Chapter 10: Operation

(Jack's POV)

I watched as the girls laughed. It was surprising they could find something to laugh about after all the danger we have faced. However, we were far from being done. I still had no idea what Oogie's plans were, and I needed to find Dr. Finklestein to get my answers.

"Jack?" I turned to Sally. The worry in her voice reached her eyes, and I was concerned.

I took her hands in mine. "Sally, what's the matter?"

"I know you need to talk with Dr. Finklestein, but I'm worried about Jewel. I think she's here somewhere in the manor, but…"

"I understand. You go and find her. I'll take care of the Doctor." I kissed her forehead before turning to Will and Al. "Girls, I need you to look after Sally." As much as I wanted to stay, I needed to confront Dr. Finklestein. But that didn't mean I was going to leave Sally without some kind of protection.

"You sure, Jack?" Will asked.

"Yes. I must confront the Doctor alone."

"Nu-uh Boney Butt," Al argued. "Will can stay with Sally and keep her safe. I'm coming with you. No arguments."

"You sure about that?" Will looked concerned, but then I noticed she paused before a subtle smirk appeared on her face. "You know what, what I'm I taking about? You love to smash stuff. Going after Finkie will be way more entertaining for you."

"Ally want to SMASH!" She clutched her sledgehammer and her smile even started to creep me out.

"Well, alright then. Sally, Will, please be careful." They nodded and then headed back down the ramp. Then I turned to Al. "You ready to go?"

"Born ready my favorite skeleton!" Al said, grasping her sledgehammer tighter. "Lets go have a smashing good time!" If I had eyeballs I'd have rolled them, but apparently Al understood my annoyance. "Okay, my bad, I'll stop with the puns."

I nodded then turned to the elevator. I stepped inside and waited for Al to follow before heading up to the lab. The ride was short but we reached the top without any problem. Before I stepped out, I spotted the Doctor. He was sitting in front of the window with his back to us. I took a few steps toward him.

"Dr. Finklestein! Why are you doing this?" I pleaded.

"Ah, Jack. I see you managed to make it here…" He turned around to face me. "You've been busy, Jack. I think its time for you to rest." He reached up and opened his head to scratch his brain. But what I saw caused me to gasp. Inside the Doctor's head was a green brain with two large, dead white eyes.

"Oogie switched your brain!"

"Ew. Bad brain!" Al said.

Dr. Finklestein closed his head and glared at me. "Shall we begin? I think you'll like this device. I made it especially for you." He threw a switch and activated his machine. There was a loud rumbling sound, and an electric buzzing. I looked up and saw the Doctor's newest machine come to life. Four claws dropped down, each with three large rotating blades. Lasers cannons surrounded the top and there was a large lightening rod dangling from the center.

"You ready to dance Jack?" Al said, prepping her sledgehammer.

I nodded. Al was right, but there had to be a way to get Dr. Finklestein back to his old self. I looked around, trying to find anything that we could use to help him. Then my eyes fell on a cart that, to our luck, had the Doctor's brain sitting on it. I had to switch the Doctor's real brain back to save him, but I needed a plan.

"Let's see…" muttering mostly to myself. If I open his head from behind, then get in front of him and throw his real brain in…"Yes! That should work!"

"Okay, whatever you're planning Jack, I'll distract and you get this done. Good?" Al asked.

"Yes. I believe this will work. But I think I should be the one to distract him." I stepped closer to Al and lowered my voice so the Doctor wouldn't hear me. "Dr. Finklestein is more likely to go after me, so what I need you to do is be ready when I give the signal." I pointed her over to where I had spotted the brain. "Once I get his head open, be ready to toss his brain in. Got it?"

"Hot potato with a brain?" Al asked, grimacing slightly. "First time for everything I guess…"

She readied to rush for the brain, while I stepped forward to face Dr. Finklestein. I felt the Soul Robber pulse against my wrist. No doubt it could sense its creator, but I needed it now to defeat the Doctor's machine. I looked around for any openings. Suddenly I heard Al groan.

"Oh good. There going to be MORE singing isn't there!? I can already hear the music!" she said.

Before I could question her, the machine attacked.

DR. FINKLESTEIN
This town has changed, my boy
Since you've been away
Without a Pumpkin King
It's Oogie Boogie's way!

JACK
Doctor, please!
Oh, can't you see you're wrong?

DR. FINKLESTEIN
You were the king
But now you're nothing but prey!
Oogie Boogie is back
And he's planning to stay!

JACK
It' a crazy web you're weaving!
 Oogie Boogie will soon be leaving!
Doctor, please! It's not too late!

