-Underestimated-
Upon reaching the glorious and heated Fire Kingdom, Flame Princess wasted no time in reassembling her forces responsible for the search effort on the likely spy among her citizens. The fiery warriors lined up orderly before the throne, bowing to their ruler with the utmost respect.
"Has there been any progress?" the king asked.
The lead soldier stood up straight and eyed his monarch.
"No, your majesty. I regret to inform you that no disturbances or schemes have been discovered within the kingdom. We questioned, searched, and even dug into records. There's nothing."
FP sighed, disappointed.
"Alright. Thank you for your efforts. Standby for further directions."
The fire soldier saluted and ordered the rest of his men to vacate the palace. They did so in the same fashion as they'd entered, organized and errorless. Once the throne room contained only Flame Princess, CB, and a few guards, the fiery monarch allowed her mind to wander.
She thought about Finn. The guy could get into a lot of trouble, especially with all the crazy humans running around. His injuries were not what you'd call 'fully healed', there was a great chance that the impulsive hero would get himself hurt, which was not something FP wanted to happen.
The fire elemental reached down into a crevice in her royal armor, pulling out the delicate aluminum rose that the human had made for her. It sparkled in the surrounding fires, giving it an even greater luster and magnificence that only the king could appreciate. Well, one other person.
"That's a pretty one."
Cinnamon Bun was standing beside the throne, grinning with wonder at the item held in FP's hand. She smile at the candy person.
"Yeah. Finn made it."
The pastry being smiled wider.
"Was he confessing to you?"
Flame Princess instantly blushed and withdrew the flower.
"What, no! I mean, I know he still has feelings and stuff, that's obvious, but I don't think he'd-"
"Have the guts?" CB suggested.
FP flinched again.
"CB, you're being really...whimsical today. Is there something going on?"
The candy person hummed in thought for a moment.
"Nope. Don't think so."
He then looked back to the king.
"Hey, can I have some lava?"
Flame Princess relaxed. That seemed more like the spontaneous random bun she knew.
"Sure, I'll have one of the servants get you some."
Cinnamon Bun shuffled his feet.
"Uh, can it be core lava?"
The flame king froze. Core lava was only attainable through deep wells drilled into the kingdom's harsh volcanic rock. It had a purity that was held to high regard among all fire elementals. In fact, it was so valued, that no one could just 'get it'. There were certain processes to find one worthy enough to have a bucketful.
On top of that, CB was in no position to even know what the difference was. To him it's all just molten rock. Flame Princess carefully stood up, as the candy person just kept staring at her with his goodnatured grin. As an awkward moment ensued, FP tried to think of a way to know for certain what was going on. Suddenly, it hit.
"Guards, shut all the windows and lower your flames."
The towering sentinels did as told and quickly curtained the entire throne room. After completing the task, they took calming breaths and their heats levels lowered enough to remove the fire sprouting from the protrusions on their heads. Finally, FP lowered her energy output as well, bringing an eerie darkness to the room.
"How are you doing there, CB?"
She waited.
"I'm good."
A split second later, Flame Princess shot up her fire to bask the entire room in new light. Her face was set in anger as she held up a hand and fired a stream of combustion at the pastry being. To her utter shock, it phased right through him.
"What the heck?"
The guards restored natural light to the room and then gathered up to point all of their spears at Cinnamon Bun. FP approached the supposed candy person and glared at him.
"Sorry, but CB's still afraid of the dark. Who are you? Answer, now!"
The bun's bashful expression soon died down, now a blank look that was unlike his usual attitude. Suddenly, his form flickered, followed by an unstable static that distorted and eventually dissipated the image entirely. What was left behind briefly stunned the cautious flame guards, but their ruler just narrowed her eyes.
A girl, appearing a few years or so older than Flame Princess, stood calmly on the throne room floor. She wore a casual wintergreen skirt, in addition to a matching light sweater. This clothing had a zipper, about halfway up, revealing a soft yellow shirt underneath, upon which lay a circle containing the symbol 'III'.
Her rich brown hair hung to the middle of her back, even after having been tied into a tail at the top of her head. The skirt itself, FP noticed, was decorated with what looked like elegant green flower vines. Predictably enough, her warm eyes were also green. Overall, she seemed to be a girl born of the forest.
"I am Third Arc."
The guards increased their grip on their weapons, awaiting their king's command to apprehend or eliminate the human. FP tightened her fists and walked into the ring of her loyal protectors. She and her newly discovered impostor began circling each other, each eyeing the other carefully.
"What do you want from my kingdom?"
Third Arc held her soft features, never shaking the blank, yet pacifistic face she wore.
"I need the lava. It is imperative to our goal."
Flame Princess brought up her flaming hands.
"I don't think so. You and your buddies have been nothing but trouble to everyone. I'm going to put an end to it."
The human girl stopped walking, holding her hands in front of her.
"Please. I don't want to fight."
FP scoffed.
