Adventure Time: The Human and the Shadow Chapter 42: The End Is Closing In, an adventure time with finn and jake fanfic

The Human and The Shadow Chapter 42

The End is Closing In.

Hunter and Jade

"So let me get this straight?... You want to morph into some form of giant creature, bend over behind that monster. Let me hit it with our full power and for it to fall over you? And in the confusion we run for the entrance it was guarding?" Jade had listened carefully as Hunter had explained hay stacking to her but was still confused why he thought such a simple plan would be effective.

"EXACTLY! It's perfect! Trust me I know it sounds weird for people like us full of mad powers to rely on simple physics and childish gimmicks but believe me it works. When i was.. i guess growing up.. my Mum and Dad used to teach me all sorts of stuff about the humans of old. Although they haven't done it yet one day my Mum and Uncle Finn will go on a journey with Jake and Cake and discover a whole island full of humans. It changes everything for them. But they learn lots of cool stuff and one was things like this." Hunter smiled thinking about how happy finding other humans made his family.

"Okay... I trust you.. but why the hesitation when you mentioned growing up Hunter? I may no longer be inside your head but we are still connected. I felt that."

"Sorry.. It's nothing.."

"You can't hide things from me.. and you shouldn't feel like you need to. Would you hide it from Huntress?"

"No! I wouldn't hide it from her... why are you bringing her up now?!"

"Look at me." Hunter turned and their eyes met. Huntress' eyes. He realised why he asked her to turn now. He no longer felt like holding back.

"Now... Tell me."

"..I never got to grow up.. I'm the product of the timeline being changed again... I exist thats true. I have memories of everyone and everything thats ever happened in my life but all of it is still just like unset snow. Full of so much hope and promise but so fragile that could melt away at a moments notice. I know I'm alive and I know that I have lived.. but it's hard looking at the rest of your friends and family and knowing that you are literally just a coincidence that came out of change in time and space." Hunter sighed. He had kept these feelings to himself after remembering future Cloud's words telling him that he needs to be strong.

"So.. You feel like something that isn't truly meant to exist but by chance you do now and your not sure of how to feel?"

"Exactly!"

"You really are a fool."

"Excccuuusssee ME!"

"Well aren't you being a bit conceited. You have a mother and father who love and adore you and your very existence in their future has already led to their engagement and a brighter future for your family? You have wonderful friends, who although technically the version in this time do not know you, they accept you and follow you. You have so much going for you and your worried because of your fragile beginnings?

A giant tree can grow from a small seed. Huntress saved Lumen in one of his darkest moments and brought freedom to a whole kingdom and future for all wizard kind.. Yet she was once just a little girl who had a strange voice in her head. I watched her grow and grow till she was willing to give all of her life and her time spent on this world. Not for Lumen.. Not for Wizards.. Not even for Ooo, the multiverse or existence itself. She sacrificed herself to protect YOUR world. You were the one thing she valued above all others so if your having a self-reflection think of that. The thing i cared about the most gave itself away for you." Jade's tone throughout her response was full of anger, spite, understanding and jealousy, but the thing that stood out the most from her words was sorrow.

Hunter put his hands out and held her tight. He had always imagined Jade as this detached emotionless presence but since being inside the mind of the relic she had shown many different sides.

"I'm sorry Jade.. I really am.. I can't help how I feel but your right I'm here right now because someone loves me and wanted me. I don't plan to betray that love thats why you and me have to get out of here and protect everything so when Huntress comes back she comes back to a much better world. What do you say?" He beamed down at her waiting for a reply.

"...I do think pushing a giant monster and watching it fall over does sound pretty funny.."

"Right?"

"Okay.. Lets go and see if the old saying 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall' stands true." She wiped away the tears that ran down her cheek and smiled back up at Hunter.

"Haha thats the spirit. Now lets get this show on the road." Hunter said with a smile as his body began to morph into a larger and larger form.

Marceline, Phoebe, Light, Hope, Lumen and Jake.

