A.N: This is my first chapter of this story, the last one written by CaramelandPopcorn10. From now on, the chapters will be written by me.
So, here we go!
"Jake!" Finn yelled as an enlarged Jake come into view.
"I'm here bro, now hop on and we'll go n' get some fire-proof suits!" Jake said, kneeling down so Finn could climb onto him.
"No time," Finn said quickly as they were leaving the Candy Kingdom "we have to get to the Fire Kingdom before they hurt PB!"
"But dude, we'll fry!" The magic dog said, now stopped.
"No! We'll find Flambo and he'll put flame shield on us. But we have to hurry, before we're too late!" he said, "Now hurry to the Fire Kingdom!"
"Alright, fine!" said Jake "But when we get there and Flambo isn't around, don't think I won't say I told you so!"
And with that, the giant yellow dog ran to the Fire Kingdom; and quickly, knowing that their best friend's life may be in mortal danger.
"You'll never get away with this!" said a very feminine voice. "Finn and Jake are-"
"Finn and Jake aren't going to save you. At least, without their total cooperation." said a higher-pitched voice, a voice that belonged to no other than the princess of fire herself.
"Whatever deal you're planning, drop it. He's righteous, and he's been tricked into doing things before, but he's learned. He knows better know, and he knows you're still evil!"
"Oh, Princess," she said, her voice lined with false sympathy "he'll do it– it's his only option."
She walked up to the lantern that the Candy Princess was being held captive in, getting in her face.
"I'm sorry to tell you this—well, actually, I'm not—but Finn will always love me more than he has ever loved you."
The Bubblegum Princess gasped; her voice, that of sorrow, said: "You're wrong." she paused, her next words with hatred: "He only liked you because he was in depression!"
"Say whatever you want, but you're the loser—and I," she spun around "am the winner." she finished slyly.
"No..." the pink one thought "never will whatever you want be considered an option. Finn is too good for you, you evil little–"
The fire elemental turned her back to the princess. "I wonder how long it'll take him to find the note...You know, maybe they don't even want you back." she grinned maliciously.
"FLAME PRINCESS!" a voice from behind yelled: it was Jake. The Candy Princess smiled in hope. The two were blue, which mean they had flame shield casted over them.
Finn didn't speak until he was in the center of the room. His head low–his eyes couldn't be seen, and his sword drawn, but resting to his side. "Let her go." he demanded.
"Well, well—so, you've finally bit off more than you could chew."
"I can handle more than you know."
"Is that what you were thinking when you met me?"
"Things change. Well—most things do. You're just as corrupt as you were back then, maybe even more so."
"I remember then, when you promised you would help me. You did nothing for me, Finn."
"Then let her go, we'll leave and you won't hear from us again."
"Whoa, you don't think you're getting off that easily, do you?"
"I said: Let. Her. Go."
"Oh I heard. You still need to make you side of the deal."
"What do you want?"
She grinned. "Hmm...How about: I give you the princess, and you ask for my hand in marriage."
He looked up, his expression unreadable.
"Finn." The pink one whispered.
"It's okay, PB." He said.
"So," said Flame Princess "what do you say?"
He froze. Then said "No. I don't want to be any part of this place."
"If that's what you want..." She created a small fire that comsumed the lower third of the lantern.
"No!" The candy princess cried in protest.
She pressed her back to the glass and tried getting away from the heat as best she could. She could feel the warmth everywhere, it was unescapable.
"No! Stop!" Finn cried.
She refused. "Is that a proposal I hear?" she said.
"No! Don't listen to her Finn!" She cried, the pain making her eyes well up.
The fire elemental increased the size and intensity, her smile widening and her anger growing.
"Yeah, Finn. Don't listen to me. See what happens:" her flame grew even brighter and wider.
"No! Stop hurting her!" he desperately pleaded, his arm reached out.
The fire ceased. "Give me what I want. I'll let her go, we'll never have to see her petty face again."
"Fine." his voice low. A look of concern still draped across his face. He was obviously worried about the princess—Princess Bubblegum that is.
"Get down on one knee and tell me that." Flame Princess demanded.
To his and his friends' demise, he had no other option. He slowly sank down onto one knee. He looked up at her, hatred seen in his eyes.
"I'm waiting."
"Flame Princess...will...you...marry...me?" he said without emotion, his eyes were not on the fire princess, but on the princess he truly cared for. The look on her face was horrendous. He never wanted to be with her more.
"Yes! Of course I will!" she squealed, hugging Finn tight while he cringed in pain.
He stood...
His fiancé cheered...
His brother grieved...
His best friend...
died a little. She felt depression looming over her. "From what?" she thought "why am I letting this get to my head? My kingdom needs me to remain calm, protective.
The silence was thickening the air around them.
And didn't stop, not until she, the dog, and—to get his things—the boy, were allowed leave.
"Why don't we all just...run away?" Jake suggested. The three were making their way back home. They were riding on Jake's back.
"I was thinking that, too...but I can't leave my kingdom." The Princess said.
Silence filled the atmosphere. Princess Bubblegum noticed Finn was being very quiet. Something that felt unusual.
"Finn?" She placed a hand to his shoulder.
"What?" he said coldly. She removed her hand, and her stomach turned.
"I'm...sorry."
...
"Finn, I know you're upset...but...we'll find a way out of this. I pro–"
"Don't. Just, don't."
"But Finn–"
"There isn't a thing you...we, can do."
"Don't say that–you always find a way!"
"I'm sorry...I've failed you. I've failed everyone. I knew it was bound to happen. Every hero has a downfall..."
"Listen—we can find a way around this. I know we can!"
"No, listen to me—" he looked into her eyes, getting her full attention. "If I don't do what she wants, she has an army of fire elementals just waiting—all at her dispense. She'd tear the whole Land of Ooo apart just looking for me."
She parted her lips, as if to speak, but quickly closed them.
He turned away, gazing out onto the distance.
"I'm sorry Finn."
He turned his head. "Why are you sorry? I'm the reason she hated me in the first place."
"Guys," Jake interrupted "I think it's my fault. I found Flame Princess for him."
"But you were trying to do me a favor. Then when you found out she was evil, you tried to stop me from seeing her, and I didn't listen." Finn said.
"I now know not to take hints from Flambo." Jake said, meaning to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere.
"I'm glad he was there to shield us though."
"Yeah...I guess he does come in handy, sometimes." Jake said. "Well...we're home."
Continued in the next chapter.