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 original characters are the property of Celgress.
Gargoyles A Different Choice – Episode One Awakening Part II
By Celgress
Castle Wyvern high atop the Eyrie Building October 5th, 2014, wee hours
Elisa had been exploring the castle for who knows how long when she decided to climb one of the many towers that dotted the structure. Below the thick cloud bank had broken up into ragged patches. Atop the spire, she took in the glittering sight of the Manhattan skyline below. Which was truly breathtaking.
"What a view." Elisa exclaimed in awe. "I wonder if this is how the Spider Trio feels when they websling?"
Elisa heard a low menacing growl from the doorway through which she had passed moments before. Startled she took a step back. She drew her service revolver. Her hands shook in spite of her extensive police training.
"Show yourself," Elisa demanded.
The gargoyle beast emerged from the darkness. His eyes glowed a solid white. His mouth was contorted in a snarl.
"What in the world?" Elisa gasped.
Sensing another presence nearby Elisa turned to her left side only to be confronted by the Gargoyle Second. Frightened out of her wits Elisa took several more steps back. With a yell of surprise, she tumbled backward over the edge of the tower.
For a long moment, the Second watched the human woman plunge to her certain doom. At first, the Second was content to watch. However, uninvited thoughts soon flooded her mind. The human has done you no wrong. If you let her die you will be no better than the Vikings who slaughtered your sleeping Clan members. Do you really want another death on your conscience? Are there not enough already? Reluctantly the Second sprang into action. She swooped downward barely catching the human woman before disaster would have struck. With effort, the Second safely landed on the rooftop of a nearby low-rise building where she sat the human woman down gently as she could.
"Okay, okay, just take it easy," Elisa said putting a bit of distance between herself and the Second. "Can you talk?" Elisa asked.
"Of course I can speak human. I'm not a dumb animal." The Second said offended by Elisa's words.
"What are you, some sort of X-Gene mutant an alien maybe?" Elisa asked.
"What's an X-Gene or a mutant or an alien?" The Second asked confused by the unfamiliar terms.
"Never mind," Elisa said.
"I have a question of my own for you human." The Second said pointing a talon at Elisa. "What were you doing in our castle?"
"'Our castle', you mean there is more than you? Or are you and that um thing alone up there?" Elisa said.
"A few of us remain, once we were many." The Second said a distant look in her eyes. "And that 'thing' is our pet for lack of a better term." The Second finished not at all happy with the human disparaging of her loyal gargoyle beast. Who was doing nothing wrong only defending his clan and home.
"What happened to the others?" Elisa asked ignoring the Second's angry tone.
"They were killed, by your kind human." The Second said her eyes briefly flashed red. Elisa gasped and then realized she had lost her gun in the tumble.
"Don't worry, you needn't fear me. We have no quarrel." The Second turned to leave.
"Um, please don't go," Elisa called out.
"Why," The Second said suspiciously as she turned back to face Elisa.
"You can't leave me up here. How will I get down?" Elisa said. "I can't fly like you."
"Gargoyles don't fly we glide on air currents." The Second said in a mildly annoyed tone. "There are none strong enough down here to lift me."
"We're both stuck here?" Elisa said in dismay.
The Second exhaled sharply a couple seconds later. "Hop on my back human." She said spreading her wings.
"Say what," Elisa said.
"Hop on my back." The Second said. "I won't offer again." Skittishly Elisa got on the Second's back. She draped her arms around the Second's neck. "Hold on," The Second advised.
The Second went to the edge of the rooftop. She jumped off and landed on the side of another higher building. Using her claws to puncture the glass and steel surface she climbed the structure. Once atop it, she again spread her wings catching an updraft. Soon the pair were once more at the castle.
Elisa got off the Second's back. She was breathing hard from fear. The gargoyle beast then appeared.
"I almost forgot about him," Elisa said in fear
"He won't hurt you human. Will you boy?" The Second said patting the beast affectionately on his large head.
"Perhaps now you can tell me what you are doing here uninvited?" The Second said forcefully. "I want the truth."
Sometime later
"A fine mess ye made of that kitchen lads." The Mentor said admonishing the young Trio as they entered the courtyard. Beside him, Goliath rumbled his own disapproval at their actions.
"Hey it was an accident." The heavyset aquamarine gargoyle said defensively.
"Yeah, we didn't mean any harm." The red beaked gargoyle added.
"Look our Second is talking to that human." The olive green web wing exclaimed pointing at the Second and Elisa.
"So let me get this straight, over a thousand years ago you were betrayed by the humans you trusted and frozen in stone by a magic spell," Elisa said.
"Yes," The Second said.
"Does anyone else know about you?" Elisa asked.
"Only the human man Xanatos and his assistant." The Second said.
"My love, who is this?" Goliath asked. He walked up beside the Second and laid his hands on her shoulder.
"Elisa Maza, a detective." The Second answered. "I found her ah, exploring our home."
