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 are the property of Celgress.
TMNT/Gargoyles Season One Beginnings Episode Five: Thanksgiving Part Two
By
Celgress
The Secret Hideout of Pannton the Dark Jester noon November 23rd, 1994
"At this hour Date Masamune, CEO of TCRI Corporation, is once again a free man. Superior Court Justice Joseph Lindstrom has dismissed the felony kidnapping and obstruction of justice charges against Mr. Masamune that stemmed from the October disappearance of Detective Second Class Elisa Maza, due to lack of evidence. Judge Lindstrom stated in his ruling that 'the state having failed to meet the high burden of proof required in a felony case leaves me no choice but to dismiss the charges without prejudice'. Mr. Masamune was unavailable for comment" announced the voice of the female newscaster as a montage of the events played out across the big screen TV.
The man behind the persona that was Pannton the Dark Jester chuckled to himself, the corners of his lips curling into a grin. "Looks like Shredder has pulled the wool over the eyes of the judiciary. Pity they didn't throw the book at that cad. I guess it isn't all bad, with Shredder back on the streets the Gargoyles & Turtles will surely remain firmly wedged in the public eye. The longer Shredder's antics irritate their do-gooder sensibilities, the longer they'll make public nuisances of themselves. Thank you Shredder & Krang for the gift of the bumbling Turtles & Gargoyles, the gift that keeps on giving me Pannton the Dark Jester fun, fun, fun!" The man then burst into a crescendo of maniacal laughter.
The Turtles' Secret Lair afternoon
"I cannot believe this" said Venus, shaking her head in frustration. "Not one of you five knows how to cock!? This is unbelievable, just unbelievable."
"I was more into science growing up" said Mona Lisa, with a shrug. "Things like cooking didn't interest me."
"Hey dudette, chill out I can cook" said Michelangelo proudly.
"Oh really" said Venus skeptically. "What can you cook, besides say the dish known as pizza you are all so fond of?"
"That is erm kind of um it" said Michelangelo, suddenly at a loss for words. "I can make a mean pizza yeah, well ah honestly I usually just pop an instant one in the oven but not all the time." The other three turtles said nothing, their gazes darting this way and that avoiding making eye contact with Venus.
"The culinary portion of your training has been sorely neglected" continued Venus, obviously annoyed by her fellow mutants' lack of cooking skills. "In time of need a ninja must be able to live off the land. All of you are frankly a disgrace to martial arts experts everywhere."
"Hey" said Raphael, an undertone of anger clear in his voice. "There is no need to be insulting."
"For the record, I just started my formal ninja training a few months ago" said Mona Lisa, raising her hand.
"I suppose you think you can do better huh? You're a regular dynamo in the kitchen no doubt" said Raphael, putting his arm around Mona Lisa.
"I can certainly do better than the four of you" challenged Venus, somewhat arrogantly.
"Congratulations you have just been elected our Thanksgiving cook" said Raphael, with a grin.
"Elected how, we haven't had any such election" demanded Venus.
"Good point" said Raphael. "All those in favor of Venus cooking us Thanksgiving Dinner say 'I'"
"I" yelled everyone but Venus & Leonardo.
"All those opposed say 'nay'" finished Mona Lisa.
"Nay" yelled Venus, and whispered Leonardo.
"The I's have it" declared Donatello. "Congratulations Venus, you are now officially our Thanksgiving cook good luck."
Venus turned around and left the room, mumbling something in Chinese. The others, with the exception of Leonardo, all laughed. Leonardo just looked at the others, shook his head, muttered something under his breath, and quietly followed Venus. Leonardo found the female turtle mutant sitting in a small chamber by herself. Leonardo was almost certain her heard a few soft sobs.
"Ahem" said Leonardo, clearing his throat this had the intended effect Venus jumped up and turned around to see who was had entered the chamber.
"Don't let the others get to you. They can be rather immature at times" explained Leonardo, Venus' eyes were still wet where she had been crying.
"Perhaps I was unnecessarily harsh with them. I am unaccustomed to interacting with those my own age. It was always just me and my father, my adopted father, Chung I. In my native language, in Chinese, my original name meant 'beautiful river turtle'. Chung I always told me I was his beautiful treasure that I was 'unique', yet now I learn I am not truly unique, not actually special. That I am but one of four human like Turtles, who are in turn but a small group of many diverse human like mutants" said Venus, her gaze downcast. "There is more Leonardo. Your country, your customs, this strange new world eludes my understanding. There are times when I fear the comprehension of it may elude my grasp forever. I sense that I do not fit in here. More importantly I do not fit in with your family."
"They are your family too Venus" said Leonardo softly, taking her hands in his own. "Never forget that. You are one of us, and we look out for each other."
