Author Note: Well time for chapter 10, Duel & Duet. I am happy to write this chapter for you all, this story is for all of you readers, writers, and future writers. I will take my time with the story and relax so let's enjoy this together and have fun. Also check out the concept for the Soul Sword done by a friend of mine named SneezleFreezy12120 on Deviantart. I will be posting Finn's Soul on deviantart as well, but it won't be right away.
P.S my Deviantart name is deadfighter3
Special thanks to all of you who read, review, and stay along for this story. You're all very special to me.
Enough of my sappiness haha. *Grins like a dork.* Let's get back to the story! You're all lovely readers!
Phoebe spoke after a couple of minutes of silence between the two. "Wow, that's amazing, but what was that arch thing that you found in that bunker with the Soul Sword?" Finn's face turned to a confused look as he thought about her question, did he even investigate the arch? He was pretty sure he did, but he couldn't bring the full memory to mind. "Hmm, I forgot what is was and how it worked, but if I'm correct it was made to seal the power of the Soul Sword and to prevent any accidents from occurring. I read the logs on the computer's hard drive when I brought it back to BMO, the files that weren't corrupted said the sword was discovered during the Mushroom War. Nothing could pry it from its pedestal, the person that tried to remove it first was destroyed, every atom in their body being destroyed within seconds, turning them to dust." Finn said as he stood up holding the sword in his hand tightly, leaving Phoebe to have a scared look on her face as she gazed at the sword. Finn noticed this quickly and chuckled before easing Phoebe. "Soul Sword won't do that now, it told me when I was worried about that myself. It told me that it would only drain the energy from anyone unworthy, causing them to lose strength and release Soul Sword." Finn saw a look of relief cross Phoebe's face, causing him to smile.
Finn walked past Phoebe as he gazed out into the grasslands, letting the cool breeze blow through his golden blonde hair, his posture exuding a sense of maturity as he stared off at the sun. Phoebe stood up from the burnt grass below her and she poked Finn's cheek again when he began to daydream, causing him to wince again, which just made her giggle when he glared at her. "Well I came here for a reason Finn. So listen up." Finn's expression eased and he listened to her patiently. "I almost killed you and the others, and I'm unsure if we are prepared for this coming threat, so I want to duel and train with you, we need to become stronger and more skilled if these Element Creators are as powerful as Francis says." Finn nodded in agreement at what Phoebe said as he began to walk away from the house towards the planes of the grasslands. "Come on then Phoebe, I don't want my house to burn down." She gave Finn a disappointed pout before he began to run off, Phoebe quickly running to catch up.
The two were standing at a flat plateau of a grass and flower covered hill, a good distance from the treehouse. Finn was holding his sword in guarding stance, both of his hands on the grip. Phoebe was standing across from Finn holding her rapier out in a stance as they prepared to duel. "So any rules Phoebe?" Finn asked as he tightened his grip on Soul Sword. Phoebe replied as she smirked. "The only rule is no killing each other, first to make their opponent admit defeat wins." Phoebe said before she created a fire ball in the palm of her right hand. Finn burst into a sprint, running at Phoebe with an intimidating battle cry. She chuckled before she threw a fire ball at Finn's feet, making him stop and jump back as a wall of fire shot up from the fireball. He let out a frustrated sound before Phoebe suddenly jumped through the blaze, jabbing at Finn with her rapier.
Finn was forced to guard against this sudden attack, shifting his blade so the rapier only hit the fuller of Finn's sword. Finn tried to take the advantage by sweeping Phoebe's legs, but she noticed in time to jump over Finn's leg before she threw a punch into his face, causing a hot sting to cross Finn's cheek with the pain of the punch. "Ouch, that hurt." Finn said before he slammed Soul Sword into the ground, sending Phoebe flying into the air uncontrollably as the ground blasted up. Finn thought he had the advantage as he prepared to jump high into the air, his hopes were shattered when Phoebe began to grow into her giant form. She blasted a torrent of fire towards Finn who began to run away, sweating and panting from the anxiety and heat. "Oh Glob, oh Glob, oh Glob!" Finn screamed inside his head before he slammed his Soul Sword into the ground in front of him, sending a large chunk of earth and grass up to point diagonally into the air, Finn quickly dove behind the large chunk, using it as a shield as the flames blasted around his cover and past him.
Finn let out a relieved sigh as sweat dripped down his face. A light bulb went off into Finn's mind as a smirk cross his face well Phoebe screamed intimidatingly. "Come out you chicken!"
Finn didn't waste a second as he stabbed Soul Sword hard into the rock cover, sending out a shockwave that destroyed the cover and launched shrapnel towards Phoebe who quickly dodged by shrinking, only to feel a massive gust of wind that caused her flames to grow low as the blade of the Soul Sword was against her neck. She blinked before she noticed the chains of the Soul Sword had extended again and wrapped around Finn's arm all the way to his muscular elbow. Phoebe finally realized what had happened as she linked all the events together. "Finn's physical capabilities are increased like Finn Sword used to do when Soul Sword is combined with his soul. He becomes stronger the further the fusion gets." Phoebe thought in amazement at the power Finn was capable of, she let her guard down when the shrapnel came her way, giving Finn enough time to move in for a finishing blow.
