Chapter 2

Finns footsteps echoed through the chrome halls as he followed the hulking humanoid known as Kai. He was told to follow and did what he was told, after all he Finn did just get his butt handed to him.

"Over here successor" Kai said as he entered the large chamber doors.

"Uhh you can just call me Finn man" Finn replied meekly

As Finn entered the door he looked around and was amazed yet confused. Beautiful and magnificent paintings of Kai slaying ancient creatures and monsters was littered all over the chrome walls. There were even pictures of Kai with some type of ancient princesses from long ago with the OOO champion medal. Finn walked closer to the shelf and saw that it had several medals in a glass case. One was a champion medal from the breakfast kingdom, Another from the fire kingdom, the slime kingdom and the candy kingdom. Wait the candy kingdom? Princess Bubblegum must surely know Kai, the great hero of OOO. Why didn't she ever mention him? Finn looked closer at the medal and found that it looked the exact same as the one he possessed.

~Flashback 6 years ago~

"Finn the Human, the new champion of OOO and the Candy Kingdom, I grant you the distinctive and exclusive champion medal of OOO" Princess Bubblegum explained attaching the medal to the 11 year old boys chest.

"Champion of OOO?, thank you Princess" the boy replied gratefully, staring at the medal on his chest.

"No way dude, we saved the princess from the old fart and now we are the champions OOO!" Jake yelled

Finn looked at Jake with an incredibly excited expression. He and Jake had just saved the Ice King from kidnapping the candy princess and now were the champions of OOO. Even though Finn could barely hold his sword and it was mainly Jake who did the butt kicking, it was the heroism that Finn showed which made him a champion.

"Thank you for saving me Finn, I and the candy people will never forget what you did for us" The candy princess said.

As soon as the princess said that the onlookers all cheered the young hero and his dog companion. Finn felt ready to full-fill his duty as a hero. Full-fill his purpose.

"This is so rad" Finn whispered.

~end of flashback~

Finn stood there looking at the medal. He had so many question. Exclusive?. How did Kai have the same medal as Finn. Was he truly a hero of OOO? And why had Finn never heard of him, he couldn't of been forgotten.

"You saved the Candy Kingdom?" Finn asked

"Aye plenty more times than you believe it or not. Monsters, the ice king you name it. That place was safe thanks to me" Kai replied looking into nothingness.

"Kai, the candy princess. She never mentioned you and theres no mention of you. Why?" Finn questioned confused.

"Why? Boy I wish I could tell you. I'm over 500 years old Finn. I was the hero of OOO for only 50 of those years, I've done everything you have done and more. I've known the ancients you have met and fought monsters you have slain. At the end of my story as a hero I was cast aside as I was not as useful as the new hero who came along. The one who has been replaced and will be forgotten too. Billy." The humanoid rumbled

Replaced? People wouldn't replace their hero Finn thought. The cycle however made sense in some way. Billy got old and Finn replaced him as he was cast aside. Sure people say he retired but who knows anymore. What if he was replaced behind the scene as soon as Finn and Jake arrived. Who even knew about Billy in the grand scale of things. If what Kai is saying is true why did no one mention him? And how could people just throw him to the side as if he ran out of batteries or something.

"Listen Finn I understand this is hard to take in but I just wanted you to understand that not everything is what it looks like. You need to not expect too much from OOO, don't let it break you when you are forgotten and thrown aside. Let it make you stronger" Kai announced.

Finn was standing there unresponsive and confused. Everything he thought about what being a hero meant was thrown under the bus. Did the relationships he formed mean anything? The people, the adventures.

"No dude you're wrong. You're some evil mind monster trying to get involved in my bizz to do something evil. I'm a hero because the people need me and I will not bend to your stupid story!" Finn yelled unsheathing his sword.

"Boy don't do this. I don't want to kill you. Everything I told you here is true. You can make let the cycle break you or you can break it." Kai tried to explain

"There is no cycle dude because I would know about the hero cycle. We are not thrown away to the side like you say. We are appreciated and needed. I don't wanna be some base hermit like you, living in the ground." Finn said walking to Kai.

"I am so sorry Finn" kai replied quietly. As he unsheathed his long sword.

