Disclaimer: Gargoyles is copyrighted and belongs to Disney and Greg Weisman. They are the rightful owners and not me. I am not doing this for profit or any other reason except that I had an idea I wanted to write down.

The Emerald Princess

Chapter One

I don't know why I was out so late, but looking back on it, I realize that my temper made me stupid.

Moving can do that to you, you know, especially if you leave behind everything you ever knew.

I guess I should introduce myself. The name's Lissa. I am 16 years old and just moved to Manhattan, New York, from a small Midwestern town. Farm girl meet big city, Big City meet farm girl.

Anyway, the night things changed was the first night after moving there. It had been my first day at the new school and things hadn't gone too well. Not to mention that I had gotten lost on the way home, since my parents couldn't pick me up and I had to walk. Needless to say, I was mad.

"I'm going for I walk," I stated after dinner.

"And cool off that temper of yours while you're at it, young lady," my dad replied.

"Stay in the neighborhood, please," said my mother.

I shut the door before they could say anything else. Neighborhood, ha. The thing my parents didn't realize was that here in the big city, residential areas ran smack into business districts.

As I walked, I tucked my hands into the pockets of my coat. It was February, and still pretty cold. I wandered past the last house on our block, and looked up. I saw a huge building in front of me. It seemed to be a regular office building except for the top. It was beginning to get dark and so I couldn't quite clearly see it.

In cities, sometimes the tops of buildings hold little boutiques and shops. I knew that if I found a new place with interesting fashions I might be accepted at school. Hurriedly, I raced to the doors of the building and went in.

The reception desk at the front was empty. I assumed they were on coffee break or something. I took a quick glance around and saw a stairwell leading up, to my right. I raced up it.

Hopefully, they won't be closed yet, I thought. Finally, I reached the top and a door awaited me. I pushed through it, and stared in awe at what was in front of me.

Instead of a little fashion shop, a castle and its grounds sprawled across the top of the building.

"Okay…," I turned around and reached for the door, thinking that this had been a big waste of time. But then I stopped.

This could still be interesting, I thought. Maybe I'll explore around here for a while.

Idiot.

So I decided to stay. Even though the sun had gone down, and I was cold, I decided to stay.

I meandered around for a while, but I didn't discover anything interesting. I was just about to give up and go home until I heard a noise from an inner corridor. I wandered to it until; I saw a light under a door. I heard voices on the other side.

I debated going in. What if I was trespassing on private property? But then again, what if there really was a shop in there and I was missing out. Selfish, stupid me.

At last, curiosity won out and I twisted the ornate metal handle.

Pushing the door open, I received the surprise of my life.

There, in the room were four creatures of different size, shape, and color. Sprawled in a Laz-e Boy recliner, one was brown and looked to be old, for he had a beard. Another lay like a dog at his feet, with a light blue body. The third sat in front of a TV, apparently mesmerized by a videogame. He was short, bald, and pea green in color. The last sat on the floor reading a magazine that seemed to be about motorcycles. He had long white hair, and brick-red skin.

These appearances I might have overlooked, had it not been for the claws on their hands and feet, the tails, and the bat-like wings. I was instantly terrified, and sorry I had ever opened the door. I was most definitely trespassing.

The door gave a groan as it opened, and all the creatures except the old one turned to look at me. I just froze with my eyes wide in shock. The three that noticed me seemed as surprised as I was.

The old one spoke, "That you Elisa?"

If possible my eyes got even bigger at his voice, and I couldn't breathe.

"Um…Hudson?" The green had a younger sounding voice. "I don't think that's Elisa."

"Eh?" The old one, Hudson, turned and finally noticed me.

I stiffened, as suddenly, the dog-like creature bounded towards me, emitting a low growl.

I gave a muffled squeak, noticing the sharp claws and fangs of the animal and backed away.

Then, I felt my body hit the rough stone wall and I knew I was in trouble.

Turning, I fled, all the while hearing the four creatures scrambling after me.

I ran at a break-neck speed, hurtling through the corridors of the castle. The lighting was dark and I could barely see in places, slowing my escape.

Still I raced on, adrenaline giving me a new level of speed. At last, I managed to retrace my steps enough to get me back outside to the courtyard.

I slowed, gasping for breath, but not hearing any signs of pursuit. Panting, I stopped and turned to look back. Nothing.

"Oh thank Gawd," I breathed. I began to walk backwards, still trying to make sure nothing was there. Just as I was bout to let out a sigh of relief, I bumped into something and felt something encircle me, pinning my arms to my sides in a vise-like grip.

I screamed in surprise and fear, but my voice was quickly cut off as the creature tightened his iron grip. I struggled against the brick-red arms that surrounded me, wildly trying to get free, but to no avail.

"Stop struggling and calm down," said the creature's voice.

I instantly obeyed his command, fearful of what this thing could do to me if I didn't, however, I could not stop my body's violent trembling.

"Don't be afraid," the voice soothed. It didn't sound old, more like a late teenager's voice. "It's okay," he spoke again, "I promise I won't hurt you. I'm gonna let you go now, and maybe we can talk, face to face."

He gently unwound his arms from me, and I immediately went on the defensive. I turned around and braced myself. But, something stopped me.

The genial look on the creature's face, and something in his eyes, was it concern? I didn't let down my guard, but I relaxed a little. What kind of monster would be concerned? Not a bad one, that's for sure.

"I'm Brooklyn," he said gently. "What's your name?"

I hesitated for a minute before replying.

"I'm Lissa."

RR!