Police cars tore down a cobblestone street, in hot pursuit of a red sport's car. All across the town, people were rushing into their homes to avoid the wild car and its relentless pursuers. The driver of the sports car, a brutish looking man in an overcoat, eyed his pursuers with annoyance and distain as he floored the gas. Eventually, he drove out onto a large bridge, smirking to himself as he hit the brakes, finding himself surrounded by police. However, rather than surrender, he hopped out of his car, running for the edge of the bridge.

"Brod!" one officer shouted. "Stop!"

The man, Brod, paid them no mind as he dove off the bridge.

"Not today!" He called back as he flipped in the air, landing on a passing speedboat.

The police could only watch as the speedboat streaked away, Brod climbing off the roof and into the boat itself. Shockingly, the getaway driver was none other than Preston Vogul, the right-hand man for Halcyon Renard. Even more shocking, Renard himself was sitting in the boat, saying not a word about their insidious stowaway.

Not far ahead on the misty waters, the boat from Avalon came trudging out of the fog, Goliath at the helm. The others were sitting around rather listlessly, even Bronx looking more than a little tired.

"Let me guess," Willow declared. "We are not in New York."

"No, we are not," Elisa confirmed. "Where are we?"

Angela peered through the gloom, gasping when she saw the speedboat roaring towards them. It shot past them, Reynard's eyes locking on both Goliath and Willow. The old man's jaw dropped in shock, as did the pairs.

"Grandpa Renard?" Willow let out.

"You knew someone on that boat?" Angela questioned.

"Yeah," Willow answered, "he's my… adoptive step-grandfather. Man, my family is weird."

"That still doesn't explain why he was heading off in such a hurry," Elisa pointed out.

"Whatever he is doing here, perhaps he can help us return to Manhattan," Goliath suggested.

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Angela declared. "What do you think, Bronx?"

The gargoyle dog howled, clearly expressing his desire to go home. Goliath gave a nod, then began rowing towards the shore.

…

The group moored themselves along the shoreline, just under the very bridge Brod had jumped from. Once they were set up, Goliath turned to Elisa.

"Willow and I will go and search for Renard. Try and figure out where we are, and how far we are from home."

Elisa nodded as Willow shifted into her gargoyle form, following Goliath as he scaled the bridge. They reached the top and looked around at the surprisingly peaceful town.

"Hard to believe that Avalon sent us here for something," Willow remarked. "It's beautiful up here."

"I get the feeling that whatever is going on, Renard is involved," Goliath replied.

"All the more reason to find him."

Together, the two gargoyles spread their wings and took off. Meanwhile, Angela helped Elisa up onto the bridge, the officer adjusting her jacket as Bronx scaled the wall behind her.

"You two wait at the top of the tower for the others," she insisted. "Hopefully, this won't take long."

"Be careful," Angela warned as the two gargoyles headed off.

"You too," Elisa replied, sliding her hands into her pockets and walking into town.

...

Out in the city, Elisa was walking down the street, taking a look around. Everything was rather rustic with older buildings lining the streets. Some older structures had rather gothic appearances, ones that made the entire place feel like the setting of an eerie film. As she kept walking, she didn't notice a man running down the street. He ended up bumping into her, both of them stopping.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," Elisa apologized before realizing her opportunity. "I'm kinda lost."

"You are American, no?" the man asked, a thick accent tat Elisa couldn't quite place lacing his words. "What are you looking for?"

"New York," Elisa replied with a slight chuckle.

The man chuckled as well.

"Well, that is a long way from Prague," he replied before glancing at his watch and seeing the time. "I am sorry, but I am running late. I hope you find what you are looking for."

"Thanks," Elisa replied, sensing something off about him.

The man began walking off, Elisa subtly following him as he approached a small, rustic building that seemed to resemble a church. He knocked on the door, a peep hole opening up for a moment before closing once more. There was the sound of a deadbolt being unlocked, then the door opened, allowing the man to come inside. It closed almost immediately after, so Elisa approached. She knocked on the door and the peep hole opened again. Through it, Elisa could see an older man glaring at her.

"Excuse me," she greeted. "I was wondering if-"

The peep hole slammed shut, cutting Elisa off. She blinked, then sighed.

"...if I could borrow your phone..." she turned away, sticking her hand back in her pockets. "Seems Prague's just about as friendly as New York."

