The Human and the Shadow Part 23

Finn, Lily and Bubba

"So what happened to you?"

"We learnt the truth behind Lumen or should I say Ivel"

"The truth?"

"Yes… we know who he is, why he shares your surname and what his connection to Dawn is"

"Tell me everything"

"Well I guess it began when Simon and I woke up in Lll… We were surrounded with nothing but debris however there was a house, just one house standing on the horizon. We explored the house and found a picture of a boy who shared Lumen's resemblance and around the room there were various decayed items that carried the name Ivel, which Simon explained was Lumen's prior name. From there I guess that's where I should explain from.

FLASHBACK

"What would you suggest we look for Gumball?"

"Anything that connects to Lumen's past life, but first if I was you I'd build an Ice wall around the house, it may draw in more attention but it gives us more protection from whatever may be alive in this world."

"Good plan, what will you do?"

"I'm going to gather all the pictures and stuff I can that links to Lumen, there may be a room upstairs that was his and it probably survived better than this room. If we are to beat this evil we need to make sure it cannot use Lumen's past against him or us."

"Let's get started then."

Bubba looked around the room trying to find any clues on the past of the Shade Prince. On a shelf stood another picture that was visible, it was the twins from before sitting on swings with massive smiles on their faces. The picture had an inscription… "Our Precious Two, Ivel and Is…" The second name had been scratched off furiously and was dirty suggesting it was a while ago. The pink Prince tucked the picture along with the first one in his invisible bag.
Looking around quickly Bubba realised that everything else in the room was either broken furniture or too decayed to be a resourceful clue so began his climb upstairs. His earlier suggestion of the top floor being better off than the first was half correct. Half the top floor was missing allowing Bubba to see the true extent of the destruction that had befallen the world. All was rubble, road or death… it was a sad sight to say the least. There were two rooms still surviving however he went to the first that had a 'No Girls' sign hanging on it.

The room was quite clean in the prince's opinion and quite a simple one at that. There were posters of various things layered on the wall "My Chemical Romance", "Eminem", "Fall Out Boy". "They must be musical bands like the one Marshy is in" Bubba thought to himself. He looked over at the bed and noticed it was neatly made and that a pair of pyjamas were folded up on the pillow. He held them up and was confused. "Batman? I thought Lumen's world was a human one how could they have bat-men" He put the PJ's back down after folding them up. There was a wardrobe full of clothes and another draw also with clothes. In Bubba's opinion it was quite a plain room with not much going on. He was about to leave when he noticed something poking out from under the bed. He crawled down and dragged it out. It was a locked combination chest with various 'stay out' and 'hands off' stickers over it. It didn't take the Prince long to work out the code, using science of course. The chest was full of various photographs, items and a little box. Gumball poured the contents of the chest in his bag intending to reconnect them with their owner. He looked at the box and decided not to peer inside, it wasn't his stuff to go looking into and he was no LSP.

The Prince closed the room and made his way to the next one. This door had no sign but as soon as he walked in the room he could tell it belonged to Lumen's twin sister. It was very similar to the other room however the posters over the wall showed weird characters from a pirate looking one with the words 'One Piece' on it to one with an orange haired individual holding up an oversized blade with the word 'Bleach' on it. "What do swords and Bleach have to do in common?" Bubba pondered as he looked around the room. The bedding was covered in a floral bedspread and the pyjamas folded up on the bed were covered in butterflies. The walls where there weren't posters were painted pink or purple. "I like this person's colour taste" Bubba smiled. He looked around again but just found clothes in all of the cupboards. He thought again about the chest and looked under the bed to find a small wrapped package. Inside was a book with the title "The Diary of Isabella Mertens". The Prince was usually against snooping but this time he let himself indulge.

