Rematch

Part 2

By Leah Wood

Prelude: Goliath is in the process of saving Elisa...unaware that the Predator has him in his sights...ready to fire.

Goliath reached down to hold Elisa up so he could break the cable suspending her. "It's alright Elisa. I'm here. Who did this to you?" he asked as he worked, seeing the huge purple bruise across her cheek.

Though in an undignified position Elisa tried to explain, "I don't know what it was! It was as big as you and had armor and a metal mask and blades..."

The gargoyle, cradling Elisa in his arms, stopped before he could slash the cable. That description...! No...it couldn't be! There's no way he could've survived that! Nervously Goliath glanced around as it dawned on him. This was a trap!

Roving between Goliath's massive wings the triangle of dots slowly and silently slid up Goliath's spine until it rested on the surface of his sable mane. Head shot. Quick...painless... and far too easy. Leaping from the lavender gargoyle's head the laser sight finally settled on the cable binding Elisa just a fraction above Goliath's head. A fire light glowed within the cannon's mouth and finally spat its fury right where the triangle crossed! With a powerful explosive blast of heat the plasma ball sheared through the cable and the tower beams too just barely missing Goliath's head!

A snarl of surprise and shock escaped Goliath. The impact and the sudden explosion forced him and Elisa to fall to the roof! Luckily Goliath positioned Elisa on top of him to protect her from the fall and hit first. Upon hitting the roof it cracked under Goliath's weight and the pair lay before the damaged radio tower. Much to their relief hundreds of cables helped stabilize the metal spire and it didn't fall despite the damage.

On top of Goliath's massive chest Elisa recovered and put her hands on his face with concern, "Goliath! Are you alright?"

Groaning deeply he sat up, "I've been better."

Suddenly, out of nowhere another blast hit the roof right where Goliath's head had once been! Rolling to the side with Elisa wrapped in his arms and wings, Goliath felt the burning of the fire and stared at the smoldering hole in the roof. He rose quickly, cradling his mate and stared around. He couldn't see where the shot had come from but he knew the hunter was back...and close.

Thinking only of Elisa's safety Goliath backed up with wary eyes. He had to find a safe place for his love or she could get killed. Behind him was a sizable concrete exit structure for the building. If he could get behind there it could provide some cover for them. His backward steps were ginger and slow. Not knowing where the Predator was made the situation unbearable. At any moment he could kill both of them. Goliath still couldn't understand how he'd survived all those years ago! Perhaps it wasn't the same hunter? No...it had to be him. How else would he know to use Elisa as bait?

Elisa was afraid. Her sharp quick breaths betrayed her fear. "Goliath what's going on?" she whispered.

"Remember all those years ago when we found all those skinned bodies in the warehouse?" Goliath asked softly still backing up.

Elisa's eyes widened, "You mean this guy is the hunter thing you fought? But...you said he drowned!"

Goliath shook his head, "I was obviously mistaken. He's come back to kill me."

The woman's chocolate eyes darted about as she clung to Goliath like a child frightened of the dark. "Why does he want to kill you? What did you ever do to him?"

Still nothing happened. Goliath was almost to the concrete shelter. "He's some kind of hunter. I'm his prey." He stole a glance over his shoulder. Nearly there.

A frustrated growl vibrated in Goliath's chest, "What is he WAITING FOR! He's watching us! Why doesn't he just get it over with?"

Elisa tried to see the masked assassin but she could see nothing. "I don't know." All at once Goliath's back touched the power shed's concrete wall. He stopped. His muscles tensed, ready to make a dive behind the structure before the alien hunter decided to fire again. A slight lean to the right... THUNK! Goliath pulled his head back with a gasp. Buried deep in the concrete a mere inch from his neck was a huge razor edged disk, twinkling with lights and humming angrily! The gargoyle clenched his fangs hard and with a roar he bailed around the corner like a soldier leaving his trench in a last ditch attempt to fight! Much to his surprise no shot followed his mad dash and nothing happened once they were behind the structure.

Elisa jumped from his arms and breathed hard, "Oh Goliath! He almost got you!"

The gargoyle thought a moment, "He didn't miss. The son of a bitch is playing with us! Right now he's got the advantage and he's making sure we know it!"

"What are we going to do?"

