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The Coven Saga, Part II: The Struggle
by Krystiana Slinky {krystiana@geocities.com} or
{krystiana@hotmail.com}
________________________
Are you actually reading this, or are you just going to skip
it like most people do? Well, if you are, then I guess you
are patient and like reading nonsense.
Anyway, Gargoyles belong to Disney/Buena Vista, all right?
They aren't mine, but I am sure you know that since you are
reading this, and likes Gargoyles. This story, however, is
mine. You can't steal my idea. It's all mine!!!!!!!!!!!!
Calm down, Krys...
Okay, now, if you are going to read this, you must read
these other stories first:
Music Says It All
To Live Again, Part I
To Live Again, Part II
Echoes of the Future
Companionship
The Gate (co-authored by Kristafori)
Soul Mates, Part I
Soul Mates, Part II
The Coven Saga, Part I: The Awakening
I've also created something called "The Altered Universe,"
(named by a friend of mine), in which Brooklyn ended up
joining with Demona when she tricked him, and we see what
the world would be like if Brooklyn was a bad guy.
---How I Pronounce Stuff: If you're wondering, Brooklyn has
started calling Demona Aurora. He sometimes calls her "Aur,"
which I pronounce "ore" like a boat ore. Nocta is pronounced
Nook-tah. `Ferno is fair-no.---
-The names of these three parts are named after my favorite
young adult books, a trilogy named "The Vampire Diaries,"
written by Lisa Jane Smith. I think she deserves credit for
the title. If she should ever happen to read this, I salute
you!-
- This second story is dedicated to the Roosevelt High
School Orchestra. May we get all ones in contest! -
I have no idea if there is a Manhattan National Airport or a
Manhattan Heights High School, but if there is, I apologize
if there is an inconvenience in me using the names and
places.
And we're off!!!
-------------
"Previously on Gargoyles..."
{The Coven Saga, Part I, The Awakening}
Angela: Something is going to happen to Brooklyn.
[Lexington, Broadway, and Angela following Brooklyn]
[Fox punching Elisa]
Fox: You damn slut.
[Fox running from Xanatos]
Xanatos: She never told you?
[Prom picture of Elisa and Xanatos]
Goliath: No, she didn't.
[Brooklyn and Demona hugging]
Brooklyn: Aur?
[Demona pointing]
Brooklyn: Leader....
______________
The Coven Saga
Part II: The Struggle
994 A.D.
Night Before the Vikings First Attack
"Leader, what's going on?" A gargoyle that had been
named Nocta said as Leader chanted something in Latin and
poured something over her head.
Leader didn't answer. He pushed Nocta away and pulled
the next member of the coven forward, by the name of `Ferno.
The others in the coven began to whisper nervously.
Aurora turned to Nocta, her rookery sister. Nocta was a
tannish gargoyle, her hair midnight black with hints of blue
here and there when the light hit it just right. She had a
scar across her right shoulder which she had gotten from a
sword battle with some rouge bandits. Her clothes were like
Aurora's, except her top had two straps.
"What did he do to you?" Aurora asked Nocta. Nocta
shrugged and watched as Leader pushed `Ferno away and grab
the young red gargoyle who had never received a name.
"I don't know what he is doing," Nocta stated as `Ferno
walked up to them.
"I can't translate the Latin he is saying," `Ferno
said. "He is saying it too fast."
Nocta rubbed her head as the others watched Leader
release the young one. He turned towards them.
"Aurora," he barked. "Come here. His voice was
commanding and hard to disobey. Aurora reluctantly walked
towards him.
Leader reached into his bag full of sand which had been
enticed with the Powers of Earth. He sprinkled it over
Aurora and chanted the spell in Latin. Only he knew the
meaning-
Disaster awaits us
Tragedy lurks
But we will rise again
In the name of Oberon.
Aurora listened to his words, but as `Ferno said, he
was speaking too fast. Leader sighed and backed away from
the rest of them.
He closed his eyes and turned around. "You may all
leave now," he said in a stiff voice. He walked into the
shadows and waited.
A purple gargoyle named Artemis walked up behind him.
"Will you be all right, Leader?" Leader nodded, and waved
Artemis out.
He watched the coven leave, hesitantly at first, than
almost rushing. The twelve members left. The thirteenth
stayed.
