Sorry this is late. I meant to have it done last weekend, but RL \u00a0had other ideas. I hope you enjoy the end.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, don\u2019t be greedy,\u201d the other thug said. Both bared down on three gargoyles huddled together.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the one that\u2019s being greedy,\u201d Ebony said. \u201cWe already traded our only valuable piece.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYouse said you had a bunch more,\u201d the first thug said. \u201cGive \u2018em to us!\u201d He grabbed Ebony by her injured arm, pulling her up. She cried out in pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cEbony!\u201d Amber cried in fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou leave my sister alone!\u201d Jasper ran over to the one holding Ebony and kicked him in the shin.<\/p>\n
The thug looked down at where Jasper had kicked him and then down at Jasper. He dropped Ebony, who collapsed and clutched her arm. He then picked up Jasper by the scruff of his neck.<\/p>\n
Jasper struggled against his captor, his arms and legs flailing. \u201cPut me down!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGive us the rocks, and we\u2019ll be on our way,\u201d the second thug said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have them with me!\u201d Jasper glared back at the thug, his eyes glowing, arms crossed and his lower lip jutting out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen youse can take us to \u2018em.\u201d The two thugs started to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop!\u201d Ebony said and struggled to her feet. \u201cYou\u2019re not taking him anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two thugs stopped and looked at the unsteady gargoyle. The first one laughed out loud which the other snickered. \u201cWho\u2019s gonna stop us? Youse?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d listen to her if I were you,\u201d a voice said behind them. \u201cGargoyles can be very protective, especially toward their children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctor!\u201d Amber cried.<\/p>\n
The Doctor sauntered up to the group. The two thugs looked unimpressed by the tall, scrawny man blocking their exit. He flipped his sonic screwdriver casually as he walked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah? What\u2019s she gonna do? She can barely stand up,\u201d the second thug said.<\/p>\n
Ebony responded by pushing herself away from the wall and standing up straight. She extended her wings, her eyes glowing menacingly, and a low, guttural growl emanated from her throat. The smaller thug looked a little nervous at her sudden aggressive posture.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get no ideas,\u201d the first thug, still holding Jasper, said. \u201cIses still got him.\u201d He shook Jasper for emphasis, which only made Ebony\u2019s eyes glow brighter. Now the first thug was starting to look nervous.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, now why did you have to go and do that?\u201d the Doctor asked with a heavy sigh. He flipped his sonic one last time, caught it in midair and pointed it menacingly at them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWa–wait! Wait!\u201d the second thug said. \u201cWe-we can talk about this!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d the Doctor said and waved his hand dramatically. The sonic screwdriver made a high-pitched sound, and the second thug started shaking. There was a \u201cpop\u201d sound, and the big thug disappeared to be replaced by a smaller version, smaller than even Jasper. Another wave and another \u201cpop\u201d, and the first thug shrunk the same as the second. Jasper was left hanging in the air, and started to fall, but Ebony leaped in to catch him. She set him down and she, Amber, Jasper and the Doctor all surrounded the two mini-thugs, who now huddled against each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t hurt us!\u201d the second mini-thug squeaked, his voice now several octaves higher than it had been.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d Jasper asked. \u201cYou were going to hurt us!\u201d Jasper leaned over them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWese weren’t! Wese just tryin\u2019 ta scares ya!\u201d the first mini-thug cried.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hurt my sister!\u201d Jasper said, his eyes starting to glow again. \u201cI should hurt you back–!\u201d Before Jasper could move, Ebony put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo Jasper,\u201d Ebony said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Ebony, what they did was wrong. Why can\u2019t they be punished?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t right a wrong with another wrong. It would be wrong to act to them the same way they did to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut–\u201d Jasper started, and then looked at the two shrunken thugs and them back up at his sister.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is always another way Jasper. Violence should never be your first resort. It is always the last.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jasper continued to stare at his elder clan sister as she spoke. When she had finished, he looked down sheepishly. \u201cYes Ebony,\u201d he said in a small voice.<\/p>\n
