The skiff sailed through the magical fog of Avalon, finding themselves out on the open water once again. Thankfully this time, they were not shoved into the middle of another storm. In fact, the water was calm, with only the occasional wave to rock their boat.
"First thing I do when we find Manhattan is by a nice fat hotdog from the guy at the corner." Elisa commented.
"Me, I'm making a beeline for the clock tower." Willow declared, zipping up her coat to combat the cold. "I'll probably get my ear chewed off by Brooklyn, but it'll be worth it to see him again."
"What about you, Goliath?" Angela asked. "Is there anything you wish to do once we make it to your Manhattan Island?"
"Reunite with my clan." Goliath answered.
Bronx barked in agreement, Angela giving him a gentle pet.
"It seems Bronx likes your plan, Goliath." she remarked.
Before their conversation could continue, a low roar rang out through the water.
"That didn't sound like a taxi." Elisa remarked.
"Or a boat horn for that matter." Willow agreed.
"Look." Angela called out, pointing into the darkness. "I see land."
Straight ahead of them, they could make out an island, one with a large flat-top mountain dominating most of the land. Goliath's eyes narrowed, recognizing nothing of the area.
"What is this place?" He questioned.
Before any of them could answer, something massive streaked through the water, another low roar echoing through the sky. Angela peered over the side and saw something poking out of the water and moving towards them at breakneck speed.
"Goliath, something moves in the water." She pointed out.
Goliath looked back, trying to see what it was. Before he could make it out, it collided with the boat and knocked them all overboard. Goliath immediately leapt towards the creature and grabbed it by the neck, riding it like a thrashing bull as it dove in and out of the water.
Elisa swam over to the overturned boat, clinging to it desperately. Willow did the same as the beast shot forth from the water. It screeched and shook, Goliath still clinging to its serpentine neck. As the creature collapsed towards the water, it smashed the boat and washed Willow and Elisa out to sea
"Goliath!" Elisa cried out.
"Help!" Willow shrieked.
The creature dove again, and a wave swallowed them both, cutting off their cries. As the two humans helplessly struggled in the water, Angela dove at the creature, desperate to aid Goliath. She clung and clawed at the creature, desperate to bring it down. Her claws only unleashed a torrent of water that sent her flying backwards.
Angela splashed down into the ocean as Bronx came up, biting down hard on the sea serpent's tail. This caused the creature to cry out in pain, allowing Goliath to climb onto its head. The beast began dunking Bronx to try and get rid of him, unaware of Goliath until he grabbed onto the fins on its head. It shook Goliath off in a matter of seconds, diving after with Bronx still latched onto its tail.
Under the water, Goliath narrowly avoided getting chomped by the monster. He then grabbed it by the jaw and began pulling back, as if trying to snap its jaw. It thrashed, then dove deeper, shaking Goliath off. Goliath watched it flee, Bronx finally releasing its tail, then they both made for the surface. Angela had recovered and was treading water restlessly, searching the ocean for her clan. When Goliath and Bronx broke the surface, she let out a relieved sigh.
"The creature..." she let out. "Is it-?"
"Gone, for now." Goliath answered.
He then started looking around for Willow and Elisa, but found no sign of them.
"Where are Willow and Elisa?" He questioned.
Both he and Angela scanned the waters, but there was no sign of either of them.
"Elisa!" Goliath cried out. "Willow!"
...
Dawn was close as the three exhausted and waterlogged gargoyles reached the shores of the island.
"Elisa… Willow…" Goliath panted.
As she very slowly got to his feet, he found himself standing at the base of a large totem pole. Having never seen such a thing before, he took them for some sort of gargoyle depiction. Bronx sniffed it curiously as Angela examined it.
"What kind of gargoyles are these?" She asked.
"I… I do not know." Goliath admitted. "I have never seen anything like them."
Before they could continue, the sun rose, and the three of them turned to stone as a raven perched itself on the totem pole. It seemed to examine the three statues, as if sizing them up.
...
