Burned Away
Finn's silent world was eventually invaded by the crackling of an all-too familiar source. Lifting his eyelids, the young man found himself staring at the ground, his head hung without any support from his neck. The light of several torches flickered against the dark red floor, which was empty except for his presence. Wondering exactly how he was vertical in the first place, he glanced to the side.
A thick manacle clenched his wrist, hooked to a stone pillar to restrain him. Looking to his other side, he found the other limb in a similar predicament. In addition however, a metal casing covered his entire lower arm, ensuring the lava vine would do little to aid in any escape. The flame human's ankles were in identical situations, completely immobilizing him. Each shackle was also enchanted, preventing any chance at flame shifting out of them.
He sighed in defeat, realizing it had all fallen apart.
The hero stayed awake for another hour or so, feeling the weight of his own body as a metaphor for the collective mistakes he'd made. He began wondering if it had ever been a good idea, to hide himself in his own death. Had he walked into the Fire Kingdom as a flame-shielded human rather than a hybrid elemental, would the situation have been better?
On one hand, Finn's grass sword would be next to useless in the fiery environment. Even worse, without the added speed of his flame powers, the shadowless thrust would still be out of reach. Considering even further, the young man wouldn't stand a chance against the Olympians. Zeus would've killed him during that first battle, easily. He wasn't prepared for the bizarre elemental's powers. As a flame human, Finn could endure, even find comfort, in the harsh terrain, fight on equal terms, defend those in need with strength that his flesh and bone never could. He could hold Phoebe's hand.
Then came the consequences.
Everyone on Ooo, save for a handful of individuals, believed him dead; robbed of a sense of security and virtue that no one else could compare to. Dozens of the people closest to him were crushed, mourning his supposed departure. His own brother was affected, left in the dark. And Flame Princess, someone that Finn had to encounter on a daily basis. Her sorrow was a stab to his heart each time, knowing he was the sole responsibility for her pain. That stress was added to her already difficult ordeal, dealing with royal duties and now the Olympians' designs.
Either option resulted in obstacles, causing Finn to ponder on which was the lesser of two evils. For all he knew, FP was planning to execute him, making his survival questionable whether he'd chosen the other side or not. At the very least, the assassin had been stopped, meaning full attention could be placed on stopping the deranged plans of Zeus. He only wished he could contribute, instead of rotting in the dungeon.
The flame human's thoughts were interrupted when the door to the room creaked open, drawing his eyes to the newcomers. Two large figures entered, not saying a word. Once the light adjusted, Finn saw it was his fellow protector and the loyal fire wolf who was always close by. Cinnamon Bun's face held no expression, blankly staring the hero down as he hung from the restraints. In one hand, the candy knight held a spherical object, concealed beneath a cloth.
While Jake 2 place himself off to the side, CB wordlessly approached his former ally, moving to unshroud the item he held. Once he stopped a few feet in front of the flame human, Finn discovered just what had been hidden in the candy person's hold. The orb Hermes had gifted to Flame Princess, the same mysterious capsule holding a fire elemental's essence, was raised to him. Considering how long he'd likely been down here, Finn assumed it had taken a while to retrieve it from its fruitless search throughout the kingdom.
"I insisted I be the one to do it," CB finally spoke.
His voice was as blank as his face.
"She shouldn't have to face you any sooner than necessary."
Finn said nothing. There was little use in speaking to Cinnamon Bun. As he dangled from his chains, the flame human's visitor lifted the orb closer to his chest, watching the artifact carefully. With both knights there to witness, the fire inside the sphere suddenly glowed brighter, intensifying each inch it came closer to the young man. When it was nearly pressed into his heart, the orb's trapped essence finally pulsed wildly, sending out waves of radiance that struck Finn's body, causing his skin to brighten slightly as well.
Satisfied, among other things, CB moved the orb away, allowing it to calm and return to its natural state. Finn heard him let out a breath through his nose before turning away, taking a few steps from the prisoner. Next, the candy knight casually let the sphere fall from his grip, clinking a few times on the floor and beginning to roll away. Before it got too far, Cinnamon Bun's foot came down hard, smashing the item to pieces. Without any form of containment, the essence inside fizzled out into the surrounding air, its role complete.
Silence filled the room for a good minute, as if giving time for the resolution to sink in. The crackling fire was the sole reminder time still flowed.
"I'll be completely honest," CB resumed.
He turned back to face Finn.
