A/N:

Teller15-djb: What better way to mess with Natasha than when she's about to join the group?

Clockwork: Remember when Shawn got his hat? If you don't, go read Into the Wormhole chapter five labeled New Weapon.

Brenda: Or if you either can't or don't want to, we got you covered. For anyone who's read the chapter, we won't make it an exact copy.

Clockwork: Sometimes a memory isn't exactly the same as the reality.

Brenda: Give it a rest will ya.

Clockwork: Don't make me regret not mind-wiping you.

Teller15-djb: Clockwork, Brenda, shut up. Viewers, enjoy. This is gonna be a long chapter. Silver tongue...ACTIVATE!

Chapter 9: One of You, Part of Me

No One's POV

-Three Months Earlier-

Insanity Wolf stands on top of Star. Star struggled but to no avail.

"I'm gonna kill you so hard you die to death," Insanity Wolf snarled.

Star let out a scream as she closed her eyes, waiting reluctantly for the death she was promised. Insanity Wolf pulled back, ready to bite down on her head before...

"Yo Insanity," Shawn called across the field, wielding both his new grass sword in his right hand and Fionna's crystal sword in his left. "I'm about to deck the halls with YOUR bloody corpse."

Shawn charged at the wolf, forcing him off of his Warden and onto the grass in a pin. Star stood ready in case any other surprise was pulled. Luckily, Shawn had it covered.

"You know what you taught me Insanity Wolf," Shawn started. "Fallen and you can't get up-"

Shawn brought the blades down upon Insanity Wolf's neck, slicing it in an eerily clean cut.

"-finish him."

Star walked up to her brother, sure without a shadow of doubt that Insanity Wolf was dead. In a previous Timeline, Courage Wolf was the only wolf around for Shawn to use as a hat. In bringing an end to Courage Wolf's life, Shawn in turn joined up with the villains against his friends when the Lich "marked". By changing just one factor, Insanity Wolf in Courage Wolf's place, Clockwork managed to preserve the good inside of Shawn.

After he gut the evil wolf, Shawn pulled his grass sword resulting in a windmill motion that cleaned off his and Fionna's blades. Handing Fionna her sword back, Shawn put on his new hat.

"Hey Lady, " Shawn started smiling. "Can you make this white please?"

Everyone's attitude shifted for the better, Star especially. Lady sent a Color Beam at the hat, changing it's color from black to white. Star tackled Shawn to the ground with a stern but soft expression.

"Don't you ever ever ever...pull another stunt like that again," Star warned. "I can't protect you if you're dead."

"Sorry," Shawn smiled. "I just had to do it, ya know?"

"I know. You did great! And it's a good thing you did it too."

"Hey guys," Finn called.

Star got off of Shawn, who stood as Finn and Jake ran up to them. In the human's hands was a purple crystal that reflected the light that shown upon it.

"We got you," Finn breathed, "A new sword."

"Bubblegum," Jake caught his wind, "made it."

Finn handed Shawn the new retractable sword.

"Cool," Shawn thought aloud. "But I kinda got another one."

Star took notice and mental notes of the small differences between Finn and Shawn's grass swords. Another thought also struck her when she smelt rotting dog flesh.

"What do we do with him," she gestured to Insanity Wolf.

"We carry out his last wish," Shawn spoke. "Feed the homeless to the homeless. Hey FOXES! Ya want something to eat?! A decapitated Insanity Wolf is up for grabs!"

The three humans, two canines and one feline set off for the Candy Kingdom at full speed; as to avoid the foxes. Unbeknownst that a fox did hear his offer. One red-tailed fox who was passing through the forest to find food. Having heard Shawn, the fox followed the scent of blood until it lead him to a headless, black furred wolf.

"Oh oh wow," he salivated. "I hit the jack pot! I should really tell the guys; but that smell. I guess one little bit wouldn't hurt."

Having taken the first nibble, the fox's instincts sent him into a feasting frenzy partly against his will. You would think after he finished the meat and skin he would have stopped. He devoured the wolf bone and all, leaving a drop of blood too small for a Candy Mouse; until he licked it up. Having satisfied his hunger, the fox's instincts retreated momentarily. The fox stood wobbly, trying to balance himself and his belly.

"Oh," he burped. "I shouldn't have eaten all that bone."

He walked like a sumo wrestler until he reached another clearing in the woods. This one had a small pond, 4X3 in length and width to be technical. He collapsed on the ground, face hitting the pond. His stomach gurgled and bubbled.

"Oh," the fox moaned. "I'm gonna puke."

