As the last box was secured on the back of the carriage and the horse's harnesses strapped in place, the graying red haired man took his hat off and wiped the sweat off his brow before placing it back on as he let out a triumphant sigh. He turned around to grab the last of his things but instead was greeted by his niece holding his satchel and greeting him with a smile. Her strawberry blond hair tied back into a neat ponytail with bangs neatly shaping her face with bright blue eyes looking at him. She wore a light pink and white dress. She held the satchel in one hand and a basket in the other.

"You wouldn't want to forget this, Peter," she said with a smile as she handed him his bag.

"Thank you, Bonnibel." Peter said as he took his satchel and flung it over his shoulder. "I'll be back tomorrow night. Don't forget to do the chores. "

"Don't worry, I won't. And I wish you the best of luck at the market," she said as she walked her uncle to the Carriage.

"Thank you, Bonnibel" He said with a smile. "While I'm there is there anything you would like for me to bring you back?" he asked as he climbed into the carriage, sitting and taking ahold of the horse's reins.

Bonnibel held her chin, humming a sweet little tune as she pondered. "A book, or maybe a rose?" she said. "Either one of those would be wonderful!" she said as she smiled.

"Are you sure you that's all you want?"

"Yes, thank you Peter" she said as she climbed up the carriage to place a kiss on Peter's cheek." Be safe on your travels" she said as she hoped down, walking over to the horse and placing a kiss on its snout. "Keep him safe, Timmy."

"You worry too much," He said with a smile as he snapped the reins. "Good bye Bonnibel!" he chuckled.

"Good bye Peter! Good luck!" she said as she waved good bye, watching as the carriage disappeared into the forest. After she lost sight of Peter she turned and headed to the village hoping to get all her chores done that day so she would be free to read tomorrow.

It was late in the evening, sun beginning to set, shops were beginning to close and Bonnibel just finished the last of her shopping. Her basket now full of goods she began to make her way home for a quiet night in front of the fire with a good book. Just as she was about to leave the village she heard a familiar deep voice calling her name sending shivers up her spine. "OH Bonnibel~ what a surprise it is to see you here." With a huge sigh and the roll of her eyes she turned around to greet the man behind her.

"Hello Ricardio" she said unamused.

"What? Aren't you happy to see me?" He said with a grin as he flexed his muscles, looking down at her. He was tall, a lot taller than her. He wore is normal red tunic, his hair tied back in a slick pony tail to keep his hair out of his dark brown eyes. He had his gun slung over his shoulder as well as a sack of one of his fresh kills. Bonnibel could see why the ladies loved him, and why the town loved him. He was their hero. But there were some that saw him for who he really was: a brute. And Bonnibel despised him.

"I'm sorry… I just had a long day and I was really looking forward to a quiet evening." She said with disappointment knowing very well she won't be able to get away from him easily.

"Well it looks like your evening just got better" he said with a chuckle as he threw his arm over her shoulders as he tried to lead her back into town.

She shrugged his arm off.

"What kind of plans did you have anyway? Going to read more of those silly books" He said annoyed.

"Well actually, yes" she said as she crossed her arms.

"Bonnibel, it's about time you got your head out of those books and pay attention to more important things. Like me" He said as a leaned in with a toothy grin before standing up straight. He now looked serious." It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting ideas and thinking-"

"Ricardio, you are positively prim evil." She said flatly as she rolled her eyes, taking a step back.

"Why thank you, Bonnibel" He said with a chuckle as he fixed his tunic collar, now grinning again. He once again puts his arm around her shoulders and tugs her attempting to get her to follow him. "What do you say you and me take a walk over to the tavern and take a look at my trophies?"

"Maybe another time." She said trying to get out of his grip once again but this time unsuccessfully." Please, Ricardio, I can't." Still trying to escape his grip.

"Come on Bonnibel. Don't be like that. Let's have so-"

"Bonnibel! I was looking all over for you!" a young blond boy ran up to them, interrupting Ricardio. "My mother needs help." He looked up at her with his blue eyes, his shaggy blond hair going every direction possible. He wore a dirty blue tunic and had a wooden sword strapped over his shoulder. He was 13; 5 years younger than Bonnibel.

