I'm not trying to sound ungrateful or anything... but... I know people are reading this but sometimes it's hard to get motivated when no-one reviews. I feel like nobody wants to read the story... it makes me sad. But I digress. I must press on.

And how about Simon and Marcy, huh? That episode, man. It was short but it was adorable. This opens up a lot of possibilities for my story. Great huh?

So, if anyone has any songs they want to submit, please do. I love hearing all your work.

Disclaimer: Nwope.

"What did she send?" Marshall Lee asked as Cake fiddled through the letters.

"Well, that bird dude wasn't lying," Cake said, her eyes practically sparkling with joy and excitement. "They're all for us... from Fionna herself!"

The others, including Ice Queen, gathered around the feline as she handed out folded, stained parchment paper over to her friends. One to Marshall, one to Gumball, one to Cake, a small note and a hastily wrapped up package for Ice Queen, and a single note for all of them as a unit.

When they all had their notes, the combined one in Cake's paw, they stared at one another to see who wanted to read theirs aloud first. They all wanted to hear what Fionna had to say to each of them.

"Maybe... maybe we should read the one addressed to all of us first," Gumball suggested.

"No... Cake should go first," Marshall said quietly, staring at the folded letter from his friend. His eyes were unreadable. At first, he seemed afraid that it was going to burst into flames. Then it appeared as if he was shaking with excitement. Then it just looked as if he couldn't believe his eyes that he was actually holding a note from Fionna, written in pen, in her own curvy, flowing handwriting that never seemed to match her personality.

"Are you sure?" Cake asked, glancing at him and then eyeing the letter. "You seem a little more anxious."

"It's fine. Just go," Marshall replied hollowly.

Cake nodded slowly and unfolded her letter. And, in the curvy writing, Cake found herself reading something that linked her to her best friend, many, many miles away from her home. She swallowed hard, fighting back tears, and began to read to her friends.

Dear Cake,

I hope you're doing well without me to keep you company. I just want to let you know that I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry for leaving without a proper explanation or formally saying goodbye. I hope you understand why I had to go. You're so strong willed and stubborn that I would either be at home or have you at my side if I had revealed my intentions and plans.

Please promise me you'll get out of your slump (which I know you're in) and do yourself a favor: have fun without me. I'm gone, Cake. Not dead, thankfully, but gone from home. Do something that can get you out of your funk. Heck, go on a big adventure for crying out loud! Even though I'm not there anymore doesn't mean you can't move on with your life. You have so much to live for and I hope you'll get better.

I miss you. You're the best sister, Cake. The best any girl could have. And I'm lucky. I love you!

Yours, Fionna

Cake kept staring at the paper, which was now stained with tear drops, slightly smudging the ink that Fionna had written in. The word "Cake" near the bottom now looked like "C(blotch)e". She was shaking and crying and smiling all at the same time. She clutched the letter to her chest and whispered to it as if Fionna would be able to hear, "I'm so happy you're safe." She looked up at her friends and gave them a watery grin.

"Who's next?" she said softly.

"I'll go," gumball said, eyeing Marshall warily. The vampire was still staring blankly at the letter so Gumball cleared his throat and began to read.

Hiya, Gumball!

How's everything going over in Aaa without me to defend it from Ice Queen? Capture yet? Ha, just joking around. But if you are, I hope Cake realizes this soon. Sorry, dude. But otherwise, I hope you're doing well, Gumball. I miss you lots and I wish you luck in ruling the Candy Kingdom.

Oh, and guess what, Brainiac? I've gotten a whole lot smarter since I left so you better watch out. I can probably help you with sciency stuff if I study enough. I know it sounds weird but I have a great teacher and I'm teaching him lots too. I know you'll like him. He's really nice and he loves all that smarty stuff like you.

With that aside, I just wanted to let you know that I'm missing you a whole lot. I hope that everything is running smoothly with me gone. As long as you're not in the ice prison of Ice Queen, right?

Sincerely, Fionna

Gumball was grinning, a soft chuckle rumbling from his throat. Fionna was very different in his letter than Cake's. It seemed she was trying to cheer Cake up in hers and letting him know she was okay in his. It was as if she knew they were all going to read them together but was giving very subtle hints if she did. Gumball and Cake looked at Marshall, who took a deep breath and began to read the letter.

Marshall Lee...

Everything cool in your cave? Are you lurking in the shadows as usual? Good, I'm glad. If not, what the heck, Dude?

I hope that you know I never stop thinking about you... about us? I miss you so much. I sometimes dream about you but I can never see your face. I can only hear your voice. Sucks, right? The thing is, I want to see your smile again and... well, I miss you so much.

I've been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things. I found your bunker where Simone had protected you from the end of the world. Or the big explosion, really. I stayed there with your old bed sheets. I knew they were yours. Red and grey. I also visited the diner where your mom ate your fries. Bittersweet but it reminded me of you and that's what is keeping me going.

