Yes, Eris was quite pleased with herself. She even let out a low cackle at the moon before she could further celebrate her mischief. It seemed as if a certain group of children wanted to join her. For once, Eris didn't mind having to stop something she was doing, for she was rather fond of Lock, Shock, and Barrel.
If there was one consolation to working with Oogie Boogie, it was influencing the impish henchchildren he kept around. Just one look at all the weapons they kept at hand and Eris had grown soft on them, though, she knew to keep it concealed. If Oogie Boogie found out the Goddess of Discord had a soft spot for something other than anarchy, she would surely have to deal with even more pathetic attempts from the burlap bug sack to woo her, and she was not in the mood to deal with that.
"What might you three be doing out here? If it isn't to cause trouble, I'll be disappointed in you," Eris said harshly.
"We're keeping people off our turf, and you're on it, Lady," Lock said rudely, his demonic tail wiggling about.
"Eris. You call a goddess by her proper name. If you didn't make my job so much easier, I'd make sure to unleash my wrath on you."
"You don't need to do that, we like making trouble," Barrel said with a few licks to his lollypop.
"Obviously. Now that you are out here, I need you all to do me a favor."
"You mean do it or you'll make sure we never see the light of day again?" Shock asked knowingly.
"Ah, you've been listening to me talk to Oogie again. Now, for your task, I want you to enter the different holidays. You know the doors, do you not?"
"Oh yeah, we got yelled at for going into the egg one once," Lock said.
"Which was your idea," Shock added.
"Yeah, just like it was your idea to start beating us up in front of Jack and make him scare you."
"You were scared too."
"No I wasn't!"
"Quiet!" Eris yelled, regaining their attention. "I have allies in each of those worlds. They may not know me by name, but I am the force in their hearts and souls that drives them to the path of discord. Behind the clover door of green you shall find those who turn day into eternal night and slither upon the ground. Behind the egg door you are so familiar with, there are soldiers of ancient times ready to spill the blood of the innocent, I'll need them here as well."
"You sure have evil friends," Lock interrupted with a devious grin.
"Thank you. As for the red door with inscriptions of an ancient language, you can find soldiers older than those concealed in the land of Easter, yet just as strong and determined as their comrades. Behind the door in the shape of a turkey, you shall find those unwilling to share in the feast of happiness and open to my persuasion."
"Is that it?" Barrel asked, amazed at all the strange and wicked things beyond Halloween Town.
"No, there is one last thing. Do not, under any circumstance go into Christmas Town. The land there is so horribly pure and peaceful that I could find no one there to join us on our mission to rule the holidays. The sick happiness will surely drive you all mad."
"How much crazier can I get? I hang out with these two every day," Shock said.
"A much different level of madness. One that will make you be, well, good children."
"NO!" the three cried out at once. The only thought scarier than an angry Jack to them was the thought of acting civilized, the horror.
"My point exactly. Now go off and bring them to me, the ones more than happy to join our cause."
"Sure, Eris. Come on, guys," Barrel said as he whistled for the walking bathtub to come pick them up.
Once the bathtub had taken the trick-or-treaters away, Eris decided to vanish into the night. She had enough fun for one evening. Away from the goddess, inside the center of Halloween Town, Sally was putting herself back together in the most literal meaning of the term. She had just finished putting her arm back on when a purr passed her by.
"Oh, it's you," Sally said to the cat girl, "Don't you think it's a little late to be walking around town?"
"Yeah, but I got kicked off Midnight Hill, so I figured I could hang around here." Kitty said. "You know, away from ghost dogs."
"Sorry about Zero. He is a dog, like his owner," said the rag doll in a near mumble.
"What?" Kitty asked, eyes opening in pure disbelief. "Are you sick or something? Maybe you should make a brew for yourself, since you sound crazy and all."
"I don't feel sick, but I do feel crazy."
"You sure sound like both to me. Don't you love Jack? You've been all nuts about him for as long as I've known you."
"I know, that's why I'm so confused."
"Well, if you don't wanna be his girlfriend, there sure are a lot of other ladies around here who do. Like my owners, they're really crazy about... Ok, I'll be quiet now," Kitty said, seeing Sally's facial expression at her near admission.
"No, Kitty, maybe you're helping me."
"How can I do that?"
"Just by talking, being around when I can't find anyone else."
"Awww, that's nice of you. But you should really talk to Jack. It just doesn't look right around here if you guys aren't hanging out together. I dunno, it's like you were, um..."
"Meant to be," Sally said sincerely.
"That's it! Good, you got it before I forgot."
"Thank you, Kitty. I'm sorry the brew to get you back to normal is taking so long."
"That's ok, I'm getting used to looking like this."
"Well, at least you don't mind anymore."
"Guess not. Oh, I'll see you around then. Good luck," Kitty said, looking straight past Sally before running off, giggling wildly.
Sally tilted her head in confusion at Kitty's exit. At least, until she turned around. That's when she met face to face with Jack for the first time since earlier that night.
Yep, I'm gonna leave you hanging for now. Ooooh, evil army of badness is starting to form, let's hope everything will work out for the best. So, you think Jack and Sally will kiss and make up? Find that out next time. (Re-edit Comment: Evil army of badness? Sweet, sweet cheesiness.)