Chapter III

The doctor spruced up his catapult so much that it would fling things over the horizon. Just as Jack had predicted, the help notices were flung into space without a problem. The skeleton could only hope that at leaset one world would find it. But what if said world HAD no reinforcements or army that could help the town? Was Halloweentown doomed? Jack shook that thought out of his brain, knowing that some world (or worlds) out there would be Halloweentown's savior. In the meantime, Jack had instructed the other Halloweentown citizens to stay in their homes--especially if there were children present in the house--because no one would ever know when the Heartless would strike.

Oogie had been living with the Skellington family, meanwhile. Believe it or not, he was a wonderful houseguest; he cleaned up after himself, played well with Dimitri, and he didn't use all of the hot water! Even so, Jack was suspicious; it's always good to keep your guard.

"I really want to thank y'all for lettin' me stay here." Oogie said sincerely one night as dinner finsished up. "Ever since the Heartless came, I thought every one would reject me."

"Think nothing of it, Oogie." Sally said cheerfully as she washed some dishes.

Jack sipped on his coffee, watching Oogie warily.

"I just hope Lock, Shock, and Barrel are okay," sighed Oogie. "I haven't seen them since I got here."

Jack's eyesockets widened. "WHAT? Lock, Shock, and Barrel are still at the Treehouse?!

Oogie had a guilty look on his face. "We all tried to run away as they invaded the Treehouse but I dunno if those li'l kids made it out!

Jack stood up so fast that his chair fell over. "We have to go help them! Who know's what might happen to them?!"

Sally sighed and it looked like she was assuming the worst. "Jack, it's been 3 DAYS since Oogie got here; there's no chance that..."

"I can't think that Sally." Jack argued sternly.

Without another word, Jack grabbed his Soul Robber and ran out the door.

Jack ran as fast as he could to the Treehouse only to find one of the most horrbile things he had ever seen! The Treehouse was overflowing with this black goopy, bubbling matter that was slowly creeping its way towards the forest that Jack just came from.

"I hope I'm not too late..." Jack mumbled as he ran for the Treehouse.

The second he got too close, some Shadow Heartless and three Air Soliders appeared in front of him. Jack glared at each of them and, as quick as they had appeared, Jack whipped out his Soul Robber and sent them all to oblivion.

"Who's next?!" shouted the enraged skeleton.

As soon as he said that, a whole squadron of Solider Heartless appeared before him. Jack smashed through them to get to the cage elevator that he could get up to the Treehouse with, but more and more Soldiers appeared, blocking him. Jack growled in anger and raised his Soul Robber once more. Like the others, they were gone in an instant.

"They just keep coming!" Jack grunted to himself.

Jack squinted at the elevator and then looked at his current position. The skeleton decided on one thing--he was going to make a run for it. Jack began sprinting off in the direction of the elevator, weaving out of the way (or occasionally stepping on) some Heartless. His long skinny legs made him too fast for the Heartless to keep up. Jack smiled to himself; having a sense of accomplishment. All he had to do now was run across the rickety bridge and climp up the rope to get inside the Treehouse. Jack hardly got himself to stop when he realized that THE BRIDGE WAS GONE!! He figured the the Darkness must have deteriorated it. He had to think fast; the Heartless were catching up.

The Pumpkin King sighed as he backed up a little. "I must be out of my mind..."

Jack ran as fast as he could toward the sight of where the bridge was. If he could build up enough speed and jump far enough, he could grab onto the cage and begin climbing. It was a risk, but we all have to gamble, sometimes. Jack began running as fast as he could, his feet pounding on the dead grass, a whole swarm of Heartless on his tail. Jack made it to the edge of the pit where the tree sprouted from, and time seemed to freeze for a second as he reminded himself that this HAD TO WORK! Jack leaped into the air, his bones rattling in the wind. The cage zoomed closer and closer into view. Jack reached out his hand, trying to grasp on to one of the bars. Jack closed his eyes and clasped his hands onto the cage. He winced from the roughness of the rust that had grown over it. The cage shook violently, but the determined skeleton held on with all his might. For a moment, he thought that the rope would snap but he thanked God that it did not. He opened his eyes and looked down into the dark pit. Many Heartles that tried to jump after him didn't make it and fell to their demises into the pit. Jack looked behind him and the other Heartless seemed too afraid to jump. Jack grinned and began climbing up the rope.

Jack Skellington entered the Treehouse where it was eerily silent. The black protoplasm was oozing around on the inside, too. Jack stepped over it and began exploring the inside of the Treehouse. After a few minutes of venturing, a group of four White Knight Heartless appeared before him.

"If they've appeared this far in," Jack mumbled to himself, "they must be guarding something." The Soul Robber morphed into the shape of spikey ball and he slammed it into the ground to taunt the Heartless. "If you don't get out of my way, now," he threatened, "I'll be forced to take abbracive action."

As expected, the Heartless silently stood their ground.

"Fine, have it your way. Nothing is going to stop me from rescuing those kids!"

The Soul Robber pulled itself out of the damaged wood and swung towars the Heartless. One of them, to slow to dodge, was destroyed automatically. The others looked, befuddled at the spot where their comrade had once been. They turned to Jack and gave him an emotionless stare and moved in closer. Once again, the Soul Robber swung through the air, wiping out the next two.

"And then there was one!"

The remaining White Knight waved it's arms in the air and two more appeared to back it up. They all began charging towards Jack and ones who charged right back at them. Before they were about to strike, Jack lept over the Heartless and destroyed them from behind.

"Now to find Lock, Shock, and Barrel before more of those mugs show up!" Jack turned the corner towards Lock, Shock, and Barrel's room.

The King of Halloween threw open the doors of the children's bedroom. All around the room, there was more black ooze than ever in here. There, on the beds were the three childrens. Their skin color had turned to albino and their hair and costumes a had turned blacker than night and their eyes were bloodshot. They looked up and gave Jack and evil smile.

Jack sighed in relief. "I'm so glad you kids are alright! Did the Heartless hurt you?"

"No, not at all." Lock said in monotone. A deep, demonic voice was synchronized with his.

"In fact," Shock chuckled nastily, speaking in the same manner, "We feel better than ever."

"We didn't want to give up our hearts at first," muttered Barrel, with the same voice pattern, "but the Heartless convinced her otherwise."

"You mean, you're...the..." stammered the confused Pumpkin King.

"We'll give you five minutes to try and get out..." Shock said.

"And if your not gone by then," Lock finished, "We'll sic the Heartless on you."

Jack gave them a stern look.

"Oh," Barrel remembered, "tell your precious Halloweentown that they only have three days before we come in and gut the place out like a dead fish ready for the supermarket."

"I'll keep that in mind." Jack sneered as he walked out the door.