Zee lingered by the tall window, his sharp eyes fixed on the chaos below as Jareth shifted beside him, his posture stiff and tense. The soft glow of torchlight flickered across the Goblin City's streets, where the commotion of Sarah's progress echoed in waves of sound—shouts, laughter, the heavy clang of something mechanical, and an occasional pop-hiss that Zee knew all too well.
Jareth's gaze narrowed, and his lips curved downward into a frown. "What are those?" he demanded, his tone sharp as he gestured toward the source of the popping sounds. "Cannons? Guns?" He turned to Zee, his eyes gleaming with incredulity. "Such things do not work in the Underground."
Zee, hands tucked behind his back, rocked slightly on his heels, unfazed by the King's pointed glare. "That's true," he replied evenly, his voice light but calm. "They don't. Not as you're thinking of them, anyway."
Jareth looked back toward the courtyard where flashes of movement caught his attention. Sarah and her companions ducked and weaved through the Ughlánas quarter, taking cover as strange, jury-rigged contraptions wheezed and sputtered like beasts trying to breathe. A gleaming turret spat what looked like a puff of smoke, the 'projectiles' bouncing harmlessly off the cobblestones with an audible ping.
Jareth's jaw tightened. "Those are weapons—guns—and they should not be here," he bit out, his voice colder now.
Zee only chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Relax, Kingy. They're not real guns."
Jareth turned back to him, incredulous. "They look real enough."
"That's because they're hers," Zee explained with an easy shrug, gesturing broadly out toward the Labyrinth. "The Labyrinth has a way of reflecting what its challengers expect. Sarah grew up in a world where battles have these things… cannons, guns, machines. And so the Labyrinth shaped its defenses around those ideas."
Jareth stared at Zee for a long, silent moment. "You're telling me the Labyrinth is using her imagination to dictate what it throws at her?"
Zee smirked faintly. "More or less."
Jareth's brows furrowed, his focus drifting once again toward the window. "And the bullets? The blasts?"
Zee rolled his eyes good-naturedly and gestured toward the chaos with a sweep of his hand. "Compressed air," he explained patiently. "No gunpowder. The Labyrinth uses pressure and force to create the illusion. As for the 'bullets,'" he grinned, sharp teeth flashing. "They're Porlian seeds."
Jareth turned back to Zee, visibly caught off guard. "Seeds?"
"Yup. Porlian seeds," Zee repeated, holding up his thumb and forefinger as though measuring the tiny projectiles. "Harmless little things. If one of them hits her, it'll sting like a bee, but that's it. No harm done."
Jareth's shoulders eased, just slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. He turned his gaze back to the city below, his focus lingering on Sarah.
For a long moment, he said nothing, his eyes following her as she darted through the courtyard, Ludo at her side and Sir Didymus charging bravely ahead. Hoggle was scrambling up some contraption in the corner, small but determined.
With an almost absent-minded nod, Jareth turned away from the window, his long stride purposeful as he walked to the door. "See to it that this chaos doesn't get out of hand," he said over his shoulder, his voice quieter now. "And keep an eye on her."
Zee watched him leave, the faintest shadow of a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, your Majesty," he murmured, though Jareth was already gone.
Turning back to the window, Zee planted his hands on the sill and leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied the scene below.
The makeshift 'weapons' sputtered and hissed harmlessly, and the Ughlánas, ever eager to play their part, swarmed around Sarah's group with hoots of laughter and exaggerated threats. She moved forward regardless, her determination evident in every step.
"Stubborn girl," Zee said softly, though his voice carried a note of admiration. He glanced toward where Sarah had just emerged from cover, rallying her friends with a determined shout.
A chuckle escaped him, deep and low. "You're going to give him a run for his money, aren't you?"
For a moment, he simply stood there, watching as Sarah defied everything the Labyrinth threw at her. Then, with a small shake of his head and a wistful grin, he whispered, "Good luck, Sarah. But I have a feeling you aren't gonna need it."
And somewhere, far below, the Labyrinth shifted, watching her just as closely.
The Goblin City was a whirlwind of clanging, shouting, and chaotic motion.
Sarah sprinted forward, ducking behind a wobbling stone wall just as something shot past her head with a hiss and a pop! The 'projectile' ricocheted harmlessly off a crooked lamppost before tumbling to the ground. She glanced down at it, a small, round seed, no bigger than a marble, and frowned in confusion.