"There are times I cannot believe I am related to you & your brothers by blood. Some of what they do I find not only strange but infuriating as well" said Venus, meeting Leonardo's gaze.
"You aren't related to them by blood, neither am I" said Leonardo.
"Wh-what do you mean? Yet you call them 'brothers'."
"And Master Splinter calls Mona Lisa 'daughter' and us 'sons' even through strictly biologically speaking none of us are related."
"H-How can you be so sure?" asked Venus, looking deeper into Leonardo's eyes.
"We, and this includes you Venus, were a group pet store turtles born on a turtle farm before our mutation" explained Leonardo. "The five of us represented a mere fraction of the thousands of babies born there during that year. The chance of any of us being related by blood was always slim. A couple of years ago Donatello used DNA sequencing techniques taken from our allies in Dimension X the Neutrinos to sequence all of our DNA strands, including that of Master Splinter, because we were concerned about any long term genetic damage the mutagen may have caused in our systems. Besides giving us all a clean bill of health, these tests also definitively proved none of us were directly related."
"But how can you be sure I'm…." began Venus, only for Leonardo to place a finger upon her lips.
"Because we tested both you and Mona Lisa as well" continued Leonardo. "We tested Mona Lisa for underlying genetic defects shortly after she rejoined our group last year. Remember when Donatello took that blood sample a couple of days after we returned here from China?"
"Yes, I had almost forgotten" said Venus, the memory of the unpleasant experience now clear in her mind. She recalled arguing with the others at the time that she didn't require any such tests, that she was in perfect health and felt fine. She also remembered Donatello informing her that she had a 'clean bill of health' roughly two days ago now.
"What Donatello didn't tell you, because we all agreed it was unimportant in the grand scheme of things, was that your test confirmed what our earlier tests had already proven that one of us including you are blood siblings" finished Leonardo.
"What does that make us Leonardo?" asked Venus, barely breathing.
"I guess we are just mutant boy and mutant girl. Kind of like Raphael and Mona Lisa" proclaimed Leonardo.
"Kind of like Raphael and Mona Lisa" Venus whispered, half to herself, an awkward silence followed. Neither turtle said a word for some time. It was finally broken by Leonardo, releasing his grip on Venus' hands.
"I, we really should be getting back. I'm sure the others are in a more family orientated mood by now" said Leonardo, fidgeting uncontrollably. "Besides you have a Thanksgiving Dinner to put on" teased Leonardo.
"Good point. Yes, I agree" said Venus, blushing slightly. "Let us rejoin the others." The two mutant turtles left the small chamber so they could rejoin the larger group.
Elsewhere inside Krang's laboratory at the TCRI Building
"Krang I cannot tell you how good it feels to be free again!" exclaimed Shredder, rapidly discarding his white business suite in favor of his typical Shredder gear. "Ah, I see you fixed your android body while I was incarcerated" finished Shredder eyeing Krang, who was snuggled comfortably in the abdominal cavity of his robotic other half.
"Not a moment too soon I might added" said Krang, adjusting his position in his newly restored body. "After spending more than a year inside it I couldn't stand the thought of one more day in that infernal bubble walker. It was more cramped in there than a subcompact car and the amenities were just as lacking!"
"It would appear it is a red letter day for us both!" laughed Shredder, now fully dressed in his usual outfit. "Pity that traitor, whom you hired I might add, Ulysses Quintone stole the Grimorum Arcanorum, along with the Eye of Odin & the Phoenix Gate. And just when you were getting good with casting your spells Krang" teased Shredder.
"Laugh while you still can Shredder" said Krang, turning his attention towards a nearby console. Punching in a few buttons several columns of thick text appeared on the overhead monitor. "Luckily I managed to copy almost a third of spells within the Grimorum Arcanorum before we, ah, lost possession of it. I'm certain these spells will come in handy, when the appropriate circumstances present themselves."
"We shall see Krang, we shall see. In the meantime how goes Operation Takeover?" asked Shredder.
"Everything is in place. Soon we will learn if your beloved Tony Dracon and the Purple Dragons he leads can pull off the momentous task you have assigned them."
"They will Krang, trust me" said Shredder, ignoring Krang's allusions of Shredder's fondest towards Tony Dracon.
"Where have I heard that before" said Krang, rolling his eyes.
"Even if they fail in their task Krang, it matters not" retorted Shredder.
"Really?" chuckled Krang, his voice thick with sarcasm. "And why exactly is that Shredder?"
"Because we will then have a much more complete picture of the strengths & weaknesses of the law enforcement units that serve this City, Krang" explained Shredder. "With this knowledge we shall plan our own eventual assault upon the City, when our own direct forces are at long last ready."
