Alex POV
Our stone skin crackles as we awaken from our sleep. It's been a few weeks since Xanatos got busted. Everything is calm. The clan is getting used to the new world and I think they like it this time better than their own.
"If you'll excuse me," I hear Owen say behind us. I hear him go down the stairs but I have that feeling someone is still here.
Goliath gets off his pedestal. "Elisa, what a pleasant sight to greet us as we awaken," Goliath says to the human, Elisa. She is actually a good human friend.
"Well it was a slow night and I was in the neighborhood," Elisa shrugs her shoulders. The rest of us get off our pedestals on the tower.
"Good to see you again, lass," Hudson gives a quick wave and leaves with Bronx.
"Catch you later," Brooklyn runs past Goliath and Elisa. He grabs my claw and pulls me over the ledge. Soon I hear Broadway and Lexington following us.
"What's the rush?" I ask as we land in the courtyard and make our way into the castle.
"I want to get dibs on the television first before Hudson takes it," Brooklyn explains. I sigh. They are all getting attached to the television. Good thing Goliath got attached to the library.
"You can wait for another time, no?" I ask. Every night, they all have been turning on the television. News, cartoons, dramas, everything on the TV is getting boring, but I guess it's still interesting for them.
Lexington opens the door to the small room and the music of The Pack comes bursting out. Hudson sits in his recliner chair while Bronx lays next to him on the floor.
"Hey, it's The Pack!" Lexington points to the TV excitedly.
"Cool," Brooklyn says as he and his brothers pile up in front of the TV, cloaking their wings for room and so that Hudson and I can see the TV. I lean against the wall as Hudson tries to change the channel but it is the same in every channel.
"Something's wrong. It's on all the channels again," Hudson keeps trying to change it but it is only showing The Pack.
"I'll tell Owen," I announce as I make my way out but Hudson stops me.
"Forget it, lass. You told him the other nights and he hasn't fixed it once," Hudson leans back in his chair. Seems he is getting tired of the TV.
"I thought you liked this show, Hudson," Broadway asks as the three of them look behind to see Hudson.
"Aye, I do but not every night," Hudson says, petting Bronx. This is a good show but everything is a fake when you've watched a bunch of other shows. All their fighting moves look real but it is all show magic.
"See The Pack in person tonight at Madison Square Garden," The announcer says. "Fox, Wolf, Dingo, Hyena, and Jackal," The announcer says all their names as they move in action. What kind of names are those? Then again the gargoyles named themselves after famous buildings...
"Aw, these guys are great! They are warriors, just like us," Lexington exclaims to his brothers. I smile at the scene. It is nice to have a hero to look up to before reality comes crashing in.
"You're favorite heroes in a rare public appearance in Madison Square Garden," The announcer speaks again.
"Let's go!" Lexington literately drags his brothers out the door. Not really dragging them but pulling on their arms.
I stay put on the wall. Bronx walks up to me and rubs his head against my leg. "Aren't you going to go with them, Alex?" Hudson turns his head to look at me. I look at the moon. It is almost full.
"I don't feel like going," I whine as I pet Bronx. I feel eyes on me. I sigh and turn to leave the room. Suddenly I crash into Brooklyn.
"Oh, Alex. I was just coming to get you," Brooklyn takes my claw and pulls me outside.
"Let's go, let's go," Lexington is practically jumping on the ledge. "Hurry up, you two."
"We're going," I sigh as I look at the moon one last time. By tomorrow night, it will be full.
Normal POV
The Pack Studio Backstage
"This is getting old," Wolf says as he lifts some weights.
"Quit complaining. We never had it this good," Fox, the leader of The Pack, says as she kicks a sand bag.
"When we took this job, we were promised fame, money and action," He goes to grab two weights "I'm not complaining about the first two, but I could use more of the third."
"Sounds like the wolf man is getting bored," Jackal says as he walks up to Wolf with his sister, Hyena.
"Maybe a new haircut would help," Hyena snaps her claw like gloves as she lets out a hyena like laugh.
"I don't need any suggestions from you two clowns," Wolf growls with annoyance.
