Hey! Next chapter finally. enjoy!
Shout Outs!:
Guest
Please update again please
I will
bloodyrose2014
Thanks, i'm glad you did. i do too, gievs her a bit more depth and more for me to work with ;)
vladtepes198627
Thank you, well see about that pic ;)
Guest
Can't wait for more PLEASE UPDATE
Updated
Guest
Cool! Is there another chapter for this story?
Yes, several to come
Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967
Thanks! Much more
emyy250
Yes, sorry if i spelled his name wrong, that's just how i would...
Yaoi Shipper23
Oh good, i was trying to keep Brooklyn in character with Hailey
Hailey sat with Brooklyn on the clock tower's railing, eating a sandwich she'd made before they'd woken up. "It's amazing how different Manhattan is from Wyvern and yet," he added sadly, "there's still a lot that's the same."
She leaned into him, sighing sadly before pointing at the city lights, "Well, from here, the lights look like stars."
Brooklyn grinned, "They otta, since they stole the light away from the stars."
She laughed and shook her head as Goliath and Lexington walked out, Lex nearly leaping off the building as soon as he was out of the door. "What's the hurry Lex?"
He stopped on the railing while looking back at Goliath somewhat impatiently, "Elisa and her partner are testing out RECAP."
Brooklyn blinked opening his mouth to ask before shaking his head, "Never mind."
Goliath walked out and Hailey waved, "Stay safe."
He smiled and they flew off. She turned to Brooklyn, "So, what should we do tonight?"
He started to answer when Hudson cried out, "Gah! Brooklyn, Hailey, someone! Ah! Lexington just had to leave now. Confound it all, how does this work?"
Hailey smirked, "I think he messed with the TV settings again."
A devious smile made its way across Brooklyn's face, "Wha'd you say we fix it then confiscate it? I hear a new season of Star Trek comes out tonight."
She smiled and shook her head, "You're awful."
He pouted playfully.
"Come on, let's see what Picard gets himself into now."
"Yes!" Cheered Brooklyn quietly.
*O*
Picard had just been shot with a Phaser when Goliath and Lexington returned and Hudson growled, "Goliath! Get in here and drag these three confiscators away from my television set."
Goliath walked over and saw them grinning up at him innocently while Brooklyn protectively held the remote. He frowned at the three, silently demanding an explanation.
Three innocent and confused looks answered him. He sighed eventually and turned as Coldstone landed behind him.
They gasped and Brooklyn instantly gripped Hailey tighter while Broadway glared and Bronx growled. Lexington wasn't looking too pleased either. Hudson, however, grinned widely, "Welcome home lad."
They clasped arms and he smiled, "Ah, mentor, it does my heart good to see you survived. There is only one other I've missed more." He turned to Goliath, "I-" He stopped suddenly and stiffened.
Hailey broke out of Brooklyn's grasp to run around in front of Coldstone, knowing he might be having a flashback as the others often did shortly after they woke up after their thousand year sleep—that or the shock was finally settling in.
She was walking through the corridor, past the library, when a disgruntled growl stopped her in her tracks. She closed the science book she was trying to study and peeked in, knowing Goliath was the only one to spend time in there.
He stood there, stock still and gripping the bookcase so hard his claws had already gone through the ancient hardwood—eyes wide and unblinking.
Setting the book down on a table just inside the door she approached, voice full of concern. "Goliath? Goliath are you ok?"
His head turned towards her slowly and eyes confused, "Hailey? Wha-what was that?"
She put a hand on his arm comfortingly, "I think you had a flashback, where are we?"
"In Castle Wyvern, in Scotland."
"No, we're in the castle, but not in Scotland."
"Manhattan then?" His voice was still unsure but had stopped shaking, calming her nerves somewhat.
"Yeah. New York. You ok? Kinda scared me there."
He nodded and stood up, "I am fine now, I apologize that I scared you…I don't know what came over me."
She smiled, "It's fine, I had them to. D-David helped me through them."
Goliath frowned at the man's name and pulled her in close for a hug, wrapping his wings around her, "I'm so sorry we were not able to be there for you."
She sighed, "It's fine, I, understand."
The flashbacks ended after a week or so of being in the present, or at least once they got accustom to it, but it was good to ground them in their memories. Goliath approached Coldstone with worry, "Brother, uh, are you alright?"
