Adventure Time: The Human and the Shadow

by LeviLemon

When a kingdom loses it's royalty and they have no heir... what lengths would they go to restore the balance? When a human wakes up in a room with no door and no window with the fact he's human being the only part of his memory, how will he react when he finds he's arrived in the land of Ooo along the time of it's greatest Hero.. Finn the Human?

45. In Another Life

The Human and The Shadow: Chapter 45

In Another Life.

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His coat flapped in the wind as the threads that held it together faded into non-existence. The power that gave it substance no more, forcing it to leave it's master. He looked back at the two above him before his world faded to black, the speed of his fall robbing the oxygen from his lungs. He could feel the wind flowing through his brown hair, the cold air nipping at his peachy skin. Lumen fell towards the war waging on below, powerless and alone.

"LUMEN!" A scream silenced the whole battlefield. Both sides paused in that second to look up at the darkened sky, as the Prince of Shades fell for the last time.

Earlier

The sounds of horns rang out in the vast open space of the grasslands, as the heroes raced to join with their nations. The first part of the plan was to join up with their respective Kingdoms and then, with the combined might of the good in Ooo, lead them against the oncoming forces.

Slime, Fire, Candy and Ice, the four elements of creation stood together once more. Phoebe stood at the very front of their forces. Her nation was one of war, the very burning in their bodies hungered for it yet they had given into another passion, love. She felt a light touch on each shoulder and saw her parents beside her. She felt her flame grow stronger as her heart was full.

"This time, we face this evil as a family." Firenze declared. She smiled as she looked out at the formation of the battlefield. While she had always been one for peace she understood the necessity of a ruler to lead their people and had designed the formation herself.

"And no one gets left behind" Flame King added.

"Okay.." Phoebe stood up taller than she ever had before. The days of crying alone in a lantern were gone. Now was the final day she would ever fear losing everything again and even that fear was just something to be conquered. Instead of a lantern of sorrow, she would become the beacon of hope, leading the charge for tomorrow.

"Denizens of the Flame Kingdom. I stand before you not as your Princess or your leader but a woman. A woman who will one day be a mother. A woman with a future. I know each and everyone of you is scared and worried. I know that the peace we have lived in has dimmed our flames and brought hope to our hearts. Now, as the sky shows, we face our darkest day. Our peace is threatened, our hope tarnished and that. That doesn't sit right with me!

Behind us are the very same people we once terrorised and were feared by but today they guard our backs as we stand before them as their strength. Times have changed and so have we. I can't ask you to give your lives and i won't pretend this is going to be easy but I will not run, I will not flee and I will fight. For them, for us and for tomorrow. If you are with me then raise your flames as we're about to show this foul fiend just how dangerous it is to play with fire!" Phoebe's cry echoed among their troops to be drown out by the cheers of her people and those behind her as well. Her strong cry of war was heard and echoed in the hearts of all of the side of light. Her parents pulled her in for one last hug before they fixed their eyes on the field before them, ready to face the coming war.

Behind the army of Flames stood the combined might of the Candy Kingdom and the Slime Kingdom. There were various allies scattered between them called by Finn and Jake. Marceline's ghost, ghouls and skeleton friends also joined in. The bunch was the oddest seen for years but the sheer strength of their combined might was not to be trifled with. Marceline stood staring up at the sky above her, wondering if her partner was safe. Marshall walked up and nudged her shoulder slightly. Words weren't needed between these two as they turned into their giant demon forms. They walked to the front of their area intending to take a lot of the pressure off the back lines. Bonnie and Bubba were in the very back of their section. It was their job to lead this army, to make sure that the brains kept moving and could relay messages to each unit and Kingdom. Jake stood ready to roll out, his abilities would let him move across the battlefield with ease and gather information. He had wanted to join the others at the front but Lady had begged him just this once to play it safe and do the job only he could do.

"Bonnie.." Bubba broke the silence that had fallen after Phoebe's speech. His sweet voice cut the tension in the air like a knife slides through a chocolate gateau, with ease so to say.

"Yes?" She didn't look up from the maps to speak to him but he knew she was listening. He wasn't sure if it was because she was him or just because they loved each other to the point of no return but it felt like they were bonded together like a mother gum, their thoughts and heart in sync.

"Stay close to me, I can't lose you too." Bonnie flinched from his words and turned to find him looking at her attentively. His eyes locked on her and she could see the fear in them. She reached out and wrapped her hand around his.

"You won't lose me and we haven't lost Belle yet either. When this is done, marry me and let's bring our daughter back to us." She straightened out her war outfit and made sure all the tech inside was working before knocking her knuckle against his chest piece and returning to work. Bubba skin flushed as she smiled at him. He had a suspicion for a while that he had a thing for strong women and right now he felt like he had the strongest and bravest one of both words by his side. He nodded in response before returning to the table. There was work to be done.

And finally, the back bone of their combined armies was the citizens of the Ice Kingdom. Gunter had taken it upon himself to protect the whole kingdom and somehow managed to bring all of the snowmen, Ice beasts and the rest without Simon's knowledge. Belle's shield was so effective that those inside had no idea of outside events and no one could get in. Lumen included but somehow, regardless of all that, Gunter had led an army to their aid. He wore his little bow tie that separated him from the other Penguins but also the Demonic Wishing Eye. Finn had almost freaked out when he saw it but Gunter had 'wenked' until they understood he was there to help. He had used his abilities to send out an army of Gunter's, rounding up the friends and allies who had yet to arrive to fight.

Fionna, Finn and Lumen stood above them all watching down as they took formation. Finn had decided to prepare for battle by wearing some light armor that covered his shoulders and his arm of flesh. He wore a red cape and his usual bear hat had been replaced with a helmet with sharp bear ears. He wore gauntlets designed to help deflect sharp objects and as well as his sword he had tucked a few throwing daggers around his person. Jake had almost thought he was seeing future Finn again but smiled as he realised that this was Prince Finn, Hero Knight of Ooo. Fionna, on the other, hand had dressed in clothes that Marshall had brought her. She wore red shoes, black leggings and an armoured dress. Her hair was tied into a bun and hidden beneath her own helmet. Marshall had called her the Valkyrie of the Damned. It seemed to be the name of the armour she had worn, a specially prepared and enchanted gift from his Nightosphere. Unlike the other two Lumen had taken a rather, ironically, light approach to his clothing. He was still borrowing clothes off of Marceline since she had let him. He donned a pair of her red boots, a ripped pair of jeans, a grey and red striped long sleeve shirt and his overcoat. He had replaced the sleeves and restored it back to the original condition it was designed to be. He had his crown bracelet on one wrist and a token bracelet from his adopted father on his other. He could see his beloved far below him and wondered to himself if her demonic beast form was as comfortable as it looked.

"I never thought this day would come.." Finn was the once to break the silence.

"I mean... I'm happy we are united but war... It should never have come to this." Fionna and Finn discussed. Lumen was still focusing on Marceline below, worrying about her now more than ever. He felt a light tap and looked up to see both heroes with their swords on shoulder ready to fight. He didn't know why but the outfits they donned really gave him a final boss like feel. The heroes, with the best equipment from their travels, have arrived for one last battle.

"Regardless, we're glad that your here with us." Finn pulled him up and into a hug. Fionna jumped on in making the three laugh. The laughter carried down to the people below which helped relieve some nerves among the less experienced of the army. Many, although not known by name, were people saved by Finn and rest, they were ready to repay the favour.

When the laughter eventually stopped the trio looked over to the darkening sky in the distance. Dark coloured lightning tore from the black clouds and ripped up the ground. The deafening thunder that followed seemed like war drums being played by an advancing army, notifying their opponents that they were here, ready for the war.

"He's coming."

"We only get one shot at this. We have to give it everything we've got."

"For everyone.." They looked on as the first of their enemies arrived.

Battle cubes, mutants, Gnome fairies and their ruler, the criminals from all the kingdoms, Why wolves and Hug wolves (Lumen shuddered upon seeing them) and many more nameless mobs were heading towards them. The very creatures the heroes had been defeating since they were little. Looking into the crowd the trio spotted some more recognisable faces.

Maja the Sky-Witch, Me-mow, The guardian angel, Ricardio, Scorcher, Bucket Knight and..

"Ashley!" Fionna exclaimed and, with a dark expression appearing on her face, tightened the grip on her sword. Finn pulled her back.

"No that's Ash." Lumen's ears picked up the name and recognised it. He looked down at the person they were referring to. He looked stupid, in Lumen's opinion, with his three strands of hair and all black outfit. Lumen found himself thinking that he looked like someone wearing a trash bag with a yellow belt.

"Whose that?" Lumen asked while both Finn and Fionna looked back awkwardly. They both looked at each other to explain until Finn finally chose to.

"That's Marceline's ex-boyfriend. The one that mistreated her and used memory dust to trick her into taking him back. He's a horrible and vile person. It's no wonder he joined the darkness." Finn watched as Lumen focused his eyes on him. He licked his finger and held it up checking for wind and resistance. Then without warning he materialised a spear of white light and with all his might threw it straight into the wizard. He fell from view beneath the horde of enemies.

