Quest for Life Chapter 1

The blossoms of spring faded and were quickly replaced by the summer blooms. The air was heavy with the scent of candyfloss and the days gradually lengthened.

Princess Bubblegum stood on a stool in front of a full length mirror. A chocolate tart knelt on the ground next to her, three pins held in her teeth as she worked with needle and thread. The dress was a beautiful sight. It was white with lace made from crystallised sugar. The skirt was decorated with strawberries and the bodice was patterned with drops of jelly. The veil too was made of crystallised sugar and fell over her face and she clasped a bouquet of lily of the valley and hydrangea to her chest. She felt slightly nervous as did the vampire queen who was pacing the air in the next room.

“Oh, do sit still, your majesty,” said the dressmaker who had given up on fixing up Marceline’s robes for now. She was wearing a deep purple robe with a black and white fur trimming over a black surcoat with white puffy sleeves. As was customary she had an ornamental sword belted at her hip. She also wore a pair of dark grey, almost black trousers and a pair of knee high black boots. A golden crown embedded with rubies adorned her head. The vampire ignored the dressmaker and continued pacing. “Why do weddings have to be so stressful?” she muttered to herself. She was not used to all the trappings of duty, having run things in a rather casual way before.

“That’s the way of weddings, your majesty,” said the dressmaker, “Now will you please let me finish your robes?” Marceline nodded and sat back down on the stool.

“Dude, this bowtie itches like heck,” complained Finn, scratching at his neck.

“It’s a special occasion,” replied Jake, “And special occasions call for special clothes, even if they are itchy.”

“You both look very smart,” smiled BMO who was wearing a small tuxedo Lady had made for him.

“And what about me?” asked LSP who was wearing a white dress with blue bows.

“You look great too, LSP,” replied Finn.

“Yeah, I’m glad the Princess and Marceline are finally getting married,” continued LSP, “We’ve only been waiting like forever.”

“I’m glad too,” replied Finn. It had been quite a surprise for him when the Princess and Marceline told them they were dating but he was happy all the same. Happy that they had found the same happiness he had found when he met Flame Princess. ‘Speaking of Flame Princess, where is she?’ he thought to himself. As if to answer his thoughts he heard a cheery greeting behind him and turned to see Flame Princess, looking radiant in a red dress decorated with rubies. She had her hair plaited down her back in a fiery rope. “So, what do you think?” she asked, twirling around. Her skirt billowed out, flickering with live flames.

“You look amazing, FP,” said Finn, “Allow me to escort you to your seat.” Flame Princess giggled.

“Finn, the wedding’s not for another hour,” she replied, “But why don’t you escort me to the snack table?”

“I hear ya, Princess,” grinned Finn.

“Hey, don’t be too long,” Jake called after them. He turned back to BMO.

“Did Lady say when she was getting here?” asked BMO.

“She should be here soon,” replied Jake, “Trust me, she is not about to miss this.”

“This is truly a wonderful occasion,” grinned BMO, “Jake, did you think Princess Bubblegum would fall for Marceline?”

“I have to admit, yes, it didn’t exactly surprise me when they told us,” replied Jake, “Do you remember that day we went to take back our stuff from the Door Lord?”

“How could I forget,” said BMO.

“Well, I first started wondering when Marceline started singing that song,” continued Jake.

“You mean, ‘I’m Just Your Problem,’?” replied BMO.

“Well, yes that, but also that little bit she sung before,” said Jake, “Sounded very much like a love song to me from where I was standing.”

“That’s true,” replied BMO, “I guess I never really thought about it before.”
Fifteen minutes later Lady arrived, wearing a long lilac dress and a sky blue ribbon in her mane. She was Princess Bubblegum’s maid of honour while Finn had been chosen to be best man.

“Have you seen the bride and, errr... bride yet?” asked Jake. Lady shook her head.

“아니, 여동생과 마르 셀린 모두 오히려 긴장 느끼고있다,” she replied, “나는 그들을 전혀 보지 못했어요. 나는 그들이 아직 준비 같아요.”

