March 14th, 2013
The room was completely dark. A young boy sat at a table, the only source of light a single flickering candle. As he stared into the flame, a small smile formed on his face. He was so happy, he barely registered the voices around him singing Happy Birthday.
As he blew out the candle, soft applause echoed in the room. His mother stepped up from behind and wrapped him in a hug.
"Happy birthday, my special little boy," she said, placing a kiss on his forehead.
Jack smiled, then blushed slightly when he heard giggling from his best friend.
"Mom, not in front of people," he complained, his tone carrying a trace of embarrassment. "Come on, I'm already seven."
Luz laughed. "Aww, come on, Jack. There's nothing wrong with getting kisses from your mama. No matter how old you get."
"Sí, I kiss my little Luz all the time," Camila said, proving her point by kissing Luz on the forehead.
Jack grumbled. "It's just that… I'm getting too old for stuff like that, Luzy."
Minerva gave him a mischievous grin. "Oh, you're too old for kisses from your mommy, huh? Well, I suppose you're too old for your birthday brownies then."
Jack's eyes widened. "Uh, on second thought, I'm really not that old."
His response sent everyone into a burst of laughter.
Luz calmed down as she saw Minerva cutting into the tray of brownies. "Jack! I have to say, having brownies instead of cake is a great idea." Her eyes sparkled when her plate was placed in front of her.
"Haha, thanks, Luzy. I just don't really like cake, but brownies are my favorite. I guess that makes me a weirdo, huh?"
Luz took a big bite, chocolate smearing around her mouth. "If being a weirdo means eating delicious stuff like this, then count me in. I'm gonna be a weirdo for life!" She held out her plate to Minerva. "Can I have seconds, please?"
Minerva chuckled at her antics. "Of course, dear," she said, placing another brownie on Luz's plate.
Camila, however, was a little unsettled by what Luz had said. She wanted Luz to start acting more "normal" and to make more friends. Don't get me wrong, Jack's a nice boy, she thought, but Luz really needs more than just one friend. She simply stayed silent, shook her head, and took a bite of her own brownie.
Minerva then handed Jack his piece. "Here you go, my little birthday boy."
Jack beamed. "Thank you, Mom. This has been the best birthday yet." He took a big bite, thinking to himself: I'm so happy right now. I know that days like this will never end.
Then Minerva spoke. "Oh, there's just one thing I need you to do for me, my boy."
"Yeah? What is it, Mom?"
"You need to wake up, Finn."
"Huh?" Jack looked confused.
"Wake up, Finn," Luz said, her voice suddenly flat and emotionless.
"Luzy?"
"Wake up, Finn," Camila echoed.
"What's going on?" Jack's smile vanished as a hint of panic crept into his voice.
"Wake up, Finn," they all said together. "Wake up. Wake up. WAKE UP!"
And it was then Jack knew—
his happiness was about to end.
His entire world… was falling apart.
=======
"WAKE UP, FINN!!!"
Bonnie screamed in Finn's face while shaking him violently, trying to snap him out of his sleep.
"We need you!"
"Yeah, man, those psychos are way too strong for us! We need you to wake up—like, yesterday!" Marceline shouted, just as panicked.
Bonnie kept shaking him to no avail.
"Ugh! Pep! Where's that antidote!?"
"Patience, my lady," Peppermint Butler replied calmly, mixing various colorful liquids in a beaker.
"This potion is very difficult to craft." He placed the beaker over a Bunsen burner. "One wrong move, and young Master Finn could be lost to us forever."
"Just hurry! I don't like the way he looks right now." Bonnie's voice cracked with worry as she looked at Finn—his skin was pale, his breathing shallow, and glowing green spider veins spread across his body.
"Oh Finn, please don't die…" she murmured, hugging him as tears streamed down her face.
Marceline placed a hand on Bonnie's shoulder, offering comfort.
"Bonnie, don't say things like that. You know Finn—he's been through worse. No weirdo, shapeshifting vampire's poison is gonna stop him."
Bonnie only hoped Marceline was right—that Finn could pull through and become stronger from this.
"I hope you're right."
"Milady, the antidote is ready," Pep said as he approached with the glowing potion held delicately in a pair of tongs.
"Please, hold this funnel while I administer it."
As he poured the potion down Finn's throat, the glowing veins began to fade slightly and his breathing eased.
"Great, he's cured now, right?" Marceline asked.
"Not yet. Now, please help me spread these crystals across his body."
Pep opened a bag filled with multi-colored crystals and handed them out. Together, they placed them on Finn's forehead, chest, stomach, and three on each limb.
"There. With this, the venom's effects should be slowed."
"Oh, thank goodn—wait, WHAT!?" Bonnie's eyes widened.
