The Pumpkin King stared up at the great stone tower from which a beautiful voice wafted. It was Sally, the Lonely Ragdoll as the townsfolk called her. He met her eyes for a moment. He thought she was beautiful, and not in the usual beautiful-means-you're-as-ugly-as-possible-way that everyone else in Halloween Town thought, just beautiful. He waved and then was forced to turn his attention elsewhere as he heard the Trick-or-Treaters wreaking havoc on the towns people. A sulfur bomb whizzed past his head.

"Hey!" He snarled at them, but they were out of range. He looked at the mayor warily and said, "Could you excuse me for a moment?" He didn't wait for an answer. Off he dashed through the crowd, shouldering fellow townfolk aside. "Waaaaaaa!" His foot slipped on something hard and round and he cracked his bare head against the hard stone ground. "Oww." He muttered rubbing his head. "Shock!" The name was almost a growl.

"Yip!" Zero I'd, licking his masters face. Jack gathered him into the crook of his arm and took off again, dodging marbles left and right. It looked like he was doing a strange dance in the middle of the town square. The sulfur bomb detonated and noses everywhere were flooded with a wretched smell. "Those no good Trick-or-Treaters will hear it this time, Zero."

When he exited the mass of vampires and demons, they were no where in sight. The Gate Keeper lifted one clawed hand and said slowly, "They...went...that a'way."

"Thank you!" Jack called over his shoulder because he was already running after them. They must be heading for the Holiday grove.

What would they want with the Holidays? Jack asked himself. I better check on Sandy Claws.

Lock, Shock, and Barrel had left the claw foot tub parked in front of the Christmas tree door. Jack put Zero down and shooed him away before stepping into the swirling snow. He was shocked.

"What's this?
What's this?
I can't find color anywhere!
What's this?
Those white things lost their flair!
I can't believe my eyes,
I must be dreaming,
Wake up Jack, this isn't fair!"

Elves trundled along in the cold snow wearing shackles and soot-stained prisoners jumpsuits. Snowmen had been kicked over and smashed to pieces. Lock, Shock, and Barrel threw snarling snowballs at each other in hateful glee. What looked like animated burlap bags held whips and barked orders to the elves. Lit up windows showed elf-like silhouettes working hard at a table while whips struck they're backs.

"What's this!?"

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