Finn raised the sword above his head and charged. Time to take out this mind funker. He was ready to end his lies and stop him from corrupting his head. He was ready. Finn was less than a foot away from Kai and swung down with all his might! Only for his vision to go completely black and collapse.

Kai stood over Finn as he just hit him over the head with the handle of his sword, knocking him out cold instantly. He was sad that he couldn't help Finn. Gently Kai picked up the unconscious boy and carried him out of the underground base. Kai activated the trap door and walked out into the sandy plain and placed Finn on the sandy floor. Kai stood there a while looking at the hero of OOO with a stern expression. He had to leave him to figure this out. Kai walked away from the boy and re-entered his underground base.

~ 3 hours later~

Heavy eyelids opened as his eyes scanned the room he was in. Finn looked around panicking. He was just in a fight and now he's here, where is he? Looking down he noticed a pink blanket around him, purple walls around him with a balcony at the front. He was in PB's room.

Opening the door the princess walked in "Finn it's great that you are awake I have some question" the princess said as she entered the room

"Questions? First answer my one. What in the flip happened?" Finn asked as he looked at her confused.

"Oh right. When your crystal communicator went offline I could tell you were in some trouble. So I got Morrow to bring me over to your location. When I got there I saw you laying on the sand unconscious. You must of got hit in the head because you had a nasty bump there. After I found you I brought you back here and put you in my bed because I didn't think you needed to be in the medical wing" Princess Bubblegum explained.

Was anything that happened even real? Finn instantly thought back to the interaction with Kai. It disturbed him with what he said. If he was so evil why didn't he kill Finn. Why would he let him live with everything he was told? Times like these Finn missed his vault. But he couldn't tell anyone about this. He didn't want to know if it was true or not.

"So what are the questions PB?" Finn questioned

"Well the obvious one, what did you find?" PB replied

Finn thought about what he should say. He didn't want to tell her about Kai, what if it was true. Everything he thought he knew about being a hero would be shaken. Thrown away for the new. Finn knew that he wouldn't be replaced or at least he liked to think that. For now all he had to do was keep doing what he always had been doing, be a hero.

"Nothing much PB. It was just some cave I went into it wasn't that cool. I slated a couple of skeletons and there were some lightning staffs from wizard city, that's it" Finn answered.

"Oh ok. So it wasn't anything crazy it was just some dungeon. That explains a lot with the energy spikes just being the lightning staffs, thanks for going Finn I appreciate it" PB said as she put a kind hand on Finns shoulder.

"No prob Bob. It's what 'hero's do' " Finn said with a little emphasis on 'hero'.

"You're donking right. In fact I have something to show, follow me Finn" PB states as she stands up and starts walking

Finn instantly gets up, stretches and follows behind. Finn knows he should be talking but everything he was told by Kai seriously messed with his head he couldn't think straight.

"Hey weenie" marceline greeted with a mischievous tone.

"Hey Marcie, are you here to show me what PB wants to show me? Is it a sword, a new backpack or some cool new gadget?" Finn asked excitedly.

"Bingo Finn, kinda. Me and Bonnie made you this because I think you needed a serious upgrade" marceline stated eyeing PB.

Finn stepped forward and was handed a medium sized box covered in wrapping paper. Just what I need to take my mind of things. Finn started to rip apart the wrapping paper only to find something he didn't expect. In a clear box was a brand new arm! The shiny metallic design of the arm reflected the room around them. It looked to be more flexible than his other 3 pointed arm and this one had a normal hand on the top with 5 fingers. With no words Finn takes of his old grey metal arm and replaces it with the new one. Sharp needles penetrate through his skin as they connect to his nerves. Finn raised his arm and squeezed his brand new hand.

"PB, Marcie. I don't know what to say. Thank you!" Finn said excitedly as he runs up to the pair and gave them a hug.

Giving out a little giggle as the hug ends Marceline says "it's cool Finn. We both thought you should have an upgrade because you old metal arm only had like 3 fingers".

"Yh Finn we felt like you deserved this, especially with all the hard work you have been doing for us" PB added.

"Thanks guys I mean it" Finn said looking look at them.

"Hey Finn what do say you to me, you and Bonnie all hang out for a while" Marcie asked

"Yeah Finn come on it will be fun" PB reenforced.

