Jareth retired to his empty throne room. He left the majority of his goblin subjects in Sarah's room, so she could bask in the light of believing one last time. With her growing into a fine woman, who else was there to believe in them and in him? He slumped into his throne and tapped his boots with his diamond cane. Time was running out for Jareth too.
As Toby grew older, Sarah became his hero, and he always begged her for stories. But his older sister was growing up. With her high school diploma tucked under her belt, she soon lost interest in telling the stories of the Labyrinth. As more time passed, the young boy also grew out of make-believe creatures and goblin kings.
But still, Jareth waited. He knew he had to find someone else's imagination to dwell in, or his entire kingdom would be lost to the cruel sting of reality. Years passed, and Toby graduated. The Goblin King kept a close eye on the lad through his crystals, whose lights grew dimmer by the day. His magical powers were waning. Jareth also watched Sarah; his beautiful Sarah face the brutality of life. She married, due to the King's dismay, but after Sarah was impregnated, the scumbag left her for a club dancer, and she returned home. She got along with her stepmother now, and her father was more than happy to help support Sarah in her time of need. Toby returned home for the summer from his second year of University, and on the night of his arrival, Sarah was sent to the hospital, where at exactly midnight, little Anna was born.
The Goblin King walked through the Escher room; ironically, it was the only place he could think clearly. He would often spend many afternoons pacing along the ceiling, trying to figure out a way to replace Sarah. But, he could not bring himself to do it. If it couldn't be her, then he would rather disappear, than go on living off a fake believer. Jareth's steps halted as he felt the pull of gravity. His feet left the stone ceiling and he began to plummet to the floor. He didn't care; it would hurt, no doubt, but it was his punishment. He no longer held enough power to control his own kingdom. This was the end.
He closed his eyes and prepared himself for impact, but it never came. He'd spent ages waiting for this day, but it was not to be. He opened one lid and saw the ground just inches from his nose. Jareth lifted a palm and levitated back to his feet. Power, but where was it coming from? He reached under his cloak and grabbed a crystal. It was cloudy, but a faint picture emerged through the shade, Sarah rocking her baby girl and reading her the story of the Labyrinth.
A coy smile curled over the Goblin King's lips. He would use the daughter. Sarah had aged, and her contact with him was hanging by a thread, but this new faith from the child filled the man with greater power than he could ever know. He laughed to himself, "I'm not coming home yet, Dorcha," he uttered quietly.
"Oh really?" a cold voice whispered. Jareth shot backwards and his gaze fell on a celestial being: his older sister, Dorcha: daughter of the moon. Half her body was of a pearly white mare, and her tail and crown were decorated with stardust. The other half held the form of a beautiful woman, pale as the moon herself, with white angelic wings and a wicked smile to accent her splendor. A starry gossamer cloak clung to her shoulders, barely masking her feminine features beneath, "Hello, baby brother," she spoke in a calm, and soothing voice that sent chills down the Goblin King's spine.
Jareth breathed in and looked at his sister, "Dorcha," he said flatly, "How is Laiste?" he asked, referring to his younger sister. She too was part equine flesh, but held much more love for her brother, and all living things.
Dorcha shot a hard look from her cold black eyes, "She keeps well," was all she spoke before turning to face the twisted maze around her, "So this is what you've wasted your powers on, a petty maze? Really, Jareth, I thought you were higher than this," she said, flashing a quick grin, "Your payment is due," she demanded venomously.
The brother made an attempt to interject, but he could not hide his feelings from her, "I've lost her," he stated gloomily.
"Ah, but you have the chance to gain another; her daughter, yes?" Dorcha added.
True enough, that was Jareth's intention, but with hardly any magical powers left, even if he could return to the Real World to get in contact with Anna, he'd never get back to his realm, "Mother sent me down here to give imagination; to weave dreams; to shed wisdom on the non-believers, but my powers have weakened," he said, stepping closer and revealing his open-faced palms, "They're losing faith in this; in us."
The equine princess looked down on him, for she was slightly taller than he, "I see," she said, grabbing the corner of her cloak, "You need more time, is that it?" she asked him. He nodded, "All right," she proclaimed, "but be warned Jareth; if you lack the heart to do what you must, then I will keep the girl, and you will spend the rest of your days, as a mortal; forced to live with your mistake" she stated harshly. Winds furled her cape and dozens of stars fell on the Goblin King as his elder sister disappeared and returned to the moon. Her final words fell from the wind, "This is your last chance, Jareth," and he was alone.
The powers surged into him like a celestial battery. He was charged, and ready. He curled his hands into fists, "How long do I have?" he shouted into the empty room.
