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 Ninja Turtles 1987 series copyright by Murakami Wolf Swenson, Inc. All other TMNT related characters are copyright IDW comics. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holders.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
TMNT/Gargoyles Season Two Avalon and Beyond Episode Twenty-One: Countdown to Invasion Part I - Metamorphosis
By
Celgress
"I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin. I must confess that I feel like a monster. I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun."
Monster (2009) Skillet
Krang's Laboratory the TCRI Building the morning of September 3rd 1995
"The creation of subservient creatures modeled on gargoyles is still the answer Krang. Following both the Turtles & Gargoyles utter defeats at the hands of Newtralizer I'm more certain of it now than ever. Creatures with the fully developed abilities of adult gargoyles will easily overcome over foes. With the expectation of flight Newtralizer possessed all these traits which is why coupled with his cunning and ruthlessness, he succeeded where so many before him failed. Krang are you listening?" Shredder said.
"Stop pestering me Shredder. The Rock Soldiers will deal with our enemies once they arrive in force. We should have allowed Newtralizer to finish those wretched creatures intervening was a mistake, no matter the reason. Your petty quest for vengeance no longer amuses me." Krang said from the stomach of his android body. "In a few days' time NASA launches the new TCRI Corp communication satellite into orbit. With it we can use the Fire Star to override all electronic signals on Earth. Once our satellite is functional all we need do is pick the best time for the invasion. Our enemies must never learn our true intentions until the satellite is safely in orbit."
"No one knows the true purpose of the satellite, nor will they until it is too late. You're worrying unnecessarily Krang. Now about those…" Shredder whined.
"No Shredder, I will not help you create anymore mutants. We're overpopulated with them as is." Krang said stalking out of the room. "Ask Anton he might help." Krang offered before stepping out.
"Ungrateful bag of brains" Shredder muttered under his breath. Pressing a button next to a microphone Shredder ordered Dr. Servarius to join him in the main lab at once. Dr. Servarius answered the summons, arriving less about ten minutes later.
"What took you so long Doctor?" Shredder inquired annoyed.
"My sincere apology Master Shredder I was experimenting in the isolation unit with the new fifth generation mutagen when you called." Dr. Servarius explained.
"Ah the multiple controlled mutant agent, correct?"
"Correct Master Shredder our research team, under my personal supervision, has made great strides in synthetizing a more stable mutagenic agent."
"How so?" Shedder asked intrigued.
"Traditional mutagen, types one through four, works purely at random. Our new mutagen type five does not. The chemicals which make up it's matrix only react to internal not external stimuli. Each dose is tailor made introducing only desired changes into the host organism, which eliminates the need for as well as the risk posed from outside organisms. Furthermore by introducing only the DNA we desire into each formulation we completely control the outward appearance and functionality of the end result. Only traits we desire are passed on thus the creation of multitier mutants, or as I like to call them mutates, is easy as pi." Dr. Servarius explained rubbing his hands together with glee.
"Hmmm" Shredder said rubbing his mental encased chin. "Doctor could you create beings similar to fully developed adult gargoyles using this mix & match method of mutation?"
"I have no doubt I could" Dr. Servarius said.
"Good, I want at least five of these creatures ready by the end of next week." Shredder ordered.
"Which poses a problem" Dr. Servarius mused. "Even using our patented growth accelerant that isn't nearly enough time to grow them from scratch so to speak, plus they will no doubt require at least a minimum of mental conditioning. After all we want them loyal."
"Who said anything about growing them from scratch?" Shredder said an evil gleam in his eyes.
"Pardon?"
"Find any poor schmuck you can change, then mentally condition them." Shredder said without a hint of remorse. "Which should speed things along nicely, right Doctor?"
"Yes, it should" Dr. Servarius said momentarily taken aback by Shredder's morally repugnant suggestion.
"Wonderful I'll put the Pack and Fish Face right on it." Shredder said clasping his hands together. "Any preference in potential, recruits?"