The group stepped out of the portal and all started scanning their eyes looking for the candy kingdom only to be greeted with the sight of the fire kingdom. Everyone turned to face Lumen confused.

"Yo man what are we doing here? I thought we were gonna meet up with my bro and save the Candy Kingdom?" Jake asked puzzled.

"And we will Jake just I think from here on out this is going to get more and more twisted. I don't know if you are aware yet or not.. but Belle is no longer in this timeline." Lumen's face hung low as he shared the news. He was unaware that Marceline's group knew this but Jake was finding out for the first time. He grabbed Lumen with his over sized hands turning red with rage.

"WHEN WERE YOU PLANNING TO CLUE ME IN ON THAT! HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOW LUMEN! IS ANYONE ELSE DEAD!" Phoebe tried to pull Jake off Lumen but was having no luck. "You kept that to yourself dude! That's messed up all that time we were riding around and... and... we could have saved her!"

"Jake we couldn't... It was too late... It was her or Lady." Lumen was suddenly free from Jake's grip as Marceline had slapped him free.

"What did you say." She spat at him.

"It was Belle or Lady. I couldn't save both. Lady is from this timeline her survival is what they came back to ensure but Belle is from the future, she hasn't even been conceived yet. She will return when it is her time and never again have to live through this or know what it was like to die... like that."

"Like that?.. Lumen did you know what she was planning to do?" Phoebe asked this time still holding back Jake and Marceline.

"I knew she had built a shield for the Ice Kingdom... I helped her build it. I knew she met with a relic and I knew she was in danger but we were in no position to save her so i made a decision to protect whats important.. the future." Lumen stated in monotone. Evidently he had never considered that the choice he made would come to light.

"Dad... that's so messed up.. so you don't care if I die because I haven't been born yet? Aren't you basically saying that you don't see me as your daughter?" Hope managed to whimper out her feelings.

"That's not what I'm saying!" Lumen tried to explain. The area went silent as everyone glared at Lumen. The silence was broken by Light.

"He did the right thing." Everyone turned to stare at him.

"We came back to change the past.. we all knew the consequences.. except Belle. But she was mad smart. She would have worked it out. That there is no going back to our time without dying in this one."

"Light honey... what do you mean by that?"

"...When you die outside your world or timeline.. you are sent back to the realm and time you were meant to belong to. I don't mean like Betty coming to the future that was meant to happen but us being here right now isn't accurate. Belle may have "died" in this world but her body has already been taken by Death. I spoke to Cloud and to Hunter when he arrived. We have one chance to return to our own world without dying and thats straight after this trial ends. Other than that the only way of getting home is to die. Belle knew this.. and so do we. Hunter's main goal in coming back was to try to stop this from happening but he's missing now so fat load of good that did. Lumen is right. He protected the future like we were sent back to do so please stop being so angry at him."

Silence returned as the group processed his words. Phoebe was suddenly very afraid. She had been leaning on Light a lot through this trial. Seeing in him the strength she could depend on from his father and the thought of losing that had her worried. Marceline was still angry, Light had tried explaining it quickly at the tree house to calm Phoebe but it didn't sit right with her that the man she loved would be willing the make that sort of choice. Jake was feeling guilty more than anything. He felt that Lumen had chosen Lady for him instead of choosing to save Belle.

"But what are we doing here?" Hope then asked Lumen. He felt guilty to and hesitated to reply but Light beat him to it.

"Me and you are going to sit the rest of this trial out." He stated clearly. Hope turned to him with a dark look.

"After that big speech about our responsibility and duty here you want us to sit it out?"

"No. I don't. I want to go out there and kill the freaks that hurt my family and hurt my friends!" Light's flames raged higher and higher.

"I don't want to sit idly by and wait for the chance to run away but you are not understanding something. We don't belong here! Think of how much time we've wasted here talking about Belle. We are strong but at the same time very weak and it is that weakness that can be exploited to hurt our parents. Lumen brought us here so they wouldn't have to worry about seeing us die like the others had to with Belle. We can stay and protect the fire kingdom. We can train our new form and harness that power so when needed we can help but for now we need to take the bench and let them protect our future. You understand now Hope?!" His flames had spread across the ground and his voice was raised.

