Disclaimer: I do not own Disney's Gargoyles.
Betaed by: Zim'smostloyalservant & a friend.
Chapter 13
Demotions, Upgrades, and Promotions
Derek let out a breath like a bellow as he set down the free weight, Giorgios releasing his spotter grip. As Derek caught his breath, laying back on the bench, Giorgios leaned over him, the bigger Chimera looking down at the panther man.
"I know pushing limits is the point, but at this rate you're going to pull something, Derek," the older Chimera said.
"Gotta up my game. The Doc nearly died because I wasn't good enough," Derek said, pulling himself up and stalking to the water cooler, but before drinking grabbing a cold towel from the mini-fridge next to it.
One downside of Chimera bodies was not being as good at cooling as humans, they had discovered.
"I don't think more bulk will help when you weren't fast enough."
"I've been hitting the track too, on my feet and on all fours."
"No Derek, I've been hitting the track, so have the others. I am going to guess you've been body-slamming the track and then doing a pile driver."
"Pile driver?" Derek asked.
"What? I sometimes watch wrestling. Fake as it gets, but it's a good show," Giorgios defended.
"Well, speaking of fake fights, you up for a spar?" Derek asked, after draining a paper cup.
"Am I? I'm serious, Derek, you aren't going to be any good to anyone if you put yourself out of commission. Besides, Anna is a better fighter than me."
"Yeah, but I'm not going to get the others' respect if she keeps bragging about putting me on my back. And besides, you're the next best thing I have to practice for Goliath with."
"Lucky me," Giorgios sighed.
X X X
Anna had certain expectations when she heard a new scientist was in the common room waiting to meet them.
This wasn't one of them.
"It's called Demon's Crest, it's like a fusion of Castlevania and Mega Man," the young man of Asian descent said as he sat before the TV with an open box, showing the game cartridges inside to the boys.
"How's this supposed to help anything?" Caroline drawled, stretched out over a nearby red couch. Anna smiled at just how cat-like the position was; the younger woman really was letting her human habits shed quickly. She could be an asset so long as she remembered who was in charge.
"It helps by having some fun. All work and no play makes me a dull boy, and other people tend to be so much duller than me they need even more fun. Oh, and this is a good one! Metal Warriors, very cool."
"So what, we play as robots?" Dante asked, gently taking the cartridge from the young scientist's hand while the man pulled out a bag of grapes from a coat pocket.
"Even better. Mecha; your actual guy is a little guy with a jetpack and a pistol, you can pop out of the suit to hop into others you find in the game, or if your suit is destroyed you bail out and have to survive until you find a new one. Still haven't gotten past that stupid ice level, though," the man frowned at the game before pulling another cartridge out.
"Can't go wrong with Donkey Kong," he quipped, before noticing her. His eyes looked her up and down; she raised an eyebrow. He was very interested, but she didn't get a pervy feeling.
"Well, didn't you just step out of a fantasy cover. You're the Israeli veteran, right? A lioness of Judah," he smiled. She nodded and gave a smile to the compliment, but filed the strange man away as a nonentity - a dork like this couldn't possibly be a threat, she thought as he told the boys this game always made him crave bananas.
"Nerd," Carlos said flatly, getting a laugh from Frank where he leaned against the wall, nursing a tall bottle of beer.
"That I am," the geneticist said as he manipulated the big ape on screen to carry out his will.
X X X
The last of the Steel Clan robots were thrown broken to the floor of the training room, as Xanatos watched from the observation deck. The four modified Pack members loomed over their defeated foes, three clearly ecstatic at their victory, while the fourth was unreadable behind his helmet.
"An impressive display, it would seem. What say your numbers, Coyote?" Xanatos asked the robot head in its flight harness, perched on the back of the chair next to him.
"A vast improvement certainly, but with the exception of Dingo, I believe it's fair to say their mental stability has further degraded; with Jackal being the highest and Hyena the lowest. That bloodlust can be an asset, but alongside arrogance, it is probable to be exploited by the Gargoyles as a flaw; should they have any chance to assess and formulate tactics, Mr. Xanatos."
"So, we need someone in the field to make sure they stay on task. In short, the Pack needs a leader, and Fox has put them behind her."
"Mr. Xanatos, I believe my own stats are compatible and complimentary to theirs."
"Interesting. But, we will need to spin it in such a way that enough of them will accept it for the others to fall in line. Coyote, how do you fancy a hunt?" Xanatos said, smiling. The robot returned the gesture as best it could.
"Release the hounds, Mr. Xanatos."
The Next Night:
Goliath resisted the urge to shake his head as the trio and Maggie departed for the night.
Those three had always been prone to bickering in the way of close comrades even back in Scotland, but this was growing into something else. Something worse, as impatience and flecks of jealousy made themselves known. The new rivalry had so far mostly pushed them to excel, but at this rate it might push them to pure foolishness.
They did not even consider patrolling together, save for Maggie accompanying Brooklyn. He was grateful for her frustration with their increasingly immature behavior; it let him vent by proxy.
"It's not entirely their fault, lad," Hudson said, joining him by the railing.
"They are impatient."
"Is that fair? You have been putting your choice off for quite awhile now. Neither I nor my predecessor left the slot empty so long after deciding to fill it."
"Different times, old friend. We can't afford division if I choose the wrong one."
"You think so little of them?" Hudson asked. Goliath couldn't bring himself to look at the elder's face, but the disappointment was clear in the tone.
"I have made poor judgements I can't dismiss. All the more reason a second in command is needed, but also more reason to be wary of my ability to judge the consequences."
"Ah, so you have made a choice. It's how the others will react that worries you," Hudson realized.
Goliath gave no answer.
"Just do it, lad. Haste is folly, but hesitation can also lead to disaster. Now, I say as soon as they get back-"
A beeping at Goliath's belt announced Elisa contacting them.
Goliath pulled out the small communication device and turned it on carefully. They only had the two because they were even more delicate than expensive.
"Elisa?" he answered.
"Goliath, the Pack's been reported as hunkering down in an abandoned building. The lead is solid enough that a practical siege is being put together with SWAT spearheading it. But we both know the Pack won't go down easily. Please tell me I caught the whole clan? This is going down now, and I can't see them not lashing out like cornered animals as soon as the net tightens."
Goliath growled; the difference of such a small amount of time.
"Hudson, Bronx, and myself will have to suffice. Where are they?" Goliath said, exchanging a look with Hudson.
X X X
Spotting Goliath and Hudson gliding into the construction site across the street, Elisa excused herself from the cordon line, as the SWAT team started discussing using tear gas.
Making her ascent, Eliza doubted gas would do much good. The Pack weren't geniuses, but they knew about fighting, and Dingo had war experience as a mercenary. They'd have masks handy, anticipating a gas attack.
This would be ugly, and the sad fact was her fellow cops may be more a hindrance than help.
She reached the duo and Bronx as SWAT fired a gas canister through the window. She really wished they had the full crew for this fight.
"Any news?" Goliath asked.
"No, though we hope we caught them flatfooted. They aren't the type to sit back when getting hemmed in. That airship of theirs couldn't fit in there, so we hope they're cut off from it."
"Aye, but a cornered foe is a desperate one as ye said. And the Pack is dangerous under the best of circumstances," Hudson remarked
Goliath nodded staring at the building
"...There is nothing to be gained by waiting any longer. We go in while their attention is held by-"
Then the building exploded across the street.
"Tear gas wouldn't do that," Elisa said, watching with the two Gargoyles as the force blasted through every door and window.
"Too much to hope they bungled with their own weapons," Goliath stated.
"This feels like a distraction," Elisa realized, looking around the half-finished building, a chill creeping down her spine.
"Leave it to the detective to be first to the realization.
They turned to the familiar but distorted voice. And were met by the disturbing sight of the face of David Xanatos half torn away to reveal a robotic skull beneath in a some kind of flight harness.
"You're quite right of course, the real party is right here," Coyote said with a smile, before he zipped forward into their midst. Hudson swung at the foe with his sword, but it was too nimble in the air and was gone back into the shadows.
Before they could pursue, cackles rose above them and sparks were sent flying down from a girder above. Something heavy landed on their level, shaking the floor. Rockets fired, and a figure in gold and blue armor descended nearby facing them, optics glowing red on a lupine helmet.
