Chapter 26: Not Over Yet
(Jack's POV)
The night sky stretched out in an endless night, with nothing but the light of the moon to penetrate the inky darkness. Yet the air was so clear as Sandy drove the sleigh through the night.
I had almost forgotten what it was like to fly. It was wonderful! The wind rushing past my skull, and the crisp night air filling up my lungs… Well, if I had any. I looked over and chuckled as I watched my faithful pup. Instead of going to the head of the team, Zero had decided to join Sally and I in the back and was now leaning his head out the side of the sleigh. He had the biggest doggie-grin on his face as the wind caused his long ears to sway, and his ghostly tongue was hanging out of his mouth. I reached over and scratch him between the ears.
He glanced at me with an appreciative bark and turned back to his fun. I smiled and then my gaze traveled to our driver. Sandy was focused on catching up to Oogie, easily guiding the bonedeer through the night sky. He really was amazing… Once all this was over, I needed to find a proper way to apologize to him for all the trouble I've caused. The guilt began to cut me like a knife, and I slowly sat down, keeping my legs bent to fit in the small space. I sighed and placed my head in my hands.
Suddenly, I sensed a small hand on my shoulder. I looked up from my hands to see Sally gazing up at me. There was a small flicker of worry behind her eyes, but it soon melted away. I couldn't take my eyes from her. The moonlight seemed to make her eyes glow in the night, and her small smile was just dazzling. I lifted my hand to hers and took it, bringing her fingers to my lips and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. Though she didn't say much, I knew she had guessed what I had been thinking. Sally always seemed to know just what was troubling me. She was clever like that. Oh, what would I do without her by my side?
Using my free arm, I wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her close to me. She leaned her head on my shoulder and I pressed another kiss to the top of her hair.
"I'm so happy you're all right, my Sally," I whispered, nuzzling the top of her head with my cheek. "I was so worried after what happened with the King Skeletons. I felt so helpless when I couldn't protect you, and if I had lost you, I…" A soft finger pressing against my lips instantly shushed me. I looked over at her, feeling nothing but love from her as our eyes locked on each other.
She smiled, those lovely red lips of hers tempting me so. "There's no need to apologize, Jack," she whispered back. "It wasn't your fault. Besides, I'm all right, really. I'm right where I always want to be, with you."
She cuddled closer into my side and wrapped her arm around my waist. Still gripped in my grasp, her other hand settled our joined hands perfectly over my phantom heart. I tightened my hold on her shoulders, wanting nothing more than to stay as we were. I had defeated so many monsters, and Oogie was the one thing keeping me from returning home. It was just so frustrating! I wanted nothing more than to take the reigns and turn back to Halloween Town. There Sally would be safe, and I would not have to leave her again. But, despite my desire to remain by my Sally's side, I knew stopping Oogie was more important.
I looked down at her, thinking to myself how I must leave her back in Halloween Town while I go off to stop Oogie. Well, we were together now, and Sally was safe in my arms. I drew my hand from hers and gently took her chin between my fingers. She looked at me with such love and her lips turned into her soft smile I fine so endearing; I feel overwhelmed with love for my beloved.
I watch as her eyes stay locked with my own, and I tilt her towards me. I felt her gentle breath caress my lips as she sighs, and I feel a shudder throughout my spine. My thumb brushed over her bottom lip. I can hear her breath hitch as I continue teasing my boney finger over her soft flesh, though I am sure she can feel me trembling as well. I leaned closer to her.
"Ruff, ruff!"
Snapping away from each other, I turned to see Zero looking over the sleigh, growling and barking madly in an attempt to get my attention.
"What is it, boy?" Before I could even finish the question, the familiar sound of sleigh bells filled the air. At first I thought it was our own sleigh, but the sound was distinctly different in the two different sets of bells.
"Better brace yourselves back there," Sandy called, glancing over his shoulder. "We've finally caught up to that scoundrel."
I was shocked. Had we really caught up to Oogie already? I stood up and leaned over to get a better look ahead of us. Sure enough, I spotted Sandy's bright red sleigh not more than a hundred feet ahead of us. If I had a pulse, it would have quickened. We were so close! If Sandy could just get the bonedeer close enough, I could leap onto the sleigh long enough to…
BAM!
