New Awakenings, Part #2
Author's Note: We all know that in the series and in TGS, the Pack underwent a change. I don't necessarily like it, so we're doing something a little different here. They wear special armor – magical armor they'd received from Xanatos and then and 'upgraded' version when they went to work for Madoc, but other than Wolf Jackal and Hyena were not so drastically changed; in other words, they're not 'robots' themselves.
CASTLE WYVERN, THE EYRIE BUILDING
Goliath sighed and adjusted his seating on his perch. The quiet air and the momentary solitude cleared his head as it usually did. Too much had happened too quickly, give or take two years and it had left him unsettled. He wasn't the only one, however. Hudson had apparently had a dream which answered a small part of the puzzle behind the appearance of the Seal of the Guardian, but not enough. What he had hinted at was preposterous. To think that Odomus had been among their clan for so long and they'd never realized it, or that he was Odomu's son, whom the sorcerer had been searching for. At the time, they'd all thought the sorcerer plum insane and had thought no more of the incident once they'd returned to the castle, although, for a time, they remained a little unsettled.
"Beware the evil one! The evil one comes!"
She was talking about Constantine, Goliath was certain of it now. The journal and Hudson's dream pointed in that direction all too clearly. Most of the clan for many generations had believed he'd died at last after being sealed away so long, but they often forgot that enchantments were strong and Constantine could rise again if given the chance – or if someone just got careless.
Even so, he couldn't help wondering why anything revolving around Constantine or Odomus or Lady Dragon was happening at all. It was so random. Yet everything in his life was just that; a series of random events that lead to friendships, heartbreak, hard-learned lessons and many other things. The biggest lesson of all, however, was that nothing was ever random. Everything happened for a reason.
Goliath shook his head and looked up at the stars then at Manhattan's dazzling skyline. For a while he'd hoped that the new threat that was coming was perhaps a ghost of the Archmage, or a descendant of the ancient sorcerer who had cursed his race before Atlantis destruction. He realized now that was not so.
The Archmage died on Avalon, he reminded himself. He had held the Phoenix Gate at one point, and due to our struggle he may have ensured that some part of him lived on somewhere in time. He could readily cause my clan grief that way, but I know now he is not the 'evil one' of whom I have been warned. It is truly Constantine.
'Awaken the Guardian', she said, he mused as he turned to go inside. But how? Where should I find him? Or is he somewhere close by, somewhere within myself?
Once again, Goliath pushed that thought aside. The possibility was too overwhelming, not to mention impossible. The Guardian was the ruler of Atlantis. To be a proper Guardian himself meant he would have had to be born a prince, but he wasn't. The Guardian lines had to have fizzled out by now, and yet, that nagging suspicion wouldn't leave his mind. There was a legend that said a new Guardian, a direct descendant of Ruel, would rise and untie humans and gargoyles together, thus destroying the ancient curse. In effect, he'd become an 'emporer' of all gargoyles while gargoyle 'leaders' would remain to work as 'governors' to keep each clan organized, nourished and educated. He'd be responsible for more than just nine or ten lives he was now. He'd be responsible for hundreds more.
Goliath shivered. "Not a pleasant thought," he muttered aloud and soon found himself in the library and sat down at the table. Lady Dragon's journal sat an arm's length away from him, but he hesitated on picking it up and reading from it again. The need for answers won out and he opened it to the first page for the hundredth time in weeks. Only the enchantments upon it kept it in such pristine condition. It didn't fall apart at the slightest touch or breath of movement. Even so he handled it with great care. This book was a precious gift to his clan and it meant more to him than he'd ever admit.
Nevertheless, he continued to flip through the pages until he found what he was looking for. For several minutes he just stared at the page which caught his eye a few nights ago. He hadn't paid as much attention to it then as he did now. There was an image on that page; A sorcerer clad in black robes and possessing a demonic face and lusty grin with blood-thirsty yellow eyes stared up at him from the page mockingly, daring him to try and face him. In his hands sat a large chest fashioned of gold and all manner of fine gems, each of which helped the case regulate its odd power.
Case? Goliath thought with a growing sense of dread. The Golden Case?
He looked out the nearest window and frowned in worry. It would make sense that it would be. At least that would answer the puzzle – mostly, anyway – to the appearance of this journal and the strange recurring dreams that plagued him day in and day out.
Why now, and why should I be the one to face him? All these perceptions of mine . . . they cannot be true, can they? Especially after two years of nothing . . .
Goliath sighed and closed the journal. Right now, there was just no way of knowing.
