He died. He died in Jake's arms.
"Finn?" He didn't stir.
"Finn!"
Jake held him in his bloody arms, crying and sobbing, realizing that a brother's death is always the worst experience you could ever take in your whole life. The Lich laughed, knowing the work is done, and he disappeared in black smoke. But Jake didn't care. He knew that if without Finn, he could never defeat the Lich. He remembered the torturous time he took at the Dungeon of the Crystal Eye, where he was laughed at, battered, shattered and barely survived. All because Finn is without his side. For sixteen years, Finn has grown into a majestic man. His baby fat disappeared and replaced by a lot of muscle. He still wears his hat, but bangs of sweet-smelling blonde hair fell out of it towards Finn's face. He added a belt to his normal attire, which contained a shiny diamond from his past adventures, and replaced his backpack with a portable magical green one, where he could fight a beast and still keep the bag in his pocket. But it's gone. Jake held him lovingly, remembering all the times they were together, and said, "I promise, Finn, I promise that you will never regret your life on earth. Glob will bless you and give you a blessing worthy of you. I promise," through chokes and hot tears dripping long his hairy, yellow face. He vanished, along with Finn, through a teleportation spell, another one of his dad's special adventures for him and Finn. He chanted an arcane of pure Gaelic consent, and disappeared with a wisp of white smoke. And it was surely known that this news will be sent far.
Jake came into the entrance of their home and stood there, reminiscing the times it was broken. Snorlock's sudden appearance, the monsters busting out of BMO, and the last time Flame Princess went for a date with Finn. Flame Princess. He was the one Jake always accused of being evil, but that changed when he knew Finn is now a teenager, and he knew what is right for him through his heart. And his heart pointed to Flame Princess's path of life, and their lives intertwined with happiness, fire and third-degree burns, until now. Jake sobbed at the thought, he knew that Flame Princess couldn't handle this much hurt, but it has to be done. He opened and found Princess Bubblegum collecting amounts of gold they got for their adventures. He recalled the time Princess Bubblegum was here, collecting taxes that she knew about Finn and Flame Princess's relationship. She dismissed the fact that she was jealous, but instead told Jake that the fiery flame elemental's elemental matrix couldn't handle much romance. It accounts to Jake that she never grew jealous of the two of them after all, and just dedicated a life of discovering science, questing for knowledge, and ruling their kingdom.
"Jake. I was just here for-"
Upon seeing Jake's body covered in gashes, cuts and blood, and seeing Finn lying and limp in his back, she knew Finn was deceased through her analytical brain. But her brilliant mind suddenly turned emotional as her inner thirteen-year old self cried upon his dead presence. She hugged Finn, saying, "Finn, why you'd have to die?" through crying and shedding of bubblegum tears. Jake thought this was a good time to tease the sweet princess, but he knew that Finn is truly deceased, and he knew the pain she was experiencing. The pain of having someone save her and always trail after her, giving her spaghetti and having a fun time without any awkward incidences between the two was truly something no one could ever equal, except for Jake's loss of a brother, which tore his heart in half. Princess Bubblegum asked Jake of his teleportation spell, which she knew because of a fright in her bedroom two months ago, to deliver her and Finn into his palace bedroom. In less than fifteen seconds, they were there. The spacious room was adorned with very magnificent designs. The walls were pink, but the roof was a crimson red. The bed in the center of his bedroom, bearing a soft mattress and having a brown headboard, pictures of past rulers; being candy corns, chocolates and cotton candies, which Jake admired and saw for the first time. He remembered the experiment Finn accidentally made, which caused Princess Bubblegum to apply a special toxin to all of the Candy People, so whoever would eat them from outside of the Candy Kingdom will be totally sorry they did. The whole breakthrough of science and improvement in the kingdom blossomed, just by an accidental spill of a chemical. Jake laughed inwardly at that predicament, when Princess Bubblegum snapped Jake out of his senses by sobbing over Finn's body. Suddenly, Jake had an idea. "Can we bring him back to life by science?" he said with a hopeful grin. It turned around, however, by a single no by the princess. "Humans are very delicate. They are from before the Mushroom War. No magic, no science and no other thing from Ooo can allow Finn to get his soul back, not even from Death itself." Jake frowned at that even more.
Princess Bubblegum said on the phone. "To all messengers, send everyone from Ooo into the Candy Kingdom." This earned groans from everyone, but when Princess Bubblegum said, "This is nuts," they knew it was for a death announcement. They had developed a system of talking, just in case war may start. Jake said, "Why do you still have to tell them? I don't want to hear a lot of crying!" But Princess Bubblegum silenced him. "We must t-tell them, or e-else they will know F-F-Finn's not d-d-dead," she replied, with a stutter, but with a finality in her voice.
"Finn's dead!" she said to everyone in the Candy Kingdom, fighting the urge to let a tear fall onto her face. Everyone whispered. They knew it was all impossible for Finn to die. He was the greatest hero in all of Ooo. This was what Princess Bubblegum has expected to happen. They put so much trust, that if they knew he was dead, they would flip out very badly. "Jake, bring the casket."