“I can’t blame them,” said Jake, “It must take a lot of confidence to get up in front of everyone like this. This is not just a wedding, is it? It’s an inauguration ceremony too, isn’t it?” Lady nodded.

“맞아요,” she replied.

As evening fell the rest of the guests started to arrive. Amongst them was a group of vampires, all garbed in military robes with swords belted at their hips.

“What are they doing here?” growled Finn. LSP quickly ducked behind Flame Princess.

“핀을 진정,” said Lady hurriedly, “그들은 초대되었다. 그들은 썬 리치의 집회의하지 않습니다. 그들은 마르 셀린 같다.”

“She says not to worry,” Jake translated, “They aren’t the vampires we fought in the war. They were a group of mercenaries. These are the top ranking members of the Dark Domain Military.” Lady nodded.

“Hey, we’d better get a seat,” said BMO. They made their way down to the seats which were placed out in the castle gardens. It was to be an outdoor ceremony and a carpet led down to the altar in between the rows of chairs. Decorative candy canes stood on either side, garlands of pink and purple flowers coiled around them. Torches on poles provided a soft light and the first stars were starting to glow in the sky.

Princess Bubblegum and Marceline walked down towards the congregation.

“You nervous?” asked Marceline.

“Just a little,” replied Princess Bubblegum. She smiled, “You look really handsome, Mar-Mar.”

“And you look beautiful, Bonnie,” murmured Marceline, “So, how does this work again?” Princess Bubblegum could tell Marceline was nervous despite her best attempts to hide it.

“You walk up the aisle first with your dad, then I’ll follow with Lady,” whispered Princess Bubblegum. Hunson was standing at the back of the aisle. He turned and smiled at his daughter. On this day she had made him proud to be her father. The other guests gave the Lord of Evil a wide berth which was understandable given his rather eventful last visit to Ooo. Marceline reached him and the Princess waited as the demon and his daughter made their way up the aisle.

“I’m so proud of you, Marceline,” said Hunson as they walked up the aisle, “You’re finally taking proper responsibility for your kingdom.”

“Yeah, don’t rub it in, dad,” mumbled Marceline. She hid a small smile from her dad though at these words, “I’m really glad today’s happening though. If anyone had told me five hundred years ago that I was going to marry the Princess of the Candy Kingdom, I don’t think I would’ve believed them.” Hunson chuckled.

“Really, neither would I,” he admitted, “But I think you made the right choice.”

“Thanks, dad,” replied Marceline, smiling. They reached the altar where the pastor stood.

Princess Bubblegum walked down the aisle accompanied by Lady Rainicorn.

“당신은 아름다운 여동생을 찾습니다,” said Lady, smiling at the young woman.

“Thanks Lady,” she replied, “You look great too. Glob, I’m so nervous.” Lady nodded understandingly.

“당신은 잘 할 거 야, 걱정하지 마십시오,” she said.

“You’re right, Lady, thanks,” replied Princess Bubblegum. She could hardly believe that she was going to get married and the thought made little bubbles of happiness stir within her. They reached the altar.

“We are gathered here today, on this happy and joyous occasion, to join this vampire and this candy person in holy matrimony,” said the pastor, “Marriage is a solemn institution to be held in honour by all, it is the cornerstone of the family and of the community. It requires of those who undertake it a complete and unreserved giving of one's self. It is not to be entered into lightly, as marriage is a sincere and mutual commitment to love one another. This commitment symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives and still enhances the individuality of each of you.” Princess Bubblegum glanced over at Marceline and smiled. Marceline smiled back.

“Marceline Sanguis Abadeer, do you take Bonnibel Dulcis Bubblegum to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?” said the pastor, looking at Marceline.

Marceline swallowed nervously. “I do,” she said.
The pastor turned to the Princess. “Bonnibel Dulcis Bubblegum, do you take Marceline Sanguis Abadeer to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?” he said.

