Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time.
Warning: There is a tad more violence in this chapter. It's not too graphic but just be warned.
Pink. As far as the eye could see it was pink.
The feel of soft cotton candy sheets sliding under her equally pink arms felt so new and refreshing, as though her skin had not touched anything in centuries.
Marceline, who had been floating about heard the soft noise of motion and was immediately at the bedside.
"Bonni!" She exclaimed softly, as she did not wish to case anymore grief to the potentially ailing girl. The vampire could sense she was far from well as her usual sparkling eyes seemed drained.
The Princess forced a smile, "Hello." She said simply. What else was there to say at a time like this?
Before more could be said, her attention was called elsewhere as voices flooded into the room from outside the door.
"Chocoberry found you." Marceline explained, "And it seems as though Peppermint is less than pleased with him for leaving you."
Peppermint was indeed yelling at Chocoberry audibly from outside the door, to which the chocolate sounded more than apologetic in return.
The door handle turned to invite them both inside. Peppermint was not the least bit surprised to see the vampire queen present.
"Princess?!" The berry sweet was relieved to see his mistress awake and seemingly well. He rushed to her side.
Peppermint did not follow. Instead he exchanged a look with the vampire. Marceline was unsure as to why she was receiving such a glare. After all, she had done nothing to warrant it… recently. The butler had never once seemed so uneasy about her as he did now.
Her fix on him was broken as Chocoberry began to wail, "I'm so sorry, Princess! I shouldn't have left you."
"But I told you to didn't I. And see, I'm more than just fine." The princess comforted.
Marceline and Peppermint in unison exclaimed, "You told him to leave?!"
"Peppermint wouldn't believe me and now he's all mad." Chocoberry tattled, pointing to the other candy like a child.
"Oh Peppermint, leave the poor creature alone." Bubblegum scolded. To which the butler simply nodded his head.
"Bonni?" Marceline was still worried over the past's recklessness, "You said to me you wouldn't be alone."
Chocoberry watched on at the two as they spoke to one another words of concern and comfort. Amongst the candy creatures that lived within the castle there were hushed rumors of these two. He had never thought to deeply on them in the past. Not until this moment could he see where they came from.
Marceline was anything but a terrifying monster. In fact, with the look he now saw in red eyes, she could have been the sweetest of creatures simply covered in a sour coating. That was what Chocoberry thought.
Bubblegum turned back around to face her citizen, drawing him back to reality, "Will you be alright?"
"Uh-" He was caught off guard, "Yes, your majesty."
Bubblegum smiled at him. Looking back to the door, "Oh, peppermint's gone." She noted.
Marceline looked up to notice the same, his expression from earlier still causing her some worry.
"I should go find him." Choco ran to the door, turning around once more to bid farewell, "It was nice to see you again Miss Vampire Queen." He bowed slightly and smiled at the flustered look he received before running off.
"I was not aware my citizens liked you so." Bubblegum noted as the door closed.
"Neither was I." Marceline honestly agreed. But she shook of the surprise. With everyone gone she could finally speak freely, "What happened?"
"I fixed everything." The princess stated simply.
Marceline had heard such a generic statement before. It was not so long ago in the witch's house, she remembered. And with these, such similar words, the queen was not so sure, "Really?"
"You seem shocked I was able to."
"No not that, I know full well you are capable of it. It's just… it was that easy?" There is no used telling her now about the amulet now, Marceline thought.
"Apparently so."
"So, you're fine?"
"Of course." Bubblegum could no longer stay still under this caring interrogation. She slowly moved herself out of bed, "I was just relieved was all."
"No." Marceline begged, "Glob, just rest for a while."
Bubblegum smiled, "I'll get more rest later. But you know me, got to look after my citizens first." The 'joke', if that's what it was, fell flat as Marceline simply watched the other grow accustomed to standing again.
On newborn legs, the princess headed to the door.
"Hold on." Marceline blocked her path, "I can't let you go out there."
"Why not?" Bubblegum's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Marceline didn't seem to notice. "Look down." She ordered.
Doing so the princess found the reason, "Oh right, how silly of me." She couldn't leave the castle to meet with citizens in her nightdress. Turned back around, she began rummaging through drawers looking for something suitable to wear.
All pink.
"You sure you're up for this?" Marceline walked to her side. She watched in disbelief as the princess unceremoniously rummaged through her clothing, making a royal mess in the process.
Already filled to the brim with the vampire's concerned attention, Bubblegum placed one finger on cold lips. "Yes." She said firmly. Somehow the action made her week and the unstable princess began to sway.
Marceline saw this and caught her in an embrace, one meant to gently support her upright until she could find her balance once more, "I knew you still weren't well enough." The vampire stated.
This Bubblegum could feel it. Though it was not visible, she could feel it. And it threatened to pull her back into control.
"I wasn't positive, but now I'm sure." An unpleasant tone rang though Bubblegum's voice, "You tried to save her~" It taunted.
Reaching past the now slacking hug, the princess took up a wonderfully convenient object in her hand.
"What a pity. After all, she sent you away to save you too." His devious smirk shown passed pretty pink lips.
Marceline pulled away in time to see that haunting expression before a pink fist was brought to her chest.
It took a moment for the vampire to even comprehend had happened.
"I thought of letting you live. You would surely have been more than easy to manipulate this way. But not when you have such an annoying artifact in your possession."
Clutched in what was once the princess' own hand was such a simple object. An ordinary wooden pencil to be used as a stake, the Lich was amused by his own cleverness. Something once meant to write wonderful words could also be used for this equally powerful purpose.
Marceline felt weak as the searing pain set in. It ran through her veins as hot as sunlight burning through her skin. Blood, as appetizing a color that she had ever seen, ran to her feet. With a snarl that seemed like more of a whimper, the vampire looked up to confront the Lich.
Instead she was met with wet eyes. The lips that once smirked were now covered by trebling fingers.
The amulet Marceline had been carrying had indeed woken the sleeping princess. But it was far too late. When bubblegum opened her eyes all she could see was red.
The Queen moved toward to the tragically familiar figure.
Despite how they were in this moment, she was glad to have gone and retrieved the amulet. And, she was glad she to be here. Even if the effects were to only last a short while, Marceline believed it to be worth it.
Trying gently to wipe tears that had spilt from lovely lively eyes, Marceline fell forward.
Falling onto her knees alongside the wilted body, Bubblegum could do nothing. And for once not a thought crossed her mind.
You wanted an eternal empire, princess. No one said it would be easy.
The voice returned to reclaim her now empty mind.
The princess hiccupped through tears. Though it had once frightened her to hear such a voice, she found she no longer cared.
"Don't worry. You won't have to think anymore." The Lich spoke to himself through her lips as the devastated girl fell away, "I'll be a much better influence on your citizens … and why stop there."
The Lich stood, disregarding the body as it fell from the former princess' arms and on to the floor. He stepped over it without feeling on his way to find something suitable to wear.
"You were right." He told the body, "I should look my best when taking over Ooo."
A/N: Why is she always possessed or being kidnapped?! That's it, someone write a oneshot where Marceline get's kidnapped or something :P Just realized this could have been the last chapter if it wasn't for the twist… but then all of Marceline's had work would have seemed for not (or maybe it still is). So let's continue on~ We got past the saddest chapter.