"I wished it was wrong."
His expression retained a stoic majority, but with a defined air of firmness. He studied the trapped young man for a moment longer, as Finn stared back with a hollow gaze.
"I have a theory," the candy person began.
"At some point in time, Finn did something that infuriated you beyond sensibility. You lashed out, destroying his home in the process. Overcome by traumatic guilt, you vowed to take his place, coming here to the Fire Kingdom, in hopes of helping the girl he loved as a form of atonement. That locket; a constant reminder of your mistake, as well as the nightmares that plague your mind each night."
Finn made no movement as he paused.
"I fully believe you never meant any harm to Flame Princess, or any other citizen of the kingdom. You were ready to give your life if necessary, anything to gain retribution for your sin."
He shut his eyes tightly, his composure breaking.
"And you did well. You stood against and protected us from the Olympians, you tried everything you could to comfort not just the king, but all of us, just by being a friend who was there to talk, to fight, and smile along with us."
Jake 2 whined quietly in the corner of the room he sat, sensing his owner's strained speech. CB finally opened his eyes, staring at Finn with a soul-piercing gaze.
"But that doesn't change the consequences of your actions. For all the good you performed out of true righteousness, the crimes you committed are a greater weight upon them. You lied to us in the most heinous way possible, you broke Phoebe's heart, twice, you robbed Ooo of a cherished young man and hero who aided the weak, and, of course…"
He finally closed his eyes once more.
"…committed genocide."
The knight was finished. He turned to face the door, immediately beginning to exit. He didn't even stop as he addressed his wolf companion, asking him to watch over the captive flame human until he returned with the guards. Once the door slammed shut, the crackling torches again took over prominence, while Finn took the time to consider all that Cinnamon Bun had said. It was nothing he hadn't debated already, although having it thrown at him anew wasn't pleasant.
Jake 2 got up from his position, stepping over to Finn and sitting back down, staring curiously at the young man. As the wolf tilted his head, the flame human realized what he might be asking.
"There's no use in trying to explain it all to him, JT. He'd just call me crazy or desperate. No, it has to be her."
The fire wolf whined in response, seemingly understanding. Just then, the door was opened once again, this time producing a number of flame guards, all immediately pointing their staffs at Finn as they approached. Acting as if he could break out at any moment, the imposing elementals gradually undid his restraints, careful to keep the shackles and their magical seals intact.
Having gone on ahead to check on preparations, Cinnamon Bun emerged into the throne room, which had been modified for the upcoming event. While all the usual aspects remained, the center of the chamber now hosted a massive stone pillar, suspended on either side by a strange force that some might mistake for magnetism. The entire structure was engraved with ancient runes, suggesting its age and origins. Beneath the gigantic pillar, four chains had been attached to a slightly raised platform, awaiting their captive. The stands along the room's perimeter were packed with citizens, all crying out for the death of he who had infiltrated the kingdom and dared to fool their ruler.
CB found Flame Princess standing in front of the floating pillar, head hung and relatively motionless. Walking up, he placed a hand gently on her back.
"They're bringing him up now. You should get ready."
FP nodded without a word, still staring downwards. Her knight leaned over, trying to see what she had her attention on. Unsurprisingly, it was the sliver locket, held in her hands as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. The candy person sighed, knowing she'd been looking at it constantly for the past several hours.
"Will you be able to handle it?" he asked.
Phoebe took another moment to gaze at the picture within Finn's keepsake, then clicked the heart-shaped locket shut, raising her head to stare at the runed pillar. She nodded.
"Yes."
Understanding, CB looked in the direction of the corridor leading towards the dungeon, noticing the dull flicker of light coming from within, signaling the guards' approach. He took his place near the stands, ready to intervene if necessary. General Tellus was beside him, pain still evident on his face but keeping it together for the task at hand. The pillar stood between the throne and FP, who anxiously awaited the arrival.
As Finn's confined figure emerged from the hall, he was instantly subjected to harsh outcries and fury from the peers lining the chamber. Although bitter about their eventual failures, even Flame King and Don John pressed their faces against the lantern's glass, eager to see an amusing conviction. The guards escorted the flame human to the set of chains as Flame Princess continued staring straight ahead, trying to look past the somber sight of her former protector.