Miss you lots, Marshall.

Love, Fionna.

Marshall was just shaking after he finished. He hated feeling like this so he managed a smile and then he started to laugh. The other three were a little startled as he smacked his forehead with his palm.

"Oh fizz, Fionna!" Marshall roared. "You got me so worried. I guess nothing's changed, huh?" He grinned at Cake and Gumball.

"I guess not," Cake said, matching his smile. "Let's read the big one." She unfolded the letter and read.

Marshall, Cake, Gumball, and Ice Queen:

I don't want any of you to worry about me. I'm in good hands and I'm looking forward to coming home. Seeing you guys again is what's keeping me going. I can't wait to see you all again. I promise I'll come home but not for another... six months? At least, that's our prediction. And wait until you meet my new friend. I know you'll all love him. He's great and has been a wonderful help.

Even though I'll be gone long but I'll be back. I miss you all and I love you all so much.

-Fionna

They all exchanged smiles and then looked at Ice Queen, who still hadn't opened her gift. Why was she the only one with a present? It wasn't like they were jealous but what did Fionna have to offer Ice Queen? The witch looked down at the package and took off the note. She read it aloud.

"'Found this in your old apartment. Hope this will help you remember'," Ice Queen read, her eyebrows knitting together. Marshall Lee suddenly got excited looking at the brown paper package with a glimmer of hope in his red eyes. Ice Queen hesitantly pulled back the paper and revealed what Fionna had sent.

A framed picture of Simone and Bertram was hiding within the paper and shined against the light of the room. Marshall wanted to reach out and see if it was real, and that Fionna had really wanted to help Simone come back. He suddenly grinned again and felt tears sting the back of his eyes. Ice Queen extended the picture to look at. Suddenly, she smiled too but she was unsure why. She just simply smiled and stared at it for a long time. Gumball and Cake exchanged looks as Marshall motioned for them to go.

"C'mon. Let's leave while she thinks on it," he said. "Besides, it's getting light out and I need to get home." He patted Simone on the arm before he left. "See you tomorrow." He flew out of the cave, Gumball went back to the Candy Kingdom and Cake head home, their letters from Fionna clutched in their hands, smiles on their faces.

And miles away, Fionna was sitting by the fire, still awake. Charlie was across her, sleeping on his mat, his book hanging over his face and soft snoring filling the night air. Fionna poked the fire with a stick, humming a little to herself and glanced up at the stars, counting the constellations and watching shooting stars rocket through the night. She glanced down at the two little figures dancing by the firelight. Little Marshall and Fionna were swaying to big Fionna's humming and she smiled. A sudden whoosh of air startled her so she grabbed the little people and stuffed them hastily into her bag. She looked back up to see Adam, the great black delivery bird. It had been four days since she sent the letters. A two day trip there and back for a fast bird like him. But it was odd that he had returned to Fionna's side.

"Miss Fionna!" he said, bowing his head. "Your letters have been delivered."

"Thanks, Adam. But you didn't have to tell me," Fionna said, pressing her finger to her lips, pointing to Charlie with her other finger. "Why'd you come back?"

"I like you," he replied, folding his wings and squatting beside her. "And four-eyes over there. I've been to the crater before so I can guide you down the less dangerous path."

"Less dangerous?" Fionna repeated.

"Well... all the paths are dangerous but this one is nothing you can't handle, from what I see, lookin' at ya."

Fionna's face reddened a little. "Uh, thanks. I think we could use a little help. To be honest, we're a little lost." She smiled fondly at Charlie. "He's trying but... it's hard."

"Miss Fionna, I've been everywhere and nowhere. I can take you anywhere you wish!" The bird inclined his head. "But... I can't fly ya on my back, sorry. But I can certainly lead ya around. A few detours and stuff. Make it for an easier journey."

"I really appreciate that, Adam," Fionna said. "I know that Charlie will too."

"I know this may be a little hasty but I think we can be great friends, Miss Fionna," Adam said with a smile. He tucked his head behind his wing and went to sleep. Fionna took out the little Marshall and smiled at him as he strolled around her palm.

"I'm glad you got my letter," she said. She stroked his hair with her finger. "I miss you, Marshall." She stuffed him back into the bag and rested her back on the ground, looking up at the night sky once again before shutting her eyes.

They had to admit, having Adam around to guide their way was much easier than wandering aimlessly, staring at some map with no real idea where they were heading. Adam would fly up above, leading them down a road, off the road, into ruins, and then back on the road. They soon came across an old city, walls caving in, chaos clearly the cause, the usual stuff. Adam was getting tired so he decided to take a quick nap in a tree, telling them to come and get him when they were ready to leave. Charlie and Fionna left their stuff beneath the tree and walked along the city, kicking cans in the streets and listening to the echo. They entered an old apartment and climbed up the stairs, entering a small apartment complex. The living room was beaten and battered, two bedrooms, and an old bathroom that didn't work. They entered one of the bedrooms and found an old room that clearly belonged to a teenager. A girl, no doubt, posters of boys along the wall and a cracked laptop computer.

