The Human and The Shadow_Chapter 44
L is for Loss.
The smell of earth and wood was heavy in the room. The grey stone that separated the tree roots and wood of the cell was cold to the touch. Strange sounds could be heard coming from lower levels like a large beast squealing but the prisoner paid it no mind. He looked around his dark cell and wondered why he had agreed to the imprisonment in the first place. The rusted chains around his wrist had begun to cut into his arms and were a growing source of discomfort. If he chose to sit they'd cause him to bleed and he was starting to wonder if that's what his grieving friends truly wanted from him.
2 Weeks Earlier
"HE'S GOING TO BLOW" Lumen yelled before grabbing Marceline and hitting the floor. He looked up shortly after when no explosion occurred to see Finn drawing his sword back out of the fallen relic's chest. Finn winked before falling to the floor alongside everyone else.
They looked up to the sky to see the sun's beams piercing through and felt the warmth of it's light touch on their bodies. They closed their eyes and breathed in the air, the day was won.
Suddenly every champion reacted the same. They clawed at the marks of their hands as they burned with agony. Grim watched as the five champions held back their screams until finally they lay still. Each panting heavily as if enduring great trials of physical challenge. Finn was the first to stand followed by Fionna and Marshall who helped up Marceline and Lumen. The five-some looked down at their wrists and were troubled by what they saw.
"It's gone?" Marshall and Marceline said at once. They looked up at the other three and noticed troubled expressions on their faces.
"What's wrong Mum?" Hunter was the first to ask as he ran his hand over her insignia.
"...It's changed."
"Changed how?" Marshall asked taking her hand into his.
"It use to be a sword... Now it's a black heart." Fionna's voice was heavy with worry as she looked up at the other two only to see worry mirrored back at her.
"A black sword.."
"A black shield.."
"Then the darkness has chosen. He knows who you are and has decided that it will be only you three that face him in the end." The others looked up to see Grim, he stared at the marks with fear and hesitation.
"No. They're not going at it alone!" Marceline grabbed Grim by his robes but he merely looked her in her eyes and met her gaze.
"That is not for you to decide.."
"Why is it up to the darkness then!" Marshall moved closer, joining Marcy in her interrogation.
"Those with power do not bend to the wills of others. The darkness is a monster beyond definition. He does not need to fight you because to him you are no more than ants or germs. It is these three that pose a threat to his rule."
"But-"
"Marcy..." Marceline loosened her grip on Grim and turned to face her partner. Lumen looked at her concerned.
"Now isn't the time... We need to speak to Bonnie and Bubba for starters.. Let alone what comes next. I don't think fighting will get us anywhere.. Let's regroup and then we can discuss these things." Marcy kept her eyes trained on Lumen but didn't let go. He walked forward and held his hand on hers.
"Please.." Reluctantly Marcy let Grim go and Lumen indicated for him to head back into the castle. Marshall, with an unnatural ability to read the atmosphere, ushered for Fionna and Hunter to follow him. Finn decided to follow too, not wanting to be left in such an awkward situation.
Marceline let her fingers entwine with his and held them tightly. She pulled her hands to her face and tried to take in his warmth.
"Lumen.."
"What is it? Speak to me..."
"I'm scared... Lumen I'm scared I'm going to lose you.. Lose Finn and everyone else I love.." Marceline confessed. Her raven and white hair hid her face so Lumen brushed it aside. He looked into her eyes and watched as her irises turned green.
"You're hiding behind your transformation Marceline.. Your green eyes are showing. I know you are scared. I know everything looks like it will get worse. So far this whole situation has been one bad nightmare after another but Marcy... We're winning.. We beat his first trial like others before us but survived his second one like none ever could. It's not as a means to brag but we are pretty radical." Lumen pushed his forehead against her as his words brought a smile to his face. He felt her cool skin on his and lifted his head to plant a small kiss on her forehead.
"Of course I'm hiding. I thought the thousand years I lived through were the worst I could ever experience yet these last few years have brought so much pain and so much hurt yet at the same time brought more joy that I could ever hope for. I have you.. I have a family and so much more and for the first time in centuries I am happy beyond imagination. I'm scared to lose everything we have."
"If you only fear what you have to lose how can you enjoy what you have. Marcy, I'm here to stay, I'm never going to leave you. I have travelled time and space to be by your side. I promised you as a child that I would always protect you.. I asked you to be my wife as I want nothing more than to uphold that promise and show you I love you. Now I'm not exactly the strongest person in Ooo.. I'm now not even the second strongest human.. But I am the shield. I will protect you and everyone else that I love. I will do everything in my power to honour that promise."
"You mean it..?"
"Of course.."
Present
"I mean... I guess this is about as much as I expected from you." He looked up through the bars and watched as Marceline's slender figured appeared from the dark.
"Oh well you are a sight for sore eyes.." Lumen went to approach but was rewarded with pain as blood ran down his wrists. He winced and put his back to the wall again.
"Wolf-bait..." Marcy put her hands to the cage and then easily shape shifted through until she stood an inch from him. She held her hands up and felt a slight tingle of electricity as a wall appeared between them.
"She even put this up? Why are you doing this...?"
"I mean... You slapped me when you found out.. Bonnie is hurting and so is Bubba. That wall is actually his doing. The chains are hers though. I think it's fair to say I deserve it."
"...I was wrong to slap you and they are even more wrong to bind you down here Lumen! Why are you even staying here! You could get out in seconds."
"I'm here because they need me to be.. I let their daughter die and no matter the reasons or circumstances. I knew what was happening and I could have stopped it but I made a choice and now I will respect theirs. You should be with her. She needs you."
"You want me to be there for Bonnie while she keeps you locked down here in pain?"
"Yes.." Marcy pouted and started to moan. Her fangs grew larger and her claws wider. She bent the bars of the cell and punched a hole right through the wall. She looked back at Lumen and groaned once more.
