Disclaimer: "Labyrinth" and Jareth are the property of Jim Henson, the producers of "Labyrinth", and people other than me. I receive no profit from this writing. All original characters, and the story itself, is mine however.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1: Endings are Really Beginnings

"Why?!" A muffled voice screamed. "Screw up someone else's life!!!" Sharp, racking sobs followed.

Lying on her bed, Rydia Mallory felt utterly alone. Her parents always critizing her, her schoolwork piling up, no friends.
She sighed, and stared at a picture on her wall. A picture from a time she felt happy. When she was in an average public
school, with her friends. When she could laugh and smile, as she hung out with Amy and Kelly. The picture had been taken
after a dance, the three smiling. Amy waving her arms, a smile on her face, her eyes shining behind the glasses. Kelly with
her arms wrapped around her boyfriend, Art, and her long blond hair swept back. And herself, reddish brown hair up, eyes
sparkling with mirth. Those were the days, before moving across the country.

Rydia screamed into her pillow again, her tears cascading down her cheeks, leaving shining trails. This time it was her
grades her parents were after her about. She could do the work, but she was never motivated to. Since she had moved to
Pennsylvania, her grades had dropped from 'A's to 'C's.  Nothing... she could do nothing right. Everything she did was
insignificant, she felt like a speck of cosmic dust. And when something was acknowledged, it was for being completely
idiotic or wrong.

Rydia picked up the latest book she was reading. She never really lived in the 'real' world. She always believed in dragons,
searched meadows for fairy rings....but since she moved from California, she couldn't find anyone who shared her passion for
fantasy. She ran a light finger down the binding, tracing the gold-stamped letters. She sat for an instant, absorbing the magick
held within the book. Unable to stand it any longer, she eagarly opened it. Flipping through the pages of the book, she
reflected on her luck in finding it.She had never even heard of this book before, yet while sifting through stacks of books at a
quaint little used bookstore she ran across a dust-covered red book, deserted in a corner. Drawn to it, she wiped off the
cover and read the title: 'The Labyrinth'. Intrigued, she bought it.

Rydia read, whispering the words to herself. It was a paragraph she had read several times, yet still sparked her imagination
and sent chills down her spine. "Give me the child. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way
here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours, and my
kingdom is as great. You have no power over me....." She set the book down on her chest, breathing slowly, her eyes staring
off as she once again contemplated the words. "Wow, to be able to do that....." She sighed dreamily.

"Rydia? Your mother and I are going out. Don't answer the door, don't call your friends in case we need call you." Her
father's deep tenor voice was heard. Following that was the front door slamming.

With his words, Rydia was jolted back to reality. "What friends?" She muttered angrily to herself. "My friends are across the
country...." The rage within her for all those weeks of lectures and broken promises filled her every vein; boiling red-hot
rage. With an almost animal scream, she kicked her favorite stuffed bear into a wall, where it knocked a framed picture of a
tiger down with it. She shrieked and threw her binder of poetry, stories, and fanfic across the room, papers scattering. A low
growl preluded the shattering of a snow globe hitting the floor.

She then noticed the book, where it had fallen on top of a pile of dirty jeans after she had jumped up. Hope flickered, for an
instant. A dream, longer remembered, of being able to travel to other lands. A slim chance, a sane person would say none, but
Rydia had that gleam of instability in her eyes. "Maybe..."

With fire raging in her blue-green eyes, Rydia got to her feet. She stared out the open window into the night, glaring at the
silent silver moon. "I wish....I wish the goblins would take me away RIGHT NOW!!" Her voice shook with the pent up
sorrow and frustration finally bubbling over, as her scream echoed into the night.

A flash of creamy ivory threw her off guard. A white owl had flown in, and she suddenly felt weak. She collapsed. Her mind
was exploding with sensations, colors unimaginable, so vivid they made her feel as if she'd explode into rich fireworks of
emotion. Scents of summer, roses, and peaches wafted through her. The glittering of midwinter icicles shone around her,
crisp fall air made her feel light as a falling leaf. She was floating, among memories of her life, so joyous she could burst.
Music so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes, yet so happy she would laugh if she could. Climbing flutes, eerie violins, the
light laughter of a clarinet. It all lasted for but an instant, yet that was all eternity.

She woke up, feeling dewy grass underneath her, the sun softer and gentler to her eyes than it had ever been. The scent of
fresh lavender invaded her, the sweet singing of a bird. She lay for a moment, her eyes still closed, inhaling her new
surrounding, not bothering to wonder how or why. This she had almost been prepared for, after all her reading, all her
dreaming. Yet she suddenly sensed she was not alone. She opened her eyes, and stared at the person before her.
 

Chapter 2: Forever is an Eternity

She was greeted with a pair of black leather boots. She almost snickered, several images her parents wouldn't approve of
coming to mind. These images got more prominant as her eyes traveled up the tight-clad legs. A hand reached down, and she
grabbed it, getting to her unsteady feet. She felt a little woozy, her head still spinning with half forgotten images. Her mouth
dropped in shock as she stared at the person before her. A man stood there, but not like any guy Rydia had ever seen. His hair
was wild blond, done in an 80s style. His face had a look of arrogance, and he reminded her of a lion, king of the pride. His
outfit was just as interesting as the hair; a white shirt cut to show the odd gold pendant around his neck, a black leather vest, a
long, flowing black cape with high collar, and grey tights that were very....er, tight. And his eyes were very striking, her gaze
was drawn to them. One blue, the other a golden brown. They seemed to stare into her very soul, her heart started to beat
faster as he stared, as if inspecting her. Unwavering, the razor-sharp gaze of a hawk.

