Flanella

Act V: Inverted Page of Swords

"A person who is timid and cowardly. One who allows the opinions of others to interfere with their own ambition. He has a tendency to invade other people's privacy, and use their secrets to work ruin against them. He symbolizes the fear that causes plans to crumble."

–Tarot, Minor Arcana

Rather than helping the distressed human, Jake the Dog focused only on shoving as many pancakes into his maw as he could. Having a full mouth was the best excuse he had to keep his questions and theories regarding to Flanella's birth away from Finn. Not that the old dog could imply anything that would embarrass his little brother or force him to confess something that he didn't want to hear.

The truth of the matter, and perhaps it was time for the magical canine to accept it, was that his little hero had grown into a young man in the last few years. For all he knew, Finn could have already read every volume of his Jay. T. Dawgzone secret collection, and for every volume he meant every volume! And if that was the case —and he prayed Glob it wasn't— his human brother may have already expanded his horizons to the forbidden territories that neared the infamous tier number fifteen.

Jake swallowed the ten pancakes he had in his mouth at this unnerving thought, and pushed another ten in afterwards. The disgusted stares of Finn and Marceline didn't stop him from repeating the action every five minutes though. They hadn't touched their breakfast at all. Not even the vampire, who a while ago had admitted to be hungry, while Finn remained silent the entire time, consternated and confused.

It made the dog even more nervous to watch his friends lost in their own thoughts while he anxiously stuffed himself with everything on the table. Finn's attention was only centered on the baby that he had suddenly grown so attached to. Wasn't that enough to make Jake suspicious? Of course it was! What regrets could his bro be trying to redeem with his suddenly developed paternal instincts?

The dog smacked himself all of a sudden, as if his fist had acted by its own will.

Holy Grod, he felt like LSP, making insidious assumptions out of his brother's issues without the proper proofs. Feeding the pyres of suspicion to stoke up the fires of dirty gossiping, that was what he was doing! How stupid it had been of him to doubt of Finn's righteousness! His bro would never dare to touch a lady, not without his consent of course.

Better leave those thoughts out of the way… Jake thought, if Finn says he doesn't know how it happened then I must believe him!

"Finn," Marceline's stern voice broke the silence, invading Jake's pondering. "Are you sure you and Flame Princess never met in the last eight years? What I mean is… You two didn't have some sort of secret intimate meetings in the last months, did you?"

The old bulldog choked at the mention of the question he never dared to ask. Coughing like if his life depended on it (and it pretty much did), Jake punched his chest desperately, trying to get the stuck strawberry pancakes out of his throat. Marceline slammed his back then, forcing him to spit the ten chewed hotcakes on the floor.

"I am not cleaning that!" she shouted after saving the dog's life.

"Man, are you alright?"

A whole lot more concerned about the golden canine than the vampire, Finn passed him a glass of milk and patted his aching back to ease the coughing. Flanella watched everything with great attention and curiosity, never having experienced such a loud commotion before.

"Yeah… I think so…" Jake breathed, "Thanks for saving me from a one way ticket ride on the death bus, Marcy…"

"Don't even mention it. Didn't your mother tell you to eat only in small portions?"

"She might have suggested it once, yes…"

Rolling her eyes, the Vampire Queen turned to the young man. "You haven't answered my question yet."

Jake grew tense once again, his fur frizzing up.

"Get real, Marceline…" Finn sharply replied.

The look of sincere worry the hero had only moments ago, faded into one of deep affliction and irritation.

"Cinnamon Bun was extremely clear when he told me to stay away from FP, and she was serious about it as well. Besides… Even if we had wanted to, her elemental matrix would have made it impossible, remember?"

Marceline had certainly touched a quite sensitive subject for the human, but even if it was like pushing a finger in the most painful and old of his emotional wounds, the question had to be asked to discard any loose possibilities. For the stretchy dog it was like music to his ears, although the "Even if we had wanted to…" part implied something that he chose to ignore for now.

"It's no use!" Finn abandoned his chair, a frown still marking his features. "Leave it guys, I'll just wait for FP's return…"

"As you wish…" came the queen's earnest reply.

The baby in his arms let out a soft whimper. Even for an infant, it wasn't hard to sense that something was wrong with those closest to her, and the scowl that seized the face of the man she now thought of as "daddy" could only make her grow uneasy. Finn noticed the fear in the child's eyes and forced himself to get over his own discomfort to soothe Flanella's. None of this could ever be her fault, although she was indeed the cause of the hero's distress.

"Hush now, I ain't mad at you…" He whispered gently, lifting her up to make her look down at him, "How could I get mad at you, when you're the cutest little thing that has ever happened to me!"

