Stone Cold Revenge, Hugs.And.Kisses [bill gates books recommendations TXT] 📗

never happened naturally?" The Mayor shot Shock another offensive glance, "Well that just won't do-"

Before Shock could build up enough rage to yell at the Mayor properly, Jack poked his circular head above the mayor's hat and beamed happily down at them.

"You're here! Sally's been waiting for you for ages," Jack looked viscously down at the Mayor, "You haven't been keeping them from coming in have you?"

"N-n-no sir! I was j-just-"

Jack didn't wait for an explanation, he simply pushed the Mayor aside and motioned Shock and others inside in one fluid motion. One by one they filed through the door and up the stairs to the bedroom where Sally and the newborn princess were. Sally lay in bed cradling her new baby girl close, the perfect picture of motherhood. Through the folds of the baby blanket, the ragdoll face of the baby. Jack quickly slinked through the group and to a small chair by the side of the bed. If it had been possible, Shock could have sworn Sally smiled a little wider when they came in.

After the round of congratulations, introducing Violet, and staring in awe at the baby, Shock found herself asking, "Did you decide on a name?"

"No," Sally said with a little laugh, "That's actually why I was waiting for you. We've been asking everyone for suggestions and I wanted your opinion before I decided."

As usual, all eyes turned to Shock. This time, like many others, she had an answer already, "Cecilia."

"Cecilia," Jack thought it over; a small smile creased his skull, "That's a beautiful name. What do you think Sally?"

"I love it," Sally said sweetly, "Cecilia, Princess of Halloween Town. It's perfect."


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The sun was setting by the time they left. Lock and Shock were the last one out, from the front steps of Skelington Manor they could see Barrel and Kevin were goofing around on the road home, Violet laughing after them.

Lock turned to Shock, "So, are you going to tell me how you magically thought of the perfect name, or do I have to guess?"

"You can guess all you like but I won't tell you," Shock grinned back.

The two watched each other for a silent moment before Lock turned away and started after the others.

"If the new kids are anything like Violet," Lock whispered to Shock, "Maybe being a parent won't be so bad."

Lock smiled in a way that almost made Shocks heart beat. Before she could respond Lock slipped down the stairs after the others. Of course, just as Shock was feeling good, who should come along and spoil it?

"You!" The Mayor screeched quietly, coming outside from the manor, "Do you think I'm going to let you get away with raising a new delinquent to muck up Halloween Town? I-!"

"You can't take Violet away from me, Mayor," Shock interrupted, "I am the only family she has and there is nothing you can say, do, or pass a law about to change that. But if the idea of me being a mother is going to be a problem, I have a proposition for you."

The Mayor considered this for a moment, "I'm listening."


Jesters and Gypsies And Demons

Chapter 13 Jesters and Gypsies and Demons

There they where. Sleeping peacefully in the clearing. Oblivious to what tragedy came to them last night, for now. They were also young, they looked either six and a half or seven; just about the age of Violet. The closest to Shock was a beautiful little girl dressed like a gypsy. She wore a burgundy, long sleeved shirt like her own, a skirt that looked like it was made for dancing, her hair was held back by a scarf headband, she was barefoot with two bengals surrounding each ankle, and had a gold coin necklace and belt. The other one was a jester with red and black striped clothes and hat. His shoes where black and looked suspiciously like ballet shoes. In one hand he carried a short, striped jester staff. The two looked so peaceful… wait, just two? Before Shock could start worrying about anything the jester boy started to stir. Shock hung back, motioning Violet to do the same, they would give them some time before they made an appearance.

"Ok, that hurt," the jester said, rubbing his head, "I wonder if dad can fix my trampoline like he can fix the car… Hey, since when is it day time?"

The jester looked around in a daze for a few seconds. Then he noticed the gypsy girl, who was starting to get up. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Still in a sleepy state she looked down at her bare feet and sleepily said.

"Oh, my sandals are gone. I must have lost them when I fell into the water," the gypsy girl gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes grew wide with horror and she started rummaging in a little bag tied to her costume. When she remained empty handed she jumped up and screamed, "No! Mr. Snaky! Mr. Snaky where are you?"

"What's wrong?" the jester asked.

The gypsy girl spun around, noticing the jester for the first time, "My snake! My pet snake Mr. Snaky! He was in my pouch and now he's gone. He has to be around here somewhere."

