Author's Note: The following song will be the uncut version; that is all.
Chapter 10: The Oogie Boogie Song
"You don't look like yourself Jack." Sally said.
"Not at all." Annie added. Andy nodded in agreement.
The eldest was busy sewing away at the Pumpkin King's sleeve; finishing up the last bit of his "Sandy Claws" outfit. Jack was curious as to where Hazel had gone since he didn't see her with the doll sibling, but she had finished her par, so he guessed she went to rest up. From what little Sam had seen, and everything that Belle knew, they both came to a distinct conclusion: Jack looked nothing like Santa Claus. Sure, he wore the exact clothing as Old St. Nick, he even wore a fake beard; the errors were that Optimus was almost as tall as a tree and was as skinny (if not thinner than) as a pencil.
"Isn't that wonderful?" Jack gleefully asked. "It couldn't be more wonderful."
"But you're the Pumpkin King." Sally protested. She grabbed the picture of Jack as both Pumpkin King and "Sandy Claws" in hopes of getting through to him.
"Not anymore." Jack took the picture from the rag doll and broke it in half on his knee. "I feel so much better now."
Sam, Belle, and the Doll Sibling could only stare in shock and disbelief at what they saw.
The young shape-shifter felt very faint, ". . . And I think I need a doctor . . . "
"Easy there, Sam." Andy said, placing a hand on the shape-shifter's shoulder.
Annie spoke soothingly, "Let's find you a place to sit."
"Right this way." Belle said. She took Sam by the hand (her cheeks turning red as she did) then guided him forward.
Sam wobbled a bit, leading Belle, Annie, and Andy to escort him towards the far end of Town Square to recuperate from his sudden illness. Jack became concerned soon as he saw his eldest apprentice looking like he was about to faint. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the eldest rag doll . . .
"Jack, I know you think something's missing, But-"
"Ow!" Jack yelped. The rag doll was so distracted that she ended up pricking the needle on the Pumpkin King's finger.
Realizing her mistake, she apologized, "Sorry!"
"You're right. Something is missing, but what?" Jack questioned. This brought a smile on Sally's raggy lips; had she gotten through to her metallic, skeletal friend? The Pumpkin King looked over himself from a mirror, "I've goth the beard, the coat, the boots-"
Sally looked at her skeletal friend in disbelief; he truly was missing something: reason!
"Jack! Jack! This time, we bagged him!"
Everyone, excluding Sam and the three other youths, averted they attention to Boogie's Boys entering the scene. With them was their mobile bathtub . . . with the ever present black sack . . . that seemed to be wriggling.
"This time, we really did it!" Rai assured.
Gabe slid from the to of the sack, "He sure is big, Jack!"
"And heavy!" Allie added.
It was then that the three undid the sack . . . and released the contents of the icon in question!
"Let us out!" Santa shouted. With him were two smaller figures that fell out.
Everyone around gasped in surprise by the sight of the elderly looking man; so this was what he looked like. What they didn't expect to see were the two smaller creatures to be with him. They appeared to be some sort om imps, only with colorful clothing. All three of which had their eyes covered by their hats.
"Sandy Claws in person. What a pleasure to meet you." Jack approached till he was face to face with Santa Claus. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He went on to shake his . . . hand? "Why, you have hands! You don't have claws at all." He said in astonishment.
"Of course he has hand! How else would he hold stuff with?" Truman questioned.
"And what do you mean . . . . by . . . . claws . . . ?" Edward followed.
Santa and his two apprentices lifted their hats to see where they were, though it was blurry at first. But soon as their vision came into focus . . . their eyes went as wide as dinner plates! they found themselves in a town that was eerily similar, yet vastly different from Christmas Town, and were surrounded by very odd-looking creatures staring at them.
Jack leaned forward, "Surprised, aren't you? I knew you would be." It was then that Optimus saw Truman and Edward, "And these two must be your apprentices"
". . . Edward?" Truman spoke up.
The other elf was silent at first, but replied, ". . . Yes . . . . Truman?"
