In the kitchen of the castle, Mikey was teaching Broadway the fine art of pizza making. He tossed the pizza dough above his head, twirling it like a master pizza chef.
"And once it's all flattened out and round, that's when you apply the sauce." Mikey informed him. "You got any of that fancy, rich-guy tomato sauce?"
"Check the third pantry on the left." Broadway replied. "I think that's where he keeps that stuff he imports from Italy."
Mikey made a beeline for the pantry, returning with a set of jars with Italian labels on them.
"This is gonna be the greatest. Pizza. EVER!" he cheered.
Broadway licked his lips in anticipation.
...
In another room, Hudson and Splinter were surfing through channel after channel, trying to find something of interest to watch. Splinter poured the old gargoyle a cup of ginseng tea, handing it to Hudson with a smile.
"I always enjoy a refreshing cup of hot tea when I watch my shows." he explained. "Tell me what you think."
Hudson took a sip of the tea, grinning immediately afterwards.
"Excellent." Hudson replied. "Thank ye Splinter."
"Anytime, Hudson." Splinter told him, pouring himself a cup before taking his seat. "I believe you are looking for channel 197. That is the soap opera channel."
"Right." Hudson replied, flipping to that channel.
...
"No, no, no, you got it all wrong." Lexington chastised, looking at Donnie in annoyance. "The apparatus isn't large enough to support such a large weight capacity."
The two genii were standing over a set of blueprints for what looked like glider packs. They were designed to hook onto the turtles' shells, allowing for gliding capabilities. Unfortunately, Lexington seemed determined to undermine the project, much to Donnie's chagrin.
"Says the gargoyle with perhaps the shortest wingspan of his clan." Donnie countered.
"What I lack in wingspan, I make up for in wing width." Lexington shot back, spreading his arms. "See? My wings touch all the way down to my hips, unlike the others. That's how I remain gliding with my 'short wingspan'."
"Hmmm…" Donnie pondered. "Width, you say."
"Yes." Lexington replied. "To support creatures of your size, the wings would have to be either twice as long-"
"Or twice as wide!" Donnie concluded. "I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner."
"Well, you've never actually flown before." Lexington reminded him. "There's more to it than spreading your wings and jumping off buildings. There's an art to it. A science about it."
"I can respect that." Donnie replied. "Now let's get these things working."
...
In the dining hall, Raph, Willow, and Brooklyn were sitting around a table with a deck of cards, some snacks, and a couple of sodas among them. They were in the middle of a game of Go Fish, all three of them concentrating hard.
"Raphael, you got any kings?" Brooklyn tried.
"Go fish." Raph told him.
Brooklyn grumbled, taking a card as Willow grinned mischievously.
"I'll take your Kings, Brooklyn." she told him, holding out her hand.
Brooklyn reluctantly tossed over his kings to her, which she happily took, laying down the remaining kings.
"Another group for me." she grinned. "It's like you two aren't even trying."
Brooklyn and Raph just looked at each other before returning to their game in reluctance.
...
In the library, Leo was sitting on the floor meditating while Goliath was sitting on a chair reading a book. Goliath glanced down at Leo, more than a little intrigued by what the turtle was doing. He had been sitting there for almost an hour, and did not seem to have moved an inch.
"You've been sitting there for quite some time, Leonardo." Goliath noted.
"I'm working on my meditation." Leo told him, not even opening his eyes.
"Meditation?" Goliath repeated curiously.
"A ninjutsu technique that helps me balance my body and mind." Leo answered. "It helps me obtain a sense of peace in the world." Goliath let out a sigh at that, closing his book before setting it aside.
"And it… works?" he questioned.
"When done right." Leo replied.
"Perhaps… you'd be willing to teach me." Goliath suggested.
Leo perked up, turning to Goliath smiling.
"Sure."
...
In Ryker's Island Penitentiary, David Xanatos marked off another day on his calendar. His release date wasn't far, falling on the 4th of January. He smirked slightly at. There was a note tacked onto the date that read 'Willow's 18th birthday'. He looked at the note and smiled, then went about his day.
He went to the prison mess hall, picking at his dinner with his usual amount of disgust.
"Just like mom used to make." He joked. "If mom was a prison cook."
After his less than appetizing meal, Xanatos headed towards the visitor's room, where he met with Owen. His manservant took his seat, maintaining his usual stoic expression.
"You seem in high spirits, sir." Owen remarked. "I've never known one to be so jovial while incarcerated."
"My time in prison is almost over." Xanatos informed him. "A few more days and I'll be a free man. I'm looking forward to returning home, seeing my daughter again."
"You never said what you wanted done with the gargoyles." Owen told him. "It would be easy enough to destroy them during the day when the turtles are absent."