Jake brought the casket. It was very magnificent, to symbolize how Finn's code of honor represented the fate of Ooo. It was decorated with blue flowers, which is his favorite color, and has a line that reads, "This hero, deceased, has shown great bravery, majesty, and faith and trust to all," on the side of its very detailed carving. The coffin was pure white, with little tints of blue on the bottom. Some people took a peek at it, and they ended up crying and shedding tears and pulling out handkerchiefs. More and more people peered, and ended up breaking down and sobbing, too.
Marceline just flew away, not wishing to let her peers think that she was crying and actually shedding tears on a mortal. She knew this was coming. She was an immortal and she knew that Finn will die first. But seeing him die so early, and adding the fact that he lay there, bloody and gashed, pushed Marceline's sense of integrity and dignity died down and started sobbing on a tree. The flowers slowly withering from the tree, she couldn't resist the fact that Finn is not by his side. Her best bro, helping him when he needed the most. But after she calmed down herself, she looked at the sky. The solemn sun was setting, so she took off her hat, gloves and other sun blockers. She looked at how the sun set. A human's death is like a piece of salt during the Mushroom War, but a human dead in Ooo, brought tears down everyone's eyes. Marceline then flew back onto her cave, no wonder pulling out an axe bass and making a song about a good bro.
Ice King stood before Finn's corpse, shedding a tear from his eye. Even though they were
enemies, he knew that they were still friends and he also knew that Finn was the last human in Ooo. So they just played their battles, pretending them and always making Ice King lose. Sometimes, the fight got a bit personal, but still no one is severed. He trusted him, because after four years of pure agony for him, he finally understood that princesses are not meant to be stolen, and if he asked nicely, he can actually have a wife for himself without Finn and Jake giving him a kick in the butt and he thanked Finn for having mercy on his poor soul for four years, that he vowed to never capture pretty princesses again. His beard shifted an inch, and his temperature is dropping, because after he vowed to never steal princesses again, he was becoming more like his old human self: Simon Petrikrov, and the princesses are actually growing suspicious but happy to see the Ice King like that. It is all because of Finn's mercy to his enemies.
Lumpy Space Princess looked into Finn's lifeless form, and started texting with teary eyes on how Finn died, probably to Melissa. She was muttering things like, "Why, Glob, why?" and "Finn, why'd you have to die!" on her tear-stained cell phone. She knew that Finn was hot, as she would say it, but aside from becoming hotter, he became less oblivious of Lumpy Space Princess's feelings over him. But as a hero, he needs to satisfy LSP's "problems". He went out with her for some pizza, spaghetti and watched movies for the last two years. She loved those times. She thought Finn was now super-attracted to his lumps. But now it's gone, but LSP's slight love for Finn didn't go on for granted to her heart.
Billy stood there, giving him a salute. He knew that a hero's life was like this, but he actually became sad over his death. The human boy who changed his perspective and filled the gaping void in his heart has surely earned him the respect he needs from the legendary hero. He took out his badge, hidden under his beard, and laid it onto Finn's grave. The badge, etched with the words, "The Greatest Hero" and had little gems on the side, laid peacefully, as if the one resting underneath deserved the title. In a way, he did. He would have stayed on that disgusting cave, and live on meditation and dullness. But now, he now uses Nothung, his sword, actively and attacks monsters, with his Old Lady at his shoulder always, sometimes meeting paths with Finn to defeat a demon heart monster. "He really understands how to be a hero in his heart," he said, with a tone of respect for the renown, "The Greatest Hero".
But Flame Princess's reaction was the worst. It burned down half the palace. With burning candy's aroma everywhere, as Princess Bubblegum had expected, she had Jake control the flame elemental and put her out of her of Finn's limp and bloody corpse. He brought her into her home, in the Marauder's old habitat, and let her sob at her heart's content. Jake said, "It's gonna be alright." "How could you mention to say it's all right? I gave a piece of my life to him, I made him burn just to hug, and I gave my whole dignity and trust, and lowered my defenses for him, not to mention all of Ooo's gonna be affected, huh?" she said while crying and sending fire all over the night. Jake knew the pain the delicate heart of the fire princess and her ability to make her emotions drill a hole to the center of the Earth and destroy all life, risks burning his arms to calm her down. He said, "It's the first time for me too. And I'm sure Finn will never forget you in Glob World." "Really?" Flame Princess said, making herself calm down her flames a bit. Jake said, with a sigh of relief and appreciation for the girl in flames, "Yes."
BMO watched as his emotionless face captured the whole thing. He knew of the pain they were experiencing, considering he always saw his owners die during a nuclear spill during the Mushroom War through an 8-bit memory. He also knew all emotions and knew how to feel them, causing him to be a special game module for Finn and Jake, because he can relate to the emotions they feel at each other, to someone else, or to themselves. He was scooped up by Jake, going to the direction of their house, saying, "What time is it?" reminiscing of the times they always used that phrase. "Eleven forty-eight," BMO said with an emotionless face. Jake replied with a happy grin, "That's right. We should go home."
Jake brought BMO and Neptr upstairs to his bedroom. BMO and Neptr were two robots, Jake could never forget, with BMO being the most useful thing in a house, game console, alarm, camera, cell phone charger, noodle cooker, videophone, video camera, projector user. Neptr is never lost in Jake's head, since the first time he saw him was with his face full of pies; but he is a good friend, and he even built fireproof suits from trash. How lumping good was that? He laid the two robots on Finn's bed, letting them feel the warm animal furs resting underneath. But he held Finn's sleeping bag, and hugged it and brought it to his bed, feeling his warmth once again. While at bed, Jake had many thoughts burrowing across his cranium. "How will I cope with all of this?" But he knew Lady was still with him, even though she was far away for an unknown reason, and he already started to adjust into Finn's loss, little by little. He soon drifted off for a good sleep, for a time when he can relax at peace without remembering the bad things that happened today. But this was just the beginning.
