It was another new day for Randall living with his new clan/family. He though had been feeling curious about the mutates Brooklyn told him about in the Labyrinth as well as those clones.
He decided he wanted to meet this clan for himself, getting up to tell Brooklyn who had returned from his duties. The red male noticed his friend.
"Hey, what's up?" Brook asked. Randall rubbed his neck with his upper hand. "Well, uh, you know how you told me about that clan in the Labyrinth? I-I kinda want to meet them," he stated. Brooklyn blinked.
"Really?" he asked. Randall nodded. "Well, we'll have to talk to Goliath but he might be willing to let you go there. He's with Hudson right now in the tv room."
The two friends proceeded there, where the leader and elder sat. Goliath read a book while Hudson flipped the channels. Hudson noticed them.
"And what brings ya in here, Laddies? How was your patrol, Brooklyn?" Brook nodded. "Only one mugging stopped tonight so far, not much other action. But Randall wishes to meet the Labyrinth Clan, Goliath," he then said. Randall felt shy again when Goliath gazed at him.
"I will inform Talon of your arrival, and that you are an ally," Goliath said simply. Randall felt relief on his shoulders and excitement, for seeing creatures to almost represent monsters from his world.
….
Later in the evening, Brooklyn and Goliath took Randall down to the Labyrinth, down in an abandoned subway station. Randall had packed some leftover cupcakes into a small storage bag to take and share with them.
The trio walked through the empty place, which felt a bit eerie to Randall until they reached the metal doorway which sealed the Labyrinth. Goliath knocked.
The door opened, revealing Talon. Randall stared, open mouthed at the sight of the panther mutate, eyes fierce looking but welcoming. "Ah, Goliath, and Brooklyn. I see your friend finally came," he greeted, eyeing Randall with curiosity. Randall felt shy again, knowing from Brooklyn's stories that this was Elisa's brother once a human. He shuddered at being turned into a human.
"And you must be Randall Boggs? Elisa's told me about you besides Goliath," Talon said, holding out his paw. Randall nodded, taking it. "Y-yep." He said. Talon noted his stutter.
"No need to be afraid; I welcome any friend of Goliath here, and help those in need," the panther mutate reassured him. Randall gave a smile from it, feeling he could trust Talon, who led him inside. Brooklyn wished him a good stay with their friends before leaving.
Randall's fronds perked from the Labyrinth's arrangement; homeless people spotted here and there in makeshift homes. It was rather impressive that this other clan held this all together.
Talon took him to his clan, who were gathered in their meeting room. Randall saw a female mutate and a tiger mutate, as well as shocking cloned versions of his friends.
Randall's eyes were round. The clones noticed him. One in particular that looked like Brooklyn tilted his head. "New… visitor?" He asked like a child. The female came up to Randall. Randall backed up because she had tons of resemblances to both Elisa and Demona and it was unnatural. She sniffed him.
"You're not a gargoyle," she said in Elisa's voice. The lizard shook his head. "No, I'm not Miss," he replied. Talon stood over next to the clones.
"Randall, meet the clones of the Manhattan Clan except Thailog. Brentwood, Hollywood, Burbank, Malibu, and Delilah. And these two are my mate, Maggie and close friend, Claw." Claw smiled at Randall, waving his hand, not talking.
"Hi. Why doesn't he speak?" Randall questioned. Claw looked sad from that, lowering his head. Talon frowned. "Ever since the mutation he just couldn't talk. It was rather traumatic for Claw." He said sadly.
Randall looked over to Claw, feeling sympathy. It must've been horrible to have your humanity snatched away from you just like that. Claw gave him some sign language greeting. All Randall did was wave back, for he didn't know sign language much. Claw smiled.
Maggie came to Randall. "I'm Talon's mate. Welcome to our home, Randall Boggs. How long were you going to stay?"
"About a week, at least," Randall replied. "Want to see what you guys do around here." Maggie nodded. "Well, you're most welcome. I can find a temporary room for you if you want," she offered.
Randall nodded. "Yes, please," he said. He glanced back quickly at Delilah who was watching him with utter interest, making him swallow, quickly fast walking with Maggie to get away from the clones. They really weirded him out, happy he didn't have a clone of himself.
Why is Delilah so interested in me, though? I'm no gargoyle or human… Randall pondered to himself, Maggie bringing him further into the Labyrinth to where the homeless stayed. Randall gazed around, seeing some of the homeless humans giving him curious gazes. He felt shy and nervous again, staying as close to Maggie as he could.
Maggie at last managed to take Randall to his temporary room. She opened the door. Randall gave a little smile at the sight; a simple living quarter area with a small bathroom, bedroom, etc. So far, not too bad.
He turned to Maggie. "I know it isn't fancy. But would this do?" The slim mutate asked. The lizard gave a nod. "Yeah. I should be fine, thanks for letting me stay, Maggie." Randall said gratefully. She grinned at him, nodding. "We'll hand out breakfast around 7:30, you're welcome to come and join us for it," she invited before eventually leaving Randall alone to get settled in.
Randall sat down on his bed in his room, wondering how his time with this other clan of mutates and clones would be for him, unaware of a spy of a certain traitorous mutate named Fang had witnessed Randall's arrival, going to tell the cougar mutate.
The human named Boyd ventured into the prison chambers where Fang lived now ever since the Labyrinth battle; plotting to get out of this wretched place. He sat there, bored, until he saw one of his spies come, grinning.
"Well… what news do you have to bring? More of Talon's good tidings?" sneered Fang. The man shook his head.
"No, Fang. More of a disturbance in the Labyrinth; a strange creature moved in for a temporary visit, a giant lizard. He's no gargoyle, I assure you," said Boyd mysteriously.
Fang raised his brow. "Newcomer? And a lizard? Maybe he's another mutate," he confirmed. "So not interested." Boyd shook his head again. "I insist, he was no mutate. No trace of humanity in that thing even with his high intelligence. He was with Brooklyn, too."
This made Fang hiss at the mention of Brooklyn. "Oh, how I would love to make that freak pay for my imprisonment. But maybe, since this other freak is friends with them… he could be the perfect bait. Boyd, keep an eye on our new tool, and wait for the perfect moment to tackle him and take him to me." Fang instructed. The man nodded, sneering evilly upon leaving.
Fang settled on his prison bed, his heart riddling with revenge and hoping they won't need to wait too long to break free of this wretched prison and finally wreak havoc on the Labyrinth once more.