"Mind if we helped?" Shock stepped out from her hiding place behind a tree, Violet followed.

"Who are you?" the jester asked cautiously, hey what would you do in a situation like this?

"We're friends," Shock said smiling, "Now about your snake, are you sure he was in your pouch when you fell in?"

"Of course," the girl answered, completely ignoring the fact that she fell into a river, "He's a little heavy, I'd notice if he left. Please we have to find him; he might get cold out here."

"Well he can't be too far can he?" Violet said looking around, "What does he look like?"

"Greenish-brown with tan-brown rings," the gypsy said.

"Kinda like that tree over there?" the jester said, pointing a shaking finger.

They turned to see the tree in question not too far outside the trees that ringed the clearing. Huge brown and tan spot markings ran up the length of it, shimmering in the early morning sun. As their eyes traveled upwards the noticed the curve of a snake hood. Before Shock could stop her the gypsy girl sprinted towards it. The gypsy girl ran strait ahead until she reached the colossal creature. One of the creature's coils was bigger than she was, even taller than Shock once she caught up; Violet and the jester behind her.

"Mr. Snaky?" the gypsy girl gasped.

The creature turned its massive head around, lowering it to scrutinize the gypsy with one of its pitch-black, unblinking eyes. It opened it's mouth a little, revealing two fangs the size of spears inside. Shock whispered to everyone to remain calm, although she was stiff with fear herself. A pink tongue flickered out, rapidly waving around the gypsy girl, who giggled.

"Mr. Snaky that tickles!"She giggled again, "It is you! Wow you got so big!"

Mr. Snaky withdrew his tongue and moved his head closer to her, allowing her a hug. Then something strange happened. Scales around the part she touched started rippling like water, sending waves throughout the snake's body. Shimmering scales began to come off in waves of layers, flying off then vanishing like ghosts. In an entire mist of scales the huge snake disappeared. Leaving a much smaller Mr. Snaky in the palm of the gypsy girl's hand.

"Hey, your back to normal again," the gypsy girl said, stroking the snakes head, "I guess that's a good thing 'cause it'd take a lot more than a mouse every other week to feed you."

"Whoa," the jester said, "What just happened?"

"Can I ask you something," Shock approached the girl, "Why did you have a snake in your pocket in the first place?"

"Oh right," the girl stated, "I took Mr. Snaky out of his tank last night to show him my costume and to let him see all of the other kid's costumes out the window. My mom called me and said it was time to go trick-or-treating. So I went to put him back, but he wouldn't let go of my wrist. I couldn't get him off so I brought him along, hiding him from my mom by wrapping the pillowcase I was using as a candy bag around him. Later on he eased up and I moved him to my pouch where he wouldn't get cold."

"Ah, I see," Shock said smiling, "Well congratulations. Looks like you have your very own animal familiar."

"What's that?" the jester asked.

"When certain kinds of animals get really close to someone they will do anything for them. Like Mr. Snaky here, who sensed danger and wouldn't leave his friend's side."

"Can all familiars do that thing Mr. Snaky just did?" the gypsy asked.

"No," Shock smiled again, "My best guess is what we just saw was what Mr. Snaky wanted to be for Halloween."

They all laughed, except Violet, who was busy looking up the tree Mr. Snaky had been looking at when they got there.

"What are your names?" Shock asked the newcomers.

"I'm Chester, Chester the Jester. My friends call me CJ."

"My name is Geisel, and I'm a real gypsy. My mom said so 'cause my great grandparents where gypsies."

Violet was still looking up at the tree but it was a strain to look straight up so she took a few steps back. Noticing, Shock followed Violet's eyes up the tree. On one of the tree's lower branches, not too far up, a small irregular shape was perched against the trunk. The rising sun was starting to cast more light into the trees, shadowing their view of the shape and blinding them slightly.

"Hey you up there," Violet called up to the shape, which twitched slightly, "It's ok to come down now. The snake isn't going to bother you any more." The shadow shifted but made no move to come down.

Shock could have climbed it but instead she whistled for her broom and started to fly up to the branch, much to the awe of the gypsy and jester. Climbing higher to the creature Shock was able to pick up details about who, or what, it was. It was sleek, had green color skin, and some sort of membrane covering it. As she got closer she realized what it was, it was the missing third child. It was a demon, a winged demon. He looked taller and older than the others, maybe seven. The demon boy was curled up with his claws on the back of his neck, hiding his head with the wings that