…

Inside the church, the man Elisa met with turned to his older companion.

"You were followed?" the older man hissed. "One of Brod's lackeys?"

"No," the younger man insisted. "Just a lost tourist."

The older man let out a sigh of relief before picking up a tallis, a Jewish prayer shawl, and draping it over the man's shoulders. The younger man let him, but he did not look pleased.

"This is never going to work," he insisted. "Many more learned than I have tried."

"But Rabbi Loew is your ancestor, Maxwell," the older man pointed out. "He spoke to you.

"In a dream," Max protested. "He told me the sacred words to write in a dream."

"So, write," the old man says reasonably, gesturing to the table where a pen and some paper had been laid out. "To the mystics, dreams are more powerful than waking thoughts. It is your destiny. You are the chosen one."

"Which doesn't leave me any choice," Max sighed as he sat down and started to work.

…

Elsewhere in the city, on a dock beside a large warehouse, Renard and Preston were showing off one of Cyberbiotics' hover ships to a rather impressed Brod. He looked over the machinery, smiling at all the features.

"Very impressive," he remarked. "Forget about the money. This ship more than covers the cost of the job."

"Very well Mr. Brod," Preston agreed. "The hovercraft is yours to keep. If you deliver the items specified."

"That is no problem," Brod promised, snapping his fingers.

Preston walked off as Brod and two of his men boarded the hovercraft. The second they were on, the hovercraft powered itself on and took off into the sky. Goliath and Willow watched it go from the roof of the warehouse, then hopped down to the ground level. Inside the warehouse, Preston met up with Renard, the two men talking amongst themselves.

"All we can do now is wait, sir," Preston declared.

"Indeed..." Renard replied, his voice sounding weaker than before as he adjusted his blanket.

"Grandpa Renard!" Willow called out.

Renard looked up and saw Willow and Goliath entering the room.

"It is good to see you my friend," Goliath greeted.

"You have no idea how good it is to see a familiar face," Willow insisted.

"I thought I recognized you both on that little boat of yours," Renard remarked, his tone showing more annoyance than welcome. "I don't know what you two are doing here, but I must ask you to leave."

"Grandpa… we need your help," Willow tried to explain.

"My dear, I am in no condition to help anyone, not even you." He turned his chair, rolling off in the opposite direction. "Now go, please."

"But-"

"Go!" Renard snapped.

Willow blinked, backing away in shock from the harshness in the old man's voice. As Renard disappeared from sight, Preston looked at the pair, crossing his arms.

"Where have you two been?" Preston questioned. "Xanatos came to us weeks ago asking about you, saying Miss Willow had just disappeared. How did you end up in Prague?"

"That is a very long story," Goliath replied. "However, our main concern is getting back home."

"I'm afraid we can't help you," Preston lamented, though his voice was anything but remorseful. "Good luck, and have a good night."

He then walked off after Renard, leaving the gargoyles alone in the warehouse. They exchanged looks, then began walking out themselves.

"I don't like this," Willow declared. "Grandpa Renard has never been this cold. Even back when he captured us, he was still rational and willing to listen."

"There is indeed something off about him," Goliath agreed. "Let us inform the others."

…

Back in the old church, Max finished his writing, standing up and looking at the paper before him. Satisfied with what he had written, he set the pen aside.

"It takes a powerful will to summon the Golem," Max remarked.

"Then find the will," the old man urges him, approaching a bookcase and pulling on one book in particular, causing then entire book case to slide to the side, revealing a hidden staircase entrance. "Brod must be stopped."

"But, the Golem hasn't opened its eyes for over four hundred years. Not since our people were persecuted for our faith."

"Yes," the old man recalled. "Our homes were pillaged and our people lived in fear, until Rabbi Judah Loew recited the very incantation you hold in your hands. He summoned the Golem to protect our people from those who would do us harm, and now, we must summon him once more to defend our home."

"But what if it doesn't like me?" Max wondered. "I am no Rabbi."

The old man gave him a brief, patient smile.

"Rabbi Loew spoke to you and gave you the words to speak. The Golem will listen to you, but only if you have the strength of will to activate it."

