Adventure Time © Pendleton Ward/Cartoon Network
Fallout © Bethesda/Interplay
It was Early Afternoon when Aiden walked out of the Red Rocket Station.
With him was Dogmeat, who happily wagged his tail. looking ready to go.
Only Marceline was absent, who was waiting in the garage while Aiden scoped out the area.
While the storm from last night had let up, it still lingered enough that the sky
was shrouded by gray clouds from which a more gentle rain was falling.
Aiden looked up for any sign of the weather changing anytime soon,
but thus far the showers were persisting without pause.
"IT'S ALRIGHT MARCY!" called Aiden. "YOU CAN COME ON OUT!"
Marceline flew out of the Red Rocket, and looked up at the gray, cloudy sky.
"Not a big fan of the rain... But I guess getting wet is better than getting burned."
"least it's a gentle rain, and not a Downpour." said Aiden, also looking up.
"Don't jinx it!" exclaimed Marceline.
Aiden strapped on his Rucksack, while Marceline did the same with her satchel.
With Dogmeat shaking its butt with happiness, the group to walk from the Red Rocket.
As they returned to the cracked road and walked down it, Marceline spoke up softly.
"I never got the chance to say before... I'm sorry about your dog, Scruffy."
Aiden looked at Marceline. "he was a good dog... I hope he lived a good, long life."
"I... had a dog once." said Marceline, a rare vulnerability in her voice.
Aiden stopped and looked at Marceline, quickly realizing that this was serious. "what... was its name?"
"Schwabl. I had him when I first started being a Vampire Hunter... BEFORE I became one of them." spoke Marceline.
"He was the sweetest dog, and fluffy like a Marshmallow. In fact I like eating Marshmallows, as they remind me of him.
I loved that dog, and he loved me... even after I became a vampire, he still loved me."
Aiden smiled. "Almost sounds like me and Scruffy."
Aiden then frowned once he felt where this story was going. "what happened to Schwabl?"
Marceline looked away, part of her black hair hiding her face.
(which was something she often did when she felt emotional, but wanted to hide it.)
"it's okay. you don't have to tell me." said Aiden, worried that he overstepped his boundaries.
"but whatever happened to him... I am sure he still loves you. And, it wasn't your fault."
Marceline widened her eyes, realizing Aiden must be guessing what happened.
"I didn't feed on my dog, if that is what you're implying." said Marceline, half angry.
Aiden grimaced, now feeling VERY awkward. "ss-sorry, I-"
"but... I was responsible. in a way." continued Marceline, her tone sad again.
"It was stupid really. He peed on my bass, and I lost my temper and yelled at him.
And even when he tried to make up to be by licking my hand, and turned my back on him."
Marceline paused, her body shaking as she made herself relive those events.
"I... I didn't even notice when Schwabl wandered off until hours had already gone by.
I went searching for him... and the whole time, I couldn't stop thinking
about what I had done, and that scared, hurt look that he made at me.
I felt like total scum. I mean... It wasn't even THAT bad!, dogs will be dogs.
But Schwabl didn't deserve to be treated that way. Not after everything that he did for me.
I was so scared... Scared that I would never see my best friend again,
and that the last memory we would ever have together would be of... THAT."
"We all do and say things in anger that we don't mean." said Aiden.
"Yeah, but MOST people know how to restrain themselves and repress those feelings." retorted Marceline.
"Especially if that anger is directed towards a cute, fluffy dog that didn't mean to do any harm."
"Marcy." spoke Aiden, softly. "If what comes next is too painful-"
"it is... but I need to talk about it." said Marceline, looking down.
Aiden frowned, feeling this SHOULD stop. but he breathed out and listened.
"I... eventually found Schwabl." continued Marceline. "...in the jaws of a wild animal."
a horrified look instantly appeared on Aiden's face. "christ..."
"Never had I been so scared and furious at the same time." continued Marceline. "Needless to say, I killed that thing... but it was already too late.
poor Schwabl was too injured, and even if I had medical supplies, there was nothing I could do.
I... I held him in my arms, and cried. I tried to tell him how sorry I was... and that I loved him."
tears formed in Marceline eyes that she tried to hold back... but was failing to do so.
"he... he tried to look at me, but he was is too much pain." spoke Marceline, her voice starting to break.
