It was dark, save for the light that centered on her. She couldn't see past the light, but found out who was there when he stepped forward. He was a large humanoid, with green, scaly skin, serpentine eyes, and beaks and a horn. Hence his name " Dragon"

"Crysta, you were completly out of line to bring that human here."

"I know! But, there was something about him. It was almost as if I met him before the time I saved him from the mugging. For some reason, I was vunerable around him. I couldn't help it.

"Still Crysta, you were lucky he was not one of the humans of old. He could have told everyone on us. Unfortunatly, people may already know we are here. We have to move because of his interference."

"So?! Without his interference, I would be in Upstate New York being researched by some scientists! That man has preformed a great deed!"

"Crysta, you must realize that every human you meet cannot be trusted! Remember that crook you nearly revealed our location of our hideout too! Luckily, you are smarter than that now. But, you still brought a human up here!"

"What's wrong with that? We coexisted with humans long ago, and there was no problems there!"

"Crysta, I realize that. But, not all humans were like that. I wasn't alive to be there, but the elders have passed down information of humans in that group that DID plot against us. Humans are sometimes not what they seem."

"Yes, I realize that. Now what shall we do? That man has offered to help us, and we may need his help."

"Go get him, and see what he can do. For now, I believe he can be trusted. He rescued you, and even did his best to find us a new location for our rookery. It may be the time for another move in location."

"But Dragon, where could we go?"

The meeting adjourned, Crysta and Dragon exited the room. They headed back to the main hall, which held all thier living equipment. One could always find a Gargoyle in here, since it held the two main entertainment devices: Their prized big scr een TV and Computer. The ancient artifacts that they had were once again being cleaned and maintained by one of the lesser Gargoyles in the clan. He did a nice job, and even made their most prized possession, an ancient suit of armor imported from Europ e, look almost newer than before. The red-haired female went outside and took to the air, while Dragon went to the other side and stared at the stars.

Work was grueling today. Tim had to give a 9-week exam after the weekend, and had to take kids on a crash course in HTML. He had forgot to write the review after being in the hospital and meeting Crysta. However, he just got an e-mail reply th at he would be transfered from his current job to Xanatos Enterprises in Miami. All he had to do was this exam, and he was done. He finally heard the 7th period bell, and packed up all his stuff and headed home. Crysta informed him that Dragon and she we re going to talk about their current situation, and that she would try and pick him up the next day after sunset. The brown-headed male headed home, and worked on his scrambler.

The sun was setting, and he still had some time to get some work done. He finally managed to get to clean up his place and maintain it, so now he had an average New York apartment, not some pig-sty. He sent e-mail to his family, which he hadn' t done since the mugging, and waited for Crysta.

About a half hour after the sun went down, she arrived and landed on his balcony. "Come on, let's go," she said. Tim got into her arms as she took off and headed towards the church. They landed on the church roof, and was immediatly confronted by Dragon.

"Tim, we have a problem. The friar who maintains this church has noticed that some men in black coats have been hanging around this place. He doesn't recognize them, and believes them to be some spys or something. He advises us to leave as soo n as possible, but we have no place to go that hasn't already been populated. We only need the eggs moved for now, so do you know of a place that we could place our eggs, which number 40. Do you have anyplace we could move them?"

Tim had to think for a second. "I might have a place, but I have to work the details out. If you have anything else you can do, you might want to do it now. This might tatke a while."

Dragon nodded. "Crysta, Equinox, to me! We are going on patrol tonight."

Crysta and another gargoyle stepped up. Dragon lept off the roof, with them following, and headed to the north, out of Tim's eyesight. Tim took this time to head to the computer, and access his computer.

He opened up his manifest on all the buildings he owned. He spent a few minutes looking them over, and finally saw something. He had a greenhouse on southside of Miami, with a large abandoned warehouse next to it. Offically, no one owned it, an d the cost to buy it was pretty cheap. He could afford it, but he would have to cut back till he went to work for Xanatos.