Goliath looked at her seriously, "I must get you to safety."

"And then...?" Elisa asked.

"I must face him." Goliath stated simply.

The police woman shook her head vigorously, "No Goliath! He nearly killed you last time!"

Goliath gripped her shoulders gently but firmly, "Elisa he won't stop until I'm dead or he is! I must do this!"

Elisa turned her head and pursed her lips. She hated this. Goliath could get killed this time! Being helpless, unable to help him angered her beyond all reckoning. "Just..." she started but didn't finish. Instead she embraced him. It seemed crazy to display such affection in such a life-threatening experience...but...

Blade Slayer backed up from his position. His huge leg muscles tensed and suddenly he surged forward in a phenomenal leap from his building to the radio tower roof! He landed perfectly; almost cat-like, one hand instinctually behind his back to grip the handle of his spear in case a surprise attack came. His blurry silhouette paused in his landing crouch and only his eyes moved. Goliath was hiding with his mate...but he knew exactly where they were. No doubt the Stone Warrior would become careless thinking of the safety of his female. If so...he was a fool. The female served her purpose and now she was of no interest.

Stalking silently the Predator came up to the spot in the wall where his throwing disk was embedded. He put his irregular clawed fingers in the weapon's grips and the weapon whined as it pulled free of the cement. Quickly he 'holstered' the disk and put his back to the wall, slinking along it silent and invisible.

Goliath firmly pushed Elisa next to the wall and half shielded her with his wing when he heard the high pitched whine of the disk. The Predator was close...he could feel it. Giving Elisa a 'stay here' look the big gargoyle slinked along the wall and cautiously peeked around the corner. Nothing. He squinted. No...Not even the blurry outline. Goliath's sinewy tail twitched impatiently as he crept around the corner. He tried to steady his breathing as he drew near the other side of the concrete roof exit. As he moved he didn't notice the transparent figure perched atop the structure's concrete roof, duel blades slowly rearing back to hack into his skull!

"LOOK OUT!" Elisa's voice screamed.

Just in the knick of time Goliath ducked as the gauntlet blades flashed over his head and sparked against the wall! A shriek of anger erupted from the invisible hunter when he missed. Goliath's eyes glowed phosphoric white as he reached up to grab the Predator's arm and forcefully yanked him to the ground! But being the skilled warrior he was, Blade Slayer turned the fall into a swiping power kick that connected squarely with the side of Goliath's head! His invisible body twisted around and he landed on all fours before the gargoyle. The blades shot out, making a high arc up at Goliath's face, hoping to impale him up through his squared chin, but the lavender warrior leaned back, dodging his death by mere inches!

Both fighters were up now, spreading their muscular arms wide in a fighting stance. Touching his wrist the Predator materialized before his prey letting a threatening rattle vibrate in his throat as he did. Remembrance filled the gargoyle's eyes as he viewed the sinister hunter. He'd gotten bigger and his dreads were longer but it was definitely him. The chilling mask was exactly the same.

Goliath's chest filled with a terrible low roar, "YOU! It was you who harmed Elisa! I do not know how you survived, but you will pay dearly for even touching her!"

From behind his mask Blade Slayer growled in his guttural alien language; words that Goliath couldn't begin to comprehend. He rumbled, "So long have I waited to finish this hunt Stone Warrior! Before this night ends your blood shall soak my blades and cover my hands! Pray for mercy from your gods, for I will give you NONE!"

They circled one another growling low, their eyes locked. Each could hear their warrior souls scream to burst from the confines of their flesh shells and clash! Finally the Predator made the first move. Goliath blinked and the deadly periscoping spear was out, its barbed tip glinting in the moonlight. The pewter colored mask lowered and with a shrieking bellow the alien hunter attacked. Goliath braced himself, ready to move out of the weapon's path in an instant.

But the Predator had gained several years of fighting tricks under his belt and he wasn't about to hold them back. At first the Predator came at Goliath brandishing the spear in a goring type stance. But, in mid charge the Predator activated his camouflage, making Goliath's eyes and brain reel...just the distraction to throw him off. Spinning as a shimmering blur of fury the Predator swung the spear and bashed the side of Goliath's head with the metal shaft of the weapon instead of the blade! Goliath's head went sideways and bright lights flashed in his vision! Desperately he tried to regain his bearings from the blow and when he did the Predator was standing before him, visible and slowly "holstered" his spear in a cocky sort of way. He was STILL messing with him! That move could've killed him but instead the bastard was dragging out the fight!

