Finn and Jake arrived a couple of days later. They arrived at the palace gates where they were met by two banana guards.

"State your names and business here," said one of them, holding up his spear.

"Finn and Jake," said Finn, gesturing to himself and Jake in turn, "We're here to see the Princess."

"Is she expecting you?" asked the banana guard.

"Yes," replied Finn, "We received a message yesterday by messengerbird."

"Very well, you may enter," said the banana guard, lowering his spear. He escorted them to the palace doors where they were met by Peppermint Butler. Princess Bubblegum had since explained their situation to him and he had agreed to help them.

"Finn, Jake, the Princess is waiting for you both in the conference room," he said. He didn't mention Marceline as they were still in earshot of the banana guard.

"Hey Jake," said Finn as they walked behind the peppermint candy.

"Yeah?" replied Jake.

"Have you noticed something?" asked Finn, "Everyone seems so...I don't know, efficient today. Almost robotic, it's a little spooky, isn't it?"

"People get like this during wars," explained Jake, "They've all got a lot on their minds. It was the same for dad when he was fighting in the Rainicorn-dog wars. All the other soldiers in the trenches were exactly the same. They only had one thing on their minds and that was staying alive." Finn looked pensive for a moment. It wasn't very often that Jake spoke seriously so when he did he always knew something was deeply wrong. Still being young, he had grown up with a rather romanticised idea of war but the more he looked around him, the more he saw it for what it really was, a time of hardship and strife.

They reached the conference room and opened the door, stepping inside. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline were waiting for them up on the dais.

"Princess, what's happened?" asked Finn, "We got your note. You said it was urgent."

"And indeed it is," replied Princess Bubblegum, "You'd better take a seat. It's a rather long story." She had decided it was time to tell the two boys everything that had gone on, starting with the kiss.

"So Marcy has been visiting me every night," concluded Princess Bubblegum, "But a couple of nights ago she got here while I was sleeping and waited with me until morning. She tried to leave but the Resistance spotted her and tried to kill her."

"And you need us to help you get Marcy out of the castle?" asked Jake.

"You and Marcy are going out?" asked Finn.

"Focus dude," said Jake, clicking his fingers in front of Finn's face, trying to snap him out of his daze.

"Yes, in response to both your questions," replied Princess Bubblegum, "We've tried disguises but Marceline's...too recognisable."

"These stick out like a sore thumb," added Marceline, indicating her fangs.

"So that's why we need your help," continued Princess Bubblegum.

"Couldn't you just fly out of here?" asked Jake. Marceline shook her head.

"Haven't you noticed the distinct lack of birds out there?" she asked, "They're shooting anything that flies with the exception of Bonnie's messengerbirds."

"Are there any other entrances to the kingdom?" asked Finn.

"There's the Northern, Eastern and Western entrances but they're every bit as heavily guarded as the main entrance," explained Princess Bubblegum. Finn thought for a moment.

"Those are all above ground," he said, thinking aloud, "But what about underground?"

"Hmm...only the sewers," replied Princess Bubblegum, "And the old disused subway. But that's been opened up and is being used to send out the sentries and keep them fed whilst on duty."

"Looks like it's the sewers then," said Jake, "How far outside the palace do they go?"

"They only reach just beyond the palace walls," replied Princess Bubblegum.

"But from what I can see, it's our only option," reasoned Jake, "Where's the entrance?"

"There's an entrance in the courtyard outside the kitchen area," replied Princess Bubblegum, "Wait a minute, I've got it. The kitchen staff, René, Edith, Mimi and Yvette. They already know about Marceline. We could get them to keep a look out."

"And Eclair," said Finn suddenly.

"What? That wacky old coot who lives outside the kingdom walls?" asked Jake in disbelief, "Where does he fit into all this?"

"He doesn't live that far beyond the kingdom," explained Finn, "Don't you remember we did an errand for him not that long ago?"

"You mean when we got rid of that why wolf that was worrying his sheep?" replied Jake.

"Exactly, remember how he said that he owes us one?" Finn continued confidently, "Well, he can owe us now by letting Marceline use his house as first base. Then she can go on from there."

"Oh, I get it," said Jake, "Seems like we've got our plan sorted out." Princess Bubblegum looked at Marceline and smiled. She smiled back.

"When do we put this plan of yours into action?" asked Marceline.

"Tonight," replied Finn.

* * *

"So you want us to keep a look out?" asked René after they had explained their plan to him and rest of the kitchen staff.

"That's right," replied Princess Bubblegum, "And I shall need one of you to remain at the entrance to the sewer in case we get into any difficulties."