"I hate you sometimes... You know that Lumen." She turned back to her normal form and disappeared from the cell, leaving him alone once again.
Lumen shifted his body so that it was more comfortable. He wouldn't admit it but even seeing her through the bars of a cage made him happy. His 2 weeks of confinement had allowed him to have a few visitors. The first was Finn, Jake and Marceline breaking in to rescue him. They broke the handcuffs and the bars to free him but Lumen had refused to leave. He knew that leaving then and there would have made a crevice in the relationship he had with both candy royals forever. He was thinking ahead, what the darkness preyed on was weakness inside ones heart. If he let Bonnie and Bubba hurt when he could do anything to repair the damage he felt he had created then their hearts would be vulnerable and this wasn't the time to lose anyone. This was meant to be the time they got everything right for the future. His only other visitor had been Fionna the Human.
2 Weeks Earlier
"Well, dare I say it, we did it!" Bubba exclaimed as everyone joined them in the main hall. Everyone smiled but all knew that it may be the last smile they share that day.
"This calls for a celebration! Let's call all the children over! I assume you sent them somewhere safe since they're not here with you?" Bonnie turned to Lumen, Finn and the other's. Lumen went to speak when Fionna cut him off.
"Yep! You know it! Hunter.. Why don't you go and get them. They should be at the Fire Kingdom". Fionna winked to Hunter who nodded, muttered something to himself and then quickly left the room leaving only the adults.
"Great! Well when they get here we'll show you all the results of what we were working on! I bet Belle is going to love it!" Bonnie smiled with glee. Everyone felt their hearts grow heavy but Finn was the first to speak.
"Bonnie.. I have some bad news.." Lumen gave him a dark look but Finn shrugged back at him. Bonnie stopped smiling and realised the amount of tension that was in the room.
"What is it Finn?" Looking from one person to the next, trying to pick up clues on why the mood had changed. Finn reached into his bag and pulled from it all the fragments of Rattleballs they had managed to gather while Marshall made hid rapier appear and passed it over to Finn.
"We.. We were too late.." Bonnie looked at the pieces and whispered his name to herself. Inside she felt like she had lost a precious child. One who she had raised, failed but had grown to be a source of constant pride and happiness for her. She took his rapier from Finns hands and ran her hands across it.
"You know.. I made this.. I'm not even sure how he got it but it was the first one I ever made.. It's not even that good but he wielded the weapon I made to protect the kingdom I loved.." Bonnie wasn't aware but tears had begun to form at her eyes. No one was sure whether to comfort her or not but Marcy took the plunge and floated over to her best friend. She wrapped her cold arms around Bonnie as she began to sob into her shoulder.
Lumen looked past Bonnie for a brief moment and saw Bubba looking at his phone. Dread filled Lumen as he looked up from the phone with his own eyes full of both tears and rage. He started to sprint and raised his fist bringing it straight into Lumens face knocking him to the ground. Everyone looked up in shock as Bubba started to pound on Lumen who didn't even try to defend himself. Bonnie rushed forward and tried to pull Bubba off of him.
"Bubba stop.. It's not Lumen's fault.. He couldn't save Rattleballs.."
"I'm not hitting him for Rattleballs! I'm hitting him because he let our daughter die!" Bubba yelled as Bonnie froze confused. She looked down at the phone on the floor and picked it up. Her face turned more and more pale as she read the texts from Belle.
"Bubba.. I get your angry.. But these don't mention Lumen or that Belle's dead." Bonnie's voice broke as she tried to speak. She looked down at Lumen who refused to meet her gaze and wondered what it was she was missing.
"We all got the messages Bonnie. We all knew what was happening but only one of us could have gotten there in an instant and saved her... But he didn't. He chose to protect, once again, the people of this world. Is that all it takes? To have a single part of you come from another world and you get forsaken! If she wasn't saved do you think the relics would have spared her? She ruined their plans and she wouldn't have the strength to fight back." Bubba yelled down at him. He grabbed Lumen by his clothes and stared into his eyes, seeing nothing but guilt in his eyes.
"It's not true..." Bonnie whispered again. She looked down at Bubba and Lumen then back at the others. None of them spoke in Lumen's defence and none of them would say it wasn't so.
"Lumen... Tell him he's wrong? Tell him you didn't let our baby die? TELL ME! RIGHT NOW" Bonnie screamed losing her composure. She pushed Bubba off of Lumen and dragged him so he was standing.
"Tell me!" She bashed her fists against his chest as tears streamed from her eyes. He let her keep going until she had lost most of her strength and grabbed her hand in his.
"I'm sorry Bonnie.. She was so brave.. Even at the very end. She wanted you to know she loves you both so much. I had to make a choice to protect the future they came back to create or intervene and let their choice to come back become nothing. I'm so sorry.." Lumen admitted. He raised his head to meet her gaze and only saw fury looking back at him. She raised her hand and slapped him so hard that he could hear a cracking noise from his jaw. She lunged into her pocket and pulled out remote. Smashing the button a pulse of electricity burst around her sending everyone flying. She pressed the remote again and a heap of chains flew from an unknown direction and wrapped around Lumen. Pressing it twice more electricity jolted through his body causing him to scream in pain as some insulated Banana Guards rushed forward and started to drag him to the dungeon. Finn, Fionna, Marshall and Marceline all stood up to stop them but were blasted back again.
"Bonnie! What are you doing!" Marceline yelled at her.
"HE. LET. MY. DAUGHTER. DIE." Princess Bubblegum gritted through her teeth. She deactivated the electricity but pushed another button which teleported the group to the castle gates.
They crashed to the ground disorientated and watched as the castle went into lock down mode sealing them all out for good.
"Lumen.."
Present Day
"Wow... You look like crap!" Fionna chuckled as she walked through the broken cell bars and into the cell. She pushed a button and deactivated the electric wall as well.
"Come on, poof yourself out of those chains light bulb!" Marshall popped out from behind Fionna with a vial of Cyclops Tears to heal his wrists.
