Fionna's Pov

My breath caught in my throat as I ran, clutching little bundle of cloth in my arms. I will watch over you forever little one, I cooed silently to it. A small hand shot out and I caressed it in my own. I kissed it as I continued my retreat. I had to reach the forest.

I just had to.

I felt my heart jolt as I ran. No! Not now, why does it have to do this now? My breathing became more ragged as it skipped every so often. How was I going to make it like this?

"Fionna!"

I heard Simon call my name from a few feet behind, "Don't stop, don't you dare stop! We're almost there!" I turned for a moment and glimpsed him scooping my little girl running beside him, keeping a tight hold on her. We're fine, I thought, breathing heavily, trying to calm myself, Simon is here, he can protect us. Everything is going to be–

My thoughts were cut off as an ear-splitting screech sounded throughout the wreckage of the city. "Simon, he's found us!" I called back to him, fingering the bright pink diamond sword at my hip, "How much farther until we reach the forest?" I slowed for only heartbeat to let him catch up. He looked down at the holo-watch attached to his pale blue wrist, "We still have at least three miles," He hissed, frustrated, through gritted teeth. As he said this another howl could be heard from behind, closer this time. "We don't have three miles," I growled, stopping in my tracks and whirling around.

"What are you doing?" He demanded, "Don't you dare forget that you have two small children to think about!" I hesitated, my hand already gripping my sword. "I have to do this, I'm the only one who can stop him, maybe even," my voice faltered as my words were caught in my throat. I looked up at him, pleading with my eyes, "Maybe even save him." Simon looked away sadly, refusing to meet my eyes. "That's not possible and you know it," he said, putting my daughter on the ground, clutching her hand protectively. "But I have to try!" I protested, holding the bundle in my arms tighter. Simon's temper flared, "I won't let you endanger two young, precious lives, because you can't see the facts!" He stared at me defiantly. In his eyes I could see he had made up his mind about something.

He gave my daughter back to me a began to untie the string attaching a small golden crown to his waist. "Simon...?" I asked him cautiously, "Simon, what are you thinking of doing? Simon answer me." He stood silent as he turned the crown over in his hands, examining the blood red jewels. "I have to," he said quietly, more to himself, "If I don't then you, and the children will die. I have to..." his voice trailed off as he held the crown out at arms length.

"I have to."

"No!"

My voice rang out in the quiet, as the entire city was engulfed in a flurry of ice and snow.

Simon twitched as the crown met with his pure white hair, his beard and nose growing to full length. He threw off his suit and a deep blue robe manifested with the help of the ice essence hovering around his hands. "Oh yes, my dear," he said, his voice higher and rougher now, "The Ice King has arrived!" Simon...no...the Ice King, shot into the air falling back down to hover only inches off the ground. He turned slowly toward me, "Can you hear them?" he asked, as if in a dazed trance, "Can you hear the whispers of the ice and snow? Can you feel them in your soul?!" He raised his hands, the blue essence on his hands glowing brighter as his sanity dripped away. "No matter...you will hear them soon."

Simon's Pov

Darkness...

All around nothing but darkness...

I have to protect them...

I have to...

My mind struggled against the influence of the crown. I could see and hear everything, but was helpless to intervene. He was turning on Fionna! I couldn't let that happen.

I thought of Marceline, gone for a while now. I thought of Betty, my princess, who hated this monster inside me. I thought of all of those people that had suffered at the hands of is warlock. I thought of Fionna. Oh, Fionna. I haven't been the friend you needed me to be in the chaos of the world. I will protect you now. Run. Run to the woods, and to the place where the wreckage and the radiation has created a land out of a fairy tale book. I will protect you now. Don't worry about me. I'll get out eventually. Just...run.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got...

Taking a break from all your worries...

Sure would...

Help a lot...