"Detective second class NYPD," Elisa said flashing her badge which meant nothing to the gargoyles.
"Is she a friend?" The red beaked gargoyle wondered.
"I sure hope so," Elisa said noting that she was surrounded by these strange creatures.
"What does a detective do exactly?" Goliath asked taking his hands off his mate's shoulders.
"Well, when somebody does something wrong I find out who they are and arrest them," Elisa explained.
"According to who?" The Second said.
"Uh well, see we have a justice system in this city and nation that handles that: penalties, laws, assessments," Elisa said.
"You mean that humans decide justice for other humans," Goliath said. Both his eyes and those of the Second narrowed at this. "You should go," Goliath said.
"I agree. You do not belong here." The Second said.
"Wait, you saved my life. I owe you one as we humans say. Let me help you and your, er family." Elisa said to the Second. "I can assist you in understanding this time, this city. A lot has changed in a thousand years. You need to understand how things work in modern times."
"My love," Goliath said placing his hand on the Second's arm. "If we are to protect the castle I suppose we should learn about this new world in which we find ourselves."
"Aye lad and lass," The Mentor said. The Trio nodded their agreement.
Grudgingly the Second also agreed. "If there is no other way, so be it."
"Tomorrow is my day off. I'll meet you in the park, say afternoonish we can,-" Elisa began only to be cut off.
"No daylight meetings." The Second said. "I and my mate will see you after dark." Goliath rumbled his asset.
"Okay, that's fine, I'll see you both then." Elisa said a bit taken aback by how adamant the Second was about a nocturnal meeting. Elisa then left the Clan to their thoughts.
"Do you think we can trust her my angel of the night?" Goliath asked the Second.
"I'm not sure, but I hope we can." The Second said.
"It would appear much has changed from what we knew." The Mentor said.
"Indeed, and if we are to survive here in this strange new world we must learn all we can," Goliath said.
"Oh, Goliath come down and bring your lovely mate," called out the voice of Xanatos from somewhere below.
"It would appear we're being summoned, again." The Second said with disdain. She hated being at the beck and call of anyone, least of all a human they barely knew.
Xanatos' Office, a short time later
"What do you want human?" The Second snapped.
"It is almost dawn we must sleep soon," Goliath said. "Can this matter not wait until tomorrow night?"
"This won't take long," Xanatos assured them from his seated position behind his large oak desk. "As you know I need your help. That team who attacked the castle earlier managed to steal something of great value to me. The lock box they took contained three of these." Xanatos handed Goliath and the Second each a dark gray thumb drive with his cooperate splashed across them in bold red characters.
"I don't understand," Goliath said eyeing the small device in his hand. The Second turned over the device in her own hand marvelling at how light it was.
"Think of these as magic talismans, if that helps," Xanatos said. "Each one containing hundreds of spells. It's of vital importance you and your Clan retrieve them for me before it is too late."
"What not use a human detective?" The Second asked. "Humans stole your spells why not have other humans whose job it is to uphold your laws get them back? Would that not be easier?"
"Because if I did that the general public would know about your involvement in tonight's battle," Xanatos said. "Think of what may occur should the world learn of your existence. I might not be able to protect you any longer. The ruling body of this city could lock you up for study, or worse. Always keep in mind, you, my friends are unique. As far as I know there are no other gargoyles left on Earth."
"We won't be mistreated by humans, never again." The Second said he eyes flashed red with deep seeded fury.
"What would you have us do, Xanatos?" Goliath said.
"My sources have uncovered the organization who hired those thugs, a company called Cyberbiotics, Which belongs to my bitterest rival." Xanatos said. "Tomorrow night I'll give you all the details."
"Why do you want our help with this matter?" The Second said.
"The thumb drives must be retrieved before they can break the encryption codes ah translate the spells," Xanatos said. "The talismans are being held at three different locations. I'll need all seven of you to get them back in time, including your pet."
"This is far different than guarding the castle. What you are asking could endanger the lives of our changes. We cannot risk that." Goliath said.
"All I ask, for now, is that you consider my request," Xanatos said. "We'll talk more tomorrow night, go the sun will soon rise."
Once Goliath and the Second had left a hidden door slide open. Out of which stepped a hooded figure clad in a scarlet robe. Its face obscured by shadow.
Xanatos smiled. "Don't worry everything is proceeding according to plan."
"Remember Xanatos if you want the Phoenix Gate, which I remind you is the foundation of your ill-gotten wealth, the gargoyles are to remain unharmed until I say otherwise." The figure said in an electronically distorted voice. "Should any ill befall them I'll make certain you die a pauper toiling on your father's fishing boat in Maine."
"There is no need for threats," Xanatos said his smile fading. "I'm hurt. I thought we were friends."
The hooded figure laughed. "We both know a being such as yourself is incapable of true friendship. Be warned your legendary charm is of no use against me Xanatos. I see through your pleasant facade to the black heart within." Xanatos frowned but said nothing.
To Be Continued