Sorry for such the long delay on the update. I didn't mean to take so long but I had issues finding a place to stop. Also I've had a lot to do not to mention the occasional writer's block. Not to mention I collect My Little Ponies and have started customizing them to earn a little extra money. I'm waiting on pony hair so that I can do a series of Twilight ponies.
Krystal awoke feeling groggy. She had, had such a wild dream. At least she felt rested. Glancing towards her window something in her peripheral vision caught her eye. Getting up from her bed she hurriedly made her way to the vanity. The once solid surface was disturbed by ripples. Tentatively Krystal stretched her hand out to touch it. As her fingers brushed the moving surface it grew more violent. Immediately she retracted her hand. The violent ripples were soon replaced by the face of her concerned brother.
"Kai!"
"Krystal. Are you alright? What happened?
"What is it that you are referring to Kai?"
"Your little visit to the Underground today. What was that all about?" Krystal attempted to make her hazy mind focus on what Kai was saying. Sadly she had too little sleep lately and had just recently woken up. Comprehending things was not her strong point at the moment.
"Sorry Kai. I'll have to call you back." Touching her hand to the mirror once more the face of her brother faded and hers appeared a moment later. Rubbing her tired eyes she looked at her reflection. Her hair lay in a rumpled mess around her face; her eyes were glazed over hardly noticing her reflection at all. She rubbed her eyes once more before making herself comfortable on her vanity bench. A knocking at her door drew her attention away from her bedridden appearance.
"Who's there?" Her speech came out rather slurred thanks to the slow movement of her brain.
"Krystal you better be ready for school. You're going to be late if you don't hurry." Her mother's steps retreated down the stairs. Krystal glanced at the clock almost dreading the time. Finding that her mother was right Krystal began forcing a brush through her hair. No breakfast for her. Deciding that her hair was as good as it was going to get she
hurried out her door. Surprisingly she was already dressed for the day. Had she fallen asleep like that? Her mind tried to follow her but it was still too early for it to work properly. Rushing to the kitchen she grabbed a peach from the fruit bowl and headed out the door. Not thinking of anything else she made her way to the college campus at a sprint. As she quickly began devouring the fruit it briefly crossed her mind that they didn't keep peaches in the house. Slowing a bit she looked at the fruit in her hand. It was definitely a peach. Her progress to the school stopped altogether at this realization. Her mother refused to buy peaches and the children understood the reason and respected her wishes. Questions began to form in Krystal's mind. How did it get in the house? Who placed it there? Where had it come from to begin with? The college was visible up ahead but Krystal paid no mind to it as she hurriedly rushed past it. Something weird was going on, something that she was going to get to the bottom of. She rushed to the bookstore that she helped out in when she felt that school wasn't necessary, she had something big on her mind, or something was terribly bothering her. Today was a combination of those things. Krystal sighed in relief as the familiar sign above a door that she was fast approaching read, Beyond Time. Rushing through the door the bell announced her arrival to the elderly lady that ran the shop. She looked up from the copy of Pride and Prejudice that she had been engulfed in. Smiling warmly at Krystal the woman marked her page and put the book beneath the counter.
"Well I hadn't expected to see you here today. It's a most pleasant surprise. I have to wonder though, what brings you here?" Krystal smiled softly at the woman.
"Tabitha I need to know what it is that you know. I know that you know something that you didn't tell me the last time that I came to see you like this."
"Ah, then it's happened has it?"
"What's happened Taby?" The little woman behind the counter wrinkled her nose at the nickname. "Tabitha I need you to tell me what it is that you know that I don't." Krystal held the peach up for her inspection. The old woman gasped and took the fruit from her hands. After a few minutes of careful inspection the woman handed it back.
"It's a peach." Krystal sighed frustrated.
"I KNOW it's a peach. What I want to know is where it came from."
