Chapter 9: The Charming Hero of Ooo
"Where are we going?" Simon asked curiously, floating alongside Finn as they moved across the vast fields.
"I want you to meet someone," Finn replied calmly, not offering further details.
Eventually, they arrived at a massive cave. They entered to find a dark space with jagged rocks scattered around. At the center stood a simple wooden house.
"Does someone live here?" Simon asked.
"Yes, someone for whom you're very important," Finn replied, not looking at him as he approached the small house's door.
Finn knocked firmly while Simon stood at the side, waiting. From behind the door, Marceline emerged quickly, as though expecting the knock and rushing to open it.
"Finn," she said emotionally. She wore a faded red sweater with a small apple embroidered on the right side of her chest and a pair of tight black pants. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, accentuating her graceful figure.
She moved toward him, but Finn avoided her and stepped into the house. "Come in," Finn commanded audibly, heading deeper inside and leaving the moment to play out.
Marceline hesitated, stepping back as a man with white hair, glasses, and familiar but unusual features entered. Her gaze lingered on him intently, trying to grasp why he seemed so recognizable.
Simon's eyes locked on the girl before him with growing emotion. Suddenly, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill. Yet, the old man held himself together, striving to keep the unexpected moment calm.
Marceline didn't understand his strange reaction as Finn casually rummaged through the fridge, already familiar with its layout.
The Ice King's body shimmered, transforming into Simon's regular human form. Marceline felt as though her heart had been struck. The middle-aged man before her, with his glasses, soft face, and frail frame, was unmistakably the same man who had saved her life and been like a father to her a thousand years ago during the Mushroom War. Back then, when she was just a helpless little girl, Simon had been her lifeline, ensuring her survival.
A thousand years—or even a million—wouldn't be enough to erase the profound impact Simon had on her life. When the world had been descending into chaos, and she, a small child, was caught in the destruction, Simon had been the one to pull her to safety.
"S...Si...Simon," Marceline stuttered, her voice trembling with emotion as tears filled her eyes. The words came from the depths of her soul, overflowing with raw feelings.
Simon gently raised his hand, touching her pale cheek to confirm whether she was real or an illusion. Unable to hold back, Marceline leapt into his arms, clinging tightly as they both began to sob, collapsing to the floor together.
Meanwhile, Finn drank from a newly discovered soda, watching the emotional scene with a cold demeanor. He wasn't one for hugs; the last person he had embraced with love had been his father, years ago. From watching the show, Finn knew the depth of Simon and Marceline's bond, even though the events in this timeline had unfolded differently. The fundamentals of their relationship remained unchanged.
After finishing his drink, Finn discarded the can and began rummaging through the drawers for something else. He hadn't orchestrated this reunion for their benefit or out of kindness but for a far more strategic reason. By reuniting Marceline with Simon—the most important person in her life—Finn ensured her attachment to him would deepen even further. The same applied to Simon.
"Marcy, you're...really here," Simon said, tears streaming down his face, as he struggled to believe what he was seeing.
"Yes, Simon. I can't believe...we've been reunited," Marceline replied, her voice hoarse, her throat dry from emotion.
The two finally broke their embrace, engaging in a hesitant, clumsy conversation. After a thousand years apart, meeting without warning was overwhelming for both of them.
Simon's tone shifted suddenly. "Marcy, how do you...know him?" He gestured toward Finn, who was munching on cookies without a care. The old man felt an odd sense of unease. Despite having just met Finn, Simon was already keenly aware of how unstable and unpredictable he could be.
"Oh, that's Finn, my friend. We used to be close, but now we're..." Marceline wiped her eyes with her sleeve, struggling to articulate her thoughts.
"She's like you—my servant. The difference is that she has...other duties," Finn interrupted without even glancing at them.
"W...What?" Simon exclaimed, standing abruptly. What frightened him wasn't just Marceline being Finn's servant but the phrase "other duties." What could that mean?