"I will do that," volunteered Mimi.

"Thank you, Mimi," said Princess Bubblegum.

Mimi followed them out into the courtyard. The entrance to the sewers was a circular drain covered by a grill. It took the efforts of Finn, Jake and Mimi to shift it over to one side. They peered down into the murky depths. They could hear the steady dripping of water from the stone ceilings and the sound of running water from further down the tunnel. Marceline floated down first followed by Finn, then Jake and lastly, Princess Bubblegum.

The air inside the sewer was cold and pungent and almost seemed to cling to them like a second skin.

"Is it any wonder this place was our last resort," said Jake, his paws covering his nose as he spoke.

"At least because of the smell none of the citizens will come down here," replied Princess Bubblegum, "That and the rumours of a sewer gator."

"Sewer gator?" said Jake nervously. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline laughed.

"Don't worry, they're just rumours," replied Princess Bubblegum, "Nothing bigger than a rat lives down here."

"I hope you're right," muttered Jake as they continued down the winding passage.

Finn held the burning torch above his head, squinting down the tunnel ahead of them.

"I think I can see light," he said, pointing down the tunnel.

They reached the end of the tunnel and found Finn to be right. The light he had seen was moonlight shining off the moat, reflected a few paces down the tunnel. The fresh air of the outside world greeted them and they breathed in deeply, gratefully. Princess Bubblegum looked at Marceline sadly. "I guess this is...goodbye," she said slowly.

"Not forever though Bonnie," replied Marceline, taking the Princess' hands in hers. She tugged Bonnibel into a comforting embrace. Princess Bubblegum rested her head on Marceline's shoulder, not wanting the embrace to end.

Marceline drew back and kissed Princess Bubblegum gently.

"We'd better get moving soon," said Finn solemnly, putting one hand on Marceline's shoulder, "It'll be daylight in a few hours." Marceline nodded.

"I'll see you soon, Bonnie," she said softly, "I promise." Marceline's hands slipped from the Princess' grasp and she floated towards the mouth of the sewer.

"I'll go back to the palace with the Princess," said Jake. He knew that right now the last thing she needed was to return to the palace alone. Finn nodded, understanding Jake's reasoning.

"Come on, Marce," he said, "Let's go." Marceline nodded and followed him, unusually quiet and subdued. She glanced back at Princess Bubblegum one last time before she disappeared from view.

"Come on Princess," said Jake, "We'd better get moving too." The princess said nothing. Her lower lip was trembling as she fought back the sobs that kept rising in her throat. Her shoulders shook from the effort of keeping them silenced.

"You will see her again soon," said Jake comfortingly, "I've got a feeling you will. And I haven't been wrong yet. Call it a dog's sixth sense." Princess Bubblegum smiled a little at this.

"That's more like it," continued Jake, "Tell ya what, how about I give you a lift back?"

"Thanks Jake," replied Princess Bubblegum, climbing up onto Jake's back. He began to head back along the tunnel towards the palace.

"Have the sentries spotted anything yet?" asked Jake, hoping to change the subject.

"Nothing yet," replied Princess Bubblegum. Her answer was short and half-hearted and Jake knew he would have to try harder if he wanted to keep her talking. Along the course of the journey he asked her about a great many things. Anything to keep the princess talking and her mind occupied.

At last they reached the courtyard entrance where Mimi was waiting for them.
"Did everything go according to plan?" she asked. Princess Bubblegum nodded.

"You'd better get Madame Edith to escort the Princess to her room," Jake told Mimi in an undertone, "She's missing Marceline terribly and right now I think the last thing she needs is to be alone. I'd stay but I've got to go back down and wait for Finn to come back."

"Ah, I understand," replied Mimi, "I'll send for Edith right away."

* * *

Marceline followed Finn, in the form of a lizard, across the grassland, away from the kingdom walls. The grass around her swayed, undulating in the gentle breeze. Already the deep navy sky was becoming tinted with pink on the horizons and the stars were beginning to fade.

"Are you alright, Marce?" asked Finn, "You've been really quiet."

"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Marceline.

"This war won't go on long, you know?" said Finn, trying to lighten the atmosphere, "The Candy People learned a lot quicker than I expected them too. I think we stand a real chance."

"That's good to hear," replied Marceline but Finn could still detect the note of sadness in her feigned cheerfulness.

"You're worried about PB, aren't you?" he asked. Marceline nodded, resuming her humanoid form as they crested the next hill.

"I know as their ruler she has to go into battle," she conceded, "But I wish she didn't."

"She'll be fine though," replied Finn, "She's a lot stronger than she looks."