"G'day mates."
Hyena dropped down into sight, golden-plated metal adorning her body as she unnaturally loped around, cackling like her namesake. Jackal stepped up on a visibly extending leg from below, with even less flesh visible clad in gold than Hyena, and they guessed it wasn't modesty hiding that one eye, even covered by a red lens.
"What's the matter, never seen a cybernetic Jackal before?" he asked with a vicious grin, pulling on his forearm like cocking a gun to make his fingers extend like blades.
Finally, a hulking figure at least as tall as Goliath batted aside crates, revealing a muscle-bulging grey-skinned hairless man, naked save for dark shorts.
"...The Archmage himself never bred no creatures as these," Hudson said, taking the enemy in.
"What have you done to yourselves?" Goliath asked in disgust, recognizing Wolf easily enough, along with the others.
"Just evening the playing field," Jackal sneered.
"Enough talk; it's a party, right? Let's dance!" Hyena shouted leaping for Elisa only for Goliath to step in and swat her aside. She twisted in the air and landing haled herself claws digging into the floor.
And the battle was joined, Coyote zipping above smiling at the pandemonium.
X X X
Elisa turned on her heel, trying to keep track of Hyena as the outlaw leapt about the area, laughing cruelly.
"Come on copper, take your shots! What's the matter, never hunted before?" Hyena laughed, before landing on a box that crunched a bit under the impact, grinning wide at Elisa even as the cop aimed at her.
"Think you're bulletproof?" Elisa demanded.
"What makes you think I'm not?" Hyena asked, arms popping out of her shoulders on steel rods that extended, letting the arms rotate slowly like propellers and nearly doubling her reach.
A shunk sounded, and Elisa flinched as a wire latched onto her chest. She screamed, back arcing as a visible current ran through the wire into her.
Hyena blinked, then turned glaring as Elisa fell to the ground and the wire retracted into Dingo's gauntlet as he walked up next to her.
"What's the idea? I had her!" Hyena demanded, gesturing to the downed woman.
"Ye were playing with yer food while there are Gargoyles about. Someone has to keep their head on straight with high stakes," he said, glancing at her, the helmet hiding his face.
"I remember when you knew how to have fun," Hyena whined, shifting to sit on the crate, kicking her legs in the air. Dingo tilted his head, looking at her extended arms.
"And I remember when you had blood flowing through ya instead of oil. Now step too, this ain't over," he said, pulling a pair of handcuffs out of a pouch on his waist. Hyena stuck her tongue out at the armored man's back, but got to her feet, arms popping back into place.
X X X
Goliath's hesitation at leaving his comrades was pushed aside with practiced ease. As Hudson said, Coyote was the heart of the trouble, removing him quickly was vital. Climbing up to the next floor pursuing the floating head, he was greeted with darkness, the half-finished floor dampening the sound of battle below. Too many places to hide for a small foe, Goliath thought, stalking through the darkness.
Behind him, one of the shadows moved as two large triangular red eyes lit up.
"Goliath! I'd like you to meet my better half," Coyote spoke, the bulk in the shadows moving. Goliath turned and took a step back in surprise as Coyote moved through shafts of light. Goliath found himself looking up at the broad-shouldered gold figure with a neckless cone head planted on its shoulders.
"What is this?" Goliath demanded.
"The march of progress, pardon me as I wipe my feet," Coyote said, swinging out with a left hook on arms built like pistons. Goliath caught the blow, but still was nearly knocked off his feet. The follow up slipped below his guard, catching him in the stomach.
Goliath folded over, gasping.
"Ah, the glory of robotics! In my case, the forerunner was the Steel Clan, Renard supplied the know how, Mr. Xanatos the vision and will. They were made to emulate your might as the peak specimen Gargoyle. I hope you appreciate the compliment," Coyote said as he caught Goliath's left hook and used it to toss him.
"But they lacked finesse, elegance, a great many things, and quantity wasn't enough to make up for the lack of quality. Then Coyote Mark 1 aspired to maximize what a human frame could be capable of with robotics within it, and push the envelope on emulating AI. Better results, but you again proved your dominance."
Coyote swung an arm, shattering the crate Goliath threw at him into wooden rubble. Advancing on the Gargoyle, Coyote mimed dusting himself off.
"Then we have this, Coyote Mark 2. Using all existing data and every drop of engineering, skills, and technological bag of tricks, I was literally made for the sole purpose of being able to beat you mano e mano."
Goliath charged him with a roar, and spotlights flipped out of Coyote's shoulders, switching on and filling Goliath's vision with intense light. Goliath stumbled, blinded, and Coyote's punch took him on the chin. Blow to the chest sent Goliath backward to hit against a girder. Coyote's blows rained down on him, a port in the chest opening to reveal the Xanatos head.
Stepping back, Coyote let Goliath fall to the floor.
"So, in your own words, how would you rate me?"
Goliath let out a pained moan, twitching on the unfinished floor.
"Fan-tastic!" Coyote grinned.
X X X
Wolf dragged Hudson by a leg to leave him next to the beaten Bronx, while Dingo approached with Elisa over his shoulder.
"Hope you're not planning to eat yer catch, Ogre is it now?" Dingo said, looking the beaten foes over.
"Something you wanna say?" Wolf glared. Dingo glared back, practically sneering at the sight of Wolf's gaunt face on a head grown larger but still too small for the oversized body it was on.'
"Ogre? That old garg got it wrong, Wolf here is clearly a troll," Jackal laughed, Hyena joining him with a cackle while Dingo laid Maza down.
"Heh, you all had better start showing respect for your boss. Remember? We agreed whoever bags the biggest Gargoyle leads the Pack. Simple, and the winner is clear," Wolf said, gesturing to their defeated foes.
With a crack, the ceiling above them gave way, making the Pack draw back before Goliath fell senseless to the floor next to the pile. With a boom, a golden robot leapt down and rose from a crouching position to address them.
"Sorry Wolf, my Goliath clearly beats your Hudson," Coyote said.
"What?" Dingo said, taking his helmet off for a better look.
"Oh, Coyote! Is that you? You've been holding out on us!" Hyena said as she strutted over to the robot.
"Indeed, you didn't think I was content to just remain a head in the game, now did you?" Coyote said, a port in his chest opening to reveal the familiar head. Hyena cackled, leaning against the robot and lifting a knee towards Coyote's crotch.
"Big, badass, and funny; momma likes," Hyena said, lidding her eyes, looking Coyote up and down.
"Don't even think about it, trash heap! No way we're following you!" Wolf objected, waving a hand angrily. Hyena's smile vanished as she glared at him.
"Oh, and you think you're better, baldy? I didn't see you beat Goliath down without so much as a scratch on the paint job. Ohhh, he's even still got that new car smell," Hyena grinned, rubbing her cheek against the sleek metal.
"Wait, wait, are you serious? Are you actually coming on to to this, this... glorified toaster?" Jackal snapped.
"What can I say, he's quite the package. One I'd like to unwrap," she said, looking at her brother.
"Well, that's a new low of sick even for you. Fine, I vote for Wolf, if for no other reason than to not endorse this crap."
"Well, if it's a vote, I'll take the winner of the contest over a bitter baldy who's probably shrunk to winky dink size downstairs from all the 'roids," Hyena sneered.
Wolf growled, but Coyote spoke up.
"Well, if it's a vote, looks like you're the swing, Dingo," the robot said.
Dingo looked around, and only the robot wasn't practically glaring at him with a silent demand.
"What a choice this is. A 'roided out hulk, or a billionaire's walking talking narcissism. Saying it out loud makes it pretty clear what poison is best, I suppose," the mercenary grumbled, before turning to Coyote, "What now, boss?"
Later:
"Good patrol, Maggie, without your hearing we would have missed that one mugging entirely" Brooklyn said, as the tower came into sight.
"Thanks, city seems more restless than usual though," Maggie remarked, keeping pace with the Gargoyle.
"Well that's not good, but hey, lets us grind those numbers, right?"
"Brooklyn, I told you to keep me out of this contest," Maggie rolled her eyes as they landed.
Lexington had just beat them to the Tower; Maggie tried to ignore him and Brooklyn comparing their 'derring do' of the night like old men over who caught the bigger fish. Entering the clocktower, she looked around.
