Author's Note; someone had asked once why I had two versions of Constanine's name. Here's the answer; I WAS wanting to mispell it on purpse, just do it my own way - sort of the way my mom spelled my name differently. But it was pointed out that it looked funny so I went back and edited the name when I tried editing these stories before posting. Some of these stories aren't edited that well at all though. So .... anyway that's why.

Disclaimer: Gargoyles belongs to the Walt Disney Company. These stories are written for fun and practice.

Summary: The clan's lives are thrown into a loop. Constantine, a legendary evil, has returned and Goliath's life is about to change.

***************

The Return of Constantine, Part 1

_______________________________________________________________________

Castle Wyvern

Manhattan

The sun was slowly sinking beneath the distant horizon. The sea and the sky were alive with colors. Clouds drifted by, and were transformed from the array of colors that graced the skyline. With each passing moment, the skies grew darker until finally the stars began to peer out from among the heavens. The sun had just vanished behind the horizon when the moon poked its head out from behind Castle Wyvern, and all at once, the most amazing creatures ever created burst to life.

Their stone skins shattered and burst asunder while they roared and stretched their enchanted sleep away. They yawned and scratched themselves, looking very much like people do when they've just woken up, only without the dreaded 'bed head'.

Of all the clan, Graeme and Arianna, the Time Dancer twins, were the most delighted about being awake. They'd grown to love Manhattan and the people that had come with it. It was refreshing to have a full clan structure and no more dancing around time going from place to place. They had a solid foundation here and even with certain responsibilities 'holding them down' as they'd claim, they had never been happier.

Brooklyn and Katana were proud of their children, but Goliath was proudest of all. Having children in the clan meant that they would grow strong again. Somehow or another their lines would continue. Wyvern Clan was not extinct. He had Brooklyn to thank for that, of course. The boy had grown into a fine warrior, a true leader, and a dedicated father. Truly, Goliath had never been happier to have such a spirited Second in Command.

Even so, tonight Goliath's joy was short lived. His mind was troubled. Voices were calling to him again and he was quite certain he was going mad. It had never been considered a good thing when one heard voices. In old times, one was either accused of being possessed by demonic spirits or of being a witch, both of which usually resulted in death as a penalty. Yet here, only his sanity would be questioned, and he was starting to question it himself.

Still, the voices had become particularly insistent. They seemed terrified of something and sometimes he could almost make out a work or a name and it would seem to him then that they were trying to warn him. What were they trying to warn him about?

Sighing, he reached into his pouch and took out the small artifact that he had found the night the library wall had collapsed. Gazing at it somehow made his questions and pondering seem clearer, yet the answers he saw troubled him further. All of this nonsense with Constantine and Lady Dragon, it never went away. It was leading to something he'd rather not face, something to big for one warrior to handle.

Growling in irritation, he turned and glided for the castle's main entrance in the court yard. He had the strangest feeling that Xanatos's office would provide further clues to what was going on, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

* * * * * *

Mid-afternoon

Scotland

Darien Maguire sighed with fatigue as he continued an endless and seemingly fruitless dig. He was an archeologist and had been in these caves for hours. The other members of his team were still up on ground level studying the hieroglyphics they had discovered while looking into these caves. However, Darien had felt drawn here and when he arrived he had become completely amazed at what he found.

While first entering the cave one would notice a vast opening or clearing, and beyond that was a small fissure and beyond that a sort of stone dwelling was carved right out of the rocky walls. It looked like a giant skull, and it was so dark you couldn't see inside. He couldn't tell where the door was or if there was any room inside at all for a living being, but that very place was where Darien had found himself. This was also where he would stay. He had found a horde of treasures and was determined to find more.

When he had entered the dwelling, he had found that the small place had room enough for at least two people. In one corner there had been an ancient rotting wooden table with candle and candle holder in its center. There was a chair next to it, and several small bookshelves with dozens of books on the shelves - surprisingly intact. He had studied each book carefully and was intrigued with the ancient Gaelic and Latin languages used in the writings. He was also fascinated with the fact that there were actual magic spells in these books. He was no sorcerer either but had tried a spell, the easiest one there. Of course nothing had happened, but he had felt something wonderful course through him, or maybe it had just been his imagination.