"My guess would be a supermarket." Krystal knew that the woman was just giving the most rational explanation. Nothing about this was rational though. The woman knew everything there was to know about her family and more. The peach had not simply
been purchased. Her mother had acquired a phobia of sorts after eating the enchanted peach in the Labyrinth. Now she couldn't even go down the produce isle for fear of spotting the fruit that she was so terrified of. Tabitha knew that this wasn't just a peach that had been purchased from the supermarket. She ushered Krystal into the back room. "My child lets see if the fates will tell us anything about what is to come. I expect that the payment will be the same as usual?" Krystal sighed before forming a crystal and handing it to the old woman. Krystal gave magical favors in exchange for answers. Placing it on the table delicately the woman proceeded to uncover her crystal ball. "Remember child you can only see what the Fates deem necessary for this point in time." She nodded. How could she forget? On her thirteenth birthday she had come to the seer for guidance. She only saw two days in the future where her dog was hit by a car. Thankfully she prevented that from happening. Sadly he died a week later of heart failure. It was almost more then she could accept at the time but it had taught her a harsh lesson. Not all things can be changed or avoided and those that can be don't necessarily have better outcomes. The ball was filled with a thick mist as Tabitha waved her hands expertly over it. "I see your father."
"Is he alright? Nothing bad is going to happen to him is it?" Krystal worried for his safety and health. After all almost everything that Tabitha had seen in her life dealt with death and despair.
"Relax child, he is upset but nothing more. I see darkness…a terrible darkness that creeps across the land like a plague. Yet your father is blind to it." She wished the woman would tell her something she didn't already know. "I see a man who has yet to reveal himself to you. A man that is in need of your help. I also see a young prince whose powers will aid your own in a coming war that will ravage the land of the Underground. I see great suffering." She knew that was coming. It never failed. "But I also see great joy. A time of peace. A reunion. A light in the darkness. Now the crystal has gone blank." They sat in silence for a few moments as what had been said sank in. Krystal was worried for the Underground but at the same time was worried for herself. Someone was in need of her help. Someone that she didn't know. She wasn't too keen on helping people without reason to trust them. Shaking her head she glanced at Tabitha who was smiling broadly at her.
"You're withholding information from me again aren't you Tabitha?" The old witch just shrugged and ushered Krystal back out into the store.
"You shall know when the time comes young one."
"You always say that Taby and I'm always left wondering if that time will ever come."
"Be patient and have faith in your magic. Now I do believe that you are late for play practice." Glancing at the clock on the wall she swore under her breath wondering how the woman did that.
"I'll be back Tabitha to discuss the peach and several other things after play practice." With that Krystal was gone.
In the Underground
Kai was having a horrible time keeping things under control. It seemed that his sister had helped the Fairy Queen to the castle. This was not the worst of his problems. While discussing a treaty with his father she had inquired about the underground tunnels and the young woman who had brought her safely to the castle. Jareth politely replied that he had no idea of whom she spoke. The woman then proceeded to describe his sister to the Goblin King. His father in return stated that he still had no idea of whom she spoke but would see to it that she was found so that the Fairy Queen could thank her properly. Of course that was not the only reason why Jareth would try to find her. Oh no, she had taken the Queen down into the tunnels. Very few aside from the royal family knew that they existed. He would want her found for her knowledge. Thankfully she was safe Aboveground. Then the worry of when she would appear below next came. If she was suddenly spotted then they would, most certainly, have a lot of explaining to do. This still was not the worst of his problems. Dinner with the Orc King and his son had been an evening that he couldn't forget no matter how much he wished to. They had announced half way through dinner that until they had confirmed themselves that there was no Goblin Princess they would be staying in the castle. His father had been rather enraged at the news and kindly excused himself. The Fairy Queen had sent an apologetic look in Kai's direction which he responded to with a small smile. After dinner they all gathered in the throne room to discuss sleeping arrangements when the Fairy Queen announced that she would be staying as well until she could properly thank the girl that helped her. Kai was slightly comforted by the news but Jareth was not. All of the nobility were sent to their rooms and his father had transported himself to his office. This gave Kai the time that he needed to contact his sister which he had done via her vanity mirror. Sadly he had learned nothing from the call. His sister was too groggy and out of it to respond with any sense of coherent thought. Sighing frustrated he decided that he would try again later and in the meantime he needed to attend to his duties as Kai, Prince of the Goblins, Heir to the Goblin throne. Not like he really wanted it anyway. Proceeding down the hall to the
door that led out to the training grounds he got part of the conversation between Soubias and Toubard as he passed their rooms.