"Dear Diary, It's a pleasure to meet you my name is Miss Isabella Mertens but you can call me Izzy… everyone else does except Ivel he calls me Bella which I pretend not to like but I do love it a lot. I don't really have much to say at the moment I just couldn't wait to write in you X'3 I got this as a present off my mum and I just really wanted to write in you, I think I will call you Di for short, well speak soon Di."
Bubba decided to skip a few pages; they were filled with stories about her day and her likes and dislikes.

"Hey again Di it's been a few weeks since I started writing in you and I don't think I even introduced my family to you :O well it goes like this.

As you know my name is Isabella Mertens, I have a twin brother named Ivel Finn Mertens. My mummy is named Sarah Mertens and my daddy is called Jake Mertens. He was named after I think my great-great-great-great-great granddads best friend Jake… or his dog… I've never really been sure about that lol… My brother's middle name is my great… my old granddads name… I actually have a middle name too it's Phoebe which was his wife's named. Well that's my little family; I love them all and I am soooooo happy with my life it's wonderful!"

Bubba stared in shock at the diary, Faith had said that Lumen was ripped from a different time as well as a different space but if he was Finn and Phoebe of this world's descendant… he was actually from 500 years in the future… or the past? Bubba had never been so confused but he decided to press on in the diary regardless. The next entry's covered many treasured memories which the girl wrote in great detail. You could see her handwriting improve and her vocabulary get better. She wrote about birthdays, holidays, the summer, the rain and many other things. Bubba could see the girl was both passionate and happy.

He got through about half way through the book when he noticed the pages were ripped, torn or in worse condition.

"I'm scared Di… I'm so scared… one minute it was really sunny then all of a sudden it was dark and this creepy voice filled the air. It said that we were all going to die and that we'd suffer. A lot of people are calling it a publicity stunt but Mum and Dad are being weird… they keep talking about "the light" they have hidden and which one they should give it to."

"Di people are dying all over the world… there's been forest fires, tsunamis and earthquakes everywhere… people are saying it's due to global warming but I know.. I just know it's that voice again."

"…I…I… I saw a dead body today Di… I was walking home from the store with the rations we were given and it was just hanging there… on a tree… it was the quiet girl from school… I can't get her out of my head… so many people have died… I'm beginning to think we're all going to die…"

The next few pages of the diary were illegible or destroyed.

"Ivel and I are hiding out, Dad went out to scavenge for rations but we have heard nothing back from him. Mum keeps telling us he is alive and safe but I know… I know he is dead. I think Ivel knows too… he's been preparing his bag for a scavenge trip I think he is planning on taking over where Dad use to… Di… I think we're alone…"

"Di…why am I alone"

"Mum wouldn't let Ivel go out scavenging alone so the two went together; I'm here holding the house… I think it's one of the only one's still standing after the constant earthquakes"

"I don't think we're alone anymore… I can hear it… something is out there… something is calling for our lives… Ivel hears it too… he hears the call of death but mum can't… I don't know what this means…"

"I saw it… I saw it today… It was feasting on the remains of a corpse… its head fell off half way through and it just put it on… what is that monster… I told Ivel about it and he said if what I saw was true it was a Cadaver… an undead corpse. I hope I was imagining it."

"Mum is dead. It got her. I and Ivel are alone now. He keeps insisting we move from our location but I'm too scared. What if the Cadaver gets me too?"

"I… I… I… made a mistake… I think it saw me… it was near me and it saw me but I ran away… I just hope it didn't follow me"

"I didn't tell Ivel about the Cadaver spotting me… it's been a few days since I saw it… maybe I got lucky"

"I didn't."

