The Labyrinth In My Brain
In the dungeon the group tried to make themselves as comfortable as possible. "Well this is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into," Carter groaned as he sat down on the floor, absently brushing away some bones.
"Eh we've been in worse situations than this," Briggs waved as he sat next to him.
"Worse? Worse than being trapped in a dungeon full of unknown dangers hiding out from our own people who have gone power crazy?" Carter asked. "While a literal storm of swords rages outside as well as a power crazed inventor turned ice monster destroying everything in its path? And our only hope of stopping the ice monster is a dying insane wizard?"
"Oh yeah," Briggs blinked. "Still better than Vegas."
"Dude, Vegas was a cakewalk compared to this!" Carter snapped. "Then we only had to deal with some angry mobsters in a shootout at an underground bear fighting club while we were trapped in the pit with the bears! Which by the way were half drugged and all their teeth had fallen out due to old age!"
"And half those mobsters couldn't even shoot straight," Jason shrugged.
"Yeah but you forgot we got arrested after that fifteen car pile-up incident with the tank on the freeway," Briggs said.
"Still better than this!" Carter snapped. "Big D you were there too. Back me up on this"
"Gotta give it to Carter man," Big D said. "Then we only had to share a cell with two drunk transvestites. No offense but Big D thinks vampire and wizard tops that."
"Not to mention mutant," Finn grumbled.
"Trust me kid, you're one hundred percent human no matter what the extra quirks you've got in your DNA," Jason put his hand on Finn's shoulder.
"Yeah Damon's the last person to make that kind of crack now," Big D nodded.
"No offense but from what I've seen today being a pure blood human isn't exactly all that it is cracked up to be," Bubblegum groaned.
"None taken," Jason groaned. "I'm starting to think it's our DNA that's tainted instead of yours."
"No argument there," Marceline snorted.
"I don't know much about Ooo or understand all that's happened," Jason said to Finn. "But I do know that everything you've been through and endured was for a reason. And I think that reason is for you to teach us, humans. Not just about Ooo and how to survive, but how to be good again."
"Jason's right kid," Big D said. "Big D could see you had heart of a real fighter from day one. Barton and Damon are idiots for not seeing that."
"Speaking of idiots how are we going to deal with them?" Jake Jr. asked. "And I mean Damon the Deranged and Barton the Ba-…"
"Jake Jr! You watch your language!" Jake barked.
"Dad I'm older than you now in Rainicorn years," Jake Jr. groaned.
"Wait how exactly does that work?" Briggs asked.
"Like dog years only tripled and then minus the physical aging by forty after thirty five days," Jake Jr. explained. "Then you multiply and divide by…"
"Let's not get into the math right now and figure out how we are going to save Simon!" Betty snapped. "What's wrong with him?"
"Even though he's underweight physically there's nothing wrong with him from what I can tell," Dr. Nadal explained. "Then again I have no idea how his system is supposed to work."
"The problem isn't physical. It's mental. He's lost the will to live…" Marceline gasped. "If we don't get to his mind soon…"
"But there's nothing we can do! We don't have the scientific equipment…" Bubblegum began.
"We don't need scientific equipment. Or more accurately, I don't need that!" Marceline snapped as she put her hand on the Ice King's shoulder. "I can not only see memories I can go into minds if I have to. Had some special training with my Dad."
"You can't go alone," Finn frowned.
"Wasn't planning on it. Come on Betty, we're going in," Marceline touched Betty's shoulder. Before anyone could do anything both women fell into a catatonic trance.
"What is she doing man?" Briggs was stunned.
"They're communicating with the Ice King's mind. It's best not to disturb them," Bubblegum sighed.
"Yeah Marceline can do all sorts of stuff since she's a vampire queen," Jake nodded.
"How can you not say this isn't crazier than Vegas?" Carter asked Briggs.
"I didn't say crazier. I said it wasn't worse. There's a difference," Briggs corrected.
"I just don't understand what the heck is going on here," Dr. Nadal interrupted. "I mean if the Ice King used to be human how exactly did he transform on a genetic level?"
"BMO show everyone else the tape about the Ice King's origins you have in your hard drive," Finn told BMO. "Might as well explain all that. We have the time."
"Oh goody, movie time," Jason grumbled. "Yeah this is way better than Vegas."
"Oh don't you start," Big D gave him a look as they prepared to watch the video.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The first thing Betty noticed was how cold and dark everything was. It was kind of hard not to notice because she couldn't see a thing. "Uh Marceline…?" Betty blinked.
