A week later, everyone got to experience the thrill of the ball dropping in Times Square to welcome in a new year. There were fireworks, paparazzi, lovers kissing and hugging, and shouts of joy.

The gargoyles were all at Times Square on a rooftop. Little Sil was there with them too, wearing some warm clothes. Brooklyn gave him a hug. "It's now a new year. New York does this every year, and some things may differ from year to year, but it's always special." He told his young friend.

"Yeah, it's something really spectacular." Lex agreed. He had hugged Bronx. The gar dog loved attention. Even Bronx had accepted little Sil by now as part of their clan.

"Are we allowed to go down and see the humans now if we are accepted in the city?" Sil asked.

"It's just better that we stay up here." Goliath declared. "It's just too crowded down there for us."

Broadway and Angela had kissed one another. Brooklyn had to look away from them. He wished that could be him and Angela, but it would never happen. At least he had someone to hang with and hug this Christmas. Goliath and Elisa had also kissed. Hudson still missed his mate, and he was happy for the younger couples. He also petted Bronx's head.

Little Sil seemed fine with hugs, as he was learning that they meant love and caring for others. It wasn't the same as kissing. At least anyone could hug, even two males. He and Brooklyn had the closest bond of all, like father and son.

After the excitement died down, it was time to go home and settle down for the night or find other activities.

…..

Even though Brooklyn had little Chamberlain to hang with a lot more, he couldn't help but wonder what his old friend was up to in his world. One night, while he was alone and Sil was with Broadway and Angela tonight out at a movie, Brooklyn got up the courage to go talk to Owen.

He knocked on the office door. Owen said he could come inside. "Brooklyn, what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I have to ask, would you be able to open a window to the other world where my friend, Chamberlain is and just see what he's doing these days?" Brooklyn asked.

"Why?" Owen asked. "You know that Alexander would have to do it with me."

"I know, but I'm asking. I just want to know." Brook said.

"I bet you're missing him, aren't you?" Owen asked.

"Yes, I am. And I wonder how he would react if he found out he has a son."

"Are you wanting to back to his world?"

"No. Just see what life is looking like on Thra, if he's being treated well. At least we waited till he was well enough to go back since he was terribly injured here." Brooklyn explained.

"Well, I'll see to Alexander, and we'll get back to you soon, Brooklyn." Owen replied.

"Thank you, but can it be at a time when little Sil isn't around? I don't want him to know of this."

"You're not bored with Lord Sil's son, are you?" Owen asked.

"No, of course not. He's like the fresh start for sure with Chamberlain, to not be the one that killed anyone or anything." Brook declared.

"Yes, he is. Like I said, I'll get back to you on that." Owen stated.

"Thanks again." Brooklyn said on his way out of the office.

Later, Owen instructed Alex as Puck that they were going to open a portal again to see what life was doing on Thra. He helped Alex learn to open the portal.

It opened up and there was a silver white castle in the middle of the valley. It was covered in greenery and had a beautiful river and lake around it. Thra looked so different now. It was obvious the Great Conjunction had come and gone.

"Bet Brooklyn will be pleased to see this." Puck smiled.

"It pretty." Alex said.

"Yes, it is. Now we just got to find Brooklyn." Puck said. He took the boy in his arms and closed the portal for now.

They located Brooklyn in the library, reading a book. Little Sil was now with Hudson and Bronx in the tv room. This was a good time to get Brooklyn alone for his request.

"Hey, Brooklyn." Puck greeted the red gargoyle, surprising him.

"Oh, Puck. You startled me." Brook had jumped and threw his book, holding his chest.

"Sorry, but we granted your request. We found what you wanted." Puck declared.

"Great. I want to see it." Brook smiled, calming down.

Alex opened up the portal, having the 'diamond.' A picture opened up of Thra. Brooklyn was now seeing the new look of the landscape and the Crystal Castle.

"Wow! That looks different than the last time I saw it. The Great Conjunction must have come and gone since taking Chamberlain back there." Brooklyn figured. "Can we go into the castle to see how things are going?"

