Chapter 26 - Tree of Terror

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The sun was already setting and the usual gloom of the Forest became even darker and
threatening. Unexplained sounds echoed between the trees and the canopy began to
drip with dew like a damp ceiling of a crypt. The travellers were not as vulnerable
now. They had an eight foot hairy monster and enough cold steel to supply a small
army, but there was still a feeling of unease in the air that lingered like a cheap
after-shave. Hilarity and Jareth were close to ending their shift at front and soon it
would be Thomas and Ludo's turn.

"So what's this Tree of Temptation look like?" said Hilarity, breaking the tense
silence.

"I don't know." said Jareth with a hint of sarcasm "A tree perhaps."

"Yes, but which one?"

"No idea. Should've asked that demon really."

"You know you've been bloody useless since you got your magic confiscated!"
Hilarity complained. "Sure, we know what our terrible fates are. But do we how
escape them? NO!"

"It was a spur of the moment thing, and I couldn't rightly give us away with all those
agents out to get us. Besides, magic or no magic, I can still kick your arse!"

"Oooh! Is that a challenge?" Hilarity baited "OK. I'm in the mood for a test of speed
today. I'll race you to that sinister, highly suspicious looking over there. The loser has
to eat the rest of the Goblin bread."

"Your on!" said Jareth and immediately started running. Hilarity was ready for this.
Being the huge cheater that he was, Jareth was very predictable in his racing
techniques. They both sped towards the sinister looking tree. Hilarity, who had the
advantage of longer legs, eventually took the lead, lept up and grabbed one of the
lower branches.

"HA! YES! In your face, Goblin King!" she shouted out happily as she swung her legs
over the top of the branch and hung upside down mockingly. This was until the
branch suddenly sprung to life and brutally tossed her through a small door that had
appeared in the side of the trunk.

"Hils?" cried Jareth, then realised what had happened "Oh Bugger!" The others
arrived a few seconds later. He had a lot of explaining to do. Even more in fact, when
the rest of the trees in the clearing appeared to move a lot closer together and any
effort to escape was punished with a vicious branch whipping.

"It looks like the only way out is to face the Tree." said Thomas hopelessly after a few
unsuccessful attempts. They untied the mule and set it free and after gathering
anything that could be of use, they stepped through the door one by one.

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The Temptation of Hoggle

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He was in room lit brightly with candles that stood on every available surface. To be
more accurate it was a treasure room with all kinds of exotic trinkets from all over the
world.

"Honestly! Am I that predictable?" cried the Gnome angrily. But then again, they were
awfully pretty. NO! it was all an illusion. "I don't want this!" he snarled, his mind
straining to listen to reason. The room disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and
he emerged into the still night at the other side of the Forest.

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The Temptation of Jareth

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He was in his throne room. It was surprisingly clean and devoid of Goblins! His train
of though was interrupted when Sarah walked in and locked him in a passionate
embrace.

"Oh Darling! I was so worried! And I'm so happy that you and Caradoc are safe!" she
whispered.

"Well that's....Wait a minute! Do you say....?"

"The way you rescued him, single-handedly and without magic." she continued.

"But I didn't...!" he said. Or had he? It was quite hard to tell. Perhaps it was all over
and he could just stay here with his family and live happily ever after. NO! It was all
an illusion. He broke free of Sarah's arms and looked around wildly for an exit.

"What's wrong, my love?" she said.

"This isn't real!" Jareth cried.

"Of course it's real. what are you talking about?"

"No! It isn't. It's all an illusion to tempt me. I should know, I'm an expert on this kind
of diversion. I don't want this!"

As soon as the words were said, he dropped heavily on the ground at the edge of the
Forest.

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The Temptation of Ludo

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Ludo found himself in a large meadow full of beautiful flowers. It was all quite
wonderful but he wished there was someone to share it with. On pat, a little man
appeared out of thin air.

"Hiya! I'm George. What's you're name?"

"Ludo." said Ludo. This guy smelt weird. He wasn't to be trusted.

"Would you like to be friends, Ludo?" said the man, cheerfully.

"Ludo got friends!" said Ludo.

"Well, no harm in having another one." said the man.

"This not real! Ludo not want this!" splat. It was dark and the ground was dry and
hostile. Luckily he had landed on something soft. And alive! Oh no! It was a Gnome.
"Not again!" came a muffled squeak.

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The Temptation of Thomas

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He was on Earth. In his old hotel room in New Mexico, the one he lived in for years
before he was found out. His twelve television sets were placed strategically along the
wall opposite the bed that was surrounded by empty gin bottles. That really wasn't his
idea of temptation any more. As soon as this thought crossed his mind the door
opened and he found himself looking back into the calm, familiar gaze of his wife.

"Zinnia! You're alive!" he cried joyfully as she drew him to her. The perfume she
always wore engulfed him in a comfortable cloud of scent.

"That message you sent reached us just in time." she said beaming at him "We
managed to track down the co-ordinates of this planet and escape before our last water
supplies ran out."

"We?" No sooner said than done, the door crashed open again and two younger alien
males rushed through. "Kids!" he cried and knelt down to hug them both "Oh! I've
missed you all so much!"

"We've missed you too, Tom." said Zinnia "I love you."

"I love..." one tiny thought nagged its way into his brain "...Hilarity!"

"What do you mean, Tom?"

"I love Hilarity!" he repeated again, suddenly realising that none of this was real. "I'm
so sorry! I don't want this!"

Crash! Through the branches of a tree near the edge.

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The Temptation of Hilarity

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She was in a desert! That was funny! She had been in a forest a few minutes ago. She
gasped. Oh crap! The tree...it must've been...

"Hello, my dear." said a voice behind her. She looked around and saw a tall dark man
with a striking physical resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne.

"Are you...?" the man nodded "Christ! This is a little biblical isn't it?"

"It's what we got from you're mind."

"Oh....Well, do your worst. You cannot tempt me."

"Oh can't I?" said the Prince of Darkness and pulled out a large jar with a foil top.
"Would you like a cup of coffee? I haven't broken the seal yet." he ran a teaspoon
gently along the rim. Hilarity looked torn for a moment but with a lot of effort,
politely refused.

"Very well." said the devil "How about a fruit pastille?" he held one out and rolled the
circular fruit gum between his thumb and forefinger seductively "It's a black one." he
encouraged.

"No!"

The devil pulled out a highly ornate carriage clock.

"You're riches cannot tempt me, Satan!" she shouted.

"Maybe not. But look what it's wrapped in." said the Prince of Darkness and held up a
sheet of bubble wrap.

"I DON'T WANT IT!" yelled Hilarity angrily and the desert disappeared with a
mighty pop.