There was a massive blast of white light, and pain. There was pain everywhere. That was all I could remember. Then, the pain was gone, and I felt free, and light, and happy.

I felt happy.

I waded through the whiteness for a while, not knowing if I was alive or dead. I felt at peace, and didn't care either way. Eventually, the white faded and molded into something more… touchable. I came to a field of beautiful green grass, with flowers of every color, even colors I'd never seen before, spread all over the place. The sky directly above me was as blue as the sea, with little white clouds moving scarcely through it. Off in the distance I could make out pines, but after that, it was just white. It looked like an unfinished painting, a break in the nothingness.

In the center of the field was a stone bench covered in ivy. Something inside told me to go there, to sit on it. I did as it said, sitting on the comfortable stone bench, feeling the breeze, smelling the sweet scent of the flowers, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight.

"You've done well, Fionna," a voice said next to me. Slowly, gradually, a familiar figure appeared before me.

"Did you know it would end up like this?" I asked, my eyes focused on the gentle sway of the flowers.

"No, but I knew that one day, my daughter would do what I could not. I'm so proud of you," Billy answered, his fingers crossed in his lap, his white hair and beard flowing with the breeze, like the flowers.

I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling totally at ease. This was so different from my dream. This was just… serenity. "Why didn't you ever tell me I was your daughter?"

He took a deep breath and sighed. "I didn't know how. My fate had been written already, and I didn't want you to face the tragedies I faced. I thought… it would be better, this way."

I closed my eyes and smiled. He hung his arm gently around my shoulders, holding me close to him. We sat there together, enjoying the never-ending sunlight, the constant, cool breeze, the gentle tickling of the grass that swayed at our ankles. I was at peace. I was content. I no longer felt hatred, or a need for revenge, or sadness or guilt or the need to protect or fight. I felt still.

Days went by like this, weeks, even. I couldn't tell. In this space that was just me and Billy, the sun never left, the breeze never stopped, the flowers never wilted and the grass never died. We didn't talk after that one conversation. We didn't need to. All that needed to be said was said, and I was okay with that.

"Fionna, your time has come. You need to go back now," he said, taking in a deep breath and slowly standing up. He held out a hand for me, lifting me from the bench, smiling at me.

"Go back where?" I asked, feeling only slightly confused.

He hugged me close to him, burying my face in his broad chest. "Home," he whispered. The wind picked up around us, and the clouds grew heavy. "I am so proud to call myself your father…" he said, pulling me away from him and looking over my face. "I am so proud to call you my daughter…"

Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks with joy and pride. "Dad…"

"Go now, Fionna. Go and be Aaa's true hero."

White light surrounded us, our landscape quickly fading away. Soon, Billy was engulfed by its warmth, his smiling face being the last thing I saw.

I felt like I was falling.

There was a repetitive beeping sound coming from somewhere. It was the first thing I noticed as the falling sensation wore off. The beeping, and that medical smell from the hospital. I felt heavy, and sore, and tired. There was a throbbing on my arm and in my ribs, but it was dull. I was dull. I felt slow and sluggish.

I heard voices, whispering voices around me. Everything still looked dark, but my eyes felt closed. Slowly, carefully, I opened them.

Bright! It was so bright! But familiar.

"She's waking up," someone said, their voice sounding fuzzy and muddled.

"Give her space, guys. Let her breathe," another voice rang, echoing slightly.

The figures that emerged from the brightness around me were blurry at best, but I had been here before. I knew what was happening, and I knew who they were. All of them.

I smiled as best I could, closing my eyes again and taking in a deep, shaky breath. "Hey guys… how's everyone doing?" I whispered. My throat didn't hurt like it did the last time I was here, just my chest. I was only sore in a few places, but then again, I hadn't tried to move yet.

"What's important is how you're feeling," Gumballs sweet, calming voice asked.

I had to think about it for a second, moving my muscles to gauge the pain. "Not bad… just bruised. Did we… did we win?" I asked, my voice sounding a little stronger than before. I opened my eyes again, my vision clearing up as well.

"You won, Fi," Marshalls voice said from the other side of me. I felt his cool hand on my forehead and saw his blurry face looking into mine. "You did it. You pierced his heart with that crazy dagger, just before he let that bomb off. There was this ridiculous blast of light and darkness, and the next thing we know, everything was back to normal. The portal closed, the blackness went away, and then there was you…"

I cleared my throat and tried to adjust my body. I felt like I'd been laying there forever. "So," I grunted, sitting up and rubbing my eyes, "How long was I out this time?"