"Yeah, Wolf's right Fox," Dingo says as he holds a gun and walks up to Fox, going back to topic. "This is a cushy gig but we're all getting soft," He puts his gun in its handle and hits his stomach. "Here now, I probably wouldn't last a week in a Central American War."
"Fish got to go swim, birds got to fly, wolf's got to hunt," Wolf says as he throws the weights in Jackal's and Hyena's way. They step out of the way and the weights hit through the wall.
"Well since you're all itching for action, let me show you what came in the mail today, with no return address and no explanation," Fox sits in a bench and takes out photos out of an envelope. She throws them on the bench so that the others cad see them. They gasp when the see a lavender gargoyle destroy a steel gargoyle.
"You know, I remember reading something in the Daily Taller. People saying they've seen gargoyles coming to life," Hyena laughs as she takes one of the photos for better look.
"And alligators live in the sewers," Her brother teases. Hyena glares at him.
"What's the point of it?" Wolf asks Fox.
"Hey, you said you were looking for action," Hyena laughs at Wolf's stone head.
"Imagine hunting something like this," Fox holds a photo. "We'll figure it all out later. Right now, we need to make a personal appearance."
Alex POV
We open a latch in the roof and enter quietly but I don't think that is necessary with all the loud speakers inside. The whole place is filled with humans. I look around and see that even adults are here. They are all chanting 'Pack'. I groan at the loud chanting. I only like loud music. Luckily the guys don't hear my displeasure and get inside. We seat ourselves on the metal beams.
"Isn't time for the show to start?" Lexington asked. He looks like he wants to jump up and down but a claw from Broadway holds him down.
"Relax. It will happen," Brooklyn calms him down. Just then the lights dim and smoke appears everywhere on the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Pack!" The announcer says as the lights shows and The Pack appeare with their signature pose. The crowd chants even louder.
The lights darken for a moment and then ninjas appeare out of nowhere. "Oh no, it's the evil ninjas," I roll my eyes. Even the announcer sounds fake. The crowd booes the ninjas as The Pack kicks their asses. I am impressed. They have good moves and I can't find a hint of strings helping with the jumps.
"But they just don't fight with honor like The Pack does!" Unconsciously I roll my eyes. Humans fight with strength and anger. "Teamwork. That the key," I must admit, they do fight like a team.
"These guys are alright," Brooklyn examins them. I nod my head but stop when I relaize what he meant by that. They don't know this is all fake. They are alright as actors but not as warriors.
"Yeah, wouldn't it be great to meet them," Lexington states as he looks at his heroes with admiration. He is like a little kid looking up to his hero.
The Pack introduces themselves and even have the audience ask them questions. I bet if the guys were human, they would ask them a billion questions. Soon the time comes for the show to end. Brooklyn stands up and spreads his wings as he lets out a loud yawn. I stand up and stretch my limbs, tired of sitting.
"Well, shows over. I'm starved, let's go," Broadway quickly suggestes as he gets up to leave but Lexington stays seated.
"You coming, Lex?" Brooklyn asks over his shoulder.
"Uh, later. You guys go ahead," Lexington says, a little bit distracted. I'm a little reluctant to leave but Brooklyn grabs my claw. We spread our wings and glide out the hole into the city air.
I look back to see when Lexington would come but he never does. I'm getting worried.
"Don't worry," I turn to see Brooklyn giving me a reassuring smile. "He may be the youngest but he can take care of himself."
"I know he can take care of himself. What I'm worried about is that a human might see him," I say turning back me head to catch a glimpse of Lexington. "By the way Brooklyn," I say turning to look at him. He looks at me, wondering. "When are you going to let go of my claw?"
"Um uh..." He stutters and quickly lets go. He looks a darker shade of red but I think it is because it is night. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
I hear Broadway trying to hold in a laugh. Brooklyn turns to face him and gives him a glare. "So when are you going to say it?" Broadway asks Brooklyn.
"Say what?" I ask. I don't want to be nosy but since he asked out loud, he must want me to know as well.
"N-nothing. Don't worry about," Brooklyn tries to change the subject. "How about a race to the castle?"
