All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyrighted to Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I've taken the idea for the Unseelie Court from the TGS. Characters and concepts from Star Trek are property of Paramount and created by Gene Roddenberry. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.

Note: I'm disregarding the events of the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. Also, I am altering large sections of the Star Trek storyline, especially concerning events like WWIII and the Eugenics Wars, which without the Cold War as a backdrop probably wouldn't happen the way Roddenberry wrote them, if at all. This story takes place immediately after "Contact".

Questing for Honor and Redemption

By SN/TVfan

Email: Sam_Nary

Muli, China, Sichuan Province

Yama, Yoshi, and the Tibetan adults only just made it to Muli by the time the sun rose. Similar to Dukou the south, the town was heavily damaged by either gunfire or artillery, although it looked as though the main fighting had passed the region. The biggest problem for them was that it appeared that Khan's forces had discovered the secret bunkers that the Illuminati agent Pax had given them.

"They've found our hideouts," a Tibetan female, Shui Lei, spoke nervously, "Where will we sleep?"

"Some of the rooftops appear safe hiding places for now," Je Lu spoke, "Although we may need to take the bunker to wait for Demona and Wedrington to catch up after their fight in Dukou."

Yama didn't say anything, but nodded in agreement. They had to stop Khan's movement across China, and defeating the his followers here might help slow him down. Yama didn't really care much about the Illuminati verses 'free' argument, but he knew that Khan was dishonorable, and that could not stand.

"We should seek out roosting places for the day," Shi La spoke, "We can make our plans for the retaking of this bunker tomorrow night."

The others nodded and began spreading out to take places on the rooftops of a few buildings that had not suffered as much damage as the others. Yoshi to a place next to Yama as they waited for the dawn.

"You're determined already to fight the battle," Yoshi commented.

"We can not be dependent on Demona and her powers to fight these supermen," Yama answered, "Khan will only deliberately force a battle that separates Demona from us to sap the courage of Je Lu's clan. We must show them that we are both honorable and warriors."

"You're really the only one of us who is a warrior," Yoshi commented, "Je Lu's clan has even said that they have no experience with fighting anyone. They've lived in peaceful seclusion for years."

"They will have to learn to fight sometime," Yama answered, "Otherwise we'll never stand a chance."

"It would be better to practice on a dummy before sending them against commandos who are trained, armed, and just as strong as we are," Yoshi advised.

Yama gave a heavy sigh, and before the sun rose answered slowly, "I know, but unfortunately, there is not enough time to train them. Hopefully they're few in…"

He was cut off by the sun rising behind them and the two of them turning to stone.

Elsewhere

"You can't do this to us!" a man screamed as several armed soldiers shoved him and several others into the bunker that Je Lu's clan had hopped to take shelter in for the day, "we're innocent!"

"So innocent you joined a secret society from outside China," one soldier growled angrily as two of Khan's supermen supervised the operation.

"We were all only minor members," the man pleaded, "they didn't even tell us to do anything!"

"You're still a part of the oppressors," the soldier answered, "the new government will decide your fate… likely prison or hard labor."

The man was then shoved into the bunker and the door was locked to be used as private cell for the time being. The war between Khan's forces and the Pro-Illuminati Chinese was not a pretty one. While Khan's facilities were producing plenty of supermen to fight on the front lines, maintaining order behind the lines was dependent on the conscripting Anti-Illuminati Chinese, sometimes from the 'rebel' army units to maintain the law. More often, this was becoming a system of revenge and murder for past wrongs, or merely for the people's involvement with the Illuminati. The few supermen that supervised each region's new organization did little to restrain these actions.

"Did you remove all the technology in there?" the soldier then asked one of the supermen who were aiding in the control of the town.

"Everything except the ventilation equipment," the superman answered, "wouldn't want them to die of asphyxiation. The technology was sent Khan in Tibet."

