1000 years ago
Superstition and the sword ruled
It was a time of darkness
It was a world of fear
It was the age of Gargoyles!
Stone by day, warriors by night
We were betrayed by the humans we had sworn to protect
Frozen in stone by a magic spell
For 1000 years
Now here in Manhattan
The spell is broken,
And we live again!
The sun had now set. Five roaring yawns came from the clock tower on the police station. The five remaining members of Goliath's clan had just woken up. Lexington was the first to take glide-position. "Where do you think yer going, lad?" Hudson asked.
"Sauda said that Goliath was on a mission from Oberon, but didn't know when he'd return. I'd hoped to glide around the coast to see if I could spot him...just in case." The olive-colored gargoyle answered.
"Sounds like a good idea." Broadway agreed.
"You wanna join us, Sauda?" Brooklyn asked.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to stay with Hudson. In case he returns to tower." She answered.
All agreed with the arrangement. Once the trio took off, Hudson noticed the lingering gaze Sauda had on Brooklyn. "My old eyes may not work the way they used to, but even I can see that sparkle in yer eyes, lass."
"I'm sorry?"
"You've got eyes for Brooklyn, right?"
Sauda blushed and sighed. "Is it that obvious?"
"To all but him." Hudson chuckled. "It's not uncommon for our kind to find mates in an instant. Though as quick as it is for one, sometimes it takes a little longer for the other."
"It could never work between me and Brooklyn. It could never work between me and any gargoyle for that matter."
"Why would you think that? You're as great as any gargoyle I've ever met."
Sauda sighed. "Promise to keep this between you and myself?" When Hudson nodded, she continued. "My mother is Titania, Queen of the Fairies."
To say that Hudson was shocked would be an understatement. But, still, to him, she was still a gargoyle. "Lass, you're as much a gargoyle as I am. On the outside, maybe not wholey. But inside, that's you to decide." Before she could respondn Brooklyn and Lexington came into view. "Any luck,lads?" Hudson asked.
"I've been up the east side and the west." Brooklyn said. "No sign of any of them."
"Guys!" Broadway called from the other side of the ledge. He landed and was holding a gray cat. "I was just at Elisa's place. Her mail's really piling up. And poor Cagney hasn't eaten for days."
"Do you think all three will return at all?" Lexington asked.
"Good question.' Hudson said as he took Cagney from Broadway and stroked his fur. "Here's another: What do we do now?"
Hudson, Lexington and Broadway looked at Brooklyn. Just as she was wondering why, the scene played out in front of Sauda and answered her silent question. "Why are you looking at me?" Brooklyn asked.
"Because Goliath chose you to lead the clan should somrthing happen to him. And I'd say disappearing without a trace qualifies as something." The old gargoyle said.
"Hey, he'll come back. He has to." Brooklyn was obviously in denial.
"But what if je doesn't?" Sauda intervened. "Oberon's Missions have been known to last months, even years. There's no knowing when he'll return...or if he will."
"Hey, come on. This is Goliath. He'll breeze right through this." He was still in denial.
"Then I'll check with the Mutates' home in the labyrinth." Hudson said. "Tell the lass' brother, Derek, what she's doing."
"Mutates?" Sauda asked.
"People that were mutated by a scientist. They live underground and shelter people in need." Lexington explained.
"While I'm there, I'll say hello to Maggie and the others." Hudson said.
"Maggie?" Brooklyn asked excitedly. "Maybe I should go there myself."
"If you insist." Hudson said. "Why not take Sauda with you? Introduce her to everyone?"
Sauda smiled at meeting new friends. She was quick to follow Brooklyn. Once they got to the entrance, Brooklyn lifted up the gate that was covering the drain. "This is the safest place in the city for them." He explained.
Once they dropped in, they heard what sounded like some one begging. Both gargoyles took off down the tunnel and found a man being held by two thugs. And in front of him were two...creatures. One looked like a bear while the other looked like a tiger. And both had wings.
