All the characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.
Note: I'm disregarding the events in the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. This story takes place however one month after "The Changing and The Wedding".
Revenge and Anger
By SN/TVfan
Email: Sam_Nary
Federal District Court
"Your honor, we the jury find the defendant, Jon Castaway, also known as, Jon Canmore, and the two hundred fifty arrested Quarrymen guilty as charged of deceiving the government in the form of political subversion," the Jury representative said.
"We also find Jon Castaway and the twelve dozen Quarrymen that came forward, guilty of the abduction and murder of Nightstone Unlimited CEO, Dominique Destine," the representative continued.
"We also find Jon Castaway guilty of murdering District Attorney Margot Yale," the representative added, "We jury believe that the maximum penalty should be given to the accused."
The judge from his bench nodded, and then said in a very stern voice, "It is the determination of this court that the two hundred fifty Quarrymen who were involved in the political subversion of the government of New York City are to be sent to federal prison for a period of 35 years without possibility of parole. Those twelve dozen Quarrymen that participated in the murder of Dominique Destine are to be sent to federal prison for a period of 50 years without possibility of parole. Jon Castaway is to be sent to a federal prison for the rest of his natural life, without possibility of parole."
In the back of the court room, as the judge's hammer made the sentence final, the human form of Demona smirked. To her right stood a man in a silken red robe. He was the Mage.
"So, Demona, your first hurdle to destroying humanity is cleared," the Mage said with a smile, "The last of the hunters will no longer bother you. Too bad it will have to wait until I am finished with you."
Demona snarled, "There are still many Quarrymen in New York. There are even more throughout the country!"
"Once the third race is destroyed, you will find them leaderless and easy to destroy," the Mage countered.
Demona only growled at the response.
The Home of Brendan and Margot Yale
Brendan sat in one of the couches that where in his home. Empty beer cans littered the floor, and several cards containing the condolences of Margot's friends. No one he knew sent anything. Also for the first time in his life, Brendan was drunk.
"She's gone," he muttered, "The one woman who ever loved me is gone."
Nightstone Unlimited, Sevarius's Lab
Sevarius paced behind the body of still unconscious Coldsteel. It was obvious to him that the blue light that took control of his other specimen had damaged the systems that were supposed to awaken Coldsteel. He'd spent the past month trying to undo the damage, but he had made very little headway.
"Mr. Sevarius," a woman's voice said over the intercom, "Your twelve o'clock appointment is here."
Sevarius growled at that. When the Quarrymen first abducted Dominique Destine, he felt it was the perfect time to take over Nightstone, and he did so with no problems. Now he felt bogged down with paperwork and meetings. He was half tempted to make a clone of himself, and let the clone run Nightstone, while he focused on the important stuff.
"Send him to my office," Sevarius answered.
Castle Wyvern, Dusk
Xanatos stood carefully on the top of the Castle's highest tower, as the stone forms of Goliath and Elisa came to life. Although the flying stone shards probably knocked him to the ground.
"What do you want Xanatos?" Goliath demanded, "You are rarely here when we awaken."
Xanatos chuckled, "I have good news actually. Castaway has been sentenced to life. You won't see him again, and the Quarrymen won't be a threat to your clan anymore."
"You come up here to tell us that?" Goliath asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well you couldn't exactly watch it on the five o'clock news now could you?" Xanatos replied with a smile.
Goliath and Elisa said nothing and then looked at each other, and then looked back to Xanatos. Feeling is business done for the evening; Xanatos gave a polite wave, and departed.
"Are you going to join me for breakfast?" Elisa asked.
Goliath nodded, "You think that we skip meals?"
"I occasionally had to skip meals when I was human," Elisa said, "You know, overslept, late for work, had to run out the door."
"I have never had that problem," Goliath answered with a grin.
Below them the rest of clan stretched and yawned, and waited for Goliath and Elisa to come down from their perch.
"Do you think we'll find him tonight?" Lexington asked.
"Hope so," Brooklyn said, "Twelve people have disappeared over the past month, like magic."
"Arg, this Mage is harder to find then Bronx on bath night," Hudson growled rubbing his back, "I don't think he'd be showin' himself till he thinks his victory is at hand!"