Once he was secured, the guards dismissed themselves to the corners of the room, prepared for any trouble that may arise. Additional elementals, full-on soldiers, were stationed at each exit from the room, wary of Finn's abilities. The young man stood, surprisingly straight, arms at his sides, his eyes closed, waiting for it to begin. FP held up a hand to silence the 'boo's and barking, effectively setting the stage.
Noticing the sound die off, Finn finally opened his eyes, meeting Phoebe's gaze for the first time since his unexpected blunder. Neither had an expression that was easily named. For a while, the onlookers believed they were having a mental struggle, seeing whose devoid face would break first. FP eventually closed her hand around the locket and stepped forward, continuing to do so until she was but a few feet away from Finn's subjugated position. After another pause, the ruler of the Fire Kingdom finally spoke.
"I never wanted to use this," she began in a hollow voice.
"The pillar bearing down on you is a relic used by past rulers to pry information for their own paranoid delusions. It senses the truth and deceit in your soul, and will respond accordingly."
Her eyes remained hollow and emotionless as she looked back at Finn.
"With each lie, it will fall, with each truth, it shall stay. One way or another, you will be forced to confess before you are crushed."
Now aware of the situation, the flame human knew this was his last opportunity, win or lose, to clear everything. He steeled himself mentally, taking a deep breath. In the meantime, FP went on.
"I had ordered its abandonment upon repealing the impractical context of the honesty law, seeing this device as a scornful image to what is meant to be a peaceful and nonthreatening lifestyle of goodwill."
The hand concealing Finn's locket tightened.
"But you have forced my hand."
Phoebe's eyes had begun shaking ever so slightly. Out of the blue, Finn was suddenly struck across the cheek by a fist, causing him to grunt slightly, despite instinctually bracing himself at the last second. Although Flame Princess's powers were astonishing in their own right, her physical strength was nothing to brush off either. As Finn straightened his jaw, the rest of the room recovered from the unexpected lash, realizing how long their king may have been holding that in.
By the second punch, no one said a word, almost reluctant to even watch as their monarch vented. Finn endured, knowing he deserved it, even if it wasn't for the reason Phoebe believed. Between strikes, he saw that she had her eyes shut tightly, almost straining herself. The frustration, the anger passed on by the fire elemental continued a short while longer, before FP finally stopped, letting her hands fall to her sides, fractured breathing escaping between her bared teeth. By now her entire body shook. CB almost decided to walk over and try calming her down from the fit, by chose to let her keep control of the situation.
Soon enough, Phoebe's motions stopped, and she let out the last of it in a single exhale. She had bit down on her lip, but showed the composure to look Finn in the eye again, her amber gaze solid and firm. The hero looked back, his face slightly contorted from the hits he'd sustained, his eyes struggling to stay fully open.
"There," Flame Princess stated quietly.
"I shared a little of my pain with you."
She tried to relax.
"In return, you will share with me the reason why you've done this; why you lied, why you went so far as to…"
The ruler debated on her next words, holding back rampant emotions.
"To have me open my heart to you!" she spat.
Much of the audience shared light gasps, oblivious to just how personal the two had grown over time. Only Cinnamon Bun merely narrowed his eyes, holding a grudge for how his cherished friend had been hurt. While the crowd's murmurs died out, Finn muddled through his mind, trying to find the right reply. Seeing how much he was struggling, Phoebe upped the pressure from sheer anxiety.
"Just tell me, right now, what were the lies?"
The flame human accepted the simplified request, finally choosing his approach. His false eyes set on the king, he finally spoke.
"As unimaginable as it is, I've only told you one."
Phoebe felt herself go stiff, not only from what the chained young man had said, but from the fact that the pillar above his head remained where it was. Everyone else had the same reaction, taken aback, only to then begin chattering amongst themselves, debating on how this was possible considering all that had transpired. FP was able to shake it off first, still confused, but not convinced. She looked over at Cinnamon Bun, who seemed just as unsure. Worried the pillar's magic may have become distorted, the fiery ruler set a glare back on the trapped Finn.
"Tell a lie, now!"
He thought for a moment, then calmly responded.
"I am a fire elemental."
Finn had just enough time, and length of chain, to throw his arms over his head, with the pillar dropping nearly within range of bashing his skull in. He groaned under the now present weigh, all while Phoebe, and everyone else in the room, stared at him with wide eyes. The king and CB exchanged glances, both bewildered. Finn watched through his strained eyes as the fiery girl eventually looked back at him; her expression telling him she still wasn't convinced.
"A-another one!"