Before she could think too much about it, Ludo lumbered up beside her, his massive frame shaking the ground with every step. "Sarah!" he rumbled, his deep voice somehow carrying over the madness. "Go!"
She nodded sharply, adjusting her grip on a dented goblin-made shield she'd picked up somewhere along the way. "Right!"
Sir Didymus came bounding up next, gallantly waving his staff as though leading a charge. "For the honor of Lady Sarah!" he shouted, bolting past them toward the next cluster of goblins, who scattered like startled chickens at the sight of the diminutive knight.
Sarah couldn't help but laugh, breathless and adrenaline-fueled, as she watched Sir Didymus barrel forward. She turned her gaze to the city ahead. The path to the castle loomed in the distance, the spires of Jareth's fortress rising like dark claws against the gray sky.
"We're almost there," she whispered to herself, determination hardening her resolve. "Come on, guys! We keep moving forward!"
They pressed on, weaving through the crooked, narrow streets as the Goblin City erupted into sheer mayhem around them. Goblins ran in all directions… some cheering, others playfully jeering… swinging comically oversized weapons or hurling strange contraptions that seemed to defy logic entirely.
A massive cannon wheezed to life in the square ahead, releasing a loud puff of air and shooting… a chicken. The bewildered bird flapped frantically, squawking as it sailed harmlessly overhead before landing in a heap of hay.
Sarah blinked, almost laughing despite herself. What is going on here?
A group of goblins appeared next, armed with comically large slingshots. They pulled back and released, launching not stones, but brightly colored cabbages that sailed through the air in slow, lazy arcs. One thudded onto Ludo's shoulder, bouncing harmlessly to the ground.
"Ludo… not like cabbage," Ludo muttered, brushing it off with a look of mild annoyance.
Sarah paused just long enough to gape at the chaos, a strange feeling tugging at the back of her mind.
Something wasn't right.
The goblins fought—or at least acted like they were fighting—but none of it felt dangerous. The cannon blasts were too soft, the slingshot cabbages harmless, the oversized axes swung so slowly that anyone could dodge them. Goblins tumbled theatrically when struck, hooting with exaggerated glee as though they were playing along with some grand game.
Even the 'battle cries' sounded ridiculous:
"Yarrr! To the left! No, your left!"
"Oi, give me back me helmet!"
"Duck! Oh wait, no need!"
Sarah pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to shake off the strange dissonance. What is this? she wondered. This isn't a real battle. It's…
She glanced at Ludo, who swatted aside a goblin wielding a wooden spoon. Sir Didymus was valiantly fighting a trio of goblins who seemed to be more entertained than anything else, laughing every time he struck their helmets with his staff.
It was almost ridiculous.
It felt like a game.
"Sarah!" Hoggle's voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see him waving urgently from farther up the path. "The castle—this way!"
The strange feeling lingered, gnawing at her edges, but Sarah shoved it aside. There wasn't time to think about it now. The castle loomed closer, its dark gates standing stark against the chaos behind them.
"Come on!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "We're almost there!"
Ludo let out a booming roar, shaking the very stones beneath their feet, and Sir Didymus darted forward like a blur, his staff raised high. Together, they pushed through the last line of goblins—who parted like a sea more than an opposing force—until they reached the massive stone steps leading to the castle entrance.
Two towering iron doors loomed above them, intricately carved and ominous, with two huge chains slung across them. She turned to look back just once, taking in the scene behind them. The Goblin City was in utter disarray, goblins still chasing each other, cannon 'blasts' puffing harmlessly into the air, and chickens darting around the streets like confused messengers of chaos.
Sarah's brow furrowed as the strange feeling returned. None of this feels real, she thought.
"Sarah?" Hoggle's voice was softer now, almost hesitant.
She turned back to him, her face still etched with uncertainty. The iron doors were now within reach. Her fingers brushed against the cool surface of the handle, grounding her.
Whatever the truth was, whatever strangeness surrounded the 'battle', there was no turning back now.
"We're here," she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.
The others gathered behind her, silent for the first time since the chaos had begun. The courtyard felt still, almost heavy with anticipation, as Sarah pushed against the massive iron doors. They creaked open slowly, revealing the shadowed depths of the castle beyond.
With a deep breath, Sarah stepped forward.
Sarah pushed through the massive iron doors, her shoes echoing loudly on the stone floor as she entered the Goblin King's castle. The grand entryway was dimly lit, and the air hung heavy with an oppressive silence. Behind her, Ludo, Hoggle, and Sir Didymus followed close, their footsteps timid despite the chaos they'd just left behind.