"I'm alone"

"I'm alone… all alone"

"It killed him. It killed my brother… he was standing in front of me… and then… it's claw burst through his chest and I saw the look on his face… the same look that girl hanging had… death… something happened though… a hooded man turned up… put this light into his wound and then threw him through a swirling light and his body was gone… the man… he disappeared but I saw… he was a skeleton… everything around me is dead… I am grateful though… I don't have to bury my brother…"

"The Cadaver tortures me daily now… it scratches its claws against my body… beats me and then drags me naked across the rubble… I won't scream… it has already robbed me of that…"

"It comes… tortures… heals me and then leaves… every day the same thing… I don't know why… I even tried to end it myself… I cut my wrists, throat and body… I just bleed… but can't die… I hung myself and hoped it would end… all I ended up doing was making the torture easy for the Cadaver… maybe I can't die… maybe I'm not allowed"

"I heard the voice again… the one that told me about the end… it told me that it is Ivel's fault that I can't die… it told me that he left me like this and it was doing this because Ivel took away something that belonged to him… Ivel wouldn't do that to me…"

"It keeps talking… I hear it always now… the voice tells the Cadaver to stop and it does… the voice protects me… I like the voice but it keeps saying it's Ivel's fault… it can't be?"

"Di… The voice told me I could die if I kill Ivel… I don't understand… Ivel died didn't he? Otherwise he would have come back to save me… I can't kill him… I WON'T"

"I got punished again by the voice…. It made the Cadaver… do things to me…"

"Ivel is alive… the voice showed me that he is a Prince and is happy… he was riding around on a magic carpet… a magic F***ing carpet… while I'm getting gutted…"

"Ivel is to blame… he left me to die… but I can't kill him… can I?"

"Can I?"

"Ivel must die"

"Ivel should die"

"Ivel will die…"

"Ivel will die at my hand"

"Ivel became Lumen Dusk so I shall be Luminescence… Luminescence Dawn… I shall be the coming Light after the darkness he left me in… Ivel will die."

"I will find my brother… today is the day of his trial… I'm meant to wait and train another year but I will attack when he is weak and kill him… I'll make it seem like I want him dead that's it… that's my plan… but the truth is… he is able to kill me because he shares my power… I don't want to kill my brother but knowing him he won't want to kill me… I will kill all his friends… everyone he cares for… and then he can kill me… and I can die… I can finally die… today is the day… today…"

Bubba stood staring at the diary… this girl was going to kill or seriously harm Lumen… he didn't remember her and he would be an easy target… not just that she was planning on killing everyone else too.

Simon came to the room to meet Bubba he was sweating a lot from using loads of his powers. Simon looked over at the diary.

"What is that?"

"Lumen's sister's diary"

"Her diary? Does it say what happened to her and Lumen?"

"Yes it does… Lumen and his family were killed but she was spared… the evil tortured her with something called the Cadaver… she was basically brain washed to kill Lumen but from what I can gather she isn't sure of what she wants and is either going to end his life… or kill everyone he cares about to get him to kill her"

"Wait… That includes Betty… Marceline and the others?"

"It includes everyone Simon yes… We have to get back to them"

"Yes but… Bubba… there could be more clues here about how to defeat the evil and this girl."

"That's very true Simon… what do we do?"

Before either could say another word the air was consumed with a blood churning growl. They turned to the door and ran out. From the view from the collapsed part of the house the two could see the ice dome Simon had built around the house. Through the opaque ice a shadow to could been which was the source of the growling the shadow raised its limbs then brought them down onto the dome violently. Once it had hit once it kept going hitting again and again.

"Judging from what we know that is the Cadaver"

"I assume you are right Simon, can your shield hold?"

"That shield could hold Finn out but I have no idea what we're dealing with here Bubba now we need a plan, we need to get back but we need to stay here so what do we do?"

"Logically… one of us would need to stay…"

"But which one Bubba?"

"…You have more to lose if you stay… so I will stay"

"But your mind is more of an asset to our friends"

"Simon I cannot rob you of your wife… I am alone and if I do not make this… well… it's not like anyone would even care" Bubba looked towards the floor with a face full of pain. Simon did something he doesn't usually do; he pulled back his fist and punched the pink prince in the face knocking him back.

"Simon what was that for!"

