The Nightmare Before Christmas- The Valentine Vendetta
Introduction: Part 2
Summary: 20 years after TNBC, Jack and Sally are now happily married and gave two children, Jasper and Desiree. All seems peaceful until Oogie Boogie rears his burlapsy face once more and teams up with a new villain to take over the seven holidays. After banishing Jack and Jasper to Valentine Town, they meet Valentina; the jailer of dark spirits who agrees to help them win back Halloween Town. Can the Pumpkin King rise up once more, save his kingdom as well as his family?
A/N: Oh gosh, how long has it been? A few months? It seems like a year, but with school and other pursues in my fanatics (oh new word!), I hate to think I forgot about this. OH the shame! Please let me redeem myself! Here's part 2 of the introduction, let the madness begin! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own TNBC, just my OC's and plot line.
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Prologue: Dealings and Meetings
Jasper struggled to reach the slightly offset velvet curtains hanging from the stage. The mayor had thought to change the color to a mysterious black sheen (although he, himself happened to like the classic feel the crimson gave to the stage) and had kindly asked him to make the switch. So here he was atop a rickety ladder, loosening the clamps that dragged the drapes across the stage. The drape dangled a mere inches away from his reach and it frustrated him severely. Could the curtain just work with him for once?
This day alone was a conundrum for his skull to dissect. Part of him was really happy for his younger sibling, her coming of age was delightful but at the same time, she seemed to be growing up too fast. It was a reality check that he wasn't expecting or looking forward to.
"Stupid curtain…" He mumbled under his breath, the black sheen slipping from his bony hand once more. He puffed in annoyance before finally grabbing the material, smirking as if he had just won a great battle.
It wasn't just him who was at the town hall. Half the denizens were crammed moving in, out and around the meeting house, hanging various arrangements or lighting candles. The hall was half-done with silver tinsel, dripping candles and crystals of darker shades. The usual stone benches were moved to the sides, tables and chairs brought in and arranged for the most accommodating space possible for the entire town that would soon be attending. The trio entered through the doors by a squeeze, barely scraping past two demons hauling a wide table.
"Wow, the entire town is here!" Belinda observed with awe at the partially decorated hall.
"Well if someone yells fire, you're on your own." Rah crossed his arms, chortling at his own joke.
Sabrina, being the tallest of the three, glanced over the crowd to see the major swarm around the center. "Come on," She said ushering through the mess, "If we're here, we might as well offer to help."
Ka-mon-rah looked nervously at the crowd ahead, sighed and mumbled, "The exits are this, this and that way…" His comment had provoked a giggle from the blonde witch, patting his shoulder in a comforting manor, leading his through the tight gathering.
After a few minutes of excuses and near collisions, the gang met up with Sally, who was kindly directing some creatures with decorations.
"Hello, Mrs. Skellington." Sabrina smiled warmly as she turned to greet them.
"Ah, hello, I was wondering where you all were." Her devil red lips curved softly as the group appeared from within the crowd.
"What kind of citizens would we be if we didn't come to help?" Belinda nodded in acknowledgement toward the superior woman.
Sally nodded back, warmly welcoming the teens, "Well thank you for coming. Ka-mon-rah, could you help bring some more tables in please?"
"At once, your royal highness." He bowed before turning heel and heading toward the doors once more. Just because he looked like a street rat, doesn't mean he had the manners his parents taught him.
"Belinda; Helgamine and Zeldaborne are working on the duplication spell for the chairs, could you lend them a hand?"
"Of course, Mrs. Skellington." She curtsied, a large bang from the two witches' back-firing spell hastening her motions to meet them.
Sally sighed, running her small hands through her rusted autumn colored hair, feeling the yarn-like strings frizz under her touch. The rag doll queen was never prone to being severely stressed as she was now. Everything was going perfectly and yet she had this underlying feeling that something was amiss. She tried to convince herself it was only pre-proceeding jitters, but some doubt and fear lingered in the back of her mind. She hadn't felt this worried since the 'Christmas Incident' twenty Halloweens ago.
"Are you alright Sally?" Sabrina asked concernedly. Being the near orphan she was the teenager had become on first-name-basis with the queen of Halloweentown, assisting her with her tasks and duties. Something about Sally she found interesting was the striking similarities between the ragdoll and her passed away mother. The gentle sweetness, yet supportive nature made her feel as if the woman who bore her into this darkened world was still with her.