He then gave Max a gentle push, ushering him up the hidden staircase. After a moment's hesitation, Max walked up the stairs, reaching an upper room covered in dust and cobwebs. Coughing a bit, Max reached into his coat, pulling out a flashlight and scanning the room with it. After a moment, he finally found what he was looking for: the golem itself.

The creature was a massive stone statue that was twice the size of a normal man, both in height and in girth. It had hands the size of wrecking balls and feet that had only two "toes". Its head was sunk into its neck, the only features being hollow eyes, a short, wide nose, and an open mouth that seemed to be set in a terrifying grimace. It was sitting on a thick, wooden chair, and from the number of cobwebs on it, it had not moved from its place in a very long time.

Max propped the flashlight on his shoulder, striking a match and lighting a candelabra. He then shook out the match, turning towards the golem. Above the church, the hovercraft appeared overhead, stopping just above the chapel. Inside, Max held up the paper he had written on, beginning to read the words.

"Kum, u'l'chayim tikanes bachochma, v'nefesh chaim tihiyeh b'guf shel adama!"

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the golem seemed to let out a breath, its mouth opening a bit wider. Max folded the paper he had written on and prepared to slide it into the Golem's mouth, completing the ritual. Before Max could do anything else, the window next to him exploded, shaking the entire building. Max was sent flying into a wall as Brod, now wearing a mask over his face, and his men entered the building.

"Move it!" he ordered. "Grab the statue!"

"What?!" Max let out. "You can't!"

He tried to get up, only to have Brod aim a gun right at him.

"Stay down," Brod warned. "I don't want to shoot you, but I will."

The men secured a harness around the golem, cinching the belts at tightly as they could. Once they were finished, Brod snatched the paper out of Max's hands.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"Get out!" the old man shouted, jumping on Brod's back.

They grappled for a minute before Brod grabbed the man and flipped him hard onto the ground.

"Act your age, old man," he sneered.

Max rushed to the old man's side as Brod oversaw the golem being dragged out of the chapel.

"Careful," he warned his men. "He wants it in one piece, and we've been paid quite handsomely not to deliver."

He then laughed evilly as he and his men took their leave.

…

Back on the bridge, Angela and Bronx were perched on the edge of the tower, looking out at the city. They could see the hover ship above the chapel, neither of them knowing exactly what to make of it. As they watched it, Goliath and Willow landed next to them, still upset about how things had gone with Renard.

"No luck with my Grandfather," Willow lamented. "I don't know why he's acting this way."

When Angela didn't say anything, Goliath crouched next to her.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, looking out where she was.

When he saw the aircraft hovering above the chapel, his eyes narrowed.

"That is the same aircraft we saw at Reynard's," he remarked.

Willow took a look, getting a sinking feeling in her gut.

"Anyone else getting a bad vibe about this?" she asked.

As if to confirm her suspicion, the golem came out of the shattered window, slowly being hoisted into the craft. The men in masks following it just sealed the deal.

"Seems your 'bad vibes' were correct," Angela remarked.

"Come!" Goliath motioned, spreading his wings.

Willow and Angela followed, Bronx climbing down the bridge behind them.

…

Down on the streets, Elisa was still walking around, trying to find anyone that could help her, or a phone she could use. As she walked, the sound of gunfire reached her ears. She looked up and saw Goliath, Willow, and Angela evading gun fire from the goons on the hovercraft as they hauled the golem away.

"I don't know what that thing is, but we cannot let these guys get away with it!" Willow shouted.

"Agreed!" Goliath declared. "Take evasive action!"

The three flying gargoyles scattered, Brod struggling to shoot at them all.

"What are these things?!" he screamed.

Down below, Elisa ran to try and help, Bronx barking and charging right past her. They rushed right up to the entrance, Elisa trying the door and finding it locked.

"Bronx, hit it!"

Bronx slammed himself into the door, snapping the locks and allowing the pair inside. They rushed up the secret staircase, where they found Max gently leaning the old man against the wall. He gasped at the sight of the gargoyle dog, but said nothing as the pair charged at the shattered window.

"Don't worry," Elisa said in passing. "We're the good guys."

Through the shattered window, the pair watched as the hovercraft sealed shut, preventing Goliath from charging inside. Angela and Willow both charged at the front of the vessel, frightening the pilot before diving under the craft. The door opened again as one of the men tossed three grenades at the pair. They exploded, knocking both of them back and onto separate roofs, where they just barely managed to cling to the edge before falling to the streets below.

