Beatrice was anxious, as since learning of the impending invasion of Earth by the Vigilant of Ic'thao, and their allies. She tried her best to find something, anything to help add to the planet's defenses.
"-Ms. Flynn!" The voice of Beatrice's homeroom teacher brought the young gynoid back to reality. "Beatrice do you need to go to the nurses' office?" She asked with concern.
"Mrs. Kwalski..." Beatrice said, clearly exhausted. "For the last time, I don't need... conventional medicine."
"Be that as it may, you look like you haven't slept in days." Mrs. Kwalski said with concern.
"I can take her home," Duncan said, standing up. "And as a matter of fact... she hasn't slept in at least a week."
"I said I'm fin-" Beatrice then slumped over. "Uh... Cricket?"
"I am sorry Beatrice. But you have been neglecting your proper sleep cycles." Cricket said.
"And you know exactly why! I can't waste time sleeping when there's an alien invasion coming." Beatrice was then carried out of the school by Duncan. "Oh for the love of- COULD YOU AT LEAST LET ME TALK TO HIM?!"
"Negative," Cricket said as they went outside. Then Duncan changed his form into that of a gargoyle. "Besides, I for one would like more information regarding Duncan. All we know is that he is a gargoyle... and virtually nothing else."
Duncan then took off in flight. "Well, I figured that he didn't like to talk about himself!" Beatrice protested.
XXXX
That evening. Beatrice's body finally awoke. "There, I believe you are sufficiently rested for now." Beatrice then saw a woman with red hair... with pale blue skin, wings, a golden tiara, earrings, an armband, an anklet, and the very distinctive feet that Beatrice was familiar with from Duncan.
"I was wondering when you would awaken. I had feared my son had brought home a corpse. But I am not certain if we have met before. You may call me Demona, I am the mother of Duncan." Demona said.
"What is even happening right now?" Beatrice said in bewilderment.
"That is rather simple," Duncan said as he entered the room in his gargoyle form. "Put it simply, you've been running yourself ragged since you learned about the coming invasion of Earth. You've been neglecting your well being to find allies and materials to help in the defense of Earth... but you don't have to do this alone."
"Put simply. My son believes that I can help." Demona said. "Though to be frank... I can't get you into contact with the other Gargoyle Clans. Most hate me on general principle, or because I wronged them at some point."
"Your right... which is while you will bring her to Goliath and his clan to-"
"I will do no such thing," Demona said. "I've left that life behind. And I'm certain that he and the others would prefer that I don't return to ruin whatever they've made for themselves in the long decades since I was last in New York City."
"Mom... aliens are coming to our planet. And they are coming for war." Duncan said grimly.
"And as I've heard, this... Ormphala Ty'raka is only bent on destroying Humans." Demona said.
Duncan growled. "This is bigger than just Humanity. No doubt your people will be caught in the crossfire. Even if they are not directly assaulted, then they will be collateral damage." Duncan snarled. "Now... either agree to help us defend our shared homeworld. Or point us in the direction of someone who can."
Demona looked around the room. On one-hand was her hybrid son, fuming with righteous indignation. On the other, was a young gynoid with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Despite her advanced age... she did not completely un-sympathize with Beatrice. "I'll give you the address where Goliath and the Manhattan Clan last resided."
XXXX
Several days later, Beatrice, Phineas, and Duncan had arrived at the top of the Eyrie Building at sunset. "So... how long should this take?" Phineas asked as they looked at the Gargoyle statues.
"I... I JUST... HOW LONG HAS THIS SCOTISH CASTLE BEEN ON TOP OF A NEW YORK CITY SKYSCRAPER!?" Beatrice said incredulously, her voice modulated by her Silver Automaton armor.
"Since the mid-'90s. Now please be quiet!" Duncan said, then the sunset in earnest. And the Gargoyles awoke, roaring as their stone skin broke off. Duncan, in turn, changed into his Gargoyle form and knelt to the older Gargoyles.
"What is the point of having Xanatos live here if he isn't going to keep us abreast of guests?" Goliath said in resignation.
"Hi, I'm Phineas Flynn. This is the Silver Automaton. And he's Duncan." Phineas said, completely nonchalant at the epic sight he had just seen.
Goliath looked closely at the young Gargoyle before him. "Your of Demona's blood."
"I didn't have much of a choice in that," Duncan said as he stood up. "I know of her misdeeds, and the only thing she ever gave me of value was my Gargoyle abilities."
"What about the ability to change into a human form at will?" Beatrice asked.
"Okay SA, apart from those, my mother never gave me anything that I held with any value," Duncan said.