Darien half smiled at the recollection. Not one of the other scientists thought this cave was as exciting as he did – save that woman Dominique Destine. She firmly believed that there was something truly powerful down here, but the other archeologists had not taken her seriously. She had been forced to wait outside while he and a few others came down into the caves. She was no archeologist, so legally and for safety reasons she was not allowed in the working field. At times, Darien could hear her screaming at the men and women working up top. Her reputation as a nasty woman was truer now than ever before.

However, the other archeologists were more fascinated by the hieroglyphics at the cave entrance and had been trying to crack their ancient codes for hours – until Darien's discoveries had roused intrigue and delighted surprise.

It had all started with their first visit and looking at all the markings on the entrance just before you entered the deeper portions of the cave. Then the second surprise came as you traveled down the stairs that led into the cave. Those stairs had in turn led into a passageway that looked as though it had been meticulously carved right out of the walls. Here in these halls were more hieroglyphics and pictures, each one depicting a story. These pictures also gave a brief description of the culture that had built it and much more. Then, on the third visit Darien had ventured a little further into the cave - much further than before, and had found the clearing, which could be a cave explorer's paradise. There were stalagmites and stalactites, and then there was the dwelling. At first glance he hadn't been able to tell what it was, and when he started looking closer he had grown stunned and excited. This place had terribly excited Dominique. Many were starting to think her insane. She wanted to be in this dwelling badly. "There is something in there!" she kept saying over and over again, yet would never give further explanation. It was like the woman was entranced.

At present, Darien was in his fifth and final visit to the cave dwelling. He was used to jumping the fissure by now. It was narrow enough and he was determined to uncover as much as he possibly could. He'd brought enough provisions and materials to camp out in this cave for several days if he needed to, but sometimes he found that sitting alone in the dark for too long grew almost, well, frightening, and he would have to return to the world above to refresh himself.

Even so, working as he did soon revealed that whoever had lived here had treated this place as a workshop of sorts, a place of solitude where one could work unhindered. Yet Darien couldn't figure out why anyone would want such a creepy location. Several times already he'd thought he'd caught a glimpse of a figure coming toward him out of the gloom. It made him jumpier than he'd like to be, but his work distracted him.

As he worked, he wondered why any man or woman with sane mind would choose a cave for an office. Was this a place where sorcerers brewed their potions and chronicled their secrets? Was this a place where dark rituals had been practiced? If not, why not practice ones art in a school or a castle, or even in one's own home? To do all of this in a cave seemed odd to him, unless of course the owner of this strange dwelling had been a man on the run, or an outcast, or even a murderer. If he was the latter, then of course he'd want a hideout.

Either way, this strange place was in no home, school or castle. It was in a funny out-of-the-way place that left too much to the imagination. Darien could only hope that the answers he sought would be given in the treasures he uncovered.

After hours of digging, Darien sighed and set away his tools to take a sip of water from his canteen. He'd spent some time categorizing and logging most of the artifacts he'd discovered, but the more he found the more questions he had. That was the trouble with archeology, you could never get a clear answer, and if one day you did you'd find something else that simply raised more questions.

Almost like today, he thought and picked up his chisel. The far wall was odd. The first day he'd come down here he'd noticed its unnatural construction had caught his interest and he'd known immediately that someone had built that wall. What it had been constructed to hide remained a mystery, but Darien was determined to find out. Now that many of the other artifacts were cataloged and stored elsewhere he had room enough left to try and knock it down. He had to do it carefully, however. Many of the books he'd uncovered already were extremely fragile. Whatever was behind this wall could be just as fragile if not more so.

After an eternity of chiseling, he decided to try something else. He pulled a small hammer out of his bag and set it to his right while he pulled out a miniature broom commonly seen on all sorts of excavations. He dusted most of what he'd chiseled away then lightly tapped on the wall where he'd been digging and chiseling for who knew how long. That was all it took.

With a startled yelp, Darien jumped back to avoid flying shards of rocks. The whole wall had come apart like a glass window after being hit by a baseball. When the dust cleared he sat up with a slight cough and looked around. Nothing else but his pride appeared damaged, that was good. He looked at the rubble and noticed the well of darkness that loomed where the wall had been, but in that rubble something glistened. He crept forward to get a better look and gasped at what he saw.

Though dusty and slightly dinged from the collapse, a large, majestic golden case sat snuggly between a pair of large stalagmites. It was covered with various sizes of intricate designs left by thousands of years of nature's work. There were handcrafted ornaments hanging from the ceiling, some of which had also become laden with material after thousands of years. Everything in that little nook seemed to sit around the golden case as if protecting it. The thing had to be as large as a thirteen inch television, one laden with jewels and ancient writings.

