On Earth, the gargoyle clan was getting ready for sunrise. Goliath counted them up, and besides himself, came up with only five others, Bronx included. "Where's Brooklyn?" he asked.
"We don't know. He disappeared around lunchtime. Haven't seen him since then." Broadway said.
"I saw that he was headed towards Xanatos' collection museum." Lexington spoke up. "Maybe he's still there."
"But we will have to wait until tomorrow night." Hudson said, and with that, they all turned to stone.
...
The next night, Goliath and the others awoke and went to the museum to see if Brooklyn was in there. When they entered the room, he was nowhere to be seen.
"Okay, you all go off and search the castle for him. I'll meet you all back here in an hour." Goliath ordered. "Bronx, find Brooklyn."
Bronx barked and went off to find the red gargoyle's scent. Hudson and the others all followed him and returned to the same room. Nothing.
"There was no sign of him, Father." Angela said.
"And Bronx led us back here." Lex stated.
"Okay. Then he must have gone out on a flight around the city. Go look for him." the lead gargoyle ordered.
They all began to leave the room when Lex noticed Bronx pawing and whining at a diamond glass holder that had been opened and the diamond was on the floor. "Wait guys, Bronx found something." Lex said.
The others came back.
When Goliath picked it up, the diamond morphed into a portal. Flaming hands reached out and grabbed Goliath. The others immediately saw what was happening and grabbed their leader and pulled him to safety.
Then the portal closed and dropped back to the floor as a diamond. The gargoyles just stared at it.
Lex then said, "Maybe Brooklyn was pulled through it, Goliath. Look at the floor. Drag marks on the floor! They have to be Brooklyn's."
"I'm going to let Xanatos know of this diamond portal." Goliath said and left.
He returned a few minutes later with the man. "This is the diamond."
"That is not a diamond, Goliath. That is a portal that will transport its holder to another world." Xanatos declared. "And only an immortal can touch it."
"Well, how do we get Brooklyn back?" Angela asked.
"We need someone who is immortal and can do magic spells." Xanatos said.
They all knew that Owen/Puck couldn't do it without Alex. Demona was the only other one they could turn to.
"I know we don't want her here, but Angela, you go and get Demona. She may be our only hope of getting Brooklyn back." Goliath said.
"Yes, Father." Angela said. She went to get her mother.
About an hour later, Angela returned with Demona. They went to the museum. "Okay, let's hurry this up. So, you think I can help you with this portal to bring Brooklyn back?" Demona inquired.
"Yes. You are immortal and you know magic spells. Only an immortal can touch it." Goliath answered firmly.
"Alright. Where is this portal?" Demona asked.
They all pointed at the ground and there it was. A gem on the floor. She went over and looked at it. She kind of seemed to recognize it.
"You got the part down about only an immortal can touch it without the portal opening and I am going to do two spells. One to tell where Brooklyn is, and the second one to get him to come back." Demona said.
With her first spell, an image opened up from the gem and they saw another planet. They had no idea what it was or where it was. Then she cast another spell to get the portal to pinpoint Brooklyn's location.
...
On planet Thra, the Skeksis and Brooklyn were now in the Crystal Chamber. They were now trying to figure out how they were going to send Brooklyn home.
SkekSil had been thinking about it greatly. He asked if it were possible for him to come back to Earth with him because he wasn't appreciated here.
"I suppose you could, but it would be dangerous, Chamberlain. If I thought the Garthim were to me, the humans would be even more dangerous to you. They have weapons and technology you wouldn't believe ever existed. They could kill you. And humans will kill beings that they don't understand. That's why they killed my clan."
"Anything be better than staying here with all rivals I have." Chamberlain continued to try to persuade him.
"Maybe. I'm not promising anything, Chamberlain. We'll see what happens when the time comes." Brooklyn declared.
At least Brooklyn had said it was possible for him to come back to his planet. And he had gotten a friend in Brooklyn at least. For the short time that he'd known him, the gargoyle had never hit him or insulted him. He had respected him.
Back in the Chamber, Brooklyn was fascinated with the Crystal. He had never seen one so dark before. He saw a small spot up on top where there was in fact, a shard missing as he had been told.
Then, suddenly, the Crystal began to make a humming sound and it began to glow. The Skeksis had never seen it do that before. They all and Brooklyn began backing away from it.
The portal was intercepting the power source of Thra! Then, a portal opened up in the middle of the room.
