Marceline huffed as she wandered down the castle halls. She caught a few of the other servants sending her glares while others sent her looks of pity. She knew she had angered her magical friends but she didn't think the others in the castle would care as much. Why were they so angry? She didn't think they were monsters but they didn't seem to understand that. They all thought she hated them. Bonnibelle wouldn't speak to her and Flame couldn't stand to be in the same room as her. Even Beemo got a little teary whenever she was near. She could never think of the little boy as a monster. How did none of them understand that?

The woman looked up, finding herself back in the Ice King's throne room. That bastard. This was all his fault. If only he had let the Enchantress in. If only he had even tried to find love then she wouldn't be like this. Wouldn't have to suffer while he ran around the forest doing who knows what.

"Anger like that never leads to anything good." Marceline turned towards the voice, not at all surprised to see Tree Trunks there. The woman had a knack for finding sad people.

"He ruined us, and now he's run off. Left us here to live like this." Tree Trunks frowned, stepping into the room and moving to stand next to the other woman. Marceline glanced over at the woman before turning back to the throne.

"Is this life so bad?" Marceline groaned.

"Not you too. I thought you would see things as I do." Tree Trunks smiled softly.

"Who's to say I don't?" Marceline laughed, sending shivers down Tree Trunks's spine. She sounded so much like Simon.

"Your son is magical. Would you leave him?" Tree Trunks shook her head.

"Just because I wanted to be human doesn't mean I would abandon my son. Human or not he is still my child." Marceline smiled at the woman. Finally. Someone who thought like her.

"Then you understand." Again Tree Trunks shook her head. She knew what Marceline was thinking but Tree Trunks didn't agree with her.

"I do. But I don't approve." Marceline opened her mouth, ready to protest and defend herself. Tree Trunks continued before she could. "Just because he is my son doesn't mean I would deny his magical heritage. His magic is a part of him. I wouldn't deny Beemo that."

Marceline slumped forward, frown on her face.

"I just want to be normal." Tree Trunks put a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.

"And you are." Marceline growled, swatting away the green hand and turning towards Tree Trunks. Her eyes flashed a dangerous red that had Tree Trunk's pausing.

"I'm a monster!" She was so angry. Why did everyone think this was what she wanted? She wanted her old life back! She wanted Simon back! She wanted things to just be the way they were. Suddenly she deflated, anger leaving her as quickly as it came and Marceline felt weary.

"Why?" Tired red eyes looked over at green as Tree Trunks glared at her.

"What?" Tree Trunks crossed her arms, trying to make Marceline think.

"Why are you a monster?" Marceline looked at the woman as if she were insane before gesturing to herself.

"I'm magical." Tree Trunks nodded.

"Is that all?" Tree Trunks ignored Marceline's sputtering. "If magic is what makes you a monster then why aren't I one? Or Flame? Or Bonnie? Or Beemo? Or anyone else in this castle?"

Marceline sighed, more tired than she ever remembered being. Tree Trunks stood, waiting for an answer and Marceline shrugged once more.

"They're good people." Tree Trunks rolled her eyes. Marceline wasn't thinking.

"But they have magic. If magic is what makes them evil then being good doesn't matter." Marceline frowned to herself. Magic was bad, but her friends weren't. They were good magical people.

"I- I don't know." Tree Trunks sighed, pulling the confused vampire into a hug.

"It isn't magic that makes you evil. It's what you do with it." Marceline nodded, still not fully understanding. It must have shown on her face because Tree Trunks merely patted her shoulder. "Just think about it."

The woman moved towards the door, leaving Marceline alone with her thoughts once again.

"I'm sorry." Flame looked up at the woman standing over him, raising an eyebrow. Marceline blushed and sat next to the fire demon. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't have called you a monster."

Flame stayed silent, long enough for fear to settle into Marceline's stomach. Had she destroyed their friendship for good? Finally Flame spoke and Marceline let out a sigh of relief.

"And what brought this on?" Marceline blushed once more.

"Tree Trunks." Flame rolled his eyes. Of course Tree Trunks would say something. She had probably sent Marceline to apologize to him. It wasn't like she meant it. Before Flame could fully stand to leave Marceline grabbed his arm. "I do mean it. I really am sorry."

Flame sighed and fell back onto the grass with the vampire. He would hear her out. It was the least he could do.

"Do you understand why I was so mad?" Marceline nodded, scooting closer to her friend.

"Not completely but I'm willing to listen." Flame smiled. She was making an effort. She wanted to understand and that was all he wanted.

"How touching. A shame I have to break this up." Neptr and Finn looked up from their embrace to see Magic Man standing over them. Neptr threw himself in front of the blonde. He wouldn't let himself lose his new mother so quickly.

"Papa please! Let him rest!" Finn wrapped an arm around the boy's waist, pulling Neptr to him.

"It's alright Neptr." Neptr looked up at him in surprise, tears starting to form in his eyes. Finn smiled and pressed a kiss to the boy's head before looking up at Magic Man. "I spoke with Margles."

Magic Man surged forward, the same as his wife, and Finn had to resist the urge to laugh.

"You saw her? What did she say? How did she look?" Finn huffed, keeping Neptr in his lap.

"There was a lot about calling me a worm and mere mortal. I may have stopped listening." Neptr snickered and Finn smiled down at the boy. "She asked about you. Why aren't you looking for her?"

Horror flashed across Magic Man's face as he suddenly reached out to grip Finn's arms.

"I am! You have to tell her! I'm trying to get her back!" Finn pulled himself back from the man's reach, feeling his stomach churn. Ade was warning him. Something about this man was off.

"I did. She doesn't want my body." Silence cut through the air as Finn looked up at Magic Man. Anger danced across the man's face before a sick sense of glee took over.

"Then I have no use for you." The man raised his hand, red light crackling in his palm and Finn curled around Neptr. He would keep this boy safe no matter what. Magic Man laughed, sneering down and Finn and his son. "I will enjoy getting rid of the two of you."

Blue light struck Magic Man, sending him flying across the room. He crashed into the wall of potions, smoke rising around him as a few of the potions came into contact with his skin. Finn looked up at their savior, ready thanks on his lips. He froze when he was met with ice blue eyes and white hair looking down at him in concern.

"Ice King?" The man gave a shaky smile that Finn returned. At least they were safe.