Suddenly excited and feeling triumphant, Darien picked up his lantern and raced from the cave. He was sure his colleagues, and especially David Xanatos, would want to see this before he tried to free it of the stalagmites. Dominigue Destine was here of her own accord, but this dig was funded by Xanatos. This find was sure to impress him.

*******

Manhattan, New York

Xanatos was booming with interest as he listened to the news that a team of his archeologists had uncovered something interesting and promising in Scotland. Apparently it was an artifact that had been found in some caves that Goliath had described as nearly being right in his clan's back yard. Xanatos had had an interest in that land since bringing the clan to life. Until recently he had forgotten all about it, but a nagging curiosity and a strange sense of urgency had not left him alone until he had finally sent a team of archeologists to learn more about that area of land than they already knew.

"Now, you say you found a golden case in a cave?" Xanatos asked, speaking loud and clear so his voice was heard on the other end. Goliath entered his office just then and Xanatos nodded his head at him.

Goliath stopped when he heard what Xanatos said. Had he heard Xanatos correctly, and what exactly was he talking about? His interest peaked, Goliath approached Xanatos to watch and listen.

"That's correct, Mr. Xanatos," a male voice replied. "We're sending you some pictures over the Internet." There was a pause. "It'll take a minute to download the images, but you should receive them any time now."

"Understood," Xanatos said as he placed a hand over the phone. He turned as Goliath approached the desk. "I'm glad you came in when you did, Goliath." He turned and watched Owen log on to the Internet on the viewing screen. "A team of my archeologists has discovered something interesting in some of the caves you told me about. It's a golden case believed to have originated somewhere in the fourth century." He looked at the screen. "We'll be able to view it in just a moment."

Goliath stared at Xanatos a moment before he turned to look at the screen. He got the feeling he knew what 'golden case' Xanatos was referring to, but wondered if his host even understood just what it was he was uncovering.

"You should be receiving the images now, Mr. Xanatos," said Darian's voice. "Let me know when you get them."

Xanatos nodded as he and Goliath looked at the large screen. Both watched with growing anticipation as several different images appeared on the screen. The first were of the cave and the dwelling the Archmage had used, which Goliath knew all too well. Then there were small trinkets that hung over the floor, nearly ready to drop from the weight of century's worth of calcium deposits. Then the desk, the chairs and the other artifacts that Darien had found in the stone dwelling also appeared, but so far there was no golden case.

"We got the cave and a few other things, all very impressive," Xanatos announced, his fascination obvious as he stared at the screen. "But we haven't received the golden case yet."

"Uh . . ." said Darian's voice. "It should be coming up . . . now."

As Goliath and Xanatos watched, a fabulous golden box appeared on screen. In a way it didn't appear at all like a case, rather a chest, but it was impressive. There were jewels and written language etched along its sides. Calcium deposits dirtied its frame, yet its magnificence glistened like the sun on a dark night.

Goliath's heart thundered in his chest at the sight of it. All at once he knew this was the case that had haunted his dreams for so long now. Dread and a strange mixture of excitement swelled in his bosom. All at once he recalled the old stories and what he had read in Lady Dragon's journal. If they were to be believed, Constantine's very soul was sealed within it.

Xanatos watched him in surprise. "Goliath?" he said in concerned confusion. "Are you all right?"

Goliath shook his head. "This can't be."

Xanatos studied Goliath a moment. "This is very interesting, Mr. Maquire. These are all very impressive artifacts, particularly the case." He glanced at Goliath, and added, "My friend here seems to agree."

Goliath stared at Xanatos, not realizing that his mouth was open and quickly shut it before turning back to the screen.

]

"What did you plan to do with this artifact, Mr. Maquire?" Xanatos asked.

"Well . . ." Darien sighed, and Goliath heard the sound of excited voices and different clanking objects that made him nervous. "We were going to open it and see what was inside . . ."

Goliath's heart stopped. Didn't the fools realize what lie within that case!? It could not be opened for any reason!

being was filled with an over powering terror and urgency that had to be released. Though he didn't fully understand why, he knew that the golden case could not be opened. Not for any reason, period!

"No!" he shouted and grasped the desk in his talons until the edges began to splinter. "Do not open that case!" He turned to Xanatos and Owen who stared at him in shock. "Tell them not to open that case!"

Xanatos and Owen stared at Goliath in shock.

