Author's Notes: Who's ready for the entire Manhattan Clan (including Elisa) to be in the same chapter for the first time since this fic started? I know I am! Not only is this a resolution of "The Mirror", it's also more setups for coming chapters as well as some lore expansion/explanations. Or at least our characters doing their best to explain it XD
This chapter takes place during the final scene of "The Mirror", right when Puck transforms the gargoyles back to normal, hence it beginning with the word "mend", as part of his restoration spell. Enjoy! C:
"—mend!" Puck finished, his only warning before a bright green flash of lightning enveloped them all. An overwhelming and painful tingling sensation shot through him, like a thousand needles stabbing through him and vibrating simultaneously. A pain so all encompassing and overwhelming, he could do naught but stand completely paralyzed until the light left his body, returning him to his original form once again. He supposed he should have felt the restructuring of bone and sinew, but truly the lightning strike was all he could focus on.
It was only an instant, but Hudson knew he'd never forget what it felt like, considering it was the second time he'd gone through the process that night. How a transmogrification spell felt more painful than a direct attack from The Archmage he'd never know, but one thing was clear. The magic of Avalon was indeed like no other science or sorcery conceived by mortal creatures. All the more reason to avoid it at all costs, not like he needed any more reasons at this point.
Magic... he thought to himself shuddering uncomfortably, and not just at his mind clearing like a veil had been lifted from his memory. Or a bank of fog rolling away from a dew sprinkled plain in the cool of the morning.
Though he was looking at his clawed four fingered hand with a renewed appreciation, Hudson could still remember with disturbing clarity how natural it felt to have an extra finger and no talons whatsoever. But simultaneously how unnatural it was to think he was a gargoyle before this return to form, feeling as proud to be human as he always did to be a gargoyle. The thought of being anything else was strange, foreign, unthinkable. And yet, he was something else just seconds before, and it was only strange when someone pointed it out to him. Perhaps one day he'd be convinced he's meant to be human and being a gargoyle was strange. What a barrel of laughs that would be...
Goliath, who'd been knocked on his rear in front of Hudson, had begun to pick himself up, his lavender hide a sight for sore eyes indeed. An instinctual glance to the rest of the clan cast his worries aside. It was official, they were back. Order had been restored and for one more night, their Castle Manhattan had been protected.
"If his efforts you commend..." A spritely voice called out as Goliath stood to his full height, "free Puck" the elven man requested, soaring right up to Goliath, so fast Hudson couldn't help but flinch backwards. Though it was more than just the speed of Puck's movement that caused him to recoil from the impish trickster.
"Let him homeward wind" Puck beseeched, a genuinely humble—dare he say, desperate?—look in his eyes. His small, slender form half-bowed as his hands lay limp and deceptively helpless at his sides.
For a moment, Hudson considered the tempting alternative to Puck's request, what if they kept him chained, became his new captors? He was clearly much too dangerous to just allow to fly free, who knows what he'd do to them once he was free? Puck earned his freedom, that didn't mean he wouldn't use that freedom to liberally toy with them all and start this entire mess all over again. Demona was chiefly to blame, no question, but Puck actively participated in battle against them.
And he effortlessly defeated all of them with power Hudson had never seen, nor wished to see ever again, though he wondered in passing why Puck didn't enchant his sword as he did the other's weapons. Did he just not think much of Hudson as a warrior due to his age? Did he just not find messing with his sword an exciting prospect? Or was it simply because, for whatever reason, he somehow... couldn't enchant the sword?
Hudson rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion. It was probably only because the peculiar elf—on a whim, he surmised—had decided to sabotage his own spell that they were released from his traps and were allowed to trap him in turn.
And that trap was merely a garbage can Hudson managed to grab in his desperate attempt to find anything that could do something to a Child of Oberon. A being of pure magic and unfathomable power... with the personality and imagination of a mischievous child. He was a threat, a clear, unstoppable threat. Only Demona, a sorceress in her own right, had tenuous control of him and now that she was defeated, this once in a lifetime opportunity to control and secure a Fae was theirs to capitalize on.
They could make him undo all the magical problems that they've faced, free Coldstone to rest in peace, keep MacBeth from ever getting a magical advantage over them, or maybe... just maybe... he could take them back home. Their real home. Back to their time, their world, where things made sense. Where they weren't the only gargoyles in the world. When he still had his Queen of the Night...
The sound of chains rustling loudly in front of him broke Hudson out of his reverie, as Goliath had already taken hold of the restraints and effortlessly broke them with a light grunt. Like he'd just finished drinking a refreshing cup of water, not ripped apart steel links with his bare hands.
"You're free" Goliath said amicably as Puck's grin spread across his fair face, his magic overflowing from his very body as ribbons of sparkling flecks surrounded him. Perhaps the chain diminished his abilities, a terrifying notion that. To know that the Fae, who had been the most fearsome creature they'd ever faced by a long shot, had actually been significantly held back during this entire ordeal. Terrifying, indeed...
