"HELL HATH NO FURY GREATER THAN THEE"

By: Amanda A. Hilliard "Shadowstar"

~ "And why do I find it so alarming that in these, the very worst of times... all things are possible." ~Mr. Sinister X-Man #15 ~

~for the seachers, there will be an answer...~

***this takes place several weeks after "Shadow Over Reality Part I&II" and after "Hunter's Moon" Also bear in mind that this Flicker is that of another reality so his life story isn’t completely the same... that will be touched upon in later stories.

CHAPTER 1: Please to Meet You, Hope You Guess My Name

Four gargoyle feet tapped the cool cobble stone ground. The wings caught the wind beneath them as they swooped down and clasped around their necks. Goliath smiled not needing to turn around. He recognized the faintest sounds of his two of his favorite females. The footsteps crossed the cool, grey stone ground of Wyvern. Their nightly patrol had come to a close, and now, they returned to their home to join their clan. Goliath looked down at the two wide eyed women and placed one arm around each. He face was more joyous than usual, and both took notice quickly.

"Goliath, I have never see you this..." Shadowstar started with a loss of words.

"Emotional," Angela finished.

"Well, I have some good news in celebration of Angela's birthday."

Angela looked up at Goliath like an anxious child. Her mind was racing in wonders. Her eyes brought forth much curiosity.

"What?" Angela questioned.

"Well, we're going to Avalon," Goliath replied.

Angela became wide eyed and showed much joy in Goliath's words. She hadn't seen the green of Avalon for over a year, and she missed her birthplace greatly.

"Really?" Angela questioned hugging her father.

Goliath looked surprised at she wrapped her thin gargoyle arms around him. He held her in his arms and returned the affection.

"Puck's going to take us there," Goliath told.

“But I thought he was forbidden,” Shadowstar questioned Goliath.

“Oberon has seeming lightened up since his return from his... adventures with humanity. You see, Shadowstar, he made an attempt on the life of the faery, Flicker, and he was forced to live with humanity. He has returned to Avalon with a new heart,” Goliath explained to her.

“I see,” Shadowstar answered nodding her head.

"What about the rest of the clan?" Angela questioned.

"Elisa needed their help with a small operation," Goliath informed.

"Shouldn't we?" Shadowstar questioned.

"Small time, Star. Not all of us are needed... Anyway, I want this to be special, just for us... for now."

They understood Goliath's feelings on the matter. Goliath was funny that way sometimes. They also knew of the importance of protecting Wyvern. The Quarrymen have escalated their attacks since Hunter's Moon, and their castle must be protected.

Owen walked out of the doors of Wyvern with his usually composed look. He confirmed his suspicions that the two gargoyles had arrived. He and Puck’s lingering psi link with Shadowstar made this more evident. He actually surprised himself at the strength of the psi link they developed while their personas merged to defeat the immortal Watchers Corbeau and Lahcaer. Owen half expected it to fade away when this personality to effect, but nonetheless, he grew attached to Shadowstar just the same.

“Will Xanatos allow you to leave?” Goliath questioned.

“I have been a loyal advocate of Mr. Xanatos. He has given me as much time as I need,” Owen replied fixing his wire-rimmed glasses.

“Good,” Goliath smiled.

Owen took off his glasses and placed them in his pocket. It was now time for the trickster, Puck, to emerge. In a whirling wave of magic, a white haired faerie materialized from what was Owen Burnette. His comical grin moved across his face in contrast to Owen’s calm look.

“You know, where does Owen’s clothes go when you transform?” Shadowstar questioned.

“Magic,” Puck said half sarcastic and half truthful.

Puck widened his eyes and quickly snapped his fingers. The four were consumed by a blinding light. In front of their eyes, the scenery changed. Angela smiled wildly while she walked around the lush grass. She smelt the flowers that she clenched in her talons. Her fingers ran across the trees and had a feeling of being home. Her eyes guided up to the clearing to see Oberon’s castle.

“She is so happy,” Shadowstar replied smiling in the child’s joy.

“It was her home for so long,” Goliath commented.

“Yea, home sweet, home! Um, Powder, I just want to warn ya that the Big Man in there might not be too happy with you,” Puck snickered.

“I do not fear-” Shadowstar started.

She caught a voice from the atmosphere. Distress and danger echoed through her mind. She couldn’t sense anything more but an urgency. Shadowstar pushed it back. The call had to wait.

“Shadowstar?” Puck question while levitating above the ground.

“Nothing.”

Puck gave her a scolding glance like a parent to a child. That psi link gave him an inside edge to Shadowstar. His faerie eyebrows raised as he looked at her challenging her truths. Shadow knew Puck could see through her secrets. She lowered her eyes not to feel Puck’s gaze.

“Come, let’s go to meet the family,” Puck replied in his very faery way.

Puck was a good spirited trickster of sorts. His gestures were always big and fun. After all, fun and games were his faery way.

“Yea, come on,” Angela replied with a new light about her.

Angela grabbed Goliath’s hand and led his to the castle. Puck and Shadowstar levitated behind them to catch up with the energetic youngster. Angela’s cheeriness was definitely rubbing off onto the others.

“Angela, I’ve never seen you so vivacious,” Shadowstar replied.

“It’s Avalon, Shadowstar. It brings life to ya! Come on, laugh! Live a little,” Puck said grabbing a hold of Shadowstar.

“Hey!” She yelled very surprised.

Puck took a startled Star by the arm and pushed her into a small pond of water. Goliath and Angela laughed as Star went in head first. She pulled herself to the top of the water and picked a piece of seaweed off of her face. A glowing in her eyes stopped the laughter.

“Wha?” Puck started.

He was yanked into the pool instantly. Shadowstar caught Puck’s amazed looks as he hit the water and sunk to the bottom. A smile stretched across her pale face as she burst out in laughter. Puck swam to the surface and spat water from his mouth like a fountain.

“You think that’s funny?” Puck questioned a laughing Shadowstar, a grin stretching from ear to ear, “No, this is funny!”

A pie appeared out of nowhere and headed for Shadowstar. She instinctively redirected it with her telekinetics and it hit Puck in his face. He shook his head and flung pie everywhere. His eyebrow raised as the pool around them started to gel. “Jello?” She questioned.

“Grape,” Puck replied levitating out of it.

Shadowstar slightly moved her fingers across the gel and filtered her power. Pieces of purple cubes started launching themselves from the pool hitting Goliath, Puck and Angela. Everybody found themselves in hysterics. Avalon was the true bringer of laughter.

“My sides hurt,” Puck replied rolling around gasping for breath as he laughed.

“So, you have returned,” A deep voice replied.

A pin could drop and it’s little sound could be heard. Their voices stopped as Oberon appeared. Puck grabbed his ribs and pulled himself off of the ground. Goliath fell quiet for he remembered that he did not fall high in Oberon’s favor. The glance that Oberon cast upon him told his this much. Shadowstar just looked blatantly confused.

“Star?” Goliath questioned.

“What trickery is this? I can’t sense him...”

“Maybe its due to his power?”

“I don’t know... Nobody has ever been immune to my power,” Shadowstar said very preoccupied with this.

“Don’t worry so much.”

“I know”

Oberon stood above the four, tall and proud. He seemed to fit the part of a mighty king with the moonlight beating down on his back. He had the royal arrogance that the part called.

“Don’t think I don’t recognize you,” Oberon told Shadowstar hoping to intimidate her.

She pulled herself out of the pond telekinetically knocking off the purple gel. Her might equaled his in appearance, and her eyes did nothing but stare him down.

“And don’t think I fear you,” She sneered.

Abruptly, Shadowstar’s mind blockade’s failed her. The voices churned among her brain pressing her skull into a massive headache. The pressure knocked the mighty gargoyles to her knees. She gripped her head as the pain persisted.

“My mind, if feels like it’s burning!” Shadowstar cried.

“Oberon!” Goliath roared as he rushed to Shadowstar’s aid.

Oberon stepped back in surprise. He waved his hands and shook his head innocently.

“It’s not me!” He exclaimed.

Goliath ran over to Shadowstar and pulled her from the edge of the transforming pool. She closed her eyes to block out the pain as Goliath lifted her to his arms. Angela rushed over to her almost motherly figure.

“Star?” She questioned.

Puck watched his friend try to battle the pain of an outer world. He decided that it was finally time for him to step in.

“You know what, I don’t care! I’m taking her into the castle,” Puck said latching onto Shadowstar’s arm.

“So be it,” Oberon grumbled.

Instantaneously, the four saw the insides of Oberon’s home. Angela looked around the halls she grew up in... it still felt like home to her. Titania stood at the end of the hallway. She turned around at the sound of some unexpected visitors.

“Hi, mom!” Puck said gleefully.

“And who is that?” She questioned, “No. . . she’s the one. How dare she step onto Avalon!?”

“Gee, you can’t hide much these days, now can ya?” Puck replied.

Goliath set Shadowstar down on her feet. He held her back gently feeling the tension and rage bubbling withing her. All he could try and do was keep her calm.

The picture windows at the end of the hallway drew in much of the moonlight that seemed to drift over Avalon always. The moon’s beams seemed to rap itself around Titania to the point of where her features were all absorbed together. It hindered all their perceptions of her expression except Shadowstar. Titania’s anger raptured through Shadow’s mind like a scolding teacher. The moonlight reflected the outrage in Shadowstar’s eyes, but she remained motionless to let the Queen make the first move. Titania’s feet clicked along the floor as she moved out to the edge of the shadows and closer to Shadowstar.

