Scotland, 984 A.D.
Castle Wyvern stood tall and proud over the cliff overlooking the dark sea. Thunder echoed in the cloud filled sky as rain were to come any minute now. Inside the castle wall, Prince Malcolm was trying to put his young daughter, Princess Katherine to bed.
"But father, I want to stay up for the feast," Katherine protested. "I'll miss the troubadours and the jugglers."
"Hush now," Malcolm shushed, placing the covers over the child. "The gargoyles will get you if you don't behave."
Just as he said that lightning flashed, and a horned silhouette shaped at the edge of Katherine's covers. She gasped in fright at the window.
"Tis only me Princess," the silhouetted turned out to be the old leader (Hudson) of the gargoyles. He caped his wings and bowed. "Your highness we must speak."
"Aye, so we must." He turned to his daughter with a knowing look. "Goodnight, Katherine." The prince turned away from his frightened daughter as he went with the leader.
When they went out on the balcony, the leader turned to the prince.
"You shouldn't frighten the girl with threats of gargoyles my liege," the leader implored. "We would never harm a child."
"Oh, you are too sensitive." The prince brushed it off. "This I take is about the Archmage?"
"Aye, I'm not sure banishment was enough to end his threat."
"He tried to use magic to usurp my throne. Let him dare to return and I will-"
"You will die…pompous fool." a new voice called out behind the pair.
The leader stood in front of the prince as they both turned to the unwelcomed guest. Before the leader could do anything, a bolt of lightning hit the nearest flowerpot, and knocked the gargoyle and prince down. They turned from the ground to the man who was standing on the ledge. He was a man of great age…long white beard going down to his knees, dark robes, and was holding a long staff.
"Archmage," the prince spoke, rising to his feet. "You dare-"
"You thought you could banish me?" the said wizard proclaimed to himself. "I'm not so easily disposed of Prince Malcolm." He waved his hand up. "Fulminous Venite!"
Saying those words, the Archmage fired lightning straight at the leader's chest and hit the wall behind him. Malcolm went forward toward the wizard with a glare.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
"Why, revenge of course." Just as he said that the Archmage brought up his staff which turned out to be a blowgun and aimed at the prince. He blew out a small dark, which struck right on Malcolm's right chest. The leader attempted to stop him, but he was too late. He glared at the Archmage who gave a cackled a wild glee, then leapt off into the storm.
The leader went to the princes' side, and saw the dart was indeed in the prince, and the effects were starting to take on the prince. A pained expression fell on the leader's face.
Princess Katherine, who heard the commotion, went out to see what was going on, only to see her father under the gargoyle. She gasped, then ran to her father.
"Get away from him! Leave him alone!" She began beating on the older gargoyle with her tiny fists.
The leader accepted the small beating, then gently stood back. He watched helplessly as the young princess cried over her father's still form in the pouring rain. He looked away; a pain of guilt formed on his face.
Manhattan, 1994
The city slowly descends to a new night, in which the gargoyles would soon be released from their stone imprisonments. As the sun disappeared, one by one they each stretched their arms and wings out as they roared out a somewhat yawn. After shaking off their stone skin, the young gargoyles and Bronx slowly entered the clocktower.
"What's for breakfast?" Brooklyn asked.
"I was thinking blintzes." Broadway answered.
"Ooh, good choice." Chelsea grinned.
Goliath was about to enter but stopped when he saw Hudson looking toward Castle Wyvern in the distance. The leader went behind his mentor.
"You seem introspective old friend," he commented. "Are you alright?"
Hudson didn't look back at Goliath, only gazing at the castle that laid above a skyscraper.
"Just dreaming…old dreams." He answered quietly with a light frown.
In an apartment complex near the police precinct, Elisa was looking at herself in the mirror. She placed her gun down on the table as she latched her badge inside her coat. Looking at her reflection, she saw a familiar shadow she did not expect.
She gasped as Demona crashed through her living room window, aiming a gun straight at her. Elisa quickly grabbed her own and aimed it at the female gargoyle.
"Demona, freeze!"
Demona did no such thing as she shot a dart, which hit a perfect square on Elisa's right chest, causing her to fall on her back. She looked up at Demona who took her gun.