On another part of the island, a village bordered on the shore line, many buildings built on docks looking over the ocean. The entire village was surrounded by dead trees, and nearly all of the houses were empty and abandoned. One of the few remaining families of the village was loading the last of their supplies onto a boat, preparing to move on.
"Careful." The father of the family told his wife, helping her into the boat. "Watch your step."
As she got in, an older woman with long, white hair and traditional Native American clothing attempted to convince them to stay.
"I beg you to reconsider." she insisted. "This island is your home, and has been for generations. You cannot just abandon it."
"But Grandmother, there is work on the mainland" The man insisted. "Here the trees, the fish, even the rivers are dying. I'm sorry, but we've made up our minds."
The old woman, Grandmother, just sighed sadly. The man waved to the only other remaining soul on the island, the chief Natsilani, or Nick as he preferred to be called.
"Bye Nick!" The man called out.
Natsilani looked up from where he was working, returning the gesture.
"Good luck!" he called.
With that, the man and his family took off in the boat, leaving Natsilani and Grandmother alone in the village.
"Natsilani, you must save this barren land." Grandmother insisted, earning an annoyed eye roll from the young chief. "As the chief, it is your sacred duty to-"
"Grandmother, I don't want to hear about my 'sacred duty'." Natsilani interrupted. "Besides, I've already run every test I can think of to figure out what's wrong."
"This is a problem that science cannot cure." Grandmother insisted. "It is the magic of Raven, the Trickster. You must climb the volcano and fight him, as your father did, and his father before him. Only that will break the spell that is drying our land."
"Right..." Natsilani deadpanned. "Right after I put in a call to Captain Planet to save the day."
"Natsilani-"
"It's Nick." Natsilani interrupted again. "And I've told you a million times, Raven is just a legend, one that was fun when I was a kid, but pointless now. I-"
Before he could continue, he saw something draped across the shoreline. He ran over and saw it was Elisa and Willow, washed up from their sea battle. Both were out cold, their clothes sopping wet. Grandmother approached, her eyes widening at the sight of the girls. In a practiced motion, Natsilani checked their pulses, letting out a sigh of relief.
"They're alive," He informed. "But they need help. Let's get them inside."
He bend down and picked up Elisa, Grandmother doing the same with Willow. Together, they carried them back into the village.
...
Finally, the sun began to set, allowing the three gargoyles to free themselves from their stone shells. They roared and stretched, flakes of stone skin raining down around them. Now awake once more, Goliath turned to Angela with a determined expression.
"We must find Elisa and Willow." he insisted.
"Quiet, brother." A new voice cautioned.
The two looked up to see a gargoyle resembling a bird perched on the top of the totem pole. It had the head of a raven and grey skin, a red and gold loincloth the only clothing it work. Both Angel and Goliath gasped in surprise as he glided down towards them.
"Come, we must leave this place." He told them.
Bronx growled suspiciously as Goliath placed a hand on the gargoyle dog's head.
"Are you… a gargoyle?" Goliath questioned.
"Yes." the stranger confirmed. "I saw you fight the sea monster but could not reach you before sunrise."
"Have you seen our friends?" Angela asked.
"More gargoyles?" He questioned.
"Humans." Goliath corrected.
"Well, a human and a half-Gargoyle." Angela corrected again.
"A hybrid?" He let out.
"A human blessed with a gift from a Child of Oberon." Goliath elaborated.
"Then they are no friends of mine." He dismissed.
"Why are you so bitter towards humans?" Angela questioned. "I was raised alongside them, taught that it is the gargoyle way to protect humanity."
"The people of this island brutally destroyed my clan while they slept." He explained. "Only a handful survived the onslaught."
Goliath seethed in rage, his fists clenching.
"I know all too well how that feels." he let out, shaking his head and clearing his thoughts. "Where are they now?"
"In hiding." The stranger told them. "They only come out to protect the village. We must go to them now."
"But our friends!" Goliath insisted.
"If one of them truly is blessed, then they will no doubt survive." The stranger rationalized. "However, the island is vast. We will need the remains of my clan if we are to have a chance at finding them."
"Very well." Goliath replied.
