Chapter 7: The Real Test

Rosa saw the town had gathered together and were about to go destroy Jack's world and she grew worried. "Oh, Maria," she said, thinking about her granddaughter. "I hope she can stop this."

She felt her husband come up behind her. "I have no doubt she can," he said. "I remember when you did the same years ago."

Rosa smiled. "Yes," she said before worry set in again. "Do you think she is ready?"

"Only Maria knows when she'll be ready," said the older man. "We better go with the others to help Maria and Jack."

Nodding, Rosa followed her husband out and they all headed towards the woods.


Maria found a large tree stump that was solid beneath her feet and she began a warm-up dance as Jack watched her. "Maria, are you ready for this?" He asked.

She nodded. "I'm ready," she said. "The peace between our worlds depends on it, as does the lives of you and your town."

Jack chuckled a bit. "Selfless, just like your grandmother and your ancestors," he said.

Maria smiled and reached out to Jack, letting him help her off the tree stump and she hugged him. "Jack, do you really believe in me?" She asked.

His arms tightened around her. "Yes, Maria," he said firmly. "I believe in you. Do you believe in you?"

She was quiet for a bit and then nodded. "Yes,' she said firmly. "I know I can do this."

"Atta girl," said the tall skeleton, gently pinching her cheek in affection. He then heard the townspeople coming. "Here come the people from your village."

Maria walked up to the stump again and Jack kindly lifted her up onto it and she handed him her IPod. Nodding, he pressed the 'play' button for the music and the sixteen-year-old girl began dancing.

Rosa heard the music and held her husband's hand tightly. "I hear the music," she said softly to him.

"Then let's go watch our granddaughter be the Peace Dancer," he said.

It wasn't long before they all saw Maria dancing on the tree stump with Jack standing beside her. The townspeople stopped and watched as the music and Maria dancing the Harmony, Peace, and Togetherness dances.

The Harmony Dance reminded the townspeople of how long ago, Jack promised to never again do what he had done as it had hurt him to see them so upset. The Peace Dance further reminded them of that same promise and how Jack had promised that whenever he set foot in the human world, it would be with good intentions. He had kept those two promises and the townspeople were reminded of it thanks to Maria.

The Togetherness dance was a call to join together and set differences aside. Maria then faced them all. "Oogie Boogie has returned," she said. They all gasped. "You remember the promises Jack made years ago and he had kept those promises for a very long time. Does that not tell you that he's not responsible for the horrible death of one of our own last week?"

No one spoke and Maria continued. "Can you put your differences about Jack aside and join him, me, and the rest of Jack's world to banish Oogie Boogie forever?"

The lady whose husband had been killed came forward and looked at Jack. "It is true that you didn't kill my husband?" She asked.

Jack shook his head. "I didn't kill him," he said and then looked sorrowful. "And I'm sorry for your loss. If I had known Oogie was back, I would have stopped him before he did his horrible deed."

The lady looked at him and she could tell he was telling the truth. "Then, can you forgive me for accusing you falsely?" She asked.

Jack nodded immediately. "I forgive you," he said to the widow, who now turned to Maria.

"I'm afraid I unfairly blamed your grandmother too," she said.

Maria motioned to Jack to help her down and he did so that she could hug the widow. "I forgive you," she said. "And I believe my grandmother does too."

"Of course I do," said Rosa, coming up and hugging her friend.

Maria now looked at them all. "Well, what is your answer?" She asked.

"Banish Oogie Boogie forever!" Someone cried out and the others joined in.

Maria nodded and turned to Jack. "Will you lead the way?" She asked.

He nodded and led the way with her beside him, holding his hand.


Oogie was about ready to take over the town and began laughing. "I've finally won this time!" He said.

But the townspeople weren't going to give up without a fight. "Not this time, Oogie!" The Mayor said firmly.

"And never again!" Jack bellowed as he, Maria, and the humans from Maria's village appeared.

The villain was shocked. "But how?!" He exclaimed.

"With a little help from some dear friends," said Jack as he smiled at Maria, who returned his smile before glaring at Oogie Boogie.

"You aren't welcomed here or in my world, Oogie!" She said.

The villain laughed. "Like you can stop me," he taunted her.

"I did years ago, Oogie," Jack said darkly. "Remember?"

"As did I and my ancestors in the following years," said Rosa. "Remember?"

"And we're going to do so again," Maria said firmly.

Oogie didn't like being faced by two angry towns and when to escape, but he became a bit unraveled and Maria stepped on one of the loose strings. Jack grabbed another one, and everyone else pitched in, unraveling Oogie and scattering all the bugs inside him. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Oogie yelled as he was destroyed once more.

After defeating their mutual enemy, the people from the two worlds reconciled and Jack met with the village leader, solidifying the promises he had made long ago and the leader drew up another document that was a combination of a peace treaty and an ally treaty. Jack signed it and watched the village leader sign it as well.

Maria smiled as she watched her people help Jack's people and vice versa before someone declared having a party. That idea was met with cheering and Maria smiled before feeling a hand on her shoulder and saw Jack was behind her. He bowed politely. "Maria, will you dance with me?" He asked.

She curtsied. "Of course I will, Jack," she said with a smile.

He twirled her around gently and pulled her into him, wrapping one arm around her waist and his other hand held her hand. She placed her free arm on his right arm and followed his lead, trusting Jack as he twirled her and leaned her down into a dancing dip.

Rosa was watching with her husband as they danced. "Look at them, Rosa," said her husband. "Don't they dance wonderfully together?"

She nodded as she watched Maria lay her head trustingly on Jack's shoulder as he scooped her up in his arms. "Yes," she said. "And Maria trusts him just as I do."

Her husband nodded and they continued dancing as Maria, oblivious to anything but Jack dancing with her, fully trusting him as not only a great dancer, but also as a great friend.


Well, they won. :)

Only one more chapter to go! And I was having so much fun with this story. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418