"Get lost, boy." Ricardio says as he steps in front on Bonnibel. "Can't you see that the grownups are talking?"

"Oh, Finn. What does your mother need?" Bonnibel said as she step around Ricardio, knowing this was the perfect chances to get away from this situation. And she took it.

"She's having some trouble with the tax papers again and was wondering if you could help her with them." He said as he took her hand and led her out of the village and towards his cottage.

"Bonnibel wait!" Ricardio said taking her hand.

Bonnibel quickly freed her hand. "Sorry Ricardio, but I'm needed elsewhere. We can chat some other time" she said as her and Finn began to lightly jog to his cottage. Leaving a very upset Ricardio behind.

After they were out of Ricardio view they slowed down. "Are you alright, Bonnibel?" Finn asked looking up at her with concern.

"I'm alright Finn. Don't worry. Ricardio was just being Ricardio…" She trailed of before exhaling loudly. "I don't think your excuses are going to work much longer…" she said as she stopped and leaned on a nearby tree. "He's been getting much worse and a lot more persistent."

"Urg! He's such a creep!" Finn said, throwing his hands in the air out of frustration. "He can't take a hint!"

"He really can't." Bonnibel looked down at her basket, sighing.

Finn watched Bonnibel for a moment before taking her free hand. "Come on, I'll walk you home." He said giving her hand a slight tug before releasing it.

Bonnibel pushed herself off the tree and began to follow. "Thank you Finn, again."

"It's no big deal. I'm a knight! It's my job to help those in need!" He said as he waved his wooden sword around in front of him, earning a giggle from Bonnibel. "I just- I just wish I could do more…. Jake would know how to handle this jerk," Finn said as he kicked a small stone in front of him.

"Finn… "Bonnibel said, placing a hand on his shoulders.

Jake was Finn's older brother by 7 years. He went missing over 5 years ago, shortly after taking a secret job. Not wanting to get the hopes of his family up, he told no one of what or where the job was until he was certain he could hold it. That's what he had promised them. But he never came back.

Trying to lighten the mood, Bonnibel asked Finn how his recent adventures of being a knight were. He told her about how he helped the baker find his missing sack of wheat or about how he helped Ms. Cherry get her cat out from a tree and many other adventures he did since the last time they talked. He earned many laughs and smiles from Bonnibel all throughout their walk, before they finally reached her small cottage.

"Thank you, Finn. Take care, my brave night." She said smiling as she leaned in and kissed his cheek, causing him to burn red from embarrassment.

"Yo-you-your welcome, Bon-Bonnibel!" He stuttered as he looked at her wide eyed. "G-good ni-night!" He said before turning and running down the road until he was out of sight.

All this earning one last giggle from Bonnibel as she closed and locked the door for the night.

As peter was on his way back home after a successful day at the market the day before, a storm had come out of nowhere, slowing his journey down to a complete halt. Desperate for shelter, food, and knowing he was a long way away from the nearest Inn, he decided to take shelter in what seemed like an abounded castle that he managed to see through the thick brush and heavy rain. After putting the horse under a stable roof he proceeded to go inside the castle.

"Hello?" he whispered as he step into the castle bringing a trail of water as he entered. "Hello!" he said loader as he began to rub his arms for warmth. His once tidy red and white hair now wet and clinging to his miserable looking face.

"Shhhh, he mustn't see us!" a quite whisper echoed through the halls coming from a room at its far end.

"Is someone there?" he stepped further in. No answer. He began to walk down the hall, making his way down to the room that he thought he had heard a voice coming from. Once he entered, he was overwhelmed with the smell and sights he saw. A freshly made feast was laid out in front of him. He continued to shout, attempting to get anyone's attention. Asking if anyone was there as well as asking if it was alright to take some of the food in front of him. With no reply he sat down and ate. Now no longer starving, and curiosity taking over, he began to explore the castle. Still shouting once in a while in order to find any form of life in the castle.

After a while of searching, he found himself in a warm room where a fire was lit and a soft bed met his eyes. It being very inviting, and his soaked and sour bones taking over his better judgment, he decided to lay down and shortly after fell fast asleep. After awaking he found a small tray of food and water placed by his bed by an unknown hand. After eating he went back to the main hall, still searching for his generous host, wishing to thank them for their hospitality. But just like the night before, no one was found.