Titania’s brow furrowed as Shadowstar no longer payed attention to the words Oberon and Titania spoke right in Star’s presence. Shadow’s eyes seemed to run across the beautiful walls lined with mystics and gems. Goliath’s growing psi link with her only sent him slight empathic impressions of the distractions that Shadowstar seemed to face.

Angela bounced around like a child. Her merriment and joy could not be contained much longer.

“Father, I must go see the others,” Angela requested.

“Most of them are off the grounds of the castle. Many moved away when Oberon and I returned,” Titania warned.

“Go then, Angela, but be careful,” Goliath warned.

Angela scampered down the hallway with much exuberance. Goliath smiled for Angela’s happiness was his own.

“Titania, what should we do about her?” Oberon question.

“About who?” Puck queried.

“Not much we can ,” Titania continued ignoring Puck.

“Who!?” Puck exclaimed.

“Well, you can’t tolerate such insolence!” Titania answered back.

“Leave her alone,” Goliath said knowing fully that they were talking to the unresponsive Shadowstar.

Her mind was finally locked onto the crying voices. Her eyes became affixed to a crystal ball on one of the many shelves. Nothing broke her stare except for the approaching Oberon. His words just passed through her ears like whispers of the wind. This was something Oberon does not take kindly.

“Shadowstar! Shadowstar!” Oberon yelled with his voice getting stronger and more stern.

Silence.

Puck rolled his eyes and knew this was not a good time for Shadows to be reading minds. Two choices circulated through his mind: possibly see Shadowstar get injured or defy Oberon. He sighed and yanked the psi link that is so heavily present. His essence dissolved before their eyes and shifted quickly into Shadowstar. Goliath was the only one not truly surprised by the movement. Oberon became infuriated as the faded Puck clearly defied his restrictions.

“Hey, Fool! Get your mind back where it’s needed! You don’t need Pa turning you into a grazing cattle,” Puck shouted in her mind with a Southern twang.

“This is insolence!” Oberon shouted tearing Puck away from Shadowstar.

“Argh!” Shadowstar roared in pain clenching her forehead.

Puck tumbled onto the ground from the force of Oberon’s power. Many years ago, he would have crumpled, bowed, and feared the wrath of his father. Ever since he met Shadowstar, Puck has learned to be independent and not fearful. Puck stood up with his white hair falling over his cold eyes. His grin turned into a serious grimace. He shot down Oberon with the slightest glance.

“You defy me once more?” Oberon question.

“No, I just don’t fear you,” he sneered.

Shadowstar became quickly annoyed with Oberon. She moved away from Goliath’s care and challenged Oberon with her every stance.

“You had no right to do that to Puck! Maybe me, but not Puck!” Shadowstar roared.

“I have the power to do as I please. He defied me and his restrictions clearly!”

Puck pulled Goliath and Titania away from the center of the battle grounds.

“Give them room, mom. They aren’t two to fight lightly,” Puck smirked.

“Indeed not,” Goliath growled.

“Star would never strike first... unprovoked that is. She has a temper hotter than New York asphalt in the middle of July,” Puck replied.

“And Oberon will provoke her,” Titania chimed in.

His mind told him to hate Shadowstar with all his essence, but why? Why did his heart become attracted to this... arrogance?

“Arrogant, deceitful, Fool! You have broken the rules and restrictions I have placed in front of Puck’s power. You took him away from the child he was to protect! And, then, you stand before me without an ounce of reverence for the Lord of Avalon! How dare you?!” Oberon screwed at her.

“I bow to nobody,” Shadowstar growled in a soft but forceful voice.

“If I must beat a lesson of reverence into you, I will!” Oberon said enraged.

“Then you must never have seen me! On a fool can think he can beat me!”

“Ha! I know your story inside and out! You don’t think I have sources?? You don’t even know where you were born!”

“My past has nothing to do with who I am.”

“Oh, my dear, it does!”

“It’s irrelevant.”

“Don’t tell me what is and is not relevant!”

“Get over it, Oberon. You do not control me! And you never will!”

Oberon’s eyes rang out fury. A stream of golden light poured from him. It head straight for Shadowstar. Her arms raised in front of herself to form a telekinetic shield as the light disappeared before her. She smirked as Oberon’s power failed against her.

Everyone including Oberon looked wide eyed at the lack of power Oberon had shown. This was an unusual occurrence for all on Avalon to see.

“But how?” Oberon questioned looking weakly at his hands.

“Insolence,” Shadow replied.

She released emerald psionic bursts at Oberon. He didn’t have to deflect them for they had disappeared when they reached his aura. Shadow’s jaw dropped as Puck burst out in laughter.

“Well, it would appear that nature made us immune to each other for some odd reason,” Oberon replied. “I suppose brute force alone will end this.”

“For we could easily destroy weapons,” Oberon told her.

Titania smiled as the mood was lightening... Puck almost wanted to see the two knock each other senseless.

“Those two clash more than day and night... except that’s more of a harmony... A fight between the two is inevitable. Five buck on Shadowstar,” Puck thought to himself.

Shadowstar’s glare flickered in and out of the room. She looked at Goliath and lowered her eyes not wanted to tell him she must do her job.

“It’s time for me to leave,” She replied.

“What?” Goliath questioned in disbelief.

“I have heard the cry of a planet. I am destined to answer their cry,” Shadowstar said softly as she walked towards Goliath.

“I understand,” Goliath growled softly as Shadowstar took his talons into hers.

“I will return soon, I promise that. Don’t worry about me,” She told him.

“I always worry about you,” Goliath smiled.

“Join Angela, have fun,” Shadowstar said giving Goliath a hug.

“Wait! Wait! Wait! You’re going to skip out of here in the midst of this argument!” Oberon yelled.

Shadowstar turned around from Goliath glaring at Oberon.

“He shouldn’t have done that,” Puck sung.

“I don’t appreciate your rudeness,” She snarled, “I have more important thing to do than play childish games with you. The universe doesn’t center around you, LORD Oberon.”

Maybe it was the sarcastic tone she took when the word ‘lord’ exited her mouth. Maybe it was his desire to control the uncontrollable. Whatever it was, Oberon snapped and hit Shadowstar square in the jaw. Her neck snapped in one direction... She turned her eyes slowly back to Oberon’s cruel face. Her fangs glistened off of the moonlight. Her hate for Oberon was prevailing quickly.

“You never felt pain before because of your stupid powers,” he snarled, “You don’t have them to shield you anymore.”

“You’d never know anything that I have felt so don’t pretend like you do,” Shadowstar roared.

Goliath instantly attacked Oberon for his hit on Shadowstar but was thrown back by Oberon’s powerful force. Shadowstar slashed Oberon’s blue face with her claw and knocked him from his feet with her tail.

“Don’t forget my might,” Shadowstar hollered.

Goliath sat himself up resting on his hands. Shadowstar walked over to him and bent down to meet his eyes. She kissed him gently on the forehead as he pulled her into his arms. His face rested on her heart as he wished for her safe return. Shadowstar rested her face on his sleek black hair and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and broke his hold knowing that she must leave now.

“I must go, but I promise my speedy return,” Shadowstar whispered.

Telekinetic power swelled around her as she levitated down the hallway. Goliath watched as his love trickled away into the shadows. His heart grew heavy with the dawning of her absence, but he knew that he must go on and wait for his heart to return.

“Puck, I hate your choice in company,” Oberon replied.

“She seemed to liven things up a bit,” Puck grinned, “Party at Shadowstar’s. BYOW. Bring Your Own Weapons.”

“And how could you love such an arrogant one?” Oberon questioned Goliath.

“Some might ask Titania that of you,” Goliath growled and turned his back to Oberon.

“I did not dismiss you,” Oberon replied.

“But I did,” Goliath said continuing down the hallway clearly defying any reign Oberon had.

CHAPTER 2: The Game Has Only Just Begun

A new spirit had returned in Angela. The glorious air and glistening moon rushed through her veins. Avalon was in her blood always, and just now, was it rejuvenated again. Every flower that crossed her path brought back a familiar fragrance of home.

“Long time, no see, Angela,” a familiar faerie voice called to her.

Angela stopped her trek through the wood and let a grin stretch from ear to ear. Her eyes focused around the trees and saw nobody. She laughed to herself and recalled a childhood game. She leapt to the branch above her and latched onto a faerie shoe. The wild eyed Flicker looked down at her. His auburn hair swayed down in front of his face.

“Close, but you’ve lost your touch,” Flicker replied disappearing in a blinding light.

“So I have,” Angela said jumping down from the tree.

“Fire in the hole!” He yelled.

She ducked immediately anticipated his next move. A pie flew right above her head. Her tail whipped around and knocked Flicker off his feet onto the ground and knocked Flicker off his feet. He laughed as Angela helped him back up.

“We’ve missed you, Angela!” Flicker said wrapping his arms around Angela in a massive hug.

“And I’ve missed everybody here,” she replied joyously, “How are the gargoyles?”

“What? You haven’t seen your Clan yet?” He questioned.

“I just got here,” Angela told him.

“I was going to greet you, but you all so rudely teleported to the castle,” he joked.

“Well forgive my errors.”

“You know, I might just be forced to... Who was the other gargoyle with you? She’s... different...” Flicker stated.

“She’s Shadowstar.”

“Isn’t that a contradiction... a point of light in the darkness.”