Up with the craft, Goliath rammed into the doors again, this time digging his claws into the metal to try and pry them open. Once the doors were pried off, he poked his head inside to see Brod aiming right at his face. He shot the gargoyle with a massive burst of energy that sent him careening off the hovercraft and down to the streets below.

"Goliath!" Elisa shrieked.

Thankfully, Angela and Willow managed to swoop in just in time, catching Goliath and carrying him back to the church. With the ship long gone, the three gargoyles just walked inside, hoping to learn more about the stolen artifact. Max looked at all of them, more than a little confused.

"What is happening?" he asked.

"We were hoping you could answer that," Goliath replied.

…

Sometime later, the older man was beginning to come to, Bronx resting by his side as the others gathered around Max.

"So this… golem, is a protector?" Goliath guessed.

"That's actually not surprising," Willow remarked. "Golems were often used as undefeatable champions, brought to life with magic and a piece of paper to give them their orders."

"You are partially right," Max corrected. "The paper you speak of contains a written version of the spell that must be inserted into the golem's mouth in order for them to come to life. Then, they will obey whomever cast the spell. However, the spell to awaken our golem was lost 400 years ago, and thus the golem remained dormant in this church."

"Then why did that man steal it?" Elisa asked. "Who was he anyway?"

"Tomas Brod," Max explained, "the reason we need the Golem so badly now. He and his criminal mob are making life impossible for the innocent and law abiding."

"But if the spell's been lost, how did you plan on waking the golem?" Angela asked.

"My ancestor, the creator of the golem, sent me the incantation in a dream. I was seconds from activating the golem when Brod and his ruffians stole it." Max's face fell as he looked down at his hands. "I failed to protect the golem and my people… whatever happens now… it is all my fault."

"No," Goliath replied. "Brod is to blame… and possibly one other."

"Could he really be behind this?" Willow questioned. "This is… beyond out of character for him. What could he possibly want a 400 year old golem for anyway?"

"I know of only one way to find out."

He took off through the shattered window, Willow hot on his heels.

…

In the dockside warehouse, the two gargoyles peered through the windows, horrified by what they saw.

"Now Reynard's cold greeting makes too much sense," Goliath lamented.

"Grandpa Renard..." Willow let out. "Why?"

Renard was facing the golem, both of them surrounded by a circle of candles on golden candelabras. Preston approached the pair, wearing a tallis of his own. He had the paper taken from Max in his hand.

"Proceed Mr. Vogul," Renard instructed.

At that moment, the two gargoyles shattered the window, jumping down into the warehouse.

"Grandpa, what are you doing?!" Willow screamed.

"I thought I told you both to leave me alone!" Vogul shouted, albeit weakly.

"Well that was before you threw your lot in with a mobster like Tomas Brod!" Willow snapped. "Giving him a hovercraft, hiring him to steal a sacred treasure! I would expect this kind of behavior from Xanatos, but you? Why?"

"You are a man of great integrity, Renard," Goliath spoke up. "What has happened that you would abandon that which you hold most revered?"

"Integrity is a luxury I can no longer afford," Renard explained. "My body betrays me every day, an untreatable illness stealing more and more of my life with every passing moment. However, I have found a way to prevent this pain: an incantation to transfer my soul into the golem's body. It is my last chance to move, to live again."

"You can't," Willow insisted. "The people of Prague need this golem! You're taking away their only protector! This is wrong, and you know it!"

"I don't recall asking for your opinion," Renard retorted, aiming one of his gun turrets at the pair.

Goliath pulled Willow back, ushering her behind him as Preston began the chant. His Hebrew was atrocious and he mispronounced just about every word, but somehow, it worked. The golem's mouth opened, allowing Preston to insert the folded paper. The mouth closed, and Renard began a separate incantation.

"Nah le havi nafshi le guf ha adamah."

As he finished the final words, his weak frame collapsed in his chair. The golem's eyes lit up, the creature rising to his feet and giving a stretch.

"It worked," the golem said, speaking in Reynard's voice. "I can walk!"

He then approached his lifeless shell, giving it a poke.

"I can feel again..."

"Stop this travesty, Renard!" Goliath demanded.