After he left the castle and untied Timmy from the stable he began to leave, until he spotted a rose bush. Remembering that Bonnibel had asked for either a rose or a book, he thought about how happy she would be if he had given her both. So he walked up and plucked a single rose from the rose bush.

Instantly out of the rose garden a horrible beast covered in shadows had jumped out in front of Peter, letting out a blood curdling growl, scaring off the horse and carriage that Peter had tried to escape to. Timmy had galloped away out of the castle, down the forest path and out of sight, leaving Peter alone with the beast.

"You ungrateful man." A monstrous voice spoke. Peter turned around to look back at the beast. He was unable to make out a district features except for the piercing red eyes the shone through the shadows." I gave you Shelter, put food in your stomach. And this is how you repay me? By stealing my favorite flowers?!"

"F-F-Forgive me! I meant you no harm!" Peter said as he fell backwards, to terrified to now move.

"I should put you to death for this!" The beast step closer, looming over the shaking man.

"Mistress, wait!" A tea pot hopped over to them alongside a candle stick. "He didn't know any better! Don't be so harsh."

"We gave him nothing but hospitality and he turns around and steals from us! A punishment is in order," The beast said as it lifted Peter in the air by his collar.

"Please wait! Don't kill me!" Peter pleaded as his feet dangled over the ground.

"A life for a rose is a little drastic don't you think?" The candle spoke. "….maybe a more suitable punishment could be arranged…"

"There's nothing worse than a Thief!" the beast growled.

"Mistress Please!" The tea pot and Candle stick both said in unison.

"…"The beast looked at them for a brief moment before dragging Peter off to the castle. "… I'll think about a different punishment for now….. But his life isn't saved yet! For now he will rot in the tower until I can decide on a punishment worthy of a filthy thief." The beast said with one last growl before dragging Peter into the castle followed by the tea pot and candle stick.

Bonnie spent most of the day reading as she waited for her uncle to return. There was a bad storm last night and she knew that would delay his travels so she wasn't too worried at the moment that he was late. After a while, she heard a knock on the door. Expecting it was Peter she rushed to the door, a smile on your face. As she opened the door, that smile quickly dispersed as Ricardio stood there in front of her. "Ricardio, What a pleasant surprise," she said as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

Stepping into her house, hands on his hips he grinned. "Isn't it, though? I'm full of surprises." He stepped closer to Bonnibel. "You know, Bonnibel," He stepped closer once again. "There's not a girl in town who wouldn't love to be in your shoes." She backed up as he continued to get closer. "This is the day your dreams come true."

Bonnibel quickly stepped behind the table. "What do you know about my dreams, Ricardio?"

"Plenty! Here. Picture this." He steps in front of the table. "A rustic hunting lodge. My latest kill roasting on the fire and my little wife massaging my feet." Bonnibel scrunched up her nose at the thought. "While the little ones play on the floor with the dogs – we'll have 6 or 7 –" Bonnibel feels nothing but complete and utter disgust while listening to him speak.

"Dogs?"

"Of course not. Strapping young boys like myself!" He maneuvers himself around the table, causing Bonnibel to go to the other side. "And do you know who that like lady will be?" He pins her to a wall after he managed to catch up to her.

"Let me think..."

"You, Bonnibel."

"Ricardio, I'm… I'm speechless." she ducks under his arms and walks towards to door. "I really don't know what to say."

"Say you'll marry me!" he once again pins her. This time to the door.

"I'm very sorry, Ricardio, but… but I just don't deserve you!" she says as she opens the door he's leaning on. Causing him the fall out, and fast fist into the wooden porch. As he goes to pick himself up, Bonnibel closes and locks the door behind him before he can enter again.

Enraged and humiliated he bangs on the door. "I'll have you for my wife! Make no mistakes about it!" he shouts before he stomps off.

