Chapter Text
“In this workshop I forged the ideas that would become every single transformation driver to ever be used by a rider, as well as crafted a few drivers myself. My masterpieces: the Anomaly Driver and the Absol Driver, were deemed too dangerous to be let loose and were sealed within my vault. Yet it seems like all things they wished to be free, and they appeared to vanish of their own volition. Wherever they have arrived, I do so hope they are found by those worthy. If either one were to wind up in the wrong hands, well… at least it will be entertaining.”
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Princess Star Butterfly was always prone to impulsiveness and poor decision making, something that might have been endearing in the eyes of young Marco Diaz if it did not land him in a multitude of deadly situations on such a regular basis. Today, at Star’s whim, the two of them arrived in a strange, foggy dimension in search of something called the “Charm of Stars”, and are now fleeing for their lives from what honestly appeared to be horror movie slashers.
“Star” Marco whisper screamed from behind the small, broken wall he was currently ducking behind “Are you there?” he chanced a peak out from the side. What he saw was Star waving at him and drawing her dimensional scissors. Marco nodded and prepared to make a mad dash for it, but his hopes were crushed when the scissors didn’t work. Star began frantically waving her scissors in a desperate attempt to open a portal, but to no avail. Marco could feel his heart sink, this was it. Star had finally gotten them killed and he still never managed to ask Jackie out. “Damnit” Marco cursed under his breath. He couldn’t die here, but as soon as he attempted to make a move towards Star the sound of tinkling bells rung out behind him.
Marco dived forward just barely evading the swipe of a pick made from a spine and a skull. He looked over his shoulder at the disturbing creature and its glowing eyes. Star readied her wand, only to have it knocked from her hands by a thrown hatchet. A rabbit masked woman walked swiftly through the fog towards the princess, swinging its broadaxe overhead. Marco smashed into the Huntress’s side a full speed, knocking her off balance but not accomplishing much more than that. Seizing the opportunity Star went for her wand but was cut off by the pick-wielding Wraith. Marco was busy evading his opponent to the best of his abilities, only to be distracted by Star’s scream. Instinctively looking for he princess, Marco was knocked in the side by the blunt end of the axe which sent him sprawling. Quickly he scrambled away and into cover. He could hear Star struggling as the Wraith carried her off, but the more concerning sound was the Huntress humming a nursery rhyme of some sort.
Marco was breathing heavy, rushing from one hiding spot to another all while trying to see where the Wraith was carrying Star. He couldn’t leave her to die, even if this whole mess was her fault. He soon found himself at the entrance to a ruined building with the telltale humming right behind him. He slipped into the dark building, the interior just as foggy as outside. Marco methodically made his way through the building while attempting to devise a rescue plan. Of course then they would have to find a way out of this dimension. Marco was in deep thought, doing his best to ignore the now echoing humming. His train of thought was derailed when he was blinded by a flash of light. Shielding his eyes he could see it, a small twinkling eight pointed star embedded in the wall.
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“Look!” Star excitedly pointed to a sketch of a star in her spellbook “It’s called the ‘Charm of Stars’, it says it fell from the sky and was found by Solaria Butterfly but that she lost it during the war with monsters.”
“Okay, and?” Marco knew where is was going, he could see Star bouncing with enthusiasm. All he could do was hope that this would be brief, it was a school night after all.
“It’s supposedly a powerful magic artefact, although apparently no one figured out how to use it…” Star glowered at the book for a moment “But it does say it was thrown through a portal on the far side of Hekapoo’s dimension.”
“Wait, if no one figured out what it does, how do they know it’s powerful? And why do you want it?”
“I dunno” Star shrugged “But it’s called the ‘Charm of Stars’ so obviously it was meant for me!”
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Marco knew better than to mess with magic, but given is current circumstances he figured it couldn’t make things much worse. Marco reached out and grasped the edges of the object, attempting to pry it from its resting place. A hatchet stuck itself in the wall next to his head and he decided to not look and just try to extract the artefact. With one last tug he managed to remove it, with enough force for him to fall back on his rear just in time to evade a horizontal axe swing. He looked up at the Huntress which stood over him. Marco smiled and then quickly scrambled away on the ground.
