Disclaimer; Gargoyles are the property of the Walt Disney Company.
Summary; Goliath begins his training and it's not what he was expecting.
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The Training, part 1
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Crystal Moon
Goliath turned when he heard someone approach. Odomus and Lady Dragon stood behind him with Hudson a short distance off. The day wasa busier than they'd intended and activity in Constantine's domain had increased. Goliath worried that his foe had already sent his forces into the outside world. His own people were not quite prepared.
"It's a beautiful sight isn't it?" Odomus asked him, commenting on the daylight.
"Indeed," Goliath replied. "How are the preparations?"
"They are going well," Hudson replied with a smile. "Each city has sent warriors here for briefing. They should be here by dawn tomorrow."
Goliath looked at Odomus. "Will that be enough time? Constantine may have already struck by now."
Odomus closed his eyes and stretched his senses out beyond Crystal Moon. He felt for the forces rallying at Constantine's command.
And he felt Thailog's presence.
He frowned. Thailog was still somewhat unknown to him but he had a strong presence, an echo of Goliath's strength. That strength was failing him. His own twisted tendencies had fallen right into Constantine's hands. He was slowly being brainwashed by the sorcerer's power, but he couldn't quite figure out how yet. There was also something there he didn't expect, something that he couldn't explain.
He shook his head. He'd have to investigate Thailog more later. They had more immediate concerns.
"So far Constantine's forces have not moved," he said as he opened his eyes. "But that can change quickly. If we must, we can send the strike forces out tomorrow evening."
"I would feel more comfortable with that," Goliath rumbled.
Hudson nodded. "I will inform Nassiah and her mate."
Goliath nodded.
"In the meantime, lad, it's time," said Odomus and Goliath regarded him.
"For what?" he asked, a little hesitant.
"To begin yer training and put a halt on Constantine's major forces."
"And it will take time," Lady Dragon told him anxiously. "More than we really have, which is why the Spell of Time will be most useful to us."
Goliath frowned. "Exactly how much time will we need?"
"Several months, perhaps a year," Lady Dragon replied.
"What?!" Hudson and Goliath cried, horrified at the thought.
"If all goes well, your training will be complete before he learns of our trickery," Lady Dragon continued, sighing. "Unfortunately it's the best we can do for now. Still, this is as it must be. My mate and I have faced him already, now it is you who must lead us against him. But we will be with you."
Goliath growled softly but nodded.
"Come then," Odomus said as he hopped onto the balcony. "Let us begin."
Goliath followed his father but stopped when he noticed his mother still standing beside Hudson. "Mother? Are you not coming with us?"
She shook her head. "Not this time, my son."
He nodded and they took wing.
*******
The Guardian's Mountain
Goliath landed gracefully in the cool grass just outside the entrance to the cavernous entrance of the Hall of Guardians. Just as before the torches inside lit upon their arrival, providing light to see even when they didn't necessarily need it. They reached the end of the tunnel and instead of turning right Odomus turned left. Goliath stared at him, perplexed, then gasped and stepped back when the wall of rubble and stone leaped up the cave walls with a wave of Odomus's hand. Light flooded this dim corridor and Goliath couldn't hide his amazement. There was a hidden room here. It looked like an office with an indoor pond and a spectacular garden.
"A-Amazing," he breathed as they entered. "Without your magic no one would have known this was here."
"That is the idea," Odomus said sheepishly. "Most of the light comes in naturally. There are crystals lining the walls all the way up that magnify the light, which makes it easy to grow plants here. There are also natural vents for air so I don't suffocate to death."
He grinned at his son then stopped at the edge of a small pond. An object hovered in its center and Odomus approached it cautiously, balancing on small footstones that floated on the surface yet didn't move as his weight settled upon them. Goliath stared at the large crystalline ball omitting a soft glow. He burned with curiosity as Odomus reached out to touch it, but didn't dare walk across the stones. He wasn't sure if it was his father's power that held them up or not.
"Ah! Here it is," the older gargoyle announced. "The Orb of Visions. You may approach. The footstones are quite safe."
Goliath snorted doubtfully but took a step. The footstone held his weight. Satisfied, he closed the distance.
