The Fire Army was known to endure its losses in war. Despite sustaining upon hundreds of thousands of casualties, the elementals have always maintained a strong hold on the Grasslands. They were still able to launch a massive-scale invasion that could wipe out the Candy Kingdom without question. Tanks and modern infantrymen that were sent by Princess Bubblegum were just merely hindrances that would delay the kingdom's downfall. The elementals could recover with ease thanks to their superior numbers and proceed with limitless engagements until the Candy civilization faltered. They would achieve an imminent victory won by attrition.
However, a lone warrior changed the tide and the elementals lost everything.
The grand army was now scattered miles away across the far reaches of the Grasslands. Squads were wiped out, platoons were disorganized, and companies were decimated. Men could be seen dragging their weapons and feet as they trudged collectively. Most of them were fortunate for their enemy to allow them to escape or they would probably be dead as well. It was crazy as they thought more about it, six million elementals were brought to their knees from a single guy. They suffered a crushing defeat that would instill fear, intimidation, and humiliation among themselves till the end of days. The worst part, perhaps the end was closer than they expected.
The sun was setting was the elementals settled their campsites. No one made conversations with one another as they dropped their weapons and armor. Some of them ate while others slept early. All that mattered for the moment was to let the rest of the day end. The knights reasoned tomorrow would be a fresh start to gain their bearings, plan their next move, and regroup altogether.
Flambo was dazed as he recalled his close encounter with the Candy warrior. For a brief moment, the flambit felt death run up his spine. He may have been mingled with the retreating troops, but he knew his life could have easily been lost if fate allowed it. He picked up his phone and watched the recording as it showed Finn's rampage.
Suddenly, the video froze midway. The flambit frowned in confusion until the screen showed a caller id, followed by a loud ringtone. The troops surrounding him flinched from the sudden noise and glared collectively towards his direction. Flambo chuckled nervously, smiled apologetically, and isolated himself until he answered, "Uh, hey!"
"Hey, Flambo," Jake said. "I heard all kinds of explosions going off left and right! Did you guys manage to find Finn?" He was sitting on the sofa at his house.
The flambit stammered, "I-I don't know. See, all my sources have told me that Finn might have left with the refugees. The problem, however is that none of our guys were able to gain a positive sighting."
Jake frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Honestly, none of us were able to see Finn leave beforehand. We were just setting up shop at the Grasslands when the evacuation took place. I'd like to believe he left with Candy peeps and went on the down low just to keep them safe."
"You know what," Jake nodded. "I'd like to believe that too. But there's one problem.. Finn didn't say anything about leaving with them! He told me he was going to get as many people out as he could and that's that!"
"Easy, easy," Flambo comforted. "I had no idea, I'm just guessing!"
"Sorry, man," the dog said apologetically. "It's been crazy. I've been trying to call him but he hasn't answered his phone for a while. He tends to ignore everybody every now and then, but this seems more than usual."
"Hm," Flambo covered his chin in thought. "Any ideas?"
Jake rubbed the back of his neck, "I've got a bunch, none of them good though. Because this war has two of his former love interests pitted against each other, I can imagine that Finn might be doing something stupid. Or maybe he just ran away without telling me or anyone for that matter, I dunno. What I do know is that I'm his brother, and that it's my job to look after him from time to time!"
"Jake," Flambo began hesitantly. "There's, uh something you need to know."
"Go on."
"We've been kicked out of the Grasslands," the flambit answered. "The Candy princess sent out some kind of super soldier we cannot stop!"
Jake narrowed his eyes, "Did you get a good look at the guy?"
"I did," Flambo chuckled anxiously. "I even recorded him on video too."
"Can you send it to me?" Jake asked as his nerves began to surface.
"Sure, pal. Maybe you could help."
The call ended shortly after as Flambo sent the footage. A lingering silence settled for a few minutes until the phone rang again.
"So," Flambo began. "Think you've seen him before?"
"No," Jake said becoming upset. "But that jerk has the Finn sword! Argh, I should have known Peebles would do something like this! Glob-danggit!" He smashed a nearby table stand.
"..."
"I'm gonna make some calls," Jake said after composing himself. "And then I'm gonna get my brother back! You be sure I stay in the loop from here out, you feel me?"
"O-of course," the flambit stammered. "I'll call back as soon as I can!"
Jake immediately browsed through his contact's list as the call ended. After a few seconds, his thumb dialed Marceline. The phone rang for a long duration until it finally said, "You've reached the voicemail box of-"
"Marcy," the canine said urgently. "Finn's in danger! Head back over to my place as soon as you get this!" He hung up and took a few deep breaths. Then he leaned forward with his palms covering his face muttering, "Peebs, you psychopath!"