"Huh?"
"What is your subject criteria?" Shredder repeated.
"Um ah yes, between twenty and thirty years of age, outwardly health, physically fit in general, gender is not a factor." Dr. Servarius stated.
"I'll pass this right along, thank you Doctor." Shredder said excitedly before departing.
23rd precinct, afternoon
Maggie Reed was ecstatic. It was her first official shift. While studying at the police academy Maggie had dreamt of this day. Obtaining her assignment the chipper young beat cop ran into an old friend from back home Detective Matthew Bluestone.
"Hi Matt how you doing?"
"I'm okay Maggie how are you enjoying your first day so far?" Matt asked the chipper young officer.
"It has been great. Hey Matt is this city really overrun with mutants and weirdoes from Dimension X?" Maggie asked seriously. Having only recently transferred in from Ohio the young officer had heard some pretty wild rumors about the level of nonhuman activity in NYC.
Matt sighed having been asked the same question by rookies several times already. "We do have our issues with nonhumans however the problem isn't anywhere near as dire as the training video I'm sure they showed you this morning would indicate."
"That's' a relief" Maggie said with a goofy grin on her pretty face. "According to the video residents of Dimension X are catching transdimensional cabs on every street corner around the clock."
Matt smiled the young blonde's joyful attitude was infectious. "Thankfully it isn't quite that bad. See you around kiddo."
"Hey don't call me that I'm twenty remember. I'm an adult now." Maggie said with mock annoyance.
"Whatever you say kiddo" Matt said waving from the crowd of fellow police.
Later that day Maggie was walking her beat in Queens when she happened upon what she at first thought was a mugging outside the middle school. Several children rand up to the police officer telling them their teacher Mr. Mendes, was being attacked by a group of 'bad people'. Maggie rushed to where the children had frantically pointed.
"Get him into the van. We should get out of here before we are spotted. C'mon move people." Fish Face yelled while Dingo and Wolf, wearing black jumpsuits and ski masks, pulled a large Hispanic man who was wearing a white dress shirt, black slacks and loafers into an unmarked white van. The man was clearly unconscious.
"Halt police!" Maggie said jumping around the corner and aiming her revolver at the suspects. "What in the World?" Maggie muttered her eyes growing wide as she caught sight of Fish Face and his two equally odd accomplices.
"You shouldn't have poked your nose in our business pig! You want to interfere in our experiment, fine you can be part of it." Hyena said from somewhere behind Maggie. Before Maggie could react she felt a sudden sharp pain in her neck. Maggie's world faded into blackness a few seconds later.
The Turtles' Secret Lair the afternoon of September 6th, 1995
"He stabbed Goliath in the stomach!" Kala gasped covering in her mouth snuggling closer to Michelangelo on the couch.
"He should did." Casey related. "He then pushed Big G into an open grave. Know what is creepier. The tombstone had all your guys' names on it."
"One thing I still don't understand." Leonard asked. "Why'd he target us? Until a few weeks ago we'd never even heard of him."
"I think I can answer that." April said. "I'm done some research. It seems Bonesteel, the man who mutated into the Newtralizer, was a big game hunter obsessed with targeting rare and endangered species."
"How dreadful" Splinter said from his recliner.
"It is" April agreed. "The guy had a thing, probably still does, for exotic trophies. You guys and the Gargoyles would certainly qualify on that count."
"Word on the street is the wackos at PFN-SOR hired him to hunt you guys down." Casey interjected. "After his mutation he obviously couldn't work for the jolly band of bigots anymore so he sought gainful employment with TCRI Corp."
"Where is big, tall & gruesome now?" Raphael asked
"Gone, skipped the City far as we can tell" Casey said.
"Finally some good news" Donatello said.
In another chamber Venus was coaching Mona Lisa in the art of meditation. Venus worried Mona Lisa wasn't mentally recovering from Servarius' attempted attack. If anything Mona Lisa had gotten worse in recent weeks. Their ordeal with Newtralizer had only further complicated an already sticky situation. Venus really wished she knew more about psychology.