"L..l..Lumen!" Fionna gasped as he smiled and turned back to them.

"I didn't kill him. Just need him to not get killed before I can get my hands on him. I made a promise to Faith and Hunson that if I ever did find him we'd 'talk' to him together." Lumen chuckled as his body filled with a black aura before turning back to normal. Both Mertens' coughed awkwardly before Fionna changed the subject.

"So... Do you want to fill us in on the rest of what you know now." Lumen nodded and the three sat down.

"We were once told that Faith is the key, but we were also told that Martin held more secrets than we could imagine. I looked into the leads and I found what we were looking for. Faith, someone who has been to more worlds than any of us, was soaked in dimensional energy. It practically radiated off of her. Bonnie used some gizmo to absorb it all and put it into a jar. Martin, as you know, gave his life to buy us time. I went to his last known hiding place and found a similar jar filled with cosmic energy. Energy from the farthest reaches of our own Ooo dimension. It seemed that being locked in the Citadel let him come across criminals that had been to all the corners of our cosmos. It seemed practically impossible but we now had a jar of both cosmic and dimensional energy. We had the power of the angel and the darkness. We also had the power of life and death given to us by the Lich and Grim. All these small insignificant contributions, which while alone had no purpose, together combined into something incredible. The power from everyone present, past and future. Bubba found a way to combine them all into what we are calling Infinite energy." He pulled out a small vial that looked like it had at most 2 or 3 drops of liquid in.

"Is that all there is?" Finn asked disappointed, he had been expecting some super awesome special weapon that would cut the Darkness up to be sealed. Lumen frowned knowing he hadn't fully appreciated what it is he held.

"Finn... This liquid, this infinite energy is the culmination of all our experiences and lives till this very moment and even beyond. The power of the past carried forth by my death, the power of the future brought back by our children. The furthest reaches of our existence and other existences themselves. The power of the two beings who created everything and also nearly destroyed it all. This is an impossibility brought forth by having the same person from two life times work together under pressure of the end of the world and create something... special. This is something beyond the darkness, a poison of creation itself. The darkness is the destroyer but this is beyond him. It is him but so much more. From the day you were born until right now is liquidised in this vial. It is you, both of you, it is me, it's all of us and our spirit. It's every mathematical, every bacon pancake, every high five, every sword, princess, rescue and reward. It is adventure and it is time. It is infinite. The being of darkness will be vulnerable to the one thing he can't destroy, everything and nothing, the impossibility and the never ending. Finn.. this is it! The thing we all struggled for. I know it's not a lot but the fact we have it at all is a miracle." Lumen looked into the vial and at the liquid. He couldn't describe how it looked as they had realised it looked and smelt different to everyone. It was unique. Bubba had theorised even the effects would change dependant on the person but for the darkness, it was a weakness.

"Wait... We can really kill him.." Finn had know what they were fighting for but still assumed that they would be sealing it away.

"...You did this all for Hunter?" Fionna asked with tears filling her eyes. She knew that the safest plan was to seal the Darkness away like their future selves must have done but the fact they weren't meant that they were doing it to protect the very son she carried within her.

"We did it for us all but especially to not risk losing him. I can't begin to describe how incredible it was to meet Hope, my daughter from the future. She was more than I could ever have dreamed for. The fact that we get a second chance to make the ending happier and that gave us Hunter.. we will risk nothing but everything we have to ensure we lose nothing." Lumen swore to them with a smile.

"That doesn't make sense?" Finn added in at his last comment.

"Since when does anything anymore!" He retorted which made them all laugh again. Goosebumps suddenly soared over their whole bodies as they turned to the dark sky. The clouds had totally sealed away the light now and the darkness was as Ghost had once described. A void of emptiness. They all stood ready with weapons drawn. Lumen walked forward and raised his shield in front of the other two. From his palm the light began to spread until all around them they were in a ball of pure white. It then moved inward and surrounded their bodies. All three seemed to glow with light as white wings seemed to grow from Finn and Fionna's backs.

"For the future." The two nodded as they started running. The three ran across the sky towards the darkness when a pulse of black lightning came blasting forth and hitting them all.

/

"Are you sure you should be here?" Hunter looked up to see Ivy looking down at him with a worried expression.

"Are you?"

"Yes, my world has seen this war before, we witnessed the end and this time no one here has the strength to even believe it'll even end differently. I, myself, would have liked to stand by my friends sides as we took our last stand but I was asked to protect my people as their ruler. As have many other royals been told to do. Our roles come after the war."

"And what role is that?"

"Recovery. Myself and my people will restore the fields and fauna of Ooo back to it's true form. We will heal the world itself so that the darkness' touch will be gone from this world." The Prince of the Rose Kingdom declared. He held his hand over to a small patch of bare ground and light, much like that from the sun, shone from him and in it's place was small shoots of grass.

"The world can't just be saved with grand heroes and champions, sometimes it needs gardeners and mailmen too. Everyone is part of this war, no one will be spared if it ends like it did for my world. I can't win a fight but I make a hell of a rose bush. Everyone does their part, what's yours?" He asked Hunter who lay back on the ground staring up at the sky.

"To protect a single seed... In hopes that one day the person I love can return." Hunter reached into his pocket and pulled out the apple sized seed that contained Huntress Wizard's life force.

"You haven't buried it yet!" Rose exclaimed. He could feel it so suddenly, the power inside and the life that it held. No seed he had seen before held the same latent potential. He knew it was because it contained her life but still it had surprised him by how much power a single life held.

"I needed the right help. I can bury her somewhere, and I will defend it for the whole 20 years. If all goes to plan, the day she emerges this version of me will disappear and she will be greeted by future me. It's a difficult situation but he's the one she needs. My Huntress has died, I will pass her gifts back to her and then death will reset me."

"Wait... So you'll just disappear? What about your memories?"

"I will remember the whole of the trial and then that's it. We should have returned when the story was over and for the future me, that's exactly what will happen. I'll hold onto the memories for a bit but when he turns twenty, it'll be time for him to know exactly what happened here. For that I need your help in more ways than one."

"What do you need me to do?" Rose asked. He knew there was no point trying to persuade him with those eyes. Rose had always had a soft spot for Hunter. He was a lot like his worlds hero. After meeting Fionna and Marshall-Lee he realised that his world was similar to Aaa, his Fiolee was a combination of the two. So in turn Hunter was as close to their hero that could ever exist, but more so, he was a lot like the friend he had lost. Hunter grew his wings out, he looked at them with shame thinking about how much Huntress had admired them.

"I doubt she would have wanted this for you... Any of it."

"I know."

"She wouldn't have wanted you to waste your life, to spend two decades watching over her only to disappear."

"I know Jade."

"I don't want you to disappear." Hunter went to retort with his usual 'I know' but paused.

"You don't?"

"No, I have grown rather fond of you Hunter. I, myself, was looking forward to the days the three of us would spend together. The adventures we would have and the times we'd share." Hunter could feel sadness welling up inside him, these were her feelings, Jade's feelings.

"What do you know... I made you soft meat." Tears started falling down his cheeks. He knew they were not his own so he wiped them away for her.

"Idiot... I don't want to lose a friend."

"We still have 20 years together, I bet you will change your mind at some point."

"Fool. For us, for me, 20 years is but a drop in the ocean. It'll be like a beautiful burst of light in the dark, a fleeting firework that only makes you wish it could have stayed for longer."

"Thank you." Was all Hunter replied. It was all that was necessary. They shared thoughts and emotions. He knew what she knew and she knew exactly how much her words had meant to him.

"I will always be your friend. Your ally. And your partner even after you go home to her." He felt his cheeks burn red as she was embarrassed. They could have continued the interaction all day but they were short on time. Hunter grabbed Rose and flew them away from the sound of war. Rose looked back towards the Fire Kingdom and noticed a giant of fire and stone heading towards the battleground. A sight new to him but one he hoped was good news. The wind against his face was cold but he didn't mind. He could hear Hunter still talking to himself above and wondered what it was like to have voices in your head. Aside from the darkness none had ever appeared to him. Somehow he wondered if everyone would benefit from it, no one would ever need to be lonely again but then again he considered that maybe Hunter was an exception to the rule and that he had found something special in the thing that he and the voice shared, Huntress.

"We're here." Hunter called down as he let the Prince fall into the tree below, it moved quickly to form a cushion and slide him gently to the ground as Hunter landed with a small thud next to him.

"Did you do that or did the forest?" Hunter asked as Rose was looking a little confused himself.

"That time? That wasn't me." As he finished speaking he heard a rustling all around him as the trees shook with excitement.

"Someone's popular!"

"No kidding!"

"Rose? Are you usually this popular with nature?" Hunter knew he had powers and affinity around nature and life but he had never seen the forest act like this before. You could feel the life within it reaching out for Rose.

"Not quite... This is new to me as well. Erm.. Should I speak to them?" He asked the pair beside him who nodded in union.

"Hello? My name is Prince Rose Ivy. I am the Prince of the newly formed Rose Kingdom." The rustling continued until a powerful wind blew through and started to circle Rose. Stray leaves and dirt were picked up and began to circle around him. Hunter moved to help him when Jade stopped him.

