All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyrighted to Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I've taken the idea for the Unseelie Court from the TGS. Characters and concepts from Star Trek are property of Paramount and created by Gene Roddenberry. No infringement of these copyrights are intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.
Note: I'm disregarding the events of the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. Also, I am altering large sections of the Star Trek storyline, especially concerning events like WWIII and the Eugenics Wars, which without the Cold War as a backdrop probably wouldn't happen the way Roddenberry wrote them, if at all. This story takes place one month after "Prelude to Rebellion".
Meetings and Plots
By SN/TVfan
Email: Sam_Nary
Ishimura, Japan
Kai looked quietly out over the roof tops that made up the Japanese village where his clan dwelled. Patrols had been quiet as few thieves or other criminals had been active in the region. His mind was meanwhile deep in thought over matters that had passed a long time before.
The Past
Kai stood firmly over an ashamed looking Yama. The leader of the Japanese clan was deeply disappointed by the fact that Yama had helped Taro in the human's plan to turn his clan into a living tourist attraction.
"You have dishonored yourself by your actions," Kai said to the other male.
"I know," Yama said weakly, "I thought Taro truly wanted to help our clan, but I was deceived. It was my own fault for listening to him. I deserve my punishment."
Yama then pulled a Japanese katana from his belt and handed it to Kai. The male then bowed, and held his head low. Sora standing nearby looked horrified, but could do nothing. Yama's actions amounted to what humans referred to as treason in the modern world. They also knew the penalty for such actions.
Kai raised the blade, as if preparing to strike, but then deliberately dropped it to the ground.
"I can not kill you," Kai spoke, "There was honor in your motive, not in your action. You are to be exiled for a minimum of one year. After that period, once you have regained your honor in the eyes of the clan, you may return."
Yama stood up and looked at Kai with a confused look on his face.
"You are my friend, Yama," Kai said, "And Sora's mate. I will not strike a friend or put my second through such pain."
Yama gave only a weak nod and left, quietly. Kai and Sora stood there and watched as Yama glided off.
The Present
"I thought he would have returned by now," Kai commented.
"Yama's honor was always important to him," Sora said from behind him, "He will not return until he feels he has restored his honor to himself before he comes for the clan's tests."
Kai turned back in shock, surprised to see his second there.
"You always come here when you are thinking," Sora answered before he could ask.
"It has been more than three years since I exiled Yama," Kai replied, "Certainly he has found some way to restore his honor."
"He will not view stopping common thieves as a way of restoring his honor," Sora answered, "More than likely he is looking for some great injustice."
"Do you think he has left Japan?" Kai asked.
"I do not know," Sora answered.
Fukuoka, Japan
Yama stood quietly on the roof of an apartment building overlooking the sea. He had traveled up and down the island nation in search of some great problem that he had to fight. There had been nothing of that nature that he could find in Japan. He had seen the news reports of things happening in mainland, and part of him wondered if there might be someone there who needed help.
Elsewhere another group had made it onto another rooftop. It was a mixed group of gargoyles and humans. The humans all wore robes while the gargoyles all wore modified versions of ancient Chinese clothing. There were also several hatchlings among them.
"I do not like this," Je Lu commented, "I remember the stories from the elders about what happened when the Japanese came to China. Human men and women were butchered because they were Chinese. Some of the rumors included gargoyles participating in their butchery."
"I remember the stories as well," Shi La commented, "But you can not let them dominate your thoughts. Besides, the elders also admitted that much of their information came from Nationalist soldiers who had been forced to retreat."
"The Japan of today is also nothing like the Japan of the 1930s and 1940s," Fang Shui commented, "Their own constitution limits them to a very minor defense force that would stand no chance of victory if Japan were attacked. They are dependent upon the United States for protection from Communist China and Communist North Korea, and for many years the Soviet Union."
"Besides," one of the other monks spoke up, "It was difficult enough getting across China and the Koreas. We'll only be here long enough till we can glide to the islands that Russia controls."