"You know that he's hiding her here somewhere."
"She's probably where his Queen is. I mean that pretty little mortal hasn't been around for a while."
"Do you suspect that she's in the world Above?"
"It's quite possible. If we don't find them here I think that a vacation is in order." This is NOT what Kai needed. He was going to the training grounds to loosen up and get rid of some of his stress. Also he needed to oversee the training of the army. If you turned your back for too long they got sloppy and lazy. If war broke out that wouldn't do. Backtracking Kai decided to try and contact his sister again.
Aboveground
Krystal had just made it in time to use 'fashionably late' as an excuse. Her drama teacher, Mr. Thorp, really didn't mind. The graying man knew that she didn't need to practice by herself or with the others but he liked the others to practice with her. She had laughed when he first explained that to her. Running into the dressing room Krystal was shocked to find her brother standing there.
"Kai what are you doing here?"
"I have to be quick or father will wonder where I am. The Orc King and Prince are looking for you. When they find that you're not in the Underground they'll search for you here." She stopped thinking for a moment as she processed what he had told her. The Orc King and Prince had gone to the Goblin City to ask the king for his permission to court her. No doubt they had taken many extravagant gifts to offer both her and her family. Unlike everyone else though, they had not been discouraged so easily. Instead of giving up and going home like all the other royals had they were determined to find her whether she wanted to be found or not.
"Alright so what are we going to do?"
"Well I'll need to talk to father and let him know that they're going after mother. That's all he really needs to know. He'll do anything to keep her safe even though he doesn't really show it and they're not really together anymore."
"They're after mom?"
"Well they figured that if they found her then they'd find you."
"And I always thought that orcs were stupid." Krystal sighed as she walked behind a rack of clothes to begin getting ready for her practice. "There's much that needs done. Sadly I can't discuss this with you right now. I need to get dressed and head out to practice. If you don't mind waiting then you can stay and watch." Krystal had sounded hopeful. She wanted her brother to stay. Sadly they both knew that Kai had other obligations.
"I wish that I could but as I said before father will wonder where I am if I'm gone too long."
"I guess that I'll just talk to you later then." With that she felt the magical spike in the air as Kai returned to their home below. Finishing with the horribly difficult dress Krystal made her way to the stage to take her place in the next scene. When she got there she found that she wasn't needed because Christine had just been returned to the Opera Populaire. Krystal sat down next to their director.
"They're doing quite well don't you agree?"
"Honestly? No they're not. They're not following the rhythm well. Also Meg and Raoul are off." Her director listened for a moment then nodded.
"You're right." He called a halt to the practice to let the actors know what they were doing wrong so they could correct it. After a few more tries they got the hang of it. After a few more songs Krystal finally got to go onto the stage. They had skipped back to the part where Raoul finally comes to talk to Christine after her performance. He wanted Krystal to interact with him. The boy that was playing the part was shy. His people skills were very minimal and he was doing the best he could to be on stage with her. She dreaded the first night they performed. He'd be utterly terrified of the people sitting out in the crowd. He was doing rather well in her opinion though. He stepped close to her as he spoke. Once that was accomplished they skipped to the roof scene. This was a little more difficult for the boy. It seemed that he had problems with being that close to her. Holding her was something that he did and she had practiced the art of creating the illusion of him holding her close but not. The audience would see him holding her tenderly when in all actuality he was holding her a good distance away from himself. The only problem was that he tended to hold her too far away from himself. She would end up having to pull him closer to her, he would freak, let go, and
move half way across the stage. He was improving rather well though. It took them forever to get him to hold her at all. They had managed to get him closer this time when his mother came to retrieve him. It seemed that he had forgotten that they were going out of town and they needed to leave early. He apologized to everyone before leaving. Mr. Thorp told Krystal that she could leave seeing as the one she was supposed to be working with was gone.
