Gargoyles belong to Disney/Buena Vista Home Television. Any original characters belong to me Doppleganger. And now, on to the show.
Bad Girl: The End of New Hope
Twenty years after Manhattan and the world learned of the existence of a gargoyle clan in New York things pretty much remained the way they were. True humans in this time had come to better accept them as the novelty of creatures of the night became as boring 3-D virtual reality vid-movies had been. The truth of the matter was life was just as unexciting as it could get nowadays. The clan still patrolled after all, bad guys break the law good guys with wings stopped them. It was just as it had been twenty years ago and would probably remain so now. Goliath was busy assigning patrols for the evening. His clan listened intently as he spoke.
"And I want you to be extra careful on this patrol," he said as he lifted up a talon for emphasis, "the Quarrymen have picked up activity here once again since their leader John Castaway was paroled."
All gargoyles nodded as Angela stepped forward. "Of course father we will all be careful on this patrol."
Brooklyn walked up confidently with a stride in his walk. "Don't sweat it Goliath. The Quarrymen haven't been able to deal with us for the last twenty years they won't be able to now."
"Nevertheless lad, we musn't let our guard down now that our clan is once again flourishing." He said the last part with a smile and warm pride as he gestured to the back of him. Behind their Grandpa Hudson stood various gargoyle children and adult female gargoyles.
Corsica a golden blonde female with a head of hair white and wavy as the cleanest of beaches hair spoke up. "He is right my love best not to be careless and let this Castaway do us unnecessary damage," she said as she held a beaked male gargoyle child of no more than five in her arms, "we wouldn't want Yuriko to become orphaned would we?" The hatchling wagged his spiked tail for emphasis.
"Daddy!" crowed the toddler as he reached out with his arms.
Brooklyn immediately went to his mate's side as he plucked the laughing hatchling from his mother's arms. "You know peach you have a point." He pondered his life without Yuriko the little hatchling that seemed to always be on the cheerful side. And of his mate Corsica, golden blonde with a heart shaped face and a slender nose she never seemed to be down herself. He marveled at her beauty, her serene face, lithe feminine body, and of course her brow spurs which seemed be a crown just like the one on the Statue of Liberty except the statue didn't have wavy spikes. His son on the other hand was a slightly bulky yellow blond child with blonde curly hair that cascaded down his back like Brooklyn's. The child wore a simple loincloth.
He then looked to Lexington and his mate Emily a webbed-wing like himself they held the hands of Sheldon the dark ocean blue male who wore a loincloth like his father and had the similar skin tone of his mother. Bald as a cue-ball little Sheldon lacked his mother's chestnut brown hair but made up for it with curved spikes that ran down his back and along his tail only ending where the tail ended in a sharp spade.
To Angela and Broadway he looked towards the adorable dark purple little hatchling girl with two blunted horns on each side of her forehead and chestnut brown hair that fell down to her waist. Adorable little onyx eyes that stared inquisitively out at everything, swathed in a loincloth dress she was the spitting image of her mother with her father's fan shaped ears. Standing at an angle with hands clasped together she looked like a little angel.
Man good thing we went out to Avalon after Hunter's Moon. Not only did it give people time to cool off but it let me and Lex find mates.
"Brooklyn, are you well?" Goliath stared inquisitively at his second.
Brooklyn was startled out of his reverie by Goliath his leader calling him. "Oh Goliath, sorry I was just busy thinking. We have so much now, I was thinking how much it would hurt if we were to lose it or…" he swallowed hard, "you know." Looking to the children, everyone shuddered.
A female gargoyle of twelve years came forward with a scowl scrunching up her child like charm. Honey bronze skin this little gargoyle looked over defiantly to the clan. Like her father she crossed her arms in stubbornness born from her mother. Her wings flared out in agitation until they folded and caped around her immersing her body in the black of her outer membranes. "Why do we have to protect people? That's why they have the police and besides every time you guys try to save someone they run away screaming 'Help monster!' and most people can't even stand us."
Goliath went over to the youth and kneeled down so as not to tower over her. He kneeled on one leg and put a massive hand to her small shoulder. "Now you know my daughter that not all humans will accept us, some hate us, and some will try to do worse. But we must never lose sight of what our place is on this Earth and what our purpose is."
