In Jack's home world of Halloween Town, Lock, Shock, and Barrel were still up to no good. Collecting bugs for Oogie Boogie was not easy work. Face it, Oogie was a large sack to fill, so the children needed a near infinite amount of bugs. Right at the moment, they were debating who would enter the house of the witches, where a rather large roach had crawled inside.
"You're dressed like one, you go in!" Lock said to Shock.
"I went in last time!" Shock exclaimed.
"Well, I'm sure not going in, they're weird," Barrel said before licking a lollypop.
"They're going to ask me stuff again."
"Well then make stuff up." Lock said.
"Don't forget the bug!" Barrel added before shoving Shock into the witches' home.
The witches were sisters who lived in a small house near the center of Halloween Town. When one first entered their abode, it seemed as if they entered a dungeon. Instead of a couch or chair, there were stone floors, a bubbling cauldron, and a chill in the air. Shock did not have to wait long before a short, green witch with black hair and a large warty nose greeted her.
"Well if it isn't little Shock. Brunie! We have company!" the witch yelled.
"Actually, I'm looking for a large roach."
"Shock! How nice to see you again, girl," the gray skinned witch with stringy gray hair said to the young trick or treater. "Any idea of that holiday Jack was speaking of?"
"Listen, me and the guys only heard that he wants to have fun on Valentine's Day. Since it has mushy love stuff, I figure it'll be bad."
"Isn't that romantic, Brunie?" the green skinned witch asked.
"Quite romantic, Hilda." the gray skinned witch replied.
"Perhaps it has to do with that rag doll living with him."
"Living with him?"
"Oh yes. Doctor Finkelstein's daughter."
"If you two hags are done with your gossiping, then I'd like to get that bug," Shock said impatiently.
"A bug? Oh yes, I think Kitty already got to it." Brunie said.
At that moment, the large roach scuttled into the room, followed by a curious black cat. Shock quickly picked the roach up, getting a hiss from the cat. She stuck her tongue out at it before turning to leave.
"Bad, Kitty! Be good to our guest." Hilda scolded.
"Actually, I'm leaving." Shock said as she walked out the door and slammed it, causing one or two potions to crash onto the floor.
"Oh, I'll get a mop." Brunie said.
"Make sure you don't get a broomstick like last time, sister. Kitty gets upset at those," Hilda said as she followed Brunie. Neither of them noticed Kitty lapping the potion on the floor.
Outside the home, the trio of troublemakers stuck the roach in a bag and left for Oogie's lair. However, they came upon Jack, who seemed rather confused and frazzled. Of course, this was always the perfect time to annoy someone, especially their favorite target.
"Hi Jack!" the three chirped in false innocence to the Pumpkin King.
"Hello you three," Jack said as he stopped, "What are you all up to this day?"
"Nothing. What's that stuff?" Shock asked, pointing to the quiver of arrows and bow.
"This? Come to the town meeting and I'll show you all."
"It's about Valentine's Day, isn't it?" Barrel asked.
"Of course. I-" Jack started.
"EW! You guys, it's about love," Lock said as he started to gag.
"How gross." Shock added.
"Makes me wanna barf," said Barrel.
"Are you three finished?" Jack asked as he glared at them.
"I guess. We have better things to do than listen to gross love stuff. Let's go," Lock said to his friends before they ran off laughing.
Jack sighed as he continued walking to the Town Hall. However, something caught him as off. He could've sworn he heard the Mayor yelling that a town meeting would be held that night. His fears were recognized when the Mayor's car pulled up next to him.
"Afternoon, Jack," the Mayor said cheerfully.
"Mr. Mayor, please don't tell me you announced the meeting to the entire town," Jack said as he dropped his jaw.
"Ok, I won't tell you then."
"Mr. Mayor! It is imperative that Sally NOT know about Valentine's Day!"
"Now now, nothing to get upset about, Jack."
"If she heard there's going to be a town meeting tonight, she is going to show up."
"Oh dear," the Mayor said, his face switching. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Never mind. Just take this to the Town Hall," Jack said as he gave the Mayor his bow and quiver of arrows. "I'll take care of this."
"That's my boy," the Mayor said proudly as he became happy again and drove off.
Excuse after excuse filled Jack's mind as he walked to his home. What would keep Sally from going to the Town Meeting, especially is he himself would be there? Then, something incredibly brilliant came to Jack's mind. He gathered up his courage and turned the knob to his door, ready to speak to Sally.
"Sally? Zero? I'm home!" Jack announced.
Only his canine companion Zero answered his call, floating to his master and barking happily.
"Good to see you too, boy. Where's Sally?"
Zero responded by floating up the stairs. Jack followed him up to where the stairs branched off into a hallway, before his room. It was there that he saw Sally, busily working away at a sewing machine.
"Hello there," Jack said, causing Sally to lift her head.
"Jack," she said as she got up and walked over to him. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Why so?"
"So we can go to the town meeting together."
"Actually, about that... Sally, maybe you shouldn't go."
"Shouldn't go?" Sally asked as she slightly tilted her head and stared at Jack pleadingly.
"It's just that the Doctor and his wife will be there. I'm sure they've been looking for you and I don't want you going under any punishment for me."
"Oh. You're right. I bet he's just waiting to take me apart."
"Don't worry. As long as you're here, you're safe from them. What were you working on anyway?"
"Well, I noticed some of your sleepwear was a little torn up and old, so I fixed them. I also made you these," Sally said as she gave Jack some black pajamas with a pumpkin print, "Fit for a Pumpkin King."
"Yes. Thank you." Jack said as he looked at them.
"Jack? What's wrong? You hate them, don't you?"
"No. It's not that, I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"Are you sure? Because I can throw them in a fire if you want me to."
"Believe me, I'm fine," Jack said as he embraced her, "I'm a little surprised that you did something so thoughtful."
"It's because I... I... I'm a guest here and should help my host as much as possible." Sally said as she broke the embrace and turned away.
"I love you too, Sally," Jack said with a smirk as he dug through his pockets, "Here, take this."
"What kind of flower is this?" Sally asked when Jack handed her a living, purple flower.
"I was hoping you would know. You can use the old science stuff I have upstairs if you want to examine it."
"So I guess this is goodbye for now, huh?"
"More like a see you later," Jack said as he kissed the rag doll on the cheek and left.
"See you later, Jack," Sally said as she gazed upon the flower.
Outside, Halloween Town's citizens made their way to the Town Hall, where the Mayor was waiting backstage for Jack. As usual, the Pumpkin King's appearance instantly cheered up the elected official. His head seemed to spin more when Jack was around than at any other time.
"What do you have in store for us this time, Jack?" the Mayor asked with a wink.
"I'll tell everyone in a moment. Please, man the lights."
"Of course." The Mayor said before leaving.
"Well, here I go again," Jack said to himself before he stepped out to the stage and walked behind the podium. "My fellow citizens of Halloween Town, I call for your cooperation."
"Anything for you, Jack," said the Lady of the Lake with a giggle.
"Yes, well... as I was saying, I've been called to represent Valentine's Day. Again, I need your help," Jack said as he opened the curtains.
And here's where I leave you. Heh heh, bet you're wondering what happens at the meeting eh? I'll tell you next time, I promise. (Re-edit comment: Wow, that was evil of me. Sorry, guys.)