"That doesn't sound good," Broadway sighed.
"It isn't," Goliath answered as he landed, "But we can do no more than patrol till we find him. Elisa may have chosen to remain one of us, but that doesn't mean other people would."
"But from what we've been told the Mage seeks the destruction of Oberon's Children," Angela pointed out, "He couldn't be targeting these people that are missing, could he? I mean people don't have any natural magic like the fey do, and if they did, why would they all concentrate in a single area?"
"But who else do we know, who knows magic?" Lex asked.
Brooklyn's beak suddenly turned into a snarl, "Demona!"
Unknown Location
"All beings have some amount of magic in them, Demona," the Mage said, "However, it is so minute in most creatures, including gargoyles and humans can not feel it. The few humans and gargoyles that can manipulate magic must still use some tool, like the Grimorum, to channel the energy because they simply don't have enough magic in themselves to control it otherwise. Now I however, am different. When I was a young boy I found that I could use a draining spell to drain any living thing of its life force and absorb it. In doing so I would gain the magical energy that resided within that being. I found that eventually I was able to channel magic on my own, without a tool, like the Fey can."
"You're a vampire," Demona snarled.
"No, vampires are creatures that are technically already dead," the Mage retorted, "I am very much alive. I guess I could be 'magical vampire' if you catch my drift."
"So why have you transported these twelve people here?" Demona asked.
"My apprentice, you must use the same 'magical vampire' spell that I did in order to gain the power we both need to accomplish our goals. Since you are already immortal and have ability to manipulate some magic already, the process may make you even power than you expect it to," the Mage answered.
"Why don't you do this to yourself and increase your own power? Then you wouldn't even need me," Demona questioned.
"Once I found that I could manipulate magic on my own, the 'magical vampire' spells ceased to work for me," the Mage said, "I never taught the Archmage this spell because I knew he was too much like me, and I am not about to share my throne with a man."
Demona raised an eyebrow, "Alright, teach me the spell. The sooner our business is completed the sooner I can get back to what I'm supposed to be doing."
The Mage only chuckled.
The Streets of Manhattan
Brendan staggered through the streets in a drunken daze. Every last drop of alcohol in his home had been consumed. He passed the old building that used to be the Quarrymen headquarters. The police seized it after Castaway and the other Quarrymen were arrested. Most of the Quarrymen insignia on the door and surrounding brick was still there. Brendan stared at the door for a moment.
"You did this to me!" he yelled, shaking his fist at the door, "You killed my wife!"
He barely noticed the crowd gather around him as he continued to yell at the door.
Castle Wyvern
Elisa and Goliath were just walking toward the tower to spend their next day in stone. There was still no sign of the Mage. The clan did foil several robberies and a few other petty crimes, but considering their mission, they had accomplished little. Goliath looked to his mate. She looked worried.
"What is it, my love?" Goliath asked.
"Goliath, what if it is Demona and not the Mage?" Elisa asked, "How do we know we're chasing the right villain?"
"Any villain is the right villain to chase," Goliath answered, "Besides, Demona has not been seen since Dominique Destine was abducted. From the reports Hudson saw on television, the Mage and the Quarrymen had some connections. Demona may even be in league with him."
"Great," Elisa grumbled, "Two evil sorcerers out there instead of one. What else can go wrong?"
Just as they arrived at the top of the tower, a black figure landed out of nowhere in front of them. Both Goliath and Elisa recognized the figure, and recoiled in shock, but all three transformed to stone before anyone could say anything.
Devil's Den Prison, Upstate New York
Castaway was pushed along by several guards. None of them were shy when it came to beating him with their nightsticks.
"Move," one ordered.
Castaway complied. He hated the orange jumpsuit he was now to wear for the rest of his life. He was quickly shoved into a cell. As he pulled his face up he heard the voice of man who was probably only in his very early twenties.
"Hm, big bad Quarryman locked in a prison of steel!"
Castaway looked up, "Dracon!"
"Yep, I got moved here recently," Dracon said smiling, "Guess Brode and I started too many fights between us."
"A Hunter does not associate with a common thief!" Castaway snarled.
"Some hunter," Dracon joked back, "You lost. Just like I lost. Face it!"
