The sun have finally set down once more. The moon rises up, darkening the sky. A loud crack was heard by a jogger nearby. He went to check it out only to see a statue was cracking. The statue broke by a gargoyle that howl from it's slumber. The jogger ran for his life, yelling monster. Poppy yawn from her sleep. There was something different from where she's at. Poppy couldn't help but look around as she felt the warm sand underneath her feet and toes, the sound of the ocean waves splashing against the rocks as the waters itself glow in the illumination of the sun's rays beaming down on it. The pinkish and purple hues rippling in the skies and ocean like fresh watercolor paint—it was all so new to her as she took in the breath taking view. 'It's so..beautiful!'
She was in awe as she feels the cool air brush against her, she looked around to see the a bunch of nearby stores. She wasn't for sure but the smell of fresh, baking crusted bread and melted cheese filled her nose as it sent an interesting sensation through her, making her mouth slightly water.
'What—what is that delicious smell?!'
Poppy take a look around once she was out of the beach. The people around her gasp or yelled once they saw her. What's with all this commotion? There was nothing odd around the area. But loud music, big fancy cars and people wearing different color clothes. So strange! I wonder where am I? Did I drifted so far off from my village? Poppy follow the yummy delicious smell of a small pizza place call Big Joe's Pizzaria.
Poppy walk closer as she admire the smell. She can hear her stomach grumble. The people around her all ran and gasp.
"Okay, I got a pizza of all meat spiecal...aaah!" The cook jump in horror to see Poppy. She smile a little an wave.
"Hello kind sir." Poppy sweet gentle Southern accent sooth him a little.
"I..I...um...h-hi?"
"I'm sorry to bother you but can you tell me where exactly am I?"
"Um..." The man look at Poppy. He couldn't help but stare at her horns and large claws. "New York, Manhattan."
"What?!" Poppy sound worried. "Oh no!" She start to cry. The man was struck to see her cry . He try to calm down.
"Um don't cry. Look um I...uh..what's your name?" Assuming this thing have a name.
Poppy wipe her tears, "Poppy Miller, sir."
"Okay um Poppy. Look you look like a sweet ..." He look at her closely. She have long red hair, big blue eyes with long eyelashes and a dark blue dess that seem too plain. "Girl. Do you have anyone to call?"
"Ma and pa don't believe in phones sir." Poppy told him. Her stomach start to growl. She blush a bit embarrassed. "I-I am sorry. " She apologized.
"Are you hungry?" Please don't eat me, please don't eat me!"
"I can't afford to buy anything sir. I have no money on me."
"Look, this pizza already been pay for you kinda scare off my customers. So consider this as on the house." He gave her the pizza. Poppy never seen anything like this. She took a sniff of it. She carefully took a bite of it. Her mouth have never tase anything like this. The meat flavor along with the melted cheese. And the hot tosted bread blend along with the toppings. Poppy drool a bit.
"This is delicious!" Her eyes shape of hearts of tasting something so good. "I have never have anything like this before! What is it?" Poppy's tail wag happily.
"It's call pizza. Or as I like to call it, Big Joe's Meat special!" The man sound proud.
"It is Delicious!" Poppy took another bite, "You must be very proud of your job!" Poppy couldn't help but take another bite. The man look at Poppy in shock to see any one love his pizza this much. He smile a bit but his smile soon faded. Quarrymen surrounded his pizza place. Poppy turn around to see the group of mask people holding a metal hammer.
"Hey, Poppy." The man whisper to her, "you need to fly away!"
"Huh? Fly?" Poppy talk with her mouth full in confusion. "What do you mean, Sir?"
"These are Quarrymen!"
"I don't understand?" Poppy look confused. The man came out of his small stall. He hold a metal bat in hand. He came between Poppy and the Quarrymen.
"Move aside old man! That Gargoyle is ours!"
"She ain't bothering anyone!"
"Your defending this freak?"
Poppy look at them with a stung expression. She knew she's different but calling her names is out of line. But Gargoyle, what is a gargoyle anyway?
"Your in my property! Get out of here!"
"Excuse me!" Poppy try to defend the pizza man. "There is no need of violence! Nor name calling!" Poppy cross her arms.
