Part 2: Into the Netherworld

With Lydia finally having her revenge on her dad and step-mom who had barricaded themselves in their bedroom out of fear lydia demands Beetlejuice help her find her mom, Beetlejuice is going to take Lydia and Jace on a quick jaunt to the Netherworld so they can see what it's like and help Lydia look for her mom just as he promised, however as they look now they would stick out like a sore thumb as fleshing normies.

With a mischievous snap of his fingers, Beetlejuice turned to Lydia and Jace, grinning from ear to ear as their appearances transformed before their very eyes.

Lydia blinked, staring at herself in awe. She now wore a striking red poncho with a spiderweb pattern draped over a sleek, full-body black unitard. The fingerless gloves at the end of the sleeves added a punk edge, and her legs ended in boots integrated seamlessly into the suit. Her makeup was sharp and dramatic—purple lipstick, long mascara lines like teardrops running down her pale cheeks, with thick purple eyeshadow and pink eyeliner giving her an ethereal, eerie vibe. Her once simple hair was now tied up in a spikey, pineapple-like hairstyle that screamed supernatural chic.

"Whoa…" Lydia muttered, running a hand through her transformed hair. For the first time in a long time, she didn't just feel weird—she felt powerful.

Jace, on the other hand, couldn't help but chuckle as he looked down at his own new look. His duster coat was gone, replaced by a slick black tailcoat jacket with a muscle shirt beneath. Several medallions clinked around his neck, giving him the air of an occult master, and his boots had a high-gloss finish, paired with fingerless gloves that made his hands look like they were ready to conjure something dark and mysterious at any moment. Black paint smeared across his eyes gave him a menacing, warlock-like vibe.

"Much better," Beetlejuice declared, flashing them both an approving grin as he made the "OK" symbol with his fingers. "A witch and a warlock—now you'll fit right in!" He clapped his hands together with glee. "Alright, kiddos, ready for a trip to the Netherworld?"

Lydia took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anticipation. "You're sure we'll find clues about my mom there?"

Beetlejuice smirked, his voice taking on a more serious tone for once. "Well, let's just say the Netherworld's got its secrets. If your mom's spirit is hanging around anywhere… we'll find her."

Jace's eyes gleamed with excitement. "About time we got to see the other side. Let's do this."

"Hold on to your eyeballs, 'cause this ride's gonna get freaky!" Beetlejuice cackled as he snapped his fingers once more.

The room around them warped and twisted, colors shifting like a kaleidoscope. The floor vanished beneath them, replaced by swirling green mist and eerie shadows that danced and flickered in the distance. Lydia and Jace felt a strange pull, like they were being dragged through space and time, and yet they were exhilarated rather than afraid.

The swirling mist parted, and suddenly, they found themselves standing at the edge of a bizarre, otherworldly city. The buildings were twisted and gothic, towering up into the dark sky like grotesque sculptures. Skulls and bones adorned the architecture, and the roads were paved with strange, shifting cobblestones that seemed to move underfoot. Fog clung to the streets, and bizarre creatures slithered or floated by—everything from wailing banshees to mischievous imps darting between the shadows. The place buzzed with an eerie, electric energy.

"Welcome to the Netherworld!" Beetlejuice exclaimed, throwing his arms out wide. "The land of the weird, the wild, and the wonderfully dead."

Lydia's eyes widened as she took in the surreal landscape. It was equal parts terrifying and fascinating, a reflection of all the dark, strange things she'd ever imagined. Yet, despite its otherworldly creepiness, there was something oddly comforting about being there—a sense that she finally belonged.

Jace grinned, clearly in his element. "Man, this place is awesome. I've never seen anything like it!"

Beetlejuice smirked. "Yeah, yeah, the scenery's great, but we're here on a mission, right? C'mon, we've got a few places to check out. If your mom's lingering anywhere, the best place to start is the Midway Cemetery—it's a hub for lost souls, and I know a few creeps there who owe me favors."

Lydia nodded, her determination strengthening. "Let's go."

As they began to walk through the winding streets of the Netherworld, the eerie fog swirling around them, Lydia felt a strange sense of hope. She had no idea what they would find in this bizarre, haunted place, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was finally moving toward the answers she'd been searching for.