"Sure," I say.
"On your marks, get ready, go!" Just as fast as Broadway says it, he dashes off in the direction of the castle. We stare in the direction he went. He looks heavy, and probably is, but he cad fly fast whenever he wanted to.
"Smooth sailing?" Brooklyn asks. There is no point in a gliding race since we know who already won.
"Smooth sailing," I smile. I keep glancing at the moon, checking its faces. It is almost full.
Brooklyn POV
I so want to get back at Broadway. First, he wants me to admit my liking to Alex. Then, when I suggested the race, he quickly dashes off, leaving me alone with Alex. He's a dead gargoyle when I get my claws on him.
I see Alex check the moon again. I know she is worried about Lexington but dawn is a few hours away. "Stop worrying."
She turns to look at me surprised. "Yeah, it's just that you guys are in a new world. This place can be scary sometimes."
"We can take care of ourselves, Alex," I laugh. She acts like our rookery mothers.
"Yes, I can trust you and your trouble-making brothers to be sure not to be caught by anyone," She sarcastically smiles. I frown when she says that. Ok, so we got in trouble with the humans when we were hatch-lings but-
"We're not stupid," I turn to look at her but I think I glare at her because she shrinks in her gliding form.
"Sorry. It's just that I worry about you," She really does care for us and I glare at her. Nice one. "I understand that I may be overprotective but you guys are my family. I miss my family," I see pain flash in her eyes. I screw things up real good.
"We care about you too," I try to cheer her up. "And that's all that really matters."
We get back to the castle a few minutes later. We go to grab a snack in the kitchen. I'd say we are surprised when we see Broadway in the kitchen but that be a lie.
"Hey, guys," He greets us. Broadway stuffs some fruits into his mouth. He would eat meat but since he can't cook, he's dealing with the fruits.
"Hey Broadway," Alex greets him while I give him a wave. "Do you want me to make you something to eat?" Broadway lits up with hungriness. "It's going to take a few minutes," Broadway nods quickly. Alex starts cooking on the stove while Broadway pulls me away.
"So?" He acts like a gossip girl. I roll my eyes.
"What?" I try to change topic but he goes back to it.
"Tell me what happened between you two?" He asks, almost shaking me to get the details.
"Why would something happen between us?" I ask as a grab an apple.
"'Cause you guys took you're time coming here," He says, rolling his eyes. "You guys could have been planning to run away and have you're rookery children," I choke on the apple. Broadway pats my back, trying to help me breath.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I shout. I don't notice that I squeezed the apple into apple sauce with my surprise. I lower my voice so Alex won't be able to hear us. "Are you insane?"
"Did you at least tell her you like her?" Broadway ignores my outburst.
"No," I reluctantly say. He gives me a hard pat on the back. "Ow."
"Hurry it up, lover boy, or I'll tell her," Broadway teases me yet at the same time threatens me.
"You wouldn't dare-"
"Guys, food's ready!" Alex calls us back into the kitchen. We come up to the counter as Alex places some hamburgers and sausage on bread. Broadway and I stare at the sausage bread with curiosity.
"It's a hot dog," She says as she brings colorful bags and liquids. "These are chips," she holds the colorful bags "And these are sodas," she gestures to the colorful liquid. But Broadway and I are still stuck with the hot dog.
"Dog?" We ask in unison. I know humans eat cow, pork, and chicken, but dog?
"No it's not really a dog. It's just long like a dog," She explains. Broadway reluctantly grabs a hot dog and eats it. I quickly take a hot dog and a hamburger before he can devour all the food. Alex opens the bags of chips and drops them on a bowl.
We eat and joke around. We loose track of time and make our way to the tower when we notice how low the moon is. Almost full. The moon seems beautiful when it is full.
We reach the tower to greet Hudson, Bronx and Goliath.
"Where is Lexington?" Goliath asks to the three of us. We glance at each other.
"We thought he'd be back by now," Broadway says with worriedness.
"I knew I shouldn't have left him alone," Alex mumbles. She starts to pace when dawn wis close. Only a few minutes left.
