All righty then... Yes, I know I'm behind. Sorry it took this long. I was writing this chapter and the same thing as last time hit, I looked down at my screen and realized "Holy Bat Shyt" this chapter had grown to 14 pages (11k words) and I STILL wasn't finished. SO... I broke it in half. Bad part, this chapter is only 5k words, good thing the next chapter is almost done so I should be able to update within the week (maybe even before Friday).

Yes, it's slower now, because I have the "end game" in place, I just need to get from point A to point Z, via the rest of the alphabet. This story has grown massively compared to what I originally intended it to be. The beginning of my tale was fast, it was like a fever dream, I had to get it out. Now I find that every time I find time to write, then come back and re-write, I don't like how the tale was progressing. I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS TALE IF IT KILLS ME! Mostly because I won't let myself post any "different" stories until I do. And also, please remember - I have work (40hr a week) and more, as do we all.

Lastly - Thank you all for the reviews & criticism. I'm not joking, I want to hear your ideas & views on this story. Your input does drive me to keep at my tale, to make it another chapter closer to my "end game". Comment away, good or bad. It all can help. Thank you everybody :}

Chapter 25 - Realities (pt 2)

Something woke her up. Bubblegum stirs under the comforter, snuggling deeper within its downy folds, savoring the warmth. Finding a particularly warm spot, she stills, her eyes still closed, listening. Her eyes pop open as the sound repeats, pushing away the fuzzy vestiges of sleep. Laying there, alone in her chamber, she could just make out faint whispering. Soft, indistinct, but there was no way to mistake the sounds. It was soft, so much so that she can't make out the words. Sighing, she pulls the covers back, exposing herself to the chill air of the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she fumbles around with her slippers.

"Peppermint Butler, is that you?" Her voice echoes through the room. Suddenly, the whispering stops, plunging the room into silence. Standing, she waits, listening. Something in the back of her mind raises an alarm, but she can't place what it could be. Nothing around her breaks the silence. Shrugging, she shuffles toward the large set of French doors. Drawing closer, she notices the curtains are drawn shut. Normally these doors were open, if not, the curtains were always tied back to allow natural light into the room. To be both closed and covered was odd, perhaps Peppermint Butler did it so she could rest in peace. Glob knows I needed the sleep. Placing her hands on the knobs, she pushes opens the doors, exiting onto the small balcony.

Instead of a bright sunny day greeting her tired person, the day was a polar opposite. The normal azure sky is a sickly greenish-grey, streaked not with fluffy white clouds, rather heavy black thunderclouds. She couldn't tell what time it was as neither sun or moon was visible, no stars twinkled overhead. The change in appearance of the sky would have moved her into action, but the sight from below froze her where she stood. What should have been the Candy Kingdom, displayed out in all its sugary glory, was gone. Replaced by a wasteland of destruction.

The outer wall was in ruins, most of it torn down or crumbled into piles of rubble. The remains of one Gumball Guardian was splayed across what would have been the main gate. It's massive glass head cracked open, it's body blasted, burning with an eerie black fire. Most of the buildings within the walls were either destroyed or burning, a few husks stood partially standing. Those on fire burned with more of the strange black fire, billowing clouds of sickly sweet smoke. The air stunk with the smell of burnt sugar. There was little movement, the few signs of life consisted mostly of what looked like candy zombies chasing after burnt or burning candy people. Several Banana Guards lay where they fell, some burnt to black embers, other being feasted upon by the zombies.

"Ach, mein, Glub!" Shock, soul-shattering in its totality fills her. Stunned, unable to breath, she stares at the remains of her kingdom. The vista below was unreal, nothing could have done this amount of damage without waking her up, either from the noise or someone rushing to notify her. Finally the spell is broken as her lungs draw in much needed air. Gasping, she stumbles backwards, through the doors back into the darkened bedroom. "This, this is impossible! The battle didn't..." Her words falter as memories of the last day flood into her overwhelmed brain. There had been a battle, but nothing on the level that could have caused the havoc outside. Turning around, she steps further into the room, failing to notice the doors close behind her. Only when the room is plunged into darkness does she stop. Holding up a hand before her face, she can't make out its shape from that of the blackness surrounding her. What was going on?