"Stop. Don't disturb them. It's the forest welcoming him. It recognises him as one of their own and as a guardian to them. Huntress was the same." Hunter paused and started to imagine Huntress in the same situation. He wondered what she might do when his hand moved by itself and made a small flute appear.

"Erm.. Jade?"

"Play for the forest, let it hear her tune."

"But Jade, I can't play this? How will I play her tune?"

"We'll do it together" Hunter put the flute to his lips and felt Jade's touch all over as they started to play. It took them a few seconds to get in sync but when they had he was surprised by the beautiful sounds that came from him. His dad had taught him many instruments and his Mum had offered to teach him the flute but he never bothered to learn. Maybe next time around it wouldn't hurt to get her to teach him.

"You could play together with her."

"My thoughts exactly." The two played together with their minds concentrating not on Rose or the situation before them but their missing piece.

"Hunter?" Hunter stopped playing to see Rose looking at him with a worried expression. Hunter moved his hand to his cheeks and dried away all of his tears again before putting the flute in his pocket.

"Are you done with the welcoming?"

"Yes it seems so, I spoke with the forest and they are happy for you to stay here and watch over her. However, before that, are you okay?"

"That's great and of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Hunter tried to laugh it off and started walking to find the right spot. Rose raced after him.

"Hunter stop!" He froze upon hearing the Prince raise his voice. The trees shook and all seemed to urge that he listen to him.

"You are not fine. How could you be? Stop lying and just open up to me." Hunter sighed and turned to a clearing beside him. He walked over to it and realised it would be perfect. He turned his hand into a claw and dug her a small hole. After gently lowering her inside Hunter sealed her up and took a seat beside her. Rose sat opposite her and began to focus his powers. The trees themselves seemed to move and seal the area around them. Long thorn bushes began to grow and form a dome around them leaving enough room for the tree to eventually grow through. Hunter wasn't sure of the extent but was sure that Rose was doing all he could to protect her.

"You're right. It would take someone driven beyond comprehension to get in here. He set up thorns, trees, man eating plants, moved nests of bees so they would naturally defend the area and any wildlife that belongs to the forest will serve his will and protect her."

"I've done all I could Hunter and if it's not enough then I'm sure you will be. I'll come along weekly to drop off supplies, I can pass them using the vines in the forest. I will not let you be abandoned here alone."

"I'm not alone, I doubt I ever will be."

"I know, but I can't hear your friend, so just let me do what I can for you."

"...Okay thanks Rose."

"Now, you going to tell me what you are hiding?"

"Rose I'm not hidin-"

"Do not lie to him, he has done us a great aid and to lie now to him would be both rude and disrespectful." Hunter groaned knowing she was right.

"Okay... I told Jade this once before but my being here is like a fragile flake of snow. It has formed because of just all the right conditions but so many things could make this fragile existence disappear. Even if I go back to the future... It won't be me. I'm the me born for the war, the future me will be the me meant to live for himself. He'll have all my memories but he will never be me because I am unstable. If something happens to my mother today I cease to exist but my actions do not. I will be erased from the minds of everyone here and those in the future will never know me. But I did exist so Huntress would have still given herself for me but she'll wake up alone and with no memory of how she lost her powers. I'm worried and beyond afraid. When I was playing her song with Jade I realised something. She may never hear me play with her. She may never see me again. She may never get to do anything I wanted us to do. And worst of all. I will never get to see her beautiful smile again." Hunter confessed his feelings and stared at the mud mark on the ground. Rose stood up and walked over before patting him on the head.

"You worry too much for a boy your age. For now, start planning all those magical moments you'll share together and let all the bad stuff just be an adults problem. I'll leave you to get settled. If you need anything, you should be able to make it with the forest's help and Jade's powers. I'm going back now. Is there anything you want me to pass onto your parents?" Rose said with a caring smile. He was worried that leaving now would only hurt the boy but he wanted to at least try to take some of his worries with him.

"Just tell them I love them and although I won't be there when this is over I'll get to spend our lives together for the first time."

"Is that all?"

"What if the darkness wins?"

"Do you think your parents are that weak to fail?"

"No of course not!"

"Then believe in them. Believe in all of us." Rose nodded goodbye before seemingly walking through the thorns and the trees like he was a ghost passing through.

"He's right you know? Your parents have got this."

"I know."

"And I know that you know." The two chuckled to themselves before laying on the grass and fading to sleep. It was going to be a long wait before either got to see the flower they longed to bloom.

/

Finn the Human woke up with a frown, his body full of ache and his heart as hollow as the tree he slept in. He looked over to his brothers bed of furs and wished they weren't vacant. He listened out in hopes of hearing BMO and NEPTR but he knew neither would be anywhere near him these days. He climbed out of his sleeping bag and stood up. He hadn't actually got undressed as he arrived home late after completing a mission for the Slime Kingdom. What had originally sounded like an emergency turned out to be another crude invite to cause harm to others. He wished that he had helped Slime Princess retain her throne in years past but because he failed the Slime Kingdom had turned into a horrible place of violence and hurt. He was called in to control the worst of the Kingdom. The rebellion. The side he truly wished he could fight for. He was there to serve royals so had to serve the new Slime Queen and hunt down the rest of Slime Princess' regime.

He tried to shake off the thoughts and to turn his mind to that of a certain elemental but that only served to hurt him more. The man he was now was not worth her and never would be. He packed and checked his equipment, after being the Hero of Ooo for almost 6 years Finn was 18. He had to do the gig alone so couldn't afford to take risks with his equipment. He now wore a long sleeve blue top that once had his bear hat sown onto it before it was ripped off in combat. His 3/4 lengths were shorter on one side than the other after he had to fight off some assassins that various royals had sent after him. They loved him when they could use the 'Hero' but after would go out of their way to render him a zero. He had probably single handily ended the lives of about 90 percent of the lands hit men at this point.

He threw his bag down the ladder and groaned loudly when he heard some glass shatter inside. The last of his Cyclops's tears now soaking into the tree's wood. He went to reach for his sword when he shuddered again. The nerve setting on his robot arm was still a little faulty so he wasn't quite 100%. He reached for his Night sword. His only remaining weapon from the older times. Finally he walked passed Jake's bed and patted it. He remembered his brother's warmth and how much fun they had. That fun was now over.

Finn jumped downstairs, kicking his bag out the way now that it was already filled with broken stuff. He walked over to the fridge and tried to rummage inside to find something to eat. Eventually he found some scraps of bacon. They were probably well beyond the edible point but he didn't care. He started cooking them and made some pancake mixture to accompany them. He hummed an old tune as he finished plating and sat down. He turned to the shelf opposite him, the broken frame of BMO and the door that was NEPTR's face plate sat staring at him. Finn's food started to get damp from the tears that ran down his cheek as he ate alone.

"...I wake up in the morning.. And the first thing on my mind.." He choked up several times trying to sing so gave up trying and ate in a sullen silence.

He finished eating and dumped his plate in an already overfilled sink of dirty dishes. Sliding down the ladder again with his bag Finn started the walk over to the Candy Kingdom. He always hated going back to this place after everything that happened but knew nothing would change if he resisted so set off with a heavy heart.

/

Elsewhere, Over in Aaa. Fionna woke up in a familiar bed. She could smell his scent mixed with hers but knew he had already left the room. Her arms reached out as she stroked the headboard, feeling the grooves where they had carved their names before. She wanted to remain forever in the comfort of their shared space but wanted to get the drop on him. She snuck behind the door and waited for him. Marshall burst in with a tray full of food beautifully prepared by the Vampire King himself. He looked at the empty bed confused then sighed before quickly putting the food down. She pounced on him forcing the pair back onto the bed.

"Oh no you've got me Fi! What ever will I do!" Marshall Lee pretended to cry out. He let her pin him to the bed with a big grin over his face.

"Remain still demon, I will now free you from your unholy curse with my most powerful weapon!"

"No! Please anything but that!"

"Too late!" Fionna quickly pulled him in for a deep passionate kiss.

"Ahh you got me! I can feel my power fading and my will to resist... Gone." The pair laughed as they cuddled up in bed. Marshall used his powers to bring over their food and they started digging in.

"Bacon Pancakes? That's unusual for you?" Fionna asked as she tucked in happily.

"I agree but for some reason it just felt like it was the right choice today." He chuckled.

The pair happily ate their breakfast before getting dressed and rushing to train a little, Marshall was cool with not doing this routine every day but Fionna was insistent and since he couldn't say no to her he ended up growing stronger with her. The pair practised a variety of different weapon techniques and unarmed combat. Fionna was grateful to have a powerful opponent to fight against as she had grown used to fighting people who could outmatch her. She was never going to let Ashley hurt him again.

Once they finished their sparring training it was already time for lunch and they had worked up an appetite. It was Fionna's turn to cook for them both, which just resulted in red juice shakes and sandwiches.

"Let's go have a picnic!" She declared dragging him out the front door to a small little garden patch inside the cave. All the flowers had been carefully selected to be ones that grow in darkness rather than light so they could brighten up the cave.

