Disclaimer: All recognizable plots, characters, etc. belong to Jim Henson Productions and George Lucas. Elisa, Case, and Jenny belong to Kore-of-Myth.

A Different Journey: Chapter One

It was planned. Deliberately. Hours of thought were put into it. Plans were made, discarded, and revised until perfect. Rules were made and memorized, before being pounded into others' heads. My family thought me mad, but I wasn't.

Or at least, that was what I told myself. It was perfectly normal to wish for this last bit of fantasy and childhood before entering the world of grown-ups. At eleven my letter to Hogwarts never arrived, Peter Pan never flew me off to Neverland. I thought that I had lost all my chances to be brought into the world of fantasy after spraining my arm trying to get through the wardrobe in my Aunt's attic, until I heard in passing of The Labyrinth.

I was a book lover, I wanted to become a writer and I loved being in a book store. At Borders, while trying to find a copy of Lyra's Oxford I saw the DVD for Pan's Labyrinth. I had recently taken up a love for Greek Mythology and thought it would have to do with the god, Pan, of revelry but when I looked at the back cover I had to put it down immediately. The back cover showed a young girl, about nine or ten, being chased by a monster, and I freaked. I have an over-active imagination; any kind of horror could wreck my sleep for months.

I was introduced to the world of Fan Fiction a month or so later. I came upon some summaries for a film called The Labyrinth. I thought this was the film with the freaky background, but after reading the Wikipedia article I realized that it was a different film that would probably hold my interest.

I then read one story. And then another. And another.

I loved the tale of villain who was not really a villain and the sacrificing heroine. I couldn't wait till the holidays (for then it was October) and get the movie so I could watch and really know everything about it.

I was a backwards fan. I was attracted to the character of the Goblin King – yet when I saw his picture burst into giggles that people thought him attractive. I read the fan fiction sequels before seeing the film. I wished myself away without knowing the speech to save myself or the correct words to get myself through the maze.

When I finally did see the film, (and I have only the once) I nearly hyperventilated. This movie which I had never seen had taken over my life. The film surprised me, but I did like it tremendously (though I will admit I have no appreciation of 80's music. I thought "Dance, Magic" would be like "Man with the Hex" which has the same opening lines except 'man' instead of 'babe'.) However, my impression of Sarah was lowered. She seemed just a bit whiny to me – and I'm known for whining quite a bit.

But I was jealous mostly. I didn't really care so much for the 'Goblin King' to fall in love with me though his character was fun to read about. I just wanted an adventure. I was feeling like I was getting consumed by reality, all the fantasy was leaving me but I couldn't let it go without a fight.

So, I decided to plan a trip to the Labyrinth.

Doesn't that sound like I'm going on vacation? Yes, Mom, I'll be away for thirteen hours. I'll pack my toothbrush and toilet paper. I don't have turn-into-goblin insurance but chances are pretty low of that happening.

I didn't watch the movie again. I don't have photographic memory but I have the next thing to it. I went through most of the Fan Fiction archive – especially stories of people who had seen the Jim Henson movie before encountering Jareth and his land. I made lists in my head and recited the 'saving' speech and the 'entering' story while being careful to never say the words.

I wanted to make it as similar to Sarah's leaving the Aboveground as possible. That was just insurance, but it seemed to be the safest way to go. I had a few problems however. I was fifteen like Sarah supposedly was, but my parents were happily married and my younger brother was 10, and my younger sister was 9. They were pretty immature but definitely weren't like Toby. They could be super annoying at times though. I had two older sisters as well but they were already in college so it was up to me to take care of Case and Jenny when my parents went out.

They didn't go out much so I had to wait awhile before launching my plan. The day they asked me to baby-sit I wanted to yelp from joy. But I knew my plan had to be set forth then, so I agreed a little sulkily. They gave me two nights of warning and I perfected my plans then.

Now this is important that you know before hand. I had only seen the movie once; Case and Jenny had only seen the movie once though their memory isn't all that great. However though I had never threatened to wish them away (though I had always planned on wishing away their annoying selves) I had drilled what I called the Three Rules of the Labyrinth into them. They were as follows:

1. Do not accept anything. So much as taking an offered piece of paper could have horrible consequences.

2. Do not speak. This used to be longer but I shortened it due to their lack of attention span. Anything they could say could be used against them and me. Also, it is impossible to say something is 'a piece of cake' when you are not speaking at all.

