"The healing isn't working." Gabrielle said in a worried tone. "Something is stopping me." Xena gripped Demona's hand tighter.
"Open your eyes dammit; you have to come back to me. You need to teach me how to glide and how to hone my new senses. I just found my sister and I'm sure as hell not going to lose you now." Xena stated. Gabrielle shook her head but she kept trying.
"Fight my love; you're too strong to let this beat you. I need you to come back." Brooklyn placed a kiss on her burnt lips and felt the tears stream down his cheeks and onto hers.
…
"Where am I?" Demona looked around at the dark room she was in and suddenly a light shined down revealing a portrait of Goliath. She turned as another light shined down next to it revealing her portrait. Lights shined all around the round room one at a time each revealing a portrait of a member of the Wyvern Clan. "What the hell is going on?" She asked as the gargoyles within the paintings stepped out of them. She twisted around and her eyes began to glow red preparing to be attacked. Instead Goliath stepped closer.
"You're betrayal of our clan is complete." Goliath said mournfully. The other Demona stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Goliath while laying her head on his shoulder.
"You were never strong enough. You always had to have more, didn't you?" The other Demona stepped towards her. "You had it all, a loving mate, a clan that truly cared for you, and a home. You just couldn't be satisfied with that though could you?" She smirked and her and went back and kissed Goliath. After a minute she caught her breath and gave her a hate filled look. "This all could have been yours but you're such a fool."
"You were our friend." Brooklyn added. "We all should have lived our lives at the castle. You just couldn't stand that a human had more authority over that castle then you did. You let your pride destroy our clan. The Brooklyn you are now mating with doesn't love you. He can't stand you." Brooklyn sneered at her. "If you hadn't thrown yourself at him like a whore then he would never have chosen you."
"You were supposed to be our guardian." Lexington added in a mournful tone. "You abandoned us all to be slaughtered by the Vikings. Now, you've learned that some humans are good, but you've also turned your back on us."
"We know about the lying, manipulative, spoiled bitch you are now. You can't hide it even from Goliath." Broadway said. "You were always our enemy. While we cared for each other, you only cared for yourself. The way you betray your bond is further proof of that."
"Please, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Please you have to listen to me. I loved you all." Demona felt tears stinging her eyes as images of her life flashed before her eyes in the paintings that the painted gargoyles had stepped away from. She saw her life before Wyvern. She saw the numerous times she hunted and fought side by side with Goliath. She watched her fight with Circe to claim Goliath's heart. She watched her bonding ceremony. The image began to blur as she felt tears streaming down her face. She saw the very first time they mated. The feeling of love and devotion she felt at that moment was so strong she collapsed and fell to her knees. Then she saw the fall of Wyvern and her part of the plot. "Please, please show me no more. I can't bear to watch this again."
"I'm ashamed that I called you sister." She turned twisted around and got back on her feet as Cold Stone and Cold Fire approached her. "All our brothers and sisters that believed in you are now dead." Cold Fire snarled.
"I used to confide in you and I thought you loved Goliath as much as I did. He was my brother and I would have died for him." Cold Stone added. "I confided in you about everything. I told you about Cold Fire's vision. She saw the attack happen and you told me that you didn't believe that could happen all the while you knew that you and the Captain of the guard were plotting that very same attack."
"Please sister, I never meant for that to happen. I thought the Captain would protect us during the battle." Demona pleaded with the group as they formed a circle around her.
"You betrayed us to our deaths and then ran and hid in the cave below." All of the gargoyles standing around her said at once.
"I know I don't deserve it but please forgive me." Demona sobbed.
"Why would I believe anything you say? You would forsake our bond and choose another to take my place." Goliath said bitterly. Suddenly a bright light filled the dark room and Xena in her gargoyle form threw her chakram severing the heads from each of the fake gargoyles.
"Take my hand sister." Xena reached towards her as Demona began crying uncontrollably as she cradled the body of Goliath in her arms.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. I never stopped loving you. Please believe me. Please Goliath." Xena grabbed Demona's arm firmly and Demona was blinded by a bright white light. No one around Demona noticed as Lucifer walked slowly away from them and disappeared.
…
Two weeks after Titania otherwise known as Rebecca found out she was pregnant she found herself in a wedding dress. She was staring into the mirror and brushing her long brown hair while she scrutinized how the dress looked from every angle that she could see in the mirror.
"I still can't believe you're marrying that sack of bones." Puck laughed as he drank his eighth glass of champagne in one gulp. Titania glared at him and then sighed in disgust.
"I don't expect you to understand Puck. After all, love is something that you fey never understand." Titania grinned at the look of surprise on his face.
"I'm married remember." He reminded her. Titania chuckled and sat next to him.
"I remember, but I also see how you treat her." Titania replied. "She deserves better."
"You're simply jealous because I refused your offer to court." He laughed and poured himself another glass of champagne.
