A short while later, after the repairs to the castle had been finished, Mallory transported to the infirmary for observation and Claw had been taken to be put into a pair of casts, Elisa sat in the library surrounded by her family.

It was time for some answers.

"Not that I'm not unappreciative," Elisa began slowly, "But this was all very nicely set up for being 'last minute'."

There was some shifting, some whispered words here and there, and a lot of uneasy faces in the group.

"Come on guys," Elisa said, uncrossing her arms. "I'm not mad… more like I'm mildly irritated that I was kept out of the planning."

"Well, Elisa," Broadway began, rubbing his hand over the back of his head. He fervently wished that Goliath and Hudson hadn't been needed to help transport Claw down to the Doctor's level. Either one would have gotten through this a lot easier than any of them were going to. "We…uh… Brooklyn?" He looked to his brother for help.

Brooklyn sighed. "Yeah, well, you see…" He straightened his posture in determination. "We were concerned that Apate was messing with you."

"Obviously," Elisa said dryly.

Skyler flung her hands into the air. "Men!" She turned to Elisa. "We were worried that if Apate could put things, images and thoughts, into your mind that maybe she'd be able to pull from your thoughts and memories as well. So we planned all of this," She made a big gesture with her arms, almost knocking into a few of the gargoyles who deftly jumped out of reach, "without your knowledge to give us an edge." She glared at her mate, "There. Was that so hard?"

Elisa choked back a laugh. "Alright," she said after a moment. "I guess I can understand that."

"We divided up like a game, Mom," Liam said excitedly. "It was really cool."

"Yeah," Lexington said from his perch on the wheeled wooden ladder of the library shelves. "We had a few teams set up."

"Teams?" Elisa asked. She was afraid that this was going to get complicated.

"In any successful game where there are a lot of players," Liam began, "There are different classes, like healers and tanks…"

"Tanks?" Elisa interrupted.

"Not that kind of tank," Garia said with a laugh. "In gaming, Tanks are the muscle."

"Oh," Elisa said weakly.

"Simple terms, please," Skyler begged the others. She turned to Elisa, "Seriously, it took them a while to get through it with me."

"Ok," Nayeli said from her seat. "For example, mom, I was Team Healer. I am not trained to fight well…yet," She threw a look at the others, "but I do know some first aid. Team healer was made up of people who were most beneficial to work as support for the others and keeping out of fighting range."

"I was team dps," Liam added helpfully. "I helped the other tech minded individuals, such as myself," He grinned, "and we were manually controlling a few of the Steel Clan."

"The rest of us were the muscle," Brooklyn said, flexing his arms then dropped them. "For what good that was worth."

"We were emergency reserves," Maggie said tiredly. She was a mess, Elisa thought. Her mane was windblown, full of tangles and a slightly ratty, 'wet cat' look. "We were just to be ready to come and help if we were needed."

"Good thing too," Angela said. "We were just coming back from helping the police officers when we saw Apate about to throw those fireballs at you and father. Talon let loose with some of those electrical bolts, and it distracted her."

"The real MVPs," Nayeli added, "were the New Olympians."

Elisa turned to where Sphinx, the lone remaining New Olympian, stood watching the proceedings.

"Yeah," Elisa said, "and that brings me to asking how you were able to get here at just the right moment."

"For the same reason that I am still here," Sphinx answered with a head tilt. "To help. Your Coyote came to New Olympus and asked me for help. I gathered a few others who are supporters of my cause and we came as quickly as we could."

"Supporters of yours?" Elisa asked.

"I wish to join the council," she said. "I know that we are not gargoyles… more fae, actually, but I believe that the time for us to rejoin the world is coming ever closer. I wish for us to be prepared for when that time comes. As I look the most like a gargoyle," she swept her arms out to gesture at her appearance, "I was asked to remain behind to ask your permission." She stopped, smiled and pointed to her forehead, "In answer to your question, we were able to have a little more success than you because of these." She slowly drew her weapon from the sheath. "To fight an Olympian God, even one as weak as Apate, one must use the proper tools. This," she turned the blade to catch the light, "was made on the original Olympus and passed down through my family. Many New Olympians hold such heirlooms."

"That's handy," Demona said from the back. She pushed off of the wall where she'd been watching everyone stutter and stammer over their explanations of their actions to that human woman. Disgusting. "Just how many others are going to be on this 'council' of yours?"

"As many who wish to sit on the council," Goliath's voice carried from the doorway.

Demona whirled on him, "The council was meant to be a governing body. Something to prove to the humans that we are equal if not greater than they are. But what have you actually accomplished? And now?" Demona spat out. "You may open up sitting positions to non-gargoyles. What's next? Humans on a gargoyle council?"

"If they are trustworthy allies, they are welcome to come," Goliath growled, "to learn. There will be no acceptance without learning. Ignorance feeds hate, and that is the main purpose of the council, Demona. Acceptance." Goliath stood before his former love and stood his ground. "You have a seat on the council, Demona, but you are welcome to abandon that seat at any time. Make a choice. Give it thought," he said intensely, "but make a choice, Demona, and stand by it."

Demona let out a snarl, then turned for the doors.

"Huh," Brooklyn said with a resigned look on his face. "I was wondering where the old Demona had gone."

"I shall go," Bolin said with a nod. "I will make sure she is safe going home."

Elisa reached out and touched his arm to get his attention. "There is a bad storm out there right now," she reminded him. "It's only going to get worse."

"I know," he said. "But I will not allow her to be harmed because she lost her temper."

Elisa gave him a nod. "As much as I appreciate that you feel the need to do this, please remember to take care of yourself."

"If the storm gains too much strength, I will find a safe place to wait it out," Bolin assured her.

"Hey," Brooklyn called out and tossed a small object through the air.

Reflexively, Bolin snatched it from the air. Puzzled, he brought his hand to eye level and looked at his palm where one of the small communicators lay.

"Just in case," Brooklyn shrugged.

Bolin gave Brooklyn a deep head bow before hurrying after Demona.

"I hope he will be safe," Goliath growled in frustration.

"He will," Elisa assured him, placing a hand on his arm in support.

"Perhaps I mis-spoke earlier," Sphinx said softly. "I do not need to have a place on the council. I wish to learn from you all I can, see how you have integrated amongst the humans and take that knowledge back home with me."

"You are not a gargoyle," Goliath said slowly, but you are not part of the human world. I see no reason why you should not be allowed to come and learn with us."

Sphinx smiled. "I thank you for your understanding."

Elisa looked around at the gathered group.

'Humans, and gargoyle and New Olympians, oh my!' she thought.

"Alright," Elisa said finally. "It's nearly sunrise, and I think we could all use a little extra rest after this." She looked out the thick paned glass and the pouring rain outside. "Maybe you should all stay in the great hall today."

"That… seems wise," Goliath nodded. "Come. Let us gather in the hall. We can talk more there."

"Mom," Nayeli whispered. "What about us? Demona left before she could…"

"Undo the no sleep spell," Elisa sighed. "I know, Nayeli, but it has only been in effect for tonight. Let's give Demona the day to cool off, and I'll go see her to have the thing removed."

"Alright," Nayeli said, then smiled.

"And… let's not tell your father, alright?" Elisa asked. "Tomorrow night will be soon enough."

"Alright," Nayeli said, softer and a little reluctant that time.

Elisa gave her daughter a one armed hug around the shoulders. "Hey. Just think of how much we can get done today without having to sleep. You could have an extra class or two today."

Nayeli rolled her eyes and Elisa laughed, despite the nagging worry in her mind.