"No one cares about you? That is totally junk Bubba, do you think I am blind! You are in love with Bonnibel and just got your best friend back! Marshall would be broken if he lost you now and let's not even talk about Fionna, What would she do if she lost you! Yes I love my Betty more than Ooo itself but we have waited 1000 years for each other I am sure we can survive a little longer now I am staying and you are going back to the people we love and helping them! I swear to glob put that big brain to use and think of a way out of this trial rather than drowning in self-pity and denial"

Bubba just stared at the Ice Prince stunned not knowing what to say. The two would have remained in the awkward silence but turned to see large cracks appearing in Simon's ice dome shield.

"Thank you Simon… I was being foolish but now we must act, from what I have gathered the Death of this world saved Lumen's life and threw him through a portal that was only open because of Faith… but the power Lumen was given isn't like that of his power now so somewhere within him is that power and I think Faith is the key… When you get back find her"

"Okay but what are we going to do about our guest?"

"Is there any way you could bring down this dome? Like just bring the whole down onto the house?"

"Well I'd have to put a weight on the top but yes it would bring it down… destroying the whole house in the process"

"Perfect… listen head to the back out the house and find a way out of the dome begin putting the weight onto the top and I will meet you in precisely 5 minutes time"

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'm going to introduce myself to our friend and see if I can take his coat..."

"You've never tried to big up a fight before have you…"

"… [Sighs]… No Simon I have not"

"Good Luck Prince Gumball"

"I shall see you soon Prince Petrikov" The two men split up, Simon headed to the back of the house opened a hole in the dome and began to concentrate his powers above the dome holding a large block of ice in place slowly adding more mass to it. Bubba walked towards the shadow in the glass, there were chunks of ice by the floor and the cracks were everywhere now. Bubba threw of his top clothes revealing his battle gear and drew out his two light swords. He quickly cut the ice allowing him to see the monster for the first time.

"Prince Bubba Gumball, You have just signed your death certificate… When my toy was taken away and I couldn't 'play' with her anymore I grew tiresome… I scoured the planet but everything I found alive was weak and no fun… soon I ran out of necks to snap and hearts to devour… but then I saw the light and I knew the fun would begin again… Don't you worry I won't let you die so soon… I will enjoy torturing you"

Bubba looked at the creature that stood before him… it was revolting… it looked like the Lich but with decaying flesh with its organs dragging at the floor and various limbs hanging together by threads… A variety of skulls decorated its body and around its neck was a necklace with what could only be described as torn flesh. The odour it gave off was disgusting but what revolted the Prince more was the creature pure lack of emotions and compassion.

"I take it you are the Cadaver… that tortured Isabella driving her to want to murder her own brother"

"Oh yes… that little cow sure put up a fight though 'brother wouldn't do that to me' and 'he loves me… he'd never leave me to you' were the two things she'd scream the most as one by one I removed all the bones from her body… I believe I've eaten her heart 100 times exactly… but since there is no death here she just stays alive and in whatever condition I left her until my master healed her"

"You are a monstrosity and a vile waste of nature… we shall stop Isabella from killing her brother and find a way to cure her of your impurity"

"You mistake me fool… I never took her of her purity… that is what I am saving for when she kills her brother… she thinks if she kills him she can die… no… she will die when she has nothing left to lose…" The Cadaver began to laugh as if he had told the greatest joke in the world.

"You will NEVER touch her or anyone she cares about you sick freak… I'll make sure of that" Bubba lunged at the Cadaver cutting off its head in a swift slice.

"I do not like to bear arms but even death isn't enough for you". Bubba put away his swords and began walking away when a large force struck him in the back sending him flying into the wall of the little house. He looked up and saw the headless Cadaver lean down, pick up its head and place it back onto its severed neck.

"You really are a fool, nothing can die on this world without the permission of the dark master, when something truly deserves death or does not have a purpose he consumes their souls for his own power… On this world you couldn't fathom the power needed to slay me… foolish mortal."

The Cadaver ran towards the prince pinning him to the wall by his neck, he began punching the prince repetitively in the chest with his bony fist. He threw the prince to the floor and began to tread heavily on his legs causing his to yell out in pain. The Cadaver dragged the prince into the house laughing as he moaned and groaned in pain.

