On My Father's
Wings Part One
by Llewelyn [email protected]

A lone gargoyle stood on the balcony of the manor. Her short raven hair blew around her face, as the wind begin to grow stronger. A low rumble of thunder could be heard miles away, the storm warning others of it approaching.

"Hey, Llewelyn," called Sabrina. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking," she answered, still looking out into the night. "So this is what its like to be Chaeslon."

Sabrina let out a small chuckle. "Maybe. Are you alright? It's not like you to be brooding over something."

"I know. Its just the storm's reminding me of things...and others," Llewelyn said smiling towards her fellow gargoyle. "Go on inside, I'll be fine. And if I have a breakdown from all his reminiscing and go on a murderous rampage, you'll be the first to know."

Sabrina just shook her head and smiled as she went indoors.

Llewelyn picked up the amulet she wore from her belt and looked into it. She moved it from side to side in her hand before holding it to her chest and closing her eyes. "It was a night just like this when it all started, Daddy."

978, Castle Wyvern "Give it back! Please!" pleaded the young female hatchling to her brothers. The two males, one yellow, the other gray, threw the hair tie back and forth between them. The female was an orangish-brown with raven hair, and she was not at all pleased with her brothers. None of the gargoyles were any older than eight in human years.

"Just try and get it back!" mocked the yellow one, as he passed it back to the other male just as she neared retrieving it.

"Please stop!" the female begged, tears beginning to show in her eyes. Just as the gray brother threw it in the air, a red hand reached out and grabbed it.

"I think that's enough," said the red hatchling as he held the hair tie.

"And what are you going to do about it, beaky!" said the yellow gargoyle, as he and gray neared the intruder.

"Oh, nothing," the red hatchling said as he pointed behind the two bullies. "But they might want to do something." The two turned to see a rather bulky turquoise hatchling and a web-wing hatchling standing behind them.

"Maybe you should stop picking on ones smaller than you," said the turquoise gargoyle.

"Let's get out of here," the furious yellow hatchling said, grabbing his brother as they headed off.

"Here you go," said the red one, as he handed the hair tie to his rookery sister.

"Thank you," she whispered, looking at the ground.

"They sure are mean to...," started the web-winged gargoyle, before he was interrupted by the voice of an older gargoyle.

"Is something wrong?" the female elder asked as she approached the hatchlings.

"No, everything's fine," said the female hatching. The elder looked about the younger gargoyles and then looked down at the female.

"Why don't you go play," she said to the males, smiling. The younger hatchlings wandered off, waving to their sister as they left. The elder took the hair tie and began to pull the hatchling's hair back. "Those other hatchlings were picking on you again, weren't they?"

The younger female just stared at the ground.

"You should start standing up for yourself."

"I'm not as strong as they are," whispered the hatchling. "Do you ever feel like you don't belong?"

The elder looked at the young one for a moment and answered. "Child, whatever are you talking about?"

"I don't know..." The young female pulled away and turned from the elder, holding her hair and twisting it with her talon. "Thank you."

The hatchling did not notice the male gargoyle sitting upon the parapets watching her. Strands of his cream colored hair fell over his eyes and as he pushed them away, he vanished.

The next night the hatchlings played about outside the castle under close supervisor of the elders. But one had managed to sneak away from the rest. She wanted to be alone, away from the taunting words of her siblings, away from the feeling of being different.

The orangish-brown female sat down in the grass and glazed about into the night. Without warning, a shadow fell over her. She turned to see her yellow rookery brother.

"Well look who's all by herself?" he said, a wicked smile appearing on his face.

"You got us into trouble, you little freak," said the gray brother.

"I...I didn't mean to, honest," muttered the female, rising to her feet.

"That's not good enough," said the yellow one. "I think we need to teach you a lesson, agreed?" He pushed the female into his brother, who held her tight. She struggled in his grip, her tail thrashing madly.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" she cried out, her words becoming louder with every second. "What did I ever do to you?!"

"Nothing at all," the yellow brother grinned and pulled his fist back, ready to punch her.

