RE: Burst
Chapter One – The Dilemma at hand.
A/N: Before I want begin, I want to apologize, it's been YEARS. Updates will be unplanned, but they will be long and well-written. I promise I will finish this. No matter how long it takes. Please check the poll on my page for how you think this rewrite should work, and review to let me know if I've improved a little , it's been a while lol Also, I'm trying to get off of A03's waiting list, but we'll see. – Jamie (I'd prefer you call me by my real name now, so yeah lmao)
"Find a way to control her powers, or I will."
The flame king snorted as he recalled the words spoken to him earlier. How dare that mangy Princess Bubblegum tell him how to run his kingdom! He glanced over at a lantern where a small flame-baby sat, babbling as she pressed her cheeks against the glass she was trapped in, and it fizzled lightly. Flame king let out a low growl as he stared at her.
She was right. That girl was uncontrollable. He smiled.
What a shame. I'm sure she would've had a lovely personality. A destructive one, perhaps.
FK merely sighed half-heartedly, then called for his servant, Infernus. Infernus was not particularly outspoken, and at times, Flame King was grateful for it. Although his gentle and kind mannerism did make him seem suspicious in a Kingdom of wicked people. Nonetheless, Flame King called him over anyway, knowing he would obey.
"Infernus," Flame King announced suddenly, shifting his weight around on the throne so he sat upright. The assistant stood up straighter and bowed to his King. Flame King smirked as he noticed the clipboard in hand shaking with fear, but said nothing. About that, at least.
"Yes, Milord?" Infernus inquired quietly, keeping his head low, as if refusing to meet his King's eyes. Infernus would be lying if he said he wasn't frightened of his king. In fact, He was horrified of the Fire Kingdom ruler. But that didn't matter right now, if he could get his King's request fulfilled, he would be home free. For about an hour.
Flame King paused before speaking, studying the panicked look on Infernus' face with sheer satisfaction. Striking fear into the hearts of his people was something he didn't get to do often, because although they worshipped him, they had no problem muttering rude things about him. Brushing away that disgusting thought he turned his attention back to his servant, who had finally glanced up at him. When they met eyes for that second, Infernus had immediately diverted his gaze back to the floor. He had no idea how much FK wanted to laugh in his face! How weak was he? He contemplated that for a moment, before remembering that there was an important task at hand.
"I need you to do something for me." Flame King spoke, mischief gleaming in his eyes. He motioned to the lamp, and his smiled. "That's my daughter, the Flame Princess." Infernus nodded, gulping. He had heard what Princess Bubblegum had said earlier, and he didn't like where this was heading.
"What do you need, My King?" He asked hoarsely, staring at the child. A deep throaty laugh rose from FK's throat, like a volcano about to erupt. It bubbled out from deep in his chest into the air, and Infernus felt as if the whole kingdom shook and boomed from his king's laugh.
"I love my daughter dearly." Flame King said, his voice dropping to a low sigh. Infernus almost snorted.
"But unfortunately, she needs to go." He frowned, though his eyes sparkled. Flame King stood up from his throne abruptly, and lowered the lantern. He sighed, (Infernus was unsure if it was from pain or relief), and swiped his baby up from the glass chamber.
"Here we are." He said, his voice smooth as he handed Infernus the child. The young servant trembled as he held the confused baby. "This is what I want you to do, Infernus." Flame King instructed, making sure Infernus had his attention on him.
/
"Take her to the cave on the outskirts of Ooo. Leave her with enough food to last her the week, no more, no less. She should be dead by the end of this week."
Infernus carried the child in his arms, trying to keep her crying quiet. The sun had faded into the sky, being replaced with the moon and stars, but even those were dim. The only thing illuminating the dark of night was Infernus and the princess. He adjusted the strap on his shoulder, which was filled to the brim with many things. Books, food, drinks, a pen, something to write on, rocks, anything a child might need. He also took his bedding and meal for that night. Truthfully, the road from the fire kingdom to the edge of Ooo was a long one, and he was shocked he and Ember had lasted that long.