"And then to America's Aleutians," Je Lu nodded, "I understand the route we are taking and why, but something about this nation still makes me uneasy."
"Let's just be on our way then," Fang Shui commented, "We need to head north."
Je Lu nodded and quickly lifted the chief monk into his arms and took off from the roof of the building they were on. They had glided in a northwardly direction over a few apartments when they all suddenly heard a voice call out to them in Japanese.
"Hello! Wait!" the voice called out.
Je Lu looked to see that it was in fact a gargoyle coming up from another apartment building.
"Another gargoyle," one of the hatchlings in Je Lu's clan commented almost excitedly.
"What did he say?" Je Lu asked Fang Shui.
"I don't know Japanese," Fang Shui admitted, "The monks and I only learned about things going on in Japan after the war ended from American OSS agents trying to stabilize China."
There was a brief silence before Fang Shui spoke again.
"Judging by his facial expression and gestures, I think he wants us to wait," Fang Shui commented.
"We will talk, if that is what he wants," Je Lu ordered to the others, "Perhaps he knows Chinese."
Je Lu and his clan then landed on a nearby roof and carefully set the monks down so that they wouldn't fall. The Japanese gargoyle was quick to follow suit. He landed in the middle of the assembled Chinese gargoyles so that all could hear them.
"Amazing," Yama spoke with a polite bow, sounding far more curious then he intended, "From what Goliath and Elisa told my clan when they visited was that there were very few other gargoyle clans out there, and my clan has found no others in Japan. Where are you from? What brings you all the all way out to Japan?"
"Um, I'm sorry if this troubles you, but do you know Chinese?" Je Lu asked the new gargoyle, "We do not know Japanese."
Yama paused and blinked. The new gargoyles didn't speak Japanese, and he couldn't understand the language. He recognized it as Chinese, but he still couldn't understand it. It confused him, since when Goliath, Elisa, and Angela arrived at Ishimura, they had all spoken perfect Japanese, despite the fact that none of them looked remotely oriental. He looked down embarrassed when he realized the language barrier made it impossible for him to communicate with them.
"I don't think he speaks Chinese," Shi La commented.
Je Lu only sighed, "This is a waste of time..."
Yama quickly decided to try basic sign language. One of the rookery brothers had studied various languages with one of the priests that frequently visited the temple where Kai had made the clan's home. He knew he couldn't stay there, but if his brother could translate for them, perhaps these outsiders had a way in which he could restore his honor. He made motions indicating for them to follow him.
"I think he wants us to follow him?" Fang Shui noticed the Japanese gargoyle's gestures.
"We can't understand him," Je Lu argued, "We should continue on our way."
"Perhaps he knows someone who does," Fang Shui countered, "If that's true, perhaps we can get help."
"That would be wise," Shi La added, "Perhaps he knows Demona and could help us in getting to New York."
Je Lu sighed and then motioned for his clan to follow the strange gargoyle.
Tibet
Khan sat quietly looking over the paperwork that crossed his desk every day and night. He barely noticed his second coming into the room.
"Sir?" his second spoke to get Khan's attention.
Khan looked up to see his second in command standing there.
"Yes," Khan replied, "What is the status?"
"The Tibetan governors and the government in Beijing have reconciled their differences," the second reported, "explaining that it was all merely a misunderstanding coming from a lower ranking official sending his report directly to Beijing instead of to the provincial leadership."
"As expected," Khan commented, "All dictatorial governments will have these sort of hiccups every now and then. What is the status of our build up?"
"Our raiding parties have been successful in ambushing several Chinese patrols and taking their heavy equipment," the second answered, "Some of the Chinese soldiers have been killed, but as ordered, most have been left alive."
"The recruitment?" Khan asked.
"As I thought, very few of the Tibetan people are willing to undergo the secret training," the second answered, "and three have had to be killed because of their connections to either the Communist Party or to the Illuminati."
"Keep working at it," Khan instructed, "Eventually some will break, and even if all of them don't, I want those that do, trained."
"Yes sir," the second nodded.
"How is Operation Distraction proceeding?" Khan asked.