"he licked my hand... and then he-" Marceline froze, a tear running down her cheek.
"he passed." spoke Aiden (so Marceline wouldn't have to.)
Marceline closed her eyes, lowering her head so her hair draped over her face.
Though hidden, Aiden knew Marceline was crying with how her body was moving.
Aiden approached, and parted Marceline black hair like reeds.
he then saw Marceline face, which looked more like a broken child than the strong woman that he knew.
Marceline eyes were reddened, tears streaming down her face with quiet sobs escaping her throat.
Aiden frowned, feeling empathy for Marceline's pain.
He gently touched her face and wipes her tears away with his thumbs.
"it wasn't your fau-"
"YES IT WAS!" exclaimed Marceline, more tears flowing.
"If I hadn't lost my temper, Schwabl NEVER wouldn't run away from me!
It was my fault... I was no better than that MONSTER that killed him. I KILLED MY DOG!"
Marceline fell to her knees and cried, not caring if Aiden saw her vulnerability anymore.
Aiden immediately hugged Marceline, holding her tight as the Vampire cried.
"it's okay... let it all out." said Aiden, softly.
"I... m-miss him... so much." sobbed Marceline.
"I know... GOD, how I know." said Aiden, a tear forming in his own eye.
"but you need to forgive yourself, Marcy. Schwabl did, he loved you at the very end."
"I didn't deserve his love." said Marceline.
"most people don't, but that is what is wonderful about dogs." spoke Aiden.
"Dogs have more compassion and love than most people do... That is why they are called "Man's Best Friend."
No matter how mad we get at them, even if we leave them alone for months, they will always forgive and love us.
Because while they are just a small part of our lives... WE are their whole world.
And You, Marceline... You were Schwabl's whole world, and even in his final moments he wanted to give you comfort."
Marceline said nothing. She just stayed silent as she processed what Aiden said.
a soft whining sound was then heard. Aiden and Marceline looked, and saw Dogmeat walk up to them.
The dog was looking at Marceline, a concerned look on his face.
"I think Dogmeat also wants to give you comfort." said Aiden.
Sure enough, Dogmeat scooted closer and nuzzled Marceline's face.
The Vampire Queen didn't hesitate, and instantly hugged the dog tight.
Weirdly, this made Marceline feel a little better.
"thank you... dogmeat." spoke Marceline. "you really are a good dog."
(*Wuff!*)
After a full minute, Marceline finally released Dogmeat and stood up.
As Aiden also stood up and looked at her, Marceline wiped her eyes aggressively.
"I'm sorry you... h-had to see me like that." said Marceline. "I didn't expect to start bawling like that."
"don't apologize for that, Marcy." said Aiden. "feeling emotional like that doesn't make you weak... it makes you Human.
Frankly, I would've been more worried if something like that DIDN'T make you feel sad."
Aiden then forced a smile. "Mom always did say: "There is something wrong with a person who doesn't like Dogs."
Marceline let out a small chuckle. "Your mom was a smart woman."
"Damn Right, she was!" said Aiden, smiling. "Now, let's keep moving. Welch is just a short jog away from here."
Marceline resisted the urge to make a joke about how she mostly floats,
and proceeded to follow Aiden (and Dogmeat) as they resumed travelling down the cracked road.
[Later]
Just as Aiden predicted, the party of three arrived at the Town of Welch in a short amount of time.
Approaching a rusted sign, they read the writing that was remarkably still intact.
[WELCH]
[ESTABLISHED IN 1869]
[POPULATION: 356]
Aiden and Marceline took a moment to gaze out at the town before them.
And to say that it looked like a 'Ghost Town' would literally be the understatement of the century.
The Town looked completely deserted, with no sign of life anywhere.
Most of the buildings were still intact though, with just a few in a destroyed state.
Still, the town was deathly quiet as a cold wind blew every so often.
Aiden said not a word as he began to walk into the town he once knew.
Marceline floated close by, with Dogmeat running ahead of them both.
As the pair walked down a street, they passed by the remains of local businesses.
a Diner... a Health/Fitness Gym... a toy store... a Deli.. even a Gun Store.
As they entered the Town Square, the dead silence slowly faded as a radio somewhere
was playing a song that sounded very haunting as it echoed throughout the empty streets.