"Welcome to my labyrinth," his calm voice stated, in a very detached way. It was smooth, pure tones. Rydia wondered if he
could sing. "I am Jareth, the king of the goblins. I think you know where you are."

"The Labyrinth?!" Rydia squeaked, unable to find her voice. It was all coming in now, overwhelming. She had actually
succeeded. She had a dream come true. A sense of drunken happiness came upon her, yet dispelled by Jareth's next words.

"If you ever want to go home, you must solve it within 13 hours." As he spoke, a small antique clock appeared in his hand,
with 13 numbers. The second hand ticking away, a small voice whispering of doom.

Rydia found her voice's normal tones. "Well, what if I want to stay?" She said, doing her best to sound courageous. But it
was all true....the goblin king, the Underground..... She couldn't help but wonder... why go home?

"If you...." He didn't have an answer. They hadn't had anyone who *wanted* to stay. 'She's got spirit,' he admitted to himself,
'But she doesn't understand, she isn't ready to stay. If she was, she wouldn't want to. They never do. No fun if she doesn't try,
if she doesn't try to understand, the silly girl.' "Then you must solve the labyrinth to stay."

Rydia laughed. This was too easy. A win-win situation. "Or what? You'll send me home?"

Now it was his turn to laugh, and it sent a chill down Rydia's spine. "No, I'm not an idiot, child. You'll be trapped for an
eternity....in nothingness." A crystal ball appeared in Jareth's hand. Rydia was fascinated as he manipulated it, rolling it
around his hand quickly. He held it out to her, and it captured her gaze. In it, she saw only blackness, the cold kind that eats
away at your heart and withers your soul. She swallowed. The labyrinth.....it looked like she had to solve it. Was it a dream
come true, or a nightmare?

"Solve it, Rydia...if you can." He whispered to her, and laughed in a way that made her quite angry. He whirled the crystal
around his hand once and showed it to her again. This time, it showed the labyrinth stretching out, almost forever, the castle
beyond the goblin city rising out of it.

Jareth smiled, a cruel, mocking smile. "Such a pity." And he vanished in a whirlwind of glitter. Rydia just stood there for a
moment, contemplating the enormous task ahead of her. She then began to walk the short distance towards the walls of the
labyrinth, the soft grass under her feet. If it weren't for the enormity of the task ahead, she would have taken a moment to
enjoy the beautiful day.

She saw the huge metal door immediatly. "Oh great, how do I open this?" she groaned. Snickering, she waved her arms in
front of her. "Open sesame," she said in a monotone voice, and concentrated on pushing the door open with her mind. To her
surprise it opened a bit, just a crack. She walked up to it, a pushed on it. Creaking, it opened, enough to slip through. "Cool."
As she was about to go through she heard a voice behind her.

"Pretty good, though I don't hear words like that much." She turned, and found herself facing a short little dwarf, with a large
nose. His ragged clothing was dirty, and he had a sack hanging on his belt. He stared at her curiously, his beady eyes
sweeping over her.

Rydia stared back, unfazed. "Who are you?!"

"Hoggle," the creature bowed slightly. "And who might you be?"

"Rydia," she relaxed. It seemed nice enough. Though she almost started to laugh. Here she was, talking to a dwarf as she was
about to go try to survive in a land out of the pages of a book. Rydia regretted ever calling Pennsylvania boring.

"Never seen one of those. You trying to solve the labyrinth?" Hoggle asked casually.

"Why, yes. Can you help me?" Rydia felt some hope. He had to live here, she reasoned, maybe he knows the way through.

"No, and I don't recommend you try. Get out while you can."

"Gee thanks," she felt a bit disappointed. Shouldn't have expected help so easily, but still.....she turned away and slipped
through the doors, hearing Hoggle's voice behind her. "You'll be sorry, only one person ever solved the labyrinth....."

She came out into the labyrinth, and was surrounded by dark stone walls, tree branches littering the ground, and on either side
a path that seemed to stretch on forever.
 

Chapter 3: Xena and Lizard Boy

"Okay...." Rydia headed to the left. She wandered down the path, but all she could see was it stretching on to the horizon. 'I'm
missing something,' she thought. 'There has to be a trick to this.' Sighing, she leaned against a wall, when she heard a voice. "
'Allo!"

"What the....." She jumped, and saw a little blur of blue. Leaning closer, she saw a worm. A worm that talks? "Umm...hello."

"Would like like to come in for tea with me and the missus?" Rydia had never met a courteous worm before. Well, she'd
never met a talking one either.

She shook her head. "I'd love to, but I must go through this labyrinth. Do you know of any passages?"

The worm nodded. "Aye, there's one right by where you were leaning."

"Really?" Rydia looked confused. "But it's solid wall." She ran her hand on it, the stones looked worn, but were definately
solid.

