Authors' Note: Gargoyles and everything associated with them belong to Buena Vista and Disney.  They do not belong to
Clan LeFemme and we make no claims to them.  This is done purely for fun.  The characters of Shaylyn, Storm, the egg,
Sunshine, and Blake Adams do belong to Clan LeFemme and may not be used without express permission.  The
characters of Skydancer, Lisette, Byrdie Fae, Firedancer, and Shadow belong to each of the authors respectively and may
also not be used without permission.  Feedback is welcomed, just be constructive please.  This is the next segment of the
Clan LeFemme Series.  Enjoy! :)

Also, please visit the Clan's homepage to see pics of some of the characters as well as the authors' own character descriptions, floor plans for Janua Caeli, and another peak at the Clan's fics at: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Study/7118/index.html

Description:  Prophecies are revealed in a devastating meeting in the wilds of Castellum de Gens.

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Castellum deGens

    Sighing, the young man slowly reclined back in his chair, his dark gray eyes roving over the dark paneling of his large office, the bright winter sun pouring in from the large picture window behind him.  To work or not to work.. that seemed to be his question as he raised his arms and rested his hands behind his short, black spiky hair, lifting his black soled shoes to rest on the shiny oak desk before him.  True, there was plenty of work to be done.  After all, as the young partner in this growing law firm, there was always plenty to do.  The real question was whether or not he could stomach another meeting with yet another stuffy client.  All of his dreams had been achieved because of his driving ambition: a graduation from high school when he was only fifteen, college completed in three years when he was only eighteen, and law school finished four years later... well, at twenty-five he had already made partner in one of the most prestigious firms here in Castellum deGens.  Then again, that meant that he had spent his last twenty-five years working his tail end off with no time for fun.  He didn't even think that he'd ever had the chance to just be a kid.  Now, it seemed as though he'd never get that chance to just be young as the majority of the elite clientele that was serviced by his firm were.. well, old.

     Shaking his head, the young man quickly sat forward and stared morosely at the pile of paperwork lying on his large, oak desk.  He couldn't be having a mid-life crisis at twenty-five and staring off into space would definitely get him no where in his pile of paperwork.  Instead, it was time to choke down his boredom and dive in.. yet again.  Biting back his groan, he leaned forward just as the intercom rang beside him.  Happy for a distraction of any kind, he quickly leaned forward and tapped the button, connecting himself instantly with Cynthia, his secretary in the next room.  "Yes?" he asked, trying not to sound too eager.

    He should of known that he wouldn't be able to hide his boredom from Cynthia.  Instantly the matronly voice that answered back was tinged with humor at his own expense.  "Mr. Adams, there is a Miss Lisette DeBuschelle to see you," Cynthia rang cheerily, her smile somehow managing to seep through the intercom to brighten the darker tones of his office.

    "Does she have an appointment?" Blake Adams asked wearily as he leaned back against his chair, his mind already wandering on to the next assignment--how to get the son of one of his rich clients out of going to jail for drug abuse.  Personally, he thought that the kid deserved the jail time.

    After a slight pause, Cynthia's voice quickly rattled into his office once again, another unmistakable note of humor coloring her voice.  "No, Mr. Adams, but she does come on a recommendation from Ms. Kathy Higgens...."

    "Oh no," Blake sighed, interrupting his secretary as he wearily rubbed his forehead.  Even the mention of his nosey aunt was enough to start a splitting headache in the further regions of his mind.  Ever since his parents' death when he was just sixteen, his aunt, his legal guardian, had been a constant thorn in his side.  While her intentions were always meant to be positive, her nosiness into his private life was a pain... especially with the meddling in his love life.. or lack of one.  Sighing, Blake slowly sat up again as he began clearing away the piles of paper work.  "Give me five minutes," he muttered before cutting off the connection.

    Sighing, Blake slowly climbed to his feet and picked up his suit jacket from behind him.  "Now what?" he groaned as he slid into the expensive material, unconsciously running a quick hand through his short, spiky hair as he tightened his tie.  Seeing as how this Miss DeBuschelle was coming on a recommendation from his aunt, that meant one of two things.  Either she was extremely wealthy or she was extremely wealthy and beautiful.  In his aunt's pursuit to get him locked into marriage, she often sent her own prestigious clients his way.  By now, he had grown so accustomed to this that a pretty face no longer amused him.  Still, a client was a client and he reminded himself of that point as he walked towards the large door that connected him to his outer office.

    Sighing, Lisette gently tapped her long, slender fingers on the arm of her hard arm chair as her eyes swept around the large reception room.  Like the rest of Hank, Johnson, and Adams, the law firm she was now in, this room was sophisticated and... well, cold in an elegant sort of way.  The interior was layered in soft tan colors and pastels that added an elegant air, yet the hard chairs and straight lines of the oak end tables detracted from that idea.  It took just one look at the office for Lisette to regret her decision to seek outside help with the Clan's financial affairs.  After all, the office did little to promote friendliness.  In the end, she would have walked out at that moment if it had not been for the secretary that sat behind the desk.

    The woman was plump, reminding Lisette of a mother hen, with bright blue eyes and puffy graying hair stacked atop her head.  But more importantly, her smile had been kind as she quickly crossed from her desk to meet Lisette inside the door, clasping her small hands within her own and drawing her into the room.  Instantly Cynthia, as the secretary had introduced herself, had gone off a mile a minute, clucking about anything from the weather to her many children, as if they had known each other for years.  In the end, it had taken around five minutes for Cynthia to finally get around to letting Mr. Adams know that he had a client waiting.  Still, the thing that caused Lisette to like this woman even more was the look of amusement that crossed her face when she heard who had sent Lisette to this office.

    "So, Miss DeBuschelle..."

    "Oh s'il vous plait, please call me Lisette," she quickly interrupted as Cynthia replaced the hand receiver to the telephone, done conversing with her boss as she turned her bright eyes once more to her guest.

    "Of course, Lisette," Cynthia continued, nodding her head vigorously as she eyed the young woman sitting before her.
"You're one of those Frenchie people, aren't you?" she pressed with a large smile, taking in the girl's soft accent with a nod of the head, her hair bouncing from side to side.

    Stifling a laugh, Lisette quickly nodded her head, her blue eyes twinkling.  "Ah.. yes, I suppose that I am 'one of those Frenchie people'," she agreed, smiling brightly as she ran an absent hand through her long blond hair, brushing it from her face and allowing it to cascade down her back.

    "Uhmm hmm," Cynthia nodded, her eyes narrowing with pride.  "That's what I thought.  You see, I have a thing with those strange accents and I just took one look at you and honey I knew that you had to be one of those foreigners!" she added, her smile growing larger.

    "Hmm, yes, how right you are," Lisette agreed automatically as the door behind Cynthia swung open.  Immediately Lisette rose to her feet and watched as a young man, only a little older than herself, entered the room.  He was tall, about 6'2", with short, spiky black hair, deep blue eyes, a tan complexion and a build that showed he stayed active.  All in all, he was very attractive.  Yet her expression remained impassive as she saw his own eyes sweep over her in a calculating way before a polite smile lifted his lips.

    "Miss DeBuschelle?" Blake asked, stepping further into the room and taking her slim hand into his own.  "I'm Blake Adams," he announced as his eyes swept over her once more.  She was beautiful, he had to give his aunt that, dressed in slimming black pants, a black top, and a black jacket that parted at the sides and brushed against her calves.  With this ensemble, her pale blond hair was a stark contrast as it trailed down her back, blue eyes taking in him even as he did the same.  It seemed as though they were both sizing each other up.  "Why don't you step into my office," he continued as he released her hand and gestured towards his open door.

    "Thank you," was Lisette's murmured reply as she nodded good-bye to the secretary and stepped over the threshold into a darker room that screamed of masculinity.  From the dark coloring to the heavy oak furniture, Lisette nearly choked on the testosterone of the decorating.  Luckily, the room was brightened by the sunny light of the cool winter day.

    "Please take a seat," Blake spoke up from behind her, stepping past her to slip into a large armchair sitting before a massive oak desk.

     Nodding in acceptance, Lisette slowly moved over to a chair that faced the desk, slipping gracefully into the cool leather as she clutched her large black bag in her lap.

    "Now Miss DeBuschelle..."

    "Mademoiselle," Lisette quickly corrected, surprising herself with her own words.  Usually she hated the title of this false name and quickly switched to the only name that she had ever known.  For some reason though, Lisette found herself struggling against this man-- almost in a competition of sorts.

    Blinking at the woman, Blake slowly nodded his head before continuing.  "Of course, forgive me.  Mademoiselle DeBuschelle," he said, emphasizing the word with a slight, playful smile that was quickly smothered beneath the cool  professional one that always seemed to be in evidence.  "What brings you to my office today?"

    "I have come..." Lisette began before a frown slowly creased her face.  Shaking her head, she quickly decided against that route.  "I am new to this country," she began again, her accent and formal use of the English language making that much apparent, "and am unfamiliar with your monetary system."

    "Okay," Blake said, nodding for her to continue even as his eyes began to narrow.

    "I have just purchased an estate here in Castellum deGens and would like you to handle all financial dealings," Lisette continued uncertainly as she lifted her bag and upended it on the table, piles upon piles of money spilling forth and covering the desk.

    "Whoa," Blake muttered as he backed away from the falling money, his eyes widening as he took in the large stash.  "Don't you have a bank account?!"

    "A 'bank account'?" Lisette questioned, her eyes showing her confusion.

    Tearing his eyes away from the money, Blake slowly shook his head.  Lovely.  While his aunt had indeed sent a rich and beautiful young woman his way, she had also sent a stupid, rich and beautiful young woman.  It was apparent that this one was as ditzy as they came.  "So where's the rich husband to come with this money?" he asked sarcastically, regretting the words the instant that they left his mouth.

    "Excusez-moi?" Lisette fired back, her eyes narrowing as her hands tightened on her black bag.

    "I mean..."

    "No, Monsieur Adams," Lisette interrupted quickly, the anger flashing in her eyes.  It was so strange.  Lisette would usually say that she had no temper, but somehow this man had raised her ire in a way that most could not and in an amount of time that amazed her.  "No Monsieur, I know exactly what you meant," she snapped as she quickly got to her feet, reaching forward to start stuffing the money back into her bag.  "You believe that just because I am someone who is unfamiliar with these United States that I must have a husband to care for me and provide me with moneys such as these," she stated hotly, surprised at her anger.

    Kicking himself, Blake quickly reached forward and stopped her hand gently with his own.  "Wait, Miss.. Mademoiselle DeBuschelle.  I'm sorry," he quickly insisted, causing her to look up and meet his eyes.  "I didn't mean what I said...."

    "Then what did you mean?" Lisette interrupted once again, unreasonably stung by his earlier words.  Why should she care what this rude man thought?  His concern was nothing to her.

    "Well..." Blake stumbled, completely at a loss.  In fact, he had meant what he had said.  After all, in his business it was common that if a woman as young and as beautiful and.. well, as naive as this one came into his office with tons of cash, the odds were that she was either a rich heiress with snobbish parents or a young vampiress who married some old coot for his money.  It seems that he had struck out in this case.  It also seemed as though this woman wasn't nearly as stupid as he had thought. In fact, with each word and sharp retort it seemed that she was very sharp indeed.

    "That's what I thought," Lisette sighed, her anger leaving her in a rush of deflated air as she shook off his hand.  Instead, she was left with only sadness.  It seemed that she would never be able to get along with her kind.  She was at least partly human, but in this time the only human that had seemed even somewhat compassionate and understanding about her differences was someone who had been dead for years now.  Only her clan would understand her differences.  In a way, that was a lonely existence.

    Shaking her head, Lisette bit back her tears, refusing to allow this man to see any weaknesses, as she finished refilling her bag.  "Excusez-moi," she murmured as she turned and began back towards the door.

    Sighing, Blake quickly shook his head as he moved around his desk and gently touched the young woman's arm.  "Wait, I truly am sorry," he continued softly, surprised at the tenderness he heard in his own voice.  "My mouth just got away from me... let me make it up to you," he said quickly before he could change his mind.

    Narrowing her eyes in suspicion, Lisette stared up into the lawyer's bright blue eyes.  "And how would you do that, Monsieur Adams?"

    "Well, I'd start by letting you call me Blake," he joked, his smile falling short as her set frown never wavered.  "Uh... and by treating you to dinner tonight?" he asked hopefully, surprising himself once more.  After all, even though she was attractive, he made it a strict rule never to mix business with his personal life.  Then again, there was just something about her... something that just screamed that there was more to her than what met his eye.  Plus, if he really thought about it, with that stupid remark it wasn't as though he even had her business.

    Surprised, Lisette just looked up at him for a few seconds, her determination wavering.  He had apologized... yet dinner?

    "I accept," Lisette replied suddenly, surprising them both.

    "Uh.. great!" Blake replied quickly, suddenly nervous.  "How about eight o'clock?"

    "Eight sounds good," Lisette agreed, wondering what in the world she was doing.

    "Okay.. then I'll pick you..."

    "No," Lisette broke in quickly, shaking her head as her blond hair twirled around her.  "No.. I will meet you... here.  Yes, I will meet you here at eight o'clock," she insisted, forcing a smile.

    "Ooookay," Blake drawled, shrugging his shoulders.  "Here at eight," he agreed as she turned and began heading towards the door.  "Oh wait!" he called to her, stopping her as she turned to him with questioning eyes.  "Do I still need to call you Mademoiselle DeBuschelle?" he asked, an impish smiling lifting his lips once again.

    Unable to resist returning his smile, Lisette quickly shook her head.  "No, you may call me Lisette," she replied before turning back towards the door.  "Until tonight, Monsieur Blake Adams."

    "Until tonight Mademoiselle Lisette DeBuschelle," Blake echoed to his empty office.

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Somewhere Over Castellum deGens

    The light of countless windows lifted shrouds of shadow, folding them past the climbing spirals of the skyscrapers in which she glided.  Windows of other worlds, magic casements opening upon enchantment, a threshold between past, present, and future, animated by their dances of light, their colors glowed with a jewel-like brilliance, beckoning to her.  Still the Skydancer flew on.

    From her vantage point atop Janua Caeli, there on the balcony of the north tower, the green-eyed gargess had turned and surveyed the festive scene far in the distance--the glittering aurora of Castellum deGens.  The massive city had groaned in the distance under the unending noise it produced as if set upon by the giddy voice of violins floating in its golden haze above the heads of its lighted towers.  Launching herself into the air, she knew she just had to be apart of it.

    Circling the city, Sky saw nothing unusual below her. ~Though, from my vantage point, what would I notice?~ she mused to herself.  The night wind blew over her tan wings gently--a feathery wisp of Nature's gentle hand.  Tendrils of hair came flying down from her bangs.  Pushing them behind one ear she carried on.  A darkened sentinel loomed before her.  Her mountain.

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Janua Caeli

    Looking around her spacious quarters in the basement Fire smiled to herself and nodded. None of the others had understood why on earth she would want to live down here. To them it was like living in a dungeon. But for Fire who, over the past months had grown accustomed to living underground with her father-in-law and the Guild, it was perfect. Besides, the others would be less likely to poke around here.

    She didn't want to have to answer questions just yet if one of them came upon all the equipment she had acquired from the Guild over the past several weeks.  Fire had set up quite a home base down here. Off to the north end of the room she had stocked up an extensive array of medical supplies and equipment. All state of the art of course. Her personal things, a small bed, dresser, desk and lamp rested up against the west end. Some old wine racks had lined three of the walls. Several bottles had still survived from the previous owners even. Fire had strategically re-arranged the massive racks so that when one came down the stairs, the racks blocked the person's view of the basement. One might think it would be to give her some privacy. But really it was to prevent the others from seeing anything they shouldn't if they poked their heads in the doorway up at the top of the stairs.

    Most importantly the high tech monitors and equipment that Fire had managed to cram into a giant cabinet that had been left behind as well. There was only one last little bit of equipment she needed and then her setup would be complete. Lisette had not planned to be home early this evening. The others had their own plans, so she decided she could risk another trip to the local Guild hideout to pick up what the Guild Master had sent to her. Which reminded her...she should check up with him.

    Pulling her phone from her belt she opened it and hit the Send key twice.  "Yes?" A voice asked after only one ring.

    "It's Fire."

    "Ah, Fire. Are you set up?"

    "Almost. Just need to get the master drive to hook everything together and then I'll be able to get this stuff up and running."

    "That equipment is good Fire...the best. But it will only work within a twenty to thirty mile radius. What makes you so sure that they will return to the mansion? Castellum is a fairly large city."

    "Oh they'll be back," Fire chuckled humorlessly. "We've got something they want it seems."

    "Oh?" the Guild Master asked his curiosity piqued.

    "Yeah an egg. Looks like a gargoyle egg, but the markings seem a little funny to me. I mean I've never seen one before, but I thought the coloring was supposed to be different from what I remember my family telling me before they were killed years ago. Anyways, this isn't the first time they've tried to get at it. Now I'll be more prepared when they show up anywhere near this building. Mike is rigging me a portable alert system. That way I don't have to be glued to the monitors all the time."

    "Michael is a very useful man when it come to electronics," the Guild Master agreed. "Very good then. How are you?" he asked his voice softening a bit from the formal business tone he had been using.

    "Fine...but it's not easy keeping my identity hidden from this group. Yet I need them. I wish I didn't have to admit that," Fire told him with a sigh.

    "Only a fool would try to take on an enemy greater than himself alone. It is always wise to make allies for yourself Fire, you never know when you may need them. I caution you against becoming too attached though. Eventually they will find out who you are and like most, they will turn their back on you. Hopefully that will be after you've accomplished your task."

    "I understand. Listen, I have to head into the city soon so I can run my errand before they return. I will check up with you in two days time."

    "I'll await your call."

    Fire closed the phone, slipped it back into her belt and grabbed her harness from her dresser. Slipping it on with practiced ease, she sheathed her axe and cinched the straps tight. Closing the cabinet up, Fire locked the door and took one final look around the room. Satisfied she headed upstairs to the quiet house.

    Spotting Shadow in the library Fire nodded. "I'm gonna head into the City for awhile...patrol or something I guess. I'll see you later."

    Shadow looked up to the newer gargess and smiled a little as she nodded her head, "Fine by me, Fire.  I think I am going to stick around here for tonight."  Fire headed outside and scaled the side of the mansion. Up on the roof, the crimson gargess took a deep breath of the fresh air and then spread her wings.

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Castellum deGens - Hank, Johnson, and Adams Law Firm

    Peeking her head around the corner of the alley, Lisette nervously reached back and fumbled with her simple French twist.  "I do not know about this," she muttered to herself as she watched the entrance to the law firm.  Earlier that afternoon, butterflies of anticipation and heaves of doubt tormented Lisette upon her exit from this very building.  While she was excited about the prospect of an uneventful evening with someone normal, the idea was also frightening.  In all reality, she wasn't normal and she was afraid that she'd somehow give that away.  She wasn't used to having to hide this fact for great lengths of time.  Amongst her sisters, such a thing wasn't necessary!

   Sighing, Lisette glanced from her small black boots to her slim-fitting khaki pants, thick wool sweater, to her long overcoat and chewed her lip anxiously.  She thought that she looked normal.  Then again, that probably didn't mean very much.  Suddenly, the other sounds of traffic were drowned out by a new vehicle.  Turning, Lisette peered around the corner once again and watched as Blake stepped out of a shiny black little car, the brittle snow crunching beneath his shoes.  Squinting, Lisette took in his blue jeans and brown leather bomber jacket.  Well, he definitely looked normal.  Turning back, Lisette leaned against the cold brick of the building and blew a loose strand of hair from her face.  Lifting her hands, she gently tugged at the white scarf that was draped around her shoulders.  It was now or never.  Turning, Lisette quickly hurried from the alley and stepped onto the bustling sidewalk, glancing up at the bright moon high above.

    "Lisette!"

    Lifting her head, Lisette smiled shakily as she headed over to the young lawyer.  "Good eve," she replied awkwardly, shoving her hands into the deep pockets of her long coat.

    "It is, isn't it?" Blake asked, smiling once more as he glanced out into the quiet night, causing Lisette to began to relax as her doubts began to melt away.  "Hungry?" he asked, turning back to her with a smile.  "I promised you dinner after all," he added with a quick wink.

    Blushing, Lisette quickly nodded her head as she stepped closer to him.  "Famished, actually," she laughed, realizing that she hadn't eaten a thing all day.  She was too used to being up all night and sleeping the day away.  These day excursions always managed to throw her system off.

    "Uh oh, you're not going to order everything off the menu just to spite me, are you?" Blake joked as he led the way to his car, holding the door open for her.  "Then again," he added as he took in her lithe form, her long legs folding into the car, "you don't look as though you're capable of it," he nodded as he gently shut her door.

   As Blake climbed into the car beside her, Lisette quickly shook her head.  "Do not believe that until you see how much I can eat!" Lisette laughed as he started the car and eased into traffic.  It looked as though the night might be fun after all.

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Janua Caeli, Astral Pocket (a.k.a. Byrd's Room ^_^)

    "I FEEL YOUR LOVE... REFLECTION..."

    The foreign sounding words rolled off of Byrdie's tongue like water even if they were in bad English. Bells rang softly with the synthesizer through the ripped space that was the Faerie's quarters which she called her "Astral Pocket of Insanity". A fair enough name, since when each of her clan sisters happened to wander inside for something or another, it never looked the same twice, rendering them mindless for the next few nights. In other words, Byrdie needed the laughs.

    "NEVER-ENDING STORY..."

    Zipping through the space-like environs with magical ease, the raven-haired trickster performed a sort of synchronized flight, twisting and rolling with the "trash-can" beats that now debuted their tones, now establishing TWO-MIX's rhythmic J-Pop/Heavy Metal style. "Hmmm... hmmm mm hmmm... man, now THIS is a theme song..."

   Byrdie's "dancing-in-space" antics continued until the song had slowed to its raving end, flopping down on a star cloud haphazardly, laughing as white sparkles flew out from under her like stuffing from a bean bag. The song had changed--it was slower with a sax followed by bells adding to the jazzy quality and sadness to the words of Hikaru Midorikawa. "More than Words..." the now relaxed Faerie crooned, hearts of an idol chaser in her eyes. "Ohh, Midorikawa-sama, ai shiteru..."

    Gradually and reluctantly, Byrdie was falling asleep in her cloud chair, her brown eyes now lidded and heavy. She was just about to yawn when the music snapped off and there was a piercing alarm that went off, its clarion siren jolting her up.

    "Huh--wha--how's on first??" she slurred, blinking rapidly until a large screen appeared in front of her, shining intimidatingly. Groaning, Byrdie flew up and slapped the pile of machinery with a bulky mallet that showed up in her small hands. "Damn it! This is NO time to be playing MST! I want to relax for a while, so beat it!"

    A few moments passed silently and Byrdie thought that she had knocked some sense into the theater screen when the words "NO, NOT THAT, BAKA" appeared in bold red lettering. The words "SOMETHING ELSE IS UP" soon followed.

    Lifting a finely shaped eyebrow in suspicion, the Fae trickster crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot on a star ring beside her. "What, then? I have to get back to Midorikawa-sama!"

    Long moments passed for what seemed to Byrdie as too long before a picture popped up before her of Lisette beside the alley of a large office building, looking quite nervous. "Huh? What the heck is--ohh ho ho..."

    It was at that moment that a young man in blue jeans and a brown bomber jacket came into view, pulling Lisette away to a shiny black car and opening the door for her. The Fae snickered at how shy her sister was looking--oh, she wouldn't live it down in THIS century. "Ryoni-kun!" she called up (that word being the screen's name), "Record this for me!"

    "WHATEVER..." was the monitor's reply, accompanied by a long whirring sound.

    "Yeah... do that for me..." Byrdie giggled as she started to fade out into the dark space around her. "I've got a date to keep...^_^"

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Castellum deGens

    "Okay,  so the terminal plugs in here, the alpha reader to the white, the delta reader to the green, and the electromagnetic detector to the blue," Fire said in a hesitant voice.

    "You got it," the young man chuckled next to her.

    Fire shook her head. "Man, I don't know how you guys can do this stuff," she laughed.

    "Each to his own magic, Firedancer. Speaking of which......."

    "Yeah, I know, I promised," Fire chuckled. "Some of your guys are trying to get in me on a spar they've got going in a little while as well."

    Michael grinned and shook his head. "I know. I wish I could join them, but....." he nodded down to his splinted leg. He and his former second in command had been caught in a tunnel collapse while trying to get to the Vault during the attack. Mike came out with a concussion, some bruised ribs and a broken leg. His best friend and second didn't make it though.

    "You won't be mad with me if I wipe the mat with your men now?"

    Michael laughed. "Cocky now are we?"

    "I'm as strong as any five of your men put together and I had the privilege of training under Marcus."

    The Guild Commander let out an appreciative whistle. "Wow, the Guild Master isn't wasting any time with you is he?" he muttered to himself.

    "What does that mean?" Fire asked, suddenly wary.

    "I think we know what I meant Fire," Michael responded just as carefully. "Now see this little gizmo here?" he asked, quickly changing the subject as he tossed her a pager like device.

    Fire caught it and looked it over. "That is your portable alert system. When the sensors detect something they'll activate the alarm. It will beep or vibrate just like a pager, but if you push the little green button...."

    He trailed off and waited as Fire pushed it. He grinned when she nearly dropped the device after a mini screen slid out. "The computer will send you the readings, and the coordinates. The closer you get the faster the compass will blink. Any questions?"

    "Yeah do I get to keep all these toys when I'm done?"

    "Let's see if they survive you first," Mike teased as he stood up from his stool. His movement was a little too quick though and he staggered into a stack of video tapes off to one side of his workbench as he tried to regain his balance.

    "Damn," he swore as the stack went crashing to the floor, and Fire reached out to steady him before he went over too.

    "I'm never going to get used to this thing," he grumbled.

    "How much longer you have to have the splint on?" Fire asked reaching down to pick up some of the tapes.

    "Another month. Then Doc is going to start me on rehab exercises to retrain the muscles. You can leave those Fire."

    "Sounds like fun," Fire said as her eyes caught some of the labels. They were all from her father-in-law, and each one had different names on them.

    "Fire please leave them be. I'll get them later," Michael said again. Only this time his tone was more of an order than a request.

    The gargess spied a tape in the pile with her name on it and her eyes narrowed a bit. Why would the Guild Master send Michael a tape about her, and what could it possibly have on it? Wiping her features neutral, Fire shrugged and wiped her hands as she straightened. "No prob. So what say we go show the kids a little magic show and get that spar under way huh?"

    Michael seemed to relax and nodded. "Sounds good."

    Fire paused a moment to slip her pager into her belt, and carefully packed the master drive into her carry sack and began to close it. Her eyes drifted over to Michael who had his back turned and her tail snaked over and deftly removed the tape from the fallen stack. In a second it too was tucked away into her bag and she cinched it shut.

    "All packed. Let's go have some fun," she announced as he turned back to her.

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Castellum deGens

    Laughing, Lisette quickly shook her head as she pulled her jacket closer around her, forcing back the cold wind that whipped around the empty park.

    "You mean you really never heard that one?" Blake asked in disbelief, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets.  "It's a classic!!"

    "Yes, well must I remind you again how I am new around here?" Lisette prodded, elbowing him gently as the wind pulled a strand of hair from her twist.  The night had been wonderful so far.  Blake had more than made up for his comment earlier in his offices with a wonderful dinner in a small Italian restaurant.  Actually, after a long dinner filled with conversation and this leisurely stroll through a winter-swept park, the horrible incident in the office seemed so long ago.  It actually seemed as though the Lisette and Blake that forced the confrontation were too completely different people.  The awkwardness had faded away under Blake's quiet humor.  To others, the jokes would have seemed lame and stupid at best, but to Lisette they were charming and funny.

    Shaking her head, Lisette rolled her eyes at the dark windows of Blake's car as he dished out the punch line to one of his many jokes.  Suddenly, a familiar song came on the radio and without even realizing it Lisette began singing softly along.  Then her words were interrupted as Blake quickly turned to her with bright, solemn eyes.

    "Do you know who sings this song?" he asked, his eyes eager.

    Puzzled, Lisette slowly nodded her head.  "Yes, isn't it Third Eye Blind..."

    "Yeah, why don't you let them sing it?" he dead-panned, completely serious.

    Shocked, Lisette could only stare at him for a moment before they both began to laugh.

    They made this man almost seem like a boy, eager to please in any way that he could.

    "Hey, where'd you go?" Blake asked quietly as they stopped under the awnings of a stark oak, the branches long bare, gently reaching a cold hand to brush against her cheek.

    Surprised, Lisette broke away from her thoughts and felt a blush warm her cheeks.  "Where did I go?" she repeated back in confusion, focusing on his words even as her skin burned where his hand had brushed against her cold skin.

    "Yeah... for a moment there you went away and I was left all alone out here," Blake laughed quietly as he nodded to the darkness that surrounded them.  "What were you thinking of?"

    "Nothing.." Lisette lied as Blake slowly slipped his hand around her own.  Looking down, she felt yet another blush warm her cheeks as she took in their joined hands.  "Well, all of this," she admitted as she squeezed his gently.  "This is all so new for me.."

    "Ah, you don't date much either?" Blake asked as he gently tugged on her hand, continuing their walk.

    "You could say that," Lisette agreed, smiling ruefully.

    "Well, it can't be that you're not getting enough offers," he prodded, returning her squeeze from earlier.  "Life too busy?"

    "Essentially," Lisette agreed once more before quickly turning back to him.  "And you?"

    "Work... I've pretty much been doing it my whole life.  Doesn't really leave a whole lot of room for much else."

    "And now?" Lisette asked quietly, almost fearful of the answer that she would get as they stopped once more.

    "Now.. now I believe that I could make room," Blake replied easily with a small smile as he stared down into her bright blue eyes.  Smiling, he slowly leaned forward, his heart intent on one thing.

    "Oh, hell no..." Byrdie whispered, wrapping her tiny black trench coat around her tightly as she witnessed Blake coming in for the kill. "Hmph... first she actually goes a date with a lawyer, like I told her not to in the first place, and now she's gonna let him... eew." Shaking her head, a slow grin formed on the raven-haired trickster's lips as she noticed that the tree she was spying from was loaded with crunchy, white snow.

    Phasing into the night, she reached out with a small, invisible hand, now rolling the fluffy white stuff into a large snowball. Should I, or shouldn't I turn them into ice balls...? she pondering amusedly as she started making up a pile of projectiles on a tree limb. Looking back down, she was sickened to find Blake's lips less than an inch from Lisette's own. Nah, I've gotta make this quick. Besides, that would be *gasp* "JUST TOO MEAN!" BWAHAHAHAHA!!

    Still invisible, she plopped back down on the hidden tree branch, a general's cap on her head and a riding crop in her right hand. Tiny fairies filed up in their lines beside the piles of snowballs, carrying in spoon-shaped catapults.

    "Fire when ready, sir!" a pretty water fairy called out in her tiny voice, ready to obey any command.

    "Yosh, senshi!" Byrdie called back, tipping her general's cap over her eyes and holding her riding crop up in the air. "Commence operations on my command! Ready... aim... FIRE!"

************************************************************************************************

Sky's Mountain

    The Skydancer winged her way along the edge of the cliffs of her mountain home. Below, the waves crashed and foamed against the rocks under the waterfall, each one rising higher and higher, as if reaching almost angrily toward the brown skinned gargess. The she-goyle changed course, circling inland across the fields of withered, winter flowers, above the bare slopes, flying higher and higher until she reached the timberline. She appeared to be meandering, slowly gliding across the sky, the waning rays of moonlight glistening off of her back. Patches of clouds began to drift across the horizon, almost in her wake, as if she was drawing a gray shadow across the land far below it.

    Once in the thick stands of trees, Sky changed speed, swooped quickly, maneuvering through bare branches, and around thick tree trunks, as if racing the setting moon. She flew as straight as possible, up the side of the hills into the grove of trees on the far slope of the mountain. She made her way unerringly to a thick, twisted branch. Settling there, Skydancer folded her wings rather majestically, bright green eyes fixed intently on the hidden cave below.  Breathing in deeply of the forest, the emerald-eyed gargess hopped down off the branch and into the garden that sat below it.

    Skydancer carefully packed the rich soil around the small fern she had recently moved. The earth was very fertile, even in the winter cold, and had enabled her much needed and rarer shrubs to grow here.  Her bare hands were buried deep within the soil, the rich fragrances of the plants enveloping her. A riot of color from the vegetation and flowers she had sown into the earth were scattered all around her.

    She shivered suddenly as the gray shadows caught up with her, obscuring the last haunting rays of the moon and leaving an ominous portent of disaster firmly entrenched in her mind. Very slowly Sky stood up, dusting the damp soil from, first her hands, and then her leather dress before she tilted her head to look up at the waning moon above her in the tree.  Something was amiss.

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Castellum deGens

    Fire climbed to the top of the old brick apartment building that housed many of the Guild's families as well as a secret entrance to the old underground transit tunnels that they used to reach the main Guild Sanctuary. Fire took a moment to survey her surroundings. Like just about every city in the world, Castellum had its poorer section. But in a way, the poorer sections were also the richest.

    The old brick buildings had a lot more character to them than the big, yet standard track homes that lined the streets across town. And the people that lived in the apartments were considerably more world-wise than the rest. They didn't get upset when the neighbor's dog barked during the night. It didn't matter if the Smith's across the street planted ugly bushes in fear that their property value might go down. There were far worse things in life to worry about, and this community knew the harsh reality of that.

    As a result, they looked out for one another for better than any neighborhood watch program in the suburbs did. True most of them had an affiliation with the Guild in this particular section, but even those who didn't stuck together. These people were real and didn't care about putting on a facade of sunshine and roses for everyone. Fire was glad she had gotten the chance to meet a number of them, and have her life enriched by their own experiences.

    Spreading her wings, the red gargess glided leisurely back home to get her equipment set up and relax for the rest of the evening. She had spent nearly an hour delighting the children and adults alike with her tricks. And then as promised she had wiped the sparring mat with Mike's men.

    Mike had tried to call her on her claim and dared her to go up against five of his men-- he had saved the best for last of course. Fire, not one to back down from a dare, took Michael and the five men on. Everyone had come out of that match with at least one good bruise, cut, or bloody nose, but in the end Fire had managed to best all five of them.

    As soon as she began her glide home though, her bruised muscles began to make themselves quite known and she chuckled ruefully at herself. A nap in the flames was beginning to sound more and more inviting.

    But home, she quickly descended to her quarters, walked around the racks, and opened up the large cabinet. Carefully Fire removed the drive from her bag and the tape with her name fell to the floor with a clatter. Suddenly her thoughts of flames and naps diminished as she reached to pick up the forgotten tape. Setting it on the bed for the moment, she returned to the task at hand and hooked up the drive and hit the power switch. She breathed a sigh of relief as the equipment ran through it's diagnostics and then the readings leveled out just like Mike said they would.

    Closing the doors back up Fire returned to her bed and picked up the tape. She turned it over in her hands silently for a few minutes, wondering what was on the tape. Wondering if she wanted to know what was on the tape. Finally curiosity got the better of her, and Fire walked over to the small dresser and popped the tape into the VCR, turned on the TV and hit Play.

    The Guild Master came on immediately. "Michael as per usual procedure I have dispatched this tape to you to inform you about Firedancer. She is gargoyle and as such, she will be traveling up on her own power. Because of that, this tape will most likely reach you before she does. Now I know what your probably thinking but you must put aside any preconceived ideas about her race when dealing with her. As is with her race, she is fiercely loyal and protective, but she will not hesitate to kill if necessary," he said flatly.

    "Any doubts of that shall be put to rest with the usual surveillance videos recorded at the end of this message. Firedancer is rather new in the Guild, but as you are probably well aware of, she is not entirely new to the Guild. She was Alec's mate, and as such has had dealings with us before. She has completed her internship under Marcus and has already more than proven herself a capable warrior. Her stealth techniques are superior, her strength unmatched by any single man, and her heritage gives her definite advantages. In my opinion Fire has only two weaknesses. One is her natural stone sleep which renders her completely helpless during the day. That of course cannot be helped, but Fire knows to give herself enough time to find safety.

    "The second is her state of mind." The Guild Master sighed at this point and Fire stared at the screen. "What the Illuminate put her through-" he broke off shaking his head, "Firedancer, was once an easy-going young person. But the Illuminate forced her transformation. The process was extremely cruel and painful. She lost her only child during the experiment and then Alec was killed in front of her while he was trying to rescue her from the lab. While I think she is finally recovering, Firedancer is still unbalanced in my honest opinion.

    "She is learning control, and I feel that she will regain it. Perhaps even by the end of this mission. But there are still some ghosts she must face and overcome. Until she does, she can be a loose canon. She will never break her loyalties, but her desire for revenge and retribution can still overcome all sense of duty. As I said she is overcoming her weakness in this area, but as Guild Master I feel it my responsibility to always present you with all the facts, family or not. The rest of the tape will include various clips from the surveillance tapes we record throughout an initiate's training." The Guild Master paused as if to end and then he looked back at the camera and added one more thing.

    "Michael, one more thing. Take good care of Fire while she is up there, she is the only family I have left. I hope you can understand what that means to both me and the Guild." The older man stared intently at the screen and then it went black for a moment.

    Fire watched blankly for awhile as the tape played through some of their training and other experiences. Then it cut to the interrogation, and her jaw tightened. Her talon immediately hit the stop button and she let out a shaky sigh.

    She knew she should watch the tape and face what she had done finally. But Fire couldn't bring herself to do it. Not yet. Rewinding the tape, she placed it in her dresser for later viewing when she finally got the nerve up to face herself. Rolling her head the tired gargess decided to take a hot shower and then head outside to soak in some flames for awhile to clear her head and relax her body.

    And then her pager went off.

    "Aw hell no," she breathed as she pulled it out and pushed the button. All she needed was another attack on the J.C. with her roughed up already from the spars earlier and only Shadow around. Thankfully the readings were feint, barely registering in fact. They were coming from the other side of the city, up in the mountains it looked like, but there was too much interference for the computers to get a definite lock on the signal. She would have to get closer to find out what the two were up to now.

    Belting her gear back on, Fire headed quickly upstairs and ran to the library. "Shadow, do you know where the others went to?"

    The dark gargoyle blinked and looked up at Firedancer. "Lisette went out to dinner with the lawyer I believe. I believe Skydancer was going to make another visit to her old home up the mountain. But I am not sure where Byrdie went to."

    "Why does that not surprise me," Fire grumbled. "Hopefully Tinkerbell hasn't gone too far this time. Look I think there might be some trouble up on the mountain, so I'm heading up there. You had better stay here with the egg, but if any of the others show up send them up my way."

    "How do you know there might be trouble?" Shadow asked perplexed.

    "It's just a feeling," Fire lied evenly. "I gotta go. You take care Shadow."

    "You as well Firedancer," Shadow returned quietly, her eyes betraying that she did not quite believe Fire's explanation.

    Fire turned and rushed upstairs and leapt off the first floor balcony, unfurling her large crimson wings and angling them to catch the fastest currents.

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Castellum deGens

    One moment Lisette was staring up into Blake's beautiful blue eyes, mesmerized as his lips slowly inched towards her... and the next she was staring into the dark night, her lips yearning for the touch of another.  Confused, she blinked slowly and licked the chapped skin before tilting her head inquisitively.  "Blake?" she asked, looking down to see the young lawyer sprawled on the icy ground, his coat and pants covered in snow.  Hiding a smile behind her hand, Lisette quickly squatted beside him and brushed a hand against his cold cheek.  "What happened?" she laughed, reaching out to pull him to his feet.

    Without even answering her, Blake's eyes turned stormy as he slowly turned, pulling Lisette tightly against his chest as he surveyed the dark night.  "Alright kids, come on out and show yourselves!" he called out, trying to make himself the target as opposed to the slight woman he held in his arms.

    Surprised, Lisette rested her face against the wet leather of Blake's jacket a moment before slowly twisting out of his hold.  "Blake, what happened?  Who are you talking to?" she asked again, her eyes showing her confusion.

    "There's someone out there, probably a group of kids," Blake explained absently as he continued to turn in slow circles, slowly dusting clumps of snow from his clothing.  But then his frown turned into a small grin.  "One moment I was getting ready to kiss you and the next I was assailed with mini-snowballs that sent me to the ground!" he laughed, watching the blush stain Lisette's cheek as he ran a hand through his short, spiky hair.

    At the mention of snowballs, though, Lisette's smile quickly faded into a small frown as her blue eyes narrowed.  "Byrdie," she whispered quietly, more of a sigh of resignation then of anger as she quickly reached out with her senses, searching for the magic that she knew that she would find.  Sure enough, she felt the fae's magical energy in a tall tree nearby.  "Great," she sighed, shaking her head slowly as she wrapped her arms around her slim form.  She was torn in between teaching the fae a lesson for interrupting her date and between the obvious consequences of such an action.  After all, here she was on a DATE with a normal human... a confrontation with Byrdie could only end in disaster as her secret was bound to be disclosed.  She didn't want to scare him away that quickly.

    "Lisette, what is it?" Blake asked in concern as he gently took her small hands into his own.  "It's just a bunch of kids--no big deal..."

    "You are right," Lisette quickly interrupted as she squeezed his hand.  "So let us be off and leave the children to their play," she agreed as she quickly began dragging him further into the deserted park.  "Maybe they will be smart children and know where their intrusions are not needed!" she called after them, knowing that her fae sister would hear.  Even as they moved away, she couldn't help but shake her head... leave it to Byrdie Fae to invite mischief.

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Sky's Mountain

    Sky's white teeth flashed a predator's gleam. She knew they were near, unseen. The gargoyle had radar senses well tuned.  The cold air she pushed before her with her wings moved the pressing air away, parting it easily so that she didn't even have to slow down.  As she did so the humorless smile faded from her face, leaving the familiar hard edge to her mouth. There was a hint of cruelty there, the cold mask of the hunter. She smelled them. The enemy. They had reached her.

    A beautiful cougar with spotted fur suddenly appeared. Simultaneously its head swung towards her, all senses alert. The animal was much larger and heavier than most in the wild. The yellow-green eyes fixed on her betrayed the superior intelligence of the cat. It was unusual to see a cougar as they were generally solitary creatures. Like Sky herself.

    "Where are they, my friend?" she asked softly, emerald eyes narrowing. "Where are Storm and Shaylyn?"

    The cat crouched, snarled silently, exposing long, sharp canines that could grab, hold, and puncture its prey. The female then crouched even lower, well within her ability to spring.  She needed to distract it, succeed in confusing it, slowing its reaction time. The cat began its move, a slow stalking, head down, eyes fixed on her. It moved in the intense freeze-frame, slow motion manner preliminary to the explosion of speed preceding the kill. Sky didn't have the time to try to control the animal, nor did she want to chance having to kill such a beautiful creature.

    The warning came as nothing more than a brush against the tree.  Sky sprang away from the ground, whirling to meet the threat, her snarl exposing gleaming white teeth. This was a huge feline, a good two hundred pounds of lethal killing machine. It sprang at her, the strange yellow eyes fixed on her with malevolence. The beast was in the air coming right at her.

    "Where is it, She-goyle??!" came a voice from the sky, distracting Skydancer with its arrogance.

    Glancing up, Sky took in the forms of Shaylyn and Storm right before the cat landed on her.  The heavy cougar was determined to fight to the death. The gargess wanted to put it in a submissive position, hoping to save its life. The cat arched its back in a half circle, moved its legs laterally, sideswiping at Sky, displaying its flexible spine. The beast, obviously an experienced fighter, twisted away at the last possible moment to avoid the dangerous gargess. Even as it sprang away, Sky's switchblade-like talons managed to score four long furrows on its belly. The cougar hissed softly, hate and defiance, with renewed determination, a superior intelligence that promised retaliation, vengeance even. This was no ordinary cat.  This was evil itself. The cat meant to kill her.  ~The medallion!~ Sky thought.  ~Storm is controlling it with Fire's medallion!~

    Skydancer drew herself together.  There was only one thing left to do.  Raising her hand, she began to summon the forces she alone commanded.  "Lightning!!!!" the gargess hissed, as she watched a brilliant flash of white thunder fall down from the sky and radiate the feline in white light.  Instantly, the cat was dead.  With a sigh of regret, Skydancer turned her attention back up to the beings around her.  "Anything else?!!" she spat out, green eyes glowing, clearly on the defense now.

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Sky's Mountain

    Fire pushed her aches into the back of her mind and forced herself to glide swiftly towards the mountain. The pager was working like a charm, and the two were definitely up by Sky's mountain retreat. She hoped that the tan gargess was ok. A brilliant bolt of lightening cut through the sky, however, and streaked towards the earth near her home. On a clear night that was definitely not a good sign.

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Castellum deGens

    "'Maybe they will be smart children and know where their intrusions are not needed...'?" the Fae quoted, a large grin on her face. Rubbing her hands together briskly, she made herself visible again and jumped down to the ground, her boots crunching in the snow. She laughed loudly, more sure than anything that Lisette could hear her farther down in the park! "Ha ha ha! Hey, I'm a 'smart child'! But that doesn't mean I'm an 'obedient' one! Surely she doesn't think that little speech ain't gonna make me go home!"

    A petite water fairy with cute violet eyes flew down from the tree and perched on Byrdie's shoulder, playing with a strand of the trickster's raven hair. "So what should we do now, Byrdie-sama?"

    "Hmm... lemme see..." Byrdie blew a puffy cloud in the chill air and it turned into a small crystal orb, plopping into her small hands. "Ryoni-kun! Wake up, ya dumb monitor!"

    There was a cacophony of spluttering "beeps" and "clicks" on the other end of the crystal transmitter. The screen turned a midnight black and the digitized words "WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW??" popped up.

    "Ryoni-san," the water fairy started, cutting into Byrdie's orders. "Byrdie-sama wants to know where Lisette-san and her date are going now, if it wouldn't be much trouble to ask."

    The brown-skinned Faerie gave her small minion a warning glare. "I'll be giving the orders around here, Mizumi, thank you very much." Facing the orb again, Byrdie grinned, an evil little twinkle in her onyx eyes. "Ya hear that, Ryoni-kun?? Where the heck is that lawyer rat taking my Lisette-chan?"

    The beeps and clicks went off again and the picture of a fountain and a few deserted park benches appeared on the screen, along with Lisette and Blake, now christened "Lawyer Rat", holding hands and walking along a path toward the scene. The words "RIGHT THERE, DUMMY" popped up soon after.

    "I'll pretend I didn't see that remark..." Byrdie retorted flatly. She sniffed a little, since it was a little nippy outside in the first place, and thought a bit. "Bench... bench... bench... ohmiGod..."

    "What is it, Byrdie-sama?" Mizumi asked, flitting in front of her Faerie commander, concern on her blue face.

    "I think he's planning to..." Byrdie gulped, "...um ...'park'."

    "'Park', Byrdie-sam--?"

    "Forget it, forget it, Mizumi!... Gotta think of something... a little more original this time..." The Faerie trickster's eyes lit up and she smirked again. "Plot bunny."

    "What?"

    "Hold on a sec..." Byrdie murmured a few words under her breath and a green aura surrounded her. Mizumi gasped as Byrdie's silhouetted form grew taller, then shrunk and expanded in different places, revealing a young human man of about 19 or even 20 years. He was wearing a black tee-shirt, tight black jeans, worn Timberlands and a black bomber jacket. ~At least her skin color is the same...~ Mizumi thought with a sigh of relief--the boy had long, silky black hair tied back in a tail and a single silver earring in his right ear. "Um... did you have to change into so much... black?"

    The young man formerly known as Byrdie winked. "Hey, it's one of my favorite colors!" he laughed in his soft tenor.
"Mizumi, say hello to 'Blair'!"

   "Blair??"

    "Hey, it start's with a 'B' doesn't it?" And with that, 'Blair' ran off into the deeper recesses of the park, off to stop the date within.

    "*Sigh*..." Mizumi floated down to the snowy ground. "Why'd she have to turn into a cute guy while she was at it...?"

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Sky's Mountain

    The villain before her looked a few years older than from when she had last seen him and his wife.. He was thin, almost gaunt. Evil smeared his face and body.  His eyes burned at her, taunted her. "I found you first. I knew I would," Storm smiled evilly down at her.  "Where is it??!" he demanded again.

    "Where is WHAT?!" There was contempt in her voice.

    He laughed, launched himself in the air, landed a few feet from her. "You know perfectly well what I am talking about, gargess!!  The book!!  Where is the book??!"

    "What book?!  What would YOU want with a book?!" Sky never took her eyes or her mind from him, her body remained still and ready, perfectly balanced.

    "The one that told you about the egg, Skydancer!" Shaylyn hissed from where she hovered above her husband. There was a threat in her voice. "We know you have it!  Why else would you want the egg?!"

   ~What book that tells me about the egg??~  Sky thought.  ~These two crackpots obviously know something I don't... I don't recall a book from my library telling me about the egg... maybe I'd better play along.~  She tilted her chin. "And if I say no?"

    "Then we take it from you the hard way," Storm stated, his eyes narrowing as he enfolded his wings. "I seriously doubt that you would withstand an assault from both of us on your own without your little friends to help you!"

    The depravity in his mind sickened her. "That's what you think, monster!"  She put all the loathing and contempt she was capable of feeling into her voice.  "You forget what I am capable of.... LIGHTNING!!" Sky thundered, raising her hand and commanding a familiar white blast to strike down from the night sky.  Just as the blast hit the ground, she dived for cover behind a nearby tree, away from the body of the dead cat and the two villains encircling her.  The tan gargess had a fight on her hands.

    The ugly smile faded from Storm's hollow features leaving him a creature from the underworld as the white electricity hit the ground before him, knocking him from his feet. His breath escaped in a long hiss as he struggled to regain his footing. "You will pay for that, she-goyle." Even his youthful looks faded leaving him an ugly caricature of a man, a demon, as his wife landed softly beside him.  Looking around, he didn't find the gargess is sight.  "FIND HER!!" he shouted, as he raised his own hand and great shots of magical green-blue blasts began disintegrating the trees around them.

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Castellum deGens

    Holding Blake's hand tightly, Lisette couldn't help checking out the landscape surreptitiously around them.  If it were Sky that she were dealing with, she knew that her words would have been enough.  Then again, if it were Sky that she were dealing with then she wouldn't even be having this problem in the first place.  Byrdie, an amusing sister through and through, wouldn't let anything stop her from having her fun.  It seemed as though it was Lisette's turn to be at the center of the fun this time.

    "What's wrong?"

    Shaken from her thoughts, Lisette tore her eyes away from the dark night and quickly smiled up at Blake.  "Nothing... nothing at all," she quickly lied, her words catching in her throat as she squeezed his hand, now warming in her own.

    "Are you sure?" Blake questioned, searching her eyes with his own.  She was a horrible liar.

    "Positive," Lisette affirmed as she quickly tore her eyes away and glanced once more into the dark night.

    "Uh huh," Blake agreed sarcastically as he pulled Lisette towards a large fountain that rested at the center of the large park.  At this time of year the fountain was long since drained, leaving the empty cement, covered in snow, in its wake.  Yet here at the center of the park, the bright lights from the city seemed so distant and the buzz of traffic was only a soft murmur in the night.  Instead, the towering park lights scattered their beams gently down through the barren branches and lit up the snow with a bright, heavenly light.  The scene wasn't desolate in the slightest but instead enchanting--enticing magic to happen.  Smiling, Blake slowly drew Lisette to one of the many benches that sat scattered amongst the clearing and pulled her to the cold stone beside him.  There, he felt his breath catch in his throat as he took in her beautiful face, her lips slightly parted as warm steams of breath escaped the softly rounded buds.  "Has anyone ever told you how very beautiful you are?" he whispered, lifting one hand to gently caress her cheek.

    Surprised, Lisette tore her thoughts away from her trickster sister and focused on the man sitting before her.  "Not in a very long, long time," she replied honestly, leaning into his touch as a small smile lifted her lips.  It seemed as though she had more interesting things to occupy her thoughts than of her troublesome sister.

    "I find that surprising," he replied honestly, gently caressing her cheek with one cool thumb.  "You're so different than anyone I've ever dated before...." he trailed off, watching as her eyes slowly narrowed, "in a good way," he quickly added with a slow grin.  "Almost too good to be true... you're not hiding some awful secret from me that would offset this too good to be true feeling I've got going, do you?"

    Almost choking in shock, it was all Lisette could do to stop herself from pulling away from Blake.  Some awful secret.. yeah, she had a few of those.  "Um.. like what?" she asked innocently, unable to stop her smile from growing.

    "Oh, I don't know," Blake laughed, a little uneasily this time.  "Something like a strict and overbearing father or a persistent ex-boyfriend or something...."

    "Both of which you have nothing to fear from," Lisette cut in with a little shrug.  "My father... is no longer with me," she said quickly, thoughts of Craigen, her former mentor springing to mind, "and an ex-boyfriend has never been an issue."

    "I.. I'm sorry," Blake quickly replied, taking his hand away as if afraid he would burn her, kicking himself mentally as the pain that flashed in her eyes as she spoke of her father was unmistakable.

    "About which one?" she replied easily, smiling as she reached out and took his hand in her own.  "It was a long time ago and there is nothing to be sorry for.  You did not know.  Besides.. tonight is too beautiful to think of such sad thoughts, no?" she questioned, unconsciously leaning towards him.

    Still a little unnerved, Blake nodded his agreement nonetheless.  "You're right, and I--"

    "--Have got to be the slimiest, undeserving piece of rat feces on this side of Creation..."

      Both a startled Blake and a horrified Lisette turned quickly in the direction of the passive insult to find a man of no clear origin dressed in black leaning against a tree, arms folded in a reserved manner. He turned his onyx gaze towards them, his lips pulling into a grim smirk. "Tsk tsk... and you call yourself a 'good girl', Lisette-chan... you oughta be ASHAMED!"

    "Wha--" Lisette broke off as she jumped to her feet, her long jacket billowing around her slim form, her eyes growing even wider as she took in the stranger.  From the corner of her eyes she could sense Blake's dark eyes questioning her.  "I.. I.." she stuttered as she slowly shook her head.  She was not fooled by the disguise that the trickster wore, but at the same time, Lisette was effectively backed into a spot that she saw no escape from.  If she revealed the truth and kicked some Byrdie butt for the trickery, that would only result in Blake learning her secret and securing the fact that she would never see him again.  Then again, by letting this continue.. well, she knew where it would go.  It seemed that she had no choice but to play along.  "Um, good girl?" she asked innocently, quickly squeezing Blake's hand.

    "Ah ah ah... don't play as if you don't know what you're doin'..." The dark man chuckled slightly in a soft tenor, flipping his silky hair behind him as he slowly made his way over to the half confused, half seething couple by the dried out fountain. "I see that you neglected to mention old 'Blair'... you'd think you had a thing for guys whose names started with 'B' or somethin..." He gave the lawyer a played out smile, "Ain't that right... 'Blake'?"

    "Hey, how'd you..." Blake trailed off as Lisette slowly shook her head, a false smile pasted across her lips.

    "Of course.. Blair," she stressed, her eyes narrowing.  "I could never forget you... could I?" she questioned, slowly edging away from her friend in disguise.  "But.. ce n'est pas important... it was so long ago, no?  A different time, a different place..."

    'Blair' laughed again, flashing Lisette's lawyer friend an icy glance. "Ah, but a good time..." And then he added, superiority in his voice: "... And at my place..."

    Gasping, Lisette felt the color rush to her face as her hand instinctively swung back, ready to let fly across 'Blair's' face... only to be stopped as she watched a fist seem to fly out of nowhere and connect with his dark countenance.  As the man staggered to the ground, Lisette turned in amazement and watched as Blake cradled his hand.

    "That was uncalled for," he muttered, his blue eyes flashing angrily.

    Wow... I wasn't expectin' that... Byrdie thought, blinking rapidly. But, I've got to keep my cool... but not with an ice spell...

    Blair stood up slowly, wiping a speck of blood that freckled his brown cheek. The look he gave Blake resembled that of a cool cat. "Hey hey hey..." he put up his hand in a peace-like manner, though Lisette could tell that he didn't mean it in the slightest. "No blows comin' from over here, pal! I only wanted to tell you what kinda girl you were dealin' with..." He gave Lisette a toothy grin. "She ain't right for a straight arrow like you."

    "WHAT??" Lisette gasped in disbelief.  "Byr.. I mean, Blair, I will get you for this," Lisette seethed as she slowly stalked forward.  The anger that she felt, so uncommon for Lisette, was fueled by her embarrassment.  "I cannot believe that you would even imply what you are implying," she cried as she reached up each slender hand and wrapped it around Blair's shirt.  "What are you DOING?" she hissed quietly.  "You are going to RUIN this for me!!" but even as the words left her mouth, Lisette knew that if she were only an outsider, she would be rolling on the ground laughing by now.

    "Trying to save you from a piece of crap, that's what, imouto!" Byrdie whispered back harshly. "I told you that this would only lead to trouble!" Then she added smugly, "And I haven't had a little fun in a while-- so sue me."

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Sky's Mountain

    Fire glided low, hugging the tree tops, as she began a stealthy approach. A second bolt of lightening arced down from the sky, and Fire heard Storm's demand clearly even though she was half a mile away still. Large random blasts of energy began assaulting the forest up ahead and Fire landed in a large tree to quickly assess the situation.

    The couple were uselessly expending energy, and Fire debated whether or not to let them continue on for a little while longer. But to do so could attract further unwanted attention, and with just her and Sky here, they could not afford to divert their attention to protect a bunch of innocent humans who may investigate. Best to engage them soon and try to put an end to this. But first she had to locate Sky.

    Dropping down the tree a bit further Fire began scanning the area, looking for the tan gargess.  Her coloring was so perfect for her environment, Firedancer almost missed seeing Sky as she crouched against a tree several yards away. Storm was still ranting and blowing trees apart, but his destructive path was getting closer.

    With a leap and a few quick aerobatic maneuvers, Fire twisted through a few trees and landed soundlessly behind Sky. Fire reached around and muffled Sky's startled response before she gave away their position and smiled a bit through the darkness.  "Thought you might like some help," she whispered as she pulled her hand away from Sky's mouth.

     The tan gargess nearly screamed when a hand went over her mouth, momentarily distracting her attention from the villain and his witch-wife in front of her.  Turning quickly around, her emerald eyes took in the welcomed visage of the Firedancer behind her.   "Gladly," she whispered above the thundering blasts of Storm's powerful charges.  A ghost of a grin flashed back to Fire.  Sky nodded towards the evil duo.  "They're babbling something about a book and the egg.  You've got me as to what it's all about, but I think we'd better stop them before they rain anymore destruction down upon the earth.  All this attention is sure to drive the locals up onto the mountain to see what's going on."

     "I agree. I don't know where the others are so it looks like its just  you and me for now. Our advantage is that they don't know I'm here yet, so we should probably try and hit them both at the same time. Then," Fire  whispered her voice going cold as she slid her axe from its sheath, "we can  permanently take care of these two and I can get my Medallion back."

     Skydancer sighed and shoved at the wild mass of long tangled braid that flowed like a waterfall down her back to hang well below her small waist. Tiny wisps of silken strands moved about her face.  She looked like a mysterious, mystical creature, wild and untamed with her taloned feet and her strong wings.  Slowly she nodded.  "You take them from the right, I'll come in from the left," Sky whispered, moving off to the other side of the duo.  "Hopefully, they won't be expecting an attack from both sides."

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Castellum deGens

    "Listen, pal, I don't know what you two were whispering about or what went on between you in the past," Blake began, pulling Lisette behind him as she opened her mouth to protest, "nor do I care," he continued. "All that matters is that it's obvious that Lisette doesn't want you here. Whatever you two may have had between you, it's obviously long over."

    The man clad in black stepped up to Blake, hands at his hips. "Oh, is that so?"

    Sighing, Blake slowly shook his head.  Testosterone time.  "Yeah, that's so," he sighed resignedly, keeping one arm draped behind him, holding Lisette firmly against his back.

    Blair snickered at the lawyer's lame response. "Are you... suuure?"

    "About which part?" Blake shot back sarcastically.  "That it's over between you two or that it doesn't matter?  Because by her being here with me tonight, it's pretty obvious to me that you're history and if that's the case, why should it matter to me?" he laughed, his voice hollow.

    Blair reached into one of his jacket pockets slowly, his incessant grin growing larger at Lisette's expense. "Question: You do know what a Polaroid is, don't you?"

    "Polaroid?" Lisette asked blankly, confusion written across her face as Blake slowly reached forward, unable to stop himself. "Wait a minute!" Lisette quickly interrupted. Even though she had no idea what a Polaroid was, she knew that if Byrdie was offering it up, it had to be bad news. Moving quickly, Lisette jumped around Blake and snatched the object from 'Blair's' hands. Hurrying back, she quickly glanced down, only to feel her jaw drop. "What?" she asked in confusion as she saw a very large mouse wearing red shorts standing beside a smiling Byrdie Fae, black ears perched atop the petite fae's head. "Je ne comprend pas... this is a polaroid??"

    (sweatdrop) "Gyeh heh heh..." was Blair's only reply as that dreaded picture his/her Cousin Puck had taken of him/her and Mickey a few years back popped up again. Hurriedly, he snatched the photo from Blake's now twitching hand.  "Um...wrong one...?" ~Oooohhh...either that was Lis or Ryoni...~

     A digital snicker rang through Blair's mind telepathically and a razz was blown at her. THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR BEING A TRICKSTER, FAE. NYAH NYAH.

     ~...That monitor is gonna blow up like the Godfather tonight >_<...~
  ************************************************************************************************

Sky's Mountain

    Storm was patient. He had learned patience. He knew he was closing in on the gargess. It was only a matter of  time now. There was no need to hurry this.  Mercilfully he stopped firing blasts and allowed the smoke to clear from the splintering trees around them.  The tan gargess was here, somewhere in the night.   From his dark stance he stalked her, every touch of his mind seeking hers, trying to make the connection between them. He had no real idea of what he was going to do to her once she was in his hands. He wouldn't kill her right away; not until she told him where the book was and what she knew of it. But the Skydancer would surely suffer. Once again he sent out his magic, searching for the emerald-eyed gargess.

     "She is no where!" Shaylyn stormed behind him, her violet eyes narrowing in the clearing wisps of smoke.  "It is if she has vanished!"

     "No," Storm breathed, inhaling the night air, trying to get a sense of where the she-goyle hid.  "She is here somewhere......"

     The villain never got to finish his sentence. "LIGHTNING!!"  The unmistakable cry came from somewhere to the left of them.  Suddenly, lightning sizzled and danced, a blue-white whip across the sky.  The wind unleashed its deadly power, sent leaves, twigs, and small branches flying through the air like missiles.  The earth rumbled, shook, rolled.  Lightning sizzled again, once, twice, three times, slamming into the earth as thunder cracked, shaking the land with the unholy sound as it struck the earth in front of Storm and Shaylyn, throwing the two to the ground.  Smiling almost maniacally, Skydancer launched herself through the air at the downed figure of Shaylyn, her green eyes burning like two white lights of hellfire.

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Castellum de Gens

    Gasping, Lisette tore her eyes away from Blair's embarrassed countenance and watched as the sky above Sky's Mountain seemed to flicker with a bright light before dying away into darkness.  "Qu'est-ce que c'est..." she trailed off as the sky lit up once more, this time with bright lightning that seemed to flare from no where and smash into the mountain itself.  "Byrdie, I think that we may have trouble," she began, recognizing Skydancer's attack anywhere.

    "Byrdie?" Blake asked in confusion, glancing at the guy standing beside them.  The guy that seemed to respond to that name.  "Who's Byrdie?" he asked, suspicion entering his voice as his eyes began to narrow... and then widened as they followed Lisette's line of sight.  "Wow.. wonder what's happening up on the mountain," he muttered, watching the sky light up in a series of bright green bursts.

    "Whatta dork..." Blair grumbled, sure enough that Blake would hear him. "Obviously, whatever's happenin' on the mountain is bad, duh. Or are you just stupid?"

    "Hey--"

    Before the lawyer could reply with his sharp retort, Blair's dark eyes narrowed and a soft, Avalonian green aura surrounded him in a circle. Blake's eye widened to a considerable size as Blair's body contorted, shrinking in some places and growing in others until the green orb dissipated to reveal a shorter, female Faerie that remained hovering in midair.

    "What in the--"

    Byrdie continued to look straight up to the mountain, a frown on her usually mischievous face. "Something that may include our Evil Duo, if you know what I mean, Imouto-chan..."  She turned quickly back to the couple behind her and winked at Lisette. "I'll meet you up there, Imouto-chan." Byrdie's eyes darkened as her attentions then went to Blake and she charged a little thunder-spark at her brown fingertips. "Take care of my Imouto... for now," she hissed, then let the spark fly out and shock Blake on the rear, sending him tumbling onto the ground with a startled cry. Letting out a small chuckle, the Fae somersaulted once then started out to the mountain. "And that's for hitting a girl, you rat!"

    Blake looked as if he wanted to say something, but was cut off at the sight of a small water fairy flying past his nose to follow her "mistress". "Wait for me! Wait for me, Byrdie-sama!"  She then stopped for a breather and she noticed Blake, bowing. "Sorry about that, Sir," she said hurriedly, then went back to her chase. "Byrdie-samaaaaaaa!!"

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Sky's Mountain

     Crouching in the shadows across from Sky, the Firedancer waited. She took a moment to close her eyes, slow her breathing, and focus on everything around her just as Marcus had taught her too. She could feel the static charge that Sky called upon before it even launched its white hot fury at the two enemies that stood in the midst of the clearing they had made.

     Muscles bunching in anticipation, Fire kept still until Sky launched her attack and the couple whirled to meet her. Then silently, just as she had been taught, Fire made her first attack.

     Stretching her arms wide, twin streams of flame flew forth from her talons, and arced around from either side of the couple. The explosion the two jets of fire created was a spectacular display of light and heat, that completely singed what was left of the clearing.

     While Sky continued her charge, Fire rushed the couple from behind, her axe swinging with deadly intent towards Storm's unprotected back as he and his wife tried to regroup. It was by sheer luck that he staggered just as Fire reached him, and the axe tore through his majestic cloak instead.

     "You!" he hissed as he backpedalled away from her, his eyes glowing white in fury.

    "That's right, and I'm not going to leave empty-handed this time either," Fire promised as she threw another blast at him and then followed with an axe swinging charge.

     Trusting Sky to keep Shaylyn at bay, Fire charged after Storm, set on getting that medallion back tonight or die trying.

     Sky flew at Shaylyn without warning.  The she-goyle pounced on the witch, whirling to meet her threat, her snarl exposing gleaming white teeth. The gargess was a huge foe, a skilled fighter who knew the ways of the forest well. Sky sprang at the witch, her blazing eyes fixed on Shaylyn with malevolence. The witch was in the air in a moment, coming right at the Skydancer. Shaylyn leapt into the air to meet the female, sending out a blast of green magic as she did so, her body twisting so that her powerful magic hit the gargess head on and sent her crashing to the ground before her.

     The blast met Sky in the air full strength.  Rolling herself up into a tight ball, Sky landed on the ground with a thud and whipped around to face the wife of Storm.  The tan female arched her back in a half circle, moving her legs laterally, sideswiping at Shaylyn.  Sky smiled in satisfaction as she felt her rake of razor-sharp claws ripping into Shaylyn's sides. The violet-eyed female twisted away at the last possible moment to avoid anymore damage. Even as Shaylyn sprang away, Sky's switchblade-like talons again managed to score another four long furrows on her arm. The witch hissed softly with hate and defiance. The look on her face promised retaliation, vengeance even. Sky met the witch's eyes with an equally determined stance.  She was not going to let her get away this time.

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Castellum deGens

    Sighing, Lisette eyed Blake from his position on the frozen ground, noting his slack jaw and frozen expression, and slowly shook her head.  "I am sorry, mon ami, but there is no time for me to explain this now," she called out apologetically as she watched her fae sister disappear in a sparkle of magic.  Turning, she saw that Blake's face had grown even paler, if possible, his eyes locked on Byrdie's last position before slowly turning towards her.  Instantly, regret poured through her as she watched his beautiful blue eyes cloud over with shock.  She had really liked him and had fought so hard to try and be normal around him. Any chance of normalcy was now blown... then again, helping her friends was the most important thing.  A personal life would always have to come later. "I'm sorry," she repeated one more time as she closed her eyes and called her magic to her.  Instantly, she felt her the magicks wrap around her as she pictured the majestic clearing that stood before Sky's Cave.  Then, as she began to disappear, she felt a strong hand latch onto her jacket.  Eyes snapping open, Lisette stared into Blake's bright blue orbs in shocked horror.  "Blake, no--" she broke off as they both disappeared, leaving the park alone once more in the dark night.

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Sky's Mountain

    “Yup, it’s our Evil Duo, all right…”

    Byrdie found herself to be flying up to Skydancer’s mountain at a breakneck speed, ripping through the darkness of night faster than she ever had. Just when she was going to really get back at Blake, too…but she resolved that the lawyer had to wait—family came first, tricks later. Clutching the Star Dragon pendant that the wind was beating against her chest, she murmured a small sort of prayer, feeling the magic woven in the sparkling jade of the dragon’s eye surging through her like a booster before the battle she knew she would have to fight in.  “No chances like the first time…”

    The Fae’s train of thought was derailed at the tiny, faraway scream of “Byrdie-sama” that came from behind her. “What the—?” Cocking a finely shaped eyebrow, she glanced over her shoulder to find Mizumi flapping her tiny wings rigorously to catch up with her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, you stupid pixie?!  Go home!”

    Flitting her hardest past Byrdie’s face, the indignant water fairy gave her a disconcerted look. “No way! I want to help, this time! I have magic, too—!”

    “Not enough to help me!” the Trickster sped up a little to dismiss Mizumi and on to the fight. “Now go home or I’ll make you wish you had!”

    Round, violet eyes following the Fae, Mizumi was not about to be brushed off. First seeming to turn around in disappointment, she dropped her high pace then turned back around, still following, but not as noticeable. “I’ve had worse fears, Byrdie-sama…”

Sky's Mountain

    Meanwhile Fire and Storm were locked in a down and dirty struggle. Normally Fire wouldn't let herself get this close into her enemy. Especially this one. But she had planned just an encounter and knew there would be no second chance.

     Her blast had staggered him and the immediate charge had caught him off guard. As a pleasant result, her axe had found more than his cloak this time. He had tried to lurch away from her attack, and the blade sliced through his left upper arm. Storm had immediately retaliated though with a blast of stinging magic that had caught Fire in the back as she went past him.

     She kissed the dirt briefly, before she rolled and bounced back to her feet twirling her axe in one hand and beckoning him with the other.

     "I drew first blood," she taunted.

     "And I will have last," he shot back as he charged her, his magic blasting her axe out of her hand.

     Fire didn't let the loss of her weapon phase her in the least though. It was a lesser weapon. Her body was her greatest weapon and this was when she needed it the most to accomplish her mission.

     She let Storm tackle her, and as the two rolled scuffling for a better position, the thief in training removed the amulet without him realizing it. Within half a second it was secretly tucked away in her belt and a special dummy medallion she had made was in her hand.

     Storm at the moment was kneeling above her his knee digging into her stomach as he sought to strangle her with his bare hands.

     "Where's your precious Guild now?" he sneered.

     "You have... no idea... who you're... screwing with. You kill me... and the whole.... Guild will be... after your sorry ass.... so why not... give up now... and spare yourself... the trouble....." Fire gasped out as she reached out her talon, grabbing his shirt.

     Fire jerked him forward as she lunged up and head butt him so hard that even her thick skull was ringing. Another jerk and she dangled the medallion in her hand and grinned triumphantly as she rolled away from him.

     "Like I said..... I'm not leaving here empty handed."

     Storm's eyes went red in fury and his lip curled in disgust. "You know what some civilizations do to a thief when he's caught? They cut off their hand. Perhaps you won't go away empty-handed tonight. You had just better hope it's because you still have that hand left, gargoyle."

     The crimson gargess slipped the medallion over her head and smiled as she called her gift forth. Flames streaked and crackled around her body and from her eyes like angry electricity. "I'd like to see you try," was her defiant challenge.

    "You and your fiend of a husband are going to pay for what you've done," Sky hissed through her clenched teeth as she glared at the witch.

     The violet-eyed woman returned the gargess's glare.  "Not as much as you and your hellish friend will if you do not tell us where the book is!!" Shaylyn spat back.

     "WHAT book??!!" the emerald-eyed gargess demanded.  "You keep harping about a book that doesn't seem to exist!!"

     The she-witch and the gargess stared across the space of forest between them.  Power enumerated from every pore of both.  Skydancer looked coolly amused by Shaylyn's dilemma.  A ripple of malevolence distorted the tense vibrations in the span of a heartbeat, striking Sky in the chest.  The powerful blast that streaked forth from Shaylyn forced her back, knocking her to the ground.  Grunting, Sky rolled to cushion the blow's landing.  This was going to be a long night.

    "Fire..." the gargess whispered as she struggled to her feet, whipping her braid behind her.  "I think I could use some help."

    Phasing in and out through the dark shadows of trees and whatever other shrubbery was in her way, Byrdie sniffed the air for…for anything. Most likely fire, or even blood, but she didn’t know what to expect with Storm and his bitchy wife. “Speak of the Devil…” Byrdie whispered half amusedly, half in realization as she heard the following come from behind a bunch of bushes in front of her:

    "Not as much as you and your hellish friend will if you do not tell us where the book is!!"

    "WHAT book??!!"

    “Sky! And, great, the bat outta Hell, too…” Byrdie snarled, forming a round ball of air in her hands. “Well, I guess it’s time for me to make my entrance, then…c’mon, magic, do your thing…CLOUD SPARK!!”

    Storm eyed the crimson firewielder angrily. He fumed silently at himself for letting her near enough to him that she was able to get her talons on it. His anger began to get the better of him, and he charged at her, a large sword forming in hands as he ran.

    Fire suppressed a smug grin, as her opponent threw all caution to the wind, bent on revenge and recovering his medallion.  She let him come and then with an ease born of many hours in practice, she dropped to her hands under his attack, and her tail whipped out snagging his ankle and jerking him to the ground.

    Storm hit hard, completely unprepared for her defense, or her swift counter attack. She was back on her feet in a second and had kicked his sword away. As he tried to climb to his knees her foot caught him in the stomach, and then her knee smash into his face.

    Almost immediately, his body began to heal itself, but the blows--which would have killed a lesser person--rendered him senseless long enough for her to pick him up.

    There was a terrible burning sensation as she lifted his body over hers and then he was flying through the air. A tree some distance away stopping his hurtling body and with a groan he sank to the scorched earth, waiting for his wounds to regenerate themselves enough so he could return to the battle and exact judgement from the red demon that dared to challenge him.

    Fire was just about to go after Storm when Sky's weakened voice reached her ears. Adrenaline rushing through her veins, Fire rushed to where her comrade was struggling to rise, grabbing her axe up on the way.

    Seeing Shaylyn about to blast the Skydancer, Fire leapt towards the darker gargess throwing up a temporary firesheild around both of them.  "You called?" Fire panted, struggling to keep the shield up.

     Sky jumped behind the fireshield that Fire provided, finally able to catch her breath for a moment.  Panting, the emerald-eyed gargess glanced up at Shaylyn as the witch proceeded to send several blasts at the two dancers, unable to break Fire's shield.  "My stars," Sky breathed, shaking her head at the ferociousness of the evil woman.  "Doesn't she EVER give up??!!"

    Fire grunted as a particularly strong blast from the witch sent her staggering a step back. Her talent to wield fire was mostly a mutation of her body...not her Fey powers. As a result her ability to block any kind of magical attacks were usually weak and didn't last long. "How about...you light her up a bit to give us a breather here...I can't hold this shield much longer, Sky," Fire grit out, silently wondering where the hell the others were.

     "My pleasure," the green-eyed gargess smile malevolently.  Raising her hand towards the blackened sky, a blue-white whip of electricity sparkled across the sky, ready for its mistress to command it.  "LIGHTNING!!" the Skydancer shouted, sending a powerful blast down from the heavens to land directly at Shaylyn's feet.  The surge sent the witch flying, landing with her backside against a tree.  Seeing Shaylyn momentarily stunned, the tan gargess stepped out from behind Firedancer's shield and chuckled at the witch.  "That was rather effective," Sky commented, a flash of a grin crossing her face.

    As the dusting of magic light faded from around him, Blake felt the air leave his lungs in a ragged rush.  Gasping, it took everything he had to keep himself from falling weakly to his knees, more from shock than anything physical.  With wide eyes, Blake saw that the deserted park was no where to be seen, instead replaced with the wild wilderness that surrounded his beloved city.  Shaking his head in denial, Blake turned in circles, taking in the towering trees that rustled in a brisk wind, their bare branches mere skeletons as the roar of a waterfall cascaded nearby.

    And then Blake found himself on the cold ground, the hard snow biting into his jeans as an explosion rocked the mountainous terrain.  Pushing himself onto his hands and knees, Blake turned his head slowly to see the charred remains of a large pine tree, inches from where he had been standing.

    “Blake, are you alright?” Lisette asked quickly, jumping to her feet, her long coat swirling around her as the cold air caused her words to plume out before her.  That had been close.. too close.  She and Byrdie had been right about the fight on the mountain… and the blast that was aimed at one of her friends has just narrowly missed them both.

    “What’s going on?” Blake asked thickly, his face pale as he shakily climbed to his feet, accepting her outstretched hand.  “I mean, one minute we’re talking with your ex-boyfriend… who is really a little girl,” he continued slowly, his confusion and amazement evident.  “You know, coming from a lawyer that could mean some serious legal prob—“

    “Watch it!” Lisette broke in as she jumped before the young lawyer, instantly building a shield to block the oncoming blast.  Gritting her teeth, she stumbled backwards at the immense power, bumping into the man as the fiery blast disappeared in a shattering of bright colors.  Turning, she leaned back and glared up at the man that floated above them, long wings stretched out on either side of him.  “Storm,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing with a hate she never knew she was capable of.

    “Who?” Blake asked, desperately trying to follow the events as they occurred at a whirlwind pace about him. Following Lisette’s gaze, Blake felt his knees weaken once more as he took in the man that seemed to float in the sky above them… the man that had wings protruding from his back.  “What the—“

    “Ah, and the halfling arrives… with a human, no less,” Storm called down snidely, glaring at the filth that seemed to multiply like cockroaches at each turn.  “Did you need to prove your inferiority to us?  For you really needn’t have bothered—your two friends have been doing that for a while now,” he added as he nodded to a nearby clearing, right before the mouth to what must be Sky’s cavern.

    “Oh mon Dieu,” Lisette gasped as she turned to see Shaylyn taking on the dancers, Sky and Fire.  Turning, Lisette was about to join her friends when a blast singed the ground before her.  Stopping, Lisette turned to glare once more at the evil being floating so closely nearby.

    “What, has the… oh, what do the humans call it?” Storm questioned, slowly lowering until each booted foot rested on the cold snow, polluting the pure whiteness with his evil.  “Oh yes, has the calvary arrived to save the day?” he laughed mockingly.

    “You could say that,” Lisette muttered beneath her breath as she turned to join the fray.  The battle had begun.

    Fire had a plan in mind, it was dangerous, probably even stupid seeing as how the shield had drastically drained her energy levels. But if it worked, the scales in the future just might be evened up a little more. The stunned magic-wielder had just gotten back to her feet when Fire charged her.

    Shaylyn blinked in surprise, as the gargoyle actually physically attacked her. Stupid creature, she thought to herself with a tiny chuckle. Straightening, she grabbed and stopped the axe with one hand, halting the Firedancer's progress abruptly. The two glared at each other, Fire straining to bury the blade into Shaylyn's chest, as the witch just held her in place with little effort showing on her cold features.

    "Fire!!" Skydancer exclaimed, her green eyes widening in surprise. Having just stunned the witch, the last thing the tan gargess expected was for the Firedancer to attack Shaylyn again. Deciding to try and end the stalemate, Sky sent an electrical blast at the two struggling in a frozen deadlock. "Lightning!!"

    But, to Sky's stunned amazement, Shaylyn raised her other hand and effortlessly reflected the green-eyed gargess's white-whipped blast without breaking eye contact with Firedancer. Quickly, Sky dropped to the ground as her own electricity came flying back to blacken a tree behind her, sending it up into flames. Growling slightly, the gargess turned her attention back to the struggle as she watched in morbid fascination at the battle of wills before her.

    Fire's eyes narrowed as sweat began to bead on her forehead. ~Come on you stupid bitch, go for the medallion,~  Fire silently wished as she gave a few steps letting the shiny metal hanging from her neck flash in the moonlight.

    Shaylyn's eyes narrowed as well. "Thief!" she hissed angrily.

    "Thank you," Fire grunted as her smirk lifted her lips infuriating the woman.

    What happened next almost caught the gargoyle off guard it came so fast. If it weren't for her death grip on the woman, Fire never would have felt the sudden build up of power. Shaylyn never even batted an eyelash as she fired that power at the crimson gargoyle at point blank.

    Fire barely managed to form a weak shield that prevented her from being killed. As it was, her axe was destroyed, and she was hurled backwards into a tree, her world reeling and she struck her head hard enough to crack the wood.

    Shaylyn stood above her triumphantly, her form spinning and wavering. Firedancer flinched as she reached forward, and felt the medallion snapped from around her neck. Fire waited for the killing blow, but then something caught Shaylyn's attention and she hurried away.

    Sky screamed as she watched Firedancer fly across the air and into a tree. The tan gargess began to run towards the witch and the flame thrower just as Shaylyn reached down and grabbed the medallion from around Fire's neck. ~DAMN!~ Sky thought as she raced towards the pair, knowing what the medallion meant to the crimson gargess. But her immediate interest turned to what Shaylyn meant to do next to Firedancer. Picking up speed, Sky arrived within a few feet of the two when Shaylyn turned and sped off into the air towards Storm somewhere off to the right.

    Kneeling down, Sky moved a quick hand behind Fire's head as she helped her sit up. "Are you alright?" she asked in a harsh whisper, concerned for her comrade etched on her face.

    Fire groaned and blinked a few times as she tried to clear her vision. "It'll take more than one tree to break through this skull," she answered trying, but failing for the moment to bring her feet under her.   Waiting for her body to reassert itself she looked over to where the battle still continued. "Looks like the others finally decided to join the party," she commented. Her vision was still wavering from the blow, but she could have sworn there was another human with them.

    Glancing over to where Fire had indicated, Sky saw the familiar sight of Lisette and Byrd dueling it out with Storm and Shaylyn. "Right on time, too," the tan gargess commented as she helped Fire sit up further. Suddenly she paused as she noticed someone else with the duo. Squinting with suspicion, the Skydancer tried to make out the form of the human male that was near Lisette. "Who the devil is that??"

    "Please tell me that isn't Lisette's boyfriend," Fire sighed. "That's all we need," she muttered as Sky helped her back to her feet. The crimson gargoyle shook her head one last time and tried to ignore the sudden nausea that formed in her stomach. "Shall we?"

    Skydancer nodded as she stood up, her green eyes taking on a familiar bright glow.  "We shall!" she growled, as she leaped up onto the side of the tree that Shaylyn had sent Fire flying into moments before.  Spreading her tan wings wide, the dark gargess flew off into the direction of Shaylyn and Storm, fully expecting the crimson gargoyle to be right behind her.

      Gasping, Lisette brushed an errant strand of blond hair from her forehead.  The battle had been slow, neither side seeming to gain any ground as everyone began to slow down with fatigue.  She and Byrdie Fae had been doing a sort of tag team action back and forth against Storm, struggling against him even as the Dancers took on Shaylyn.

    "This isn't working," Lisette growled to herself as she attempted to catch her breath, watching as Byrdie was sent flying by a powerful blast from Storm.

    "Do you have any better ideas?" Blake asked from behind her, surprising the young halfling as she twirled in place, her long jacket swirling around her.

    "Blake, I..." Lisette trailed off, her eyes darting back and forth between him and her opponent.  He didn't belong there and his presence was just another distraction.  Then again, she didn't have the time or the energy to send him back.

    Hearing a grunt of pain, Lisette quickly turned and watched as Storm turned his dark and glittering eyes towards her. "Halfling..." he hissed, his eyes beginning to glow as energy began to gather at his finger tips.

    "Bring it on, Monster," she hissed in return, building a shield even as the blast flew in her direction.  Grunting, she took the hit right on, absorbing the shock of the blow before quickly lashing back at him.  But before the glow of magic even began to fade from the night, Lisette caught of flash of tan fabric from the corner of her eye before Blake went flying at Storm in a hard tackle, sending them both to the hard, snowy ground.  "Blake!" Lisette cried out, hurrying to his snowyside on the ground.  Even as she began tugging him to his feet, his lost breath quickly returning, her bright eyes took in Storm's angry advance... beside his wife.  It seemed that the tag team effort had just drawn to a close as both the opponents gathered together as two separate teams.

    “Okay, this should do it...LAZER RAVE!”

    A spectrum of multicolored lights ripped through the air and formed a sort of disco ball, then turning unexpectedly to charge in the witch-woman’s direction. Though it was a good, heavy attack, however, it wasn’t a very fast one in the least—Shaylyn gave the Fae an underhanded smirk and dodged it rather easily. “You think a display of pretty lights will stop me, you ignorant little Trickster?” she sneered, violet eyes dancing with black mirth. “I should see that you learn your lesson. Let your iron will be your own manacle!”

    Byrdie had been taken by surprise and she gasped loudly as chains suddenly whipped around her, the air rushing out of her lungs. The metal tightened around her legs, and arms mercilessly—iron. “Oh shit...” she squeaked, feeling her powers slowly draining away. This was NOT good...

    “Oh, yes!” was the evil reply as Shaylyn floated up to claim her prize. “You shall pay for your impertinence, Fae. Oh, yes, I always hated you—right from the start...”

    Powers waning, Byrdie felt the only thing she could do was try to get out of this the old fashioned way—kicking and screaming like the Banshee. “Get the hell away from me, you batty witch!” the Fae shrieked, kicking Shaylyn’s hand away roughly with her foot. “Touch me and die—got it?!”

    “Oh...!” Shaylyn gasped mockingly, placing a hand over her “fluttering” heart. “I’m sorry, my dear little Fae...did you mean...like THIS?!” then she  flew up and kneed Byrdie in the stomach—hard. The Trickster’s eyes flew open wide as pain mixed with acute nausea ripped through her middle. She let out a small cry of anguish, doubling over brokenly as Shaylyn merely laughed, flipping a stray lock of hair over her shoulder. “That’s funny...I feel just fine...though I wish I could say the same for you...”

    ~Gods...~ Byrdie thought dazedly as Storm’s witch-wife advanced upon her again. ~This hurts like all get out...what am I gonna...what the...? No...~ “Mizumi! No!!”

    “Wave Dance! Poi!!”

    “Ack!” Shaylyn sputtered as a tiny jet stream of water flew out of nowhere and pelted her in the face. Looking up angrily through a wet curtain of hair that had flown into her face, she found a tiny water pixie. “You little—how dare you?!”

    Mizumi was indignant, her tiny hands on her hips: “How dare you? You were hurting Byrdie-sama, you ugly, old witch!!”

    “‘Ugly, old wit—’ I’ve had enough of this foolishness! Begone!” And with that, a ball of burning white energy flew from Shaylyn’s hand and blasted the water pixie out of this sky. “Let’s see what your precious ‘Byrdie-sama’ has to say to that!”

    And as most stories go, one would expect the Faerie to have one last blast of energy to prove the witch wrong, but she was too far gone for such heroics. She was floating down out of the sky herself when Shaylyn cackled again and wrapped her slender fingers around one of the links of the chain with an iron grip, lifting the Trickster up into the air like a prize. “My trophy for this night!”

    Fire had started after Sky to rejoin the fight, but another wave of dizziness hit her and she stumbled.  ~And what the hell was that roaring?~  Looking around Fire spied the waterfall they had come near to. For one brief moment the fight was drowned out and the firewielder stared in awe at the majestic scenery before her. Sky really did have a beautiful home here. Then the sounds of the fight went up a notch and Sky's scream sent a chill down Fire's spine. When she whirled around, Byrdie was held fast by iron chains in Shaylyn's grasp. "Hang on Tinkerbell," Fire muttered as she leapt over to where the others were trying to regroup.

    "BYRD!!"  There was anguish in Skydancer's voice as Shaylyn captured the Fae in iron clad chains.  Summoning her immense strength and a will honed to iron over the years, Sky started towards the witch and her prisoner.

     "Not so fast, she-goyle!" Storm boomed down.  "You and your friends will pay for what you have done to my wife and myself."  Lifting a pale hand up high above him, Storms eyes glittered malevolently, streaming and red-rimmed.  "Now feel MY fury!!"  Thunder cracked unexpectedly.  Thick black clouds, heavy with rain, blew across the sky, providing Storm with dense power and strength.  As Skydancer herself could command, the storm rolled in over the forest fast, with wild winds kicking up leaves and swaying branches.  A bolt of lightning sizzled across the sky in a fiery whip of dancing light.  It slammed into the ground, inches from Sky's taloned feet, forcing her and the others to move closer to the hidden cave behind the waterfall.

     "They've got Byrd!!" Sky shouted above the high winds, not wanting to give in to their fierce onslaught.  "We've got to get her...."  Suddenly, Sky cut off what she was about to say as she spotted a fierce bolt of lightning forming in Storm's hand and being fired directly at her and the others.

    "NO!!!!" Sky screamed.  Before anyone knew what was happening, Sky spread her wings wide and threw herself at Lisette and Firedancer, tumbling into them.  Unbeknownst to the gargess, Blake had been standing behind the mage and was also thrown into the cave, clearing a rough patch of rock that laid at its entrance behind the tangled vines of the waterfall. Fiery light crackled and snapped, then hit the ground upon which the cave stood.  The noise was tremendous; the blow shook the earth.  The whip of electricity sizzled and retreated, leaving a patch of blackened, scarred rock behind.

     Inside the cavern, the mountain heaved and the chamber walls collapsed.  Cracks widened in the narrow passageway and the rock faces inched closer and closer together.  The clap of granite grinding against granite and iron burst all around the four inside the cave.  Rock rained down all around them, closing them inside, sealing them within its entombed walls. The last thing Skydancer remembered as she hurtled herself towards the others was the loss of her precious home and all that it had meant to her.  And then there was silence.

    "Ooh," Lisette groaned, blinking away gritty dust even as she struggled against a heavy weight pressing down upon her.  She was pinned by something.. something large and heavy that rested over her abdomen and pinned her arms to her sides.. something that by the pain she felt, had definitely broken a few ribs and maybe something else. Gritty light, somehow given off by the few torches that were lit further in the cave, surrounded her, so scant and light that she felt as though she were buried alive--again.

    "Sky!" she gasped weakly, wincing as ripples of pain ripped through her abdomen.  The last that she remembered was Sky shoving her into the cave with the others to avoid a blast that would have finished them all.  By the following cacophony and falling debree, it was apparent that it was Sky's cave that got finished instead.  "Sky!  Fire!!" Lisette gasped weakly, tears stinging her eyes as she fought off her growing panic, turning her head painfully.

    It was then that she saw her friend.  Gasping, Lisette felt all else fall to the background as her large blue eyes focused on the wild tangle of brown hair.  "Sky?" she whispered, the words cutting through her.  The only part of the gargess that was visible was her messy brown braid, small wisps trailing around her slim form, and her slender shoulders that seemed to end in a wall of rock.  The Skydancer, so quick to save the others, hadn't been quick enough to save herself from the cave-in and now lay beneath the rock that blocked them from their escape.

    Ignoring her fear and pain, Lisette quickly focused on her magic, willing it to the forefront.  She had to help her friends. But not even a moment later Lisette felt her fear skyrocket and panic close like a vise around her heart.  There was nothing-- absolutely nothing.  "Iron... oh mon Dieu, it is iron," Lisette whispered in horror as realization swept over her. Out of everything in the cave, it must have been iron ore that fell upon her and pinned her now.  Iron meant no magic and no magic meant that she was helpless--again.

    Suddenly, a new sound filled the decimated cavern.  "Lisette?" a male voice called out in between fits or ragged coughing.

    "Blake?" Lisette whispered weakly, a desperate hope filling her.  "Blake, over here!"

    "Where are you?" he asked again, his voice growing closer even as he came into sight, the sharp clatter of rock over rock filling the enclosure.  "Oh my God, are you alright?" he asked quickly, dropping to the rock beside her as his soft hands swept over her cheek.

    "You're bleeding," Lisette murmured, as if in a daze as she tore her eyes away from her limp friend and focused on the small trail of red that twisted down his beautiful face.  Looking further, she saw that he favored one arm, his bomber jacket caked in dust and grime.

    "Forget about me, let's get you out of this," Blake quickly shushed as he shrugged out of his jacket, his eyes filled with concern as he gently lifted Lisette's head and bunched the soft leather beneath her golden tresses, long since fallen loose of their bindings.  Biting his lip, he slowly shook his head.  How did he get himself into positions like this?  One moment he was on a date with a great girl, the next he was watching in confusion as an old boyfriend made an appearance, and then it was a bizarre period of what could only be described as magic, evil, and lots of fighting.  Now he was trapped in a cave, probably forever judging by the large boulders blocking the exit, with said girl and friends, hurt, cold, and hungry.  But more importantly.. she was hurt--bad.  In the cave-in a large slab of rock must have broken off the ceiling and onto Lisette.  Luckily, the floor that she landed on was relatively smooth, her coat flared out beneath her as the rock covered her from just below her bust line down to her thighs.  This was not good.  "Hold on just a sec--"

    "No," Lisette interrupted quickly, her eyes boring into his.  "Please go check on my friends... please make sure that Sky is.. if she..."

    "But--"

    "Blake, please!!"

    Sighing, Blake slowly nodded his head before turning away from the intriguing girl he had only met that day.  Standing, he slowly made his way to the.. creature.  Shaking his head, he hesitated for only a moment before bending beside her.  He had never seen something like this.. this thing before.  No, like Skydancer before.  Ordinarily, he would be frightened out of his wits.  But not now.. whatever she was, this Skydancer was obviously hurt.. then again, by the looks of it, she may never have to hurt again.

    "Blake.. how is she?  Is she.."

    "Hold on," Blake muttered in reply, slowly moving his fingers out to rest them against the Skydancer's neck. Surprisingly, her skin wasn't rough like he had imagined, but instead almost like a soft velvet.

    "Blake--"

    "She's alive," Blake cut in, feeling the faint, yet unmistakable pulse throb against his fingers.  "At least for now," he amended, brushing his fingers against the creature's forehead, moving her hair aside.  Whatever she was, she had saved his life.  He would never forget that.  Shaking his head, the young lawyer slowly stood once more, his eyes dark with worry as he returned once again to Lisette's side.  "Now let--"

    "What about Fire?" Lisette asked, hope tugging at her heart.

    "I don't know.."

    "And Byrdie?"

    "Who?" he asked, beginning to feel exasperated.  Why wouldn't she let him help her.  She needed to stop thinking about others and think about herself.

    "Byrdie Fae... the faerie.."

    "Faerie?" Blake asked in disbelief, beginning to worry that perhaps Lisette had hit her head after all.

    Growing in frustration, Lisette closed her eyes briefly. "The petite one who pretended to be my ex-boyfriend earlier this evening."

    "Oh, him.. I mean her," Blake nodded, scanning the dusty cave.  "No idea," he replied honestly, taking in nothing but rocks, rocks, and more rocks.  Shrugging his shoulders, he quickly turned back to Lisette.  "Although I'm sure that she's fine.. I think she was still outside during the cave-in."

    "But--"

    "No more words.  I'm getting you out of here," Blake interrupted.  Before she could protest further, Blake quickly squatted beside her and gripped the slab firmly with each hand.  "When I lift up on this thing, I want you to try and slide yourself away," he instructed, waiting until her nod before he began to lift with all his might.  It was her piercing, agony filled scream that stopped him in his tracks.  "Whoa whoa!!  I'm stopping, I'm stopping!" he cried quickly, panic coloring his voice.  He wanted to help her, not hurt her further.

    As the tears streamed down her cheeks, Lisette slowly blinked her eyes, waves of pain slowing dying from within her. "Please.. please let us not try that again," she coughed, feeling a thin trickle of warmth zig-zag from her lips.

    "Promise," Blake quickly agreed, gently reaching forward to wipe the blood from her cheek, only succeeding in creating a small red smear on her chin.

    The sound of a scream broke through the darkness that had dulled the Firedancer's mind. With a groan she opened her eyes and raised a talon to her head. Sky had hurled her inside the cave with such force, that it had caught her completely off guard. She had run headlong into the stone wall and managed to stagger several more feet back as her survival instinct told her to get further away from the falling debris before she passed out.

    Her hand came away slick with blood and with a grimace, Fire cauterized the wound to prevent any further bleeding. Looking around the firewielder saw that a few torches still remained lit around the cavern she was now in. Storm's attack had left the place a complete mess. Rocks and debris had fallen everywhere, sparse furniture lay in smashed ruins, and Sky's remaining books were strewn everywhere.

     Digging in her belt Fire came up with her cell phone. She flipped it open and sighed. Just as she had figured, there was no way she could call out trapped inside a mountain. Especially one that contained plenty of iron ore. Thanks to her mutation she did not feel the draining effects the others surely would, but she was still sensitive enough to know what it was. Replacing the phone, her hand brushed the Medallion and she pulled it out with a sigh of relief. At least she had accomplished her mission.

     She heard voices, and what sounded like Lisette's soft crying. Ignoring her own pounding headache, Fire secured the Medallion in her pouch and rushed back through the collapsed tunnel, casting a large ball of flame into the center of the small space where Lisette and Sky lay half buried. The young human male Lisette had brought with her whirled in surprise from where he had been kneeling by Lisette's side.

    "Hey Lis," Fire coughed as she crouched down next to the human mage and began to check her vitals. She wasn't thrilled by what she saw. Her eyes roamed over the rocks that had her friend pinned and she realized sickly that the rock which was resting on Lisette was also a critical point under the slide that had her trapped. If Fire tried to dig her out from the inside, she would bring half the mountain down on them all. "How you feelin' slugger?" Fire asked kindly as she slipped back into her old role and focused her attention back on Lisette.

     Surprised, Lisette tore her bleary eyes away from Blake and felt a small smile lift her lips.  "Hello mon ami," she whispered softly, her heart warming at the sight of the gargess.  At least one of her sisters had emerged alright.  And then, that thought instantly caused tears to sting her eyes as she nodded towards the entrance to the cave.  "Please, help Sky.. she is hurt," she whispered raggedly, fighting the darkness that threatened her vision.

    "This way," Blake continued, standing up quickly and forcing his legs not to buckle from beneath him.  This was the closest that he had been to any of the creatures... at least any of the conscious ones.  Turning, he reluctantly left Lisette's side and led the way towards the downed gargess.  "From the way you checked Lisette over, you've obviously had some medical training.. maybe you can help her out," he added as the fiery gargess knelt beside Skydancer.

    "Used to be a firefighter," Fire answered absently as she gently began unburying the dark gargess from the rocks that had caved in over her.

    Though her face remained impassive from long years of professionalism, Fire felt a small part of her wince inside. A quick check of Sky's vitals showed that while she was stable for the time, that could change at any minute due to the extensive injuries she suffered.

    "I'm Firedancer, but you can call me Fire," the crimson gargess said to the young man who hovered nearby. His fear was strong in her nostrils, and she didn't blame him. Best to try and keep everyone calm until someone showed up or she figured a way out of here.

    "Okay Fire, name is Blake," the young lawyer replied as he eyed the massive rockslide that the creature was beginning to tear away at.  "And no offense, but are you sure that you should be doing that?" he asked, watching as the cracks in the walls seemed to lengthen with each rock that she pulled away from the one that was trapped.  "I'm thinking that the cave may not take much more..." he trailed off as his eyes narrowed on one of those long cracks.  "What's this?" he asked, stepping around the gargess and moving back towards Lisette, his eyes focused on the crack.

    "What is it?" Lisette asked from her position on the ground, craning her head back to see what had so captured his attention.  Confused, she watched as he gently scratched at the cavern wall, bits of rock flaking away and falling to the hard cavern floor.  "Blake?" she asked again as larger pieces tapped the ground beside her.

    Lost in his own world, Blake continued to brush away the rock from the crack, widening it as his eyes focused on the dull golden gleam that had caught his eye in the flickering firelight.  Puzzled, he cleared more rocks away until he was able to slip his fingers into the crack, wrapping around smooth leather as he pulled the object from the wall.  "It's a book," he muttered, holding the thin, leather bound book in one hand as the other traced over the golden etchings.

   Fire ignored the young man for a moment as he distracted himself. Removing the last of the debris from Sky, the firewielder palmed a firelight and guided it along the injured gargoyle's body.  Her arm was bent at an unnatural angle, but what caught her attention was the obvious blood oozing from Skydancer's head.  Brushing blood slicked hair back, Fire examined the ugly gash that ran from the base of Sky's skull to just behind her ear.

    "Good thing you have a thick skull, Skydancer," Fire murmured as she took in the cut.  Fire pursed her lips, the wound was fairly serious and it was bleeding steadily.  ~Best I do this now before she wakes up~  Fire thought as she traced the laceration with a steady talon. The skin curled under her superheated talon, the faint stench of burt flesh filling the air as the blood flow was effectively stanched.

    With that task completed, Fire went about setting the unconscious gargoyle's arm before she tried to move it, causing any further damage to the broken appendage. With a quick jerk, the two edges grated back into place and Fire used her axe harness and some wood fragments to splint the reset arm.

    Deciding it would be best to keep both patients together for now, Fire picked her comrade up carefully and carried her back to where Lisette lay trapped, and her boyfriend paged through an old book he found.

    Tearing her eyes away from Blake, Lisette bit back her tears and she watched Firedancer with wide eyes.  She had to force herself from yelling out every question and concern that was swarming within her, all the while cursing her rotten luck at being trapped as she was... she was helpless and unable to fix the things that she knew she could.

    Biting her lip so hard that it drew blood, Lisette blinked her eyes as the crimson gargoyle laid Sky down and shifted her into a more comfortable position with a gentleness that none of the others had seen in her yet. Her eyes slid over to meet Lisette's and she smiled slightly, taking in Lisette's concern despite her own life-threatening predicament.

    Resting a warming talon on Lisette's forehead she nodded at Sky. "She will live my friend.....We both know how stubborn she can be. She'll make it to dawn, but she probably won't be doing anything for the next few nights."

    Warmed at Firedancer's words, Lisette nodded numbly, her eyes fluttering shut briefly as a great weight seemed to lift from her.. even as the weight of the iron ore ground into her shattered ribs.  "Merci, mon Dieu," she whispered raggedly, a single tear breaking free and blazing a trail down her dusty face as she focused once more on her friend.

    Fire's eyes glanced up at Blake standing just beyond Lisette. "So... he seems to be taking all this in stride," she chuckled softly.

    Smiling, Lisette nodded as best she could.  "He is, is he not?" Lisette agreed absently as Blake began to pace back and forth, seemingly absorbed in whatever he was reading, the leather tome cradled in his dusty arms, a look of concentration on his features.

    "Hey, would you guys listen to this," Blake broke in, finally tearing his eyes away from the book as he turned back to Lisette--and stumbled back a pace as he found the red creature kneeling beside the young woman, the other gargess now laid out beside her.  "Whoa," he muttered before he could stop himself, stumbling back a pace.  Instantly, his face began to color slightly as he found the attention focused on him.  "Right.. um... listen to what this book says," he quickly continued, burying his face once more in the book.  He didn't think that he'd ever get used to seeing this creatures.. or seeing Lisette, this nice normal girl talking with them as though they were.. well, people or something.  Then again, the concern that the red creature was trying to hide was humanity in the most obvious sense.  And after Lisette's earlier display, he could hardly call her a nice normal girl.  She definitely had some explaining to do when they got out of there.. if they did.

    "Blake?" Lisette prompted, a small smile tugging at her lips despite their grave circumstances as she watched Blake's bright blue eyes snap back into focus.

    "Oh yeah, the book," Blake muttered as he flipped back to the page he had been reading.  "Listen to this," he said once more as he edged near a burning torch.  "It says:

    With each word that Blake spoke, Lisette felt the hairs on her covered arms begin to rise.  Turning her head very slowly, Lisette met Fire's dark eyes and slowly opened her mouth before closing it once again.  "Surely you do not think that.." she trailed off, her mind turning over the worlds slowly.

    "Leave it for another day, Lis. For now how about we just concentrate on not getting pancaked further before help comes. Then once you and Sky are healed, we can go find Tinkerbell and kick that couple's ass for good, okay?"

    Surprised, Lisette was about to comment when a flash of pain ripped through her.  Sighing quietly, she gently tuned out the world for a moment as she tried to get a hold of herself once more.

    "Be right back, ok?" As Lisette closed her eyes, Fire stood and nodded towards Blake, who followed her down the crumbled tunnel.

     "Listen," Fire whispered once they were out of hearing range. "I have to be straight with you Blake," she began looking into his eyes.

    Trying to avert his gaze, Blake slowly swallowed before meeting the gargess's dark eyes.  "She's not good is she?" he asked, afraid of the answer but needing to hear it nonetheless.

    "No... it's more complicated than you think, too," Fire sighed. "One of our friends knows we're up here, but she is a gargoyle like Sky and I. We all turn to stone at dawn, so she won't be here until tomorrow evening. Lisette doesn't have that much time," the gargoyle admitted grimly.

   "But... isn't there anything we can do?" Blake asked, growing frustrated at his helplessness.  He wasn't used to this sort of a position.  Throughout his life, if he wanted something he went for it and got it.  He had never had to stand by and watch someone suffer.. someone that he was really beginning to develop some feelings for.

    "Listen, I'm still seeing double every now and then from the knock on the head I took. Sky's out of it completely, and that rock sitting on Lisette is compressed iron ore. It's left her powerless and is slowly crushing her. We have almost six hours before dawn and with her bleeding out in places that I can't even get too, she'll be lucky to live that long. I'm sorry," Fire told him sincerely.

     "Then... there's really nothing we can do?" Blake persisted, feeling his throat tighten.  He had only known this incredible woman for one day and he felt as if his heart was being slowly squeezed in a vise.

    "We try to keep her awake and make her as comfortable as possible. I'll be able to keep her warm, and keep her shock at bay, but that's about it," Fire sighed, her own heart heavy with the thought of losing someone she had begun to think of as a friend. "Maybe... maybe we'll get lucky and someone will come tonight, but... well in case we don't get out of here tonight, I thought I should let you know."

    Unable to say anything more they both headed back to Lisette. Blake knelt by her side and took her hand, a sketchy grin forcing its way onto his face for the mage's benefit. Fire just knelt between her and Sky and seemed to go into a meditative state. After a few minutes, her talons reached out to gently rest on both female's heads, and then she began to pour her own life-heat into them.

    Watching this with grim eyes, Blake slowly surveyed their crumbling surroundings.  It couldn't end here for them... not for any of them.