The young man began to spin around the kitchen, waving the baby in the air as the two giggled at each other's faces. Finn's usual happy-go-lucky mood was slowly coming back to him. Jake watched them with a wide grin and even the Vampire Queen had trouble to keep her own sweet smile hidden.

A knock on the door silenced the cheer in the room.

Surprised, the tree adults gazed at each other, hoping someone would know who the unexpected visitor was. It couldn't be Flame Princess, and Finn was pretty sure of that. Perhaps the Ice King, or maybe Princess Bubblegum? Since he was already on his feet, the human went downstairs to finally find out who was at the door.

A smile was drawn upon his face at the moment he eyed the curious character before him.

"Root Beer Guy! How's life goin', officer?"

"Oh it's going great, Mr. Finn. Not to be rude, but this isn't a friendly visit." He apologized, "I'm on a case. Do you mind if I ask you and your brother a few questions?"

"Yeah, I mean no!" Flanella was slipping out of his arms and he managed to catch her before she fell, "Um… C-come in."

The Captain motioned for Finn to lean down so that he could get a better glance of the girl in his embrace.

"Hi there cute baby! Is she yours?"

"No… I mean yes! I mean no!" the young man blushed, embarrassed.

Root Beer Guy laughed at Finn's reaction. "Yeah, yeah. Confusing, isn't it? I felt just like you when Cherry and I had our first son two years ago!" he gave a friendly pat to the human, "Don't worry, soon you'll assimilate the whole thing!"

Finn sighed, choosing to let the officer believe whatever he wanted instead of trying to correct him again. The detective arrived to the kitchen in a few minutes, followed by the hero. Jake and Marceline stared expectantly at both.

"Good morning, Mr. Jake!" the candy person made a small gesture with his hat as he turned to face the Vampire Queen. "Ma'am?"

"What's up, RBG?" Jake inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"I'll go straight to the point, fellas. I was requested by Princess Bubblegum herself to ask you for your help. Apparently, someone has been sneaking into the princess' lab and has stolen something of great importance!"

"Surely this won't end up like the last time we used our detective skills, will it?"

"No, Mr. Jake. This time Miss LSP isn't involved in the case." The police officer assured.

"Then count me in!" the dog exclaimed, receiving a nod from Marceline. "Whacha say Finn? Wanna go chase down some thieves and throw them into jail like in the old days?"

Finn glanced at Flanella and then at his brother. "Nah… You two have fun. Somebody's gotta take care of Flanella after all."

"Ah c'mon, Finn! Take her with you! Nothing bad is gonna happen to her, it'll be fun!" Marceline insisted.

"I don't know…"

Jake stretched to the human's side, embracing his shoulders. "Dude, the Candy Kingdom is like a paradise for children! It's perfectly safe and she'll get to see new places, and enjoy the world! You can't keep her locked like FK did with her mother! I'm sure Flame Princess thinks the same!"

"Well…" Finn was still unsure, "Maybe a few hours won't be so bad…"

"Whoohoo! Detectives Finn & Jake are back in action, Captain!"

As Jake ran around the house, exclaiming how happy he was for getting the chance to shape-shift into detective stuff again, Marceline noticed that his human brother had vanished from view. With a chuckle, she turned her eyes upwards, to where the muffled giggles of the baby came from. Sighing, the vampire floated up the ladder and there in the bedroom, she found the young man, feeding the little girl.

Finn was lost in a trance, as if he could still feel Flame Princess' hands holding his as she explained him how to nurse her child. When her fiery presence irradiated his rosy cheeks, making him wish she would surround him with her arms, not for a moment but for a whole night, a whole lifetime.

Marceline remained at the threshold, watching them in silence. When it came to understand human emotions, no one else in Ooo could rival the vampire's perception. She was half-human, or at least she used to, before her encounter with the Vampire King. Nevertheless, it was clear that Flanella acted like a bond to Finn —perhaps the last one he had— with the princess of flames.

That the child had developed similar physical traits to his own increased the hero's need of listening to the truth, spoken straight from Flame Princess' lips. Otherwise the poor man would continue to aggravate himself, fantasizing with encounters that never happened and dreams that might never take flight. Did Flame Princess intended for something like this to happen? Why would her daughter share a resemblance with Finn if he had nothing to do with her conception?

For his sake, the undead queen sliced the silence, forcing the human out of his trance. "Say, if you love her so much, then what are you doing here?"

The confusion in Finn's eyes caused her to explain herself further.

"I'm talking about Flame Princess. What are you doing here, worrying about her to no end, when you could be fighting by her side?"

"I stayed because she asked me to do so." The young man whispered, "I must take care of Flanella."

Marceline crossed her arms. "The Finn I know would have gone after her anyways. What if she never comes back? Cinnamon Bun isn't there to save her anymore, and no matter how strong or powerful she is, the risk of dying is always a possibility."