Renard just batted him aside, then Willow stepped forward, blocking his way.

"Step aside," he warned. "I don't want trouble."

"Please," Willow begged. "It's not too late to turn back."

"Yes it is!" Renard snapped, grabbing Willow by her shirt and lifting her into the air. "I will not be deprived of life!"

He then tossed Willow into Goliath, knocking them both to the ground.

"Hopefully that will keep them subdued for a bit," Renard declared. "Preston, do keep an eye on my old husk. I'm not sure if we'll be needing it, but better to be on the safe side."

"And where are you going, sir?" Preston asked.

"For a walk. It's been so long since I've taken one, and there's one stop in particular I'm interested in visiting."

…

Out in the city, Renard was enjoying his stolen body thoroughly. Curious about his newfound strength, he grabbed a nearby street lamp, bending it as if it were a pipe cleaner. He laughed as he twisted it into a spiral, then he saw a car that had been abandoned on the side of the road. He brought both his fists down on the roof, smashing it in like cardboard and shattering all the glass at once. He then flipped the car, sending it flying through the air and over a bridge, straight into the waters below.

"Now this is living!" he declared, continuing down the street.

As another car drove down the street, the driver took one look at the golem and tried swerving out of the way. He ended up colliding with the side barrier, then bailing out of his car before barreling down the streets like a madman. Renard laughed once again at the sight.

"Instant respect!" he cheered. "I could get used to this."

He then began walking off once more, continuing his mission.

…

Back at the church, Bronx was resting his head on the lap of the old man, who gently patted him with a small smile. The others were simply waiting around for Goliath and Willow to return, Elisa pacing around nervously. Suddenly, there was a massive crash coming from the area below them. Bronx lifted his head, then got up to go investigate. As the crashing grew louder, he growled, rushing down the staircase with Max right behind him.

When they reached the bottom, they were greeted by the sight of the Renard possessed golem completely destroying the library. He grabbed bookshelves, toppling them over and smashing them beneath his feet. Bronx came barreling towards him, attempting to chomp down on the golem's leg, but only got kicked for his efforts.

"Golem!" Max cried out, rushing into the room. "What has happened to you? Your purpose is to defend, not to destroy!"

"I am defending myself!" Renard snapped.

Max gasped, stumbling backwards and tripping over a fallen bookcase.

"You… You spoke!"

"I can do more than speak now," Renard declared. "But if I am to maintain this form, I must ensure that no spell hidden in this library can strip me from my new body!"

"The golem is possessed!" the old man realized as he and the others entered the room.

Angela immediately launched herself at Renard, but was smacked aside with little effort.

"Don't make me hurt you," Renard warned.

Angela just howled again, eyes red with rage as she flew at him for a second time. He caught her and threw her into a wall this time. She hit the ground, and this time, she did not get back up. Elisa rushed to her side as Renard crossed his arms.

"I warned her."

"You're enjoying this!" Elisa accused.

This caught Renard off-guard. He uncrossed his arms before shaking his head as best as he could.

"No… you don't understand. It's not my fault. I had no choice."

He turned to leave, then Max got in his way.

"There's always a choice."

"Out of my way!"

"No!" Max snapped. "The Golem depends on me to guide him wisely!"

"Then you'll guide us out of here," Renard declared, hoisting him by the shirtfront.

He walked out of the building and prepared to leave, but that was when Goliath and Willow landed on either side of him, cutting off his exits.

"Grandpa Renard!" Willow cried out. "Stop this madness!"

"A weak body is no excuse for a corrupt spirit!" Goliath insisted.

Renard snorted, tossing Max aside before attacking Goliath, pinning him against a wall. When Willow moved to try and stop him, Renard swatted her aside, right into a wall.

"What right do you two have to judge me? Your bodies has not betrayed you!"

Willow coughed, rising to her feet.

"Not my body… but my mind has," she informed him.

Renard paused, turning to Willow in surprise. She shimmered back into her human form, clutching her chest.

"I have no memory of my life before Xanatos. No matter what I try, I cannot remember who I was. I don't know what I liked to do, or what my parents looked like, or any of the childhood memories that make a person a person. I had to start from scratch, building a new persona from the ashes of a girl I didn't remember. Don't you think I'd do anything to know even a single fact about who I used to be?"

