Disclaimer: I don't own AT, if I did then the all The Goo Monsters would not have been obliterated in 2 minutes

Chapter 21:New Plans and Deals

The Lich POV

"This pathetic pastry is an unworthy host for me. He is weak and possesses no true strength. Possessing someone else would be useless since their all unworthy. Only Finn would be worthy, but I don't have the power to fight him. The only other option is to regain my true form. I need to gain more power to regain my true form."

"Hmm what to do. My fountain of power is no more so I can't go there. Creating another would take too much time and I can't afford to wait. I must regain my full power soon. What can give me the power I seek then to give me back my true body."

Then it came to me in an instant. That item would give me more than enough power to give me back my original body.

"That item will work perfectly," I said smiling.

Princess Bubblegum POV

I was a bit desperate at this point. I was willing to admit that. Reclaiming The Lich would be a very hard task to accomplish and it seems I didn't have very many options. There was only one real option I could try at this point. One being with a powerful mind that could resist the Lich's mind control no matter how much power he put into it and thus capture him. I would need the aid of my failed heir.

"Goliad," I said to myself. "You may have the chance to redeem yourself in my eyes and to obtain your freedom."

Goliad POV

Again this battle repeats itself. Another day has gone by with me locked in mental combat with Stormo. How long I have been doing this has been lost to me. All I know is that neither of us were ever going to give up this fight.

"Why not just stop this pointless fighting Stormo," I said hoping he would finally listen to reason. "We shouldn't be fighting. We should be using out great power to bring order and stability to OOO."

"Ruling through raw power is not the way to be a true leader. It causes nothing but war and destruction in the end as people eventually rise up to fight for their freedom. You are not a true leader and have no idea was real peace and prosperity is."

Gurr. When will you finally learn to see things as they really are," I shouted out in pure rage.

"I do see things for as they really are. It is you who gahh," he screamed out in agonizing pain.

I looked over to see that his left wing had just been blown off. Thanks to that he began to fall at a rapid rate until he hit the ground. I was about to make my escape right until something exploded right in front of my face. Looking down to where it came from, I saw none other than Princess Bubblegum holding what looked to be some sort of green ball shooting gun.

"I see I got your attention Goliad," she yelled at me. "I want to speak with you for a second."

"And why should I listen to you. What can you do to me?" I said mockingly.

"You really don't want to find out," she said in a way that actually scared me. "Besides I freed you from your eternal battle with Stormo. So you owe me."

"Hmm, alright then. I'll see what this is all about." I then flew down to where she was so that we could talk face to face. "So what do you want Mother,' I said with venom in my voice.

"Don't try to intimidate me Goliad," she said like she was the one in complete control of the situation.

"Her arrogance is truly outstanding," I thought.

"Sorry for that then," I said sarcastically. "I'll be more kind this time. What can I do to repay the favor of freeing me from the battle that you put me in, in the first place."

"Let's start by losing the attitude and getting down to what I need from you."

"And what would you need from me."

"Too go out and capture The Lich. In return, you will be granted your freedom and a nice little Kingdom full of every creature of OOO to rule over as you see fit."

"Interesting proposition you have there. I guess you either changed your views on how I rule or could care less about a kingdom that isn't yours. My guess is the latter."

"Enough fooling around Goliad. Will you do this or not."

"Why of course mother. This should be simple enough and I do enjoy the idea of having a place to rule of my own."

"Good to see that you could listen to reasoning. I don't know where The Lich is, so you will have to find him yourself. I trust you can do that."

"Of course I can."

"I'll be in my lab waiting for you when you. When you have captured The Lich, just bring him there to me."

"I will. See you when I get back with your little prize," I said as I flew off.

As I flew to wherever The Lich was, I couldn't help but let out one last thought about my dear mother.

"I was never corrupted mother. I am the real you, the you that doesn't hide behind false charms and lies. We're more alike than you are willing to admit. So in the end, are we really so different."

Stormo POV

"O-over-looked me. Th-think I'm de-dead. G-got to recover. G-got to w-warn F-Finn."

