Chapter 1

Dejavu

'Sometimes I feel so alone,

I just don't know, feels like

I been down this road before.'

~ EMINEM


"Does this remind you of anything, Sarah?"

It took a moment for Sarah to swallow the lump of fear that formed in her throat. She closed her eyes a bit, the hold she had on her siblings did not falter nor did they tighten. She wished this moment to pass like an unwanted dream and nightmare. Disappointment flashed through her when she saw the familiar mismatched eyes still maliciously sneering at them. She knew all too well what he thought.

"You have no power over me, Goblin King." Sarah said, her voice was hard as she forced it to be. She felt little Toby shake in fear. She has to be strong for the three of them. She can't afford to fear. When Sammy started to cry again, she mustered enough courage to command him, "Leave."

The Goblin King was brought into a deep villainous laugh. Sarah felt fear when he did, there was something in his laugh that told her he wouldn't leave empty handed. She gulped again, praying this was all a nightmare. When he closed the distance between them with long graceful strides, she wished she had the strength to stand from her kneeling position. Somehow that gave him power.

"Nor do you have any over me." His voice dripped with an icy chill that sent an uncomfortable feeling down her spine. When he was finally a foot away from the trio, he crouched down to meet her stubborn gaze. Smiling menacingly as he said, "I only take what is mine, little Sarah."

"Well you have nothing here, leave." She commanded again but knew better than anybody else that was a big fat lie. Toby wished him to steal Sammy away, giving him jurisdiction over the matter. This time Jareth did not sneer or laugh.

"Now, now Sarah. You and I both know that is a lie." He tore his gaze away from her and looked at Toby. The little boy looked like how every child does when he grants them their wish. He smiled when Toby buried his face in Sarah's sleeve. He was very afraid, the thought made him smile. "My, have you grown. A real pity I couldn't keep you."

"Ke…keep me?" Toby asked. Sarah hushed him while her hold finally tightened. If Toby was not too scared, he would have already complained.

"Didn't little Sarah tell you how she wished you away? A big disappointment…" Jareth glanced at the little girl in Sarah's arm. Sarah was doing her best hiding the pink baby. Jareth immediately saw the same blue orbs and tuft of silky blonde hair Toby had when he was only an infant. He smiled. Before he could reach for the baby, Sarah stood up with Toby holding her pajamas.

"You can't." Was her firm resolve. Jareth smiled, it was neither from amusement nor sarcasm. It dawned on Sarah the fact that he towered her by more than a foot. She felt like a little girl again. But nevertheless, she knew deep down she had to stop this. All of this.

"Ah." Jareth said in an enlightened tone, like when he first explained to her the possibility and way of getting Toby back seven human years ago. "You have no concern over the matter, dear little Sarah."

"I have." She stretched the word, she felt her heart beat faster from the heat, or from fear or from nervousness- she can't tell. "They are my siblings and stop calling me 'little', it's mortifying."

"Grab them." The Goblin King ignored her. The moment Jareth said those words; little, dark and disfigured creatures crawled from everywhere. The bed seemed like a portal, along with the cabinets, closets and windows, it seemed like the number of goblins was endless. A few even crawled down from the ceiling. Before Sarah could process what was happening, a gang of monstrous goblins that did not resemble the ones in the labyrinth grabbed the baby from her arms, making her shriek. She tried to get the baby back when another gang gagged her mouth and pinned her to the nearby wall.

Only Toby was left alone. He looked at Sarah then at the Goblin king himself. He was shaking, he wanted to run to Sarah but the creatures were blocking his way. They were so many and they wore sneers waiting to be challenged. It seemed better to stay where he was. The Goblin king was smiling wickedly. In a blink on an eye, he was in front of him.

"It has been a long time little one." Jareth scooped Toby in his arms. One arm was used to support Toby while another was at his side. "Funny to think we would meet again. Fate might be playing games with us."

"Who…who…. Why…." The questions raced through Toby's mind. It seemed like he forgot how to speak. The mismatched eyes were compelling to the seven year old while the blonde hair seemed almost familiar, only Toby could not place where.

"I offer you your dreams, Toby." In a snap of his wrist, the Goblin King held a familiar crystal ball. "If you turn it this way it shows you your deepest, darkest desires."

Toby's blue eyes were glued to the fragile object. It showed him what he wanted to most. Undivided attention from back when Sammy was not born. No wailing babies and smelly diapers. Only Mommy, Daddy, Sarah and him. The shiny ball was so tempting, he tried to reach for it but Jareth took it slightly back.

"But, I shall also offer you the chance to reclaim your sister just as I had offered your sister once before." Jareth eyed Sarah who was struggling her way out of the clasps of his goblins then moved the ball again closer to Toby. This time instead of showing the dream Toby wanted, it showed the reality Toby dreaded to most. Tears were close to his eyes, this is not the life he wanted. He never will. "I give you the chance to run the labyrinth."

"…Labyrinth?" Toby's eyes remained glued to the crystal ball.

"It's a game for you to beat." Jareth's voice was nonchalant. "To retrieve the baby."

"I don't want any games as much as I don't want Sammy ever again!" Toby whined. His fists were on top of Jareth's shoulder, he was more than eager to be the youngest again. Jareth seemed to understand, smiling arrogantly as Toby continued to tighten the grip on his shoulders.