"Venus" Mona Lisa said from her position sitting crossed legged on the floor across from her fellow mutant.
"Yes" Venus replied sitting in an identical position.
"Why do you think Servarius picked me when there were so many females to choose from?"
"I'm not sure."
"He told me he found my hair fascinating."
"He said what Mona Lisa?"
"He thought it is interesting I had hair yet am a reptilian mutant. You and Kala have no hair. I always loved my hair, now it makes me feel like a deviant. Maybe if I was hairless he'd have left me alone?"
"Oh Mona Lisa I hate hearing you say such things. You can't let Servarius define who you are. If Servarius wouldn't have attacked you he would have attacked one of the other females, maybe even me. Elisa's description of his behavior during her first 'examination' was disturbing. It is clear he is a vile pervert by any measure."
"Raphael is angry with me." Mona Lisa said glumly. "He doesn't understand why I'm so distant. Why we can't be intimate. My God Venus the things I've said to him. I'm hurting him so badly. I hate myself for it, but I can't stand the thought of a male touching me. I'm a young woman, make that a young female mutant, with an extraordinary young male in love with me who I can't stand to touch anymore. How messed up am I, huh?"
"It isn't your fault Mona Lisa, none of it is." Venus said now holding Mona Lisa's hands in her own.
"I just want my life back. Is that so much to ask? Haven't I already suffered enough? My own parents rejected me. Why do these things keep happening?" Mona Lisa sobbed embracing Venus.
"There, there I'll always be here for you no matter what." Venus said gently patting Mona Lisa on the back. "We'll get through this somehow, sister."
Doctor Servarius' Laboratory in the TCRI Building, evening
"Four days and only three subjects" Shredder said shaking his head in disappointment.
"It isn't my fault Master Shredder" Fish Face said. "If Hyena here hadn't grabbed a police officer Dr. Servarius would have his five subjects by now."
"Hey" Hyena said. "Don't try to pin this one of me fish. It was Jackal's idea not to leave her behind."
"She saw us. She could ID us, what was I supposed to say sis?" Jackal snapped at Hyena.
While the two cyborgs and a mutant squabbled. Dr. Servarius and Shredder were discussing the project. After some negotiation it was decided they could make due, for the time being, with four rather than five test subjects.
"The problem still remains with the City on virtual lockdown following the disappearance of the police woman along with the two men we captured, where will obtain a fourth individual?" Dr. Servarius pondered.
"I have the perfect candidate." Shredder said his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. "Elisa Maza's brother Derek has been asking me for a raise. While the young man is a talented security guard and ex-policeman the only reason I hired him was to further torment his sister and the other gargoyles. Imagine Elisa and her new Clan's reaction when they discover the leader of their hated new rivals is none other than her own baby brother. Their reactions will be priceless. No matter who losses I win. What a deliciously wick scheme, don't you agree Doctor?"
"Indeed, it sounds delightfully unethical Master Shredder." Dr. Servarius said with a mirthless smile.
"I'll go change. Then I'll fetch Mr. Maza." Shredder laughed. "Fish Face, Jackal, Hyena be prepared to greet our new guest upon my return."
"Yes Master Shredder" the three said jumping to attention.
Shredder is his Date Masamune guise greeted Derek Maza as the young security guard came on the evening shift. Derek had recently decided to go back to school, taking advantage of the generous educational enrichment package offered by TCRI. Derek was attending refresher classes during the day at City College so he'd be prepared to start his degree in computer science that autumn.
"Mr. Masamune what brings you down here at this hour?" Derek asked his smiling boss.
"Why you my body" Masamune said truthfully his white suite spotless as always. "I've told you before I'm impressed by your work ethic. I hear you're pursuing higher education."
"I am sir, I begin my degree in computer science in about a week." Derek said beaming.