"No, Willow would kill us both." Xanatos replied. "Still, I can't exactly have them underfoot when I get home."
All of a sudden, the door to the visitor's room opened, allowing a single guard to enter. He was a rather large, older looking man with a clean-cut beard and eyes that were far older. Owen looked up at him in confusion/
"I believe I still have ten minutes left." he pointed out.
"Yer time matters little to me, Mr. Burnett." The man informed him in a thick Scottish accent. "I'm here for Mr. Xanatos. I have a proposition for him"
"What kind of proposition?" Xanatos asked.
"It's about yer little… infestation." the man explained. "A set of nocturnal beasts that seek te drive ye from yer own home."
"I see." Xanatos noted. "And what would you be asking in return Mr…."
"Call me… Macbeth."
...
That evening, a couple of minutes before sunset, Willow helped to escort Elisa up onto the gargoyles' tower. She was out of the hospital, but was still using crutches to get around until further notice. Once they reached the top, they were greeted by an unfamiliar sight. The old man from the prison was now standing on the battlements, looking over the gargoyle statues with a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Hey!" Willow called out. "Who are you, and how did you get up here?! Did Owen let you in?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes." the old man answered.
"Well, this is my home, and I demand to know who you are!" Willow snapped.
"I'd answer her, buddy." Elisa warned. "You won't like what happens if you cross her."
"I'm called Macbeth." He answered.
Willow snorted.
"Seriously?" she questioned. "What is this, some sort of early birthday prank? Clearly my dad told you I like Shakespeare and-"
"Believe me or don't, that is your choice Miss Willow." Macbeth interjected. "But perhaps your friends will be a bit more… open minded."
At that moment, the elevator opened up, revealing the turtles carrying various party supplies in their arms. Seeing Willow standing there, they quickly tossed the party supplies aside, trying to appear casual.
"Hey… Willow!" Mikey called out. "Aren't you… supposed to be still asleep?"
"I was helping Elisa get up the stairs." she replied, her eyes never leaving Macbeth. "That's when we found this guy."
"And you are?" Raph asked.
"My name is Macbeth." He said again.
"Ok, 'Macbeth'." Donnie said, emphasizing his possibly fake name. "What are you doing here?"
"I'll explain in a moment." Macbeth told him.
Finally, the sun went down, and the stone skin of the gargoyles began to crack. They stretched, howled, and yawned, their skin shattering in order to release their monstrous occupants. As the gargoyles turned towards their friends, their gazes narrowed onto Macbeth.
"Hey guys." Lexington greeted. "Who's this?"
"My name, as I have explained to your friends already, is Macbeth." he answered. "I have a proposition for your clan."
"What kind of proposition?" Goliath asked.
"This castle will soon be returned to its rightful owner." Macbeth explained. "You need a new home, and I gladly offer you my own. Your friends would be welcome anytime, including the detective and Miss Xanatos."
"I'm afraid we must refuse." Goliath responded.
"And I'm afraid I must insist." Macbeth retorted. "I would not stoop so low as to attack you during the day. But now…"
"You ain't attackin anybody, pal." Raph replied, drawing his sai. "Now why don't you back off before I make you?"
"I wouldn't do that, lad." Macbeth warned. "You're no match for me."
"Right." Raph scoffed. "Whatcha gonna do, hit me with your walking stick."
Macbeth responded by grabbing Raph's arm and flipping him over his head, sending him colliding with the wall.
"Raph!" the other turtles exclaimed.
The other turtles ran towards Macbeth, but he drew a gun from his trench coat, firing it at the group. A small grenade was launched, one that exploded in a cloud of green smoke. Using the cover, he quickly ran forward and kicked Broadway into Hudson, knocking them off the tower and onto the ground below. He then turned around and punched at Leo, who was coming in from behind him. As Leo fell to the ground, Bronx charged at Macbeth, but he quickly sidestepped him, causing him to plow into Lexington. Macbeth then took out another gun and fired at them, shooting out a net that caught them. The net electrified, much to Willow's horror.
"Guys!" she screamed, running to try and aid them.
Macbeth quickly pulled out a bola and threw it at Willow, causing it to wrap around her legs and cause her to fall to the ground. She fell hard, struggling to try and free herself. Brooklyn saw her fall and his eyes began to glow.
"Don't touch her!" he howled, charging at Macbeth.
Macbeth grabbed Brooklyn as he came up and the two tumbled over the side of the tower. Donnie saw this and he quickly followed after. As the three landed, Macbeth shot another net at Donnie and Brooklyn, trapping them both and electrocuting them.
"No!" Goliath howled.
Goliath then dropped down towards them, but Macbeth quickly shot at the wall behind him, causing an explosion that knocked him back.
