The next morning. Molly was sleeping very peacefuly, with her cat sleeping by the foot of her bed. But, the peace didn't last long, as a voice loudly called from outside. Few seconds in, a crash was heard. Molly quickly sat up.
"What was that?!" Mittens the 2nd slowly looked up, yawning and a little frighten. "It's came from outside! Don't be scared, lets go see what's up!" She got out of bed and quickly grabbed her broom. Her cat jumped on after her, as they flew out the window and circle around outside. She's gasp. At the front gate, She saw him collapse on the ground.
"Look, it's the mayor! He is knock out by the gate! Something must has happen! Let go down and find out!" She flew back to her room, grabbed her wand on her nightstand, changed into her witch outfit, grabbed her bag and hat from the hanger and flew back outside. She flew right next to the mayor, she and her cat got off the broom, placed it next to the gate's wall and helped him up.
"Mr. Mayor, wake up!" He opened his eyes and stare at her with his pale face.
"Molly, is that you?" He groan.
"Yes, I'm glad you are all right. Lets us help you." Molly helped him sit up, as Mitten the 2nd picked up his scattered papers with her month. Molly took them from her cat and help straighted them out. She notice that it seems to be plans for Halloween, as she can't help to wonder. She gave them back to the mayor.
"How did you fell?" He placed his long top hat back on his head and sigh.
"I was hoping that your guardian would be home. Have you see him?"
"Why, no. Not since the festival."
"Because he hasn't came home all night." Someone nearby responded. Molly looked up and saw the street musicians; Jm, Jimmy and James standing near the gate.
"Good morning, cool kitten. Such a spooky night it was." James warmly greeted her.
"Have you guys seen Jack? Where did he go?"
"The last time we saw him, he was passing by our alley. Heading towards the graveyard, the one by spiral hill. Though, he seems very gloom than usual." Her heart jumped a little. Wait, why would Jack be blue on Halloween? I asked that same question to myself ladt night. I also heard him singing a lament from the window. It must came from the hill! Just like_ no! It's can't be! She faced the mayor.
"Mr. Mayor! Why do you want to see him?!"
"To have him look over plans for next Halloween!" He shown one of them to her. She gasps quietly, her cat seems worry for her. Why didn't I realize this before?! The festival layout, Jack's wearyness, the mayor's collapsing by the gate! Just like the book! If that's the case?! Can it happen again?! Maybe my friends can help me out! Gotta move fast!
She excused herself and asked her cat to keep the mayor's company for awhile. Spook and Mum walked to the fountain, for a small chat.
"That was the greatist Halloween ever! It's a shame that it's over."
"Don't worry, Mum. Halloween night will be back before you know it!" They were about to move on, when Molly caught up to them. Panting and caughting her breath.
"Molly, what's wrong?! You look stress!"
"No time! Following me to the hangout, NOW!" they were confused.
"WHAT?!!" Spook shouted. The boys sat on the couch, as Molly pace back and forth. "Your're telling me that the King is planning to take over Christmas again?!"
"I can't believe it myself but, that's my theory!" He shook his head.
"Okay, Molly. Before we jumped into any conclusions, what proof do you have?! It's aways best to have proof in hand, my dad says to me." She sighs and went to get the book off the shelf, to hold for reference.
"For starters, this year Halloween festival! It's format, the singings and even Jack's entrance! It was in the book! How did I not see it coming last night?! He told me before he left, he wanted to recreate it to make my first Halloween special. But, leaving to hear the citizen's praises made him a bit sad. Also, the way that doctor treated Sally, the way the mayor reacted this morning, the fact that Jack has yet to return, ALL OF IT HAS HAPPEN IN THE BOOK!"
"So, you think that from last night to all the way to Christmas eve, is going to follow what that book says?! Does it make sense to you?! Why would all of this happen again?!" She faced Spook.
"The saying goes 'History can repeat itself.' Even if I didn't find this book, Jack would probably do it anyways! On the day you told be about the festival, he was already feeling a bit stress coming up with ideas for the event. Maybe he's feeling overwhelm again. Maybe he and the town forgot what's happen in the past. This book called to me for a reason!"
"I see your point. Does it really means he is going to ruin another Christmas?"
"Spook, I'm worry! What if the King doesn't come back in one piece?! I don't what him to be nothing but ashes!" Mum feared. So, he has forgot the event. Poor Jack. I thought me being with him helps keep out Halloween for awhile. I guess it's not enough. Still, he saved my life, gave me a home, helped me be excepted to the Halloween life, helped me get back on my feet. I must return the favor.
"We won't let this happen! Because, we're going to stop him! By using this book as our guide, we can plan every citizens actions! We will go on an undercover mission to prevent this from happening! If we work together, we can save both Jack and Christmas!"
"Molly, such brilliant leadership! Though I don't know this town too well, I can't ignore a great idea when I hear one, count me in!"
"But, why can't we have scary presents?"
"MUM!!" They both cried.
"Okay, joking! The King is my hero, I won't let anything happen to him. I'm with you all the way!"
"Then, lets get to work!"
After a freash reminder on what to happen next, they planned on what to to and wait for the moment. Soon, they headed to the town's square. Many ghouls were surrounding the mayor's hearse, who himself was standing on top of it, panicing over his megaphone.
