Dawn rolled over on her side, her eyes slowly opening to focus on SQ standing there. With a
yawn, she stretched slowly, pulling the covers up around her neck. Such a good sleep, and yet
she knew she had to get up. Finding it a bit odd that Lisa left without even so much as a glance
her way, Dawn shrugged it off, grabbing the pillow and squishing it beneath her head.
As her eyes closed lazily, taking in the last remaining minutes of sleep, a small wisp of fog moved
leisurely along the wall. Snaking around and through the shadows, it slunk beneath her covers
slowly taking shape.
Dawn yawned once more, ready to finally face the day, but a sudden chill ran through her. Her
body tensing, she heard soft breathing that wasn't there before. Holding her breath, she felt cold
on her backside then breath fall against the back of her neck. Shivering involuntarily she flinched
before feeling a hand grab her arm.
"Where are you going pretty one?" a voice asked softly, pulling her back. "I think you should
stay for the fun."
Dawn tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, pulling her closer. She could feel his chilling
touch, his rippling muscles, his lips against the back of her neck. "Let me go!" she screamed,
trying her best to fight him off.
Rolling her over easily, he pinned her down and smiled at her precarious position. "Very nice," he
smiled, letting his eyes roam over her form. "I'm Wes, sweetie. Looks like it's just you and me."
"What do you want?" she asked.
Wes smiled, his dark green eyes staring down at her. "I can feel your fear," he said softly, his
smile widening. "It calls out to me," he mentioned. Dropping his head to brush his lips against
her neck, Wes reflected on the game. He was a ladies man, but soon that would change.
Dawn struggled beneath him, her cries for help in vain. Horror ran through her at the thought of
what might happen, but his laughter echoed through the room and shook her soul. Her gaze
catching his dark green eyes, she suddenly stilled as a deer caught in headlights.
"Oh, so much better," he whispered, holding her entranced with just his eyes. His hands slid
down to her waist as he bent down towards her once again. "One last brief breath, my dear, and
your life is now mine," he whispered softly, brushing his lips against hers.
Dawn felt her lips tingle, then begin to burn as he locked his mouth on hers, sucking her very will
from her body. With her resistance fading into oblivion, Wes made his transformation, merging
with her body and shoving her soul into the shadows of death.
Flinging the covers back, Wes stood up, running his hand down the new body with a smile. "And
Gavin thought he had all the fun?" he murmured. Turning around he crossed his arms and stared
back at Dawn's soul hanging there in the balance. "Sorry sweetie, it was either you or me."
Dawn watched her body walk out the door and felt a sudden emptiness. Her life had been cut
short in the blink of an eye, all she wanted was to go home. Now, she lost everything. Feeling a
swell of despair at never seeing RJ again, she wanted cry. Forced into the shadows, Dawn was
broken.
"Dawn," a voice spoke to her, easing her troubled senses.
Dawn found herself surrounded by her friends. "We're dead, aren't we?" she asked softly, not
wanting to believe it.
"Not if we can reverse this," Amy added. "There are still more of us out there, they have to know
what's going on."
"Reverse it?" Paola asked, raising a questioning brow. "How can you reverse it?"
"If I knew, I'd have done it already," Amy shot back and Lies nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allie ran through the corridor, glancing over her shoulder and hoping that she was fast enough.
There in the shadows she could see the same dark eyes that frightened her only moments before.
Finding something so vile and cruel in the innocence of a library, Allie was first shocked, then
scared when it turned and grinned evilly at her.
She could hear the steps behind her, the beast closing the distance as her heart drummed savagely
in her chest. Her eyes searched her surroundings wildly as she shook from mere fright. Bursting
through a door, she stopped in her tracks. "Shit!" she hissed, looking crazily around the room.
She had to hide, there was no where else to go.
Allie rushed forward, climbing into one of the many bins that held flour and other herbs for
cooking. Pulling the lid shut, she waited, a hand covering her mouth shakily. Her chest tightened
in fear as she heard the door slam open. Footsteps sounded on the floor and Allie watched the lid,
silently mouthing the word please' over and over. Clenching her eyes shut, she heard a lid fly
open, then another. . . and another. . .
Light filtered into her confined space around the edges of the lid. Allie held her breath when the
footsteps got closer. Another lid flipped open and Allie's heart stopped momentarily. Shit,
they're getting closer!' her mind screamed. Her eyes focused on the lid where her feet lay. She
didn't know what to do, she was lost. Allie clenched her teeth and waited. The moments seemed
an eternity as they passed.
Suddenly the lid flipped open and pair of dark eyes stared back.
"Please don't hurt me, please. . ." Allie pleaded, her voice shaking uncontrolably.
An amused grin lighting the dark face, a single hand reached in and grasped her ankle, pulling her
out with ease even as her hands tried to stop her in vain. A single scream then silence. Allie was
no more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How dare those wicked listians try and forbid his presence. He was the Goblin King, ruler of the
Underground, stealer of hearts. . . and virtues. Smiling at that last thought, Jareth walked down
the hallway in search of a listian that would take his side, if even just for a little while. Turning
the corner, Jareth's eyes fell on a familiar form as his lips curled into a wicked grin.
Sneaking stealthily up behind her, Jareth quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, relishing the
squeal that escaped her lips. "It's been too long," he whispered in her ear.
"Yes. . ." she replied, turning around to face him. "I was hoping you would show up," she
grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Jareth was shocked. Since when was the Smut Queen so happy to see him? But the shock soon
wore off as her lips grazed his and he was lost to the thrill of passion. Holding her against him
snugly, he growled softly as he looked her over. "Now Lisa, you don't want to start something
you can't finish," he muttered, his hands grabbing her hips ferociously.
"I can handle anything you dish out," she smiled, her eyes catching a single movement behind
them. Seizing his lips once again, she did what she was to do; keep his attention.
"How good of you to join us," a voice spoke from behind Jareth.
Jareth immediately broke off the kiss, taking a step back away from Lisa when pain suddenly
grasped him. Cringing as Lisa's hand held his *package* hostage, Jareth couldn't pull away fast
enough for her to squeeze harder. "Let go!" he bit out, anger lacing his voice.
"That's not very polite," she smiled, closing her hand tighter and laughing. "I dare say I held a
King in my hands." Grinding his already tender bits more, Jareth clenched his teeth.
"Jareth," the voice behind him spoke. "Would you like my help?"
With a twist of his wrist, Jareth produced a crystal. Another squeeze and the crystal fell to the
ground, shattering into a million pieces along with any escape. Wincing in agony, Jareth barely
noticed the stranger as he peeked around at him.
"Don't hurt the merchandise too much, Abby, I'll need it later," Gavin mentioned, an amused
look lighting his age old features as he clenched the King's wrists and held them outstretched.
"I'll see you all in hell!" Jareth shouted, perceiving a peculiar sensation blanketing his senses.
Feeling as though he was being pricked by a thousand needles, Jareth held onto his life as
tenaciously and any wild animal defending their sacred ground.
"Your resistance is astounding, your majesty," Gavin commented. "Very challenging indeed.
Makes you all the more worth it."
"I'll not fall to vile creatures like you," Jareth spat, his knees shaking as Lisa ground him harder.
Jareth held tight to every last shred of life he held dear. He wouldn't give up without a fight. The
pin pricks intensified, setting his body on fire as they pounded against him. The hands on his wrist
squeezed relentlessly, fingernails sinking into his tender flesh. As his precious blood dripped from
his wrists, Jareth still would not surrender to the beasts that wanted to consume him.
"Your daughter is dead," Gavin whispered, his breath falling across Jareth's ear.
"You lie!!" Jareth shouted, his heart breaking that even a monster like this could find his one
vulnerability.
"Do I?" Gavin countered. "She may as well be. You must know, she will suffer greatly because
of you, your highness. Such a lovely thing, isn't she? I bet she's as pure as snow."
"You leave my daughter out of this!" he bit out.
"Now, I can't do that, can I?" Gavin mentioned, a wicked smile crossing his face. "But you can,"
he mentioned. "You could save her, Jareth. Give me what I want, or else."
"You can't blackmail me," Jareth replied angrily.
"So be it," Gavin answered. "She'll die knowing what a coward you were. Know this, Jareth, I
will make her death seem like a cakewalk next to those that have died already. I will wrangle
every ounce of pain from her I can. Just when she's ready to die, I'll bring her back to
consciousness so that I can do it all again and I will be the last thing she sees," Gavin stated, the
tone in his voice foreboding.
"Don't harm her," Jareth said simply.