"While this fight has been enjoyable, if it continues, I fear I may cause irreparable damage to this beautiful castle." Macbeth lamented. "So I suggest we continue this elsewhere."
"If you believe I'm just going to let you leave-" Goliath told him.
"I wasn't giving you a choice, monster." Macbeth interrupted.
Macbeth then took out a remote control and pressed a few buttons on it. This summoned a large aircraft that dropped down two claws, picking up Donnie, Brooklyn, Lex, and Bronx. Willow saw them go and desperately grabbed onto the net, trying to save them.
"Let them go!" she cried out.
"I'd rather you didn't do that girl!" Macbeth told her. "It's a long way down."
She kept her grip, refusing to let go. Rolling his eyes, Macbeth lowered a platform for himself to step onto. As he rose up towards the craft, he grabbed Willow and pulled her on.
"If you insist on coming, you might as well ride inside." He told her.
As the craft took off, Leo pulled out a turtle tracker and threw it at the craft. It landed right on the underbelly of the ship as it took off into the night.
"He got Donnie!" Mikey cried out.
"He got Brooklyn, Lex and Bronx too!" Broadway exclaimed.
"Willow too." Leo added.
"This is what I was telling you about, Goliath!" Elisa told him. "You're not safe here!"
"I don't want to hear this anymore!" Goliath dismissed.
"Well too bad!" Elisa declared, getting in his face. "You just lost half your clan, and even worse, your friends got dragged into this too! What's it going to take for you to realize this castle isn't your home anymore?!"
"You don't understand!" Goliath yelled. "We've lost our clan, our world, our time! This castle is all we have left!"
"What good is a castle if you're clan is dead!" Leo interjected.
Everyone looked at Leo in surprise, none of them having expected the blue turtle to be so vocal.
"Look," Leo continued after taking a breath. "I know this place means a lot to you, but with guys like Macbeth and Xanatos knowing you're here, it makes you an easy target. What's gonna happen if Xanatos decides to take a sledgehammer to you guys at high noon? Elisa, my bros, and I can't protect you all the time, and neither can Willow."
Goliath fumed a bit in response to that.
"Listen, you may have lost a lot," Leo continued. "But your clan is still alive. Are you willing to risk that over a pile of stone?"
Goliath was silent for a minute, thinking over everything Leo had said.
"Perhaps… you may be right." he finally relented.
"So, what now?" Mikey asked.
"You three will join me in rescuing the others." Goliath spoke before turning to Broadway and Hudson. "You two… help Elisa find us a new home."
"You got it, Goliath." Broadway replied.
"Good luck, lads." Hudson told them. "Be careful. This Macbeth… there is something about him that is unnatural."
"Indeed." Goliath agreed.
With that, Goliath took off. Leo, Raph, and Mikey went towards the elevator so they could follow.
...
Meanwhile, inside a grand and magnificent mansion on a cliff overlooking the ocean, Willow was pacing around an ornate bedroom. She had been placed there after arriving at the mansion, and had tried everything to try and get the door open. Unfortunately, it was bolted shut, and the balcony outside the large window lead out over the cliff, making that escape route impossible.
She ceased her pacing as she heard the door open, Macbeth entering the room. She eyed him angrily, facing him.
"What did you do with my friends?!" She demanded.
"They're alive, if you're worried about that." He reassured.
"Why did you come after them?" she pressed. "Did my dad send you?"
"I offered to remove these pests for him, yes." Macbeth confirmed. "Though, that was more or less a cover story."
Willow blinked at that, suddenly feeling a twinge of fear course through her.
"Just who are you?" she questioned. "Really?"
"You'd never believe me if I told you." Macbeth told her. "Just relax and try to enjoy the accommodations."
With that, he exited the room, leaving Willow alone to contemplate Macbeth's words.
...
Deep within the bowels of Macbeth's basement, the rest of his ill-gotten guests sat in metal cages. Brooklyn, Lexington and Donnie occupied one, while Bronx was locked in the other.
"Who is this Macbeth guy anyway?" Brooklyn asked.
"Well the name sounds familiar." Lexington replied.
"It should." Donnie told them. "Macbeth is the name of a character in a play. The story was about a Scottish King who took the throne after slaying the true king. He was wracked with guilt and plagued by ghosts until he eventually was slain for his crimes. It's one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies."
"You know, I think I remember Goliath and Willow talking about that story." Lex remembered.
"You ever read it?" Brooklyn asked.
"No." Lex answered.
"Well maybe we should." Brooklyn remarked.
"You guys don't seriously think this is the true Macbeth do you?" Donnie asked. "That was just a story. And even if it wasn't, it took place hundreds of years ago."
"You're a mutant turtle that lives with a mutant rat, fights robots, and is best friends with 1000 year old gargoyles." Brooklyn reminded him. "I'm surprised you still have such a limited belief in what's possible."
