Of Night and Stone

by Kirb


Night Patrol

Of Night and Stone
By Kirb
Chapter One
Night Patrol

The small town of Ponyville was covered by the blanket of darkness. The white orb of the Moon floated high above the few clouds in the sky. An owl did its typical “whoo-whoo” call, perched on a nearby branch. Once in awhile, a building may be illuminated, with somepony staying up late for some reason or another, or less likely, somepony forgot to extinguish the lights when they went to sleep. For the most part, however, everything in the town was entirely covered in the dark of the night.

A gust of wind flew above the town. Three figures hitched on the gust. This was not an uncommon occurrence. Pegasus ponies frequently flew throughout the sky. However, very few ponies were awake at this time, much less flying through the air without light where it was easy to have an accident. Furthermore, these figures were not ponies.

As they were illuminated by the moonlight, the figures’ appearances were clearly visible. They were humanoid creatures, and all three of them were clearly male, wore loincloths, and had wings of varying sizes, resembling stone gargoyles that one would find on the top of a skyscraper in New York City. This was the name they collectively went by: “Gargoyles.”

The gargoyle on the left was by far the biggest of them. He was carrying extra weight over the belt, but it was clear that some of that was muscle as well as fat. His skin tone was bluish, though his wings were more of a dark greenish-brown as they flared up around him. Three horns ran down the center of his bald head, and his ears fanned out like bat wings.
The gargoyle on the right was the smallest and definitely the youngest of the group. In contrast to the other two, this gargoyle’s wings were attached to his arms in a web-like structure, similar to those of a flying squirrel. He also had larger eyes than the other two and his skin tone was light brownish gray.
The gargoyle in the center was most likely the leader of the trio and looked very different than the other two. His skin was red and his wings were of a similar darker shade, but in contrast, these wings had claws on their upper ends, similar to a pterodactyl. While the other two were bald, this gargoyle had a wild white mane and two horns. In addition, his face had an enormous beak, while the other two gargoyles had faces that were flatter.

The three gargoyles continued on their regular flight path over the town, until they unexpectedly swooped down to land on the top of the Ponyville Town Hall. Another gargoyle was also standing there, waiting for them. This one was taller and more muscular than any of the other Gargoyles. His dark hair blew in the wind, and his lavender wings were folded up like a cape behind him. The bluish gargoyle folded up his wings similarly.

“So,” the lavender gargoyle began, speaking in a deep, booming voice, “did you three take a look around the city?”

“Yeah, we did, Goliath,” the red gargoyle replied.

“Not really much of a city,” the youngest gargoyle interrupted, speaking in a young, reedy voice. The red gargoyle sneered at him. “I mean, I was expecting something more than this.”

“Lexington, this is very different from New York,” the fat gargoyle added. “It’ll be a hard time adjusting for all of us.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will for you,” ‘Lexington’ remarked, poking at the fat one’s belly. “There are no 24-hour restaurants for you here, Broadway.”

“Hey, cool it!” the red gargoyle commanded, interrupting Lexington. He then turned back to Goliath. “Does Elisa have any idea how we can get back?”

Goliath shook his head. “I am afraid not, Brooklyn. She has not been making any progress with the natives of this land, the ‘ponies.’ Many of them fear her, but she has been able to make contact with one, a unicorn called ‘Twilight Sparkle.’”

“Talking ponies, unicorns, pegasuses--pegasi?--this is sounding like something from myths!” ‘Broadway’ interjected.

“Do not forget, Broadway,” added Goliath, “that many think that we are but myths. And many think that spells, mages, and life existing on alternate worlds are also mythological, but a few nights ago, we confirmed the last one is true.”

“Yeah, yeah,” muttered Broadway. “I remember, when the trickster Puck sent us here due to some strange command from Xanatos. I was there, remember?”

“Speaking of which, we’d better find Xanatos,” said ‘Brooklyn.’ “He could be anywhere, and we wouldn’t want him to be let loose on this town. That won’t end well.”

“I already told you, Brooklyn,” Goliath spoke once more. “Elisa is working on it as best as she can. First thing, we have to establish ourselves amongst the ponies, and then we’ll go after Xanatos. After all, it is his fault that we arrived here.”

“Right, right,” Brooklyn replied. “Where’re the others?”

“Hudson and Bronx are inside, as usual,” Goliath said. “Angela is with them, waiting for you.” He pointed to Broadway upon saying this. “And as for Elisa, she is…”

“...right here.”

A voice came behind Goliath. He turned around to see a human woman standing on the roof of the Town Hall with an open door behind her. She had caramel skin, brown eyes, and blue-black hair. Her outfit consisted of a red jacket on top of a black shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. She was leaning against the wall, with her arms crossed. Goliath approached her.

“Elisa! Have you made any further progress?”

“Depends on what you count as ‘progress.’” ‘Elisa’ uncrossed her arms. “I haven’t told Twilight about you guys yet, but to be honest I’m not sure if I want to at this point. I have learned some information about the ponies, and taught Twilight about humans--she was really curious--but as it is, Twilight is having a hard enough time understanding this situation. She still thinks that ‘Elisa Maza’ is a weird name! Though to be fair I think ‘Twilight Sparkle’ is pretty weird too.” She shook her head. “You know, never in my life did I think I’d meet a real unicorn on the job.”

