Disclaimer, I do not own the labyrinth or any of its characters. The other characters in the story are my own. This is just a story I'm writing for fun so please let me know what you think.

"So, in the end, it was the magic dragon slippers that were the key to saving, or destroying, the kingdom and our hero was a young girl with the friendship of the dragons." I stated, as I lowered the report that was in my hands and looked up toward the rest of the Literature class. Most I noticed were looking board, drained and dead to the world. Personally I was reminded of the goblins that would be plastered around the throne room in Jareth's castle. Shooting spit balls at chickens or picking green and brown buggers from their noses.

Smiling to myself with this thought now creating a story all its own in my head, I left the podium and returned to my seat in the back of the second story classroom and looked out the nearest window at the ground still dusted with a slight layer of snow. Since it was early January the small amount of snow meant that there was going to be a few more storms to come before the end of the year.

While I had walked back to my seat, Erik sat in his chair and just scoffed. He had been in a class with her since middle school. In his mind "Back then it was ok that she still lived in her world of fantasy and make-believe it was actually one of the quality's that made her attractive and cute. Yet she never gave him the time of day." The teacher dismissed the class and Erik got up and walked over me. "So", he said "Care to walk with me to the bookstore?"

"Sure" I Said, "Whatever" Thinking to myself, "what does he want to talk about I wonder? He normally only talks to me when the tries to talk down on me about magic." But I put that thought at the back of my mind.

While the two of us were walking through the sky walk, Erik stated out of the blue, "You just had to put magic in there didn't you? Your never just let it go do you?"

I answered "Yea, what's your point?"

"Well, It was ok when we were younger but."

I stopped and pivoted to stand right in front of Erik. "But what Erik?"

"Well, were adults now Annie." He said "Magic and fantasy is for little kids, it's time to be an adult."

"So what? Were just supposed to lock all old interests away and draw new ones from a hat or something?" I just looked at Erik, with anger starting to flicker in the back of my eyes,

Erik put his hands up in front of his face and said "No, no, it's just that if you would let off the magic stuff then maybe you would be able to get more friends and maybe then we could."

Raising my voice I retorted, "We could what Erik? Go out, Become more than friends? I told you that we will never be more than friends. And right now even that's shaky. I got to get to class," I turned and walked away back toward the lecture halls and classrooms away from Erik

I was talking to myself on the way to my next class, still stewing about Erik when I noticed that class was canceled and decided to go to lunch for once on a Friday. While sitting in the café, I started thinking about what magic meant to me.

"I have always had an affinity with fantasy because I know that it's more than what people think." While I was thinking, an interesting story started coming to my mind and so I decided to write it down to see where it would go. I began to write, simply because I had nothing better to do and writing helped me to cool my head and vent about Erik.

"He has always been trying to make me feel bad for my love of anything fantasy and today he hit a new low. I wish people would just let me myself, instead of imposing their views. I know that there is magic and I don't care what anyone says otherwise."

After about an hour writing in the cafeteria I decided to return to the dorm building to work on homework and hang out with one of my dorm friends named Ronny. I had just reached the front steps of the building when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see Erik running toward me. "I could just ignore him and enter the building" I thought. "But I'm not that mean. Sadly" I sighed and turned toward the courtyard and placed my arms across my chest and began waiting for Erik. When he got to where I was, he stopped in front of me, and caught his breath before speaking.

"Annie, please listen to me," He stated, in a manner that clearly showed his annoyance. "You need to stop thinking in fantasy! People are going to start thinking you're a freak, if you keep living in your make-believe." While he was ranting Erik walked around me and stopped to stand between me and the entrance to my dormitory building.

He was shouting, at me still blocking the way into the building. I just stood there arms crossed, and eyes full of contempt set on him, and not really even hearing what he was saying. Not that I really cared to.

"He is good looking," I once thought, "his short cropped sandstone hair, and lean muscle build that is easily seen through his dark polyester muscle shirt and baggy biker pants. His personality however is definitely less then desirable." I was looking around before I heard him shouting.

"I?" Erik shouted, "Annie, are you even listening to me? Don't you care how people view you, are you really that naive?"

I put more strength behind my voice. "No, I don't see the harm in letting people think what they want to think Erik." (His name said as though it left a bad taste) I walked right up to be square with him and said "As I have proven on numerous occasions I really don't care, if people want to judge me before they get to know me than it's their loss not mine. Not to mention I have plenty of friends, now if you would excuse me," I shoved past Erik toward the door, extremely happy that his room was in a different building and he couldn't get in this one. While sliding my card in the reader to unlock the door, I said aloud "I would like to go and watch the Labyrinth with Ronny."

"Oh good grief she likes that stupid movie/story too?" Erik shouted. "The two of you have to be some sort of weird. What is so appealing about the story of a selfish brat that wishes away her own brother only to fall in love with the very person who took him away, and then get back her brother and never see lover boy again?"

