The Human and The Shadow Part 29
In the land of Ooo away from the plights of another world and unholy creatures the residents of Ooo were continuing to live their lives. The blood, the sweat and the tears of daily labor and endeavor were being explored to the full from the far reaches of the Ice Kingdom down to the fiery depths of the Fire Kingdom. Throughout Ooo varies stories were all unfolding and our heroes were at the heart of these stories.
Candy and Blood
Prince Bubba Gumball sat on his desk with his head in his hands, he was exhausted and felt fatigue and pain setting in. The Prince sighed deeply and took another deep breath, he looked down at the notes scattered across the table and couldn't find the answer he sought. He smiled and went to rise to go to Bonnibel, hoping to discuss with her, but sunk back into the chair... The princess hadn't left her room since waking up and telling the group everything about Lumen's travels. She had fallen into a depression of blame and guilt, although everyone knew that Phoenix was in the land of the dead under Death's care it didn't take the fact that they'd lost someone to the trials that they faced. Bubba put his head in his hands again letting out a more sorrowful sigh than before.
"...Wow... With all that gloom and doom paint on your face you'd think someone died or something". Bubba looked up and glared at the vampire floating in the window. He finished sucking the red out of an apple with a slurp before placing it into his bag. (He use to bin them but Marceline keeps insisting on keeping them for Lumen to eat). He hovered into the room above the tired Prince and just smirked down at him.
"What do you want Marshall? Its not the time for jokes and jabs if you forgot someone DID die?... I know neither of us got on with him too much but he was still Fionna's friend i thought that would mean more to you than this!". Bubba spat his words harshly at Marshall, he knew it wasn't his fault but he didn't know what to do anymore.
"Bubba... look dude i get it, I know he meant the world to Fi, don't you think i wouldn't notice that somewhere in her heart his little flame still burns but being all gloomy isn't gonna bring him back. However if you had taken the time to not just sit here whining like a little girl and listened to your little girl you may know that alls not so bad my gumwad" Marshall started to circle round the Prince before landing on a chair beside him and smiling yet again.
"What are you on about Marshall?"
"You see I had a talk with my adorable little Niece... well that's what we're going with the whole me and Marcy are siblings deal unlike you and Bonnie... lets not touch on that but turns out in their world Phoenix is alive and well. After hearing that I paid a visit to our charming Prince Light. He was ever so helpful in explaining that Phoenix did indeed die in their timeline but that his soul was spared by Death... meaning...?"
"If Death spared his soul then logically all that it would take was a body for him to inhabit and he would be able to live but in case you have let it slip your mind Marshall but his body exploded and then disappeared he has nothing to return to."
"Oh my globbbbb... Did i forget that? Oh nooo poor me for being so forgetfulllll"
"You clearly know something i don't Marshall so stop being sarcastic and for globs sake spit it out!"
"Well it's not like we have a DNA replica of him... a flame that grants life... and 3 incredibly bright genius gumpeeps that can use mega awesome science that can grant immortality and create life... oh no... what a shame..."
"...I hate you sometimes..."
"Don't hate... hater..."
"...how comes i didn't work this out sooner"
"Because your a gumwad that been sulking and needed the awesomeness that is... MARSHALL-LEE THE VAMPIRE KING AND FUTURE HUSBAND TO FIONNA THE HUMAN!" Marshall stood up and stuck a hero pose holding his imaginary sword up to the sky and floating slowly to add effect.
"Nope... sometimes i really hate you... and since when did you add that last part to your victory dance?"
"Well since i got confirmation from future brats that I'm not gonna get a no when i propose... it's literally already written in the history books that this vampire right here gets... his... gal..."
"Radical... is what i would say if you weren't such an idiot"
"Oh come on Bubba whats that for now we know that there's hope I also have another request of you"
"Well as you can see I'm going to be a bit busy Marshall so if you take your leave here i'd be grateful" Bubba really wanted to start work on the machine that they would use to save Phoenix and also didn't wanna be around Marshall when the Vampire King had just outsmarted him to a solution.