"I thought the potion was supposed to cure him!"
"Yeah, man! What the heck!?" Marceline shouted, throwing her hands up.
"Oh no, my lady," Pep said gravely. "There is no cure for this. In order to save young Master Finn, we must—"
He was cut off by the blaring sound of an alarm.
Rushing to a nearby monitor, Pep watched as the camera feeds were systematically destroyed by an unknown intruder. His eyes widened.
"Milady! They found us!"
"What!? How!? This place is literally in the middle of nowhere! Only we should know where we are!"
"Now's not the time for questions," Marceline said, grabbing her axe-bass.
"We need to take a stand, right now!"
"She's right, my lady."
Pep quickly strapped on a bandolier full of wooden stakes and cocked a stake-launching crossbow.
Bonnie looked at Finn's unconscious form, then grabbed a super garlic bomb with a determined glare.
"I guess there's no other way."
They all took defensive positions around the single entrance. Something was pounding on the door, harder and harder with each hit.
The door finally gave way in an explosion of dust and debris. Smoke billowed in, cloaking the figure behind it.
"It has been an honor serving you, my lady," Pep said as he raised his crossbow.
Marceline, trying to lighten the tension, grinned.
"Man, Finn is gonna be so mad he missed all this action."
Bonnie's voice trembled slightly.
"When did this all go so wrong…?"
Suddenly, the door was smashed fully open. Dust swirled around two approaching silhouettes with glowing eyes.
"Alright! Where's Finn!?" a voice shouted.
As the smoke cleared, the figures became visible—Luz, Eda, and Lady Rainicorn, standing together.
"We know you have him, so get ready to—" Luz stopped mid-sentence.
"Bonnie? Marceline?"
"Luz?" Bonnie and Marceline said in unison.
"Okay, so you know Finn's captors?" Eda asked, lowering her staff slightly.
"Oh no, Eda," Luz said, quickly explaining. "These two are Finn's exes."
She pointed. "The one with the pink hair is Bonnie."
Bonnie gave a small wave.
"And the one with the axe is Marceline."
"Greetings," Bonnie said politely.
"Sup, dudes," Marceline added with a casual smirk.
"Huh. I guess me and Finn are more alike than I thought," Eda mused.
Everyone gave her a weird look.
"I mean, being kidnapped by your exes? Yeah, I can relate."
"No, Eda, I think we—" Luz suddenly noticed Lady Rainicorn darting over to Finn.
"Oh my gosh, Finn!"
She and Eda rushed to his side.
Luz gasped at the sight of him—pale skin, shallow breath, and glowing green veins.
"What happened to him!? Why is he like this!?"
"Jeez, my exes were never this rough when they kidnapped me," Eda muttered.
"I believe I can explain," Bonnie said, lowering her weapon.
"Pep, please prepare some tea for our guests. We're going to be here for a while."
Peppermint Butler nodded and quietly left the room.
Bonnie sat down, her voice heavy.
"Now… where should I begin?"
=======
Earlier That Day
Finn was blindfolded, a rope tied loosely around his waist, being led through the woods by Peppermint Butler.
"Okay, Pep, mind telling me where we're going? I mean, don't get me wrong—I like hanging out with you—but this is a little weird, even for me."
"I'm afraid this location must remain a secret."
"Alright, well, will there at least be food there? We've been walking for a few hours now, and I'm starting to get a little hungry."
His stomach growled like an angry beast.
"See?"
"I can assure you, there will be refreshments."
Pep stopped walking, causing Finn to bump into him.
"Now, here we are."
He then removed Finn's blindfold.
"Behold—our secret base, located in places unknown to—"
"We're in the Armpit Swamps, aren't we?" Finn interrupted.
Peppermint Butler's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait—how did you…?"
Finn chuckled.
"Come on, Pep." He took a deep breath and cringed.
"There's only one place that has that kind of… odor."
"Oh. Yes, now that you mention it, there's no other place in the isles with quite the… pungent aroma."
Pep then stepped forward and sprinkled some sparkling dust in the middle of a ring of mushrooms.
Within seconds, the circle and the surrounding mushrooms began to glow a bright blue hue.
"Okay, so what? We just hop in the middle and then fwoosh, we're there?"
Finn stepped forward, preparing to jump.
Luckily, Peppermint Butler stopped him with a hand to the chest.
"Not unless you want your legs blown off."
He plucked one of the mushrooms, lightly tapped it. Its glow began to blink, and then Pep tossed it as far as he could.
They waited.
"Uh, Pep? What's supposed to—"
BOOM!
A loud explosion erupted in the distance, shaking the ground slightly.
