"What the hell?" SQ asked as she watched Selah moved around like a doll.
"Are they doing what I think they're doing?" Dee asked, floating up beside Dawn.
"They're going to sacrifice her," Dawn breathed.
"Oh we can't have that," Jareth muttered, watching from the shadows.
"But what can we do?" Mai asked.
Jareth extended an arm as he floated in space, twisted his wrist and smiled when a crystal
appeared on his fingertips. Blowing softly on it, the crystal floated through the air, light as a
bubble, and straight for Selah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah's hazel eyes stared up at the ceiling, noting the striking colors that could be found there. A
sudden movement caught her eye, and she found herself looking at her dreams, her hopes. . . her
friends. At that moment, the illusion of the perfect destiny was shattered and she screamed.
Selah sat up quickly, screaming in fright as whom she thought was Jareth grabbed her and held
her tight.
"Get the rope!" he shouted.
Selah put up a good fight, kicking, screaming, biting. . . but soon found herself bound at the
wrists and ankles, stretched out like a trophy. She felt a hand run up the inside of her leg and
shivered as it's fingertips traced the joining of her leg and body. Shuddering, she was glad when
Jareth pushed the hand away from her and yet the comfort faded when she caught his dead gaze.
Glancing around to those who stood just outside the perimeter, Selah could see the faces of her
friends, each staring back at her with a thirst of blood in their eyes. "What's wrong with you
people?!" she shrieked, watching Jareth approaching. His expression scared her more than she
would have realized as he barely acknowledged her presence.
As Jareth neared her, she caught a glint of light off something shiny in his hand. When she looked
closer, she saw it was a dagger. Her heart skipped a beat as she pulled against the ropes, her
muscles tense from fear. She cringed when the knife moved over her and screamed out in panic.
Gavin stepped up once again, dagger in hand as he began to recite archaic scripts, talking in an
ancient dialect. Moving the dagger up and down as though covering her body with a field, Gavin
brought it back in front of him. Looking down, he smiled as he thought about how much pain he
was going to ring from her.
Selah closed her eyes, hoping that she was just having a nightmare. A cold unlike any other
gripped her senses as she felt her skin burning in an instant. When a searing pain shot from her
hand up her arm, Selah cried out in distress, her eyes shooting open to see her blood dripping off
the end of the dagger. Horror filled her as she watched the dagger lower and slowly pierce her
skin again, moving sluggishly along her arm filling to fill it with the same searing pain.
Selah pulled against the restraints only to find they didn't give an inch. Her arms burned, the
shock numbing the pain slightly as tears streamed down her face. Why was he doing this?
Opening her mouth to speak, she raised her eyes to catch him moving towards her legs. "No!"
she screamed, her eyes pleading. An instant later, her voice cried out in anguish as the cold steel
ripped through one leg, then the other. She felt as though she was slowly dying; her blood
trickling down her limbs.
Selah's body shook, her tears falling quickly as the pain tore through her. She could barely find
the courage to look back to him again, only to see the dagger poised and ready to strike. "No. . .
Please?!" she screamed, knowing that this last blow would be the one to end her life. Jareth's
eyes caught hers and in that instant, Selah knew he wasn't the same. She knew he was going to
kill her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come on!" Leelee yelled, catching a glimpse of Gemma over her shoulder. They moved quickly
through the halls, blasting everything in sight.
"We're almost there!" Kara shouted.
"Let's just hope we make it in time!" Gemma shot back.
"We will. I know it!" Jade called, reaching the door.
It was locked.
"No!" Kara screamed, hearing voices from inside. "What are we going to do?"
"Stand back!" Gemma shouted, moving toward the door. Pulling a small wire from her pocket,
she pushed a wad of grey clay against the door. "I'm explosives expert of this crew. Everybody
down!" she yelled, running from the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An explosion rocked Gavin's concentration momentarily as he fell to the floor. Getting to his
feet, he brushed himself off and resumed his position. Glancing down at his victim, her red blood
ebbing slowly from her body, he smiled wickedly. "Now the time is at hand to seal your fate, and
give us the life we fought for," he muttered, his eyes shutting as his hands raised the dagger.
"Take this offering of flesh and blood. . . grant us life," he called out, his smile widening as the
grip on the dagger tightened.
Selah breathed what she thought would be her last breath, as her eyes watched the dagger that
was held right above her abdomen. Losing all hope, she held still, her breath falling gently as her
aching limbs were warmed by her own blood. She saw him tense, ready to strike and slowly
closed her eyes. She didn't want to watch her own death.
"NOOO!!" a voice screamed.
Selah's eyes snapped open to see Jareth still above her, but his expression had changed. The
uncaring face was replaced by a look of fear. His grip tightened once again, sending a shudder
through Selah's body. She couldn't take much more of this torture. In an instant, Jareth was no
longer staring down at her, dagger in hand. A wave of relief swept through her until she
remembered that she was already bleeding plenty.
"Get off me!" Gavin bellowed, pushing at his attacker with brute force. He could see the dagger
out of the corner of his eye, lying on the floor where it landed from the assault. Reaching a hand
out, his fingertips brushed it lightly, only to have his hand yanked back by his assailant.
Leelee rushed forward, knocking various people out of her way, trying to get to Selah. Reaching
the alter, she gasped, noticing all the blood. Afraid to move her in her present condition, Leelee
decided she had to get her out of there to safety. She quickly looked around to see Gemma and
Kara fighting off those who stole their friends.
Gemma fought with all the tenacity of a wild animal. She wouldn't give in. Kicking Dawn's
torso, she sent Wes flying backwards only to have another take his place. Swinging with all her
might, she growled fiercely when Essy's hand clutched her tightened fist, a vile smile crossing her
lips as Eric thought he won. Before he knew it, Gemma raised her leg and with a smugness all her
own and come down on his knee. Eric's grip faltered as he fell to the ground in agony.
"Sorry bout your body Ess," Gemma muttered beneath her breath.
Kara smacked Mairead's body with her stick, then pushed her backwards. Turning around
quickly, she caught Spidey's body, landing a right hook. "There are too many of them!" she
called out, sending Spidey crashing to the floor.
"Just hold out an iccle bit longer Kara!" Gemma called back.
"Leelee?" Selah's breath came softly, her eyes barely open. "I must be dreaming," she said, her
voice a hushed whisper.
"Hold on Selah, we'll get you out of here!" Leelee shot back, gripping the ropes around her feet.
Pulling and tugging carefully so as not to harm Selah more, Leelee finally got her feet untied, then
moved up to work on her arms. "Selah, wake up. Stay with me, Selah," Leelee said, softly
patting Selah's cheek and noticing how cold it was. "No!" she shouted.
Jade glanced up at Leelee just long enough to give Gavin the upper hand. Grabbing the dagger,
he flung her off, immediately pinning her beneath him. Smiling cruelly, he held the dagger at her
throat, ready to slice. "Told you I would win," he stated smugly, barely noticing the chaos
surrounding him.
"You haven't won yet," Jade shot back, pushing against him.
"From this view I have," he smiled. "How about I cut your throat now and end both our
troubles?" he asked, his eyes flitting across her briefly.
"Oh sure, why not? Don't you always take the easy way out, Gavin?" she said, antagonizing him.
The cold steel touched her skin, and all she could do was think of how vile a creature he was.
"You'll never be half the man Jareth was," she added through clenched teeth.
"That sounds like a challenge," he grinned, his grip tightening. "I like a good challenge," he
breathed, his breath falling across her face, repulsing her, as he yanked her to her feet. Turning
around, he glanced towards his sacrifice to see an empty slab. "Damn you!" he shouted angrily,
his eyes taking in the scene around him.
Jade laughed. "How does it feel to lose, Gavin?" she asked.
"You'll soon find out!" he bit out, striking her across the cheek. "If I'm going to die, I'll take you
with me," he said angrily, then smiled an evil smile. "When I'm through with you, you'll beg me
to kill you."
"Jade!" Kara yelled.
"Smash it Kara! Smash the stone!" Jade yelled back, suddenly catching Gavin's attention.
Kara stared questioningly. Jade had the stone, she knew that. Noticing the predicament Jade
seemed to be in, she decided it was a ploy to stall him for time. Hoping Jade knew what she was
doing, Kara reached into her pocket, her expression serious as she concentrated.
Gavin looked across the chaos to watch Kara pull a small, perfect stone from her pocket. That
stone was their livelihood and he would stop at nothing to keep it safe. He caught Kara's gaze
and pulled Jade closer, the knife against her throat. "Smash it and I'll kill her!" he called out,
watching Kara closely.