As he was dreaming, he saw Finn trying to snap him out of his dreams. Dream Jake saw this and hugged Finn, tears of joy streaming out but Finn was intangible. Yet he held Jake and said, "Listen to me!" Jake listened properly, happy tears flooding across his eyes. "You must battle Death in a musical battle," Finn said with an expressionless face. Jake looked a bit offended, "I thought Princess Bubblegum said that we can't?" "Of course, she doesn't want you getting hurt, lunatic! Now get my soul or else the time limit will go BOOM!" he said, making a fake bomb exploding that spilled intangible saliva everywhere. Jake looked clearly disgusted. Then someone in the back said, "Time's up. Go back to Glob World." With that Jake woke up.
It was a blossomed morning, the type of sunrise that always lightens up and reminds everybody in Ooo for a great and happy day of their lives. But now solemn and sad cries were heard all around. Jake went to the Candy Kingdom and called Peppermint Butler's consent. The peppermint little man, always with a cheery voice even in times of great hardship, heard the mellow voice and bade him to follow him. They walked onto his room, situated in the second floor of the Candy Palace. On the way, Jake saw portions of the Candy Palace he has never seen before.
Firstly, the room of the Candy Queen and King were down, and Jake saw a good glimpse of the magnificent quarters, with a little portion of what is to be a little bunk bed, blossomed with the finest candy taffy, dyed with red and purple colors, with the wall painted a melted-blueberry cream milk, and the floor adorned with beautiful symmetrical and colorful rangoli designs made from cotton candy.
Secondly, they came upon the beautiful cookery and kitchens of the Candy Palace. They were filled with the aromatic smell of cakes, turkey and other sweet foods needed to replenish the citizens' candy.
Lastly, the parlor and libraries are unsurprisingly put into tomes and thousands of bookshelves, obviously read and understood by Princess Bubblegum. They were full of webs, lizards and spiders. Jake thought for a while "Princess Bubblegum's made herself an animal shelter," before chuckling at his joke inwardly.
The corridors going to Peppermint's room were placed with magnificent pictures of Princess Bubblegum: waving at the camera, riding Lady Rainicorn and holding an unknown girl.
One included her with her mother, Cotton Candy Queen, happily staring into the camera. Another one was Lady Rainicorn again with Princess Bubblegum in her teenage years. Suddenly, Jake's mind drifted off to Lady. He hasn't seen her lately. Princess Bubblegum usually says she's off with her parents in the Crystal Dimension, and she was seen once in a while in every royal celebration, but not on casual events. Jake usually tries to contact Lady, and it usually worked. They talked for hours, and when Jake would ask her where she is, when will she come back, or who are with you, she shuts off the system quickly and never receives a call unless prompted. Jake grew sad about this. Did Lady think her and Jake's relationship must come to an end? But Lady isn't like that. Or is she? Jake was never sure of his girlfriend. That is why he usually gives everything to her. Because, he thinks, that one wrong move and she can start a Dog-Rainicorn War again. Jake didn't want that. To break his own heart again. Like from his former girlfriend. Mika.
Mika was a not-so-girly dog which usually never cares about friends or money. She treats Jake in a good manner and never insults, upsets or makes him angry. But her parents took her away. Now she's married, and now she has a happy life, but Jake's heart was not yet set. He was depressed until he met Lady Rainicorn when Finn was saving Princess Bubblegum. She was shy for the first time, but Jake understood her gurgling language. Her parents, who heard her gurgling rant about being with Jake again, understood that they were meant to be together and did actions. They performed a magic spell to which Lady's voice will become Korean, just like their other clan, while Jake was instructed to learn tons of Korean phrases. But Jake wouldn't want to waste that chance. Jake wouldn't want to lose her. He wouldn't want her to live him alone, like when losing Mika, and running and living a gangster life, stealing old ladies' purses, robbing treasures and abusing people in the Candy Kingdom; when Princess Bubblegum was still a toddler; and hiding in the outskirts of the kingdom.
They finally reached their destination. The magical dog couldn't really believe that his room was very far from the princess's room. His room was two floors and three sides below left of the royal princess's room. Peppermint Butler said in his fine and gentlemanly voice, breathing a little at the first word, "Jake, I had the same dreams as you. So you might want to bring Finn back, " his eyes turned a bit black, a grin spreading from his lips, a bit of the fangs he naturally hid from the Princess was seen, then disappeared when he said, "or not." Jake was a bit horrified by the dark split-second expression, but chose not to talk about it. They were quiet for a few seconds, but Peppermint Butler broke it by stating, "But since it is a human, we must give him something good in return." Jake's mind twitched a little bit. Does he have anything in exchange for Death? Absolutely none! He thought this over and over, until Peppermint Butler spoke in a fearing, but firm and chivalrous voice, "Your viola."
