The Fire Army scrambled into defensive positions as they took over the trenches. Some of them tended their wounds using alchemy and bandages, while the rest restocked on weapons and ammo. Apparently the battle had lasted for hours as the morning sky now settled into noon. Everyone was tired and beaten from the ongoing assault, but they were still driven to win the fight nonetheless.

Bodies were scattered everywhere as the battle continued. As the fire troops prepared for the counter offensive, the Supreme General radioed artillery support to move forward. He knew the mortar teams stationed within the mid-field would not be enough to handle the candy forces.

"You've certainly outdone yourself," Major Maddox complimented.

"Don't thank me yet," SG said with a hint of anxiety. "We need our guys to hold the line or all this will be for nothing."

"We have numbers," the major boasted. "A few tanks will not make a difference!"

SG faced him frowning, "Our forces would buckle if they sustain too many casualties. The enemy's only chance at victory now would be to demoralize our will to fight. All they need to do is have their tanks wipe out a good chunk of our guys that will force the majority to retreat or surrender by instinct. Bubblegum knew her guys would lose in a straight-up fight, so she's using advanced tech to level with us!"

"You're right. I'm sorry sir."

A thought crossed the general's head, "Which reminds me. I need to check back with the research and development teams when I get the chance. But for now, winning this battle is the main priority." He nodded in acknowledgement, turned away, and picked up his communicator saying, "All units, be advised. Hostile forces are two minutes out from your location." SG took a second look at the enemy column and noticed there were light-assault vehicles accompanying the battle tanks from behind. "Artillery, are you in position?"

"We'll be ready in twenty seconds," replied a battery officer.

SG nodded while muttering impatiently, "Come on.. Come on!" The candy defenders looked like they were making a faster approach than anticipated. SG knew the golems could only work at their best pace, but he still wished for everything to be done instantly, especially when it was during the heat of battle.

After waiting for what seemed like the longest twenty seconds of his life, SG finally heard his communicator go off, "Our artillery is in position!"

SG barred his teeth in anticipation, "Fire at will!"

Loud, obnoxious booms were uttered as the cannons discharged. In a few seconds, the shells whistled in midair as they descended upon their targets. If this worked, the candy forces would have no choice but to retreat into the kingdom and the Fire Army would be one step closer to ultimate victory.

Sadly, the skirmish continued.

The shells never struck their targets as they vanished in sparks. It turned out the armored column Bubblegum deployed had advanced countermeasures to disrupt the warheads from detonating.

"No effect on target," a fire troop reported. "I repeat, no effect on target!"

SG widened his eyes, "They have shields too?! Dang it! We can't catch a break these days!"

His rant was interrupted when a soldier from the frontlines reported, "Sir, the enemy has stopped and are now deploying a smoke screen to conceal their positions. We are losing visual."

SG was puzzled, "Why would they do that?"

Suddenly, a large chorus of gunfire rattled the skies as bullets flew through the obscurity. The Fire Army rapidly sustained casualties as men were shot mainly through the head and shoulders. Screams and shouts of protest could be heard among the chaos, and many of them ducked within the trenches, clutching their heads. No one was able to fight back from being suppressed and many of them felt helpless.

SG lifted his communicator and shouted, "Get as many units as you can to switch into their flame shields now!"

"Copy, that relaying orders."

"General," another troop called. "Our men lack the proper weaponry to defend themselves. We will lose the outskirts without support. Orders, sir?!"

"Hold your positions and stay in cover," SG replied. "Do whatever you can to survive through any means necessary. That includes scavenging for enemy weapons and looking for any weaknesses. We're gonna get through this, just do NOT fall back!"

"Understood, sir."

As the transmission ended, SG called a different unit, "Get our golems to spread out and draw the enemy's main line of fire, but do not have them engage until my mark."

"Roger that."

SG thought, "Those tanks will move forward to get a better shot if I don't do something." Then he radioed, "All mortar teams, deploy smoke on my coordinates."

A sergeant responded, "Our friendlies are down there, sir!"

"Just do it!"

The ground trembled briefly for a few seconds until the rest of the battlefield was covered in a massive smoke cloud.

Afterward, SG received a call from one of the officers at the field, "All forces now have zero visibility on the ground. Please advise!"

"Get each squad from one platoon to perform a routine heat sense. If this works, they should be able to track the enemy's exact location on the move."

"Copy, running a thermal sweep." A few moments later, the officer reported, "Targets acquired."

SG nodded approvingly, "Good work. Now direct our golems to their new objectives." In his mind, he thought, "If we can't take them out from a distance, then we'll just have to get up close and personal!"