In an instant, Puck took to the air like a fish to water and swirled about, a trail of magic glitter followed behind him as if he shed pure gold. As he watched the slender man celebrate his freedom in a joyful display of flight, Hudson sighed deep. This was the right thing, of course, the lad had promised Puck his freedom in exchange for restoring order. A deal is a deal and a man's word is his bond, and Goliath is truly a fine man. But Hudson couldn't help but think what could have been, as tonight's festivities had proven to him. He was never gonna be able to stop looking at everything he no longer had or couldn't achieve. And in this particular case, didn't truly want anyway.
For as distasteful as it was to know this Puck would be out there roaming about to continue his reckless magical devastation labeled as harmless mischief... the thought of detaining him indefinitely and using him to satisfy their selfish desires as Demona just did was far more disgusting. With his advanced age came a begrudging wisdom, Hudson knew that nothing good could come from meddling with reality. Things were the way they were and instead of trying to twist and change everything all around to better fit his personal tastes was an effort in futility. And frankly, it would be highly dangerous to meddle with the natural order of things in such a flippant and brash way. Anyone who did was begging for a Shakespearean tragedy to befall them simply for the attempt to overstep their bounds like that.
Hence Demona's current station in life as a woman who forsook protection for vengeance and the ever disheartening Coldstone tragedy. No, he thought to himself, clenching his fist tightly, there's been enough meddlin' with fate in this clan. There'll be no more, not as long as I'm still breathin'...
As far as he was concerned, Puck, the Mirror and all things magical could disappear from the world right now and he'd be happy. Hell, throw Demona in there too, put an end to that source of grief once and for all, he bitterly added. Then Hudson's eyes shot wide open when he saw Puck suddenly snatch Demona and fly into the Mirror! Faster than he could think!
But before anyone could move an inch, erratic green lightning flashed from the glass, blinding them all despite how quickly they recoiled and shielded their eyes. Then as quickly as it came, the violent light died down. As soon as he peeked his eye open again, he could see yet another impossible occurrence.
The Mirror folded in on itself, like a piece of parchment balling up to be discarded. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, he swore his mouth fell to the floor as he stared in abject bewilderment. The crumpling Mirror got smaller and smaller, twisting and curling into its center, until it became the size of a pebble. Then it twinkled like a star and faded from sight completely, with no trace of it ever being there. And not even the whistling wind of the high perch was present. It was as if everything stopped in its tracks in the aftermath of such a complex inconceivable event.
Everyone stood there staring, eyes wide, jaws slack, minds vacant. Hudson rubbed his eyes and looked again at the space where the mystical Mirror of Titania once stood, just to be sure he hadn't somehow hallucinated that final part. Sure enough, the Mirror, Puck, and Demona were still gone. Vanished into the magical item and crumpled into thin air, along with all of his thoughts. Save one.
He told Broadway at the start of this whole mess to be careful what he wished for, but it seemed Hudson was the one that needed to heed that warning. Was Puck somehow aware of his thoughts in that moment and decided to act on them? Or was it some freak coincidence? The old soldier was positive he'd never learn the answer... but that wouldn't stop him from finding a way to pin the blame to himself.
"Okay," Brooklyn spoke up suddenly, drawing everyone's attention to him. "I know that in light of the insane freakshow that was tonight, this is gonna sound like par for the course, but... seriously, what the heck just happened?" he gestured to the spot the Mirror disappeared, imploring. No one offered an answer, for they too couldn't begin to understand that... disappearing act, for lack of a better word.
"I have so many questions!" Lexington chimed in, his hands clamped around his head and a confused smile on his face.
"Yeah, the first one being: are we okay with this Puck guy takin' Demona..." Broadway struggled for a moment, "who knows where?" he finished, facing Goliath, his brows furrowed and his hands struggling to hold an invisible burden.
"He was prisoner to her first, it's only fair that he gets to be her jailer for a time" Goliath reasoned, though his face betrayed the logical conclusion.
"But Goliath... what if he..." Hudson started, but stopped himself and took a steadying breath. "What if that's the last we see of her, lad?" he asked, causing a powerful silence to come over them. It had to be said, regardless of how complicated their feelings were for their enemy, she used to be clan. She used to be family.
In spite of everything, Hudson had to admit, in his heart... she still was clan. Losing one's entire race forces one take stock of the precious few that are left and hold tight to them, even if the one being clutched wanted them dead. She was still a gargoyle, a daughter of his clan, and the successor of his Mate's position as Clan Mother. And though he'd never give her such an honor again, and knew Goliath could never trust her in that way again, his heart ached to see her as an enemy. An outsider.
In truth, every time they fought Demona, he'd secretly hope—against hope, he realized—that in defeat she would somehow know the error of her ways and come back to them. Accept responsibility and punishment for her actions and work on her redemption so that she could return to the Clan. But of course, that was just another example of the old gargoyle fantasizing about things that would never be.
