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Chapter Text

This scene was all too familiar.

Princess Bubblegum could not even remember how many times this had already happened, the same thing over and over. And honestly if anything… It was the repetition that was very tiresome at this time.

"Uuuurgghhhh." Bubblegum groaned deeply as she was just standing there, her hands encased in a block of ice functioning like cuffs, and her feet equally frozen to the ground. "Finn and Jake… Could you please just hurry up?" she asked in a mutter.

Right in front of Princess Bubblegum were multiple rows of penguins, all clapping their wings as if it really were an audience.

And then the man himself came flying over the penguin crowd with a big smile on his face and a black bowtie just put on top of his normal blue moo-moo as if that counted for full wedding attire. Then landed next to Bubblegum.

"Sweetheart! My lovely princess!" The Ice King gasped, and then he cried. "I can't believe this day has finally come," he whispered in a broken voice.

Bubblegum just looked at Ice King. "Finn and Jake should be here any moment now. I hope you stocked up on painkillers."

"Oh, you're worried about me! I'm so happy!" The Ice King cried. "We're going to be so happy together as man and wife my Princess."

"yeah no we're not. Cause we're not going to be married." Bubblegum muttered. "Also I hate you."

Ice King gasped. "HOOOOH! How could you say that?" he asked as he sniffed. "It's okay… I know what I have done wrong… Finally, I figured it out." suddenly the Ice King pulled a big book out of his beard and he grinned. "Marriage… It's actually about giving yourself to each other. See?" he asked.

Bubblegum squinted her eyes.

"So I am going to give part of myself… To you. My love." The Ice King grinned. "And then we will always… always be together."

Bubblegum's eyes widened. "What?" she asked. "What are you going to do?"

The Ice King grinned as he opened his book and looked at the pages, grinning as he looked over the pages while raising his hand. "From the powers of the universe! Lakutatu, Mantufratu! Release it! Release what is me!" he gasped. "Suma suma suma suma!" he chanted as he waved his hand in a circle.

Bubblegum's eyes widened as she leaned backward and away. "Finn?" she called. "FINNN!" she creamed.

"Giba, maba!" The Ice King chanted as suddenly his eyes started to glow, and his hair and moo-moo began to float around him. "Lubu dubu!" he held up a stone that shone. "GAAAH!" he shouted as beams of light seemed to come from the Ice King's eyes and mouth.

The light coming from Ice King's mouth and eyes ended in the space between Bubblegum and the Ice King and suddenly, something seemed to take form there.

Bubblegum blinked as she looked at it, first it looked like a ice crystal… a snowflake. Then it seemed to turn into some sort of silhouette of a teddy bear then a woman, then a book, a crown, and finally… The item settled to become a flower of light.

The flower seemed to emanate that light, and it was all the colors of the rainbow, glittering as it floated in the air.

And somehow… Bubblegum couldn't help but be fascinated. That had come from the Ice King…. Really?

Bubblegum couldn't believe that was even possible, even as he stood there with glowing eyes and mouth projecting the flower. Because honestly… The flower was incredibly beautiful. The way it almost looked like it was made from broken crystal class, reflecting all the lights.

Slowly the Ice King's blue hand lifted up and plucked the flower, then offered it to Bubblegum.

"For you… My love." Ice King whispered, his eyes and mouth still shining and projecting.

Bubblegum shivered as she leaned backward. "No thank you." she shook her head. "I don't want it!"

"Take it." The Ice King hissed and then he yelled. "TAKE IT!" as she pushed the flower right into Bubblegum's chest, and the moment he did… Both started to scream.

Bubblegum screamed as she fell backward, the ice around her hands and feet shattered as she grabbed her head. "AAAARGH! My head!" she cried.

The Ice King as well had fallen to the floor and held his head in the same way. "It hurts… It HURTS!" he cried as the crown fell to the ground in a heavy clank, Ice King gasped as he leaned back, and something weird seemed to happen. His own body started to straighten out, his beard and hair growing back, becoming shorter.

Bubblegum, however, screamed as her hair grew longer, fangs formed in her mouth as she was on the ground. Crying… She opened her eyes suddenly revealing two different eye colors while Ice King was gasping looking up.

His face now becoming round, his nose shorter, his frame tall, and then… They both fell to the ground.

Startled all the penguins looked at the figures now both laying on the ground. They all looked at each other and then finally one penguin waddled over to the blue figure poking him. "Wenk?"

The blue figure groaned, his hand twitched and then slowly he lifted his head groaning deeply. "What in the blue blazes was that?"

The penguin gasped, its eyes becoming large round, and adoring as it looked up at a blue beardless face, all the other penguins gasped as well as if they had just witnessed true beauty.

The blue man blinked as he looked down at the Penguin, then he looked at his hand. "I'm… Back?" he questioned then he looked at the crown next to his hand and picked it up, only to see his own reflection in the golden metal.

"Or not quite…" The blue man commented, then a small smile was to be found on his lips. "But may I say what a handsome figure I make."

"Wenk?"

The blue man smirked, then slowly he put a foot to the ground, then another as he stood up only to stumble. "Woah!" he gasped, just managing to grab the wall to steady himself. "Simon old boy, just take it easy. You got this," he assured himself as he glanced down at himself and the quite frankly dirty blue moo-moo he was wearing. "Yeah okay that gotta go," he commented dryly.

Just then the pink figure started to twitch as well.

The blue man looked towards her, lifting an eyebrow.

"King…" The Pink figure whispered. "My… Beautiful… King."

The blue man blinked as slowly he took a step towards the pink figure, bowing slightly down to have a look. "Princess Bubblegum?" he asked.

Only for the pink woman to suddenly lift her head revealing her mad grin with the sharp teeth and her discolored eyes. "BABY!" she shouted as she jumped right after him.

"ARH!" The blue man shouted as he jumped back. "Stay back!"

"Don't be like that sweetheart!" The Pink woman grinned as she stood up. "We're supposed to be together forever you and I!" She grinned. "I love you!"

"Aahhh no thanks!" The blue man stepped back.

"NOW KISS ME!" The pink woman shouted as she jumped for him and the blue man screamed as he jumped back, he had to run in circles as the pink woman wouldn't stop the pursuit.

Then finally his eyes landed on the ground and the blue man gasped as he put it on his head and then turned to the madwoman. "BEGONE EVIL WITCH!" he shouted firing.

And the Pink woman screamed, holding up her arms… But it was too late. She was already encased in ice.

The blue man looked up as he saw her, then a smile spread on his lips. "Well… That was easy," he commented, then reached up and took off his crown, holding it in his hands, turning it in his hands. "Hmm." he smiled. "Didn't even hurt a bit…" he commented. "And I remember." he glanced up, grinning just showing his own sharp teeth. "Everything."

All the Penguins blinked as they looked at this new man, then glanced amongst each other.

"PRINCESS!" a boy's voice suddenly sounded. "We're here to rescue you!"

"Yeah!" another voice sounded. "Time to kick ice king's butt!"

The blue man looked up. "Oh dear… Looks like we have visitors." he looked at the figure encased in ice next to him. "Tsk." he clicked his tongue. "Well this is a hot mess isn't it?" he asked. "If they find you like this. Who knows what they are going to do to me?"

For a moment he looked at the Ice block, then put the crown on his head and snapped a finger so suddenly the icy floor under the ice block opened up and swallowed the ice with the pink woman in it while the blue man turned around.

"Finn and Jake," he spoke as he started to take some steps, while he did he turned his hand to his own clothes and as he did that, the moo-moo changed, it became a blue smart form-fitting suit, complete with a necktie and polished shoes.

The blue man held a hand up in the air, and out of nothing grabbed a pair of glasses he put on his pointy nose, then he raised his hand and pointed at the crown on his head, shooting a beam at it making the crown shrink, and he brushed his white hair over it hiding the crown completely as he finally entered the room where the voices came from, fixing his suite as he walked.

"Princess… PRINCESS!" A young boy shouted.

"Princess?" The blue man suddenly spoke up. "I'm sorry. I don't think I have seen any princess around here."

"WUARGH!" Both the boy and the dog yelled as they jumped, then turned to see the blue man and they both gaped.

Especially the boy, Finn. "Who… Who are you!?" he asked pointing at the blue man.

"Moi?" The blue asked then halted. "You know what that's actually a good question." he suddenly realized. "Hmmm." he held his chin. "I think… For the moment. Why don't you call me Winter King?" he asked with a kind smile.

Both the dog and the boy blinked.

"What are you like Ice King's not insane younger cousin or something?" Jake asked.

The Winter King laughed. "Ha ha ha ha! Now that's a good observation. I like you dog!"

"My name is Jake," Jake informed, he glanced at Finn and Finn glanced at him, then back.

"So… We got a call that Ice King kidnapped PB," Finn informed. "We just need to rescue her then we'll be on our way."

"Oh dear." The Winter King commented. "My cousin up to his evil antiques? We can't have that." he sighed deeply. "Though I am afraid neither he nor the Princess is here."

Finn and Jake both blinked as they looked at him.

"Feel free to look around." The Winter King invited. "You can stay for as long as you want." he smiled kindly. "Look anywhere you want… You'll find nothing here," he assured. "Because neither is here."

Again Finn and Jake looked at him.

"Right…" Finn nodded. "Okay. We will look then!"

"Yeah!" Jake exclaimed.

The Winter King smiled. "Have fun then!" he waved and the two started to walk to begin the search.

Hours and hours after, the duo returned to the throne room where the Winter King was merely sitting on the throne casually reading a book.

"We looked everywhere." Finn gasped.

"The towers, the basement, the kitchen, even the bathroom." Jake gasped.

"They… Really aren't here?" Finn asked.

"Nope." Winter King stated. "Told you."

"Then… Where are they?" Finn asked.

The Winter King shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno. Dear cousin of mine just started to rant and rave that he was going to some far-off Island with the love of his life and asked me to look after the Kingdom while he was gone." he shook his head. "Highly irresponsible of him if you ask me."

"On an Island?!" Finn shouted. "Away from Ooo?"

The Winter King shrugged. "That's what it sounded like to me."

"OH MY GLOB THEN WE GOTTA FIND THEM!" Finn shouted. "Jake we need to go search all the Islands around Ooo!"

"LET'S GO!" Jake shouted as they both ran to the window and jumped out, soon after Jake had clearly made himself a large figure to carry Finn toward the ocean.

The Winter King glanced up, then he smirked. "Bye then," he stated, then he waved his hand and from the ground lifted an ice block with a pink woman inside of it.

Her mad look was permanently frozen as she was looking out into nothingness.

The Winter King tilted his head. "You do not make for a very attractive madwoman," he commented casually, then smiled. "Fortunately… I don't actually have to look at you," he commented waving his hand again and the block just vanished.

Then the Winter King sat up putting both his feet on the ground and he smiled. All the penguins around him looked up at him in awe.

"Finally…" The Winter King whispered. "I'm free… No more madness… no more sadness." he stood up, holding his hands behind his back as he walked toward the window. "Today my loyal subjects… The Rule of the Ice King has ended." and he grinned showing all his sharp teeth as he looked to the horizon. "Long live the Winter King."

Chapter Text

Strange things started to happen in Ooo.

Princess Bubblegum was just gone… Without a trace.

Finn and Jake were on a mission, looking for a missing Ice King and Princess Bubblegum at different islands across Ooo but came out short.

People were not in the habit of entering the Ice Kingdom… Why would they? The place was freezing and unwelcoming for any stranger. And was ruled by a positive madman who kidnapped women and was nothing but trouble.

Still, those who looked towards the place were bewildered by the changing shape of the towers, and the snow falling… But nobody really wanted to go check on it. Just risking trouble for no reason.

Marceline the Vampire Queen… Was well known for being a person who would just mind her own business.

And if you were wise, you wouldn't disturb her. She was short-tempered, very strong, and didn't tolerate any bullshit.

Especially don't bring up the Ice King in her presence, that would make her lose her temper really fast. As people were figuring out these days.

Cause the weird thing about the Ice Kingdom and Bubblegum's disappearance had to be brought up and Marceline would hiss at whoever brought it up every single time.

Until it just became too much. "WHY DO YOU PEOPLE KEEP BRINGING UP THAT STUPID ICE KING!" she roared at a group of skeletons she was supposed to have a party with.

The Skeletons blinked up at her.

"Haven't you heard?" One asked. "Princess Bubblegum has been missing for almost two months now, together with Ice King. Even Jake and Finn can't find them."

Marceline rolled her eyes. "Why would I care? Bubblegum is a bitch and Ice King is a dusty old pervert." she snorted.

"Then they say there's a new guy in the Ice Kingdom and he's making some changes." a bat informed.

Marceline huffed. "And I should care why?" she asked. "I don't care about what happens in that stupid Kingdom. Why would I? Why would anyone?" she asked.

They all shrugged at Marceline.

"It's just curious." The skeleton at least stated.

Marceline rolled her eyes and picked up her base… Even then though… As the night went on. She kept chewing her lip. She was even more short-tempered than usual, and then finally she yelled in anger as she flew up to have a look at that cursed kingdom only to halt.

What Marceline saw made her blink… An outright dome made of ice, like it was some kind of snow globe with snow gently falling inside. Buildings that looked like a fairytale castle rather than sad spiky mountains.

There even seemed to be figures walking around… Life…

Marceline frowned as she looked at it, then she turned away. "I don't care about your bullshit Simon!" she stated surely. "Whatever is going on with you. Just stay away from me!" she turned around and flew away.

But then as Marceline was in bed and the sun had already risen… Marceline was tossing and turning. She was hissing.

Sleep god dammit. SLEEP!

But sleep wouldn't come even as Marceline tossed and turned in her bed, then finally she just roared as she flew up, grabbed her umbrella, and crashed out of her door and flew over the land toward a tree house where Marceline roared as she kicked in the door making both Jake and Finn scream as they jumped up from their chairs and landed on the floor.

Wide-eyed Finn looked up. "Mar… MARCELINE!" he shouted shocked. "What?"

"Ice King." Marceline hiffed. "What the hell is going on with Ice King?"

"We don't know," Finn informed as he stood up. "That's what we are trying to figure out. Our only lead is he should be on some Island with Princess Bubblegum but we haven't found them." he pointed at the map on his table. "So we are trying to see if we missed an Island or something."

Marceline looked at the map and then up at Finn. "What's going on in the Ice Kingdom?" she asked. "People said there was some kind of new dude there."

"Oh yeah, Winter King." Jake nodded. "He seems cool enough, whenever we go to the Ice Kingdom he offers us hot chocolate and allows us to search the place as much as we want. He even helps us look." then he sighed deeply. "And dang… Even I gotta say. The man is beautiful."

"Who the hell is Winter King?" Marceline asked.

Finn shrugged. "I dunno. He says he's the Ice King's cousin. Seems legit to me. They kind of look like each other."

Marceline halted. "Cousin?" she asked. "Ice King doesn't have a cousin!" she exclaimed. "Maybe he did in the past, but any cousin of his would have been dead a thousand years ago!"

Stunned both Finn and Jake looked at Marceline.

"Errh…" Finn halted. "How do you know that?"

Marceline blinked. "Huh?" she asked. "Well I… What I mean is… I JUST KNOW OKAY!" she shouted.

"Wow. Chill. Geesh!" Jake held up his hands.

"Listen." Finn looked up. "All we know is that Ice King and Princess Bubblegum is not in that castle. Believe me, we searched it so many times already. Winter King is the one there, and he has been very helpful trying to look."

Marceline looked at Finn. "You don't sound so happy."

"Well. I don't know… Something seems pretty off about him." Finn admitted. "I mean like Jake said he seems nice. He's giving us hot chocolate and invites us to sled on his snowhills. He laughs at Jake's farts, he compliments my skill…. But well. There still hasn't been a trace of either Ice King or the Princess…. It feels weird."

Marceline looked up, and then she huffed. "Winter King huh?" she started to levitate as she picked up her umbrella. "I swear if you laid just one finger on either of them," she muttered darkly.

"Huh?" Finn blinked. "A finger on who?"

"Nobody!" Marceline shouted. "It doesn't matter! I just… I'm going to go check it out myself." she seethed as she flew out through the door.

As Marceline flew over the winter kingdom she looked down at what truly did look like a giant magic snowglobe, complete with a winter wonderland inside.

There really were living things walking in there, but unlike the snow golems that used to inhabit the Ice Kingdom. These creatures looked very sophisticated and detailed.

Elegant women of ice were skating across the streets, and large creatures that seemed to look like magical blue penguins were standing by the castle gates guarding what looked like a fairytale palace of ice, glistening in multiple colors as the icy surfaces were breaking up the lights.

There were even pine trees down there, breaking up the white with their gentle green color, dressed up in the soft-looking snow and warm-looking lights.

Finally, Marceline floated down to the opening gate of the globe and was faced with some of those penguins.

They didn't seem to be moving though as Marceline hovered in front of them, then she frowned. "I'm here to see the Winter King." she just informed.

The Penguins looked at her, then gestured for Marceline to enter and she huffed as she did finally moving into a city, where golems that seemed happy were walking side by side with the ice women and what looked like small trolls, all chuckling and laughing.

Marceline blinked as she descended and finally stood on the street looking around, she couldn't help but whisper. "Wow…"

"Ah a guest!" Suddenly two of the ice women ran up to her.

"How delightful." One cheered.

"Can we be of assistance?" The other asked happily.

Marceline blinked as she looked at them. "Erhm… yeah." she nodded. "I'm looking for the Winter King."

The first woman chuckled. "Well of course. Of course!"

"Everyone would love to see him." The other grinned. "No wonder. He's so handsome!"

"And so charming." The first one added. "He makes everything better for everybody!"

Marceline groaned deeply. Urggh, she had no idea who this winter king was. She just knew she hated him already. 

"Come this way!" The second one grinned as she gestured and Marceline blinked but followed the two women who were now skating through the town.

As Marceline followed she couldn't help but look around at what really could best be described as a magic fairy land… The Ice Kingdome had always looked so sad and cold, always dark and always without colors.

Here though… It was warm. There were many colors as the warm lights shone from the pine trees and reflected on the beautiful ice structures where the ice broke up the light to create rainbows of colors, they entered a square where people were skating and dancing, the square itself doubling as a skating ring… It was the center though that had Marceline's attention.

For there elevated on what seemed like a stage, was a large piano made of ice and a man sitting with his back to Marceline while he played.

It was a very beautiful melody that all the skaters were dancing to, swirling around and grabbing each other.

All Marceline could see was the back of this man, she saw his white hair, and the blue hands hitting the keys on the piano as well as what looked like an elegant blue suit, complete with a saber that hung at his hip…. And then. Resting on his snow-white hair was...

Marceline hissed as she tightened her hand… She would be able to recognize that crown anywhere. That cursed object.