Underground
Kai was having a tough time talking to his father. After being thoroughly upset by the visiting monarchs Jareth had buried himself in paper work. Sadly he believed that once he started something he was going to continue it until it was finished.
"Father this is important."
"Not as important as the threat of war that keeps cropping up on the southern border. I can't believe that the Ogres would be so bold as to threaten to go to war with us." Kai sighed. If he wasn't going to let him explain he better just come out and say it.
"Mother's in danger." That got the Goblin King's attention rather quickly. Standing swiftly from his desk the King strode towards his son.
"Sarah's in danger? From what?" Yeah that was definitely the father that he knew.
"I overheard two of our unwanted guests talking and they said that if they don't find my sister then they're going to find mom and see if she's with her." Kai realized his slip but didn't let it show. Maybe his father hadn't caught it.
"So those fools think that they'll find something with Sarah. They'd put her life at risk just to appease they're curiosity. They follow a rumor here and then endanger the Queen of Goblins. Who do they think they are?" Kai bowed and left his father's study as he continued his rant about ignorant orcs and the messes that lesser creatures get themselves into. Kai left a message on Krystal's mirror telling her that things would be alright and that their father was going to intervene. After leaving the message Kai went about heading to the training grounds again.
Jareth had been pacing his study after Kai told him about the idiotic orcs' plans to go after Sarah. This was not something that he would allow. Sarah would not be placed in
harms way. The Underground would not know of her existence. The only ones that knew that Sarah was Jareth's queen were his family, subjects and few others that lived outside the Labyrinth walls. Jareth decided that he was going to have a talk with the monarchs. There were certain things that they could and could not do in his home. This was definitely on the 'can't do' list. Before that though, he needed advice. There were certain ways to go about dealing with nobility. He was not good at it. Until recently he had rarely had to deal with any of the others in the Underground at all. There was only one person who he trusted to give him this advice. It was the witch, Tabitha. She resided Aboveground now but could be easily located. She had been one of his most trusted subjects until about 12 years ago when she requested that he let her take up residence in the Aboveground. He figured he owed her as much and let her do as she wished. It looked like now was a good time to pay her a visit. Taking the form of a barn owl Jareth left his castle to go above and find the witch.
Aboveground
Needless to say the rehearsal hadn't gone the way that she had planned but with getting let out of it early gave her the chance to go back and talk to Tabitha sooner then she had hoped. Sadly when she arrived at the store the lights were off and the sign hanging on the door read closed. Why would Tabitha close the store this early? It was only about two in the afternoon. Her normal work hours were from noon to five and sometimes as late as midnight. Krystal pressed her face up to the store window to see if Tabitha was really in there or not. After several minutes of waiting to catch a sign of movement or see a glimpse of the woman herself Krystal decided to head home. Her day was shot anyway and there was no way that she was going to be able to sit through her anatomy lecture feeling like this. Heading in the direction of her house movement caught her eye. Looking closer she spotted a barn owl that had perched itself on the back of a bench close to her. The creature seemed familiar and drastically out of place but that's not what startled Krystal the most. It was the eyes. A mismatched pair of brown and blue eyes stared at her from his location. Suddenly it made sense. Her father had travelled here for some reason that obviously had to do with Tabitha. She would close the shop so that no one else mistakenly ran into the Goblin King. Figuring that it was better if she didn't stick around she made a low bow to the bird and headed on her way. When she reached her house her mind began to flood with all the unanswered questions that she had. She ignored her mother's questions and locked herself in her room.
"Father is here in the Aboveground. Kai must have gotten through to him. I wonder what he'll be doing to keep mom safe." Suddenly movement at her mirror drew her attention. There was a message from Kai. You could always tell the real thing from a recording. If Kai had really been standing there he would have looked more worried, scared that he would be caught talking to her, he also would have Hoggle standing at the door keeping watch and shooing away any curious passersby. Krystal tapped the glass twice and her brother's form shimmered to life.