DR. FINKLESTEIN
All my machines will seal your fate!

I ducked and dodged as the blades came down. Luckily I had been right and Dr. Finklestein had kept all his focus on me. While the blades were quite easy to avoid, the lightning blasts and shootings were another thing entirely. Al weaved between the blades but a rogue lightning blast hit her full on. She squealed and stumbled forward, but kept running. I was astounded that she survived and was still mobile. She was at the side of the tray with the brain in an instant but kept twitching randomly.

"You alright, Al?" I called, dodging another blade.

"Electric therapy didn't work then and IT WON'T WORK NOW!" she yelled, shaking her fist at the air.

I nodded, though I was worried about her mental state. Once the Doctor was back to normal, I might have him examine her. And speaking of the good Doctor…

DR. FINKLESTEIN
My lasers will slice you!
 My knives will cut deep!
And when it's all over
Sally, she will weep!

The days of your good natured
Mayhem are through!
I'll tear up this town!
And I'm starting with you!

I finally got to the back of the machine. Dr. Finklestein had his focus on Al for the moment, allowing me the chance to go for his head. I whipped out the Soul Robber and latched it onto the back of his head and pulled. I struggled to get the top of his head open. I was so busy trying to open it, I never noticed the Doctor hit a button on his chair. The button triggered one of the lasers and blasted me. The force knocked me into the wall but luckily it also helped me opened Dr. Finklestein's head.

The lasers kept shooting at random, and one of them was headed straight toward Al. She threw up her machete to act like a shield, and it took to the full blast of the laser. She slide back a few feet but kept standing. Her blade was glowing a red with a black center. Her eyes widened in awe at her new blade and a wide, creepy smile crawled onto her face.

"I am a Sith Lord!" she shouted before laughing manically. She saw that the blades had stilled and her smile got wider. Leaping like a flea, Al launched off the floor, onto the still blades then onto the main trusses of the machine. She kept giggling like an insane person as she hacked through the lasers, her blade not loosing its sinister glow.

"It's a light saber!" she kept shouting over and over again.

Both the Doctor and I were distracted by the girl's strange behavior, but I quickly recovered and got to my feet. I spotted the brain on the tray and decided to take the open opportunity. I grabbed the brain with the Soul Robber and flung it at the Doctor's head. However, my aim was off and it flew right past his face.

"Nobody move! Jack dropped the brain!" Al shouted down, laughing loudly and even more insanely if that is at all possible. I think I even saw her go cross-eyed for a moment.

"Al, get the brain!" I said, moving as the blades began to spin again. Dr. Finklestein only laughed at us.

DR. FINKLESTEIN
Well, now, my boy
It seems you've lost your crown!
 In a few moments
You'll be six feet in the ground!

JACK
Stop at once!
Can't you see this is absurd?

DR. FINKLESTEIN
No more tricks!
Your friends are now your foes!
And now this dance is
Nearing its close

JACK
All these people that you're hurting
Oh, good doctor, it's disconcerting

Doctor, please!
 Your thinking is all wrong!

DR. FINKLESTEIN
 In a moment finally you'll be gone!

This was not going well. If I didn't get Dr. Finklestein's brain back in his head soon, Al and I could be in serious trouble. I had to try again. I waited for the lasers to retreat before making my way back around the machine.

JACK
Your intentions are evil! Your thoughts are all bad!
The thing that you work for
Is no more than a cad!
When I finally get that
 Foul brain out of you
You'll see no more foe
But a friend that is true!

Dr. Finklestein had a closer eye on me now. When the claws retreated, he redirected the lasers to fire on me. I quickly ducked behind the tray as another round of lasers fired at me. I turned to see Al sitting beside me.

"The singing...is getting...old...guys..." she panted, her smile slipping into a hard glare.

I wasn't sure what she was talking about, but I had to agree, this needed to stop. I looked around and saw that Dr. Finklestein's head was still wide open. That gave me an idea.

"Al, if I can keep the Doctor distracted, do you think you might be able to sneak over and throw his brain into his head?" I asked her.

"With pleasure, Señor Sombrero," she said, snickering at that before darting towards the brain, snatching it up and cradling it in one arm. Seeing she had the brain, I waited before running back into the fray, dodging bullets and lasers, making sure Dr. Finklestein kept his focus on me.

DR. FINKLESTEIN
 My blades are now spinning!
 My creations are large!
When they move towards you
 There's no question who's in charge!

If by some chance
You survive the attack
There'll be many more
You'd better watch your back!

