Disclaimer: I do not own Beetlejuice or related characters, he belongs to Tim Burton. I do not own Beetlegeuse. I don't own Betelgeuse? I don't own any of the weird spellings for his name.

Betelgeuse

Written By: Melanie Ray

Chapter Seventeen: Beetlejuice's Sacrifice

"Um." Donny looked at his watch. "Keep pushing?"

Kathleen wheezed, out of energy completely. "I can't." There wasn't anything left to give. Her body was so tired.

"Well, looks like this was taken care of without being that messy," One of the WDP smiled. "It's stillborn."

"It's not stillborn, it's just not coming out," Vernie disagreed. "It's supernatural. Maybe it needs assistance."

"Which is illegal, so either way, he isn't coming out." Another WDP took out a gun. "Maybe we should just end her suffering now? She'll be dead soon anyway."

Donny tried not to listen, and wanted to disagree, but even he had not told Kathleen how much she had been bleeding.

"Listen ghoul!" Beetlejuice demanded as he grabbed the ghoul. "She isn't dying, you got that? Too young, cancel the appointment. You better save her before I take this up with your supervisor!"

"I don't have that power," The ghoul yelled back, "life or death has no controller."

"Not quite."

Beetlejuice turned around and saw a WDP. "Guys get around everywhere." He groaned, but felt relieved. A WDP could do just about anything. "Go save her and the kid."

"We can't." The WDP shrugged his shoulders. "Only if you do something, Beetlejuice."

"Well, hurry it up. I'll do anything for Lyd."

"Don't get happy. You aren't coming back to life. In fact, you're sacrificing a great deal."

"I don't care," Beetlejuice muttered, "just save them."

"Are you positive?" The WDP assured him. "We just can't do a favor this big without as big a favor in return. You're trying to save two lives. The price is gonna be high."

"Knock it off already and save 'em."

"You are really ready to sacrifice everything?" The WDP asked one more time. "As in your entire time of being Beetlejuice?"

"What?"

"No knowledge of Lydia, no knowledge of magic, no knowledge of even the neitherworld," the WDP grinned wickedly. "Nothing you know now, you will remember. Everything you do not remember now, you will remember."

"What?" Beetlejuice yelled. "Why? No deal!"

"Okay then, she dies." The WDP smiled. "Have a nice afterlife."

"No you don't." Beetlejuice didn't care about the rules anymore, he tried to use his magic.

The WDP had magic of his own though. "Shame, shame." He looked at his watch. "Don't worry, she and your little soulless demon will be here in a matter of minutes."

"Soulless demon?" Beetlejuice raised an eyebrow. "So it is a demons."

"No worse demon than you," the WDP chuckled. "Ooh. Let's hope the woman and your little spawn don't come too early like 'dad' did the first time," he chuckled. "Being brought here just a smidge beforehand could give her the energy she needs to give birth to the hell creature that will destroy everything. Entrance or not, souls still aren't born in here. Guess your little caseworker didn't think of that when she thought a little extra punishment would work on you. Oh yeah, and go ahead and call me Frank if you like," he chuckled. "No need to be formal in such a situation is there?"

"?!" What? "That's not possible. It can't be mine."

"Look, you can't just butt a couple of heads between a miniature powered ghost and a human if your trying to create a beast to turn a world into hell, can you? Don't remember your first dream? Pretty real, wasn't it? And, oh, where did you wake up in your new life?"

Beetlejuice bit his lip. Hard. He didn't have long. There was no way this guy was on the side of justice. He might have the power to save Lydia, but he wouldn't use it. Killing her was in his plans. A baby was in his plans. Lyd was right.He didn't get the good explanation she probably had, but he had enough of the basics from someone who was clearly responsible. He also had a good idea from being in the neitherworld what the sacred do's and don'ts were in where he was at now. But, he also had a few minutes. Only a few minutes. "You filed the weird reports on me in the past. You filed the reports for visitation. You got Juno to keep us apart. You brought me back to life once before I thought I could be. You created what's supposed to be the ultimate death and destruction to everything. You want me to forget who I am, in order to save Lyd." He couldn't think of all the factors he was spouting out. All he could do was watch for reaction. So far, he seemed to be on the ball.

"All but Juno. It would have been easier if she hadn't tried that stupid trick," he smiled. "By the way, you've got about four minutes to make up your mind before your soul mate unleashes the demon that will end everything. Well, give or take another minute probably."

Beetlejuice ignored the strange comment. He rolled up his sleeves. They almost had everything, but they wanted him out of the way. There was only one reason why.

He had potential they wanted too. However, he wasn't that dumb. They weren't getting him into their plans anymore, and they were damn sure not getting Lydia! He rolled up his sleeve.

It was risky. Supernatural birth could mean problems, but his gut instinct didn't believe that. There was a greater chance that this guy was the one interfering in the birth. Nothing was a hundred percent, but his best chance was to get rid of him for good.