"Krystal I have spoken with father and he's rather upset about what the orcs have planned. I mentioned nothing of you even though you and I need to speak at your earliest convenience. I need to know if you interacted with anyone specific the last time you were here. I know that this morning you were disoriented and unfocused so I ask that you respond back as soon as you are able. Oh and Hoggle says that you need to come and visit him. I don't think that he remembers you but he wants to see you. I also think that you should bring some of your drawings down here. I've had a room kept aside for your art. And remember should you need me for any reason just call." Krystal smiled as the reflection of her brother faded. If Jareth was here then she could freely roam her land without fear of him finding her. It would also give her a chance to talk with her brother. They hadn't really spent any quality time together. She missed him something awful. Nodding her head at her decision she called out to Kenyon. He had claimed that he wished to visit the Labyrinth and now was the perfect opportunity. Moments later his little head popped into her room.
"Yes?"
"Come in and close the door. We're going to be taking a little trip." Kenyon did as he had been instructed. Krystal grabbed his hand when he approached her and in minutes they were in the Underground.
"Wow." Krystal watched with amusement as her brother took in his surroundings. "We're actually here aren't we?" Krystal nodded before grabbing his hand and leading him down the hill towards the Goblin City. She had never been able to go past the great wall. As they approached the gate Krystal felt her excitement build. She was finally going to get to see the Goblin city. A guard stopped them just short of their destination.
"Halt. Who goes there?"
"We're Jar-" Krystal placed a hand over Kenyon's mouth to silence him. It wouldn't do either of them any good to be caught now.
"We're here to see his majesty the King."
"The King's away on other business. You'll have to come back later."
"Well if the King's away then surely the Prince will see us. After all we were invited to the palace and his majesty would be very cross if he returned to find that his guests had been turned away."
"Yeah it'd be a trip straight to the bog for you." At her brother's statement the goblin's face became stark white. He looked like he was about ready to faint.
"Well if his majesty said it was alright then you may continue to the castle." They thanked him and made their way into the city. Both were amazed at the amount of goblins that actually lived there. It seemed that while people ran the Labyrinth the goblins left their homes so as not to be placed in the middle of the game. The streets were lined with merchants selling their wares, children ran around yelling to each other, gossip could be heard from the woman purchasing their groceries for the evening meal. What surprised Krystal was that the city was not only filled with goblins but other races as well. By the central fountain a fairy seamstress was selling her beautiful garments, by the wall in front of the castle two dwarves were haggling with an elf for a loaf of bread, there was, what looked to be, a dragon who was purchasing some material from a (centurian). Krystal stood in awe at the splendor that was the Goblin city. A hand pulling on her sleeve drew her attention down to her younger brother. He was pointing at a stand that was selling fresh fruit and asking if he could get something seeing as he hadn't eaten all day. Feeling in her pockets Krystal shook her head to her brother. She had no money and even if she did this was a place where gold was the only thing, aside from trade of course, that was acceptable.
"I have no money. Besides they use gold here." Kenyon pouted slightly, today just wasn't his day. Krystal patted his head in apology. She shrieked when someone touched her arm but relaxed when she realized who that person was.
"Big brother." Kai picked Kenyon up and hugged him close. This was their first time meeting and it filled Krystal's heart with joy.
"Hey stranger what are you doing here?" Kai turned his attention to his sister.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Father's above it's safe to be here. Kenyon wanted to see this place for himself. I never expected the city to be so…"
"Cramped?"
"Wonderful. Does all of the Underground come here to sell and purchase things or just the neighboring lands?"
"You misunderstand dear sister. Look see that dwarven warrior over there?" Krystal nodded. "He was exiled from his land for a crime he didn't commit. He sought refuge and father gave it to him in return for his loyalty."
"So are they all like that?"
"No some come here to live of their own choice, others were cast out, and still some only visit to see what they can sell before returning home."
