AN: With all the other stories I have started and out, you'd think I'd finish a couple before putting out a new story. But no, I don't ^-^ I've had a few ideas for Labyrinth's stories, but all that stray far to close to many of the other stories out there (example: Sarah doesn't make it in time and she trades herself for Toby. Or Karen accidentally wished Sarah into the Labyrinth).

As you can see, very repetitive. I've scrapped together all my ideas, and was able to piece together a story. It'll sound like the usual (Sarah's losing her memories of the Labyrinth and they need her to save it). But I've been thinking long and hard and have been able to find a few plot turns and twist. Hopefully it will suffice ^-^

Summary: As Sarah's memories of the Labyrinth fade by the force of an unknown enemy, so does the Labyrinth. Being the first to defeat the Labyrinth, Sarah has more power over it than even the Goblin King himself. When it withers and dies, so does the entire Underground and Sarah with it. Can Jareth not only remind Sarah of her time in the Labyrinth, but can they stop the ancient evil that's lurking? And more importantly, can Sarah survive long enough to try?

That up there is the summary in a nutshell, though not nearly as good ^-^ I have a bunch of good ideas and twists. So hopefully you'll give it a shot ^-^

@-----)-----

"Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down"

He watched the young woman hungrily from his place in the dark. It was his secret place, both his curse and sanctuary. For no one could come in and disturb him, no one could stop him from what he was about to do. But he could not leave either. He was trapped, his soul and very being chained to this spot. And so he waited and watched.

He watched the girl bustle about a cheerily painted room, carrying boxes and bags from one spot to another. She tripped clumsily over something on the floor. Was this really the girl he had been searching for? With most of his powers sealed and locked away, it was hard to tell. It had taken him six long years to finally narrow down the choices to this mortal. And he was highly suspicious and doubtful.

Reaching out cautiously with his mind, he brushed against her aura. It flared to life and attacked, her aura, unknown to her, wrapping him in its' coils, protecting her from harm. With a snarl, he ripped himself back to reality. Back to his cave.

Lying breathless on the floor, he was sure of it. This was the girl he had been searching for. The soul of the Labyrinth was woven into this girl, a tangling knot that would be impossible to extract. The strong sense of domination almost gagged him. She was, indeed, the only one to defeat the Labyrinth and its' king. He hissed at the mere thought of the Goblin King. It was because of him he was in this predicament in the first place.

Turning his attention back to the magic-enhanced puddle that held the image of the young girl, he smirked. His years of agony would soon finally come to an end, and he would take back what was rightfully his.

He touched the puddle with his finger and it rippled, the image becoming distorted before finally fading. Calling together the last of his powers, he began to weave a web, one filled with promises of destruction and sorrow. Soon, he thought.

-----(-----@

"That's the last one! Thanks for all your help!" Sarah took the box from the man standing in the door. He seemed about to protest, but Sarah had already turned away and strode further into the room.

"Not a problem." He tipped his baseball hat and winked charmingly. Sarah stifled a giggle and fished a crisp twenty out of her back pocket.

"Should ya' need me, Ma'am..." He said, accepting the bill and quickly stuffing it into his own pocket.

"I'll call." Sarah winked and shut the door as he left, laughing to himself. She heard the heavy clunk of his boots fade down the hallway, and then there was silence.

"I'll call…"

Sarah mused, eyes clouding at a child-hood memory. It had been six long, difficult years, but somehow she had made it. After her return from the Labyrinth, everything changed. Or maybe it was just her.

'Grow up.' Her Step-mother had said. 'You're too old to believe in these childish fantasies.'

And for a while, Sarah almost believed her. Maybe she was childish. Maybe it was all just a dream. But something irked her constantly, telling her it wasn't all a dream. That her journey had been real. And then there was that faint voice, someone, or something, calling to her. Crying out.

After she had graduated high school, Sarah applied for a well-known acting school: and was shot down. She had been devastated, but quickly buried her hurt under stubborn pride. After her rejection, Karen began to nag.

'When are you going to get a life, Sarah? Are you still hung up on those dreams? This is life Sarah, deal with it. Shouldn't you move out now?'

The last had stung the most. But once again, she hid her battered heart behind a smile and agreed to look for her own place. The best she could come up with, and afford, was a small apartment located a few blocks away from her, no, her parent's, house.

Sarah had little that would help her survive in her new apartment, but nonetheless, she packed up her belongings and stuffed them into her car. She had hired the young man to help her carry the boxes because he was standing outside the apartment complex and he seemed friendly enough.