Kara stopped abruptly, her hand poised to send it crashing down. She couldn't risk her friend.
Holding the stone in her hand, she watched her father's form crossing the room slowly. There
had to be a way out of this. Dropping her hands, she clasped them behind herself, hoping that for
once, her magic would work the way it was supposed to.
"Give me the stone," he hissed, stopping right in front of her. Arching an elegant brow, he sized
up his opponent, the daughter of the noble Goblin King.
"What guarantee do I have that you will keep your word?" she asked, her hands still behind her.
The knife punctured tender flesh, sending a droplet of blood down Jade's neck. With a wicked
smile, Gavin looked at Kara, seeing her downfall being loyalty to her friends. "You have no
choice," he uttered, amused that she would try to outsmart him.
"Fine," Kara retorted, staring icily back at him and bringing her hands before her. "Pick a hand,"
she mused.
"Are you all insane?!" he growled. "Give me the damn stone!" he bit out, loosening his grip just a
might.
"You bloody git!" Gemma's voice called from behind him.
"Gemma no!" Kara screamed, as she watched the knife at Jade's throat. Reaching out, she caught
his arm, pulling with all the strength she had.
Gemma rammed him in the back, bringing him to his knees just as Jade slipped from his grasp.
Landing on top of him, Gemma brought her arm down hard across his face, to halt any further
attack.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dammit, this wasn't supposed to happen," Leelee uttered sadly, looking down at her battered
friend. Blood oozing from too many abrasions, Leelee didn't know what to do. She had already
hidden her away from the fiends that did this, but it wasn't enough. Selah was dying, and all she
could do was watch. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, not sure she could handle watching her
die right in front of her.
Leelee dropped her head in defeat. They were supposed to save her, save their friends, and all
they have done was show up too late. A gentle breeze blew across her cheek and startled her,
causing her to look up. There were her friends looking back at her with such warmth. Their
souls shining through the darkness to light her hopes once again.
"Stand back, Lisa," Jareth's voice surrounded her, as he moved closer.
"It's good to see you, Jareth," Leelee replied.
"It would be better if you would get out there and get me my body back. Go, I'll take care of
Selah," he stated, his eyes catching hers with the very same smugness he always had. Leelee
found it refreshing.
"You got it, tights!" Leelee answered, smiling brightly. Clutching her stick in her hands, she
flipped the switch and headed for the door.
Entering back into the midst of things, Leelee caught a glimpse of Essy's body out of the corner
of her eye, just in time to duck. With one swing, Eric landed face down on the floor. "Don't
mess with me!" she muttered angrily.
"Lisee! Shoot the ceiling!" Jade shouted, pointing upwards to the darkening swirl of color.
Leelee lifted her wand, ready to ignite it and send a beam of light to the darkening ceiling. All at
once, her finger just grazing the trigger, a hand grasped her arm roughly, pulling it from the rod
and turning her around viciously. Gasping as she came face to face with Amy, she tried to bear in
mind that her friend was no longer; Amy was dead.
"We'll not have that," Amy's voice muttered, cruel eyes staring back.
Leelee growled angrily. "You are NOT Amy, you bastard!" she screamed, bringing her left hand
up to make contact against her assailant. When the grasp on her arms dissipated, Leelee
immediately turned on her, striking her once again to send her friend's body falling to the floor.
"Not nearly as tough as the REAL Dominatrix of Death, you wuss!" she muttered angrily, once
again grasping her wand and pointing it upward.
"Shoot it, Leelee, shoot!" Kara yelled, running her elbow back to connect with Daisy's torso.
Leelee settled her finger on the trigger, hoping that it would work out the way they planned.
Sending her beam toward the ceiling was the easy part, holding it there would be crucial.
"Stop her!" Jareth's voice shouted, as Gavin pushed Gemma from his body. Getting up quickly,
Gavin spied the discarded dagger and swiftly snatched it up. He would make them all pay, if it
was the last thing he did.
"Kara!" Jade shouted, motioning her to join Leelee's struggle. "It's our only hope!"
Kara commenced to sending an ionization beam straight up, adding to Leelee's attack. "It's
working!" she shouted, watching the dismal darkness slowly being twisted and lightened. It was
still not enough, she knew this. "Gemma!" she called out, watching as a third beam flew toward
the ceiling.
Gemma held tight to her ionization wand, determined to do everything in her power to get things
back to normal. Her eyes narrowed at Spidey's body as she slowly neared. "Stay back, I warn
you," Gemma growled, her tone ferocious.
"Or what?" Danny's deep voice asked, a cruel smile lighting Spidey's face.
"I'll blast you into oblivion, you wicked git!" Gemma muttered angrily, indicating her wand. "I
bet I could toast the hair right off your bloody head!"
Danny seemed to consider this, putting a hand on his Spidey hip, stopping long enough for
Gemma to kick him hard, sending him sailing backwards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What's happening?" Lies asked, as she felt her soul being tugged.
"Jareth, hurry up. I don't think we can fight this," Amy mentioned, as a sensation of being pulled
filled her.
Jareth ran his hands along Selah's wounds, a light emanating from them. Even in death, his magic
lived on, strong and powerful. "You can't rush proper mending," he said, his eyes closed as he
concentrated.
"You're going to have to do something," Dawn muttered.
"AHHH!" Daisy screamed, as she was pulled from the santuary of the small room and right
through the wall.
"Dammit!" SQ shouted. "Where did she go?"
"The time is coming to an end. Maybe they got through. . ." Christy started, but her voice died
quickly, as she too was pulled from the group. One by one, the listians were yanked from the
room, their cries of sudden anxiety dying instantaneously.
"Hurry up!" Amy bit out, a sense of loss suddenly falling on her senses.
"Shut up woman!" Jareth bit back. He turned his attention toward her and watched with wide
eyes as she fought to stay. In the end, he found himself to be the last remaining with Selah. "Not
now, dammit!" he growled, the tugging growing with each passing moment. "She's not ready!"
No matter how much he wanted to stay, Jareth lost his hold and flew backwards toward the wall.
His eyes flitted across Selah, his heart couldn't bear it if she didn't pull through this. Passing
through the stone, he found himself surrounded by the others, watching as three beams of
incredible light rose to toward the sky.
"Where's Gavin?!" Leelee shouted as she glanced around. Spotting Jareth and the others, she
smiled.
"Find your bodies and take them back!" Jade shouted. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled the
true stone from it's hiding place. This one thing remained. Jade looked around for something to
smash it, forgetting the saber attatched to her belt in all the chaos, her eyes landed on piece of
rock. Grabbing it, she set the stone down, raising the rock.
A hand clasped her wrist, halting her plans and swinging her around to stare back into Jareth's
eyes. "You will pay for this," Gavin growled, his hand reaching down and picking up the stone.
"All this time, you had it."
"Surprise," Jade muttered, as she tried to pull free. Her eyes caught the glint of the dagger and
somewhere deep inside knew she was as good as dead. "Go ahead, kill me you no good
womprat!" she yelled. Jade pushed against him in an attempt to free herself from his iron grip.
No such luck.
"Why not find a nice quiet spot?" he whispered softly, pushing against her roughly. "I want to
have a bit of fun with my new toy," he grinned.
"I'd rather die!" she spat.
"Oh you will," he grinned. Clamping a hand across her mouth, he drug her from the room, ready
to show her ultimate pain. When she bit his hand, he wrapped his long fingers around her neck,
having had enough of her arrogance.
Jareth looked around to find his body, but anger grew at the sight of the monster manhandling one
of his listians. That was his job! Moving silently through the room, he glanced back to his
daughter with a smile. "She has my disposition," he mused, as she decked another opponent.
"Let go!" Jade screamed, fighting him every step of the way.
"Not on your life," he hissed, pushing open the door and shoving her inside. His hand found the
switch and instantly illuminated the room with light. He clutched the dagger, his eyes looking her
over.
Jade flipped the switch on her wand, leveling it at Gavin. "Stay back," she muttered angrily.
"Don't be ridiculous. I know you won't harm your precious Goblin King," he shot back, stepping
closer. "I had thought you wouldn't give me much trouble, but now I see that was a misguided
judgment on my part."
"Shut up!" Jade shouted.
Gavin shook his head, curling his lips up into a mocking smile. "Not until I win," he countered as
he watched her closely. He held the stone in his hand, taunting her with it. "Oh the others may
well get their bodies back and live again, but I will triumph. Out of all this suffering, they will lose
their king and one of their own."