At least he wasn't the only one this time, as he took in everyone's crestfallen expressions and downcast gazes. Even Brooklyn, who had a special ire against the fiery haired lass, was distinctly displeased at the notion of her disappearing forever. Though there was still a sharpness in his face, a harsh flaring of his nostrils, his brow was similarly furrowed in sadness. A complex mix of emotions displayed with no attempt to mask them, Brooklyn was troubled indeed. But his rookery brothers even more so, Lexington's big eyes shimmered with unshed tears and Broadway hugged his arms tighter around his chest, trying to hold in his emotions. Or guard himself from feeling them. Possibly a mix of both.
And Goliath. Lord in Heaven, Goliath. Nothing tore the lad up worse than his former love. Whatever hopes Hudson held out for Demona, Goliath's outweighed his tenfold. He was painfully honest about her, wanting nothing more than to wrap her in his wings and manually take all her pain and angst away. Let the fires of her vengeance smother against his unrelenting love, freeing her from her demons and returning her to the Angel of the Night he still dreamed of everyday.
And every time she attacked them, she saved a special dagger to personally stab into his heart and mock his love, a love she couldn't appreciate from a man she no longer deserved. Slowly but surely, Goliath's heart had scabbed over from all the damage she relentlessly dealt him. And finally, he was starting to realize there was a much more worthy candidate by his side. So his love for Demona diminished considerably, a tragic sight not just for Hudson to witness, but no doubt Demona herself. In spite of her voracious dedication to a hopeless vendetta, he saw her. Every time she returned to torment him, he saw the look on her face, the longing in her glares.
But what she didn't realize and now couldn't realize, was Goliath's love for her was still there. It was never going to completely disappear, it had been a part of him for so long, there was no way he could stop loving her altogether. It was just diminished, less intense, tainted by betrayal and deception. But it was still there, hoping against hope. Just as, he suspected, the 3 lads' feelings toward her were. And just as his own feelings for her were, he admitted.
For this to be the last memory they'd have of her, this debacle of bizarre and impure manipulations of their very nature, their minds and memories twisted without care, the entire human populous thrust into bodies not their own, chaos and turmoil reigning over the entire city... for her to just be spirited away without any form of a final word or closure of any kind, after all of that... the taste was far more bitter than Hudson could bear. For anyone to bear, he imagined.
Even Elisa, who had remained especially quiet since Demona's fate became the topic, refrained from putting on her gentle yet confident smile that was her natural countenance. She had absolutely no reason to feel nothing but contempt towards former clanswoman, and yet, there she was. Lamenting the loss of her same as the rest of them. The lass continued to surprise him with her ludicrous capacity for empathy and understanding, not to mention tact. She could have easily shot back good riddance to Broadway's loaded question, she could have easily tapped her foot and folded her arms across her chest as she sometimes did when Goliath was particularly slow.
She could have done any number of things to express indifference or approval of Demona's undetermined fate. But there she was, sympathetic for their loss. Possibly even sympathetic to Demona herself, if only in part. What a marvel she was, and if nothing else, she was a small moonbeam to their otherwise cloud shrouded night. Mentions of Demona tended to eclipse their usually starry night sky.
But Goliath, as strong of heart as he was of body, looked up at his Clan, determination and authority in his face, addressed the incredibly hard question. Head on. As he always did.
"Then... that is an unfortunate outcome we will have to live with. One we can live with, as we've done every other misfortune fate has thrown our way" he spoke in a somber, yet resolute tone before flaring his wings out. "Come, let's go home" the lad offered, his smile warm and inviting. His tone gentle yet strong. And just like that, they found the strength to swallow down the bitter feelings that had suddenly enveloped them and move forward.
Hudson even managed to smirk faintly, as he always did when Goliath displayed his perfect leadership qualities. He couldn't help it, his pride in the lad was overwhelming at times. He really was the best decision he ever made. Through Goliath's inspiring example, everyone was able to set aside their sorrows. For now, anyway. Demona was a topic that could never truly be shelved for long. But after the complexities and absurdness of tonight, everyone was happy to banish her to the back of their minds for lighter quandaries.
Goliath led the way to the edge of the skyscraper, Elisa slipping her hand in his as she walked beside him. A gesture that would have been seen for the display of comfort and affection it truly was, had she not been wary of the dramatic elevation they found themselves at. The lass was getting more and more used to heights over the course of their adventures, but she wasn't a creature of the air like them. As Broadway so eloquently said once before, if humans were meant to fly, they'd have wings. So until then, Elisa would have to settle for Goliath's wings. Something told Hudson she preferred it that way. Though not everyone caught on to that detail.
"Bet you're missin' your wings now, huh Elisa?" Broadway teased half hearted, effortlessly taking flight. Showcasing just how great it was to have them back in his possession.
"Hahaha, not as much as I missed all my fingers and toes" the lass called back, wriggling her delicate fingers. She was secure in Goliath's grip as he gently floated beside Broadway, who just chuckled at her snappy response. She was as quick witted and affable as ever, Hudson noted with a smirk.
