Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder.
All characters appearing in Teenage Mutant 1987 series copyright by Murakami Wolf Swenson, Inc. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters, such as Ulysses Quintone, are the property of Celgress.
TMNT/Gargoyles Season One Beginnings Episode One Awakening
Chapter Two
by
Celgress
"Are you a Viking?" asked the peering face of the Olive Green Gargoyle from it's perch atop a nearby chair the moment Elisa Maza fully regained consciousness.
Startled by both the strangeness of the question as well as that of the questioner Elisa involuntarily jumped out of the bed with fright.
Bed, she had been laying in a bed, but why? Wait, where exactly was she? How had she gotten here? What had happened? What exactly was the strange creature before her? Was it some sort of mutant no that wasn't right, was it? How did she know that it wasn't a mutant, but something else? Why did she feel so groggy? What was going on? Elisa's head swam with a million disconnected thoughts.
"S-Stay a-away from me whatever you are" Elisa attempted to command the creature. "I d-don't know exactly what you a-are but I'm not as defenseless as I look. I'm a New York City Detective, and you're in a lot of trouble for kidnapping me!"
"So, that is what you are a D-Tec-Tive." said the Olive Green Gargoyle mulling over the last word as if it was something foreign, unfamiliar. The creature showed no sign of leaving it's perch on the nearby chair.
"Yes,, I'm a New York City Detective, second class." replied Elisa, slowly backing into the far wall of the small room.
"What does that mean?" asked the Olive Green Gargoyle
"What does what mean?"
"Second class, what does that term mean?"
"It is a rank."
"Oh interesting, Goliath the woman you brought back is awake" Yelled the Olive Green Gargoyle, finally leaving it's perch and bounding towards the door.
"Goliath who is this Goliath another one of these creatures perhaps, well whoever he is I'm not sticking around to find out" muttered Elisa to herself moving quickly towards the open doorway.
In an instant a huge shape loomed in the doorway blocking her further progress. The shape quickly stepped out of the shadows, revealing itself to be a familiar one. There standing directly in front of her was the huge, winged, lavender skinned creature that she had seen earlier that night. Suddenly it all came flooding back to her. The vicious attack by the shark mutant on the dock, the winged creature valiantly rescuing her just in the nick of time before the shark mutant turn her into some lonesome creature like itself.
"You, I remember now you saved me from the Shark Mutant" said Elisa, still in shock.
"That is correct. I rescued you, and then brought you here to my home after you lost consciousness. I am known as Goliath" rumbled Goliath. "What is your name?"
"I am Elisa Maza, New York Detective second class" answered Elisa, almost without thinking. "Hey wait, what exactly are you? Are you a mutant of some type? No that isn't right, I heard you tell the Shark you aren't a mutant. What are you though?"
"I am a gargoyle" replied Goliath simply.
"A gargoyle huh, you mean like the stone statues seen on gothic buildings? Wait a minute, is that other creature I saw earlier, the smaller green one, also a gargoyle like you?"
"Yes, the 'smaller green one' is also a gargoyle like me. He however is a juvenile, whereas I am an adult. No, we are not like the stone statues you have seen on these so called 'gothic' buildings. I can only assume, if they indeed appear similar to us, that they merely are copies made by human artisans."
"Are there only two of you?"
"No, there are six of us in total counting myself. I however am the only adult. There are three juveniles, one elder and a beast."
Goliath didn't know why, but he felt he could open up to this woman. That he could trust her completely for some reason. Upon his recent reawakening Goliath had solemnly sworn that he would never again totally trust another human after the massacre of his brethren and his own cursed sleep, all caused by the actions of treacherous humans. Even though he desired to help Date Masamune's Clan defeat the evil Hamato Yoshi and his mutant hordes, Goliath still had no intentions of leaving his own Clan's fate in the hands of his new allies indefinably. Yet there was something about this detective, this Elisa Maza which made him trust her almost immediately without question.