"I like it, for once you have a good idea Shredder" said Krang, an evil grin spread across his ugly face, "an idea that might actually bare fruit. So, regardless if Dracon wins or loses we still win."
"Exactly Krang, while I see much of myself in young Dracon. I do not trust him. In fact it is our very similarities that worry me. He is far too clever, ruthless and ambitious to be allowed complete autonomy. If given half a chance. I am all but certain he would betray us both" said Shredder. "Which is why I have given him such a difficult task my old friend."
"What if he defies the odds, succeeding in spite of everything? What then my old friend?" inquired Krang, his voice stained with glee.
"Then, we neutralize Tony Dracon" replied Shredder his voice steely, his eyes cold as the grave.
St. Damien's Cathedral sunset
The second he had awoken Broadway hopped down from his perch. The young male gargoyle was excited to retrieve his new weapon. With a little practice he would be just like his television heroes. After the evening meal and the patrol groups & routes were handed out Broadway snuck off and found the laser pistol exactly where he had left the device just before sunup. He hadn't dared kept the gun on him while in stone sleep. He was afraid the entire process would damage, or even destroy, the firearm. A risk he was unwilling to take. Quickly concealing the gun in his loincloth Broadway joined his patrol group. He was happy he was on the same group as Elisa and Goliath tonight. Perhaps, if he were lucky, he'd get the chance to show Elisa his new find. He was sure the adult female gargoyle, having both been a human and a detective up until recently, could teach him good technique. A great night lay ahead for them all, of that Broadway was sure.
It wasn't long before Goliath's group encountered trouble. Less than half an hour after leaving the Cathedral the three gargoyles came upon a large skirmish between four uniformed NYPD Police Officers and a dozen Purple Dragon Ninja. The NYPD members were led by a tall, red haired man in a trench coat. The Purple Dragons were led by a handsome young man, with black hair in a leisure suit, standing beside the handsome young man, stood a large, heavyset man wearing glasses. The Purple Dragons had the NYPD members pinned down behind their police cars. The Purple Dragons were directing a barrage of constant laser fire at the NYPD members, who were only getting off a few stray shots in retaliation.
"Give it up Dracon!" blasted the Red Haired Man through a megaphone, as he sat behind a squad car for cover. "Backup is on the way. In less than ten minutes you'll be surrounded! If you give up now I'll put in a good word for with the judge!"
"Matt, Matt, Matt" yelled Tony Dracon back at the Red Haired Man. "We both know you coppers won't last ten minutes! Besides I think you are bluffing! I do not think there are any reinforcements coming at all! Detective Bluestone why don't you surrender to us instead!? I promise if you do, we'll go easy on you!"
"Not a chance Dracon!" replied Detective Matt Bluestone through his megaphone.
"I was hoping you'd say that!" shouted back Dracon. The Purple Dragons, including Dracon and his bodyguard Glasses, redoubling their fire.
"We must help them" said Goliath the three gargoyles watching the distressing scene unfold below.
"I agree big guy" said Elisa, with a deep sigh. "Sadly in the current climate of fear if the police see us they might shot first and ask questions later."
"We have to do something" added Broadway. "Those cops down there are getting creamed by the Purple Dragons. If we don't do anything they might get hurt or worse."
"I have an idea" declared Elisa looking towards an old, rundown abandoned brownstone that was near the shootout sight. "Guys follow my lead."
Below the NYPD members were even worse off than before Detective Bluestone had made the offer of surrender to Dracon & the Purple Dragons. The Purple Dragons had managed to advance several feet. They were now only mere moments away from encircling the NYPD members. Suddenly a heavy shower of brown stone fragments rained down upon the Purple Dragons. The gang quickly retreated. Several of their number, including Tony Dracon and Glasses, jumped into their own cars preparing to make a clean get away. This was not to be however as brown stone fragments continued to rain down upon them, several smashing straight through the windshields, windows and sunroofs of their cars. The remaining Purple Dragons quickly abandoned their vehicles, beating a hasty retreat on foot. They scattered in every direction. This included Tony Dracon and Glasses.
"What the heck just happened?" wondered a uniformed officer aloud.
"I have no idea" said Matt Bluestone, examining one of the brownstone fragments that had landed a few feet away. "We can worry about that later, now go after them. We can't let them get away!"
The four NYPD members scattered running after the Purple Dragons. Bluestone himself ran in the direction Dracon & Glasses had last been seen heading. He was determined he was going to bring Dracon in. The Purple Dragons had gone too far with their current, laser gun fueled, crime spree. This ends tonight thought Detective Bluestone.