"WHAT THE FLIP WAS THAT!?" Finn shouted, eyes wide.
Peppermint Butler chuckled.
"That, my dear boy, was a boom shroom. They grow in swampy areas and are quite deadly."
He bent down and began collecting more.
"They're a sort of all-natural weaponry. Quite handy in a pinch. Now come along—it's rude for a gentleman to keep ladies waiting."
"Lead the way, Pep. I'm—wait. Did you say ladies? As in, plural?"
"Why yes. My lady has been… entertaining someone you're quite familiar with."
Pep walked straight ahead—and then vanished.
"Whoa—Pep?"
Finn ran forward to where Pep had disappeared. The moment he passed through the mushroom ring, his vision clouded over—just for a second.
When it cleared, he was standing beside Peppermint Butler in front of what could only be described as a fortress.
A massive metal gate. High stone walls. Abomination guards stationed around the perimeter. The place looked like a military fortress built in the middle of a swampy dreamscape.
All Finn could say was:
"Whoa."
As he took it all in, the front gate creaked open. A familiar voice called out.
"Finn!"
He turned. Bonnie was standing there… next to Marceline?
"Yo, dude," Marceline greeted, walking up and pulling him into a hug. She slid into a casual side hug and whispered,
"So… how'd the rest of your date night go?"
Finn flushed, scratching the back of his neck.
"It… went… well."
"That good, huh?" Marceline laughed and nudged him.
"Okay, enough of that," Bonnie interrupted, already walking back inside.
"Come along. I need to explain why you're here."
=======
As Finn took a bite out of his finger sandwich and sipped some tea, Lady sat by his side enjoying her own refreshments. He contemplated what Bonnie had just told him.
"So let me get this straight… you somehow opened a door to an alternate universe where someone called the Vampire King took over your house with his court of elite vampires?"
Bonnie nodded silently.
"And now you need me to… what, exactly?"
"I need you to stop their plans," Bonnie replied calmly, taking another sip of tea.
Finn blinked.
"Okay, I'm still a little lost here."
"Dude, how hard is it to understand?" Marceline cut in. "Bonnie can't handle these guys alone, so she got us to help."
"Why would she ask you for help?"
"Because," Marceline puffed out her chest proudly, "turns out I come from a long line of vampire hunters."
Finn turned to Bonnie and Peppermint Butler for confirmation.
"To be honest," Pep said, "Mistress Marceline happened to be there at the exact moment of the Vampire King's takeover."
"What the heck, dude!?" Marceline said, glaring at him.
Pep closed his eyes, unfazed.
"Finn is our only hope of stopping him, and I will not condone lying to an ally."
"Okay, let's just forget…" Finn waved his hand in Marceline's direction. "Whatever that was. Just tell me what we're up against."
Before Bonnie could answer, an unexpected voice cut in.
"Oh, that's easy! You've got the four of us. I'm The Fool, by the way—I can levitate!"
A gangly vampire floated across the room, hands behind his head like he was lounging mid-air.
"Then you've got The Empress—she can turn invisible and hypnotize people. Between you and me, I think it's because she doesn't have any friends. There's The Hierophant, who shapeshifts and lives for old vampire rules. And The Moon—she heals from any injury. Doesn't talk much though. Then there's the King himself—great guy overall."
Bonnie narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you telling us all of this?"
Marceline raised an eyebrow.
"And why are you even here?"
The Fool blinked.
"Oh wait—was I saying that out loud? Or just thinking it in my head? Also, I probably should've stayed hidden for recon, huh?"
No one responded.
"Right. Since no one's saying anything, I'm clearly doing a great job surveying the enemy for the King's master plan!"
"The opposite, actually. But thanks for the info, buddy," Finn grinned.
He suddenly leapt and grabbed The Fool midair, slamming him into the ground over and over again.
"Now, now, Master Finn."
Pep calmly gestured for him to stop.
"The only ways to destroy a vampire are a wooden stake to the heart… or sunlight."
Even bloodied and dazed, The Fool raised a finger.
"Actually, the King said that something about this realm's sun doesn't affect us the same way our sun did."
"This guy isn't too bright, is he?" Marceline whispered to Bonnie, who nodded.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances before Pep politely asked:
"Could you elaborate, sir?"
"Sure thing! The King said this place is perfect for us. The sun doesn't burn us, and the blood from the food here? Makes us even more powerful!"
"Yes… of course."
All eyes turned to Peppermint Butler.
"You know something, Pep?" Bonnie asked.
"Indeed. In my studies of demonic and magical creatures, I found historical documents that suggest witches' blood is an extremely potent source of power for vampires."
Finn cracked his knuckles.
"So… can I crush this guy now?"
"One moment."