"But it's vampires she's going up against, Finn, vampires," cried Marceline, "I've fought against them before and you saw what happened to me."

"But she's got those weapons on her side," replied Finn, "Elidyr finished them a little while back, "Crossbows and rifles that fire wooden stakes and small grenades that have holy water inside them that will be scattered far and wide when they detonate."

"That's something I suppose," muttered Marceline, "I'm still worried though."

"I know," said Finn, "So am I."

They reached Éclair's house and knocked on the wooden door. The door opened and they were met by an Éclair with a white moustache and spectacles.

"Oh, it's you Finn," he said, "No Jake with you today?"

"No, he's back at the Candy Kingdom," replied Finn.

"Aah, bad business there," sighed Éclair, shaking his head, "A very bad business." He jumped in fright when he caught sight of Marceline hovering near Finn.

"Gadzooks!" he cried, "It's one of them! Get inside! Quick, boy!"

"No, no, Éclair, it's alright," replied Finn, "Marceline's with me. She's on our side."

"Eh, what?" said Éclair, raising one eyebrow sceptically.

"It's true, sir," continued Finn, "She's been helping us prepare for the war. She's told us everything she knows about the oncoming invasion."

"Has she really now," said Éclair thoughtfully, stroking his moustache, "You'd better come in then, both of you, and you can tell me what brings you here."

"So, you need to hide out here until nightfall?" Éclair asked of Marceline when they had finished telling them their plan, "I don't see why not. Any friend of Finn and Jake's is a friend of mine."

"Thank you, Éclair," replied Marceline.

"I'm afraid I don't have anything for you to eat," he continued, "I don't usually make a point of keeping my larder stocked with...blood."

"Oh no, no, I don't drink blood," Marceline replied quickly, "I drink shades of red."

"Red, eh?" said Éclair, "Well, I'm sure I'll have something then."

"I'd better get going now," interjected Finn, "Jake will be waiting for me back at the Kingdom." He got up and made for the door.

"Finn, wait," said Marceline, hurrying over to him, "Can you take this back to Bonnie?" She was holding a small white hairclip shaped like a skull.

"That's your favourite hairclip, isn't it?" replied Finn. Marceline nodded.

"I want her to have it," she said, "When I left for the Dark Domain she gave me her jade necklace to protect me. Now I want to give her something to protect her." Finn nodded.

"I'll make sure she gets it," he replied, "You can count on me."

"Thank you, Finn," smiled Marceline, hugging Finn tightly. Finn smiled back, his ears turning pink beneath his white bear hat. He said goodbye before opening the door and stepping out onto the grasslands beyond.

* * *

Princess Bubblegum sat at one of the long tables in the palace kitchens. She was staring glumly into the flames that leapt in the confines of the large metal range. Edith was kneading dough ready for baking nearby and the other members of the kitchen staff were bustling to and fro, clearing away the cutlery from the dining room table and washing the dishes.

"It's not fair," Princess Bubblegum mumbled into her hands.

"What was that, Princess?" asked Edith, looking up from the dough.

"I said it's not fair," she repeated. She didn't need to explain further. Edith sighed and sat down next to her.

"I know," she replied, "This war is creating a whole range of problems. I know how you feel."

"Huh?" said Princess Bubblegum, looking over at Edith.

"René is going off to fight in the army," explained Edith, "He's in the West Candy Kingdom Battalion. I can only hope and pray that he will return home safe. Practically every woman in the Candy Kingdom is facing the same worry. You're not alone. I know how special Marceline is to you." Princess Bubblegum nodded.

"You're right," she replied, "I'm not the only one suffering here. It only seems like it. I just wish the resistance would believe me when I tell them Marceline can be trusted."

"They are a stubborn bunch," said Edith matter-of-factly, "Like most freedom fighters. Their hearts are in the right place though." Princess Bubblegum nodded again.

"Princess, we're back," called a voice from the far end of the room. Princess Bubblegum turned to see Finn and Jake walk in through the courtyard door. She hurried over to meet them.

"Did everything go according to plan?" she asked.

"Yes, Marceline's with Éclair now," replied Finn, "She's totally safe. She'll be making her way home soon." The princess breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing Marceline was safe from harm was something at least. "Princess, she asked me to give this to you," continued Finn, holding out the hairclip.

"Her favourite hairclip," said the Princess breathlessly as she picked up the hair clip and held it gently.

"She says she wants you to keep it with you to protect you," explained Finn, "Just as you gave her your jade necklace." Princess Bubblegum nodded, smiling tearfully as she put the hairclip in her hair.

"Thank you, both of you, for everything," she said.