"Oh my Fi, our little spot is definitely coming along!" He cheered before picking her up and floating them both over to the garden. He laid out a blanket and the pair sat down together.

"You got that right! After everything I think our lives are finally starting to make sense."

"Careful Fi, you don't want to jinx it!"

"How could I ever do that!" The pair started to laugh again, their lives full of hope and happiness. Something they both worked hard for and made sacrifices for. All seemed well until.

"SO IT'S TRUE!" The pair turned to see a flaming man walking towards them. The heat from his body seemed to hit them all at once as beads of sweat formed on Fionna's brow.

"YOU ARE WITH THIS... MONSTER!" Flame Prince yelled out in disgust. Fionna looked at Marshall then back at FP. She wasn't trying to hide it per say but never wanted him to find out like this.

"Look FP I can exp-"

"SHUT UP. I know what happened! He charmed you with his powers, forced you to be his little plaything. There's no way the hero I know and love would ever be with this parasite." Marshall was in his face in a heart beat. Anger consumed him as he looked down at the flaming fool.

"This is our home and you are not welcome here." Marshall said holding back his rage for Fionna's sake.

"Is this true Fionna?" He ignored Marshall and looked past him to see Fionna nod.

"I see." Marshall turned to float back to Fionna as he assumed FP would take the hint.

"Unfortunately you leave me no choice. I will have to bring you back by force to save you from this monster." Before Marshall had time to react FP blasted him into the walls with his flames. He carried on blasting him and burning him as Marshall screamed out in pain. Fionna ran forward and kicked FP away before running to Marshall. His grey skin was now mostly charcoal. Fionna knew he could heal most wounds but this seemed like one too many. She was about to move him back to the house when a fire ball flew past her head.

"Leave him there Fionna. I'll finish this." FP gritted through his teeth as he walked closer to them. Fionna laid Marshall down before grabbing her sword and standing between them.

"You would point your blade at me?"

"FP I don't want to do this. Leave Now." Fionna cried with all her might.

"Gumball and Cake were right. He has ruined you." FP made a sword of flames and rushed at Marshall.

He was good, maybe even great with a sword but he would never be a match for Fionna. He looked down to see her sword impaling his core. The magic inside the Night sword was enough to destroy it. He looked up at her with tears streaming from his eyes.

"You'd kill me... For him.."

/

The human shot up from his bed. The nightmares had grown stronger and more painful. He smashed his head against the wall until the physical pain overtook the mental one. He looked back at the window after wiping away his blood. He didn't bother with his wound. There was no point since the room wouldn't ever let him die. He could see the whole of the scenery outside. What once was a beautiful but scary sight of buildings of black and white. With houses so bright they had to be made of light and buildings so dark that you could even call them an abyss. He had originally questioned how this was possible but now all he could see were grey ruins devoid of life. There had been a war between the black and the white. He had crashed his fists against the glass many times begging them to stop, to set him free and let him understand what was happening but no door ever appeared and no one ever came to set him free.

He had taken to calling himself Human inside his mind. It was the only thing he knew about himself so it must be his name after all. Human was plagued with nightmares of another place in ruins. He didn't know why but there were these people. He'd found them when he was dreaming. He had stood in a street, one that looked familiar to him. Walking to the gate and proceeding into the small family home he had found them sitting inside. He ran over to them, happy to see overs but his joy was short lived.

"Why.. Why did you abandon me?"

"It was all your fault!"

"You will pay for what you did!" Confused he tried to speak with them only to be hit in the head with a photo frame. He took a brief look to see that all the members in front of him were there except the youngest boy. What had he done when he was still sane? Had he hurt the boy? Hurt them? He wasn't sure but Human ran from the people as they tried to hurt him.

Now he ran every night. Away from the Hurters. The people who just yelled at him those three lines and tried to hurt him. Sometimes they would catch him and hurt him. Slice him with knives, hang him from trees and even tear out his heart. Drown him, beat him and just destroy him but you couldn't die within a dream, at least not when your real body was in a room designed to keep him alive and a prisoner.

Human went back and laid on his bed. There would be food beside him which he would eat to avoid the alternative. Once he tried to die of starvation only for tubes to appear from the wall, bind him and force feed him. It lasted for days, he didn't know how many since time was meaningless in the white room. He tried to hang himself only to have the rope and floor disappear. He was forced to fall again like when he had arrived until his crashed into the ground, unable to move since all his bones were broken. It wasn't even worth speaking of the other attempts, no matter what he did the room would stop him.

He often wondered who had designed his prison cell. What crime he had committed to be left abandoned after the war. Maybe that wasn't for him to know. He had woken up in this room about 900 sleeps ago. Somehow he knew it was around three years. The knowledge brought him no comfort. He just laid there. Slowly hoping that one day, death would come for him.

/

Finn walked over the dead-lands. Once they had been the grasslands but were now just constant reminders that the world had taken a dark turn. The grass had all died, the trees withered and the lakes and rivers dried up. He missed the water nymphs and all of the friends who used to roam these lands. He looked up at the dark clouds and groaned. Suddenly he felt a presence. He turned to see a pack of wolves. Their bodies looked weak and starvation was apparent for them. Their ribs showing clearly through their fur. He didn't want to have to end them but if they were to go now and find someone else they'd definitely be a danger. Finn was swift, his hunger sated by the rotten bacon pancakes he had more energy than the desperate wolves and within minutes they were a piles of bones, flesh and fur. Finn knew it wasn't kind to leave their corpses there but at this point, he no longer really cared. Something would find them and be grateful for the food.

Finn walked until he reached the entrance to the Candy Kingdom. He pushed down the remains of the door and stepped over the crushed Banana Guards. He wondered if it was an accident or the rulers sick new game. Regardless he headed up to the castle. "I wonder what stupid treasure I will be hunting today." Finn remarked grimly in his mind. He walked to the castle and knocked only to find it abandoned still. The Kingdom had really fallen to ruin in the last year and when the candy people were sold as slave and pets to the dark side of Ooo he had realised it was too late to save anyone. All he had left was his code. Serve the royal, save the day. He thought it would bother him more but for some reason it just felt like there was some strange force that prevented him from feeling what he use to. Finally he reached the royal chambers and forced the door open. He moaned as the piles of gold were everywhere again. He had clearly take more bribes since he was last here.

"Finn my boy! About time!" The King of Ooo smiled over to him. He whipped beneath him and Sweet Pea began walking over to him like a horse carrying his rider. Bile filled Finn's throat as he went for his sword.

"Now, now Finn. We both know you wouldn't kill a member of royalty would you? Especially if you care even a little about our dear Ex-Princess Bubblegum." Finn froze. His blood ran cold. He looked at Sweet Pea whose eyes were devoid of any emotion or life. He wasn't sure what he had done to him but Sweet P had shut off his heart and emotions to survive it. Finn shook with rage as he locked eyes with the King.

"There's a good boy! Now I have heard from a certain source that there is the ruins of a Kingdom with a crown said to possess immense power. This crown is protected however so my little Wizard couldn't get to it. That's where you come in."

"And If i do this, like we agreed. You'll tell me where Bonnie is!" Finn growled at him.

"Of course Finn! I'm a man of my word!" The King threw Finn a map and some notes and ushered for him to leave. Finn scowled and left to complete his mission. From behind Sweet Pea, Toronto appeared.

"What will he do if he finds out the truth my King?"

"What truth?"

"That you sold Bubblegum to the heart dude who tortured her until she died?"

"Oh that truth... Well maybe Ooo no longer needs a hero. Maybe it's time for a hero slayer, lets be honest, he is a relic of a lighter time. Ooo no longer needs hope, happiness or heroes. After all, none are worth as much as all this gold." The pair laughed loudly with their sick voices. Unaware that through Sweet Pea another had seen the course the last Hero of Ooo set out to take.

/

Fionna dropped her sword and fell to her knee's. Her arms shook in pain as she felt the burns from what she assumed was Phoenix's blood. Her hands shook beyond her control as she started to throw up and cry in pain. Her torment was short however as before her she saw Flame Princes' core begin to shine and burn hotter. It was unstable. She didn't have time to panic as a giant ball of fluff wrapped her in his arms and shielded her from the explosion. She could feel the heat through him and screamed until it ended. She felt the ground shake as the cave tumbled around them. Darkness seemed to be all she could see until the being moved.

She looked around at the remains of her home and then back at her boyfriend. He turned back into himself and she wrapped her arms around him. She felt warm and wet on her hands and looked to see blood, a lot of blood. She looked at his back to see his spine and damaged organs. The blast had torn through his body and burnt through him. She then realised he was smoking. She looked up at the sky and the bright sun and started to scream and drag him under the cover of a rock. It barely covered him but he'd be safe. She ran to the ruins and started to moved the rocks. Her hands were bleeding and numb before she finally reached the basement stairwell and rushed into their home. It had survived most of the blast and she finally found her bag with the cyclops tears. She rushed back up to him and started to pour them on his back. Nothing happened. She tipped the whole bottle onto him and held onto him tightly. It was too late.