Roaring savagely Goliath leaped through the air and swung his steely fists at the Predator! Twisting and dodging the Predator evaded his powerful punches and suddenly upper-cutted the gargoyle. Infuriated Goliath dipped his shoulder and tackled the hunter, slamming him into the side of the concrete exit wall. Once he did that Goliath connected his fists with the mask and in the alien's barrel chest! The alien's metal attire rang with each punch under the relentless assault.

Suddenly Goliath saw a flash of silver near the hunter's leg and dodged back just as a hooked, jagged blade jabbed up, ripping a long bloody gash up the gargoyle's abs! Goliath gasped as hot blood soaked the side of his loin cloth. Staggering back, holding his wound he got a good look at the weapon. Concealed in a band covering the Predator's knee and calf was a foot and a half long dagger! A knee blade! Had he not jumped back at the last second that blade would have eviscerated him!

With a calculated jerk of his knee, the Predator retracted the blade back into its sheath. Goliath would have to be wary of that new weapon in close combat. His wound was bleeding but it wasn't very deep; nothing that would hinder his ability. Flaring his wings aggressively Goliath ignored the blood oozing down his side. The Predator had drawn first blood and Goliath was not about to let that stand.

A second after being cut Goliath dropped low swiping his tail around and bound the Predator's ankles. Effortlessly the gargoyle's tail jerked the alien right off his feet and onto his back with a metallic CLANG!. But instead of releasing the hunter Goliath swung his body and tail with all his might and chucked the Predator across the roof, slamming him bodily into the radio tower with bone crunching force! Seeing his chance instantly, Goliath ran back to where he'd left Elisa, scooped her up in his arms, and leaped from the building with open wings. He had to get her to safety!

Shaking his dreadlocked head Blade Slayer rose quickly, blades out and livid. Where was the Stone Warrior? His head whipped around and spotted Goliath's heat signature gliding away from the building. Running? The coward was FLEEING? An angry hiss and the shoulder cannon activated and the triangle sight covered Goliath's winged back again. All at once Goliath swooped low to the ground, ballooning his massive wings and pumping them forcefully to stay airborne as he deposited his mate on the street below. Once he did that he managed to catch another air current and glide back up toward the roof. Ah...so he wasn't a coward...he was coming back for more! Good...

The shoulder cannon powered down and resumed its position. He'd kill Goliath in the most honorable way: blades and hand to hand. Blade Slayer rattled in his throat. This time he'd quit toying with his prey. Sure...he'd make this fight interesting, but knowing Goliath, his skills wouldn't disappoint him. Before Goliath could glide into view the Predator activated his camouflage and began a stealth attack.

Part of Goliath resented letting the hunter out of his sight. No doubt it would give him the edge again. But he just couldn't concentrate on the battle if he was worrying about Elisa nearby! In any case the alien assassin wasn't going anywhere. He only had one agenda and that was to slay him. Cautiously Goliath glided over the roof scanning for the distinct blurry image of the killer. Yes...he was invisible again. He could be anywhere! The lavender warrior's senses were keen to everything around him. Would the hunter throw one of those deadly disks, shoot him, or did he have some other horrible death awaiting him in that arsenal of his? He listened for the mechanical devices...watched for the blur.

Too late. Just as Goliath wheeled around the radio tower the Predator leaped from his perch and landed heavily on the gargoyle's back in an attempt to drive him to the ground! But Goliath knew this trick and quickly flipped in a power somersault that cast the hunter through open air and slammed him into the side of a nearby apartment building. Barely phased the invisible hunter caught a window sill and easily pulled himself up. Just as he turned Goliath careened into him, recklessly bulling him though the window and into the darkened apartment!

Both crashed hard into the interior wall, the Predator first, in a cloud of plaster! Enraged Blade Slayer brought a solid fist down on the base of Goliath's neck, causing the gargoyle to bend forward momentarily. Then, in a massive display of brute strength the Predator hefted Goliath over his head and with a bellow of rage threw the immense gargoyle clear through the wall head first! Plaster and brick flew everywhere as Goliath flew through and collided with a kitchen counter! He groaned, holding his head just as the alien assassin became visible and charged through a cloud of plaster dust, slashing at Goliath with his wrist blades!