Elisa felt it too. There was something deep inside her that said you can trust him. It wasn't just the fact that Goliath had already saved her life not once but twice, no there was something more to it than that something deeper. Something that the Detective herself didn't fully grasp, it was almost like they had known each other forever as silly as such a notion seemed.
"Would you like to meet my clan, my family Detective?" asked Goliath, capping his wings offering Elisa his outstretched hand.
After a momentary hesitation Elisa took Goliath's hand in her own. "I would love to Goliath. Please lead the way."
Below in the bowls of the TCRI Building
"This is disaster!" gurgled Krang in frustration, watching the scene between Elisa Maza and Goliath unfold on a video monitor. "Damn, that gargoyle Goliath for bringing the pesky detective back here! If she either blows the whistle to her department about the gargoyles, or exposes them to outside influences that make them question our orders concerning the Turtles, our collective goose is cooked! Shredder don't you have anything to say about our pending doom, or are you to busy catching up on your reading!?" Yelled Krang in utter frustration, pointing a slimly tentacle accusingly at the metal clad ninja.
"Fascinating, simply astonishing I would never have thought in a million years it was…. Oh sorry Krang, what did you say? I wasn't paying attention" Said Shredder, lifting his gaze from the Grimorum Arcanorum.
"Shredder sometimes I, I swear…" roared Krang, balling up his tentacles in frustration.
"Relax Krang" laughed Shredder. "I know exactly what is going on, and I've already discovered the perfect solution to our 'Detective' problem."
"Care to enlighten me Shredder?"
"Let us just say this book is a stupendous find, full of wondrous surprises that come in oh so handy just when you need them most" continued Shredder, leafing through the ancient manuscript.
"What are you babbling on about Shredder? Have you taken leave of your senses?"
"Here read it, be enlightened." said Shredder, stopping at a particular section before turning the book around so that the open pages were facing Krang.
Instantly a wicked smile spread across Krang's ugly countenance. "Oh Shredder you old fiend, here I feared you no longer had a scheme like this in you. Bravo my partner this should certainly keep Detective Maza from telling anyone, including her colleagues at the Police Department, about our Gargoyles. Plus the results should be emotionally devastating for all in involved. You know how much I enjoy watching both people and animals suffer, and in many ways these gargoyles could be considered a mix of both!"
"If executed correctly, it'll do more than that Krang. We'll gain another powerful pawn in our struggle against the Turtles. Besides who knows, long term we may receive a humanitarian award for saving an endangered species" laughed Shredder evilly.
"Shredder you are wicked" said Krang, almost in disbelief at the perverse cruelty of Shredder's latest comment. "Now how should we deliver this glorious gift?"
"We still have about an hour left until dawn. I think it is time for the 'Turtles', or at least one or two of them, to make an encore appearance."
"There is only one small problem with your plan Shredder."
"Which is what exactly, Krang?"
"Artificial life forms, in particularly automatons like our 'Turtles', cannot perform most forms of so called magic. Because they have no natural life force of their own to draw on, nor can they direct conduits of energy such as magical items. This, regrettably, includes the spells that make up the Grimorum Arcanorum."
"There must be a way around this limitation Krang. This opportunity is too good, we can't pass it up. If we do our entire plan for dealing with the Turtles will likely unravel" yelled a panicked Shredder.
"Luckily, I have a solution. I caste the necessary spells myself, via direct remote control. I will be temporarily installed into the specialised mid-section slot we had built into our 'Turtles' in case I ever needed to pilot one as a short term replacement for my old android body" stated Krang, pressing a button on the nearby console activating the attached microphone. "Ulysses please report to main laboratory immediately!"
"At once Master Krang" replied the voice of head of TCRI Legal Department. "I will be there in five minutes, perhaps less Ulysses Quintone out."
"Wait, what about the canister of mutagen that that cybernetic reject Armaggon stole from our warehouse on the wharf?" Asked Shredder alluding to the news Goliath had told him & Ulysses Quintone about upon Goliath's return, concern evident in Shredder's voice. "We must retrieve the mutagen before that traitor uses it for who knows what."
"We can deal with Armaggon during the daylight hours. This latest gargoyle situation must be resolved now." said Krang.