"Are you suggesting that I should just leave Flanella here and rush to FP's side?" he replied, offended. "Marcy I can't—!"

"Let the wild rocker girl watch over the fire elemental baby! Doesn't that sound like a responsible idea? Look, the way I see things you can either; dash to battle, prove your sweetheart that you aren't a dweeb anymore, bring her home, swallow up the truth no matter how sweet or bitter it can be, and start a happy life… or you can just stay here, playing house like a nerd!"

The Vampire Queen smirked, "So what will it be?"

Finn shifted anxiously, pulling the now sleepy Flanella against his chest. No, he didn't want to leave her. The human felt that no one could foster the baby in the same way he did, that she shouldn't stay with anyone but him. It was a sense of belonging that had only been strengthened by the discovery of the similar traits they both shared. Even if he had no way to explain how, he felt that Flanella was his child.

Flame Princess had given her to him, trusting her daughter to the only person she considered reliable. Before departing to the west plains, she admitted that he was the only man she had ever loved. If that didn't mean that a part of her belonged to him now, then what could it mean?

It was Flanella, that part of herself, that extension of her persona. Mother and daughter had the same mischievous smile he couldn't live without, the same stare that cried out for the understanding that the world had denied them.

It was Finn's duty to be there for her, for the two of them; even when being with one meant being apart from the other. Their separation wouldn't last long; he would be the one to bring them together. He would fix that, which once was broken. Child of another or not, it didn't matter. He loved them both.

"If you swear you'll take absolute care of Flanella, maybe I could…"

"Have I ever failed you before, weenie?" Marceline walked over to him, gently cradling the baby in her arms. "Let me hold this burden for you. Go get your princess back!"

Finn sprung off his bed, his body trembling with a furor of emotions he could no longer contain. He trapped the vampire girl in a tight embrace. The eager beating of his mortal heart, pulsated against her inert dead one, as if it could bring life back to hers, even if it was for just a second.

"Alright, alright…" Marceline said, pushing him apart. "Save some love for your crush, you ding-dong!"

"Thank you, Marcy…" Finn uttered, in a tough struggle to keep his grateful tears from coming. "You truly are my best friend in the world!"

Before she could reply, her vampire eyes spotted an unusual sight by the window, behind the human. Every muscle in her body grew stiff, her instincts forcing her to transform. A silent creature was staring at them, its soft blue eyes perpetually fixed on the elemental child in her arms. Two long rabbit-like ears hung down its head, its feathers black as the darkest of nights.

Marceline managed to control the feral impulses stirring within her, although she couldn't avoid letting out a constant hissing and growling, while her bare fangs warned Finn of the intruder behind him. He turned to glance at the window, but all he glimpsed was the figure of a small crow. The bird shrieked and spread its wings to fly away, nothing out of the ordinary.

"What was that all about?" the human asked, surprised by his friend's strange behavior.

The young black-haired woman relaxed, placing a hand on her forehead.

"It's just… I thought I saw…" she groaned, "Never mind. It must be my lack of breakfast. I better get myself some red, and you better get out of here before Jake finds out about our plan!"

Convinced by Marceline's confident grin, Finn offered her a smile and climbed out the window, but not before running back to plant a kiss on Flanella's forehead. He was going to miss that tiny baby, however the Fire Kingdom was now waiting for him in the distance, holding the promise of his desired re-encounter with Flame Princess, the only girl who's kiss had been burned into his brain.

The Vampire Queen's grin faded as soon as the human left the room. She sent a worried glance to Flanella and then back to the window, wondering about the vision she had earlier.

"Could that be… Maja's Crabbit?"

x~x~x~x~x

The ever-growing expression of mistrust in her brother's features wasn't a good sign. Of course he wouldn't authorize her plan, not because it wasn't an efficient one, but because of the partner that she had chosen to carry out that mission. It was just a scouting expedition, if done with caution, there shouldn't be risks to fear. Flame Princess knew it and so did her brother, but letting her go solo with Torcho to the enemy's territory… No, he couldn't allow it.

"Hey, I know you don't like this at all…" his sister commented, "But Torcho is the only one who can take us to Furnius' hideout. I might even find out who his allies are, and how are they getting all that ice into the Fire Kingdom!"

To know what sort of traitors could line up with Furnius to attack their own king was one of the many mysteries the fiery general was dying to solve, yet it wasn't worth endangering his sister's life. Rubbing his chin deep in thought, her sibling exhaled one final question.

"And you must be the one to do it? Can't I send some other soldier, or go in your place? We can't jeopardize the life of our king like this!"

