Chapter 3: Party Time!
(Narrator's POV)
The Hinterlands were eerily quiet as the small group walked through the night. Jack Skellington guided Will and Al through the woods as he led them to his home, Halloween Town. Soon the woods became a graveyard. Ghosts and other spooks emerged from the shadows to greet their Pumpkin King. Some of the ghosts — Alberto, Pietro, Luciano, Sophia, and Maria — enjoyed causing a few surprised shrieks from Jack's companions. When they finally arrived, all the citizens of Halloween Town were in an uproar over yet another successful Halloween. Jack smiled and excused himself from his friends to get ready for the award ceremony.
Meanwhile Al was a little unsure of entering the town. It wasn't that she was utterly terrified; it was just her apprehension. Will smiled and led her friend into town. They entered and Will was greeted by a few of the residents, trying to pry Al out from behind her the vampires, Will led Al over to the four. "Hey guys."
The four vampires turned and smiled when they saw her. "Wonderful to see you, Willa," the tallest one said in a Transylvanian accent. "And who is this charming young blood you have brought with you?"
Will turned to Al and made the introductions. "Ally, I'd like you to meet the Vampire Brothers. Boys, meet my friend Al."
Needless to say, Al was very excited. "FINALLY! Vampires that don't sparkle or have psycho fangirls arguing with other werewolf psycho fangirls over who some brown haired bimbo will end up with…It's very nice to meet you all!"
The vampires were a little put off by Al's excitement. They looked to Will for an explanation. "Would you care to tell us what she is talking about?" one asked.
"Sorry guys," Will apologized. "Let's just say there's a novelist out there who has ruined vampires for future generations. Seeing real, classic vampires is a very exciting thing for Al."
"Very excited…sorry if I startled you," Al said with a sheepish grin. "I'm just a huge fan of real vampires." After the awkwardness was over, the vampires and the girls had a fun conversation. The vampires were intrigued by Al's vampirate costume, and were impressed by Will's use of fake blood.
Next, Will introduced Al to the Mr. Hydes, Clown, and the Cyclops. She squealed over the smaller Mr. Hydes. They were just so small and looked adorable from their perches on top the larger Mr. Hydes. Of course, Al hid behind Will when she met Clown. She wasn't really that scared of clowns, it just didn't help that he had decided to greet her by ripping off his face and honking his horn really loud.
"Ya know, I'm okay with the horn honking, but the face ripping off was a bit much," Al said, hiding behind Will and peeking over her shoulder.
"Just doing my job," Clown cackled and reattached his face.
"Halloween's not over yet, we can still play plenty of tricks for a good scare," added the Cyclops.
Al smiled. "I'm all for some good tricks…just no face ripping off…please?" she asked. This just made everyone laugh. Al kept glancing at the Cyclops, a mischievous look in her eyes. When the three eyes finally met, an unspoken staring contest started.
"Oh boy…" Will shook her head. The others just stared at the odd picture. It eventually lasted to the point where others became curious and walked over. One in particular was curious to the reason behind the Cyclops and a human dress as an odd looking vampire.
"What's going on?" asked the Woflman, stopping to stand right behind Will.
Will turned and smiled when she saw him. "Hey Glenn, how ya doing?"
"Will, good to see you again." Glenn ruffled the girl's hair and smiled so all his teeth were showing. "Where's that little pup of yours?"
"Sorry but I left him home tonight. He never fully recovered from the last time he came here."
"Too bad. I was looking forward to having my little howling buddy around, but you'll do." At that moment, the full moon came into the view and caused the Woflman to lean back and howl at the top of his lungs. Will laughed then joined in. Their howling drew Al's attention from her staring match. When she spotted
"Werewolf!" she said, trotting over and joining in with the howl. When it came to an end Glenn turned to Al, an approving smirk on his jaw.
"Not bad kid. A little pitchy, but not bad." He smiled and gave Al a pat on the back. Only he used a little too much strength and knocked Al over.
She laughed and stood up. "I am a little out of practice," she said, dusting herself off.
Will laughed as well. "Al, I'd like you to met Glenn, Halloween Town's resident werewolf. Glenn, this is my best friend Al."
"So you're the crazy one Will's was telling us about. Bout time she brought you over here. I know many a monster who'd love the chance to scare you."
"As long as there are no faces being ripped off, bring it," Al replied, rolling her shoulders.
"How about a midnight ride?" The three turned to see two witches heading their way.
"Helgamine, Zeldaborne," Will called. "Good to see you again." She ran over to the witches, very happy to see them. "How have you both been?"
"Just getting back from the human realm," Helgamine said. "Thanks to Jack's brilliant new ideas, we scared even more than last year."
"Sweet," Al said.