Apparently, the present I had given Henry had finally gone off, and exploded in the sleigh. "Whoa!" Sandy jerked back on the reigns, causing me to stumble backwards. I stumbled backwards and I nearly fell out of the sleigh. Luckily, Sally grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled me back in, with a little help from Zero pushing on my back. The sleigh shook as we tried to steady ourselves, but Sandy quickly righted us out. When we finally stopped, I found myself standing in the back with my arms wrapped tightly around Sally. As she looked up to meet my eyes, I tried to ask if she was all right when I heard a scream. We all looked over the side of the sleigh to see Oogie Boogie falling toward the ground.
"Jaaaack! You won't get off so easily! I'm the Seven Holidays King!"
As I watched him, I noticed he was headed right for Halloween Town's own Trash Hill. I hadn't even realized we had crossed into our world. Still, even with a fall like that — and I knew from previous experience — Oogie would not be out for long. Though part of me wanted to believe he was gone, I had to make sure.
I noticed Zero was still hovering over the side of the sleigh, his snout in a downward direction. I followed his gaze and spotted the Hinterlands below us. I could not get a clear view because we were so high up, but from what I could see, it appeared that two small figures were racing toward the outskirts of Trash Hill.
"Sandy, take us down." He nodded and soon we were headed for the ground. Sandy brought us in for a smooth landing. Once we stopped, I jumped out of the sleigh and turned to assist Sally. I gently picked her up by her waist and placed her on the ground just as I spotted a couple of familiar faces headed toward us. "Will! Al!"
"HA! Kelpie beats bat wings every time!" Al cheered as she stopped, leaning over to pat Frank's neck. "Frankie, you made mama so proud."
"Not to be competitive, but I did beat you to the Christmas Door," Will retorted, but Al just blew a raspberry and turned back to congratulating Frank. Will shook here head before turning back to me. "Sorry if we kept you waiting. We would have been here a little sooner, but I got a little turned around in the Hinterlands. Luckily, I heard Oogie screaming like a girl and followed that to the edge of the woods, just in time to see you coming in for a landing."
"Yeah, if that girl was actually a man poorly imitating a girl…" Al smirked. "He did hit a few high notes though… Either way, free falling that high has gotta mean game over."
"Don't be so sure," I said, unable to keep the grim tone from my voice. I noticed the concern come over Sally's face, and I pulled her to my side. "Oogie may have fallen, but I don't think we've seen the last of him."
Al groaned, falling across Frank's back in exhaustion. "This is worse than Christmas shopping the day of… It NEVER ends!"
"Sorry girlie but that's how the game goes," Will said, walking over and patting Al on the shoulder. "Gotta make sure the bad guy is permanently out of commission, and all his goons are beaten too."
"Rawr! We must have beaten like-like…a bunch of those monster things, and we still have all this shit to go?!" Al stated. "Hell, how many more times do we have to kick Oogie's ass before he stays down. And if I have to hear one more song by him or his little imps, someone is getting thrown into the basement with the Moorwens!"
"Alice Tanner," Sandy warned. "I would remind you to watch you language, young lady."
Before Al could remark, Will quickly covered Al's mouth with her hand. She whispered something in her ear, which I couldn't hear but whatever it was, Al sighed and rolled her eyes. However, now that Al brought it up, I hadn't seen any sign of Oogie's monsters, let alone Lock, Shock, and Barrel. I began to wonder if those troublesome tricksters had anything planned for our town while Oogie was keeping me occupied.
Suddenly, I felt Sally stiffen in my arms. "Jack, what about everyone in Halloween Town?"
"I was just thinking the same thing," I assured her. "I'm sure they're fine, Sally. After all, the monsters have all been taken care of, and I'm sure Dr. Finklestein has found a way to dispose of those troublesome things. Though I do wish I knew where Lock, Shock, and Barrel had gone off to."
"Perhaps we should go back to town, just to make sure nothing else will happen." After all, Oogie had already done so many horrible things to my friends in my absence. He couldn't be that stupid to try anything else if his goal was to get me out of the way. I was torn: I had to make sure everyone was safe, but I also needed to stop Oogie Boogie once and for all.
"I hate to interrupt," Sandy implied. "But may I remind you that it is Christmas Eve, and there are children all over the world waiting for their gifts. Thanks to that boogieman, my reindeer have taken off with the sleigh and the presents. If I don't get those toys delivered, Christmas will be ruined."
I remembered how the children had almost not had Christmas at all last year; I could not allow that to happen again. I turned to him. "You're right, Sandy. We need to get your sleigh back before something happens to the gifts, or the reindeer."
"Jack, what about Oogie?" Will asked. "I mean, Christmas is high on our priorities this evening, but Sally makes a valid point. While we go off on a wild goose chase after a sleigh that some frightened reindeer have taken who knows where, Oogie could have something nasty planned for everyone back in Halloween Town."