"Bronx?" she wondered, before jumping down to the floor with a flap to break the impact. Brooklyn and Lexington carried their argument inside behind her as she noticed Broadway had taken possession of Hudson's chair, along with some snacks.
"That doesn't count, you had Maggie helping you," Lex insisted.
"Hey, leaders need to be able to use teamwork," Brooklyn countered. Maggie was tempted to agree with that out loud, but this rivalry was getting irritating.
"Three muggings, and an armed robbery. A good detective knows it's not about chasing down crime, but knowing where to look in the first place," Broadway threw his two cents into the argument.
"If you're going to argue over this all night..." Maggie groaned, checking the fridge.
"Sorry," they said in tune. Maggie pulled out a jug of water and poured a glass; turning to face them, they looked a bit sheepish at least. Lexington spoke up
"Maggie's right, this is dragging out too much. Goliath just needs to tell us his choice in Second."
"Say, Goliath isn't back yet?" Brooklyn remarked, looking around.
"Bronx isn't here either, or Hudson," Maggie said, her ears twitching.
"Yeah, Hudson was going to stay in tonight to guard the Tower. I was hoping he ended up doing something with you all," Broadway said, getting to his feet, snacks forgotten.
"Hudson wouldn't have taken Bronx unless it was serious," Brooklyn said.
"Company," Maggie said, turning toward the stairs. Matt Bluestone walked up into sight, frowning.
"I don't suppose you have heard from Elisa and the others?" he asked, coming over.
"What happened, Bluestone?" Maggie demanded.
"The Pack, apparently," Bluestone said, glancing to the TV as the news was playing.
"Them again," Lexington growled.
"What do you mean, 'apparently'?" Maggie demanded.
"No proper eyewitness account or footage. NYPD got a tip deemed credible that the Pack were holed up in an abandoned building. Elisa called in her special backup, but could only reach Goliath and Hudson. She slipped away at some point during the cordon, and then the place blew up. No word from her since, and I'm ready to guess you haven't heard from your people either. It smells like a setup to me - the Pack may not be involved save as bait to lure Elisa and your clan into a trap."
"Show us where this happened," Brooklyn asked, stepping up to Bluestone.
X X X
"A keen detective's eye can tell there was a struggle here," Broadway said, as he walked besides Lexington through the unfinished building.
"What gave it away, the debris, the dented and scratched girders? Maybe some bloodstains will help?" Lexington snarked next to him.
"Hey, focus you two. The others might be in trouble," Maggie snapped, looking down through a hole above them ,with Brooklyn standing next to her.
"Oh, they are," a woman's voice called through the dark. Lexington spotted the figure, a silhouette similar to Goliath and red eyes.
"Steel Clan!" he called, pointing.
"Not quite," the figure said, stepping out into sight as Lex and Broadway scattered and charged. It had the basic shape, but different, more compact, and was colored an orange-red. The blaster popping out of the forearm was familiar. Broadway ducked behind a girder as she fired.
"It's a suit!" Broadway realized.
"Very good, big guy. It's been too long since I worked the field," she said, clenching her other fist while advancing toward Broadway's hiding spot. Lexington sprang from the right, grabbing the arm and wrenching it down, crushing the blaster under his grip.
"I know it's you in there, Fox!" he roared. She punched him in the face with her free hand, sending him back. Glancing back, she saw Maggie creeping low on all fours, and Brooklyn making his way up on her right, and Broadway warily advanced toward her.
"Well, let's talk," Fox said, grabbing the helmet and twisting it off to reveal the familiar face, with her long hair tied up in a bun with red needles through it.
"Now you want to talk?" Boradway demanded.
"She might have Chimera with her, stay sharp!" Maggie warned, eyes darting around.
"Not to worry, Reed, even if I wasn't alone, I wouldn't bring Maza and his little troop. They're not in the best place right now."
"What's that mean? What are you two doing to those people?" Lexington accused, pressing toward her.
"Nothing that should take priority over what brought you here," Fox said smiling.
"You have Goliath and the others," Broadway stated.
"Good guess, but no. David has them, the Pack are acting on his behalf. They're currently being held where the tracks cross. And they have a plan to use them to find your home so David can either get leverage over the rest of you or force you out to be captured. Your best chance is to strike first," Fox said, turning to walk past Lexington.
"Why would you help us?" Lexington demanded coldly.
"Trouble in paradise. Oh, who could have seen love between two horrible people going wrong?" Maggie remarked, watching her through slitted eyes.
"Feel free to ignore me. But as for reasons, David and I, our relationship rather demands we push each other. In this case, I just so happened to back you against my former teammates. I don't really need any other reason. And as much as I'd like to really throw down and see what my new exo-suit can do, an expecting mother has to be considerate."
Their stunned reactions as that sunk in let her power on the rocket pack and blast clear to the sky.
"...Xanatos junior? That's going to be trouble," Broadway muttered.
"We can't trust her," Lexington snapped.
"Well, what other leads do we have?" Brooklyn objected.
"Brooklyn's right. I don't find it hard to believe those two would play chess with their enemies and allies. And if we don't, well, short of storming the castle I don't see any other options," Maggie said.
X X X
The Pack sat in the warehouse around a table, except for Wolf who stood glaring at the Gargoyles chained in the middle of the room and Elisa chained to the wall nearby. Goliath was stirring prompting a glare from Wolf.
"While I appreciate your diligence Wolf, there's no need to worry. The gas we dosed them with while they were out was designed by Dr. Sevarius himself as a Gargoyle countermeasure. By my calculations they won't be fighting fit until after a round of stone sleep," Coyote said dealing cards to the others.
"We already won why not finish them off? What's Xanatos playing at?" Wolf demanded.
"Mr. Xanatos is not one to settle for a jack when a king can be had Wolf. At the right time we will release Bronx, who will ultimately flee to get help for his masters. Beforehand I will attach a tracking device to him, letting us know here he goes.
"We time it right he'll lead us to the rest of the clan in time for the sun to take them out of commission. Then we have all day to act on that intel."
"Sounds solid," Dingo admitted considering his hand.
"What did you expect from Coyote?" Hyena asked making eyes at the hulking robot
"Small problem, ugly dog there can't fly, so unless their lair has convenient street access..." Jackal pointed out frowning at his cards.
"A valid concern Jackal, but with the daylight hours to work with an approximation should be sufficient for our needs," Coyote assured them handling his own cards bizarrely well in his massive hand.
Wolf said nothing watching as Goliath came to his senses. None of them noticed a figure watching them all from one of the high windows.
Shortly:
Lexington swooped back in for a landing on the rooftop. His expression told the three it wasn't good news even before he spoke.
"This is bad. Elisa's chained up along with the others. Goliath's awake, but he hasn't broken free."
"Probably drugged to keep them weak. Even if we get them loose, they may not be able to help," Broadway said.
"Nothing we could do to cure them?" Maggie pressed. Lex lit up.
"There may be one thing - an electric shock might be able to jump start their metabolisms. For humans it may be too much, but Maggie, your bolts might be able to get Goliath, Hudson and Bronx rolling again."
"Big maybe, Lex," Brooklyn pointed out.
"We have any other options?" Maggie asked.
"Well, you guys haven't heard the worst part yet. The Pack has had a full upgrade," Lexington told them.
"Three guesses who did that, and the second two don't count," Maggie sighed. Lex nodded, before counting off the Pack members.
"Dingo's dressed like an Iron Man knockoff. Jackal and Hyena have gone full-bore cyborg, and Wolf's a grey bald Hulk thing. Probably that Cranley's doing."
"Didn't Goliath's clone kill her?" Broadway asked.
"Death hasn't stopped Sevarius' science from marching on," Maggie pointed out.
"Speaking of death not stopping anything, Coyote is back, bigger and badder. The same robot head in the chest of a huge new robot body. Not even trying to pass as anything human anymore," Lex continued.
"And they got us outnumbered five to four, unless Maggie can get in there to jumpstart Goliath and the others."
"So we have to play it smart. Any weaknesses you could see, Lex?" Maggie asked.
"Well, Coyote is a robot. Robots at best emulate life based on their programming, and Xanatos may be far ahead of the curve but I don't think he could make something fully autonomous. So Coyote is only programmed to deal with so much. We get him outside his zone, he'll become less effective. With all the processing power it must take to fight but also be able to command the Pack, he must be pushing his limits."
