Love Bites!

Some time to play keeps the doctor away!

It was beautiful day outside in the land of Aaa, the sun was shining down upon the glistening walls of the candy kingdom, the candy people laughed and talked as they walked in their bubbly brisk pace on the warm peanut brittle sidewalks. It was indeed an amazingly gorgeous day, yet here he sat fumbling with paperwork and mumbling to himself about how the Hug-wolves hadn't been staying in their territory. Again. Ever since they were chased away from their last hang out they've been hanging around the candy kingdom, unfortunately making his subjects extremely uncomfortable. He shifted irritably  in his chair.
"I am going to have to inform Fiona and Cake about this" and with a sigh he continued to stand.
Bothering them with these problems was the last thing we wanted to do; but sense she was always in the mood for a "good fight" and they were such great friends he decided to send a message to her. Just before he ordered his peppermint maid to send word out that he requested to speak with them, he stopped. It had been a while sense he last saw the world outside his lab an bedroom. Perhaps it was time to go out and greet everyone like a good prince.
"I will be going out myself to address them peppermint" the price stated as he pulled his arms through his lab coat and set it on the back of his chair.
"Goody!" She chirped cheerfully, clasping her hands together. "Time to play keeps the doctor away!"
He chuckled after the woman left, glancing around in an attempt to locate his Fuchsia overcoat. Smiling he whispered to himself something along the lines of " I don't believe that is exactly how that saying goes but you're probably right" before waltzing to the window. His beautiful Onyx stallion awaited his master among the roses in the garden. Gumball lifted his cane, a old thing gifted to his father many centuries before it had come into his possession, and began tapping it along the balcony railing. The thick candy barely rumbled as he continued the morose code call for his steed. Without fail Monochrome answered the call. Quickly he greeted the creature, informing him that he needed to be on his way toward Fiona and Cakes residence immediately. With those instructions off  the duo went;  springing from the balcony through the clear blue sky. It indeed was sunny, it blinded him as he glided through the sky and over all of the candy houses. He grinned to himself, his hand cupped over his eyes as he glanced from subject to subject. He wanted to protect them and the fatherly urge only grew stronger inside him when he saw their smiling faces.
Soon they landed in front of the mix matched tree house. Striding up to the door with all the princely confidence he could muster, he knocked. " Fi? Are you home I wish to speak with you. It's -" suddenly the door was swung open and there, standing was Cake, hand on hip smiling the most goofy smile a feline of her stature could give. "Well whatcha' doing in the doorway sugar? Come on in!"
Thanking her Gumball stepped in. "I'm sorry if I'm inter-" but alas he was cut off again "You wasn't interrupting nothing baby doll don't worry" he smiled. Cake was as wild as any other creature but she sure had a caring heart. "I came here to ask something of you, you see there is a problem in the kingdom concerning Hug-wolves and as I understand you've dealt with them before?"
Suddenly Fiona's voice broke out from the kitchen. "Cake! Who is it?"
Cake sighed "Fi it's Gumball it looks like he needs our help" Thats all the feline was able to get out before stomping interrupted her. The sound of running feet was heard against hard wood flooring and before he knew it Gumball was being hugged so tightly he almost couldn't breath. The short girl pressed her face into his back and practically squeezed the air out of him. He batted her away as he wheezed, turning to where he could see her for a more proper hug.
"So... what can I do ya for gummy? Something wrong?" but again before he could get any chance to speak Cake had filled her in on the problem. "I've been looking for a chance to kick butt all week of course I'll help you man!" The young blond chimed with happiness. The funny thing was she said that whenever the prince came to her. She was always looking for a chance to "kick butt". With that being said that was the type of strong woman she was and gumball cared about her regardless of how irrationally violent her tendencies could be.
"Thank you so much Fiona you don't know how grateful I am!" He hugged her gently once again, this time it was more of a bro hug then an I-haven't-seen-you- in- four- months type of hug. "Of course man! Anytime!"
Gumball pardoned himself, bidding the girls a lovely day. They tried to get him to stay but he insisted they meet the following day for strategic plans on how they would solve the problem. As he was leaving he called for Monochrome once again, the same tapping and the same old cane. A blur of pitch black blocked the sun for a moment before landing at the princes feet. He turned and waved to the girls who seemed now deep in conversation. Just as the man was about to head back to his kingdom he heard Fiona say something about Marshall lee pinning for a good fight for a while too. The prince stopped, balling his fists. It wasn't as if he disliked Marshall Lee, only the things that he did. But if it would get rid of the problems in the kingdom and with his subjects then so be it. After all, Fiona was a strong and independent woman, if she needed another person around then surly it was for a good reason. He trusted her judgement and made a quick exit.
