Chapter 3: Town Meeting
"You know, we just left, but I already miss Christmas Town." Jack said to his apprentices.
"How come?" Sam asked. "We've gathered so much, we're practically bringing half of it back home with us."
After the four looked around and gathered things that filled their sacks to show everyone back in Halloween Town, they realized they were now too heavy to bring back on foot. Jack was not deterred and commandeered a nearby snowmobile and had tied the sacks to the very back. Unfortunately, Only Jack and Sam could fit, though the skeletal robot was slightly too big for the front. Sam was actually the right size for the back and was given a pair of green goggles. His mentor wearing red ones.
On both sides of them were Vlad and Hazel. Funny thing, Hazel forgot she had a whistle that was given to her by the Witch Sisters. It was a very distinct whistle that could only be used by her as it was able to summon her broomstick. No matter where she was or how far away she might be, her flying broom would locate her in no time. Though the sound was high-pitched when she blew the whistle, very much so as the guys could barely hear anything, Hazel's broomstick suddenly zoomed through the sky, then floated near its owner.
Vlad had no problems for transportation as he just transformed himself into a bat. Another quirk of being half-vampire. It wasn't long till the four were reunited with Patches, and boy, was he ever so happy to see them!
"Least we found a solution for transporting them." Vlad aid whimsically.
Hazel looked to the bat and quipped, "Even though you complained about how heavy your bag was when you were carrying it earlier."
"I wasn't complaining! I just . . . didn't do my stretches is all." Vlad protested.
"Sure you did." Hazel humored.
"I'm serious!" Vlad snapped.
"Okay, break it up you two." Sam called.
"We're nearing Halloween Town, so I suggest you behave yourselves." Jack added sternly.
"Okay." The witch and vampire grumbled.
This proved that they liked to mess with each other, just like any brother or sister would. Though they picked on each other, they still cared enough like a family would its own.
"Say, Sam, that hat actually looks good on you." Hazel commented.
It was true. Sam had kept the flat cap from Christmas Town after posing as a snowman. Truth be told, it had grown on him the very moment that he placed it on his head. It was hard to describe, but it just felt natural wearing it through the town
Jack looked to his eldest apprentice, "Indeed. It adds to the mystery of who you are."
"Makes me wish I kept the bowler hat." Vlad whispered.
"Thank, I guess. But let's save the pleasantries for later; we're home!" Sam stated pointing to the gate. It was one reason to change the subject . . . the other was that he couldn't handle a swelled head.
Things were catastrophic in Halloween Town: their beloved Pumpkin King was missing! Even if that wasn't enough, so too were his loyal apprentices! The Vampire Brothers and Witches were in a state of panic as neither Vlad nor Hazel had given them a heads-up. They always gave a heads up (so to speak) whenever would join Jack and Sam on their routine.
"This has never happened before!" Starscream said.
"It's suspicious!" Mrs. Twombly stated.
Trixie added, "It's peculiar!"
"It's Scary!" Boulder and Chase said simultaneously.
And not in a good, Halloween sort of way!
"Stand aside! Coming through!" Mayor Vess pushed by Lucky and Nibblet. This made Lucky growl in annoyance. The small, two faced man climbed atop his hurse, stumbling a bit when he reached the top, then stood up and took up his megaphone that was attached to the top to make an announcement, "We've got to find Jack! There's only 365 days left till next Halloween!"
"364!" Lucky corrected.
Mayor Vess ignored this and continued, "Is there anywhere we've forgotten to check?"
Starscream started, "I've looked in every mausoleum."
"We opened the sarcophagi!" The Witch Sisters added.
Vinnie, with a pumpkin on one foot, hobbled forward, "I tromped through the pumpkin patch."
"I peeked behind Sunil's eye!" Boulder said, pulling his own eye out. Trixie whacked him with her broom out of annoyance. "I did! But he wasn't there. And neither was Vlad!"
Mrs. Twombly began to shiver, "Oh, I hope Hazel's alright."
"It's time to sound the alarms!" Mayor Vess announced.
Fixit did just that as he hoped onto the hood of the Mayor's vehicle and wound up mentioned alarm, which sounded like a wail as it resembled a hissing cat:
MMMMAAAAOOOOOWWWW!