Oh yes, Ember.
He hadn't known the girl's name, though they had been travelling together for hours. And, with her being a small child, not even 2 years old yet, she couldn't tell him. So he named her himself. Infernus was sure that Flame King had named his daughter, but he hadn't bothered to say it, and he hadn't bothered to keep his own child, either. So her name was Ember, and she was his.
For the next few minutes.
Infernus continued his trek, stopping briefly to feed his newly-adopted daughter, then travelling. His legs ached, and his arms were cramped from carrying Ember, but he had no choice. Oh, how he wish he did.
After 8 minutes had passed, he stopped to rest on a seemingly empty tree house. He was wrong. The tree house was not empty. Infernus should've known that when he heard footsteps, but Ember was sleeping peacefully in his arms, clutching onto his shirt tightly. He couldn't wake her up by moving. Even if it meant it died. She took a while to fall asleep.
Another shadow flickered past him, and he followed it carefully with his eyes. Surely this creature would see how tired he was and spare him, and he wasn't even in the house, he was just resting against it. Plus, he had a baby. He heaved out a sigh, mumbling an apology to Ember before calling out,
"Who's there?"
Silence, and Ember stirred slightly, but did not awaken.
"Hello?" He called again.
A muffled laugh grew louder as a figure emerged from its hiding place. It was a vampire, a girl to be in fact. Her long, black hair framed her bright, toothy grin. Her pale gray skin glimmered in the light of Infernus' flames.
"Can I help you?" He inquired gently, holding Ember closer. The vampire laughed, but it was hushed, and her grin spread across her face even more. She shook her head, not saying a word. Infernus raised one eyebrow, noticing her eyes linger on the child in his arms. "Don't." He warned quietly.
Her green eyes shone. "I wasn't going to," She spoke at last. "You fire people all taste the same. Bitter, and burnt." The vampire sighed, running her tongue across her fangs. She did resume staring at the child, though. She knew it was Flame King's. Just by the swirl and flicker of the child's fiery hair, she knew who's child it was.
"Where are you taking her?" The floating woman asked, moving a bit closer to see the look in Infernus' eyes.
"I'd much rather know who you are, but, I'm taking her to a cave nearby. It was King's orders." He replied nervously. The vampire nodded. What was that man up to these days? Abandoning his daughter, and having someone else do it for him. She swiped her tongue across her lips and shifted her jaw around, thinking.
"I'm Marceline." She said after a long silence, she had to brush away all the thoughts lingering in her mind. She would talk to Flame King later. "This is my house. Come in."
/
20 minutes later, the trio had arrived at a cave.
"I'd better get going." Marceline said, scratching at the back of her neck nervously. Infernus simply nodded, distracted by the baby in his arms. She rubbed her arm on his rock padded arm, and disappeared with the fog and sunrise, although she was careful to avoid the sun.
Infernus looked up to watch her go, feeling an uneasy ache in his chest as she hovered in the direction opposite of which they came. He shook the thought away. He had other things to worry about. He looked at his daughter one last time, hot tears welling up in his eyes.
No. He mustn't be weak now. Not when he was doing this for his kingdom.
But he couldn't help it.
He let the tears burn down his face, charring the ground beneath him as he held his daughter close. He let out small, shaky sighs, but only for a few moments.
He had to do what he came for.
He removed the writing materials from his bag, scribbling down a letter. Infernus picked up his daughter, tucking the letter back into the bag.
He approached the cave, pushing the rock out of the way.
Slowly. Slowly.
He told himself.
But time was up.
He set Ember down on the soil, his eyes dull and dry. There was no point in crying anymore, the deed was done. He removed the bag from his shoulders and set it down beside him. He kissed his daughter goodbye and covered it with the rock behind him.
He would move past this.
He ignored the screams of the child he left behind and he ignored the sunrise that tried to comfort him.
But couldn't ignore the guilt he felt as sobs racked throughout his body, and shook him to the core.
He wouldn't move past this.