"Back in the sack?" The green elf inquired.
". . . After you." The red elf confirmed.
Before anyone around could blink, both elves rushed back into the confines of the sack.
Ignoring the antics of the two elves, Jack went on, "You don't need to have another worry about Christmas this year."
"What?" Santa asked.
As the metallic skeleton spoke, Santa looked around the area he was currently in and saw that it was decorated for . . . Christmas. Well, there were some things that almost resemble Christmas-esque, but looked rather odd and . . . morbid. Looking down, he saw a rat wearing a party hat, that was eating a piece of cheese with red ribbon.
"Consider this a vacation, Sandy, a reward." Optimus stated. "It's your turn to take it easy."
"But-but there must be some mistake!" Santa protested. How was being captured a reward?
"See that they're comfortable. Just a second fellas." Jack said just as the three were about to disembark with St. Nick and his apprentices. He looked as though he was under consideration. "Of course! That's what I'm missing. Thanks!" With that, Jack took Santa's hat.
"But-you just can't-" Santa tried to protest.
It was then that Sam got over his "sudden illness" and approached the crowd with Belle and the younger doll siblings. Though they had heard the crowd gasping, Sam was still too zoned out to see what had happened and his three companions were to concerned to leave him alone in such a state. Soon as they saw what had happened . . . Belle nearly felt everything go in slow motion . . . . She saw Oogie's Boys . . . with her mentor!
"Santa!" Belle called out. She ran to catch up.
Santa heard this and saw his third apprentice attempting to ran to him, "Belle? Belle!" Unfortunately, on bag closed as the bathtub began to move. "Hold on! Where are we going now?"
"Nowhere good, I think." Truman offered.
"Wait . . . Belle was here? You say Belle is here?!" Edward questioned . . . though it was too late.
Jack didn't seem to be concerned much, "Ho, ho, ho! No." He said as he tried to find
It was then that both Vlad and Hazel appeared; their clothes were messy, their faces drenched in sweat despite the rather cool weather, and they appeared to be out of breath. They wobbled a bit before standing straight up to catch their breath.
Hazel was the first to speak, "Sam! Bad news, and not the kind we like!" She panted. "We got there too late . . . Boogie's Boys-"
"Uh . . . Hazel?" Vlad interrupted.
"What, Vlad?" Hazel wheezed.
"I think they already know." The dampir pointed to the departing bathtub.
The young witch frowned, "Oh . . . guess they do . . . "
Belle went very silent . . . so silent, that if one were to drop a pin to the cobblestone ground . . . it'd made the ground quake. Sam looked to the Christmas Town native with concern, he just couldn't believe what had happened. First their beloved leader takes the helm of a holiday they barely found out but a month ago, but now . . . now he had the leader of that holiday captured! Not only that, but he entrusted the task to the three individuals who were very much disliked by all of Halloween Town. . . . How could he have allowed this to happen under his watch? Sure, he was only an apprentice . . . but he was also Jack's voice of reason . . . and yet . . . he felt that he had no use . . .
The shape-shifter placed a hand on the violet girl's shoulder, "Belle . . ." He started.
She merely shrugged off the hand and replied, "Sam . . . I just . . . I just need to be alone right now."
Sam watched as Belle hugged herself, then walk away from the busy Town Square.
"You know what . . . so do I . . . I'll see you guys later."
The shape-shifter walked the opposite direction, his hands in his pockets, and head slumped down so much his cap nearly fell off. His friends looked on with worry, but could not find the will to move after either Sam or Belle . . . let alone speak. Then again . . . what could be said?
"Vlad! There you are! We need you over here, stat!" Heatwave called.
"Oh, Hazel! Glad you made it; we need a hand with this brew!" Mrs. Twombly called.
". . . . Coming . . ." Dhampir and witch called back before going to their guardians without another word.
Annie and Andy shared a sad glance of concern
. . . things were just getting worse by the second. They walked back to their elder sister and shared what had happened between Sam and Belle. Sally was instantly saddened to hear the Christmas apprentice saw her mentor and fellow apprentices stuffed in a bag and taken away by the bratty trio.