"Oh no." It struck Tim. He was going to work for the corporation that was trying to get these gargoyles. If he went to work with them, it would add additional risks to him and the gargoyles, and would porbably make them distrust him. Tim couldn 't give up the money, yet he had to find a better job for his abilities. He immediatly sent an e-mail to Xanatos Enterprises saying he could not work for them do to unforseen circumstances.

However, when he was about to send that e-mail, he hesitated. If he didn't go for work for them, he would not be able to purchase or even rent the warehouse. Also, he would be unemployed, because he was already apporved of quiting his job after finals, which was this Monday. He had to find a better place to work.

He entered his previous e-mail messages. Among them were all the offers sent to him by previous organiztions. He looked through the list, and found one with the highest paying salary. It wasn't as high as Xanatos's but it would get him enough t o do what he needed. He sent the e-mail to Xanatos, and sent an e-mail to the company he would send it too. That company was Nightstone Unlimited.

Dragon and the others returned, with Tim walking out and greeting them. "I found a place, but it is far from here. It is a greenhouse I own that is right next to a warehouse that I can purchase. You can put the eggs in the greenhouse, provided you take care of the plants too, because I won't be able to with the eggs there, and the warehouse you can use to live and meet."

Dragon was impressed. "Tim, you have been a superb friend in times like this. We shall move our eggs to the Greenhouse first tonight, which would take all our clan members. Then, we shall move our stuff to your warehouse."

"Not yet Dragon. I still have to purchase the Warehouse, and provide an excuse for why I want it and where I can get the money. That might take a few days, and most certainly cannot be done now."

Dragon frowned. "We will wait. But we urge you to do this quickly Tim. Who knows when men will bust down into our home and try and capture us!"

It was at that time when an explosion rang back into the home. Dragon immediatly raced into the meeting place, with Tim, Crysta, and Equinox in close pursuit. Smoke had filled the chamber, and 5 men in suits walked through a door. Obviously, th ese were the men from Xanatos. Dragon motioned for everyone to take a hidden place. At the time, the only people there were that group of 4. The rest were either enjoying themselves or patrolling. The men stepped up the staircase, and that was as far as t hey got.

Dragon erupted a battle-cry as he rammed himself into the group. The men were knocked down the stairs, but got up immediatly and pulled out their guns. The smoke was clearing, and they started to aim for Dragon. They were knocked back though, because Crysta and Equinox took their turns and flying kicked the men in the backs. Tim was ready to take some of them on, but he went away from the battle for a second first.

Tim returned, his face covered with a cloth he had found. If these people recognized him, he would be in big trouble. He immediatly was encountered by one man, who noticed him and charged him. Tim smiled.

Dragon was meanwhile taking care of two men, with Crysta and Equinox handling one each. Dragon picked one up and threw him into the other. Crysta was being shot at, but jumped on the wall, then the ceiling, then landed behind the man. She tappe d his shoulder. The man turned around, and was immediatly knocked out by Crysta's fist. Equinox was having trouble dodging the man's bullets.

The man charging Tim immediatly leapt into the air for a jump kick, which suprised Tim and hit him dead on. He got up, and was punched in the face. He wept his face, and found he was bleeding in the nose. The man attempted another punch, but Ti m grabbed his arm, and immeditaly started kicking him with his foot in the face. Then, he let go, and started to whap him side-to-side with his other foot. To finish off, he pulled three lefts, then did an uppercut right to his chin. "Now that's what I ca ll a combo!"

Dragon was still engaged with those two men, who had managed to grab him after getting up. Tim immediatly headed over to help Dragon, but something dreadful happened. A shot rang, and then a male gargoyle scream. Tim looked in the direction of Equinox. His jaw dropped. The man had hit him in the chest, and Equinox was not moving. Crysta looked in his direction, and the color fled from her face. Dragon looked on, then immediatly let out a scream. He flung the men away from him, and each hit the roof and fell to the ground. Tim went to Equinox's side and checked for a pulse.

