Here we hear the hum of machinery filling the air as Danny, Sam, Tucker , and Marcella  stand in the Fenton Lab. The room is dimly lit, with eerie green hues from the glowing ectoplasmic containers and machinery.

Danny: Alright, Marcy. Let's see what you've got. Just don’t break anything... again.

Marcella: No promises, Little Phantom.

Marcella  raises her hand and fires a sharp, icy-blue beam at Sam. Sam yelps and narrowly dodges as the beam crystallizes part of the wall.

Sam: *Annoyed* Hey! What is wrong with you?! You almost turned me into a gothsicle!

Marcella : *Laughing, playfully aims another shot* C'mon, Sunshine, think of it as carnival practice. Y'know, like one of those duck shooting galleries! *Fires another beam, making Sam dive behind a table.*

Danny: *Surprised, dodging a stray ice beam*

Wait, since when could you do that?!

Marcella: *Shrugs* Ever since I got these ghost powers. *Grins as she flicks her wrist, creating another beam in her palm.* Didn’t I mention that?

Tucker, intrigued, rushes over with his speed gun.

Tucker : *Excitedly*Okay, let’s see what else you got. How about a speed test?

Danny: *Crosses arms, smirks*You’re on.

Danny and Marcella  take off at the Same time, zipping around the lab. They start off neck and neck, but suddenly, Marcella  blurs forward with incredible speed. The moment she passes Tucker , his speed gun sparks and explodes.

Tucker : *Staring at the smoking device* Whoa… Okay, new record.

Sam: *Arms crossed, unimpressed* Great. Now there’s two things faster than Danny. This and the amount of brain cells you lose every time you break something.

Marcella: *Duplication Activated – Smirks at her clone* Well, technically, three.

Marcella ’s duplicate materializes beside her, both striking the Same confident pose.

Danny: *Blinking in disbelief* You can duplicate yourself too?!

Tucker : *Whistles* Man, is there anything she can't do?

Sam: *Dryly* Yeah, be less annoying.

Marcella and her duplicate turn to each other, dramatically posing and admiring one another.

Marcella  & DUPLICATE: *In sync, smugly*

Damn, we look good.

Danny and Tucker  facepalm while Sam groans.

Tucker: *Excitedly* Alright, let’s test your firepower next.

Marcella flies over to the ecto-filtrator, which is full once again. She picks it up with one hand and uncaps it.

Danny: *Concerned* Wait—Marcy, what are you doing?

Marcella : *Grinning, fangs glinting* Recharging.

She tilts the container and takes a deep drink of the glowing ectoplasm. The liquid pulses with energy as her red eyes glow brighter. A satisfied sigh escapes her lips as she licks away the residue.

Marcella : *Smug, satisfied* Mmm… now that’s the stuff.

Sam: *Disgusted, gagging slightly* Ugh, gross. That is so wrong on so many levels.

Danny: *Shocked realization* Wait a second. If ectoplasm makes ghosts stronger, then—

Tucker:  *Connecting the dots, awed* That means the more she drinks, the stronger she gets!

Marcella: *Winks, rolling her shoulders as energy crackles around her* Bingo.

Danny: *Frowning, arms crossed* When did this start happening?

Marcella : *Shrugging, tossing the empty filtrator aside* Dunno. Maybe after I had a taste of your ecto-infused blood? Or maybe when I decided to test a little theory and drink straight ectoplasm yesterday. Either way, it’s kinda handy. But don’t worry, Phantom—I don’t overdo it. Wouldn’t wanna get hooked or anything.

Sam: *Sarcastic, muttering* Oh yeah, sure, no addiction red flags there.

Marcella  suddenly fires a powerful ecto-blast at a nearby cardboard ghost cutout, obliterating it. Several other cutouts appear, and she rapidly takes them out with pinpoint accuracy.

Danny: *Watching in awe, arms dropping to his sides* Okay… that was insane.

Tucker : *Eyes wide, nudging Danny* Dude, she's even stronger than you now.

Sam: *Crossing arms, unimpressed but lowkey worried* Great. As if she wasn’t already a handful.

Marcella  stretches, cracking her knuckles with a grin.

