Scott Calvin aka Santa Claus, frantically yanked his Christmas coat in as he ran.
It was October 27th and the Council of Legendary Figures had called an emergency meeting.
October was not the best time Scott. With Christmas coming soon, he was in a time crunch.
Torn between helping Carol prepare for the Millers and the in-laws to come down for both Thanksgiving AND Christmas and helping the elves and workshop, Scott hoped that the meeting wouldn't go on long.
Suddenly, Scott found himself running past his office.
After making a quick turn around, Scott barged into his office and tripping over a train, he landed face down on the ground.
"I really should pay more attention to this floor, the craftsmanship is beautiful." He said, sarcastically.
Two pairs on hands grabbed him and hoisted him to his feet.
"That certainly was graceful." Cupid commented from where he hovered in the air.
After nodding towards the Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost for their help, Scott turned to Mother Nature and Father Time as they stood by his desk.
"What's this about, it's October. You know we're on a time crunch." Scott said, not meaning to snap.
"Well, if you will take a seat and RELAX, we'll tell you." Father Time said.
Scott was muttering to himself as he practically fell into a chair beside Jack's.
"First off, how is the workshop?" Mother Nature asked.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "Let's just say lying on the floor is the most rest I've gotten this week."
"Then I apologize for this meeting. But we have received a message from the King if Halloween."
Scott frowned. "The king of Halloween?"
"Yes, there's been some disturbance in his town. People have been kidnapped and homes destroyed. I'll let him explain further."
Suddenly there was a knock upon the door.
"Come in." Father Time answered.
The door opened and in walked a tall skeleton in an odd white striped tuxedo, he was skinny even for a skeleton. His long arms swung at his waist as he came to stand beside Mother Nature.
"Council, meet Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween."
"A pleasure to meet you." He said.
"As Mother Nature has told you, my town is grave danger. An old enemy whom we thought was dead in reeking havoc upon my town."
"Who's the enemy?" Easter Bunny.
"He is none other then the Boogie man himself."
"You're kidding." Scott frowned again, unable to process what had been said to him. "The old bedtime story people used to tell their kids?"
"I assure you, he is anything but a bedtime story. You see, Halloweentown is dedicated to scaring children and adults alike on Halloween. Boogie was once a part of our town, scaring children alongside us. But one Halloween he went too far."
"What happened?" Tooth asked.
Jack frowned, placing his hands behind his back. "It, it is too horrid to speak of. After the incident, he was banished from ever returning to the human world. He hid away in a secret hideout under his minions' lair."
"Mr. Skellington, please start from the beginning." Mother Nature said.
"It started when the scientist of our town went missing about 2 months ago. His laboratory was destroyed when we went found out. A month after, Oogie Boogie returned and reeked havoc upon our town, nearly burning it to the ground. Then-" Jack took a deep breath before continuing. "Then he took my wife, Sally."
"And what do you need to get her back?" Scott asked.
Jack turned, his empty eyes seemingly staring into Scott's soul.
"You."
"What?! Me? But I've never even met the guy! I wasn't even Santa when this happened!" Scott yelled.
Jack frowned. "Oogie doesn't care whether or not you are him and I am well aware you aren't. The Santa I am referring to died sometime ago."
Scott sunk into his chair. "What are you going to do? Trade me?" He snapped.
Before Jack could answer, Mother Nature stepped in. "That is out of the question. Santa is a member of this council and our family. You will not be trading him."
Jack raised his bony hands.
"Nor would I want to. You see, I don't want to trade. I want your help. I have heard news about your productions. I hear children are 86 percent happier since you have taken position. Not only do the children believe more, but they are growing up to better and more caring adults and God knows we need them."
Scott raised an eyebrow as the skeleton continued.
"Your fame has reached my town, especially on how you defeated the Toy Santa and Jack Frost." Jack said, before noticing the said sprite sitting beside Santa.
"No offense."
"None taken." Jack Frost said.
"Please, Mr. Claus. I can't do this without your help."
The jolly man took a deep breath, suddenly feeling all eyes upon him, awaiting his answer.
Finally he stood up. "Okay, I'll help. I'll have to run it by the elves first. Mother Nature, would you be able to help Carol down here?" He asked.
Mother Nature nodded. "Of course, Santa."
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Claus!" Jack cried taking Scott's hand in his. "Thank you so much!"
"Meet me at the stable in two hours, I'll have my head Elf, Bernard show you the way." And with that, Scott left the room.
Jack Frost and walked over to skeleton.
"I'm coming too. Scott is my brother. I can never repay him for the kindness and trust he showed me, but I can help him."
Jack Skellington nodded and shook his hand.
S.C.
After explaining everything to the elves, Scott ran to his room and walked in to see Carol feeding Buddy.
"Scott, what's wrong?" Carol asked, seeing the odd look upon her husband's face.
Taking a deep breath, Scott walked over and gave her a kiss.
"Honey, there's something I need to tell you." He said as he explained.
Once he was finished, Carol sighed.
"Scott-"
"Carol he needs help. Don't wrory, you'll be fine. The elves know what to do and since Bernard is back he and Curtis can run the workshop easily."
"Me? What about you? How do I know whether or not you'll be okay?" She asked.
Taking her hand, Scott smiled his charmed smiled.
"I'll be fine." He said.
Carol smiled as she laid a kiss on his cheek.
"Be safe." She said.
"I will." Scott assured her before laying a kiss upon his son's head and waving good by.
Tighting his belt around his wait, Scott fixed his coat as he headed for the stables.
"Santa!"
Scott turned and saw Bernard running towards him.
"Listen, Bernard, I know what you're going to say. It'll be fine."
The elf frowned at his boss. "I know. I just wanted to give you this." Bernard then handed Scott a small Nutcracker. Though instead of it's original design it was dressed as the soldier.
"What is this?" Scott asked.
Bernard took it and pressed on the handle usually used to crack nuts, only instead of it's mouth closing, a small red stick popped out.
"Dynamite?" The jolly man said.
"Might come in handy. From what I hear, the Boogie man doesn't play fair."
Scott squeezed his friend's shoulder, smiling before heading to the stables.
"Right, I think Comet, Dasher and Dancer will do fine." Scott said as he walked in.
"If you don't mind, maybe we should use my choice of transportation. They know the way, after all." Jack said as he whistled.
Suddenly three creatures flew towards them. They were the skeletons of deer. Carefully, they landed in a line before the three men.
"Shall we?"
Saddling the animals, Jack Skellington led them out of the stables, only instead of heading up towards the hole that led out of the pole, Jack led them away, across the snowy land.
Taking a small pumpkin out of his pocket, he threw it.
The pumpkin landed on the ground, nearly disappearing in the snow. Suddenly, it started to grow, before thorn branches started to crawl out of it, forming an odd gateway.
"Hold on!" Jack cried before leading his reindeer into the thorns.
Scott and Jack nervous exchanged glances before following.
Once in, the two men fell behind Jack as they traveled through an odd tunnel.
Suddenly, the tunnel started to open up, the thorns disappearing and they found themselves in a forest, surrounded by trees with thin branches and no leaves.
They followed Jack until they came upon a particular circle of trees, each with a holiday design.
Jack walked up to one with the painting of a Jack-O-Lantern and opened it.
"Almost there." He said, saddling his deer. "Follow me!"