Disclaimer: I don't own AT, too lazy to write anything else today.

Chapter 18: Tired and Scared

Simon POV

Man I woke up sore today. Betty sure showed me last night that she was indeed the one who wore the pants. Yet I couldn't be happier because of it. I always loved how strong of a person she is.

Quietly I got out of bed so not to wake her and got dressed. It was time to start the day and see what today had in store for me. Whatever it was, I'm sure it would be good.

I walked out and greeted many of the Kingdoms citizens to start the day. After I was done, I then went to check up on how the rebuilding if the Kingdom was going. Looking around at the reconstruction, I could see that things were moving at a steady pace.

"How long do you think it will be until the Kingdom is completely rebuilt," I asked one I the nearby construction workers.

"At this rate, I would say only a few days. With so many helpful hands and plenty of resources, things shouldn't take much longer," he said happily.

"Finn will be happy to hear such good news."

"I bet he will. No one has seen him yet today, so he must still be in his room getting prepared or is in the throne room preparing for today's work."

"Thanks for telling me. See you around," I said while leaving.

When I finally got to the throne room, I saw that Finn was already there sitting on the throne. He was sitting in what looked to be in a slumped position with his head down. I couldn't tell if he had fallen asleep, so I went up to him and lightly shook him to see if he would respond.

"Hello Simon," he said looking up at me with a blank look and an emotionless voice.

"Uh hello Finn," I said with a bit of concern in my tone. "I came to deliver some good news to you."

"I see. Well tell me about it."

"The good news is that it looks like the Kingdom will be completely rebuilt in just a few days. Isn't this great," I said hoping this would get him to smile a bit.

"That's great to hear Simon. It's good to know that soon things will be back to normal."

This was getting strange. Again he answered me without showing any emotions in his tone or face. I at least expected some form of happiness at the news that the Kingdom was almost completely rebuilt. What happened to him?

"What's wrong Finn? Why are you acting like some sort of zombie? You know I'm always here to talk to if you want."

"Nothing's wrong Simon. I am not angry with you if that's what you're worried about. So no need to worry about me."

"I'm not going to accept that answer Finn. I'm not leaving until you tell me why you are acting like this. Not talking about what's wrong is one of the biggest mistakes that a person can make. So talk to me Finn."

"Ok Simon, can you promise me this at least. That after I tell you what's wrong, you will leave me alone for a while. I'm just tired of talking to people and problems come up because of it."

"If that's what you want Finn, then I'll do it."

"Thank you. Well this all started when I starting talking to Cinnamon Bun. He told me about that letter you wrote to Flame Princess convincing her to help us. About how you were the reason she had decided to help me. Apparently he thought I told you to write it when he brought it up."

"I can explain Finn. That letter...

"No need to explain Simon," he said cutting me off. "I understand why you did what you did and accept it. So don't be worried about me being angry with you because I'm not."

"Then what are you Finn and why are you acting like this."

"I don't know Simon. I don't know what I feel right now. I guess nothing. Nothing is what I feel. I don't even know why I'm acting like this. I should be feeling something like anger or sorrow because of all of this, yet I just feel so... tired. So tired Simon. I just want to rest right now."

Not yet Finn, I need to know what exactly Cinnamon Bun told you. I need you to tell me the whole conversation."

"Sorry Simon, but I don't want to go into detail about the rest of it right now. We can talk more later."

"Ok Finn. And also, one last thing Finn."

"Yes Simon?"

"Just promise me you'll be ok."

"I will be Simon. I will be. I can take care of myself."

"See you later then Finn."

After that I walked out of the throne room and closed the door. I then told one of the nearby guards that Finn was in deep thought about the recent troubles and needed time to think alone. Silently he nodded his head telling me that he understood that no one was to be allowed in. This would keep people away from Finn while he was dealing with whatever was bothering him.

Outwardly Finn was indeed showing no emotions, but I could tell that something must be going on inwardly.

One thing I couldn't understand at all was why Cinnamon Bun would tell Finn about the letter. I made it clear in the letter that Finn didn't know about it and wasn't to be told about it. So why would he act like Finn knew. What was he thinking when he told Finn about the letter.

If only I knew what the whole conversation was about I could probably be able to find the root of the problem. But Finn wasn't ready to talk about it just yet and I couldn't push him too far less he never talked to me or anyone about what's going on. All I could do now was wait.

