So in the midst of writing this story, it became a crossover. It didn't start that way, but it's very easy to merge the worlds of Disney's Mighty Ducks and Disney's Gargoyles, as both involve characters living in human cities. It's just that one is on the west coast and the other on the east coast. Again, I own none of these characters.
Instead of posting two chapters at once this time, I just wrote a longer chapter.
Chapter 11
Events in Anaheim finally quieted down after the inspector from Off-World Agency left town. Grace settled into her new life at the Pond, even developing a sort of routine as weeks passed. When the ducks were in their headquarters, she helped Tanya in the lab, read comics or played video games with Nosedive, or did something with the other ducks. Duke was teaching her some chess strategies or talking about books with her since they both liked to read. She had also been asking him to give her lessons in dueling, admiring his skill with a saber, though she also enjoyed Mallory's training with puck launchers.
However, the ducks also had to devote time to hockey practice and crime fighting, so when they were gone, Grace had to remain hidden in the lower levels lest Phil or someone else see her. At first, it wasn't difficult to amuse herself, but she was starting to grow bored and wished she could move more freely about Anaheim.
One afternoon, while Grace watched a movie with some of the ducks, Wildwing's com began to beep. Trying not to disturb the others, he rose and stepped out of the room as he answered it.
"Mr. Xanatos, this is a surprise."
"Yes, I know this must be unexpected. I've sought contact with you because Goliath and the gargoyles are growing weaker by the day."
"They're sick?" Wildwing asked.
"In truth, the whole of Manhattan …of New York is falling to this illness," Xanatos admitted. "I sought remedies for myself with my wife and son. We could afford it, but I begin to feel that such a remedy was only temporary. We still seem susceptible to this strange illness."
Wildwing listened in silence.
"Goliath told me just this past night that he had heard from you and that your teammates were very sick at one point, but there had not been any more bad news from you."
"You want to know how we feel," Wildwing said, anticipating the question.
"Yes, I see that you look well. And your team?"
"They are well."
Xanatos stared hard at him.
"And yet, you seem very quiet on the subject of their recovery. Did you pay for the services of a healer from OtherEarth, Inc.?"
"You probably know we couldn't afford that," Wildwing said with a knowing look.
Xanatos responded with a grim smile.
"I am sorry to hear about the gargoyles," Wildwing said. "If I could tell you anything helpful, um… during this call, I would."
"I see. Well, I guess there is no point in my taking up more of your time. Good day, Wildwing."
Wildwing nodded and ended the communication. Then he turned and walked back into the rec room to tell the others what he had learned.
"They're stealing from Manhattan, possibly all of New York," Grace sighed after she heard Wildwing's news. "Most likely they were stealing from it before I closed off Anaheim, but now they have to rely upon it more heavily and the effect is more noticeable."
"But we have to help the gargoyles," Nosedive said quickly. "They could be in really bad shape."
Wildwing cast a solemn gaze at Grace, and Duke spoke up,
"Each time we have Grace use her power, she risks discovery. What if her secret isn't safe in New York?"
"I can't hide forever," Grace protested. "I want to help."
"Grace would find some good allies in New York," Wildwing admitted. "Xanatos could prove useful when it comes to her defense if she is discovered."
"Do you really think we can trust him?" Mallory asked skeptically.
"He needs her help too," Wildwing said. "If Dragaunus can recognize her value, surely Xanatos can. … Besides, I'm pretty sure he understood my meaning during our call. I basically told him, he'd have to speak to us face to face to learn how we recovered."
"You think he's flyin' out here?" Duke asked. "Will that draw too much attention?"
"Xanatos can be discreet when he wants," Wildwing said. "But it's a risk, I know."
"What about the dome?" Tanya asked. "If Grace goes to New York …"
"It will remain active here," Grace assured her. "Anaheim will be safe. I told you that only my death would destroy it."
"New York is a big city," Mallory cautioned. "Much bigger than Anaheim. You sure you want to go there?"
"It was foolish of those at OtherEarth, Inc. to choose such a place," Grace said. "It will be a challenge for me, but it will draw more attention to these matters. That's bad for them, though it may also be bad for me."
"If you go, I'm going with you," Duke insisted.
Several of the other ducks started to agree, but Grace protested.
"I'm grateful, but I think it will raise too many questions if the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are present in New York at such a time."
Wildwing nodded.
"Much as I hate to admit it, I think you're right. We'll actually be doing more to protect you if we remain in Anaheim and seem not to be involved. But one of us should go with you at least. Duke is probably the best choice as he has experience keeping a low profile."
