Chapter IX, Lies

There was something wrong in the air and it wasn't the rain. No, that was actually quite refreshing. But there was something vile lingering out there, as an indication that death is slowly lurking by. As the three once again found themselves on the streets, trying to find their way around, it was awfully quiet. Even the occasional bums disappeared from the streets. And that was never a good sign. Just like the lack of rats. The gusts of wind echoed loudly, and the water tapped of the surface in an intense matter. So intense that it was almost unbearable to some.

"Something's wrong." The princess said to herself, pondering deeply. "And I thing it's..."

Just as she spoke those words out loud, something hit in one of the tall buildings up above. It looked almost like a fireball of sorts that crumbled the walls it flew into. And on that signal, all hell broke loose as numerous other missiles of various elements began to shatter the sky, flying back and forth, left and right, hitting everything on their path. It wasn't long before they saw silhouettes of wizards flying around, destroying everything what they could, destroying every piece of progress that they saw. The explosion in the Diablerie Hutch, far in the distance indicated that those once locked now were set loose again. And then came the contraptions made by Giovanni and Bubblegum, just in case something like that happened. The conflict was immanent. On the screen attached to one of the buildings, the old man's face appeared, looking calmly with his dead-like eyes.

"Citizens of Candy Kingdom. It would seem that someone in eager tries to dispute the ways of our peaceful society. Fear not however, as every act like this shall be handled with..."

The beam of lightning shoot right into the screen, shutting it down almost instantly. That wasn't the end of the speech however, as numerous other showings managed to finish it in their own pace. It was clear that no one really believed in his words. No one really believed that there is a safe spot in this place anymore. In this diseased city. Some perhaps however felt relief, that there is someone out there that will bring up the stability. Even if it meant going back to the rotting streets tomorrow.

"At least he will do something about it..."

"Not quite..." The princess bit her lip. "...Giovanni died a year ago."

"What?"

"He died. But both me and him knew that this day will come..." She sighted and shook her head. "So the only logical conclusion, was to record as many samples as we could, that were as varied as humanly possible. To show everyone that the world is still... intact?"

"So for the past year..."

"Yep." She shrugged and smiled shyly. "You said it yourself. I'm a bad person. It was hard to keep things in check. Someone had to do it." The pink one rose her arm. "Someone had to take responsibility for her city."

Finn looked at the princess quite surprised. Apparently he hardly knew about it as well. Looks like he wasn't all that close to her after all. Looks like she didn't trusted him in full. The vampire on the other hand had enough of being cheated by everyone around, as she slapped the pink one right on the face. Bubblegum hardly was surprised. She deserved that and more. She just grabbed her lover's hand afterward and smooched on it's surface.

"Marceline..." She kissed her once again. "...while I lied to the world... I never lied to you. You... simply never asked." The pink one sighted. "And I know we're after the one that killed Simon. But I think we need to head out to the palace. He is dead either way..." She looked her in the eyes. "We on the other hand – are not. Better keep it that way."

As usual, she simply rushed ahead. Obviously this little being was hardly used to others objecting to her will. She thought that a simple kiss and a few soothing words will be enough for her lover to follow her once again and help her in her cause. Maybe she was right in some parts, yes, that was a possibility. Still, even the man they were with was quite speechless. But, he above all else, got used to those behaviors and slowly began to move after her. The vampire quickly joined by his side.

"How do you do it?" She sighted. "How do you deal with her?"

"It just comes with time. Easier for me. I grow old. You stay in one place."

"I don't..."
"You do Marceline. And I envy you that..."

Well, there was some logic in those words, if only a little. She had to admit that the princess was right as well. No point in searching for the killer when the city finally erupted and is in a state that hardly served anyone. As they rushed towards the palace, trying to avoid needless conflict, they quickly realized, that the courtyard is a one, huge battlefield. Her palace forces struggled with the upcoming attackers, the wizards weren't without causalities as well however, as numerous bodies simply laid on the ground, slowly trampled into the ground. It was quite a gruesome sight. Finn was first that jumped head on, as he began to bash nearby foes, crushing him under his mighty steel hand, disappearing somewhere in the crowd. Bubblegum just smirked towards her lover, and as she pumped her gun, she went in as well, as her shoots echoed throughout the place. The vampire on the other hand hardly wanted to get involved beyond what she already did. There was no side she was able to pick, as she hardly cared about both the wizards and the candy citizens. That is, until she spotted a certain figure, gazing at her from the roof of one of the smaller buildings. She quickly flew towards him and as she landed, he greeted her with a grin.

