Hey all, really been a while. I've got no excuse really... I BLAME THE WINTER! Yeah... Yeah that should do it. Anyway, more story because I refuse to quit. It's not in my nature. Mmm, nature... So here ya go.

Disclaimer: Not. Mine.

Rain. Cold, calm and over bearing rain. The minute drops of liquid fell in sheets, giving the grasslands a thorough soak. Birds huddled in their nests, the forest critters had returned to their dens, and two brothers sat idly inside their home watching the rain.

Finn was laying on the couch with his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling. The steady beat of the liquid barrage had pulled him into a thoughtful mood. He thought about everything they had done for the last few days, all the work they had put into finding a way to be together without having to change the princess. All of it for nothing. He sighed and closed his eyes letting the gentle lullaby ease him to sleep.

Jake took a sip from his favorite mug as he watched his brother's inner struggle. It almost hurt him to see the once vibrant and energy packed youth fall into such a melancholy state. He could only imagine how he'd feel if Lady was put just out of reach. Only able to talk and see her, but never to hold her, never to kiss her. It would be miserable.

The brothers contemplated in silence, neither one of them wanting to break the calm that blanketed the house. It was abruptly shattered by a knocking on the door.

"I got it." Said Jake as he hauled himself out of his seat. Finn only gave an affirming hum. With a quick stretch he made it to the door and opened it to reveal a heavily drenched Marceline. Her eyes were red from crying and a sad smile revealed itself when she saw Jake. She still clutched her battered, stuffed toy to her chest.

"Marcy?"

"Hey... Can I come in?" The dog just nodded and stepped to the side allowing Marceline to float out of the rain. "Could I borrow a towel?" Jake snapped out of his daze and realized he'd been being inhospitable.

"Of course, go ahead upstairs and sit down." He stretched up ahead of her yelling at Finn as he did."Hey Finn, Marcelines here."

"Kaaaay."

The vampire queen floated up into the brother's living room. She saw Finn on the couch and gave him a small smile, which he returned. "Hey Marcy..."

"Hey..." The two existed in silence for a moment while the rain saw its chance to remind them of its presence.

"Listen, I.."

"Hey I'm.."

They both smiled at one another. "You go first." Said Marceline. Finn nodded and sat up.

"I'm sorry Marceline."

"What?" She asked, completely taken off guard.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you about the orb. It was obvious that you didn't want to talk about it but I forced you to anyway..." He let out a heavy sigh. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just got so excited that we were close and well... yeah.. So I'm sorry. Please forgive me?"

Shame filled her to the brim. He wasn't mad that she said no, heck he was more worried about her feelings than his own goals! No matter what it is, he always put's others first... It was only with the help of a thousand years of practice that she was able to hide the full scale of her emotions from him, replying with a gentle. "It's ok Finn... It's fine.. Really.." It wasn't enough though, and he saw through the mask like it wasn't even there.

"Marceline, wha-"

"Got the towel!" Jake slipped down the stairs and tossed the cloth to Marceline. It draped perfectly over her head, concealing the damn of tears that was just about to break. By the time she pulled it off her features had returned to her usual smirk with only the faintest shade of red in the corners of her eyes.

"Thanks." After a quick wipe down she took a seat on one of the table chairs.

"So why come over in the rain? Could have at least waited till dark." said Jake from his comfy chair.

"I figured this is important to Fi- you guys, so a little speed was needed. I'll get the orb for you."

Finn was the first to speak up. "What? Really?! But what about-"

"Don't worry about it. That was just some bad memories that turned up." She waved as she said it like it was no big deal. Finn still looked at her with concerned eyes. Jake was the next to speak up.

"We could get it for you! That way you don't have to do anything." She shook her head grinning.

"No go puppy. It's in the Nightosphere. My dad has it for safekeeping and no one but me can get it from him." Finn still looked at her with a suspicious glint in his eye.

"You're sure Marceline? If it means something to you we won't do it." She shook her head. "If anyone deserves to use this it's you. Just give it back after you're done okay? I don't want something like that running around Ooo." The human smiled and nodded. Then before she could react he had jumped up and across the room pulling her in a deep hug. "Thank you Marcy..." He whispered in her ear. The shock left her face and she returned the hug. Burying her eyes in his shoulder. "You're welcome..." I hope you never have to feel how much it hurts.

They discussed a bit more about the artifact and what all it would require. According to Marceline it was pretty straightforward. Get Flame Princess to hold the orb, it'll siphon her power and drop her down to a stable level, Finn gets the orb for balance, and he gets the excess power in him. Pretty simple. The problem was that it would take a day to get the orb.

"That's actually ok." Said Finn to everyone's surprise. "I mean, we don't even know where flame princess is right now." Jake nodded from across the room. "You're right bro, but I got a pretty good idea who would know. Flambo." It was Marceline's turn to chime in. "Yeah, he's got the low down on everything in the Fire Kingdom." She looked out the window to make sure it was still raining. "Plus he'd be really easy to find in this weather. Just check his hangout spots with caves."