Leader laughed bitterly.
Two more dawns.
One more night.
Oblivion.
One thousand years would pass.
And then rebirth.
Leader laughed once, and was soon whooping with
laughter.
Mad laughter.
The coven would never die. He would see to that.
* * *
PRESENT
A bright light flashed in front of Lex's, Broadway's,
and Angela's eyes. They threw their hands up to their eyes.
"What do you supposed that was?" Angela asked the
others. Lex shrugged and Broadway shook his head.
"Come on," Angela ordered her mate and friend.
* * *
Brooklyn tried to swallow the lump in his throat and
failed.
Leader.
Right in front of him!
Alive.
Demona spoke up first. "Leader?" she gasped. "How are
you alive?"
Leader mantled his wings, forming a cape. His yellow
hair seemed to burn into Brooklyn's mind.
But Leader was alive.
Brooklyn walked up to Leader. Rather calmly,
considering the circumstances. He reached out and touched
Leader's arm. Brooklyn let out a cry of pure and simple joy.
"Aur, come here! He's real!"
Demona ran up next to them. She gasped.
"Of course I'm real," Leader spoke up. As the sound of
his voice hit them, floods of memories came flooding back.
Leader smiled. The coven would soon be reunited.
* * *
"Who is that?" Lexington pointed at the dark blue
gargoyle.
"Demona and Brooklyn seem happy to see him," Angela
stated, looking down on her mother's expression.
"Well, if they trust him, then he's not our enemy,"
Broadway said, scratching his head. "I guess."
"Let's go!"
* * *
"But how are you alive?" Brooklyn asked for the
millionth time.
"I'll answer your questions later," Leader said. "I'd
like to know what year it is, please."
"Why..." Demona started. "1998."
"It's been _over_ a thousand years, then," Leader said.
"What?" Brooklyn looked at Demona and shrugged.
"Wait," Leader snarled. He looked up at the three
approaching gargoyle silhouettes. "Who's there?"
Brooklyn put a hand on Leader's arm. "Wait, those are
our friends."
"Friends?" Leader spoke the word as if he had never
heard it before.
Demona nodded, then flashed a curious look at Brooklyn,
who only shrugged.
Angela landed first, with the other two close behind
her. Leader hiked an eyeridge.
"Care to make introductions?" he said smoothly to his
two former pupils.
"That's Lexington and Broadway," Brooklyn said,
pointing.
"And this is Angela," Demona said, smiling proudly. "My
daughter."
"Daughter?!" Leader's eyes widened in surprise and
looked at Demona. He took a breath and regained his
composure. "I see."
Demona shot another look at Brooklyn, this one of
concern. Brooklyn shrugged again, but glanced at Leader
worriedly. He turned to the Lex, Broadway, and Angela.
"Guys," he cleared his throat, somewhat embarrassed.
"Meet Leader."
* * *
"Elisa?"
Elisa turned away from Fox, unable to face her.
"Please look at me."
"I though I was a damn slut." Elisa's voice was hard.
Fox looked away from Elisa.
"I didn't mean that. It's just that David never told
me."
"And I never told Goliath," Elisa said, finally turning
around.
"Will you tell me what happened?" Fox said. Elisa
gasped.
"You _want_ to know?"
Fox nodded, and Elisa sighed.
"Okay. I guess I'll start at the beginning."
"Good place to start."
* * *
1975
Bar Harbor, Maine
"David, I need to talk to you."
"Not now, Pop."
"Yes, NOW!" Petros rarely ever raised his voice, but
here was an exception.
David zipped his suitcase and turned to his father.
"I'm leaving. I'm going to finish high school in Manhattan,
and go to college there."
"This is unacceptable!" Petros said, clenching his
fists. "How can you turn your back on your family?"
"This is too big of a chance to miss." David picked up
his suitcase and grabbed his tickets from the dresser. "I'll
call you when I get to Manhattan."
Elena walked forward and sighed. "How can you do this
to us, David?"
"Mom, this is something I need to do!"
"You don't _need_ to run off to New York to finish your
life."
"I'm through discussing this. I'm leaving, and that's
it." David walked out the door, leaving Petros and Elena
looking at his retreating back.
* * *
Manhattan National Airport
David stood up and yawned. He could get used to
traveling First Class. Very roomy.
