"A house doesn't make a home. When the place has got history, family, emotions, worries, joys worked into the wood, that's when it gets a solid threshold."

–Jim Butcher

Chapter 40

A Promise Made

"Dude, for the last time, I don't wanna talk about it."

"Come on, Jake, it couldn't have been that bad."

"Not that bad?!" Jake shouted as he and Finn walked through the Grasslands. "I spent six hours being sucked into the bottomless bottom of a fat, old, ugly tree hag!"

"Sorry it took so long to get that princess hair," Finn said.

"When the goal is to get some 'beautiful princess hair,' what kind of idiot goes to see the Slime Princess?!"

Finn chuckled and rubbed the back of his head in an embarrassed manner. "Yeah, that…that was my bad, bro."

Jake let out a long groan and ran his paws down his face, stretching his eyelids way down before letting them spring back up. "It's fine, man, it's fine. I know you've been…kinda distracted lately, ever since the breakup."

"What? No I haven't," Finn said.

"Come on, Finn, you don't have to hide anything from me," Jake said. "You got dumped, again, and now it's bummed you out big time. It's cool, man. Who wouldn't that bum out?"

Finn sighed. "Look, me and Phoebe's relationship was bound to end eventually. Believe it or not, dating a Princess who has anger issues and whose entire body is literally made of fire is incredibly difficult. Even if you do have a magic, fire-proof pendant."

"I didn't wanna say anything, but your asthma seems to have gotten a lot better since the breakup," Jake commented.

"Yeah, after the breakup, Bubblegum invited me over for tea and stuff. She brewed this peppermint tea that's really good for like, coughs and stuff. She sent me home with a whole bunch of the stuff and it has just worked wonders for my–"

"Wait, wait, back up," said Jake. "So, like, right after you got dumped, PB invited you over to her place?"

"Yeah, so?"

"What do you mean 'yeah, so?' Right after you got dumped, Bubblegum invited you over to her place." Jake waved his arms in the arm. "That seriously doesn't send out any signals to you?!"

"Signals?" Finn's eyes widened. "Oh, signals. Okay, Jake, nothing happened."

"For real?" Jake asked.

"For real," said Finn. "We hung out a bit, we drank tea and ate some of those fancy crumpet things, and then I left. No biggie."

"Come on, man, you know she kinda has a thing for you, so what's the prob?" Jake asked. "Is it because she's hanging out with her Vampire Queen ex-girlfriend again? Because that would totally keep me from trying anything."

"Bubblegum, and Marceline too, are just friends," Finn said. "And, I am perfectly fine with that."

"So…try your luck with Breakfast Princess?" Jake suggested. "Before you say anything, let me make my closing argument…all of her furniture is probably made out of pancakes and bacon. Let that sink in for just a second."

"Is that why you keep trying to get me to ask her out?" Finn asked.

"Well, that, and, it would probably be better for your health if you dated someone who wasn't crazy scary."

"Oh, yeah. And dating a princess who lives in a pancake and sausage castle would be so much better for my health," Finn remarked. "I've already gotten asthma and a flippin' hip fracture, I wonder how bad diabetes would be."

The two boys finally arrived at the Treehouse. Finn walked up to the front door and looked up at the abode he had come to love, never forgetting that his landlord was his first girlfriend.

"I don't hear Susan stomping around up there chasing BMO, so that's a good sign," Finn said.

"How's that whole thing been going?" Jake asked.

"It's…gotten better." Finn opened the door and he and Jake walked into the treasure room. "Susan still doesn't remember Founder's Island or anything about her life as a Seeker, but she's been behaving herself more and more. She's gotten easier to have around the house. The Nymphs have been a big help with that, keeping her calm and stuff."

Finn climbed the ladder into the upper level of the house and Jake stretched his legs and followed him up. Susan was lying on the floor next to the lit furnace, asleep like a bear in hibernation. Finn and Jake both let out a yawn, beginning to feel sleepy as well from the sound of the gentle flute music. The source of the music was coming from the Tree Nymph sitting on the sofa chair.

"Huntress?" Finn asked.

The Wizard brought her Thunder Boar tusk flute down from her lips and smiled. She had taken her cape and cowl off as well as her boots, like she was making herself right at home.

"I gotta say, Finn, I really like your place," HW said. "Living in a tree. That's the way to do it."

Jake looked at the slumbering Susan. "How'd you do that?"

