Flanella
Act X: The Eagle
"The eagle represents a highly evolved face of one self, who has transcended its tribulations and flies high into the sky, like the mythological phoenix rising out of its ashes. It represents a state of grace, achieved through hard work, understanding, and a completion of the tests required to achieve personal power."
–Animals, Symbols of the Tarot
According to the ancient mythology passed down by our family, before the birth of our kingdom, the Endless Ocean covered most the lands in Ooo, even the fire ones, along with the Infinite Sky up above. Nothing but a lofty mountain stood firmly amongst that vastness. Its summit was the home of the Solar Kingdom, ruled by King Sol, at the beginning of the Old Era.
The inhabitants of the Solar Kingdom gladly shared their territory with the Sky tribe, wandering sorcerers who stopped by at the end of the harvesting season every year, in search of a place to rest before resuming their traveling. It was during one of those visits that King Sol met Kaja, the only member of the Sky tribe born without any magical attributes. Kaja however, was the sister of one of the greatest enchantresses of her time. But little did she know that her sister had grown envious of her relationship with King Sol.
With every month that passed, Kaja's older sister let her soul be slowly corrupted by jealousy and anger. She couldn't understand why King Sol had fallen in love with such a powerless girl, instead of setting his eyes on her, a master of wizardry. The enchantress' resentment blinded her. It impeded her from ever noticing that the hero of the Solar Kingdom, a young lad called Kokko, had feelings for her —feelings that existed before she became obsessed with King Sol, when she was humble and kind.
With the arrival of a new year, and the end of another harvesting season, King Sol married Kaja. Her sister never forgave her after that. She abandoned the Sky tribe, swearing to return one day, thirsty for revenge. Many moons later, Kaja gave birth to a young prince. Half-sun being and half-humanoid, that little boy became the first fire elemental to ever exist. He was the first of our race.
This event didn't go unnoticed by her wicked sister, who had found the means to carry out her sinister plan. She turned her magic power to the dark and forbidden, losing the light within her. More as a witch than an enchantress, Kaja's corrupted sister stole the newborn baby from his mother and flew off to the edge of the mountain, threatening to toss the little prince into the Endless Ocean. King Sol fought desperately to put an end to the witch's revengeful actions, yet during the struggle, he lost balance and sank in the depths of the sea. His body still burned with the fervor of the sun, boiling the waters.
Young Kokko had been late to save the king, but he wouldn't fail to rescue his prince. The hero turned to the desperate mother for help, asking her to give him wings to fly. Kaja wasn't gifted with the ability to cast magic spells, yet her wish to save her son granted her the power she lacked. To her sister's amusement, Kaja's first inexperienced spell transformed Kokko into a bird. His iron armor made his body as resistant as that of the metallic element and his wings burned with the blaze of his solar nature.
The evil sorceress let go of the fiery child, prompting Kokko to dive into the evaporating ocean. For a moment it seemed both the baby and the hawk had been dissolved in the water, miraculously that wasn't case. Kokko emerged victorious. He returned the prince to his mother's embrace and then confronted the woman he once loved. Even if she weren't blinded by hate, she would never understand why the hero forgave her life and she would never know either. For the spell on Kokko couldn't be reversed.
Once defeated, Kaja along with the other members of the Sky tribe, condemned the weakened witch to an eternal curse. For all of her existence, she would have to wander the dry lands where the Endless Ocean once reigned —her magic powers bound to the limits of pure sentimental affection, which her hardened heart could no longer feel or contain.
That was the last time the name of the Sky Witch was heard in the Solar Kingdom. As for Kokko, the hero who was transformed into a firebird, he chose to remain at the side of the young prince and his descendants, protecting them for all eternity…
"You see now, Flanella?" Flame Princess smiled as she cradled her baby to sleep. "Kokko is still here with us, there's nothing to fear. You can dream of faraway lands, venture away from home… and whenever you feel lonely, just make a wish, and Kokko will bring you back to me…"
x~x~x~x~x
A Gumball Guardian made its way through the city, causing every house and every villager to hover briefly with each heavy foot that stomped the ground. It moved at a considerable speed, holding its hands cupped together as if carrying something within them. A cloaked figure traveled on the giant's shoulder, standing firmly as he pointed in direction to the Candy Palace.