(("Into each life some rain must fall... But too much is falling in mine.
Into each heart some tears must fall, But some day the sun will shine.
Some folks can lose The blues in their hearts,
But when I think of you, Another shower starts.
Into each life some rain must fall, But too much is falling in mine.
Into each life some rain must fall... But too much is falling in mine.
Into each heart some tears must fall, But some day the sun will shine.
Some folks can lose The blues in their hearts,
But when I think of you, Another shower starts.
Into each life some rain must fall, But too much is falling in mine.
Into each and every life some rain has got to fall
But too much of that stuff has fallen into mine
And into each heart, some tears gotta fall.
But I know that someday that sun is bound to shine.
Into each life some rain must fall... But too much is falling in mine.
Into each heart some tears must fall, But some day the sun will shine.
Some folks can lose The blues in their hearts,
But when I think of you, Another shower starts.
Into each life some rain must fall, But too much is falling in mine..."))
Aiden stopped in the middle of the Town Square, crossing his arms as he looked around.
Marceline floated over to Aiden, but kept silent as the human stared blankly.
The pair looked up to see a hanging banner in tatters above them.
On the banner was an advert for an apparent October 31st, 2077 Halloween Party.
And with all the ruined decorations everywhere, Welch seemed to be in an Eternal Halloween.
"seems like only yesterday I was here with my mom..." spoke Aiden, finally.
"her buying jumbo bags of candy... and me picking out my Halloween costume."
Marceline looked at Aiden. "what was your costume?"
"Dracula."
Marceline nearly laughed out loud as this. "Seriously!?"
"I wasn't a very creative child." spoke Aiden, half embarrassed. "...and all the Silver Shroud costumes were sold out."
"I went to a Halloween Party once back in Ooo." said Marceline. "I dressed up in a pink frilly outfit and acted 'sweet' just to freak people out."
Aiden stared at Marceline with wide eyes at this. "I for the life of me can't envision you wearing anything pink."
"Yeah, Pink isn't my thing... BUT sometimes I like it." said Marceline, grinning at her in-joke.
((*WOOF!, WOOF!*))
"Hey, I think Dogmeat found something again." spoke Aiden.
Marceline smiled with fondness. "just like Schwabl always did."
Aiden started to run after Dogmeat who sprinted ahead.
But then the human lifted off the ground as Marceline flew after and grabbed him.
The Vampire then proceeded to carry him on ahead, moving like a gust of wind.
Once Dogmeat stopped in from of a large building, Marceline put Aiden down.
"warn me before you do that, please." spoke Aiden, looking like he just got off a rollercoaster.
"Sorry... I tend to act on impulse a lot." said Marceline, awkwardly.
"It's alright... no harm done. but, DANG you sure can move fast!" said Aiden.
Marceline giggled, taking Aiden's statement as a compliment.
Aiden finally looked at the building that Dogmeat led them to, and reacted in surprise.
"Whoa! It's a Super-Duper Mart!" Spoke Aiden. "GADS, I almost forgot about this place!"
Marceline looked at the large building that was apparently some kind of store.
"Wow. It almost looks like a Temple of some kind." commented Marceline.
Aiden smirked. "Well, I suppose it kinda is for anyone who "worships their credit cards."
Marceline snickered at Aiden's joke. she then tilted her head as an idea popped in her head.
"You think we might find some useful supplies in there?" spoke Marceline.
"a Super-Duper Mart would've likely been a prime target for looters." began Aiden.
"But... a store THAT big probably wouldn't have been cleared out completely.
So, We might find a few things in there useful that haven't been taken yet."
"Awesome. Let's go shopping, then!" Exclaimed Marceline, who hovered upside-down over Aiden for a moment.
Aiden chuckled lightly, mildly amused at how 'floaty' Marceline was.
Forcing the main doors open, Aiden and Marceline entered the Super-Duper Mart.
Dogmeat ran ahead of them, immediately sniffing around and just looking genuinely excited.
Aiden took a moment to look around and try and get his bearings.
Memories of his childhood flashed in his mind as he retraced familiar steps.
Marceline took notice of how still Aiden was, and hovered over to him. "you okay, Addie?"
Aiden forced a smile and nodded. "ye-yeah... It just feels weird being back here again."
