reached behind her, pulling out Katrina's toy.

Katrina ran through as Buff Frog stopped, hitting his chest and saluting. Star waved him goodbye as the portal closed.

Star stared after the portal that was long gone. "I can't believe they're gone." Star hugged her stomach, walked to the log and took a seat. "I feel like I've only made things worse."

Janna stared in worry as Moc pushed her forward. "Hey, don't worry about it. I mean, look at your little group. You're a Mewman; they're a monster. Marco is... I'm pretty sure he's a demon, and Tom's the prince of a literal hell. Then you have whatever Solar is. Your team works, regardless of what they are. If there's hope for you, there's hope for everyone."

Star smiled. "Thanks, Janna."

Janna took a seat next to Star. "Well, you're welcome."

"Janna?"

Janna hummed.

"You're a part of the group as well." Star pulled Janna into a tight hug.