"Not in this lifetime," Jade muttered, her eyes on the stone.
"Then in the next!" he growled, reaching out and grasping her arm harshly. Gavin smiled when
she cried out in pain and squeezed harder. He would take great pleasure in destroying her. With
an animalistic growl, he pushed her hard against the wall, pinning her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What's going on?!" Danny uttered, feeling a coolness brush his cheek just before a clasp on his
shoulder.
"I want my body back!" Spidey yelled, her eyes taking on a fierce look.
"It's going to blow!" Gemma shouted, holding her beam steady as she watched the darkness
lighten and turn white. In an instant, it exploded, showering the room in a bright white light.
When the smoke cleared, all that was left of the ceiling was hole. Debris littered the ground and
all around lay the bodies of the UGLies. Minutes passed, not a soul moved until finally, pushing
herself up, Leelee glanced around. One by one, the UGLies moved, a wondrous sight to those
who fought to help them.
Leelee coughed. "Is everyone okay?" she asked.
"Hot damn! I'm back!" SQ roared, jumping up with a smile.
"Me too!" Mairead added.
"Crikey! This is wicked good!" Dee cackled, stretching her arms.
"Shit howdy!" Amy exclaimed.
"I'm here," Allie said.
"Me too," Daisy, Jen and a few others added.
Lies looked around, her heart saddened. Though she had her life back, she wasn't the same. She
had been violated, and somewhere deep inside it scared her that life could be so easily stolen. Her
thoughts went to her little girl, Cher, who she loved most of all and wondered what would have
happened if it turned out the way it was planned. She couldn't bear to think of her precious
daughter all alone in the world. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned against the wall, tears
welling in her green eyes. She was alive.
"What's wrong Amy?" Dawn asked, noticing Amy's change in demeanor.
Amy sat still, her gaze raising to meet Dawn's, her dark eyes welling with tears. "I just realized
all that I could have lost. I have the most important thing back, my life," she smiled faintly, tears
falling silently down her cheeks.
Her statement shook the rest of them, as the seriousness of the situation finally sunk in. They
could have all died. They could have been lost to the world, their future taken from them in the
blink of an eye.
Leelee looked at Gemma, then to Kara. "Where's Jareth?" she asked as she continued to look
around.
"Um. . . where's Jade?" Kara asked, getting a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Gavin!" Gemma growled. "We have to find her."
"I'm going after Selah," Leelee said, getting to her feet. "You guys find her, okay? And do me a
favor?"
"What?" Kara asked.
"Kill Gavin," she muttered angrily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Let the fun begin, my pet," Gavin whispered, sliding his hand down to her waist. Devious eyes
watched his prey with brute lechery. "Why do you fight? You have already lost," he whisphered,
his lips close to her ear.
"Screw you!" she bit out.
Gavin smirked maliciously. "That is the idea," he stated, cocking his head to one side. Gavin
grasped the zipper of the overalls she was wearing, slowly moving it downward.
Jareth hovered in the shadows, disgusted by the one called Gavin. How dare he treat his listians
this way. Anger rose as he watched this cad using his body to assault Jade. How could he help
her? He was bodiless. Jareth's mind buzzed as he thought of what to do.
Jade took the opportunity and lashed out at Gavin, knocking him backwards. A second later,
when she realized it worked and he was now on the floor, she ran. A strangled cry shattered the
silence as she fell forwards, strong fingers wrapping tight around her ankle.
Rolling onto her back, she kicked at him with her free leg, catching him in the shoulder. His grip
tightened and she found herself being pulled back. Screaming, she bit his hand as he grabbed her
shoulder.
Gavin, angered by her actions, struck her once again across the face. "You damn wench!" he
shouted, pinning her down. "I'll make you behave," he grinned, holding her arms above her head.
Jade's eyes fell to the stone he gingerly set down beside him. She had to get that stone, but how?
His hand slid inside her suit and she wanted to scream, but who would hear her? She ignored his
touches, his lips, his words. . . all that mattered was getting that stone.
Jareth couldn't stand it. He moved closer, a random plan formed in his mind, and stopped
instantly as he witnessed a tear sliding down her cheek. So much pain, and for what? He should
have stopped this whole thing back when they got here. He knew this house was nothing but
trouble, and yet he let them stay. They had even warned him of the treachery, and yet he did
nothing. With a new determination, Jareth proceeded. He would take his body back by force if
necessary.
"Get the hell off my listian!" Jareth's voice roared angrily, shoving at his own body, amazed that
he actually made physical contact. His eyes narrowed as he faced himself, his body rising in front
of him.
Gavin lost his cool, swinging around to glimpse the Goblin King staring angrily back. "Fool," he
muttered, regaining his composure. "I have it all, and you have nothing. You are dead," he
sneered.
A sudden hiss from behind, startled him and caused him to turn around. There stood Jade,
forgotten lightsaber in hand. His eyes widened when he realized where she was. "Don't!" he
bellowed, extending his hand.
"Go to hell!" she screamed, sending the saber straight down, shattering the stone instantly.
Gavin convulsed, his life stolen from him. He couldn't hold on to this body now that he lost. He
could feel the emptiness inside him grow, the darkening existence of loneliness filling him once
again. His eyes fell on Jade. Damn his ego for thinking he could do anything he pleased withouth
considering the consequences. All was lost now, his hopes shattered in a single moment.
Jareth took control of his body, breathing in the pureness of life, existence. Flexing his fingers,
Jareth pulled his gloves on more securely, then looked up. His heart wrenched in his chest, the
image of her sitting against the wall, her head on her knees, was simply unbearable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Selah, wake up," Leelee said softly. Reaching out, she gently patted Selah's cheek, as her eyes
looked over the healed skin where blood red wounds used to be. Jareth did it, but was he in time?
"Come on, Selah, wake up," she uttered again.
"Huh?" came a soft reply, as Selah slowly opened her eyes. "Where am I?" she asked, shielding
her eyes from the light.
"Doesn't matter. Can you stand?" Leelee asked, helping her to sit up. She watched as Selah
stood, weaving just a bit, but able to hold her own. "You're lucky Jareth likes you," Leelee said,
a wide smile crossing her face.
"What are you talking about? Jareth? Nah, he's still ticked about the divorce," Selah shot back,
grinning. She raised her hand to her forehead. "I had the strangest dream. . . nightmare actually,"
she mentioned as she followed Leelee from the room.
"Selah!" Mai called out, waving like a maniac.
"What's wrong with you? You act as though you've not seen me in forever," she laughed, then
looked down at herself. "Eek! What am I wearing?!" she exclaimed, her hand falling to the soft,
blood stained fabric. "Please tell me this isn't mine," she muttered, feeling a bit faint.
"It's alright, it was, but Jareth fixed it," Leelee rambled.
"What? In my dream, he tried to kill me," she smirked. Catching the odd gazes she was getting,
Selah shook her head. "No, it didn't happen. I just imagined it."
"If you think so," Jen laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kara followed Gemma silently down the hall. Eyes covering every inch of their surroundings, she
stopped suddenly.
"What are you doing?" Gemma asked, turning around.
"They're in here," she murmured, then smiled. "Thanks, George."
"I'm not going to ask," Gemma remarked.
Pushing the door open, they followed the sound of a familiar voice. There was Jareth, standing
proud and tall. Kara immediately lost her temper and charged him. "Where's my father?!" she
screamed, shoving him easily.
"Kara, stop this nonsense, child." he retorted, putting his hands up to fend her off.
"Kara, it's him." Jade added, her voice soft.
Kara stared at him.
"Do you want to see the scar where you burned me, when you blew the bog? Talk about magical
backfire," he quirked, a stern brow rising over an amused grin.
"Dad!" she squealed, rushing to embrace him. "I thought I lost you," she sniffled.
"Never. I will always be with you, even in death. I have a kingdom to watch over so you don't
run it into the ground with your fairness," he remarked seriously.
"Jade, you okay?" Gemma asked.
"I'm fine," Jade replied, noticing Jareth's glance but ignoring it. "Can we just get out of here
now?"
"Yes!" Gemma shouted, skipping toward the door.
"Where's Selah?" Jade asked.
"Leelee went to get her. She was in pretty bad shape when we got there though," Kara answered
darkly.
"She'll be fine," Jareth added. "I've taken care of it."
"What did you do?" Gemma asked, peeking her head back inside the door.
