Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, (except for some of the goblins) you know it, and I know it. Don't sue me!

Author's note: This story takes place in Erik's time period. The whole Labyrinth plotline hasn't even happened yet. For our purposes, Jareth, (being the Goblin king and all) has an extraordinary long life. However this story is equally about both characters, and how they influenced each other. (i.e. how Jareth influenced Erik's relationship with Christine and how Jareth's actions here would influence his relationship with Sarah later on) Hope you enjoy!

The Advocate

Chapter 1

Jareth was bored. Terribly bored. Inescapably bored. He stood up from his chair and searched around his castle for some type of amusement. But alas, there was none to be found. No one had visited the Labyrinth for months and crossing over to the outside world was getting increasingly more dangerous. Last time he'd done it a whole pack of humans hunted him down and called him-what was it again? Ah, yes, warlock. It seemed that the Americas were a dangerous place to go if you practiced any type of magic. Well, he bemused, it was better to live dangerously than to just sit here bored out of his mind.

"Alisander," Jareth called "Come here." Soon a small portly figure came hopping along with rubbery green skin and a large beak-like nose. He also had a pair of pinkish green wings that drooped behind him, heavy with non-use.

"Yes, Master?" The little goblin inquired.

"Go into the outside world, and let me know if there is any mischief to be made. This castle grows terribly dull and I require amusement." Jareth paused. "Look over in Europe, I definitely don't want to visit the Americas again anytime soon." Jareth watched as the little goblin bowed his head and dissolved into a smoky green mist. He should be back within the hour. It did not take his minions long to traverse the human world, and to find out where to cause the most trouble. Jareth sat down in his chair and waited, playing with some crystal balls while he lingered. About a half-hour later, Alisander returned.

"I have done as you asked and I return to you with a promising prospect". Jareth nodded, indicating he should go on. "In the city of Paris there is to be a masked ball at an Opera house, where some strange events have occurred. This opera house is supposedly haunted by a phantom that brought down an entire chandelier as if by magic. There are some who speculate that tonight he may return."

"Ah," Jareth sighed. It didn't sound too interesting, but he did like going to parties, and crashing them if he could. And wearing a mask could be an added plus. "Thank you Alisander, you shall be well rewarded" Jareth said as he headed for his lair, "see to all the arrangements for my travel, I shall be ready to leave within the next quarter of an hour." As Jareth made his way through the corridors of his castle he spotted a clock. It read that the time was 13:36. So then what time was it in Paris? He didn't want to arrive early. "Gingon," he called "come to me". Gingon was the castles' resident expert on human affairs. Gingon soon appeared at Jareth's side. He was a little purple goblin with big pointy ears and webbed feet.

"Yes, Master?"

"Tell me, if it is 13:36 here, what time is it in the human city of Paris?" Gingon took out a very large notebook and looked at some sort of table while muttering to himself. Jareth flashed him an impatient look.

"J-Just another moment sir it'll be just another moment." The pace of his muttering increased as he found the correct slot on the table. "If it is 13:36 here then it is precisely 9:46 in the human city of Paris."

"Hmmm…9:46…and what time do people normally attend parties?"

Gingon thought for a moment "I-I would have to s-say p-perhaps around n-nine." Gingon looked up at Jareth for the first time since he summoned him, and then looked right back down "A-Although there really is no set time" Jareth waved him away

"That will be all Gingon." The little purple creature scuttled away. Jareth continued to his room and once their decided on his attire for the night. He was ever so fond of the tight riding wear that he wore around the castle, but this seemed a little too much of a formal occasion for that. He decided on a ruffled white shirt with a sparkling black coat with matching pants. He needed to attract attention, but also to blend in. However contradictory the idea, it was absolutely essential in the human world. He then found a goblins-head mask and decided it was time to go. "Alisander," he called. The little green goblin produced himself at Jareth's feet. "Are my travel accommodations made?"

"Yes sir"

"Then let me be gone" Jareth disappeared in a puff of grey smoke and reappeared in the back of a carriage just pulling up to the Paris Opera house.

"Here you are sir". Jareth paid the driver with some money that Alisander had left for that purpose in the back of the carriage. As soon as Jareth stepped out, he was overcome with the scent of human emotion. Alisander had been right; something was going to happen here. He smelled a dangerous cocktail of excitement, fear, and even a little love. As Jareth stepped inside, he was immediately swept up in the dancing and singing that was taking place. A woman in a black dress with a cat-like mask quickly scooped him up and they were suddenly reeling around the floor to an infectious tune to which everyone knew the words.

"Masquera-ade, Every face a different shade"

He looked around for the source of the music, but was being spun so fast that he could hardly tell where he was anymore. He gracefully bowed out of the dance while the women dancing changed partners. He went up some stairs to get a better view of the spectacle. However in the midst of all the singing and dancing all of the light suddenly died away. Jareth detected a new presence in the room. A presence that smelled of death, anger, jealousy, and love. Oh this was going to be good. Suddenly a single light shone on a man dressed in a red suit with a death's head for a mask. The man drew forward and nearly everyone in the room took a step back. This must have been the elusive phantom that Alisander had told him about.

"Why so silent good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good?"

This phantom seemed to be taunting the people in attendance with his sing-song voice. And then someone caught his eye. A woman, who looked very young. He approached her slowly, and then noticed an engagement ring hung loosely on a chain around her neck. He then ripped it off and disappeared into a ball of flame. Oh, this is too good Jareth thought. The woman crumpled down onto the floor where a man with brown hair helped her up. He shared a few words with her and then sought out an older woman. The pair disappeared together and most of the people who had been enjoying themselves had all gone. The woman with the brown hair regained her strength and left as well. It seemed he was alone in this giant room where you could still feel the terror of the party guests upon seeing this 'phantom'. "Alisander," Jareth called. The green creature appeared before him. "There was a man who stood right over near those stairs," Jareth pointed. "He disappeared as if by magic. I want to be where he is immediately".

Jareth found himself almost instantly standing knee-high in an underground river. He could hear that same sing-song voice now filled with rage. He stepped out of the river so that he could get a better look at his surroundings. The phantom was knocking over candelabras and screaming to himself. "Why Christine? Why? What have I not given to you, what more do you WANT?" he roared. He tore off his mask and looked in the mirror. His face would truly be a horrible thing to behold if Jareth wasn't accustomed to being around goblins. His flesh looked as if it had been seared on one side and his lips turned upwards in a grotesque-looking immobile snarl. The phantom dropped to his knees and wept. Jareth thought this the perfect time to intervene.