“It happens.” Goliath glanced at the other three, then back at Elisa. “So when do you think it will be safe to introduce us to her?”

Elisa shrugged at this. “I don’t know, honestly. Our schedules are a major conflict. As you all know, I worked the night shift back at home. And, of course, all of you are only active at night, but Twilight is usually sound asleep during the nighttime from what I can tell. Plus it doesn’t help that Town Hall is technically closed at these hours.”

“Mmm.”

“Hey, look on the bright side!” Elisa said. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a book, handing it to Goliath.

“What is this?” Goliath read the cover. History of Equestria, Part I.

“Our unicorn friend Twilight happens to live in a library and was nice enough to lend me this book last time we talked. I’ve already skimmed through it and have a good understanding, but I think it might be harder for you guys to understand this world--and specifically you, Goliath,” she said ominously. “Anyway, this book will tell you pretty much everything you need to know.”

“Thank you, Elisa. This will be most important.” Goliath looked back at the other three. “Now which of us will be patrolling the city tonight?”

“I’ll do it,” Brooklyn volunteered. “As your second-in-command, I think this is my task.”

“Great!” said Lexington, running inside. “This will give me some time to work on my latest contraption.”

“And I’ll have time to take Angela out to a movie tonight!” Broadway added.

“A movie date, eh?” Elisa remarked. “What movie?”

“It’s a midnight screening of a romantic drama called The Stable,” said Broadway. “I found a flier for it and now I’m interested!”

“I dunno, Twilight told me of that one and she says it’s terrible,” Elisa said. “But hey, it’s your choice…”

“What time is it now?”

Elisa glanced at her watch. “According to my watch, 11:28.”

“Oh, only 32 minutes. I’d better check on Angela.” Broadway ran inside the door too. This left Brooklyn, Goliath and Elisa. Brooklyn sighed heavily. Angela was the only female gargoyle in the clan. She came from the island of Avalon and arrived here. Brooklyn, Broadway and Lexington all attempted to pursue her, but she only fell for Broadway.

“Brooklyn,” Goliath commanded, “don’t get lost.”

“Huh?” Brooklyn was clearly distracted. “Oh, right. Of course not.”

The young gargoyle turned around and spread his wings, then proceeded to take off. Elisa watched him leave.

“Hm,” she said. “Goliath, something’s up with him.”

“I noticed.”

Around three hours later, Brooklyn had mostly patrolled the city and was now walking through the streets instead of flying. He sighed as he passed by the smaller houses and around the corners. This would definitely be a big change from the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but he’d adjust to it. He’d have to, though adjusting to sudden changes like this was a very hard thing to do.

He should know. He remembered when the Magus cast his spell on him and the other gargoyles in Scotland a thousand years ago, the spell that would end ‘when the castle rises above the clouds.’ Back when the spell was cast, castles rising above the clouds was seen as impossible, thus Brooklyn and the others sure were shocked when they reawakened in what only seemed like a few minutes; for a thousand years had passed, and castles above the clouds were common occurrences in New York City.

That reawakening was almost two years ago, and it seemed he had just gotten used to Manhattan. Yet now, the fact that they had arrived not only in a different world, but one populated by talking ponies… well, it made Manhattan seem like an easy change.

All of a sudden, a voice came from behind him.
“Getting to know this town a little better, eh Brooklyn?”

Due to this sudden surprising voice, Brooklyn turned around quickly, ready to attack whomever had spoken; however, he dropped his guard immediately when he saw that it was only Elisa standing behind him.

“Oh, Elisa! Never do that again!”

“Sorry, Brooklyn.” She shrugged, then walked alongside him, carrying a flashlight so she could see better. “I just wanted to check on you and see how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine, Elisa,” Brooklyn replied unconvincingly.

“Uh-huh.”

He really wanted to change the subject now. “So, how are things going back at Town Hall?”

“Nothing surprising. Goliath’s still reading the book I lent him, Lexington’s still working on that machine, and Hudson and Bronx are just lazing around as usual.”

“Huh. Oh! Did Broadway and Angela get back from that movie?”

“Oh, yeah! That happened.”

“How was it?”

“According to Angela, she hadn’t seen many movies, but this is the worst one she’s ever seen,” she chuckled.

Brooklyn had to laugh too. “Hah! Oh man, I’d love to see the look on Broadway’s face.”

“It was great. And hey, she seems so freaked out about it, she just might dump Broadway and go out with you!”

“Really?”

Elisa didn’t respond to this. There was dead silence. Brooklyn stopped walking and looked around.

“Oh.”

He continued, though at a faster, more rushed pace. Elisa walked up next to him.

“Brooklyn, something’s been the matter with you ever since Broadway mentioned he was taking Angela out tonight. What is it?”

Brooklyn sighed. “Guess there’s no hiding anything from you, is there?”

“Nope.”

