"I wish Finn would've followed the red-haired girl home the night before the bomb was set off."

Prismo stared at the mysterious girl before him, wide-eyed and confused. "Why would you ask for that? That would certainly prevent the bomb from exploding, but it won't really change your fate… You'll stay in that stinky cave as an old woman for the rest of your life!"

Marceline smirked. "I wasn't really trying to change my fate…"

Mini Tales of the Alternate Universe

Childhood Tales I: Changed Fate

Finn walked towards the barn, pushing Bartram forward. The naughty mule had gotten on his parents' bed once again. The farm boy wished he knew why was his pet so obsessed with that, as well as with climbing trees. There was no doubt about it; Bartram was one of a kind.

"Get inside there, Bar-Bar!" Finn grunted, forcing the animal to enter the barn. "You've been a naughty, naughty mule lately!"

Bartram brayed in response, pushing the boy back. Jake joined the scene, acting unnerved and impatient like the mule. The dog wouldn't stop barking and howling. He ran between Finn's legs, almost making him fall and bit his pants, pulling the boy in exasperation. Jake and Bartram's strange behavior quickly annoyed the Mertens boy, who was about to smack the dog when his blue eyes spotted a couple of mysterious lights in the distance.

They spun and glided in the darkness, between the trees and the bushes as if somebody was exploring the forest with great urgency. Jake ran up and barked insistently, turning his head at Finn to look back at him with his uneasy eyes. The farm boy remained static for a moment and then it hit him. Could it be that Flanna was in trouble? He didn't remember to see the girl carrying a lantern with her when she left, which means that those lights in the distance were probably robbers, or worse, the Destiny Gang, chasing her through the woods.

"Oh, no!" Finn slapped his forehead. "I knew I should've gone with her! I'm sorry Jake, Bartram..." he apologized. "I'll listen to you guys next time… C'mon let's go!"

The farm boy snatched the lighted lantern of the barn and hopped on Bartram's back, charging towards the forest at full speed. Jake ran in front of them, sniffing the ground every now and then to track the red-haired girl before her chasers did. Soon, the golden dog raised his head and dashed to a nearby tree. Finn approached it carefully, noticing a torn piece of orange fabric on its branches.

"Flanna…" he whispered in worry.

"Who the heck are you taking me for?!" an angry voice hissed, not very far from them, accompanied by the struggling grunts and groans of a softer voice. "Some donk?!"

Finn knew who that was, Tromo. Suddenly he was filled with fury, his hands trembled and his heart began to beat at a thousand miles per hour. If that guy had dared to touch Flanna, it would be his end. The young hero wasn't going to consent that, not without making him pay for hurting the girl he like-liked so much. Kicking Bartram's sides, the boy rushed into woods. It didn't take long before he met the scene he feared the most.

Flanna was on the ground, immobilized by the weight of Tromo who had buried his knee deep in her stomach as she struggled to free her arms from his grip. She was gasping for air, her breathing obstructed by the man on top of her trembling body. Impotent and frustrated, Flanna could only hold onto the slingshot that Finn had given her while Tromo yelled on her face.

"You think you'll escape from me this time, Firefly!?" the thug growled. "You think I'll let you go after you hit my nose with that darned toy?! I'm gonna make you regret ever coming back to our town!"

The red-haired girl stared at him in disdain, if only she could find a way to free herself, she'd be able to catch some air. Her legs and arms were useless; there was no other way. Flanna gathered some phlegm in her mouth and spat it on Tromo's face. The man reeled back in disgust, letting her breathe for a moment. However, he was able to push himself forward once again, seizing her neck.

"So you're willin' to play brave, huh?!" Tromo yelled. "You know I can do everything I want with you, right here and right now! So you'd better behave, Firefly…!" he whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine.

"Just dare!" Finn shouted, slamming Tromo's face with his metallic arm as hard as he could.

The thug rolled onto the ground, moaning drowsily as he drifted to unconsciousness. The farm boy saw the chance to reach Flanna and help her up. Sadly for him, the girl was still in a state of shock and aggressiveness, prompting her to attack Finn where it hurt him the most. The young hero fell onto his knees, hands covering his now throbbing crotch.

"Flanna it's me…" the boy sobbed, trying to force back his manly tears of pain. "You kicked the wrong boing-loings…"

"Oh my gosh! Finn…!" she whispered in worry, crouching by his side. "Are you alright?"

"I-I-I…" the boy mumbled. Finn felt ridiculous, he was supposed to be the hero, not the victim. He proceeded to take a deep breath and "man up" to overcome the ache on his weak spot. "I'm okay! Of course I am! You think that hurt? Nah…!"

Flanna smiled, feeling relaxed and grateful. She leaned in, embracing the boy tightly. "I'm so glad you came, Finn." Although crying was something that she preferred to keep for herself, Flanna couldn't help it. She had run out of ideas to deal with the Destiny Gang, and for a moment, she had lost all of her hope. It had been terrifying, but now that Finn was there with her, she felt safe and relieved. "Thanks…"

"No problem, Flanna… I told you I would protect you, didn't I?" Finn returned the hug to comfort her as Jake and Bartram approached them in silence. "Are you okay? Did that guy hurt you?"

"No, I'm okay… I'm okay…" Flanna smiled, fixing her eyes on his.

"I'm glad." Finn replied. "C'mon, let's go home before the rest of the Jerk Gang finds us."

With a positive nod from the red-haired girl, the two got back on their feet and reached Bartram's side. Finn helped Flanna to mount the mule's back, holding her waist and lifting her up. It wasn't that she couldn't do that on her own, but she was wearing a dress and things could get pretty awkward when she tried to pass her leg over Bartram. Then, the farm boy hopped behind her, surrounding her with his arms as he took control of the mule.

They left the woods with its dark secrets and mysteries behind. Nothing extraordinary happened that night. Finn took Flanna home, where she was received and treated by his kind parents, who allowed her to spend the night there. The rest of the events went by peacefully until the two teenagers found an excuse to argue as they usually did.

"I said no, Flanna!" Finn insisted. "I told you, I don't want you to sleep on the floor! I will!"

"No!" Flanna protested. "That's your bed, not mine. Besides, I don't mind to sleep on a mat. It's fine!"

The farm boy rolled his eyes. "Yeah! I get it, but you're my guest! I'll sleep on the floor this time!"

"No, you sleep on the bed! I'll sleep on the floor!" the girl replied.

"I'll sleep on the floor!" Finn insisted.

"No! I will!"

"No! I will!"

"Sleep on the freaking bed, Flanna!"

"You sleep on the freaking bed!"

"Hacksworth!" Finn yelled, pushing her shoulders.

"Mertens!" Flanna shouted, doing the same.

The lights of the house were turned on and Mr. Mertens' voice was heard. "Why don't you just share the bed so that the rest of us can go to sleep…?" the old farmer paused for a moment and then chuckled. "I trust you kids!"

Finn and Flanna stared at each other in silence, a blush creeping onto their faces.

"Fine!" the farm boy sighed in resignation. "I'll sleep on the bed and you sleep on the floor. I was just trying to be a gentleman, but since you're a stubborn gal." he shrugged. "I guess that's okay. Have it your way."

"W-wait…" Flanna scratched the back of her head shyly. "I'll sleep on the bed…"

"…Too."