"Hold on…" Marceline's voice was heard. Then she emerged carrying a flashlight. "Mental trick. You imagine a flashlight and there it is."
"Okay…" Betty focused as hard as she could. A small flashlight appeared in her hand.
"Not bad for a beginner," Marceline said. She looked around. "Whoa…"
They were surrounded by ice covered walls. Miles and miles of ice covered walls with endless corridors. "So we're inside Simon's mind?" Betty asked.
"Yeah. This is worse than I thought," Marceline let out an annoyed breath.
"What is this?" Betty looked around. "It looks like some kind of labyrinth."
Marceline hovered into the air above them. "It is a labyrinth!" Marceline gasped as she saw miles and miles of icy walls with twists and turns before them.
"So Simon's true self is hiding in…here?" Betty blinked. She accidentally leaned against the wall. "AAAH! Cold!" She pulled away.
Then she noticed something. "Marceline look at this. It's like a picture."
Marceline floated back down and looked. It was a frozen image of her playing music with the Ice King. It seemed to move for a second then froze again. Marceline then realized what was happening.
"It's not a picture. These walls are all made up of Simon's memories," Marceline grumbled. "No wonder I could never get through to him. They're all iced up."
"Three guesses who did that," Betty looked around. "But the real Simon has to be in here somewhere. How do we find him?"
"We don't have time to navigate the labyrinth so…" Marceline concentrated. Her bass axe appeared.
"What…?" Betty blinked as Marceline handed Betty her flashlight.
"Family heirloom. Well the image of one," Marceline explained. "Another trick I learned a while back. I can use this to smash the walls."
"Won't that hurt Simon?" Betty was worried.
"Not as much as death will," Marceline prepared to play. "You might want to cover your ears."
Betty did so just before Marceline let loose a blast of rock music that shook the walls. Marceline played louder and longer and several walls cracked. Some shattered on contact.
"WHOA!" Betty barely missed the shards of one of the ice. Then a huge shard came right at her and Marceline. They couldn't get out of the way.
Before they could duck they fell into the shard. In the shard was the image of the Ice King dancing around in a baby costume while his penguins watched in amusement as well as something on TV.
"What the…?" Betty's eyes widened.
"It's a memory," Marceline said.
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Just as suddenly the memory faded and they were inside the labyrinth. Even though there were fewer walls around them, there were still plenty of them surrounding the two. "That was weird…" Marceline blinked. "Then again this is the Ice King we're talking about."
"We're making progress," Betty walked through the wreckage and stopped at another wall. "Keep playing!"
"Okay but I warned you…" Marceline was worried at what else they would find in the wreckage. She played again, louder and stronger than before.
More walls shattered and more images were seen. The Ice King was fighting a giant wolf head in the clouds. He was invisible in a room where other wizards were preparing another spell. Then there was an image of him fighting some kind of bear. Another image of the Ice King dressed up like Finn. The Ice King jumping up and down in a bouncy house that was alive. Then he was running from some angry skeletons.
Then he was talking to a living island woman. He was hugging a robot while beardless and slightly burned. He wore a can can dancer's outfit in another memory as he danced for his penguins. Ice King was running from some weird monsters in another dimension with Finn next to him. Then he was fighting Finn in a weird frozen ninja battle.
"I have to admit, Simon's had a very interesting life while I was gone," Betty muttered as they tried to dodge more memory shards.
"This isn't even the crazy stuff," Marceline groaned. "I am not looking forward to his memories of hanging out with my Dad."
Marceline kept playing. More memories shattered. The sight of a huge mushroom cloud on the horizon. Simon running for his life from an abandoned building he hid in. Hiding in a cave. Awakening to find ash and ruin all around him.
Then they found themselves in another memory. "This is when I first met Simon…" Marceline gasped as she watched the scene unfold.
Little Marcy was sound asleep in Simon's sleeping bag, clutching the stuffed doll Simon had found for her tightly. Simon sat next to her, watching over her.
Simon looked at the child's sleeping figure. So innocent. So peaceful despite what she had been through.
"Is this the reason everything happened to me?" He whispered aloud as he carefully brushed the bangs off the child's face. "Is this why I'm alive?"
Don't be silly, Simon…The crown purred. You're alive because I chose you. She had nothing to do with it.
"I always wanted a little girl…" Simon whispered. "Betty and I…"
Forget that selfish cow! She's dead you know? The war destroyed everyone and everything! The crown snarled.
"Except us," Simon looked at Marcy. "We're still alive. And I'm going to make sure she stays alive."