The four gargoyles then began scaling the totem pole, allowing them to get a better vantage point to glide off of.
"Stay on your guard." the stranger warned. "There is a dangerous sorceress called Grandmother that lives in these lands. It is she that released the monster, hoping to scare away all who dare to set foot in this land"
With that, he took off towards the volcano.
"This place is certainly full of surprises." Angela remarked before flying after him.
After grabbing Bronx, Goliath took off as well, following their new ally to the volcano.
...
Back in the village, Willow and Elisa were both lying in small cots. Their clothing hung over a fire to dry, the two women covered by thick blankets to combat the cold. Natsilani looked over them both, seeing the girls feverish and sweating. While Willow seemed dead to the world, Elisa was tossing and turning restlessly. Natsilani went over to her and placed a hand on her forehead, wincing at the heat radiating off her body.
"She's burning up." He realized. "We gotta get them to a hospital."
"They will both be fine." Grandmother insisted, taking several tried herbs down from where they hung on the wall. "The woman has a strong spirit, and the Child has gifts you cannot begin to imagine."
She then set the dried herbs down on a mat, getting a wooden bowl and adding the ingredients to it.
"Though a little herbal remedy would not hurt." she added.
"Grandmother, this is serious." Natsilani insisted. "We have no time for herbs and potions."
"Natsilani, when will you learn that the ancient ways of your people are strong?" she questioned, never once looking up from her work.
Natsilani rolled his eyes again, turning his back on Grandmother.
"I'm gonna radio for a chopper." He told her before walking out.
"Watch… out… Goliath…." Elisa let out, still tossing and turning in her cot.
Grandmother sighed at the sight, resuming her work quickly.
...
The raven-headed gargoyle lead Goliath and Angela up to the top of the volcano. Smoke rose from the top, the magma below heating the thin crust of rock containing it until it glowed warmly. Veins of lava can be seen here and there, bathing the group in an eerie red glow. They continued to fly over it until coming across a small cave hidden in the side of the volcano. A totem pole stands at the mouth of the cave, as if marking its location. The group touched down just beyond it, allowing Goliath to set Bronx on the ground.
"Welcome to our home, such as it is." the stranger declared, gesturing to the cave. "Come out, and meet our guests!"
From inside the cave, a handful of creatures emerged. All of them were animalistic gargoyles, each wearing colorful loincloths and lurking in the shadows of the cave. Goliath stepped forward to greet them, but the beings recoiled in fear, speaking not a single word.
"Once they were mighty warriors," The stranger regaled. "Now they cower, crippled with grief."
"Yet, they are gargoyles." Goliath said quietly. "Alive..."
...
Back in the village, Grandmother continued brewing her herbal medicine. Elisa was still tossing on her bed, and Willow was still out cold. Finally, once it was ready, Grandmother took it over to Elisa and gently rubbed the salve over her chest. She walked over to Willow, doing the same.
"Be well, children." She told them.
As if by magic, Elisa's fevered groans died away, her rest becoming calmer. Willow also showed great change, her eyes fluttering open.
"What in..." she groaned. "What happened? Where am I?"
She then seemed to notice her nakedness beneath the blankets, slowly tightening her grip on said blankets.
"Where are my clothes?" she added.
"Set out to dry by the fire." Grandmother explained. "As for your other questions, the Haida people call me Grandmother, and you're on Queen Florence, off Canada's west coast."
"Elisa..." Willow let out. "Is she-?"
"She is well now." Grandmother assured her. "Resting peacefully."
At that moment, Natsilani came back in, looking somewhat upset.
"There's a squall up on the mainland." he reported. "The chopper can't get-"
He was cut off at the sight of Willow and Elisa, sighing and relief when he saw the latter sleeping peacefully, and the former awake once more, feeling better.
"You're awake." he told Willow.
"Yep." she replied. "Wish I could say the same for Elisa."
"She will be alright." Grandmother reassured. "She just needs rest, as do you."
"But our friends..." Willow said, trying to sit up. "They've got to be worried about us."
Grandmother gently shushed her, placing a hand on Willow's head and pushing her back onto the bed.