"I understand. I understand why you weren't chosen as Ooo's hero. Hero's need to be able to risk everything even themselves for others... We could save everyone we're not a liability and I will prove it to you." Hope suddenly raised her arms and used black flames to create a portal disappearing through it. Everyone was stunned.

"Lumen did you teach her tha-"

"Not a chance Marcy... she must have copied me."

"Light.. go after her" Phoebe said putting her hand on his shoulder. He gave them a nod then disappeared after her into the portal.

"Alright Lumen. Talk what else have you been hiding and how did you know about Belle if your phone is dead." Phoebe demanded answers from Lumen.

He explained that the children with fire powers or Hope he could track their life force automatically as it was easy to detect however with Hunter and Belle it was harder since their bodies were the furthest from his. He explained that because of this him and Belle made a transmitter that lets him pick her up to. He could feel her emotions, hear her thoughts and know where she was. Belle was going to use this technology to improve the communication between the banana guards and use it to help people who couldn't use their voices.

"You heard her die... what did she say?"

"..Don't blame yourself."

"What else do you know.."

"I attached another of those transmitters to Finn... he died and I don't mean just got turned into a vampire.. Finn died.. the only reason he's still alive is because the turning already started. His vampiric side was strong and could have turned Finn into a monster that slaughtered all of us... the thoughts were there.. but ultimately it was still Finn. The monster inside picked him back up and pushed him back to life before giving itself up to be absorbed by Marshall.. Making them stronger and ridding Finn of inner darkness. They've joined up with a Relic called Grim.. who was the Deity of Death from my home world. He is resisting the darkness and saved them... The last thing I heard from them before the transmitter went dead was that.. Grim is planning to take me and Isabella back to Lll."

Finn, Marshall, Fionna and Grim.

"SO WHAT!" Finn yelled at the skeleton. "So what if he's not meant to be here! He is here now and thats all that matters. He wouldn't even want to go back he doesn't even remember there." Finn let Grim go before walking over to a tree and slamming his arm against it. (Unknowingly to him, he just destroyed the transmitter.)

"Are you sure about that young man?" Grim asked back.

"Of course I am! He has a life here.. friends.. family.. he even has a daughter here? Are you gonna take her too?"

"But he doesn't have a daughter here yet does he. She is from a unstable future you are fighting to change. If Ivel comes back with me and I reset everything the way it was suppose to be his memories will restore to their correct way."

"What does that mean?" Finn questioned.

"It means he'll only remember his world... none of this and none of us. It'll be like he never came to Ooo isn't that right Mr. Grim" Marshall snarled at him.

"I understand you are unhappy with this idea gentlemen but its just the natural order of things. The only thing stopping Ivel from living the life he was meant to live is the darkness and once thats gone he will be free to go back. To live with his sister... their parents to be a child again, not losing 2 years of his life asleep in slumber and waking to be a solider in a war he never asked for."

"WHAT ABOUT ME!" Finn screamed losing his temper "WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO! He is the only one like me here... what am I suppose to do without him. WHY DO YOU GET TO DECIDE!? HUH!?" He continued. Grim sighed.

"I don't my boy. Ivel and Isabella will get to decide what they do. Whether they stay here or return home." Hearing this Finn calmed down a bit but the anger he felt towards the skeleton stayed.

"Okay now we need to stop this and get moving people" Fionna suddenly said clapping her hands together. They turned to look at her. "The fact we can have this conversation in my opinion is great because it means that we're already making plans for when we kick this dark-wad's loser butt. However right now our favourite candy people are in danger. We need to get a move on because according to bones over here there are still 2 relics left and we don't know what they're capable of. So we're going to split up. Me and the skele-dude are going to try and sneak into the Candy Kingdom and meet up with Bubba and Bonnie. That way they'll know whats going on and I'll be out of the way. You two go out on patrol and try to find Rattleballs meet up with him and see whats going on till the others arrive."