The fox made a hurling gesture, but instead of vomit, a cloud of smoke escaped his jaw. The fox's stomach reverted as the smoke was released. The fox held his breath when the cloud started taking the shape of a wolf's head with red eyes; the only body part missing when the fox consumed him. The wolf snarled at the fox before retreating up his nose. The fox held back tears and painful screams for mercy as a horrendous change was beginning both externally and internally.

Bones widening. Muscles developing. Teeth sharpening. Size in length and width elongating. Fur from red to black, turning the white tip at the edge of the tail a deepened red; same as his nose. His eyes turned from brown to fully red fiery windows to an even darker soul. A crescent above and to the right of a swirl with horns and an arrowed tail carved itself on the fox's back; right between his shoulder blades.

The fox shifted to get a grip on himself before fully standing on four legs instead of his usual hind legs.

"I...feel...great! I feel better than I've felt in ages! That meal-"

The fox licked his razor teeth feeling a hint of his own blood trickle down his throat.

"-delectable."

Opening his eyes for the first time since his sudden transformation, his eyes turned from brown to red and black fiery windows to an even darker soul. The dark fox began sniffing the air. He caught the scent of a deer across the forest and chased it down at speeds unobtainable in his previous form. The dark fox delighted in his victory dug right into his catch, even eating any creatures that dared come close to the new demon.

"I'm faster. Smarter. STRONGER! Better! I could get used to this."

Having finished his meal, the dark fox caught the scent of another soon-to-be-helpless animal; setting out to quench his now never ending hunger fest.

-Ooaa-

"Hmm," Star tilted her head while staring at Natasha.

"Maybe..." Cake began also staring at Natasha.

"That's it," Fionna concluded. "She needs a hat."

"A hat," Natasha questioned. "Oh no. Nonononono! I like my hair out."

"You said you wanted to be one of us," Cake reminded her. "All humans in our group where a hat. Finn has a bear, Fionna has a bunny and Shawn has a wolf."

"What about her when she's...ya know," Natasha said, gesturing to Star.

"I have a hat," she replied matter-of-factually. "I made another but your head is too small."

"Okay. So how do I get a hat? What is there some store we go to or something?"

"You see your sword," Fionna asked. "You use that, hunt down an animal and skin it's head."

"You say that like its a good thing! Th-That's murder! Human or animal I-I won't do it."

Everyone was taken back by that, even Natasha. From what they'd seen, it seemed like Natasha could care less about that; if not more than willing to skin herself a hat. Natasha guessed it was her old self uniting with her current self that made her rethink things. Nova on the other hand was completely unfazed by any of it. He never once considered her to be a murderer, even with her sword. The matter of animal murder made him question the others though.

"We don't kill the innocent ones," Finn said walking up to them. "Just the evil ones."

"I don't know..." Natasha said.

"W-well," Nova spoke. "I-I guess it would be fine. If they r-r-really are evil."

Natasha raised an eyebrow at the tabby who made himself smaller. Natasha watched his reaction, confused as to why he did back

"Alright," she sighed. "Let's get it over with."

Finn and Jake went back to cleaning while the girls and Nova went to go get Natasha a hat. Everyone made busy the whole trip to Lady's barn. Fionna and Cake were talking same as Nova and Star, Ice Princess and Flame Princess were arguing like usual, Natasha though, she was quiet. Which for her was extremely out of character. Nova and Flame Princess took notice so they shared a look before going over to their friend.

"Hey," FP smiled weakly. "You okay?"

"I-I think," Natasha shook her head.

"What's wrong," Nova asked starting to worry.

"I feel...weird. All my memories are back, but so is my old personality. And I guess I'm just trying to sort out things still."

"What's it feel like," Flame questioned.

"Like being locked up for a long time, and then one day your free and things have changed. Especially yourself."

Both Nova and Flame Princess felt a little bad for her. Neither of them could understand how she must have felt. Before any of them could question anymore, there was a scream coming from Lady's. Cake scooped everyone up and she darted for Lady's. Cake skid to a halt when she saw the horrible sight:

Lady and her kids were fighting of a black and red fox.

"No," Star breathed. "It can't be."

"It can't be what," Nova asked her.

"I was afraid this would happen. Natasha, you gotta stop that thing. We'll help Lady and the kids."

They disbanded before Natasha could get a word in.

"How am I gonna do this," she panicked.

Natasha retracted the sword and stood still. Her friends started to help the Rainicorns to safety. Star was about to run with the others when the dark fox caught her by her collar. Seeing this Nova launched himself at the fox; much to his and everyone's amazement. He sunk his claws in deep into the fox's back. Star had enough time to escape and the fox continued trying to remove Nova.