"You... failed..." The voice speaks out from her right, causing her to turn toward the source. Holding out both hands, she flails around blindly, trying to locate anything.

"Who's in here?" She asks, fearing the answer or more importantly, who would answer.

"All of them... all of us...you failed, left us to die..." She halts, the voice has shifted to behind her. Instead of turning, she lowers her arms and waits. Something about the voice was tantalizingly familiar, it was off just enough that she couldn't place its owner. The part of her brain that was trying to alert her earlier is screaming, tugging at her to escape. To flee and get far away. NO, I don't run like some coward.

"I failed no one. Who are you? Show yourself!" She shouts into the darkness. They were playing with her, trying to trick her somehow. From around her, something shuffles, scraping against the ground. Holding still, she tries to narrow down where the sound was coming from. It was shifting, moving slowly as if it was dragging something.

"You failed me..." The voice comes from behind her again, it takes all her strength to prevent from turning. Standing there, she was trying to reason out what was happening, because very little of this made any logical sense. Her own reaction struck her odd, she wouldn't want to flee, she would rush to her citizen's aid, ignoring her own welfare.

"I have failed no one." The words are hard to speak, but they are the truth.

"What do you know of the truth? You lied to me... used me... " This time the voice came from her left. Spinning toward the source, she readies herself to face what ever was there. Problem was, she didn't expect to see what, or rather who, was standing there. There before her stood Finn, but wasn't the young healthy young man she remembered. The figure before her was badly injured, his bare chest was crisscrossed with dozens of weeping wounds. His normally golden hair was filthy, tangled and matted. It hung in down in dirty ropes, obscuring his face.

"Finn?" His name slipped from her lips, she never expected to see him like this. The figure before her raises his arm, but the flesh of his forearm rips open, tearing free. With a sickening splat, the chunk of flesh lands on the ground, leaving the bones of his arm exposed. In horror she watches as black fire erupts from the area, spreading up his arm.

"You failed me Bubblegum. You let this happen to me." Stumbling backwards, shock stole her voice. This can't be real. The figure of Finn takes a step toward her, the skin of his foot tearing off. Feeling her stomach rebel against her, she tries to continue to back away only to trip over the hem of her nightgown. Landing hard on her backside, she can only watch in horror as the figure moves closer. His second foot moves forward, leaving its skin attached to the ground. As his foot lands, black fire erutps, quickly spreading up his leg. The fire was moving unnaturally fast, covering most of him in seconds. As his hair catches he lifts his face toward her, his solid black eyes glowing with the same black fire that covered his from.

A scream builds in her chest, this wasn't real, it couldn't be. Some sense returns to her as she pushes herself backwards, struggling to put some space between her and the creature.

"I never failed Finn! If you were him, you would know that I would do anything for him, anytime." Her voice is strained, it cracks with the terror she feels. The creature halts, tilting it's head and suddenly starts to laugh. Deep, malignant laughter that chills her to her bones. She starts shaking, still trying to drag herself away from this nightmare. Nightmare?

"You area worthless ruler, you care nothing for anyone who isn't under your control. You use everyone, convincing them to do your bidding, unquestioning. You caused my death, dear Princess." The creature was fully engulfed now, the flames burning away all the flesh from his body. The only thing left is a yellowed skeleton, still coated in the black fire.

Opening her mouth, no words came forth. Her voice was gone, even if her mind understood that this wasn't real, the terror she felt was real. The flames spread from it, down across the floor, toward her. Curling up on the floor, she covers her ears to block the unholy laughter that was still issuing form it. Her eyes lock to its, the twin dark globes glare hatred into her. Squinting her eyes shut, she finally finds her voice, the scream ripping out of her as the flames lick at the edge of her gown.

You are nothing compared to us...

We are Legion...

You will fail...

Wake up Finn...

