Finale.

Now that they had finally entered the castle, they started to make their way towards the throne room to confront Jareth. Homer walked down the darkened and long hallways of the castle, everyone else following behind keeping in close so as not to get lost. From time to time, they would hear something just ahead of them, scratching on the wall, ragged breathing, and sometimes the sounds of approaching footsteps.

"Oh dear God, when is this going to be over?" Homer whispered.

"T'is the last stage." Hoggle reassured. "All's you got to do now is find the throne room, and from there, well ye'll know what to do."

Homer nodded his head and walked further along. Pretty soon the darkness was giving way to light. After the many twists and turns, they finally made it to the entrance of the throne room. Unlike last time, when Hoggle and the rest had came here with Sarah, the throne room was not abandoned. It was filled with rowdy goblins. Sounds of loud yells and raucous laughter could be heard coming from the other side.

"Oh no." Hoggle covered his face. "That room is supposed to be empty. Thems not supposed to be in there."

"So what do we do?" Bart asked in a low whisper.

"Well, firstly we have to check how many goblins there are." Hoggle looked from Homer to Bart.

"All right boy. Stick you head in there and find out."

"Whaâ€.? Me? Why do I have to do it?"

"Because I'm your father. And as such I can make you do whatever I want. So nyaaaahhhh."

Homer stuck his tongue out at Bart.

Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus looked with widened eyes, towards Homer and Bart, as if trying to determine which one of them was more mature. Bart was shaking his head.

"Father of the year, ladies and gentlemen." He sighed deeply. "Fine. I'll go check. You'll probably screw it up anyway."

Bart walked stealthily over to the big wooden door. He stood flat against the wall, right next to the opening in the doorway. He looked from left to right, then placed his hand on the big brass doorknob. He turned it just so it wouldn't make a single sound and opened the door a fraction. He peeked in through the tiny opening and pulled back. He then placed his hand at the edge of the door and opened it further. When it was opened enough, Bart stuck his head inside and took a quick assessment. He pulled away and closed the door. He walked back to his group, who had once again gone wide eyed at his display.

"All right folks, we're looking to be dealing with about twenty ugly midget dudes. Five of them are chasing some chickens, two of them are fighting and three of them lying under a barrel drinking beer. And the rest are just lounging about. Oh and by the way, didn't see no sign of the has-been rock star wannabe Jareth dude."

"Wow Bart. We could have used your skills back in my days." Grampa said. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

Bart laughed.

"Oh Grampa, don't make me blush. I have lost the number of times I've broken into Flanders to get things."

"What? You've been breaking into our neighbor's house? I'm appalled." Homer cried out angrily.

"You made me do it half the time, Homer."

"Why you little"

Homer was promptly chasing Bart, trying to get his hand to wrap around his neck.

"Leave him alone you idiot. We still have to get Maggie back." Grampa said in an irritated tone.

"O.K we are going to need a distraction." Said Hoggle. "We have to get the goblins away from there."

The group looked around each other, nobody volunteering for the job.

"All right, I'll do it." Said Grampa. "I used to do it all the time back in the time of the war. I'll lure the enemy away with my sexy prostitute bit, and you guys will have a clear path in no time at all."

Everyone had a mental image of Grampa in a skimpy, leather outfit, with plenty of glossy makeup, trying to pose sexily. They all cringed horribly and shuddered.

"Does anybody have any other ideas?" Homer asked frantically before his father actually decided to go through with his plan.

"Well. I say that I shall challenge them all to a duel and "

"Next."

Homer said interrupting Sir Didymus, whose small fox-like mouth dropped open.

"Cram it Homer." Bart dismissed his father. "Go ahead dude. What were you going to say?"

Didymus picked up his jaw from the floor.

"As I was saying. I shall have them follow me outside, where my brother Ludo will bury them with his rock friends. What say you?"

"Sounds like a plan." Bart nodded his head.

"That will work." Hoggle too gave his assent.

"I say my plan was better, but lets do it the fox's way." Said Grampa.

"All right then." Didymus straddled his horse/dog and took out his tiny sword. Along with Hoggle and Grampa, Didymus went for the large door, whereas Ludo made for the exit. Homer and Bart hid behind a large statue and got ready to run inside once the place cleared out.

The heavy wooden doors opened with a loud smack. All the goblins, who were lunging and horsing around, got startled and looked at the intruder. A look of pure confusion came upon their ugly distorted faces as they saw who it was standing there. Instead of a large dark knight, which the loud entrance had promised, they were met with a tiny fox-like creature who was sitting on top of what appeared to be a shaggy dog.

They continued to look for a few more seconds, and then they went back to whatever they were doing before the interruption.

When he received no response from them, Sir Didymus spluttered indignantly. He brandished his sword.

"Come on you foul creatures. I, Sir Didymus, challenge you to a duel. We shall fight until the fates declare one of us champion."

