Chapter Eight- The Rally

"A rally?" Lexington said. "That does sound exciting."

"I know," Brooklyn replied. "I can hardly wait. Imagine if we succeed and gargoyles win rights that humans have."

"I would settle for walking into a restaurant to sample their food," Broadway added.

"Big surprise," Lexington muttered.

Broadway glared at his brother but before he could say anything, Angela said, "I would like it if we could walk around and the humans greeted us the way they greet each other."

"That's one of the objectives," Brooklyn assured her. "Another on is to have gargoyles recognized as citizens."

"That's rather ambitious," Goliath remarked.

"True. The very least we hope to accomplish is that gargoyles are not viewed as evil monsters."

"Great, you're here." Mary smiled as Brooklyn and Amy came up to her, two weeks later. "Dave went to get some lunch for us and once we've eaten, we'll start the rally."

"What are we going to do, exactly?" Amy as they sat on a nearby bench.

"I'll be speaking on a megaphone, Dave will be passing out papers, and you two will be walking back and forth with these signs and answering any questions people ask you, within reason of course." Mary held up two signs. One bore a message saying, "Equal rights for gargoyles" and the other said, "Gargoyles are not monsters." Brooklyn personally like the second sign.

Dave soon arrived and the four of them discussed their plan while they ate. Brooklyn was excited and nervous about their plan. It was simple, yet there was bound to be ridicule from passerby. However, he was determined that the lawmakers noticed them and listen to their words.

I'm not fighting for equal rights for myself, but for my entire race, he thought. As they gathered up the megaphone, papers, and signs Brooklyn spotted another larger group heading their way: Anti-gargoyle people, some dressed in Quarrymen uniforms!

"We've got company, Mary," he said to the woman he viewed as the leader.

Mary took in the group and squared her shoulders. "All of us have the right to be here. Let's start the rally." She picked up the megaphone and began to speak into it.

Brooklyn and Amy walked back and forth in front of the steps and he noticed TV cameras recording the event. They were focused on Mary and Dave, but some swung between Mary and Dave and the anti-gargoyle group. Their opposition hadn't done anything; instead they stood there with looks of disgust on the faces of those who weren't hooded.

"Young man," a woman said to Brooklyn. "how do you know these beasts aren't monsters?"

Her words sent a bolt of fury through him. Don't get angry, he thought. Responding with anger will not help. "We have met with the gargoyles several weeks ago. They spoke just you and I do. They act just as we do, ma'am."

She made a noise of disbelief before walking away. Again, a flash of anger went through him, but he squashed the feeling. Some people would ask, listen, and walk away with their minds unchanged. The rally clearly fired him up, bringing anger and impatience at how his race was perceived. He had to keep calm, cool, and collected. Mary's words were passionate and firm, carrying enough fire for the whole group. She revealed the findings of the scout party, spoke of how gargoyles were a lot like humans in voice and personality, and how they deserved equal rights and be recognized as citizens not as evil monsters.

He saw Amy talking to a woman and it appeared to be positive. He watched the woman approach Dave and take one of the papers before walking into the building. The sight filled him with hope.

"Excuse me," a man said coming up to Brooklyn. "Are gargoyles really no different from ourselves?"

"Yes, sir." Brooklyn took in the man's suit and briefcase before surmising that he had an important job. "We spoke to them and they desire to be a part of the community. We agree and are asking that the legislature consider it."

"I think that can be arranged." The man walked up the steps, took a paper from Dave, and walked into the building just like the woman who talked to Amy. Brooklyn reeled slightly. Did he just talk to one of the lawmakers?

Suddenly, an explosion of noise and angry voices drowned out Mary's words. Their opposition was being silent no longer. They swarmed the steps, brandishing hammers and their own signs, and shouting their hate-filled messages. Brooklyn felt helpless as this campaign of hate appeared to be overshadowing their rally of peace and tolerance. Mary and Dave gestured for Brooklyn and Amy to follow them. Perhaps they planned to wait out the group and resume the rally, provided it wasn't dark.

"Hey, let me go!" Amy shouted. Brooklyn whirled around to see a man holding Amy's arm in an iron grip. He had the same green eyes as her, but they were filled with hate rather than love.

"I don't think so," he growled. "I told you I don't approve of your support of those monsters. I want you to join the Quarrymen with me. We could be a father-daughter team!"

So that's her father. Sounds like just expressing his view isn't enough now. He plans to join the Quarrymen and wants Amy to do the same!

"I will never join the Quarrymen!" Amy declared. "I would rather die!"