JACK
 You shoot and attack me
It rolls off my back!
I'm not your enemy
 I'm the Pumpkin King, Jack!

When this is all over
Good friends we will be!
 You'll praise Oogie no more!
You can take that from me!

Suddenly, I was caught up in one of the metal claws. Dr. Finklestein laughed as one of the guns lowered in front of me. I glared back at him, struggling to free myself. I could see the Doctor was about to say something, but then I noticed Al behind him. She had a severe look about her that made me a little uncomfortable.

"That's enough out of you!" Al said darkly before leaping onto the Doctor's chair, shoving the brain into the empty cavity and shouting, "Shut your brain!" and slamming the top shut, causing sparks to fly since she was still charged. The Doctor groaned in pain.

I felt bad for him, but with his old brain back in his head, I knew he should be back to his old self. With the Doctor no longer at the controls, I was released as the machine returned into the ceiling.

"Oh no! I ain't done with you yet!" Al shouted. She grabbed onto one of the claws and began to smash away at the machine. I just stared after her, not sure whether to get her down or not. Some of the effects of the lightening must have done something to her. She was wild and out of control. I thought about getting Will, but then decided against it. Instead I turned my attention back to Dr. Finklestein. Perhaps he might have a solution.

When his head was finally cleared, Dr. Finklestein wheeled over to my side. His head was bowed in shame. "I'm sorry, Jack. I never imagined my brain would be replaced and the town deceived…" he apologized.

"Don't blame yourself, Doctor. You were under Oogie's control. If anyone is to blame, it should be me. If I hadn't left, Halloween Town wouldn't be in this mess."

"Well, can't argue with you on that." I turned around and saw Will coming out of the elevator. She walked over to us, her expression slightly amused. "Seriously Jack, you need to stop beating yourself up about it. Main focus now is to stop Oogie."

"Will, where's Sally?" I asked. I didn't see her on the elevator, and I was beginning to worry.

"Relax, she's just fine," Will assured me. "She's with Jewel–"

"Jewel!? My Jewel?" Dr. Finklestein exclaimed. "What happened? Where-Where is she!?"

"Easy, Doc. She's okay…for the most part. We found her in Sally's old room, but she's a little under the weather. Sally stayed behind to see what she could do for her."

I heard Dr. Finklestein sigh in relief before I heard Al shout, "I got another machete!"

I looked up and spotted Al laughing maniacally from her perch on the machine. One of the blades from the claws was in her hands. She placed it on her belt loop, then jumped down and began to swing from another one of the metal claws.

"Oh no…" Will groaned. I turned to see she was rubbing her temples. She looked to me and asked, "By any chance did Al get hit? And before you go sugarcoating anything, Sally and I already heard a fight going on up here, specifically gunfire, so don't go saying nothing happened."

"Well, yes..." I answered. "There were lasers and Al was hit by a bolt of electricity, but how…?" I looked back up to see Al still swinging from the metal claws.

"Lets just say those therapists never should have tried electroshock therapy," Will groaned.

"Hey look! A secret door!" Al yelled down to Will. She crawled to a hidden compartment above the Doctor's machine. She opened the door and made a sour face. "No skull? Lame!" She reached inside and tossed whatever was inside down to the floor. We all quickly moved as something came plummeting towards us. The item landed right in front of me. I stepped closer to see what it was. It was a large wooden door in the shape and color of a four-leaf clover.

"Doctor! The St. Patrick's Day Door…"

"Indeed that is a Holiday Door. Hmmm?" He pondered over the appearance of the Holiday Door. I had to admit, I was beginning to wonder what Oogie's purpose was in removing the doors. Suddenly Dr. Finklestein gasped. "Jack! What's today's date?"

I scratched my skull. I hadn't kept track of the dates recently, but then I remembered seeing a calendar inside Will and Al's apartment. "Why today is… December 24th. Oh no… It's almost Christmas!"

"Really, you didn't know? Sheesh, didn't you see all the streets, stores and houses were decorated on the way to our apartment?" Will added.

Suddenly, I heard Al start to sing:

Leroy The Redneck Reindeer
Hooked to the front of the sleigh
Delivering toys to all the good ol' boys
And girls along the way

I stared after her, not quite sure what song she was singing. Then I looked back to Will. "Uh, I thought Al didn't like to sing."

"She doesn't, but she in one of her moods. Just give me a sec." She walked over to stand under the claw where Al was. She was currently hanging upside-down, humming the tune to that odd song. I watched as Will took off her pack and raised it up to Al.

"Ally, get yourself down here," Will shouted. "If you come down, and I might give you a cookie."