"Ahh okay Bubba I'ma head off then... just like that... into the cold outside world... alone..."
Marshall floated to the window with the scratching of pen on paper behind him and let out another smile. He had all but won this little interaction and was ready to seal the deal and once again prove to himself that he could easily make the Gumwad do what he wanted with a little teasing and persuasion.
"It's just a shame... that you won't listen to my request... even though it could put the smile back on your pink princesses face... such a shame." Marshall smiled and floated out of the window waiting for the call back from the Purple Prince. He waited but nothing came so he turned round to see Bubba jumping out of the window and wrapping his arms around his waist.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING BUBBA! ARE YOU INSANE!" Due to the unexpected weight and no time to adjust the two began to plummet down the height from the window to the ground. The two would have receive a lot of pain and injury from the fall had they not landed on a marshmallow bush below.
"What the actual junk dude! what were you thinking!"
"Tell me! Tell me how to make her smile again!" Bubba pleaded to the Vampire. Marshall looked into his eyes and saw nothing but desperation, guilt started to pile up inside him for his teases but he knew how to make it right.
"Candy and Blood"
"Candy and Blood?"
"Yup Candy and Blood!"
"What in Grod's name is Candy and Blood"
Marshall-Lee smirked down at the Prince in his lap.
"You'll see".
Adventurer Sitting Duty
In the lush vibrant fields of the grasslands the sun shone down onto the daisy's and other flowers growing there. The birds flew past as the bright blue sky was cloudless and there was a light breeze. One would almost say it was tranquil and peaceful... almost.
"Arrrrgh"
"Yeahhh" Screams filled the air as metal clashed into each other. Sparks flew from each weapon as the wielders shook of the recoil. An axe swung down onto the dazed opponent however he managed to roll on the ground and swing his blade back to the axe attempting to knock it from it's host. He succeeded and went to end everything by slicing at the axewoman but she easily evaded his blade by floating into the air.
She floated back to her axe and tightened her grip. She drew back her arm and then threw it with all her might at the swordsman. He ran to keep away from it but when he knew he wasn't going to be able to he bent his knees and then released them like a spring performing a back flip over the spinning axe. He felt the air around him get cut as it flew past and then landed on his hands and knees. He had to roll again as the axewoman caught her weapon and swung downwards with all her might. She swung too hard though and the axe got stuck in the ground. The swordsman ran up and drop kicked her away from her weapon before turning his own into wings.
He flew at the woman firing a barrage of fists her way hoping to land a powerful strike but the woman used her hands to knock away every hit and then jumped up to kick the man in the face. Her hit would have been an instant K.O but he managed to raise his arms to create a guard in time. It was the woman's turn to go on the offensive as she sent a right hook at the man, followed by a spin and a kick which when dodged she jumped backwards hoping to perform a dropkick down onto his head but he still had his guard up. The two fell back to the ground. The woman picked up her axe and began to run at the man. He returned his wings back to the sword and then ran at her. It was the set up for an epic end to an epic battle... which never happened.
"ENOUGH!" screamed Hope as she stood between the two fighters, she raised a shield which deflected the forces of both weapons sending the two flying onto the ground.
"What the junk is wrong with you! Mummy I know you can be stubborn but really why are you and Uncle Finn fighting like this out of nowhere?" the little girl screamed at her mum. Lily ran over to her dad to see if he was alright and Belle sat watching the whole scenario taking notes on battle techniques and weapon stances.
"Oh Hope hunny you caught up with us aha? Don't worry me and the dweeb over there were just sparring a little... it's just sometimes we get a little rough" Marceline began to chuckle and pick herself up. She had bruises all over and was sore, she had to use her axe to support herself and walked over to where Belle was sitting.