Castaway sighed and sat down on the bench opposite Dracon and thought to himself, "How the mighty have fallen."
Eyrie Building
Owen sat at his own desk, keeping busy with what was required of him to keep Xanatos Enterprises running smoothly. He was still concerned about the Mage being out there, but as far as he could tell, the only thing the Mage had done, so far, was turn Elisa Maza into a gargoyle. What worried him about this was that this was a far departure from what the Mage had done in the past.
"What are you up to?" Owen muttered to himself.
"Helping you," came a voice from the other side of the room.
Suddenly Owen's office was filled with the blinding radiance of green light. When it faded, Owen's chair was occupied not by Owen but by Puck. Across the room stood Titania.
"Good morning Puck," Titania said.
"Good morning, my Queen," Puck answered politely, "Now what do I owe the honor of this intrusion?"
"You know why I am here," Titania replied, "You've been worrying about him for a month."
Titania continued, "It is likely that the Mage will attempt to hunt you down first. Since Oberon stands by his judgment to keep you banished from Avalon, I have been given the power to return your full power to you."
"And what do you wish of me to do with it?" Puck asked, "My powers are always best at trickery! The Mage can see past that."
Titania chuckled, raised an arm, and chanted…
"Child who ignores his master's call,
you face a villain, who wants us all to fall,
return to you your power taken,
but use it wisely, or you're forsaken!"
Puck could feel his powers return to him, it tickled in fact. Once the green light around him subsided he looked at Titania and said, "Thank you, my Queen."
"You are Avalon's first line of defense, Puck," Titania warned, "You are still required to teach Alexander, but you are no longer 'tied' to him. And do not fail us."
Puck bowed as Titania then left the room.
Nightstone Unlimited
Sevarius stood outside the old cloning chamber that he first used to make the clones of Goliath's clan. He smirked to himself, "I should have thought of this long ago!"
Sevarius took a rather large syringe and poked the needle into the veins on the inside of his elbow. He winced as he did so, but continued with the process, drawing out a large some of blood. Once he was done he walked across the lab, and placed the syringe into a mechanical container connected by all sorts of wires to the cloning chamber and to various computers.
"Sample collected," the computer's mechanized voice announced, "Scanning sample and replication process beginning. Cloning process will be complete in twelve point three hours."
Sevarius chuckled to himself, "Now my enemies will have two of me to deal with!"
23rd Precinct Headquarters
Matt Bluestone sat at his desk, head down. The past month had been hard on him. He and most of the NYPD as well had been trying to find and question many of the Quarrymen members that lived in New York City to question them as to whether or not they participated in the attack on the Eyrie Building. His most recent attempt had only found a drunk Brendan Yale throwing anything he could get his hands on at the former Quarrymen headquarters.
"Bluestone, go home, you're overworking yourself," Chavez said.
Matt looked up at her. He hadn't noticed that she was there.
"I can't," he said with a yawn, "I need to get the Quarrymen off the streets. They could still attack Elisa and the clan."
"They won't be effective," Chavez answered, "Besides, they have no leader, and you can't keep going out and arresting them like this. We have no warrant. We have no evidence that those other Quarrymen were there. Even if we do successfully get them in prison, it will make New York City look like a police state."
Matt sighed.
"Now go home and get some rest," Chavez ordered.
Meanwhile in the precinct's holding cells, Brendan sat on a bench. He was still hung over from the previous night and had his head buried in his arms.
"It's all their fault!" he muttered to himself.
"All who's fault?" a voice asked.
"The Quarrymen and the gargoyles," Brendan said without looking up, "The Quarrymen killed her, and the gargoyles didn't help her."
"The gargoyles were in their daily stone sleep," the voice answered, "They couldn't have helped."
Brendan looked up. He saw Matt Bluestone, the officer that arrested him standing outside his cell. It was Bluestone who was talking to him.
"Keep it down," Matt said, "I'm supposed to be on my way home."
"Why are you talking to me?" Brendan asked.
"You don't seem to be the type of person who would get himself drunk," Matt answered with a slight chuckle, "I'm curious as to why you were throwing stuff at the old Quarrymen headquarters, or was that just a side effect of the alcohol?"
"They need to pay for what they did," Brendan sighed.