TWO NIGHTS LATER
NIGHTSTONE UNLIMITED
There was an air of boredom throughout the main office of Night Stone Unlimited. The assembled Pack, a poor and sorry group of former humans, sat together playing poker and reading books. There hadn't been much activity for them for days. Most of the businesses of blackmailing Demona out of her own business had been a success, but was still having some difficulties. The new head or CEO of Night Stone was suffering with his own problems with blackmail, and he didn't dare go against his boss's wishes. Although Thailog was a cripple, he was still very dangerous.
Hyena sighed as she finished yet another game. She didn't win this time, but she was too bored to throw a fuss over it. "When is this gonna end?" she asked as she sank her head into hands. "I've had enough inactivity to last me a lifetime."
"It's only temporary, dear sister," sneered Jackal in his usual cool tone. "Thailog and his little toy have been busy with the business side of this operation. They have to keep Night Stone running, otherwise we'd all be out of a job."
Wolf, who was sitting in a corner munching on a large turkey and watching a television program, growled. "That's the only thing they've been doing," he said, gulping down his food as he turned to Jackal. "When do we get to do some damage? I don't want to get paid for sitting around!"
A cold, cruel chuckle sounded behind them and everyone turned to see Thailog exit the office and enter the secret lounge that Demona had designed for herself. It was a place she could relax when she didn't want to return home, but now she no longer worked here. She had lost Nightstone.
"Well, if you are so bored why don't you take a stroll through the city?" He suggested as he limped over to his favorite desk. "As it is," he continued, his voice sounding oddly strong, "there is nothing I particularly need that would require your assistance."
"Is that always the way it's gonna be?" Hyena asked sarcastically as she flicked a card into a canister with her metallic talons.
"Occasionally," Thailog admitted as he leaned forward, enjoying the sensation of sitting down. "That is why you will need to entertain yourselves. Go out and search for Goliath and his clan. Go to a bar." He looked at them sternly. "But don't get carried away. I don't want to see you on the news because you had caused a fire, or some such scheme. Try to keep it low profile. I don't want anyone linking us together."
The Pack looked at each other. Some liked the idea of going out, but a few thought it would be another waist of time. After all, they all knew the city. What more could they possibly encounter that would make any difference?
"Alright, we'll go out for a time," said Coyote as he stood. His mechanics whirred noisily as the mighty robot moved for the automatic window. "I think a lot of us could use some fresh air anyway."
"Just be back before sunrise," Thailog scolded them as they left. "I need someone to keep an eye on our new CEO."
Hyena sighed as she felt the wind whisk through her hair. The strange armor she wore, where Xanatos and Madoc had procured it she had never found out, hugged her skin like leather. In fact, it was leather, but a very special sort of leather. She, in her wild imagination, believed it was dragon hide because it was a type of hide she had never seen, touched or smelled before, but it worked wonders. If there was anything she wanted to do that no technology or natural talent could do, the suit she wore would do it. She could create a deadly spinning saw just by wishing for it. Her arms would appear to separate and extend from the shoulder or stretch at the elbow to give her incredible reach. Combined with the sharp metal talons on the gauntlets and the sharp point on her boots, she was a living weapon. It was the perfect recipe for causing chaos. Not only that, but she could fly!
"You know," she said with a cynical laugh, "I think you were right, Coyote. We did need some air."
"It feels good to get out and stretch senses," Jackal laughed as he zipped by his sister. He had always loved rockets, and so when he desired it, magical rockets would appear at his back and provide the high octane roar he loved.
"Easy for you to say!" Wolf growled as he hung cross-armed in Coyote's cold arms. "I have to be carried. You saps can fly!!"
"Ah, can it!" Hyena snapped as she ducked and rolled on the breeze. "At least you're out of that stuffy office."
Wolf just growled in reply.
Coyote, however, was suddenly on the alert. He was a magnificent machine, also magically enhanced in order to live and function, otherwise he wouldn't exist at all. Human kind did not yet have the technology to produce such machines, but with magic he was enhanced beyond imagination and currently, his radar was the most powerful on the planet. It had picked up several blips and they were headed in the same direction as the Pack. Closer examination revealed the blips to be Goliath and his clan.
"Well, what have we got here?" he said gleefully.
"What?" Hyena asked.
"The gargoyles are straight ahead," he said with a hint of malice. "Apparently they're out on another round of patrols." He looked at his companions. "They aren't aware we're here."
"The gargoyles!" said Hyena with a vicious laugh.
"Well, well," sneered Jackal as he fussed with his metal claws. "Looks like the night's just started looking up!"