'Things aren't always what they seem.' She chided herself for being stupid and for trusting a complete stranger. She could just imagine what Karen would say. 'Have you learned nothing? What if he robbed you? Or beat you? You stupid girl!'

"But that's how I've survived for so long. Toby wouldn't be here today if I didn't get help. Everyone who helped me…" Sarah murmured to herself. It had been so long since she had last spoken with her friends. She missed Hoggle and Ludo, and Sir Didymus and Ambrocious. And she had called. Many times.

"They never answer…" She felt tears well into her eyes, clouding her vision. She had called numerous times, but each time it was the same. She would be met with her reflection in the mirror, staring sadly back at herself. Her friends' refusal (or at least she thought it was refusal), had hurt the most. She could live without going to an acting school. She could live without Karen. But she didn't want to, couldn't, live without her friends.

"It's no use living in the past." She mumbled, angrily wiping at her eyes. Yes, it was useless. If they didn't want to answer, it was their decision. She supposed she had been a spoiled brat when she met them all. Maybe that was why they never came.

"I don't have time to think like this. I've got to start unpacking." Sarah scolded herself for slacking off and picked up the box next to her feet. After stepping over a few stacks of boxes and bags, she was able to make her way to the couch. Plopping down, she set the box at her feet.

A shrill ringing broke the silence of the room and made Sarah jump. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her cell phone and turned it on.

"Hello?"

"Sar bear!"

"What's up, Jenn?" Sarah relaxed against the back of the couch, clearly relieved to hear from her friend. Jenn, unlike herself, was very bubbly and spontaneous, and was the only one who knew how to pull Sarah out of her "bad moods".

"Not much chica, did you move into your new house yet?"

"First off, it's not a house, it's an apartment. And yes I did. I just have to unpack."

"House, apartment, whatever." Jenn paused, which normally was not a good thing. Every time there was a pause, it meant she was scheming.

"Jenn, what are you-"

"I'll come over and help!"

"What?" Sarah's eyebrows rose in disbelief. Working was not something Jenn did. And this, she realized glancing around the room, was definitely work. A lot of work.

"I said I'll help you. Just gimmie your address…"

"Are you sure? It's a lot of stuff to unpack…"

"God, Sarah! Yes! That's what friends are for!" Jenn exclaimed, exasperated. Sarah laughed, both happy and relieved to have some company.

"You're a lifesaver."

"Don't go gettin' all mushy on me now, Sarah. Just give me your address."

Sarah laughed again but quickly gave her directions only after pulling the sheet with her address from her pants pocket.

"I'll be there soon!"

And then Sarah was left with a dial tone. Shaking her head, she ended the call. Jenn had the habit of ending calls without the other person knowing. Luckily, Sarah had gotten used to it, so she normally didn't end up rambling on and on to air.

"I guess I should get started." Sarah looked around in dismay. This would take at least two or three hours to go through and put away. And even after that, she still had to go shopping for food and other necessities. It was going to be a long day.

@-----)-----

The man worked hurriedly, gnarled fingers weaving in and out as he wove his web. Sweat gathered at his brow as he concentrated, the tip of his tongue peaking out of the corner of his mouth. His fingers worked nimbly, but clumsily. He had to hurry. There was not much time. Soon.

-----(-----@

"Sar bear! Let me in!" Came a voice followed by pounding on Sarah's door. Sarah winced, wondering how many of her new neighbors would appreciate such a loud visitor. None, she decided as she made her way to the door.

"Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!" Sarah replied, laughing. She could almost see Jenn's reaction as she stopped banging on the door.

"Okay, that was really cheesy, Sarah. Now c'mon, let me in!"

"All right! All right!" Sarah unhooked the latch and opened the door. Jenn stared back at her, smoky eyes suspicious.

"What?" Sarah giggled and backed away, allowing her friend to enter. Jenn shook her head, her curls bouncing.

"You're a dork."

"Takes one to know one." Sarah teased. Jenn just smiled and took her time admiring her friends' new living space.

The apartment was small, but that was to be expected with Sarah's low budget. The walls were a crisp celery green that rivaled the dark oak colored floor. There were three doors that led to a bedroom, bathroom, and a kitchen respectively.

"Cute. Not my style, but cute." Jenn nodded in approval. Sarah smiled. It wasn't her fantasy castle or a Victorian mansion, but it would do.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!" Jenn hurdled over a box and practically threw herself on the couch. Sarah rolled her eyes and followed, somewhat less enthused.