"That's so weird, when ya think about it" Lexington chimed in, slipping between them "What's the extra finger for? We get along just fine with 4, 5 just kinda seems unnecessary" he reasoned shaking his head a bit.
"And don't get me started on the 5 toes" Broadway waved off as he rolled his eyes. "Talk about overkill"
"I missed my beak the most, my face just felt... wrong" Brooklyn shuddered while rubbing said beak. Hudson wasn't the only one with newfound appreciation, it seemed.
"Well while we're on the subject, what's your thoughts on eyebrows, guys?" Elisa asked, pointing to her's.
"Actually, not bad!" Broadway grinned.
"What?! They're terrible!" Brooklyn shouted back, before sheepishly looking to Elisa. "Uh, no offense Elisa" he laughed awkwardly.
"None taken" Elisa responded flatly, her hand swiftly planted on her hip.
"But I really don't see the point of those things! Horns are so much better" Brooklyn nodded staunchly before gliding his fingertips along said horn.
Elisa rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the gargoyle holding her. "C'mon, help me out here, Goliath. Eyebrows or horns?"
Goliath blinked a few times and muttered intelligibly as he thought of a response. "I think humans and gargoyles are... perfect the way they are. I wouldn't change a thing about them" he responded, smiling sheepishly at Elisa who could only smirk back at him.
Nice save, boy-o. "Aye, lad. Ye speak the truth" Hudson added. "No sense in debatin' between the two o' em"
"Well sure, but that's not really what we were askin' " Lexington corrected, abashed.
"Yeah, how did you feel being human?" Broadway implored, placing his hands on his chest and balling them into fists.
"I felt strange, of course" Goliath said candidly. "But only now that I'm a gargoyle again do I realize how peculiar being human felt"
"That's... that's right" Lexington replied thoughtfully, the wheels beginning to turn in his head, "As humans we were under the assumption that we were always humans, even though that couldn't be true. And it didn't feel weird when we were humans, it only feels weird now that we're normal and looking back on it" he reasoned, placing a thoughtful finger beneath his lips, which caused him to slightly veer downward.
"My brain hurts..." Broadway groaned with a hand to his forehead, echoing Hudson's silent sentiment.
"The work of Avalon sorcery, it mucks aboot with yer mind. No good can come of it" Hudson warned, unaware that his frown had turned into a scowl.
"Well I dunno, it was kinda cool to see all the humans look like us for a change" Brooklyn said with a chuckle.
"Yeah... really cool" Broadway said, staring off into space with a blissful grin on his face.
"But really weird too, right?" Lexington asked, scrunching his nose up.
"Ya think we can call Puck up for Halloween and have him do this again?" Brooklyn joked.
"Don't even think aboot it, lad" Hudson threatened, shaking his head with each syllable. "If we never see hide nor hair of that glitterin' spawn of Avalon, it'll be all too soon" he grumbled while swiping his hand roughly, causing Brooklyn to lean back nervously.
"Yeah, it was fun at parts, but it was dangerous, just like Goliath said. I liked seeing our kind again but... it's not worth the risk" Lexington surmised, shaking his head with a sigh.
"I guess you're right..." Brooklyn sighed, looking to the side as he deflated.
"Still, I'm gonna miss bein' able to blend in with a crowd" Broadway said, a forlorn look on his face.
"Yeah, back to stickin' out like a sore thumb" Brooklyn chimed in, irritated.
Elisa chuckled, "Don't feel too bad. I'm sure there's gonna be a time when humans and gargoyles can live together in peace. And it'll be all thanks to you guys".
"And thanks, in no small part, to you as well, Elisa..." Goliath added, warmly smiling down at the woman in his arms. She returned the gesture, but with a sharp glint in her eye.
"Yeah, now that I'm back to my old ugly human self" she joked, a coy smirk on her face.
Goliath shook his head ruefully, "Never, to these eyes" he replied, gazing down at her with tenderness. Elisa's cheeks began to tint red, and her confident smirk faltered as she averted her eyes from Goliath's.
"Hey, wait a second..." Lex began. "If we remember being human..." he motioned to one side "and Elisa remembers being a gargoyle..." he motioned to the other side. "Doesn't that mean the other humans would remember what happened too?" he wondered, crossing his arms awkwardly, causing him to drop lower suddenly.
"Somethin' tells me that's not how Puck rolls" Elisa answered, a thoughtful hand under her chin.
"Yes..." Goliath confirmed, "He knew what I wished for and he already had his fun for one night. I believe he honored my request as I honored his" he reasoned, which made Lexington sigh in relief as he regained his altitude.
As much as Hudson's cynicism wished to argue against that point, he remembered all the stories about Oberon's Children that he'd heard throughout his life. And though they varied wildly in nearly every area, there was a reliable constant in each tall tale. That common thread was the almost ironclad rule that Oberon's Children always honored an agreement.