"Sally . . . what are we going to do?" Annie asked.
"This is worse than we thought, much worse." Andy emphasized.
Sally wracked her head a bit . . . then it hit her!
"I know . . . follow me." She said. Her lips in a smile.
Though her younger siblings were confused by the sudden positive attitude, they nonetheless followed her lead.
At the gate, Rai, Gabe, and Allie led their bathtub to the outskirts of Halloween Town.
"Me, on vacation on Christmas Eve?" Santa questioned incredulously.
Edward shared his mentor's thoughts, "Simply unacceptable!"
"I know I like to slack off . . . but not this close to Christmas!" Truman cried out.
Boogie's Boys paid them no heed as they came to a stop.
"Where are we taking him?" Gabe asked.
Allie asked as well, "Where?"
"To Oogie Boogie, of course." Rai replied. He took off his mask to reveal a sinister grin. "There isn't anywhere in the whole world more comfortable that, and Jack said to make him comfortable, didn't he?" He asked.
"Yes, he did." His fellow trick-or-treaters agreed.
"Haven't you heard of 'Peace on Earth' and 'Good Will toward men'?" Santa questioned from the sack.
"Or 'It's better to give, than receive'?" Edward added.
"No!" The three trick-or-treaters cackled, continuing on their way.
"I don't think they've heard of those." Truman commented.
This made Edward groan, "Not now, Truman . . ."
Sam was so deep in thought that he felt all time was slowing down at an alarming rate . . . everything felt so wrong right now that the sound of the alarms weren't enough to snap him out.
". . . -am . . . . Sam!" A voice called out.
The shape-shifter shook his head, "Huh . . . What?"
He turned around to see the Pumpkin King running up to him; odd, it looked as though he were busy minuets ago, was there something wrong? At any rate, Optimus seemed to be in a chipper mood, so it was for the better that the shape-shifter to at least pretend that he was happy for his mentor. Even if he didn't like the fact that they were taking over another holiday without consent from the leader; pretty sure the Pumpkin King didn't ask permission.
Jack was able to catch up in time, "Are you alright? You seem a little . . . down."
Sam sighed, then strained a fake smile, "Never better, just . . . allergies. ACHOO!" He fake sneezed.
"Well, I'm sure it'll end clear up." Jack shrugged. He then placed an arm around his eldest apprentice and led him to a secluded part of Town Square. "Anyway, I was hoping to give you your instructions. Cannot believe it slipped my mind up until now!"
Sam blinked soon as the metallic skeleton said that; it was true, he had yet given the shape-shifter his instructions all this time they were working. Sam mentally slapped himself, he was so busy with all the excitement going around town that he had forgotten that Jack didn't give him instructions. For a whole month! Well, if ever there was a time that the young apprentice had to hear out his mentor, now was that exact moment.
"Sam . . . What I'm about to ask is something . . . big. In fact, it's the largest thing that I think I'll ever ask." Jack stated solemnly, facing forward.
"What is it?" Sam raised an eyebrow.
Optimus seemed hesitant, but went on, "Well . . . you know how Sandy Claws is able to travel around the world in a single night and deliver present to children?"
The shape-shifter nodded.
"And no doubt Belle accompanies him." Jack continued.
Sam cringed upon hearing Belle's name, but replied, "Of course."
". . . Which comes to the conclusion." Jack stated.
At first, the shape-shifter didn't understand the gesture his mentor maid,mbut when it became clear . . . His eyes widened.
"Jack . . . Are you . . ?" He couldn't finish his sentence . . . He was at a loss for words.
The Pumpkin King fully faced his apprentice, placed both hands on his shoulder, and looked directly into his eyes.
"Sam Hane, my oldest, faithful, and loyal apprentice . . . Will you accompany me as I deliver Christmas cheer?" Jack asked.
