Encounters

Crisis, part 1

Disclaimer: Disney's not mine.

Summary: The time is at hand…

Author's Note: Finally, an update! I know, you've been waiting forever Things have been hectic as always. The good news is that there are only about two chapters left. This is a good thing, considering that this story has been in the making for a decade lol

XXXXXX

Something was off.

Avalon's queen was absolutely certain about that fact, and was puzzled.

Lord Oberon didn't seem to feel what she did, which wasn't all that shocking, really. Although Avalon's current Master was quite a powerful force to be reckoned with in his own right, he lacked the innate perception her own bloodline was known for.

In fact, she'd been rather surprised when Fox's own skills seemed to have suddenly vanished.

"My Queen?" Nimue's concerned voice drew her out of her reverie and back to the musical and slightly noisy environment of the throne room.

Oberon had left her in charge, and had vanished for parts unknown a little over an hour ago.

Titania frowned.

Was it possible for him to have figured out what she had not?

"Something troubles you."

Not bothering to deny it, the sea green woman nodded. Nimue was one of the most discreet of her ladies in waiting.

"Something stirs within the mortal realm, my friend. I fear this mere tremor of unease I feel may be the start of something that does not bode well for the Children."

"You fear for your Prince."

Startled, Titania's eyes snapped toward the shorter woman.

Surely, if Alexander was in danger, she would have felt it already. Wouldn't she?

"Young Puck is charged with his safety," she said out loud. Despite the uncomfortable feeling, she had to restrain herself from smiling at the uncharacteristically sour expression that had appeared on the younger fey's usually calm face at the mention of her grandson's protector.

Poor Puck really might have played one prank too many on Nimue in the past.

"My Queen," Nimue continued, trying valiantly to keep a respectful tone. "I fear I am at a loss as to why you would assign such an important task to that…court jester. One of your more loyal servants would gladly keep an eye on the boy."

"The circumstances were unique, my friend. Besides, Puck possesses many hidden talents. You would do well not to underestimate him, knowing his parentage as you do."

The finality in her tone made it clear to Nimue that this conversation was at an end.

"As you say, My Queen." Bowing, she gracefully left Titania to her musings.

Is Alexander's well being the cause of this feeling?

Despite her sharp reminder to Nimue, she suddenly felt compelled to check in on Puck, and inform him of this feeling she'd been having.

Although not as innately gifted in this area as she was, he was still a sight more perceptive in detecting the subtleties around others than her Lord.

Slipping unseen from the room-no small feat, considering just how full it was- she headed determinedly for her chambers.

XXXXXXXX

Young one.

Kristi keep up her hurried pace down the corridor, the wards still sounding frantically in her ears as she tried to reach Denice and the others outside.

A profound sense of fear and urgency spurred her on.

Young one.

Shaking her head at the unwelcome voice in her head, she gripped the similarly unwelcome semi-automatic pistol that Mr. Burnett had insisted she carry with her before he'd reluctantly left her side.

She'd tried to argue her way out of carrying it-just because she'd learned how to shoot a weapon didn't mean she wanted to carry one- but in the end, it'd been the look of near panic in his eyes that had made her agree.

He'd also given her a dagger to carry, which she could tell was extremely old but felt far more comforting in her hands than the cold iron of the gun.

Young one. Stop fighting me.

The gurgling voice had invaded her thoughts almost as soon as she and Mr Burnett had parted ways. Although she was trying her best to ignore it, she could feel its presence pressing down on her mind and her head was starting to ache.

Stop fighting me. I can help.

Kristi blinked, even as she never slowed in her pace. She had the distinct impression that the owner of the voice was trying to be gentle, although she had no idea what was going on. After a few seconds of consideration, she decided to answer. After all, maybe if the presence was focused on her, it might leave everyone else alone, or at least buy them some time.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

By this time she had made it to the roof, noticing the clan's battle ready stance as well as Denice's relieved glance in her direction.

"Kristi! Thank goodness, I thought something had happened to you!"

She managed to give her friend a watery smile, even as the voice in her head answered.

You know who I am. Trust me.

The young hybrid didn't even have time to frown at that before a bright flash made everyone shield their faces.