The very next day Fiona and cake arrived at the castle to make preparations for "Hug-wolf hunting" As they called it. It was suggested they use someone as bait to get their attention and then they would be able to round them up all at once; making it easy. Of course Gumball was against the idea. The entire ideology of putting even one of his subjects in danger Prompted a quick "no". Fiona said she would rather just kick their butts when they got there, but that left a window for some to get away and come back later, and even angrier. "What about your people pumpkin; where we gonna put ' 'em all? An who're we gonna tfind willin' to be "bait" if ya ain't willing to have someone from your kingdom do it?" Cake questioned jumping from Fiona's shoulder. "I'll ask them all to come to the castles ball room for an "important announcement" so no one will be outside and you guys can do your thing" he stated this cheerfully as if he had been up the entirety of the night thing of the scenario.
"Well who's going to be the bait? I mean you're not going to let any of your subjects do it man so-" Gumball let out a loud sigh cutting her off  "Yes yes! You're right I wouldn't, so you're going to have to use me. I won't have my people endangered. The entire point of this endeavor was for their protection"
The adventurers  glanced at each other in surprise. It was the first time neither of them had something to say. "I-I mean..no way man! I can't let you do that you might get hurt!" Cake nodded in agreement. "Look lady's it's almost dark and like you said I won't let one of my candy subjects be the prime target for these monsters! I promise I can protect myself, and besides..If worse comes to worse...I am a fast runner" they sighed in unison this time, wanting to argue further but knowing he wouldn't budge."Ah.. darn it Gumball okay! But keep your sword close to ya and don't hesitate to yell for either of us!" And that was that.
Dark came quickly and most of the candy kingdoms people had already gathered in the ball room for the "important announcement". Gumball had the chef prepare snacks for everyone so they would be able to chat and eat and hopefully keep themselves busy for long enough. He smiled at the room full of people, he really cared for them so much, he not once regretted being the prince, even of it came with a ton of paper work. He snuck away from the crowd making his way to the side of the castle where Fiona and cake were supposed to be waiting, sure enough there they were. "Okay so Gumball you remember the plan right? Walk out into the street and try to make a lot of noise" he nodded at them and turned on his heel before striding toward the main bridge of the candy kingdom, about halfway there he started to hum, gradually making it get louder as he walked. He broke into a nervous sweat with the feeling he was being watched. His palms began to shake and he started looking around. "heh" a gruff voice laughed stopping the prince in his tracks "you look nervous, maybe you need" Gumball quickly turned with a yelp as the pack of wolves lunged for him "A HUG" they screeched in unison, he fell back fumbling with his sword until he dropped it. The pack was just about on with when he felt his self being lifted into the air. His heart was pounding out of his chest "O-oh my glob oh my glob!" He mumbled into his protecters chest "thank you so much I-" "no problem bubba" a cocky voice said through a undeniable smirk. He then knew who it was; Marshall lee the vampire king. Marshall set him down on his balcony "sorry I'm late" he said then slyly added "your majesty" Gumball tried to compose himself but to no avail. "the..the girls are they?"
" Fi and the cat? Yeah, yeah just fine. In fact they're having fun with out me!" The vampire chuckled "Now that the damsel in distress is safe I'll be going. Bye budda" he winked and leaped from the railing. It took the gummy prince a few moments to compose himself. He wasn't prepared at all, if he had been then surly he could have done something other then fall to the floor.
Prince Gumball sighed and began his walk to the ball room in order to announce that he was sorry to keep everyone late and the real reason everyone was there was because he was throwing a surprise royal party for each and every person as a treat. He frowned at the thought of lying to the candy people and that he had to be saved but found himself thankful it was marshall who did even if he didn't know why, perhaps it was their past together? Maybe it was because Fiona is a girl and that's a bit embarrassing, not that she was female of course only the fact that he was always being saved and never got to return the favor. She wasn't a princess though, and he could understand that she wasn't judging him at all for needing help sometimes.
The prince sighed and looked up at the stars. "Perhaps.. Marshall isn't such a bad guy after all"