Xanatos ran a hand through his hair for possibly the hundredth time now. He and the others had been discussing the latest intrusion and attack in his office.

"I know we've come up with our theories on who and why, but it all still bugs me they'd have the audacity to do something like this. Those Quarrymen haven't stepped foot here in over twenty years!" Xanatos frowned.

Owen cleared his throat. "If I may, sir, due to Sevarius' newest mutates causing terror, it's very likely they figured you would have some connection and thus they came here looking for a mutate to rid."

"The mutates are commonly seen downtown though, not in the high rises of Manhattan. But all their little incidents add up over time. Besides, how would they know there was a mutate here, at this exact time?" Xanatos turned aside, glaring at the wall. "I find it all a little too suspicious."

Goliath furrowed his brow bones. "You suspect someone told them?"

Xanatos lowered his gaze. He seemed bothered. "I don't know who could have known. None of my workers could have gotten up here with the clearance restrictions."

"They must have been given access somehow, considering the level of the floor they came from and climbed the remainder."

Xanatos looked at his assistant. "Owen, I want you to check all the surveillance for the past few days, maybe interrogate a few people.." he trailed off, soon turning and setting his gaze out the window. His words fell silent when they saw a shadow fly outside.

Goliath quickly spoke. "Everyone, we need to hide Nani. Talon cannot be distracted when he has settled to be this close to handling Sevarius."

"Goliath," Elisa piped up, "what if seeing his daughter after all this time is just what he needs? My brother is still a cop at heart. One look at her injured and it'll boost him to-"

"Or perhaps prompt him to act foolishly."

"Either way… we don't have any right to keep him from his family… Talon has waited long enough…" Elisa stated, looking disappointed at the gargoyle. Then, she turned and walked off. After a few moments, Goliath sighed. "I suppose my own judgement was rash. My anger against our enemies outweighed the basic right of one to see his child. Perhaps…we should remain here, as this is a family matter… Xanatos, what can we do to help?"

Said man rubbed his temples. "I would try and find their HQ. See why and what prompted them to come here… Too many loose ends. Infuriatingly annoying." He murmured.

As they carried on their discussion, some ways down the hall to the lobby, Brooklyn jumped when he heard a voice beyond the couch. Talon looked around, annoyed looking.

"Where is Goliath?" He demanded once Brooklyn peeped around from the couch. "Did he forget tonight we were to attack Sevarius?"

"Uh, well…"

"Our time is limited before he moves again!" Talon threw up his arms, starting towards him. Brooklyn quickly got to his feet and met him halfway. Luckily, the back of the couch blocked the view of the sleeping woman there.

"Look, um, we kinda had our own problems tonight. The Quarrymen came by and caused some trouble-"

Talon growled lowly in his throat. "Which is exactly why I need to see Goliath. I have suspicions the two may be working together-" he stated, pushing past him and headed for the hall. "So stay out of my-" Talon began, sparing a glare over his shoulder, till his eyes lowered a touch.

Brooklyn sheepishly backed away. "Oh…surprise."

As for Talon, the mutate stood there a few moments, silent, and starting to look questioning. He lifted his head, mouth parting a bit. "Brooklyn… who is that?"

"Might as well tell him." Elisa's voice came out from behind him, and she walked around and leaned against the wall. She glanced at Talon before looking off.

Talon's eyes widened and he snapped his head back forward. "Tell me what. Brooklyn, what is she talking about?"

Brooklyn glanced up at him. "Oh boy… Well, Talon, Nani came home."

The quiet, shaken breath was as loud as a pin-drop in the quiet room. Talon shuffled a step forward, shaking his head. "It can't be- m-my little cub… Nani?" He dropped before the couch, wide-eyed and stiff. It looked like the tips of his fingers were shaking. Nani was still asleep, tired in appearance, and with the slight crease in her forehead, in some apparent pain.

Talon's eyes darted to the bandage on her shoulder. "What happened…?"

"Quarrymen, as I was saying…"

"Then why didn't you fight them?!" Talon growled lowly, bristling.

"Because we were asleep." Brooklyn stated. "Your daughter is a hero, Talon. She protected us for the hour those goons were here… We all owe her one."

Talon furrowed his brows. "She…she did that…? I… My little cub… she's so strong, beautiful. I… I didn't even recognize her." he breathed, inching his hand forward and letting it skim the young woman's face. Nani's pink nose crinkled and she turned her head away.

Talon breathed out a smile, though soon it faded. His sharp eyes flashed over. "Why did you all keep this from me?"

Thankfully Elisa came forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Talon, you and the others were the closest you've even been to tracking down Sevarius… you have all the weapons and readiness, we… we didn't want to stop this. We may not have as much reason as you but we still wanted Sevarius brought down. Now that you know, Talon, can you really say you're ready to fight him? Nani is in New York again, and those Quarrymen knew that and came for her. Otherwise they'd have gone for the gargoyles but they didn't." she stated.