"Took care of my listians, Gemma dear," he retorted, as he glanced toward Jade again. "Is there
anything I can do for you, Gemma?" he asked, turning his attention back to her. When he saw her
eyes light up, and a wicked grin cross her face, he held up a single gloved hand. "Don't even
think about it. I am not giving you Bale."
Gemma's smile faded, but soon returned. "I was just going to ask if I could keep this stuff?" she
mentioned.
"If you like," he answered, then laughed when she squealed in delight and took off skipping down
the hall. "You can keep the light saber," he mentioned to Jade, then continued, "It's a good thing
I let you have it. Came in handy."
"Yes it did," she answered.
When they rejoined the others, shouts filled the corridors. As it quieted, Leelee frowned, her gaze
looking across everyone there. There was something missing.
"What is it Leelee?" Lies asked, the puzzlement in Leelee's face showing.
"Where's Essy?" she asked.
"Look, there she is," Jen pointed across the room.
"What the hell is she doing?" SQ asked, thinking her eyes deceiving her.
"Scratching?" Paola threw in.
"You don't think. . ." Dee started, but trailed off when Essy clawed at the wall with her
fingernails.
"Has she lost her mind?" Gemma asked.
A small cat wrapped itself around Leelee's feet. The pink collar gliding with it's movements. As
soon as Leelee looked down, she laughed.
"What's so funny?" Spidey asked, a curious brow rising slowly.
"She's still a cat!" Leelee cackled.
"Shut up apprentice and get me out of this!" Essy shouted.
"Aren't you just the cutest thing, Easy?" Dawn cooed.
"DCME!"
"Yep, that's her alright," Amy laughed.
"If she's here, then who?" Christy asked, all eyes turning to Essy's body now curling up in a
corner.
"I think she's purring," Daisy smiled.
"Awe, isn't that just cute?" Allie smiled.
"No!" Essy hissed. "I want my body back!"
"I'd take care of you Ess. You could mingle with my kitties," SQ offered.
"I am not mating with your cats," Essy shot back.
"She said mingle Sith, not procreate. The world doesn't need another Essy," Leelee laughed, not
able to control it. This was too fun.
"Jareth," Jade spoke up.
"I could do it," he replied, rubbing his hand against his chin.
"What?" Essy asked, seeing that look in his eye. "Don't expect anything, tights. I'm not in the
giving mood," Essy hissed.
Jareth smiled. "Alright. I suppose I could help even you," he muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nothing, but you must agree to one thing," he said, his arms folding across his chest.
"What?" she asked wearily.
"Never bring that crossbow to another one of these things. You do, and it will be permanently
confiscated," he replied sternly.
"Fine, can I please have my body back now?" she asked, scratching behind her ear with a back
claw.
"Did she say please?" Gemma gasped.
Jareth cupped a hand to his ear. "What was that?" he asked.
Essy growled. "You know what I said," she remarked angrily.
Jareth laughed. "Very well," he replied, his hands weaving around majestically. "Get over there."
Essy didn't need to be told twice. Running across the floor, she hopped up on top of her body
and waited patiently for Jareth to do his thing.
"I rather like her like this, can't we just keep her?" Kara asked, a nod in her direction. "She'd
make a splendid addition to the Labyrinth, and I'm sure the goblins wouldn't harm her. . . much,"
she finished.
"Don't even consider it," Essy snapped.
"No, Kara. I think we're safer if she's not there. She'd destroy the kingdom," Jareth muttered.
Tossing a crystal into the air, he watched as it floated across the open space toward Essy. His
eyes gleamed as it descended and burst right on cue.
Essy sat up, her blue eyes looked around suspiciously then she noticed the cat. Pushing it lightly
from her, she stood up and brushed the dirt from her clothing. "Where did he get these awful
clothes?" she remarked, noticing the nasty color she detested.
"Who knows, but I think that's a good color on you," Amy replied.
"It's pink!" Essy shouted.
"Yes, so?" Lies asked, a smirk darkening her face.
"I hate pink!" Essy replied.
"As if we didn't know that," Gemma laughed.
"Um, Ess, I should probably tell you that while I was walking here with you. . . him. . . whoever,
they made comment of how nicely rounded your curves were and how much fun they were
having," Selah added casually.
"What?!" she exclaimed, her blood boiling at the thought.
"Easy there Ess, I'm joking," Selah laughed.
Getting their things, the listians promptly left, carrying their baggage outside and waiting for
Jareth to come back. When the last listian walked from the doors, something amazing happened.
A shimmering light rose from the foundation, rising upward until the entire house was
encompassed. The listians stood there, staring as the house dissipated, brick by brick until there
was nothing left but the stone walkway.
"Whoa," Jen muttered, breaking the silence.
"What the-?" SQ muttered.
"Where did it go?" Dee asked, her green eyes wide.
"Transdimensional cross rep," Kara answered.
"What?" Gemma asked, glancing at her.
"The souls that held the house are gone. The energy concentrated that created their bubble, as it
were, is gone. There isn't anything to keep it here any longer." Jade stated.
"Oh? And where was I through all of this?" Selah inquired.
"On a slab bleeding to death slowly," Leelee answered quickly. "Just don't mention Aztecs and
sun gods to Jade. I don't want to hear that again," she added, shaking her head.
"Okay," Selah replied.
"Gemma," Jareth said softly, grasping her arm gently. "I have a question for you."
"I'm not jumping your bones, Jareth," Gemma replied hastily.
"Is that where your mind lingers, woman?" Jareth shot back, his eyes staring back. "I have a
favor to ask," he said softly.
Gemma noted his tone; he was serious. "What?" she asked, watching him closely.
"I want you to go with Jade instead of home," he uttered, his eyes flitting across the other listians.
"She needs someone there, at least for a little while."
"What are you talking about?" Gemma inquired, then remembered where they found her. "What
happened in that room Jareth?" she questioned, a shudder involuntarily passing through her.
Jareth remained silent. He wouldn't say a word and break her confidence. If she wanted anyone
to know, she'd have to be the one to tell them.
"Jareth, tell me," she insisted.
"Just do what I ask, Gemma," he replied, walking back toward the others. Walking up beside
Leelee, he shook his head. "Who wants to go first?" he asked, then took a step back. One by
one, Jareth sent his listians home. Jareth motioned Selah over, one of the remaining four.
"Wait, Jareth. . . can I ask a favor before you send me home?" she asked, a small grin crossed her
face. "I want to go home to my mom, but. . ."
"Get on with it," he sighed.
"Can you just misplace my father for a few days? Please?" she asked.
"Fine, but I'm not keeping him," he muttered, sending her home.
"What did you do with her father?" Jade asked.
"Oh, he's in an oubliette somewhere," Jareth waved his hand. "Ready, you two?" Jareth
mentioned, looking directly at Jade and Gemma.
"I guess," Jade muttered.
"Yeah!" Gemma piped up. "I get to see Indiana!"
"What?" Jade asked, looking at Gemma strangely.
"Jade," Jareth said softly, then continued, "you need something that this time I can give you. . . a
friend. Gemma is going to stay with you, help you through any hardship you might encounter."
he said, then halted her interjection. "Just for once, don't argue with me?" he smiled, waving his
hand and sending them on their way.
"Back to school with you?" Jareth asked, examining a gloved hand.
"No," Kara replied.
Jareth turned to look at his daughter; quite the young lady she had turned out to be. He
considered himself lucky. With a smile, he took her hand. "Why not?"
"Because you need me," she replied, kissing his cheek. "Let's go home, dad."
Jareth wrapped his arm around his daughter, a feeling of sincere hope flooding through him.
Glancing at her, he could see so much of her mother in her. "Why don't you try it, Kara?" he
asked softly.
Kara smiled, raised her hands in front of her and concentrated like he showed her so many times
before. Eyes sliding shut, the energy flow pulsed around her as they slowly disappeared from
sight. In a matter of time and space, one thing led to another and Kara saw herself staring at her
father's panic stricken face. "Oops?" she shrugged innocently.
Jareth's eyes grew wide as the deafening music shook his body. How could she do this to him?
Feeling a little conspicuous, Jareth tried to push his way through the crowd with no such luck.
Turning to look at Kara, her body swaying to the music as her eyes followed every move of the
singer, he sighed in disgust.
"A Bowie concert?!" he shouted, as he watched her grin. "You planned this, didn't you?!"
Kara laughed, knowing they would be there awhile. As the music set the mood, Jareth put a hand
to his temple. He knew this listian gathering would be nothing but trouble. He didn't think he
could handle a next time.
