Chapter 3: The Birth of Bonnibel

"Honey?" The Lady Bubblegum began. She was a beautiful, and fiery deep red Bubble Person, and it suited her name justly. Cinnamon Bubblegum was fierce, highly intelligent, and very passionate about her kingdom.

"Yes sugar plum?" Her kindly husband responded, looking up from his royal papers at his wife. The king, on the other hand, was the quiet and kind silvery counterpart of his wife. Spearmint Gumball was known for his compassion and logic. Both came from an age where names were flavors. It was an old tradition, one that the Kingdom had long since forgotten. Now, the only reason people carried names like theirs was because the parents had found it suitable or because it was a family name, though often the flavor became a middle name.

The King Gumball and Queen Bubblegum had been kindly and justly ruling their Candy Kingdom for almost as long as the world could remember. They had led their people through four depressions, one invasion (by Lumpy Space, though they were now friends), and many threats. War had never broken out, however, because as soon as the opposing army or royals met the kindly members of the easily attacked candy kingdom, they could not find it in themselves to strike. As for that invasion by Lumpy Space, they had attacked before any formal meeting was had, but as soon as the kings met, all Lumpy Space People left the town, and were offered fruit for the long journey home. Such was how the kingdom and people conducted themselves.

All this the two had been through, for you see, candy people age very differently, and as long as they keep up with their Biomass, living for hundreds of years isn't a problem. The two were so loved by their people that maintaining their strength was not a concern, as they were frequently offered pieces of their candy subjects as gifts of thanks for ruling so well.

Their Kingdom has arisen not long after the Mushroom war, and they had built it dutifully and peacefully for almost one thousand years, though the couple didn't look a day over forty. They had been appeasing and sweet to neighboring kingdoms, even the Ice Kingdom, whose king always seemed to stir up trouble.

The Queen walked out onto their large overhang balcony to gaze down at her kingdom. "Honey," she repeated, "I think it's time for us to move on from this world."

The King stood from his desk and joined her on the balcony, placing an arm around her shoulder lovingly. "You know, my sweet, I've been thinking the same thing. We have lived here for hundreds of years now. Our age makes us so very different from the ever-shifting subjects of our lovely kingdom. We are established, and our people need someone who will learn and grow with them."

The woman looked to her husband. "I see you have given this much thought, and I completely agree with you. A child would do so nicely…to learn from our people and the times. What a marvelous idea."

The King smiled warmly down at his wife. "Our child…it's about time, is it not? Almost one thousand years later?" He gave a hearty laugh. It's true that the generous and kind royals had not had children, but they thought they could always have more time. After all, their candy biomass was maintained constantly. Yet now, as they found themselves ready to move on to the next plain of existence, they had no heir to take over their duties.

"Let us make a formal announcement to our people tomorrow then," He said, and the Lady Bubblegum beamed in happiness.

"My people!" The King began the next day, standing on the balcony just above his subjects, "The Queen and I have come to an important decision. As you well know, we have happily ruled this Kingdom since its creation; now though, we find ourselves prepared to move on." there was a quiet murmur through the crowd of candy people, who had come from all corners of the small kingdom to hear the important royal announcement.

"We have lived on this earth for nine hundred and seventy six years, and you, the people, have generously kept us alive for so long. Yet, we find ourselves at a disconnect. We are old, and of an ancient generation. You are young, and so much in our world is changing. So, this night, we have decided to move on to the next plain of existence."

At that the crowd gave an uproar. Cries echoed through the town square. Everyone was wondering who would rule, what would happen to the kingdom, and wondering what brought the aged couple to this decision.

The Queen regally held up a hand, delicately silencing the group below. "Now candy people, fear not. We know this is a sudden decision, but the king and I will not leave you hanging for an heir. Tonight, before we depart from you, we will create a child for all of you to raise and teach. Together, the child and the kingdom will grow into this modern age. We are trusting you, the people, to be kind and to love our child in our absence."

The monarchs looked at each other for a brief moment, both wondering why they had waited all these years to create a child, only to leave it. Yet, there was no better citizenry to give such a wonderful responsibility to. The people of the Candy Kingdom were not only kind, but fiercely loyal and protective. Each and every one of them would happily die for their royals, and were incredibly hard working, smart, and responsible.

A moment passed, and the king looked back out at his subjects, smiling. "Will you do it?" He asked, and there was a resounding holler of positivity that people swore could be heard all the way in Lumpy Space.

"Then," the King said, "Let the celebration begin! For tonight, a new Candy Royal will be born!" And the whole town was instantaneously thrown into festivities. Food and games and decorations were all brought out from their respective shops. The best musician pulled out their instruments and began playing the best and most original songs. The whole kingdom rejoiced, realizing the same thing that the King and Queen had. It was indeed time for a new ruler, and though the world would be sad to see these ancient monarchs go, the bringing in of a new life to teach and grow with was something worth celebrating.

The festivities lasted all day, but upon their end, the King and Queen retired to their bed chambers, prepared to move on and to leave behind their child to the joys of the world.

Silently, they went about the process, for Candy People are not made through sex, but through the combining of two souls and two people, literally. The Queen pulled of a piece of her hair, and the King did the same. Placing the two pieces together, the royals clasped their hands together, their soon-to-be child in the middle of them.

"Are you ready, my love?" His highness asked. The queen nodded. Releasing hands, each took their right hand, and slowly made their way through their candy flesh and to their hearts, where each broke off a piece far bigger than normal (as they would be leaving this world) and removed it, placing the pieces in the center of their combined hair. This was the process all candy people went through for children, yet the pieces were often so much smaller. Truly it was a joining of hearts, so having a child was not something to take lightly.

Together, they folded over the ends of their hair, making sure to completely conceal the pieces of heart guts. The clasped hands again, as the small mound began to shift and move, forming slowly and beautifully into a combined manifestation of their love. Watching in awed reverence at the life that was literally coming to be before their very eyes, the two were soon met with a sleeping, pink, female baby on the bed between them.

"What shall we name her?" The king asked.

"What about Bonnibel? Bonnibel Bubblegum." His counterpart smiled, and a silent agreement of the child's name was reached, formally ridding the royal line of the ancient tradition of flavor names. "Let her be kind."

"Let her be smart."

"But most of all, I think, my dear, let her love and be loved."

The queen gently picked up the infant and carried her to the room of the ninth descendant of the Peppermint Butler line. The only line left to have kept their flavor name. The man could have just as easily been called 'James Butler,' and in actuality, he was Peppermint Butler IX.

He answered the door swiftly and gave a small bow, taking the child into his own arms. "Bonnibel Bubblegum." The Queen stated, and with that, the small man was sent scurrying down the hall, taking the princess into a nursery he had prepared throughout the day.

"Such a good butler…" The king mused for a moment, before taking his wife's hand and leading her back to their room. They lay down on the bed together, and closed their eyes.

And with that, the King Gumball and Queen Bubblegum silently left this Earth.

A/N

Okay! This one is from Caercutta, who asked for two things, but I decided to run with 'Did she have parents...?'So viola! Birth of Bonni! It all starts with the candy Biomass thing, not a sexy rumpus between the sheets!

Shadowfox: Yes it is all one story, though the time line is severely non-linear, so it seems (at least to me) more like one-shots and I'm setting it up that way I think. Like, any suggestions don't have to do exclusively with plot. If it continues, I'm sure it'll all fall into place as one universe and history.

Thank you to my reviewers and prompt-givers!

*************************************I STILL WANT MORE SUGGESTIONS SO KEEP 'EM COMING!**************************************

-JD