Work Text
Prologue
Puff…Puff…Puff…A faint light illuminated the dark and shallow cave from a distance, slowly getting bigger by the second. Labored puffs echoing, followed by a small grunt, was heard from a strange looking man. Footsteps that pounded against the ground came to a halt as he tripped over a rock that lied in his path.THUD! A large wooden chest fell with a hefty thud, along with a rustic metal lamp that rolled across the wet soil, far out of reach from its carrier.“…urk.” The figure slowly pushed himself up, his clothes now damp with mud. He could only watch the flame dance and flickered as it burned itself out. “NO!!” He shouted, now in total darkness.Puff….With arms reaching out, he pressed his hands against the sticky mud as he slowly crawling towards the only source of light that he had.Puff…“Come on…” He whispered under his breath as he continued his search. Clank!!He felt a hard object jab him against the arm. “Well, I’ll be!” Patting the corners down to get a sense of what it was: his damp wooden chest. Moving back to the soil, he patted more of the area around him. Until finding a cold metallic object brushing across his hand. A small subtle gasp escaped his lips. With haste he picked it up and felt around it, until finding what he assumed was the bottom. Placing it down, he opened the lamp and reached into his pockets to frantically looked for a match. “Ah ha!” He pulled out a box and shakily opened it, taking out a match only to swipe it against the sides.FWOOOSHA fiery flame shone with a bright light, illuminating the cave once more. “Hazzah!” He exclaimed in triumph. Igniting the lamp once more, he blew out the flame on the match and quickly gathered his belongings. He lunged up off the ground and continued running towards his destination.There wasn’t much time left now.--Chapter One: The Windmill on the Hill--A soft trickle of water fell onto the blooming plants that scattered throughout the room. A young pink woman, wearing blue overalls with a beige cardigan. Stood in the sun light watering her flowers. A thoughtful gaze was clear across her face as she was drowning a poor flower.“Princess!” A voice announced its presence from the threshold of the door.“Huh?” The woman snapped out of her daze and turned her head to the voice.“Pardon the interruption.” A tiny candy person, a talking dirt jar to be exact, bowed apologetically. “But it is time for your meeting with the erm…” He lifted the papers in his hands closer to his face. “Ice..King?” He looked a bit confused. “Princess, perhaps this is an error?”The young-looking woman sighed. “No. It’s not an error.” She stopped watering her plants and kneeled to examine the damage. “I’ll be meeting with him today to discuss some arrangements as he lives here in the Candy Kingdom.” She stood back up again. “You know, rules and all that jazz."“Princess, do you think that’s a good idea?”“Well…” She paused. “I don’t see why not. He’s a new citizen to the Candy Kingdom and all citizens must undergo the rules of the Kingdom.” She explained as she picked up her watering canister and set it down on a small wooden table.“Yes… well.” He looked off to the side as he tried to find his words. “I still very much think this is a bad idea!”“Don’t think about it too much, Dirt Beer Guy.”“Huh?”“I’ve known the Ice King for a very long time, and I think I know what I’m doing.” She spoke as she walked over to him. “So, don’t worry about me, ok? I can handle myself and from what Marceline has told me and what I’ve seen. Ice King is a changed man. He’s not like the man he was before when he was kidnapping princesses and forcing them to marry him.”“But what if he changes back, Princess? What if he reverts back into doing all those horrible crimes again? How can we truly trust him?’ he asked, his arms behind his back as he paced back and forth. “He could be down there right now plotting a crime right behind our backs!” He sighed, stopping in his tracks as he rubbed his face. “Look, I’m not trying to put a damper on things around here, I’m just having doubts on your judgment!”“Oh, Dirt Beer Guy.” She knelt and caressed Dirt Beer Guys face tenderly. “I know this is your first time being my assistant but please do not try to understand these types of circumstances. Your job is to help me with my work, and as much as I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing. I can handle myself.” She repeated as she gave a little boop on Dirt Beer Guys nose, making the poor guy flinch a little. She stood up and gave the little guy a soft smile before walking out of the room.