“She saved our lives.”

“Oh, Her! She’s the one that Oberon wants to gut and hang on a line to dry!”

“Flicker!”

“I’m sure she’s a very nice gargoyle... who has the potential to whip my butt to infinity and back, but a nice one nonetheless... Enough about that. Let’s go see your clan!”

“Let’s!”

Flicker took Angela by the arm and flew at alarming rates through the trees. She always trusted Flicker, but this time, she was highly worried for her safety.

“Captain, we’re giving the engines all the power we can. Anymore and life support systems will fail,” Flicker chanted in a Scottish accent.

“Just don’t kill me,” Angela replied.

His faery body twisted through the trees with much ease and agility. Flicker knew these trees like the back of his hand. He could close his eyes and time each turn through the wood. Suddenly, Flicker hit something unexpectedly. He rolled on the ground and held his forehead in pain.

“Flicker??” Angela exclaimed rolling on to the ground.

“We’ve been hit, Captain! Shields are down! We’ve must abort the mission!” Flicker said weakly and in pain, “I feel like I hit a tree... but it wasn’t there last week!”

His head throbbed... His eyes couldn’t focus on the brown soil that he gripped with his hands... He was struck, but by what?

Angela pulled herself up from the ground and looked at who stood above them. Medusa’s head stared down at Angela from the breast plate of the armor clad warrior. A sword was at her one side, a spear in her hand, and a flowing cape tailed down her back. The trees seemed to bow at her presence. She was not of mortals but of gods.

“My apologies, faerie,” She replied with a hint of superiority in her voice.

“You- you- exist,” Angela stammered.

Flicker rubbed his eyes with his hands. He blinked several times and started taking in the light and images around him. He reached for the outstretched hand of the warrior in front of him. He stumbled on his feet as Angela grabbed hold of him to keep Flicker on his feet.

“Warn me next time your going to do something like that...” He said pushing away a nagging headache.

“Pallus Athena.. I thought your kind was only of myth,” Angela replied.

“Not myth, Angela, memory. Only two of us remain in a living plane. The rest are the souls and shadows of Hades’ domain.”

“Woah! Wait! I’m supposed to believe that you are a goddess?!” Flicker exclaimed.

“I expected that from you because you all believe that there were no faeries alive before any of you existed.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This does not matter. I need to find Oberon!” Athena exclaimed.

Angela sighed knowing that her birthday was going to be interrupted by some battle or strike. She moved the soil around with her toes and replied softly... “Come on, we’ll take you.”

A frown stretched across her face as she started walking through the forest. She wanted to go see her kind... to see Gabriel and the others. Her heart carried disappointment and nobody cared to truly notice.

“Angela,” Goliath replied coming into the forest.

“Come, father, we must take Athena to Oberon,” Angela replied.

Goliath heard it in her voice. He knew he had to make a change in this situation.

“I’m sure Flicker can take Athena. You and I have things to do.”

“Flicker, would you?” Angela questioned.

“Aye, Captain,” He replied rubbing his head.

“Thank you.”

“It would be my pleasure,” he smirked as he exited the forest.

Angela smiled wit more enthusiasm.

“Come, let us find your clan,” Goliath relied walking along the pathway.

“They are as much yours... you and your brethren did birth us.”

“Ah, the past always seems to prevail,” Goliath replied.

“Do you regret loving Demona?” Angela questioned quietly.

Goliath stopped and looked down at Angela. He could only speak the truth to her, but his heart was torn in many places now that Shadowstar entered his life.

“How could I regret it? If Demona and I would have never happened, I wouldn’t have you, the pride of my life... Demona caused me much pain, Angela, but look where it brought me today. I have you and it opened up my heart to accept Shadowstar into my life,” he told her.

“I love you, father,” Angela said giving Goliath a hug.

“And I, you,” Goliath replied, “Now, come. Let us go to the gargoyles.”

* * *

Flicker walked through the massive double doors cautiously fearing Oberon... everyone did. If Oberon was joyous, they felt it. If he was angry, they ran. Flicker’s eyes fell upon the throne directly in front of him. Oberon rested his head between his hands massaging his temples. His eyes remained closed but he looked up quickly when a presence was detected. His cold face made the room shudder in fear. Flicker noticed a silent Puck sitting against the wall.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, your majesty,” Flicker replied, “But-”

“Lower your voice, Flicker... Shadowstar has given me a headache.”

Flicker rubbed his own forehead and mumbled, “You’re talking about headaches.”

“I was just deciding what to do about Puck...” Oberon mumbled.

“Yes, a little blue bird told me of Shadowstar...” Flicker replied.

“Geez, the walls have ears around here,” Puck replied shaking his head.

“Then maybe you should be more careful,” Oberon told Puck.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t be so arrogant and over bearing!” Puck said back.

“How dare you speak back to me!” Oberon shouted.

A spear buried itself half way between Puck and Oberon. They looked at the silver arrowhead blade that pierced through the floor tiles. Puck’s eyebrows raised in suspicion as he turned to look at Flicker who raised his hands in the ‘I didn’t do it’ stance.

“I didn’t-” Flicker started looking at a displeased Oberon.

“No, I did,” Athena said appearing through the doors.

Puck’s jaw dropped at the sight as Oberon stood up to show his might.

“Sit down, Oberon. I do not fear your wrath as much as others,” Athena told him.

“Athena, you’re not the first that’s done that to him that today,” Puck snickered.

Oberon shot Puck a wicked glance. He turned away whistling as if nothing happened at all.

“Why do you come and see me?” Oberon questioned.

“Because I need your help,” Athena replied walking towards Oberon.

Her metallic boots clicked with every step she took. Her scabbard knocked against the armor making a warrior’s sound. She stopped at the spear nonchalantly and spoke as she pulled it out of the crevice between the tiles.

“You know that my kind are in another plane of existence now after the years of war and jealousy over Avalon,” she replied jerking her arm back with spear intact.

“Yes,” Oberon replied looking at her mighty biceps never forgetting the might Zeus tended to throw around.

“So I must count on and rely on other immortals to help me for my brother Apollo and myself never took sides in war... you recall the love that one of your children had with him,” Athena said speaking of a hidden past.

“Who?” Puck questioned.

“I don’t know who she’s referring to... What’s your trouble Athena? Is the lack of faith in the Greek ‘gods’ consuming you?”

“Hey! We took what we were given, and we were given praise and sonnets... what some of the gods did with this praise is none of my business... You would have gladly accepted it if it were given to you! So do not place yourself above me ever!” Athena said raising her voice.

“But the difference between you and me is the fact that I played it smart. I still have my kingdom,” Oberon shot back.

“And a Shakespearean play,” Puck remarked looking at Flicker, “Do you think that the myths are true?”

“There were no faes before us. What she says is a hoax,” Flicker whispered.

Puck shrugged off Athena’s words to watch the almost humorous verbal battle.

“All of your kind is dead... you became too powerful. Look at your stronghold of power! When they stopped worshiping you, you lost all your power... because you had no more will to use it. You were a farce, Athena. You and your kind were no gods, just immortals who took the hearts of the Greeks and swept Europe... and played with the Fates and the Furies. And now, they only think of you as myths of the way things began...” Oberon counter reacted.

“At least we were known at one time, Oberon. You and your island here is so secretive... it’s only mentioned in the Morte d’Arthur and that stupid play. Avalon is unknown.”

“And that’s fine because we won’t be finding our fates in Hades.”

“You fool! You are a selfish fool! You won’t help me because you fear death. You fear that the very vampires who killed my people will come kill you! An immortal die? My people died at the hands of the immortals because they were greedy and corrupted... Only the smart ones survived, and that’s me. And you of all people should talk about corrupt power. You should know it well...”

“You’re words contradict themselves. Then again, that is another trait of the gods. You can’t trust their word. I’m starting to hate you, Athena. I refuse to help you... find your aid somewhere else.”

“But, dad! Help her!” Puck whined.

“My word is final!” Oberon shouted.

“You don’t even know what she wants!” Puck argued.

“Silence!” Oberon shouted as his voice echoed through the halls.

Puck started to open his mouth to speak. Flicker gave Puck a look telling Puck to shut his mouth before something terrible to happened. Puck thought for a second and then spoke.

“No...” Puck growled.

Oberon didn’t have to think to release his rage. Mystical power threw Puck into the wall limply, and Puck weakly fell to the floor with no sign of movement. Athena withdrew her sword to challenge Oberon as Flicker prepared to use his color whip that was coiled around his purple belt. Normally, he would fear Oberon’s might, but Puck was his friend... almost a brother. Oberon was out of control, and Flicker felt it in his colorful blood. Athena saw it to for she dealt with Oberon and people like him for centuries. Athena raised her hand to Flicker to stop his battle stance.

“Stand down, Flicker. This is not your battle, nor is it Puck’s,” Athena replied.

“But-” Flicker started.

“Do not do something you will regret.”

Flicker withdrew his weapon reluctantly and rushed to Puck’s aid. Puck sat up and blinked several times... He smiled in his usual fashion.

“Flick, buddy, which one are you?”

The blurred images soon became on whole Flicker.

“All better,” Puck replied. Oberon seemed to grow in size wanting to stare down the warrior Athena. She did not have the power to stand above Oberon, but her Grecian eyes were enough force to drill him in the floor. Athena did not know fear, and Oberon was not going to make her know it.

“You waste your time,” She replied.

“You waste yours by standing in my presence.”

