DISCLAIMER: I did not create The Nightmare Before Christmas, (thank Tim Burton for that) I just created Nightshade.

Hello. My name is Nightshade. I am a guardian demon and the sole servant to Jack Skellington and his family. My origins are quite clouded, but this is my story.

One day, I woke up in front of the scarecrow that points to Halloween Town, with no memory of who I was or where I came from. No memories, but a strange, complete knowledge of humans.

I wandered for a while, until I stumbled upon a graveyard. Moments later, I tripped over a gravestone. I looked back to see what tripped me, and saw 'Deadly Nightshade' etched onto the tombstone. "Nightshade…" I then decided that that would be my name.

I walked out of the graveyard, and reached the pumpkin patch. I realised I was hungry, so I cracked open one of the smaller pumpkins. A ghost wailed as it flew from the pumpkin, but strangely, I had no fear of it. I reached into the pumpkin and scooped out some pulp. After I ate, I saw a tall, dead tree and decided to climb it. Once I had reached a high, sturdy branch, I fell blissfully asleep.

I was awoken when I felt wet pumpkin pulp on my face. I wiped it off, and looked down to see three children hurling more at me. One resembled a devil, one resembled a witch and the third resembled a skeleton. Something inside of me told me their names were Lock, Shock and Barrel, and that they were bad news.

I quickly found myself literally seeing red. I leapt from my branch with ease, seemingly gliding to the ground. As I walked angrily towards them, my hands felt as if they were on fire.

The trio stared at me, and then ran off into the woods, screaming with fear. I was puzzled as to why I could be so terrifying.

I saw a large puddle of water nearby, and walked over to it. When I saw my reflection, I was quite shocked.

My eyes were fire-filled and glowing red and my hands were surrounded by bright flame. There were black, spike-lined wings protruding from my back, which were scaly and dragon-like from the underside, but covered in soft feathers on the back.

I stared at my reflection, and concluded I was some sort of demon. I watched as my eyes and hands extinguished and my wings retracted into my back.

I became curious if I had any other unusual powers. Sometime later, I had discovered all I was capable of.

Not only was I able to extend hidden wings, make my eyes glow with any colour of fire I choose and ignite any part of my body, I could also sharpen my teeth into fangs and extend my fingernails into deadly claws at will, and form up to nine clones of myself.

I sought to practice my newfound powers, and that did not take me very long. In the time of two hours, I had mastered every ability I had and knew everything I was capable of doing with them.

I congratulated myself on my achievements and decided to reward my own hard work. I pulled a pumpkin from the patch, ignoring the distraught spirit inside. I flew up to my branch in the tall, dead tree and cracked the pumpkin open.

After my meal, I saw some strange things in the pumpkin patch. For some reason, I flew from the tree to the unusual objects. When I saw them up close, I put them together in a strange way. I somehow knew it was called an electric guitar, and I found myself playing a strange tune. I liked it, and flew back to my tree, still strumming my new instrument.

Sometime later, I saw a strange, tall, thin skeleton in a black pinstripe suit walking through the graveyard. He didn't seem threatening, so I continued playing my electric guitar.

As I walked, I heard a strange, but hauntingly beautiful melody. I thought to myself, "What is that strange sound?" I walked towards the pumpkin patch, following the sound.

I was so wrapped up in playing my electric guitar that I didn't notice the skeleton approach. "Hello?" Hearing his call startled me. I looked warily down at him from my perch. "There you are! A human? Who are you?"

I replied to his question. "I am Nightshade, and I am no human! Now, who are you?" "I'm Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. You have an amazing talent there, Nightshade. You simply must come back to town with me!"

I agreed warily, only since it just started to rain and I realised my tree didn't provide very good cover.

We walked together as the rain grew into a storm. Jack stopped for a moment, but I kept on walking. A lightning bolt struck a tree beside me, making it fall. Luckily, I noticed and quickly extended my wings and flew from under it.

Jack was impressed with my skill. "That was amazing! I thought you were just a human, but you're a… you're a…" He was at a loss for words, so I finished for him.

"I'm a demon of some sort, I think." "Alright, then. We better run before any more trees come down."

We started running through the forest to escape the storm. He was very fast, but so was I. We were almost halfway to Halloween Town. We stopped for a moment to catch our breath, but the lightning hit another tree beside me. I didn't see until it was too late.

But Jack leapt towards me. "Look out!" He pushed me out of the falling tree's way, saving my life. "You… you saved me! I am eternally grateful. I vow to serve you for the rest of my life!"

I decided to return the favour. "Grab my hand." I said. "What?" "Just grab my hand." Once he had a hold of my hand, I extended my wings. "Now, hang on tight!"

I took flight, carrying Jack with me. With his directions, we arrived in front of Halloween Town mere moments later.

I set Jack down, landed and retracted my wings. Jack was grateful for the quick, easy flight. "Why, thank you!" "Ah, it was nothing compared to you saving my life." We began walking into town. Although the storm had stopped, we had to watch our step so we wouldn't slip in any puddles.

A deep voice called from across the square. "Ah, there you are, Jack!" It was the mayor, pleased to see Jack unharmed. But when he saw me, his head twisted to reveal a pale, worried expression. "Jack, you brought a human here?!"

I was slightly offended at being called a human yet again, so I decided to prove to the Mayor and the now gathered townsfolk that I am not a mere, mortal human.

First, I extended my wings and lifted myself a metre off the ground. Then, I ignited my feet, extended my claws, sharpened my teeth and made my eyes glow in a bright golden tone.

There were gasps of awe as the onlooking monsters stared at my enhanced form. The Mayor was the first to say anything. "Wow! Jack, who is this fascinating creature?"

Jack turned to face me and I knew he was allowing me to answer for him.

"I am Nightshade, guardian demon and servant to Jack Skellington!"

The crowd cheered wildly. I was happy that the people (well, monsters) of Halloween Town liked me. Jack was also pleased.

"Well, now that you've met Nightshade, I better take her back to my tower to help her settle in." The Mayor, however, wasn't pleased that Jack was leaving so soon.

"But Jack-" "I'll be at the office in the morning!" Jack called as we began walking towards Jack's home.

When we arrived, Jack opened the gate and led me to the front door.

We stepped inside, and Jack called, "Sally, I'm home!"

We went upstairs to the kitchen. When we entered, I saw a beautiful woman.

She had light blue skin, with thick stitches riddling her body. Her hair was a deep red and she wore a short patchwork dress.

Jack gestured to her. "This is my wife, Sally." I greeted her with a bow. "I am honoured to meet you."

She smiled and giggled quietly. "Why, thank you! Jack, who is this?"

I introduced myself with pleasure. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nightshade, guardian demon!" Your husband and I met today, and I swore to serve him and his family when he saved my life in the forest."

Sally was delighted when she heard her husband had saved an innocent life. She gazed at him fondly, and he lovingly returned it.

"Is there anything I can do to help? I can cook, clean, anything you wish!" Sally thought for a moment about my request. "Well, you can help me with cooking dinner, if you like."

"I would love to!" I replied eagerly.

And from that day on, I stayed with the Skellingtons, sworn to aid and protect them. If someone ever tried to harm Jack Skellington or any family member of his, they would have to survive my furious wrath first.