Chapter Text
The year was wrapping up as the Candy Kingdom's rebuilding completed. As well as the Fire Kingdom and Gumbaldia. Kingman and his peeps were sent back to Mars, with stipulations on their movements - they were no longer allowed to donk up other kingdoms or get involved with Ooo politics again. However, last I checked, relations between Ooo and Mars were improving and a healthy trade route of potatoes was set up.
The Slime Princess and her subjects were sent to work on the badlands, replanting trees and other conservation efforts. Eventually SP and PB were able to patch things up. Not without one last Slime versus Candy duel… which ended in a tie and I had to take care of their injured butts for a week.
And for Lemongrab, no one has seen him. Even after searching for him in the Lemongrab kingdom and surrounding areas he is still MIA. Princess insisted we leave him be, and doesn't think him to be a threat. But maybe she is also feeling a little sentimental towards her former heir and son.
LSP and Lump Space Kingdom agreed to take in all the prisoners, especially the Legion of Ex Haters. Essentially turned them into lumps, which all turned into LSP’s harem of lumpy boyfriends. According to Mareceline, Lumpy Space still threw the best parties.
Abracadanial eventually moved back to Wizard City. He was excited to become the hero for the Wizard City, but when he got an invitation to work at the Wizard School, he donked up and ended up becoming a custodian staff. Stil, as a A-Rank Wizard he would occasionally go on special missions, linking up with HW and Death when appropriate.
Speaking of Huntress Wizard, she took up full residence in the Spiritual Forest and became the guardian of the dark forbidden stream. Every now and then, she would come into town for Open Mics sometimes at Dirt Beer Guy’s Cavern and we would grab drinks together with LSP and Turtle Princess. Finn still carried a bit of a flame for her and visited often. Still no labels, but a passionate affair for many years.
Marceline and Bubblegum are still going strong, but not without its ups and downs. Marcy just couldn’t deal with being cooped up running the kingdom and much to the Princess’ dismay, the Vampire Queen moved out of the castle and returned to her house in the cavern. PB couldn’t stay away for too long, and started to spend more and more time at Marceline’s house. In fact, I’m seeing her less and less in the castle itself. Which is a good thing, I guess?
Then there was Simon. He was also staying at the castle for a while and we became pretty good friends. However, the poor guy couldn’t shake the past. He still wanted to bring back Betty, and couldn’t let go. He eventually moved out of the castle and joined the Humans in the city they built above the Grasslands. I rarely saw him these days, but whenever I did I would feel my heart flutter just a little bit.
And then, there was me. I guess a year into being a Court Physician, not much has changed for me. Every day, I treat candies in the Candy Kingdom, and I get a coffee from the vending machine. Sometimes, I think I ought to go to medical school and actually get a medical degree, but it also seems too late for that. I still keep the photo of me and Peps at Ooopalooza on my desk and think about that time we shared so long ago. The Princess said that she would not stop looking for a cure. For me though, even if he didn’t turn back to his old self, I was just happy he was still alive.
Then one day, I was leaving work and on my walk through the garden towards the castle gate, I saw Peppermint Butler. He had grown a little taller from when I saw him last. “Hello,” he said politely, bowing his head. “Good evening, Doctor.”
“Good evening, Peps. How are things?”
“Truth is, my mothers are sending me away to boarding school. I’m going to study magic at the academy in Wizard City. I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”
“I see… Are you nervous about being away from home?”
“Nah, I’ve been wanting to go ever since I was little mint to hone in on my magic skills. After all, I’m going to become the most powerful wizard in Ooo! Everyone will cower in fear at the mention of my name! I will be able to protect the Princess, and everyone in the Candy Kingdom, you’ll see!”
“Of course. I know you will become great and do great things someday.”
“Um, Doctor!” Peps said suddenly, “Would you visit me sometime in Wizard City? I’m sure that Abracadaniel would like to hang out with you too, like old times sake, you know...”
He was blushing a little, like the shy adolescent candy that he was. I did my best to ignore it, especially because he was way too young for me. “Sure thing,” I said with a smile, while keeping it professional, “I’ll be sure to give you a medical checkup while I’m at it. You are the one true heir to the Candy Kingdom afterall. We gotta make sure you’re in the best health.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome, Peps.”
And with a friendly handshake shake, we parted. Since then, I haven’t seen him or heard from him in a long time, but I’m sure he is doing well. I’m sure he will reach his goal, no doubt about it.
This is where I’ll leave things. I’m never fond of endings or goodbyes. Sometimes there isn’t any happily ever after. I’m sure that things happen for a reason. And we definitely happened and I’ll never forget. It was pretty sweet.
FIN