Disclaimer; Gargoyles is the property of Walt Disney. TGS is TGS.

Summary; Constantine is free but he still needs the heart stone. Once it is his again, his plans can take flight. But what does Thailog have to do with any of it?

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Dark Deals

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THE CLOCK TOWER. -

Constantine laughed as he materialized above the abandoned clock tower. He hadn't realized Goliath and his clan had once inhabited this decrepit building until earlier that day. Poachay's exerpiences in the outer world had provided him with a wealth of information that would save them time and man power. Never before had they been so prepared. They could mobilize their armies by tomorrow night if they wished, and perhaps they would.

Even now more and more warriors were merging on their island, eager to take over the world. The biggest bonus was the return of his son, An-Dominion the Tyrant and the heart stone. His power was boosted, his family was strong. Nothing could stand in their way!

Except, Odomus. Even his son.

No matter, he thought with a grin. I can destroy Goliath easily enough. It is his father I am worried about. If he were to know . . . but he is certain to be in the dark. Poachay assured me there is still a curse on Crystal Moon. Yet Tyrant informed me it was broken.

He scowled and looked down at the tower. He still found it ironic that Goliath's clan had lived there for so many years without the knight of their realm being any more the wiser. He was even more surprised to see Thailog there standing on a ledge glaring at the sky. He was more than a little concerned, even irritated.

Even so, Constantine was pleased. Thailog was playing right into his hands. True he was suspicious of his 'healer', but he also seemed to understand that not showing up could result in the loss of his newly restored body. Greed and the desire to remain whole had bid him to come here. That same desire could still twist his will to Constantine's, and if the dark sorcerer was careful, he wouldn't even realize it was happening.

He glanced at the tiny piece of heart stone he held in his hand. A shot of this in Constantine's heart and the dark power within would enslave the clone to his will, strong will or no. Thailog's mind was unstable as it was and that ensured it shouldn't be too difficult a task. But the part of his mind that was so suspicious, so oddly intelligent would make it slow gowing.

Perhaps a shot now? He thought and waited for Thailog to turn.

The clone was pacing. His wings were covering his armor, but none of that mattered. The wedge of stone would pierce it all.

He put his fore-finger and thumb together as though he were playing a game of marbles and with a gentle flick of his fingers the small piece of stone sailed for Thailog's heart.

He cackled when Thailog stumbled back in unexpected pain. He snarled and looked around for an unseen attacker then inspected his chest. He could see no wound and became confused.

Constantine laughed. "Easy."

*******

Thailog massaged his chest beneath the armor while glaring at the remains of the clock tower. He didn't know why he had agreed to come here. This had to be a set up, or his mind was playing tricks on him. Then how did he explain the fact that his body was no longer crippled? That was no mere dream, nor was the pain in his chest. It felt like something had stabbed him. It couldn't have been a knife. The pain was not that significant. Nor could it be a bullet. His armor repelled most bullets.

Perhaps it was just anxiety pains? It was in the right location. Sometimes anxiety pains could mimic a heart attack.

He frowned.

He looked at the actual clock. Not so long ago it had stood as tall and proud as he did now. Yet now it was reduced to rubble, barely a shadow of its former self. Only last night he had been the same; a crippled shadow of a warrior no one feared. What kind of gargoyle that couldn't fight was dangerous?

Thailog had his mind, yes. But no strength and speed made for a vulnerability he couldn't afford. The humiliation of relying on the strength of the Ultra Pack was too much. He wanted to fend for himself, and now . . .

He dropped his hand and gazed at his toes for the ump-teenth time. It was unsettling to see himself whole and he couldn't help but feel anxious over the promised meeting. Who had arranged this? Why? What was desired of him?

Thailog growled. His gaze fell upon the Chrysler Building. Only a few weeks ago he'd witnessed something unexpected, something the Pack had confirmed after returning from a 'hunt'; A brilliant light had flooded the sky and a strange sensation had filled his soul. It had even felt like he'd been possessed of two souls and that one of them in particular had leaped for joy at the presence that resided in that light. Some small part of him had also leaped for joy, which had startled him. Only later did he learn that the display had been caused by Goliath. He'd dismissed it then but only now did he wish he'd taken them seriously. Something strange was happening in Manhattan and it was pulling him and Goliath right into its jaws.