3. Do not go near the Bog of Eternal Stench. This was self-explanatory.

I had quizzed them and they seemed to know the rules. I only hoped they would follow them – there had been about ten rules in the beginning.

Finally, the night came. I had been upstairs in my room, changing into clothes that wouldn't worry my parents and be suitable for running a maze in. My parents expected me in PJ'S and I didn't think that too big of a problem.. I had my sneakers tucked into an accessible corner and my small backpack of supplies as well.

I waved good-bye to my parents, sulking again and shut the door firmly behind them. Case and Jenny behind me looked hopefully towards me,

"Elisa? Can we watch a movie?"

"Elisa! Mom said I could watch Disney Channel!"

"Elisa!"

"Stop!" I shouted. Apparently getting mad enough to wish them away would be easier than I thought. "The playroom is a mess. Go clean it. There's no chance of a movie unless it's spotless in," I turned to the clock. It was 7 – I expected my parents to be back in about two and a half hours. "Ten minutes. Do you understand?"

Case with his green eyes mischievously sparkling said, "You're not Mom – you can't tell us what to do."

"Oh yeah?" I said leaning in. "Well, I'm in charge so I can tell you what to do. Skedaddle!" I shooed.

Jenny pulled on Case's arm and they marched down to basement pouting and muttering. I sighed, and then ran upstairs to my bathroom, scooping my bag and shoes on the way.

I pulled on a pair of socks and my shoes and then stood in front of the mirror. I stared for a moment. Unlike the rest of my siblings I had gotten brown hair and eyes and my hair was massively curly. I had made several jokes about how I would have looked awesome in the 80's. I wasn't curvy – but I wasn't really fat or thin either. I did have braces, I bared my teeth at my mirror, but they were white teeth at least.

Why was I worrying about how I looked though? It wasn't like I wanted a romance with a Goblin King. Just some magic and an adventure would be awesome, thanks. Besides, I shipped Sarah/Jareth. I hated stories where self-inserts put themselves with the Goblin King.

That reminded me. I pulled from my bag a necklace and a bracelet. The bracelet was ordinary – plastic, I had it for a bribe in case I met anyone like Hoggle. The necklace was more important though. I had seen it at Claire's awhile back and had liked it. Even before Labyrinth I had liked owls and thought that I would be one if I were an animal. The necklace was a bronze owl, rather large but I hoped it would bring me luck tonight. I put it on and tucked it under my shirt.

I met my reflection's eyes and set my chin. It was time – though there was one thing left to do.

I ran to my bedroom, pulled out my white rabbit toy and set it on the edge of my bed, and then backed away before approaching slowly.

I looked Sam Bunny in the eye. "Give me the child, no – wait the children." I shook my head. I'd have to start over. "Give me the children. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the Castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the children you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom is as great." I was in Sam's face now, "You have no power over me."

It was still for a moment, and then I pulled Sam into a hug. At fifteen I had no embarrassment in such. Or talking to stuffed animals, "Wish me luck, Sam." I whispered before putting him down.

I then walked out of my room and down the stairs before stopping at the top of the staircase to the basement. I sat on the top step – listening to the tinkle of Legos being put away as I thought.

I at least had no chance of forgetting the last words – those I had drilled into Case and Jenny's mind as well. How Sarah had forgotten those was beyond me. One thing I was worried about though was that I grew scared easily – the girls in the fan fictions I had read almost always went with a friend. I was a loner – I didn't make friends easily due to my head always being in the clouds. Besides, most people didn't think it was sane of me to be obsessed with a movie from the 80's – and not be lusting after the male role.

But I was a bit of a chicken if I was to honest with myself. I just hoped I didn't turn tail at the first opportunity. Willpower though, was something I did have a large amount of. I know that I could make it through. Really though? A wisp of thought echoed off the sides of my head. YES! I thought fiercely back. Though I'm not sure why I'm having a conversation with the voice in my head, YES I can do this.

The voice then said, almost morbidly, Glad you think so. Good luck, you're going to need it at this rate. And I'd cover my ears in five seconds if I were you.