You can't promise that.
"Yes I can. It may be the only thing I can promise now…" Simon realized. "And I'm not going to waste it."
You don't need her Simon…
"Yes I do," Simon let out a breath. "I need a reason to live. Something to fight for besides myself."
You can't hold out forever. Sooner or later you will weaken and you will be all mine.
"I don't care anymore," Simon snarled. "You may have me yet. But not before she's safe. Whatever happens to me now…I'll gladly sacrifice everything I have left for her. I won't let this child die. I swear it!"
You think you can keep her alive on your own? You can barely take care of yourself!
"I can try," Simon gritted his teeth.
Try all you like. We both know you are going to need me if either of you are going to survive…The crown said triumphantly. No matter. I can wait. I've waited this long. One day you will be mine for all eternity. You'll forget all about her.
"No, I won't," Simon was filled with resolve. "I won't forget."
You will…
"I won't…" Simon was determined now. "Not in my heart. My mind may forget things but…my heart won't. I…I love her."
How can you love her? You only just met her! The crown mocked.
"There is such a thing as love at first sight," Simon whispered as he watched Marcy sleep. He smiled. "And it's not always romantic love. There are so many kinds of love…You have a lot to learn crown."
And you think your love can keep her safe?
"It will…" Simon said fiercely. "My love will find a way to protect her. Somehow…I know it. I promise!"
Promise all you like. We both know you won't be able to keep it.
"I will keep it…" Simon whispered to himself, his determination growing stronger than ever. "I will…"
"You did keep it Simon…" Marceline whispered. Suddenly they were thrown out of that memory. "This is getting ridiculous."
"Tell me about it…" Betty groaned. "Hang on! Here comes another one!"
Then they were in another memory. It was Simon staring at a ten year old Marcy's sleeping face.
She's nothing but a burden. She's old enough to look after herself now…A cruel voice was heard.
"No, please. She's still my little girl…" Simon whispered to himself.
She's a selfish little brat who is keeping you from doing what you want…The voice hissed. It felt like someone clawing nails on a chalkboard in their minds. It would be so easy to snap her neck…
Simon's eyes seemed to harden. His claws started to reach out. Just as they almost touched Marcy's throat, Simon caught himself. "NO! NO!" He pulled away in terror. "Don't make me hurt my Marcy. Please…I'll do anything. Please…"
If you don't get rid of her Simon, I will…The evil spirit snarled followed by a wave of pain.
"AGGGGHHH!" Both Betty and Marceline screamed at the pain in the memory. Marceline managed to pull Betty and herself out of the memory.
"Okay so we can feel the pain the Ice King has felt in a memory if we go in too deep," Marceline winced. "Now we know."
"Is that what Simon's endured all these years?" Betty gasped. "THAT WITCH!"
"That's why Simon contacted my Dad," Marceline realized. "She tried to kill me."
"She tried to get Simon to kill you. But Simon wouldn't let her," Betty said. "He loved you too much."
"It wasn't enough. He couldn't hold out forever. He never had a chance against that thing," Marceline realized. "The fact he lasted so long against her proves he was strong but in the end…"
A growling noise was heard in the darkness. Something cackled then ran behind them in the darkness. "What was that?" Marceline gasped.
"I thought you knew?" Betty gulped.
"Uh this is kind of the first time I've actually gone deeper into someone's mind," Marceline admitted. "Usually I only just skim memories but…"
Another cackling sound was heard. The shadowy figure darted around them. "Show yourself!" Marceline snarled. "Come out here!"
Betty shone her flashlight on the figure. It was the Ice King but it wasn't. His face seemed more twisted and harsh, his nose slightly longer. His beard was down to his feet and scraggly. His teeth were larger and his robe highlighted his thin frame. He had longer claws on his hands and feet and his eyes were red instead of white.
"GO AWAY!" Marceline snarled as she played her base again.
The creature made a snarling noise then shot right back into the darkness. "What the…?" Marceline gasped.
"I think that was the Ice King," Betty realized. "His persona anyway."
"Good news is I don't think he'll bother us anymore," Marceline growled. "Bad news is that there's still a whole lot of labyrinth to get through."
"You're just going to have to keep playing," Betty said.
"Still not going to be fast enough!" Marceline growled. "We need to find a way to get to him!" She absently played a few cords on the base. Then she had a thought. "Simon…please tell me where you are. I never should have let it get this far. I've needed you more than you know. I never should have let you go."
