Gold Demona

Gold Demona

Epilogue

(Alexander Xanatos)

(Some time later...) (2111 A.D.)

It was a happy night for all of us when the U.N. made their call to mount a strike against the Prime Ruler of New Liberty. Oddly enough, there wasn’t any resistance when they got to the border. When they reached the capital, they found out why. Prime Ruler Goldari Macaro Bethovich was found dead in his office, shot through the chest with a three-fifty-seven-caliber bullet. No one had dared go up there since the gargoyle attack on the building the other night. All of the Prime Ruler’s council were either dead or missing.

Upon closer inspection of the capitol building’s computer files, it was revealed that not only was the Prime Ruler ordering the slaughters of gargoyles, but he was also employing the use of superscience to create soldiers for this cause.

The people of New Liberty were more frightened of these turns of events than of the very creatures they came here to escape from. The people that were inside the building during the attack were particularly confused. They witnessed firsthand examples of loyalty, love, and kinship amongst the gargoyles that so valiantly fought for their lives in that building. Many refused interviews from the press, but those that took the mike recounted the evening in detail. Some said they were beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t right to have done what they did.

Of course, there were still many who hated gargoyles, but at least now there was a lot more insight in the general population of New Liberty.

It took several days to clean up the mess in the building. It took even longer to repair the damage to the storefronts, elevators, and support pillars.

With the help of the United Nations, the people of New Liberty were able to elect themselves a new leader, this one a good and just man of proper values and good character. At least, as good a man as one can get out of a politician.

The gargoyles that attacked the capitol building had all disappeared. All of them. They returned to Jake’s apartment and received a huge welcome, especially the one they had worked so hard to rescue, Gold Demona.

Terra eventually regained consciousness. She woke up with no recollection of anything that happened while she was in Professor Hojo’s custody. She didn’t remember the Prime Ruler or his council or any of the things they made her do while she was under their control. She barely remembered her own name and what she was. It’s just as well she didn’t remember what happened. She was way too young to have to carry that kind of weight on her conscience. She went back to Avalon, much to Oberon’s joy.

Reno stuck around for a little while before heading back to Paradigm City. Imagine the exasperated looks on his partners’ faces when he told them where he’d been and what had happened to him. Who would believe that he was locked in a dungeon high in the Prime Ruler’s capitol building with a girl that was human by day and gargoyle by night?

The Crimson Pig Express and the Rescuers’ Railway, having finished their job, were dismissed. They all went back to their own homes and continued with their lives as if nothing happened. All that is, except the clan that was stationed in Paradigm City.

Many of them didn’t have homes to go to, having lost their original clans. And they couldn’t go back to the apartment they lived in before since the Hunters ransacked it. So they went their separate ways to find their own place.

Silverbolt took Blackarachnia to Nottingham, so she could see the city he hatched and grew up in.

Boober and Red rejoined their band, Fraggle Rock, finally complete and together again. They recorded their first reunion album featuring Boober as they’re long lost lead singer. The album hit platinum in the first few months.

Jigen took Gold on that world tour he promised her. They saw the world and everything in it.

Mac went back to her university in Glasgow, and took Markl and Krypto with her. There, she legally adopted Markl and became his legal guardian.

Vaala came back home to Manhattan, greeted by many happy gargoyles. Of course, she was really happy to be home, but I could tell something wasn’t at all right with her. She wasn’t the same cheery girl that I’d sent away almost a year ago. And I had a pretty good idea what it was that was troubling her. So I didn’t hesitate to start taking action on it.

I was in my office, sorting through some papers when Vaala walked in.

“Hey, Grandpa,” she greeted, “What’re you doing?”

“Just looking at some real estate,” I said, “I’m trying to help a friend who needs a house for her small family of gargoyles.”

“Oh,” she said.

“Something I can help you with, pumpkin?”

“Well, there’s just been a lot of questions going through my mind lately since I got back from New Liberty.”

“Like what?”

“Like at Christmas, when you sent us all those presents.”

“Did everyone like them?”

“Well, yeah, they did. But I’m just curious. How did you know all their names? And what they’d like?”

“I’ve got eyes and ears in strange places, Vaala. Many of the fey variety.”

“Is that how you found Gold? To send her to New Liberty?”

“I found Gold long before I ever thought to send anyone to New Liberty. In fact, I originally didn’t have any intention of sending her to New Liberty, especially knowing her connections with the Prime Ruler.”

“Wait, you knew the whole damn time?!” she blurted, “And you didn’t say anything?!”

