Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Gargoyles characters portrayed in this story, except for Adam Maza. All others are owned by those geniuses over at Disney. Please don't sue me. Pretty Please? Also, please R&R!

SEASON 2: 3—Transformation

September 1, 1997

Nightstone Unlimited received a fairly large package in the early stages of the business day. The 8 foot tall wooden crate was delivered by courier to the attention of Dominique Destine from Paris, France. Four of Dominique's larger employees wheeled the crate into the loading dock until Ms. Destine told them what to do with the crate. She was on the phone when they delivered the crate.

"Yes, I understand. I will be available later on in the evening to help with this matter. Thank you. See you later on then. Good bye." Dominique hung the phone up and looked up from her desk.

"Ms. Destine, where would you like this crate?" The delivery man asked politely, obviously unaware of her reputation of being a complete bitch to her employees.

"Ask my secretary for directions to my estate. Leave the crate in the garden with a crowbar. You will be paid tomorrow." The delivery man nodded and left. Demona smiled her signature evil smile. Everything is falling into place. Once she advised them to prepare the crate for delivery to the Destine estate, they did as she commanded, securing a large truck to deliver the package there post haste.

At the end of the workday, two o'clock for Dominique, she returned home so that she may inspect the delivery carefully. She found the crate in the garden area of her property. A crowbar was resting upon the top of the crate to aid in the seemingly delicate woman in opening the excessively large package. Dominique pried the crate open, not using the crow bar, but using her bare hands. When the last sides of the wooden crate finally fell to the floor, she chuckled to herself and examined the package.

Dominique finished some paper work for Nightstone Unlimited until the sun set. When she viewed the sun lowering upon the horizon, her transformation began painfully, as it did every night. Her insides burned just as hurtfully as they did the night before, and the night before that. She doubled over in pain, moaning loudly. Simultaneously, another being was awakening from stone slumber.

Paris, August 16th after sunset…

Demona glided towards the abandoned building she was sure to find him in. As she neared the building, she saw movement within, and her hopes soared. He's really in there, she thought. My plans are finally going right! She landed on the roof of the decrepit building and draped her wings over her shoulders.

"Hello," She called out loudly. A rustling noise could be heard from somewhere inside the building. She stepped further.

"Is someone there?" She called out again. This time, she was greeted by laser fire that shattered the peaceful silence in the building and caused a few startled chirps from pigeons perching above and within. Demona ducked the fire, and pulled out her own laser weapon. She was ready for just such a development. She had a feeling she would be met with hostility.

"Stop!" She called out, sending a few shots in the direction of the opposing blasts. "I want to talk. I have a proposition for you! Stop shooting at me and come out!" More laser fire aimed at her came shooting out from one of the walls. She almost didn't duck in time. The laser fire singed her tail slightly.

"Why should I!" A familiar voice bellowed out from the direction of the firing.

"Because I can get you what you want. We have similar interests, and together, we can both meet our goals." The laser fire stopped. More rustling could be heard, only this time, an old door opened and a familiar clone walked out, still holding his laser weapon ready to fire at any instant. Demona smiled.

"Why, hello, there, Thailog. Long time no see." His bright red eyes narrowed.

"Demona, my ex-love. What brings you to Paris?" He said, his voice full of sarcasm.

"As I said, I have a proposition for you." Thailog scoffed.

"Your propositions are usually self-centered and unsuccessful. What makes this one so appealing to me? And choose your words carefully—your sales pitch will mean the difference between you gliding out of here or falling." He said cruelly. Demona smiled again, confident in her 'sales pitch'.

"What's the one thing you want more than anything?" She asked, stepping closer to him.

"To cause my fathers pain, especially Goliath." That was the answer Demona was expecting. Her smile widened greatly.

"I know how to do that. And in the process, I would rid myself of more than one nuisance. It's a win-win situation if you ask me."

"I'm not asking you, Demona." He replied coldly, his laser weapon still aimed at Demona's head. "Why do you want me to help you, though? Can't seem to do such an easy task by yourself?"

"I am a busy woman, Thailog. And I have other things under my supervision at the moment. What I need done requires skill and precision—you have both—and you will pull this task off without a hitch. I just know it." She stepped closer still. "So, what do you say? Can I count on you to help me in my plans?"

