Chapter 13

The Goblin City

Maggie, Hoggle, and Nibgit (with Esmeralda perched on her shoulder like a parrot) climbed over the piles of trash outside of the Goblin City. "Is this where everyone dumps their trash?" Maggie asked as she climbed over an old chair.

"Mostly." Nibgit said as she ducked under a table. "Well I think someone should do something about it. This isn't even sanitary! It's like you guys don't even want visitors in your city." Maggie said. She looked up to see Hoggle and Nibgit (even Esmeralda) giving her a look. "Oh, I get it. This is how you guys try to stop runners?" she asked.

"Most people from the Aboveground can't stand it." Hoggle said as he carefully stepped over an old vanity mirror. "Well it doesn't smell as bad as that bog." Maggie said; even remembering the smell almost made her want to puke. Nibgit, who was a bit ahead, climbed to the top of a large pile of garbage. "There it is! The Goblin City!" she said with joy.

Hoggle came up next to her. "Yup, that's the city alright." he said as Maggie made it to the top. The girl took in the scenery before her. She saw a huge wall that surrounded the city and past that were tiny houses everywhere with dirt roads. In the center was a huge fountain that was pouring water.

"That's the city? Where are all the goblins?" Maggie asked. "Most likely getting ready fer a surprise attack", Hoggle said; remembering his run with Sarah, "Just keep quiet and follow me." Nibgit and Maggie nodded as they started to carefully make their way down hill. However, it only took a few seconds for Maggie to slip on a dirty old rag which sent her sliding down. She gave a small scream before Hoggle and Nibgit quickly caught her by her arms. "Shh!" Hoggle said as they helped Maggie stand up. "Sorry." she whispered back as they started to make their way down again.

The group continued to stay as quiet as possible, occasionally hiding from the junk collectors that lived there. After about ten minutes of climbing, crawling, hopping, and stretching over various objects, the runners finally made it to the doors that led into the city.

It was easy for them to creep past the sleeping guards but once they made it in, they saw another set of doors. These doors were tall and had a mold of what looked like a huge robot. However, Maggie noticed that this robot was missing, and she suddenly felt very alert. Hoggle was also on the alert for the robot while Nibgit kept walking as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Come on, guys!", the goblin waved back, "We just have to get through-"

"Shh!" Hoggle said as he put his index finger to his lips.

"Nibgit", Maggie said worriedly as she looked at the mold in the doors, "What used to be here?"

Nibgit smiled. "Just the huge metal guard that protects the city. However it's under repairs for maintenance right now.."

"It is?" Hoggle said as he and Maggie started to ease up a little bit. Nibgit nodded and Esmeralda gave a cluck. "Well then what are we waiting for?" Maggie said as she rushed up to the doors and started to push against them. Hoggle and Nibgit also went up to the doors and started to push against them until they slowly opened.

Even though the guard may have not been there, the group faced a greater threat. Hunter stood in their way with crossed arms. He was still wearing his knee high boots with dark grey pants and a black poet's shirt along with black gloves. But this time he was also wearing his cape.

"I see you made it to the Goblin City." he simply said. Nibgit clung onto Maggie's leg, but Hoggle wasn't going to let fear get the better of him. "So I did." Maggie said. Hunter looked at Nibgit and Hoggle. "And I can see that your, ah,…."

"Friends?" Maggie said finishing his thought. "Yes, your friends, who were foolish enough to come along with you." Hunter finished with a smirk. Maggie stood up straighter and took a step forward so that she was in front of her companions. "They're not foolish. Without them I probably would've never made it through the labyrinth. I'd probably be swimming in a bog right now. So leave them alone, this is between you and me."

Hunter stared at her. She was something else. Extraordinary perhaps? Powerful was a good one….

"Alright, fair enough", Hunter finally said as he waved back the silver clock, "You have about an hour and ten minutes left. If you're really willing to challenge me then meet me in the throne room in the castle." He waved away the clock and turned back into an owl before flying off to the castle.

Maggie felt a poke on her leg. "Maggie, you can't go alone!" Nibgit said with big eyes. Maggie sighed and turned to look at both her friends. "Look, whatever happens you guys will always be my friends. How can I forget you two? Or even this place? And even if we get lost, I will find a way to reach you guys again." Maggie stuck out both her pinkies. "I promise, pinkie promise, that I will never forget you."

Nibgit and Hoggle looked at Maggie's hands confused. Then they slowly held up their pinkies and locked them with Maggie's. "Pinkie promise." they both said. Maggie smiled at them. "Okay, let's go kick some goblin prince butt."

With that, they started making their way through the quiet city. They weaved in and out from behind the houses while looking around suspiciously. "So far, so good." Maggie said as they ran behind the next house. The girl was looking ahead when suddenly she heard Nibgit give a scream. Maggie and Hoggle whipped around to see Nibgit and Esmeralda fall down a hidden oubliette and disappear.

"Nibgit?!" Maggie said as she went over to the spot where they had fallen, banging on the ground with her fists. "Nibgit! Can you hear me? It won't open again! Nibgit!" Hoggle pulled Maggie up and looked at her. "I'm sure she'll be fine-"

"But we can't leave her!"

"And what about yer parents at the castle?"

Maggie knew that Hoggle was right. She had come too far to give up yet she couldn't abandon Nibgit. "But Hoggle…" Maggie said sadly. Hoggle patted her arm. "Trust me, we'll find 'er if it's the last thing we do." he said reassuringly. Maggie nodded and they continued to weave throughout the houses.

"There are the doors!" Maggie whispered as they got closer; now only meters away. Now there were no more houses to cover them so they would have to quickly make it across the cleared area and up to the steps to the castle. "On the count to three", Hoggle whispered back, "1, 2, 3!"

Maggie and Hoggle shot out from behind a tall house and ran towards the steps. Suddenly all around them hidden oubliettes started opening and closing. The two screamed as they tried to dodge the trap doors; which seemed impossible since they would appear in random places every time.

Maggie almost fell in numerous times but quickly regained her balance. Hoggle on the other hand only lasted a few moments before he fell down an oubliette himself. "Hoggle!" Maggie said as another one opened too close for her liking. She quickly ran past a few more and jumped over one to get to the steps that lead up to the castle.

She looked back at saw that the hidden oubliettes had stopped and now it looked like an ordinary town square. "They'll be okay. I will find them." Maggie thought as she turned back to face the castle and walk up the steps.