Jack was growing frantic.

Thorn was nowhere to be found. He'd searched everywhere he thought she could've gone, but she wasn't there. Even Zero was helpless in finding her, and his whimpers only served to worry Jack more.

"THORN!" he cried desperately. "THORN, WHERE ARE YOU, FRIGHT SPRITE?"

He was panicked. Where could she have gone? he thought. I've searched everywhere... Except...

The Hinterlands.

Wasting no time, he began to sprint faster than he'd ever moved in his afterlife. His search had to lead there. Since he'd told Thorn about the holiday trees months back, and showed her the Hinterlands, he'd never expected to find her there. She'd expressed no interest after that of being anywhere near them. So maybe, since that was the last place she'd expect to be found she went there.

Maybe she went to another holiday world.

"Papa?"

Thorn's tiny voice caught Jack's attention, and he whipped his head towards the direction of his daughter.

She was shivering, and covered in snow. There were tears covering her face, and her hands were black with her fighting off the control of her powers.

Not even hesitating, Jack ran over to her and held her close.

"Thorn, thank God you're not hurt. I was so afraid something would happen when you ran off like that. But where did this snow come from? It hasn't snowed here but..."

He stopped as Thorn looked over at the Christmas Town door. "I met him, Papa," she replied. "He told me to come back and face Oogie head on. He told me that I'm just like the other holiday leaders with my powers, even you."

Jack's eye sockets were on her, and he realized he knew exactly what she meant.

"I did," he began, "have control over fire once upon a time. After defeating Oogie for the second time, something in me changed. I can no longer use that power, and that hasn't changed no matter how hard I tried to make it change. Then you were born, and you developed your own powers, though for an entirely different reason. The life you were given to bring you to life had a hand in that, and it seems like you're coming to terms with it."

"Maybe," said Thorn softly. "Mr. Claus told me about your fire powers. Why didn't you tell me yourself?"

"Because they were gone long before you were born, like I'd said. I don't have them anymore, thus I don't quite sympathize with you like I could've, say, five or so years before you were born."

Thorn looked at him blankly. "So, sometimes holiday leaders lose their powers, or they blend them in a way to where it seems natural for their holiday."

Jack nodded. "You're the only one who's ever stood out with your power. That's why everyone was so alarmed that you showed evidence of powers they don't have themselves. Your mother and I talked to them, and I'm sure they'll realize you're not a threat, but the greatest leader to come in the history of Halloween Town. Just like Dr. Finklestein told you years ago."

Thorn couldn't speak. Her heart was heavy. She tried to find the words to speak, but before she could-

"Hurry, Jack!"