"Haven't you had enough?" She asked suddenly angry after he brought up their past. "Go make sure your sisters are ready." Puck rolled his eyes but nodded before vanishing from the room.
"What did I ever see in him?" She asked aloud angrily. She took a deep breath to calm down and looked over her reflection one more time before deciding it was time to walk out and down the aisle to her waiting groom. She stood by the door anxiously awaiting the wedding march. When it finally began to play Titania nearly jumped and the door suddenly opened and Puck stood there looking like a man in his late forties. He had short brown hair and a short beard. He wore a black suit and a blue tie to match the other men in the wedding party. She nearly didn't recognize Puck except for the eyes which would never change no matter what form he took.
"Are you certain that you're ready for this?" Puck asked her. Titania accepted his arm and they started to walk down the aisle.
"I'm more certain of this than anything I've ever done in my life father." Titania said and Puck sighed but walked her down the aisle. When they reached the steps he released her arm so she could take her place. He leaned over to whisper to Renard.
"I wouldn't hurt her if I were you. It would be the very last thing you'll ever do." He said as he gripped his hand in a vice-like grip in his own. Renard met his gaze and nodded.
"Don't worry Mr. Burns. I am very much in love with your daughter. I would never do anything to hurt her." Renard replied. Puck nodded his head slightly and walked back to take his seat next to the hologram he created to look like Rebecca's mother.
After the wedding Puck made an excuse and he walked the hologram out of the chapel and then they both disappeared. After the ceremony everyone went to the reception hall. While the food was being passed out Renard's best man who was also his business partner rose to give his toast.
"Halcyon, I've known you since we were eleven years old. You've done some rash and bull-headed things and I've always liked that about you." He sighed and looked at Rebecca. "This has got to be the dumbest thing you've ever done, but hell I would do the same. She's beautiful and the kindest woman you've ever introduced me too. I guess what I'm saying is congratulations you lucky bastard. Congratulations to you both. After the toasts were complete they all walked to the dance floor and Halcyon and Rebecca had their first dance. Titania was impressed with how graceful his movements were.
"I can't believe how lucky I am." Rebecca said when the rest of the group joined them on the dance floor and the band started a slow song.
"I'm the lucky one. I'll always treasure this night as the best of my life." Renard replied as he spun her and brought her back close to him.
"I bought something special for our honeymoon. I hope you like it, because I can't return it. I nearly passed out from the embarrassment when the shopkeeper studied it before charging me for it." Titania said nervously.
"I'm sure that I'll love it. I can't wait to see what it is." He grinned at her, and she kissed him passionately. They danced until the end of the evening. The band went to pack up their instruments. Titania looked at Halcyon and bit her lower lip trying to figure out how to say what she needed to next.
"Halcyon, I wanted you to know that I'm pregnant." She said hesitantly. He studied her face to see if she was joking when he realized she wasn't he looked at her seriously for a moment, and then he grinned widely.
"That's terrific; I can't believe how lucky I am. Only a few weeks ago I was a lonely aging man and now I have the most beautiful wife and a child on the way." Renard said proudly.
"I'm so glad that you feel that way." Titania smiled wide but noticing something out of the corner of her eye when she hugged Renard close to her she grimaced. "I need to head to the ladies room. Why don't you head to the honeymoon suite and make sure everything's ready." Renard kissed her hand and left to do as she requested. She scowled and went into the ladies room.
"I knew it was you. What the hell do you want now?" Titania said bitterly.
"I've had a recent change of heart after listening to what that old man said tonight." Lucifer said ignoring the scathing look she directed towards him.
"I wasn't aware you have a heart." She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to get to the point.
"I suppose I don't. Here's the deal. I will renounce my claim on your soul and you can live with your new husband. You can share his afterlife to. Now, I don't know if he's going up or down but…" Lucifer began.
"Get to the point." Titania snapped impatiently.
"For an immortal you have a distinct lack of patience." Lucifer chuckled. "Fine, here's what I'm offering. What I said before for a child." Lucifer offered. Titania's eyes went wide in shock. "Don't worry; I don't want your first child. After you have her I want to possess your husband and make a child of our own. He would know nothing about him and I will take my son and raise him."
"Why would you make me such a deal and why would I agree to it?" Titania asked.
"I've never created anything and this is my chance to know what that feels like and this will free you to be with your new lover for all eternity." Lucifer sighed. "I know this is a monumental, life changing decision. Take some time and think about it. I'll be back in a week to get your answer." Lucifer disappeared and Titania collapsed on the floor and started sobbing.
"What do I do…How can I ever make that choice?" She asked a loud. After a few minutes she stood up and ran her hands under the cold water in the sink before splashing some on her face to clean the mascara that had begun to run down her cheeks. "I will have to discuss this with Puck. For now, I will go to my husband and act like everything is fine." She told herself firmly before she left the restroom.
