CHAPTER ONE
The king of the Goblins was irritated and in a foul mood. He found himself kicking more goblins out of the way than usual. Also, he had the beginnings of what he suspected was a headache. The noise from his subjects wasn't helping matters. The cause of his bleak mood and bad temper was due to the Labyrinth that took up a good deal of his kingdom that he oversaw. It wasn't a normal maze by any means. It had a primitive consciousness and lately the magic was being distorted.
The magic of the Underground, specifically the Labyrinth, had become erratic and constantly fluctuating. Jareth had never seen or felt anything like it before so had no idea what the cause could be or how to fix it. Neither did anyone else in the Underground, so were of no use to him. Nor was his library when he searched it from top to bottom looking for mentions, clues, anything similar having happened before. There was nothing.
Scowering the Underground for the source of the disruption yielded nothing. Now the Labyrinth was informing him that it was someone from Aboveground, which was impossible. As far as Jareth knew there hadn't been a mortal strong enough who could effect the Underground in such a way. Whether it be intentional or accidental. Not in several millenia anyway.
If that was somehow possible, it presented a problem. The problem being that the Goblin King was only permitted Aboveground to bring back the Wished Away children. And if they so desired, the Wishers making them Runners. The only other time he or any of the Fae were allowed Aboveground were special occasions; the solstices when the veils between worlds was thinner. Or if they decided for some unfathomable reason to live among the mortals or banished. In both instances they were stripped of their power.
Since Jareth was busy most of the time, he could only search the Aboveground when he was summoned to take an unwanted child. Sometimes that wasn't very long between breaking the veils and being called to take the child. And since the anomaly appeared and began to affect and change the Labyrinth, he'd been reluctant to let anyone run it. Jareth may be forced to answer the calls, but because of the unpredictability of the magic of the sentient maze, he only let those he could not sway or frighten, to run the Labyrinth.
Growling in frustration, Jareth glared at a goblin that had the misfortune of crossing his path and not getting out of his way quickly enough. The creatures were excited and underfoot more than usual. The reason they were so excited was because they could feel it as much as their king could. A child was about to be wished away.
Jareth could feel his powers growing for the task he would have to perform. The air around him was practically charged with magic. The Fae grinned a cold feral smile, his sharp canines showing. He always got this way when a mortal selfishly and thoughtlessly wished away their young.
When he felt the time draw near, he flowed his body and magic into the form of a pale colored owl and flew out over the Labyrinth. He drew the magic he needed to pierce the veils and in the Labyrinth's overzealous nudge, Jareth entered the Aboveground quicker then he was ready or planned. The 'push' had him nearly smack into a tree as he breached the barrier. As it was, he ended up landing in a very undignified way on a branch of said tree.
Unrufflling his feathers, Jareth settled himself and began to preen his feathers to re-align them. He stopped mid-feather when he felt the prickly sensation of someone's gaze on him. Looking down he saw a boy about three or four years standing directly beneath the branch, head tilted all the way back. The boy's jean overalls needed a good scrubbing as did his torn and faded worn t-shirt. His feet were covered in dirt and grass stained.
"Hullo, burdie." His young voice was soft and gentle as if afraid of spooking Jareth. His sienna colored eyes continued to stare up at the tawny eyes of the owl. Cocking his longish sand colored head, he spoke just as he had before. "I fought owls slepted at day?"
Jareth watched the child just as curious about him as the boy was about Jareth. Feeling the familiar pull, he knew the one ot make the wish was near and that the boy below him was the one to be wished away tonight. It was a shame really, the boy seemed to be a nice little boy despite his grubby appearance. He had a bright warm smile that enhanced his elfin features.
The dirty little urchin moved slowly, keeping his eyes on Jareth. One hand went into a pocket and pulled out a plastic baggy of animal crackers. There was only a few in the bag, taking one he held it up like an offering. "Wan one?"
The Fae revere children and had he been in his Fae form rather than that of his present one, Jareth would have politely accepted with an amused smile. The boy was very patient and still as he waited. As Jareth was contemplating on whether or not to nip down and take the cracker, a voice shouted the boy's name, startling both of them.
"Seth!"
The boy jumped, the cracker falling from his hand, head whipping around for the owner of the voice. A teenager with short black hair with dyed blue tips, olive complexion, and gray eyes moodily jogged over. Looking sad the little boy mumbled, "Buh-bye, burdie."
"Where are your shoes? If you lost them again..." the teen left the threat hanging.
The boy, Seth, didn't say anything. Head down, eyes staring at his feet, he put his thumb in his mouth. The teen groaned and began to look around for the missing shoes. Seth followed behind like a lost puppy all the while keeping his thumb in his mouth and sneaking quick glances at Jareth. Glancing at his watch, the teen let out a frustrated sound, grabbed Seth's wrist still holding the baggy of animal crackers.
"We're going to miss our bus!"
From his perch, Jareth watched them walk to the edges of the park, cross the street and stand in front of a large building. Now that the little boy was no longer distracting him, Jareth took stock of his surroundings. The park was quite large surrounding a lake. There were a lot of people taking advantage of the nice weather. Swimmers, joggers, bicyclists, sun tanners, and people on roller skates. Children laughing and shrieking as they had fun and played on either the playground equipment or splashed in the kiddie pool.
Taking flight, Jareth flew around the lake and park. Bright colorful streamers and banners caught his eye. Many tents of different colors littered a small portion of the park. There were ponies in a rink being saddled and readied for riders. Vendors and booths of activity were everywhere. A person in a rainbow colored wig and clothing had a bunch of balloons. It was some kind of festival.
Some people were sitting or standing by a large stage dressed in costumes. One young man was bare chested in ragged dark green trousers. Meticulously painted on his bare skin were vines and leaves, pointed ears glued on. Jareth had to look twice to be sure the youth wasn't anything but human. Even then, he wasn't entirely too sure.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Seth slid off Max's back now that the piggy back ride was over. Unlocking the gate they walked up the path to the house. As soon as the door was open, Seth rushed inside to look for their aunt and uncle. He wanted to tell them about meeting the glowy owl he met at the park. They would believe him, unlike Max who didn't believe in anything.
In the kitchen Max read the note his aunt left taped to the fridge. She had to work late tonight bu dinner was already made and in the fridge. All Max had to do was nuke it in the microwave. Crumpling the note he tossed it in the garbage, wondering if he should do what she'd told him not to. Call their uncle and ask him to bring home some take out for dinner instead of heating up whatever their aunt had made.
Opening the fridge he pulled out the foil covered dish and peeked under the aluminum. It was homemade vegetarian lasagna. It was Max's favorite food. Seth's favorite vegetable was fresh raw green beans, which there was a container of in the fridge as well. A Tupperware dish full of peaches that their aunt had peeled and diced herself were for desert. Both boys loved peaches but their aunt didn't really care for them all that much.
Putting the green beans and peaches on the table, he then put the lasagna into the microwave. Seth couldn't find anyone, wondered into the kitchen and watched his brother set the table for the two of them. Grabbing a can of soda for himself and filled a sippy cup with Kool-Aide for Seth, Max told the boy to go wash his hands.
Sipping at the soda, Max slouched in one of the kitchen chairs. He couldn't help but wonder if their aunt and uncle had remembered it was his birthday tomorrow. He hated thinking like that, but their aunt and uncle had been so nice to him and Seth. So naturally, Max was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Their uncle was like how Max's dad had been before he started drinking. Their uncle seemed to like doing things and spending time with them. Of course the guardianship papers weren't settled yet so it could all be an act. Max was waiting for the nice guy to disappear.
Seth came back into the kitchen and showed Max that his hands were clean. Max picked him up and put him in his booster seat. The two boys ate quietly and trouble didn't rear it's ugly head until bedtime. Seth had behaved for the most part for his bath, but now that he was clean and in pajamas, he wanted a bedtime story. It couldn't be any bedtime story either. He wanted the story their mother used to tell them and that their aunt and uncle took over. Seth wanted the story about the child stealing Goblin King.
"Why do you like that story so much?" Max scowled while trying to rein in his anger. At the park he'd been hanging out with his friends who had invited him to a rave. He'd been excited since he was one of the few freshman invited. Then he'd remembered Seth and figured that either their uncle or aunt would be home to watch him. But no, they both had to work late tonight. So Max was stuck here with Seth.
The four year old shrugged, hugging his teddy bear closer. "I sawed a glowy owl at th' park."
"No, it wasn't. You were imagining things again."
"Not, uh!"
"Was so."
"Not, uh!"
"Was so."
"Not!"
"Was!"
"Not, uh! It really was all glowy."
"Seth, your such a liar!"
The four year old glowered at him petulantly. "Mommy woulda 'lieved me."
Max got angry just like he did whenever their mother was mentioned. Rounding on the little boy angrily, he shouted, "Yeah, well she ain't here is she? And if you keep spouting lies like a 'glowy' owl, people will think you're crazy too, same as her! Is that what you want? Do you want to go get locked up like her?"
Tears welled up as Seth thought his older brother was saying that he was crazy and going to get locked up. Curling around his teddy bear, the boy began to softly cry. Max went to his boog bag to get his homework and his hands tightened on the straps when he heard Seth's muffled voice whisper, "I wish mommy was here."
"Fine!" Max threw his bag at a wall with gritted teeth. "You believe in that crap and want the Goblin King so bad? I wish the goblins would come and take you away! Right now!"
When he was a kid, Max wondered if that would actually work. Now he wasn't a kid anymore and knew all that junk was make believe. At the moment though he truly wished it was true. That would solve his problem. He'd be able to go to the rave, he wouldn't ever have to watch Seth again, cover up for him, or worry about him being institutionalized.
The lights flickered, the wind howled, sounding like it was storming. The lights went out an the lightning flashed briefly illuminating the room and elongating the shadows. There was the sound of giggling, but not that of good humor. It was more naughty and mischievous sounding. It made the hairs on the back of Max's arms and neck prickle.
The window burst open from a gust of wind, startling Max. A pale owl flew in the window and transformed into a tall, lean, predatory looking man. He was dressed like someone out of a fantasy book or movie. The power emanating from the man was almost palpable. Max shivered when the man smiled coldly, his mismatched eyes alight with sinister amusement.
"Who-who are you?"
Instead of answering, Jareth pulled out a crystal containing the boy's dreams. "I've brought you a gift."
"What is it?" Max was already reaching for it before he even realized he was doing so.
"Your dreams. Everything you have ever wanted."
Jareth was curious to see the teenager seem to be shaking off the inclination to take the orb. The teen stared at him skeptically and with a tad of scorn.
"An you'll just give them to me? Yeah, right. What's the catch?"
'Smart boy,' Jareth thought. Aloud, "I already have the payment."
Confusion turned to horror as dawning comprehension came to the teen. Max paled as he hastily looked around for Seth. The four year old should have been in the middle of the bed, but he wasn't. Facing the Goblin King he angrily demanded, "Give him back! Give him back or I'll-"
"You'll what?" Jareth asked slightly amused.
"I'll..." Max frowned uncertainly then gained a bit of confidence or at least bravado. "I'll call the cops!"
Giving the teen a predatory grin he replied, "And you'll tell them what? That you angrily wished your brother to me? That in exchange you would receive your dreams?"
Max glared even though he was scared. Jareth just held out the orb again, tempting him. "Think about it, Max. All your dreams. You can go to your party and never have to worry about your brother again. No one will even remember he even existed."
Max bit his lip, wavering, eyes on the crystal ball. "And what'll happen to Seth?"
Jareth smirked. "He'll become one of us."
Tearing his eyes off the crystal Max glared at him. "No way! Give him back!"
"What's said is said. You asked that I take him, I took him. If you want him back there is only one way to earn him back."
"How?"
"Defeat my Labyrinth and you can have him back as if nothing happened."
"That's all?"
Jareth smiled coldly. "That's all."
Max narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "How many have failed?"
Wearing a bored expression, Jareth shrugged indifferently. "Hundreds, thousands, probably more. I've lost track."
"Has anyone ever won?"
Something flickered across the king's face too fast for Max to catch. "Yes."
When he didn't elaborate, Max pressed, "How many?"
"During my reign, only one. And even she barely made it in time."
Jareth grew annoyed with the boy's stalling. He watched a myriad of emotions cross the teenager's face before it settled on determination. Seeing his decision, Jareth transported them to the hill overlooking the Labyrinth. A sadistic smile appeared when he saw the teen's reaction of dismay at the sight of the maze he had to conquer.