Beside her, Jace glanced around, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, Lydia… you think your mom's spirit is here somewhere?"

Lydia sighed, her voice soft. "I don't know. But I have to believe she is. I never got to say goodbye. And it's like… no one ever talks about her. Like she just disappeared and no one cared."

Jace frowned, his playful demeanor momentarily giving way to sincerity. "Well, if she's out there… we'll find her. I mean, you've got me now. And Beetlejuice, too, I guess."

Beetlejuice scoffed, but there was a glimmer of affection in his eyes. "Don't get all sappy on me, kid. But yeah, I'm in this, too. We'll dig up whatever we can."

Lydia smiled, grateful for her strange new companions. As they ventured deeper into the Netherworld, the dark, winding path before them seemed a little less daunting.

Whatever awaited them at the Midway Cemetery, Lydia knew one thing for sure—she wasn't facing it alone anymore.

As Lydia, Jace, and Beetlejuice continued their eerie trek through the Midway Cemetery, the mist thickened, and strange shadows danced in the distance. A loud, cackling voice echoed through the fog, startling Lydia.

"Who dares walk through my domain, huh?!" The voice crackled with mischief and energy.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind a crypt—green-skinned, maggot-filled hair bouncing with each step, and dressed in a tattered blue blazer and pleated skirt that looked eerily familiar to Lydia. The girl was grinning, her red eyes gleaming with excitement.

It took a second, but Lydia's memory clicked. "Zoe Pourrir!" she muttered under her breath. The name was one she'd heard whispered in the halls at her school—a student who had mysteriously disappeared years ago, rumored to have been some sort of karate champion before she was murdered. The older students used to pass around ghost stories about her, and here she was, standing right in front of them.

"Well, well, if it isn't the famous Lydia Deetz," Zoe snickered, doing a backflip off the crypt and landing in front of them with a cocky grin. "You're a lot quieter than I imagined. What brings you to my spooky little corner of the world?"

Lydia, still processing the fact that a school legend was real—and very undead—hesitated. "Uh, we're looking for my mom… Emily Deetz. She… she was a witch, and we think she's somewhere here in the Netherworld."

Zoe's grin widened, her eyes gleaming with interest. "A witch, huh? Now that's interesting." She cracked her knuckles, her stiff limbs making an audible popping sound. "Tell you what, I could help you find her. But…" She paused, crossing her arms with a mischievous look. "You're gonna have to earn it."

Jace raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Let me guess, you want us to do something crazy?"

Zoe let out a cackle, her body moving with unnatural agility despite her zombie state. "Bingo, blondie! We're gonna play a few rounds of Graveyard Games! Let's see if you're tough enough to hang with the zombie champ! If you can beat me, I'll help you track down your mom."

Lydia's heart raced. "Graveyard Games? Like… what?"

Beetlejuice raised a hand, looking bemused. "Oh boy, you're in for a treat, kiddos. Zoe's idea of games is a little more, uh… interactive than what you're used to." He grinned widely. "And I love it."

Zoe did a few quick stretches, her stiff limbs cracking loudly. "Alright, here's how it works. I pick the game, and you all compete. If anyone can beat me—just once—I'll help you. If not… well, you'll have to hang around here with me a little longer!"

Jace, ever the thrill-seeker, grinned. "Sounds fun. What's the first challenge?"

Zoe's eyes sparkled with excitement. "We're starting with a classic: Graveyard Sprint! First one to make it through the Mausoleum Maze and back without getting caught by the ghostly hounds wins!"

Lydia felt a nervous shiver run down her spine at the mention of "ghostly hounds," but she nodded. She had to do this, for her mom. She wasn't alone anymore, and if Jace and Beetlejuice were with her, she had a chance.

"I'm in," Lydia said, standing tall, despite the nervous energy that buzzed inside her.

Beetlejuice leaned over to her, grinning. "Don't worry, kid. Just follow my lead—and maybe avoid the parts of the maze where the ground's… not so solid."

"Thanks," Lydia whispered, half-smiling. "I'll keep that in mind."