"Almost dawn, and he's still not back," Goliath says with both angryness and worriedness in his voice.
"He always cuts it too close," Hudson says, trying to reassure as but it doesn't help.
"There you are!" Broadway exclaims as Lexington comes gliding in. Alex stops pacing and goes to make sure he is alright.
"I'm alright, Alex. Nothing happened to me," Lexington says. Alex sighs a relief.
"Where were you?" Goliath asks him with slight anger for being late.
"I made us some new allies," Lexington explains with light in his eyes.
"You don't mean The Pack," I asks. That would be awesome. Fighting alongside warriors.
"I sure do," He responds without hesitation. "They're just like us. They defend the innocent. And they do it on television."
"You let them see you?" Both Goliath and Alex ask with disbelief.
"Yes, I did," He begins with caution. "And why not? You made friends with Elisa," He has a point there.
"That was different," Goliath defends himself though it still not a good shield.
"Lexington, they are actors. It's their job to act like heroes," Alex says.
"No, they are real heroes," Lex tries to defend The Pack.
"No they're not," Alex stands to her point.
"Yes they are. They're a better hero then you'll ever be," Lexington glares at her. I look to see Alex's reaction.
"I can be my own hero, unlike you," Alex glares back at him.
"This argument will have to wait for nightfall," Hudson says as he points to the sunrise.
"This isn't over," Goliath and Lexington face each other as they are turned to stone.
At Nightfall
"You bet it isn't," Lexington starts the argument from last night. "Why is Elisa different?"
"Elisa is a real. They are fake," Alex continues her part of the argument.
"They are real. They defend the realm just like Elisa," Lex says to Goliath and Alex.
"He may be right, you two," Hudson stands up for Lex and The Pack. "I've seen them on picture box. They are constantly attack by these evil ninjas."
"Maybe they could use our help," Broadway suggests.
"The only help they'll need is to figure out how much money they are getting," Alex retorts. I place my claw on her shoulder to calm her down but she shakes it off.
"Look it's not like a revealed all our secrets to them," Lexington ignores Alex's comment. "I'm not stupid. They don't know we turn to stone during the day. They don't even know where we live. Look will you please meet them before you judge them?" Lexington tries to win over Goliath.
"I think if anyone would understand us, they would," I take Lex's side on this one.
"We can't hide from the world up here. There are kindred spirits for us out there but we got to look for them and we got to give them a chance. Or else, we'll always be alone," With that, Lex has won over Goliath.
"Goliath, please tell me this is a joke," Alex still isn't over her part of the argument. "You seriously can't go."
"Do you want to be alone in this world?" Lex raises his voice at her.
"It seems I'm always alone," She says with pain. A painful look seems to lurk in her eye as if remembering a memory.
"Take me to meet them," Goliath says after a few minutes. "If it's safe, we'll arrange introductions for the rest of you," Goliath and Lexington glide to The Pack Studio.
"Then you'll have to count me out," Alex glides off the tower.
"Alex, wait!" I run over to the ledge and glide to follow her. I try to catch up to her but she intertwines with the buildings making me loose her. I hear flapping behind me. I hope it is Alex but I turn only to see Broadway.
"C'mon let's look for her," With that we go to search for Alex.
Alex POV
I know Brooklyn is following me so I try to lose him. Eventually I do and just in time. I land behind an alley when my head starts to feel light.
My body glows dark grey. I can feel my wings and tail shrunk away. I feel a little shorter. My four clawed fingers turn into five hand fingers. My clothes fit me perfectly even in my human form. My hair is the same color as are my eyes.
Every full moon I would always turn into a human for a few days. I am lucky to get out of the castle before then. I don't want them to know about my secret yet. They'll eventually find out but not now. The only ones who knew my secret are Demona, Xanatos and the know-it-all Owen.
I walk out the alley and am glad to see a shoe shop. Some shoes are out in display. Cunningly I took a pair of black dark purple converse my size and place them on my feet. I look to see where I am. I'm close to The Pack Studio.
I'm mad at the stone head gargoyle clan. Why couldn't they see that this was all fake? I should have told them to be cautious with the television. Now they're going to get killed for my foolish mistake.
