The Sad Castle

-Do you believe in the "soul"? – She asked while analysing a sample of blood in a microscope.

-Well, I don't know, it depends, in what sense? – He scratched his head in the dark laboratory.

-You know… when you die, will your soul float away somewhere?

He let out a simple smile- Betty, you know I don´t believe in those things.

-Yes I know Simon- Betty replied with another smile- me neither, but you know, I think that our soul is nothing less than the energy, you know? Like… like a battery- her arm raised as her hand opened.

Simon pushed his round glasses upward- Like a battery… like a battery…- he mumbled- Exactly! You're right!

Betty giggled, she always loved Simon´s expression when he found out something new, it was like a little child discovering a whole new world – yeah, like a toy, like RC cars, you have the whole structure, the wheels, the carcass, the circuit- Betty moved her hands from side to side- you've got everything but the electric energy, without the AA battery, the car can't move.

Simon payed intent attention to Betty, he also loved the way she would get excited when she wanted to relay her theories, inventions, thoughts and such.

-And that is what I think the soul is, the energy to make this sack of bones move- Betty finished and began to take off her lab coat. Simon stared into the nothingness, lost in his thoughts and then asked.

-But Betty, do you think, since it's energy, can it be manipulated? Altered with?

That was a good question Betty thought, she hadn't thought about that- I think, now that you mention that, that… Yes! I believe it can be meddled with… you just have to find out how…

Betty's thoughts were interrupted when Princess Bubblegum yelled -Do you know this crazy!?- PB snarled at Ice King while lying on the floor.

-Well… kinda… maybe, I think so, but maybe not- he took his crown off and scratched his scalp.

Princess Bubblegum glared at him and frustrated ordered- Well get her outta here! Now!

Betty stared with melancholy at Ice King, it had been a really long time since their last adventure together, and the way it ended made her feel sad, guilty, and yearning. He was old, but young, inside that damned crow was her beloved Petrikov.

-How are you? - Betty asked and took small steps towards him, caressed his beardy cheek and stared into those grey eyes.

PB witnessed this abstract, unusual scene and wondered who that lady really was, why was she talking to him in that way and why was Ice King reacting so normal to this.

-Well, I don't know… I'm alive! That's good aint it? - he said blushing as Betty's eyes began to fill with liquid. She finally gave up and hugged him, so hard that some of his bones cracked. Ice king looked at PB and snickered.

-I demand to know what the hell is going on? - Princess Bubblegum got up stumbling on the way and began to wipe the dust off her ripped robes.

Betty backed away, saw little Gunther, kneeled to pet him, looked at her and said- Look, I don't' want any trouble, I need your help- PB's eyes shrunk in confusion.

-My help? Why? - She asked and before Betty could answer she continued- Who are you? - now with a menacing tone.

-I´m Betty, Betty Grof…- Betty extended her right hand towards her ´do these people even know what this gesture is? ´ she thought.

PB looked at her hand concerned, then into Betty's eyes- What do you want with me? What do you need my help with?

Betty took a glance at Ice King whom had Gunther on his chest – Well… I can't really tell you right now- Betty moved her eyes into Ice King's direction. Princess Bubblegum wasn't pleased.

-Well if you can't tell me, then I can't help you, and even if, I can't. I'm in the middle of a war, me and my people, and Ice king- She glared at him and he guiltily looked away- have to get ready for the last attack- and with that she turned away and disappeared in the dark.

Betty was about to shout something mean but kept it instead. Her eyes met Ice King's when he broke the silence- She's not always that mean, you'll get used to it.

'Get used to it?' Betty thought – What's going on Simon? What is this talk about war and a final attack?

Ice King sighed, placed Gunther back on the ground and said- Come with me, let me explain- he ushered her with his left hand.

They walked through corridors and spiralled stairways till they were out in one of the castle's balconies. The destroyed land of Ooo was visible from there. You could see the dark burned forest, the wilderness, and at the far right end, the Ice kingdom, it was flawless. On the camp were destroyed vehicles, rusted metal barriers, broken and burned wood, tools, tubes, arrows, knives, swords, and many, many limbs. The smoke from some cites elevated to the blackish clouds. And on the far end of the north was a thunderstorm.