Suddenly the young female's eyes began to glow, not the normal red glow of a gargoyle but a glow that actually looked as if fire was in her eyes. A roar escaped her lips as the yellow gargoyle's body burst into flames.

The yellow hatchling let out a deafening mix between a scream and a roar, falling to the ground, desperately trying to put out the fire. The gray gargoyle forgot about the female and rushed to his brother's aid. She backed up in shock as more gargoyles came running to see the commotion. Shouts of "sorcery" and "he's not going to make it till sunrise" could be heard over the howling wind.

"I did that...," the hatchling thought to herself. "It's all my fault.". She turned and did the only thing she could think of. She ran.

Branches grabbed at her hair as the young hatchling ran through the woods, not knowing where she was going nor really caring. The wind was howling ever more furiously with each passing minute and in the distance lighting was flashing, drawing ever nearer. The hatchling finally sat down on the ground part in exhaustion and part from her own fear. She leaned against a nearby tree, laying her head against the rough bark.

"What have I done...," she said outloud. She pulled her knees to her chest and caped her dust colored wings around her small body. The hatchling finally gave in and wept. Tears flowed from her eyes and sobs escaped her lips so that she didn't notice a figure land near her.

"What's wrong, child?" the figure asked. The female gasped and looked up to see a male gargoyle with the same orange-brown skin tone she had. His hair was long and the color of cream. It was tied behind his back while two wisps of bangs, one longer than the other, hung in front of his face. His dress was that of any other gargoyle, a brown loincloth and a vest like covering held together with a strange blue amulet surrounded in gold.

"I..I..," stuttered the hatchling, the tears still fresh in her eyes.

"Sunrise will be here soon," he said as he looked down at her. "It's not very safe for you to be here all alone. Shouldn't you be with the clan?"

"I can't go back," said the female, turning her tear stained face from the older gargoyle.

"And why not?"

"I did...," began the hatchling. "Something happened."

"It can't be all that bad�" The hatchling only looked away, tears beginning to build back up in her eyes.

"Or maybe it can." The male gargoyle glanced down at the female, coming to a decision. "Why don't you come with me?"

"Where are you going?" asked the female. She trusted this stranger for a reason she did not understand. There was almost something familiar about him.

"To my home. It's an island called Avalon. You'll like it there." He held his taloned hand out to the hatchling and smiled.

"I can't...I'm...I'm dangerous." The male frowned at this remark.

"Listen to me, child. You are not dangerous. You are special. You have a gift within you that some could only dream to have."

"How do you know?"

"I know because I'm a part of you."

"Huh?" the female asked, raising an eyeridge at the gargoyle.

"I'm your father, child. I've been watching you and hoping you didn't inherit any of my skills, but it seems you have. I'm not exactly a gargoyle."

"Not a gargoyle? You sure look like one to me!" A smile appeared on her face for the first time in quite a while. The male laughed, his deep brassy voice echoing throughout the wood.

"Have you ever heard of the Children of Oberon?" the male asked.

"They're like fairies, right? Our rookery mothers tell us stories about them."

"Uh...sort of, but I'm one of them which means you're part of one, too."

"I'm part of a fairy?"

The gargoyle chuckled softly and held his hand out again to the hatchling. "Yes you are, Llewelyn. It is alright if I call you that?"

"I guess. That's a name, isn't it? Do you have one?" asked the female, taking his hand.

"Yes, my name is Phoenix. Now hold on to be. We're going to take a little trip." Llewelyn held on to the older gargoyle's hand as flames surrounded the two. She was apprehensive at first, but the presence of the larger gargoyle seemed to erase all fear.

As the fire dissipated, Llewelyn could see the ocean glittering in the beams of moonlight. The air was fresh and cool but there was something else in the air as well, something unfamiliar.

"It's magic," Phoenix said suddenly. "That's what's in the air. It's the sent of Avalon, our home."

"Avalon," repeated the young gargoyle, testing the word. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, I guess it is." He frowned for a moment and looked away toward the distance.