"Hey Mini-gum what you think? Aunty Marcy's got rad skills right"
"I think you do Mrs Marcy but i think your not using your powers as well as you could, if you take a look at my notes here you can see that your need to look cool clearly out-weighs the effort you put into your technique, I see a lot of grounds for improvement in the future. I'll draft a training routine and also add one for Mr Finn too."
"Aww thanks Mini-gum" Marcy ruffled Belles hair before laying down on the ground and waiting for the unavoidable.
"Belle! You were in on this! Why are you helping them injure themselves!? Daddy is already injured and your out here doing this Mummy what are you trying to accomplish!?" Marceline sighed, when she had first met her future daughter she had thought she was as radical and as rebellious as the Vampire Queen herself but after time together Marceline realised exactly what her daughter truly was... a stick in the mud.
"Ahh come on Hope why are you killing my jam, I'm trying to get stronger so i can protect Wolf-bait and you can't you let it slide this once... please?"
"No Mummy because that's what you said last time about free falling into the 'Fiery pit of doom' and about fighting 'the unstoppable evil', regardless that one turned out to be just a hot bath the soap people were scared of and the unstoppable evil was frankly extremely stoppable if you spar with Uncle Finn you never come out unscathed."
"Shesh.. how did me and Lumen raise such a killjoy... are you sure your really our daughter?" Marceline asked casually not realising the impact it would have. Hope's face turned a dark red with a mix of hurt and anger.
"YOU raised me to be a good person and control my powers well, sadly i was always chasing after you and Daddy on your 'epic adventures' which after much help from Aunty Bonnie i managed to get you to stop. It's YOUR fault i'm like this as with such irresponsible parents i had to be so responsible." Marcy watched as her daughter vented a lot of pent up stress she had with her parents.
"I thought Jake said when he came to your house in the future Lumen was baking cookies and I was looking after you? I thought we sounded pretty darn responsible?"
"...even you have your good days..." Hope mumbled while looking away from her mother. Marceline floated over to her daughter and picked her up in her arms and began to hum to her. Hope resisted at first but then let her mother cuddle her.
"Look Hope sweetie, Me and Lumen are probably not gonna be the greatest parents in the world, we're immortal and basically teenagers for life... we're gonna wanna have a tonne of adventures but know that we will always love you and want you there beside us. I didn't mean what i said, the fact your so responsible and sooo much more in control than either of us is something I'm proud of, it means that i will raise an amazing daughter who will one day raise an even more amazing child of your own... In the mean time me and your Daddy need you to be our anchor and keep us on the ground when our heads fill with craziness... can you do that for us sweetie, can you watch over us and make sure that we be the bestest parents we can be for you?" Marceline looked into the little girls eyes who was struggling to handle all the praise and attention her mother was giving her.
"Sure thing mummy... I'll be your anchor... at least this time around i get to teach you before I'm born so you can behave better... but... i like adventurer mummy too..."
"So do i sweetie... so do i" Marceline began to float back to the cave holding her daughter all the way. Hope fell asleep before she got home and the pair had an early night side by side as it was always meant to be.
..
..
..
Belle stood up and walked over to Lily and Finn, Lily had been trying to wake up her father after healing him as unbeknownst to Marceline and Hope he had hit his head on a rock after he'd been sent flying and been unconscious the whole time their drama played out. Belle sat down beside the pair continuing her notes before looking up at the pair and summing up the situation.
"Kinda seems like we really didn't need to be part of the story did it..."
Changing Flame
Elsewhere across Ooo away from the arguing Prince of the Candy Kingdom and the Vampire King, away from the dueling parents and their worried children in the throne room of the Fire Kingdom sat Jake the Dog and Flame Princess Phoebe.
"So FP... how we gonna do this... right here right now or do you want some time to prepare yourself."