“‘And there we have it. I watched her leave the room as I stayed behind. The door slammed heavily behind her as she left. Leaving me here alone to do only one thing. Be her assistant… is this what’s left of Dirt Beer Guy? Is that all that I am? No! No, I’m more than that! I stomped my foot in determination as newfound encouragement flooded through my veins like a river.’’’
‘Well,” Dirt beer guy spoke aloud. ‘’You did what you could do, Dirt Beer Guy, but in the end. She ignored you…” He took a breath and puffed out his chest heroically. “Guess there’s nothing left to do but follow her to make sure she’s up to no trouble! Cause that’s what I do! Assistant Dirt Beer Guy!” He pitter patter after her, only to be stopped by a door.The first of many obstacles on what’s to come!“Move out of the way door! I’m on a mission!”...The door did not respond.“Look man. I didn’t want to do this, but you bring me no choice!” He took a deep breath and began punching the air as he took a few steps forward. “Bah-bam!!” He punched the door, causing the wooden door to crack all the way through.“Ha ha! Bingo Bango!” Dirt Beer Guy shouted in triumph.But it wasn’t enough, the door was left standing. Only a few cattails had sprung in the cracks of the door was the only result of the punch. He got closer to the door and gave it a push....It didn’t budge.He sighed in defeat, “…Aw nuts.” Step step step!“Ugh! The nerve of that guy!” She raised her hands up in the air as she marched down the corridors. “Doubting my judgement! Who does he think he is!” She stopped in her tracks and stomped her foot down in her rage. Huffing, she took the time to calm herself down before going further ahead. Sigh…“Oh Peps…” she whispered out, hugging herself softly. “You’re the one who I really need right now…” With a heavy heart she gradually continued her way towards her destination. The golden sun that shined brightly in the sky cast down its warm rays down onto Ooo. As lovely as the sun is, many residences might find it a bit too…hot.“Whew” A candy person fanned itself as he finished repairing a part of his home. “Man, a few more bricks outta do it.” They took a moment to admire their work. “Huh.” They looked behind them and noticed a familiar figure walking by. “Oh! Good afternoon, Princess!” They took off their work hat and waved.The Princess turned and waved. “Oh! Hello there Candy Citizen!”“Aint it a bit to hot out to be carrying that bag of yours, little lady?” they asked, wiping off the sweat off their forehead.“Oh yeah.” She awkwardly laughed, shifting the bag. “But you know, a Princess gotta do what a Princess gotta do.”“Well, you take care alright! Don’t need you to melt in these here conditions!”“Yeah, well. Take care now!” She waved them off and walked away.The candy person merely kept that humbled smile as they watched the Princess continued her merrie way. “What a nice conversation to have with the Princess.”FWOOOSH!The candy person spontaneously caught fire.“Whew! Better go inside to get some water, it’s getting a bit too toasty out for me.” They turned around and opened the door to their house, only to find it locked. “Oh…dear. Seems like I cemented the door shut! Let us take a looksee here…” They took a couple steps back to inspect the damage.POOF!Only for the candy person to burst into dust on the front step of their own home.The Princess looked at her watch on her wrist. “Hmm” She gave it a few good taps. “Seems like I’m on time—wonder if Marcy will be on time too.” She scoffs. “I doubt it.”“YO PRUBS!!” A voice shouted from the distance.“Huh?”“Over here dumb dumb!” A young-looking grey skinned woman, with long jet-black hair tied in a set of three ponytails called out by the gates. She wore a white cropped undershirt with a red sports jacket, complimented by mahogany brown baggy patchwork pants and black boots. She was also holding a black frilly umbrella to protect her from the sun. Standing next to her was an older-looking gentleman with glasses.With an olive tone complexion, and chocolate brown hair that was loosely tied back. Wearing an overly large orange sweater, and a grey vest. Long dark grey pants fell low as black dress shoes finished the look. Seemingly the heat isn’t bothering him.“Oh! What?” She jogged over to the two. “You two got here before me?”“Heck yeah, man. Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”“Wow Marceline. I’m impressed.” the princess teased. “I’d figured you still be asleep given how late it is for you.”“Yeah well… don’t get used to it. I’m just here for the ride, after all. This is for Simon’s sake.” Marceline replied, giving a light jab in Simons side. “Ha-ha…. Ouch.” He softly rubbed the side he was jabbed on.“Right of course.” She turned to Simon. “Are you prepared for reading 2000 pages worth of how the Candy Kingdom and its citizens work?” she asked as she reached into her bag and revealed a large and hefty old book. “Perhaps its best to give you a brief history on the Candy Kingdom before we dive into the rules. Good thing I brought this!” She reached into her bag and pulled out another large book.She blows on it, blowing off all the caked-on dust into Marcy’s and Simon’s face, which got them coughing.“I think we should be able to finish everything by tomorrow morning if we read through the night.”“Whoa-ho-ho, slow down there Bonnie. Do you really think Simon is gonna be able to read all that in one night--?” Marcy asked, a little concerned for Simon.“Well.” He adjusts his glasses. “I hate to admit this but, I’ve spent many sleepless nights getting caught up in my favorite stories. So, this should be a piece of cake!” He spoke, determined to get this done.“Great!” Bonnie shoved the books onto Simon.“Ooof!!” His arms and legs nearly buckled from the weight of the books themselves. He was barely keeping them above the ground with shaky arms and legs. “Mother…”She clasped her hands together and tilted her head. “Shall we be on our way?” she asked.“Y-yeah. Just—urff—a second—just gotta adjust my grip here…” He took a step forward and lost his footing and fell backwards. “UURFF”The two girls looked over Simon with concern.Simon weakly lifted a finger as he laid there on the ground with one of the books covering his face. “Perhaps… you should be the one carrying the books, Princess….” He breathed out as he laid there in defeat. A steady breeze came sweeping across the grasslands as Simon and Bonnie made their way up a grassy hill, where at the top was a windmill. The blades slowly turned from the breeze that flowed through here.“Well,” Bonnie breathed out as she was the first to reach the top. “We’re here.” She set her bag down next to her and stretched out her back.Pant pant pant“Gauh…” Simon finally made it to the top, breathing heavily as he stood there. “Just…just a sec. Whew.” He stretched out a bit, popping noises could be heard as he did so. “You would think after being over 1000 years old I’d be more fit! Ha-ha!” He laughed at his own little joke.“Yes, that may be so but, it’s not like the Ice King ever took care of himself in the first place.” She spoke nonchalantly.“…yeah.” Simon looked away.There was an unsettling silence between them.“Oh!” It dawned on her. “No, I shouldn’t have said that…I’m sorry.” She apologized. “It’s hard. Ya know?” She looked into her bag as she spoke “After all this time I’ve always known you as the Ice King who’s been nothing but a pain in my side for years now. It's hard getting over something like that after so long.” She admitted as she pulled one of her books out of her bag.He looked over to her with a soft gaze. “Boy, do I know the feeling. Look princess if this is too much for you then…Then I can go back and tell Marcy we can do this some other time! Whenever you feel more comfortable with me around! We can make this work!”“No! It has to be now, Simon. You’ve been living here in my Kingdom for two months now and yet you know nothing of its history! Or its people…” She trailed off. “I told myself I wouldn’t do this, that I knew that you had change but after all this time, after everything that happened! I can’t seem to get over the man who you used to be!”“I—I don’t know what to say…”She shook her head. “Don’t. Just give me time Simon, please. I want to know the real you, I want to know the person that Marcy sees in you.” She handed the book to Simon.Simon tilted his head down, looking a bit lost in thought as he stared at the book in his hands. He breathed out and looked Bonnie in the eyes. “I would like that.”“Thanks” She smiled back at him.Silence swept over them as a breeze came by.The two sat up on that hill for the remainder of the day, going over the history of the Candy Kingdom and all of its glory, not once noticing a figure in the bushes watching their every move from a far.