Prologue

Prince Barnaby Gumball shifted slightly under the large oak tree near the garden square. His biology book along with his notes were spread across his lap. As he got closer to discovering the perfect solution for his new solvent, the wind scattered the papers. "Ah!" He exclaimed, chasing them like butterflies with his small, eight year old legs. A few of them floated too high for him to reach, falling straight into the palms of an older boy.

Gumball gawked at him in awe. He was a slender,blue skinned boy, with sleek black hair that was contained under a sun hat. The boy appeared significantly older than he, looking to be about 19. But when he gave the little boy a smirk, he almost seemed boyish. "Looking for these?" He muttered coolly.

"Oh yes, thank you!" He said, rather excited this stranger decided to be so kind. He stretched his arms wide, trying to grab the papers from the taller man's grasp. Unfortunately, he floated out of reach. "Hey!" Gumball pouted. The elder rolled his eyes and held them out.

"Here." When reaching out again, they were pulled just out of grasp.

"Oh you- you-.. You buttlicker!" He shouted. Immediately as the words left his lips, he felt awful. He was prince! He shan't say things like that. Oh mother and father were going to certainly punish him! The prince was brought back to reality when the man in front of him began to float upside down in his face.

"Now now, haven't you ever heard the saying "respect your elders" He smiled widely, barring fangs. The younger didn't bat an eyelash, except to tear up. Suddenly they wouldn't stop coming.

"I'm so very sorry!" He blubbered, pulling the, unbeknownst to him, most feared man in the land, Marshall Lee the Vampire King, into a fierce hug. Marshall's cheeks lit up like strawberries as he returned the embrace. In that moment, he felt..strangely happy. As if this one kid, this one little speck of dust, or rather, gum, could make his cheeks burn and his undead heart beat again with one simple wrap of the arms.

When they pulled away, and the notes were back in their rightful place, the King walked his prince back to the garden's gates hand in hand. "Well, before we depart, don't you think it would be appropriate for me to know your name?" Gumball asked, giving a toothy grin.

Marshall once again rolled his eyes, this time at the boy's formal way of speaking. "Marshall Lee." He stated.

"And I'm Barnaby. Barnaby Gumball."

Lee groaned. "We need to fix that lame name." He chuckled at his involuntary rhyming skills. Thinking for a moment, he finally thought of one. "Bubba. It's perfect don't ya think?" The prince blushed.

"Yes, um. Thank you." A bell was rung in the distance. "Oh dear, it appears to be time for lunch." He got ready to make a hasty retreat. "Will I see you again?" The young boy whispered as the guards were coming closer.

"Well Bubba..you see.. I don't think it's best-

"Oi there's a vampire near the prince! Quick, grab him before the freak drains him dry.!" They yelled opening the gates.

The last thing Barnaby remembered was the deep sadness that shone bright in Marshall's eyes as he flew away, briefly glancing back at him once.

As his mother tucked him in later that night, stroking his bubblegum cowlick he asked, "Mother, what's a vampire?" She bit he lip, sudden looking frightened.

"Well dear, they're horrifying creatures who burn in the sun, and suck the blood from our sweet candy skin." She whispered darkly. "So, if you see one, yell for us, or better yet run." She then kissed his forehead and left the room without another word.

He frowned. That didn't seem like Marshall at all. Although, he had only met him once. Gumball sighed and let sleep over take him.