Crystal and George passed a hallway. As she looked down it, she realized that it was the hallway that seemed to go on forever – the place where Crystal first realized the mansion was haunted.
"Is Prudence back?" Crystal asked George, and he nodded.
"The maid has returned, but is not in the hall; in fact I have not seen the girl at all. However a new ghost has appeared in her place, with a glowing red nose and a grin on his face."
George pointed down the hall and Crystal saw a blinking light roaming the hallway. All of a sudden, the rest of the spirit appeared – it appeared to be some sort of ghost dog, with a long nose and a body that reminded Crystal of an amoeba. His eyes were hollow and had long ears like streamers, and barked cheerfully at George and Crystal. She looked at her feet and realized that there was a pile of bones with a ribbon tied around them, with a tag that said "Zero."
"And what to your wondering eyes disappears, is Jack's little friend Zero…the ghost dog reindeer."
Crystal looked back at the dog and he vanished again, his nose remaining and continuing to glow red. She and George walked onwards, and soon found themselves in the conservatory. Crystal immediately recognized the room – but there were many differences. Instead of funeral flowers, there were festive Christmas flowers, and there was a strange little toy doll that looked like a vampire teddy bear sitting on the coffin, which had returned and was now wrapped in a large bow that looked like it was made with spider webs. All of a sudden, the lid pried open.
"George! I thought I heard you coming," Said a voice in the coffin. Crystal smiled as she remembered the man trapped in here – but then her smile faded as she realized that the ghosts HAD returned, and were now trapped back like they were before she had freed them.
"Yes, it is I, and a friend you might know! Crystal has returned, braving the snow. She's going to save us all once again, so the chances of returning are quite thin." Crystal heard a snicker coming from inside the casket, and George frowned.
"I'm sorry Gracey," he said with a chuckle, "But the rhyming? You sound like a Christmas story gone horribly wrong."
"That's what this IS," Crystal muttered, looking around the conservatory. There seemed to be peculiar red flowers on the floor. Crystal knelt down and looked at them closely. She was just about to touch them, but all of a sudden they started to sing! Bug eyes appeared out of nowhere on the flowers, and mouths with sharp little teeth opened up. The snapped at Crystal, and she jumped back. As soon as she was away from them, they started to sing "La, la la la la la…", and belted out a haunting tune.
"Nothing here was forgotten…it all looks so pleasant. 'A coffin,' Jack says, 'Makes a FINE Christmas present,'" George said sarcastically. Crystal heard a loud chomping noise and realized that there was a wreath hanging in the room. But it was no ordinary wreath – it had glowing yellow eyes and razor sharp fangs!
"A man eating plant makes a wonderful wreath…as long as you don't get caught in its teeth," Her host said, and Crystal raised an eyebrow at the strange foliage.
"This…Jack guy…he brought all of this here? How did he do it?" Crystal asked.
"Jack has some magic, a holiday flair, that allows him to…er…'redecorate with care.' With a simple quick snap of his bony finger, the mansion transformed and the ghosts he did lure."
"Ah."
"Jack's holiday vision was unlike no other, so ring out the bells, there's more cheer to uncover," George said grimly, and they continued on. Crystal realized that George had made a grammatical error, but it was probably caused by all of that rhyme scheme stuff. As they passed the clock that struck thirteen, Crystal realized where they were going: Madame Leota's séance room.
"Leota's magic couldn't stop Jack, though she tried all her spells, not holding back. But the gypsy did fail, and her rhyming did change…to a twisted carol, ghoulish and strange."
They came to her door, and George opened it. She realized that Madame Leota was once again saying incantations, but these ones had a festive feel to them.
"On the thirteenth day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me,
Thirteen rings of power, embracing strength that never ends
Twelve signs of the zodiac that rule the future and transcend.
Eleven candles floating, their scent of mystery in the air,
Ten telling tea leaves, that swirl with secrets yet to share.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my ghoul love gave to me,
Nine magic crystals that sparkle with a force that is pure.
Eight balls of knowledge that answer with a truth that is sure.
Seven pearls of wisdom to keep my love bewitched to me,
Six mystic mirrors, reflecting futures yet to be.
On the fifth day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me,
Five lucky charms to understand the right from wrong.
Four wheels of fortune to spin their rich and golden song.
Three lifelines, extending help to those in need,
Two passion potions that love and romance may succeed.
On the first day of Christmas my ghoul love gave to me
A star! A brilliant star for my fortune card tree!"
After Leota had finished, Crystal and George approached her. When she saw them, she smiled.
"Ah, Crystal! I just knew George would bring you here. I've been looking forward to your visit," The fortune teller said cheerfully.
"Did Jack's magic affect you too?" Crystal asked.
"Only slightly – as you probably heard, my incantations have gone awry. Those are the only ones I can remember…and they're not even incantations!"
"Well, whatever it was, it sounded lovely. So do you know how to get rid of Jack and his magic?"
Leota sighed, and shook her head. "His magic is far more powerful…holiday magic, a single holiday alone, is powerful enough, but two holidays mixed together…now that is much stronger. It's going to take an awful lot to stop Jack."
"Here's a crazy idea," Crystal said, "Why don't you just ask him to leave?"
George and Leota stared at her.
"You…DID ask him…didn't you George?" Leota questioned.
"Well…um…I tried…but he wouldn't obey! He continued to work and he wanted to stay!" Leota rolled her eyes, and turned to Crystal.
"Well, I'm sure you can take care of this dear – your blunt, stubborn, and aggressive nature should easily overpower him."
"I'm going to take that as a compliment," Crystal said, staring at the ceiling. She'd forgotten how icy Madame Leota could be at times.
"We're gonna…go…then. See you around; to the ballroom and attic, that's where we're bound." George said, and they headed towards the ballroom.