I turned to face him and shook my head sadly and said "You know Erik, for someone who supposedly hates the story you seem to know an awful lot about it." I stood there and crossed my arms again with my foot keeping the door from fully closing, then my mood changed a little, I wasn't going to continue this argument with him, it wasn't worth continuing the argument with him. So I asked him, "What happened to you Erik why did you became a jerk?"

"It's called I grew up Annie; maybe you should do the same." He said. "Then maybe we could happen."

"Again with that?" I shouted. "Seriously, don't make me ill, we would never happen and besides I have a boyfriend. Also for the record, for a human growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional." I again turned to enter my dorm.

"Then why don't you say the incantation for the goblin king to come and get you? Tell me that?" Shouted Erik

While holding onto the now semi open door, I looked back and said "Because Erik, I'm not that stupid. There are many families whose lives were likely altered to them saying the words and not knowing what they were getting into. I wouldn't wish that on even my greatest enemy's even though now you are included on that list. Don't get me wrong I think that going there would be interesting but I would prefer to enter the world of the labyrinth on my own terms and no one else's."

With that I walked away again this time not listening if Erik had anything else to say. I walked up stairs to my room, unlocked the door and placed my bag on the white tiger blanket that was placed on my partially made bed and walked down the hall to Ronny's room. Knocking on the door I asked "Ronny, are you here?"

There was a slight pause before an answer came from the other side of the door. "Annie is that you?

I answered "Yea Ronny, it's me, are you ready to watch the movie?"

Ronny opened the door and motioned for me to go into her room.

Again I asked, "Are you ready to watch the movie?"

Ronny while is still looking for something on her desk said, "Yep be there just a second babe, let me go smoke a cigarette and I'll be there." She said while exiting her dorm room and heading down stairs to smoke outside. Her room is set up similar to a dance club with the décor anyway, lava lamps, florescent lights various chairs and stools to sit on and what not. Halfway down the stairs Ronny turned, walked back up to Me and said, "By the way Annie, thank you for coloring my hair, I love it."

She hugged me and went back down to smoke her cigarette. I stood in the upstairs hall for a moment before shaking my head smiling and returning to my room. While Ronny was down having her cig I worked on some homework at the laptop since I couldn't do it during the movie because the laptop is also the video player. A loud Raaawwwr was herd from down the hall and I smiled and said, "Well, Ronny is done with her cigarette"

"Hello Ronny" I said before turning to face the doorway, and there Ronny was wearing her skinny jeans, black spaghetti strap tank top, and burgundy hair.

"Come on in, I just put in the movie." I said. Ronny came in and sat down in my roommate's chair. While I set up the sound on my laptop.

Ronny sat in the chair patiently waiting for me to finish messing with the laptop and observed that I was semi annoyed about something because of the way that I was slightly punching the keys. Ronny then asked "Ok what's going on Annie?"

"What do you mean?" I asked as I stopped the pressing of the computer keys and gave a sideways glance at Ronny.

Not liking how I was trying to fain ignorance she answered, "I mean what is on your mind; you usually have a more perky personality now you're distant. Is it Martika?

Sighing I said, "No it's not Tika, it's an old friend well not friend anymore but it has to do with him."

"Who's Him?" Ronny inquired with a small glare.

"Erik" was all's I said.

"Did he put the moves on you Annie?" Ronny inquired almost angrily.

"What!?" I stated almost shocked that Ronny would even picture that idea. "No, he was trying to make me forget about anything fantasy and yes he wants me to be with him but I have a boyfriend. He also thinks that both you and I are stupid because we like the story of the Labyrinth."

"What! Show me to him I'll beat his ass, the labyrinth is fucking awesome and the goblin king is really hot." She shouted which caused more than a few people to stop and stare in at the doorway.

"I know, Erik is just a, few choice words that I won't say. But he is." I stated while remaining semi calm. This caused Ronny to turn a 180 from angry shouting to smiling back at me.

"What?" I asked while looking at Ronny who swooped down and gave me a hug and kissed my cheek, she then said "Annie you're so cute,"

While I was sitting there waiting for Ronny to get go of the hug thought "Ok time for a quick change of subject." Before she said "Ok let's watch the movie."

All the while there was an owl sitting on a branch. Jareth knew that someone was going to be wished away, the tug of the upcoming wish had been growing stronger as the day had progressed. He had flown to the aboveground to find the one who would be making the wish. The flight led him to a collage campus in South Dakota, while flying above the campus the tug grew stronger and stronger. He then happened upon an argument pertaining to the existence of the Labyrinth between a male and female student. When he landed on the small apple tree he heard that the two student's names were Erik and Annie.

"So, Erik is the name of the one going to make the wish." Thought Jareth.