Zoe let out another cackle, already bouncing with energy. "Alright! Let's get this show on the road! Follow me, you slowpokes."

The group followed her deeper into the cemetery, the mist growing thicker, the air colder. The Mausoleum Maze loomed before them, twisted stone arches and dark passageways stretching into the gloom. Shadows flickered around them, and Lydia could hear faint growling in the distance—the ghostly hounds.

"Ready?" Zoe called back with a grin, already jogging in place. "Three… two… go!"

Without hesitation, Zoe took off, her zombie agility giving her a head start. Lydia sprinted after her, Jace hot on her heels. Beetlejuice lagged a bit, laughing maniacally as he floated lazily through the air, seemingly unfazed by the whole thing.

Lydia focused on the path ahead, dodging the shifting tombstones and half-crumbled walls of the maze. The howling of the ghostly hounds grew louder, and Lydia's heart pounded in her chest. She glanced to her side and saw Jace effortlessly keeping pace, grinning like he was having the time of his life.

"We've got this, Lydia!" Jace shouted, ducking under a low archway. "Just keep moving!"

Suddenly, a ghostly hound lunged from the shadows, its translucent form snarling as it tried to grab Lydia. She yelped, dodging just in time, her breath quickening.

"Too slow, pupper!" Beetlejuice taunted from above, zipping past the hound and giving it a rude gesture as he floated effortlessly through the air. "C'mon, Lydia! You're not gonna let zombie girl beat ya, right?"

Lydia gritted her teeth, pushing herself harder. Zoe was still ahead, but she wasn't giving up. Not when she was so close to finding her mom.

Lydia pushed herself harder, her feet pounding against the uneven cobblestone path of the maze. The growls of the ghostly hounds echoed ominously behind her, but she forced herself to focus on the figure of Zoe ahead, whose cackling laughter filled the air. The maze twisted and turned, each corner presenting new challenges—stone statues that seemed to come alive, low-hanging vines that clawed at her clothes, and the chilling wind that whispered through the narrow passageways.

"Catch me if you can!" Zoe called back, her voice taunting as she navigated a particularly tight corner with agility. Lydia felt a spark of determination igniting within her; she wasn't about to let a ghostly zombie girl outpace her, especially when finding her mom was on the line.

"Keep going, Lydia! You've got this!" Jace shouted, just a step behind her, his playful energy contagious. "Think of all the cool ghost stories you can tell your friends when you win!"

With each stride, Lydia felt her confidence building, her dark outfit swirling around her like a cloak of defiance. The fear began to fade, replaced by the thrill of the chase. She ducked under a low arch and pushed forward, heart racing, adrenaline pumping. Just then, the ground beneath her feet trembled, and Lydia stumbled slightly.

"Watch your step! Some parts are a little unstable!" Beetlejuice hollered, still floating lazily above them. He made it look so easy, as if gravity meant nothing to him at all.

Ignoring the stumble, Lydia rallied herself. She couldn't give up now. As they rounded another corner, Zoe suddenly leaped over a stone crypt, her laughter echoing off the walls. "You're getting slow, Deetz! Is that all you've got?"

Gritting her teeth, Lydia pushed harder, determination surging through her. She glanced to her left, spotting a faint glow emanating from an opening in the wall. "That's it!" she thought. "If I can just reach that light…"

"Lydia, look out!" Jace's warning came too late. A ghostly hound lunged out of the shadows, its translucent body shimmering in the mist. Lydia barely had time to react. She leaped sideways, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws, but she lost her footing.

Time seemed to slow as she fell, her hands reaching out for something to grab. Just before hitting the ground, she felt a firm grip on her arm. Jace had caught her, pulling her back to her feet as they stumbled together. "You okay?" he panted, concern in his playful gray eyes.

"Yeah! Let's keep going!" Lydia replied, a rush of gratitude filling her. Together, they sprinted toward the glow, Zoe's laughter echoing ahead.

With every step, the maze seemed to shift around them, the walls closing in. Lydia could feel the presence of the ghostly hounds creeping closer, their howls chilling her spine. "We're almost there!" she urged, her voice steadying as they pushed through the dark, twisting pathways.

