Gliding on the Winds of Time, Part 5: Where the Winds of Limbo Roar by Black Blade, a.k.a. Eddie of Clan Winslow, a.k.a. Amy K. Cyrway blkblade@mailexcite.com TIME NOTE: This fanfic takes place three months after " . . . Love and War" ***DISCLAIMER: Gargoyles is a licensed trademark of Disney and Buena Vista. All characters save for Arin MacDuff, Clan Winslow and the Outklaws, Clan Siuslaw, Kade Saeri, and Christopher Highblood are copyrighted by the above fore mentioned companies. Kade and Christopher, however, are truly copyrighted by Amy K. Cyrway, so they are my actual legal property and if anyone uses them without my consent, I can legally go mediaeval on his/her/its ass. This is an unofficial fanfic and is not intended for infringement of any kind. As for the content of this piece, it does contain ADULT CONTENT, in the form of swearing and violence. I would like to extend special thanks to my rookery sister, Mercedes, my rookery brother, Sombrero, and my brainwashed buddy ShadowBrook, who I totally corrupted with hour after hour of Gargoyle eps and my fanfic. Because of them (and the fact I was getting tired of writing stupid crossovers like South Park Horrors [I hear everyone groan]), I was forced to actually archive this fanfic. Also, thanks to all my buds at Station 8 Chat, including but not limited to: Stoney ("We're slimy, we're squishy, we're all a little fishy!"), DemonSpawn, of course Mercedes and Sombrero, Stormy, and, no, I won't forget Whitbourne! Cheers to all of you, blokes!*** KADE: Arin, let s find the Phoenix Gate and get out of here. Avalon is no place to be if uninvited. (Part Three: Megalomania) ARIN: Previously, on Gargoyles... BROOKLYN: Every night, I would think of you, remember you, longing to hold you, touch you, kiss you. You re so much more beautiful than I remember. (Same ep.) SHADOW: He is no longer the Brooklyn you know and love. Not with the Eye of Odin. Don t try to fight him. Just find the Gate and leave with Kade. (Same ep.) BROOKLYN: Please, my love, stay with me...become my queen-- ARIN: NO! Avalon is not my home! And yes, I love Brooklyn. But you re not Brooklyn. You ve become a monster. (Same ep.) KADE: Let s get this right this time, Arin. ARIN: Good idea. I never want to return here again. *** You ask me why I'm willing, why I can't speak to you, You blame me for my silence, saying it's time I changed and grew. But the wars still going on dear, and there's no one that I know. And I can't stand forever. I can't say if were ever gonna be free: Don't let these shakes go on! It's time we had a break from it, It's time we had some leave. We've been living in a place, We've been eating up our brains, Oh please don't let these shakes go on! -- Veteran on the Psychic Wars Blue Oyster Cult *** After the flame of the Phoenix Gate disipated, the first thing noticed by both women was the drastic drop in temperature. Reaching into her jacket, Kade mumbled something under the howl of the arctic wind and pulled out a pair of combat boots. I m gonna hate myself if I m forced to morph, she commented louder, slipping the leather boots on. Putting on her jacket, she then saw Arin rubbing her arms vigorously, shivering heavily. She had totally fastened her flak jacket, but it wasn t helping much to keep out the cold. Her lips were just showing signs of hypothermia. Too d--damn c--cccc--cold... she whispered, burying her chin into her chest and wrapping her wings around her. Dammit, girl! Kade waded through knee-deep snow to the freezing gargoyle. Wrapping her arms around Arin, she held her tight. We ve got to find civilisation soon, or at least shelter. I c-ccc-can tttt feel my fffeet... Stay with me, Arin! Kade snarled, hoisting the gargoyle up onto her back. Holding fast to Arin s arms, she trudged onward, toward the south. Keep talking to me! But Arin was silent. Dammit! Kade cursed, feeling the cold beginning to get to her. Not now! Morrigan, please, give me strength to find shelter! There was a movement on the horizon. Kade drew her sword. A strange accented voice called out. Help us, please! She shouted, unsure is she was heard over the howling winds. My friend s freezing! We need help! Another voice called out, welcomingly familiar. Kade! She stared, her eyes wide in disbelief. Then, with new-found strength, she ran, kicking away snow as she did, and throwing a free hand around Christopher s neck. *** Through a haze, Arin could barely make out voices. A few seemed familiar; most, however, were alien. One, however, stuck out the most, the closest, above her, a male voice singing. "'Time is never time at all/ you can never leave without leaving a piece of youth/ and our