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Part 4: Astral Plane

Prince Gumball POV

I continued pouring over my books on the UV rays effects on demon tissue and my reflective elements science notes to hopefully concoct this sunblock for Marshall. I continue writing down notes and smiled as I wrote the last ingredient on the list. "Yes, that should do it." I leaned back in my chair and stretched my back relishing in the popping of my neck. Even with the soft upholstery it was not the most comfortable position to hold while I studied. I looked at the list and knew it'd be easy once Fionna had the sunblock, the rest was easily found or buyable. I frown at the hard work Fionna would have to do to get the ancient lotion from the old ruins. I shake my head, it's Fionna, and she'd carry the whole of Candy Kingdom's citizens on her back to stop them from getting hurt. But why Marshall Lee was needed to attend the festivities was beyond myself. Could he not just "party" with her after sunset? A knock shook me from my thoughts, "Come in." I call

Peppermint Maid "Prince Gumball I know it's late but Fionna and Cake have come to talk to you?"

I glance out the window and see it IS dusk, I'd been pouring over my books for a few hours now. "Its fine, I knew they would be coming. A pot of tea and a light dinner please." I ask

"Of course, I'll send them in for the meantime." She nods

"Thank you." I smile, Fionna and Cake stroll in, both wearing interesting expressions. Fionna's face was flushed and she wore a pout. Cake on the other hand was mirthful and snickered as Fionna played with her bangs, a nervous quirk I'd come to recognize. Adorably so. I shook my head a little and gestured to my tea table, "Please sit."

"So what's the word PG, did you figure it out?" Fionna smiled

"I do believe I have the formula worked out. These ingredients along with the sun block should work as a sun-proof lotion for Marshall's demon skin." I explain handing the paper to Fionna. She looks over it with a grin, Cake looks over her shoulder and frowns.

"Fi-baby, how we gonna get bug milk? Marshall's the only one who really uses it. We used ours when we went to save him in the Nightosphere." Cake mentioned

Fionna frowned, "Oh fluff, you're right..." She scowled at the paper like it would cower and tell her the answer.

I chuckled, "Ah, fear not I'll get that one." I took the tray from Peppermint Maid and poured the tea.

"Awesome, what else do I need to know?" Fionna said with a startling amount of focus, usually she'd have tried at least one of the cookies or sandwiches by now. She had not even sipped her tea. "Gumball?" She asked

"Oh! Right, well to make sure the sunblock is effective you'll have to get a strong one, there is an indicator on the bottles, usually it says 'SPF 100' or something, the higher the number the more protected the wearer is. So the higher the SPF the better."

"Alright, what else?" Cake asked nibbling her cookie while Fionna wrote what I said on the page.

"Then we'll need the nectar of a golden star lily, a few drops of water from the mountain's crystal spring, and the feather of a black nightingale. All of which can be found on the Grasslands mountain spring." I point on the paper a small map I drew, "This is the spring, the lilies grow in the meadow around it, the nectar pours from them at midnight. When the Nightingales sing in the nearby trees. It is on the way to the ruins, so perhaps you should go there first?"

She wrote the notes and stuffed the paper into her backpack. "Algebraic! Thank you Gumball, C'mon Cake!" Fionna stood up and grabbed her sister from the cookies, she then leapt off of the balcony with Cake. Laughing as she landed on Cake's stretched body as they walked away. I shook my head and saw Fionna's tea untouched, I hated the thought of wasted Chamomile and raised the cup to my lips, before Cake's hiss stilled my hand;

"Dang baby, be careful with me, I ain't unbreakable like your man!"

I dropped the cup and stood up, looking out the window. There in the dusk was Fionna lightly pushing Cake and shooshing her as they walked toward the gates.

While blushing...

I backed away and sat at my tea table again. Fionna is doing all this for Marshall Lee, who is "her man"? I felt my hands curl and my eyes burned. Why? Why would she choose that... delinquent over me? I shook my head and looked at the tea spilled over, the red cup turned over and my frown deepened, since when did Marshall Lee care for Fionna? How could they be together she is only 17- er almost 18 and he is over a 1000- "Wait... how will they stay together? She's- Oh Glob." I stood up and called for Peppermint Maid while putting on my coat and the whistle to hail Lord Monochromicorn.

