Tales of Fionna and Marshall Lee 2, part 7

Chapter Seven
Wedding Bells and Rock Concerts

Gumball

The sun was setting. The Western sky horizon was exploding with color. Oranges, pinks, purples, and blues streaked across the horizon. It was beautiful. The wedding was very soon, and I was starting to regret my decision. What if Jungle Princess was evil? Or terribly insane? She might try to be a dictator over my kingdom, or destroy it. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself I was saving myself from Ice Queen and Cirrus. A knock came on the door, and Peppermint Maid tentatively entered. She looked at the floor, hopefully feeling guilty. She shouldn't have helped Fionna leave Aah, it's incredibly dangerous out there.

"It's time Prince Gumball" was all she said. Nodding, I strode past her, toward the throne room. The throne room was now filled with candy and jungle people. I walked down the isle, now wearing a black tuxedo. As I stood in front of the thrones, before my people, I felt terrified. The band started playing, I noticed Fionna and Marshall in the crowd, both looking grimy and tired. But here none the less. Fionna's smile calmed me, and I stared down the isle, waiting for Jungle Princess. A moment later, she appeared. She wore a fluffy white dress, the hems serrated and adorned with vines and flowers. Her purple hair was piled high on her head, a veil covered her face. White tribal paint was dotted and dashed across her turquoise skin. She looked beautiful. Jungle King led her down the isle, smiling proudly. They walked in step with the music, slowly and deliberately. When the got to the thrones, the music ceased. Jungle Princess faced me, her face masked by the veil.

"We gather here to see the union of to royals. I, Jungle King, father of Jungle Princess, here by bless and approve of this ceremony. I wish you two the best of luck" Jungle King says simply.Peppermint Maid holds a pink pillow with the wedding rings. I take the smaller ring, and slide it over Jungle Princess's slender finger. Her hand trembles. Then she slides the other ring over my finger.

"You may kiss your bride" Jungle King says kindly. Nervously, I lift the veil off her face, staring at her gentle face. Her lips are purple, her nose is small, white paint dots her cheeks. She raises a purple eyebrow as I stare into her Violet eyes. Slowly, I lean toward her, and our lips brush. The crowd jumps up, cheering. We both blush, and I hold her hands.

Marshall floats over the cheering crowd, and disappears. I barely notice as the dancing begins. Jungle Princess and I make our way to the center of the room, and begin dancing to the slow, dull music.
We are both bad dancers, she steps on my feet, and I can't stay in beat with the music. The dull music is cut short as Marshall and Fionna stand where the bans was. Marshall is wearing a crisp black tuxedo. Fionna is wearing a pale, blue, silky dress than reaches her feet. She pulls off her bunny hat, and her golden hair tumbles out. Marshall strums his bass, and Fionna hums into a microphone.

"Once upon a time........"
"I met a pink prince"
"He always does what's right"
"Every day and night" Marshall sang.

"And when he's in distress"
"He always has his friends....."
"To watch his back" Fionna sang softly.

"Gumball knows what's best"
"The smart guy never gets to rest"
"Once upon a time......."
"We met the prince" they sing together, pointing at me. My face grows warm, and Jungle Princess giggles.

"You have wonderful friends" Jungle Princess whispers.

"I guess I do."

Fionna

I stepped off the small stage carefully, the high heel shoes I was wearing might be the death of me. Couples dance, Marshall sings more songs. Several candy servants set out a buffet. My stomachs growls, reminding me I hadn't eaten in almost twenty four hours. I walk past the couples, following the smell of sweets. The table is piled high with candies, pastries, cakes, ice creams, chocolates, and drinks. My plate gets filled with vanilla cake and candied raspberries. I pick up a cherry-plum smoothie, and sit on a bench, eating. Cake suddenly makes her way through the crowd, wearing a large, pink, silken bow. Crossing her arms over her chest, she taps her foot, frowning. I stop stuffing giant bits of cake in my mouth, and swallow.

"I hope your happy for scaring the lump out of me, baby cakes" she says.

"I'm sorry" I hand her a candied raspberry. She pops it in her mouth, smiling.

"So, what's it like? Outside of Aah?" She asks, sitting beside me.

"Gloomy, boring, scary." Cake notices the bandage on my wrist.

"What happened?"

"Gave a vampire some of my blood for information" I say vaguely, hoping she doesn't press. Cake simply frowns, and takes another candy off my plate.

"So, what do you think of Gimball's plan?" She asks.

"Plan?"