Finn and Marshall just nodded not planning on disagreeing with the adventuress knowing exactly what would happened if they did. Marshall said goodbye to her and saw her off while Finn packed some supplies from the basement and changed his clothes. Bonnie had stored a few sets of clothes for him there over time so he could use it as a safe house between missions. When the two were done they began heading for the candy kingdom.

"Hey Marshall?"

"Yeah Finn?"

"You don't think I was out of order back there do you?"

"It's hard to say dude. I may have had it hard but no one had it harder than you. You never even met your Dad till he was basically already out of your life. Your mother is still a mystery and so for you Lumen must feel like the first human family you've ever had. I'm not like Marceline.. I didn't get my family back but I do have Fionna and if I was told that someone wanted to take her from me trust me.. They'd wish they were in the Nightosphere i'd ruin their world that bad. We're at war with a mystical darkness that's destined to destroy us because of something that happened centuries of centuries ago. The worlds a messed up place and we're stuck here. So to answer you directly. Do I think you were out of order for trying to protect the first piece of their apocalyptic situation that makes sense? No.. not at all." Finn smile and fist bumped his friend.

"Thanks Marshall.. It means a lot especially with how far we've come and how hard we've fought for this." Marshall started laughing.

"Whats funny dude?"

"Nothing you just reminded me of a song that use to exist a few decades after the Mushroom war. It was sung by a band called Matchbox twenty."

"Sing it dude?"

"You sure you can handle the awesomeness that is me?"

"I think if i can handle being stabbed, turned into a vampire and being put back together in one day I think I'm good. Go ahead dude."

"Got ya" Marshall took out his electric guitar axe and began to strum. Finn started to beat box to the beat getting the rhythm going.

"I'm waking up at the start of the end of the world,
But its feeling just like every other morning before,
Now I wonder what my life is going to mean if it's gone,
The cars are moving like a half a mile an hour
And I started staring at the passengers who're waving goodbye
Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?

The two started to fly into the sky with the forests beneath them. The stars seemed to dance in to sky as they glided through the air.

But I believe the world is burning to the ground
Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

I think it turned ten o'clock but I don't really know
Then I can't remember caring for an hour or so
Started crying and I couldn't stop myself
I started running but there's no where to run to
I sat down on the street and took a look at myself
Said where you going man you know the world is headed for hell
Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to

Landing on the ground they began to get even deeper into the song with Finn joining in with some of the lyrics both were having a blast as they walked towards the borders of the Candy Kingdom.

I believe the world is burning to the ground
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

It's gone gone, baby its all gone
There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home
It was cool cool, it was just all cool
Now it's over for me, and it's over for you
Well its gone gone, baby its all gone
There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home
Well it was cool cool, it was just all cool
Now it's over for me, and it's over for you

Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come"

Marshall and Finn finished singing both taking deep breaths after letting out all their passion into the song and began to laugh with each other. After a moment to collect themselves they began to walk to the Candy Kingdom when they heard a crunch of glass beneith their feet.

Finn looked down and tried to make sense of what it was. He felt around careful not to cut himself when he found a gumball. Worry set in him as he followed the trail of broken glass and spilt candy. He found the answer to his question resting against a damaged tree. His metal arms sat torn from his body. His lower half missing completely. Scratches and dents littered his body as he managed to open his eyes to meet with the human's blue pair.

"Rattleballs.. no.." Finn rushed over to the robot dreading the worst. Marshall floated behind not sure what to do. He'd picked up all the pieces he could find of the robot and brought them over to Finn. Finn tried desperately to put the robot back together but sadly it was too late. He gathered all the pieces Marshall had found before putting them into his bag. Knowing Bonnie there might still be a chance was all he could bear to think.

The two, now silent, looked at the ground beside them and saw two pairs of footprints. They began to chase off after them both angry and full of blood lust.