"Operations to keep the Illuminati council trying to find new scientists to take over this facility are proceeding as planned," the second answered, "Most candidates have successfully been assassinated or their records have been sufficiently tarnished that they would not get the assignment."
"Good," Khan nodded, "The longer we can keep them focused on internal matters, the longer we can prevent them from discovering what we are doing here. That will allow us to wait until we are ready to rebel."
"I have the written reports here for you, sir," the second said while placing them on Khan's desk.
Khan took them and flipped through the folders that his second had handed him.
"Excellent," Khan smiled, "I want you to send one of our diplomats on a tour of the Middle East."
"Whatever for?" the second asked.
"A further distraction," Khan smiled, "The real enemy we have to worry about is America. Once we've secured power in China, no one should be a real problem, but while we are still only a mere 'faction' the United States will oppose us because a civil war in China will hurt their trade. It will hurt trade around the world, but the difference is the United States is the only country likely to do anything about it. Russia is still trying to sort itself out after the fall of the Soviet Union. France and much of Europe don't want to fight at all, mostly being visited by ghosts of the Second World War, no doubt. America will be the only major power that will support China when our uprising comes. If they are too busy dealing with the Arabs in the Middle East, then there is little they can actually do. The Arab's plans will belong solely to them, but I feel they will prove quite useful."
"Yes sir," the second saluted and left the room.
Ishimura, the next night
It was nearly midnight when Yama spotted the rooftops of village where his clan dwelled. The foreign gargoyles slowly followed behind him, but it was obvious to Yama that they were uncomfortable with the fact that they were following him and that they couldn't understand him. He heard what sounded like arguing several times over the course of the previous night and so far tonight. It was obvious to him that they didn't like his presence, but if they needed help, he might be able to help them if it weren't for the language barrier.
As they got closer to where the clan lived, Yama motioned to the others to land and pointed to the Ishimuran clan's home.
"We have guests coming," one of the younger Ishimuran males reported to Kai inside the temple.
"Guests?" Kai asked, "Has Hiroshi brought friends over for discussion or for lessons? Have Goliath and his compatriots returned?"
"No," the male answered, "It is Yama, and he has brought a whole clan of gargoyles with him."
"Yama?" Kai gasped getting up and quickly following the male outside.
Kai found that the male's report was very accurate. Yama had indeed returned and returned with several gargoyles that resembled Chinese dragons. The Ishimuran leader moved quickly to greet his friend.
"Yama, you've returned," Kai spoke calmly, "I trust you are ready to undergo the trials?"
Yama looked down, "No, I am not. I have not regained my honor and am not fit to attempt them, but I need to borrow Yoshi for a few minutes."
"Yoshi?" Kai asked.
"Yes," Yama nodded and gestured to Je Lu and his clan, "I found this clan while I was in Fukuoka, but I do not believe they are from the mainland. They do not speak Japanese. I need him to interpret their story for me."
"Do you know exactly where they are from?" Kai asked.
"China, I would thing, by their looks," Yama commented, "But since I can not understand their language, I can not be sure."
Kai nodded and turned to the male that had informed him of Yama's arrival and ordered, "Go get Yoshi. Quickly now."
The male nodded and ran back into the temple. Je Lu and his clan nervously watched the commotion go on around them. Various gargoyles began to appear from different sections of the temple to see what was going on. The Chinese leader quickly had the others get his clan's younglings and the monks behind the adults. Despite Fang Shui's urgings to trust the Japanese gargoyle, Je Lu was still very nervous around the Japanese gargoyle. Mostly because he couldn't understand a word of what had been said. After a few minutes a small yellow skinned male came running up to the male that they had encountered the night before and the larger male that he had been involved in the earlier discussion with. The three then carefully approached Je Lu and his clan.
Yoshi, Ishimura's chief librarian and translator walked carefully up with Yama and Kai.
"What should I say?" Yoshi asked.
"Introductions first," Kai said firmly, "If they know who we are, they are more likely to trust us."