"It falls to you. Her life is now in your hands," Gavin replied.
Jareth knew what Gavin expected, but could he trust Gavin to leave her out of this? He had no
other choice. His daughter was all that he held dear in this wild world. He had to keep her safe
even if that meant the ultimate sacrifice. He could still hear their words, we need to keep you
safe,' echoing through his mind.
Dropping his head, Jareth's will shattered in the hopes of sparing his child from such pain.
Slowly, he allowed his hold on life to slip and Gavin seized the opportunity for control. As his
senses dampened to life, a single tear slid down his cheek as he shouted one name. . ."Kara!"
Jareth's voice echoed through the hall, his last breath dying on his lips.
Gavin lifted a hand and ran it through his new blonde hair. Yes, this was the perfect vessel for
him. Smiling, he stared back at Abby. "We now know which one is the daughter," he purred, the
voice of Jareth spilling forth. "You have caught yourself a snazzy looking body, Abby."
"You're not so bad yourself, Gavin."
"Abby?" he questioned, his eyes looking her up and down.
"Yes?" she asked.
"You can let go now," he remarked, dropping his gaze to where she still held Jareth's
unmentionables in her hand.
Smiling, she let go and watched Gavin strut his stuff. "Ooh. . . nice," she cooed, watching his
posterior as he walked away.
"Make sure you're there on time," he said, then stopped to peer back at her. "And stop watching
my ass." he shot back, watching her face flush.
"Sorry Gavin," she apologized.
"No. It's Jareth now, and you best learn your name. . . Lisa," he smirked, twisting his wrist as
Jareth did. Nothing happened. "Damn," he muttered angrily.
"What?" she questioned.
"The magic died with him," Gavin muttered angrily. "There are two left. One for the ceremony,
the other will be a vessel. Make sure you are there with the others on time." Gavin walked off,
the sound of his boots clicking against the stone floors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mai stood in front of the mirror watching her reflection while running a brush through her dark
hair. She thought about waking Selah, but what good would that have done? Mai turned her
back and leaned against the counter, no longer intrigued with her image. Resting her chin on her
brush, Mai let her mind wander to what she might do that day.
Colors swirled together, twisting in and out until they finally punched through the restraint and
took form. Reaching out from the mirror, a single hand began it's course set straight for the
intended victim. Stretching fingers brushed wet hair before clamping down tight on her shoulder.
Mairead screamed. Seeing the hand then glancing over her shoulder, her eyes grew wide at the
vision. She was caught within a gaze of icy blue, unaware of the movement at her feet. All at
once she felt them, hands clinging to her legs, pulling her down. Down she went, arms reaching
out frantically to stop her descent. She had no chance, and she realized this a moment too late.
Screaming, her heart beat violently in her chest as she found herself dangling from the ceiling of
the room below, her only support being the hands that held her captive.
"Hello," a voice purred, catching her attention. Icy blue stared back, the same wicked gaze that
caught her only moments before.
As the stranger walked around her, Mai could feel the eyes searching every inch of her as if
appraising her like a fine jewel. When the stranger came to stop just before Mai, he smiled
wickedly at her, chilling her very core.
"You'll do," was all to be said as he leapt into the air colliding with Mai. As Mai's last scream
faded into the shadows, the hands set her body down on her own feet. "Thanks," her voice
echoed off the wall.
Mai couldn't believe what she was seeing. Was this an out of body experience? If so, then why
was her body leaving her behind? "No!" she heard herself scream as she watched her body turn to
look at her.
"Deal with cupcake. I'm alive, you're dead." A sinister smile crossed her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where is she?" Gavin asked, enjoying his new look.
"I have sent Eric to fetch her. Are you certain she is the only adequate one of use to us, Gavin?"
Wes asked, Dawn's body standing proudly.
"Jareth, you simple minded fool," Gavin replied, making a fist. "And yes, she will do nicely. I
sensed her purity the first moment I saw her. Even her name commands respect as it is Hebrew.
In Psalms it means musical command' if I am not mistaken." Jareth's lips curled up into an evil
smile. "I really do enjoy this body," he mentioned.
"What of the others, Jareth?" Wes asked, Dawn's voice replaced by his own deep, dark
articulation.
"We will deal with them," Gavin replied. "I now know one of the four is the daughter. She might
be of use to us," he added, then took on a darker countenance. "The others. . . will make nice
toys. I will take great pleasure in breaking the obnoxious one who dares stand against me." he
growled viciously.
Essy, in her newest form, backed away slowly having heard too much already. Without a
thought, she backed right into Nick in the form of Daisy. With a short squeal, Essy had no time
to react.
"Well now, what have we here?" Nick said, grasping Essy's tail and hoisting her into the air.
"That's the little twit that almost messed me up," Amy's body stepped forward. "Kill it. It's one
of them," she muttered angrily.
Essy raised her eyes to see Amy moving toward her. Last time she saw Amy, she nearly kicked
her. Now, in a desperate attempt to save her life for the second time, Essy had no choice but to
retaliate. Extending her claws, she swung her legs with utmost precision, nailing Nick instantly.
As soon as her paws hit the floor, she ran, dodging the many hands that tried to catch her.
"Nobody screws with a Sith Lord!" her voice rung out as she high-tailed it out of there.
"She'll ruin our plans," Amy stated angrily.
"The protectors will stand between us and them. There is nothing to stop us now," Gavin waved
her away, pulling at his gloved hand. "These are really comfortable," he muttered softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, here goes nothing," Gemma said, placing her hand on the door handle. "Turn me on."
"Bale isn't here to do that," Leelee snickered.
Jade reached out and flipped a switch that sent her unit humming. "Well, so far so good," she
said, flipping the switched on the others. "Piece of. . ."
"Don't even finish that," Kara muttered, flipping the switch on Jade's unit.
"Okay," Jade held her hands up in protest. "Got the traps, Lisee?" she asked.
"Yup," came the reply. "Let's go," she added, a determined look on her face.
Slowly they moved out, following Kara as she held an instrument in her hand. "This way," she
said softly, watching the gauges fluctuate. Turning the corner, she stopped suddenly, her eyes
growing wide with wonder. "Wow," she breathed.
"Whoa. . . is that what I think it is?" Gemma asked.
"Think of it as a field test," Jade replied, grabbing the handle of her thrower. "Heat em up," she
whispered, flicking the switch on to illuminate her face. "Gemma, you and Kara confine it while
Lisee gets the trap ready."
"Right," Gemma whispered, not sure if she was ready for this. Standing next to Kara, she waited
patiently until Kara nodded her head. Setting her finger lightly on the trigger mechanism,
Gemma's positron collider sprung to life, sending a confinement stream right for the intended
victim.
Light twisting around him, his eyes caught Gemma's gaze as his mouth opened in horror. A
second stream hit him, immobilizing him immediately.
"Now Lisee!" Jade shouted, watching as Leelee pulled a chord from her belt.
Leelee pulled down a set of goggles, setting a small box on the floor. With a smile, she pushed it
with her foot, sending it rolling across the floor to stop just beneath their prey. "This one's for
Essy," she muttered, stepping down on the button and triggering the trap. Light engulfed the
prey, as the doors on the trap opened. "Shut em down when I close it," Leelee stated, readying
herself. "Ready. . . set. . . now!" she shouted, pushing the button again.
Kara and Gemma shut down their streams with satisfaction as the full torso apparition
disappeared inside the trap. When all was quiet again, Gemma nudged the trap with her foot and
smiled. They did it.
"At least we know the equipment works," Leelee muttered, a smile tugging at the edges of her
mouth. Smirking, she looked to the others and knew they had a chance. Her smirk disappeared
immediately when she glanced down to see a cat rubbing against her leg. "Get the hell away from
me," she said angrily, pushing the cat away with her foot.
"Apprentice!" came a reply that shocked the four women.
"Easy?" Jade questioned.
"DCME Joyride!" came the responce.
Leelee laughed. "What happened to you? Some big bad Sith Lord you are. Just a cute, cuddly,
wuddly cat that would make such a nice chew toy for my puppies," she smirked.
"What happened Ess?" Gemma asked.
"Well, Germ, everyone's dead. They're stealing souls. The whole lot of them have taken over.
Only five of you still survive," Essy answered, her tone not pleased.
"Who's left?" Kara asked, thinking they were the last.
"Selah," Essy replied, sitting down on her hind legs.
"We have to get to her before they do," Jade cut in.
"Too late," Essy shot back. "They have saved her for last."
"But why?" Gemma asked, her voice unsure of anything.
