Gargoyle

Gargoyles The roaring sound building in Gargoyle's maw reached a deafening crescendo as the rising energy reached its peak. His grin widened with madness, locking on his chosen target from a distance: a rowdy Oni seconds from decimating a flower shop.

BWWAAAMMPHH!

A beam of iridescent burst forth from Gargoyle's mouth, travelling faster than the eye could see. In a swirling storm of glimmering stars, it struck the unfortunate Oni head on, who could only glance down in shock before his entire body solidified into solid stone in a split second.

"Haha! Another fine specimen to add to my collection!"

Gargoyle's vanity was accompanied by an elegant swirl of his starlit, dark cloak, letting it sweep the air behind him. The Therian's proudful stride was brimming with overconfidence, from the haughty gaze with his chin held high, his robust chest puffed up, and each deliberate step shook the ground asunder, at least in his eyes. His claws carefully grazed the petrified Oni's musculature and a low hum of appreciation escaped Gargoyle's lips with each passing glance, eyes widening with mirth.

"Such elegance... The contours of his pectorals, even the fine chest hairs... All captured and engraved as a magnificent monument for all eternity!"

Gargoyle gushed endearingly over his new masterpiece, crossing his arms with a self-assuring nod of satisfaction.

"To the sanctum of my divine artistry I return! Make way, for a new masterpiece demands enshrinement!"

He channeled his dormant energy, feeling it welling in his body. Wisps of blue flames flared around his body, the archaic symbols on his pecs glistening with power. Gargoyle's muscles surged outward, spilling out of his garments that still remained steadfast in their futile effort to contain him. His burgeoning, melon-sized pecs overgrew the coat's lapels, surging outward like mountains rising from the sea of stone and energy. The connecting fabric around his stomach shrunk in comparison, the V-shaped exposure widening as a response until majority of it was overshadowed by his glistening pecs and chiseled abs.

"Mmmh! The surge! The sacred swell of bulk divine! My vessel overflows with magnificence!"

Gargoyle grunted in ecstasy, raising his hefty arms and flexed proudly to test the integrity of his coat's fabric. The threads of clothing held strong, but a creaking groan was apparent once his bulging biceps grew in all directions, fighting against its restraints.

The surge of energy had finally depleted, and what was left standing was a behemoth of a stone-hard Therian twice the size of the Oni that originally eclipsed him.

"Behold! Even titans tremble beneath the weight of my majesty. What is strength, if not me incarnate?!"

Flexing his fingers in preparation, Gargoyle stooped down to hoist the magnificent stone Oni statue into his arms with theatrical flair, holding it aloft like a prize won in glorious combat. The statue remained as stony and lifeless as ever, not unlike the beaming pride in Gargoyle’s glowing eyes.

"Haha! Fear not, my newest marvel, your place in the Museum of Prayers awaits! You shall be enshrined amidst the glorious chorus of petrified perfection!"

With a self-satisfied huff and a flick of his massive wings, Gargoyle began strutting back down Marunouchi's urban streets, cradling the heavy statue like a heroic monument bearer, his chest puffed, horns glinting, his every step deliberately a stomp to announce his presence.

But then... it happened.

FZZZ-CRCK.

The glowing geometric tattoos across his frame flickered.

BZZZ-ZZPPTT.

His coat sagged. His muscles began deflating, pecs compressing, arms shrinking, wings losing their mighty spread. The light in his eyes dimmed with horror as his claws trembled mid-stride.

"...No... NO, NO, NO! NOT NOW!"

POOF!

In an instant, the mighty Therian was replaced with his squat, rounded chibi form, quarter his size and none of his dignity. His horns drooped slightly. The statue now overshadowed him, too heavy to hold. His stubby arms buckled, and he had no choice but to set it down gently with a resigned grunt.

"Unacceptable!"

He stomped his little clawed feet, puffing his cheeks as his wings flapped angrily. His shrunken coat dragged behind him like a regal cape too big for its wearer.

"This is sabotage! Treachery! Betrayal of the highest order!"

Gargoyle hollered at the top of his minute lungs, sounding as threatening as a tiny child. No options was left for him, and other than to sit around and wait as his prized statue gathers dust and grime in the middle of the street.