"And Jackal and Hyena, cybernetics would mean surgery and rehab, right? Even if they're stronger now, they'd only have had so long to really get a handle on it. And those two are arrogant; even in the show, Hyena's character always leapt before she looked," Broadway added.
"And Dingo seemed to not be getting along with the others, while Wolf is more bloodthirsty than ever. And I know personally Jackal's a coward who will run out on his team if he thinks they're losing," Lex said.
"So their teamwork is their weakness. If we split them up..." Maggie pondered.
X X X
"So, Coyote," Dingo said as he slid the chips Hyena had won for that hand to her, "Any notion what Xanatos wants the Gargoyles for after all the grief they seem to have given him?"
"It's not necessary for me to know his motives, nor for you, Dingo," the robot said.
"Well, I'm not pulling my punches to take the next batch alive," Wolf growled.
"Understood, but remember you only get full price for a capture; it'll be your own piggy bank you're breaking," Coyote said. Dingo wasn't sure if the robot was annoyed by the man's bloodthirstiness or not.
Not that Wolf was hardly a man anymore, and the twins were little better. Not just the metal, but he knew for a fact the white coats had offered them less to start with; they could still have passed for flesh and blood, save stripped down. No, they'd wanted to max out the features, that was what made him wary. This wasn't a fixer up or getting an edge, it was jumping down the slope, cackling like a loon all the way.
He'd cut out for Europe after that first fateful hunt, but when Xanatos offered him a chance to bust out the outfit, he'd seen it as a bit of regimental responsibility to the crew. And Xanatos did offer big money and a rematch with the Gargoyles.
But money only went so far, and an old lesson taught to him was a settled score and two bits may get you a cup of coffee.
Watching Hyena swat away Jackal's robot eye, slithering through the air like a snake, Dingo looked to Wolf glaring at Goliath, who was returning it with a more impressive glare.
"What are you looking at?" Wolf demanded of the Gargoyle leader.
"Just wondering what you threw away first, your humanity or your pride," Goliath said. Dingo made a grunting sound before he realized it. Wolf growled, then turned with surprising speed for his bulk.
"You got something to say?" Wolf demanded of Dingo. Dingo blinked, then looked to the twins, who were smiling like they saw fresh meat.
'And I sound like I'm agreeing with Goliath, don't I? Bollocks,' the mercenary thought.
"Gentlemen, lady, this is hardly-" Coyote said, before the lights cut out.
"Hey!" Wolf objected.
"Mr. Warbucks forget to pay the electric bill?" Jackal sneered, Dingo hearing him priming that trick hand of his. The mercenary pulled the helmet from where it was hooked on his waist, and snapped it into place. Night vision kicked in, and he watched Jackal looking about, his robot eye having already adjusted. Hyena had closed her eyes, her improved hearing likely kicking in. And Coyote took a step back toward the captives.
"Looks like we're on," Coyote remarked, glancing to where Wolf was stepping warily in the dark, the only one truly blind.
"Well, you all are behind the curve; night vision is no longer a Gargoyle-exclusive feature," Jackal sneered, tapping his red eye with a pointed finger.
"Shhh, what was that?" Hyena snapped, some tech or other sticking out of her ears.
"The enemy, one would... presume?" Coyote said, as he lifted off the the ground.
"Uh, was that supposed to happen?" Jackal asked, as the hulking robot drifted up into the air like a balloon.
"What is it? What's going on?!" Wolf demanded.
"Loss of gravity, scenario not found. Calculating-calculating-calculating-" Coyote said falling into a loop.
"Coyote, baby, keep it together!" Hyena pleaded, sprinting over and stretching her arms to grab the robot's foot.
"Any second now," Dingo muttered, guns sliding out of their ports on his arms.
"Looks like Coyote needs tech support. Bad luck, you'll be on hold for hours," the little Gargoyle called, showing himself in one of the high windows.
"You little freak!" Hyena snarled, and leapt up toward the window. With a smirk, the small Gargoyle turned and vanished just before she landed on the frame and scrambled after him.
"Calculating..."
"Get back here and fight, you gremlin!" Wolf roared, now looking up after Hyena.
"They're trying to-" Dingo began, before light ignited in their midst, flooding the room. Dingo's helmet went white, blinking but eyes unharmed thanks to the filter, while he heard the other two cry out in pain. Something metal thunked like a drunk church bell, and his visuals returned to see the scrawny and fat Gargoyles peeling away after hitting Coyote through the air. The robot went wildly, spinning and punted clear through the wall into the night.
"Okay, enough!" Jackal yelled, as the two Gargoyles went down on all fours and fled out the hole they had made. With a too rapid to be natural cyborg run, Jackal was after them.
"Stick together, idiot!" Dingo said, activating his rocket boots to jet after him.
X X X
Maggie barely used her wings to guide her fall as she descended from the ceiling, kicking down at the last moment to hit the crouching Wolf atop the head, with her weight behind the kick. She grunted even as he fell down to the ground.
"Ouch," she grimaced; he was hard like the stones his coloring matched, she thought, grimacing as she stood on his back, the bulging muscle feeling twisted and weird underfoot.
"Maggie, how?" Goliath said. Maggie smiled, flapping over to him and grabbing up the chain binding him, the bleary Hudson, and out cold Bronx.
"I'll explain later, for now I am really sorry about this," she said, frowning. Goliath started to talk, but Maggie didn't hesitate sending as much current from her hands into the chains as she dared.
The Gargoyles' pained roars kept her from holding it for long. She had found practice was giving her more juice to work with; she guessed it was like any other muscle or organ, whatever?
Hopping back down, she pressed her index claws together to the groaning Gargoyles about to apologize again.
Maggie leapt before realizing what she was doing, a flap of her wings letting her clear the backhand that tore up a wind as it cut through the air.
Wolf stood up to his full height, dark lips drawn back the grey skin taut on his hairless head, making a terrible visage as he glared down at her.
"I'm going to skin you alive," he growled, as she landed on all fours. The monster took one heavy step toward her, cracking the floor under his stomp. Wide-eyed, Maggie looked up and turned on her spot to dash out of the Coyote hole.
"Get back here, you mangy cat!" Wolf roared. He didn't bother to line himself up with the hole, tearing more of the wall out with his shoulder. Meanwhile, Goliath's eyes snapped open and settled into a glare, as the chains started to strain against his flexing.
X X X
"You're going to pay for messing with my my man like that," Hyena threatened as she leapt onto a set of tracks to face Lexington.
"Excuse me?" Lex asked, eyebrow popping up.
Grinning wide, Hyena held up her right hand, the fingers folding back and the thrust out palm opening, revealing a barrel. With a snap, the high heels built into her feet planted in the gravel and she fired.
Lex dodged the round of blasts as she laughed madly. The barrage stopped, and he ducked behind a shed, looking back the way he had come. The blaster was perfectly taking chunks out of everything it had hit.
"But it's got a kick and needs to cool down, it looks like," he muttered.
"Come out, ya little rat! I wanna see what Gargoyle tastes like blast grilled. I'm thinking, CHICKEN!" Hyena laughed at her own joke. Lex took a deep breath, moving quietly, keeping the shed between him and her as she stalked.
'This won't last, and she could just blast though this. Think Lex, you have to get close,' he thought.
"Well, this is getting boring. I always preferred tag to hide and seek. I'm it."
"That can't be good," Lex muttered, hearing some kind of machinery working.
Hyena landed in front of him on all fours. Turning, he realized the cyborg's limbs had popped out on rods, lifting and shifting her torso, letting her walk like a demented dog. As he watched, her neck likewise extended.
"You're a monster," Lex said, at the ghastly grinning sight.
"Why should you guys get all the fun?" she asked, her fingers lengthening into claws with a shunk. With a howling laugh, she lunged; Lex dodged with a cry as she crashed clear through the wood wall.
Turning, he saw one of her claws tear the hole wider. He ran on all fours to the nearest train, climbing to get some height. Gaining the top, he took to the air, thankful the wind was strong enough even at this height tonight.
The relief was short-lived, as Hyena pounced on him midair, grabbing his shoulders with her claws and driving her feet into his back. Losing altitude, Lex twisted as the cyborg clipped her head on the roof of a train car that knocked her loose with a curse, but he could only raise his arms as she crashed hard to the ground.
