BladeGuy9: I know, shortness! How'd you know it was Ash? XD I probably should have kept up some suspense, but I just couldn't resist!

Kosmic: I know...rushed sucks :(

InK-on-her-fingers: Doesn't everybody? :3

Baconator: Haha yup!

Ashagon: I'm glad they're back together, too!

Marceline of the Nightosphere: Yes, yes it is. And aw, thanks! :D

radicaldizzytacoz: You put your money in the right spot!

He23t: O.O Little violent...but I totally agree XD

paul allen: Aw, thanks! :D

Shadown478: I just ran out of ways to prove that Finnceline trumps all, since Marcie's only been in a few episodes. Yes, yes you won the debate...but I will NEVER say that Fubblegum is better than Finnceline! NEVER! XD

Furrylover-to-da-max: I don't have much time D: (I wanna update NOW!) so thanks for your WONDERFUL review! Seriously. Your reviews always make me happier.

Neverthrive: It was paced okay? Phew! That's a relief (Ash quote unintentional). And yes. Yes Ash is going to get smooshed up. That is inevitable.

Disclaimer: You can guess.

Chapter 11: Subconscious

"Ash you stinkin' loser, what the plop are you doing here?" Marceline shouted angrily, rolling off of Finn, out from under the table, and to her feet. The human scrambled after her, one arm going around her waist in a rather possessive manner.

"I told you; I'm here to claim what is rightfully mine."

"Which is what? The crown of loserdom?" everyone laughed.

"No. Argh!" he ripped off his mask so his extremely ugly face could be seen. "You!"

"No way!" Finn cried, stepping in front of his girlfriend. "She doesn't belong to anyone, Ash—least of all you!"

"Oh I beg to differ," he cackled maniacally.

"Really?" Finn frowned. "'Cause I think everyone here will agree with me," most of the people at the masquerade nodded.

"Well then. I guess I'll just take her!" Ash put his mask on again and threw magic powder into the air. Everyone coughed, and Finn suddenly felt very sleepy...

Ash was there, grabbing Marceline's arm as she struggled weakly...

Finn tried to punch him, but he was too slow...

Then all went black.

Finn was lying on the couch of Marceline's house, groaning. His head hurt, but the pain faded swiftly. He stood.

"Marceline?" he called cautiously. Why was he here? What was going on? "Marcie?"

"Hello Finn," her voice said softly from behind him. He turned to see her wearing a beautiful white wedding dress with a corset top and a slim-fitting skirt that flowed easily to her ankles. She was wearing her red boots, and the top of the corset was outlined in small rubies. She had a crimson sash about her waist, with a black bat in the front. The entire thing was silk. He looked back up at her face to find her smiling gently, her eyes soft as clouds.

"This isn't real, is it?" he asked immediately. "The Marceline I know would never wear that."

"Correct. I'm here to warn you about the future," she replied. "I am Marceline's subconscious self. I know her innermost longings, her deepest desires. I represent them," Finn felt his stomach flip excitedly.

"Does this mean that Marceline secretly wants to marry me?" he asked hopefully. She broke into a grin that told everything. "What does her subconscious think about Ash?"

"Only that he's a huge jerkface, butthole, moron, et cetera."

"And what does she think about me?"

"You figure it out."

"Would you tell me if I kissed you?"

"Maybe," the subconscious smirked. Finn kissed her gently; she was a part of Marceline, so he didn't feel bad at all.

"Now will you tell me?"

"I said maybe, not yes," was her reply. He kissed her harder, pulling her into him. When he finally pulled away, she looked dazed.

"I see now," she shook her head. "Marceline thinks that she may one day fall in love with you. She forces her girlish fantasies of marriage away, but retains that one hope. She hopes to trust you completely, and to have you in every way. She wants to claim you as her own in all forms of the words. She wishes she had never known Ash so she could be pure for you, so she could have trust again. She wishes to one day marry you, to possibly bear your children. She believes that you will be the only man she will ever truly love. And yes, she believes you are a man. She thinks that you are the most kind, caring, passionate, brave, handsome man she has seen in her thousand years, and she doesn't think she'll ever find anyone equal to you. She longs for you to be immortal so you can be with her forever, but she cares for you too much to risk destroying your life by turning you into a vampire. The only other option she can see is to die with you, because she doesn't think undead life is worth 'living' after you leave her," the subconscious said. Finn blinked in shock.

