Disclaimer: i don't own the labyrinth, nor any of the characters.
AN: alright so this is the sequel to my story, a few small words can make all the difference. if you don't know it, go read it first, then come back here and read this. please, when your done, post a comment, it's easier to write when i have inspiration, and comments inspire me.
Sarah was 18, finally done with school, and growing up to be a responsible woman. She laced her fingers together, stretching her arms over her head as she walked out of the school building. "so Sarah, where are you going for collage?" a girl asked, jogging up next to Sarah.
"i don't know, but I know I'm going to be a writer some day. So I got to find a place where I can major in English lit. I can go just about anywhere with those classes, so I have lots of choices," she said.
"wow Sarah, almost everyone knows where they want to go, not what they want to do. You got it backwards girl," she laughed.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "well anyway, Jessica, I have plans tonight, special party with my family, then friends later. What are you doing tonight?" she asked.
"eh, party with the folks probably. I'm going on vacation for the summer, then heading off to brown when fall rolls round. So, any news from the reclusive-not-boyfriend?" Jessica asked teasing.
"i told you, he's not my boyfriend, he's just the friend of the friends I hang out with. And I don't see him much cause he's older and has a job," Sarah said angry.
"whatever, got to go Sarah, I'll see you 'round. Why not go to brown with me. Love to have a cool roomie." Jessica waved as she jogged off ahead of Sarah toward her car.
Sarah shook her head slightly at Jessica's childish ways, then walked down the street. Her house was only a few blocks away from the high school, near the park where she use to practice her plays. She walked past it, smiling at the memories. The cool wind of spring blew in her face, blowing the hair off her face. In the distance, she could her merlin barking, knowing it was about time Sarah got home. Life was going well, and soon she'd be on her way to become a world famous writer. The easy part would be the writing. She'd just tell tales of her adventures in the labyrinth, editing a few names and words of course. In a tree ahead of her, a white barn own sat, watching her.
Sarah lost her smile, her face a mask of confusion. Was that Jareth? She had never seen any other owl in her neighborhood. But why had he come to her now? She had barely spoken to him over the last three years of her life. For some reason, his appearance caused her to speed up, then go into a jog, wanting to get home quicker. There, she'd be able to talk to him and see what was wrong. She heard him jump off the branch, and saw him fly ahead of her to her house. When she got there, he was perched in the tree outside her window. She hopped up the steps of her home two at a time, opening her door, and closing it behind her. "I'm home," she called absently, immediately going for the stairs.
"Sarah, wait Sarah," her step-mother called from the kitchen, coming out to see her.
Sarah held back a groan, stopping mid-step up the stairs. "yeah," she asked, keeping her voice polite. She and Karen still didn't get along well, but Sarah respected her a bit more, and treated her better. Karen in turn, she thought, gave Sarah a bit more privacy and freedom.
"Sarah, we're going to your graduation party in 4 hours. Be ready by then, it's a costume party, for you, so dress up however you want," Karen said.
"thanks, where's Toby?" she asked.
"Toby's at the babysitters for the night. The party will last a few hours, so we don't want to keep him up," she said.
"ok, I'll be ready," Sarah said turning and bounding up the stairs once more. Karen shook her head slightly, holding a small smile, then went back into the kitchen.
Sarah opened her door and closed it behind her, securing the lock on it. She was glad her step-mother had convinced her father she should have a lock, to keep her privacy, especially with a curious 4 year old running about. She opened her bedroom window, letting Jareth in. as he settled on her dresser, she sat at her vanity, turning to the mirror. "Jareth, what's wrong?" she asked, fear in her eyes.
"nothing dear girl. You think just because I came to see you, there is something wrong," he asked, trying to play innocent.
"Jareth, you barely ever talk to me. I rarely see you. So when I saw you there waiting for me, I assumed something was up. So spill," she said being frank with him.
Jareth sighed, getting up from where he was leaning against her dresser. "come into the underground Sarah, there is something I must show you," he said.