Unfortunately, the young shape-shifter was still at a loss for words . . . . though his mind was ablaze with countless thoughts, none had made it out through his mouth . . . Then again . . . what could be said?! Yes, he was the oldest, as well as most loyal and faithful, apprentice since he knew Optimus before he became his apprentice; the reality of it all was just too stunning. Though he wanted to accepted the invitation in respect of his mentor . . . his logical side told him to (with the upmost politeness) decline and try to sort things out with a certain guest. He slumped his head; what could he do? . . . It was then that a thought popped right into his head. Of course! Now he knew what he needed to do, and with time and resources beginning to dwindle, he figured the time was now to act. Sure, it was a bold move (probably the boldest he's done so far), but if he were to fix things up . . . he needed to act. Quickly!
Sam placed a hand over of of Jack's, "Jack . . ." He then lifted his head, looked the metallic skeleton in the eyes . . . and smiled. "When do we take off?" He asked.
In the home of Ratchet Finkelstein, Andy and Annie followed Sally up to their (obviously former) living quarters. Though Andy was stubborn to enter the tower, especially when it came that Ratchet was still home, he was no match for the one thing his sisters gave him; 'puppy dog' eyes. It was easy to sneak pass Ratchet and Squirt since their appeared to be busy with some side project. He didn't take any chances so Andy stood guard at the door in case the wheelchair-bound scientist would happen upon them. The eldest doll moved some tiles from the floor to reveal a hidden compartment, which held a jar with a most . . . interesting content:
FOG JUICE
"This'll stop Jack." Sally said.
"I hope you're right, Sally . . . I hope you're right." Annie said concerned.
The three made their way down the corridors, passing by Ratchet's lab as they did so. As they passed by, they say that there was a figure covered in bandages that laid upon the operating table. Female by the looks of it. So it was true, he was making a replacement for them.
Andy shook his head, "Better that . . . thing than us. C'mon, let's go."
Both sisters followed their brother, but looked back one last time.
"What a joy to think of we'll have in common." Ratchet opened the top of his head and the figure on the table. He then pulled half of his brain off and placed it into the figure's head. "We'll have conversations worth having."
If the siblings had stayed a few more seconds, they would have seen their creator give the half a brain a kiss . . . only for the top of the figures lid to fall and clamp down on his lips!
At the tree house of Boogie's Boys, night having fallen by now, Rai, Gabe, and Allie cackled loudly as their bathtub approached the chute to their master's lair. In the tub (and no longer in the sack) was Santa Claus with his hands tied up. Looking on were both his elf apprentices, unable to do anything to help their mentor as they too had their hands tied.
"Don't do this!" Santa protested. "Naughty children never get any-PRESENTS!" He groaned as he was shoved into the chute.
"I think he might be too big!" Allie said.
They pushed him in, but he grunted as he was stuck.
Rai disagreed, "No, he's not. If he can go down a chimney, he can fit! Down! Here!"
They pushed again again, then on the third, Santa screamed as he (with some difficulty) fell down the chute.
Rai then turned to both elves, "And now, for you two."
If Edward wasn't furious then, he was now! First they were captured and told by some odd character that he was taking over Santa's role, but now these . . . . creeps (the 'B' word was too much) shoved their beloved leader down a chute? This was unspeakable!
"Now you see here; I don't know where you learned manners, but its obvious not working!" He shouted. He hopped to his face and got into the devil boy's face. "And if you think I'm going down that, you are-"
He was cut off when the devil boy smiled wildly.
". . . Whay are you looking at me like that . . ?" Edward asked. It was then that Rai approached closer. "S-s-stay back! I'm warning you, boy, I'm a black belt in Elf Fu-"
He didn't finish that sentence as Truman watched in terror by what he saw. He'd say what the devil boy was doing to his friend . . . but he just couldn't find the right words. It was no sooner that the red elf was forced into the chute, and all eyes were on him. The green elf looked around with wide eyes when he saw he was the center of attention, he knew there was one thing need be done . . .
"Righte-o, down the chute I go then!" Truman said. He then dove head first after his mentor and fellow apprentice.