"What are you guys doing here? I already told you I'm staying put." Lumen protested. Marshall nodded as he spoke and pretended to agree.
"I hear you.. I do.. But my Bunny here has decided that we're not going to listen to that so poof free light bulb or I'll just make you." Marshall said with a mischievous grin while turning his fist into a giant claw.
"Look. I gave my life to make sure you didn't die and then you gave your life to save mine. I thought we were even but I did almost kill you so I guess I owe you one whether you like it or not."
"I'm not keeping score of something like that and neither should you!"
"You know I didn't in the past but when a certain vampire decked out our home with everything imaginable he even added a score board. I mean at first I thought it was a stupid idea and not something you should ever do but as time went on and we did more and more together the number kept growing. Now I look at it and see that we have saved each other so much that I know there's no one i would rather have my back." Fionna felt Marshall's head rest on top of hers. She couldn't see his face but knew he was smiling.
"Well I'm sorry but I'm not leaving..."
"Why?"
"You know why!"
"Dude Bon-bon will move on, as will Gumwad. Belle is still to come for them and I know it hurts but they are the most logical people out there, they probably already know you did what you needed to do. You sitting in here is helping no one. Marceline's losing her mind and Hope is constantly plotting to break you out. The rest of the children are all on board with her crazy plans as well. Jake, Finn and Phoebe are doing all they can to keep your nut job of a sister from destroying the whole kingdom. None of us want you in here and like I said, you're not helping anyone. The darkness is coming and we need a plan." Marshall's voice lost it's usual teasing tone and was serious. A side he rarely showed to even Fionna. She nudged him slightly and although she didn't speak he knew she was thanking him for having her back again.
"He's right my Prince. They both are. I know you've already come up with an idea so share it with your companions before it's too late." Marshall heard his voice coming from within Lumen and smiled.
"You've been keeping silent these last two weeks Ghost.." Lumen moaned, he was starting to feel like everything he was trying to do was wrong. Fionna looked around confused so Marshall drew her sword and passed it to her.
"I've been respecting your wishes. If you had company you couldn't have wallowed in your own self pity. You know you made the right decision yet you still think you should atone for it. I think it's time you stopped acting like a prisoner and started behaving like the Prince you are."
Fionna tried to stifle a chuckle as she heard Ghost's voice lecturing Lumen. She was still worried that all the voices in her friends were evil but thought that having someone on spot to moan at you every time you did something bad seemed awful and since it wasn't happening to her, it was kind of funny.
"Come on.. What has being down here achieved other than hurting Marceline?" Fionna knew they needed one final push to lure him out of the cell. An advantage to her with this was that the person they were in love with was essentially the same person. She knew what would make herself tick and knew that it would work on Lumen too. Sometimes she felt she understood him more than she understood Finn. Coming to Ooo had not just granted her a big brother but a little one too. Finn looked after her so she had to do her best to look after the youngest one.
"Oh snap! Unexpectedly harsh from the bunny!" Marshall looked at her proudly. It was almost as good as the time he saw her chop off three skeleton's heads with one swing of her sword.
"I didn't want to hurt her but she understands why I'm doing this..." Lumen said with uncertainty filling his voice.
"Really? So she understands why someone else she loves has to be a prisoner for only trying to do the right thing... I mean... Simon lost his mind trying to protect her... She lost Bonnie because she didn't want to leave her and now she's losing you to what?" Lumen's felt himself grow hollow. He knew she was trying to bait him but she was right. He was hurting the person he'd swore to protect. He promised to love her and be by her side forever. What if Bonnie never let it go? They were all immortal so would he stay forever leaving her... Losing the chance to have Hope and the family he always wanted.
"Fine." Lumen morphed straight out of the cuffs and behind the pair. Marshall tossed over the Cyclops Tears and a sizzle later Lumen was back to being good.
"That's what I'm talking about! Do you need some grub though? Have you eaten at all in two weeks?" Fionna asked worried.
"Don't worry.. Bonnie came down every day and brought me food. She didn't say anything, nor did I to her but she didn't let me starve.." Lumen admitted which caused the others to look at each other confused.
"Wait.. She's been taking care of you?"
"Yeah.."
"Why would she do that if she was keeping you down here?"
"I don't know.. I didn't have the courage to ask.."
"Well that's a later us problem. Now the right now us have a more pressing issue." Marshall floated by them looking worried.
"Yeah I know what you mean." Lumen grabbed the pair and morphed straight in front of Marceline's house. Marceline rushed out after feeling them arrive.
"You gotta' get her to forgive you first."
"Little help?" Lumen motioned for Marshall to pass something and after a second of pondering he made his bass appear and threw it to Lumen. Lumen threw it back and whispered to him "Something a little more my style!". Marshall gestured that he had understood and summoned a grand piano from beneath the house. Lumen sat down at the instrument and looked over to Marcy with a smile. Marceline stood hesitant. She wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms but knew she didn't want to miss how he would make up to her. Marshall had told her they were going to get him and that he'd probably end up doing something amazing to earn her forgiveness so to play along. As Lumen began to play the keys his shades left his body and took the form of Marceline and himself. They started to dance to the tune to his melody.
"When I close my eyes,
I picture my life with you,
All the special days,
And all that we will do,
I dream of all the futures,
Where you stay by my side,
Of days where we do nothing,
And days of searching far and wide,
I'm not perfect, nor am I wise,
I might sometimes even let you down,
But if you give me a chance to prove,
That I won't always make you frown,
I can be the one who makes you smile,
Makes you laugh and laugh,
So come along with me,
I think ahead I can see the path,
Adventure's in our blood,
Flowing in our hearts,
Let us spend our lives together,
Us two mismatching parts,
The time of our adventure,
Is now merely seconds away,
I promise that now and forever,
Our love will grow each day,
I am far from perfect,
And I've been known to be un-wise,
I'm something of a toy to wolves,
But please listen and look in my eyes,
Marceline I love you,
But I'm sorry to inform,
That I'm kind of a screw up,
It's just the way I was born,
But I do indeed love you,
So for you I will always try,
To be better than the day before,
So please don't you ever cry,
I may not be perfect, nor very wise,
And sometimes I screw up everything,
So please give me a chance to show,
That for you my love I'd do anything,
I just needed you to know.." Lumen let the last note echo in the cave before looking up to see Marceline gone. He thought at first she'd gone back indoors when he felt a chill at the back of his neck. He turned to see her smiling widely at him.