"Sometimes this was the only way tae see intae the outside world," Odomus explained. "We had other tools closer tae the palace but in order tae see through magic spells I use this. It is a potent form of magic and it must be used cautiously." He waved a hand over the crystal and it began to rotate.
"Now, let's see . . . Go ahead and touch the Orb of Visions lad. Familiarize yerself with it. Once ye're trained ye'll be using it frequently."
Goliath nodded and slowly reached out to touch the orb. He drew back when his fingers tingled from its power but touched it again and kept his hand still against the warm surface.
"Ye're much more powerful than this tool, my son," Odomus told him. "Ye have a natural gift ye can command with an intelligent, comprehending mind. The magic of this crystal is subjected tae our will alone. Use it wisely and ye'll learn more and see more than ye could possibly imagine."
Goliath nodded and kept his gaze on the Orb. He wondered why its glow didn't hurt his eyes.
"I had considered letting ye try the spell just tae get a feel for the magic but the spell is far tae complicated," Odomus said with a sigh. "Instead, keep doing what ye're doing. As ye do it, open your mind. Don't shut out the sensations no matter how powerful they are. Concentrate on them, feel them and believe in them. Try tae feel the way yer power flows around ye."
Goliath nodded but felt ridiculous.
Satisfied, Odomus closed his eyes and began to chant. Goliath flinched when a pinching sensation ran through his hand and stared at the Orb as the glow intensified. A swirling darkness came to life in the Orb's center, drawing him in. A moment later, a dark domain materialized before his eyes.
"What is this place?" he asked in disgust.
"The Black Realm, Constantine's home," Odomus told him.
Goliath's lip curled in anger. How could someone chose to live this way? He could almost smell the noxious tar, mud and gas pits as they spewed rotten smelling vapors into the air. He could see the rotting trees, dried rivers and grassless lands, rolling hills, and the places of land as flat as a board. Sheer rock cliffs dropped from the tallest mountain there. And then, almost hidden beneath its' bulky foot, was Constantine's palace. It was an appalling thing to look at. All of the vain, dirty and disgusting things of the world were literally carved into it. He dreaded the day he stepped onto its cold veranda. The devil himself HAD to live in this place.
"It's a terrible place, isn't it?" Odomus asked him softly. "It is so easy to become corrupted. Greed and lust is more alluring than honor and dignity to some and those cowards make others suffer needlessly. Evil begets more evil. The best way tae combat it is tae live righteously, like our clan, allies, friends and other good people of the world. We cannot judge."
"Is there any guarantee Constantine will not defeat your spell before I am ready?"
Odomus shook his head and sighed. "Nay, lad. That is why we must work very hard, night and day." He closed his eyes and drew out a soft breath. "Now, keep doing as ye're doing, but watch. I will cast the spell of time. Let us see how it works."
Goliath stared into the Orb and was better prepared when the tingling sensation started again as his father chanted a new incantation. His old voice was soothing to listen too. It made his body tingle from the inside out. His skin felt like tiny seizures were rippling through it from head to toe. He saw the Black Realm, watching as its people and their activities slowed. It was like watching the world in extreme slow motion, so extreme in fact that it would take one figure an entire day to move even one step.
When the spell ended the magical sensations stopped immediately. He was so startled he came out of the trance with a gasp and stumbled into the pond. It was deeper than it looked.
"Careful lad!" his father chuckled and helped him stand. "I should have warned ye tae watch for the end. When ye're not ready, it can drop ye. Literally."
"Yes. I noticed," Goliath grumbled irritably and shook his head. He felt dizzy and strangely weak. "Is this normal?"
Odomus nodded. "It is for a while," he said and steadied his son. "Ye did well though. I sense ye saw time slowing down."
Goliath nodded thoughtfully. "Surprisingly, yes."
His father regarded him, pleased, and then glanced at the Orb. Its magic was quiet and the glow gone. "Come with me," he commanded and left the room.
Half an hour later Goliath alighted in a forest several miles north of Emerald City. He could just make out the peak of Guardian's Mountain glowing magnificently with its snowcapped top. It filled him with a sense of de JA vu. He knew he'd never physically set foot on this island, let alone this forest before now, yet it felt familiar.
