~To my lovely (or handsome, if you prefer) readers~
Some of you have, in response to last chapter, expressed you were bothered that Ignus and Fionna were together and not Marshall and Fionna. Fear not, readers, for we are only just beginning Chapter 7. The Vampire King won't go down without a fight!

But seriously thanks to everyone who has favorited, followed, and/or reviewed. I appreciate it so much!

~RunNRide25~

I finally slowed my speed at the candy kingdom. I needed to vent, and there was only one person in Aaa I could vent to.

Bartleby Gumball.

I flew in an open window leading to Gumball's lab.
"Why, hello, Marshall Lee. Glad to see you're ba-"
"Do you have a minute, Gumball?"

"Um, yes, of course, what is it?" Gumball asked as he picked up a teacup that was, from my perspective, dangerously close to his experiments.

"What's up with this Ignus guy? Fionna's . . . boyfriend?"

Gumball scoffed. "Flame Prince? Yes he's quite an individual. He's got a short temper, and if you ask me he's quite rude."
"And Fionna's dating him?!"

"Indeed," Gumball replied. "Don't ask me why. I'm not completely sure myself."
"Well I don't get it either!" I exclaimed.
Gumball chuckled. "I take it you met him."

"Oh, I met him alright. He was at Fionna's when I went to visit her just now," I chuckled. "Idiot tried to overpower me. It was pathetic."

Gumball's eyes widened. "I do hope you didn't do anything rash." Gumball was one of the few (and the only still alive) that had seen what I am capable of, so his concern was understandable.

I shook my head. "No. Fionna stepped between us." I chuckled sarcastically. "Then, she made me apologize. Like it was my fault! I couldn't believe it! She wanted me to apologize to that flamehead!"

"Well, was it your fault?"

"What?! No! Of course not!"

"Mmhmm." Gumball obviously wasn't convinced. "Tell me exactly what happened."

I sighed. "Well, the dude gave me a weird feeling right off the bat, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and tried to be chill, but without letting my guard down. Then he was acting all smug and like he was better than me, so I told him who I am and who my Mother is; y'know just as a warning type of thing. Then he called me a hobo, questioned my authority, and still had the audacity to put himself above me even though he doesn't do jack for his kingdom!"

Gumball nodded his head. "I see. So then what?"

"I called him out on it and he challenged me."

"You didn't...you know...did you?

"I flashed my eyes, tongue, and fangs, just to get my point across. Nothing Fionna's never seen before."

"So you still haven't told her?"

"We've been over this, Gumball. I can't do that. She'd be terrified."

Gumball chuckled. "You do realize who you're talking about, don't you? Fionna has faced the Lynch, Death, your Mother, and various other horrible monsters, demons, and creatures. She can handle it."

"But she's never seen a demon vampire king in full form. Of all people, Gumball, you should understand the difference. You're the only being ever to see my full potential and live to tell about it. You were in trauma for weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if you still have nightmares."

Gumball turned his attention to stirring his tea. "...not recently..."
"Exactly. And that's why she can't know. I can't put her through that."

Gumball sat his teacup down. "I understand where you're coming from, Marshall Lee. But ask yourself this: Would you rather she know because you told her, or because she saw you?"

"She won't ever see. I won't let it happen."
"What if you snap? What if she gets hurt? What then?"

I paused. What if something did happen. What if she was seriously injured? What if someone tried to kill her?
"I...I don't know. I'll control it. I'll hold it in. I'll do something."
"MmmHmm," Gumball nodded, obviously not convinced. "Just, think about it, Marshall. Alright? Oh, and don't let all this 'Flame Prince' business get to you. It's a relatively recent arrangement, and I personally cannot see it lasting for too much longer."

I shrugged. "Whatever you say, PG."