Chapter 2: All Through The Mansion

As everyone walked down the hallway, they could vaguely see figures standing outside of the mansion, but still very close enough to enter through said windows. On the walls were five portraits of different Christmas related things: Santa Claus on his sleigh, which was being pulled by four reindeer with Rudolph and his shiny nose at the head of the team; a snow man in a snowy field; the skeletal figure wearing a black pinstripe suit and standing in a pumpkin patch, a sinister smile on his skull face; the Gracey Manor; and what appeared to be a life-sized rag doll with red yarn hair, stitched clothing and grey skin, who was smiling at a miniature Christmas tree in her hand.

"Jack Skellington came here

From Halloween Town

You'll see his handy work

Scattered around . . ."

It was then that something no one expected started to happen; the portraits all began to change right before their very eyes! The portrait of Santa Claus and his reindeer shifted into skeletal figure (who everyone identified as Jack Skellington) or more notoriously "Sandy Claws", in a coffin-sleigh that was pulled by skeletal reindeer with the same ghost dog in the lead. It was at that very moment that something very unexpected happened; the ghost dog had suddenly came to life as it flew out of the portrait it was in! As the ghostly canine flew around the snowman in the next frame, the ice had melted and revealed that the snowman was made up of three grinning Jack-O-Lanterns. As the dog flew around Jack and the pumpkin pat, which was now snowy and Jack was wearing his "Sandy Claws" outfit. The next frame of the mansion was now decorated with pumpkins and candles, while the canine flew by a tree and was winked at by a face in the knothole. Finally, the ghostly canine flew around the rag doll, who was ow frowning at the now burnt up Christmas tree.

"This year he's decided

To play "Sandy Claus"!

But when Halloween creates Christmas

You might see a few flaws!"

As everyone rounded around the corner, they took sight of two stern-looking busts that seemed to "glare" at them, but that wasn't possible . . . was it? Beneath the busts was a Christmas present that was burrowed into the wall and had a sign that read "Free Sleigh Rides", which excited some of the children that were present. As they began to round a corner, Gloria suddenly stopped in her tracks, which didn't go unnoticed by Arpeggio.

"Something the matter, Gloria?"

"It's odd, it's as though we're being watched." The spider replied, looking around.

"You know something, I'm starting to get the same feeling." Jean murmured under his breath.

Unbeknownst to them, they were spot on by their deduction; they were being watched! If anyone could see behind them, they would see that the two busts were sitting on the wall where they rounded the corner, they'd see the two busts turned to look at them! The busts resumed their usual position when some of the group whirled around to see if there were anyone else around. When they saw that there was no one else, they turned back around, then shrugged as they hurried and caught up with the rest of the group. As the group found themselves looking right at a large, animated Christmas card with a group of odd-looking people, apparently wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Another thing everyone saw was that Merry turned to Scary, almost instantly after every few seconds.

"And now, a dark carriage

Will take you away

Sit back; rest in peace;

In your black, Christmas sleigh . . ."

After letting out a sinister chuckle, sleigh-like carriages that made a caravan/train rolled into the room, all of which looked as though it could fit up to two (three or four if anyone had children) people at a time.

"Your sleigh will accommodate

One or two more

We hope you're prepared

For what Jack has in store . . ."

It was when the caravan/train stopped that everyone began to take a seat in each of the sleighs, with the Mayor and his family in the lead sleigh, of course. What really confused everyone was that each sleigh had its own safety-bar, almost as if it were a rollercoaster. As soon as everyone was safely (Heaven forbid) seated into their sleigh, the voice of the Ghost Host began to give one last instruction.

"Do not pull on the bar

It will float down with ease

And remember,

No flash photography! Please . . ."

Some of the group that had cameras groaned in disappointment; this was a huge let down since some wanted to take photos of the Gracey Manor from the inside. The train/caravan then began to move as it began to glide up the stairs without any hassle. From what everyone could see, the top of the stairs were Christmas presents around and a Vampire Teddy was holding out a single present for the group; almost as if he were trying to bate someone to take it, but no one moved from their sleigh.

"Yes, down through the chimney

Jack flew like a bat!

Clutching his magical

"Sandy Claws" sack!

He ripped open the sack

And, in moments it seems

Created a Christmas

You have in bad dreams!"

Looking to their right, everyone saw that there was a seemingly endless hallway that was decored with bones on every door. The sounds of a dog happily barking as everyone saw the ghost dog with the glowing nose with a bone in its mouth that had a tag that read "To Zero".

"More rabid than vultures

The mansion was changed

All was soon covered

Adorned and deranged . . .

And what do your wondering eyes

Disappears

Is Jack's little friend

Zero, the ghost dog reindeer . . ."

Everyone thought that they were going on a limb when they started to think that the canine's name was, in fact, Zero. The children actually seemed pleased to see the ghostly canine smile at them, some of the girls and women even thought he was kinda cute, for a ghost that is. Though hesitantly at first, everyone waved to Zero, which made him bark more excitedly; maybe he just liked having company. The caravan/train began to float past a Conservatory and saw that a group of flowers sprung to life and began to sing like a choir!

"Nothing here was forgotten

It all looks so pleasant

"A coffin" Jack says,

"Make a fine Christmas present!" . . ."