Fionna lay holding onto his body, unable to let go far into the night. Anger consumed her. It was now clear to her that she would never be able to be happy. Not without him. So she'd do the one thing that made sense to her now. Avenge him. And get revenge on the two who betrayed her.

She ran to her fridge and got bug milk. Opening a portal to the Nightosphere she took his body and arrived in the throne room. The demons all froze as she carried his body and lay it on the alter. She made him look comfortable, she didn't want her Vampire King to look uncool.

"FIRSTLY. I ask. Can anyone revive him?" Fionna yelled at them all. She was next in line for their throne if anything happened to Marshall Lee. To the demons present their situation was clear, their Queen wanted answers. One rushed forth and bowed before her.

"Only Lady Death can return him now. However, she refused when we asked for the Lady of Darkness, my Queen."

"Good. Somebody here must know how to reach the death worlds. Start finding the way in. I will deal with the rest. I will return my King and the Lady of Darkness myself." The demons were shook at how cold the Queen sounded. To them she was still the Hero who had tamed the Vampire Kings heart but now, she seemed like the coldest ruler they had ever seen, they were excited. Fionna's hair was dyed red with blood and blackened from the burns. Her bright clothes were like rags in tatters barley clinging to her. Her body rife with cuts and scratches and blood still dripped from her fingers. Small demons rushed forward to fix her appearance and her wounds. A few minutes later the Queen of Darkness was born.

Her red hair was held up behind a headband with horns. Her black make up now made streams from her eyes that stained in and were now permanent. Her cute clothes were discarded for a dress of black and red. She wore boots with spikes that were sure to hurt whomever she kicked and to hide her wounds on her hands they'd gotten her a pair of long gloves. She looked at the outfit and noted that Marshall would have loved it.

"Now that's sorted it's about time we take revenge on the people who killed my love." The demons roared in agreement. Fionna took out two pictures and with two daggers at hand pinned them to the wall.

"These two are the root cause, I will personally see to their end so I want it to be clear that after we have destroyed the Candy Kingdom and any who oppose us I will watch them die slowly." She started to laugh picturing their pain. One demon decided to take a step from the crowd and approach her.

"But... My Queen... Lord Marshall forbade us from hurting the Candy Kingdo-" He never got to finish he sentence and Fionna reached over and with one hand snapped his neck, crushing his windpipe and ending his life. She turned to the others as his body dropped to the floor.

"Does anyone else wish to question your Queen?!" No one spoke. They all just bowed to her before rushing to meet with her demands. Finally, the time of evil was upon Aaa.

/

Human looked out the window again, while it was futile sometimes there would be a bird or rat that would run past. He lived for these moments, where he could see life outside. Today seemed to be another disappointment until he noticed the man below rummaging in the ruins. Human was so surprised he almost yelled out in glee. A person, a real person. He pushed his hands to the glass to get a clearer view of this once in a decade event.

On the other hand Finn was getting frustrated with this place. What had even happened here? How comes he'd never heard of the Shade Kingdom before? He walked until he felt something, a force of light was at work nearby. He wondered why it wasn't in the notes but realised that no one who was happy to work for the King of Ooo were likely to be a good person. He pushed through the barrier before arriving at the base of a portion of un-ruined castle. He was surprised since until he passed the barrier this area just looked like a giant pile of debris, Curiosity and his adventurer spirit took over Finn, if this powerful crown was able to be found by a dark wizard, what would this Kingdom be hiding in the light. Finn pushed into the castle and was surprised that the inside was undamaged. It looked like it would be full of people at any moment. After scoping out and pocketing anything of interest he started his ascent of the tower until he found a room with a big desk and mirror. Inside the chair was the remains of an old man. Finn picked him up and laid him on the floor. He took a curtain down and covered the mans body. He wasn't sure why but he knew this man was waiting for something. He died waiting. Finn walked down the hall until his found the only closed door. The rest were empty bedrooms but this one was locked and had light coming from it. Turning the handle he opened it.

Human looked at the doorway that appeared. The person was there. The miracle had happened and Human, Human was terrified. He dove under his bed and curled up into a ball fearful of what this stranger would do. Finn walked over and lifted the bed before dragging Human out by his legs. Human screamed and clawed at the floor until Finn threw him into the chair of the desk room and sat opposite him.

"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you." Finn tried speaking to him. He had seen people like this. So broken and unable to deal with others. He wondered how long he had been in that room and how he had survived in there this long. Human stopped screaming and stared at Finn. He knew this. This was words.

"No.. Hurt."

"Exactly. My name is Finn the Human, I am a Hero." Finn spoke softly and slowly. The person seemed to react to the word Human which interested Finn.

"You... Human?"

"Yes.. What are you?"

"Human."

"No.. What are you?"

"I am Human.." Finn watched as the person's skin began to change to match his own and his black eyes turned blue.

"That can't be... I'm the only one..."

"I am Human."

"Who are you?"

"Human."

"No what is your name..?!" Finn was trying to remain calm but the possibility of finding another human was driving him a little crazy.

"My name is Human. I am Human." He told Finn with pride.

"Your name is Human? Don't you have a real name?" Human shook his head.

"I can only remember being Human. I am Human so I am Human." Finn realised that the person before him was probably as broken as he first suspected but years of adventuring let Finn know that this person was no liar. He wasn't alone anymore.

"Why are you here?" Human shook his head.

"You don't know? How long have you been here?"

"Three years."

"You've been in that room for three years! How did you survive!" Finn noted how dark Human's expression turned.

"Room protect. Room Prison. Room won't let you die." Finn noticed the cut scars down his arms and around his neck. The disfigurement from all the broken bones and just the general feeling that let him know the person before him was 100% sure within that room he couldn't die.

"Okay.. Well.. What now?"

"Now?"

"Do you want to come with me? I can protect you and take you somewhere else!" Human's face lit up as did his hair. It began to glow brightly, almost blinding Finn.

"Wow you got some light in you. I wonder how many Lumen you'd emit if you stayed like that."

"Lumen?"

"It's a measurement of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time. I doubt you'd understand that but simply it's a measure of light.

"Lumen."

"Yes? Lumen." Human pointed at Finn.

"You Finn. Me... Lumen."

"Is that a name? You've given yourself a name?"

"Yes."

"Okay Lumen, Wanna head home?"

"Yes please Finn."

"Mathematical!"

"Mathematical?"

"Exactly! It means awesome and good." Finn smiled before grabbing Lumen's hand and leading him away from the horrors of the ravaged Shade Kingdom, forgetting his original purpose there was the crown. Before they left Finn rushed around trying to get Lumen some clothes when Lumen started to hear voices calling to him, he rushed to the room with the crown and watched as it changed into the size of a bracelet. Without knowing why Lumen put it on and happily walked back to Finn, it felt right but for some reason the voices had stopped. "No worries, voices in your head is probably a bad thing." Lumen had felt as Finn carried a large pile of old clothes for him to choose from before the pair set back for the tree house.

/

Fionna, Queen of Darkness, breathed in deep to admire the smell of the caramelising Candy People. She had gone to the Fire Kingdom and told them the Prince of Gum had killed their Prince. She freed the Flame Queen who recognised the blood lust coming the former Hero. She needed no questions asked to agree to go to war. Now, after killing the other rulers who would have opposed her, Fionna watched as the Demons and Fire People destroyed the Kingdom. She had chosen a pivotal time when Lord M and Cake were visiting to attack. The demon's spells had stopped them from escaping and they were all trapped in the castle. Fionna had awoken the Sleeping Fire Giants using the power from the Princess' crowns, she figured if they can open a dimensional portal they could power a robot and she was right. Killing them was worth it.

The Fire Giant's made short work of the Gumball Guardians, after all Fionna had witnessed their creation before, she knew their weaknesses and the weaknesses to everything in this Kingdom. It was all just nothing before her. Her lead Demon and the Flame Queen flew before her.

"My Queen, we have found the traitors, we have them cornered and are just waiting for you." Her Demon told her with glee. She patted his head as a reward and he floated away in glee. Unbeknown to anybody Fionna's natural leadership skills had already allowed her to tame the demon race as their ruler and Flame Queen was smart enough not to cross her either. She knew straight away that it was Fionna who had finally killed her son, she had no hard feelings, only gratitude that the spawn was finally dead. She did, however, know that it was Bubba who had driven her son to his death and for some reason it aggravated her. She knew Fionna would kill her in seconds so would not disobey her but more than that the Queen of Darkness was one of war and the Flame Queen was hungry for their next conquest.

Fionna walked into the throne room of the Candy Kingdom and watched as her follower melted away the tacky sugar throne and replaced it with her own. One of metal, and skulls. She appreciated the design but felt like it could do with a cushion at least, fortunately her followers were prepared and when she sat down she found no problems at all. In fact, she was quite content. Flame Queen stood to her left and her Lead Demon to her right. She paused and turned to him.

"Sorry... It might be a bit late... But what's your name?"

"Azrael, My Queen."

"That's not a common name for demons is it?"

"Very perceptive my Queen, it is thought to be the name of the Angel of Death." Fionna smiled at him and thanked him for the chat.