"I knew it!" They stared from the back. "The mayor has gather up allies to find their king, which they've failed."
"Wow, how did you know that?!"
"We just read it in that book, remember?!" Molly ignore Mum.
"And just like in the book, Jack will be returning from Christmas Town to bring objects from there."
"It's certainly seems that way. They are reacting exactly like the book says! Man, this town is weird!"
"Weirder than usual, I must say."
"Okay, our first task is to get them to move somewhere else. That way, Jack won't be able to spread his latest experience!"
"How are we going to to that?" Mum wondered.
"Mum, just follow her lead." Molly began to head up, the boys followed.
"Mr. Mayor! Turn off your alarm! I know where he is!" They stand in front of his hearse. He hand gesture the mummy kid to lower the alarm, as all eyes went on the trio.
"Ahh, little Molly. I should of had notice that you would know his location. But, why didn't you tell me this morning?" Molly is pretty good when it comes to lying, except to the Pumpkin King himself. With her friends as backup, she has nothing to lose.
"Sorry, I can't tell."
"Why not?!" asked a rudely monster.
"He told me it's a secret. He'll be back soon. Until then, he asked me to be in charge for a while. Suddenly, the wolfman came by, with mean eyes and growling noises. She gulp.
"Why would a tiny child like you be in charge of us big monsters and ghouls?" She had a frighten memory of him wanting to eat her in the dark alley. But, she must be brave. Having her wand on standby, the boys had her back.
"Watch it, you big hairy dog! That's the child of the Pumpkin King you're growling at!" Shouted the tall witch, Helgamine.
"Yeah, show some respect to us fellow witches!" Her short sister, Zeldaborne, whack her broom on the wolf's head. Maybe they're ain't so wicked than I thought.
"Little Molly, what would you like us to do?" The mayor asked, curiously.
"Well, until he comes back, lets go to the art museum and relax our minds from worry thoughts."
"We demand our king!"
"Will you shout up?!" Mum shouted.
"No!" The short witch whack his head again, whinning.
"Molly, we should get them going before the crowd gets more restless."
"Spook, I wouldn't agree with you less."
The citizens looked around the main's lobby, as the friends headed to a corner to talk.
"That was brave of you to stand up to the rowdy crowd and not coward away."
"Lets just say, I had learn alot over the last year."
"Molly, do you think the King will find us here?" worried, Mum.
"Well, you and I will distract the citizens by guiding them on a tour. Spook, I need you to guard the entrance. Make sure no ghoul leaves!" She noticed the mayor, still having that worry look on his face. "Also, keep an eye on the mayor. We can't let him find Jack!"
"I'll do my best!" Molly and Mum headed toward the crowd.
"Okay, me and My friend are going to guide you around. So, lets forget our worries and begin!"
"Where's the king?!"
"Didn't I tell you to shut up?!" Spook chuckled a little, as he watched them go. He flew to the mayor.
"Hey, you shouldn't worry."
"Oh, hello Spook. I know your little friend told us not to stress. But, I feel that it's my responsibility to look out for our king."
"She also said that he'll be back soon. So, how about joining us in our tour to the art gallery?"
"I can't! It's my duty as the mayor to make sure my citizens are in good hands. So, I must search for him!" When it looks like he was about to leave out the door, Spook blocked the way!
"Wait, what if i go and search for him! Will that make you stay?!"
"Hmm, since you've offer. You have my approval! But, you must report to me right away!"
"Sure, no problem!"
Spook flew a block from the museum, thinking to himself. The King is probably at the town's square. Why would he be looking way in downtown for his citizens? All I have to do is stay in this area and go tell the mayor fault informations! There's is no way I can let Molly's do__OW! Spook bump into someone and fell backward. I'm a ghost. Should I just pass through things?! Unless. Spook look up and gasps! The King! He float back up, as he looked at Jack's serious face.
"Hey, King! Great performance last night! Those goggle look great on you!"
"Have you seen everyone? It's very unlikely to see the area deserted at a time like this."
"I don't know, maybe they're busy! Why don't you try searching elsewhere! Maybe the pumpkin patch?" Spook quickly noticed a small gray remote like object in his right hand. Wondering if it could be from the sleigh car he rode or something else? He wonders why it's beeping. Suddenly, Zero floated by, barking all the way. Followed by the mayor! No! Spook cried in his thoughts.
"Jack, where have you been?!" The mayor grew happy. I got to warn Molly! Spook flew without the others noticing.
"Okay, ghoulish citizens! Lets rest! Then we can go the room of the dark arts!" They were all back at the lobby, the friends seems happy.
"I can't believe things are going well!"
"I know, Mum! Nothing can go wrong!" Then, Spook fade-in right in front of his friends, with a frantic look!
"Spook! Where's the mayor?!"
"Molly, about that."
The front door burst opened, Jack and the mayor stepped inside.
"My ghoulsome citizens, Jack has returned!"
"Finally!" The ghouls cheered.
"Spook! What happen?!" Molly cried!
"I'm sorry! I had to pretend to find the King in order to keep the mayor from going out! Somehow, I ran into the King and the mayor got free! Oh, I failed!"
"It's fine! It's only the first task!"
"Now what are we going to do?!" Mum cried.
"We'll just figure it out, but we must think fast."