Ice King snorted and begun- Princess Bubblegum had this crazy uncle once long time ago, he wanted to dominate and overthrow Princess Bubblegum, so she turned him and his goons into nice candy people –Betty leaned on a pillar- And everything was goody goody till somehow, he was back, and declared war- Ice king cleared his throat placing his fist on his lips and continued- The war was grotesque, many died, from both sides, most princesses allied to PB, knights, animals, candy people, people who weren´t even involved perished. It was weird, one day they were in the battlefield, the next they were not, prepared for another attack, and so on. But both are on the edge, the brink of destruction, none of them have the people or resources to win, both have lost Everything-Ice king closed his eyes.

-But, what about Finn and Jake? Where are they? Did they die? - Betty asked concerned.

Ice king widened his eyes when he heard that- Oh gee! My friends- he covered his face with his hands- we don't know, they were last seen on the battlefield, no one knows what happened to them- Betty made a sad frown.

-But the real reason Princess Bubblegum is so frustrated is because her crazy uncle took prisoner one of her most beloved friends- Ice King returned with a sinister dramatic voice.

-Who? - Betty immediately asked like a little child listening to a bed time story.

Ice king took off his crown in a manner of respect and said – Marcy, dear Marceline…

Betty's curiousness vanished, she was expecting something greater, since she didn't know who the heck Marceline was- Who is she?

-Marceline is a good friend of mine, of all of us, but mostly Princess Bubblegum´s best friend, some even say Marcy and PB have something going on in there if you know what I mean- He lifted his eye brow, Betty stared flat at him- Glob knows what kind of tortures that mean old man is doing to her right now- Ice King´s fist hit his crown. Betty stared at him once more feeling helpless- But that's why we are going to attack first and recue dear Marcy- he finished with a simple grin.

Betty looked in to the ruins of the land, it was now twilight time and the sunset gave orange with pink colours all around, it was a beautiful disaster view. She wondered what was going to happen, if she let Simon go to the final strike he could be killed and her plan would be over.

-Ice King, you can't go to that final attack! - Betty demanded.

-Why not? - he asked surprised.

-Because- Betty looked away, she was plotting what to say- because… because you can stay with me! - She grinned grabbing his face- and we can travel around the world, ha! The world? Blah! We can travel around the infinite universe and have all sorts of crazy adventures together! Look! –and Betty began to spawn holograms of pink butterflies. Ice king was pleased, fascinated by the magical charms weird lady had- You and me, together, I don't know, think about it- Betty made a cheeky, seducing face.

-Okay! - he laughed and Betty was relieved- Ah wait a minute! -he snapped out- no, I can´t, something deep inside me tells me I must save Marceline, nice try weird lady, nice try…

-Damn it Simon you will die if you go! Look at all of this! Look! - she grabbed his head and showed him the warzone.

-Ah… woops, sorry let me take this…Ring, ring, ring!- Ice king pretended to answer a call on with a broken piece of rock- Alo? Oh it's you Gunther! How's the weather?

-Waaa- Gunther chirped below Ice king, Betty rolled her eyes.

-Ok Gunther I'm on my way, beep! - Ice king hung up his stone phone- Sorry gotta go- Ice king ran off into the castle.

-Shit! - Betty yelled violently at the sunset.

It was late and the sky was in complete darkness, the castle was lit now and then with torches. Betty lay down looking at the ceiling. She marvelled at the cracks it had 'how could it still be holding on?' She was now thinking how to convince Princess Bubblegum to help her, she knew just what to say but didn't really want to. Then, she heard on the depths of the castle, low frequency pitched voices of many people, like a war chant. She got up 'No! don't tell me they are leaving now!' Betty ran fast and followed the sound. When she got to a heavy door, she opened it and saw all sorts of creatures, with armour and weapons, training as PB yelled like some kind of coach. Betty walked towards her, slowly.

