A/N: Well, that was pretty easy. So far, so good. Nothing really noteworthy to say thus far, except: I don't own anything here, except for Madison. Broadway and Angela are together. Deal with it. Brooklyn is not homicidal. Lexington is very much in touch with his feminine side. I don't care if you don't like it, it's true. That's all I'm going to say for now. Stay tuned.
Chapter Two: Awakening
A week went by without anyone seeing any signs of movement from Madison. However, that didn't stop anyone from interacting with the statue itself. Angela and Broadway would come in, and tell her stories from their favorite Shakespeare books. When they would leave, and the daylight sun would shine through the baby's playroom window, the statue would glow, faintly just then. The same would happen whenever Owen would pass, and spare her an appreciative glance, or dust off the occasional spider or fly, when Bronx would lay down right next to her, trying to keep her warm, when Hudson would unintentionally talk to her about his glory days.
Soon, she was much more than a decoration. She was another gargoyle, one of the clan... even though she couldn't fly or patrol with them... or talk, even.
Another week went by, and still, no change. The weather got colder, and the wind roared past the window, sending a shiver down Fox's spine. She held her baby closer to her, rocking him to the sound of a short lullaby. The sun was near setting, and its rays reflected off of icicles hanging from the rafters, onto the pearl gargoyle, Madison, they had brought home so many days before.
The sun set within five minutes, and Fox, still expectant, still waiting, looked at Madison with hope. Maybe today, she would move. But then what? Get up, miraculously dance around? What did she want with another gargoyle anyway? Maybe... she thought humorlessly, maybe it was "The Pack" in her, making her want a different challenge. Who knew what mysteries this gargoyle held; who she was, what she lived through, how she came to be in the antarctic. Or perhaps it was her mothering instincts, causing her to want something else to take care of. Whatever it was, it was nagging at her, making her want to find out more, what else was behind this little pearl statue they could only watch from day to day?
Broadway and Angela came down first, patting Madison on the head and smiling at Fox briefly, before heading off to the library. Lexington, Bronx, and Goliath all came down together, the small green one talking about some new computer game David set up for him, and was waiting to play with him in the computer room. Hudson waddled after them, muttering that he would rather watch his TV programs. "All the flashing lights and loud noises... they give me a headache. No, I think I'd rather stick to a nice, quiet afternoon with the TV actors and actresses." Hudson growled, scratching the watch dog's head as he passed him and Madison. "And to you, lass." He said jokingly, giving her a gentle slap on the back.
Fox turned to him, and for the few minutes she was scolding him ("I WISH you wouldn't hit Madison, Hudson, it's not polite! And the baby is impressionable at this age...", on and on it went.) when no one was paying attention to her, Madison glowed briefly, her pearl skin getting a bit warmer. As Fox went to usher the guys out of the room, Brooklyn came slumping in. There was nothing fun to look forward to anymore. Go on patrol, come back, watch TV, go to sleep, repeat. For one fleeting second, he actually wished that the Quarrymen were back. At least they brought some excitement to the city. Besides your normal robber, mugger, thief, and occasional shooter, there was nothing to do. So that was it then? That was to be their lives, until they died in that New York city? He shook his head. Brooklyn wouldn't let it end like that. Not for him.
He turned to look at the statue, which had just stopped glowing. She still hadn't waken up, after two weeks. 'I guess it really IS a statue.' He thought quickly, before leaning down to look at it's sad closed eyes. "Come on. A plain statue made of pearl? That can't be right." He whispered.
And to his surprise... it wasn't.
The statue began to glow, faintly at first, which made Brooklyn think it was some sort of trick of the light. But it brightened, steadily, until it shone as gloriously as the sun might. He shielded his eyes and groaned, never before had he seen anything this bright! Then a familiar sound reached his ears, and he turned to the others. The jerky cracking that indicated that-- "Cracking... it's cracking, guys! She's waking up!" A flurry of footsteps followed, and everyone was back in the baby's room, faster than normal. Around the statue in a circle they gathered, watching tiny crevices become big ones, spread fast throughout the head, around the eyes and crystal tear, and down her body.
Outside, three young girls were watching, smiling. It was time. It was finally time.
The eyes popped open, pink in color, and the final stretch, as Madison awoke from a sleep that lasted near a millennium.
She stood up, and looked around, cautiously, and they were surprised to see that her actual eye color was pink. Her hair, short, was almost a snowy white, and her skin a rich blue-gray. With all the natural abnormalities the young Gargoyle displayed, it was her clothes that stood out most vibrantly. They weren't Scottish dress, with a loincloth and brassiere, nor was it English. It was of Greek origin. A criss-crossing shirt that went over her shoulders, above which was a black choker. On her arms was a simple armlet, and an armband 'round her upper arm. Her skirt was buckled with a strange symbol, and on her legs were straps that looked like they belonged on sandals.