Thailog thought long and hard. Silently, and with the gun still pointed at Demona, Thailog thought about the pros and cons of helping Demona in whatever plan she had. Even if her plan didn't actually enable him to kill Goliath, usually her plans were fun. He lowered his weapon and dropped it to the floor as Demona did the same with hers. He took her hand in his and shook it. A deal with the devil was made.

"Agreed."

Back to September 1, 1997, Destine Manor, 7:50pm

Demona straightened up from her excruciating transformation and turned around to see her guest.

"Ah, Thailog, you are awake." She said calmly to her guest. He grinned sinisterly.

"Indeed, but I thought you would not need my assistance for some time."

"The plan has changed. I want to begin our partnership as soon as physically possible."

Thailog didn't seem impressed with her haste. "Why the rush, Demona? All good plans must be well thought out, after all." He said, placing a hand upon his waist.

"I have thought long and hard about this plan, my co-conspirator."

"And what is that plan, then?" Thailog retorted. Demona smiled half-heartedly at the gargoyle's question.

"The best way to do cause Goliath pain is to destroy his precious detective Maza. Once we do that, Goliath will suffer immensely. He and the rest of that pathetic clan of his will be rendered too emotionally weak to successfully defend themselves against us. I will finally be rid of my enemies, and you will have taken your revenge upon your good-for-nothing father. Well, at least one of them…" Thailog smiled a sickening smile that would have caused Demona to vomit, had she not needed his help in her plans.

"Hmmm…interesting approach. When do we begin?"

"First, we need to do a few things to trick them into thinking that I am on their side. This way, they won't suspect a thing when the plan is finally set in motion." Thailog liked the idea of deception, especially when it came to his father. He knew Goliath was ruled by emotions and ethics—things that were of no interest to Thailog whatsoever.

"Well, what should I do, in the meantime?" Demona whipped out a piece of paper. "I'm sure you still remember your way around New York." She handed the paper to him. "This is Elisa Maza's address. Make sure to keep out of sight. We cannot risk your being seen just yet. It will seem too suspicious."

"So what am I to do then?" Thailog asked angrily.

"Follow her, watch her, study her routine. She is on maternity leave now so…"

"What! She had a child! With whom?" Thailog demanded.

"I haven't gotten the full details, but the speculation is that when Tony Dracon kidnapped her nearly a year ago, he raped her. Serves her right, the whore…" Demona snarled with her eyes aflame. Thailog stroked his chin in contemplation.

"Hmmm…" Demona checked her rage quickly and turned to see a clock hanging upon the wall.

"Blast, I must be off. I have an appointment with someone. Again, remember, keep out of sight. If you are spotted, lose them, and return here immediately. The only clan member that knows the location of my estate is my daughter, Angela."

Without waiting for his reply, she unfurled her wings, opened the balcony door and took off, leaving Thailog to roam about the estate, much to his pleasure.

Demona glided through the air, still deep in thought. Her plan was going to work, she thought. As long as she didn't tell Thailog everything, it would work. If she were to tell Thailog that she wished her hands to remain clean of Elisa Maza's blood to protect her image to Goliath, Thailog might decide against helping her after all, and might even turn on her. Goliath must believe that she had nothing to do with Maza's murder in order for her plan to be a complete success. Thailog was there in actuality to do the dirty work and take the blame—something he wanted anyways. She was confident that it would work. For now, she was off to see the first part of her plan had begun.

The Eyrie Building, 8:05pm

Owen Burnett knocked upon David Xanatos' office door.

"Sir? I have an update on Operation Set Right from our laboratory."

David looked up from his computer to see Owen's blank face. He could never tell whether news from Owen was good or bad based on his facial expression—he hated that about him, but at least he was consistent.

"And?" Owen walked closer to David's desk.

"It appears we need a sorceress to perform the last bit of work."

"I'm not following you, Owen. Why is that?"

"Sir, the transformations were extensive. They require more than just mere science to rectify. This is the precise reason that the results have taken so long to be analysed in the first place."

"And you can't do anything in the form of Puck?" David asked. Owen shook his head.

"No, sir. Even as Puck, my range is limited, and what's more, there would be no logical reason to teach Alexander how to do this type of incantation." David scratched his beard with one finger.

"Well, I guess in that case, we need to find a sorceress, Owen."