Dimly, Kristi was aware of her jewelry getting warmer against her skin, but her horror at the sight before her kept it from truly being a distraction.

"No," she whispered.

Standing before her was the same creature that had killed Darren. Just as tall as Goliath, covered in shaggy black fur with huge hands that ended in razor sharp claws.

Kristi felt faint. The jewelry continued to burn against her skin, rendering the outside chill nearly non-existent. She latched on to the pain, using it to keep her grounded.

"Come now, My Lady," the beast grinned at her, its cultured voice completely at odds with its grotesque appearance.

Trust me.

The voice was still there, and the young hybrid was aware of the sounds around her distorting slightly. She swayed on her feet.

"Kristi! Kristi, what's happening?" Den's voice sounded so far away, and she was getting so sleepy, why was everyone staring at her? What was going on? Why was it so hard to focus?

"Our patience wears thin, woman," snapped the horrible, horrible creature with its claws outstretched towards her.

"I'm not who you're looking for," the hybrid said, pointing the gun at him and hoping her aim was steady despite how strange she suddenly felt. She could see the clan tense, but she knew that the creature was focused on her.

"You really believe that mortal weapon will have any effect on me?" he scoffed.

"I don't think you want to find out." Speaking in a steady voice was starting to take a great deal of effort, and she badly wanted to tear the jewelry away from her at this point, but a sudden surge of anger forced her to stay where she was. This monster had killed Darren. She wasn't going to let him harm another person if she could help it.

"I want to know your name, and I want you to leave. Or you could move, and I could shoot you. Take your pick." Vaguely, she was aware of everything taking on an orange cast, and the voice in her head.

Trust me. You know what to do.

She made her choice.

The creature laughed.

"Try to stop me," was his only warning before he leapt at her.

XXXXXXXXX

Brooklyn rolled out of the way as one of the Iron Clan's blasts got too close.

This is NOT going well.

He had been standing on the other side of the creature before Kristi had pulled the trigger, and he'd seen what everyone else had…the jewelry she was wearing had been glowing, like deep purple embers on her skin.

The hybrid hadn't seemed to be aware of what was happening to her, and Brooklyn's attention had been split between what was going on in front of him as well as the expression on Denice's face. The confused look there only confirmed his instincts that this wasn't normal.

No one had intervened until the creature had leapt.

Brooklyn wasn't even sure if he'd heard the shot ring out, but the next thing he knew, four other enemies had appeared, and the clan had found itself trying to fight off these new creatures, although none of them were anywhere as terrifying as the first one.

As he dashed out from behind a piece of rubble towards his rookery brothers, he noted that at least their enemies were trying to stay away from the Iron Clan.

Good. At least Xanatos' robots are good for something.

"KRISTI!"

What the…

The honey gargoyle's scream sent shivers down his back, and he automatically cast his eyes to the last place he'd seen her.

It took a second for his head to wrap itself around what he was seeing, but when it did, he rushed over to her, somersaulting over rubble and past the fighting form of Goliath, dimly aware of Angela calling his name, but too focused to respond.

He'd only met her recently, but he realised what sort of person she was.

She was the sort of person that if she saw the best friend that she'd sworn to protect suddenly enveloped in some ominous looking purple energy bubble, swaying and clawing at her throat like someone invisible was choking her, she'd try to break her out.

The brick red gargoyle didn't know how he knew, but he just did…if anyone touched that bubble, nothing good could come of it.

In the end, he had to tackle Denice into a pile of snow to prevent her from attacking the bubble, which had started to lift the young hybrid into the air.

She was strong, but totally unused to her gargoyle form, and he managed to get her pinned enough so she couldn't struggle.

He couldn't blame her for the accusation in her eyes, but she had stilled enough for him to explain, pointing out how the flying bits of debris sizzled against the field on contact.

"But we can't just let them take her!"

The two of them looked on helplessly as the bubble continued to rise, translucent enough to see the hybrid's hands falling away from her throat, but eyes glowing orange with fear.

How could they stop this?

XXXXXX

Just a couple more chapters to go! Thanks for sticking with me all this time, and I hope you enjoyed this one I don't plan to let next year get very far before I finish this story, and I do have other one shots I wish to do.

Until then, please read and review!