Disclaimer; Gargoyles belong to Walt Disney and Kenshin belongs to Watsuki-sensei. Once more, these fan fictions are written for fun and not profit.

Summary; The day of battle has arrived. Allies bind together, eager to protect their world. Who will survive and who will fall?

The Battle, Part 1

London, England

Aida, leader of the strike force sent from Crystal Moon, glared grimly at the mist rolling in from far away. In the pre-dawn light it glistened with harmless reflected light but she felt the magic in it. The mist concealed the attacking force she and her clan had feared would lay siege to the world. She could feel them hovering within its silvery midst, waiting to emerge only when the time to strike had arrived. She allowed herself a grin. It was quite possible the beasts didn't know that the London clan was no longer in danger of death from the chisel, but there was just no way of knowing.

She turned, her black furry body glistening in the early morning light. Her gold eyes scanned the warriors behind her waiting crouched in the shadows. Her lionesses head turned slowly from right to left to survey the traps they'd prepared for the enemy, the weapons they'd secured and the sheer number of warriors who waited on baited breath for the battle to begin. She snapped her feathery wings open until they fanned out in a majestic display, then pulled them in and took her hiding place beside the adventurous warrior, an eagle-faced, green fleshed warrior, Griff. His lion's tail, like hers, was useless in combat. Too flimsy to knock a warrior off his feet, he instead used it as a whip or a lasso to catch an enemy's weapon.

"Stand ready, friend Griff," she urged in a silken voice. "They come."

Griff stared ahead of him at the strange mist that floated towards the city. A section of it was already upon them. It was cool to the touch and seemed normal enough, but perhaps that was their enemy's plan. The humans below were oblivious to the approaching danger but his clan was thankfully prepared. He glanced at the pendant he wore and sighed, fingering its smooth surface. Most of the clan was unwilling to hear of another impending attack by a new enemy, especially after the losses from the battle against the Unseelie. Many feared they'd not survive another attack, yet here he crouched with a warrior from an island he'd never heard of, waiting on the roof of one of London's skyscrapers for their newest challenge.

Growling he turned to his friends, Una and Leo. The two were as anxious as he was. They held hands while glaring into the mist as it thickened the closer it came. A slight breeze followed its movement. Within minutes, shadows began passing over them, large shadows gargilian in shape but slightly larger.

Una gasped. "Monstrous things!" she hissed, drawing back a little. She was not afraid only uneasy.

"Here they come," Leo growled, glancing at him.

Griff glanced at Aida, frowning. "You're sure this will work?" he asked, turning back to the storm. "I dare say these beasts outnumber us 2 to 1."

"Numbers don't win battles," Aida reprimanded coolly. "But yes, this will work." She turned and gestured at the surrounding rooftops. "Take the predetermined positions. Surprise will be our first major offensive."

Una placed a hand on the talisman she'd been given and closed her eyes. This was going to be a long and drawn out battle, but at least the children were safely hidden away.

"Let's go," she hissed, taking her mate's hand and rushing towards their hiding place.

Griff watched them go then followed after the strike force leader, Aida. Already he could hear the war cry and shouts of the creatures Aida had called Dragon men as they passed overhead. It was easy to see where they got the name. The sound of their heavy leather wings, their odd scent permeated the air. The mist swirled as they soared by, but still the clan waited.

Dismal light started to pierce the mist as the sun broke the horizon. Just about now they'd be taking fierce poses, facing the sun and impending danger while they solidified for a day of sleep. Most hadn't slept well since the strike force Goliath had sent appeared several days ago. They weren't used to sleeping like humans, but even so, all were ready to fight to the death to protect their clan, the city and even the world.

Griff couldn't believe the size of the army this new enemy, Constantine, had sent out. Was it so necessary? Was he that afraid of losing? Or was he so confident in his power he enjoyed the show of force? It was more than he'd anticipated and he felt a little unprepared.

"Peace," Aida whispered. "They are fierce and they have the advantage of flight, but you know the terrain, and can outwit them. Just remember to keep to the attack plan."

He nodded, his eyes already glowing. He grinned, pleased, as the last formation passed by overhead. They were searching for sleeping warriors but they'd never any.

"Steady," Aida snarled softly, waiting a moment more. She righted her spear, opened her wings . . .

"NOW!"

