Yes, I am ignoring the events of the episode "Betty", as cool as it was. I began this story long before that episode was even sketched out, so I will continue on as if it hadn't aired.

Anyway, enjoy my story!

Fourteen-Things Continue…

"…so you see it exists and yet doesn't exist. Only souls may tread there and since humans already have the touch of death to them they go by unnoticed. I'm sorry but time was of the essence and Miss Beth's soul was set to be… free, so we thought it best to take advantage of the opportunity."

"'Free?!'" You call her being dead free?!" Finn couldn't believe what he was hearing from Peppermint Butler.

"That is really not cool man." Added Jake, now fully awake and rather angry himself.

"What was I supposed to do?! I mean, no offense but she's just one soul man! If she fails she passes on like she was going to on that beach. If she succeeds she gets a pass until next time from Death and untold others don't get to die too!"

Peppermint Butler did feel a little bad, but he knew he had done the right thing. None of the beings who were left were going to confront the mad God on the spiritual plain-because even death can die- so their best bet was a sneak attack.

Who best than a hero at death's door?

Finn and Jake continued to argue with Pep as Marceline worked on getting Simon's soul back herself. With the help of King Cedric and Huntress Wizard she was able to set the space she needed. With chalk they drew the seals the spell required and with a needle Huntress gave the blood offering.

Lady Rainicorn simply watched it all, with ever growing horror. She called for Finn and Jake's attention just as Marceline had set herself up in the middle of the spell. With some quick words and a few hands signs the Queen of the Vampires entered the fast track to the deepest part of the near death realms. Frost and icicles grew upon and around her mortal form.

Ice King's struggles became more frantic and odd, whispered laughter could be heard coming from his mouth.

The containment unit began to crack and the crown's jewels flashed ever faster.

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Simon continued to claw and push against the snow around him. That thing had pressed him deep into a crevice and he could still hear the terrible laughter as he struggled to free himself. Simon countered it by humming and singing that one song that helped him remember better times.

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got."

His frigid fingers gripped the otherworldly rock and he continued to pull himself up.

"Taking a break from all your worries; sure would help a lot."

He concentrated on the light above, ignoring the shadows around him and the things they hid.

"Wouldn't you like to get away?"

He didn't see the hand reaching for him, or that the ledge he was currently setting most of his weight on was about to give way.

"Sometimes you want to go where-ahh!"

A raspy, withered sound escaped his throat in place of a scream as he began to fall, it continued for a bit as his wrist was gripped and he was brought face to face with the creature that had a hold of him. To his utter, and relieved, astonishment he saw that it was young woman, who looked about as frost bitten as himself.

"Where everybody knows your name." She finished for him, a grin upon her face.

"You!" Rasped the man intelligently.

"Finally I found you Simon. Come on." Said Beth quietly.

She then began dragging him into the barely perceptible small hole she had poked herself out of.

"Where are we going?" He managed to ask after he had climbed inside.

"The fuck out of here." Was her answer as she began to crawl away.

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Princess Bubblegum groaned tiredly as she washed the last bit of gore off her hands. The patient was finally in stable condition, for the moment it looked like her and Dr. Princess's efforts had been a success. It was all up to Beth now.

She exited the bathroom and made her way to her lab, where one of her staff had told her the others had gone to wait. She decided to tell them herself of how Beth was doing. Dr. Princess had gone to get some rest, near the patient if something happened.

Stifling a yawn Bubblegum looked out a window she happened to pass by, the bright orange sun was making its way over the horizon. It had been a long, terrible night. And today looked to be longer, since there was still the matter of one crazy wizard in her castle and a nosey troll king.

As she continued on her way another of her staff came by and handed her a cup of hot coffee, she thanked them and felt rejuvenated with every sip. At least it was a sedate and quiet morning for the most part.

Bubblegum's eyebrows rose as she finally neared her lab, for she could hear quite the commotion going down inside. She noticed Ice King's penguin doing his best to try and get inside, but the little guy was just too short to reach the handle. She ran for the door, coffee still in hand and after pushing the bird aside, flung it open.

"What the nuts?!"

"The power of Glob compels you! The power of Glob compels you!"

Shelby the worm screamed with all his might atop Jake's head as Finn and a battered Peppermint butler held on to a hissing and struggling Ice King. Jake and Lady Rainicorn took turns lashing the old sorcerer with a large holy book and splashes of what she assumed was holy water.

Icy wind howled throughout the room. Behind them Flame Queen kept herself busy with keeping a constant blast of flame upon the Ice Crown. The cursed object was glowing blue, frost and icicles kept melting and then reforming on its container despite the fire elemental's efforts.

Off to the side of all this madness King Cedric and Huntress Wizard stood in a glowing circle, a crouched Marceline between them. Frost and icicles covered her body and she gave no notice to her surroundings. Bubblegum's heart beat sped up at this.

Her Marceline.

Frozen.

At anyone's mercy.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" She bellowed, making all, except Ice King, look to her in surprise.

For a moment the only sound other than the wizard's struggles was the sound of Gunther "wenking" as he made his way into the room. And then suddenly-

"Fools! My power will not be defeated!" Ice King doubled his efforts, bringing attention back onto him from the group.

"J-just hold on Princess. Be with you in a moment!" Answered Finn absentmindedly.

Princess Bubblegum could only watch on, in tired dismay and alarm.

"Princess!"

Bubblegum turned toward Huntress and King Cedric, who gestured for her to come to their side of the lab. In an instant she was there.

"Mind telling me what this lunacy is? What has Marceline done?!" She questioned frantically.

"Stop yelling and I'll tell you, after you update on Beth's condition." Answered Huntress coolly.