"Well Jake I believe I'm more than ready for what you got"
"FP you sure you got what it takes... Your in for a hell of a storm if you think this is gonna be a breeze. Taking back your kingdoms gonna be a piece of Treetrucks' apple pie compare to this"
"Oh I'm not a weak little girl Jake the Dog, you think I can't handle even this... I'm the Princess and future Queen of one of the most war led kingdoms in all of Ooo, I'm literally made of flames and i could melt the ground to the core of our planet creating mass destruction and the end of the world as we know it... yet you don't think I can handle this..."
"Trust me... FP... living with Finn is not as easy as it seems... he snores..."
"Jake trust me I can literally come and get his stuff right now and the two of us could move in together today, Marshall and Fionna would get the treehouse like in the future and me and Finn would be together. Marcy would get her house back and we could literally all proceed the way its meant to be. I just wanted to check with you first obvs you know bro rules and all."
"And I appreciate that FP, a man's gotta respect a gal who can respect guy junk and like but seriously do you think you guys are at the right stage in your relationship. It's almost been a year since you two got back together thats true but living together is a big deal, especially since your a Princess and Finn's now a Prince (to be crowned)."
"Jake I'm not a child anymore, neither is Finn... I think if we'd never been apart we'd already be living together now.. I can't shake that feeling."
"Okay FP if its what you want I won't try to persuade you otherwise but you should talk to Finn straight away... He may look a lot older and act more mature but i think where your concerned he's still that little boy waving a sword at every scary problem... but i wish you all the best"
"Thank you Jake... although i hope he doesn't just reject it... the idea i mean"
"Aww don't worry Phoebe the dudes never gonna do that considering he's planning on propo..." Jake immediately put his paws against his mouth to stop the last word he went to speak but it was to not avail as Phoebes mouth opened wide and stared at the dog.
"...He's going to propose..." Phoebe flame began to burn bright and change colours as the emotions from her heart began to blaze bright.
...
Back in the field with Lily and Belle, Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring he looked at it intensely before placing it back in his pocket. He picked up his daughter and Belle and began walking towards the Fire Kingdom.
Candy and Blood
Bonnibel Bubblegum sat in her bed wrapped up in her blanket, she could hear the murmur of the Banana Guard outside her doors all trying to confirm that their leader was not a shut in. Peppermint Butler was away with Death and Hunson looking over what they called the 'Knight of Hell Project', if in her right shape Bonnie would immediately be trying to find out what this was, the potiential risks and positives and if she could use it to help her kingdom... but instead she was sat on her bed trying to ignore the lingering smell of burning that she couldn't shake regardless of how much she tried. She lay back down to try to get some sleep that wasn't riddled with nightmares and shut her eyes.
CRASH!
Bonnie shot up and looked at her bedroom door which now hung on it's hinges. The candy bits and pieces that got blew into the air when the door was knocked down fell to the ground revealing a girls with long blonde hair standing staring at the princess.
"Sup PB sorry about the door but i got bored after the 5th knock and no reply" Fionna laughed at her own actions sorta feeling embarrassed at her lack of self-control.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING BARGING IN HERE! INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S ROOM, IN SOMEONE ELSE'S KINGDOM FOR NO REASON! I DON'T CARE WHOSE ALTERNATIVE YOU ARE GET THE NIGHTOSPHERE OUT OF MY ROOM RIGHT NOW!" Bonnie screamed at Fionna in shock.
"Ahh... well I'm gonna have to turn down that command Princess, I gave my royal oath to Bubba and currently he and Marshy are requesting that i bring you out of your... room" Fionna looked around properly and saw the mess that the Princess had been living in.
"But first we gotta get you a bath and a change of clothes..." Before Bonnie could even refuse Fionna threw a bottle of liquid at her which covered her in a weird bubble. Bonnie watched in amazement as all the dirt around her and on her began to turn into bubbles and float away. They pop and vanish completely. She watches as pink bubbles began to form around her and engulf her before popping and revealing one of her better dresses. She stared in amazement at the beautiful transformation that took place and was so engrossed with watching the final bubbles disappear that she hadn't noticed Fionna come up behind her and pick her up.