"Ah! As usual, you came right into my arms Mar-Mar. Splendid." He pointed his wand right at her. She would lie if she said that she didn't waited for this moment for a while now. This particular wizard was something she would love to erase, both from this world and from her head. Well, she handled with more powerful foes. This little spoiled magician shouldn't be much of a challenge. "What, you aren't going to say anything?" She just pointed at him, then at her, as she made a throat-slicing gesture. "Ah, civilized like always. That's why I always liked you, you know? Too bad we never reached further. I bet you're just as wild when intimacy strikes in!"

He tossed his jacked aside and began to prepare his incantations. That's just what she needed. No holding back. Despite the battle around, despite the princess in her crowd, despite the dead friend. No holding back. No more. And she was the first one that charged at him, changing into a wolf midair, in a dire attempt to bite off his head from the top of his shoulders. He just chuckled, shifting into a leopard, as their two agile bodies swirled around one another. Each bite, each scratch, each pummel did absolutely nothing, as their wounds instantly mended. They were both immortal by most means, and killing such in any trivial matter was simply out of the picture. Perhaps he would have an upper hand if not for the lack of sun. There were other means to do things however, as he returned to his normal being, beginning to pour bursts of pure energy from within his wand right at her direction. She changed back as well, deflecting each and every single one with her claws, getting closer and closer despite the overwhelming flood of spells. Finally, after the last of beams, her hands reached his neck, as with a quick turn she snapped it right where they stood. She quickly backed off, hardly believing what she just done. Her conscious could rest in peace however, as obviously it wasn't enough. For a being that lived for so long, for a being that survived pummeling into the ground by a giant dog, that was not enough. He smiled, as he put the bones on the right place with a disgusting sound.

"Well. That's a rather fucked up foreplay Mar-Mar." He grinned even more so. "But for some reason, I'm thrilled for excitement, you pale whore! Fuck, you made my head spinning!"

He threw away his wand and simply began to brawl with her. Punch after punch, kick after kick, the two danced on the top of the roof. No one could gain advantage over the other however, as both of them were beyond killing. Marceline thought fast. There were a few ways to take away his greatest asset – his bargained immortality. Several was unavailable, but one particular should do the trick. Sucking his essence along with his blood. And as she swirled around, once again dodging his precise moves, she eventually reached his back, as she driven her teeth deep into his neck.

"Bah!" He began to pummel her on the head. "Get off me you bitch!"

He finally managed to toss her off and dived right into the crowd. The girl smirked to herself. She enjoyed being victorious over this pile of filth. The vampire obviously went after him, knocking anything that came into her way, wizard or not. That's what he counted for however. Ash never liked loosing. And to be honest, he never liked to fight in a clean, honorable matter as well. Better when others did his job. She on the other hand strayed around, until the first hit of bright light came right into her eyes, so intense that her skin almost began to scorch. It wasn't her ex however, out of all people. No, it was someone whom she least expected. The one that dealt with colors and things that once brought joy to people. Perhaps that's why he dealt with her in such ease – she hardly expected someone like him to stop her. He was surprised by that notion as well, still, an opportunity like that shouldn't be missed. Huntress will praise him greatly – that was the only thing that mattered. And as he poured even more colors into her eyes and face, slowly overcoming her completely, someone stabbed him, just like that. That someone was Ash, obviously. Other wizard subdued her? All for the better. He wanted to claim his reward however. The circle of betrayal was completed.

###

He dragged her all the way to the old warehouse, now covered in plants. It would seem that the host was busy leading her people onwards toward their goal. All for the better. As he tossed the body of his former mate, he looked at her from above. He enjoyed that notion – the sore fact that he was dominant again. She had much to pay for. And he was the one that always enjoyed taking and claiming his prize. As much as she wanted to break free, the magical knots on her legs and hands were binding her in one place. Their power was also enough to keep her from shifting into something else.

"So Mar-Mar. You had it coming for a while now." He crouched near her and smirked. "All this time you thought you'll slip away. You know, I do remember the first time you dumped me. And for what? To have a bit of gum? Psh..." He rolled his eyes, still, there was something in his gaze. Some form of cruelty that she hardly wanted to experience. "Years passed. Our encounters were always bitter. Shame really. You know the drill. Ash always gets what he wants."

"Mhhh!" She tried to scream, yet the tape on her lips made it impossible. "Mfhhh!"
That was all futile, obviously, since the wizard's mind was set into one certain course. Pleasure. Ash was always like that – whenever he saw something he strove for, he had to have it. Right now. He never enjoyed waiting. Maybe that was the case with their relationship in the first place. That, and the lack of understanding from his part. Not only her. Lack of understanding that not every being in the world was there to serve him and just him. It hardly mattered either way, as he began to slowly caress her unwilling frame. He was twisted in every possible way after all. Why not prove his point. Not like she had anything to say. And as she twitched and shook around, he tried his best to pin her tightly to the ground and began to rip off her clothes. But before he could even swipe her shirt, an arrow landed right through his throat. Blood began to pour from his lips. He just realized that he made a mistake, as the green figurine came from behind, slowly placing her hands on his shoulders. He tried to say a word, tried to explain, tried to beg, but not a single word passed from within his mouth. A speechless wizard. A defenseless wizard.

