Chapter 2: A Day in the Candy Kingdom

A few days had passed since Xander joined Finn and Jake, and life in the Land of Ooo had quickly returned to its usual rhythm of fun, adventure, and occasional chaos. With Xander tagging along, things were different but in a good way. He seemed to fit in with them seamlessly, though Finn still wondered about his past.

On this particular morning, the trio found themselves once again heading to the Candy Kingdom, but this time for a more relaxed visit. After the excitement of battling the lava beast, Princess Bubblegum had invited them back to discuss some of her latest experiments—and Xander was intrigued by her scientific mind.

"You think PB will figure out anything about those glowing tattoos of yours?" Finn asked, walking alongside Xander.

"Maybe," Xander replied thoughtfully. "She's clearly brilliant. But even if she doesn't, it's still worth seeing how things work around here. The Land of Ooo is… fascinating."

Jake floated beside them in his usual laid-back form. "Fascinating? Try delicious. We're headed to the Candy Kingdom, man! You gotta try some of the food this time. I'm telling you, it's the best."

Xander smiled slightly, his serious demeanor softening. "Alright, Jake. I'll try something today."

When they arrived at the gates of the Candy Kingdom, the guards let them in with a friendly wave. Finn had been here so often that the Candy People treated him like one of their own. As they entered the courtyard, the sweet scent of candy filled the air, and the colorful streets buzzed with activity.

"Ah, Finn, Jake!" Princess Bubblegum called from the balcony of her castle. She hurried down to greet them. "You guys made it! And Xander, it's great to see you again."

Xander nodded in return. "Likewise. I was hoping you could help me understand these tattoos."

Bubblegum's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I've been thinking about it ever since we last met. They're definitely not something I've seen in Ooo before. If you're up for it, we can run some tests to see what kind of energy they're emitting."

Xander nodded. "I'm ready."

Jake, hovering nearby, yawned. "While you guys do that, I'm gonna grab some snacks. Want anything, Finn?"

"Maybe later, Jake," Finn replied. "I'm gonna stick with Xander for now."

With that, they followed Bubblegum into her lab, which was filled with all sorts of gadgets, potions, and strange inventions. Xander observed everything with quiet interest, taking in the sight of a world so different from his own.

Bubblegum guided him to a large machine that emitted a low hum. "Alright, Xander. Just stand here while I run a few scans." She adjusted her goggles and began typing away on her console.

As the machine activated, a soft blue light scanned over Xander's body. His tattoos glowed faintly in response, causing Bubblegum to raise an eyebrow.

"Huh… interesting," she murmured, her eyes glued to the readouts. "There's definitely something unusual here. Your tattoos are emitting an energy signature I can't quite identify. It's not magic, at least not like the kind we're used to in Ooo."

Finn watched from the side, curious. "What do you think it is?"

Bubblegum sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's hard to say without more information. This energy feels… ancient. Like it's tied to something far older than the kingdoms we know."

Xander remained calm, though inwardly he wasn't surprised. "I've lived with these markings for as long as I can remember. They were given to me a long time ago. And they've always felt connected to something… beyond."

Bubblegum adjusted her glasses, clearly fascinated. "Well, whatever they are, they're impressive. Your ability to summon that sword so effortlessly—there's got to be a deep source of power within you."

Xander nodded but remained quiet. He wasn't ready to share everything about his past just yet. For now, he wanted to focus on learning more about Ooo and the people who lived here.

Just then, Jake burst into the lab, his arms full of candy. "Hey, you guys! You gotta try these caramel delights. PB's kitchen staff really nailed it this time."

Finn chuckled. "We're kind of in the middle of something, Jake."

Bubblegum smiled, turning away from the console. "Actually, that's all I can do for now. I'll need more time to analyze the data."

Xander gave a small nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Princess."

"Of course," Bubblegum replied. "And if you ever want to continue your research, feel free to come by the lab anytime."

After leaving the lab, the trio wandered around the kingdom, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Xander seemed to grow more comfortable with every passing day, his stoic nature softening as he spent more time with Finn and Jake.

As they strolled through the marketplace, Finn couldn't help but notice the way people were looking at Xander. His glowing tattoos and quiet strength seemed to draw attention wherever they went.

"Man, you're getting a lot of looks," Finn said with a laugh. "I guess glowing runes aren't something people see every day."

Jake smirked. "Yeah, Xander's like the cool mysterious guy. People love that stuff."

Xander chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm just trying to fit in."

As they walked, they passed by Marceline, who was floating casually near one of the candy stalls. She spotted Finn and Jake, then her gaze shifted to Xander.

"Well, well, well," Marceline said with a grin, floating down toward them. "If it isn't Finn and Jake. And… a new face?"

"Hey, Marceline!" Finn waved. "This is Xander. He's been adventuring with us lately."

Marceline floated around Xander, sizing him up. "Nice to meet you, Xander. Those glowing tattoos are pretty rad. You some kind of magical dude?"

Xander smiled slightly. "You could say that."

Marceline's eyes sparkled with interest. "Cool. Well, if you ever want to hang out, hit me up. I could show you some neat spots in Ooo."

Xander nodded politely. "I'll take you up on that."

Finn couldn't help but chuckle. "Looks like you've already made an impression, Xander."

Marceline smirked. "What can I say? I like mysterious guys." She floated off with a wave, leaving Finn, Jake, and Xander to continue exploring.

By the time the sun was setting, the trio had returned to the treehouse, tired but happy after a long day in the Candy Kingdom.

As they sat on the porch, watching the sky change colors, Finn turned to Xander. "So, what do you think of Ooo so far?"

Xander, his tattoos softly glowing in the fading light, gave a small smile. "It's a good place. Different from anywhere I've been before."

Jake stretched out on the grass. "Yeah, Ooo's pretty sweet. And with you on board, things are only gonna get more awesome."

Xander nodded, his smile growing. He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was exactly where he needed to be.