Disclaimers

All characters appearing in D.C Comics & Time Warner, Marvel Comics, Gargoyles/Gargoyles: the Goliath Chronicles, cartoons created by Murakami Wolf Swenson Inc. & IDW comics, media created by Joss Whedon and DIC Entertainment. Are property of their respective owners. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

Gargoyles Time's Changeling - Episode Twenty-Nine: Enter Macbeth

By Celgress

City Hall Chicago late July 2015, morning

"Sir, I hate to interrupt your morning planing session. But, a Lennox MacDuff is here to see you." The voice of the Mayor's secretary announced via his desk mounted intercom.

"Odd, I don't recall agreeing to a meeting with anyone called Lennox or MacDuff. Does he have an appointment?" The Mayor, a heavyset balding man in his early fifties, muttered into the device. Before he could further consider matters a large, powerfully built man dressed entirely in black and sporting a bushy iron grey beard and thick wavy hair of matching coloration burst through the door of his office. "Who are you and what are you doing in my office!?" The Mayor exclaimed.

"Excuse the intrusion Mr. Mayor. My name in Lennox Macduff. I have an interesting proposition for you. If you'll only hear me out." MacDuff said. His words pronounced in a thick Scottish accent.

Two of the Mayor's black suited bodyguards drew their pistols as they approached MacDuff from behind. Within seconds the burly men lay unconscious at MacDuff's feet on the carpeted floor. MacDuff had neutralized them so quickly if the Mayor blinked he would have missed it. The Mayor could not help but be impressed by the stranger's skillful display of hand to hand combat.

"Where was I?" MacDuff mused stroking his bearded chin. "Ah, yes, now I recall. I hear your fair city is currently experiencing a gargoyle problem. I can remove that problem. For a nominal fee of course."

"How nominal?" The Mayor asked suspiciously. He had heard many similarly grandiose promises in the recent past.

"Very nominal," MacDuff said. "My price is only one hundred thousand dollars."

"Say I agree. How exactly would you go about removing our problem?" The Mayor inquired using air quotes when he spoke the phrase removing our problem.

"Humanely, I assure you. I'm not an immoral maniac out for trophies or glory like the Hunters." MacDuff said. His tone grew dark at the mention of the paramilitary cult. Perhaps MacDuff harbored a personal grudge against the Hunters the Mayor could not help but wonder. "I'll relocate these gargoyles to an overseas sanctuary where they will trouble no one and can live out their days peacefully."

"If they should resist?" The Mayor said.

"As you've already seen. When required, I can be rather persuasive." MacDuff said a grin spreading across his face.

Castle Wyvern Exhibit, evening

"But we want to be like you." Tammy said. She looked up at the blue, beaked teenage gargoyle her lower lip quivering.

"Only because you do not understand what I am or what I've done childern." Katana said after taking the sword away from the hatchling.

"We're sorry we took your sword," Bobby said.

"Yeah we know stealing is wrong," Tammy said.

"And in this case also very dangerous," Katana said sheathing her weapon. "Why would you want to be like me?"

"Because the Foot Clan are cool ninjas with tons of epic battle moves," Tammy said throwing a few shadows kicks.

"They are bad ass," Bobby said throwing some shadow chops of his own. "C'mon Katana teach use some of their mad skills."

"No, the Foot Clan are thugs. They should be despised not admired." Katana said. "Next time I catch either of you taking my sword I'll let your mother and Goliath know." She turned around not noticing the angry hatchlings sticking their tongues out at her.

An Interior Chamber

"Good work Brooklyn," Penelope said indicating the Roman Alphabet the other beaked gargoyle had written perfectly in chalk on the blackboard. "You're printing has improved greatly, as has your letter order."

"Thanks, Penelope I've been practicing," Brooklyn said returning to his seat between Broadway and Lexington.

"And it shows, gold star," Penelope said.

"Show off," Broadway grumbled.

"What can I say. I'm naturally talented with letters." Brooklyn said smugly. "I study whenever I can to."

"Only because you want to impress Katana," Lexington taunted.

"Yeah, we know your goal is to read her love poetry," Broadway said. He and Lexington made kissing sounds between laughs.

"At least I'm a romantic. Unlike Lex, whose idea of an intimate date is taking Miranda to see the new Star Wars movie. " Brooklyn challenged.

"Hey, don't knock Star Wars. We both enjoyed the franchise greatly. There's nothing wrong with our choice of date." Lexington snapped offended by Brooklyn's remarks.

"Whatever, nerd boy." Brooklyn snorted.

With a low growl and a flash of white to his eyes, Lexington leaped at Brooklyn knocking the latter out of his seat. The pair rolled around on the floor exchanging blows. Broadway soon joined in what he saw as fun.