"Two months' time has since gone by since you've gone to sleep," a small, childish, and familiar voice rang out. That… that couldn't be her… it didn't rhyme! And she was gone… wasn't she?

I looked around all of the faces that surrounded me. Gumball was to my right, smiling warmly at me, holding my bandaged hand. His face was wrapped in bandages, but he still looked as handsome as the day I met him. Finn was next to him, his harm in a sling, but his face bright and boyish as usual. Marceline and Bubblegum stood at the edge of the bed, holding hands, bandages on Bubblegum's face and wrapping Marceline's arm. To my left stood Cake, looking healthy with tears overflowing in her eyes, and Jake next to her, smiling big at me. Then there was Marshall, his hand on my back and his shirt hanging loosely and open, revealing the bandages around his torso. They all looked like mummies, so I couldn't imagine what I looked like.

A small, pale face framed in long, brown hair poked out between Marcy and Bubblegum, and the two of them moved aside so the small girl could stand in front of me, the biggest smile I'd ever seen engulfing her childish face, her white eyes shining.

"Oh glob, it is you!" I cried, tears forming in my eyes. "The invention worked! You're alive!"

"That I am, my friend. I've returned to this world." Her eyes stared off into space as usual, but I could feel her full focus on this dimension.

"But—but your voice… you're not talking in poetry!"

She giggled at my surprise. "No, I've no need for it now. Riddles and rhymes to pass the time are no need of mine. Though, sometimes, I cannot break the habit."

I couldn't help it. I burst into laughter, my ribs aching and pain shooting through my body at various points. She was alive! And she was free! And the Lich… he was dead! And everyone was okay, and Aaa was safe, and Billy…

Billy was proud of me.

I laughed and laughed and laughed, and soon, everyone was laughing with me. I felt light and free, despite all the pain that rocked through my body. Finally, in what felt like forever, everything was at peace. Everything had worked out.

I settled down and wiped the tears from my face, holding my burning ribs. The pain was becoming too much. I took deep breaths and relaxed, laying back on the pillow. "Wheeew, that was good. Glob, I'm tired, and sore!" I exclaimed, closing my eyes and smiling.

"We should probably let her rest, guys," Bubblegum said. "Let's go. We'll come visit tomorrow." Finn, Marcy and Jake all agreed with her, waving and calling out their goodbyes. I waved back with my good arm, watching Finn hold both of the girls close to him as Jake skipping along next to them.

Marshall leaned down to kiss me gently on the lips, stroking my face lightly with his thumb. "Get some rest, my little bunny girl." He pulled away, his fingers lingering on my cheek for a moment.

Then, Gumball leaned down to do the same, pushing my hair behind my ear. "I love you, Fionna," he said, smiling at me as he moved his lips away from mine. They both backed away, letting The Seeress come up to my side.

She looked down at my face, a smile permanently plastered there, brightening her pale features. "Sleep well, Fionna Pure Heart. For the both of you."

I nodded to her, my eyes growing heavy. Wait. "Hold on, both of you?" I asked, confused. "What do you mean?" Marshall and Gumball looked at her questioningly, too.

She just smiled, slightly more mischievous, slightly more giddy. "Oh, you didn't know?"

"Know what?" Marshall snapped, growing more anxious by the second.

She looked down and bit her lip, prolonging the agony. "Seven months more and a boy will be born, to the Candy Kingdom, a prince will be sworn."

My heart leaped and sank and leaped again as I listened, eyes wide and jaw hanging open. I looked to Marshall, then to Gumball. Marshalls face was stuck in an expression of surprise and disbelief. His eyes shifted back and forth in his lowered face as he thought rapidly about it. Gumball looked… excited. Beyond excited. His smile reached from ear to ear, and he brought his hands up to his chest, trying to hold in the surprise.

Gumball turned to me, his face bright and his eyes shining with hope and love.

"Fionna," he said, grabbing my hand in his. "You're pregnant!"

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I am so thankful for those of you who've stuck with me this whole time. I know I keep trying to end this story, but I just can't! As you can see, there will be a 5th part. I'm super excited to write it! It's not going to be epic and long like these, just a follow-up story of the royal trio in times of peace. Well, peace for the most part. Everyone's been asking for it, and with a few ideas thrown my way, I just can't help but write it. I can't wait!

A very special thanks goes out to those of you who've cheered me on and supported me throughout my stories. Your reviews on the day-to-day drive me to keep writing, and I can't thank you guys enough.

I'm going to start writing soon enough, so for those of you keeping up with me, keep an eye out! I love you guys! Enjoy!