"Zip it freak!" One of the man tree a rock at her. Poppy groan at the hard hit on her head but she refused to cry. It hurts but she's not going to give them a satisfaction.
-flashback-
Little Poppy see a small group of outsiders camping. She wanted to greet them but Pa have warn her to ignore them. To never let others see her. She never knew why. Saying hello didn't seem bad. They have always told taught her to great thy neighbor and love one another out of respect. When Poppy walk up to them with a simple hello. They scream and ran. One of them threw rocks at her.
"Get out of here freak! Monster!"
"It's the Devil! Run!"
The other campers left in the dark. Poppy was bleeding from her head. She begin crying how mean they were. Poppy ran to her home and explained everything to her pa.
"I...hic just hic... Wanted to say helllooo!" Poppy kept crying. She hug her pa who was gently stroking her back.
"Shhshhsh!" He calm her down.
"Those ruffians!" Ma sound angry. "Wait till I give them a piece of my mind!"
"Hic,...they call me a Devil! Pa!..."
Her Pa gently wipe her tears. He stroke her hair back to soothe her down.
"Poppy." He gently lift up her chin. "You don't cry over this."
"PA!" His wife scold him.
"Now Ma. Violence is never the answer. Poppy needs to know that." He gently smile at her. "Poppy, it don't matter if your short, tall, skinny, or fat. Yellow, black, blue, white, or any of that. Because your you." He tuck her hair over her pointed ear. "You are the image of what God see you to be. Your beautiful. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Got that?"
"Yes, sir!" Poppy wipe her tears.
"When you do get into trouble like that again. I want you to stand up to them and don't cry. Don't give them that satisfaction. Be strong. And be proud. You hear me?"
"Yes sir."
"Now," he kiss her bandaid head, "It's time for bedtime."
-end of flashback-
Poppy wipe her tears. She let the blood flow from her head. She stand tall and proud. She glare at them with her blue eyes. The Quarrymen we're at first weary. But saw how Poppy didn't move. She place herself be between her and the pizza man.
"Sir, I would appreciate it you just leave. Ain't nobody need to get hurt now."
"Oh somebody is going to get hurt! Monster!" One of the Quarrymen lift up his hammer, ready to strike at Poppy. The pizza man swing his bat at the hammer. The Quarrymen loose his grip at his weapon.
"I'll say this again, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY PROPERTY!"
"Stupid old fool." The Quarrymen shoot a net cannon at Poppy. She struggled to set herself free. One of the Quarrymen punch the old pizza . They all start to kick and beat him. Poppy watch in horror as they beat him up. She try to set herself free. The other Quarrymen surrounded her. Poppy look at them in horror. They all start to used their hammer on her. They didn't hit her with it but instead, they let the electrician sting her. Poppy scream in pain. She beg them to stop. To leave the old man alone but none of them would listen. They keep beating them. Poppy scream more as the electric shock zap her.
"Stop... Please.....I SAID STOP!" a huge blue force push the Quarrymen away. They all look at Poppy in fear.
"You see, my brothers and sisters! They are capleable of hurting us! We need to destroy it! Now! Before it comes after us!"
A small group of women around their twenties were walking around. Sightseeing the harbor of Manhattan.
"Maaaan!" The red hair girl stretch, "There is never good going on here!" Her long wavy hair is set down with a green hairband. She have a green tank short with a light brown vest. She have brown bell bottoms pants on.
"Your always bored, Summer!" A girl with a pixie cut brown hair told her. She wore nothing but black. A black pants with pockets, a fish net shirt with a purple crop top tank shirt and black leather vest with spikes on the shoulders. "I say we should go out drinking and have some fun! What do you say, Autumn?" She look over a young beautiful girl with a brown skin that's cover with a beautiful rainbow color dress that have ruffles. Her small afro hair is tied to a light orange bandana as a headband.
"Eh, I'm fine with anything." She yawn. They heard a loud noise of people yelling angerily. "What's going on over there?"
Summer and Winter look at the group of Quarrymen. They stop thier friend from going there.
"Don't!" Winter told her.
"Why?"
"Haven't you been paying attention on the news, Autumn!" Summer sound worried. "Those are Quarrymen! They hunt Gargoyles."
