Chapter Two: Settling Down
With loud roars, all of the gargoyles awoke.
"Ah. There's nothing like a good stone sleep, no matter how good cryogenics sound!" Gemini said, as she yawned and stretched.
"Got that right. And for once, we didn't have to fight for a good roost!" Moonshade said, as they followed their team and the resident gargoyle clan inside for a quick meeting.
"I wonder if we'll be welcome here?" Mariah said, with some doubt in her voice.
"Why shouldn't we? I'd say that some females would definitely be welcome here." Moonshade said, confidently. Gemini rolled her eyes.
"Moonshade, you are shameless." Gemini muttered, as they joined their male counterparts. The Manhattan Clan was already gathered into a circle in the main hall, and was waiting for them.
"Sorry it took so long, Goliath, but it has been a while since we have had a peaceful day's stone sleep." Tobias said, as he and his team gathered.
"It's all right. During the day I went over this is my mind. If you desire to, you may join my clan. If you do intend to stay, you must know everyone here. You have already met Lexington, Broadway, and Angela. The wisest of my group is Hudson, my second-in-command is Brooklyn, and Bronx is our watchdog. Is there anyone I am forgetting?" Goliath asked.
"The human female that was here when we arrived. The one with the dark hair." Nightrose said, in her usual soft manner.
"You mean Elisa. She was our first human friend after we awoke from a one thousand year enchantment." Goliath replied.
"And I'd wager more than that, but then I would be prying. It is not my place to question the Clan Leader in such choices as to whom and what to love." Tobias said, with much respect in his voice. Goliath appeared startled, but then smiled at the younger gargoyle.
"The lad has wisdom, that is certain." Hudson said, approvingly.
"That much is to be expected from the top scientist in the group." Moonshade said, as Tobias gave her an unreadable look.
"You're a scientist?" Angela asked. Tobias nodded.
"My fields vary from normal science to biotechnology. Normally I am the one to make vaccines or cures for diseases the survey team might come up against." Tobias replied, gravely.
"So you can cure diseases?" Brooklyn asked.
"Yes, to some extent, so long as I know what I am up against." Tobias replied.
"Can you cure genetic diseases then?" Lexington asked.
"That depends. Why do you want to know?" Tobias asked, in turn.
"There are some gargoyles in this city that fell prey to a disease a few years ago. They started off with some fungus growing on them and then they petrified." Lexington said, getting looks of horror from the Orion Gargoyles.
"Was it a contagious disease?" Tobias asked, now anxious for the safety of his team.
"Only among the clones. It didn't affect us." Brooklyn said, as looks of relief replaced the worried expressions that had been on the Orion Gargoyles' faces.
"But who would clone gargoyles? What purpose could this have possibly served?" Nightrose asked, her eyes filled with pity for the unfortunate clones, even though she had not known them.
"A human scientist by the name of Anton Sevarius created the clones with our DNA. He did it just so he could call himself a god." Lexington said, bitterly. This got a growl from Tobias.
"It isn't a scientist's place to put himself amongst the gods. It is in the creed of all scientists' practices to find ways of bettering their races' way of living. I'll undo what he has done, if I can. Take me to them." Tobias said, with determination in his voice. With that said, and with a nod from Goliath, Lexington and Tobias left.
"There's nothing that can get Tobi more riled up than hearing about a scientist abusing his craft and using it for evil. This universe has already had one Davros, it doesn't need another." Gemini muttered, grimly.
"Who is this 'Davros' you mentioned?" Goliath asked, confused as to whom Gemini was alluding to.
"I don't suppose any of you have ever heard of that scum-faced, sorry excuse for a Kaled. But he's the one that created the scourge known as the Daleks. Millions of living beings have already felt the cruel burn of their lasers. Thankfully enough, the Time Lords know when and where they are and who to send to stop them." Gemini explained.
"I see. So Sevarius isn't alone in the universe, no matter how much we wish he was." Angela murmured, with some hatred in her voice.
"Right. But it is not good to harbor ill will towards another, Angela." Nightrose said, as she placed a soothing hand on the other gargess' shoulder.
"I know. But it is so hard to forgive someone like that." Angela said, with a dejected sigh.
"I know, but in time it will be easier. You may not be able to forgive him, but you can try to put him out of your mind. There are more important things to think about." Nightrose said, as she motioned to Broadway (who was coaching a nervous Brooklyn on what to say to a gargess). Angela giggled.
"Very true. Thank you, Nightrose." Angela said, knowing that she was going to be friends with the pink gargess from that point on.