Flame Queen stood to her left and Azrael stood to her right. She ushered for her demons to bring forth the traitors, so they may see the face of their captor.

The two betrayers were thrown to the floor, they had been blind folded and bound as to not escape. An old demon friend had helped deal with Cake's stretchy powers by draining her blood and taking her abilities away. Fionna nodded for Azrael to continue. He flapped his black wings to gain everyone's attention and then pulled a scroll from the air.

"Demons, Fire Fiends and Those who just saw war and thought it might be fun. We are bound under the guidance of our benevolent and wise Queen of Darkness. Though it is dark times, a darker time is yet to come for those who stand accused before us.

Prince Bubba Gumball of the Ca... Of the former Candy Kingdom and Cake the Cat of the Grasslands. You two stand accused of treason and betrayal what say you?" Azrael called out to the pair.

Bubba tried to stand to respond but was kicked back down to jeers and laughter. Fionna held up her hand to silence them and allow them to speak.

"Queen of Darkness, I do not know who you are but I implore you to stop this. We are not at war. We have peace with the Nightosphere, a peace protected by the Vampire King, ruler of the Nightosphere." Fionna rage grew as he mentioned her love's name. He would use him to protect himself after condemning him to death.

"And you? Cake the Cat?" Azrael called out to the drained feline.

"I... Um.. I don't know what's going on.. Why are you doing this?" Fionna's rage had reached breaking point. She wanted them to admit their sins but instead they feigned ignorance and hid behind the very man they had killed.

"Azrael, remove their blindfolds." His tail whipped forth and tore the blindfolds from their heads. The force pulled them both to the ground. Bubba looked up and saw first the Flame Queen smiling down at him as she pointed to the throne. He froze when he saw who the Queen of Darkness really was.

"Fi honey... What are you doing?" Cake asked after Bubba helped her up.

"Fionna, what happened to you?" Bubba chimed in. Before he could ask another she had moved with unbelievable speed to kick them both in the faces and across the floor. Some of the lesser demons dragged them back and forced them to kneel in front of her.

"Fionna... Why are you doing this... Marshall wouldn't want this..." Fionna lost it. She grabbed her sword and stabbed it through his gut. He howled out in agony as she twisted the blade inside him inflicting more and more pain.

"Wouldn't he? Not even after you both got him killed!" She spat at them. She tore her sword from his chest and sat back in her throne. She nodded to Azrael who ushered another demon forward who held his hand to her forehead and her memories were projected from the moment she woke up that very same day. The happiness and hope that filled her made some of the demons feel nausea. They watched it all play out as it happened. Flame Prince showed up and ended the Vampire King's life. She let it keep playing as she sobbed into his arms before breaking and heading to the Nightosphere. Bubba and Cake watched in horror as their former friend was crowned the Queen of the Nightosphere and headed to take their lives. Some of the Flame Warriors present drew their weapons when they saw it was in fact Fionna who had killed their Prince until Flame Queen told them to stand down. The true murderers were those before them.

"We didn't mean for this to happen Fionna. You've got to believe me. We never wanted to hurt anyone, we just told Flame Prince where you were. We had nothing but good intentions." Fionna stood up and walked over to him. She cut free his bonds and pulled him up. He smiled at her believing that just like always he'd managed to reach his friend. She pulled him in close and whispered into his ear.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm going to be heading down there sometime soon so maybe I'll visit you and find out if it's true." Before he could respond she head butted him, kicked him to the ground and sliced off his purple head. Cake screamed in horror as his head rolled to her feet. Cake tried to crawl away with all the might she had remaining but it was no good. Fionna grabbed her tail and dragged her back to the throne. Cake turned with tears in her eyes and started to plead for her life.

"Fi... Don't do this. Please don't do this. I'm your sister! I basically raised you and taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you to be this... This killer. Please Fi.. Wake up and realise this is wrong."

"Maybe... Or maybe I grew up. Maybe I stopped being the immature, childish little girl you had to baby. Maybe I found someone who loved and respected me. Someone so special you were jealous. Jealous that I didn't need you. SO maybe you purposely sent FP to kill him. Did you think I would run back to you in tears? Saying I need you to take me back? Is that is Cake?" Fionna's voice was cold. Each word felt like the room got colder and more rigid. It was enough to even give Flame Queen shivers.

"No Fi! I just wanted you to be happy!"

"HAPPY! HAPPY! SO YOU KILL THE MAN I LOVE! FORCE ME TO KILL THE ONE I USED TO LOVE AND MAKE ME DO ALL THIS TO MAKE ME HAPPY!" Fionna screamed at her. Cake flinched when she started as she had never heard Fionna like this. No one had.

"No one's making you do this... You can stop.." Cake pleaded again, knowing that answering would only make it worse. Fionna started to laugh cruelly and walked over to Cake.

"That's where your wrong Cake. You made me do this. Your making me do it right now with your lies. I will avenge my Marshy. I will kill anyone who hurt him and then... I'll bring him back to rule over everyone with me. You see I finally get it! All those years playing hero were nothing. Darkness won't stop just because of a little light. Instead Darkness just obeys that which is stronger... That which is more ruthless. I will become that. I will teach everyone that there is only one way to live. My way and if anyone opposes me... Well... I've got to thank you Cake." Fionna picked her Sister up and held her close to whisper to her too. Cake knew what was coming but had no way to stop it.

"After all... You and Gumball will be the example to anyone who even thinks about it. If i would kill you, who wouldn't I kill after all." And with that she drove her sword through Cake's heart. Holding her close as she slowly bled to death.

"Don't be weepy, sleepy kitties,
Slip your slippers off your footies,
In the morning you'll get goodies,
Kitty hats and Kitty hoodies,
No stripes, or polka dots,
Heather grey and feather soft,
Baby pink, or baby blue-ooh,
All the drawstrings you can chew."

/

The walk home had been a long one for the duo of Humans. Lumen had gotten scared at every new experience they encountered from a bird flying into the sky or a leaf falling in front of him. Finn wondered if it really was just three years or if in truth he never left that room in the first place. Finn had held his hand and guided him until they reached the Tree-house. Lumen paused and marvelled at the giant tree.

"You live here?"

"Yep, Used to have a lot more inhabitants but now its just me... And you I guess."

"I can live here?" Lumen's eyes seemed to sparkle with fascination and curiosity. Finn felt a little jealous that someone could still see the world so magically. He had cast aside his rose tinted glasses when Jake... When Jake left him.

"Of course! I'd be more than happy to have you!" Lumen felt tears escape his eyes and wondered if this is what joy felt like. To be so happy you are reduced to tears. Finn took his hand once more and led him to the house. He climbed his first ladder to reach the living room of the tree house. Lumen rushed around touching and looking at everything inside the room. He finally reached BMO's face plate when Finn snatched it away.

"NEVER TOUCH THIS." Finn yelled at him. Lumen felt fear fill his body and went to run but something made him stand his ground. He could see the same pain he felt for years inside the boys eyes. The pain of loneliness.

"What happened to your other inhabitants?" Lumen asked without hesitation. Tact wasn't something you could learn alone. Finn froze as he started to remember everything. He walked over to a locked chest and took the key from his pocket. He opened it to find another small box with both lock and key. He took off his hand written note and threw it to the side. "Don't open unless you are ready". The him who wrote the note was too optimistic. He would never be ready.

Setting himself beside Lumen, Finn opened the smaller box and pulled out a photo frame. He passed it to Lumen who realised it was a collage of photos.

"Me, Jake the Dog, BMO, NEPTR, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Ice King, Flame Princess, Princess Bubblegum and Lumpy Space Princess. I didn't actually add her, she added herself." Finn chuckled remembering the tantrum she threw when she wasn't in the collage.

"You had so many friends... So many smiling people. Who were they? Where are they now?" Finn sighed and took the picture back. He ran his fingers across the glass, seeing his friends faces for the first time in a long time.

"Jake was my brother. We were raised together with our older brother Jermaine. We got along fine but me and Jake, we were true buds, the best adventurous chill dudes that there ever could be. I loved him, so much more than I ever told him. We moved out of Mum and Dads and into this treehouse. It wasn't easy but we became Adventurers. We met BMO shortly after, she found me to be honest. She was programmed to be the best friend of a young human boy and since I was the only known one, she found me. I believe the bond we have became more than her programming, we were a family. The next members of our family were Bonnibel Bubblegum, Princess of the Candy Kingdom and Simon Petrikov, the Ice King. I actually met them both the same day, I saved Princess Bubblegum from the reaches of the insane Ice Wizard. We started a back and forth of hero and villain as me and Bonnie became best friends. It was years later we discovered that Ice King was actually just a victim to evil magic. He never got his mind back but he became a better... Slightly better person over time. NEPTR was a robot I made to prank Jake, his name stands for NEVER ENDING PIE THROWING ROBOT but in reality I just stuck some pieces of junk together. Ice King someone how brought his to life and he came to live with us. Marceline was a radical dame who kicked us out of her old house. She did feel sorry for us and let us live here and we became best buds. She's cool, real cool. She has a junked up past and a lot of demons, literally, but she will have your back regardless." Finn stopped talking and felt a warmth to his heart that he had thought long gone.