The green elf soon falling onto a circular table, next to him were his friend and mentor. They said nothing as they looked around to see where they had ended up. It was some kind of dimly lit lair, an iron maiden was at the other end of the room. It was then that neon lights shined onto the torture device, illuminating a blue skeletal figure with red eyes, horns, spikes on the shoulders, and a spade-shape under the rib cage. There were some bats hanging on chains overhead, their too had blue-neon skeletal designs as they screeched and opened their wings.
It was then that red, blue, and violet neon colors illuminated around them in a very odd-looking way; they were on a giant roulette wheel! It was then that they heard sounds of rattling. They turned to see a pair of double doors with giant dice on each side, and in the neon light: the doors turned into a bright-green with black stripes, and the dice turned orange with skull faces. The doors suddenly opened as a pair of dice flew out and bounced off Santa's beard. It was then that a large shadow covered the three, they looked up to see a rather large figure . . .
Figure: Well, well, well;
What have we here?
The figure then stepped into the light to reveal that he was a . . . . large dark-blue burlap sack with arms and legs? The only other thing that stood out was that he wore a helmet with a metal face cover and a logo of a red cobra on his chest. This person was known as Cobra Commander, The Oogie Boogie Man. Though he didn't appear to be that much threatening
Cobra: Sandy Claws, huh?
Ooh! I'm really scared!
The three raised an eyebrow at the sentient burlap sack; confused on what was happening.
Truman was the first to speak, "What the . . ?"
Oogie Boogie: So you're the one everybody's talking about!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Soon as he let out that laugh the three found that they were being showered . . . with creepy crawlies. The elves panicked more than their mentor as they swiped away at the insects, while Oogie walked around them.
Oogie Boogie: You're jokin'! You're jokin'!
I can't believe my eyes!
He then spun the table, making both elves dizzy, but shook it off.
Cobra: You're joking me, you gotta be!
This can't be the right guy!
"And why not?" Edward questioned, not caring much for the sack's tone.
The sack pulled up and inspected the Jolly Old Elf.
Oogie Boogie: He's ancient!
"Hey!" Edward protested.
Cobra pulled Santa closer.
Oogie Boogie: He's ugly!
"That's not nice!" Truman stated.
Oogie Boogie: I don't know which is worse!
"Ever look in a mirror lately?" Truman grumbled.
"Not the best time Truman!" Edward hissed.
The sack the looked at the three closesly . . . when his head split open and a rather large spider swung at them. The elves clung to their mentor, but thankfully, the spider went back into Cobra's head.
Oogie Boogie: I might just split a seam now,
If I don't die laughing first!
It was then that the sentient sack began to dance and pulled Santa with him. This forced the elves to hop right after the two.
Oogie Boogie: Mr. Oogie Boogie says there's trouble close at hand,
You better pay attention now, 'cause I'm the Boogey Man!
As he sang, a hissing snake (which apparently acted as his tongue) snapped at Santa.
Oogie Boogie: And if you aren't shakin', there's something very wrong,
'Cause this might be the last time you hear the Boogie Song!
He approached three neon red skeletons that were held at the ankle and wrist by chains, which he activated and had them yanked.
Oogie Boogie: WOH!
Skeletons: WOH!
He approached two more skeletons, neon blue this time, that were in a vice-like clamp, which Cobra used to crush them with.
Oogie Boogie: WOH!
Skeletons: WOH!
Oogie Boogie: WOH!
He then pulled on a few chains were some bats, who were yellow-green neon in color, were roosting.
Bats: WOH!
Cobra then shoved them away as two, green spiders crawled from both sides of his face plate.
Oogie Boogie, Skeletons, and Bats: I'm (He's) the Oogie Boogie Man!
The sack continued to dance as a group of cockroaches jumped out of the right side of his face plate. They landed on his arm and danced a can-can to the beat. They didn't have very long as Cobra sucked them back.
Oogie Boogie: Well if I'm feeling antsy and have nothing much to do,
I may just cook a special batch of Snake and Spider Stew!