"Why didn't we think of this before," Kara muttered, her mind buzzing with ideas.
"You don't think they would go that far, do you?" Jade asked, not at all amused. There was only
one thing they could be saving her for.
Kara nodded. "Sacrifice," she spoke softly.
"This is SO not good," Jade muttered. "She fits the qualifications."
"I don't know what scares me more, knowing that there are qualifications for a sacrifice, or the
fact that you know them," Leelee said, shaking her head.
"Movies and studying Aztec culture to an extent," Jade stated. "Anyway, they will use her to
appease whatever god they can to seal the souls of those they stole in purgatory forever if we
don't stop them."
"You can't be serious?" Gemma muttered.
"Quite," Kara replied.
"You know, in one Aztec ceremony to the Sun God, the sacrificial person would lay there
conscious while they cut out their heart. Once they had the heart out, they would toss the body
off the side where it would then be dismembered, cooked and served as a delicacy." Jade
mentioned.
"I really didn't need to know that," Leelee replied, her face blank.
Gemma stared at her with a look of shock.
"What?" Jade asked, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe next time you'll spare us the gory details?" Gemma responded.
"Next time think before you ramble, Jade." Kara uttered softly with a smile.
"Oh, oops?" Jade said innocently, then turned serious. "We have to get to that room."
"The one with the funny ceiling?" Essy asked, purring softly in Gemma's arms.
"It all fits now," Kara mentioned. "They needed a portal, and that room has to be it."
"Gavin won't let us near it that easily," Jade said, shaking her head. "Keep on your toes, you
guys."
"Let's get moving," Leelee said, snatching up the trap and looking around. "Kara, why don't you
just whip up somewhere to stash these?" she smiled.
"Ha ha, very funny," Kara muttered, knowing that magic wasn't her strong suit.
"Just leave it and make Jareth get rid of it later," Gemma offered.
"Good idea," Kara agreed.
Leelee set the trap down, and followed the others off. Knowing that Jareth wasn't going to be
too pleased with having to round them all up, Leelee smirked. Anything to make his life
miserable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah walked along beside Essy, unaware that evil was afoot. With a grin, she found it amusing
that the Sith Lord would come fetch her from her reading. Not that she minded too terribly
much, art history was not her idea of fun.
"So what's going on?" she asked, looking at the other girl with questioning eyes.
"Nothing," Eric said, Essy's voice fooling her instantly.
As soon as Selah entered through a large archway, she felt an uneasiness fall upon her. There
were all her friends and a few strangers staring back at her with wide eyes. Spooked, she stopped
in her tracks only to have Eric push against her and force her ahead.
"What's going on?" she asked again, fear gripping her like never before.
"Just going to have a spot of fun," Jareth's voice replied, as Gavin came to stand before her.
"Yousa worried mesa dere Jareth," she grinned, feeling a bit of relief ease her troubled mind.
A gloved hand clasped Selah's wrist and a wicked smile played across Jareth's features. "Pity,"
he said simply, yanking her into the room.
Cheers and exclamations could be heard all around, as Selah found herself in a walking, breathing
nightmare. As ropes were wound around her wrists and ankles, all she wanted was to be back
and safe in her room. Looking around, she noted that not everyone was there and it struck terror
into her soul. Unable to make even the slightest sound, Selah was lifted into the air as chanting
began softly, then rose in crescendo.
"Prepare our offering," Gavin said, raising his hands to the heavens. "We shall live again!"
"Hold on there!" Selah shouted, trying to wiggle out of their grasp before being taken from the
room into another smaller one. Her eyes adjusting to the light, an eerie glow settled about and
gave life to the shadows that lined the wall.
A figure stepped forward, immediately catching Selah's attention. A wicked smile crossing her
face, she looked Selah up and down and nodded. "She'll do," she mentioned, pointing toward the
pool of water sitting in the middle of the room.
"Mai, look at me. You're not one of them, are you?" she asked, her eyes pleading.
"Silly woman," she replied, her tone giving Selah the chills. "Cleanse her."
Drug toward the water, Selah screamed as everyone seemed to be against her. Even her good
friend Mairead didn't seem to be herself. What was going on? Why were they doing this to her?
Cleanse her for what? Her mind buzzed with all the possibilities as those around her closed in,
surrounding her in circle.
Hands grasping cloth, Selah screamed as her clothing was ripped from her shaking body.
Unaware of the man sneaking up behind her, Selah tried to get away when his arms wrapped
around her tightly. Freaked that anyone would dare get close to her, let alone grab her, Selah
brought her bound hands up only to send them crashing down against her captors arms.
"Dammit woman, calm down!" Jareth's voice roared as Gavin lost his patience.
"Jareth?" she questioned, her eyes still watching the others.
"Shh. . ." he soothed, raising a gloved hand to her mouth.
"What is this?" she asked, jerking her head away, but regrettably found a hand pushing it back. A
scream died on her lips as a small square passed her lips and her mouth was shut rapidly. With no
other alternative, Selah swallowed, the unknown substance sliding down her throat.
"There now," he soothed, rubbing a hand up and down her back. "She will be more agreeable.
Get it done. I have a few loose ends to tie up," he grinned, clenching his fists tightly. Walking
from the room, he give one last glance over his shoulder to see Selah naked and emersed in the
water. "Everything is going according to plan," he grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere. . .
"Watch out!" Leelee screamed, watching Gemma duck just beneath the apparition. Letting the
trigger slowly ease into its gentle cradle, ionized light flew like a lightening rod straight from the
end of her wand to wrap itself around her prey. "It's going to move!"
Kara shot her stream in the same direction, catching the victim easily. "Ha! Gotcha!" she called,
smiling back at Leelee.
"Gemma? Are you alright?" Jade asked, grabbing a trap from where Leelee had them stashed.
"Yeah, I think so," she replied, shaking her head. Ectoplasmic residue flew from her body as she
watched the creature that slimed her disappear inside the trap. "Bloody moron! That'll teach you
to slime me, you evil git!"
"Calm down Germ. It's taken care of," Leelee said, smiling at Gem's attire. "You look like a
giant bugger!" she cackled.
Gemma glared at her, then lifted an arm only to have more residue drip from her fingers.
Suddenly struck with amusement of the situation, Gemma laughed and flicked some of the goo
towards Jade, who ducked and it hit Essy instead. Gemma laughed harder.
"I'll strike you down, Germ!" Essy hissed, extending her claws.
"Oh calm down, Essy," Leelee mentioned, sweeping her up into her arms smoothly. "I know how
to fix your problem."
"How?" Essy asked, the big dark cat eyes staring back.
Leelee smiled sweetly, extending her hands over a dark opening. Without hesitation, she released
Essy to send her falling down into a barrel of cold water. Laughing as the cat shot out quickly
and landed on all four paws, Leelee made note that cat's resembled drowned rats when wet.
"I'm going to kill you, apprentice!" Essy shouted, shaking the tiny body and flinging water all
over Leelee.
"We're wasting time," Kara stated, pulling a PKE meter from her belt. "We're getting close."
"Close to what though?" Leelee muttered, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.
She watched the hall closely as a light breeze blew through, rustling the tapestries.
"Stay sharp," Jade said, her green eyes following the indicator on the giga-meter.
Footsteps sounded in front of them, laughter came from behind. While Leelee and Kara turned to
face the way they came, Jade and Gemma kept their eyes on where they were going. Suddenly,
silence filled the passageway making them all feel uneasy. A tiny whisper came from behind them,
all four swinging around to face each other, their muscles tense.
"What are you four up to?" Jareth's voice asked, making them turn to face him. Gavin smiled,
looking each of the women over. He would take great pleasure in crushing them. "Well?" he
asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Oh Jareth, it's you," Gemma said, relieved to find someone familiar.
"Kara, do be a good girl and come here," he stated, looking at Leelee.
Kara looked puzzled. Her father had never ignored her while talking to her before. Her blue-grey
eyes stared back at him as though searching for some hidden answer. Had she done something to
upset him?
He took a step closer to the quartet, smiling at each of them before speaking yet again. "I really
would like you all in my harem," he stated, flashing a wicked grin.
"Funny Jareth," Jade shot back, shaking her head.
"Don't you find me attractive?" he asked, stepping closer.
"You aren't seriously asking her that, are you?" Kara asked, laughing at his sudden lack of
memory concerning a certain Jedi.
"You feeling alright, Jerry?" Leelee asked, scrunching up her nose when he looked at her funny.
"Of course, and why do you call me that? I am your father," he shot back, extending a hand
toward Leelee.