“I will not leave without your help.”

“Then you will be waiting for an eternity.”

“Will I?” She questioned provoking Oberon.

“Get out of Avalon!” Oberon screamed tired of the taunting of Athena.

“Make me!” She sneered.

Puck looked at Flicker with almost a hint of fear. Flicker carried the same expression on his faerie face.

“Uh, oh,” they said simultaneously surely knowing what would happen next.

“Then I will,” Oberon replied with his eyes burning ferocious power.

CHAPTER 3: War Zone

Angela saw Gabriel for the first time in what felt like forever. His eyes widened and a smile stretched across his face as he saw a familiar face peer behind the trees.

“Angela!” He exclaimed.

“Gabriel!” She said returning his joy.

They embraced each other in a massive hug and began to speak to each other very quickly about things as children tended to do. Goliath smiled and leaned against a tree as he recalled his younger days.. Then again, he really wasn’t that old. The stone sleep that lasted 1000 years just made him feel that way. He wondered if he was like that when he was a teenage... he was young, carefree... was given leadership and in love. If only he knew then what he knew now. Goliath quickly dismissed the thought thinking of Angela.

“Would I really give up Angela and possibly my love for Shadowstar to have Demona cleared from my memory? I can’t have both... The past made me the gargoyle I am... Yet why does it tear at me so much? Am I questioning now where my heart belongs? It belongs with Star. She is everything Demona lacked... must I compare good to evil? Shadowstar is my equal yet my opposite... I lose myself in her whenever I touch her skin or smell her hair. My soul loses it’s essence inside the presence of her love. It drowns out all of my will... I believe I love her more than one can love another. When she leaves, I understand fully with my mind, but my heart aches with the missing... Ah, what has love done to me?” Goliath thought while Angela and Gabriel conversed.

“Father?” She questioned.

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“How great things are,” Goliath smiled.

Suddenly, a rapturing noise could be heard all over Avalon. They all looked up at the sky. Stray blasts of light could be seen here and there.

“What?” Gabriel questioned.

“I believe Athena may have stuck a nerve with Oberon,” Goliath replied.

“I’m going to see if the others are okay,” Gabriel said as the earth shook again.

“I’m going to go see if I can stop this,” Goliath replied.

“I’ll go with you,” Angela said to Goliath.

“Be careful,” Gabriel told her.

“You too,” Angela replied.

Gabriel quickly scampered off in the opposite direction.

“What a way to celebrate a birthday,” Angela replied.

“Ah, but aren’t we always in some form of adventure,” Goliath replied as they took off near the quakes.

“Yea, I guess so.”

* * *

Puck and Flicker teleported out of the castle hoping to stop this potentially devastating battle. Flicker stepped onto the ground as another quake hit. The soil lurched in all directions as Flicker lost his balance and toppled over. Puck pulled Flicker up from the ground to levitate.

“Imagine what this is doing to other faes,” Flicker replied.

“We have to get them to safety,” Puck stated.

“But where’s safety? All of Avalon is effected.”

“I swear, Oberon is so selfish!” Puck screamed.

“He’s a two year old that won’t share his toys! I can’t believe he’s my father!” Puck muttered angrily, “Be glad he’s not your father.”

“Puck, I’ve never seen you so... rebellious,” Flicker replied.

“The ‘real’ world does things to ya.”

Goliath and Angela cleared the thicket as Flicker and Puck started past them. A stray blast just cleared Goliath’s head and split right between Puck and Flicker tearing a hole through Flicker’s green cape.

“I just got that cleaned!” Flicker shouted.

“Goliath, you are I are going to stop this, now! Angela and Flicker, you make sure the other faes are okay. I have a feeling mom is with them... Let’s go before Avalon looks like a war zone,” Puck commanded.

“Aye, capitan,” Flicker said in a Spanish accent.

Nobody needed to argue with Puck. It was rare that he lost his comical ways, but when he did, they knew Puck meant business. After all, who wants to end up a potted plant or a dish of Jello these days?

“Be careful,” Angela told Goliath.

“You too,” He muttered as he ran off in the direction of the battle.

* * *

Athena held up her shield to deflect a blue green blast from Oberon. It ricocheted into the clearing around them. The pond sizzled in reaction to the striking. She truck the ground with all her might. It ruptured throwing Oberon and much of Avalon off balance.

“You destroy more of Avalon every time you strike me. Does this place mean so little to you?” Athena questioned leaping from Oberon’s counter attack.

“I will do anything to get you off of my island.”

“Then we are at a deadlock,” Athena replied throwing her spear missing Oberon slightly.

* * *

Darkness.

Nothing more, nothing less. Just complete darkness. That’s all this beast has known since the dawning of his life, the dawning of the war of Olympus and Avalon... the beginning of the god’s jealousy. His eyes opened to see nothing around him... his slumber was disturbed by a great splitting of the earth.

“It begins, doesn’t it?” His rough demon voice question the Oracle.

Bluish light started to filter through the room... Darkness no more. The beast could finally see in a place that was eternally midnight.

The Oracle’s words filtered through his mind. It sent chills through his spine for words have not been spoken to him for thousands of years.

The blue light swirled together to give light to a lovely maid. Her robes were long and flowing. Her left eye burned light blue. She looked extremely angelic with the surrounding light, but Hades bound her to this demon as punishment. She became light in the darkness... and lived in fear of the evil.

“Speak to me Oracle.”

She spoke few words but the truth of Apollo.

“You will arise to the earth to feed with mystical power when Avalon’s keeper became selfish to the land... and a god battles at him and along his side...” she trailed off with the pain of her words and tremored with the quaking walls.

“Yes,” he replied.

“It now begins. Be unleashed to show your fury,” She replied, “And may the gods left for good, protect Avalon...” she whispered.

A trembling roar shook the earth as the hell beast released his call of rage.

“What?” Athena questioned as she tripped in the shock.

“It wasn’t me,” Oberon said.

A tremendous growl filtered once again as the ground seemed to split apart. Goliath barreled out into the clearing while a chunk of ground disappeared. Athena grabbed his arm to stop him from plummeting to death. Puck entered the clearing and stared at Oberon.

“Now you’ve done it! You woke him up!” Puck shouted.

“Who?”

“Didn’t mom tell you anything! You woke the hell beast... Hellfury is going to take over Avalon for the gods! The battle never ends!” Puck screamed.

“Everyone! Get to the faes!” Oberon commanded with concern flowing in his blood.

* * *

“What was that?” Flicker questioned staring wide-eyed at Titania.

“No.... No... Flicker we have to get out of here,” Titania said in complete anxiety.

“Why?” Angela questioned helping an injured fae.

The rock fell out from under Flicker’s feet as another rumble broke the earth. No faerie on Avalon completely knew fear, but it come naturally at this time to possess. The tried to scatter in every direction, but no sooner did a hand stretch out from the ground and grabbed a pale faced faerie. Flicker recognized her instantly as the crescent moon marking on her collar bone flashed past him with the force of the pull. He reacted as Allison screamed for help.

“Titania!” She screamed stretching out her hand in hopes to be saved.

“Allison!” Flicker shouted diving for her hands.

Allison’s essence seemed to dissolve into the darkness that clouded the hell beast’s hand. Her dazzling blue eyes cried for the aid of the others and the aid of her love, Gabriel. Flicker grabbed her hand but only to be captured by another forming appendage of the beast.

“Flicker!” Angela screamed trying to reach for their hands.

Allison’s blonde hair waved madly as her powers blew out of control. Her plasmic energy was absorbed into the hell beast and the stronger the hell beast grew. It seemed to feed from the faerie power instead of inhibiting him. Nonetheless, they all panicked because they knew they had to escape.

“I will not die!” Allison shouted as she and Flicker were consumed into the ground.

“No! Help, somebody!” Angela screamed as a claw stretched around Titania.

Angela tore at the shadow like figure as Titania released her own rage of power. Nothing resulted of Angela’s pleads and cries. Titania and the other faeries were dragged through the cracked and quaking earth. Angela wrapped her talons around Titania's blue hand trying to pull her to the surface. Oberon rushed to the sight as Titania became completely consumed by the earth. The screams no longer echoed from the ground... Silence.

Angela clung to the ground as if she couldn’t accept what had happened.

“How could I let them slip away? They’re all gone..” Angela sobbed with tears falling into her weak talons.

Goliath and Athena entered shortly after the dumbstruck Oberon. He collapsed to his knees speechless and hurting. His eyes grew glassy as he looked to the sun.

“Why? Not my children... my wife.. my land... How can this hell beast be stopped? For the sake of Avalon, How?” Oberon question with agony piercing his soul.

He looked behind himself suddenly coming to a startling conclusion. His voice cracked with pain for what he had done.

“Where’s Puck?” he questioned.

“I thought he was with you,” Goliath answered.

Oberon placed his face between his hands wanting desperately to wake up realizing it was a dream. He groaned at the thought of what he had done to his land, his children. Echoes of the past ran through his mind and could not be stopped. Oberon found himself regretting everything that he had done from the very beginning.

“He has Puck, too,” Oberon replied quietly.

With those words, Angela fell more into grief for the loss they all received this day.

“I thought I could save them... all of them... Flicker, Allison... Titania. I wish Shadowstar was here. Her power is-” Angela started.

“Something we take for granted. Angela, her power is far more vast than we can imagine, but we cannot rely on it... neither can she. She no longer has the Kindred to back her might,” Goliath replied.

