***This is my little tribute to the memory of David Bowie who will always be the Goblin King. May he reign forever.***

Take note that I've fudged the timeline on when Sarah's original journey occurred for various stylistic reasons. In this story, Sarah's original trip to the Labyrinth occurred at the beginning of summer in 1996, NOT 1986.

I own my original characters and the precise order I put my words down in. The world and characters of the Labyrinth film will sadly never belong to me. I just like to play in their sandbox. I make no money off of this. Seriously. As I'm self-employed and a bit obsessive, I think I might actually be losing money because of it.

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Mad Shelley, foolalex, SarahlouiseDodge, cchimp123, and urracabonita: Thank you so much for your kind words! I can't say how much they mean to me. I was worried that people would be put out by how much of this story is original content that did not originate from the canon in any way. I'm so glad that people are enjoying it even though my imagination fell down the rabbit hole and kept going! :) I will send tiny magical goblins with chocolate your way.

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A NOTE ON NAMES: Due to queries by foolalex and some PMs I've received, I feel that I should explain snake goblin naming conventions and how the hell one pronounces Bree'Onne. I probably should have explained this in a note previously. Sadly, I am new to this site and still haven't figured out how to do proper line breaks. (It eats mine! I swear!) So I'll just explain here. The apostrophe in snake goblin names indicates a distinct pause. Their given names are normally two or three syllables and always contain this feature. Bree'Onne is pronounced: Bree (the 'E' sound is long) Own. The two parts are pronounced separately. Maav'Ra is pronounced: Mauve (as in the color) Ra (like the Egyptian god). Snake goblins do not use separate methods for forming masculine and feminine names. They also avoid including sibilants in their names. Thanks for reading!

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The first colors of dawn were filling the sky when Sarah awoke. She turned to look at her alarm clock. 5:35 a.m. Sarah glowered at the clock. Her alarm wasn't set to go off for almost an hour, but she was wide awake. Why the hell am I awake so early? She caught sight of a black form perched on her headboard as she stretched. "What time did I fall asleep last night?" she asked.

Marvok opened his eyes and looked down at her. "You were asleep at 9:40 p.m. by your way of reckoning time."

So early? No wonder I'm awake, Sarah thought. She considered the events of the previous night with blend of embarrassment and dark humor. I guess being attacked by hideous child-things and having a complete meltdown really took it out of me. She stood and stretched. She noticed that the mug she'd used last night was no longer on her desk. One of the goblins must have taken it to the kitchen. She remembered the pear. It was probably the best she'd ever eaten. She'd have to ask Karen what type of pear it was. A thought occurred to her. "There aren't any pears in the kitchen, are there?" she asked.

Azu looked up from her desk chair. "No," he said, "there aren't."

Sarah considered this. "Did it come from the Labyrinth?"

Azu nodded. "Of course. You hadn't eaten any food from the Underground in some time. You'll sicken if you don't consume any for too long. That will happen faster now that you've ascended."

Sarah wasn't particularly surprised. She'd read enough cautionary tales about eating food from the Fae realms to realize that the single bite of peach she'd eaten in the Labyrinth was enough to bind her to the place forever. She was lucky that the goblins were willing to retrieve more fruit for her. "I understand. Thank you for bringing it to me." Azu tilted his head in acknowledgment of her thanks. After a pause she asked, "Did it make me fall asleep?"

Marvok spoke then, "No. The pear was not enchanted. Your tea was."

Sarah just nodded. She wanted to be angry with him, but couldn't quite bring herself to be. After the childish fit she'd thrown, she probably deserved a time-out.

Sarah headed to the bathroom to shower. She was grateful that all three goblins didn't typically follow her in there. Apparently, one of them was considered adequate for the task. Marvok hopped off of her shoulder and settled himself on top of the medicine cabinet. He curled up and shut his eyes in a perfect approximation of a lazy cat. Sarah sighed and shook her head. Thankfully, it was easier to ignore the fact that he'd been person-shaped the night before when he acted like a winged feline.

Thirty minutes later, Sarah was shaved and showered. She'd used her favorite body lotion, a locally made cream that Encore stocked. The scent she favored was called "Fairy Market" and smelled like incense and spices with the faintest hint of rose. It had been love at first sniff. Successfully moisturized, she grabbed her sunscreen and found the bottle to be nearly empty. After a few futile attempts to get out a decent amount, she tossed the container into the trash with a muttered, "Damn!"

Azu, who was draped across her windowsill, peered up at her curiously. "Has that container offended you in some way?"

Sarah sighed. "Only by being empty. I can't believe I didn't realize I was out of sunscreen and I just know that all my friends will want to spend lunch in the courtyard today. They always do when the weather is nice. I just hope I don't get a burn on my cheeks again."