"Dad!" Kara yelled.
"Whoa. . . Just what have you been smoking, Jerry?" Leelee asked with a grin.
Jade grabbed the saber from her belt. "You aren't Jareth," she stated, eying him carefully.
"Don't be ridiculous, of course I am," he replied casually.
"You didn't even know which one of us was Kara," Leelee shot back, holding her stick in her
hands.
"I was just toying with you. You are my followers," he replied, waving his hand as if dismissing
them.
"If you can tell me why you gave me this," Jade said, holding the saber in front of her, then
continued, "then we'll believe you."
Gavin stood there staring back at her, his face blank. He noted the short one moving up on his
left, as the other three looked him over carefully. Without hesitation, he grasped Gemma, pulling
her tight against him and clenching his long fingers around her neck.
Gemma gasped for air, trying to claw at his hands that held her captive.
"Stop or she dies," he sneered, smiling as they did what they were told. He was in control now.
"Let her go," Jade said, her tone serious.
"Now why would I do that?" he asked.
"What did you do to my father?" Kara asked, still in shock.
"I am your father now, get use to the fact, you brat," he spouted off angrily.
"How dare you call me that?!" Kara shrieked, the loss of her father taking over her anger. "You
killed my father, you bastard!" she screamed, charging him without a thought but rage. Knocking
into him, she pushed Gemma out of the way and shoved him against the nearest wall. As he fell
to the floor, she was there, grabbing him harshly and wanting to kill him like he did her father.
"You're damaging your father's body," he said, wiping blood from his lip.
"Then so be it, you monster!" she cried out, landing another jab to his ribs.
Jade grabbed Kara and yanked her off. "He's right," she said, trying to calm Kara down before
doing something rash. "We won't have a chance of returning your dad to his body if you kill it."
Kara clenched a fist. "Just let me hurt him a little," she growled, glaring back to her father's
body.
"Calm down," Gemma added. "Besides, he doesn't have what it takes to fill Jareth's shoes," she
said, glancing to where Gavin was standing. "The listians would see right through him."
"Is that so?" he asked, his eyes looking them over carefully.
"Yes," Leelee retorted, shaking her head in disgust. "At least we can stop you."
"Are you so certain?" he asked, raising a brow.
"I don't like the way he said that," Kara muttered.
"Me either," Jade added, glancing over her shoulder to cover their back.
"Oh shit!" Leelee yelled, her eyes growing wide as she watched an apparition rise in front of
them. She held her breath as it came to its full height, towering above. "Guys!"
Jade watched as another foe seemed to raise from nowhere behind them. They were trapped, and
the only way out was to fight. "Kara! Behind you!" she yelled, spinning to face the demon.
Kara tore her eyes away from the despicable creature in her father's form and swung around to
find herself faced with evil. Without hesitation, Kara triggered her pack, sending a beam of light
streaming out toward it. . . and missed.
"Leelee! Duck!" Gemma yelled, sending a bolt of ionization flying just past Leelee's head.
"Bugger! It's too fast!" she called out, shaking her head as Leelee's beam just missed the beast.
"Jade! Now!" Kara shouted, dropping to her knees to give her a clear shot.
Jade threw her beam, catching the tail end of it and losing it again. A sudden gust of energy sent
her flying backwards.
"Jade!" Kara screamed, having had enough of this. Standing, she threw her stream and hit it dead
on. "You should never tick me off!" she yelled, glancing to where Gavin last stood. "Dammit,
he's gone!"
"Don't worry about him! We have larger issues to take care of!" Leelee shouted. Sizing up her
opponent, she took aim and threw her beam. Smiling, she watched the beam wrap around it,
immobilizing it for the time being.
Jade got to her feet, shook her head and smirked. "Mind if I borrow this? Thanks," she said, not
giving Leelee time to react. Grabbing a trap from Leelee's stash, she sent it rolling across the
floor. "Get them together!" she shouted over the buzzing of the streams.
Leelee did her best to lead the beast to where she wanted with almost no effect. "Gemma!" she
called, then watched another beam twist elegantly around and entwine with hers.
"Ready!" Kara shouted, watching as they brought the other closer. . . closer. . closer still.
"Hurry! I can't hold him much longer!" she screamed, watching her prey start slipping from it's
confines.
Jade stepped on the switch, light shooting up and engulfing the apparitions, sucking them down
into the trap where they would wait to finally be let out. As the trap closed, Kara sighed in relief,
then leaned against the wall.
"What are we going to do?" she whispered, knowing that none of them had ever thought of what
was to come. They had to face friends and enemies. They are them and them are they. A person
could go insane with the thinking, but in all rationality, their friends were now their enemies.
"Don't worry Kara, we'll think of something," Gemma offered, walking over to her.
"I already have," Jade replied, glancing at the object in her hand. Without looking up, she could
tell that she had their attention. "They need the portal to gain access to this world. They're going
to sacrifice an innocent, Selah, to seal the portal forever and stay here in this reality. The portal's
energy is the key, so naturally, we take away their key, they lose."
"It won't be that simple," Leelee shook her head. "How do we know what the portal's energy
is?"
"Let me worry about that, you just make sure to stay in one piece," Jade retorted, reaching down
and pulling a knife from her boot.
"Why are you carrying knives now?" Leelee asked.
"Every woman has to be careful now days," she replied, digging at a stone in the floor.
"What are you doing? Are you mental?" Gemma asked.
"Testing a theory," Jade muttered, pulling away the broken stone.
"What is that?" Leelee asked, glancing at the swirling light that emanated from a jewel that sat in
the middle of rock.
"The key," Kara said, bending down to get a closer look.
"Why do you think Gavin could just vanish so easily?" Jade asked, prying the jewel up carefully.
Pulling it free, she looked up at them.
"Because as Jareth, he has his magic," Gemma offered, her eyes watching the strange lights.
"No. He doesn't have dad's magic. If he did, he could have used it against us at any time," Kara
added, just now grasping what Jade was getting at.
"Right," Jade replied, sliding the jewel into her pocket and replacing the knife in her boot. "But
now we have the upper hand."
"How do you figure that? They have killed everyone. There are far more of them than there are
of us," Leelee retorted.
"But we have the source of their energy," Jade smiled, patting her pocket.
"That tiny thing?" Gemma asked, amusement in her voice.
"Yes," Jade replied simply. "I saw him look down at the floor just before they appeared," she
said, indicating the trap. "Then that nice little flight there. . ." she rubbed her shoulder and
continued, "and I landed right on it, imagine that."
"Think he planned it?" Gemma asked.
"No, he couldn't have. Maybe he was just out here to check it, and found us by accident. . ."
Kara trailed off. "Now it's a race against time," she uttered, the gravity of the situation embedded
into her very words.
"Let's go. He'll waste no time now that he knows we are coming," Jade said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gavin strode into the room, glancing to the gathering that had already amassed there. "Retrieve
the girl," he called out, clenching his fist tightly.
"So soon, Gavin?" Wes asked, enjoying his new body. When Gavin turned to stare back at him,
Wes shuddered. "I mean, Jaret,h my lord."
"Wes, that body doesn't suit you," Gavin muttered, leering at the curves of Dawn's body.
"It was a challenge," Wes replied, lips turning up into a wicked grin.
"Dammit! Somebody get the girl so we can begin!" Gavin shouted, Jareth's voice echoing off the
walls. He could sense the energy starting to pull in the spirits he wanted to lock into purgatory.
Not sure how far behind the others were, he could do only one thing and that was to rush the
ritual on, hoping to finish before the troublemakers finally made it there. They didn't stand a
chance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah stared off into nowhere as hands rubbed over her body, cleansing her skin to purity. Her
thoughts were their thoughts. Her will had become their will. Even now, as the soft fabric was
lowered over her body, she could think of nothing but being one with the higher spirit.
Her hair was released, cascading down to fall just below her shoulders. Selah remained still as a
brush was pulled through her mane, then weaved with golden threads as she was finally made
ready for the ceremony. Getting to her feet, she followed those who cleansed her, Mai at her
right, toward the room where her destiny awaited.
Walking through the doorway, all eyes fell on Selah as she walked slowly toward the alter that
had been erected in the center of the room. Her gaze caught Jareth's just briefly, as she glanced
toward the outer wall and that struck puzzlement. Her mind buzzed with what she had been told,
and what they expected of her.
