AN: Things are hectic on my end. With some luck this has reached ASMR on time, and in tact. I'll do my best to stay focused, but if I mess up, you guys make sure to call me on it. I want to thank everyone for all the feedback and emails given, and hope it continues to the end of this series and beyond. I want to finish this in two more parts. Or less. Disclaimer: My name is not Disney. My name is not Naoko Takeuchi. Enough said. Gargoyles/Moon Part 4: A Little Bit of Magic By Ahn Na Blue (rated PG) The blonde was pacing, her pigtails floating around her body erratically as she turned around the room, stopping now and again to stare out the window and gnaw on her lip. The other five women in the room were no less antsy, but they managed to keep their feelings hidden. Elisa stood by the ever burning fire in the hearth, poking the embers absently. Amy was typing into her computer as always, and Raye was pulling at her dark hair in frustration. Lita and Mina sat quietly on the sofa, exchanging glances and racking their brains for something to say or do. Serena broke the silence with a wail. "Oh Christ," Raye started, letting her head loll back in exasperation. "Here she goes." Serena stomped indignantly. "I can't help it Raye! I know that Darien is in some kind of trouble, and I can't stand to just sit here and do nothing about it!" She turned again to the window. They had managed to while away quite a few hours this way, and the sun was starting to sink. But nightfall to Serena seemed an eternity away. "That's it! If none of you can come up with a plan right now, I'm going out to find Darien by myself!" She took one last look at her friends and started towards the door in a huff. "I wouldn't go off in such a hurry, Miss," said a reserved voice from the darkness of the hall. Serena stopped dead, a questioning look on her features. From the shadows, a tall blond man with small eyeglasses emerged into the room. He straightened his tie. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I am Owen, personal assistant to Mr. Xanatos, and perhaps I can be of some help." "Hey," Mina exclaimed,"he's got a stone hand!" Owen ignored her as he strode into the room. "I have a plan about how to locate your missing friend." This statement brought squeals of joy from Serena, and the others looked up with interest. "But it will take time for me to orchestrate. I'll be back in a few hours. Until then, I suggest you try to get some rest. You'll need it." And with that, he turned to go. Serena's brow furrowed. "How am I supposed to sleep at a time like this!!!" Raye sighed. "Hey Mr. Owen, before you go, would you mind whacking Serena over the head a few times with your stone hand? That should put her out like a light." ******************************************************************** Darien prodded gingerly at his breakfast. He was extremely hungry, but there always seemed to be a bitter taste to his food. Grudgingly, he forced down a mouthful. He looked around his enclosure coldly. Being held here was definitely getting on his nerves. Soon he would have to try calling Serena again. The sound of an airlocked door opening brought his head up. Dominique walked into the room slowly, dressed in a crisp brown suit, her red hair pinned back severely. She sat next to him and took his hand in hers. He was impressed, as always. Even in such a dire situation, she managed to look strong and put together. He gave her fingers a squeeze and pushed his plate away. Concern crossed Dominique's face. "You really should eat Darien. You need your strength," she said, gathering up his plate and glass of juice and setting it once again before him. He did his best to eat for her, and then looked into her eyes. There was a hopeful twinkle in them, and he knew she was thinking of escape. "We'll get out of this together, I promise you," he said, and noticed her twinge. "What is it? Have you found out something? Something about the monster's plan?" Dominique rose and walked to the windows, hugging herself and shaking her head. "I don't know anything! I don't know anything anymore!" Her breath began to hitch, and Darien immediately went to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "All I know is that she's got something planned for tonight, something important. And it makes me very nervous Darien." She looked up at him searchingly."It takes a lot to make me nervous." She looked away and folded herself into his embrace, burying her head in his shoulder. Darien hated to see such a strong woman reduced to fear. He held her tightly. "It'll be all right Dominique. Everything will work out." She smiled a curling cat's smile. "Yes," she breathed. ******************************************************************** Despite her protests, Serena did manage to fall asleep in the large four