Marceline seethed as slowly she floated up and closer to the piano-playing man until she was behind him, fuming and seething. Then finally she hissed. "What have you done to Simon?" she asked.

The Piano music stopped as the man froze.

"You better think carefully about how you answer," Marceline informed. "I'm the Vampire Queen. And if I don't like what I hear. I will have your head!"

The man was sitting still, not moving a single muscle, this winter king. Then he stroked a chord on the piano and Marceline hissed.

"Did you hear what I just said?!" Marceline roared as she transformed herself into a demon-looking creature with red glowing eyes making all the skaters scream as they fell back.

Only for this Winter King to raise his hand. "Fear not," he exclaimed in a smooth yet bombastic voice. "Marceline the Vampire Queen is not evil. I have sworn to protect you all and so I will… Thankfully, you don't actually need protection right now. She's a lot of bark but no bite." his voice seemed amused, and then finally he turned revealing his face, a round handsome face with dark eyes that glistened with amusement under a pair of round spectacles. "Isn't that right Marcy?" he asked amused. 

Marceline blinked as she looked at the man, his skin tone was light blue like the Ice King, and he had a long nose, whereupon that pair of glasses rested. His face was soft and not jagged, and his hair was shoulder-length, clean and soft looking as he smiled at her.

Marceline squinted her eyes. "And who are you supposed to be?" she asked.

The Winter King gasped. "Marcy? You don't recognize me?" he asked sounding shocked and appalled.

Marceline blinked. "Huh?"

"Well, I suppose I seem quite a bit different." The Winter King looked at his hands. "But I did show you my picture back then, didn't I? What I used to look like." he smiled so kindly again. "And this is sort of a mix you know. New me and old me, making one handsome figure if I may say so myself." 

Marceline blinked again, utterly confused as the man stood up, proving himself to be quite tall, standing a good two heads above Marceline as he smiled down at her. 

"Oh… How cute you were back then." The Winter King smiled. "In your little overalls, and always carrying Hambo with you. It was adorable." he spread out his arms. "And all the games we would have! Playing I spy with my little eye, and writing songs." he chuckled to himself.

Suddenly Marceline gasped, her heart stopped and she took a step back. "No… You… You can't be!" she gasped.

"Oh, but I am." The Winter King stood up, standing tall in front of Marcline. "I remember… Everything."

Marceline swallowed as she looked at him. "This doesn't feel right," she whispered. "You don't sound right."

"What am I supposed to sound like?" The Winter King asked.

"I… I don't know." Marceline seemed to shiver. "Just not like this… Si… Simon."

"Oh, so you do remember!" The Winter King gasped. "Oh thank you. That makes me so happy!" he gasped as he reached over and pulled Marceline into a strong embrace.

Marceline was just frozen in the Winter King's arms as he held her tight, then finally let go smiling at her. "How wonderful you're here! Oh, you must join us for this night's banquet! I hear you can only suck the color red. That sounds like fun!" he cheered. "We'll have a banquet only made of red food! A fun challenge indeed!" he clapped his hands.

Marceline frowned. "Not only is your voice wrong. But Simon seriously didn't talk like this."

"Are you sure?" The Winter King blinked. "I mean it has been about a thousand years since we last talked. Hasn't it?" he asked resting a finger on his lip. "And in all that time, you had to deal with Ice King. Brrrr." he made a shivering motion. "I do apologize for all the trouble I brought you in that state." 

Marceline looked at the Winter King, her frown only deepened. "If you're really Simon, and you were Ice King. Then why would you tell Finn and Jake that you're his cousin?" she asked.

"I was afraid!" The Winter King gasped holding a hand over his chest. "I mean can you imagine? If they thought I had killed Ice king to take his place!" He sounded horrified. "And they thought I had Princess Bubblegum too! She was never even here!" 

"She wasn't?" Marceline asked. 

"No. I remember everything now. And I don't remember her being here." The Winter King replied. "I panicked!" he stated. "I mean imagine my position. I had suddenly become this. Finn and Jake were right at my door shouting they wanted to kick my butt! Well, Ice King's butt...  So I told them I wasn't Ice King. What else should I have done?" he asked. "The transformation had just happened! It was very disorienting." 

Marcline looked at him. "How?" she asked. "How did it happen? How are you like this?" 

The Winter King smirked. "I just had enough," he stated. "Enough of madness, enough of sadness... So I broke free. Come now." He put a hand on Marceline's back, and started to push her in one direction with him. "Let me show you the snow fight area! You will love it! It has walls to hide behind, and cute little fortresses to play around in. You loved to snowball fight back in the day. Do you remember?" he asked.

Marceline looked up.

"Oh you little rascal! You found snow and threw it right at my face when I wasn't looking. Ha ha ha. How fun." The Winter King laughed.

Tears welled up in Marceline's eyes. "No one knows that… " she whispered. "Nobody. No one even knows that I…" she looked down. Suddenly she sniffed.

"You never told anyone about the time we spent together?" The Winter King asked. "Marcy that's hurtful."

Marceline's eyes widened, and then she sniffed.

"It's okay… I forgive you." The Winter King assured as his hand kept pushing Marceline towards one of the streets. "In fact! I would love a snowball fight with you!" he smiled. "Just like the old days! And then… Warm cranberry juice! Raspberry pie! Beetroot mash! What do you say?" he asked.

"I mean… All of that sounds nice." Marceline swallowed as she shockingly allowed this winter King to guide her in the right direction.

"Ha haaaa! Of course it is!" The Winter King laughed. "I know exactly what you need Marcy. Leave it to me," he assured and brought Marceline through the streets of this perfect, magical, winter wonderland.

Chapter Text

Marceline was biting her lip as she was sitting at a big and extravagant table, all filled up with food items that were all red.

Tomato soup, Strawberry ice cream, pomegranates and red lentil salad, the promised beetroot mash with red potatoes and so much more.

Around the table several Ice Citizens were clapping their hands and cheering, talking about what a fun and interesting concept this was.

Marceline glanced up at the man sitting at the end of the table, she had been placed right next to him at his right side, a place of honor, and yet… Marceline didn't feel right.

The Winter King was grinning as he was spreading out his arms, encouraging everyone to tuck in and enjoy the evening. His face seemed to be shining and he looked… Happy.

Marceline glanced down again… Now she felt bad.

Marceline remembered… Or at least she thought she did… A thousand years was a long time. The Winter King was right about that. And who was to say her memories were entirely accurate?

Still… There were incidents…. Events….

Marceline thought she remembered, Simon who had fallen to his knees, holding his head as he hissed, tears emerging from his eyes.

"No… Noooo… I don't want to hurt anybody! Please don't make me hurt someone. I don't want to! Please…. Please."

"And now!" The Winter Kings rung over the room drowning out the voice from Marceline's memories. "Let's eat!"

Everyone clapped happily and then started to pile up food on their plates while they laughed and chattered.

Marceline looked down, looking at her own plate that looked like it was made of crystal and she swallowed.

"Come now then. Have some food." The Winter King asked as he glanced at Marceline. "This whole thing is for you you know."

Marceline's eyes widened, and then quickly she reached over and piled up red items while the winter king nodded satisfied, picking up a knife and fork to neatly cut into his red salmon.

Marceline picked up a piece of velvet cake, then sucked out the color of it leaving behind a piece of pure white cake.

"Oh you're starting with the desert are you?" The Winter King asked with a chuckle. "That's okay. Eat whatever you want. It's for you!" he assured.

Marceline looked at the tall man next to her again as she picked up a glass of red wine, sucking out the color.

The Winter King smiled as he returned to his own meal. "I hope you don't mind me saying," he commented. "But I can't help but notice that you're not really smiling," he commented, then sighed deeply. "And here I really tried to make everything so nice."

"It… It is very nice." Marceline looked away. "I'm sorry I just…" she sighed deeply. "It's a lot."

"I understand." The Winter King nodded. "It is a lot. But I'm sure that with time, we can figure it out." he lifted his fork and put a bit of the red cabbage salad in his mouth then smiled. "Hmm. Delightful!"

Marceline looked at him as she swallowed. "You didn't have to do this," she assured. "I mean… Just paint an ice cube red. It would have been enough."

"Oh no no no." The Winter King shook his head. "Only the best for my little Marcy!" he stated. "So many years we spend, wandering the wasteland… With so little to eat." he sighed. "I used to wish that I had a great mansion, with plenty of food and a big warm bed. Where I could put you into that bed, so you would be warm at night. And give you all that food so you would never be hungry… I would fantasize about it. Us just finding that mansion, next to a nice clean lake. And there would be other people, people who would love you and be your friends, kids your age too. And then you would never have to lack for anything again."

Marceline looked up at Winter King, tears forming in her eyes.

"Of course… In my fantasy, I would also be in my right mind and not go insane anymore." Winter King commented. "So I could be there to see you grow up. Celebrate every single one of your birthdays… And Christmas! I always wanted to give you a real Christmas Party. With a tree, and gifts, and a real Christmas Turkey." he gasped. "Oh we can celebrate right here!" he stated. "I even got all the trees! Who says Christmas has to be in December anyway? We could have a party tomorrow if we want."

"Erhm… Thank you." Marceline whispered. "That's okay… I don't really… I mean."

"Oh, that's okay. Maybe some other time." The Winter King commented. "It can be any time. Now you're here, we can have fun all day every day, and never worry about a thing again."

Marceline frowned deeply, just as the doors opened and the Winter King looked up to see the newcomers.

"Ah! Finn and Jake!" He greeted the boy and the dog. "Just in time! We're having a red banquet! Do sit down! Come come come!" he gestured at them to come up to them, and the people on his left side to move down.

Marceline looked up at the two newcomers. "What are you two doing here?"

"Just wanted to check on you," Finn commented. "You seemed pretty out of it earlier, and then you never came back. So we just… HEY WAIT A MINUTE!" he shouted as he looked at Winter King. "You're wearing the Ice Crown!" he pointed.

"Well of course." The Winter King smiled as he leaned over, leaning his chin on his hand. "How am I supposed to rule the Ice Kingdom if I don't have the crown?" he asked.

"But… If you have the crown." Finn ran up to them with Jake right behind him. "Ice King can't have it! So how would the Ice King keep PB captured if he doesn't have the crown?!"

"Yeah! That doesn't make sense." Jake exclaimed.

The Winter King looked at them, he lowered his head a bit, looking up at them with guilty-looking eyes. "You got me," he whispered. "I lied…. And I am so… So sorry." he glanced down. "I just… If you knew. You wouldn't like me anymore. And I am really trying hard to make you like me." he sighed as he looked up.

"No, we like you!" Finn exclaimed.

"Yeah. You're super cool!" Jake gasped. "You're always helping out."

"Oh… That is so kind." The Winter King gasped. "How I hope you will be able to look past who I was."

Marceline… Groaned… She was not happy as she looked at the tall man next to her, mumbling annoyed.

"Marceline?" Finn asked.

"He's Ice King!" Marceline informed as she stood up.

"Was." Winter King replied.

"Wait what?" Finn blinked.

"Ice King and Winter King! They are the same person!" Marceline gestured. "He was the Ice King and then he transformed into this!"

"Huh?" Jake blinked, then both Finn and Jake looked at Ice King and they both gaped as their jaws practically hit the floor.

"WHAAAAAT!"

"It's all true." The Winter King picked up a napkin and dapped the corner of his eye. Then made a sniff. "I think it's safe to say. I really wasn't myself back then."

Marceline groaned deeply as she grabbed her forehead. "For god's sake Simon." she hissed.

"Simon?" Finn asked. "Wait… Who's Simon?"

"I am!" The Winter King cheered as he waved his arm. "My name is Simon. Professor Simon Petrikov to be precise."

"But… Wait… Halt… huh?" Finn blinked. "You're… The Winter King. But also Ice King… And also… Simon." he squinted his eyes, then scratched his head. "Who are you?"

"And how did Marceline know?" Jake asked pointing at Marceline.

Marceline sighed deeply as she leaned back. "He raised me." she finally admitted. "Simon raised me."

"WHAT?!" Finn and Jake shouted.

"Holy moly…" Jake gasped. "Drama bomb!"

"But he wasn't like this…. Or kind of. I don't know." Marceline grabbed her head. "But yes! He used to be smart! He was a professor! And then the crown made him mad! He lost his mind!"

"But he's still wearing the crown now." Finn pointed at the crown on Winter King's head.

"I know!" Marceline shouted holding up her hands. "I don't know what's going on either!"

Winter King looked at Marceline, then patted her on the shoulder. "There there. I am sure it will all make sense to everybody soon."

"Heeeeey." Jake exclaimed. "If you're Ice King. How can the Ice King have kidnapped Princess Bubblegum?" he asked. "YOU SEND US ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE!"

"I know… I'm sorry." Winter King gasped. "Like I said… I thought if you learned my secret." he stood up. "I hope you can forgive me."

Finn squinted his eyes. "I don't know," he commented dryly. "I mean… If you could tell us where Princess Bubblegum is."

"I don't know where she is!" The Winter King gasped. "I don't remember her being here! But I looked regardless! I looked everywhere within this kingdom. You remember you looked with me." he pointed out. "But… I can't find her. She's not here!"

Finn squinted his eyes at Winter King. "Sure…" he frowned. "So you won't mind if we just have another look."

"Not at all." The Winter King smiled. "Please feel free to look around and stay for as long as you wish." he winked. "I can help you look if you want. Or you may look by yourself. Either is fine with me. Because believe me… I want her found just as much as you do. I feel so terrible about all of this."

"Well, okaayy." Finn nodded slowly.

"I'm going to help look too." Marceline floated up from her chair.

"Go ahead." The Winter King nodded. "I have nothing to hide." he offered her a smile.

Marceline looked at Winter King, then turned away as she floated out the door together with Finn and Jake, then she closed her eyes.

"You mustn't lie Marceline. It's not nice to trick people."

"But Simon." Marceline looked up at the ragged blue face, framed by the white hair and beard.

"I know Marcy. You didn't mean to hurt anyone." Simon sighed as he sat down on his knees in front of her. "But any lie is always going to catch up with you in the end. It'll bite you right in the butt eventually."

Marceline nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry I lied about keeping Froggy in my backpack." she held a living frog in her hands.

"It's okay honey." Simon smiled amused. "I know you just wanted to do a good thing." he reached out and then pulled Marceline into a light hug. "Now… Let's find a good home for Froggy okay?" he asked. "He'll need a place with water. A swamp would be best."

"Do I have to let him go?" Marceline asked.

"I'm afraid so," Simon replied sadly. "He won't be able to survive in your backpack… I know you meant well, but sometimes even the best intentions can end up with…. Not so good consequences." he picked up Marceline so she could keep holding Froggy in her hands while Simon carried her toward the trees not so far away.

Marceline looked up… Back then, she thought she remembered. Simon's eyes had been very kind, but they had also always been filled with pain. She could see it whenever she looked at him.

The Winter King, however… Marceline turned her head to look at the door that led to the banquet hall. His eyes didn't seem to have either of those things…

Chapter Text

Together with Finn and Jake, Marceline started to search the ice castle they were in.

And… The Winter King had been true to his words. Nobody was stopping them, no door was locked, and no staircase was off-limits.

It honestly seemed way too good to be actually real. Every time Marceline saw a new different looking door, she half expected it to be locked when she grabbed it.

For the Winter King to step out and say. "No you can't go in there."

And then everything would be solved! Then they could have a big battle, knock him out, break the door in, and find his evil secrets. Marceline was actually hoping to find her locked secret door so this could be over with… But no such luck.

Of all things after Marceline had been searching for hours with the boys the Ice women stepped in carrying a tray with hot chocolate and cranberry juice for them.

"The Winter King asks if you need assistance." One woman informed.

"He would still be happy to help personally. But he also doesn't want to impose if you don't desire his company." The other informed.

"Oooh he's so thoughtful!" The first one giggled. "Can you believe what a wonderful king we have?"

"Not really. He's just so wonderful!" The other one replied and they both giggled.

Marceline groaned deeply but snatched up the cranberry juice and sucked out the color.

Finn and Jake picked up their hot chocolate as well and drank, then sighed deeply.

"Damn, this hot chocolate is good." Finn had to admit.

"You said it." Jake nodded. "It's so rich and flavorful, and just warms you up from your gullet to the tips of your fingers. But in a really nice way."

"We should ask for the recipe," Finn commented.

"Yeah!" Jake nodded.

"One recipe for Finn and Jake coming up!" One of the ice women shouted as she turned around and skated out of the room.

They only had to wait for a few minutes and she was right back with a note in her hand, handing it over with a smile on her face.

"Wow neat!" Finn gasped as he held the note. "Thanks."

"Don't thank us." The first woman said.

"Thank the Winter King. He told us to give you whatever you asked." The other held her hands in front of herself.

"He's so generous!" They both shouted simultaneously.

Marceline looked at them with a deadpan look as she groaned. "Urrrghhhh."

Finn took another sip of his hot chocolate and sighed. "Maybe we are being harsh on him," he commented. "I mean Winter King seems all right. And he hasn't done anything wrong… Like at all."

Jake nodded. "He's pretty cool."

"And he said he was sorry about what he did when he was Ice King," Finn commented. "So maybe he's just overcompensating to make up for what he did."

"That would explain his generosity," Jake commented.

Marceline rolled her eyes as she floated along the hallways too and finally reached a massive door by the of the hall and she looked up.

These icy doors were giant and filled with beautiful carvings making it elegant and ornate… All the designs around really were very classic. Like an old Victorian castle.

Marceline then sighed… yeah the only reason she knew what a Victorian castle was, was because Simon had taught her. Urggh.

Still, Marceline put her hands on the door and started to push it open, then she looked inside and halted. "Oh…" she blinked. "Wow."

Jake walked over to Marceline behind her. "Yeah, that's the library it seems. We looked it over a few times but didn't find anything."

Marceline swallowed, then slowly she floated into the big massive room that was indeed… a library.

It was a giant library with books standing in long lines, going from the floor to the very tall ceiling. There was a staircase going further down, to where there were couches and desks as if inviting you to come study or just relax with a book.

Marceline swallowed as she pulled out a random book and looked at the title.

"Abraham Lincoln and Abolitionist History."

Marceline looked up. "These are books from the old world," she whispered as she put it back.

Finn walked in as well looking at Marceline.

Then Marceline flew up again to look at different titles, there were more books on history, but also science, geography, and classical fiction. All of it though were clearly from before… Before the war.

"He had this the whole time," Marceline whispered. "That's the only way this is possible, he can't just have gotten this so suddenly. Oh!" she flew down to the room.

"Marceline?" Finn asked.

Marceline was looking over the rows and rows of books, pulling some out, and hissed annoyed as she put it back. Then groaned.

"You looking for something?" Jake asked as the ice women stepped in as well.