"Come," Gavin said, extending a gloved hand to her and helping her to sit upon the alter. "You
now begin your journey," he said softly, lying her down and positioning her head perfectly on the
stone. "Brothers, gather around. The new age is at hand."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
yawn, she stretched slowly, pulling the covers up around her neck. Such a good sleep, and yet
she knew she had to get up. Finding it a bit odd that Lisa left without even so much as a glance
her way, Dawn shrugged it off, grabbing the pillow and squishing it beneath her head.
As her eyes closed lazily, taking in the last remaining minutes of sleep, a small wisp of fog moved
leisurely along the wall. Snaking around and through the shadows, it slunk beneath her covers
slowly taking shape.
Dawn yawned once more, ready to finally face the day, but a sudden chill ran through her. Her
body tensing, she heard soft breathing that wasn't there before. Holding her breath, she felt cold
on her backside then breath fall against the back of her neck. Shivering involuntarily she flinched
before feeling a hand grab her arm.
"Where are you going pretty one?" a voice asked softly, pulling her back. "I think you should
stay for the fun."
Dawn tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, pulling her closer. She could feel his chilling
touch, his rippling muscles, his lips against the back of her neck. "Let me go!" she screamed,
trying her best to fight him off.
Rolling her over easily, he pinned her down and smiled at her precarious position. "Very nice," he
smiled, letting his eyes roam over her form. "I'm Wes, sweetie. Looks like it's just you and me."
"What do you want?" she asked.
Wes smiled, his dark green eyes staring down at her. "I can feel your fear," he said softly, his
smile widening. "It calls out to me," he mentioned. Dropping his head to brush his lips against
her neck, Wes reflected on the game. He was a ladies man, but soon that would change.
Dawn struggled beneath him, her cries for help in vain. Horror ran through her at the thought of
what might happen, but his laughter echoed through the room and shook her soul. Her gaze
catching his dark green eyes, she suddenly stilled as a deer caught in headlights.
"Oh, so much better," he whispered, holding her entranced with just his eyes. His hands slid
down to her waist as he bent down towards her once again. "One last brief breath, my dear, and
your life is now mine," he whispered softly, brushing his lips against hers.
Dawn felt her lips tingle, then begin to burn as he locked his mouth on hers, sucking her very will
from her body. With her resistance fading into oblivion, Wes made his transformation, merging
with her body and shoving her soul into the shadows of death.
Flinging the covers back, Wes stood up, running his hand down the new body with a smile. "And
Gavin thought he had all the fun?" he murmured. Turning around he crossed his arms and stared
back at Dawn's soul hanging there in the balance. "Sorry sweetie, it was either you or me."
Dawn watched her body walk out the door and felt a sudden emptiness. Her life had been cut
short in the blink of an eye, all she wanted was to go home. Now, she lost everything. Feeling a
swell of despair at never seeing RJ again, she wanted cry. Forced into the shadows, Dawn was
broken.
"Dawn," a voice spoke to her, easing her troubled senses.
Dawn found herself surrounded by her friends. "We're dead, aren't we?" she asked softly, not
wanting to believe it.
"Not if we can reverse this," Amy added. "There are still more of us out there, they have to know
what's going on."
"Reverse it?" Paola asked, raising a questioning brow. "How can you reverse it?"
"If I knew, I'd have done it already," Amy shot back and Lies nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allie ran through the corridor, glancing over her shoulder and hoping that she was fast enough.
There in the shadows she could see the same dark eyes that frightened her only moments before.
Finding something so vile and cruel in the innocence of a library, Allie was first shocked, then
scared when it turned and grinned evilly at her.
She could hear the steps behind her, the beast closing the distance as her heart drummed savagely
in her chest. Her eyes searched her surroundings wildly as she shook from mere fright. Bursting
through a door, she stopped in her tracks. "Shit!" she hissed, looking crazily around the room.
She had to hide, there was no where else to go.
Allie rushed forward, climbing into one of the many bins that held flour and other herbs for
cooking. Pulling the lid shut, she waited, a hand covering her mouth shakily. Her chest tightened
in fear as she heard the door slam open. Footsteps sounded on the floor and Allie watched the lid,
silently mouthing the word please' over and over. Clenching her eyes shut, she heard a lid fly
open, then another. . . and another. . .
Light filtered into her confined space around the edges of the lid. Allie held her breath when the
footsteps got closer. Another lid flipped open and Allie's heart stopped momentarily. Shit,
they're getting closer!' her mind screamed. Her eyes focused on the lid where her feet lay. She
didn't know what to do, she was lost. Allie clenched her teeth and waited. The moments seemed
an eternity as they passed.
Suddenly the lid flipped open and pair of dark eyes stared back.
"Please don't hurt me, please. . ." Allie pleaded, her voice shaking uncontrolably.
An amused grin lighting the dark face, a single hand reached in and grasped her ankle, pulling her
out with ease even as her hands tried to stop her in vain. A single scream then silence. Allie was
no more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How dare those wicked listians try and forbid his presence. He was the Goblin King, ruler of the
Underground, stealer of hearts. . . and virtues. Smiling at that last thought, Jareth walked down
the hallway in search of a listian that would take his side, if even just for a little while. Turning
the corner, Jareth's eyes fell on a familiar form as his lips curled into a wicked grin.
Sneaking stealthily up behind her, Jareth quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, relishing the
squeal that escaped her lips. "It's been too long," he whispered in her ear.
"Yes. . ." she replied, turning around to face him. "I was hoping you would show up," she
grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Jareth was shocked. Since when was the Smut Queen so happy to see him? But the shock soon
wore off as her lips grazed his and he was lost to the thrill of passion. Holding her against him
snugly, he growled softly as he looked her over. "Now Lisa, you don't want to start something
you can't finish," he muttered, his hands grabbing her hips ferociously.
"I can handle anything you dish out," she smiled, her eyes catching a single movement behind
them. Seizing his lips once again, she did what she was to do; keep his attention.
"How good of you to join us," a voice spoke from behind Jareth.
Jareth immediately broke off the kiss, taking a step back away from Lisa when pain suddenly
grasped him. Cringing as Lisa's hand held his *package* hostage, Jareth couldn't pull away fast
enough for her to squeeze harder. "Let go!" he bit out, anger lacing his voice.
"That's not very polite," she smiled, closing her hand tighter and laughing. "I dare say I held a
King in my hands." Grinding his already tender bits more, Jareth clenched his teeth.
"Jareth," the voice behind him spoke. "Would you like my help?"
With a twist of his wrist, Jareth produced a crystal. Another squeeze and the crystal fell to the
ground, shattering into a million pieces along with any escape. Wincing in agony, Jareth barely
noticed the stranger as he peeked around at him.
"Don't hurt the merchandise too much, Abby, I'll need it later," Gavin mentioned, an amused
look lighting his age old features as he clenched the King's wrists and held them outstretched.
"I'll see you all in hell!" Jareth shouted, perceiving a peculiar sensation blanketing his senses.
Feeling as though he was being pricked by a thousand needles, Jareth held onto his life as
tenaciously and any wild animal defending their sacred ground.
"Your resistance is astounding, your majesty," Gavin commented. "Very challenging indeed.
Makes you all the more worth it."
"I'll not fall to vile creatures like you," Jareth spat, his knees shaking as Lisa ground him harder.
Jareth held tight to every last shred of life he held dear. He wouldn't give up without a fight. The
pin pricks intensified, setting his body on fire as they pounded against him. The hands on his wrist
squeezed relentlessly, fingernails sinking into his tender flesh. As his precious blood dripped from
his wrists, Jareth still would not surrender to the beasts that wanted to consume him.
"Your daughter is dead," Gavin whispered, his breath falling across Jareth's ear.
"You lie!!" Jareth shouted, his heart breaking that even a monster like this could find his one
vulnerability.
"Do I?" Gavin countered. "She may as well be. You must know, she will suffer greatly because
of you, your highness. Such a lovely thing, isn't she? I bet she's as pure as snow."
"You leave my daughter out of this!" he bit out.
"Now, I can't do that, can I?" Gavin mentioned, a wicked smile crossing his face. "But you can,"
he mentioned. "You could save her, Jareth. Give me what I want, or else."
"You can't blackmail me," Jareth replied angrily.
"So be it," Gavin answered. "She'll die knowing what a coward you were. Know this, Jareth, I
will make her death seem like a cakewalk next to those that have died already. I will wrangle
every ounce of pain from her I can. Just when she's ready to die, I'll bring her back to
consciousness so that I can do it all again and I will be the last thing she sees," Gavin stated, the
tone in his voice foreboding.
"Don't harm her," Jareth said simply.
"It falls to you. Her life is now in your hands," Gavin replied.