Alex then directed the window to see how things were going inside. But who that was inside it surprised Brooklyn. It wasn't the Skeksis running things anymore. It was some smaller creatures that looked more like elves. There was also an old woman creature with a grumpy face. A little dog-like creature in the blonde woman's hands. And little potato people running around. The Crystal itself was white again, or rather see-through. It was healed at least.

"Is there a way to find where Chamberlain is?" Brook asked curiously.

Puck fumbled with the magic too. Another world popped up. And there on it was a large white creature with a humanoid face. Was this what the Skeksis looked like before? It was SilSol, his original form.

"Chamberlain wasn't kidding when he said that his kind could be destroyed if the Crystal was healed." Puck declared. "This is his original form."

Brooklyn knew it was too late to ever see his friend again. At least he had a part of him still living here on Earth with him. He would look after Lord Chamberlain's son.

"Well, thanks for letting me see him again, even if it's in another form. At least he's alive." Brook's expression saddened.

"We're glad to be of help." Puck replied. "At least you have his son. You and your clan are the best guidance that young Skeksis could ever have."

"Thanks. Well, I'm gonna go find him." Brook said and he left the room.

Puck and Alex returned the gem to its hiding place before going to do something else.

Brooklyn found his young friend in the tv room watching a movie with the elder and gar dog. He went in and sat on the couch by the window. He watched the movie too but had a sad glance down at little Sil, who was enjoying the movie.

Hudson noticed Brooklyn come in and sit down. He saw the look on the Second's face. He knew something was wrong. Perhaps it wasn't something to be said in front of the youngster. They continued to watch the movie till it was over.

Brooklyn sighed. He felt a rumble from his belly and said, "I'm gonna go fix a sandwich. You guys want anything?" he asked.

"Sure! I want three ham sandwiches and a Mountain Dew!" Sil shouted out as he was hungry too.

"I'll have some tea, lad." Hudson said.

"Okay. Be back soon." Brook replied and got up to leave. Then Hudson got up. "Wait, lad." He groaned. "These old bones ain't what they used to be." The elder held his back.

Little Sil watched them.

"Is something wrong?" Hudson asked in a low voice.

Brooklyn looked at the little Skeksis watching them. "Let's go out there to talk. You can keep on watching tv while waiting, Sil." He advised.

"Okay."

Hudson and Brooklyn left the room to talk a distance down the hallway. They made sure Sil hadn't followed them. "So, what's going on, lad?" Hudson asked curiously.

"I had asked Owen if he and Alex could open up a portal using that same gem that sent me to Thra earlier tonight and Owen trained Alex to open the portal for me to find Thra. I just wanted to check in and see what was going on Thra." Brooklyn began to explain.

"And what did you see?" Hudson asked.

"Well, Thra looked healthy again, green and had water. The castle there was a solid white and the Crystal looked different. But the Skeksis were no longer there. There were other beings running the castle. But Puck located Chamberlain's being, a white human-like creature. He's alive but not the same as we knew him to be. It was just a viewing in a time window with the gem. It wasn't to go back to Thra. Now that I know my friend is gone, I'm glad to have his son more than ever." Brooklyn explained.

"Ye now know the fate of the Skeksis."

"Yes. They weren't meant to rule Thra forever as they wanted to." Brook looked down sadly. "Perhaps it was for the best. I knew they weren't the friendliest creatures, though Sil was different with me."

"He was to all of us. He had an impact with our clan." Hudson declared.

"If he had stayed, he would know he has a son." Brook said.

"Yes. But now, all we can do is honor Lord Sil's memory. From his son and pictures of him." Hudson tried to console the young Second.

"Thanks. Yeah. That's all we can do now." Brook replied. "I might tell him one day about what became of his father, but not right now."

Brooklyn went to the kitchen to get the snacks he said was going to get while Hudson went back to the tv room to watch tv with Bronx and Sil. They waited for their food.

Soon, Brooklyn returned with some plates of food and drinks. There was also a huge turkey leg for Bronx. Hudson got his tea, Sil got his three sandwiches and soda, Bronx got the leg meat, and Brook had a turkey and ham sandwich with some water.

They all sat together and enjoyed their meals from there for the rest of the night. Brooklyn knew that he would tell little Sil about his dad one of these days. For now, it would remain a secret between him, Hudson, Puck, and Alex.