Finn was grinning as he lowered Soul Sword, the chains unwinding and shrinking down to its original size before Finn sheathed it. "I win! So we are going to be training together from now on, but I won't be able to handle duels like that all the time you know, my body won't keep up with the threat of severe burns. So let's instead just go on dungeon crawls when it comes time to practice our skills." Phoebe nodded in agreement as she let out an anxious giggle from the thought of burning Finn. She would have several angry people on her case if that happened and that frightened her.
Finn then held out his right hand, opening his palm as towards the destroyed terrain. The sight that Phoebe saw caused her to gasp in awe as her eyes shined like twinkling stars. The grass around the area they fought was re-growing and replacing the burnt and dead grass well also flattening the earth and stones back into the ground. It was as if the world was on rewind as the area was restored to its natural form. "W-What the flip was that Finn!?" Phoebe exclaimed with a startled expression as she walked over to Finn, who had a plain smile across his face. "Well I have learned how to control Grass Sword more, and I discovered I can do a lot with my arm like just now, but beyond minor control over grass, Grass Sword won't listen to my commands." Finn explained as he formed the Grass Sword into his right hand, the blade of grass sliding out from his arm and into his hand. Finn then sent it away, causing it to disappear back into his arm, this sent shivers down Phoebe's back.
Finn noticed and only chuckled before he began to walk back to the tree house. "Well I'm gonna go get ready to head out to Marceline's house. Let me know if you need anything Phoebe, and see you next time." Finn then turned away from her leaving her to stare in wonder at Finn. "I guess you have moved on huh Finn? I guess you have grown up for real this time." Phoebe then smiled and turned her back to Finn, looking to the direction of her Kingdom. "Hey Finn! Have fun and good luck, I can tell she makes you really happy." She began to walk off as Finn turned around with a surprised look on his face, a blush crossing it as he heard her giggling as she walked away. "Is it that obvious!?" Finn exclaimed in embarrassment to himself.
When Finn got back to the tree house he sighed well going inside and closing the door behind him, he felt dumb for making his feelings so obvious, he was falling for Marceline. In the end Finn was scared, but knew he shouldn't hide his feelings. He let out a groan as he climbed upstairs and went to the weapon room. He looked around the room as all his old weapons and powerful tools. The broken Demon Blood Sword was in a weapon case near the ladder that lead out of the room, Finn took a deep breath as he looked around the room, letting his eyes rest on Finn Sword who was placed over the fireplace in the room. He went over to Finn Sword, but was more focused on the wrapped package next to the fireplace as he drew near. "Hey Finn, what's up?" Finn looked up to see his other self in the cracked sphere, pale, but looking much better than he did years ago. "Well besides the issue with Betty, almost getting killed by Phoebe, and having to worry about a loaming threat… I'm going to have a jam session with Marceline, and I'm going to give her the present I have been working on. So a lot of stress." Finn chuckled as he sat down on the wooden floor picking up the wrapped box, being careful not to rip the blue and red stripped wrapping paper. As he placed the box on his lap. "Yikes, well sorry to hear that pal. If you ever need me though, I am here, willing to help you out at any time, but I can tell Soul Sword is doing a good job watching you back. Good luck with Marceline though." Finn Sword burst into laughter as Finn blushed. "Does everyone know!?" Finn screamed in misery before sighing, the red flush fading from his face. "To be honest I really want this to work out you know? We have a lot in common after all, she is a radical dame, and to her I'm probably just a joke…" Finn grew silent before chuckling, which left Finn Sword confused before Finn spoke again. "I'm dumb, Marceline would agree with that. I can't let this junk get to me, I should just enjoy Marceline's company and have fun. I will be honest and tell her my feelings." Finn then shared a cheerful smile with Finn Sword before saying goodbye and putting a notebook on the desk into his pack and carrying the gift out of the room with him as he left the tree house with a lifted spirit and smile on his face. Finn Sword was left in the weapon room, closing his eyes and sighing with a smile. "I'm ok with this, I know you won't blow it. Your Finn Mertens." Finn Sword then went back into a deep sleep, the Finn in the blue sphere fading like a ghost as the house grew silent.
Finn was passing the Candy Kingdom as the sun was setting, looking in awe at the last rays of light that pierced through the pink cotton candy trees. He looked off towards the Candy Kingdom, noticing smoke coming from Princess Bubblegum's lab. He chuckled when he thought he heard a frustrated scream from that direction. "I guess she is busy as usual, that brainiac" Finn smiled as he walked on, letting the cool breeze blast against his face as he hummed, passing the Candy Kingdom and entering a regular forest as he walked along the bank of a river. He tossed rocks and skipped them on the water as he walked, passing some of the boredom as he took in the environment of Ooo, the remnants of the Mushroom War left everywhere as if it was natural, which it was to the hero of Ooo.