Yoshi nodded, and then began speaking to Je Lu and his clan, "Greetings, and welcome to Ishimura, Japan. Home to our clan. I am Yoshi, the clan's librarian and studier of languages, therefore in situations like this, I will be your interpreter."
Yoshi then gestured to Yama, "This gargoyle, is called Yama, currently he is an exile from our clan, but his time period of exile is over, but he has decided to continue it to restore his honor."
Yoshi then motioned to Kai, "This is Kai, the leader of our clan here. May we enquire as to who you are?"
Je Lu felt like he was finally getting somewhere. He hoped that this 'Yoshi' could provide them in helping them find Demona. He stepped forward to address the Japanese gargoyle.
"My name is Je Lu," Je Lu spoke, "My clan and I come from Tibet, China."
Yoshi repeated Je Lu's words in Japanese to Yama and Kai. Je Lu then watched as Kai asked Yoshi a question. Yoshi nodded and then turned back to face Je Lu.
"What brings your clan so far?" Yoshi asked, "You have brought far too many for this be a simple vacation."
"Strange humans that are not native to Asia attacked our monastery where we lived in Tibet," Je Lu answered, "Some of my clan have been killed as well as a few of the human monks, whom we shared the monastery with. Our home has been destroyed and we must find some way to stop our attackers from causing more trouble. But we need to get to New York and ask for assistance of a female named Demona."
Again Yoshi translated Je Lu's message into Japanese. Kai and Yama exchanged glances.
"Do you know why they attacked you?" Yama asked.
Yoshi translated Yama's question.
Je Lu shook his head, "No. We do not know the reason why. Whatever the reason though, they were cold blooded about it."
"You think they will cause more evil?" Kai asked after Yoshi had translated Je Lu's answer.
Je Lu listened to the translation and then nodded, "I believe so, but they are much more power than average humans and none of my clan are particularly skilled warriors. We need Demona's help to stop them."
"Who is Demona?" Kai asked, "You said she is from New York. Does she know a gargoyle named Goliath?"
Je Lu listened to the translation again.
"I do not know personally or know of a 'Goliath'," Je Lu answered, "But Demona was a female gargoyle who came to our monastery in the past needing help. We helped her, and now we hope that she will help us."
"Tell them that I would be willing to help them," Yama volunteered, "I could train their people to be efficient warriors."
"Teach them Bushido?" Kai asked, "The would take time if they accept it and they may have a cultural belief that is different from ours."
"Tell them I am willing to help them fight these strange humans that attacked them," Yama repeated.
Yoshi nodded and then repeated Yama's message in Chinese.
"But we do not know Japanese and he doesn't know Chinese," Je Lu answered, "How would we work together."
This made Yoshi, Kai, and Yama stop to think.
"Must you help them?" Kai asked, "You've lived out your term of exile, all you need to do is face the trials. We have all missed you. Sora especially."
"I can not undergo the clan's tests until I have passed my own," Yama answered firmly, "My actions with Taro were completely wrong. I have not done anything that would restore my honor. Helping Je Lu and his clan would do that, especially if their story about what these 'supermen' have done to them is accurate."
"It still doesn't change the fact that you do not know their language and that they do not know ours," Yoshi commented, "You would be better served to remain here and let them be on their way."
"What if you came with me, to be my interpreter?" Yama asked.
"I'm not an exile!" Yoshi said quickly.
"Given the length of time that Yama has been gone, I wouldn't count him as an 'exile' either," Kai commented, "Besides, we rarely get foreign visitors here, and they are usually human and will be accompanied by Hiroshi. I ask you, Yoshi, to be Yama's translator. It would give you something to do besides sit in the library every night and make sure everything is cataloged."
"Is that an order, Kai?" Yoshi asked.
Kai paused for a moment and then nodded, "I suppose it is."
Yoshi then turned again to Je Lu and his clan, "I will accompany Yama to translate for him and for you."
Je Lu glanced at the other two males behind Yoshi. Kai looked somewhat nervous but looked very much like a wise leader. Yama looked somewhat hopeful.