In the lab, the three rag dolls were in the kitchen when they heard the alarms from Town Square. Though they were curious, they were unable to leave with Ratchet still awake. They were currently making dinner for their creator and thought they'd make a few . . . 'adjustments' to the soup. Annie took out the Deadly Nightshade jar out of the cupboard and poured it into the vat. The result was that it made steam in the shape of a skull and it smelled so atrocious they living dolls plug their noses.
Andy grabbed another jar from a spice rack that read:
FROG'S
BREATH
"Frog's Breath will overpower any odor. Even something this bad." He said.
The doll took off the cap. A small green grog poked its head out of the jar. The three plugged their noses once more as Andy held the jar over the soup; allowing the frog to blow a cloud of it's breath. If the Deadly Nightshade was horrid, the Frog's Breath made it look pleasant! The dolls coughed up a storm!
"Bitter!" Sally choked. She wobbly made her way to the cupboard, wheezing, then rummaged through the jars. "Worm's Wart! Where's that Worm's Wart?"
She smiled soon as she held what she searched for in her hand.
"Sally? That soup ready yet?" Ratchet called from his work station.
"Impatient much?" Andy remarked sourly.
Annie wasn't too pleased by this remark, "Be nice!"
Both dolls would have made an argument, but noticed Sally about to pour the Worm's Wart into the soup. The three plugged their noses in case it made the odor even worse than it was. On the contrary, soon as the eldest doll poured the contents into the vat; it made the aroma dwindle. This was a huge relief. Perhaps this plan was going to work after all.
"Ah! Coming!" Sally called.
Ratchet was currently looking over some X-ray photos . . . . then opened the top of his head to reveal his brain! Though no normal person would survive such action, the Doctor acted as if he were taking off a hat and scratched it nonchalantly. He was well in his work that he didn't notice his three creations approaching.
"Lunch!" Sally announced.
Ratchet turned to see Sally place a plate and bowl on his work table. He closed his cap, then moved his chair to face the dish.
"Ah! What's that?" He asked. He took a big inhale and licked his lips. "Worm's Wart! MMM!"
"Bon Apatite." Annie encouraged. She exchanged an excited glance with her twin.
However, as Ratchet took a spoonful of the soup, he took another whiff, "And frog's breath!" He questioned, looking to the dolls suspiciously.
"Well, what's wrong? I-I thought you liked Frog's Breath." Sally sputtered. Behind her, the twins shifted nervously.
"Nothing's more suspicious than Frog's Breath!" Ratchet shot back. He shoved the bowl towards the dolls. "Until you three taste it, I won't swallow a spoonful."
The Doctor scooped some soup int the spoon, then held it at the three. Sally had the misfortune of being the one closer to the Doctor.
"None for me, thanks." Andy said rather quickly. Ratchet was sure to be suspicious of this.
Annie shook her head, "I've already eaten."
"I'm not hungry." Sally declined. She tried to gently push the spoon away, but ended up smacking it out of her creator's hand. "Oops!"
"You want me to starve." Ratchet accused. "An old man like me who hardly as strength as it is, me, to whom you owe your very lives!"
As he was raving on, Sally knelt down as if she were about to pick the spoon off the floor. Instead, she pushed the spoon beneath the table, then took two more out of her sock. The difference was that these had holes. Annie and Andy were confused at first, but caught on quickly soon as their sister gave them a wink. Hope once again washed through them as the eldest handed the spoons to her younger siblings.
She took up a spoonful, which seeped through the holes, "Oh, don't be silly."
Andy went at the same time as they slurped it, "MMM! Delicious!" He commented.
"See? Scrumptious!" Sally smiled, placing the bowl back on the table.
Ratchet ginned widely. He took the bowl up in his hands and began to gulp down the whole thing. Sally was so happy she hugged her siblings close. The three shared relieved smiles; their latest scheme had worked!
It was the afternoon and still no words of the Pumpkin King and his apprentices, Mayor Vess found himself atop his hurse. On the side were the Vampire Brothers and inside were the Witch Sisters. They looked as though they had been running for hours, which was how long Jack had been missing.
"Did anyone think to dredge the lake?" The two faced man moaned.
"This morning." Heatwave yawned.
Bark! Bark!
Mrs. Twombly sat straight up, "Hear that?"
"What?" Trixie questioned.