He coughed. “Well, if you must know, I’m just feeling a little bit… well, left out. I mean, every gargoyle girl I’ve ever asked out has ditched me. Remember Maggie back home? She went with your brother, Derek. Angela? She went with Broadway. I even lost Delilah to Malibu, who was my own clone. My own clone!

“I get it. Well, didn’t Angela tell you that she had fifteen rookery sisters on Avalon?”

“Well, yes, but as it is, it seems unlikely that we’ll get back to our world, much less back to Avalon.”

Elisa shrugged. “I guess that’s always possible. But hey, if we’re stuck here, you could always date some of the natives.”

Brooklyn sighed again. “Well, maybe there is something to be said about--WHAT?!”

“Yeah, I can totally see you going out with some of these ponies! I mean, Goliath and I have no problem with interspecies relations, why should you?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! No way am I gonna get attracted to some horses, even if they are sentient!”

Elisa laughed. “Calm down, Brooklyn! I was just making a joke. It’s true the ponies here are more like humans than they are like the ponies on our world, but it’s still really weird.”

“Phew!” Brooklyn sighed in relief, wiping off his forehead. “Thanks for clarifying.”

“It’s no problem. Anyway, don’t you worry. We’re gonna get back to our world soon enough. You won’t have to worry then.”

“Good.” Brooklyn clearly wasn’t reassured by this, but it would have to do.

“Anyway, I gotta get going back to Town Hall. You wanna come with?”

“Huh? Oh no, I really need to finish the night patrol.”

“Brooklyn, from what I’ve read, this isn’t something you need to worry about. This town and country tend to be pretty peaceful.”

“I know, but just in case.”

Elisa let him be for now. “Fine, if you insist.” She shrugged and turned around. Before she went back to the Town Hall, she spoke in a tone mocking Goliath’s. “Brooklyn, don’t get lost.”

Brooklyn chuckled. “Thanks, I won’t.”

A few more hours passed. Brooklyn spent them pretty much doing the same things he always does on patrol: walking through the streets, flying around whenever there was a gust of wind, but staying as far away from the other gargoyles as possible. At one point, he spotted an apple farm while flying, and swooped down to grab a few apples to eat.

Now he was exploring the park, which was just outside of town. He decided to sit down on a bench for awhile, just to relax, and also to collect his thoughts.

Elisa’s right, he thought. I shouldn’t be worrying about this. Still, though, supposing we can’t go back? I guess I should prepare for anything. Ah, what’s a gargoyle like me doing thinking about something so trivial as romance? Hell, with my life, I’m usually just happy if I can find a break between fighting Xanatos, Demona or others, long enough to even TRY romance.

To distract himself, he looked at his surroundings, specifically, the skies, which had begun to grow brighter, signaling an oncoming day. He knew he would have to return to the roof of Town Hall soon. He then noticed the Moon, so different from the Moon he had grown accustomed to back on Earth. This one was much larger, and strangely emptier. He also noticed that this Moon was floating right above the west horizon. When he turned his head around the other way, he saw that the east horizon was quickly getting brighter.

“What the…?”

He stood up. How is the sun approaching so quickly? Wait, I think I remember Elisa telling me something about the sun and Moon acting differently in this world. But she never told me it would approach this quickly!

Brooklyn began running towards the town, but as the park began growing brighter, he realized it was futile. There are no gusts of wind I can glide on, so I’d have to go by foot, but even if I make it there on time by that method, I’d also have to climb up, and with the amount of time I have… I guess I have no choice but to rest here for the day.

He stopped off to the side of the road, while still in the park, and struck a pose with his arms up over his head, his mouth open and baring his fangs, and altogether menacing, the way most non-living gargoyles were sculpted.

The sun floated over the horizon, and illuminated everything in its path. As that happened, Brooklyn’s skin became gray and cold, and he turned to stone, as all gargoyles did during the day. He would stay that way until night fell again.

Later that same day, a train pulled into the Ponyville station. Its doors opened, and its passengers left. One distinctively restrained mare stepped out. Light on luggage, this earth pony mare had a bluish gray coat and grayish violet mane. Her turquoise eyes were complemented by eyeshadow in the same subdued color as her mane. Her face bore a stoic, emotionless expression. Unlike most ponies, this mare’s cutie mark was obscured by a bluish dress, which covered her torso and much of her forelegs as well as her flanks.

Looking around, she could see that the pony she was expecting was not there at the station, so she decided to enter into the town. She walked from the train station until she entered the park. It was a delightful spring day in Ponyville. The park was filled with the sounds of ponies enjoying their time, colts and fillies playing, everypony having a great time outside. This mare may have been having a good time, but her face certainly didn’t show it. Not knowing where to go next, the mare decided to sit down on a bench.

It was when she sat down on the light blue wooden bench that she noticed Brooklyn. He was still in the same pose he had been in when the sun had risen. Thinking he was but a simple stone statue, the mare noticed other ponies seemed to be avoiding Brooklyn, and would look at him with an expression of fright, if they looked at him at all.

Unfazed, the mare arose from the bench and slowly walked over to Brooklyn. Once right next to him, she reached out a hoof and touched him on his chest. Though her eyes did not change, the corners of her mouth raised to form a smile.