"Yeah, he married JP so Ice Queen has to free Princess Cirrus." My eyes get wide, I thought Gumball was marrying her so the Ice Queen leaves him alone. Through the crowd, Gumball is dancing with JP. They twirl, and JP almost trips. I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle. Marshall is at the small stage, finishing a song. He hands the microphone to an angry candy bard, then floats over to Cake and I. He slumps on the bench beside me, smirking.

"Look at Twinkle Toes go" he jokes as Gumball nearly trips. The Royal couple then make their way toward us, Gumball smiling politely, hiding his embarrassment. He and JP's arms are loped together.

"Glad you three could make it" Gumball says. He looks relieved about something.

"Yeah, I think I'm staying in Aah for a long time" Marshall says. JP watches him with wide eyes, possibly one of his fans.

"Marshall Lee?" she whispers in a soft voice.

"The one and only" he says, smiling and baring his fangs.

"Your concert is tomorrow, I wish I could go" JP says, glancing at Gumball nervously. Marshall looks at me, remembering his concert.

"Well, as a wedding present, you guys can come over tomorrow at lunch time for a jam session. Then, at my show tomorrow night, you guys can have some backstage passes" Marshall says calmly.

"Really?" JP gasps. She looks at Gumball hopefully, and he smiles.

"Sounds like fun" Gumball says simply.

Marshall puts an arm around my waist, excusing us. He leads me to the dance floor, walking so I trip in my high heels and he can catch me. Both his hands are on my waist, I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning my head on his shoulder. I inhale his raspberry scent, smiling. Marshall talks about the concert tomorrow, how his ghost friends, Gina, Windle, and Looloo (who are also his band members) will be helping him set up an indoor fireworks show. I laugh softly, imagining Marshall run around a stage will fireworks.

Marshall Lee

Another cloudy day follows Gumball's wedding. I feel like and idiot for forgetting my own concert. Before lunch, I call Windle, telling him we'll practice before the show. Having slept like a rock last night, I was well energized and excited for my show. Absentmindedly, I strum my axe bass, sighing contently. A knock comes on the door, I yell come in. My living room has instruments, speakers, and amps sitting on the floor. I take my jam sessions seriously.

"Hey Marshall" Fionna says. She's wearing a pale yellow sweater, blue jeans, and her normal black boots. Some of her golden hair peeks out from her bunny hat. Fionna lightly kissed me, sitting next to me on the couch. She plucks a string on my axe bass, smiling.

"What instrument are you going to play?" I ask curiously. She shrugs, and picks up a tambourine off the floor. Another knock comes to the door, and I yell for them to come in. Gumball and Jungle Princess enter. Gumball looks at the mess of the living room, raising an eyebrow. Jungle Princess looks at my axe bass wishfully.

"Hey, it's the Twinkle-Toed couple" I say with a evil smirk. Jungle Princesd laughs, her laughter is like bells tinkling.

"I was made for tree-climbing, not dancing" she says shyly. I can't tell if I'm making her shy, or if she's that way genuinely. Fionna shakes her tambourine, making an elaborate beat. Gumball pulls a chair from the kitchen table, letting Jungle Princess have the easy chair by the couch. He picks up a keyboard, playing a tune on the keys. Jungle Princess looks at the instruments thoughtfully, then picks up a flute. She blows into the mouth price, her fingers fly over the holes, making a strange song. It's a jungle people tribal song I think. Fionna and Gumball stop playing, watching Jungle Princess in awe. She blushes, but continues to play. The song makes me think of a waterfall crashing, or exotic birds screeching. When she finishes, we all clap.

"That was beautiful" Gumball whispers. Jungle Princess blushes, her cheeks turning a greenish color.

"Wish I could do that" Fionna says. She leans forward, her chin in her hands, her elbows on her knees as Jungle Princess plays another song. So, instead of all playing instruments together, we sit, fascinated while Jungle Princess plays the flute. I think there is more to the shy girl than meets the eye.

Several hours later, I'm standing in a huge theatre. The stage is enormous, and our instruments seem tiny on it. There are only about a hundred beings scattered around the seats. Looloo floats over the stage, checking her keyboard. Her two heads mumble to each other. The stage lights are off and the huge stage curtain is down. A voice calls my name, and it's Windle. He's by the smoke machine, complaining that's its broken. I point at the cord, which isn't plugged into anything. He face-palms himself, grumbling about stupid plugs. Backstage, in our large dressing room, Fionna, Jungle Princess, Cake, and Gumball are sitting on a couch.

"Will the show be soon?" Fionna asks, watching me. I had changed my clothes from my normal flannel to a black t-shirt, a dark green leather jacket, blue jeans with ripped knees, and black combat boots. Fionna is wearing my latest concert shirt over her sweater, which vendors were selling at the door.