"You will see your friends soon." she promised. "But right now, you must rest."
A small amount of power coalesced in Grandmother's hand, gently ushering Willow back into a peaceful sleep.
"Ok, so it wasn't as serious as I thought." Natsilani admitted. "But don't tell me you cured them with tree bark."
"And roots and herbs." Grandmother added. "Ancient remedies from your own people."
Natsilani sighed.
"That's what I get for questioning ancient medicine." he mumbled.
...
Back on the volcano, the raven headed gargoyle spoke with Goliath and Angela.
"We will search the village." He told them. "We know how to avoid detection by the humans."
"If they mean you harm, why do you risk your lives to protect them?" Angela asked.
"It is a gargoyles nature to protect." Goliath informed her. "It is our heritage, regardless of how we are treated."
"I can see you have lived this truth." The raven headed gargoyle remarked.
Goliath nodded, then approached Bronx, who had not stopped growling and barking since their arrival at the cave.
"Come, there is little time." he declared. "Bronx, find Elisa and Willow."
Bronx wasted no time taking off out of the volcano and into the dying forest below. Angela turned to follow, but Goliath lingered behind for a moment.
"Thank you for your help." he told the raven-headed gargoyle.
"It is an honor, brother." the raven-headed gargoyle replied.
With that, Goliath took off after Angela and Bronx, disappearing into the forest below. The raven-headed gargoyle watched them go alongside his brethren, who one by one vanished into a shimmering mist. Once they were gone, the raven-headed gargoyle took off into the sky as well.
Down on the ground, Bronx sniffed at the ground, following a faint trail left behind by his friends. From the air, both Goliath and Angela did their best to keep up, though the latter seemed somewhat distracted.
"I still do not understand." she declared. "Elisa is aware of how valiant our kind is, and accepted us with open arms. And she has no trouble with Willow being a half breed. Why is it not the same with other humans? Our kind has done nothing to earn their hatred, have they?"
"The world isn't always what we wish it to be." Goliath lamented. "Those who would show kindness to our kind are few and far between. Human nature has always been fear of what is unknown to them. And that fear often leads to destruction."
Angela was downcast to hear that, then her eyes caught sight of Bronx sniffing the edge of the water.
"Down there!" she called out. "Bronx has found something."
The two swooped down, landing next to the gargoyle dog. He was sniffing and whining, nudging something with his nose. Goliath picked it up, realizing it was Elisa's wallet, complete with her badge.
"Elisa was here." he declared. "No doubt someone took her to safety."
"Willow perhaps?" Angela offered up.
"Most likely." Goliath nodded. "We must keep searching. With luck, we will find them soon."
...
Willow pulled her dry clothes back on, a recently awoken Elisa doing the same. They checked their pockets to make sure everything was there, Willow pulling out her cellphone.
"Well, this thing's beyond saving." she declared, dropping the dead electronic on a small table.
"Have you seen my badge?" Elisa asked.
Willow shook her head.
"Sorry, I haven't." she lamented. "After we find the others, we'll check the shores to see if it washed up."
"Right." Elisa agreed, pulling out her own cell phone. "Soaked as well. Of course."
She tossed it onto the table where Willow's was, then the two women exited the hut. Upon exiting, they were greeted by Natsilani and Grandmother, the former surprised to see the two up and about.
"What are you two doing?" Natsilani asked. "You're in no condition to go hiking around the island."
"Whether we are or not doesn't matter." Elisa insisted. "We need to find our friends, preferably before daybreak."
Willow went to comment, then noticed one of the totem poles erected in the village.
"Hey Natsilani." she spoke up. "What inspired those? They look almost like gargoyles."
"They were carved to honor our animal ancestors." Natsilani explained. "It's tradition."
"I know of gargoyles, but they have never lived in this place." Grandmother added.
"Shame." Willow lamented. "It would have been nice to see how they differed from the ones we know, right Elisa?"
"Right now, I'd just be happy to see our friends again." Elisa answered. "Shall we?"
"Right." Willow agreed.
The two headed off into the woods as Natsilani shook his head.