Jake's mind was very stretched to the instant. He was scared. Can he willingly give the symbol of him and Lady's love? The thing that held on to their chaotic relationship, the music that let him discovers his true talent, the one that brought Finn and Lady Rainicorn together as friends. He really was thinking hard. Jake always loved to play the viola. He loves the music streaming out, his masterpieces piercing pleasurable tones up his ears. He was happy and contented that he has his instrument, his viola, which is a symbol of a great relationship, friendship and happiness between him and his inner spirit. "What should I do?" and "What's Lady gonna do to me?" Peppermint Butler was silently reading his thoughts and felt the stinging pain of losing someone he loved. But Lady isn't like that.
He kept hearing these thoughts and no longer held his butlery patience and yelled in a loud voice, look to "How dare you address to Ms. Rainicorn like that, Mr. Jake!" Jake was shocked. He was never aware that he has something inside of him behind that handsome smile on his face. A red glint of anger, never shown in Princess Bubblegum's eyes, a skill only a few Candy Citizens could muster. Jake was about to protest on knowing how he knew more about Lady than his current boyfriend, until he still said in a ferocious tone, "How dare you insult how she seems! How dare you think that she will give up on your relationship just by trading a viola? She loved you despite the consequences, and she always knew that this love might end, but she held it longer. She held what she has; despite your own species are mortal enemies. Do you think she loved you for only a viola?!"
Jake looked mortally offended. A little peppermint butler changed his perspective towards Lady. He was right. Lady would never love him for his passion of a viola. Then their hearts will be broken only for a few months. But it held on for many years, and they were ecstatic of their relationship, and now Lady disappeared from Jake's eyes, never seen her for two solid years. He had known today that even though the two species were mortal enemies, she held on to their relationship. Love is a mysterious thing. You never know when you will love, where love can lead to, or who will you love at first. But the feeling of love clinging to your heart is a feeling Jake could never forget. He said, clearly humiliated, "I'm sorry. I'm just paranoid and depressed by everything that happened recently." Peppermint was already calm before he knew it. He mastered the art of being a gentleman, the sincerity, the surprisingly calm personality, and the art of becoming a great friend and assistant whenever necessary. He said, "It is okay, Mr. Jake." But Jake could swear that he experienced this before. They performed the magical ceremony. Peppermint Butler and Jake formed a circle, held hands and Peppermint Butler chanted in an arcane voice, "This trading is strengthened by the magical powers of the Underworld, of blood and bone, whilst of Death, with his necromancy and magical powers, to exchange this token for a soul worthy of being transcended back onto Ooo." Then arcane symbols began rising everywhere, and they were transported into the Underworld.
Peppermint Butler left to another portal and said, "I will leave you here, Jake. I know you will understand how things work out here. Goodbye, Mr. Jake." Jake walked towards the cold atmosphere, which the temperature is a direct opposite of the bloodthirsty, blazing Nightosphere. Rivers, piles of bones and other otherworldly artifacts were in Jake's eyesight everywhere he went. Suddenly he bumped into Skeleton Princess. He looked a bit surprised. He said, "Why are you here, Skeleton Princess?" "I was here to ask if the news is true. I'm sorry, Jake," she said, hugging the furry magical being on her bony arms. Just then he noticed an innocent teenage girl in the back. She is a skeleton, with an elegant dress made out of colored pixie webs, adorned with a nightshade flower on each shoulder, with a little ribbon made of crimson red shredded bone in the back. She had a perfectly-fitted high heels, probably salvaged from the Mushroom War, and a little gold tiara on the top of her head, which Jake expected was a sign of royalty. He asked to the Princess, "Who is the girl in the back?" Skeleton Princess replied, "She is the Boneyard Princess, Frean." The timid girl said hi then left. Jake continued the quest for Finn's soul when he passed by Frean again. She asked in a demanding voice, not like the girl he saw before. "Why are you here, stupid mortal?" Jake, not understanding the situation he was in the moment, said, "I'm going to get Finn's soul back." "Not allowed. He is human." Jake looked a bit sad, but said in a determined yell, "But in the name of Glob and my viola, I will retrieve the soul back!" "Then you'll regret what you just have said," she said in a pitiless reply.
She charged towards him, while Jake stretched a bit bigger to try to decapitate her. She used a magic sword, made out of special alloys, probably from the Boneyard Kingdom, and used it to try to make Jake fall to the ground. But Jake knew this was coming, so he used a kick to freeze her in place. She said in fury, "You never will get his soul back!" in-between kicks and sword slashes. Jake got a cut from her into his right shoulder, but it didn't matter. He then tried to lessen her defenses and trying to lock her up first, but she punched and slashed him in the face. Jake was enraged. How dare she slice up his bread and butter! He came up to her and squished her in hopes of getting her to surrender. But her words horrified Jake to the very core.
"If Finn goes to Death, he will go on forever to Glob World. No turning back!"
That does it. Jake held her with his extremely long hands, seeing Finn in the entrance, and pushed her away far away into the depths of the Underworld. Jake walked with his stretchy legs, and crossed mountains, plains and rivers in order to reach a soul never lost in memories, never hated in sixteen years, and always been the inspirations of everyone around. That is the soul which bears the name of four letters.
He saw the whitish glint of Death's castle, and he stretched his noodle legs towards the deathly infrastructure. It was a palace all right, but very spacious inside. Finn was almost there, when Jake pulled him away from the crowd and put him in the back of the line. A groan could be heard. Jake went inside.