"Why would someone hang posters of dudes on the wall?" Fionna said, pursing her lips.

"Fans, I suspect. Look, this fellow has a scar on his forehead," Charlie said, pointing at a peeling poster. "D'you think he's in a war of some sort."

"It looks old," Fionna said with a shrug. "So I don't think it matters at this point." She snorted and glanced at another poster. "Look at this guy, he's shirtless with a bunch of other shirtless guys standing behind him. Trying to be all cool."

They looked around the room a bit more, trying to get a feel of what life used to be like for a teen their age. Charlie was reading some old, yellowing books about demigods and Fionna was digging through an old closet until she came across a drawer with a shiny, blue device. She had seen a similar one in Marshall Lee's house. He called it an MP3. It had the same bitten apple on the back and Fionna smiled, seeing that there was a charger similar to Marshall's. She plugged it in and surprisingly, it worked and lit up. She grinned and searched through the songs that were on it.

"Whatcha doing?" Charlie asked, peering over her shoulder.

"Looking to see if we can jam," Fionna said. "Hand me that speaker, will you?" She pointed towards a speaker that could fit in the earbud hole. He handed it to her and she plugged it in, like Marshall used to.

"All right," she said, still grinning. "Let's do this!"

She hit the button, playing (from what she could see on the screen) body Talks. She turned up the volume and it came out, clear as a bell, the beat flowing through the room. Fionna put down the speaker and grabbed Charlie's hand.

"Wanna dance?" she asked.

"Sure," he said, laughing.

The two of them danced wildly along to the beat, laughing and jumping up and down on the bed. It was as if they were normal humans, doing what two kids their age would do while listening to music. They played several more songs, twirling one another around the room, bumping into old furniture and falling to the floor, out of breath. They grinned at one another, turning off the MP3.

"That was fun!" Fionna said, laughing.

"Sure was," he agreed.

They sat in silence for a second, Fionna picking at the worn out carpet beneath them.

"Marshall and I would dance to music all the time," she said softly, not really addressing Charlie. Even so, he was somewhat hurt by this comment and had no idea why.

"Y-yeah?" he said, trying to seem positive. "You miss him?"

"Him and Cake and Gumball..." she looked downcast.

Charlie decided it was time to go, not wanting to drag the conversation of missing her dearest friends out in the open. "It's getting late. I'm sure Adam is waiting for us and we need to get going. We should-."

Suddenly, something grabbed Fionna's feet and yanked her across the floor. Charlie gasped and jumped up, fists raised. Fionna kicked whatever grabbed her and scrambled away. It crawled towards them, three holes oozing greenish slime from them and out of its mouth. It was a sickly blue color and was groaning. Fionna reached for her sword but remembered that she left it with Adam. Swearing in old, she raised her fists too as three more of the monsters staggered in.

"We're just coming across all kinds of freaks," Fionna said, grinding her teeth, slamming her fist into its face as one launched at her. Another took this as a distraction and grabbed her feet again, starting to drag her away.

Charlie smacked one in the face and ran after Fionna, grabbing her hands and trying to pull her out of the grasp of the monster.

"Glob, Fionna!" he groaned, pulling with all his might. "It's too strong."

"Get out of here!" Fionna cried, struggling to get out of the grip.

"What?!"

"Just go, Charlie! Get the swords and-," Fionna began but something smacked Charlie in the back of his head, making him collapse onto the floor.

"Charlie!" Fionna shrieked before too was knocked unconscious.

In a daze, Charlie woke up, his green eyes landing on the yellow beak of Adam. He sat up with a gasp and turned his head, ignoring the pain in his head.

"Fionna!? Where is she?" he said, standing up.

"Whoa, slow down, Sir!" Adam said, backing up a little. "I woke up and saw her getting dragged down a sewer thing. A few gross things following... I don't think she's okay." Adam looked ashamed. "I tried to help her but they scared me away."

"Where's our stuff?" Charlie said, running out of the house.

"Still under the tree. I made sure they're safe," Adam assured, following him, hopping behind him.

Charlie ran to the tree, grabbed the Family Sword and followed the trail of slime, telling Adam to stay there, and reached an open manhole. He swallowed some air and unwillingly dove into the sludge below, hoping that Fionna was somewhere down there.

Oh no! Fionna got captured! Can you guess what those slimy things were? I hope you can. :3 Well, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. That's... all I have to say for once.

As always:

See you next time!