Marcella : *Smirks* Well, Sunshine, better get used to it. I’m just getting started.

The bell rings as the students file out of their classrooms. Danny, Sam, Tucker , and Marcella  walk through the hallway, heading to their lockers. Marcella , with her arms crossed, strolls with a confident smile. Sam, still holding her test papers, is grumbling, her brow furrowed in frustration.

Sam: *ranting* I can't believe this! Marcella  passed with a 300 and all she did was doodle a smiley face on her answer sheet! Meanwhile, I—I—only got a hundred!

Tucker : *teasing* Maybe she has a supernatural gift for tests... or just a supernatural amount of arrogance.

Danny: *laughing nervously* Hey, let’s not forget, she’s a ghost now. Maybe that helps?

Marcella  simply shrugs, cool and collected. The scene briefly flashes back to earlier.

Danny, Sam, Tucker , and Marcella  walk down the hallway, heading to their lockers after finishing their test. Marcella  is casually walking, humming to herself, a smug smile on her face.

Sam: *ranting, annoyed* I can't believe you got a 300, Marcella . A 300!! I only got a 100 and I actually studied!

Flashback

The classroom is silent as students are taking their test. Marcella  is doodling a smiley face on her test sheet, clearly not concerned. Sam is furiously scribbling her answers, trying her best to focus.

Mr. Lancer: *after the bell rings, collecting the papers* Alright, class, let me grade these quickly.

Cut to Mr. Lancer flipping through the papers and pausing at Marcella ’s. He frowns, raising an eyebrow.

Mr. Lancer: *shocked* Uh, Marcella , you got a... 300?

The class reacts in disbelief, their eyes wide as they see the smiley face on Marcella ’s answer sheet.

Sam: *facepalming* A smiley face?

Marcella : *with confusion* Wait, that was a test?

Flashback ends

The group is back at their lockers. Marcella  is looking down at something, holding her silver locket. She seems a bit distant, her aquamarine eyes clouded with grief. Sam notices and her curiosity piques.

Sam: *squinting at Marcella * Okay, seriously... Why does she always look at that locket like that? Is something going on?

Danny: *hesitant* I... I don’t know, Sam. I think it’s personal.

Tucker : *nodding* Yeah, I’m not going to pry. It could be really personal to her.

Sam: *frowning, reaching for the locket* Well, it’s not like we’re gonna get answers if we don’t ask, right?

Before Sam can touch it, Marcella  suddenly whips around, her eyes flashing a bright red.

Marcella : *snapping, dangerously* Don’t. Touch. My locket.

Sam flinches, startled by the sudden outburst, but Marcella  quickly calms down.

Sam: *fearfully, nodding quickly* Okay, okay, noted! No touching the locket!

Marcella : *sighing, trying to cool her tone*

Sorry... just don’t touch it, okay?

Danny, looking concerned but understanding, speaks up.

Danny: Maybe... Maybe it’s time to tell them, Marcella ?

Marcella  looks at her locket, her expression softening with a deep sigh. She nods, then motions for the group to follow her.

Marcella : Follow me. I’ll tell you... all of it.

They follow her into the nearby janitor's closet, the small room echoing with their footsteps as the door shuts behind them.

Marcella  steps into the small, dimly lit room, and looks at the three of them, her face more serious than they’ve ever seen.

Sam: *urgently* Alright, spill it. Why is that locket so important to you?

Marcella  takes a deep breath, then opens the locket, revealing a photo inside. Sam and Tucker  both gasp in surprise. It’s a woman who looks almost exactly like Paulina—only this woman is wearing Roman-era clothing, a distinctly different time period.

Marcella : *with a sad smile, her voice thick with emotion* This is Paula Sandu. My wife... from over 100,000 years ago.

Tucker: *surprised, looking closely at the picture* Wait... she looks just like Paulina!

Marcella : *nodding solemnly* That’s because Paulina is her reincarnation.

Sam: *eyes wide, shaking her head* Reincarnation? No way. There’s no way Paulina is that Paula!

Tucker : *pulling up a picture of Paulina on his PDA* Hold on. Let’s check this out.