@-----)-----

It was a good two hours later before Sarah and Jenn were finished unpacking. Thankfully, the apartment had come with some shelves and a desk to put her things in. They had moved her couch into position in front of the TV and were now collapsed on it.

"I'm beat!" Jenn exclaimed, letting her head fall so it was resting on the back of the couch. Sarah nodded wordlessly in agreement. It had been a lot of work, but she had expected it.

"Say, what's that? Don't tell me we forgot a box!" Jenn whined as she pointed to a brown cardboard box lying in a corner. Sarah glanced at it and groaned.

"It's another box we forgot." Despite her aching muscles, Sarah managed to push herself off the couch and stumble to the box. She exaggerated a moan as she hauled it over to the couch before flopping back down.

"It's not too big, shouldn't be bad." She reasoned, pulling back the lid. What was inside made her gasp and her eyes well up with tears.

"What? What is it?" Jenn leaned in to get a closer look. Sarah didn't notice as she reached in and withdrew a small red book. Jenn raised an eyebrow and quickly snatched it away.

"Hey! Be careful with that!"

"The Labyrinth." Jenn deepened her voice in an attempt to sound dramatic. Sarah rolled her eyes and reached for the book, but Jenn held it just out of her grasp.

"It's all beaten up, why save this piece of junk?"

"It's not junk!" Sarah swiped the book and cradled it protectively to her chest. Indeed it was very worn. The elegant golden script on the cover was faded and flaking off. A bottom cover corner was bent, a small white crease visible. Upon opening the book, it was noticed that the pages were thin and ready to fall out, obvious signs that the book had been well loved and read. They were slightly yellowed, but were not so much that the fine-printed text was unreadable.

Inside on the cover of the book was Sarah's name written in a clumsy script-type font. Sarah gently traced her fingers over her name. She had written that when she had first received the book, a present from her mother before she got up and left.

"You really like that thing, huh?" Jenn asked, eyes softening slightly. She knew very well that Sarah was always reading faerie tales. When she had first met her back in high school, Sarah's face was buried in a book. Come to think of it, it was this book.

"What's that about anyway?"

"Huh?" Sarah stopped staring at the faded cover and glanced up, startled by the sudden interruption.

"What's it about?" Jenn nodded towards the book in her friends' hands. Sarah glanced down as if just realizing it was there.

"Oh! Well, it's a play….A young girl wishes her brother away to the Goblin King and has thirteen hours to solve the Labyrinth. If she doesn't, her brother will become a goblin."

"Well?"

"Well what?" Sarah frowned, confused. Jenn threw her hands up in exasperation.

"Did the girl win or what!?"

"Oh! I didn't think you liked this kind of stuff." Sarah smiled wryly. Jenn shrugged and pulled a piece of gum out her pocket. She offered it to Sarah, who politely refused, before popping the stick in her mouth.

"The girl did win….But…Only after the Goblin King tried to convince her to stay. He offered her…Her dreams….Everything she could ever want. He…He even offered her himself…And she had been so terribly foolish, so damn blind!" Sarah angrily clutched the arm of the couch, eliciting a wide-eyed stare from Jenn. She had never seen Sarah act like this!

"Sarah?"

"She could have had everything….She could have gotten away from her Step-mother, her little brother. She could have escaped from the pain of her mother abandoning her for an acting career!"

"S-Sarah! Why are you acting like this? It's just a play!"

"No, it's not just a play! I was that girl! It was me!"

A pregnant pause filled the room. Sarah leaned forward, allowing her hair to shield her face from view. Jenn, concerned, scooted next to her friend and tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sar bear…Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm fine. Y-you're right, it's just a play, I guess…I guess I just wish that girl was me."

"Oh Sarah…" Jenn's eyes softened as she lightly embraced her friend in a hug. Sarah smiled sadly and sniffled.

"I'm okay, really. Just….Stressed, overwhelmed. It'll pass." She placed the book back in the box and closed the lid before standing.

"I'll deal with that later, you can go now. Thanks for all your help."

Jenn nodded and headed towards the door. Had it been another situation, she would have felt hurt that her friend had asked her to leave. Instead, she stopped at the door and smiled sadly back at Sarah.

"If you need anymore help or just wanna talk, you can call me later. You take care now….Okay?"

Sarah nodded mutely and offered half a smile. She knew Jenn was not convinced as she shut the door.

"Why did I do that?" Sarah moaned, resting her head against the wall. It was foolish to bring it up. Especially because she knew no one would believe her.

But that didn't take back what she said. 'What's said is said.' The voice she so longed to hear again shamelessly lingered in her mind.