A few minutes and a couple hundred feet ahead of Matt Bluestone Tony Dracon found himself at a dead end, literally. He had got separated from Glasses and his troops during the panic. Now he was on his own. In an unfamiliar neighborhood, worse he had the misfortune to turn into a one way alley. Double checking the power level and setting readouts on his laser pistol he scanned his surroundings.
"Great, and this was going to be my night. The beginning of a new era, my era" grumbled Tony Dracon to himself. "What more can possibly go wrong?"
"You're about to find out" said a female voice from behind him.
Tony Draco whirled around. There standing before him was Elisa. "I had to ask" said Dracon, alarm evident on his face. "Who the hell, correction what the hell are you?"
"I'm a gargoyle, protector of the innocent and your worst nightmare buddy" replied Elisa.
"Great" laughed Tony Dracon, "you're one of the latest batch of vigilante mutant freaks. Lady I grew up in one of the roughest neighborhoods this city has to offer. I'm not the least bit impressed by your speech or your look." Tony Dracon then leveled his gun squarely with Elisa's chest.
"Don't move dirt bag!" yelled a male voice from behind him. Once again Dracon turned around this time to be confronted by Broadway who was holding a laser pistol of his own. Tony Dracon shook his head and laughed.
"I can't believe this. I just can't believe this. Another one of you freaks and this one is packing heat, unbelievable."
"Broadway what are you do!? Where did you get that!?" asked Elisa in shook.
"It is okay Elisa. I've got this one covered" said Broadway, the gun shaking in his hand.
"Do you now?" said Tony Dracon, pointing his gun at Broadway.
In the next few seconds several things happened in rapid succession. First Elisa lunged for Dracon's gun. Dracon jumped to the side out of her way. Broadway panicked and fired his own laser pistol. The blast hitting Elisa at near point blank range full force in her left shoulder, the powerful beam sliced all the way through her body in an instant. Broadway dropped the still hot laser pistol to the ground. Dracon pushed the shocked Broadway aside and ran out of the Alleyway. It began to rain heavily, thunder rumbled in the distance.
A few moments later Goliath arrived at the scene. The sight that greeted Goliath's eyes when he entered the alleyway was nothing less than terrifying. In fact it was the worst thing he had beheld since he and Hudson had discovered the Massacre at Castle Wyvern, so long ago. There laying on the cold, hard ground was Elisa. Her eyes closed, her left shoulder blackened with a gaping hole in the middle of it. Nearby stood Broadway, his face locked in a look of disbelief.
"No" whisper Goliath, crouching down beside the fallen Elisa. He gingerly picked her up, cradling her gently in his massive arms. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed, his eyes glowed a solid white, his wings spreading out involuntarily. His mind consumed with grief and rage Goliath turn his white hot gaze towards Broadway. "How did this happen!? Who did this!? Answer me now!?"
Broadway stammered for a bit, finally he spit out the following words. "We, were, we, that guy they the Detective called Tony Dracon, he was so fast. There was nothing I could do, I'm sorry Goliath."
"Dracon will pay for this!" rumbled Goliath deeply, his eyes landing on the laser pistol that lay in the middle of the alley near Elisa. Picking it up he looked at Broadway. "He used this didn't he?"
"Yes, oh Dragon Goliath I'm so, so, terribly sorry" said Broadway, tears flowing down his face in twin torrents. "We've got to do something, Elisa needs help she is hurt so bad. Dragon what can we do?"
"Maybe I can help" said Matt Bluestone, who now stood at the mouth of the alleyway. "I'm Detective Matthew Bluestone. I'm pretty sure you were the ones who saved me and my men earlier in the evening with that rain of stone that was dropped on the Purple Dragons. I'm so sorry one of you has been seriously injured" Matt Bluestone finished with a frown, looking down at Elisa.
"She is my beloved, my mate to be" said Goliath his eyes still a solid white. "I do not know how to help her."
"May I take a look?" asked Matt Bluestone.
"Just do not harm her any further. I'll be watching" said Goliath, eyeing Matt Bluestone intently as the latter took Elisa vitals.
"The good news is she is alive" said Matt Bluestone, now back to his feet. "The bad news is her vitals are very and erratic weak. We need to get her medical attention immediately."
"She will heal with the Sun. Our kind have remarkable powers of recovery" said Goliath, though he seemed only to half believe his own speech.
"Perhaps, granted I do not know anything about you or your kind, however sunrise is still many hours away I'm not sure she'll make it until then without treatment" reasoned Matt Bluestone. "Problem is we can't just have her admitted to a local medical facility. Most hospitals in Manhattan have a strict 'humans only' admittance policy."
"They would let her die because she isn't human!" roared Goliath.
"I would hope not, but we can't afford to take that chance" replied Matt Bluestone. "Is there anyone you know who might be able to help her?"
