Chapter 2:

Fionna was not surprised to find that Cake had not come back after her date with Mono. She even wondered why Cake even tried to live part time at the tree house. Probably just to keep Fionna company. Cake was a good sister, but Fionna didn't want to be a burden on her.

"I could live here on my own…" Thought Fionna as she turned on the lights and navigated through the empty house. She watched BMO secretly as it acted out an imaginary fantasy. BMO was fine alone. She could be too! Getting ready for bed, Fionna pleated her hair into a braid, taking care to protect the injury at the nape of her neck.

"This is fine…" She said, slipping on her PJs and tucking herself into bed. She had taken the sword into bed too, telling herself a good sword is only as strong as the bond with its swordsman er… woman. She looked longingly at Cake's little drawer.

"Oh, Football. I love you…" BMO said from down the hall.

"I love you too." Whispered Fionna to no one in particular. She was bonkers lonely, and she squeezed the sword tight as she dozed off to sleep. The sword was not silent in her sleep. It almost hummed reassuringly to the vibes of her loneliness. It made her feel as if someone was with her, watching her. When she finally did fall asleep, Fionna kept feeling as if her hair was being being tugged on. Several times she shot out of bed asking who was there only to find that no one was. She tried going back to sleep, with that terrible feeling that there was someone there.

By the time morning came, she was exhausted. But the mystery of the sword, and its still silent humming in her arms energized her. Slowly she pulled on her regular clothes, but had to forgo her cap due to her recent injury. Off to the market, to find someone to tell her about this sword! She hoped it would be a long and arduous journey to distract her from her stagnant life in the tree dome.

"Banisher of Evil,

Slayer of Chaos!

Sword of Justice

In my hand…" She sang as she walked towards the quaint yet unusual market center. There she would surely find a lead on this awesome sword. She pretended it was an electric guitar and groaned in the way Death had during their music battle.

A shadow flew overhead, and she turned quickly to see what it was, but there was nothing there. She had had this feeling of being watched all night, and now today, too? Feeling the heebie jeebies, she walked a bit faster towards the town.

When she passed the gate into the market area, Fionna finally slowed her pace.

"Tantalizing trinkets to tickle your tastes!" Alliteration Alligator called to the shoppers.

"Sublime limes for a dime!" Shouted Rhyming Rhino.

But who here could evaluate this sword?

"Fortunes of love! Come get your palm read, and find out what Cupid has in store for you…" Called another shopkeeper.

"Love…?" Fionna mumbled, turning to see a being riddled in garbs and jewels. The psychic wore a large, red cap, with a sash that covered all but its eyes, which shone in a strange way. They gestured towards a tent made of old carpets and coats.

"You, girl. You have a great love waiting for you! Will you not visit my tent?" Enticed the psychic. Their big, round eyes gazed at Fionna, then at her sword, then back at her. Fionna gripped the sword in her hand, unsure.

"I- I'm looking for something else…"

The psychic eyed the way she gripped the sword, and switched tactics.

"What have you got there? Haunted heirloom? Cursed loot? Ah, that blade has strange power, has it not? Might I inspect it?" Baited the psychic further.

Well, it was what Fionna had come here to do.

"I guess…" She said, feeling strangely captured by the shining eyes of the shopkeeper. Yet, despite the shiver that ran through her spine, Fionna flopped the carpet door aside to duck into the tent.

"Excellent…" Hissed the psychic, following her into the darkness.

Inside the tent, little holes between the fabric let in small shafts of light. It seemed magical and otherworldly, yet it still smelled of old socks and worms.

"Have a seat…" Offered the psychic, pointing in the general direction of the floor. Fionna plopped down on the ground, and the being sat across from her, hands outstretched. "Now let's take a look at that palm…"

"The sword?" Fionna asked, already placing the object between them. The psychic's hands jerked back from the sword.

"Ah! It is quite powerful…" They said, fingers twitching above it. "Eh… where did you find this?" Their fingers floated above the engraving which read 'Banisher of Evil'.