lives are forever changed/ we will never be the same/ the more you change the less you feel/ believe, believe in me, believe/ that life can change, that you're not stuck in vain/we're not the same, we're different tonight.'" She began to gain more consciousness, finding herself wrapped in something like living leather, feeling the slight pulsing of blood flowing through capillaries under the thin membrane stretched over a frame of cartilage. A wing...a gargoyle wing.... Moaning slightly, she opened her eyes slowly and tried to put her hand to her forehead. The wing moved, and she became aware of strong arms holding her close to a male chest. As she focused her blurry sight, she was able to make out his face. "Brooklyn?" she whispered, reaching up to touch his beak. He ceased his song and nodded, hugging her close. "How are you feeling?" he smiled, his voice soft. "You gave me a scare." "It was so cold," she muttered, sitting up in his lap. He had wrapped his wings around her shoulders, gently massaging her arms. "I mean, it wasn't just winter cold; it was almost arctic." "As disturbing as it sounds, Arin," he rested his chin on her damp hair, "we're actually in Ohio, about half a million years in our future." "Shadow..."she whispered. Could it be? Did she finally find her love? "What?" "The Phoenix Gate!" She tried to stand. He held her tight, forcing her gently to sit back down. "It's safe, Arin. Christopher has it." He scooped her up and rose to his feet. She was able to get a better look around the room: a large bed in the corner, a fire roaring in the charming fireplace, a large bay window with the curtains drawn closed, and a thick carpet covering the floor. He moved silently to the to the bed and, deftly with one hand, folded down the thick covers. "Get some rest. You need it." "But--" "You're in no condition to do anything at the moment." He brushed her tri-coloured hair away from her face as he set her down into the welcoming bed. Pulling the blankets up to her chin, he kissed her lovingly on the cheek. As he turned to go, she grabbed his wrist. He met her emerald eyes with tear-rimmed hazel pools of warmth. "Is it really you, Brooklyn?" she demanded hoarsely." He grasped her hand and kneeled before her. "Of course!" He bit his lip. "Who else would it be?" "If you've been where and when Kade and I've been, you'd understand." She crawled out partially of the warm covers and propped onto her elbow. She ran her hand through his cotton white hair and bore deep into Brooklyn's eyes. "I've met up with three other Brooklyns, two of them frightened me, all of them I saw or felt die or dying. I was only able to save you in the past. It's...so...paradoxally disturbing!" She closed her eyes and shook her head, moaning in dull pain. "You...saved me in the past...?" Brooklyn scooted onto the bed next to her, holding her head and combing her hand with gentle talons. "The first place we came to was Castle Wyvern, just before you were hatched. Emphasis on 'just'." She told him of the entire adventure, from when a little more than CPR saved him as an infant, the bit during the Clone Wars (she noticed his eyes whiten in anger when she mentioned Demona, though it quickly dispersed) and the incident on Avalon. He did appear disturbed, but he held her close, not only to reassure her, but t swear to himself he would never let any of that happen. Never, Brooklyn vowed silently, never would he do anything to hurt Arin. "What about you, Brooklyn?" she whispered. "What is our situation?" "The Northern Border, as the locals call it," he answered truthfully. "We are at the palace of the Ever-Vigilant King. There is talk of an invasion between an unnatural tribe from the north, led by someone they call the Runestone Overlord." "Sounds like a plot for an early Moorcock novel," Arin mumbled. He chuckled slightly. "Anyway, when Chris and I arrived, we were brought here by Tristan and Minerva, two advisors of the King, and were asked to aid in their side. The Runestone is apparently some sort of evil that warps minds." "Did you?" "We've been here three days. Not much has happened yet." "Oh." "I suppose we could leave now--" "We can't, Brooklyn," she hissed, kneeling in front of him. "We must help them. We cannot just leave them." "No, we can't." He cupped his hand around her chin. "We are gargoyles; we protect those in need." He seemed a little surprised when she said that. For quite a while she had convinced herself that she was still human, just a little...different. "Brook..." her voice was softer, her eyes searching his. "Brooklyn...I don't know why I've never told you this...but..." she propped her hands on his knees