Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.

A/N: cHiLLy dOwN wiTh FiRe gANg! yeah, I know that last chap was faster than a two-cent ho with a cupon, and it was cheap too, but this will be better.

Chapter 9

Fox and Hound

The stone wall ended as Nim and I walked towards the left. A descending staircase connected to the wall, so that was our way down.

"Don't mind teh smell.." Nim warned as a horrible smell creeped up on my nose. It smelled like my friend's dog after it accidentally ate a bean burrito.

"Ka-rah...Ka-" I could have sworn I heard Ludo's voice, but as I viewed the area, I realized he wasn't nearby.

Nim and I now strolled over to this little stone staircase, which led to a gargantuan oak tree, and not too far away was a short bridge. Out of nowhere, a fox with white hair jumped out from behind the tree, standing next to a scruffy looking dog. The two stood in our way, taking in our presence. I couldn't put my finger on it, but didn't I jinx myself yet again? I remember thinking about a fox or something earlier...

The fox welcomed us with a short hello, and asked in a kind voice who my new goblin friend and I were. I answered first, making sure to introduce Nim as well. The fox told us his name was Sir Didimus, and his dog was Ambrocious.

"Nice to meet you, but I have a question.." I spoke politely to Sir Didimus.

He only said, "Go on.."

"How do I get to Goblin City from here?" As I asked my question, Nim shot me an icy glare. What the hell was his problem? Goblin PMS?

Didimus answered shortly, "Certainly, follow my companion and I."

Nim retorted, "No, we don't need yer 'elp, Sir. I am fine with Kara righ' now. I know teh way to Goblin City better than yeh' ever will."

I was surprised at Nim's response. "What the hell is wrong with you, Nim. These two want to help, so let them! I need all the help I need to get to the City. My sister is in trouble, and all you can do is shun anyone or anything that wants to aid me. What kind of friend are you?" My outburst surprised everyone, but Didimus tried to hide a giggle.

"Sorry Ma'am, I was only tryin' ter' think of teh time situation. Yeh' only 'ave so long, and I don't want ta' let anyone waster yer' moments when yeh' could be savin' yer' sister." Nim smiled innocently, but I knew he was trying to cover something up. I didn't trust him suddenly...

"Ya well," I shot back, "I know what's best for me. C'mon Sir Didimus, let's all go." I began to walk away towards the bridge.

0o0o0o0o

Jareth remembered her name...Remembered her appearance...Remembered her attitude. He was going to be in a lot of trouble soon if he didn't finish his plan. The spell had worn out, that was certain, but if all the creatures in the Labyrinth began to remember as well, they would create a worse vulnerability for their king.

A power resided in the Labyrinth, ready to punish anyone or anything that mocked their magic. By using the spell he had used, Jareth created a door for the power to enter. The Powers lingering about could punish the user of the magic if the user was lackadazical in renewing the spell if it ever started to fade. Jareth didn't realize until a few weeks ago that he was beginning to see Sarah in his dreams, and she would tell him the story of how she came to the Labyrinth. This was Jareth's slow way of remembering it all. The Powers became mad.

The punishment of not renewing a spell depended on the size of the matter. In the Goblin King's case, by erasing a part of his memory, the Powers would result to banishing him, erasing his memory completely, and destroying his world. Such a big price to pay for a small spell. If the creatures of the Labyrinth recovered their memories of Sarah as well, their identities would be completely pulverized, and punishment would be worse than any imagination could endure.

Plainly stated, Jareth would be endangering his entire world and all its inhabitants if he didn't bring another soul into the Labyrinth. This was one reason why he searched for another human child to sacrifice...Yes, sacrifice..It was all part of his plan, and no one knew about it but him. Everyone else only thought he was going to turn poor Robin into a goblin..

On the other hand, bringing Kara into his world unlocked a part in his heart which had not been touched for so long. He was attracted to Kara, but couldn't say anything in fear of her replies to his plan. He could not imagine anyone liking him after the sacrifice of their sibling.

Yet, Jareth could not stop thinking of Kara's sexy sarcasm and great attitude. He loved her snide remarks, her voice, her everything. Jareth hadn't felt this much in love since Sarah, but of course he hadn't seen a real woman since Sarah either.

"Nim tried, your highness. He tried to keep her away from Didimus and that dog." Yerk sounded a bit confused and scared.

In an irratated voice, Jareth yelled, "Tell Nim to press on with the plans anyhow. Kara can't have all this help by her side!"

If all the creatures in the Labyrinth started to gain their memory back of when Sarah was present, they will know exactly how to help Kara. Hoggle was the first to prove this. As he lay in the dungeon for quite some time now, Jareth was thinking about torturing the dwarf until he confessed of what he knew.

Yerk nodded, and left the Throne Room. Jareth decided to pay Hoggle a visit after all. The dungeons weren't at all very threatening besides the dead skeleton hanging from the wall, and the dark shadows that crept about. However, Hoggle was very uncomfortable, and collapsed at the sight of his King.

"How long since you have realized who Sarah was, and why she was here?" The Goblin King sat on a small table across from the chained up dwarf.

Hoggle spat, "I ain't tellin' you nothin'."

"Now, Hogspud," Jareth maliciously laughed, "you can tell your King the answer, or you can choose not to see the light of day any longer. Of course, I wouldn't be the one to destroy you. The Powers higher than I are growing more irascible by the second, and they are waiting patiently until the end of Kara's escapade to take any action. I could always add you to the sacrifice."

"What sacrifice?"

Jareth pressed on, "You don't know? I thought by now you would after all that's happened. I must replay Sarah's visit in order to proceed with my plans for Robin. Cute little Robin. Too bad I have to give her to the Powers, otherwise I would love to take care of her myself."

"What do you think you're gonna do?" Hoggle struggled to stand.

"Nothing," He pushed the dwarf back to a sitting position, "Nothing you need to poke your bumpy nose in. Let's just say Robin is an addition to our Labyrinth in a decorative way."

This truly confused Hoggle. Robin was destined to turn into a goblin, wasn't she?

With a quick action, Jareth knocked Hoggle out with one of his crystals. It is time, he thought, to initiate a change in Kara's journey.