The worm smiled. "It's there."

Rydia turned to the wall. Going over a bit more, she sucked in a breath and stepped into the wall. To her shock, the was an
opening. She turned left, not hearing the worm call after her.

Coming out, she noticed how the area changed rapidly. Now she was in an area with stone fountains, the water shooting high.
Ferns unlike any she knew grew out of the ground. Marble pillars, the sun wrapping her in warmth. The stone tiles made
paths with lighter colored tiles zig zagging. If she had been able to get the though of the cold nothingness out of the back of her
mind, she would've loved it. She wandered through the maze area, running her hand along the cool grey stones of the wall to
try and keep a sense of where she was. For awhile she wandered, and poured water from the fountain over her head to keep
her cool in the very warm afternoon. Suddenly she heard growling and yelling far off.

"What's going on?" Breaking into a run, Rydia headed for the loud yelling. It sounded like someone, or something, was in
trouble. Turning a corner around a moss covered wall, she skidded to a stop. Two creatures that would come up to her waist
were tormenting a smaller creature of the species, who in his sitting position, who would barely reach her knee. Sitting on
their haunchesm the two creatures snapped at him, cruelly teasing the little creature. The thing that made her gasp was that
they were miniature dragons. The two larger dragons had dull green scales, their eyes dark blue and glittering with hate.
Silvery spikes ran down thier backs, their wings folded. The littler one was a deep bronze color, his eyes innocent amber.
His spikes and talons were had a more golden tint. As one of the dragons raked the little one with his claws, Rydia ran at
them, waving her arms. She loved dragons, and couldn't bear such a beautiful creature to be hurt.

"Stop it!" She screamed, "Leave him alone!" The two stared at her, mildly suprised. One began to laugh, and came at her,
talons outstretched. She backed up a bit in fear, but spied a tree branch near her feet. She reached down and picked it up,
never taking her eyes off the dragon.

As it lunged at her, she closed her eyes and swung, hearing a soft 'thud' as she connected with dragon flesh. She opened her
eyes to see the dragon fall to the ground. It limped backwards, glaring, and called out, "Let's go!"

The two dragons took off, one straggling behind a bit. Rydia turned to the little one, who was edging closer. He looked up at
her, his eyes grateful, but with another emotion mixed in. He spoke in a smooth tenor, "I coulda handled them, you know." He
puffed out his dragon chest in pride.

Rydia had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling. This little fellow, take on two twice his size? The little dragon noticed
this, and dropped to all fours, his eyes cast downward, his snout almost touching the ground. "You don't believe me?" The
pitiful tone made her regret her action, the poor little thing. It looked so sad and downcast, but still she didn't think it would
of stood a chance in battle.

Rydia hastily tried to apologize. "No, no. It's just that they were probably cheating, sneaking up on you, it would be a difficult
fight. I know you would have beat them if I hadn't come." The dragon's amber eyes began to glow with happiness, and a
dragonish smile crossed his face. Remembering his manners, he sat up, extended his wings, and held one of his clawed paws
out to her, ducking his head a bit. "I'm Locke, miss." It was then she noticed the amulet on a gold chain around his neck. It was
a sphere that seemed to have a light within it. All colors seemed to swirl within it, constantly changing. It was gorgeous.

Rydia looked away from the amulet, and back at the little dragon. She smiled. He sure was cute. She then curtsied. "I'm
Rydia. Perhaps you could help me find my way to the castle beyond the goblin city?"

Locke stared. "You were brought here by his majesty? I know the way," his smile grew bigger, "And will accompany you."
Suddenly, he launched into the air, did a somersault midsky, swooped down through the leaves of a large fern, and went
around her. He fluttered down to her back, where he rested with one clawed foot gripping the shirt's cloth on each of her
shoulders, his front paws resting on her head. "It's forward, Lady Rydia. Always forward."

They continued forward, and Locke's antics made Rydia laugh. Finally, they went over a small hill, and found a wall on the
other side. The walked along, searching for a way past.

Suddenly, a huge door came into view, with a guard standing in front. The door had intricate silver runes carved into its
black metal, and they shone like stars against the velvet night sky. The guard was an old man, with flowing white hair, a
sword on his belt. He stared at her. She headed towards it, and the strange old man.
 

Chapter 4: Light, Darkness, and Everything Else

The sound of goblins arguing and laughing filled Jareth's head, till he finally couldn't take it anymore. "Quiet!" his command
echoed as the goblins fell silent. Jareth slumped lower in his throne, still staring into the crystal ball. He growled at it, she
shouldn't have gotten so far so quickly. No one had done so well since.....Jareth forced himself to think of something else,
anything else. Suddenly, a cruel smile began to form. Perhaps it would work this time....He snapped his fingers and another
crystal ball appeared. He spun it on a fingertip, and it changed into a luscious peach. Tossing it in the air, it vanished.

***************

"Halt!" The strange old man stared at Rydia, his black eyes inspecting her from under his bushy white eyebrows. "Who art
thou?"

Rydia looked at him carefully. He looked like an old wizard, in a way. She felt his gaze piercing her heart, as if he could
read her every thought. "I am Rydia, m'lord. Perhaps you coud let me pass?"

