Nothing Is What It Seems

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

The thick dark smoke slowly began to disperse, leaving a very confused Tynan in its wake.

The Labyrinth smiled. "I said you could try."

Tynan sneered at her. "What did you do?"

The Labyrinth shook her head. "I did nothing. I am not the one who stopped your little tantrum."

He all but bared his teeth at the powerful being. "Then who? No one here is more powerful than me."

"That is what you wish to believe." The Labyrinth looked over at Sarah. "There is, in fact, someone more powerful than you."

Frowning, Sarah turned towards the Labyrinth. "You don't mean me?"

"Who else do you think I am? I told you that were more powerful than you realized."

Sarah frantically shook her head. "But I didn't do anything."

"Remember what you learned during your run, Sarah. Nothing is what it seems. Even you." Jareth looked around the Labyrinth at her. "I felt the power that caused smoke to disappear. I wasn't sure who's it was, but it did feel very familiar."

"Of course, it felt familiar! You gave her some of it!" The Labyrinth glanced at him smugly.

Jareth slyly hung his head.

Still in shock, Sarah looked from Jareth to the Labyrinth. "What? I don't understand."

The Labyrinth turned back to her, smiling. "Do you not remember what you told Toby before you wished him away? 'What no one knew' was only half of it." The being looked over shoulder at Jareth. "I still don't know how he even did it."

Jareth frowned. "I didn't give her anything. She refused me every time I offered."

"I was just telling him a story. I had no idea it was actually real. "Sarah started shaking her head and waving her hands in front of her.

The Labyrinth frowned. "Well, I admit I gave you a tiny extra boost to protect you as you ran, but it disappeared once you returned home."

Tynan frowned. "Ah, hello. Remember me."

"Oh, have no fear we haven't forgotten you. Not all I promise you."

Tynan glared at the being.

The Labyrinth nodded at Sarah. "Needless to say, Sarah. You are the one to decide his punishment."

"Why me?"

"Because for most part, you are neutral party."

"How am I neutral? I'm far from neutral." All the damage Tynan had caused to the Labyrinth, her people, Jareth, and not to mention the war he had started had all affected her.

Tynan sneered at the Labyrinth. "What right does she have to judge me? She's nothing more than a mortal trollop."

Jareth to a step towards him. "What did you just call Sarah?"

Tynan smirked. "Oh you heard me, Boy."

The Labyrinth reached out and stopped Jareth from moving any further. "Stop, Jareth."

Jareth stared at the ancient being as she slowly lowered her arm. "Why are you stopping me?"

The Labyrinth frowned. "You are not at your full strength, remember? What could you hope to accomplish?"

Sighing, Jareth stepped back as the Labyrinth turned back to Sarah. "What is your decision, Sarah?"

Sarah still could not see why she was the one making this massive decision.

Tynan smirked. "The little mortal's still silent. Seems she can't makeup her mind."

Sarah balled up her fists. "That's it. I know what your punishment will be." She took a step towards Tynan. "You'll be banished to the mortal world with no powers."

Tynan's face turned white as the Labyrinth walked up beside Sarah.

"I would add that he remembers his life here. That way he'll be thought of as insane, and move than likely end up in one of those, ... what are those places called?"

"An asylum?" Sarah frowned.

"Yes, one of those." The Labyrinth nodded. "Very well."

Suddenly the floor under Tynan changed from tanish stone to black ooze. Tynan began to sink into the blacken ooze. He tried to free himself but tentacles rose from the ooze and began to wrap around him, seeming to pull him further into the blackness.

Sarah and the others watch as Tynan disappeared into the darkness and the stone returned.