Wolf let out a sort of growling laugh. "I've been waiting to take another crack at them," he said with clenched fists, his canine face contorting in a vicious snarl.
Coyote's alien-looking face seemed to contort into a grin. "Then why don't we go say hello?" he suggested slyly. He didn't even need to ask.
THE CRYSTLER BUILDING -
The night air was still and quiet as Goliath and his clan patrolled the night skies. A soft wind carried them along. The noise of the city wafted up from hundreds of feet below. It was peaceful. The city was beautiful, and for Goliath it was a welcome thing. For the moment his mind was consumed with the delights of his clan and the unnatural wonders of this incredible city, rather than the dream and the odd circumstances surrounding him. He didn't want to have to suspect oncoming danger.
"What a nice night," sighed Brooklyn as he looked up at the stars – or at least what stars he could see through the haze of lights created by an ever awake city. "You know, we might even be able to turn in early tonight."
"Yosh! That way I can finally watch Star Trek!" Graeme cried in excitement as he shared a glance with his sister. "I've been waiting to watch that for a month! I'm always on patrols!"
"Me too!" said Ariana.
Lexington chuckled at them. "That's clan life for ya; duty before pleasure."
Goliath smiled at them, and then turned to Graeme. "What is this, 'Star Trek'?" he asked.
Greame was about to reply when a laser blast shot past them and tore apart one area of the building they had been circling. Crying out in alarm, they scattered to avoid it, snarling and snapping while whipping their heads about in search of their attacker.
"What the heck was that!?" Broadway snarled angrily.
"Over there!" shouted Katana urgently as she pointed at something down the street from where they hovered.
Goliath and the others followed her gaze as another laser blast shot passed them. They scattered a second time, spreading out into defensive formations as something soared towards them through the buildings.
"Surprise!" shouted a voice.
"What the -!?" Lexington gasped. "I don't believe it!"
"What!? What is it?" Ariana asked anxiously as she and her brother struggled to see while Brooklyn, Katana and Sata threw themselves in front of her and her brother.
"Hello, lizards!" Hyena laughed as she roared in for in the attack. She hissed as she grabbed a startled Lexington by the arm and through him against one of the Silver Falcons. "Happy to see me?"
"It's time for some fun!" chimed in Jackal as he fired a blast at Angela and Sata. "Want to play?"
Goliath snarled as he dodged the blast, but grunted as when two large bodies collided with him; one was humanoid and covered with fur while the second was completely metal. They all tumbled several feet before they managed to break apart.
"The PACK!" Broadway cried as he helped his smaller brother.
"Right on, belly boy!" chided Jackal as he tackled the big gargoyle. "Time for a little game of baseball!"
He leaped backwards and using his magical armor, pulled his body into the shape of a ball. It was a tactic Hyena had used once when trying to steal an amulet from a local museum several years ago. She'd been pitted against both Broadway and Lexington at the time, but this time it was only Jackal. Being taller and broader than his maniac twin, the ball he formed was larger and harder. After firing his rockets, he propelled into Broadway with a cry of "Fore!" which sent him sprawling backwards through the air until he collided with Brooklyn. Both were hit by a strange electrical charged and tumbled into the balcony of the nearby building. Both lay there a moment, too stunned to move.
"Dad!" Graeme and Arianna cried.
"Score!" Wolf snarled with delight.
"Nice shot, bro!" Hyena laughed as she sailed by. "But that was more bowling than baseball. Now watch this!"
Hyena raised her arms as two small cannons popped up from compartments in her forearms and aimed them at Graeme and Arianna who were desperately scrambling to get out of the mess. They were more than capable of fighting on their own and even did so quite bravely, but they were still too young and terribly over whelmed. They kept close to one another as the Pack sailed around them, temporarily interested in the larger and more dangerous adults than two small hatchlings. Yet, lasers and other strange weapons were flying everywhere and they were barely dodging them.
"Fire!" Hyena snarled and laughed hysterically as several large balls of energy shot from her arm cannons and sailed straight for the twins.
"My children!" Katana screamed in horror and struggled to free herself from Coyote's grappling arms. On the balcony, Brooklyn sat up with a groan and looked up with a gasp of horror when he saw the red lights streaming for his children.
"NO!" he roared and launched into the air, desperate to save them but knowing he'd never make it in time. Lexington did. He dove in just in time to push the Time Dancer twins out of the way and took the full force of the blasts in his left waist. "AAHH!!" he cried, and fell towards the roof of another building where Goliath now battled Coyote. No one had seen him tackle the magic-born robot to get him off Katana.