The light was bright, but they all didn't keep their eyes covered for long. They had to see what this was.
Brooklyn instantly recognized it. "This is the portal that brought me here!" he announced happily. "I can go home!"
All the Skeksis just looked on. Some of them were thinking, 'Get out of here already!'
Brooklyn began walking toward it, but Chamberlain stopped him.
"Brooklyn! Wait!"
He turned.
"How do you know you trust portal to take you home? We didn't even try anything." SkekSil asked.
"I know, but I recognize it, Chamberlain. It's my only ticket home." Brooklyn replied.
"What about me? Can I come? Please?" Sil begged insistently.
Brooklyn saw a serious face on SkekSil. He really wanted to go.
The other Skeksis would be so pleased to see him go.
"Alright, but on one condition, you have to listen to me to stay safe." Brooklyn reluctantly agreed.
"SkekSil understands." Chamberlain just wanted to go. "But how are we getting to it? It's up in the air."
The other Skeksis wondered how he would get one of their own out of here. Brooklyn saw a way of getting to it. "This way." Brooklyn said.
The other Skeksis saw Chamberlain and Brooklyn head up to a balcony on the second floor.
Brooklyn got down on all fours. Sil knew what he was doing. He smiled and got on.
The Skeksis couldn't believe what they were seeing. Could he really carry a Skeksis?
SkekSil walked behind Brooklyn to the edge of the balcony, and Brooklyn now spread his wings for takeoff.
Chamberlain closed his eyes as he felt Brooklyn hunch and tense, and with a jump, they were in the air. In one big swoop, Brooklyn flew into the portal. It closed right behind them.
The Skeksis left behind were speechless at what they had seen, but mostly, the best thing of all, was the Chamberlain was gone! No more whimpering! And for the General, one less rival around.
...
On Earth, Brooklyn and Chamberlain made an appearance through the portal, gliding in. The gargoyles all ducked to the ground to avoid being hit.
"Whoa!" Brooklyn cried out. He instantly recognized his castle home and his clan. He barely missed the wall, and he didn't want his friend hurt. He turned real fast with the flap of his wings and his fast reflexes.
Chamberlain was now scared. He had opened his eyes when Brooklyn had said something. Now he had an idea of how agile the gargoyle really was in the air.
Brooklyn was back on course, and he slowed down. He flapped his wings and came down. He saw his clan. Lucky this room had had a high ceiling in it.
"Sorry, everyone." Brooklyn said.
His clan was now back on their feet, and Chamberlain got off of Brooklyn's back.
"Brooklyn, what happened to you?" Lex asked.
"I remember I was just looking at that gem and the instant I touched it, it opened up and grabbed me, pulling me in." Brooklyn explained. "The next thing I know, I'm in a swamp in another world."
"Yeah, we saw the claw marks on the floor. It pulled you in, didn't it? I know because it tried to pull me in too." Goliath declared.
"You can't touch the gem without being immortal." a female voice said.
Brooklyn knew that voice. He looked and saw her behind the clan. "Demona!" He snapped and tried to attack.
That was the first time Chamberlain had ever seen Brooklyn in an attack mode.
"No, Brooklyn!" Goliath caught held his second in command back.
"She used the portal with spells to bring you back home." Angela explained. "We had no choice."
Brooklyn calmed down. "Fine. Thanks." he said grumpily. He hated her.
"Now that things are fine here now; I must head home." Demona stated. She walked out. She wasn't interested in anything else tonight.
Chamberlain saw that this female had red hair, purple wings, and blue skin. She knew magic spells too, and she was immortal? He had heard only an immortal could touch the gem. He looked at the gem too curiously.
The clan rejoiced once she was gone. Then Goliath asked, "Brooklyn, who is your friend?"
"Oh. Everyone, this my friend from the planet I was on. SkekSil the Chamberlain from Planet Thra." Brooklyn introduced the Skeksis.
Chamberlain was amazed at all the different sizes and colors of Brooklyn's clan, just like he had described them. Brooklyn went on to introduce his clan. "Chamberlain, this is Goliath, my leader; Angela, his daughter; Lexington and Broadway, my rookery brothers; Hudson, and Bronx. The one leaving was Demona."
"Nice to meet you, Sir Chamberlain." Goliath welcomed.
It had been a long time since Sil had been welcome anywhere. "Prefer Lord Chamberlain, if call me that, please."