Amid Talon's growl, Elisa knitted her brows. "She may still be your little cub Talon, but what happened here tonight was luck that she defended the gargoyles. We might not be so lucky in the future if Sevarius has the Quarrymen working for him."

The panther let his head drop. "I…I feel so proud and yet, terror… There were no troubles in Montana. How on Earth could she had fought here?" he questioned, looking over.

Elisa cracked a smile. "Grew up with five boys…? Plus I heard she's a heck of a gymnast."

Talon couldn't resist a smile. "Really…? I have too much to catch up on… but you're right." He pushed up to his feet, looking down at the sleeping woman. Gradually his features hardened. "I know we must handle Sevarius… More than ever. Just as he made me force our cubs to leave all those years ago, we cannot stop them from coming home." He sighed, reaching an arm and tucking some hair behind her ear. Talon smiled at the resemblance Nani had to her mother.

"They are adults now, and I must see my cub… my daughter as such." He turned on his heel, folding his wings on his shoulders. "Now while the night is still young, I will see to Goliath," his eyes burned an angry white as he started down the hall, Elisa in tow,

"..because this ends now."

Pulses of pain echoed across her forehead, making the first thing she did upon waking was groan and turn on her side. But forgetting about her shoulder, the feline yelped and jerked, falling off the couch. Nani looked downright pitiful, tired, and with her ears drooped forward lacking strength.

Soon though arms scooped her up and eased her back into the couch. "Woah, take it easy Nani. You've had a really rough night." She recognized Brooklyn's voice soft next to her. Nani's blue eyes peaked open. "I feel awful." She winced, shutting her eyes again. "Ugh…what time is it?"

"A little after two in the morning." Brooklyn answered, turning his head from the grandfather clock nearby. "The others left a few hours ago. My clan and…yours."

Nani seemed too tired to guess if her own clan had been nearby. She thought for a few moments. "I hope everyone is okay… why are you still here?"

"Someone needed to guard the castle. Lex is here too, just watching the cameras."

After a long minute, Nani tried sitting up, only for a hand to be placed on her chest. "Please, just rest." Brooklyn pleaded. "You're in no condition to do otherwise." It took a few moments, but eventually she looked down at the hand on her chest. Well it had to be between the two fellas, didn't it?

Her raised brow sent to him caused Brooklyn to pause, and suddenly jump back in realization. The poor gargoyle crashed into the table, shattering it. His tail and feet went flying up into the air. He scrambled to his feet out of the mess, much to her amusement. Somehow, his face was even redder.

"I-I, uh, I didn't mean, oh gosh-" he stammered, dragging his hands down his face. Nani only chuckled and eased up to her feet. "Don't." She cut him off, holding up her hand. "I'm stubborn, the sooner you accept that the better… Now, I'm going to get some ibuprofen… and something to eat." With that, she slowly made her way towards the kitchens. But she didn't have any complaint of Brooklyn taking the initiative of walking along beside her, upright, and supporting her with an arm around her waist.

With how Nani was just managing to keep her eyes open, and almost gloomily how her ears hung, it was a sight that made his chest tight. After making it to the kitchen, Nani sat at the kitchen island and watched as he fetched the medicine from the cupboards. He slid the bottle over and fetched a soda. "So, uh, what do you like to eat?"

Nani swallowed her pill and sighed at the burning carbonation. "Anything, I guess… Warning though, I might've been spoiled by Cyrus' cooking."

"Little cub got talent huh?" Brooklyn smiled, fishing through the fridge.

Nani raised her brows. "I wouldn't say little…" she murmured. "I'd say he's one of the best culinary chefs in Montana." Nani smiled, soon lifting her head and sniffing. Brooklyn chuckled and set before them a large pot. "Yeah, well here in New York, Broadway's the best chef. I introduce you, leftover pot roast~!"

Nani tried hiding the fact her stomach growled loudly. "I might just have to stay in this state if it's good." She licked her lips, smiling.

Brooklyn paused as he filled the bowls. "You… you thought about heading back home?"

Nani shrugged, unaware to the look on his face. She was too hungry. "Well, yeah. Maybe once all this mess clears up, I can bring the others back, and my clan can be a family again."

"Oh." Brooklyn relaxed and set the bowls down. "Well, enjoy."

He didn't have to wait for her to start digging in. Brooklyn swore he saw her coming back to life again. It didn't escape his notice either that her tail swished behind her. "So, tell me, how are the others anyway? I know we talked on your first night back, but I've just been wondering."

Nani licked her lips, keeping her attention on eating. "Well I told you about our hobbies, but I guess I never talked much about the usual things in Montana. Let's see… aside from private school we spent most our time growing in our hobbies and helping around town."

"Did the locals accept you?" he asked, surprised.

"Well… there was only a hundred or so people in town, so word spreads fast. Eventually Aunt Beth and Uncle Jonathan couldn't hide it anymore. When almost everyone knew, but still wasn't sure, he just took us cubs to the local fair one year, and that was that."