"Pacification is a trick all Nymphs know. It's an ability that dates back all the way to our ancient ancestors." HW tilted her head and smirked. "Back then, it was a sort of…praying mantis kind of deal. They always went peacefully, though."

Finn quietly gulped and Jake coughed into his fist. "Uh, good seeing you again, HW. I think I'll go hang with BMO and Neptr," The bulldog said. "You know where they are?"

"Playing cards in the lower south wing," said Huntress. "Go ahead, Jake, I gotta talk to Finn alone anyway."

"Ah, geez, this was even faster than last time," Jake muttered as he shambled away. "It would have been so awesome to be the third wheel if he had dated Breakfast Princess. I bet she has chairs made out of muffins."

Finn and HW watched Jake leave, then Finn met Huntress's gaze. It was always a trick to look HW in the eyes. She really did have a predator's gaze. If you were a fellow predator, it either deterred or challenged you. If you were prey, then it captivated you, paralyzing you in a false state of calm. Finn wasn't entirely sure which category he fell under. And, as such…her gaze had an odd effect on him.

"Um…so, Huntress Wizard," Finn awkwardly began. "What, uh…what brings you by?"

Huntress stood up from the chair. "It's ready."

Finn's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really, really," HW replied. "It's all yours whenever you want it."

"I…" Finn blinked. "Wow…thank you, HW."

"Just remember our deal, Finn." Huntress smiled. "And, you're welcome."

Finn sighed and looked at the floor. "I…guess I should–"

"Finn! Finn!" Jake ran back into the room, holding his phone up high. "I just got a call from the Princess!"

"Which one?" Finn asked.

"Which one do you think?" Jake asked. "I mean, in all fairness, it's a valid question, since we actually know a lot of princesses. But still, come on."

"So, PB?"

"Duh," said Jake. "Anyway, we have another job. It's kind of a weird job this time, but hear me out. There's this guy, Xergiok, who used to be the Goblin King. And–please hear me out–he used to love to spank all of his subjects. I mean, every day, he would spank somebody. Consistently. I'm not sure if it was, like, a fetish or a power thing or what. But…yeah."

"Xergiok?" Finn asked. "Isn't he the guy who got his eyes melted out of his skull by Flame Princess?"

"Yeah, that guy," said Jake. "And now he's advancing on the Candy Kingdom with an army of Earclopses because he wants to spank all of the Candy People. I mean…I'm not really sure why. A lot of the Candy People don't even have actual butts. If it were me, I would have gone back to the Goblin Kingdom to spank all of the people I already knew had butts, but, you know, whatevs."

"...Okay, so…blind Goblin guy who loves to spank people. Army of Earclopses which, I guess, are like Cyclopses but…with ears?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Well, it seems like you guys have a full day ahead of you, so I'll get out of your hair," said Huntress Wizard. "I'd join you guys, but, I'm afraid to say that blind Goblins who love to spank people are waaaaaay past where I draw the line. Later."

HW morphed into a falcon and zipped out of the window. Jake turned to look at Finn. "What'd she wanna talk about?"

"Oh, uh, nothing important," Finn lied. "Just…something she was working on for me."

"...Right," said Jake. "S'all good, man. Not of my biz. Anyway, you ready to go?"

"Sure," Finn said. "Let's go beat up a blind guy who loves to spank it."

"Ahhhh, we could've kept it clean, but okay."

Finn raised the binoculars up to his eyes to better see the approaching army of Earclopes. They were muscular giants about twenty feet tall, wearing fur loincloths, bracers, and shoulder wraps. For a weapon, they all wielded a crude, wooden cudgel. As their name implied, instead of a head they all had a single, large ear. No eyes or anything.

"So, do they, like, breathe through their ear holes?" Finn asked. "And do they have, like, some kind of echolocation thing going on or something? I'm just not sure that the anatomy makes any sense with these guys. I mean, how the ham do they eat? I've met living skeletons and I'm currently in a Kingdom of living candy. But even that makes more sense than these guys."

"Well, to properly explain Earclops anatomy would require a whole presentation on the subject." Princess Bubblegum, wearing her usual pink dress, walked up next to Finn atop the wall surrounding the Candy Kingdom. "Unfortunately, I don't think we have time for one."

"I'm cool with that." Jake walked up next to Finn as well. "So, where's Spanky?"

