Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter nine of "Through Dangers Untold." I am glad it took just three days to get out. This chapter has some Jason/Trini. Hoggle will return in the chapter after the next one. Stay tuned for chapter ten.
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Chapter 9: In the Woodland Savanna
Jason and Trini came to an area of the woodland savanna that contained many trees an hour later. It actually appeared the trees would come close together at some point. They spotted a black-spotted gray python hanging the front half of its body from a branch near the middle of a tree. The python was a dark gray. Its body was covered in black spot of various sizes. It flicked its tongue and brought itself up onto the branch. The couple listened to a distant roar. They looked at each other and swallowed hard.
"This place feels really creepy," Trini mumbled and emitted a loud shudder.
"I can't argue with that," Jason said and glanced at a black-backed wolf standing a short distance away. He could see it was light gray with streaks of brown here and there. He noticed its back and top part of its tail were completely black. "I can't help feel like we're being watched."
"I feel that way too," Trini agreed.
"This place reminds me of Rita's dimensions," Jason admitted. "We can't move around much in a number of them."
"Nope," Trini commented with a nod.
"I was really scared when I was trapped with Goldar in the Dark Dimension. Then Tommy showed up. He nearly killed me with the Sword of Darkness," Jason said, fear lining his voice.
"Tommy feels bad for trying to hurt not just you but the rest of us," Trini commented truthfully.
"He has more than made up for that by helping us win many fights," Jason pointed out with a soft sigh. "He proved he was clever by pretending to be sick to trick a gang of Putties that had trapped him."
"We couldn't stop laughing when he explained what he had done," Trini said, giggling to herself. "Those clayheads are just prone to believe anything. A villain's foot soldiers usually are not very smart."
"It was scary being trapped with Goldar. It was even scarier with Tommy," Jason muttered, cringing badly. "He gave me a brutal beating, though I did score a few successful hits on him."
"Any of us would've been just as scared as you were when you were trapped in the Dark Dimension," Trini said truthfully. "At least we were able to get you out without you getting hurt bad."
"I am so fortunate that happened," Jason murmured and cleared his throat. "I still don't want to be in that dimension again."
"I hope you don't end up there again," Trini said, her body shaking a bit. "No way."
Trini wrapped her arm around Jason's. He gave her a comforting pat to the shoulder while whispering inaudible words. They stopped when three white-spotted gray bats flew out in front of them. The bats were medium-gray on top and light gray on the bottom. White spots of varying sizes covered their bodies. They squeaked in unison while heading for the canopy. They went above it. She released her hold on him.
"I say those bats gave new meaning to going batty," she said while crossing her arms.
"No denying that," Jason agreed.
"I have a feeling we will see more bats somewhere in this woodland savanna," Trini pointed out.
Jason sighed in a heavy way. "Yeah."
Trini let out a sharp exhale. "Come on. Let's go."
The couple started walking again. They saw an edge coming into view. They stopped at a small river. A rock path went all the way across it. They narrowed their eyes at it.
"We need to be careful on the rocks, Trini," Jason said while rubbing his nose. "It's likely they're slippery."
"Yeah," Trini agreed. "I see this rock path as sort of a bridge. It will allow to stay out of the water."
"I've read stories where people were told not to look down while crossing bridges that connected cliffs to each other. They did that and freaked out," Jason explained.
She scoffed. "When will people learn not to look down after being told not to?"
"Probably never," Jason admitted with a heavy sigh. "Anyway, we should get going. We can't afford to waste any more time."
"You're right," Trini said, nodding.
He waved his hand toward himself. "Come on."
Jason stepped onto the rocks. Trini followed suit while clearing her throat. They were very careful with walking on them. Unfortunately, she slipped on one. She fell toward the water, a loud yell leaving her mouth. He caught her arm before she hit it. He tugged on it gently in which he pulled her back up. She stared at the water before turning to him.
"Thanks, Jase," Trini whispered, her voice showing much relief.
"You're welcome," Jason answered and gave her two winks. "Just be a little more careful, all right?"
"Sure," Trini assured. "You can watch where you are going and still have an accident."
"Mm-hmm," Jason agreed. "Let's go."
Jason and Trini resumed walking. They pushed overhanging vines out of their way. White-spotted gray bats flew past them on either side. They squeaked loudly while going above the canopy. She looked toward a tree, seeing a black-spotted gray python slither up it. It reached a branch just below the middle, wrapping its body around it. It turned toward her, seemingly staring her in the eye. She shuddered in disgust before gazing toward Jason.
"How many snakes could live in the Labyrinth, especially its woodland savanna?" Trini muttered uncertainly.
"I don't think I want to know," Jason admitted.
She touched her throat. "The one place I do not want them is around my neck."
He emitted a soft snort. "Gotcha."
Jason put his arm around Trini, pulling her close to him. He sighed contently at hers going around his waist. He took his hand into hers. He squeezed it gently and hugged. They stepped on a stone. It went into the ground, causing them to fall forward. They managed to regain their balance and turned around. They heard scrapping sounds.
The couple looked to its right, seeing five trees open up in their middles. Multiple arrows shot out of them. They dove for the ground with frightened yells. The arrows struck the trees on their left. They stopped after twenty seconds. Jason and Trini stood up as the trees closed. They dusted themselves off while shaking their heads rapidly.
"I have to give Jareth credit. He armed his Labyrinth very well," Jason said and sighed heavily.
"He knows how to slow people down," Trini added.
"Hoggle did say we needed to watch out for his tricks and traps. We've avoided two of them. That doesn't mean we will avoid another," Jason pointed out matter-of-factly.
"A trapdoor could open underneath us right now," Trini said, her breathing coming out in shudders.
"Trini, don't say that again. It could actually happen," Jason warned in a low but stern voice.
"Okay," Trini said while holding up her hands. "I won't."
"Good," Jason responded with a relieved sigh. "Come on."
Jason and Trini started walking once more. Loud roars sounded in the distance. They came to a stop. They saw two white lions charging at them. The lions were pure white. The exception was gray streaks in their fur here and there. Jason and Trini moved closer together. They formed fighting stances. The lions narrowed their eyes as they leapt at their quarry. Suddenly, they became transparent and went through them. They faded from sight. The couple looked around, their breathing becoming heavy.
"Talk about freaky," Jason muttered, his voice showing much nervousness.
"Wait until we tell our friends about this," Trini commented.
"If we get out of here alive," Jason replied in much seriousness. They began walking again. "Who knows how much longer we will have to be in this area of the Labyrinth?"
"I hope it won't be too much longer," Trini mumbled, her body trembling quite a bit. "This place gives me the creeps. In fact, the parts of the Labyrinth we have gone through so far have been scary."
"I can't argue with that. We can't run from our fear. We have to get Ellie back," Jason said in determination. "Otherwise, we will be in big trouble."
"I wonder if anyone has wished themselves away to this place," Trini said curiously.
"If they did, it is likely that Jareth would've made them go through his Labyrinth backwards," Jason said. They proceeded to talk about the time Bulk hit his head on a doorway.