"A father...," Llewelyn asked. "Isn't that what human children have?"

"You're just full of questions aren't you?" the older gargoyle said, once again smiling down at the hatchling.

"Sorry," she whispered, letting go of his hand and looking toward the ground.

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with that..." started Phoenix when suddenly a bright flashed came directly in front of the two. Llewelyn covered her eyes from the blinding light, but Phoenix's only reaction was a look of scorn appearing on his face.

When the hatchling opened her eyes what she could only guess was some sort of weird human stood before them. He was short with unruly bleach white hair and the most peculiar thing of all was his long pointed ears.

"Well, Phoenix," said the stranger in a rather cheerful tone. "How was your trip? And I see you brought back a souvenir! Can't you just get a shirt like normal people? Something like, I visited the mortal world and all I got was this stupid T-shirt. "

"Believe me, Puck," the gargoyle said sternly. "We are far from normal people. I suppose the reason we're being graced with your presence isn't for casual visit?"

"Alas, no," the Puck answered. "Big Daddy Oberon wishes to see you. But aren't you going to introduce me to your visitor first?"

Phoenix rolled his eyes before placing his arm on the female's shoulder. "This is Llewelyn, my daughter, and she is not a visitor. She will be staying here for quite a while. Llewelyn, this is Puck."

"Hello, Mr. Puck," the smaller gargoyle greeted.

"Your daughter?" exclaimed the fae. "And me without cigars! Such a polite and quiet child, too. We'll have to do something about that..." Puck winked and gave her a wide grin. Phoenix knelt on the ground in front of Llewelyn, giving her a weary smile while eyeing the trickster.

"I have to do something, but I'll be back later. Until then, Puck will keep a very, VERY good eye on you. Won't you, Puck?"

"Of course," the other fae smiled, a sack appearing from thin air into his palm. "But which kind of eye should I give her. I have puppy and snake and hedgehog..." He began reaching into the sack and pulling various eyeballs from it and handing them to the hatchling.

"Ewwww," Llewelyn uttered, throwing the eyes away, but grinning none the less. Phoenix shook his head for about the fifteenth time in the last five minutes and vanished in a burst of fire. * * * *

Phoenix reappeared in the middle of a court,appearing as a being of pure fire for a momment before changeing to a different form, what could be called a fae form. He looked very human except for his pointed ears. The fae moved forward until he came in front of a throne, which seated his lord and master, Oberon. At his side the lord's queen, Titania, sat.

"Phoenix, it is good to see you again," said Titania, her light blue skin glowing in the surrounding light.

"As is you, my lady," the fae replied, bowing in her presence.

"Yes, Phoenix," exclaimed Oberon, glaring at him and his queen. "We would like to know why you have taken it upon yourself to bring a gargoyle on to our island."

"My lord, she is not just a normal gargoyle. She is my daughter and she has shown...gifts. I thought they would have been kept dormant but she displayed her talents just tonight. I believed that bringing her here was the best option."

"Are we to believe that you brought a halfling and a gargoyle halfling at that, to live on our land and be raised as your daughter?" Oberon did not look pleased.

"She has real potential, Lord Oberon. With the proper training she could be a very powerful fae..." proclaimed Phoenix before he was interrupted by his lord.

"She is not a fae, she is a gargoyle. We believe you have been in the mortal world too long."

"Husband," Titania said rising from her seat. "Surely you are not afraid of a halfling child?"

"Of course we are not."

"Then what is wrong with the child living and training with Phoenix? He will watch after her and teach her in the ways of all your children."

Oberon sighed, turning from his Queen to look at Phoenix. "Very well, she may stay. But if she's is to be raised as a Child of Oberon she will be treated and be governed by the laws of the Children of Oberon."

"Yes, my lord, and thank you," he said bowing again and giving Titania a quick smile of thanks before vanishing in a ball of flame.

Llewelyn laughed out loud and clapped her hands as her comical babysitter now juggled the eyeballs. Puck danced around the gargoyle for a moment before crossing his legs in mid-air. He was floating above the ground with Llewelyn looking in awe when Phoenix appeared in gargoyle form.