"Yes M'lord?" Peppermint Maid said

"I'm going out, please clean that mess up for me. Also go to my kitchen-laboratory and make sure there's still some bug-milk." I order

"Of course, however I know you used the last of the bug milk on the 'Thank you Scones' for Prince Mosquito." she bowed

"Ah yes, I'll be procuring more of that as well then." I stop and look at her as she cleans the tea. "One other thing..."

"Yes sir?"

"Get rid of those red cups, I think another color is more apropos."

"Any color in particular sire?"

I think of something less aggravating to look at "2 sets of dark blue with a gold trim... with tea pots as well." I nod, that should be a lovely gift for Fionna matching tea sets.

"Sounds lovely sir. I'll have them made post haste." She smiled knowingly, I only let my face darken a bit before blowing the whistle. "Be safe m'lord."

"I can't promise that..." I mutter as I mount Lord Monochromicorn, "Not for where I'm headed."

Marshall Lee POV

I strummed some random chords as I thought over what my present should be for Fi, "It's gotta be math, but still badass." I mutter, but what could she want? She's got treasure a plenty, and tons of weapons to boot. I even gave her a guitar last year so that wouldn't be special as a "boyfriend present" I felt my face crack a grin at "boyfriend" I couldn't help it, I snagged the girl of my dreams. I felt my fingers sweep over the strings letting a smoother sound go through the room and I started to sing;

Oh what more can I do?

Now that I've got all of you,

Not a thing I would not do

As long as I got my Bunny Blue.

Damn the whole world

Finally got my girl

Gonna give love a whirl

I've got forever to show

Bunny, never let me go

I stop and shake my head, "Glob I got cheesy." I mutter I set down my bass, "It'll sound better with an acoustic guitar..." I fly up to my room and look around my wall before I see the guitar. I grab it and then I see something shining on my wall. Among the monster head trophies and my instruments I see it hanging on a nail. I grab it, "Aw no way... I forgot about this!" I grin this'll be a good present for Fi. Now she just has to come home... I sigh. Gumbutt isn't going to keep getting in the way right? I've basically waited an eternity for her. And why couldn't I go with her? I hear a knock and I fly down quickly hoping Fi changed her mind. I stop before I get to the door seeing pink... great. Maybe I can slip out the back, I don't feel like dealing with this.

"Marshall Lee I know you are home." I hear him sigh

I click my tongue and open the door, "Oh it's you." I quote from 2 days ago on the roof. "What'd you want Bubblebutt?" I smirk as he huffs. His pony in the back sitting. That's like the one cool thing PG's got. A dark ass unicorn.

"You're rudeness aside Marshall Lee I came to discuss something that's... worrisome to me."

"What? How much sugar you should stick in your britches? Or how many cinnamon sticks are up your ass?" I snark, I wasn't in the mood for this.

"No, what I'm worried about is you corrupting Fionna, she's a hero to everyone. And you, well are not." He stood tall and I decided to stop floating and show him how much taller I was than him. I loomed over him a few inches and looked down.

"You know what Prince Pompous? You're right, I'm no hero; but yours isn't here to protect you. So where do you get the gumdrops to crash into my pad and gimme your holier-than-thou spiel?!" I hiss

"Marshall, she is a pure, wonderful girl. A human girl especially."

"And?" I huff

He started to look saddened but then looked at me and whispered, "How can you be with her Marshall? She'll leave you."

"She won't." I shook my head, I shoved Gumball back, "Know your place man, she's mine and I'm hers."

