Chapter 12: Chopper's Revenge

(Al's POV)

Will gave me a confused look. "Lollipops? Why would you smell lollipops?"

"I don't know," I replied, sniffing the air again. "I just smell lollipops."

"Hey Jack, hold up a minute!" Will yelled, running after the tall skeleton. He paused and waited for us to catch up. "I think we might be heading into another trap."

"What makes you say that?" he asked.

"Al said she smelled lollipops," Will explained.

"That's strange," Jack said. "Why would–" There was a rustling sound. "Get behind me."

We did as he said, Will and I readying our weapons. Jack took a few steps forward, only to see Lock, Shock, and Barrel jump out of nowhere, landing on an outstretched root.

"Oh no, not you three," Will groaned, lowering her swords.

"Hey Jack, want some candy?" Barrel asked, shaking his lollipop at him.

Jack frowned and placed one hand on his hip. "No thanks I've had enough of your treats."

The trio jumped down. Lock stepped forward, feigning hurt, said, "Aw, Jack, we're just getting started."

"Our biggest trick is yet to come," Shock snickered.

As they spoke, the branches started to move. Will and I took a step back, while Jack kept his eyes trained on the kids. Barrel smiled. "You're gonna get so lost. And, after what we did to The Mayor's house… Oops! Wasn't supposed to tell you that. Catch you later, Jack!" He ran off into the maze after his buddies.

Jack tried to go after them, but a large root blocked his path. "Darn, they got away."

"Not if I can help it." I said and started to climb over the large root. Once I was about halfway up, the root rose higher, and another snaked out and smacked me to the ground. I hit the ground hard on my back, knocking the air out of me.

"Al, you okay?" Will asked, trying to help me stand.

"Yea, I'll live," I said, rubbing my backside. "I've been bucked off worse than a rogue tree branch. Though, I'm not game to try that climb again. Is there any way to avoid the maze?"

"Looks like we have no choice," Jack said. "We'll have to run the maze."

"Hmm… I'll look around for a clear path." Will got to her feet and took off down the path.

"I'd rather avoid getting lost." I said, getting to my feet. "This looks like a job for …" I whipped out my new chainsaw and turned it on. The engine roared to life the blade and teeth ignited into bright red flames. "BERTHA! The all-powerful chainsaw of doom!"

I approached the roots and sliced through the thick wood. The flames didn't spread, but they left black scorch marks as I cut the large root in two. "I feel like a wood carver."

Will looked at Jack, her brow cocked. "Well… That's one way to do it."

I laughed and took off down the path, Jack and Will following after me. Each time we came to another tree root, I would easily cut through and make us a path. At one block, three Troll Skeletons and a couple of ghosts ambushed us. Jack managed to take out one of them by throwing a pumpkin at its head, then attacking it with the Soul Robber. As Will and I fought the other two, another Troll appeared. Will managed to wrap her blades around the Troll Skeleton she faced, and crashed him into hillside, taking out two ghosts as well. I had my hands full however. I hacked at the Troll's legs until he crumpled to the ground, only to be swarmed by three ghosts.

"Get off me!" I yelled, trading my chainsaw for my ghost-repelling halberd. "Jack, follow me! Yo Will, cover us!"

Slicing through another ghost, Will replied, "Just give me a second!"

Jack and I nodded and took off down the path. I cut through the tree to make a path, waiting for Jack and Will before following. Jack took the lead and led them up a large hill. Suddenly, Jack was thrown back. Will and I ran to the side as something was propelled toward them. Looking up, they saw a new trap. It was a guillotine. On it laid a skeleton that used the blade to launch its head at anyone that came near. Once one head was cut off, another appeared in its place.

"He has really lost his head. Ha, bad joke… I'm sorry…" I laughed before falling silent again.

Will rolled her eyes and looked over to Jack. "Jack, you okay?"

"Yes. Stay close to the wall." Jack ran ahead, dodging the heads, and used the Soul Robber to destroy the device. He waved, signaling it was safe for us to continue. We ran up the hill and continued down the path. There was only one more block in our way. We could see the Big Pumpkin Head just on the other side of a bridge. I cut through the root and we crossed to the other side, only to be ambushed by three Troll Skeletons.

"I am so getting tired of you guys popping up all over the place!"

"Al, duck!" Will pushed me out of the way as two of the Trolls swung their clubs. We rolled to the ground. As the dust cleared, we looked up to see the Trolls coming in for a second swing. One raised its club but stopped midair. It turned and spotted Jack, holding the club back with the Soul Robber.

"Will, Al! Get out of the way!" he yelled.