The flame human's eyes softened, despite what he knew was coming next.
"I killed Finn the Human."
Unable to keep his legs straight, Finn now bore the weight of the pillar on his shoulders, grunting as his body began failing him. A collective gasp had rung out through the room, while Phoebe began shaking her head.
"This… none of this makes sense. I-I don't understand!"
She stepped forward, bringing herself right up to the confined young man and gripping his throat with a fiery hand. Cinnamon Bun moved closer, walking up until he was nearly at Phoebe's side, worried she might lose it against the flame human's cryptic replies. Her gaze was piercing, but in desperation rather than rage. Finn internally sighed, knowing he'd begun breaking it all down.
"What was it then, what was your one lie?" FP demanded, slowly tightening her grip, though not enough to prevent speech.
Finn took one last look around, watching the anxious crowd, all with their mouths hung open in anticipation for the answer, leaning forward in their seats, eager for the strange young man to offer clarity. CB had lost his angered expression as well, now nearly matching Phoebe's. He could tell they were feeling lost, isolated from something they needed to know. It was only right; they had grown fond of their loyal friend, discovered his dark secret, and were now being told otherwise. They didn't know what to think.
The hero knew he was about to be brought further down, since the pillar was unlikely to take things in context. He would bear it regardless. This was the turning point, the polar opposite to his declaration all those weeks ago. He had begun Phoebe's pain with that utterance, and now, he would use the same one to bring it closure. Taking a deep breath, he gazed FP straight in the eyes.
"Finn the Human is dead."
While the young man stifled a groan, his knee dug into the floor from the pillar's amplified force, a deathly silence consumed the chamber. Each fire elemental in the room was frozen in place, their flames dying down to mere auras skimming across their bodies. CB was no different; his mind in a state of utter chaos, not able to decipher what was real anymore. He thought he had it all figured out. There was evidence, a profile, a confirmation even. So what went wrong? What didn't fit?
The first sound to finally emerge was that of Phoebe's knees hitting the ground, the ruler's numbed joints succumbing to her mental lapse. Her trembling eyes watched Finn breathing heavily against the weight of the pillar, slowly gathering the strength to raise his head to face her. Once he did, she found words automatically escaping her lips, as if it were a survival instinct.
"Who are you…?"
Finn studied her features, almost appearing terrified. She may as well have been, he thought. Against all odds, he went for it, shifting his mouth into a smile.
"You know most of it already, remember?"
FP's memories flooded in, recalling all the details she and CB had gotten out of him during their first ride to the palace.
"An adventurer…"
"Orphaned…"
Each recollection brought her closer to the revelation Finn wanted to share, his smile holding as he watched her spill it out.
"A cursed weapon…"
Their conversation just before the devastating news was among the pieces falling into place:
"You and him are so… similar. Not just by your traits, but also by physical appearance."
Numerous times, even from a distance, Phoebe had felt something familiar from her new knight. It never came to her, more of an itch at the back of her mind. FP lifted up her hand, revealing the silver locket and clicking it open, once again facing the picture of herself and Finn, several years prior. After studying the blonde hero's face, she moved her eyes back to the young man chained in front of her.
She repeated the process, losing count as the images of the two people began to blur together. It wasn't long before she realized there was little difference, just as she'd pointed out. The next time she glanced at her former knight, the difference all but vanished. Finn's irises had shifted color again, staring back at her amber gaze with clear, ocean blue. No one else had that color, this she knew from her time outside the Fire Kingdom. FP's eyes glistened as tears threatened to fall from the concoction of emotions filling her head.
"No… that's impossible," she declared, albeit weakly.
Finn kept his sight locked on her.
"There are many things Bonnie can do with her crazy mind."
Phoebe and Cinnamon Bun flinched, a new element added to the puzzle.
"She wouldn't…" the candy knight insisted.
Finn briefly glanced at him.
"She would for a friend."
He regained his eye-contact with Phoebe, suddenly frowning.
"I didn't want to face you, not after all the blunders and passage of time. It was my duty to protect the kingdom, protect you, but I did it as someone else, because you shouldn't have had to deal with our past while fighting off all the threats to the land."
The young man closed his eyes.
"I already thought it through. There was no way to do this without something going wrong."
Finn resumed gazing back at the disbelieving Flame King.