“But-”

“Yes, this may not have occurred, but we must deal with the options we are given. We can let them die at the mercy of Hellfury, or we can fight and save the lives of our friends,” Goliath told them.

“Then we will fight,” Angela answered.

“Going down?” Athena questioned tossing the point of her spear in the ruptured land.

Her eyes grazed the cracked rock and her body knelt down and touched the soil. After letting pieces of the rock and land run through her fingers, Athena looked up to the four with a very god like face.

“Hold on,” she replied quickly pulling her spear from the crevice.

Power flashed through her eyes as the spear was raised high above her head. She brought down the spear with a mighty blow. The ground began to quake and tear into two. Oberon toppled to the ground with the force of the tremor. Goliath wrapped his massive wings around Angela to shield her from flying debris. Avalon pushed apart far enough for Goliath to glide through it. Athena looked down to estimate her cue. She struck the ground with her shield. The metal vibrated with the shock of the land, and once more, there was silence.

“This elevator has one direction, down,” Athena smiled looking up at her company.

CHAPTER 4: Shadows of the Past

“You would help me?” Oberon questioned in much surprise.

“I helped cause it so I must help fix it,” Athena replied.

Goliath stood up with a dutiful look on his face.

“Angela, take Athena to the bottom... I should leave now, Oberon, and let you lay in the bed you made... let me warn you this: If my friends do not come out alive, the price is on your head,” Goliath growled.

“You and what army? Oh, Shadowstar? One punch and she’s down.”

“Enough!” Angela screamed, “We are going, now!” Athena wrapped her arms around Angela’s neck as the gargoyle dove head first into the vast darkness. Goliath growled at Oberon and grabbed him from the shoulders diving in.

“Don’t hurt me,” Oberon said as his foot grazed a rock.

“That should be the least of your concerns,” Goliath replied narrowly missing a stalagmite.

“You love this Shadowstar, don’t you?” Oberon questioned out of nowhere.

“I would give my life for her happiness.”

“That is not love... love is losing your entire essence in somebody...”

“You telling me about love?”

“Goliath, I’ve been around long enough to know it.”

“Don’t talk to me of love. When you begin to appreciate this land and your children, then you can talk to me of love... and what I feel of Shadowstar is not your concern.”

Oberon fell silent not knowing what to say to Goliath. Deep within the pit of his soul, Oberon knew he had wronged many, but the arrogance of power blinded him as it does to many. Yet, the corruption was such a strong force that he passed the truth of Goliath’s words by as if they meant nothing.

“When will this darkness end?” Oberon question.

“There is no light in a tunnel of darkness,” Goliath commented. “Ah yes, there is... Amidst the midnight sky, out of the darkness shines the smallest light from eons away... burning brightly, etching itself into our eyes...”

“Star...” Goliath replied softly.

“She is your light.”

“Now and forever.”

Goliath fell silent this time with the ultimate surprise of Oberon’s profound words. And indefinably, Goliath knew that Oberon was right.

“The bottom is near,” Goliath grumbled.

Oberon released himself from Goliath’s grip and jumped to the warm dirt of the lower caverns. His left knees stuck the ground while he lessened the shock of the landing. He looked up to see a lavender mass glide over him and land in the soil.

“Next time you do that, be sure to give me enough clearance room,” Goliath replied.

“What do we do now?” Athena questioned.

No sooner than that, a crackling noise seeped through the darkness. Athena looked quite surprised with the noise never having been around gargoyles. Oberon just sighed when he heard the sound.

“I hate when they do that,” Oberon replied flicking his fingers off of pure stone.

“Prefect timing,” Athena said with sarcasm filling her voice.

“No sense sitting in the dark.”

Oberon created a small blue flame out of his mystical fingers. The small light swam along the walls hinting and highlighting each contour of the cavern. The dark walls brought phobia along with mystery to the eye of the beholder. Oberon walked to the walls and placed his hands on the stone to feel the power and energy of Avalon radiating from it. His eyes softened as the flame flickered in his round pupils.

“What have I done to my kingdom?” his voice quaked softly.

“No time, we must... spy... find what we’re up against before we go into battle,” Athena ordered in the voice of a general.

“A hell beast has no form. He can be whatever he wants... and my power is useless against him. He feeds on it like he feed on that of my children,” Oberon sated very discouraged.

“Then don’t aim it at him, Oberon. Aim it around him at objects and things.”

“Much like with Shadowstar,” Oberon thought.

“Why do you think I struck the ground against you? My power cannot overshadow yours.”

“You Olympians are an intelligent kind.”

“Why do you think the Ancient Greeks are one of the most well known and established civilizations? Wisdom... is my gift to Athens.”

Athena moved herself through the cavern with Oberon trailing behind. They were a needle in a haystack of caverns. Oberon’s fingers slid along the wall feeling and absorbing the energy. Athena hit a turn, but Oberon stopped her.

“No, the power grows stronger this way,” Oberon replied leading the way.

The light slowly filtered through the dank caverns as Oberon held out his arm to stop Athena. They slowly crept behind a wall of rock to look at the floor below them.

The faeries were held in iron cages. Their feet were shackled to the floors to keep them in place. Many looked weary and tired as one by one the energy was being consumed. Flicker’s head rested against the iron bars ash he wearily tried to make his color whip work. Puck comforted Allison through the bars of his cage while Titania taunted and pleaded with Hellfury.

Hellfury now took a human from. He was like a dark price torn with evil and corrupted with deceit. The black cape wrapped his every motion as further proof of the demonic ways... he was in every way a beast spurned from hell to ravage the land. Hades, himself, could have only brought forth such a creature, and Hades did.

“Do not defy me, Oracle!” Hellfury yelled pulling the chains that forever bound her to be with him.

“I have told you all I know. Delphi told me no more!” The faerie screamed in anger.

Oracle’s light of hope and truth seemed to dissolve around her for the evil of the beast tore at it. Her navy blue hair fell across her face as she his the ground from the force. Her eyes wept for a release from her abyss of punishment.

Oberon’s eyes swelled up with tears as he recognized the faerie to be one of his own.

“You recognize the one you thought you had lost,” Athena confirmed.

“She’s one of my daughters we lost to Hades in war. She must be in hell to be bound with this beast prophecizing Avalon’s collapse... She was too powerful. Yet, she could not have hoped to beat the gods in battle. It was beyond my control. What the Olympians want, they get.”

“I know the lost of your first children hurt you greatly... And the children?” Athena question.

“Their memories were wiped. There’s only two on Avalon... the others were lost.... Shhh... he will here,” Oberon said weeping in his soul.

He stood above her detesting all good that she ever produced. Hellfury’s moods fluctuated as he pleased. He appreciated her when he needed her words. Now, he abused her for not pretending she was something she’s not. She was not an oracle, a precognate. Oracle was just fed with information from Apollo’s oracles. She can’t lie, but she could learn to save herself.

“What do you want me to tell you?” she challenged pulling herself up from the ground.

“I want you to tell the future Oracle! Like you have before!” Hellfury screamed.

Titania closed her eyes for she knew the truth of this ‘Oracle.’ The memories of which saddened her to death for now all the truth is going to come out whether or not the children were ready to hear it.

“She is a child of Oberon... left powerless with the iron chains of this hell beast,” Titania thought, “If only she did not challenge Hades into war. Avalon never shook that hard since... Rhayna only wanted to save the life of a fallen brother... I cannot believe Hades and Zeus would bring her to this punishment. Her arrogance is gone... she is confused, scared, alone and in pain... Oberon, save us.”

Hellfury once more grabbed the chain that linked around Oracle’s neck. She gasped for breath as he looked down in her in rage.

“I am a faery! Not an Oracle!” she screamed with all her might.

Puck and the others looked up with these words. None of them remembered her, but some know the tales of the first of Oberon’s children... triplets, but punished away. Those were just myths.

“Are the tales true?” Allison questioned Puck.

“The first children... Mom told me once... one was killed. One defied and waged war on Hades. One attempted to take the life of Hades. All three were banned to punishment... Nah, those have to be myths. It can’t be true,” Puck said in half denial and half amazement.

“I don’t care what you are!” he said slapping her face.

Flicker tore to the front of the cage wanted to strike Hellfury more than anything. Flicker may not have been a child of Oberon, but any faery was family to him... and even still, nobody has the right to strike a woman with such abuse... not even Oberon.

“Fine, do you want me to make a prediction? You want to know the truth!”

“Yes,” he snarled.

“Oberon is still out there. He will not allow you to take over Avalon.”

“Times change, Oracle. You know Apollo’s truth.”

“My name is not Oracle.”

“I don’t care, wench... ah, you’re a waste of my time,” he said throwing her aside.

Oracle hit the wall and fell to the ground hard. The shacked and chains speared against her skin and bone. She squirmed in pain as the others could only watch helplessly. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Oberon at the crevice in the ceiling. Her eyes called out to him. Oberon nodded reassuring her survival. Her eyes closed as she slipped into unconsciousness.

“Leave her alone!” Flicker yelled.

“Flicker, I don’t think that’s wise,” Allison told him.

“You have a real way with the ladies,” Puck sneered.

“Oh shut up,” Hellfury told Flicker.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Flicker told.

“No? Well, faery, I have the control here, and I’m telling you to shut up.”

Hellfury focused his hand a Flicker’s cage. He produced an energy beam that started to pull all energy from Flicker. Hellfury became stronger as Flicker fell to the ground in pain and weakness.