"You! Ice women!" Marceline shouted. "Winter King told you to give me whatever I asked for right?" he asked. "I want Simon Petrikovs scrapbook! Where is it?"

"The scrapbook?" An Ice Woman asked then beamed. "Well of course!" she glided down the stairs and went to a drawer that she opened up to pull out an old worn out book.

Marceline gasped as she flew right over there and grabbed it, then she turned it around and opened up the book. As she did…. Marceline's lip quivered, her eyes teared up and she gasped as she turned the pages.

Slowly Finn and Jake walked towards her, then looked at the pictures as well.

Finn gasped. "Hey, that's you! Isn't it?" he asked pointing at a picture of a little girl version of Marceline holding her teddy bear to her chest.

"Yeah." Marceline swallowed. "Simon took that picture." she gasped as she turned another page and she halted.

"Marceline?" Finn asked.

Marceline sniffed, and then she pointed at a picture. "And there he is…. That's Simon." she pointed.

Both Finn and Jake looked down to look at a picture and then both gaped as what they saw was a very neat-looking man, with brown hair, wearing a neat brown suit as he stood in front of a school building while smiling at the camera.

"That does look like the Winter King." Finn had to admit. "All though… That dude he looks." his eyes widened. "Is he human?!" he shouted then looked up at Marceline. "The Ice King is a human?"

Marceline looked at Finn. "I'm half human. My mom was a human."

"Wait whaaaaaat!" Finn shouted.

Marceline swallowed. "We've been around… For a very long time… Him and I," she whispered then turned a page and then showcased a whole group picture. With the same man standing in the left side of the picture with the entire group and a big banner hanging over them spelling.

"The Aztec expedition."

"Woah! That's a lot of people!" Finn gasped. "He was around when there was… So many people?"

Marceline nodded. "We lived through the bomb that destroyed it all," she admitted. "And for a while… It looked like we were the only two people left alive." she sighed as she closed the book, then hugged it to her chest. She closed her eyes. "Simon."

Both Finn and Jake looked at her.

"Maybe we should call it a night for now," Finn commented. "We can come back and look some more tomorrow."

Marceline nodded. "Yeah… Okay," she whispered as she started to flow upward, still holding onto the scrapbook, and simply took it with her outside.

Finn looked at the Ice women behind them… Neither objected. So Finn could only assume this was all right and finally. He and Jake left too.

As they all left. The Winter King was looking out of the window, leaning against the window frame as he looked at them leave.

There was no smile on his face as he just saw them becoming smaller and smaller, and then they finally vanished and the winter king sighed deeply as he ran a hand through his white hair. "When are they going to just let it go?" he asked as he looked up. "I mean seriously. I give them everything. Everything they could ever ask for, and they are still not happy. Tsk" he clicked his tongue. "Youth these days are so ungrateful."

The Winter King turned around and took a few steps inside as he held his hands behind his back, then with his foot. The Winter King just tapped slightly on the floor, and the floor opened up to reveal a long spiral staircase.

Still, with his hands behind his back, the winter king walked down the long spiraling staircase… Down and down, into a dark space where the lights from outside didn't reach.

A humming could be heard, from down in the darkness, it almost sounded like a lullaby sung by this female voice.

Then finally the Winter King reached the floor and looked up to see a cage made of ice right in front of him.

And inside the cage, a woman sitting in the corner, rocking a rolled-up blanket she had in her arms. "Baby babyyyy." she sang. "I love my little baby."

The Winter King frowned and the woman looked up, revealing her eyes of two different colors, pink and green, by the sight of him she just gasped, dropping her 'baby' on the floor as she jumped for the bars, reaching out her arms through the bars to reach for the Winter King. "Darling! Sweetheart! Come to me, my love!"

The Winter King lifted an eyebrow but stepped forward so he was just exactly out of reach of her grabbing hands.

"What a pitiful figure." The Winter King commented. "And how the tables have turned."

"Love me!" The Pink figure gasped. "Please! I'm so lonely! I need you, my king! Stay with me!" she cried as she grabbed for him.

"Hm." The Winter King tilted his head, then sighed deeply. "You know… I actually didn't want to do this," he admitted. "It would be so much easier for me if you could just return to your own place in your true form and forget all about this… But someone has to carry the madness." his eyes darkened. "And it's not going to be me." suddenly his hand shot forward and grabbed The Candy woman by the throat making her gasp. "I would rather die… Then going back."

The Candy Woman gasped as she reached out, grabbing the Winter King's arm as he squished her throat.

"I wonder what would happen." The Winter King whispered. "If I just killed you now… Maybe it would make the madness vanish." his hand tightened. "I wouldn't have to worry anymore… But maybe." he sighed deeply. "It would release the madness and it would come straight back to me." he let go and the Candy Woman dumped down on the floor. "You see… That's why you're here and not trapped in an ice block that may kill you."

The Candy woman coughed as she held her throat, and then she looked up and she grinned. "Strangulation… kinkyyyyyy!" she cheered. "You can strangle my throat any time you want darling!" she grinned as she crawled towards the bars again to reach out.

"Urgh." The Winter King grimaced as he stepped back and out of reach, taking out a handkerchief and wiping the hand he had just used to strangle the candy woman. Then he glanced down at her.

"It can only be a matter of time." The Winter King sighed. "They'll forget about you. I'll be anything anyone needs." he squatted down to look at her. "They love me out there you know… Why wouldn't they? I make everything better for everyone. Soon everyone is going to know… I'll be better than you ever were Princess Bubblegum. People will see their wildest dreams come true, and they will thank me… Then as they are enjoying their new and improved lives. They will forget you… You will be a footnote in the history books. And they will love me." he stated.

"I love you already darling. You're perfect!" The Candy woman grinned. "Let's just run away you and me!"

"Oh, darling." Winter King shook his head. "If you really love me. You'll stay here like a good girl. And don't be any trouble now."

"Yes! Yes!" The Candy woman gasped. "Anything for you my love! Please kiss me!" she reached for him.

"No thank you." The Winter King shrugged. "Still… You have been a good girl, haven't you? Here." he snapped a finger and from the ground came what looked like a bunny rabbit but made of ice. "Here's someone to keep you company," he stated as the bunny jumped toward the Candy woman.

"BABYYYY!" The candy woman shouted in delight as she grabbed the ice bunny and hugged it tight. "Oooh, so cute! Little baby!" she grinned at the bunny that twitched its ears in response.

The Winter King shook his head. "And don't ever say I don't do things for you." he sighed as he turned around and walked back up the stairs, the ceiling opening for him as he reached the top, and closing behind him as he left.

With no sign that there was even an opening there, no way for anybody but him to exit or enter. They could look for as long as they wanted, as hard as they wanted.

The Winter King grinned, showing all his sharp teeth.

They were never going to find her.

Chapter Text

"BEHOLD!" The Winter King cheered as he spread out his arms, standing at the top of his guardian penguin.

Around him the streets were pink, and there were candy people of all colors gaping up at this new arrival and his beautiful following of elegant ice women, smaller ice gollums, flying birds and so much else.

"I heard of your plight." The Winter King informed. "Without a leader, things are uncertain. Fear not." The winter king took a step out into nothing, only for an ice staircase to appear right beneath him, and started to walk down. "Fear not. I am here to help until our dear Princess has been located and saved," he informed as he walked down everyone gaping as they looked at these new arrivals.

Suddenly a Candy cane woman held her forehead and let out a. "ooooh." as she fainted down on the ground.

"OH NO!" A Gumdrop girl shouted. "Maggy fainted! And now I feel it too! It's because… It's because… HE'S TOO HOT! AAAAAAH!" she shouted and fainted as well.

"My apologies." The Winter King sighed as he stepped down on the ground. "I fear that is the effect I tend to have on women. I assure you it is not intentional. I just happen to be astoundingly beautiful."

"Starchy agree," Starchy informed. "In fact… Starchy's heart is… Oh no! He's too beautiful." and he fainted too.

"Ha ha ha ha." The Winter king laughed amused as he walked over and pulled Starchy back up. "How charming you all are!" he stated. "And so very kind! I think this will work out just splendidly!" he grinned as he clasped his hands together. "Together I am sure we can make all of this work! And ensure a safe and prosperous candy Kingdom until the Princess returns!"

"Do you have to leave when she comes back?!" a soda pop woman screamed. "Can't you just stay forever?! PLEASE!"

"Now now." The Winter King gestured with his hands. "I have my own kingdom to look after you know. And I wouldn't dream about stealing Princess Bubblegum's position."

"Awwwww." The entire people moaned.

"BUT!" The Winter King held up a hand as he grinned. "For as long as you need me. I will be here! And if you need me in the future I will only be a call away. Not only that, you're all more than welcome to visit me and my subjects at my Winter Wonder World." he grinned. "There you can skate, and go on a sled ride! There are snowball fights, cozy fireplaces, and all the hot chocolate you can drink! Every day for as long as you like!" he grinned. "And I would be delighted to have a visit! We'll eat at my wonderful palace and then we can sing and dance! Such joy!"

"Oooooooh." All the people gaped and then they cheered and shouted happily.

"Winter king! Winter King! Winter King!"

One though was not taken by the show or the chanting.

Hanging in the back with her umbrella shielding her from the sun. Marceline groaned. "Uuuuurgh."

Finn was standing next to her glancing up at Marceline. "I mean…" he halted. "The Candy Kingdom has been falling apart with nobody knowing what to do. He is helping."

"Yeah… yeaaah." Marceline looked away. "I suppose."

"He hasn't done anything wrong," Finn observed. "He's been super helpful. And nice to us."

"I guess that too," Marceline muttered annoyed.

"And he looks happy." Finn pointed out. "People really love him. That's good right?"

Marceline exhaled deeply as she closed her eyes. "Yeah… yeah I guess."

"Then… What's wrong?" Finn asked. "You care about him right? He raised you so…"

Marceline glanced away. "He has Simon's memories," she commented. "He's certainly as smart as Simon, he even looks a lot like Simon but…"

"But what?" Finn asked.

Marceline turned to him and Finn blinked, shocked by the pain in Marceline's eyes.

"He doesn't feel like Simon." Marceline swallowed, tears forming in her eyes. "You're right though. He's happy! Simon was so smart, he had so… So much to give the world. And everybody! So." she turned to the figure again who was laughing as he was holding two babies in his arms and then kissed them on their foreheads, and the candy babies cheered while the mothers gushed.

Marcline squinted her eyes, and then she flew away, leaving it all behind her.

In the afternoon as the sun was finally starting to slowly sink, Marceline was laying in her bed. Hugging a very old and very worn-out book close to her heart as she closed her eyes.

Suddenly it knocked at the door.

Marceline seethed. "GET LOST!" she screamed. "I'm busy!"

In spite of that though, the door opened. "Marceline it's me!" Finn's voice called.

"Uuuurghhh!" Marceline sat up holding her precious book. "I told you to get lost!"

There was a bit of silence, but then her bedroom door opened too and there was Finn. Looking at her.

Marceline seethed as her face turned into that of a monster.

"Sorry…" Finn whispered. "It's just… I have never seen you like this before," he commented. "You never get upset or… Sad like this. Are you okay?"

Marceline's eyes widened as her face suddenly turned back to normal. Then she looked down as she hugged the book.

"The scrapbook!" Finn gasped then he halted, he swallowed nervously. "Can I… see?" he asked.

Marceline squinted her eyes. "Why?" she asked. "Why would you want to see this?" she asked. "You weren't there. You didn't know him. This is Simon's scrapbook! He put all the things into it he wanted to remember! That's what it's for!"

Finn's eyes widened, and he swallowed nervously. "What was he like?" he asked. "Back then."

"Huh?" Marceline blinked.

Finn looked at Marceline, he looked actually pleading.

"He was…" Marceline hesitated. "Nice," she said. "He was really nice."

Finn frowned slightly. "The Winter King seems pretty nice too though."

Marceline seethed, her mouth suddenly growing large and her fangs long as her eyes glowed red.

"I mean!" Finn held up his hands. "Can be kind of pretentious and pompous! I mean pff." he stuck out his tongue. "Who needs that right?"

Marceline tightened her arms around the book as she looked away. Finn dared to look at her again as he swallowed.

"So he was really nice," Finn spoke in a softer tone. "He was nice to you?"

Marceline glanced away. "Yeah," she whispered. "He was gentle… And always worried about how I was doing. When I scraped my knee, he wouldn't allow me to continue until it had been cleaned and bandaged. When I fell down… He would pick me up." she closed her eyes.

Slowly Finn moved closer and then sat down next to Marceline. "He really does sound nice," he commented.

Marceline swallowed, put then put the scrapbook down on her knee, and then she opened it up.

Wide-eyed Finn looked down at it and the pictures. "Wow," he whispered. "So that's… That's the old world?" he asked. "Back when there were humans everywhere."

Wide-eyed Marceline looked at Finn. Then she nodded slowly. "Yeah," she stated. "There were plenty of humans all right."

"Oh look, there he is again." Finn pointed at a picture of the old Simon. "What's that he's holding?"

"Some sort of ancient artifact." Marceline chuckled. "He was an antiquarian."

"A what?" Finn asked.

"Oh he collected ancient and rare artifacts," Marceline informed. "He would travel the entire world to find them and bring them home."

"Oh wow! An adventurer! Like me!" Finn gasped.

Marceline smiled amused. "He knew so much stuff," she informed. "About old and ancient tribes… Lands that didn't exist anymore. Even back then. Once he got going talking about it he just couldn't stop himself." she chuckled to herself. "He was a real nerd! It was really sweet." she smiled as she flipped a page.

"Oooohhh!" Finn gasped. "That's you and… Ice King?" he asked as he saw a picture of little Marceline and Simon only partially transformed taking a selfie together.

Marceline chuckled amused. "When I first met him, he was already cursed but… His mind wasn't gone yet."

"This is wild!" Finn gasped. "That looks like a total mix between Ice King and Simon! But Winter King also looks like a mix between Ice King and Simon. And yet that guy and Winter King look different from each other! That's crazy." he halted. "How come he stopped being human?"

"The crown," Marceline whispered. "The crown both kept him alive, but it drew him crazy… And it transformed his body."

"That's crazy," Finn whispered. "What's that?" he pointed and Marceline smiled.

"A menu card from a restaurant Simon used to go to," she informed.

And then, as they slowly went through the book. Finn asked and Marceline replied, tears dripping from her eyes until they reached a page where a picture was firmly glued on. That of a red-haired woman.

"Who's she?" Finn asked.

Marceline's eyes widened. "That's…" she halted. "Betty."

"Who's Betty?" Finn asked.

Marceline swallowed. "She was… Someone super important to Simon," she whispered as her hand shook. "He… He loved her."

"Betty huh," Finn commented.

Marceline however was shaking, slowly… She reached forward a hand, and then she took the picture, and lifted it up, removing it from the page.

"Marceline?" Finn asked.

Marceline was looking at the picture in her hand. "This has to be it," she whispered. "If he is in there. He will know this." she gasped. "Betty was his everything. Simply everything!"

"Everything?" Finn asked.

Marceline turned to Finn. "She was his Princess."

Finn looked at Marceline, and then his eyes widened. "What?!" he asked. "You mean like… He…"

Marceline nodded. "For all this time… Even though he didn't even remember her. He never stopped looking for her… Never."

"Wow." Finn looked at Marceline. "That's beautiful… But also." he looked down. "Sad."

Marceline though was just looking at the photo in her hand as she whispered. "Betty…"

Chapter Text

Marceline had made up her mind, she was going to go confront Simon. If she could even call him that… The Winter King.

As it turned out though, to get him alone was its own challenge. The Winter King always seemed to be busy, making his way around Ooo, and wherever he went people adored him.

They followed him in long lines, swaddled him, begged him to kiss their children and the Winter King would always apply with a big smile on his face kissing every single child on the forehead and waving while he would make air kisses at those in the back.

It was enough to make Marceline want to vomit and she flew away just to get away from the spectacle and celebration so she could lock herself away inside of her house and grumble in peace.

Finally though, at an early evening as the sun had just gone down and thus the sky was only just about to become really dark. Marceline flew through the now Winter Wonder World Kingdom and towards the grand palace in the center that towered over it all showcasing its splendor and elegance.

And there, at the tall balcony, looking toward his own creation with his hands behind his back and his saber on his hip was he indeed. The Winter King, complete with crown, long shiny boots and his blue suit.

Marceline huffed, then descended so she landed next to the taller man, snarling up at him.

The Winter King turned his head looking at Marceline, his left eyebrow rose, and then he grinned. "Ah Marcy! How delightful of you to come! I hope all is well."

Marceline huffed. "Don't call me that."

"Whatever do you mean my dear girl?" The Winter King asked in a blink.

"Marcy. You don't get to call me that." Marceline informed.

"Oh?" Winter King blinked, then exhaled deeply. "That wounds me," he informed. "It was our thing was it not?" he asked. "You were my little cute girl."

Marceline huffed.

"Very well." The Winter King sighed. "Marceline then… That does hurt me though. Then again I suppose that is the intention. You seem quite agitated with me." he commented. "Though I would love to know why?" he asked. "If it is something I did, please tell me so I may make it up to you," he asked with a kind looking smile. "Whatever you desire it is yours," he promised as he flourished his hand. "A pony mayhaps?" he asked as he gestured and a living pony of ice was formed next to Marceline.

Marceline's eyes merely narrowed.

"No?" The Winter King asked. "Oh well." he shrugged and the pony dissolved into snow. "How about a mansion? With your own trampoline?" he asked as he suddenly skated behind Marceline. "As many servants as you want." he skated back to Marceline's front. "Food, drinks, entertainment. You can have it all here!" he grinned as he spread out his arms. "And we can be together just like in my old fantasies!"

"I'm not a kid." Marcline huffed. "I'm Marceline the Vampire Queen. I hunted and killed more vampires than I can count. I defeated monsters. I'm the heir of the nightosphere. What part of your crazy brain made you think I would want a pony or a trampoline?"

The Winter King halted. "Crazy you say?" he asked. "I don't think I like being called that," he admitted as he bowed down to get his face closer to Marcelines. "That wasn't very nice Marceline."

Marceline lifted an eyebrow. "Oh you don't like being called crazy?" she asked.

The Winter King looked at her for a moment, then suddenly his usual smile fell over his face as he stood up. "Doesn't bother me. Why should it ever?" he asked as he smiled. "As you may have noticed. I am in fact not crazy anymore. So I am quite over it."

"Really?" Marceline asked.

"Indeed." The Winter King replied, though there seemed to be a cold edge to his tone. Almost like a warning.

Marceline huffed, and then she reached into her pocket only to halt.

The Winter King only looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

Marceline swallowed, she felt herself shaking a little bit. But then she pulled out a photo and showed it to the winter king. "What do you think about this?" she asked.