"That hurt!" Hyena growled, lunging toward him on all fours. Reaching him, she reared up, claws locking together into something like daggers or hooves and brought them down. Lex rolled away, the blades stabbing into the gravel, but she wasn't stuck. As quick as she struck she pulled out, shuffling on her legs, following him across the ground.
'This is nuts,' Lex thought, as Hyena kept laughing, trying to skewer him, then he felt the bump of a track under him and a thought zipped through his mind quicker than he could read but acted on it anyway. The next rail, the middle rail, he stopped on top of it, cringing as if he'd been snagged or something.
"Shish-kabob Gargoyle!" Hyena cackled, coming down like a hammer, both blades ready to pierce his chest. Lex moved, barely clearing the strike as she impaled the electrified middle rail.
Hyena screamed, hair standing even more on end as electricity ran through her body, popping and cracking noises emitting from her as her extended frame trembled, some joints even starting to smoke. With a wordless cry, she pulled herself clear and slumped to the side.
Lexington got to his feet, breathing hard.
"Looks like you're the one on the grill, Hyena," he said. He flinched as she twitched ,and then flipped back to all fours. Her arms and legs popped back into place as she stood up, the right jamming halfway and dragging as she took a hopping step toward him. Head twitching to the side, her grin grew again, eyes wide open.
"That all you got...? I feel downright tingly. Need to find Coyote, shouldn't let this go to waste..." she slurred through clenched teeth. One more stumbling step, and Hyena's eyes rolled up in her head, and she fell stiff as a board to the ground, the jammed leg twitching a few times more before going still.
"...I can't believe I used to think you freaks were cool," Lex groaned. Spotting a steel handlebar on a nearby train car, he ripped it off with ease, then grabbed another. It was start; he did not want her getting loose if she woke up.
X X X
Dingo landed besides Jackal in the midst of parked trains.
"Where'd they go?" Dingo demanded.
"Think I'd be standing here if I knew?" Jackal snapped.
"...high ground, we're sitting ducks down here," Dingo said, pointing to the train to their left. Jackal extended a leg to step up there, and Dingo cringed at the human slinky act. Jackal turned to glare at him, but before he spoke the scrawny Gargoyle swooped from somewhere to knock him off the other side of the train.
Dingo cussed, his boots starting to fire only for a sound to his side to make him turn and see the fat Gargoyle charging, shoulder out.
The armor made him only feel the wind get knocked out of him, but he still went down, crashing against the tracks and gravel. His swing caught the Gargoyle in the jaw, enough space to let him sit up and fire a shot wildly from the blaster on his left arm. The shot missed, and the Gargoyle sprang at him, his face making Dingo's blood run cold, freezing for a critical second. He slammed into the ground again, and blows like sledgehammers rattled his head around in the helmet. It let up a bit, but the relief was nonexistent, as his arm was grabbed and he watched the Gargoyle tear the blaster from its port, crushing it like it was a spent beer can.
Dingo activated the jet boots, and the Gargoyle scrambled back; he couldn't tell if he burned him or it was just surprise. Gaining the sky, he brought his remaining blaster to bare, forcing the big guy to retreat back between railcars amidst the blaster bolts.
Slapping the side of the helmet, Dingo grit his teeth. Nothing seemed broken beside the gun, and he brought the taser out on the right arm as a sub.
"Jackal," he said, flying over to where he'd last seen the cyborg. He was greeted by the sight of the cyborg twin being ripped out of a train, minus one arm, and lifted overhead by the red Gargoyle to be thrown down hard on the ground. Jackal wasn't moving, and the horned Gargoyle turned glowing white eyes up on him, and Dingo knew the big guy was watching him nearby.
But rockets were faster than any gliding, and he heard what he recognized as Wolf's new battle cry nearby.
They needed to regroup.
X X X
Maggie flapped frantically, trying to gain the sky. Whatever way she had run, he just plowed through it; a train car had practically exploded. Glancing back, she let out a yowl at the sight of Wolf, with his body laced by running cuts, flying up at her in a leap. His slap took her in the side as she went hurtling down to bounce off the side of a train car and skid on a leather wing.
Groaning, she pushed herself up, glaring as the monster stomped toward her, cracking his knuckles.
"Here, kitty kitty. You know, I was thinking I'd pound you into paste, but maybe I will skin you after all. That panther apparently has a real grudge on you. Maybe I'll be a nice guy for once, give him a lion skin rug as a present."
Maggie hissed, getting to her feet and spreading her wings, ignoring the soreness in the one she'd landed on.
"Sure, fly away, kitty. I'll have a trophy tonight for my hunt. Either your hide or Goliath's head!"
"What?" Maggie gasped, her snarl disappearing.
"I don't care about Xanatos' obsession with the Gargoyles, or whatever it is. When this started, I wanted a good fight. Now? I just want all those freaks dead and their heads on my wall! That Ivy League pansy can keep his money! I want BLOOD!"
He lunged at her; the enormity left her stunned at what way to go, and massive arms swept her up even as his torso slammed into her. She struggled instinctively, her claws raking bloody marks across the gray skin, but he just tightened his grip, leaving arms pounding against chest pathetically.
Then he squeezed, and the air was forced out of her lungs as he leered down at her, eyes wide in that gaunt face. He let out a deep, unnatural war cry that chilled her. No doubt now, no humanity was left in Wolf, if there had ever been any in the first place, she thought.
"I can pop a robot's head off! Let's see how your imitation of a popped beer can is, kitty!" Wolf laughed. Maggie gasped, tying to inhale as the arms tightened against her whole back, her wings barely able to twitch, tail flailing, her hands tightened into fists on his chest.
Eyes fluttering, she slapped her claws into his chest and poured lighting into it.
Even as the arms pulled away, she didn't stop, claws digging into his skin as he stumbled back. She barely remembered to breathe, the image of her guts erupting from her mouth, Brooklyn's head being ripped off, all the others broken under this monster's feet. Enraged at such images she pushed volt after volt out of her body and into him.
She didn't remember stopping, it was an Australian accent that brought her back to her senses.
Maggie pushed herself up to kneel on the gravel, hands going to her face, not realizing they were covered in blood until she'd put her face in them. She blinked at them, then looked up at Wolf leaned against a train car, his chest covered in horrible burns, bleeding from its center.
Turning her head, she saw Dingo standing there. With a touch to the helmet, the visor flipped up to reveal his stunned face.
"Bastard... cat..." Wolf slurred, pulling himself to his feet, blood dribbling down from his mouth, and running from his eyes. One hand clutched his chest, while the other braced against the train.
"Mangy... flea-bitten..." the hulking man slurred. He took two steps toward Maggie, eyes unfocused, mouth hanging open, and fell forward, head landing a handbreadth from her knees.
He didn't move, the chest didn't even rise. And kept not rising.
Dingo knelt by him and put his hand on his arm, a screen popping up.
"Nothing, his heart must have burst like a freakin' grape," Dingo said.
"...He's dead?" Maggie asked, blinking at spots in her eyes.
"...Ya know what, sheila? Forget this crap," Dingo snapped. Visor snapping shut, Dingo's boots ignited like rockets and he zoomed off into the night sky as Brooklyn and Broadway rushed to Maggie's side while wisps of smoke rose from Wolf's corpse.
X X X
Goliath laid Elisa gently on the tarp he'd thrown on the floor. She was still deep asleep from whatever the Pack had used on her, but her breathing was steady, as was her pulse. Her only wound was a small burned patch on her black shirt.
He carefully stoked his anger over her state. Coyote had beaten him soundly, and while Maggie's shock had restored his vitality, it had been a blow in and of itself. He needed anger to carry him through this fight, but could not let it cloud his vision.
Bronx growled by his feet.
"Yes Bronx, I want payback too. But I need you to guard Elisa so we can join the battle," he said, patting Bronx on the head. Bronx clearly wasn't happy, but he didn't move from her side as Goliath joined Hudson at the table where the elder had retrieved his sword.
"Just laying there, cocky as ever this lot," Hudson huffed, checking the edge of his blade. But Goliath saw the weight in the hand against the table. The old soldier was putting on a good show, but he was getting worn down by this night.
"Perhaps you should stay here with Bronx to protect Elisa," Goliath said. Hudson glared at him, straightening up.