The cold edifice was surrounding by misty clouds of Zen gardens, masterpieces made by Death itself. It has a huge wall surrounding the whole place, and Jake stepped inside. Death was inside there, expecting him, viola in hand. He then started to put it in his collection of musical instruments. Jake was sweating. What is he gonna do when he fails? Nothing. It's done. But Jake wouldn't let that happen. He knew that. Death said, "The music battle is about to start. This is for retrieval of a human's soul, and a battle to see who truly deserves the soul stored within the Underworld." Jake nodded. The battle started.
He got six guitars, acoustic-electric and death metal, and they suddenly merged into one super guitar. He was amazed. It was some sort of magic which Death might have put, but it didn't matter. He made five extras hands from his Stretchy Powers, and he started tuning the guitar. It had very fiery designs, with crimson red and icy blue colors in comparison. Meanwhile, Death's double-bass drums are ready and arranged. Jake started with a loud tone through the top and loudest guitar, and proceeded to use the other hands for the other strings of the other five guitars, while Death starts to beat and make a death metal tone, subtly becoming progressively louder and louder every time. Jake experimented if what could happen if he strummed all of the guitars in unison. It created a very loud, jazzy but very rocking tone that no doubt pierced the ears of Jake if his ears weren't slightly drooped. Death, hearing this outburst, started using the cymbals in unison with the drums. Jake then tried another antic, and shooting flames and pyrotechnic displays sprung out in violet, red and mauve colors; while Death strummed a hidden drum underneath the other drums, and sparks and magnificent fireworks made out of yellow, red and blue powders come to display. The Palace was colorful for a moment before it fades again. The battle became more death metal and progressively faster and louder until the last straw comes out at Jake's very extraordinary-looking guitar. He shot the fastest guitar touchdown at exactly the right time, notes strumming out in a split second. Death then followed by making a drum finale and jumped right a somersault, leaving sparks of electric white and cyan fireworks behind his trail. The musical battle was finished.
Death was tired from all the musical display that he sat down at the bony chair, decorated with sculptures of tiny skulls, and recuperated. But Jake lost it. He lied on the ground, taking deep breaths, hyperventilating, and trying to catch his energy back. Using your cool stretchy powers six times the original cost is costing you a flippin' amount of energy, he thought. Finally, it was over. But Death knew who was gonna win this musical battle. He smirked. Jake asked innocently, "Who's the judge?" contented that he did the best he can. Death's grin spread out from ear to ear and said in a sinister voice, "Pipremento, our sweet peppermint butler."
Jake was shocked. What will Peppermint Butler do? Poor Peppermint Butler, his life might be even the cost. Suddenly, a portal opened, and Jake glimpsed on it, seeing the red ceiling, knew instantly that was Peppermint Butler's royal quarters. Peppermint Butler rose out and said in a clear voice, "I'll be the judge for this sacred event. No biases, no risks, no threats." But inside, he was shaking violently. What will he do? If he chose Jake, Death might go into a rampage and release all souls of the evil Nightosphere demons onto Ooo, or maybe take off Jake's Finn's and his soul apart and rip it to shreds then send it to the very depths of the Nightosphere. And if he chose Death, Jake would feel depressed and the Lich will overpower him easily, thus leading to the whole destruction of Ooo single-handedly. Peppermint Butler couldn't rid himself of this horrible thought. He sat down, trying to write the results of the battle on the table. The table was colored shiny silver and ebony black, decorated with a collage of a man Peppermint Butler was unheard of. It was about a baby growing up into an adult. Pep But didn't know why Death would consider this piece of human art decent, but maybe it was just random or something he doesn't want Death to talk about. Peppermint Butler stopped admiring the table and thought. Who will I choose? Is it Jake, the magic dog who I just lectured about his and Lady's relationship, or Death, which saved him multiple times and taught him how to have magical powers apart of his vulnerability? He couldn't just decide. The nightmares of his decisions burrow his mind again and he grew scared. After a few minutes, he stood up, and embracing all the consequences and ready for the pain he was going to experience, said,
"Death."
