“It’s now, or never.” Laurence said to Marshall, deathly serious.

“Never is a long time.” Marshall said, coming to a decision, opening the door and practically flying down the stairs.

“Show us Marshall.” Simon said, picking up the mirror and rolling his eyes. Of course he'd worry them until the very last minute.

Marshall had finally gotten downstairs and into the entrance hall. “Wait.”

Fionna noticed him, and relief, happiness and love were shown clearly on her face. Marshall pulled her away from Flame Prince and pulled her close. “Fi, I love you. I’ll always love you. You’re perfect.” He said, hoping it wasn't too late, hoping it would all be okay.

“I love you too, Marshall.” She said, smiling and leaning against him.

 "Belle. Come here." Flame Prince snapped, pointing the a spot on the floor right next to him.

Marshall glared at him, holding her close. "I don't think so. Fi's not going with you- not now, not ever."

"Oh really?" Sneered Flame Prince.

"Really." Fionna said, getting her fiery spirit back.

“Oh, Gaston. Why don’t you go back to your fangirls?” Olivia asked, lighting up her hands and smiling sweetly.

“You don’t bother me- witch.” He spat the last word, and Gumball stepped forward, smiling menacingly and cracking his knuckles.

Flame Prince turned his attention back to Fionna and Marshall. “Now, we can do this the nice way,” here he cracked his knuckles, just like Gumball had. “or the painful way.”

 Marshall finally put himself between Flame Prince and Fionna, and growled, “Over my dead body.”

“Oh good. That saves time later.” Flame Prince grinned maniacally.

“Hey! Aragorn! Arwen! He’s going to attack you, not paint your portrait!” Olivia snapped, shooting a green fireball at Gumball.

That spurred them into action. Fionna unsheathed Anduril, and Marshall’s bass seemed to appear in his hands by magic.

Where one was one minute, the other was the next. Dodging and slashing and stabbing, and fighting as they had never fought before.

Flame Prince had drawn his own sword, and was fighting just as hard as they were. In the end, he had lost too much blood and fell over, unconscious and bleeding. Fionna lowered Anduril, panting. Marshall put down his bass and pulled her close.

He put a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re so beautiful...” He said, before all resolve broke down and his lips were crashing down on hers.

“Hey!” Olivia yelled, breaking them out of their kiss. “Less kissing- more helping me! You know what? Never mind- I have an idea...”

She put her hands to her forehead to concentrate more, and Gumball stood perfectly still, a blank look on his face.

Marshall, in the meantime, was transforming back to his usual self. He grinned at Fionna. “I missed this. Being a ‘Dracula’ vampire means no flying, no red, no anything.”

“You still had me.” She said.

“You’re right. And I’ll always have you.” He said, stroking her cheek with his hand, wondering to himself why he had never told her how he felt about her before that day.