"Are they doing what I think they're doing?" Dee asked, floating up beside Dawn.
"They're going to sacrifice her," Dawn breathed.
"Oh we can't have that," Jareth muttered, watching from the shadows.
"But what can we do?" Mai asked.
Jareth extended an arm as he floated in space, twisted his wrist and smiled when a crystal
appeared on his fingertips. Blowing softly on it, the crystal floated through the air, light as a
bubble, and straight for Selah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selah's hazel eyes stared up at the ceiling, noting the striking colors that could be found there. A
sudden movement caught her eye, and she found herself looking at her dreams, her hopes. . . her
friends. At that moment, the illusion of the perfect destiny was shattered and she screamed.
Selah sat up quickly, screaming in fright as whom she thought was Jareth grabbed her and held
her tight.
"Get the rope!" he shouted.
Selah put up a good fight, kicking, screaming, biting. . . but soon found herself bound at the
wrists and ankles, stretched out like a trophy. She felt a hand run up the inside of her leg and
shivered as it's fingertips traced the joining of her leg and body. Shuddering, she was glad when
Jareth pushed the hand away from her and yet the comfort faded when she caught his dead gaze.
Glancing around to those who stood just outside the perimeter, Selah could see the faces of her
friends, each staring back at her with a thirst of blood in their eyes. "What's wrong with you
people?!" she shrieked, watching Jareth approaching. His expression scared her more than she
would have realized as he barely acknowledged her presence.
As Jareth neared her, she caught a glint of light off something shiny in his hand. When she looked
closer, she saw it was a dagger. Her heart skipped a beat as she pulled against the ropes, her
muscles tense from fear. She cringed when the knife moved over her and screamed out in panic.
Gavin stepped up once again, dagger in hand as he began to recite archaic scripts, talking in an
ancient dialect. Moving the dagger up and down as though covering her body with a field, Gavin
brought it back in front of him. Looking down, he smiled as he thought about how much pain he
was going to ring from her.
Selah closed her eyes, hoping that she was just having a nightmare. A cold unlike any other
gripped her senses as she felt her skin burning in an instant. When a searing pain shot from her
hand up her arm, Selah cried out in distress, her eyes shooting open to see her blood dripping off
the end of the dagger. Horror filled her as she watched the dagger lower and slowly pierce her
skin again, moving sluggishly along her arm filling to fill it with the same searing pain.
Selah pulled against the restraints only to find they didn't give an inch. Her arms burned, the
shock numbing the pain slightly as tears streamed down her face. Why was he doing this?
Opening her mouth to speak, she raised her eyes to catch him moving towards her legs. "No!"
she screamed, her eyes pleading. An instant later, her voice cried out in anguish as the cold steel
ripped through one leg, then the other. She felt as though she was slowly dying; her blood
trickling down her limbs.
Selah's body shook, her tears falling quickly as the pain tore through her. She could barely find
the courage to look back to him again, only to see the dagger poised and ready to strike. "No. . .
Please?!" she screamed, knowing that this last blow would be the one to end her life. Jareth's
eyes caught hers and in that instant, Selah knew he wasn't the same. She knew he was going to
kill her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come on!" Leelee yelled, catching a glimpse of Gemma over her shoulder. They moved quickly
through the halls, blasting everything in sight.
"We're almost there!" Kara shouted.
"Let's just hope we make it in time!" Gemma shot back.
"We will. I know it!" Jade called, reaching the door.
It was locked.
"No!" Kara screamed, hearing voices from inside. "What are we going to do?"
"Stand back!" Gemma shouted, moving toward the door. Pulling a small wire from her pocket,
she pushed a wad of grey clay against the door. "I'm explosives expert of this crew. Everybody
down!" she yelled, running from the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An explosion rocked Gavin's concentration momentarily as he fell to the floor. Getting to his
feet, he brushed himself off and resumed his position. Glancing down at his victim, her red blood
ebbing slowly from her body, he smiled wickedly. "Now the time is at hand to seal your fate, and
give us the life we fought for," he muttered, his eyes shutting as his hands raised the dagger.
"Take this offering of flesh and blood. . . grant us life," he called out, his smile widening as the
grip on the dagger tightened.
Selah breathed what she thought would be her last breath, as her eyes watched the dagger that
was held right above her abdomen. Losing all hope, she held still, her breath falling gently as her
aching limbs were warmed by her own blood. She saw him tense, ready to strike and slowly
closed her eyes. She didn't want to watch her own death.
"NOOO!!" a voice screamed.
Selah's eyes snapped open to see Jareth still above her, but his expression had changed. The
uncaring face was replaced by a look of fear. His grip tightened once again, sending a shudder
through Selah's body. She couldn't take much more of this torture. In an instant, Jareth was no
longer staring down at her, dagger in hand. A wave of relief swept through her until she
remembered that she was already bleeding plenty.
"Get off me!" Gavin bellowed, pushing at his attacker with brute force. He could see the dagger
out of the corner of his eye, lying on the floor where it landed from the assault. Reaching a hand
out, his fingertips brushed it lightly, only to have his hand yanked back by his assailant.
Leelee rushed forward, knocking various people out of her way, trying to get to Selah. Reaching
the alter, she gasped, noticing all the blood. Afraid to move her in her present condition, Leelee
decided she had to get her out of there to safety. She quickly looked around to see Gemma and
Kara fighting off those who stole their friends.
Gemma fought with all the tenacity of a wild animal. She wouldn't give in. Kicking Dawn's
torso, she sent Wes flying backwards only to have another take his place. Swinging with all her
might, she growled fiercely when Essy's hand clutched her tightened fist, a vile smile crossing her
lips as Eric thought he won. Before he knew it, Gemma raised her leg and with a smugness all her
own and come down on his knee. Eric's grip faltered as he fell to the ground in agony.
"Sorry bout your body Ess," Gemma muttered beneath her breath.
Kara smacked Mairead's body with her stick, then pushed her backwards. Turning around
quickly, she caught Spidey's body, landing a right hook. "There are too many of them!" she
called out, sending Spidey crashing to the floor.
"Just hold out an iccle bit longer Kara!" Gemma called back.
"Leelee?" Selah's breath came softly, her eyes barely open. "I must be dreaming," she said, her
voice a hushed whisper.
"Hold on Selah, we'll get you out of here!" Leelee shot back, gripping the ropes around her feet.
Pulling and tugging carefully so as not to harm Selah more, Leelee finally got her feet untied, then
moved up to work on her arms. "Selah, wake up. Stay with me, Selah," Leelee said, softly
patting Selah's cheek and noticing how cold it was. "No!" she shouted.
Jade glanced up at Leelee just long enough to give Gavin the upper hand. Grabbing the dagger,
he flung her off, immediately pinning her beneath him. Smiling cruelly, he held the dagger at her
throat, ready to slice. "Told you I would win," he stated smugly, barely noticing the chaos
surrounding him.
"You haven't won yet," Jade shot back, pushing against him.
"From this view I have," he smiled. "How about I cut your throat now and end both our
troubles?" he asked, his eyes flitting across her briefly.
"Oh sure, why not? Don't you always take the easy way out, Gavin?" she said, antagonizing him.
The cold steel touched her skin, and all she could do was think of how vile a creature he was.
"You'll never be half the man Jareth was," she added through clenched teeth.
"That sounds like a challenge," he grinned, his grip tightening. "I like a good challenge," he
breathed, his breath falling across her face, repulsing her, as he yanked her to her feet. Turning
around, he glanced towards his sacrifice to see an empty slab. "Damn you!" he shouted angrily,
his eyes taking in the scene around him.
Jade laughed. "How does it feel to lose, Gavin?" she asked.
"You'll soon find out!" he bit out, striking her across the cheek. "If I'm going to die, I'll take you
with me," he said angrily, then smiled an evil smile. "When I'm through with you, you'll beg me
to kill you."
"Jade!" Kara yelled.
"Smash it Kara! Smash the stone!" Jade yelled back, suddenly catching Gavin's attention.
Kara stared questioningly. Jade had the stone, she knew that. Noticing the predicament Jade
seemed to be in, she decided it was a ploy to stall him for time. Hoping Jade knew what she was
doing, Kara reached into her pocket, her expression serious as she concentrated.
Gavin looked across the chaos to watch Kara pull a small, perfect stone from her pocket. That
stone was their livelihood and he would stop at nothing to keep it safe. He caught Kara's gaze
and pulled Jade closer, the knife against her throat. "Smash it and I'll kill her!" he called out,
watching Kara closely.