"HOW COULD YOU BE TOGETHER IF SHE'S MORTAL? WILL YOU KILL OFF THE LAST TRUE INNOCENCE ON EARTH?" He shouted pushing me back

"YOU'RE OVER-STEPPING IT GUMWAD! YOU'RE JUST AS UNDYING, YOU THINK SHE'LL GO OFF WITH YOU?! YOU'RE NOT PERFECT BUBS!" I roar

"I don't have to be. While I'm not aging, I'm not deathless like you; I can die! I can make a family with her, and die with her!" He spat

I grabbed his collar and pulled back my hand ready to kill him. I wanted to... but

.

.

.

He's right.

She can die.

She will die, and I'll be forced to live on.

I shove Gumball hard enough he falls of my porch into the moat, "Get out." I growl at him, "Before I make sure you do die." He looks at me and stops scowling.

His face softens before he croaks out, "Marshall..."

"Shut up." I say before walking to my door. I turn back to see him starting to get onto his horse. I stare at the doorknob in my hand, crushed in my palm I say loud enough for him to hear, "She doesn't have to die... but if she does, I'll find a way to follow." I stepped into my house after that and slammed the door shut. I slide down and see Schwabell come towards me. I click my tongue and he cuddles my hand before lying next to me. I pet him, but even his deep purring can't get my mind to shut up! I grip my hair, "Dammit... Gob dammit!" I hiss feeling my tears sting my eyes. "She doesn't have to die right?" I grit my teeth, "If she does I'll never forget her..." I felt a few tears fall down my cheeks before I stood up. I wiped my face and went upstairs to shower. I start it up and stand under the spray not moving for a while. I left the tears keep flowing as I thought of it... even if she never got tired of me, even if she stayed by my side, even if she promised me forever; she would age.

And die.

Or... I'd have to kill her. I'd have to take away her heartbeat, her family would soon die, and she would never feel the sun again...

Can I do that to her?

Would she even consider it?

I got out of the shower and changed into my grey tank top and some jeans. I laid on my bed hoping I could sleep this away but knew it'd never come. I sigh, life was so much easier when I didn't care. I sit up and touch my bite-marks, I knew I had a mark there but I couldn't see it. I grabbed my shoes and strapped my acoustic on my back. I pet Schwabell and left the cave. It was dark now, and I needed to get out of my head.

Fionna POV

I laid out my sleeping bag and giggled as Cake was still grouching. "Cake, you can't eat the Nightingale, we just needed its feather." I laughed

"Baby girl, you shouldn't try and stop my nature! I'm a hunter, a killer!" She booed

"You goof, you make dresses and drink catnip tea." I snort, "We kill monsters, not a sweet little bird."

"You're no fun…" She whined before curling up next to my sleeping bag with her blanket.

"And you're supposed to be the older sister?" I teased, "You're just being a goofy grump." I laughed as I started to tuck myself in.

She sat up and nudged me with her paws, "You're just in a good mood 'cause we got your boyfriend's sun-blocking ingredients!"

I grinned as I looked at the glowing bottle of nectar, the water and the feather in my pack, "Maybe, it just means I'll be that much closer to showing him the sun again Cake, without him hurting… He told me it's a slight sting even under his umbrella, that's gotta suck." I frown

"Oooh girl, you've got it bad for him don't you?" She smiled at me and I felt myself smile, but it felt a little forced

"Heh, yeah I guess-"

"Uh uh, I can see you're flipping on something, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine"

"Spill it girl." She sat up with her hands on her hips, I could see in her eyes she was willing to stay up and bug me about this.

"What's gonna happen to us Cake?" I ask

"Whatchu mean?"

"I mean, BMO's idea to nap and all was a good idea, but Marsh and I still live in different times. I adventure, helping everyone, and fight all day. He's confined inside until the sun goes down… then he's pranking and traveling; which sounds fun! But… what if I bore him?"

"What about you is boring?! We fought the Lich, twice! You've saved the world from being melted by calming down Flame Pri-er King, and you've helped save countless peeps. That's cray enough for anyone."

"I mean, I am kinda goodie-goodie, and Marshall's rad. He's a demon who can fly, transform, he even knows some fire magic! He's a musician and so cool… I'm kinda dorky."