Sally's ruby lips smiled, her head nodding as she responded half-heartedly, "I'm fine, Sabrina, nothing to worry about."
Sabrina nodded in assurance but had her doubt on whether that was the truth that passed through her lips.
"So, um… do you know where Jasper is?" Her voice shrunk back a little as if hiding behind her innocent expression. Ever since they met ten years ago, the two apparitions became close friends. They always went to each other for comfort, support or even to have a set of unbiased ears to vent out their problems. This was especially true for the Pumpkin Prince; who was often surrounded in the main stream focus of Halloween that often times the only moments he had were at night. In such cases either needed to talk, one would send a certain whistle that sounded so subtly distinct that it was recognizable. Then each would slip out and meet in at Spiral Hill; to sit and talk and listen, to just be there for one another. For Jasper, it was mostly the Halloween workshops and the constant running from the squealing masses of fan girls that hunted him down like a wild animal. For Sabrina, it was remembering the loss of her parents or the harsh criticism of some of the residents in the small sleepy town. These long nights were the threat that sewed them together, entwined their very souls beyond the point of distinction. So when she discovered the silver ring in her work locker, her first thoughts beside its beauty was telling Jasper about it.
Sally looked away and hummed in thought; partially to hide her sly expression. It was painfully obvious that there was something happening between her son and the snow-white haired woman standing near her now. What was it? That was the question that remained imprinted in her mind every time she managed to catch the two alone. In a way it was touching, a similar relationship she shares with Jack, the level of connection that was shyly familiar to the budding romance that blossomed into their marriage decades ago.
"Why, I believe he's changing the stage curtains. You should find him over there." A quick point of her finger conjured a sparkle in Sabrina's emerald eyes, but it quickly vanished before she could fully catch it.
"Thank you, Sally. Have a dreary day!" The teenager hastened away, her head angled her head back to send her a grin. The ragdoll sighed, watching the teen enter the crowd again, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia boil in her stuffing. This subsided swiftly as another citizen's concerns drew her back into the reality of the situation.
Jasper descended the ladder, standing back to admire his handy work with the black velour draperies. Tilting his skull to the side a few degrees, he examined the cloth with extreme detail; his ivory hand coming up to touch his chin in thought. Overall satisfied, he turned while managing to bump into a figure darting through the crowd of denizens.
"Oh pardon me!" He said hurriedly, not wanting to offend the person. His head perked when he distinguished those rare, sparkling, green eyes and head of pure white hair strands. His eyes sockets widened as he took her presence in for what must have been the millionth time but still received an odd thrill rush through his appendages. Her height was close to his only a few inches shorter thanks to her sturdy silver heels.
"It's ok Jasper, it's only me." She smiled sweetly, her eyelids fluttering closed for a moment to catch her breath. This of course allowed the skeleton another look at her, in all her haunting beauty. The honeyed, light pink smile glided across her soft, pale face with the littlest of effort that warmed his frame. Her solid yet voluptuous body that was conservatively clothed in that cream and silver colored top and black jeans. She was speaking again, however instead of holding on to her every word, his usual response, he tuned out her vocals and began to drift off into his thoughts.
She hadn't changed a bit since the day he met her. She was still the adventurous, outspoken character he ran into years ago. Sabrina was wide-eyed and curious but overall caring, her attitude a balance of sweet and sassy tones. He loved both sides of her, her sweet, caring side and her wilder, defensive side. She was talking with her hands now, twirling her wrists in a circular motion as the words seemed to fly from her mouth. Her hands were thin but soft and comforting when she touched him. He'd let her touch him anywhere and he could touch her back, just smelling her soft, divine skin...
Jasper was quickly snapped back into reality as Sabrina's voice managed to penetrate the thick walls of the teenagers infected mind.
"Jasper? JAZZ- LISTEN UP!"
"Huh... W-What?"
"Did you hear a word of what I said?" She placed her hands on her hips, scowling at the skeleton boy.
"Yes..." He crossed his arms, trying to maintain the facade under her ice cold emerald glare. Desperately searching to cut the burning tension between them, the male adolescent looked down to her hips (Trying to ignore any flashing images in his mind) and saw the ring on her finger.
"Nice ring-"
"Yeah, isn't it pretty?" The distraction had worked, for now her attention diverted to her hand where the sliver ring glistened, "My secret admirer left it in my locker."
