Hey guys! Whew, what's it been? A week? But I'm back! With my least favorite chapter! Yeah! :( I had to make Marceline a little OOC, but...well, think about what the thing's reminding her of. And what the heck, aren't we all a little OOC sometimes? Just makes life that much more interesting, right?

Anyhow, have I got a story to tell! You don't have to sit through this XD I just feel like telling you about me being "accused "of terrorism'n such. It'll be in Italics, so you know how far to skip. 'Cause I'm nice that way :)

I woke up at 3:00 AM the day I were going to catch my flight, but I was SUPPOSED to wake up at 4:30 and I couldn't go back to sleep. Then, 6:00 AM at the airport, something in my pockets sets off some alarm. Great. So this lady pats me down and runs some test on my hands, looking for explosives or whatevs. That's part one; how I was "accused" of terrorism. What a tale! XD

Here's part two: the creepy part. I switch planes and land in Hartford, rent a car, and start on our way to Monson. Well then my uncle texts my mom that he's in the ER with my gramma. She was fine, don't worry, but it was pretty scary...'specially 'cause I'd been feeling like sumthin' bad was gonna happen since I got on that first plane. Crazy, right?

Then I had a pleasant stay...until my airplane fiasco. You see, everything had need going smoothly until it was time for the home stretch; my flight got freakin' CANCELLED! So there I was, rounding hour four of texting one of my friends (about roasted human faces=cannibal potato chips, stabbing as unicorns, upcoming school, etc.) and questing for a damn outlet (AIRPORTS SUCK!). Then I FINALLY manage to steal an outlet from an old man and sit on the floor, texting away! Yup. Back to my travels. So I caught the last seat on one going to a city somewhat close to my home, and it turned out the overbooked! Luckily, I still got to get on the flippin' plane. And it was night, and it was storming, and...yeah. Even more luckily, my baggage transferred over with my flight! Woohoo! Some family picked me up at the airport, and I got home at 2 AM.

Oh yeah and my betta fish that I totally led unattended for like a whole week? He's fine. :)

Then I had the concert. See, the friend I originally invited had to bail 'cause she didn't want to ask her dad (apparently he's scary or sumthin' like that) for permission, and my second choice didn't friggin' text me back! So here I am, morning of concert, scrambling to find someone to fill this (rather expensive) empty space. Then, as I'm getting ready to leave, my friend calls me (when I didn't have my Bluetooth in...go figure...audio on my phone SUCKS) and says "I can go!" so I pick her up and we go on our merry way to the, ahem, SOLD OUT Train/Andy Grammer concert. Which rocked...except they didn't play Parachute.

So that was it, and when I got back, I checked my email, went O.O, and nearly fainted. You see, I hadn't checked it since posting that last chapter as I have been out of wifi. So...yeah. You guys rock! :D

Nick the vampirekiller: Aw, thanks! The newness has returned!

BladeGuy9: Thank you! I've always wanted to see Marceline helping Finn get over his fear of the ocean, but the show's writers refuse to scribble it out so...yeah. I honestly didn't see the end coming either!

Kosmic: I know! And why the hex would I tell you that? Hello, SPOILER! :p

Hejin57: I know! Thank you! :) I have plenty of personal experience with fears, believe me...I know better than to have a character get over something in a heartbeat. And why would he ask...? Hm...maybe a certain J-word comes to his unconscious mind... ;)

Furrylover-to-da-max: Oh my gosh! Is your laptop okay? XD I'm glad you were so happy! And I can't even see how people forget about Finn's fear...there was a whole episode on it! Even I know that! I try to get the pacing right, but it's tricky. I'm glad you liked it :)

DH88: Nah...if it was on TV, I'd have laughed too XD

Shadown478: Hm...how about...dogs vs cats? If you're a cat person, then we have ourselves a debate.

The Forgotten Hero: I was wondering if anyone would catch that! I guess she just found something that would work, maybe there was a shipwreck with nails in it farther up the beach or whatever. The boat is a plump little rowboat, with one bench. It was custom-made for one person, a detail that will come into play guess when? In the sequel! As for the parts where you couldn't tell if he was in/out of the boat, believe me, I have shaken people in the water before. You kick your feet to stay afloat, grab their shoulders to help keep yourself up, and shake. It's quite fun actually. And yes, that question comes back into the game...yah you know which three words come next...in the sequel :p I'm such a predictable person sometimes. So...yeah.