Odomus turned to him as they entered a clearing near a small stream. "I brought ye here tae teach ye a meditative drill, one I learned from Ellana," he said. "It will help ye touch the magic within ye until ye can draw it out at will. It will also help ye become more at peace with yerself."
"I see."
Odomus smiled, gazing fondly at the beautiful clearing. "Your mother and I have many memories of this place. Ye were conceived here. I felt the magic burning brightly and it left no doubt in my mind that I would be blessed with a strong son, one who would lead us out of the darkness and into the light." He turned to his son. "When ye were born, yer mother and I brought ye here for one night and one day before we took our journey tae the outside world where ye would spend the rest o' yer days. And so, if ye feel any kinship with this place, that is why."
Goliath stared at his father then gave the clearing another look. So that was why! But how could he have remembered this place? He was just a baby then.
Odomus blew out a breath. "So!" he said, taking a few steps into the clearing while clapping his hands together. "Meditation. As soon as ye've mastered this we'll move on tae other skills and hone those as well. For now, what I want ye tae do is . . ."
**********
Emerald Palace
Lady Dragon turned from a small chest near the wall of an oval-shaped office down the hall from her main living quarters. Hudson and Nassiah stood behind her watching with two others. In her hands she held several simple but beautiful talismans attached to silver chains. Hudson stared at them curiously.
"These are to protect the clans of Crystal Moon, Manhattan, London, Japan and all others in the world against Constantine's forces if he should attempt to cast a spell of stone sleep to defeat our kind these will stop him. They will reflect the spell and in fact keep our kind awake wake for as long as the battle shall last."
"How will ye convince the clans they're safe tae use, lass?" Hudson wondered. "They'll be suspicious, let alone terrified at the thought of another battle. They barely managed to survive the Unseelie."
"I understand," Lady Dragon said as she gave the two warriors standing beside Nassiah twelve of the talismans. "But they may not have a choice. Constantine will attack and it is best to destroy the small forces he will send out rather than let them survive to attack larger populations. We might even be able to raise a barrier stronger than the one my mate just implemented, at least to protect the outside world and keep the battle here. We have enough magic users to do it, but it will be difficult to organize such a counter offensive. Many are not as strong as our family."
"There are thousands of them, aren't there?" Nassiah breathed as she watched the two warriors leave. "They're so beautiful its hard tae believe they're weapons."
"That's part of the plan," Lady Dragon said with a sigh. "I tried to make each one unique so they wouldn't arise suspicion too soon, but I may have failed. Some of Constantine's warriors are brilliant but others are nothing but mindless slaves."
"The dragon men?" Hudson asked her.
Lady Dragon nodded. "In some cases," she said and signaled two others to come forward. These two were human. She handed them a small box of the talismans. "Contact the human, Himura Kenshin. Take these to him and he will in turn take them to the clan in Manhattan. Be quick. We may be out of time."
The first bowed and turned quickly with the other following close behind her.
"I pray this is enough," Lady Dragon sighed and closed the chest. "Help me take these outside to the strike force teams. Each warrior will need one for himself, or herself, as well as enough for the clans they will protect."
Hudson helped her carry it. "I hope this works," he muttered and stepped onto the main balcony facing the courtyard. Thousands of warriors stood there waiting, gazing up at the balcony anxiously. They wanted to act and fast. The impatience was catching, but it was also youthful enthusiasm.
"Don't get impatient, lads and lassies," he murmured and sat the chest down.
"Team One, please step forward," Lady Dragon called as she opened the lid. She waited as a tall pale skinned warrior with features like herself alighted on a pedestal just beyond the balcony's railing. His teammates hovered on lower pedestals beneath him. "Wear these on your necks as we discussed. They will protect you so long as you stay alert. They will keep the curse of the outside world from turning you to stone once the sun rises. There are extra kits here for the clan you will visit. Give them to everyone; child, adolescent or adult. Miss no one."
"Yes, my lady," the warrior said in a deep voice and bowed.
"God Speed, my friends," Lady dragon sighed. "Those of you who possess magic use every bit you have. I pray we meet again."
The warriors bowed and then took wing. They soared towards a strange feature in the palace's outer wall and as they passed through it they disappeared.
Hudson's eyes widened. "Where was that clan going?" he asked.
"Japan."