"You've just been poisoned; in twenty-four hours you'll be dead." she said crushing the detective's gun in her claws.
After dusting her claws together, she turned to the window. "I have the antidote; tell Goliath I'll be at the Old York Opera House in the village." At the window she turned back with a shrug. "Ciao." She then jumped out of the smashed window and was gone immediately.
Elisa panicked, knowing that Demona does not make impractical jokes. She looked at the dart on her chest but was surprised it didn't hurt. She went into her jacket and saw that her badge protected her from the poisoned dart.
She sighed in relief, knowing the badge keeps its word by protecting those around it.
Arriving at the clocktower, Elisa just finished explaining what happened with her encounter with Demona.
"Lucky for me the dart hit my badge." The detective finished as she sat on a chair. The clan stood in front of her.
"What's Demona's game this time?" Brooklyn growled recalling his last encounter.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good if she's involved." Chelsea added with her arms crossed, an equal frown on her face. He turned to her leader with an unsure look as if asking him in silence.
"I don't know," the rest of the clan turned to Goliath who was about to head to stairs to the balcony. "But we're going to find out."
"But I'm okay," the detective rose to her feet. "You don't have to go; you know it's a trap."
"If he doesn't go now," Hudson turned to Elisa. "Demona will know her plan failed. She'll go after you again."
"We got to stop her!" Broadway suggested, jumping forward, nearly knocking Elisa to the ground.
"Yes," Goliath turned to the clan. "But how? We can't lock Demona up here, and I will not even discuss the alternative."
He went out of the clocktower and gazed out into the city. Hudson stood behind him.
"You're our leader Goliath." Hudson advised. "As such, you are responsible for all of the gargoyles."
"Maybe…maybe I can reach her." He made his decision. "At least I have to try."
"I'll go with you," they turned to Brooklyn who was in front of the others. "I've got a few things to settle with her." He said that last part with bitterness.
"No," Goliath shook his head. He pointed at the hothead and Bronx. "You stay here with Bronx and guard the tower." He turned to Broadway. "Broadway, you and Lexington escort Elisa home and stay with her until sunrise. She'll be safe from Demona then." He then turned to Chelsea. "Chelsea, you patrol between here and Elisa's home, in case she returns." He lastly turned to Hudson. "Hudson, you come with me."
Hudson blinked at Goliath's words but didn't say anything as he followed his leader.
In the air, Goliath and Hudson were heading toward their destination. As they flew, storm clouds were starting to form, and thunder was heard from above.
"Perhaps you should have brought the others." Hudson suggested.
Goliath shook his head. "No, Brooklyn is still too angry at Demona, and Chelsea is still grieving over her betrayal. I need someone I can rely on."
Hudson didn't say another word, knowing Goliath words rang with truth. Soon, they landed on the main building of the Opera house. Looking around, Hudson spotted their first clue to where Demona is. Claw marks on the rooftop.
"She was here," the old gargoyle noted, inspecting the marks. "Within the last few minutes."
Both gargoyles were still on guard. The sound of thunder and the sight of lightning made them on edge. Prowling near a brick chimney, they took notice of more claw marks at the base.
As the lightning flashed, they heard a familiar screech of a gargoyle looked. Hovering over them like a dark angel was Demona. They jumped back as she jumped down, landed in front of them, and fired a laser through her high-tech gun. Hudson managed to jump on the side of the roof, but Goliath rolled on the flat top. He rumbled as he slowly went to his feet. For a moment both former mates looked at each other, but Demona's smirk changed the outcome.
"NO!" Hudson cried.
Demona shot her laser, which hit Goliath on the left part of his chest, and the leader was knocked down against a brick wall that crashed down on top of him.
Hudson drew his sword, then turned to Demona who had her gun ready. The female shot her laser, and Hudson stood in front of his leader. He held his sword up, and the laser bounced off and went off toward Demona.
The gargoyle grunted as she fell off the roof, her gun falling first. With quick reflexes, she managed to grab her claws and dug her other claw into the building to slow her decent.
Back on the roof, Hudson quickly went over to Goliath, and helped him to his feet.
The old one grunted at the added weight. "Come on."
As both males went down the roof toward a flatter area, Demona climbed up with the laser still in her claws.