Sure, they could bend and stretch the agreement if they so desired, but considering they only did that to mortals they deemed unsavory or otherwise in need of a lesson in humility, Goliath was correct. By all accounts, Puck would honor their agreement to the letter, unlike what he appeared to do with Demona, who was perfectly unsavory towards him. Thanks to that fact, Hudson too breathed in relief as they continued toward the Clock Tower. Robbins was safe, then. Good... that was good...
"So everything's completely back to normal, then" Brooklyn said more than asked.
"As normal as things can ever be with you guys, yeah" Elisa replied, mirth clear in her voice.
"But then how come Elisa remembers everything?" Broadway wondered, causing everyone to pause and look to her. She perked up and a flash of emotion passed on her face before she regained her composure a tad.
"I guess Puck considers me part of the team" Elisa posited, pulling strands of her hair behind her ear and avoiding Goliath's obvious attempt at eye contact. "Ha, pretty forward of him, huh?"
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles before Goliath spoke up, "He considers correctly, Elisa" he said genuinely, causing Elisa to finally look at him again.
"I mean, duh. It's pretty obvious" Brooklyn chuckled.
"Aye lass, we've really come to rely on ye and you've proven yerself over and over again to be a true friend and ally" Hudson explained.
Broadway nodded rigorously before counting on his hands, "And you're smart, and cool, and funny, and brave, and a good cop, and—"
"Yeah, I, uh, think she gets it, pal" Brooklyn said as he gently put Broadway's hand down, his face flat and feigned irritation in his tone.
"Anyway," Lex spoke up in a vulnerable, delicate voice, "we were all thinkin'... for a while now, actually... that if ya want... that is, well—"
"We would like to welcome you into our clan" Goliath took over politely. "Officially" he added, Lexington nodding excitedly at his side. The lad was right, this was a long time coming, they all had talked about it a few times, much earlier than Elisa would believe if they'd told her.
In truth, when she convinced Hudson and the trio to make the Clock Tower their home, that was when her standing with the Clan was first discussed. A great display of care and consideration and gumption to disagree with the Clan Leader for the sake of the Clan's welfare, it was impossible for them not to consider her for official clansman status after that. Of course the painful wounds of betrayal, grief and deception were still unbearably fresh at the time, so they didn't push the idea forward then, but they all decided to keep the topic in mind for the future.
And sure enough, she continued to pull through for them, remained a true friend and invaluable ally, even risked her life for their's that very night. Both when she saved Goliath in his human state and when she fought against Demona in the city square. She had earned her place in their small clan and they were just waiting for the opportune moment to ask her officially. And after an ordeal like the one they'd all managed to survive, an ordeal wherein she became a gargoyle and they became humans, yet she remained loyal and true? As far as Hudson was concerned, there was no better time.
Elisa sat there struggling with her words for a second before finally asking, "Why does this sound like a proposal?" landing on her default humor, most likely by reflex, Hudson noted.
"Cuz it is one, lass" he answered back, not seeing the humor in her statement. They were proposing the question for her to consider and answer back which would forever alter their relationship from that point forward. What's funny about that?
"To be clan is... well, you already know. As you've shown tonight and every night since the day we met" Goliath chuckled absentmindedly, a flush adorning his face. "I—we would love to have you as part of the clan, if that is acceptable to you" Goliath offered, uncharacteristically anxious if his raised shoulders and darting eyes were any indication.
Elisa's brows furrowed, "No offense, but I kinda already considered myself officially in. So this is really takin' me by surprise. I guess it shouldn't, but I'm embarrassed to say it is" she said rubbing the back of her head with her free hand.
"So you are saying 'yes'?" Goliath asked full of hope, eyes as wide as a child's.
Elisa smirked, "Oh, I am definitely saying yes" she dropped her voice to a whisper, "You know you can't get rid of me".
Goliath reeled back shocked and flustered, "I... would never want to—"
Hands grabbed Elisa instantly and plucked her from his arms, "Alright, Elisa! Woo hoo!" Broadway shouted, a wide grin splitting his face as he swayed Elisa around like they were dancing on the ballroom floor. An energetic, bouncy dance, evident by how much the robust gargoyle floated up and down. His rookery brothers cheered as well and surrounded the dancing couple hovering in rhythm with Broadway's dancing.
Elisa laughed at the sudden outpouring of affection and Brooklyn accompanied Broadway in the celebration, taking her from Broadway and gliding her along like the belle of the airborne ball. The lass took the alien celebratory display in stride, showing no signs of her earlier fear or annoyance with the sudden and precarious position she was put in. In truth, she was clearly enjoying herself, getting into the rhythm of the different dances her partners decided on. She knew her dance forms, that much was obvious, as she perfectly mimicked and followed the lead of each partner. With no floor to support her. Maybe it wasn't heights she was still fearful of, but as she said, the transition from rooftop to open air, Hudson revised.
Even when she accepted Lexington's hand to dance, she calmly dropped from Brooklyn's grip to land softly on Broadway's back to dance with Lex cheek to cheek. It was a seamless transition and she looked absolutely overjoyed, just as the boys did. They clapped, they laughed, they hollered, and they danced their hearts out. And as they twirled her and led her gracefully through the air, Hudson could have sworn she still had wings of her own.
