I do not own Adventure Time. Heck, I do not even own some elements of the story.

~~o~~

Prologue - Through Time and Space

Finn stared at the sleeping form of Marceline. He was glad Princess Bubblegum finally fixed her Time Machine to turn back the vampire to her regular, perpetually teenage self. Ever since the three of them operated the machine, with Marceline as the test subject, they did not anticipated that it will turn her into a baby. The machine was supposed to send Marcy approximately 1000 years back into the past.

I wonder what PB even hoped to achieve with that machine?

Finn suddenly felt an urge to kiss the vampire's cheek, which he did discreetly. Still, Marceline slept on, snoring softly while laying prone on the hospital bed instead of floating as usual. Finn hoped everything will be alright with her. For the past months that he cared for baby Marceline, he saw a different side to the vampire. It made him realized that she was once human, at least part-human, a vulnerable being like him.

I wonder if you will remember of any this? I hope she didn't mind me kissing her. I mean, she always did it to me! What's the difference? Friends do that.

"Hey Peebles?"

"What is it Finn?"

"Next time you create another Time Machine, get a proper babysitter first! Haha."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell me you didn't liked caring for Little- "

"I do. I just don't think I can handle another situation like that. I'm just 15, Peebubs, what the heck?"

Well it was fun while it lasted. I wonder if somehow Marceline will remember the events after that failed Time Machine?

"I've got to go now Pribbles, Jake and I need to clean up our Tree Fort. You know? With all the baby things...Say hi to Marceline for me when she wakes up!"

"Bye, Finn!" The princess gave her a sweet smile with matching wave, which he returned with more or less the same fervor as he twisted the knob of door leading to the halls, and out of the Candy Castle.

I'll promise you this Marceline. I'll be the first one you'll see when you open your eyes.

Looking down at Licorice Street, Finn noticed that Candy Kingdom did not changed at all throughout his short years of existence. Well, he couldn't really imagine himself living in another world without candy people and Rainicorns and talking rocks. It is exactly the same kingdom that welcomed him and and his magical dog brother six years ago. Finn can't help but smile at the memories that surfaced from surveying the streets. He waved at Root Beer Guy who walked past him hurriedly, suitcase in tow.

"Looks like he's in a hurry again, huh?"

Somehow he could see himself in that sentient glass of fuzzy drink; the same enthusiasm to serve the Princess they shared. Although Finn admitted to himself that he was being rather unmotivated within the past months, barely pushing himself to get by because of Little Marcy. In those times of darkest and pained moments because of Flame Princess, the little vampire was like a ray of sunshine. Shaking away the unhappy thoughts, his eyes landed on an old and battered picket fence.

"Man, I remember trying to bite off a lump of PB's hair when I was a toddler. Shee just laughed at me, but gave a small piece anyway." He can recall how it smelled so sweet even then, he just can't remember the taste though. Maybe he did not ate it then? Something about Jake telling him its sick...

To tell the truth, the same fascination Finn held when he was younger never left him, and some part of his being wished Little Marcy kinda "grew up" like him in this wonderful kingdom, this bright and colorful world; instead of being turned back into her normal self and then regaining back all the horrific memories she accumulated during the Mushroom War.

Maybe it is for the better anyway, and what the fluff am I doing here skulking? I've got to go and check up on Jake!

He fixed his bear hat absentmindedly and shifted the weight in his feet. Finn started to walk casually, then gradually turned it in to a run; only to slow down to a stroll again. Sometimes, Finn wondered, what would be his life if things were different. If humans never became nearly extinct, if I had human parents, and...

~~o~~

After everything he sacrificed to be united with his princess again, the world just wouldn't let him have his happily ever after. Just like those fairy tales they used to read together, not every story ends well.

..them.

After spending a thousand year in searching for a way to revive her, the price is nothing but more sacrifice. Maybe the world deemed that ordeal wasn't enough, suffering hundred years of humiliation and defeat by so-called heroes that roamed this accursed land, he was doomed to fail too.

...wrath to obliterate injustice. Can you feel it? The unfairness of it all?

He could feel it. He could dang well hear it. He could feel and hear the promise of power the crown bestowed upon him. It was unlike the power over frost he once had. No, it was much greater, much much greater. Who cares about those puny jewels this crown once had? That demon halfling might as well stick those jewels up her...

...hole.

The crown melted. He panicked for a moment, thinking that something went wrong. But no, the molten gold cascaded down towards his mechanical right arm. In just few seconds, it was completely enveloped by gold. Cold gold. Who cares about a crown, anyway? He could feel the coldness creep up his veins, whispering words to fuel his revenge on this world; this world that took everything from him.