"It matches your necklace," Jasper observed innocently, a sleek undertone of a possible ulterior motive in his words; "He must have good taste."
Sabrina nodded mentally, looking at the light turquoise and jade jewels embedded in the shining band. It made her think of her parents... her kind and loving parents. She really did miss them, not many orphans lived in Halloweentown. Her aunt, now current caretaker, was compassionate but in her own special way; not really exposing herself to anyone around her. This often left her to fend for herself. The pale girl was used to it by now, being the age of 17 and acting relatively maturely, though she wasn't to inherit the Web fortune for another year. Still sometimes she envied what Desiree and Jasper had; a true family, parents to look up to and learn from.
"Are you going to keep it?" He questioned, noting the absent look in her face.
"Probably," She shrugged casually, "Just like everything else. If Desiree ever guessed I'd throw them away, I'd be on the receiving end of her perilous scream."
Jasper felt his nonexistent heart skip several paces. She had actually kept his letters, his silent declarations of love and affection? The very thought send pleasing shivers up his exposed spine.
"Speaking of the little devil, where exactly is she?" Sabrina pondered aloud, "I thought she'd be here to go crazy over the decorations."
"Honestly, I have no idea." Jasper admitted looking up to the stain glass window near the roof of the old building, letting in rays of bright sunlight. "She'll show up when the time comes, she may seem late but that girl always shows up in the nick of time."
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The pale ragdoll in question was at present moving through the graveyard as silently as possible. Her black flats trotted through small rubble and dying grass, making a path toward the iconic mound known formally as Spiral Hill. It was a favorite place of hers to sit and think; to take in all the spinning realities of life flying at her from all around. A small breeze passed, ruffling her dark black locks as she curled her stitched arms around herself. It was always dastardly beautiful here, but this was not her final destination. Walking up the hill slowly to keep her balance, Desiree paused at the top, inhaling the freshest air the entire town had to offer.
"Mmmmmm, fabulous..." she mused as she looked upon the field of sleeping jack-o-lanterns in the nearby pumpkin patch. The hill began to uncurl as she stepped down, her eyes still closed; blissfully ignorant to all around her, her mind was elsewhere.
There was a certain RSVP that she had yet to speak to, the one she desired the most to come.
His name was Spencer. Spencer Axewall. Or that was what he had told her. He was tall, muscular figure with a mop of copper-red hair and piercing hazel eyes. He wasn't the average citizen, for he wasn't a citizen at all!
Eighteen years ago, after the epic battle between the pumpkin king and the severely bloated villain, Oogie Boogie, the holiday leaders held a meeting to debate on what could prevent this tragedy from happening again. One of Sandy's ideas was to have some person guard the entrance to the hinterlands in the Halloween world, since the incident had occurred their twice. The idea passed quickly and soon an aspiration around the age of 17 was seen guarding the monstrous portal to the eerie woodlands.
From the moment the stitched ragdoll saw him in the graveyard as a child, she had been entranced by him and his solid, mysterious behavior. He hardly ever revealed himself, being a ghost he was; having the ability to be invisible and intangible. He didn't speak much but somehow grew to become acquaintances with the talkative Desiree.
They were contradicting essences in every way, proving that classic cliché that opposites attract.
Tracking the dried path, she the girl felt the familiar chilling mist on the back of her neck. Soon she was face to face with the main gate of the forbidden lands; the hideous face formed by the circular entrance. It was quiet; the only sound the faint howling of spirits brave enough to travel in the light of day. Desiree clutched her bag in a nervous manner, jittery with a mixture of anxiety and excitement.
"Spencer? Are you here?" She asked in curious manner, looking around for any sign of the man she wished for. More silence. Eerie silence. Normally she wouldn't mind, as any denizen wouldn't, but it was nerve-racking.
"You should be getting ready." A husky, masculine voice spoke from behind her, causing her to squeak and jump in surprise. Spinning around, she saw the guardian specter materialize behind her; dressed in a tight dark shirt and pants, a black cape tied around his neck by a gilt clip in the shape of bird holding an arrow in its talons, a symbol of training and skill. His dark eyes had flicks of gold sparkling within; calmly staring at the girl's nearly scared double-dead reaction.
"S-sp-spencer, why did you do that? You nearly killed me!" Her tone was high, and hurtful.
The ghost only let out a small smile, "You're already dead."
She rolled her eyes to dismiss the comment.