He went to retrieve his luggage and left the airport.
He had to get up early the next day for school.
* * *
Manhattan Heights High School
David yawned and squinted at his schedule. The light
copies were hard to read.
Not smart to try and read and walk at the same time. He
heard a curse and almost tripped over another student.
"Whoops, sorry," David apologized.
"It's okay," said the girl. "No harm done." She shook
her black hair out and studied the taller student. "You're
new."
"Yeah," David said. "Hey, can you tell me were room 324
is?"
"Oh, that's just up those stairs," the girl said,
gesturing with her head. "Come on, I'll show you."
The walked up the stairs as the bell rang. "Aren't you
late?" David asked. The girl shook her head.
"This is my free period," the girl stated. "Lemme see
your schedule."
"Pushy, aren't you?" The girl smiled as David handed
her his schedule.
"Yeeck," Elisa said. "You have Mouse."
"Who?"
"Your chemistry teacher."
"Is he bad?"
"Oooh, yeah." The girl noticed the 12 in the corner.
"Oh, so you're in the sixth form?" she said casually as she
handed back the piece of paper.
"Pardon?"
"Oh, sorry. It takes a while to get used to the lingo
around here," she said. "You're a senior?"
David nodded. "What are you?"
"I'm a lowly sophomore," she said. "Fourth form."
"Ah." David said. "I...don't think I ever got your
name."
"Elisa Maza. What's yours?"
"David Xanatos."
* * *
PRESENT
"Need I continue?" Elisa said, glancing at Fox. She
looked up and gasped.
"How long have you two been standing there?" Elisa
demanded Goliath and Xanatos.
"Long enough," Goliath said, glancing at Xanatos.
"Please go on," Fox said. "This is interesting. David's
high school days are quite...intriguing."
Elisa laughed. "Well, there were a few GOOD memories.
For instance, I remember _someone_ dancing around the
cafeteria to the Jitterbug."
"I was paid to do that," Xanatos interrupted.
"Yeah, by the girls who paid you to dance with them."
* * *
1975
Elisa stretched and looked at David. The corsage from
the Prom had wilted, and lay on her dresser, long forgotten.
David looked at her, smiling. "I made reservations at-"
"Another expensive restaurant?" Elisa asked. "You spoil
me, boy."
"School is going to be out soon," David said. "I'll be
graduating, and I won't be able to see you as much after
that."
"But why all these expensive things?" Elisa said. "I'm
serious. You do spoil me."
David shrugged nonchalantly, turning away from Elisa.
Elisa narrowed her eyes.
"And you never listen to what I am saying."
"Yes, I do," David insisted.
* * *
1998
"It fell apart after that," Elisa finished. "We argued
a while about him and his little thing called money."
Xanatos closed his eyes, letting Elisa's words sink in.
Elisa looked up and saw the crowd around her, still
listening expectantly. Elisa smiled wryly. "Nothing serious
happened, if that's what your wondering."
* * *
"Goliath? He survived as well?"
Demona nodded. "And your rookery brother, who is called
Hudson now."
"He used to be the leader before Goliath," Brooklyn
added. Leader nodded in recognition.
Angela hiked an eyeridge. Brooklyn and Demona glided on
either side of this... Leader. They didn't even seem to
wonder why he was alive a millennium after the massacre at
Wyvern.
Lexington however, couldn't hold in his curiosity. "How
are you alive now?" Leader looked back at the small
gargoyle.
"It's a long story, which I will explain later," Leader
stated simply. Stony silence came across the six gargoyles.
Brooklyn coughed, a pointed sound.
Demona spotted the looming shape up ahead. "There's
Castle Wyvern."
"But... how did it get up here?" Leader asked in
astonishment.
"Hoo-boy, that's another long story," Brooklyn said.
"Astounding!" Leader exclaimed as he saw the building
it sat upon. "It looks as if it's floating!"
Brooklyn looked at the glass, and if you didn't see
behind it, he could see why one could think it was floating.
The landed on top of the castle silently. Brooklyn
looked around. "Goliath!" he called. When no answer came, he
shrugged. "They must all be inside." Brooklyn led the way.
Leader marveled at the appliances scattered about.