The Doctor nodded approvingly. \u201cI always thought your species was the more highly evolved.\u201d He dropped down to the mini-thugs level. \u201cNow you two.\u201d They continued to huddle together, shaking. \u201cYou are going to go back to your mistress and tell her not to be so greedy, and if she ever wants to trade in this quadrant again, she will be gone before we return.\u201d As the Doctor spoke, he pulled out a leather wallet and flashed it at the mini-thugs. They started shaking more after seeing the seeming blank paper inside. \u201cNow off with you.\u201d The Doctor stood up, moved slightly and waved his hand still holding the sonic screwdriver at them. The pair didn’t say another word, and scurried off.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Amber asked after they had left. \u201cHow did they get so small?”<\/p>\n
“They were wearing hologuises.”<\/p>\n
“Holo what?”<\/p>\n
“Hologuises. Actors uses them all the time. You program the hologuise for a specific look; clothes, hair, even body type, and it not only gives you that look but makes you feel just as real. While that are great for the theater, more nefarious types have found their own use for them, as you just saw.”<\/p>\n
“So you unmagiced them?” Jasper asked.<\/p>\n
“I suppose you could say that, yes.”<\/p>\n
“What was it you showed them that made them really afraid?” Ebony asked. She held her injured arm gingerly.<\/p>\n
“This?” He held up the wallet again. What looked blank before now looked like an ID written in a strange language. “Psychic paper. Made them see what I wanted them to. And I made them see I wasn’t some one to trifle with. They’ll be gone before we return to the TARDIS.” The Doctor pocketed both the wallet and his screwdriver. “Shall we be off?”<\/p>\n
“Yes!” Amber and Jasper said in unison. Jasper grabbed the Doctor’s hand and Amber took his other, both determined not to be separated again.<\/p>\n
The Doctor just smiled at the two children. “Geronimo!” He cried and took a long, dramatic step out of the alley.<\/p>\n
“Come on Ebony!” Jasper called to her and held his hand out behind him as he was dragged off with the Doctor. Ebony watched them walk away for a moment before moving to catch up. She took Jasper’s outstretched hand as the Doctor led them off into the market again.<\/p>\n
———————————————-<\/p>\n
Back in the TARDIS, three very satisfied gargoyles sat in the console room. Jasper sat on the floor looking at his new rock. Ebony sat on a seat near the console and Amber stood next to the Doctor, watching him plug-in coordinates.<\/p>\n
“Where are we going now?” She asked.<\/p>\n
“You had said you wanted to a world with more than one moon,” The Doctor said. “And I know the perfect planet. Argon V isn\u2019t much to look at itself, but it\u2019s moons are a sight to be seen. It has eight moons, and every one of them is a different color.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Amber asked, her expression brightening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Rainbow Moons of Argon V are one of the Million Wonders of the Universe.\u201d The Doctor continued his dance around the console.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll take your breath away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRainbows are boring,\u201d Jasper said, not looking up from his rock.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo they\u2019re not!\u201d Amber protested.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou only say that because you can\u2019t fly yet,\u201d Ebony said, interrupting the potential fight before it could get started.<\/p>\n
Jasper looked up this time. \u201cWhy does flying make them better?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re not just looking at them when you are in the sky,\u201d Ebony explained. \u201cSometimes you can fly and fly, and never be able to catch them. They look so near, like you can touch them, but when you reach out they jump away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you catch a rainbow?\u201d Jasper asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to be really fast. They can be sneaky and just disappear on you if you look the wrong way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you caught one before?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI came close once, but it slipped out of my fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanna catch one! I\u2019ll catch one for you.\u201d Jasper looked up at Ebony. She smiled back at him softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to learn to fly on your own first,\u201d Amber said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will! And then I\u2019ll catch the prettiest rainbow just for Ebony!\u201d Jasper stood next to Ebony and glared at Amber. She glared back. Ebony was about to try to diffuse the situation again when the TARDIS started to groan and wheeze.<\/p>\n
Amber spun around back to the Doctor. \u201cAre we there?!\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
Jasper ran over next her, his argument with her forgotten. \u201cAre we gonna see them on the magic screen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no,\u201d the Doctor said. \u201cThis is something you have to go outside to see.\u201d He flipped the lever that opened the TARDIS\u2019 doors. Amber and Jasper ran down the ramp toward the doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t run!\u201d Ebony called after them, but they weren’t listening as Amber opened the door and Jasper dashed out. She sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a lot of energy to work off,\u201d the Doctor said with a smile, and held a hand out to Ebony. She took it tentatively and stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Doctor led her out and Ebony set foot on an alien world for a second time.<\/p>\n