"I have seen the friends you keep. Surely you can find some magical solution."

"Magic comes at a cost, one that is often too much to pay. Besides, I've made peace with my fate, and I've accepted that I will never remember who I was, because doing so would erase who I've become."

"And is that what you think I should do? Accept my fate? Quietly wither away to nothing?"

"My friend," Goliath spoke up, gripping the hands pinning him to the wall. "Look at yourself. You have given up everything you are, everything you believe in, just for a piece of clay. Tell me, are you willing to pay that price? Is this truly the better choice?"

Renard looked around at those he had hurt that night, then down at his clay hands. He released Goliath from the wall, stepping back in horror.

"What have I become…?"

…

Back at the warehouse, Reynard's original body opened its eyes.

"Welcome back, Mr. Reynard," Preston greeted.

Willow gently took his hand, giving it a small squeeze.

"You don't have to face the future alone," she assured him.

"You have family and friends to stand by your side," Goliath added.

Renard gave a small nod, then turned to Max.

"What will you do now?" he asked.

"Make a choice," Max answered. "Face my destiny. Reclaim our home."

…

At some sort of construction installation, one that doubled as a drop point for one of Brod's weapons depots, the mobster was unloading some high-tech weaponry, smiling at each crate he saw.

"Hurry up," he commanded. "Get these inside, then get everyone armed. With these beauties, even the Army won't stand a chance against us!"

There was a loud crash off to the side, prompting Brod to look over. When he saw it was just Max, he sneered.

"It's over, Brod," Max declared. "Surrender now, while you still can."

"You are becoming a nuisance," Brod said, raising his automatic rifle to shoot.

Just as he opened fire, the golem stepped into the line of fire, the bullets having no effect. It then marched forward, prompting Brod to ditch the rifle for something of a much higher caliber. As he marched passed the storehouse where the guns were being kept, the other henchmen came out, where they were quickly picked off by the three flying gargoyles. One last one felt a tap on his shoulder, turning just in time to get punched in the face by Elisa.

Meanwhile, Brod had made it to the hovercraft, attempting to take off in it. Before it got too far off the ground, the golem grabbed it by the front, pulling it back down. It landed with a hard thud as Brod came out, aiming his high caliber weapon. The golem just grabbed the gun, crushing it in his hands before catching Brod himself by his shirt. He dragged the flailing mobster over to an incredibly deep pit, preparing to cast him into it.

"No!" Max shouted, stopping the golem in its tracks. "This is not right. You must follow the words of our ancestors: 'Love justice and do mercy.'"

The golem acknowledged these words, turning back and following Max back to where the rest of the goons were. They were all being rounded up, I-beams wrapped around them to prevent them from escaping.

"Your city is in capable hands," Goliath commended.

"And you get used to the weirdness," Elisa assured Max.

...

On the bridge, dawn was approaching soon as everyone gathered in the boat. Goliath and Willow hung back for a moment, meeting with Renard for a moment.

"You saved my soul," he said, "if not my life. I owe you both a great debt. If I recall, you came to me asking for help, and I will gladly offer my services in returning you to New York. Believe me when I say that there are many people worried about you, especially you, Willow."

"Thank you, but we have our own destiny to face," Goliath told him.

"I have no idea why fate has put us on this path, but it's clear that we're needed everywhere we go," Willow added. "Hitching a ride back with you would be… cheating. We need to see this through to the end."

"But Elisa," Goliath perked up. "We will not force you to continue with us. If you wish to return to New York, we will not stop you."

"Nah," Elisa shrugged. "I've got some vacation time stacked up. Besides, you all would be lost without me."

"Then, is there nothing I can do?" Renard asked.

Willow paused, then reached into her satchel, pulling out an envelope.

"Actually, there is. Could you deliver this to Xanatos? Please? He'll make sure it gets where it belongs."

Renard nodded, taking the envelope.

"Good luck, Willow."

Willow smiled, then gave her grandfather a hug. He returned the gesture in kind before letting her go, watching as she hopped onto the Avalon boat and sailed off into the rising sun.

"Let's go home, Mr. Vogel," he declared after a minute. "I'm tired."

"It has been an adventure, sir," Preston agreed.

The sun rose over a new day for Prague as Max and the Golem looked out at their city as its new protectors.