As the flames vanished Puck turned to his fellow fae. He let go of the eyes but they were still circling in the air juggling themselves.

Phoenix, in turn, rolled his eyes. "Don't you think the eyeball joke is getting a little old, Puck?"

"Not at all, my flaming fellow. In fact, I find it rather amusing, as does my charge. So how was your meeting?"

"That's none of your concern, thank you for your help but could you leave us alone for a while?" said Phoenix snapping his talons, making the dancing eyeballs vanish. "The last thing I need is for you to turn my daughter into another trickster."

"Fine! See if I care! I don't have to take this verbal abuse. I'm leaving!" shouted Puck with a very convincing whimper on his face. "But not without my ducky!" He pulled a rubber duck from behind a giggling Llewelyn's ear. " And my watch!" Puck then pulled a giant Mickey Mouse clock from behind the hatchling while Phoenix looked on. " And my...!"

"Puck, now!" ordered an interrupting Phoenix.

"Gone," said the fae as he winked at Llewelyn and vanished in a burst of light.

"Does everyone here act like that?" asked the giggling female.

"Not everyone, thankfully," her father replied staring at the spot where the fae had been. "Come on. Why don't I give you a tour of the island before sunrise?"

"Sounds great!" Llewelyn gave the gargoyle a wide grin before he took her hand in his.

Llewelyn burst from her stone shell as the last rays of the sun disappeared over the Avalon horizon. She had been on the isle for a few months now and it had been the best time of her life. The shell she had worn of a shy young gargoyle was beginning to wear off.

As she stretched, the hatchling turned to see Phoenix in his gargoyle form as usual. He had appeared to her in his fae form before, but mostly he kept the appearance of a gargoyle around her.

"Good evening, firefly," greeted Phoenix. "Ready for some lessons?"

"You bet!" said the excited gargoyle jumping down from her place on the parapets of the castle. Llewelyn had been training not only in the art of her fae magic but in gargoyle combat as well, which Phoenix knew, surpriseingly, a lot about.

"Alright, basics first," the fae said smiling as the hatchling's face dropped.

"Ahhh, come on. Can't we do something new?"

"Llewelyn..."

"Alright, Alright, basics first." The female held out her hand and concentrated. Suddenly a ball of fire appeared hovering above her hand.

"Good, keep going," encouraged Phoenix as he stood with his arms crossed.

The flame then formed into the shape of a flower, then a bird and finally a sword. Suddenly, fire began to build around Llewelyn, surrounding her. A panicked looked appeared on Phoenix's face as he shouted, "Llewelyn! What are you doing?!" The fire continued to rise until the female vanished.

"Llewelyn!" called Phoenix as he quickly shot into the air. He looked about the land below, scanning for any sign of his daughter. "Puck!"

"You bellowed?" asked the sprite as he appeared before the fae in the air.

"This isn't time for jokes, Puck! I think Llewelyn was trying to teleport. She hasn't the strength yet. There's no telling where she could be!"

"Whoa! Calm down, Dad. I'll send out the hounds at once. We'll find her." With that, Puck vanished in a flash of light.

The trickster reappeared in mid-air on the other side of the island, after sending Grandmother and Coyote on the search as well. As he flew above the beach, he suddenly sighted a figure lying in the sand.

"Calling Phoenix, I have visual on firefly," said Puck into a walkie-talkie that appeared in his hand, and softly landed on the beach. Flames appeared next to the fae and Phoenix stepped out.

Llewelyn lay unconscious, her wings wrapped around her body. Her father stepped to her and picked her up, cradling the young gargoyle in his arms. "She's alive," he said releasing his grip on her and laying her back on the ground. Bright red energy began to form around Phoenix's outstretched hand. He waved it slowly in front of the hatchling's face and she began to flutter her eyelashes. Llewelyn opened her eyes and sat up gradually, holding her forehead.

"What did you think you were doing?" asked Phoenix with a distressed expression on his face rather than a stern one. "You could have been hurt or worse."