"Well done old soldier," she complimented with a frown. "But you're prolonging the inevitable."
"I could say the same to you lass." Hudson spoke back. "It's not long till sunrise when we'll all change," he turned behind to look at the female. "And tomorrow night when Goliath awakens healed, he'll make short work of you."
Demona snickered. "You won't make it to sunrise."
Hudson turned and noticed a skylight window in front of him. A plan formed in his mind as he held Goliath.
"I'm sorry it had to end this way." Demona jumped out and fired her laser.
Hudson kept a good grip on Goliath as both jumped into the skylight with the shatter of glass in the midst. The old one exclaimed as their wings were useless in the building and they weren't slowing down. Coming close to a stage, they braced for impact as they broke through the wooden stage and fell in the dark oblivion.
Demona walked over to the skylight, seeing them gone through a hold in the stage. "Desperate measures." She shook her head, then jumped in the large stage room, laser in front.
Down in what looked like the basement where the Opera house keeps its props, Hudson and Goliath groaned as they laid sprawled out on the ground.
"Give it up old one!" Demona's voice echoed above. "Why prolong Goliath's suffering?"
Hudson ignored her, knowing she is trying to play him, and helped Goliath to his feet. He took him inside a large crate.
"Leave me." Goliath hissed.
"Never," the old one turned to his leader. "The dawn will heal ya, we can hold out until then." He looked out into the cracks as he heard Demona's voice coming closer.
"You can run, but you can't hide. In fact…you can't even run."
The older gargoyle took Goliath once more and went behind the large Noah's Ark prop. Getting ready, Hudson pulled out his sword, ready for what's coming to him.
Prince Malcolm was lucky to be alive…barely.
When the princess cried on her father's chest, he slowly pulled her closer, signaling her that he is very much alive. After the leader brought him in his chambers (much to the princess's chagrin), he went and brought the captain of the guard and the young Magus who was a former apprentice of the Archmage to see if one of them could help.
"Well," the prince turned to the young Magus who was on the right side of the bed. "What is wrong with me?"
"It is poison," the Magus answered looked quizzically at the dart. "Made virulent by a magical spell," he turned to the prince. "Unless a cure is administered you will die by sunrise."
"Can you cure me?" Malcolm asked not even turning to the sorcerer.
"Perhaps. If I had the Grimorum Archinorum. It's given only in its pages."
Katherine, who was on the other side of the bed tendering to her father, turned and glared at the lead gargoyle. "You caused this!"
The leader's face fell as he looked at the princess.
Malcolm turned to a lady in waiting. "Take her back to her bed."
The princess look like she didn't want to go, but she insisted on her father's inner pleas. As she walked past the leader, she gave him an icy glare that would freeze anyone coming to her tracks. He looked on at her as she disappeared in the halls.
"We know it was not your fault." The leader turned to Malcolm. The prince shook his head as he continued. "She doesn't…understand…"
"No," the leader interrupted. "She's right. I failed you…"
Later, the leader waited up top the highest tower, waiting for his second in command and his mate. The pair soon joined him, each cocooned in their wings like cloaks.
"You sent for us?" the second in command, the tall one, asked.
"Aye," he turned to them. "I need your help."
"We're ready," the second and his mate stepped forward. "Whatever you command, we will do."
"Good, we must find the Archmage and retrieve the magic book. Time is on his side. If we don't find him before dawn, we never will." He turned away. "I can't fail again."
As the leader turned away, the seconds mate turned to him. A look of concern plastered over her face. "Perhaps it's time he steps down. I've never seen him look so old."
"His age brings wisdom." The second countered, stepping forward. "That's why he leads."
One by one, the three gargoyles took off to the air, determined to bring back what they need. Unbeknownst to them, someone had been spying them rather curiously behind the archway…
Back under the Opera stage, Hudson was trying his best to not only protect Goliath, but also trying to find an escape route before Demona spots them. So far, he hasn't found any possible escape route, and knew he didn't have much time because of hearing her voice.
"This game is feudal," Demona commented, pointing her laser around the room. "You were too old to play it a thousand years ago."
Hudson turned behind him, and saw a small steel bar window, leading outside. It may be small, but at least there's a way out of the basement. As he struggled to pull unconscious Goliath to the window, Demona continued.
