The earth beneath his feet no longer welcomed him. That's what went through Robin's mind as he stood there at the funeral. He had failed this world, he knew it now. It was late summer but the autumn leaves were already falling. Coincidence perhaps, or was this world weeping like he was weeping? Death had become an accustomed part of day to day life. Azrael's forces ravaged the countryside spreading kingdom to kingdom, destroying village after village. Robin didn't know how to stop him. Doubt filled his head, maybe he should have just agreed to the Toymaker's request. At least then Anne would be alive. The planet would not be rife with war.

Simon was the worst. When he'd led them to her the old wizard had literally dropped to his knees beside her body. To lose Anne was like losing a daughter. Marceline was slightly better. She seemed more accepting. Deeply wounded but accepting. Robin couldn't help but pity her reaction. The girl had known such loss, she seemed to have already been prepared for the day. Marcy was supportive. She was perhaps the only one Robin felt comfortable enough to stand with at the funeral. She understood him. The burdens he bore.

The others he couldn't even look in the eye; Ben, his best friend - a brother he'd fought beside. Was so wounded by the loss he hadn't said a word. Robin figured the culmination of losing his kingdom and then his princess all in the space of a few days had proven too much. Bonnibel had been heartbroken. There was so much left unsaid between her and Anne the loss had permanently cemented a wedge in her heart. Robin wondered if it be his duty to try and fill in the gaps, to tell Bonnibel what Anne had hidden from her since birth. Was it his place? Probably not. He had failed them enough. Now he had to live with the consequences.

"This is my fault." Robin whispered to himself, a lump swelling in his throat.

Marceline gripped his hand comfortingly. "You mustn't say that. Be strong. Get through today. And tomorrow and the next. One day you'll move on. And then we'll take down the Toymaker."

"You forget I've done this before. One-hundred and forty years ago I lost my world. I won't go through this again." He replied gripping her hand. His stomach lurched. "What will I say. They'll expect me to speak. I don't think I can do that, not now." Robin's mind burned. How could he stand up and rally the kingdoms on this day. He knew he owed it to Anne to say something memorable, but he doubted there was enough left in him. Could he gather the words?

"This is how people like you and I live. We learn to deal with it." Marceline whispered back in reply. Was that supposed to be comforting? Robin couldn't accept that pessimism. Humans were such fragile things with fleeting lives. To live amongst them could be torture.

Most of the people had gathered now and the funeral proceedings would be starting soon. Robin took the moment to look around him. It was a beautiful funeral. On this high hill so much of the land could be seen. She would have liked it here. So many had come in attendance. Kingdoms from across the land had gathered to pay their respects. Octavia and her father. The Silurians. Even the Pyrovillians. And many more. Anne had touched so many in lives.

When it eventually came time Simon gave the eulogy. "I served a Princess." He started off, he carefully collected his words, glancing at his prepared speech. "Who we remember as our Queen. She was a daughter to me. To many others she was the mother we turned to when the night was darkest." Simon continued all spoken well as he knew the old man would. Robin fell into daydream. The reality was too difficult to face. He wanted to switch it off, even though he knew he shouldn't. The cool breeze bit deep through his suit. Not that the cold would normally bother him. But everything felt colder now. The world a darker place. His inner flame shone dim, his hearts lay bare.

Simon's eulogy over Robin stepped forth to say a few words. "Of Anne I will say this. Her soul was the gentlest I have known. Her acts brought life. Her endeavours inspired hope where there was none. She was the pillar we leaned to when things were hard. The lighthouse that beckoned us home when we were lost." Robin lost track of his thoughts. The next word hung on his tongue. He paused looking about the gathering. So many faces he thought to himself. But one particular caught his eye. Walking ghostly down the isle a grey old man with a crown upon his head. The man was frail and ancient, as old as time itself. Robin stared perplexed. No one else noticed him?

"Robin." It called walking right up before him. He recognised the old man. Fisher King? Robin was shocked. He hadn't seen the Fisher King in years. No one had. He was literally a ghost. Not a person but Robin noticed him.

"Not gone. Find her again you will. In the city you will meet her once more. Set down this path and you will be challenged with the greatest test of your life. But succeed and you will reclaim all you have lost." The Fisher King vanished.

"Robin." A female voice snapped him from his concentration. Robin turned, Marceline? He looked at her in confusion. What had just happened? Was that real? He looked to the gathering of people all looking sorrowfully up at him. How long had he been standing there, silent before them all. So that Marceline had come to get him down.

"She will always be with us in our hearts. What she did in life will echo throughout eternity." He finished and left the front with Marceline. She didn't ask him a thing, just took him by the hand and led him back to the others.

This time Simon stood by his side. "She would have been honoured." He patted Robin's shoulder. Robin just nodded and went back to wondering what he had just seen? If it was really the Fisher King then was it true? Could Robin recover all he had lost? Could he see Anne again? Or had his sanity retired itself?

They lowered her coffin into the ground and together with Simon, Marceline, Ben and Bonnibel they each sprinkled a handful of dirt into the trench saying their goodbyes.

"I must be going mad." Robin remarked overlooking the horizon towards Zion's ruins.

Marceline made the effort to smile and put her arm around his. "No one could blame you." She added.

"I need to get off world for a while. I've known nothing but it for too long. I need new air." Robin breathed deeply transfixed on the distance. "You should come."

Marceline was uneasy but understanding. "We need you now, more than ever. I'm not sure you should be alone right now. And I couldn't go. Not while Azrael roams out there."

"It wouldn't be for long." Robin insisted looking at Marceline but realised she wouldn't budge. "Just while I follow some leads." He remembered the Orb he'd found a few days prior. He could do this. He had to try.

A/N:

Another quick chapter. Figured I best pump a few chapters out whilst I have the time. I hope you enjoyed it. Is Robin going mad? I can't wait to hear your thoughts on what is happening!