Hanging out with two of his best friends sure did sound fun to Finn. It has been so long. But Finn couldn't keep his mind off of what happened. He didn't feel like pretending everything was fine with two of the people who probably knew the answer to the question he's thinking.

"I'm sorry guys I can't, I'm super beat I'm probably gonna head back to mine, plus my mom wants to see me so I gotta get some Zs." Finn explained

"Oh alright Finn... if you need anything you know where to find us" PB replied.

"Yh and you still owe us our hangout sesh homie" Marceline added.

"Of course guys, I gotta go, thanks for the awesome new arm" Finn waved as he walked through the castle halls.

Finn left the castle in a brisk pace. He needed to clear him mind, maybe a little walk to his old treehouse. He hasn't seen fern in a while. Fern, I'm so sorry. Finn would regularly see fern and talk to him, sure he didn't know if he could hear him but it was worth it. Finn continued walking and eventually made it to the grasslands. The grassy hills and tall green trees helped remind Finn of good times.

"Man I need to build a house out here, I forgot how nice it wa-"

Finn was interrupted by a stick hitting his head. He looked up confused to find no other than Huntress Wizard. He hasn't seen the wizard in a while. It was confusing for Finn, he had complex feelings for the wizard but he couldn't act on them. Hard meat don't get eat.

"Hey HW, been a while" Finn said as he rubbed his head.

"Finn I need your help, a beast is ruining the fauna in the area and I could use some help from an exceptional warrior" Huntress announced.

Finn wanted to just take a walk and clear his head. But slaying a big evil monster would completely take his mind of everything.

"I'm down HW let's kill this thing!" Finn yelled with a fist in the air pointing at HW in the tree.

"Come on HW bump it and we'll go" Finn said.

HW looked at Finn confused. However she raised her fist and connected it with Finn. Her first fist bump.

"Math, lead the way HW" Finn said as he lands on HW back.

"Hang on tight" HW says as she runs above the trees.

Finn did exactly that, holding on tight as Huntress Wizard elegantly jumped and skipped around the narrow branches. Finn was confused where he was going, it looked like the first place he met HW the way they were heading. The huge forest was in the distance as Finn looked in the distance.

"Just down here Finn" HW said as she lets Finn of her back and walks along the forest path.

Finn followers behind but could almost sense something was off. Last time he was here was when he tried to help HW summon the spirit of the forest. Now he was in this dark, desolate forest. The branches hung low and the leaves were darker. The steams looked murky and there were no animals around to see. Finn knew something was wrong and instantly unsheathed his sword as he tip toed behind the wizard, ready for anything.

"Huntress what happened here" Finn asked as he looked around

"A creature lurks here now. It's not natural to this place and I've never seen it before. I caught a glimpse of it and it was fast and strong. It's killed so many of the local fauna here and I see it as my responsibility to kill this beast. It's even been affecting the food storage at the Forrest kingdom. These people rely on this food and we have to help them" huntress explained in a pained voice

"Spoken like a true hero huntress, I hero promise I will do everything to slay this beast" Finn said as he put his hand on HW shoulder.

Huntress looked at Finn and gave him a small smile. Usually she would never let her guard down but something about Finn made her feel like she could, only for a little while of course. Moving away from Finn, huntress began walking to an open area in the forest and started to place several different types of meat and other objects on the ground.

"We setting a trap for it H-Wiz?" Asked Finn as he knelt down to look at the objects on the floor.

"Yes Finn it's a trap, full of different meat and bones. We will wait in the trees over there and a pounce on the creature when it starts to eat this stuff" Huntress explained.

Finn and HW climbed up the trees and waited patiently. Hours started to pass and nothing had yet fallen for the trap except for a few birds.

"Hey HW, what does this creature look like?" Finn asked.

"It's like I said, it's nothing I have ever seen before. It has a orange body with black stripes and a main around its neck. It's large, at least twenty five feet long and seven feet tall. It's teeth are as sharp as spears and it's claws as long my forearm" HW said.

"Wow you're not ki-" Finn tried to say.

Finn stopped what he was saying as he heard a bone getting crushed. The trap!. Finn slowly looked behind him and saw what Huntress was talking about. Standing there was a huge cat it looked like, exactly how HW described with a huge scar along its eye. It truly was weirdly beautiful and utterly terrifying.