Meanwhile at the Turtles' Lair
"You're sure it was mutagen my sons?" asked the rat mutant formerly known as Hamato Yoshi.
"Yes Master Splinter, there is no doubt the canister Armaggon stole from the TCRI warehouse contains mutagen" answered Donatello gravely.
"On the bright side it would appear we finally have a concrete lead on the whereabouts of 'ol Tin Grin and his pals. I mean how else could TCRI get their hands on some mutagen" stated Raphael, a degree of satisfaction evident in his voice. "After a year of fruitless searching and frustratingly brief battles, we might finally be able to put those creeps down for keeps."
"I can't help but feel we are getting a little ahead of ourselves here" interjected Leonardo. "Just because we found a canister of mutagen at a TCRI owned warehouse doesn't mean that the company, or even the owners, are in league with Krang & Shredder. We should proceed with concision until we learn what exactly is going on here."
"C'mon Leo" said a somewhat irritated Raphael. "How else would a canister of mutagen end up in a TCRI warehouse than without the cooperation, if not the outright partnership, of Krang and/or Shredder? The formula for that stuff doesn't just grow on trees."
"Maybe the dudes found it" offered Michelangelo. "Like the Rat King found that unstable mutagen here in the sewers a few years ago. You guys remember which he used on Irma and Vernon to change them into temp rat mutants?"
At the mention of Irma and Vernon the room went quiet. Several minutes passed anyone said anything. The pain of Vernon's betrayal and Irma's tragic, untimely death was still fresh in the minds of the group. At last Raph broke the mournful silence.
"Pity the change wreaked upon Vernon by that stuff hadn't been permanent. I'd much rather be dealing with a rat slave Vernon right now than Armaggon."
"The past cannot be changed my sons. We can only learn from it so that we will be better prepared for whatever challenges the future may bring" said Master Splinter stoically.
"Master Splinter is right" said Leo. "We need to concentrate upon retrieving the canister of mutagen Armaggon has stolen, and on discovering whatever connection may or may not exist between our long-time enemies and TCRI."
"Armaggon has stolen a canister of mutagen! We have to do something about this, right away! We can't allow him to ruin some innocent person's life!"
The group of five mutants turned to face the new arrival. It was Mona Lisa a combination of shock and concern evident on her face. A series of quick looks were exchanged between the five before Ralph spoke up.
"Like how Captain Filch ruined your life? Way to make a guy feel wanted Mona Lisa."
"You're not being fair about this Raphael" said the female salamander like mutant. "You know that isn't what I meant. How many times must I tell you how much I love you Raphael? Why are you acting like this?"
The others merely stood by watching the spectacle unfold between the couple. All four knew from hard won experience it was best not to get involved in the heated debates between the two. The argument was quickly becoming an old one that followed a time tested formula. Mona Lisa would say something that Ralph would perceive as insensitive towards being a mutant. Ralph would then counter with the allegation that Mona Lisa didn't really love him. The whole discussion, if one could call it that, would often end in a screaming match followed by tears usually, but not always, from Mona Lisa.
"Maybe because I keep getting the impression that you are only with me because I'm the only one who will have you."
"Raphael how can you be so cruel!" demanded Mona Lisa almost in tears. "I chose you out of…."
"All the other freaks in the City, maybe the World" shot back Ralph venomously.
"That is enough my son!" command Splinter, verbally stepping into the argument. "Your behavior towards Mona Lisa is disgraceful! Having been a human myself once I can understand the suffering young Mona Lisa has endured as a result of her mutation. How she felt when the family she loved rejected her because of a change that was beyond her control. In spite of everything she has given you her heart, a precious gift that should be cherished forever. Need I remind you that your brothers and I may never again, or in the case of your brothers never at all, know such love? Yet you treat her with anger and contempt only because she at times misses her old life?"
Raphael looked from Splinter, to the sad faces of his brothers and finally to the crying Mona Lisa. His anger quickly subsided as he watched the one he loved so much convulsed with sadness. His cheeks burned with deep shame. He walked towards Mona Lisa, and held her in a tender embrace. Listening to her sob, he softly said.