Two goblins yawned, and one goblin rubbed a finger in his ear and then looked at the residue collected at his finger. Sir Didymus' sword wilted as he looked at them in disbelied.

"Move over Didymus. You got to speak their language." Hoggle said coming in from the side.

"Hey, hey you ugly stupid-heads." Hoggle yelled out and a few goblins turned their heads in his direction. "Yeah I'm talking ta ya, ya stinky, filthy, sorry excuse of goblins. Ye think ye're so hot just cuz you stay with Jareth. Well ye're nothing but cowards, hanging on to Jareth's shorts."

He had all of their attention now. Every goblin was looking at both Hoggle and Didymus with menacing glares, and a few of them were even snarling.

"Hey what's the hold up?" Grampa came from the other side. "Shouldn't you guys be running by now, being chased by those ....whoa....hello!" Grampa cringed when he saw the goblins, about ready to strike.

"Euugh. These are the goblins. I have crapped better looking things than that. Just ask the nurse who changes my diaper."

That seemed to have been the last straw. With a loud roar, all the goblins went after the three people standing in the doorway. Hoggle, Grampa and Didymus started running like the wind. They ran past the giant statue, which was hiding Homer and Bart, and out through the front door. All the goblins gave chase blindly, and as soon as they were out in the open, they were pelted down by large rocks, courtesy of one Ludo.

"Come on boy, the coast is clear. Lets go get Maggie."

"Amen to that Homer."

Both of them went into the throne room and found it empty. Homer caught a flash of red by the throne and went over for a closer look. He picked up the object which turned out to be Maggie's pacifier.

"Oh Maggie. My dear sweet baby. Where are you?" he wailed.

"Hey Dad. Check this out."

Bart called to his father. He was standing in front of a door, leading from the throne room.

"I think I hear Maggie's voice coming from there."

Homer went closer. As he came upon the door, he heard loud, youthful chuckles coming from the other side.

"Maggie." Homer screamed with joy. "Don't worry baby, Daddy's coming."

Homer extended his arms and ran blindly to the door, with Bart in tow. The moment those two entered the room, their whole equilibrium, was thrown off course.

Inside the spacious room, were layers upon layers of staircases. And not just any staircases, these ran sideways, underways, upside down, vertically and horizontally. Homer clutched at his head as he took in the whole scene.

"Oh my God, so confusing. Feels like â€.. head is gonna explode."

"Hey Dad." Homer looked up and saw that Bart was standing upside down on a staircase, a few feet above the doorway.

"Bart! Get down here. You're gonna fall."

"Actually Home boy, I'm standing right side up. You're the one who's gonna fall."

True to his words, like a force of increased gravity, Homer plummeted up to the staircase Bart was standing on.

"D'oh! Why you littleâ€. You did that on purpose."

Homer was thoroughly choking Bart when they heard soft giggles again. Letting go of his neck, they both peered down the edge. About five staircases down from them, Maggie was sitting on the edge of a stair, with her feet dangling out at the bottom. She was thoroughly kicking her legs out and emitting cooing noises.

"Maaaagieeee!!! NOOOOO!!" Homer yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Maggie! Stop!" Bart yelled, who was immediately worried for his sister's sake.

"Dad, you go this way and I'll go that way."

Bart first pointed to his right, then to his left. They both took off immediately in the opposite direction. They ran up and down the stairs. When they finally made it to the staircase where Maggie was perched, to their intense horror Maggie was gone. She was now crawling up a staircase upside down on top of them.

"Maggie!" Bart wailed.

They both ran towards her again, but when they made it there, she had disappeared again. They looked down and found Maggie to se sitting at the bottom-most staircase clapping her hands and laughing at something below her. To Homer and Bart's horror, she got up and walked right over the edge into the deep, bottomless drop below.

"Nooooo!!!!" Homer cried out.

"Dad, I'm jumping."

Bart said hurriedly, and stood over the edge. He sent a silent prayer to the God, and pushed off. To his amazement, instead of free-falling which he was bracing himself for, he found himself floating towards the bottom. There were soft clouds floating all around his face as he looked around with fascination. A few moments later his feet softly touched the ground. He looked around and saw the goblin king standing right in front of him with Maggie held in his arms. She was playing with his long hair that were in her reach, and Jareth was smiling softly down at her.

Bart walked up to him and opened his mouth to speak. When a loud whistling sound came from above, he halted and both he and Jareth looked up. They both immediately took a step backwards, and Homer fell right in the middle of the two of them. His arms and legs were spread out, and he had fallen straight on his stomach. A second later, he stood up and rubbed his head. He then took notice of Jareth.

"Give me back my baby, you monster."

'The Monster' was making soft baby noises to Maggie and tickling her with his finger. Maggie was laughing while trying to bat the finger away.

