Over the next week, everyone was hard at work trying to please the mayor for a most horrible Halloween. Also, many of them were in deep thought, they were thinking about if it was such a great idea to have a Pumpkin King after all. Both candidates were not people that the town especially liked, though most couldn't say the same for Jack since they had never met him or couldn't remember meeting him. But, Oogie Boogie was infact not well-liked, but well-known within the town and one could say they trusted him more than someone they had never met.
Back in his lab, Dr. Finklestein was hard at work finishing the brains. He didn't think the mayor would actually go to Jack Skellington's house, he had just wanted him out of his own house. Now the crazed mayor had asked the skeleton to become a candidate for Pumpkin King in a contest with Oogie Boogie. It was madness. Complete and utter madness, which was not strange for this town, but in this case it was. Finally placing the last brain in the sack, the doctor began working on the walking limbs.
There were only two days left until Halloween and everyone was busier than busy, the whole town was decorated with black and orange and bats and skulls, and bones and jack-o-lanterns. The mayor was now in a particularly good mood since the town meeting, but was still trying to rush things for the upcoming holiday that was to take place in only two days time. Some of the citizens became annoyed with the mayor, while others were relieved thathe wasn't panicky and worrying all the time. Of course, the mayor's good mood didn't stop the other people of Halloweentown from worrying about the next few days.
October 31st finally came, everyone was excited and thrilled when they first awoke. They had simply forgot all about the Pumpkin King thing, that is... until Oogie Boogie showed up around noon. The over-sized boogieman was dancing around in circles, quite pleased with what was to be the outcome of this Halloween.
"All of you must remember to bow to me!" he hollered jovially, as he approached the mayor. A groan went up from all the citizens as they went back to work and remembering the horrid ceremony for the Pumpkin King.
"What now?" asked the lake monster, her question directed towards the witches. It was five o'clock and everything was ready for the big holiday.
The short green witch shrugged, "We might as well go home and come back at 8."
Other creatures nodded in agreement and quickly set off for their own home or grave. they would return later in better moods for the horrid, freakish holiday, soon becoming unerved by the voting of the Pumpkin King.
Jack Skellington had the whole routine perfectly planned out, now he just had to decided when to put on his frightful scare. He decided that he would make his presence known after Oogie went on, maybe give a dramatic pause. He smirked at the thought, that sounded good. He'd leave the window open and listen for the mayor to announce the time for the voting and then he'd prepare. These thoughts also caused him to wonder why he'd care so much to be involved with Halloween. Was it because he wanted attention and respect from the people of Halloween? Or maybe a reason that he wanted to feel like he belonged? Suddenly getting second thoughts on the idea of going out there, Jack pushed that thought far into the back of his head.
The tall skeleton sat on the edge of his window, peering out into the center of town where it got darker and darker. When it finally struck eight o'clock, every single jack-o-lantern lit up along with all the other Halloween decorations that had been developed for this day. Jack watched with glee as all the townspeople came out, cheering and singing:
"This is Halloween! This is Halloween!
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night!
This is Halloween! Everybody make a scene!
Trick or Treat 'til the neighbors gonna die of fright!"
Jack smirked as everyone cheered on the arrival of their holiday icon. A giant jack-o-lantern that was carted forth on wheels, pulled on by Behemoth. An explosion of brain signaled the lid of the pumpkin to be released and a flurry of disembodied limbs scurried out. Many of the citizens screamed in either fright or delight (a/n: hey a rhyme!). He shook his head, he had seen much more horrible Halloweens from his tower and this was not one of the best. Soon the feasting began and some chosen creatures had actually gone to the mortal world to scare little trick-or-treaters. Only about six creatures were chosen and this time it had been Oogie Boogie, the wolfman, Mr. Hyde, the man under the stairs, and two of the four vampires.
When the party returned, Jack knew it would be time to start the voting. He quickly readied himself and silently crawled out the window, just in time to see Oogie Boogie return with the other five. With spider-like movements, the skeleton slunk down the wall of his home and leapt up to the roof of a house. With a good view from there, Jack lay hidden and waited for his cue.
Oogie slunk into the shadows, not actually returning to the town square. Jack watched with extreme curiosity as everything got darker and darker. He could hear some squeals of question as he squinted to see in the darkness.
"What's going on?" was a question being asked by most citizens as they looked around the square that had been all lit up just a few moments ago. They heard a deep chuckle and suddenly knew what was going on. It was the voting thing, so Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie were to make their appearences. Although they expected it, it was still thrilling. The jack-o-lanterns and skulls looked as if they were under a black light, when suddenly a deep laugh echoed through the town and something leapt out of the shadows with a black light shinning down upon him. It was Oogie Boogie of course. Just to be good sports, many of the creatures gave fake shrieks and some even real shrieks.
The mayor clapped gleefully, "Well done! Well done Oogie Boogie!" Other feigned responses were, "Great job." or "Yay for the Boogieman."
While all were clapping, no one noticed a skeletal figure slip into the murky fountain.
Oogie looked around smugly and waited for a minute before stating, "Well, that's it! Bone Man chickened out and will not be joining us! Therefore... I am your new Pumpkin King!"
On cue, a tall and lanky figure rose out of the water. People turned and gasped, unable to recognize the figure coming up from the water. The eyes of the figure were closed, but when he ceased to rise a shock came to the people. A hideous, fear inducing grin was plastered on the figure's face and he opened his eyes, brilliant light flooded out of the empty sockets. Screams of real fright echoed throught Halloweentown and only ceased when the figure removed the candles from his eyes and smiled a normal grin.
After the screaming, a roar of applouse sounded throughout everywhere. Jack looked quite pleased with himself, the mayor was also pleased. Oogie Boogie was furious, his mind was suddenly raging with fury. 'Jack wasn't supposed to come!' he thought bitterly, watching the mayor stand up to the podium.
The mayor cleared his throat and everyone grew quiet, "I think we all know who our Pumpkin King is!" In response, the town cried out, "All hail Jack Skellington! The Pumpkin King!"
Jack stood up at the front with the mayor, taking a few bows and waving couteously to the crowd. The crowd suddenly inched forward, each person trying to get a word with Jack or glimpse of him. All but Oogie Boogie, his mind raced with anger, 'Someday... someday I'll get my revenge...'. Oogie backed away from the crowd, 'But until then...' The Boogieman slunk off towards his house that was built into a tree, not to be seen for a long time.