After a few minutes Goliath responded. "Possibly" Goliath looked at the turtlecom he had just fished out of a pouch on his belt, before activating it as Leonardo had shown him.
The Turtles' Secret Lair
"Do you know you're doing?" whispered Mona Lisa to Raphael.
"Not really, but I don't see any other options do you?" whispered Raphael.
Both mutants were hunched over a raw turkey. Somehow the two had been picked to prepare the Turkey earlier in the evening after the group had reconciled with Venus. The entire process had been slow going and tedious. Neither had any real experience cooking which showed in their efforts. Currently they were attempting to stuff the Turkey, with limited success. Suddenly both of their turtlecoms started beeping.
"Saved by the bell" whispered Mona Lisa, answering the insistent summons of the small electronic device first. "Mona Lisa here, how are you Goliath?" she said right away recognizing the image of the Gargoyle Clan Leader that was shown on the small screen.
"I need help now. Elisa has been badly injured. She was shot with a laser gun at close range by the leader of the Purple Dragons, Shredder's henchman, Tony Dracon. We fear she make not survive until dawn without medical treatment" said Goliath his eyes an eerie white, his voice filled with supressed rage.
"Oh no that is terrible!" cried Mona Lisa. "We'll be there right away. Where are you?"
"I am unsure of the exactly location" replied Goliath.
"Don't worry, we can trace your signal" interjected Raphael. "We will be there shortly."
About twenty minutes later the Turtles & Mona Lisa arrived at the scene. In the meantime Matt Bluestone had kept checking Elisa's vitals, once he even had to preform CPR to stabilize her condition. When the Turtles arrived Elisa was placed on a stretcher by Donatello & Mona Lisa. Donatello quickly hooked Elisa up to several instruments. Donatello & Mona Lisa being the only two, besides Matt Bluestone & Venus, who possessed any type of medical knowledge, examined both Elisa and the medical readouts carefully.
"Can you help her?" asked Goliath, his eyes had finally lost their white glow.
"I think so, we'll need to take her back to our Lair though" said Donatello. "Being out here in the rain isn't doing her any good. Besides I have better medical equipment there, equipment that can't be easily moved."
"I understand, please take good care of her" said Goliath softly.
"Don't worry she is in good hands" said Venus. "We will care for your loved one as if she were our own."
Soon Venus, Donatello & Mona Lisa along with Elisa had vanished down a manhole. Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael had remained behind with Goliath, Broadway & Detective Bluestone. After some talk it was decided Goliath, Broadway, Bluestone and the three Turtles would look for Tony Dracon, disarming any other Purple Dragons they might come across during their search. Detective Bluestone reminded the five non-humans that because of the current 'anti-freak' hysteria that was sweeping the City they could not be directly involved in the actual arrest of any Purple Dragons they might apprehend, that once contained they should radio him the location of the Purple Dragons so the police could pick them up.
The rest of the evening passed quickly for the group. By the time dawn approached Matt Bluestone estimated they had defeated nearly the entire Purple Dragon gang: which numbered several hundred members. Bluestone even managed to collar Dracon's bodyguard Glasses, with a little help from Leonardo. Much to the chagrin, especially of Goliath and Broadway, Tony Dracon however was nowhere to be found. Bluestone and the three Turtles promised to continue the search during the day.
Reluctantly the two gargoyles retreated to locate a perch for the day. They did not rejoin the rest of the Clan atop St. Damien's Cathedral. Rather they spent their day at the clock tower above the 23rd Precinct. Part of the reason for doing so was because Goliath wanted to meet up with Matt Bluestone as soon as the Sun went down. Another reason was because Goliath didn't want the rest of the Clan involved in his vendetta against Tony Dracon & his masters, at least not yet. Goliath knew the others would not approve of his seeking vengeance against Dracon. Hudson in particularly wouldn't approve of Goliath thirst for revenge, which was why Goliath was keeping the old gargoyle at arm lengths until this was over one way or the other. Goliath would kill Dracon or Dracon would kill Goliath, there was no other way it could end now. The die had been caste.
A Purple Dragon safe house the morning of Thanksgiving Day November 24th 1994
"Those damn mutants the Gargoyles and now the Turtles are after me!" screamed Tony Dracon into his communicator.
"Strictly speaking the Gargoyles aren't mutants" said the image of Shredder, arms crossed over his chest.
"Thank you for the biology lesson Master" said Tony Dracon, rolling his eyes before he caught himself.
"Watch your tongue boy, or I'll remove it from your mouth!" said Shredder, irritated at Dracon's blatant show of disrespect.
