Story name: 1st Labyrinth
Written by: YGOTAS FTW and Growing a peach tree
Rating: T (Because of mild swearing)
Warnings: This story contains a bit of PG-13 material, such as kissing and a bit of nudity.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own YC!2000 or Labyrinth! This stands for all chapters!
This fanfic is dedicated to: Almond Luver, (who is another author and who actually introduced us both to Butterfly/Lynn without realizing it. So thank you Almond Luver, we owe you a great deal.)
Hello everyone and welcome to my very first ever chaptered fanfic, co-written with Growing a peach tree. This story is my own version of the movie: Labyrinth. (with a YC! twist.) The idea was made by Growing a peach tree, after she had watched the movie. All idea credit goes to her.
This is a Joker (not the normal one or the spirit) and (not Butterfly) Bunbun romance/adventure story.
Note: This story takes place when Bunbun is twelve and Lynn is seventeen and there will be a sequel. We won't be able to upload very fast, and growing a peach tree says her story 'life in peaches' will be put on hiatus until chapter three of this story is out.
Enjoy the first chapter!
1st Labyrinth…
Chapter 1: Wish…
A little twelve year old girl sat on a bench under a tree in the middle of Domino Park, reading a small red book. She was pale – as most indoor girls are – and possessed the most beautiful pair of amber eyes in the world. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, giving her the appearance of an angel, halo and all.
At least, that's what the snow white barn owl sitting on the bench next to her thought.
"Bunbun! Bunbun, Hey there!" a girl with a New York accent called.
Bunbun looked up from her book to see her best friend, Rafael C, running over. Rafael was also twelve, with spiky brown hair and light brown eyes. Bunbun glanced over Rafaels outfit and sighed, she always felt overdressed around the girl. Unlike Rafael (who wore her usual ripped jeans, old sneakers and long white shirt with the blue '5' on it); Bunbun wore more 'dress-up' clothes. For instance, at that moment, over her dark jeans and shoes, she wore a brown shirt that reached her ankles with a violet star on one of the long sleeves.
"Hello Rafael," Bunbun greeted, upon her friends arrival.
"Hey," Rafael moved to sit down, but stopped suddenly. "Move it, birdie."
"Don't talk to him like that," Bunbun scolded, patting the owls head.
"Fine then," Rafael sighed, then kneeled down, as if addressing a king. "May I please sit next ta my friend, your royal featheredness?"
The bird seemed to debate this before moving closer to Bunbun, who smirked.
"I think that's a 'no', Rafael."
Rafael pouted. "You ask him then. He always listens ta you."
Bunbun smiled and turned to the owl, who seemed to give the girl its full and undivided attention.
"Could you please let Rafael sit down, my king?" Bunbun asked. "It would make me happy."
The bird gave the impression of consideration again before taking off, without warning, for a tree branch high above.
Anyone else would have been astounded, but this was nothing new to the two young girls. Ever since the day when that owl had landed on Bunbun's shoulder from out of nowhere, and only departed when Bunbun said something sarcastic, along the lines of "Oh, great and wise ruler of all, please move your feathered butt!", the girls had treated the bird as if it were a king. It was childish, but it provided the two with never-ending entertainment as they kept thinking of an infinite number of ways to address their new friend.
Presently, Rafael sat on the now vacated part of the bench.
"Wat'cha readin'?" she asked.
"A book," answered Bunbun.
"'Bout what?"
"The Labyrinth."
"What's that?"
"It's a beautiful place full of goblins, elves, fairies, beasts and knights."
"What's the plot?"
"Pardon?"
"Ya know; da story line."
"Oh! There is none."
"Wha?" Rafael exclaimed,"That's insane. Ya can't have a book without a plot!"
"Yes you can," Bunbun countered. "Arthur Hawkins wrote this book like a report on the place. It makes the Labyrinth seem more real."
"Can't be all that great then," Rafael mused, snatching the little book from her friend and flipping through its pages.
One page stood out like a beacon.
"Goblin King, Goblin King! Wherever you may be! Take this child of mine far away from me!"
This is the chant that is most well known in the Labyrinth because these are the words that call the King of the Labyrinth to your doorstep to take away an unwanted child. The baby will be brought to the Labyrinth to live as the King deems fit. If the youth is lucky, it will be made a fairy to live in the village ruled by the King's cousin. However, if the infant is unlucky it will be turned into a goblin and live a life of imprisonment in the castle at the center of the Labyrinth with the King himself and all his goblin servants. I caution you, reader, to NEVER say these words, for lightning will strike and thunder will roar and your wish will be fulfilled.
"So what do you think, Ralph?" Bunbun asked, startling the brown eyed girl from her trance.
"It's a little scary," Rafael admitted, "but it's interestin'."