"Now that was something wolf-bait." He heard a click and looked in her hand to see her tape recorder and realised she'd just recorded his song.
"Oh... I'm keeping this.. It's pretty much going to be one of my treasures and whenever anyone comes round our house I'm going to show them it. No protests. When you gave me this ring you told me you were mine and what's mine is mine so it's mine to share. Hope you don't mind." She winked at him before floating into his arms and wrapping hers around his neck. She ran her hands through his brown hair and kissed him passionately. She felt the warmth in his body infect her as she felt all the hurt, all the pain and all the loneliness of the last 2 weeks disappear.
When they drew apart he smiled back before leaning forward and whispering in her ear.
"OUR house huh?" Marceline's face flushed red as Marshall and Fionna chuckled. Lumen and Marcy froze remembering they had an audience. They turned to see Marshall and her holding up their phones.
"Did you get that Fionna?"
"Oh every second. I mean Marceline's loving face through that whole song, you made sure to get a good angle on that kiss and that soppy talk?"
"Oh I didn't miss a heart beat or lash flutter my dear little bunny. Now how much do you think the people of Aaa and Ooo would love to see this adorable scene?"
"Oh I bet they'd pay handsomely to see it. I hear that magazine Marcy appears in is always looking for gossip. What do you say?" Both turned and smiled at Marceline. Relishing in their revenge for what had been dubbed as the dance incident. Lumen looked on confused but smiled nonetheless.
"Hey Marcy... Did you know they keep score on how many times they save each other? Who do you think is winning?" Lumen raised his eyebrow back at the pair whose jaws dropped at the evil smile that covered Marceline's face. She jumped up and ran back into the house heading for the secret entrance. Fionna tried to rush after her but the effect of pregnancy was truly starting to show, leaving the boys alone together.
Marshall floated over and ruffled Lumen's hair.
"You did good Light bulb... I'd do it better but it was good enough." Lumen pushed him away and the pair laughed before heading in to calm the chaos they had encouraged.
Meanwhile in the Fire Kingdom
"MOVE!" Finn quickly leapt back to avoid the swing of her blade as she yelled at him. He used his own sword to deflect her other weapon and kicked her back.
"Isabella.. We've been through this.. Lumen doesn't want to leave the cell so we shouldn't make him. He'll leave in his own time when things are right.." Isabella paused only enough to catch Finn off guard and then charge at him. She tackled him to the ground, knocking the wind out of him. She brought down her fist only to have him block it and head butt her. She fell back clutching at the throbbing pain now filling her head and then started to scream and run at him. Finn braced himself only to have two long yellow paws pull him out of the pit they were in. Jake winked and jumped down inside with her.
"Shift change" Finn looked up to see his Fiancée smiling down at him. She passed him a water bottle and a hot towel and leant down beside him. He poured the water all over himself and then felt her hands run through his hair. He grabbed her hand to stop her knowing that it might hurt her but she merely flicked his nose and carried on.
"It doesn't hurt, not like it use to. A single drop used to make me want to cry out in pain and a splash would be like scalding water to you but now.. I do feel my strength fading but it doesn't hurt. I think the time we spent in the first trial changed me.. Or us.. If you had asked me whether I'd be capable of flying straight into an ocean then id say no in a heart beat but I did it.. We all did it, things that we never thought we could do."
"I still worry Phoebe.."
"Of course you do.. You're Finn the Human. You will always worry about everyone."
"But no one more than you!" Phoebe felt her flames grow and her cheek brighten but kept the conversation going.
"Honestly I didn't think that would ever be true.. Even when I waited for you.. I thought it would always be Ooo and your friends first and then me and my kingdom.. But now I know where I stand in your heart. Even though you've found so much more to love and have even more to lose... Lumen, Fionna and all the others from Aaa.. I'm happy Finn.. Even with everything looming over us.. I'm happy.." Finn felt her slender fingers breeze through his hair and smiled. It was calming, her heat seemed to go straight through him and heal all of his fatigue.
"Me too, and one day we'll have a new priority.."
"Yeah.. About that.."
"What's up?" Finn asked as she didn't finish her sentence.
"Well you know how Hunter is here because the timeline changed slightly and how we aren't exactly like the timeline before us?"
"Yeah?"
"Well I think maybe Light will be a little older than his current self.." Phoebe tried to explain subtlety.
"What do you mean?" Finn asked after pondering her comment for a moment. So Phoebe grabbed his hand and held it over her stomach. Finn felt the heat of her body and felt it growing hotter than he could remember. He looked at her carefully and noticed a brightness coming from her. He looked up to question it and she nodded back in response.
Finn paused for a moment processing all the information before leaping up and grabbing Phoebe, swinging her in his arms.
"IM GONNA BE A FATHER!" Finn punched into the air and cheered loudly. Phoebe felt all her anxiety wash away. Their situation wasn't like normal parents, they knew their children and had met them. Part of her was worried that Finn would think it was too soon and another part of her worried he'd take it for granted since he knew it would happen but, thankfully for Phoebe, Finn cheered happily and began to tear up with joy. He leant over the pit and called out his brother.
"Jake! Jake guess what!"
"What dude!?"
"I'm gonna be a dad!" There was a brief pause before Jake replied.
"Finn? You are already a dad... Four times over?"
"Yeah but for real Jake! Not a dad from another life time or another timeline! Phoebe is pregnant!" Finn called down and waited. Jake burst from the hole and hugged the both sobbing profusely.