"My apologizes Master Shredder. I've been under a lot of stress lately. I meant you no disrespect. I just need help. Those freaks are after me. They have already put most of our organization away, including my personal bodyguard Glasses" said Tony Dracon, sweating bullets.
"They are only out for your blood because you got one of them shot, and a female no less" replied Shredder, not in the least bit impressed with Dracon's pleadings.
"It was an accident, besides they attacked me first!"
"Still, you made it personal which was unnecessary as well as highly undesirable."
"Please Master Shredder, I'm begging you. I need your help now more than ever."
"Answer me one simple question first Tony. Why should I reward your failure?" asked Shredder, his eyes and voice filled with rage. "You not only brought the wrath of the Turtles & Gargoyles down upon yourself but also down upon the entire Purple Dragon organization as well, an organization that for all intents and purposes no longer exists. An organization that I had plans for, grandiose plans boy, plans that you have ruined! How dare you ask, or even beg, me for help now! After what you have done you deserve nothing more from me, do you hear me nothing!"
"I beg you Master Shredder" cried Tony Dracon, literally getting down on his knees. "Please reconsider your position. Is there nothing you can do for me?"
"You disgust me, get up."
"Yes Master Shredder."
"I'll send you my personal mutants Bebop & Rocksteady. I'll order them to safely escort you out of town. After you depart the City, I never want to see you again is that clear Dracon?"
"Perfectly clear, Master" said Tony Dracon slowly.
"Good, I'll make the arrangements. Once everything is prepared Bebop & Rocksteady will be in touch with you. However from this point on neither I or Krang will have any further direct dealings with you, Shredder out!" Shredder's image then blinked out of existence.
"Ungrateful jerk" muttered Tony Dracon to himself.
The Turtles' Secret Lair sunset
"Broadway don't!" screamed Elisa, breaking free of her stone skin with a massive convulsion. Her shoulder wound was half closed. The area around it was still discolored, though not as badly as the night before.
"Ssssss it is okay you are safe now" said the soothing voice of Venus.
"Broadway, Goliath where are you!?" said Elisa trying to get up, her eyes darting around the chamber frantically. Venus and Mona Lisa gently held her down.
"Please calm down Elisa" said Mona Lisa. "You are in no condition to go anywhere right now. You will only injure yourself further if you do so."
"What happened? Why am I here? Where are the others?" asked Elisa her eyes still frantic her mind going a mile a minute.
"You were shot at point blank range by a laser gun while fighting the Purple Dragons. Goliath called us for help shortly after it happened. We almost lost you several times last night" explained Mona Lisa.
"Do you remember what happened?" asked Venus.
"Yes, I-I do. It, it was awful,,,," began Elisa, when she was interrupted by the beeping of turtlecoms.
"Excuse me for a moment" said Venus, answering the summons. "Hello this is Venus, whom may I ask is calling?"
"It is me Lexington" said the image of the young gargoyle. "Do you know where Goliath, Elisa & Broadway are? They never came home last night, we are worried."
"Lexington I do not know where Broadway & Goliath are" answered Venus. "Elisa however is here with us. She suffered a serious injury while battling the Purple Dragons last night."
"What happened!?" yelled Lexington.
"She was shot at close range with a laser gun luckily we were able to stabilize her condition. She is currently resting here with us in our Lair."
"You have no idea where Goliath and Broadway currently are?"
"None" replied Venus.
Near Grand Central Station two hours later
Upon awakening Goliath had contacted Leonardo immediately. Leonardo had no leads on Tony Dracon, nor for that matter did Detective Matt Bluestone. Following a frustrating discussion with Bluestone Goliath and Broadway had split up to search for Dracon. Nearly two hours later Goliath spotted Dracon, along with Shredder's minions Rocksteady & Bebop, getting out of a car two blocks from Grand Central Station. Goliath contacted the three Turtles, who in turn agreed to contact Bluestone. Leonardo had asked that Goliath not confront Dracon and the two mutants alone but the Clan Leader ignored Leonardo's plea. Goliath's mind was consumed with an all-encompassing rage.
Goliath descended upon the unsuspecting group of villains like an angry god onto sinners. He made short work of both Rocksteady & Bebop. He left the two disarmed, battered and unconscious on the sidewalk. Tony Dracon then pulled his laser pistol getting off several shots before running away. Goliath easily dodged each shot and was soon in hot pursuit of the would-be gangster. Dracon only got a short distance before Goliath scooped Dracon right off his feet. Holding Dracon with one hand Goliath easily crumpled Dracon's laser pistol with the other. Up, up, up the two ascended into the air.
"I should drop you down there into the gutter where those like you and your Master the Shredder belong!" bellowed Goliath, his eyes glowed bright white. There was a deadly edge to his voice, an edge that he hadn't used since confronting those who betrayed and massacred most of his original clan in 994 C.E.