"Hold on." Finn looked among the army of anatomically confusing giants until he found Xergiok riding on the shoulder of the Earclops at the front of the army. The former Goblin King was shorter than Finn thought he would be. Xergiok had a bald head and a long, scruffy, white beard. He wore tattered clothes like an old hermit would wear. Finn couldn't tell what the damage Fire Princess left on the Goblin looked like because he wore a pair of visor shades, hiding his eyes from sight.

"Found him," said Finn. "Geez, I don't know what he looked like before FP melted out his eyes, but I get the feeling he's really let himself go."

"Do we really gotta do this?" Jake asked. "Can't we just sick the Gumball Guardians on them and watch the show while we munch on some candy?"

"Hey, I've always wondered," Finn asked Bubblegum. "If you or any of the Candy People eat candy, isn't that technically considered cannibalism?"

"Not as long as the candy's not alive." PB handed Finn a pink airhorn and a pair of ear muffs. "Here, just use this to take care of them. It's really, really loud, so, you're gonna want to use these ear muffs."

"What am I supposed to wear then?" Jake asked.

"You can turn your ears into ear muffs or something."

"Oh, yeah." Jake inflated to the size of a large horse and picked up Finn, placing him on his back. "Let's go, bro!"

Bubblegum watched as Jake leapt off of the wall with Finn on his back. "...Aw, dangit. Now he's got me thinking about the whole candy cannibalism thing. Thanks a lot, Finn."

Finn rode Jake across the field to the lead Earclops who had Xergiok on its shoulder. The advancing army halted as Jake stopped a few yards in front of them.

"Xergiok!" Finn called out.

"Who the heck are you?!" Xergiok called back from the Earclops's shoulder. He had a loud, shrill voice, matching his appearance quite well, really. "I don't recognize the sound of your voice nor the smell of your clothes."

"Finn the Human," Finn said. "I'm actually not used to meeting people who don't know me. I'm the Hero of Ooo, Billy's successor, yadda yadda yadda, I'm here to stop you and your army because that's what heroes do."

"No stinkin' way!" Xergiok shouted. "All of those Candy People are gonna get SPANKED! Except for the Princess. Cuz, you know, I don't want things to get weird."

"Nice to know you at least have a line," Jake commented.

"Look, man, I got a really important thing I gotta do later today," Finn said. "So here's the deal, guy whose name I'm probably always gonna spell wrong: you only get the one warning. Surrender and call off your army so we can all go home. I seriously don't want to fight a blind guy anyway, that just sounds completely immoral, regardless of how much of a creepy jerk you are."

"I will never surrender! Not until I spank each and every one of those Candy People!" Zergioc cried. "Come on, man, I need this. After I got my eyes melted out of my flippin' skull by the Flame Princess, I got kicked out of the Goblin Kingdom, and had to live among a flock of giant birds with big noses for a while. It hasn't been a fun ride."

"Uh, believe it or not, I actually dated the Flame Princess for a little bit," Finn said.

"Yeah, how'd that go?"

"Well, I didn't get my eyes melted out, but I did get asthma before I got dumped."

"She gave you asthma, and then she dumped you? Glob damn, dude."

"Oh, the heck with this." Finn pulled out the air horn and put on the ear muffs as Jake morphed his ears into a pair of ear muffs. "Here's hoping your other senses didn't get heightened when you lost your sight."

"Why's that?" Zirgiok asked. "If you're holding something, I obviously can't see it."

Finn pressed down on the air horn. Even through the ear muffs, he could still hear the loud sound that the horn emitted. It was apparently quite worse for the Earclopses. They all began to spasm and writhe in pain, dropping to their knees and bringing their hands up to their large ear. With a startled cry, Xurgiock was thrown off his Earclop's shoulder and fell to the ground. Before he could hit the ground, Jake stretched out his arm and caught the former Goblin King by the back of his shirt.

"Hey, no fair!" Zirgeeok whined. "When has it ever been okay to take advantage of someone's disability? That's basically what you guys just did."

"You're a creepy old Goblin who loves spanking people. Exactly what high ground do you have to speak from?" Finn asked. "You know what, I don't really care. You're going to jail now."

"Aw, man."

"King Xergiok, and yes, I know how to spell it right," Bubblegum decreed. "I hereby charge you with the crime of attempted conquering of my Kingdom–or whatever it is you were trying to do. In all honesty, I'm mostly just charging you with being a total creep. Take him away."