When they arrived, the cloaked being jumped inside through a window and then asked the gigantic robot to hand over the mysterious load within its grasp. It was Marceline the Vampire Queen, who, although she seemed to be in better conditions than a few minutes ago, remained unconscious, and had yet to regain her strength. The hooded stranger thanked the Gumball Guardian and then ran swiftly down the stairs, heading towards Princess Bubblegum's laboratory.
The candy princess was still staring at her computer, just as distressed as the yellow bulldog next to her. The door was suddenly burst open, revealing the cloaked being with the defeated vampire in his arms behind it. Bubblegum recognized him despite of his hidden features and sprung to defend his identity.
"Everybody get out, NOW!" she yelled, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Feel free to pass by the royal kitchen and get some snacks and coffee! Thanks for your attention!"
A line of relieved banana guards began to flow through the door, all of them excited to finally rest and eat some breakfast. Jake was also moving with them at the end of the line. Sadly for him, Princess Bubblegum clutched his tail and pulled him back.
"Everyone but you, Jake!"
"But… the kitchen! Breakfast!" he groaned.
A glare from the princess was enough to quit his complaining. When the last banana guard closed the door, the hooded stranger stepped forward, presenting the unconscious Marceline in his arms.
"Sir Rattleballs, what's the meaning of this?" Bubblegum demanded, hurrying to the vampire's aid.
"I found her dying under sun, near the main road." He calmly explained, "I suppose something attacked her."
"Attacked her?"
"Oh Glob, no!" Jake cried.
He stretched toward Marceline and began to pat her cheeks, trying to induce her back to consciousness. The fact that Flanella wasn't with her worried him gravely. Finally, after a few slaps, the vampire emitted a soft groan and stirred gently, opening her eyes.
"Where? What?" Marceline whispered as her senses slowly returned, "Ack, my head!"
She held her throbbing skull, sending a glance to her surroundings. Princess Bubblegum and Jake stared back at her in concern, while an unknown gumball machine kept her from stumbling onto the floor.
"Oh great, you guys are here! How's Flanella doing, huh? I bet that was a huge scare for her, poor thing…"
Bubblegum and Jake exchanged afflicted glances, and then the princess mustered enough courage to speak up. "Marcy… Flanella didn't come with you… Rattleballs found you only. There wasn't anybody else, right?"
Replying to his princess conflicted stare, Rattleballs nodded. "I patrolled the vicinity, there was nothing on sight that could seem suspicious. I'm sorry."
"What?!" Marceline forced the robot to let go of her. She moved around the lab, lifting her nose in search of Flanella's scent. No sign of the baby was found. She had lost her. "Oh no… He kidnaped Flanella for real!"
"Who?" Jake inquired with equal desperation, "Where's my bro's little girl?"
Marceline eyed the magical dog, glaring at Bubblegum afterwards. "I know who took her and I know where to find them! Give me something to veil my body from the sun and I'll be on my way!"
"Huh! Just like that?" Princess Bubblegum approached the vampire, laying her pink hands on her pale shoulders. "Listen, you're not going anywhere. Not in that condition at least. Tell us who attacked you and how to find them, we'll take care of the rest."
Marceline frowned and with an angry hiss, slapped Bubblegum's hands away from her. "You'll take care of this? You?! You couldn't even take care of the baby when we had her in here!" she threw her arm forward, pushing the candy princess back in a rough manner. "Stay out of my way, Bonnibel! You don't care about Flanella anyways!"
Princess Bubblegum caught Marceline's hand before she could leap off. She held it tightly, ordering the vampire to stay. "You are right." the princess said. "I haven't showed signs of actually caring for that baby, besides expressing my wish to analyze her DNA." She gulped nervously. "I must admit my pride impeded me to develop empathic feelings for her. Flame Princess and I aren't exactly close friends, and I doubt someday we might be."
Marceline arched an eyebrow, incredulous.
Bubblegum sighed, averting her eyes from Marceline's. "Even if I don't like Flame Princess that much, I should've, at the very least, respected Finn's will and feelings. Flanella was his responsibility and as his friends, she was ours too. Now the child is gone and it's all my fault. I was the one who manipulated you into leaving the security of the castle. Which means, it's my duty to find Flamella and bring her back safe and sound."
"Um, PB?" Jake coughed, "It's Flanella, not Flamella."