What she had just told her friend was the truth. She was young and naïve. She had passed up her dreams. But more importantly, she had left him.

The Goblin King was constantly on her mind, though she tried to bury him deep among her bad childhood memories. She wondered, did she love him? It was impossible to know. Impossible to ever find out. Her heart ached at the thought. She would never see him again.

"Stop wallowing in self-pity, Sarah." She scolded herself and pushed away from the wall. Grabbing her coat and wallet, she headed out the door to get some groceries. She wouldn't last long without them.

-----(-----@

It was finished. Between his hands he held a web large enough to shield part of his face. The web was not that of a fine silk, but magic. Yes, the strings were all magic. They glittered and shined, sparkling as if touched by light.

Carefully, so as not to break it, he looped the ends on a small wooden loom he had produced with the very last of his magic. He was exhausted, his complexion pale and his skin sweaty and sticky. He had exerted his power to its' limit. Whatever power he had was now gone, used to produce his last hope of salvation. If this didn't work, he was out of luck.

He pulled a pin out of his pocket and pricked his finger. Silently, he watched the blood swell into a small droplet. Turning his palm over, he let the drop lengthen, then thin as it fell onto the web.

The web flared to life, sparks stinging his eyes, but he continued to watch. What had started out as one small drop was now traveling quickly along the fine web. It turned and twisted until it gathered at the center, the whole web glistening a deep red.

There was just one final step. His voice hushed, he began to mutter an incantation, a spell he remembered from many hundreds of years ago.

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered

You fought and you conquered, you created and you destroyed

But all your plans were for nought

Sickness

Doubt

Fear

Forgetfulness

Anger

Discord

Trouble

These are thy new companions

Soon you will pay for tormenting me

As your world falls down

It was done. There was no turning back. Now all that remained was to wait and watch. Watch as his tangled web took effect.

@-----)-----

Sarah groaned as she hoisted four large shopping bags up the stairs to her apartment. It was just her luck that the elevator should break and that she happened to live on the fifth floor.

Out of breath, she fumbled with her key until it slipped soundly into her door. Pushing it open and using her leg to hold the door, she went inside.

It was quiet, and Sarah knew immediately that she would not enjoy her new "house". She yearned for noise and chatter. The simple things that she once hated: Toby's crying, dishes clanking, muted talks. All that met her was dead silence.

Sarah feared two things in life, both of which she was faced with again and again. Rejection and being alone.

"I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself." She muttered, placing the bags of food in the kitchen. She would deal with them later, she decided as a sudden weariness took hold of her. Sarah made her way to her room and quickly changed into a pair of cotton pajamas.

Pain suddenly ripped through her body and she cried out, stumbling. Her knees, suddenly weak, forced her to lean against the wall for support. The pain vanished abruptly, but in its' place followed nausea. Quickly, she crawled to the bathroom, unable to stand on her legs.

She was able to make it to the toilet before emptying the contents of her stomach. Moaning, dazed and confused, she rested her head against the cool tile floor. She shivered, both cold and hot at the same time. What was wrong with her? What was happening?

The room spun in an array of colors that she knew her bathroom was not, and she quickly closed her eyes. Knowing that something was terribly wrong, Sarah forced herself to her hands and knees, every muscle in her body crying out in protest. After a few blind attempts, she was able to flush the toilet and drag herself to her feet.

Using the wall for support, she slowly made her way to her bedroom and grabbed her cell phone off the bed. Her vision blurred, then came back into focus as she numbly fought to dial the number she needed.

A sudden stab of pain in her head caused her to scream and tumble to the floor, wrapping her arms protectively around her body. Sarah curled into a ball and sobbed.

"What's happening to me?" She wailed as she fought to stay awake. Then, as suddenly as it all happened, it stopped. Sarah, too weak to move or think, feeling drained and dazed, passed out, welcoming the darkness.

-----(-----@

AN: Wow, this was a whooping eight pages! I never write this much for a chapter, but I got so wrapped up in it all ^-^ I had originally wrote this out on paper, but changed it drastically.

I hope it was all right! The shady 'he' character will be introduced later in the story. And our favorite Goblin King will make his grand entrance in the next chapter! ^-^ All I ask is for a few reviews in return! Feedback always makes me happy ^-^

Review Please!

**NOTE** The incantation that the "shady guy" used was a mix of Labyrinth quotes, a few of my own words, and "The Modern Witchcraft Spellbook" by Anna Riva (whose original incantation was based on a spell for an enemy)

Started July 2003

~Neoshipper~