The winter king blinked. "Huh?" he asked, then he reached out and took the picture. For a moment he looked at it and then he grinned. "Well as I live and breathe. That's Betty isn't it?" he asked then chuckled. "Where in the blue blazes did you find that?" he asked amused.

Marceline blinked. "That picture doesn't make you feel… Anything?" she asked.

The Winter King blinked as he looked at Marceline. "Why would it?" he asked. "I mean she has been dead for at least a thousand years by now you know," he commented as he looked at the picture again. "Hah, look at that. What cute glasses she has on. A very pretty girl indeed. Truly a shame she couldn't stick around. Oh well." he offered the picture back to Marceline. "I do prefer to live in the present anyway."

Stunned Marceline looked at the winter king, then slowly she reached out and took the picture back, her eyes though not leaving the the blue face smiling at her.

"You don't feel at all… Do you?" Marceline asked. "You smile, but there's nothing behind that smile. You try to make crocodile tears for show. But I haven't seen a single actual tear from you… You're empty." she realized. "Ice King is a better name for you… You're ice."

The Winter King's eyebrow rose. "I make things better for everyone," he stated. "I am willing to give you whatever you desire. If you'll allow me I'll make your dreams come true. There's no need to be so harsh Marceline."

"But why?" Marceline asked. "Why would you care? You don't actually care. You don't care about anything. Is it because that's what you think Simon would have done?" She asked. "You're pretending to be him because you don't know what else to do. But you're still just playing pretend. You even talk about his fantasies so easily but there's no emotion there!" she cried out loud. "That's private! You have no right!" 

"What a strange thing to say." The Winter King lifted his head so he could look down at Marceline. "I am Simon after all. I am the one who walked with you through that wasteland. I am the one who tugged you in at night and sang you songs to make you go to sleep."

"No you're not," Marceline replied. "Maybe you have his memories, maybe you even have his body." she looked darkly at the Winter King. "But you're not him… You're just an empty shell." she hissed as she grew in size. Her body became bat-like, her eyes red as a forked tongue swung in the air. "Where's Simon?" she asked. "And where's Princess Bubblegum."

The Winter King looked up at her. "My dear. That form is not becoming you at all!" he stated. "What a gruesome look. And you're such a pretty girl too."

Marceline roared so the wind tore in the Winter King's hair and suit, yet the crown firmly stayed in place on his head. And he looked up, just as the ice wall behind him cracked from the shock wave.

The Winter King glanced behind himself at the crack then back up at Marceline. "No need to throw a tantrum," he commented as he swirled with his hand and the crack healed itself up.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Marceline screamed. "How dare you walk around pretending to be him! I'll tear you limb from limb!" she roared.

The Winter King looked up at Marceline, then he sighed deeply. "I didn't want to do this." Then he groaned as he his head leaned back. "I really didn't." he looked up at her. "If you suddenly vanish everyone is going to be looking for you, they may even track it back to me. Do you know how much trouble that could be for me?" he asked in an exasperated tone. "How would I even explain myself?" he sighed deeply again. "Are you sure you don't want a magic ice Pony and then we can just call it a day?"

"I DON'T WANT A PONY I WANT MY SIMOOOON!" Marceline screamed as she flew right down at the Winter King with outstretched claws.

In the last moment, the Winter king leaped up into the air only to not come down as he was now just hovering over the ground.

Marceline roared as she launched for him again and Winter King flew out of the way, then shot a beam of ice at Marceline who barely managed to dodge. Then she roared as she grabbed for him.

A scream sounded from below them and a woman shouted. "MY KING!"

"Fear not!" The Winter King laughed as he avoided another claw. "This monster won't threaten our Kingdom for long. I shall protect you!" he shouted as he made a spin kick and kicked the top off one of his towers sending it flying toward Marcaline who grabbed it and threw it back.

The Winter King's eyes widened. "Oh oh." he gasped just as the tower top hit him in the face and sent him flying backward followed by Marceline who roared. Grabbing him by the throat and then throwing him down on the roof of the Ice Palace making multiple people below them scream.

On the roof, the Winter King glanced down at all the people who were watching in horror, and then he smiled as he looked up again, just in time to see Marceline coming for him and he lifted his hands hitting her with an Ice beam encasing one of her wings in ice and Marceline roared as she fell downwards.

Only for the Winter King to get up again and fly down after her, he shot an ice beam and made an icy slide below Marceline that caught her and made her slide away from the ice people right below her.

Just then Marceline managed to shatter the ice around her wing and she roared as she flew back after the Winter King with a raised fist, hitting him in the face and sending him flying and he returned.

People below gasped as the two flew around, exchanging blows, hitting each other until finally Marceline stormed forward and grabbed Winter King's face with her claw.

Then dropped down and slammed his entire body down into the ground, creating a crater and she grinned as she looked down at his face where broken glasses were resting on his pointy nose. "I won," Marceline informed satisfied.

Winter King glanced up at Marcline, and then of all things, he smiled. "No you didn't," he whispered.

Marceline blinked. "Huh?"

"What will the people think?" Winter King asked in a low whisper so only Marceline could hear it. "Marcy."

Marceline's eyes widened, then she sat up and looked around himself only to realize that multiple people were running towards them, tears streaming down their faces.

"You… YOU MONSTER!" A snow woman cried, only for visiting Candy citizens to follow.

"Why would you do that?!" A Banana guard gasped. "Why did you hurt him?"

Marceline's eyes widened as she stood up, changing back into her own form. "Listen… It's all a misunderstanding!" she gasped.

"HE'S OUR KING!" A Snow golem suddenly threw a snowball at Marceline. "He protects us!"

"And he makes everything better!" A gumdrop girl cried throwing snowballs too, and suddenly the entire mob was there, throwing snowballs at Marceline who tried to cover her face.

"Stop!"

Suddenly everybody halted and they turned to Winter King who groaned as slowly, slowly he tried to stand up.

"MY KING!" an Ice Woman came running towards him, grabbing his arm.

"Thank you, dear." The Winter King gasped as he got up, only to make quite a disheveled appearance. His glasses were broken, his suit was a mess, and one of his eyes was turning purple. "Listen everyone." he gasped. "We mustn't look back in anger. We must forgive," he stated. "Marceline and I merely had a simple misunderstanding." he turned to Marceline. "Didn't we?" he asked. "Marceline."

Marceline's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh… Our king is so kind." One citizen cried.

A Cupcake sniffed. "He forgave her. Just like that… What a beautiful soul."

Multiple people were crying now, and then they started to clap.

"Oh thank you, you're too kind." Winter King gasped. "And to show I have no ill will. Do join us for a banquet one of these days Marceline?" he asked as he looked at her. "I would so hate for us to be enemies."

Marceline's eyes widened and she realized… Everyone's eyes were on her. She looked at Winter King and saw such familiar features.

A round face, a long nose… White eyes behind a pair of broken glasses. A toothy grin showing sharp teeth. And yet all of it was twisted and wrong.

Marceline swallowed, then she looked down. "okay." she whispered. "Thank you for inviting me to your table."

"Splendid!" The Winter King grinned happily. "Another red banquet. I can't wait!" he gasped as he walked away, everybody else following him leaving Marceline behind, all alone out in the snow as tears started to slowly drop from her eyes and down on the ground.

"Simon." Marceline sniffed as she pulled out the picture from her pocket, that of a red-haired woman to look at it. "I want my Simon." she swallowed. "Even the Ice King is better than this! He was annoying but he wasn't empty!" she cried. "Simon!"

Chapter Text

In Marceline's house, in her bedroom… Marceline felt sick.

She wanted to scream, she wanted to destroy, she wanted to vomit… The events of the evening kept playing in her mind.

How she had been so angry, so furious, and attacked the Winter King. Clearly, that hadn't been part of his plan, and yet he had managed to turn her attack in his own favor making himself both a victim and a hero at the same time.

Marceline's stomach twisted and she felt the bile rising in her throat…

Those smarts didn't belong to the Winter King. That was Simon's smarts that he was using to get what he wanted.

Slowly Marceline sat up, then she picked up the scrapbook that had meant so much to Simon. And yet she had just been allowed to take it out of the palace as if it didn't matter.

The Winter King had given her the picture back as well… Not even asking to keep it… As it didn't matter.

Marceline pulled out the picture again, looking at Betty's smiling face on it, and sighed as she opened the book to find the right page so she could put the picture back where it belonged.

However, as Marceline reached the page with the empty spot she blinked.

For true enough there was a square for the picture to fit in but… That square had scribbles on it and Marceline squinted her eyes as she read.

"She was warm as the sunrise, it was her smile I think. The way she smiled at me would really tickle my heart and with that beautiful hair of hers. That's a sunrise every day. Thank you, Betty."

Marceline blinked, put carefully put the picture back in place, only to pick up a different picture, and blinked as she saw scribbles at the back of the picture in her hand.

"It's getting worse. Today I realized I couldn't remember my mom's face. It was really scary that I couldn't remember. So I am so glad I had this picture to remind me. What is going to happen? Will I forget Betty too? Even Marceline? What is going to happen to her if I forget? I need to save her but… how am I supposed to do that? When I can't even save myself. Forgive me… Marceline."

Marceline swallowed as she put that picture back too and lifted what had been an old concert ticket and saw more written words behind it.

Stunned Marceline went through the book, checking the back of pictures and other items, and almost every single one of them had written things hidden. Musings, thoughts, even song lyrics.

"I wonder if Marceline knows. I love her so much. She's everything! So wonderful and smart, so curious, and the thought of anything happening to her. It makes me want to cry. I want her to be safe, no matter what. If losing my mind meant she would be safe… That would be an easy trade to make. But… It looks like I am losing my mind no matter what I do. And that's not making her safe, the opposite. Please dear god don't let me hurt her… Don't let me forget her and hurt her. If my fate is to hurt her… please let me die before it gets so far. I won't even be me anymore at that point anyway. If you would allow me my wish… God in heaven. Protect her."

Tears flowed from Marceline's eyes as she replaced this drawing that she knew she had made and given to Simon, so very long ago. Then picked up another picture. That of herself as just a little kid and saw the lyrics written on its back.

"Marceline. Is it just you and me in the wreckage of the world…"

Marceline's throat constricted, as she slowly sang. A melody Simon had used to sing to her, though back then the words had been different, back then it had just been a lullaby about stars and little green men. But the wording fit the melody… It fit.

"This crown is keeping me alive… But it's driving me crazy." Marceline whispered. "And I need to save you. But who is going to save me? Please forgive me." she sniffed. "For whatever I do." she closed her eyes. "When I don't remember you…"

For a moment Marceline sat there, tears dripping from her ace and then slowly put the picture back into place, and closed the scrapbook. And hugged it tight as she sniffed… At least… At least it was good to know that the real Simon was still somewhere. Even if it was only in scribbles in an old worn-out book.

Then Marceline looked up, her eyes darkened… Whatever that creature at the Winter Kingdom was… He wasn't Simon.

And Marceline would not allow him to go on and do whatever he wanted in Simon's name… Over her dead body!

"Thank you for coming with me." Marceline sighed as she was floating next to Finn.

"No probs." Finn looked up at Marceline. "Though if you lose your temper. I don't know how much I can do even if you're asking me to stop you."

Marceline sighed. "Just… Don't let me do something stupid," she asked. "The Winter King is smart… Stupidly smart." she groaned.

Finn glanced at her. "And are we sure he has done anything wrong? Like at all?" he asked.

"PB is still missing." Marceline pointed out. "She has been gone for so long that search parties have stopped and given up! Even worse. It seems like people actually stopped caring about it."

"Well, it's the Winter King who keeps up the search parties." Finn had to point out. "Why would he do that if he's not worried."

Marceline closed her eyes as she exhaled deeply. "He'll do it so people like you will defend him," she commented and she huffed. "I wouldn't trust a single word he says if I was you. Not a single one."

Finn swallowed as he looked at Marceline. "Your eyes are glowing red already," he whispered. "Marcy we haven't even seen him yet and you're losing your temper."

Marceline blinked, then she shook her head as she inhaled deeply. "Okay… Okay." she exhaled. "I got this… I got this. Just don't act stupid." she sighed again.

Then Finn reached out and took Marceline's hand making her blink, she looked at Finn and he offered her a smile.

"We got this," Finn assured. "We just have to make it through the banquet and be on our way. Right?" he asked.

"Right." Marceline nodded and they both made their way into the Winter Palace where they were met with all the pompous and glamour that had become synonymous with the Winter King.

He had arranged a whole ball inviting people from all across Ooo!

There were Ice people, Candy People, Slime people, Wizards, Dogs and so many others. And they were all looking at Marceline with pure contempt.

Marceline seethed at them all, only for Finn to squish her hand.

"Marcy… Easy." Finn asked. "Imagine what it'll look like if you lose your temper here."

And Marceline closed her eyes as she shrank down… Oh, so that was the plan… Right… Don't fall for it. Just don't.

Suddenly the big doors opened up and out came the Ice King in all his glory, cheering as he spread out his arms. "Aha! Oh my friends!" he gasped as he floated a bit up in the air and everyone cheered… Except for Marceline and Finn.

"Oh thank you. Thank you so much." The Winter King gasped. "And thank you so much all for coming," he stated as he landed back down on the ground. "Truly. You do not know how grateful I am." he sighed as he held his hands together. "To join me for this red banquet. This is what it always should have been. People from all kingdoms getting along. Isn't this so much better?" he asked.

And everyone nodded in agreement.

"I suppose people have heard the rumors going around." The Winter King sighed as he walked between them. "That I and the Ice King are one and the same"

"No!" Lemongrab shouted. "That's impossibleeeeeee!"

"I am truly sad to say." The Winter King sighed putting a hand on Lemongrabs shoulder. "It is not… It's true… I was that dreaded Ice King."

And there was a big gasp among all the people looking at him.

"Oh… I thought it was better to come clean. I hope you can forgive me." The Winter King gasped at them. "For all the trouble and hurt I caused! I don't even understand how I could do it. Why it was like I wasn't even being myself! But even then… It keeps me up at night. And I am so sorry."

Multiple people were now crying as they looked at him.

"It's okay!" A bee cried.

"We forgive you, Winter King!" Lumpy Space Princess shouted. "you're so beautiful! I'll forgive you anything!"

"Oh… Thank you." The Winter King dapped his eyes with a handkerchief though Marceline couldn't help but notice… There were no tears to actually dry up. "With so much forgiveness given to me. Why shouldn't I forgive Marceline?" he asked.

That made all freeze, and they turned to Marceline who was just standing there holding Finn's hand.

At once all their eyes turned to anger and Marceline hissed.

"Now now." The Winter King walked forward. "The message of today is forgiveness," he stated. "You could forgive me. So you should forgive her," he stated.

And people looked down, muttering and mumbling and annoying consent.

Finally, the Winter King had made his way now standing right in front of Marceline.

Marceline glared up at the tall man and then…

The Winter King smiled as he made a formal bow for Marceline. "my lady." he offered her hand. "Please come sit by my side at our grand meal."

"Urggh." Marceline groaned but could feel everyone's eyes on her and she hissed. "Fine!" she let go of Finn's hand to take Winter Kings. "Let's just get this over with," she muttered as the Winter King smiled wrapping his hand around hers, and leading her to the big banquet hall followed by all the others.

And true enough everything was made up once again, with every single food item in there being red. And whispers started.

"He's doing so much for her and she's just sulking."

"ungrateful brat." Another one agreed and Marceline hissed.

Then the banquet began and it was absolute hell as far as Marceline was concerned. The Winter King was sitting right next to her with that smug look on his face.

"I trust we can co-exist in peace now." the Winter King talked quietly. "I'll even make you a deal. You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. You'll never have to see me again if that's what you desire." he stated as he cut up his food and stuck it into his mouth.

"And what if I refuse?" Marceline asked.

"oh I won't have to do anything." Winter King commented. "It's them." he hinted at the long table in front of them. "So ask yourself this. What would you gain from coming back here?" he asked. "I'm offering you a way out. And I do believe this arrangement is mutually beneficial. Is it not?" she asked.

"Pft." Marceline turned her head away.

The Winter King sighed deeply. "You are making things very difficult for me Marceline. I didn't want to do this you know."

Marceline rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.

"Oh well." The Winter King shrugged. "You can feel free to go whenever you want." he shrugged. "I am not keeping you here."

Marceline looked up at the entire table of people from all across Ooo and she already knew… If she left. It would look like she was shitting on the Winter King's gift to her. An entire red banquet just to show he had no ill will. She would never hear the end of it… She was stuck.

She couldn't even hit his stupid smug face. It was hell!

Chapter Text

After dinner there was a grand ball out in the hall, the people were all mingling and Dancing on the grand and beautiful ice floor while Ice Citizens played on crystal trumpets and shining glass flutes.

The Winter King himself was in the front, playing a solo on the piano and people were awed at the sheer beauty of it all.

The music, the scenery, the food… It was all like a magic dream.

Or as far as Marceline was concerned… A nightmare.

Groaning deeply Marceline walked over to the heavy doors, ignoring all the dirty looks people gave her, and walked out to the big empty hallway.

Sighing deeply Marceline leaned against the wall, and then she slid down… Down to a sitting position. And she hissed.

Then Marceline sniffed, her throat constricted. She opened her mouth and then she cried. She was crying her eyes out as her shoulders shook, her mouth was wide open as she cried like a little baby. Out here in the big cold hallway made of ice.

Suddenly… Marceline felt something touching her leg and Marceline gasped as she looked up, only to see a little bunny made of pure ice. Pressing its head towards Marceline

Marceline blinked. "Huh?" she asked.

The ice bunny kept pressing its head towards her, then lifted its head to look up at her.

Wide-eyed Marceline looked down at the animal… Obviously, it was one of Winter King's creations. It was made of ice. And yet… Marceline swallowed as she reached over and picked up the bunny, then placed it on her lap. Only for it to press its head towards her stomach. Moving its head back and forth.

"Heh." Marceline smiled amused. "That's nice of you you're trying to comfort me," she whispered as she gently petted the ice bunny. "Thanks… Little guy."

The bunny lifted its head looking up at Marceline and Marceline blinked. There seemed to be some sort of soft light to this bunny, a strange sort of warm glow the other ice creatures didn't have. It felt… warm… nice and… Oddly familiar.

Marceline blinked. "Simon?" she asked.

The bunny didn't reply but rubbed its head against her one more time, and then it jumped down from her lap, a few jumps forward, and then turned to look at Marceline.

Marceline halted, her breath was stuck in her throat but then slowly she stood up.

The bunny nodded as it turned around and kept hopping away as Marceline followed.

"Ha ha ha!" The Winter King laughed as he was playing his piano. "Oh what a joyful party this is what I…" suddenly he halted, his hands landed on the piano creating an off-key chord and people stopped in shock.

