The Nightmare Before Easter

The First of Two Tim Burton-Approved Sequels

What follows is Part I of the long-form poem I wrote over 20 years ago when I worked at Disney. Before we begin, I recently told the story of how this came to be. Go ahead and read that first. Trust me.

The story you’re about to read is the real deal. Despite Tim Burton’s approval, Disney never published it. Based (obviously) on Burton’s beloved characters, this original story is presented here to the public for the first time ever merely as fan fiction. I own nothing, have rights to nothing, and of course, I’m making no money whatsoever from these words. It’s just for enjoyment, so … enjoy!

The illustrations are by Deane Taylor, Art Director on the iconic 1993 film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. They are posted with his permission.

Seriously, read the history post first.

Halloweentown is a special place where

They take frightful delight in designing a scare.

At the center of this town where the night never ends

Is one Mr. Skellington (“Jack” to his friends).

Being Pumpkin King fills Jack with bone-chilling pride

Except for one small, empty space deep inside.

A longing to transcend the normal routine

To see things and do things not at all Halloween.

This itch had consumed him once long ago.

He nearly drowned in frustration and feelings of woe.

‘Til he stumbled on Christmas and soon took command,

But being Santa didn’t work out exactly as planned.

With that longing returned, Jack knew just the right place,

So into the woods his own steps he retraced.

In that spot where the trouble had started before

He remembered four other trees, each with a door.

Knowing he had virtually nothing to lose

The door with the egg was the one that he’d choose.

Convinced his experience made him both smart and strong,

Jack reached for the door thinking What could go wrong?

By the time that the next several moments had passed

Jack found himself lying in the softest green grass.

He’d grown so accustomed to chills in the air

But in this place Jack couldn’t find one anywhere.

A new feeling came over his skeletal frame

“This sensation,” he wondered. “It must have a name.”

The sun shone bright as birds chirped with raised heads,

While tree limbs gave shade to cascading flowerbeds.

Like a child Jack danced, singing “Where could I be?

I’m so lucky that things like this happen to me!”

With a scratch of his skull, he followed a vine

To the Welcome to Eastertown hand-painted sign.

He walked along pleased with the path that he took,

Finding little egg bundles wherever he looked.

But these eggs were in no way the ordinary kind.

Each was painted in a pastel-color design.

Seeing the eggs there all snug in their basket.

Jack knew the question, and he knew he would ask it.

For it was easy to marvel at this beautiful scene,

But Jack had to ask himself: “What does it mean?”

He pondered this question for a minute or two

‘Til something else unusual came into view.

At first it was only an up-and-down blur.

Then it stopped and Jack saw two long ears and pink fur.

It was strange to see such a thing bouncing ahead

All the bunnies Jack knew were already dead.

As he bounced on his way, Jack thought “Where is he going?”

Then he followed along as a sure way of knowing.

Staying hidden from view was a bit of a hassle,

But soon Jack was led to an unusual castle.

Through a window Jack saw a big factory floor

Which was bustling with woodland creatures galore.

While the squirrels painted eggs, woodchucks packed them away,

No doubt to unveil on the next Easter Day.

Baby chicks pulled small wagons with candy in tow,

while it was clear that the Bunny was running the show.

Pink package labels read “Sweet” and “Sweeter”

The boxes held chocolates in the shape of their leader.

Jack nearly burst in, but then he took pause.

He remembered the fiasco with Santa Claus.

Even so he thought maybe there was some harmless way

That he could take part in this new holiday.

“I’ve got it!” he said, and he began to write down

For King Bunny: an invite to Halloweentown.

When no one answered his knock, Jack just let himself in.

The work fell silent. They stood staring at him.

“My good Bunny,” said Jack. “Just like you, I’m a King.

And I’ve come with an offer, a neighborly thing.

A V.I.P. visit to the place where I’m from.

But we must leave right now. Of course you will come!”

The Bunny said nothing as he was led outside

While Jack took one of the workers aside:

“Keep doing what you’re doing. The painting and packing

I’ll bring him back soon so there’s no time for slacking.”

And with that Jack put his long arm ‘round the Bunny

Who looked like he found not one bit of this funny.

Because Jack didn’t see his new friend was so fearful,

He continued to babble, all charming and cheerful.

“We’ve so much in common,” Jack said “I believe

That when you see my place you won’t want to leave!

As a favor I’m having friends show you about

In return? Well, perhaps we can work something out.”

On and on to the gargoyled gates they kept walking.

“Where are my manners?” Jack said. “I’ve done all of the talking.”

Still silent, the Bunny looked trembly and weak.

Jack leaned in closer. “What’s wrong? Don’t you speak?”

“Oh well,” Jack declared when he got no reply.

“When you meet all my colleagues, I swear, you’ll just die!”

Not at all what the Bunny was hoping to hear.

In fact, Jack’s prediction just tripled his fear.

PART 2 OF THE STORY IS UP!!! READ IT HERE!!!

COMING SOON! The second Tim Burton-approved sequel story written by me that’s focused on Valentine’s Day. Subscribe so you won’t miss a thing!

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments!

Cheers!