"Ash, Ash, Ash..." She scratched him on the chin as she played with the arrow driven in his throat, circling her fingers around. She took much joy from it it would seem. "You're trying to take more than you should, you know that? And you know how trying to cheat me around ends, don't you?" Her finger traveled towards the pointy end of the arrow. "What should I do with you now, huh? Of course, if I'll let you go and slip out the tool, this thing on your neck will mend. And the world will hear you out again, Ash..." He didn't move a single inch, waiting in fear what she will do. Just now he realized that he didn't really thought this through. Just now he wished he could undo things. "...I could also kill you. But I'm not one of those that enjoys disposing of such useful tool from her hand, you know? Oh no..." She smirked and leaned even closer, almost pressing her whole body onto him. While normally he would probably enjoy that beyond measuring, this time around, as he felt her breath over his ear, he wanted to scream as loud as possible. He couldn't however. "But are you really all that useful?" She began to stroke the arrow in his throat back and forth, back and forth. The innuendo was obvious. The pain, immense. "I know you never would be able to strike her down. But your luck proved to be a feat once again. Doing what it takes, huh?" She bit him on the ear, still stroking the arrow. "What would be punishing to you Ash? Considering what you wanted to do with her?" She began to swirl the arrow in his wound. Despite the pain however, he knew that he had to remain as calm as possible. That was the only way out. Fighting her? Not an option. "There are numerous things I could do to you. I could defy your very nature. Make you less of a being. Less of a creature. Hang you, or part of you, as an everlasting trophy..." She sighted out loud and simply scratched his chin, as her finger went a bit lower. "For now, let's settle with this, alright?" Her hands began to glow and with them, so did the arrow in his throat. The injury around the pointy head mended, so the object was driven there permanently. "Serve me well. And you will tweet one day. For now, get away from my sight. We'll..." She grinned viciously. "...'talk' later."

And just like that, she let go of him. He knew it was better for him to move out of her way. She could take more than his voice after all. And she could hurt him in many possible ways. Ways that won't mend so easily. No, ways that won't mend at all. As soon as he disappeared, she crouched next to her, slowly taking off her binds. She did it with such care, that the pale girl almost felt for her act. Almost. She had to admit however, that there was something within both the huntress and the smell of soil that surrounded them. That, and everything smelled off rain. A pleasing change. A change for the better.

"Poor little Marceline..." She caressed her over her forehead. "I told you I never wanted your harm." She said calmly. The vampire knew better than to trust her obviously, still, for now she decided to play along. No point in attacking her in the middle of her turf. "You are safe around me. When was the last time you felt safe around your pink bi..." She bit herself on the tongue. "...binding."

"You know nothing about..."

"Oh but I do..." Her finger circled around her pale cheek. "...I do know much about you. I was watching you for a while you see. Your every struggle. Your every day out there alone..." She closed her lips. "...you don't have to be alone Marceline..." She caught her hand. It gave her goosebumps for some reason. Either it was because of what Ash tried to do or because there simply was something in that weird, woodland creature. "...never again. I won't request anything from you Marceline. I'm here for you." She smiled in the most pleasant way possible. The fiend smiled back, but deep inside, she knew it was a perfectly calibrated act. In her eyes, she saw everything what needed to be seen. She was her prey. Or better yet, she was a bait for her prey. Nothing else. "...and unlike some, I'll be here forever. I won't force you Marceline..." She licked her own lips. "Unlike some. But I hope you will soon feel the same about me, as I feel about you." Her grip tightened. "I can be fragile for you. I can be gentle for you, and only for you..."

That she was, there was no doubt, caressing her slowly, at times smudging her lips over her pale, delicate skin. What was the purpose of all that. Why was she like that? The vampire hardly knew. She would grow tired of that pretty fast, if it wasn't for the stench of the plants that surrounded her, and the charms that the huntress surrounded herself with. Both gave some effect, yet, she needed more to take the full control. But that, she also knew. It was time to get out the heaviest of weapons. More direct words.

"No one ever cared about you like me, Marceline..." She tried to kiss her, but seeing as the girl repels it, she decided to play it differently. "Whoever loved you like me Marceline? No one. No one loved you like me... No one loved you so dearly like me Marceline..." She was a hunter. She know how to catch someone so tight, that the prey won't be able to escape. "You want to find the one that killed off your friend. Your special friend." Once again her fingers tangled around. "Will you tell me why he was special, love?" She leaned her ear towards the vampire's lips. "Right here, quietly, for my ears only, Marceline?"