On another hill in quite a different place, the moon was bright in the sky with heart shaped clouds surrounding it. The hill was alive, albeit a bit covered in frost. The cold air didn't seem to affect the travelers sitting under the tree at the peak. They were immersed in the native's story. By the time she finished, the members of the Council of Ceremonies had quite a few questions to ask her.
"What a remarkable tale. Amazing to think of all the trials you went through for love," Rabbi Tevel said as he stroked his beard. "You even went to the Underworld?"
"That was my hardest trial. Persephone was very kind to me in lending me the extra beauty Venus wanted, but it overwhelmed me. I was so lucky that Cupid found me," Psyche said with a loving sigh.
"So after you wed, everything was fine?" Santa Claus asked.
"Between Cupid and me, yes. It took a while for the rest of the gods and goddesses to get used to me, Venus still has hardly any liking towards me at all, and Eris, well, please do not let me start on her," Psyche said.
"Eris? I've yet to hear of that person," said Jacob the pilgrim, the Easter Bunny nodding beside him.
"Eris is the Goddess of Discord and Chaos," Tevel pointed out.
"Why would she have a great disliking towards you? You seem like a fine lass to me," said Saint Patrick.
"When I was made a goddess, I was to protect engaged couples and sweethearts. If ever they have any doubts about each other from meddling relatives or jealous rivals, or any other thing, I calm them and remind them that love will always find a way, invisibly, of course. This puts a damper on Eris, since it loses her a decent amount of chaos to cause. She has no liking towards me whatsoever."
"Psyche, how does Eris feel about the rest of the gods and goddesses?" Santa Claus asked.
"Well, she only gets along with Mars, her brother. He was always off causing battles and wars while she enjoyed watching. It surprises me that he and Venus ever had a relationship."
This was news to the Council of Celebrations. It didn't take them long to figure out that the relationship between Venus and Mars eventually turned sour, leaving a broken-hearted God of War who refused to cause even the smallest conflicts and a very angry Goddess of Discord. Without any major wars, Eris was without chaos, so she had to make some on her own, which earned her a bad reputation among the gods and goddesses as nothing more than a troublemaker.
"So what you mean to say is that Eris has a grudge against Venus?" Tevel asked.
"Yes, anyone who cares for discord as much as she does despises peace, much less love in any form."
"Would Eris, by chance, have any access to the Underworld?"
"Mr. Claus, I can assure you that if I could enter the Underworld as a mortal, she could enter it seamlessly as a goddess,"
"It's all starting to make sense."
"Pray tell, good sir, what is?" Jacob asked.
"Eris takes pleasure in causing chaos and discord. I ask you, what could be more chaotic than love gone horribly wrong?"
"A land overrun with serpents. Believe me, I know," said Saint Patrick.
"Without Cupid to deliver love, Venus had to accept Jack Skellington's offer to shoot arrows of love all over the world. You all remember my story, don't you?"
The only vocal response was a high pitched squeak from the Easter Bunny as it hid behind the tree. It was the only other holiday symbol who knew of the nightmare before Christmas. The other holiday leaders had worried looks on their faces as each one of them recounted Santa Claus' story in their minds.
"I would very much like to take the rabbit's word for it," Jacob said.
"Are you going to come to a point soon, Mr. Claus? We have much to do before February 14th arrives." said the rabbi, excitedly impatient to see the conclusion.
"My point is that Jack was chosen for a reason. Eris could very much be out to bring chaos to all of our lands, and she cannot do it alone. If she indeed went to the Underworld, she did not leave by herself. Jack Skellington has one enemy, one thing that hates him so much, that it would survive a second death just to get back at him. I'm afraid Oogie Boogie has come back from the squishy death I sent him to," Santa Claus finished.
"Goodness! But what does that have to do with Cupid falling in love with another mortal?" Jacob asked, oblivious to the fact he was aking this in front of Cupid's worried wife.
Up until this point, the Council of Celebrations had not told Psyche of Cupid's "other love". The goddess-like wrath in her just exploded when she heard that. Needless to say, she was mistaken when she said she was nothing like Venus.
"WHAT! He's being unfaithful!" Psyche screamed, shaking the leaves on the tree.
"No! It was a rumor we heard from Venus, Lass. Nothing to worry yourself over."
"I went to the Underworld and back for him and THIS is how he shows me his love! By pricking himself with an arrow the second he sees another lovely mortal? That's it, I refuse to do my divine duties."
"Your what?"
"Haven't you caused enough trouble, pilgrim?"
"Sorry, Mr. Claus."
"If anyone feels suspicious about their loved one, they are probably right. They can see the truth for themselves. I quit. Now if you excuse me, I am going to my home and unleash my wrath on non-living things."
The Council of Celebrations watched the Goddess storm off, unaware of the effects already caused by her tantrum. For in Halloween Town, a certain rag doll suddenly woke from slumber, sitting straight up and waking her partner.
"Sally? Is something wrong?" Jack asked as he sat up and stretched.
"I don't know. I feel strange. Like part of me just vanished," Sally said as she held her hand over her chest.
"Did you have a dream?"
"No, but I think I've lost something, I just can't figure out what. Jack, do you love me?"
"Of course I do."
"You'd never lie to me or keep anything from me, would you?"
"Never. Please, just close your eyes and relax."
"I'm not so sure I can do that. Actually, I'd rather take a walk."
"In the middle of the night?"
"I can't sleep, might as well," Sally said as she got out of the bed and looked around for a coat.
"It's cold outside," Jack said, "And scary."
"I'll be fine," Sally nearly snapped before putting on a black coat.
"Don't forget something," Jack said as he puckered his jaw.
"Oh, right," Sally said as she walked past Jack, grabbed the nightcap he had hung on the bedpost and rushed down the stairs, leaving Jack alone and still puckering.
"Something isn't right here," Jack finally realized after another minute of waiting for the kiss that never came, "Sally wants to be away from me? When we love each other so much? Oh no! Something MUST have happened to Venus. Or else Sally wouldn't be acting this way. That settles it, I'm going back to Valentine Town!" Jack exclaimed as he jumped out his bed, before looking down at the pajamas that he was wearing, "Hmmmm, I should get dressed."
Shocking, ain't it? What could be more scary than :gasp: Sally doubting her love for Jack! I know I still love him, don't you? Don't worry, I'll update in a little bit. Until then, Happy Halloween! (Re-edit Comment: Oh yeah, I can just sense my inner rabid fangirl on this chapter.)