Hailey frowned as she saw his robotic eye blink red but quickly stepped aside as he pushed Goliath and Hudson away. His pistons and gears whirring, clanking and hissing only seemed to add to his confusion. He looked around, confused and a little frightened, "Where am I? Goliath, my leader?"
Goliath frowned, "Do you not recognize me, brother?"
"Brother? W-where im I? Can you not see that I'm you're-" He paused, "My voice, it's different. Hailey frowned as she took a side step, accidentally catching his attention.
"Hailey? What-?" he reached out a hand to rest it on her shoulder, only to pause and stare at the mechanical hand, "WHAT?"
He stumbled back in shock and she reached for it, "Hey, it's ok…well, maybe not ok in your eyes but it'll be ok. You just have to calm down and listen to us."
His eyes trailed up the arm and to his body, and the multiple parts that were missing before widely looking around the clock tower, "What is this place? This is not the castle!"
Goliath frowned, utterly confused, "I told you brother, this is our home."
"Why do you keep calling me-" he glanced at the TV and truly saw the damage done to him, "AH!"
He turned to run but Hailey stood in front of him, "Wait! Just, wait alright. We can help you through this."
He pointed to himself, "How can you help, this?!"
He ran around her and Goliath and Hudson followed.
She stood at the base of the stares with a shocked and sad look. Brooklyn placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "What was that all about?"
Broadway shrugged, "Beats me."
Lexington walked over, "I think something's wrong inside his head."
Hailey quickly nodded, "I think so Olive. When I stood in front of him as he was, I don't know—just frozen I guess, his eye was flashing red."
Lexington frowned, "Do you think it might have something to do with the computer part of his mind?"
She nodded, "I might. Do you know what he was doing at that science/computer lab place you found him at?"
He shook his head, "No idea. And I doubt Coldstone'll be able to tell us…but I might have an idea how he could."
He grabbed the headset that could communicate with Elisa, "Hey Elisa? It's Lex"
It was a minute before she responded to him, no doubt having to get rid of Matt somehow.
*What's up Lex?*
"The creature you're looking for is Coldstone."
*I guessed that.*
Brooklyn scoffed, "I'd be insulted if she thought it was anyone else."
Lexington glared and Hailey lightly smacked him on the beak, "Play nice."
He ducked his head and averted his eye gaze, the closest thing he could do to a blush.
Elisa snickered on the other end before continuing, *Witnesses say he tried to steal data from these files, but he chose the wrong computer to tap into. It was full of government defense specks for top secret weapons, so they protected it with a powerful new computer virus that's capable of wiping out any unfamiliar program it infects.*
Hailey gasped quietly and Brooklyn hugged her close while Lexington scowled, "That explains a lot. Listen Elisa, I'm going to need a favor."
*Sure Lex, whatcha need?*
"I need the RECAP."
Elisa's voice came back as confused, voicing Hailey's thoughts, *What, why?*
"I might be able to use it to link into Coldstone's mind and try and undue some of the damage done."
*Oh no, how's he doing?*
"Not well at all." Hailey answered, "He was doing fine, remembered all of us and what happened then, he just forgot everything—even the attack on the castle that night. It's like he has amnesia but, if the virus is affecting him, it makes more sense now…but what about the organic, non-computer part of his mind Lex?"
Lexington frowned, "I don't know what you mean."
Hailey knelt down so she was closer to the microphone in case Elisa wanted to add something in, "What I mean is, is that the virus is wiping out any computer programs it infects, but half his mind is still flesh, bone and cartilage—it's not a computer or a program."
Lexington brightened at the thought, "So if we can move as much of what's left of him at this point, we could still save him!"
"Or what's left of him." Brooklyn frowned.
Hailey scowled and he wisely shut up.
*Alright, I'll grab RECAP and meet you on the roof. See you in five.*
They turned to leave but Brooklyn was halted by a hand grabbing his wing. He turned to see Hailey looking at him pointedly, his eyes went wide and he ducked his head, knowing the reprimand he was going to receive, "You should stay here, Hailey."
She arched an eyebrow, unamused, "Uh-hu, just like I should be afraid of Gargoyles?"
He placed his hands on her shoulders, "We can fly faster without having to carry you."
"Don't give me that-"
"Do you want to save Coldstone or not?"