"I already have that covered, sir."

"Oh?" David asked with an eyebrow raised.

"I received an interesting phone call this morning, and it seems to be completely legitimate."

"Well, that's wonderful news. We should definitely contact Talon and the others and take care of this as soon as possible, then. What do you think, Owen?"

"Tonight if possible. She only had tonight available."

The Labyrinth, 9:10pm

Talon was seated at the 'kitchen table' in the Labyrinth eating his dinner with Maggie and Claw, as well as the clones. They ate noisily and talked in between like a regular family. Maggie served a few scoops of rice to Delilah and Brentwood. After Talon finished eating, he rose silently and walked away from the 'kitchen', obviously disturbed. Maggie noticed his move and caught up with him in the hallway. She was behind him when she began speaking.

"Derek, what is the matter? You didn't say a word at dinner." Maggie asked, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Maggie, I'm sorry. I'm just thinking about the night Broadway and Angela were mated and how my nephew reacted to me. Elisa told me not to give up hope about finding a cure, but…"

"Derek, we are happy, aren't we?" Maggie asked. Talon turned around, and held her hands in his.

"We are, but we could be happier…"

"Aren't we doing good work down here, caring for the Mutates and those lost souls who have no where else to go?"

"Yes, but Maggie, I love you, and I want you to be my wife and live our lives, like normal people do…"

"And what is 'normal' anymore, Derek? Normal for me is being with you, regardless of the way we look. I don't care about that anymore, although I do admit that it would make life much easier if we were changed back to being human." Maggie stared at the floor.

Talon tipped her chin to look at him. "Maggie, I love you, and will be happy with you no matter what, but I want to have a regular life—the life I dreamed I would have."

"If that's what you want, then, Derek, I will go with it. I love you." He hugged her dearly.

"I love you too, Maggie. Thanks. Now, let's go back to the Mutates…" Just then, a familiar voice was heard from the entrance of the Labyrinth. It was David Xanatos himself. Talon was in disbelief, and Maggie's jaw dropped.

"What are you doing here?" Talon asked blankly. David put a hand up in truce.

"I'm here with good news. Actually, it's fantastic news."

"What do you mean?" Maggie asked, still holding Talon's hand.

"We've found a cure for you and the others."

"What!" Maggie and Talon both exclaimed.

"Owen confirmed it! I'm just ecstatic! The research has finally paid off!" David cried happily. Talon looked hopefully at Maggie.

"Can it really be?" He asked joyfully.

"Come to the Eyrie Building, all of you, even the clones. Tonight. You'll all be human again by this time tomorrow."

Talon took a few deep breaths, contemplated for a split second, and then looked at Maggie again.

"Assemble the clones, and get Claw and Fang. We'll go to the Eyrie as soon as they are ready."

11:03pm, The Eyrie Building, Laboratory, lower level

Once all the clan was assembled, including Goliath and his clan, Owen began explaining the procedure.

"This serum," He held up a small vial. "…is the first step. This will…" Before he could finish his sentence, Elisa came bounding into the room, obviously out of breath.

"Sorry I'm late, guys," She said apologetically. "I had to drop Adam off at my parents' house. Can you repeat that, Owen?" Looking annoyed slightly, Owen began again.

"Certainly, detective. As I was saying, this vial is the first step to the transformation. The first phase will take approximately 2 hours to finalise. You will be completely unconscious during this time while your body undergoes these changes. This is done so that you do not feel any pain while this change occurs."

Elisa was not convinced. "That's only the first phase. What about the second phase?"

"That's where I come in, detective." Demona remarked from the doorway. A few gasps could be heard.

"What are you doing here, Demona?" Goliath asked, nearly angry at her intrusion.

"I'm Phase two, Goliath. It seems that the transformation requires both science and sorcery. Since there were none available to perform the appropriate spell, I volunteered. I hope that is alright with you, Goliath." She said genuinely.

"I suppose if you are the second phase of the transformation…"

"If I may continue explaining the procedure…" Owen began again, clearing his throat. "As Demona already mentioned, she must perform a spell to complete the transformation. This phase will last approximately an hour. Again, you will be completely unconscious during this phase. By lunch time, tomorrow afternoon, you should all be human once more."

Talon looked at Maggie. "What do you think, Maggie? Do we risk it?"