"First Raven, and now gargoyles?" He questioned. "Is everyone here completely nuts?"
"You should listen to them, Natsilani." Grandmother told him. "There is more to this world than science can ever explain."
"Look, I'll believe your herbal remedies have some merit, but there's no such thing as gargoyles or Raven." Natsilani argued. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some packing to do."
He walked off as Grandmother shook her head sadly.
...
Out in the woods, Willow and Elisa kept running for a bit, stopping once they were far enough away from the village. Taking a moment to catch their breath, Elisa turned to Willow.
"This should be far enough." she declared.
Willow nodded, shimmering into her gargoyle form. The light from her transformation temporarily illuminated the trees in its unnatural green glow. From up in the sky, Goliath caught a glimpse of the light, realizing instantly what it was.
"Down there!" He shouted, pointing towards the light.
Unfortunately, the light also attracted the attention of a large raven, one whose eyes began to glow brightly. It let out a loud caw, one that seemed to summon a large black bear that was digging for roots. The raven then flew towards the bear and cawed at it, as if spurring it into action. It roared, then charged through the forest towards the two women.
"Run!" Elisa shouted.
The two turned and ran back the way they'd come, Willow even getting on all fours to try and get away. Thankfully, they didn't have to run far before Bronx came out of nowhere and tackled the bear into a bush. The two ended up rolling into a bush before the bear took off into the woods, Bronx coming out of the bush with a grin on his face.
"Bronx!" the two women shouted, running over to the dog.
He came out of the bush, barking and panting as both women came over and gave him some well-deserved belly rubs and head scratches.
"Glad you found us, boy." Willow told him.
"If he's here, then Goliath and Angela can't be far behind." Elisa rationalized.
"Not far at all." Goliath called as he and Angela land near them.
"Guys!" Willow cheered. "You're okay!"
"As are you." Goliath replied, pulling them both into a hug.
They released, Goliath keeping a hand on Elisa as they did. Angela looked at them both as she handed Elisa her badge back.
"We found this on the shore." she explained.
"My badge!" Elisa declared, taking it and sliding it into her pocket. "It must have fallen out of my pocket when Natsilani and Grandmother-"
"Grandmother?!" the two gargoyles let out.
"She didn't hurt you, did she?" Goliath asked.
"No." Willow assured them. "She healed us, rather quickly too."
"We owe her our lives." Elisa agreed.
"But the gargoyles said she is a vile sorceress." Goliath replied. "That she summoned the sea monster that attacked us."
"That's impossible." Elisa insisted. "Not only is she just a harmless old woman, but there are no gargoyles on the island."
"I hesitate to agree with you on that first point, Elisa." Willow spoke up. "I don't think Grandmother is human. Her knowledge of Gargoyles, as well as how quickly we healed after nearly being drowned, leads me to believe there's more to her than meets the eye."
"That doesn't make her an evil sorceress." Elisa argued.
"But it does leave many questions that require answering." Goliath rationalized. "Perhaps it would be best for us to meet Grandmother ourselves before we pass judgement."
...
The five of them continued walking through the woods, eventually coming to a large clearing. There, Grandmother sat in a meditative style, her eyes closed.
"Now does that look like a sorceress to you?" Elisa questioned.
They looked upon the old woman, Bronx immediately growing uneasy. Then, a strange mist began to emanate from her body as she rose to her feet, spreading her arms and transforming. She shifted into a large bird-like creature with the head of a raven and a body possessing a second face. The raven's head cawed and the lower face let out a bear-like growl.
"Jalapeña, she's a Child of Oberon!" Willow exclaimed.
The creature took off into the air, heading towards the village.
"She's headed for Natsilani!" Elisa realized. "We have to stop her!"
Goliath ran up a log that was tilted upwards and leapt off it, allowing him to glide into the air. Angela and Willow immediately followed suit, all three of them going after the beastly Grandmother. Goliath flew right at it, punching it right in the face and disorienting it. As it gained its bearings, Angela landed right on top of it and tried to steer it away. The face on its stomach growled, then wrapped its tongue around her foot. She was yanked off, then dropped, but she quickly recovered.
