Disclaimer; Gargoyles are the property of the Walt Disney Company.

Summary; Seeing two faces when you look at your reflection is never a good omen when battle draws near. What does it mean for Goliath and the clone who was born of his blood?


The Truth


Crystal Moon

The Guardian's Mountain

Goliath growled as they neared the Guardian's Lake. He felt he'd never pushed his wings so hard in his life. He felt something near the lake and needed, wanted, to confront it. Why, he couldn't exactly say yet.

He glared at the storm around him, noting how its strange heat and oppressive energy drained the life out of every plant on the island. It was probably nothing more than some grand illusion meant to intimidate, but it was doing a very good job. Everything looked like it was withering and dying.

"We must stop this!" he snapped. "If this is the fate of the world should Constantine win . . .!"

Odomus shook his head. "He won't win. We'll make certain of that, for his own good - as well as ours."

Goliath regarded him. "How do you mean?"

Odomus sighed. "That would take some time to explain, my son, and time is something we don't have. Come."

He flew on with Goliath staring after him. Goliath needed to learn compassion, even for his enemies sometimes, before he could succeed as a Guardian. Understanding every angle of a story, every angle of a person's history and identity, made it harder to judge. True warriors lived justly, not by prejudices.

Goliath followed after his father, driven by a presence he couldn't identify. Something up ahead caught his eye and he focused on it. Someone was near the lake and he knew who it was.

"Thailog," he snarled.

Odomus lifted a hand, signaling his son to quiet his anger. "We'll come in behind them," he said. "I don't want an all-out battle yet."

The two gargoyles landed in a safe spot and were able to creep up behind Thailog and his accompanying troop of dragon men. There were at least four of them, and all of them were heavily armed. At the moment none of them appeared hostile. They stood on a ledge over looking the lake and a small village at the mountain's massive base. Goliath recognized the camp where he'd met the Dragon Masters, but they were long gone now. He could see the people in the village swarming like frightened children. He knew they were trying to reach Emerald City. It was well fortified and they'd be safe there.

After several moments, Thailog and his squad got up to leave. Goliath and Odomus glanced at each other, nodded and followed them.

* * * * * *

Emerald Palace

Hudson and Nassiah turned as Lady Dragon approached them. The alarm had been sounded. Those who would not or could not fight were being herded to shelters where they'd be safe from any invading force. Titania had gone to help spread the warning to the other cities. Several dragon men had been spotted in the air.

Lady Dragon joined them in a cave just to the north of the palace. In fact it was right on the grounds. Long ago it had been used as a rookery. Now children and their care takers huddled within it, murmuring and whimpering in fear as dragon men circled overhead before moving on. She did a good job of avoiding their sharp eyes. The children would remain safe for a while longer.

"Any word from father?" Nassiah asked as she helped Lady Dragon through the tight opening.

"None, but it appears the dragon men's scouting party is larger than we'd anticipated," she informed them breathlessly. She'd been running all over the grounds organizing the distribution of food stuffs should the battle last longer than a few days. "There's no evidence of an attack yet, but it will come."

"Aye, and it'll be a right wicked sight," Hudson growled. "I've only seen the beasts fight once, and that was enough for me."

Lady Dragon nodded. "They are formidable," she said. "We'll wait here a moment longer. Then we'll rally our warriors for battle."

Nassiah nodded and glared at the darkening skies as the dragon men flew away.

* * * * * *

The Guardian's Lake

Thailog grumbled and took a drink from the lake. He was incredibly thirsty. And hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten. Constantine provided food but he couldn't seem to get enough. Something was wrong with him. His body ached, his head was foggy and he couldn't seem to think straight. He wondered if Constantine had done more with his magic than just heal his crippled body.

He glanced at the dragon men. They were unusually nervous. Why? Was it the lake? That was ridiculous! It was just water! There was nothing dangerous about it at all. Not like the Black Realm, at least. He really didn't know why he tolerated the place so well. He was no prince charming, no knight in shining armor and no hero for that matter, but even he had to admit that the vision Constantine had for the world was just a little bit disconcerting. No, it was very disconcerting. He couldn't imagine himself living in that dirty a world - could he? Nothing would grow in that world. There'd be no sun, no clean running water and no good crops for harvesting. There'd be only bodies, rotting flesh . . .

He stood and shook his head. The thought made even him nauseous.

He looked up at the sky. One would think that dark, low lying clouds would bring cooling rain but these clouds brought oppressive heat and mind numbing darkness. It was like sitting in a sauna with some sort of wicked creature sitting at your back. The apprehension was terrible. Even he was jumping at shadows – and he was supposed to be Constantine's Shadow Warrior.