The soldier nodded in agreement. There were things that he wanted, but Khan's forces had freed them from Illuminati oppression, and many of those who weren't in the Illuminati were being called to help form a new government with Khan that would govern China freely. For that, the soldier was willing to let Khan's forces lead. The prisoners they had taken would eventually be taken before Khan and interrogated. If any decided to change sides, they would be freed, if they didn't, Khan would decide their fate.

"When can we expect the transports that will take them to Tibet?" the soldier asked, "We have other work to do."

"Sometime tomorrow night while everything is being consolidated," the superman answered, "but I don't think we'll get much trouble out of them. The Illuminati built these bunkers to be secret. There is only one entrance and exit, and we've rewired the locks so all the controls are out here. You should only require one or two guards working in shifts."

"Suppose they rush the door?" the soldier asked nervously.

"That's what guns are for," the superman smiled, "any violence on their part is not to be tolerated, as it reinforces the Illuminati's will to fight."

The soldier then nodded.

Tibet

Meanwhile Khan was reviewing other information that he felt was required. The report he had received from Marilyn that Demona had come to China to make war on him was frustrating to say the least, but that was not his primary concern. While she could potentially cause some trouble, he could easily send his reserves and Marilyn to deal with the gargoyle sorceress, and with his knowledge of the Illuminati's instillations, he could already guess where the immortal female would lead her group to sleep away the day.

It was this that presented the real problem to his war effort. He had so far relied on Marilyn's aid in supporting his main offensives against the Pro-Illuminati forces opposed to him in order to speed up his plans for the conquest of China. Once he had China he could pause to truly organize everything within his domain as the Illuminati would need to pause to regroup and figure out what to do. But, Demona's presence would likely mean that Marilyn could not provide the necessary support, which would slow his advance down.

"We may have to pause our advance," Khan grumbled after a few moments.

"Sir?" came a confused voice from behind him

Khan turned to find his second in command standing there with a slightly puzzled look on his face.

"Do you have something?" Khan questioned.

"Just a minor situation report," his second nodded, "all territorial objectives have been met, and at least two divisions worth of Chinese troops have joined us, perhaps more. The local commanders haven't finished the exact number count yet."

Khan nodded. Some of that would take some time, but his supermen had so far managed to do so, even while fighting their battles with the Pro-Illuminati Chinese. Until they began to have problems with their organization, Khan wasn't about to mess with something that was working.

"Is something troubling you, sir?" his second asked, sounding concerned for a good friend.

"Only Demona's current involvement," Khan sighed, "Marilyn must have really angered the gargoyle during their first engagement and now she's come back for revenge."

"Marilyn has held her own in their battles so far," his second commented, "and we still have some of Merlin's DNA. We could easily make another clone if you wish have one available to fight the Chinese while Marilyn fights Demona."

Khan paused for a moment. The idea could work, but he was concerned that another Merlin 'clone' would reduce his ability to control or manipulate the clone he had already created.

"I will need to speak with Marilyn first on the matter," Khan sighed, "She would still need to train the new clone in the art of sorcery… at least enough to give the Chinese trouble."

"Of course, sir," his second in command nodded.

Illuminati Headquarters, Unknown Location

"His main move is toward the south," One commented as much of the Council looked a map that was tracking Khan's movement, "the northern thrust was diversionary."

"He linked up with several rebel units in his northern drive," Five told him nervously, "It's doubtful that our forces in China can overwhelm his positions without weakening their positions against the splintered rebel groups elsewhere in China."

"The rebel groups have no organization," One answered, "the only ones that have organization are the ones that have linked up with Khan already. And besides, we have separate agents elsewhere in China that are securing those areas for us, not the Chinese army."

"But agents like Pax aren't doing much," Three grumbled, "No force while the rebels kill and pillage everything we built for China."

"Pax believes he is insuring lasting peace," Four commented, "if we only crush them by force, they may eventually turn on us again later."

"Let them hate," Three answered, "so long as they also fear us."

"We've already agreed that we will try to accomplish both missions," One spoke sternly, trying to break up the growing argument, "we may have to send more independent agents into China as we need to make some headway against Khan's forces. They can not keep defeating or converting our troops on the frontlines."

"Have our agents there identified who his sorceress is?" Five asked.

