Disclaimer: I know I have other fics to finish, but I HAD to write this one. Ever since I watched the first three Hellraisers in a row, this idea has been swirling around in my mind, helped by the fact that Kirsty reminds me SO MUCH of Nancy from NOES. I don't own anything. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Everyone has their own hell.

It makes sense, really. How can there be one place, one vast expanse of space, where the masses of the damned collect, to be tortured for eternity? Each person has different fears, different sins, different pains and pleasures. It really does make sense for each person to have their own separate hell, to maximize pain and suffering.

For one Fred Krueger, however, his hell was being thrown from the world of dreams, from his domain, forced to stalk the bowls of hell with an itch he couldn't scratch. He prowled like a tiger, casting his disdainful gaze upon the damned, the ones who were tortured physically, and the ones who were tortured like he: being denied that which they desired.

There was one man who amused him, Frank Cotton, who belonged to those called the Cenobites. Technically, Frank was beyond Hell, in a separate area, if you will, known as The Labyrinth. Yet Freddy still prowled beyond his borders, desperate for some sort of distraction. This Frank was a pervert, a sex maniac, and he was surrounded by moaning, thrashing women, yet could find no pleasure of his own. It just proved that torture didn't always have to be physical, and made Freddy forget his own frustration, if only for a little while.

Ah… the Cenobites. Shrouded in mystery, connected to a puzzle box, the masters of pain and pleasure. Although Freddy hated to admit it, they were so much more than he was. Yet, like him, they too had once been human, although they remembered less of their human lives than Freddy did. In fact, they really didn't remember anything at all. They believed they had always been this way, and Freddy enjoyed mocking them with the fact that they had once been like those they tortured.

Anyway, at the moment, he and the Cenobites were in the same boat, or, in the same hell. After being defeated once again by one Kirsty Cotton, who was much like his own banisher, Nancy Thompson. Pinhead, the lead Cenobite, named for the numerous pins protruding from his head, was ferociously angry. He and his 'team' of Cenobites had failed, reduced to their human forms and killed, by a rogue Doctor, who that bitch Julia had brought to hell. He had showed weakness, his humanity allowing Kirsty and that other girl to escape, and close the gap.

"Tough luck," Freddy commented, grinning. For some reason, the urge to slice and slaughter was unusually strong today, and he needed whatever distraction he could get. Today, as if time in Hell could be measured in days, his cynicism seemed the perfect weapon. Every so often, though, his bladed hand would twitch, the silver blades longing for the feel of slick, warm blood.

Pinhead glared at him. "Does this amuse you?" He snarled. "Might I remind you, Frederick, you are very much in the same plight. You long to kill, but you cannot. Instead, you wander the labyrinths of hell, watching but never doing. You are separated from your victims, unable to even watch them suffer… while we still maintain the power to torture and maim."

Freddy narrowed his eyes angrily. "Shut up. You know damn well you're dying just as much as I am for fresh meat."

The other three Cenobites didn't have names, at least, not that Freddy knew of. One was female, her throat sliced open vertically and exposed, resulting in a hoarse, whispery sort of voice. Her pale face was set in a calm, detached manor, as she rarely showed any sort of emotion. The other two were male, one large and fat, wearing small dark glasses over his non-existent eyes, and the other had his flesh pulled away from his teeth. All were grotesque, but only the female and Pinhead had light, blue-ish skin.

The female looked at Freddy coolly, with near disdainful pity, and then turned her gaze to Pinhead. "The child killer is correct. We both desire the same things," she said quietly. "We both wish to be free, to torture and kill… and we both know where to start."

Pinhead cocked his head to the side. "Continue."

Freddy snorted. "What she means, Pinboy, is that we were both defeated by someone. I want Nancy Thompson, you want Kirsty Cotton. And we need to be free to get them. Sooo…" he trailed off. "We need to help each other."

He laughed humorlessly. "Do you not think we would free ourselves, if we could? We hardly need your help."

Freddy crossed his arms. "What's your problem, Mr. High and Mighty Cenobite? You think you're better than the rest of us? Newsflash, Pinny, you're not the first one to torture and mix pain with pleasure. Everyone down here does it. Just because you've got a fuckin' puzzle box, which quite frankly, is more of a liability than a good thing… it's the reason you're down here. You rely on a toy, like a dog on a leash. Pathetic."

Pinhead took a step forward, his face contorting angrily, his hands clenching into fists at his side. "There is nothing stopping me from knowing your flesh, Frederick," he hissed dangerously. "How sweet would that be… the killer as the victim? Perhaps we could construct a special hell for you… I'm sure all the children would love to see you again… Glen and Tina and Rod…"

Freddy's bladed hand twitched. "I could say the same for you, Elliot."

He knew any mention of Pinhead's human self, which had allowed Kirsty to escape, was likely to set the Cenobite off. Pinhead glared at Freddy angrily, yet kept his temper, visibly controlling himself from tearing into the man standing before him.

