Enjoy!

Nine-The Duel.

Finn watched the moon begin to set; it would soon be time to set out.

He looked over at Jake who was deep in sleep, his foot twitching every once in a while. He would have to wake him up soon; Flame Princess said she had to challenge her now-uncle at sunrise. It all had to do with ceremony and symbolism and all that, he had only half listened since he was too worried about everything. Not that he let that show of course, he was the ever smiling Finn the Hero; he couldn't let anything bother him.

But a few things did, like the fact that his girlfriend was about to go head to head with the man she once thought was her father out of revenge and wanting to set her kingdom free from his evil. Second was the fact that his barely out of a coma sister, Lady Rainicorn and Huntress Wizard were –at this exact moment- sneaking through the Fire Kingdom to release FP's blood brothers from the dungeons.

Princess Bubblegum had called them, sounding a bit hysterical, and warned them that if Beth over exerted herself she could break the mending on either her lung or side. This lead right into the third thing that bothered him: the fact that his weakened sister would have to wander the halls of the Flame Palace instead of just phasing through it all on Lady's back due to all the spell charms and such the Flame King had installed.

Fire elementals didn't appreciate wizards or random magical creatures doing whatever they liked in their turf, just like everyone else. He knew this because he had helped Flame Princess put a bunch of magic wards and so on around the home he made for her. So if Beth ran into any trouble or –worse- was captured it would be some very bad news; not that anyone really seemed to care, both FP and Flambo had commented on how good it was that someone was already working on releasing her brothers and Jake was mainly concerned about Lady Rainicorn. This was understandable, but…he didn't like he was the only one that was really worried.

Fourthly, Finn worried about how effective he could be as an adventurer with his new arm.

He looked at said appendage, and clicked his new claw-hand, PB had hastily made it for him so he wouldn't be left handicapped-she had already experimented with the idea of mind controlled artificial limbs a couple weeks back- and promised that she would make him a new arm at a later date. The arm moved when his brain told it to-and only from time to time hurt at the seams- and seemed pretty strong but he didn't know if it would be the same. He had thought about getting fake body parts before but now faced with the reality of it…he wasn't so sure.

He frowned and looked up at the sky again, he shouldn't be thinking like this right before everything, Flame Princess needed him and Jake to help keep the citizens out of the way and help Beth and Huntress with their plan. Part of the guys' original job had been to get her brothers-if they were indeed still alive- so the kingdom could see the entire, rightful royal house back in power.

Flame Princess had explained that she needed them to do that because she would be too busy fighting the Flame King and didn't want him trying to use them against her or just outright killing them for the sake of giving her fewer allies. He turned to look at Flame Princess, after everything had been planned out she had sat herself in the corner and begun to meditate so as to clear her mind and be one with her "inner fire" when she faced her uncle.

Flambo had curled himself at her feet and gone to sleep saying he'd wake everyone up when it was time to leave. The boys had tried to follow their example but while Jake had managed to go to a somewhat fitful sleep, Finn wasn't able to.

He just hoped everything would work out in the end.

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Ice King looked at himself in the rock candymirror in the bathroom of the Royal Infirmary; he rubbed at his new black eye. He frowned; he could barely get the eye open.

That's what you get when you help heroes Simon. That's what happens when you don't just…freeze them all…

The voice was otherworldly; it held the frosty bitterness of someone or something that had never known warmth, only the agelessness of the frost itself.

You helped that girl and what does she do? She attacks you and leaves you like this; without even a proper thank you. Ungrateful woman.

Ice King looked down at his crown; it was still tied to his beard and looked kind of lonely. He hadn't worn it a few days…was his beard always this light gray color?

"Yeah well…she was in a hurry; she had to go help Finn. And she did apologize."

You think she meant that? She is not of the ice and snow; none of these fools are. Why do you remain here and not place me on your head?

"I-I want to help, crazy stuff is about to happen and I want to help Marceline and Princess Bubblegum however I can."

Why?

"Well because they're my road dogs…my friends, I want to help Marceline."

The voice gave a laugh that was raspy and held an icy edge to it.

FRIENDS?! Simon…my dear, dear Ice King these people are not your friends. I am your only friend. These…children care nothing for you, not those humans, not your precious Marceline. Only me…and Princess Bubblegum.

Ice King blinked at that and frowned, "Hey, don't you be talking bad of Marceline, she's cool. And PB doesn't like me like that."