Her father's eyes seemed to soften slightly. Clearly, he didn't expect Amy to say that. One of the Quarrymen behind him chuckled. "If that's what you want." He charged up his sledgehammer, ready to use it. Amy acted fast: She stomped on her father's foot which caused his grip to loosen. She broke free and then shoved him toward the Quarrymen who was advancing. The two of them went down in a tangle of arms and legs. The rest of the group looked ready to charge them.

"Run!" Mary yelled. The four of them took off and didn't stop until they had put a significant distance between them and the legislature building and when they realized they weren't being chased.

"I'm sorry, everyone," Amy said. "I didn't know my father would be there not that Quarrymen would be willing to kill someone."

"There are some radicals who will do anything to eliminate gargoyles, even attacking humans who support them," Brooklyn said.

"Besides," Mary said. "It wasn't a total loss. We did pass out quite a few papers. I believe we convinced some people, including two lawmakers, thanks to you two." She nodded at the teenagers.

"If we're lucky, they'll be on opposing parties," Dave added. "That'll increase the chance of pro-gargoyle laws."

"But can't the mayor veto those bills?" Amy asked.

"Yes, but we can pray that doesn't happen."

"Amy, what did Dave mean about opposing parties?" asked Brooklyn as they rode the bus home.

"Oh. Well, when people sign up to vote, they register themselves as one of two groups called parties. These two parties are usually in opposition to one another."

"Okay. Now, I see. I do hope our efforts pay off."

"So do I. You know, my fall semester will be over next month."

"Yeah? Have you signed up for spring classes yet?"

"No. I need to talk to Mr. Xanatos about something before I do."

"I must say, I'm intrigued as to why you called this meeting."

"I've been thinking about this on and off for the last couple of months and I thought now would be a good time to ask before sunset."

"I'm listening."

"I think I would be interested to learn how a business runs. I intend to earn a business degree to that effect."

"That's nice to hear. However, I get the feeling that's not why you're here."

"Partly, yes. This part I've been thinking on and off since August. I decided that I would like to be a gargoyle at night."

Xanatos smiled. "Ah, now I understand. It would be difficult to keep your current job if you're going to class by day and turning into a gargoyle at night. So, I'll make you an offer: I'll take you on as my assistant as well as a family assistant and you can be a gargoyle at night. I'll pay well and you'll still go to to college for your business degree."

Amy's eyes lit up at the offer. "That sounds perfect, Mr. Xanatos. I accept your offer."

"Excellent." Xanatos held out a hand and Amy shook it. "You'll start on Monday, so you'll need to quit your current job tomorrow. Now, if you'll proceed to Alex's nursery, I think you'll find a couple of people waiting to cast a spell."

Brooklyn stood in the courtyard, wearing his loincloth and waiting for the sun to set. The rally went all right even though it only lasted about two hours. He planned to attend every daytime P.I.T. meeting and listen to the news in hope of learning whether they succeeded or not. He also thought about the day he accepted his gift. I can't believe I've been changing for six months now and, in that time, I've made friends who don't know my secret and found a girlfriend who does know my secret. I couldn't be happier.

He heard footsteps and turned to see Amy wearing a big smile and wearing her tunic. He blinked at the sight. "Amy? What are you doing?"

"I spoke to Mr. Xanatos that I'm thinking about a degree in business and wanting to be a gargoyle at night. So, he offered me a job working for him and his family in exchange for going to college and being a gargoyle."

"You really enjoyed your gift, huh?"

"I did, but I had considered this option since August when I moved into the castle. I will have to quit my other job tomorrow."

"Let's think about that later. Sun's almost gone and we have a rally to tell the clan."

Amy nodded and then doubled over as the sun had disappeared and her first of many daily changes began.

The clan accepted Amy's decision to work for Xanatos and being a gargoyle at night. They listened to what happened at the rally and shared the hope that some good would come from it.

"Lads! Lasses! Get in here!" Hudson called down the hall one month later.

There were hurried footsteps and the clan came into the TV room. "Hudson, what is it?" Goliath asked. The elderly gargoyle simply pointed at the TV, which was showing the news.

"A rally last month was held outside the legislature building by a group called People for Interspecies Tolerance who seek peace and tolerance between humans and gargoyles. The group dispersed by the intervention of a rival group called The Quarrymen. However, two Senators of opposing parties had spoken to two members of P.I.T. before going inside. Those two Senators have proposed a bill that will give gargoyles citizenship that will allow them to be part of the community. The bill will go through the legislature government starting Monday."

The program switched to another story, but no one paid any attention. They were exchanging excited looks. "Wow," Angela said softly. "It could really happen."

"Maybe," Amy told her. "It might take some time before we know one way or the other."

I just couldn't resist giving Amy and Brooklyn something in common. Next chapter will be the last one for the story and I'm looking through my list for a one-shot to add with the next update.