Though some were tempted to ask what exactly the now laughing Ghost Host had meant, they soon got their answer as they saw something they would never forget. In the Conservatory was an old coffin . . . which had a bony hand trying to pry, whatever what was inside, itself out! Atop the coffin was another Vampire Teddy, who was fighting against the hand and using a hammer to nail the opening shut. As soon as the vampyric toy saw the group, he stopped, looked between the group and his hammering, he hid the hammer behind him and chuckled nervously. Everyone shrugged it off as the sleighs were flying down another hallway, only this time, they were now traveling backwards. Looking around, everyone saw more decorations in the form of skulls and garland; needless to say, the decorum certainly fit the mood of the mansion. There were also doors on each side and, with every other oddity, there were sounds of screeching, cries for help, and maniacal laughter as if there were people trying to get out.

"A Man-Eating plant

Makes a wonderful wreath

As long as you don't

Get caught in its teeth!"

It was then that a loud roar was heard above the sleighs and as everyone looked up, they saw the mentioned carnivorous plant. True to its name, it looked like a wreath with two yellow eyes and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. It also had six tentacle-like vines that reached for the sleighs, with little success in touching them. On the bow tie of the wreath were vicious-looking flowers that were singing a, somewhat catchy tune. As the sleighs turned back to facing forward, everyone caught sight of a demonic-looking grandfather clock which had thirteen instead of twelve. The arms of the clock were also wildly spinning backwards and had a note next to it that read "To Leota: 13 Special Gifts for You!- Sandy Claws". It was then that the caravan/train entered a large, round room, which was apparently a séance room since there was a round table with a crystal ball in the center. That wasn't what had every, what really had them was the crystal ball atop the table . . . which had a green-glowing, disembodied head of a woman with long flowing hair! If that wasn't enough, it was blinking and moving its eyes as it looked around the room! This had to be the psychic-medium and friend of the Gracey family, who was now a ghost; Madame Leota. Scattered around the table were what appeared to be thirteen odd tarot cards, each having a different Christmas macabre.

"Jack's holiday vision

Was unlike no other

So, ring out the bells

There's more cheer to uncover . . ."

After the Ghost Host had said that verse, Madame Leota began what sounded like a poem or chanting from each of the tarot cards.

"On the 13th of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me:

Thirteen rings of power, embracing strength that never ends . . .

Twelve signs of the zodiac, that rule the future and transcend . . .

Eleven floating candles, their scent of mystery in the air . . .

Ten telling tea leaves, that swirled with secrets yet to share . . ."

After speaking those verses, four tarot card with the description of what she mentioned in her chantings flew around the room.

"On the 9th day of Christmas, my ghoul love sent to me:

Nine magic crystals, that sparkled with a force that is pure . . .

Eight balls of knowledge, that answer with a truth that is sure . . .

Seven pearls of wisdom, to keep my love bewitched to me . . .

Six mystic mirrors, reflecting futures yet to be . . ."

Like the first verse, tarot cards that depicted each chant flew the room.

"On the 5th day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me:

Five lucky charms, to understand the right from wrong . . .

Four wheels of fortune, to spin their rich and golden song . . .

Three lifelines, extending help to those in need . . .

Two passion potions, that love and romance may succeed . . ."

As like the rest of the tarot cards, a few more with the mentioned descriptions flew across the room.

"On the first day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me:

A star! A brilliant star for me fortune card tree!"

As Madame Leota spoke that last verse, the card flew back to the table and began to form a Christmas tree made up of fortune cards right before everyone's eyes. Throughout Leota's chanting, everyone could see a Vampire Teddy playing with a couple of silver bells and a zombified nutcracker mimicking the disembodied head on everything she said. It was then that the sleigh caravan/train began to glide across a balcony that overlooked the mansion's ballroom, which was pact with Happy Haunts. Things got more tense as the Ghost Host began to speak up once more.

"With some treats and some games

You can make a scene Merry

Why, even a gingerbread house

Could seem scary!

All at once

Happy Haunts did materialize

Like a nightmarish painting

By courier and knives!"

Everyone looked to the dining area of the ballroom to see that there was an evil and foreboding-looking gingerbread house on the dining table or, from what they were told; a ginger-dread house. In the middle of the room was a large, dried-up Christmas tree that had glowing skull was decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns ornaments with a single green branch on the top and was surrounded by presents. Upon the branches were dozens of spiders that ascended and descended as they grabbed different lights off the tree. Travelling around the base of the train was a small toy ghost train, which didn't look so fun to play with, especially since id actually fazed through the tree. As everyone watched on, they were able to see ghosts of party guests were dancing through the tree and presents as if there weren't any in their way. A single ghosts was at the pipe-organ, playing an odd tune as a waltz as shrouded figures emerged from the pipes. As the caravan/train of sleighs began to glide up the stairs to a higher point of the mansion, the Ghost Host resumed his rhyming narration.

"A bag full of toys

Jack slung on his back

They were strange and bizarre

And on the attack!"

It was at that moment that everyone found themselves riding through the attic of all places, while another odd melody bounced around the walls. Lying around the attic were ghastly, glowing presents that were adorned with wrapping paper covered in barbed wire, bones, and even snakes. The familiar tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel" came to everyone's attention when suddenly three Jack-In-The-Boxes of a black cat, skeleton, and Jack-O-Lantern sprang at the group, scaring mostly Grizz and Muggshot. On the floor was an undead duck toy and a snarling toy train that had tentacle tracks instead of one that was made of wood and metal. It was then that something that was orange and black . . . which was really a very large snake that was gobbling up some presents! The large snake then sat on an open area of the attic as it tried eating what appeared to be e very long scroll, which was the last thing to be seen as the caravan/train began to glide out the window . . .