"The fastest way to get there is flying, and since it would be too easy spot a fire elemental whizzing across the sky, Jake 2 is our best option." The young king caressed her brother's hand, whispering. "We both know that wolf won't listen to anyone except for Cinnamon Bun …and me…"

The General sighed, slamming his hands on the table. "What if something goes wrong?"

Flame Princess smirked. "C'mon, I'm the strongest fire elemental ever born! Nothing's gonna happen to me!"

"I don't care! Your powers have been disabled in the past, what makes you think it won't happen again?"

"Nothing." She silently replied, "But I must go… and trust my life to Torcho… It's the only way."

Her sibling lowered his head, letting go of Flame Princess' hand. To continue arguing would be useless, no one could command her. She was the owner of her will, indomitable like wildfire.

Watching her depart on her giant fire wolf with Torcho filled the responsible old brother with anguish. If he couldn't keep an eye on his sister, someone else would have to do it. Hence, he freed Kokko —his fire hawk— and sent it into the ashen skies. Its duty would be to protect Flame Princess during her journey. If anything were to happen to her, Kokko's flares would let him know.

It didn't bother the young king to notice the iron colored bird flying above Jake 2. Instead, she smiled at the glimpse of the shiny feathers of its golden tail and wings. It let her know her brother was there to protect her.

Prince Torcho on the other hand seemed rather nervous, his distress growing because of Kokko's presence. The fire eagle was also known as the eye in the sky, a witness to all that happened in the world, every gesture of charity and every sin. Frustrated, the prince asked himself if that fiery hawk was the same one from the old legends. The spirit animal that served the members of the royal family or at least, those it considered worth of its care.

He gulped as he felt the sweat running down his forehead.

"First time traveling on a fire wolf?" Flame Princess' voice asked.

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry, Jake 2's flight isn't turbulent. You'll soon find that a fire wolf can be as graceful in the air as Kokko here!"

Torcho eyed the severe eagle in a shy manner. "I-is that Kokko th-the real deal?"

The female king turned to look at her cousin with a playful grin. "Maybe! Who knows?" she shrugged.

The fire prince couldn't help to feel judged by the bird. He grew anxious, uncomfortable. Why was this happening to him? If only there was a way to get rid of that hawk or at least keep it away from his business until it all was over.

And as if his prayers had been answered, a larger bird cut through the air, tackling Kokko with a swift movement. This one was black, with a long protuberant beak. The fiery eagle appeared seconds later, shrieking with fury at the crow-like creature flying ahead of him.

Flame Princess noticed the commotion as well, frowning with worry at her brother's familiar. She was about to order Jake 2 to ascend and stop the birds from attacking each other, but Torcho's hand fell on her shoulder, inducing her to change her mind.

"Let those animals be. We can't bother with trifles of the sort, c'mon! If we're still wandering around this area by sun set, the low temperatures will make us an easy target! We gotta hurry!"

The young woman sighed in resignation, forcing the flying wolf to speed up.

"I guess you are right, Torcho… You are right…"

Kokko and the black crow fought relentlessly, spinning and turning in a violent aerial combat with no end. Sadly for the royal firebird, as soon as the crow managed to drive him into a strange-looking cloud, its enemy morphed into a humanoid being. They were no longer in the deserted plains of the Fire Kingdom. In their struggle, the two birds had entered a new dimension, one that resembled an old wrecked mansion.

Noticing the sudden change of environment, Kokko attempted to escape, only to be crushed onto the ground by the giant fist of the dark being before him. Once his job was done, a pair of rabbit ears sprung out of its head and the creature let out a deep sigh.

"It's done, mistress… This part of the dirty job at least…"

"So, it seems the second card has finally come to play its role," a smirk slashed her lips open, "Under normal conditions, the Page wouldn't serve as a threat, but since it appeared in its inverted position, well… our poor Queen of Swords will soon experiment the taste of betrayal by the hand of her own Page!"

Her demented laughter filled the room, causing her servant to cover its ears in annoyance.

"B-but, mistress…" the crabbit creature warned, "What if the Knight—?"

"Shut it, you good-for-nothing-tweet! I know how to read my cards!"

She let her hand hover above the spread cards on her table, until she reached one that depicted the image of a brave young warrior heading to battle.

"Ah… the Knight of Swords is in its way… It's been a while since someone got this card in his reading…! It will be interesting to see how its presence affects the other cards in the spread…"

She leaned down to gaze upon her crystal ball. There, the image of an oblivious Finn, rushing at full speed towards the Fire Kingdom with a smile on his face could be seen with great clarity. The witch's features beamed a satisfied, sinister look. So much emotional resonance was brewing, heating up to reach its boiling point, the climax of it all!

Destiny was unfolding…

Author's Notes:

Thank you so much for all the support you've given to this story! It's great to know people are enjoying this! I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations, if not then, I'll see you soon with more!