The girl looked quizzically at her father. "Purpose?"
"Protection lass," old Hudson limped over to her using his cane for support, "A gargoyle can no more stop protectin' the castle,"
"Then breathing the air," she replied to him with a roll of her eyes. "But why Hudson, why protect people who would rather have us dead?"
Hudson sighed. "Because it's our way lass."
"And besides," a new feminine voice broke in, "some of get paid for doing this." Elisa Maza walked in with a slight smile to her face. The only signs of her 47+ years were a few edges of grey where her hair met her scalp. In all fairness it seemed that father time had spared Elisa the ravages of time as she still had not a wrinkle on her face, like always she wore her customary red bomber jacket. She went over to her eldest child and bent down to give her kiss on her forehead.
"Mom, stop you're embarrassing me." She said with wipe to her face.
"Sorry squirt I guess it's a habit." She sighed.
"I'm not a kid anymore, so please stop treating me like one."
"All right, all right you win." She gave her a sad smile. "Well it looks like my little Carolina is all grown up."
"Yeah I am mom."
"Enough," Goliath rumbled to his daughter, "Carolina be nice to your mother."
Carolina snorted. "I will once she stops treating me like I'm three years old."
Goliath sighed and put a hand to his head. By the Dragon! This daughter of mine is going to put me in an early grave.
After a long awkward silence Elisa spoke up with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Well I better go. Gotta go do the ole serve and protect."
A bronze colored girl of no more than eight paddled up and latched onto Elisa's leg. "Mommy don't go. You'll get hurt."
Elisa looked down and smiled at the small child holding onto her leg. "It's okay sweetheart nothing's going to happen to me. I've trained as a police officer all my life nothing's going to happen to me." She stroked lovingly the young hybrid's raven hair.
"As do we," Goliath rumbled. "Hudson will you and Carolina watch over Diana and the others."
"Aye."
Fifteen minutes…
Elisa was on her way to going into the elevator when a voice stopped her.
"Mom?"
Elisa turned around hesitantly not looking forward to another shouting match with her eldest child. She saw Carolina look unsurely onto her.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what I said. But you know that I just worry about the others and you know…"
Elisa knew very what her daughter was referring to. Of all the gargoyles Carolina was the most sensitive whenever somebody discriminated against the gargoyles. The others Goliath, Broadway, even Angela had gotten used to the snide and cruel remarks of New Yorkers but her daughter always seemed to be crushed by those remarks. She had seen how her eyes flashed red when kids she tried to befriend had ran off scared of her 'the monster.' Truth told she had found her self crying herself to sleep in Goliath's arms whenever her daughter was hurt like that. Goliath he is so good to me that I don't even deserve him. Not after what I did. But no it was best not to reminisce about the past because the past can't be undone. I just pray that I made the right choice.
She shook her head and cleared old and bad memories from her thoughts. "Ssh it's okay honey I understand you. Believe me that I do."
Carolina spoke in a strained voice. "It's just that I'm tired mom. I'm tired of everyone treating us like monsters. Why can't humans understand that we're people too?" She said with tears in her eyes.
Elisa in tear-choked emotion spoke. "It's just the way things are baby girl. You don't know how much it hurts me that you have to suffer such things, that you have to hide here in the castle because people can be assholes. That your grandparents don't…" she choked back her response.
Carolina finished it for her. "That my grandparents don't accept me. That they go to Darren and Kathy's birthday and 'forget' about Diana's and mine. I know, I've always known that they hate me." She finished bitterly.
Elisa put a hand on her shoulder. "They don't hate you baby girl they just…don't understand. I never thought they could be so…"
"Bigoted?" she finished for Elisa.
"Yes."
"It's okay mom. I've come to accept it. I've come to accept that Grandma and Grandpa can't accept us because we're freaks. I can accept that they don't see us as much because they're against our existence. But what I don't accept is that they do accept Talon and Maggie's kids who are in the same boat as us."
"Carolina you have to understand them. Maggie and Derek they used to be human, well no they are human and were turned into mutates because they made a mistake, they put their trust in the wrong person. Their kids can't help being born the way they were. But you and Diana we were almost sure that you would be born as a gargoyle."