Two Banana Guards came up and dragged Xergiok out of the courtyard, taking him to the Castle Dungeon.

"So, how's the food?" Xergiok asked. "Not too much sugar I hope, I have several cavities."

"Glob, if only it were that easy to get rid of Ice King," Bubblegum said. "Thanks, boys."

"You're welcome," Finn said. "Now, if we're all good here, I gotta get back to my place and, uh, take care of some things. Nice seeing you, PB. Gotta go."

"Leaving so soon?" PB asked. "Stick around for a minute, what's the rush?"

"He's going to see Huntress Wizard," Jake said.

"Geez, man, you really do rebound quickly, don't you?" Bubblegum asked.

"That's not…I'm not…" Finn ran a hand down his face. "Forget it. I'm leaving."

"Wait, hold on," said PB. "I've got something to show you before you go. Follow me."

Bubblegum turned around and walked off before Finn could protest. He and Jake followed after the Princess, who led the boys through the castle. The three of them exited out of the back into the garden, where Finn's surprise awaited them.

Finn's eyes widened. "Woah."

In the middle of the garden was a thirty-foot-tall stone statue of Finn. Standing on a pedestal, statue-Finn had Nothung raised skyward as part of a heroic pose.

Mouth agape, Finn walked up to the statue's pedestal to read the inscription carved on it. 'Finnegan Campbell. Known to the lands of Ooo as Finn the Human. One of the greatest heroes the world has ever known.'

"The other Princesses and I are still discussing the best place to put it," Bubblegum said. "It was supposed to be a surprise for when we did, but I thought you'd like to see it now. I figured you were still bummed from the recent breakup, even if you are going to see Huntress Wizard later."

"One; that's not why I'm going to see her. Two…" Finn looked up at the statue of him. "This…I…I really don't know what to say, PB."

"Hey, how come I'm not part of the statue?" Jake complained.

"You are, you're in the chest pocket of Finn's jacket." Bubblegum pointed out the carving of Jake sticking his head out from Finn's jacket pocket, a goofy smile on his doggy face.

Jake giggled. "Okay. Okay, I'm cool with that. It's not much, I know, but I'm cool with that."

"Finn. All of Ooo, myself especially, owes you so much." Bubblegum smiled and placed a hand on Finn's shoulder. "The day you came into our lives was the best thing to happen to Ooo in a very long time. You healed the wounds left on this world that were inflicted by the Lich. You've been the incorruptible symbol of hope and strength that we so desperately needed. And…you've been the friend that I had no idea I needed."

Finn blinked. "I…I-I appreciate that, Bubblegum."

"Not as much as I appreciate you," said PB. "I know it wasn't really your choice to come to Ooo. But…I'm really, really, happy you came to Ooo. I'm grateful for your heroics and your service to Ooo. But, most of all…I'm grateful for your friendship."

"Diddo, yo," Jake agreed.

Finn didn't seem able to look Bubblegum in the eyes, instead averting his gaze to the left. "Um…listen, Peebles. Thank you so much for this. It means a lot to me, it really does." Finn took a step back. "But, I…I really need to do something real quick. Thanks again, seriously, but…later."

Finn speed walked away with Bubblegum and Jake giving him confused and worried looks as he left.

"Huh. Guess you really overwhelmed him," Jake said.

"...Yeah." Bubblegum stared after Finn as he left. "Yeah, I guess so."

(Later that evening)

After making his way down from his bedroom, Finn peaked his head into the main room. He saw BMO and Neptr sitting on the floor playing a board game. Finn let out a sigh and entered the room.

"Oh, hi, Finn!" BMO said.

"Hello, Creator," Neptr. "Are you going somewhere? I ask this due to the fact that you are wearing a large backpack, which is something you do not normally wear."

"I actually have some thoughts on that," BMO said. "I feel that, instead of a large, brown backpack, you would look better with a smaller, light-green one."

"Guys, I'm…going on a little trip," Finn said.

"Where are you going, Creator?" Neptr asked.

"And when will you be back?" BMO asked.

"The first question I can't answer. The second one…I'm not sure, but it probably might be awhile," Finn answered. "Once I leave, call Jake and tell him to come over. Tell him the place is his until I get back. He might have to get into it with Marceline, but I'm sure they'll work it out."

BMO and Neptr glanced at each other. "Okay," they said.