"Those on the front lines have not even seen her, and with orders have remained hidden if his sorceress wasn't present," One answered confidently, "but we haven't heard anything from those who were already behind the lines in Tibet. I fear that Khan's men may have already caught them."
"We need someone stronger," Two said with a sigh, "someone that these supermen can't easily take down."

"What about Demona?" Three then asked, "reports we've received say she's gone to fight Khan. Perhaps we could enlist her aide in this fight."

"According to America's spy satellites she and her group of gargoyles are in the south central portion of China, not far from the front lines of Khan's army," Five reported, "but, I'm afraid that is all we know. She hasn't run into any more of our agents, although it is possible she could have run into Khan's agents."

"We need to make contact with her somehow," Three commented, "she's just as strong as the Mage was in sorcery and is not afraid to use her powers."

"You forget that she hates humanity with a vengeance," Two told him, "I doubt she's just going to decide to help us because she considers herself Khan's enemy. More then likely, Khan did something to those other gargoyles with her, and they ran to her for help."

"We must create a unified front," Three argued, "if we keep assuming that she is our enemy, then we only divide ourselves before Khan's forces."

"I don't think that matters much anymore," One sighed heavily, "if the satellite images are correct, Demona is already behind the front lines of Khan's army. We can not contact her."

"Surely there is something that could be done?" Three questioned.

"We would need to intervene directly," One spoke, "and I'd think that Khan wants that specifically to try and decapitate our organization."

The others sighed heavily as they knew that their only real course of action was something that their enemy likely wanted as part of some larger scheme.

Tibet

Khan found Marilyn working in an exercise room to perfect various spells and combat moves, likely to prepare herself for her coming battles with Demona. He paused quietly as she shattered two clay disks with her fists.

"Impressive," Khan spoke calmly.

Marilyn then turned to see Khan standing there and set the various objects she had summoned to be either targets or obstacles on the ground.

"Is there something you require of me?" Marilyn asked in an inquisitive voice and in a manner that made it seem like Marilyn was trying to get something out of Khan's mind.

"You can relax," Khan told her, "while Demona's interference will be troublesome and you will have to stop her… her attack on you has not stopped my plans. For now, we are still working on some plan that will allow our plans to conquer China continue."

If Marilyn relaxed, she didn't show it.

"What do you have in mind?" Marilyn asked.

"Demona's presence will likely keep you away from aiding in any direct drive against the Pro-Illuminati troops at the front, negating their numerical advantages," Khan began.

"Even though they're no longer as extreme as before," Marilyn nodded.

"But it could still be a serious problem if we can not keep the Chinese on their heals," Khan answered, "without you to provide that help, they might be able to begin pushing our forces back, and will likely take swift revenge on the people that have joined us so far."

"But if Demona is ignored, she could glide right up to our front door and crush all our plans in one fell swoop," Marilyn pointed out.

Khan nodded in agreement.

"Which is why the current idea was developed," Khan spoke, "What would you say to the creation of another clone of Merlin?"

Marilyn paused for a moment before responding.

"You're asking my permission?" Marilyn asked and waited for Khan to nod, "It may be doable, but if we are to create another sorcerer it might be better to obtain some other genetic template. Much of what was done with Merlin's DNA sample removed his Y chromosome for some reason. Tampering with it more might cause unforeseen problems, and I really don't want another 'me' moving around."

"And what other template is available?" Khan questioned, "the Illuminati Council hides behind its bureaucracy, and the few members that we've found weren't all that powerful."

"She's closer then you think," Marilyn said with a wicked smile, "If you can give me a little time to get you the blood sample."

Khan looked at her suspiciously but sighed, "Very well. You have a week."

Muli, Dusk

Yama and Yoshi awoke to greet the new night to find that little had changed. The town was riddled with half destroyed buildings and the sounds of screaming people could be heard through the locked door to the bunker they had intended to take shelter in when they and the other Tibetan gargoyles arrived in Muli. The positive thing for the two Japanese gargoyles was that the fires in the town had been put out and that there was no one attempting to get them. The bunker was still guarded and there were still soldiers about, but none of them focusing on them.