Helgamine and Zeldaborne looked to see another human standing next to Will. "A who's this young ghoul?" asked Helgamine.
"The name's Al," Al said, pointing a thumb towards herself. "It's nice to meet you two… Random question: where are your cats?"
The witches laughed. "Oh about somewhere, stalking the rats I'll bet," answered Zeldaborne. "We've had our fun, now it's their turn."
Al smiled. "Tell me more," she said, looking with adoration at the two witches. Will just smiled as Al got into a heated conversation about cats with the two witch sisters. Once they got into how cats only have two vocal cords in order make their various noises with, Will decided to step in.
"Didn't you mention something about a midnight ride, Helgamine?" she asked.
The taller witch smiled. "Why I did, didn't I? Zelda," turning to the smaller witch, "lets show these girls how witch's have fun on this night."
Zeldaborne nodded, and then offered her broom to Al. Meanwhile Helgamine gave her broom to will. "Now," Zeldaborne instructed, "just hold on tight and lean into the turns. Oh, and Al dear, watch out. My broom has a knack for wanting to outdo Helga's broom now and then, so don't let it get away from you."
"Wait, what are you– GAAAHH!" Before Al could finish, both she and Will were soaring through the night. Will, having done this before during her previous stay, was laughing and enjoying the midnight air. Al on the other hand, was screaming her head off like she was at California Adventure Park on the California Screamin' roller coaster. Zeldaborne's broom was trying to outdo Helgamine's broom, but Al was hanging on fairly well.
"Just keep holding on tight Al," Will called. "If the broom senses you tense, it will throw you off. It tried that on me, but I treated it like that lock on you locker in high school."
"Like I haven't gone a wild ride before," Al laughed. "Baby, this is crazy but it's got nothing on Cesario when he sees a yellow leaf against the green grass." She took a more determined approach to the task, and tightened her grip. She straightened her body so she was parallel with the broom handle. The broom actually went faster.
"Run away with me? Yea right. Only way to stop a run away is to make it your idea," she muttered, making the broom go faster.
Laughing that her friend was having a good time, Will looked out at the sky. The night was clear and the moon was full and shining bright. Suddenly, she felt a tug on the broom. Looking down, Will spotted Helgamine ushering her to return. Nodding Will called out to Al. "Time to head in!"
Al nodded and angled the broom down. She free fell until the very last minute before pulling up short. "PHEW baby got some ride!" she laughed, prompting Will to laugh along with her. They flew back and returned the brooms to the witches. They noticed everyone began to gather in Town Hall, so they followed the crowd inside.
"There won't be any singing will there?" Al asked quietly.
"No Ally, I'm pretty sure they're done with that," Will chuckled.
"Okay good. Singing isn't my forte…" Al giggled.
Will just rolled her eyes. "Really? You had to make a pun?" Al tipped her head in question, but they had arrived inside the Town Hall.
XXX
"And now the award for the Most Spines Tingled by a non-corporeal being…" The Mayor was just handing out the last of the awards. From his or her seats, every monster and ghoul cheered as yet another successful Halloween had been carried out. The applause only grew louder as Jack Skellington walked out on stage.
"Another magnificent Halloween, Jack!" the Mayor complimented.
He took a bow and addressed the crowd. "This year's Halloween was the most horrible yet! Thank you, everyone!" He backed off as the curtain closed, the audience cheering for another successful Halloween. However, Jack was not as excited. He frowned and rested on hand on his hip, while pressing his other hand to his chin.
"Something's missing… There's got to be a way to make Halloween more hideous, more terrifying, more frightening… Ahh… This can't go on…" He sighed and brought his hand to his head. "You've got to do better, Jack."
He walked out from the backstage entrance. The witches had cast a spell to turn the Town Hall into a fabulous Halloween Party. He smiled at seeing all his friends having a good time, yet his doubts kept him from enjoying the party to the full extent.
"Jack, sup dude?" Al called, waving frantically. Jack looked up to see Will and Al standing by the buffet table. To his delight they were not alone. Sally, his bewitching rag doll love, was conversing with Will when Al called to Jack, drawing their attention. Jack's eye sockets locked with Sally's eyes and he eagerly joined them.
"Hello Will, Ally. Enjoying the party?" Jack asked, glancing away from Sally to address the girls.
"Immensely my good sir," Al said with a large smile.
"Thanks again for inviting us," Will added. She then turned to Sally. "I'm really glad you got to come, Sally. It wouldn't be a party without you."
"Oh, I don't think so." Sally blushed, making Jack smile. She was so sweet when she acted modest and shy.
"Now don't be modest, Sally." Jack joined Sally at her side and placed his hand on her shoulder. "This party wouldn't be as spectacular without your creative designs for the decorations."
"You made all these decorations yourself?" Al asked.