"Oh, dear," Penelope fretted in dismay. Her timid nature at a loss what to do.

"Please, this classroom is no place for petty bickering or worse yet fisticuffs," Randal said entering the chamber. Randal's voice was resonant, forceful.

Although he abhorred violence Randal physically pulled first Lexington, followed by Brooklyn, then Broadway from the fray when he saw his words had not deterred their actions. Although of a more compact build than most other male gargoyles, save Brooklyn of Lexington, he was deceptively strong His own eyes briefly flashed white in spite of his best intention to remain calm. After clearing his throat loudly, he again spoke.

"I think it would be best if you retire from your studies this night," Randal advised. "Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Penelope?"

"I do agree," Penelope said softly with an accompanying nod.

"Sorry Penelope," Brooklyn said.

"Yeah, we're really sorry Penelope," Broadway said.

"We'll fix the desks we ruined Penelope," Lexington said pointing at the three wrecked desks. The Trio left their heads hung low.

"I humbly apologize," Randal said once he and Penelope were alone.

"For what?" Penelope asked in surprise. "You've done nothing wrong Randal."

"I should not have interfered in the running of your classroom," Randal said. "Nor should I have imposed upon you that shameful display of brutality. I must admit, my control slipped."

Penelope put her fingers to her mouth suppressing a giggle. "I thought the display was kind of cute, very manly. Um, I mean macho. Make that male gargoyle like." She frowned unsure of the proper vocabulary that appiled. She fidgeted nervously adjusting her glasses with the talons of her right wing.

"May I ask a question?" Randal said.

"S-Sure," Penelope said shyly.

"Why do you persist in the use of eye glasses? Surely your gargoyle enhanced vision no longer requires such an artificial and cumbersome aid? I know mine does not." Randal inquired.

"Guess I wear them out of habit. They no longer even have lenses." Penelope said taking the glasses off her beak with her right wing talon and poking the fingers of her left hand through each empty eye hole.

"Little comforts," Randal mused.

"They serve as a reminder of normalcy, I suppose," Penelope mused herself. "That I was once human."

"Tell me, Ms. Penelope do you lament no longer being human?" Randal said genuinely curious.

"Do you Randal?" Penelope said.

"Frequently," Randal confessed.

"So do I, but what is is. Nothing can change our present situation." Penelope said then added with a smile. "Randal we've known each other more than four months now. Call me Penelope, no more of this miss nonsense."

"If you wish," Randal said hesitantly returning her smile. "You have lovely eyes, Penelope."

"Thank you, Randal. I think you are quite handsome." Penelope said moving closer. "Tell me more about yourself. What were you like before the change, other than being a professor of course?"

"Ah, I'm afraid that is a long story, Penelope," Randal said.

"Fortunately my schedule is clear this evening." Penelope said.

"Alright, I was born on a cattle ranch in Wyoming." Randal began.

"I would never have guessed you came from cowboy stock." Penelope confessed.

"A shocking revelation I know, but only the first of many. Wait until you hear about my adventures overseas in the Peace Corps." Randal said continuing his story.

Streets of Chicago, later that night

"I can take care of myself, okay." The adolescent girl of East Asian ancestry insisted pulling free of Goliath's relaxed grip.

"Perhaps," the Clan Leader rumbled. He looked appraisingly at the girl in her tattered clothing unsure if he believed her claim. He along with his mate had just saved her from being victimized by a roving street gang in a secluded alleyway.

"We only want to help," Elisa said.

"I told you already. I don't need or want any help." The girl said blowing the spiky black bangs of her shaggy haircut out of her eyes with a puff of breath.

"Are you not, alarmed by our appearance?" Goliath said noting the girl showed no fear of them. This was an unusual occurrence among humans of any time period. In his experience, humans naturally recoiled from the unfamiliar yet this girl seemed comfortable with them being gargoyles.

"Look here buster," The girl said stepping up to Goliath she poked her right index finger into his barrel chest. "When I attended the Xavier Institute I saw plenty of people who were freakier either than you or your bride."

"I'm Elisa. He is my mate, Goliath." Elisa indicated first herself followed by Goliath. "What's your name?" she asked.

"Not that it's any of your business Elisa, but you can call me Jubilee." The girl said.

"Jubilee, that's a nice name," Elisa said. "Is there anywhere we can take you Jubilee?"

"God, I said I'm fine." Jubilee huffed rolling her eyes. "Vamoosh already, will you."

"I can see our assistance is no longer required come, my love," Goliath said. Elisa spared Jubilee one last worried glance then departed along with Goliath.

"I thought they'd never leave." Jubilee sighed heavily.