“I do,” said Princess Bubblegum, smiling. Marceline took the ring and placed it on Princess Bubblegum’s finger and Princess Bubblegum did the same to Marceline.

“You may now kiss the bride,” said the pastor. Marceline turned to Princess Bubblegum and lifted the veil over her head. Princess Bubblegum smiled as she put her arms around Marceline. They kissed lovingly beneath the moonlit sky and the congregation clapped and cheered.

“And upon this day two great kingdoms shall also join,” said the Pastor as they turned to face the congregation, hand-in-hand, “The Vampire Kingdom in the Dark Domain and the Candy Kingdom in Ooo. May both kingdoms continue to prosper.” A group of candy people dressed in military uniform stepped forward. “On behalf of the Candy Kingdom we swear allegiance to the United Kingdoms,” they said, bending down on one knee and raising their swords to the sky.

“And on behalf of the Vampire Kingdom we swear allegiance to the United Kingdoms,” added the vampires, bending down on one knee and raising their swords.

“And we will rule justly and fairly, always on the side of our people,” said Marceline, unsheathing her sword and raising it above her head. The congregation cheered. Princess Bubblegum tossed her bouquet into the crowd. Jake stretched up and caught it, presenting it to Lady Rainicorn who blushed, giggling. “I think it’s clear whose wedding we’ll be attending next,” said Marceline. Princess Bubblegum nodded with a smile.

After the ceremony they made their way over to the area around the lemonade fountain. Here a dance floor had been laid out along with several long tables groaning with food. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline took a seat at one of the long tables in between Lady Rainicorn and Finn. Finn got up, taking out a small sheet of paper.

“It’s not every day you get to see two of your best friends finding the best sort of happiness in life and it couldn’t have happened to two nicer people,” he began, “PB, Marcy, I’m truly glad to call you both my friends and I wish you all the happiness and hard rocking adventure that life has to offer. I’m still rather new to the idea of being best man but I’m really glad and I feel honoured that you chose me. Thank you.” He sat down and they all clapped. It astounded both the Princess and the Vampire Queen how much Finn had grown up, even in the last year.

Next it was Lady’s turn and she made a speech in Korean that Jake translated. She wished them both well and asked them to take good care of each other and that she already knew they would. She spoke of how she had known the princess since she was a child and Princess Bubblegum blushed heavily at some of the stories she told from her childhood. Marceline put her arm around Princess Bubblegum who smiled, leaning her head on Marceline’s shoulder.

The first course was served up and they all began eating. There was much chatter amongst the tables. Finn was telling adventure stories while LSP gossiped in a loud voice. Ice King and his penguins had taken up almost an entire table. Gunter was sitting on the table, happily stuffing his face with fish. Jake and Lady were curled up together at one of the tables, enjoying one another’s company.

After the dishes were cleared away it was time for the first dance. Marceline led Princess Bubblegum onto the dance floor, a smile on her face and a loving look in her eyes. The music started up slow as they twirled around the dance floor. Princess Bubblegum rested her head on Marceline’s chest and Marceline gazed at her princess. She like how those words sounded, her princess, hers and hers alone. The first song ended and another, faster tune started. One by one the guests overcame their shyness and joined the two monarchs on the dance floor. Gunter was breakdancing in the centre of the dance floor while several others, including the Ice King, cheered. Finn and Jake were performing dance moves every bit as unique as their personalities while BMO did the robot.

The celebrations went on late into the night until it was time for everyone to say their goodbyes before making their way home.

“Hey babe,” said Marceline, taking the Princess’ hand, “It’s a little late. What do you say we head up to bed?” Princess Bubblegum blushed a little at this, catching the vampire’s suggestion. She kissed Marceline affectionately.

“After you,” she said.

Author's Note: When I made up Princess Bubblegum and Marceline's middle names I used latin words for sweet and blood respectively. I adore latin and I think it makes for some great names.