and kissed the tip of his beak. Then, a little more passionately, she locked mouths with him. He mumbled something intangible, but decided to shut up and enjoy the kiss. She suddenly pulled away, tears brimming her eyes. "I love you, Brooklyn," she whispered. "I love you with all my soul. I don't know why I never had told you before, but...I love you..." Brooklyn said nothing, at first shock filling his face, then his maw dropped open with a goofy un-Brooklyn-esque grin spreading across his beak. He wrapped his arms around her waist and cloaked both of them in his wings. "I've waited for you to say that for what seems to be forever," he breathed into her ear. "I've just been so scared," she muttered, running her hands up his chest and onto his shoulders. "I was afraid you'd shun me away...I should have realised you wouldn't...but I...." "Shhh..." he placed a single finger on her full lips. "I understand..." Losing themselves in each other's eyes, the two young lovers held each other close, enjoying the moments together. "I love you, Arin MacDuff," he whispered. "I will always be there for you, to protect you, to love you." "And I love you, Brooklyn of Wyvern," she ran both hands through his thick mane. After a few more minutes, he stood. "I've got to rejoin the others," he was reluctant to release her hands. "I will come with you." "You're still weak--" "I'm getting better," she retorted in a thick British accent as she joined him at his side. "I want to help, Brooklyn." He saw the determination in her eyes, and nodded, and the lovers exited the comfortable room. *** Kade stared at the assortment of creatures in the giant common room. Most were human or gargoyle, though there were two males that stood out, both who seemed human with reptilian appearances. The two reptilians and one of the human females conversed heavily with a tall, muscular elder with a thick grey beard. The other sentients talked amongst themselves, Chris filling her in on their current situation. Suddenly, a tall blond-haired human burst into the room, snow still sticking to his hair from his journey. "Father!" He directed to the grey-haired old man. "The Warlord's forces are advancing! They'll be here in three hours time!" Kade groaned. Not this shit again. "Hayden, are you positive?" The elder demanded. "They cannot possibly move that fast!" The larger reptilian closed his eyes, Kade sensing a telepathic probe. "Can and will, sire," he nodded ruefully. "Demons, the lot of them," the stocky woman who was earlier at the king's side muttered. "And that's why we must stop them," the other reptilian retorted. "I'll get Brooklyn," Kade remarked as she jogged over to the stairs and climbed up to the upper levels. "We're already here," Brooklyn quietly opened the ironwood door, Arin leaning on his shoulder, his wing over her shoulder. "I heard everything." Kade blinked, seeming surprised that Arin was well enough to even wake up. "You okay?" she whispered, concerned. The tan gargoyle nodded weakly, a small smile flickering on her face. "So, what's the plan, sire?" Brooklyn demanded. The old man in turn glanced at the taller reptilian. "What is the current status on you mages, Tristan?" he asked. The mage shield will slow them down, but not stop the horde," he revealed, his light green eyes seemed infinite but, at the same time, limited. "Unfortunately, the mages are not trained to fight demons." "What of the army, Minerva?" The stocky woman spread her hands. "What you see here, sire," she sighed. "The villagers are superstitious and frightened and will not come out of hiding, let along fight." "Nathaniel, what about your psions?" The shorter reptilian laughed shortly. Besides Minerva and myself? Eight; five humans, three gargoyles. Only Minerva and I are telepathic, like that's going to do any good." "I'm 'pathic," Kade stood. "It's limited, but it's better than nothing." "We can use all the help we can get," Nathaniel nodded. "And Chris, you mentioned before of empathy and a small telekinetic gift--" "Aye," the half-dragon mage affirmed. "--Along with magery," Tristan finished, as if he and Nathaniel were one. "Being multitalented in this war is very valuable." "How about you two?" Minerva demanded the two gargoyles just joining the group. "God only knows," Arin mumbled, a little cynical. "You seem more human and fae, friend," Tristan walked up to her and stared her deep with grey-green eyes. "In fact, you spent the majority of your life as a human." Arin nodded, speechless. "A wildcard," he concluded, then turned to Brooklyn. "And you, friend?" "I protect," he whispered, holding Arin closer. Tristan smiled and nodded in understanding. "I