Finally, they reached the glowing opening—a large archway adorned with intricate carvings of spirits dancing in the moonlight. Lydia hesitated for only a moment, glancing back at Jace and Beetlejuice, who both nodded encouragingly. She charged through the archway, heart pounding, followed closely by her friends.

The moment they entered, they found themselves in a clearing surrounded by ethereal mist and shimmering moonlight. In the center stood an ancient stone altar, and the air was thick with magic. Lydia could sense it; something important lay ahead.

"What is this place?" Jace murmured, glancing around in awe.

"This… this is a sacred spot for lost souls," Lydia breathed, her eyes wide. "If anywhere in the Netherworld can help us find my mom, it's here."

Before they could ponder their next move, Zoe caught up, looking slightly out of breath but still brimming with energy. "So you made it! Impressive, but I hope you're ready for the real challenge!"

"What do you mean?" Lydia asked, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and dread.

Zoe grinned mischievously. "To find your mom, you'll have to face the Guardian of the Lost Souls! You have to prove your worth to it. No one gets to just waltz in here, after all!"

"Great, just what we needed," Beetlejuice chimed in, rolling his eyes. "Another guardian to deal with. What's it gonna be this time? A riddle? A battle? Maybe a karaoke contest?"

Zoe chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nope! You'll have to show your heart—literally!" She pointed to the altar, where an ominous, glowing heart-shaped gem rested. "You'll need to place your hearts on the altar, and if they're pure enough, the Guardian will reveal the way to your mom!"

Lydia's heart raced, but she felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. "Okay. We can do this."

Zoe stepped forward. "I'll go first!" She confidently approached the altar and placed her hands over the glowing gem. A bright light pulsed around her as the air shimmered. "Hear me, Guardian! I've got a pure heart, even if it's kind of rotten!"

As she spoke, the gem absorbed her energy, pulsating rhythmically. Suddenly, the ground shook, and a low, rumbling voice echoed around them. "What do you seek, little zombie?"

"I'm here to help my friends!" Zoe shouted back, her voice brimming with excitement. "They're looking for Lydia's mom, and I want to prove I'm the best zombie ever!"

The heart-shaped gem glowed even brighter, and the rumbling voice responded, "Your spirit is joyful, but are you brave enough to face the darkness that lies ahead?"

"Of course!" Zoe replied without hesitation. "I love a challenge!"

"Then step back," the voice commanded, and with a sudden burst of energy, a ghostly figure materialized—a tall specter with flowing robes and hollow eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light.

Lydia's heart raced. "It worked! Zoe, you did it!"

Zoe beamed, jumping back as the Guardian looked down at them. "Now it's your turn, Lydia. Show your heart!"

Lydia took a deep breath, stepping forward with trepidation. She placed her hands over the glowing gem, feeling its warmth seep into her skin. "I want to find my mom, Emily Deetz," she spoke clearly, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach. "I miss her every day. I need to know she's okay."

The gem pulsed again, brighter this time, as if resonating with her words. "Your heart is heavy with loss, child. But do you seek closure, or are you ready to embrace the truth?"

Lydia felt a rush of determination surge within her. "I want the truth! I want to know if she's out there, and if I can find her!"

The Guardian's hollow eyes seemed to soften for a moment. "Very well. But remember, child, the truth can be both a light and a burden. Prepare yourself for what lies ahead."

With that, the guardian raised its hand, and the altar glowed brilliantly. The world around them began to swirl, colors shifting and blending together, forming a vortex that pulled at their very souls. "Hold on tight, brave souls! The journey to find the lost will begin!"

As the winds howled and the mist swirled around them, Lydia felt the presence of her friends beside her, their shared determination bolstering her courage. She wasn't alone anymore, and together they would face whatever challenges lay ahead in their search for her mother.

"Let's do this!" Lydia shouted, the fear and sadness melting away, replaced by a flicker of hope igniting within her heart.

With that, they were engulfed in a brilliant light, the world around them dissolving into a kaleidoscope of colors, as they ventured deeper into the Netherworld, ready to confront the unknown.