Finally, Hudson sidled up to Broadway, who had decided to have a second dance with her—much to Goliath's chagrin—and bowed to her as he took her hand. Broadway tossed her carefully to Hudson fully, the old soldier easily caught her and chuckled as he spun around and positioned her properly. He figured she had enough of the energetic and flashy moves the boys insisted on doing with her, so he opted for a nice calming sway for her to catch her breath.
"Well, this is fun!" she laughed in his ear, her breath blowing lightly against his skin. "Is this a normal gargoyle thing or did you guys just wanna do something extra special?" she asked.
"Aye lass, 'tis tradition! Dancin' with the new clansman when they officially decide to join the Clan is a proud ritual. It's a sign of jubilation, devotion, and honor"
"Really? Why's that?" she asked, a chuckle hanging in her voice. Hudson quickly inhaled to answer her, but noticed Goliath looming beside them, a slight pout adorning his features, and couldn't help but laugh. All ye had to do was ask, lad.
"I think I'll be lettin' your Clan Leader explain it to ye..." Hudson said knowingly, as he floated above Goliath and handed Elisa off carefully to the lad's waiting hands, a grateful smile directed his way. Hudson merely nodded softly and backed off as Goliath turned Elisa to face him.
"It is because ... you honor us, by accepting our proposal and fill us with joy at your presence" he explained, soft and intimate. Elisa's carefree expression slowly fell to a more serious look as she took in what Goliath was saying.
"And from this day forward, before God and gargoyle, we are Clan. We are devoted to you and you to us. Every challenge, every enemy, every triumph we will face" he slowly brought his hand to cup a handful of her flowing blue hair. "Together" he finished, pouring his very soul into the word.
She managed to tear her gaze away from Goliath's penetrating stare and eyed the trio, finally landed on the Clock Tower's balcony and waving to them. Hudson wasn't too far behind them but wanted to be sure Elisa was fully understanding how important this was for them. It was a rare occurrence in gargoyle culture, which made it all the more treasured.
Gargoyle clans, for as long as the old soldier recalled, were isolated to themselves. Generation to generation the clan would grow and flourish, rookery brothers and sisters would enter maturity and bond before producing eggs of their own to spawn hatchlings of their own. And the cycle would continue as the longevity of gargoyles allowed a single couple to have multiple generations of dozens of eggs for decades on end. Therefore, there wasn't much need to associate with entirely different clans, hence the far reaching clans across the world. Wyvern Hill was all his clan's and very rarely would they encounter any other gargoyles belonging to other clans.
But when they did encounter other gargoyle clans, it was cause for celebration, though not as much celebration as it would be now, considering their freshly obtained endangered status. On this rare occasion, the visiting gargoyles would meet the entire clan if possible, as their usual purpose in meeting other gargoyles was for inter-clan relations or mate selection or refuge.
After a period of time to determine the prospective gargoyle's status with the clan, the Clan Leader would then decide if they wished for the visiting gargoyle to stay with the clan. Officially become part of the clan, instead of being an associate or ally of the clan. Once the decision had been made, the clan would then propose to the gargoyle, usually the Clan Leader or Clan Mother, but a representative of the clan could also be the one to extend the invitation. The gargoyle would always accept (at least Hudson had never seen a proposal refused before, nor heard of such a thing), and it would initiate the Welcoming Celebration.
Wings would take flight instantly as the newest member of the clan was whisked away by their fellow clansmen and taken for a joyful dance. And after a little while, another clansmen would take their turn with the new clansman, until each individual in the clan got a moment with their new clansman. Usually, the Clan Leader would be the last dance partner for the new clansman, taking the time to not only show their appreciation of the new clansman, but to catch them up on whatever role they could play in the clan. As well as to pick their brain on what they thought of the clan, maybe ask the Clan Leader if an eligible gargoyle was spoken for, etc.
And though the dancing ritual was time consuming, sometimes needing to be postponed in the middle because of the fast approaching dawn, exhausting due to the sheer number of dance partners, and nerve wracking for some considering all of the clan had to be present for the festivities, even if they'd already gotten their personal dance with the new clansman; every gargoyle loved the Welcoming Celebration. It was like humans apparently felt about Christmas, he reasoned. All those commercials and TV specials about Christmas certainly presented it as the end-all-be-all of human festivities. He felt it an appropriate comparison in that regard.
Personally, Hudson had only taken part in one Welcoming Celebration, shortly after Goliath's generation hatched. Before humans came to Wyvern Hill to fight their battles and build their castle. One night, he and his mate saw a small pack of gargoyles gliding their way. Hudson knew they weren't part of his clan, not just by their more gentle and elegant forms, but by the simple fact that his entire clan had yet to leave their home for the nightly patrol. He and his mate went to greet them, ecstatic that they were about to be visited by completely unknown gargoyles, a rare and joyous occurrence. They welcomed them with open arms, these gargoyles hailing from Scone, a land on the other side of Scotland.
