Chapter 5

The room had gone completely silent, none more so than the Doctor. He asked in a strange voice," I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?" But he knew he had heard correctly.

"I'm the last of my species. The last human." Finn repeated in a voice playing at indifference. "I never knew any humans, so it doesn't feel like I lost anyone. It's just…never finding anyone."

The Doctor had gone absolutely pale. He put his face in his hands and made a horrible noise, a strangled cry of complete anguish. "No. No, no, no. This doesn't sense. I know when the earth ends, when humanity ends, I've been there. But you are telling me there are no more humans?"

Princess Bubblegum said," There's been extensive research …But as far as we know there are no other humans in Ooo."

"And North America just gone?" He went on as if he hadn't heard her. "It doesn't make sense, and even so, humans wouldn't just disappear, not in my universe….Oh!" He hit his forehead with his palm. "Of course! This is a parallel universe! Which means completely different history and rules and…no me. Of course. Where was I? Why didn't I stop the destruction of humanity in this universe? Unless there is no Doctor in this universe…until now…which means this world has been waiting for me to come save it. But if it's not a fixed point in this universe…if it can be reverted…the present could be massively different. Maybe better, maybe worse, but there would be no Great Mushroom War. If the War is really what killed all the humans…." The Doctor was speaking rapidly, and no one in the room had any idea what he was talking about. He seemed to realize this and jumped up. "Right! Well, more information is needed. I need to know more, I need…you!" He pointed to Marceline. "Where did this war begin? What country?"

"I-I don't know, I…"Marceline squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't see it. I remember the day of my town being destroyed, but not the name of my town…I can't remember the name of my dad's company, even. I see the building in my head, but I can't picture it for too long…And that thing with the tentacles…" She groaned and swayed before the Doctor held her arm steadily.

"Careful, don't strain yourself. I have an idea of what's going on. But I need a second opinion. Is there anyone else who was around then? Could we talk to your father, Marceline?"

"He doesn't like to talk about when he was human. He says we're better off now. And he never listens to me anyway…" Marceline sulked. "He won't help us."

"But I know who can." Finn said. "The Ice King. He's about as old as Marceline. If anyone can tell you about the War, he can."

"All right, then. That's where I'll go." The Doctor announced. "Finn, would you mind showing me the way?"

"Jake can take us there pretty quick."

"Hey! I'm coming too. If you can find out about our past…I need to come, too." Marceline said.

"It could be dangerous," The Doctor warned.

Marceline smiled a flash of white fangs. "That's the magic word, man!"

"I should stay here, Doctor. If you can help my people in the past…then I'll thank you in the future!" Princess Bubblegum promised. "And be careful, Finn."

"Don't worry, PB! I'm on this!" Finn assured.

They went outside and mounted Jake.

"Ready to go?" The Doctor asked.

"Wait," PB wrapped a knitted pink scarf around Finn's neck," now you and the Doctor match!"

"Well, mine isn't pink…" The Doctor smiled.

Jake laughed, but she wrapped a second scarf around his neck. And Marceline's as well, who frowned at the color but thanked Bubblegum. "Hey Bonabel," Marceline said quietly," if we can really stop the war from happening, and I never became a vampire…then we will never have met. So…I guess its goodbye."

Princess Bubblegum hugged her tightly. "No matter what, we'll always be friends."

Marceline shook off her feelings and hissed, "Yeah, and you'll still be a sweet princess and I'll still be my bad self."

"I wouldn't want it any other way!"

They all said they're goodbyes and headed for the Ice King's castle