"That would be helpful," Je Lu nodded, "My clan will accept the aide of you, Yama and Yoshi. Perhaps we will need your help in translating another language as necessary, for we must get to New York to meet with Demona. We assume that the population speaks English."
Yoshi translated the message and both Yama and Kai bowed.
"You are most welcome," Yoshi bowed, "But I'm afraid I do not know English. The languages I have studied are all oriental, not occidental."
"Demona knows magic anyway," Shi La pointed out to her mate, "She is the one we need to contact."
"Either way, it will be good to have you along," Je Lu answered.
"When do you want to leave for New York?" Yoshi asked.
"As soon as possible," Je Lu answered.
It took another thirty minutes for them all to establish an actual plan. Kai was saddened that Yama wouldn't face the trials to rejoin the clan, but he still respected the male's code of honor. Both Yama and Yoshi agreed that gliding north across the eastern most sections of Russia and across the Bering Strait to Alaska was the smartest idea, since the Pacific Ocean was too wide elsewhere for them to safely glide. Yoshi had also wished to gather a few things that he felt he needed for the journey and the group eventually had to wait for him. The group then glided off with a few polite good-byes.
Elsewhere
"What is the status of establishing a new management and scientific team for the Tibet base?" One asked inside the council room of the Illuminati's hidden headquarters.
"Bumbling along," Five growled in an aggravated voice, "It seems that every time we find someone qualified to take over the operation, the appointee ends up dead or is found to be a poor candidate because of different reasons."
"I think someone is interfering in our business," Six commented, "Thirteen candidates nominated, five dead, two insane, and six of questionable loyalty. Someone is trying to play us."
"I agree," nodded Three, "Unfortunately there are multiple persons who know of the Illuminati and have the funds or willingness to perform such acts."
Three then pressed a button which displayed a list of names holgraphically above the table. Most were already Illuminati members, but some weren't. The names read, David Xanatos, Bill Gates, Merlin Ambrosius, Mathew Bluestone, Martin Hacker, and continued on through a half dozen other names.
"Xanatos, Gates, and Ambrosius can be removed," Four commented, "They have the means, but not the motive. Bluestone and Hacker can also be removed, they do not have the means."
"Duval also has reported no activity of that nature coming from Xanatos," Five sighed, "the man seems more concerned with his gargoyles then with us."
"Which is a good thing," One answered, "What of Yemo's reports about Khan being behind everything himself. Shouldn't we consider that possibility?"
Two shook his head, "Yemo is a paranoid little man. All reports indicate that Khan is loyal, as our programming intended. But, I do think that whoever is doing this is someone not on this list."
"Then who is it?" Three demanded, "We need to know who it is so we can silence them."
"Until we capture one of the assassins, or until the Chinese government is more successful in dealing with their little insurgent problem," Two sighed, "I doubt we will have any success in finding out who we are dealing with."
"We will increase security around possible experienced candidates," One announced, "We should also consider training new people from scratch."
"That could take years!" Four gasped.
"Would you rather go through years of these pointless assassinations?" One questioned.
"No, sir," Four looked down.
"Then are we in favor?" One asked.
The rest of the council nodded in agreement.
"Good," One said in a confident voice, "Five, you are to inform Khan that he will have to maintain his leadership over the Tibet base for a good deal longer because of certain problems. Do not tell him what the problems are, but tell him he will have to maintain his control for longer then anticipated."
"Yes, sir," Five said.
Tibet
Khan stood quietly as Five finished explaining the situation.
"This is most disturbing," Khan commented, "My men and I were created to protect the base and the scientists who run it. Yet I am being held here as insurgents threaten the region, and now you tell me that you can not assign a new scientific team?"
"That is the situation," Five answered, "But is not as desperate as you make it out to be. All you need to do is do your job."
"Very well, sir," Khan saluted.
"Good," Five answered, and the screen went black.
Khan's second came in a few minutes later.
"Sir?" the second asked.
"Everything's going according to plan," Khan smiled.
The End...