A stream of laughter came to their ears. Brooklyn
walked to the arboretum, the rest following. Goliath spotted
them coming, and stilled when he saw Leader.
Hudson glanced over to the approaching group, then did
a double-take. "Rookery brother?!" he almost shouted.
Leader's eyes widened. Hudson walked over to him, as if
making sure it was really him. Almost simultaneously, they
grasped each others' wrists.
"Brother, how can ye be here?" Hudson asked, still
shaking his head in disbelief.
"It's a long story," Leader said again. Leader looked
over Hudson's shoulder at Goliath, who looked even more
astounded then Hudson had.
Leader then surveyed the room. Three humans. One was a
man, dressed in dark clothing, with dark hair pulled into a
neat ponytail. A female, who had bright reddish-orange hair
and an odd marking over her right eye. The last was another
female, who looked oddly like...
Leader stopped himself from gasping. He turned to
Aurora and Brooklyn, as he called himself now. "I realize
this may seem awkward, but may I speak to you two?" As
Brooklyn glanced at Demona, he added, "Alone."
Both Brooklyn and Demona seemed to look at Goliath for
permission. When no notice was taken of their looks,
Brooklyn nodded. "I guess."
Leader brushed past Angela, glancing at her. Brooklyn
and Demona looked at each other once more before following.
* * *
"Is something wrong?" Brooklyn asked.
Leader shook his head. "No. But I can't explain the
real reason why I am alive to them, only to you."
"Why?"
"It would reveal the secret of the coven," Leader said,
crossing his arms. Demona shot a look at Brooklyn in alarm.
"They already know about the coven, Leader," Demona
said hesitantly.
"What?!" Leader cried out in shock. "You told them? You
were both sworn never to tell anyone outside of the circle!"
"We didn't have much of a choice!" Brooklyn growled,
ignoring the looks both Leader and Demona were giving him.
Brooklyn had never snapped at Leader before.
Leader growled inwardly, but calmed down. "We still
cannot tell them, whether they know of the coven or not."
"Why not?" Demona asked.
"We just can't."
"But why?" Brooklyn demanded.
Leader glared at Brooklyn. This young one had no right
to speak to the leader of the coven like that, but he didn't
say anything for a few moments. "It's too risky, and I will
tell you why." Leader looked outside. "We must go somewhere
else, though."
* * *
Brooklyn shut the doors to Nightstone Unlimited in
Demona's private office. He turned to Leader expectantly.
Leader sat down on the ground, a common habit of the
Early Hatchers. Brooklyn and Demona sat near him, forming a
triangle with the three of them.
"The Early Hatchers have a long history, which no one
in the coven knew except I," Leader began. "The best place
to start would be after the massacre, in 1692, in a town
called Salem."
"The Salem witch trials?" Demona exclaimed. "But you
were... dead when that happened! How could you know about
those?"
"I foresaw it. The future telling in my biological
family skips a generation. So... _if_ I had a granddaughter
or grandson, they would have the gift as well." Demona
couldn't help noticing the emphasis he put on "if."
"Back to the story, anyway. The town of Salem did have
witches in it, and a few girls went to a black human slave
posing as a witch. She told their fortunes, something that
anyone can do, if you know how, although it wouldn't be
accurate. But the girls became creased by guilt, and one
finally snapped.
"The girl got attention. The other young girls quickly
became jealous of her, and they pretended to be 'bewitched'
as well. The elders in Salem wanted these witches caught, so
they left it to the girls to name them. Which they did,
naming anonymous people in the town. They named hundreds,
and nineteen were hung or burnt. But they didn't get one
witch right. Not _one._ The last execution took place on
September 22, 1692. The autumnal equinox."
Demona let out a breath, which she hadn't realized she
had been holding. Brooklyn sat forward and listened to
Leader continue his tale.
"There was a coven there. A coven can be anywhere from
two to thirteen, and when one gets too big, they split.
Human covens, however, are much more vicious than gargoyle
covens."
"Hold on!" Demona interrupted again. "Are you saying
that the Early Hatchers... that we're WITCHES?"
"Aye," Leader said.
"But what about guys?" Demona glanced at Brooklyn, and
continued. "Aren't they called..."
"Warlocks?" Leader said in a slightly distasteful
voice. "No. Warlock is a term for 'traitor.' Anyone, man or
woman, is called a witch, if they are one."