sense more from you, kiddo," Nathaniel pulled out a flask of ale from the table and helped himself. "Are you aware of any psionic abilities you may have?" "No," Brooklyn answered quickly. "A shame," the shorter reptilian shrugged. "Here, it seems we may have an advantage with psions." He took his glass and drank deeply. Brooklyn's gaze wandered somewhat to the door. His attention suddenly drifted from the present conversation. Something was coming nearer all right. His mind eye suddenly opened, showing him the advancing hordes riding across the frozen wastes on creatures he could not identify. At the lead was a demon (how he knew it to be a demon, he couldn't explain) in blue armor trimmed with gold, a large sword, twice as large as Kade's claymore at his side, riding a great midnight black horse with horns. At his breast was-- "The Eye of Odin!" He screamed, falling onto his knees, weakened by the vision. Arin caught him, holding him up somewhat, as the forty-odd entities turned to face the copper gargoyle. "What is it, love?" Arin whispered, lowering to eye level with him. "The Runestone...it's the Eye of Odin..." he whispered, holding his head. Nathaniel and Tristan paled. Obviously they had heard of the artifact. "What?" Arin hissed, horrified. Kade placed a hand on the gargoyle's shoulder. Brooklyn only nodded, and fond his mind spinning out of control, grasping images of himself through Arin's eyes, memories she wished to forget... He caught three fleeting images, meshing together, all him, one as an infant, one older, with Demona at his side, the last, a towering powerhouse in blue and gold armor-- --Like the demon Warlord! He moaned softly, leaning his head on Arin's shoulder. "Like hell you don't know about it," Nathaniel muttered. "You're just untrained, boy, and it's killing you!" "What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Arin demanded. "Exactly that," the taller reptilian stooped down and placed a hand on Brooklyn's forehead, just below his horns. "Brooklyn, listen to only my voice..." From there, he remained silent, locking his odd eyes with Brooklyn's hazel eyes. And, after a half a minute, the gargoyle relaxed, taking a deep breath. "It sucks to be you, amigo," Nathaniel snorted, standing up. "I'm surprised you haven't gone crazy with all those open sensories in your head." "I don't understand...." both Arin and Brooklyn whispered. Nathaniel only shook his head. "Let's just say take it easy, Brook," he muttered. "I just gave you a block. It'll remain in place until you actually try to use your head for uses other than thinking, if you know what I mean." "No problem," the copper gargoyle nodded, standing with Arin's help. "Hayden!" Minerva called over the blonde man, the son of the Ever-Vigilant King. "What formation are the Warlord's hordes taking?" "The scouts are uncertain; it looks like a full frontal assault though there is indication of the possibility of a smaller horde sneaking around the border." Hayden retorted. "Shit," Minerva growled. "Round up all able fighters for a defense line. Set a pike line around the village limits just inside the mage shield." Hayden nodded and exited the palace. "Mages, with me!" Tristan called out. Pointing to Arin, he added, "You too, lass. We may need some fae magic here." "I can't control it, sir," she stated. "Only when I'm threatened, and even that's a rarity..." "Grab a weapon, then," he retorted. "Come with us anyway. As it is, this might be a threatening enough of a situation." "I still have my flak jacket and taze gun from the Clone Wars," she nodded, before Brooklyn caught her arm. "Wait a minute, Tristan," he ordered. "She's still recovering from near-hypothermia. She needs her rest--" "Who do you think you are? My father?" She abruptly snapped. "I'm perfectly fine now." He stared at her, and bit his lip. "Sorry, bloke," she whispered, pecking him on the cheek just before turning back into the room where her stuff was. "It'd just I have a feeling of...obligation...to help these people out." "So do I, bright sun," he murmured, releasing her. She stopped in her tracks momentarily. Did he just call her what she thought he called her? No...he couldn't have. Grabbing the flak jacket and weapon from the chair where they were placed a few hours ago, she walked back to Brooklyn's side and stared up at him. He was going to help out with the fighters, where she was going with the mages. They were splitting them up. Grasping his hand as Minerva spewed out orders of battle tactics and Tristan giving magery suggestion to each specialty magic-user, she hissed in his ear, "What did you call me?" "What do you mean?" "A few minutes