Gargoyles

The Quarry

All gargoyles characters are the property of Disney and Buena Vista. Any characters not belonging to them in this story are mine.

The Eyrie Tower: (And most definitely not on the Illuminati screens)

Just as a note for the story. I can't stand the Quarrymen, and really can't be bothered to go into too much depth about them. I don't plan to spend much time on them, so don't expect much as far as they go. (But don't worry, my villains will be worth the read.) You know how they showed up, so I don't see any reason to write it down. Besides that, I hope you enjoy the story.

With the crack of stone and feral roar the gargoyles awoke. Their cries echoed off stones that had since long not heard the waking call of their ancient inhabitants. Castle Wyvern, the Manhattan Clan's ancestral home, with which they were now reunited. This reunion was thanks to David Xanatos, CEO of Xanatos Enterprises, and, until recently, malefactor of the Manhattan Gargoyle Clan.

Goliath, leader of the Manhattan Clan, looked down from his tower upon his waking clan, aware of, yet ignoring, the presence of Xanatos.

"Feel good to be home?" Xanatos said finally.

Goliath looked at him, but said nothing.

Xanatos frowned just slightly. Old grudges died hard, he could tell it would take a lot of work to regain Goliath's trust, if he had ever really had it. "Well, I can see you don't want to talk right now. Anyway, I came to tell you I had a living room set up for you and your clan. It's got a computer, TV––the works. It's in the south wing. Well, I'll be seeing you."

When Xanatos had left Goliath sighed. He was grateful to the man for restoring his clan to their home, but that did not mean he trusted him. He leapt from his tower to join the rest of the clan.

The trio was attempting to silently, and inconspicuously, vie for the honor of helping Angela from her perch. They had not yet noticed that she had made it down on her own. They stopped arguing when they heard Goliath land among them.

"Goliath," said Brooklyn, "Are we going on patrol tonight?"

Goliath shook his head, "No, now that we have become known to the humans, they will be tense for some time. Perhaps it would be best if we stay out of sight for a while––until they have had time to calm down."

Brooklyn looked slightly let down, his attempt at impressing Angela with his authority failed.

"Now that ye mention it," Hudson said, "best if we see what the news has to say about us. Now where's the blasted television?"

"Xanatos had a room set up for us, there's a TV in there." Goliath said, "I think it's this way."

They went into the room that had been set up for them. The room was not the largest; there was enough space for them all around the TV. But beyond that, and the computer in the far corner of the room, there was not much else. Most of the floor was carpeted, giving it a cozy look.

As soon as he saw the computer Lexington leapt for it. The rest of the clan went to the TV and turned on the news.

"This is Night Watch. Good morning from New York. Travis Marshall."

"Tonight, more on the news that has rocked Manhattan, if not the world. Gargoyles exist and are living among us. This startling footage proves that the popular urban myth is now urban reality."

Click

"They're terrifying... I mean, I'm afraid for my kids."

Click

"What are they? Dinosaurs? Aliens? Demons? Maybe we should capture and dissect one."

Click!

"Can you believe it? I lost my job 'cause of them. But I hunted one down and got my revenge."

Click!

"Joining me is the head of the NYPD's Gargoyle Task Force, Detective Matthew Bluestone. Detective, are these gargoyles dangerous?"

"Travis, I'm glad you asked. We have no evidence to suggest that the gargoyles represent a threat to public safety. It's important that everyone remain calm."

"Any truth to the rumors that industrialist David Xanatos is harboring the gargoyles atop his castle skyscraper?"

"All leads are being investigated"

Click.

Goliath put the Remote on the television set. His face was a thunderbolt, but he said nothing. Silently he turned to leave the room. His clan members sat uncomfortably silent, but their faces mirrored worry.

Hudson leaned forward, picked up the remote, and turned the TV back on––muted.

"Now that's interesting."

The whole clan turned back to the TV, last of all Lexington who came over from the computer. Hudson turned the sound back on.

"...Gargoyle sighting, just outside the police station the creatures recently attacked. The gargoyles were seen accessing a building through the roof just now by several eyewitnesses. Witnesses claim the creatures were..."

By the time Elisa's call through the tiny radio reached the gargoyles were already in the air.

"Guys, did you hear...?"

"Yes," Goliath said through the radio, "It isn't one of us. We are going to investigate now."

"You guys be careful. The precinct is sending units down. Try to avoid being seen. In fact I think it would be better if you stay out of sight. There's no telling what would happen if anyone were to see you."

"I understand your concern. But if there truly are other gargoyles, then we must find them, before the police, or any other humans do so."

There was silence, then, "All right, you just be careful."

They were gliding over their former home when suddenly.

"Goliath look, down there," Brooklyn cried, pointing.

Two shapes were running across the roof of a nearby building. They had wings, and tails. The gargoyles swooped down to them. When they landed on the roof the two figures had disappeared.

"Where'd they go?" Lexington asked.

"I think they went down the stairs there," Broadway said, pointing to a stairwell.

The door looked like it had been forcibly opened. The gargoyles climbed down into the dark staircase. They came out in what appeared to be the clothes department of a store.

"Weird," Broadway said, "What would gargoyles be doing here?"

"Shopping spree?" Brooklyn suggested.