He looked at the dragon men again. They were keeping their distance from the lake. A great distance, as a matter of fact.

He growled at them. "Would you relax?" he sneered and adjusted his blaster's halter. "It's just a lake. It's water. You drink it."

One dragon men glared at him. "Not from this water. It is cursed."

Thailog stared at him. "Fools. Superstitious nonsense."

"Not so!" another snarled. "This lake breeds bad magic. It destroys Constantine's magic!"

Thailog paused. It what?

He looked at the lake, suddenly afraid. What did that mean for him? It was Constantine's sorcery that had healed him. If he drank this water, did that mean . . .

He stepped away from the lake himself. He didn't like Constantine but he wasn't ready to give up his healthy body. Not ever. He'd rather die.

I still don't know why I was so quick to join him, he thought sourly. It would have been better to remain a cripple than to live as a slave. And yet, the outcome would have been the same. He will still destroy me at some point or another, or at least attempt it. I must prolong the inevitable. And perhaps in doing so, I can find a way to beat him! I'll take his throne – but I'll let Goliath destroy him. Yes. Yes, that will do nicely.

He grinned evilly and chuckled quietly to himself.

Something inside of him shrank at the thought. Some part of him wept. He frowned and looked into the waters of the lake. At first he thought it an illusion of the shadows created by the clouds, but as he looked closer he realized he wasn't seeing things. There was another figure standing beside him. It was a mirror copy, or it would have been if not for the lighter skin tone and tan colored hair.

His wings flared in alarm. What sorcery was this?

The dragon men behind him fidgeted anxiously. He looked at them and frowned. They were angry with him. It was that silly nonsense about drinking from the lake again, he guessed. After what he'd just seen he might believe them. What sort of magic was at work here? He was more experienced with human technology, not some strange energy that filled the universe.

He jumped when leaves rustled somewhere behind them. They turned, weapons drawn, as a large rabbit darted out of the bushes and leaped into a burrow a meter or so from Thailog's feet. He stared at the bush. Something had startled it.

"We're not alone," one of the dragon men hissed.

"No, you are not."

The deep voice was Thailog's, but it wasn't. They stared up in alarm as Goliath and his father Odomus landed between them. The dragon men were ready to attack that instant, but Thailog bade them stand their ground with a gesture.

He glared at Goliath. "Don't you know it is impolite to spy on someone?"

Golaith snarled. The air around him crackled with energy and Thailog almost took a step back in surprise. This wasn't the Goliath he knew – except for the temper.

"And it is appropriate for ye tae spy on our people, is it?" Odomus countered casually.

Thailog just laughed, but for some reason he felt uncomfortable. "We have our reasons, and they are very good ones."

"Ye're referring to the spell I cast on Constantine and his forces, aren't ye?" Odomus inquired. "Wanted tae see just how far we've come did ye?" He shook his head. "It won't matter. Constantine will be stopped."

Thailog huffed. "Now I see where Goliath got his pathetic nobility, his naivety, and that ridiculous hope that someone can change." Goliath growled softly but Thailog ignored him as he sat his blaster aside and took out a knife from his pouch. It glowed eerily in the darkness as he fiddled with it. "Unfortunately for the two of you, not everyone does change and I have no intentions of doing so. I am perfectly content with where I am."

"Are ye?" Odomus countered. "Ye don't seem happy."

Thailog glared at him and the dragon men took a step closer. Goliath threw them a look and they shrank back. "I have chosen my destiny!"

"That ye have," Odomus agreed angrily. "But ye won't do it here. I am the steward of this land. I am charged with protecting its people. I will ask ye politely, once, tae leave and report whatever ye must tae yer master. Otherwise . . ."

Thailog laughed. "Or what? You'll run us off?"

"Don't tempt him," Goliath growled, surprising Thailog for a second time. "He can defeat you, Thailog. Unlike most of us he is immortal. Not even Constantine can boast that strength."

"Can you?" Thailog asked, a little too curiously.

Goliath grinned secretively. "We shall see," he said and glanced at the lake. He was astonished to see the same illusion in the water Thailog had. He stared at it and then looked at Thailog. His thoughts turned to the strange dream and the figure standing in shadow away from the clan silently calling out for help. The figure in the lake looked exactly the same.

"Blazes!" he gasped.

"There ARE two souls in ye, lad," Odomus muttered suddenly. Goliath turned to him, surprised. "I wasn't certain at first, but . . . I think I understand now. The spell Constantine cast tae twist time . . . it took someone away . . ."

