Chapter 7: Confrontation
Finn was genuinely startled. He got off the boulder and took a few steps backwards as he stared at his arms, which were now their normal shade of color. He began to calm down a bit when he noticed he wasn't burning at all. Phoebe still staring at him.
"Finn, how are you not…"
"I-I don't know."
As Phoebe continued to stare at him, she noticed a faint blue glow coming from underneath his shirt.
"Wait, what is that?"
Finn looked down only to see the same glow and knew exactly what was happening. He looked back at Phoebe, who was now standing in front of him, waiting for an answer.
"It… it's not…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Finn, what are you hiding?"
"I'm not hiding anything. I-"
Her eyes turned fully red and her flames grew brighter. Finn tried to come up with some sort of excuse, but to no avail. Not wanting to anger her any longer, he began to lift his shirt. When it was high enough, her expression changed to being surprised.
She saw the gem merged to Finn's chest, emanating its gentle blue glow. After a few seconds of staring, he began to speak.
"I'm not sure what this is, but yesterday, when I was outside, I saw it fall from the sky and land in a nearby forest. When I went to check it out, I tried to pick it up and it somehow got stuck to my chest."
"How is it making you fireproof?" she asked, still holding a concerned expression.
"Watch this."
The human walked passed her and pointed his hand at the boulder where they sat. Phoebe was about to ask what he was doing before blue flames shot out of his hand, shattering the stone.
She didn't say a word, just stared in awe at what Finn had done. He turned back to look at her.
"It gave me fire powers. It was with them that I was able to defeat the dragon that destroyed the Candy Kingdom."
He walked closer to her.
"And that's why I'm here."
"What do you mean?"
Finn remained quiet for a few seconds trying to come up with the best way to explain it.
"After the dragon was defeated, its chest split open and I saw a person emerge from inside."
He took a deep breath.
"Phoebe, I saw your brother, Flint."
The fiery girl stood motionless with an expression of shock mixed with anger.
"Finn, what are you saying?"
"I think your brother was the one who destroyed the Candy Kingdom."
Phoebe could not, no, would not believe it.
"No. That's impossible. Why are you lying to me?!"
"It's not a lie, Phoebe. You know I would never lie about something like this. Especially to you."
"But… it just can't be. He's my brother, I've known him my entire life. He couldn't be a dragon, he never has been."
"That's why I want to make sure. Please, Phoebe. I know I'm asking a lot, but I need your help."
Phoebe stayed silent for what felt like forever. She trusted Finn, but she couldn't bring herself to believe what he was saying. And even if it were true, how could her brother be a dragon? She sighed then looked at the human with a serious expression.
"Alright, Finn. As much as I wish it's not true, we'll uncover this together."
"I'm really sorry I'm putting you through all this."
"Let's just get it over with. We'll wait until he gets back."
Finn nodded. As the two walked back to the palace there was an uneasy silence between them. Phoebe still had an angered look on her face.
On the way to the throne room they ran into CB, who looked at Finn with shock.
"Finn, where's your shield?!"
"It's complicated. I'll explain later."
Phoebe walked up to the pastry.
"CB, I want you to gather a few flame guards and have them posted in the throne room, and have a scout stand outside the kingdom to inform when my brother returns."
"Of course. But what is this about?"
"We're gonna find out."
After making all of the preparations, the three of them waited in the throne room. Phoebe was sitting on her throne while Finn and CB stood on both sides. No one dared say a word as they waited. After about an hour, the scout came running into the palace. He placed his right hand on his chest as he stood in front of the throne.
"Your Highness, Captain Flint approaches the kingdom."
"Is he traveling with anyone?"
"No, your highness."
"Very well. You are dismissed, soldier."
He bowed then went on with the rest of his duties. Finn got closer to Phoebe and started whispering.
"He could turn into a dragon while he's in here."
"I won't give him that chance."
As Finn backed away from the throne he grew worried. He had never seen her like this before. She was angry, no doubt about it, but at the same time she acted calm. It made him uneasy.
The palace doors opened and Flint came in.
"I'm back, sis-"
He stopped when he noticed Finn standing next to her and four flame guards in front of him with their spears raised.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"You know very well what it is." Finn said.
Flint looked at him with anger. Phoebe got up from her throne and started walking towards him, with Finn and CB by her side.
Once they stood a few feet from each other, she spoke.
"Brother, I am going to ask this only once: Were you responsible for the destruction of Candy Kingdom?"
"Has this human been filling your mind with-"
"ANSWER ME!"
Her sudden outburst startled everyone in the room. Flint continued to look at them for a few more seconds.
"It was for the good of this kingdom."
Phoebe's expression now changed to one of shock. Finn and CB stood with their hands on their weapons, ready for anything. Her face now held anger again.
"Why?"
"Ever since Princess Bubblegum was overthrown, the Candy Kingdom has been nothing but trouble. It citizens growing more arrogant, more power hungry, and all because of that rotten King of Ooo. It was only a matter of time before they would wage all-out war on the rest of the kingdoms."
"So to avoid one possible disaster, you create another? No matter how many people die?!" Finn yelled.
"They had to be stopped! In fact, they should have been eradicated long ago. But you, sister, you had to play the little saint."
"Brother, I am placing you under arrest and you will answer for your crimes."
He stared at the group as they kept their weapons raised at him.
"It wasn't supposed to be this way." he said.
He raised his right hand and revealed a glowing red gem in his palm. Just as they were about to grab him, he closed his hand and they were immediately thrown back by a sudden red flash. As his dragon form was revealed, he smashed through the roof and rubble began falling down around them.
As Finn came to his senses, he saw Phoebe laying on the ground near him, with the roof above her collapsing.
"Phoebe!"
He quickly ran towards her and pushed her out of the way as she was getting up. The falling rubble fell on top of Finn and a support column pierced his left side.
"Finn!"
She quickly dashed to him as he laid on the ground, losing blood. They both stared at each other as Finn was gasping for breath and tears ran down her face. Suddenly, his eyes closed.
"No. Please, don't do this!"
She tried to shake him awake but it was useless. He was gone.
A large roar suddenly came from behind her. As she turned, she saw the armored dragon standing tall, looking at her. She got up and formed a sword with her hand.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"
He started to reach in to grab her. She raised her sword and prepared to slash at his arm.
Suddenly, a large blue flash came from behind her, sending her a few feet away. A large hand arose an punched the armored dragon underneath his chin, sending him flying out of the palace and landing on the ground outside, putting the civilians in panic.
After reorienting herself, Phoebe looked to find the source of the sudden blast. Her eyes widened when as she witnessed what stood above her.
A large blue dragon.
Note: Don't ask why I made Flint a captain. I just went with it.