"Well, not really. Helgamine and Zeldaborne made the decorations. I just made a few suggestions."
While they talked Sally had noticed Jack wasn't himself. Something in the way he spoke told her that he had something on his mind, something that was bothering him. Luckily, she got her chance when Ethan the Corpse Child and his friends asked Will and Al to play a game of hide-and-go-shriek. When the girls left with the children, Sally pulled Jack to the side.
"Something on your mind, Sally?" Jack asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." She paused, making sure no one could hear them. "Jack, I know something's bothering you. Won't you tell me?"
He sighed. Sally always had a way of knowing when he was troubled. "Oh Sally, you're the only one who knows how I'm truly feeling. The truth is, it's Halloween. It still feels like something is missing."
This was one of Sally's fears, that Jack would try to abandon Halloween for some other holiday. Since the Christmas fiasco, Mr. Claus had told Jack about the other holidays in hopes to prevent the curious skeleton from exploring the other Holiday Doors. Still, there was a small seed of doubt in the back of her mind that Jack would not be able to stay away from the mystery lying behind those other doors.
"Jack, you promised Mr. Clause you wouldn't travel to any more holidays," Sally warned.
Hearing the concern in her voice, Jack gently squeezed her hand. "Don't worry Sally. Its nothing like that. I just feel that Halloween still isn't scary enough."
Sally sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I was worried you were going to try and take over another holiday again."
"After Christmas, I think I've learned my lesson." Jack chuckled. "Still, I think there must be a way to make Halloween even more terrifying… But I'm not sure…"
"Don't worry Jack," Sally assured him. "You'll find a way." Jack still seemed unsure. Sally smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. Jack instantly perked up. "You always do. Look at all the new ideas you came up with for this Halloween. Everyone loved them and you said it yourself, this was one of the most horrible Halloweens yet. If you came up with any more, we would have a whole new kind of Halloween."
"Sally!" Both Jack and Sally looked up as Will came running over to them. Oddly, she was missing her spider web poncho.
"Is something wrong, Will?" Sally asked.
"Sort of…" Will seemed apprehensive. "Do you think I could steal you away from Jack for a few moment?" She gestured for Sally to lean down. Then she whispered, "Truth is, during our game, Al was 'it' and we were running past some old bramble bushes. Well, she caught her pants and now, well uh…"
"Oh! I'll be right there." Sally turned to Jack with an apologetic look. "Sorry. I'll see you later, okay Jack?"
"Yes, later." He waved as Will led Sally away.
"A new Halloween… Hmmm…" Jack pondered the thought. "Yes… I think that's it!"
XXX
Finklestien's lab…
"A new Halloween?" Dr. Finklestein asked, looking up from his microscope.
"A fresh, new and improved Halloween, Doctor," Jack added. "After last year, we can't just do the same old thing. We should all be inspired to do something different. We need new scares, new ideas, new discoveries." The doctor scratched his brain while Jack went on. The last statement catching the doctor's interest.
"New discoveries eh. I think I have just the kind of thing you're talking about." He reached under his table, and pulled out a clear jar with a strange green substance moving around inside. Finklestein seemed quite pleased as he presented his creation. "I call it the Soul Robber. Take it, Jack. I'm sure it will come in handy."
Jack removed the lid. He was about to reach inside when the green substance suddenly jumped out of the jar, attaching and wrapping around Jack's wrist. "Oh! … Hmmm…" when it settled, Jack pondered over it, giving a few flicks of his wrist. After the third flick, the Soul Robber expanded and reached across the lab. It attached to a pumpkin sitting on a table and brought it straight back into Jack's hand.
"Amazing!" He set the pumpkin down and marveled over this new invention. This Soul Robber was just the kind of thing he wanted to add to his new Halloween plans. He began to get very excited. "Exactly, Doctor, exactly. That settles it. I'll head out in search of more new discoveries for next year's Halloween! Oh Doctor, please watch after things while I'm away."
"Oh now I'm certainly looking forward to next Halloween."
While Doctor Finklestein helped Jack decide where to begin his search, outside Halloween Town's most notorious trio had been listening in. When Doctor Finklestein and Jack had their backs turned, Lock, Shock, and Barrel ran off.
"Jack's leaving town," Lock exclaimed.
"Now we can bring back Oogie!" Shock cheered.
"Yeah how hard could it be?" Barrel added.
They all snickered before racing back to their tree house. Once Jack was gone, things would drastically change for Halloween Town.
XXX
GodlyJewel: I didn't know the names of the Halloween citizens, and when I looked some of them up, most of the creatures didn't have names so I just used the names of their voice actors.
Cosmic Horse: That's always a good idea. I do that for character heights and birthdays by stealing them from their actors