Each of the brutes were lead by an eight-man squad as they approached the enemy vehicles. Despite having an advantage, the flame troops had to move fast as they encountered bullets and ordinance traveling aimlessly in all directions. Some of them died during the maneuver, but overall they were slowly gaining the upper hand. As the golems reached their targets, they began to twirl the chained maces they wielded with one hand up high until they used the momentum to deliver a powerful smash. The tanks that were struck as a result were either disabled or destroyed instantly into a fiery wreck.

"General," a flame grunt radioed. "We're pushing them back!"

SG sighed in relief, "Excellent. Continue this course of action and then we can all call it a day." He turned over to Maddox, "We sure made it this far, haven't we?"

The major nodded, "Couldn't agree more. Although, it was your strategic expertise that contributed for the most part."

SG shook his head, "My strategies are only great if the execution is done right. The men should be given just as much credit if not more for their bravery."

"Of course." Maddox clasped his hands and started to leave, "Well, I think some nice chow is in order. Do you want anything, sir?"

SG lifted a hand, "No I'm good. I'll keep watch until the guys finish their mop up."

The subordinate shrugged, "Suit yourself." Then he waved, "I'll see you later ge-"

Before the elemental could turn away and finish, he was suddenly frozen in his tracks as he let out a strangled breath. SG's eyes widened in surprise as he saw a sword protruding through the major's stomach. As Maddox faltered, the blade was swiftly drawn out, making him fall to his knees slowly until he collapsed facedown. His body dissolved to ash shortly afterwards and SG narrowed his eyes in anger towards the assailant. What surprised him was the fact he was confronted by an elemental instead of a candy guard.

"A traitor," SG seethed questionably. "You do realize you've condemned yourself with treason."

"Order your troops to stand down, general," Rattleballs said as he pointed his sword with one hand.

SG growled, "I don't take orders from a coward who would sell out his kingdom nor a spy for that matter!" He padded his own chest, "And besides, I give the orders around here, not you! Guards, arrest this man!"

Twelve men arrived on scene, pointing swords at the lone assassin.

"Sergeant, secure the traitor and have him imprisoned for immediate questioning," SG said. He frowned when the group remained motionless, "That's a simple order, sergeant!"

"There's been a change of plans," RB said as the guards collectively aimed their weapons toward their superior. Seconds later, their appearances changed into gumball sentries as they deactivated their holographic disguises.

SG shouted indignantly as he slowly walked backwards, "You fools! Do you think killing me will stop this invasion?!"

"In time," RB answered as he moved forward with his group. "Perhaps your death will be enough for your sister to consider a truce."

SG retorted, "You are sorely mistaken then!" His flames intensified as he conjured a sword from his right hand, "This isn't the first time I've been outnumbered in a fight, and it sure as the Night-O-sphere won't be the last! I'll take you all on!"

The sentries quickly surrounded the elemental in a crouching stance as SG lifted his sword defensively. His eyes darted left and right, waiting for one of them to lunge forward and make the first move. After a long minute, two sentries engaged him in combat.

SG blocked initially as the two guards swung their swords once with light attacks. After that, they strafed sideways and arched themselves forward for another strike.

The elemental waited anxiously as he stared at their movements. When he realized they weren't attacking anytime soon, he decided to press forward and deliver his own strikes using heavy swings. None of his attacks connected however, as the droids dodged them gracefully with ease. Their movements were blurry as they leaned backwards and sideways from each swing. Sometimes, they would duck and weave as the general alternated blows and discover he would lose energy the more he became frustrated.

After two straight minutes, the elemental began to drag in his movements. His chest heaved and his shoulders became heavy. When the guards noticed, they sprung back into action and made swift-based slashes towards his upper body. SG's adrenaline was triggered by instinct as he blocked most of their attacks, but realized his defenses faltered when he sustained minor cuts across his chest. Fortunately for the elemental, the armor he wore took most of the impact before the blade could cause serious injury.

The droids backed away into defensive stances as they waited for SG to attack. When he examined the magma blood that stained his left hand from covering one wound, he barred his teeth in anger. "Curses!" He thought to himself. "I'm gonna be minced charcoal at the rate this is going! What would my sister do?" As he searched in his thoughts, Rattleballs stared pensively towards the elemental.

"Clear your mind of internal conflicts," Phoebe's voice resonated. "Meditate on the things that grant you peace and tranquility. Only then will you be able to find your enemies' weaknesses in battle."

SG looked down and closed his eyes briefly as he recalled the memory and took several deep breaths. His overall flames flared a couple times with each breath until they were eventually brought into a more, relaxed state.

RB was intrigued from the sudden display and thought, "Interesting, perhaps there is more to this soldier than I thought. But let's see how far his skills can take him." He mentally signaled the two droids to attack again.