"I made a choice. Whether it was the right one, I'll never know. But I lied, which also means I broke a promise. Even with the changes to the law, what I said was not for your own good, but mine. I have to face the consequences for it. So in the end, it doesn't really matter who I-"
His mouth was stopped by Phoebe's finger, who was simply allowing a gentle stream of tears to fall from either side of her face. Her expression was no longer terrified, rather, tired, pleading, wishing to sit down and let out a long-held breath; pretty much what Finn should've been feeling as the pillar sat on his back.
"Just say it," she whispered.
Mesmerized by the look in her beautiful eyes, Finn initially took a moment to break free, then put on a brave face and quietly let out a breath. This was it.
"I am Finn the Human," he declared, loud enough for the entire room to clearly hear it.
The looming pillar remained where it was, acting as judge, while the rest of the court gave once last gasp, their faces petrified into astonishment and sheer questioning. Even the guards and soldiers looked between one another, thinking the world had gone mad. Cinnamon Bun had finally just let his hardened expression fall, watching in awe as Phoebe raised her hand to the side.
It was quick, but no less impressionable. The slap to Finn's cheek stung equally to the anger-fueled punches he'd received earlier, but now he faced the pain with a deep sense of release.
"You idiot," FP said with a sniffle.
He had done it. Despite it all, he'd undone all of his shrouds.
"I know," the flame human replied solemnly.
One by one, the surrounding fire elementals regained their voices, chattering away in amazement and general shock. CB let out a breath, feeling like he had been holding it in since the trial had started.
"Glob…" he huffed.
Back by Finn and Phoebe, the fiery king had opened her mouth, attempting to say something, yet she failed numerous times, seeming to reconsider each time. She still held Finn's locket, tightly shut in her hand again. The young man didn't bother about it, thinking it was now better with her. After a few more instances of the girl left speechless, he decided to take the lead.
"I think it's time I go back to the dungeon."
FP blinked, not expecting the comment. He continued.
"After all, I know you won't forgive me."
Phoebe placed the hand containing the silver locket against her chest, eventually shaking her head while staring at the floor.
"No, I won't."
She placed her puffy, yet finally dried eyes on his submissive ones. Her clutch on the locket loosened.
"But, I-"
*CRASH*
Everyone's head swung around to face the front gate, from which behind came continuous bangs and what sounded like fire blasts. All attention held to the violent symphony beyond the doors, until it was silenced by the sound of several men groaning. Next, the doors were blown clean off, flung to the ground at either side of the room's entrance, heavily damaged and steaming from an intense heat.
All eyes on him, a certain Olympian stepped through the now exposed entrance, hands held calmly behind his back and a grin on his face. Directly behind him, the hulking light user Apollo, acting as somewhat of a bodyguard, not that his leader needed it. As the two made it to the throne room's main area, they stopped, with Phoebe feeling her heart beat drastically decelerate.
"Zeus," she said in a hushed tone.
Cinnamon Bun broke from his surprise earliest, ordering the guards and soldiers to attack. As soon as they did however, Zeus simply raised his hand, signaling Apollo. The large fire elemental proceeded to quickly gather light on his obsidian plates, then blasted each charging attacker in the eyes; not enough to blind them indefinitely, given the allotted time to charge, but they would definitely be seeing white for several hours.
As each one fell to the ground, groaning and covering their faces, Zeus took a moment to examine the situation before him, laying eyes on FP and Finn. His grin widened, obviously content with what he saw.
"It looks like Athena was correct, not that I ever doubt her."
The Olympian leader placed his gaze on the wide-eyed king, enjoying the look of astonishment frozen on her face. He chuckled.
"I think it's time to show you just how little control you have, your majesty. Artemis!"
A third Olympian suddenly landed on Apollo's shoulder, bow raised and aimed at the lantern hanging high above the throne. Flame King and Don John frightfully moved to the back of their prison, as Artemis let loose a fiery arrow that impaled itself into the durable glass that held the two usurpers. A ring of fire runes appeared around the point of impact, only to then glow brightly and dissolve, along with the arrow. Seconds later, the lantern shattered into thousands of fragments, which continued to scatter until the glass was nothing but fine dust.
The criminals within landed bluntly on their feet, quickly dropping their confusion in favor of delight, letting out vile laughter that echoed off the walls. While the crowds cried out in fear and mass hysteria, CB swung around to face Phoebe.
"Flame Princess! The casing!"