Nothing was said between all of them, as they just look at each other, and watched the other's movements. It was Bronx, however, who unknowingly broke the ice by barking, and bounding over to the young gargoyle. Brooklyn reached out to him, trying to get him to come back, so as not to scare the girl, but he missed. Bronx sniffed her, and she smiled and knelt down, allowing him to put his front claws on her shoulders and lick her face. She giggled, but never uttered a word.
"Ah. Good to see you're finally awake." Xanatos had just entered the room with Owen, general pleasure crossing his features. Madison smiled, and continued to watch him, but didn't say anything. "Well, I suppose the only thing to say now is, welcome." A few nods, and everyone was quietly watching her. Expecting her to say something. "Ah... Do you have a name? I mean, we've been calling you Madison this whole time, but we--" She nodded vigorously after he said Madison, but still... didn't say anything. "Ahhh... do you... speak? At all?" She was testing his patience, and everyone in the room could sense that. Even though it made Lexington and Brooklyn snicker.
Madison blinked and bit her lip, but still didn't speak up. About a minute went by before she made any noise. "I can speak... of course. I just didn't have anything to say." She sat down and crossed her legs. "Sorry Mr. Xanatos."
He shrugged it off and rolled his neck. "It's a start. So you already know who I am? How?" She continued to bite her lip, then stood up. She was almost the smallest gargoyle, Lexington had her beat on that front, but other than that, she looked like, if compared to the average human, she had just hit adulthood.
"You brought me here. And talked to me; all of you. I—I thought that I should... at least know your names, and I--"
But Brooklyn interrupted her. "Wait... you heard all of us? Like, when we talked to you, and about you? But why didn't you wake up? Why didn't you say anything!?" Madison shied back, and rubbed her arms. Making it apparent to the older gargoyle that he should back off just a bit. "Sorry." Was all he could say.
She blinked, and gazed at the floor bashfully. "I couldn't wake up. No matter HOW many voices I heard, I wasn't able to. I tried, though. I really did." Madison sounded sad, but when she spoke next, it vanished. "I heard you call me Madison," she nodded to Fox. "And I thought that was my name, I guess. Everything I know of is this room... this place. Before that--" She shook her head and wiped her eyes as Angela stepped forward.
It was some strange force of nature that compelled Angela to feel the way she did just then; she had never felt it before. Her arms found it's way around Madison's neck, and held her. "It's okay... you can stay here with us, and we'll watch after you." Against her cheek she could feel the youth nod, and Angela backed away. "It's not a problem... is it, Xanatos?" He shrugged.
"I don't see why not. She's a gargoyle as well, it's only right she stay with your clan." The silence in the room broke into a rousing cheer, as each gargoyle introduced themselves. Madison seemed a little scared to be meeting so many people. But as long as Angela was standing near her, she looked up and noted, it seemed like things would be okay.
The entire group took her up to the top of the castle, to the scaffold they always slept on, where Elisa was waiting.
"There you are, I was beginning to wond—oh. She's awake?" Maza held out her hand to the female, who took it apprehensively. "I'm Elisa Maza, it's really nice to meet you!" Madison scratched her arm again, and then nodded.
"It's very nice to meet you. I'm Madison." She said sheepishly. But then, she bit her claw. "This is it?" Elisa screwed up her face and looked over at Goliath, who shrugged. "I mean... I remember you talking... many humans don't like you. So the ones that do... They're here?" Everyone smiled when they finally understood what she meant.
The leader clasped her on the shoulder, to which she jumped. But the smile comforted her a little bit. "There are some other humans we know and trust... however, it is very hard to find others who trust us as well." Madison's innocent eyes looked up at him with understanding, and Angela felt that odd twinge again. "The world is not a bad place... but rather full of bad judgment." Her gaze was as if he was telling her a story, full of wonder and amazement. Brooklyn looked over at her and smiled slightly. She had NO idea what she was in for. Though it was in that moment that he felt disgusted with himself for feeling sorry for her.
Her smile was willing and excited, anxious. "Oh, Goliath, I can hardly wait! I would love to see what New York is really like! Would you--?" Before she could finish, someone else already interrupted her.
"I'll take her!" Lexington said, a little louder than intended. "You and Elisa could come with us while the others go back on patrol." Goliath nodded and went around to the other side of the castle with Elisa, while Madison and Lex followed. Angela and Broadway were talking excitedly, and Hudson already took Bronx back to the television room to watch. Brooklyn scowled, but quickly recovered. Nothing was ever set in stone this quickly. He took a few deep breaths, and took off after Angela and Broadway.
Madison watched them take off, and shivered. "I-I'm not exactly sure I can do this." She stuttered. Lexington sensed her fears and took her hand to console her.
"Don't worry about it. Just feel the air currents, and ride them. All gargoyles can do it, you'll get it soon enough." She nodded, and gritted her teeth. "Oh, and Madison? Welcome to New York."
----------------
Please review, any questions or anything... And have an AWESOME Spring Break!