Donnie was about to respond, but he just couldn't find the words.
...
Elisa, Broadway, and Hudson flew through the night, the former safely in the grip on Broadway.
"I'm surprised Leonardo finally talked Goliath into this." Hudson admitted.
"Maybe I should have asked him for help from the beginning." Elisa remarked. "Maybe then this whole situation could have been avoided."
"Don't blame yourself, Elisa." Broadway insisted.
"The lad is right." Hudson agreed. "Ye aren't to blame for what happened this night. We all new Xanatos would move against us eventually."
Just then, a thought came to Broadway, one that soured his mood.
"Wait… if we no longer live in the castle, does that mean we can't see Willow anymore?" he questioned.
"I guess that's up to her." Elisa answered. "We'll know once the time comes."
...
Brooklyn poked at the bars, shocking himself as the lights dimmed visibly.
"Ow..." he let out, trying again and getting the same result, "Ow..."
He did this about three more times before Donnie had enough.
"Will you give that a rest?" he insisted.
"I don't see you trying to find a way out of this mess." Brooklyn snapped.
He poked it again, and once again the lights dimmed.
"Ow..." he said.
Lexington looked around the room, seeing the lights dim again as Brooklyn poked the bars one more time.
"Ow..." he let out before turning to his two cellmates, "Anytime you two want to offer up ideas."
"Donatello, did you see the way the lights dimmed when Brooklyn touched the bars?" he asked.
"Actually, yeah." Donnie answered, examining the two cages. "Channeling power into these cages must be incredibly taxing on the mansion's power grid."
"And I'll bet that it can't charge both at once." Lex surmised.
"So if one cage receives a surplus of power, the other will be vulnerable enough for Bronx to escape." Donnie surmised.
"Only question is, how we gonna do that?" Brooklyn asked.
"I have an idea." Donnie told him. "But you're not gonna like it."
"Oh." Brooklyn realized. "Terrific."
"We'll do it on three." Donnie told him. "One… two… three!"
With that, Donnie, Lexington and Brooklyn grabbed hold of the bars of the cage. The bars immediately became charged with electricity, shocking the three of them.
"Bronx! Now!" Lexington yelled.
Bronx looked over at the three writhing prisoners, then at his own cage. He chomped down on a set of bars, ripping them free so he had a big enough gap to escape out of. Once he was through, the others released the bars, dropping to the bottom of the cage as Bronx came over to them. He sniffed and whined slightly, worried about them.
"Get… help… Bronx." Lexington told him.
Bronx nodded once, then charged out of the basement. He didn't let anything deter him, smashing right through the door of Macbeth's mansion before running back towards the city.
...
As Goliath glided across the city, the turtles dashed across the rooftops following the tracker Leo threw on Macbeth's aircraft.
"How much farther Leo?" Raph asked.
"Still a ways outside the city." Leo reported.
"Man, I hope Donnie's okay." Mikey lamented.
As Mikey looked down at the streets, the sounds of screeching tires and screams of terrified New Yorkers filled his ears. All of the turtles skidded to a stop, Goliath landing next to them.
"What is it?" he questioned.
"Does that answer your question?" Raph asked, pointing down at the street.
They all looked down and saw a familiar looking blue gargoyle dog running right down the center of Bleecker Street.
"Bronx!" Mikey cried out.
Goliath gasped at the sight, quickly spreading his wings.
"Get down to ground level." he commanded. "We must get Bronx out of the street!"
"But we can't let the humans see us too." Leo reasoned.
"With all the carnage Bronx is leaving behind him, I doubt they'll even notice us." Raph replied.
Seeing his brother's point, Leo led the two turtles down into the adjoining alley. Goliath glided down as well. Once all of them hit the ground, Leo turned to Mikey.
"Think you have enough smoke bombs to cause a distraction?" he asked.
"Oh yeah." Mikey confirmed, pulling a few out.
"Aim them at Bronx." Leo commanded. "Goliath, once the smoke forms, grab Bronx and get back here as quick as you can."
"Right." Goliath replied.
Mikey then chucked the cluster of smoke bombs near Bronx, engulfing him in purple smoke. Goliath seized the opportunity to dash out and grab Bronx, pulling him back into the ally. He set him down, giving the gargoyle dog a pat on the head.
"I do not know how you escaped, but you must help us rescue the others." Goliath insisted.
Bronx let out a bark, snarling in anticipation.
"I hope he's not as heavy as he looks." Raph remarked.
Goliath just began scaling the building, Bronx doing the same. The turtles followed after their gargoyle friend, continuing their rescue attempt.
...
Later, Goliath, Bronx, and the turtles arrived at Macbeth's mansion.