poster bed in the guest room, Luna curled between her feet. The other scouts had dozed off as well, Mina retiring into the adjoining room, Lita hugging a pillow on the couch, Raye asleep on the rug with her face in a book, and Amy slumped over her computer. Elisa had gone home to feed her cat Cagney, catch a nap, and check in down at the police station. She had promised to be back before the Gargoyles awoke that night. When four figures walked into the room, it was Raye who woke first, sensing a mystical presence. Blinking her eyes groggily, she recognized the man, Owen, who had said he might be able to help. "Did you come up with anything, Mr. Owen?" she asked, her question waking the other girls, except for Serena, who continued to snore and drool happily. "I did," the reserved blond man said, "And I've brought everything we'll need to find your friend." He swept his arms wide to indicate his companions. Beside him was his employer, Mr. Xanatos, whom the girls remembered from their first night in the castle. There was also a tall red haired woman with a blue tattoo over her left eye, carrying a small child in her arms. Xanatos spoke. "This is my wife, Fox, and my son, Alex. We've been briefed on your dilemma, and we're fascinated by the situation. Besides, Owen tells me that helping you will be good training for young Alex." "Training?" Amy asked. "What do you mean by that?" "They're not all human," Raye stated warily. "I'll go wake Serena," offered Mina helpfully. She went into the bedroom and found Luna trying to pull the blankets off of Serena with her teeth. "Get UP meatballhead," growled Luna between bites of blanket, "Something's happening!" "Wake up Serena!" Mina said, "Mr. Owen thinks he can find Darien!" "Darien!" Serena shrieked and vaulted out of the bed, sending luna hurtling onto the floor. In no time the three were out in the main room with the others, dizzy cat included. Baby Alex was gurgling and reaching for Raye, who shrunk away sheepishly, stating some excuse about not being good with babies. "He can sense your magic," Fox said, holding the child out for Raye to take. "Please hold him. We like to encourage Alex to associate with other magical beings." Raye held the child awkwardly, wincing as Alex grabbed a fistful of her bangs and yanked. Owen adjusted his glasses. "We'll need your help to perform the spell," he said to Raye, and then, regarding Serena, "And we'll need her help also." "I don't know how much help she'll be," Raye muttered. "Who are you guys anyway?" "We are of the third race," Owen answered simply. "We possess strong magic from the isle of Avalon, and from our lord and king, Oberon." Raye sweatdropped, not wanting to ask any more questions. Owen continued. "The spell will take place at sunset. Fox, Alex, and I will go to the basement to prepare the area. When all is ready, we'll send for you." And then the strange party turned and walked from the room. "I love this mystical stuff," Xanatos grinned before he left. The Sailor Scouts came together in the middle of the room, and unspoken questions hung thickly in the air. "This is way weird," Mina said to break the ice. "I don't care how weird it gets, as long as it finds my Darien." Serena's face was serious, resolved. There would be no cowardice about the spell on her part. Raye smiled at her. It was a rare moment. "There's nothing for any of us to do now but wait," Amy said matter of factly. But Lita had something else on her mind. As the others continued to gossip and wonder, she slipped away. They didn't need her now, she wasn't a part of this. She wandered the halls until she found exactly what she was looking for: the kitchen. With a gleam in her eye, she rolled up her sleeves and went to work. ********************************************************************** Despite the anticipation that buzzed through the castle, sunset came quickly. As the sun dipped down low behind the horizon, six sets of eyes glowed white and slats of stone were scattered over the ground as the Gargoyles awoke with a a collective roar, stretching their wings and arms to the sky. Goliath looked around worriedly. "Angela didn't return last night." A worried look shadowed Broadway's features, but he knew that his love was well able to take care of herself. "I'm starvin. Goin to the kitchen," he said, scratching his belly and yawning. Bronx and Hudson were already inside the doorway on their way to the television set. Lexington leapt down from his post and rubbed the stone sleep out of his eyes. "I'm going to find Amy," the little green Gargoyle said with some excitement. "That palm computer she's got is really cool." Brooklyn watched him as he scampered off into the castle. "Brooklyn," Goliath said, catching the brick red Gargoyle's attention. "I'm going to check in with Elisa, and see