A white feather fell onto his shoulder and Dorcha's voice was heard again, "Before the child's one hundred and fifty-sixth phase, brother" she uttered as the feather turned to dust.
Jareth reached into the air and conjured a crystal. Holding it softly in his palm, "Before she turns thirteen," he concluded in his smooth accent, gently shaking the orb so an image appeared. A young girl with short auburn locks ran through a tree filled park, her mother sat reading the newspaper at a nearby bench. The Goblin King closed his eyes and dove into the magical portal. He hid behind a tree and transformed his leather coat into a light grey suit, and his silver tights into matching slacks. His unruly hair blew in the slight breeze, and he hid his blue and amber eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses. Using his diamond cane for style, he tapped along the path, drawing closer to the girl.
Anna ducked behind the tree, "Mommy, is this how he did it?" she said, jumping out from behind the trunk as if on springs.
Sarah lifted her face to watch her daughter. Anna was only twelve and still loved playing by herself with only her imagination to accompany her, "Yes, sweetie. That's exactly how the Chilly Downs surprised me," she said laughing and remembering that day so long ago.
The young girl picked up a large stick and used it as a spear to imitate the valiant Sir Didymus, "But I can't really be them; my head is stuck," she said with a giggled and waved her "lance" around.
The Goblin King called a crystal and rolled it along the grass toward Anna. It bumped her foot, and then circled back toward its master. The young girl watched the sphere and after glancing over to her mother, to make sure she wasn't watching, decided to pursue it. A small crowd had gathered in front of a silver statue. A man had set up a table covered in a black velvet robe and he stood behind it, manipulating four crystals in the palms of his hands. Anna eyes grew wide as her thoughts flooded back to the stories from her mother: a dashing man with mystical powers: The Goblin King.
With all the speed she could muster, the child ran back to her mother, arms flailing. Sarah was frantically worried for her daughter's safety, for she'd been out of sight for quite a while, "Anna! Where have you been I've been worried sick," she scolded.
"Mommy, I found him!" she screamed in glee, tugging on Sarah's coat sleeve, "I found him, I found him in the park!" she added.
"Found who, sweetie?" she said, yielding to the young girl's pull.
"Come see," she said, leading her to the statue. The crowd had dispersed considerably, and the man was counting his coins that the public had thrown on his table. Anna released her mother and dashed toward the table before her mother could protest, "Do it again!" she begged, placing her hands on the table and bouncing in spot.
Sarah approached the table and stood beside her child, "Anna, where are your manners?" she said, looking down harshly on the girl.
The sweet child's smile disappeared and she looked up to the performer, "Do it again, please?" she asked kindly.
Jareth placed a hand on his chest and gasped dramatically, "I am in the presence of royalty!" he said with flamboyancy, "Of course, I shall," he said, grabbing a crystal and rolling it over the backs of his hands and into his palm. Anna clapped in amazement, and Sarah stood dumbfounded. Jareth lowered his shades to reveal his smiling eyes to the young woman, "Hello, Sarah," he said calmly.
"Anna, we have to go," she said in a gasp, taking the child by the arm.
"But, why?" she protested.
"Its almost dinner time, now come along," she ordered.
"Come now, Sarah; let her stay," Jareth said softly, lightly touching Anna's shoulder.
"Keep away from her!" she hissed, stepping in front of her daughter, "Don't act like you know me!" she spat, taking Anna in her arms and carrying her away.
"I know you better than that dirt-bag Harry ever did" he called to her.
Sarah stopped and turned back toward the Goblin King, "How do you know about him?" she asked quietly.
Jareth placed his glasses in his pocket and walked up to Sarah. She froze as his stare fell on her, "I know about everything," he said, raising a crystal to meet her eyes. Images of the wedding appeared within the orb; Toby's graduation; pictures of Harry beating her as she held the maternity test in her hand; Anna's birth. Tears welled in her eyes, "I've come to take you back, Sarah; take you home," he uttered softly, rubbing her shoulder.
The young woman looked into his eyes, "I am home," she stated blankly, "Its time you realized that, Jareth," she said, turning to leave, but Jareth's hand still held her shoulder.
"Wait. Take this," he said, offering her the crystal. Sarah looked at it in utter disgust. He observed this and asked again, "Take it," he begged, holding it closer to her. She blinked and turned quickly, breaking his grasp. Anna looked over her mother's shoulder and watched the figure behind them. He flashed a kind smile and winked at her before blowing the crystal into the child's coat pocket. A soft voice echoed in the back of Anna's mind as she watched the man transform into a barn owl, "If you're ever in trouble, call on me," he said before flying off into the distance.