Goliath stared at his father and then looked at his clone. Almost immediately he saw something he hadn't expected; a face, his face, staring back at him. But it wasn't his face. It wasn't him. It was . . .

Thailog glared at them as a strange feeling swelled inside him. It was hope, elation, relief and so much more. It grew so strong he felt he'd lose his mind. This outpouring of joy towards these two enemies was not of him. Yet it was there.

He stepped back, snarling angrily and erected a barrier around his torso. "What magic are you casting? What lies are you spitting?"

"No lies, lad," Odomus replied, still awed by what he saw and felt and strangely overjoyed to the point of tears. "I know what Constantine has done. I know who ye are!"

"Yes!" Thailog spat. "A clone of Goliath, bred from his very blood!"

Odomus shook his head. "Nay. Ye're more than that; a great warrior, a brave soul – and . . . my son! My grandson! Stars, Constantine what have ye done!?"

Thailog roared and the dragon men attacked. Goliath wasted no time. He leaped between them and his father and waving a hand obliterated them in an instant. Thailog retaliated with a blast of his own but Goliath deflected it and knocked the clone into the lake.

"Go home to your master, Thailog. Tell him we are ready." Odomus turned from them, pausing only once before he disappeared in the brush. "Think hard about who you are, my son. Look deep intae yer soul, intae yer power. Ye're more than what ye've become – what Constantine wants ye tae be."

Thailog snarled with enough venom to melt metal on contact. Goliath was not intimidated, but he was confused and anxious.

"You will both broil in Constantine's cauldron for this humiliation!" Thailog roared and leaped into the air. "I am no abomination! Nor am I a fool! You were many things to me Goliath, but this . . . Be glad I am not your opponent!"

He disappeared into the swirling mass of clouds and heat, leaving Goliath and Odomus alone. "Goliath, let's go home," Odomus said softly. "We've much tae talk about."

Goliath followed quietly after his father.

* * * * * * *

The Black Realm/Hell's castle

Constantine looked up as Thailog returned. He had seen the incident near the lake and heard the clone's inner most thoughts. He was not surprised but he was also less than pleased. The chip of heart stone he'd buried in the clone's heart was not having the desired affect. In fact, its power was all but gone. He had tasted the waters of Guardians Lake. The purity of the water there was rumored to break any spell. He could see that it was. Thailog was not exactly acting like himself, or acting the way Constantine would have him act, or maybe both.

Still, Odomus had hit the nail on the head. There was another soul locked deep within the clone. It was emerging now. The cleansing power of the lake was calling Goliath's twin back from the brink of oblivion. And it wasn't good.

"So, you've returned at last," he called down to the clone, who paused to glare up at him. "Odomus is ready, is he? What of his son?"

Thailog stared at the sorcerer, his temper ebbing slightly. "I felt his strength," he growled out warily. "He is more formidable than I had thought."

"Very well then," Constantine glowered as he stood. "We shall prepare to meet them. Keep your temper Thailog. Anger clouds the mind," he added as an afterthought and smiled cruelly when the clone sneered at him. "I trust the other cities are not as well fortified as Emerald City, correct?"

Thailog sucked in a deep breath and nodded. "Yes. But it is the villages that are most at risk. Warriors from the capitol city were already evacuating the villages and moving the refugees into strongholds within city limits. I suspect there are underground tunnels leading to hidden hideaways in the hills. But that is purely my own guess."

"I would not be surprised if you were right," Constantine muttered and took a flying leap that planted him firmly in front of his subordinate. "Signal our forces. They fly now."

Thailog knew he was referring to their outbound strike forces but nodded all the same. "In the meantime . . ." Constantine sighed as he turned to a pair of odd creatures Thailog had never seen before. He didn't hear what Constantine told them and didn't hear their reply. He only saw a flash of light as he leaped off the balcony and heard Constantine's cruel chuckle as he flew to meet the outbound strike teams. That sorcerer was up to something and he knew it.

* * * * * * *

Emerald Palace/Crystal Moon

Goliath sat in a chair, shaking. He couldn't believe it. A brother. He had a brother! Or at least he was supposed to. Somehow Constantine's meddling had pulled him from the time stream and thus altered his destiny. It made him angry. It was supposed to be impossible to alter time, and yet somehow Constantine had done just that. Even Thailog had been affected and it made Goliath wonder who he could have been without all the meddling.

Goliath knew Constantine could not survive without the heart stone. He knew that for the sorcerer to die the heart stone must be destroyed and in doing so, all the damage he had done would be undone. Thailog might receive a new life, one he deserved and his twin . . . his brother . . .