Finn finally reached Marceline's cave as the sun finally faded over the horizon welcoming darkness. He let out a sigh of relief when he entered the cave, stepping over rocks that would trip him as he made his way onto Marceline's porch. He was about to knock when the door suddenly opened. Marceline was standing in the doorway wearing her grey tank top and blue sweat pants, Finn remembered that those were her pajamas, he noticed some of her hair was wet. "Hey Finn, your just in time for Jamming, I just got out of the shower." Marceline spoke with a happy tone as she floated back into the house, gesturing for Finn to step inside, which he did with a chuckle. "So what do you want to practice tonight Marcy? I got this new song I want to try, but I want to hear you sing first, your singing is so beautiful!" Finn exclaimed honestly with excitement, but he didn't notice Marceline blushing behind him. He sat on Marceline's red couch before he groaned in annoyance as he forgot how uncomfortable the couch was. "How could I forget how this horrible it is to sit there!?" Finn rolled onto the floor and groaned, leaving the present on the couch. Marceline raised an eyebrow at this and floated over silently, taking the wrapped box in her hands and floating back before Finn could protest. "Is this that gift Jake was talking about?" Marceline asked with a teasing tone as she pealed at the wrapping, before shredding it away suddenly and opening the box.
What she saw caused her to drop it in surprise, tears filling her eyes as she floated down and knelt next to the box. "Is this what I think it is?" Marceline asked, her voice shaking as she removed a red stitched doll that resembled her old doll and dear friend Hambo. "Well it's not Hambo, but I saw how upset it made you to part with it, since it was with you for the longest time and one of your best friends. So I wanted to get you a new one, I had to slay an army of plush demon's but it was slightly torn up, so I decided to patch it up. Sorry if the blue bothers you, it's all I had honestly." Finn laughed anxiously with a smile as Marceline gazed at her present. Patches on its arms and left leg being sown on with square blue patches. Marceline let the tears fall down her face before she tackled Finn into a hug, surprising him and knocking back to the floor as he felt Marceline press against him. He naturally blushed, but eased into the hug with a smile before Marceline let go and looked into his blue eyes with her own green eyes. "Thank you Finn, this means a lot. It's not Hambo, but it's something you got me, so it's special." Marceline thanked Finn with a warm expression that made Finn's heart skip a beat. "W-We should get to the Jam session soon shouldn't we?" Finn asked as he tried to avoid an awkward moment of silence. Marceline just giggle and floated upstairs for a few minutes before coming back down with her ax bass and smiling towards Finn who took out a tape recorder and microphone plugged into it.
Another hour passed as the two played music and sang together on the couch, Marceline singing several songs that Finn remembered easily, and even some he never heard of anywhere. "This has been a fun night, but I want to sing a song this time instead of making beats, would you mind supplying me a slow jam Marcy?" Marceline replied by closing her eyes and strumming the strings on her ax bass in a slow jam similar to when Finn sang his song to open the door when the Door Lord stole things from him, Bubblegum, Jake, and a little kid. Finn took out the notebook from his bag and began to read the line he wrote for his song.
(Criticism Time! This is a song I just made for this fanfic, so criticize me for how bad the song is. My body is ready. Hahaha!)
Finn took a deep breath before he began to sing his song, Marceline joining in shortly after the first line.
"I am just a joke, a knight, and a brother… But with you, I feel like so much more."
"I am only human, in and out, I am just a man… but with you, I feel like so much more"
"I want to be there, to make things right, to bring the light… But I want to be there for you the most."
"You make me feel more alive, with every little smile. I want to be your hero, you're the only one for me."
"I don't want to see anyone else… I only want to see you, I feel like so much more. Only with you."
"Your beautiful eyes, those pretty green jewels. Your personality, a radiant sun in my abyss of darkness."
"To me, you're everything. To me, you're my light. To me, you're the one that I love most. To me…"
You are everything and so much more, but I want you to feel the same, because… I love you."
Finn grew silent as he drew off from the song. He only realized a few seconds after ending that he and Marceline had been staring into each other's eyes for half of the song. He blushed when he gazed at her longer, causing her to blush in return. Finn felt as if his heart was going to explode as Marceline drew closer to him. "Finn was that song about…" Finn gulped and cut Marceline off with a shy confession. "Marceline that song I-I… I wrote it about you, I have been falling for you for a while now, and I just can't get you out of my head. I love yo-" Finn was cut off mid-sentence by Marceline pressing her soft lips against Finn's her eyes closed. Finn at first freaked out, but his body turned to jelly as a warm sensation filled his being. He returned Marceline's kiss, wrapping his arms gently around her waist. The two shared the kiss for what seemed to be eternity to them, but Marceline broke the kiss with a smile on her face as she spoke. "I love you too Finn." Marceline cuddled into Finn's chest on the uncomfortable red couch, relief filling their beings as they finally both confessed their true feelings for each other. Finn felt so happy, smiling from ear to ear as he held Marceline close to him. He had finally confessed his feelings to the woman he loved, not even the horrible couch he laid on could ruin his mood.
End Note: Well there is chapter 10 ladies and gents. I suck at music so sorry for disappointing you lovely musicians that read. I at least hope you enjoyed the moment a lot of you have been waiting for. You're all lovely readers!