"I could just rake this room with the laser and there's no way you'd escape. I'm giving one last chance Hudson."
There was a pause. Hudson barely got through the bended and broken bars when Demona spoke again.
"Goliath's time is over, I'm the leader now. Swear fealty to me, and I'll let you live." Demona scoped around the room. Not even a clank of a sword was heard in the spacy room. When she didn't hear an answer, she gritted her teeth. "Very well then, then die like the cowards you are!"
With willpower, she raked the room with her laser, which destroyed everything in her path. When the smoke lifted, she noticed the small window with the battered-up bars.
Outside, Goliath barely regained consciousness and was being supported by Hudson.
"Please leave me," the leader spoke with exhaustion. "Save yourself."
Hudson looked down at his former second. "Gargoyles don't leave their warriors behind."
He turned to the ground and saw a sew grate near him. A plan forming in his head. As much as it was a risky plan, he knew it was the right one. He knew they need to get ahead of Demona.
"Come on lad," Hudson opened the sewer grate, both gargoyles went in, and were carefully trekking through the sewers.
"We'll get through this night lad." Hudson continued, trying to stay positive. "Never fear, you're a tough one, I've always known that." He then thought of something from his past. "Remember the search for the Archmage? Now that quest took gumption." He then chuckled. "Not only that, but a certain young one followed us with great determination."
The leader and his two followers were following a single set of footprints as their only clue in finding the Archmage. Landing down the path they were following, the leader went down on his knees to further inspect the tracks.
"Tracking won't be easy once the storm breaks." The second reminded as lightning flashed above them.
The leader looked down at the tracks as he realized something. "He's not even trying to disguise his trail. He favors speed over stealth. That could mean he's expecting pursuit. It could also mean he'll be laying traps."
A clap of thunder was heard in the heavens, and a flash of lightning bolt struck down in the dark hills in the distance. Suddenly, a shrill scream was heard behind them, making the three gargoyles stand on alert.
"What was that?" The second asked with shock.
The seconds mate turned to the hill and spotted someone curled up in bushes. She went to take a closer look, only to see an unexpected guest.
"Child!?" she exclaimed.
The second and leader came over, only to see a young female hatchling who looked to be around the age of adolescence with robin's egg skin, long brown hair in a braid, two curved up horns, and a white dress came out of the bush. She looked each of the older gargoyles with a gulp.
"What are you doing here?" the second demanded, acting like a father interrogating his child. "You were supposed to stay in the rookery until we came back."
"I know," the young female gave out a look of caution and worry from the way her wings flinched down. She then looked up at him with brave face. "But I want to help. I heard the prince was poisoned, and they blame us for it." She gave them a questioning look. "Right?"
That made the three look at each other with looks of concern. The second and his mate looked at their leader with the same question. 'What now?'
"We can't go back to the castle." The leader answered. "We don't have enough time to return her." He sighed as he held the bridge of his nose. "She has to come with us."
The leader moved toward the younger gargoyle. He noticed that she looked nervous under his gaze, her head slightly down occasionally trying not to make eye contact. It was as if she knew she was going to be in trouble. He took a deep breath and looked at the child with a calm but stern look.
"Lass, I need you to listen, you can come along with us, but only because we can't return you to the clan. Whatever we say, you have to listen to us, understand?"
The young female nodded in response before the second's mate placed a claw on her shoulder and brought her close. The leader turned away as he inspected more tracks. Seeing her leader was distracted, the seconds mate turned to him.
"You're younger, stronger, he should be following you." She whispered in his ear.
"You are wrong, my love," the second insisted, and took his love's hand. "He is the best one to lead us. At any event, now is not the time to argue the point."
"What point?" the young hatchling raised an eye ridge.
The second and his mate looked at each other with looks of concern of what to say. The second's mate turned to her. "You'll understand when your older."
The young hatchling tilted her head but didn't question them as she followed them through the trails.
The old one, having heard the second and mates' conversation, intended to ignore it as he continued following the archimages footprints. Soon, he and the others found themselves at the mouth of a cave. They approached the cave cautiously, in which the leader took a sturdy piece of wood and wrapped a long brown lead around the end. With a few precise strikes of a rock against his sword, he managed to light the leaf, making a small torch of light that illuminated the cave.