"It's such a beautiful place." Kai nodded his head in agreement. The mood was broken by Kenyon's growling stomach. Kai laughed as the little boys face heated with embarrassment.
"I take it, good sir, that you are hungry."
"Starving actually but yes I am." Kai set Kenyon down but took his hand.
"Well then I know a little inn around here that has some wonderful food." He offered his other arm to Krystal which she excepted and they made their way through the crowd. As they walked Krystal caught bits and pieces of conversations. A lot of it revolved around the scene that they were making. Prince Kai being in the city was apparently a big deal. Rumors flew and Krystal looked at Kai to see what he made of it all. He smiled at her reassuringly before continuing on. A few moments later they were standing outside a small building that's sign clearly read Drunken Gourd Inn and Pub. Krystal stared dumbfounded at the sign for a moment before glancing to her brother.
"Goblins have weird ways. This is actually a very respectable and well run inn." Krystal just nodded as they entered the dimly lit room. It was bigger then it had appeared on the outside but she and Kai still had to duck down slightly to avoid bashing their heads on the low ceiling. A bar maid made her way to Kai quickly. She bowed to them.
"M'lord if you would kindly wait a moment a table will be prepared for you in the back."
"Thank you Milly." The shegoblin scurried off and Kai turned to his sister. "So father went Above. How is it that you know this? Surely he hasn't spoken with mom concerning the pressing matters at hand."
"Of course not. I saw his owl form. He actually saw me as well. He just has no idea who I am. He was going to see Tabitha. I assume that it was to talk to her about what he should do about mom." They quieted as Milly led them to their table in the back.
"What is it that you'd like?" Krystal and Kenyon turned their attention to Kai. He smiled at the shegoblin who blushed.
"Just bring us a loaf of bread and three bowls of soup for now." Milly bowed and left to retrieve the food. "So father has gone to talk to Tabitha. I wonder what she's going to tell him."
"Does he go to see her often?"
"She's been his advisor since he was the Prince of the goblins himself."
"So she's actually one of father's citizens? Why is she living in the Aboveground then?"
"About 12 years ago she came to father and randomly asked if she could move Above. There was no explanation for her request and it came completely out of nowhere. We still have no idea why she asked."
"She's been my guide since I was thirteen. Do you think that maybe she saw my need of her and that's why she moved Above?"
"It could be." Kai sat in thought. Had the old witch actually known that Krystal needed her? Had she left to give the Goblin Princess the guidance that she needed? She knew that Jareth would be able to contact her no matter where she is but Krystal wouldn't have had that kind of power at the time. So she must have gone to her. It made the reason for the witch left more clear. The food came and the shegoblin bowed as she left them to continue.
"You asked me earlier…well left a message for me more like it. I did speak with the Fairy Queen. Well it was more of I helped her get to the castle. Because the orcs had made it so that no one could use magic in the Labyrinth. Did I do something wrong?"
"Well no but she wishes to thank you properly."
"Oh well that's interesting." Krystal turned her attention to her bowl of soup. "Um Kai? What's in this soup?" Kai chuckled.
"All the normal things that you're used to eating. They only happen to look different because that's how they grow here in the Underground. This contains peas, potatoes,
carrots, pork, and several different herbs." Krystal looked at him skeptically. "I promise. Just eat it. You were born of the Underground. Nothing here can harm you…well at least nothing that you can eat." Krystal took a bite with both of her brothers looking on. One in hesitation the other in amusement. After a moment she confirmed that it was indeed edible if not tasty. They finished their meal in silence. Leaving the small pub Kenyon made a show of patting his stomach and claiming how full he truly was.
"Well thank you for the meal Kai but I believe that it would be best if we headed back. There's no telling when father will come back and I personally don't want to be here when he does." Kai nodded his agreement.
"I'll see you later then. I hope that we can one day spend time like this all the time."
"Trust me brother soon we shall. Our parents will get back together and everything will work out. You'll see." With that Krystal and Kenyon teleported themselves back to the Aboveground.