"And I'm supposed to accept that mother?!" she asked incredulously. "It wasn't my fault Darren and Kathy were born mutates! And it certainly wasn't my fault that your brother made a stupid mistake because of his ambition."
Elisa gasped. "You don't mean that do you Carolina? Do you actually hate them that much?"
Carolina uttered three words. "Yes I do."
Elisa looked on her daughter in sadness. "I'm sorry that you feel that way baby. There's nothing that I can do then." With that Elisa turned and left into the elevator. When she was in the elevator she didn't even look at Carolina.
Carolina with tears in her eyes just said. "Who needs them anyways?"
The gargoyles of Manhattan scaled the castle walls to perch for another sunset. Carolina went up on a perch near her father as Diana perched next to her. Nervously she turned her head to look for her mother who would always greet them when they went to sleep or wake. "Dad, I don't see mom around anywhere."
The Manhattan leader frowned for a moment as if to answer. "I'm sure it's nothing my daughter. Sometimes Elisa gets delayed because of the paperwork that she has to fill out and nothing more."
Reluctantly Carolina accepted. "Okay I guess you're right."
Goliath looked to the horizons. "Everybody the sun is about to come up."
All the gargoyles took on fearsome poses Goliath's being the fiercest all except Carolina who had an expression of worry etched upon her face.
Sunset…
The sun dipped down below the horizon as cracks formed upon the statues atop Castle Wyvern. Then as suddenly each statue burst forth to let out a gargoyle. With roars the gargoyles freed themselves from their stone slumber with roars with a catlike screech coming from Carolina accompanied by a small cat screech from her sister Diana and a loud roar coming from Goliath.
Carolina whirled around apprehensively expecting to find her mother instead she found one David Xanatos standing before him. There was something in the serious expression in his face that made her stomach sink into her stomach. She couldn't get rid of her uneasiness last night and it had returned with a passion now.
Goliath too noted the expression on Xanatos' face and took a hesitant step forward. "Xanatos what is it? What has happened?"
Xanatos with that grim expression began. "Goliath I've just gotten word from the police that Detective Maza is missing. They say that she clocked in for work this morning and that by the end of the shift she hadn't returned."
An icicle formed in Goliath heart. Who? Demona maybe? No not her style. A feeling of dread formed in his being. "Quarrymen?"
Xanatos slowly nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so Goliath. They left this for you." He gave him a letter with the hammer and three slash marks emblazoned on the envelope.
Goliath nearly crushed the letter in his anger his eyes blazing white hot in rage and hatred but he calmed himself down and opened it.
Goliath~
By now you are reading this letter. As you must already know we have the whore Detective Maza in our possession. Don't worry you'll see her very soon, in fact with this letter I have given Mr. Xanatos a satellite dish that you can easily hook up to that wide screen TV that he has. Instruct your little flying rat, Lexington I believe it was, to hook it up right away.
Your friend,
Castaway
Goliath looked to Lexington with a sense of urgency in his eyes. "Lexington go with Xanatos to retrieve a portable satellite that has been delivered to them, bring it to the Grand Hall and hook it up."
Lexington stood straight up. "Right away," he said and scurried on all four feet to retrieve it.
Goliath turned to his middle child. "Carolina I want you, Corsica, and Emily to take the hatchlings and your sister to the family room."
Carolina protested. "But dad I want to find out what's going on." Her eyes widened. "Does this have anything to do with mom?"
"Carolina go, now." He said forcefully.
Carolina narrowed her eyes at her father but stormed off in the direction of the family room.
Angela stepped up. "Father what's going on? Where is Elisa?"
Goliath took a deep breath. "The Quarrymen have her."
This statement elicited a collection of gasps from everyone. Angela put her head in her hands and began crying while Broadway attempted to comfort her with worry in his eyes.
Goliath spoke up. "Come we must see what Castaway wants."
In the Great Hall…
Lexington had the satellite hook up set up and turned to Goliath. "It's all set Goliath."
Goliath took the remote in his hand and turned on the television and received the shock of his life. Elisa stood restrained in ropes with bruises upon her body. The clan gasped in shock at the sight of Elisa with bruises upon her body one eye closed and tears streaking down at the agony that she had endured. Off to her side stood a grinning Castaway who looked at the clan in wild insane glee.