Tucker  holds up the picture of Paulina, comparing it to the one of Paula Sandu. Sam stares at both for a moment, her jaw dropping as she sees the striking resemblance.

Sam: *shocked, whispering* You’re right... they are identical.

Marcella  smirks at Sam’s reaction.

Marcella : Told you. Paulina is my Paula’s reincarnation.

Sam crosses her arms, still skeptical.

Sam: So... What happened to Paula? Why did she have to die?

Marcella ’s face darkens, her voice bitter as she remembers the pain.

Marcella : *with a harsh tone* She was killed by Izzy Manson.

Sam: *eyes narrowing, confused* Wait—Izzy? My Granddad?

Marcella  sneers at the name, her hands tightening into fists.

Marcella : *bitterly* Yes. Your grandfather.

Sam: *defensive* My Granddad was an inventor, not some... vampire hunter!

Marcella : *mocking tone* He was both. And to make matters worse, after killing Paula, he sealed me away in a crypt. I vowed to kill every Manson I could find to exact my revenge.

Sam: *stunned, backpedaling* Wait... that crypt? The one I touched months ago...?

Marcella : *nodding* Yep. You were the one who released me from that prison. So... thanks for that.

Sam: *nervously, realizing* That’s why I got shocked!

Marcella  shrugs with a small, playful smile.

Marcella : Pretty much, yeah.

Tucker : *curious, but cautious* So, how did Sam break the spell?

Marcella : Only a Manson can break the spell. And trust me, I was going to kill Izzy Manson, but he was already dead by the time I got out. So, I decided not to go on a killing spree after all. Paula wouldn’t have wanted that.

Sam sighs in relief, and Danny chuckles softly, shaking his head.

Danny: *jokingly* Yeah, no homicidal revenge spree. What a relief.

Marcella  smirks, but it’s a soft one.

Marcella : For me it was. Paula promised she’d come back in the next life... and she has.

Sam: *still confused* Okay, but what about... the whole reincarnation thing? How do you even know it's Paulina?

Tucker : *scratching his head* Yeah, and if reincarnation is possible... could she really be Paulina?

Marcella  looks at them with a soft, knowing gaze.

Marcella : I knew it from the moment I saw her. It’s her. She’s my Paula.

Sam: *crossing her arms, a little defensive* So... you’re saying you’re not going to eat her?

Marcella  raises an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

Marcella : *mocking* If I was after meat, I'd go after Dash. Definitely not you, Sam. You’ve got no meat, especially in the chest area.

Sam: *defensively* I’m developing!

Danny: *teasing* So Marcella  wouldn’t drain your blood... but mine, Sam? Probably not... it’s too sweet.

Marcella : *with a sly grin* Actually... I wouldn’t drain anyone’s blood, but maybe Tucker  could be a light snack.

Tucker : *looking nervous* So, I’m on a vampire girl’s menu? Cool, I guess? But not in that way.

Marcella  chuckles, clearly amused by the back-and-forth.

Danny: *curiously* So... if you’re 100,000 years old, why do you look like you’re 16?

Marcella : *with a smirk* It’s because I was stuck in that crypt for so long. My body stopped aging.

Sam: *with a realization* So you’re technically a teenager.

Marcella : *shrugging nonchalantly* I’ve been 16 for the last... 100,000 years. Guess it’s a good thing I’m a vampire—being stuck looking the Same age is kind of handy.

The scene ends with Sam, Danny, and Tucker  exchanging bewildered looks, processing everything they've just learned.

We then cut to the janitor’s closet door creaks open. Danny, Sam, Tucker, and Marcella  step out, eyes adjusting to the hallway light. Students bustle around, grabbing books and talking. Marcella  casually brushes dust off her tank top, flicking her long, gold-streaked black hair back as they return to their lockers.

Mr. Lancer: *walking by, deadpan and tired, holding a stack of flyers* Remember, students, tomorrow is Parents Day. Try to have your folks show up... or don’t. I don’t get paid enough to care.

He starts slapping flyers into students’ hands as he passes. One lands in Marcella ’s hands. She stares at it, puzzled.

Marcella: *tilting her head* "Parents Day"? What in the Underworld is that?