He paused a moment and looked at himself in the mirror for a sad moment before saying, "I don't really think she ever did, sure strung me along for a while though. Actually I think she and Marceline have something going on nowadays. It's actually kinda cute."

Nonsense Simon! Sweet Princess Bubblegum adores you, just like Betty did. We should capture her and take her back to the ice and snow…I'm sure she will show her love in private.

The voice had taken on an almost hypnotic note, the frigid thing doing its best to numb everything but its own reasoning.

Just place me back on your head dear…you have not made any ice or frost in a long while. You should fill this place with our blessed ice and snow and take the girl.

The ancient man unwound the bewitched headgear and looked at it, "But…she's not mine, Marceline likes her. If I took her…I'd be hurting Marceline and-"

FORGET ABOUT THAT HALF-BREED COLD FISH. She only extents what appears to be care because she wishes to use you. Now do as I command, Place. Me. On. Your. Head. And we will depart.

Ice King frowned, "I don't like how you're talking about Marceline…and what if I don't feel like taking Bubblegum huh?"

He could feel the metal become colder in his very hands.

SIMON-

"Simon are you alright in there? Who are you talking to?"

It was Marceline, she sounded worried. Concerned, Ice King opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom and looked at the woman's slightly frowning face.

He tried to smile reassuringly, "Oh hey, I'm okay. I was just talking to my crown." He pointed to said thing-which had suddenly grown silent-with his free hand.

Marceline frowned, 'Talking to his crown?' She thought in concern.

She had come down here to talk to Ice King-PB wanted some solo sleep time to charge for the day tomorrow and she knew the old man would be up-and had heard him talking in the bathroom. It sounded like someone was trying to get him to do something to the castle and its sugary monarch…and if it was the crown…

"How about you tie that bad boy back in your beard and you and I can talk instead."

"You actually want to talk to me?" His incredulous voice and expression broke her heart a little.

"Of course I do Simon; I love you-in a platonic way." She had to make that clear; Ice King was still Ice King.

Ice King smiled at that, it wasn't romantic love but he was fine with that. He quickly tied his beard around his crown and said, "Okay, but seriously babe you need to stop calling me that. What kind of dorky name is Simon anyway?"

Despite being saddened that he still didn't identify with his name Marceline laughed, even as she shook her head at being called "babe", "Just come on."

It was going to be a long night.

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Furnius cracked his eyes open a little at the sound of the dungeon door opening. He sat in a large glass holding cell that was made of the same material as the lamp his uncle had placed his dear daughter in. Confusion ran rampant through his mind, not only was it not the weekly feeding day but it was far too early for anyone to come into the dungeon.

The feeders only came in around noon and he could feel that sunrise was only a little ways away- that's what happens when you're the first borne of a house whose name meant "sun"- for a moment he thought it was his despicable uncle or one of his underlings, come to finally finish the job. His eyes darted over to his brother; Torcho was still asleep in his own cell.

But to Furnius' utter disbelief it was not his uncle but two females, wearing the telltale blue of flame shield to be exact. He was so surprised by these unexpected arrivals that he could not stay his forked tongue, "Whatsss thisss now? I am either sssaved or doomed."

One of the figures turned her head while the other closed the door, as she came closer Furnius was able to make a few details in the dim light. The woman wore a pale hood and had bright green eyes, familiar green eyes.

" I am doomed." Not his strongest joke but he had been in a dungeon for how long? He cut himself some slack.

The sorceress quirked her lips up.

"Long time, no sssee Huntresss. What bringsss you to the toasssty ssside of Ooo?" Better. That was better.

"Her." Came the nonchalant reply as the second figure walked up to his cell, he noted the dark-green?-hood over her head and the wisps of lightly colored hair that peeked through.

Her face was familiar but he could not place it, it was rather pretty though. He narrowed his eyes," Have we met?"

She gave a soft grin, "No. Bethilda Mertens-but you can call me Beth, nice to meet you. I see you have already met Huntress."

She paused a moment to eye her companion, Furnius concluded the sorceress had not said anything of them meeting before.

"We'll be breaking you out today." She continued softly, surprising brightness in her tone and actions.

The former crown prince of the Flame Kingdom stared at the women before him, "Why?"

It was Huntress who answered-Beth had crouched down and started working on picking the metal lock with some tools from her bag-he would never understand how they managed to have metal locks to a glass cell.

"Not too long from now Flame Princess is going to arrive and declare a Duel with the Flame King. It's our job to get you out of here before the fireworks start."