Azu bristled. "What would burn you? Surely you aren't expecting an attack from humans with fire in this courtyard?"

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. "No. Not that kind of burn. Really fair skinned humans, like me, are sensitive to sunlight. If I get too much of it, it damages my skin and turns it red. It's called a sunburn. The cream I'm out of protects my skin so that doesn't happen."

Azu stared at her for a moment before calming. "Ah. Well, that shouldn't be a worry for you then. You won't need this 'sunscreen' substance any longer."

Now, Sarah was the confused one. "How's that exactly? My skin hasn't gotten any darker." She glanced at herself in the mirror appraisingly. "If anything, I may actually be paler than I used to be."

Azu nodded. "You're becoming more Fae. Sunlight has no ill effects on Fae skin." He paused, considering, "Well, there are a few species that are exceptions to this rule, but that doesn't affect you. The transition has progressed to the point that sunlight won't harm you."

Sarah blinked. I'm becoming Fae? And I'll never get another sunburn because of it? That's convenient. A bit disconcerting, but convenient. "Oh. That's good, I guess."

She obviously needed to ask her goblins some more questions about exactly what was happening to her, but now was not the time for that. She had to get ready school. She shook her head and pulled on her clothes for the day. Once dressed, Sarah stared at her reflection with critical eyes. She was completely comfortable with her boots, but the rest of the outfit left her feeling a bit…exposed. Karen had encouraged her to buy trendier clothing and Sarah leaned towards edgier and more fanciful. This outfit represented the compromise they'd reached. The skirt was black, pleated, and shorter than anything Sarah had ever worn before in her life. It wasn't obscene or anything, but her costume skirts always went to her knees at least. Most of them trailed almost to the ground. A skirt that ended just below mid-thigh seemed microscopic compared to what she was used to. Her silky emerald tank top wasn't much better. It was ruched and clingy. The fact that she'd gotten curvier over the summer didn't help matters.

She tried to look at herself objectively. The black, steel-toed Doc Marten's helped ground everything. They kept her from looking like the girls from the cheer squad. Besides, the top wasn't that low-cut and the skirt wasn't that short really. Most of the popular girls at school wore far more revealing outfits. She just wasn't used to this sort of clothing. Adapt, she told herself. Sarah put on her choker and felt bit better about her appearance immediately. She'd had it for less than a day and it had already become part of her mental image of herself. She heard the familiar sound of Karen heading downstairs to fix breakfast. Sarah shook her head; she'd just have to deal with the outfit. Karen had been so pleased with her new wardrobe and most of her old things were gone. There was no turning back now. With a sigh, Sarah headed back to the bathroom to blow dry her hair.

By 7:25 a.m. Sarah was enraged and on her way to school. She'd handled everything well that morning. She'd been responsible and prepared. She hadn't lost it when she found out she was turning into a Fae. She accepted the unfamiliar clothing. Then, she'd gone downstairs for breakfast. Her father had taken one look at her outfit and lost his mind. He said she looked like a harlot and demanded that she go change, swearing he wouldn't let his daughter leave the house dressed like a cheap slut. Still, she'd managed to stay logical and tried to reason with him. But no, he couldn't leave it at that. He found the words to break her calm. "You may think dressing like that will get all the boys to notice you, young lady, but let me tell you…"

Sarah didn't know how that sentence was supposed to end. He hadn't gotten any further. Karen's rage had been like a freak tornado and Sarah left the house while her father fell victim to its onslaught. Sarah had thought that she'd seen Karen angry before. She'd been wrong. Karen heard the argument from upstairs and descended on Robert Williams like an avenging goddess. Part of Sarah wanted to stay and watch him suffer, but she knew she wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut, so she left. Saint James High was a couple of miles from her house and she hoped the walk would help her gather her bearings. So far, it wasn't working.

Sarah had always been a stomper when she was angry. She wasn't proud of it, but she knew that stomping away in a huff was sort of her signature move since childhood. She didn't stomp anymore; she stalked, every movement graceful and predatory. Sarah didn't notice the change, but her goblins did and smiled.

How DARE he? she asked herself. It was the accusation that filled her with fury, her father's presumption regarding her motives. She couldn't care less about getting some boy's attention. She took on this role to please her parents, not some jerk from her high school. Her father wanted her to stop acting like a little girl and she had. He wanted her to get along with Karen and be responsible. She did all of it. Now, he was angry that she didn't look like a little girl anymore. Screw him. I did what he wanted. If he doesn't like the results he can shove it, she told herself.