"They haven't moved their prisoners," Yama commented with some surprise in his voice.

"That would be a good thing, wouldn't it?" Yoshi commented, "You have your chance to rescue them."

"I had thought that they would move them during the day," Yama replied, "We'd best gather the others and make some sort of plan before we free Khan's prisoners here."

Yoshi nodded and began following Yama as the Japanese exile began moving toward where the locations where the various Tibetan gargoyles had moved to sleep for the day. Gathering them was not all that difficult, and the first thing on everyone's mind was what to do next. Although, Je Lu and his clan were not that enthusiastic abut Yama's idea about engaging in a battle without Demona.

"How many guards are present?" Je Lu questioned.

"There are only two outside the bunker," Yama answered, "most of the troops here seem to be patrolling the streets. We can get their prisoners free easily if we move quickly."

"And you're certain they appear to only be normal soldiers?" Shi La asked, "the supermen appear like normal humans on the outside as well."

"It doesn't matter," Yama growled, "what they're doing is wrong. Are you willing to let those innocents die?"

"No," Je Lu answered, "but if Khan is defeated, they will be safe anyway, and we need Demona to defeat him… especially since my clan has no experience in combat."

"Then it is time to learn," Yama answered, "Demona with all her magic can not just make you martial artists. You must take those steps yourselves."

There was an awkward silence as Yama, clearly, was not going to back down. Eventually, the Japanese exile added to what he had just said.

"But if you will not move to help those innocent people," Yama continued, "then I will go myself."

Je Lu and Shi La exchanged nervous glances and then looked at Yama again. He looked fierce and determined. Both Tibetan leaders knew that Yama was serious about his plan.

"Gor Mai and I will go with you to free their prisoners," Je Lu said with a defeated sigh, "the rest will remain on the rooftops to provide cover."

"Yoshi will stay with them," Yama nodded, "he can help lay out any plans to cover us, should there be trouble."

Je Lu nodded and waited for the Tibetan male he had called on to come forward. The rest moved to gather around Shi La and Yoshi. Once everyone was together, they quickly took to the air to head back to the Illuminati bunker.

Meanwhile, outside the door to the bunker, the two soldiers on guard stood quietly gazing out in front of them. But boredom was taking its toll.

"When is the truck going to get here?" the first guard asked nervously.

"Shortly, I think," the second told him, "I overheard something on the radio about a rockslide in the mountains. They likely had to wait for the road to be cleared."

The first guard only sighed and looked back out to the quiet street in front of them. There was no sign of activity on the streets. A light or two could be seen from some of the buildings, but the guard couldn't tell if one of the other 'rebel' soldiers was there or if it was a civilian dwelling.

"It's been quiet so far today," the second guard commented, "do you think the Illuminati will be able to hold out for long?"

"I wouldn't think so," the first answered, "from the recorded speech we heard of Khan's, I think the man is too smart to lose or even have a lengthy fight. This will be over before the next 'Western' New Year."

There was a slight rumbling in the distance that sounded like a truck engine.

"The truck is nearly here," the second guard spoke, and was then startled by a roar that made both guards look up.

They looked up to see three creatures diving down on them. Two resembled dragons, while the third resembled some sort of demon, although his clothing seemed Japanese in style. They had no time to even raise their weapons as Yama landed on the shoulders of the first guard while Je Lu landed in front of and then kicked the second guard. The blows quickly knocked the two humans out, and they slumped to the ground. Gor Mai, meanwhile landed and approached the door.

"Solid steel," Gor Mai reported tapping on the door, "and locked."

"Break it down," Yama urged, "and quickly. The truck that is supposed to take them isn't that far."

Gor Mai sighed and then slammed his talons into the edges of the door and pulled back with all his might. The frame soon broke and he was left holding the door in the air. Je Lu, meanwhile, turned to make his way into the bunker. The people inside were likely Chinese, and he hoped they would respond well to him.