Marco looked down at the glowing object grasped in his hand “Come on, do something. I need to save Star!” He knew the huntress was close behind, it was now or never. Something needed to happen. He found a small closet he ducked into, closing the door behind him. He sat there in terror as her humming got closer and closer. He closed his hand tight around the charm and pleaded “Please give me something. Help me. I need to save her.”
A clunk was heard as a belt formed around Marco’s waist. A chrome skull buckle with a woven black band covered in metal studs. He reached down a grasped it instinctively, confused as to where it came from. The charm maybe? He didn’t have long to think about it as the door of his hiding place was swung open. Marco did the one thing he thought he could and jumped to his feet, attempting to knock the Huntress off balance. The moment he let go of the buckle, its jaw popped open revealing a red fan. Then, it began to spin.
Marco found himself caught in a whirlwind of colour and light, and felt his body change. When it was over he stood over six feet tall. He had a black, fibrous undersuit. It looked almost as if it was exposed muscle dyed black. His feet were covered in a dark, almost burnt red exoskeleton and had seven toes with ended in sharp claws. The exoskeleton extended up to just past his knees, there were silver spurs around his ankles and two silver bands wrapped around each thigh with a dark red leather pouch attached to the bands on his right leg. The studs on his belt had extended into spikes, and an exoskeleton spine ran from the small of his back up to the base of his skull. Exoskeletal armouring covered his upper chest and connected back around to the spine with rib like parts. In the center of his chest sat an oval full of purple liquid which was surrounded by eight notches spread evenly across his chest. His forearms were also covered in exoskeleton and his fingers, which still numbered five per hand, ended in long claws. Silver bracelets sat on his wrists, separating the exoskeleton on his forearm from that on his hand. A silver plate covered his mouth and exoskeleton covered the rest of his head with two large purple compound eyes and silver insectoid antennae decorating it.
To say Marco was surprised would be putting it lightly, and thankfully for him his opponent was just as caught off guard as he was. The charm was gone from his hand but he could sense it in the pouch on his leg. He was still looking over himself when the Huntress regained her senses and struck him with her axe. It hurt, but not as much as he expected as it sparked off his armour. It was sufficient to bring the young man back to reality, and he struck his foe with a hard right straight. The punch sent the Huntress into the opposite wall with a resounding thud. He rushed forward, not risking giving her a chance to recover and attempted to deliver a turning kick directly into her chest. She managed to dip out of the way and put some room in between them. She threw one of her hatchets, which bounced off of Marco’s form with a “dink”.
Marco reached into his leather pouch to retrieve the star charm, and suddenly became aware of many, many more held within. All of them begging to be used. Still he retrieved the one he sought and with a flourish plugged it into one of the notches on his chest. Energy once again surrounded him as a voice rang out “Guiding light, the Sword of Polaris”. Marco couldn’t help but think it sounded like Skeletor with a slight echo added to it. His exoskeleton turned cyan, silver armillary sphere-like armour formed on his shoulders, star-like patterns appear on the backs of his hands, a high collar of exoskeleton formed around his neck, his eyes extended up and out tapering to a point and his antennae was replaced by a silver outlined star chart. Perhaps most notable was the purple liquid in his chest which was now half empty, the clear top half giving a peak at clearly inhuman organs.
The Huntress was backing away from her former prey, unsure of how to continue. Marco, on the other hand, knew exactly what his next move was. He lunged forward, his right fist exploding into stellar light as he swung it with all of is might, followed by a left and another right. A furious series of well placed punches to his opponents jaw and ribs. Eventually a two handed hammer strike sent the killer flying through the wall she stood in front of, and as she was extricating herself from the ruble Marco strode until he stood above her. He tapped the charm on his chest and light one again surrounded his hand, shaping into an elongated eight pointed star akin to a sword. He pierced the huntress with his blade of light and pulled it out with a slashing motion. As he turned away, she broke apart into many pieces of iridescent matter which was scattered by the winds. Marco looks out upon the foggy landscape, now not quite as foggy as it had previously been. In the distance he can see an injured Star running from an unseen pursuer.