"Well tough. You're not getting away. Guards, seize her!"
As the fire elementals moved in, Third Arc sighed sadly.
"Very well. I'm sorry."
Before FP could inquire what she apologized for, the circle on the human's shirt glowed green. Next, a similar circle rippled out of the ground where she stood, expanding rapidly out into the area. The moment the border hit the guards, they froze in place, literally. The flames of the torches around the walls also froze, as did any noise that these objects were producing.
Flame Princess watched in shock at the world around her was paused, leaving nothing behind besides herself and the enigmatic girl in front of her. All else was a panorama, a 360 degree photograph.
"What is this?"
Third Arc observed the effects of her action.
"HAVEN, a special environment created to limit the harm we Arcs may cause if forced to deal with one of you."
She took a step towards FP.
"Two opponents, no more. Until one of us is unable to fight, the field will remain active, and nothing will move."
Flame Princess bared her teeth, frustrated by such a complicated process.
"Fine. But you won't last long. This is my home, and I can literally use it to burn you to ashes."
She shot a blast of flames at Third Arc, who simply waved her arm in response. As if by magic, the dozens of plants now arranging the throne room reacted, shooting out and forming a wall of vines in front of the human. The fire impacted, but did little against the native flora. FP was bewildered.
"What the junk?!"
The vines retracted, yet remained close to the human. She reached over and gently touched one of them.
"When you show compassion, it is likely to be repaid, even by nature itself."
Flame Princess shook off her astonishment and produced a flame sword, charging at the Arc. The vines tried to protect her again, but the fire elemental slashed them apart in seconds, proceeding through. She attempted to get a hit on the human, but found her weapon phase right through her.
"Huh? This better not be one of Fourth Arc's illusions."
Third Arc shook her head.
"Don't worry. It's not. It's just my nature."
FP eyed the girl with confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
Her foe touched the broken vines, instantly healing them. They then retreated, returning to the peaceful arrangement around the room.
"This will hardly be a battle. For neither of us will be dealt any harm."
Flame Princess froze, not like her guards mind you, but still quite stunned.
"But...then how will there ever be a point when one of us can't fight?"
Third Arc began walking towards her.
"One of us must choose to let the other leave."
FP tightened her fists.
"Like heck! I'd never allow you to just go free."
The human frowned.
"Flame Princess, please, I'm not trying to harm anyone. Your people are proud and strong, one of the greatest races I've seen on this continent. All I ask, is that you let my companions and I do our duty, and do not involve yourselves."
The flame king was silent for a moment, then closer her eyes.
"No. I can't."
Third Arc remarkably didn't get frustrated. Instead, she kept her calm and took a few more steps forward, now practically directly in front of the fiery girl.
"What if we could trade?"
FP raised an eyebrow.
"Trade what?"
The human placed her hand over her chest.
"I'll tell you where the real Cinnamon Bun is, along with the other impostered beings."
Flame Princess thought it over. After a moment, she found the opportunity.
"Throw in what you're planning and its a deal."
Third Arc momentarily looked concerned, but came up with a response.
"Alright, if you add in the lava."
Driving a hard bargain was not one of FP's strong points, but this deal was definitely holding a lot at stake. Either they both get what they want, or neither does. The deciding factor was if she had enough confidence in herself and her friends to stop the Arcs later on.
She held out her hand.
"Deal."
Third Arc grasped and gently shook the young ruler's hand. Just by this contact alone, FP could sense the enormous amount of power within the human. As big as it was however, it was not intimidating, but instead calming, as if it were a grand shield of protection for any who were weaker than it. The power's owner smiled hopefully, but Flame Princess did not find the mood to do so in return.
As they released the shake, Third Arc brought her hands together again.
"If I may, there is a gift of sorts I would like to give you."
FP looked cautiously at the human.
"What is it?"
The Arc carefully reached out.
"May I?"
Hesitating, the fire elemental finally nodded. The human girl proceeded to bring a finger to the ruler's abdomen, where a sudden strange sensation erupted. It didn't hurt, in fact felt quite numbing. FP closed her eyes as the odd feeling crept all throughout her body. The imagery soon changed to her flying through the air, light as a feather. It actually made her smile on the outside.
Soon however, the experience ended, as Third Arc removed her contact and took a step back, smiling humbly as the fire elemental examined herself. She placed a hand over her midsection.
"What did you do?"
The human just kept smiling, as her green circle glew once more. Within moments, the entire area was reanimated, allowing the fires, sounds, and guards to resume their actions. Before they came too close, Flame princess beckoned to them.
"Stop! She's free to go."
Utterly confused, the protective men looked at each other, then shrugged and backed off. Third Arc looked back to FP. The king turned, walked to her throne, and kneeled down to retrieve an item wedged behind it. After removing the obstruction, it was revealed to be a cylindric volcanic container.
She stood back up and came back over to Third Arc, presenting her with the core lava. The human accepted it, then gave a very respectful thank you.