Pep calmly pulled a wooden stake from his jacket and jabbed it into The Fool's heart.
"Ayup. I'm dead," The Fool said casually—then burst into a cloud of glittery blue smoke.
"Aw, dude!" Finn coughed.
"Warn a guy before you do that! I'm breathing in vampire dust over here."
He waved his arms to clear the air, then suddenly paused, closing his eyes. He felt a strange shift inside him—something new.
And then—he floated upward, unassisted.
"Whoa."
Bonnie stood.
"Finn, how are you flying without a palisman?"
Marceline snapped her fingers.
"Wait! That idiot told us what powers he and the others had, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"So Finn must've absorbed his ability through the vampire dust!"
"Awesome!" Finn cheered.
"Freaky vampire powers would be an amazing addition to my already amazing list of skills."
Bonnie cleared her throat.
"And eliminating the vampires is the right thing to do… right, Finn?"
"Yeah, yeah—right thing and all that," Finn muttered, already daydreaming about future powers.
"If we're all done here," Pep said, "I suggest we equip Master Finn for the raid on Milady's home."
He opened a chest full of vampire-slaying tools. Finn's eyes widened like a kid in a candy store.
"This is gonna be so awesome," he whispered.
"Excellent. Let me just—"
Bonnie began to speak, but Pep interrupted.
"Milady, I believe only Finn and I should carry out this endeavor."
He handed Finn a bandolier of makeshift garlic grenades.
"Be careful with these. Each one can blast through a brick wall. Try not to get hit."
Finn, now juggling the grenades casually, clearly wasn't listening.
"Got it! Don't get hit. Just like every other fight."
Pep facepalmed with a sigh.
"Wait, why only you two—?" Bonnie began, but Pep raised a hand.
"I'm sorry, mistress, but you are far too important. If Finn and I fall, you must continue without us and reclaim our home."
Bonnie turned to Marceline. They shared a look. It was true—Finn and Pep could handle themselves. If this went south, Bonnie and Marceline would need to lead whatever came next.
"Okay, Pep. But promise me—you'll both come back alive."
Finn and Pep nodded solemnly.
"Alright, Pep. Lady. Let's move out!"
Finn floated toward the door, carrying Peppermint Butler as Lady followed close behind.
Bonnie whispered as they disappeared:
"Good luck."
=======
As Bonnie regaled them with her story, Luz asked a pointed question.
"Alright, I follow you so far… so did one of those other vampires do this to Finn?"
"I believe I can answer your question, Mistress Luz," Peppermint Butler said, serving tea to everyone.
"But be warned… it is not exactly pleasant."
Finn, Lady, and Peppermint Butler were just outside the perimeter of Bonnie's home. Pep was surveying the area, carefully drawing a plan in the dirt.
"Alright, here's the plan. I'll distract them from the front with an intimidating shout. Meanwhile, Finn, you'll sneak in from behind. There's a secret passageway that should lead you to—"
He was cut off by the most insane thing he had ever seen.
"FIIINNNIIIAAANNN WWWHHHIIISSSPPPEEERRRSS!!!"
Finn, now floating, charged straight ahead, smashing through the front gate. He tore off the front door and used it as a makeshift shield.
"YYYYAAAA!!!!"
Peppermint Butler and Lady blinked, stunned.
"Did he just… run in without a plan?" Pep asked blankly.
A beat passed.
"Oh no. He did. Quick, Madam Lady! We must assist him at once!"
They sprinted in after him.
They caught up to Finn inside the main foyer—just in time to see him restrained by pale, humanoid abominations. Two held him still while a third repeatedly punched him.
"Hey! Fight me—oomph!"
"Silence, you unrefined oaf!" a woman snapped. She wore a sleek black dress adorned with a golden snake wrapped around her waist and neck. A dark purple headscarf, tied into a bun, covered her eyes, with a pink gem in the center.
"And where is that insufferable Fool!? He was supposed to report back hours ago!"
"Now, now, Empress, calm yourself," said a man in a trench coat. He had pale yellow fur, pointed bat-like ears, a lion's tail, and a neatly groomed beard. "Wouldn't surprise me if the Fool got distracted playing hide and seek with himself."
"Don't tell me to calm down, Hierophant!" she snapped, pointing at the wrecked gate. "He destroyed our beautiful new home! Do you know how long it's been since we had such fine accommodations!?"
The Hierophant sighed, unfazed.
"Yes. I do. But we have more pressing issues. His Majesty will not be pleased."
He gestured at Finn.
"Continue."
"Ugh. Fine! Bring him to me!"
The abominations shoved Finn forward. The Empress grabbed his face.
"At least you'll tide me over until the main course." She opened her mouth wide, revealing her fangs.