"I'm sorry," Llewelyn replied, tears beginning to fill her eyes. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I just wanted to make you proud of me."

"I'm already proud of you. You're not strong enough yet to teleport such a distance. You could have not appeared again and then what would I have done? You're my life, Llewelyn." Phoenix placed his hand of the gargoyle's cheek and she held on to it.

"I'm so very sorry, Daddy..." Phoenix looked back at his daughter for a moment, staring into her face and letting that one word ring through his ears. "What did I do now?" Llewelyn asked wiping away a tear, a puzzled expression appearing on her face.

"Absolutely nothing," he replied, grasping her into a hug.

"I always cry at moments like these," said Puck pulling out a huge striped handkerchief and blowing his nose loudly. Llewelyn and Phoenix stared at him a moment before bursting into laughter.

"What?" Puck asked, holding up his arms as a wide grin spread across his face and he vanished.

"We'll I was going to save this until your hatching day next week, but I think you deserve it today," said Phoenix turning to his daughter.

"What is it?"

Phoenix snapped his talons and a large box wrapped in a yellow ribbon appeared before Llewelyn. The hatchling stared at it baffled for a moment. "Go ahead, Open it," urged Phoenix.

No sooner had Llewelyn pulled off the ribbon, did a young red gargoyle beast stick its head out of the top. The gargoyle jumped back in surprise, but a wide smile soon appeared on her face. "Oh, Daddy! Thank you!" Llewelyn cried out as she lifted the wiggling beast from the box and into her lap. He was very cat like in appearance with three dark red crests on his head. Two similar crests were also on the tips of his long tail. "What's his name?"

"Why don't you name him? I thought you might like a friend since I'm not going to be around all the time."

"His name is...Smoke," said the hatchling as she rubbed the top of the beast's head.

"Smoke it is," Phoenix said as he watched the beast purr softly and nudge Llewelyn's neck. "You'll take care of each other."

The weeks turned into months, and the months turned into years as Llewelyn grew on Avalon. The shy hatchling that had been taken from the forest had grown into a confident gargoyle. Life was peaceful and good...most of the time.

"Llewelyn!"

The gargoyle heard the shout of her name yelled mentally and winced. "Oh boy," said Llewelyn turning to Smoke who stood at her feet. "Daddy is not happy." The garg beast wined in agreement.

As if on cue, Phoenix appeared in the usual burst of flames in front of her.

"Hiya, Daddy. How's your evening been?" Llewelyn greeted as she attempted to keep an innocent look on her face.

"Oh, do not pull that hiya Daddy stuff on me," replied Phoenix, giving the gargoyle a stern look. "I just had to stop Odin from coming over and permanently freezing you."

"Why did you have to do that, Daddy?"

"I suppose Puck and you were not the one's who branded Odin's horse?" Phoenix asked, raising an eyeridge.

"Of course not!" Llewelyn replied looking surprised. "Why would I ever do a thing like that!"

"I guess the P and L on the poor horse doesn't stand for Puck and Llewelyn then?"

"Maybe Phoebe and Luna did it?"

"I don't think so. Number one, the Weird Sisters do not pull pranks like that. Number two, they do not use fire and number three, there are three of them."

"Oh, alright! You caught me, but it was just a joke," Llewelyn said giving in. "It's not my fault the big olde' Norse god doesn't have a sense of humor."

"No, it's my fault for raising you on an island of tricksters. Maybe you'd have been better off growing up on an island of nuns." Phoenix stood with his arms crossed, trying not to smile.

"Did you just make a joke? Are you okay? Do you want to sit down? I know it hurts the first time."

"I should know better than to try to get in a verbal war with you, firefly," the fae said rolling his eyes and grinning.

"Yep, 'cause I always win," she said punching a fiery fist into his arm playfully. Suddenly Phoenix looked up and away from the gargoyle, a baffled look appearing on his face.

"Llewelyn," said Phoenix in a rather stern tone, his gargoyle form fading away and being replaced with a more human one. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."