"I'm sorry. Lord Chamberlain." Goliath said.
"You can also call him SkekSil, or Sil since he's the only Skeksis that's here." Brooklyn declared.
The gargoyles were surprised at how soft this creature's voice was for a male. The name Chamberlain was male, but it was also a title for someone who worked in a royal household. A secretary of state.
"Can I ask what you are?" Angela inquired.
"Am a Skeksis." Sil replied.
"One of only nine left on his planet. He wanted to come see our world, so I let him." Brooklyn said. "He proved to be my friend there."
"It's great you made a new ally, Brooklyn. It is so hard for us to make allies with the humans." Hudson declared.
SkekSil saw how old Hudson looked and sounded.
Lexington then spoke up, asking, "Were you from a royal household? I just know that chamberlains are part of royal duties in castles and such."
Sil smiled, "Hmm, why yes. Worked and lived in castle on Thra."
"Well, this is a castle too." Goliath declared. "But atop a high skyscraper."
Bronx came up and smelled him at a distance. He didn't like what he smelled. Just like a dog protecting his family, Bronx growled.
Chamberlain backed away from the large beast.
"Bronx won't hurt you unless provoked." Brooklyn said. He put his hand on the beast's head. "It's okay, boy. He's a friend."
Bronx knew that was the signal not to attack a newcomer, strange or not. He would still watch him warily though.
Chamberlain knew he would have to watch himself here. He was out of his element in this world. He remembered Brooklyn telling him of his clan. He would get used to things here. He had to try to find a better life than the one he had on Thra, where no one wanted him around. He was probably the most adaptable of the Skeksis, after all.
"So Brooklyn, I take it you weren't harmed while you were there?" Goliath inquired.
"I was wounded on my arm by big black creatures called Garthim. It was a case of mistaken species." Brooklyn explained. "But I'm healed now."
"What are these Garthim?" Broadway was curious.
"They are Skeksis soldiers. They defend Castle." Chamberlain replied.
"What he means is what do they look like. Kind of picture large beetles or crabs." Brooklyn corrected him.
"Understand now." Sil said in reply.
Then, Angela had to ask, "Are you male or female?"
"I am mix of both actually, but I like being called he over she." SkekSil said. He knew what she meant.
"Your voice could nearly be female though." she said.
"It's just way it is. None of my clan can stand me." Sil said.
"And why's that?" Lex asked.
"We all have different things of our own and not mix." Chamberlain said. He didn't want to say it was because of his devious ways. Back home, he did have ways of sleuthing around and finding ways to get the others in trouble and end up getting himself in trouble.
"I want to know more about Thra." Lex said. "What's it like?"
"Warm at least, but not too hot. I wasn't there long enough to experience cold." Brooklyn said.
"Thra has three suns and three moons. Thra is warm and cold too, depending on where going. Swamp and plains, and Crystal Desert all warm and hot places. Very far north, colder there." SkekSil explained, looking down at the floor. "Long ago, Skeksis go all over Thra, but in later ages, I not go out of castle much, except for exile after losing fight to be new emperor."
"If you only had more gentle ways of doing it." Brooklyn said. "I sensed the hostility you and the others had toward each other. Like choosing a second in command. Goliath chose me to be his second, so if anything ever happened to him, I would be leader someday."
Chamberlain lifted his head up. "We did. We use large stone shaped like Crystal. Used swords to crack in half. Whoever broke largest piece off was new emperor. I not get the good strike, so I lose." he explained. "It called Trial by Stone, so Skeksis not hurt each other in major fight. Skeksis not kill one another but do punish severe at times."
"We do have consequences for our actions here too, depending on what was done to deserve it." Goliath declared.
From Goliath's size, Sil knew that he didn't want to get on his bad side.
"Did you still turn to stone in the daytime, Brooklyn?" Lex asked.
"Yeah, I did. I think we would all still turn to stone in daytime no matter what planet we're on." Brooklyn stated.
"Chamberlain found me in the swamp, and he pointed me to the castle in hopes of getting me home. The Crystal had special powers and the Skeksis were going to send me home using it. I think that when Demona did her spell, it came in contact with and affected the Crystal, making it open in the Crystal Chamber." Brooklyn explained.
"Seemed we not have to use our ways to send Brooklyn to home again." Sil stated.