Teeth grit, Goliath just barely dodged the razor edged knives as they sheared clean through the kitchen counter like it was made of paper! The Predator snarled and ripped the blades out of the counter, swinging them at Goliath again. With a quick leap backward Goliath was in the apartment's living room. Then, without even thinking about it he grabbed up the nearest piece of furniture, a couch, and flung it at the Predator.

With the lightening fast draw of a gun fighter Blade Slayer grabbed a different throwing disk, one that resembled a ninja throwing star except it was about the width of a man hole cover when the curved scythe blades switch-bladed out of its center! In a whir of steel and lights the huge metal star of death effortlessly cleaved the flying couch clean in two, swooped in an arc and returned to its master. Once it returned the wide spread of curved blades automatically folded back into the center and the two halves of shredded couch flew past him.

Blade Slayer held the remarkable weapon up at Goliath, dramatically making the blades eject again before his mask as if to say, 'Wanna try that again?'

Goliath's eyes widened, completely transfixed by the weapon's gleaming blades. Reaching over he snatched up a chair and threw it as well. Again the disk soared across the room and cut the projectile in half!

When Blade Slayer caught his weapon Goliath was gone. No heat signature...just the dead blacks and blues of non-living objects. He rattled apprehensively. Where'd he go? Putting away his disk the Predator glanced about the room for his prey, listening and waiting. There were only so many places the gargoyle could be in such a confined space. Then he spotted him standing motionless in the corner of the room. Apparently the fool thought the darkness would cloak him somehow! Being deceptive, the Predator didn't turn his mask toward Goliath to give him the notion that he could see him. Instead he kept moving his mask like he was still searching for him. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Goliath move toward him, silent as a shadow. Then when he was nearly upon him, Blade Slayer struck. Swinging his whole arm with all his might the masked killer back-handed Goliath across the throat, throwing the gargoyle backward!

Had any other being been dealt such a blow it would have killed them instantly. But Goliath's thickly muscled neck saved him. Clutching his throat and trying to catch his stolen breath Goliath staggered.

With a fierce bellowing battle cry the Predator leaped into Goliath, driving his massive skull into the gargoyle's rib cage and driving him back and through the exit door of the apartment! This made Goliath crash through the door out into the apartment complex hall, fall over the hallway banister, and slam to the lobby floor from two levels up! His body jarred as the harsh hardness of the floor shuddered through his frame. Groaning and trying to rise, Goliath suddenly spotted the Predator standing way above him next to the banister. Fearlessly leaping over the banister, the huge alien landed on his feet next to Goliath, sending a slight shudder in the floor boards. He rose to his full impressive height and stood over his prey clicking. Snarling, Goliath kicked his huge arched foot and side swiped the masked head, throwing the Predator against the wall.

With a vicious snarl the blades were out again and the Predator wheeled in a second, ready to hand Goliath's heart to him! Goliath reached up and grabbed the first thing he saw: a fire extinguisher. Snarling he swung the red canister of metal like a club. The blades cleaved through the canister's shell, releasing a frozen blast of CO2 from its inner recesses. With a high pitched squeal the Predator was hit full in the face by the freezing cold contents and staggered back from Goliath. The gargoyle looked at the damaged fire extinguisher and then to the alien hunter, who was reeling back with white ice crystals forming across his mask and on his shoulder armor. He seemed hurt or at least stunned from the icy blast.

'So...he doesn't like cold. That could help.' Goliath thought to himself.

With a growl Goliath swung the broken red 'club' at the Predator and bashed him powerfully across the mask! Green blood sprayed from beneath the metal face plate as the alien's head whipped to the side from the blow! At LAST! He'd drawn that horrid monster's glowing, green blood...and it felt good!