"Everything that you wanted, I have done." The familiar words floated through her mind. "I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me." For the first time, Sarah sympathized with the Goblin King. Maybe she owed him an apology, even if he was a vindictive god-king who was just trying to play her. Living up to the expectations of self-absorbed brats was exhausting. She'd never thought of her father as a brat before, but he'd certainly acted like one today. Between him and Linda, Sarah just had to hope that brattiness wasn't an inherited trait. She was embarrassed enough remembering how she'd acted at the beginning of summer and she still had the excuse of being a teenager. She'd die from humiliation if she behaved that way at forty. Thankfully, the image of her father throwing a temper tantrum like a five-year-old was amusing enough to break through some of her rage. Unfortunately, once her anger subsided a bit, she realized that she was ravenous. She'd never actually made it to breakfast. She checked the time and decided to stop by The Coffee Zone and grab something to eat as she finished her walk.

As soon as Sarah stepped into the coffee shop, she saw Nikki's distinctive angled bob. It was currently dyed a brilliant cobalt blue. She called out her friend's name.

Nikki turned and froze. "Holy shit! You look amazing!" Her pale eyes narrowed in exaggerated suspicion. "Who are you and what have you done with Sarah?"

Sarah laughed as she pulled the taller girl into a hug. "I'm so friggin' glad you're back, Nik. It's been one hell of a day."

Nikki's eyebrows rose. "Already? It's like, 7:30 in the morning. Did Karen go psycho on you again?"

Sarah shook her head. "Not this time. Let me grab a mocha and I'll fill you in on the way."

After school, Sarah headed home. Unsurprisingly, Nikki was grounded for two weeks. This had happened every year since they were in seventh grade. Nikki always talked her dad into going along with something that her mom didn't approve of. Last year she'd gotten her belly button pierced. This year, she'd come home with a tattoo. Sarah hadn't been jealous of the various piercings Nikki acquired over the years, but she was a bit jealous of the tattoo. It would be nice to have something to commemorate her time in the Labyrinth. She decided that if she was still on Earth when she turned eighteen, she was getting one done. Maybe a barn owl…Sarah went still at the thought. What was she thinking? He took the form of a barn owl. She definitely shouldn't be considering branding herself with His image.

Marvok's voice cut into her thoughts. "I do believe that it is time we began your training, Champion."

Relieved to have something other than the Goblin King to occupy her mind, Sarah turned towards the shadow goblin. "Sounds good. Where do we start? Should I change into workout clothes?"

Marvok nodded while flashing her a grin. "That would probably be best. You need basic physical conditioning as well as combat training. I suspect you would prefer to run in something other than your current attire."

Sarah changed and wrote Karen a note explaining that she was at the park and would be home in time to help with dinner. She was nervous, but excited. Marvok was actually going to train her. She was going to learn how to fight.

She was less pleased an hour later. Every muscle in her body was screaming. Apparently when Marvok said she needed "basic physical conditioning" he had meant that she was being enrolled in shadow goblin boot camp. The goblins were relentless. They used tiny bolts of stinging magic as motivational tools. They were definitely motivating. That shit hurt. It was like the world's worst static shock combined with a bee sting. Sarah was ready to collapse when Marvok halted the exercises. She stumbled away from the running trail and sprawled out flat on her back in the grass. "I think I'm going to throw up."

Nessos crouched beside her head and chuckled. He handed her a glass bottle filled with a faintly iridescent, clear liquid. "Drink."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Water from one of the Labyrinth's healing springs. It will help."

She took the bottle and drank the contents gratefully. "Thank you."

Nessos paused, his face serious, "You are welcome, but you need to understand something, Champion. The blood bond is such that no debts can exist between us. Therefore, it's not a problem when you thank us. We understand your meaning. However, you must never say those words to any other Fae. Do you understand?"

Realization dawned on Sarah. She'd read about this. "If I thank them, I'm acknowledging that I owe them a debt and that gives them power over me."

Nessos nodded. "Correct. It is not a mistake you can afford to make."

Sarah considered this. "What should I say instead?"

"It would be appropriate to say that you appreciate their kindness or their generosity. Something to that affect."

Sarah nodded. "I'll work on it."

Azu appeared on her other side and handed her a strange, oblong fruit with gleaming violet skin. "This is a bloodfruit. It will help you recover."

She took it from him with a nod. "I appreciate your kindness," she told him. The goblins smiled.

The bloodfruit tasted unlike anything else she'd ever eaten. It was deliciously tart, but spicy. Under its violet skin, the fruit was the crimson of fresh blood. It was easy to see where the name had come from. After she finished eating, she got back to her feet. She had to admit that she felt much better. "What now? Do I have to run more?"

Marvok laughed. "No. Now it is time for you to begin combat training." He directed her back to the sheltered clearing where The Unhallowed had attacked. "I have cloaked this area. No one will detect us."