"This was my favourite game… I'd let the girl believe she could fight back or even run away… I'd leave it longer every time so she believed she could still have hope… then I'd crush it by appearing, tearing out her heart and watching the fear in her eyes as I ate the very hope she craved to. You will be no different… you believed you could fight me but here you are… at my mercy"

Bubba lay there barley able to move as the creature kicked him around the house as if he was nothing. "I was never ready to die… I always had more to do and then I realised I loved Fionna… but it was too late… and from that day I have spent every day ready to die… until… the day I met Bonnibel… and I no longer felt alone… I have eternity to spend with the people I love… I cannot die here… I cannot die… I CANNOT DIE"

Bubba dodged the last kick from the Cadaver before drawing his swords and throwing them at him. They sliced the Cadaver in both his feet causing him to fall to the floor. Bubba got up and began to limp towards the exit when he felt the Cadavers had on his leg; he used the last of his strength to kick the creature in the face dislocating its jaw. He limped from the house and towards the exit where he saw Simon struggling to hold up the mass of the ice block and just as Bubba got out of the dome he let it fall crashing on the house destroying it in an instant.

"That was 6 minutes Bubba"

"It was an educated guess" The two Princes began to laugh.

"Bubba what's that on your hand?"

"It seems to be an insignia of a candy cane, you have half of a snowflake on your hand two" The two rubbed their palms against them and a voice boomed in the air.

"Bubba Gumball of the Candy Kingdom, Trial Complete"

"Simon Petrikov of the Ice Kingdom, Trial In-Complete"

"Simon are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Asked a concerned Bubba as a pink light began to consume him.

"You know it is, I need to find out the rest but someone has to take on what we've learnt so far. Now, overcome your sorrow and go forth Bubba… tell my Betty I love her and remember Faith is the key"

"Simon Petrikov, it has been an honour knowing you and I hope that your plan succeeds"

"Bubba Gumball, likewise an honour, I will do what I can our fates now rest in the hands of our friends… goodbye". The pink light vanished taking with it the Prince of the Candy Kingdom, leaving the Ice Prince alone. He turned and faced the wreckage of Lumen's old home. He heard a familiar growl and watched as it rose. The Cadaver broke free of the rubble and gazed out looking for the two royalty, it grabbed its head and put it back in place, relocating its jaw it spoke to Simon.

"You fool; you should have left when you had the chance. The end has been and all that is left is dead. The cold of death is far beyond the cold of Ice and Snow. You know too much and for that… your death is nigh".

END OF FLASHBACK

"Woah… so Lumen… is like my descendant from another world?"

"Yes I suppose Finn that's a good way of looking at it"

"Daddy… this light that was mentioned in the diary… do you think it has anything to do with Fionna"

"Lily why would it link to Fionna"

"Well Uncle Bubby the trial said that she was Fionna Mertens, The Princess of Light…"

"Did it really… maybe it does connect… well we need to find Faith to find out more"

"And my father"

"Your father?"

"Yes… Roselinen said that Martin held some secrets about the greater evil"

"So we need to find your father, Faith and find a way to wake Bonnibel and Lumen while waiting for Simon and trying to work out where Phoenix is"

"Yes that seems to be the case"

"Daddy… Uncle Bubby"

"Yes dear"

"There's a weird skeleton guy in the corner". The three looked up to see a skeleton wearing a hat staring back at them with his hollowed out eyes.

"Death" was all Finn said.

I'm really sorry this one took so long to get out, I have just been UBER busy of late and haven't had time to write... i was also unsure of whether to go down this angle of Dawn/Isabella's Dark past with the torture... the purity refers to her virginity in case you didn't understand but the whole point of the chapter was meant to show the darkness that she lived with and how it drove her to want to kill the person closest to her... or be killed by him... please leave a review of what you thought of this chapter or message me if you'd like to know more or just have an update of whats going on with everyone in the story so far.