"You've got some nerve bringing that man in here," a flame trooper said to Betty in disgust. "Those drones already had you two zeroed from the beginning, and by coming here you have placed all of us at risk!" His voice rose in anger.

"Cut them some slack," another intervened before Betty could answer. "They risked their lives trying to defeat our sworn enemy. They're heroes!"

"No they're not!" He shouted defiantly against the explosions that thundered ominously outside. "Have you forgotten that it was Ice King who started this war to begin with?! That he's murdered many of our friends and countrymen?"

"It was Bubblegum who ordered it," a third soldier cut in. Unlike the others, his helmet was marked with a V-shaped symbol which indicated he was an officer. "And I seem to recall he was tricked into doing so without knowing."

The first grunt looked back at Betty, "So what's your story then? Didn't you do the same thing to have him do whatever you wanted?"

"I gave him a choice," Betty retorted with steel gaze. "He was well aware of the situation that stemmed between you and the Candy princess. He knew it would be a gamble to clear his name in the heat of battle and yet he chose to fight! He may be gullible, he may be a fool, but he his not a man without conscience!" She adjusted her stance to be in front of Ice King defensively, "And because of that, now his life's in danger!" Her voice nearly cracked as she made that statement. At the same time, her eyes became watery, but not a single tear escaped her cheeks. She wanted to let her emotions run loose in that moment, but right now she needed to keep a fierce gaze and be strong for herself and Simon especially.

"You know what," the grunt argued, "I don't care what he means to you or anyone else. This whole place could easily go up any second and none of this will freaking matter!" He then leveled his rifle and turned off the safety. "But before that happens, I'm going to make sure that he pays for what he's done. Whether or not you decide to move out of the way makes no difference to me."

"Stand down, private!" The officer intervened as he stood between the two. "They're not the real enemy!"

"This piece of work's taken everything from me," the subordinate seethed with hatred in his eyes, "Everything!" His grip tightened on his weapon, "He deserves to die!"

"Private," the superior said in a calm and serious tone, "Lower your weapon and place it on the deck before you do something irrational."

The grunt starred back in defiance remaining rigid.

"Sergeant Adams," the officer said out loud, while keeping his gaze on the subordinate. "If Private Jacobs fails to comply in the next five seconds, you are to shoot him dead immediately on sight!" He then scowled, "What's it gonna be?"

Jacobs shifted his gaze rapidly as he realized more guns were pointed in his direction. Even the ones who seemed like they condoned his actions earlier glanced at him with reluctance, subtly shaking their heads. Finally he relaxed his posture and said, "You know what, that's fine! I'll stand down." He lowered his gun and stepped backwards a little. "He's probably gonna end up dead anyway," he muttered as he was taken away.

"Miss," the officer addressed to Betty as the conflict subsided. "On behalf of my men, I apologize for the poor misconduct."

Betty kept a hardened expression, unsure of what to say.

"My people have a tendency to develop anti-sentiments towards their opposite elements," he explained. "Especially with people who use or exercise said element."

"So what will you do with us?" Betty asked cautiously.

"Nothing," the elemental simply replied. "The fact that you two intervened ended up saving the lives of these men and many others, when in reality we should all be dead." He frowned, "Besides, if there is anything history has taught me, it's bad karma to slay their own rescuers."

"I'm glad to hear that," Betty said evenly. "But you're not going to help me?"

"Truth be told, we don't have the proper medical supplies to treat your friend," he said solemnly. "We'd be doing him more harm than good, which is something I don't plan on doing. But mark my words, if you do anything from this point that jeopardizes the safety of my men, you will perish before you regret your choice."

"Fair enough," she curtly replied.

Time passed as the elementals left her alone. Betty sat down beside a frozen Ice King with her knees curled to her chest and waited anxiously as the bombardment continued relentlessly over the surface. Every now and then, the human would conjure more ice to maintain IK's cryogenic status, but she knew sooner or later she would have to leave and find help. After renewing his capsule for the third time, she folded her arms on her knees and took a brief nap despite the obnoxious explosions.

The next morning, Betty found herself being nudged awake. Her eyes creaked open to reveal they were bloodshot and her legs and back ached as she slowly stood up. "What is it?" She asked groggily as she tried to readjust her glasses.

"There's someone who wants to talk with you," the elemental replied. "Would you please follow me?" Judging by his features and overall body, the trooper looked like he was at least eighteen. Whether he volunteered or was conscripted, Betty couldn't really tell.

Betty glanced at Ice King one more time before she left, mentally promising him that she would return soon. She followed the elemental without making a conversation and then discovered a group of elementals awaiting her arrival. The one who stood in the center of the group turned out to be the officer from yesterday, whom she quickly recognized.

"You're here!" The ranked elemental exclaimed.

"Mind telling what this is about?" Betty asked as she tried fighting off a headache.

"Our contact from the Fire Kingdom has heard much about you," he explained. "He says he might have a solution to help out your friend as well as all of us altogether."

"Really?" Betty blinked as she perked up over the news. "What does he have to say?"

"I believe he wanted to tell you directly," the elemental said as he stepped aside. Once he did, Betty saw a lantern set on top of a short table projecting the face of an elemental who looked like he was burly man in his forties.

"Greetings, Slayer of Bella Noche," Flame King spoke. "I have a very important task for you."