"Now you're wondering why, why Castaway? Why kidnap our beloved Elisa?" sneered Castaway. "Could it be ransom? Or could it be bait?" he sighed. "Sadly no, Goliath. It is simple revenge." His face darkened as a look of burning hatred crossed his icy blue eyes. "Twenty years Goliath. Twenty years I have been locked up in that prison having to fend myself off of murderers and worse. Oh but don't worry Goliath, I've made sure that all debts have been paid here with Detective Maza." His face took on a sadistic sneer. "Oh but she's enjoyed it well haven't you Detective." Elisa turned her face away in disgust.
Castaway enraged at her silence hit her in the stomach eliciting a sharp cry from Elisa who went down on her knees. He then grabbed her by the hair pulling her head down. "Oh but still all of the debt has not been paid in full." He grabbed something off to the side. "There is still the matter of the interest." He brought the object in full view now. A katana blade was raised high over Elisa's head.
"Now to cover all debts!" Castaway had a wild look in his eyes. Finally the blade went down as if in slow motion. Elisa looked through to the TV screen. Her eyes seemed to look to Goliath.
"Goliath I love you!" And then red, the TV image became covered in blood and nothing more could be seen or heard except Castaway's wild laughter.
All the gargoyles looked on at the events that had happened with shock in their eyes. Everyone stood paralyzed and unaware of their surroundings. So unaware were they that they neglected in seeing a twelve year old youth who stood wide eyed and trembling behind them.
Later that evening…
The gargoyles assembled anxiously around a box that Xanatos had brought in. Xanatos would have normally let security handle the box but the emblem of the Quarrymen was emblazoned on the blue wrapping and the box was dripping a red liquid.
With dread Xanatos handed the package to Goliath.
"What could this be?" inquired Goliath.
"I don't know what it is Goliath but it's dripping blood all over the floor." pointed out Brooklyn.
The clan gasped as the assembled looked warily at the package. Attached to the package was a note.
Goliath~
You're probably wondering what is with this package and all these letters. Well monster you're going to find out. Seeing as I have just murdered the love of your life you will probably want something to remember her by. I know that you will want to mourn over her body. Terribly sorry about that but my men and I will be keeping it as a trophy over our victory over you monsters. And I can't let you have her head because that will be my personal trophy. But I am not without heart monster. I know that gargoyles stroke hair as a sign of affection and you for certain have picked up the human trait of kissing well inside this package are two belonging say we of Elisa that she won't need anymore and was gladly to part with. Open it up and find out.
Castaway
Goliath with wariness opened up the package and promptly dropped it out of shock and horror. His color diminished as he fought the urge to unload lunch there right now. The others looked on in curiosity coming to Goliath's side. The adults in attendance gasped in shock. As Angela bent down overcome by the urge to wretch while Emily and Corsica fainted.
P.S. Monster I forgot to mention that you will receive such appendages of Elisa's every few days until I am sufficiently satisfied that you have recovered most of her.
The clan turned away in disgust as mats of hair that had belonged to Elisa were soaked in blood with the scalp mostly attached. The lips that once belonged to Elisa seemed to beckon to Goliath to kiss them. As did the single eye that tumbled out of the package looked on in a dead glare, seemingly accusing the clan. Why didn't you rescue me? Why did you let me die?
A few days later…
All of the clan and many clan friends gathered in the castle today to attend the funeral of a dear friend Elisa Maza. The Manhattan clan, Labyrinth clan, and the Maza family all stood around in a semicircle around the casket of their dearest friend. Elisa's family were inconsolable as Diane broke down in racking sobs over the loss of her eldest child while Peter Maza stood shocked silence trying to comfort her. Derek stood quietly off to one side with his wife Maggie with tears forming in his feline eyes not quite believing what was happening, their children stood away from their parents unsure of what to do. Beth Maza stood in silent tears being comforted by a Native American man, her husband Nick Natsilane, putting an arm around her. Behind the Maza family stood a young adolescent in a black leather jacket as the others were standing in stunned silence. If not for the many years separating him from Peter Maza he could have been his twin.