"I pulled it from the lake floor. I was being attacked by a witch. When I stuck her with it the sword lit up, and she disappeared." Fionna explained.

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that…" Whispered the psychic. "It seems to me she's still here, inside… the sword absorbed her power. Swallowed her whole. Frightful thing!" They said visibly shivering.

"Kick ass!" Fionna exclaimed, and looked lovingly upon her new weapon. "Tell me more!" She said shoving the sword closer to the psychic.

"No! No!" The psychic screamed, backing into the soft walls of the tent. "I-I couldn't. I don't know anymore. I'm just a tier one, you see? Palm reading and such?"

"Oh…" Fionna said, crestfallen, and tucked the sword into the band of her skort.

"I can see that you're searching for something… someone," they began. "I can see it in your eyes. You're seeking love, aren't you?"

A shiver ran down her back. She wanted to deny it, but the loneliness biting at her heart couldn't bear to.

"M-maybe." She said unsure.

"I can give you a path, a direction. Let me lead you to love, human." They said enticingly.

The psychic extended their pale, slender hands towards her, inviting her in. Tentatively, she slid her right hand forward. The psychic took hold of her hand with a surprisingly soft and gentle hold. They turned her palm upwards, feeling delicately over the lines inscribed there.

"It doesn't take divination to know that you are strong…" They said feeling along the callouses. "But everyone deserves to be loved. Tell me, what is your experience?"

"Aren't you supposed to figure that out?" She said through slanted eyes. The psychic barked a laugh.

"I can see your future, but I can't see your past! Tell me…" They insisted.

"I- I don't know. I've had crushes. I've been on dates. Just nothing's ever clicked…" Fionna said, sadly reminiscing. Gentle fingers traced her callouses.

"It's your strength, isn't it? It's intimidating."

Fionna's heart raced. Those shining eyes stared deeply into hers, and for the first time she felt… understood.

"Yes…" She breathed. The psychic curled Fionna's fingers into her palm and pushed her hand back to her.

"You are an adventurer. Love will also be an adventure for you. Your palm splits to two paths, but which will you take? I can offer one to you today, but you must choose."

"What is it?" She said leaning towards those bright, captivating eyes. The psychic, too, leaned forward, engaged.

"There is another who is seeking love. One who has a kind, loving heart, but alas he is cursed and kept in the lowest room of the dungeon on the Island on the Lake."

A warmth filled her. A gut feeling, as if her destiny was being laid at her feet. Yes, this was it. This was the path.

"What is his curse?"

The psychic swallowed hard, as if bracing themselves for the next bit of news.

"He is a monster. He is kept in the darkness so that none shall ever look upon him."

"He's ugly?" Asked Fionna.

"Deformed. In a way." The psychic said. "Seek him out if you wish. He will not fear your strength."

"So, if I rescue him from the dungeon we will live happily ever after?" The psychic shook their head.

"No, the darkness is his home. Simply your company is enough."

No problem! Thought Fionna. She had already burned her buns to bits trying to make it work with Flame Prince, some darkness was a compromise she was willing to work with. And after all, if it was dark maybe she wouldn't see… but honestly how bad could this dude's deformity be? Fionna's thoughts drifted as she tried to imagine how ugly was too ugly for her to consider, and found that strangely she was very flexible when it came to outer appearance.

"Okay!" She said, resolved. "I'll do it!"

"Y-you will?" Asked the psychic, almost surprised. "Well… you best get going, then. And bring that sword!" Pressed the psychic, pointing to the door.

"Wh-what about payment?" Fionna said standing. The psychic stood and began to push her out the door.

"No need, no need…"

"But you evaluated my sword…" Fionna began, unsheathing her sword.

"Egads! Put that thing away! No! No payment necessary." They insisted.

"High five?" Offered Fionna.

"Fine. High five." They slapped palms. "Interaction complete. Good luck!" They said, finally succeeding in pushing the stubborn girl out of the tent.

"Thanks!" She said enthralled to be set onto another adventure. An adventure which this time held the promise of a prize more valuable than all of the gold in the treehouse. True love.