Marceline played her music and began to sing her heart. "Now I think I finally understand, what happened between us wasn't planned. You sacrificed yourself to save me. But I didn't realize how much you meant to me. I said things I know hurt you so. I never should have let you go."
"When you changed I turned you away…Because I couldn't face the fact that you couldn't stay," Marceline kept singing. Several more walls started to melt instead of shatter. "I was out of my mind. Selfish and blind. But now I see, how much you mean to me. This time I know I won't let you go."
"Simon…I let my pride blind me to what you were going through," Betty sang. "I never knew…And I don't know what else to do. I should have had more faith in you. Please forgive me…Forgive me…"
"I'm begging you on my knees. Oh please, please, please forgive me…" Marceline sang as she played. Then she changed the tune. "Your crown kept me alive, but it made you crazy. I need to save you. Because you saved me…."
"Please forgive me…" A soft familiar voice was heard in the distance. "For whatever I do…When…I…don't…"
"Simon! Marceline keep playing!" Betty called out. She moved through the areas where the walls were. "This way!"
"Simon…Is it you and me in the wreckage of the world?" Marceline sang. "It was so confusing you couldn't explain it to a girl. And I know deep down you need me too. Even though you lost yourself you always knew…"
"This magic keeps me alive,"…Simon's voice was heard. "But it's made me crazy…I need to save you…But who's going…?"
There was a choked cry. "Simon!" Betty called out. She ran down a corridor to a wall. There was something behind the wall. "Simon can you hear me? Simon!"
Betty pounded on the wall. "Simon please! Please don't shut me out! Please! Please talk to me…Don't shut me out. Not now. Not when we're so close…"
Tears ran down Betty's eyes and she sang. "This magic keeps you alive, but it's making you crazy! I need to save you…So you can save me. Please forgive me. For how I hurt you…Because I love you…"
"I….love you…" Simon's voice was heard, barely a whisper. "Princess…"
With a rumble the wall separating them crumbled to the floor. Inside lying face down was Simon. "SIMON!" Marceline cried out.
Simon looked worse than ever. His skin was a pale sickly bluish gray. His long hair and beard were shaggier and dull. His clothes were ratted and torn, little more than rags that barely hung on his emaciated frame. His feet were bare and he looked broken and beaten. His eyeglasses had a cracked lens in both frames.
"Simon!" Betty rushed to him and helped prop him up to a sitting position. "Simon! It's me! Betty! Wake up! Please wake up!"
"Betty…" He whispered as if he was still in a dream. "Is it really you? Or another delusion?"
"It's me! I'm here Simon," Betty clung to his cold body tightly. "My poor dear sweet Simon."
"It's really you…" Simon clutched to her as if his life depended on it. "It's really you…Oh Betty…Oh my princess…You found me. I was so lost and so alone for so long…"
He pulled away for a second to look at her. "You're…" Then he saw Marceline. "Marcy? Marcy is that you?"
"Yeah. Hey there Simon," Marcy felt a tear leak from her eye. "Long time no see."
"You're all grown up…" Simon realized. "How long…?"
"A very long time," Marcy said. "What do you remember?"
"Nothing. Just being alone and cold. So cold…" Simon shivered. "I couldn't move most of the time. Sometimes I think…I think I could hear you and I tried to fight my way out but I couldn't. I just couldn't…" Tears leaked from his eyes.
"Simon…" Marceline embraced him. It killed her seeing her dearest friend like this, so broken and beaten.
"Every time I could move I tried to find my way out but I just kept getting more lost in the labyrinth," Simon sobbed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I failed you…"
"You didn't fail me," Marceline started to cry. "You gave up everything just to save me."
"I didn't want to leave you Marcy," Simon told her. "But I couldn't risk your safety…And it broke my heart. But if I hurt you…It would have killed me."
"I know that now," Marceline hugged him tightly. "You were just trying to protect me. I forgive you. I just wish I could have fought harder to save you."
"Marcy there's nothing you could have done," Simon pulled away and looked into her eyes. "You were only a child and…and I was too far gone for you to do anything. I still am."
"Don't say that! That's not true!" Marcy barked at him.
"Look at me…" Simon shook his head and glared at his hands. "This is what I've become. Twisted by…her."
"It doesn't matter," Betty said holding his hands. "What matters is that we're finally together. All three of us. And we're going to take care of you. I promise."
A soft moan was heard in the distance. "There's someone else frozen in here," Marceline realized. "Come on."
"Can you walk?" Betty asked helping him up.
"Y-Yes," Simon nodded. He leaned on her for support.