Crysta's was being attacked by another man. Her eyes glowed red, and she let out a scream as she begun to claw at the man. Dragon rammed himself into the man who shot Equinox, slamming the man nearly through the wall. Crysta was starting to dra w blood on the man, and Tim headed over to her to restrain her. Tim was knocked aside, and was thrown half-way across the room. Dragon managed to stop her. Tim was dizzy, but he got up and headed over to Equinox again.

"I....I'm so sorry Tim. I didn't know what I was thinking!" Crysta said, horrified at what she had just done.

"I know you were mad at the time. It's no problem. However, Equinox isn't dead. He has a pulse, and is breathing. I think that that man who shot him didn't shoot anything vital. Do you have a first aid kit? This man is bleeding, and he will die of it if we don't stop it!

Dragon nodded, and headed over to a set of cabinents next to the display of armor. Tim took off his mask, and studied the wound. "I am not a professional doctor or anything, but I can tend a wound. All I can do is stop the bleeding for a couple of hours. After that, I cannot do anything else."

"You will not need to do anything else. The sun rises soon, and I can see that our clan members are coming home. "Dragon showed a bit of concern as he showed this, for the gargoyles that arrived were standing in shock. Dragon and Crysta immedia tly went over to explain what happened, while Tim tended to Equinox.

When Tim was done, he asked Dragon to get a few gargoyles to move the bodies downstairs for the police to take, and repair the door. If they saw that thing messed up, they would head up here and see everything. "The last thing we need," Tim sai d, "is the police after you guys too." Dragon understood, and assigned a few males to take them downstairs.

"The friar can explain to the police. Right now, we must rest. Equinox will be fine after sunrise."The gargoyles headed out into the rising sun, with Equinox being laid on a bed. Tim headed outside, and watched. The sun rose, and he heard crack ing as each gargoyle turned to stone and entered hibernation. After the sun was up, Tim realized something. "Hey, how am I supposed to get home?!"

Tim managed to get home, but not without being questioned by police on the scene. Luckily, they didn't take him in. He headed home, and made a phone call to the landlord of the warehouse. He was suprised to find that he was willing to get the p lace off his mind, and gave it to Tim for cheap. Tim made his arrangements, and waited for sunset to tell the gargoyles. He quietly entered the church. He waved to the Friar, and headed upstairs. He checked on the Equinox, and went outside.

The sun set. Cracking could be heard all over, as the many gargoyles broke free. Each yawned, stretched, and headed inside or on patrol. Tim moved over to Dragon. "I got the warehouse, suprisingly enough. You can start moving the eggs tonight."

"Good. The sooner, the better." He recalled the clan members that were going on patrol, and ordered all females to move the eggs, and all males to move the equipment they had. Soon, the building was half-empty before everyone had to rest. It was half-way to dawn, and they figured they could move it all by morning, and sleep at thier new home by dawn. The friar had managed to get a moving company to take the empty display cases, using an excuse as to why they were up there. With the cases on their way, it was only a matter of time before they would leave and once again be undiscovered.

Dawn struck them, and the gargoyle clan took to the inside of the warehouse and assumed their positions. They turned to stone, and Tim headed back into the main hall. He looked the place over. What had been a abandoned mess was now a reasonable living space. He headed next door to the Greenhouse, but did not go in. He did not want to make Dragon mad, so he left the key to it with him. Now, he had no access to his greenhouse. I didn't matter though. The rookery eggs are safe.

Tim headed home in his car, and checked his mail. Sure enough, he got a reply from Nightstone and Xanatos Enterprises. Everything seemed to work out so far, and he would be able to afford the warehouse for the gargoyles. He sent thank you lette rs to both companies, and logged off. He had to get to work on his AI scrambler, but he was too tired. He had stayed up all night again, and was getting sleepy. He brushed his teeth, and headed to bed....

The Head Scientist of Xanatos Enterprises, Miami Division was not happy. Linus Drakkar turned to his monitor as he recieved an e-mail from Tim Daniels on how he could not accept the job offer. He had lost a man that could have gone far in this buisness. His sources told him he was going to work for Nightstone Unlimited. What did they have that they didn't? No matter for right now. He flipped on his other monitor, and stared at the recent report. His men were caught, and were by no means traced to this corportion. Apperently, they had been beaten bad, and were now in the hospital. He sent this report to Mr. Xanatos himself, with an attached comment. He went back to the other computer and opened a live communication.