Finn jumped to his feet, excitement once again coursing through his veins. "Aww yeah! Now we're getting somewhere! Come on Jake, lets go find us a princess!" Jake smiled at his younger brother's enthusiasm.

"Alright lover boy, let me just get my boots. He jumped into a hand stand and stretched his feet up the stairs into their room, delicately plopping them in the two rubber boots by his bed. With weird slurping sound he pulled them back then jumped back on his legs. "Alright, all good. Especially now that Ive got... UMBRELLA HAND!" He popped his hand out like and umbrella and held it above him.

"Dude, dont open that in the house. It's bad luck."

"Oh yeah, hehe, my bad." He closed his umbrella hand and shoved it under his arm. Marceline cleared her throat to get the duo's attention.

"Alright heroes, I'll be back tomorrow around noon and meet you here. Make sure to bring Flame Princess. Got it?" They both gave enthusiastic nods. "Ready. Seeet. GO!" The human boy and his dog took off like twin bullets, practically throwing themselves down the stairs and out the doorway into the rain. Marceline just chuckled to herself. "Weenies."

Her face took on a sour note soon after. With a demonic hiss her right arm turned into a tentacle of darkness and shot into the corner of the room. Slowly she drew it back, observing the struggling, yellow eyed blob it held. Her visage grew darker and scarier, making the small shadow creature shake and stir.

"Hello Bonnibel. I was wondering where you'd be in all of this. I'll warn you now. Stay out of the way. I won't have you mess this up for him, no, I won't LET YOU mess this up for him. Deliver that message word for word, got it?" The piece of shadow moved its eye up and down almost violently, confirming it would.

"Good. NOW GO!" And with as much demonic power as he could muster she launched the diminutive messenger through the wall and towards the Candy Kingdom. Being made of shadow allowed it to pass right through, but at a speed it found most unpleasant.

Through the halls of the sugar lined castle reverberated a series of footsteps that no one could mistake. Pepermint Butler's miniature strides gave a clear warning to all and any lollygagging staff that he was on his way. And if you were there long enough you could even tell his mood from the echoing sounds. Today's was particularly heavy and hurried step. No nonsense, serious business, get out of his way.

At long last he reached his destination, the royal fitting room, where his liege lady was currently conducting business. He rapped on the door not wanting to invade her privacy.

"Yes?" came the muffled reply.

"It's me your majesty, I have a report to make."

"Oh, come in Peppermint, we just finished." The candied butler opened the door and let himself inside, quickly taking stock of the room. Fabric and clothing littered the area, some on hangars, some organized in piles and some thrown haphazardly on the floor. Princess Bubblegum stood in front of three mirrors as a candy seamstress tended to her.

"Thank you miss Cocoa, it's wonderful. Would you kindly leave us for a few moments? The nature of some of our talks is... touchy."

"Of course my lady, Cocoa would never be so rrrrude. Cocoa is a professional after all." With a curt nod toward the striped butler she left the room. The pink princess's demeanor instantly changed. "Status?"

"Not good your majesty. The vampire queen has agreed to help them. She will bring them the stone by tomorrow afternoon." Bubblegum's hands clenched into fists before she took a deep breath. That conniving demonic halfbreed! Who does she think she is!? "It doesn't matter, she's just a minor annoyance. Not even worth calling a threat." The butler looked down before continuing.

"Yes... About that, she found my spy and requested that you be given a message." The candy man's eyes became polished black orbs and his hands began to release an oily black vapor. When he spoke, it was in a perfect mimicry of Marceline's voice. As if he was merely lip syncing a flawless recording.

"Hello Bonnibel. I was wondering where you'd be in all of this. I'll warn you now. Stay out of the way. I won't have you mess this up for him, no, I won't LET YOU mess this up for him."

His eyes and hands returned to normal as he looked up to his charge for any type of reaction. He was not disappointed. She stood shaking in front of the mirrors, her hands balled into fists so tight that a few of her knuckles popped. The grinding noise that pervaded the air came from her jaw.

"She thinks that she can stop me?" She said through clenched teeth. "That filthy, teenage, half zombie, BLUT SAUGEN HUNDIN!" Her eye's flashed green in the mirrors for only a second before her fist went through the middle one. Glass shattered and cracked, falling in glistening shards at her feet. Peppermint Butler began to move forward to help her but she held up a hand to stop him. Her breathing had become long and heavy as she tried to calm herself.

"Peppermint, run a final check on the machine. I want it to work perfectly. You also have my permission to use your...darker tactics... for dealing with Marceline." Sensing the barely held anger behind her voice PPB gave a gentle bow. "As you wish my lady." He turned and opened the door to leave, hesitating as he let himself out. "And if I may be so bold princess, white looks very good on you." With that he closed the door, the faintest wisp of black vapor dissipating behind him.

Break that pesky triangle thing. Bah.