Meanwhile in the Fire Kingdom palace, Cinnamon Bun was holding a meeting with Furnius, Torcho, and a few generals.
"Our modern forces will be ready tomorrow for immediate deployment," Torcho announced. "And our latest reports inform we'll have mobile artillery the next following day." A smile formed on his face, "We'll be able to launch a salvo of rockets from a safe distance without having to compromise the safety of our soldiers."
"I'm sure the Supreme General will be pleased," CB commented. In his mind he thought, "And I hope this advancement in technology will be enough to level the playing field. Knowing Bonnibel, she's always inventing something more dangerous than the last." The pastry then cleared his throat before saying, "But we must act quickly, there's no telling how long we'll have until she decides to push on the counter-offensive."
"He's right," Furnius concurred. "We've lost too many men when we captured the outskirts. I mean the princess nearly rendered us vulnerable after her attempt to assassinate the council. Who's to say she won't try something like that again?"
Suddenly, a messenger entered the throne room and whispered to one of the generals. A frown formed on his face for the interruption until he heard everything essential. The general then spoke up, gaining everyone's attention, "Pardon the interruption, but I've got some bad news. Latest reports on the front indicate we have lost the outskirts."
The group began protesting in outrage and disbelief until Torcho called for order.
The general continued, "Our sources inform the main force has been routed to several regions of the Grasslands. Whatever the Candy Kingdom sent this time must have been serious."
CB asked, "What about the princess or her brother?"
He shook his head, "Communications are down. Their whereabouts are unknown at this time."
Torcho ordered, "Send out a team of messengers to find them. In the meantime, we must gather back our forces if we are to launch another offensive."
The general bowed before leaving, "Yes, sir."
As everyone else left, Flame King nodded to himself in the glass lantern he was imprisoned in. He sat down with his legs crossed and breathed deeply before entering a meditative state. The former monarch knew his search for his son and daughter would take awhile, but he was already dedicated to spend the whole night if that's what it took.
Phoebe groaned from her sleep as she woke up the next morning. Her body was sore, covered with bandages from her arms and sides. Most elementals in her position would still be rendered unconscious instead of having a quick recovery. She was initially grateful for possessing such a characteristic trait, but frowned in thought moments later.
"Why should it matter?" She asked bitterly with a groggy expression. "I'll probably end up dead anyway sooner or later." She was lying in sleeping bag surrounded by hundreds of other elementals who were still fast asleep. A campfire was set nearby in the center with its flames slowly fading. Moments later, they began to intensify again startling the princess.
"Having a defeatist attitude, daughter?" Her father chided.
Phoebe scowled, "Since when did you start caring about me?"
"I don't," he admitted bluntly. "But if you ever hope to see our people live through another day, then you need to suck it up and get back on your feet! Otherwise, you're better off sending yourself and ALL those men around you into a death march! At least it will be better for everyone to experience a swift end than to diminish throughout the days, years, or whenever it is."
She challenged, "So, what are you suggesting father? I've fought the enemy at my strongest and I have failed miserably!"
"You did not fight at your strongest," he spat with a shrewd expression. "You would have made short work of him if you unlocked your true potential."
Phoebe tilted her head, "Is that right? Well from what I recall, you and Ursula poisoned me and reduced my powers. I just know I never felt the same after that."
"Indeed, but you were still able to change into your giant form from what I've heard."
She lifted her head in mock realization, "So I just try that the next time I see him. Thanks, dad. I won't bother arguing how dumb that sounds, but sure I'll go with it!"
"Enough," FK said authoritatively. "That was just an example to emphasize my point. You still possess a power far greater than any elemental has hoped to dream of. The only problem is that you fail to embrace it!"
She narrowed her eyes, "What are you saying?"
"Meditate and find the balance within you," he instructed. "Only a true elemental could master their flames by controlling their personal struggles."
"I don't have any internal struggles," she said defensively. "And besides, how did I manage to beat you back then if that's the case." She casted a mocking expression.
"You don't need to convince me," FK said casually. "And unlike you, I have embraced myself with fact of who I am. I know all the faults and mistakes I have committed and I am ready to answer for them when the time comes. Besides, there was a reason why I left you in the woods because you have the potential to surpass me without struggle."
Phoebe frowned at the memory.
FK continued, "You are blessed, daughter. Everything I do would never match your strength as much as I hate to admit it. My reign is over and I have learned to accept it. But what infuriates me is that you have all this power at your disposal and you don't even know it! Instead, you let it waste away just like the rest of the army around you." He narrowed his eyes and said, "Heed my words, Phoebe. Time is running short, make a decision to bring our people to salvation.. or don't."
The campfire faded shortly after, leaving the princess to her thoughts.