Bunbun and Rafael had been talking for a long time now, all the while being watched by the mysterious owl. Rafael had been in the middle of a good-natured rant about the price of ice-cream being too high when she was interrupted by the church clock in the distance striking the hour.
Seven chimes.
Bunbun's eyes widened.
It was seven o'clock!
She was supposed to have been home an hour ago!
Rafael seemed to have a very similar problem since they both jumped up simultaneously, yelled "BYE!", and ran off in different directions.
The white owl's eyes never left Bunbun's form.
Half an hour later, Bunbun arrived home, tired and soaking wet. It had started to rain when she about half way home and it hadn't stopped yet. The girl forced her cursing down as she saw her mother waiting for her on the veranda.
"We've all been waiting for you, Bunbun. You're an hour and a half late!" she scolded as she walked past her and into the house.
"I'm sorry, okay!" She shouted, "I don't see why I even have to be home, since Amber is the one babysitting S anyway!"
"Don't you dare raise you're voice to me young woman!" Her mother yelled, "Amber is babysitting you both-Where are you going?"
Butterfly was already half way up the stairs by the time her mother realized her absence.
"To my room!" She screamed at her before the sound of a door slamming shut shook the household.
There was a knock at the door.
"What?" Bunbun hissed, venom dripping in her voice, to which a melodic tone answered.
"It's me, Bunbun. May I come in?"
"Sure, Amber."
The door opened and a young girl entered the room. She was fourteen years old and her features consisted of tan hair, only a shade lighter than Rafael's, and pale skin.
"You parents left a little while ago because they had a dinner reservation," she said. "They really did want to see you though."
"Oh yeah!" Bunbun bit back sarcastically, "They practically broke down the door to give me a hug!"
"Bunbun –"
"No!" She cut her off. "Don't you dare say it again! They constantly overlook me! And every time they do, you always say they didn't mean to!"
"Bunbun –" Amber tried again, but once more Bunbun stopped her words.
"I said NO!" She was in tears by now. "I'll bet they said goodbye to S, didn't they? That little BRAT!"
"Bunbun, calm down," she instructed, hugging her. However, she escaped Amber's embrace and went to sit in her desk's chair.
The next comforting attempt was interrupted by the phone across the hall ringing, and Amber went to answer it, while Bunbun tried to listen.
"Hello?" She heard her babysitter greet, "Oh, hi Amara. What? ... When? … Damn! Okay, fine! I'll be there as soon as I can… Alright, goodbye." Amber then hung up the phone and ran down the corridor.
"Teti-En! Teti-En, wake up!" she called, tapping loudly on Bunbun's adopted brother's door. The boy she was addressing was about eighteen, with bronzed skin, clear green eyes and a long black ponytail. Her parents had adopted him when they thought they couldn't have children, however when they did bare some, Teti-En willingly took the role of guardian figure.
"Hello, Miss." Teti-En said cheerfully, opening the door, "Is everything well?"
"Actually Teti-En, I need your help," she responded. "One of my friend's cars ran out of gas and now she's stuck. It's her father's Mercedes too, so calling him or a tow-truck is not optional. So could you drive me to her so I can give her some petrol, please?"
The man smiled, "Of course. I'd be glad to help."
"I'll be going too," stated a voice from behind her. There stood a boy about two years older than her. He had long white-ish hair that seemed to stick up of its own accord and his skin was pale, eyes a deep crimson.
"Go back to bed, Raoul," she dismissed him, causing the teen to narrow his eyes.
"Don't ignore me, Amberly," he warned, "I'm not as kind as little Bunbun. You will be taking me with you. Otherwise, I'll tell mother and our stupid moron of a father that you had to sneak off yet again to help those slutty friends of yours out of another tight spot."
"Fine Raoul, come then!" Amberly said hastily. "I just don't have time to argue, because my friend is quite a while away from here and we'll have to hurry if we want to beat mother and father home, so let's go!"
"Fine by me," Raoul added arrogantly and all three turned to the direction of the stairs where Bunbun stood with a disappointed look covering her features.
"Don't I get a say?" she questioned.
"No," Raoul answered bluntly, "Who gives a damn about you anyway?"
"Raoul! Be quiet!" Amber scolded, before turning her attention to Bunbun, "Sorry Bunbun, but you will have to look after S until I get back, I don't want him here all alone. I'll see you when I get back and if your mom rings, cover for us, ok?"
Bunbun wasn't even given the chance to reply, as all three of them ran past her and down the stairs.
"Bunbun!" She heard Amber call up to her, "Remember, don't open the door for anyone! You never know who they might be!"
The sounds audible immediately after that statement were the front door slamming and a key being turned in the lock.