"What about the girl of flames?" Lumen pointed to Flame Princess.

"FP, Flame Princess or the name I never got to call her, Phoebe. She was my girlfriend, I loved her then and still do now. I was a bad boyfriend and hurt her... Now... I'm not worth even dreaming about being with her again." Finn's warmth faded as he felt their absence again. Lumen took his hand and tried to give him the same feeling of comfort Finn had been giving him. Finn smiled at the fragile human, how weak had he become to be supported by someone so frail.

"What happened to them all?"

"Jake was killed, the small cat assassin by the name of Me-Meow killed him. I still seek revenge for my brother, when the time comes I will kill that dirty little rodent. BMO and NEPTR... When I was too busy mourning Jake to pay attention to my friends they decided to try and come to the aid of Ooo. Unfortantely one of BMO's... I guess relatives... Used this chance to ambush BMO and destroy them both. I found them in pieces, too far gone to save. This time however I immediately dealt the justice that was needed. I couldn't leave them out there... So I kept them. To remind me of my failures. When I did finally get back to my hero gig it was too late. The King of Ooo had taken over the Candy Kingdom. He kidnapped Bonnie and held her prisoner. I'm still doing jobs to free her. He promised on my 100th job for him he'd let her go. That was this job. I failed this time but I found you. I'm going to try to explain things to him and hope he will let her go. Once I have Bonnie we can try to get Marceline and Simon back. Once Bonnie vanished Marceline lost it. She tried to destroy the Kingdom to get her back when she was forcefully banished to the Nightosphere. I can summon her back but it seems she decided to rule over there till I get Bonnie. Without her, Marcy has no attachment to this world. Simon went with her, they have a history. He was attacked by the other wizards because of the King of Ooo. Turns out Bonnie had been protecting him from them but once she was gone it was too late. He killed them all then fled and found a way to Marcy. She did say he always found her. Now it's just me. Here alone." Lumen felt sick hearing all the horrible things his saviour had been through. He wanted to cry but instead pulled Finn into a hug and didn't say anything. Finn was caught off guard at first but soon gave into the embrace, feeling comfort once again in his warmth.

"Let's go get them back.." Lumen whispered, almost not aware of what he was saying.

"What?"

"I mean... We can try to get them back... The ones who are still around at least. The Princess, the Ice King, The Vampire Queen, your Flame Princess and the Lumpy Space Princess?" Finn paused when he said it. He'd wanted to chase after them all. Beg them to come back and be the champions of Ooo once more but had never found the courage. Somehow, being here with Lumen, Finn found his courage once more.

"You're right.." Finn finished saying when a massive crashing noise came from outside. Finn ran to the window to see the King of Ooo sitting on Sweet Pea, surrounded by an army of what Finn assumed were the last 10 percent of Ooo's assassins and evil doers. He recognised a few in the crowd including Ash the Wizard. "Must of been the wizard he sent after the crown." Finn thought to himself when his eyes drew him to a smaller foe. He grabbed his sword and jumped down the ladder before kicking open his front door to meet with his intruders.

"Finn my boy! So glad I could catch you, it seems you never turned in the crown I sent you after? Or reported what you found in the Shade Kingdom?" KoO yelled out to him.

"My apologies my King. I was unable to find the crown. I never made a report as I was intending to go back and search again." Finn replied. It wasn't the whole truth but it definitely wasn't a lie.

"Ahh Finn you can't lie to me! Both the crown and the survivor are missing from the ruins. I have a feeling you have them both." Finn flinched. So he knew about Lumen.

"I never saw the crown but I did save someone there. It has nothing to do with our deal." Finn retorted back. KoO began to laugh, as did his bunch of miscreants.

"Oh child. How are you still this innocent? The world went to ruin, the good fight lost and now the darkness rules supreme. You will never triumph. All these artefacts and tools I have been getting you to gather weren't just for my collection. I sold them you see, to those who would use them to do evil things and talking about our deal. Maybe it's time I returned Bubblegum back to you and you know what, I'll even throw in a freebie!" KoO clapped his hands and someone threw something at Finn which he caught without losing eyesight of the army before him. Another threw a large human sized bag to his feet. Finn looked at his hand and felt his blood run cold. He started to throw up and tears streamed down his cheeks. He ran to the bag and tore it open only to have his worst fears confirmed.

"You see, she looks the same but our dear Bonniebel has been dead for months, she was already dead when we started our deal. Sorry about that. The Flame Princess, however, I thought you would want to keep what was left of her. It seems her crystal survived her death. In fact I want to thank you, if not for that Ice blade you acquired for me last time we would not have been able to kill her so easily." Finn's spirit was broken. He couldn't move or think or anything. He dropped to his knees and held both their remains. The Hero was broken for all to see.

"Well I was kind of hoping for a fight but this is just sad. Someone kill him already." KoO moaned. Me-Meow was the first to move, swiftly they ran across the floor before jumping into the air at Finn when all of a sudden they were sent flying through the air in agony. Everyone looked at the burnt remains that landed on the ground then back at Finn to see Lumen standing there with tears flowing.

"You will not hurt him." Lumen declared. Ash smirked and started to blast him with magic but once again it hit an invisible wall and bounced back. Lumen didn't quite understand how but he could protect Finn and that was all he cared about. He stood firmly facing the others with no intent to let them pass.

"So you are the Shade Prince." KoO stated looking at him with greed in his eyes.

"Shade Prince?"

"Oh of course you wouldn't know. You were summoned here to be the Prince of the Shade Kingdom. Unfortunately you coming and restoring peace would have worked against our goals so we poisoned the person who was meant to watch over you and let the kingdom descend into chaos. We thought you were dead but when Ash was looking for the powerful crown of your kingdom he sensed your life force. He couldn't find you because of powerful light magic so we sent the one person we had left who would be able to get through. The fool hero of Ooo, who failed everyone he loved."

"What do you want from me?"

"Oh a quick one! You see you have certain powers, as you're proving right now, that would be useful to some friends of ours. They want to take you apart, see how you tick and find a way to use your powers themselves. It's a worthy sacrifice for the future we seek." Lumen shuddered. The way they all looked at him was like how people look at a new toy. He was nothing to them but something to use. He looked down at Finn and wondered just how much pain they had caused him in the years.

"You won't have either of us." Lumen yelled back at him. He concentrated his power around his shield, unaware that his bracelet began to glow. He put all his power into the shield and waited. KoO soon lost patience and told one of his bigger muscular henchman to try and smash his shield. He walked forward, raised his sword and swung down with all his might.

"Perfect." Lumen whispered as the sword struck his shield. In the moment he used all of his power to return the strike and blast them all away. The force sent some flying into the sky where the fall would kill them, others the force tore their limbs off or just killed them. The only one who remained was Sweet Pea. Lumen lowered his shield and ran to Finn. He was about to carry him inside when a large hand grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground. Lumen's world was spinning as he was being hung upside down. His eyes stopped spinning and he saw the giant man baby holding him. KoO stepped out from behind him with a smile.

"A very useful child is this one, better yet, thanks to you it looks like I won't have to pay anyone for this." KoO began laughing like a madman, so much so that he had to lean on Sweet Pea to not fall over. Lumen was scared, scared of going back into a small room to be someone's prisoner but more scared that he would let Finn down. He started to gather power again and blasted Sweet Pea's hand so he dropped him. Lumen crawled over to Finn and positioned himself in front of him. He raised his shield with the little power he had left and stared at them both.

"Oh Sweet Pea, finish this." KoO instructed. He'd stopped laughing and had grown tired of this game. Sweet Pea walked forward and smashed his fists against Lumen's shield. Each hit was devastating to Lumen as the force almost crushed him. He felt his shield weakening so kept trying to pour more power into it to stop it failing. Blood ran from his nose and eyes as he was eating into his own life force.

"Enough." KoO and Lumen looked around for the source of the deep voice. Neither could find the source but Lumen noticed that Sweet Pea stopped hitting him.

"Fall" All of them dropped onto the ground as the world around them went dark. Lumen crawled over to Finn and held him in his arms. He held his hand up and a small light appeared. It flickered as if about to fade and disappear, a fragile torch in the darkness that he poured all his hopes into.

"No.. Please no.. Not again... I'm sorry.." Lumen heard KoO's voice from the darkness begging for mercy.

"I once thanked you for your education and sought to teach you a lesson of my own. Even with that gold star you aimed to tame me, to control me and to own me. I let you for a while, to see how power would consume you and of course you did disappoint. Now, I think it's time you met the true monsters of this world." Lumen heard a blood curling scream tear through the darkness. The howling scream continued and seemed to be moving further and further away until finally silence filled the void. Lumen held Finn tighter and waited for the end when the darkness withdrew. Lumen looked back at the treehouse as then back at the group of dead attackers except they were all gone and all that remained was a small snail.

"Greetings Child." Lumen looked down at the snail and wondered where he had come from so quickly.

"Greetings snail. My name is Lumen."