Hunter and Jade

The monster chased Jade swinging it's grotesque claws again and again hoping to end her but like Huntress she was quite nimble. She dodged each of it's attacks easily before firing more arrows at it. Getting it's attention was easier than she thought as she assumed Hunter's awful plan would have ended with the creature seeing him in his giant form and attacking but it seemed her earlier hit had angered it enough that it wanted revenge.

She ran to the spot Hunter had pointed to called out to him.

"I'm ready so I hope you are because if this doesn't work I don't think either of us are getting out of here." As the monster approached her she formed two arrows in either hand. These were sharper and more precise made to hit exactly where she willed. She let them loose and the monsters two eyes were pierced. It started to walk back in pain but it wasn't enough. She formed hundreds upon hundreds of normal arrows and combined them into one. She imbued them with magic from all the elements then let her arrow fly forcing the monster to yell out in pain and fall back. It may have recovered but Hunter was already behind it and took it out. He stood up and jumped bringing his elbow directly into the monster's chest winding it. He grabbed the giant arrow and stabbed it down into it trapping it. He ran towards Jade while shrinking before grabbing her and throwing her over his shoulder.

"You doing okay princess?"

"Stop calling me that and I'm fine... just all this physical movement is tiring me out. I'm not use to being able to move or having to." Hunter heard her sigh and just smiled.

"Not as easy as it looks 'ey?" He laughed as he ran towards the exit.

"Now maybe you'll think twice before trying to make me do some of the insane moves you want me to and i think my plan worked pretty well too"

"No, you just have to get better thats all. Although i will admit it seems like human children learn pretty impressive techniques of trickery and combat. It's nice to see you learning from your intellectual equals."

"Woah look at you getting all into the banter, i think this may have been a good experience for you"

"I think maybe you are right. I do find your presence all the more tolerable and maybe freedom to move has it's perks. I helped fell a beast many times my own size. That is actually really amazing in itself but lets not get distracted we're almost there." The pair looked forward to see that the path they were travelling down was almost at it's end. They had ran all through the relics mind, across the fractured shards of his memories, thoughts and dreams to reach the very depths of his subconscious. The one thing that may turn the tide in this battle.

The two came to a small room full of pictures. They all had a very beautiful woman in them. Some she wore an armor, some a dress. She wore a sparkling necklace supporting a beautiful locket. She had glasses on supported by a small chain. Though that was all they could make out as for some reason most of her face was scratched off. Some glass on the pictures were so cracked they could barley be made out. The pair kept searching till they found a picture bigger than the others. It's frame was carefully crafted and made of gold. Instead of being damaged it was better to say it had been painted over.

"I believe we are looking at the relic's memories of their creator?"

"I think you're right.. but this one's different. Maybe the darkness couldn't erase the Angel completely so sealed it away. Surely if we could get this weird paint off then it might remember?"

"Then what are you waiting for? Get cleaning?"

"Not going to help?"

"Most certainly not!" Hunter just laughed at the comment before turning to face the painting.

"It's cleaning time!"

Marceline and Lumen.

"What do you mean? Take you back to Lll!?" Marceline and Lumen had stayed to finish their talk as it seemed like one they couldn't wait for but Phoebe and Jake had gone off to meet up with the others.

"Well I don't know? He just said he plans to restore things to how they are and take me and Bella back to Lll. The transmission got dropped straight after i think maybe it was damaged or dropped."

"Well?"

"Well what Marcy?"

"Are you going to go back!?"

"NO!" Lumen grabbed Marceline and pulled her down to speak to her eye to eye.

"I am never going to leave you Marcy. I am not Ivel Mertens. I am Lumen Dusk. Father to Hope and Husband to you. This is my home and it will now always be. Whatever this relic is planning is of no concern to me I am here with you and always will be. Why would I go back for a life I can't remember?" Marceline let his words sink in but then pushed him away.

"But he said he could restore things.. maybe your memory... maybe your parents too. You may be able to have the life you've always meant to have lived. Without pain, without suffering and without the darkness..."