"We better move!" I yelled, grabbing Will's arm, hauling her out of the way.

Once in the clear, Jack pulled back on hard and caused the Troll to fall back and shatter to pieces. He turned and started to attack the other one. Looking over at Will, she smirked and charged at the Troll, slashing its legs with her blades. Not one to be left out, I revved my chainsaw and followed her, hacking off another head.

"Off with your head!" I said, laughing like the Queen of Hearts.

"Way to go Alice in Wonderland," Will shouted. She hacked through another ghost before running towards the bridge. "Al, come on!"

I raced after her. We crossed over the bridge to the Pumpkin Head. We paused and gazed up at the large pumpkin. The natural orange was fading to a nasty shade of brown. Dozens of ghoulish ghosts flew in and out of the large gourd, turning the pumpkin a deeper brown wherever they toughed it.

"Heartless wisps," I muttered, gripping my halberd.

Jack gasped. "They're attacking from within. We'll need to go inside if we want to stop Oogie's monsters." He looked around for an opening, but there didn't look to be anyway inside. I watched as his gaze drew to the top. "I'd better climb up and have a look."

"And how are we supposed to get up there?" Will asked.

I pondered a moment. "Jack, use the Soul Robber to harpoon Smash-n-Dash toward the top of the pumpkin and we can climb up," I said, handing him my halberd.

Jack looked at me with a blank stare, and then turned to Will. She shook her head and explained, "Use your Soul Robber to throw her halberd to the top of the pumpkin like a grappling hook. Then Al and I will climb up, and you can swing up after."

"Oh! Why didn't she just say that?" he asked. I smacked my forehead. Did no one understand how to harpoon anything? Before I could respond, Jack took the halberd with the Soul Robber and hooked it to one of the top roots. Making sure it was secure, he signaled for us to start climbing. Will went first. When she was about halfway, I climbed up after her. I had to chant my mantra many times: Don't look down, don't look down! as I scaled up.

Once I got to the top, Will had her hand extended for me to grab onto. I smiled and took her hand, letting her help me up. Soon as my feet were on solid ground, I exhaled the breath I was holding.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad," Will said, nudging my shoulder. I gave her a hard look, daring her to say it again. She just laughed and leaned over the edge. "Okay, Jack. Your turn."

He nodded and tugged on the Soul Robber. It pulled him right to the top, and he landed on his feet. I waited, stone still, as he pulled my halberd from the pumpkin root and handed it to me. I wouldn't talk until my feet were on solid ground again, not with ANY height.

"Hey, look over there!" Will walked over and crunched down next to a wide hole. "Looks like something gnawed its way through."

I nodded stiffly, still so uncomfortable.

Jack crouched next to her. "Hmm.. Looks like we'll need to drop down. I'd say it's about an eight foot drop."

"S-sam-same i-id-idea?" I stuttered.

"I'll go down first, then you two come after." Without another word, Jack rose and jumped into the small hole.

I froze. Jump down eight feet? No way. No way in hell! Will must have sensed my discomfort, because she looked at me and smiled.

"Don't worry, Ally," she assured me. "Jack went down first, remember? He'll be there to catch us. Besides, it's not that far a drop."

I nodded slowly, gesturing her toward the hold first. I would need a moment to compose myself and there was no need to hold her up. She smiled and sat down on the edge. With a wink, she slipped through with a scream of delight.

I closed my eyes and walked toward the edge of the hole. "A-all c-clear?" I called down, keeping my eyes closed.

"Just jump down, Fraidy Cat," Will called. "Its fun!"

"Yeah, fun my foot…" I muttered, keeping my eyes clenched closed. "Here I come!" I shouted, preparing to fall.

"Ally, just– Crap! Jack, look out!" I began to hear the clashing of metal and bone.

"Hey, what's going on?" I leaned forward to get a better look, but my balance was thrown off and I fell through the hole.

"Bloody hell!"

The fall seemed to go forever, until something caught me. Judging by how hard the arms felt, I guessed it was Jack. "Hey, thanks Ja-" I started to say but as I looked up I saw it wasn't Jack. I had been caught by one of Oogie's zombie skeletons. It glared down at me and hissed, spraying me with ashy spit.

I screamed loudly, scrambling from its arms and falling to the ground. Quickly grabbing my chainsaw, I proceeded to go completely postal on that zombie. It did not stand a chance nor had any time to put up a fight.