The bear-creature then started talking. "Where ya runnin' to, Al? Don't tell me you forgot to bring a present for your ol' buddy, Fang?" The thugs then threw the man to the ground in front of Fang. ""C'mon, whacha got? A jelly donut? A boom box? The Sunday Sports Section?" He all but yelled. The poor man reached into his pockets and produced change. "Coins?" Fang growled.
Sauda growled. She didn't like this guy. "Look at me, Al. Do I look like the kind of guy who can waltz into a store and plunk down change for a pack of bubblegum?!" He then threw the man across the tunnel. "Well, do I, Al?!" He screamed. He then sent bolts of electricity at the man, watching him try to dodge them.
That was it! Sauda ran out and tackled Fang to the ground. They tumbled a few times while Brooklyn ran in and held off the other creature and the thugs. "You like to bully people?!" Sauda yelled as her eyes glowed.
Suddenly, she was picked up by another creature. This one looked like a black panther. "Enough!" When the panther saw Brooklyn, he froze. "Brooklyn? What's going on here?" He then put Sauda down next to the red gargoyle.
"Hey, hey, Talon. I-I was just minding my own business when these creeps just jumped me!" Fang said as he pointed at the gargoyles.
Sauda growled while Brooklyn said, "You call shaking down a helpless man 'minding your own business'?" But Fang didn't pay attention to the statement when he saw Sauda. This she-goyle was so small and beautiful, yet she was strong enough to tackle him to the ground. When Brooklyn saw him looking at Sauda, he unfolded his left wing between them to block her from his view.
"I told you before." Talon said. "Everyone is welcome here in the Labyrinth. And the weak are to be protected, not exploited.
"Who died and made you queen?" Fang grumbled.
"Down here, nobody's king. Understand?" Talon growled. He then walked off with Brooklyn. Sauda followed with a smaller, female creature helping the man walk with them.
"Shouldn't you do something more about him, Derek?" The female creature asked.
"He'll come around eventually." Talon said. He then looked at Sauda. "I've never seen you before. Who are you?"
"I am Sauda. I hale from Brazil." She said. "So, you are Elisa's brother?"
"Yes. I'm Derek. Though most know me as 'Talon'. It's nice to meet you."
Sauda respectfully bowed. She then turned to the female creature. "Are you Maggie?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Hudson mentioned it. And it made Brooklyn smile." Sauda explained.
Maggie slightly giggled. "He still likes me, even though I dispise my form."
"How could you dispise yourself? You're beautiful." The female gargoyle saod. "Your hair and eyes remind me of Catina."
"Who's that?"
"She was like a mother to me."
Their conversation was interrupted by Talon talking to Brooklyn. "I was wondering why Elisa hasn't been by lately. I had assumed it was 'real world' problems. But a Mission from Oberon? Do you think Xanatos is involved?"
"Wouldn't surprise me." Fang said as he walked up. "Think about it. First, he turns us into flying bug zappers. Then he tries to trick you into bumping Goliath off. And, hey, let's face it, Talon. He's always hated your sister."
"I'll make that slime talk!" Talon seethed as he stomped out of the Labyrinth with Brooklyn stopping him briefly to try and reason with him.
That was when Fang saw Sauda and put a hand on her shoulder. "And, sorry, Doll. The only reason you bested me in the tunnel is 'cause you caught me off guard." His hand remained on her shoulder.
Brooklyn saw this and growled. He didn't want other males touching Sauda. Talon saw Brooklyn's anger and turned to see what he growled at. Even he had to admit that Fang was overstepping boundaries with this. Just as Brooklyn was about to do something, Sauda turned to Talon. "May I handle this, please?" She asked.
"Be my guest." Talon nodded, seeming to understand.
Sauda then grabbed Fang's arm and twisted it behind him. If that wasn't painful enough, she pushed him hard enough to send him to his knees. While everyone laughed, Sauda hissed, "If you ever touch me without my consent, I will rip each and everyone of your fingers off." She then let him go and turned to follow Brooklyn and Talon.
To Be Continued...