Griff and Aida moved together, two solid blurs of color and shadow as they leaped into the air, screaming their rage. Hundreds of warriors filled the sky at the same moment from various points around the city, ensnaring the attacking dragon men in a large circle. They snarled in alarm, their formations breaking into utter chaos as the gargoyles used the advantage of their surprise to cut down the nearest dragon men. The roars of gargoyles filled the air as the sun's golden light glanced off wings, armor, weapons and flesh. Several dragon men dropped like stones after receiving fatal blows, startling the citizens below when they landed on cars, crashed into the pavement and slammed into the roads. They were not prepared for the surprise waiting for them and it enraged them.

Griff's talons flashed, his fists flew and he used every muscle he had to snap necks, break backs and disarm the creatures which had come to destroy them. A few wing lengths away, Aida's sword flashed with devilish speed, slicing spears, beheading foes while others of her clan bashed heads with thick, metal topped clubs. It was a gruesome battle but Griff was finding he was grateful the clan had heeded Aida's warning about not holding back. These creatures were more savage than anything his clan had ever encountered. Several of the clan had already fallen.

Though grieving he fought on. With a roar he plowed into two smaller dragon men, slamming them into a nearby roof. They remained there, unmoving, as he moved on to continue the battle. The dragon men had recovered quickly and were now fighting back with incredible force. He was grateful the mist lingered. It obscured most of the battle from the people below but he knew they'd have a terrible time of reclaiming their dead. Still, he was one of the best aerial dog fighters of the clan and as he dipped into a series of complicated maneuvers, he left no doubt in his enemy's minds that he would defeat them.

Emerald Palace

Goliath groaned as his father and mother wrapped his chest in thick bandages. He'd broken several ribs in his fall. He'd considered allowing his mother to heal him, but they were already pressed for time. Constantine's forces had already struck the outside world. London was the first hit.

"Son, take this at least."

Goliath looked in his father's eyes, noting the worry. He glanced at the breast plate the older warrior carried and frowned. "I cannot," he sighed. "It is difficult to breathe as it is."

Odomus shook his head. "This armor was worn by our ancestor Reuel and his power still breathes in the metal. This will protect ye, help ease the pain so ye can fight. One day soon ye will have yer own armor fashioned as a symbol of yer ancestry and power, but for now, please, take this."

Goliath sighed. "What about you?" he asked his father.

"I will not need armor," Odomus replied. "I am immortal, remember? However," he added hastily, frowning at Goliath's glare, "I do have spare armor I can use if necessary."

Goliath nodded, satisfied, and glanced at the war room. Many humans and gargoyles had gathered around the medallion Thailog had provided for them. It sat on a large round table providing full schematics of Constantine's domain and the creatures that lived there. He could only Thailog hadn't betrayed their trust.

"Lad, please," Odomus pleaded.

Goliath nodded and reluctantly accepted the armor. "Very well. Bring me the rest of it."

Odomus sighed, relieved, then moved away to do as asked. Hudson, who was now fully recovered from the affects of the sleep gas, approached him.

"Will ye be alright, lad?" the old warrior wondered, worried. "We can't afford tae lose ye now."

"I know, old friend," Goliath told him thankfully. "I will be careful, I promise." Hudson nodded, slightly relieved and turned to leave, but Goliath placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Hudson, I want to thank you for coming with me on this quest. You did not need to. And I am sorry that most of your time was spent training other warriors."

Hudson waved it off. "Ye're my leader lad and I have a duty tae protect and serve ye, as ye do tae me. We are clan."

Goliath smiled and clasped his mentor's hand. "I know," he said. "But, thank you."

Hudson nodded, patting Goliath's shoulder, then turned as Odomus returned with the rest of the armor. With both of their help he donned the armor quickly and was immediately amazed by the lack of pain or discomfort. In fact, he almost felt better.

He threw his father a smart-allic grin. "Feel better?" He said.

Odomus snorted and gently thumped his son on the temple. "Aye, ye stubborn goat!" he chuckled as he handed Goliath a helmet. "Now come along, we need tae begin."

"Ah, Guardian," said Soni as Goliath, Nassiah, Hudson and Odomus entered the council room. "I am glad you could join us. We've been looking over Thailog's schematics and we're greatly concerned."

"These maps are incredibly detailed, but they show no safe route through the Dark Realm," another warrior explained. "There are look-out towers within two miles of each other with several guards in each. Some even use cannons of some sort, but the design is unfamiliar to me."

"I see land mines as well," Odomus noted thoughtfully, glancing at a smaller gargoyle to his left with the rare web-winged design. "They are in higher concentration around the castle. One wrong step can diminish our numbers greatly."