"Sheesh, Ally? Ya think you got it?" Will joked from the other side of the room. She was fighting off two skeletons, managing to get herself backed against the rotted wall of the pumpkin. Just when I thought they had her, Will smirked. She flipped her katanas around and impaled them into the wall of the pumpkin. She used them as leverage, and hoisted herself up, kicking her feet out. They made contact with the skeletons' jawbones, knocking their heads clean off.

"You know I hate zombies. Worst creature ever thought of," I said, shaking my head. As I looked over at her, I noticed patches of Will's hair and shirt looked wet. I was going to ask her what was up when I felt a large drop splash on the back of my head.

"Wet? What is wet?" I looked up to see what had hit me, only for a second liquid projectile to hit me right in the eye. It disgusted me, stuff getting in my eyes. I violently wiped my eye. "Gah! Seriously, what is this stuff?"

"Pumpkin juice," Jack answered as he slashed another skeleton with the Soul Robber. "The pumpkin is beginning to rot. If we don't stop Oogie's monsters soon, this whole thing will collapse on itself."

Now that I looked around, I could see many opaque orange drops falling from the pumpkin, as well as brown and sickly green patches spreading all over the walls. Disgusting! I thought the outside was nasty looking, but this was way worse.

Meanwhile, Jack and Will were fighting off the skeletons before they could eat any more of the pumpkin. I spotted Jack heading for two skeletons devouring one section of the floor. I rushed to help him, but three more jumped in my path. I readied my halberd when I felt something bump against my back. I turned, weapon raised for attack, when I saw Will looking at me with a stern look.

"Al, try not to knock off your teammate, okay?" she joked. Though I noticed the nervousness in her voice as she looked at my blade that was mere inches from her face.

"Oops… Sorry," I apologized. She nodded and then we turned are focus back to the skeletons. I whirled away and we proceeded to fight back to back. I slashed through skeletons with my halberd while Will jabbed them with her katanas. By the time we had them beat, Jack had taken out the two that were devouring the pumpkin.

"Come on. We need to get to the core before Oogie's monsters destroy it." Jack dropped down the hole. Great! More free falling…just what I needed. This time Will grabbed my hand and we fell through to the second floor. Instead of skeletons, we came face-to-face with a hoard of ghosts. We split off and took out about three or four spooks each. My nerves were starting to get frayed, so I had little patience for these ghosts. Unfortunately Jack said we needed to drop down one more floor.

Landing hard, more ghosts attacked us. Quickly dispatching them, a few skeletons spawned right before the next hole. I let Will take these ones and she quickly finished them off. We were getting good at fighting these ghosts and skeletons. With the way to the hole clear, Jack didn't even bother to stop. He ran for the hole and jumped down. Will and I ran after him, but I paused at the hole. Seriously, why so many drops? I looked at Will to jump with me again.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Not really…"

"Okay, on the count of three." She stood at my side and started the count. "One…"

I looked down the hole and gulped. "Two– Aaaaaaaaaaah!"

I fell through the hole and braced for impact, but this time the real Jack caught me. "So glad it's you this time." He smiled and then set me on my feet. After getting over the terror of having been pushed, I turned and glared up at Will. "Heartless wench!"

She smiled impishly before jumping down. Jack caught her as well, and set her down next to me. "Hey, you never would have jumped at three without me pulling you anyway…" She paused and began to listen. "Hey, you hear a crunching sound?"

The now sickening scent of lollipops entered my senses. I gagged lightly. We turned and spotted the source. Not too far off, Barrel was sitting on the ground with two zombie skeletons, chowing down on a couple of pumpkins. Jack frowned and walked over to Barrel. He stopped and glared down at the boy, crossing his arms over his chest.

Barrel looked up, and jumped when he saw Jack. "What!? You made it through my maze!?"

Jack leaned down and gave Barrel a stern look. "Now Barrel, it's time I taught you a lesson."

"You'll have to catch me first." Barrel jumped to his feet and sprinted to the other side of room. Jack made to follow but the little brat summoned a few friends to the party. We were soon surrounded by a whole lot a zombie skeletons.

My eyes widened in fear. "Jack, MOVE!" Will yelled as my mental state snapped again and I revved my chainsaw.

Charging wildly at the zombies, I screamed and cut through them, scattering their bone shards all around me. They staggered back and one grabbed my arm. "OFF!" I screamed, hacking his arm off before jamming the chainsaw through his chest and dragging it up through his skull.

The others rushed me but I ducked down and cut them off at the knees. Standing upright again, the zombie skeletons were just at chainsaw height so I chopped their heads off. Adrenaline fleeting from my system, I slumped and said softly, "I freaking HATE zombies!"

"Al, look out!"

As I turned to see what Will called out about, she slammed into me, knocking us both to the ground. "Bloody hell!" I yelled.

