Prologue - A New Chapter

September 20th, 1993

It's been over a year now since Liam first met the Gargoyles and entered Into the Mystic. However, this was the first time he walked to the shop absolutely depressed and sad.

He was told earlier today something that he had forgotten about by his parents, something that made him feel so down that he barely did anything and wished that the night would come earlier than it did.

But when it did, he didn't run for the shop, he just slowly walked his way there, like he was trying to deny what happened, but he knew it was real. He probably did it because he couldn't stomach seeing how the Gargoyles would react to the news, especially Griff, who he formed the closest bond with.

By the time he got to Into the Mystic, he was trying to pressure himself to get in and tell the Gargoyles, but he couldn't. It was like he reached some invisible barrier.

It's only when Griff opened the door and led him into the shop that he found himself able to function as he looked up to see Griff's concerned expression.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked LIam, holding him by the shoulders.

"In a week's time, me and my parents have to move to our penthouse in New York." Liam revealed.

This left Griff looking devastated. This would mean that not only would Liam be across the Atlantic, but it would mean that the two would be separated and wouldn't hang out anymore.

"Why?" He asked him, sounding so hurt that Liam cringed and had to hold back his tears that now threatened to be unleashed.

"Because it's where we live and we only rented out a home here to spend a year long holiday. And my parents are gonna go on an expedition shortly after moving back to New York." Liam explained, his voice barely able to maintain steadiness.

Both Leo and Una joined and overheard, both saddened to hear that Liam's going to be leaving London and England as a whole soon.

Griff wordlessly hugged Liam and wrapped his wings around the human, who hugged back, now crying, not wanting to leave his friends, wishing so much that it was all just some bad dream.

"Oh, Liam…." Una said sadly, coming over to hug Liam as well, having now seen Liam as though he was her son for the past year.

"I kept telling them I don't want to go to New York. I wanted to stay here because of you three, but they said they'd be more comfortable if I was at home instead of across the Atlantic for various reasons." Liam told them all as Leo came over and patted Liam's shoulder.

Shortly after, they parted and Liam sat at the table by the window, Griff joining him.

"I'm gonna miss this shop. And I'm gonna miss you guys so much. You made the past year the best I've ever had in my life." Liam said, wiping his tears.

There was nothing but depressing silence in the air as everyone was soaking in the new shift that will be coming in a week's time.

Liam noticed that Griff looked like he was deep in thought, thinking about whatever it was he was thinking, tapping his finger on the wooden table and his tail swishing back and forth.

"I think there was a reason for me meeting you that night, saving you from those street punks. I believe it was fate that brought us together." He said to Liam, now holding his hand. "Because of that, there is no way I'm gonna let you disappear by my side."

Liam, Una and Leo all realised what he was implying.

"Griff, are you saying that….?"

"Yes, when you move to New York, I'm going with you." Griff replied to Liam's question.

"Griff! How could you come to that decision? What about the clan and your duty?" Una questioned, expressing her shock and concern, while Leo stared wide eyed at his friend.

"Una, I love my clan but I've felt a longing to do and see more beyond the city of London. And ever since I saved Liam, I couldn't help but feel a connection that couldn't be ignored. So if it was fate that I met Liam, I'm staying by his side. Besides, it'll give someone else in our clan the chance to come and run the shop with you two." Griff argued, speaking with so much passion that Liam felt touched and moved.

And he had to admit, thinking back, even before he first laid eyes on Griff, he felt a connection, one that grew into something unbreakable as time passed. And the idea of Griff moving to New York with him made him feel pleasant goosebumps going up his spine. And considering how busy his parents normally are, it would be nice to have someone with him at home to keep him company.

"I think he's right." He told Leo and Una, who looked at him wide eyed. "Whether it's part of some grand plan or someone pulling certain strings to ensure we meet, the bond between me and Griff was there the moment we met. I'd much rather see where this takes us instead of splitting up and never getting the answers that I've now wanted to have answered."

The unicorn and lion Gargoyles looked at each other, very much having a silent conversation with their eyes about this. Both Liam and Griff looked at each other, both anxious about how the two mates felt about this.

Eventually, Una nodded with a look of acceptance and Leo sighed.

"You're both right. Whatever brought you two together, the bond you two share needs to flourish to its potential, even if it means that both of you are elsewhere in the world. We shouldn't get in the way of that." Una said, which made both Liam and Griff look at each other with grins before they hugged with Leo and Una, all of them essentially happy about this new stage that is now approaching.


A week later….

Liam watched from the penthouse he now resides in Manhattan, New York to the horizon where the sun was setting.

After Griff decided to move with Liam, they and Liam's parents discussed how to transport Griff while he was a stone statue during the day and decided that he should be in the cargo hold of their private jet.

Of course, before they left, Liam and Griff were able to say their goodbyes to Leo and Una, who made them both promise to look after each other, the two swearing that they will before they hugged their goodbyes.

Then after the long eight hour flight from London to New York, Liam settled in the penthouse that he and his parents own.

It was pretty much a mansion on top of a skyscraper that was right next to central park. Inside, it was decorated with some of the various finds that Liam's parents made in their careers, as well as some awards.

Right now, both of his parents were out having a meeting with some of their colleagues and so Liam was on his own.

He watched with anticipation as the sun had now disappeared from the horizon and once it fully disappeared, it happened.

Liam looked to Griff's stone form on the perch to his left and watched as cracks started to form, spreading until, like cracking an egg, the stone skin blew apart and Griff stretched his limbs and wings with a roar that was like a yawn, his eyes glowing white, which normally indicated if a Gargoyle was angered and enraged, female Gargoyles having red glowing eyes instead.

Once he shed all of his stone skin, Griff looked out and gasped in awe.

"Wow… the pictures and movies don't do this city justice." He said, jumping off the perch and standing next to Liam with his wings wrapped around him.

"Well, I'm used to it. And I'm gonna help you familiarise yourself with this city, including the pizza, bagels, cheesecakes and doughnuts." Liam said, now holding Griff's hand and the two looked at each other with a smile, ready for whatever life will throw at them now.

Then suddenly, they heard and saw several helicopters flying with various large crates. They watched as the helicopters flew towards what Liam knew to be the Eyrie Building, the tallest skyscraper in the world, which was on the opposite side of Central Park. He knew that it was the personal residence and headquarters to David Xanatos of Xanatos Enterprises, and is also one of the richest men in the world.

He narrowed his eyes, knowing that Xanatos was up to something, but as to what it was, he and Griff will just have to wait and see.


And there we go, the prologue is now over and the next chapter will adapt the five parter Awakening. It'll be interesting to see Griff among Goliath and his remaining clan, considering what they've been told by Xanatos.