"You only need to say the words Toby and the baby will be gone. Forever." Jareth held unto the crystal ball while Toby glanced at his sister, her fear was masked with her disapproving green eyes. Toby was torn. This is what he wanted isn't it? But something in him knew this was not right. The baby wailed again. Fed up he yelled.

"I don't want to run the labyrinth!" Toby was now crying, he felt free but at the same time burdened. He looked at his sister Sarah who was now ferociously wriggling hard against the horrible looking creatures then he looked at the Goblin king who was holding him like how his Daddy does. Barely audible, he added. "Give me my dream."

Jareth smiled and placed the crystal ball in Toby's little hands and put him down. The toddler was still in shock, his brain was not able to process everything. The goblins around him laughed. The sound they made are like broken chimes and bottles, it hurts the ears. The group who held the baby approached Jareth, offering the baby to his taking. Before he could get the baby Sarah caught the goblins gagging her unaware and she was able to wiggle herself free. "WAIT!"

Jareth looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Immediately, goblins once again held her wrists and feet, this time much, much tighter. The goblins muffled her cries with a cloth, it was hard to breath but she was still yelling. Jareth approached her, holding out the baby for the goblins to hold. Where Jareth stood, the goblins made way. They gave their King his rightful space. He leaned towards Sarah, his right hand on top of Sarah's head while his left hand on his hip. His face was mere inches away from her making her blush with the proximity.

Jareth tilted his head a bit and immediately the goblins let go of the cloth. Sarah inhaled, thankful for the cool air. "I'll run the labyrinth for Toby."

Jareth did not say anything but he gave Sarah an amused smirk.

"I'll run the Labyrinth for Toby." Sarah's face was sweaty while her wrists and feet felt like bruising but she was still composed enough to repeat her words.

"I heard you the first time." Jareth brushed a dark lock away from Sarah's face with his left hand. He took his time taking in the same stubborn green eyes that felled his kingdom. The years have been good to Sarah, he observed. "A dazzling offer but I refuse."

"Then… then…" Sarah thought for a while. Her eyes never left Jareth's amused ones, she gulped. "I wish for the Goblin King to make me run the labyrinth."

Jareth laughed. The goblins around him did too. He turned away from Sarah and continued to laugh. Didn't the mortal get it? "The moment you refused me, little Sarah, you have forfeited all of your wishing abilities."

Sarah paled.

"How does it feel?" Jareth was once again in front of her, humor gone in his eyes. Instead, they were filled with an unpredictable emotion. "To be refused with the thing you need the most?"

Sarah did not answer. He traced Sarah's jaw line with his glove, the leather material was cool to the touch. They were looking at each other, Sarah deep in thought while Jareth waiting for her next move.

'Fear me, love me…'

"Then take me." Sarah offered. She made a mistake once, wishing Toby away for the sake of not babysitting. This will be her penance for that mistake.

"Sadly the offer is no longer open." Jareth mocked her.

"Offer it again."

"I don't make the same offer twice to the same person." Jareth pushed himself off of the wall and got the baby from the goblins. He was preparing to leave, the goblins that held Sarah finally released her. Everybody was retreating, going back to the labyrinth. It was the end of the show and they won. Sarah ran after Jareth holding his arm, her eyes pleading.

"Make me play again."

"I thought we reached the end of that conversation, Princess." His voice was already irritated but Sarah blushed at the given pet name. Jareth stood outside in the balcony. His long cape dancing wildly with the whipping air, the rain was still pouring hard and Sarah joined his outside.

"Make me play again!" Sarah yelled, she was crying and her tears joined the pouring rain. Thunder was striking everywhere, the night was chilly and she was soaked wet. Sarah was exhausted. "If I win, tonight did not happen and the baby is ours."

"Pray tell, what game do you want to play?" Jareth was bored, unlike Sarah who was soaked, he was dry and so was Sammy.

"Your choice, Goblin King." Make me play the Labyrinth. She wished. It would be nothing but a piece of cake. She did it once and she can do it again. Anytime.

As if reading her mind Jareth smiled wickedly. "Let's play labyrinth."

Sarah smiled too.

"But this time, before you solve the labyrinth." Jareth stopped; he wanted nothing than to savor to moment Sarah will process his new game of labyrinth. "You have to find it first."

Sarah stood still, her mouth agape and lost for words. The last time she went to labyrinth, Jareth had taken her there. She had no clue where the underworld was except it was underground! She knew no portal leading to it. Before she could protest, Jareth was already standing at the rails of the balcony smirking down at her.

"You have three hundred thirty eight hours to complete this game." Jareth once again paused, his legs were slowly vanishing leaving a gold silver dust. Sarah looked at him and at her little sister. Tears were forming around her eyes again. "If I win, you forfeit your life to me as the Queen of the underworld and I get to keep this baby."

His voice echoed in Sarah's mind as the last of Jareth faded, leaving only the dust of his magic in her balcony.


A/n: Thank you for reading! :D

I would like to thank the following persons who took their valuable time reviewing this story 3:

Senshi at Heart- Thank you so much for your kind words. :D

Unique Fantasiser- Thank you Unique, I shall try my best to make them longer 3 I was also touched with your kind words, thank you. You don't know how you've made my day. :))

Princess of the Fae- Thank you! :D Toby is so cute in the movie 3

Angel of Darkness12345- Thank you and I did! :D hihi 3

hot-topicx- Thank you so much! 3 I will try my best to update fast. :D:D

I would also like to thank all those you have added this story to their favorite and alert list. Thank you! :)

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