ago, when I told you I was going to help out, and I told you I felt an obligation, what did you say?" "'So did I.'" "After that." "Nothing, to my knowledge." And with that, he kissed her on the cheek. It was show time. "What are we going to do about the Eye of Odin?" she questioned. "Destroy it," he whispered, helping her into a heavy jacket. Destroy it so it will never fall into the wrong hands again. *** The night air stung the unexposed skin around her eyes as she trudged just inside of the pike shield. Kade was amongst the swordsmen behind that just in case of actual battle. Why couldn t we ve just leave when we found them? the dragon hissed, the flat of her sword tapping against her leg. I ve had enough battle to last me until I get out of college! We just can t leave them. Not when our abilities may help them defeat their enemy, Arin growled somewhat. Even those who deny they have any to begin with. Yeah, what s with Brooklyn, anyway? He was cursed by my mother for interfering with Oberon s judgment of me refusing the Gathering. I ended up a gargoyle, and he with premonition. You mean his psychics aren t natural? I guess. No wonder he s in pain. What do you mean? I ve felt it when we first met, and also just now. Chris informed me he sensed to a more dramatic degree. It may be because of him hiding it all the time. can t be too sure. But it s something that isn t natural to him. And it s hurting him. Arin blinked. Hurting him? Yeah, Kade reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of Big Red. Taking a stick out, she unwrapped it and tossed it in her mouth. She offered the gum to Arin, who refused with a shake of her head. When you re not supposed to have psychic powers, and you suddenly find yourself reading minds of those around you, you tend to be in a lot of pain. You become withdrawn, afraid to think yourself. Sometimes even become catatonic. She shrugged. However, Brook ain t that typical, I ve noticed. Arin blinked again. You talk like it was common. It is. Kade glanced at her quizzically. Isn t it? The only person with true psychic powers other than Brook is one of our friends, RC-- hey, that s a horse of a different colour. What? I ll see if she could help him. Whatever, girl, Kade stuck her hand out in a whatever position. They come! she heard one of the other gargoyles in the pike shield shout. Over the horizon, a legion of blue specks advanced little by little, cresting the snow-drifted hills. Shit! To arms, troops! Minerva cried, her silver breast plate shining in the torch light. She raised her own sword, something similar to Kade s claymore, but less decorative, and took the front of her division. Tristan nodded somewhat, and, with a complex cantrip inhuman to Arin s ears, a sudden burst of magic from his hand shimmered above the defense party, filtering down in a dome fashion. Nathaniel, however, ran up to the mage shield and began to shout obscenities and gesturing the classic flipping bird at the charging army. What the hell is that fool doing? Chris demanded out loud to Tristan. The taller reptilian shrugged. It s his way of getting the morale of his psions up, I suppose, the mage guessed. The half-dragon seemed a little more convinced that this ragtag militia was not playing with a full deck. Whatever he was doing, it wasn t only raising the militia s morale. It was pissing the attackers off as well. Nate, you ass! Minerva snarled. Grow the hell up! What the hell are you talking about? Nathaniel shouted back. I m five-hundred years your elder! Both of you! Tristan warned. We have more important things to pay attention to! Good point, bro! the other reptilian saluted, returning to his group. Arin blinked again. Much less informal than the Castle Wyvern incident, she concluded, returning to Tristan s forces. Kade made her way over towards Brooklyn, near the end. In spite of his higher tolerance to cold, he donned a tailored jacket similar to Arin s, as well as a pair of denim pants and foot wrappings. In his hand was a katana borrowed from the armory. Who s this RC person? she questioned, readying her sword. Brooklyn shot up an eyeridge, obviously surprised. Why can t you ask her to help you? she continued. Because I don t want to deal with the fact I m that different, he snarled with an end of discussion tone to his voice. Kade backed off. That was one thing she learned: never piss off a gargoyle. The first wave of attackers hit the mage shield. Some were fried; the stench of decay reached the pike shieldsmen s nostrils, causing some to even retch. Those who were smart backed off, though did not relax their grip on their weapons. And then the Warlord came into