"Come on! Before they hunt us too!" Winter pull her but she slap her hands off of them.
"They're going to hunt us no matter what! I am ashamed of the both of you!" She scold them."Our people came to America to live in peace. To have a freah start. They wanted to spread our lessons to the world! Your telling me that you would rather watch the same thing that happened to us and do nothing!"
"This isn't our problem! Okay! For years we blend in among the humans! We adapt! Who cares if a few Gargoyles disappeared?"
"I do!" Autumn yelled. She grew angry towards Winter. "Our coven protect those in need! It's our job to help!"
"Your crazy!" Winter told her.
"If your too scared to help them fine!" Autumn went to help but they felt a force push them back. Sumer, Winter help Autumn get up. They felt an aura that seem to be awaken. A sudden spark that just lighten up their senses.
"You felt that,right?" Summer smile happily.
"Tch, looks like we found one!" Winter sound annoyed.
"And we need to help them!"
The Quarrymen just kept tormenting Poppy over and over again. She ask them to stop but they refuse to listen. Poppy see a man holding up his Hammer. He smile down at her with his cold dead eyes, "Time to die, demon!" He was ready to kill her but a ball of flames push him. Everyone was shock to see what happen. They heard something was thrown at them. They pick up what looks like a seed. They see a small green spouts pop up.
"It's just seeds?" The quarryman ask in confusion.
A huge branch grew out the seeds, the plants wrap themselves around the Quarrymen. They scream for help. They Quarrymen look around to find the attacker. But a thick fog blinded them. The leader of the attack team can hear his comrades screaming. He swing his hammer around, hoping he would hit something.
"Come out and face!" The man yelled. As soon the fog clear up all of his man were tied up by plants. He heard sirens coming to his way. He try to make a run for it but the cop cars block his way.
"FREEZE! NYPD!"
Bluestone quickly cuff his hands. The man struggled to set himself free.
"I was attacked by a gargoyle! We didn't do anything!"
"Yeah, yeah, tell it to the judge! You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will hold it against you in court."
Elisa over heard him talk about a gargoyle but she knew everyone was still in Xantos castle. Plus, why would they be here at the beach. There are not enough high buildings for them to hide. And, it's too open for the public for them to be seen. They wouldn't risk that. Elisa look at all the Quarrymen that we're tied up by plants. It's a bit unusual for her to see that but then again, she've seen more usual things in her life after meeting the Gargoyles.
"Masza." Bluestone walk towards her, " Are Goliath and his clan around here?"
"No. They're still in the castle when I visit them."
"You think we have a new Gargoyle in the city?"
"I don't know. But look at this!" She pointed out a small seed with sprouts growing. "Those Quarrymen have branches wrap around them. How?"
"Don't know. But didn't you said, that there's magic in this world?"
"Yeah but a gargoyle who can do magic?"
"Doesn't that Rouge Gargoyle, Demona know magic."
"Yeah but she wouldn't let these Quarrymen live to tell the tale."
"So what do you think."
"I'll let Goliath know. That we might have a new gargoyle visiting New York City."
Poppy was slowly waking up. She felt a wet cloth wiping her body gently. She groan a bit while getting up.
"Oh! Your awake!" Summer sound happy.
"Uuuuugh, what happened?" She surprised her with her southern accent.
"Try not to move, your hurt pretty badly." Summer warn her.
"That man! He was with me! He's hurt pretty badly!" Poppy sound worried.
"Shhshhsh, we took him to a hospital. He'll be alright."
"But!"
"You need rest." Summer smile at her. Poppy lay back down. Resting, but she can still feel her body soar in pain. Summer left her alone to rest. She check on her friends who were healing the man.
"This is a bad idea!" Winter groan.
"I'm right and you know it!" Autumn grin at her.
"How is he?" Summer sound concern.
"We should have just left them there!" Winter grunt.
"Raven!" Autumn growl at Winter, "We have a code and you know that!"
"She's right!" Summer help them heal the old man. "We couldn't let the humans take that Gargoyle. As for this man. Once he's heal, we'll erased his memory."
"I don't get why we should reveal ourselves like that! We could have been seen! You put our coven in danger! Elder would not like this when he hears about this!"