Finn POV

"Well here we are Finn," said Marceline as we dropped right into The Land of the Dead.

Looking around i saw that it still looked the same as ever. A completely dark looking place with a lot of per-Mushroom War stuff scattered everywhere. With the only source of light in this place being Deaths Castle. Even as we stepped into the castle it still all looked the same.

"Too bad death doesn't do any redecorating," Marceline said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'm not in the mood for any jokes right now," I said sternly. "This is serious Marceline."

"Sorry Finn. I just don't like seeing you like this."

"I understand that Marceline, but right now isn't the time to try and crack a few jokes, " I said right as we entered Death's garden.

"You sure have changed since the last time I saw you," said Death who was tending to his garden. "The years have not been kind to you though, so it's to be expected."

"Hello Death. I am here to speak with you about..."

"About saving Flame Princess," he finished for me. "I always know why someone comes to pay me a visit."

"Of course you do. So do I have to do another music battle in order to get you to save her life."

"Not this time, your Majesty. I have something else I'm going to need you to do."

"Name it. I'll do anything to save Flame Princess's life."

"So quick to agree. I like that. Back to more important matters though. What I need you to do Finn is something that you already done before."

"What is it," I said trying to get the conversation to go faster. I couldn't afford to waste time like this.

"So impatient. You needn't worry Finn. Your girlfriend won't die until I say so, so be patient."

Hearing that allowed me to settle down a bit.

"Like I was saying. What I need you to do is to stop The Lich."

"The Lich," I said icily. "So he has returned."

"Indeed he has."

"One thing I don't get is, why can't you deal with him yourself."

"Because Finn," answered Marceline. "He is deathless and thus death has no hold over him. Like how my father is deathless Finn."

"Very good Marceline. She is correct Finn. His state of being deathless is what makes him a very dangerous foe, even to someone like me. Thus, even I fear him and we can't have him destroying all life less he destroys my purpose for existing."

"So why do I have to deal with him again. It's not my problem he's back and I'm not The Hero of OOO anymore."

"You don't have to do this, but this is the only way you will be getting back Flame Princess. You have beaten him before and I trust you will be able to do so again. What I care about is you stopping The Lich. So will you do it."

"If this is the only way to save Flame Princess's life, then I will. I just need you to show me that she will be ok. Heal her right now or no deal," I said hoping I wasn't pushing it.

"Ah pushy aren't we. Very well Finn, but if you don't do as was agreed. Them I will take her back, so don't think you can cut it short."

"I understand. I'll do what we agreed on."

"Good. See you next time, hopefully that's when you're dead," he said as he hit me and Marceline with his red eye beams. With that we were teleported right back to The Fire Kingdom.

"We're back in The Fire Kingdom. Flame Princess," I shouted. Quickly I ran over to her to see if Death fulfilled his part of the bargain.

What I saw was that she was still lying on her bed unconscious. Yet I noticed that her pained expression was gone and that she was breathing normally. Seems he came through with what he said.

"Thank you Death," I whispered. "How long until she wakes up," I asked one of the medical flame people nearby.

"A few hours. It is best not to disturb her and let her get her rest."

Agreeing with him, I nodded my head in response. "I'll wait here until she wakes up."

"No time Finn," said Marceline

"Why is that," I asked angrily at being denied my desire to stay at Flame Princess's side for when she woke up.

"I just think I just found The Lich Finn," she said shaking. "Don't you feel that sudden burst dark energy Finn? It can only be him. We have to go see right now."

Concentrating, I to began to feel that familiar dark power. It had to be him like Marceline said.

"Yeah we do," I said jumping up.

Letting myself have one last look at Flame Princess before I left, I said "Please be awake when I get back."

With that I left hoping to end this quickly.

Ahh boy. I can tell you, James II really made me loose so much respect for the goo monsters. Sucks that they were all killed so easily and will never be a threat it seems. Oh well. I need some ideas on where to go now. Give me what you got readers.