"Um, Mr. Xanatos?" Darien's voice said over the phone. "Is something wrong? Who was that?"

"That, Mr. Maquire, was my friend," Xanatos explained as he watched Goliath.

"I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about, but just to be safe, let's not open the case yet, shall we?"

"Uh," Darien stuttered, obviously confused and disappointed. "Okay, but why?"

"I'm not sure - yet," Xanatos replied truthfully. "In the mean time, however, keep the staff on hand until I arrive. I'll be bringing my friend along since he might be able to help us figure this thing out."

"You're coming here?" asked Darien a bit nervously.

"I'll be there in a few hours," Xanatos told him. "Clean up the site and bring the artifacts above ground. But DON'T open the case."

"Of course," Darien stammered. "I'll see you in a few hours then."

Xanatos hung up the phone then looked at Goliath. The giant was still staring at the screen even though Owen had shut it off.

"Goliath?" Xanatos said in concern and Goliath looked at him slowly. "What's gotten into you? I've never seen you act like this."

Goliath shook his head. "That case cannot be opened, Xanatos," he said softly. "It is a piece of very old magic, a part of clan lore. It has haunted my dreams for nights now and it all started with Lady Dragon's journal."

Xanatos raised his eyebrows. "You mean the old book we uncovered? That was, what, five, maybe six years ago?"

Goliath nodded. "Yes, and clan legend tells of a great evil that was locked inside of it." He looked at the blank screen and shuddered before turning back to Xanatos. "Normally, I would object to your volunteering my presence so freely, especially considering there will be humans there who may or may not have learned of my clan, or gargoyles in general. Such daring is dangerous. However," he paused as he looked out the window, a dark expression on his face, "opening that case can spread an even worse disaster. If being there can stop it before it can occur, I suppose the risk is worth it."

Xanatos nodded. "I thought as much," he said as he stood. "That's why I - volunteered you to come along." He turned to Owen. "Owen, I need my jet-rigged chopper ready within the hour. Have Fox get ready because she'll be going with us. I'll need you to stay here and look after Alex."

"Of course, sir," Owen complied and started dialing a number as Xanatos gathered his materials then left the office, leaving Goliath alone near the large window. A sidelong glance revealed how troubled the large gargoyle appeared and Xanatos had to admit that he felt a little concerned.

As he stepped into the hall, he bumped into Hudson. "Excuse me, Hudson," he said politely. "Looking for something?"

Hudson nodded. "Aye, Goliath," he said. "Is he in yuir office?"

Xanatos nodded. "Yes. I'm not sure what is going on, however. He is very disturbed."

Hudson raised an eye ridge. "He's been a little quiet for some time, now," he observed thoughtfully. "What happened?"

"My team has uncovered a golden case in Scotland," Xanatos explained as both looked back into the office. "It really upset Goliath when they voiced their excitement to open it. He said something evil lurked inside of it, something that came from old legends and stories found in the journal we gave him over five years ago. I admit I am confused, but if there is danger in opening that case I'd rather handle this situation carefully. I don't want to make old mistakes again."

"A wise choice, lad," Hudson rumbled, and then sighed. "I wish he'd speak more o' what troubles him. Will ye be goin' tae Scotland then?"

Xanatos nodded. "Yes," he confirmed.

"Would ye mind then, lad, if I came with ye? If Goliath is tae go as well, I should be there too."

Xanatos regarded him. "Of course, Hudson," he said in slight confusion. "Is that for any particular reason?"

Hudson sighed. "I feel that this is something I must do."

* * * * * * *

A short while later, the clan stood before Xanatos's helicopter waiting anxiously for Goliath, Hudson and Xanatos to depart. Goliath still did not feel comfortable going at all, but he accepted the dangers encountering strange humans more than he did of having to deal with a demonic sorcerer of legend. The clan's only comfort, particularly Elisa and Angela's, was that he was not going alone.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Elisa asked as she stepped a little closer and took his hand. "You don't need anyone else to go with you?"

Goliath nodded. "I am positive, Elisa," he replied. "Opening that case will spread disaster, but perhaps being there will answer ever-present questions, as well. I must go to Scotland."

Elisa sighed. "Just be careful, okay?"

Goliath looked at her.

"Goliath!" Xanatos called from the helicopter. "We need to get going!"

Goliath nodded then turned to his clan. "Be careful, all of you," he said to them. "I will return soon."