Understanding, Phoebe instantly produced a flame sword, spinning around to slash at the confining object on Finn's right arm. As the blade came down, the ruler was shocked when a glowing hand caught it, stopping the motion. Moving her eyes to the side, she found the hand's owner. Hermes held up a finger and wagged it, along with shaking his head.
"Can't have that, your highness," he taunted.
His smugness was immediately put on hold when Cinnamon Bun's lance went flying past both his and FP's heads, striking the locks holding the casing and releasing it from the captive flame human. As Hermes turned his head to observe the damages to Finn's restraints, he was met with the young man's cursed blade gliding right towards him. His high-speed flame dash was enough to save his life, but Finn still managed to graze him. The Olympian shouted in pain as he held a hand to his face.
Meanwhile, Finn quickly used his versatile weapon to easily break the rest of his chains, rolling out from under the pillar and causing it to finally fall to the floor. The shock sent through the ground threw everyone off balance, save for him. Taking the opportunity, Finn charged ahead towards Zeus with the shadowless thrust. If he could just take out the leader, the rest would lose coordination and give them a chance.
Unfortunately, midway towards the Olympian, Finn took a fist straight to the gut, knocking the wind out of him. He found Athena standing in front of him, glaring, with the strange flame in her eyes that revealed the use of her power. With one motion, she spun around and kicked the flame human away, landing him on his back. Phoebe was by his side in a heartbeat, helping him up. Seeing his own opportunity, Don John raised his hands, tapping into his arcane powers. As waves of magic were emitted from him, the panicking citizens gradually stopped their chaotic motions, falling silent and automatously turning in unison to face the Flame Lord. Their eyes said it all. Don John pointed towards CB.
"Seize the bun!" he ordered.
Cinnamon Bun gritted his teeth as he watched the fire elementals around him converge, leaving him no space to escape and try his hand at the Olympians. Even if he could bring himself to, there were too many to try fighting his way through.
Back in the center of the room, Finn was on his feet, though still regaining his breath from Athena's earlier strike. He and Phoebe noticed CB's precarious position, but were stopped from intervening by the candy knight's plea.
"Run! Both of you!"
The moment of hesitation they showed for their friend's command was all that was needed.
"Urk!"
Flame Princess looked back at Finn, only to stare in horror.
Zeus' own flame sword, pure white and somewhat unstable, was currently run through the young man's chest, directly where his heart was. The hero's mouth hung open, sputtering bits of air as he gazed back at the dreadful expression on the fiery ruler's face. Even as Finn felt his body grow colder by the second, he heard Zeus speak from behind him.
"I have to thank you, Finn. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible."
With that, he pulled his flame sword out of the hero's chest, allowing it to dissipate. Having nothing to support him now, Finn wordlessly fell to the side, crashing on the floor with dust scattering in his wake. Lying on his back, his trembling eyes desperately scanned his field of vision, looking for something, anything, to help him hang onto reality. His prayers were answered when FP was on her knees, bent over and shaking him roughly, all while holding her other hand to his wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Finn! Finn! Damn it, don't break it! Not that promise!"
Renewed tears fell as she bit her lip.
"You can break all the others, you can lie of you have to, just don't die! You idiot, don't die!"
The eerie disinterest of the citizens was bad enough, but to watch his closest friend breakdown, all while Zeus smiled in amusement, CB couldn't bear it. He turned away. Finn struggled to keep himself conscious, even as his eyes lost their color. There was no strength left to even move. He could do nothing except feel the shaking Phoebe was forcing on him. Eventually she stopped, her own energy waning.
"Don't leave me again. Please, just stay alive," she forced out, struggling between spasms of breath.
Finn couldn't find the focus to even think, his body pushed beyond the limits by his burdening trial and the Olympians' sudden assault. The most he could do was watch Phoebe balling her eyes out, repeatedly begging for him to pull through like he always did. His hearing had already left, leaving behind white noise that blocked all other sound. The texture of the ground was lost to him, as was the smell of smoke and dust. Unable to even leave a parting word, he fell away, losing consciousness.
Phoebe stared at his motionless form for another minute, his hollow gaze aimed at her, unmeaning and lifeless. She let her hands fall to the floor, her head allowed to hang. The fire elemental's flames had all but vanished, leaving her hair to brush against the ground and drape her back. If one listened closely, they could hear her hushed spasms continue, though now left without the energy necessary to truly matter.
Zeus finally hummed curiously, staring down at Finn's body.
"I suppose since he's not a normal elemental you'll be spared having to watch his body disintegrate into ash."