"SHH!"
Bark! Bark!
This was the sound of a dog barking! This made Mayor Vess change back to his positive face. Everyone knew that bark anywhere!
"Zero!" exclaimed Boulder
Peeking out of his station, the Gatekeeper saw that it was the four that everyone was looking for all day! He quickly opened the gate. It was obvious that the townspeople weren't use to Jack being gone as long as he was, because as soon as the Pumpkin King and his apprentices passed the gate, everyone gathered into a crowd, asking if they were alright.
"Where have you been?" asked Mayor Vess. He then took notice to Sam. "And where did Sam get that . . . fabulous hat?!" He continued.
"Call a town meeting, and we'll tell everyone all about it." Jack replied.
"When?!" Mayor Vess' negative side asked.
"Immediately!" The Pumpkin King declared.
The bells of City Halls began to ring as Mayor Vess rode through Halloween Town with a very important announcement:
Town meeting! Town meeting! Town meeting tonight!
Up in Ratchet Finkelstein's tower, the Deadly Nightshade had taken its toll on the Doctor and he was out like a light-bulb. Being the proper lady that she was, Sally placed a blanket over the slumbering scientist. Annie followed this act of kindness and placed a pillow under their creator's head. Andy just sat back and watched; while he did have (very little to an extant) some respect for the Doctor for giving him life, he still did not like the way he would usually treat them. The scientist snored away when the dolls heard the Mayor's announcement:
Town meeting tonight!
Sally patted the Doctor on the head, then motioned her siblings to follow her.
The rag dolls were quick to reach Town Hall, perhaps maybe because it was a mere twenty feet away from Ratchet's tower. The jumped out of the way in time for the Witch Sisters to fly by. Andy was about to say something inappropriate, when Sally placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. Another couple, who were a man and woman that wore hoods and held scythes in hand, passed by the two. The man had metallic skin, short rave-black hair, red eyes and wore all silver beneath his hood including a helmet. The woman on the other hand, had very dark-grey skin, harlequin-colired eyes with opal pupils, long cerulean hair and had holes along her arms and legs. These two were the husband and wife mail duo and residential reapers of Halloween Town; Megatron and Chrysalis.
As the townspeople were taking their seats, the dolls looked around in marvel of how so many lived in this town of Halloween. Starscream came rider pass the trio, startling the girls as he honked his horn at them. The younger dolls couldn't help but scowl at such childish antics, even for a big prankster like Starscream.
Annie grunted in disgust, "Rude much?"
Behind the curtains sat Sam, Hazel and Vlad; patient to when the meeting will begin.
"It's official; if I leave without telling the sisters again, I'm grounded. Literally." Hazel sighed. Soon as she got home, Mrs. Twombly and Trixie gave her an earful and threatened to suspend her broomstick privileges. For a month!
"Least that's what you have to worry about. The brothers said they'd have me clean the entire house for three months; without my powers!" Vlad complained. He had an even less pleasant talk with his Legal Guardians himself.
Though Sam had tried to take as much blame as his friends, the Vampire Brothers and Witch Sisters insisted that they handle the situation. He couldn't help but feel bad for the witch and dhampire. They had only went along the ride with him and Jack; they didn't have to be punished for it. At least they were let off with a warning and slap on the wrist instead on an immediate punishment.
He decided to try and cheer them up, "Look, what's happened, already happened. Let's just hope nothing like this happens again."
As the time had finally come, Jack came on stage and was applauded by the townspeople assembled in their seats. Upon hearing this, the apprentices took up their things, then went into position.
"Listen everyone!" Jack announced. "I want to tell you all about Christmas Town."
Mayor Vess turned on a spotlight and focused it on Optimus.
Jack: There were objects so peculiar, they were not to be believes;
All around, things to tantalize my brain!
This gained everyone's attention almost immediately.
Jack: It's a world unlike I've ever seen,
And as hard as I try,
I can't seem to describe;
Like a most improbable dream!
The Pumpkin King walked to the center of the stage till he reached the rope for the curtains.
Jack: But you must believe when I tell you this,
It's as real as my chromed-skull and it does exist . . .
Here, let me show you . . .
It was then that the Pumpkin King pulled on the rope to reveal his apprentices as well as a rudementary Christmas tree. Behind them was a mural that was painted to look like an area of Christmas Town. Everyone gasped in awe by the sight of this. Mostly because things like this didn't exist in their town.