“Calm down! I never told her about it because I didn’t want her to freak out about it. I mean wouldn’t you freak out if you found out you were part of a madman’s science project?”

“That doesn’t mean she didn’t have a right to know!”

“She knows now, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah, and she almost killed herself!”

“But! She’s not dead, is she?” I pointed out, holding my pointer finger up, and then going back to my real estate. “Everyone’s fine. So why worry about it?”

She stayed quiet for a while as I flipped through house after house. She stared at me for a long while before finally speaking again. This time back to her calm tone.

“So how’d you find out about it? Her link to the Prime Ruler I mean?”

“Well, it was twenty-six and a half years ago,” I started, “I was in New Liberty on business, back when it was still a state. Owen and I felt a strange magical vibe in the area, so we followed it to see where we ended up. I wound up in a laboratory belonging to a man by the name of Hojo. I looked up and found two large tubes. One had a small human male baby, and one had a brightly colored gargoyle egg in it.

“I was fortunate enough that the man at the brains of this experiment wasn’t home at the moment, so I took the liberty of reading up on what he was up to. I knew he wouldn’t be long in coming back, so I had to be quick. I discovered who the two small creatures were, their connection to each other, Hojo’s eventual plans for them, as well as all the other creations on the mad scientist’s roster. That’s how I knew about Blackarachnia. She was still quite young when these two were created.

“Anyway, I couldn’t just stand there and let this plan succeed. I also knew I couldn’t take more than one child at the same time; otherwise I would’ve taken both of them out of there. So I did the next best thing. I picked one and left. I’m sure you can guess which one I took.”

“The egg? Gold’s egg?”

“Bingo.”

“Is that when she was dropped off at that orphanage in California?”

“Yeah, that’s about when it happened. I had to drop her off someplace safe and very far away from New Liberty. So I went to Los Angeles. I knew of a charming little orphanage there with five very charming women I knew I could count on to take care of her. So I put the egg in a nice little basket, placed a note on it, and left the basket at the orphanage doorstep.”

“What did the note say?”

“Oh it’s been a while, but I think it was something like this:”

The child in this egg is very special. Her name is Gold Demona, and she will hatch fairly soon. Keep her hidden and safe until she can care for herself.

Signed,

Her Guardian Angel

“Guardian angel?” Vaala chuckled. “Geez, grandpa. I didn’t figure you to be the sappy type.”

“I thought it was fitting. And it worked. They took care of her, and nobody else ever knew she was there. Well, except maybe a couple of kids here and there, but that’s a story for another day.”

“So what made you decide to send her to New Liberty?”

“Mostly to get her out of that orphanage. And partly to give the two of you the chance to meet each other and make friends.”

“Yeah, A lot of good that does us now,” she groaned. “Who knows where she and Jigen are right now?”

“Egypt, I believe.”

“Mr. Xanatos,” Owen called as he entered the room.

“Yes, Owen,” I replied.

“The visitors you were expecting tonight have arrived. Shall I send them in here, Sir?”

“Excellent,” I waved to him, “Yes, Owen, send them in right now.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Who is it, Grandpa?” Vaala asked as Owen left the room.

“It’s the friend I told you about,” I answered, “The one with the small family of gargoyles.”

I looked up at her, and she had her eyes and head tilted downward and away from me.

“You alright?” I asked.

Slowly, she looked back up at me.

“I miss them, Grandpa,” she said.

“I know, Sweety,” I smiled. “Maybe helping me find a home for my friend’s clan will help you feel better.”

“Alright.”

She walked up and leaned down over the desk in front of me.

“So,” she started as she looked down at my real estate papers, “Who are they?”

“Just one of the clans from New Liberty. I’m pretty sure you’ll remember them.”

“I’d better hope you do,” said my guest in a thick Scottish accent as she entered the room.

Vaala turned around to see Mac walking up behind her with Markl and Krypto running up ahead, who practically tackled her as they ran up.

“Mac!” she greeted.

“Vaala!” Markl greeted as he and Krypto plowed into her.

“Markl!” she laughed after Krypto knocked her on her butt and started licking her face. “Krypto, cut it out! Down boy!”

“Glad you could make it, Mac,” I said to her, “Have you heard from the others?”

“Everyone with the exception of Gold and Jigen,” she answered, “Last I heard, they just left Egypt, heading for France.”

“Ah, so he’s finally gonna get around to popping the question, eh?”

“Aye, it would seem so.”

“Wait, you’ve been in contact with everyone?” Vaala asked me as she got up from Krypto’s tackle.

“You already knew we were close friends, lass,” Mac replied, pointing to herself and me. “And with everything we’ve all been through, you think we wouldn’t keep in touch with everyone?”