"Whoa, where are you going? What's wrong?"

"Oberon's Children have been summoned by our lord. Just please stay here. We'll talk later." As Llewelyn's father vanished, she crossed her arms and glared in the spot where he had been.

"I guess that's one way to end a conversation," she said turning to Smoke who growled lightly in reply. "If I'm suppose to be governed by the rules of the fae, as Oberon puts it, why aren't I treated like one?"

Llewelyn signed deeply and plopped on the ground. Smoke purred and pushed his head under her taloned hand, begging to be petted. The gargoyle smiled and scratched behind the beast's ear. "You know, there's a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. You probably don't remember it, Smoke, but I do. I also remember an old saying the elders preached to the clan: Gargoyles protect. But what do I protect, what do I do? Let's face it, I'm bored."

Smoke titled his head and stared quizzically at Llewelyn. "I doubt that I'm even a real gargoyle and I'm sure not treated like a fae. I'm just so...trapped between two worlds. And here I am, spending my entire life on a magical island, hiding from the world." The gargoyle beast turned his head and yawned.

"Alright, alright, I'm done, but let's see if I listen the next time you want to reveal your soul to me."

"Llewelyn, I have to talk to you," came a voice from behind her. The gargoyle turned around quickly to see her father standing there.

"Daddy, don't sneak up on me...what's wrong?" asked the gargoyle noticing the look on his face and rising to her feet. "So, what did the great, all powerful Oberon want?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"We're leaving Avalon," Phoenix answered. "Everyone's leaving Avalon. The Children of Oberon are to go out into the mortal world."

"We're leaving?! Forever?"

"No, not forever. Oberon will call us back one day at the time of the Gathering..."

"Daddy, this could be great! We can go see the world together," Llewelyn paused, suddenly having to force the words out. "maybe...maybe even meet other gargoyles."

"I know you miss your clan, firefly, your own kind but...," said Phoenix holding his hand to her cheek.

"It's not that, it's just that I want to go back to the clan, Daddy. I don't care want I did as a hatchling. That was so many years ago. They probably won't even remember me. You've taught me so much about my powers and just imagine what I could do to help the clan."

"Llewelyn...," started Phoenix before he was interrupted in mid-sentence.

"And you could come, too. You can live with the clan like you use to. Smoke and you and me, we can live in the real world."

"Llewelyn, listen to me. Please, firefly," Phoenix placed both his hands on her shoulders, fighting to get her attention. "It's the clan."

"What about them?"

"There's no easy way to say this, but they've been destroyed. There are only a few left."

"No...what happened?! Who did it?! But some are alive aren't they? You can take me to them."

Phoenix sighed and stared deep into his daughter's eyes, looking at the hope that hung there. "Very well, we will go to them, but let me warn you now. You are not going to like what you see. Hold on." Llewelyn pushed Smoke near her and wrapped one arm around her father's waist, not knowing what the future held. Fire built up around the trio, surrounding them till they vanished from Avalon.

Llewelyn looked about the parapets of Castle Wyvern with Smoke close on her heels. The castle was absolutely devoid of life; the only sound was the howl of the wind and the soft pat of her footsteps.

"Daddy, where are they? You said some of them were still...alive."

"Over here, firefly," called Phoenix from around a corner. As Llewelyn turned toward her father she gasped, seeing the horrifying sight in front of her.

"They're stone...at night. I can still feel the magic that was used. It's not of Avalon," whispered Llewelyn as she placed her hand on the cold stone beak of one of the statues. "I recognize these three. They were my rookery brothers. And that's the leader down there." Llewelyn looked up to see another gargoyle frozen in stone on the parapets high above. She closed her eyes, anger building up in her face. "These are the only ones not smashed? You said they were alive. How is this alive?! Who did it, Daddy?! Who?!" Fire built up around her fists as she flung them upon the wall, causing bits of rock debris to fly.

"Llewelyn, it doesn't matter..." Phoenix said softly patting Smoke on the head.

"Of course it matters!"