"Master Splinter is right. I have been a total heel these past few months. I do not deserve you, or your love. I only hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me?"
"Oh Raphael I'm sorry to. I never meant to make you feel unwanted" said Mona Lisa, looking up into her lover's eyes. "I honestly don't know how I would have survived this long without you or for that matter if I would have wanted to" sniffed Mona Lisa. "Besides your family has been so kind to me, taking me in and all when I returned to New York last year. I shudder to think what my life would be like without you guys."
"Don't worry you'll never have to find out. I swear we will always be together. I love you Mona Lisa."
"I love you too Raphael."
Meanwhile in the courtyard of Castle Wyvern high atop the TCRI Building
"And this is our elder, who was leader of our clan before me." Said Goliath concluding his introductions, by pointing at a large, brown, Bearded Gargoyle who sported a scarred, discolored left eye.
"Let me get this straight" said Elisa Maza, eyeing the group of gargoyles with just a little trepidation. "You guys were frozen in stone by some angry wizard's spell for a thousand years. The spell was broken by the owners of the TCRI Corporation by bringing you here. None of you, with the exception of Goliath, have names." continued Elisa, ticking off the points on her fingers.
"That is correct Detective" rumbled Goliath.
"This is going to be, interesting…." said Elisa, trailing off.
"Aye las what da ya mean by 'interesting'?" asked the Brown Bearded Gargoyle.
"Well" started Elisa with an audible gulp. "Explaining you guys to my coworkers at the NYC Police Department should be a joy, and that's just the beginning. Even though this City is pretty much use to all sorts of high strangeness most people are not exactly welcoming to um how shall I put this. Unique new arrivals like you."
"So, a lot of 'high strangeness' happens around here?" asked the Red Beaked Gargoyle.
"You could say that, yeah" said Elisa.
"Like what sort of stuff? Are you talking about wizards and dragons?" inquired the Overweight Aquamarine Gargoyle.
"Uh um, no not that rather our drama is usually caused by aliens from a place called Dimension X and of course mutants." answered Elisa.
"Mutants!" said the Gargoyles in unison.
"Yeah, like the shark creature Goliath rescued me from earlier tonight. New York City has been crawling with them for years now, ever since all the strangeness started."
"Why haven't you got rid of the mutants? I mean you po-lice are protectors, like us, right?" piped up the Olive Green Gargoyle.
"Aye that is a good question lad. Why have ye allowed these mutants to run about yer city causing all manner of mischief?" joined in the Brown Bearded Gargoyle.
"It isn't that simple, um what should I call you." began Elisa, looking at the Brown Bearded Gargoyle and then at the Olive Green Gargoyle. "Hey wait, this is getting a tad confusing. I can't just go around saying 'hey you over there' when I want to talk with one of you. Darn it, you guys need names if you are going to live in the modern world."
"Does the Sky need a name, do the mountains? What about the River? Does the River need a name las? ranted the Brown Bearded Gargoyle, human obsession with proper names being a subject of long annoyance to him.
"Actually the river that empties from New York City into the ocean is called the Hudson" stated Elisa cheerily.
"Fine then lassy you can call me Hudson" said the newly christened Hudson, capping his wings and folding his arms across his broad chest.
"Now what should we call the rest of you, hmmmm?" pondered Elisa, scratching her chin.
Elisa never had a chance to complete her speech. A large black ball, about the size of a soft ball, fell from the sky landing in the middle of the group. A split second later the ball exploded into hundreds of pieces releasing a thick, blinding, cloud of noxious, purple-black smoke.
In the chaos of yells, coughs and bangs that followed Elisa soon found herself separated from the group. She knelt over coughing violently. A vague form approached her from out of the gloom.
"You are not one of my primary targets, but with an additional spell you'll do just fine" said the Blue Masked Turtle as he emerged from the fog bank. In his hands the Blue Masked Turtle held a large red bound leather book. The Blue Masked Turtle flipped the book open and quickly chanted something, his eyes glowing with an odd purple light, a spark of the same colored energy forming on his outstretched fingertips.