He shook his head. "It is so strange. Since finding that journal my life, my very existence has been altered. Everything I thought I knew has been voraciously challenged. And now I learn I have a brother. A TWIN brother."

Odomus nodded. "Constantine has caused a great deal o' damage, that is true," he said softly. "But there is something ye must know, son. There is a story about Constantine I want ye tae understand before ye place any further judgments. And realize I do not excuse his evil acts. But, as a Guardian ye must rule with justice and compassion, understanding everything."

Goliath regarded him and nodded, although he still didn't quite understand.

"Lad, ye realize that none of us just start out evil," Odomus began and Goliath nodded again. "We start that path with a choice. Constantine grew up in the early second century. He's a few years older than yer mother. But unlike yer mother, he was born into a very poor and dysfunctional family. His father drank, earned very little money, and what money he earned he spent on drinking. His wife and seven children were starving and cold. They didn't have good clothing and their home was falling apart.

"Constantine has always been a frightened little boy, my son. He has always been afraid of being hurt, of being alone. He never had the chance tae discover who he was." Odomus paused and sat down next to his son. "Night after night was almost always the same. His father and mother argued constantly, and his beatings on her grew worse every night. He even beat his own children. But there was one night that would prove the worst. His father returned home in a rage. It was completely unprovoked and unnecessary. He was complaining about the lack o' food on the table, and his wife argued that it was due tae him and his drinking. Already in an uncontrollable rage, Constantine's father began tae scream and yell, beating his mother relentlessly. And like every night, Constantine and his brothers and sisters remained in their room, frozen tae their beds in terror. But that night they wouldn't sit still. They stand and fight – and in doing so would witness the murder o' their mother."

Goliath's eyes widened slightly but he stayed silent and listened.

"Despite their terror, they rushed tae help their mother," Odomus continued. "They tackled their father and bit and clawed with as much ferocity as their little bodies could muster. But their father was large and strong. He turned on them and though weak their mother came in tae their defense. It was the last time she'd do anything of the sort."

Goliath closed his eyes.

"During the screaming and hitting, their mother yelled for them tae run. The children ran and hid where their father could not find them. He destroyed the house in his rage. When silence fell, the children emerged. Their father had left the house again and their mother lay dying on the floor. They stayed tae comfort her, tae plead with her tae leave with them. Their father returned before they could flee the home and they had tae scurry tae avoid him.

"Constantine and his youngest sister ran for freedom. His father was now so drunk that by this time he didn't have the strength tae hold them. They escaped intae the night and somewhere along the way, Constantine and his sister were separated. All of the children lost track of each and he never saw them again. He huddled in a thicket near a small stream for hours, shivering with cold and fright. He was alone for nearly a full day before he heard the sound of a carriage coming up the path. It was a nobleman and his lady, both of whom were young and quite in love. They stopped near the stream tae eat. He tried tae hide from them but made enough noise that he startled them. The nobleman drew his sword in an effort tae protect his lady. She saw Constantine and hurried tae help him.

"It took a lot of coaxing tae get Constantine out of the brush. The lady held him in her arms and let him cry, then after hearing his story sent the nobleman tae find his brothers and sisters. He found no one and confirmed the death of Constantine's mother. A small funeral was prepared for her. Constantine watched as the house burned tae the ground. Having nowhere else tae go, he accompanied the lady and her man tae their home.

"By evening they'd arrived at a great fortress, a large city. The lady bathed, dressed and fed our frightened boy. He rarely spoke tae her, however. He was still tae frightened and wasn't certain who he could trust. It would take him several days tae stop jumping at shadows and weeping in his sleep. The pain of losing his mother was deep and no search that ever went out came back with news of his brothers and sisters. The lady and her nobleman always remained kind and patient. They never raised their voices or threatened tae strike him as his father always had.

"Months later, Constantine was doing much better. He had grown close to the lady and even became a part of their family when they were wed. Soon enough the months turned intae years. Constantine grew into a handsome young man. He learned from the best tutors of his day and was rather popular among his peers and fellow students. He was trained in alchemy and magic. He became a very accomplished magus at a very young age."

Goliath frowned thoughtfully. "Alchemy, you said? I read something on that once. The magus and the Archmage both practiced alchemy to some degree. It was the beginnings of chemistry. But it was premature. They often poisoned themselves."