view, his midnight stallion snorting flame. The Runestone--the Eye of Odin--glowed on his breast, and abruptly, the mageshield flickered and died. Shit! Minerva shouted. To arms! First flight, ready weapons! Second flight, prepare defense! Shifting into battle mode, Kade rushed forth, and, regretting it, metamorphosed into half- dragon form, swinging her sword at creature she would have sworn to be an orc, splitting it from shoulder to groin with a thunk. Christopher took a leap, flapping his strong wings repetitively to gain some height, and, shouting Ex vertigo caditis! , flung his hand out, throwing a wave of distortion toward the opposition. The half-men faltered somewhat, but gradually became immune to his magic. Snorting slightly, Chris climbed up to about five-hundred feet and dove, crying the same spell, this time at the Warlord. His dark eyes were the only illumination out of the helmet, until they blazed white upon hearing the cantrip, he looked upward. Momentarily, he lost some balance, but quickly regained it, swinging his sword upward. The half-dragon dodged it expertly, changing his strategy a bit. Ex vertigo caditis! He casted the cantrip on the midnight steed. The unholy horse faltered, tripped, and fell, toppling the Warlord onto the snowy ground. Damn your hide, freak! the creature snarled, standing a good nine feet tall. Damn yourself, demon! Chris flipped him the bird as he climbed back up into the night sky. Christopher! Arin called out. I need a lift! He swooped down amongst Tristan s troop, grabbing Arin s awaiting hands. He pulled up again to two hundred feet, releasing her. She spread her wings, catching a current up to five hundred feet, as she drew the taze gun from under her jacket. Sic semper tyrannis! she shouted, not a spell, but a curse, as she fired. The electrical charge struck the Warlord s chest, sending him reeling back. He cursed again, threw a bolt of lightning at the tan gargoyle, catching her in the arm and dispersed throughout her body. She screamed and plummeted. ARIN!!! The copper gargoyle s eyes flared white as he sliced his third assailant s neck and, vaulting onto its back as it died, leapt, trying in vain to catch an air current. ...three hundred fifty feet... Hopping back onto terra firma, he sprinted toward where he calculated where she was going to land... ...hopefully... ...two-seventy-five... ...had to reach her... ...two-fifty... ARIN! he shouted again, racing up a snow-covered hill. Upon reaching the crest, he leapt again, this time catching the arctic current... ...one-fifty... ...adrenaline pumping through his bloodstream as he furiously attempted to gain altitude... ...one-hundred... ...almost there... ...fifty... He snatched at her, grabbing her flailing arm, swinging her so that he could get both arms around her waist. Landing with a grunt, he laid her down behind the lines and felt for a pulse in her wrist. No, he whispered, feeling none, as Minerva came up behind him. Give me room! she ordered, falling to her knees as she examined the woman. Brooklyn stood, staring at his lover, his best friend. No. His fists clenched, knuckles going white. His gaze locked on to the Warlord, whom a group led by Kade was being swatted down like flies. No. His mind raced. He had failed Arin. He had failed Titania. NO! His eyes returned to white-hot flames as he dashed, sword drawn, toward the demon. He had failed himself. The Warlord pried Kade off his back and closed his hand around her neck. She gasped for breath, what she exhaled came out as tiny puffs of steam. With a new-found burst of strength brought on by revenge, he tackled the massive advisary. Kade coughed, reverting back to human, as she realised she no longer had boots. Shit, she mumbled, standing up frigidly. Then, seeing Arin down, she shouted louder, Oh, shit! and ran to her friend s side. Chris joined her midway. You better have a healing spell ready, bro, Kade commanded, or else. Yes, ma am! he nodded, sliding to his knees next to the fallen body. Arin opened her eyes weakly. Wha--? Kade glanced at Minerva, who cracked somewhat of a sadistically smile. We ve got to tell macho-man over there to learn how to take a pulse properly, she smirked, standing up. I ve got to rejoin the troop. You two stay with the girl. She should be all right soon. Frig, Chris snorted. You gave us a scare. Damn, Arin coughed, sitting up. What happened? You were shot down, Kade retorted, then glanced back at the Warlord and Brooklyn. And from the looks of things, the bastard pissed your boyfriend off big time. His full concentration on the much smaller creature, the Warlord kicked out at the gargoyle. Brooklyn