"Lex!" cried Broadway, diving after his brother as he too recovered from the shock of the strange ball. "Hold on, buddy!!"
Angela snarled, whirled on Hyena and slashed at her with her talons, neatly slicing the arm cannons apart. They fizzled into nothingness as the magic that created them dispersed. Hyena grunted as Angela body-slammed her and head-butted her before grabbing her by the hair and tossing her through the air, which made Hyena very angry.
"That's enough, girlie!" she snarled. Her suit began to hum with a dangerous electrical charge. Angela gasped in shock as that same energy arched through the air and caught her in the left shoulder. She fell to the roof below, stunned.
"Oooh! That had to hurt!" Hyena laughed and turned to Jackal, who was tangling with Sata. "You know, brother, I think it's time to end this little game, eh?"
"I agree, sis," Jackal snarled as he avoided a particularly deadly swipe from Sata's blade and hovered over to Hyena. "Let's leave 'em in the dumpster!"
Hyena laughed and flew towards the remaining gargoyles, ready to leave them all dead. Sata saw them coming and turned to face them, thrusting her Katana at them in quick, successive movements. None of her strikes made contact as Hyena and Jackal used the agility of their cyborg bodies to evade her with a speed only a machine could give them. She cried out as his arms encircled her, crushing her. Snarling in anger, she slammed her saya (sheath) into Jackal's gut, forcing him back then spun around and started ripping Jackal's armor apart with swift savageness. She had finally lost her temper, especially when she had noticed the plight of her grandchildren and daughter. This was more than Jackal could handle and he immediately started sparking and twittering uncontrollably and fell towards the roof as his suit lost power.
"You miserable wench!" Hyena snarled and attacked Sata with all she had, including her sharpened feet. Sata was barely ready.
Meanwhile, on the roof, Goliath was barely managing to hold his ground against two powerful foes. One was Coyote and the other was Wolf, both of whom had incredible strength and made more than a match for the mightiest warrior of the Manhattan Clan. He was already covered with purpling bruises and cuts, and from the looks of things, his clan was not much better off. With an angry snarl, he captured their fists in his hands and tossed them backwards, standing his ground with a panting growl.
"This has turned out to be a good night after all," Coyote sneered savagely as he methodically approached Goliath. "The Pack was bored and sought excitement." He sneered. "We got lucky and ran in to you and your clan, Goliath."
Goliath snarled at him. "So this battle is a result of nothing but boredom!?" he roared furiously. "A poor excuse for murder!"
Coyote scoffed. "Murder, he says," he muttered and fired a powerful blast at Goliath. The gargoyle gasped and jumped away as the laser blast shot by, demolishing a small antenna and a part of the roof behind him.
Roaring with frustration, Goliath slammed his fists into the roof beneath him, causing it to quake tremendously. The force of it sent a fault line shooting towards Wolf and Coyote. Caught off balance, both struggled to stay on their feet but stumbled and fell. Wolf bruised his buttocks, but Coyote managed to fire his rockets and sailed upwards out of Goliath's reach.
"I grow tired of this!" Goliath snarled, hissing as he clenched and unclenched his fists. "If causing chaos is the best you fools can do, then I will put an end to this right now!"
He darted forward and seized a startled Wolf, and then raised his hand as if to crush his opponent's chest – which wasn't his intention at all, but he was facing a coward, after all – and roared savagely. Just as he was about to pound the devilish mutant, another blast of energy shot through the air and collided with the massive gargoyle. A flare of red light lit the sky as Goliath was thrown several feet with a cry of agony. He slammed into the ground, raising a wall of dust and debris as his impact with the roof created a crater that encompassed his huge form.
Goliath groaned and sat up then gasped at the sound of heavy, moving machinery. Coyote was charging and he didn't have time to move before the heavy metal robot slammed into him, nearly crushing Goliath with his momentum. Goliath could only grunt as the wind was knocked out of him and lie there gasping for breath, too numb to move.
This is not good! This not good at all!!
Coyote sneered angrily as he turned to Wolf. "Saved your life," he muttered dully.
Wolf sneered at him and turned to Goliath. "Let's end this. Give Goliath something to really worry about. Get him in a net and kill them off at once, and let him watch."
Coyote laughed and rubbed his metal hands together. "Sounds good to me," he purred.
"I second the motion!" Hyena laughed and caught Angela in the gut with a fist. The young female snarled in furious pain as another electrical current coursed through her. She hit the ground unconscious and a second later Sata joined her.