"I'm gonna be an uncle! I'm gonna get to see them grow up this time!" Finn was confused but remembered what Jake had told him about the future.
"Yeah buddy! Your gonna be the greatest uncle that Ooo has ever seen! We know how cool and powerful Light grows up to be but i wasn't the perfect Dad to him so I'm hoping that you'll be by my side to help me?"
"Of course Finn! I'm not going anywhere?" Finn looked over to Phoebe who smiled and nodded to his silent question.
"No.. What I mean Jake.. Is will you be Light's Godfather.. I need someone who I trust beyond my life and if anything ever happened to me and Phoebe I know there's only one dog in Ooo who I would want to raise him.. Just like how you helped raise me.." Finn took Jake's paw in hand as he asked. Jake's eyes grew wide and tears started to fill the hole below as he wept with joy. He dove into Finn and mumbled into his top.
"Jake bro! I cant hear you? Is that a yes!?" Jake pulled back leaving a mess on Finn which he didn't really mind.
"Of course dude! I swear to Grob, Gob, Glob, Grod and even Magic man if need be that I will be there for him every single day and never let neither him nor you two down!" All three smiled at each other until Phoebe thought of something.
"Hey.. Hasn't Isabella been really quiet this whole time?"
"Yeah unnaturally so..."
"Oh about that.. As soon as i went down there she made a sandwich appear and threw it.. I went to go get it and then she was gone.. So i ate the sandwich until you called me."
"She's gone!?"
"Where!" All three quickly ran upstairs and started to call up Marceline to let her know what was going on.
Back at Marceline's Cave
"So that was the weenie, I have bad news and great news? Anyone wanna pick?" She looked across the room as Marshall was floating over Lumen and Fionna, who happened to be looking at a map of Ooo.
"Bad news!" Lumen picked and got questioning looks from the other two.
"What! If you pick bad first then you can only go up from there." Nodding in agreement the three turned to listen to the news.
"So our other light bulb has escaped and her whereabouts are unknown. I let Finn know that you are free and to head over here with the other."
"And the good news?"
"Well Fionna, you aren't the only pregnant lady anymore! Weenies gonna be a dad too." Everyone's faces lit up in joy at the news.
"Wait.. Wasn't Light meant to be a lot younger than Cloud and Hunter? By almost a year."
"Yeah.. But I think the timeline might have changed again Bunny, not everything will be the same as before. It could be the kids have influenced us a lot more than we thought, after all we are only getting married and having Hunter because we realised we weren't complete without him."
"Oh that's true, So I guess its possible that you might be pregnant too Marceline?" Fionna turned to Marcy who turned bright red out of embarrassment.
"Well.. No.."
"Why no? I mean if your doing the deed then its possible?" Marceline looked away from her gaze as Marshall pieced it together.
"You and Lightbulb haven't yet.. Have you.." Marceline's face turned even further red until she turned invisible. Marshall looked over to where Lumen was sitting to find he had a similar idea.
"So when in the conversation do you think he disappeared?" Fionna only noticed once Marshall pointed it out.
"Oh guys come on.. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.. We're all adults or eternal teenagers here.. Let's just talk about it?"
"No."
"Yeah what she said." Both Fionna and Marshall looked around but had no idea where their voices were coming from.
"Okay.. If I promise to never bring it up again.. Will you both come out?"
"..."
"I, Fionna the Human, soon to be Fionna Abadeer, Promise I will never mention this subject again." She raised her hand as she swore it before nudging Marshall in the side and indicating for him to do it.
"Oh so lame Bunbun.. I, most awesome dude that ever did dude, promise that I won't tease you two for being vir-" Fionna nudged him again.
"I won't tease you so come out." Marceline reappeared in the exact spot she had disappeared in while Lumen shadow morphed out of Fionna's shadow.
"Now, can you tell me the plan?" Lumen looked up to reply when he noticed Marshall smiling widely at him before starting to mouth things at him silently.
"Yeah Light bulb, what's the plan? To banish him with your innocence?" Lumen immediately disappeared back into a different shadow and Marceline vanished once more.
"Marshall!"
"Oh come on Fi, you should have known I couldn't resist! I mean for two people who love each other as much as those dorks to be so innocent makes me want to tease them!"
"There's nothing wrong with holding back Marshy?"
"No I know, I mean most of their problem is that Lumen is usually occupied I mean.. Grieving, Time Coma, Planning and then Prison. Dude needs this fight to be over before he can commit I think."
"If you know that then why are you teasing them?"
"...I'm me? Come on Fi.. You know you want to as well.."
"Well.."
"Exactly and we both know they're listening, so let's tease away.."
"Only until the others get here.."
"Perfect! SOOOO Marceline, going for an all time record? Making it to 1800 before you seal the deal?"
Elsewhere
"Hmm.."
"What's wrong Hope?"
"I don't know.. It might be my Dad.. I think he's upset about something.."
"It's probably the cell finally getting to him.."
"Yeah.. You might be right.."
Hope, Light, Lily, Hunter and BMO were all hiding out in Huntress' home.
"So how long are you guys gonna be crashing here? I just mean.. It's not exactly my place so.." Hunter finally said after much complaining from Jade.
"We'll be heading out tonight, sorry about intruding and that you've been lying for us." Hope said apologetically. Hunter sighed and got up.
"It's no problem, I know you don't remember but we are all friends and grew up together, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you guys.." He only got blank looked back and sighed again.
"Don't worry.. I'm heading out and don't know when Ill be back so good luck rescuing your Dad.. Tell him I said hi." Hunter jumped from the window and started to walk away when BMO jumped after him.
"Hunter.." He stopped and looked at the female robot.
"What up BMO?"
"In the future.. I didn't look like this did I?" Hunter froze as she spoke.
"I shouldn't talk about that."
"Please Hunter, this change only came when the others returned but before you did. You know this version of me."
"Of course I do.. We're best friends BMO, you live with me after all."
