Tears

Part 18~Taking Over the Show

"And finally, it's time for a very special segment that I know you've all been waiting for." Ponyhead floated over the cooking side as Marco and Tom stood up straighter. "It's self-defence your mama never taught you."

Ponyhead disappeared for a second, reappearing in wrestling attire and with boxing gloves in her mouth.

"Hey, she stole our section," Moc cried before pausing. "Oh wait, I don't care." Moc turned back to Kelly, continuing their sparring session.

Star groaned. "Seahorse, go to commercial." She stormed onto the stage, grabbing Ponyhead and pulling her off the stage.

"What are you doing? We're on live television."

"What am I doing? What are you doing?"

"I think I'm owning it."

"The rating says otherwise," Solar interrupted, holding up the mirror. "I would say you're closer to crashing in it, freeloading at best. You're just making people mad."

"They don't like this, Pony. And it is getting worse," Star tried as Ponyhead rolled her eyes.

"You asked me to make Eclipse popular. I'm going to make her popular."

"Then why don't you put her on."

"I can't put her on if she's not even here."

"Oh, excuses- wait, where is she?"

"The makeup team haven't returned her yet," Solar explained as Ponyhead huffed.

"Well, she's missing out."

Solar turned to Star. "I'll find Eclipsa. You handle Ponyhead." She nodded as Solar charged off, following the sound of laughter. He kicked open the door, holding his staff in his hand. "What's Eclipsa? What have you done with her?"

The Ponyheads stopped, letting Eclipsa turn around and show herself off to Solar. "How do I look?"

"Oh, that's not a touch-up."

"Hey, Solar," Moc appeared as he spun. "You probably don't want to hear this, but there is an angry mob outside."

"What?"

He ran to the window where Star, Marco, and Tom were all peering out.

"What is wrong with these people? If they don't like the show, they could just turn it off."

"Actually, they can't do that," Seahorse announced as everything turned to look at him. "I hacked their compacts. It's impossible for them to turn it off."

Star squeaked, gaping in horror. "What? Why would you do that?"

"I'm so glad you asked. You can do anything with Reflectacorp mobile technology."

Marco gave Seahorse a suspicious gaze. "Maybe there is still a bit of demon in you."

"Hey, Eclipse, I am so sorry. This is a train wreck. Ponyhead is crazy. Why do I always forget that?" Star shook her head, regret planting across her face. "I think you should just back out of the show."

"No, no, it's okay. I want to go through with it. In for a penny, in for a pound." Eclipsa placed a hand on Star's shoulder as Marco snorted.

"But this is the worst PR disaster ever. And I've seen the 'I'm so sorry for killing your entire bloodline' speech."

"How is that any different than the rest of my life? At least I get the chance to formally introduce myself to my people."

Star hummed. "You know what? You're right. Okay, Eclipsa, let's make them love you."

Moc chuckled. "Good luck in that outfit."

~~~

"So, I asked him to buy me a $60,000 necklace, and obviously, he was like ', You don't even have shoulders; how are you going to wear a necklace?' And I as all, 'What? Have you ever seen a necklace? It's not a jacket, it's for a neck. And guess what? I have one, dummy.' And then I dumped him."

"Shut up, you entire princess," Moc screamed, silencing Ponyhead's rant. Solar wrapped a magical rope around her, pulling her off the stage before giving Eclipsa the thumbs up.

"Hi. I'm Eclipsa. Queen." She chuckled nervously as she pulled out her guitar. "And I'm going to play a song here. I wrote it."

Star turned the lights off, putting a spotlight on Eclipse.

"Imagine waking up to a world turned upside down. And suddenly, you have the crown. Here I am. This is me. Brokenhearted but finally free. Never quite fit the mould. Just not great at doing what I'm told."

Star began to lift Eclipsa up, showering her in the sparkles.

"Now I'm here. In your world. So much bigger from my point of view. Centuries from my home. Can't go back. So, let's start something new. Here I am. This is me. Openhearted, I proudly decree. Now, as queen, I am yours. Let's make magic and reach for the stars. Let's make magic and reach for the stars."

Eclipsa landed back on the stage as her song finished.

"Wow," Moc gaped as Marco chuckled.

"Not bad."

"Whoa, hold up. You guys like that?" Ponyhead looked between the group when the tomato was thrown at the window.

The crowd was still outside, and the rating was getting worse. Star sighed, her magic surrounding the set and making everything disappear.

"You could have just pulled the plug," Seahorse pointed out as Star let out a breath.

"We should have pulled the plug a long time ago."

"It's over?" Tom blinked, looking around. "But what about your cooking?" He looked at Marco as he chuckled.

"I thought this would happen." He pulled the finished food out of the oven. "It would have put me in a difficult position if she had actually put us on."

"I don't know what that is, but it looks good!" Moc ran up as Marco held the tray higher.

"Not for you. And it's my dad's tortas ahogadas."

Star ignored the chaos going on, approaching Eclipsa guilty. "Eclipsa, that was an awesome song. I'm sorry nobody else liked it. I'm sorry I dragged you into this. But don't worry, we'll find a way to get the people of Mewni to love you."

Eclipsa smiled softly. "I don't have any regrets. I'd rather be hated for who I am than liked for who I pretend to be."

~~~

Tom fidgeted, looking at his boyfriends. Marco and Solar were eating, happily leaning into each other's side.

"You okay, Tom?"

Tom blinked, nodding a little too fast. "Yes. Of course."

Marco put his food down, opened his arms and waited for Tom to lie in the hug. "What's wrong?"

"I just, I didn't realise that people were going to be so confused about us. First Moc and now Kelly."

"They're both accepting," Solar pointed out as Tom nodded.

"I know, but..."

"It's like coming out again," Marco guessed as Tom hummed. "Guess that's the price we pay for being gay, but it's a price I'm more than happy to pay if it means I can be with you, baby."

Tom let out a squeak, making Marco chuckle. Solar grinned, running his fingers through Tom's hair. "Would you prefer a different nickname, love?"

Tom let out another startled sound as Marco and Solar laughed more. "Sweetheart?"

"Darling?"

"Our little demon?"

"Please stop," Tom managed to say, completely red and hiding his face." I'm not as used to this as you."

"That's why it's so cute," Solar announced, kissing Tom's forehead and making him scream internally a little more.