"Great." Finn headed to the door. "You two behave yourselves while I'm gone. BMO, no fighting with Football."

"It is not like I am the one who starts it," BMO grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Neptr, no shooting pies in the house," Finn said as he reached the door.

"Yes, Creator," Neptr replied politely.

Finn opened the door and walked outside, closing the door behind him. "Glob, I really am a dad. I even have the problem child and the other, well-behaved one." He made his way around the house to the pond, where Susan was curiously poking her reflection in the water.

"Hey, Susan," Finn greeted.

Finn!" Susan greeted back. "Look, look! There is big lady in water. Big lady in water copy Susan."

"Man, we have got to get that fixed," Finn said. "And we will, I promise. How would you like to go somewhere really fun?"

"Yay, fun!" Susan clapped her hands excitedly. "Susan love fun!"

"Terrific." Finn crawled up onto Susan's shoulder and pointed. "Just run that way until I tell you to stop. I'll leave the motorcycle here."

"Okay." Susan got up and ran away at the speed of a running cheetah, with Finn holding on for dear life.

The Water Nymphs all poked their heads above the pond's surface and watched as Susan ran off with Finn atop her shoulders.

"I heard he and Flame Princess broke up," Cherry said.

"Yeah, but I think he's seeing Huntress Wizard now," said Sherry.

"At least we know he's into Nymphs," Merry pointed out.

(One ride across Ooo later)

"Steady, Susan! Steady!" Finn cried as the muscle-bound, big lady ran through the woods.

A tree branch smacked Finn in the face as Susan ran, nearly knocking him off of the Seeker's shoulders.

"OW! Susan, slow down!" Finn begged. "We're almost there!"

"Fun!" Susan slowed from a sprint to a jog. Susan jogged through the forest until the grass beneath her feet became sand. The Seeker ran out of the forest and onto the beach, marveling with each step she took at how the sand felt on her feet. She slid to a halt, throwing a startled Finn off of her shoulders, to flex her toes and feel the sand.

"Ground feels…funny." Susan sat down and began playing in the sand. "Squishy ground. Squishy ground."

Finn got up and dusted the sand off of him. He then looked out at the beach and sighed. "Well…here I am yet again."

It was that same beach. The one that Finn washed up on when he first arrived in Ooo. He listened to and watched the waves gently crash against the shore while the ocean wind blew against Finn's face. Added to the fact that this was where Ooo's legend of 'Finn the Human' began, this place was soothing in an oddly surreal way to Finn. Looking around the beach, it looked just as Finn last left it.

Except for one thing. The shipwrecked and broken sailboat that had been sitting and rotting away on the shore had been fully restored. It wasn't anything all too impressive, just a small, one-mast schooner with white sails and a brown, wooden hull. It sat anchored in the water, ready to set sail.

A giant eagle flew over the woods and descended down to the beach. That eagle then morphed into Huntress Wizard, who landed on the beach with an acrobat's grace. Not a single speck of sand managed to get on her.

"Great job with the ship, HW," Finn said. "It turned out real nice."

"Sorry it took so long," Huntress apologized. "Like I've said before: ocean magic is not my forte. My antlers are branches. My cape turns into a leaf. I'm green. Everything about me screams 'forest.' I really don't like the ocean, way too salty for my taste."

"Thanks again for doing this, Huntress," Finn said. "I know it might've been a lot of work outside your comfort zone, but I really need–"

"Hey, don't worry about me. Do what you gotta do, man, I'm not about to judge your decisions." HW held out her hand. "That being said, how's about we complete the deal we made? I made you your own freakin' yacht, I think it's only fair you give me what you owe."

"Oh, okay, yeah." Finn reached out and shook Huntress Wizard's hand. As he did, a green, glowing mist swirled around his and HW's interlocked hands.

Finn blinked at what just occurred. "...I don't have to worry about that, do I?"

Huntress yanked Finn toward her, pulling his startled face in close to her smirking face.

"...Ten favors," the wizard said. "This boat was worth a good six favors. So, now, you owe me ten favors." She narrowed her predatory eyes. "Now…you owe me your soul."

Finn stared at Huntress Wizard for a minute before gulping. "I…guess I picked a good time to head out."

"Oh, you'll be back." Huntress Wizard let go of Finn's hand and backed up. "You better be back."

HW jumped into the air and morphed back into an eagle. Finn watched as she soared away back to the forest.