"Grandmother, stop!" Willow begged, flying up to the beast's raven face. "Why are you doing this?!"
The creature didn't answer, both faces howling loudly before creating a large gust of wind to blow her off course. She went spiraling down as Angela regained herself, shoot up and taking out several feathers of the beast's wing. The beast cried out in pain, diving down and smashing through a few trees, but remaining airborne. Even as Goliath rammed into it, it still remained in the air.
Down below, Elisa and Bronx ran to try and keep up with the duo, Willow swooping down next to her.
"Grandmother's not listening!" Willow cried out. "If this keeps up, we could badly hurt her!"
Sure enough, Goliath was literally tearing into the beast, his claws scraping away several feathers and leaving long gashes in the beast. About that time, the raven-headed gargoyle and the rest of his clan came in to aid.
"That's it!" He cried out. "Destroy the monster!"
As they flew in close, Angela saw the wings of the creature going right through one of the gargoyles. She gasped in shock, then her eyes narrowed on the raven-faced gargoyle. Willow noticed the other gargoyles, but did not see the wing trick that Angela did.
"Other gargoyles?" She questioned. "But how?"
Feeling overwhelmed, the creature flew off in retreat. Elisa chased after it on foot, Bronx not far behind. The gargoyles went to do the same as the raven-headed gargoyle glided over.
"I see you have located one of your friends." he remarked, looking over at Willow. "The Halfling you spoke so fondly of."
"Indeed." Goliath confirmed. "Our other friend is-"
"Still missing I'm afraid." Angela cut off. "They were separated during the serpent's attack."
Willow was confused by the lie, but decided to play along.
"Yes." She agreed. "I was searching for her when we reunited."
"Then me and my clan will continue to aid in your search." the raven-headed gargoyle offered.
"No!" Angela interjected quickly. "You have left your home unprotected for too long. If you were spotted while checking the village, there is a chance the humans could have found your cave."
"Very well." The raven-headed gargoyle relented. "But take care."
With that, he and his clan flew off towards the volcano. Goliath, Willow, and Angela all descended, the former two turning to Angela in confusion.
"Why did you lie to him?" Goliath questioned as they landed on the ground.
"Because those gargoyles are not what they seem." Angela answered simply.
...
A few miles away, Grandmother propped herself against a tree, tending to her wounds with magic. This is where Elisa finally caught up to her, Bronx growling the entire time. Elisa gave him a small pat, then approached the woman.
"You are a Child of Oberon, aren't you?" she asked.
"I am." Grandmother confirmed.
"Then why did you attack my friends?" Elisa asked. "With the bird and the sea serpent?"
"I did not mean to attack you." She explained. "I merely wanted Natsilani to see a creature of legend… and believe."
"And we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Elisa pieced together.
"I did my best to heal you, and the Child of Two Worlds, hoping you would reunite with your friends and be on your way." Grandmother went on. "However, it seems that Raven has taken steps to ensure your friends remain on the island."
"Why?" Willow questioned as she, Goliath, and Angela emerged from the fog. "Why is it so important for Natsilani to believe? And who is Raven?"
Grandmother looked at the trio of gargoyles, a smile gracing her face.
"I have not seen gargoyles for many generations." She told them. "I am overjoyed to see that you thrive."
"We live, but we do not thrive." Goliath corrected. "Now, answer Willow's questions."
"Raven is a trickster that had fooled you into believing he is one of your kind." Grandmother answered. "A shape changer like myself, who enjoys manipulating others into doing his bidding."
"That would explain the false gargoyles." Angela put together.
"But why would this 'Raven' want to deceive us?" Goliath questioned.
"Isn't it obvious by now?" The raven-headed gargoyle spoke up.
Everyone turned with a start, seeing him leaning against a nearby tree with a mocking expression. He then began to morph, becoming a more human-looking spirit in black and red Native American garments. Two raven feathers stuck out of his long black hair, and a cunning smirk graced his malicious face.
