A/N: Okay, I know I said next up would be the battle, but then I remembered that I wanted the trick-or-treaters to all be safe from the Beldam. So this chapter is actually preparation to the battle and I swear the next chapter will have the battle. :)

Chapter 8: Ready For The Storm

The residents of Halloween Town listened raptly as Jack spoke. "My fellow citizens, the Beldam is coming to Halloween Town," he said gravely. "She is looking to kidnap not only my daughter, but Barrel as well."

Gasps echoed through the audience before one of the vampires stood up. "Surely she knows we will not allow her to enter our lovely town?" He said.

"She does, but she is determined to get our Coraline and Barrel," Dr. Finklestein said, seriously. "She will not stop otherwise."

The Black Cat jumped up on the podium to sit down and look at the audience. "She will steal away their freedom if she gets them," he said. "It's where she gets her strength from."

Clown rolled up on his unicycle. "We won't let her get them," he said firmly.

"There must be a way to stop her," the Mayor said urgently.

"There is," Black Cat said. "She can't go after happy children, though she does try." He looked at the trick-or-treaters. "Do you have parents, young ones?"

All three shook their heads, looking away at this. "We live by ourselves," Lock said. "We take care of each other."

"I can see that," the cat said gently. "But if you three had parents, it would prevent her from getting to you."

"But who'd want us?" Barrel asked softly.

"We...haven't exactly been the nicest," Shock admitted. "I mean...we did help Oogie Boogie. Twice."

"True, but you three did 'turn over a new leaf', as I've heard humans say," Jack said.

Black Cat looked at them all. "I believe there's a few people here who have wanted to take you in, but were unsure of how you'd feel about it," he said.

"He's actually right," Zelda said.

Helga stood up. "Jack, if you will allow it and if Shock is alright with it, I would like to adopt her," she said.

Shock's jaw nearly hit the ground in shock. No one knew this, but she admired Helga a good deal. To hear that Helga wanted to adopt her filled her with many emotions all at once. But the one emotion she felt most of all was happiness.

Jack chuckled when he saw Shock's expression. "Shock, would you like Helga to adopt you?" He asked gently.

She mutely nodded before looking at Helga. "You...You really would?" She asked.

"Yes," Helga said with a smile. "Besides, Zelda and I know it's been you coming into our library and studying our books."

Shock blushed in embarrassment as that was true, but she noted Helga didn't sound mad about it. She actually sounded amused.

The shortest vampire stood up. "Jack, my brothers and I have been talking and...it's been so long since our little ones were little," he said. "If Lock is alright with it, my brothers and I would be happy to adopt him."

Lock was just as speechless as Shock. "R-Really?" He asked.

"Yes," the tallest vampire said with a smile. "But that means no dangerous tricks and such if we do."

The boy nodded before looking pensive and then at Barrel. "But...what about Barrel?" He asked, showing that he was loyal to his friend.

Clown came forward. "I'd be willing to adopt him," he said.

The Mayor smiled before looking at Jack. "I believe the adoptions can be granted, Jack," he said.

"And they are," the skeleton said, pleased the mayor was in agreement with him. "Clown, Vampires, and Helga, you three wish to adopt the young ones as your own?"

"Yes," said Clown.

"Yes," the four vampires said.

"Yes," Helga said.

Jack looked at the children, who looked hopeful. "Lock? Shock? Barrel?" He asked.

Shock at once went up to Helga while Lock went up to the tallest vampire. Barrel hung back a little, but seeing Clown smile reassuringly, he went up to him and the clown picked him up and hugged him. "I won't let her get you, son," he said firmly.

Barrel hugged him tight and Coraline, who had been watching, now was concerned as she looked at Wybie, who looked at her and smiled gently. "Dad," she said, getting her father's attention. "What about Wybie? He doesn't have any parents either."

The skeleton nodded before smiling. "How would you like to be a sister, pumpkin?" He asked.

Coraline's eyes widened. "Really?" She asked before grinning. "That's be so cool, Dad!"

She jumped at him and hugged him, making him chuckle and hug her back before looking at Wybie, who looked both surprised and shocked that the skeleton was willing to adopt him. "Wybie, Sally and I are willing to adopt you, if that is what you want," he said gently. "That way, not only would you have a loving home, but the Beldam wouldn't be able to get you again either."

The boy looked at him. Do you really mean it? He asked through sign language, looking hopeful.

"As the Pumpkin King, I mean every word," Jack said reassuringly.

Wybie smiled hugely. I'd like that...Dad, he said, looking a bit shy as he signed the word 'Dad'.

"It's settled then," the Mayor said, pulling out the paperwork and Jack signed his name to them all. "The adoptions are complete."

The trick-or-treaters hugged their new parents while Coraline hugged her father. "Dad...can we really stop her?" She asked.

"We will, pumpkin," he said reassuringly before smiling at Wybie. "She can't take any of you away now."

Wybie smiled and went up to Jack, hugging him and the skeleton returned the hug warmly.

The ghosts suddenly came into the Town Hall. "There's a green mist coming fast!" One said.

"It's the Beldam!" Said another.

The kids at once clung to their parents while Hanging Tree took a look outside and he nodded. "The chasm underneath the children's treehouse is glowing too," he said.

"Then Barrel's dream wasn't just a dream," Jack said. "She's really coming up through Oogie's old lair."

Dr. Finklestein looked ready for war. "Jack, might I suggest we all prepare ourselves and stand together in the Town Square?" He said. "It's time to send that horrible creature back to where she came from."

"Agreed," the skeleton said. "Everyone, ready yourselves and gather in the Town Square. It's time to not only protect these children, but to also banish the Beldam for good."

Corpse Kid clung to his mother and father, who both reassured him he'd be safe too.

"Come on, everyone!" The Werewolf said with a howl.

Everyone nodded and dispersed to get ready, soon gathering in the Town Square with the kids being guarded over by their parents. Wybie and Coraline clung to Jack and Barrel clung to his new father as the Beldam, in all of her horrible mechanical glory, climbed out from the chasm underneath the treehouse, stalking towards the gates of Halloween Town.

And she looked ready for war.

And so the battle begins. Will the Beldam be banished forever? Stay tuned to find out. :)

And please leave a review, but no flames! :)

GoldGuardian2418