"Goliath please don't hurt him!" said Broadway, coming alongside his Clan Leader. "Harming an unarmed man isn't our way. That is what you have always taught us."
"He tried to kill Elisa!" roared Goliath, by this time Tony Dracon had not only passed out but had also wet his pants from fright.
"He didn't shoot Elisa, I did!" said Broadway, tears welling up in his eyes.
"You shot Elisa!?" said Goliath in confusion.
"I took a gun from a Purple Dragon the night before. I thought it would make me cool like the cops on TV. When Elisa and I confronted Dracon I tried to frighten him with my gun. It didn't work. I then tried to shoot him before he could shoot me with his own gun. Elisa tried to save me from getting shot by attempting to disarm Dracon, but while they were struggling over Dracon's blaster my finger slipped and I shot Elisa instead of Dracon. It was my gun you saw on the ground by Elisa last night, not Dracon's" explained Broadway, now crying. "I'm so sorry Goliath this is all my fault! I should never have taken that gun! I hope someday you can forgive me?"
Goliath looked from Broadway then back to the limp body of Tony Dracon in his hands. "By the Dragon what do I almost do" said Goliath in dismay.
Roughly a half hour later Matt Bluestone and several uniformed officers arrived to take Tony Dracon along with Bebop & Rocksteady into custody. The mutants presented somewhat of a logistical problem. Luckily, due to years of dealing with super powered criminals, NYC authorities had developed special measures and facilities to deal with such high risk prisoners. The two mutants were whisked away to a specially equipped detention facility that had been built just north of White Plains two years before. Dracon now sporting a prominent and seemingly permanent, white streak in the middle of his hair was sent to Riker's Island.
The Turtles' Secret Lair later that night
"Thanks for inviting me over for Thanksgiving Dinner Michelangelo, even if it is kind of late" said Mondo Gecko, chowing down on some cranberry source and stuffing. The lizard mutant was seated at long dinner table with the entire Turtle Family, most of the Gargoyle Clan and several others including April O'Neil and Casey Jones.
"Yes I too wish to show my gratitude to you for inviting myself and my Master Obento. This is truly a fine fest" said the extra-terrestrial rabbit Usagi Yojimbo, in his usual stilted speech.
"Don't mention it dudes, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends" said Michelangelo, his voice filled with happiness.
"Aye lad" added Hudson, gesturing for a toast with his glass. "On behalf of my Clan I thank ye all for acceptin' us into yer fine group of protectors. It is good ta have such reliable allies who are strong of both body and morality. May we always succeed in defending our city and world from evil, and may we all find happiness in the future."
"Here! Here!" shouted the assembled group, with much clinking of glasses.
In a small side chamber Goliath and Broadway stood over the convalescing Elisa. The three heard the sounds of merriment coming from the larger chamber. Elisa gave a smile as she gave Goliath's hand a squeeze from where she lay on the coat. Broadway was the first to break the silence.
"Elisa I'm so, so, so sorry this happened" Broadway said with tears in his eyes, as he kneeled down on the opposite side of the cot to where Goliath was standing. "I never meant to shoot you. Still that doesn't make it any better. I should never have taken that gun. You are like the big sister I never had. If you,,,, I would have never lived with myself. Even now I'll never forgive myself for what I've done. I'll never use another gun as long as I live."
"Broadway of course I forgive you. It was a senseless accident, nothing more nothing less. You are right Broadway when you say you should never have taken the gun in the first place. It takes years of training to handle a firearm properly & more importantly safely, any firearm and that goes double for a laser weapon. You could just as easily have hurt yourself as me with that gun. When I saw you and Dracon in that standoff I was so afraid either he'd hurt you or you'd hurt yourself. You're one of my new younger siblings after all" Elisa finished with a smile, followed by a wink. "Now please go with the others and enjoy your first Thanksgiving Dinner, and bring me in a plate later okay?"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you are given a fine plate" said Broadway smiling for the first time in nearly two nights. "See you later Elisa, Goliath." Broadway then bounded towards the sounds of merriment.
"He's a good kid" said Elisa. Now alone she turned her gaze towards Goliath. Her smile evaporated the moment she saw the frown on Goliath's face. "Goliath, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I think it is best if you get some rest now. We will talk again after sunset tomorrow" said Goliath, releasing Elisa's hand. He stood up and quickly strode out of the room, leaving behind a perplexed female gargoyle.
The Dream Plane later that night
"Mei Pieh Chi!"
"Mei Pieh Chi!"
"Mei Pieh Chi!"