SG opened his eyes and quickly deflected the next set of slashes. As he fought, he noticed his opponents left a slight opening every time they attempted a critical strike to the heart. When he gauged the timing for them to recover, he realized he needed to exercise patience and endurance by delivering methodical, light-based attacks. Slowly but surely, his adversaries sustained enough damage to the point where they dropped their defenses altogether and were blown into a burst of sparks.

Two more sentries joined the action as SG fought. Although they changed tactics by fighting him simultaneously, SG held his ground while remaining calm and collected. When he blocked both of their blades horizontally from a sword smash, he powered his flames to push back until the sentries were shoved. Taking the opportunity, SG made swift incisions across their bodies until they collapsed into several pieces.

The rest of the fight continued in the same fashion for fifteen minutes. As SG overpowered the third pair of duelists, Rattleballs decided to send the remaining droids in threes to overwhelm the elemental. However, each droid that SG defeated only gave him more strength and confidence. By the time he rested momentarily, only Rattleballs remained.

"Impressive," the guardian complimented.

SG panted with small blood streaks running down from his cheeks and forearms. "I refuse to give up," he simply stated.

RB replied, "It seems you have proven to be a formidable adversary than I expected. But you won't find me an easy opponent, elemental." He drew his sword and aligned it with his chest before twirling it downward.

SG muttered bitterly, "I can imagine."

The two circled each other as they planned their strategies. SG controlled his breathing to quell his anxiety, only to find that his hands still trembled. Rattleballs on the other hand stared without hesitation.

RB was the first to attack as he tried to slash downward diagonally to the left. SG blocked it in turn and drew his blade back to cut sideways to the right, only to have it blocked as well. Both duelists gauged each other's fighting style as they continuously used basic strikes until they broke away to recover.

After a quick break, SG moved forward and raised his sword up high to meet with RB's and clashed on the off-swing. They twirled and strafed against each other as they dodged each other's follow-up strikes. During the fight, SG threw a flurry of three alternate swings to force an opening in the droid's defense. All of them were blocked however, as RB absorbed chip damage with his robotic arms. Both were sustaining minor injuries overtime as they fought relelentlessly, but they were still driven to win. When RB noticed SG recovered slower than usual at one point, the droid arched himself forward and utilized his ultimate technique known as the Shadow Thrust. Luckily, SG dodged the deadly lunge by somersaulting right above it in the nick of time.

Their blades then met into a power struggle as the fight drew to a close. Unfortunately for SG, RB twirled the blade counter-clockwise until SG's right arm was knocked away to expose his side. Instead of being slashed with a follow-up, RB pushed him backwards with a front kick and raised both hands to smash with his blade. SG's right arm changed back to normal and he quickly grabbed RB's wrists to stop the strike. As the elemental struggled, the guardian conserved a small amount of strength until he delivered a final shove. The general was thrown backwards on the ground appearing helpless.

"Did you really think you could match my skill," Rattleballs asked as he pointed the blade in triumph.

Pheobe's brother kept his gaze focused on the droid while he kept his left hand hidden behind his back. He stared for a brief moment and contemplated deeply about his next move while his opponent awaited an answer. Finally, SG said, "Not if I cheat!"

A sharp cracking noise echoed the area as SG fired a plasma blast. He remained frozen in place as he observed the damage he inflicted on Rattleballs. A large smoldering hole could be seen on the center mass from the other side, and the droid collapsed backwards moments later.

With his rival reduced to a heap of sparks, the elemental exhaled a breath of relief. He laid down on the ground with his eyes closed until he heard several footsteps approach him.

"Brother," Phoebe exclaimed in distress as she rushed his side. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," he said grunting in pain. "The men took the outskirts though."

"That's wonderful, I knew I could count on you! Let's get you patched up first before you can tell us the rest."

SG nodded reluctantly as a team of medics carried him on a gurney. As he rested on his back, an overwhelming sense of fatigue flooded his body until he was drawn into a deep sleep.


Peppermint Butler walked through one of the main corridors in the Candy palace. As he moved past the guards, his mind was preoccupied with shame and resignation. When he finally met Bubblegum, he found her inside a security room with several monitors recording the footage from the recent battle. The mint sat on his knees, looked down and solemnly said, "Rattleballs has failed to liberate the outskirts, your majesty. Forgive me."

PB kept her back towards him and replied in a calm voice, "The penalty for failure is death, Peppermint Butler. But the failure was Rattleballs', not yours. You may rise."

The mint relaxed under his breath as he stood back up and asked, "Should we send for another droid assassin, princess?"

She faced him frowning, "No mere machine can stand against the might of the royal Flame family. I shall not make that same mistake again." Then she lifted her chin, "My protector, Finn the Human will take care of our young fiery friends."

An ominous figure stepped forward from the shadows, startling Peppermint.

PB ordered, "Find Phoebe and bring her to me. Alive, if possible."

"As you command, princess," he said emotionless.