"But pressies?" Al sat up, looking at Will.
"Relax, Al." Will then addressed Sandy and me. "Look, here's what I'm thinking: Sandy, you can take Jack and Sally back to Halloween Town. You guys can drop her off, and Jack can make sure everyone's safe. Meanwhile, Al and I can stay here. Al can keep an eye on Oogie while I fly off and track down the reindeer." I tried to talk her out of it, but I guess Will knew what I was going to say.
"Jack, you can't be in two places at once. Go take care of your holiday, and let us help Santa take care of his." She flashed me a knowing smile. "Besides, even if Oogie did survive that fall, that drop should have him knocked out for a while."
I saw Sandy nod in agreement. "Much as I don't like the plan, I agree with Will," he said.
I sighed. "All right but we have to hurry. But Will, Al. Please be careful."
"Take care, girls," Sandy added. "Will, the reindeer can be very difficult. They don't frighten easily, but when they do, you'll have to be cautious."
The girls nodded and then took off, Al headed toward Trash Hill and Will in the direction Sandy had seen the reindeer fly off in. I also sent Zero along with Will to help her find the reindeer. When the girls were out of sight, Sandy, Sally, and I got back in the coffin sleigh. We took off, and in no time at all, we arrived outside of Town Hall. No one was about and everything was eerily quiet, but more so than usual. Sally and I stepped out of the sleigh and started to make our way toward the Town Hall. I kept my eye out for any signs of a trap, and I was ready to use the Soul Robber in case something tried to attack us. All the while, one question lingered in the back of my skull: where was everyone?
Suddenly, the door to Town Hall began to creak, and I pushed Sally behind me as I readied my Soul Robber. To my surprise and delight, it was the Mayor who stepped out from behind the door.
"Jack! You're back!"
As if on cue, the doors opened and I could hear the cheers of all my friends inside. I retracted the Soul Robber, than took Sally hand as I lead us inside. We were instantly surrounded by all of our friends, asking how we were and exclaiming how glad they were to see us. In the midst of the chaos, I spotted Igor wheeling Doctor Finkelstein towards us.
"Jack! Sally! Thank Halloween, you're both all right," he exclaimed.
"It's good to see you too, Doctor," she said, though somewhat shyly. I noticed she had a look of guilt in her eyes as she stood before the Doctor. "I'm sorry for taking off again, but Will asked for my help. How's Jewel doing?"
"She's well, my child, and don't worry. I am not angry with you," he said. "Just seeing you and Jack are well is enough for this old man."
Sally smiled and for a moment I forgot about the danger we were in. Bringing myself back to the present, I turned to speak with the Mayor. "It's good to see Halloween Town back to its old gruesome self. You did a wonderful job getting everyone together to fix it up, Mayor."
He smiled. "Thank you Jack, and I'm sure Sally told you I rescued the Holiday Leaders," he said, a touch of pride in his voice. "We also manage to catch these little brats." He turned and pointed over toward the Vampire Brothers, who were guarding Lock, Shock, and Barrel.
"Glen found them mucking about the Graveyard," the Mayor continued. "He caught them by surprise, and we've been keeping them here for you to deal with."
I felt my temper rise, and I walked over to the meddlesome pranksters. "Well, well. Seems you three finally managed to run out of luck. Once I deal with Oogie, you better be prepared for your punishment when I return."
"HA, that's w-what you think," Lock said. "Mr. Oogie will beat you, and then you'll be sorry."
"Yeah, what he said," Barrel added.
"Quiet you," Glenn growled, causing all three children to cower in the corner.
"Easy, Glenn, I'll deal with these three soon enough."
"Jack, we thought you might want these," Bela suggested, handing me something. I looked down and gasped when I saw Will's swords and her key, though the key had been broken in half. I looked up at Belle, and he replied, "We took them from these three, but I'm afraid they broke Will's key."
"It's alright, I'm sure Sandy can fix it. Now…" I walked up onto the stage so I could address everyone. When all eyes were on me, I spoke. "I am pleased with everyone's efforts to restore our town back to abnormal, but now I must ask you all to stay inside and lock your doors. Oogie Boogie is still out there, but I am going to put an end to his cruelty once and for all! All I ask is that you remain here until I return."