Danny: *grinning awkwardly* It’s a day where parents come to school, meet teachers, embarrass you in front of your classmates... you know, wholesome family trauma.

Sam: *grumbling, taking a flyer* Well, I definitely know my parents are gonna go all out again. Ugh.

Marcella: *raising an eyebrow* Again?

Tucker: *leaning on his locker* Yeah... Sam’s parents aren’t exactly "cool." They’re rich, uptight, and they kinda hate me and Danny.

Sam: *arms crossed, sighing* And they always show off their money. Last year, they had gold-trimmed banners and a violinist following them around the halls. It’s... super embarrassing.

Marcella: *snickering, glancing at Sam with a smirk* Ah, the Manson bloodline never changes. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Sam glares. Marcella  pauses, then smirks wider.

Marcella : Sorry. I meant to say... mosquito bites.

Sam: *blushing, crossing her arms defensively*

I’m developing, okay!?

Danny tries to hold in a laugh. Tucker doesn’t.

Tucker: Pfft— Yeah, real slow release DLC, huh?

Marcella  *chuckling, arms behind her head* Still, this "Parents Day" sounds intriguing. Might be fun to bring Rodin and Enzo along. Shake things up a bit.

Danny: *curious* Come to think of it... I don’t think I’ve ever met your parents, Marcy.

Marcella : *smiling softly* Well... maybe this could be a good opportunity.

Tucker: *jokingly* So, what does your dad do? Let me guess—ancient vampire lord? Night shift at Hot Topic?

Marcella: *with a proud smirk* Actually, he’s a powerful Fallen Angel. Owns a bar. Makes weapons designed to kill angels.

The group freezes mid-step.

Danny: *blinking, stunned* That’s... oddly specific.

Sam: *half-laughing, half-nervous* Wait—your dad makes angel-slaying weapons?

Tucker: *sweating* Y’know what? I’m just gonna assume he’s way out of my league and leave it there.

Marcella: *shrugging* You asked. He’s also great at mixology.

The warning bell RINGS. Students begin moving faster to class.

Danny: *walking forward* C’mon, let’s get to class before Lancer docks us for loitering. Again.

Marcella: *grinning* Or maybe I’ll just doodle a smiley face on my hall pass and get another 300.

The group laughs as they head off together, Marcella  trailing slightly behind, staring at her locket one last time before slipping it under her tank top. Her smile fades to something bittersweet before she jogs to catch up.

Later on, it was lunchtime as we saw the lunchroom buzzing with activity. Students laugh, eat, and chat at their tables. Above them, however, is a rather unusual sight as we see Marcella —tall, slender, and totally unbothered—is hanging upside down from the metal rafters like a bat, her black and gold hair cascading down toward the floor. Her aquamarine eyes glow slightly in the dim overhead light. In one hand, she holds her phone in video chat mode with none other than Rodin, ever composed in his blue-patterned sweater and loose purple pants, leans back behind the bar at The Gates of Hell, arms crossed. His glowing red eyes hide behind stylish sunglasses.

Rodin: *with that deep, smooth voice* Let me get this straight. You want me to show up to some human high school... for Parents Day?

Marcella : *smiling, arms folded as she sways slightly* Come on, Rodin. You’ve practically raised me. You’re the closest thing I have to a dad. And Enzo? He’s like that weird estranged uncle who owes you money and smells like garlic.

Rodin: *cracking a grin* He does owe me money. Still ain’t paid me back for the New York incident.

Marcella: *snickering* See? Perfect. Look... I never had a birth family. Not really. So this... it’d mean a lot to me. Plus, think of the business. "The Gates of Hell: Proud Supporter of Reformed Vampire-Ghost High School Girls." Has a nice ring, right?

Rodin: *stroking his chin* You’ve been spending too much time with Enzo.

Marcella: Guilty. But seriously... would you come?

Rodin pauses for a moment, thoughtful, then smirks.

Rodin: ...Alright, Marcy. I’ll be there.

Marcella: *beaming* Yes! This is gonna be awesome!

She throws her arms up excitedly, forgetting she’s hanging upside down.

Marcella: Wha—WOAH—NO, NO, NOOO—!!