He23t: That means a lot :3

Voice of Hunger: Thanks! :D

Zanegar: Why no. No I did not know that...XD

Neverthrive: I wonder that, too. And yes, Ash does kill every mood, but it's a warning shot...

Shadowpool95: Aw, thanks!

ErroR: :D

STFUXDDDD: Thanks :3

Otakugirl 13: Yay you checked out the comic! :D I honestly think it's the coolest thing since the Internet was invented. Thank you! Wish I could chat longer, but I'm a little anxious to get this chapter out :)

Disclaimer: Doesn't the word "Disclaimer" imply that I'm disclaiming? Also, I totally own the Monster of Injustice. All mine.


Chapter 11: The Past


Finn and Marceline had been rowing in turns, one sleeping and the other propelling the boat. She took days and he nights, keeping each of them each off their proper sleep schedules, as vampires were naturally nocturnal people. Marceline had, however, admitted that she had become rather accustomed to sleeping in the dark (and accidentally that she had always longed to sleep under the stars, but had never been able to), so Finn had insisted that he take the nights and let her sleep.

It was on the fifth night that Finn became alarmed.

He was toiling at the oars, watching the water (and admittedly giving the snoozing vampire a quick glance every once in a while, admiring her serene face—her hat was beside her, where she left it until he woke her when he saw the first rays of sunlight) when he saw it. Again. That row of mottled purple fins that briefly rose above the water before curving back down in a graceful arc. This was the tenth time during his turn that he had glanced back and spotted them. The human laid the oars to rest, reached down, and shook Marceline's shoulder gently.

"Pst, Marceline!" he hissed.

"Finn?" she mumbled, opening her eyes. "What...?"

"Sh," he put a finger to her lips. "I think something's following us," Marceline sat up and shoved his hand away from her face.

"Why?" was her question. He hauled her up so she was sitting in the bottom of the boat, peering over the edge.

"That," he pointed at the fins as they vanished. Marceline was awake immediately.

"How much you wanna bet this is the big tough guy of the ocean?" Finn cringed at the reminder that they were in the middle of the ocean and opened his mouth to agree, but at that moment, a huge mottled purple head reared up. It was a wolf face with a lion mane, a serpent body, and plated dragon scales. Its huge frog legs churned the water briefly until it floated there, its huge head before them. When its mouth hung open, Finn smelled fish on its breath. Water dripped into the boat, and it took all of the hero's willpower to stay steady instead of screaming like a baby.

Greetings, Finn and Marceline, a strange voice growled in Finn's mind; thoughts that weren't his. I am the Monster of Injustice. And I am here to show you the wrongs you have caused, Marceline grabbed Finn's hand and squeezed it tightly before everything swirled black.


Finn opened his eyes with a groan to see the inside of a house.

"Where are we?" he wondered aloud. Marceline beside him sat up and became stiff.

"No," she whispered.

Yes, growled the voice of the Monster.

"Where are we?" Finn repeated.

This is Marceline's first wrongdoing; the first one I have chosen to present to her. And to you...human.

"FOOLISH GIRL!" Hunson Abadeer stood in the doorway. The Marceline beside Finn cowered, as did the very young Marceline curled up on the couch. "HOW COULD YOU? YOU'VE KILLED YOUR OWN MOTHER!" he was uncharacteristically angry, but seemed to calm his wrathful fury as tears streaked the faces of both Marcelines. Finn turned to the one he knew.

"...Marceline?" he asked confusedly.

"...I..."

You can't remember? Let's show him.

"No!" she cried, but it was too late.

Now they were outside the house. Young Marceline was playing with Hambo on the grass when a dreadful snarling began in the woods. Young Marceline screamed, and a woman with tanned skin, dark brown hair, and beautiful green eyes burst from the house.

"Marceline! Get inside!" young Marceline didn't need to be told twice; she charged in and, in her panic, she let the door close behind her. A lock automatically clicked. The woman screamed as something shadowy lunged, and Finn had to turn from the gruesome scene. Marceline—the Marceline with him—was staring rigidly ahead, her hands balled into fists and tears streaming down her face.