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Star was running for her life, one hand holding the massive shoulder wound the Wraith gave her. She didn’t know where Marco was, or her wand and she had been mere moments from being hung up on a meat hook. She just hoped Marco could make it out, and maybe one day forgive her for dragging him into this mess. She turned a corner only to be greeted by a black and red bug man wearing a skull buckle. Just her luck that she would run into another killer. She dropped to her knees, too tired to keep running. As the new arrival walked up to her she accepted her fate, nearly missing the sound of small bells.
The Wraith became visible again and swung his weapon down towards Star, only for it to be caught by Marco. The purple fluid in is chest had begun to refill slowly once he removed the charm, and now measured two thirds. The Wraith stepped back, pulling his weapon from Marco’s grip. Marco reached out with his hand, drawing in the same iridescent matter that the Huntress became. In his fingers it formed into a new charm, one resembling her rabbit mask in front of her axe. He places it into a notch, draining only a small amount of the purple liquid.
“A Lullaby in the Dark, the Huntress” the belt calls out. His exoskeleton and silver parts became rusted, his helmet turning white and rabbit-ear like protrusions extend from his eyes, a pair of leather suspenders appeared on his chest, a blue floral patterned half-dress wrapped his left side and a broad axe with a rusted silver head and a dark red haft formed in his hands. Marco slung the axe over his shoulder and nodded towards the Wraith, who in exchange looked on bewildered. With a flourish of his left hand a hatchet made of iridescent matter materialised and fired off, embedding itself into the Wraith for a moment before fading.
Star was stunned, and all she could do was watch as the “bugman” begun swinging his axe at the stiff Wraith, knocking him around but not making any apparent headway. In turn the Wraith swung his weapon, dragging across his armour generating a shower of sparks. The battle went on, Marco blocking with the haft of his axe and tossing the occasional hatchet into his foe. The Wraith tried, but his speed and range of motioned was lacking. Marco’s axe swings wore down the killer and eventually the time came, Marco tapping the huntress charm and the edge of the axe-head igniting bright red. He drew back the axe and brought it down on the Wraith, the spidery legs of the Entity striking from behind Marco as his attack connects. Pulling his axe out with a flourish, Marco once again turns away as his opponent fades away. He holds out his hand, allowing the Wraith charm to form in his palm. It took the shape a stylized skull, spine and blade.
As the fog cleared Star looked up at the victorious bugman who grasped his buckle, closing the skull’s jaw. In a flash it became her best friend, Marco Diaz.
“What.. Marco?” Star stuttered.
“Star! You’re alright!” Marco moved towards her, embracing her in a tight hug. Releasing the princess he retrieved the star charm as if from thin air “Look, I found it. It’s what we came her for right?”
Star looked at the small glowing object held in Marco’s palm. It did in fact appear to be the object from her book. “Where did you find it?”
“It was embedded in a wall, when I pulled it out I… I wanted to save you and it gave me that belt. I’m not sure how but I feel different. I think we might need to talk to Glossaryck when we get back. For now let’s try to find your wand.” Marco offered his other hand to help Star to her feet.
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Star was quiet for the walk across the dreary landscape, until they eventually stumbled upon her wand lying on the ground. As she picked it up she spoke “I’m really sorry about all of this.” she rubbed the back of her head “I really Star-ed it up this time. We really almost died. I…”
“Look Star. Yeah, we almost died. And sure, it is technically your fault. But it was my decision to come with and we’re both still alive. Now that we have your wand let’s just portal back home and get patched up. No harm, no foul” He smiled at her and she nodded. Drawing her scissors she once again cut through the air. Nothing happened.
“Um… hehe” Star laughed nervously “Do you want to try?”
“Fine” Marco took the scissors and tried, still nothing happened.
“So we start a new life here?” Star joked with panic in her voice.
Marco contemplated the scissors for a moment “Polaris!” he yelled and immediately retrieved the star charm.
“What are you doing?”
