Chapter 11: Betrayal

Jack couldn't believe his "eyes." It can't be... Oogie's resounding laughter assured him it was true. "Catherine! No, you don't know what you-"

"I told you, my name is Syren!" Her voice echoed across the room. A few spotlights shone down from the ceiling, and as she began to walk slowly toward Jack, he could see that she was nearly skeletal even in the parts of her with skin left. Upon reaching her target she let out a terrible screech, bearing her new fangs as a warning.

"Please, I don't want to hurt you."

"Pity..." She lashed out with her wings, slashing the air with her thumb claw as the skeleton gracefully ducked and wove about. Seeing that he was far too skinny a target, she tried blasting him with soundwaves. He nearly fell to pieces, but that's nothing to an undead skeleton.

"Please, you don't have to do this!" She paid him no mind as she continued her powerful attacks.

"What's wrong, Jack? Feeling a bit tired already? Maybe you should just give up." Oogie could tell Jack wasn't at full strength. So could Jack.

I can't keep this up... I can't afford losing to this monster. I'm sorry Catherine.

Jack dodged a few blasts as he ran to a torch he'd noticed in the corner. It was time to fight back. He leapt gracefully into the dancing flame. Sparks flew as he seemed to disappear. Syren watched the flame intently, as a cat watches a bird concealed in the leaves of a tree, unconvinced that the fight was over. Without warning, a large ball of flames rushed towards her, too fast to dodge. Flames engulfed the left half of her body as she fell to the ground. A flaming scarecrow burst forth from the flames. He stood staring down at the charred creature. The flames had died down, leaving curling puffs of grey smoke coming from her face, mid-section, and wing. For a moment, he became thoroughly concerned. What have I done...

Suddenly, the flaming scarecrow jumped back as the creature rose slowly to its feet. The skin seemed to be actively regrowing. Her left wing fell off as she stood, her now exposed white ribs stood out against her dead, leathery flesh. He could see her teeth glisten as the flesh covering her cheek slowly crept back toward her lips.

"You'll have to do better than that."

He stood staring blankly for a few moments before having to duck from her talons. The two continued to fight, Jack throwing amber flames while dodging slicing claws and stinging sound blasts. Oogie's bugs swarmed with delight. He was ecstatic that his plan was working so well. Not only would he be the King of Halloween, but of the mortal realm as well. He cackled at the thought of his success.

Jack's magic supply was running dangerously low. He needed to find a way to end this.

"Catherine! I know you're still in there. Don't let Oogie fool you, whatever he told you, it was a lie!"

She stopped for a moment, seeming to almost remember, but before she could speak, Oogie pointed his arm at her and bellowed, "You belong to ME!" Oogie regained control over her mind and she began her vicious attack once more.

Despite being so tired and having failed to regain his friend, Jack fought on; now he had a plan. Risking being attacked again, he turned and fired, this time at Oogie. Caught off guard, the behemoth took a direct hit. But with his back turned, Jack was struck from behind by one last soundwave. He fell to the ground, flames dying as he reverted to his skeletal form.

"Jack... I-" Catherine started to break free from Oogie's grip. As Lock and Shock ran around getting buckets to douse the flames, Barrel picked up some of the bugs as they scampered away from the blaze. Finally, the would-be king was back on his feet. Without any time to lose, he commanded, "Syren, finish him! NOW!"

She stood, solemn and face deep in shadow under one of the spotlights. Her single eye glowing dimly, she walked over to the exhausted skeleton. She paused a few moments, looking him over. He could barely lift his head to watch his own demise. He saw her foot move and he winced, awaiting his end. But he felt nothing. Then he heard Oogie, "No, nonono! You work for ME now! I command you!" Jack turned, wincing in pain, to see a very angry Syren approaching a very frightened Oogie Boogie. The singed burlap monster retreated with every step. Then Syren let out a high pitched shriek like none had heard before. The very building seemed to quake with fear. Oogie called out but his trick-or-treaters had long since vanished. As the castle shook, portraits fell from the walls, bugs crawled to safety, and the fighting outside ceased as all turned their attention to whatever must have been going on inside. Most of the "humans" fled in terror, while the folks of Halloween rushed inside, worried about their Pumpkin King.

When she finally stopped, Oogie was lying on his side, severely weakened. Jack had regained enough strength to stand. He was startled when she turned to him, unsure of who was in control.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I know that it wasn't your fault everything turned out this way. And I believe I've done you a great wrong." Jack knew it was finally Catherine. But before he could reply, she spoke again, "The least I can do is set things right. ...But I'll need some help."