"I'll deal with him!" Autumn told her.
"Have you already forget! What people like them have done to our people! They well never stop once we're gone from this world!"
Autumn look down at the old man to see that he's slowly healing. She can see the flashbacks of fire and screams. Screams that she wish she can unheard. The smell of the burning corpses fill in her nose. She open her eyes and look at her two friends.
"There will always be people like them. No matter where we go. Never forget that, Raven." Autumn sound cold. Her voice seem shaky. They stop healing the man. His breathing seem clear now.
Elisa drove back to the castle. It's been four years now that the Gargoyles came to this city. So much have changed in this city. She never thought things have gone this bad. Once the elevator reach up to the pent house. She saw little Alex playing ball with Bronx.
"Elisha!" He smile at her. She wave happily to see him.
"Hey Alex!" She kneel down to him, "Where's Goliath?"
He pointed to the library room. She smile at him and pat his head, "Don't stay up to late." She walk towards the library where she saw him reading the new books that Xantos bought for his collection. He looks up to see Elisa.
"Elisa, your back again!" He place the book down.
"We need to talk." She hold a cassette tape.Elisa sighs as she take the tape over to the tv, "You might want to see this."Angela came to the library with Broadway, holding hands.
"Elisa! Your back again! Is something wrong?" Angela ask her. "Yes, in fact. I think you all need to see this. Angela please gather everyone to come here." Elisa says Goliath looks at her with a bit of worry, "Elisa, what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you once everyone gets in."
Angela went to gather everyone to the library. Everyone gather around, wondering why Elisa would want them to gather.
"So what's up?" Brooklyn ask. "Is something wrong?"
Elisa breathes a bit before sighing as she puts the tape in, "This is going to surprise you as much as it did me but take a look." She presses the play button as the screen starts to show a vivid picture. The picture of course was showing colors like it did but it was video footage of the Hermosa Beach, slightly zoomed in on the docks, although some portions of it was a bit shown about 3/4 but that's not what got caught their eye. It was then they noticed a winged like figure appearing on the docks for a brief moment as it soon was attacked by the Querryman as they soon being violent with older gentleman that was there trying to pry them off of the wing creature—only for the camera to sudden become shaky as a burst of blue appeared, making the men jump back for a second as the soon let out a startled gasp: at first they weren't sure if the wing creature was like that possibly of another creature—but one of them! Even it didn't show much of it up close, they could still see glimpse of wings and red like hair being shown as it wore a blue sundress. The gargoyles watched to their surprise to see rapid movement as fireballs appeared as sudden everything soon became a blur as the camera was now fizzing out to the point they couldn't make sure of what happened next—only to see the gargoyle was gone.
"Another Gargoyle! Here?" Angela sounds surprised.
"Not sure!" Brooklyn sound weary, "No one notice that red hair!"
"If it was Demona, lass. She would have killed those Humans." Hudson pointed out.
"That's true." Goliath says as he looks a little bit closer at the footage as Elisa rewind it to only pause at a certain spot. "Plus, I don't think she would be wearing "human clothes" like this one." Elisa pointed out, "This had happened hours ago at the Hermosa Beach."
"Those Quarrymen! They beat up a old man for what? For protecting a Gargoyle?" Lixington sound angry.
"Is he okay? How is he?" Angela sound sad for him.
"That's the thing. The older gentleman disappeared along with the gargoyle that was there." Elisa explained as Goliath continues to look at the screen, "Someone else had to have come help them. Judging from that fireball blast: I highly doubt it was another human that did that."
"Aye. It's possible that a sorcerer was there on the scene." Hudson look as the footage.
"What does this mean? Do we have a friend or foe?" Angela look at her father with concern.
"I am not sure. But would seem that this Gargoyle did try to protect the human."
"Dawn is coming soon, Goliath," Hudson remind him. "If we go out unprotected."
"I know, we'll begin our search for tomorrow night. We'll search the area. Hopefully we can find tracks there." He told them. They all walk out to be in their post. Elisa follow Goliath to his post, "I'll do some digging too. I'll let you guys know if I find anything." She told him. Goliath nod, "Be safe, Elisa." He told her once he turn to stone.