Winter King blinked as he looked up, and then he chuckled amused. "I'm sorry about that. I guess I just got distracted." he sighed. "I mean everything is so wonderful, and by everything I mean everyone." he stood up. "All of you. I can't believe you're here to share this evening with me! It makes me so happy!"

And all the people just smiled and then clapped as they cheered.

The Ice king made a formal bow for them before standing up. "Please excuse me," he stated. "It's soon time for dessert and I just wish to make sure it's all perfect!" he stated making them all grin as the Ice King saluted them as he headed to the door and walked out, though the moment he was out the door his smile faltered and he looked around. "No," he whispered. "I don't think so."

Marceline swallowed, she had followed the bunny downstairs and doors, all the way down to the basement, then finally the bunny stood at the floor and tapped on it.

Marceline blinked. "The floor?" she asked.

The bunny stamped on it and then looked down.

Marceline tilted her head. "Okay then," she stated. "Stand back."

The bunny jumped aside as Marceline transformed herself into a big hoglike beast, roaring as she smashed a fist into the floor and it all shattered to reveal a big black hole underneath making Marceline blink as she turned herself back.

The bunny didn't even hesitate before it just jumped straight into the hole and Marceline gasped. "Hey wait!" she flew down into the hole as well, finding herself in a massive dark room.

"BABYYYY!" A female voice sounded, sounding happily. "Where were you? Don't you disappear like that. I was so… So worried! Wuaaaaah! Don't ever leave me again."

Marceline's eyes widened… That voice. "Bonnie?" she asked as she floated down, landing on an icy floor.

"Baby baby…" The familiar voice sang. "Rock-a-bye baby on the sugar tops! When the wind blows, you will be hit by a rock!"

Wide-eyed Marceline stepped forward, she thought she could see the silhouette of a big cage, the bars going from the floor to the ceiling.

And in the corner, a dark figure rocked the gently glowing bunny that was the only light in the entire room.

"When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall." The figure sang. "And down will come baby! HA HA! Cradle and all!"

At that last sentence, Marceline held out a hand and allowed a light to shine, revealing a grinning pink figure with hair that was as big as her body, her eyes round and mad-looking with two different eye colors, sharp fangs, and a pointed nose. Her head sharply turned to look at Marceline and Marceline stumbled back.

"Ah!"

"Baby!" The woman shouted as she dropped the bunny and reached for Marceline instead. "Oh how I missed you! Come here and give us a hug!" she yelled reaching her hands through the bars, stretching herself for Marceline.

"Bo… Bonnie?!" Marceline asked.

"Candy Queen!" the pink figure corrected Marceline. "Ha ha… HA HA HA HA!" she stood up as she laughed as she stood up and then tears emerged from her eyes as well as she laughed and cried at the same time, just standing there.

"Bon-Bon." Marceline rushed towards her as she gasped. "What… What happened to you?!" she asked. "What did he do?"

"Who?" The Candy Queen asked.

"Winter King!" Marceline shouted. "He did this to you. Didn't he?"

"My love?" The Candy Queen asked. "Of course he never did anything to me! He's perfect. And I love him!" she stated. "oooh my King! We are two sides of the same coin! We're like cereal and milk! Meant to be together!" he gasped.

Marceline frowned. "That sounds like something the Ice King would say." her eyes widened. "What in the." she gasped.

"HA HA! Ha-ha-ha-ha!" The Candy Queen laughed.

"Hang on!" Marceline shouted. "I'm getting you out!" she transformed into a big bat monster as she grabbed the bars, and then ripped them out and threw them away.

The moment she did the Candy Queen just sprung out and hugged Marceline, even in her monster form. "Babyyyyy!" she cried.

Marceline blinked as she turned back to herself. "What in the?" she asked. "You don't even like me… You."

"Oh… Marceline." A new voice suddenly sounded making Marceline's eyes widen and she turned to see a tall lean figure stepping out from the dark, revealing his blue form. "Why would you do this?" The Winter King asked in a deep sigh. "Now you really haven't given me any choice."

"MY LOVE!" The Candy Queen just shouted as she let go of Marceline and ran straight for the Winter King with open arms.

Swiftly the Winter King dodged her hug so the Candy Queen fell over, then kicked her away. "That's a bad girl," he commented coldly.

"Sweetheart?" The Candy Queen looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Didn't I tell you… Don't leave the cage." The Winter King sighed deeply. "And where are you now my sweet? Are you in the cage?"

Wide-eyed the Candy Queen looked up at Winter King, then back at the cage and she gasped as she looked back again with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry." she gasped. "I'll get back right now!" she stumbled up and rushed back toward the cage and jumped inside looking up. "Did I do good darling?"

"For now." The Winter King commented. "Now stay," he spoke in a cold voice as he looked at Marceline.

Marceline seethed. "So that's it," she commented. "You're not Simon. You're not Simon at all! SHE IS!" she pointed at the Candy Queen.

The Winter King looked at Marceline. "That's how you see Simon?" he asked. "Really? Like this pathetic joke? Boy… That's some love huh."

Marceline's eyes were filled with tears. "Simon is someone who loves. He has so much love that it hurts… Actual love. FIX THIS!" She shouted.

"Pff. No." The Winter King shook his head, then suddenly, fast as lightning he flew forward, grabbed Marceline's throat, and slammed her against the wall. "I'm not going back," he stated.

Marceline seethed. "You'll really do it?" she asked. "You'd rather kill me than go back?"

The Winter King blinked. "Well yeah. Obviously," he stated as he lifted Marceline a bit up and then slammed her into the wall again, letting go so Marceline fell to the ground.

"Do you even know what it's like Marceline?" Winter King asked. "Do you have any idea?" he asked as he kicked her. "Living like that, knowing you're not supposed to be like that, that something is so wrong! But don't know why or what you're actually supposed to be like. Always searching, always longing but always ending up worse off." he kicked her again. "Having everyone hate you, looking at you with disgust and you don't know why. And all you wish is for one single word of caring. But you are just the butt of everyone's joke! For a thousand years! The most pathetic creature alive and there's nothing you can do!" he roared. "That feeling in your chest of pain…. Always pain." he grabbed her. "With no end in sight! I'm not even allowed to die!" he shouted as he threw her away and onto the floor.

The Candy Queen gasped as she looked at them. "Baby?" she asked.

"If you really love me. Then why would you allow me to suffer Marceline? Huh?" The Winter King asked as he stepped forward. "I did everything for you!"

Marceline sat up as she spat out a bit of blood. "You did shit!" she stated.

"Oh yeah?" Winter king asked. "I tugged you in when it was time to sleep, I carried you over the broken wasteland and gave you my food! I held you when you cried. I put on the crown for you!"

Marceline's eyes widened.

"I gave up my sanity for you!" The Winter King gasped. "And how did you repay me?" he asked. "YOU LET ME ROT!" he kicked her again sending Marceline flying into the wall.

And this time, as Marceline fell down, she was slack.

"You let me become that pathetic thing! With no way out at all! You just let me roam around to suffer for eternity. There are things worse than death." The Winter King whispered. "Much… Much worse." he stepped toward Marceline. "So really." he held up a hand that was glowing blue. "Maybe you should consider this a favor."

Marceline sniffed.

"You forced my hand, Marceline." The Winter King commented. "I tried to make it work. I tried to give you a way to just walk away and we could both live peacefully. But you just couldn't let it go. Could you?"

Marceline looked up, there were tears in her eyes as she looked up at him, gasping. "I… I'm sorry." she swallowed. "I'm sorry Simon."

The Winter King was not moved. His face was ice as he held up that hand. "Too little too late." he simply stated as he lifted his hand.

"BABY NO!" The Candy Queen suddenly screamed as she threw herself at Winter King and they both fell down on the ground.

"What the? YOU!" The Winter King shouted as he fired ice at the Candy Queen and she screamed as she jumped aside, then ran to Marceline and grabbed her hand.

"Baby run!" The Candy Queen shouted as she pulled Marceline up to her feet and with her.

"ARGH!" The Winter King shouted as he jumped up and sent ice beams at them that Marceline and the Candy Queen barely managed to dodge. "How dare you! You love me. Remember?"

The Candy Queen's eyes watered. "I do.." she took a step toward him. "I do love you!" she gasped as she reached for him.

"No you don't," Marceline stated as she grabbed the Candy Queen and transformed herself into a giant bat. "Time to go!" she flew upward toward the hole.

"NO! DARLIIIIING!" The Candy Queen yelled as they both flew up and the Winter King roared as she flew up as well, sending beams of ice after her that Marceline dodged, flying back and forth as they reached the palace.

"ICE GUARDS!" The Winter King screamed. "The Vampire Queen tried to take my life! GET HER!" he shouted as people started to stream out and the Winter King flew up and sent beams at her.

Marceline was at a disadvantage, she had to keep holding onto the Candy Queen who was struggling, calling for her love that was actively trying to kill them.

Suddenly the Winter king seemed to be charging up a huge attack as Marceline realised she had her back to the ice Dome, she had nowhere to fly! Wide-eyed she looked up.

As suddenly Finn came jumping from the balcony. "YAAAAAAH!" and grabbed the Winter King's legs pulling him down. "Get out of here Marceline! HURRY!" he shouted.

Marceline gasped. "FINN!" she shouted.

"You little." the Winther King hissed as he looked down at Finn who had grabbed his leg.

"I'll find you, Marceline. Just get out!" Finn shouted as the Winter King kicked him in the face and Marceline looked up, she roared and then she just flew full speed ahead toward the top of the dome.

The Winter King looked up as he gasped. "No."

People were all gasping and then… Marceline crashed through the ice dome and flew out into the night sky while the Candy Queen screamed.

"NOOOOO! MY LOOOOVE!" reaching behind them toward the broken dome.

Marceline ignored it though and was on her way, once they were safe. Then she could figure out what to do next.

Left behind in the Winter kingdom was the Winter King who slowly descended from the air, landing in front of the people who now all looked at him with unease.

"I tried to make it work." The Winter King whispered. "I tried to invite her in! Make her comfortable." he gasped. "But she really just wants to kill me. And for no reason!" he gasped. "Can you guys believe it?"

Some blinked, looking kind of uncomfortable, others though did nod in sympathy.

Finn though, he frowned… Marceline had been right all along. He was sure of that now, and so he turned to simply walk out.

Chapter Text

Marceline sighed deeply as she sat, leaning up against a cave wall. Not far from her the water was flowing inside from the river outside… Legit the only way to get in here was to either swim, sail or fly.

There were some critters living in here, some bugs, bats, and floating jellyfish. As well as the little door that Finn and Jake had built back in the day to mark where the room started.

But it was as good a place to hide as any Marceline supposed.

The Candy Queen was sitting not far from her, giggling as she was holding two rocks. "My Candy Queen! You're so pretty!" She spoke as she moved on the rock. "Oh thank you, my dear king! You're pretty too!" she moved the other rock. "Now kiss me you wonderful woman!" she moved the first rock. "YES MY DARLING!" and she smashed the rocks together, making kissing noises as she smushed them together. And then she started to smack them against each other, over and over and over as she laughed loudly until the stones broke and the Candy Queen screamed before falling down on the ground crying.

"Don't leave me… Pleaaaase! I love you!"

Marceline sighed deeply as she rested her head in her hand.

Just as a voice called from beyond the water. "Marcy? Marcy you here?"

Marceline looked up. "Finn!" she called.

"I hear her!" Jake's voice sounded. "Good thinking Finn. Here we come!"

Marceline stood up, just in time to see Jake's yellow body in the form of a boat coming floating towards them with Finn standing on it holding an ice bunny in her arms.

That made the Candy Queen look up and she gasped. "BABY!" she screamed as she ran straight for Finn who didn't even get to step off the boat before she just snatched the bunny away and rubbed her cheek against it as she walked back. "Baby-baby." she grinned.

Gaping Finn looked at the Candy Queen. "PB?" he asked.

"Yeah… She's pretty cray-cray now." Marceline sighed deeply as Finn stepped out on shore and Jake took his normal form stepping up as well.

"What do you say baby?" Candy Queen asked the bunny in her arms. "We should go kidnap Winter King? EXCELLENT IDEA! Then he'll have to love me!" she shouted. "AAAH HA HA HA HA!" she danced around with her bunny before she fell down on the ground, and hugged her bunny tight. "Hmmmm."

"She… She's acting like Ice King!" Finn gaped. "What the glob!"

"Yup." Marceline sighed. "I finally figured it out. Why Winter King doesn't feel like Simon. Cause he isn't." she stated. "He has Simon's body and memories. But everything that makes Simon… Simon. It's right over there." she pointed at the Candy Queen who was giggling while rocking her bunny.

Jake blinked. "What you mean being completely off the wall nutty as a fruit cake?" he asked.

"No… Nooooo." Marceline groaned as she fell down in a sitting position. "Lonely." she sighed deeply. "Able to love… And love a lot… Unable to harm a soul. At least on purpose." she looked down. "Caring about.." she looked at Candy Queen who was still hugging her current 'baby'

"Wow." Finn blinked.

Marceline looked away as Finn hesitated, then slowly walked over to Marceline and kneeled down in front of her. Marceline didn't look at him.

"You know… I never realized how insanely powerful the Ice King was before right now." Finn commented as he sat down.

Marceline glanced up at Finn.

"I mean… He can create freaking life with a snap of a finger!" Finn gasped. "He could make a whole army in a second! He flies! He can construct anything he wants with a thought. If he seriously wanted to rule the entire world. He one hundred percent could!"

Marceline glanced down.

"So it's really something…. That he didn't." Finn commented making Marceline blink and she looked up. "You're right Marceline," Finn whispered. "He never hurt anyone… At least never on purpose. If he really wanted to force a Princess to stay with him forever. He could have. I wouldn't be able to defeat a whole army of Snow Golems that just keeps coming. For someone to be driven so insane. But still, all he wants is company and nothing else. That's really something, isn't it? He must be a really good person."

Shocked Marceline looked at Finn, tears formed in her eyes. And then she shouted as she launched forward, grabbed Finn, and pulled him into a hug as she cried.

"There there. There there." Finn patted Marceline on the back. "It's going to be okay."

"Nooo." Marceline shook her head as she cried. "I let him rot… I left him to suffer. I'm sorry Simon. I'm really sorry." she sniffed. "You saved me. You saved me so many times and I did nothing. I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry."

Jake looked at them, then looked at the Candy Queen who had laid down hugging her bunny. "So it's like that Simon guy has been split into two huh?" he commented. "This Winter King has the memories and the smarts, but the soul is inside of PB… Well, that's not good."

"Yeah." Finn glanced at her. "We have to put things back together the right way."

"NO!" Marceline grabbed Finn's t-shirt and Finn blinked as he looked at her.

"You… Don't want it to be back to normal?" Finn asked.

"I mean… I.." Marceline swallowed. "I don't know. I let Simon suffer for a thousand years! If we put it back he's going to suffer again. And I…"

"But what about PB?" Jake asked. "Is it okay to just let her suffer?"

"No!" Marceline gasped. "I just… I…" She grabbed her hair. "I don't know! He put on that stupid crown to save me! And he lost his mind! It was because of me!" she shouted. "And now… Am I supposed to just let it happen again?" she asked.

Seriously Finn looked at Marceline, he swallowed seriously.

"Marcy," Finn spoke. "Be honest with me."

Wide-eyed Marceline looked at Finn, meeting his eyes.

"If Simon was here now… The real Simon." Finn spoke. "Simon the way you remember him, the Simon that raised you." he swallowed harshly. "Would he want this?"

Marceline's eyes widened.

"Would he be okay with this?" Finn asked.

Marceline's eyes watered, she sniffed, and then she cried in a broken voice. "No." she cried as Finn reached over and embraced Marceline while Marceline cried.

Finn just held the Vampire Queen. Allowing her to cry and Finn looked at the Candy Queen.

"So we're going to put Humpty Dumpty back together. Huh?" Jake asked, then scratched his head. "How do we do that though?"

Marceline halted, and she turned to Candy Queen. Then she looked at the bunny in her arms. Marceline's eyes widened. "Bon-Bon." she whispered. "You have Simon inside of you but… You were overflowing right?" she asked. "So… So you put a little bit of it into that." she looked at the Bunny. Then she looked up. "Can you do it again?"

"Huh?" The Candy Queen looked up.

Slowly Marceline stood up as she let go of Finn, she walked over to the Candy Queen as she swallowed. "You have something," she whispered. "It belongs to Winter King though."

"Then it's mine!" The Candy Queen shouted. "You can't have it it's mine!" she yelled. 

Marceline chewed her lip. "You know… If you gave it back to the Winter King. He would marry you."

"What? Really?" The Candy Queen looked up.

Marceline nodded. "Definitely. If you give it back to him. He will marry you on the spot. So…" she gasped. "Can you give it to him?"

The Candy Queen held a hand in front of her chest, and then her chest glowed as something that looked like an incredibly beautiful flower emerged.

It was shining with all the colors of the rainbow, like it was broken crystal glass, yet didn't seem cold like all the things from the Winter Kingdom.

"This?" The Candy Queen asked.

Marceline gasped. "Yes… There he is," she whispered. Tears dripping from her eyes. "There's Simon… You give that to the Winter King. And he'll marry you."

The Candy Queen nodded as she put the flower back, then looked up as she grinned. "OKAY!" she shouted happily. "Let's get ready to ruuuumble!" she cheered. "Woohoo!" she twirled around as she danced away.

Marceline sniffed as she dried her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You all right Marceline?" Finn asked as he stepped up next to her.

"Not remotely." Marceline sighed deeply. "But we just have to do this you know. He has to be stopped. Simon would never… never be able to forgive himself if the Winter King ever hurt anyone. It's not what he would want." she exhaled deeply. "He would endure a million years of madness rather than being the reason someone got seriously hurt. That's who he was."

"Wow." Finn gaped. "He sounds incredible!"

"Yeah." Marceline nodded. "Told you he was nice." her fist tightened. "And then after he's become Ice King again… I need to finish it."

"Finish what?" Finn asked.

Marceline smiled grimly. "Don't worry about that," she stated and Finn blinked, but finally nodded.

The plan was clear. They were going to put things back together the way it was supposed to be.

Chapter Text

"Listen to me!" The Winter King gasped as he looked around. "Marceline the Vampire Queen. She wants me dead! All of this! My beautiful wonderland! She wants it destroyed!" he exclaimed to the great mob of people standing around gaping at him. "And after all I did for her." he exclaimed. "You saw! The banquet, the dance. I offered her everything and yet she… She…"

The people around Winter King looked at him, they seemed pretty uncomfortable, some of them nervous.

"It is true though." A gumdrop girl commented. "I did see her. I saw her attack him last week. Out of nowhere. But the Winter King went out of his way to make us forgive her."

"But… It's Marceline though." LSP commented. "She's my bestie… I just don't know."

"She always did have such a terrible temper." A Slime woman pointed out. "She's always scaring the kids! And then laughing as if it's just fun!"