Jake immediately reacted, "How dare you? We saved you thousands of times, he saved our Princess, we helped you a lotta times, and you couldn't pay us Finn's soul. Thank you very much!" he said, sarcastically yelling and angry. Peppermint Butler said calmly, "You know the consequences." Jake tensed a lot, but now he froze cold. He was right again. What could happen if there were biases, and Death grew angry? It was just plain Nightosphere: chaos, destruction and death. He sighed and thought about how his life would end. His mother, his father, his viola, his brother and his girlfriend were gone. He was crying on the inside. He knew how painful he was to brace at the moment, but it was more painful that he thought it would be, and cried, gasps coming from his ragged breaths, hot and salty tears flowing out of his eyes, and sorrow released from his heart. He lost his father, who knew what was best for him, he lost his mother, who understood his problems and always there whenever needed, his viola, which fulfilled his imaginations and dreams of becoming a very good violinist, his girlfriend, who calmed his violence and let him knew he was truly loved, and his brother who helped him in everything in literal and the best person who could tell him he was loved, hugged and important. He cried, but one of the things he loved was scratched from the list of lost items and important personalities when Death stood up, pride still growing in his eyes, but sincerity held his whole body and hands, holding his viola and giving it to him, willing and never forced to grab it back. Jake immediately was happy for a moment, seeing the beautiful old but very precious viola given by his mother. He immediately cracked a song, his lips full of emotion, his tone, mellow, fine and slow:
My bro's not here by my side, I feel a lot depressed,
I lost all of them, so now I'm so saddened,
Finn, I'll make sure that the Lich will pay
Peppermint Butler was listening to this ballad, when thoughts of his past came up to him, about his love, about his happiness, about his loss:
Glistening in the early dawn, was a mellow, peppermint kid, with his mother holding in the hand, waiting for the caretaker in the daycare. He was a bit nervous, considering there were no one of the same family as his there. He was visibly sweating peppery drops of sweat, but his mother held him and said, "It's alright, dear boy. Everyone will love you here". He agreed, and saw the beauty that resides in this very institution for the first time since their visit. It was painted pink, upon Queen Cotton Candy's orders, with little carved statues of different personalities, wondrous and special; then laden with different fun toys he had never seen before. He felt a bit excited, blood rushing up to his body when the daycare manager came in. She was an old candy corn woman, no doubt laden with wisdom and understanding, and held him up her arms and said with a sincere voice, "Come on, feel the joy of everyone." The daycare wasn't as chaotic as the present times, so Peppermint Butler went and played with the other kids. They were Mark, a gumdrop with has a fun and joking personality, Ben, a cookie, who always loved the people all around him, and Baby-Snaps, another cookie, who supports the other kids in the daycare to stop being depressed and play. They were the few daycare candy citizens who strive to enjoy their lives and not sulking in the sofa and moan.
One day, while they were playing, Peppermint Butler noticed a peculiar toy in the corner. He recognized it as one of his father's instruments when working: an abacus. It lay there, dusty and old, wooden and painted in gold, which was obviously fading, stuck in abandoned places now that Ooo has advanced technology. He knew how to work with it, but he was still curious. After a while, he started to handle the beads and understand how it is used. He was using it for several minutes when suddenly a little, pretty girl, a lollipop, came to him and said, "What are you doing?" Peppermint stopped working and saw the beautiful girl. He said, "I'm trying to work on this abacus."
"An abacus?"
"Yeah. It is one of the toys that help you count."
"Can you show to me how to use it?"
"Certainly, miss?"
"Adrastea. But people call me Andrea."
"My name's Pipremento. But they call me Pip."
Peppermint Butler then demonstrated the use of the fascinating toy, when suddenly he noticed the full look of the girl next to him. She was one to walk around, trying to discover things. He noticed the uniqueness of the girl. She was the lone lollipop in the pack, and he felt a spark of sympathy between her. Soon, she thanked him for demonstrating and a friendship is being renowned and sparked inside their hearts.
Jake continued singing:
My life was good, but now I'm so lonely,
Now you are lost, where are you now Lady?
Girl, I hope you come to me this day,
They were in the castle, twenty-four years into the future, both being twenty-eight years old. Their lives were renowned: Peppermint Butler was the Royal Butler of the Candy Kingdom, contracted to serve for three consecutive leaders, while Dr. Lollipop was now the Royal Doctor of the Hospital. They were in a relationship, same as the year Princess Bubblegum's coronation will be taking place. They all gathered inside at the Royal Hall and waited for the ceremony to begin. Finally, the candy princess came out, held by the Candy King and Queen in both arms. The ceremonial speaker, named Spencer, an old candy cane, who had been working in the Ooosian army decades ago, said in a fine, smooth voice, bearing marks of wisdom and joy, "Dear Majesties, would you allow Bonnibel Bubblegum, of eighteen years of age, single and eligible of holding the entire kingdom, take the risks of holding such huge responsibility, make changes and improvement in the status of life in the Kingdom, and make sure this very palace will be full of tranquility, peace, prosperity, trust and love, without her abusing his powers?" The parents nodded. The speaker then pointed at the Royal Guardian of the Royal Promise and said,
"Will you allow such a thing to happen, O Royal Guardian of the Royal Promise?"
"Yes, I will."
"Then all hail your new princess of the Candy Kingdom!"
Everyone cheered happily, as the princess finally had the kingdom to rule to herself. Everyone was in full bliss, as it was nighttime, and everyone went to the party in the other side of the hall. In the party, Peppermint Butler saw Jermaine, which was unusual, but possible. He waved hi and took his gaze to a sexy vampire lady, Marceline. He said, "What are you planning to destroy today?" with a playful tone to his voice. Marceline replied with a smirk, "I haven't thought about that," then zoomed off, probably trying to scare the bejesus out of some citizens. Suddenly, the loud music turned into a slow tone, and everybody took a partner. Peppermint Butler was paired to, of course, his lady, Andrea, and they danced, emotions overpowering every step they took, love surpassing their happiness for each other, and they were in pure bliss. After a few minutes, the lights suddenly blacked out. Some Candy Citizens flipped out of their minds, but that changed when the light sprang on. It was only a spotlight, and it lighted only Pip and Andrea holding hands together. Peppermint Butler was ready for this. He wouldn't waste his chance. He kneeled, and said, "Will you marry me?" slipping out an elegant casket which held a sapphire ring, with little gold balls plated surrounding it to signify how their love blossomed, and an etched carving that says, "I love you until Death takes me." The doctor was in full bliss. She said, "Yes!" in a surprised tone, but still holding pure joy upon her face. He slipped the ring in, and their lips touched, no matter how many of them were watching. Instead of being surprised, they cheered out loud for the couple and were happy that the two were going to be married after a long time of loving each other. It was another happy event for the Kingdom, as they witnessed two of their greatest citizens soon engages in matrimonial embrace. The lights sprung back on, and they started dancing and greeting the soon-to-be couple. Peppermint Butler approached the Candy King, Queen and Princess, and bowed low, and said in a gallant voice, "Thank you very much, O Majesties. You made me happy and blissful with my soon-to-be wife even for a small price of service." Princess Bubblegum walked up to him and hugged him, saying, "Being a guardian to all of us royalty isn't a small price." "Thank you very much."