The female Cenobite, who had watched their exchange almost wearily, like a young girl tired of the bantering of the arrogant boys, sighed. It was a hissing sort of sound, like the air escaping from a balloon. "We accomplish nothing like this."

Pinhead turned his gaze on her, and Freddy could tell he didn't quite like being spoken to like an equal. Perhaps that was why Kirsty tortured him so, a victim who showed strength and defiance…

"I agree with the open-throated one. I… I mean, we need to get the hell out of here." Freddy looked upwards, towards the endless ceiling. "They've forgotten about me. I can feel it. That bitch… she's pretending I was a dream, a fantasy. I need to make them remember."

Pinhead looked at him, cocking his head to the side. "What are you willing to do for your freedom, Frederick?"

He looked back at him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "What do you want me to be willing to do?"

The Cenobite began to circle Freddy, like a lion pacing around its prey, or perhaps an enemy. "Kirsty will not open the box of her own accord. She will want to… being so willing to play our game, yet so unwilling to admit it… like a moth with the flame. But her desire is enough for us to claim her if the box is opened near her, as it was last time. We need someone who will open the box."

"So?"

"You want Nancy, yet she had eluded you. Her strength and will to survive is strong, stronger than you expected. As long as she believes you are a threat, however small that belief, you will never defeat her."

Freddy was silent, not wanting to admit he was confused.

Pinhead sighed. "You fool. Both girls want to be free from us, as much as we want to be free from here. Humans will go to any lengths to save themselves."

"Hmm. You have a point there, Pinboy."

Ignoring the comment, Pinhead continued. "Kirsty is skilled in the art of bargaining. I'm sure you will find her quite willing to strike a bargain with you."

"What sort of bargain?"

"You will offer to… take care of us, for dear Kirsty. Promise her she will never have to fear us again… in exchange for Nancy."

Freddy grinned. "I like it… but what about you?"

Pinhead smiled cruelly. "I will make Nancy a similar offer. I will offer her freedom from you, freedom to dream again, in exchange for Kirsty."

Freddy snorted. "I don't know about your Kirsty, Pinny, but Nancy's Little Miss Heroic. There's no way she would sacrifice someone else, even to protect herself."

"I can be very convincing, Frederick. I assure you, Nancy will accept my offer."

He paused, then shrugged. What did he have to lose? "Fine. But how exactly am I supposed to find this Kirsty? I'm a bit stuck, and so are you, if you haven't noticed."

Pinhead's jaw clenched, as if what he was about to say tortured him. "I… we… can offer you… power… enough to enter… Kirsty's dreams."

Freddy laughed aloud. "Oh, this is precious. The King giving power to his subjects. Ah, well, that's why the monarchy ended, I suppose. How are you supposed to have enough power to reach darling Nancy, then?"

"Do not worry yourself with our matters. Nancy will find the box. Only concern yourself with your task and your task only." His voice hardened, sharp as a blade. "If I find out that you abused these powers for any other means… you will feel every cut your victims felt, slower and more painful than can even be comprehended. Understood?"

He knew the Cenobite was dead serious, yet, being Freddy Krueger, didn't really care. "Yep. Sure. No abuse of powers. I'll be a good little boy, I promise."

Pinhead did not look amused. "Your sense of humor repulses me, Frederick."

"That's 'cause you don't have one," Freddy shot back, smirking. "Besides, I bet I repulse a lot of people. Child killer, you know, lowest of the low."

Pinhead's liquid black eyes seemed to glow. "Ah, but you are so much more than that," he said, his voice deep and rich. "Your children know the truth… yet many do not. Nancy does not. She thinks you a mere killer… perhaps she would fear you more if she knew what your true desires were."

Freddy was silent, his face expressionless.

"I wonder… what would dear Katherine think, Frederick?"

His face darkened threateningly. "Don't say her name. Never mention her around me."

Pinhead smiled. "I'm sure we will find out in time. For now, however, we must attend to the task at hand. Are you ready?"

Freddy was still glowering, a strange look in his eyes. "The question is, Pinny, are you ready?"

Read and Review!

A/N: I want to explain the premise of this story a bit, just so there isn't any confusion in future chapters. For the purposes of the story, it takes place AFTER Hellraiser II and BEFORE A Nightmare On Elm Street 3. Whether the dates clash or don't make sense, I don't know, but for this story that's how it's going to be. Also, Kirsty is 20, and Nancy is 21. Also, the whole Labyrinth (the Cenobites' domain) and the Lament Configuration confuse me a bit, since I've only seen the first 3 Hellraisers, so if I describe anything wrong, I'm sorry. My impression was that the 'Labyrinth' is within Hell, a sort of 'separate' area. Anyway, my rant is over… remember to R & R! 