Odomus nodded. "As such is the beginnings of Constantine's insanity. Even while courting a young woman named Elizabeth, he was showing signs of strain. It wasn't terribly noticeable at first mind ye. He was polite and kind and spent enough time outside the lab that the deadly fumes didn't – well, ye know. Anyway, Constantine and Elizabeth began tae spend a lot of time taegether. Over time they fell in love and were wed.

"Elizabeth would give birth tae two sons. It was his family and he was very happy. But Constantine never forgot what became of his family and his father and vowed tae never drink and raise his voice or his fist in anger. This allowed him tae live for years in happiness. Even after the passing of the nobleman and his lady he kept peace in his home.

"However, the happy years didn't last. A strange darkness fell over the land – but it was more figurative than literal. A man came tae the city. His name was Lamen and he was a terrible man. He possessed great power. Filled with lust he began making inappropriate passes on Elizabeth. Constantine often confronted him and soon those confrontations turned violent. The people rallied with Constantine. It seemed that Lamen was not satisfied with just one woman. He was arrested and taken tae the dungeon, but that would do no good. No one really realized just how powerful he was. Somehow, he managed tae drop a potion in the well system and over a period of time the people of the city began tae change. Even Constantine himself felt it and sensing the danger managed tae find something that protected himself and his family against Lamen's evil. But it wouldn't be enough.

"Within days the people of the city were behaving like animals. They'd freed Lamen from the dungeon and paraded him through the streets. Constantine hid his family in the castle but they were discovered. Elizabeth lost her life in the ensuing struggle. Mad with grief, Constantine sent his sons away. They fled the castle, fled the city. He'd never see them again."

Goliath shook his head.

Odomus's cheek twitched. "Constantine was left alone tae duel with Lamen. It was a twisted battle; they'd hide from one another for days and use their sorcery tae seek each other out. The attacks left him weak and vulnerable. Anger began taunting him. Strange dreams tortured him. He found himself one day stuck in the alchemist's laboratory. There were no windows and the fumes began tae affect him. He imagined himself as a powerful sorcerer, conquering Lamen and ruling the castle in his place. The king, as I am certain you must have guessed, is long dead by now, murdered by the people in their insanity.

"Constantine desperately sought ways to make that dream a reality. He wanted peace tae return tae the city, but his mind was becoming clouded. He'd tasted the well water without the protection he'd offered his family. He couldn't think straight and every thought he had centered somehow on Lamen.

"One day, while rummaging through the books and records in the lab he happened upon a black book. It had been left there by Lamen. He read from it and began tae desire the power it promised. His desperation tae defeat Lamen left room for little else. When he was finally found, he was not the man he once was. He struck out at them with terrible magic and soon he had confronted Lamen.

"Their battle was fierce. Only one would survive." He sighed and adjusted his seat. "Lamen was slain that day, but his own power was so great he managed tae preserve himself enough tae possess Constantine. At first he didn't notice anything. He was still Constantine for a while, but soon his conscience was driven out. He became more like Lamen with each passing day. And yet, even with Lamen's will contorting him, some part of Constantine managed tae survive. He remains more powerful than Lamen."

Goliath didn't look like he believed that.

"Lad, think about it," Odomus said. "Constantine himself has the strength tae destroy a city or kill someone with a simple thought, but he does it so rarely. And he rarely casts real spells. His progression is slow. Do you know why?"

Goliath shook his head and thought a moment. "Perhaps he still has some control," he realized and Odomus nodded.

"I think he does," he said. "But he's losing. That is part of the reason he uses the heart stone. I think in some twisted way he thought it could help him become strong enough to expel Lamen, yet the only thing that happened was he became a prisoner tae it. Now he lives with a double edged sword. That is why we need tae defeat him, destroy the heart stone."

Goliath stood and approached the opposite window. He looked outside and thought for a long moment. "I understand what you've told me," he said at last. "But I still cannot condone his actions. I will free him. That much I can promise."

Odomus nodded. "For now that is enough, my son."

* * * * * *

Black Realm/Constantine's Throne Room

Constantine stood as still as a statue yet trembled with rage. He'd been lucky to catch Odomus's conversation with Goliath. Hearing his own story was not a pleasant thing. It brought back too many bitter memories and . . .

No. It didn't matter. Whether Constantine or Lamen he would win.

"Guard," he hissed in a deadly voice, and a hooded Dragon man bowed near the cauldron.

"Yes, lord?" It asked in a gruff voice.

"Signal our troop captains," he growled. "It's time to attack!"

The End.


A/N; A tiny revision of an old fic – most of them are VERY old fics but I'm just getting 'em up now. I'd still appreciate some reviews no matter how badly I write. I need as much insight as I can get. Thanks.