A.N. - I'm so terribly sorry for the delayed update, but my internet got shut off and I just now got it back. And yes, this is a short chapter, but I've made it up by posting another chapter I hope lol.

Machinations Revealed

What was once a marvelous castle in the center of the Goblin City now lay in ruins. Only the foundation on which it once stood still stayed intact. It was here that Mekrul sat, watching Jareth fruitlessly try to escape his magical imprisonment.

Jareth seethed, vowing to himself the many things he would inflict upon his nemesis. How could he have let himself get into this situation? Mekrul had tricked him, and Jareth should have known better. He prided himself on his own deceptions but he had let himself be baited into the game. He shook his head. Best not to think about what he should have done, but rather what he could do now.

As if reading his thoughts, Mekrul spoke. "So I suppose you're wondering what I'm going to do with you, now that I have you?"

"The thought had crossed my mind," Jareth replied sardonically.

The dark creature sneered. "Well seeing as how this whole realm is meant to be a challenge, I thought it would be fun to bring in some of your former Runners, see if they can beat the Labyrinth again. After all, I have to practice for my new role."

Fear spiked through Jareth then. Yes, he'd played games with his Runners, but he'd never hurt them. Everything any of them had gone through had been to show them what they were capable of, good or bad. Something told him that Mekrul wouldn't be so kind. "You know that you can't harm them, it's against the rules."

"No, not directly. But the Labyrinth is so easy to persuade," Mekrul cackled.

"You can't! I won't let you!"

"Oh? And how will you be able to do anything in that prison of yours?" Mekrul paused, then said almost whimsically. "You know though, the Labyrinth is falling apart. There's a chance that one of them will make it. Tell you what; I'll let you go if one of them can make it to you."

"And why would they want to help me? You say they're former Runners, but all of them lost the game."

"Almost all of them. But don't worry, I didn't make the same mistake you did. No human is a match for me. If any of those pathetic Runners make it here, I'll show them no mercy."

Jareth's face fell. He had to figure a way out of this prison. His kingdom and the lives of others were counting on him.