In a large room, a group was gathered around a long black table. On the table was a huge map, depicting the Night-o-Sphere, with the Vampire Castle in the center. The group surrounding the table was a…unsavory group, in a word.

The doors flung open to let Marshall and Marceline in. The occupants of the room stood and bowed before meeting at the table. A large minotaur stood at Marshall's right spoke up. "My Lord, there have been reports swarming in that ancient demons are rising from their slumber. Slowly but surely waking." Marshall frowned and examined the map on the table.

"General Jurah, are there specific demons named?" The minotaur shook his head.

"Every scout sent out there has yet to return." Cursing under his breath, the vampire turned to a tall woman.

She stared at him for a moment and then closed her eyes. A moment later she opened them and sighed softly. "My Lord, there are too many factors and variables at this time to See." Marshall nodded.

"Then what is the plan you've conceived so far?" A burly man shuffled some papers and handed them to Marceline.

"That's all we could figure on our own. Unfortunately, from what we've heard from reports, the gathering force is much too strong to actually engage in battle-"

"So you're saying to retreat?" Marceline slammed the papers down angrily, glaring at the group. Some hung their heads and avoided the queen's glare, but a few met her gaze levelly. Jurah cleared his throat. Marcline nodded at him.

"My Lord and Lady, our forces, as mighty as they are, would be no match to the army. We're talking about demons that have been asleep for so long their names are considered myths." He sighed slowly, "The only choice would be to surrender. It would keep causalities to a minimum."

"However," the tall woman spoke up, raising her slender hands "There is one way…" She regarded the King and Queen. "And I believe you know of what I speak." Marceline froze and looked at Marshall Lee. His face paled to a light grey. Grabbing his hand, she looked to the council, anger sparking in her eyes. "There must be another way."

A heated argument was about to ensue when a brisk knock sounded at the door. Marshall straightened and waved the guard to allow the knocker entry. A page stood in the door, wringing his hands anxiously. Marshall nodded, "Yes, what is it?"

The page coughed. "You, u h…have a visitor…Uh, I mean, visitors, Your Highness." Marshall and Marceline glanced at each other. "Send them in."

"There's no need for that, darling." A tall curvy woman entered, kicking the page as she passed.

"Oh, why can't you leave the boy alone for one century, Melissa. Honestly, he should be a man by now." She was followed by an even taller man in a business suit. They appeared similar; both dressed in dark purple suits, the woman in a skirt. Pointed ears and thick black hair, their skin was a pale blue as well.

"Mom?"

"Dad?"

The woman rushed forward and hugged Marshall tightly, squeezing his face into her chest. "Well of course it's us, sweet heart! Were you expecting Death?" She chuckled, tousling his hair. The man snorted.

"Technically, Death is here. We brought him along." The man finally stopped and smiled at Marceline in a sad kind of sweet way. "How are you doing, sweetie?" Marceline sniffed, suddenly tearing up.

"Daddy…"She hugged him tightly. Melissa smiled and kissed Marshall on the forehead. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Well, it was your father's idea. Wasn't it, Howard?" He nodded.

"We got a message a few days ago. 'The forsaken Son has risen,' we had no idea what it meant. But I read up for a while and discovered some…things…" He trailed off and then shook his head, "It doesn't matter. What matters is that we're here to help you. Both of you."

"Marceline, have not cut your hair once while I've been gone? Tch, look at this!" Melissa began fussing with her daughter's hair, ignoring her complaints. "Never mind never mind, let's have some supper and then we shall discuss battle plans!"