Disclaimer: I do not own, in any way shape or form, the Labyrinth.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to write. I finally know what to do in the rest of this story to make it interesting.
Chapter 17
Sewer Magic
Walking along the streets downtown wasn't very picturesque, but it was interesting. There were a few scary looking people asking everyone who passed them for money or food. I felt bad, but my pocket held no money or loose change. Just some lint leftover from the wash and dryer. My Mom insisted on using dryer sheets only for her clothes, which was very selfish in my humble opinion. That was probably the reason my black pants had a few little dust clusters near the zipper and back pockets.
"Hmmm," Jareth's attention was caught by something, "Since when did mists of white float near sewers?"
I was taken aback by the sight. There was a puff of white floating in an alleyway near a sewer. It seemed so familiar..
"Oh no.." Jareth realized what it was, "It's a sign from the Powers. Don't go near it."
Too late. I had already begun stepping toward the puff of white, which started to get bigger. Jareth followed behind me and took my hand. It was not a good time to make me melt in his presence, but I couldn't say anything about it. The white puff circled around the sewer entrance, laying itself upon the groud. It slowly evaporated in the sky, leaving behind some residue on the road near the sewer.
"Penetro vel Intereo..." I read the residue, which stained the ground near the sewer entrance. "Latin...Umm.. I had taken one year of Latin in high school, but I never really got too involved. It says enter ...something.. Enter or... Enter or..."
"Die." Jareth suddenly said, "Enter or die. I had a lesson or two in the Latin language as well."
A distressed expression creeped over my face, "So we have to go in a sewer or we'll die?"
"Seems true."
"Damn." I rolled my eyes and grabbed the sewer cover. In a struggling, but swift motion, I took the cover off and pushed it to the side. There was a ladder immediately starting at the top of the sewer, but I could not see below. I had never been in one before, so this would certainly be a bother.
Jareth played the hero and entered first, climbing cautiously in the blackness. I followed, praying to the Heavens that I did not fall to a bloody, dirty death. I reached ground, although I could not see. Jareth, at least I hoped it was him, took my arm and pulled me along the sewer. I made no noise and spoke no words. The only sounds in this underground place were the clunking noises of shoes against stone.
"Jareth..It is you, right?" I whispered, not wanting to break the peace in such a horrid place.
His voice answered back, "Yes, Kara."
A tiny light flickered in the corner of a new room we entered. The light came from a torch on the wall not too far from us. We hurried over to it and examined the surroundings. On the ground was a small, leather pouch. Above the torch's tallest flame, on one of the wall's stones, was an engraved message. It read, Only two shall pass this way: The one with unknown powers, and one with powers unknown. Do with the bag what ye must. Take warning and be cautious. Keep friends close and enemies closer.
I picked the leather bag up and studied it. Opening it, I found the inside to be full of glittering dust.
"Put some in the flame," suggested Jareth.
Of course I followed his suggestion, for it seemed the right thing to do. I poured some glimmering dust in the palm of my hand and sprinkled it into the torch flames. I put the leather bag in my pocket after closing it tightly. As suspected, the flames grew higher. Surprisingly, they changed into a white color and spread across the wall. I backed up, right into Jareth. He kindly gripped my shoulders to show care, but he didn't move from his spot. The white flame turned black and silver, spreading to the entire side of the room. It crept down the wall and onto the floor like a snake, eventually slithering towards my feet. Before I could even consider moving, the flame exploded around Jareth and I, sending clouds of silver and black to envelop us. It swirled from left to right and up and down, circling us until I became very dizzy. The clouds turned into plain blackness, and I suddenly felt like fainting...
Thud
0o0o0o0o
"They've arrived."
"I'm fully aware of this! Throw them to the other world. Kara will be surprised to find out the information, but it's well worth it. We cannot have Jareth ruining our creations any longer."
"Cunctus, shouldn't we send her out soon?"
"No, wait... Wait for night."
0o0o0o0o
If I had to explain my new surroundings in one word, that word would be 'whoa.' Jareth was knocked out cold beside me, but that didn't stop me from taking a look around.
We were in a jungle. There were small waterfalls everywhere, trees looming intimidatingly, plant life as far as the eye could see, and beautiful scenery to fill in the gaps. The sun had no trouble shooting through the treetops either. I looked down at Jareth as I stood up. He was finally opening his eyes.
"Hey, where are we?" I asked without consideration for him.
He shot me a glance of anger, "How should I know?"
"Because..." I made up a reason, "You are cool and know a lot, so you must know what's going on now."
"Nice try." He stood up as well and took in the environment. "It's ... They've found us."
"Who?"
Jareth sounded defeated, "The Powers."