Rifts

Part 32~Alligator

"What are you doing in bed? You're supposed to be looking for your mother." King River looked over Star as she hummed. Jann sat beside her, rubbing her shoulder as Star rolled over.

"Oh, papa, I had the most wonderful dream. There were unicorns with too many legs and marshmallows and Mom." Star paused, everything coming crashing back to her. "Mom? Mom!"

"You found your mother! Where is she? I don't see her."

Star sighed as she sat up. "No. I mean- I mean, I did. I did. But she was there. She was standing right next to me, and I let her get away."

"It's okay, dear. We'll just keep looking until we find her. Meteora! Then it has come to this!" River narrowed his eyes as he screamed, ripping off his clothes. River ran, charging out of the window and landing on an eagle. He laughed with his family. "To battle!"

"Star, if you don't know where your mom is now, how are you going to find her?" Janna frowned as Star gulped.

"I don't know."

Their conversation was interrupted as Manfred walked in. "My queen, Sir Marco's expedition has returned."

Star gasped, jumping off her bed and running out of the castle. "Marco!" Star slowed down as she looked at Tom. "Tom?"

"Woah, that looks bad." Janna frowned as Tom collapsed on the stairs, holding onto a rope.

"I tried, Star."

Star kneeled in front of Tom, her eyes shaking with worry. "What happened? Where's Marco?"

Tom sighed, motioning above him. "Star, that isn't all. While we were fighting her... Meteora, she revealed something. Solar, she's her son."

"What?! Where's he? Does she have her?!"

"No, but he's hurt badly. Marco sent him and Moc away." Tom curled up a little. "Star, what do we do?"

Meteora roared, destroying the kingdom, and River tried to stop her. Star fidgeted as she played with the Marco balloon. "Wait a minute. I'm so dumb."

Tom shared a look with Janna as they stared at Star in concern. "What?"

"I'm an idiot!"

Tom struggled. "Oh, no, don't say that."

"Come on, Star, what are you talking about?" Janna jabbed Star's side as she grinned.

"How could I forget the Magic Sanctuary?"

"What? But Meteora-" Tom couldn't protest when Star was already running off with Janna. Tom cursed, grabbing onto Cloudy before they could get away. "Star, where are we going?"

Star didn't answer, flying straight on until they stopped, landing before the lake. "This is where my mom and I brought the Magic High Commission when they were all balloonified. Obviously, I can't bring the whole kingdom here, but at least we can start with Marco."

Star stopped as the alligator appeared, lifting its head out of the water.

"There he is. Hold my balloon," Star shoved Marco into Janna's hands as she stared in confusion.

She stepped closer to Tom. "Is this normal Mewman behaviour or normal Star behaviour."

"This," Tom paused, watching Star screaming at the alligator, "this is neither."

Star smiled as the alligator swam off, stopping in the water and disappearing below. Bubbles floated to the surface as the alligator popped its head up, catching a fish.

"What?! No! No, no, no, this is not how this works! Go get the Sanctuary!" Star pointed at the alligator, a frown on her face.

"Star, what did you think was gonna happen here?" Janna tentatively walked closer, placing a hand on Star's shoulder.

"I'm doing the thing my mom showed me! You talk to the Guardian; he swims in, he goes down, and the Sanctuary comes up out of the water. Why are you looking at me like that?" Star pointed her finger at the alligator, but it did nothing.

"Star, I'm sorry."

"It would have worked if my mom was here. But I'm not her. It's all over."

Janna pulled Star into a hug, running her hand over Star's head. Tom sighed, walking away as Star shot her head up. "Tom?! Where are you going?"

Tom began to chant, forcing the ground open and revealing the stairs down. "Star, I promised Marco I'd keep you safe. We need to go." Tom grabbed Marco, pulling him down the stairs. "Meteora won't find us in the Underworld. We'll be safe and very, very warm, and then we can work out what to do."

Janna smiled, pulling Star to the stairs as she stared down. "We have the scissors. We'll find Solar and Moc, and we'll regroup."

Star nodded, about to follow them into the Underworld when a person hit her in the head. The entire kingdom floated in the wind; even the eagles floated by. "She got Dad? What am I doing?! I can't leave!"

"Sure you can. Just take ten more steps this way." Janna held out her hand as Star sighed, stepping back.

"I am the queen, and these are my people. I have to stay and fight."

"But Meteora will destroy you!" Janna looked up as Star jumped, spinning as she grew the extra arms and wings.

"Stay here and take care of Marco." Star took off as Tom watched in shock.

"What? Did you know she could do that?"

~~~

Star flew closer to the kingdom. She soared through the air, opening the door to the castle room. The knights bobbed about, trapped and lifeless. Star sped up, looking for Meteora as she passed the portrait room, seeing the destruction inside. Only Eclipsa's portrait remained intact.

"Globgor!" Glossaryck stared at Star as she screamed.

"Glossaryck! You almost gave me a heart attack! Now where is Meteora?"

"Globgor!" Glossaryck ran away as Star followed him.

~~~

Tom sighed as he and Janna floated down, landing on the castle balcony. Tom released the other villagers, only holding onto Marco. Janna raised her eyebrow with a smirk. "Dude, have some dignity. He has a boyfriend."

Tom blushed, glaring at Janna. "He's my friend. I'm not gonna let him float off to Dad knows where."

Janna chuckled, jabbing Tom's side. "Come on, let's find Star."

She and Tom walked inside, looking about the throne room, when they froze. "Oh, shoot," Meteora growled as Tom pushed Janna aside. "Get Star!"