"And he is very beautiful." LSP glanced up at the Winter King.

"Something is weird…" A bee whispered. "It doesn't quite feel right."

The Winter King's eyebrow twitched as he looked at them all, the group discussing and debating among themselves as his mouth tightened.

"ARGH! MY KING!"

The Winter King turned around to see one of his Ice Women gasp as a huge crack had formed down her otherwise perfect face.

Everyone gasped.

"Oh no. Don't you worry." The Winter King quickly stepped towards her, brushing his hand over the crack and making it vanish. "There you are, my dear. Good as new. And perfect." he smiled only for the crack to pop right back only twice as big as before and the Ice Woman screamed.

People gasped, and then they all started to murmur.

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY RESPECT!" The Winter King shouted at them. "This fair maiden is suffering!" then he turned back to the ice woman. "Now now dear. You're going to go to the hospital wing of the castle all right?" he asked. "You'll get the help you need." then he leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Do not even think about leaving that room for as long as that thing is visible."

The Ice Woman's eyes widened, but then she nodded. "Thank you my King." she bowed for him. "I shall be on my way now." and she skated away.

The Winter King looked to her other ice women only for one of them to gasp as she hid her hand behind her back. The Winter King glanced at her. "Why don't you go make sure she's comfortable my dear."

The Ice Woman with her hand firmly hidden behind her back nodded. "Yes, my King… Thank you." she skated as well, moving her hand to her front as she skated away as well.

All around the winter wonderland, odd things seemed to happen, in the corners of the houses, in the beautiful sculptures. There were cracks, popping up, eating at the glistening constructions. And the floor of the Palace itself.

It was pretty hard not to notice, how all the beforehand perfect surfaces seemed to show some sort of imperfection. But people decided to not say anything since the Winter King seemed so… Stressed?

The feeling was uneasy among people as the Winter King tried to collect them once again, at the great plaza in the center of the Winter Kingdom.

"Listen to me." The Winter King gasped. "Remember how hard I worked. To make everything better. For everyone!" he gasped as the whole group in front of him gaped. "You may start to hear things about me! Marceline intends to destroy me! So whatever you may hear, whatever you may see! Remember what you have been given!" he gasped. "And what I could give you. All of you!" he spread out his arms. "My magic wonderland could be everywhere and all could be happy living together in harmony! Wouldn't it be better?" he asked. "Wouldn't it just make everything so much better!"

Wide-eyed people looked up at the Winter King.

"Let's stand together." The Winter King gasped. "And let's manifest our wildest dreams! Let's make it a reality! Remember what we have to win. And don't let Marceline destroy our dreams."

Gaping everyone looked at the Winter King, swallowing as they whispered.

"Hey WINTER KING!" Everyone gasped, they looked in all directions then they looked up where suddenly Marceline made herself visible. "Dreams are not reality. Maybe it's time to actually be real for once."

Everyone gasped as they looked at her, the Winter King stepped back, as the ground under suddenly cracked.

People gasped, they looked at the ground under him, then up at the two.

The Winter King glanced at all the people, then back up at Marceline. "Well then," he spoke in a louder tone. "Came to finish me off?" he asked. "Or tell some horrible lie about me?"

"I'm not the liar. Simon." Marceline informed and everyone blinked. "You are the Ice King!" she exclaimed.

"Well everyone already knows that. I told them." Winter King commented. "And they forgave me. So what about it?" he asked.

"So did you tell them how you managed this amazing transformation?" Marceline asked.

"Sheer force of will." The Winter King informed.

"Oh really?" Marceline landed in front of him. "Really."

The Winter King's eye flickered as suddenly a big crack tore through the ground and up the palace wall.

Marceline smirked. "You know what's coming next… Don't you?" she asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The Winter King replied.

"Oh I think you do," Marceline commented.

"DARLIIIIING!" A voice suddenly shouted and the Winter King turned.

"No… NO!" The Winter King gasped as he looked around, desperately trying to find the source of the voice.

And then suddenly the Candy Queen herself sprung out of a Pine Tree next to him and was heading straight for the Winter King with outstretched arms.

"AHH!" The Winter King screamed as he just managed to move out of the way so the Candy Queen landed flat on her face on the ice. Only to lift her head and grin. "Now kiss me you fool!" she reached for him.

"NO!" The Winter King jumped aside and then gasped as he jumped up and hovered in the air.

Only for everyone to gasp as they looked at the Candy Queen who was now jumping up and down grabbing for Winter King.

"Pr-Princess?" A Banana Guard asked.

"PB!" LSP cried out. "Oh, my glob! What happened to you girl? You look like a total fashion disaster!"

"This is what happened!" Finn shouted as he stepped out as well. "The Ice King just projected all of his own madness onto Princess Bubblegum!" 

"And he kept her captured in his basement! While sending out fake search parties to throw off suspicions from himself!" Jake shouted.

Everyone gasped, then turned to the Winter King.

"How… How could you?" LSP. "I loved you… I loved you so much!"

Multiple people started to cry.

"Now. Listen!" The Winter King gasped. "So maybe that's true." he floated over them. "But weren't things so much better with me in charge?" he asked. "I gave you what you wanted. What did she do?" he asked. "I gave you peace! I gave you dreams!" he held out his arms. "And with me, you can have everything! So maybe there's this tinny tiny thing." he measured with his fingers. "But look… I promise. From now on. I will take care of the dear Princess. She will be comfortable right? And everybody can be happy." he grinned as he clasped his hands together. "What do you all say?"

The response from the audience was cold… The candy people, the slime people, the bees, and dogs were all looking at the Winter King with utter disdain.

While the Winter Citizens all looked nervous, and then an ice Golems arm cracked and it fell down on the ground.

"Would you just… STOP BREAKING!" The Winter King shouted and suddenly the ice Golem turned to snow becoming a pile on the ground and everybody gasped.

People screamed and the Winter King's eyes widened.

Marceline floated up in the air as well so she now was in front of the Winter King. "It's over Simon," she stated. "You're going back."

The Winter King seethed, then he spread out his arms, and then suddenly, the Ice dome seemed to freeze over, becoming thicker and the big entrance just vanished making people gasp.

"Never." The Winter King whispered. "You guys though… You're not leaving." he reached up his arms and from the ground came multiple massive golems towering over people. "I tried to make it work. I tried to make you all happy." The Winter King gasped. "Well… I guess I just have to start over!" he stated as one of the giants lifted a foot, and then stomped it down on multiple people that screamed and started to run.

"WUARGH!" Marceline threw herself after the Winter King. Roaring as she transformed herself into a crow-like monster, and the two engaged in battle.

All the while, the golems roared and people ran.

Marceline seethed as she grabbed the Winter King's shoulders pulling him around.

"You would rather take everybody down with you than go back?" Marceline asked.

"YES!" The Winter King screamed as he grabbed her too, and threw her away. "I'm not going back. I'M NEVER GOING BACK! No matter what!" he flew forward with an ice beam hitting at Marceline who dodged and came from below, hitting the Winter King.

Below people were screaming as they ran around, avoiding snow golems and ice people that pulled out icy spears and tried to fend back.

All the while the buildings were cracking and crumbling.

Marceline shouted as she hit the winter king again and he flew backwards.

The Winter King made a swirl in the air and then landed right at the top of the stairs to the Ice Palace.

Only for his eyes to widen as suddenly multiple people were moving towards him in a large group, coming up the stairs.

The Winter king seethed as he moved backward, his hands starting to glow.

Just as a pink figure pressed herself through the group so she could be in front, gasping. "My love!" The Candy Queen exclaimed. "Look at this party! It's perfect for our wedding!" she cried as she reached into her chest and pulled out a shining flower, offering it to the Winter King. "For you my love!"

The Winter King's eyes widened and he screamed. "ARGH!" as he stumbled backward. Then lifted his hands that were glowing from energy. "No I don't think so… I should have kept you on Ice!" he exclaimed, he opened his mouth and was about to yell.

Just as a yellow dog stretched right over the Winter King's head and grabbed his crown. "Yoink!" Jake simply shouted as he vanished and took the crown with him, while the ice energy died from the Winter King's hands.

Wide-eyed The Winter King looked at his hands, then up at them all. Slowly he stepped back. "No…" he gasped as cracks crawled up the palace, and everything started to rumble, blocks of ice falling down.

Marceline flew down landing in front of the Candy Queen, glaring at the Winter King. "It's over Simon," she stated.

Wide-eyed the Winter King looked at Marceline, as the large group of people in front of him, and the Candy Queen holding her flower as she took a step forward.

And then… The Winter King turned around and ran straight into the crumbling palace.

"SIMON!" Marceline gasped, she looked at the Candy Queen holding her flower and then took a gamble as she grabbed the flower.

The moment she did, the Candy Queen fell to her knees. Her eyes and mouth were white, projecting a white light towards the flower, projecting it to Marceline's hand.

There was a second light source too, the ice bunny that was sitting next to the Candy Queen also projecting light to the flower, frozen until the flower was allowed to find its place.

Marceline swallowed, she looked at all the people all the while the ice dome above them was cracking, houses grumbling and blocks of ice were falling down.

"Stay safe!" Marceline gasped and then flew into the breaking Ice Palace.

Marceline gasped as she had to dodge all the ice falling down, the walls, and the floors breaking as she shouted.

Meanwhile, the Winter King was on the run, he was gasping as he dodged blocks, then the floor opened in front of him and he yelled in shock, but then just managed to to jump over it and then kept running. All the while everything was collapsing around him and he gasped.

Then suddenly the floor broke right under him and the Winter King yelled as he fell down suddenly landing on the floor below, then he got up and ran only to run straight into a wall and the Winter King gasped as touched the wall. "No.. No no no!" he hammered at the ice. "NOOOOO!" he screamed just as the Vampire Queen herself came floating down the hole as well, holding a flower in her hand.

Wide-eyed the Winter King turned around, wide-eyed looking at Marceline, his hair was a mess, his glasses askew, and even his clothes were in disarray. Gasping as he pressed his hands against the wall behind him.

Marceline looked at him, holding the flower. "It's over Simon," she stated once again.

"You… You'll really do this?" The Winter King asked in a gasp. "Don't you remember?" he asked. "That night you had a nightmare, you were crying your little eyes out. And I picked you up, I held you for the entire night… That was good right?" he asked. "You would really do this to me?" he asked. "Marcy."

Marceline's eyes squinted. She sniffed.

"Come now remember all the good times we had." The Winter King smiled. "How we would write songs right? I put on the crown for you remember?" he asked. "I gave it all up for you. But I'll forgive you! We'll begin again! Start over! Make a new wonderland! Marcy!"

Sadly Marceline looked at the figure in front of her… The figure that had no love to give. And felt no sadness in his heart. Clearly, though, there was one emotion he still had.

The emotion that had driven him since the first day he appeared, the emotion that had made him lash out and attack and now made his entire wonderland crumble as this emotion took over. And now it was displayed all over his face as he looked at her.

The emotion of fear.

Slowly Marceline stepped forward, she faced the Winter King without his crown who may as well have been human in his current state.

"I'm sorry Simon," Marceline whispered. "But this is what I have to do," she stated and with that, she pressed the flower into the Winter King's chest.

Immediately the Winter King's eyes widened and he started to scream as the entire ice room started to shake while Marceline stepped back.

The Winter King fell to his knees as he grabbed his head. "No… Nooo!" he hissed as he looked up and real actual tears emerged from his eyes as a beard started to grow and his hair grew longer. "It hurts! IT HURTS!" he shouted grabbing his chest with a hand where the nails were becoming claw-like, and the clothes itself became ill-fitting, swaddling a smaller body and then the figure fell to the ground, laying face down on the icy surface.

Marceline inhaled sharply as she stood over the unconscious body. All the while everything was shaking and crumbling around them.

From above, a golden crown fell down and landed right next to Marceline… As if it had been called upon by its master but only managed to arrive when it was too late. Useless as long as it was just lying there at Marceline's feet.

Then Marceline looked up, tears streamed from her eyes as she lifted up an arm and let it extend into a long sharp spike. "I'm sorry Simon," she whispered as the figure at her feet started to groan. "I do owe you everything… Simply everything." she sniffed. "And I love you," she stated. "I really do." she cried. "That's why I have to do this… Simon."

The figure groaned then slowly he lifted his head, glancing up with a groggy look in his eyes.

Marceline was crying, she was wailing. Tears were streaming down her face as she held up her spike-like arm.

The blue figure looked up at her, and the next moment he screamed. "MARCY LOOK OUT!"

Marceline blinked. "Huh!"

The next moment the blue figure launched forward and grabbed Marceline pulling her aside the last second before a large ice block fell down and would have crushed her where she stood.

Wide-eyed Marceline looked forward, then looked up at the man who was holding her tight looking at the ice block with fearful eyes.

That's when Marceline noticed… He had no bald spot. His hair was covering his entire head. His beard was shorter than usual and so was his hair.

"Si… Simon?" Marceline asked.

The blue man looked down at her, his eyes were just filled with pain and regret as he gasped.

"You need to get out of here Marcy." Simon gasped. "This whole thing is coming down!" then he looked up only to shout. "Mother! The hole has closed up!" he shouted. "Marcy! Can you break through it?" he asked pointing up.

"I'll try!" Marceline shouted as she stood up and transformed into a bat, she flew upward and roared as she slammed into the ceiling only to shout as more blocks of ice fell down and Simon shouted as he just managed to roll away. "I can't!" Marceline cried. "It's too thick! We're trapped!"

Simon gasped as he looked around, then his eyes widened as he saw it on the ground and he hurried over picked up a golden crown then lifted it over his head.

Marceline glanced down and then she gasped, she roared as she flew down and slapped the crown out of Simon's hands at the last second. "Don't you dare!" she screamed. "Don't you even dare!"

"You're going to die if we don't find a way out of this!" Simon shouted.

"Then we'll die!" Marceline shouted. "There are things way worse than dying!" she shouted. "You're not putting that thing on!"

Simon's eyes widened.

"In fact… I am not giving you a choice." Marceline seethed as she picked up one of the giant ice blocks and dropped it right on top of the crown making it impossible for Simon to get it, and then she turned to the man.

By the sight of him… Marceline gasped.

She remembered this look. The beard, the hair, the straight back… He looked pretty funny in these oversized clothes. And even the glasses seemed to be falling off his nose. But still. What really stood out were his eyes. Pained... Sad. But also so kind. 

Marceline sniffed. "I thought I was never going to see you again." she swallowed. "Simon I…"

With painful eyes, Simon looked at her. "You're so grown up," he whispered. "I… I can't believe it. Marcy." he reached out a hand touching Marceline's cheek as his own eyes watered. "Why did it have to be like this?" he asked. "Marcy I'm sorry! Everything I did.. I'm so."

Marceline pressed a hand against Simon's mouth. "It wasn't you," she stated. "I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me." she removed her hand and then, leaned over and hugged Simon tight as she cried. "I missed you so much! I love you!"

Simon's eyes widened and then, he returned the embrace, closing his eyes as everything was falling down, crumbling around them. "I love you too," he whispered. "Marcy."

Chapter Text

"Marceline!" Princess Bubblegum herself shouted as she walked across the rubble of what had once been a beautiful winter palace.

"Marcy!" Finn shouted as well. "Marcy, where are you? MARCELINE!"

"My King!" An Ice Woman was shouting, there was a crack going from her head and all the way down to her chest. And yet she was still calling. "Please, my lord!"

Jake looked at her. "Dude he only ever used you. Why would you be looking for him?" he asked.

"Used or no." The woman spoke. "He is our king. He gave us life and built us a beautiful kingdom to enjoy."

A Golem nodded as he stepped up as well. "Even if he isn't what he said. He is our king."

"Wenk." A penguin replied.

"So for now. Let's work together." The Ice Woman asked. "Until they are found at least…"

Princess Bubblegum stepped forward, holding her hands in front of herself as she looked seriously at them. "I am myself again. Which means Marceline has succeeded. He is not going to be the Winter King you all know. He should be back to being the Ice King now."

"I do not know of this Ice King." The Ice Woman admitted. "I was created by the Winter King. But if that is who he has become. We will serve him."

"Yeah… Erhm. Maybe you'll want to reconsider that later." Princess Bubblegum commented.

Meanwhile, Finn was walking over the rubble, then sighed deeply as he sat down. "Oh glob it's hopeless." he held his face. "They've been buried alive."

"Well… If they are still alive." Jake commented.

"JAKE!" Finn shouted.

"Sorry." Jake looked down.

Finn sighed again as he looked up and then he halted. Not far away from Finn, among the rubble. There was one ice bunny that was trying to dig just at that one place and Finn gasped.

Quickly Finn ran over to the bunny and fell down to his knees, grabbing an ice-block and throwing it away. Then grabbed another one and continued.

"Finn?" Jake asked.

"Over here!" Finn shouted. "They are below here! They have to be!"

The Ice woman gasped and ran over there, grabbing a block too then halted as she looked up, looking at Finn.

Finn offered her a smile and then handed her the ice block he had just picked up, she smiled in return and accepted the ice block, handing it to LSP behind her and she passed it on as well as people started to make a long line, picking up ice blocks and dispose of them further away.

And then the line started, picking up ice blocks and carrying them away, digging down to create a large hole.

For every piece of ice they picked up, there was so much more though. Hours went by as a giant hole started to form, going a very long way down, but still they continued.

"You really think this is it?" Jake finally had to ask.

"It has to be," Finn whispered. "Marcy!" he shouted. "MARCELINE!"

Suddenly, something could be heard from below. Finn's eyes widened, he pressed his ear against the ground.

"Finn?" Princess Bubblegum asked.

"I hear something!" Finn shouted. "Quick! Dig faster!" he shouted and everyone picked up space, removing ice-blocks.

Suddenly, everything started to rumble beneath them and Finn gasped. "Stand back!" he shouted. Everybody stood up and scrambled back as everything moved.

And then suddenly, a giant monster that looked like a bat broke free. Its wings that were also its arms folded at the front as it stood up gasping.

"Marcy!" Finn ran forward to look up at the bat. "Marceline you!"

The bat looked down, and then slowly loosened her arms, revealing a blue figure in her arms, laying completely slack, his arm falling down, now dangling loosely from his position. The clothes was oversized and ill fitting, the beard long. Yet there was no mistaking that long blue nose... 

"MY KING!" The Ice Woman shouted as she came running. Then gasped as she pressed her hands against her mouth.

All the rest came running too, gasping as they saw the picture.

Finn looked up at Marceline. "Marceline…" he gasped. "You didn't.." he swallowed. "Did you?"

Marceline looked at them all, tears streaming from her face. "Help him," she asked. "Please!" she asked. "Just help him."

Wide-eyed Finn looked at the figure in her arms, then realized that his chest was moving just slightly. He was breathing! Oh thank god. 