"Fine fine. You made it here. But first you have to say the words." Jareth said airily, waving his hand in the air.

"What words?" asked Bart.

"Why, my dear Bart. The words that the hero of the story has to say to the vile villain in order to get their babe back."

"O.K Bart. Say whatever it is he wants to hear, so we can take Maggie and blow this joint."

Bart chuckled nervously.

"Uhâ€.wellâ€..you seeâ€.the thing is. I didn't read the story all the way to the end, so I don't exactly know the words I have to say."

"What? Why you little"

Homer was upon Bart before he could blink. As Bart was being strangled, Maggie smiled widely and held her arms out to her father. Apparently she recognized the scene, since it happened at least twice a day.

Homer saw Maggie reach out for him and his eyes misted over.

"Oh Maggie. You really do love me." He said in a loving voice, while still throttling Bart.

"As soon as I finish here," he looked at Bart. "I'll figure out a way to take you away from him."

A frantic tug at his sleeve made Homer look down. Bart was gesturing wildly with his hands.

"What?!"

Homer let go. Bart was gasping and rubbing at his neck.

"Geez homer. You need to go to an anger management class. That one nearly took me out."

"I don't need any classes. I'm never going back there. No force in this world is going to make me go. No you, not your mother, not even the city hall, who ordered the classes in the first place."

Homer folded his arms over his chest.

"Ummâ€..hello." Jareth waved his hands in their faces. "Yeah, sorry to interrupt, but you have only five minutes left before your time is up."

He had been listening to them patiently, and amazed how they can hold an argument even in situations like these.

"Oohhh. Five minutes left. What are we going to do? What are we going to do?" Homer shook his hands, and danced from one foot to another.

"Chill Dad. As I was trying to say." Bart spoke up. "I may not know the words but I know how to find out."

He reached into his back pocket and retrieved a red leather bound book. He spun it on his index finger like a basketball, and then flipped it open to the last page.

"Now, let's see what it says here."

Bart's eyes were quickly scanning the page.

"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered,"

Jareth's eyes widened at the familiar words.

"Stop!" He held up a hand. "Before you read any further. Look, look at what I'm offering you."

Jareth conjured a crystal out of thin air and held it out in front of him.

"Here. This will fulfill every wish, desire or dream that you could possibly have. Take this in exchange for Maggie, and make your dreams come true."

Both Homer and Bart's eyes were glazed over as they looked into the bright, silvery orb. A soft whimper form Maggie snapped both of them out of their stupor. Bart shook his head and looked at the book.

"I have traveled my way here to your castle, beyond the goblin city, to take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great."

Bart read out loud and looked up at Jareth, who was still holding out the crystal in front of him.

"You have no power over me."

Immediately there were sounds of a big grandfather clock, echoing everywhere. There was a rip in the space next to them and through there, Homer and Bart could easily see their living room.

"Well gentlemen. You have won."

Jareth said with a small smile. He then looked down at Maggie and his eyes softened.

"Good bye Maggie. It was a pleasure having you here."

Maggie gave a loud coo and hugged Jareth around the neck. She then turned towards her father and held out her arms. Homer took her in his grasp and immediately went through the portal. Bart looked around the place.

"Give my regards to Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo. Catch you later man."

Bart said and also stepped through.

Jareth shook his head. This had been quiet an adventure. The portal was slowly closing up. Before it could close all the way and sever the connection between the two worlds, and arm shot out and grabbed the crystal from his hand.

"Yoink!"

Homer's voice was heard before the rip closed up entirely, leaving Jareth empty-handed and with his mouth dropped open.


"Well boy. We finally made it home."

Homer said sitting on the couch and popping open a beer can. He took a long, blissful gulp. Bart was laid on his stomach in front of the t.v. screen and watching Krusty the Klown show.

"Now remember, not a word of all this to your mother. Got it. She cannot know, under any circumstances, how we got into trouble and almost lost Maggie."

"Got it Dad."

Bart said absent-mindedly. Just then the front door opened and Lisa and Marge's voices came through.

"Hello boys. We're home." Lisa said with a smile as she walked in to the living room.

Marge took a peek in the living room, giving them a once over and then retreated to the stairs.

"I'm going to check on Maggie."

Homer gave a nervous chuckle.

"Yeah. You do that honey. She's sleeping in her crib. Just like she has been all day. And she didn't go anywhere out of this house to another dimension for a single second. That's right."

Bart groaned and rubbed a hand over his eyes, when Homer continuously winked at him. Marge gave a suspicious 'Hmmm' and walked up the stairs.

"So Lis, how'd you do at the science fair?" asked Bart.

"Ta Dah!"

She proudly held out her trophy and the medal around her neck, indicating second place.

"Wow, second place. That's neat. So who came in first? Don't tell me it was Martin."

Lisa shook her head.