"Lumen? A fine name for a being such as yourself. You did a good job protecting the Hero known as Finn. The last Human of Ooo."

"Who are you?" Lumen questioned. His tone now more stern than seconds before. The Lich knew why, he had hit a sore point.

"I am the Lich, The Great Destroyer of Humanity and the one who intends to protect the last three true humans alive." Lumen's expression both grew more complex and softened.

"Why would a destroyer of our kind, who is a snail as far as I can see, want to protect the last... Wait you said three? Whose the third?" The snail smiled as his dark eyes lit with a green flare.

"Before I answer anything, how do you know what a snail is?" Lumen froze. Surely it was common knowledge what a snail was? He would have been taught...

"I don't know how I know. Wait... How do I know anything about this world!?" Lumen gripped as his head as his mind began to shake. His very being was in pain as the snail slowly crawled closer to him and rested on his shoulder. Lumen couldn't make it out but the Lich whispered some words and the pain stopped immediately.

"What was that? What did you do?"

"I am a sage of ancient magic, an undead necromancer and a being beyond death. You think I wouldn't know a spell or two?"

"Well obviously you know spells otherwise how could you have possessed my father?" Lumen asked casually. He took a moment to reflect on his words as if they were new to him. He didn't understand them, he couldn't comprehend them and if he hadn't heard them escape his own mouth he wouldn't have believed he had said them.

"Child, I do not have time to dwell on everything you seek. I shall explain what is necessary and avoid what is not. You know that I can be trusted, you feel it in your heart. Allow me to guide you both and in turn I shall break you free from this dark illusion of a life." The Lich was a being of great knowledge and power but even he didn't expect Lumen to trust him that easily. Lumen grabbed Finn and the bag he clung to and immediately started to walk in the direction the snail told him to.

"This would be much faster if you used your powers." The Lich tried to explain. Lumen paused as the Lich explained that he should be able to travel between shadows even with his powers unstable. Lumen concentrated on the shadow in front of him and imagined appearing there but for some reason he just couldn't do it.

"I don't get it. How can I just go poof and appear out of no where? It doesn't make sense to me. I'd at least need to travel there."

"Then do so Child." Lumen looked at the snail confused but followed his instructions nonetheless. He imagined sliding across the floor as nothing but a shadow and within seconds of the thought he felt a massive burst of wind blast past him as he zoomed across the floor. He tried it twice more before grabbing Finn and zigzagging shadow to shadow until they finally reached the Lich's dwelling.

"Not quite as I had imagined but you succeeded regardless. A formidable talent you possess for your own powers. In another life I would have loved to train you as my apprentice." Lumen smiled at the compliment before carrying them all inside the subway tunnel until they came across a well of green magic. The room was empty apart from a wall with chains, a few things Lumen assumed were for science and a dead skeleton on the floor.

"Wait... Aren't all skeletons dead?" Lumen asked out loud which caused the Lich to laugh.

"Your inner memories are spilling over. Hurry child."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Lay the boy down and take me to the skeleton." Lumen no longer questioned the instructions and obeyed immediately. He set Finn down gently, moving the bag that had broken him away. Lumen wasn't sure why he carried it with him, something inside him just couldn't bear to leave it behind. After he was sure Finn was safe he took the snail in hand, ignoring the slimy feeling it had, and placed him on the skull of the skeleton. Lumen watched as it slithered inside the eye socket and almost at once both eyes glowed green. The skeleton seemed to hover as cloth appeared and wrapped it up. Before long, a hooded figure stood towering over him. He let his hood fall revealing his horned skeletal figure. The skeleton had changed from its initial figure which confused Lumen a little.

"What troubles you child?"

"You look different?"

"Of course, had I left my true form exposed I could have been destroyed by any stray who wished me harm. Nobody cares for the dead in this dream."

"Dream? Illusion? Inner memories? What is going on?" Lumen's pain had returned. The more he thought of the Lich's words the more it increased.

"Careful child, too much knowledge can kill. For now only focus on the sight before you. Otherwise you will never escape this prison. All I can tell you is that the world we are in right now is a lie and the happy world the boy described to you, the one before his dog died is the real world, a world you are a part of." Lumen felt the Lich's magic course through his once more and tried to focus on his voice. It was like shinning a torch in the dark trying to find a single needle but he tried nonetheless before facing the Lich once more.

"What's next then." The Lich smiled, he had learned a lot about the boy from Leaden. He had grown to appreciate the old fool and knew they would have had their final goodbye by now. It was a gift from him to one who had earned his respect. He never imagined he would be brought back in such a twisted way but when the Darkness had trapped them all in the dark world he had been separated from the light child. He was a power of the child's now and would protect him. "Maybe this time around I can teach him how not to die everytime he uses my gifts." The Lich pondered to himself.

"Like you proposed to the boy. We must reunite with the Vampire Queen and the Ice King. Between the two of them we will find a way to reach Death."

"You want them to kill us?"

"No child. Death is the being who rules over the Dead Worlds. He can help us reach the daughter of humanity." The Lich paused and decided to indulge the child.

"Fret not young light. I will allow no harm to come to you or the boy. As the destroyer of your kind your fate is mine to decide." Lumen was sure the last part might have been a threat but still found comfort in the beings presence.

"So what's the plan?"

"Grab the boy and the bag... And hop in." The Lich stretched out his bony finger to the green well. Lumen could have sworn he saw screaming faces in the smoke that rose from it and felt nothing but fear when peering into it.

"If you insist." Lumen grabbed the bag, swinging it over his shoulder before picking up Finn. He turned to see the Lich struggling to walk over to him.

"Are you okay Mr. Lich?" Lumen asked earnestly.

"Worry not child. I have just lost many of my dark powers over the years. It has weakened me." Lumen's worried face didn't disappear. He reached over to him and held his hand. Lumen felt something inside him shift as a wave of shadows left his body and started to circle the Lich. One by one they burst into his body before they were all gone. Lumen let go of the Lich's hand who stood up firmly before looking at his body.

"You really would have made a fantastic apprentice. When this is all sorted, return to this place. There are some reading materials you could use." Lumen smiled at him again. The Lich felt warmth inside him that made him feel rather sick. "Because of our connection your feelings are showing... Leaden."

Lumen walked to the edge of the well and slowly lowered himself into it. He let Finn float on top of the water before doing so himself. The Lich climbed into the water and began to chant. He paused for a minute when he realised Lumen was staring at him.

"Yes child?"

"Nothing.. just wondering what it was you were saying." The Lich paused before sighing.

"Listen carefully child. I will say the chant in your tongue" Lumen nodded eagerly.

"Ancient power heed my call,
Come and humour this weak fool,
Guide my path lest I be lost,
I give my faith, and pay the cost."

"That's a lot less... I don't know..."

"When dealing with ancient powers arrogance will only ever lead to your own downfall. You would be driven insane If you tried to control the powers at be. You either work along side then or answer to them. I don't intend to lose my second life to such a foolish mistake." Lumen couldn't help but think it made sense. Surely trying to make an all powerful force obey you would backfire.

"Ancient power, heed my call,
Come and humour this weak fool,
Guide my path lest I be lost,
I give my faith, and pay the cost." Lumen kept reciting the chant, which the Lich echoed. Slowly the water around them began to spin and swirl before they were sucked beneath. The world went black as Lumen grabbed hold of Finn again and tried not to drown as they were swept through the water. He wasn't sure how much time had passed before he felt himself being dragged ashore. He coughed violently trying to clear whatever liquids he had swallowed from his lungs before turning to Finn. He seemed fine, somehow he had managed not to swallow any of the liquids. He turned to see his saviour only to find a strange old man dressed in blue hiding behind some boulders.

"Ermm.. thank you for saving me and my friend. My name is Lumen.. What's yours?" Lumen asked still coughing up some of the strangely coloured water. The old man poked out completely revealing that he was wearing a crown, his skin was blue but he wore a small pair of red glasses.

"My name is Simon.. the Ice King." Lumen shot up as he heard the name spoken.

"You... You're one of Finn's friends?" Ice King froze upon hearing the ever familiar name. He rushed over to Finn's side to check on the boy.

"Why is he here?" Ice King began to talk to himself. Worry set in as he started to pace back and forth.

"Erm Mr Simon?" Ice King froze and looked down at the worried boy. He looked at his wrists and realised how thin and weak he was. He looked at his skin and into his eyes and found a familiarity.

"You.. you are a human?" Simon suddenly grabbed Lumen's face and examined his features.

"Yup, just like Finn and just like Betty used to be." Lumen beamed a smile at first but then the confusion set in again.

"Betty... You know Betty? Come with me!?" Before even allowing Lumen to respond, Ice King grabbed the pair and began flying towards a giant castle in the distance. In the river the Lich managed to fish out his last bone and watched as they headed off. He disappeared into the shadows making his own way towards their destination.

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A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy. I apologise once more for my absence, after deciding it was time to finish this story I happened to fall quite ill, I was facing a darkness of my own you could say. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy this chapter and know that the next is near completion. Thank you to anyone who has reviewed or read the story. I would love to hear your feedback as we near the closing chapter.