“When I used the charm it said it was Polaris. The North Star. On earth it’s been used to navigate since basically forever.” He held up the charm and through his new powers felt what he needed to do. “Send us home” Holding out the hand clutching the charm he conjured a shimmering metallic wall, a faint reflection of his bedroom visible on its surface. He looked at Star then shrugged, returning her scissors before motioning for her to go through. Star gave a worried smile and then headed into the portal with Marco close behind.
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“So I guess the charm is yours” was the first thing Star said, accompanied by an awkward laugh, when they arrived home. Marco went to reply but she interrupted him “You seem to be okay, I’ll just go to my room and heal myself with my wand and go to bed” She quickly dashed to her own room and locked the door, slumping up against it. She could hear Marco follow her.
“Star, are you alright?” Marco asked, knocking on her door. She didn’t respond for some time so he tried again “Star?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Let’s just go to bed, we still have school in the morning”
“Alright” he knew she wasn’t fine, the school excuse sealed it. But he figured it would do no good to push right now, and he headed back to his room. Looking over herself Star found dress was ruined. Not only was it all cut up, but it was heavily blood stained. She turned her wand towards herself an cast a spell to seal her wound. Healing magic was not her forte, and so it left an obvious scar on her shoulder. She changed into her pajamas, and incinerated her bloody dress with her wand. It just felt like the thing to do. She was sore, tired, worried and overflowing with regret. Slowly she walked over to her mirror.
“Call Kelly”
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“And I feel terrible, because he’s my bestie. It was all my fault. What if the thing turns him into one of those monsters? Or more of them come after us. Or…” Star rambled on to her bush-like adventuring buddy.
“Star. Star calm down” Kelly interjected “Just take a deep breath. He said it was okay, and you are both still alive. I’m sure he’ll be fine, and I know he won’t hold it against. Like you said, he is your bestie”
“Thanks. I really needed that. Still, I really messed up this time.”
“Well then maybe do something nice for him. You know, to make it up to him.”
“That’s a great idea! I’ll take him to the edible dimension and…”
“Or maybe something besides dimension hopping, Maybe something non-magical?” Kelly interrupted Star again.
“Err, yeah. You’re probably right.”
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Marco awoke to the sound of a smoke alarm. Quickly dashing through the house he arrived in the kitchen only to find a soot covered Star and a half melted frying pan. She turned and shot Marco her best innocent smile. “Star? What are you doing?” he asked.
“Oh, me? I was just trying to make you pancakes…” she looked down bashfully.
“Why?”
“I wanted to make things up to you for yesterday” She continued to stare at the ground.
“Star. I already told you it’s fine. Now go take a shower while I clean up here.” Marco replied. She dejectedly complied and marched off.
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Going about his morning routine Marco noticed something. He felt stronger, more spry and his senses were sharper. He could also still feel his transformed self, as if his other body was superimposed over his normal one. He could also still sense the charms is other self possessed, as if they were in some unseen pocket. It was disorienting to say the least. Thankfully, or at least somewhat thankfully, a remorseful Star really wanted to help him. Typically she caused more harm than good, but she was being extra careful.
When he arrived at school with a quite bedraggled Star, who was still feeling the effects of yesterday plus lost sleep, he found the place rather peaceful. Then a realization dawned on him: Janna. She had been acting strange, well more than usual. She was distant, tired and Marco was certain he saw a bruise on her neck. He had intended to question her today but was so distracted by his own current predicament that he blanked on it, and now she was asleep on her desk and class was about to start. During lunch, he resolved, then he would talk to her.
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Marco was rushing across the football field to catch Janna, who was apparently trying to ditch in quite the hurry. He found himself bounding at an impossible pace, managing to grab the girl by he arm. She turned quickly almost in a panic.
“Janna” Marco began “What’s going on?”
“Let go, I need to be somewhere.” she replied, attempting to pull herself from his grip.
“Where? Why? Seriously you have me worried.”
“It’s complicated. I really need to go” She continued to struggle.
“If you’re in trouble or someone is hurting you..”