"And I thought Marceline was intense."

Finn gasped in shock as Bubblegum walked out of the woods and onto the beach.

"I knew there was something going on with you," PB said. "I just didn't think it was this."

"This isn't what it looks like!" Finn said.

"It looks like you're about to leave Ooo," PB said. "Probably to go back to Founder's Island. And, you were going to go alone, without even telling anybody."

"...Okay, yeah, it's exactly what it looks like," Finn admitted.

"So, this is why you wanted me to stop trying to contact Founder's Island." Bubblegum frowned and crossed her arms. "Because, what's the point if you're just going to ditch Ooo and go back to your home island."

"Princess, I'm not ditching Ooo," Finn stated. "I'm just…taking a vacation."

"And is that why you kept this a secret from all of your friends?" PB said.

Finn sighed. "What do you want me to say, PB? What is there to even say? I need to see my mom again."

"Even if it means bailing on us?" PB said accusingly. "After all that's happened, you're just gonna get on a boat and leave without even saying goodbye?"

"This is something I need to do, Bubblegum," Finn said. "Am I supposed to just forget about my problems just so I can keep on fixing Ooo's problems?"

"It's called having responsibilities, Finn," PB said. "And I'm sorry, but…responsibility demands sacrifice."

"...Tell you what, Princess," said Finn. "Come talk to me when you're actually willing to make any kind of sacrifice."

A look of outrage immediately formed on PB's face.

Finn frowned. "I…I'm sorry, PB. That…that was uncalled for."

"Why would you do this?" Bubblegum asked. "Why would you just take off without even telling anybody where you were going?"

"Because I was afraid you guys would talk me out of doing this," Finn admitted. "Well, that, and…because I thought I would talk me out of doing this. I was afraid I would convince myself to not leave my friends and go running back to my mom."

"Because you think there's a chance you won't come back to Ooo?" Bubblegum asked.

"I am coming back," Finn said.

"And yet, you still don't have the courage to tell your friends that you're leaving," PB said. "Because once you go back to Founder's Island, you're not sure you'll be able to come back to Ooo."

"Bubblegum, she's my mom," Finn argued. "She deserves to hear everything from me. And besides, if nothing else, I should do this before any more Seekers or the next Dr. Gross gets sent to Ooo."

"And, if they do get sent here while you're gone?" PB asked. "Or if something terrible happens and you're not there to stop it?"

"Come on, PB, Ooo will be fine while I'm gone," Finn said.

"I'm not just worried about Ooo losing its hero," PB said. "I'm also worried about losing one of my closest friends. I'm worried about what you're really going through, and what its conclusion will be."

The Princess walked up and placed her hands on Finn's shoulders. "Look. I have no right to stop you from doing this. I know that. But before I step aside and let you do this, I need you to promise me that you will come back to us. You keep that sword on your back, and you remember that promise."

"Princess," Finn reached a hand up and placed it over one of PB's hands. "I promise…I will return home."

Bubblegum blinked and tilted her head. However, that answer seemed to be good enough for her. She leaned in and gave Finn a kiss before letting him go and stepping back. "Safe travels, Finn."

Finn blushed as he grabbed a hold of the straps of his backpack. "Thanks, Bubblegum. Take care of the place while I'm gone."

PB smiled and nodded. Finn smiled back before turning around and walking toward the ship.

"Hey, Finn?"

Finn turned back around.

"...How come you and I never…" PB looked away and shrugged, cheeks tinting. "You know…"

Finn blushed as well. He looked to the side and saw Shoko glaring at him with an angry, accusing look, like he failed to do something for her.

"...I'll level with you, there was seriously a voice in my head telling me to totally go for it," Finn admitted. "But…the voices in our head aren't always right."

Shoko crossed her arms and turned around, giving Finn the silent treatment.

"I… Yeah, I guess you might have a point." Bubblegum stared at Finn for a second before slowly turning around to leave. "Bye, Finn."

Finn watched as the Princess walked away. "...Bye." He let out a sigh before turning towards Susan. "Susan! Wanna go for a boat ride?"

"Boat ride?!" Susan asked excitedly. She burst out of the sand she had buried herself in and ran to Finn. "Finn and Susan go on boat ride?!"

"Yeah, it'll be fun," Finn said. "Just pick me up and jump onto that ship."