"Yes, well, it's not nice in the first place." She turned away, crossing her arms in a false upset style, "You know I can have you exorcised for nearly double-killing the daughter of the Pumpkin King."
Spencer rolled his eyes as well, going along for the sake of the younger girl's game, "Oh, dear princess, how could you ever forgive me?"
"Will you be coming to my coronation this evening?" She spun to look at him directly, hope peeking out of her happy face; almost like a promotion sign of hope.
The man only frowned in return; she knew what the answer was and he knew she would not like it.
"Desiree," His tone hardened, "You know I can't. My purpose is to guard the Holiday doors-"
Her head dipped down, now biting her dark violet lips to hide her frown and stop the tears from exiting her eyes. The answer hadn't changed, she hadn't expected it too.
His gloved hand lifted her chin up to look into her wide dark eyes, "- But what I'd give to break my contract."
"It's fine." She pushed his hand away, "I'll come to visit tomorrow, for Christmas. Just like always." She began to walk away, attempting to have some straight posture and dignity even with her disappointment.
"Desir-" The ghost teen broke off as her walk busted into a run, desperate to leave his presence. He could only watch in pain as she fled down the trail, up the hill and out of sight as she moved down the steep surface. "Forgive me..."
How could she build herself up to even hope that he could come to possibly the greatest moment of her undead life? She felt so stupid and foolish as she ducked under a headstone. Tears were trickling down her stitched face like two waterfalls now and she did nothing to stop them. She deserved to feel foolish, to cry within the shadows where no one can comfort her but herself. Curling into a fetal position, the doll sobbed uncontrollably, her body shaking with emotion.
All she had wanted was his presence, to be with him on her day. Was that selfish? Anyone may think so, but Desiree did not. Nobody would really understand her, but then again how could they? She only wanted her beloved friends and family to attend the celebration. Why couldn't everything just work out for once?
Sitting up now, she wiped her cheeks, wicking away any drops on her face.
Well, should she really let herself fall all to pieces because one person would not come? That's absurd! This was her day, and she wasn't going to let anyone, even herself, stop her from having a good time.
Standing on her feet, she smiled gathering herself up as she left the haunted cemetery to get ready. For what was a birthday party without a birthday girl?
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After the second death if Oogie Boogie, the three famous trick-or-treaters had become bored with the simple pranks like sliming the Mayor or releasing crows inside the Town Hall. Lock, Shock and Barrel lounged around the tree house, without a single idea for anything. What an afterlife to have...
"I'M BORED!" Lock, the handsome devil, complained for the umpteenth time that day, staring at his devil mask, looking for flaws as he sat upside-down on the couch.
"SHUDDUP, WE ALL ARE STUPID!" Shock, the wicked witch, yelled back; fiddling with an old rat cage they used to catch bugs for Oogie.
"Nothing exciting has happened since Oogie's death..." Barrel, the miniature skeleton, mused sadly as he licked his black and orange swirled lollipop.
"Tonight is the princess's coronation." The red boy spun around, attracting the attention of his playmates, "We need to get back, start with a bang!"
"There's no way Jack would let us ten yards near the Town Hall!" The girl combatted as she tossed the cage to the far side of the room.
"Since when has that stopped us before?"
Both older kids argued as Barrel ignored their quarrel, it became second nature in the tree house now. The bone boy slid the lollipop back into the green slop of hair lubed with some unknown substance. He looked out of an open window, half-heartedly and noticed an eerie smoke leaking through it.
"Uh, guys?"
"What do you suppose we do then, genius?"
"I don't know- why don't you think of something!"
"Guys?"
"Why should I? You want to go to that spoiled brats party!"
"Now I didn't say-"
"GUYS!"
"WHAT?" Both annoyed children turned to see their third wheel thought was so important, it couldn't wait. Upon doing so, their eyes widened as they took in the sight of a stranger standing in the, now thrown open, elevator.
It was obviously a she, with her long, golden tresses and deep crimson eyes. Her body was long with legs that traveled for miles, wrapped in a light pink dress, slit and exposing a lot of smooth skin. She towered over the gang, with her stiletto heels and full lips. Gently exiting the caged elevator, the kids watched in awe as her presence silenced the noisy house.
"My, isn't this cozy?" The mature, sexy voice of the new body filled the room as her eyes examined the walls, "This is the tree house of Halloween's greatest trick-or-treaters, is it not?"