"We will need tae be cautious," Hudson agreed. "I see a lot of booby traps other than the mines. They're in very odd places as well."

"My Guardian," Goliath turned and paused when he caught sight of the warrior whom had spoken. He was clearly a warrior many years older himself. The hair at his temples was grey with age but the rest of it was as red as flame. His skin was even a deep blue, deeper than Demona's yet somehow Goliath found himself noting a particular resembled. He shook it off.

"I had the thought that perhaps ye and yer father could dismantle the traps and mines before we reach them," he said, his brogue as rich as Hudson's. "That might give our remaining forces here a better chance at crossing Constantine's domain unhindered, which will save our numbers."

"Aye, that it would," Goliath agreed, nervously scanning the schematics. "Do you think I'm ready to destroy that many targets at that range?" he asked, turning to his father.

"Aye, and more besides if yer last test was any indication," Odomus assured him. "And even if ye're not, I will be there tae help. Even so this must be a surgical strike."

"Constantine will be expecting us," Hudson growled.

"What if we traveled through places Constantine would least expect us too?" another warrior asked.

"Not likely," Goliath growled. "But we can try. We'll go out in two major forces, one taking a ground route and the other an aerial route. Both of those forces will split into three or four separate groups, numbers allowing. Father, I would have you lead the aerial assault."

Odomus nodded.

"I will lead the other two or three groups underground in the tunnels they used to attack our city," Goliath explained as he traced a line of the tunnels that they had discovered earlier. "Constantine may or may not expect us to use them, but at this point it seems the only other option available to us."

"Which tunnels should we use?" Sonar asked. "The tunnels all seem so complex."

Goliath nodded. "Indeed," he said. "They cross each other in several places, perhaps to throw any invaders off-guard and allow Constantine's forces adequate space for surprise attack."

"Aye, so ye'll need tae be careful," Hudson cautioned.

"We must try not to get lost in there either," Sonar noted, and Hudson nodded.

A murmur of agreement and then all eyes fell on their leader. For a moment Goliath thought they were looking at his father and then realized they were looking at him. He frowned and stood a little taller. There was a good chance that many of these warriors would not return from the battle, but he would do his best to protect as many as he possibly could.

"My friends," he said, looking at each of the gathered warriors. "This is a long and perilous road we walk. I do not feel qualified to lead you but I will do as duty demands. You are clan, family, no matter how much time and distance has separated us. God willing, we will all survive these next few hours."

The gathered warriors nodded their agreement, smiling their grim approval.

"Watch your backs, guard the backs of those around you," he continued grimly. "Do not hold back against any foe, for they will surely not do the same for you."

Jaws clenched and eyes flashed briefly.

"Come," Goliath growled, snatching the medallion from the table and sticking it in his pouch. "The rest of our forces await us outside. Keep your courage and have faith. We will need it to win this war. If we fail all that we know and love will perish." He paused for a long moment, letting that sink in before continuing. "I wish the best of luck to you all. Now, let's move out!"

There were no shouts, no cheers, just solemn, grim approval as the warriors quietly filed out of the war room. Goliath watched them go in silence, his mind turning to his clan in Manhattan. There was no word yet, but it was very possible that they'd fallen under attack like London. It would not be a nighttime battle for them after all, however. It was still night. Still, he prayed for their safety.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to look into his father's eyes. There was great concern there. Sighing, nodding reassuringly, he followed the older warrior out of the room.

Black Realm / Hell's Castle -

Constantine hummed thoughtfully to himself. A lot of it was difficult to see but Goliath had amassed a great army. They were splitting into groups, heading in separate directions, but they would all ultimately end up here in the Dark Realm. Surely they will sue the tunnels as well, he thought to himself, and grinned grimly when he spied a few warriors climb into the tunnel entrances.

Ah! So they will.

Constantine grinned, pleased, and yet somehow he was uneasy. Something didn't feel right within himself and something in the air felt – off. He couldn't quite put it to words, yet somehow he knew that history was about to repeat itself.

"This will be a long and hard battle," one of the guards murmured darkly, glaring into the cauldron. "They do not have the same numbers, but they have fierce courage and determination." The huge dragon man frowned, his green eyes glinting savagely in the low light. "I will lose many warriors this night."

"They will lose more," Constantine assured dismally. "Just don't underestimate them."

"Never, my liege," the huge warrior muttered. "What shall we do now?"