"Good for you. Like I told you on your first day here, I see great things in your future." Masamune said his penetrating gaze seemingly seizing up the ex-law enforcement officer.
"Is there is something I can do for you sir, or is this just a social call?"
Masamune chuckled. "Now that you mention it there is something in Dr. Servarius' laboratory I'd like to show you. Please follow me." Masamune instructed.
"Alright, I hope this doesn't require much time. We both know I shouldn't really leave the front desk unattended, even at night." Derek said following Masamune into the elevator.
Entering the lab Derek was immediately accosted by Hyena & Jackal. Fish Face both disarmed him and removed his walkie-talkie. Dereke swore struggling in vain against the superior strength of his adversaries.
"Run Mr. Masamune, save yourself! These nonhuman freaks have betrayed us. They've gone insane sir, get out of here now!"
"I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you Derek." Masamune said his expression no longer jovial. "I'm not who you think I am."
"Than who are you?" Derek asked dreading the likely answer.
"You're sister and her equally nonhuman friends are right about me. I'm a very bad man. In fact I'm Oroku Saki the Shredder." Shredder said with a taunting smirk.
"Why are you telling me this? You know I'll turn you in?" Derek said continuing his futile struggle.
"Betraying me and my associates won't be an option shortly. Dr. Servarius I give you our fourth test subject. Do your magic Doc." Shredder said the condescending grin never leaving his face.
"At once Master Shredder" Dr. Servarius said making his way towards Derek.
"What are you doing?" Derek questioned noticing the syringe in Servarius' hand.
Dr. Servarius jabbed the needle into Derek's neck eliciting a scream of pain. A few seconds later the young man was out like a light. At an order from Dr. Servarius Hyena & Jackal dragged the unconscious security guard away. Dr. Servarius and Fish Face remained behind with Shredder.
"Listen carefully I've been down this road before, several times in fact. I want these new creatures to be strictly obedient. I want any chance of treachery eliminated, or at least extremely minimized. I want them to follow my orders without question. If I say steal they steal. If I say fight they fight. If I say kill they kill. If possible I don't want them remembering who they were before. Do you understand?" Shredder said.
"Yes" said Fish Face
"We do" said Dr. Servarius.
"Wonderful, keep me posted on the progress of our little project. Bring me to see the finished products once they're ready." Shredder said departing the lab.
First National Bank the afternoon of September 14th, 1995
"We came as soon as we could Matt." Leonardo said to Detective Bluestone. "What is going on?"
"Four mutants are robbing the First National Bank." Bluestone said pointing his thumb in the direction of the low building across the street. "They've taken several costumers and two bank tellers hostage. They're threating to kill the hostages if we try anything. I'm hoping you guys can handle them."
"Don't sweat it Matt dude we'll give those creepazoids a turtlizing." Michelangelo said.
"And people say I'm the witty one." Raphael joked poking Michelangelo in the ribs.
"How are you holding up Matt?" Venus asked aware of the turmoil the Detective was going through due to his missing friend. "Has there been any news?"
"Nothing, I had to phone Maggie's parents yesterday. I told them we still have no leads in her abduction. It was the hardest conversation of my entire career." Matt said with a heavy sigh.
"Hang in there Matt. Once we finish up here we'll help you look for your missing friend again, okay?" Leonardo said.
"Thanks" Matt said cracking a small smile. "Now get your shells in there and bust some baddies."
The five Turtles, Mona Lisa & Kala had remained behind in the sewers, crept their way into the First National Bank. Using the air ducts they were able to get right over the main room where the hostages were being held. Taking note of where the four mutants where located in relation to both themselves and the hostages Leonardo laid out a quick plan of action. Deciding it was either now or never the Turtles opened several roof panels and descended hoping to get the proverbial jump on the bad guys, a hope which was soon shattered.
The four strange new mutants, who resembled cats with bat wings, were upon the Turtles almost before their feet hit the floor. The four creatures, three males and a female, quickly encircled the Turtles. Snarling the creatures' eyes glowed a translucent white.