"But I just want to sleep..." The sound of his voice wakes him from his sleepy stupor, dragging him from whatever nightmare he had been trapped. Bracing himself, he slowly opens his eyes, expecting to see nothing but darkness. To his surprise, bright warm light greets him. He feels odd, fuzzy, like he was still partially asleep. It takes several minutes of just staring off into space before the realization sinks into is cloudy brain. He's in a real place, some sort of small room. The room is plain, the walls a light pink, lit up with sunlight from a window high up on one wall. Turning his head slightly, he can make out several strange machines, medical stuff if he could believe his eyes. Turning the other direction, he spies a single door with a chair next to it. Other than these few things and himself, nothing else is within the room. Where am I? Is this another dream?

Even though he feels strange, he figures if he gets up and moves around, he might feel better. Slowly, not yet fully trusting his body or what his eyes tell him, he tries to sit up, only to quickly find he is held tight to the bed. A memory surfaces, he was in the informatory, thick leather straps binding his wrists to the bed. Struggling, he ties to lift a foot, failing to do more than strain against more unseen bonds. Looking down his body, the sight of his condition chases away some of the fuzziness in his mind. His chest was covered in bandages, leading up to and over his left shoulder. Both arms were bandaged as well, but considerably less than his torso. The sheet was pulled up just past his belly button, but it did nothing to hide the thick leather strap that spans his body. They had him fully restrained, tied down to the bed with no chance of escaping.

"So it wasn't a dream... Did I do all those things I saw?" His voice echoes softly around the space. With no idea where he was, how he had gotten here or where anyone else was, he was left with few options. Unable to move, the best he could try was to attract someone's attention.

"Hello?" His throat hurt, it felt as dry as a desert. Swallowing, he tries to shout louder. "HELLO!" Sudden pain in his chest robs him of breath. Clenching his teeth, fighting through the pain, he forces his lungs to carefully draw air. Slowly, the urge to cough fades, his breathing becomes easier. From past experience, he knows that coughing when his chest hurt, would only bring more pain. Relaxing back, he listens to the sounds of the machines. There had to be someone out there, right? Sleep tugs at him, drawing out a yawn.

How much of what I saw was real? The room was peaceful, but if the events he remember took place, what was beyond those pink walls? How much of the castle and the surrounding buildings were destroyed? Did anyone else get hurt? Lying there, a strange thought occurs to him. Was this real? Is this room real? Am I really strapped to a bed, locked away?

"What have I done? Oh dear Glob, what have I done." He whispers to himself. Strangely, he feels numb, completely out of touch with everything. Distress, anxiety, worry, maybe even anger or fear, but not just blank, empty and numb. His memories are there, hazy and confusing. He can remember seeing the events through that window thing, watching himself attacking his friends, struggling to escape the Gumball Guardians, even attacking that window. Those motes, the voices, the visions they had shown him. It was real, it had to be, there was no other option. Right?

Staring up at the pink tiled ceiling, he watches dust motes dance through the sunlight from the window. All of that must have happened. It would explain why I am here, I'm tied up like a dangerous animal. A single tear rolls down his cheek, soaking into the pillow. His friends, his family... they locked me away because I am dangerous. Why? What or whom was controlling me?

Lying there, he almost missed the gentle warmth that spread up his right arm. Flexing his fingers, he grips the blanket covering his hands and tugs it down. Slowly, inch by inch the fabric pulls down to reveal his arm, sheathed in a familiar green form. There grasped tightly around his wrist was his Cursed Grass Sword. As he stares at his arm in shock, the warmth increases and the blade of grass tightens comfortingly against his skin. Relaxing back into the sheets, he finally lets his eyes slip shut. One way or another, someone would come to him, until then he could at least rest.

"Your Highness, breakfast is ready." Peppermint Butler calls out, placing the tray full of food on the table. He let the Princess sleep in, as she had a rough night, to put it lightly. Turning back to the door, he limps over and closes it. He was back in one piece, the Candy Surgeons had fixed him up remarkably well. Other than a faint limp and a minor crack across his face, one would never known that he was recently badly injured. Honestly he hopes the crack will stay, it gave him a slightly menacing appearance. Walking back, he muses on the night before.