I turn a corner and see the studio. I hear a muffled explosion and run over to be able to see inside. The only window I find is way high up. I see stairs leading to the roof and climb them without a second thought. I find a window and look inside. Everything is pitch black.
Suddenly a motor like engine crashes open from a dome like hole. Goliath and Lexington get out of the dome. I get out of the window so they won't notice me. Seconds later, Goliath and Lexington emerge from the window and glide away.
I look over the roof to see The Pack out and ready to begin the hunt. I follow them, hoping they would lead me to Goliath and Lexington.
Being in this human form is weak. It doesn't have the strength as a gargoyle nor the speed. With no speed, I'm not able to follow The Pack and loose them. Just my damn luck. I wander the street trying to find them but knowing gargoyles, they'd stay on the rooftops. I almost give up when a hear explosion coming behind me. Of course, follow the destroyed buildings.
I walk past a family of four. The kids keep on pestering their parents.
"But mom, we got to help The Pack," The girl whines.
"Yeah, we got to help them with those monsters," The boy agrees with his sister. Instinctively I run over to where I think they came from. Sure enough, I see rubble on the ground and destroyed fire escape stairs.
Great. They are on the rooftop again. I run around the block trying to get sight of them when I hear a crash inside a photo shoot studio. I take a peek inside and see a man taking pictures of Goliath, Wolf and Fox holding a woman hostage. This gives me an idea.
I look for a telephone booth and see one down the street. I dial the police and tell them about a 'terrorist' attack here. Knowing policemen, they will take their sweet time coming here. Just enough time so I can get the proof and for Goliath and Lexington to get away.
I sneakily get inside the photo studio and catch the man before he can get away. I grab a piece of metal pipe and hit him hard on the head not too hard though. I take his unconscious body into a closet and take his camera.
The pictures he took all have Goliath in them. I zoom in making sure Goliath is out of the picture and only shows Fox, Wolf and the woman. Then I hear police sirens coming this way. I act quickly, get out of the photo studio and leave the camera on the sidewalk for the police to notice it.
I see Goliath and Lexington glide away safely.
Normal POV
"I feel like a fool letting The Pack talking me into luring you there," Lexington says with regret.
"Because of who we are, we have to be cautious about trusting strangers," Goliath says, glad Lexington is alright from harm.
"I was so totally wrong! I should have listened to Alex," Lexington sighs and buries his face in his claws.
"No, Lexington, you were right," Goliath states. "We can't hide from the world; we must live in it. We must search for allies; kindred spirits. And we must take chances like we did tonight. To do otherwise is to be forever alone," He tries to make Lexington feel better. "But we must also look towards Alex's advice from this world."
"It's nice to know there are still some heroes left," Lexington says with a smile. For sure he is going to apologize to Alex over his childish behavior. She is just looking out for him in this new world and he ignores her.
Brooklyn and Broadway come back to the tower, hoping Alex has returned and to share the news about The Pack.
"We just watched the news," Broadway says with excitement.
"The Pack's been arrested. They have photographs of Fox holding a woman hostage," Brooklyn informs them. Really only Wolf and Fox were arrested. The other three members hid.
"I thought they were the good guys," Hudson comes with Bronx from the television room, recently watching the news. "Maybe we shouldn't believe everything we see on television."
"Guess I owe Alex an apology," Lexington says.
"We all owe Alex an apology," Goliath places a claw on Lexington's shoulder. "Where is she, by the way?" He asks to the others.
"She ran off when you guys left," Broadway tells them.
"I hope she's alright," Lexington says, worried. "I bet she's angry with me."
"Don't worry. She doesn't look like the type to hold a grudge," Brooklyn reassures his brother as they takes their places on the tower before the sun rose.
Down below, at the entrance of the Eyrie Building, Alex is looking up. She smiles, glad that they are alright.
Wow, this is the shortest chapter I've written for Gargoyles. Oh well. Lots of thanks to the people who Favorited and followed: NightCrow1917, Mad-Dog-07, LifeIsAVerb, SoraLover987142, and brittneyangel.