He looked over to his imposing ally.
"Apollo, do me a favor and dispose of this in the river outside."
The light manipulator slowly made his way over, his fellow Olympians standing by for their next move. The giant knelt down, briefly eyeing the defeated form of a sobbing Flame Princess as he gathered Finn in his arms. Standing back up, Apollo moved for the exit, letting out loud stomps as he left. Zeus rolled his eyes, watching his subordinate carry out the order. Once gone, the leader turned his attention to Flame King and Don John, who were standing close by.
"Gentlemen," the Olympian began, walking towards them in a friendly manner.
"I request your cooperation in our noble goals for this world we inhabit. I'm sure we can provide whatever you desire in return."
He held out a hand.
"What do you say?"
The two usurpers glanced at one another, considering the man's offer. Soon enough, they both sprouted grins, nodding. They took turns shaking Zeus' hand, accepting.
"After seeing how ruthless you can be, it would be an honor to raze the weaklings of this world alongside," FK declared.
In the back of his mind, the former ruler of the Fire Kingdom snickered evilly, already plotting his betrayal.
Delighted by the reply, Zeus nodded.
"Excellent. Then let us clean up this situation and move along."
He turned to Don John.
"Would you kindly have the girl and her precious knight moved to the dungeon?"
The Flame Lord acknowledged, ordering the brainwashed citizens to seize the distraught Phoebe and remove her from the chamber along with Cinnamon Bun. As a pair brought the devastated girl to her feet, Zeus relayed his parting words.
"Even in your current state, your power will change our world. I do hope you will one day see the glory of it all... Hera."
The lumbering Apollo approached the lava stream passing by the palace, solemnly carrying out his orders. He had closed his eyes while Phoebe completely collapsed, unwilling to watch. Now he held the Olympians' once greatest threat in his arms, an empty shell of a great and noble warrior. As the giant stopped at the edge of the river, he followed its path with his sad eyes, seeing that it would carry Finn far into the outskirts of the kingdom, where he would eventually be lost to some lake or other. Kneeling down, the light user held out the fallen hero, preparing to release him.
A sudden pulse caused the Olympian's eyes to widen, momentarily pausing to make sure he'd heard correctly. After a minute he felt no successive action. However, he swore he saw the lava vine tighten around the flame human's limp arm. Deciding not to keep his leader waiting, Apollo finally laid Finn into the lava flow, standing back up as he witnessed the young man's form carried down the current, finally disappearing around a bend.
He turned away, beginning to walk back into the palace. On the way, the giant clapped his hands together, sending a small prayer out for the honorable hero of Ooo.
I hope you guys had a good holiday season. I'm off to cover an update that my stupid email once again buried. Until next time then, in 2016!
gamelover41592: I'll bet worse than you expected.
Neo Deadmau5: It'll be a while before we get to PB again, but I know it will be a fun chapter.
sonicthehedgehog240: Oh I'm definitely expecting some WTF's for this one.
Star: Wow, that's almost a pun considering how I ended this chapter.
Mayojar77: I can't even imagine stretching it out more. I feel you guys would want to strangle me by then.
MCFanfics: Consider the drama delivered.
Forgotsurname: Um, I guess he couldn't. Well, this is awkward.
Bio team2: Too late.
Fiery Crusader: Some Mission: Impossible type deal, right on. Though I'm afraid there's been a slight detour...
TimeManipulator99: You are quite correct on that one, my friend.
TheMentalAdventurer: Apologies for any unintentional implied events, it was just the nearest guard knocking him out.
Awolfx9: Yep, I was carefully timing that plot point way back then. Worth it!
The Space Wizard Storybook: Thanks so much, I'm always glad to have more support!
R-Doll: Glad I could deliver the emotion and vision for you, it's what I aim for.
MUTO TOHO: I freaking love Soul Eater! Definitely my favorite blend of action, character, comedy, and overall craziness in an anime. Maybe I should re-watch it soon.
SpiCdargon: That is one seriously original approach. I'm afraid I can't use the bulk of it, seeing where I went with the story, but I'll be looking back for an opportunity regardless. The suggestions from you guys do tend to slip in at some point.
The Guyver: Whoa, that's nuts. Conspiracy! JK.
Ahall0303: Sorry, it takes a while to crank these out sometimes. Plus, it isn't my only story currently being written.
Hope you enjoyed and thanks for any comments/reviews!