"Ahem! Yes, exactly!" the princess blushed. "As I was saying, I'm responsible for the kid's disappearance, so I must be the one to go out and find her. Tell me Marceline, who ambushed you?"
The vampire clenched her teeth, releasing a hiss. "Maja's Crabbit!"
Bubblegum's determined features quickly faded into a troubled frown. "What? What would Maja want with Flame Princess' child?"
"Who's this Maja?" Jake asked, raising a hand. "And what's a cab-…carrit… crappy?
Ignoring the dog's questions, Marceline crossed her arms and replied. "Beats me, but it can't be good! Listen, if you're gonna do something about it, you better do it right away! 'Cause I'm gonna search for Flanella in this instant!"
"So, you think that old witch hasn't changed her location since the last time we met?"
That statement forced Marceline to freeze in her steps. Princess Bubblegum chuckled as she approached her, "It's alright. I've tracked Maja the Sky Witch before, I'm sure I can do it again! What do you say, Marcy? Would you… accept my help and… my humble apologies?"
After tapping the candy floor with her boot and thinking it for a moment, the vampire relaxed her tensed muscles and nodded in agreement. "Fine, Bonnie. You're in…"
"Wait! What about me? What should I do?"
"I'm glad you asked, Jake!" Bubblegum smiled as she petted his head. "I need you to stay here and make sure the banana guard finish their job on cleaning the lab! More importantly though, check the inventory after it's done and call me if either the Candy Life formula or my special spoon have gone missing, is that clear?"
As Jake retreated with a lazy groan, Sir Rattleballs stepped in front of her and bowed briefly. "Should I accompany you and your friend on your rescue mission, Princess Bubblegum?"
The candy princess shook her head. "No, Rattleballs. I need you to stay here and watch after the Candy Kingdom in my absence."
"Very well, Highness."
"Excellent! Okay, Marceline… Let's go upstairs and gather some traveling gear!" Bubblegum raised a fist in determination, "Let's go save Flamella!"
"It's Flanella!" Marceline, Jake, and Sir Rattleballs corrected in unison.
"Yeah, what you guys said!"
x~x~x~x~x
Finn felt the sun rays warming his skin, however pleasant, it was a concerning sign. His flame shield must have started to weaken. There was no time to waste and so he sat up to find Jake 2, waiting for him. The young man smiled; with the wolf's help it would be easier to reach his next destination. Cinnamon Bun's lance lied on the ground, shining a vivid orange glow as its metallic surface reflected the dawning skies of fire.
Finn picked it up, letting his mind wander as he thought of the many battles in which the brave candy knight had fought with it. Cinnamon Bun wanted him to have it and wield it to defend Flame Princess. Perhaps the time had come to give the noble weapon the use it was forged for. Sighing, the hero passed the leather strap, in which the heavy lance was hooked, over his shoulders and adjusted it so that it fitted the size of his torso.
Finn regretted the action a second later, as the weight of the weapon made pressure against his injured chest. Over the dry blood that caked his torn shirt, new strings of the crimson liquid began to leak out of his wound. Yet, as long as he ignored the pain, it didn't matter to him. There were enough bandages in his back pact to treat his injuries later. So, after pressing his hand on his chest to ease the ache a little, Finn hopped onto Jake 2's neck and rode back to Flame Princess' brother's side.
The contents of the letter Cinnamon Bun wrote for him, he repeated them over and over again in his mind. Don't blame her… It's not her fault… Flame Princess wasn't fully aware of the decisions I had taken… She doesn't know the whole truth… It pained me to keep this as a secret from her, but I knew she wouldn't have accepted it in any other way… I did it, Finn. I'm the one you should complain about. I couldn't afford to ask you for permission… I could only hope you'd love Flanella as much as I do… Please, please watch over her. It doesn't matter if you do it in secret, or from a distance as long as you take care of her. Because you...
You are her true father…
"I know what I have to do." Finn whispered, as Jake 2 huffed and puffed at its top speed. "I must reach Flame Princess' side, no matter what! J2, I'm sorry, but once we return to the Flame General, you'll have to go on your own and take him to a doctor or somethin'…"
"I'll go back to the battlefield and I'll let myself get captured by the enemy!" the fire wolf heard the human gulp down, frightened. "With enough luck, if they don't kill me in the place… they might drag me to wherever they're holding FP prisoner. I know it's not a safe plan, but it's the only one I've got. The Fire Kingdom needs its king, and I need to tell her the truth."