"Um guys are you seeing what I am seeing?" Venus gulped.
"Sure am" Donatello said, "these creatures can't be related to gargoyles, can they?"
"I thought gargoyles could only come out at night dude?" Michelangelo said.
"Obviously these ones didn't get the memo." Raphael said snapping his sais at the nearest pseudo-gargoyle.
"I am Talon. These are my partners Claw, Fang and Wing. We are the Mutates", said the panther/bat creature pointing towards a tiger/bat, a cougar/bat and finally a lioness/bat. "Leave if you wish to live, stay if you wish to die. We will not permit any interference in our affairs Turtles."
"Your affairs are what exactly, robbing banks? Holding innocent people hostage? Oh I know, frightening the bejesus out of citizens." Raphael said with in his usual snarky tone. "Consider your affairs interfered in bat wing."
A melee ensued between the Turtles and Mutates. The Mutates evaded every tactic the Turtles tried. Not only did the Mutates' flight ability prove impossible to overcome their speed proved equally difficult to handle. Five minutes of intense fighting later and the Turtles were at a loss. The few blows the Turtles managed to land were just shrugged off by the Mutates.
"Enough of this foolishness!" yelled Talon. "Finish them!"
What happened next was in a word, shocking. The Mutates took several steps back. The four creatures then lifted up their fists and shot eight busts of concentrated electricity at the Turtles. The collective charge the Turtles received was sufficient to render them unconscious. The Mutates then escaped along with the stolen cash by punching through the already damaged roof.
Castle Wyvern high atop the TCRI Building, late afternoon
An hour later the Mutates landed in the courtyard of Castle Wyvern. "Welcome back my loyal servants." Shredder, with Dr. Servarius & Fish Face by his sides, said approaching the group while each member knelt down on one knee before him. "I trust your first outing proved, productive?"
"We have the money as you commanded Master Shredder." Talon said subserviently. At a single from Talon Fang & Claw threw the bags of cash at Shredder's feet.
"Splendid" Shredder said. "Were there any, complications?"
"The five members of the turtle group tried to stop us, we defeated them swiftly." Talon said.
"Are they still alive?" Shredder asked his mood suddenly darkening.
"Yes, we only incapacitated them with our electrical blasts Master Shredder."
"You should have killed them." Shredder said his voice laced with venom.
"Why Master Shredder, they posed no further threat to us. Why should we have killed them without need? I do not understand?" Talon asked in confusion.
"You four's purpose is to follow orders, my orders, without question. If I say kill, you had best kill. Next time you see these turtles or their gargoyle friends you keep attacking them until they are dead, understand?" Shredder said his muscles tense and his eyes full of rage.
"We understand" The Mutates answered in perfect unison.
"Good, remember this and we'll get along fine. You've passed your first test. Which means your second test is right around the corner. The next test I have in mind is a, more complicated one."
Saint Damien's Cathedral, just after sunset
"Thanks for the warning Donatello" Lexington said into his turtlecom. "Don't worry if we need any help dealing with these 'Mutates' we'll call you. Yeah I hope we find and stop them too whatever they are, Lexington out."
"This night brings us strange tidings indeed" Goliath rumbled scratching the bridge of his nose.
"They da not sound like any gargoyles I've heard of." Hudson said.
"I wonder where these things came from?" Angela said.
"One guess" Elisa said folding her arms across her chest. "Who do we know who enjoys creating all manner of mutants?"
"Looks like Shredder and co. are back in business" Brooklyn said smacking his fist into his palm.
"Do those creeps never stop?" Broadway grumbled, "first Armaggon, then the President, then Newtralizer, now this?"
"The situation is infuriating we need to put these scumbags out of commission for keeps." Seraphina said, "Anyone have any ideas how?"
"We need to show the humans what they are doing. What they are really like." Datura offered.
"Good luck" Brooklyn mutter. "TCRI has one of the best PR departments in the World. No way will we make anything stick."