"Your friend, he and the others are on the eleventh floor of Princess Bubblegum's secret royal dungeon."
Flame Princess nodded.
"And?"
The human reached into a pocket and retrieved a small chip, which she handed to the fiery girl. FP briefly studied it, then gazed back at Third Arc.
"I don't understand, why are you so cooperative?"
The human sighed again.
"It is not like me to spread ill will. I find it difficult to lie or hurt anyone, whether physically or emotionally. My friends knew from the very beginning that I would be the one to reveal us, that's why I asked to be given the most secluded role in the plan."
Third Arc looked back at FP.
"I understand your opinion of humans is less than favorable, but please, once you look at the information on that chip, I hope that you'll reconsider your interference."
She turned to leave. Flame Princess took a step forward.
"Wait! How come you're not burning up?"
The young ruler had just realized Third Arc had no form of protection on her person, meaning she was completely exposed to the lethal heat of the Fire Kingdom. Or so she thought. The human turned back and smiled one last time.
"Like I said, even nature will return its kindness if compassion is given."
FP shot her eyes up to the plants the disguised girl had been setting up for the past several weeks. The Arc then gestured to the king herself.
"It was my opinion that passion should also count towards that statement."
The human resumed exiting the palace, leaving behind a confused Flame Princess, who placed her hand over her gut, wondering what she meant.
Sadly, there was no convenient drip of water to break the tense silence inside the Candy Kingdom underground. Jake was still speechless, unable to believe what Sixth Arc had just uttered. Susan meanwhile, was having somewhat of a staring contest with the muscled man before her. Amazingly, he threw Susie her hat back, which she caught and quickly pulled back over her head.
There was a tear in Sixth Arc's eye as he closed off his vision.
"I'm so sorry. But I can't turn my back on my friends."
He charged, preparing to engage his opponent once more. Susan's response was to block the punch and attempt to shove the guy back, but found that too difficult. Instead, she was smashed back into the wall, grunting from the pain in her back. Suddenly, she got angry.
"Susan kick your butt!"
Sixth Arc yelped as he was struck in the nether regions, causing him to move back and try to shake off the hurting. Unfortunately for him, Susan didn't give him the time to do so. She ran forward, catching the Arc in a flurry of punches to the face. He was progressively pushed back, closer to the toxic river from which he was gathering waste. Soon, the radioactive material was just at his backside.
Susan gave one last punch, sending the man falling down towards the green liquid. He panicked, knowing full well that the hazardous substance would not only cause significant burning, but also harm his physical state. Just as he thought it was over however, his foe caught him by the collar of his shirt.
Jake ran up to the two, watching carefully as Susan pulled Sixth Arc back up and stared him in the face. There was a quiet moment for a while, until the woman's facial expression changed from aggressive, to passive.
"I...your sister?"
Sixth Arc shook off his slight fear and gazed into her green eyes.
"Y-yes. I remember. We were both really young, but we played together all the time. I remember your eyes, they always looked so happy."
He smiled.
"Susan, they call you?"
The woman nodded.
"It's a wonderful name."
Susie backed away from the glowing green river, allowing Sixth Arc to stand upright.
"Why you with bad guys?" she asked sadly.
The Arc matched her expression and hung his head.
"There are certain things that require sacrifice. Some more than others."
He looked over at Jake.
"I know you don't understand us, but we have good intentions. We hide only because you would refuse to see the big picture."
The magical dog frowned.
"You're not talking your way out of this one, buddy."
He cracked his knuckles, then grew his fists huge as if ready to pound the human. However, Susan pushed the big hands aside.
"Jake, wait. Let him go."
Jake was ecstatic.
"What! You're nuts! He's stealing and plotting, that's two reasons to book him."
The woman was insistent.
"No. We give him chance. Then, we talk to his friends when he returns."
The dog studied his companion carefully. As far as he could tell, she was dead serious. Giving in, Jake nodded, then stretched his head to look over to Sixth Arc.
"Get out of here, finish your junk. We'll be waiting to beat the nuts off of you if anything funny goes on."
The man was momentarily stunned. Then, he solemnly looked to his sister. Susan was giving him a blank look. Finally, the circle on his shirt resonated again, quickly causing activity to return to the surroundings. Once the dripping water was again heard through everyone's eardrums, Sixth Arc dashed for his line of toxic barrels.
After giving them a kick, the containers clattered down the nearby tunnel, rolling along into the darkness. The man gave one final look to Jake and Susan, looking fairly sad as he entered the unlit corridor himself, out of sight. The two stared off into the black opening for a few minutes, as if entranced by its hollow appearance.
"You really think he's your bro?" Jake asked.
Susan kept staring.
"We find out soon."
A/N: Sorry it's late, I've been really tired for the past few days.
Just a Normal Reader: I was hoping for a good response, thanks.
I am The7: Yes, it's all really sad and depressing.
DJ Rodriguez: Good to know I've got the mystery part down.