When asked why they traveled from such a long way to Wyvern Hill, they simply said they wanted to explore the land and see if they could meet more gargoyles and learn more about the different clans and customs of their fellow gargoyles. Touched by the innocent and worthwhile endeavor, Hudson and his mate lead their new friends to their clan, answering all manner of excited questions and asking quite a few of their own. Mainly his mate, the curious and lively lass was always excited to learn more about other gargoyle clans, willing to adopt different customs and practices if they caught her fancy. Though Hudson was far more strict with traditions, he found himself relenting to her gentle coercing more often than not.
After a few weeks of living with them, the Scone clan had become the subject of many discussions between the Clan, with almost unanimous requests to offer them to become part of the Wyvern Clan. Most particularly, from a few young gargoyles that had gotten especially close to the Scone clan visitors. Hudson and his mate felt the same way, of course, they were bright and helpful kids, respectful, kind, and most of all humble. They quickly came to view them as part of their children same as their hatchlings.
And so, it was decided, they would propose to their guests and officially transfer them into clansmen status. As soon as the request was extended, the Scone gargoyles unanimously agreed. And thus, the first Welcoming Celebration of the Wyvern Clan had begun. It lasted 3 nights, and what a majestic time it was. Everyone was smiling and laughing and sharing their unbridled happiness with the whole clan, his mate... his Queen... she danced so beautifully then. Her every move burned into his memory like it were branded there, a well worn picture book hidden deep in his mind. Ready to be accessed every sunrise, whether on purpose or on reflex.
God, did he miss that woman...
"Yeah... together..." he finally heard Elisa whisper low, softly bringing him back to reality. She offered a small smile to Goliath as they finally landed on the balcony, the sky getting lighter by the second.
Perhaps that's why Hudson didn't press her on her peculiar response to the lad's heartfelt declaration to her, regarding such an important step in her relationship with the clan. But he knew there was something going on behind those chocolate brown eyes of her's, that she refused to allow to meet Goliath's. Still, whatever reservations she was having was Goliath's business, not his. Unlike her dance with the other members of the Clan, their delicate little dance had been going on for a while now and it was far from over. Goliath had been quite forward with her all night, he noticed, no doubt thanks to the transmogrification spell that made her the perfect female gargoyle.
It was clear whatever barrier the lad set between them, consciously or not, had been broken down. And based on how he refused to let her go even though the Sun's arrival loomed ever closer, the barrier was never coming back. How they navigate the waters of their relationship was going to change, but in what way was up to them now.
Hudson snorted a laugh as he settled on the stone railing, the one good thing to come of Demona's machinations and Puck's mischief was the boy finally acknowledging his feelings for her. The complete opposite effect Demona wished for wound up being the only thing that would last of this night. The irony was too much to not cause him to rumble out a few giggles.
The old soldier shifted his attention out to the skyline, the blue of the sky revealing the beginnings of the sunrise, the approaching dawn. That ever elusive celestial body teasing him once more with its golden light. Still, sleep was going to feel so good after all the running around he'd done tonight. Magic always had a way of making a night unbearably long, he found.
"It's almost dawn..." Broadway stated, a twinge of disappointment in his voice. Hudson wondered why for a second before understanding lit up his features.
They were human. In all the insanity of tonight and the excitement of Elisa accepting their proposal, he'd forgotten completely... Humans don't turn to stone at daybreak. Humans can walk in the light of day. Humans... can see a sunrise and watch that gorgeous golden ball all the way to sunset. And for the first and only time ever, they finally could too. Hudson finally could. That lifelong dream, that impossible hope against hope that somehow, someway, he'd be able to experience this glorious unattainable sight.
Finally, in the most unlikely and random way possible, he finally could see the Sun in real life, not an imitation in the world of dreams. Experience its warmth envelop him firsthand, as it rides across the sky with its gentle elegance and radiance. Watch the magic of day for the first time, absorb the great golden light bathe the world in its warmth and life... and he was turned back into a gargoyle just before the heavenly Sun made its momentous appearance. It was within his grasp for one fleeting moment, and just as fleeting it was snatched away from him. Forever.
Perhaps Brooklyn had the right idea in calling Puck back to transform them one more time. He shook his head a little and chided himself for such a selfish and reckless thought. But he couldn't help it, he was so close to seeing the Sun for himself, after a lifetime of being denied the sight. Only for it to be offered by fate itself and in a heartbeat shot down once more, fate's cruelty on full display yet again.
He felt so dejected and unraveled that he didn't even bother unsheathing his sword to adopt a fearsome pose to sleep in. He didn't feel the least bit fearsome, as the bitterness of the entire ordeal bared down its full weight on his exhausted shoulders. Not even the bright spot of Elisa's official welcoming into the clan could lift his spirits now, the horrible realization that he'd been mere minutes away from fulfilling a centuries long dream had taken all the joy out of that. Much to his silent shame.
