Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Labyrinth, which regretfully includes Sarah, Jareth, and Hoggle. I barely own my college books...

A/N: Yes, I have been mysteriously absent recently. College. Exams. Travel. Not a good excuse for sure, but its the truth. That said, enjoy!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A menacing sneer graced Jareth's pale face.

"Do you now? Very well. As always, your wish is my command." Gloved fingers brought a translucent crystal to life, and the goblin city faded into the background, leaving Sarah to wonder if she had ever been there at all. Slowly, she was able to make out the approaching surroundings.

The only word which could accurately describe the room was 'trashed'. No, perhaps 'decimated' fit better. Grayed and scuffed from apparent pacing, the room's floor was littered with mangy white feathers and empty ale barrels. Frayed scraps of fabric stretched across the open windows. Sarah watched enamored as a large chunk fell from the drape farthest from her position and floated to the ground. Sunk deep into the floor's center dropped a circular hole half-filled with similar scraps. Jareth marched around the gap, settling himself upon a horned throne, and lounged across its curved arms. Sarah snorted in amusement as the right armrest proceeded to crack under the unexpected weight and crumble to the floor. The fresh layer of dust was hardly noticeable.

Jareth growled in irritation as he straightened. "That is why you are here, foolish girl, to undo the damage you've caused."

Sarah tilted her head in disbelief. "You must have sniffed one too many cans of hairspray because you've lost it. Seriously. You're just pissed off because your castle is in shambles—"

"Do NOT presume to underestimate a situation you know nothing about. I assure you, everything you see, everything which has fallen apart, is a result of your actions".

"Oh come on, you can't honestly blame me for not keeping up with your castle maintenance" she rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Of course! I completely forgot to mention that the maid has been on vacation for the last five years. How could I have ever overlooked it?"

With unparalleled speed, he pushed himself into a standing position before the throne, a hungry glint in his eyes. She watched him prowl back around the hole, lazily swaying his hips back and forth. Sarah's mercurial nerves shrank as she became the antelope game of Jareth's feline hunt. He stalked ever closer, gaze transfixed on Sarah's pallid face.

Perhaps sarcasm wasn't the best idea.

"Your gall never ceases to astound me. After all this time, you still remain the spoiled brat." He left her no time for rebuttal. "However, since you have insisted precise explanation, I ask that you at least refrain from making inane comments while I do so."

Silver eyes narrowed, but the girl remained silent for several seconds.

"There now, was that really so difficult? I sometimes wonder if…" he paused, grimacing as an unseen force shook through his torso. "No matter. You demanded answers and that is what you will receive." He cupped a gloved hand across his chin. "But perhaps not here…Sit."

Sarah fell backwards with a screech and flung her arms back to brace the fall against the stone. Instead, she found herself sprawled across a familiar feathered comforter. Jareth's lip twitched once before he turned his face to the tapestry laden walls.

Pointing to the leftmost piece, he started. "As you may have deduced, the Labyrinth is not a being eternal. It was created some millennia ago by the elders of the Underground as a…test of sorts, a living challenge of sand and stone." He gave her an icy glare. "I do not believe I need to explain the circumstances of one such contest to you." Under his daggered sight, Sarah's cheeks flamed abashedly, and she sank deeper into the mattress.

He nodded, moving onward to a tightly stitched image of seven beings. Although each possessed a varied countenance, all oozed the same distinct power. "What you are not aware of are the natures of the other contests held within the Labyrinth."

Sarah's ears instantly perked forward. "Other contests? Like races or games of hide and seek or something?"

A withering stare this time. "Really Sarah, the Underground is not a realm of six year olds. No, the Labyrinth is used both as a challenge for those who choose it on the spot, such as yourself, or for those who willingly and knowingly prepare for its tests. The Labyrinth is not just a maze. It is a means of measuring strength, will, wisdom, and ingenuity as well as a possessor of the uncanny ability to gauge a participant's luck."

He doubled back in measured step, his demeanor slowly calming. "Now tell me, for what purpose would the unearthing of such talents be necessary?"

Sarah creased her brow, deep in thought. Just any answer wouldn't do. Following her innate yearnings for approval, she carefully pieced together what seemed to her the most logical response.

"Well, leaders, and rulers too I guess, are better off having some of those traits. Wait." Comprehension flared across her visage. "Is beating the Labyrinth a precursor to being King of the Goblins?"

He snorted indignantly. "Not quite, but correct in essentials. In the instance that a ruler is unable to continue his monarchy, all rightful hei—challengers of the Underground are thrust into the Labyrinth to find a capable replacement. It is a way of determining who is most worthy, and of course, who has the skills necessary to best lead the kingdom. As only one ever makes it out again, the choice is quite simple."

"That's barbaric!" she responded immediately. "Trapping people in a maze just because they weren't as quick as the other guy. No wonder I haven't seen any other people in the castle, they're all stuck in the Labyrinth!"

Jareth bit down on his tongue to keep from correcting her. It would not serve either of their agendas if she knew the true fates of the 'trapped' heirs. He shook her off with a determined wave.

"That is not the point of the story. The point is that the Labyrinth is also used to test the strengths of potential leaders…all potential leaders. And this test of sorts, the Labyrinth's challenge, is known in this world as The Game."

"Alright, that's great and all, but exactly am I doing here? I don't remember throwing my name into the ring."

"You have not been paying attention! Not all the challengers are willing, simply, rightful. Your previous victory—" he spat out the last phrase, "grants you a place in The Game."

"Fine. I'll just give u—"

"NO!"

The force of his response startled both of the room's occupants, particularly the girl in the mock-neck sweater.

"And why the hell not?! I don't want any part of this world. I belong in Connecticut, in college with my friends and near my family. I belong home. There's no way I'm going through that maze again, especially for some kingdom I don't want!"

"Not even if doing so banished your nightmares?"

A sharp gust blew a chocolate tress across Sarah's face and she pushed it back, yelling out a reply. "Why you…you bastard! I knew you'd been sending me those dreams. Trying to blackmail me into playing some game, now that's twisted. I am not a puppet you can play with when you feel like it!"

If she was expecting an apology, it would be a long time coming; certainly not before the first round of The Game, at least. He didn't even seem to have heard her outburst.

"Or if not for the nightmares, perhaps for your friends, hmm? I certainly thought their pathetic little lives meant something to you. What were their names again? Hogsbreath, Hoghoof, Hogsnort…"

"Hoggle" she grit out.

"Yes, that's it. Precious Hoggle and his band of traitorous fools. I do hope you've said your good-bye's, why, it may already be too late."

"You better not have hurt them! They did nothing wrong in helping me. You have no reason to threaten them."

"Me?" he plastered a look of innocence onto his face and gestured automatically to his chest, "Like I've already said, everything you see, everything that has been destroyed is your fault. The Game is calling you, and your nightmares won't dissipate, nor will your friends be safe until you enter. I do hate to repeat myself, but it is out of my power. You truly have no choice but to do so."

As if on cue, a tawny owl glided through Sarah's escape window and dropped a sealed envelope at her feet. She reached instinctively for it as the bird hurried out the same way it came in. An insignia of three small stars arranged in a triangular design was stamped deep into the cooled blue wax. She did not wait for Jareth's permission before ripping open the letter addressed to "Lady Sarah".

The sudden slip of the cultured mask was unbeknownst to the girl focused on the letter. His solemn gaze gone in a moment, Jareth pulled a clear crystal from thin air, and forced back his mocking persona. "It would appear as if the elders are under pressure to begin, and that you've missed your last proper meal for some time. What a pity."

In a flash, he appeared beside her, humming darkly into her ear. "Close your eyes tight, Sarah, it's time to go."

Before she could read the contents of her letter or utter a spark of protest, the room spun wildy for a third time that morning and the pair vanished in a pool of glitter.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: I know, I know, another 'poof' of glitter. But I've got the next chapter half written so we'll be seeing the elders again quite soon, as well as a brigade of OTHER challengers. Interested? Let me know below.