"A Question of Conscience"
(French Title: "Distress Signal")
The Lightning League responded to a distress signal coming from a ship drifting in space. On the derelict they found Gash, who looked like a cross between a man and a gargoyle. (Lizzard's Note: If any of you out there are curious about gargoyles and gargoyle myths, contact me. I even have a gargoyle identity on the internet. But contrary to popular rumor, I am not related to Gash.) Gash was a native of Karalon III who, years ago, attempted to steal a book of spells from the wizard Korlok. The sorcerer caught and punished Gash by changing him into his current form. Gash left his world in shame, but now wished to return because he heard that his planet was under attack by the Monster Minds. He claimed that Karalon III had a rare mineral that could destroy an entire plant to its farthest roots.
The League travelled to Gash's world to investigate his story, and promptly halted a Monster Mind attack on the capital city. With the exception of Herc standing guard, Gash lead the League into a cave, then flew off with Jayce's communicator. He had made a deal with Saw Boss: if Gash immobilized the League, then Saw Boss would return him to normal. The League emerged from the cave to see the Monster Minds preparing to destroy the parked League vehicles. Without orders from Jayce's communicator, the vehicles could not enter their defensive modes. Thanks to driving Spike Trike, Herc held the enemy troopers back while the rest of the League retreated inside the cave.
After being brushed off by Saw Boss one too many times, Gash had a change of heart and returned just before enemy troopers sealed the cave entrance. Gash gave the communicator back to Jayce, who then used it to order the vehicles to rescue them. Drill Sergeant made an escape tunnel for them, then the battle resumed in full fury. Realizing that he didn't have enough forces for a prolonged conflict, Saw Boss retreated from the planet.
Korlok, who had been keeping an eye on Gash since his transformation, appeared on the scene. He stated that Gash had finally learned to put others' needs over his own by choosing the right side of the fight. As his reward, Korlok changed Gash back into human form. After thanking the League and wizard profusely, the restored Gash raced off to be reunited with his old friends and family.
Herc: "A distress signal out here?! We're lightyears off any trade route!"
Gillian: "Hmmm... according to our information, the people of Karalon III are human."
Gash (pained): "And I am not... but, I was, once. In our land, there was a wizard, Korloc, who was said to have a book of spells that could make a man rich. One day, when I heard the wizard was away, I decided to take the book. But I found the wizard hadn't gone very far. For my error, he turned me into that which you see before you -- a monster. I left, ashamed at what I had become. And now, I'm going back. I received word that my world is under attack by evil creatures: Monster Minds!"
Gash: "There is a rare mineral on my world. If you know how, it can destroy any plant to its farthest roots. The Monster Mind vines are connected; use it on one, and it will DESTROY them all!"
Jayce: "If this is true, you've just done the universe a big favor! Herc, set course for Karalon III!"
Herc: "Hmmm... I'd say it's worth checking out! Karalon III -- and payday -- dead ahead!"
Oon: "I don't like this Gash, Master. He looks -- scary!"
Flora: "You can't judge someone by the way he looks, Oon! I can sense that he's a good man... but something's bothering him."
Gash: "This is Gash. Everything is going according to plan."
Saw Boss (transmission): "Of course it's working! It's MY plan."
Gash: "And when this is finished, you'll return me to my normal form, correct?"
Saw Boss (transmission): "But of course..."
Saw Boss: "Prepare our forces to give those troublemakers a... warm welcome, hm-hm-hm-hm-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
Jayce: "Uh-oh, trouble, lots of it! Gillian, you and Flora keep out of harm's way -- we'll take care of this!"
Oon: "Right, Master, we'll take... WHAT?!"
Herc: "So, you wanna gang up on me, huh?! Well, let's see how you like Gillian's new liquid oxygen gun! (After freezing two Terror Tanks, Herc jumps out of Quick Draw and kicks one, shattering it into a pile of ice crystals) Hah, always wanted to do that!"
Gash: (After saving Oon from being run over by a Saw Trooper) "They've got to be more careful! My deal was that no-one gets hurt!"
Oon (dizzy): "Whooooa... ah, what did you say, Gash?"
Gash: "Hmmm, only that you should be more careful... I don't feel anyone should get hurt!"
Gun Trooper: "You have the Transmitter?"
Gash: "Yes -- without it, Jayce cannot command the vehicles. You may take what you want."
Saw Boss (speaking through Gun Trooper): "Yes, the Root -- at last!"
Gash: "And what of me? You said you would change me back to human form, as soon as I helped you trap them."
Saw Boss: "I say many things -- you'll have to wait. DESTROY THEIR VEHICLES!"
Gun Trooper: "Yes, Excellency!"
Gun Trooper: "Troopers! Ready...! Aim...!"
Herc: "FIRE! (He promptly blasts them off the cliff) What's the matter, don't care for targets that can shoot back?!"
Saw Boss: "Only a fool believes everything he's told! We'll cut our way in there, take the Root, and destroy everyone inside! Cross me again and you will find yourself on that list!"
Gash: "But no-one was supposed to get hurt! They were... good to me! (After his conscience kicks in big-time, he takes off) No! I will not allow it!"
Oon (kindly): "Here! You can lean on my Magic Lance."
Gash: "I thought you were afraid of me, little friend."
Oon (sincerely): "You saved my life!"
Gash (guiltily): "But I betrayed you later!"
Oon: "My master says 'we all make mistakes.' I made one, you made one -- we're even!"
Gash: "Thank you, little friend -- thank you!"
(Oon softly chuckles, then walks beside Gash)
Herc: "Glad you could make it, hotshot! Had enough sightseeing for one day?"
Jayce: "Sure have -- now it's our turn!"
Gun Grinner: "Excellency, they're breaking through our defenses! We don't have enough vehicles to counterattack!"
Saw Boss: "We will fight again, but on MY terms, when I wish it! AS FOR YOU, by your decision you have doomed yourself! You will remain as you are -- forever!"
Gash: "I know."
Jayce: "Well, Gash, if it's any comfort -- Saw Boss could never have changed you back! He doesn't have that kind of power!"
Gash: "If only I had known that before. But even if he had been able to return me to human form, in my heart, I know I did the right thing."
Korlok: "And it's about time, too!"
Korlok: "I've been waiting all these years, Gash, for you to think of someone else's good before your own! It was selfishness that condemned you to this form, and selfishness that kept you there. And now, thanks to your friends, your lesson has been learned. The time of punishment, Gash, is over!"
(After Korlok restores Gash to the form of a blond young man)
Gash (overjoyed): "I'm... I'm BACK! RESTORED! NORMAL!"
Gillian: "Congratulations, young man!"
Herc: "You sure look a heckuva lot better!"
Flora: "Better?! You're handsome, Gash!"
Oon: "I helped!"
Gash (happily): "Of course you did... you ALL did! If not for you, I...! THANK YOU, my friends, all of you!"
Herc: "You know, ah... he's not a bad guy, that Gash!"
Jayce: "Yes, he finally accomplished his goal -- and if we have faith, someday we too will accomplish ours! As my father once said, 'As long as there's hope, failure is impossible!'"
Historical Note: The last part of above quote, "Failure is impossible," were the final public words spoken by Susan B. Anthony, the American women's rights suffragist.