"And what about your Teddy-"
"The point is." Duncan interrupted. "Is that she's... not a pleasant person no matter how you look at it."
"The more things change, the more they stay the same. Eh Goliath?" A red Gargoyle said.
"She has softened Brooklyn," Goliath said. "Regardless, I have heard of you, and your talent for machines Mr. Flynn... I doubt this meeting is simply to meet."
"Your not wrong," Phineas said. "See... there's an alien invasion coming to Earth. And we need to organize as many defenses of Earth as we can muster to protect us."
"Why don't you just bring all those giant robots you're making on Mars?" A small yellowish Gargoyle with flying squirrel-like wings said.
"Do not speak out of turn Lexington," Goliath said.
"Though to answer your question. We don't have any transports ready that can move the Everest Droids off of Mars. And we... don't know WHEN the invasion will happen."
"And by we, he means everyone else besides me and a handful of other robots of my configuration. Oh which we cannot share due to foreign software that prevents us from sharing the specific details to anyone." Beatrice explained.
"So some malware corrupted your programming so that you can't share the information," Lexington said. Goliath and the rest of the Clan just looked at the relatively young Gargoyle in confusion. "It... it's like a geis for robots."
"That is an acceptable comparison. That most that I or my cousins can do is provide imprecise tactical advice." Beatrice said, then without warning, a massive vessel. Stellar Imperium appeared in the sky. "Do not be alarmed. He is not the aforementioned invader. He is, in fact, an old friend of mine."
"Does this... enemy have similar craft?" Goliath asked cautiously.
"I can only confirm that it is within the realm of possibilities," Beatrice said.
XXXX
Later on, Beatrice, Phineas, and Duncan were onboard Stellar Imperium. "So this is the Cy'tarian Colossus you palled around with, Bea... I'm surprised the hallways are so... small." Duncan noted as he looked about the immense hallways.
"That is a personal design choice on my part. It's been centuries since I've had any passengers big enough to warrant the typical Cy'tar size." Stellar Imperium said. "But I did not return to Earth just to visit friends. I've brought two beings back to you." Then Agent's Amythist and Redwall met up with our heroes.
"Would it be too much to hope that you talked Ty'raka down from all this?" Phineas asked.
"Yes, yes it would." Agent Redwall said plainly.
"We were captured... and tortured. If Beauregard hadn't set us free in an escape pod, we'd probably have died onboard the Vow of Vengeance." Agent Amythest said grimly.
Then something inside of Beatrice's head said. 'BLOCKER REMOVED.' "Yes... my brother mentioned in his message that he freed you two." She said. "What can you do to help protect Earth?"
"Well to make a long story short... everything is worse then we thought it was." Agent Redwall said frankly.
"Chronous... the Father of the Spaa-Chronous, is returning." Stellar Imperium said grimly. "That fool, the Eternal King has done all of these horrible things. To set the stage for the return of the creator of the Spaa-Chronus's society, and there borderline magical technology."
"And... that would be bad, wouldn't it?" Phineas asked.
"Imagine the absolute figures from the long and blood-stained history of your people Mr. Flynn... Chronous. Is. Worse! At the apex of the Spaa-Chronous empire of old. He ordered entire galaxies destroyed for the pettiest of reasons. I was there during the War of Broken Empires... I beheld his malice personally before he was sealed away into a time loop, the likes of which even the greatest Time Shaman's of the distant past couldn't untangle." Stellar Imperium explained.
Beatrice was floored by this. "I... this is so much worse than one alien trying to destroy mankind."
"I'm glad you at least grasp the stakes, Beatrice." Stellar Imperium said as Beatrice stumbled onto her knee.
"Slow down man! Your overwhelming her!" Phineas said as he helped his daughter back to her feet.
"This ordeal will take more than just uniting every fighting force on Earth to repel. Isn't it?" Duncan asked.
"Indeed. It will take the combined might of the Fellowship, and the Coalition in the Andromeda Galaxy." Stellar Imperium said.
"Wait... isn't that where the Cy'tarians were exiled after that War of Flesh and Iron?" Beatrice asked.
"Yes, I'm more than certain you met most of the Coalition's leadership on Legends of G'wiber: Online. Back when you traveled with me. My point being, it will take the combined might of both of our respective civilizations to keep Chronous's malice contained." Stellar Imperium said.
"So... at the very least. This won't be my responsibility alone." Beatrice said.
"I was under the impression that this was OUR responsibility," Duncan said defensively.
Beatrice took a sharp breath through her nose. "Duncan... Ty'raka nearly destroyed mankind ten years ago. I lost you, and Felicia, and Sir Meanqy in time for an entire decade. My new friends... well there capable, but the point I'm trying to get across. Is that this whole thing is personal for me! And I don't want to risk losing any of you again!"