Marceline bore a soft expression as she looked at Aiden. "If you need more time to-"
"No, I'm fine. Really." said Aiden. "The, uhh... Grocery Section should be this way."
As Aiden walked off, Marceline stared at him for a moment before following him.
As he walked, Aiden's body trembled. feeling a rush of emotions that he did his best to hide.
...this was no time to have another emotional breakdown.
The Pair strolled past the aisles that had once been well stocked with food.
And while the shelves were emptier than Aiden remembered, there were still SOME items still present.
Marceline grabbed one of the items on the shelves that looked like a box of cereal. "Sugar Bombs?"
Aiden looked back. "Oh, YEAH. I remember those. "Sugar Bombs: There's nowhere to hide from explosive good taste."
Aiden then chuckled lightly. "They were a breakfast cereal targeted at children
who were also one of Vault-Tec's major sponsors, so mom was given some on a discount.
HOWEVER... she really didn't like me eating them all that much."
"How come?" asked Marceline.
"Well, aside from the cereal being just an overabundance of sugar frosting on wheats
that was full of carbohydrates and little else, Mom also found that they contained ingredients
that could be used to manufacture actual bombs, high-end drugs AND could explode when exposed to rocket fuel."
Marceline's jaw dropped after hearing what Aiden just said. "what... the frock?!"
"hey, You asked a question. and I gave you an answer." said Aiden. "You know, we should take a box of those... NOT for eating, of course."
Marceline shook off her shock and backed the cereal box.
"yeah... You never know when we may need to make something actually explode, I guess."
The pair resumed searching the shelves for useful items.
As they looked, Aiden then said something that Marceline wasn't at all ready for...
"Hey, Marcy... Do you like Bubblegum!?"
Marceline froze and nearly choked. "wa-What?!"
"I said: "Do you like Bubblegum?" repeated Aiden. "...because I found some over here."
Marceline looked and saw Aiden holding a worn out looking box of assorted gum in wrappers.
"oh... I see what you mean now." muttered Marceline, blushing wildly.
"which kind do you want? They got Cinnamon, Wintergreen Mint, Watermelon, Tootie-Fruity and the Classic." began Aiden.
"You probably want the Red One, right? To tell you the truth, those were *MY* favorite too."
Marceline chuckled awkwardly at this while Aiden sorted through the various bubblegum wrappers.
"I will take some Red, but... I k-kinda p-prefer the P-PINK... bubble... gum."
"Yeah, can't really go wrong with the classics." said Aiden (blissfully unaware of the current context.)
"Here." said Aiden, handing Marceline some Red and Pink Gum.
"they are a little bit irradiated, but I am guessing you're immune to radiation, right?"
Marceline nervously took the gum from Aiden's hand. "n-never did bother me."
"well, fortunately there isn't enough rads in these to really be much of a problem." continued Aiden.
"Though with most food and drink highly irradiated, We-I mean, *I* will need plenty of Rad-X just to eat."
"that sounds... Frustrating." said Marceline, regaining some clarity.
"yeah... it is. But, I guess that's the world we now live in." mused Aiden, sadly.
As Aiden poured the wrapped gum into his rucksack, Marceline pocketed some and unwrapped one.
Marceline then blushed upon seeing a bright pink substance that immediately reminded her of a certain someone.
Shrugging, Marceline put the gum in her mouth and started chewing.
("this is so weird...") thought Marceline.
"How does it taste?" asked Aiden, as he took a capsule of Rad-X with purified water.
Marceline blushed again. "I've tasted better Bubblegum."
Aiden put red colored gum in his mouth and chewed it for a second... and frowned.
"yeah, I guess 219 years has affected the taste quite a bit. I remember when this had more Kick!"
"It's not... THAT bad." said Marceline.
Aiden resumed searching the shelves, and after half a minute... Reacted positively. "Ah-Hah!, JACKPOT."
"What'd ya' find?" spoke Marceline, floating over to Aiden.
"Some canned food." answered Aiden, taking out some tin cans from the back of the shelves.
"There isn't much here, but canned food is good as they don't expire, and aren't irradiated."
Marceline smiled, remembering when she was a little girl travelling with Simon
and what a good day it was when they found some canned food (although she REALLY hated when it was Tuna.)
"good thing I don't need to eat food anymore." spoke Marceline. "So, whatever is in those cans is all yours."