dodged, landing on all fours, then pouncing again, only to be swept from contacting his target by a massive arm. He let loose a shriek as he attacked again. Now it seemed that the war was strictly one-on-one, for the horde stopped attacking to watch the outcome between their master and the enraged gargoyle. Talons lashed out, Brooklyn managed to get a swipe of the Warlord s darkened face. The demon cursed, stepping back, his hand covering his wound. Brooklyn pounced, curling the talons of his feet into the armor breastplate, as he slashed over and over again. There was a glow, a flash, as the red gargoyle was flung back by a bolt of lightning. Shit, he snarled, picking himself up. The Warlord regained his equilibrium, pointing an accusing finger at Brooklyn. Blood flowed freely down his front. I never had any intent to harm you, he snarled. But I see you side with these rebels, and with that choice, you shall parish with them. You never had any intent--you don t even know me! He shouted. You are of Clan Wyvern. Brooklyn froze, his blazing eyes not leaving the graceful movements of the Warlord. How do you know that? A white-toothed grin flashed from within the dented helmet. I know more about you than you know of yourself, Titania s Champion. Brooklyn s eyes narrowed, and pounced once more. The Warlord did not expect that, nor did he expect the young gargoyle s hand wrap around the Eye of Odin at his breast. No, you fool! The Warlord cried as raw power surged from the artifact into Brooklyn s very being, blasting open the block Nathaniel had set up a few hours past. The gargoyle, spasming in pain but refusing to release his hold on the Eye, he glanced down at it, staring at it, then...through it...the molecular structure...his mind s fingers prying at the bonds connecting the talisman to its user. There was a scream shared between the two of them as Brooklyn ripped off the Eye of Odin and flew back, sliding about twenty feet. The Warlord sank to his knees, covering his face, as he shrunk in height by about two feet. There was a moment of silence as Brooklyn crawled onto his feet and staggered up to the Warlord. Glancing back down at the Eye of Odin in his hand, his practiced the same observance as before, looking at it at a molecular level, mentally tearing it apart bit by bit. It screamed as it was pulled apart, blaring into Brooklyn s mind with another burst of raw power. Ignoring the intense pain, he continued with the duty, until nothing more remained save for the dust in his hand that he released into the wind. He wiped his nose, finding it sticky and wet. Bringing his hand up to eye level, he noted startled that it was in fact blood. Damn, he whispered, picking up what was left of the Warlord. Prying off the helmet, Brooklyn cursed again, losing his stability somewhat. It was his own face. But on careful observation underneath all the blood that still seeped from the lesions, he could make out the dark grey skin tone and ridges down the length of his head, black, blood-caked hair hung in strings down the beak. The dying grey eyes locked onto Brooklyn s now-hazel ones. Caligo... the Warlord whispered hoarsely. I...am...Caligo.... And, with that on his last breath, he died. Brooklyn blinked, shock, fear, surprise, and other indescribable feelings welled inside him. He placed the helmet back on Caligo s head, the gargoyle lurched back toward the rest of the group. Without the Warlord s power over them, the hordes wandered aimlessly, cluelessly, out toward the west. The militia suddenly lunged forward, the Ever-Vigilant King and his son Hayden in the front, hoisting the flabbergasted hero onto their shoulders. To the inn! the king shouted with a grin. Ale on me! Tonight we celebrate freedom! Alone, Brooklyn added silently, ruefully, as mourning replaced all his other emotions. Arin...my beautiful bright sun... Brooklyn! He perked up somewhat. He was hearing ghosts. Brooklyn! A tan form vaulted onto the crowd and--for lack of a better word--moshed toward the red gargoyle. Arin! He cried. You re alive...! Of course I am! she whispered parapdoxally over the cheers of the villagers. Oh, and Minerva sends you a message: learn how to take a pulse. Brooklyn snorted, and, leaping off the shoulders of the king and prince, dragged her out of the crowd. With a smile of relief, he leaned her against the wall of a closed shop and kissed her deeply, passionately. I thought you were dead... he whispered, tracing the contour of her face with a gentle finger. It takes a little more than a bolt of lightning to keep a MacDuff down, she smirked. And what about you? Your eyes...they seemed...pained.... It doesn t matter