"Down here," Marceline called out. They went down another frozen hallway.
"I can't believe you're really here," Simon gently nuzzled Betty's cheek with his own. "It feels like a dream…"
"Simon I am so sorry," Betty apologized. "This is all my fault. I should have known it was the crown that made you say and do those things. I should have had more faith in you. If I had just stayed and…"
"Oh Betty…I hurt you didn't I? I am so sorry," Simon stopped and started sobbing. "Please forgive me…"
"Only if you forgive me," Betty embraced him. She started to cry too. "I'm not going to run away anymore Simon. I promise."
"I hate to break this up but we have to get moving," Marceline said.
"I'm trying. I really am. I just feel so weak…" Simon shook his head. "I've been down here too long…No light…No warmth…" He shivered a little.
"Then let me carry you," Marceline offered.
"You don't have to…" Simon began.
"Hey, who is it that told me to take it while you can get it?" Marceline raised an eyebrow. "You told me that if anyone offered to carry you, you would do it in a heartbeat. Well I'm offering."
"That's my Marcy," Simon lightly chuckled as Marceline picked him up. "Okay…" He buried his face on Marceline's shoulder. "I'm sorry I'm so weak."
Marceline almost giggled at the strange sensation of Simon's whiskers on her bare skin. "You carried me when I needed you," She said softly. "Now it's my turn to carry you."
Simon made a soft contented noise as he allowed himself to be carried. Soon they found themselves down an ice covered dead end. "Now where are we?" Marceline looked around.
"There's tunnels like this all over the place," Simon moaned as Marceline put him down. "Every year more and more of them pop up and…"
"These tunnels are your memories," Marceline explained. "All frozen up."
"How long have I been alive?" Simon shuddered.
"A really long time," Marceline sighed. "Over a thousand years."
"No wonder I couldn't get out of this place," Simon grumbled. "Wait there is something down here. I can feel it." He reached out to touch the ice covered wall.
He then jumped back in shock with a gasp. Betty looked closer. "Is that…?" They saw a familiar figure of an olive skinned human man with black hair and glasses, wearing a neat brown suit, red bow tie with a brown waistcoat and yellow shirt trapped in the ice.
"That's…me," Simon gasped. "The way I used to be. When I was…."
"I think I know what's going on here," Marceline said. "You've been split into three parts. Your past memories. Your essence and the Ice King. The only way to get full control again is to absorb the other two parts."
"Absorb…?" Simon was stunned. "Oh what good will that do? Even if I do break free the crown…"
"Not the crown, the spirit of the crown," Betty said. "There's a difference."
"Not much of a difference to me," Simon grumbled.
"The crown's spirit split you into three parts for a reason Simon," Marceline put her hand on his shoulder. "It means it did that so you would be easier to control. If you get all three parts together again…"
"We have to get him out," Betty said.
"Okay…stand back," Marceline prepared her bass ax. This time she played several chords of hard rock. The ice cracked slightly but no great damage was done. "Aggh! It's not working!"
"Wait…I know something…" Simon winced. "You have the right idea Marcy. Music can help thaw but…Something else…Another tune. I can't remember…"
Then it came to Betty. "I remember!" She let go of Simon and went to the imprisoned figure in the ice. She put her hand on the ice and began to sing. "Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away…?"
The figure in the ice started to glow and the ice started to crack. "Sometimes you want to go…" A soft familiar voice drifted through the cracks. "Where everybody knows your name…"
"And they're always glad you came…" Betty sang some more. She indicated Marcy to play her base.
"You want to be where people know, that troubles are all the same!" Marceline and Betty sang. "You want to go where everybody knows…"
"My name…" The figure in the ice whispered as the ice cracked.
With a loud twang Marceline sent out a piercing note that shattered the ice. The figure fell to the ground, free of the confines of his icy prison.
"Free…" Young Simon seemed like he was about to cry. "I'm free…"
"Not for long if we don't fix this," Marceline helped him up. "Look there's not much time. You're Simon's memories of his younger self. You have to merge with Simon here in order for both of you to live."
"I don't know what to say…" Simon looked at his younger self as they faced each other. "Please help me. Please. I know I've made mistakes. I need your strength. Please…"
"Of course I'll help you," Young Simon put his hand on his shoulder. "How could I not? I'm you."
"Thank you," A tear escaped from Simon's eye. "I know I don't deserve it…"
"Simon I'm not only who you were, but who you are deep down inside," Young Simon told his older counterpart. "Both of us are good. Don't forget that."