Up in the sky, several moons filled the night. They were different sizes and ranged in color from red to purple. Some were higher in the sky and one hung so low, it looked like if they flew up, they could touch it. Ebony breathed in with deep appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cEbony! Look! Look at all the colors!\u201d Amber called when she saw her and the Doctor come out.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at the blue one! Can I touch it?\u201d Jasper asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo Jasper,\u201d Ebony replied with a laugh. \u201cNo one can fly that high.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we try?\u201d Amber asked.<\/p>\n
Ebony glanced back at the Doctor. He nodded. She extended her wings to their full length, getting a feel for the currents around them. \u201cAlright,\u201d she said finally. \u201cBut stay close to me Amber. There is a cross current we need to be wary of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will,\u201d Amber promised.<\/p>\n
Ebony picked up Jasper, and then crouched down before springing into the air, and spreading her wings. She caught the current and soared up higher. Amber followed close behind, her arms spread out to release her wings. Once they were in the air, Ebony helped Jasper to spread his wings. She held his hand as he glided on the wind with her. At first, the three flew up toward the blue moon, but while the moon seemed to get bigger in the sky, they never seemed to get closer. After giving up their moon chase, their flight turned into a game of tag that Ebony\u2019s greater speed and agility always seemed to win, and continued until all three were tired out.<\/p>\n
———————————-<\/p>\n
The TARDIS hovered over Argon V, it\u2019s doors wide open. Amber and Jasper were asleep on the floor, Amber wrapped in an impossibly long scarf and Jasper’s head was covered by a large Stetson hat. A big furry coat and recorder lay on the floor as did a multicolored jacket and cricket bat. Ebony leaned against one side of TARDIS doors, a brown floppy hat on her head. The doctor sat opposite her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re asleep, it must be daytime on Earth,\u201d Ebony said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not feeling drowsy?\u201d the Doctor asked. She just shook her head. A red fez lay near him. He grabbed it on put it on his head. Ebony grinned.<\/p>\n
\u201cFezzes are cool,\u201d he said, almost defensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt suits you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Doctor\u2019s smile brightened. \u201cIntelligent and good fashion sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony\u2019s grin widened, and she looked outside at the multicolored moons. \u201cIt really is beautiful out there.\u201d Her gaze returned to the time lord. \u201cThank you for all this. It\u2019s been a long time since they’ve been able relax like this. They needed it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you didn’t?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony looked down self-consciously. \u201cMaybe a little,\u201d she confessed, and looked back at the two younger gargoyles. \u201cBut they\u2019re more important. They\u2019re the future of our clan.\u201d<\/p>\n
“And you’re not?”<\/p>\n
“Not like they are. That was a dream I let go a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rainbow that you couldn’t catch?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony smiled sadly. \u201cSome things are just always out of reach.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly when you stop reaching for them.\u201d Silence fell between them. \u201cWhat happened to your clan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know completely. It was very confusing. We went to sleep and when we woke up, there were just the three of us and it was over 100 years later. Does that make us time travelers?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe long way around,\u201d the Doctor replied. \u201cSo the rest of your clan–?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know if anyone else woke up or even survived. I don\u2019t even know if there are any other clans anywhere.\u201d She sighed. \u201cWe could be the last.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt isn’t easy thinking you are the last of your kind,,\u201d The Doctor said, his gaze turning outside. Ebony stared at him and his somber expression. For a moment he looked very old despite his youthful appearance. \u201cBut I\u2019m sure they are out there, other gargoyles. You\u2019re kind won\u2019t go without a fight.\u201d He smiled again, his somberness barely lingering. \u201cIt might take some time, but you\u2019ll find others. Or they\u2019ll find you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they will too for you, whoever you are looking for,\u201d Ebony replied, her eyes starting to droop, so she didn’t catch his surprised expression. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Time seems to have finally caught up with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does that.\u201d He helped her up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry to continue to be so much trouble for you,\u201d she said, struggling to remain awake. \u201cIt isn’t polite to fall asleep during a conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you can be forgiven this once.\u201d He laid her down next to the other two and covered them with the big furry coat. Sorrowful eyes watched them for a bit before leaving them to sleep in peace.<\/p>\n