Kara stopped abruptly, her hand poised to send it crashing down. She couldn't risk her friend.
Holding the stone in her hand, she watched her father's form crossing the room slowly. There
had to be a way out of this. Dropping her hands, she clasped them behind herself, hoping that for
once, her magic would work the way it was supposed to.
"Give me the stone," he hissed, stopping right in front of her. Arching an elegant brow, he sized
up his opponent, the daughter of the noble Goblin King.
"What guarantee do I have that you will keep your word?" she asked, her hands still behind her.
The knife punctured tender flesh, sending a droplet of blood down Jade's neck. With a wicked
smile, Gavin looked at Kara, seeing her downfall being loyalty to her friends. "You have no
choice," he uttered, amused that she would try to outsmart him.
"Fine," Kara retorted, staring icily back at him and bringing her hands before her. "Pick a hand,"
she mused.
"Are you all insane?!" he growled. "Give me the damn stone!" he bit out, loosening his grip just a
might.
"You bloody git!" Gemma's voice called from behind him.
"Gemma no!" Kara screamed, as she watched the knife at Jade's throat. Reaching out, she caught
his arm, pulling with all the strength she had.
Gemma rammed him in the back, bringing him to his knees just as Jade slipped from his grasp.
Landing on top of him, Gemma brought her arm down hard across his face, to halt any further
attack.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dammit, this wasn't supposed to happen," Leelee uttered sadly, looking down at her battered
friend. Blood oozing from too many abrasions, Leelee didn't know what to do. She had already
hidden her away from the fiends that did this, but it wasn't enough. Selah was dying, and all she
could do was watch. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, not sure she could handle watching her
die right in front of her.
Leelee dropped her head in defeat. They were supposed to save her, save their friends, and all
they have done was show up too late. A gentle breeze blew across her cheek and startled her,
causing her to look up. There were her friends looking back at her with such warmth. Their
souls shining through the darkness to light her hopes once again.
"Stand back, Lisa," Jareth's voice surrounded her, as he moved closer.
"It's good to see you, Jareth," Leelee replied.
"It would be better if you would get out there and get me my body back. Go, I'll take care of
Selah," he stated, his eyes catching hers with the very same smugness he always had. Leelee
found it refreshing.
"You got it, tights!" Leelee answered, smiling brightly. Clutching her stick in her hands, she
flipped the switch and headed for the door.
Entering back into the midst of things, Leelee caught a glimpse of Essy's body out of the corner
of her eye, just in time to duck. With one swing, Eric landed face down on the floor. "Don't
mess with me!" she muttered angrily.
"Lisee! Shoot the ceiling!" Jade shouted, pointing upwards to the darkening swirl of color.
Leelee lifted her wand, ready to ignite it and send a beam of light to the darkening ceiling. All at
once, her finger just grazing the trigger, a hand grasped her arm roughly, pulling it from the rod
and turning her around viciously. Gasping as she came face to face with Amy, she tried to bear in
mind that her friend was no longer; Amy was dead.
"We'll not have that," Amy's voice muttered, cruel eyes staring back.
Leelee growled angrily. "You are NOT Amy, you bastard!" she screamed, bringing her left hand
up to make contact against her assailant. When the grasp on her arms dissipated, Leelee
immediately turned on her, striking her once again to send her friend's body falling to the floor.
"Not nearly as tough as the REAL Dominatrix of Death, you wuss!" she muttered angrily, once
again grasping her wand and pointing it upward.
"Shoot it, Leelee, shoot!" Kara yelled, running her elbow back to connect with Daisy's torso.
Leelee settled her finger on the trigger, hoping that it would work out the way they planned.
Sending her beam toward the ceiling was the easy part, holding it there would be crucial.
"Stop her!" Jareth's voice shouted, as Gavin pushed Gemma from his body. Getting up quickly,
Gavin spied the discarded dagger and swiftly snatched it up. He would make them all pay, if it
was the last thing he did.
"Kara!" Jade shouted, motioning her to join Leelee's struggle. "It's our only hope!"
Kara commenced to sending an ionization beam straight up, adding to Leelee's attack. "It's
working!" she shouted, watching the dismal darkness slowly being twisted and lightened. It was
still not enough, she knew this. "Gemma!" she called out, watching as a third beam flew toward
the ceiling.
Gemma held tight to her ionization wand, determined to do everything in her power to get things
back to normal. Her eyes narrowed at Spidey's body as she slowly neared. "Stay back, I warn
you," Gemma growled, her tone ferocious.
"Or what?" Danny's deep voice asked, a cruel smile lighting Spidey's face.
"I'll blast you into oblivion, you wicked git!" Gemma muttered angrily, indicating her wand. "I
bet I could toast the hair right off your bloody head!"
Danny seemed to consider this, putting a hand on his Spidey hip, stopping long enough for
Gemma to kick him hard, sending him sailing backwards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What's happening?" Lies asked, as she felt her soul being tugged.
"Jareth, hurry up. I don't think we can fight this," Amy mentioned, as a sensation of being pulled
filled her.
Jareth ran his hands along Selah's wounds, a light emanating from them. Even in death, his magic
lived on, strong and powerful. "You can't rush proper mending," he said, his eyes closed as he
concentrated.
"You're going to have to do something," Dawn muttered.
"AHHH!" Daisy screamed, as she was pulled from the santuary of the small room and right
through the wall.
"Dammit!" SQ shouted. "Where did she go?"
"The time is coming to an end. Maybe they got through. . ." Christy started, but her voice died
quickly, as she too was pulled from the group. One by one, the listians were yanked from the
room, their cries of sudden anxiety dying instantaneously.
"Hurry up!" Amy bit out, a sense of loss suddenly falling on her senses.
"Shut up woman!" Jareth bit back. He turned his attention toward her and watched with wide
eyes as she fought to stay. In the end, he found himself to be the last remaining with Selah. "Not
now, dammit!" he growled, the tugging growing with each passing moment. "She's not ready!"
No matter how much he wanted to stay, Jareth lost his hold and flew backwards toward the wall.
His eyes flitted across Selah, his heart couldn't bear it if she didn't pull through this. Passing
through the stone, he found himself surrounded by the others, watching as three beams of
incredible light rose to toward the sky.
"Where's Gavin?!" Leelee shouted as she glanced around. Spotting Jareth and the others, she
smiled.
"Find your bodies and take them back!" Jade shouted. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled the
true stone from it's hiding place. This one thing remained. Jade looked around for something to
smash it, forgetting the saber attatched to her belt in all the chaos, her eyes landed on piece of
rock. Grabbing it, she set the stone down, raising the rock.
A hand clasped her wrist, halting her plans and swinging her around to stare back into Jareth's
eyes. "You will pay for this," Gavin growled, his hand reaching down and picking up the stone.
"All this time, you had it."
"Surprise," Jade muttered, as she tried to pull free. Her eyes caught the glint of the dagger and
somewhere deep inside knew she was as good as dead. "Go ahead, kill me you no good
womprat!" she yelled. Jade pushed against him in an attempt to free herself from his iron grip.
No such luck.
"Why not find a nice quiet spot?" he whispered softly, pushing against her roughly. "I want to
have a bit of fun with my new toy," he grinned.
"I'd rather die!" she spat.
"Oh you will," he grinned. Clamping a hand across her mouth, he drug her from the room, ready
to show her ultimate pain. When she bit his hand, he wrapped his long fingers around her neck,
having had enough of her arrogance.
Jareth looked around to find his body, but anger grew at the sight of the monster manhandling one
of his listians. That was his job! Moving silently through the room, he glanced back to his
daughter with a smile. "She has my disposition," he mused, as she decked another opponent.
"Let go!" Jade screamed, fighting him every step of the way.
"Not on your life," he hissed, pushing open the door and shoving her inside. His hand found the
switch and instantly illuminated the room with light. He clutched the dagger, his eyes looking her
over.
Jade flipped the switch on her wand, leveling it at Gavin. "Stay back," she muttered angrily.
"Don't be ridiculous. I know you won't harm your precious Goblin King," he shot back, stepping
closer. "I had thought you wouldn't give me much trouble, but now I see that was a misguided
judgment on my part."
"Shut up!" Jade shouted.
Gavin shook his head, curling his lips up into a mocking smile. "Not until I win," he countered as
he watched her closely. He held the stone in his hand, taunting her with it. "Oh the others may
well get their bodies back and live again, but I will triumph. Out of all this suffering, they will lose
their king and one of their own."