She smiled. "Yes, Derek. Let's do it."

"Alright!" Fang exclaimed, the fur on his arms rising in excitement. "Fun is fun, but I was getting tired of being like this…I want my life back! Let's go!" The others scowled at him.

"Let us go, then." Owen said, motioning towards a series of hospital-like beds, and asked them to lie down. As Talon lay down upon his bed, Elisa walked over to him, kissed his forehead and said, "We'll all be here when you wake up, Derek."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart…"

"And hope to…" Derek stopped, until Maggie reached and grabbed his hand.

"Everything will be fine, Derek." She said, squeezing his hand.

When the four of them were on their respective beds, Owen began administering the serum to them individually. This caused each of them to fall unconscious. Elisa watched worriedly as her little brother became unconscious. Goliath held onto Elisa lovingly, and comfortingly.

"He'll be alright, love. Have faith."

Elisa frowned.

1:15am

Two hours passed. The four subjects had shed nearly all of their fur, and their wings had receded almost completely. Their faces were still feline in nature, but the most noticeable parts of their anatomy were gone.

Now, phase two was to begin. Demona stayed and watched the progress of the four subjects while they were in phase one. Every so often, she would try to recite the spell, to make sure she wouldn't mess it up when the time came. Goliath noticed this and approached her.

"Demona, why are you doing this? What's in it for you?"

"I want to help, that's all. There is no law against someone trying to help another, is there?" She asked. Goliath was taken aback by her reply and the ferocity of her passion as she said her words. At a loss for a comeback, he looked over at Talon and Maggie silently until Elisa came up from behind him and took his hand. Perhaps she has reformed…?

"Goliath, I just called my mom. Adam is just sleeping, and…" She stopped, feeling Demona's usually hateful eyes on her. She turned to look at Demona, and return the glare.

"Why are you here, seriously, Demona? Got tired of plotting against me, so you're plotting against my brother?" Elisa spat out. Demona shook her head.

"Detective, I'm trying to mend my ways. This is my penance."

Elisa jeered. "Yea, right. I really believe that. If my brother is hurt by your spell, you won't be able to get far enough to save yourself from me, Demona." Goliath turned to Elisa and stepped in between the two females.

"Stop this, please. Demona is here to help him. I honestly believe that. She went out of her way to be here."

"She's gone out of her way when it came to her own intentions before." Elisa said more loudly, her eyes burning with jealousy and anger. Just then, Owen called out to Demona, summoning her to begin Phase Two. She was thankful for the departure, and walked over to the four subjects. Elisa was still fuming from Goliath's denial of Elisa's anger and jealousy when Demona began chanting in an other-worldly voice.

"Incantatum, Morbium Lataeum, pellis nasciuum, palpitatuum pilae junctum…"

Over and over again, she chanted this verse for nearly ten minutes. A white smoke suddenly swirled around the four subjects, and stayed there until the full hour was up.

By 2:30am, the smoke had literally settled, and all animalistic features had disappeared on Elisa's little brother's appearance. Talon no longer, Derek awoke to see the smiling face of his sister hovering over him happily.

"Derek! How do you feel?" He searched himself to find the appropriate word. Finally, he found it.

"Like shit. But I don't feel any fur!" He sat up to see the smiling faces of the others. Maggie was just rising when she saw Derek's face. "Derek! You are alright! We all are! This is a miracle!" She jumped up and got out of bed so that she may hug her boyfriend. She had tears in her eyes, as did he. Elisa decided to let them have their moments, so she walked out of the room, and rejoined Goliath and Demona outside the room. They were watching this scene, and smiled at it.

"Well, Demona, it looks like you got very lucky." Elisa said, not trying to hide her bitterness. Despite her happiness and joy that she now had her brother back, she couldn't help feeling annoyed that Demona actually had a hand in Derek and Maggie's transformation.

"You're welcome, detective." Demona replied evasively. "I must go now."

"Thank you, again, Demona." Goliath said. She smiled, bowed lightly and left.

Demona soared through the air, feeling smug and full of herself.

My plan worked PERFECTLY, she thought. Step one is complete. Goliath was grateful. Who cares how Maza felt, because soon, she will be gone from the picture and Goliath and I will be free to be together once again. She glided towards her estate to plan out step two with Thailog.

What did you think? Let me know!