**********
Manhattan
The doors slid open smoothly as he approached. The Eyrie Building had always been impressive from a distance but up close it was even more so. It was actually taller than the Wyvern Building, much to his surprise, but only by a few inches. Lyath didn't seem to mind much. In fact he hadn't really planned on his company's building growing so tall, but they'd rented out extra space to other companies that needed areas of operation and the extra height in the building had provided that opportunity. It had created jobs and income for hundreds of people. It was just one way of giving back to the community.
David Xanatos was no different, especially within the last year or two. It was good to see the tycoon making an honest effort at living a noble, honest life. His past dealings would still catch up with him one day, but for now he was a great asset to the clan.
Of course, the billionaire wasn't expecting him just now. This was an 'almost' spur of the moment ordeal. He only hoped Xanatos was free this evening and that he felt comfortable allowing a competitor into the castle. He did have the clan to protect, after all.
A security guard at the information desk looked up as he approached. His bored scowl seemed to grow deeper with suspicion when he caught the appearance of the late evening visitor.
"I'm sorry sir. Office hours are closed," he said gruffly as he came out from behind the desk.
Himura Kenshin just smiled. "I realize I have come late, but if it is possible I need to speak with your employer, David Xanatos."
"He'll be spending time with his family by now sir."
He nodded. "I understand. But it is important. If it is possible, could you contact him and request a meeting this evening? And if this evening is not convenient, I can return early tomorrow morning before his other appointments."
The guard hesitated. "I dunno. You seem dressed kinda funny. Go to a costume party? It aint Halloween, y'know."
Kenshin regarded himself and chuckled. "Ah. This? No, sorry. I taught a kendo class today, or rather, helped my wife teach it. This is representation of our ancestry."
"What? You came from samurai or something?"
"Yes, actually."
"Are those swords real?"
"Yes. And if you give Mr. Xanatos my name he will know not to be intimidated."
The guard shook his head. "Can't allow weapons inside the building. Sorry."
"I understand. But can you summon him at least? I assure you I pose no threat."
"I've heard that before," the guard grumbled under his breath, but stepped behind the desk again and picked up the phone. He dialed a number and waited until someone answered. "Hello, Mr. Xanatos? Yeah, uh, I got some guy out here that wants to meet with you. Seems rather insistent." He paused a moment. "Hold on, I haven't gotten that yet." He looked up at Kenshin. "State your name, please."
"Himura Kenshin. I have met some rather, ah, unique friends of his."
The guard snorted. "Sorry sir. He says his name is Himura Kenshin. Looks Japanese. He's dressed like a –" He stopped when the voice on the other line became insistent. "Really? I'm sorry sir, I wasn't aware." The guard threw him a funny look. Kenshin pretended not to notice. "Yes sir. Right away sir. Thank you sir."
He hung up the phone as Kenshin waited. "I guess you're clear. Says to go on up – sword and all."
Kenshin bowed gracefully. "Arigato goziamas. You do your job well."
The guard shrugged and slumped in his chair as Kenshin walked towards the elevators. That had gone better than he'd hoped.
The music in the elevator soothed him. He was not impatient but he did feel a sense of urgency. He pulled out the bag of talisman's the two contacts had given him just over an hour ago. He looked at one and marveled at it. Lady Dragon's craftsmanship was exquisite. He only hoped they served their purpose and protected the clan.
The chime signaling the end of his ride prompted him to put the bag beneath his gi. The doors opened and he stepped out into the courtyard. As expected, the majordomo Owen Burnett stood a few paces away waiting for him.
"Himura Kenshin, I presume?" he asked in a stuffy voice.
"Yes. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."
The tall blonde quirked an eyebrow and then bowed. Kenshin bowed back. "Mr. Xanatos has been hoping for a meeting with either yourself or your benefactor for quite some time, Mr. Himura. The late hour makes no difference. Please come with me."
He turned and crossed the courtyard with Kenshin following him. He studied the castle as he walked and considered himself very lucky to have seen the place where his friend had begun his life. Of course it would have been different one thousand years ago but it still had the majesty once described to him.