"SNEAK ATTACK!"
Finn headbutted her.
The Empress reeled back in pain. In one fluid motion, Finn froze the two abominations restraining him and broke free. He wrapped his grass arm around the Hierophant's leg and slammed him through a wall. Then he swept the Empress's legs out from under her.
"Eat THIS!"
He pulled the pin from a garlic grenade and shoved it in her mouth. Shielding himself, he braced for the explosion.
The grenade detonated—reducing the Empress to glittering dust.
"Alright, new vampire power, here I come."
He breathed in her essence, and with a sudden shimmer, vanished from sight.
"Master Finn!"
Pep ran out of hiding, scanning the room.
"Where are—?"
"Right here."
Finn reappeared behind him.
"Sorry, new power." He turned his arm invisible.
"Oh man, the things I could do with this…"
He looked over to see both Lady and Pep giving him a flat stare.
"Haha, don't worry, I'll only use this power for good. Promise."
His strained grin didn't fool anyone.
"Yes, I completely trust you," Pep said sarcastically.
"Come here, I have something important to say."
Finn leaned in.
"THAT WAS THE MOST IRRESPONSIBLE, IDIOTIC, INCOMPREHENSIBLE THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE!!!"
Pep screamed directly into Finn's ear, yanking it.
"Ow! Ow! What the heck, man!?"
"I'M TRYING TO GET THROUGH THAT THICK SKULL OF YOURS!"
Pep took a deep breath and softened his tone.
"Master Finn… something's bothering you, isn't it?"
Finn blinked.
"Uh… what do you—?"
"I won't pry. Just know: I'm here, should you need a sympathetic ear."
Finn looked down, moved.
"Yeah, Pep. I got it."
Lady wrapped herself around his neck lovingly.
"Okay, okay, I got the message. From both of you."
⸻
"Good. Now, we should—"
Suddenly, a giant hoof kicked Pep through a window.
"Pep!" Finn shouted.
He looked up. The Hierophant had transformed into a monstrous hybrid—his head atop a spider's body with bat wings, a scorpion's tail, and multiple chimeric limbs.
"Now then, where were we?" the beast said calmly.
It lunged. Finn barely dodged, though its tail scraped his arm.
"Ow!"
A green mist hissed from the wound.
"That's not great. Maybe some water'll fix it."
He charged—but was quickly pinned under a massive limb.
"Now that I have your attention, would you be willing to listen to me, young man?"
"…Huh?"
Finn blinked.
"O-kay?"
The Hierophant shifted back to his humanoid form.
"Please, Finn. You can't defeat the Vampire King—not in your current state."
"So what's your deal?"
"I hate the King."
The Hierophant snarled.
"He's grown soft. Peaceful. He hides and breeds goo soldiers instead of embracing true vampire tradition! I didn't kill you because… I want to team up."
Finn squinted.
"You serious? You're one of his elites—and I kinda offed two of you already."
The Hierophant shrugged.
"The Fool was a clown. No one will miss him. The Empress? Obsessed with luxury. Embarrassing."
Finn stroked his chin.
"Huh… compelling argument."
The Hierophant smiled.
"But," Finn said, eyes narrowing, "we need to set some ground rules. First… look right at me."
The Hierophant complied.
"Yes?"
"Yeah, just like that… PEP! NOW!"
"What—!?"
A wooden stake suddenly burst from his chest.
"NOOO!!!"
He crumbled into bones and dust—destroyed by Pep, slightly injured but alive.
"Haha, nice, Pep!" Finn cheered.
"Now for more vampire powers."
He inhaled the Hierophant's essence. One of his arms grew fur and claws.
He shapeshifted—first into Pep, then into Lady, then himself with a mustache.
"What do you think?"
"That looks weird. Get rid of it."
"Ugh, fine. Everyone's a critic."
He reverted—then staggered.
"Whoa… I don't… feel… so…"
He collapsed.
"Finn!"
Pep rushed to his side. Finn's body was hot, and his wound festered with glowing green veins.
"Oh no… he's running a fever. That venom must've been more than we thought."
Finn croaked weakly.
"La…dy. Go… get help…"
Lady hesitated, but Finn's request made it clear—this was serious.
She flew off at full speed.
=======
Peppermint Butler was finishing his part of the story.
"After seeing Madam Lady fly off—seeking help from, well, now that I realize, you two—I carefully, yet quickly, carried Master Finn back to our base to treat his ailment."
"Pep did the best he could," Bonnie added solemnly, "but Finn's still not looking so good."
"I don't know," a familiar voice cut in, surprising everyone. "I think I look pretty good no matter what state I'm in."