No one could speak, so A simultaneous nod emitted from all three heads.
"Let me guess..." She sat down on the couch, crossing her legs in a confidant style; where all three were in proximity, "Lock." She pointed to the devil that simply deadpanned at the most attractive... THING he had ever seen.
"Shock." She motioned to the witch who felt a scowl cover her dace with an intense jealousy for some awkward reason.
"And you must be Barrel." She cooed, looking to her left where the boy had to control himself not to pee unnecessarily.
"W-who are you, lady?" Shock asked rudely.
"My name is Venus." She said firmly, lifting her foot to prop Lock's chin up, "I would be your new friend, but that's up to you all now isn't it?"
"HECK YEA!" Lock hooted immensely before being slapped across the face by Shock.
"Are they always like this?" She spoke to Barrel as she casually traced a high leg slit in her dress.
Barrel fidgeted, never really being next to a lady this pretty before, "Uh... Yes... M-most of the time anyhow..."
"Interesting…" She mumbled and snapped her manicured fingers, silencing everyone.
"I couldn't help but hear about you little problem. I hate boredom as well, but I have an idea for something... Spectacular. However, I need someone to help me complete them."
"Who?" Barrel asked, thoroughly interested now.
Venus stood, walking over to an old painting of the kids' former employer. Taking it off the wall, she smirked, her lips parting a bit to expose her white teeth as she pointed to the large figure posing with foreboding red dice in his right hand.
"Him."
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Sally released a deep sigh as she re-entered the Skellington Manor, closing the dark door behind her. Most of the decorations were complete and everyone had left to rest and prepare for the Christmas Eve coronation. Desiree had been born on December 24, much to Jack's delight. Now with Christmas Day tomorrow, the manor was covered in lights, tinsel and mistletoe. Lots and lots and LOTS of mistletoe. The ragdoll giggled at the reminiscing memories of her first encounter with the small plant. It was a few days after Christmas, the hype from the near disaster had died down and things were returning to as they once were. Jack was cleaning up some Christmas experiments when she had stumbled in. Offering to help she had removed a book from the table only for a strange plant to be dragged off and fall to the ground. Picking it up, she examined it as she twirled the stem between her small fingers. Curiosity got the better of her and she asked jack about the little green thing. He seemed a little awkward about it at first; he enlightened her on one of Christmas Town's traditions. She really didn't know what to think of it at first; however she came to embrace it. Soon every December the mistletoe began to thrive in the house, appearing everywhere. It was like an inside joke for both of them and it still brought a smile to her face to this very day.
The shy doll was distracted from her thoughts when the sound of music drifted through the house. Following her ears, the woman was lead to the cracked door of the music room where the sounds were coming from. Gently, Sally opened the door; the familiar creek didn't announce her presence to the other in the room as it usually would. Sitting, back toward the door, in front of a large grand piano was a serene Desiree, playing the notes like a professional musician. Her fingers danced across the ebony and ivory keys; creating emotional, solemn sounds of grace and beauty. This lasted for a few minutes before she came to a close, breathed out a sigh mixed with nostalgia and exasperation.
"That was very good, dear," Sally lightly clapped her hands, her ragdoll daughter turning around to see she wasn't alone, "Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata was always one of your favorites."
"Oh, Mom, I didn't hear you come in." She turned away, almost blushing at being caught in her situation. Desiree first laid eyes on a piano when Sally discovered within the manor's attic; Jack remembered his dad playing when he was younger and that after his parents passed away the piano must have been placed in the attic and forgotten. Ever since then she has always gone there to think or read or to do whatever. When she became old enough, the girl asked her father for piano lessons which he gladly agreed to, although is talents were a bit rusty. Soon, her skills rose above her teachers as a pianist became her shining quality. She paired it with her unique singing voice and the soft melody was hypnotic.
Sally walked over and sat on the bench next to the young girl, bringing her arm around her shoulders in a comforting manor. "Are you ready?"
Desiree paused, taking a deep breath, "Yes."
"Good," Sally's red lips smiled warmly, "Now… let's get you dressed."
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Scarlet eyes watched calmly as the three children finished sewing the large burlap sack at the seams. Their tiny bodies were close to vibrating uncontrollably with all the built up tension being condensed into this very moment. "Is it complete?" She asked as the witch tore off the last hanging piece of thread
Their response was a mixture of "yes", "yup" and "m-hm".