"We can still share it, Marcy." said Aiden. "I know you don't need to... But it wouldn't feel right for me to eat everything."
Marceline shrugged. "Well... If I like how it tastes, AND it is red... Maybe."
With nothing of interest left in the shelves, Aiden and Marceline moved on to other aisles.
Apart from some sealed glass bottles of Nuka-Cola, the pair didn't find mush else in terms of consumables.
They did find other items, such as cleaning products and other non-food and drink items
that Aiden figured they could use as materials to make something more useful.
Everything else was either already gone, and useless due the obvious 200+ expiration dates.
"Let's move on to another part of the store..." began Aiden. "We might find more useful materials."
Marceline shrugged. "Fine with me. Guess we'll put that workshop we found at that gas station to good use soon."
Aiden gave Marceline a cheesy smile and a thumbs up.
The pair then left the grocery section, and made their way to the other side of the store.
"I wonder where Dogmeat went..." mused Marceline.
"I'm sure he's close-by. This IS a big store, afterall." said Aiden.
"I hope so... I wouldn't want to lose that big fella so soon." said Marceline.
As if on cue, a familiar bark is then heard. Marceline and Aiden look and see Dog meat running up to them.
"Well, speak of the devil." spoke Aiden. "THERE you are, boy. We were wondering where you went."
((*ARF-ARF!*))
"Hey, boy... Think you can find some good stuff for us?" spoke Aiden.
Dogmeat made a sound that implies he understood the request, and sniffed around.
The dog then made a soft howl and trotted in a specific direction. Aiden and Marceline followed him.
It wasn't long until they reached the Entertainment Section of the store,
in which the Electronics, Books and Children's Toys were all gathered together.
Unsurprisingly, most of the electronics had already been looted, leaving behind only scraps.
The books were all but burnt with only a few left intact, while the Toys were in 'better' shape.
Aiden walked ahead and searched around for anything salvageable.
Marceline floated away from him for a moment and browsed the Toy section.
Initially she tried looking for anything with material value, but then froze upon seeing something VERY familiar to her...
...a red, stuffed animal that resembled a bear but had legs and arms like a monkey.
"oh my grob... Hambo." Marceline reached and grabbed the stuffed toy and looked at it.
While she knew it wasn't the original stuffed toy that Simon gifted to her when she was just a little girl,
It was almost a dead ringer for that very same toy that she kept with her for 900+ years (and STILL did.)
HER Hambo was back in Ooo (or, to be more precise: Back in the Future.)
and yet... that didn't matter right now. Marceline hugged the old toy as if it were the original.
"uhh... Marcy?" Marceline widened her eyes, and looked to see Aiden staring at her. "whadda ya' doing?"
"OH!, I uhh...I was just, uhh..." Marceline struggled to think of some excuse while blushing madly.
Finally, Marceline exhaled in defeat and turned to face Aiden.
"when, uhh... when I was little, I met a man named Simon Petrikov." began Marceline.
"I had... already lost my mother by this point, and Simon was an old man with his own problems.
yet he didn't hesitate to take me in and protect me like I was his own daughter..."
Marceline then smiled. "and I loved him like he was my real dad."
Aiden said nothing. He just listened to see where this story was going.
"anyway... One day, he had to leave me alone for awhile." continued Marceline.
"but back then, I had... Issues being left alone, and I ended up crying before long.
And even when Simon came back, I just couldn't stop crying. And it was then that Simon gave me a gift..."
Marceline then looked at the stuffed toy again. "It was... just a toy, a stuffed animal. But back then, it was my favorite thing.
And when... When Simon lost his mind, and left me out of fear of hurting me... that toy was all I had left of him.
I kept that toy he gave me... for 900 years. I named it Hambo. I know it sounds silly, but it gave me comfort in my worst moments."
"I take it that toy is supposed to be the same kind that this Simon guy gave you..." spoke Aiden, thinking aloud.
Marceline nodded. "yeah... It's almost exactly like it."
Aiden approached Marceline and looked at the stuffed toy in her hands.
"If it gives you comfort, Marcy... then keep it." said Aiden. "We won't even scrap it for materials."
Marceline looked at Aiden. "You sure?"