"Despair not, there is an old saying" Goliath rumbled. "Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself with it. Someday Shredder's own evil will be his final undoing. Now we must stop these Mutates before more innocents are harmed."
TCRI Nonhuman Containment & Rehabilitation Facility Ellis Island, near midnight
Overwhelming the defenses of the compound had proven surprisingly easy. The Mutates now strolled down the corridors using their electrical blasts to disable cell after cell freeing the nonhuman inmates. The Mutates made short work of the guards, killing a few outright with either their brutal strength or via electrocution.
"Who are you? Why are you freeing us?" Slash asked after Talon shorted out the force field of his cell.
"I'm a friend. I'm freeing you because my Master, the Shredder, wants you free." Talon said.
"What da ya want in return?" Leatherhead, who had just been freed by Wing, said.
"Mayhem, return to the City have fun compliments of the Shredder." Talon answered.
"Ya don't have ta tell us twice, ya betcha" Leatherhead said pulling Slash behind him.
Finally the Mutates came to three specially designed cells. The first held the monstrous dragon mutant Hot Head which they freed. Once Hot Head left the Mutates freed the next two high risk prisoners. Unlike Hot Head their Master had plans for these two.
"Ha'ntaan, the Rat King we have come to free you." Talon said, "on one condition using your unique talents you undertake a mission on behalf of our Master the Shredder. Do you accept our Master's offer, or will we leave you here?"
"Free me, I swear I'll do as your Master commands." The Rat King said. Wing cut the Rat King free from his restraints. She then whispered the mission details into his ear.
"Consider it done" The Rat King laughter then ran out of his former cell.
Last but by no mean least the Mutates freed arguably the most dangerous prisoner in the facility, Tempestra! Talon demanded the energy manipulating alien's agreement to carry out his Master's orders before breaking her reinforced restraints. Hearing Shredder's plan Tempestra gladly agreed. A moment later she was out the door and gone, following her fellow prisoners to freedom. It wasn't long after freeing Tempestra the Mutates prepared to leave the battered facility themselves only to be confronted by half of the Manhattan Clan on the roof. Goliath, Elisa, Brooklyn & Seraphina surrounded their opponents.
"You're giving gargoyles a bad name." Seraphina challenged her eyes red with fury.
"We aren't gargoyles, so who cares." Fang replied with a shrug his own eyes blazed white.
"You will by the time we're done." Brooklyn growled his own eyes a white, before leaping forward.
While the four gargoyles were the more practiced fighters it soon became clear the Mutates were the more brutal. The gargoyles' moves were meant to render a foe powerless whereas the Mutates moves were meant to cripple or kill. Less than two minutes in the Mutates tried their electric attack. If the Turtles hadn't warned the gargoyles about the tactic earlier it no doubt would have ended the battle. The Mutates now frustrated at their lack of success went wild. Taking to the air they unleashed volleys of electricity on their still roof bounded enemies. The four gargoyles soon were withering on the rooftop in agony. Once sure the gargoyles were no longer a threat the Mutates landed beside them.
"Now you must die." Talon said taking aim at Elisa his outstretched hand filled with a growing ball of blue-white energy. The other Mutates did the same each took aim at a fallen gargoyle.
Elisa looked up into the face of her would be executioner. Their eyes locked searching each other's gaze. Something totally unexpected then happened. Talon shook his head, stumbling back a step. The energy ball in his hand fizzled out. The other Mutates looked at their leader unsure what to make of his lapse, their own energy balls dissipating into nothing. Before the Mutates could pull themselves together Broadway, Hudson, Angela, Lexington & Datura came shrieking out of the sky eyes blazing intent on attacking those who sought to harm their clan members.
Seeing they were now outnumbered the Mutates beat a hasty retreat. Talon bringing up the rear having only now recovered from whatever strange spell had afflicted him. The ensemble Gargoyle Clan watched as the Mutates vanished into the night.
To Be Continued