After the Mushroom War devastated the world, the world found themselves without law and order. For many generations, the new races of the world scavenged what they could out of the rubble, but it would not be long before this ran out. Soon, people found they had to grow their own food, and others came to share in their bounty and worked around them. As these places grew, so did the population, and the leftover citizens would dedicate themselves to the crafts, arts, or to defending their homes.
But who would lead the people? Who would protect them, and inspire them in times of darkness? The oldest families of these lands with the kindest of hearts or the fiercest of fists were chosen by the people to rule them, and their children, and their children's children would uphold the traditions and laws set out by their councils.
Thus came the kingdoms of Ooo, from the forever burning lands of the Fire Kingdom, to the bitter cold of Ice Kingdom, or the fruitful forests of the Wild-berry Kingdom, to the delicious wonder of the Candy Kingdom; to name a few.
It was some three-hundred years after the collapse of civilisation, that civilisation began once again, and it prospered in peace. To celebrate, the generous Candy Kingdom's King Chocolate Topping and Queen Ice Cream announced to the lands that they would be holding a royal ball for all of Ooo's royalty, esteemed, and heroes to partake in.
And who should catch wind of this ball? None other than Marceline the Vampire Queen. She had held the role for some time now, as she was unmatched in power because of her half-demon heritage. Still, a rogue vampire may challenge her every now and then merely for the title, but Marceline was in her vampire prime. It surprised her how the last three hundred years had passed as they did. It also blew her away how fast things could go from a chaotic wasteland, back into a utopia. She liked that she got to see the progress of it all, all the new species and creatures accelerating in their mutation into the different peoples.
In those days, Marceline took her role a little more seriously. She had an image to uphold, vampire clans to conquer, gangs to deal with. That's how it was in the underworld - organised chaos. She lived in a castle then, and people steered clear of it, knowing it to inhabit vampires.
You can imagine her surprise when she received an invitation from a candy messenger, asking for her attendance to the royal gathering. She almost threw it out, but decided to go instead, to have fun causing mischief if anything else. A part of her missed the company of goody-two-shoes candy people.
She considered rocking up in jeans, just to smite the dress code, but decided against this in case they would deny her admission. In the week leading up to the ball, she managed to find a dress that would have reminded you of Morticia from 'The Addams Family', except Marceline adjusted the bottom so that it was a mullet dress, so she could show off her spiked, laced high-heels. She also managed to find a gothic tiara in some treasure she had stolen a while ago. It was small, but it's ten points were thin and sharp. It was made out of silver, and had a blood red ruby below middle spike.
She barely recognised herself the afternoon before she went to the ball. She didn't feel like herself. She was happy in something loose, and casual. But, she decided that if she was going to look pretty at least once every hundred years, this would be the occasion.
She summoned horses of demonic fire from the underworld to pull her carriage, for she had to stay in it until the sun had set fully. She would be fashionably late, but at least she would not be burnt by the sun.
She arrived in the Candy Kingdom around 8 o'clock. She drew back the shades of her window, and looked down to all the terrified candy people staring at her demonic horses. When a crowd caught sight of her face, she bulged her eyes out and hissed, and laughed at their screams.
Soon, she was parked in front of the palace. Apparently, everyone else had decided to arrive fashionably late too, for she was behind three carriages, waiting to get out.
When it was her turn, a lollypop servant nervously opened her door.
"An-n-nouncing, Marceline Abadeer, the V-V-Vampire Queen," said the lollipop servant as Marceline stepped out.
Marceline spun around to the servant, and showed off her fangs, "How dare you speak my last name, pest! It's Marceline the Vampire Queen. Rhyme!"
The lollipop servant screamed and ran away, with Marceline smiling at it's terror. She gave a giggle, and looked up to see she had wrecked the nerve of a couple of princesses. Marceline gave a sigh, and floated into the ballroom, with cautious eyes following her in. Queen Ice Cream, who was standing to greet her guests at the door, was unnerved by Marceline.
"Ah, Marceline, I thought you wouldn't come," said Queen Ice Cream.
"Why did you invite me, anyways?"
"Why shouldn't I invite you? All of Ooo's finest are invited!"
Marceline chewed on the inside of her cheek, "Right."
"Don't be afraid to try some of the tarts, I'm sure you'll love the red jam and strawberries. I'm this close to making the perfect tart," said Queen Ice Cream, and she went to greet the next guest.
Marceline wasn't too phased about Queen Ice Cream's laxness towards her. When she was just a princess, Queen Ice Cream was a lot of fun. They used to jam out together, and get up to loads of crazy stuff. But then she grew up, and got married, and she didn't have time for Marceline anymore. It was the course of life for Marceline. Meet people when they are fun. Go away when they grow up. She was beginning to tire of it.