That shut her up, cheeks bright red as she glared at him. "Shouldn't you be flying there already then?"
"Hailey, I-"
"No, I know what you're doing, you don't want me getting caught in the crosshairs. Just go before we lose anymore of him."
He sighed sadly and left, leaving her standing alone on the roof. After watching Elisa hand over RECAP to Lexington she walked down, intending to ask Elisa for a ride home.
She got to the car before Elisa and waved at her as she exited, Elisa waved back but looked a little confused. Sha asked quietly, so as not to be overhead by Matt who was standing in the van in front of them, "I thought you'd be with the Gargoyles?"
Hailey crossed her arms, "I'd rather not talk about it."
Elisa frowned, concerned, "Did you guys have a fight?" Hailey looked at her flatly and Elisa couldn't help a small smile, "Alright then, I'm sure I'll hear about it later then."
Hailey sighed and opened her mouth to reply when Matt cut them off, "RECAP's VR visor and hookup are gone."
Elisa chuckled internally and winked at Hailey, "This'll probably take half the night, knowing Matt, you should head back."
Hailey nodded, "Alright, see you later then."
"Maybe someone took them back to the station."
"Without telling me first-?"
Hailey shook her head as the conversation drifted away.
She sat in the tower thinking about Coldstone and his situation, puzzling the pieces together. There was a few things she wanted to run by the other, especially Lexington.
They arrived with only a few hours left until dawn, Goliath carrying something. She put her hand to her mouth to stifle the gasp/sob. He landed and carried Coldstone inside.
"You were too late?"
Goliath shook his head, "There was an, incident and some trouble. The virus proved more troublesome than previously thought…I, am unsure of his current mental situation…"
She turned to Lexington, "Hey, I was thinking. Why was Coldstone trying to steal defense plans? It's not like he needs them."
Goliath answered instead of Lexington, much to her shock, "Because Xanatos planted his own virus."
She sighed, "I was afraid you'd say that."
Brooklyn blinked, "Wait, you knew that? Why didn't you tell us?"
She looked at him flatly, not having forgiven him for leaving her behind—again. "You were already gone, I didn't have a way to tell you."
Lexington frowned, "But how would you have pieced that together? It took me a minute to grasp it when Goliath flat out told us."
Her shoulders drooped and face fell, "I know, knew him quite well…or so I though. And, after his betrayal, a lot more things add up."
Brooklyn started to reach out to comfort her but Goliath reached her first, not having seen Brooklyn behind him. He pulled her in close, the protective fire raging at that moment with Coldstone's loss, "It is not your fault Hailey, we were all blindsided—again. What is important now, is that we have each other."
He wiped a stray tear away and she nodded, "What are we going to do with him now?" She gestured to Coldstone, sitting limply but eyes wide open like he was awake and alert—it was beginning to creep her out slightly.
Goliath's sigh was heavy and filled sadness, "One day, I hope he will find his way back to us, my brother, my sister. And when they do, I want them to be among friends."
It was quiet for several minutes, as if they were respecting the dead, before Broadway suddenly asked, "Who all was in there?"
"A rookery sister and a wayward brother."
They began to disperse and Hailey said quietly, still under Goliath's wing, "I might have to throw a drape over him or something, his eyes are creeping me out…they're so unnatural. They don't blink and…will he turn to stone in the morning?"
That caught Goliath off guard suddenly, "I-I do not know, I don't see why not unless the dark magic prevents it." She nodded silently and he added, "Brooklyn didn't mean to hurt you, he is merely worried for you, as we all are."
She snapped her head up, eyes wide, "I-I, what?"
He looked down at her with calm and carrying eyes, "Hailey, we all worry for you. Every time you, or even Elisa, get into situations that prove troublesome to us-"
"But I know how to defend myself. I did it for years at Wyvern and I can certainly do it here! I'm tired of being treated like some hatchling just because-"
"Because you can be hurt so easily." Goliath finished for her, "Hailey, there are many times, much to my displeasure, that us Gargoyles come back hurt and marred from. But by the next night, we are healed…you can't do that, as we've all seen."
Her cheeks flushed at the event he was referencing, "But I-"
"And this isn't medieval Scotland anymore, either. There aren't swords, maces and bows. And many of these offenders, that I have seen, will not grant you any grace because you are a woman."