"Weeeee!" Al quickly jumped down and landed on her feet. She ran to Will and began to bounce up and down uncontrollably. "Where my cookie?!"

Instead of answering here, I saw Will reach to the back of Al's neck and pinched a spot just under her left ear. Al suddenly went still and her eyes seemed to focus. She shook her head and began looking around.

"Did we win? Wait!" She looked to Will sternly, her fists clenched at her side. "You promised cookie."

"Sorry." Will shrugged and smiled, returning the pack to her shoulders. "You went Freakazoid again. I had no choice. You said last time Kat or I had to promise you a cookie and do the nerve pinch because you didn't like how the doctors snapped you out of it."

"Oh… Sorry."

"No problem. Anyway, back to the Holiday Doors," Will continued. "What exactly is Oogie planning to do with all these, Doc?" All three of us looked to Dr. Finklestein.

"I'm not exactly sure," Dr. Finklestein answered. "I don't remember much of what Oogie told me while I was under his control, but what I can remember is he needed to find the other Holiday doors."

"We found two already," Al said. I nudged her shoulder and pointed to the St. Patrick's Day Door. "Three. We found three doors."

"Hmm… I wonder what's happening with the Christmas Door… I believe Oogie specifically wanted that door, but for what purpose I cannot remember. Let's hope we can find it soon!" Dr. Finklestein opened his cranium and racked his brain for ideas.

"Hey, just thought of something," Will said. "If we have three of the doors, and the others are scattered somewhere all over town, what the heck is separating Halloween Town from the other holidays?"

"Oh dear, you're right. Without the doors, anything could come through. We'd better check to make sure nothing else has disturbed the other holidays. Sandy still hasn't quite forgiven me for my little Christmas takeover."

"Little Christmas takeover?" Al asked sarcastically, putting her hands on her hips. "You kidnapped him and put him in a bag! I almost went to jail for doing that, twice!"

"Do we really need to bring that up again?" Will groaned. I wasn't sure to whom she was speaking, so I turned our focus back to the problem at hand.

"Doctor, we need to go back to the Pumpkin Patch. But it won't be easy, because Oogie's monsters have possessed the pumpkins at the entrance, blocking anyone from entering."

"Hmmm… I know! We'll scare those monsters out of the pumpkins! Gi-Give me just a moment…" He was very excited, and practically jumping out of his chair as he disappeared into his private laboratory.

"Hey, I wanna see!" Al said, running after him. I was about to follow when Will stopped me.

"Say Jack," Will said. "Doc might be awhile if he's working on a new project. Why don't you go check on Sally."

"Good idea." I went to the elevator and rode down to the next floor. I saw that the boards that once blocked off the room had been bashed in, and the door had been left opened. I walked inside and spotted Sally sitting in a chair next to the bed. Lying in the bed was Dr. Finklestein's most recent creation, Jewel. She wasn't moving and Sally was watching over her. I walked over to her side and placed my hand on her shoulder. She was startled at first, but smiled when she saw me.

"Is the doctor himself again?" she asked.

"Yes! He's making a device to help us defeat Oogie's army."

She smiled and stood to wrap her arms around me. I eagerly returned the gesture. I had to make a note to myself that if I ever had to leave again (something I plan never again unless absolutely necessary), I needed to take Sally with me. She pulled back and looked at me with a sincerest apology.

"Thanks for rescuing the Doctor, Jack. He's difficult sometimes, but he was the one who gave me life."

"Don't worry, Sally. I know it wasn't his fault." I looked over her shoulder at Jewel. Her stillness was beginning to unsettle me. "Sally, is Jewel alright?"

She was quiet and turned to look upon her friend. "I don't know. She hasn't moved and I can't seem to wake her. Jack, I think Oogie's done something to her."

"Now, now, don't fret, my Sally," I assured her. "I'm sure the Doctor can fix her up, and she'll be good as new."

She smiled and wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist. "You're right. Dr. Finklestein will know just what to do. Oh, that reminds me. You said he was making something to help you stop Oogie and his monsters, right?"

"Yes, but he wouldn't say what."

"Just a minute." She pulled away from me and crouched down to the ground. Puzzled, I watched as she removed a section of the floor and pulled out a red and green present.

"Jack, do you think this might be helpful, too?" She held it out to me.

"What's this?" I carefully opened the box and looked inside. The first thing I noticed was the red material. I walked over and set the box on the sewing table so I could remove the contents. First I pulled out a red piece of cloth. It seemed to be covering something, so I unwrapped it. Inside was a small pin. It was a little orange jack-o-lantern wearing a Sandy Claws hat. I turned to thank her, but then Sally took the pin from my hand and placed it on my jacket.