"Kaa-san!" Katana screamed and after twisting around to defend her children from Jackal, yelped in surprise when Wolf's fist connected with her jaw. She crumpled to the ground before her children, who were now left defenseless as the Pack advanced. Startled and frightened and terribly outgunned and outnumbered, they did their best to put on a brave face and fight these monsters to their last. It was the last they could and would do for their clan. When they went down, Wolf and Jackal laughed.
"No!" Goliath cried, having seen the incident as he struggled to rise. He was surprised once again when a sharp, metal net entrapped him like a fish. He struggled against it and received another electrical shock. He couldn't help thinking that the Pack was overly enjoying the use of electricity tonight even as he slumped to the ground again.
Lexington, who was still free, roared as he sailed in from out of nowhere and threw a punch at Jackal. It connected, but as Jackal twisted in the air as a result, he managed to backhand the small gargoyle and send him crashing into a small rooftop shed. Not to be outdone and determined to protect his clan, he shook his head and leaped to his feet again, charging the foes he hated most with a gusto Brooklyn could envy. It wouldn't be enough, unfortunately. One more net was launched from Hyena's arm cannon – which reappeared rather easily with a little mental manipulation – and ensnared Lexington when he was still a yard away. He cried out as he instantly sapped his strength and crumbled and tumbled along the roof.
"HAHAHA!!" Wolf laughed, hefting the smallest member of the clan other than the twins into the air. "This is too easy now!" He tossed Lexington into the large pile of defeated warriors. "The rodeo round up is almost over!"
"Oh, no it's not!!" Brooklyn roared and tackled Wolf from behind. The mutant grunted against the impact and was not able to block a fierce punch that sent him reeling backwards. Broadway, having recovered slightly, rushed in and slammed Wolf into the roof, but he was still a little dizzy from having hit his head and wasn't ready when a laser blast hit him in the gut, throwing him into unconsciousness.
"Hold on, bro!" Brooklyn snarled and tried to reach him, but Coyote intercepted him and slashed at his chest plate with thick metal talons. A hard punch later, and Brooklyn found himself sprawled over Broadway's belly, barely conscious.
"Don't quit your day job," sneered Coyote, and the night suddenly became very quiet.
"NOOO!!" Goliath cried, struggling against the horrid net as he watched them fall. "Brooklyn! Broadway!"
The Pack laughed at his helplessness as they gathered in a large circle around the gargoyles. "What did you expect?" Hyena hissed at Goliath. "A fair fight?"
"You freaks don't deserve it!" snarled Jackal with a laugh.
Goliath roared in rage, his strength recovering. With a mighty flex of his arms and wings he was free of the net. He charged the Pack, sending Wolf flying with a double-fisted punch. Jackal and Hyena flew towards him with their packs ignited and metal talons bared, but Goliath was ready for them. He side-stepped them easily and slammed his tail into their backs with enough force to send them crashing into the roof.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!!" Goliath cried in rage. "NO MORE GAMES!!"
A cynical laugh purred behind him and he whirled around to come face to face with Coyote, who slashed at him with his metal talons. Goliath snarled at the sting in his chest as he stumbled backwards and grunted with savage rage as Coyote pelted him with successive punches that left him winded and momentarily stunned.
"I think you're right, gargoyle," Coyote snarled coolly as he suddenly fired a stunning blast at Goliath before turning to the clan. Wolf hurried forward and seized Goliath by the arms and pulled them behind him.
"It is time to end this game," Coyote continued without a hint of remorse as he glared hatefully at the gargoyles.
Goliath moaned as he watched Jackal and Hyena push themselves up from the ground and steadily walk over to join Coyote. He grunted against his body's refusal to move and watched helplessly as the two cyborges and the giant robot leveled their deadly weapons at his clan.
"Truly, a most marvelous performance by your clan," Coyote sneered evilly. "You're skills are admirable, at the very least."
Goliath frowned.
"Kill them!" Coyote snarled softly and their weapons started to glow threateningly.
Goliath panicked and struggled to get free, but movement sent shards of pain through his body. "No! Leave them be!"
The Pack just laughed at him.
"Do it now!" Wolf cried happily.
Goliath struggled even harder, not noticing that a figure behind them was racing to the fray. Long red hair billowed behind him as he charged with incredible speed to those who sought to do harm to someone else. A beautiful dark violet gi was draped about his slender, but incredibly athletic form and a light grey hakama was tied about his waist and dropped to his ankles. A cross-shaped scar rested on his left cheek and his golden eyes burned with cold fury as he readied to draw his sakabatou from its saya.