Elisa instinctively jumped out of the way before the Blue Masked Turtle could zap her with the weird purple energy. The mini-lightning bolts whizzing by her head, as she dodged again and again in each instance just in the nick of time. Frustration soon became evident on the Blue Masked Turtle's face. The Blue Masked Turtle then spoke a short series of different alien words. Following the latest phrase Elisa found herself pinned to the cold, stone floor held down by some invisible, yet irresistible force.
"Don't worry the paralysis spell is only temporary. It will wear off in a few minutes." Announced the Blue Masked Turtle, his eyes still glowed an intense purple. "I would have preferred not to have used it however you left me no choice, now for the main event."
With that the Blue Masked Turtle repeated his earlier chant and zapped Elisa square in her chest with one of his purple mini-lightning bolts. Next two things happened almost simultaneously. Elisa withered on the ground in pain, a dramatic change quickly overcoming her body. A huge winged form lunged from behind, grabbing the Blue Masked Turtle in a vise like grip. The Blue Masked Turtle struggled mightily to extricate himself from the crushing grasp of the enraged Goliath. After a herculean effort the Blue Masked Turtle was finally free, though he had dropped the Grimorum Arcanorum in the process. An intense battle then erupted between Gargoyle and Blue Masked Turtle for custody of the powerful tome. The Blue Masked Turtle grabbing one end of the open book Goliath grabbing the other. After a brief, but intense struggle the Blue Masked Turtle gain the advantage by casting the same temporary paralysis spell on Goliath he had earlier used on Elisa. Goliath fell to the floor next to the still changing Elisa, barley able to move a muscle.
"Filthy beast, you destroyed part of the book including the enslavement spell I planned to use on you and your friend here!" yelled the Blue Masked Turtle in frustration, as he showed the two prone forms a deeply clawed page. "I guess I'll just have to kill the two of you instead, before the paralysis spell wares off. Farewell gargoyle scum!" said the Blue Masked Turtle raising one of his now unsheathed swords high above his head to strike killing blows upon the two.
"Leonardo let's get out of here. The tide of battle has turned against us" said a Red Masked Turtle, who had emerged from the smoke bank.
"What about the book and what about them?" asked Leonardo, gesturing towards the Grimorum Arcanorum and then the two prone forms.
"Forget it Master Splinter has many better spell books than this. As for the gargoyles leave 'em, now that we know how easily we can whip 'em it'll make beating up on 'em next time all the more fun, let's go." answered the Red Masked Turtle.
"Alright Raphael, let's go." with that Leonardo turned from where his paralyzed victims still lay vanishing into the fading night.
Goliath lay helplessly watching the Turtles escape his talons, and justice, for the second time that night. Inside Goliath seethed with deep frustration. How could they escape him not once but twice in so short a period of time no less? Had the centuries of sleep dulled the fighting skills of himself and his brethren so much? No, he had beaten the Shark Mutant earlier and saved Elisa. There was nothing wrong with his skills. These Turtles had ambushed him and the Clan both times with vicious sneak attacks. They had little chance to defend themselves. These Turtles had proven themselves completely without honor. Wait Elisa, by the Dragon what had they done to her!
Goliath turned his gaze towards the fallen woman. What greeted his eyes deeply shocked him. Elisa, his recently acquired friend, was no longer human! Elisa had been changed into a brown skinned, black winged, female gargoyle! Goliath could tell from the look on her face that the new gargoyle was deeply confused.
Though he could still barley move Goliath knew he had to do something to comfort Elisa in her time of great distress. Slowly, ever so slowly Goliath inched his way towards Elisa. His eyes never leaving her gaze. Several agonizing moments later Goliath reached out, gently grasping Elisa's now clawed hand with his own.
"It is going to be okay Elisa" Goliath gasped. "No matter what may happen I will always be at your side."
By way of response Elisa gave Goliath's hand a firm squeeze. Goliath gave her a weary smile in return. The first rays of the rising Sun then locked the two in a stone embrace.