"That way, if I die here, she'll know… She'll know there's something that still binds our lives together, something worth fighting for… Our little Flanella."
x~x~x~x~x
Flanella stirred in Crabbit's arms, taking some air before breaking into tears again. Where was she? It was such a strange and cold place, ruined and decayed.
It was dark, and she was scared. No one would come to comfort her; no one would keep her safe. Where were her mom and dad? Why did daddy Finn leave? Why suddenly everyone had abandoned her? She was weak and helpless, lost in a frightening place. Flanella shivered and cried louder, calling out for her mother, who would never come to rescue her.
"Maja this thing is making too much noise!" Crabbit groaned, "Can we kill it now?"
The witch remained unresponsive, staring deeply into her cauldron. As the smoke rose and the flames consumed the wood, bubbles burst and plopped back into the brew. Ominous shadows danced on the walls, and across her face. Kill it now? Kill the fiery child? Would it be that easy this time, would it be just as satisfactory? No. It would be a million times better if the mother were there to see it. To have the Flame King weeping and screaming, as her disgusting offspring drowned in the boiling waters, wouldn't that be more tasteful?
Isn't that what her sickening race deserves?
"Um, Maja?"
She smirked, setting her furious eyes on the baby elemental for the first time. The physic resonance coming from Flanella was strong and fresh with tears of love, sacrifice and suffering. Oh, what an exquisite bundle of emotions. And there were still so many more to trigger out of her and the people that surrounded her. If she played her cards correctly, Maja knew Flanella could grow to be the most important ingredient in her brew. The one that would grant her limitless power, the one that would let her seize victory and put an end to the cycle of the sun. Darkness would soon reign…
Crabbit gulped, sensing Maja's presence at a threatening distance. The witch looked down at the distressed baby, stroking her wet cheeks with her cold fingers. Chills ran down Flanella's spine, intensifying her incessant crying.
"So, that vampire tranch couldn't protect you, huh? Serves y'all well!" her evil features softened, "Oh, but don't cry. Don't blame me for what's going to happen to you. It was your mother the one who brought you into this world, and to me! Your pathetic little mind is still too young to understand that unlike other useless babies, you weren't born out of love. No, you were created to serve a shallow purpose. All your mother cares about is her precious kingdom… And to her you're nothing but one of the lies she wishes she'd never said to the world!"
Maja stopped caressing Flanella's cheek. She retracted her hand with a quick movement, opening a scrape on the baby's skin with her nails. "Don't worry, I'll end your meaningless existence when the right time comes! Can't you see I am your only savior? I will give your miserable life a better purpose!"
"T-then what am I supposed to do with her while your plans reach their climax, and we send her to him, eh?" Crabbit mumbled, "Put her in a cage with the other animals?"
"Yeah! And while you are at it, lock yourself in that room too! I don't want you, weenus, bothering me while I carry out the final preparations! Go! Disappear from my sight, now!"
"Jeez, Maja… You grow crazier by the day… I've been serving you for centuries and I still don't get what's all this junk about…" he stared at Flanella. The little girl was still wailing disconsolately. "What if this thing never shuts up? I don't think I'll stand it any longer!"
A blue zap fired at his feet forced him to close his beak. Maja glared at him then, raising her hand as it sparked with new energy beams. Crabbit got the message and dashed out, running through the door and flying into a hole on the ceiling. The witch sighed, lowering her threatening arm as she gripped her fingers into a fist. She turned to the window behind her. The sun was rising and its light could only make her sick.
"Haven't you understood it yet, Crabbit? I'm at war with the world, and every living soul in it! Love… joy… sorrow… fear… What use do those emotions have, when I can't feel any! Anger is all I know, and I will live like this…forever! Why can't others share my curse?!" A grin was curved on her lips and soon it grew into a raging laughter. "I will get my revenge… I will punish them all! When I regain my full power! I will make them live the way I live!"
"It will be my gift to the world that banished and betrayed me! No more pleasant emotions… just hate and anger until the end of time!"