As they passed through the halls he stretched out his senses to seek out the other gargoyles of the clan. They were scattered throughout the castle but he could feel them converging on the library. They were on alert and excited, especially the two young ones. They wanted to see him, he realized. He smiled. The adults were understandably cautious and wanted to proceed slowly, but even they wanted to see him. They wanted answers and they'd get as many as he could give them.
They stopped at Xanatos's office. The doors were already open.
"Ah, Mr. Himura. Please come in."
Kenshin bowed his thanks to Owen and then approached Mr. Xanatos. The man's presence was intimidating and his gaze didn't waver the closer he got, but Kenshin had dealt with much deadlier opponents. If Xanatos was foolish enough to try something, which he knew he wasn't, he'd deal with him easily.
"Mr. Xanatos," Kenshin greeted humbly once he'd stopped at the desk. "Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. I promise I will not take up too much of your time."
Xanatos stood to return the bow Kenshin offered him and shook his hand. "It's quite alright. We've wanted to meet with you anyway."
"Your friend mentioned this."
"So, what can we do for you? I assume you've come about the imminent attack of creatures from some dark whole Constantine crawled back too?"
Kenshin nodded and pulled out the bag of talismans. "These were sent to us by contacts on Crystal Moon. They are talismans possessing enough power to protect the clan from magical attacks, or even a sudden attack during the day. They will also be sending a strike force to help combat the numbers of the enemy."
Xanatos pulled one out and examined it. "You mean these'll keep the clan from turning to stone?"
Kenhin nodded. "Yes. It is a fail-safe move. There's no way to say how this battle will go, but we fill everyone must ready."
"I agree completely," Xanatos muttered. "The craftsmanship is fabulous. I don't recognize the stone though."
"The stone is a mixture of many crystalline forms," Kenshin explained. "Lady Dragon was the craftsman – or craftswoman."
Xanatos nodded approvingly. "Very fine work," he commended and put the talisman back in the bag. "Did she put these together before or after Goliath went to the island."
Kenshin sighed thoughtfully. "I was under the impression that she had constructed them before he departed for Crystal Moon. I think they knew for a long time that Constantine would return and tried to prepare accordingly."
"Not much one can prepare for against a creature like that though, is there?" Xanatos sighed, accepting the bag and resting it on his desk.
"We will do what we must," Kenshin said determinedly. "I have fought many battles. I am not afraid of this one."
Xanatos raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever fought a dragon man? Let alone seen one?"
Kenshin shook his head. "No, but as I said I have faced many opponents, some of them impossibly fierce. I can hold my own well, as can my family."
Xanatos nodded. "I don't doubt that. The last time the clan saw you they witnessed some of your abilities – or at least the aftermath. That speed and strength had best come in handy."
"Yes," Kenshin agreed and turned his head just so when he heard the click of multiple claws on the stone flooring outside the office.
Xanatos noticed the clan peeking into the room and cleared his throat. "We'll need to implement other defensive weapons. I don't know if dragon men have a vulnerability to iron but we still have some iron-clad steel clan robots we can put into use, including some upgraded models that I think might serve better. Do your people have any weapons?"
"Not quite like yours but yes."
"We'll be more than willing to share if needs be . . . Come one in. I think he knows you're there anyway."
Kenshin turned as the clan stepped into the office. The first to come in were the two children followed closely by their parents then a shorter, slimmer green gargoyle with a different wing design. The rest filed in after. He didn't see the older warrior and frowned.
"Hudson went with Goliath."
The tall red warrior with the beak feature on his face seemed to have red his mind. He nodded with relief. For some reason he thought the old warrior might have . . . No. He was alive.
"I was hoping we'd see you again," Arianna said as she stopped a foot away from him.
Kenshin smiled. "I am very glad to see you too," he said with a short bow before turning to face the clan. "I am glad to see you are all well."
"We seem to owe you a debt of gratitude for that one," Brooklyn noted and reached out a hand. Kenshin took it gratefully.
"Have you been alright?" Broadway asked as he stepped closer. "You weren't hurt were you?"
Kenshin shook his head. "I am fine. Thank you for the concern."
"What have you come here for?" Sata asked suspiciously.
"He brought these," Xanatos offered and showed them the bag of talismans. He handed one to each member of the clan and much to his surprise found talismans on two separate collars for the beasts.