The throne room lay just ahead, its doors ajar, and Sarah stepped through them with a growing sense of urgency.
The room was vast and cavernous, its high ceilings lost to shadows. The space was not at all what Sarah expected. It wasn't regal or pristine—it was a mess. Scraps of parchment littered the floor, broken toys and odd bits of furniture were strewn about, and the grand throne, which sat upon a dais, looked as though it had been hastily abandoned.
Sarah's gaze was drawn upward, where the Goblin King's clock loomed above the room, ticking down the minutes in sharp, relentless clicks. Her stomach twisted at the sight of it.
Five minutes.
Her eyes swept the room, searching for some clue, some sign of where to go next. Then she saw it… a narrow stone staircase tucked into the far corner of the room, spiraling upward into darkness.
That's it.
Without a word, she moved toward it, her pace quick but steady, the others following close behind.
"Sarah?" Hoggle called, his voice wary as he scurried to catch up. "Where're you goin'?"
She stopped at the base of the stairs, one hand on the smooth, cold stone of the banister. Turning, she looked at her friends, her companions, who had come so far and fought so hard by her side. Ludo loomed nearby, his kind eyes full of concern. Sir Didymus clutched his staff like a sword ready for battle, his small frame radiating fierce loyalty. Hoggle stood slightly apart, wringing his hands nervously.
They were ready to go with her, to follow her to the end.
But Sarah knew… this was where their paths split.
"This is something I have to do alone," she said softly, her voice steady but full of meaning.
Sir Didymus stepped forward, shaking his head. "But why?"
"Because that's the way it's done," she said gently, her expression firm yet kind.
"Well, if that's the way it's done," said Sir Didymus, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Then, that is the way you must do it. But… should you need us…"
Ludo let out a low, mournful rumble, and Hoggle stepped closer, his head held high. "Yes… should you need us…"
"I'll call," Sarah said softly, her heart almost overflowing with the affection she felt for her friends. "Thank you… all of you…"
The room fell quiet, the ticking of the clock echoing like a heartbeat. Hoggle's shoulders slumped, and Sir Didymus reluctantly dipped his head in understanding. Ludo gave a small, sad nod, his big hands hanging at his sides.
Sarah lingered for just a moment longer, taking in the sight of them… the friends who had stood by her through this strange, impossible journey. She felt a pang deep in her chest, but she shoved it down. There was no time for hesitation now.
Without another word, she turned and began climbing the staircase.
The stone steps spiraled upward, narrow and uneven, disappearing into shadow. Sarah didn't look back as she ascended, though she could feel their eyes on her, watching as she vanished into the darkness above.
The last sound she heard before the throne room faded was Ludo's soft, mournful voice. "Sarah…"
The ticking of the clock followed her up the stairs, louder now, relentless, each second slipping away.
Sarah reached the top of the staircase, her breath coming fast and shallow as she stepped into the vast, surreal chamber. The room unfolded before her like a waking dream, a maze of impossible architecture. Staircases twisting in all directions, leading nowhere and everywhere at once. Some ran along the walls, others hung upside down from the ceiling, defying all sense of gravity and reason.
Her eyes darted around, struggling to take it all in, the sheer scale of the room making her feel small and disoriented. Then she saw him.
Toby.
He sat on the ceiling, small and still, his little figure in stark contrast to the chaotic grandeur of the space. Sarah's heart leapt into her throat as she called out, her voice echoing across the chamber.
"Toby!"
He turned his head slightly, his wide eyes blinking in confusion. But he didn't move. He didn't cry out. He simply sat there, as if he were part of the room itself.
Sarah swallowed hard, her mind spinning as she tried to find a path to him. The staircases twisted and shifted before her, some appearing solid, others dissolving into shadow. She clenched her fists, determination surging through her.
"I'm coming, Toby," she whispered, more to herself than to him.
And with that, she stepped forward into the impossible.
Author's Notes:
I hope I got across just how goofy the whole Goblin City battle was. Obviously, the Goblins weren't trying to hurt Sarah or the gang, but she didn't know that… at least, not for sure. And while I know what I wrote doesn't follow all of the event's play-by-play of the battle in the movie, I think I was able to convey the utter chaos and hilarity that had ensued.
I also had to give a bit of exposition on the whole gunpowder thing. I had forgotten that there was an actual cannon and what looked like guns in the movie. According to the lore as I've written it elsewhere, such things do not work in the Underground. So… I had to come up with an explanation for why they were there.