"Good-bye, father," Angela said as she embraced him. "Please be careful," She turned to Hudson and smiled. "And you too, elder."

"Aye, lass," Hudson said with a smile.

Goliath smiled at them then turned to Elisa. "Farewell, Elisa. I will see you soon."

Elisa cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. "We'll be waiting, Big Guy."

Goliath nodded then turned to Hudson. "Come," he said, and with a nod Hudson followed him as they approached the roaring helicopter.

"Goliath, wait!"

Goliath turned at the sound of Lexington's voice and reached out a hand to steady the smaller gargoyle so he wasn't swept away by the gusts created by the blades.

"I brought you guys some of your favorite books." He shrugged as Goliath took them. "Just something to keep you guys from getting bored out of your minds. The flight to Scotland will be at least fourteen hours."

"Thank you, Lexington," Goliath said with a smile, and after patting the younger gargoyle's shoulder, he turned to the helicopter again and boarded. He heard the farewell calls of his clan before the door was shut behind him and the helicopter lifted off.

*******

Goliath sighed as he sat down and strapped himself in. Apprehension twisted his gut in knots but he found he was more anxious with the possibility of meeting Constantine face to face than anything else, and he had fourteen hours to stew over it. Naturally, this helicopter wouldn't make such a journey. They were going to have to carefully land at Xanatos's private runway and take a small private jet overseas. Once they landed in Europe, they would take another helicopter to the site in Scotland. Goliath didn't know how Xanatos was going to smuggle himself and Hudson around in broad sight of so many humans, but all he could do now was trust the man.

"Lad?"

Goliath turned his head and looked at Hudson.

"What do ye think o' this?"

Goliath sighed. "I do not know for certain, Hudson," he replied. "But all these dreams, that journal, and that swordsman . . ." He paused for a moment. "Something is happening to me. Something is happening. I feel it all leads towards a great destiny, but I cannot be sure."

Hudson grinned at his friend. "Well," he said as he sat back in his seat. "The answers will come with time, Goliath. If ye are being called tae a great destiny, I trust that ye will embrace it as loyally as ye embraced leadership o' this clan." He raised a curious eye ridge. "But I wonder, what would ye do, lad, if the Guardian asked ye to take up his duties tae protect his people?"

Goliath regarded Hudson a moment then grew thoughtful. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "I suppose I would be honored. But, if that would take precedence over my clan, if it . . ." He shook his head. "I am not sure I would trust myself. My experience with the Eye of Odin showed me I am no good with great power."

Hudson shook his head. "Nay," he said. "I think it taught ye that ye are still mortal, that while ye might have hidden abilities, ye are still subject tae temptations the same as any human or gargoyle. If anything, I think ye learned tae keep yuirself fortified, that with great power comes great responsibility. Recalling failures and mistakes makes us stronger for the future, lad."

Goliath sighed again and glanced out the window. "True, old friend," he muttered reluctantly. A small measure of peace came over him at the truth of Hudson's words. He pondered on it as he watched Xanatos's private airstrip come into view. Several moments later, they had boarded the jet readied for take-off and in less than half an hour, they were soaring out over the Atlantic.

The water was black against the night sky, choppy and turbulent. The urgency in natural currents and the winds that drove the sea made him uneasy and eager for this strange matter to be over with. He still wondered at times if all of this was just a strange story, a dream he was visiting over and over again, but the sound of Hudson's quiet snoring reminded him it wasn't.

He jumped when he readjusted his seat and reached to remove whatever it was that had poked his buttock. He wasn't too surprised when he caught the red and gold glint of the Guardian's Seal. Even now it was glowing and somehow he felt comforted by it. It had once belonged to Odomus. Perhaps the ancient warrior had sent it to guide him somehow? Perhaps it could shield him if something happened?

Frowning, he tucked it back into the pouch he had once carried on his journey through Avalon. The symbol on the front was familiar and he couldn't help but wonder if a similar symbol had been placed on the case. He wondered if it would be a coincidence, or if it symbolized something. He could only hope that time would provide more answers, because thus far, he had received far too few.

Trying to stifle his irritation, he reached for a book and began to read. Fourteen hours until they reached Scotland, even by air, was it? Ah well. At least the books would keep his mind at ease.

To be continued . . .

*********

A/N; I forgot to add a thank you in my last posts to my friend, Annie, who was kind enough to edit my writings before I posted them. I really owe her a lunch or a sundae at the very most.

Anyway, please review. I like very much to see how I am doing.