When he woke up, Princess Bubblegum was just finishing up locking away Finn. She looked like she went a few rounds against the Lich. She still had a bandage across her forehead, her hair was a gummy mess and she still wore her ripped clothing. Seeing her in such a state made his ire rise, darkening his eyes. It would be easy to blame Mister Finn, he had seen the human. There was no mistaking that some evil presence possessed the boy's flesh. He couldn't lay blame fully on the human, part of it was his own fault. If something that evil had made it into the castle, why hadn't he felt it? Struggling off his bed, he raced over to his Princess.

He offered to finish overseeing anything else she needed, trying to prompt her into resting. Of course she fought against him, she was worried that he needed rest, but after nearly an hour of arguments, he managed to convince her otherwise. With the Doctor's help, they got the Princess to retire for the night.

As she slept, he took it upon himself to see to the others, check on Mister Finn, and deal with the damage the fighting had caused. Getting a hands-on view of the damage to the castle and the building, he was impressed with the amount of damage Flame Princess had wrought. It struck him as something short of a miracle that Mister Finn had survived the encounter against the Gumball Guardians. They were not simple foes, Princess Bubblegum had outdone herself with their construction. She would have to oversee their repairs, he wasn't capable nor was any of the other candy citizens, of the complex work they would need.

Shaking himself slightly, annoyed that he allowed such petty matters to distract him, he returns to the chore of opening the Princess' room. Trotting over to the doors into her bedchamber, he cracks them open. The room was dark, he had pulled the curtains last night to block out the sounds from the grounds below.

"Princess, I hate to disturb you, but there are many things that you need your attention this morning." Walking across the room, he pulls open the doors leading to the balcony, flooding the room with sunlight. Although the view wasn't its normal pristine self, the smoke from the fires was gone. The hole in the castle wall was still visible, although one could make out several multi-colored figures climbing across the scaffolding that had already been erected. More figures could be seen below, dashing between the various damaged buildings. Turning around he looks toward the Princess's massive bed. The covers are thrown back, the pillows tossed around, but the bed was empty. It only took a second to spot her pink form huddled on the floor, the sheet pooled around her.

"Princess!" He jogs over toward her. She was curled into a fetal position, both arms wrapped around her head as if shielding herself. Nearing her, he slows, reaching out to grasp her shoulder. As soon as his hand touches her skin, a scream issues forth from her still form. She thrashes out, barely missing kicking the peppermint man. Backing away, he tries to call out to her.

"Princess, Princess Bubblegum. Wake up your highness. Your having a nightmare." He watches as her thrashing slows, the scream tapers off. Haltingly, she lifts her head, pushing herself upright. The nightmare was finally over. Her bloodshot eyes survey the room, landing on the small peppermint man in front of her.

"Peppermint... What the hey?" Realizing she was sitting tangled in her sheet, she stiffly manages to get to her feet. Stretching, she realizes that she must have spent most of the night on the floor. How long was that dream?

"Your Highness, are you alright?" He comes over, heading her toward the edge of the bed. Sinking into the soft mattress, she sighs. The dream from last night was horrifyingly fresh in her mind. Some of it was true, the attack yesterday had damaged part of her kingdom, but it was the extent of the damage that bothered her. Her dream had shown a devastated kingdom, the citizens slain, the structures in ruin.

"I'm fine, just ... had a nightmare." She answers, pushing up from the bed. Turning toward the open doors, the sun light streaming through the doors was comforting. Even this far away, she can feel the warmth driving away the last of the nightmare's chill.

"That's odd, my lady." She looks down at her candy servant. "You aren't the only one who has reported suffering from a nightmare this last evening." He turns toward her wardrobes, starting to pull various clothing out.

"Who else had one?" She asks, walking toward the balcony. She needs to see, to check that this wasn't still a dream. Reaching out, she grasps the railing and stares over the edge, to the buildings below. She knew there was damage, but it was the same as last night, not the total destruction foretold in her nightmare. Behind her, Peppermint Butler lays her clothes across her bed.