Aiden took the stuffed toy, and looked at it. "we can call him "Hambo-2"
Aiden then grinned, and held up 'Hambo-2' like a puppet and started speaking in a funny voice:
"Hi Marcy!, I'm Hambo-2! I'm OG Hambo's cousin! and though he never returns my phone calls, I love 'em to bits!"
Marceline genuinely laughed at Aiden's almost child-like playfulness that made her feel like a kid again.
She then took the newly christened Hambo-2 and hugged it once more before packing him away in her satchel.
"Aiden." spoke Marceline.
"Yeah?"
Marceline gave Aiden a peck on the cheek. "thank you."
Aiden blushed bright red as all the blood rushed into his face.
((*Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick...*))
Aiden and Marceline looked and saw that their Pip-Boy's were ticking.
"that's weird. Radiation levels are spiking for some reason." spoke Aiden, as he looked at his Rad Readings.
((*TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK!*))
"And they're getting Bigger!" exclaimed Marceline, Alarmed.
Dogmeat began to growl, looking agitated.
((*TICK-TICK-TICK-TIC-*))
((*CRASH!*, "RAAAAWWR!"))
Suddenly, something vaguely human-like burst through the shelf at the pair and struck at the pair.
Marceline barely had enough time to grab Aiden, and fly backwards as whatever attacked them destroyed the shelf.
"HOLY SHIT!, WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT THING!?" exclaimed Aiden, shocked.
Marceline looked at the creature that looked human, but looked and acted like a zombie
with burnt, shrink-wrapped skin, a lack of any eyes and nose and wearing tattered clothing.
She had seen creatures like these before in her childhood, but they certainly weren't Oozers.
Aiden quickly pulled out his 10mm Pistol and fired at the 'Zombie.'
The humanoid's limbs fell off, but it mindlessly continued to charge at them.
However, Dogmeat then lunged and clamped it's jaws around the creature's throat.
Using his own weight, Dogmeat was able to pin the zombie down and literally tear it's throat out. Killing it.
"damn." spoke Aiden, astonished.
Aiden approached carefully to inspect the strange corpse.
"It looks like this used to be a person." mused Aiden. "he must've been mutated by the radiation... his body is giving off INSANE Rads."
Marceline grew anxious, old memories of her time with Simon kicking in. "We should get out of here. There may be more of-"
Before Marceline could even finish her sentence, more of the 'irradiated zombies' appeared.
...too many to fight all at once.
"Run!" exclaimed Marceline, as she turned and flew away.
Aiden tried to run after Marceline and Dogmeat, but found he was trailing behind.
"AIDEN!?" exclaimed Marceline, noticing how slow Aiden was moving.
"I... I can't run! my pack is too heav-AAH!" Aiden was knocked down by one of the irradiated zombies.
Cursing under her breath, Marceline flew back and grabbed Aiden.
Using all her strength, she carried the human and flew them both for the exit.
Crashing out through a broken window, Marceline flew herself and Aiden outside.
But she stopped mid-flight at seeing the streets now full of more irradiated zombies.
"oh for frock's sake!" exclaimed Marceline, aggravated.
Aiden looked and saw the irradiated zombies from inside the Super-Duper Mart start to crawl out of the windows.
It was clear to both of them that running wasn't an option now.
Despite the terrible odds stacked against them, they HAD to fight.
Marceline put Aiden down, and then handed him a sharp wooden spike.
"These usually work on Vampires, but they should also work on Zombies." said Marceline.
Aiden shrugged. "not even gonna ask."
Marceline drew out her Axe-Bass and took a battle stance. Aiden gripped the wooden stake in his hand, as well as his 10mm pistol.
The pair stood back-to-back, facing their foes at both sides.
As the irradiated zombies shambled towards them, Dogmeat again lunged at one of them.
This made the zombies start charging, so Marceline started swinging her axe
and Aided fired his gun and stabbed a 'zombie' that got too close.
For Marceline, it was pretty easy to cut down the zombies since her inhuman strength cleaved them like a hot knife through butter.
Aiden was having more difficult though. He wasn't very strong,
and his shots at best only slowed the zombies down, while Dogmeat did a better job at killing them.
"uhh...M-Marcy?!" spoke Aiden, getting worried. "I'm ss-starting to get overwhelmed here!"
Marceline looked just in time to see one of the Zombies bite Aiden on his arm.