"Do you still wish to take him back?"
'If a girl could do it, I should be able to,' Max thought.
As if he could hear what he was thinking, a gleam appeared in the king's mismatched eyes as he smiled again. Pointing to a clock he spoke, "You'll have thirteen hours to reach my castle and reclaim your brother. Your time starts now."
Max wasn't all that surprised when he looked over his shoulder and saw that the Goblin King had vanished. Looking over the vast Labyrinth he swallowed and started down the hill. Seeing how tall the walls were as he neared he groaned. "Oh, man."
There didn't seem to be an opening either. There had to be a door somewhere! "Of course we're talking about a guy who can disappear and turn himself into an owl."
Frowning, Max spent the better part of twenty minutes searching for any way in. He figured that a guy who seemed to like puzzles enough to live in the center of a maze, would have the entrance hidden in plain sight. The problem was the entry could be anywhere! Getting frustrated after twenty more minutes of futile searching, he grabbed some ivy on the wall intending on scaling it.
"AGH!" He jumped back, startled when something flew out of the clump of ivy and straight at his face.
"You could have crushed me, you stupid clumsy oaf!"
Max just stared dumbly at the minute figure of a tiny, winged, angry woman that was fuming mere inches from his face. Finally he got out, "You-you're a pixie."
"Let's hear it for Captain Obvious. What else would I be?"
"Hopefully, a delusion."
Max was trying really hard to believe this was just a nightmare induced by bad food. Obviously by the fact that the pixie's face became remarkably scary with anger, she did not like response. Then she calmed and gave him a sweet smile which made him nervous.
"Where are you going?"
"Insane?" Again wrong answer, but once again the pixie calmed, yet her eyes glinted dangerously and he swallowed. "I need to get into the Labyrinth so I can get to the castle."
The pixie's eyes lit up with mischief and delight. "You're a Runner! Haven't had one of those in a while."
"Um..." Max didn't know what to say so he wisely kept his mouth shut.
"It's against the rules to help Runners. Hoggle learned that the hard way." Smiling wickedly she continued. "But as you're cute and it'll annoy His Majesty, I'll help you."
Grinning in a way that did not reassure him in the least, she led him to a set of doors that were cleverly made to resemble the wall on either side. At first touch they opened but as soon as he cleared the doors, they shut tightly behind him. Looking both left and right, he sighed. They both looked the same.
"Which way are you going to choose?"
"I dunno." They both seemed to go on forever. And what was with all the tree branches? There weren't any trees for them to have fallen from.
"Well, you can't just stand there for thirteen hours. Well, you could, but that's not why you came here, is it?"
Max scowled at the pixie and when she saw that he wasn't going to try and take his annoyance out on her, alighted on his shoulder. Turning left, Max kept his right hand against the inner wall. He figured one direction was as good as any other.
After a few feet his hand left rough stone meeting only air and he smiled in satisfaction. His eyes were telling him one thing, his mind another. Walking into the opening he decided to go right this time and shortly found himself standing at the top of a stone staircase leading down into a torch filled tunnel.
Not knowing how long it would take him to backtrack and maybe find a different way, he scowled. Descending the steps he stated, "I should have just snuck out the window."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
After leaving the teenager on the hill, Jareth flew over his domain. He wanted to assess possible dangers for the teen and redirect it if it was needed. Seeing there wasn't anything potentially life threatening at the moment, he went to the Children's Forest. He stayed in his owl form as he observed the inhabitants. They recognized him anyways of course and waved at him, but continued about their own business. Satisfied that all was as could expected, he then went to pay a visit to the Goblin Glade.
Once there he resumed his Fae form and went in search of a particular goblin. Of course, said goblin wasn't there but away at the moment. The other goblins reassured their king that when the Bookerie got back they would send him immediately to the castle. Thanking them, Jareth continued to the castle.
Striding through his home, Jareth paused in the entrance way of the throne room. In the center of the pit the goblins used to fight their chickens, was the four year old from the park. Clad in a pair of Batman pajamas staring calmly at the goblins' antics and sucking his thumb. Seeing Jareth, the sienna colored eyes lit with recognition. Tilting his head, sand colored brows creased. Taking his thumb out of his mouth, he asked, "Burdie?"