Jareth knew what Gavin expected, but could he trust Gavin to leave her out of this? He had no
other choice. His daughter was all that he held dear in this wild world. He had to keep her safe
even if that meant the ultimate sacrifice. He could still hear their words, we need to keep you
safe,' echoing through his mind.
Dropping his head, Jareth's will shattered in the hopes of sparing his child from such pain.
Slowly, he allowed his hold on life to slip and Gavin seized the opportunity for control. As his
senses dampened to life, a single tear slid down his cheek as he shouted one name. . ."Kara!"
Jareth's voice echoed through the hall, his last breath dying on his lips.
Gavin lifted a hand and ran it through his new blonde hair. Yes, this was the perfect vessel for
him. Smiling, he stared back at Abby. "We now know which one is the daughter," he purred, the
voice of Jareth spilling forth. "You have caught yourself a snazzy looking body, Abby."
"You're not so bad yourself, Gavin."
"Abby?" he questioned, his eyes looking her up and down.
"Yes?" she asked.
"You can let go now," he remarked, dropping his gaze to where she still held Jareth's
unmentionables in her hand.
Smiling, she let go and watched Gavin strut his stuff. "Ooh. . . nice," she cooed, watching his
posterior as he walked away.
"Make sure you're there on time," he said, then stopped to peer back at her. "And stop watching
my ass." he shot back, watching her face flush.
"Sorry Gavin," she apologized.
"No. It's Jareth now, and you best learn your name. . . Lisa," he smirked, twisting his wrist as
Jareth did. Nothing happened. "Damn," he muttered angrily.
"What?" she questioned.
"The magic died with him," Gavin muttered angrily. "There are two left. One for the ceremony,
the other will be a vessel. Make sure you are there with the others on time." Gavin walked off,
the sound of his boots clicking against the stone floors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mai stood in front of the mirror watching her reflection while running a brush through her dark
hair. She thought about waking Selah, but what good would that have done? Mai turned her
back and leaned against the counter, no longer intrigued with her image. Resting her chin on her
brush, Mai let her mind wander to what she might do that day.
Colors swirled together, twisting in and out until they finally punched through the restraint and
took form. Reaching out from the mirror, a single hand began it's course set straight for the
intended victim. Stretching fingers brushed wet hair before clamping down tight on her shoulder.
Mairead screamed. Seeing the hand then glancing over her shoulder, her eyes grew wide at the
vision. She was caught within a gaze of icy blue, unaware of the movement at her feet. All at
once she felt them, hands clinging to her legs, pulling her down. Down she went, arms reaching
out frantically to stop her descent. She had no chance, and she realized this a moment too late.
Screaming, her heart beat violently in her chest as she found herself dangling from the ceiling of
the room below, her only support being the hands that held her captive.
"Hello," a voice purred, catching her attention. Icy blue stared back, the same wicked gaze that
caught her only moments before.
As the stranger walked around her, Mai could feel the eyes searching every inch of her as if
appraising her like a fine jewel. When the stranger came to stop just before Mai, he smiled
wickedly at her, chilling her very core.
"You'll do," was all to be said as he leapt into the air colliding with Mai. As Mai's last scream
faded into the shadows, the hands set her body down on her own feet. "Thanks," her voice
echoed off the wall.
Mai couldn't believe what she was seeing. Was this an out of body experience? If so, then why
was her body leaving her behind? "No!" she heard herself scream as she watched her body turn to
look at her.
"Deal with cupcake. I'm alive, you're dead." A sinister smile crossed her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where is she?" Gavin asked, enjoying his new look.
"I have sent Eric to fetch her. Are you certain she is the only adequate one of use to us, Gavin?"
Wes asked, Dawn's body standing proudly.
"Jareth, you simple minded fool," Gavin replied, making a fist. "And yes, she will do nicely. I
sensed her purity the first moment I saw her. Even her name commands respect as it is Hebrew.
In Psalms it means musical command' if I am not mistaken." Jareth's lips curled up into an evil
smile. "I really do enjoy this body," he mentioned.
"What of the others, Jareth?" Wes asked, Dawn's voice replaced by his own deep, dark
articulation.
"We will deal with them," Gavin replied. "I now know one of the four is the daughter. She might
be of use to us," he added, then took on a darker countenance. "The others. . . will make nice
toys. I will take great pleasure in breaking the obnoxious one who dares stand against me." he
growled viciously.
Essy, in her newest form, backed away slowly having heard too much already. Without a
thought, she backed right into Nick in the form of Daisy. With a short squeal, Essy had no time
to react.
"Well now, what have we here?" Nick said, grasping Essy's tail and hoisting her into the air.
"That's the little twit that almost messed me up," Amy's body stepped forward. "Kill it. It's one
of them," she muttered angrily.
Essy raised her eyes to see Amy moving toward her. Last time she saw Amy, she nearly kicked
her. Now, in a desperate attempt to save her life for the second time, Essy had no choice but to
retaliate. Extending her claws, she swung her legs with utmost precision, nailing Nick instantly.
As soon as her paws hit the floor, she ran, dodging the many hands that tried to catch her.
"Nobody screws with a Sith Lord!" her voice rung out as she high-tailed it out of there.
"She'll ruin our plans," Amy stated angrily.
"The protectors will stand between us and them. There is nothing to stop us now," Gavin waved
her away, pulling at his gloved hand. "These are really comfortable," he muttered softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, here goes nothing," Gemma said, placing her hand on the door handle. "Turn me on."
"Bale isn't here to do that," Leelee snickered.
Jade reached out and flipped a switch that sent her unit humming. "Well, so far so good," she
said, flipping the switched on the others. "Piece of. . ."
"Don't even finish that," Kara muttered, flipping the switch on Jade's unit.
"Okay," Jade held her hands up in protest. "Got the traps, Lisee?" she asked.
"Yup," came the reply. "Let's go," she added, a determined look on her face.
Slowly they moved out, following Kara as she held an instrument in her hand. "This way," she
said softly, watching the gauges fluctuate. Turning the corner, she stopped suddenly, her eyes
growing wide with wonder. "Wow," she breathed.
"Whoa. . . is that what I think it is?" Gemma asked.
"Think of it as a field test," Jade replied, grabbing the handle of her thrower. "Heat em up," she
whispered, flicking the switch on to illuminate her face. "Gemma, you and Kara confine it while
Lisee gets the trap ready."
"Right," Gemma whispered, not sure if she was ready for this. Standing next to Kara, she waited
patiently until Kara nodded her head. Setting her finger lightly on the trigger mechanism,
Gemma's positron collider sprung to life, sending a confinement stream right for the intended
victim.
Light twisting around him, his eyes caught Gemma's gaze as his mouth opened in horror. A
second stream hit him, immobilizing him immediately.
"Now Lisee!" Jade shouted, watching as Leelee pulled a chord from her belt.
Leelee pulled down a set of goggles, setting a small box on the floor. With a smile, she pushed it
with her foot, sending it rolling across the floor to stop just beneath their prey. "This one's for
Essy," she muttered, stepping down on the button and triggering the trap. Light engulfed the
prey, as the doors on the trap opened. "Shut em down when I close it," Leelee stated, readying
herself. "Ready. . . set. . . now!" she shouted, pushing the button again.
Kara and Gemma shut down their streams with satisfaction as the full torso apparition
disappeared inside the trap. When all was quiet again, Gemma nudged the trap with her foot and
smiled. They did it.
"At least we know the equipment works," Leelee muttered, a smile tugging at the edges of her
mouth. Smirking, she looked to the others and knew they had a chance. Her smirk disappeared
immediately when she glanced down to see a cat rubbing against her leg. "Get the hell away from
me," she said angrily, pushing the cat away with her foot.
"Apprentice!" came a reply that shocked the four women.
"Easy?" Jade questioned.
"DCME Joyride!" came the responce.
Leelee laughed. "What happened to you? Some big bad Sith Lord you are. Just a cute, cuddly,
wuddly cat that would make such a nice chew toy for my puppies," she smirked.
"What happened Ess?" Gemma asked.
"Well, Germ, everyone's dead. They're stealing souls. The whole lot of them have taken over.
Only five of you still survive," Essy answered, her tone not pleased.
"Who's left?" Kara asked, thinking they were the last.
"Selah," Essy replied, sitting down on her hind legs.
"We have to get to her before they do," Jade cut in.
"Too late," Essy shot back. "They have saved her for last."
"But why?" Gemma asked, her voice unsure of anything.
"Why didn't we think of this before," Kara muttered, her mind buzzing with ideas.