"We wait," Constantine replied. "I have given the order to attack anything that moves either in the tunnels, above ground or in the air. Goliath and Odomus will not get far. I'll rule this world yet, you'll see."

The dragon men in the room nodded and turned to leave. Constantine barely noticed their departure, barely noticed the leader of the dragon men army signal to some of his warriors before disappearing into the shadows.

"Very soon, Odomus," Constantine hissed, his eyes glowing as he glared into the cauldron. "It will be over. Your sons will die, and you will be mine, forever!"

He cackled lightly, and spat into the cauldron.

Emerald City / Emerald Palace -

Goliath watched in growing anticipation as the warriors of Emerald City gathered in the city square. More warriors from the neighboring cities had also gathered here, tripling their numbers. Excitement, fear and grim determination permeated the air. A sense of dread accompanied those staying behind to tend children and the elderly no longer able to fight. Everyone feared that those who left for battle would not return alive.

He sighed. Battles were always hard. It was always heartbreaking when the wailing cries of widows, widowers and children mourning the deaths of loved ones filled the night. The hope that such tragedy could be outweighed by victory over Constantine's dark army was all they had now. There were so many willing to fight, more than he thought there would be after sending the separate strike force teams out into the world to defend the clans and their territories.

"There are so many," he muttered, entirely aware of the sheer numbers of gargoyles that lived on this island. Nowhere else on earth had any clan ever been able to boast such high numbers, save during the last days of Atlantis.

He waited as the streets grew quiet, waited for the warriors, young and old alike, turned to stand before him. All eyes gazed up at their leader, their future Guardian, with hope, trust and determination. He'd seen such gazes many times before, it was not new to him. But these new responsibilities, the new threats to his clan, his kind, were very taxing. He still wondered if he was the best choice to lead his entire race into an era of peace.

He closed his eyes, thought of his clan in Manhattan, of his beloved, Elisa and even of the stranger, Himura Kenshin. The Asian gentlemen was still such a mystery to him but somehow their fates were intertwined. Perhaps once the battle had ended, he could endeavor to get to know the man a little better and further open the doors of friendship.

"So, as the legends have foretold it has begun," he began. His voice – enhanced by his magic - rang out like a clear bell, reaching everyone in the square. "We now face a battle that will decide the fates of our race and the entire world. It will be long and tedious, but we MUST win. The world was lucky in our battle against the Unseelie. Let us pray we can be so lucky again."

He unsheathed the sword at his waist. It had come with the armor – and frankly he was amazed it fit at all, considering Reuel, once in gargoyle form, had stood well over ten feet tall – and the sword fit well in his hand. It was like it was meant for his hand. He lifted it high into the air and watched as the other warriors lifted their own weapons, swords, spears, clubs and all manner of weapons to the sky in a similar salute.

"My friends! Do our clan, whether human or gargoyle, honor this day! Fight honorably, bravely. Win us all the peace which grants life and God willing, we will meet again."

The warriors below and around him cheered in agreement. The deafening roar of so many warriors was overwhelming. How could he possibly hope to lead so many?

"Now, find your team leaders and move out. We go to battle!"

Every warrior gave one last roaring cheering, a desperate attempt at keeping up the morale, before they fell silent, put their weapons in their proper place, then sought out their team leaders as ordered. Goliath watched them, sheathing his sword and swallowed his unease. The sound of marching feet was heavy in his ears as he turned to join his own troops near the tunnels.

"God watch over us," he prayed softly, nodding at his troops. His hand lingered on his chest. Amazingly he felt no pain. Whatever magic the armor had was working. He just hoped it lasted the full battle.

"Sir."

He turned, mildly surprised, as Sonar approached him, bowing humbly. "Sonar?"

"I hope you don't mind," the young warrior said shyly, "but, I would request to join you. I realize I am not a very strong warrior, but I am sure of foot and I will not let you down."

Goliath smiled at his nephew. It was still strange thinking of him as such, but it was also refreshing. Somehow it made the aspect of clan and family that much bigger, that much closer.

"Very well, lad. You would be welcome company," he said, patting the younger male on the shoulder before turning to the other warriors. "Let's move. Stay quiet and keep on your guard."

They nodded their acknowledgement and followed him into the tunnels. There were more than three hundred warriors at his command, an impressive group. Long ago, his clan had nearly matched those numbers in Scotland. Now they numbered a meager seven warriors. He wondered how well such scant numbers could hold against an impressive attacking force of dragon-men.

To be continued . . . .