"Why would Flame Princessss declare war on her father? And who gave you thisss job?" He asked suspiciously, he was too weak to get himself and his brother out of a situation if this turned out to be a bad rescue.

-click-

The woman-Beth-rose and as she opened the door said, "Long story short turns out Flame Princess is actually your sister-not the Flame King's daughter- and she's coming to reclaim the throne and she's currently dating my brother Finn the Human; which is why we're here."

He stared at her for a single flabbergasted moment and then gave a low hiss, "You lie. My sssissster died the sssame night my mother and father did. Why would my uncle claim her asss hisss own?"

"Look, we don't have time for this, you will see soon enough. Now come on, we have to get your brother out too." The brightness was now subdued, tired frustration replacing it.

Furnius stared at her a moment and then said, "I would if I could, but it ssseemsss my dear uncle wasss ssso adamant about usss not leaving he chained usss to the wall."

To emphasize his point Furnius raised his left arm and rattled the chains of his manacles, they had not been visible before because they had been made of the same clear glass material as his cell was.

Again don't ask him how they managed to do that, for he did not know.

Beth gave a groan; they didn't have time for this. She turned to Huntress for a moment and the sorceress gave a sigh.

"I'll go get sleeping beauty over there, you finish with prince charming."

Despite everything Beth couldn't help but grin at Huntress' joke. As her companion went to the other cell Beth walked in and sat down near Furnius. She noticed how the guy tensed so she made sure to move slowly and then held out her hand to both silently ask for his and to show she meant no harm.

After eyeing her for a few moments he relented and gave her his left hand to work on first; that was his better hand. She gave a soft grin and set to work, they sat in silence for a few seconds before Furnius said, "You sssay Finn the Human isss your brother?"

"Yup."

He narrowed his eyes, "He'sss the one who got usss put in here; he interrupted our assssassssination plot on our uncle in a misssguided attempt to help the Flame King."

He got a hum in response, he frowned. "How do you know you are not alssso being misssguided?"

-click-

As the manacle snapped off Beth looked up at male fire elemental, "Look I understand your skepticism, I really do. But I swear this is what is happening right now, I don't know why Flame King took Flame Princess but I do know that if we don't get you two out of here you will either be killed or used against her. Have a little faith."

She paused a moment and gave the hand she still held a quick squeeze, "And since it was my brother who got you in here, it's only fitting I be the one to get you out. Older siblings have to help right the wrongs of the younger ones right?"

Furnius looked at her silently; he could hear the quiet voice of Huntress explaining things to his brother as she worked to free him. He noted how his brother was not calling for him and how Beth waited patiently for him to answer despite the obvious hurry she was in.

He gave a small hiss; curse the trusting nature his father gave him that he still couldn't completely get rid of. He gave the human's hand a quick squeeze back before switching it with the other one, "Very well human, I will have faith, asss you sssay. Do not disssappoint."

Beth smirked as she worked on the shackle, the guy still managed to sound somewhat sardonic even when he gave in.

'I can already tell being with this guy is going to be a lot of fun'. She thought ruefully.

-click-

"Ta da."

Good thing she had practiced on those stupid candy manacles on the way here, it had helped her get back into practice faster. Furnius rubbed his wrists for a moment before getting up; he had to use the wall for support when his legs wobbled. He ignored the hand Beth offered him, when he felt his feet steady he slowly stood himself up and followed the human out of the cell. He looked over at Torcho who was leaning heavily on Huntress' shoulder; the two smiled at one another.

Beth slowly opened the dungeon door and peeked through, seeing that the coast was still clear she signaled for everyone to follow her out. Furnius raised a brow at the pair of unconscious guards that had been placed against the wall but said nothing. The quartet crept through the halls, edging around sleepy looking guards and doing their best to make as little noise as possible. Their progress stopped when Furnius stood still, his face looking up toward the ceiling. Beth and Huntress followed suit but could find nothing of interest, although they could both hear a bit of commotion happening on the floor above them.

Furnius gave a hiss, "Its sssunrissse."

"Damn, we need to get out of here." Beth felt sweat collect on the back of her neck that had nothing to do with heat.

The group started rushing through the halls, throwing caution to the wind for they were out of time. They turned the corner sharply and stopped, the group had almost run face first into a small group of guards. For a single second both groups stared at one another before Beth moved forward and gave a quick punch to a guard in the front. It acted as a domino effect for when that guard fell, the others fell with him.

"Move!"