Jake sang the next lyrics, not aware how Peppermint Butler was reacting in his memories:
Friends, you make me feel so upbeat,
If you'd come back, my world will come back so neat
Cause you're the one, which makes my life so complete
I swear, I'll find a way to make you stay,
Hey were happily married, and they were in a second-floor house. It was colored red and blue, their favorite colors, and was decorated with simple furniture and appliances. Peppermint Butler said at Andrea, who was working on her study table:
"What are you doing, milady?"
"I'm just discovering how these affect organisms."
"Just be careful there, okay?"
"Okay."
And a few days has past, and they lived well, but Pip noticed that Andrea's health, determination, energy and consciousness was slowly diminishing. He convinced her to go to the hospital for her to recover, but she had to know what antidote can cure the disease she was experimenting. Peppermint decided it was the last straw when she fainted in their balcony, but still holding the finished product in her hand. He quickly took her to the hospital, despite her weight against his small body. He took her and demanded the best hospital crew there is. Her heart rate is quickly diminishing, and every beat gave Peppermint Butler twice the beats in his heart. Suddenly, the doctor, who was Dr. Ice Cream, she said, "No use. Bring the Princess."
After a tedious operation, she found out that the disease was for her occupation, and said firmly, "She had the antidote, right?" Peppermint Butler nodded. "Well, I hope it works." She dropped three drops onto her thin body, and her body lightened a bit, but her heartbeat dropped. The antidote wasn't complete. The other doctors try to salvage her remaining heartbeats by dropping cups of sugar, but they were all in vain. But before everything could go black, she said, "I love you until Death takes me." With that, the monitor was a straight line. Princess said something that would tarnish his mind to where he was, "I'm sorry, Peppermint Butler. She died. I'm very sorry." Peppermint Butler never disapproves a princess's words, so he hugged his new corpse lightly, spilling tears out, tragedy seething inside the ward, and said, "I'll love you too until Death takes me, I promise that," and cried over his lithe body.
Jake continued, subtly realizing Peppermint Butler's tears:
Dad, Mom, Finn, Lady, I hope you know I still love you,
Life's so unfair; I miss you more than you all knew
This viola playin', my feelings and what I'm to do.
Peppermint Butler held back the tears he was supposed to release, since Jake had just finished the song. The song which reflects his memories of the past; those of pain, joy and marriage. He was almost to the point of sobbing when Jake finished, until Death looked at Peppermint's sorrowful eyes. He knew his spouse was dead: He pleaded him in the Underworld. He didn't know how he came, but he said no because those are the rules. But if he will offer himself for a spell and magic lessons, then he would have many magical powers to neutralize his inferiority and vulnerability in the Ooosian environment. He reached out under his hat and took out Finn's soul. He was heartened by the song, a song that had been so soft, mellow and sweet, not unlike the death metal he always heard. Jake and Peppermint Butler were purely frozen in place out of shock. They never knew Death was this pure of heart in this moment. But it didn't matter. He set the three souls up away on Ooo, deliberately waiting for the good news to come.
Finn woke up in the casket, knowing what happened based on his subconscious and through Death's hat. He was happy he could come back into this world, rejuvenated and new, replenished and joyful, that he can hug Jake again for real, he can rock out with Marceline again, he can team up with Billy again, that he can help Ice King in finding some love, to accomplish quests for the Candy Princess, that he can play BMO's special games again, and to feel the embrace of the desire and love of Flame Princess's embers again. He was happy of everything again. He opened the casket gently, and all who was praying and mourning out there gasped. No one knew that if a human dies and reborn again, he was undead. But Marceline knew, of course. They all weren't horrified or surprised but screamed out in joy for they knew a hero is reborn and newly available to save lives and totes kick some evil butt. He held his arms up for a dramatic pose and yelled in a voice those outside of the Candy Kingdom could hear, "I'm totes back, people!" in a new, loud and rejuvenated voice. Everyone cheered wildly.
Marceline was tuning his axe-bass when she heard his voice. She knew it was his voice, which became deep, but still held its childish accent and innocence. She quickly flew towards the Candy Palace.
Princess Bubblegum was preparing the invitations for the funeral when she heard the voice through the walls of the Candy Palace. She quickly ran, abandoning the unfinished invitation, seeing they wouldn't need it anymore.
Ice King was busy making a sculpture of Finn, which turned out to be an ugly gargoyle, when he heard the voice. He recalled his Wizard Eyes, and saw Finn, not as a spirit, but as a human, living and rejoiced. He quickly flew away, leaving the Palace behind, bringing Gunter, no doubt hearing good news.