Many of the friends the gargoyles had made sent their condolences. The London clan called first sending their condolences onto the clan. It had really shocked the clan the way Una and Leo gave them such a tear felt apology for the treatment of Elisa and Goliath when they first met regretting never being able to apologize again in person. Next came the ones from Ishimura saying they would honor Elisa in their own way according to Bushido. The Guatemalen clan got word of Elisa's death from the satellite technology that Xanatos had donated to them a few months ago and sent their well wishes as well. A few scattered friends sent their condolences as well, Rory from in Ireland to Nokkar on Easter Island. Lastly came the condolences of Princess Katherine, Tom, and the Avalon clan who's grief were sent by a messenger.
Coyote stood silently in thought. This isn't how things were supposed to turn out. There was so much that Elisa had yet pending. He looked off to the side where a tan-skinned gargess stood off to one side. Why? It isn't it fair. She's going to need her mother and now she's gone. Why do I get the feeling that little girl is going to suffer. He looked to the old man, Elisa's father. Peter why did you have to be so stubborn? You had such potential. But you rejected your heritage and you forced me to strip your powers. Elisa couldn't defend herself and now she's dead. Why did you have to be so stubborn?
The assembled gargoyles looked on in solemn silence as they looked at the empty coffin before them. Then Goliath stepped forward. With tears shining in his eyes he began.
"My friends, we are gathered here to say farewell to a dear friend that has passed on. We all called her friend, some called her daughter or sister, some called her mother, and one called her wife and lover. We all loved her in our own way and she will be sorely missed. But we musn't forget what Elisa stood for. She stood for justice, for equality. We must not ever forget the lesson that she taught all of us. That with a little love and understanding we can all live peacefully together. I for certain will never forget her love that she me or our clan that is why I pledge to you Elisa to live my life the way you would have wanted me live. We will continue to work to bring our two races together. To protect this city as we always have. We will pick up the pieces from this tragedy and we will survive."
The clan on in pride at their leader. They silently concurred in his convictions.
To himself he whispered. "Elisa my love, now my life will be dedicated to protecting. I will not let my grief swallow me. I will live for my duty and our children, to this I swear it my Angel."
After the ceremony was officiated the casket was taken away with a promise from Xanatos to have a dignified grave to put it in. The clan retired from gathering to attend to their families.
"Goliath?"
Goliath was stirred out of his solemn pose by the sound of someone calling his name. "What? Oh Maggie how are you?"
"That's just what I was about to ask you Goliath? Everybody is worried about you. Are you all right? Yes it's just that…"
Maggie looked on him curiously. "What Goliath what is it?"
Goliath released a shuddering sigh and closed his eyes to the torrent of tears that he were coming. He breathed unsteadily trying to regain control of himself but to no avail as he howled a bellow of grief and suddenly started crying.
Maggie bewildered by the loss of control of the usual stoic leader wrapped her arms around him. "Ssh, ssh Goliath it's going to be okay. You now that everybody's here for you and the girls. It's going to get better just see."
Goliath for his part only continued wailing his grief to the heavens having lost all control of his emotional reserve.
In the hallway a young girl observed her father relieving his grief in the arms of her aunt! How can they?! Tears streaming down her face Carolina quietly slipped past the couple and when she thought she was out of hearing distance galloped down the corridors on all four as fast as her limbs could carry her. Without thinking twice she launched herself into the night air.
Filled with grief the pre-adolescent glided wildly away from Castle Wyvern sobbing her grief away. She went without direction or care if any human see her. The Quarrymen who had recently murdered her mother were about but this did not bother Carolina for she would have welcomed death at that moment. A few days after mother died and already found comfort in the arms of Maggie! I can't believe it I don't want to believe. But I can't ignore it. My father how could he!
Suddenly a noise roused her from thought as she felt another presence near her. She turned her head as a gargess swiftly took flight next to her.
"Something wrong young one?" inquired the gargoyle.
Something about her made her seem familiar. Her voice was elegant and aristocratic yet with the slightest hint of anger and cold unfeeling steel. This girl gargoyle made Carolina shiver but she was brave and answered.
"My mother. She was killed recently by the Quarrymen."
The eyes of the red haired demon narrowed. "Of course it was the humans. Always the humans."
The anger in her voice was chilling yet somehow awakened the own anger in her heart. The girl's voice took on a hard edge filled with hatred. "Yes it was the humans. They killed her and my father seems to have forgotten her very easily as he in the arms of another one right now."