She said simply, and the group was jogging, the two woman pulling the weak males behind them by the hand.

Huntress flicked her eyes over to Beth; she was starting to breath just as raggedly as she had that night in the forest. They couldn't keep running like this, gritting her teeth she took a look around and spotted a vent in the wall.

'Worth a shot.'

"In here." She called and opened the vent.

"You can't be serious!" Said Torcho incredulously.

"Very."

"Better than all of this running, I feel like my lung is about to collapse. Besides won't the vents eventually lead outside?" Puffed Beth, not noticing the way Huntress frowned at her choice of words.

Guards could be heard coming down the hall, one complaining about a punch to his face.

"No time, move your buttsss." Hissed Furnius.

By the time the unit of guards had come down the hall, they were long gone.

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Flame King awoke to the various sounds of his palace in the midst of panic, shouts included "Flame Princess has returned!" "The prisoners have escaped!" and "Wake the King!" among others.

'So it has come to this', he thought a little ruefully.

He had a feeling something of this caliber would occur after hearing of Jarlath's demise at the hands of his "daughter's" fiery rage-although the absence of his prisoners was an unwanted surprise. The looks of pride and fear in his informants' eyes as they told him about her inferno said it had truly been spectacular.

When a servant finally managed to fumble his way into the King quarter's said monarch was already dressed in his armor and waiting.

"Sire, Flame Princess has returned and wishes to duel you for right of the throne! She also has the human hero Finn, and his dog friend with her!" The monarch narrowed his eyes, it couldn't be…

"Anything else?"

The servant started to tremble just slightly, "She called you her uncle…sire."

So it was, that little traitor Flambo had gotten to her then. Well then…he might not get to live to see his Flame Kingdom turn good after all, if his niece decided to return the favor for what he did to her father.

With a straight back the ruler of the Kingdom of Flames and Fire walked out of his rooms and through his castle; his panicking servants, guards and even some courtiers were calmed somewhat upon seeing him and flocked to him as he passed by. Various reports of numerous guards being found unconscious throughout the castle and descriptions of the sorceress Huntress Wizard and another woman running through the castle with the prisoners were told to him as he made his way to his throne room.

As he made his way in he noted his real children were already there and conversing with Flame Princess. All turned in his direction when he was announced, none of the young people looked happy to see him. He cast his eyes over the group, Flame Princess seemed to ooze regal power as she stood in a pair of orange pants and a red shirt, her hair done up in a formal-and battle ready- up do. Flambo stood at her feet. The boy hero with a heat shield pendant that stood at her side was still and at the ready, Flame King raised a brow at the metal arm.

'That's new', he thought.

He raised a brow at his Challenger and her meager back up. With both a plan forming in his mind and a smirk curling his mouth the Flame King walked to his throne and had a seat, as he did so he covertly signaled his guards to file in.

He then greeted his challenger, "Hello Flame Princess. What a lovely surprise it is to see you."

The young woman narrowed her eyes at him, "Hello Uncle, I trust you heard what happened to Jarlath?"

"Yes, and I suppose you're here to threaten to do the same to me?"

"Only if you refuse to give me the throne, I like destroying evil things."

Her words were strong and confident; she was prepared to do what was necessary. Flame King was both impressed and wary, his brother would be proud of the woman his girl had become.

"Well I have some bad news for you my dear…"

He trailed off and got to his feet, he signaled his guards, who immediately leapt forward to surround Finn and Jake but they did not attack.

The air grew tense, "This fight is between you and me, how about we leave your friends out of it?"

"Father stop this!"

Both turned to Searle, Flame King's oldest child. He stood in front of his younger siblings protectively, "I do not wish to see you extinguished, please just relinquish the crown! It was never yours to have in the first place!"

Oh his neutrally aligned son, he had never liked how he had gotten the crown. Foolish boy was a rising star in the army and still didn't understand that politics sometimes called for bloodshed. He would never learn.

"Stay out of this boy, and keep your younger siblings out of the way."

He then turned back to Flame Princess, "Well?"

She took the bait and leapt forward, fire power growing in her hands. He met her head on; fire bursting to life in his own palms.

The Royal Duel had begun.

As the two grappled, everyone else in the room watched; if either of Flame Princess' allies were to interfere she-as the Challenger- would immediately lose and be at the mercy of the Flame King according to official law.

Suddenly he twisted about and tossed her across the room, but FP was ready and deftly landed on the floor. Flame King laughed, "Nice moves, but let's see how you move around this-guards capture the heroes!"