After waiting about a good hour, Bonnie stuck her head outside, making sure the coast was clear. With a sigh of relief she stepped outside. The sun was now setting and worry was starting to fill her. She sat down on the steps watching the forest line in hopes of seeing Peter. Every second made the anxiety build up, and every minute felt like an eternity. Bonnibel felt like she sat there forever before she saw Timmy trot out of the forest. As quickly as happiness came, fear took over. Peter wasn't on the carriage. She began to panic, she ran and met Timmy half way.

"Where is he Timmy? Where is Peter?!" Bonnie began to look around franticly. "Take me to him. Take me to him, please!" She said as she untied him from the carriage, hopping on his back and kicking his sides, putting him into a full gallop, back into the forest and in the direction of the cursed castle.

As they entered the castle gate Timmy became uneasy, refusing to go any further then the stables. "What is this place?" Bonnie said as she hoped off Timmy, guiding him to the stables and tying his reins to the stable fence.

She walked up to the castle door and knocked. She waited, nothing happened. She tried again, still nothing happened. With one deep breath she opened the doors and entered. "Hello? Is anyone here?" She walked in. Looking around, she couldn't find any signs of her uncle. "Peter? Peter! Are you here?" She walked down the hall, her voice echoing to nearby rooms and halls. Unaware to her she had alerted her presence to several of the castle staff.

"Did you hear that?" the tea pot said, "another guest."

"More like an intruder!" The candle stick said huffing. "I don't want to deal with another of the Mistress' fits! It was hard enough to save the last one's life. I don't know what we will do if we have another thief on our hands…."

"Oh hush, Phoebe. We have to show kindness to all the guests that arrive at the castle. Mistress' orders."

"T.T is right" said a Viola.

"Thank you, Jake" T.T said.

"Shhh, she's coming this way" Jake said.

"Hello? Uncle? Peter!" Bonnie said as she walk past the room with the servants.

"She must be looking for the thief." Phoebe said as her and the others jumped off the table to follow the strange hooded girl.

"If we show her to where he's being held…. Maybe she can get him out. Then he won't face the mistress' wrath!" T.T said as she hopped to follow the girl.

"I don't think that's a good idea…" Jake said earning a nod from phoebe.

T.T began to hop up and down, trying to get the hooded girls attention.

Tap Tap Tap

Bonnie spun around at the strange sound. "Hello?"

Tap Tap Tap

Bonnie walked towards the sound. Turning around a corner she saw a door slightly move and candle light moving inside. She ran down the hall, entering the room to find a spiral of stairs. "Is someone there? I'm looking for my uncle! W- Wait! She said as she tried to follow the light up the stairs. The light managed to escape her as she got to the top of the stair case. She found herself in a strange tower. "H-hello? Is someone here?"

"B-Bonnibel?"

"Peter!" Bonnie shouted with relief as she ran in the direction of his voice, finding a locked wooden cell door in her way. Small openings were cut in the door and replaced with bars. As she reached the door and took Peter's hand sticking out from in-between the bars, she felt grief.

"H-how did you find me" Peter said with a cough as his hand shook in hers. It was freezing cold with symptoms of frost nip.

"Your hands are like ice…. We have to get you out of here!" Bonnie looked left and right looking around the room, never letting go of her uncles frozen hands.

"Bonnibel, I want you to leave this place!"

"Who's done this to you?"

"No time to explain. You must go. Now!"

"I won't leave yo-"

"What are you doing here!?" a monster voice came from behind, grabbing her shoulder and roughly turning her. Causing her to fall backwards, hitting the wall.

"W-Who's there? Who are you?" Bonnie looked around franticly, unable to see anything due to the heavy shadows of the dark room.

"The master of this castle" a small growl escaped its lips as it moved around the room.

"I-I have come for my uncle. Please let him out. Can't you see, he's sick!" she said grabbing her uncles hands once again.

"Then he shouldn't have stolen from me!" The beast said with a monstrous angry growl that shock the room.

"B-But he could die! Please, I'll do anything!"

"There's nothing you can do. He's my prisoner! He will live the rest of his life as my prisoner! That's the punishment for his crime!"

"There must be some way I can…..Wait! I can take his place! Take me instead!"

"You?"

"NO, Bonnibel don't do this!" Peter said as he tightened his grip on her hand.

The beast paused for a moment, thinking. "You would take his place?" the beast stopped moving allowing Bonnibel to look in the direction of its location.