"Arrrrrrrggggg" HW screamed in a barbaric voice as she jumps down with an arrow in hand.

She is crazy Finn thought. Finn jumped down after her, night sword in hand ready to kill the beast. Finn raised his sword in brings it down upon the beasts tail trying to cut in. The sword merely scratched it as the beast turned around and let out a prehistoric growl! Oh glob. The creature lifted a heavy paw and swiped it at Finn but Finn just about ducked under it and runs to the front of the beast. Huntress meanwhile through an arrow at the beasts back causing its orange fur to leak out a small amount of blood. The beast roared and swiped at HW hitting her and sending her deep into the forest.

"Huntress!" Finn yelled after her.

His eyes scanned the area where she went, distracting him from the fight as the beast hits him with his left paw causing Finn to hit into a tree. Ouch that's gonna leave a mark. Finns head felt light from the impact as the beast got closer ever so slowly. Eyeing its prey. Finn was hurt and completely out of his depth. Sluggishly he stood with the help of his sword. Hero's don't give up! Finn stood straight and held his sword ready to try at least. The beast eyed Finn and charged him, Finn tried to sidestep but was caught in its paws cause three slashes from the claws to slash his chest! Finn laid there looking into the beasts dark green eyes in silence. He knew he had to do something not just for himself but for the forest kingdom, the fauna for Huntress. The beast opened its terrifying jaws and Finn looked to the right, away from the jaws not wanting to know what happens next. Suddenly he opened his eyes even more and saw what was to the side of him. His sword. Finn stretched out and grabbed it with his new metal arm firmly. The beast let's one last roar and was about to bite Finns head. As it moves in to bite him Finn moved his sword and inserts it straight through the monsters mouth and through its throat. Slumping slowly, the monster collapsed next to Finn. Lifeless. I did it phew.

Finn slowly stood up feeling the aches and cuts over his body. He had to find Huntress!

"Huntress! Huntress! Where are you? Are you okay? Finn yelled frantically searching for her.

"I'm fine dude, ouch he got me good" Huntress said as she popped her shoulder into place.

Finn went up to and checked over her to make sure she was alright. She had a small cut on her leg and an injured shoulder. However in general she was ok.

"Come on HW let's set up camp nearby, i think we both need rest" Finn told HW as he looked down at his bloody chest.

Finn set up a small camp with a campfire and two sleeping bags,not so far from the woods while Huntress Wizard, using her magic, dragged the fallen beast over to the camp. As Finn sat down he felt the burning pain from the attack on his chest. Further inspection showed that the three claws had cut perfectly across his chest giving a deep red cut. Touching the cut Finn hissed in pain.

"Here Finn I'll patch you up" Huntress said as she gets a needle and some string to sew up Finns wound,

"Thanks HW" Finn replied as he sat idly looking into the distance.

The two sat in a comfortable silence as HW carefully started to patch up Finn. Finn did clear his mind slightly from the whole hero cycle thing about being used like a tool. Surely he wasn't just seen as a hero to be used, he even got a cool new arm. To better your usefulness as a hero. Finn shook his head from that thought. It wasn't true.

"HW, how many hero's of OOO do you know?" Finn asked randomly.

Giving Finn a puzzled look Huntress wizard replied "just you Finn. Why?"

"Oh no reason just some hero trubs" Finn explained

"Well I think you're a pretty good hero, you saved the Forest kingdom that means a lot to me..." HW said as she finished cleaning Finns wound.

"We saved the Forest Kingdom" Finn replied, keeping eye contact with HW.

Her eyes, they are so nice... Finn couldn't help but keep staring at her feeling something he had not felt on a long time. Finn slowly moved his head closer to HW finally waiting for that companion, to express his feelings for her.

"We should get some sleep" HW mumbled as she moved her head away from Finn and headed to her sleeping bag.

Finn was left disappointed. He thought he was going to have a little moment with the wizard, he remembered however Hard meant don't get eat.

"Yh goodnight Huntress" Finn said as he slipped into his sleeping bag.

Finn couldn't let his guard down like that. He was a hero and would not lack focus like that again. No distractions Finn thought as he closed his eyes.