Chapter Ten:
When we last saw our heroes, Finn, Jake, and now Jake's girlfriend Lady Rainicorn had climbed the next flight of stairs, entering into the second level of Magic Man's final trial. The twelve almost thirteen year old hero could hear his heart pound inside his chest. Questions whirred around his mind like a million buzzing bees. Who am I going to have to save next? Is Marceline okay? Is Magic Man trustworthy when he says this is my final trial? Does 8+8 equal 16 or 17? Okay Finn, add it up using your fingers…
"Dude?" Jake then asked, interrupting Finn's mathematical thoughts. "We're in the second level."
Finn immediately stopped counting. "Right," he agreed. The three looked at what the second level held. It was probably 95 degrees in the room, and boiling lava all around the ground, except for black stepping stones that lay inside it, the stones seeming to be the only thing the lava didn't melt.
"Seems the lava would melt through to the first floor," Lady Rainicorn thought aloud.
"This is Magic Man's work. Nothing makes sense with that guy," Finn replied. He sighed. "Alright, step carefully now." Jake was the first to test out the stepping stones, and after he gave the signal it was alright, Finn followed him. Luckily, Lady Rainicorn could fly, and she had no need to step on the stones. The two adventurers could've sat on her, but after Jake falling off of her one time they decided it was safer to step on the stones.
"Who do you think he's hiding in here?" Finn asked Jake.
"Well whoever it is I hope they can withstand this heat! I feel like I'm inside a hot tamale!" Jake exclaimed.
"Oh Jakey, that reminds me, I have a coupon for a buy one get one free taco salad at that Mexican Food restaurant Lumpy Space Princess showed me," Lady Rainicorn sighed.
"We'll go there if we make out of this alive," Jake said.
"Promise?"
"Promise babe."
"Oh Jakey!"
Finn sighed. Jake had once explained to him that when two people (or creatures, magical dogs, unicorns etc) become boyfriend/girlfriend, they tend to use 'pet names' and talk cutesy with each other. The twelve year old still didn't quite grasp why, because if he ever called Marceline baby or sweetheart she would-
WHOA! Finn thought to himself. Why would I ever call Marceline that? I mean, we're not boyfriend or girlfriend. Well I mean… no Finn! Not cool! We're friends. She's a vampire and you're an awesome hero that saves Ooo from danger. Yeah. You're too awesome for a girlfriend, or a princess girlfriend. Not that Bubblegum would be your- WHOA! Where did that thought come from?
Finn's trains of confused adolescent thoughts were interrupted, when he realized the stepping stones had run out, and all around was a bubbling pit of lava. "See any other stones?"
"Nope," Jake answered. "But look dude, up ahead across the pool of lava!"
Jake pointed and twenty or so yards away, tied up in chains, was the one person Finn or Jake never in their right mind expected to be locked up. The Ice King.
"This is so messed up," Finn said in shock. "Why did Magic Man capture him? He is such a nerd!"
"I heard that Finn! As soon as I get out of these chains you shall pay for your insolence!" Ice King swore.
"Look dude," Jake whispered. "His crown is off his head, he has no powers."
"So he's the reason why the temperature is unbearable in here," Finn sighed. "Alright Ice King! We're going to figure out a way to save you, even though we pretty much don't like you, so just sit tight for a few!"
"Finn you fool! If you retrieve my crown I can turn this lava into ice! I AM THE ICE KING! That's basically my M.O.!"
Jake searched the room. "Oh I see his crown, it's right next to him. I'm sure if I stretch my arms out, careful not to dip them into the lava, then I can-"
"No need Jakey," Rainicorn assured. "I'll get it." She flew over the lava with ease, landing across the way where Ice King was.
"Hey doll, you want to catch a movie with the Ice King? My penguins set up a new surround sound," Ice King winked.
"FINN! HE'S HITTING ON MY GIRLFRIEND!" Jake barked.
"ICE KING! LADY RAINICORN IS OFF THE MARKET!" Finn yelled.
"I've got your crown," Lady Rainicorn announced. "Now, if I put the crown on you do you promise to turn the lava into ice?"
"Obviously," the Ice King answered. "Now hurry!" The unicorn sighed, putting the crown back on Ice King's oddly shaped head. "Yes! I can feel my power returning!" Ice King laughed.
"Just turn the lava into snow!" Jake barked.
"Alright, alright already, sheesh, can't a guy celebrate once in awhile?" Ice King pointed his hand towards the lava, turning it into ice as he said. Finn and Jake walked across with ease. "Now untie me!" Ice King ordered.
"What do you think dude, should we untie him? He might cause problems for us and the ladies in the future," Jake said.
"Yeah, but my trial was to find and set free all of the captives. That includes the Ice King." Finn sighed. He took his sword and cut the chains, setting the Ice King free. "Now look man, are you going to accompany us on the next three levels or not?"
"Accompany you? You mean, you want me to help you save princesses?" Ice King asked.
"Well, I'm not so sure that there are princesses captured, but yes, we would appreciate your help," Finn confirmed.
The Ice King stroked his long white beard. "It all seems like a trap," he hummed, "That I help you save princesses, that the princesses fall in love with me for being their hero, and that they become my bachelorettes and potential brides! Yes! They'll be so grateful that I helped you three, that they'll be my wife slave forever! I shall help you!"
"Uh…" Finn stammered. "Jake we need to keep a close eye on him," he whispered. Jake nodded. "Okay, you'll help us," Finn said.
"Only if you stop hitting on my lady," Jake growled.
"Fine, she's not even a princess anyway. Plus, Rainicorn and I wouldn't have worked out, I might wake up one day and find she turned all my penguins indigo," Ice King shrugged.
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Jake growled.
Finn sighed. Marceline, wherever you are, I really hope you're safe.
Author's Note:
Told you I'd update :D Please review, and thank you for reading!