now! he laughed, picking her up by the waist and swinging her around in a circle. Bringing her down for a hug, he ran a hand through her tri-coloured hair. I love you, Arin, he spoke softly in her ear. I love you too, Brook, she muttered, sleepily. Ahem. The two lovers face the cougher. Kade and Chris stood, the woman tapping her foot. This is all so touching and all, she remarked, But I really want to go home now before we end up posing for a statue or something! Chris nodded his head vigorously, pulling out the Phoenix Gate from his jacket. Arin smiled radiantly, nodding an affirmation. Let s go home, Brooklyn grinned, grabbing hold of Arin in a tight hug as Chris spoke the incantation, raising the Gate over his head. Deflagrate muri tempi et intervalia! *** Epilogue Castle Wyvern July 4, 1997 11:00 pm I m going to kill them... Macbeth muttered, picking up the cardboard six-pack with five empty bottles. I m going to kill both of them.... When we find them, that is, Goliath growled, storming to the library. Most likely place Arin and Brooklyn would be, he threw open the heavy oak doors and marched down the rows of shelves. Most of the guests had left straight after the yacht had docked. Only the Xanatos , Macbeth, Elisa, and the rest of Clan Manhattan returned to the Eyrie Building. Alexander yawned, and muttered, Gone poof. What do you mean, Alex? Fox asked, shifting her son to the other hip. The toddler babbled some more. Fenix. Poof. As for emphasis, the boy threw his hands up. I think it s time someone went night-night, Fox then suggested. The baby pouted. Abruptly, the sound of a bonfire roared from the courtyard. What the hell? Elisa cursed, leading the way up the stairwell outside. Um... Broadway, who followed her a close second, scratched his head. I think we found them, Goliath.... How did that car get all the way up here? Lexington noted the Trans Am in the courtyard, behind his rookery brother, Macbeth s daughter, and the two strangers. He, Angela, and Broadway ran up to the four, curious. Brooklyn and Arin released their embrace and glanced around sheepishly. Um...hi? The black-haired woman greeted. We come in peace, the strange-looking gargoyle retorted. The woman nudged him sharply. Goliath stared at the four wearing winter parkas, then at the artifact in Christopher s hand, then back at Brooklyn. I suppose you re going to explain this, from the beginning? He rumbled. Brooklyn snorted somewhat. It ll take all night, he sighed. And we have all the time in the world, Macbeth interjected, slamming the empty beer bottles on the stone picnic table. Starting with these. Uh-oh, Kade whispered. Bail? Chris suggested. Bail, Kade agreed, diving into the driver s side. Sorry, dudes, but we gotta run. Obligations, you know...Dammit, Chris, get us out of here before they interrogate us! Goliath groaned as the flames of the Phoenix Gate engulfed them, car and all. Chickens! Arin screamed, shedding the jacket. Um, yes, where to begin.... Brooklyn clapped his hands together. Well, you see, Kade and Chris somewhat appeared from an alternate dimension, and brought along the Gate, and, well...you guys might want to sit for this one.... *** Magic Dimension Midnight Somewhere on I-495 Kade blinked, and stared at her best friend. That was a little too much for me to take, she slapped him in the arm. Same here, he agreed, looking over the artifact. So, what are we going to do with it? Kade rolled her eyes when she noted the pleading look on Chris face. You aren t going to keep it. Damn. Get rid of it, somehow... Okay... Reluctantly, he rolled down the window, shouted, Deflagrate muri tempi et intervalia! one last time, and threw the Phoenix Gate into the rift above them. As it closed, Kade released a sigh of relief. Bro, she smiled. Let s go home. Good. I m starved. You always are. *** NEXT TIME, EDDIE GOES POSTAL!!! So what else is new? Who is this mysterious Caligo? (ShabowBrook figured it out already, though he had some prompts from me already. Cheater.) I m glad you asked, because until Mercedes gets her tail in gear with her fanfic *evil glare*, I can t write my next planned story. So, in its stead, Ohayoo Nippon! or a new one in the works, Waiting for Darkness , which is a short one with Demona remienising the days of Renaissance Milan, Italy, with a few surprises in store, Revenge of the Black Sword, Ashes, Ashes... , two stories with Luach...stay tuned!!! --Black Blade My Cosmic Song Goes On For Eternity Soundtrack: Veteran of the Psychic Wars by Blue Oyster Cult from Fire of Unknown Origin Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins from Mellen Collie and the Infinite Sadness-Dawn til Dusk