The old man chuckled. "Aye, child, I will let you pass. If you can open the door." The old man stepped to one side. "And
remember, you are your own greatest enemy." His smile grew broader.

Rydia looked at him oddly, but shrugged and went up to the huge door. She tried to push on it, but couldn't make it move at
all. She stared at the silver runes, the intricate way the would weave and seemed to blend so easily into the black metal.
Locke noticed this.

"Can't you read them, Lady Rydia?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid not." With one hand, she absently traced a silver rune, almost in a trance. Suddenly, the runes
began to glow, glittering like starlight. Then she heard Locke make an odd sound. Turning, she saw him sitting on the ground,
speechless, his amber eyes glowing as he watched the pendant around his neck glow. Suddenly, they both turned to see the
door open. Beyond it was complete darkness. Together they approached the door. Rydia turned to Locke. "Where is that
pendant from? It was so strange...."

Locke merely shook his head, his scaled snout frowning. "It's magickal, that's all I know about it."

With a shrug, Rydia looked back at the door. "Let's go!" And together they stepped through, the old man's cruel laughter
behind them. They were surrounded by darkness, the door closing behind them.

"Locke?" Rydia's voice trembled. "Where are we? Where...." She she didn't hear a response. "Locke? LOCKE!" Still no
answer. She felt worry for herself and the little dragon well up within her. She squeezed her eyes shut. "I just wanna go
home." And opened them to see the same darkness.

Then, the world was flooded with light. She covered her eyes, it was so bright, but when she looked again at where she was
she gasped in shock.

"Oh....my....God......"
 

Chapter 5: You Can Never Go Home Again

"What's wrong?" That voice. That serene, musical voice. Ryida knew that she would always recognize it.

"What's going on?!" Rydia began to panic. There's no way this could be happening, she knew something was wrong.

"We're going to a party." Kelly looked puzzled, as did Amy. "You know.... at Joel's house?"

Art smirked. "Awww, don't tell me you forgot where we've been driving to for the past 10 minutes."

"But...the Labyrinth....Locke.... I was there. And I need to.... where..." She knew she wasn't being coherent, but this couldn't
be real....to go home.....

Kelly put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Art'll drive. We'll be there in no time, and we'll get you something to eat.
You'll feel better and a little less confused."

Slowly, Rydia nodded, a shaky smile spreading across her face. "Yeah. I know I should eat more. But aren't I supposed to be
in Pennsylvania?" She awaited the answer, the car's movement making her more on edge.

Art looked at her in the rearview mirror. "Um... Ryd? Are you sure you're feeling okay? I know not being there for your aunt's death, and your dad being laid off, being kicked out, and all the crap going on here has put you under stress...."

"....But are you sure you're doing okay?" Kelly finished his sentence, as she often did. One of her annoying habits that she and
Art had.

"Yeah, I mean, your parents decided not to move because of your insistence. Now that you were kicked... er, moved out, they
may, but they're still legally responsible for another year and a half...." Amy's dark eyes were on her friend, worried.

Kelly laid a hand on Rydia's shoulder. "We're here for you. Just don't try to kill yourself again, we love you too much to let
you go. I mean, we all hate it here too. We always have, with all this crap. But we need to stay for each other, and besides,
you share my apartment rent each month."

'Laid off? Crap going on? Moved out? Suicide?' Rydia was lost in her thoughts. Maybe going home wasn't so great. She
would moan and complain, but aside from not having friends, the east coast wasn't so bad. Maybe... she wasn't meant to be
home yet, and should spend time abroad.

She stared out the window. A large bat flew overhead, looking almost like Locke.... nah, that was all a dream. There was no
Labyrinth. She fumbled in her large coat pocket, searching for a stick of gum, she could grind out some nervousness. Feeling
something, she pulled it out. A crystal.

"What?!" She almost dropped it.

Amy turned to her, eyes calm as ever. "Your dream is to go home. So we're letting it happen."

"I...." Rydia caught her breath. The labyrinth. It was real.

Art smiled from the driver's seat. "You've got what you wanted, your friends. Aren't you happy? That's all that matters, isn't
it?"

"No... I mean..." Rydia had all these thoughts colliding at once. "I wanted to, but now I see how screwed up everything is by
staying. Maybe I need to give in sometimes. But this isn't how I want things to be, MAKE IT STOP!!!"

A deafening whirlwind surrounded her, and everything went black.
 

Chapter 6: Hidden Within

Sparkling lights, like seeing christmas lights with unfocused vision. Wind howling, chilling to the bone. Soft whispers, voices
surrounding her. And explosion of light and sound, ending with a single note of pure silence. Rydia awoke, disoriented. The
land felt as if it were spinning, her head pounding. Slowly, she focused her eyes, and found herself in a dim lit area. A black
shadow was in front of her. It leaned closer to her. Rydia squited at it, when suddenly a flame flickered to life. She could
now see who was before her. A woman, tall and imposing, not to mention beautiful.  Yet behind that pale skin and
honey-colored hair, beyond those cat-green eyes, Rydia could see a darkness, a hatred. There was something sinister in those
eyes. The woman leaned closer and spoke.

"Hello, my dear." Rydia flinched at the cold words.

"Who... who are you?" Rydia stared at the woman, her question barely escaping her trembling lips.

"My name is Karasa. You are going to make it to the center of the Labyrinth." The no-nonsense was of saying it made Rydia a
bit confused by this Karasa person.

"How do you know?"

Karasa laughed. "Because, Rydia, Jareth" she hissed a bit as she said his name, "will not be able to stop your spirit. And
you'll have a little help from me."

Rydia just stared at her. "Why should I believe you?"

Karasa smiled, a grin that made Rydia shiver. "Because I said so. I want Jareth to pay for what he has done to me. Until he
met *her*" again, a hiss, "he was my lover. Now he can't think of another woman but that pitiful child."

Rydia was quite confused by it all, but as she opened her mouth to speak, she was slapped by Karasa. Her hand immediatly
went to her cheek. It didn't really hurt, but stung a bit.

"Shut up, there is no more time!" Karasa softened her smile a bit. "Do me this favor: make it to the castle. You will go home,
and I will get my revenge. It'll all work out."

With that, Rydia suddenly felt sleepy. She closed her eyes. Within her mind, she saw a lazy spiral of colors spinning faster.
Suddenly, she felt a bitter chill overwhelm her, in all parts of her body. Somewhere in the back of her mind she could hear
Karasa's voice. "Carry me to our destiny, Rydia, I will show you what to do when you meet Jareth."

Suddenly, Rydia felt herself being shook. She tried to shrug off whatever was doing it. Then she opened her eyes to find a
pair of worried amber ones staring back. A small dragon snout nuzzled her.

"Lady Rydia! I was lookin' for you!" Locke peered at her anxiously. "What happened?" Still, Locke felt something... different
about Rydia, but he shrugged it off.

Rydia shook her head, trying to clear out to fog that seemed to have set over it. There was something she should remember...
she was with her friends, she had seen what had happened if she had stayed... then light.... then.... what? She couldn't
remember. Hugging the little dragon close, Rydia felt a chill up her spine. She looked at the area. They were sitting on a
small patch of grass in the midst of an small garden. Rare blooms of bright colors dotted the ground. Trees shaded the area.
Rydia felt tired, yet something told her to keep moving.

"I don't know Locke. But we need to get moving, we only have a few hours left."
 

Chapter 7: Dancing and Dragons

"I...." Locke chirped, nervously.

"What is it Locke?" Rydia questioned. They had been wandering in the garden for about 20 minutes. She had wondered why
Locke hadn't directed her any particular way.

"I don't know where we are. I haven't been in this part of the Labyrinth." He confessed, his wings drooping a little with
shame.

Rydia sighed. "It's okay Locke. We'll find our way, don't worry." Her blue-green eyes met his amber ones. Immediatly he
relaxed.

Rydia plopped down on the grass. "I just wish we knew what direction we were going except for that way." She pointed at
the castle, which loomed about the walls of the labyrinth. Not so far away, but still...."Hey." Rydia felt her hand brush
something.... furry? Glancing downwards, she saw a peach. A perfectly formed peach. "I'm hungry... hmm...." Picking up the
peach, she felt her mouth watering. Rydia felt so hungry. Moving her hand closer, she anticipated the bite. And she wasn't
disappointed by the savory peach. As she chewed it, she suddenly felt lightheaded. "Locke..." She struggled to speak. "I'm so
tired... Dancing, it's all dancing....." With a smile she seemed to slowly get to her feet and drift forward.

Alarmed, Locke fluttered in the air, and was at her side. "Lady Rydia?!" Suddenly crystalline spheres, like soap bubbles on a summer breeze, were floating towards Rydia. She was transfixed by them, and put a welcoming hand out, hearing soft chords
of music on the air. A late afternoon sky and green meadow were reflected in the spheres.

As Locke watched in horror, Rydia seemed to disappear into a sphere that touched her.

"Rydia!!!!!!!!" His alto voice raggedly called, as he clawed at the air. Suddenly, the spheres were gone, only a peach with a
few bites in it remained. Then that too vanished, seemed to evaporate.
                        *             *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *

Laughing, dancing people surrounded her. Rydia pushed through the crowd, feeling the soft grass tickle her bare feet. Her
soft, white cotton dress was cool in the heat, her hair with a braid wrapped around her head like a crown. A few small
flowers were tucked into her hair. She was suddenly twirled by a man, another face in this crowd of dancing people. Celtic
music swirled around her. Suddenly the crowd parted. She could see the towering oaks at the end of the group of people.
Standing between two was a man, tall with wild blond hair, dressed in black. Confidence radiating from him, Rydia felt
drawn to this dashingly handsome man with such bewitching eyes. He was now in front of her, holding out his hand. She was
vaguely aware of the music slowing. Taking his hand, she could only stare into his eyes as he put his arms around her and fell into his voice as he began to softly sing to her. Those eyes.... so charming, so arrogant and strong... yet they held a sadness
Rydia did not understand nor care about as she was swept into the dance.....
                         *             *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *

Locke soared through the air desparately. He scanned the ground, searching for that familiar human. No luck.

"Musta been Jareth..." He muttered, "Have to stop whatever is going on..." He caught a strong air current and coasted towards
a thick section of forest. "What should I do?" Suddenly, he felt his chest burning. Looking down, he saw the amulet around his
neck glowing white-hot. He clawed at it, flicking his tail to help keep balance. In the back of his mind he felt an odd
sensation, like he was being tugged downward. The amulet stopped glowing. Still, Locke felt uneasy, the sense of something
unsettling in the air... and something dangerous coming close. Then he heard a voice behind him, one he didn't want to hear.

"Hey lizard!" Locke knew Ratshe's voice. In his mind he pictured the larger green dragon. He flew faster, and knew being
tormented once today was enough, especially with Rydia in trouble.

"Lizard! You can't outrun us!" Locke desparatly tried to fly faster, to outrun his old foes. With a quick glance behind him, he
saw the two dragons closing in, their eyes sparkling with malice. Concentrating on the sky ahead, he tried to pull a few deft
turns, but then felt snapping jaws clamp onto his bronze tail. Struggling to stay aloft, he felt sharp pain distracting him, he
knew he couldn't stay up. The sound of laughing from his enemies ground at his nerves. This stupid feud, their stupid envy....
Locke knew he had to loose them, he had to help Rydia.

Knowing he would fall anyways, Locke turned his head around to find himself facing two wicked eyes, and a large dragon
snout. With a growl, he twisted his body and deeply scratched Ratshe's face. Then he felt himself being thrown like a rag doll as Ratshe flipped his head.

Locke heard a sharp howl, and felt the teeth let go of his tail. Quickly, he swerved and regained his balance, turning to see
what had happened. Locke was shocked as he saw the two green dragons beating their wings furiously, writhing as small
sparkling creatures surrounded them. Realization dawned on him. The faeries, they were biting them.

One flew up to Locke's face, landing on his snout, giggling. "Hiya Draggie!" Locke relaxed at the sight of Sinara, his faerie
friend.

"Thanks, Sini." He smiled. Turning to swoop downwards, he spoke to his friend. "How'd you know I was here?"

She laughed again. "We all saw you helping that wisher girl. And we saw those two taking off after you. So I figured we
should lend a hand.... or teeth as the case is."

"Thank you so much... hey, do you know where Jareth took Rydia?"

She shook her head. "Nope, I'm afraid you'll have to find her, silly dragon." With that, she and the other faeries vanished.

Closing his eyes, Locke let the winds carry him higher. He felt the warm Labyrinth sun on his bronze wings. Just then he felt a tug in his mind, pulling him westward. He couldn't resist, and let himself be pulled towards the small craggy hills. He
remembered a series of underground caverns there. The helping hands were somewhere nearby, and he shuddered as he
remembered past experience with them while exploring. He soared down, seeing an opening leading underground, and felt
himself being urged towards it.
 

Chapter 8: Time and Again

Rydia could only concentrate on one thing; those eyes, like beautiful polished crystal, hiding a soul of utter elegance. She felt
herself floating to another plane on the sweet words being sung. Yet as she stared at him, dancing in the meadow, she could
feel something in the back of her mind, nagging and she was unable to brush it away. Then she was thrown from her trance by
a dreaded sound; loud chiming.

"What...?" Rydia whirled around, seeing an oak tree. Within a hollow sat a ornate clock, chiming the 11th hour. Two hours
left. "Jareth?!" Memories flooded back, she had to get through the Labyrinth, had to find Locke, there was a peach, then this
place... she turned to see Jareth laughing at her, a cruel smile lighting his face.

"What, you don't want to dance anymore?" His laughed chilled her. "I am sorry.... but you do know I can't allow you to make
it through my Labyrinth in time."

"No!" She backed up, and out of the corner of her eye she kept her sight on the clock. She suddenly made a mad dash to it,
grabbed it, and kept running. She suddenly came to a wall of shimmering, twisting color. She reached out a tentative hand and
touched it, feeling it was fairly soft. With a grunt, she heaved the clock at it, and watched the timepiece break through it, and
the world around her shatter. For a quick moment before it vanished, she saw an odd look on Jareth's face...

Abruptly, she found herself sitting on the floor in a dimly lit cavern. Slowly, she felt herself regaining strength, when she felt
another presence in the room. Very slowly she turned, inch by inch, until she found two matching pairs of violet eyes staring
at her.

"Yaaaahhhh!" She yelped and jumped up.

"Eeeek!!!!" The pair leapt backwards.

Rydia examined the figures. Twins, that looked like... elves? "Who.... who are you?"

The two bowed, and she saw the pointed ears behind their fair golden hair. "I'm Monos..." The first said.

"And I'm Duos." The second finished. As she watched them, she noticed one difference besides the fact that Monos was
dressed in green clothing and Duos in blue; Duos had a long scar down the side of his face.

"I'm Rydia. Do you know how I can get to the castle beyond the goblin city?"

Monos laughed. "Of course! I suppose you're Jareth's latest game?"

Rydia shrugged. "I guess. Hey, have you seen a small bronze dragon around here?"

Duos scratched his head. "You mean Locke? Haven't seen him."

Monos looked sharply at his brother. "Yes we did, a while ago, remember?"

Duos looked annoyed. "I still say it wasn't him."

Hastily, Rydia stepped between the two. "Look, um, how do we get out of here?"

Accepting her attempt to distract them, Duos pointed to the shadows. "Follow us, we'll show you the way. We can get to the
castle through the underground paths."

At Rydia's nod, the two elves walked towards the shadows, grabbing the girl's hands, and guiding her through the pitch black
passages. Once they had traveled down a dark hallway for a few minutes in silence, the trio saw a light up ahead.

"C'mon!" Rydia began to walk faster towards the silvery, glowing sphere. Suddenly, a blinding light surrounded them. Rydia
covered her eyes, and slowly opening them, she found the three of them in a large cavern, a glowing silver gem about the size
of her fist rested on a red velvet pillow.

A voice startled them. "Rydia!"

She whirled around, to find the little bronze dragon hop into the room. "There you are Lady Rydia!" Locke looked at her
companions and grinned, the corners of his snout curving upward. "Duos! Monos! Good to see you here!" His attention turned
to the gem even as Rydia ran forward and scooped him into her arms, despite his weight. "What is it?"

Duos and Monos shrugged simultaneously. Monos looked at it closely. "No idea."

Locke struggled out of Rydia's grasp and landed on the edge of the pillar it was on. He almost fell off, startled, as his amulet
began to glow brightly. "What....?"

"Locke!" Rydia screamed as he was enveloped in pure white light. Her feet seemed frozen to the ground as she watched the
light vanish, and in the place of Locke was a boy of about 15 years of age.... a boy with chestnut brown hair, and as he turned
to her, Rydia saw he had familiar amber eyes....

"Ry...Rydia?" The boy croaked, as if surprised by his voice. He looked around wildly, staring at his trembling hands as if it
were all an illusion. He was dressing in fine purples and dark greys, similar to Jareth's more casual outfits, except with a
loose trousers instead of tights.

Rydia slowly approached him, and the twin elves scooted closer. "Locke?" Rydia came up to him and rested a hand on his
arm. "Is that you?"

Her blue-green eyes met worried amber, and Rydia felt a little her knees grow a bit weak. 'He is gorgeous!' she smiled
inwardly,  'Sweet, polite, kind, and good-looking. And a mythical lizard. This is definitely a dream realm.'

"I don't know what happened...." he shrugged helplessly. "The gem..." he gestured to it, and gasped. The silver gem had
vanished.

"Hey Locke!" Duos pointed at Locke's amulet that rested around his neck. It was now shimmering silver.

Locke examined it. "I just don't know what..." his words were cut off as the quartet found themselves holding onto the walls
for balance.

Monos grabbed Rydia and Duos grabbed Locke and began to haul them towards an entrance, despite the quaking.
"Avalanche!"

They were surrounded by dust and falling debris, and as they struggled out of the cavern, Rydia swore she saw the blond
figure of the goblin king standing amongst the fallen rocks in the collapsing room. As they made their way down a passage,
Rydia was steaming. 'Trying to kill us!' The thought of Locke or her newfound elf friends being hurt filled her with rage. And
in the back of her mind, a vaguely familiar voice reassured her, yet only made her more frightened.

"Don't worry, Rydia. We'll get King Jareth his due soon enough, just get to the castle."
 

Chapter 9: Forward Paths

The quartet stumbled down a passage, attempting to escape the underground caves. Locke was having particular trouble, and Rydia found herself catching him as he tripped.

"I don't get it!" He growled, not quite able to have a fierce glare as he did as a dragon. "How do you manage in these gangly bodies?"

Monos snickered. "Practice. Lots of it."

Duos, who had gotten a bit ahead, interrupted them. "Yes!" He called back. "An opening!"

"Finally!" Rydia, Monos, and Locke quickly found themselves alongside Duos, blinking and shading their eyes from the sun. "A bit less than two hours...." Rydia quickened her pace, relieved to see the gates of the Goblin City to be fairly close. "C'mon!"

Quickly, they strode closer to the gates, stumbling over the warped tree roots and uneven ground. Rydia's eyes remained intent on the gates. The problem was found once they got there.

"How will we get in?" Locke carefully inspected the thick gates.

"I know how!" The four travelers looked up, to see a small fairy floating above them.

"Sinara!" Locke grinned at his friend. "Can you really?"

She laughed. "Sure. Hey, lookin' good Dwaggie!" The fae gracefully dashed over the wall. In an instant, the gate creaked as it was raised a few feet.

Monos and Duos looked amazed, as did Rydia. "How'd you do that?" The twin elves questioned in unison.

Sinara just laughed. "Fae secret!"

Locke ducked under the gate and entered the city, followed by Rydia, then Monos and Duos. "Hey Sini..." he remarked casually, "Think you can do anything about this?" He gestured to his human body.

"Well....," the fairy looked thoughtful. "I could. But I'll let you figure it out for yourself." She smiled mischeviously.

"Sini!!!" Locke added a whining edge to his voice.

"Fine, fine." The little fairy sighed. "It's too easy. How 'bout this: if you haven't figured it out by the time you get to the castle, I'll tell you. 'Kay?"

Locke sighed. "Fine."

Rydia grabbed his arm and smirked, "Well, let's get to the castle then!" With a laugh, she took off running, dragging him behind her. 'Nothing like the unexpected,' Rydia smirked to herself as she heard Locke yelp, and Monos cracking up.