Because Sil was new here, and there was so much more that needed to be told, they talked for a while until it was time for lunch.
"So, what do you like to eat?" Broadway asked.
"Meat mostly of any kind, what eat fruit and plants when needed." SkekSil replied.
"We have plenty of that. Fish, ham, steak, turkey, chicken." the chef gargoyle said.
"Broadway! He doesn't know what all that is. Just serve him up some meat and he'll eat it." Brooklyn reprimanded his rookery bro.
At the mention of it all, Sil could feel his own stomach growling.
Brooklyn took Sil aside to talk to him quietly. "Sil, I saw the way you and your clan were eating back on Thra. Could you please try to eat in a more, civilized manner?" he asked of him nicely.
Sil's eyes lit up. "How so you mean?"
"Like not spitting out the food so much or throwing it across the room. My clan is very wary of strangers, and I would like to know that they can trust you to be dignified." Brooklyn explained. "You showed me that you can do it."
"And what if not like something?" Sil asked.
"Don't eat it. Just leave it on the plate and it'll be thrown away later. And another thing, we don't eat living things here either. All our food is cooked before serving it to us."
"Okay. Agree."
"Trust me, you don't want to get on Goliath's bad side. He can be pretty terrifying when he gets angry with anyone." Brooklyn stated.
Sil glanced at the big lead gargoyle and could get what his friend was saying.
"Sil understand."
"Good." Brook said.
Tonight, they would all be eating together. Chamberlain was the Guest of Honor. While they were waiting on dinner to be cooked, Brooklyn took Sil on a tour of the castle grounds. It was definitely more spread out than his castle. He was also introduced to the Xanatos family, David, Fox, and Alex, and their servant, Owen. Elisa would be later on if she came by.
When Chamberlain finally saw some humans, they really did remind him of just really tall Gelflings.
...
Soon, dinner was ready. A new chair was added to the table.
Chamberlain sat down next to Brooklyn. To him, he had never seen chairs that didn't allow his tail through. He sat down anyway, his tail curled out to the right, but close to his feet.
The table had already been full of food when they arrived, but the Skeksis couldn't wait to dive in. Once they were all seated, they all began passing food around, and Chamberlain did as the others were doing, waiting patiently for the food to come to him, though he did grab what he could that was nearest to him too. On Thra, he was used to Podling slaves bringing him his food from the kitchens.
When the passed food came to him, he took most of the meat, it smelled so good.
Brooklyn didn't want to risk him getting sick on something that was unfamiliar to him when it came to drinks. Chamberlain was given just water to drink. Though he did get curious as to what the others were drinking. It sure didn't look like water.
Chamberlain was grabby at the table with some food items. Brooklyn was wary of how the others were glaring at him. That maybe they weren't going to let him stay. Sil was too hungry to care at the moment.
Since this was only his first night here, Goliath would let it slide for tonight, but he would talk to Brooklyn later on how to get him to improve, or he wouldn't be eating with them again.
Everyone kind of lost their appetites watching the Sil eat, though everyone did eat.
Chamberlain practically ate most of the food on the table. He was full when dinner was over. They were all glad to leave the table and go do something else.
Just as Brooklyn was about to go do something with Chamberlain, Goliath said, "Brooklyn, I need to have a word."
"Okay." Brooklyn knew what this was about. "Wait here, Chamberlain."
SkekSil stayed put for a moment. He saw the red and purple gargoyles go out of his sight to talk. He wondered what it was that they couldn't say in front of him.
In a private room, Goliath was saying, "Brooklyn, I know you care about Chamberlain, but he has to be taught some manners. Otherwise, if he doesn't, he won't be eating with us again!"
"I'm sorry about that. He's just not used to our ways yet, Goliath. I promise I'll help him get better. Those manners are just what the Skeksis did at their table. Not the best." Brooklyn explained.
"We are going on patrol tonight, but I'm going to have you stay here tonight and have your friend learn the ropes. Teach him some manners. I'll have Bronx stay here. The way I saw that he was afraid of him means that you might get better cooperation from him if Bronx is here with you." Goliath decreed.
"I just don't want him afraid of everything. I'll let Bronx stay close by. So, is Hudson taking my place then?" Brooklyn asked.
"Yes. Now go and find him." Goliath said.
Brooklyn nodded and left.
Chamberlain had followed from a distance. He had overheard some of their conversation. Teach him some manners? What did that mean?
