NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The Bounce Lounge
Narrator's POV
Marco finally prepared dinner for himself and Star. He could have suggested ordering something, but he wanted to avoid using his money.
He prefers to save, just to be cautious. He's not sure if he'll get his dimensional scissors, so he prefers to be prudent.
He may possibly need to risk using the magic dimension to go to Mewni to try to find Hekapoo. He really doesn't want to depend on Star for his future adventures.
"I think it's cooked."
A strong smell of lasagna spread through the kitchen.
"This is so good, I knew your mother cooked well, but you've hidden this side of you, Marco *chewing noise*"
Marco Diaz knows how to cook, but Claude knows even more. When you literally live with an alcoholic and violent father, you're forced to learn certain things.
"Thanks for the compliment."
As Marco settles comfortably in a chair, the doorbell sounds several times in a row.
He signals to Star that he'll open it. Marco already had a small idea of who was on the other side of the door.
"Hello, lovely young lady, are you looking for someone?"
In front of Marco, there was literally a floating unicorn head. He would have fainted like the original if he wasn't already mentally prepared.
He even made an effort to make a good first impression on this incredibly annoying princess by stroking her ego using compliments.
"Oh, I see you know how to recognize beauty when you see it in front of you, haha ~"
The floating unicorn head, otherwise known as Pony Head or Cupcake, is an extremely close friend of Star Butterfly. Marco wanted to avoid any friction between him and her if possible.
(Image)
"Thanks, Star! I think it's for you."
Star was surprisingly behind Marco. This could have surprised any ordinary human, but Marco was no longer human.
Thanks to his wish before his reincarnation, he has many of Makima's powers, and that includes her race.
Marco currently has 5 incredibly developed senses. So he could easily sense Star arriving.
"Pony Head!!"
The two princesses hugged each other before starting a small conversation. Marco wanted to signal them to come into the house, but Pony Head interrupted him by suggesting a night out with friends to Star.
"That's a great idea! We can also bring Marco with us, he's my best friend," she said quickly, suddenly grabbing Marco in a friendly hug during her introduction.
Seeing this on TV and experiencing it personally are two different things. Marco really doesn't understand how the former owner of his body could have stayed focused on his childhood crush for so long with Star living with him.
"Your best friend?" Pony Head seemed intrigued by Star's words about her relationship with Marco but, unlike the original story, she didn't have a too hostile expression.
"Yes, I'm her best Earth friend. I'm not sure I can compete with you on a broader level, haha" Marco quickly took the lead to try to dispel any jealousy from this magical animal's mind.
He didn't want a dispute that could easily be avoided, and if things go wrong, he'll manage to end up alone with Pony Head to control her with his powers.
"I see, and given your face, I'm surprised you're just friends. Alright, let's go to 'The Bounce Lounge'!" Pony Head shouted before opening a dimensional rift with dimensional scissors.
Marco and Star finally followed Pony Head to the cloud club.
...
"Marco, I present to you The Bounce Lounge!!"
Marco was fascinated by the magical place around him. He must admit that seeing something on screen and in reality are really two different things.
He wanted to walk around a bit to better observe the strange people populating this place, but Star suddenly pulled him towards a souvenir photo booth.
"It's your first time here, we absolutely must immortalize this." Star immediately started the machine without worrying about Marco's or Pony Head's opinion.
The three teenagers started taking various photos. Marco instinctively took poses from other fictional universes during the photo session.
"My two best friends also need to keep memories in common."
As Star spoke these words, Marco tried to stop her before she left, but without success.
"Wait, Star!!" Unfortunately, Marco's voice was drowned out by the sounds of the Bounce Lounge.
"It's unfortunate, but Star doesn't seem to have heard you," Pony Head said, floating next to Marco.
"You know what, human, you're surprisingly cool."
The tone of Pony Head's voice and the expression on her "face" show that she's sincere. Marco could easily understand this thanks to Makima's frightening senses.
"Thank you, Pony Head, you're also very nice and not just cool." Marco's sincere smile as he spoke these words created a pleasant atmosphere with Pony Head.
The two had a few photos together before leaving the souvenir photo booth. Marco could see Star dancing alone, he didn't really hesitate to join her.
"So Marco, are you having fun?" Marco had a little trouble distinguishing Star's voice from the loud music, but that didn't mean he couldn't hear her.
"Yes, I'm having fun and Pony Head is great," Marco replies while dancing with Star.
As he was grooving on the dance floor, Marco signaled to the DJ, indicating Star and himself.
The DJ nodded his dolphin head before putting on softer and more romantic music.
'Thanks, my little unknown buddy, you've saved me from temporarily taking control of you,' Marco thought as he took Star's hand.
She was slightly surprised by Marco's bold action, but she didn't resist. The two teenagers started dancing slowly on the dance floor.
"I didn't know you were so good at dancing, Marco." Star's voice resonated tenderly next to his ear.
"You know, I've always been interested in learning."
Marco hadn't lied, his former self in this universe loved learning enormously. He just omitted that he had originally learned to dance for another girl.
As the atmosphere was slowly becoming more and more pleasant between the two, Pony Head quickly arrived next to them.
"Friends, I'd like to... change the atmosphere. What if we went somewhere else?"
Pony Head was speaking quickly. Marco knew the reason for her panic, but stopping his dance with Star made his mood slightly bitter.
"You can go with Star as best friends, I think I'll stay here a bit longer."
Marco's words surprised Star and made Pony Head happier. She even gave Marco a knowing wink.
It seems that his relationship with this magical creature is really better than in the original story.
"Are you sure, Marco? The Bounce Lounge is a nice place, but you're not used to traveling between dimensions and staying in others for long."
Star was right, Marco wasn't yet used to supernatural things and other dimensions.
"Don't worry about me, Star." Marco put his hand on Star's shoulder in an attempt to relax her.
"You heard him, girlfriend? He wants to stay here for a while." Pony Head used her dimensional scissors to open a passage to an unknown place.
"I'll come back to find you later, Marco." Star left towards the portal, slightly reluctant.
"Thanks," Pony Head thanked Marco before rushing behind Star.
"Okay, it's time to start moving."
...
Marco's POV
I really wanted to have more fun with Pony Head and Star, but this is clearly not the time.
"Have you seen this person?"
I turned towards the inhuman voice that pulled me out of my reflection. In front of me, there were three guards from 'St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses'.
I remember they are machines, so I don't know if I can take control of them with my powers, but I can always be convincing.
"Indeed, I saw this creature, but I don't think she's your priority right now."
*bam*
I used telekinesis to shoot at them like Makima. The three robotic guards were seriously damaged by a single blow.
I held back extremely to avoid their complete destruction. You have to understand that Makima was able to seriously injure Pochita with this ability.
"What's going on?!!" An old and authoritative voice resonated following my attack.
I directed my eyes towards the sky, there was a person sitting on a cloud and she was slowly moving in my direction.
(Image)
The music was even cut off.