Santa and his apprentices exchanged looks of disgust soon as they heard that; Snake and Spider Stew, that didn't sound so good!
Oogie Boogie: And don't you know the one thing,
That would make it worth so nice?
The three were too disgusted by the though to answer and could only shake their heads in response.
Oogie Boogie: A rollie-pollie Santa Claus, to add a little spice!
This made the three look at the sentient sack as he puffed up like a balloon; first he was offensive, now . . . he was downright terrifying!
Skeletons: WOH!
Oogie Boogie: WOH!
Bats: WOH!
Oogie Boogie: OH!
Skeletons and Bats: WOH!
Oogie Boogie: OH YEAH!
Oogie Boogie, Skeletons, and Bats: He's (I'm) the Oogie Boogie Man!
Fed up with all this, Edward and Truman glared at the sentient sack.
Truman: Release us, now!
Edward: Or you must face the dire consequences!
Unbeknownst the them, they were actually on a railway that was a path for something mobile . . . or three! Approaching the captive elves were three robotic cowboys with slot-machines on the chest. Another thing they had were guns for right hands, where the lever for every slot machine should be as they moved like it . . .
Santa: The children are expecting me, so please come to your senses!
It was then that the 'slotbots' reached the captives . . . and fired real bullets at them! Fortunately for them, their captor
Oogie Boogie: Ha! You're jokin'! You're jokin'!
I can't believe my ears!
Once again, the sentient sack danced with the three, then spun them around.
Oogie Boogie: Would someone shut these fellas up?!
I'm drowning in my tears!
Cobra then kicked the three to the floor.
Oogie Boogie: It's funny! I'm laughing!
You really are too much!
He then got into Santa's face once again;
Oogie Boogie: And now, with your permission,
I'm going to do my stuff!
As he spoke, the snake once again snapped at the leader of Christmas . . . twice this time. He most certainly did not have their permission to do his stuff . . . whatever it was. But the elves were too dizzy from spinning to say anything.
Santa: What are you going to do?
Oogie Boogie: I'm gonna do the best I can . . .
It was then that neon lights began to flash like strobes as Cobra laughed to the beat. It was then that the sentient sack began to dance as his silhouette bulged in the neon light, but that had to be a hallucination. Truman realized he liked the beat and began to dance a little . . . but stopped soon as his friend and mentor gave him. The sentient sack then took something from the far room . . .
Oogie Boogie: HUH! YEAH!
It was then that every went back to normal . . . as it could be anyway.
Oogie Boogie: WHOA-OHH!
Cobra appeared with a pair of dice in hand.
Oogie Boogie: The sound of rolling dice,
To me music in the air!
The sentient sack threw the pair
Oogie Boogie: 'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogey Man,
Although I don't play fair!
He proceeded to throw the pair of dice at a skeleton, which bounced off and flew at Santa; bouncing off him as well.
Oogie Boogie: It's much more fun, I must confess,
With lives on the line!
Cobra then pulled down a rope-hook from overheard.
Oogie Boogie: Not mine, of course, but yours,
Old boys! Now that'll be just fine!
"We are not old!" Edward and Truman protested.
Cobra didn't listened as he hooked the three up and pulled on a wheel to lift them into the air.
Santa: Release us fast,
Or you will have to answer for this heinous act!
Cobra wasn't the least bit intimidated.
Oogie Boogie: Oh brother, you're something!
You put me in a spin!
He made his point by allowing the wheel to rotate without his hands for a few seconds before gripping it once more.
Oogie Boogie: You aren't comprehending,
The position that you're in!
They came to a complete stop, hanging in the air as various shadows danced around them.
Oogie Boogie: It's hopeless, you're finished!
You haven't got a prayer!
It was then that Cobra appeared at their side.
Oogie Boogie: 'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie,
And you ain't going nowhere . . .
it was then that the lights died down as he let out a loud, maniacal laugh as his captives watched in horror.
Upon hearing the song and maniacal laughter of their master; Rai, Gabe, and Allie let out hysterical cackling of their own.