"For an evil gargoyle hunter, the guy cleans up nice." Mikey commended.
"Now we just need to get inside." Leo surmised.
"I think Bronx already provided us a way in." Raph reported, gesturing to the front door with the large hole in it.
The turtles made their way through the hole as Goliath just smashed the door to pieces. They were all greeted by Macbeth standing before them.
"Don't bother knocking." He remarked. "After all, we're all friends."
"You attack us and kidnap our friends and you think we're friends?" Raph asked. "Buddy, you have seriously lost it."
Macbeth just chuckled, shaking his head.
"My dear boy, you have no idea how much I have lost over the years." he commented. "Now, why don't you three run along? I have business with your gargoyle friend."
"Go." Goliath told him. "Find the others. I will deal with Macbeth."
"Smack him one for Donnie." Mikey told him as they ran off.
The turtles disappeared deeper into the castle with Bronx right behind them. Goliath watched them go, then turned to face Macbeth.
"Go ahead then." Macbeth challenged, drawing his gun on him.
Goliath backed away slowly, growling angrily as his eyes began to glow.
"Smart beast." Macbeth said, inching towards an adjacent hallway. But you'll lose either way. I bested you in your own home. You think I wouldn't be ready for you in my own?"
He took off down the hallway, and Goliath quickly followed him. The elegant hall quickly turned into a stone tunnel, and as Macbeth darted through an archway, a large wooden door slammed down after him. Goliath pounded on the door in anger, his punches not making a dent. His howls echoed through the castle as he scratch at the wood.
...
Down below, Goliath's roars could be heard by Brooklyn, Lexington, and Donnie.
"Bronx must have found Goliath." Lex guessed.
"That would be a safe bet." Donnie agreed.
"Yep." Brooklyn concluded.
...
Up in Willow's room, the roar reached her ears as well. She jumped to her feet, grinning widely.
"Goliath!" she cheered. "Jalapeña!"
Goliath finally managed to bust through the door, and he quickly took off down the stairs on the other side. He stalked through the hallways like a panther, peering through the different archways before continuing on his path.
As he went to go through one arch, a large metal gate suddenly slammed shut in front of him. He went to grab it, only to find that it was electrified. Angrily, he grabbed a nearby suit of armor and chucked it at the gate. As he did this, he heard movement behind him.
Macbeth laughed at Goliath before letting off a shot with his net gun. Goliath grabbed a roman bust and tossed it, using it to deflect the net. Macbeth then took off down the hallway he'd come from, Goliath hot on his tail.
A large metal door cut him off once more, but Goliath made quick work of it, tearing through the metal is if it were tissue paper. However, all he found on the other end of the door was a large brick wall. The howl Goliath let out was so inhumane, so bestial, that anybody would have instinctively thought to duck, cover, a pray whatever made that sound never found them.
Now even more enraged, Goliath tore through the wall brick by brick, claws ripping the stone into rubble. He could see light on the other side, and that only added fuel to his proverbial fire. Once he'd cleared the wall, he found himself standing in a large room full of full body mirrors.
He walked in slowly, examining the mirrors closely. He then spotted what he thought was Macbeth and went to charge. All he ended up doing, however, was rebounding off the glass hard.
"It's not that easy, monster." A different reflection of Macbeth explained.
"Why are you doing this?" Goliath asked, genuinely confused. "Did Xanatos pay you?"
Macbeth's reflections all began laughing.
"Aye, I asked him for money." Macbeth replied honestly. "If I had offered to do this for free, he'd been suspicious."
"Then why?" Goliath demanded. "We've done you no wrong! Neither has Willow!"
"It's not you I'm after, nor the girl." Macbeth admitted. "You're all just pawns. I want your queen!"
"Queen?" Goliath repeated, thoroughly confused. "We have no queen."
"No?" Macbeth questioned confidently. "What about… Demona?"
Goliath's eyes widened in shock.
"You know Demona?" he gasped.
"Know her?" Macbeth laughed loudly. "I NAMED her!"
The floor underneath Goliath opened up and he was sent falling down a dark hole into the darkest recesses of the castle. As Goliath lay on the ground panting, Macbeth approached with a single lit torch.
"If I capture you, the last of your kind, she will come to free you." The man rationalized. "It's her I want."
Now it was Goliath's turn to laugh. He stood up and faced Macbeth, a smile on his face.
"You are a fool!" Goliath laughed. "She is our enemy. She wouldn't lift a talon to save us."
Angry at this sudden shift of information, Macbeth tossed the torch into a vase of oil. It immediately lit the room, revealing a medieval dungeon and torture room. Goliath tackled the man, who quickly freed himself. Macbeth then grabbed a large spiked table, flipping it and tossing it at Goliath. The gargoyle jumped up, avoiding the table, and quickly grabbing onto a gibbet hanging from the ceiling. He swung towards Macbeth and tackled him once more.