"Sorry PB on the clock here and that last little trick was a present from Bubba, he thought you'd like it... he gave me an explanation but it was long so heres the notes" She passed Bonnie the notes for the Bubble potion which Bonnie started to go through instantly stopping her from resisting.
The two girls arrived down in one of the dance rooms of the Candy Kingdom. All the lights were off apart from one directed at two chairs in the middle of the room. The two took their seats and waited.
"Fionna I've been looking at these notes and its pure genius, I don't fully understand what bonding component Bubba must of used for the integrated transport of the physical matter but its amazing do you know where he is i have to know more about it..." Before she could say another word the light around them disappeared and then a red light and a pink light shone down on the other side of the room revealing two figures. Bubba and Marshall stood wearing black suits in the light, each with a shirt matching their light and a mic in their hands. Marshall clicked his fingers and music began to play.
"To my little lady Fi out there and her princess-ness Bonnibel, I have the great pleasure to introduce your entertainment for the evening, I give you CANDY AND BLOOOOOOOOD! singing Candy Store. Enjoy now ladies, your witnessing a one time event every young madame in Aaa would give an arm, a leg and more for!" Marshall shouted out introducing the duo. Bubba walked forward and the music picked up.
(Original - Candy Store by Faber Drive ft Ish) Marshall - Bubba - Both
"I can't wait another night to see you,
Gotta satisfy my sweet tooth,
A little like reeses fallin' into pieces,
Tell me there's a way to do this,
I just wanna kiss your hot lips,
Girl you make me melt like chocolate,
Jaw breaker you got the kiss that I wanna savour.
Oh [x4],
Life saver you're my life saver,
Oh [x4],
You got the love with the thousand flavours,
Oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
I know your love is such a sugar rush and I can never get enough,
I'm like oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
Yeah honey you're the sweetest thing I've ever seen before,
I'm like a kid in a candy store,
Baby I'm love sick,
I just gotta get my next fix,
Pour a little sugar on this,
Heart breaker,
You be the dough and I'll be the baker,
Mr. Christie never knew,
A recipe as hot as you,
You're Rihanna I'm Eminem,
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands,
Oh [x4],
Life saver you're my life saver,
Oh [x4],
You got the love, you got the good flavour,
Oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
I know your love is such a sugar rush and I can never get enough,
I'm like oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
Yeah honey you're the sweetest thing I've ever seen before,
I'm like a kid in a candy store,
How you doin' sugar,
You're sweeter than dessert nice to meet you,
The name is Marsh, I'll admit it I gotta sweet tooth,
But that's ight, I promise that I won't bite,
Girl, unless that's something that you're into,
(Marshall looks at Fi who is blushing and winks at her)
I'm playin', I'm sayin' you're with it in the song,
And there ain't no competition,
You're in a league of your own,
Gotcha hooked soon as I get you alone,
You could bet that,
Now break me off a piece of that kit-kat,
I can't wait another night to see you,
Gotta satisfy my sweet tooth,
Life saver,
You got the kiss with the thousand flavours,
Oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
I know your love is such a sugar rush and I can never get enough,
I'm like oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
Yeah honey you're the sweetest thing I've ever seen before,
I'm like a kid in a candy store,
Oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
I know your love is such a sugar rush and I can never get enough,
I'm like oh [x4] and I really want more oh [x4],
Yeah honey you're the sweetest thing I've ever seen before,
I'm like a kid in a candy store,"
Bubba and Marshall finished singing and looked at the girls who were awestruck in their chairs. Fionna started to wolf whistle and clap for Marshall who pretended to be surprised and then took a bow before floating over to her and picking her up. He let her sit on his stomach as he remained air born laying down and the two watched the others. Bubba walked over to Bonnie who had her head in her hands. He thought at first she was crying but when he got closer she was smiling and laughing so much she could barley hold it in. He smiled too and took her hand.