-What is going on? -She asked.

-What does it look like witch? We are training for the last stand- PB harshly replied and yelled at some candy looking thing to stab fiercer. Ice king was also there, throwing ice beams at some dummies.

-Look, I need your help…-Betty tried once more but was immediately turned down when PB grunted.

-I already told you! I can't help you!

-I know, I know! - Betty shook her hands timidly- That's why I have an offer you can't refuse – Betty proudly said.

-Oh really? - PB raised one eye brow- And what may that offer be? What could you, sorceress possibly help me with? Huh?

-Well, for instance, I can help you win this war- Betty frowned, she was starting to feel annoyed by Princess Bubblegum's attitude.

PB began to laugh, her laugh was a fake one- Oh my Glob! Why didn't I think of that earlier? After all you are omnipotent, darn! You are right!- PB sarcastically reacted- Hey everyone! This looney says she will win the war for us- Princess Bubblegum laughed and so did everyone else, even Gunther, except for Ice king.

-Come on you don't have to be an ass! I can really help you! – Betty unconsciously began to emit vibrations that began to feel like an earthquake, PB noticed it and worried.

-Okay, okay! Chill the F down! –PB raised her arms- Even if I can help you, I don't even know what you want me to help you with.

Betty looked around, saw Ice King was far away and began whispering- We are going to save my Simon- PB made a ridiculous expression and asked.

-Who?

Betty breathed and continued- Simon, my love...Ice king…- Princess Bubblegum was more confused than ever- My Simon! He is trapped inside that crown! - Betty pointed at Ice king.

'Trapped inside that crown' Those words stuck in PB's mind and resonated. Then it all came back to her, no wonder why Betty's face seemed awfully familiar. The day she and Marceline ventured inside that horrific crown. Marceline's friend, with round glasses and long hair, the unfortunate investigator whom explored too far, Marceline's father figure, part of Marceline, the tragic lover, the martyr of love. Then she remembered the virus, that floating head that he endeared. 'Oh so she is…' PB felt an emptiness on her heart, at the pit of her stomach butterflies were being born. She knew the story, she knew the tragedy.

-So you are…- She stammered and her expression turned into a sad one.

-Yes! I am Simon Petrikov's love! - Betty gladly said- I have come from a distant time to save him, and I need your help, I am at the brink of success! I am this close!- Betty desperately placed her thumb and index finger together.

PB sighed as she took a glance at Ice king and said- You can´t save him, he is lost, there's no way you can save him. I'm sorry…

-Yes I can! You have the tools, the lab, the equipment, and some basic knowledge in biology and I have the brains and magic, the rest of the complex knowledge in math.

-Basic knowledge? - PB frowned angrily.

Betty smirked and preferred to ignore her question- come on, please! - Betty noticed Princess Bubblegum was beginning to give in- I know you know how I feel, to lose someone you love, I will not only help you win this war, I will also help you save Marceline!

-What? - PB suddenly snapped.

-Yes! - Betty rapidly said- You help me save Simon and I help you save Marceline and we both win!

-Who told you that? That's Private information! - Princess Bubblegum shouted- Ice King! Get Over here you idiot old puppet!

Betty's eyes filled with rage as Ice king stumbled his way to the princess.

-Why did you tell her about Marceline you stupid, stupid old man! - PB began to smack him.

-Stop it! - Betty yelled and pushed PB with magical force. Princess Bubblegum flew 5 meters away until she crashed on some creatures- You will not treat him like that, you hear me piece of rubber? Now get up and take me to your fucking lab! - Betty's surroundings where beginning to levitate.

Defenceless and impotent PB got up, shaking, beaten and said- I will not help you, get the fuck out of here, now!

That answer only made Betty angrier, her madness was taking over her, she couldn't help it, she took a glimpse at Simon, she knew she was putting everyone in danger, the whole castle could fall upon them, so she opened a violent thunder surrounded portal and told Ice King- I'll come back for you- kissed his forehead, screamed in frustration and left.