This time, when Macbeth worked his way free, he attempted to battle Goliath in hands on combat. The two traded punches, dodging and weaving through the dungeon. One punch send Macbeth right into the oil container he had set ablaze, knocking it down and setting the floor on fire.
Using the flames to his advantage, Macbeth made a break for it. Goliath followed after him, but only found an iron maiden in front of him. Expecting a ruse, Goliath quickly pried it open, revealing an escape route on the other side. He ran through and found a stone staircase leading upwards, Macbeth's shadow already halfway up the staircase. Goliath quickly gave chase.
...
Meanwhile, the turtles followed Bronx down the stairs towards where the others were being held. When the prisoners heard Bronx's bark, they all perked up.
"Bronx!" Lexington cheered. "You came back!"
"
And with help!" Brooklyn added.
"Guys!" Donnie cried out.
"Hang on Don," Mikey reassured, running over to the cage. "We're gonna get you guys out of there."
"Mikey, wait!" Donnie tried to warn.
Before he could finish, Mikey grabbed the bars, shocking himself silly before Raph pulled him back.
"The bars are electrified." Lexington explained.
"Yeah..." Mikey wheezed. "I kinda figured that one out."
"You need to find the power source and shut it off." Lexington told them.
The three looked around the room and saw a massive generator off to the side.
"Found it." Leo let out.
He drew his sword, stabbing it through the mechanism without hesitation. It sparked and fizzled beneath him as the lights in the basement dimmed before going out altogether.
"Perfect." Raph let out. "Now how are we supposed to see the cage in order to-?"
There was the sound of Bronx barking, followed by wrenching metal, several loud pops, and them claws against concrete as Brooklyn and Lexington emerged from the cage, Donnie right behind them.
"...Never mind." Raph declared.
"Good boy Bronx." Brooklyn complimented, patting him on the head.
"Hey, where's Willow?" Leo asked, noting how she wasn't there.
"What do you mean?" Lexington questioned.
"Willow was taken with you guys." Mikey explained.
"She what?!" Brooklyn shouted.
"So, why wouldn't Mr. Highlander lock her up with the rest of you?" Raph asked.
They thought about this for a moment, then Mikey got an idea.
"Because dudes, he's playing a part!" he realized. "He's embracing that Macbeth character, including how he acts."
"Mikey may be onto something." Donnie agreed, turning to Brooklyn and Lexington. "Macbeth takes place roughly during your former time. What would someone of highborn status do with a captive damsel in distress?"
"Lock her in a spare bedroom." The two gargoyles answered in unison.
"Then we search the mansion, checking every room." Leo declared.
"I'll find the highest room in the tallest tower." Mikey volunteered, earning a smack from Raph.
"Moron." He let out as they all ran up the stairs.
...
Up in Willow's room, she had tried over and over again to break down her door. Unfortunately, it still refused to budge. She leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. That's when the smell of smoke filled her nose.
"Oh no..." she let out, getting back to her feet. "Don't tell me..."
She ran over to the balcony, throwing the doors open so she could look out. From the lower floors, she could see smoke beginning to billow out of various windows.
"Not good!" she shrieked. "Definitely not good!"
She ran towards the bed, yanking the blankets off and shredding the sheets, deciding to take her chances with the cliff.
...
The secret passage led up to Macbeth's weapons room, where he immediately went for a well-preserved sword hanging on the wall. He turned just as Goliath reached the top of the stairs, and the two charged at one another. Macbeth swung at Goliath, but the gargoyle ducked, then leapt into the air, landing on one of the chandeliers. The fixture swung towards the wall, where Goliath grabbed a mace, which he then used to sever the chain holding the chandelier. Macbeth moved to dodge the falling fixture as Goliath leapt off it towards Macbeth.
The two warriors clashed, sword versus mace, smoke from the fire downstairs spreading upwards, filling the room. Fire began to lick at the tapestries hanging on the walls. Still the two clashed, the ringing of their weapons echoing over the roar of the fires. Soon, Goliath managed to snap Macbeth's sword in two, the blow also knocking Macbeth to his knees.
"Blast you!" Macbeth shouted.
He pulled out a gun and went to open fire on Goliath. However, Goliath knocked the gun out of his hand with his tail, then hoisted the man into the air by his wrists. Crushing the gun in his hands, Goliath then grabbed Macbeth by his coat.
Thinking quickly, Macbeth ditched the coat, dropping to the ground and bolting for the exit. Goliath would have followed, but the flames by now had spread throughout the building.
...
Meanwhile, the turtles and gargoyles continued searching throughout the castle when the scent of smoke fell upon the group.
"You guys smell that?" Lexington asked.