"Did you like that Bonnibel? I'm sorry i had to drang you out of your room but i really wanted to show you this"
"It's okay Bubba i wouldn't have missed this for the world... I can't believe you did all of this for me"
"Thats not all Bonnie... look at this..." He thrust a piece of paper into her hands.
"I've done all the calculations and the research... if i'm fully right with this then that would mean-"
"-That we can bring Phoenix back!" she cut him off. She immediately hugged him tightly and began to cry tears of joy. The prince returned her hug and smiled knowing things would be okay.
"So Fi what you say we head home"
"Okay Marshall... but one sec" Fionna lent over and kissed Marshall deeply on the lips.
"Wow Fi... look at my little bunny making all the big moves, what do i owe the pleasure?"
"I think you know" She replied smiling. The pair looked at the hugging royal couple and then Marshall began to float them away.
Elsewhere in Ooo
Marceline grabbed a guitar that was sitting against the wall and floated over to the bed. She lowered herself down next to her sleeping boyfriend and began to strum a few chords. She looked out the window as the sun began to set on the land of Ooo. She let the thoughts in her mind and the tune in her heart out and began to sing.
(Original - Wings by Birdy - Acoustic Version)
"Sunlight comes creeping in,
Illuminates our skin,
We watch the day go by,
Stories of all we did,
It made me think of you,
It made me think of you,
Under a trillion stars,
We danced on top of cars,
Took pictures of the stage,
So far from where we are,
They made me think of you,
They made me think of you,
Oh lights go down,
In the moment we're lost and found,
I just wanna be by your side,
If these wings could fly,
For the rest of our lives,
I'm in a foreign state,
My thoughts they slip away,
My words are leaving me,
They caught an aeroplane,
Because I thought of you,
Just from the thought of you,
Oh lights go down,
In the moment we're lost and found,
I just wanna be by your side,
If these wings could fly,
Oh damn these walls,
In the moment we're ten feet tall,
And how you told me after it all,
We'd remember tonight,
For the rest of our lives,
If these wings could fly,
Oh lights go down,
In the moment we're lost and found,
I just wanna be by your side,
If these wings could fly,
Oh damn these walls,
In the moment we're ten feet tall,
And how you told me after it all,
We'd remember tonight,
For the rest of our lives.
Marceline finished her song as she realised that she had started to cry. She put her guitar down and lay down beside Lumen. She put her hand across his cheek and felt the warmth from his body fill her hand.
"Wolf-bait... Lumen... I know its not your fault and right now you're doing your absolute best to make it better for us all... by please don't make me wait any longer... I've spent centuries alone... I don't want to have to spend centuries without you... it's almost been a year since you've been like this... I have so many memories I want to make with you... Betty's past her due date, The donk wants to pop the question to the flame girl, Phoenix is in hell right now and our little girl... she's so amazing like you wouldn't believe... please hurry back so we can be a family... Me, you, Hope, my mum and dad and everyone else... I'm waiting wolf-bait... don't keep me waiting too long." Marceline lent forward and kissed Lumen's head before falling asleep.
Unbeknownst to Marcy her daughter had stood in the doorway listening to her mothers song and her words. She came in and went to the cupboard, took out a large blanket that she used to cover her sleeping parents before crawling into bed between them... She fell asleep between them too... wishing the same as her mother... that they could be a family again.
Next Chapter we shall be returning to the present with the main storyline getting back on track. Surprises, Birth, Death and more all are awaiting next time :) Please leave a review or a comment of what you thought of these short stories and any ways you think i can improve upon and if you have any questions feel free to PM me.
TheChosenOne: - Thank you for your comments and don't worry I don't plan to cut this story short at all :)
JustAReader: - Yeah sorry Grammar and spelling really isn't my forte XD I do try to proof read and spell check and will continue to do so but thank you for reading.
FieryCrusader: - Thank you for the continued support and encouragement. I can't wait to read what you write next and hope to continue to read ajd review your works in the future.