"Honey, I saw the way he looks at you all day remember? It was the same way I catch myself looking when I think about Mochro… I love that stallion, and that demon boy's got all the supernatural hots for you. He looks at you like you're the sun."

"But it all feels so confusing! More than when Ice Queen was PG and it makes me waaaay more nervous than when I was with Flame King. " Cake got up and sat on my legs and patted my hand before she took off my hat and started to braid some of my hair.

"That's because you love him Fionna, he's not the crush you might've felt toward PG and he's not the awkward teenage-kiddie love you had with Flame King. He's older and mature at times, you're 18 now sweetie and I've never seen you give up. Would you really want to now, when you've barely started?" Cake asked looking up at me while she kept braiding.

"No… I don't give up." I grinned at Cake, "Thanks Cake, I just felt nervous."

"I understand baby, boys are difficult, and yours is a vampire! I bet he's more cray than-" Cake stopped and lifted up my new braid and her eyes grew huge.

"Cake?"

"What is Glob's name is on your neck?!" Cake screeched

I felt my eyes widen as I slapped my hand on my neck, Okay wait Fionna, you can save this; "What is it? Is it a bug?!"

"No, it's a mark." She squinted her eyes at me and I shrugged

"Probably a bruise? Or a scar?" I offer

"Nuh uh, that's a kiss mark! Fionna, did Marshall do that?"

"W-who else would?" I stutter feeling my face flush.

"Why'd he do it?"

"I uh I"

"Well?"

"Because I left one on his neck?" I smile sheepishly

"WHAT?!" She hollered, jumping up and grabbing my shoulders

"I wanted him to forgive me!" I confess, she stops shaking me and quirks her head

"Why'd he need to forgive you?"

"Marshall wanted to take me on a date, our first real date tonight. I said no."

"WHY?!"

"Because I wanted to get this sunblock for him." I explain, "I thought, with this I could invite him out and give it to him."

Cake sat down and smiled, "You're something else hun." She shuffled off to her blanket, "Next time you see him, don't try and plan it; just follow your melon-heart. It led you to him somehow." She yawned

"Thanks Cake." I smile before I lie back and watch the stars before I feel my eyes close.

…

..

.

I was being pulled out of my body, floating and swirling.

"Whoa, am I dreaming?" I try to pull on Cake's tail since she hates it and I just went through her, "heheh cool." I then started to float up and away without control, "Okaaaay then…" I look and see my body's heading toward the radio station. I drift through it and see Ms. Fox sleeping, "Aw cute."

"Excuse me?" I turn and see a dream Ms. Fox sitting on her chair with a book

"You can see me?"

"See you? If I couldn't then… wait what?"

"Eh, it's cool dude." I smile looking around

"Did you want something to drink? I think I have some water…" She started to get up but I felt my body being tugged up

"Oh, here I go. Bye!" I call back I kept moving upward, "She was nice, but she seemed lonely. There's more than just Mr. Goose out there…"

I hear booming music and see lights flashing around. "Oh Cloud Kingdom…" My body tugs over there and I see all the Cloud-peeps dancing and cheering, Ice Queen is there in a fur coat and zapping ice everywhere. "Ice Queen?" She's just zapping some ice, I shrug and smile, "Well she's getting out I guess."

"Yeah this party's okay, little loud I guess. Drinks are good though." She says to a cloud guy

"Mmm, yeah." He nods looking at his phone

"You should come to one of my parties, I know some cool people."

"Tch, like who?"

"Oh y'know, that girl Fionna…" She mutters

He looks up surprised, "You're friends with Fionna the human?"

"Yeeeah, she and I 'chill' out sometimes. Get it?"

I frown as I listen in, "So not cool…" I grunt, a cloud girl comes up asking for some ice and Ice Queen zaps some in his cup before turning back to the guy.

"So you like know Fionna? Is she seeing a guy? Oh dang she isn't here is she?" He said before looking around

"Hmph, I guess you're more into the 'younger, innocent' type." She huffs

"Hey Larry! I heard your Grandma's in charge of ice!" A cloud guy laughs with him.