"You don't think they would go that far, do you?" Jade asked, not at all amused. There was only
one thing they could be saving her for.
Kara nodded. "Sacrifice," she spoke softly.
"This is SO not good," Jade muttered. "She fits the qualifications."
"I don't know what scares me more, knowing that there are qualifications for a sacrifice, or the
fact that you know them," Leelee said, shaking her head.
"Movies and studying Aztec culture to an extent," Jade stated. "Anyway, they will use her to
appease whatever god they can to seal the souls of those they stole in purgatory forever if we
don't stop them."
"You can't be serious?" Gemma muttered.
"Quite," Kara replied.
"You know, in one Aztec ceremony to the Sun God, the sacrificial person would lay there
conscious while they cut out their heart. Once they had the heart out, they would toss the body
off the side where it would then be dismembered, cooked and served as a delicacy." Jade
mentioned.
"I really didn't need to know that," Leelee replied, her face blank.
Gemma stared at her with a look of shock.
"What?" Jade asked, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe next time you'll spare us the gory details?" Gemma responded.
"Next time think before you ramble, Jade." Kara uttered softly with a smile.
"Oh, oops?" Jade said innocently, then turned serious. "We have to get to that room."
"The one with the funny ceiling?" Essy asked, purring softly in Gemma's arms.
"It all fits now," Kara mentioned. "They needed a portal, and that room has to be it."
"Gavin won't let us near it that easily," Jade said, shaking her head. "Keep on your toes, you
guys."
"Let's get moving," Leelee said, snatching up the trap and looking around. "Kara, why don't you
just whip up somewhere to stash these?" she smiled.
"Ha ha, very funny," Kara muttered, knowing that magic wasn't her strong suit.
"Just leave it and make Jareth get rid of it later," Gemma offered.
"Good idea," Kara agreed.
Leelee set the trap down, and followed the others off. Knowing that Jareth wasn't going to be
too pleased with having to round them all up, Leelee smirked. Anything to make his life
miserable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah walked along beside Essy, unaware that evil was afoot. With a grin, she found it amusing
that the Sith Lord would come fetch her from her reading. Not that she minded too terribly
much, art history was not her idea of fun.
"So what's going on?" she asked, looking at the other girl with questioning eyes.
"Nothing," Eric said, Essy's voice fooling her instantly.
As soon as Selah entered through a large archway, she felt an uneasiness fall upon her. There
were all her friends and a few strangers staring back at her with wide eyes. Spooked, she stopped
in her tracks only to have Eric push against her and force her ahead.
"What's going on?" she asked again, fear gripping her like never before.
"Just going to have a spot of fun," Jareth's voice replied, as Gavin came to stand before her.
"Yousa worried mesa dere Jareth," she grinned, feeling a bit of relief ease her troubled mind.
A gloved hand clasped Selah's wrist and a wicked smile played across Jareth's features. "Pity,"
he said simply, yanking her into the room.
Cheers and exclamations could be heard all around, as Selah found herself in a walking, breathing
nightmare. As ropes were wound around her wrists and ankles, all she wanted was to be back
and safe in her room. Looking around, she noted that not everyone was there and it struck terror
into her soul. Unable to make even the slightest sound, Selah was lifted into the air as chanting
began softly, then rose in crescendo.
"Prepare our offering," Gavin said, raising his hands to the heavens. "We shall live again!"
"Hold on there!" Selah shouted, trying to wiggle out of their grasp before being taken from the
room into another smaller one. Her eyes adjusting to the light, an eerie glow settled about and
gave life to the shadows that lined the wall.
A figure stepped forward, immediately catching Selah's attention. A wicked smile crossing her
face, she looked Selah up and down and nodded. "She'll do," she mentioned, pointing toward the
pool of water sitting in the middle of the room.
"Mai, look at me. You're not one of them, are you?" she asked, her eyes pleading.
"Silly woman," she replied, her tone giving Selah the chills. "Cleanse her."
Drug toward the water, Selah screamed as everyone seemed to be against her. Even her good
friend Mairead didn't seem to be herself. What was going on? Why were they doing this to her?
Cleanse her for what? Her mind buzzed with all the possibilities as those around her closed in,
surrounding her in circle.
Hands grasping cloth, Selah screamed as her clothing was ripped from her shaking body.
Unaware of the man sneaking up behind her, Selah tried to get away when his arms wrapped
around her tightly. Freaked that anyone would dare get close to her, let alone grab her, Selah
brought her bound hands up only to send them crashing down against her captors arms.
"Dammit woman, calm down!" Jareth's voice roared as Gavin lost his patience.
"Jareth?" she questioned, her eyes still watching the others.
"Shh. . ." he soothed, raising a gloved hand to her mouth.
"What is this?" she asked, jerking her head away, but regrettably found a hand pushing it back. A
scream died on her lips as a small square passed her lips and her mouth was shut rapidly. With no
other alternative, Selah swallowed, the unknown substance sliding down her throat.
"There now," he soothed, rubbing a hand up and down her back. "She will be more agreeable.
Get it done. I have a few loose ends to tie up," he grinned, clenching his fists tightly. Walking
from the room, he give one last glance over his shoulder to see Selah naked and emersed in the
water. "Everything is going according to plan," he grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere. . .
"Watch out!" Leelee screamed, watching Gemma duck just beneath the apparition. Letting the
trigger slowly ease into its gentle cradle, ionized light flew like a lightening rod straight from the
end of her wand to wrap itself around her prey. "It's going to move!"
Kara shot her stream in the same direction, catching the victim easily. "Ha! Gotcha!" she called,
smiling back at Leelee.
"Gemma? Are you alright?" Jade asked, grabbing a trap from where Leelee had them stashed.
"Yeah, I think so," she replied, shaking her head. Ectoplasmic residue flew from her body as she
watched the creature that slimed her disappear inside the trap. "Bloody moron! That'll teach you
to slime me, you evil git!"
"Calm down Germ. It's taken care of," Leelee said, smiling at Gem's attire. "You look like a
giant bugger!" she cackled.
Gemma glared at her, then lifted an arm only to have more residue drip from her fingers.
Suddenly struck with amusement of the situation, Gemma laughed and flicked some of the goo
towards Jade, who ducked and it hit Essy instead. Gemma laughed harder.
"I'll strike you down, Germ!" Essy hissed, extending her claws.
"Oh calm down, Essy," Leelee mentioned, sweeping her up into her arms smoothly. "I know how
to fix your problem."
"How?" Essy asked, the big dark cat eyes staring back.
Leelee smiled sweetly, extending her hands over a dark opening. Without hesitation, she released
Essy to send her falling down into a barrel of cold water. Laughing as the cat shot out quickly
and landed on all four paws, Leelee made note that cat's resembled drowned rats when wet.
"I'm going to kill you, apprentice!" Essy shouted, shaking the tiny body and flinging water all
over Leelee.
"We're wasting time," Kara stated, pulling a PKE meter from her belt. "We're getting close."
"Close to what though?" Leelee muttered, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.
She watched the hall closely as a light breeze blew through, rustling the tapestries.
"Stay sharp," Jade said, her green eyes following the indicator on the giga-meter.
Footsteps sounded in front of them, laughter came from behind. While Leelee and Kara turned to
face the way they came, Jade and Gemma kept their eyes on where they were going. Suddenly,
silence filled the passageway making them all feel uneasy. A tiny whisper came from behind them,
all four swinging around to face each other, their muscles tense.
"What are you four up to?" Jareth's voice asked, making them turn to face him. Gavin smiled,
looking each of the women over. He would take great pleasure in crushing them. "Well?" he
asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Oh Jareth, it's you," Gemma said, relieved to find someone familiar.
"Kara, do be a good girl and come here," he stated, looking at Leelee.
Kara looked puzzled. Her father had never ignored her while talking to her before. Her blue-grey
eyes stared back at him as though searching for some hidden answer. Had she done something to
upset him?
He took a step closer to the quartet, smiling at each of them before speaking yet again. "I really
would like you all in my harem," he stated, flashing a wicked grin.
"Funny Jareth," Jade shot back, shaking her head.
"Don't you find me attractive?" he asked, stepping closer.
"You aren't seriously asking her that, are you?" Kara asked, laughing at his sudden lack of
memory concerning a certain Jedi.
"You feeling alright, Jerry?" Leelee asked, scrunching up her nose when he looked at her funny.
"Of course, and why do you call me that? I am your father," he shot back, extending a hand
toward Leelee.
"Dad!" Kara yelled.