“We’re a clan, aren’t we?” Markl added.

“Arr! Arr!” Krypto agreed, vigorously wagging his tail.

“Wait,” Vaala said and then turned to me, “So if Mac’s the friend you’re trying to help, then the clan you’re finding the house for...”

“Is yours,” I finished her sentence with a grin.

Slowly, the smile on her face grew wider and wider. When it couldn’t get any wider, she leapt and wrapped her arms around an unsuspecting Mac, practically scaring the wits out of her. When Mac regained her composure, she returned the hug just before Vaala let go and bolted around the desk and wrapped her arms around me.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” she whispered, though it was only because her emotions had compromised her vocal ability.

“It was all for you, Pumpkin,” I replied and returned the hug. “It was all for you.”

“I hope we aren’t interrupting,” called a deep voice as two more figures entered the room.

Vaala let go of me and ran to hug Silverbolt before he could arrive at the desk, with Blackarachnia walking beside him.

“I’ve missed you guys so much!”

“We all feel the same way,” he replied, “That’s why we’re here now.”

“Never thought I’d get to see the inside of the famous Eyrie Building of Xanatos Enterprises,” Blackarachnia said.

“Bet you also never thought you’d get away from the Prime Ruler’s shadow,” another familiar voice rang out as another two figures walked in.

“Red!” Vaala called to them as she went and handed them their hugs, “Boober!”

“I thought you were recording with your band,” Silverbolt said.

“We finished up early,” Red replied. “Once the album hits stores, we’re taking a break for a couple years. So we figured we’d stick around with you guys.”

“And your clan leader doesn’t mind you living with us instead of them?” Markl asked.

“Not at all,” Boober said, “He was very supportive. What was it that Cantus said, Red?”

“Oh please!” she groaned and rolled her eyes, “You’re actually gonna make me quote that old hippie? Ugh, alright. ‘Your home is here, and your home is there. One or the other, both is where you belong. Where your heart goes, you’ll go. That is where you’ll stay.’”

“Wow, you actually remembered all that?” Vaala asked.

“I learned to memorize what he says so I can go find somebody to translate it for me later! The guy talks in riddles all the time, and he can somehow lead a clan talking that way!”

“Where are Jigen and Gold?” Boober asked.

“They’ll join you when they’re ready,” I answered, “According to Mac, they’re going to France.”

“Good,” Red replied, “Let them take all the time they want. Do we have a house yet?”

“That’s what we were just deciding,” I said as I pushed the real estate papers forward. “Take a look.”

Mac and Silverbolt were the first to step up to them.

“This one looks good,” he said as he picked up one of the papers.

Mac looked at it and nodded.

“Aye, that’s a nice one. This room can house my lab. And the other two for Vaala and Gold.”

“Hey, it says it’s close to a magic school!” Markl said as he pointed to the page they were holding. “And it has a big back yard!”

“A sturdy structure and a solid foundation,” Blackarachnia added.

“Hey, Boober!” Red mocked as she looked at it, “The place comes with its own clothesline!”

“Oh stop it,” he replied, “It looks like it’s in a good, quiet neighborhood.”

“Where we can all just be ourselves,” Vaala said, “Together and happy.”

“Like a clan should be,” I said, looking up at the satisfied faces looking at that piece of paper, “So I take it the choice is unanimous.”

“I guess it is, Grandpa,” Vaala giggled as she took the sheet in her hands and looked around at her clanmates.

She then looked at me and handed me the page.

“We want this one.”

(Two Week’s Later...)

(Vaala)

Grandpa, with his seemingly infinite resources, managed to get the deal done almost instantly, and we were able to start moving in immediately.

We’d just finished moving in, and it wasn’t too long until sunrise. We’d just turned off our new TV and were just getting ready for everyone to go to sleep. Silverbolt was just opening the door that opened to the stairway that led to the roof. Then there was a knock on the door.

I went and opened, and there on the porch stood Jigen and Gold.

“Hey!” I greeted, “We were wondering if you were gonna show up! It’s almost sunrise!”

“We were kinda delayed,” Jigen replied, rubbing his talon on Gold’s arm and shoulder, and that’s when I saw the dreary look on her somewhat off-colored face.

“What happened?” I asked and let them in.

“I’ve been puking for the last three days,” she groaned as she hobbled past me. “I need to see Mac.”

“Here,” I said as I guided her to the lab.

I let her in, shut the door, and rejoined the reunion.

“Jigen!” Boober called as he ran up and hugged his twin brother.

