Finn felt terrible. As he regained consciousness from his last battle, he felt groggy with a splitting headache. He slowly opened his eyes to observe his surroundings only to discover he was inside a dark room.

"(groan) W-what happened? Where am I," he asked himself. He clenched his teeth when he realized he couldn't move his arms. Finn frowned as he tried moving his legs before realizing he was restrained on a metallic bed.

"What is the meaning of this," he asked himself outraged. He looked back from his memories as he tried recall how he got captured. He knew he fought against a crowd of rioters back at the train station and that the military came to his aid. But that was where he felt conflicted. Surely the Candy troops would have recognized him when they inspected all the bodies. As far as Finn was concerned, he expected he would wake up in a hospital or a small medical facility and not in a place that felt like prison. Perhaps the troops were ambushed as they carried him to safety and now he was kidnapped from a bunch of crazy people.

Suddenly, Finn's thoughts were halted as he was blinded from the lamp flickering on above him. He squinted his eyes and clenched his teeth again to adjust to the room's sudden brightness. After he recovered his sight, he noticed he was surrounded by a vast array of machines and computers. He could see there were tables nearby with papers scattered on the top along with a small collection of chemicals. From that moment, he took a deep breath. He had a bad feeling he knew who was responsible but didn't want to believe it himself. A door was opened moments later and he could hear the sound of delicate footsteps approaching his position. Once the person walked into Finn's line of sight, Finn shut his eyes and shook his head in denial.

"Bubblegum," he said with resentment. "I really hope I'm just hallucinating and that I'm still knocked out."

"Evidently not," Bubblegum said in a straight voice. Her hands were clasped together behind her back as she watched her prisoner struggling to break free.

"I don't know what your deal is, princess. But I do know I want nothing to do with you ever again," Finn seethed.

The sugary princess showed no reaction and continued to stare at him with a mellow expression. It bothered the hero so much whenever he saw her arrogance. He tried channeling that same rage to break free from his restraints, only to find his arms and legs were in the same place.

Taking a break, Finn harshly asked, "Care to give me a good reason why I'm being held against my will?!"

"We still have unfinished business," PB said in a matter of fact tone.

Irritated, Finn lifted an eyebrow, "Really? Well, last time I checked I did you a favor by escorting your people to safety. So please, do enlighten me 'your highness'." He bowed his head mockingly.

PB frowned at his demeanor. "Watch who you're talking to," she said authoritatively. "I am trying to be extremely patient with you right now, but your attitude isn't making this any easier."

"(sigh)... Fine," he said bitterly.

The monarch softened her features and began walking around the room. "As you already know, I've been around for a long time. I've dedicated my life in the name of science that I have managed to accomplish a lot things for the benefit Ooo."

"You mean for yourself," Finn thought to himself.

PB continued, "I founded my civilization, created the gumball guardians, and have shared my knowledge of technology with the neighboring kingdoms." She picked up a test tube filled with a red liquid and examined it briefly before placing it back. "I didn't want to stop there however. In time, I have continued to seek more methods to preserve order where we can all live in a world of absolute peace."

"Your vision of peace involves taking away personal liberties and freewill," Finn argued.

She shrugged, "Responsibility demands sacrifice, Finn. And I am willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill my agenda."

"So, what was your deal with the Fire Kingdom," Finn asked changing the subject. "I don't understand why you placed them in harm's way. You should have known that the new ruler would have never dreamed of-"

"I couldn't afford to take that chance," PB snapped. "The Fire Kingdom has always been known as a destructive and violent race. You have no idea of knowing what they really are."

"I may not know them well as much as you do, Bubblegum," Finn replied. "But I do know they are capable of change. You should have known that straightaway when I dated one of them."

"Her elemental matrix is unstable," PB yelled. "You nearly killed all of us when you kissed her."

Finn lost his composure and shouted indignantly, "And YOU nearly killed off an entire race! How was I suppose to know about her condition back then?!"

"You should have stayed and listened to me," she retorted. "But you were too busy being love-struck that you didn't give a care to the world!"

He grunted, "Give me a break! I have tried many times to earn your affection, but you've always turned me down. Unlike you, she returned the same feelings and made me discover a new meaning of personal happiness. When I tried to impress you again after losing her, we both came to an understanding that it was also our personalities that kept us apart and not just our age."

PB looked away as she frowned in her thoughts.

Finn continued, "When I attended that summit meeting back at the Emerald Kingdom, I was shocked like everyone else. I have been skeptical about your morals for a while when it came to your pursuits in science, but I couldn't imagine you stooping so low. You refused to acknowledge the Fire Kingdom as reasonable, living beings and for that, you have lost your political ties and your friends in the process... including me."

She scoffed, "Like that matters! You, Marceline, and all the other princesses fail to see the big picture. I may not have my allies anymore, but I can pretty much tell you that I am more than ready to finish this fight. And you are going to help me."

Finn let out a chuckle, "Like heck I would! My stance on the war is entirely neutral. This is a matter between you and Fire Kingdom only. There is no honor or glory for me to get involved."

She shook her head, "Such pious. I suppose Josh, Margaret, and Billy would teach you the ways of a hero. Your intentions are noble, but mistaken."

He narrowed his eyes.

PB continued, "Make no mistake, Finn. Your residency in the Grasslands is an allegiance to MY kingdom. You will serve me and you will win this war under my name."

"I will do no such thing! And besides, I was planning on moving out of the tree fort anyway! You know, up until now, I thought I knew you well enough as a friend. But I guess you've shown yourself to be nothing more than a sick, twisted, and demented scientist! I will never serve as your knight ever again."

She walked in front of him and brought her face close to his a few inches away, "I'm afraid you don't have a choice on the matter."

"I'll never forgive you for this," he said defiantly.

PB let out an amused chuckled before moving away, "Your will is strong, but you will do my bidding with utmost vigor. After all, you're only human." She smug to herself.

Finn struggled with his restraints again grunting in frustration.

"I have plans for you, Finn. And I have plenty of time to carry it out before the invasion starts. Better enjoy your last day as yourself because tomorrow, we're going to work." She left the room and flicked the lights back off.

Enraged at Bubblgum's motives, Finn continued to jerk his body in several directions. Nothing was working but he didn't care. He had to free himself no matter how long it took. He had no tools he could work with and he couldn't see again. Before he knew it, his body was coated in sweat and his chest heaved from struggling. Realizing that he wasn't making any progress, Finn took a break to regain his energy. He looked down in resignation thinking it was hopeless, but then tried again to break free. It made him sick to his stomach whenever he thought about the worse for himself and tried channeling his anxiety to break free again.

"I can't give up," Finn panted. "I just can't!"

The sound of computers beeping echoed around the room as he exhausted himself for the rest of the day.