So with a bitter sigh, he hung his head sadly, before his petrification began. "I would have liked to see the Sun... Just once..."
And the negative thoughts just kept on coming, sinking him deeper and deeper into misery. Hudson was lamenting not just the lifelong lot he had as a gargoyle, to never know the Sun's blazing beauty save paintings or poems depicting said beauty. But he was still holding back the absolute torrent of grief and heartache from tonights events. Each failure and loss that haunted him had been given life mere hours ago, he was subject to the visceral nightmares he often indulged in while he was stone. The Coldstone tragedy, the many gargoyles of his clan cut down in the prime of their lives, the world he longed to return to... and her...
His beautifully tragic Queen of the Night, with all the bitter unreconciled questions surrounding her. All of it twisted and contorted into a shape he barely recognized. Tainted by callous magic, disrespecting the honor, the memory, and the very real calamity of it all. He had managed to set his trauma aside for the mission, there was a much more pressing matter that needed to be tended to. Demona had to be stopped, the Child of Oberon had to be neutralized, order to Manhattan had to be restored. But now with all of those distractions dealt with, and the initial relief and brief joy of Elisa becoming clan... all he was left with was this mess of emotions swirling inside of him.
And the final straw in this bushel of hay was the realization that he could have finally been able to see the sun rise on an oddly beautiful world and bathe it in golden radiance... if they'd had the wherewithal to ask Puck to hold off on their re-transmutation until after sunrise. But just like most things in the old soldier's life of hardship... there was no way to fix this oversight on his part. This was his lot in life.
He shook himself gruffly as the barest hint of the Sun finally rose past the many peaks of Manhattan's glass towers. Hudson wanted to kick himself for all of his wallowing in self-pity, how pathetic he was whining about something he was never meant to see anyway. But he just couldn't help it. The onslaught of emotional battery left him raw, like he was slowly turning into an amalgamation of exposed nerves as opposed to solid brimstone.
Alas, the all too familiar sensation of petrification was in fact stone sleep officially setting in, giving Hudson a firm push back into the land of dreams. Tired in every sense of the word, he found himself awash in a numbing sea of melancholy. This magical misadventure had torn him asunder thoroughly and as the old soldier sank into that dark sea of dolor, he feared his aching heart would never truly mend.
Author's Notes: Bit of a downer ending, huh? I don't know if I've mentioned this yet, but Hudson reeeeeeally doesn't like magic XD That is all I have to say about that... for now ;)
I'll try to keep the notes on the short side, despite us covering a lot in the actual chapter. The beginning stuff where we focus on Demona is really a reminder of just how tragic her story is for everyone involved, not just for her. Demona was a very integral member of the Clan and her betrayal and dive into madness is a constant source of pain for all of them, even Brooklyn who we know has a grudge against her. She's still family to them and as Goliath said, There's nothing more important than family. Which emphasizes a gargoyle's position on family and Clan, as well as his repeated and continual attempts to appeal to Demona's better nature. I felt it only natural to back that up here, a moment in the Gargoyles story that is never really talked about. I mean, for all they knew at that time, Demona was lost forever, whisked off to Avalon to be imprisoned or enslaved for the rest of her life. It's a harrowing note to leave them with and I just wanted to highlight that as well as how deep the cut she made in the Clan is. And despite everything, how everyone really feels about her and what it means to be clan.
Other than that though, this chapter is very important because of the implication behind Puck allowing Elisa to remember her time as a gargoyle. "The Mirror" is undoubtedly a massive step for Goliath and Elisa's relationship, i.e. it has been said by Greg Weisman himself that this is the episode in which Goliath began looking at Elisa as a woman, not just as a human or a friend or an ally. And Puck has a lot to do with that, evident by the quick shot of Elisa and Goliath as humans just before the gargoyles return to normal. And Puck's very pointed look at Elisa when he transforms her back to human. I don't believe any of that was accidental, just like Puck knowing Demona's inner desires that she is still in love with Goliath, he could easily have perceived the love between Elisa and Goliath, even though Goliath didn't truly know it until this episode. So really important stuff concerning Elisa's position with Goliath.
But I decided to address something that isn't really focused on that much in the show, and that is when Elisa was officially welcomed in as part of the Clan. Unofficially, she's been part of the Clan since, like, "Reawakening", or perhaps even earlier than that. But nothing has officially been said by the cast about her position officially changing. She is considered a member of the Clan in "The Cage" and onward, but not as an announcement or anything, it's just a well known fact at that point. So my question was, when exactly did she officially become part of the Clan? And my answer is of course in this chapter, as well as my reasoning. I wonder if unofficially and officially being accepted into the Clan will be a running theme in this story, hmm, who can say? XD
Again, this is more of a setup chapter for things to come, so just try to keep this stuff in mind as we progress forward. Especially the dancing part of gargoyle culture. And don't worry, I'll be referring back to the setups as often as I can in story and in these notes to help remind you guys follow everything going on ;)
Next chapter we're returning to form with some good ol' friendship building with our 2 old soldiers. See ya then C: