The Coven Saga, Part II: The Struggle by Krystiana Slinky

The Coven Saga, Part II: The Struggle

by Krystiana Slinky {krystiana@geocities.com} or {krystiana@hotmail.com}

________________________

Are you actually reading this, or are you just going to skip it like most

people do? Well, if you are, then I guess you are patient and like reading

nonsense.

Anyway, Gargoyles belong to Disney/Buena Vista, all right? They aren't

mine, but I am sure you know that since you are reading this, and likes

Gargoyles. This story, however, is mine. You can't steal my idea. It's all

mine!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calm down, Krys...

Okay, now, if you are going to read this, you must read these other stories

first:

Music Says It All

To Live Again, Part I

To Live Again, Part II

Echoes of the Future

Companionship

The Gate (co-authored by Kristafori)

Soul Mates, Part I

Soul Mates, Part II

The Coven Saga, Part I: The Awakening

I've also created something called "The Altered Universe," (named by a

friend of mine), in which Brooklyn ended up joining with Demona when she

tricked him, and we see what the world would be like if Brooklyn was a bad

guy.

---How I Pronounce Stuff: If you're wondering, Brooklyn has started calling

Demona Aurora. He sometimes calls her "Aur," which I pronounce "ore" like a

boat ore. Nocta is pronounced Nook-tah. `Ferno is fair-no.---

-The names of these three parts are named after my favorite young adult

books, a trilogy named "The Vampire Diaries," written by Lisa Jane Smith. I

think she deserves credit for the title. If she should ever happen to read

this, I salute you!-

- This second story is dedicated to the Roosevelt High School Orchestra.

May we get all ones in contest! -

I have no idea if there is a Manhattan National Airport or a Manhattan

Heights High School, but if there is, I apologize if there is an

inconvienence in me using the names and places.

And we're off!!!

-------------

"Previously on Gargoyles..."

{The Coven Saga, Part I, The Awakening}

Angela: Something is going to happen to Brooklyn.

[Lexington, Broadway, and Angela following Brooklyn]

[Fox punching Elisa]

Fox: You damn slut.

[Fox running from Xanatos]

Xanatos: She never told you?

[Prom picture of Elisa and Xanatos]

Goliath: No, she didn't.

[Brooklyn and Demona hugging]

Brooklyn: Aur?

[Demona pointing]

Brooklyn: Leader....

______________

The Coven Saga

Part II: The Struggle

994 A.D.

Night Before the Vikings First Attack

"Leader, what's going on?" A gargoyle that had been named Nocta said as

Leader chanted something in Latin and poured something over her head.

Leader didn't answer. He pushed Nocta away and pulled the next member of

the coven forward, by the name of `Ferno.

The others in the coven began to whisper nervously. Aurora turned to Nocta,

her rookery sister. Nocta was a tannish gargoyle, her hair midnight black

with hints of blue here and there when the light hit it just right. She had

a scar across her right shoulder which she had gotten from a sword battle

with some rouge bandits. Her clothes were like Aurora's, except her top had

two straps.

"What did he do to you?" Aurora asked Nocta. Nocta shurgeed and watched as

Leader pushed `Ferno away and grab the young red gargoyle who had never

recieved a name.

"I don't know what he is doing," Nocta stated as `Ferno walked up to them.

"I can't translate the Latin he is saying," `Ferno said. "He is saying it

too fast."

Nocta rubbed her head as the others watched Leader release the young one.

He turned towards them.

"Aurora," he barked. "Come here. His voice was commanding and hard to

disobey. Aurora reluctantly walked towards him.

Leader reached into his bag full of sand which had benn enticed with the

Powers of Earth. He sprinkled it over Aurora and chanted the spell in

Latin. Only he knew the meaning-

Disaster awaits us

Tragedy lurks

But we will rise again

In the name of Oberon.

Aurora listened to his words, but as `Ferno said, he was speaking too fast.

Leader sighed and backed away from the rest of them.

He closed his eyes and turned around. "You may all leaved now," he said in

a stiff voice. He walked into the shadows and waited.

A purple gargoyle named Artemis walked up behind him. "Will you be all

right, Leader?" Leader nodded, and waved Artemis out.