"Hello?" Je Lu ventured as he made his way down a flight of stairs into the bunker, which had supposed to be unknown to anyone else, "Is anyone alive down here?"

He was greeted by several people who all looked very hungry as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"A dragon!" one spoke in surprise, "we're saved!"

"Saved, yes," Je Lu replied, "but I am a gargoyle, not a dragon. Do you need help out?"

"We need help getting away from the rebels and Khan's men," one woman spoke, "they have no sense of reason. Can you fly us there?"

"I can only glide," Je Lu answered, "and my clan is moving toward Tibet."

"Why?" a man gasped as he backed away.

"Khan drove my clan from our home there," Je Lu answered slowly, "we had to get our hatchlings to safety before we could return to fight him."

On the ground level, Yama and Gor Mai continued to wait patiently, although the sound of the approaching truck was getting loader.

"The truck is getting closer!" Yama yelled down the staircase.

As he finished, a large truck came around an hit a nearby corner and stopped in front of them. The driver and passenger in the cab were totally socked and couldn't respond. Yama quickly leaped at the door and pulled the driver out of his seat.

"Make sure there are no soldiers in the back!" Yama yelled at Gor Mai, "They could sound an alarm!"

Yama then threw the driver to the ground, knocking him out and rushing the passenger who was trying to get out the other side. Yama caught the man before he could get out and the result was the man falling to the ground with Yama landing on top of him. The Japanese exile quickly knocked him out before looking up to see two men armed with rifles staring back at him.

Yoshi and the Tibetan gargoyles watched in horror as Yama was forced to take the truck's door and Gor Mai dove down the staircase to the bunker to avoid being shot several times by at least six solders who had come out of the back of the truck.

"We must disarm them quickly," Yoshi spoke urgently.

"I knew we should we should have waited for Demona," Shi La grumbled as they then dove before they dove down toward the soldiers.

The soldiers who had begun firing on Yama ad Gor Mai were not looking up, which gave Yama and Je Lu's back up an advantage that the soldiers didn't enjoy, height and visibility. A few of them did recover in time to avoid being knocked out, but every one of the soldiers had lost their weapon, and most of the confiscated weapons were destroyed.

"Now is your chance, Yama," Yoshi called down to the Japanese exile, "Show them what bushido is!"

Yama smiled confidently and lunged forward. He caught the first man with a flying kick and knocked the second back with one of his wings. The move took him to the end of the truck, and he saw that the other four soldiers had chased after Gor Mai.

"You winged freaks won't win," the superman vowed, "Khan will beat you!"

The man then swung his legs in a sweeping motion, taking Yama's feet out from under him.

"Or maybe, I will beat you!" the man smiled triumphantly.

Yama only thrust out with his legs to land a kick that sent the man flying into a nearby building, shattering glass as he went through a window.

"You talk too much," Yama grumbled and glanced to check the situation.

Je Lu and Gor Mai were holding two superman attacking the entrance to the bunker, although just barely, while the rest were occupied with Yoshi, Shi La, and several other Tibetan gargoyles diving on them to keep them distracted. The one of the other supermen landed a backhanded blow that sent on of the Tibetan females into Yama as he advanced on the ground toward the fight. He quickly helped her into a sitting position.

"Are you alright?" Yama asked.

"I am uninjured," the female answered, "but we need help."

"I will provide it," Yama answered firmly and rushed the closest superman, who was distracted by a glancing blow landed by another member of Je Lu's clan.

Yama caught him by surprise and slammed him face first into the side of the truck, knocking the man out, and attracting the attention of the man in the area. He quickly saw that Yama was a confident warrior that wasn't about to rely on numbers and his wings to keep him safe. He was quite willing to fight.

"Gunner, Snipe, we need to go," the superman commented.

The supermen identified as 'Gunner' and 'Snipe' then turned to see the one who had spoke leap over a punch thrown at him by Yama and then use the roof of the cab of the truck to leap onto the rooftops and flee. Seeing they were outnumbered, they quickly turned and ran in the direction the truck was pointed, leaving the area to Yama and the Tibetan gargoyles. It was then that Je Lu began leading the prisoners that Khan's followers had taken out of the bunker.