He backed off when Brooklyn came out of the room. "Chamberlain."
"Yes?" Sil answered.
"Goliath told me to talk to you while he and the clan go on patrol." Brooklyn said.
"I see, but what do have to talk about?" Sil asked.
"I hope none of what I have to say offends you, but Chamberlain, we have to make some improvements in your manners, or you might not be allowed to stay. I had asked you to not do that before dinner." Brooklyn said.
"Chamberlain sorry, Brooklyn. So hungry but tried. Please forgive." Sil pleaded.
"You're forgiven, and I know this is only your first night here. It's easy to not let old habits go away so easily, but we can work on it." Brooklyn stated.
Chamberlain knew if he wanted to stay, he needed to work on his manners more. They still had some hours left before sunrise.
The rest of the clan had gone on patrol.
Bronx went to be with Brooklyn without Hudson there. Sil definitely did as instructed when the gar-dog was around. He was wary of him.
After some lessons on specific manners, Brooklyn decided to go to the training dojo. In there, Fox and Xanatos were in there doing ninja and martial arts training. It kept their fighting skills in top shape should they need them.
SkekSil was amazed at how well these two could move so agilely. He might have been able to move like that long ago, but he wasn't as young as he used to be. He couldn't move that quick anymore.
"Brooklyn, Chamberlain, what brings you here?" David asked.
"Showing him around." Brooklyn replied.
"We're through now. You can use the dojo if you want." Fox stated.
"Thanks." Brooklyn said.
The two lovers left the two of them alone.
"You spar?" Brooklyn asked.
SkekSil cocked his head.
"I mean do you practice in how to fight?"
"No. Not I. Always been advisor more than fighter. But know how to fight, yes." Sil explained.
"I was just asking because here, one day, your life might depend on it, especially because of the humans. Ones outside the few that we know are not all that trustworthy. And you saw what they were doing. There are some tougher ones out there than them." Brooklyn said.
"Not as young as once was. Fighting may be harder."
"Neither is Hudson, but he can still fight." Brooklyn declared.
"He also have wings. I not have them."
"We gargoyles trained with humans as well as with other gargoyles in combat training. So training you is almost like training a human to our fighting skills." the red gargoyle explained.
"Can you show me some?" Sil asked.
"Sure."
Brooklyn showed him some hand fighting, kicks, how he used his tail as a hand, his wings as weapons, and there was one last one. "Here is a great one. Many opponents don't expect it, but it is the tail whiplash." Brooklyn instructed.
"What that?" Sil asked.
"You can use this move to either hit someone who's preparing to fire at you, or you can use it to trip their feet out from under them." Then in a quick spin, Brooklyn didn't trip Chamberlain, but he spun around, and his tail lashed out. "It can also be used to knock things out of the enemy's hands too. I did it with a book a long time ago with Demona."
Chamberlain knew he might have to watch out for that one.
"Your tail seems about as long as mine, I'm sure you could use it as a weapon." Brooklyn said.
"My tail not used much."
"Well, now's a time to get started if you had to. See if you can whip it out like I showed you."
"I am not as fast mover as once was."
"It's fine. Do what you can." Brooklyn encouraged.
"Maybe later." Chamberlain didn't really feel like doing it at the moment. He just wasn't the biggest fan of fighting, unless it was a last resort. He had had to among the other Skeksis because that was how they were. Here, Sil could use his gentler side a lot more.
"Alright. We don't have to if you don't want to, but it would be a good idea sometime. Xanatos will show you to a room once the clan and I are asleep. It's time to get prepared for dawn anyway." Brooklyn could sense it approaching.
Sil nodded in understanding. They left the dojo. The rest of the clan was now returning. They were greeted by the two friends and Bronx up on the high tower. Xanatos was up there as well, for he would be showing the guest to his room right afterward. In Brooklyn's case, it felt good to be home again.
Chamberlain watched as every gargoyle jumped onto his or her perch, and just as the sun peeked over the horizon, each one growled and took a pose. He heard each one had a different growl. It was amazing. Then they turned to stone, even Bronx.
Now Sil was alone, but he was glad that Bronx wasn't watching him anymore.
"Come along, Chamberlain. I'll show you to your room." Xanatos said courteously.
The Skeksis looked one last time at Brooklyn, then followed the man. He was wary of someone that just reminded him of Gelfling, but he had to know what room was going to be called his while he was in this new world.