"Look," Angela cried, pointing to a dark corner of the room.

The two strange gargoyles were standing half hidden in the shadows. Goliath stepped forward, hands extended. "We mean you no harm," he said, "We are friends."

The strange gargoyles stepped out of the shadows. Sneering one of them said, "Not friends of ours." They reached up and took off their heads. They were not really gargoyles, just humans wearing costumes. (Oh gasp, shock, horror. I bet no one saw that coming.)

Suddenly from behind store dummies humans wearing blue tunics and hoods jumped out. They were carrying large guns, which were pointed at the gargoyles. Before the clan could react the weapons were fired at them. Electric nets surrounded them, binding them.

One of the humans stood in front of the captured gargoyles. The symbol on his tunic, a hammer, was different from the others'––it had three claw marks running through it. He took of his mask. His hair was blond, and he had a moustache. His face could be considered handsome, if not for the mad gleam in his eyes, and the arrogant sneer.

"How easily you fall into my trap. But then I should not have expected more from beasts, such as yourselves."

Goliath strained against his bonds, only to receive a painful jolt of electricity. "Who are you? What do you want with us?"

"My name is Castaway, leader of the Quarrymen, and your sworn enemy."

"But why? What have we ever done to you?"

"It's not that you've done anything, the simple fact that you exist is reason enough for me." Castaway took what appeared to be a sledgehammer from one of the other Quarrymen. "This little treat is designed to deliver a hefty jolt. It hasn't been tested on a live subject," he kocked the hilt, causing the head to spark with electricity. "But I'm sure we can remedy that."

He hefted the hammer, and then the hum of the electric powered hammer was droned out by a different sound. It was low and throaty, like the growl of a feral beast.

In the shadows next to Castaway two eyes lit up.

The shadows enveloped Castaway, for a brief moment there were the sounds of resistance, then Castaway was (cast away (I'm so sorry, I just couldn't resist)) thrown from the darkness. He landed heavily several feet away. The hammer followed him, it had been tied in a knot.

Faced by an enemy that could fight back the Quarrymen fled, carrying their leader.

The Manhattan Clan found themselves alone in the dark. They all focused on the shadow that had saved them. A figure crawled out of the shadow.

It was a gargoyle.

He was muscular, not as bulky as Goliath, and seemed tall, but at the moment it was not possible to tell, for he was crawling. His coloring was red, and his wings exactly like Goliath's. As gargoyles went, his features would be able to pass as human, if not for the brow ridges and the ears. He had a long face, with a slightly pointy nose, and seemed almost sylvan. He approached them slowly, examining them with a querying expression on his face.

"You kind of look like me," he said finally, "Are you aliens as well?"

The trio twisted to look at each other. Angela and Hudson exchanged confused glances. Goliath blinked.

After a few moments silence Goliath said, "Pardon?"

The strange gargoyle/alien looked confused. "Well, I'm an alien, and you look like me. So shouldn't you be aliens as well?"

Had Brooklyn's arms been free he would have tapped the side of his head, so instead he rolled his eyes.

Goliath was beginning to take the lead in the confusion contest. "I do not understand what you are talking about. We are gargoyles, and as much a part of this world as the humans."

The red gargoyle frowned. "Gargoyles? You mean like those drains on old churches?"

Goliath looked slightly disgruntled. "Not really, the drains were based on us. But who are you? And where is it that you come from? Despite what you believe, you must be a gargoyle like us."

"Before we start introductions," Brooklyn interjected, "Could you break us free?"

"Oh, right," the stranger said. He picked up the guns to which the energy nets were attached, and which had been dropped by the fleeing Quarrymen. He snapped the guns in half and the nets lost their energy, allowing the gargoyles to break free.

"By the way," he said conversationally, as he destroyed the guns. "My name's Lysander." When he had de-energized Angela's net he helped her free herself, and helped her up. Now that he was standing they could see that he was almost as tall as Goliath, but seemed to be of the same age as the trio and Angela.

For just the fraction of a moment he and Angela stood looking at each other. Then the sound of approaching footsteps echoed up through the stairs, and they parted. This passed unnoticed to the older clan members, but was picked up by the trio. Brooklyn glared at Lysander, already jealousy and distrust was gnawing at him.

"Sounds like your friends are coming back," Lysander said.

"Let's go," Goliath said.

They ran to and up the stairwell, onto the roof. The sound of commotion could be heard on the street below them. Lexington ran to the edge and looked over. He quickly ran back.

"There's cops down there. Three or four units, I think I saw Elisa's car."

"What are they doing?" Goliath asked.

"They've arrested the Quarrymen. At least they were leading them off."

"Are they leaving?"

"No, there's still two cars down there."

Brooklyn glared at Lysander, "That means they're coming up here. This is your doing, isn't it?"

Lysander looked affronted. "What makes you think I'd have anything to do with this?"

"Don't play stupid with me, we were led into this mess by two humans disguised as gargoyles. How can we know you're not just another Quarryman playing the same game?"

Lysander's ears drooped, "I don't have anything to do with this." He sounded hurt.

"Brooklyn," Angela cried, "He saved our lives. If he wanted us harmed he would have left us to the Quarrymen."

The door of the stairwell opened and someone came onto the roof.

I promise that was the last time I use a plot device from TGC. :)