The final and youngest member of the family was a five year old named S. He was actually quite docile when compared to the rest of the family and he was the only child of the unit to have an olive skin tone instead of the pale coloring the others possessed. This was due to the fact that he was actually their cousin, and had therefore generally taken after his uncle, who was tan also.
To accompany his olive skin, was a wild mane of blonde hair and a pair of dark blue eyes, which were currently peaking around Bunbun's bedroom door.
On the bed lay Bunbun, reading her book from earlier. Ah yes, that infamous miniature burgundy colored novel; the one with its name on the front, written in shining gold embroidery for everyone to see.
Labyrinth...
S wondered then, why was Bunbun so fond of that text anyway? Why she was at all times seen flipping though those shaded cream pages with that wistful look on her face. Surely there were other novels around the house, or at the local library even, that could be considered more interesting than what was contained between the covers of that tiny tome.
"What do you want, S?" Bunbun asked, not bothering to lift her eyes from the page. "I'm reading right now. Go back to bed."
But the youngest of the family refused to go. He instead walked into the room, went over to and sat on Bunbun's bed tentatively, all the while looking at the book in Bunbun's hands.
"I can't sleep. I want a story," he declared, and Bunbun rolled her eyes.
"About what?"
"What's in that book you read all the time?"
Bunbun grinned and without warning started her tale.
"Well, you know, there's another world other than ours. It's called the Labyrinth and fantastic creatures live there. It's also ruled by a king who…" The pale girl stopped suddenly, thinking. Then she began again, "Who fell in love with a young girl."
S nodded for his sister to continue.
"This young girl," Bunbun went on, "was forever being overlooked by not only her mother and father, but her older brothers and babysitter too. Also, her younger brother was treated better than she was. Even though the girl was sad about this, she endured it. Day-in and day-out until –"
"Until what?"
"Until one day, when she was tired and hurt, and she had been deserted by her entire family and forced to stay and watch over her little brother and she could no longer stand it."
Bunbun suddenly jumped off the bed and lifted S up in her arms, frightening the poor lad. "The young girl then cried out to the King of the Labyrinth; 'I can bear it no longer! Goblin King, Goblin King, wherever you may be, take this child of mine far away from me!'"
"Ahhh!" S shrieked in terror, covering his face with both hands in fright. "Bunbun please, don't let him get me!"
The older girl laughed and set her little brother down.
"It's not real S," she assured the boy, "It's only in the book I read. No goblins are going to pop out and steal you away."
"Promise?" the five year old asked.
"Promise." Bunbun answered with certainty. She felt a little happier now that she had someone paying attention to her and actually wanting her company for once. Of course, that didn't change the fact Bunbun was still slightly angered that S received more attention in one day than she did in – oh, who knew how long!
The sound of the front door downstairs being bashed open, and then hitting the wall adjacent startled them both momentarily.
"It must be Amber, Teti-En and Raoul back from their drive," S announced cheerfully "Let's go see them."
"Okay," Bubun agreed, yet she couldn't help but think, 'They returned a lot sooner than I expected…'
The two children headed out the bedroom door and down the hallway. They stopped at the foot of the stairs though when they heard strange voices coming from below.
"Alright boys, we're in. First things first. You two go search around for any unwanted problems," a low ominous voice said. It obviously belonged to a man.
"Unwanted problems?" someone –another male –asked, "Like bad lighting?"
"No, you stupid dolt," the third and final guy barked. "He means we check for any people."
Footsteps were audible after that, making a path toward the stairs. S just stared at his older sister stiffly, terror written all over his features, until Bunbun broke from his shocked daze and whispered apprehensively, "Go!"
Both youngsters ran as fast and quietly as they could back up the corridor and into their parent's room. S immediately dived under the bed while Bunbun ran for the phone on the bedside table. The younger directed his attention to Bunbun as the fair haired girl cursed.
"The phone line is dead. Must be because of the storm."
"I'm scared, sister!" S whimpered. "Where's Teti-En?"
"Leave me alone for a second. I have to think," she whispered. 'Okay, we have to hide-but under the bed is too obvious and so is the closet! There's nowhere left!'
The sound of rain hitting the balcony doors made Bunbun swear. On top of everything tonight, she also had think about Teti-En driving home slower because of the slippery roads. S and Bunbun could be dead and the house could be completely devoid of valuables before her siblings' car even turned into the street!
Hold the phone.
The balcony!
S was listening to the clatter of objects falling and being moved downstairs and the closer crash of the doors on their level as they were punched in. The poor boy could picture it clearly; some huge monster of a man punching the doors in one by one, ransacking all rooms in the process, growing nearer and nearer to the two children' temporary sanctuary by the moment.
"S, get over here!" Bunbun hissed, knocking the boy out of his contemplations. "I've got an idea. Hurry."