"If the bratty chief refuses to fight me, the island is mine." He explained. "My cousin here thought if she could get the kid to see a creature of legend, he'd finally believe the myths and get with the program. Not a bad plan, until you came along that is. Then it was just a matter of getting you to do my dirty work for me."
All of the gargoyles growled at him, and Willow flat out charged at him. He gracefully slid out of the way, chuckling.
"It's a shame I'm not allowed to hurt you." he lamented. "Then again, fighting was never really my thing. It's so… messy."
"Why do you manipulate us so?" Angela questioned. "What do you have to gain?"
"Why, the island of course." Raven answered. "If 'Nick' won't fight me, and the entire tribe abandons the land, it's mine by right. I hit the jackpot when the non-believer became chief. I barely had to lift a finger."
"Why not just show your power to Natsilani directly?" Elisa asked Grandmother.
"By Oberon's law, we are forbidden from directly interfering with human affairs." Grandmother explained.
Frustrated by all this, Goliath let out a mighty roar, startling everyone, including Raven.
"I will battle you, trickster!" he declared.
Raven recovered quickly, laughing slightly.
"You know my address." he declared.
With that, he snapped his fingers, turning into a full raven and flying off. Goliath was about to follow, but Elisa stopped him.
"Wait Goliath." she insisted. "I have a better idea."
…
Back in the village, Natsilani was in the midst of unpacking, bringing several boxes out of his home and into the center of the village. When he turned around, he was surprised to see Elisa and Willow, in human form again, walking towards him.
"Elisa. Willow." He greeted. "I've been worried about you two."
"It's alright." Elisa insisted. "We found our friends."
From out of the shadows behind them, Goliath and Angela emerged. The box falls out of Natsilani hands as he gasps in shock.
"What… what is this?" he stammered. "Is this some sort of trick?"
Willow's form shimmered, becoming that of a gargoyle. This caused Natsilani to fall back, crawling backwards in shock.
"Everything you see before you is real." Willow insisted. "Believe me, there's more out there than science can ever explain."
"No..." Natsilani stammered. "This is… this is impossible!"
"There are greater things in heaven and earth than are dreamed up in your philosophy." Goliath told him. "Raven being one of them."
"Your people are depending on you, Natsilani." Angela declared. "You must battle Raven, or else he will seize your home from you. Are you going to allow that?"
"Whoa there." Natsilani insisted. "I'm a scientist, not a warrior! I- I can't fight some ancient creature!"
Goliath sighed in response.
"This is a waste of time." He let out. "He cannot help us."
"Guess not." Willow sighed. "Where did you say Raven was hiding?"
"There's a cave in the volcano." Angela told her. "That's where he's hiding."
"Then I guess that's where we're headed." Elisa announced.
They all turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Natsilani in their wake. Once they were gone, Grandmother approached, shaking her head.
"Now I understand." she realized. "You do not lack faith in the supernatural, but in yourself."
"I'm a scientist, not some warrior." Natsilani insisted. "And those… things want me to fight Raven!"
Grandmother placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Many chiefs before you felt as you did, afraid they lacked the power to do what was necessary." She told him. "However, they chose to put those fears and doubts behind them to do what needed to be done for the good of their tribe."
She walked over to one of the boxes, opening it up to reveal a traditional chief's garment and Hami weaponry.
"It is time you did the same." she insisted.
...
At the volcano, Goliath, Angela, and Willow landed before the cave, all three of them ready to fight.
"Raven!" Goliath shouted. "Prepare to do battle."
"Control yourself, Goliath." Raven told him nonchalantly. "I have no quarrel with you."
"He's right!" Natsilani shouted from the top of the volcano.
Everyone turned, seeing the young chief standing on the lip of the mountain. He had a shield on his left arm, and held a long-armed tomahawk in his right. He wore the traditional garments of his people, including a feathered headdress.
"I must battle Raven." he declared. "For the sake of my home, and my tribe."
"What is this? Merit badge test night?" Raven remarked. "Oh well. Better make sure it's an uneven fight."
He walked over to the totem pole that stood before his cave, lifting his arms.