"Good," Venus nodded, motioning for the children to back away with the flick of her hand, "Now stand back."
Surprisingly, the three backed up without talking back. They watched in amazement as a book materialized within her grasp, the pages flipping eerily by an invisible force, before stopping.
"O Spiritus Virtutis Lucrum
Audire meis
Educ opaca creatura quod latet in nocte
FERO EUM AD DOMO!"
As she spoke, the sack began to glow a haunting green as sliver mist surrounded it, blocking only shadows outlining the events. Moans, snickers and laughs began to erupt from the smoke as a figure materialized within it. Taking a few steps forward, the mysterious figure cackled evilly, the menacing thing finally revealing itself.
"I'M BAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!"
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The large clock in the center of town rang the evening in with its monotone, foreboding sound vibrations. All the denizens of Halloweentown were crowding into the hauntingly beautiful macabre trimmings that filled the Town Hall. Every last monster, witch, THING had arrived, by flight or broom or even wheel in their horribleness to see the young Skellington girl be crowned 'Pumpkin Princess'.
Desiree, of course, needed to make a spectacular entrance, so she was currently hiding on stage, barely peeking out between the two pieces of black velvet. She fiddled with her short dress, a black top with a lace neckline with a series of tulles barely skimming to three-quarters of the thighs, each the colors of ebony and ivory and a sash tied into a bow poised on the side of her waist. Her stitching was redone with violet thread, making her ghostly white skin more appealing and almost glittery and black flats on her tiny feet. Many emotions burned within her seams; happiness, nervousness and anxiety fluttered inside of her as she paced back and forth across the main focal point of the hall.
"If you keep that up, you'll wear a hole in the floor." A male voice from the wings called her frazzled attention. The girl turned to see her skeletal bone brother, half-hearted smile at her with his bony grin. His normal black suit had been changed for the special occasion; a black and green pin-striped outfit with a black cat whisker tie, studded with emerald eyes.
"Is it ok for a girl to be nervous?" She lightly joked through she was wringing her little hands to bits.
He walked, patting his little sister on the back, "You do fine; it's just jitters. Don't worry, if anything does go wrong, I 'll just distract everyone by saying I want a girlfriend, that ought to take are of every girl there." His joke allowed her to release a happy laugh, the tense posture melting under his skeletal palms.
"Thanks, Jazz." Desiree hugged her brother, a small smile forming on her violet-stitched lips. Jasper, stroked her back, allowing her a few moments of peace when the king and queen appeared in the wings. The heroic Jack Skellington was dressed in his usual pin-striped attire, accompanied by a long black cape clasped at his neck with a silver pumpkin latch. Sally was beside him, holding his hand in hers, wearing a classic black slender gown with sheer, black sleeves and a small slit ou to her knees on the left side.
"Daddy!" Desiree beamed, quickly spinning to embrace her famous father figure. Jack smiled, hugging her back as Sally looked on, trying to blink away the tears. Pulling back, the girl pulled both her parents into her massive group hug.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked the girl after a moment of silence, to which she firmly nodded in response.
"Lets' do this."
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"I would like to thank you all for coming out this horrid evening to witness the Coronation of the Pumpkin Princess!" The mayor said happily, his face clearly expressing his emotion as thunderous applause echoed through the room.
"Well, without further ado, I give you your royal family, The Skellingtons!" The black curtain drew open to reveal the aristocratic apparitions standing on the stage, all dressed in their attire. They each bowed, stepping to the side before the room died down as the future princess turned to face the politician with a smile on her face. Jasper held out a black satin pillow out to the man at the podium, the crown resting on it picture perfectly.
The crown was a princess' tiara embedded with diamonds; ebony gems with an orange pumpkin gem in the center. Desiree had to control herself from bursting out in happiness as the mayor took it in his tiny hands. He motioned her to kneel forward and she did, sitting on her calves.
"Desiree Juliet Skellington, with your coming of maturity in your sixteenth year, I am honored on behalf of tradition here by crown thee-"
He would have continued but a loud explosion near the back of the hall interrupted his speech. Creatures scattered to the sides of the hall, not wanting to be hurt. Jack immediately pushed Sally behind him, covering them both with his cape. Quickly reacting, Jasper grabbed his sister, accidently falling back into the curtain and out of harm's way. As soon as the dust settled , a familiar group stepped forward- three children and a horrifying monster that dared step foot in Halloween town a third time.