"FINN!" they all shouted in unison, rushing to his side.
Luz hugged him tightly. "You idiot! I thought you were a goner!"
Eda rested a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, kid. I thought you were about to kick the bucket." She smirked. "Then again, one less headache for me to deal with."
Marceline hugged him too. "This is because I'm relieved you're still alive."
Then she pulled back and socked him hard in the arm.
"And that's for making me worry in the first place!"
"Ow! Hey, I'm still injured here!" Finn winced, then noticed Bonnie's quiet demeanor.
"Hey… you okay, Bonnie?"
Bonnie turned away, her voice shaking.
"No. I'm not."
She tried to hold back tears. "You're like this because of me. If I hadn't started this whole thing… you wouldn't have almost died."
"Hey! None of that now!" Finn's voice suddenly boomed, grabbing everyone's attention.
"I knew the risks going in—and I still did it. You aren't to blame for any of this. And before you say anything else—what happened was my fault. I let my guard down. Got it?"
Bonnie slowly turned back, regret in her eyes.
"I still regret not doing more…"
Finn gave her a soft smile.
"Alright then… so, what did I miss while I was busy being awesome?"
"Bonnie and Pep were just filling us in on your whole vampire hunter adventure," Luz replied.
"Okay, so that means you're all caught up?"
Finn tried to stand, prompting everyone to nod cautiously.
"Then all that's left is to slay the Moon… and the Vampire King."
He nearly collapsed—but Luz caught him just in time.
"You are in no condition to be fighting vampires, mister!" Luz scolded.
"You can barely stand, let alone—"
But Finn interrupted with a deadly serious look.
"Luz. I have only one question."
She blinked. She'd only seen Finn this serious a few times before.
"Why are you dressed like a Grudgby player?"
"SERIOUSLY!?" everyone else groaned at once.
Luz pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Let's just say… Boscha won't be picking on Willow again anytime soon."
"Oh, now that's a story I gotta hear later. But for now…"
He steadied himself. "A vampire hunting we go."
But before he could move, Peppermint Butler stepped in front of him.
"Master Finn, you have been foolhardy ever since this mission began. And your recklessness hasn't just endangered your life—but also the lives of everyone on the Boiling Isles."
He locked eyes with Finn.
"You are our only chance of stopping the Vampire King's reign of terror. Please… let us help you."
Finn paused, genuinely considering Pep's words.
"Alright, fine. But before you help me… I need you all to look at something I found."
He pulled out a glass flask filled with purple liquid.
"This stuff here is called… SLEEPING FOG!"
He smashed the flask on the ground. A thick violet mist quickly filled the room. One by one, everyone collapsed unconscious—except Finn.
"Sorry, guys…" he said quietly, as he began strapping on gear. "But I have to do this last part alone."
With that, he flew off into the night, heading toward the final battle.
"I just hope… they can forgive me for this."
=======
Night came, and a full moon hung in the sky, illuminating Bonnie's home. Shadows were cast across a peculiar room through its window. The air was still. Everything was deathly quiet—until Finn smashed through the door, breaking it into splinters. Despite the loud entrance, his expression remained stoic.
"I'm here," he calmly called out into the darkness. No response was given.
"Okay, so you're losing it, Finn. You heard a voice in your head while dying from vampire poison." He exhaled a breath of resignation. "Well, this blows."
Suddenly, two figures stirred within the shadows.
The first was a woman—short and stout—with long black hair and a serene expression. She wore a dark gray dress, a lighter gray poncho, and a golden pendant decorated with a crescent moon. A bat ear grew from the center of her forehead, and she had green cat-like eyes and sharp teeth.
The second was a man. His face was obscured, only his eyes and body visible in the darkness. He was muscular, wore a white suit, a wine-red cape, and a crown resembling the branches of a tree.
"I'm so glad you accepted my invitation, Finn," he said, his voice calm and almost joyous. "And for the record, that voice in your head? That was me. Telepathy is a very convenient power, wouldn't you agree?" His eyes studied Finn with a calculating gaze. "I see you managed to stave off the Hierophant's poison. But judging from your appearance, that's only temporary, isn't it?"
"Shows what you know. As soon as I take out the Moon, I'll just heal all this away," Finn said confidently.
The vampire king chuckled at Finn's bravado. "Well, let me help you with that endeavor." He lifted an arm, and the Moon floated between them. "This traitor, along with her allies, has served her purpose." As he slowly closed his hand, the Moon's bones creaked—she was being crushed to death by his mysterious powers. "Telekinesis. Another helpful power, wouldn't you agree?" He clenched his hand into a fist, compressing the Moon into a ball until she burst into a cloud of dust. "You might want to hurry. Her essence won't stay here forever."