"None of that lad. I got my own accounts to settle with that ogre."
Smiling despite the situation, Goliath moved to the hole in the wall, glancing to the side as he stepped through, barely registering the metal fist ramming into him.
"I finished calculating after up and down got back in their proper order," Coyote said, stepping to stand over Goliath. Hudson's sword sank into the joint of his right arm, but arcing electricity forced the old Gargoyle to release his grip, letting the robot backhand him away.
"That was a spell, wasn't it? Mr. Xanatos never factored in the possibility your clan would actually take advantage of the Grimorum. Fascinating," Coyote said, kicking Goliath hard enough to lift him into the air.
Goliath rolled to his feet from the blow to meet the gold-plated robot's charge. Their fists locked, and Goliath stopped his foe's progress, then winced as the metal hands tightened their grip. The Gargoyle glared into the half skull face of the robot grinning at him.
"Impressive, but remember I was engineered to surpass you at your peak performance, there's only one outcome here," Coyote boasted, forcing Goliath to his knees.
"It's also fascinating that Wolf had a bit of a point. After all, Mr. Xanatos ordered me to bring you and as many of the Clan as possible in alive. But he never declared you had to be, intact."
"Aroooo!" Bronx charged out of the warehouse and bit down on the damaged joint in the arm, ignoring the shocks coursing through him.
"Bad dog," Coyote sneered, slamming Goliath into the ground to turn his attention to shaking off Bronx.
Broadway slammed into his blind side shoulder first, Brooklyn following with his own tackle to finish toppling the robot. Broadway didn't miss a beat, throwing himself on the intact arm, wrestling to pin it down, Brooklyn seizing the shoulder, helping and digging his claws into the armor. As the other arm shook, nearly dislodging Bronx, Hudson slammed into it as well, battered and furious, eye aglow. Finally, Lexington landed on top of its massive canine head and jammed his claws into the eyes.
"Goliath, go for the real head!" Lex said as Goliath got to his feet. While the others strained to contain the robot, Goliath hastily walked over, striking down at the human-sized head in its chest. The head snapped backward into a port, a metal slab slamming shut over it. Goliath tore the shield away, crumbling the steel, and reached inside. With a satisfying popping and ripping, the half bare Xanatos head pulled free, letting Goliath hold it up over its body, fear painted across its remaining features. It screamed as he pressed it between his hands and crushed it in a shower of sparks and flying debris, a single eye rolling on the ground to strike his foot.
The body stilled, letting everyone relax, then jerked upright, throwing them all off.
"DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY," it chanted flatly, flailing about blindly as the Gargoyles scrambled to avoid the death throes. Then it lifted up into the air, lashing out and touching nothing. Goliath followed the others' eyes to see Maggie down on one knee, a hand raised with two fingers pointed at Coyote as she took deep breaths.
The sound of an approaching train rattled through the night air, a light starting to break through the night.
"Well, it been quite the evening, but I think you have a train to catch," Brooklyn said, slapping the side of Coyote, sending him spinning through the air, slowly but surely into the path of the train.
With a blow of the horn, the train crashed into him, sending debris flying as he was smashed top pieces.
...
"Maggie, when did you learn magic?" Goliath asked.
"...Can we wait until tomorrow night for that?" the catwoman almost whined, her ears drooping and swaying, even down on one knee.
"Aye lass, the rest of the Pack?" Hudson said, looking around.
"The twins are out and bound, Dingo ran, and Wolf's dead," Lexington said with a smile, "Upgrade or no, the Pack has nothing on the Clan."
The Next Day:
Owen was giving a report to Xanatos in his office when the call came. The two men shared a look before Owen seamlessly patched his phone into the speaker on the desk.
Sure enough, Dingo's voice came through, with the code phrase being correct.
"Dingo, why have you not reported back?" Owen asked, his tone betraying no emotion.
"Wolf's dead," the Australian mercenary stated. Just a statement of fact; maybe a bit of anger, but no grief either could detect.
"We are aware. Coyote was also destroyed, though his data is backed up. The Twins are in police custody, for now. That does not explain why you have not reported back yet, or only checked in now."
"And you're likely wondering why your tracking device isn't working, right mates?" the Australian man prodded.
"...Indeed," Own admitted.
"Well, this little alliance is over. It was a mistake to throw in with you lot. Your little horror show out of the Sci-fi Channel... We were just guinea pigs to be discarded after use. Your juice killed Wolf more than than that cat sheila I wager. And I'll also bet you could blow up the Twins if they ever got uppity, as simple as turning off the TV. Well, I was willing to play the game, but seeing one of your comrades as a freakin' corpse barbecue makes you step back and reevaluate some things. So I'm taking the armor and taking my leave. Leave me be and that will be that, but if you try and make something of it... you'll find I'm not a pleasant enemy to have," Dingo sad frostily.
"Reconsider your course..." Owen trailed off as the connection terminated.
"I assume the remote detonator and both tracking devices are unresponsive?" Xanatos asked.
"Quite. I apologize, sir, the staff assured me those features were tamper proof."
"No such thing as guarantees in such matters, Owen. We simply underestimated Dingo either personally or he had someone who was able to do this for him. These things happen," Xanatos said.
"Do we pursue him?" Owen asked.
Xanatos just raised an eyebrow before speaking.
"Why? As things go, this is paltry - the suit is a bit of loss, but it can't be traced to us, and as we continue to improve our own stock, it will cease to be top of the line in due course. This petty walkout hardly warrants being dignified with retribution. Besides, in time he may change his mind, and he could still be useful. Focus efforts on retrieving the twins. As employees they are dubious, but they will be trouble for Goliath if freed, and them owing us a favor is a good card to hold for a rainy day."
"The matter of the Pack is closed, then?"
"Not quite. Owen, I pride myself as a businessman to stand beside all the products and services I offer. I do not indulge in misleading advertising or sweatshop-made cheap knockoffs. While Miss Reed's electricity did his health no favors, Wolf was doomed, the autopsy confirms from the good doctor's juice. Convey... disappointment to her, and tell Mr. Higurashi that the special project is green-lit. He may proceed at his discretion."
"Very well, Mr. Xanatos."
X X X
Maggie was about to gather up the dishes in her self-appointed duty with breakfast done, but the boys were already taking them back to the kitchen area. Goliath had handed his to Brooklyn, too. Hudson handed her his own, a small smile indicating he was doing it more as a favor. Which was good, she preferred routine just now.
She'd killed, again. MAggie wasn't sure if that hulking monstrosity Wolf had become qualified as human, but that wasn't really a point. She shouldn't have zapped him to such an extent. But in the moment... Her back was still a giant bruise from where he'd squeezed her, and if she was human she'd likely have snapped ribs instead of bruised ones, Elisa had said.
But he was dead, and it hadn't been needed. She really wasn't cut out for this, was she? And to think, she'd been planning to ask Elisa if she could get a nightstick or something instead of a crowbar.
"Everyone, I've already congratulated you for your performance last night. No battle is perfect, but you four prevailed over terrible odds against an enemy that knows us well and brought new strength to the battlefield. You have made this clan proud," Goliath said, standing.
'What?' Maggie thought, 'Was he going to single her out later?'
"More than that, I must apologize. I have dawdled over the choosing of a second in command twice over. First by ignoring the issue, and them delaying sharing my choice. The truth is, for some time now I have decided who would be the best choice. It was not without difficulty, each of you have strengths that could lead you to guiding this clan well. But I am confident my choice is the best of you all for it. My hesitation was worry that singling one out would divide you. But that was folly - I see now that whatever petty quarrels you may have, you will always come together as a clan should when the need is before you."
The boys didn't seem offended by his doubts, but sat straighter instead at the vote of confidence. She smiled at the praise for them. And she could see why their little peeing contest might have made Goliath worry.
'Brooklyn, he's the natural choice,' Maggie decided as Goliath walked past the others.
He passed Brooklyn and put his large hand on her shoulder.
"Maggie, I do not need to tell you that leadership is more a burden than blessing for those truly fit for it."
"Wait, what?" Maggie said, eyes popping wide.
"Oh, well that figures," Brooklyn said with a chuckle.
"The best kind of twist is the one you look back on and nod that you should have seen it coming," Broadway said grinning.
"Well, you were the only one not making a fool out of yourself for it. So, congratulations," Lexington said.