All at once, Thailog wondered if Goliath was such a boring character after all.

Thailog closed his eyes. Something bizarre was coming for them.

He'd had another dream today. No strange green mist or dark figures had confronted him, however. Instead, he'd dreamed of none other than Goliath, but he hadn't been alone. Another warrior had been with him. His skin was darker than Goliath's and his thick mane was a light ash-brown in color, but their faces were nearly exactly the same. He thought he'd heard the whisper of a name or imagined the laughter of two brothers frolicking in some faraway place but he couldn't be sure.

He opened his eyes and looked towards Castle Wyvern. He was undeniably curious to know what his 'father' was up to. Was Goliath facing a dilemma like he was now? Did he have to make a choice? Would that choice risk the sanctity of his soul?

Did he even have a soul?

He looked at his watch. It was midnight.

He looked around the tower and scowled. His dreamscape visitor had yet to arrive.

"I have come, stranger!" he bellowed. "Will you face me? Or do you play me for a fool?"

There was a moment of disturbing and utter silence in which Thailog began to feel foolish. His temper flared until he felt his bowels burning the way his skin had the night of the fire. He let it out rather suddenly.

He was barely aware of what he was doing. He'd never heard himself roar quite like this before. He let his arms fall and pounded a slab of stone until it was nothing but rubble. Thunder crashed over head and lightning streaked across the sky. The wind began to pick up but all he could do was stare at his hands.

Something was stirring within him.

He glanced at the sky. A storm was raging, but there had not been any clouds a moment ago.

What is happening? He wondered.

Deciding to try an experiment, he roared as loud as he could and nearly laughed out loud when the elements answered his call with amazing fierceness. His hair, loincloth and wings whipped into the wind. His eyes blazed brighter than they ever had and he felt his entire body tingle with energy. He didn't understand what was happening or why, but a part of him enjoyed it.

Is there magic in the air? He wondered.

He thought of the night Goliath's power had revealed itself. He was starting to realize he must have inherited something more from Goliath than his rugged good looks. There was power hidden inside Goliath, of the like that must surely make Lord Oberon jealous. It was only an assumption, but if he could feel this way . . .

"My, my, my. Such a temper."

Gasping, Thailog turned around to see a hideous human male appear in a puff of green smoke. He hovered above ground laughing softly and the thunder rumbled with him.

"Who are you? What are you?" Thailog demanded as the stranger floated to the ground.

The stranger smirked. "Do you not know? Have you forgotten your gift?"

Gift? He wondered and glanced at himself as realization struck. Oh! "You are the sorcerer that rejuvenated me!"

He laughed and bowed. "My name is Constantine and I have a most profitable proposition for you, Son of Goliath."

Thailog scowled and fingered the small gun at his belt. He'd brought it along just in case but he was starting to wonder if it would be any good. "My name is Thailog. What do you want?"

"First let me say I am surprised you came, but also pleased," Constantine purred as he paced the balcony. "You and I have very similar goals and regardless of recent events I believe you cannot refuse me. You've always desired power and revenge and I can give you all of that and more."

Thailog frowned. "How?"

"I healed you didn't I?" Constantine countered. "And I am capable of much more than that."

A bolt of lightning seized him from the sky. He laughed like a maniac while Thailog jumped back in shock and covered his ears as thunder blasted him from above. "I believe you are," he commented dryly and massaged his ears and temples.

"My armies stand ready to capture this world. All I need is a warrior, a leader, to guide them to victory. Once we have taken control the world will be ours and all its people shall bow to us. My old enemies are the only thing that stands in our way."

Thailog frowned. "Your enemies are not my own."

"Oh but they are," Constantine countered. "Their son is Goliath. You witnessed his power for yourself a few nights ago but that was only a sampling. Imagine what he could do once he realizes his full potential?"

"He'd be an even larger nuisance than he is now," Thailog drawled.

