Far from Jack and Zero, the council that had just crossed his mind was in deliberation at the home of Rabbi Tevel. The rabbi lived in a large house in the snowy Jewish town, where people lit menorahs and praised the ancient victory of the Maccabees. However, this was the last thing on anyone's mind as they all researched through the rabbi's many books and scrolls. Finally, Saint Patrick found something in a book of mythology.
"Take a look at this. Seems the young god is having a feud with his mother," Saint Patrick said as he pointed to a picture of a teenage boy flying from an attractive elder woman into the arms of a lovely teenage girl.
"He doesn't look so young to me. He's a little underdressed as well," Jacob remarked as he noticed Cupid's loincloth, "The ancients really had no shame."
"The lady he is fleeing from doesn't look cheerful at all." Saint Patrick said.
"Yes, Venus was angry at her son because he fell in love with a girl she disapproved of," Tevel said.
"Is that feud still going on?" Santa Claus asked.
"That would be absurd. Then again, goddesses can hold very long grudges. Still, why would she do anything about a matter like this now?"
"Because she can. You said so yourself, Venus is a goddess."
"She'd have to answer to Saint Valentine himself if she did anything dumb."
"Saint Valentine? Merciful heavens, why isn't he here with us then?"
"Saint Valentine is always extremely busy making sure letters between lovers are received and understood. To prevent tragedy, Pilgrim."
"Ah, he's still got it then," Saint Patrick said.
"As I was explaining, Saint Valentine is in charge of letters and communication. Venus is in charge of who falls in love while Cupid makes them fall in love himself."
"You don't visit other holidays, do you?" Santa Claus asked suspiciously.
"Of course not, this is all a theory based on mythology and history," Tevel replied, "You know I'm no fool."
"Then why don't we find out for ourselves?" Saint Patrick asked, receiving quick head shakes from Jacob and Easter Bunny.
"After that horrible story Mr. Claus told us, I find it to be a bad idea. Apparently, so does the bunny."
"Understandable. The bunny had a bad experience," Santa Claus said, "So did I. But if we want to prevent another disaster, we have to find Cupid, even if we need to go to the source."
"That's the spirit, Nicholas," Saint Patrick said.
"Nicholas?" the rabbi asked.
"I go by many names." Santa Claus said.
"I guess we have no choice, rabbit," the pilgrim said to the Easter Bunny, who was beneath the table, knowing that he too would have to join this quest.
As the leaders of the other holidays plotted to restore order, in Halloween Town, Lock, Shock, and Barrel were busy plotting chaos. The three little troublemakers were currently releasing insects in Oogie Boogie's neglected lair. The once glowing structures were faded due to lack of use, and the three shooting slot machine cowboys needed repair. But one thing was still alive, Oogie Boogie's restless spirit.
The once powerful gambling outlaw of Halloween Town had been crushed, literally, a year before. Despite the fact he himself was a mere insect, Oogie Boogie still had an intense ego that expressed itself in the very air in the room.His spirit was a smog of black which looked on as his minions entered the room. His very voice boomed with anger when the trio began to fill the burlap bag with bugs.
"That's all you got!" the spirit exclaimed.
"The bugs are going all crazy. They want to join, but all they do is bite and sting and stuff," Barrel said to the air.
"You little brats should do this job without complaint. I took you all in when no one else did!"
"We understand, Mr. Oogie Boogie, sir. We just don't get why you didn't come back sooner," Shock said.
"I was busy. Everything needs to go to plan." Oogie Boogie's spirit said.
"What plan?" Lock asked as he filled the body bag.
"You just keep filling my real body. I'm sick of hanging around here like some good for nothing ghost."
"But you are a ghost," Lock mentioned.
"Don't remind me. As for the plan, I'll just tell you all that I'm going to get my revenge on that bonehead Jack Skellington and that horrible Sandy Claws. No one dupes Oogie Boogie and gets away with it."
"Yes, Sir," the three trick-or-treaters said to their boss as they continued doing his bidding.
Away from the lair, the 'bonehead' was approaching his home with Zero. As he climbed the steps, he could hear faint music. Jack shrugged and figured it was the band of musicians playing outside. However, the Pumpkin King was proven wrong when he found a radio playing on a table just outside the underused kitchen.
"Sally?" Jack asked as he walked in. He received no answer and continued looking, only to find the doll cooking something on the stove and searching for something in the cabinets.
"Where is that Worm's Wart?" Sally asked herself as she looked.
"Behind the Eye of Newt." Jack said, only to make Sally jump and face him.
"Jack! I-i was just hungry. You don't mind if I make something, do you? I'm sorry-"
"Don't be. You're not a prisoner anymore. Listening to the radio while you cook, huh?"
"The Doctor hated when I did that. He said it distracted me too much. Oh well." Sally said as she sampled what she was making. It seemed to have tentacles.
"Is that Squid?" Jack asked.
"With fishbones. The Lady of the Lake gave it to me. Want some?"
"Oh, I couldn't."
"There's enough for both of us, and Zero, if he wants anything to chew on," Sally said as the dog gave her a pleading look.
"Well, if you insist," Jack said as he wrapped his arms around Sally.
"Something tells me this is more distracting than the radio," Sally said before she pulled the skeleton in for a kiss.
Unfortunately for the couple, a piercing scream soon rang throughout the house. This, of course, meant someone was at the door. By the intensity of the screams, they were also impatient.
"Why does this keep-?" Jack started to mumble angrily as he broke the kiss.
"It might be something important," Sally said, trying to keep him calm.
"It better be," Jack said as he left her in the kitchen and opened the door.
"Hello there, Jack," the Mayor said, his Happy Face on. "I'm holding a meeting tonight for the festivities you wanted to plan."
"To-tonight?"
"If we want to get started on the planning, we have to start soon."
"I understand, but-"
"As the Pumpkin King, you're the spirit of Halloween Town and its citizens. A town meeting wouldn't be the same without you," the Mayor said in a bright yet stern tone before he walked down the stairs, humming a familiar song.
"Damn," Jack cursed to himself silently as he shut the door, "Sally?" he asked out loud, "I have to go."
"Go? Where are you going, Jack?" Sally asked.
"Business for the Mayor. I don't think I'll be back in time to eat with you."
"Oh. Well, I'll save you something."
"Thank you for understanding," Jack said to Sally before he left the house.
"That's because I love you," Sally said to no one in particular as she gave Zero a bone to chew on.
Awwwwwwwwwww... ain't love grand? Speaking of love, Jack visits Valentine Town in the next chapter, so keep an eye out for that, readers.