"Uh oh." I see Ice Queen start glowing,

"You want ice? Here!" She shouts before zapping everyone. "Heh, you want ice? Oh wait, no uh: 'you just got iced.'" She grins before turning back, "Oh don't look at me like that Larry!" He and all the Cloud people start to fall through the ground and disappearing. She just looks around and sighs, "This party was weak anyway…" I feel myself floating around and frown at the sight.

"Poor Ice Queen..." I sigh, or poor Simone? Poor Simone I guess? Is it even sadder that she's hurting herself on purpose but not knowing it? I don't get it...

I hear a soft bit of music drift through and see Marshal Lee floating in the night strumming his guitar. His eyes closed and lips tilted in a frown. I try to hear what he starts to sing, but it's so quiet here that his voice rings out.

What can I do?
Time will unbind our memory glue
and I'll be as nobody-ish as all of you
so I won't care about a thing now

Like a trash bag when it's windy out
I don't have a real smile on my face
even pranking up the palace
Yeah, girl, it stinks

do-do-do-do-do-do-do

I kept going up despite wanting to go back to him again, even if he couldn't see me... It's so rare that Marshall sings like that, like he's breaking at the seams with a thousand years of pain spilling through the cracks in his heart...

"Sheesh, is this where creativity comes from? Pain?" I said aloud as I keep floating up, watching Marshall disappear in the clouds. Sadness isn't the only thing that binds us. I mean yeah, I was sad that night; I was messed with by Ice Queen... but Marshall made me happy again! I was happy when he didn't die either, him leaving would've...

"Killed me." I say aloud, "wait, 'time will unbind our memory glue' does he think I'll forget him? Or-" I stopped as I saw I was surrounded, "Whoa, space larbs?! Dang, Cake would love to be here, she'd be trying to get that super rare milk." I smile before they glow white and hit me with some beams.

I look around as see squishy guts and a round ball, inside a space larb opens it's eyes and starts to float out.

"Fi-onna" it coos

I feel my jaw drop, "Wooow, space birth." I drift through the mom and float over the larbs, "That was creative, and it wasn't sad... Is birth the ultimate creation?" Are we just trying to find a way to create something only falling short because birth is the top creative thing to do?

Something bumps me and I look down, "Oh hey baby, are you gonna give me a boost? The baby larb suddenly rockets us ahead before I'm thrown off, "Here comes Mars, hey! It's Gob and the crew."

"Starman, what is the situation?"

"Everything's been taken care of! We're ready to go!" A little Martian man yells before sitting in his seat.

"Gob, what do you think?"

"Everything's set, but Grod thinks we're hosed bro."

"What do you think Fionna the Human?"

"Whoa, you can see me?" I ask

"Of course, I'm Glob." He nods

"Oh yeah, hey do you ever say 'Oh my Glob!' at all?"

"No, but sometimes Gob does." he smiles as I laugh, "You're dreaming so far from home, what's wrong?"

"Well, if just being born is the ultimate form of creation; then what's the rest of our lives? Aren't we just going along, slowly atrophying until it's all over? Is sadness the only way we create after we're born?"

"Fionna, there is a force that binds the creation that is birth: it is love. All creatures remember pain, that's why it is so easily relatable. But understand this: while life is like a painting you need many colors to make a masterpeice; even dark ones. I love all my Martian people, so I protect them, just as you must protect your loved ones. Even if I will hurt, I will not regret anything I do to help them be happy. Do you understand?"

"I think so." I nod

"Then it is time for you to return." He touches my arm and I fall away from him, past the stars and the moon and fall into my body.

"OH MY BLOOD!" I yell

"What?! What is it baby?!" Cake yells

"Glob is right." I gasp, "Cake, let's go. I can't sit around like this!" I yell grabbing my stuff. I need to protect all that I love. And if Marshall was really up there last night then he really is hurting... I gotta finish this and see him; he's probably keeping his worries to himself again. I throw my pack on my back and grab my map to the ruins. I'm going back home as soon as I can.