"Oh yeah." Raph confirmed.
"Guys look!" Mikey pointed out. "Fire!"
The others looked out the window and saw another part of the castle burning.
"It's not gonna be long before the fire spreads to the entire castle." Donnie reasoned. "We need to find Willow and Goliath and get out of here."
Brooklyn scrambled down a hallway, smashing through every door he came across, trying desperately to find her.
"Willow!" he shouted.
He darted past a window, skidding to a stop and backpedaling as he saw a makeshift rope made out of bed sheets dangling in front of it. Descending the ropes, clinging to them for dear life, was Willow. He wasted no time crashing through the window and gliding towards her. He pulled her right off of the rope, much to her relief.
"Brooklyn!" she cried out as she threw her arms around his neck.
"Don't worry, I got you." He told her.
"I know you do." she told him, clinging to him carefully.
Seeing that Willow was in good hands, the others went in search of Goliath. They soon found him, desperately searching for a way out of the burning room he was in.
"Goliath!" Donnie called out, waving frantically. "This way!"
Goliath heard Donnie's cries and made his way towards him. Once they were all reunited they bolted for the door, escaping just as the entire mansion was consumed by the blaze.
"Do you think Macbeth made it out?" Mikey asked as they all looked back.
Goliath looked up and caught a glimpse of Macbeth's hovercraft taking off from the castle as it crumbled to pieces.
"I'd say so." Goliath answered. "Come, let's go."
The gargoyles all took to the sky, Willow still safely in Brooklyn's grasp. The turtles watched them go as Mikey let out a whine.
"How come she gets to ride with them?" he moaned. "We did all the hard work."
"Shut up and run." Raph told him after smacking him again.
...
The returning party met up with Elisa, Broadway, and Hudson on the roof of the building adjacent to the castle. Hudson let out a sigh of relief as he saw all of them returning safely.
"I see that Macbeth was bested." he noted.
"Not bested." Goliath amended. "He fled as his home burned, and we fled as well."
"Any luck in the home hunt?" Leo asked.
"Home hunt?" Brooklyn repeated in confusion.
"The castle is no longer same for us, as much as it pains me to admit." Goliath told them.
"After what happened tonight, it be suicide to stay." Broadway added.
"Fortunately, I found a new place for you to stay." Elisa told them. "It's not as cushy as the castle, but I doubt anyone would think to look for you there."
"You have my thanks Elisa." Goliath told her. "I only wish I had listened to you sooner."
"Hang on..." Willow let out, looking at the gargoyles sadly. "You're leaving the castle?"
"Unfortunately, yes lass." Hudson confirmed.
Willow glanced at the gargoyles in utter sorrow, tears threatening to fall.
"You can't." she insisted. "I thought you were going to face my father when he came back."
"We don't even know if they can last until then." Leo told her. "Macbeth may have had the decency to wait until night to face them but what if the next guy Xanatos hires isn't as merciful? Not even you can protect them all the time."
"And to be honest neither can we." Donnie added.
Willow knew they were right, no matter how much she didn't want to admit it. She held herself as tears fell freely.
"Worst. Birthday. Ever." she declared solemnly.
Brooklyn went to comfort her, but Leo held him back, shaking his head silently. Goliath approached her, glancing over at Elisa.
"Wait here a moment." he requested. "I will take Willow back to the castle."
Elisa nodded as Goliath picked Willow up and flew back to the castle. Raph saw Brooklyn's face and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry, man." Raph told him.
"This isn't fair!" He snapped. "It's bad enough we have to lose our home, but now we have to lose our friend too?!"
"I'm sure Willow will come visit you." Mikey tried. "Well, unless Xanatos tries to use her to find you guys, so-"
Raph raised a hand threateningly, and Mikey wisely shut up.
...
Goliath flew back to the castle and landed on the balcony before setting Willow on the ground. The two were a bit surprised to see Owen walking out to greet them.
"Owen." Willow greeted, wiping her eyes before straightening up. "I'm surprised you're still up. Shouldn't you be getting ready for my dad's release?"
"I had a few matters to take care of first." Owen replied, sidestepping and revealing a suitcase behind him.
Willow looked at the suitcase in confusion.
"Are you quitting or something?" she asked. "Or is dad leaving town so soon after his release?"
"The suitcase is for you, Miss Willow." he explained.
Both Goliath and Willow were taken aback by this declaration.
"Mine?" Willow questioned.
"I assumed you'd be wanting to vacate with the gargoyles when you turned eighteen." He explained. "Was I mistaken?"
"Willow…" Goliath realized. "How old are you, today?"
"Eighteen..." she answered, "Legally… I'm now an adult."
"Meaning that you no longer require the supervision of a court-assigned guardian." Owen added. "Neither are you required to remain here at the castle if that is not what you wish."