"Drakkar here, get me Sevarius."

Dr. Anton Sevarius appeared on the screen. The man looked worried, and he didn't immediatly acknowledge Drakkar's appearance. He looked up. "Ah, Dr. Drakkar. What has been the latest report on my new specimens?"

"We found them, but they know something is up. We are moving in for a raid on the building tonight."

"Good. I need more gargoyle DNA to create clones, and I am running out. You'd better deliver Doctor, or you might lose your job on this one."

"I won't fail you." He flipped the screen off and went back to his other monitor. He opened a current manifest of men, and issued a command to each unit. There orders:To raid the Gothic Church on the northside of Miami, and capture as many gar goyles as possible.

Tim woke, and looked at his watch. "Yikes!" It was nearing sunset. He got dressed and hurried over to the warehouse. He was there just in time to see all the gargoyles crack out of stone hibernation. Crysta and Dragon greeted him. "Welcome agai n Tim. We would like to thank you again for this wonderful place you have provided us."

"Ah, it was no problem."

Crysta nodded, then headed to the roof. "I have to head back to the church. I left some of my stuff there, and I forgot to bring it."

Dragon nodded, and said "Take someone with you. I don't want you there to be alone."

Crysta looked around, then said "Tim, would you come with me?"

"Uhm.. Sure, I guess. I'll just take my car over." Crysta smiled. She then took off and headed north, while Tim got into his car and head towards the church. He kept a close eye on her, and made it into the church just in time to see Cryst a land on the roof. He entered the building.

Upon entering, his jaw dropped. The friar lay hurt, his head bleeding, against the altar. Someone had come in here and knocked him out. Tim took care of the frair, and rushed upstairs. He heard a scream, which could only be Crysta's. He ran as fast as he could, but stopped and peaked up to look onto the scene.

On the roof was an unmarked, large helicopter. Three men had Crysta in their arms, and Crysta was trying to break free. However, the men were to strong, and were trying to get her into a large box.

One of the men said, "You're coming with us dearie, whether you like it or not."

"I believe the lady is going nowhere." The man turned, and saw a flying foot come after him before being knocked across the room from Tim's jumpkick. Tim realized this was a mistake, however, when 5 men leapt out of the helicopter. The three me n holding Crysta looked at Tim, but immediatly got behind the group of five.

Tim had to get past these men quick, or else have to go back into Xanatos Enterprises and rescue her again. Three men stepped forward, trying to overpower Tim. They all managed to land on him, and looked like they were going to subdue him, but Tim threw them off and backhanded one of the men. He immediatly side-kicked another in the gut, and front kicked the third. He took one of the men and threw the him into one of the other men. Tim smiled as he apporached the man still standing. The man t ried and punched, but Tim dodged from left to right When he tryed to kick Tim where the sun don't shine, Tim grabbed his foot. He moved his forefinger side-to-side. "Bad move."

Tim reached down and started kicking the man all over. He continued to subdue each of the men, one-by-one, until there was none left standing to fight him. By the time he was finished, he saw the helicopter start to fly off. It cleared the roo f, but not without Tim hanging from the helicopter holding on.He held on, and waited for the helicopter to land again. It did several minutes later, but it was done at the Miami Xanatos building. Tim got off, and hid. The remaining men not left behind to ok Crysta, who was bound by chains. The men took her inside. Tim cursed at this. "We have to back in, but I can't do it alone this time. It looks like they increased the security of the place. I'll have to head back to the Gargoyles."

Tim left the compund, then headed for the gargoyle's new home.

Please send any comments to Nigeria@msn.com, and feel free to post any comments on The Alternative Gargoyle list.

If any of you have comments, or suggestions in imporving my writing style, please feel free to e-mail me at Nigeria@msn.com

Tim "Nigeria" Daniels