The look on their faces spoke of their concern, but nevertheless, all of my friends cheered and wished me luck. I thanked them for their support, and began to make my way to the door. But before I took another step, I turned back to Sally. She had been standing at my side the entire time, yet out of everyone, she had remained silent. Her hands were folded over her chest, and her head was bowed to the floor. She looked up at me for a moment. She tried to appear brave, but being the Master of Fright, I instantly recognized the look of fear on her face. It broke my heart to see her like that. I walked in front of her, and remained close in case what she wanted to say was meant for me alone.
She started to say something, but then she hesitated. She bit at her lip as she struggled to speak. I wanted to hold her, yet I worried I might make it harder for her to speak, so I restrained myself from taking her into my arms. Finally, she spoke.
"No matter what, I believe in you Jack," she whispered. "I know you will beat Oogie because…because…"
She seemed to loose her words as her resolve began to weaken. I rested my hand on her shoulder, prompting her to meet my eye sockets. My sweet, brave, beautiful Sally. This is what I had been afraid of while we were riding in the sleigh. I did not want to leave her again, and it was clear to me that Sally didn't want that either. I could see my reflection in her eyes, and I could feel her love and fear for me reflected back in her loving gaze.
I finally couldn't stand it anymore. I drew her into my arms, tucking her head under my chin and began to stroke her hair. Sally trembled, and I could tell she was trying not to cry. I held her for only a moment. Then, I pulled back and brush my knuckles over her delicate cheek, catching a stray tear. Her lip began to tremble as I slid my hand to the back of her head, burying my fingers in her soft hair. I gently drew her closer and without another thought, I kissed her, picking up right where I had left off in the sleigh.
Sally sighed against my lips and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. I held my hand firmly against the back of her neck as my other hand went to the center of her back. We stayed like this for what seemed an eternity, but eventually I had to break the kiss. I pulled back and touched my forehead to hers. We gazed into at each other for a moment before I leaned in, and kissed her once more.
"I love you," I whispered against her lips as I pulled back.
"I love you too," she whispered back, laughing a little.
With one last look, I turned and raced out the doors. Sandy was ready to go as I jumped into the sleigh. With a nod, he cracked the reins and we took off into the night. Only one thing ran through my mind as we raced back toward Trash Hill.
Prepare yourself, Oogie Boogie. I'm coming for you.
XXX
(Narrator's POV)
Trash Hill…
The darkness slowly began to fade as Oogie Boogie regained consciousness. In a flash he opened his eyes, the memories of the night's events flooding his mind's eye and fueling his rage. The sleigh, the sweet taste of victory; all of it within his grasp! All ruined by an insignificant little prank. The fact that a pathetic little scare-in-the box had outdone him, Oogie Boogie, future ruler of all seven holidays? The indignity of it all was more than he could stand, and he quickly got to his feet.
"Nooo!" he cried. "This can't be happening! Wha-aaaaaah!" There was no way he would allow himself to be beaten.
Then, in the midst of his rage, Oogie got an idea. Jack had been able to defeat him because he had the aid of those puny human girls. Well, Jack may have his pathetic friends, but Oogie had an entire army of his own. He was, after all, the King of all Bugs.
Focusing all his energy, Oogie used his power over insects to summon an army of creepy, crawly bugs to his aide. Thousands of insects heeded his call, swarming to their master from all over Halloween Town. They came in droves, several of them bringing scraps of cloth and anything else they could find.
Meanwhile, up above the top of Trash Hill, Al was watching as Oogie cried out into the night. At first, she was not concerned over what appeared to be the boogieman having a childish tantrum. But then the ground began to shake. The thundering began to spook Frank, causing the kelpie to rear and whinny nervously. As she tried to calm the beast, Al shriek as she spotted a cockroach crawled onto Frank's back. She knocked the pest of, and crushed it under her boot. Her victory smile was short lived, for the mysterious thundering grew louder, and Al screamed in fear as suddenly the ground was overrun by a variety of spiders and insects. Unable to stand the sight, Al leapt onto Frank's back and raced toward Halloween Town to warn her friends.
Oogie just laughed as he listened to her screams of terror. Then he drew his focus back to his insect army. They began covering his body, using the scraps they had brought to create a new form for the boogieman.
As they came together, Oogie grinned in delight.
Yes, this will do. I'll show Jack who the true Master of Fear is, and take my rightful place as the King of Seven Holidays!
XXX
GodlyJewel: Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a great holiday, and a happy New Year. I know it's been a long time, but I really hope you like this chapter.
P.S. If anyone wants to see Will and Al race through Christmas Town, you can check out the picture on my DeviantArt page. The picture is titled, "Monster Race."