Over and over and over again the strangely familiar voice repeated her name with increasing urgency; it was not the name she currently bore. No, it was the name she had been given by her adopted father the dear departed Shinobi Master Chung I. She surveyed her surroundings with mounting alarm. This was not the serene, peaceful Dream Plane she had known since she was a child. No, this place was dark, foreboding and strange. Where was she? What was going on? Whose voice was calling her? Venus, with the help of Chung I, had walked the Dream Plane since she was a small child never once had she been frightened of it, until now.
Venus found herself on a beach, white capped waves crashing against the shore, snowflakes swirling through the turbulent air overhead. Everything in sight the sand, the rocks, the shrubs was coated in a thick, crusty, grayish-black film. In the distant sky the swirling dark clouds parted in the middle, beams of bright multi-colored light radiated from the hole in the heavens. There in the middle of the gap stood the shoreline of an Island, calm, bright & lovely.
"Mei Pieh Chi!" shouted the voice again.
Venus fell to her knees. Soon two strong hands grasp her own and pulled her to her feet. There standing before her, clothed in his traditional Shinobi grab was her former adopted father and teacher Chung I a smile on his weathered face.
"Father you are alive! I prayed for this!" said Venus, tightly embracing Chung I.
"No my daughter I am here only in spirit form" said Chung I once Venus released her embrace, shaking his head sadly. "Listen closely my dear Mei Pieh Chi there isn't much time. I have come to warn you. You, your new family, and your friends must all be ready. The darkness is coming."
"What do you mean father?"
"The three fold man. He, who should not be yet is. He is the harbinger of the everlasting darkness."
"I still don't understand father."
"Then look, look to the shores of the eternal land. Look and behold his coming!" proclaimed Chung I, turning Venus around so that she was facing the shore of the strange Island in the sky.
Slowly a small speck appeared on the distant horizon of the Island. The speck grew and grew as it came closer and closer. Once it was upon the shore line it filled much of the sky hole bolting out most of the Island behind it. The thing more than anything else resembled a giant golf ball riding along on some type of huge tank tracks. The tracks stopped turning the moment it reached the edge of the water. The large metallic ball like shape that stood atop the larger structure unexpectedly snapped open to reveal a huge eye. Venus gasped in horror as the Eye looked directly at her!
"Peekaboo I see you" said a hideous voice. The Eye glowed an unnerving pale red. The gruesome blub expanded until it encompassed her entire field of vision. "You cannot hide from me little Shinobi Turtle. I am he who sets the game in motion. I wrote the story of your destiny, and those of so many others, long before your ancestors first drew breath. I am the beginning and the end. The one who is many the many who are one, I am deliverer and destroyer. I am both master and slave. I have been before and I shall be again, in the disappointment of defeat I discover the promise of ultimate victory. I am the phoenix. In the ashes of death I find new life. Prepare yourself, oblivion will arrive!"
The terrible Eye dissolved around here. Venus now found herself back on the beach. Chung I was nowhere to be seen, however she was far from alone. All around her were men wearing strange purple & black outfits, other mean made of stone and humanoid dragons! The strange beings grabbed her, holding her fast. The appearances of the dragons and the stone men changed. The dragons morphed into creatures of sliver metal with solid red neon eyes, which looked like what Donatello told her were robots. The stone men turned from brown & gray to shiny metallic black, with green neon lines of light running through their bodies and solid red neon eyes of their own. The strange creatures, in their eerie artificial sounding voices, all began chanting the same mantra.
"Join us, embrace the darkness. Become one with it, as have we."
"Never!" shouted Venus, struggling valiantly for freedom.
"Let her go!" yelled the voice of Leonardo. Looking up Venus saw that her fellow crime fighters, including her entire own group, the Gargoyles, April, Casey Jones, the Rabbit & Lizard she had met at Thanksgiving, were surrounding the evil army. Yes her family and friends had come to save her! Soon Venus found herself free from the grip of the strange creatures. A massive battle later they had retreated back to the Island in the sky.
"Are you alright" asked Leonardo, tenderly taking her hand.
"Yes, now that you are here" she answered looking deeply into Leonardo's eyes.
Suddenly the snow turned to a heavy rain. It was not just any rain however. It was a grayish-black, slimly rain. That quickly coated everyone expect Venus. To Venus' mounting horror the disgusting substance slowly ate away the skin of her companions, reducing them to skeletons in a matter of minutes. Venus' own hands sizzled and dissolved in the embrace of her desiccated would be lover. The Leonardo Skeleton grinned at her. The beach of skeletons surrounding her then disintegrated into dust in before her bewildered eyes, but not before they collectively utter one simple word.
"Darkness"
Venus awoke with a terrible screamed that echoed around the Lair for nearly a minute.
The End