She loses her balance. Her body flips and she plummets…

CRASH!

…Right into the lap of Paulina, who sits at a nearby table sipping soda with friends. The table jolts as Marcella  lands squarely across her lap, arms flopped awkwardly around her.

Paulina: *startled* AH! What the—!?

There’s a long beat of silence. Marcella  looks up sheepishly, blinking at Paulina’s surprised expression.

Marcella: *grinning sheepishly* Sooo... you come here often?

Paulina: *giggles, brushing hair behind her ear* Only when gorgeous girls fall out of the ceiling.

Marcella  raises an eyebrow, her grin deepening. Sam, sitting two tables over with Danny and Tucker, facepalms hard.

Sam: *groaning* Oh you have got to be kidding me...

Tucker: *chuckling* Okay, I know that was an accident... but that was also smooth.

Danny: *laughing* Yeah, Marcy’s pulling gravity stunts and flirt moves. Impressive.

The camera then angles up on the phone which was still on video chat as we see Rodin watching the whole thing unfold from his bar, completely unfazed. He slowly sips from a large glass of some glowing liquid and chuckles to himself.

Rodin: *to himself* Yep. She’s definitely enjoying high school life.

Parents Day is in full swing. Banners, balloons, and tables line the gymnasium. Students mingle awkwardly while parents beam with pride. One table is decked out in white cloth and crystal platters… unfortunately, the food looks underwhelming as we see Jeremy  and Pamela  Manson, clad in over-the-top formalwear, cheerfully hand out tiny hors d'oeuvres. Pamela ’s lipstick is a shade too bright, and Jeremy 's toupee is crooked.

Jeremy : *holding out a tray* Enjoy, everyone! Mmm, truffle-scented deviled eggs. Nothing says class like sulfur and mayonnaise!

Pamela : *smiling, voice high-pitched* Courtesy of the Mansons! *turns to Sam, whispering* Smile more, dear. You’re terrifying the other children.

Sam: *in a painfully tacky, lace-covered, neon pink dress with ruffles and bows* *flatly, fake-smiling* Like this?

Pamela  nods proudly. Sam sighs deeply and walks over to Danny and Tucker, glaring daggers at the floor.

Danny: Parents embarrassing you?

Sam: *deadpan* Do bees like honey?

TUCKER: *grinning* Gonna ruin it somehow?

Sam: After last year’s incident, they threatened to redecorate my room pink. This is damage control.

Jazz: *approaching* *Notices Sam's outfit* It’s like if a cupcake and a prom dress had a tragic baby.

Sam: *sighs* Kill me.

Just then Everyone hears something outside as they move to the doors and windows. Outside, a sleek black limo glides to a stop. The sunroof pops open, and with theatrical grace, Marcella BELLADONNA rises up like a gothic goddess as Marcella leaps effortlessly from the sunroof and lands in a perfect crouch. Her outfit is breathtaking: an elegant, modern-traditional Japanese fusion in bold black and fiery orange. The gold chains shimmer. Her long black and gold hair flows behind her. She adjusts her black-framed glasses with a smirk.

All eyes are glued to her. Danny’s jaw drops. Sam stares. Jazz blinks. Tucker lets out a stunned whistle.

Tucker: ...Marcy just turned Parents Day into a fashion week event.

Paulina: *starstruck* She looks like a goddess...

Jeremy  & Pamela : *glaring, in unison*.How dare she.

Rodin steps out of the limo, towering and intimidating, flanked by Enzo in his loud purple suit. Both are calm, collected... and terrifying to suburban parents.

Tucker: *wide-eyed* That’s Marcy’s dad?!

Danny: And here I thought Paulina’s dad was scary.

Jazz: That guy looks like he bench-presses planets.

Later on in the gym, Marcella glides toward her friends, waving at the stunned crowd.

Marcella: Heya, Danny. Sam. Jazz. Tucker. What’d I miss?

Sam: *sarcastic* Oh, nothing. Just me being publicly sacrificed to the altar of embarrassment.

Marcella: *eyes her dress* What in the seven rings of hell are you wearing?

Sam: Don’t blame me—blame them. *nods to Jeremy  and Pamela * It’s their idea of “adorable.”