Princess Bubblegum stepped forward as she looked at the figure too, then up at Marceline. "Take him to the Candy Kingdom Castle," she asked. "I'll have a doctor look at him."

Marceline looked up at Princess Bubblegum with uncertainty in her eyes.

"Do you want help or not?" Princess Bubblegum asked. "Go!"

Marceline's eyes widened, and then she jumped up in the air and started to fly away toward the Candy Kingdom while Princess Bubblegum turned to Finn and Jake.

"Would you mind giving a ride?" She asked.

"No probs!" Jake shouted as he turned himself into a large dinosaur. "Let's go rolling."

"WAIT!" The Ice woman with her cracked face ran up to them. "Let me come too! Please!"

Finn looked down at the woman, then smiled lightly as he offered her a hand and she gasped, accepting the hand and allowing him to pull her up on Jake's back.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No probs," Finn replied. "So you got a name?" he asked.

The woman nodded. "I'm Yelena," she informed. "My sister is Anya." she gestured at another ice Woman who looked pretty much identical to her, except she wasn't cracked in the face… Just in her arm and leg.

Finn smiled. "Nice to meet you Yelena." he nodded. "I'm Finn!"

And Yelena smiled warmly. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Let's go then." Princess Bubblegum asked and Jake was off with his passengers.

Marceline sighed deeply as she was sitting out here in the hallway of the Candy Castle hospital wing.

Princess Bubblegum was nowhere in sight, she was busy trying to figure out what had happened in her absence and get a check on her own citizens again.

Finn and Jake were there though, and the Ice Woman whose name was Yelena was sitting next to her with her hands in her lap looking down.

Already it had been hours and Marceline closed her eyes as she remembered. How she had hugged Simon, holding him so tight as everything fell down around them and then in the last moment Marceline had turned herself into a giant bat form, pulling Simon into her stomach, wrapping her wings around him and herself as they were now both pinned to the ground. Unable to even move…

It had been dark down there… And cold. With no light, and no way to even yell for help. Apparently, it had been hours, but it had felt like an eternity before Marceline thought she heard the voices and the crushing weight above her being lessened. She heard Finn's voice and then, at last, she had managed to break free. Only to realize that Simon simply wasn't moving.

She had rushed Simon to the Candy Kingdom hospital and handed him over to the doctors who thankfully didn't ask any questions, soon to be joined by Princess Bubblegum who had instructed them to treat the Ice King as any other patient.

Marceline had not bothered to correct the Princess at that time, it wasn't the time.

Beside her Yelena was looking down, her hand tightened around her little skirt as she closed her eyes.

Suddenly the door to the hospital room opened, and Nurse Poundcake stepped out.

Marceline gasped as she stood up, the others as well looked up.

Nurse Poundcake looked at them. "The Ice King is awake," she informed making Marceline gasp. "But he seems unresponsive." Nurse Poundcake then informed.

"Unresponsive?" Marceline asked. "But… He's awake right?"

Nurse Poundcake shrugged. "He's just sitting looking at nothing and… He hasn't talked," she admitted. "He seems to be in some kind of shock so… Only one visitor for now. So he doesn't become overwhelmed."

"Marcy should go," Finn spoke up. "She's the one who protected him after all."

Marceline gasped but then nodded as she walked toward Nurse Poundcake who gestured for her to follow through the doors, down a couple of rooms, and finally through another door where Marceline was faced with a hospital room with just one bed in it.

And in that bed was indeed Simon. Sitting up, while looking out into the air with a shocked look in his eyes.

Simon was no longer wearing the Winter King clothes, instead, he was just wearing simple white pajamas. His long hair was softly falling down to his shoulders, and his beard looked soft as it fell to his neck.

His glasses were lying on the nightstand looking harmless. It looked like such an unremarkable harmless picture.

Marceline swallowed as she took a step inside. "Simon?" she spoke.

Simon… didn't move. He kept looking in front of himself.

Then Marceline moved closer until she was in the front of the bed, there were tears in Marceline's eyes as she reached out, and then took Simon's hand. Holding it as she sat down on the chair next to his bed.

The hand felt cold in Marceline's, but she knew that was normal.

"Simon." Marceline swallowed. "I… I want you to know. I'm really… Really sorry." she sniffed. "I'm sorry I didn't try to help you. That I let you suffer for so long." her voice shook.

Suddenly, Simon's face retrieved in a grimace and Marceline looked up.

"Simon I…"

Marceline didn't get any longer as Simon suddenly grabbed Marceline and pulled her into a tight hug as he cried, putting a hand on the back of Marceline's head as he gasped for breath.

"You did nothing wrong Marcy." Simon sniffed. "There was nothing you could have done. You had to take care of yourself." he gasped. "It's me I… I…" his voice shook. "I did those things. I'm sorry I.."

Marceline swallowed as she sat back with tears in her eyes. "Do you remember all of it?" she asked.

"It's… It's like a bad dream." Simon gasped. "I do remember but it doesn't feel real." he gasped. "I can't feel any connection to it, as if it's somebody else's memories. I.." he gasped.

"It wasn't you!" Marceline gasped. "The Winter King wasn't you!" she exclaimed. "You were inside of Princess Bubblegum and that bunny."

"But…" Simon swallowed.

"Listen to me. Please." Marceline asked as she leaned over, pressing her forehead against Simon's, a tear rolling down her face. "I could tell the Winter King wasn't you… I could tell from the first second. So believe me." she asked.

Simon inhaled a shaking breath. "Even if that's true…" he whispered. "There's so much else I have done… I…"

Just then the door opened and Marceline stood up to look, just in time to see a Pink Princess step in and Simon gasped. "Princess Bubblegum."

Princess Bubblegum nodded at them. "Hello. Marceline. Ice King." she greeted.

"Simon!" Marceline hissed. "He's Simon!"

"Marcy please," Simon asked, then turned back to Princess Bubblegum, he inhaled deeply. Then looked up. "Princess," he whispered. "There are no words to describe… The awful things I have done." he looked down. "I won't ask forgiveness," he whispered. "I can only tell you that I truly am sorry and… Whatever punishment you have in mind. I won't object."

"Simon." Marceline gasped, then turned to Princess Bubblegum, huffing annoyed.

"Marcy please," Simon whispered. "I belong in a cell. You must know that," he said. "Even if it wasn't for that Winter King business, there's so much else."

"But Simon!" Marceline exclaimed.

Princess Bubblegum held up a hand. "Would you two at least allow me to actually talk first?" she asked.

That made both blink as they turned to Princess Bubblegum and she sighed deeply.

"Look." Princess Bubblegum spoke. "Simon was it?" she asked. "It seems like you're pretty healthy. You got some bruises and a bit of swelling, but you should be all right. I would suggest staying for the night, just to be on the safe side. Then you may go."

Simon blinked. "Wait what?" he asked.

Marceline gasped.

"But." Simon started. "Princess! I deserve to be locked up! You should put me in the dungeon and throw away the key honestly."

Bubblegum held up a hand again, then slowly. She lowered it, unsure. Princess Bubblegum looked at Simon as she swallowed harshly. "I…" she whispered. "I felt your pain."

Simon's eyes widened.

"I never felt anything like it before." Princess Bubblegum whispered as she held her chest. "It was… So intense. And… Just unbearable. I don't ever want to feel like that again. And yet, that's how you feel. Isn't it?" she asked Simon.

Simon looked stunned at Princess Bubblegum, then he glanced down. "All the time," he whispered.

"What punishment could I ever give you that would be worse than that?" Princess Bubblegum asked. "It would be pointless. Besides, it seems to me like you have an entire Kingdom that needs you back."

Simon blinked. "Huh?"

Bubblegum stepped aside to reveal an Ice Woman with a cracked face, then the woman looked up with an unsure look in her eyes.

"Oh dear," Simon spoke sadly. "Are you quite all right?" he asked concerned.

Yelena's eyes widened then rushed over to Simon sitting down on her knee at his bed.

Simon reached out and very gently touched Yelena's face, right where the crack was. Obviously, his touch was very careful and Yelena gasped as Simon spoke softly. "There has to be a way to fix this. Please don't worry all right?" he asked. "You're going to be fine. I promise."

Yelena's eyes watered, she sniffed as she looked at him. "My king."

"Oh no, I'm not a king," Simon informed as he removed his hand. "I'm just Simon. So… Don't worry about it."

Yelena's lip quivered. "You're my king though!" she stated. "The Winter Kingdom needs you! We won't know what to do if…" she halted.

Simon halted, and then he exhaled deeply. "I'm not sure how much I can do," he admitted. "The crown is buried deep under the Kingdom. And we are not going to dig that thing back up," he informed. "But whatever I can do." he gently took Yelena's hand. "I'll do what I can. All right?" he asked. "Perhaps you can just call me Simon though? Or Professor Petrikov."

Yelena blinked, then glanced down. "I think I'll prefer Professor Petrikov," she admitted. "Simon is a little… Too personal," she admitted. "You are my king."

"Very well then." Simon nodded. "Thank you, Yelena."

Yelena smiled, and so did Marceline. Even Princess Bubblegum had a little smile on her lips. Maybe things weren't so hopeless.

Chapter Text

Marceline and Yelena both stayed by Simon's side for quite a while. Marceline held Simon's hand for most of it and not let go as they chatted.

Chatting about things that really didn't matter, such as the best flavor of ice cream, the top Marceline wore, and what hair products were best for long hair.

It was nice… Marceline would have been happy to just continue forever. But eventually, Simon started to grow slurry, his eyes would drop drowsily as he was clearly fighting to keep himself awake. And finally, Marceline just pushed him down on the pillow where he soon fell asleep.

Marceline smiled and then turned to Yelena next to her. "Look over him," she asked. "I'm going to go find some clothes for him. For tomorrow when he can leave."

Yelena nodded. "I will guard him with my life," she informed.

Marceline smiled amused as she shook her head, then slowly let go of Simon's hand and floated out. Passing Finn outside who looked up and Marceline smiled.

"Simon is asleep," Marceline informed. "You can go guard him if you want. Just be quiet so you don't wake him up."

Finn smiled lightly. "Cool. I'll go do that then," he stated as he stood up and walked in.

It had been about two hours. Finn had just been sitting in quiet next to Yelena the ice woman. Her eyes never left the blue figure on the bed.

Finn glanced at the ice woman, at the crack going through her face. Yet it didn't really seem to bother her.

Finn supposed that was good. One thing he could not deny was that all the creatures that Winter King had created were very beautiful.

All had elegant designs, and yet there was something fun and whimsical over them.

Even the old citizens such as the golems had gotten upgrades making them look a lot less rough, and fit in with the Winter Kingdom aesthetics. From what Finn had been able to tell, the golems had been happy with their new looks.

One thing Winter King hadn't lied about… He had been making everyone around him very happy.

Maybe his reasons for doing so hadn't been good exactly. But he still did.

Finn looked at the man in bed as well… It was strange looking at. He looked more like Ice King than Winter King. But still not quite. For one thing, his hair covered his entire head and looked very thick and soft. Both hair and beard was shorter than before, and so was his nose. Longer than the Winter King's but shorter than the Ice King's… It looked good though. It was funny that with just a few minor changes the figure that had looked so unappealing was now looking pretty great.

"Urggh." A small moan sounded from the bed and Finn looked up, just in time to see the blue figure turn his head, and then slowly open his eyes. "Marcy?" he asked.

"Sorry," Finn replied. "She's out doing a bit of shopping."

The man halted, he glanced up at Finn, and then he swallowed.

Finn as well was sitting frozen to the spot, suddenly feeling rather nervous as he gulped. "So erhm… heh." he laughed nervously. "So you're… Simon right?" he asked. "Marceline has told me a lot about you. It.. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Finn." he presented himself.

"yes." A husky voice replied a voice that sounded kind of familiar, but it was low and measured now as slowly Simon sat up. "Finn the human right? The Hero of Ooo."

"So you remember?" Finn asked. "That's so cool."

Suddenly Simon's blue cheeks seemed to turn a shade of deep purple as he looked down.

"Wow… You're pretty quiet." Finn blinked.

"Hmm?" Simon looked up, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Well, it's just… The Ice King was always very loud. And the Winter King was very loud too. You don't really seem… That loud." Finn had to point out as he tilted his head. "Is that normal for you?"

"Well… Erhm." Simon halted as he reached over to the nightstand and picked up his glasses, then put them on as he looked up. "I guess so. I always did prefer a night at home with a good book rather than going out."

"Woah really?" Finn asked as he curiously looked at Simon.

Wide-eyed Simon looked at Finn, he glanced away and then back at Finn.

"Erhm… Young man?" Finn asked.

"Woah you put loud and loud together and you get quiet," Finn whispered. "It was like… The Ice King was super lonely and wanted to love. But he was stupid. The Winter King was like really smart! I mean woah, but he had none of those feelings. And you." he gasped.

Simon swallowed. "Look… Finn." he tried. "I am not sure how much I like being psycho analyzed at the moment."

"Oh. Sorry." Finn blushed. "Ha ha." he scratched the back of his neck. "I'm sorry I just… I never talked to a human before. But that human was also Ice King. But he was also that guy Marceline kept talking about and he sounded super duper incredible."

Simon blinked. "oh." he commented. "Well. I don't know if you can even categorize me as a human anymore. I mean." he touched his own sharp teeth. "Yeah… If a normal human had my body temperature they would be dead."

"I got so many questions though," Finn whispered. "Were all humans smart like that?" he asked.

"Well… erhmm." Simon hesitated. "Well…" he halted. "I mean… erh."

Finn blinked.

"So they kind of wiped themselves out with a giant bomb so… yeah," Simon commented.

"yeah okay, that doesn't sound like a very smart thing to do." Finn had to admit.

"No," Simon replied shortly.

"Why did they do that?" Finn asked.

Simon shrugged. "Pff." he held up his hands.

Finn smiled amused, then shook his head.

Just as Marceline came flying in with a big bag in her hands. "Simon!" she smiled happily. "You're awake sweet. Look what I got." she pulled out a brown jacket, brown pants, and a dusty green shirt with a waistcoat.

Simon blinked, and then he smiled amused. He chuckled. "Don't tell me you went out of your way to look for something that looked exactly like that."

Marceline blushed deeply. "I just… I…" she fibbed. "I just thought it would look nice okay! That's all there is to it!"

"Okay. Okay. Thank you, Marcy." Simon nodded.

"I also got some ice cream for you." Marceline pulled out a little container of ice cream. "Apples, here's a book." she pulled out those items too. 

"Marcy you do realize I am only supposed to be here for the night right?" Simon asked.

Marceline pouted. "Well maybe you got bored!" she stated then offered the ice cream to Simon. "Here."

"Thank you, Marcy," Simon whispered as he took the ice cream and removed the lid so he could grab a spoon and take a taste. "Hmm. Delicious." he smiled and Marceline smiled as well.

"So what do you think so far?" Marceline asked Finn.

"he seems pretty cool to me," Finn informed with a smile and Marceline smiled back.

"Awesome."

Chapter Text

In the early morning Marceline was rushing through the Candy Kingdom palace, she hadn't even gone home for the night but stayed hanging around in the city waiting for morning, without even knocking Marceline just pushed open the door and flew in then she halted.

Wide-eyed Marceline looked up to see Simon standing there, fixing the buttons on his waistcoat, placed neatly over the dusty green shirt.

Marceline gasped as she covered her mouth and Simon looked up, revealing how the glasses rested on his nose.

Just then Yelena came with the coat. "Here you are my King." she held it up.

"Yelena," Simon spoke.

"Professor Petrikov." Yelena corrected herself but still held up the coat allowing Simon to stick his hands into the sleeves and slid on the jacket, then straightened it out before looking up at Marceline. "So… how do I look?"

Marceline just lost it, she cried her eyes out as she flew right in and hugged Simon tight.

Simon chuckled amused as he returned the hug and the two let go, allowing Simon to fix his glasses.

"I'm glad it fits." Marceline finally said straightening out Simon's coat for him. "I wasn't entirely sure about the size."

"It's just perfect," Simon assured then looked down. "Still lack shoes though." he had to admit, wriggling his pointy-looking blue toes.

Marceline smiled amused. "Well, shoes you always need to be careful about. I thought we could just pick some up now before going to… Well. I guess you want to go to the Winter Kingdom or?"

Simon nodded. "I think that is where I should go." he sighed deeply. "I should probably stay out of people's way for a while. I mean." he gulped.

"Don't worry too much about it," Marceline asked. "One of the nice things about the Candy people is that most of them are really really dumb. So I'm sure with a few words you can wrap them around your little finger." she playfully hit Simon with her elbow. "Gotta say, Simon. I always knew you were smart but boy, I didn't actually know how smart before it was used against me."

Wide-eyed Simon looked in front of himself. "Eeeerhhh… Thanks?" he asked. "I mean… I don't… I mean."

"Hey." Marceline smiled as she took Simon's hand. "The only reason the Winter King didn't get away with it was because the real you inside of the bunny was there to show me the way. Let's go get you some shoes." she pulled Simon with her.

Soon enough Marceline had helped find Simon a pair of ankle-length brown boots, something that was actually useful in a place filled with snow and wouldn't just get soaked. And then with the help of Jake giving them all plus Finn a ride they made it back.

The moment Simon stepped down he was swarmed by Winter Kingdom Citizens, gasping as they looked at him.

"It's okay. It's okay!" Simon held up his hands. "I'm… Okay." he swallowed as he lowered his hands. "Though erhm." he chewed his lip. "I erhm… I don't really have any magic anymore," he admitted. "So that entire thing about just making things just happen is erh… Can't do that and." sadly Simon looked out at a kingdom that looked like it had crumbled.

The Castle was of course nothing but rubble, many houses too were no more, others were only standing by half, and even the streets suffered from cracks that brutally tore through those streets.

"Yeah if we're going to fix this Kingdom. I'm afraid it has to be done the hard way." Simon sighed deeply. "Though… Since what we're using is ice. That's pretty fortunate for us." he commented. "I mean those cracks, all we need to do is fill them up with water, let it rest and we should be good."

Everyone around him blinked and then nodded slowly.

"We can create some molds. Put water into those too and make bricks that way." Simon stepped forward. "Listen… This isn't going to be easy," he told them all. "But if we work together. We can rebuild and we can make something really nice. I'm sure of it."

That made all the Ice citizens smile as they nodded.

"We'll follow you, my king!" A big Golem shouted. "Whatever you say."

"Erhm." Simon looked up. "If I may ask something," he asked. "That was very kind of you Boris." he addressed the golem. "But… If you could all just call me either Simon or Professor Petrikov. I would appreciate that. Ahem."

Confused all the citizens looked at him.

"But…" a little troll elf-like creature stepped forward. "You don't wanna be our king anymore?" he asked. "Sir! We won't know what to do."