…
"Our master will not tolerate any further failures." Puck said irritably. He paced back and forth in front of the Fates who were sitting around a table glaring at him.
"… And whose fault is that." The blonde Fate asked irritably.
"You're the one who can't control the Queen. If Titania did as she was told then the plan would be already well under way." The white haired Fate added.
"Now, the master will change Demona's fate again. You know what happens then." The black haired Fate reminded him.
"Do either of you want to take my place?" Puck asked sternly. "You are forgetting that Titania has a strong will and after living with Oberon perhaps it's time for her to be happy."
"This is about more than that. We have the chance to finally break free from this destiny bullshit and live our own lives. You are putting the plan at risk." The blonde Fate said irritably.
"We have worked too hard to let you ruin this for us." The white haired Fate added.
"The more you change the more we have to cover up." The black haired Fate said sternly.
"If Oberon discovers that we're tricking him you will take the fall. You better know what you are doing." The Fates said simultaneously.
"How exactly would you tell Oberon about some of the changes that you have been involved in?" Puck grinned at them. They all looked to one another for an answer. "That's what I thought. You're in this just as much as I am at this point so shut your mouths and do your jobs…Oh, and don't question me again." Puck snapped. He disappeared from the room.
"We need to do something." The blonde Fate said when he left the room.
"What can we do? He's right; at this point we're just as likely to be discovered as he is." The white haired Fate asked curiously.
"Well, we can always contact Lucifer ourselves and see if we can strike a deal." The black haired Fate advised.
"Perhaps we will… but for now we will see how this plays out and if Puck is wrong then we may contact the devil for protection against Oberon but not until then." The blonde Fate told them in a tone that signaled to the others that she considered the matter to be settled.
…
Demona slowly opened her eyes and she felt the pain return. She began to writhe on the ground but Gabrielle's healing started to take effect and her skin healed itself completely just before her eyes were rebuilt in their sockets. The last part to return was her hair that grew out as long as it had been prior to jumping through the fire ring. She sat up slowly with help from Xena and Brooklyn. The rest of the army had begun searching Constantine's castle and killing any stragglers.
"We won," Demona asked after she was able to catch her breath.
"We did my love." Brooklyn said he sighed in relief as he helped her stand on her to rise to her feet. Demona nodded.
"I need to rest. Let me know what you find in the castle." Demona ordered and she started to walk towards the guard station and sat down on one of the chairs. She put her head in her hands and tried to think.
"I should stay here and help you." Brooklyn offered.
"Do I look like a damn hatchling to you? Get the hell away from me and do what I asked." Demona growled bitterly. She sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just need sometime okay." She said after a moment. Brooklyn nodded.
"I will go see what they found." Brooklyn said in a muffled tone. He walked to the castle and began to cry.
"What have I done? What am I doing?" She picked up a glass and hurled it against the wall. "What do you want from me?" She screamed. When Brooklyn got inside he was met by Xena and Gil.
"Where's Demona?" Xena asked curiously. "I found something that she needs to see." Brooklyn shook his head.
"She's resting; I think that she needs time to herself." Brooklyn replied. "What did you find?"
"Go check on her." Gil advised Xena. "I'll go over what we discovered." Xena nodded and headed out.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Brooklyn said nervously.
"Maybe her sister can comfort her. Near death experiences can be traumatic even for a gargoyle." Gil grinned at him. "Now, this is what we discovered. This castle is fully stocked and I have already been given Xena's permission to rebuild it so we will have a place to call our own." Gil pulled out a thick leather bound book. "This book lists every detail about how Constantine created his creatures, and it also has the amount of experiments he performed."
"What's the problem?" Brooklyn asked when Gil took a deep sigh. He looked at him for a moment.
"There is another Xenia out there. Only this one is much worse than the one we just faced. This one has somehow inherited magic."
"Are you certain?" Brooklyn asked as he looked over Gil's shoulder to read better.
"Unfortunately, I am certain. She could be anywhere. Not only does she have the previous Xenia's abilities which according to this book came from Xena and Demona's blood mixed with a dragon's egg, but she can change her shape at will which means…" Gil began.
"…Which means that we could have met her already and we wouldn't know it." Brooklyn finished with fear filling his voice. He shook his head. "Is there any way that we can track her down?"
"It would require magic but I don't know anyone that can cast the spell." Gil replied.
"I may but she needs to rest. I'll talk with her more about this tomorrow night." Brooklyn didn't need to specify who he meant.
"She's a mage?" Gil asked in surprise. Brooklyn shook his head.
"I know that she can cast a few spells, but I don't know if she will be able to help with this." Brooklyn informed him.
"We have to try. If this creature can be anyone at any time then Demona may be our only hope to stop her." Gil said. Brooklyn nodded and took the journal from him.