"No it doesn't!" said the Child of Oberon sharply. "It's over with now, it's been done. There was nothing you could have done to prevent this tragedy and even if you were here you would have been destroyed, too." Llewelyn turned away, her eyes closed. Phoenix placed a taloned finger under her chin, turning Llewelyn's head to face his. "And finding the ones who caused this will not bring them back. Revenge is not the answer. Do you understand? Show me that you understand."

"Yes, I understand, Daddy," answered Llewelyn slowly unclenching her fists.

"There is good and bad in this world and the only thing you can do is protect what you can and who you care for. You cannot dwell in the past, because that will destroy you. I promise you that these gargoyles are alive and they have a destiny they must follow, as do we all. Now accept what has happen and move on."

Llewelyn turned to the plains beyond the castle, before speaking. "I always wanted to come back here to the clan one day, be welcomed with open arms and accepted for what I am, but look at this place. The only sign of life here is us. It was a stupid dream."

"You really want to be back with the clan don't you?" asked Phoenix, coming up behind her placing a hand on her shoulder.

"It not that I don't love being with you, Daddy, it's just that, I know there's something out there for me. Sometimes I think I can almost hear it calling my name. My destiny is just passing me by. Or rather just turned to stone."

"And how do you know your destiny lies with this clan?" Phoenix paused when his daughter did not answer. "Perhaps it's only waiting for you." A pained look appeared on the fae's face as fire appeared in his held out palm. "Look at this."

Phoenix held out his hand in front of Llewelyn revealing a strange gold object with what looked like some type of bird on it.

"What is it?" asked Llewelyn as her father handed the object to her, her face filled with confusion. "It is called the Phoenix Gate. I forged it many centuries before I brought you to Avalon. You can use it to travel to the future."

"The future? Why there? Daddy, I don't understand."

"The clan will be freed from their stone sleep in the future. Besides, you were doing all the talking about seizing your destiny. You were right. It doesn't lie here with me. You have to go find it."

The thoughts in Llewelyn's head whirled for a moment before she came to realization. "Thank you, Daddy," cried the gargoyle as she wrapped her arms around Phoenix's neck embracing him in a hug. As she released him, he looked into her eyes, as if piercing her very soul.

"My precious firefly, you look more and more like your mother everyday. I missed her so after she was killed. When you came to me it was like I got a part of her back, but now it's like I'm losing her all over again."

"I'll be back, one day, I promise. Good-byes aren't forever. Never forever. I love you."

"I love you, too," Phoenix said kissing her forehead. He turned to the beast and scratched behind its ear. "Take care of her, Smoke." He rose and took a deep breath before turning back to Llewelyn. "To make the gate work you only need to imagine when and where you want to be and chant the spell, Deflagrate muri tempi et intervallia."

"Goodbye, Daddy. I'll be back, besides what's a little time to an immortal like you." Llewelyn smiled as she pulled Smoke closer to her and chanted. "Deflagrate muri tempi et intervallia." The Phoenix flame surrounded the two as they vanished from the parapets not leaving one trace that they had ever even been there.

"Time without you, Llewelyn?" said Phoenix sadly to the spot where his daughter had been but moments before. "Why its only agony."

1998, New York City The circle of flames from the gate suddenly disappeared dropping a very surprised Llewelyn to the hard concrete ground below. Smoke shortly fell on top of the gargoyle.

"Oh, that was a pleasant landing," Llewelyn said, pushing the beast off of her and rising. She looked around and noticed that on both sides of her were what she could only describe as some type of structures. "Uh, were are we?"

The gargoyle took a few steps forward, trampling on a crumpled sheet of paper. Llewelyn picked up the typing and read a few lines of the newspaper. "Well, at least I know what time it is. This parchment reads the year 1998, Smoke. Now to figure out the where." The gargoyle began to climb up the side of the wall in the alley when a pierce shout stopped her short.

"Come on', Smoke." Llewelyn jumped from the wall and turned to the beast. "We wanted adventure and it looks like we're going to get it." To Be Continued...