She turned her gaze on me, wincing from the impact. "Well, excuse me from keeping you from being fried."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked to see what she had saved me from. Standing among the zombie skeletons was a couple of fire skeletons: my arch nemesis. They hissed and began throwing fiery bone-boomerangs. Narrowing my eyes, I quickly thanked Will before revving my chainsaw.

"These flaming heads are mine to roll!" I said, scurrying up.

"Go get 'em, girl! I'll handle the regulars," Will said, getting to her feet and readying her swords.

"FOR CHOPPER!" I yelled, leaping out and engaging the first skeleton.

It swiped at me with its boomerang, but I parried the move with my chainsaw. The flames intermingled, but Bertha seemed to have fed off my rage because her fire overcame the skeleton's fire. It started to panic but I quickly swiped it through its exposed spin. As I fought, I caught glimpses of Jack and Will as they fought off the other monsters. Jack was trying to reach Barrel, but the skeletons kept coming at him. Meanwhile the little devil was laughing and shooting rocks at us with his slingshot.

At one time, one of those projectiles hit Will right between her eyes. She drew back and clutched her forehead. "Sons of the Pharaohs!" A tiny trickle of blood slid down her nose. She growled and glared at Barrel's smug face. "You brat! You're gonna pay for that!"

"Ha ha! Just try it, Blondie!" He snickered and jumped as Jack launched his Soul Robber at him. "You'll have to be faster than that, Jack!"

"Just like wrangling cats," I muttered, quickly diving for Barrel, catching his foot. "Yee haw, brat."

He struggled but I kept my grip tight on his ankle. Then he paused, and glared at me with a smug grin. "Oh yea? We'll see about that, Old Lady!"

"Al, his slingshot…" Just as Will gave the warning, Barrel pulled out his to and launched a rock, right at my forehead. I lost my grip and dropped him on his head.

"Ouch! Watch what you're doing," he hissed, rubbing his head. He'd dropped his slingshot. Jack walked over and kicked it away. Apparently that meant he'd been defeated because all the zombie/fire skeletons began to disappear.

Jack knelt in front of Barrel, scolding him, "Barrel. Pranks are one thing, but real danger is not a good idea."

"… I'm sorry, Jack," Barrel apologized weakly.

"Now…no more serving Oogie."

"Okay, Jack." As Jack walked away, Barrel waved goodbye, clearly hiding his crossed fingers behind his back.

I facepalmed. "Seriously, dude, you are so gullible," I told him, wincing as my forehead stung from the combined rock and my palm.

"I know what he's doing, but we don't have any more time to waste." Jack continued walking away. "Come on. Now that the Pumpkin Patch will return to normal, we need to see what's happened to the Mayor."

Unbelievable! Boney Butt was actually letting the little brat get away. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked to see Will smiling at me.

"Well, one good thing came out of this. Look what I found." She held up an odd looking piece of metal. The bottom was bent in five ways, and the top half looked like some of the buildings back in town.

"What is it?" I asked, touching the metal.

"When those bone heads hit me, and I fell against the wall… Wouldn't you know, this little key was lodged inside."

"What do you think it goes to?" I asked, touching the metal key.

"Meh, I don't know. I just thought it might come in handy." She pocketed the key and took off after Jack. "Come on, we'd better catch– Ooff!" She tripped over a root sticking out of the floor.

I laughed lightly and offered her a hand. She took it and I helped her to her feet.

"I'm good." She rubbed her head and looked back. "What'd I trip over?" She looked at the root and got a puzzled look on her face. "Hey, can you cut this out?"

"With pleasure." I said, whipping Bertha on and sawing through the wood. Once I had a big enough hole, Will grabbed the root and started to pull. As she brought it to the surface, I saw it wasn't a root, but another Holiday Door.

"Yo, Boney Butt!" I called. "Lookie what we found!"

Jack rounded back and helped Will and I lift the door out of the hole. Dang, these doors were hecka heavy for some hole coverings. Setting it down, I guessed it was the Thanksgiving Door since the thing was shaped like a giant turkey. I chuckled and gobbled for a moment before ceasing under Will's hard eye.

"Well, that was an adventure," I said, knocking on the door.

XXX

GodlyJewel: This was such a fun chapter. Just a warning: Finals are this week, so the next chapter might be a bit. Right Cosmic?

CosmicHorse: Too many tests with too much pressure! *off studying like a mad woman*

GodlyJewel: Yeah, what she said. Finals this week but then sweet Summer Break! So, hope you enjoy and will have a new chapter once testing is over.