"Oh much more than a simple nuisance, Thailog. He could destroy you utterly. And so I seek to even the odds. You see, you've inherited your own breed of magic just through the cloning processes. My grandson Poachay explained it to me, but it is still . . . inconceivable."

Thailog scowled at him.

Constantine regarded him. "You doubt me, don't you?"

Thailog crossed his arms. "I fail to see how a warrior as powerful as yourself can possibly take over the world on your own. Indeed you have great power but in this world most technology is as potent as any sorcery."

"Indeed," Constantine conceded. "Which is exactly why you will be such a valuable asset. Other than Poachay you have extensive knowledge of the world as it is today, particularly in the aspect of finance and politics. My powers combined with my armies, Poachay's knowledge of medicine, your knowledge of modern weapons and money will decimate the world and leave its peoples at our feet. If all the cards are played right, as the expression goes, you may be able to enjoy all the riches the world has to offer alongside a private army of your own."

Thailog hissed deep in his throat. He couldn't deny that he was tempted. The idea of owning all the riches the world had to offer was appealing.

He looked at his hands; unblemished and completely normal. Was this the price he had to pay? If he refused this stranger what became of him? Would he be counted as nothing more than an enemy?

"This is a dangerous proposition, Sir Constantine," he muttered. "What if I refuse?"

Constantine just glowered at him and Thailog gasped in pain as his body was put back in the sickly state he'd suffered with for so long. "You will be counted as an enemy and everything that is yours will be mine."

Thailog snarled at him. He'd feared as much.

"However, if you concede to remain loyal to me . . ." Constantine snapped his fingers and the pain vanished. Thailog was once again whole.

A strange feeling of helplessness and uncertainty came over the clone. If this man was a member of the Fay race as Titania or Oberon he might stand a chance against him. If not . . .

Another thought crossed his mind. One he hadn't considered for a great many years; the possibility of recapturing the loyalties of the other clones. Particularly that of Delilah.

Constantine had mentioned he had his own breed of magic. What might it be like to learn to wield it? What sort of an edge would it give him?

He looked up at Constantine and snarled. Then again what would an edge matter against this man? He could cripple or heal with the wave of a hand and he held Thailog right in the palm of his hand. Now that he was here he was in a delicate situation. Refusing Constantine would leave him for dead and he'd lose Night Stone. But if he could somehow keep this sorcerer's interests occupied enough, play whatever role he wanted him to play and look for a weakness, he might be able to turn the tables.

He felt his chest burn and winced. His first thought was heart burn and then heart attack. It'd been on his mind since he'd received his injuries. Not being able to move as easily as he used too, having to sit frequently just to keep the pain away had weakened his heart. But maybe he could find ways to strengthen it again.

Either way, he didn't think he had much of a choice but to accept Constantine's offer. He was just going to have to play his cards very carefully.

"Thailog?" Constantine pressed eagerly, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Thailog flinched. "What about after your war, Constantine?" he asked uneasily. "Do I stand to lose whatever I gain once you've finished with me?"

Constantine grinned. "You will rule by my side as second in command," he told the suspicious clone. "You will be my Shadow Warrior, guiding the armies and managing the treasures we capture. And so long as you do not double cross me, you will have a guaranteed health plan."

Thailog felt his skin prickle and swallowed. "Very well," he said, although deep inside he wanted nothing to do with this man or his ambitions. Then again . . .

"But answer me one last question; why the vendetta against Goliath? Who are his parents? Surely they had perished in the massacre of Castle Wyvern?"

Constantine laughed. "No, they did not, but that is also irrelevant. All that matters is that I will soon have my vengeance and Goliath is the key to it all."

Thailog frowned. He doubted very much that this man could defeat let alone destroy Goliath but he didn't mind watching his father struggle against forces he was not yet ready to face.

"I trust we are in agreement?"

Thailog growled softly but nodded.

"Good, now come with me," Constantine purred and with a wave of his hand opened a vortex in mid-air. Thailog stared at it in shock and hesitated as his new partner stepped through. "There is still much work to be done. But I plan on sending strike forces out within day's time."

Thailog glared at the sorcerer's departing back, glanced once in Night Stone's direction then stepped through the portal.

The End.