"Now, tap on the hat," she instructed.

I did as she said and suddenly, I felt a cold wind whipping at my bones. It reminded me of the first time I had fallen into Christmas Town. When I opened my eyes, Sally was smiling. I couldn't understand what she was looking at so I looked down at myself, and was surprised that, not only was my pin gone, but I had changed. My usual pinstriped suit had been replaced with a red suit with white trim. Atop my head was a Sandy Claws hat, and I was even wearing I long white beard. I smiled at her as I realized what it was.

"It's Sandy's costume!"

"Do you really like it?" she asked.

"Oh Sally, this is wonderful!"

She was beaming from my praise. "Oh, I'm so glad you like it. I remembered you told me your other one was damaged last year, so I thought I'd surprise you with a brand new one. I even wrote a letter to Mr. Claws asking him if it would be alright. He said I could, and even sent material. When I explained how you lost your other one, he sent special instructions for making the new suit. The instructions called for a little Christmas magic to make that special pin to keep it safe for you. All you have to do is put it on and tap the hat, and the suit will appear. When you want to return to your regular suit, just tap on your hat and it will return to a pin."

"Sally, you truly are a clever one," I complimented. "Who else but you could think of such a wonderful present?"

"Well, I had help from Mr. Claws," she said modestly. "And besides, I thought it would be a fun surprise."

"Oh Sally…" I grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her into the air, spinning her around. Her squeal of delight made me spin a little faster. I just couldn't contain my joy! I was just so stunned she had done such a thing for me. What a wonderful present, and just in time for Christmas too. What a wonderful Christmas…present…

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightening. It was Christmas Eve and here I was, without a present for my beloved Sally, and she had gone to the trouble to get me one. Oh how completely selfless of her, and how foolish of me! I had been so preoccupied with finding new ideas for Halloween and stopping Oogie Boogie from taking over, that I had completely forgotten the most important date in my life. Not only was it Christmas Eve, but it was also our anniversary!

I stopped spinning and set her back on her feet. I took her small hands in mine and kissed the backs of them.

"Oh Sally, forgive me, my darling. You put so much thought into your gift, and I completely forgot to get you one." I dropped her hands and looked at the ground. "How could I forget, today of all days?! I should have everything prepared to give the best, most romantic Christmas/Anniversary. I don't even have a present for you." I turned my back to her, too ashamed to look at her.

"Jack, please, don't worry." I shook my head. I really didn't deserve her. I left her, caused her to suffer at the hands of Oogie Boogie again, and now I had nothing to give her on what should be a special day for the two of us.

The sound of clacking heels made there way over to me. I felt Sally take my hands in her own. I dared to look at her and my phantom heart nearly broke. She was looking at me, smiling at me, a look of love filling up her whole face. She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed my boney cheek. I felt the tears burning in the back of my eye sockets.

She looked up at me and I could see a faint blush creeping over her cheeks. She really did look adorable whenever she blushed. I waited silently as she spoke.

"The nicest present I could ever ask for, Jack, is just to be with you."

I felt my bones blanch at her loving words, and my heart swelled with joy.

"You don't even have to ask for that!" I scooped her into my arms and held her close, till I could feel our heart beating as one. She cuddled closer and wrapped her arms around my neck. I really was the luckiest skeleton in the world to be loved by such a forgiving and hauntingly beautiful woman. I soon closed the distance between us, pouring in all my love as a kissed her soft lips. I felt her respond and deepened the kiss. I was making a promise to her with that kiss: I was going to defeat Oogie Boogie, for good this time. And when the town was back to normal, and everything was at peace again, I was going to spend this Christmas, and every day after, showing my Sally just how much I love and care for her. And this is one promise I intend to never, ever break.

XXX

GodlyJewel: Yes, I threw in a little Kingdom Hearts. Sorry but, I just couldn't help myself.

CosmicHorse:

Leroy The Redneck Reindeer
Hooked to the front of the sleigh
 Delivering toys to all the good ol' boys
And girls along the way
 He's just a down home party animal
Two Steppin' all across the sky
He makes jingle bells with the rebel yell
And made history that night

"Leroy The Redneck Reindeer" by Joe Diffie. My favorite part is the chorus, obviously.

GodlyJewel: Hope you liked how I brought in Sally. It's weird how she just appears in the game. Seriously, where'd the hell she come from? Also, changed the gift slightly so it could work more into the game, kind of like I did with the Pumpkin King mode. Hope no one minds.