Finn POV

"Tired," I whispered. "So tired."

Cinnamon Bun POV

Trapped is what I am and I haven't been able to make any progress at breaking free. Things were only made worse with The Lich constantly taunting me for my failures and trying to goad me into letting him possess me. Since I was put down here a few days ago, that evil princess hadn't returned once and I couldn't tell when she would comeback. Suddenly the door opened to the secret lab.

"Speak of the devil," I said thinking it was Bubblegum. Only for it to turn out to be her right hand: Peppermint Butler.

"Hello old friend," he said with a genuine sense of friendship. "I've come to deliver you some food so you don't starve."

"And why are you doing this? Did Princess Bubblegum tell you to do this so that she can continue tormenting me."

"She has nothing to do with this. I'm doing this of my own choice."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked curiously.

"Because you don't deserve this and you don't deserve to die. I only wish there was more I could do for you."

Hearing that instantly sprang my hopes to life, maybe this was my way out. "There is something you can do; you can get me out of here."

"You know I can't do that. I can't disobey Princess Bubblegum like that."

"Why, because you think she's a noble ruler. Open your eyes Peppermint, she's evil. Do you know she's the one responsible for everything that has happened recently like the Goo Monsters attacks?"

"I know Cinnamon Bun, I already know."

"You know," I said as my hopes dropped. "Then why are you not leading me go. Why are you not letting me warn all the other kingdoms about all of this?"

"Because I'm afraid Cinnamon Bun, I'm afraid of what could happen should I betray her."

"Why are you afraid Peppermint? You do know that you can run away to Finn's Kingdom and not worry about Princess Bubblegum. So why not release me and we can both get the heck out of here."

"You really have no idea of what's going on out there do you. Well let me explain to you then, there is no getting out of this Kingdom for you or me or anyone Cinnamon Bun."

"And why is that," I asked worried.

"Because no one's been able to get out. When news first spread about Finns Kingdom, those who tried to leave weren't let out and were instead put into the candy dungeons. Those who did manage to escape were got and thrown in with them. Soon after when they were let out and we saw them again, we noticed that they had changed. They now acted like mindless obedient slaves and whenever someone asked them what happened, that person would disappear the next day only to reappear soon after acting like one of them. Now were all too afraid to even think about trying to escape or even ask too many questions. I'm sorry Cinnamon Bun, but I'm too afraid to help you."

"I may not know what's going on Peppermint Butler, but I do know that we can't just let her keep getting away with all this. So please let me go so that I can warn Finn and he will do something about all this."

"I can do it. I'm sorry, but I can't take that risk. I've got to go. See you around Cinnamon Bun."

"Wait," I yelled. But it was no use as he left and closed the door right behind him.

"What am I going to do now?"

"Release me, is what you're going to do."

"I said no Lich. I'm not going to trade one monster for another."

"And what good will it do you to remain trapped down here with no other means of escaping."

"Nothing, but it's still better then letting you wreak havoc on OOO again."

"You will release me from this dam prison," he screamed. "I will have my revenge on her for using me like this. Nobody makes a tool out of The Lich," he yelled in anger.

Princess Bubblegum POV

"I did as instructed Princess. The first part of the plan has been done," said a kneeling clone.

"Good," I said happily. "We can't have Finn be distracted by romance for when he retakes the mantle of Hero of OOO. You think he would have learned that romance serves nothing more than to distract people from ones responsibilities. Now to begin part 2 of the plan. Take this Cinnamon Bun 2, I said while giving him a small vial.

"What is it Princess."

"It's a more potent version of the poison Flame Princess took. This should eliminate that obstacle from the equation permanently."

"Uh huh and what do you want me to do with it."

"Do I really have to explain everything?" I yelled at him in annoyance. "I want you to make her take it. Put it in one of her drinks and give it to her. Since she trusts you, she most likely won't check to see if it's poisoned. Do you understand or do I need to explain it again."

"I understand. I'll do it without fail."

"You better not, if you know what's good for you. At that he let out a gulp signifying that he understood the consequences should he fail me."

And there you have it. What are your ideas at saving Flame Princesses life readers? Well look forward to the next update. Enjoy the reading.