"Ooh!" Sally beamed.
Annie and Andy were dumbstruck as well, "Wow . . ."
Vlad stepped forward and took up a present from a stool to present it.
Vlad: This is a thing called a present,
The whole thing starts with a box . . .
This confuse everyone.
Residents: A box?
Slipstream, Lucky and Harlequin Demon tried their best to guess what it was all about
Slipstream: Is it steel?
Lucky: Are there locks?
Harlequin Demon: Is it filled with a pox?
Now this was something that the people of Halloween Town could get behind; especially Slipstream.
Slipstream: A Pox?
How delightful a pox!
Vlad exchanged a glance with Sam as Hazel just rolled her eyes; somehow they knew everyone in town would misunderstand.
Jack: If you please . . .
Hazel decided to step in and try her best to explain as she took up another present.
Hazel: Just a box with bright colored paper,
And the whole thing's topped with a bow!
The young witch soon found herself face to face with her Legal Guardians as the levitated on their broomsticks.
Trixie: A bow?
Mrs. Twombly: But why?
Trixie: How ugly!
The two kept on levitating around the poor younger witch.
Witch Sisters: What's in it?
What's in it?
Jack stepped forward and saved his apprentice from the nonstop barrage.
Jack: That's the point of the thing;
Not to know!
The witch and dhampire soon found the presents they had were snatched away by an extendable arm; courtesy of Starscream. He and Discord both examined the boxes to deduce what the contents were.
Starscream: It's a bat!
Discord: Will they bend?
Starscream: It's a rat!
Discord: Will they break?
Arcee then hung upside down from the balcony to give her thoughts.
Arcee: Perhaps it's the head that I found in the lake!
Jack and Sam rushed forward and reclaimed the presents to the stage.
Jack: Listen now, you don't understand!
That's not the point of Christmas-and!
The apprentices sighed heavily it was truly beginning to be difficult to explain. None the less, Sam took a deep breath, then stood tall.
Sam: Now pay attention . . .
He then allowed Jack to continue as the Pumpkin King took up a stocking to present. He placed it on the right side of the wall.
Jack: We pick up an over-sized sock,
Then hang it like this on the wall . . .
Vinnie took an interest in this as he walked up to Jack.
Vinnie: Oh, yes! Does it still have a foot?
It was then that a smaller Vinnie appeared on top of his head by picking up the larger's hat.
Medium Vinnie: Let me see, let me look!
An even smaller Vinnie appeared on Medium's head as he picked up his hat hat.
Small Vinnie: Is it rotted and covered with gook?
For once, Jack was at a loss of words; especially since it was Sam that had found this. He also said it was called a 'stocking'?
Jack: Um, let Sam explain . . .
The shape-shifter's eyes went wide. Though this really wasn't that much of a surprise since he was the one that had found the stocking. The shape-shifter gave the robotic skeleton a glare of disapproval, which earned him a sheepish shrug. He cleared his throat and began his explanation.
Sam: There's no foot inside, but there's candy . . .
He then took out some toys from the stocking.
Sam: Or sometimes it's filled with small toys!
This had Jetstorm and Fixit's attention.
Jetstorm and Fixit: Small toys?
Jetstorm: Do they bite?
Fixit: Do they snap?
Jetstorm: Or explode in a sack?
Breaker A had another idea as he sat on his father's shoulders.
Breaker A: Or perhaps they just spring out,
And scare girls and boys!
Mayor Vess also seemed to be intrigued by these questions, especially from what the three young ghouls had said.
Mayor Vess (Positive): What a splendid Idea;
This Christmas sounds fun!
I fully endorse it!
He stumbled a bit after his foot slipped over the edge of the walk he was on.
Mayor Vess (Negative): Let's try it at once!
Everyone stared at the two faced man as he attempt to get his footing and was flailing with the search light. Jack looked to his apprentices, who only gave shrugs or polite smiles. He then turned his attention back to the audience.
Jack: Everyone, please now, not so fast!
There's something here that you don't quite grasp!
This statement confused the on watching crowed as they began to murmur words to one another.
Sam: Well, might as well give them what they want . . .