"Not in this lifetime," Jade muttered, her eyes on the stone.
"Then in the next!" he growled, reaching out and grasping her arm harshly. Gavin smiled when
she cried out in pain and squeezed harder. He would take great pleasure in destroying her. With
an animalistic growl, he pushed her hard against the wall, pinning her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What's going on?!" Danny uttered, feeling a coolness brush his cheek just before a clasp on his
shoulder.
"I want my body back!" Spidey yelled, her eyes taking on a fierce look.
"It's going to blow!" Gemma shouted, holding her beam steady as she watched the darkness
lighten and turn white. In an instant, it exploded, showering the room in a bright white light.
When the smoke cleared, all that was left of the ceiling was hole. Debris littered the ground and
all around lay the bodies of the UGLies. Minutes passed, not a soul moved until finally, pushing
herself up, Leelee glanced around. One by one, the UGLies moved, a wondrous sight to those
who fought to help them.
Leelee coughed. "Is everyone okay?" she asked.
"Hot damn! I'm back!" SQ roared, jumping up with a smile.
"Me too!" Mairead added.
"Crikey! This is wicked good!" Dee cackled, stretching her arms.
"Shit howdy!" Amy exclaimed.
"I'm here," Allie said.
"Me too," Daisy, Jen and a few others added.
Lies looked around, her heart saddened. Though she had her life back, she wasn't the same. She
had been violated, and somewhere deep inside it scared her that life could be so easily stolen. Her
thoughts went to her little girl, Cher, who she loved most of all and wondered what would have
happened if it turned out the way it was planned. She couldn't bear to think of her precious
daughter all alone in the world. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned against the wall, tears
welling in her green eyes. She was alive.
"What's wrong Amy?" Dawn asked, noticing Amy's change in demeanor.
Amy sat still, her gaze raising to meet Dawn's, her dark eyes welling with tears. "I just realized
all that I could have lost. I have the most important thing back, my life," she smiled faintly, tears
falling silently down her cheeks.
Her statement shook the rest of them, as the seriousness of the situation finally sunk in. They
could have all died. They could have been lost to the world, their future taken from them in the
blink of an eye.
Leelee looked at Gemma, then to Kara. "Where's Jareth?" she asked as she continued to look
around.
"Um. . . where's Jade?" Kara asked, getting a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Gavin!" Gemma growled. "We have to find her."
"I'm going after Selah," Leelee said, getting to her feet. "You guys find her, okay? And do me a
favor?"
"What?" Kara asked.
"Kill Gavin," she muttered angrily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Let the fun begin, my pet," Gavin whispered, sliding his hand down to her waist. Devious eyes
watched his prey with brute lechery. "Why do you fight? You have already lost," he whisphered,
his lips close to her ear.
"Screw you!" she bit out.
Gavin smirked maliciously. "That is the idea," he stated, cocking his head to one side. Gavin
grasped the zipper of the overalls she was wearing, slowly moving it downward.
Jareth hovered in the shadows, disgusted by the one called Gavin. How dare he treat his listians
this way. Anger rose as he watched this cad using his body to assault Jade. How could he help
her? He was bodiless. Jareth's mind buzzed as he thought of what to do.
Jade took the opportunity and lashed out at Gavin, knocking him backwards. A second later,
when she realized it worked and he was now on the floor, she ran. A strangled cry shattered the
silence as she fell forwards, strong fingers wrapping tight around her ankle.
Rolling onto her back, she kicked at him with her free leg, catching him in the shoulder. His grip
tightened and she found herself being pulled back. Screaming, she bit his hand as he grabbed her
shoulder.
Gavin, angered by her actions, struck her once again across the face. "You damn wench!" he
shouted, pinning her down. "I'll make you behave," he grinned, holding her arms above her head.
Jade's eyes fell to the stone he gingerly set down beside him. She had to get that stone, but how?
His hand slid inside her suit and she wanted to scream, but who would hear her? She ignored his
touches, his lips, his words. . . all that mattered was getting that stone.
Jareth couldn't stand it. He moved closer, a random plan formed in his mind, and stopped
instantly as he witnessed a tear sliding down her cheek. So much pain, and for what? He should
have stopped this whole thing back when they got here. He knew this house was nothing but
trouble, and yet he let them stay. They had even warned him of the treachery, and yet he did
nothing. With a new determination, Jareth proceeded. He would take his body back by force if
necessary.
"Get the hell off my listian!" Jareth's voice roared angrily, shoving at his own body, amazed that
he actually made physical contact. His eyes narrowed as he faced himself, his body rising in front
of him.
Gavin lost his cool, swinging around to glimpse the Goblin King staring angrily back. "Fool," he
muttered, regaining his composure. "I have it all, and you have nothing. You are dead," he
sneered.
A sudden hiss from behind, startled him and caused him to turn around. There stood Jade,
forgotten lightsaber in hand. His eyes widened when he realized where she was. "Don't!" he
bellowed, extending his hand.
"Go to hell!" she screamed, sending the saber straight down, shattering the stone instantly.
Gavin convulsed, his life stolen from him. He couldn't hold on to this body now that he lost. He
could feel the emptiness inside him grow, the darkening existence of loneliness filling him once
again. His eyes fell on Jade. Damn his ego for thinking he could do anything he pleased withouth
considering the consequences. All was lost now, his hopes shattered in a single moment.
Jareth took control of his body, breathing in the pureness of life, existence. Flexing his fingers,
Jareth pulled his gloves on more securely, then looked up. His heart wrenched in his chest, the
image of her sitting against the wall, her head on her knees, was simply unbearable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Selah, wake up," Leelee said softly. Reaching out, she gently patted Selah's cheek, as her eyes
looked over the healed skin where blood red wounds used to be. Jareth did it, but was he in time?
"Come on, Selah, wake up," she uttered again.
"Huh?" came a soft reply, as Selah slowly opened her eyes. "Where am I?" she asked, shielding
her eyes from the light.
"Doesn't matter. Can you stand?" Leelee asked, helping her to sit up. She watched as Selah
stood, weaving just a bit, but able to hold her own. "You're lucky Jareth likes you," Leelee said,
a wide smile crossing her face.
"What are you talking about? Jareth? Nah, he's still ticked about the divorce," Selah shot back,
grinning. She raised her hand to her forehead. "I had the strangest dream. . . nightmare actually,"
she mentioned as she followed Leelee from the room.
"Selah!" Mai called out, waving like a maniac.
"What's wrong with you? You act as though you've not seen me in forever," she laughed, then
looked down at herself. "Eek! What am I wearing?!" she exclaimed, her hand falling to the soft,
blood stained fabric. "Please tell me this isn't mine," she muttered, feeling a bit faint.
"It's alright, it was, but Jareth fixed it," Leelee rambled.
"What? In my dream, he tried to kill me," she smirked. Catching the odd gazes she was getting,
Selah shook her head. "No, it didn't happen. I just imagined it."
"If you think so," Jen laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kara followed Gemma silently down the hall. Eyes covering every inch of their surroundings, she
stopped suddenly.
"What are you doing?" Gemma asked, turning around.
"They're in here," she murmured, then smiled. "Thanks, George."
"I'm not going to ask," Gemma remarked.
Pushing the door open, they followed the sound of a familiar voice. There was Jareth, standing
proud and tall. Kara immediately lost her temper and charged him. "Where's my father?!" she
screamed, shoving him easily.
"Kara, stop this nonsense, child." he retorted, putting his hands up to fend her off.
"Kara, it's him." Jade added, her voice soft.
Kara stared at him.
"Do you want to see the scar where you burned me, when you blew the bog? Talk about magical
backfire," he quirked, a stern brow rising over an amused grin.
"Dad!" she squealed, rushing to embrace him. "I thought I lost you," she sniffled.
"Never. I will always be with you, even in death. I have a kingdom to watch over so you don't
run it into the ground with your fairness," he remarked seriously.
"Jade, you okay?" Gemma asked.
"I'm fine," Jade replied, noticing Jareth's glance but ignoring it. "Can we just get out of here
now?"
"Yes!" Gemma shouted, skipping toward the door.
"Where's Selah?" Jade asked.
"Leelee went to get her. She was in pretty bad shape when we got there though," Kara answered
darkly.
"She'll be fine," Jareth added. "I've taken care of it."
"What did you do?" Gemma asked, peeking her head back inside the door.