Willow placed a hand over her mouth, happy tears falling in place of her sorrowful ones. She turned to Goliath, unable to voice her desperate question. Luckily, it was one she didn't need to ask.
"I believe a few gargoyles will take great comfort in this news." Goliath declared.
"Jalapeña!" Willow cheered, jumping into the air.
Owen allowed a rare smile to grace his face as he gently pushed the suitcase towards her.
"You'll find all of your clothing inside, as well as a few personal items I am certain you will require." he explained.
"There is still one thing we are taking." Goliath added.
"The Grimorum." Owen deduced. "It's in there as well. You can check for yourselves if you want."
Willow opened the suitcase, and just as Owen said, the Grimorum sat at the very top of the pile. She picked it up and flipped through it, blinking in surprise.
"It's the real Grimorum." she reported, putting it back in the suitcase before closing it.
"Then we will go." Goliath decided, grabbing the suitcase before turning to Owen. "But I have a message for your master. We will return one day to reclaim what is ours."
"I'll be sure to give him the message." Owen replied.
As the two got ready to depart, Goliath took one last look at the castle that had been his home for as long as he can remember. He let out a wistful sigh, then gathered Willow in his free arm before taking off into the night.
...
The Clan and the turtles was still waiting on the rooftop as Goliath returned. They were all pleasantly surprised to see Willow in his grip, and even more so to see the suitcase in his other hand.
"Willow?" Brooklyn let out. "What are you doing here? I thought-"
"So did I." she replied, getting out of Goliath's grip. "Until Owen reminded me that I'm eighteen as of today."
"So you're moving in with us?" Brooklyn realized.
"Well, Goliath doesn't seem to mind." she answered, grinning at him. "How about the rest of you?"
"Not at all!" Broadway let out.
"You're welcome in my book, lass." Hudson reassured.
"Of course you can stay!" Lexington told her.
"I, uh… think the others spoke for me." Brooklyn replied.
Elisa chuckled.
"Well then, I suggest we get moving." she told them. "It'll be dawn soon."
...
Later that night, the gargoyles, the turtles, Elisa, and Willow all gathered above the police precinct in a large clock tower set up there. The interior of the clock was completely empty, with enough room to house the six gargoyles, and their one human member. They all examined the space intently, Lexington focusing on the large clock that hadn't been working in years.
"With a little work, I might be able to get that going…" he muttered.
"I could lend a hand with that if you want." Donnie offered.
"Yeah, who wouldn't love to live with a giant clock ticking every second of the day?" Mikey remarked.
"This place isn't so bad." Hudson remarked. "There's a spot right over there for a television."
"That little alcove over there would make a perfect bedroom for me." Willow declared. "There's even a working toilet up here."
Elisa shrugged.
"I know it's a fixer upper, but throw a couple of rugs down, grow a few plants… and it could begin to feel like home." She suggested.
"I'm certain we can help you guys find what you need to make this place more comfortable." Leo assured them.
"Make take a few days, and it won't be as fancy as the castle, but it will be worthy of the title of 'home'." Raph announced.
"Yes," Goliath agreed. "As long as we're together, we're home."
...
The next day, Xanatos finally returned to the Eyrie Building, where Owen was waiting for him.
"Welcome home sir." Owen greeted. "I regret to inform you that the gargoyles have fled the castle. They took Miss Willow with them, along with the Grimorum.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Xanatos dismissed. "I knew the second she became of legal age she'd fly off with them. As for the Grimorum, it's in good hands with Goliath and his clan. Still, it's such a shame things had to go the way they did."
"That doesn't mean it's the way things have to stay." a new voice told him.
Xanatos and Owen turned to see a figure hiding in the shadows. The figure emerged, revealing himself to be a man in metal armor with blades on his arms, legs, and shoulders, and a metal helmet with a tri-piece ornament on top that covered everything but his eyes.
"And who might you be?" Xanatos questioned, eying the newcomer suspiciously.
"Someone who has noticed you having a problem with certain, 'inhuman' nuisances." the man replied. "I too have had similar setbacks from certain freakish thorns in my side, and I believe we can help each other out in ridding ourselves of them."
"The last person that offered me pest control ended up kidnapping my daughter and nearly destroying my home." Xanatos countered. "How do I know you will not turn out the same way?"
"Well unlike him, I understand the importance of family." He reassured. "Believe me, I know what it means to protect those you care for. Besides, you don't seem to have any other way of dealing with these creatures, am I right?"
Xanatos nodded, pleasantly surprised by his guests argument.
"That is correct." he answered. "I am fresh out of prison, so it will take some time to muster my forces, so to speak. In the meantime, your offer is quite intriguing. What should I call you?"
"You may call me… the Shredder."