He watched the coven leave, hesitantly at first, than almost rushing. The

twelve members left. The thirteenth stayed.

Leader laughed bitterly.

Two more dawns.

One more night.

Oblivion.

One thousand years would pass.

And then rebirth.

Leader laughed once, and was soon whooping with laughter.

Mad laughter.

The coven would never die. He would see to that.

* * *

PRESENT

A bright light flashed in front of Lex's, Broadway's, and Angela's eyes.

They threw their hands up to their eyes.

"What do you supposed that was?" Angela asked the others. Lex shrugged and

Broadway shook his head.

"Come on," Angela ordered her mate and friend.

* * *

Brooklyn tried to swallow the lump in his throat and failed.

Leader.

Right in front of him!

Alive.

Demona spoke up first. "Leader?" she gasped. "How are you alive?"

Leader mantled his wings, forming a cape. His yellow hair seemed to burn

into Brooklyn's mind.

But Leader was alive.

Brooklyn walked up to Leader. Rather calmly, considering the circumstances.

He reached out and touched Leader's arm. Brooklyn let out a cry of pure and

simple joy. "Aur, come here! He's real!"

Demona ran up next to them. She gasped.

"Of course I'm real," Leader spoke up. As the sound of his voice hit them,

floods of memories came flooding back.

Leader smiled. The coven would soon be reunited.

* * *

"Who is that?" Lexington pointed at the dark blue gargoyle.

"Demona and Brooklyn seem happy to see him," Angela stated, looking down on

her mother's expression.

"Well, if they trust him, then he's not our enemy," Broadway said,

scratching his head. "I guess."

"Let's go!"

* * *

"But how are you alive?" Brooklyn asked for the millioneth time.

"I'll answer your questions later," Leader said. "I'd like to know what

year it is, please."

"Why..." Demona started. "1998."

"It's been _over_ a thousand years, then," Leader said.

"What?" Brooklyn looked at Demona and shrugged.

"Wait," Leader snarled. He looked up at the three aproaching gargoyle

silohettes. "Who's there?"

Brooklyn put a hand on Leader's arm. "Wait, those are our friends."

"Friends?" Leader spoke the word as if he had never heard it before.

Demona nodded, then flashed a curious look at Brooklyn, who only shrugged.

Angela landed first, with the other two close behind her. Leader hiked an

eyeridge.

"Care to make introductions?" he said smoothly to his two former pupils.

"That's Lexington and Broadway," Brooklyn said, pointing.

"And this is Angela," Demona said, smiling proudly. "My daughter."

"Daughter?!" Leader's eyes widened in surprise and looked at Demona. He

took a breath and regained his composure. "I see."

Demona shot another look at Brooklyn, this one of concern. Brooklyn

shrugged again, but glanced at Leader worriedly. He turned to the Lex,

Broadway, and Angela.

"Guys," he cleared his throat, somewhat embaressed. "Meet Leader."

* * *

"Elisa?"

Elisa turned away from Fox, unable to face her.

"Please look at me."

"I though I was a damn slut." Elisa's voice was hard. Fox looked away from

Elisa.

"I didn't mean that. It's just that David never told me."

"And I never told Goliath," Elisa said, finally turning around.

"Will you tell me what happened?" Fox said. Elisa gasped.

"You _want_ to know?"

Fox nodded, and Elisa sighed.

"Okay. I guess I'll start at the beginning."

"Good place to start."

* * *

1975

Bar Harbor, Maine

"David, I need to talk to you."

"Not now, Pop."

"Yes, NOW!" Petros rarely ever raised his voice, but here was an exception.

David zipped his suitcase and turned to his father. "I'm leaving. I'm going

to finish high school in Manhattan, and go to college there."

"This is unacceptable!" Petros said, clenching his fists. "How can you turn

your back on your family?"

"This is too big of a chance to miss." David picked up his suitcase and

grabbed his tickets from the dresser. "I'll call you when I get to Manhattan."

Elena walked forward and sighed. "How can you do this to us, David?"

"Mom, this is something I need to do!"

"You don't _need_ to run off to New York to finish your life."

"I"m through discussing this. I'm leaving, and that's it." David walked out

the door, leaving Petros and Elena looking at his retreating back.

* * *

Manhattan National Airport

David stood up and yawned. He could get used to traveling First Class. Very

roomy.

He went to retrieve his luggage and left the airport. He had to get up

early the next day for school.

* * *

Manhattan Heights High School

David yawned and squinted at his schedule. The light copies were hard to read.

Not smart to try and read and walk at the same time. He heard an curse and

almost tripped over another student.

"Whoops, sorry," David apologized.

"It's okay," said the girl. "No harm done." She shook her black hair out

and studied the taller student. "You're new."

"Yeah," David said. "Hey, can you tell me were room 324 is?"

"Oh, that's just up those stairs," the girl said, gesturing with her head.

"Come on, I'll show you."

The walked up the stairs as the bell rang. "Aren't you late?" David asked.

The girl shook her head.

"This is my free period," the girl stated. "Lemme see your schedule."

"Pushy, aren't you?" The girl smiled as David handed her his schedule.

"Yeeck," Elisa said. "You have Mouse."

"Who?"

"Your chemistry teacher."

"Is he bad?"

"Oooh, yeah." The girl noticed the 12 in the corner. "Oh, so you're in the

sixth form?" she said casually as she handed back the piece of paper.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, sorry. It takes a while to get used to the lingo around here," she

said. "You're a senior?"

David nodded. "What are you?"

"I'm a lowly sophmore," she said. "Fourth form."

"Ah." David said. "I...don't think I ever got your name."

"Elisa Maza. What's yours?"

"David Xanatos."

* * *

PRESENT

"Need I continue?" Elisa said, glancing at Fox. She looked up and gasped.

"How long have you two been standing there?" Elisa demanded Goliath and

Xanatos.

"Long enough," Goliath said, glancing at Xanatos.

"Please go on," Fox said. "This is intresting. David's high school days are

quite...intriging."

Elisa laughed. "Well, there were a few GOOD memories. For instance, I

remember _someone_ dancing around the cafeteria to the Jitterbug."

"I was paid to do that," Xanatos interuppted.

"Yeah, by the girls who paid you to dance with them."

* * *

1975

Elisa stretched and looked at David. The crossage from the Prom had wilted,

and lay on her dresser, long forgotten.

David looked at her, smiling. "I made reservations at-"

"Another expensive resturant?" Elisa asked. "You spoil me, boy."

"School is going to be out soon," David said. "I'll be graduating, and I

won't be able to see you as much after that."

"But why all these expensive things?" Elisa said. "I'm serious. You do

spoil me."

David shrugged nonchalantly, turning away from Elisa. Elisa narrowed her eyes.

"And you never listen to what I am saying."

"Yes, I do," David insisted.

* * *

1998

"It fell apart after that," Elisa finished. "We argued a while about him

and his little thing called money."

Xanatos closed his eyes, letting Elisa's words sink in.

Elisa looked up and saw the crowd around her, still listening expectantly.

Elisa smiled wryly. "Nothing serious happened, if that's what your wondering."

* * *

"Goliath? He survived as well?"

Demona nodded. "And your rookery brother, who is called Hudson now."

"He used to be the leader before Goliath," Brooklyn added. Leader nodded in

recognition.

Angela hiked an eyeridge. Brooklyn and Demona glided on either side of

this... Leader. They didn't even seem to wonder why he was alive a

millenium after the massacre at Wyvern.

Lexington however, couldn't hold in his curiousity. "How are you alive

now?" Leader looked back at the small gargoyle.

"It's a long story, which I will explain later," Leader stated simply.

Stoney silence came across the six gargoyles.

Brooklyn coughed, a pointed sound.

Demona spotted the looming shape up ahead. "There's Castle Wyvern."

"But... how did it get up here?" Leader asked in astonishment.

"Hoo-boy, that's another long story," Brooklyn said.

"Astounding!" Leader exclaimed as he saw the building it sat upon. "It

looks as if it's floating!"

Brooklyn looked at the glass, and if you didn't see behind it, he could see

why one could think it was floating.

The landed on top of the castle silently. Brooklyn looked around.

"Goliath!" he called. When no answer came, he shrugged. "They must all be

inside." Brooklyn led the way. Leader marveled at the appliances scattered

about.

A stream of laughter came to their ears. Brooklyn walked to the arboteum,

the rest following. Goliath spotted them coming, and stilled when he saw

Leader.

Hudson glanced over to the approaching group, then did a double-take.

"Rookery brother?!" he almost shouted.

Leader's eyes widened. Hudson walked over to him, as if making sure it was

really him. Almost simutaniously, they grasped each others' wrists.

"Brother, how can ye be here?" Hudson asked, still shaking his head in

disbelief.

"It's a long story," Leader said again. Leader looked over Hudson's

shoulder at Goliath, who looked even more astounded then Hudson had.

Leader then surveyed the room. Three humans. One was a man, dressed in dark

clothing, with dark hair pulled into a neat ponytail. A female, who had

bright reddish-orange hair and an odd marking over her right eye. The last

was another female, who looked oddly like...

Leader stopped himself from gasping. He turned to Aurora and Brooklyn, as

he called himself now. "I realise this may seem awkward, but may I speak to

you two?" As Brooklyn glanced at Demona, he added, "Alone."

Both Brooklyn and Demona seemed to look at Goliath for permission. When no

notice was taken of their looks, Brooklyn nodded. "I guess."

Leader brushed past Angela, glancing at her. Brooklyn and Demona looked at

each other once more before following.

* * *

"Is something wrong?" Brooklyn asked.

Leader shook his head. "No. But I can't explain the real reason why I am

alive to them, only to you."

"Why?"

"It would reveal the secret of the coven," Leader said, crossing his arms.

Demona shot a look at Brooklyn in alarm.

"They already know about the coven, Leader," Demona said hesitantly.

"What?!" Leader cried out in shock. "You told them? You were both sworn

never to tell anyone outside of the circle!"

"We didn't have much of a choice!" Brooklyn growled, ignoring the looks

both Leader and Demona were giving him. Brooklyn had never snapped at

Leader before.

Leader growled inwardly, but calmed down. "We still cannot tell them,

whether they know of the coven or not."

"Why not?" Demona asked.

"We just can't."

"But why?" Brooklyn demanded.

Leader glared at Brooklyn. This young one had no right to speak to the

leader of the coven like that, but he didn't say anything for a few

moments. "It's too risky, and I will tell you why." Leader looked outside.

"We must go somewhere else, though."

* * *

Brooklyn shut the doors to Nightstone Unlimited in Demona's private office.

He turned to Leader expectantly.

Leader sat down on the ground, a common habit of the Early Hatchers.

Brooklyn and Demona sat near him, forming a triangle with the three of them.

"The Early Hatchers have a long history, which no one in the coven knew

except I," Leader began. "The best place to start would be after the

massacre, in 1692, in a town called Salem."

"The Salem witch trials?" Demona exclaimed. "But you were... dead when that

happened! How could you know about those?"

"I foresaw it. The future telling in my biological family skips a

generation. So... _if_ I had a granddaughter or grandson, they would have

the gift as well." Demona couldn't help noticing the emphasis he put on "if."

"Back to the story, anyway. The town of Salem did have witches in it, and a

few girls went to a black human slave posing as a witch. She told their

fortunes, something that anyone can do, if you know how, although it

wouldn't be accurate. But the girls became creased by guilt, and one

finally snapped.

"The girl got attention. The other young girls quickly became jealous of

her, and they pretended to be `bewitched' as well. The elders in Salem

wanted these witches caught, so they left it to the girls to name them.

Which they did, naming annonymous people in the town. They named hundreds,

and nineteen were hung or burnt. But they didn't get one witch right. Not

_one._ The last execution took place on September 22, 1692. The autumnal

equinox."

Demona let out a breath, which she hadn't realised she had been holding.

Brooklyn sat forward and listened to Leader continue his tale.

"There was a coven there. A coven can be anywhere from two to thirteen, and

when one gets too big, they split. Human covens, however, are much more

vicious than gargoyle covens."

"Hold on!" Demona interrupted again. "Are you saying that the Early

Hatchers... that we're WITCHES?"

"Aye," Leader said.

"But what about guys?" Demona glanced at Brooklyn, and continued. "Aren't

they called..."

"Warlocks?" Leader said in a slightly distasteful voice. "No. Warlock is a

term for `traitor.' Anyone, man or woman, is called a witch, if they are one."

"I... don't understand," Brooklyn stated.

"You will, soon. Let me continue. I taught the basic outlines of our true

heritage back in the dark ages, but I did not get too thourough. We can

access the four Powers - earth, fire, water, and air. Some call them the

Watchtowers. You can train yourself with whichever one you please, and many

can master at least one Power. I work best with water, which is the

Watchtower of the West."

"What are the others?" Demona asked.

"Earth is the most potent. It is the Watchtower of the North. Water is, as

I said, West. Air is East. And Fire is South." As Brooklyn glanced up at

fire, Leader smiled.

"I think you are taking a liking for fire, child." Brooklyn nodded, a bit

hesitantly. "Well, you seem like a Fire whild. But take care - fire is

often the hardest to control."

"Do I seem like anything?" Demona asked, almost shyly. "What Power do you

think I could tap into?"

Leader studied Demona for a moment. "Aurora, I believe you are an Earth

whild."

"Can you still teach us?" Brooklyn asked. "Like you were back then?" Leader

nodded and smiled.

"You were always enthusiastic about learning the Powers," Leader said.

"Everything we can do is called on by the Powers. For instance, you two

often talk mentally. That is called on by the Power of Air. All powers of

the mind are brought on by Air. People who _aren't_ witches can even call

on Air. It is the easiest to tap into." He stopped a moment. "I think you

have used Air twice before, Brooklyn. During the Coldsteel incident and the

Child of Oberon... Banshee?" Leader's face clearly shown the thinking

expression.

"But you still haven't explained why you are alive," Brooklyn reminded him.

Leader nodded. "Do you remember the last time I saw either of you?" As they

both nodded, he continued. "I cast a spell that required all four of the

Powers, which is why I was so worn down afterwards. All four of the

Watchtowers protected us. And Oberon himself helped as well."

"Oberon?" Brooklyn yelped.

"I take it you've heard of him."

"You could say that," Brooklyn said sarcastically. "I've met the guy."

"Have you?" Leader smiled. "Relations between witches and Oberon and his

people have always been strong."

Demona gasped as the realization dawned on her. "What about Angela?" she

said. "It's hereditary, isn't it?"

"Yes," Leader said. "I had not expected her. But she is only half, and not

trained at all. She does, however, know when something is going to happen

to either of you. Her skills are there, they are just dormant."

"They should stay that way," Demona said. "I don't want to draw her into

this."

"It _is_ kinda creepy," Brooklyn said. "Last night I just thought I was a

member of an exclusive club or something, and now I find out I'm a witch?

Kind of shocking."

Leader chose to ignore that comment.

Instead, he glanced at the pendants that they wore. "I see you still have

remained loyal to the coven, despite telling the clan."

"Why aren't we supposed to tell them?" Brooklyn asked. "They accepted it

just fine, after we explained it."

"They are outsiders," Leader said harshly.

Brooklyn's face darkened.

"There is only one you may be able to tell," Leader said, trying to comfort

Brooklyn. As they both looked up, he continued. "The human female, with the

dark hair?"

"Elisa?" Brooklyn asked uncertainly. "Why her?"

"She is one of us."

"What?!" Demona exclaimed.

"It's something that humans call reincarnation." He paused for suspense,

and tilted his head back, his eyes forming slits.

"Your `Elisa' is Nocta."

TO BE CONCLUDED...

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COMING SOON!!!

The Coven Saga, Part III: The Fury

Brooklyn and Aurora are torn between loyalty and wisdom, and right and

wrong. Could Leader be on the brink of insanity?

In Progress of Thought?????

Slayer [crossover with...guess!]

Partial Trust

Guarding Angels

Acts of Impulse

*These are ideas that I have in my mind, not yet down on paper...uh, disk.

Not everything listed may ever be written. If they are written, the titles

may change, and these are not listed in any certain order.

--If you want to use any of my characters [such as Nocta, `Ferno, Artemis,

Leader, or Krystiana] in your stories, please e-mail me at

{krystiana@hotmail.com} or {krystiana@geocities.com} and tell me. I will

always say yes (guaranteed!), it's just that if you are going to actually

use them, I want to read it! :)