Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth, Sarah or the idea of the Labyrinth/Underground. Pretty much everything else is mine. Now if only I could make a profit off of this…
Summary: "And if you say his name three times, he jumps out and eats your heart!" Sarah Williams never really want to believe in the terror that is ghost stories. Unfortunately, her luck in trying not to believe just ran out. J/S
Warning: Characters may be extremely out of character. There will be much oc-ness. May contain very bloody scenes.
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Three Times
By: Kadasa Mori
Part I – The Story
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"No Kira! Don't be stupid!"
Sighing heavily as Kira began arguing loudly with the person who'd just scolded her, Sarah Williams glanced in the mirror of the bathroom, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. She'd invited her friends over for dinner and a movie but unfortunately the power had gone out so they needed new ways to amuse themselves.
Kira of course, the older sister of the twins Kira and Kara, wanted to tell ghost stories, knowing Sarah's fear of the supernatural. Sarah could watch a movie about werewolves and aliens no problem, but once it came to ghosts… Werewolves and aliens could be killed. Ghosts were already dead. She shuddered, splashing water on her face before picking up her candle and returning to the living room.
Kira sat in a chair tugged from the dining room table, opposite the corner couch everyone else sat at. Candles were everywhere, probably a fire hazard, but at least everyone could see everyone else (and
where the coffee table was) so no injuries were to be had. Kira turned, grinning at Sarah as the brunette walked back in. "Sarah… wanna hear a story?"
"Kira!" her sister scolded angrily. "I said no!"
"Aw come on Kara! Just one!"
"I said no!"
Valdis snorted, leaning back into the couch cushions. "Sarah will call you up at two in the morning again Kira," she spoke, annoyed and twirling short navy hair around a finger.
"I will not!" Sarah protested, flopping between Valdis and Evie, the other girl leaning against her boyfriend Ryuu who sat in the corner of the couch, Haimon on his right, followed by Jason and Kara. Alan, Kira's boyfriend, would have been there but he had work that evening. The last two members of the group, Toroku and his fiancée Samra, were attending their niece's birthday party.
"Yes you will," Evie informed happily at the glowering look on her face.
Sarah scowled at her then turned to Kira. "Just tell the story!"
"You sure?" Kira asked. "I mean, I don't want you to be scared or anything."
"Just tell it!"
"All right." She shifted to make herself comfortable. "This is a true story." Valdis and Kara snorted at that but didn't speak.
"Once there was a young man. His name was Jareth and he was the King of a beautiful land filled with creatures and humans living in peace. He was a fae, kind of like an elf but prettier (Kara snorted) with hair as dark as the night and beautiful blue eyes. Anyway, he ruled his lands fairly and everyone loved him for it. One day, he fell in love with a beautiful young girl-"
"This a love story or a ghost story Kira?" Haimon asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Shut up! I'm getting there. Anyway, he fell in love with this girl. He watched her pick flowers in her garden every day, trying to gain up the courage to go tell her how he felt. He finally worked up the courage and made his way down to her cottage where she sat out in the flowers.
"'Young lady,' he said, 'I've fallen in love with you. You are beautiful and I wonder if you would come live with me in my castle.'
"She smiled back at him and nodded, holding her hand out. As soon as his hand touched hers she turned into an ugly witch and cackled. 'What trickery is this?!' he cried out.
"'I've been waiting for you my king!' she laughed. 'It's time.' With that she squeezed his wrist and he fell unconscious. When he awoke, he was back in his room.
"'It was all a dream,' he whispered, 'just a dream.' He got to his feet and stumbled for the door but a flash of gold caught his attention. He walked over to his mirror and found his dark haired self staring back at him, when suddenly his reflection changed.
"His eyes glowed brightly as though possessed and his hair burned golden. His reflection grinned cruelly, fangs extending and arms reaching for him. He gasped as they passed through the mirror and grabbed his neck, dragging him forward as the monster flew into him, both becoming one being.
"With a scream he released all of his power, knocking him out once more. Awakening hours later, he got to his feet and found he'd been transformed into the monster. He stumbled to his window and found his lands had also been transformed into a hideous labyrinth, goblins for citizens and monsters roaming the forests.
"A tap against the floor behind him made him spin quickly. The old witch stood there, cackling fiercely. 'What have to you done to me and my kingdom?!' he shouted.
"'Do you want to fix it?'
"'Of course!'
"'Then you must do something for me…'
"'Name it!'
"'You must send a message to a young girl's subconscious. You must tell her to step in front of a mirror and speak the words "I wish the goblin king was here" then your name three times, uninterrupted. If she does so, you are allowed safe passage into her world. Once you get there, you must bring me back her heart. If you do, then I shall release the spell, but only if you bring me her heart.' The old witch held out a gleaming dagger. Once he took it, she cackled and disappeared.
"And so, to rid his lands and himself of this evil, he did as she asked, picking a maiden from another land and whispering to her at night, the instructions to summon him. The next evening, she stood in front of the mirror, whispered the words and he stepped into the room with her.