"Totem beasts, entrapped in wood,
the time has come to... do some good."
With a wave of his hands, the totem creatures came to life and separated, becoming three wooden gargoyle-like creatures. Raven then transformed as well, taking on his gargoyle form and summoning a long-staffed tomahawk as well.
"Children, entertain my guests for me." he commanded. "I have business to attend to with the boy-chief."
He flew up into the air as the three wooden gargoyles turned to the Manhattan clan. The bear gargoyle flew straight at Goliath, tackling him to the ground. The wolf one launched itself at Willow as the eagle one took off after Angela. This left Raven clear to attack Natsilani. He flew up and landed before him, brandishing his weapon.
"Let's see if your scientific degree can save you now." Raven taunted, swinging his tomahawk.
Natsilani held up his shield to block the strike, ethereal sparks flying as the axe connected. Though the blow was blocked, it still had Natsilani stumbling backward. Raven used the blunt end of his weapon to sweep Natsilani off his feet and knock him to the ground.
"Queen Florence Island is mine, boy!" Raven declared, raising his tomahawk for a fatal blow. "Say goodbye!"
Once again, Natsilani blocked the blow, shoving the axe back with his shield.
"No!" he declared.
As Raven swung again, Natsilani swung his own weapon against it, causing a large crack of lightning to emanate from the shield. It sent Raven flying back, and gave Natsilani the time he needed to get back to his feet.
"I have come to battle!" He proclaimed, planting his tomahawk on the ground.
The action caused a collection of power to gather at the top of the tomahawk, which the Chief then shot right at Raven. This blast send Raven rolling backwards, almost falling off of the volcano as Natsilani stood over him.
"And I will not give up my home without a fight." he declared.
Back down below, the wolf gargoyle stared Willow down before leaping at her, causing her to leapfrog over it. Above her, the eagle gargoyle tussled with Angela, both scratching at one another. The bear gargoyle body slammed Goliath into the side of the volcano, disorienting the large gargoyle. As the bear moved towards Goliath to see if he was dead, Goliath snapped awake and grabbed the bear. He then lifted it over his head and threw it into the side of the volcano, shattering it to pieces.
Up in the air, Angela led the eagle on a long chase, tricking it into smashing itself into the wall of the volcano. As this happened, Willow managed to get above the wolf gargoyle, tackling it to the ground before smashing it. She got up and brushed herself off, smiling.
"Well, that takes care of them." Willow remarked.
"What about Natsilani?" Angela questioned.
The crackle of power from the top of the volcano answered that question. The gargoyles all looked up to see Raven getting his butt handed to him by Natsilani. After a particularly nasty blow, Raven was forced to return to his more natural form, looking down the staff of Natsilani's tomahawk as Grandmother and Angela approached.
"You've lost, Raven." Natsilani declared. "This land belongs to my people!"
"Your people have fled." Raven threw back.
"They will return once the land has been cleansed of your defilement." Grandmother declared. "Now, leave this place."
He was hesitant at first, but Raven finally relented.
"Very well." He conceded. "But only because this place no longer amuses me."
He shimmered into his gargoyle form, then took off into the night, cackling the entire time. The gargoyles joined Natsilani on the lip of the volcano as he turned to Grandmother.
"Is he gone for good?" he asked.
"He will return one day." Grandmother told him. "That is why the ways of your people must live on."
"Your home is safe." Goliath commended. "And now, we must return to ours."
"Thank you for helping me see the truth." Natsilani told them, turning to Elisa and Willow. "I wish you luck."
"Thanks, we'll need it." Elisa remarked.
"Where's Grandmother?" Willow asked, looking and seeing her gone. "I wanted to say goodbye."
At the bottom of the volcano, Grandmother sat in a meditative stance as a blue aura glowed around her. Suddenly, her hair seemed to morph into water, which poured throughout the forest. As it flowed, plants started springing up from the ground and leaves sprouted from the trees. This spread across the entire island, returning it to the lush paradise it had once been.
The group smiled in astonishment of this as they returned to their boat and shoved off, hoping that they would finally find their way home.
