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 Time's Changeling - Episode Four: Perils of Temporal Tampering
By Celgress
The Secret Journal of Bluestone, Mage of Clan Wyvern
October 994 C.E.
No matter what I tried things never worked out the way I planned. Using the Phoenix Gate multiple times I altered the events surrounding the Wyvern Massacre. Each alternative timeline my meddling created proved more problematic than the previous one. Somehow the Gargoyles always ended up dead. Several times the Vikings spared the Clan only for them to die later by some other means; highland tribes seeking to avenge the humans of Castle Wyvern, the invading English, even a rival clan of gargoyles. I came to view the Wyvern Massacre as a fixed point in space time. An event which could not be prevented in it's entirety. With that in mind I now seek a more subtle approach. If I cannot stop the Massacre itself perhaps I can alter non-vital points surrounding it?
Castle Wyvern a few minutes before dawn the night before the Massacre
"Your plan will fail" Bluestone whispered softly into the ear of the "Demona". "Of this I have little doubt. You shouldn't have deceived Goliath and Elisa into leaving the castle along with our former leader."
"You can't be certain human." "Demona" hissed back at him as the two strolled along the battlements of Castle Wyvern.
"Trust me I am," said Bluestone, turning his pale blue eyes upon her. "Goliath, Elisa and your Mentor shall not return before sunrise. The Captain of the Guards, in spite of his best intentions, shall not be able to protect your slumbering kin from destruction this coming day nor shall I. If there are any here you wish to save, you and they must leave with utmost haste." Bluestone briefly turned his head towards the "Demoa's" favorite brother & sister who stood not far away. The pair who would one day be known as "Othello" and "Desdemona". "Now I must go, duty calls. May luck be with you, poor misguided creature." Bluestone departed the battlements descending a ladder via an opening in the floor.
"Overbearing human wizard!" spat out "Demona" the moment Bluestone was out of sight. Still his words haunted her. What if he was right? What if the Captain of the Guards failed in his promise to protect her Clan from the wrath of the Vikings? Perhaps she should warn the others? Looking towards the rapidly brightening eastern horizon her spirit sank, clearly there wasn't enough time left to hide the entire Clan some place safe. Whatever was she to do? Recalling her conversation with Bluestone she beckoned to her favorite brother & sister.
"Brother, Sister could you please accompany me to the beach below?" "Demona" said approaching the Gray Male & Brown Female.
"Can this not wait Second?" asked "Desdemona". "Dawn is almost upon us."
"Yes, is there reason why this trip cannot be done tomorrow night?" argued the ""Othello".
"I assure you both it cannot wait. You must come with me at once." "Demona" continued urging the pair. "Please you must accompany me."
"Why must we Second what is going on?" "Desdemona" said.
Looking towards the golden hued eastern horizon "Demona" decided to take a different approach. She only hoped it would work. "I am in charge do not question my orders, or I will tell Goliath, Elisa and our Mentor of your disobedience upon their return. Now follow me down to the beach at once, there is something there we must do before dawn comes hurry."
Exchanging perplexed looks and then shrugs, the pair followed "Demona" and glided down the sheer cliff face that abutted the eastern side of Castle Wyvern. Once the two landed on the sandy sea shore over a hundred feet below they followed "Demona" into the mouth of a small cave that the tides had carved into the cliff face over the eons. "Othello" was just about to ask what the "Demona" wished to show the pair down in the cave when the first rays of the rising sun froze the trio in stone slumber.
Night came and the three gargoyles in the small cave burst from their stone skins with mighty roars. Approaching "Demona" "Othello" asked his question. "What is down here that you want to show us sister?"
"That is no longer important. We just needed to get away from the Castle for a while. I will explain everything soon," "Demona" said, a look of relief on her face. "I'm heading back to the Castle now you two can remain here if you like the choice is your own."
"But….," Started "Desdemona". However it was too late "Demona" was already energetically climbing the cliff face, using her talons to punch grip holes into the rocky surface. Exchanging confused looks and then a mutual shrug, the pair followed her up the cliff face.
The sight that greeted the three upon their ascent was one of absolute horror. Everywhere laid the shattered stone bodies of their fellow gargoyles! The Castle had clearly been attacked during the day when their clan members had been unable to defend themselves.
"Oh no, please Dragon no, no, no" "Desdemona" wailed holding a handful of scattered remains, her eyes rapidly filling with tears.
"How can this be?" ""Othello" asked aloud, "how could this have happened?" Then a thought entered his mind. "You," He said turning towards "Demona" whose eyes were slowing leaking tears, "you somehow knew this would happen."
"Don't be absurd." "Demona" said dismissively, trying in vain to regain her composure.
"No my mate is correct." "Desdemona" said, dropping the remains she held. "Why else would you take us to the beach just before sunrise without explanation? You did this. Our Clan is dead because of what you have done, but why?"
"I don't know what you are talking about. You two have gone mad. I do not have to listen to these ridiculous allegations." "Demona" said defensively, she attempted to leave but the pair blocked her at every turn.
"Why did you do it, why?" "Othello" yelled, "answer me, why?"
"Didn't you care about them? Loved them as we did?" "Desdemona" asked, a look of deep betrayal etched on her face.
"I,I,I,,,," stammered "Demona". "I, Dragon I'm so sorry." She wailed falling at the feet of the pair. "It wasn't supposed to be this way I swear. The Vikings were only supposed to take away the humans, nothing more. The Captain of the Guards and I, we struck a deal with the Viking Chieftain Hakon. He was going to take away Princess Katherine, the Magus that entire human rabble. Our home, the Castle, would have been ours again. Katherine and her court have treated us like dirt ever seen Prince Malcom died! The Captain of the Guards and I sabotaged the Castle defenses so the Vikings could entered unopposed we even cut the bowstrings of the archers. The Captain promised he'd protect our people. I thought I could trust him. This is entirely his fault, the humans betrayed us again!" "Demona's" eyes were now a deep red.
