Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time.

"Who does she think she is? No one says 'no' to me!" Peppermint sighed and shook his head as the prince pouted and looked out the carriage window. They were returning to the small town to take Fionna as the prince's bride, whether she wanted to be or not. The prince was still angry with him after he found out about the butler's lie but was angrier with Fionna. Peppermint hoped she had gotten away; he couldn't bear the thought of what the prince was going to do to that girl. A sharp punch to his arm drew the man's attention to the furious prince who was currently glaring at him. Peppermint blinked and lowered his gaze to meet the prince's, ignoring the twin guards who sat across from him and the prince.

"Your highness? Were you in need of something?" Gumball frowned at the man.

"What were you thinking of?" Peppermint sighed and looked away from the prince.

"Nothing, your highness. Merely the day's chores." Gumball narrowed his eyes. His servant had been smiling softly for a while and ignored the prince's calls. Why would he lie about his thoughts? Unless it would anger the prince. Rage filled him as he thought of Fionna and then Peppermint's lie to get him out the house. Was the girl sleeping with his butler? Fire burned in his eyes and he forced Peppermint to look at him. The butler frowned as he took in the prince's angered state.

"You were thinking of her weren't you?" Peppermint smirked at the prince before replying.

"I do not know who you speak of." Prince Gumball huffed and threw another punch at his servant's arm.

"Don't play coy with me! What is she to you?!" Peppermint glowered at the boy, effectively silencing him and making the boy draw back in slight fear. He had never seen his butler look so angry. His eyes shone like blood and for a moment the prince wanted to cry. How had he ever thought he could intimidate this man, who seemed to burn hotter than the sun and could destroy him with a look? Even his guards looked afraid and Gumball felt his fear grow.

"She is a child just as you are and she should not be forced into a marriage she does not want. I would not like to see a young woman as bright as her dulled by sadness and fear caused by your hand. I see my own daughter in her." Peppermint felt a smile threaten to grace his lips. It had been a while since he had called upon his power and he knew he must look terrifying to the prince. The man looked back out the window as the prince and guards tried to regain some sense of pride and cover the fear written in their face. The carriage finally arrived at the cottage and Gumball hurried out, wanting to be away from his butler. Gumball composed himself once more and strode towards the cottage door with determination. He knocked sharply, trying to ignore the presence of his butler behind him. The door yanked open and Gumball looked up at Fionna's brother. Gumball's eyes widened as he took in the man's disheveled appearance. The woodsman's clothes were rumpled and torn in some areas and there was a bandage wrapped around the man's arm and shoulder. The man's eyes were bloodshot and darted around hysterically. They finally landed on the prince and narrowed.

"What are you doing here?" Gumball frowned and stood slightly taller.

"I've come to ask for Fionna's hand in marriage." Jake sighed and shook his head.

"She's not here." Gumball huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"She cannot hide from me. I will see her." Jack sighed and leaned against the door frame, eyes tired.

"No you will not, and you will not have her hand either." Peppermint smiled at that. He knew Gumball would not try to take Fionna, not with her brother here. Gumball pouted and glared at the woodsman.

"I demand to see her!"

"I said he's not here!" Jake snapped. Peppermint's eyes widened while the prince gasped. It took Gumball a while to stop reeling from shock but when he did his voice was a whisper as he looked at the woodsman.

"He?"

"I- I didn't-" Jake's mouth hung open as he mentally cursed himself. It was a testament to his tiredness that he couldn't think up a lie. Peppermint shook his head and frowned.

"Fionna's a boy?" Jake shook his head rapidly.

"No she-" Gumball cut the man of with an excited gasp.

"He is!" Gumball grinned. "Let me speak with him."

"No." Jake shook his head. He would never let the prince near his brother now that the man knew the truth about him. Gumball motioned his guards forward.

"I can arrest you or you can let me see him." The prince smirked. Jake propped himself up against the doorway and Peppermint took notice of the blood blossoming from underneath the man's bandages.

"I wasn't lying when I said he wasn't here." Gumball frowned.

"Where is he then?" Jake ran a tired hand down the side of his face.

"In a monster's castle. He traded his life for mine to a magical beast." Gumball felt fear grasp him. He had heard stories from the older warriors of the castle when he was a young boy. They spoke of magical beasts that could destroy entire armies and the madness that consumed those who dared wield the dark craft.

"What?" Jake gave a broken smile. Peppermint himself frowned. He had not heard of any magical communities nearby.

"Where is this castle?" Jake motioned towards the mountains is the distance.

"In the forest near the north, it is close to the mountains." Peppermint could think of no magical communities near the mountains or in the forest. Gumball stepped towards the woodsman, the fire relighted in his eyes.

"We must go there and save him." Jake raised an eyebrow at the prince.

"You would save a boy? A boy like him?" Gumball paused before nodding.

"I- I still care for him. I still want to make him my bride." Jake smiled and moved to allow the party into his home. Gumball and Peppermint followed the man inside while the guards took silent post next to the door. Jake sent a smile over his shoulder as he walked towards the large table. There was an array of weapons on the table, ranging from small knives to broad swords and bows. Peppermint laughed quietly and Gumball ran a finger over one of the broad swords.

"Do you know how to handle a sword?" Gumball nodded.

"My father taught me when I was young and I have had training since though I prefer bows." Jake nodded and sent Gumball a smile.

"Finn cares for you as well, even if he won't say it." Gumball raised his head in shock.

"He does?" Jake's smile brightened.

"He thinks highly of you. He had come to me worried you would ask for his hand and he would have to decline. We did not think you would be so accepting of one like him." Gumball frowned as he looked down. That was why Fionna had told him no. He didn't want the prince to find out he was a boy. Guilt washed over him as the prince remembered his actions. He shouldn't have done that, Fionna didn't deserve that. A thought crossed his mind and Gumball frowned.

"What is Fionna's name? His real name?"

"Finn." Gumball smiled to himself. It was a suitable name and the prince felt warmth spread across his heart.

"I will save you Finn."