Finn quickly recovered from what he had just witnessed. Without missing a beat, he flew into the dust cloud, inhaling the Moon's essence. He gained yet another vampire power—just the one he needed to recover from the Hierophant's poison. His complexion improved, and the spider veins vanished.
"Whew! Glad that's over." He looked at his final opponent. "Alright, so—"
Finn was cut off when the vampire king rushed him, catching him by surprise and lifting him into the air by his neck.
"With all the others gone, now only the two of us remain."
Finn struggled in his grasp, punching and kicking to no effect. "Let… me… GO!" As he fought back, he finally saw the vampire king's face—and froze. His limbs went limp, his eyes wide with shock.
The vampire king looked exactly like him—same face, same eyes—but with long blonde hair.
"Why—"
"Do I look like you?" the vampire king finished for him. "I suppose proper introductions are in order." He combed his hair with his free hand. "Hello. I am Jack Hawthorne, ruler of Earth and the king of all vampires." Jack smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. He brought Finn close enough to whisper in his ear. "And you… are nothing more than a disappointment."
He grabbed the back of Finn's head and slammed him face-first into the floor.
"You… are weak." SLAM "Undisciplined." SLAM "And quite frankly, an embarrassment."
Jack lifted him again and smashed Finn's head into a nearby stone wall, dragging him across its rough surface before hurling him through a window.
"I can't have someone who looks like me be such a disgrace."
Jack dusted off his suit as he floated toward where Finn had landed.
As Jack approached Finn's unconscious body, he raised one leg, ready to stomp on his head. But when his foot came down, it passed through—an illusion. Jack quickly looked around.
"SURPRISE ATTACK!"
Finn dropped down from above, locking Jack in a chokehold.
"Man, good thing no one ever looks up when they're searching for someone." Finn grinned, confident in his move.
But Jack showed no discomfort. In fact, he yawned—slowly.
"What?"
Jack then launched straight into the sky like a rocket. At his desired height, he grabbed Finn, pulled him forward, and held him tight.
"Here's a move I learned watching wrestling."
He plummeted to the ground.
"POWER! BOMB!"
As he shouted the finishing move, a mushroom cloud bloomed in the sky. When the dust settled, Finn was in the center of a crater, twitching and broken.
He groaned. "Nobody told me healing would hurt this much." His bones audibly creaked and cracked as his limbs realigned, thanks to the Moon's power.
"I'm just about ready to end this, Finn," Jack said, floating toward him, arm pulled back to strike.
But Finn did something Jack didn't expect.
He fled.
Finn used the last of his strength to fly back into Bonnie's home.
Jack frowned. "Running away now?" He followed, shaking his head. "Where did all that confidence go?"
The blood trail made Finn easy to follow. Jack entered a room and found Finn lying at its center, surrounded by darkness.
"So this is how it ends? Cowering in the dark?" Jack stepped closer, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up. "You know, I thought about offering you a place at my side. We'd conquer this world, then others. More allies. More counterparts. But if they're all as weak as you…" He tightened his grip. "Then I'm better off alone. Any last words, Finn?"
"Su…Gar…Mb…Ap," Finn choked out.
"What was that?" Jack loosened his grip.
"I said, Super-Garlic-Bomb-Trap."
Finn lifted his arm and pressed a detonator. Dozens of blinking red lights lit up the room—timers attached to garlic bombs.
Jack's eyes widened in fear. He threw Finn away and tried to escape.
"NOOO—!"
The bombs exploded, obliterating Bonnie's home.
A pungent cloud of garlic spread through the surrounding forest. From the rubble, Finn crawled out—ragged, coughing, but healing.
"Man… I may smell like a garlic knot for the rest of my life… but cough cough it was worth it."
His victory was short-lived.
A hand burst from a pile of rubble.
Jack.
Burned and furious, he rose and stumbled toward Finn.
"Finn…" he rasped.
Finn couldn't move. He had reached his limit. All he could do now was watch Jack approach, knowing this was truly the end. No tricks. No traps. Just the bitter truth.
As Jack neared, a memory came to Finn.
His mother's lullaby.
He closed his eyes and began to sing.
⸻
Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside down…
He remembered how she'd sing this to him when he was sad or sick. Jack kept walking.
When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded
The underside is lighter when you turn it around…
Tears streamed down Finn's face.
Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays…
He wanted to go back—before the Boiling Isles, before the Lich, before his mother died.
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays…
He knew nothing could stay the same forever. His mom always told him to keep moving forward.
Go down to the ocean
The crystal tide is raising
Water's gotten higher as the shore washes out…
Keep your eyes wide open, even when the sun is blazin'
The moon controls the tide—it can cause you to drown…
He smiled. He hoped his friends were safe… and that Luz wouldn't be too mad at him for leaving again.