"I... don't understand," Brooklyn stated.
"You will, soon. Let me continue. I taught the basic
outlines of our true heritage back in the dark ages, but I
did not get too thorough. We can access the four Powers -
earth, fire, water, and air. Some call them the Watchtowers.
You can train yourself with whichever one you please, and
many can master at least one Power. I work best with water,
which is the Watchtower of the West."
"What are the others?" Demona asked.
"Earth is the most potent. It is the Watchtower of the
North. Water is, as I said, West. Air is East. And Fire is
South." As Brooklyn glanced up at fire, Leader smiled.
"I think you are taking a liking for fire, child."
Brooklyn nodded, a bit hesitantly. "Well, you seem like a
Fire whild. But take care - fire is often the hardest to
control."
"Do I seem like anything?" Demona asked, almost shyly.
"What Power do you think I could tap into?"
Leader studied Demona for a moment. "Aurora, I believe
you are an Earth whild."
"Can you still teach us?" Brooklyn asked. "Like you
were back then?" Leader nodded and smiled.
"You were always enthusiastic about learning the
Powers," Leader said. "Everything we can do is called on by
the Powers. For instance, you two often talk mentally. That
is called on by the Power of Air. All powers of the mind are
brought on by Air. People who _aren't_ witches can even call
on Air. It is the easiest to tap into." He stopped a moment.
"I think you have used Air twice before, Brooklyn. During
the Coldsteel incident and the Child of Oberon... Banshee?"
Leader's face clearly shown the thinking
expression.
"But you still haven't explained why you are alive,"
Brooklyn reminded him.
Leader nodded. "Do you remember the last time I saw
either of you?" As they both nodded, he continued. "I cast a
spell that required all four of the Powers, which is why I
was so worn down afterwards. All four of the Watchtowers
protected us. And Oberon himself helped as well."
"Oberon?" Brooklyn yelped.
"I take it you've heard of him."
"You could say that," Brooklyn said sarcastically.
"I've met the guy."
"Have you?" Leader smiled. "Relations between witches
and Oberon and his people have always been strong."
Demona gasped as the realization dawned on her. "What
about Angela?" she said. "It's hereditary, isn't it?"
"Yes," Leader said. "I had not expected her. But she is
only half, and not trained at all. She does, however, know
when something is going to happen to either of you. Her
skills are there, they are just dormant."
"They should stay that way," Demona said. "I don't want
to draw her into this."
"It _is_ kinda creepy," Brooklyn said. "Last night I
just thought I was a member of an exclusive club or
something, and now I find out I'm a witch? Kind of
shocking."
Leader chose to ignore that comment.
Instead, he glanced at the pendants that they wore. "I
see you still have remained loyal to the coven, despite
telling the clan."
"Why aren't we supposed to tell them?" Brooklyn asked.
"They accepted it just fine, after we explained it."
"They are outsiders," Leader said harshly.
Brooklyn's face darkened.
"There is only one you may be able to tell," Leader
said, trying to comfort Brooklyn. As they both looked up, he
continued. "The human female, with the dark hair?"
"Elisa?" Brooklyn asked uncertainly. "Why her?"
"She is one of us."
"What?!" Demona exclaimed.
"It's something that humans call reincarnation." He
paused for suspense, and tilted his head back, his eyes
forming slits.
"Your 'Elisa' is Nocta."
TO BE CONCLUDED...
------------------
COMING SOON!!!
The Coven Saga, Part III: The Fury
Brooklyn and Aurora are torn between loyalty and wisdom, and
right and wrong. Could Leader be on the brink of insanity?
In Progress of Thought?????
Slayer [crossover with...guess!]
Partial Trust
Guarding Angels
Acts of Impulse
*These are ideas that I have in my mind, not yet down on
paper...uh, disk. Not everything listed may ever be written.
If they are written, the titles may change, and these are
not listed in any certain order.
--If you want to use any of my characters [such as Nocta,
`Ferno, Artemis, Leader, or Krystiana] in your stories,
please e-mail me at {krystiana@hotmail.com} or
{krystiana@geocities.com} and tell me. I will always say yes
(guaranteed!), it's just that if you are going to actually
use them, I want to read it! :)
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