Brooklyn laughed. "Really? Kinda bold…"

Nani paused. "Yeah, I guess… I hope Aunt Beth is alright…"

"I'm sure you can check in with Elisa about her." the gargoyle assured. The two were only into their second bowl when Lexington came running in. "Guys! There's someone out by the courtyard! I think it's a mutate!"

Brooklyn growled and jumped off the table. "Stay here Nani." Then, the two ran. Nani swallowed hard and started after them. Luckily her snooze had restored some of her energy. By the time she made it to the courtyard, she found Brooklyn had pinned someone down, and Lexington was standing near readily.

What caught her attention though was the loud, scared screaming. The screaming of a chubby feline that once served the barn mice a mini-dinner of cheese.

"Get off him!" Nani cried and ran over- much to her body's protest. She pushed Brooklyn off the mutate, who huffed out of breath and whose eyes' were wide. He was a heavy set mutate with light orange fur, and faded out black stripes that would be more distinct if his form was thinner. He wore a loose, dark green t-shirt with a striped scarf, and large pants. He too wore no shoes.

"Heavens! I-Is this.. how you greet others?" he panted, leaning to sit up, but with his stomach in the way, he fell back down with a hard breath.

Nani cracked an amazed smile, and bent down next to him. "Cyrus! How did you get here?" Amid the two gargoyles' shocked expressions, the chubby tiger did a double take. His large baby blue eyes widened.

"Nani!" He tried getting up but grunted. "For pete's sake help a guy up!"

So the two gargoyles pulled him upright, leaving him to huff. "Goodness, I don't remember you gargoyles being so terrifying!"

"Uh…sorry?" Brooklyn raised a brow to Nani. But she was busy smiling. "Cyrus how did you get here?"

The two gargoyles exchanged brief looks. She must not have been kidding about his weight jokes. Cyrus smiled sweetly, good natured and pure like always. "I flew silly."

All three fell silent, looking at the small wings that seemed tiny against his back. Nani blinked. "…really?"

"Yes really! ...why so surprised?"

"Oh, uh, no reason… Why though?"

Cyrus only held up a letter from his pocket. "This. It's from Uncle Jonathan. It was so urgent, he sent me right out as I was making dinner!" he pouted. "Anyway, he said to give it to Aunty Elisa. Something about not trusting technology, whatever that means." He chuckled. "So…where is everybody?"

"They all left." Brooklyn answered. "They went to fight Sevarius and his apparent Quarrymen."

Cyrus clasped his hands over his mouth, stirring up fur around his cheeks. "Oh my gosh, I didn't think so much drama was actually happening- Oh my gosh Nani what happened to you?!" The mutate fretted and fussed.

Nani only mustered a weak smile over. "He's a little high strung…" she said quietly. Soon Nani was given a tight hug. "Look missy, you play it safe okay? I actually have got to head back." He huffed, reluctantly.

"What..? Why?"

"Well Uncle Jonathan suspects New York isn't safe…uh, it has to do with his letter. Anyway you coming? He wants us all home again." he pleaded.

Nani shook her head. "I'm not going back now… I'm sorry, Cyrus."

The tiger sighed, nodding. "Alright… if you see my dad, give him a big hug, okay…?" he smiled. "Oh, by the way, I brought little guy from the orphanage. He wanted to see you."

Nani froze. "Y-You what…? Where is he?"

"Don't know. He ran off. Guess he wanted to explore the castle. Anyway," he stretched out his wings, sighing, "I better go. Wanna reach home before daylight… maybe get high enough to coast." Cyrus chuckled and stretched out his wings. "I look forward to moving my things back to the sewers once this all blows over! Make sure to keep us up to date now, uh, somehow!" he smiled, and with a grunt, he took off to the skies.

Nani watched him go off, knitting her brows.

Brooklyn glanced at the letter in her hand, before lifting his eyes back to her. "So… aside from that…who's this little guy?"

Suddenly, Nani gasped and started looking around quickly. "We have to find him!"

"Wait what? Who?"

There wasn't an answer. Nani threw the letter at Lexington, knowing it would be safe, and ran around looking for something. She was almost a mess by the time the gargoyles returned. It escaped her notice that behind the gargoyles were four mutates. One by one, they all stopped and stared as the gargoyles stepped aside.

Except Talon, they were all shocked, and Maggie's watering eyes widened. Before she could muster a word, the still oblivious Nani crouched before a topiary.

"Come on, it's alright. The gargoyles won't hurt you."

After a few moments, large, sweet emerald eyes peaked out. The next second a small cub jumped into Nani's arms. Nani then pushed up to her feet, holding the cub fondly and nuzzling her head to his. The cub smiled up at her adoringly and hid against her neck. Then, startled, they looked over, noticing those watching nearby.

Nani's mouth fell open, and her throat went dry.

"…mom…? Dad…?"