The younger quickly scurried out from under the bed, and joined his sisterr at the closed balcony door.
"What is it?"
"We're going to climb down the big tree near the balcony, okay?"
"Won't they hear if we open the balcony doors, since its raining?"
"Yes, that's why we need to do this fast."
"Hey Rafeku!" a muffled voice said from the corridor," I'm gonna check in here first."
"Fine, fine," another answered passively.
Inside the room, Bunbun gripped the handle of the balcony door. "Ready S?"
"Ready, big sister," the child gave a determined nod and Bunbun threw open the door.
Rain poured into their parents' room as Bunbun pulled her baby brother out onto the windy balcony. Also, the front door to the now soaked room flew open to reveal a very angry looking man about six feet in height with large shoulders. He ran across the room quickly and caught Bunbun, just as the girl managed to propel S the meters distance between the balcony and the large tree's thick branches.
"Bunbun!" S cried as he watched his sister fight the mammoth man who held her. He stretched his hand for the other, "C'mon, sister!"
"Ow! You little fuck!" bellowed the man suddenly, releasing Bunbun as he did.
The girl immediately saw her chance, and she ran for the balcony's edge and catapulted off it and onto the limb beside S.
"Go, kid!" Bunbun urged him and they then began move along the branch to the trunk of the tree.
"Fekin, what the hell happened?" called the other voice from earlier – Rafeku; a tall, lithe looking thing with flame red hair and enormous oval shaped glasses.
The mammoth man – Fekin – shot a murderous look at Bunbun's retreating form.
"Fucking bitch bit my hand," he said, before jumping off the balcony and on to the same thick branch the two children had used prior. The whole tree seemed to creek with Fekin's added weight as he climbed after the two brothers. Rafeku watched his friend grab the blonde haired child's ankle and yank him back with enough force to tear the poor kid's leg off. Unfortunately for Fekin, he didn't manage to accomplish that desired scenario. Instead, the flimsy branch holding the two siblings broke off because of the added weight and pressure and both children fell a short ways down through the some lower tree limbs.
Bunbun's face and body was cut and bleeding, her usually bright eyes dark and wet with tears while she gripped a thin branch in her left hand and a terrified bawling S in her right. That branch was currently the only thing keeping her and her brother from plummeting to the ground about seven meters below. And if Bunbun weren't currently preoccupied with the fact that she was hanging on for her life with a huge man grinning evilly down at her, she would have taken time out to curse living in such an elevated house.
The situation hit her like a ton of bricks.
This was it.
She only had two options at this point, one of which was to not let go and be captured by that Fekin guy. That wasn't much good of a selection. Alternatively though, Bunbun could choose to release her grip on the branch and fall to the ground where she and S could either die on impact or just get a few things broken and twisted depending on how they fell. But Fekin would jump down after them, wouldn't he? And with no energy left and as worn as both the children were, they wouldn't be able to outrun the beast man. So it really didn't matter what the final decision was, did it? In the end the outcome was the same: both Bunbun and S ending up in the hands of Fekin, Rafeku and whoever else, where they would – ultimately – be killed.
Bunbun glanced downward at S, whose face was in no better shape than hers and who currently had his eyes sealed tight in panic as rivers of hot tears cascaded down his cheeks. Then the blonde boy glanced up to meet Fekin whose wide mouth stretched in a sardonic grin and whose black eyes were as sharp as twin knives. He was actually pretty charming, had he not been a thief trying to kill the children in the most foul way possible. Bunbun averted her gaze and spoke, "I'm sorry S. You shouldn't be here; you should be with Teti-En and Amber – safe."
"It – It's not your f-fault big sister," S stuttered.
Bunbun clenched her eyes tightly to hide her tears. Yes, it was her fault, and everyone in the family was going to always see it that way; 'S died because Bunbun wasn't competent enough to protect him!'
Then Bunbun thought of the Labyrinth – that incredibly wonderful, magical and beautiful place that she would always fanaticize about, whether or not she was even reading the book. Why couldn't it be real? She had proven it as fake when she spoke those words earlier. If it were real, than S would have disappeared when Bunbun wished him away. At least if that had happened, Bunbun could've been able to die without S suffering too. But no, Bunbun was going to die knowing she let her little brother down.
'I wish S wasn't here right now,' Bunbun thought dejectedly. 'I wish – I wish –,'
The girl let out a defeated sigh and opened her eyes to look down at S.
"I wish the goblins really would come and take you away… right now."
Well, that's it for now. Oooh, cliffy!
Next time: We're off to the Labyrinth! I hope you all liked this so far, I promise it'll get better.
PLEASE REVIEW! It helps me update faster! Also I'm open for any suggestions for the story. Bye for now!