if I can find Angela. I won't be long. Do not make any rash moves until I return." The big gray leader unfurled his massive wings and dove off the parapet, catching the wind and gliding away. Brooklyn looked around himself. "And now I'm all alone," he mused, smiling at the way they dispersed so quickly in the evening. "You're not all alone," said a hesitant voice from just inside the doorway. Lita stepped out into the night, holding a large basket covered with a red checked cloth. "Are you hungry?" Brooklyn looked at her quizzically. Her hair wasn't in her usual ponytail, rather it was let down and held back by a red handkerchief. Tiny brown wisps of it escaped to frame her face. She wore simple blue bib overalls and sneakers. Her smile was hopeful. "I'm actually very hungry." The smile widened. "Do you have someplace we could eat? I made it all myself," she said with a certain pride, and Brooklyn remembered the look she had worn when she had first seen Xanatos' kitchen. "Sure," Brooklyn said, walking to her and scooping her up, then diving off the castle and circling to land on another, more secluded wing with stone benches. Lita set the basket onto the edge of one and looked around. The gray stone seemed to glow beneath the light of a full white moon. She glanced back over her shoulder at Brooklyn, who was removing the basket's contents and arranging them in a semicircle. He seemed amazed at the variety of the fare. Lita smiled. She had put her whole heart into the spread, making her special coconut shrimp, rice balls, noodle soup, sushi, and her own homemade muffins for dessert. She walked back to the little picnic, and sat down beside his crouched form. "Do you like shrimp?" she asked. "I love it. This all really looks great Lita." He paused. "Did you happen to pass Broadway on your way up to the rooftop?" She shook her head, and Brooklyn smiled. "I didn't think so. If you had, this basket would be nothing but a handle by now." The girl giggled, and found herself blushing. She looked at his face now, and saw gentle, dark eyes. There was nothing monstrous there. Nothing at all. ***************************************************************************** In a corridor at Nightstone Incorporated, Angela greeted the night with a stretch, and heard her mother's screams of pain as she transformed back into her true form. Within moments, the screams died out, and Demona was at her side. After a small hug of greeting, Angela pulled away. "We need to talk mother." "What's happened, my daughter?" Demona's voice was concerned. "Has Goliath done something?" Her eyes glowed red as she spoke the name of her old love. "No, its got nothing to do with Father," Angela insisted. She took a deep breath. "I know that you're keeping a human here." She looked Demona straight in the face and waited for a reaction. There was no trace of the anger she had expected, only a sadness, and an acceptance. "Come with me," the elder Gargoyle said. She led Angela down the adjoining hallway and into a room with several monitors, most of them displaying the man Angela had seen the night before. "What's going on here mother?" Demona turned away as if in shame. "I need you to try and understand something Angela. This has nothing to do with Goliath, or you, or the other Gargoyles. It is not some devious plan to destroy humanity, or gain revenge on any of my enemies." "Then what is this about?" Angela demanded, wanting to hear her mother admit what she herself already suspected. "I-" Demona hesitated. "I want to tell you. But I'm ashamed." She slammed a heavy fist into the console, causing the images on the screens to fuzz and toggle. "I'm ashamed to be in love with a human." And there it was. Angela's eyes softened, and she placed a hand on her mother's shoulder. "Love is never something to be ashamed of." Demona's eyes glowed red hot. "But he's nothing but a human. He is my enemy." She shook her head harshly. "I am a traitor to my own cause!" Angela's throat was thick. There was a softness in Demona that she had never seen before, and hope sprang quickly to the surface of her heart. No one believed that Demona could change, no one had supported Angela when she wanted to give her another chance. She smiled to herself. If Demona could love a human then there was genuine hope that she could change her ways. Images of the mother she had never had danced before Angela's eyes. A mother who was loving, not bitter, and gentle, not violent. "Tell me how it happened Mother." As Demona began her tale, she was hesitant, but soon it began to pour out of her, something she had wanted to share with someone from the beginning. "I met him as a student. He came to interview me for a business course he was taking. He was so- so unlike other humans. There's something about him that tells me he's