Sarah turned to look down at him and found that she had to look up instead. Marvok had once more taken his humanoid form. Sarah swallowed. Fear aura aside, a six-foot-two warrior Marvok was a lot more intimidating than the tiny version. He held out one hand and a wicked, curved sword appeared hovering above his palm. It was identical to the blades he'd used against The Unhallowed. "You must learn to manifest a Darkblade. To begin, you will learn to take one I bring forth and maintain its form."

Sarah eyed the shadowy weapon with trepidation. "Um…Is that really necessary? Couldn't I just learn to use a regular sword to start?"

Marvok arched one brow. "Where exactly do you plan to acquire a combat-grade sword, Champion? Do you know of any blacksmiths in this realm who craft enchanted cold-iron blades? Nothing short of that will pose any real threat to a Fae. And how do you plan to explain your need to carry this weapon once you have it?"

Sarah looked at her feet. She could feel her cheeks heating up with embarrassment. "I guess I didn't really think that through."

"Obviously not. Once you learn to manifest one, a Darkblade is an ideal weapon. It can never be taken from you or turned against you. It can cut through virtually anything and is utterly deadly. It can bypass most magical protections. Further, you cannot harm yourself with it."

Sarah looked up. That was admittedly impressive. "Really? They must be popular in the Underground."

Marvok chuckled. "Hardly. The magic that they are formed from is unique to my people. Only one with shadow goblin blood can manifest a Darkblade."

Sarah blinked. "But then how…" She looked down at the starbursts marking her left wrist.

Marvok flashed her a half-smile. "I see that you understand. Our bond means that you have enough shadow goblin blood to create a Darkblade. You will be the only individual not of my species to have this ability. Some enemies will yield out of the fear that alone will cause."

Sarah nodded. "Alright. What do I do?

Marvok motioned towards the blade with his other hand. "Look at the blade. Study its design. You must take it by the hilt and use your will to hold its shape. Focus on keeping it exactly as it is." He paused, his ruby gaze burning into her own. "You must not fear the Darkblade, Champion. If you fear it, you will never master its power."

Sarah nodded and took a shaking breath. She studied the floating sword with singular focus until she was certain that she would never forget this weapon. Every detail was burned into her mind. She reached out and lightly gripped the hilt. Searing cold flowed over her fingers and crawled up her arm. Shock left her motionless and wide-eyed. She felt the Darkblade, felt its malevolence, its hunger. It craved blood. It thirsted for fear and pain and death. She screamed and the blade vanished.

"Again," Marvok ordered. He gestured and the sword reappeared above his hand. Sarah didn't want to try again. She'd never experienced such evil before. You must do this, she told herself. She reached out again. This time it burned like fire. She held on despite the pain. It wasn't until the waves of dark hunger began filling her mind with hideous images that she let go. Sarah collapsed, weeping to her knees. "Oh, God. I can't. I just can't. It's evil." She buried her face in her hands.

Marvok waited until the worst of her sobs subsided. "It is not evil," he said. "Neither is it good. Not all things are bound by such concepts. The Darkblade is fear given form. However, it is predatory and it will feed off of you if you allow it."

Sarah looked up at him with tear-swollen eyes. "Fear of what?" she asked.

Marvok shrugged. "Of the dark and that which hides within it. It is the fear of that which will always come, but will never be seen until far too late."

Sarah shuddered. She'd read extensively about common phobias in her sophomore drama class. The teacher thought it was something important for anyone who worked in theatre to understand. "That's a primal fear."

Marvok nodded. "Indeed. Hence, its power. Again."

On the sixth try, as Sarah was about to give up, she felt a burst of mockery from the blade. Terror turned to rage in an instant. Laugh at me will you? she thought. I don't think so. I'll be damned before I'll let you beat me! Her grip closed firm around the hilt as she glared at the weapon. The sword stilled in her hand.

Marvok laughed. "Well done, Champion. You live up to your title."

Sarah raised her eyes to meet his. "Champion?"

Marvok shrugged. "I was thinking of 'Defiant', actually. I did not expect you to learn to hold it on your first day. I should have taken your temper into account."

Sarah shifted her weight from foot to foot. Her head was beginning to throb. "What do I do with it now?"

"You have mastered the blade. It is yours now. Will it to release its physical form and call the power into yourself."

Sarah nodded and looked down at what was apparently her Darkblade. She was still pissed at the damn thing. How dare it laugh at her? She envisioned it melting into shadows and flowing into her skin. When it resisted, she hissed at it. She was sick of this game. "You will obey!" The sword turned to mist and sunk under her skin leaving tingles along her arm.

Marvok smiled. "An excellent start. I do believe that it is time for us to return to your parents' house. Tonight, in your dreams, I will begin teaching you to properly summon and banish it."

Sarah stared at him in horror. In her dreams? This was going to be a very long night.

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Thanks so much to everyone who has favorited or followed this work and to all of my lovely reviewers. I wish you all dreams of the Goblin King.

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