Everything stays, right where you left it
Everything stays…
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways
When everything stays.
⸻
When the song ended, Finn opened his eyes.
Jack stood over him… with tears of his own.
"Do you know why I gained these powers?" Jack asked quietly. "It was all just… bad timing." He closed his eyes. "It was Halloween. My best friend was in trouble. I made a deal—to save her."
He looked down at Finn.
"That's how I became this… monster."
Jack kneeled and placed a hand on Finn's chest.
"You have more power than anything on this isle. But it will one day consume you… just like it did me."
His eyes glowed bright white.
"Just promise me you'll use it… wisely."
=======
Luz dazedly opened her eyes.
"Huh? What? What was I…?" Her eyes suddenly shot wide open. "Oh my gosh! Finn! We have to—"
She finally realized she was sitting in a chair at a table. Around her, Eda, Bonnie, Marcy, and Peppermint Butler were also waking up.
"What is going on here?"
"What's going on here, Luz, is called breakfast," Finn said as he entered the room—one hand holding a tall stack of pancakes, the other holding what appeared to be maple syrup. "Now, who wants pancakes and tree blood?"
Bonnie shrugged. "Yeah, okay."
Marceline grinned. "Alright! Let's eat!"
Peppermint Butler nodded politely. "Thank you for the meal, Master Finn."
Eda groaned. "I'm going to need something stronger than tree blood to get over this headache you gave me."
Finn handed her a mug filled with apple blood.
"There we go, that's the ticket." Eda quickly downed the entire mug. "Ahh… Refill."
Finn rolled his eyes as he refilled her mug.
Luz looked around, clearly confused. "Wait… none of you are mad that Finn knocked us out and went to fight alone?"
Bonnie shrugged again. "Wouldn't be the first time." She casually dug into her pancakes.
"Eh, at least he made some apology pancakes," Marceline said through a mouthful, spraying drops of tree blood as she spoke.
"No comment," muttered Peppermint Butler.
Eda waved it off. "Finn gave me apple blood, so I'm good for now."
Finn placed a stack of pancakes in front of Luz. "Luz, I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Luz gave him a sharp look. "I'm eating these, but I'm not forgiving you just yet." She took a bite—and froze. Her expression melted into bliss.
"Oh my Titan… these are amazing!" She immediately started shoveling more into her mouth. "I don't even care what these are made of!"
"Good," Finn said, smirking. "Because if you knew, you'd probably swear off food forever."
He sat down and began eating his own stack. "Oh, Bonnie—I kind of blew up your house."
Bonnie dropped her fork. "YOU WHAT?!"
=======
Bonnie was waving goodbye to Finn, Luz, and Eda.
"Goodbye, so long. Finn, you're lucky saving the Boiling Isles was enough to make me forget about you blowing up my home."
Finn gave her a salute. "Thanks for understanding, Bonnie."
Then, using his new powers, he flew into the air. "Come on, Lady! Let's race back home!" he called, leaving a cloud of dust behind him.
Luz coughed through the haze. "Ah man… Finn gets cool new vampire powers, and I've only discovered four spells."
Eda tried to lift her spirits. "Cheer up, kid. I mean, sure—Finn's strong, fast, magically gifted, and—"
She paused, noticing Luz's face.
"Yeah, you know what? I'm just gonna stop talking now." She gave a casual wave goodbye to Bonnie.
As they disappeared into the distance, Bonnie's smile faded. Her expression turned serious as she pulled out her scroll and made a call.
"It's complete. Yes, he's ready. He should be powerful enough to eliminate the Emperor."
She paused, listening.
"Yes, I'm sure I still want to go through with it. Necessary sacrifices must be made. Just be on standby—if Finn fails, we move to Plan B."
She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.
Marceline stood behind her, wearing a complicated expression.
"Bonnie… are you sure Finn can handle this?"
Bonnie took a breath, still staring at the sky where Finn had vanished.
"Let's just have faith that he will—for all our sakes."
She looked down, clearly conflicted. Everything Finn had just endured—every trial, every enemy—it was all orchestrated by her. Summoning the Vampire King and his court hadn't been an accident at all.
"Everything is in place," she said quietly. "We can't back down now. Not when we're so close, not after everything we've done"
She had made a deal: Finn would destroy the Vampire King's court—and himself—to break the curse of eternal life that bound Jack Hawthorne. And in doing so, Bonnie would shape Finn into the perfect assassin.
Now, the final step was clear: lead him to the Emperor.
"I have an idea on how to start this next operation," she murmured. "And it's going to involve the Owl Lady."