——————————————<\/p>\n
Ebony, Amber and Jasper all woke up at once. Nothing had changed from the before they fell asleep. Hats and coats were still strewed across the floor. The Doctor was at the control console, engrossed in something. Jasper was about to bound up to him but Ebony stopped him. She pointed to all the clothing he and Amber had pulled out and quietly indicated they should put it away. She didn’t want them bothering the Doctor if he was working.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctor!\u201d Jasper cried, unable to remain quiet any longer after the clean up was done. He bounded up the ramp to the console.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning!\u201d the Doctor replied. \u201cOr would that be evening?\u201d He paused for a moment in thought. \u201cWell it doesn’t matter.\u201d He waved his hands, dismissing the thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we going this time?\u201d Amber asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should head home,\u201d Ebony said and was met with three drooping expressions. \u201cThe Doctor is surely a busy a man. We can\u2019t keep imposing on his kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut–\u201d Jasper started.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t keep being so selfish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to go back,\u201d Amber said softly. \u201cIt\u2019s safe here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t have an immediate answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour sister\u2019s right,\u201d The Doctor said, seeing her at a loss for words. Amber looked up at him, wanting to protest. \u201cIt can be dangerous here too. What happened at the bazaar was minor, but could have been much worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amber didn’t speak. Instead she grabbed the Doctor\u2019s coat and held on to it, burying her face in it. Almost hesitantly, the Doctor touched the top of Amber\u2019s head, and gently stroked her hair. Amber didn’t cry, but she wouldn’t let go either. The Doctor started to put in the coordinates.<\/p>\n
The trip back to Earth was quiet, and all too fast. Amber didn’t move from the Doctor\u2019s side, and Jasper had crawled into Ebony\u2019s lap. Finally, the groaning and wheezing sound of the TARDIS landing filled the control room, which was followed by the whirling of the door being opened.<\/p>\n
Ebony set Jasper down before she stood up. He watched her go to Amber\u2019s side. She held out her hand. Amber didn\u2019t move or look at her. The Doctor gently pried her hand off his coat. He knelt down and held hers in both of his.
\n\u201cI know it might seem scary out there sometimes,\u201d he said. \u201cBut there a lot of fantastic things for you to discover right outside those doors. You don\u2019t need a madman in a blue box to find them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I get scared out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to know a secret?\u201d The Doctor leaned in and whispered into her ear. \u201cI do too.\u201d He leaned back and smiled warmly at her. Amber looked surprised. \u201cFace your fears head on, and remember you\u2019re never truly alone.\u201d Amber started at the Doctor for a long moment before she nodded slowly. \u201cGood girl.\u201d He stood up and place Amber\u2019s hand into Ebony\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Ebony led the pair to the door of the TARDIS, the Doctor following behind. Jasper stopped her and turned around just as they reached the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill we see you again Doctor?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you will, pardner.\u201d He ruffled Jasper hair and the youngest gargoyle smiled broadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks you Doctor, for everything,\u201d Ebony said, seemingly just as reluctant to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t stop reaching for those rainbows.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ebony smiled self-consciously and nodded. She pushed open the door and Jasper, then Amber and finally she stepped out. They were back in woods, right where they had met the Doctor a few nights before.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood-bye–\u201d Ebony started, but the grinding, wheezing noise of the TARDIS leaving was already filling the air. The trio watched as the blue box faded away into nothingness. Ebony was surprised by the abruptness of the Doctor\u2019s departure, but then she smiled again. \u201cMaybe \u201cgood-bye\u201d wasn’t the right word. \u201cFarewell then, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n
END<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sorry this is late. I meant to have it done last weekend, but RL \u00a0had other ideas. I hope you enjoy the end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[9,6,8,3,4],"class_list":["post-57","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fanfic","tag-50th-anniversary","tag-alternate-gargoyles-universe","tag-doctor-who","tag-fanfic-2","tag-gargoyles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3PDwD-V","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manga.jadedragononline.com\/muse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}