not like the rest. Something in him touches my soul, made me realize I still had a soul after all these centuries. It happened so quickly. Oh Angela," she looked up at her daughter. "He doesn't know who I really am! I have to make him see that I'm not a monster, that I am Dominique Destine, a woman he could learn to love." "Why did you kidnap him mother?" Demona growled and spun away. "I didn't have a choice. He was going to leave me for another. Someone he left behind in Japan. I couldn't let him go, don't you see that? Not before I had my chance to make him love me." She faced her daughter, suddenly gravely serious. "Please Angela. Don't tell Goliath. I know he wouldn't approve, and he'd take Darien from me on the grounds of his misguided justice. Please. I swear to you, I could never hurt this human. All I want is the chance to make him see me the way I should be seen." Angela was softening to her mother. She hated to deceive Goliath, after all, he had been so good to her, so wonderful a father. But as she looked into Demona's pleading eyes, her brain raced with thoughts of morality. "You can't keep him here forever mother. If he can't love you, you must promise me you'll let him go." Demona's eyes narrowed for an imperceptible moment while Angela watched the screens. "I will, my daughter." Angela offered up a brave smile. "Then there's no harm done here. I trust you mother. And if this man is all you say he is, then he will see your love as a gift, and he'll return it." The young female walked from the room, and Demona breathed a sigh of relief. "I have to return to the castle now. Broadway and the others must be worried about me by now. I'll return soon." "I'll look forward to it Angela." Demona folded her wings around herself like a cape as she watched her daughter leave. She would have to think about their conversation later. At the moment she had far too much to do. **************************************************************************** "It is time," Owen stated. Goliath had returned to the castle with Elisa, and now everyone was gathered in the basement to await the casting of the spell. Raye was dressed in her traditional temple robe to give her strength. Candles glowed and flickered gently in a large circle, at the center of which was Serena, in her Princess Serenity form, Darien's star locket clutched tightly in her hand. At the outside of the circle of candles, four fire braziers were placed in equal distance from each other, and filled with red embers. Beside each one stood a magical being, Fox to the North, Owen to the West, Raye to the South, and Baby Alex tottered in the East. Amy and Lex were hunched over her palm computer. "Maybe we can do something to help them," she said aloud, to no one in particular, "according to my calc-" Xanatos cut her off. "Sometimes it's not wise to mix science and sorcery," he cautioned. "I know from experience." Amy quieted and put her computer away. The spell was beginning. In a burst of light, Owen disappeared, to be replaced by a colorful sprite with long white hair. At the same time, Fox's eyes glowed white and Baby Alex began to float. The brazier next to Raye gained heat, sparks crackling. "What the heck?" Mina wondered. "That's Puck," Xanatos supplied. "That's Owen's true form, but he can only become Puck when he is practicing magic. And he can only practice magic when he is teaching my son." Four incantations were spoken in turn, and Serena crumpled onto the stone floor, locket still in hand. "What's happening to her?" Luna asked in alarm. "Don't worry Luna," Raye whispered as sweat dripped down her brow from concentration. "We're sending Serena's mind link out to find Darien. She's fine." Baby Alex was wavering in the air. "Concentrate, young man," Puck scolded. "Don't lose the link." Alex stabilized. Inside her mind, Serena began a journey of spirit. As she looked around, she realized she had left her corporeal form behind. She left the castle as if she were the wind, and heard Puck's voice calling out to her. "We're giving you the strength to find him child. Use your connection to him. Go quickly." Serena could feel the strain on the four minds, and she knew she didn't have much time. She focused intently and called to Darien, trying to feel his heart beating in time with her own. The city was dark and shadowed, in this realm, all lights shone silver. She traveled quickly, sensing him near. A tall mirrored building entered her consciousness. There was a coldness emanating from it. Something dark and forbidding. But she could feel a heat from within, and sudden images flew to her eyes. A red haired demon was laughing. She saw this creature's evil eyes, saw flashes of a blue muscular arm with a gold circlet around the bicep. "NO!" Serena was brought back to herself with a jolt, and