"What did you do to Marcy?" Simon's arm glowed blue as he prepared to attack. But Marceline stepped in front of him, spreading her arms wide.
"Marceline, what are you—"
"I love him, Simon," she declared firmly, her face flushing red as she closed her eyes.
"He clearly said you're his servant! What are you talking about?" Simon growled.
"Yes." Marceline turned to Finn, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I love him, even though he doesn't love me the same way. I know that. Even if he considers me his servant, I still love him," she said, her voice heavy with despair.
"What are you saying?" Simon was shocked. She loved him, yet he saw her as a servant. What kind of absurd relationship was this?
Everything happening was the result of Finn's calculated actions, binding Marceline to him more and more. And his plans weren't finished.
Finn exited the kitchen, wiping his mouth, and walked toward Marceline. Before Simon could say anything, Finn smacked Marceline's ass, his hand lingering with a firm, rough grip.
"You—!" Simon was enraged, but his anger spiked further when Marceline remained in place, shielding Finn.
"Simon, please, I really don't...mind," Marceline stammered, her body subtly squirming under Finn's assertive grasp.
Finn pulled his hand back and turned to Simon. "As you can see, my friend, this is our relationship. Do you have any objections?" Finn's voice carried a commanding edge.
"You'd better stay away from her," Simon growled.
"Oh? And who's going to stop me? You?" Finn retorted mockingly.
Marceline grabbed Simon's glowing arm, calming him. When he saw frost forming on her delicate hand, he immediately stopped his power, gently holding her hand to inspect it.
"Enough drama. Spend some time together, but Simon can't stay here or sleep over. I have things to do," Finn ordered as he headed toward the door.
"Is it about Princess Bubblegum?" Marceline asked. While she no longer loved her as much, Bubblegum still mattered to her.
"No. I have something more important to take care of first," Finn replied, glancing at a mirror in the room. He saw his torn blue shirt and pants with the oversized white hat—the traditional look of Finn. "This kid's taste in clothes is awful. Let me show you how to dress properly," he thought before leaving the house.
"Wow!" A loud gasp escaped as a massive ice cream cone fell from the hand of the stunned customer.
The old shopkeeper widened his eyes, looking as if he'd seen a ghost. A crowd of onlookers gathered, their gazes fixed on the person who had just stepped out of the changing room.
"Gorgeous," murmured a lovely fairy with flushed cheeks as she stared at him.
Finn stood confidently, now dressed in his favorite outfit from his first life: a pair of dark blue jeans and a sleek black jacket layered over a vivid red shirt. His iconic white hat was gone, allowing his blond hair to fall freely. His sharp blue eyes and fair skin, paired with his lean yet muscular physique, made it hard to believe this boy was only 13 years old.
Finn strode past the gawking crowd and approached the green-skinned old shopkeeper, who was staring at him in awe. "How much for this, old man?" Finn asked, casually adjusting his sleeves.
"Ohoho, for this stunning look, Finn, it's on the house! I'd be the lowest scum on this earth to charge you for it," the old man said, shaking his head with a chuckle as he brushed away any doubts with exaggerated humility.
"Your old eyes still work just fine," Finn quipped, tapping the space between the man's eyebrows with his finger.
"It's amazing that this earth, barely surviving a nuclear war and so scarred, still has treasures like these clothes tucked away—and in the care of these mutants, no less," Finn said with a smirk as he strolled down the street, clearly enjoying his new look.
[Perhaps humans are gone, but their writings and records remain. Do you think mutants are without intelligence?]
"Convincing as always, Sika," Finn remarked, arriving at a massive yellow gate guarded by two tall, banana-shaped sentries.
"Oh, hey Finn! Great outfit," one of the guards greeted as the other lowered the gate for him. Not even kings and princes had the privilege to enter every kingdom in Ooo freely, but Finn and Jake were the only ones with this unique access.