"Don't feel very good," Simon grumbled.
"Have you forgotten?" Young Simon gave him a look. "I'm the one who found the crown in the first place. I'm just as much to blame as you are."
"Neither of you are to blame," Betty spoke up. "It's all Sifine's fault."
"Sifine?" Simon asked.
"The name of the soul of an evil Ice Queen that went nuts," Marceline explained. "Bubblegum found the whole story about her. Long story short, she's the one in the crown."
"I know that name," Young Simon spoke. "I remember reading about it in some ancient lore. But I thought that name was just the name of a person that was either a myth or her story exaggerated."
"She was all too real," Betty said. "In fact she was a ruler of a whole race of ice people but she destroyed them all with her greed for power."
"Yes the legends spoke of a race of ice demons or wizards that ruled the ice," Young Simon said.
"You didn't turn into a monster Simon," Marceline explained. "You turned into an Ice Person. Well Ice Wizard. The technical term is Frostkin. A member of a race that went extinct millennia ago."
"I knew my body had changed but…I didn't know why," Simon frowned.
"Somehow the crown is able to either implant or rearrange DNA to match its ancestry," Young Simon realized. "Perhaps a way to preserve the species it destroyed? Curious."
"Crazy is more like it," Simon sighed. "So I guess we have to do this now?"
"One minute please?" Young Simon asked his older counterpart. "I just want to say something to…" He looked at Betty.
"I understand," Simon smiled. "Go on."
Young Simon went to Betty and took her hand. "Betty…I have to say…I love you. And I am so sorry for what I did. I never wanted to hurt you."
"I know," Betty told him. "And I'm sorry I talked you into putting on that crown. Even worse, I never should have left you alone. I should have known better."
"I'm glad you escaped," Young Simon said. "I just wanted you to remember me as I was. One last time."
He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Betty returned it. Young Simon pulled away with a tear in his eye. He looked at his counterpart. "I'm ready now."
"How do we do this?" Simon blinked. "I don't know how to merge ourselves."
"I do," Young Simon smiled. "It's easy." He embraced his older self with a hug.
Simon was startled at first. Then he smiled and embraced his younger self. The younger Simon began to fade until there was only Simon left. Simon seemed to change a little. His posture was slightly straighter and his clothing was repaired to when Marceline first knew him. His cracked glasses were now fixed and his skin had a darker twinge of blue to it. Simon opened his eyes and he looked almost at peace.
"Simon? You okay?" Betty asked.
"Better than I have in years," Simon smiled at her. "He…forgave me. And I forgave him. It was easy."
"One down, one to go," Marceline let out a breath. "He's not going to go as quietly as the other one."
"I know," A growl came from Simon's throat. "I'll handle him Marceline. I have to. Betty you have to get out of here now. It's going to get rough in here and I don't want you in the crossfire."
"Simon…" Betty tried to protest.
"Please Betty. I need you to be safe in case something happens," Simon told her, holding her hands tightly. "Besides you can help me more out there. I need you to hold me down and talk to me. Just knowing you're out there will give me the strength to fight."
"I'll stay with him," Marceline said. "No argument Simon, you need me to watch your back. I'm not leaving you alone. Besides I'm more equipped to deal with this sort of stuff than either of you are."
"All right," Betty said. "Just remember I'm waiting for you Simon." She kissed him on the lips. Then she embraced him. "I'm waiting for you."
"I'll come back," Simon promised her. "I promise I'll come back."
"You'd better come back," Betty told him.
"I will. I promise," Simon told her.
Marceline nodded and touched her hand to Betty's shoulder. Then Betty disappeared.
Back in the real world…
"Whoa…" Big D blinked after he had watched the tape and listened to the rest of the story from Finn. "Now that blows Big D's mind."
"So the reason the Ice King is crazy for princesses is that he wants Betty, his princess?" Briggs frowned. "Okay now things are starting to make sense."
"Now they're starting to make sense?" Jason was stunned. "Nothing about this whole place makes sense to me!"
"Then you haven't been paying attention," Carter remarked.
"Ahh!" Betty gasped as she returned to the real world.
"Betty?" Finn asked. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, but Simon's…He was torn into three pieces. He managed to reunite two pieces together. He has to fight one more piece to gain control of himself," Betty shook her head.
"Three pieces?" Bubblegum thought to herself. "Hmmm…"
"His mind is a frozen mess," Betty said. "All his memories were frozen by the crown. And now Simon has to take on his other self. The Ice King. Alone…"
"Oh this will not end well," Jake winced.