"What is your opening number going to be?" Gumball asks.

"Well" I grin deviously. "I think Jungle Princess should open for us" I say.

"What?" She asks.

Gumball

"You can do it" Marshall coaxes Jungle Princess. She looks at me for help, but I agree with Marshall. She plays the flute beautifully. I squeeze her hand encouraging. Jungle Princess sighs, and stands up. Marshall hands her a black flute, she holds it in her hands like it might break. She sways, and the silver bells on her long skirt jingle. She plays a few notes, grinning. The dressing room door opens, and A short, stubby ghost calls Marshall's name. Marshall shakes his head, and takes Jungle Princess's hand. We all rush after them. Cake, Fionna, and I peek onto the stage. The bright, colorful stage lights come on, and the red stage curtain slowly rises. The crowd screams, deafening. I clamp my hands over my ears. Fionna and Cake just grin. Marshall and Jungle Princess stand in the center if the stage, looking out into the crowd. There must be almost a thousand people in the crowd, all screaming Marshall's name. Marshall holds the microphone in his hand to a speaker, produces a horribly loud shriek. The crowd silences, covering their ears. Marshall smiles with satisfaction, and pulls the microphone away from the large speaker.

"We have a special treat for you tonight. I will not be opening tonight" Marshall pauses, several people boo. "But, Jungle Princess will be" he adds, stepping back. Jungle Princess gulps, holding the flute to her lips. She plays a strange, sad song. Her nimble fingers fly over the holes, producing elegantly exotic music. The crowd is silent, listening to her with amazement. Jungle Princess closed her eyes, oblivious to the crowd as she plays. When she finishes her song, the crowd stands up, applauding her.

"You were amazing" I say as she returns from the stage.

"Thank you" Jungle Princess whispers. We all sit cross legged, just out of sight of the crowd, watching Marshall and the ghosts. Jungle Princess leans on my shoulder. They play lots of songs, Marshall's voice filling the theatre. At the thirteenth song, I see a shadow high above Marshall. The shadow swoops downward, crashing into Marshall. He stares, confused as blackness slams him to the ground. The crowd gasps. Fionna stands, confused.

"Is this part of the show?" I ask her.

"No." Fionna answers, horrified.

Fionna

Marshall stands shakily, the black mist dissipates, revealing a pale blue woman. She has blonde curls, red lips, red eyes, a tiny nose, and soft skin. She smiles at Marshall, pure evil in her eyes. She's wearing a satin, black dress that comes just past her knees. The vampire holds a long dagger, blood dripping from it. Marshall stares at her, a dark circle blossoms on his stomach, blood. He snarls, baring his fangs, and charges her with his axe bass. The vampire king swings the deadly blade, nearly striking her. She dodges, then throws the dagger. Marshall sidesteps it, the blade whizzing by his ear. The female vampire flips into the air, and snatches Marshall's axe bass from his hands. Fury burns inside me. I pull my retractable sword from my pocket, the pink crystal blade shooting out from the hilt. I run toward Marshall, and throw the sword. He catches it, hands trembling. The female vampire swings the axe bass to him, he parries her swing, stepping backward.

She swings again. But the first wound must have weakened him, because the axe bass sinks into his heart with a sickening thud. The crowd screams in horror. My head explodes, and I run to Marshall screaming. The female vampire advances to him, meaning to cut off his head. Instinctively, I dive onto her back, screaming in rage. Clawing at her hair, I make her scream. She reaches over her shoulder, harshly yanking me off her back. She droops me in the ground, and disappears in a cloud of black smoke. I crawl over to Marshall, ignoring the chaos around me. His axe bass is lodged in his chest. Blood is everywhere, the floor, the axe, his chest, and his hands, that clutch the axe.

"Fionna" he croaks, and coughs up blood.
I grabbed his bloody hands.

"D-Do I pull it out?" I sob. Tears pour from my eyes, blurring my vision.

"No....use" I stroke his hair. He lets go of one of my hands, his bloody hand stroking my cheek.

"I have to try" I whisper.

"Fionna.........please.....love..............you" he croaks. Blood bubbles from his lips. His hand falls from my face. He stops moving, his eyes become glassy. He dies there, leaving me with his body, blood pooling everywhere.



******************

Ahh, Marshall has come to an end. But there are new questions that have been aroused. Who killed Marshall? How will Fionna deal with this loss? Could Gumball's shy wife be more than a simple, quiet princess? Is there more to this than meets the eye? the answer to these questions is..............................................about to be written if i can force myself to stop watching missed episodes of walking dead and stop being addicted to the you tube channel, alltime10s.


so yeah, next chapter will be soon