"He's gone underground there." The leader proclaimed quietly and led the small group quietly through the cave.
"Our wings will be useless here," the second's mate argued. "And this archimage has powerful magic."
"I did not track him this far to give up now." The leader told her. "I will not fail the prince again."
"And I won't let him do this alone." The second added.
As the two males continue forward, the seconds mate stopped with the young female, and sighed in frustration.
"I don't know who's the bigger fool," she shook her head. "Him for going, you for following, or me for not leaving you both."
"What does that make me then?" the young hatchling asked. "An even bigger fool than all of you?"
The second's mate looked down at her. She gave a small smile. "No child, just someone whose thrilled for adventure, and that's good."
That made the child smile as they continued there way. Going in deeper, the group took notice some weird engravings carved along the walls that they've never seen before. As they trekked, they seemed to give off an ominous aura.
"What is this place?" The second asked his leader. "Did the Archimage build this?"
"No," the leader shook his head. "This place seems…far older than our time." He looked back at the others, especially the younger gargoyle intently. "Stay close."
The young female gulped as she stayed close to the second's mate. She turned to where her companion was inspecting the markings. She drifted her claw over the carvings that seemed to depict an ancient battle.
"What do you suppose this all means?" Where the carvings end, it depicted a man standing over a gargoyle-like creature, in which she gasped at.
They continued forward through the cave. The deeper they went, the more alert they became. Looking ahead they saw an opening, in which the three were relieved. When they stood at the edge of the tunnel, the leader looked down at the young hatchling.
"Now child," the leader started. "You need to stay here while we fight the archimage. Understand?"
The young hatchling nodded as she watched the three gargoyles jumped out into the open cave below. A sense of worry edged on her face.
The three gargoyles mazed through the stalagmites but stopped at a large canyon that led to a deep dark abyss. They looked over and saw an ominous skeletal rockface…with the Archimage standing in front of it.
"There he is!" The leader proclaimed.
The Archimage turned to the three gargoyles who were hiding, then raised his book. "Fulminous Venite!"
A lightning struck and made the three gargoyles jump out of the way from getting hit. Jumping behind another stalagmite, the leader took out his sword. His eyes reflected determination in his gaze. He gave a rumble of a growl, then went in a battle position.
Back in the sewers, Hudson led Goliath through the small but harsh current that flowed in their direction. So far, Demona hasn't spotted them, but Goliath's condition was starting to make them feel vulnerable.
"It's hopeless Hudson," Goliath pressed with exhaustion in his footsteps. "Save yourself."
"Hear me lad," Hudson looked down at his leader. "We go together, or we don't go at all." Both gargoyles trudged forward, knowing Demona is soon upon them.
"Your courage is admirable," Demona's voice rang through the tunnels. "But ultimately futile." She shot three more lasers, in which her two targets narrowly missed.
With effort, Hudson trudged through the waters and still hanging onto Goliath. He stopped as his only exit turned into a waterfall leading into a small lake. He pulled out his sword with one claw as he knew Demona was right upon them.
"I'll make it quick old soldier," Demona aimed her gun at the duo.
Hudson turned to her with a glare, then he threw him and Goliath down into the watery depths below. Struggling under the slight currents, the old gargoyle swam up to the surface and dragged Goliath to shore. On land, he wrapped his large wings around his leader and himself. He saw that Goliath is barely holding on.
"Stay with me lad," he breathed with exhaustion. "We had worser scrapes than this…remember?"
Facing against the Archimage, the leader dodged a burst of energy and hid behind a stalagmite.
"We've come for the Grimorum!" the leader proclaimed.
"Fulminous Venite!" the wizard exclaimed, not listening to his foe.
The Archimage fired another burst of energy, which hit the stalagmite the leader was standing behind, making him fall back and hit his head. The wizard sneered but faltered when he heard a screech to his right. He fired again that struck the seconds mate, making her crash on her back. The second in command's eyes glowed, and he pounced over the cliffs toward his opponent.
The wizard fired again, but the second dodged, and was behind the Archimage. He snarled again, this time slamming his body over the human. Grunting, the Grimorum slipped out of his hands, and fell in the dark chasm.