"Until I tell her do not breathe a word of this to anyone." Brooklyn ordered. Gil nodded and went to find Xena.
"How long did you know you could change like that?" Gil asked curiously. "I had no idea that you were part gargoyle."
"You would have killed me if I told you." Xena said irritably as she cut another lock to the prison cells. It was the third cell she had opened so far and if Constantine wasn't already dead she would kill him again when she saw the squalor his prisoners were forced to live in.
"Xena, we have finished collecting the bodies. We are prepared to burn them." One of her younger warriors advised her.
"Burn all but Constantine. Him I want fed to his dogs and then put the dogs down as painlessly as possible." Xena ordered. Gil gave her a confused look and she grinned at him. "There's no reason for the dogs to suffer because their master was an evil tyrant."
"Then why put them down?" Gil asked curiously.
"They're too violent thanks to their master." Xena informed him. Gil nodded in understanding.
"I'll take care of it." He said after a moment. Xena looked at him for a moment and Gil nodded again.
"I helped raise them and am partially responsible for how they turned out. I will do what needs to be done." Xena nodded slowly and Gil left the room to help with the bodies. He hated having to kill the dogs but admitted that Xena was right. He did however take great pleasure in watching the dogs rip Constantine apart as did the women warriors who watched every second of it. After a few hours the sun was beginning to rise and the gargoyles huddled together in the courtyard to sleep. The humans finished clearing out the castle and after they were done the sun had nearly set so they began to cook.
"I can't believe how hungry I am." Xena complained as she roasted a deer that Iolaus had killed.
"It's been a busy day." Hercules grinned at her. "Iolaus and I are going to have to leave soon. I promised mother that I would visit next week."
"Before you go, I wanted to tell you something." Xena began but then struggled to get the words out. Hercules grinned at her.
"You've never been shy before. This must be serious." Hercules chuckled.
"It is serious, can we talk in private?" She asked suddenly. Hercules became concerned.
"Sure," He followed her into one of the chambers. "What's going on? I've never seen you like this." Hercules asked as concern crept into his voice.
"You saw the change?" Xena asked hesitantly. Hercules nodded. "After I help my sister I was going to ask you something that I've wanted to ask for a long time, but now I don't know if I should." Hercules stopped her by kissing her passionately. She wrapped her arms around him and let her guide her towards the bed as he slowly began to lie her down on top of it she put her hand on his chest and pushed back slightly. "Are you sure you want to do this, because I was going to ask you if we can meet at your mother's house and then get married."
"Are you sure that you want to settle down?" Hercules asked tentatively. Xena nodded.
"More than anything I want to be your wife. I know I could never replace the wife you lost, but if you'll allow me to I will give the rest of my life to be what you need me to be." Xena vowed. Hercules lifted her chin so he could look her in the eye.
"You're already more than I could have ever hoped for. Of course, I will marry you." He kissed her again and they rapidly began to undress each other.
"I've been waiting for this for so long." She felt his hands on her breasts and she moaned loudly as she returned his kiss. She laid back on the bed and allowed him to climb on top of her. The anticipation was almost more than she could stand and she screamed when she felt him finally enter her.
"Did that hurt?" Hercules asked concerned by her sudden scream. Xena shook her head and brought his head back down and kissed him again. After an hour they were both lying next to each other covered in sweat. Xena sat up and began to get dressed. "Are you in a hurry?"
"No, I just have to help my sister with something. I know you have to leave but I will meet you at Alcmene's in three weeks." After she finished dressing she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss and he watched her leave the room thinking that he must be the luckiest person alive.
…
Two hours later just as the gargoyles woke Gil and Xena ran to speak to Demona.
"We have a serious problem." Gil informed her. "I think Constantine sent the new creature to a place we can't get to." Gil informed her.
"Where did he send…?" Demona's eyes went wide as she read the passage. "This new creature wasn't just his creation. She's his child and you're right he sent her to live with someone that we cannot attack." Demona closed the book and shut her eyes. "We need to find a way to get this child back before she becomes dangerous.
…
Prince Duncan paced back and forth in front of a pedestal that was setup in the middle of the throne room. On top of the pedestal sat a golden egg. It was larger than any egg he had ever seen before.
"Did Constantine say why he was giving me this gift?" Duncan asked the courier when he delivered the egg to him.
"No milord, he ordered me to get it to you and no one else at once. I came as quick as I could." The courier replied. They both heard a cracking sound and they turned and saw what looked like a very small hand break through the shell.
"No one can ever know what he sent me." Duncan stated firmly.
"Aye milord, I will never tell a soul." The courier said and turned to leave the room when two guards stood in his way.
"I know you won't." The guards dragged the screaming courier out of the room and suddenly the screaming stopped. "You will be the key to me finally completing my plans." Duncan grinned while he watched the rest of the shell crack and finally break open.