"I know. I grew up here. I know just what these people are like, better than you do and, I'm tired of just sitting around here like some helpless maiden trapped in a tower like the old fairytales. I want more and I can do more."
Goliath sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder, "I know you can Hailey, you are a human with a heart of a Gargoyle…but your body is not and, I would never be able to forgive myself if harm came to you—or took your life."
She closed her eyes, fighting to control several emotions at once. "I get it Goliath, and I feel the same way about you guys…you're all I have left."
Goliath hugged her before walking away and Brooklyn smiled at her sadly, which she returned.
Dawn peeked through the windows and she slipped on her jacket. Elisa wouldn't approve of this and Goliath certainly wouldn't, but she couldn't stay in the tower any longer. Elisa had the day off and was no doubt asleep already, given her night. She glanced at the windows once more before muttering an apology and sparing a pained look at Coldstone.
She descended the service entrance stairs for the clock tower and slipped out the back entrance. The sidewalks and streets were fairly deserted for the early hour, deserted being a loose term for Manhattan. As she walked she stopped suddenly, eyeing an alley. Her mind flashed images and memories of that alley.
It was the one she passed out in, as a young girl. The one she woke up in, as a young woman. The alley that Xanatos found her in, scared and alone.
She shook her head of the unwanted memories and ran down the street, chasing away the memories. As Xanatos' tower came into view, she slowed her pace to regain her breath, heavens know she was going to need it. She entered the building and the receptionist was surprised to see her, "Miss Winters, I wasn't expecting your-"
She walked right by him for the elevators, "I'm going to see David, there's no need to call him. He knows I'm coming."
The doors slid shut but she heard his, "Of course."
It took a solid two minutes for the agonizingly slow elevator to make it up to the castle floors. As soon as she exited she heard several voices, and only one of them familiar—the other Gargoyles. So they don't turn to stone during the day, nice to know.
She followed an old path straight to his office. Pausing outside the door she heard him talking to someone, she balled her fist and banged on the door. There was an abrupt pause in the conversation, "Enter."
Opening the door she met his shock and surprised face with an absolutely livid one, "H-Hailey! I wasn't informed that-"
"Oh shut up!" She snapped, strutting up to his desk, "I knew you were heartless but this?! I can't believe you! You've probably killed him! Do you know what you're putting Goliath through, us all through!? What am I saying, of course you don't, you don't care for any of us. All you cared about was getting those defense specks! If it wasn't for the fact that I'd reveal my family's existence, I'd turn you over to the authorities right now!"
"Hailey! Please-"
"No! Shut up! I'm tired of you messing with my life David! I finally had something going again after I lost it all on the attack at Wyvern until you destroyed it!" Her voice never wavered in pitch or strength, rage fueling her. "And I'm done with betrayals."
Her chest was heaving from lack of oxygen and emotions as Xanatos tried to put a word in edge wise. Owen simply standing to the side watching the proceeding with a shocked but not surprised face. "HAILEY! I didn't know that Coldstone still functioned! What I put in was a failsafe that-"
"That would steal military defense plans?"
Xanatos didn't answer that, deciding to tactfully evade it, "I thought he was dead, drowned at the bottom of the Hudson. I didn't even get the defense plans, the virus had already wiped them out." He stood and walked around his desk, attempting to reach for her shoulder but she swatted his hand away with a snort before jabbing his chest with a finger.
"Listen," she growled, "I don't care what Goliath says. If you put my family in danger one more time, I'm putting myself on the front line."
With that she turned on her heal and stalked out of the office, leaving Xanatos fearfully white. Thirty seconds later a redhead ran in, "David, I heard yelling."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, "I was only Hailey, Fox."
Her eyes widened, "Did you-?"
He almost laughed, but Hailey threat still rang too fresh, and his voice shook, "No, no. She just had, some choice words about a recent development."
Fox frowned, "Are you sure it's wise to let her stay with the Gargoyles?"
Xanatos did snort a laugh this time, "If I tried to lock her away, she'd simply grow wings…not to mention that Goliath and Brooklyn would tear this place apart brick by brick…" His voice trailed off and eyes closed before he turned to Owen, "Owen, I think it's time we start work on plan Zeta One."
Finished, reviews, favs and follows are loved and appreciated!