At the same time, something inside of Goliath was suddenly growing stronger. That tingling he had been feeling for so long now was so intense it caused tears to drip from his eyes. His blood was boiling as his mind fell into a sort of daze. His skin was itching.
"What?" said Coyote in surprise as he turned, sensing the approach of someone else on the roof. Hyena, Jackal and Wolf also turned, but only at the sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath with inhuman speed.
"That is enough, de gozaru yo! Drop your weapons and release these warriors! Do it calmly and slowly, and there will be no trouble!"
The Pack stared incredulously at the short, young-looking man standing behind them with a strange looking sword raised towards them in clear, deadly warning. His stance left no opening for attack. His eyes burned into their souls and his hair . . .
"Who the heck is that guy?" Hyena barked impatiently with confusion.
"How'd he get up here?" wondered Wolf with a snarl.
Coyote waved it off with unconcern. He was a small man, skinny and short. He didn't have the strength or speed of a gargoyle. He was no threat to them.
"It doesn't matter. Get rid of him. We need to have our fun before the sun comes up."
Hyena and Jackal sneered happily and turned their ready weapons on a seemingly weak foe. "Poor ninny thinks he's a samurai! Look at that hair!"
"A total loser!" Jackal cackled as he leveled his weapon at the short swordsman. "And he's seen too much! Die!"
They were about to open fire when Goliath's roar split the air around them. Strange, unimaginable power erupted from his body and lit up the roof with its brilliance. The ground around them exploded and trembled. Hyena was caught off guard as she was thrown into the stranger, who neatly sliced up her cannons and then punched her square in the gut. Her armor did not protect her. Jackal was also thrown towards the stranger and he got the full force of the unique sword full in his back before the stranger himself staggered against the bizarre storm rising from within Goliath.
Wolf and Coyote were the worst hit. Wolf howled as though he had been burned before he was blasted a dozen feet away. He tumbled and rolled along the roof, finally slamming to a halt after colliding with the guard wall that kept workers and others foolish enough to set foot on the roof from falling to their deaths.
Coyote looked for a moment like he was being ripped apart: bits of metal and wire were ripped from his torso, and the clawed feet he had been using to anchor him were left in the ground while the rest of him was blasted away. Only by pure luck did he remain on the roof, but the upper half of him dangled precariously over the now destroyed ledge. His face, though uncomprehending, stared down into an alleyway where several people stared up in shock at the madness happening above them.
The swordsman held himself steady by driving his sword into the roof. He let out a fierce battle cry and sent out his ken ki, or fighting aura, which counter-acted the powerful waves that slammed into him. His long red hair now flew freely behind him like some great flag after the hair tie snapped. The sleeves of his gi and the leggings of his hakama flapped just as madly and some of the edges were frayed before the strange eruption finally subsided.
The swordsman blinked and looked at Goliath in startled amazement. He had experienced this sort of power from his friend far too little. The complete release of it in this fashion or for such a desperate need was few and far between. Even so, if it hadn't been for this power, if it hadn't been for Goliath's compassion and teachings, Himura Kenshin would not be alive today.
And by all rights, I shouldn't be alive. His life should have ended years ago as an old man, happy in his home in Tokyo, Japan, content with his life in the Kamiya Kashinn Dojo. Alas he still lived, a warrior of the ages and with his own breed of magic made strong enough to protect those he loved and to defend the weak and live as a shield to save the world from impending madness. Now, he and his family lived here in Manhattan, the epicenter of the building madness. He had sensed something was wrong and had used magnificent leaps to go from one building to the next in order to reach the clan. None would recognize him yet. Some strange twist in the time stream had distorted their perceptions, but soon all would be made well again.
Sighing, Kenshin, the Legendary Hitokiri Battousai of Japan's turbulent Bakumatsu No Doran, stood and re-sheathed his sakabatou. He stared at Goliath for a moment as the large gargoyle lay passed out on the concrete roof. Even so he seemed oddly aware of what had just happened. He was sweating and shaking. It was natural, of course. After such a powerful release even the strongest man alive wouldn't be able to stay standing for long.
"Goliath-dono!" Kenshin cried, and raced to his friend. "Goliath-dono, daijoubo de gozaru ka?"
Goliath gasped and blinked at the voice. He stared up, dizzy and weak, into a face he recognized but hadn't seen in a good while. His eyes widened. "It – It is you! You are the man from the interview. The swordsman! But how -?"
Kenshin shook his head. "It doesn't matter," he said quickly. "Just recover your strength as quickly as you can and be gone from this place. The police will arrive soon. It is best that you are not found."