“Defy me again.. I can strip you of your faery power instantly. I feed off of Avalon’s power, and when I’m done with all of you, Oberon must bow to me and my command.”

“He never will,” Titania argued.

“Well, Flicker already has. Maybe you’ll be next.”

Athena looked at Oberon who was gripping his fist wanting to pound out the life of the hell beast. Athena motioned for him to leave.

“We can’t fight alone,” Athena replied.

CHAPTER 5: Offensive

The stone skin of the gargoyles shattered and echoed off of the cavern walls. No haste was made to save the faeries. Oberon led the way with Goliath and Angela not questioning.

“We take this guy out. You two must free the faeries from the iron. Athena and I will lure him from the core of Avalon where the power is greater,” Oberon commanded.

“Don’t let him take your power,” Goliath remarked.

“Don’t worry about me,” Oberon answered.

“If you get me close enough to him. I can teleport us... Oberon do not let his energy beams his you. Hellfury will feed off it and drain you... Then our cause is lost,” Athena replied.

Oberon halted their words when they neared the crevice. They only heard the shrill laughter of a demon in disguise. A slight smiled lined the stern face of Oberon. They heard Puck’s comical voice unquenched by the energy drain of the Hall beast. Puck fought to the very end as always.

“Oh please, you really think that once you take over Avalon, you’re gonna have some sort of kingdom?? Ha! The gargoyles would rather die fighting you! They fought the Grand Magus and beat him! You’re nothing, demon spawn!” Puck taunted.

“I am sick of listening to you!” Hellfury hollered draining Puck of more energy.

“Ahhhh... cheaters never win.”

“Nor do the weak. Look at Oracle. She lost.”

Oberon focused on the first of his children. She and her two siblings were the first generation of faeries. Power corrupted their views... They still remain stronger than all of Oberon’s children, but their hearts are more humble and weak.

Triplets they may be; yet, they look nothing alike. They only thing that draws the three together is their essence of power. Together they could over come even Oberon himself, but the loved him so and could never hurt him.

Rhayna was the oldest of the three. Her hair flew navy and eyes glistened a light, electric blue... the influence of power left her left eye constantly burning and glowing power. A crescent marking was born across her collar bone, something that became rare to the second generation Faeries. The few that do have body markings are relations to the first generation faeries and Olympians. Rhayna was the first to go after her brother’s soul in Hades. She could not bare the loss of a brother and would do anything to have him returned. She was the most intelligent and powerful of the three and become most arrogant in her ways.

The second of the trio had amethyst hair and brilliant sapphire eyes. Three red teardrops etched her left cheek bone. Brie was interested in swords and battle, loving a good fight and falling for the god of war himself. She joined the first to restore their brother to life. She attempted to take Hades’ life and was then, punished forever. Her whereabouts are unknown to everybody but those of Olympus.

The youngest was the raven haired Uly. His emerald eyes glistened with a grey line that scrolled down his face like a scar from battle. His power made him curious, and ultimately killed him while experimenting with its extent. His rebellion against Hades condemned him to forever be his servant. He has had his mind and will twisted and probably would never walk with his sisters again.

Oberon learned from these three, and all of his children following would not be born with such a raw power. None of them knew of the existence but folklore. Even the children of Rhayna and Brie do not know who their parents truly are... until this day.

Oberon’s heart cracked as he saw a bloody Rhayna laying helplessly on the floor. Immortality was no use to her now.

“Now!” Oberon said.

The two gargoyles swooped down and knocked the hell beast over. Great tentacles grew from his back and grabbed Goliath’s ankles. Athena pierced the appendage wit her spear and dove into the back of the hell beast. As she grabbed him, he dissolved out of her hands so she could not contain him.

Goliath and Angela started tearing at the iron cages. Hell fury combated them with claws and fangs. His size seemed to increase as the faeries still grew weaker. Oberon pulled up the ground from under Hellfury He rolled to the ground unexpecting the attack.

Athena pounced dodging a spearing arm. She was gone instantly taking the hell beast with her.

“Let’s get the faes out of here. Oberon, you take her,” Goliath said pointing to Rhayna.

Goliath tore off the doors one by one as Angela unchained them. Oberon picked up the weak and broken Rhayna.

“Oh, Rhayna, I’m sorry,” Oberon said after Goliath broke the chains that bound his daughter to hell.

Her eyes remained closed, lost in the world of a catatonic state. Her breathing remained shallow but steady. Oberon’s heart quaked for he was holding his dying child in his arms. Titania pulled herself from the cage that bound her. Wearily, she stumbled over to Oberon and the dying faery child.

“She lives?” Titania questioned.

“Barely. Take Rhayna to the castle, Titania. Call to the gargoyles for help. They are skilled with medicine and such,” Oberon told her.

Titania took her daughter into her arms and made a weak teleport to the upper level.

“Come, faeries, we leave this beast and hope that this beast can be destroyed,” Oberon commanded.

The faeries who still maintained a good amount of energy teleported away to the castle for haven. Angela picked Flicker up, and he weakly wrapped his arms around her neck. She climbed the wall hoping Flicker didn’t let go. Goliath took Allison with him as Oberon helped Puck walk.

* * *

Athena stared closely into the eyes of the demon. She recognized something very familiar about the beast. It had the immortal aura that surrounded the Olympians. Her Greek eyes dug into the beast’s heart until he threw her away with his might.

“Only the Olympian’s could have bore you such power,” She replied slapping him with the flat of her sword.

“I was placed here out of revenge and punishment. The Oracle was given to me to humble her ways eternally.”

“You are one of the Hades’ hounds... How could my brother do this?”

“You cannot kill what is your brothers,” The beast said morphing into a lion.

Athena sheather her sword and picked up her spear. Athena slammed the flat into the collar bone of the charging animal. The point then scrapped against the dark skin of the creature. Hellfury hollered in pain with her actions. He slowly reverted to human form and help his side.

“You dare try to destroy me?!”

“I don't dare! I do!” Athena said sending the arrow head through the air.

Hellfury dodged the projectile but was stopped by the moving earth. Vines and roots weaved their way around the hell beast slowly collapsing his ribs into his lungs. He bought back while the grip tightened around his hellish body.

“Your life now ends... nobody touches my land and steals my children,” Oberon hissed.

“Oberon, let me finish this,” Athena requested.

“No, this is not your fight!”

Athena’s stubbornness was prepared to take over and destroy the Hell beast in seconds. She stopped, though, and let Oberon take charge.

“Take your last breaths,” Oberon shouted in a pitiful gaze.

A small shoot of energy passed through Hellfury’s body. He felt the vines snap against his powered arms. Freedom was his until a sharp pain lurched through his back.

Goliath sent all his weight into the back of Hellfury. He hit the ground in weakness. The four stood around him as a surely dominating opponent.

“I thought you, Goliath, to be a fair fighter,” Hellfury replied.

“And how do you suggest we end this fairly?” Goliath snarled.

A sinister grin etched across the demon’s face as his eyes shot up from the ground. His fingers held the soil tightly in his palms with his anger. The cruel, twisted, psychotic mind churned with his thoughts. He had to play the game to win, and their honor was going to be their pitfall.

“I propose a battle one on one. If I lose, I meet my doom. If I win, you will die,” he sneered.

“This is hardly worth death,” Angela stammered not wanting the challenge to proceed.

“Yes, but do you want honor or not?”

“Then leave the child out of it,” Oberon commanded, “This battle is between you and me. And I will die fighting you for my land.”

“What if I do not choose you?”

“You have no choice,” Oberon answered hoping he did not fail his Avalon.

“So be it,” Hellfury replied with the devil in his eyes.

The creature quickly became a bird and took flight away from them. Athena made no haste to get in Oberon’s face. Her eyes were full of fear and concern for what Oberon was about to do. His eyes narrowed for he already knew her words.

“You don’t have to speak,” he replied.

“But I will,” Athena went on to say, “You don’t know what you’re doing, Oberon. This is one of my brother’s beasts. He can steal your energy before you know it. Hades defeated all three of your children. There is no way you can challenge what his power produced! Let me fight him! I can defeat him!”

“It’s already done.”

“What if you die? What will become of Oberon’s Avalon? What happens to Titania, the faeries, the gargoyles? Can you really find it within yourself to serve the final death blow? Can you serve him oblivion?”

“I will do what I must.”

“Oberon, you’re a fool!”

“Maybe so, but I know that you will avenge Avalon if I die.”

“But-”

“No, I must defeat him once and for all!” Oberon said running towards the grotto.

“Oberon!” Athena called.

She slouched her shoulders in an almost depressed look. Her face grew long and concerned. She may have been a spiteful war monger when she first argued with Oberon, but now, she feared what my happen if Avalon lost Oberon. Pallas Athena, Olympian goddess of war, weaving and wisdom, the almighty... was changing after years of nobility. Maybe losing Zeus and the others taught her humility... No, it taught her to only look at others before herself, but as she and Oberon know well, arrogance blinds.

“Athena, you know you cannot stop him, and if you interfere, you will forfeit the fight,” Goliath replied.

“He can never send my bother’s beast to death.”

“And you could?” Goliath questioned.

“I am Athena, an Olympian. I have grown to serve death where it is dished... I was in Troy, against the Trojans. I slew many for the Greeks. I grew on revenge and hate, and have worked with the furies and fates. I could and would gladly send the best back to Hades by the wrath of my sword... I am an Olympian,” Athena replied.