"If I did… Would you let him go?"

"If you take his place, his punishment… His punishment would be to have her taken away from his life." Red eyes looked at Peter. "You stole from me… I think it would be acceptable to treat this as an eye-for-an-eye type deal."

"No, Bonnibel don't do this!"

"S-so would you let him go?" Bonnibel continued to look forward at the beast.

"Yes. But you must promise to never leave. To stay here…. Forever. He will go and you will stay. That will be his punishment." The beast got closer, its monstrous outline becoming visible from the moonlight seeping in through the cracked stone.

"Come into the light…" Bonnie asked as curiosity got the better of her.

After a pause the beast slowly moved forward. Features becoming visible to the two humans in front of it. The beast slowly allowed itself into the light. Sharp horns, long ears, a black mane, piercing red eyes as well as sharp teeth were the first of its body to become visible. Bonnibel and Peter both held onto each other tightly. A Huge body covered in fur, strong claws on both front and hind legs as well as a tail. The beast was truly a beast. A Mixture of Wolf, Bat, Human and other animals was what stood in front of them.

With a gasp Bonnibel quickly looked away. The beast flinched at this action, quickly retreating back into the shadows.

"No! I can't let you do this, Bonnibel! Please don't!" Peter pleaded.

Bonnibel let go of his shaking hands, stood up, stepped forward, in front of the outline of the beast. "You have my word."

"Done!" the beast said, brushing past Bonnie. It opened the cell door. Peter ran out and held Bonnibel.

"Don't do this Bonnibel! I'm old! I've lived my life!" he pleaded. As he went to hug her the beast grabbed him by collar, dragging him down the stairs. "Bonnibel!"

"Wait! Wait!" Bonnie screamed as she reached out to her uncle as he was dragged down the stairs.

"Please spare my niece! Please! I'm the one who should be punished, not her!"

"She's no longer your concern."

The beast raced down the stairs and out the castle doors, where he through Peter into an enchanted chariot. "If you tell anyone about this… I'll kill her." The Beast said it slammed the door closed. "Take him to the nearest village." And with that the chariot lifted from the ground and ran down the path.

As the beast made its way back up the tower it was stopped by T.T. "You could have handled that better, mistress…."

"Be quiet," it waved as it continued its way up the stairs.

"Maybe since she will be staying with us for quite some time, I was thinking you might want to offer her a more comfortable room," Jake said.

"And why should I?"

"Well technically she hasn't done anything wrong. Well…. Except for trespass….. But she wasn't the thief." Phoebe said.

"Quiet! All of you." The beast said as it left them behind and continued its assent up the stairs.

Bonnibel sat in the cell, looking out the window crying, staring at the last place she saw the carriage that took her uncle. She was alerted by the sound of footsteps of the beast approach. When the beast was outside the cell, Bonnie turned around sobbing, "you didn't even let me say goodbye…. I'll never see him again, and I didn't get to say goodbye…"

Seeing her cry, the beast was overwhelmed with guilt. Why did it make the deal, punishing the innocent girl? It looked at the floor, scratching the back of its neck before speaking in a calm voice. A voice that didn't sound anywhere near as scary and monstrous as before. "I'll show you to your room." Waiting at the door it looked back on Bonnibel who looked shocked. Both at the gesture and the drastic change in its voice.

"My room? But I thought…."

"D-do you want to stay in the tower?!" the beast said angrily.

"No."

"Then follow me…" the beast said as it began its descent down the stairs. Bonnibel quickly got up and ran after it. The beast picked up Phoebe who was nearby watching the scene unfold with Jake and T.T. She became a source of light as the beast lead bonnie through the castle.

"Say something to her. Cheer her up!" Phoebe whispered.

The beast looked back to see Bonnie's watery eyes looking around the great hall, studying the candle lit structures and decorations that littered its hallways before stopping on the beast. The beast said nothing, gaining a sigh from Phoebe.

"W-What's your name? I-If I may ask…" Bonnibel stuttered fooling around with the fabric of her dress as she looked at the floor to avoid eye contact.

The beast took a deep breath and looked forward once more. "It's Marceline…"