Goliath blinked away the spots in his eyes. "Why – Why are you here?"
The red head smiled sheepishly, a strange trait considering the situation. "Sessha had come to help," he said as he glanced around him. "But, apparently, my help was not needed de wa gozaran."
Goliath followed his gaze and froze. His mind was clouded and whirling, but what he saw before him . . . Had he done that?
A few feet away, the clan began to come too. Slowly, the clan regained full conscious and gawked at their leader and their surroundings in stunned amazement. The Pack were scattered about the roof, unconscious and disheveled. The roof was in shambles. They looked at themselves, not yet noticing the stranger standing beside their leader with as much loyalty or more as themselves. They were dumbfounded at the absence of injuries they knew they had acquired in the fighting, and yet, all injuries seemed to have disappeared.
"Whoa!!" Lexington gasped as he stood up alongside the twins. "What happened?"
"I don't know, but the Pack sure doesn't look good," muttered Graeme.
Everyone followed his gaze and their jaws dropped.
"Who's that?" wondered Arianna and pointed at the stranger who knelt beside a shaken Goliath. They stared in amazement, instantly recognizing the strange red-haired Japanese swordsman that had so caught their interest two years ago. Now he was up close and no longer so obscure. The man they'd wanted to meet for ages was right before their eyes.
"I don't believe it!" Broadway said as he helped Angela stand. "It's him!"
"Father?" Angela said as she went to him. "Father, are you all right?"
Goliath groaned slightly as Kenshin helped him into a kneeling position. "Thank the dragon you are safe!" he cried as he embraced her. "Are you injured?"
Angela shook her head as the rest of the clan slowly approached. "No. They are healed, father. What happened?"
"Who are you?" Arianna asked timidly as she approached the stranger. "You look familiar."
"Yeah," Graeme agreed when the man had turned to them. "Haven't we met before?"
Kenshin smiled warmly at the children and touched their cheeks. "Hai, we have little ones. But tonight is no night for explanations." He and the clan turned when the sound of police sirens and a distant helicopter reached their ears. "It is still a night fraught with danger. I am certain we will meet again, but for now you must all return home to safety."
"Besides, Goliath needs help," Brooklyn pointed out, and he and Broadway stepped over to help their leader stand.
"Can you stand, Goliath?" Broadway asked.
"Barely," Goliath replied.
Kenshin watched them a moment and then stepped aside. "I will leave you now," he told them and bowed. "Be safe, all of you. We will meet again."
"Wait! What's your name?" Arianna called.
"And won't you need a ride home?" Graeme asked.
Kenshin smiled. "I am called, Himura Kenshin, and no, little ones, I can get home well enough. Good-bye for now!"
The Time Dancer family stared in awe. They knew that name very well.
"Hey! Whoa, wait a second!" Lexington cried, for Kenshin had taken a magnificent running leap onto the adjoining building.
"And I thought gargoyles were good jumpers!" Broadway muttered.
The sound of sirens and helicopters was getting closer, too close for Brooklyn.
"Come on," he said to the others. "Let's get out of here."
The clan did not argue and soon all were airborne and heading for Castle Wyvern. Kenshin's gentle eyes, more experienced and wise than they shall ever appear, wearily followed their departure until he was certain they were out of danger. Then, as silently as he had come, he too departed, leaving the disgruntled Pack to their own devices.
NIGHTSTONE UNLIMITED -
Thailog watched in amazement as the light dimmed before him. He felt his body change somehow. He felt a lot of the pain disappear as the warm light graced his skin. Many of the burns grew smaller. The limp in his legs lessened. The metal that had melted into his skin separated without pain. He started to look and feel a little more normal, but his wings still lacked strength to carry him in the air. They still sagged lifelessly at his back, and yet somehow, even they were healing.
What is this light I see? Where did it come from? Is it coincidence that I have beheld it and now gain strength?
Somehow, Thailog got the feeling that it all had to do with Goliath as impossible as that seemed. Goliath was a fool but he was also a capable warrior, but no sorcerer. Yet something had just happened and it left his very skin tingling with a sort of strange excitement. He was aware very suddenly of a connection he had never had need of contemplating before.
It seems Goliath is more than what I thought he was.
A small smile graced his harsh features and he turned at the sound of struggling machinery behind him and gaped in shock at the state of the Pack as they stumbled into the office. They almost looked as though they had gone through a car crusher. Jackal and Hyena's armor was scratched and dinged, but Coyote looked as though some great hand had completely ripped away his legs and torn at the sensitive instruments in his joints. Wolf was better off than most of them, other than his cuts and bruises, and had helped Jackal and Hyena carry the large robot home. It had been tedious work, for none of his companions had the strength to fly.