...whole world.

This universe.

..ight.

And any other universe that exist.

...right. To make things right, sometimes you have to break them. Wipe them. Wipe all existence for me, for you and me...

The air around his new mechanical arm solidified in to a frigid ice blade that seemed to freeze even his own breath. Or was it the the time and space around him? Visions of an endless hallway washed away his other thoughts.

Then we'll start anew...my dear Ice Prince.

~~o~~

The sun shone down happily down Ooo, but Finn can barely feel the heat. He felt a bit cold inside, for whatever reason that is. A shiver ran down his spine. This is absolutely crazy. Face it Finn, something's wrong with you. Well, maybe.

"Maybe I'm about to get sick? Heck no, I need to be beside Marceline when she recovers..."

The Tree Fort loomed over him in the distance. Its shadow seemed more ominous than usual. Finn felt something in his guts, and he always relied on them. He absentmindedly reached for the sword in his back, forgetting he doesn't have any. He berated himself for not being able to find a suitable replacement for their broken family heirloom, the Demon Blood Sword.

Is the Ice King causing trouble again? No...these feels different, oh Grod.

Finn just can't bring with him the Root Sword Jake gave him for his birthday. It's too precious to wear down on enemies unworthy of slicing apart. But still...it would be a lot better than the Grass Sword he tried wielding months ago ago. That thing proved to be more trouble than its worth. At first, the Grass Sword obeyed his thoughts, coiling and uncoiling at the slightest thought. That is until recently, it started to wrap around his arm tightly and sometimes waking him up in the middle of the night. Jake, fearing that his hand will be amputated, helped Finn in destroying the cursed blade of grass.

Finn! I thought you can control it now? Look at your arm! Its red all over!

Jake! I can't even feel my own arm! Help me bro!"

Oh snap, I knew this sword is nothing but trouble...

Together, on Flambo's tip, they raided an abandoned ruins near the outskirts of Fire Kingdom that legend says held the Essence of Ancestral Flames. Turns out it was a small pink fire that instantly burned away the cursed weapon upon the slightest touch.

It was the day he was freed from the curse. It was also the day he saw an actual show of affection between Flame Princess and Cinnamon Bun. Finn cringed bitterly at the thought. He vowed then that he would stay away from the fiery vicinity of the kingdom.

Are you happy now, Princess?

"Finn! Thank Glob you're finally here dude! In the kitchen, with me! C'mon!"

"Woah! Cool it, Jake! What happened?"

His friend just ignored his question and stretched himself back into their Tree Fort. "Hey wait! Why don't you just let me ride you if we are in a hurry?"

Glob, sometimes I hate myself for destroying Scarlet in that stupid black hole. That golden sword would be handy right now.

Realizing something or someone might be in trouble, he ran towards their house and dive rolled into their kitchen, weaponless but with a battle cry at full volume. That is, until he realize a flat, shadow-like person happens to be inside their house. Oh, he's also pink.

And what's up with that giant jar of pickles?

"You look familiar..."

~~o~~

"Just one more bolt and nut here and we're...set!" Princess Bubblegum wasted no time in repairing the damaged Time Machine. The process of turning bac Marceline to her former self have put so much strain on the moving parts of the machine, especially the two rings that form the Time Sphere.

She knew she wouldn't really want to use the Time Machine anytime again soon. It needed more tests on non-living subjects before trying it on her friends. The real purpose of the Time Machine was to send the subject matter approximately 1000 years back into the past, a transporter in a sense. Instead, it recalibrated the age of the subject approximately 1000 years backwards. Any mortal being would have ceased to exist altogether and she was really glad it wasn't Finn who was on the machine that day.

"I almost lost a true hero, I guess."

After finishing in the lab, she went back to her original task of the day; caring for Marceline. Her friend slept peacefully at the private room of the Candy Kingdom Hospital, not a care in the world. It made her realize how she almost lost a dear friend, one she knew for hundreds of years, because of her silly and pointless tinkering with time.

And my envy with Ice King's successful time portal.

"I won't let that happen again." And I promise, I'll spend more time with you, Marceline.

~~o~~

How was it for the prologue? I'm having a real trouble because this story might alienate those who did not yet read the "parent" stories. Please help me with some feedbacks guys! Thanks again to the authors who gave me permissions!

This story will borrow a lot of elements from the following fanfictions, so you should probably read them to fully enjoy this one:

1000 Years Back by RawrRoarRawr (required)

Tales of the Alternate Universe by SCIK1012 (HIGHLY required)

Citadel of Truth by Ooobserver (HIGHLY required)

And also my two other stories (highly optional)