"I see..." Duncan said. "I suspected that you were hurt by that... but I didn't anticipate how bad the damage was."
"PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AREN'T THE SAME AS LOSING A LIMB DUNCAN!" Beatrice shouted.
Everyone was taken aback. "I... I honestly can't remember her ever raising her voice like that."
"I just want to help you! I brought you to the Manhatten Clan, in the hopes that THEY could take over managing the defense of Earth! You've been all but tearing your hair out over this entire affair!" Duncan said.
"I! HAVE! NOT!" She roared as she tore out giant clumps of her long blue hair, leaving noticeable bald spots on her head. "Oh-okay... I have now..."
"Look, Beatrice. Your overwhelmed, and thanks to Beauregard you can't even directly tell us anything about the invasion." Phineas said sympathetically to his eldest daughter. "Your friends have been trying to help you. But your so scared of losing them, that you're pushing them away."
"Dad... I don't want to lose the people that care about me." Beatrice said in exhaustion. "Some days... it's honestly tempting to just turn off my emotions, permanently. So that I don't have to deal with the sheer weight of my... my troubles."
"And I will not abide by your self-pity!" Stellar Imperium spoke up. "Beatrice, your an incredible young woman... but there is only so much one person. Even one of my scale and power can do. Your friends and family love you... would you be able to appreciate any of that if you couldn't feel anything? No fear, no anger, no sadness... no joy, or happiness, or love?"
"Fair...fair enough," Beatrice said. "I just... Dr. Metro was right. I do have a Hero Complex."
"And do you know what people with Hero Complex's do?" Stellar Imperium said.
"Buy Bulgarian folk dancing equipment?" Phineas said.
"Exactly-wait? What? Why that be your first guess?" Stellar Imperium said in bewilderment. "No... they get friends to help them. To share in the load. Not to drive them away to protect them."
"I just want to protect... but that isn't enough, it seems," Beatrice said.
"Look, I can take you guys home if you want." Stellar Imperium said.
"That depends, is that what you want Beatrice?" Phineas asked, Beatrice just nodded. "Okay, well I'll have to call up our jet." He said as he took out his phone.
"Can we stop by the castle again?" Duncan asked.
"You know something, big guy," Beatrice said. "After my nervous breakdown... you've earned it. And now that I think about it..."
XXXX
"So... the robot that saved our world from the Sym'ian's a decade ago... was a teenage girl," Goliath said in amusement as he and the rest of his clan looked at Beatrice without her Silver Automaton armor.
"Well technically I just look like one... and the... issues one can have as well," Beatrice said.
"Still, you've managed to protect the world... Goliath, we have to help her!" A purple female Gargoyle said.
"I already agreed on our services Angela," Goliath said. "This, however... is priceless. That the monsters that overwhelmed the Earth were beaten back... by a teenage girl."
"A teenage girl who was also mutilated by the Sym'ian's, and spent three months in a supercomputer traumatized by the whole ordeal for three months," Duncan said. "That small detail should not be ignored."
"Wow... how'd you fit inside?" A blue portly Gargoyle asked.
"I think it's more than her consciousness was transferred to its internal systems Bronx," Lexington said.
"That is the case yes. My body was damaged to the point where I needed to be transferred into a suitable vessel." Beatrice said. "Otherwise... I would have died then and there. Point is that I'd rather NOT have one of the most psychologically scaring moments of my life belittled or otherwise downplayed." She went on. "And besides, if it weren't for the Silver Automaton armor. The Sym'ian's would probably still be occupying Earth."
"My intention was not to offend," Goliath said. "It's just that the idea of those deranged monkey's being driven off by a child... I can't help but smile at the idea." He grinned. "Though if they ever return... I would ask permission to take their heads."
"Is there a particular reason why?" Duncan asked.
"All I will say is that the Sym'ian's gave us a personal reason to despise there kind," Goliath said as he displayed his former mentor, Hudson's sword.
"Get in line, there are still people who despise the Sym'ian's. Our friend Daniel froths at the mention of those ornery monkeys... they crippled him during the invasion" Daniel said. "But more to my interests. I wish to... get to know my erstwhile relatives more." He said awkwardly. "More specifically, I wish to know more about my heritage as a Gargoyle. Whenever I asked my mother about it, she'd brush me off."
"Oh, so you don't know anything? I thought it was odd that you never brought up being a Gargoyle much." Beatrice said.
"Very well. Lexington, ready some research material for our young friend to study." Goliath said.