"Man, did someone get the number of that bus?" wondered Hyena dizzily as Jackal helped her to sit. "What happened?"
"It seems that Goliath's no ordinary gargoyle," pondered Jackal aloud. "But where did he get that power?"
"That is a good question, Jackal," said Thailog's voice, and the Pack turned to him. "But it will not be possible to answer it at this time - even though I would like to." He turned with a growl and went to a stair well leading into a private room. "Come. Now that you've had your fun, I have some business for you to attend to – at least as soon as you are repaired."
The Pack looked at each other as they went inside. "More excitement?" Hyena complained. "Didn't we just get enough of that?"
DESTINE MANOR
Demona stared in wonder and shock as a brilliant light filled the night sky. It was of the purest white and shook her to the bone with its might. Never before in her long life had she felt such tremendous magical energy, and somehow, it felt very familiar to her.
"The Guardian's power is awakening!" she hissed fearfully and urgently rummaged through more of her scrolls. "There is no more time left! I must find where he lies!"
Demona stopped when she found an image on a scroll. It was an ancient painting of a very familiar place, one that she had been to before in the past. It stunned her beyond comprehension.
"He rests there!?" she cried, almost feeling foolish. "In so obvious a place surely his power would have been felt by the Archmage." She sighed as she tenderly folded the scroll. "No matter. I have my answer. Now at least I can devise a way to get there. But it may be a while yet without Thailog discovering that money from my own company is flowing from his account! He will be the first to die in Constantine's war! And I shall be the one to deliver the strike!"
With that, Demona blew out the remaining candles and left the attic. There was much work to be done.
CASTLE WYVERN
THE NEXT NIGHT -
Hudson sighed as he and Brooklyn watched Goliath pace in the library. The experience of the previous night had unsettled him terribly. He'd never been fond of magic, yet now it seemed he was cursed to carry it. Yet there was more to it than that. It had something to do with the journal and the newly discovered amulet.
Hudson sighed. "It is beginning," he muttered and turned to glance curiously at Brooklyn. "Tell me, lad, are ye familiar with any o' this? Can ye tell me what will happen? I had a dream. I know a little of what the Seal o' the Guardians means, but I am still at a loss to all else."
Brooklyn turned to the clan's oldest warrior and sighed. "I know a little, but . . ." He looked at Goliath again. "Whatever I do know I can't give away. I can't give away the future, especially now that it's just beginning. What we do here affects how the future will turn out later. I can't tell you your future, Hudson. It's a rule of Time Dancing." He turned to look at him. "I mean, if you were given the choice to tell someone their future when you knew how it might affect them, would you?"
Hudson considered that a moment and then sighed. "Nay," he consented at last. "If it was too much tae bear, I'd not wish tae put the burden on him – or her. But it is a heavy burden for ye, lad."
Brooklyn sighed. "A little bit, yeah," he noted with sympathy as he looked at Goliath. "But, Goliath's gone through just as much . . . or worse. And he bears a heavier burden than I. Some of what I know can be used to guide him if nothing else. But that's it."
Hudson sighed. "I want tae help him."
Brooklyn looked at him. "What are you gonna do?"
Hudson sighed in exasperation. "I have not the slightest idea, lad," he muttered as he massaged his temples.
Brooklyn grinned and turned to leave. "Don't worry. We'll know what to do when the time comes."
"Aye," Hudson agreed, and he too turned to leave.
CRYSTAL MOON -
Odomus sighed as he turned from a large ornate mirror in the back of the room. His beautiful wife, the legendary Lady Dragon, stood between him and the beautiful balcony doors behind her. Her face, which resembled a horse, was set in a grim frown and her eyes danced with hope and weariness. It was starting. A new era was dawning.
"It begins," she sighed. "I only hope Goliath can last long enough to reach the point of awakening."
Odomus smiled as he held his mate. "He will be fine," he told her. "If he should need help, we shall go to him." He put on a stern face. "But not yet. Hudson, I sense, is beginning to put the pieces together even before our son. He may yet have some part to play in this. He always was a good teacher."
Lady Dragon nodded in agreement, but there was still a hint of worry in her voice. "Will he be glad to see us?" she wondered solemnly.
Odomus looked at her and smiled. "Of course he will," he told her gently. "It's been one thousand years. The wait is almost over."
Lady Dragon smiled and snuggled into his embrace. Yet, even then, doubt ruled her heart and she prayed fervently that her dear son would not turn them away.
The End