When she looked to Hudson, he just smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"Goliath... are you joking?" Maggie asked, lifting his hand off her.
"I am not," Goliath said.
"Me? Second in command? But that makes no sense," she muttered.
"I disagree. Maggie, as I said, all four of you have potential, but you have impressed me greatly. For starters, you have endured ordeals that would have broken many, and instead have grown from them. You have not grown bitter or vengeful despite all that has happened. You even resisted Puck's temptation to regain your humanity. Your integrity is great. You have killed twice now, and rather than simply justifying it as many could and would, you accept it for what it is. Not to mention, while I think we have adapted well to this era, you are native to it and have already been valuable in helping us thrive here.
"Then there's your magic studies you have revealed to us. I still think magic may be better left alone, but we may have lost to the Pack last night without your magic, and you might not have escaped the Evil One without it when he controlled Coldstone.
"Which leads me to the final point. A second is not just an assistant and successor to the leader, they also need to be ready and willing to question the leader on their choices and direction for the clan. And do so without dividing the clan. You have been doing that for some time Maggie, walking a fine line of respecting my wishes while working to minimize the risks you feel I am taking. So, you are my choice."
Maggie opened her mouth, but her objections were too jumbled in her head to fit through her mouth. Before she knew it, she was leaping off the balcony, beating the air with her wings.
X X X
"Was that a no?" Broadway asked, as they watched Maggie fly off.
"I think she never saw herself as in the running," Lexington pointed out.
"...I will go talk to her. She doesn't need to answer tonight, and if she truly doesn't want this..." Goliath said, seeming a bit hesitant.
Hudson cleared his throat, cutting him off.
"I think it would be better if Brooklyn went and talked with her about this, lad."
"Huh, why me?" Brooklyn jerked. Bronx growled at him.
"On my way," He said. As he took off, Broadway called after him.
"Don't blow this like the date, buddy!"
"...What date?" Goliath asked. Lexington put a hand to his face, while Hudson rolled his eyes before going back inside.
X X X
Maggie tended to keep an even pace with their gliding, so it was easy to forget just how fast she could cover air when she really wanted too. Fortunately, Brooklyn was able to guess where she was going.
He wasn't sure why this roof had become a favored location for her. It wasn't far from the tower, all things considered, but it didn't have anything spectacular view wise, well not by their standards at any rate. The best he could think of was that its shape made it unlikely for people to hang out here. Even Maggie sometimes wanted a private place at night, he had concluded.
She was perched by the edge, on the cresting point he guessed you would call it? Legs pulled close, wings tucked just enough to avoid catching the wind by mistake, it wouldn't be a bad pose for stone sleep, if you wanted it to be pretty instead of intimidating like the clan tradition.
"So, guess you didn't see that coming?" he asked, walking up behind her.
"Don't tell me you did. This is ridiculous," she snapped.
"Well, no, I did not see him picking you. You didn't even try and impress Goliath," Brooklyn admitted.
"Because it would be stupid, Brooklyn. I can't be second in command!"
"Well, why?" he asked, taking a seat next to her. She glanced at him, and he was glad she hadn't been crying. That would make this more awkward.
"Why what?" she demanded.
"Why do you think you're a bad choice? And no saying it's stupid or obvious, okay? Give me the hard sell Maggie, why should you not be allowed to touch this job with a ten foot pole?" Brooklyn asked.
"...I'm a mess. I flail around, barely helping in fights. I snuck around learning magic when everyone knows that's a bad idea. I still have nightmares and long days over all that's happened to me since I came to New York. I'm not even a Gargoyle, for goodness sake Brooklyn!"
"Okay, let's start with that last one. You're part of this clan now. Even if you became human again, we'd still consider you part of this clan until you made it clear you wanted us to see you otherwise. And after tonight, it's clear no one has a problem with a non-Gargoyle clan member being second, and maybe leader. Except you."
"You're too nice! All of you. Why, why... I don't deserve any of this," she groaned face on her hands.
"What don't you deserve?" he asked gently.
"...Being part of the clan, I guess? But all the other stuff too! There's too much wrong with me," she sighed uncovering her face
"Nothing you haven't gotten a handle on or gotten better with. And, well, the magic stuff is cool. Lex, I know, is a bit envious over that; his tech is neat, but magic that is literally the stuff of legends. And honestly, I'm real impressed you went behind Goliath's back on that. Our Maggie being a bad girl rebel. Who knew? You got some sweet tattoos under that fur?" he said playfully, tugging at her wing to get a better look at her. She easily broke the light grip to give his beak a light wing slap, but didn't conceal the brief smile.
"It's just, I wanted to see if I could, and thought maybe it was a way to be of help," she confessed.
"It was helpful, but you do quite enough that you don't need to sneak round to do more. I mean, just look at breakfast! Till you came along, we all just handled our own eating with whatever was available after waking up. But you got us all gathered around without having to even threaten us with a spoon, and save us some nighttime by having it all ready when we get up."
"I'm not convinced, Brooklyn. I mean, it should have been you- Oh God, it should have been you! I stole your spot!" she gasped, claws going to her mouth.
"Uh, yeah, I did kind of want that," he admitted.
'Idiot! Why did you say that? Look at that sad cat face! Fix this now or just jump off the roof!' he yelled in his head.
"Wanting something and deserving it aren't the same thing, though. We've all had to grow a lot in this place, but we still had each other. And we Gargoyles can adapt pretty well. But you, Maggie, you make us look like chumps. I mean, when we got our species swapped, we had magic making the process easier, and no nightmare transformation. And you, with so much worse for the trip, pulled it together better than we did. And I don't think any of us are ready to fill Goliath's nonexistent shoes, Maggie. You might not be ready to be second, but you are ready to try, I'd say. And if it doesn't work out, well, Goliath's no fool - he'll pick someone else and let you off the hook," Brooklyn explained.
Maggie didn't say anything, just kept staring down at the streets below.
"And if you really do think this is a terrible idea, I'll back you up to Goliath on that. This isn't about forcing something on you, Maggie."
She didn't answer, but shifting to look ahead, maggie lifted a wing and pulled it back, opening a place next to her. Trying to keep the gulp small, Brooklyn accepted the invitation, scooting up next to her so that when she relaxed the wing, it rested against him.
"Can we sit here for bit. No talking?" the beautiful winged lion woman asked him. He nodded and happily let himself not think after this draining conversation, just joining her in looking out over Manhattan's lights.
X X X
Maggie and Brooklyn were the last to return that night.
Goliath had known Maggie would be a bit reluctant to accept, but he had assumed he'd only need to explain it to her. Elisa had told him he really didn't get women, which had not been helpful at all. Though it was probably true he admitted to himself.
And he still wasn't clear if Maggie and Brooklyn had gone on a date or not. One thing was certain, he needed to pay a bit more attention to going ons in the clan, because clearly he'd been looking outward a bit too much.
So he was relieved when those two arrived. He'd gone over with Lexington during patrol on how to respectfully assert his stance while making clear she could say no. Lexington would have told Goliath if it wasn't adequate. He hoped.
So when Maggie came over to him as he set his book back on the shelf, he prepared to state his case. Then she spoke at the same time, both their words lost.
"...After you," Goliath said. Maggie nodded and ran her claws through her mane, taking a deep breath and letting it out.
"Goliath, I think Brooklyn would have been a better choice as second," she told him.
"He was the runner-up, but maybe we shouldn't share that?" Goliath admitted. Maggie smiled at that.
"Alright, Goliath, I'll go along with this for now, since you all seem to think it's a good idea. But don't be surprised when I fall short, please? We can just move on to you naming someone else when we all agree I'm not the best for this."
"So a contest then, we have to show you you're worthy before you can show us you're not? It sounds like some tale of the fae," Goliath chuckled.
"That could make a good play. A comedy?" Maggie speculated, tapping her chin. Goliath smiled and held out his hand. Maggie took it and they shook.
"So, any ornaments to wear for oaths? Ceremony?" she asked.
"No, it's enough that you accept and they know you are the Second. We begin your new role tonight. For starters, while I don't expect you to share everything, let's have all the magic stuff in the open with the clan going forward?"
"Oh, sure. I've got just the spell for next time the remote is lost."
"...There's a spell for that from the Grimorum?" Goliath asked.