And she continued to laugh, relentlessly.
x~x~x~x~x
Crabbit kicked the door open, causing the creatures in the room to shriek, roar, bark and caw. The dark hybrid ignored their cries and moved forward, taking short glances of the multiple cages before him. He had to put Flanella in one of them, but it seemed there wasn't space for her. And he couldn't afford to get the baby inside one with a dangerous creature, at least not if Maja wanted to keep her alive for the moment. What to do? He could eat one to leave an empty space for Flanella. Yes, that would be it!
Which of those exotic species would be his dinner? Crabbit thought as he passed his tongue along his beak. Some of the animals were meant to be traded or sold in exchange of illegal enchantments and potions. While others were just waiting to be sacrificed as payment, depending on the deals and rituals that Maja performed with certain demonic entities.
Crabbit scratched the back of his head. If he didn't choose wisely he would get in trouble with his mistress. Then he remembered, Maja didn't say anything about the firebird he just captured one day ago! In fact, it was probable that she hadn't even noticed its presence there.
"It's done then, you'll be my dinner!" Crabbit claimed, approaching Kokko's cage.
The royal hawk opened his eyes, sensing the danger, as it grew closer to him. Needless to say, Kokko became aware of Flanella's crying and saw her in Crabbit's arms. He anxiously flapped his wings, desperate to stretch them and leap in the little princess' rescue. The other animals let out a groan in response to the eagle's alarmed behavior. Crabbit, on the other hand, paid no attention to any of it and focused on soothing the rumblies in his stomach. He naively opened Kokko's cage, hoping the bird would stay in his place as he laid his fingers around his neck to twist it and break it.
Kokko however, had a duty with the Fire Kingdom's royal family, and as soon as an exit to freedom appeared before him, he took it. The eagle darted out right in front of Crabbit's eyes like a golden flash. In his confusion, the hybrid stood frozen in astonishment, watching how Kokko flew in circles above him. It would be hard to snatch Flanella away from him. There was no room for a fight in that chamber and any sign of an ongoing disturbance would surely alert the witch.
There was no choice, Kokko would have to leave Flanella behind and hope for the best as he returned to his master's side. The Flame General would know what to do after he reveals the baby's location to him. Nodding to himself, Kokko charged right into Crabbit, causing him to shrink down with a surprised gasp as he burst out through a lonely window, and sored across Maja's sky dimension.
A small golden feather fell gently upon Flanella's tearful cheeks, caressing her softly. It magically healed the scrape in her skin, and a mysterious sense of calm engulfed her as she gripped it in her tiny hands. Her crying subsided.
"Ah, dang it!" Crabbit cursed, staring at the broken glass in resignation. "Oh well, how much harm can that little birdie do? I'm sure the mistress won't even notice!" he chuckled nervously.
With that, he tossed Flanella into Kokko's empty cage and locked her in. Then he waltzed across the room and reached an old phonograph. Crabbit carefully dusted off the cobwebs covering it and bent over to reach a large disc.
"'Glenn Miller – In the Mood'," he read, chuckling at the artist's archaic name. With an expectant smile, he placed the disc on the phonograph and then held his hands together at the level of his chest. "Well, I certainly am in the mood for dancing!"
As he wound up the small lever on the side of the music player, Crabbit continued to speak to himself. "One day I'll be a great dancer and Maja will regret ever making fun of me! And it will be like: …" He changed his tone into a high girly pitch, in a poor attempt to fake the witch's voice.
"'Oh Crabbit, you shine like a star on the dance floor! Can you give me your autograph?' and I will be like: 'I don't know, Maja! You think you deserve it?' Humph!"
By this point the cheerful melody of a sax had filled the room, but it wasn't the sound of an invisible big band playing a jazzy swing what caught Flanella's curious attention. No, it was the sight of a self-fulfilled Crabbit, showing off his best fox-trot moves across the untidy chamber. She excitedly began to swing Kokko's feather to the rhythm, her fear and sadness forgotten, being as happy as she could be.
"Oh yeah, girl!" the hybrid exclaimed, in attendance of his new audience of one baby and a bunch of noisy animals. "Feel it!"
It could be that Crabbit wasn't that mean and evil after all. Perhaps he just was misunderstood? Only time would tell…
Author's Notes:
I apologize for the delay with this chapter, I had a long busy weekend and I'm afraid this and the next week, I'll be just as occupied because of college. Of course, this means it might take me more time to update. I'm sorry, but life comes first. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for your support!