Jareth glanced toward Annie who was showing fire in her dark hazel brown eyes, and smirked; "It is rare to find a human who still believes in magic at their age." (Sarah start's talking to Jareth through their soul bond)

"What are you talking about Jareth? I still believed, when you came back into my life. I was twenty as well was I not?" Asked Sarah the Goblin Queen

"Of course Sarah," Answered Jareth "but the difference was that you first entered the Labyrinth at the age of 14. This girl is defending its existence though she has never set foot there. She is a true believer of magic."

"Is she the one who is going to be wished away do you think?" Asked Sarah

"I don't know Sarah, his mind is full of malice and cumbersome thoughts, while hers," Jareth said while looking at the young girl. "Hers at this point is full of sorrow and pity for him, but she will not recant the truths that she knows, she is refusing to relinquish her convictions. I can say this for sure; He is the one who is going to make the wish."

Jareth looked again and saw that the girl had gone into her dormitory building while Erik was just standing there getting angrier.

"Erik just stood there for a moment," The anger and frustration churning under his skin and not letting go of it, he continued with his class routine till the end of the day. He didn't even seem to notice that a white owl had been following him since the argument. When he returned to his second floor dorm room the temper ensued. He opened the door, threw his backpack against the wall and started pacing on the stealers area rug between his desk and bed.

"What is with her? She is such a… it doesn't matter what I do; Annie is always a step ahead." Shouted Erik. Erik had lost all composure, and was running his fingers through his hair while his face was turning red with anger. "How can it be that she isn't bothered by what people think of her? I don't even know what to think of this Ronny person." He stopped his pacing and through his hands on the top of his desk, one would think that he had thrown a piece of furniture against the wall from the sound of hands meeting wood. He then started smiling like someone about to go insane. "I'll make them both feel this humiliation; I'll prove that magic and fantasy aren't real."

"I'll force all of them to see reality by throwing it right into their face. Now what would be the best way to do this?" Erik then looked at his reflection in the window, and Annie's words came back around in Erik's head. (Because Erik, I'm not that stupid) (Erik starts to laugh) Of course, the labyrinth, what better way to make her face reality then by proving that there is no Goblin King? I wish that the goblin king would come and take her and her friend away, right now."

After Erik had said this nothing happened, everything was still.

"Ha, I'm waiting mighty Goblin king. I made my wish, aren't you going to show yourself?"

There was no answer.

"Then I just proved it," Erik stated triumphantly. "You and your Kingdome don't exist. I'll call Annie and prove it, ha, this will be good." (Ring, hi this is Annie, I can't get to the phone right now because I'm ether in class, at work, or I'm otherwise busy. I'll call you back when I get the message, thanks bye. At the tone please leave a message.)" "Figures you won't answer you phone Annie, I just proved that magic doesn't exist. See you in class." Erik snapped the phone shut and tossed it on the dark blue and black comforter covering his bed.

"Let's see, now that I'm in a good mood, what should I do?" He looked to his night stand where a single picture was. He picked up the photo of him and Annie back in the seventh grade. She had told him then that they would only ever be friends but that was then. (Smile) "I haven't given up yet Annie." He had been looking at the photo for some time when Erik glanced over to his alarm clock; "whoa it's already midnight ahh well."

Meanwhile the goblin king has been in the shadow listening and waiting for the opportune moment. (Thinking to himself, as the clock read midnight, "time to let myself be known.")

"Erik isn't it?" (Jareth says while walking out of the shadows.)

Erik turned and saw a man wearing a poet's shirt, and tight fitting pants. He had long blond seemingly unkempt hair. "Who the hell are you, and what's with your ridicules getup? How did you get into my room?" Erik angrily said.

"You wished me to be here, to take away a couple of people this evening did you not?" Answered Jareth calmly while walking around the small dorm room. He stopped at a photo on the desk, and then turned to face Erik. "To prove I didn't exist? Well now that I'm here what are you going to do. My very presence proves that she was right the entire time now doesn't it?"

"What do you mean, who is she? What are you talking about, leave!" Shouted Erik

"Now you see I can't, because you called me here since you wanted your friends taken away. Now then, since the pleasantries are over, we can get down to business." Explained Jareth.

"Pleasantries, what pleasantries and what business for that matter? You mean to tell me that you are the Goblin King? That's impossible. The Goblin king and the labyrinth don't exist it's just a stupid story for children." Stated Erik in a point of fact manner.

"You really are an awful human, I will be frank and I will use small words to be sure that you understand; now please keep quiet and listen. I am here because you wished me to take two people and I have done what you asked." The calm in Jareth's voice slowly leaving.

The solidity of what Erik had said was now starting to take shape in his mind. "Wait, you took Annie and her friend Ronny? This can't be happening your joking, if you do anything to her I'll... Where are they what did you do to them." He shouted in near hysterics.