The comment about the 'other one' went over the gargess' head as she took in the gargess before her. Tan colored with a face closer to a humans. She had raven-black hair so close to her mother that she almost attacked the youth. She had Goliath's brow ridge and a lithe body. Her wings were tan on the inside yet had a black lining on the outside. Damn the detective, damn her! A small smile formed around her lips. I'll just have to use this girl's bitterness to my advantage.
The gargess put on a sad sympathetic face. "I understand your pain child. I too have suffered loss just as great if not greater than yours. And I know of Goliath's treachery as I have lived it in the flesh. He is all about his way and cares nothing of the opinions of others. You say he betrayed your mother well I'm not surprised since he did the same thing with me when he mated with her."
Carolina let out a sharp gasp. "Then you're Demona."
"That I am."
"Then I'm not supposed to talk to you because you are the enemy."
"Who says child? Goliath? He and I don't share the same views and for that he banished me." Demona's eyes flashed red for a moment.
"So really the only one dad's looking out for is numero uno?"
"Yes." Demona nodded solemnly.
"And all his talk about how we must protect the humans our we'll be corrupt."
"I believe your generation would all call that bull-shit."
Carolina looked questionably towards the older female. "And what am I supposed to do about that. It's not as if I can disagree with him and leave. Where would I go?"
Demona smiled. "You can come with me."
Carolina shrugged. "Works for me, show me the way."
Demona smile grew wider. "Good now follow me girl." Inside her heart was filled with cruel glee. Foolish little girl if you only knew what was in store for you. You will pay for what Goliath and Elisa did to me.
Demona and Carolina glided off away from the city and away from the castle.
Epilogue
John Castaway stood waiting in a field in non-descript location in New York. As per instructions from his boss he had fulfilled his end of the bargain for getting an early parole. He grinned at the memory of how he had fulfilled his debt. He and his Quarrymen had kidnapped the whore Maza to make the monsters suffer. And suffer they did. He had enjoyed ridding the world of that traitor a pity he could not do the same of those beasts. But with the murder of Detective Maza the police were vigilant in capturing the people responsible. If only the people understood the favor he had done the world. Ah well, perhaps sometime in the future right now what was important was survival.
He had paid all his Quarrymen handsomely with his employers money to disappear and they done just that. Now it was John Castaway's turn, perhaps he would assume another identity and continue the hunt again in the future. But for now…
He waited for his employer to come. Soon he would not be disappointed as a black colored luxury car pulled over on the side of the rode. As the driver got out he was glad to see his benefactor get out.
She was clad in a long over coat that hid her beautiful features well but not so well that he could not help but admire her. With a beige sash tied over her head the material almost covered up her fire red hair. And with those sunglasses Castaway could not notice how her emerald eyes were like ice as she looked on him in hatred as he looked at her in lust.
"Well Ms. Duval, I assume that you have my payment for doing this little job for you?"
"Of course Mr. Castaway, one million in cash in unmarked bills here." She indicated the briefcase she was holding her tongue holding a slight southern lull.
Castaway took the briefcase and opened it. Inhaling he spoke, "Ah I do so love the smell of money. I do so love doing business with you."
Daleela Duval smiled. "As should you Mr. Castaway or should I call you Canmore."
John Castaway looked on in wide eyed wonder as he stood up abruptly. "How do you know who I am?"
Daleela's face took on a sneer as she removed her sunglasses and sash. "Please Hunter. Do you think me so stupid to not know who my enemies are?" she said as her voice took on deeper tone filled with hatred.
"Demon!" John Canmore spat.
"Right on the money Hunter, I have you." Her smile took on a vicious turn as Canmore saw how her teeth gleamed in the sunlight.
"This time Demon it ends." Canmore advanced with his hands ready to strangle her.
"Think again." Daleela pulled out a 9-mm pistol from her long coat pocket and pointed it at John Canmore. "Goodbye sugah."
BAM! She fired the pistol striking him in the chest. Stunned momentarily, Canmore stumbled once again towards Demona. BAM! BAM!
Struck two more times Canmore collapsed dead. Blood was already pooling around his body as Daleela Duval got into her car and drove off back to the city.
End.