I'm not sure what everyone's expecting, but it's probably not what you're hoping for.

Chapter Three- Resurrected Hope

Macbeth couldn't help but dwell on the fact that two weeks ago he was defending the gargoyles on TV and now he was a gargoyle. It's not bad being a gargoyle, he reasoned. I have nothing against them. It's Demona I have a grudge against. Speaking of her, I still have a divorce to file.

Macbeth spent his day hours among the people of Manhattan and planning his business trip to Paris. However, night was another matter. He continued trying to master the pain, recalling how he felt when Demon changed in front of him; the stabbing that hit him in the stomach. I wonder if it's truly Puck's gift that causes the pain or if it's her hatred of humanity.

Once the pain had past, Macbeth would explore what he could do. He would see how high he could jump, how strong he was, how to climb and, of course, how to glide. A person with a hate toward the gargoyles would refuse to learn any of this, but Macbeth was not one of those people. He appreciated his abilities and was even amazed at how much he could lift and how high he could jump.

He flew his ship to Paris two weeks after the stone vanished and set out filing divorce papers. He cited lifestyle differences and constant fighting as reasons for the separation, which were certain true enough. He further made it clear that the papers were to be delivered to Dominique for him. He provided the address of her company in New York before returning to his chateau before nightfall. He stayed in Paris for a little over two weeks until he was sure his request was confirmed and that the papers were on their way to his soon-to-be ex-wife. He boarded his ship and flew back to Manhattan.

It was nighttime when he landed and as he exited, he glanced up to see the shadow of a gargoyle. I wonder who that is; doesn't look like Demona. He climbed up one of his towers before gliding toward the figure, who had turned to meet him, hovering in mid-air. He drew closer and when he saw who it was, stopped to hover and he gave a small smile. "Hello, Angela. This is a surprise."

"Hi. Xanatos told the clan what happened to you and that the stone was stolen."

"Aye, but it's fine. I'm adjusting and I admit, it's nice to be in the sky without an airship."

"Speaking of which, I saw it land earlier. Where have you been all this time? I came by every night to talk to you."

"I was in Paris, filing divorce papers. Since Demona doesn't appeared bothered to file one herself, I figured I would."

"Does she know?"

"She will when she's served with the papers. I suspect she'll sign off on them before returning them to Paris and that will be that. So, you came to talk?"

Angela nodded. "I thought you would like someone to talk to about how you're adjusting."

"Like I said, I'm adjusting just fine. It was a shock when it first happened, but now it seems…normal."

"Does…does it hurt?"

"Aye. I've been working on mastering the pain in order to lessen it. It's working; it doesn't hurt as much as it did at first."

"That's good and it seems you've learned a lot especially with gliding and hovering." She gestured at the air between them.

"I have."

"Well, I better head home. You're welcome to visit anytime."

"Thank you. You and the clan are welcome to visit me as well." He watched Angela glide away before landing himself and going inside to get some food and after that, get some sleep.

The next morning, he made breakfast and retrieved the paper. He settled down at the table, sipped some coffee, and opened the paper. He gasped and put his cup down: There was a picture of the stone! His eyes moved to the article attached to it and read that shortly after he left the area, archaeologists had found the stone and brought it to a museum who had just opened its exhibit. The shocking part was it was The Museum of Natural History in Manhattan!

I've accepted that I'll be a gargoyle at night, but now the stone has resurfaced and my chance to be human again has returned. He went to the phone, called Xanatos' office number, and told him about the newspaper article.

"I appreciate the information. I'll see what I can do about borrowing it for a brief time for…study purposes."

"I hope you're successful. Let me know whether or not you got it."

"Understood. Good day."

"Good day, Mr. Xanatos."

Demona shuffled through some paperwork, grumbling inwardly. Why do humans have to have so much paperwork to run a business? she thought. She signed off for her employees' paychecks before putting it in her outbox and grabbing an unopened manila envelope from her inbox. She looked at the return address: It was from Paris. Curious, she opened it and pulled out a sheaf of papers out, looking at the top of the first page.

Divorce papers? Why…oh, yes. I got married to Macbeth in Paris. So, he's filed for divorce. Well, I no longer wish to be his wife and he has not asked for anything from me, so I will sign the papers and send them back to Paris. Demona smirked as she picked up her pen and signed the papers before sealing them in a new manila envelope, addressing it, stamping it, and putting it in her outbox. That done, she picked up the morning paper, resolving to return to her paperwork afterwards. She needed a little break from it. Her eyes landed on the article about the stone and they widened at what she read.

"A stone that can grant anyone one wish? All one has to do is speak the incantation and concentrate on their desire? Hmm, if I had that stone, I could succeed in destroying the human race." She put the paper down and started drawing up plans to acquire the stone- by having someone steal it, of course. She had another chance to destroy humanity and she was not going to let it slip by. It'll take a little time to find the right people and pay them; a little in advance, the rest upon completion. But, it will be worth it considering what I'll have in the end. The silly article included the incantation and claimed the stone's abilities are just a legend and myth. Foolish humans; its abilities are quite real. I can tell just looking at the picture.

Macbeth rose to his feet as his change ended. He had lessened the pain some more, but it had forced him to his knees as it has always done. He had dwelled on the pain and was coming to some interesting conclusions. If Demona's pain did come from Puck's gift, then where did his come from? He thought that perhaps his thoughts of Demona's changes is what caused him to experience pain with his change. But, by trying to control it, he was feeling less pain. If I keep focusing on lessening it, then I'll be able to change without pain. There is another possibility for the pain and it could be anger at myself for focusing on Demona and not the link. If I can let go of my anger, perhaps the pain will end as well.

The phone range and Macbeth picked it up. "Hello?"

"Ah. Macbeth. Good news. I'll have possession of the stone in a couple of days."

"Wonderful. Call again when you're ready for me to arrive."

"I'll do that. Good night."

"Good night." Macbeth hung up and he smiled. In one, maybe two days, his wish would be reversed and he could go back to finding a way to be mortal again.