And then it was chaos, guards swarmed over FP's entourage as she charged toward her uncle. She could hear the sounds of their battle behind her as she concentrated on dodging Flame King's attacks.

Above everyone's heads a vent shaft shook and sagged a bit from the weight of four people struggling through the cramped space.

"Any more bright ideasss, professssor?" Hissed Furnius from behind Huntress Wizard. Torcho and Beth looked back at the two and watched Huntress give a growl.

"I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas!" A long creak could be heard from the metal around them. "Um, brother I think-"

"Quiet matchstick, big people are talking."

Grouched the sorceress; Beth stared on as Torcho gave a grumble and the two continued to bicker. Her brows furrowed as the creak came again but louder this time, she felt the metal begin to dip.

"Guys! I think you should continue this later! When we're not about-"

"Not now woman-"

Began Furnius but he didn't get to finish, for that was when the seams of the vent finally gave out and opened beneath them. They all fell through with a large yell and landed in a heap on a large group of guards that had been starting to overwhelm Finn and Flambo.

"Now that's what I call an entrance!" Quipped the little flambit.

Beth groaned, that had done no favors for her side, she heard a hissing groan underneath her and realized she was sitting on Furnius.

She quickly got up, "Sorry!"

"Yeah, yeah." He grouched as he rose to his feet.

The former prince gave a look around as the humans had their little reunion and his brother and the wizard righted themselves. Many of the guards –and courtiers he noticed-were staring at them in confusion, those guards that weren't were busy fighting off a large orange dog creature. He recognized him as the other imbecile that had gotten him imprisoned.

He looked over to his side and watched Flame Princess and Flame King Fight. He stared; she was shooting blasts of blue and white flame at him as she yelled at him for lying to her and locking her away. Only his father had ever been able to burn hot enough to produce blue flames…and her face. She had matured…and looked just like his mother.

"It can't be." He hissed softly.

"Furnius, look out!" He turned just in time to dodge a spear thrust from a guard, 'seems they've recovered from their stupor' he thought mildly.

With a quick twist and toss Furnius made his opponent crash into another guard and got himself a weapon. He turned and gave Beth-who had warned him- a nod before joining the fray. He was weak but he could still fight, the exercise felt wonderful after ages of being forced in a cell.

Invigorated by the sudden appearance of his sister and the princes Finn gave a large yell of "ADVENTURE TIME!" and threw himself into the fight with both Beth and Jake at his back. At his cry Flame Princess risked a look over and gave a grin at her boyfriend and the sight of her once-cousins fighting with him.

She had met and talked to them a few times, they were actually rather nice. She was thrust out of her thoughts when a fiery fist came at her head; she dodged and sent a blast at her laughing opponent.

"It would not be good for you to get distracted, I won't go easy on you girl!"

Flame Princess huffed; "Then how about we go somewhere less distracting?"

With that she charged forward and with a blast of fire power grabbed the King by the front of his armor and crashed through the ceiling and out into the open world. All movement stopped at this and everyone stared at the open hole.

"Guards stand down!"

Everyone turned to the current crown prince of the Flame Kingdom, Searle. "I said stand down! At the moment I am the highest authority figure in the room, and I command for you to stand down."

No one moved, then with a multitude of grumbles the guards did as they were told.

"Now get the injured out of here."

Searle's voice brooked no argument. As the flame guards packed it in Lady Rainicorn flew in to the hole in the ceiling and said something excitably. Finn looked to Jake for a translation, he turned to him accordingly.

"She says they're making their way toward the coastline and the Isle of Steam."

Finn's eyes widened and a chill went down his spine, "Jake we have to go, fire and water don't mix!"

"Right-o."

The two mobilized with Jake enlarging and Finn jumping on his back, both turned when they felt a weight fall on Jake's back behind Finn. "Beth!"

She grinned at her brother, "I'm coming with you; out of everyone here I'm the only one with any sea experience."

She turned and yelled down, "Huntress stay here and keep an eye on things. If anything happens I have my calling mirror."

The sorceress frowned and looked like she wanted to argue but instead huffed and said "Fine, but you better not die you donk."

Beth laughed, "I won't."

With that the trio lifted out of the room, before leaving Jake gave a quick nuzzle to Lady and said, "Just stay here with Huntress sweetie. We'll come back when everything's done."

Lady nodded her head and waved them goodbye as they followed the trail left behind by the battle of Flame Princess and Flame King.