The fox set his sight on Natasha and she took a leap out of the way forcing his back to collide with a tree. Nova and Natasha let out a scream of pain as Nova let go. Star felt a pain in her heart after hearing it but Natasha felt actual pain in her left wrist. The fox caught her off guard and kicked her into the tree. Natasha fell unconscious making the fox believe her had an open chance.

As he charged, Nova picked up Natasha's wrist with his mouth and the fox was sliced in his chest. Blood spewed out all over Nova's fur and Natasha's right hand.

"Insanity," the dark fox breathed before falling limp on the sword.

Nova let go of her hand and he fell. The others ran over to them as soon as they gained enough courage. The blood on Nova's fur sunk into his skin making the others step back. Star on the other hand stepped forward towards Nova.

"Are you okay," she asked full of worry.

"If you call being in excruciating pain being okay," he said, "then I feel incredible."

-AT-

In Natasha's subconscious, she walked through a purple-blue room. A sole door was there and she turned the knob. Thirteen year old Natasha, Numbah 38, was about to be decommissioned. Numbah 38 ran up to the door and stepped through, facing her future self.

"So what did you do," Numbah 38 asked. "What did you do with my life after it happened?"

"I..." Natasha thought back. "I grew up."

"How's Mom?"

"She's been better."

"And Dad?"

"Delusional."

"What about the KND?"

"They disappeared a while after we were decommissioned."

"And...37?"

"Shawn and I haven't really talked since."

"This is what happens to me? I become mean, selfish and treat people who try to help me like dirt? You are NOT me!"

Numbah 38 ran but Natasha quickly caught herself. Numbah 38 was now in tears.

"Leave me alone," Numbah 38 ordered. "I want nothing to do with you!"

"Listen," Natasha told herself. "I may not be the you that you pictured, but things can't stay as they were. Its not the end of the world being the way I am now."

"Yes it is," Numbah 38 sobbed. "Its the end of the adventures and fun and my friends. And Mom. I don't wanna lose any of it to become you! I don't wanna lose my friends when I'm you! I don't wanna lose my mom when I'm you! I don't wanna not be me when I'm you! Your life is horrible! Its not mine! It will NEVER be mine! I hate you! Your not ME!"

"Yes I am. I'm still you."

"Then prove it. You used to make promises. Promises you'd never break. Promise me you'll go back to being me. Please. For me? For Mom."

Natasha hugged Numbah 38 and let a few of her own tears fall.

"I promise. I promise to ease up a bit. I promise to be nicer to people. And I PROMISE we'll never be alone again."

"Thank you Natasha," Numbah 38 cried.

"Your welcome," Natasha rubbed Numbah 38's eyes. "Now go on. I can't change if you don't."

Numbah 38 nodded and walked back through the door. Natasha watched as she sat it the decommissioning chair with Numbah 37, holding his hand tightly. A steady flow of tears fell as Natasha remembered how much her friendship with Shawn meant to her. The machine activated.

"I promise Numbah 38," Natasha silently cried as everything began to fade. "I can change. I will be you again one day. I promise."

-0.0-

When she woke up, Natasha found herself in a hospital. More specifically, on a gurney with Nova laying down next to her. He appeared to be asleep to her but he was just waiting for her to move. Nova's left arm was in a cast held by a sling. Both he and Natasha could feel the pain the fox had brought upon Nova. Natasha didn't notice Princess Bubblegum in the room.

"Guys! She's up," PB yelled, startling Natasha into sitting.

Nova sat up slowly as not to feel any more pain than he was already going through. The others piled into the room quick to see if they were fine. Natasha rubbed her head to stop the headache she had.

"Are you okay," Star asked.

"I'm fine," Natasha said, still not looking up. "Just a headache and some minor pain."

"That's not bad. How about you Nova?"

"I'm feeling better," he told her. "Everything feels stiff though."

"We got a call from Shawn while you were in here," PG told them. "He said we have to tell you the story now."

"What story?"

"And who are you two," Natasha questioned.

"Princess Bubblegum and Prince Gumball."

"And we have to tell you about the Power Stones," Bubblegum said.

A/N:

Teller15-djb: Okay we bluffed a little about IP's plan.

Brenda: That's why our family doesn't plan anything. As soon as its time for it, something happens, we forget or we just mess up.

Clockwork: And this has been a day in the life of Lil' John.

Teller15-djb: Yea-yah!

Brenda: H-what?!

Clockwork: O-kay!

Teller15-djb: Anyway, the Power Stones are something that our family's had for years. Think of it like a family trinket. I got my onyx in Viking times so you can guess these things have history. And Clockwork made the history so all this would fall into place.

Clockwork: If you were to get technical, this story is about a month behind this world. The next story is the catch up.

Teller15-djb: Another chapter is coming so hold on.

Teller15-djb, Clockwork & Brenda: See ya...in a second?