Marcella: *wincing* More like Cruel and unusual punishment. What kind of monsters would—

She sees Jeremy  and Pamela  glaring.

Marcella: Oh. Those monsters. Yeah, checks out.

Jeremy : *offended* Well I never!

Pamela: That outfit is not school-appropriate! What would your father say?

Marcella: Hmm. Let’s ask him. *turns* Hey, Father Rodin! What do you think of my outfit?

Rodin: *barely looking up from his shades* Looks great, sweetheart. Always have good taste.

Marcella: *smirking* Parent-approved.

Sam: *to Pamela * Maybe I’ll wear one next time.

Pamela : *horrified* Absolutely not! She’s a bad influence!

Marcella: *laughs* Oh please. The only bad things here are your second-rate food, your B-cup bitterness, your frustrated husband, and your expired dye job.

The crowd bursts into laughter. Sam nearly chokes laughing. Enzo coughs into his scarf trying to hide his amusement.

Pamela: *blushing furiously*: I—I’m developing, thank you!

Enzo: *to Rodin, chuckling* That’s a Hall-of-Fame burn right there, boss.

Rodin: She gets it from me.

They both glance at Sam.

Enzo: *grimacing* What in the Seven Circles is she wearin’?

Rodin: *low whistle* Looks like a haunted piñata.

Sam: *miserably*My parents again.

Enzo: *glaring at Jeremy  and Pamela * Ah. Those two fuckers.

Jeremy : *gasp* Watch your language, this is a family event!

Enzo: And you're bad at it! What kinda parents put their kid through dress-up torture just to feed their egos? I’ve seen demons with more compassion!

Marcella picks up a dry-looking hors d'oeuvre from the Manson table, sniffs it... and drops it with a "bleh."

Marcella: Second-rate at best. I’ve tasted ghost mold that had more flavor.

Pamela: We put a lot of work into this!

Marcella: Sure you did. Bought it out and slapped your name on it. Unlike you, I grow my own.

Marcella claps her hands. Instantly, a massive table is revealed—filled with vibrant, glowing fruits and mouthwatering dishes from her Green Mansion garden.

People rush over. Even Paulina grabs a bowl of hybrid fruit salad.

Paulina: *eyes wide* Oh my God... this is amazing.

Pamela  & Jeremy : *enraged* This is sabotage!

Marcella: *mock innocence* Is it? I thought it was just in good taste. *leans in* Oh, and I earned my wealth. You guys? You leech off your dead relatives. Izzy would be so proud.

Enzo: *laughs hard* OHH! That’s cold, Marcy!

Everyone’s eating Marcella’s food now. Even Sam is digging into a bowl of fruit salad, which her parents see with horror-struck expressions.

Pamela: *gasp* Samantha…!?

Sam: *grinning, mouth full* Best. Fruit. Ever.

Marcella saunters over to a large hybrid watermelon. With a flash of her fangs, she bites in and drains it dry, leaving it a hollowed-out husk. Thick red juice drips from her lips like blood.

Jazz: *slightly disturbed* That’s... a lot to take in.

Marcella: *wipes her lips* It’s just juice, darling.

Danny: *to Enzo, low voice* Does she do that a lot?

Enzo: Oh yeah. Back home, that’s Tuesday lunch.

Rodin: She used to do it with blood oranges. More dramatic.

Cur to the mocktail table, where we see Rodin is now shaking up drinks behind a stylish, dark booth lit with LED underglow. Students and parents are lined up. He flips a bottle behind his back and pours with showman precision.

Parent #1 Is that… a virgin martini with dragon fruit?

Rodin: *coolly* Only the best for the humans.

Jeremy  and Pamela  watch their line dwindle to nothing. They’re seething.

Pamela: How is she so popular?!

Jeremy: And how is he better at cocktails than we are at canapés?!

Marcella walks by eating more of her fruit salad, flashing a grin at them.

Marcella: *winking* Better luck next Parent's Day, Mansons.

Pamela  screams internally as the camera zooms in dramatically on her mortified expression. Everyone else? Loving it.

Sam: Best Parents Day ever.

Next: Chapter 14: My Brother's Keeper