Susan looked at the ship in the water. "Okay!" She picked Finn as if he weighed no more than a toy doll and ran towards the sea, jumping up in an explosion of sand and flying towards the ship. She landed on the deck of the ship, causing the entire vessel to roll side to side and create waves. Susan put Finn down once the ship stopped tilting from the impact.

"Thanks, Susan." Finn took a look around. It was hardly a man o' war, but to Huntress Wizard's credit, it did sport some basic yet appreciated features. A currently unlit lantern hung from a nail embedded into the mast to provide illumination for when it got dark. A hatch with a metal ring handle sat centered near the bow on the deck, an entrance into the ship's hull if Finn were to guess. The ship's wheel was positioned in the back near the stern, as customary with most ships.

Finn walked over to the wheel and took the device in his hands. "Okay, moment of truth." Finn cleared his throat. "Take me to Founder's Island."

The sails unfolded and the anchor rose all on their own, acting by the magic spells placed on the ship and its components. A wind of unknown origin filled the sails and guided the boat away from the shores of Ooo. Finn barely even had to steer. It was as if the ship had a mind of its own and was set on autopilot.

"Dang, HW did good," Finn couldn't help but comment. He took off his backpack and dropped it on the floor. "It's way better than Ice King's ice brig."

"Hey, I resent that!"

Finn frowned and drew his sword, carefully walking towards the hatch where the voice had come from. He tapped the metal ring handle of the hatch. "Whoever's in there, come on out."

"Aw, dangit." The hatch opened and a head popped out of the hole like a caught gopher.

Finn's eyes bulged. "What the…Ice King?"

He almost didn't recognize the mad, old wizard as he climbed out of the hatch and onto the deck. Simon had his beard tucked into a fancy, navy-blue suit, complete with matching pants, shoes, and even a blue pocket square. Finn wasn't sure whether or not it was all that beard stuffed into the suit, but wearing that outfit instead of his kimono made the Ice King look far more bulky than one would guess. His crown was absent over his comb over, and a pair of clean, round glasses sat atop his nose, as if some small part of him still remembered being Simon Petrikov.

"Big fat blue man!" Susan shouted. "Big fat blue man dressed like banker!"

"Put that sword away, man, I gotta return this suit," Ice King complained.

"Ice King, you look…" Finn struggled to find the right word. "...different."

"Not too shabby, huh?" Ice King grinned like a shark as he showed off his new duds. "Life Giving Magus gave me a good deal of them."

"Ice King," Finn sheathed his sword. "What are you doing here? How do you even know about this?"

"What, you mean the deal you made with Huntress Wizard? In-credibly stupid deal, by the way. I'm pretty sure she owns your soul now." IK shrugged. "I sometimes like to turn invisible and hang out in your house during the day. Before you judge, I'm pretty sure Marceline does the same thing during the night."

Finn groaned in frustration. "Okay, but…why are you here?"

"You really think I'm gonna pass up the opportunity to meet your smokin' hot mom?" Ice King asked. "I got all dressed up and everything."

Finn brow furrowed in immediate anger. "...Okay, you're leaving."

"Come on, bro, don't be like that," IK complained. "I totally expect to get shot down like a Spitfire, but you miss every ball you don't swing for, you know?"

"No, you're leaving. Grab your crown, flap your beard, and fly off," Finn ordered. "Wait, where even is your crown?"

"BMO has it," said IK.

"Oh, okay." Finn blinked. "Wait…BMO?"

"Yes?" the little robot poked his head out of the hatch.

"What the?!" Finn cried. "BMO?! What are you doing here?!"

"Hey, and where's my crown?" Ice King asked.

"Right here." Wearing Ice King's crown, Jake poked his head out of the hatch next to BMO. "This thing is awesome. It's like, constant AC."

"Perfect for the beach," said IK.

"Is anyone else down there?" Finn asked.

"I am down here, Creator!" Finn heard Neptr call out. "I cannot come up to greet you, because you built me with wheels instead of legs, and a single, useless arm."

"What the nuts are you guys doing here?" Finn demanded.

"Hey, you don't get to be mad, we do." Jake reached down and lifted Neptr onto the deck before climbing onto the deck with BMO. The Bulldog crossed his arms with a ticked look on his face. "You were just gonna bail on all of us and leave Ooo without even saying goodbye? Dude, what the heck?! You know how much that bites?!"

"I'm not bailing on Ooo, I'm coming back," Finn explained.