"You can likely take this truck to get away from Khan's forces," Je Lu spoke as he motioned to the vehicle.

"If one of you can drive it," Yoshi spoke as the others landed.

"I think I can," one man spoke slowly as the freed prisoners began slowly getting into the truck, "thank you."

"We were glad to help," Je Lu spoke to him as the man climbed in behind the wheel and started the engine.

They then watched as the truck slowly lurched forward along the road and rounding corner to head in a eastward direction. Yama stood triumphantly watching the results of the battle and then gave a relieved sigh.

"Things went well," Je Lu then said to the Japanese exile, "although you seemed quite driven."

"It is part of my mission," Yama answered, "I must atone for my transgressions against my clan. It is a question of honor."

"This seems very important to you," Shi La commented from where she stood, "You help our clan for this reason?"

"To restore my honor by fighting some evil?" Yama nodded, "Yes. Honor is important to my clan, and in my past mistakes, I dishonored myself. By fighting Khan, I have a shot at restoring my honor as well as stopping the his evil."

The Tibetans present did not answer immediately.

"I'm sure that Yama would fight by your side now that he has met you and you have explained your problem to him, even if he didn't feel he need to restore his honor," Yoshi tried to explain, "Yama has always been sensitive to many things considered wrong or bad."

"We thank you," Gor Mai spoke, "for whatever reasons you have."

Yama nodded, "we'd best move on. I doubt we can use this bunker now."

The others were quick to nod and they quickly began searching or a wall to scale and begin gliding to a safer place.

Later

Demona and Wedrington didn't arrive until near dawn, and both were surprised to find the others waiting for them on a hilltop with some trees obscuring most of the view.

"Khan's men took over the bunker?" Demona asked after Je Lu finished explaining.

"Yes," Je Lu nodded, "and would have carried off at least twenty people if not for Yama's courage to confront Khan's troops."

"Khan could also likely know the locations of the other bunkers that Pax mapped out for us," Yoshi answered, "We may need to find more remote sleeping areas… or spread out."

The immortal female sighed heavily. She and Wedrington were just rejoining the group after the fight with Marilyn forced them to stay an extra day in Dukou. The fact that Je Lu's group had run into trouble was a bit of a surprise that she was not prepared for.

"At least you won," Wedrington spoke up, "and everyone's safe."

Everyone then nodded in agreement.

"Especially good, as I'd assume the road will become even more rocky as we get closer to Khan's base," Demona told them in a firm and almost 'nervous' voice.

Illuminati Headquarters, Hours Later

Three and Two stood quietly as they read a report that had just come in.

"These gargoyles are starting to prove quite useful," Three commented, "They've rescued half a dozen of our agents from Khan's troops."

"And several others that merely happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Two nodded.

"We must find a way to contact them," Three urged.

"And how will we do that?" Two questioned, "the leading agent that they freed reported no radio equipment on them and that they were already headed to fight Khan. We have no means to contact them, and even if we did, I don't think we have the need to contact them."

"It's a matter of organization," Three sighed, "Make sure we're all on the same page and insure that this isn't part of some genocidal plan on Demona's part."

Two nodded, "I doubt that is true, but I do understand where you're coming from."

The two men were silent for a moment before Two spoke again.

"Although, I think with Demona's presence behind Khan's lines, I think we might finally get some breaks in the war against Khan," Two finished.

Tibet

Khan stood quietly beside Marilyn as the newest clone was activated from its cloning chamber. He had a good suspicion of who it was that Marilyn had cloned, but he wanted some explanation first.

"Khan, I present you with the tool that will allow us to divide our attention between China and Demona," Marilyn spoke confidently, "he isn't all that bright, but he is powerful in magic and instinctively knows all the magic he will need. I present you with Damien."

Khan then watched as a sage brown male gargoyle with white wings came out and stood before him.

"My Lords," Damien spoke in a deep voice and bowed to both Khan and Marilyn.

To Be Continued…