“No.” Janna interrupted “it’s not like that. I’m just… figuring something out. I was going to tell you, but now is not the time. It’s important” a pleading look plastered her face and Marco just let go and watched her walk off. He could feel something different about her through his other form, and sensed other things further afield. He didn’t quite understand it, but he knew Janna. She seemed genuine, or as genuine as she could ever seem.
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That evening Marco found himself locked in his room, finally growing tired of Star’s near babying of him. Just some space, he told her. Everything was fine. He laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling while contemplating his charms. They were called Concept Charms, each representing an idea and bearing great power. Polaris, the Huntress and the Wraith were those he had seen before but there were so many more. Phantom Thief, Great Detective, Pirate King, Steam Locomotive, Arctic Blizzard, Ancient Fossil, Bottomless Grave and many many others. Some simple like Grasshopper and Paper, and others more complex like Beetle Brothers and Fruit of Helheim. Each of them communicating their meaning and capabilities directly into his mind as they flew through his consciousness.
After a while he suddenly became aware of another disturbance in his senses, like those he felt when talking to Janna. It almost felt like it was compelling him to investigate. Deciding he could use the distraction, he checked to make sure his door was locked before exiting through the window. He jogged across Echo Creek under the light of the moon, trying to find what he was sensing. Eventually he was greeted by the sounds of battle, and rushing to the scene he was surprised by what he saw.
Among the combatants was someone familiar. Or at least they felt that way. On a more conscious level they reminded Marco of his own transformed state. They wore a soft black bodysuit with metallic red thigh high boots, a blue belt buckle with some kind of wrench-like handle and a red bottle plugged into its center with a long metallic red robe extending from it, shoulder length gauntlets, a “vest” with a high collar around a black chest plate with cracks across it in the shape of a pentagram, layered feather-like metallic red pauldrons on its shoulders, a black helmet with red mouthplate which extended up the sides with inward pointing spikes, a complex series of cracks forming on the black face with large purple compound eyes and topped with a metallic red wizard’s hat.
As for its foes, they wore brown with a ribcage like chest plate and a bony helm resembling a spine and ribs. Each of the dozen or so of them carried a sword that also appeared to be made of bone. They surrounded their target who deftly weaved through the swings of their blades, countering with blasts of blue fire and explosive green lightning. Shaking off his awe Marco entered the fray with a flying kick to one of the brown clad beings.
“What are you doing here!?” the red warrior yelled, Marco noting the voice was female.
“I’m not sure, but...” He reached down and found is belt had formed around his waist. He grasped the skull before releasing it and transforming.
“No way… you’re a rider?”
“I have no idea what that means” Marco admitted.
“No shit.” She responded “We’ll deal with that after handling these masquerades” they returned their attention to the battle, firing off a flurry of magic projectiles. Marco moved in as well, putting his martial arts experience to good use. He couldn’t believe this individual managed to hold their own against so many foes who were way stronger, faster and more durable than any he had faced before. But then again he was also better, far beyond what his human body was previously capable of. After a while his ally cranked the handle of their belt which announced “Nezi Finish!”. Marco watched energy flowing through and gathering at her foot before she leapt to the sky. An illusory pentagram formed beneath a group of the masquerades as she rocketed down leaving a trail of runes until colliding with her targets which exploded in a colourful smoky blast.
When the smoke cleared Marco was shocked as what appeared to be a group of mewmans were left in place of their opponents, and a number of strange devices fell amongst them and shattered. She motioned to him, urging him to finish his opponents as well. He gulped and reached deep, drawing energy from within and coalescing it in his fist causing it to glow golden. He then charged delivering a supercharged strike to each of the remaining masquerades, and when he was done and released the energy they burst in a wave of red light simultaneously. Just like before the masquerades reverted to mewmans, the apparent source of their transformation lying shattered around them.
“What the hell was that!?” He quickly made his way to the other warrior.
“That’s what i’m saying! You didn’t even transform right, Diaz!” She berated him.
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah, when you transform your supposed to pose and yell “Henshin!” and when you're finished you pose again and say your catchphrase.”
“No, no, no. You called me Diaz. Janna? Is that you?”