Simon sighed as he walked forward, then picked up the little ice creature. "I'll help you in any way I can okay?" he asked. "I'm not going anywhere. So don't worry Dmitri."

"Woah." Finn stepped forward. "They all got names?" he asked. "And they are not just all Gunthers?!"

Simon blinked as he looked up. "Of course they have names," he commented. "I mean… Who creates life and doesn't give them names? All though… I guess the Winter King would have done that wouldn't he?" he asked. "But having a name would make them happier so… I'm really glad that's one of the things he did though." he sighed. "Everyone should have a name."

"The Winter King?" Dmitri asked. "But… Aren't you the Winter King?" he asked looking honestly confused.

"Erhm… Well." Simon halted. "Kind of." he squinted his eyes. "I'm. Professor Simon Petrikov and erh.. I sort of was the Winter King but not really."

Everybody looked confused at Simon as he laughed nervously.

"He he he."

"It's all alright." Yelena suddenly stepped forward as she smiled. "He'll be there for us. I just know it," she stated and they all smiled then nodded.

"Well then." Simon smiled. "Let's have a look at this so we can figure out where to start huh?" he asked.

Together the group moved around the broken winter Kingdom and Simon looked at all the things, writing down in his book. And asked questions as he nodded at the citizens, and actually remembered each of their names. Addressing them as such.

Finn couldn't help but smile amused. "It's kind of funny the moment he doesn't wanna be called a king. He's seriously acting like a king." he chuckled.

Marceline shrugged. "He was always very concerned about everybody else than himself," she stated as they continued and started to make plans.

The first thing was that Simon very carefully melted some snow in a pot, asking the ice citizens to stay away from the fire and then come one by one as Simon used an old eye drop container that was now clean and only had water in it to fill up the cracks with water, very carefully and only in the exact correct amount.

The result was… Serviceable. You could see where the cracks had been, but at least the ice people should be less fragile now, as some quickly made snow huts to sleep in while they made more permanent arrangements.

Without even being asked the citizens made a snow hut for Simon, saying that one was his and he shouldn't have to share. Simon sighed deeply. "You shouldn't," he stated.

Marceline glanced at Simon. "You will be okay sleeping in there right?" she asked. "I mean… You're still partially human. Kind of. Not fully Ice King."

Simon smiled amused. "Yes. I'll be fine," he assured. "I don't feel the cold. And I didn't back then either." he looked toward the citizens who all smiled in pride over the hut they had made for him. "I think I'll be all right here," he stated. "This is nice…. Huh." he blinked. "You know for everything the Winter King did. It wasn't all bad was it?" he asked. "I actually really like these people."

"Yeah, they are pretty cool." Marceline had to admit. "And I have a feeling that whatever you guys are gonna build. It will be cool."

Simon smirked amused. "It's not going to be as pretty as the thing that was here before," he admitted. "But…" he nodded. "We'll make it work," he stated. "Yeah."

Chapter Text

Slowly but surely the kingdom formerly known as the Ice Kingdom, now the Winter Kingdom was being rebuilt.

Fortunately, Simon's plans of just filling cracks up with water and then grinding it down with sandpaper-like tools were working just fine.

As well as the molds to create ice bricks and heck, they could build structures in snow, douse it with water and it would harden.

They could make great ice blocks just by putting out water in large containers and carving sculptures and items out of the ice. Something the Winter Citizens greatly enjoyed.

Simon decided to in fact… not live in a giant palace. Rather he got himself a wooden log cabin. With wooden furniture, a bookshelf, a soft bed, and so forth. Even a fireplace.

Not that Simon needed the fireplace, he truly didn't feel the cold. But he enjoyed looking at the fire and allowing it to light up his comfortable cabin.

That was not to say the Kingdom would be completely without a palace. The Winter citizens really wanted it. Something to look at and be proud of.

Something with an actual banquet hall where the citizens could hold big celebrations and a ballroom.

As they started to dig out in the rubble they also found all the books from Simon's old library and well… They should probably create a new library for those books anyway.

The Palace though was pretty much at the bottom of the priority list, and the biggest project ahead. So that was going to go last, after all the citizens had gotten houses to call their own. Some shops they could enjoy and so forth.

Eventually, Simon got a surprise invitation brought to him from a bird made of candy floss…

An invitation to the annual Princesses and king meeting for friendship and cooperation. The Princess Day... + king. 

Simon's eyebrows knitted… he tried to search the foggy memories that belonged to the Ice King and he thought he could remember there was an annual get-together like this but… Simon was not invited… Ever.

In fact, there would be guards all around the Candy Kingdom palace to keep him out… Specifically… Since all the Princess's would be collected at one place and that was just a recipe for disaster if you invited the Ice King.

So why? Simon turned the pink paper slip in his hand, looking for the hold-up… But there was nothing.

And finally, Simon exhaled deeply. Looked like Princess Bubblegum had gone out of her way to invite him for some reason… It was probably better to not disrespect her and show up.

And so Simon met up at the Candy Kingdom palace. All Princesses… And just one king. He had been allowed to bring an escort. So Simon brought Yelena to keep him company. She and her sister Anya had practically become his right hand in this endeavor anyway.

Yelena just happened to be slightly more outspoken than Anya, and always eager to jump up first to be at service.

And so Simon for the first time since his hospital stay found himself at the Candy Kingdom palace. He was wearing his best suit in dark gray, with a simple red tie in front. His shirt was neat and dusty blue, his shoes blank polished black, and his long hair put up in a neat horsetail. In Simon's best attempt to make himself look presentable as he walked into the big room that contained pretty much all the major rulers of the Kingdoms across Ooo.

Where he was the only male… Well… It was nice to see the women make their way in the world. Still, Simon felt awkward as they all looked up to look at him.

Some shuffling a bit backward to get away, others looking pretty curiously at him.

Yelena stood firm behind Simon with her hands behind her back, just like Peppermint Butler was following Princess Bubblegum, what looked like a slime dog was following the slime princess, the muscle Princess had a pretty scrawny-looking guy walking after her, and so forth.

Simon sighed just as one of the Candy servants came with a tray filled with refreshments and Simon picked one up. "Thank you."

The Candy servant squinted his eyes at Simon but continued his walk and Simon sighed deeply.

Yelena huffed annoyed as she looked after the Candy servant as her hand rested on the blade on her hip.

"At ease Yelena. We're not here to make any trouble. We're here to make peace." Simon spoke.

"Of course Professor Petrikov. Forgive me:" Yelena removed her hand from the sword and Simon walked inside.

Now pretty much everyone was giving Simon curious looks as Simon was sipping on his drink, looking around.

Then finally a Princess dared to approach him. Raggedy Princess walked over as she curiously looked up at Simon. "Erhm Hello," she spoke. "Ice King… How are you doing? You haven't really captured any of us princesses lately. Are you okay?"

Simon smiled amused then shook his head. "I would rather hope my princess capturing days are over," he stated. "And that we can… Find a way to move past it." he halted. "I do apologize for all the trouble I caused. I'm sad to say I don't know what I can even do to make up for it."

This now attracted the attention of more Princesses looking at him with curiosity.

"Well…" Raggedy Princess hesitated. "Maybe if you would listen to some of my poetry," she asked. "I promise it's really good."

"Oh?" Simon asked. "Of course. I'll be happy to listen to some poetry."

"Really?" Raggadey Princess asked and Simon smiled kindly.

"Yes." Simon nodded. "I think it's the least I could do."

"My… You're very well-spoken." Slime Princess commented as she slid over there. "So… Elequant," she commented.

"Heh, well. Thanks… Ha ha." Simon laughed nervously.

"Hmmm." LSP rubbed her chin. "He's not really as beautiful as before," she commented. "You look old," 

"Well I am old so that checks out." Simon replied a little amused.

"Old… Like a sexy silver fox." LSP moved closer. "Oh those glasses they make you look so smart. Please Kidnap me! KIDNAP ME!"

"Ah! No!" Simon stepped back. "I don't do kidnapping anymore! It's over!"

"Aww." LSP looked down and Princess Bubblegum clasped her hands.

"Now we are all here." Princess Bubblegum stated. "Today is a day to re-negotiate our trades among kingdoms. Sort out any conflicts we have and tighten our bonds. This year we have a new guest." she stated. "Since he is actually the ruler of one of the four biggest Kingdoms in Ooo. It seemed only appropriate to invite Professor Simon Petrikov. The King of the Winter Kingdom."

Wide-eyed all turned to Simon and Simon blushed deeply as he looked down.

"Erhm… Hi." Simon whispered then he glanced up. "So erhm… I know you all have bad memories about me. I… I promise though. I'll do my best to behave." he stated. "And erhm… I would like to be called Professor Petrikov if that's okay." he gulped. "Simon is fine too… That… that's my name. I'm Professor Simon Petrikov. I am a professor in archaeology. Ha ha ha ha." he laughed nervously.

Turtle Princess just perked up. "You're educated!" she gasped then took a step forward. "Well hello."

"Erh… Hello." Simon whispered and the Turtle Princess chuckled.

"Now then." Princess Bubblegum clapped her hands. "Let's get started!"

And so they all sat down to begin their talk and negotiations… Surprisingly it seemed to go pretty well. At first, things were awkward, but then as they entered talks Simon started to feel more at ease… And then… The looks turned… Weird… As Princess's started to lean over to get closer to Simon, grinning in really odd ways.

"Erh… Eeerh." Simon grinned at them all. "Ladies.." his mouth spread into a grin, showing all of his sharp teeth's as his voice became scratchier than before. "Ha haaa! Ladies! Pretty Princess's all around!" Simon's eyes widened and he smacked a hand against his mouth as he wide-eyed looked around. "I.. Erhm.. Erh… Excuse me!" Simon gasped as he stood up and then just ran.

Simon ran. Ran out into one of the hallways as he gasped leaning against a wall as he grabbed his head. "No no no…" he muttered. "Okay… Da da da da…" he sang to himself. "Making your way in the world today takes everything you got." he hissed as his eyes squinted. "Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot… Wouldn't you like to get away?" Simon gasped for breath as he fell to his knees, holding his head as he hissed. "Sometimes you want to go… Want to go." he swallowed. "Where everybody knows your name…"

Simon kept sitting there, holding his head as he hissed, though now there was silence.

That was until Simon suddenly felt a presence in front of him, and he opened his eyes to see a glass of water right in front of him, offered to him by a pink hand. Blinking Simon looked up to see Princess Bubblegum herself offering him the water.

"Here." She offered him.

"Oh… Thank you." Simon whispered accepting the glass and took a sip, sighing deeply.

"Huh. Maybe putting you among so many princesses was a bit much." Princess Bubblegum whispered. "I apologize."

"No no." Simon shook his head. "It's fine… I got it. What sort of leader is unable to talk to the other leaders."

Princess Bubblegum glanced away. "The madness…" she whispered. "It's not gone. It's inside of you."

"Well… yeah," Simon admitted.

"How are you even managing to keep a lid on it?" Bubblegum had to ask. "It was so strong! I just… I couldn't even think. It was so overwhelming."

"Well, I got a lot more practice than you do." Simon gasped. "And I got to be slowly introduced back in the day." he took another sip of water and sighed deeply. "There are people that need me so I can't lose my mind. And that's just it… So I won't." he looked up.

"You sure you can manage that?" Princess Bubblegum asked.

"As long as I don't wear the crown. Yeah, I think so." Simon nodded. "Beside… One of the things that really fueled the madness was the loneliness and well… I got citizens now. Plenty of them so… urgh." he held his forehead.

"Being a ruler can be pretty lonely though." Princess Bubblegum pointed out.

Simon's eyes opened wide, wide-eyed he looked up.

"Look. If there's something I can do to help." Princess Bubblegum asked.

"But…. Why?" Simon asked.

"I felt your pain." Princess Bubblegum reminded him. "Honestly… I can't even really blame the Winter King for not wanting to go back. If that had been me." she shrugged. "I think I would have done the same thing. The pain alone is enough to drive someone insane."

"Oh," Simon whispered. "Well." he sighed deeply. "I think I'll manage," he whispered. "This pain it's… It's what makes me human. And I want to stay human." he nodded. "I feel pain because… I love Betty. I still love her. And I love Marceline so… I'll rather remember the things I love and feel the pain. Then forget. Or just stop loving all together." he looked up. "I don't want to be the Winter King again. This is who I am, this is what I want," he stated surely.

Princess Bubblegum nodded. "You're an incredible person Professor Petrikov," she said. "I'm kind of glad it all happened. I would never have known otherwise. I hope that eventually, we may be able to call each other friends."

Simon blinked as he looked up, he looked stunned at Princess Bubblegum, then slowly he stood up as he cleared his throat. "Well… Let's be friends then." he offered her a hand.

Bubblegum blinked. But then took the hand and Simon smiled as they shook.

"Hello, Princess. I'm Simon." Simon informed. "It's nice to meet you."

Bubblegum smiled amused. "Bonnibel." she informed. "My friends call me PB too."

"I like Bonnibel. It's a nice name." Simon let go, then exhaled deeply and looked up. "Well. We should go back. My Kingdom doesn't have much to offer as of yet. But I hope we can work something out." he stated as he put his hands into his pockets. "My citizens do like eating so figuring something out would probably be good."

"I'm sure we can." Bubblegum nodded. "Come on then." she guided Simon back. "Let's do some negotiations."

Chapter Text

With a smile on his lips, Simon walked through the Winter Kingdom looking at all the constructions all around him. Houses stood side by side, there were beautiful ice sculptures on every corner. Many had made it their hobby just to make ice art like this, and it had become quite the art gallery already.

"Oh, Ivanna! Is that one new?" Simon asked an Ice Woman who was placing an ice angel in front of her house. The woman smiled brightly at him. "It is indeed Professor! Do you like it."

"It's gorgeous I love it!" Simon replied making Ivanna grin. "Oh, Vladimir!" Simon waved at a big golem. "How's Ludmilla?" he asked referring to the Golem's wife.

"She's great!" The Golem Vladimir grinned. "And she's really looking forward to the party next Friday. You'll still come, right Professor?"

"Of course I will." Simon nodded. "Wouldn't miss it. See you then!" he waved just as he walked to one of the stands where a cherful-looking snow woman was standing.

"Professor!" She beamed.

"Hi Olga. The usual please." Simon asked and Olga grinned as she took out a big cup and poured up hot chocolate, then topped it up with whipped cream and a sugar cane.

"Thank you." Simon smiled as he pulled out a silver coin from his pocket.

"Professor how many times do I have to tell you," Olga asked. "One thing is calling you professor rather than King but… Sir!"

"And how many times do I have to tell you," Simon asked. "It's only fair that everyone has to pay." he put the coin on the counter as he picked up his hot chocolate. "You know, I think it's very important for any leader to set a good example." he smiled kindly.

"Ah of course." Olga nodded. "I'm sorry." she took the coin.

"Don't worry about it. You're always so kind to me Olga." Simon smiled and turned to walk towards the grand winter Palace that stood as the centerpiece of their home, though only half finished as this was quite a bit of work. Still very beautiful to look at, the winter citizens had really outdone themselves this time.

And then Simon turned to the left and walked to the log cabin right next to the palace, looking minuscule and incredibly ordinary by comparison. Simon opened the door only to be greeted at the other side.

"Simon!" Marceline came floating right towards him and hugged him making Simon chuckle until they let go.

"Marcy." Simon smiled. "You're early! … Or… am I late?" he asked.

"Njah I was early. I missed you." Marceline admitted as she floated right back inside pulling up a game of Scrabble and putting it on the table.

Simon chuckled as he sat down with his hot chocolate, blowing on it before taking a sip and sighing deeply.

Soon enough the game was set up and the two started to play, only for Marceline to exclaim. "That's not a word!"

"It is," Simon informed.

"You liar it's not!" Marceline exclaimed.

"yeah it is," Simon informed. "Lackadaisical means lacking enthusiasm. See for yourself."

Marceline squinted her eyes, put picked up the dictionary they used to check words, and looked it up only to blink. "Well dang."

"Told you." Simon smiled satisfied as he sat back leaning his head in his hand.

"Okay, I get it. You're a real Mr. Smarty pants!" Marceline snorted as she closed the book. Then she halted and shook her head.

"What?" Simon asked.

"I just… I still can't believe it." Marceline admitted. "When I gave you your essence back. I really thought you were going to revert to Ice King," she admitted. Then Marceline looked up. "I wonder why you didn't."

"Well." Simon glanced to the side. "I have a theory."

"Yeah?" Marceline asked.

"You were the one giving me the flower." Simon looked at Marceline.

"Yeah… So?" Marceline asked.

"My essence was within Princess Bubblegum, but you held it as someone who transferred it… While you held it. What were you thinking about?" Simon asked.

"I don't know I… You I guess." Marceline admitted.

"But what version of me Marcy?" Simon asked.

Marceline blinked. "I mean… This version." she had to admit. "This is my version."

Simon nodded. "Exactly, you were manifesting me with your thoughts while giving me the flower. So." he held up his hands. "At least that's my theory."

Marceline gasped.

"You saved me, Marcy," Simon whispered. "If it had been anybody else given me that flower." he swallowed. "If I had put on the crown again. Even for a second… I… Thank you, Marcy." his throat constricted. "Thank you for saving me!"

Marceline's eyes watered, then she floated right over and hugged Simon's neck, sniffing as she did so. "I almost killed you," she admitted. "I thought it was the only way."

"It's okay," Simon assured. "That you would do that for me… That's an amazing sacrifice. I thank god you didn't actually have to."

Marceline sniffed then slowly sat back.

Simon smiled at her, as he wiped one of her tears away with his finger. Like he had done so many times before in the past.

"I love you, Marcy." Simon spoke, with sincerity and real kindness in his eyes.

"I love you too Simon." Marceline grinned as she leaned over, quickly hugged him again, and then got back in her chair at the other side of the Scrabble table as she looked down. "Seriously though? Lackadaisical?" she asked. "This is so not fair! It's like when you wrote valetudinarian! Seriously what even is that? I had already forgotten! Next week we have to play something else!" she declared.

"Sure." Simon nodded. "You'll find the game and we'll play it. Perhaps stratego?"

"Dude I recently learned how you are with strategies!" Marceline exclaimed. "The world sure is lucky you're so nice!" she commented while laying down bricks to form another word. "Or… That it wasn't pretty much anybody else who picked up that crown!"

"Oh, I don't know." Simon sighed. "I'm honestly just painfully ordinary when you come down to it," he commented looking at the board where Marceline had now written a word.

"I think that's why people lucked out." Marceline shook her head. "Also that you're just… Way too nice."

"Heh." Simon smiled and then laid down the bricks. "Quackle," he stated.

Marceline looked at Simon. "Is that seriously a word?"

"Means to suffocate," Simon smirked and Marceline shook her head, then chuckled amused.

"God dammit Simon."

The end.