"We'll be in and out before people know we're there," Duke agreed.
Grace smiled gratefully, but she appeared less certain.
Only a few days later, the ducks were watched the news in the rec room, when an alarm from Drake One began to go off.
"The secret elevator's been activated," Wildwing said as he noted the alert.
Mallory pulled Grace into a side corridor as the other ducks drew their weapons and stood guard at the elevator door. But when it opened, David Xanatos and Owen stood inside, returning their gazes with calm demeanor.
"Well, this is quite a way to greet guests," Xanatos said as he stepped out with Owen following at his side.
The ducks lowered their weapons, but they still stood on alert.
"How did you access and operate our elevator?" Tanya asked angrily.
"Your technology really isn't that difficult to manipulate," Owen said disdainfully.
"Let's not insults our hosts, Owen," Xanatos said. "After all, we still need their cooperation."
He turned to Wildwing.
"I took your meaning during our call to be that I had to come here for answers. So, here I am."
Wildwing studied Xanatos as if reconsidering his decision on the New York matter.
"I wanted to bring one of the gargoyles with me, but they were all too stubborn to leave," Xanatos persisted. "Yet, surely, you realize the dire state of their situation."
"I do," Wildwing said sternly. "But before we can reveal anything, I want your word …and his …. that you will keep this secret, even if it means breaking the law."
Xanatos smiled.
"Upholding the law has never been a standard I felt compelled to honor. If you have something that can save my family and the gargoyles, then don't worry, the secret is safe with me."
"What about him?" Duke asked. "Owen, or Puck – whoever he is."
"I will keep any secret that helps Mr. Xanatos," Owen answered.
Wildwing surveyed their faces for a moment, and then he turned and called to Mallory to return. Mallory walked back into the room with her puck launcher still in her hand, and Grace followed her. Xanatos and Owen noted her presence with surprise.
"I thought it wasn't an outsider who helped you," Xanatos said. "You said you couldn't afford their services."
"She's not from OtherEarth, Inc.," Wildwing answered.
Owen studied Grace with a suspicious gaze.
"Does that mean she is unregistered? That's what is illegal about all of this, then isn't it?"
"Unregistered or registered, it makes no difference," Xanatos said, sounding disappointed. "I've tried a healer before. My son and wife are already growing sick again."
"She's not just a healer," Duke said. "The reason she's unregistered is because her power is a lot stronger than the other outsiders'. She can do things they can't."
"Yeah, look at us. Do we look sick?" Nosedive added.
Xanatos considered that, and Grace walked up to Owen. She held out her hand to him.
"Will you let me show you?"
Owen finally put his hand in hers, and Grace closed her eyes. Light suddenly wrapped around Owen, and he transformed into Puck, but he seemed surprised by the transformation. Then Grace released him, and he was Owen again.
"No one may command me but my lord, Oberon. How did you do that?" he asked in surprise.
"I am more powerful that you are," Grace said with a shrug of her shoulders. "By the way, do you feel better?"
"Yes," Owen said, though he still seemed to dislike the power she had just demonstrated.
Xanatos looked at him in surprise.
"Owen, you never said you were growing weak as well. Why didn't you say something?"
"You had your own concerns to worry about, sir. And I did not want you to offer to pay for my recovery."
"That's another thing about her you should know," Wildwing said. "Grace doesn't do this for money."
"You might be missing an opportunity there," Xanatos told her.
Grace answered him with a short scornful laugh before she took his own hand and healed him. Xanatos stood up a little straighter and certainly appeared to feel the effects instantly.
"Your powers do seem more potent than the healer I paid millions to. I must take you back with me to New York. That is where you are needed."
"I will go," Grace agreed. "But there are some things you need to understand first."
Half an hour later, the truth about the humans at OtherEarth, Inc. had been shared with Xanatos along with information about the dome over Anaheim. The ducks took turns filling him in, and Grace only spoke on occasion, mostly listening as Owen did.
Xanatos rose from his chair in anger when it was revealed he had paid the very thieves who were causing the illness.
"They will come to regret that. Though if I wasn't so outraged, I might admire their scheme."
Then he turned back to Grace and the ducks.
"And you are certain that she is different?"
They nodded.
"She didn't have to help us …or tell us any of this," Wildwing said. "And Tanya has research that supports what Grace has said."
"Very well, I believe I understand matters more clearly now. But I am still eager to return to New York with her. We need to take a car back to my jet while it is still dark outside. I would like to keep my presence here unannounced and I'm sure you feel the same."