“But do you like what you do?”

Athena’s flashing eyes softened with Goliath’s remark. Her war built, yet glorious, face grew a gentleness that was hidden away. She gripped her spear tightly between her tightly woven fists. Her body quickly turned away from Goliath’s truth. Metal clashed together as the warrior took flight to the grotto. The scabbard holding her sword clicked rhythmically against her leg as she pushed away from the truth. Athena was always an Olympian at her heart.

“It’s what I must do,” Athena replied running into the forest.

“Their ways will never change,” Goliath replied.

“Father.. I don’t want to see this battle.”

“Nor do I. Angela, go to the castle and see if the Princess and Tom are alright after this. Explain to everybody what had happened. See if everybody is okay.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Angela replied.

“I know.”

* * *

Oberon felt a dark mist try and strangle his throat. The energy began to seep out of his veins. His fingers produced a blue light. Suddenly, he was free as Hellfury collapsed. The ground had filtered away as Oberon dodged the after shock of his own power.

A tentacle stretched out and wrapped itself around Oberon’s ankle tightly. He fell to the ground as Hellfury pulled himself up from the hole. Oberon waved his hand and a bolder crushed the tentacle. His ankle was free so he pulled himself up. A beam of energy shattered the rock and hit a stunned Oberon. He clenched his stomach with his hands for his energy was shocked away.

“You can’t do this!” Oberon screamed.

“Yes, I can.”

“You’d think so,” Athena replied softly from the forest.

A gust of wind turned the leaves of Avalon. The currents took away Athena’s shield. It rolled on its side and scraped against the ground. The brilliant metallic carvings inched through the beam and reflected the power back. Hellfury felt the sharp sting of his own hand and quickly terminated his power. He picked up the shield and hurled it towards the trees. It ricocheted off the trees landing at Goliath’s feet.

“You interfered,” Goliath scolded Athena.

“It was the wind,” she replied picking it up.

The demonic eyes riveted with anger and burning blood narrowed at the insolent goddess. His lips thinned with a villainous grimace. His cloaks swirled around him as he turned into a crow. His wings carried him above the trees nearing Oberon’s pride.

“He’s going to the castle,” Oberon said weakly from the ground.

“Angela’s going there,” Goliath replied.

“Come on,” Athena said taking Goliath’s talon.

She teleported away in a blinding light. Oberon’s eyes took in the flash, and he realized what had just occurred. He placed his blue hand onto a tree and grasped it for support. His knees shook with unsteadiness. His face looked ages and feeble.

“My power is almost gone..” he replied looking at his land, “Avalon, give your king the power to be!”

Oberon’s forehead hit the bark of the tree with weariness. His eyes closed looking for a nonexistent inner power, and Avalon took pity. Glowing white power swirled from the soil. It became loving arms wrapped around a child. It became sturdy, strong, and rejuvenating entering Oberon’s soul and filling his veins with the mystical energy he had lost. The burning eyes opened pouring magic and staring coldly. A smirk stretched across his face as Avalon released it’s arms.

“No more,” Oberon sneered as he was consumed in a blinding flash.

* * *

His wings took the wind and carried him down in front of the traveling gargoyle. Angela stepped back in fear as Hellfury transformed to his humanistic form. He took hold of her arm tightly as she cried in fear.

“I want no part of this war,” Angela replied.

“Athena broke the rules, my dear. Now everybody will pay,” He hissed into her ear.

“Please, let me go.”

“You all knew the rules.”

He dragged the helpless gargoyle to the approaching. Athena and Goliath entered first. Goliath made no haste to attack. He was only stopped when Hellfury produced a knife in front of Angela’s throat.

“Move another step and daughter dearest dies in a blood bath!”

“Angela,” Goliath said helplessly as a tear ran down Angela’s cheek.

“Give me Oberon,” Hellfury said as a blinding light appeared behind him.

Oberon stood over the demon preparing to strike.

“I wouldn’t do that Oberon. The girl will die,” Hellfury replied clearly with the upper hand.

“You have to reduce yourself to assaulting a mere child!” Oberon taunted.

“This doesn’t help your situation,” Hellfury replied pressing the flat of the blade against Angela’s neck.

“Please,” Angela whispered in fear.

“Just leave her alone. Take me,” Goliath pleaded.

“You? Never! Now, take me to the castle, to Oracle, and your throne... and the girl will live,” Hellfury demanded.

“Fine.”

Oberon turned to the castle and saw familiar eyes peering from the bushes. Flicker knew what to do. The warrior in his blood told him. He was one of the best. It was now time for him to call on the mastery of his whip. It was now or never. One shot. Oberon nodded slightly signaling the assault.

Instinctively, Flicker’s arms flung a whip that quickly wrapped itself around Hellfury’s arm. The muscles in Flicker’s arms worked with all their might and forced the beast’s arm back. When the dagger released it’s hold, Oberon used his power to steal it away. Angela punched her captor and used the opportunity to flee. Goliath put his rage and might in his actions and knocked Hellfury to the ground. Oberon’s eyes caught the glare of an unsheathed sword.

“Athena!” he shouted with his words too late.

She raised the blazing metal above her head with Olympian fury. Her armor glowed with the rage and hidden doom of the gods. Swiftly, her sword hurled to the ground and the beast struggled no more. Angela turned away as the others lowered their eyes. Her hands dropped the blood stained sword as she viewed what she had done with her own hands. Her face became weak and worn and not that of a goddess at all. She watched the beast dissolve back into the earth from which it had come.

Slowly, the dust began to spin like a spindle and come together as a human like god. His black cape rippled with the wind and his eyes cast a harsh glare down to Athena.

“Daughter of my brother... you killed my creature,” Hades replied to her.

“I did what I must do,” she replied softly, hating every ounce of her being.

“You betrayed me! This was punishment!”

“Hades, we no longer rule this land. Rhayna served and learned... we no longer have any say.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“In your underworld, but not here.”

“Never set foot in Tartarus again! Cerberus will be instructed to kill you at all costs!”

“Is that the road we must travel once more, brother Olympian.”

“I am not your brother, but your uncle. We may have seen ourselves as siblings once, but no more! I am your elder, and I condemn you.”

“So be it.”

Hades vanished as quickly as he arrived. Athena looked away from them in shame and sorrow. A warrior goddess, she was no longer. The Olympians no longer existed as the once did. Pallas Athena was alone in a world of immortals... and could never ask for Oberon’s help again.

“I no longer ask for you help, Oberon. I will leave Avalon... I have spoiled its pureness with Olympian lust for blood,” Athena replied slowly picking up her sword as the hell beast dissolved into the earth.

“No, stay. You have helped me find one of my lost children,” Oberon told her with much kindness.

“By defying my uncle.”

“By goodness, Athena,” Goliath answered.

“I think you for your kindness, but I can’t stay if I wanted to. I have a castle of my own to protect.”

“Will we be seeing you again” Goliath questioned.

“Count on it...” Athena said teleporting away from the isle.

“She even exits like the gods,” Oberon replied.

CHAPTER 6: Revalations

Oberon sat on his throne with a gathering of faeries and gargoyles around he and his wife. Goliath and Angela were sitting off to the side of the throne as honored guests. Titania proudly sat to his right hand with much to rejoice. This was a joyous time for all on Avalon, one of their own had returned.

The myths have once more proved themselves to be true. The lost three were nothing but a tale for so long. Nobody could believe it to be truth even when Athena of wisdom spoke the words. Every time the myth was spoken of or joked of, Titania became pained with the loss of her child. Now, the silent pain is now coming to a close.

“I want to present to all of you, my children, one of your own. She is the first of the premeire generation of faeries. Hades condemned her to hell, but hell humbled her arrogance just as the humans humbled you all. Rhayna, the eldest of my kin, come and meet your family,” Oberon echoed joyously.

Titania watched with a smile as her daughter stepped through the throne room doors from the first time in almost an eternity. Her body was frail and week from the abuse of the hell beast, but her face had strength and majesty stitched along the lines. Sapphire hair trailed down her back and caressed her every move. Black streaks (common between the girls) hung in front of her face and shoulders in royalty. The left eye spurned a light blue energy that made her a symbol of power. Amethyst robes trailed behind her as a pale, grey bodice and skirt clung to her like every eye in the room.

Her light steps took her past Allison and Gabriel’s side. Allison’s aqua eyes were drawn to the collar bone of this Rhayna. The black crescent moon resemble her own. Allison’s forehead creased as she drew her own conclusion.

“Gabriel,” Allison whispered.

“I noticed,” he said back.

Titania embraced her daughter in joy for Rhayna’s return. Rhayna looked at her father who she felt, for so long, betrayed her and her siblings.

“I’m sorry, my child,” he replied once more.

“Father, it was my arrogance that doomed us triplets. You could not battle the gods for you would have lost as well... I don’t know whether to come here in shame or joy...”

“Joy, my child, joy.”

“Father, just tell me where my children are... I haven’t seen them in such a long time,” Rhayna whispered.

“Rhayna, you were with child when Hades banished you?” Titania started to question.

Rhayna’s eyes lowered as tears welt up in her eyes. Her hands wrapped around the womb that once held a child. Titania took Rhayna into her arms to comfort the young one.

“Apollo took the child away from me for all infinity. I have never seen the boy again.”

“I only know of one of your children... we lost track of the gargoyle child ages ago,” Titania comforted while speaking the truth.