“Hey, Boober,” he greeted back.

“So!” Red started as she walked up, “What’d you do to her this time?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Jigen protested. “She just got sick out of nowhere.”

“It was probably something she ate,” Blackarachnia suggested.

“She wouldn’t still be sick if that was the case,” Silverbolt added.

“Could it be some kind of stomach flu?” Markl asked.

“Maybe,” I replied.

After several minutes of waiting, Gold finally emerged from the lab. She was white as a ghost, eyes wide, and lips quivering.

“Gold,” Jigen said, “What is it?”

She didn’t even look up at him.

“I need to be alone for a while,” she said and then looked at me, “Vaala, which room is mine?”

“Um, I’ll take you there,” I replied as I walked over and guided here there.

“Gold?” Jigen said again. When Gold again didn’t respond, he ran straight to the lab.

We got to her room, and I let her in. But before she could shut the door behind her, I stopped it, and she looked up at me.

“What happened?” I asked quietly.

She looked at me for a moment, almost crying. Then she leaned closer to me and whispered.

“Vaala,” she quivered, “I’m scared.”

“Why?” I replied, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I...” she paused, “I’m...”

“She’s WHAT?!” I heard Jigen shriek from inside the lab.

I could hear the lab door open. I sprinted over to see what was happening. I saw Jigen walking out of the lab with a cigar in his beak and a wide-eyed, dumbfounded look on his pale face. Mac was right behind him, patting him on the shoulder.

“Breathe on this a while, lad,” she said, “You can come back tonight night for a drink if you want.”

“I might need it,” he said.

“What’s going on, Jigen?” Boober asked.

“Boober, don’t you see the cigar?” Red jittered in excitement, “Don’t you know what that means?”

“Jigen, is she?” Silverbolt asked.

“Wait,” Boober said, “You don’t mean she’s...”

“That’s not possible, is it?” Blackarachnia asked.

“What’s not possible?” Markl asked, “What’s wrong with Gold?”

“Nothing’s wrong with her,” Jigen answered, “She... I...”

“I think we can continue this discussion tonight,” Mac interrupted and pointed to her watch. “Sunrise is upon us. And I’m sure you’d like to sleep on this.”

“Yeah,” Jigen replied, “Sleep. Great.”

“This way,” Silverbolt said as he again opened the stairway door to the roof.

They all went up except for Mac, who stayed at her lab door. Gold walked up behind me, and Mac looked to her as she came in.

“We’ll get through this, lass,” she said, “We’re all here for you.”

“Yeah,” she nodded, “I know.”

“This is a good thing,” she added, “And a miracle at that. You should rejoice.”

“Maybe later,” Gold said, “When I’m done freaking out?”

“Aye, of course. I’ll see you tonight, then?”

“Yeah.”

“See you later, Mac,” I said.

She nodded and shut the lab door. We went up to the roof, where everyone was taking position on the roof. Jigen turned around as we got there and walked up to Gold.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” he said, the cigar still hanging from his beak.

“Me neither,” she replied, and then took the cigar from his beak. “You can smoke that later.”

“Heh,” he chuckled nervously and placed his talons on her shoulders. “Right. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah,” she replied, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He bent down and kissed her for a moment before taking his place with the others. The sun slowly went up. And for the first time ever, we got to watch the sunrise as our clan was frozen in stone for the day, bathing in the daylight sun in their new home. I then turned to Gold as she finished changing forms. The whole time, she never took her eyes off Jigen.

“So,” I started, having figured out what was happening, “You’re pregnant, huh?”

“Yeah,” she said and finally looked at me, “Vaala, I don’t think I can do this. You saw the look on his face.”

“Hey,” I said to her and put my arm on her shoulders as we made our way back downstairs, “Don’t worry. You’ve got all of us here, remember? Whatever happens, we’re all here for you. We’ll go through this together. As a clan.”

That got a smile on her face. The tension in her shoulder muscles didn’t lessen very much, but it was better than nothing.

“Our clan,” she repeated. “In our new home.”

“Yeah,” I replied as we went inside, “Welcome home, Gold.”

THE END

Author's Note: Thank you for reading "Gold Demona". =)

I know it was a really long read, and I'm sure you're glad it's finally over. =P

In case you didn't already know, with the exception of Gold Demona, Vaala Marsaille, and Prime Ruler Bethovich, every single named character in this fic was taken from some other fandom.

If there are any characters of which you are curious as to where they came from, or if you just want to see all my references, check out the link to my Cheat Sheet up on the "About Me" section of my main profile page. =)

Again, thank you for reading. ^_^