Before it could disappear, a blue claw grabbed it, and secured it safe near her chest. The young female was the one who caught it and was having a hard time climbing the walls. When she was almost to the top, a lavender claw grabbed her by her strap of her dress and pulled her up.
"Did you see?! I got the book!" the young female exclaimed happily, not even fazed by Goliath's stern gaze.
"I thought you were told to stay put! You could've been hurt!" He barked down at the hatchling, which her expression changed to a sadden gaze to the ground.
"Are you two alright?" the seconds mate came to both of them.
"Yes," the second put down the hatchling and took the book in his claws. "And so is the prince now."
"Filthy beasts!" the three looked behind and saw the Archimage running toward them with a sharp piece of rock. "Give it to me!"
The second's mate gasped then pushed the two to safety. Doing that, made the Archmage lose his footing, and fell down the dark abyss. The young female gulped as she looked down at the abyss but was pulled away by the second. The three went to the leader who was slowly getting to his feet.
"Good work, you two." The leader groaned, rubbing his head.
"Don't talk, save your strength." The second's mate chided.
The leader took his claw off his head, a scar was shown on his left eye that showed a shade of yellow.
Hudson knew he had to take Goliath somewhere safe until dawn arrived, so he took him to the local cemetery. Seeing Demona coming close, he found a crypt where Goliath would stay while Hudson fends off against Demona. He opened the large creaky doors, and placed Goliath inside.
"Stay here lad," Hudson ordered. "I'll be back for you."
Goliath groaned on his claws. "You can't…face…her."
"I can face her," he turned away, then shook his head. "I just can't beat her."
Hearing those words come out of his own mouth, he knew he was facing something he knew he could handle if his youth returned. Now that he's older and wiser, facing off against Demona of all gargoyles, he had to be careful. Careful that he doesn't die tonight.
Out of the crypt, Hudson crouched down in front of an angel statue as he pulled out his sword. The rains poured down, making this fight a little more challenging. Looking through his reflection, he saw that the angel sprouted demon wings on top of him.
Demona.
He grunted as he dodged a laser from the female gargoyle. He ran behind another statue and saw Demona slithering her way toward him with laser in her claws.
"Join me or join Goliath in death." She threatened.
Hudson silently gulped as he saw Demona literally in front of the crypt where Goliath is resting. From looking at her, she hasn't seen him yet. Hopefully it stays like that for a bit longer.
"Don't be a fool," she continued. "Together we can rule this world."
Hudson felt his body rile in a new form of anger. With a mighty roar, he charged at Demona with his sword in front. He stuck down only for Demona to deflect him with her laser gun. Taking a few steps back they were circling one another to see who will go first. Hudson took charge, jumping and dodging from Demona's laser fires. He even did a few summersaults and deflected the lasers away with his sword. He landed on another tombstone, but had to dodge from Demona again, then retreated away into the many gravestones.
Demona took a step back, then made her way through the many graves. Unbeknownst to her, Hudson was hiding behind another tombstone, waiting for the right moment to attack. Seeing his chance, he went behind Demona with sword above him, only for her to dodge and strike an angel stone. The angel was cut in half, and the top part slid down to a perfect cut to the ground.
Inside the crypt, Goliath moaned as his eyes caught sight of his mentor and ex-mate battling each other off. As much as he wanted to fight, his strength hasn't returned, and he would be at a disadvantage to fight.
Back outside, Demona and Hudson were still at it. Medieval verses modern weaponry. Both equally matched, yet both were different in age. Dodging his sword, Demona landed on top of the same crypt where Goliath is.
"Enough of this!" she proclaimed. "Time to die old fool."
Demona aimed her laser again, smirking that she had perfect aim at her once mentor. She fired her laser again, only for Hudson to jump high in the air to dodge. Her mouth was ajar, seeing Hudson's form in the air perfectly unharmed from the fight. Staring at him, he even looked like his days of youth have returned for a second and doesn't even look like the age he is now. Hudson's growls interrupted her thoughts as his sword clashed with her gun and she took a fall on her back.
Back down in the crypt, Goliath's ears heard the sounds of clashing weapons. His eyes went wide when he heard his mentor's growls.