Sarah looked at him for a moment, then looked at her reflection. She touched the mirror lightly saying, "i wish to be in the labyrinth." her image wavered, something she'd grown use to, and then settled. Standing, she faced Jareth, distrust and unease evident on her face.
"don't look at me like that Sarah, it's not something I have control over. Just please, come with me. I must show you something." he opened her door for her, revealing a stone hallway. She walked out ahead of him, then waited as he went threw as well. When the door closed with a silent click, Sarah felt something very wrong was going on.
Jareth looked at her a minute, then sighed. "Please, follow me," he said. He turned and walked down the hall, with Sarah in tow. Jareth knew she was going to be angry, but what he had said was true, it was nothing he had control over. They walked for a bit, till they reached Jareths' study. Sarah looked at the large doors, suspicious. She had never been in there before, and didn't know what was behind the door. He opened both the doors, and walked in. she stopped for a moment, then walked in too.
The room was surprisingly spacious. Along the walls were old portraits of people she didn't know. Jareth said nothing as she went over to the first and looked at it. The words under the picture read King Elric: ruled from labyrinth year 0 to year 1105. Sarah looked at the next one, reading the words silently, Queen Leah: ruled from labyrinth year 1105 to year 1844. Sarah stopped after that, looking at Jareth, "what's the meaning of this?"
"here Sarah, look at this one," he said pointing at a picture on the end.
Sarah walked down the length of pictures, till she came to the last two. The second to last one was a picture of Jareth, it's label reading King Jareth: ruled from labyrinth year 4891 to 6227. she gave Jareth an odd look, then looked at the next picture. It was a finely done picture of her. Stunned, she looked down at the label underneath. Queen Sarah: ruled from year 6227 to ~. Sarah stood up straight, looking at Jareth, "what's the meaning of this."
"the year it is now, here in the labyrinth, is 6225. in 2 years, I will be forced to leave my throne, giving it up to you," he said.
"but why? I never asked for this, and you never told me anything. Please, explain this to me," she asked.
He sighed. "the labyrinth hates to be beaten Sarah. When it is, it sees the current king or queen as inadequate. So, 5 years after someone defeats the labyrinth, it takes the person back to the labyrinth to be it's new ruler and keep it from being overcome," he said.
"5 years, but why wait that long," she asked.
"the trip threw the labyrinth is a learning experience for anyone who dares brave it. They ones who do not win the wished away back, simply forget everything. They were not strong enough to pass, and the labyrinth keeps it's treasure, the wished away. Those who do win, are given time to grow, and figure out who they are. Winning the labyrinth is a big push towards that. So when they are old enough that they are stable, the labyrinth takes them to make itself better. Such is the way of the labyrinth. It happened to me, and the king before me, and the all the other kings and queens, besides the first, who created the labyrinth. I'm sorry Sarah, but in 2 years, you will be the ruler of the labyrinth," he said.
Sarah was shocked. She sat down heavy on a chair, that appeared underneath her. After a moment, she thought of something. "but what will happen to you?" she asked.
"i will be turned human, forget my time here, be given memories of a human life, and take your place in the aboveground. Everything up there will be changed, making it easy for me to take your place. Your families memories, birth records, anything that was you, will become me," he said.
"but I don't want to be queen, I just got out of high school today. I was planning to go to college to become a writer. I don't want to leave all that behind," she said.
"neither did I, when I learned the truth. I wanted to stay, but I was forced here. But it matters not, in two years, everything will change. I'm giving you a chance I never had. I didn't know that I was going to rule the labyrinth till it pulled me back. This world fell into chaos because I didn't have a handle on my powers. You have been visiting the labyrinth for three years, absorbing it's magic. I'm telling you about all this now, so I can teach you how to use your powers. It shouldn't be to hard, seeing as you're using it without knowing already," he said.
Sarah looked up at him in shock again. "wait, what do you mean?"
AN: so what do you think? and what does jareth mean she's already using her powers. tell me what you think please.