"I do?"
"Your circuits and body can't withstand the flames of the Fire Kingdom. Lumen can't cast the shadow shield on you since you are an artificial life. Plus a flame shield doesn't last too long so it wasn't an option. I'm not 100% but I think you chose me. You thought that I would be the one who would need you the most."
"Is that why I can detect this strange anomaly in my feeling programme?" BMO asked seriously. Her expression was one he knew only too well. Worry.
"You mean is that why you have a strange feeling in your heart?"
"BMO doesn't-"
"Don't even finish that sentence because I don't believe it to be true. BMO.. All of the time we have is to come, I don't blame them for not knowing me or you.. I'm grateful I even exist. No you didn't look like this but it doesn't matter as now you are as awesome and special as you are I know the next Hunter will have an even better life and its all thanks to you." BMO couldn't hold back her smile as he patted her on the head.
"Now I need to go see a man about a tree, you wanna tag along?" BMO nodded with excitement and ran to walk beside him.
Watching from above, Hope and Light smiled as their friend found her place.
"So in the new timeline BMO ends up taking care of Hunter.. I think that's great."
"Me too.. She asked to live with me and my parents but since they like to travel a lot and do dangerous stuff we couldn't let her. She ended up living with Uncle Marshy and Aunt Fionna. She was happy but I think she knew she was missing something."
"The world we will go back to is different.. It's what we wanted when we came here.."
"I know but.."
"But what?"
"Cloud's gone, Belle is dead and none of us remember Hunter. Lily's only here so she wasn't left out and its getting harder to make excuses to keep her safe."
"Lily can take care of herself Hope.."
"Oh really? You think she could have fought those relics?"
"Of course not but neither could we have. We needed our parents help, but they didn't need ours. In truth if we had never come back it wouldn't have mattered. Your dad would have saved Lady, our mothers would have found a way to beat their copies as they did before. I'm not sure what happened with the relic that originally went to the Ice Kingdom as not even Cloud would talk about it. The two Hunter destroyed would have been defeated anyway and Grim would have changed sides like he did before. Really we're not that much of a back up."
"BECAUSE WE GOT BENCHED LIGHT!" Hope yelled at him, still angry at being told to sit out of the fight.
"Really? Cause I recall you disappearing and by the time I found you the battle was over. We made no difference even being free."
"I stopped Isabella!"
"She wouldn't have killed anyone.."
"...I've made a difference.."
"True but not in the way we thought we would."
"What do you mean?"
"We thought we were coming back to be soldiers in this war.. But instead we've been casualties and more like the home front. We gave them something worth fighting for."
"...How has that made a difference?"
"Well for one.. I don't think your parents will be as reckless in the new timeline after they saw how much it upset you, my Dad won't be hiding from Uncle Jake and we can be a proper family. Hunter exists because we came back! Cloud will probably be the same.. Dudes too cool to change but Belle will probably be a lot more protected than before. That might be a problem actually."
"These don't seem that important to the battle."
"Of course not.. We aren't the ones who will win this battle.. What we came to protect was the life and happiness around us. Aunt Lady isn't dead, Jake hasn't hurt my Dad and my Dad is whole. I mean odds are he'll probably lose his arm anyway. He seems to in any timeline is Ice Finn is anything to go by. But what's most important is we have made a difference to them, we strengthened their bonds and showed them that it is possible!"
Hope sat down on what she assumed was a log and looked at the ground. Light sat next to her and started to hold her hand.
"Apparently we keep these memories.. It's the reward for our bravery. Belle won't remember the end but she'll know she did everything to save Cloud and we will remember this. It may have taken being sent to the past but I know what I want for my future and that's being with you." He lifted her chin with his finger getting her to look at him. He looked into her red and blue eyes and smiled.
"Please... Let's save your dad and do what we can.. But nothing more.. We may come back but I don't want to watch you die." Light lent forward and pressed his lips to Hope's who started to kiss him back when they heard a cough in front of them. They jumped apart to see Isabella looking at them awkwardly.
"Well.. I promise I won't say anything to your parents... But wanna help a girl break into a candy prison?" She said with an awkward smile.
"ye-yeah! That's what we were doing?"
"Really? Looked like you were kissing the flame kid?" Hope turned red as she looked for help from Light.
"Yes she was!" He declared only for Hope to face palm.
"But we are planning on rescuing Lumen. You in?"
"Absolutely!"
Marceline's Cave
"So why are you sitting in silence?" Finn asked as he stared around the room. Marceline and Lumen looked like they wanted to be anywhere else in Ooo while Fionna and Marshall were struggling to hide their smiles.
"No reason, just waiting for you guys. Isn't that right Lumen?" Marshall winked at him while he gave evils back.
"Sure thing." He was already plotting revenge for this incident that would make them regret what they did.
"...Okay then.. Why are we all here?"
"I have a plan for how to beat the darkness.. That won't put Fionna or Hunter at risk." Lumen explained as he pointed to the map.
Over the next hour he carefully and in detail told the others what he planned to do and what they would all do in the up coming battle.
"So you're saying if we do this.. We can win?" Phoebe asked looking up at Lumen. He seemed distressed as he was going over the plan again.
"Yes.. Maybe. When we do it.. It can only work once. If we fail then we may give up the chance to end this. We can't just rely on Fionna's power as our timeline is different. Hunter didn't exist in the original timeline so it wasn't a problem. Now he does we have to do everything we can do to both protect him and the others."
"What's going to happen to you when we do this?"
"I don't know.." Lumen looked up to see Marshall struggling with something.
"Are you okay?"
"I know this.."
"What do you mean? You know this.."
"Simone.. Or Ice Queen when she wasn't sane... She had a book full of crazy ideas and stuff and I went through them once and found something. I thought it was just crazy rambling but now I think about it if she was connected to the crown then the message may have come from the crown itself. There was a time when Ice Queen had a run in with the Lich Queen and Flame Prince. It was written after that... What if it was the darkness inside them communicating and leaving a message." Marshall kept thinking about it.
