Gargoyles: Strange New World
Author's Note: All characters are owned by Walt Disney and I in no way, shape, or form own, created or lay claim to these characters.
One thousand years ago…
Superstition and the sword ruled…
It was a time of darkness…
It was a world of fear…
It was the Age of Gargoyles…
He flexed his talons as he unwrapped his hand. The previous night, the Viking leader had swung his sword at him, and he caught it by the blade, preventing the leader from striking his body. It was a deep cut, requiring bandaging in order to prevent infection, but the daily stone sleep had healed it nicely.
He snorted as he listened to his Angel of the Night and the Captain of the Guard stated their plan. He didn't know why they were fussing so much about the marauders, but as a good leader should, he listened to it.
"Those Vikings may return at daybreak, Goliath. I say take all your gargoyles and make sure they're gone!" the Captain said, clenching his fist as if gripping his mace.
"I agree, let us go out in force and put an end to these pigs once and for all."
"Too dangerous." replied Goliath. Their idea had merit, but didn't want to squander his forces. "I don't want to leave the castle unprotected."
"Their leader swore he'd be back." the Captain argued. "It's best to harry them far away now, and not take that chance!"
Turning, Goliath softly growled to himself. The Captain's arguments were logical. "Very well." His Angel looked into her mate's eyes as he turned back to them. "But I shall do it. I can scare those cowards away, without any help…" chuckling to himself, eager to take battle to the invaders.
His Angel stepped forward, concerned, "That's too dangerous for you! Let me come with you at least."
Shaking his head, he denied her aid. "You and the others will stay with the castle. You are my best warrior, and I leave you in command." He took her by her shoulders, framed in the moonlight, her fiery hair shining in its light, trying to assure her that he was right.
"No! I cannot let you…" she said, turning slightly, looking away from his eyes.
"I won't go alone." Taking her again, he said with love in his voice. She turned back to look at him, as he quoted the mates oath to her. "You and I are one. Now… and forever…"
As he turned, she reached out to him, as if he was going to fade away. He jumped down to go his mentor and inform him of his plan…
She whirled onto the Captain, "This ruins everything. The plan was to have all the gargoyles away during the attack, so we could return to claim an empty castle!"
"The plan can still work! I'll signal Hakon, tell him to attack during the day…" he put his fingers to his chin, thinking. "The humans will still be taken."
"Fool!" she grabbed him by his cape, pulling him to her face. "Have you forgotten?! Gargoyles are stone by day, we'll be helpless!"
Pushing him back, he countered "Not while I'm about! I swear, I'll keep your clan safe."
After he made his vow, she looked off into the night, thinking of his words…
Goliath found his mentor on the rampart, after sending the trio and the watch dog to the rookery. Shaking his head, he still couldn't believe his warriors (young they may be) could act in such fashion. However, the human mother had started the altercation, the trio and the boy were only talking to each other when she stormed over, calling them beasts.
He sighed, wondering his kind and theirs could ever truly exist in peace. Yes, they guarded the castle at night and were protected during the day, but even he saw the mistrust and fear in their eyes. Even the princess, traumatized by the near death of her father during her youth, believed them nothing more than beasts.
"What troubles ye, my young friend?" said his mentor, placing a hand on his successor's shoulder. When Goliath brooded, he knew it was something that deeply concerned him.
"Nothing, mentor."
"Ach, you can nae think I'd believe that. What's on your mind?"
Sighing, Goliath looked over the courtyard where the refugees made camp. "Why do they fear us so, my old friend? We do nothing to harm them, even risk our lives for them, yet we don't get any appreciation in return." Turning back to him, he continued, "I don't expect them to throw a feast or something, but I can't believe we will always live with their fear. Something must happen to change this!"
"It's been like this since I was a hatchling, lad. Humans fear what they don't understand. They live so much shorter lives than we, and thus think we be creatures that haunt their nights. We can do things they cannot, but the same applies to them as well. We cannot see the sun, and they seem to be able to make far better strides in improving their lives, like planting crops for harvest and by raising chattel and livestock." He turned to the people below, "We must hope, while we may be feared now, it will not be like this forever. Someday, Human and Gargoyle may stand together, in peace."
Goliath turned towards the people as well, "I just hope I get to see it, my friend."
"Me too, lad, me too…"
Goliath then turned, "This introspection must wait, we need to take to the sky before the night passes too far along."
"Goliath!" came a voice from above.
Goliath turned towards the voice, seeing his love gliding to him. She lands lightly beside him, and argues her case again. "Goliath, you need more than just our mentor to go with you. While our kind is fearsome, two won't be enough!"
The Mentor stroked his beard. "She does have a point, lad. If our purpose is to drive them from our lands once and for all, we need to give show of force that will give them nightmares if they ever think of returning."
"See, it is a sound plan! Let us go in force, and drive them away for good!" she cried, pumping her fist.
"I don't want to leave the castle unprotected! What happens if while we are gone, the Vikings return?"
"My love, don't you see? If we go out now, in force, we can prevent that from happening! There are no other threats other than the Vikings at the moment, and if we do this, we can ensure the castle will be safe!"
Goliath turned away, not liking that his mate is making sense. His instincts tell him someone must stay to protect their home, but her words make too much sense.
"Fine, go and gather the others but we must hurry, we need to be back before dawn!"
She grins as she leaps to go do as he commands, while the mentor looks on. "I think you made the right choice lad."
"I hope so, my old friend, for all our sakes…."
And here is my first chapter of the story. After rewatching the show again for the umpteenth time, this idea came to me and I wanted to see how it played out. This is the first time I've written fanfiction since the 2000's and I'm not a writer by trade or even hobby. Constructive criticism is always appreciated but no flames as those do nothing but heat my home. Take it easy!