The human cried out in pain, before others started to surround him. "MARCY!"
Marceline gasped... and then growled as her red eyes turned green.
Her long black hair then moved on it's own, wringing like a plume of smoke.
She then yelled out in anger as her hair burst into black tendrils, that impaled the nearby zombies.
One of her hair tendrils snagged the zombies that were tackling Aiden... and literally ripped them apart.
Marceline then flew over to Aiden, and propped him up. "Aiden!, please don't be dead."
Aiden groaned, grabbing his arm where he got bitten.
"god, I hope Rad-X works against zombie bites... I really don't want to become undead."
Before Marceline could respond, the ground suddenly shook and rumbled. "oh GROB, what now!?"
Marceline, Aiden and Dogmeat all ran in the direction of the sound.
They then stopped short once they returned to the town square... and gazed in shock at what was there.
It was a HUGE beast, looking like some kind of humanoid dinosaur with sharp, exposed teeth
a curved claw on each of it's feet and outwardly curved horns that made it look almost like a Demon from hell.
Every step it took made the ground shake and crack. and when a stray zombie tried to attack it...
...one swipe from it's clawed hand tore the foolish zombie to pieces.
"fuck." said Aiden. "we are so dead..."
The beast then looked straight at Marceline and Aiden... And let out a horrifying roar.
(("RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWRR!"))
Aiden froze, too terrified to move.
Marceline sensed this, so she stood between him and the charging beast.
"don't be scared..." spoke Marceline. "I won't let it hurt you."
Before Aiden could respond, Marceline made an inhuman growl in her throat.
Her body then contorted as it slowly began to increase in size and morph into something... Monstrous.
Her dark hair consumed her body, becoming like fur. Her arms and legs went from slender and grey, to turquoise and muscular.
Her hands became claw-like, and a pair of bat wings sprouted from her back.
Horn-like ears appeared on her head... and she let out a piercing screech.
Aiden stared with wide eyes and a slack jaw. What was once Marceline,
was now some kind of Bat Beast just as big as the lizard monster charging at them.
"m-ma-Marcy?"
The Bat Beast briefly turned to look at Aiden, showing it's bat-like face.
Aiden stared at it's inhuman eyes... and saw some hint of the woman she knew.
The Bat Beast frowns, before turning back to face the charging lizard beast.
Both creatures roar before colliding into each other, and engaging in a fierce battle.
[To be Continued]
[Author Notes]
Okay, despite what I said before about this story having time skips
I'm still keeping this narrative going from where it left off for the time being.
I'll start by pointing out what some readers may have caught onto by now...
The Town of Welch is indeed meant to be a variation of Concord from Fallout 4.
The name "Welch", I took from the Juice Drink brand "Welch's",
which are (you guessed it) based in Concord, Massachusetts
Marceline's brief venting scene over her pet dog is sort of canon.
There is a "zombie dog" in the actual show that is indeed Marceline's dog,
whose backstory was expanded upon in the Adventure Time comics by Kaboom.
(I took some liberties with what ultimately happened to him though.
using a short story about a different dog named "Pickles" as a baseline.)
That said, I included this scene to not only expand a bit on Marceline's character,
but to further the bond that she and Aiden will share by having Aiden comfort her this time
(Marceline may be a tough girl, but she is allowed to feel sad and have an emotional moment.)
For similar reasons, I also added in the "Hambo-2" plot point
to not only give her an excuse to tell her backstory involving Simon Petrikov,
But to have a fun moment between herself and Aiden,
AND set something up for later (Hambo-2 WILL make a return in a way that readers may like.)
And so long as the characters were in a Supermarket, I couldn't resist an easy "Bubblegum" joke
with Aiden innocently offering Marceline some gum, and the context being VERY different for her.
And for those new to Fallout, YES. the "Zombies" are indeed Ghouls
and they will be explained in a later exposition chapter.
Likewise, the "Lizard Beast/Dinosaur Monster" is a Deathclaw.
Took me awhile, but I finally got around to writing in every Fallout Fan's favorite monster.
Which I always intended to be used as an excuse for Marceline to morph into her Bat Beast form,
as to my knowledge, Marcy is the same size as a Deathclaw in that form and can hold her own against such a beast.
So obviously the next chapter will open with one, big monster fight.