"I'm going with her," Duke said putting his hand on Grace's shoulder.
"You don't trust me with her?" Xanatos asked as his anger faded to amusement.
"No, not really."
"Mr. Xanatos is far better at keeping secrets than you ever could be," Owen scoffed. "She will be perfectly safe with us."
"Duke will be going with you, or you're not taking Grace," Wildwing insisted. "But yes, Xanatos secrecy is needed. Grace is our friend, and even if that doesn't matter to you, then know that if anything happens to her, we won't have any defense against the other humans."
"What New York is experiencing now is a slow draining of energy, but they can drain you a lot faster than that if they decide to attack," Mallory assured him.
"While the life of my son rests in her hands, nothing will happen to her," Xanatos promised them. "But send your teammate if you wish. I am ready for us to leave."
Duke and Grace had already had some things packed, expecting this time to come soon, so they only needed a moment to say goodbye to the other ducks. Wildwing pulled the hood of Grace's jacket up over her head.
"Keep your head down and stay close to Duke," he said. "We'll miss you, but we'll expect to see you back soon."
She nodded.
"Thank you again, Wildwing, for believing me and giving me a place to hide."
Then she followed Duke with Xanatos and Owen back to the elevator.
Once Xanatos' private jet took off into the night, Duke turned to Grace and said,
"Maybe you should try to get some sleep."
She seemed uncertain.
"I don't know if I'll be able to, but I can try."
"There's a bed that folds down over there, and you can pull the curtain around it," Xanatos said, as he overhead them. "It's more comfortable than trying to sleep in these seats."
Grace thanked him and walked over to the place he had directed her to. She drew the curtain around the small bed and lay down.
Duke watched over his shoulder for a moment before he turned back to Xanatos and Owen who were sitting with him just outside the cockpit. All was dark outside their windows.
"How long have you noticed people feeling weak and sick?" Duke asked.
"Perhaps a month," Xanatos said. "But it's grown far worse in the last three and a half weeks. I suppose that's because of the protection Anaheim received."
"Even if Grace gives protection to one location, others are still going to suffer as long as this is allowed to go on."
"Agreed," Xanatos said solemnly. "OtherEarth, Inc. must be shut down though it seems as though we need more substantial proof."
Duke nodded.
"When that investigator from the Agency came to the Pond, he didn't seem to understand the sickness we had been struggling with. He knew outsiders could help cure it, but he didn't know what caused it. It's not going to be easy to convince them that they've been hunting down the wrong outsiders."
"To extinguish such limitless sources of power," Xanatos said, shaking his head. "I would have tried to stop it if I had known. Your friend is indeed a precious asset."
Duke's brow furrowed as he stared back at Xanatos with a hard gaze.
"It's not just her power that makes her significant."
"Mr. Xanatos only means that the Agency would have accomplished far more for our world by learning to utilize such power, rather than destroying it."
"It's all right, Owen," Xanatos said with a smile. "The ducks are very attached to the girl."
Duke sat back in his chair and turned his attention to the window. It was guys like this I used to steal from when I led the Brotherhood of the Blade, Duke thought to himself.
When the jet reached New York, the night was already slipping away into morning. Duke and Grace followed Xanatos and Owen off the plane.
"I feared we would not return in time," Xanatos said. "You may have to wait until tonight to help the gargoyles. The dawn will reach them before we can at this point."
"You said your family needed help," Grace said. "I can at least do that."
"So where's the car?" Duke asked, looking around.
"I don't care to wait in traffic," Xanatos said with a smile as he and Owen led them a sleek black helicopter.
Duke surveyed it.
"Well, I'll say this for ya, you do know how to travel in style."
The helicopter carried them to Xanatos' residence within the Eyrie Building. Grace kept her jacket on with her hood pulled up until they were inside.
Xanatos rapidly led them to a bedroom where Fox lay on the bed with her hand over her head as if she had a headache and Alex lay in a cradle near her.
Grace closed her eyes and sent energy out to them. Alex cooed happily, and Fox sat up with more color in her face.
"Did you have to pay them again?" Fox asked her husband.
"No, not this time," Xanatos assured her as he picked up Alex, who reached happily for his father. "I will explain later."
Owen opened the door and walked into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt, sir, but Detective Maza is downstairs demanding to see you. She seems extremely worried about the gargoyles. And she is very weak herself."
"I should help her," Grace said, looking at Xanatos.
"Detective Maza is special case," Xanatos cautioned. "We wouldn't want her to have to report you."