"Sister what have you done," "Desdemona" said shaking her head. ""Othello" didn't say anything. He just glared at "Demona". Seeing the reactions of the pair "Demona's" eyes slowly lost their red glow. A slack jawed look replaced her grimace of anger.
"We must leave here find Goliath, Elisa and our Mentor. Let them know what has happened," ""Othello" said.
"Not the best idea," said Bluestone suddenly appearing on the battlements as if out of thin air.
"How did you get here human?" "Demona" demanded eyeing the red haired wizard suspiciously.
"I was hiding in one of towers when the Vikings sacked the Castle. I saw in which direction they departed," explained Bluestone. "I can lead you to them if you'd like?"
"Why would we want that?" "Demona" asked, not in the least bit interested by Bluestone's offer.
"To free the hostages, to obtain vengeance perhaps," Bluestone suggested with a shrug.
"No, the Phoenix Gate use it erase this tragedy from history." "Demona" demanded desperation evident in her voice.
"I cannot." Bluestone declared. "This event is a fixed point in time, prevention is impossible. I have already tried, more than once. I am sorry."
"You lie human," "Demona" said putting out her hand. "Give me the Phoenix Gate!"
"I shall do no such thing." Bluestone said firmly. "Its' use would only make matters worse, trust me I know."
"Please lead the way," "Othello" said interrupting the Second, offering Bluestone to hop on his back after he exchanged a quick look and nod with his mate "Desdemona".
"Where are you two going?" "Demona" demanded.
"To free the hostages," "Desdemona" replied. "You are welcome to come along sister."
"No, I will remain here and await the return of Goliath, Elisa and our Mentor." "Deoma" said firmly. "They must be told of what happened here."
"As you wish, farewell sister." ""Othello" said, the three beings took off into the night.
Only a few minutes passed before Goliath returned. "Demona" witnessed the cland leader land atop the tower where she and several other siblings usually perched during the day and let out an anguished scream. Realizing that Goliath must think the remains there were her own "Deoma" considered informing him otherwise. However her fear and guilt held her back. What if the others had already told him she was responsible for the Massacre? The thought was more than she could stand. "Demona" descended the cliff face and glided off into the night. She'd return in a few hours explain she'd been searching for Goliath, Elisa and their Mentor. She only hoped her brother, sister and Bluestone would keep their mouths shut.
"Goliath, I'm so sorry." Elisa said landing beside her mate. She could think of nothing else to say.
"There was treachery here." The Mentor said looking at the pair while holding up several bows. "The archer's bowstrings have been cut."
"What is going on?" "Brooklyn" asked as he and the other two young males emerged from the Rookery along with the gargoyle beast.
"We have been betrayed." Goliath said he and Elisa glided down into the courtyard. "Were there any others in the Rookery with you?"
"No, just us," "Broadway" said.
"What do we do now?" "Lexington" asked.
"We find those who did this. We make them pay." Goliath said his eyes flashing white.
It didn't take the remaining gargoyles long to track down the Viking band who sacked the Castle. Falling upon their enemies with great fury the gargoyles easily bested them. In fact most of the Vikings fled at the first sign of trouble. Landing near the tied up Magus the Second, the trio and the beast dispatched the few remaining guards. Rather than be grateful the young mage was incensed.
"You fools they would have ransomed us!" Magus shrieked after Elisa cut him free. "Now thanks to your interference the Princess is dead."
"What is he talking about?" "Lexington" asked.
"Why are you angry with us?" Elisa said. "We saved you."
"Saved me have you! I'll show you! I'll show you all!" Magus raged. "I shall send you to join the Princess!" Magus then started reciting an incantation in Latin from the Grimorum Arcanorum, his personal spell book inherited from the late Archmage.
"Aye what is all the commotion about?" "Hudson" said ambling towards the group.
"We must stop him," "Elisa" yelled realization dawning on her. "He's casting a spell on us! He's trying….." Before she could finish her warning the five gargoyles and one gargoyle beast found themselves in an unnatural stone slumber.
Magus didn't enjoy his revenge for long. A few minutes later he found himself in the grip of the enraged Goliath. Starring at his frozen companions the towering gargoyle snarled at the hate filled wizard.
"Stone by night, what sorcery is this?"
"Sorcery indeed and if I had my way you'd join them!" Magus said not in the least bit intimidated by Goliath.
"Oh Magus what have you done?" Princess Katharine said looking at the stone gargoyles.
"Princess I thought you were dead. I turned them to stone." Magus explained.
"Bring them back." Gargoyles growled tossing Magus on the cold, hard ground.
"I cannot the page with the counter spell was destroyed by the Vikings." Magus said.
"You turned them to stone forever?" Princess Katharine asked inspecting the stone gargoyles.
"The conditions of the spell are that they sleep until the Castle is moved across the great sea." Magus said.
"I'm sorry Goliath we have done you and your Clan a great wrong," Princess Katharine said offering a weak smile. "Anything you desire if it is within my power to grant its' yours. You need only name it."
"The eggs in the Rookery, all that remain of my Clan, will soon hatch. They shall require protection and guidance. Things I cannot offer them alone." Goliath said looking forlornly at his stone mate.
"We'll watch over them as if they were our own." Princess Katharine assured the heartbroken gargoyle.
"I have one last request. Help me take my cursed clan members back to the Castle then Magus cast your spell one last time, on me." Goliath said solemnly.
To Be Continued