"Surprisingly, it was Ralph Wiggum who came in first. But who cares. This competition was not about winning or losing, it was about expanding your scientific intellect and share your ideas and brainstorms with our science loving community."

"Uh huh. Yeah right." Bart nodded his head.

"Lisa honey, are you still mad at Daddy?"

Homer asked Lisa as she sat down on the couch.

"No Dad. I'm not mad at you. I actually was never really all that mad. Just a little disappointed that you always neglect to pay attention to things that I say. Sometimes it feels as though you don't really love me, and just tolerate my presence."

Lisa said with her head bent over, in an extremely sad voice. Homer wrapped her in an affectionate hug.

"Oh honey, that's not true. I love you so very much. You are my pride and joy. Do you have any idea how much I blab at work about being the father of the smartest girl in Springfield? Just ask Lenny and Carl. And would I get something like this for you if I didn't love you."

He reached for the side table, pulled out a round object and waved it in front of Lisa's face.

"Oh My God, Dad. This is beautiful."

Lisa held onto the crystal, where an indefinite number of colors were swirling around making different shapes. The crystal ball felt warm in her hands, and she felt hypnotized by the dazzling light it was emitting.

"Dad, this is the most wonderful gift you ever got for me. I love you I love you I love you so much." She said giving him a tight hug around the neck.

"This must have cost you a fortune."

Homer chuckled lightly.

"Oh honey. Nothing is too expensive for my little princess. Lets just say it was a 'steal'."

"Oh Dad. You have just made my great day into a wonderful day. I'm going to go and put it in my room."

Lisa ran up the stairs.

"Well Dad. That was quite an adventure we've had today." Said Bart. "But, you know what, I can't help but feel that we've forgotten something."

"Oh Bart, what could we have possibly forget. Maggie is back home. Marge doesn't suspect a thing. Lisa is happy and loves me. I'd say life is pretty good right now."

"Yeah. You're probably right."

Bart turned back towards his tv show and lost himself watching his idol. All thoughts of Labyrinth far from his mind.


Even further away, in another dimension, a regal looking man was sitting on his throne, clutching the long tendrils of his hair in a tight grasp. His head was bent and his eyes were screwed shut. All the goblins that were in that place were huddled in far corners of the vast room, looking terrified towards the throne.

"So anyway, that guy Jasper thinks he's hot stuff around the Retirement castle, because his daughter sent her nanny with his birthday gift. Apparently his family remembered his birthday. But that guy isn't all that. He's got a wooden leg, and he takes nearly twice as much medicines as I have to. Did I tell you about the time I fell in love with this really hot old chick named Beatrice. Her wrinkly skin was so beautiful and the sight of her eating the mush they served us always put a flutter in my heart. Actually that happened so often that at one time I had to be taken to the emergency room. Anyway"

Grampa was sitting right next to Jareth on top of a chair, and telling him whatever came to his mind. Jareth's clutches on his hair were getting tighter and tighter, and his knuckles had turned white.

"Then there was this time that everyone thought I had shot Mr. Burns. But it wasn't really me, although I would've shot the old coot if I had gotten my chance. But Marge had taken away my gun, she has this crazy idea that I'm unstable. He he he he, how'd you figure that. Anywayâ€.."

"That's it!!"

Jareth roared and got up. His chair flew back into the wall with a giant thud. Jareth waved his hand and a rip opened up in the space next to him. He grabbed Grampa by his arm, hauled him up, and threw him through the rip, right into the retirement castle. Once he was through, Jareth resealed the portal, and sat back down on the uprighted chair, and took a deep breath. He looked around his goblins menacingly.

"No body will ever breath a word of this to anyone. No body will mention this event again. Do I make myself clear?"

All the goblins nodded their heads frantically, and sighed with relieved breaths as Jareth walked out of the throne room for a much needed rest.


".... and there was this little fox-like creature with a sword and a little tiny horse. Or was it a dog? Anyway then there was this little man who was wearing so much jewelry and talking in this strange accent. But anyway, I had the time of my life."

Grampa was telling Jasper, his old buddy, who was listening with rapt attention.

"And then I had to distract the goblins so Homer and Bart can go get Maggie."

"Hey Abe. Did you use that sexy prostitute routine?" Jasper interrupted.

"Nah. They wouldn't let me. Even though I told them that it works every time. Well, I'm getting tired of this. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. I need to rest now, I'm very tired."

Grampa retreated to his room to sleep, and to dream about his grand adventure that he'd had with his children and other mystical creatures. It was a very good day for him, after all.


The End.

There you have it folks. That's the end of this chapter, and this story. Hope you all enjoyed reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will probably write more Simpsons Fics in the future, as soon as I hit a brainstorm. Anyway, thanks so very much to all you wonderful readers out there. With lots of love, bye bye from Violet Bunny