"Nobody told me there was a party goin on, I woulda brought some stew, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
No, it can't be… Jack uncovered the pair as they beheld the shadow on the moon at night, "Oogie Boogie!"
"Ah, just the bag-of-bones I wanted to see," He stepped toward the stage, "Remember me, Bone man?"
"How is that possible? You're supposed to be dead!" Jack tightened his fists at his sides, as Sally covered her mouth in shock.
"Well then, I guess I'm double-dead!" He laughed as the denizens ran toward the doors, only to find them locked with heavy chains.
"We're trapped!" A witch yelled, "We're all trapped!"
"Now, there's gonna be a new ruler in town," Oogie sauntered closer when Jasper materialized behind him, a chair in his grasp. He was ready to whack the stuffing out of the intruder, when something else met the side of his skull, causing him to murmur with pain. The boogeyman turned, grabbing the skeleton teen with is impromptu arms wringing the small neck.
"JASPER!" Sally screamed in worry as Oogie put two-and-two together.
"You and the ragdoll got together and got busy and THIS is YOUR son?" He cackled evilly, "Oh this is just too much…"
"That's not all-"
A new, female voice came from behind the parents as the golden haired beauty had their daughter locked in a force field of some kind, smiling deviously, "They have a daughter too, a very, very pretty little girl."
"Desiree! Let her go, this moment!" Sally felt anger run through her at the sight of the other female.
"Ah-ah-ah, must control those motherly instinct, darling" The villainess tightened her hand as another field appeared around the queen.
"SALLY!"
"MOM!" Jasper removed his bony hands from his neck and grabbed a loose thread on Oogie's body, yanking at the seam.
"OW! You brat-!" The ploy was successful, for the sack dropped the boy as he ran to join his father.
"You both are in over your heads, surrender now and maybe we'll go easy on your demise." The lady spoke, her voice making their bones shake with tension. A figure snuck up from behind and tried to subdue the second attacker with a guitar poised over her head. However this was avoided when it was jumped on by the three trick-or-treaters.
"Nice try, Sabrina!" They chortled as chains wrapped around the woman, holding her in place. Shock leapt over the girl's head, grabbing the instrument in process. The white-haired girl was finally noticed by Venus as she turned to see her-would be attacker.
Sabrina was dressed in her performing wardrobe, a black leather halter top and spikey skirt tinted with a green hue. She also wore green high-heeled boots and arm length gloves, her face made-up but looked furious.
"You won't get away with this!" She yelled as struggled in her bonds.
"SABRINA," Jasper literally turned dead-serious, "IF YOU HURT A SINGLE HAIR ON HER HEAD, SO HELP ME HALLOWEEN, I'll-"
"Oh she's you lover is she?" The woman shot back, turning toward the skeleton pair.
Jasper immediately quieted but still glared murderously at her in return, "She's-my-best-friend."
"Oh that's what they all say, trust me I know." The woman now had all the crew on the stage; Oogie clapped his seams together,
"I see you met my new accomplice; why don't you show them a trick baby?" He smirked as the woman smirked back.
"Very well." She turned her attention to the king and prince, "You all are in our way of conquest, and I cannot allow you to stay." Her hands clapped in front of her, a strong wind blazing through the room engulfing the two men, "I hereby banish you both, and may you never set foot in your homeland again! Vade, in terram fracta animarum!"
The wind grew more violent as Jack and Jasper tried to hold their ground. Failing, the two were lifted up and clouded with smoke, their screams drowned out by noise as they vanished in a flash of blinding light.
They both were gone.
"NO!" The three females trapped yelled simultaneously.
Oogie laughed as he turned to see the frightened crowd who had witnessed to entire ordeal. He laughed in horror, "Now it's my turn, Let the reign of the Seven Holiday's King begin!"
Desiree couldn't believe what was happened, so shocked and upset she fainted in her suspended prison, tears running down her face.
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Wow, finally, I finish the introduction! For all those who are wondering, the previous two chapters set the stage for chapter 1 and kind of act like a prologue. The rest of the chapter will not be as long as the first two so I'll be able to update faster.
So please give me feedback! I want to know what you all think. Do you hate it? Love it? Want to rip me to pieces for updating so late?
Review/Alert/Favorite to your heart's content!
Hope you enjoyed, waiting for reviews (waiting on chair, twiddling thumbs)
See ya!
-Phoenix