Let us continue, the scene changed, and Finn found himself staring at a small island, steadily approaching. He closed his eyes and, when they opened, he was in a bedroom.

"Where are we now?"

"In the Human Kingdom. Don't look for your ancestors, Finn...they're coming to you."

"Huh?" but Marceline didn't speak again. It had barely been five seconds before the door burst open. The Marceline from the past (this one looking exactly like the Marceline beside Finn) was shoved inside, and she staggered in the air. A man entered after her and slammed the door. He greatly resembled Finn, except with stronger, more adult features and brown hair. The man grabbed the wrist of Past Marceline, and she pulled away. He struck her across the face.

"Hold still, girl!" and Finn could smell the alcohol on his breath. The man pinned Past Marceline to the bed.

"Why didn't you just turn into a demon or something?" Finn asked.

"I wasn't strong enough," she answered softly. "I hadn't eaten in weeks…" Finn watched as the man roughly kissed Past Marceline, ignoring her struggles. The hero felt rage ignite him as the man began to caress her face and stroke her sides; even if it was only a vision, Finn felt a desperate need to protect his friend from this...monster.

"Stay there," the man snarled, stepping back. Past Marceline looked relieved—that is, until the man stripped off his shirt. She tried to scream, but he pushed his hand over her mouth.

"You should have bitten him."

"Finn...I'm a vampire. I didn't want to bite him because I could have killed him."

"He deserved it," Finn replied coldly, stiffening as the man pulled back and began tearing at Past Marceline's clothes. They tore beneath his fingers, but thankfully remained somewhat intact to still cover her body in a decent manner. Only when the man had kissed her again did he pick her up, throw her higher onto the bed, and climb on top of her. She pushed him off, and they began to scuffle.

Past Marceline ended it by sinking her fangs into his throat.

Her eyes widened in ecstasy and she drank deeply, allowing her eyelids to flutter closed. Finn averted his own eyes as the man began to grow pallid and shrivel up.

He remembered what Marceline had said, about the only human she had ever eaten, and was ashamed to have the blood of this beast in his veins.

When he dared to look again, the scene had changed to the Candy Kingdom. Marceline's face was hidden in her hands as she cried. Finn turned away from the scene before he could see into her tortured past again. He glared up at the sky.

"That's it! Monster of Injustice, stop torturing Marceline!"

Dear boy, you may think you're pure, but there is one unjust act for which you can never be forgiven...

The scene switched to a cave on a mountainside. A baby with a white bear hat was crawling away, crying and leaving his blue baby blanket behind. A dark figure cloaked in shadows approached the cave and picked up the baby blanket, but baby Finn was long gone.

You lived.

"NO!" Finn drew his sword. "I'm not listening to your lies any longer, and neither is Marceline!"

Very well...but know that the sins of the past always return...and ignorance is not always bliss, as the voice faded, Finn found himself sitting in the boat again, his sword not in his hands. It was like everything had been a dream…but Marceline was lying on the floor, her hands pressed to her face as she sobbed. Finn pulled her onto the bench and let her lean against him, wrapping his arm around her waist. She flinched, and that just about broke his heart.

"Marcie...are you gonna be okay?" he asked softly. She just cried harder, and Finn put his other arm around her, turning so she was crying into his chest. He gently pulled her against him, hoping to comfort the vampire with his warmth. It seemed to work, because she stopped crying and pulled away after a few minutes. He resisted the urge to help her rub the tears from her cheeks, wincing at the viciousness with which she erased the evidence of her moment of weakness.

"I'll bet you probably think I've gone all soft'n stuff now...if you don't hate me..."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again; I could never hate you," he said firmly. "And I would never think you'd gone soft," he was about to joke that she'd kill him, but decided against it. The vampire managed a shaky smile.

"Thanks, Finn. That means a lot, to hear you say that," she blushed a little.

"Why don't you get some more sleep?" Finn suggested. "I'm not tired," Marceline nodded and slid down onto the floor of the boat. Before her eyes closed, she looked up at him.

"Hey Finn?"

"Yeah?"

"I know I'm not okay, but what about you?"

"I'm fine," he grinned to reassure her.

But as he rowed, only two words pounded in his head, setting the beat of his oars.

You lived.