"What?" I asked out loud. I then realized why.

"UH-LEES-AH!" came Jenny's whining voice. "I'm going to miss High School Musical!"

Well, if Jenny's voice wasn't going to make me mad enough, that movie was. "This is it." I said before storming down the stairs.

The playroom was still a mess but I didn't care. Our basement has two rooms – a room with a TV and a room with toys, the playroom. I ran, furious to the TV room where Jenny and Case were on the couch fooling around with the remotes.

"Elisa! I want to watch Spiderman!" griped Case.

"But Mom said I could watch Disney Channel!" then whined Jen, blonde curls flying.

"No she didn't," said Chase grabbing at my arm. "Elisa come on…"

"But I've only seen it four times," wailed Jenny tugging on him and in turn on me. "Mom said…"

I shoved them away from me and they fell onto the couch, their balance jeopardized. "I hate you," I said quietly, but it was enough to shut them up. Jenny's eyes filled with tears, but in that moment I didn't care. I was going to experience magic before I grew up; I was not going to lose that chance now. Though I had planned to just say the words I meant everything I said now. "Both of you." Case's fists clenched. He seemed about to erupt when I continued.

"Do you want to hear a story?" I hissed.

Case asked, "'Lisa, why are you wearing sneakers…"

"DO YOU WANT TO HEAR A STORY?" I bellowed. He grabbed Jen's arm – tears were running down her face still. "Once upon a time there was a beautiful," who am I kidding?, " young girl who whose parents kept her constantly overworked. She used to be well-cared for but then she had to do all the work in the house when her sisters moved out." This was all how I truly felt and how I felt. It wasn't fair – though I wouldn't say it aloud. "She was constantly pressured to do the housework, watch her spoiled brother and sister, and get straight A's. The girl was practically a slave but what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl and given her certain powers." Just keeping true to the original tale.

"-But what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl and given her certain powers."

"Yer majesty?" asked a goblin.

"What?"

"We's thinks the words are a-gonna be said."

I had taken acting classes in my youth though I hadn't been very good at it. But I was milking it now. " So one night when she had partically suffered she called on the goblins for help. 'Say your right words,' said the goblins. 'And we'll take the children away to the Castle beyond the Goblin City and you will be free'" I pitched my voice to be high and squeaky. "But the girl knew that the King of the Goblins would keep the children in his Castle forever and ever and turn them into the goblins. So she suffered in silence unitl one night when her siblings had been total brats to her and she could no longer stand it, she gave in. 'I can't bear it no longer!' she cried. 'Goblin King, Goblin King, wherever you may be, take these children far away from me!'" I said that wrong, oh, well, keep going. It's not like those ones mattered.

"Goblin King, Goblin King, wherever you may be, take these children far away from me!"

"Aw," moaned the goblins in unison.

"Those weren't the right words," one said.

"Maybe she'll say the words after like the Last Champion did –"

"Of course not," said their King. "Listen, Elisa will only say the words the Last Champion put in the film, just like all the others. We are safe." He smirked horribly.

I feigned annoyance at the wrong words. Ignoring the looks on my brother and sister's faces that thought I was a loony, I said. "Oh! I wish I did know the words to wish you away you Zeus-awful brats!" Oh the effects, of Greek Mythology.

I spun on my heel and marched towards the door. I grabbed the knob and turned towards them, my brown hair in my face as I declared evenly, meaningfully, "I wish the goblins would come and take you away, right now."

I slammed the door and went to sit on the couch.

­­­­­"I wish the goblins would come and take you away, right now."

The King threw his head back and laughed, mirthlessly. He then said, "The wrong words again."

"Yer highness?"

He turned sharply, "Come, have you not bothered me enough?"

"Couldn't we just take the children?"

"No! The rules of the Labyrinth are quite clear. I only have to venture above if the exact words are said." The King stood. "I'll be in my quarters – do not bother me."

I counted to ten Mississippi to be safe and it was tremendously quiet. My heart beat rapidly in my chest. I stood and walked slowly towards the TV room door. I took a steady breath to calm myself, told myself not freak out over the goblins and turned the knob of the door, and pushed it open.

Jenny and Case were still sitting on the couch, and they stared at me as if I was insane.