"Hudson," he gasped. Knowing what he has to do, he slowly rose to his talons and exited to crypt with wobbly legs.
On top of the crypt, Hudson and Demona were still fighting off another with their weapons. Even though Hudson was using a mere sword from his former battles, it still had a fighting chance against Demona's modern laser.
"I would have ended this quickly!" Demona shouted. "Now you will suffer!"
They both continued their sparing. Lighting flashed, thunder roared around them, but neither wanted to give up. At one point, when Demona was pushing Hudson back, Goliath slowly came up to the crypt. Exhausting lingered around his features, but he moved on. When Demona rose her laser above herself, Goliath grabbed the back, stopping her actions. She looked back with shock.
"Demona," he panted. "No."
"Goliath," she smirked. "So good of you to join us."
With agile reflexes, she hit Hudson, causing him to fall back, then she hit Goliath as he collapsed. She was about to stuck again, only to Hudson to block her.
"Give it up girl," Hudson called over the raging storm. "You can't win."
"I'm smarter, stronger, and younger than you!" Demona exclaimed swinging her gun around. She struck again as both sword and laser were evenly matched. "Your pride will cost you your life!"
She managed to knock Hudson's sword away as he fell on top of Goliath. She went to struck him again, only for Hudson to look up at her with a glare.
"But I know something you don't, something that only comes with age."
She raised an eye ridge, not sure what he meant.
"I know how to wait." Hudson ended; he rose to his feet as he looked up to the sky.
Before Demona could figure out what he meant, a shrill screech echoed above her. She turned, only to be stuck down by a blue figure. She struggled on the ground, unable to break free of her new entanglement. She snarled as the one who was on top of her was none other than Chelsea.
"Fancy meeting you here." The other female gargoyle snarled as she narrowed her red eyes.
Demona glared at her former rookery daughter. What made her even shocked was her laser was at the edge of the crypt's roof. Before she could think of getting it, the clouds dispersed to reveal the sun rising from the edge of the earth.
"No!" Demona exclaimed as her body was now encased in stone. Soon, her three enemies were as well turned to stone, all of them depicting a battle that would be put on hold until tonight.
When the four returned to the castle with their newly acquired prize, the leader took the book to the Magus, who quickly went to work on the antidote. It was an hour until sunrise, but the Magus was able to create the antidote and give it to the prince.
"The antidote has worked," the Magus announced. He turned to the prince who is lying in his bed with comfort. "You will recover."
The prince turned to the leader who was on his side. "Thank the stars you were able to bring the Grimorum in time."
"It wasn't me," the leader said as he gripped the prince's hand. He turned out to the window.
Back out on one of the towers, the second and his mate were having a bit of a disagreement.
"All I'm saying is that the clan needs a young leader." The second's mate argued.
The second turned to her. "You're wrong."
"No, she is right." The two gargoyles turned to the old leader who came out of the archway. "It is time me to step down, and for you to lead."
"It was your skills that lead us to the Archmage," the second shook his head. "I cannot take command now."
"It is time my friend." The leader placed a claw on his second-no newly appointed leader. Saying those words, he felt a weight he had felt from this entire night being lifted off. It was not because of what he heard from the red-headed female said behind his back, nor how much pressure he felt in finding the Grimorum, he just felt…it was the right time. Time for him to step down, and for his second in command to lead.
"Then I will," the new leader answered with a new sense of confidence but looked down at his former leader with an assuring look. "But only if you stay by my side, I will need your wisdom to guide me."
The former leader smiled and nodded. Both gargoyles took each other's claws and shook them with a change of authority.
"By the way," the former leader thought of something. "Where is that young stowaway that followed us?"
The new leader groaned as he thought of her. "I brought her down in the rookery because of how rash she was."
"Rash? She helped us to bring the Grimorum back."
"She could've been hurt. I don't want her to get hurt like…last time."
The former leader nodded. Recalling what had happened years ago with the child, he remembered how worried the second was, and how different he felt compared to the other hatchlings in the rookery. He looked at him with an assuring gaze. "I understand lad, but that was then. She may have gone behind your back, but she did help us. Don't stay angry at her choice of bravery. She is no longer that frightened hatchling who was afraid to burst her wings." The former leader gave out words of wisdom to the new leader.