Sarah placed her daughter in the shotgun seat of her SUV and buckled her seatbelt. She dashed to the other side of the car and drove the vehicle towards home, "You said he wasn't real!" Anna proclaimed.
"He's not. He doesn't exist. I don't want you to go near him, understand?" she asked.
"But he seemed real nice," the girl replied.
"He's not baby. He's cruel and heartless," was all she said before they pulled into the drive. Sarah let her daughter out of the vehicle and escorted her to her room, "I don't want you to read this anymore," she said, grabbing the small red paperback from her daughter's desk.
"But, Mommy! That's my favorite!" she said, trying to grab the book.
"Not anymore!" her mother screamed.
"Mommy stop it!" Anna cried.
"Its time you grew up, Anna!" she shouted, taking the book and slamming the door shut.
Silver tears rolled down the young girls face, "I hate you," she said quietly between sobs, "I hate you!" she screamed before burying her face in her Winnie-the-Pooh pillows.
Sarah closed her bedroom door and leaned against the door, crying harder than her daughter. She hated doing this to her, but she didn't want to run the risk of losing her to Jareth. She walked over to her mirrored-drawer and unlocked the top drawer, tossing the volume in and locking it again.
Anna wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her jacket, and the crystal that lay hidden within. She sniffed loudly, and got off her bed. Slowly she withdrew the orb and held it in her hand. It was cold to touch, but holding it filled her with a different sort of warmth; it filled her with happiness.
"Don't cry Anna," a soft, feminine voice spoke from within the crystal.
The girl looked into the sphere and saw the face a woman with a starry crown, "Who are you?" she asked, wiping her nose on the back of her hand.
"I am Dorcha; princess of the moon. Did you know that you're a princess too?" she asked the child.
"The Goblin King said I was royalty this afternoon," she said quietly.
"Ah, my brother speaks the truth. You are destined to become princess of the moon!" she said triumphantly.
"How?" Anna asked in desperation. With her mother crushing her dreams, she'd rather be anywhere but where she was.
"I need you to do something for me first," Dorcha spoke slyly.
Jareth sat on the ledge on his window, gazing off into the distance, "Time to check up on things," he said, grabbing a crystal and summoning forth the image of Anna, but something was wrong. The image was blocked; he wasn't getting through to her crystal. His eyes grew wide as he heard the faint voice of his sister in the background. With all haste, Jareth threw the crystal in the air and dove in, praying he wouldn't be too late.
Dorcha emerged from the crystal and towered over the child, "Repeat after me," she said, he crown showering the child with stardust, "I wish,"
Anna mimicked the woman, "I wish,"
Dorcha commenced, "the moon would fall on,"
"The moon would fall on," the child repeated.
"Me" Dorcha added coldly.
Jareth appeared, reaching out to Anna and his elder sister, "Stop!" he cried.
Sarah burst into the room, and Anna called out to her.
Dorcha smiled to herself, "This will suffice," in truth; her first target was the daughter, but now that she had Sarah, she could really test her brother. However, that girl would be a nuisance. Perhaps a smaller form would be suitable for her. As a blinding light erupted around Dorcha, Sarah and the moon daughter disappeared. Jareth made an attempt to grab Anna before she was taken, but he missed his footing and fell to the floor, an unconscious white cat held loosely in his hands. Anna was gone.
The Goblin King's eyes adjusted to the light quickly and he looked down at the feline, "Oh, please no," he said quietly.
The white cat opened her amber eyes and looked at the Goblin King before jumping to the ground, "Where's Mommy?" she asked harshly, arching her back and hissing.
"I'm afraid your slip of the tongue has caused you to lose your mother and your body," he said coolly, pointing to her white tail.
Anna glanced back and watched it intently. Dorcha had changed her into a cat! "What am I going to do?" she asked frantically.
Jareth kneeled down to her, "I'm going after her; you'll have to come along if you want to get your body back," he said softly.
"Can't you fix me?" she asked, pawing at his hand and sitting in front of him.
"I'm afraid not; I don't have the power to," he said, stroking her head, "I'm sorry, Anna; this is my fault," Jareth added, "Maybe, I can get you to Laiste and then we can go after your mother," he said, standing up in front of her.
"Who's Laiste?" she asked, getting on her new four feet. To hers and Jareth's surprise, she picked up the new way of walking quite easily.
Jareth ushered her onto his shoulder. Anna responded and sprung up to her perch, "We'll talk about that along the way," he said, throwing the crystal into the air and disappearing under its surface.