"Elisa knows how to keep a secret," Duke protested.
"Yes, she does," Xanatos acknowledged. "But I would still prefer to speak with the gargoyles before allowing her to learn about Grace. Let me go down and hear her concerns, while you remain here for now."
Grace closed her eyes and concentrated.
"Wait, I can read her thoughts from up here," she said, and Xanatos halted in surprise.
Grace's eyes opened suddenly, and she threw open the curtains over a window. Morning light streamed through.
"Elisa came because it's morning, but the gargoyles are not turning to stone. She fears they are dying," Grace said with an anxious expression.
Duke tensed as he looked at the light of the dawn.
"We have to go to them now."
"We'll take my helicopter," Xanatos agreed. "Owen, go down and tell Elisa I am already on my way to the gargoyles. But try to delay her leaving."
"Why aren't the gargoyles here?" Duke asked. "I thought they were staying in the castle again."
"Goliath decided it's too dangerous for them to remain in one place night after night with the Hunters looking for them. They return to the castle on occasion, but for the past few nights, they've been staying above the top floor of an old factory and warehouse. That's where we'll go first."
As the helicopter reached the old factory atop which the gargoyles were living, Xanatos, Duke, and Grace climbed down a ladder to the roof, while the pilot took the helicopter to find a place to land.
Grace hurried around the side of a sloped roof to a level platform, and here they saw the gargoyles sprawled out on the roof. The sun shone over the eastern horizon, but the gargoyles were not cast into stone. Yet, many of them lay without moving.
Xanatos walked over to Goliath, who was lying on his wings with his head tilted up to the sky. His eyes were slightly open.
"It is beautiful," he murmured, looking up at the clouds. "But we should not be able to see it. And yet, I cannot sleep."
"You will Goliath," Xanatos assured him. "You will wake refreshed tonight."
"No, this plague upon my clan…"
But his voice faded, and Grace did not want to wait any longer. She held her hands out and closed her eyes. When her eyes opened, Duke recognized the blazing light in them that appeared when she exerted a lot of her power. Xanatos stepped back, and Grace's light wrapped around all of the gargoyles.
Her power lifted them onto their feet, and their forms glowed as the light swept into them. But then Grace curled her hands, and over the radiant forms of the gargoyles, stone began to form. Duke had seen the gargoyles turn to stone before, but he noticed a difference this time. Stone was being imposed over them …almost like a cocoon. The gargoyles and the light were being trapped inside.
When Grace finally ceased her efforts, the gargoyles were hidden within columns of stone on the roof. Xanatos and Duke surveyed them with some confusion.
"What have you done?" Xanatos asked, more with the tone of a question than a concern.
"All magic had been stripped from the gargoyles," Grace explained. "They could not turn to stone as they usually do. I can't exactly replicate their stone sleep, but I wrapped them in stone to hide them and let them rest while they soak up the energy I have given them. No one will be able to steal from them while they rest. And at sunset, they will awake and be themselves again."
Xanatos considered that as he inspected the columns. But suddenly from a door opened across from them, Elisa Maza hurried out, though she stumbled and fell beside the columns.
"Where …where are the gargoyles?" she asked in concern.
Grace stretched a hand out towards Elisa as her eyes lit up again. Elisa's form was also touched by the light, and her head dropped as she seemed to fall asleep. Then Grace lifted the detective from the ground with her power and set her down beside the door under the shelter of an overhanging part of the roof. She cast a web of light over Elisa and stepped back.
"Elisa can awake when the gargoyles do now," Grace said to Xanatos.
"Impressive," he said admiringly.
"We should head back to your place, Xanatos," Duke said, looking around uneasily at the surrounding buildings. "We don't want Grace to be seen out here in the daylight."
Duke and Grace remained with Xanatos for the rest of the day. Grace tried to rest in the room he provided for her, but she was as eager for night to come as the others. Not because she feared for the gargoyles, but because she wanted to see them healed. Her thoughts were also busy with how she might protect New York from those at OtherEarth, Inc.
Casting a dome here would be a lot more challenging than it was in Anaheim, but something was needed. Her thoughts afforded her little rest, and an hour before sunset, she arose and met with Xanatos and Duke to return to the rooftop.
When they arrived, the sun was sitting low in the western sky, and the stone columns were still intact on the roof. Elisa was still sleeping under a net of light in the corner.
"Will they be able to break out of those?" Duke asked Grace, as he surveyed what seemed like very thick stone.