XXXX
The following week. Beatrice's emotional state improved. "Beatrice, I've been telling you this for at least a year now." Dr. Metro said as she laid down on the couch in his office.
"True, but it's easier to listen to that kind of advice from a friend... especially one whose a giant robot that can turn into a space ship," Beatrice said. "And besides, after ten years your recommendations and advice have kind of bled together."
"Do you still have problems with Daniel and Mathew?" Dr. Metro asked.
"Look there nice guys... but I've been having these weird dreams where I'm married to Daniel. But I don't want to be confined by fate. They're cute in their ways but... I just don't know who would be right for me." Beatrice said anxiously. "And thanks to the upcoming invasion I can't even focus on comparative problems like THAT!"
"I thought you were delegating responsibility to your family to manage the defense of Earth." Dr. Metro said.
"I... I just don't want to deal with the drama." Beatrice said. "I thought things were alright, but then Amanda stabs me in the back, blurts out something that was supposed to be completely private between me and the other BEA-Droids." She said angrily. "But nooooo... she just had to SELL that to two of my best friends! And now it's a priority that I decide... and I don't think I need to tell you about the robot Dragon."
"No. You don't need to remind me." Dr. Metro said. "Though I believe that your reaction to Amanda's betrayal of trust was a bit... mean spirited."
"Yeah... that might have been," Beatrice said shamefully. "I was angry, I wasn't thinking clearly. But if it means that Amanda Johnson learns NOT to spill people's secrets in the long term... well I can live with that."
"A fair point, but has she been improving in that regard?" Dr. Metro asked.
"If by that, you mean she's finally stopped mopping about what I did, and has learned the importance of keeping something private... no, she has not," Beatrice said. "She's taken to throwing passive-aggressive insults at me whenever she can. I'll try to talk to Aunt Candace and Uncle Jeremy about it." She said. "But the point is. I've been sleeping properly again, and I've learned to not push my friends and family away to protect them... there pretty good at protecting themselves in there own rights anyway."
"Yes... and the ETA on the alien invasion?" Dr. Metro said. "I feel like your therapist I should also be aware of when aliens are going to invade our planet... especially after all the damage the Sym'ian's caused by there lonesome."
Beatrice just groaned. "I... I can't. I really can't give the date to anyone. Not unless they're a BEA-Droid like me. Otherwise, I just can't form the words. I can't even write the date and time it'll happen on the off chance that someone other then us will read it!"
"Have you tried a cipher? Or a secret code? Or having the malware removed altogether?" Dr. Metro asked.
"First, I'm pretty sure those are the same things. Second, we tried that... and we got carried away with writing a children's book about a walrus named Timmy that was a door to door insurance salesmen... it got kind of out of hand. And third, dad has already tried, but between him, Uncle Ferb, Great Uncle Heinz, and even the Errant Traveler can't figure out how to debug us." Beatrice went on at length.
"But aren't they usually really good with technology?" Dr. Metro aked.
"Well apparently, whatever Beauregard infected us with is based on some kind of Spaa-Chronous native source code that the Errant Traveler can't recognize," Beatrice said. "And without knowing it better, we can't have Beauragards malware deprogrammed."
"Wouldn't that also remove the count down?" Dr. Metro asked.
"Probably. But it's still frustrating that I can't share the full details of the invasion." Beatrice said. "Well, I see that our time is up." She said as she got up from the coach. Beatrice then flew home.
"How was your appointment?" Isabella asked of her eldest daughter.
"It was pretty good... it was mostly me sharing exposition but otherwise it was nice," Beatrice said. "Thankfully I think I'll have the night off-"
"WARNING: I HAVE DETECTED ACTIVITY IN DOWNTOWN DANVILLE." Cricket interrupted.
"Nevermind... I just got a signal from Cricket that something is going on. With any luck, I'll be home in time for dinner." Beatrice said in annoyance.
"I'll save you some leftovers," Isabella added.
"Mom..." Beatrice said. "Bethany is a Human garbage disposal with your cooking. We both know that with her, there won't be any leftovers despite yours and dad's best efforts to keep her from ODing." She said as she donned her Silver Automaton armor.
"Fair enough, just don't run up your father's credit card bill again," Isabella said. "It's getting harder and harder to explain to the banks whenever you go nuts with splurging at restaurants... and lawsuits about what you do in the women's bathrooms."
"It's not my fault that A) there are such good restaurants in Danville that I absentmindedly try to eat everything that I can. And B), that my digestion is so efficient that it mainly creates terrible smelling gas." Beatrice then donned her Silver Automaton helmet. "Either way, the people of Danville need me now." She then rocketed out of the house, ready to face her duties... though still anxious about what she knew was on the horizon.