"Took care of my listians, Gemma dear," he retorted, as he glanced toward Jade again. "Is there
anything I can do for you, Gemma?" he asked, turning his attention back to her. When he saw her
eyes light up, and a wicked grin cross her face, he held up a single gloved hand. "Don't even
think about it. I am not giving you Bale."
Gemma's smile faded, but soon returned. "I was just going to ask if I could keep this stuff?" she
mentioned.
"If you like," he answered, then laughed when she squealed in delight and took off skipping down
the hall. "You can keep the light saber," he mentioned to Jade, then continued, "It's a good thing
I let you have it. Came in handy."
"Yes it did," she answered.
When they rejoined the others, shouts filled the corridors. As it quieted, Leelee frowned, her gaze
looking across everyone there. There was something missing.
"What is it Leelee?" Lies asked, the puzzlement in Leelee's face showing.
"Where's Essy?" she asked.
"Look, there she is," Jen pointed across the room.
"What the hell is she doing?" SQ asked, thinking her eyes deceiving her.
"Scratching?" Paola threw in.
"You don't think. . ." Dee started, but trailed off when Essy clawed at the wall with her
fingernails.
"Has she lost her mind?" Gemma asked.
A small cat wrapped itself around Leelee's feet. The pink collar gliding with it's movements. As
soon as Leelee looked down, she laughed.
"What's so funny?" Spidey asked, a curious brow rising slowly.
"She's still a cat!" Leelee cackled.
"Shut up apprentice and get me out of this!" Essy shouted.
"Aren't you just the cutest thing, Easy?" Dawn cooed.
"DCME!"
"Yep, that's her alright," Amy laughed.
"If she's here, then who?" Christy asked, all eyes turning to Essy's body now curling up in a
corner.
"I think she's purring," Daisy smiled.
"Awe, isn't that just cute?" Allie smiled.
"No!" Essy hissed. "I want my body back!"
"I'd take care of you Ess. You could mingle with my kitties," SQ offered.
"I am not mating with your cats," Essy shot back.
"She said mingle Sith, not procreate. The world doesn't need another Essy," Leelee laughed, not
able to control it. This was too fun.
"Jareth," Jade spoke up.
"I could do it," he replied, rubbing his hand against his chin.
"What?" Essy asked, seeing that look in his eye. "Don't expect anything, tights. I'm not in the
giving mood," Essy hissed.
Jareth smiled. "Alright. I suppose I could help even you," he muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nothing, but you must agree to one thing," he said, his arms folding across his chest.
"What?" she asked wearily.
"Never bring that crossbow to another one of these things. You do, and it will be permanently
confiscated," he replied sternly.
"Fine, can I please have my body back now?" she asked, scratching behind her ear with a back
claw.
"Did she say please?" Gemma gasped.
Jareth cupped a hand to his ear. "What was that?" he asked.
Essy growled. "You know what I said," she remarked angrily.
Jareth laughed. "Very well," he replied, his hands weaving around majestically. "Get over there."
Essy didn't need to be told twice. Running across the floor, she hopped up on top of her body
and waited patiently for Jareth to do his thing.
"I rather like her like this, can't we just keep her?" Kara asked, a nod in her direction. "She'd
make a splendid addition to the Labyrinth, and I'm sure the goblins wouldn't harm her. . . much,"
she finished.
"Don't even consider it," Essy snapped.
"No, Kara. I think we're safer if she's not there. She'd destroy the kingdom," Jareth muttered.
Tossing a crystal into the air, he watched as it floated across the open space toward Essy. His
eyes gleamed as it descended and burst right on cue.
Essy sat up, her blue eyes looked around suspiciously then she noticed the cat. Pushing it lightly
from her, she stood up and brushed the dirt from her clothing. "Where did he get these awful
clothes?" she remarked, noticing the nasty color she detested.
"Who knows, but I think that's a good color on you," Amy replied.
"It's pink!" Essy shouted.
"Yes, so?" Lies asked, a smirk darkening her face.
"I hate pink!" Essy replied.
"As if we didn't know that," Gemma laughed.
"Um, Ess, I should probably tell you that while I was walking here with you. . . him. . . whoever,
they made comment of how nicely rounded your curves were and how much fun they were
having," Selah added casually.
"What?!" she exclaimed, her blood boiling at the thought.
"Easy there Ess, I'm joking," Selah laughed.
Getting their things, the listians promptly left, carrying their baggage outside and waiting for
Jareth to come back. When the last listian walked from the doors, something amazing happened.
A shimmering light rose from the foundation, rising upward until the entire house was
encompassed. The listians stood there, staring as the house dissipated, brick by brick until there
was nothing left but the stone walkway.
"Whoa," Jen muttered, breaking the silence.
"What the-?" SQ muttered.
"Where did it go?" Dee asked, her green eyes wide.
"Transdimensional cross rep," Kara answered.
"What?" Gemma asked, glancing at her.
"The souls that held the house are gone. The energy concentrated that created their bubble, as it
were, is gone. There isn't anything to keep it here any longer." Jade stated.
"Oh? And where was I through all of this?" Selah inquired.
"On a slab bleeding to death slowly," Leelee answered quickly. "Just don't mention Aztecs and
sun gods to Jade. I don't want to hear that again," she added, shaking her head.
"Okay," Selah replied.
"Gemma," Jareth said softly, grasping her arm gently. "I have a question for you."
"I'm not jumping your bones, Jareth," Gemma replied hastily.
"Is that where your mind lingers, woman?" Jareth shot back, his eyes staring back. "I have a
favor to ask," he said softly.
Gemma noted his tone; he was serious. "What?" she asked, watching him closely.
"I want you to go with Jade instead of home," he uttered, his eyes flitting across the other listians.
"She needs someone there, at least for a little while."
"What are you talking about?" Gemma inquired, then remembered where they found her. "What
happened in that room Jareth?" she questioned, a shudder involuntarily passing through her.
Jareth remained silent. He wouldn't say a word and break her confidence. If she wanted anyone
to know, she'd have to be the one to tell them.
"Jareth, tell me," she insisted.
"Just do what I ask, Gemma," he replied, walking back toward the others. Walking up beside
Leelee, he shook his head. "Who wants to go first?" he asked, then took a step back. One by
one, Jareth sent his listians home. Jareth motioned Selah over, one of the remaining four.
"Wait, Jareth. . . can I ask a favor before you send me home?" she asked, a small grin crossed her
face. "I want to go home to my mom, but. . ."
"Get on with it," he sighed.
"Can you just misplace my father for a few days? Please?" she asked.
"Fine, but I'm not keeping him," he muttered, sending her home.
"What did you do with her father?" Jade asked.
"Oh, he's in an oubliette somewhere," Jareth waved his hand. "Ready, you two?" Jareth
mentioned, looking directly at Jade and Gemma.
"I guess," Jade muttered.
"Yeah!" Gemma piped up. "I get to see Indiana!"
"What?" Jade asked, looking at Gemma strangely.
"Jade," Jareth said softly, then continued, "you need something that this time I can give you. . . a
friend. Gemma is going to stay with you, help you through any hardship you might encounter."
he said, then halted her interjection. "Just for once, don't argue with me?" he smiled, waving his
hand and sending them on their way.
"Back to school with you?" Jareth asked, examining a gloved hand.
"No," Kara replied.
Jareth turned to look at his daughter; quite the young lady she had turned out to be. He
considered himself lucky. With a smile, he took her hand. "Why not?"
"Because you need me," she replied, kissing his cheek. "Let's go home, dad."
Jareth wrapped his arm around his daughter, a feeling of sincere hope flooding through him.
Glancing at her, he could see so much of her mother in her. "Why don't you try it, Kara?" he
asked softly.
Kara smiled, raised her hands in front of her and concentrated like he showed her so many times
before. Eyes sliding shut, the energy flow pulsed around her as they slowly disappeared from
sight. In a matter of time and space, one thing led to another and Kara saw herself staring at her
father's panic stricken face. "Oops?" she shrugged innocently.
Jareth's eyes grew wide as the deafening music shook his body. How could she do this to him?
Feeling a little conspicuous, Jareth tried to push his way through the crowd with no such luck.
Turning to look at Kara, her body swaying to the music as her eyes followed every move of the
singer, he sighed in disgust.
"A Bowie concert?!" he shouted, as he watched her grin. "You planned this, didn't you?!"
Kara laughed, knowing they would be there awhile. As the music set the mood, Jareth put a hand
to his temple. He knew this listian gathering would be nothing but trouble. He didn't think he
could handle a next time.