Billy was fighting a demo-heart monster, reminiscing of the times Finn and him had attacked and defeated it, but never slain it, then suddenly he heard Finn's voice. Hearing this frequent dynamic of voice in his usual war cries, he abandoned the monster and searched for the boy.
BMO was there, already, recording the soon-to-be-funeral when he heard Finn's voice vibrating Ooo once again with his auditory magnifiers. He tried to run the best he can with his twiddly, tiny feet towards Finn.
Jake and Pipremento appeared again on the same entrance, seeing the vibrant decor of the butler's room. Peppermint Butler looked inside the cabinet of his, and saw the magical ball. It was the last of the abacus he got when Goliad came into existence, when he remembered the vast memories he contained and kept as a secret, as something remained inside of his property. He then turned to Jake, holding the little wooden ball in his hand, and said, "Jake, never doubt your relationship with Lady. Despite the consequences, be persistent and never forget her for the rest of your life. I will not tell you why, but actions must be done." Jake, unsure of where all of this is going, bowed and nodded his head. He knew from the start that he will never give up their relationship, thanks to Peppermint Butler. He then opened the doors waiting to see a merry voice and happy tone.
Marceline came first to Finn, and she hugged him tightly. All those who saw it dared not to tease or insult them, as they knew they were treating each other like brother and sister. They held their backs together, with Marceline whispering, "You stupid lunatic." "I'm telling you, I'm all about stupid," Finn replied with a chuckle. Next to Finn was Ice King. They held in a hug, with Finn and Simon never having deep loathing or hatred for each other, just content and concern for themselves. "Finn, never again dare to do that, okay? You scared us all!" Finn responded with a chuckle. Princess Bubblegum came next. She hugged the hero, with Finn smelling the sweet bubblegum and blushing a little. She held him in his hat and said, "I'm happy you get revived again. Thank Jake and Peppermint Butler for that." Princess Bubblegum knew all along that it can possibly happen; she just wanted Jake to believe that he can pursue the goal despite the current events.
Billy was there next in line. Finn saw him, and they knew how heroes should meet other heroes properly. They held their index, middle and pointing fingers together and saluted the other, eyes meeting, and raised them down. Billy spoke. "I am so content you are back, Finn the Legendary Hero." Finn just shrugged and said, "Sure, man. Thanks too, Billy," forgetting all formality.
Suddenly, BMO came and climbed up Finn's leg. Finn was slightly surprised, but he still held the game module and hugged it, with BMO tightly pressed in his chest. He said, "BMO, you were a good friend to me. You should always know that." BMO nodded, and happily said, "Ah-i-ya-ya-yeeh!" in a happy tone, much like when he got his controller gain from the Door Lord. While this was happening, Finn smelled a distinct smell he always aromatized in the past three years: burning candy.
Flame Princess was burning the Candy Palace again, but she didn't care one bit. She heard the sound of Finn's distinct voice, with courage, childishness and pure joy, upon her make-shift home in the Marauder's area. She came up to him and slapped him in the face. In Finn's face appears a red mark of a hand, much like when their first encounter sparked in place. Several gasps and whisperings were heard from the audience. Finn was confused until Flame Princess spoke, "How dare you make us all grief!?" Then her voice changed to the serene voice she had been training for a few months ago with Flambo. Obviously, Flambo had to duck with the frequent fire bursts of irritation Flame Princess has caused because she couldn't just say a greeting calmly and lower her flames at once. She looked at Finn and said, "I miss yous," and hugged him gently and full of love, desire and contentment. She still had the "yous" accent from Flambo when they trained. Finn, not burning and scalding due to the diamond-centered belt he wore, returned the hug.
Then their lips met each other passionately. Their minds are full of passion and bliss that the one they always love is there, and no burns, destruction of the Earth and no disruption of jealousy is being caused. Just the two of them "smoochin'", just like what Jake said. They both blushed after they pulled out due to the lack of air, and she held hands with him to meet Jake, the dog who had caused this happy revival and clear sacrifice and emotion to win back the soul Flame Princess awfully missed. Jake saw his brother, with his sweet blazing soulmate's hand in his hand. They hugged in a brotherly way, both wanting to see the other one that they missed each other, that they were both happy that Finn has come back into this paradise of Ooo. Flame Princess stepped back, not having a sibling of her own but knowing how much a brother loves his brother is clearly enough distinguished from Finn and Jake themselves. In all of a sudden, the Palace Doors, badly burned, opened, and showed the whole Rainicorn family. Jake was overjoyed, that he left his brother, saying he'd come back in a minute, and hugged her girlfriend, missing him more then she knew. She replied, "나는 전쟁, 제이크 후 다시 만나서 행복 해요." Jake already knew of the war that she had, only a split-second before he came up to Ooo after retrieving Finn's soul. It didn't matter, because they hugged again, feeling the absent-for-two-years heat of the hug and feeling their love sparked again.
Two days later, Ooo is back as it was before. The two heroes were playing one of BMO's games when they heard someone say "Help!" Jake immediately looked at Finn, and said, "What time is it?" Finn happily replied the phrase that they had over the years, "ADVENTURE TIME!" and scurried off, ready to kick some evil butt!