The new leader thought of this but turned away as he gazed at the full moon with a blank stare. Recalling the journey, the child listened to everything he and the others told her to do. Not only that, but she wasn't at all afraid of following them out of the castle.
Understanding his thoughts, he nodded. "Very well," he turned back to his mentor. "I will forgive her." He turned to jump on the stone railing, spreading his wings. He turned back to his mentor and mate who hasn't left the whole conversation. After a second, he turned forward, jumped, then glided toward the rookery. Probably to talk to the child.
The former leader stayed where he was, crouched on his perch. Thinking as usual of what happened tonight. The new leader's mate left to probably follow her mate to the rookery. There were some nights why those two are so fond of that particular hatchling over the others, but knew they see her as the one who was probably abandoned by her former clan, and still treat her with equal love to the other hatchlings.
Tonight was, something unexpectant. After his concerns for the Archimage, he unexpectantly arrived to kill the prince with a single spell from the Grimorum. Even though it was considered an accident, he can't get the glare the princes daughter shot up at him and blamed him for her father's injury. He knew she'll be traumatized for a while, and probably have more hatred compared to the rest of the people of Castle Wyvern.
When he said it was time for him to step down, he meant it. He felt his former leadership youth is gone, and age is making him slower with years to come. The new scar proves that theory. With that in mind, he knew he is still a member to his clan. As a mentor. He will stay like this until his time has come.
But not until later…much later.
The sun was setting down on the four gargoyles on top of the crypt. When the sun disappeared, stone cracked over them, and seconds later they all stretched and yawned out of their stone slumber.
"Now it ends!" Demona proclaimed with a smirk. She looked up at Chelsea who was still above her. She kicked her with a growl, rolling the younger gargoyle to the edge of the crypt, barley holding on the edge.
Demona quickly got to her feet and grabbed her gun. She swung it to Hudson, only for him to caught it with newly found strength.
"Yes lass," he smirked, taking the gun in his claws. "Now it ends."
Demona was shocked. How was he able to stay strong during all of this?!
"Feeling alright lad?" he turned behind Goliath, who rose to his feet with a huff and his former strength back.
Goliath looked down at Demona with his stoic appearance. "Just fine."
"You think you've won," Demona narrowed her eyes. "But you've forgotten why you came? Your human friend." She took slow steps back. "By now the poison has wrung its course, and there is no antidote!" She jumped away, gliding away from her pursuers. A loud cry echoed through the night that lingered for a few seconds.
Goliath curved a lip. "It's probably best that she doesn't know Elisa is alive."
"Aye," Hudson turned him. "I have forgotten that at a time." He chuckled. "I thought my warrior days were over."
"Nonsense," he looked down at his mentor. "There are years of fighting left for you."
Hudson sighed, not exactly happy of that answer. "Now there's something to look forward to." Both gargoyles laughed at that statement.
"Okay, whose ready for home?" Chelsea's voice popped out.
Both gargoyles turned to Chelsea who tried to climb to the roof with effort but was having a hard time thanks to her talons having nothing to grab on. Goliath came forward and took her by her right arm, lifting her to the roof with ease.
She dusted herself off, then looked up at her leader with a smile. Her smile faded when she saw Goliath's grim look. "What?"
"What are you doing here? You were supposed to-"
"Patrol between Elisa's home and our home." Chelsea finished Goliath's sentence with a tired look. Her expression changed to serious as she crossed her arms. "Yes, I did that, but then I caught glimpse of you two here, and thought of helping. How was I supposed to know the cemetery was in my patrol path?"
Goliath tried of thinking of what words to say next but couldn't think of any. He sighed, shaking his head, but his frown changed into a smile.
"You may…have a point."
That made Chelsea gave out a cheeky smile. She then gasped. "Oh, I forgot." She went behind her back and pulled out Hudson's sword. "Found this before I ambushed your battle. I thought you want it back."
That made Goliath laugh as Hudson came behind and took his sword from her.
"Thank you lass." He said with a smile.
Chelsea smiled again as Hudson put his sword in his belt. When he was ready, the three gargoyles went to the edge of the crypt, opened their wings, and were gliding off into the night toward home.
Dedicated to the Late Ed Asher...1929-2021