"You know perfectly well where they are and you'll what; I will offer you a gift, in exchange for the girls you wished away." Stated Jareth

"I want nothing from you, except to have them back." Erik shouted.

(Jareth grins)"If that is the case then you have thirteen hours to solve my labyrinth, before they become like us." As soon as that sentence was finished leaving his mouth the world around the two changed. Erik's room seemed to melt into a seemingly barren landscape that overlooked a large maze of stone and living plants. In the far distance a castle could be seen in the center of the Labyrinth. Jareth said the words, "such a pity, and his voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once and then disappeared."

Erik was left standing at the top of a hill facing the labyrinth, while Ronny and I were about to wake up to our current predicament.

"I will solve your stupid labyrinth Goblin King, and by doing so I will win our game Annie, Your friend will be the bonus." Erik stated as though he had already defeated the Labyrinth.

"Ronny, Ronny, RONNY wake up," (Ouch I shouldn't have raised my voice, headache) "Wait, hold on this isn't my dorm room," I said while looking around. The room I was in was spaciously sized room with high vaulted ceilings. There wasn't much in the way of furniture everywhere I looked. The only furniture in the room was the pile of pillows the Ronny and I were laying and sitting on.

"What are you talking about Annie?" Ronny asked as she was starting to sit up and rub the sleep from her eyes. That's when she did a quick glance around the room as well. "Why aren't we in your dorm room? This isn't your dorm room!" Ronny said while also glancing around trying to get her barring's.

(Meanwhile in the doorway stood a tall figure with knee high black boots, skin tight gray pants, a poet's shirt and black jacket with blue offsets. He also had wild black hair with blue highlights. How long he was standing there isn't certain, but he was watching Ronny and I as we glanced around the room and not once did we seem to notice that he was standing there.)

"You're right, you aren't in the aboveground. You are in the goblin castle." He said as he walked out of the doorway just enough to be seen and then leaned on the wall. "I believe that you are familiar with the story of the Goblin King?"

We're where!? I said now completely awake while not answering his question. I looked over to the man talking to us, at first glance I thought I was looking at the goblin king but then I remembered that he had blond hair while the man before Ronny and I had black.

Sweet, it's about time I got here. Said Ronny while pulling arm down in a yes motion and eyes closed.

I looked over to Ronny quickly and shook my head, I then returned my attention to the man in the doorway; He was leaning there with his arms crossed and one foot against the wall.

"Well you look like the goblin king, but you're not, are you? I stated as a point of fact.

"You sound certain of yourself, how are you so sure?" He stated almost in a challenge/mocking way.

Ronny was looking at him with a look of yummy eye candy while I crossed my arms across my chest and gave a look that said "try me". He smiled, stood up strait and lifted his hands above his head in a mock I give-up gesture.

"Your right, I'm not the Goblin King, I'm his brother Lebanon. Now then the king will be expecting you, if you two would please follow me."

"Sure I'll follow; I can't believe that I'm actually here." Ronny said while standing to follow Lebanon out of the room and I followed suit.

Both Ronny and I now started to follow Lebanon, I was rubbing my temple thinking, (Of course, Ronny would be happy to be here. She is doing a very good job of containing her excitement, not. My question is, what is she more excited about, being in the castle beyond the goblin city or finding out that Jareth has a twin? I want to know how and why we are here.) I was pulled from my thoughts when Lebanon opened a set of high vault doors and said.

"Brother, they are awake". as we walked into the throne room.

The room was just as described in the movie; however it wasn't messy and didn't have chickens everywhere. The only difference apart from the cleanliness was that instead of one throne there were now two and they were a perfect set.

"Good show them in" said Jareth; it was after he said that, when we walked in and stood before the king and queen of the goblins. Jareth and Sarah each sat on a throne and waited till Ronny and I were in the center of the room standing before them.

Jareth took a breath and began explaining." I trust you both have questions that you would like to ask, including why you are here. The answer is that you two were both brought here because this man, (Jareth formed a crystal in his hand, that showed an image of Erik trying to get in to the labyrinth.) wished you here."

(I interrupt) "Wait one second, Mr. Magic doesn't exist wished us here?"

Jareth ignored my comment and continued. "Yes, you see after your argument, Erik made the wish to prove that magic wasn't real and that I didn't exist, In light of the current situation you can see that his point has been disproved."

I mutter under my breath "No shit Sherlock"

And Ronny interrupts Jareth asking, "So then what happens now? Are Annie and I stuck here or what? Not that I mind being here."

Jareth again continues as if he hadn't heard Ronny, but answered her Question none the less. "You see that is part of the situation, usually the ones that are wished away are young children or babies. They are usually very susceptible to magic and will be turned to what the magic deems best if they are to remain here. There have never been adults or young adults wished here before. Regardless you are at least here until Erik ether beats or fails to beat the Labyrinth."