"Three and a half minutes. Are you willing to fight and lose everything?" The WDP asked knowing he was getting ready to really try to juice him. "Ask yourself, am I the only one? And if you do something to me, what then? You can't save her, only I can. You shouldn't test me, I might not want to be so helpful anymore. Three minutes."

Only he could save her. It came with a heavy price though, and he knew what it would cost. Lyd.

"Did I mention the sheer momentum of being hurled here from the real world while giving birth will probably be enough to push the little demon out alone? All she needs is one second. About only 120 of those or so is left by the way." The WDP said as he brought out the contract and waved it. "Your move."

Beetlejuice held himself steady. At least I'll have the best reputation in the neitherworld after this.

"Forty seconds." The WDP held out a pen. "Don't be stupid."

"I'd say go to hell, but it'd sound cliché." Afterlife. Scratch the neitherworld. He grabbed the WDP, hit a large red button on the decider's desk, and before anyone knew what was happening, he threw him in.

"Mm." Donny rubbed his hands together. There wasn't much time. Lydia wasn't even trying to push anymore. "I think it's time you see Beetlejuice. I don't know what happens to the unborn but, maybe you'll all be happy, haunting a house together?" No, that wasn't supposed to be the ending. So close to defeating everything and being truly happy. Yet, it wasn't close enough. BG's powers couldn't even be felt.

He let his brother down. He let Lydia down. He did all he could. "I will see you in, perhaps, half a century again." He touched her hand. "I'm sorry." He looked toward the WDP's. She would be dead on her own soon. He could feel it. She was becoming closer to the neitherworld every second. "Don't. She won't be long." He would have spoke more, but he felt a strange power coming toward him. Something powerful, but not physical. Was it his brother? "Beetlejuice. You're friend really needs your help." One of the WDP's had lowered his gun to answer his phone. It showed just how pointless the situation had become. "Brother, if you have any power for communication left somehow. Any way at all, she needs you." It was probably for nothing. Beetlejuice was down where no one could reach him, but that burst of searching energy. He had to respond to it. There was nothing left except his good faith. Believe.

"Yo? I came back from the dead for you and the squirt. Nothing?"

Lydia briefly opened her eyes at him. She was too weak to speak. Soon though, she'd be on the other side. A hundred years of haunting or so, and then she could be with her old friend.

"Lyd. You're not done yet," he warned her. "If you are." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'll never see again. You see, I won't be going to the neitherworld, or go haunting, ever again."

He wouldn't? "Why?" she asked softly.

"Time for explanations. That'd be a nice luxury for the both of us." He looked toward his watch. "We gotta get this thing out, or I go to hell."

"What?!" Lydia's heart began to beat faster. No. No, Beetlejuice couldn't go there. He never even talked about it. Wasn't there just the neitherworld? She tried to move closer. Not that. "I'd never see you again." Then, she felt more pain again, but a different kind of pain. A familiar pain. A moving kind of pain. She sucked in a breath. No. No, she couldn't be separated from him.

She had no support ever since he left. Vernie tried to help, but she kept getting watched by others too. They threatened her so many times. Some of them even mentioned how perfect it would be if she and the kid died in childbirth. They didn't even have a doctor for her. Not a single doctor.

She was about ready to give up. BG didn't belong in the world, and he'd have a life of misery living like some 'average' kid if he did make it. Never allowed to experience the supernatural. Then with all the pain, the gun discussion, and the end of seeing Beetlejuice. Her strength was just zapped away.

He was there though. Beetlejuice was there. Wasn't he? He was alive again. Somehow? Maybe she was delirious, or maybe he really would go to hell if she didn't give birth to BG. She watched him grab her hand.

"Come on. Come on, Lyd! You don't know what's on the line here." He patted her hand back and forth. "You can do it."

"I . . ." So tired. But hell for Beetlejuice. She couldn't bear never seeing her best friend for an eternity. And, BG. Even if BJ was just a figment of her imagination, she couldn't just let him die. Life was life, even if it was built on a lie. Even if he had the dullest childhood . . . he deserved a childhood. She gritted her teeth and pushed again, yelling as she did.

"Good, good," She finally heard Donny's voice. "Keep going! I know you can do it." She felt her arms tremble, but she took one deep breath and gave it all she had.

"Great, you got it. By the way, I kind of lied. I still have to go to hell, but I had to help you first."
"B.J." Kathleen whimpered.

"Hey, no tears! Things change, Babe, sooner or later we'll meet again. You'll see, I'll figure something out. Now old Beej has gotta go. They're getting pretty antsy here. Hey, quit pushing me!"

"Almost," Donny cheered. "He's almost out."

"I'll miss you B.J. And, I just, I'm sorry," Kathleen yelled as she pushed.

"Quit thinking that. Nothing's your fault, Lyd."

"But I said things like," Kathleen pushed again, "like I wish we had never met. I said awful things to myself." Kathleen pushed again. "I never meant any of it. I never would have changed it for the world!"