X X X
Cranley hated how weak her grip was on the arms of her chair.
She hated the chair. She hated the tightness of the bandaging on the different parts of her body. The feel of the hospital gown on her skin. The sights, sounds, and smell of this room.
But most of all she might have hated the stupid man smiling at her from a chair without wheels on it.
"No need to be so grumpy. You're in pretty good shape for that fall you took. I guess that service shed broke the fall a bit, along with your legs. As it is, you might walk again, with crutches. Neck brace for life, of course, considering what your spine went through. But hey, you can wiggle your toes with the best of them," Higurashi said, eating grapes out of a plastic bag.
"I want off these painkillers, they make it too hard to think," she told him.
Cranley was certain her thoughts we more sluggish, that there was a haziness lurking at the edge of her mind that shouldn't be there. But she couldn't tell, like a drunk she thought, who couldn't tell they were drunk.
"That doesn't seem like a good idea. Besides, seems like a pretty good time to get high, doesn't it?"
"My work..." the doctor insisted.
"Not to worry, we're picking up the slack without you. In fact, I think I'm on the verge of a bit of a breakthrough on reducing the mortality rate. No, not a proper conversion rate, or such. But a reduction in helping us better sort out the hopeless cases. Fewer corpses, less wasted product and time, eh?" he told her inspecting a grape before popping it in his mouth.
"What, how? Did you use my notes?" she demanded, trying to rise in the chair only to fail, arms trembling against the fake leather on the chair's arms.
"Now, now, that's not your concern now, you should rest. Besides, you don't want to get back to work right now. Mr. Xanatos is a little bit upset over Wolf," Higurashi saud rcing over to pst her on the shoulder.
"What about that brute?" Cranely snapped.
"Dead. Seems his heart couldn't keep up with the juice. Which is hardly fair to blame you; I mean, you don't sue the tobacconist for you getting cancer, right? Buyer beware. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to hold the butcher accountable for heart attacks, right?" Higurashi shook his head frowning at the notion.
"They blame me?" Cranley demanded.
"Yep. But I think it's mostly because the Iron Man ripoff ran off because of it. He seemed more valuable than the Roid Hulk anyway. He got some of my jokes and was nice and polite in refusing my offer to get a sandwich and drink. Not like Roid Hulk, what a dumpster fire of an attitude! A simple no would have sufficed," Higurashi prattled on.
The day went worse from there.
She actually had a face to face meeting with Mr. Xanatos, but it was brief, only reinforcing both that he was disappointed and her place in the organization was being reevaluated. The burly nurse she didn't recognize escorting her didn't help.
And all of it while moving around in a wheelchair. This lower perspective, like everything was looking down on her. And how quickly her arms got tired and sore.
She refused an electric driven model. But that only meant the nurse started to push her when she stopped too long. He didn't even bother to ask permission, confirmation he was not there for her sake.
Cranley insisted on her own room in Site B for bed. And verbally chased her shadow out after the shower. She could get from pajamas on her chair into bed without being tucked in like some freaking kid!
Cranley stared at the bed and felt exhausted but without wanting to sleep. If she went to sleep, she'd wake up to find things worse.
"I'm in a tailspin. They need someone to blame and I'm it. They'll kill me, or worse reassign me from the project," she muttered, biting her tongue. The taste of blood brought some clarity, and when wiped, the spit and blood on her light yellow pajama pants.
It was awful. Her head hurt just trying to wrap her mind around it. The brute called a nurse hadn't even left her medication, saying the blood-work indicated she needed monitored medication. What did he know, he wasn't a doctor anymore than Higurashi was. They probably hadn't even had a doctor do the blood-work on her. She felt worse without the pills than she'd ever had with them, after all.
It wasn't just her at risk here. The Chimeras, the precious opportunities the Project could bring, would crumble without her, wouldn't it? Higurashi was all flash - hip, cool, or whatever, but an idiot who watched cartoons like a kid under all that.
She had a duty to not be cut off. But how could she convince an ignorant business major like David Xanatos of that?
"Leave him unable to send me away," she realized, eyes widening behind her glasses.
"Well, well, finally ready to leap down that rabbit hole?" Sevarius asked, opening the door for her dressed like a fancy doorman. She gave him the bird as she rolled by.
Sneaking through a secure facility wouldn't be easy even with legs, but she knew this place and its routines quite well. Without meeting anyone, she was in front of the lab she needed.
Holding her breath, she entered the code, glad the panel wasn't any higher and coughing into her other hand as her head tilted and cracked under the bandages wrapped around it. They hadn't changed it. The familiar scents of chemicals and cleanliness tickled her nose and eased her head a bit, even if the rest of her seemed to be aching more. She powered through it over the smooth floor, and the aching jolts of rolling over the covered cords on the floor to the cabinet she needed.
Another layer of encryption, more security. And another password not changed. The drawer popped out, and despite the awkward angle, she quickly found the vial where she left it.
"White African Lion," she read the label, smiling at how it caught the low light.
It was only moments before she was fitting it into an injector. She paused, trying to tilt her head against the neck brace trying to keep it straight, looking to the door still ajar. What was that sound?
Dr. Cranley shook her head as best she could, wincing at the flash of pain. She caught sight of her reflection and glared at it.
"I hate you," she whispered, and judging by his quirked eyebrow, Sevarius knew it wasn't him she was talking to as she turned to consider her reflection.
"Goodbye!" she hissed through clenched teeth, jerking her pants down to inject the Chimera serum into her thigh.
"Ah! Ahhhhh! Ahhh," she shuddered, letting the injector clatter to the ground. Slumping in her chair, she felt like a balloon with the air let out.
"It's done," she breathed.
Then someone started to slowly clap. Lifting her head, she watched Higurashi walk in, familiar faces from the lab flowing after, dressed for work. Mr. Xanatos lingered in the doorway, a new look on his face as she took it all in in confusion.
"I told you sir, just little bit of stimulation and she'd do it herself. Just a matter of getting everyone out of her way," Higurashi said smiling as he scooped up the injector from the floor.
"And your point?" Xanatos asked.
"That unlike this test subject, I know people. The situation with your Pride is too out of hand to be fully salvaged, but with a judicious cut handled properly, we can save what we need to expand under sounder principals. And also, it was really, really cool to see it all go according to plan, wasn't it boss?!" Higurashi practically squealed, before eating a grape.
"...I suppose. Get her to the proper lab. Remember, you have to prove yourself, and this is your first real field test, Higurashi," Xanatos commanded.
The lab assistants lifted her out of the chair, and she could barely follow as she was stripped down, her mangled body exposed to the world and strapped down to a gurney.
Her glasses were the last thing to go, the horrible little man taking them off his cold fingers brushing her face, making her flinch.
"Won't need these anymore, one way or the other. But don't fret, you're in far better hands than your patients were, mine; and I do love cat girls too much to let one die in birth. FYI, we have too many lions, so I swapped that label for something more interesting."
Teeth chattering, she tried to spit in his face, and ended up hacking.
"Not to worry, Doctor. At least I am proud of you," Sevarius said, before blowing on one of those party noisemakers, "Welcome to the land of madness, I think you'll fit in just fine with all the lost souls and nightmares here."
Elizabeth Cranley didn't fight it as blackness closed in blotting out her vision while Sevarius' laughter faded away.
Author's Note:
Woohoo! It feels great to get this chapter posted. Its been written for weeks, I hit a technical difficulty in the midst of editing that drew this out. But that issue should be settled going forward.
It was also satisfying to finally check two much anticipated boxes in my plans. Cranley mutating herself, and Maggie becoming second. Cranley sticking herself was a plan that cane about along with the character, though the details changed over time as my plans and perception if the character evolved.
Maggie's promotion was bot part of the original plan. It cane about as part of a discussion of the story with my best friend, who is also a Gargoyles fan from back in the day. Basically I was reviewing with them the stuff to cover before Avalon and feeling out possibilities for divergences. The actual thing being discussed was Maggie's weapon of choice, when something he said ignited inspiration. Funny how that works.
I did hate to take that win from Brooklyn, but felt that it also let him and Maggie advance their relationship as a result and that is some compensation for our favorite frustrated Gargoyle.
Well not much else to say. I hope you enjoyed the developments in this chapter and that the next one will come sooner.
Long days and pleasant nights to you all.