The castle loomed over them, as if daring them to come closer. Rydia fully intended to, and something in the back of her mind was anticipating it.
                                           *            *            *            *            *            *            *            *

Jareth sat alone, staring into nothing. 'She bears such a strange resemblence in some ways to *her*,' he mused, 'Especially when she broke free of my enchantment.'

He rose from his throne, and flipped his hand around, so it was holding a crystal. Gazing into it, he watched Rydia's progress with dismay, yet a flicker of satisfaction. 'She may arrive... but she may not find me.'

"Flipwit," He kicked one of the goblins near him, "Try to keep the girl and her companions from getting to the castle."

'It probably won't help,' he thought, 'But there are other ways.'

With a flick of his hand, he distorted the castle, making new staircases and entrances, and blocking real ones with illusions.

"That should work." Content with it, Jareth went off to one of his private rooms to contemplate the past, and how much this new challenger reminded him of one before... The one who captured his being...

As he took a step forward, he felt a chill. "It feels like.... no, she left a long time ago, hating me. Karasa wouldn't come back."
 

Chapter 10: Arrival

"RUN!!" Duos's shout was unnecessary, as the four travelers saw a horde of goblins racing towards them. Making a sharp left turn, the elf lead them around some buildings. They could hear the shrieks and calls of the ugly little goblin guards, following them.

"Aaaah!" Rydia felt herself falling, tripping on a root. Scrambling back up to her feet, she ignored the pain in her ankle as Monos help her.

"C'mon...," he looked behind them, watching for the pests armed with spears. "We're almost to the castle!"

The doors to the castle were near, so near. They heard the sounds of the goblins getting closer, and made a mad dash for the doors.

"Gotcha!" Too late, Rydia heard the triumphant yells of the goblins. Twelve of Jareth's goblin guards tumbled out of the doors, spears flashing.

"Now what?" Locke mumbled as they backed up.

"Hey! Here's the cavalry!" A familiar voice said. "Three times you owe me today, Dwaggie!" Little fluttering lights attacked the goblins. The fairies had arrived, and were biting them. The guards screaming and ran off into the Goblin City.

Sinara glided down, and hovered in front of Locke, grinning. "You're quite the hopeless one today!"

Locke looked down, grumbling. "Yeah... well.... thanks, Sini." He looked up at her suddenly. "Hey! We're here! Will you tell me how to get outta this form now?"

"Well...," the little creature paused, as if contemplating it. "Sure." Locke looked relieved. "First, hold the pendant."

"Why?" Locke clasped the glittering pendant around his neck.

Sinara rolled her eyes. "Because it caused this duh. Now, close your eyes and picture yourself in your old form. Hold that image in your mind, and see silver light flowing from the pendant into you."

Locke obeyed, and was surrounded by bright silver light. Monos, Duos, and Rydia shaded their eyes. When they looked again, he was fluttering in the air, his old self.

"Hey!" He looked down at himself, a grin on his bronze snout. "Cool!"

Rydia laughed, and Locke landed on her shoulder. "Good to have you back, Locke."

Sinara smiled. "And if you ever want to go back to human, you do that, except visualize yourself as a human!" She looked up at the fairies that were returning. "I gotta go... you four take care, and good luck!" She flew off to join the other fairies.

"Well," Rydia turned her gaze to the doors, "A little less than an hour left. Time to go in." Determined, she went up to the door, and pushed on it slightly. It opened a little. Satisfied, she slipped through the door with Locke on her shoulder, followed by the twin elves.

They were greeted with a large hallway, leading to a set of stairs. "I never expected it to look like this..." Rydia stared at the different patterns engraved in the walls. In the back of her mind, again she felt something sparking and and urge to find Jareth. A dark mist slowly spreading, hiding the intent. Uneasy, Rydia let herself be lead by it. "Uh, guys?"

"Yes, Rydia?" Monos answered.

"I need to do this alone."

"What?!" The three chorused.

Locke looked at her, worried. "Are you sure? I mean, you could be hurt, and we should come with you, Lady Rydia."

She shook her head, determined. "No, this has to be between me and Jareth." She let out a small smile, "I hope I'll see you guys again. I don't know if he'll send me home, or what..." her voice trailed off, and she gave Monos and Duos big hugs. "Thanks you guys!" Rydia turned to her reptilian friend. "Locke...," unsure how to hug him, she gave him a light kiss on the top of his snout. "You're the best."

"We'll miss you, Rydia." Monos gave her a sad smile, his blue eyes dark.

"We'll see you again, though." Duos kept his positive outlook on it.

"And no matter what, we'll never forget you." Locke smiled at his human friend.

"Well...," Rydia took a breath. "I should go." She headed for the staircase, yet for some reason, that felt wrong to her. On an impulse, she reached out and touch the wall next to her. Her hand went through it. She turned back to her friends, who were staring at her, questioningly. "Looks like I'll go this way. It's not really a wall." With one last wave, she took one more look at the three and stepped through the wall. Before her, was a staircase. She glanced back at what appeared to be a solid wall behind her, and headed up the stairs, not knowing what was in store for her.
 

To be continued....