"No problem. Ah, it looks like Tobias and Lexington are back." Nightrose said, when the two males did indeed come through the door.
"That was quick." Goliath commented. Tobias nodded, looking as grim as when he'd left.
"I managed to get a culture sample from each of the clones. It will take me a few nights, but I think I can find the cure." Tobias said, then asked, "Is there a lab in here I can use?"
"There is one, though I think Xanatos will be a little upset if we use it, though." Lexington said.
"Nonsense, Lexington. You're free to do as you please here, remember?" a male voice said, from the doorway. All eyes turned to look at the newly arrived.
"How was your vacation?" Goliath asked, as seven-year-old Alexander rushed up and hugged his leg, then gleefully turned to the rest of the clan, greeting old friends and new.
"Peaceful. Well, except for the occasional re-enactment." Xanatos said, with a shrug.
"I kept telling you that Pennsylvania wasn't a good place to go for that month, David, but you didn't listen to me." Fox stated, with a rolling of eyes.
"Next time I will listen, I promise." Xanatos said, as he rubbed his temples.
"But Puck and I liked it! Especially all the cannons!" Alexander shouted, as he showed off his blue kepi to the gargoyles.
"Well, that is the truth, Mister Xanatos." Owen said, with a sheepish look briefly taking up residence on his face. There were some chuckles, as Owen then left the room to get the bags to his employers' rooms.
"So, would you mind introducing your new clan members? They weren't here when we left." Xanatos said, when the room had gotten quiet again. As quickly as he could, Goliath introduced each of the Orion Gargoyles to Xanatos.
"So, you're a scientist, eh?" Xanatos asked, with interest.
"Yes. It is my duty to make sure that my survey team doesn't contract any deadly diseases. I am about to see what I can do for the clones." Tobias explained.
"Then go ahead and do what you can. My lab is all yours." Xanatos said.
"I thank you. I will get started now." Tobias said, as he hurried off to the lab.
"Well, there he goes. He'll be in there for a while. Hey, Gemmi, let's go have some fun!" Moonshade said, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Just don't get into any trouble, you two. I want you to return safely." Goliath said, with some concern for the two females.
"Don't worry! We'll be fine! Hey, Angela, you comin'?" Gemini asked.
"I guess so. Wait up!" Angela shouted, as the two females took off.
"Wait for me! I want to go too!" Mariah yelped, as she scampered off after them.
"Youth……………….tis a grand thing." Hudson murmured, ruefully.
"It is. But I hope it doesn't get them into trouble." Goliath said, concernedly, as he gazed out at New York's starlit skyline.
Demona snarled as she neared her aerie. There was a male gargoyle nearby and she did not like the fact that he was so close to her hiding place. Silently, she landed and peered into the shadows. With her keen ears, she could hear the scraping of claws on concrete, and the soft sighs that escaped from between the male gargoyle's lips.
"Who's here? Show yourself!" Demona demanded, her eyes glowing in fury. To her surprise, the male she'd scented emerged from the shadows, without so much as a word in response.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my aerie? Answer me!" Demona ordered, angrily.
"I apologize, milady, if I have trespassed upon your territory. But I have no other place to go." The male replied, softly.
"You didn't answer my question; who are you?" Demona asked, becoming very impatient with the male.
"I am known as Sojourn, because I have lived long, and traveled far. I came here because I needed to try and think of a way to end my suffering." The male said, looking old, yet young, at the same time.
"How long have you lived?" Demona asked, the ire in her eyes now fading.
"Two thousand years. I have watched as my friends and loved ones aged and died, and have felt the bitterness of knowing that I will always be alone. I am immortal." Sojourn said, with deep sadness in his brown eyes.
"I know just how you feel. I too am immortal." Demona found herself admitting, even though she didn't want anyone to know that.
"What is your name?" Sojourn asked, suddenly finding that another shared his pain.
"I am called Demona." Demona said, as she looked into the lonely eyes of Sojourn.
"Then, Demona, I suppose I shall meet you again." Sojourn said, as he stepped forward, took Demona's hand in his, and kissed her hand. But before he could glide off, Demona stopped him.
"Wait. Stay and talk with me for a while. Misery loves company." Demona said, as she motioned to some chairs she had hauled up to the aerie some time before. This got a small smile from Sojourn.
"As you wish, Lady Demona." Sojourn said, as he took a seat just opposite of hers. Within moments, the two were relating their tales of sadness to one another, not knowing that their future was beginning to look brighter already.