"Being the kind girl she was, she offered him tea and turned to go and get it. He raised the dagger high and after a moment's hesitation, plunged it down to meet her back. She let out a soft gasp, stumbling and hitting the ground. He pulled the dagger out of her back and stared at the blood dripping off of it, then at her.
"He touched his cheek, looking at blood covered fingers then licking them. After a moment he stepped towards the dying girl and flipped her over, knife plunging down. He pulled her heart from her chest and stood, intending on bringing it back to the witch but the scent of blood was too much.
"When he returned, the witch was standing in front of the window. She turned. 'Where's my heart?' she demanded, seeing his hands empty.
"He grinned wickedly, blood coating his lips and dripping from his fangs. The witch's eyes widened as he flew forward, fingers forming claws that tore into her flesh, pulling her heart from her chest. He didn't eat it for it was tainted black and smelled vulgar, but he tossed it to his goblins, cackling as they tore into it and the witch's body.
"'Now, time for some fun.' He raised a hand to the mirror, running a hand over it lovingly as it brought up the image of another young girl. A vicious grin spread over his face. 'Just wish for me darling and all your dreams may come true,' he whispered.
"He spends his days locked away in his tower, gloves to hide the bloody claws on his hands, always wearing black to conceal the blood stains on his clothes, eyes and hair wild. He whispers to young women in their sleep to call for him, to stand in front of the mirror and wish for the goblin king…
"And if you say his name three times," Kira whispered, all eyes glued to her, wide and fearful. "He… jumps out and eats your heart!" she shrieked, leaping at Kara who screamed shrilly, Sarah and Valdis shrieking and hugging each other tightly. Jason leapt away from the blond who'd just been attacked, landing in Haimon's lap, the man yelping, leaning away into Ryuu who raised an eyebrow, Evie's eyes wide, face pale and arms wrapped around his arm tightly.
Kira let out a shriek of laughter, sitting back in her chair. "You guys! You… were… so… scared!"
Kara has nearly hyperventilating, Haimon regaining his senses and shoving Jason off of him. Sarah and Valdis glanced at each other then leapt away. Ryuu glanced down at Evie who lost her death grip on him but still stuck close.
"Argh!" Kara leapt from her seat and flew at Kira, sending her sister screaming as her chair tilted backwards, both rolling over the floor.
Sarah took a deep breath, calming her quaking then shook her head, getting to her feet. "That was a stupid story Kira," she announced.
"Oh yeah?!" Kira cried from her head locked position in Kara's arms. "Why don't you go and do it."
Sarah scowled. "No. I'm not gonna-"
"Chicken!" Kira and Jason chimed.
Sarah's eyes flashed. "I am not!"
"Bawk! Baaaaaaaaaw-ouch!" Jason rubbed his head, Kara's arm lowering and releasing Kira.
"Don't tease Sarah just because she's too chicken to do it."
"That's ri-Kara!"
"Come on Sarah," Kira said. "You do it and we'll buy that necklace you've been eyeing."
Sarah shifted uneasily then sighed heavily. "I hate you all."
Grinning they scrambled to their feet and followed her down the hall to her bathroom. No one else stepped into the room but the sliding doors opened wide enough for them to peer in. She shifted and swallowed, opening her mouth.
"I wish the Goblin King was here right now." She spoke loudly, heart beating fast. When a flash of blond appeared in the mirror, she nearly forgot the next words. "Jareth… Jareth… Jar-"
"Oh when you're down and looking for some cheering up, then just head right on up to the candy mountain cave!"
Gasping, she jumped back away from the mirror and looked at the doorway quickly. Jason wailed. "I'm sorry!" he cried, pulling his cell phone out. "What?!" he whined into the speaker, walking off. "What? Hooooonou! What's your problem?!"
Valdis snorted and turned, walking towards the kitchen. "Well that was boring," Kara announced, Haimon nodding his agreement both following Valdis.
"That was scary!" Evie cried. "My heart was beating so fast!" Ryuu nodded, her hand tugging on his leading him to the kitchen.
Kira pouted. "Oh well… nothing happened probably because you didn't finish it, or cause you're supposed to do it at night. I'll only chip in to help pay for your pretty jewelry."
Sarah stared at the mirror then turned as the words registered. "Oh… nah. It's okay Kira. I'll just keep saving for it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Come on," she wrapped an arm around the blond. "You can help buy pizza though."
Kira sighed. "That costs almost as much!"
Sarah laughed. "If you weren't friends with Jason, we'd probably save about fifty bucks every time we ordered food."
"I heard that!"
Giggling and walking away, the mirror was forgotten.
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To all readers and reviewers,
First off, thanks for reading!
Secondly, a slight warning, this story will probably make no sense at times seeing as how there's really no a plot. I don't intend for this to become a bajillion chapter story like Heal Me Hurt Me, just a few chapters. Unfortunately I have no expertise in the 'simplicity' in stories, so I apologize in advance for any confusion that may occur.
Thanks again and enjoy!
Kadasa Mori
P.S. Jason's ringtone is the beginning of the "Candy Mountain Cave" song. I'm not sure who made it but if you look up "Charlie the Unicorn: Candy Mountain" you'll find it.