"Yes that may be true Marceline but it may also be without you and to me that may be a life but it's not living as my heart only beats for you."

"But that could change Lumen.. you may be my wolf bait right now.. but I'm just a old monster.. something kids from your world would fear and hope not to see. Why would you give up every piece of happiness you could have.. for something like me." Tears were now sliding down her cold cheeks and falling to the ground. They sizzled from the ground being hot. Lumen pulled her to her knees and then leant down to join her. He wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead. She remained silent waiting for the words that would either blow away all of her fears or confirm them.

"Ghost?"

"Yes my prince?"

"Pass me the thing"

"..."

"Ghost. Do it now!"

"I don't think I should..."

"Why? Cause you don't agree with my choice?"

"No... I was wrong about her all this time. I have watched her defend you and support you. Through Ghoul I understand how she can define both you and your daughter. A strong and spirited woman who will lead you on adventure but ensure you return home. As a future Queen of the shade kingdom I can ask no more from her. I just think you shouldn't rush it." This interaction between the two was silent to Marceline. She sat sobbing still waiting for her answer.

"...How can I rush the rest of my life? And I'm glad you can see her like I see her. So please pass it to me."

"As you wish... Good luck"

Lumen held out his hands and waited as light began to fill it. Inside was a small black rock. He let his hands light with a flame and began to move them. He made a small red flame appear and added it to the mix. The intense light and heat made Marceline look away for a moment as all of Lumen began to glow. His hands were no longer visable as he worked on the rock and after a few more seconds he shut his hands and dimmed the light.

"What.. what is that?" Marceline asked confused. He grabbed her hand gently and slowly slid a ring onto her finger. It fitted perfectly. The ring itself was a black ebony and had a metallic glint to it. At the head of the ring was a beautiful carved white skull with ruby red eyes. The whole ring was beautiful and was definitely to her taste.

"Marceline, the Vampire Queen, Abadeer. I ask you to be my wife, my partner and my other half. To support and protect me, to lecture and lead me and to always stay by my side. I ask that you join me in eternity and with this ring i hope to bind myself to you as your Husband, Partner and the one you own. Because Marceline you are my existence and the reason for it. I Love You and that alone is enough. Let us be monsters and creatures of the night together and go scare all those little kids."

Marceline stared down at the ring running her hand alongside it. In the black of the ring she could feel a carving that was not visible even by her eyes. "To you, I give my everything" She stared at the skull and the ruby red eyes. And realised that her wolf bait.. her Lumen had just created this beauty in a moment in front of her eyes. She couldn't take her eyes off of it. Her mind was replaying everything he said. Over and over. She managed to tear her eyes off of it to look up at Lumen who had a look she'd never seen. He was nervous, really really nervous. He was really worried he'd get a no. She smiled and pulled him close into a deep kiss. And for that moment there was just them. Two people in love who existed with each other. No world... No darkness... No doom or gloom. Just them. Marceline and Lumen parted and stared into each others eyes.

"Lumen.."

"Yes?"

"Lumen Dusk... YES!.. Glob YES!" Marceline joyfully hugging Lumen tightly.

"REALLY!"

"OF COURSE YOU IDIOT!" She replied gleefully. He stood up and started to fist pump the air in joy. They both start jumping with joy before a voice interrupts them.

"Congratulations My Prince and My Princess however, Should you not be meeting with the other royals by now?" They both looked at each other before hugging again and disappearing into the night.

All the Characters are now near or heading to the Candy Kingdom for the finale of the Second Trial.

The remaining relics are Lock, the relic of knowledge and Grim.

Thank You to anyone who still reads and reviews this Fanfic. I haven't really been able to get back into it like I wanted to and am finding writing hard atm but one of my friends recently went through a hard time and decided to keep going regardless to follow their dreams. It gave me the kick I needed to stop being so wishy washy and finish this chapter and start the next. Once again thank you and sorry it took so long to post again.