"I believe Jake mentioned that Lady Rainicorn and himself had some type of nightmare. He was reluctant to go into details." Walking back to the tray he brought up from the kitchen, he returns to the bed chamber and places the tray on her desk.

"Flame Princess also said something about a dream, although she was more concerned with finding something to consume than explain the details." He pours a cup of tea, dropping a lemon drop into the cup. Hustling over to her, he offers the cup as he continues.

"I take it your dream was not pleasant, my lady." She sips the warm tea, shaking her head slightly. "Do you think there might be some connection between them?" Draining the cup, she offers it back. Taking one last look down at her people, she turns away from the balcony. Peppermint Butler takes the cup without a word, returning it to the tray. She walks toward her bed, eyeing the clothing that was spread across the messy covers. Did our dreams have a connection?

"I don't know, it could, but... " She voice fades out as a twinkle from her nightstand catches her eye. Sitting on the stand was her crown, earrings and necklace. Unconsciously, she reaches up to her neck, stroking her bare skin. She had taken it off last night, all of it. Normally she would remove her crown, but not her earrings and rarely her amulet. With none of the protections the pieces, she would have been susceptible to any form of mind control or outside influence. Staring at the crown, the last piece snaps into place. Whatever creature had possessed Finn must have some type of ability to affect the minds of others. It could have been the source of her nightmare, it's last-ditch attempt at trying to disarm them. Reaching out, she picks up her earrings, pinning one into each ear.

"I think you're right Pep, our dreams may be connected." Turning, she watches as he finishes spreading jam over her toast. There was little time for eating, but she knew it would be best, he would just berate her until she complied. He moves aside, pulling out a chair for her to sit. Shaking her head, she meets him at the desk.

"Peppermint Butler, have the others meet me in the conference room in thirty minutes." Picking up the prepared toast, she shoves most of the triangle into her mouth. Taking her time to chew, she swallows then continues.

"It's about time we start learning what is behind all of this." She picks up the other slice, the look in her eyes distant. Biting into the other piece, she turns away, heading for her bathroom. He nods, content that he wasn't going to have to trick her into eating. He gathers the tray as she hurries off, glad at least some semblance of normalcy was returning to their existence. Just before he can exit into the outer chamber, her voice stops him.

"Any word on Finn? Has he woke up?" She asks, her face peering at the candy man around the frame of the door.

"Not yet, he is sedated and fully restrained, but the last time I checked, still unconscious." She nods, withdrawing back into the bathroom. He sighs and continues, heading out of her room into the hall. His curiosity had been raised, dark creatures like what had possessed Mister Finn were few and thankfully, far between. It shared some of the same darkness that the Lich possessed, but different. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew it was dangerous and deadly. If it got possession of Mister Finn a second time, things might take a turn for the worse for all of them, especially Finn. Next time, he might not survive.

Jake sat on his stool, watching Marcy suck an apple dry of its red. He never got used to the sight of her doing that, it gave him the willies every single time. Finn always told him that she wouldn't try to drain him again, but he still couldn't believe it. Even if recent events lead me to believe she has feelings, she's still a vampire.

Flame Princess sat on the floor near one of the giant stoves, munching on a bowl of charcoal chips she got from the head Chef. Of course request had confused the poor candy person, he couldn't understand why she wanted them. As soon as he brought her the bowl, she popped one into her mouth, crunching happily. The Chef just shook his head in amazement, showing her where the coal shoot was and how to extract more. He offered up more standard fair to Jake and Marceline before returning to normal duties.

Eyeing the sandwich in front of him, Jake pokes it thoughtfully. He was hungry, but at the same time, he didn't feel like eating. The whole series of events from yesterday still circled through mind, coupled with the horrible nightmare that woke him, killed most of his appetite. The sight of his beloved brother, zombified, made his guts gurgle as a wave of nausea washes over him. He could handle all the crap he yelled at him, it was the truth. He had ignored him in favor of Lady and the pups, he honestly thought Finn would understand, not hate him for it. It was the horrifying part of watching him rot away and burst into flames was that proved too much. With a shutter, he pushes his plate away.