"She really does care," he said in wonder.

"You doubted?"

"Not for a moment, but I doubted the depth when she refused to turn me."

"Never doubt how much Marceline cares for you," the subconscious said quietly. "Your fight nearly destroyed her; she was planning on burning herself to death in the sun that day."

"What!"

"Be careful with her, Finn; she is resilient, but she has been broken far too many times."

"I would choose my death over her injury any day," Finn insisted eagerly.

"Please don't. Your death is simply another way to break her," the subconscious sighed. "I know you care for Marceline, but please...be careful."

"I will," he promised.

"Good," the subconscious beamed. "Now how about I show you a glimpse into the possible future? Don't worry; you'll enjoy this one."

"Okay..." Finn said hesitantly. She kissed his forehead and rippled into nothing, leaving him floating in a blank black world. Slowly, shapes began to emerge, and Finn recognized the bedroom of the treehouse. He and Marceline were lying in bed together, their foreheads each pressed against the other's. Finn watched himself, standing silently at the foot of the bed as the future him blinked awake and gently kissed Marceline. Instead of fighting or protesting, she melted right into him, not even opening her eyes.

"Morning," future Finn finally said.

"Morning," replied Marceline.

"How's the little one?" she got an irritated look about her.

"Finn, it's only been a couple months. How should I know?"

"Well I just thought—"

"How 'bout you let me do the thinking, 'kay?" future Finn laughed and sat up, as did Marceline. Finn realized that future him was shirtless and Marceline was wearing one of his shirts, an oversized one. When she slid her legs out of bed, he realized that this was all she was wearing. Embarrassed at the peek he had unintentionally taken, Finn ducked him head away, watching the future him instead. His focus was drawn to a gleam on the hand of his future self.

A wedding ring.

Finn blinked in shock, as the future him didn't appear to be any older than twenty—probably younger. As he turned his head back to Marceline, she began to pull the shirt over her head and he blushed, closing his eyes and counting to twenty-five. When he opened them, she was wearing jeans, red boots, and a black bra. But Finn's gaze was drawn to her exposed stomach, especially as she turned so her side faced him.

It was slightly round.

Either Marceline had really been chowing down on red or...

Could she be...?

Future Finn, fully dressed but in jeans instead of shorts, waked over and laid a hand on Marceline's bare stomach. They both laughed, and Marceline tenderly kissed the man who was apparently her husband.

"I'm so happy for us," future Finn said softly.

"Yeah. Good thing we killed Ash when we had the chance; otherwise he'd probably be interfering now," future Finn's eyes slid to where Finn was, and the boy knew what was happening; future him was trying to tell him how to make this future work out.

"Why bring that up?" Marceline asked softly. "You know I regret that."

"I know, Marcie," future Finn drew her into his chest, still watching where his younger self stood. "I know."

"But," the subconscious was standing beside Finn, "that is the only bright future for you. The other ones are all dark, and even this one has an ending full of tragedy."

"Tell me how to achieve this!" Finn cried, knowing that there was something deeper than what future him had said. The subconscious smiled gently.

"That is something I cannot do. Farewell, Finn. May you choose the bright path," she kissed his forehead and faded into memory.

When Finn awoke, he snapped to and leapt up, his memory returning in an instant.

"Marceline!"

"She's gone, man," Jake was rubbing his eyes wearily. "That fat butt took her."

"We gotta find them!" Fin grabbed his brother's face as the dog yawned. "JAKE!" he shouted in his ear.

"AH! I'm awake!" Jake cried, his eyes wide open as he began to stretch into a huge dog. Finn scrambled onto his back.

"Sniff 'em out, pal!" Jake began to run. "Faster!" Finn urged. Jake sped up, and Finn leaned forward as though this would help. They finally ended up...at a donut shop? "JAKE!"

"What? I need fuel!"

After numerous distractions and detours that ended up taking about four days, they ended up by a very familiar forest...

"Oh cram! He's takin' her to the Prince of Games! Jake, wait here," Finn leapt off of his brother, somehow survived the fall, and sprinted into the Forest of Helplessness. There were no monsters to face anymore, but the road was totally overgrown. Finn was worried about getting lost at first, but a scream cut short made him lose all concern for his own safety. He hurtled forward and climbed a tree for a vantage point. Squinting, he could barely make out two specks. Filled with fury, he slid down and charged in that general direction.