Leaning against the wall now and breathing harder than usual, the hunter clenched and unclenched his frozen clawed hands, trying to get feeling back into them. He couldn't STAND the cold! It was one weakness possessed by his race that no technology could correct. Sure, their mesh body suit produced heat reminiscent to the home world, but a sudden blast of cold like that was painful and hard to recover from quickly. His right mandible hurt...not broken but damn close to it. The sour taste of his own blood infuriated him even more! Livid boiling battle rage filled his eyes and fired his blood! Feeling returned to his frozen body parts and he glared at Goliath who was preparing to bash him once again with the cursed canister.

The broken shell of the fire extinguisher came down at Blade Slayer's broad head but his clawed hands shot up and clamped onto Goliath's thick wrist, stopping the blow in mid swing! Bulging arms quivering, the titans growled as they pitted their strengths head to head. Twisting his hands slightly the Predator put the deadly wrist blades against Goliath's wrist and torturously slit the flesh...deeper...deeper...until at last the gargoyle released the canister and withdrew before the blades could slice any further!

Blood ran on the floor from the side of Goliath's wrist. He could see bloody sinews of white tendon in the cut. His eyes blazed even brighter as he and the hunter locked again; mask to face. Holding each other off like wrestlers the combatants moved across the apartment lobby floor. By this time the hellacious commotion had drawn out the human residents of the apartment complex and the sight of the huge gargoyle and the armored, masked assassin stupefied them! No human made a move to stop them...not that they could anyway.

Though they appeared evenly matched Goliath possessed the superior bulk and pushed the Predator back like a line backer trying to push an extra heavy blocking dummy. Suddenly, the Predator's knee blade was out and at the last second Goliath's life-saving tail whipped around the alien's ankle, stopping him from jabbing the blade up into his guts. Noticing his predicament the Predator suddenly released his hands from Goliath's talons and side stepped just as the gargoyle staggered forward. Then, with a massive power slam kick to Goliath's back, Blade Slayer powerfully cast him straight through the apartment complex's glass lobby doors in a rain of tinkling glass!

Goliath rolled across the sidewalk and out into the street, but turned the throw into a skillfully executed fighting stance. Cars honked loudly, swerving to miss his massive form standing in the middle of the street. He cursed, leaped over an oncoming taxi and back onto the sidewalk, despite the presence of the shocked cringing humans nearby. Not wishing to bring the innocent bystanders into the conflict, he jumped onto the side of the building next to the apartment building and began to quickly ascend the structure. Once again he had to lead the hunter away.

Just as he went up, the hulking Predator stalked out of the building, making the crowd of humans back away even father from the scene. Blade Slayer ignored the Flatheads. They didn't interest him in the slightest. His vision adjusted when he spotted Goliath climbing another building and make it to the roof. Undaunted by the humans or anything else Blade Slayer activated his camouflage, raced toward the building, dug his claws in, and climbed after his prey as a shimmering ghost.

When he finally made the roof, the Predator saw Goliath standing before him...waiting. Hmm...brave bastard. With a quick movement Blade Slayer leaped before Goliath brandishing his blades; eager to continue their conflict.

Not very far away...

Brooklyn arched his wings into a tighter form, increasing his gliding speed as much as he could. Elisa had called them over the communicator that some hunter was after Goliath and he needed help. Without hesitation the entire clan had flown to the place where Elisa had last seen the two with in the intention of helping their leader.

Brooklyn glanced back at the others, "Come on! Goliath needs us!"

Hudson growled lightly, "I'm flyin' as fast as these ole' wings kin carry me lad!"

The crimson second in command knew Hudson was slower because of his age but still his worry for Goliath made him a bit irrational. "We've GOT to hurry!"

Suddenly Lexington spotted the radio tower, "There! That's the tower Elisa was talking about!"

"Do you see Goliath?" Broadway asked loudly, pumping his wings for extra momentum.

"No. I don't see anything!" Lexington called back his large eyes darting about.

Brooklyn dove in closer, the clan following his lead, "Keep looking! We'll circle the block...spread out but be in ear shot! We'll find them."

Spreading out in a wide flying V the gargoyles soared above the buildings surrounding the radio tower until Angela shouted, "THERE! THERE!"

Everyone's heads jerked in the direction of her point and there on the roof of a nearby building they saw the two combatants. Goliath held the Predator's spear at bay and for the moment seemed to be winning. Too far above for either fighter to see or hear them clearly Clan Wyvern waited until Brooklyn growled low, "Come on!"