"What message? I don't remember that?" Marceline spoke up to Marshall.
"Remember... Our worlds are the same but different.. I found it after the time Lumen was suppose to already be here. The Lich and Simon's crown would have known about Lumen but Simone's wouldn't.. We need that message." Marshall told Lumen. He sent Marshall back to Aaa and the group waited silently for a signal that he wanted to come back when a portal opened.
"Before you question how, Aunty Faith was visiting Simone and sent me back."
"Did you get it?"
"Yup!"
"What does it say?"
"The time to grieve has long since passed,
And the trial of relics ended fast,
The darkness descends and to life he is bound,
The end is now nigh, the answer is found,
Shadow and light, a Princess, her knight,
When three become one, the battle is won."
"I really should have put the pieces together but I just didn't.."
"Of course you didn't, all of this is so crazy so amount of imagination could have put it together.. But this is it... This is our answer. Lumen's plan it is." Fionna said with a frown.
"Will they forgive us.." Phoebe asked as she looked over the map.
"Only one will really have to face us... And then it might be too much for them to forgive us.." Jake spoke for the first time since saying hello. Everyone felt the room grow heavy as they contemplated what they had to do.
"It's the only way.."
"It doesn't make it any easier.."
"True.. How long do we have left Ghost?" Lumen knew lingering on the subject would only lead to doubt.
"I suspect he will arrive tomorrow. However, it won't be as easy as you have discussed. When he arrives he may be in physical form but his very presence will bring out the evil within everyone. You will have to prepare to fight a war against all of those that live life with evil within their hearts."
"TOMORROW!" Came a unanimous cry from the room.
"Yes." Ghost spoke so matter of fact that no one could even retort. The crushing weight they felt on themselves only grew stronger.
"So.. We have to fight every villain we've ever beaten? All the bad guys? Does that include the goo monsters?" Finn asked suddenly picturing every enemy he ever had to face from deceptive angels to cats out to kill him.
"I think it's safe to assume this is the case."
"But you're not sure?"
"No one has ever made it to the third trial. Other than the people before us. The children are not here because they believe us to be inside the Candy Kingdom and the moment we see them again it won't be to talk. We are going in blind yet we have a plan and the power to do it. I know some of you still doubt my purpose but I will gladly give up my existence to see this through." Everyone grew silent again. No one knew quite what to say when Finn and Fionna both stood up together. They nodded at each other and addressed the group.
"I once got asked what I wanted in life. I decided on that day exactly what that was."
"It was to help anyone in need so that everyone is happy."
"It's crazy... Crazy but this is what we need to do. I got crystal certainty."
"That this is what we need to do to be heroes."
"Life isn't easy, atleast it hasn't been for us."
"We've had to fight all of our lives to find any kind of happiness."
"And now someone.. The very same someone who caused most of that pain."
"Is trying to take it from us? No. I won't allow it."
"We won't allow it. For Ooo, For everyone that values life itself but more importantly.."
"For us all."
Marshall wrapped his arms around Fionna to show her he was there. Phoebe nodded to Finn who turned to Lumen.
"What's the first step..?"
"We need to get Bonnie and Bubba.. They can relay to the rest of Ooo what we need to do." Lumen felt his heart grow heavy as he thought of them both.
"You can't avoid them forever.."
"I know... I just thought I'd have more time"
"Sometimes we have the time to do everything we need to but choose not to. Sometimes, however, there's never enough time in the world to accomplish anything. You are in a rare position that the things you need to do you have time for but the things you want to do depend on you doing what you need to now."
"That's really confusing Ghost."
"I know. It's been an honour my Prince."
"You could be honest Ghost. We don't have long left."
"You were stubborn, you were foolish. You basically made everything harder for yourself. You have suffered each and every step on your journey from your last life to this one. Most of it is due to bad luck and your inability to stay out of trouble. Some of it is based on how stupid you are sometimes and finally a small fraction of it is because you are one of the kindest and most courageous individuals to ever walk the cosmos. It has truly been an honour my Prince. I would not have it any other way."
"You had to go and get all soft on me Ghost. Thank you for all your guidance and I hope one day.. I'll hear your voice again."
"Not likely, my Prince."
"Indulge me.."
"Then I think this is not goodbye but instead goodbye for now. Speak soon."
"Thank you.." Lumen wiped the tear that escaped his eye and grabbed the others before morphing straight into the main room of the Candy Kingdom. The whole group looked up to see Bonnie and Bubba sitting waiting for them.
"...It's time.. Isn't it?"
"Tomorrow." Lumen replied concisely. They didn't have time to sort out their problems and they both knew this so instead went straight to the task at hand.
Lumen explained to the royal pair his plan. He explained the idea behind it and how it would work. The others pitched in with any additional ideas they thought might help.
Once the planning was done they each called their respective Kingdom's and allies and notified them. The plan was set and ready to begin.
Outside the Candy Kingdom - Early Hours of the Morning.
"So are you three ready?" Hope called back. She looked behind her to see Isabella carrying Lily over the hill and Light looking out for scouts. Lily and Light had both dimmed their flames to avoid being seen. A technique their mother had taught them from a younger age.
"As ready as we will ever be.. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"I will not leave my father in a cell any longer. The day the darkness is suppose to arrive is any time now. I don't know the exact date either but if he is trapped down there they will lose." Light rushed forward and pulled her to the ground before putting his finger to his lips and pointing into the darkness.
Hope looked out and saw a figure approaching the kingdom. He took down the hood of his robes revealing his skeletal figure and looked in their direction before disappearing into the kingdom.
"Death?"
"No it's Grim... He's the Lord of Death from my world." Isabella stated as she felt fear grip her.
"What does he want?"
"He wants to take me and Lumen back. Back to Lll. Away from here."
"But Dad said he wouldn't go back so it can't be that?"
"What if that's what Bubblegum decided... To get rid of him."