Jack nodded to his oldest apprentice, then began the last piece
Jack: And the best, I must confess, I have saved for the last;
For the ruler of this Christmas land . . .
The Pumpkin King walked off stage as he explained.
Jack: Is a fearsome king with a deep, might voice!
Least that's what I've come to understand . . .
The Pumpkin King stopped and poked Meltdown on the nose for this part.
Jack: And I've also heard it told,
That he's something to behold . . .
He stood by Nibblet for this part.
Jack: Like a lobster, huge and red!
He yanked Nibblet's tongue out to make a point, then released it.
Jack: When he sets on to slay with his rain gear on,
Carting bulging sacks with his great big arms!
the Pumpkin king made a huge wave with his arms. Everyone was surprised by how passionate their leader was explaing what he could, but known were as surprised as his apprentices.
Jack: That is so, I've heard it said . . .
Jack's description was something that needed some more extension, but Sam thought it was close enough. Still, something within his explanation still felt empty . . .
Jack: And on a dark, cold night;
Under full moonlight . . .
Jack slowly made his way back to the stage, then jumped into the center.
Jack: He flies into a bog,
like a vulture in the sky . . .
Everyone, both audience and apprentice alike, listened intently for the Pumpkin King to finish.
Jack: And they call him . . . Sandy Claws . . .
Heh! Heh! Heh!
Soon as he was finished, Jack and his apprentices were met by applause and cheering from the audience. It was decided that what ever Christmas was, it sounded fun and everyone wanted to try it out immediately. Still there was one that was still not satisfied. As the curtains closed, Jack walked to a table. His apprentices following close behind.
Jack: Well, at least they're excited,
But they don't understand . . .
He proceeded to pick up a snow globe and shake it.
Jack: That special kind of feeling in Christmas-land,
Oh well . . .
He placed the snow globe on a desk and watched as the fake snow fell.
"Um, Jack? We've no more knowledge than everyone else, even with what little we know." Sam pointed out.
This realization freeze. He shook it off and cleared his throat, "Maybe so, but I'm confident in our-"
CREAK!
His sentence went unfinished; what as that?
"You guys hear that?" Hazel asked.
CREAK!
"There it is again!" Vlad exclaimed. He looked around to see if anything stood out.
CREAK!
"That sounded like it came from above." Sam said.
They looked up, but saw nothing that stood out despite the continuous creaking sounds. No one was permitted to be backstage unless Jack, Sam, or Mayor Vess permitted; so who or what mas making that noise?
CREAK!
"Sound too loud and heavy to be a ghost or cricket . . . I wonder . . ." Jack said, his eyes narrowing. Some of the rafters were in need of serious repair; one miss step and-
CREAK!
CRASH!
"AAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHHH" A terrified voice screamed at the top of their lungs.
This made the Pumpkin King and his apprentices jump in surprise (they were hardly the ones to fall for a scare prank). Apparently someone from the rafters made that fatal miss-step and broke through the board. From the sound of the scream, it was quite obvious that the person in question was female. Time seemed to freeze for Jack and Co., but they shook it off and ran to give aid.
"Hold on! We're coming!" Jack called out.
Even in a town that's all about tricks, pranks, and scaring the bejesus out of people; someone in danger was something that the Pumpkin King and his apprentices would not stand for. Before Vlad could change into a bat or Hazel cast a spell, Sam found himself under the falling person. He held his arms out and staggered as said individual landed in his arms bridal-style.
"Excuse me, m'am, are you o. . . . kay . . ?" Sam trailed off.
It was her! The same girl he saw back when he and his friends were in Christmas Town! There was only one girl he (so to speak) knew that wore green overalls that stopped at mid-thigh, and her eyes. Her dazzling, if not hypnotic, violet-colored eyes. At first they were filled with fear and panic, her pupils shrunken, likely caused by her fall. The fear was soon forgotten soon as her eyes met the piercing blue eyes of the young shape-shifter. Time seemed to slow down, everything else nonexistent; the only things that did were the two individuals. Sam just stood there as he held the girl like a groom would with his bride after their wedding day. Their eyes locked into an eternal stare that seemed to last for an eternity without speaking a single word. A flash of bright violet crossed her eyes, then his.
The shape-shifter was the first to break the silence, "H-hello . . ."
"H-hi . . ." The girl responded