"Awesome," Brooklyn said and helped Graeme put the smallest collar on Nudnik's neck. "Don't scratch it off, ya nut! It can save your skin if you're lucky."
"What are they?" Lexington asked as he accepted the one Xanatos handed him.
"Talismans from Lady Dragon," Xanatos explained. "They're supposed to help protect you during the attack, if it happens. They'll keep you from turning to stone during the day."
Angela sighed with relief. "I am glad," she said as she slid hers over her head. "I was afraid they might try such a strategy. How better to destroy your enemy than when they are in their weakest state?"
"Our thoughts exactly," Kenshin said. "There's still no real proof that the battle will come. Our hope is that they will seal Constantine's forces to give Goliath time to learn what he needs to learn. But if not . . ."
"These talismans and Xanatos's weapons will help give us an edge," Katana said. "But what about the city?"
"We've considered that," Kenshin said. "But I think at this point their main goal is an aggressive strike against the clans of the world. If the strike force that hits here does decide to attack the city, my benefactor may be able to hold them off. He is extremely strong in magic and if the talismans and weapons Xanatos will provide fail, he will be there to 'back us up' as it were."
"I'd sure like to meet your employer," Brooklyn said with a hint of suspicion.
"I know," Kenshin said meekly. "But not yet. The time stream is so twisted now that a premature meeting might make things worse. But I don't know. As old as I am, I am still ill-versed in magic."
"Join the club," Lexington griped as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Seems like everyone I know is becoming a magic user in some way. Brooklyn's case is a little different of course, but . . . well, you know?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded.
"We still don't know when and where these guys will attack," Xanatos said and the clan turned to him. "Our hope is that Goliath will have everything neutralized before then, making our preparations unnecessary. But I'd rather be prepared just in case. Keep those talisman's on at all times." He nodded his head in Kenshin's direction. "We'll be working with Mr. Himura and his employer to try and get defensive systems in place. If we have enough, we might set automated plasma cannons at intervals around the city to drive them off. And . . ." He looked at Kenshin. "Didn't you say Crystal Moon would be sending a strike force to help combat the dragon men?"
"Yes. I don't know exactly how large the force will be but it should be enough."
"It will have to be," Angela said. "We have not just the castle but an entire city to protect."
"What about the other clans?" Broadway asked. "Aren't they going to get help too? I mean, wouldn't Constantine want to strike at them all?"
"We've already sent out an anonymous warning to the other clans," Kenshin said. "But yes. They will also be getting help."
"I think that settles it then," Xanatos said and turned to clock on his desk. "I do apologize. But I am late for a dinner with my family."
Kenshin immediately bowed in apology. "I have kept you too long. Forgive me."
Xanatos waved it off. "It's fine. But I would like to meet again to discuss further defensive strategies."
"Agreed."
Xanatos offered his hand. "Arigato goziamasu, Mr. Himura. I look forward to working with you again."
Kenshin smiled and quirked an eyebrow as he bowed. "I would be honored. Again, thank you for seeing me at such short notice. It was good to finally meet you." He turned to the clan. "All of you. I hope we meet again."
"Do ya really have to go?" Graeme muttered as he tightened the collar on Bronx's neck. The beast didn't like it at all.
Kenshin nodded apologetically. "Yes. I have my own family to go back too."
"Will ya come back?" Arianna asked.
Kenshin looked around at the warriors and smiled when he sensed nothing but approval. "I will. Perhaps I will bring a game or two? I have grandchildren about your age. I have some I think you might like."
"Wait!" said Lexington. "You're a grandfather? You look like you're barely in your thirties."
Kenshin laughed. "Thank you."
"Thanks for coming by," Brooklyn said as he offered Kenshin his hand. "We really appreciate it. We need all the friends and help we can get."
"And we give it willingly," Kenshin said and accepted the hand. He gave it a firm shake. "We will be in touch."
"Cool," Brooklyn said with a smile. "C'mon. We'll walk ya out. We have kept Xanatos a little late tonight."
Kenshin smiled apologetically at the millionaire, but Xanatos just shook his head and offered his own grateful smile. Turning, he followed the clan out the office. Xanatos waited thoughtfully until their voices faded entirely and then left his office to enjoy a late dinner with his wife and son.
To be continued . . .