Jubilee walked out of the alley. Awhile later she wandered into the subway. Where she sat down on a bench to rest and collect her thoughts.

Part of her regretted running away from the Institute back in spring. Sure the staff expected much from her but they gave her a place to stay in return, a home of sorts. Something she never previously had being an orphan.

"I'll be fine on my own," Jubilee verbally assured herself. "I was before. Besides what's the worst that could happen?"

Unnoticed by Jubilee she was being watched. In the nearby shadows, an apex predator lurked. He was Xarus son of the dreaded Vampire Lord Dracula. Although he had only been seeking his first meal since arriving in town something about this girl tickled his fancy. Perhaps she would make a worthy diversion, if only for a short season.

"Pardon me ma'am, are you lost?" Xarus said once he emerged from the gloom. By outward appearance he was a tall man of pale complexion with short, spiky blonde hair and pale blue-white eyes. He was dressed in a long dark grey trench coat underneath which was a black business suit.

"Huh," Jubilee said with a start nearly jumping off the bench and out of her skin.

"Sorry if I startled you," Xarus said flashing her a deceptively kind smile. "I only desire to be of assistance." He offered Jubilee his hand.

Jubilee stared at his hand for a long time before she took it. He certainly was polite and cute Jubilee thought. Plus she could easily handle him with her mutant powers if he were a creep. A fact she kept hidden whenever possible. Which was why she brushed off the gargoyles' offer of help. She did not need them, or anyone else to survive. Given a little while longer she could have easily mopped the floor with the gang that attempted to accost her. They had no idea how lucky they were the gargoyles showed up. The intervention likely saved their lives. Jubilee by contrast would have shown them no such mercy.

"I am a bit lost. See I'm not from around here." Jubilee conceded. She then coughed into her clenched hand once, twice, three times.

"That's a nasty cough you have," Xarus observed. "Perhaps you should see a doctor my dear."

Jubilee shrugged. "I've had it months now. It hasn't gotten any worse. I figure it must be allergies."

Xarus offered his hand which Jubilee took. He gently pulled her to her feet. "Come, let us tour the city together."

"Are you new to Chicago too?" Jubilee said while they strolled along.

"In a manner of speaking. I have not visited in a considerable time. Not since I was much younger." Xarus said.

"So, you visited Chicago with your parents when you were a kid?" Jubilee said.

"Uh, yes," Xarus said, at last, fudging the facts.

"We can explore together if you like?" Jubilee said. She needed a meal ticket, literally, and this guy seemed the perfect mark. He was not much older than her if she was right and seemed pleasant enough. Best of all he was nonthreatening. Judging by his appearance she figured Xarus was in his early to mid-twenties. "I'm Jubilee by the way."

"My name is Xarus." Xarus said. "Tell me Jubilee what brings you to Chicago?"

"Adventure," Jubilee said. "What about you?"

"Business," Xarus said. "My family has extensive holdings all over the world. Recently our Chicago branch has fallen into disarray due to poor management. I've been sent to right the ship as they say."

"Cool," Jubilee said then quickly corrected her words. "Well, ah not cool that your family business is in trouble cool you are a businessman I mean."

Xarus laughed. "No need to apologize, my dear. I know what you meant. Come along, let us leave this drafty place. Above our chariot awaits." Xarus and Jubilee left the subway terminal in lockstep. She remained ignorant of his true nature and he of hers the remainder of that night spent together.

Castle Wyvern Exhibit the next day, just after sunset

"Who is the guy with Veronica and Nate?" Miranda said hopping down from her daytime perch next to Lexington, Kevin, and Broadway.

"Beats me, I've never seen him before in my life," Kevin said. "Recognize him, Broadway?"

"Nope," Broadway said shaking his head.

"Greetings friends," Goliath said.

Goliath made his way to the three humans far more cautiously than normal. Elisa and Hudson on either side of him. The remaining members of the Clan gathered behind the three leery of the gray haired, bearded man dressed in a security guard uniform who accompanied their two closest human friends.

"This is Lennox MacDuff," Nate replied introducing the newcomer. "He'll be replacing Franco as Head of Museum Security while Franco is away on vacation. I'm told he comes highly recommended. Mr. Burnett personally okayed the temporary change."

"He says you know him. Is that true?" Veronica said. "He seems to know an awful lot about all of you."

"Like that, the original members of your Clan were frozen in stone by a magic spell over a thousand years ago," Nate said.

"How do you know these things, stranger?" Goliath asked getting in Macbeth's unflinching face.

"Best get comfy Goliath, my tale is a long one." Macbeth said.

To Be Continued

Author's Note -

At long last answers. Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter – Out of the Past. Fans of my Universe 7531 do not miss it.