immediately she started to shiver. Her lips were blue, and her limp fingers dropped the star locket. "Get her a blanket!" Puck ordered, and then reverted to the form of Owen. Raye and Mina wrapped their princess tightly and brought her closer to Raye's brazier. "What did you see? Did you find him?" Serena looked up slowly. "Someone is keeping him," she whispered. Her eyes looked to the doorway. "Someone that looks like HER!" All eyes followed Serena's gaze, and they were met with the shocked face of Angela, who had just returned from her night away. Elisa put her face in her hands and groaned. "Its just as I thought." ****************************************************************************** Leaning against a stone bench, Brooklyn held his stomach while Lita picked at the remnants of a shrimp. "I really want another one of those muffins," he pondered aloud, "but I don't know if my stomach can take it." Lita giggled, and dug in the basket for another muffin. She deftly tore it in half and held one part up to him. "There. We'll share it so your stomach won't have to cope with the whole thing." He took it from her gently, and with a doubtful look, popped it into his mouth. Despite the fact that he was full to the point of bursting, the dessert was miraculously good. He watched her as she picked at her own portion, enjoying her cooking. He saw her brows knit now and again as she wondered what she could do to improve the recipe. He watched the fall of her dark brown hair and the curl of her eyelashes. She was a beautiful, rough and tumble girl. Brooklyn looked away, out over the New York City skyline, laughing softly to himself. He had chased so many females in the last year. Angela, whom he had lost to his rookery brother Broadway, and Maggie, the cat/human mutant he lost to Elisa's brother Talon. He had been interested in them both because they were so like him. Outcasts from society. He looked back at Lita, watched the working of her throat as she swallowed her icewater. What am I thinking, he wondered to himself. "This castle has a great view," Lita sighed, glancing at him. As she caught his gaze, she noticed a starry, thoughtful look she often caught herself wearing. She blushed, and he looked away. What could she see in me, Brooklyn thought silently. She probably has a million, normal, human men chasing her already. I'm just a monster. He stared down at his taloned hand wishing for the thousandth time that he was different than he was. That he was someone else. He closed his eyes. The hand that slipped into his own was a pale, delicate gift that surprised him. He gasped, then squeezed it gratefully. "Lita," he whispered in a broken, regretful tone, but she had moved the basket from between them and moved in close to lean her head on his shoulder. "This isn't-" "Anything to fear," she finished for him, although that wasn't what he had meant to say. "And its nothing to turn away from." She raised her eyes to look at him, and he slipped his wing around her protectively. "LITA! BROOKLYN!" Shouted a familliar, usually reserved voice. The two pic nickers looked up to see Lexington swooping down towards them with Amy tucked underneath one arm. They landed with a thud, gasping for breath. Lexington looked suspicious of the situation. "We've been looking all over for you." Brooklyn and Lita rose to their feet, alarmed. "What's happened," demanded Goliath's second in command. Lex's eyes lingered for a moment on the couple. Lita had her hand linked in the crook of Brooklyn's arm. "Serena's found where Darien's being kept. Its Demona." He watched the red Gargoyle's eyes burn white. "Lita, we have to go now," Amy stated producing her transformation stick with a flick of her wrist. Lita nodded. "JUPITER STAR POWER!" "MERCURY STAR POWER!" And before the two Gargoyles stood two fuku clad warriors. "I'll never get tired of watching them do that," Brooklyn grinned. "Lets go!" shouted the scouts as they started running towards the ledge. Brooklyn started to follow, but was held back by Lex's grasp. "Hey, wait a minute. What was going on here with you two?" Brooklyn looked annoyed and pulled away. "There's no time. We've gotta go." And he bounded to the ledge, snatching up Sailor Jupiter and leaping into the air. "You're going to explain later," Lex muttered, following behind with Mercury. ************************************************************************** The Gargoyles and the Sailor Scouts gathered on the main roof. "Shouldn't we have a plan?" Wondered Broadway. "There's no time!" said Serena, grasping her transformation locket and lifting her hand into the air. "Moon Crystal..." the blonde's hand wilted and she steadied herself against the wall. "Moon Crystal.." she began again, and promptly collapsed into Sailor Mars' arms, who was standing behind