Marcy glances over toward the yellow dog, watching him push away his almost untouched plate. Anybody who knew Jake for any amount of time knew this was strange behavior for the dog. The only thing he loved more than Finn, Lady and his kids was food and sleep. Flinging her apple aside, she floats over to the pooch. Landing beside him, she leans over to stare into his face.

"Jake, this has got to be the only time I've seen you turn down food. What's up, dog?" He doodles on the table with his finger, ignoring the closeness of the vampire. He was exhausted, both in mind and body, to the point he doesn't care.

"I'm worried. I..." He knows what is wrong, but he doesn't want to voice it. To say it out loud would drive home the twisted reality of this whole crunked up deal. He had no idea how to fight whatever this thing was or how to protect his brother, if he could. The words Finn had spoken to him, to leave him alone, to go away, they still stung. Hard in fact, they dug deep inside his heart. His brother was hurt, in trouble and may... die. Even thinking that thought makes him hurt worse, dull ache that he knows will never heal. He ever wanted to do anything to hurt Finn, ever. It just seems that he's failed him, time and time again.

Marcy puts her hand on his shoulder. When he doesn't shake it off, the realization of how distraught he really hits her. It was one thing for her to fight Finn, to find him hurt, but the dog was his older brother. His protector. He must feel like crud, like he's to blame, although they all share a part in this. She knows she'll never understand completely, due to her lack of siblings, but she can share in his feeling of guilt and heartache. Her guilt at missing the warning signs tore at her, reminding her that she wasn't worth the friendship Finn thought they had.

"Hang in there Jake, you know Bubblegum will ..." He shrugs her hand off, hopping down from the stool. Drawing a deep breath, he whips around to face Marcy.

"Don't coddle me Marceline. I know what I have done, how much of this is my fault." Marcy starts to speaks, but he waves her off. "And I know what will happen if we can't do anything to help Finn." He glowers up at the vampire, angry at her, at himself, at everything. Considering everything they have gone through, fought off and won, it would be a stupid little blade that would do him in. Paws clenched in anger, he struggles to fight the tears. Blinking rapidly, he manages to keep the salty drops from flowing. Marcy can only frown down at the dog, sad that he is hurting so much, but also glad that he was facing the truth.

"I'm not, Jake. We all blame ourselves." Well honestly, she has no idea if Flame Princess did, but that was moot. She kneels down to be on eye level with him. "And we all know what might happen." He opens his mouth to correct her, but she grabs him, pulling his face near hers, catching his eyes with hers. "And if it comes to that, than we all will share the responsibility and heartache that will come. Yes, you are his brother, but we are all his friends." He screws up his face as a single tear leaks out.

"I know... I know." Closing his eyes, he stands there, struggling with himself. This isn't the time or place for him to have a break down, they needed to figure out what to do to help Finn.

"Ah, good." Startled, everyone in the room turns toward the source of the voice. Peppermint Butler backs into the kitchen, holding a tray above his head. He shuffles over to the large sink, dumping it in. Turning to address them, he smoothes his uniform. "You are requested to meet Princess Bubblegum in the conference room in twenty minutes." He nods toward them, then marches toward the rear of the kitchen, where the chef was working on some meal. They all watch him leave, sitting in shocked silence. No explanation, no reasoning, just go. Slowly FP rises, dusting charcoal dust from her dress and wanders over to the others, putting her now empty bowl on the counter.

"Is he always that odd?" Jake and Marceline eye each other, then turn in unison to the fire elemental, nodding.

"Yeap, leave it to old P-Butt to make things weird." Jake offers, pulling gently from Marcy's grasp. The vampire eyes him for a second, he forces a faint smile across his face. Marcy returns the smile, standing.

"Come on FP, let's go. Hopefully between the four of us, we can figure out what the Glob is going on."