"Whoa. . . Just what have you been smoking, Jerry?" Leelee asked with a grin.
Jade grabbed the saber from her belt. "You aren't Jareth," she stated, eying him carefully.
"Don't be ridiculous, of course I am," he replied casually.
"You didn't even know which one of us was Kara," Leelee shot back, holding her stick in her
hands.
"I was just toying with you. You are my followers," he replied, waving his hand as if dismissing
them.
"If you can tell me why you gave me this," Jade said, holding the saber in front of her, then
continued, "then we'll believe you."
Gavin stood there staring back at her, his face blank. He noted the short one moving up on his
left, as the other three looked him over carefully. Without hesitation, he grasped Gemma, pulling
her tight against him and clenching his long fingers around her neck.
Gemma gasped for air, trying to claw at his hands that held her captive.
"Stop or she dies," he sneered, smiling as they did what they were told. He was in control now.
"Let her go," Jade said, her tone serious.
"Now why would I do that?" he asked.
"What did you do to my father?" Kara asked, still in shock.
"I am your father now, get use to the fact, you brat," he spouted off angrily.
"How dare you call me that?!" Kara shrieked, the loss of her father taking over her anger. "You
killed my father, you bastard!" she screamed, charging him without a thought but rage. Knocking
into him, she pushed Gemma out of the way and shoved him against the nearest wall. As he fell
to the floor, she was there, grabbing him harshly and wanting to kill him like he did her father.
"You're damaging your father's body," he said, wiping blood from his lip.
"Then so be it, you monster!" she cried out, landing another jab to his ribs.
Jade grabbed Kara and yanked her off. "He's right," she said, trying to calm Kara down before
doing something rash. "We won't have a chance of returning your dad to his body if you kill it."
Kara clenched a fist. "Just let me hurt him a little," she growled, glaring back to her father's
body.
"Calm down," Gemma added. "Besides, he doesn't have what it takes to fill Jareth's shoes," she
said, glancing to where Gavin was standing. "The listians would see right through him."
"Is that so?" he asked, his eyes looking them over carefully.
"Yes," Leelee retorted, shaking her head in disgust. "At least we can stop you."
"Are you so certain?" he asked, raising a brow.
"I don't like the way he said that," Kara muttered.
"Me either," Jade added, glancing over her shoulder to cover their back.
"Oh shit!" Leelee yelled, her eyes growing wide as she watched an apparition rise in front of
them. She held her breath as it came to its full height, towering above. "Guys!"
Jade watched as another foe seemed to raise from nowhere behind them. They were trapped, and
the only way out was to fight. "Kara! Behind you!" she yelled, spinning to face the demon.
Kara tore her eyes away from the despicable creature in her father's form and swung around to
find herself faced with evil. Without hesitation, Kara triggered her pack, sending a beam of light
streaming out toward it. . . and missed.
"Leelee! Duck!" Gemma yelled, sending a bolt of ionization flying just past Leelee's head.
"Bugger! It's too fast!" she called out, shaking her head as Leelee's beam just missed the beast.
"Jade! Now!" Kara shouted, dropping to her knees to give her a clear shot.
Jade threw her beam, catching the tail end of it and losing it again. A sudden gust of energy sent
her flying backwards.
"Jade!" Kara screamed, having had enough of this. Standing, she threw her stream and hit it dead
on. "You should never tick me off!" she yelled, glancing to where Gavin last stood. "Dammit,
he's gone!"
"Don't worry about him! We have larger issues to take care of!" Leelee shouted. Sizing up her
opponent, she took aim and threw her beam. Smiling, she watched the beam wrap around it,
immobilizing it for the time being.
Jade got to her feet, shook her head and smirked. "Mind if I borrow this? Thanks," she said, not
giving Leelee time to react. Grabbing a trap from Leelee's stash, she sent it rolling across the
floor. "Get them together!" she shouted over the buzzing of the streams.
Leelee did her best to lead the beast to where she wanted with almost no effect. "Gemma!" she
called, then watched another beam twist elegantly around and entwine with hers.
"Ready!" Kara shouted, watching as they brought the other closer. . . closer. . closer still.
"Hurry! I can't hold him much longer!" she screamed, watching her prey start slipping from it's
confines.
Jade stepped on the switch, light shooting up and engulfing the apparitions, sucking them down
into the trap where they would wait to finally be let out. As the trap closed, Kara sighed in relief,
then leaned against the wall.
"What are we going to do?" she whispered, knowing that none of them had ever thought of what
was to come. They had to face friends and enemies. They are them and them are they. A person
could go insane with the thinking, but in all rationality, their friends were now their enemies.
"Don't worry Kara, we'll think of something," Gemma offered, walking over to her.
"I already have," Jade replied, glancing at the object in her hand. Without looking up, she could
tell that she had their attention. "They need the portal to gain access to this world. They're going
to sacrifice an innocent, Selah, to seal the portal forever and stay here in this reality. The portal's
energy is the key, so naturally, we take away their key, they lose."
"It won't be that simple," Leelee shook her head. "How do we know what the portal's energy
is?"
"Let me worry about that, you just make sure to stay in one piece," Jade retorted, reaching down
and pulling a knife from her boot.
"Why are you carrying knives now?" Leelee asked.
"Every woman has to be careful now days," she replied, digging at a stone in the floor.
"What are you doing? Are you mental?" Gemma asked.
"Testing a theory," Jade muttered, pulling away the broken stone.
"What is that?" Leelee asked, glancing at the swirling light that emanated from a jewel that sat in
the middle of rock.
"The key," Kara said, bending down to get a closer look.
"Why do you think Gavin could just vanish so easily?" Jade asked, prying the jewel up carefully.
Pulling it free, she looked up at them.
"Because as Jareth, he has his magic," Gemma offered, her eyes watching the strange lights.
"No. He doesn't have dad's magic. If he did, he could have used it against us at any time," Kara
added, just now grasping what Jade was getting at.
"Right," Jade replied, sliding the jewel into her pocket and replacing the knife in her boot. "But
now we have the upper hand."
"How do you figure that? They have killed everyone. There are far more of them than there are
of us," Leelee retorted.
"But we have the source of their energy," Jade smiled, patting her pocket.
"That tiny thing?" Gemma asked, amusement in her voice.
"Yes," Jade replied simply. "I saw him look down at the floor just before they appeared," she
said, indicating the trap. "Then that nice little flight there. . ." she rubbed her shoulder and
continued, "and I landed right on it, imagine that."
"Think he planned it?" Gemma asked.
"No, he couldn't have. Maybe he was just out here to check it, and found us by accident. . ."
Kara trailed off. "Now it's a race against time," she uttered, the gravity of the situation embedded
into her very words.
"Let's go. He'll waste no time now that he knows we are coming," Jade said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gavin strode into the room, glancing to the gathering that had already amassed there. "Retrieve
the girl," he called out, clenching his fist tightly.
"So soon, Gavin?" Wes asked, enjoying his new body. When Gavin turned to stare back at him,
Wes shuddered. "I mean, Jaret,h my lord."
"Wes, that body doesn't suit you," Gavin muttered, leering at the curves of Dawn's body.
"It was a challenge," Wes replied, lips turning up into a wicked grin.
"Dammit! Somebody get the girl so we can begin!" Gavin shouted, Jareth's voice echoing off the
walls. He could sense the energy starting to pull in the spirits he wanted to lock into purgatory.
Not sure how far behind the others were, he could do only one thing and that was to rush the
ritual on, hoping to finish before the troublemakers finally made it there. They didn't stand a
chance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah stared off into nowhere as hands rubbed over her body, cleansing her skin to purity. Her
thoughts were their thoughts. Her will had become their will. Even now, as the soft fabric was
lowered over her body, she could think of nothing but being one with the higher spirit.
Her hair was released, cascading down to fall just below her shoulders. Selah remained still as a
brush was pulled through her mane, then weaved with golden threads as she was finally made
ready for the ceremony. Getting to her feet, she followed those who cleansed her, Mai at her
right, toward the room where her destiny awaited.
Walking through the doorway, all eyes fell on Selah as she walked slowly toward the alter that
had been erected in the center of the room. Her gaze caught Jareth's just briefly, as she glanced
toward the outer wall and that struck puzzlement. Her mind buzzed with what she had been told,
and what they expected of her.
"Come," Gavin said, extending a gloved hand to her and helping her to sit upon the alter. "You
now begin your journey," he said softly, lying her down and positioning her head perfectly on the
stone. "Brothers, gather around. The new age is at hand."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~