"Yes, I believe so, but if they can't, I'll cause the stone to crumble around them when they awake," Grace said, seeming unconcerned.
She stood beside Xanatos wearing her jacket. They decided that while it was still light, she should keep her hood up.
As the last the sun sank out of sight, and darkness covered all of the sky. They waited as for a moment nothing seemed to happen, but then the columns began to shake, and light burst through cracks in the stone. The sounds of the gargoyles' roars cut through the night, and stone fragments were cast from the columns around them like chunks of glass. Grace raised a shield in front of her, Duke, and Xanatos to prevent any stone pieces from striking them, but she quickly lowered it as the gargoyles stepped out, flexed their wings, and breathed deeply, appearing like themselves.
"We are whole again!" Hudson said with relief. "And here I thought I was finally seein' my end."
"But that was a strange sleep that we just awoke from," Brooklyn noted.
"Yes, how did this come to be?" Goliath wondered, and then he turned and saw Xanatos and Duke standing with another figure behind them. "Duke L'Orange from the Mighty Ducks. Did you deliver a cure to Xanatos?"
"There's a little more to it than that," Duke said. "But I'm glad to see you're okay."
Goliath appeared about to ask about the one with them, but then he noticed Elisa lying in one corner of the roof. He rushed over to her and pulled at the net of light over her.
"What sorcery is this?"
"She's just sleeping, Goliath," Xanatos said. "I asked my friend here not to wake her up until after we spoke with you."
Goliath walked back to them and stared at the stranger. Grace removed her hood and let him see her face.
"Does this mean you paid for our healing?" he asked Xanatos.
"No," Xanatos said. "Grace is a new ally. She helped the ducks, and now she's helping us. But I think I'll let Duke explain why she needs to remain a secret."
Duke told Goliath about Grace's powers and about the those at OtherEarth, Inc. who were stealing from New York. Goliath's eyes shone brightly with rage more than once as a growl escaped him, but he listened.
"They're nothing but cowards and thieves," Broadway finally protested. "Why don't we go and settle this right now?"
"They would attack you with the full force of their power," Duke warned. "We saw it happen to Nosedive and Mallory once. It nearly killed them. We have to convince the Agency that they are the enemy first."
"How?" Goliath asked in his deep voice. "Elisa has shown me that in this time one must have evidence and proof before the law will act. How do we protect this outsider and expose the others?"
"We're still working on that," Xanatos said. "But now that we know the truth, we can find a solution."
"There is another issue," Grace said, speaking for the first time. "I am glad to see you recovered, but even my efforts are only temporary if OtherEarth, Inc. can keep stealing from you."
Duke put his hand on her arm.
"You can't be thinking of trying to put a dome over all of New York."
"Why not?" Xanatos asked. "That's why I brought her here. You didn't think I wanted just another temporary fix, did you?"
"Putting the dome over Anaheim was almost too much for her. Imagine what will happen if she tries to put one over all of New York," Duke protested.
"The only alternative is for her stay here and constantly replenish what is taken," Xanatos argued. "I'm not going to allow this situation to overtake us again."
Duke began to resist the idea of leaving Grace behind, but Grace quickly stepped in and cut off their discussion.
"A dome does seem highly difficult for New York, but I had another idea this afternoon. I'd like to try it now if the gargoyles will take me to the arches around the top of the Chrysler Building."
"Of course, it means protection for the city," Goliath agreed.
"Then I'm going to let Elisa awake in moment, and I think you should remain behind to speak with her, Goliath. The other gargoyles can bring me, Duke, and Xanatos to Chrysler Building. And we'll see what I am able to do."
"I don't know that there is a need to tell Detective Maza everything," Xanatos said, looking at Goliath.
The lead gargoyle's eyes brightened with some anger, but Grace stepped in again.
"You can decide what to tell her, Goliath. I trust you …and I trust her. But I suppose one benefit of not telling her about me is then she doesn't have to lie to anyone else if questions start being asked."
He considered that and nodded.
"I understand. Elisa has had to help us many times when it conflicted with her duties as a detective. Perhaps I can spare her this."
Grace smiled, and she clasped his claws in her hand and they shook hands. Then she walked over to Angela.
"Can I get a lift?"
"Of course."
She led her to the edge of the roof, and holding onto her, they jumped and Angela glided away with her. Broadway carried Xanatos, and Brooklyn carried Duke. Hudson and Lexington followed behind. Bronx remained behind with Goliath as the web of light disappeared over Elisa and she awoke.
More to come next week!
Reviews are much appreciated!