her. "Serena!" the scouts moved in and hovered over their princess. "She's exhausted from the spell!" Elisa said, shooing the girls away and loosening the collar of Serena's pink blouse. "Somebody go get her some water." Lexington went into the castle for a glass, and Serena slowly regained consciousness. "Serena," Sailor Mercury scolded, "you're too tired to do this now. It'll have to wait." "No," Serena muttered, struggling up onto her elbows. "Darien needs me now." "Don't worry," Goliath assured her, "we'll find Demona and rescue your friend." He knelt beside the fallen girl and she smiled her thanks. An old Scottish brogue interrupted the moment. "You lose track of time lad," Hudson said gravely. "Its too near dawn to engage Demona now. You know she'll put up a mean fight if she's gone to so much trouble to keep this man. We don't want to get caught away from the castle." "Especially since she doesn't turn to stone in the daylight," Lex added, returning with the water and handing it to Elisa. "We'd be dust for sure." "That puts the Gargoyles out of the picture," Mars stated. "That just leaves us Sailor Scouts!" "Right!" They nodded. "We'll spring Darien ourselves. Just show us the way to this Demona person's hideout." Jupiter was grinding her fist against her palm eager for a battle. "No." Brooklyn stepped up to her and took her hand, then released it when he saw the looks they were receiving from the rest of the bunch. He backed away sheepishly. "There's no way you could beat Demona on her own turf. Especially not without your leader." He looked at Serena, still reclined on the ground, sipping water through a curly straw. "I can do it," Serena said, trying to get up. "Just give me a minute, guys." "No way girl," Mina said, kneeling to hold the princess down. "You're way too tired to try and fight now. Besides, I've seen this Demona in action, and she'll be no piece of cake." "Darien has waited this long. He can wait one more day," Mercury intoned, powering down into khaki pants and a blue cardigan as if to put the entire idea of Scout business to rest. "But Amy-" "Shut your trap Serena!" Mars said, powering down into a red sweater and jeans. "If we went now we'd all end up babysitting you and pushing you out of the way of danger when you facevaulted into the pavement." "They're right," Goliath said, rising to his full height. "We could all use some rest. This must wait until tomorrow. But I promise you, as soon as sundown arrives, Angela will lead us to Demona's lair and you'll get your friend back." He looked to his daughter, who hung her head and nodded gravely. Turning back to Serena, he began, "Until then, try to get some slee-" But the odango haired blonde's eyes were already closed. "Oh great," Raye sighed, "she's passed out already. Quick Jupiter, do you want to help me drag her or just throw her over your shoulder?" Sailor Jupiter smiled and reached down to toss Serena across her back like a sack of potatoes. ********************************************************************** In a secret room in Nightstone Incorporated, a single fire was lit in a brazier. Smoke from sacred leaves curled up to disperse on the stone ceiling. Standing before it with Macbeth's stolen spellbook in her arms, was Demona, reciting gaelic and latin with quiet fervor. At a slight mistake, the brazier glowed green and the room filled with an eerie glow. Demona leapt through the door with the book just in time. Behind her, there was a chartreuse explosion that knocked her bodily into the far wall of the corridor. Her fists clenched in frustration as she slammed the spellbook into the floor. "Not again," she groaned. Her efforts with the new book were not going as well as she'd hoped. She was unfamilliar with its contents and its methods. She looked up and out the window at the pinking dawn. Ruefully, she stood, awaiting the pain of transformation. "This incantation will be much harder to perform in my human body," she said bitterly. She had wanted to be done with the rite already, but it was of little consequence. The full moon rose again tomorrow night, and she could wait one more day. "But tomorrow at sunset, Darien, I promise you that everything will change. Truths will be revealed, and all will be wonderful." And then she howled, gripping her forehead, as the sun touched her and Puck's spell took effect. TO BE CONTINUED... We're nearing the end. I promise the next episode to be more exciting. Now is the time to get in any last requests on how you'd like to see the story progress. Many of you have had excellent suggestions and feedback. Don't think I don't appreciate it. Then again, how could you think that since I reply to each and every person who contacts me. Remember that I only appreciate fun and creative flames. ahnnablue@hotmail.com thanks you for reading.