“Where is the first? Where is Apollo and my Sun?” Rhayna questioned.

Oberon looked around the room for the meek face of a girl. He caught her eye and smiled.

“She’s taken a fondness to gargoyles like her mother,” Oberon thought.

“Allison, come forward,” he commanded.

The eyes of a child looked forward in almost question. Gabriel put his had on Allison’s sturdy shoulders to build confidence. She pushed her way through the crowd of elders. Her every movement questioned what was to come. Her thin fingers pushed the flowing blonde locks from her pale face. A snowy cape trailed behind her like a demi-god approaching Zeus. The collar line of her green tunic fell right below her matching crescent marking.

“Angela, she’s much like you were when I first met you,” Goliath whispered.

“A child, finally finding their long lost parent,” Angela said.

Puck snickered and looked at Flicker who was seated on the opposite side of the window sill.

“You know, she remains so innocent that you can never think of her as our elder,” Puck smirked.

“Hell, she’s a demi-god... that is so unfair!” Flicker whined.

“Well, at least we’re immortal.”

“Heh, bonus.”

“Allison,” Oberon started with a smile, “Meet your mother.”

Tears welt up in the eyes of the beautiful mother. Rhayna didn’t know whether Allison was going to hate her for the abandonment or welcome her home. When Allison smiled and stepped towards her mother in a hug, the salt tears rolled down her face in love and joy.

“I am so so sorry it happened like this,” Rhayna cried.

“It’s not your fault,” Allison told her.

“No, it’s mine,” Oberon spoke up, “I have nothing but remorse for not telling you and the others who your parents are. We were afraid that you would avenge their name... Avalon could not afford another war with Hades and the Olympians.”

“I understand,” Allison told him softly.

“I never realized how much you look like your father,” Rhayna replied realizing that Allison never knew her father, either, “You’re a demi-god, Allison... Apollo loved you very much so.”

“But he’s with the other gods now...”

“Sadly enough,” Rhayna replied half hating the man.

“But today, we rejoice for the family has been reunited!” Oberon exclaimed.

The sound of applause echoed through the hallway. Oberon stood from his throne and looked at his loyal subjects and children.

“Come, to the dining hall. Let the festivities begin!”

CHAPTER 7: Things to Come

Angela and Flicker watched the closing night. They spoke fondly on the memories of their childhood. Goliath stood in the doorway smiling gently at the laughter of old friends.

“Angela,” Goliath replied.

She stopped in the middle of her laughter nodding in understanding.

“It’s time for us to leave,” Angela told Flicker.

“Awwwww.. I’m gonna miss you,” Flicker whined.

“You know I’ll be back,” She comforted.

“And I look forward to the day that you do,” Flicker told her.

“Goodbye my friend,” Angela said exiting the balcony.

Flicker sighed and slouched his shoulders sadly. He sat on the wall staring out to the horizon. Angela was more than a sister to him, and he always hated to see her depart for Flicker was one of the few who always remained around Avalon even when Oberon pushed his children away from this place.

“Yea, goodbye, my friend,” he whispered.

A set of faery footsteps interrupted the deafening silence. Flicker turned around to recognize their host. His eyes caught the pouring blue energy from the eye of company. He smiled slightly in respect and hope for a friendship.

“You seem sad,” Rhayna replied softly.

“Your observant, too.”

“No need to be cold.”

“I guess I’m just feeling a little sorry for myself.”

“We all do that, but why is the question,” Rhayna stated.

“Angela is reunited with her father. Allison finally know you and you and your parents... I guess I just wish I had something, even a myth, to lead me to all my answers. Heh, I just have a freaky mirror experiment.”

Rhayna put her arms around Flicker as a friend and confident. She had known him briefly but felt a certain attachment to him. She saw him as she saw Allison, alone and emotional. For all the trouble she’s caused, she felt that she owed Avalon something more. She owed it to everyone including herself.

“I wish I had some magical answer, Flicker, but I don’t. Nobody ever does. You just have keep going,” Rhayna replied.

“Isn’t that how it’s always done,” he sighed.

“I lived with a demon for centuries... I lived with fear of death with nothing but a prophecy from Delphi protecting me. We must find something within ourselves, a glimmer of hope.”

“Yea, a flicker of light.”

“Yea,” Rhayna agreed laughing slightly.

Rhayna stepped back and leaned against the wall. Flicker watched the three departing figures from below. Angela looked behind her and smiled up to Flicker. He waved to his departing childhood friend. A sinking feeling in his heart knew that Angela’s returns would be less frequent for she has her family now.

“Be happy for her.”

“Oh, I am,” Flicker replied, “I am.”

* * *

Oberon watched the visitors exit the castle gates. He wished dearly that they would stay, but Puck had a job to do, a job he had assigned Puck to do.

“Please return,” Oberon called after them.

“With or without Shadowstar?” Puck joked.

“I’m indifferent on that one.”

“All the better,” Puck said.

Puck raised his arms and released a brilliant light through the air. instantaneously, the travelers departed from Avalon as quickly as they had arrived.

“Why do the gargoyles always end up teaching me something new? Live and learn, I suppose... live and learn,” Oberon trailed off entering his castle once more.

***

A blinding flash brought back the three travelers to their Wyvern home. The Clan rejoiced in the return of their brothers. Lexington gave a questioning look to the fact that somebody was missing.

“Where’s Shadow?” Lexington questioned.

“She’s been called away,” Goliath replied.

“Do you miss her?” Lex inquired once more.

“As much as one missed a loved on who has gone away,” Goliath replied jumping to his turret.

The sun hit the gargoyles’ faces one by one. Their skin turned t solid stone, cold and grey. Goliath’s hear longer for his love as Angela longed for her ‘mother’. But the day would be long and her return would be near. Now, it was time to rest.

“Good day, my friends. Sleep well,” Puck said as he spun in a spindle to manifest Owen.

Owen looked up to the sunlight and put his glasses in place. His hands fixed his tie and pulled down his suit jacket to fit. His dress was now proper.

“Goliath, you hope for her return as much as I. You seem not to be the only one that cares for her as well,” Owen commented, “But I have a feeling you know the day will come when her power drowns out with the lack of Kindred support. And when that comes, she will have to leave you. Be prepared, Goliath.”

The door creaked behind him and footsteps soon followed. A hand was placed on Owen’s shoulder. Owen turned slightly to recognize it’s holder.

“Hello, Mr. Xanatos,” Owen greeted.

“It took you long enough to return. How’s Avalon?” Xanatos questioned.

“It’s a very long story.”

“It must wait for later, then. We have much business to attend to today.”

“Then let’s get started.”

“Let’s,” Xanatos agreed as they headed towards the door.

Owen left the gargoyles putting behind him his adventures as Puck; yet, in the pit of his heart, he knew that something very large was beginning on Avalon. The gods are now divided, and when that happens, war always follows... a war that Avalon could lose.

* * *

Rhayna’s feet touched the sand and let the feeling sink in. Captivity prevented the slightest and silliest sensations. This was freedom to her. The sea breeze swept across her face and rippled her hair through the air. Her hands curled up in a fist inside her sleeves as a slight chill ran up her spine. Her eyes trailed out into the deep Avalon waters becoming lost in the thoughts of a girl who danced with the immortal gods. She glanced to her left and saw a familiar figure walking her footsteps.

“I thought I might find you here,” Flicker replied, “Oberon is looking for you.”

“I know, Flicker.”

“Where are your thoughts?”

“In the past with my children... and in the future with what is to come.”

“What do you mean?”

The dawn surfaced on their eyes with Apollo’s sun stretching across the horizon.

“This is only the beginning, and I fear what punishment Avalon will face. Death may be strong, but the Olympians are stronger.”

“War?” Flicker questioned.

“I... don’t know. I only know that my siblings must be reunited, my children found, and we must prepare for a dawning battle for existence.”

“Do not speak of what your unsure of.”

“The dawn speaks a thousand words as well as the darkness. We all have to learn to listen.”

“Forget the future, celebrate the present. Hellfury is defeated and your family reunited.”

“Go, Flicker, I will join you later.”

“Thank you for everything,” he told her.

“I will always be there.”

Flicker wrapped his green cloak around himself and walked along the wet sand. Rhayna watched his figure become lost in the blinding horizon. She looked in front of her and knelt down to the ground. Her skirts became moist with the sand and salt water. her hands ran through the coming tide. Oberon appeared beside her not startling the girl a bit. Poseidon’s water trickled between her fingers as she looked up to her concerned father.

“As I suspected,” he replied, “It was always evident since the beginning of Avalon that the gods would strike my people.”

“Not even the love between myself and Apollo, Brie and Ares, could stop the feud. of Avalon and Olympus. The breaking of Eos’ heart by Uly only added fuel to the fire. War breaks all those lines...”

“Apollo will always love you... I don’t think he could ever war against his love and his child.”

“Nonetheless, father,” Rhayna said looking to the seas, “The inevitable comes.”

“Hellfury’s death did not help.”

“But his life wouldn’t have stopped it,” Rhayna sighed, “And why do I find it so alarming that in these, the very worst of times.... all things are possible?”

The sea drifted from her fingers leading to the depths of the unknown. Her immortal touch traveled to a cold and mysterious place rang with the cry of the dead... and the gods prepared for the inevitable. Soon, the fury would be released from hell.

~FIN~

~Find out where Shadowstar went to in “To Lose Avalon” (co written with Allie “Puck” Pyper)