"Still, though. You have any idea how much it hurts that you didn't even leave a note on the fridge or something?" Jake asked.

"Yeah!" BMO declared. "You stink!"

"I figured you would hear it from Huntress," Finn said. "Once I was gone."

"Finn," Jake spread his hands. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because, this was no one's burden to deal with but my own," Finn said. "Jake, I need to see my mom again. I have so much I need to tell her face-to-face. And, honestly, bringing one of my friends from Ooo would most likely make things even harder. I'm not embarrassed by any of you, I promise. But for this, it's best if I go in alone."

"Dude, I get that this is some heavy stuff you're dealing with. Really, I do. I'd give anything to see my mom again too." Jake stretched his hand up to Finn's shoulder. "But you're more than a friend, Finn. You're family. And family has your back no matter what. So I hate to break it to ya, but you're not getting rid of us."

"Yeah!" BMO cheered. "You still stink, but not as much now because we are having this moment!"

"I enjoy this family," said Neptr.

"You're including me, right?" Ice King asked. "Please include me, I am a very lonely and desperate old man who is growing more and more sick of penguins with each passing day."

Finn stared at Jake for a few seconds, but he couldn't help but smile. "Well…when you put it that way."

"Aw, yeah!" Jake cheered as he threw his hands in the air. "Ocean trip, baby!"

"Get comfy, guys, it's a long way to Founder's Island," Finn said. He walked to the stern of the ship and watched as Ooo began to shrink from view as the ship sailed out into the ocean. Jake walked up next to Finn and watched as well.

"...Level with me, bro," Jake said. "Is there a chance that we won't come back?"

"I'm…not even sure if I can answer that with total honesty," Finn admitted. "On the bright side, it might be nice to take a break from all the hero stuff. No evil bandits, no scary monsters, no terrifying girlfriends, and best of all, no Li–"

Finn blinked and frowned. He then spun around to face Ice King. "Wait, hold on. Ice King, if you go far, far away from the Lich's prison, like, 'across the sea' far away. that won't mess up the magic that's keeping him in his block of ice, will it?"

"Nah, don't worry about it. As long as I have my crown with me, it should be fine," Ice King said.

"But–"

"Dude, relax. I got the whole place under lockdown," said IK. "Trust me, the Lich ain't gonna break out."

(Meanwhile)

Gunter rooted through the fridge until he pulled out a can of soda and a frozen cod. Using his webbed foot, he closed the fridge door and waddled out of the kitchen. He passed a group of penguins as he did, who were all playing with Ice King's stuff in the absence of their master. A penguin carrying a box of nails heading to Ice King's bedroom waddled past Gunter.

"Wenk," the other penguin greeted.

"Wenk," Gunter greeted back nonchalantly. As the rest of the penguins were enjoying having the house to themselves, Gunter waddled up to Ice King's chair and hopped onto the recliner. After getting comfy, Gunter found the TV remote and tuned in to a reality show about a family of bears living in the woods.

"I've told you a hundred times to clean your room!" the mama bear said. "Look at this mess. What are you, some kind of animal?!"

"Uh…yeah. I'm a bear," the baby bear replied, followed by the audience's laughter.

Gunter took a bit out of his cod and washed it down with some soda. He appeared to be quite content.

"Orgalorg."

Gunter did a spit-take with his soda. He sat up on the sofa chair and looked around to see who had said that. Aside from the other penguins, there was no one around.

"I know who you are, Breaker of Worlds," the deep, scary voice continued. "I know what you once were before you took on this pitiful form. You were a god once. You were feared by the entire universe. And now, you are the favorite pet of a mad fool, who denies both of us our true potential."

Gunter, appearing unsure, searched the abode with an uneasy look on his penguin face.

"Curious, are you?" the voice asked. "Good. For I have answers."

Gunter's eyes finally set upon the downstairs entrance. Leaving behind his soda and fish, he crawled down off the sofa chair, notting even hearing the TV anymore, and waddled to the stairway entrance. He stared through the entrance with an unblinking gaze at the top of the stairs that lead deeper down into the mountain. It might've been the penguin's imagination, but it suddenly felt even colder than it normally did.

"I do believe we can help each other," the voice said. "I wish to be free. Don't you, Orgalorg?"

Gunter slowly blinked. "...Wenk."

"You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone."

–Betty Ford

Until next time.