"Heh, yeah except this part."

"Beej!" Kathleen cried out once more.

"Take care Lyd and remember. This isn't over yet. I always find a way back."

"There it is!" Donny exclaimed. He ducked in time to miss a mobile that flew by his head. "I can see his head!"

"Beej? Beej!" Kathleen yelled. There was no more answer. No more voices rushing to her head of any kind.

"Here he comes!"

A loud recurring boom of thunder was heard in the sky as Donny finally yanked BG out.

Kathleen sighed as she felt relief and sadness. The pain was finally over but she also knew that was the last time she would ever talk to her dearest friend, at least for a long time. "It's over . . ."

"On the contrary." Donny had cut the chord, cleaned and wrapped BG up for her. "It's just beginning." He smiled as he handed him over to her.

"Well that's that." Vernie smiled. In a puff of smoke, all the WDP disappeared once again. With the child being born in the real world, there was no more reason for them to stick around so close.

Kathleen couldn't help but smile. She could tell from the bit of hair it had that it would have BJ's white hair. He was so tiny. Who knew something that could have destroyed everything could be so tiny?

BG opened his eyes and looked at his mama for the first time.

Kathleen smiled. He has his eyes!

Donny looked at BG too. "Awww..."

BG gave his uncle a weird look.

"Kootchie Kootchie Koo." Donny tickled under his chin. "I'm your Uncle Donny."

BG just continued to give his uncle a weird look before he closed his eyes again.

"Look how tiny he is." Kathleen smiled as she held him closer. She had felt a slight bond forming between them while she was pregnant, but it was nothing close to how she felt now. She swayed her newborn back and forth. "I wonder if he'll open his eyes soon again."

"Yes, they were just like mine and my brothers." Donny smiled.

Kathleen stared at the little being in her arms. "Wow. He's..."

"Adorable?" Donny tried to finish. "Precious? Cute?"

BG wiggled around a bit trying to get comfy. He just wasn't feeling comfortable yet.

Until he farted. He stopped wiggling and feeling relief settled down in one spot.

Kathleen laughed. He's far from any of that! He's just like 'him'.

In a flash Betelgeuse felt his essence being ripped away. He opened his eyes in horror and saw nothing. Merely hanging on a rope. "Lydia," he yelled. Somehow, he had gone from the gate of hell to beside Lydia. She had been changed so much on the outside, but he still recognized her. "Yeah, I knew that wouldn't last." He looked out into the darkness. "Well this isn't good. Yo?!"

Then he heard it. The familiar ear bone breaking and shrieking sound of his greatest fear. "Sandworms?!" Beetlejuice climbed up the rope higher. He looked all around for anything else to climb on, any way out. "Anybody! Heeeeeeelp!"

"Betelgeussssssss..."

Beetlejuice trembled as he heard the eeriest sound. "Eeeeekkk!" He screamed as he saw the biggest sandworm he'd ever seen come up from the ground.

"Betelgeusssssssss..."

"Oh no, it's talking." Beetlejuice opened one eye as he looked at it. Right in front of him he saw it's deadly eyes, a boiling yellow with flames of red deep within it's center. "Whuh oah."

"Betelgeusssssssss..."

It was his worst fears come true. A sandworm that talked and had eyes ten times bigger than himself. Who knew how big the rest of his body was hiding in the darkness? "Please don't eat me!"

"Betelgeussssssss...weeeeeelcome. I've been waiting for youuuu..."

"Crazy, crazy, this is crazy I'd never want to come here!" Beetlejuice talked to himself. "Oh what was I thinking? This is hell, of course it's going to have the worst thing of the neitherworld." He hugged his rope. "I had to, for Lydia. I had to. Oh, but I gotta get out of here."

"Leaving so sssssssssooon?" The sandworm gave him an evil smile. "You knew what would happen for your action. No, you aren't leaving yet. I've got big plansssss for you."

"Come on, juice out of here. Juice out of here," Beetlejuice whined to himself out loud. No magic came though.

"Not that easssssyyy." The sandworm warned him. "You cannot juice here, your magic is under my control."

Beetlejuice climbed higher on the rope. He trembled as he looked down.

The sandworm grinned at him with glowing red eyes. "If you fall, you shall be torn apart for an eternity to come, until I have use for you. There is no starting over. There is no escape. You will be ripped apart, devoured, pass through each of them only to be eaten again."

"Aaahhhhhh!" Beetlejuice closed his eyes wildly trying to juice. "Get me out of here!"

"Eventually Betelgeussssss." The sandworm hissed. "Until then, keep hanging on for the ssssake of your ssssoul."

Beetlejuice watched as the evil eyes disappeared. "Hang on. I have to keep hanging on?" He looked all around him but there was no other rope. Nothing all around. He was alone in a pit that was who-knew-how-wide with sandworms. Nothing but utter darkness to keep him company. "This is gonna be a long eternity. Help! Lyydiaaaaaa!"

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