"No." Hope jumped down and started running towards the Kingdom. She had tears running from her eyes as she put everything she had into running.
"HOPE!" Light yelled and started to chase after her. Isabella rolled her eyes and watched them go. She felt the ground rumble beneath her feet and turned to see a sight she never thought she would. Thousands of people, of fire and ice, of light and dark and so much more were walking towards the Kingdom. Giant Ice creatures and Sleeping Fire Giants that were now awake. Isabella watched as the people of Ooo approached their final stand.
"no.. No.. It can't be.." She looked up at the sky and watched as the stars started to fade one by one. The light fading from the sky above her.
"...he.. He's coming.." Isabella grabbed onto Lily tightly and started to chase after them. She almost fell but kept pushing. Dread filled her body as she kept running. She could hear the sounds of the armies behind her and the silence in front of her and ran as hard as she could.
She had spent years, countless year, running from her fear until finally she had found her brother, her happiness again and she was going to lose it all again.
Light reached out and grabbed onto Hope. He tried to stop her and in return found himself flying back into a building. He grabbed at the pain in his chest realising she had hit him with her full strength. He wiped the blood from his mouth and picked himself back up. He couldn't move as fast thanks to the pain but he had to keep trying. He pushed himself with everything he had but it wasn't enough and soon enough Isabella caught up and grabbed him too. She carried both the children with her until she stood beside Hope. The four looked at the collection of friends and family in front of them. Grim was on his knee's no longer wearing black but a white cloak. Hope scanned the room for her father but couldn't see him.
"Where is my Dad?" Hope asked them all. She was confused and afraid but wanted answers.
"Hope... Sweetie" Marceline stepped forward to face her daughter.
"What's going on Mum?"
"We know how to beat the darkness. It was your father's idea.." Hope smiled and looked around for him again.
"Where is he?"
"He couldn't be here for this.."
"For what?"
"Hope.. I'm sorry." Fionna stepped forward and closed her eyes. Her body began to glow and in her hands formed a blade of light. Hope felt her strength begin to fade as she fell to the ground. Behind her Isabella experienced the same thing. Both of them felt their powers leaving them. Isabella's hair turned brown and her skin turned a peachy colour. Hope's appearance didn't change too much but she started to scream as her powers left her completely. The voices that guided her, gone. The powers that defined her, gone. She was now incomplete.
"I'm finished." Fionna made the sword of light disappear as she stepped back. Marceline rushed forward and picked up her daughter.
"What did you do to them?" Light yelled at the adults who stood uncomfortably watching.
"We took their powers. All the ones that connected the Darkness and the Light. They are the weapon that can kill the Darkness. The Angel of Light failed to kill him but she did injure him with this power. To send it down to the worlds was her way of giving people a chance to fight back but without it all combined into one weapon it will never be enough." Bonnie explained to him. He looked at her with disgust as he rushed to help Isabella who yelped in pain as his touch hurt her.
"Stay back.." She whispered as she crawled into the corner of the room and tried to hide her face. Light could see because of his light all the scars and injuries she had hidden from them with her powers. She was afraid. She was now just a human again, once again knowing the end is coming.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THEM!" Light yelled again and went to rush forward when the hilt of a blade struck him in the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious.
"What we had to." Lumen stated as he picked Light up. He passed him to Finn before walking over to Isabella.
"Bella.. Everyone calls you that now.. It used to be my thing. I'm sorry Bells but it had to be done. I couldn't ask this of you so I had to take it. Same with Hope. I know these powers, they define us but without them we can save the world. I'll give mine up too before the end but until then I'm sorry. Grim's going to take you someplace safe. Somewhere where no one can hurt you or the kids." Isabella reached out and grabbed his jacket pulling him down into her arms.
"Don't leave me Ivel.. Please.. Not again... I can't lose you again.. Please don't leave me again.." Lumen fought the tears in his eyes as he held his hand over her head and forced her to sleep. He lifted his twin and walked over to Grim.
"Protect her."
"She is one of my own. I will never let anyone hurt her again." Grim nodded and walked over to Light and Hope.
"Mum.. Please.."
"It's okay sweetie.. Just go to sleep and when you wake up.. It will all be okay.."
"No.. Mum.. Dad.. Please don't.." Lumen reached over and kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Sleep baby girl.. Sleep." Marceline rocked her in her arms and held her tight. Her tears dripped down onto Hope as she felt herself losing consciousness.
Finn and Phoebe walked over to Lily who stood waiting for them.
"Future Mummy and Future Daddy..."
"Yes Lily?"
"I'll look after them."
"After Light and the others?" Finn asked her.
"Yes. I'll protect them with Mr Grim. It's been lovely meeting you!" Finn rushed forward and picked her up. He held her tightly in his arms as he ran his fingers through her fiery hair.
"Lily.. I'm so proud of you. Meeting you and Light has been one of the most amazing and incredible experiences of my life. I Love you with all my heart and I will wait every day until you are by my side again and I will love you all over again. My beautiful baby girl." Finn passed her over to Phoebe who started to cry. Lily wrapped her arms around her mother and told her it would be okay.
"Of course it will sweetie. It will all be okay. We'll make sure of it. Now be and good girl and listen to Grim. I love you.."
"I love you too Mummy and you too Daddy." Lily ran over and held Grim's hand. She waved goodbye to her parents as they all disappeared leaving the room glum and dark.
"That.. Was harder than I thought it would be." Jake whispered to Marshall who nodded. Finn and Phoebe were holding each other tightly as Marceline flew over to comfort Lumen.
"It's time.." They all looked up at the window as the sun began to rise. The last dawn was finally on them.
A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy! It's been a long absence from THATS but I finally feel ready to finish this story. It's been a pivotal part of my life in an odd way and I'd just like to thank 'RookeSiegeMaster' for dropping me a message to continue. Thank you to anyone who has reviewed or read the story and I'd love to know your thoughts and how you think it will end.