"Castaway and many others did," Matt said, and added as he walked away, "Don't let your grief consume you Brendan. Nothing good can come out of it."
Unknown Location
Demona stood in the center of the stone dungeon that the Mage had magically constructed. The twelve bodies of human beings hung from chains attached to the wall. They were all drained of their life forces, thanks to the Mage's 'magical vampire' spell. Demona felt power surge through her like never before. She instantly chanted something in Latin and waved her arms through the air. The twelve human bodies vanished and were replaced by various heavy weapons.
"You're doing well, Demona," the Mage said from behind her, "Now that you are essentially the human equivalent of Child of Oberon, we must now make our plans to defeat the third race."
"Goliath and his clan will wish to stop us," Demona pointed out, "Return me to my gargoyle form, and we can deal with them."
The Mage shook his head, "I'm afraid that goes against our bargain. I'll turn you back into a gargoyle once the world is mine. Not before. As for Goliath and his clan, I can easily avoid a clan of gargoyles that can not sense magic."
"Maybe they can't, but I'm sure Puck can," Demona said, "Puck hides out as Xanatos's assistant Owen. The clan lives atop the Eyrie Building, where Xanatos Enterprises has its headquarters. Destroying Goliath's clan and killing a Child of Oberon should help you considerably."
"I will need to think on this," the Mage said walking off, "You may practice your magic at your leisure Demona. But, don't do anything rash or stupid. I will not save you if you attack the gargoyles without my consent."
Demona growled as he walked out.
Castle Wyvern, Dusk
Once again the sun set on the western horizon and the gargoyles of Manhattan came to life. Goliath and Elisa stumbled down from their pedestal to look at the gargoyle that arrived at dawn the night before. It was a gargoyle they both remembered.
"THAILOG!" they yelled in unison.
"Is that whose body I took?" Thailog asked in a voice that wasn't Thailog's.
Below the clan listened to Goliath and Elisa's yell and the almost fearful answer.
"How can Thailog be alive?" Angela asked, "Demona killed him."
"I guess no one stays dead anymore," Brooklyn answered
Broadway came up to Angela and placed a hand on her shoulder, "We should go check this out. Goliath and Elisa could need help."
"Aye," Hudson answered, sounding both angry and puzzled.
As Brooklyn, Lexington, Hudson, Broadway, and Angela began to climb the wall of the tower, Bronx ran toward the stairs inside the tower. When they all arrived at the top, they stood there in shock. It was Thailog standing before Goliath and Elisa. He was looking down at the ground, and made no effort to attack. Angela noticed that Thailog's face also seemed to be completely depressed, but still free of any injuries that might Thailog might have suffered in his final battle with Demona.
"Why are you here, Thailog?" Goliath demanded.
"Is that whose body I took?" Thailog asked again.
Hudson blinked. The voice wasn't Thailog's. This gargoyle had Thailog's body and appearance, but not his voice. Strangely, the voice he had was also familiar to him.
Hudson came up behind Goliath and put his hand on Goliath's shoulder, "Lad, I dinnae think that be Thailog. Listen to 'is voice."
"Is that whose body I took?" Thailog repeated.
Goliath blinked this time and nodded, "I don't know who you are, sir, but you look exactly like a clone that was made of me named Thailog."
"I am sorry Goliath if I've offended you with this form, but it was the only body I could posses," Thailog answered.
"Posses?" Lex asked, "This sounds like something we'd need Puck for."
Streets of Manhattan
Demona had left the Mage's hideout for a bit of exercise and to test her newfound power. She felt strange walking around in her human form at night, amongst the humans themselves. Few paid her any attention. She was about to head up another street when a mouse like voice called out to her from an alley.
"Hey, you, you're Dominique Destine, are you not?" the voice asked, "Didn't the Quarrymen kill you?"
Demona turned to the voice and began to walk into the alley.
"Show yourself," she ordered.
From behind a dumpster came Brendan Yale. He looked horrible. The knees of his pants were in tatters, his coat was torn in several places, and his vest and tie were missing.
"Are you Dominique Destine?" Brendan asked again.
"That is one of the names I go by, yes," Demona answered, "Why are you hiding back here?"
"How did you escape the Quarrymen?" Brendan demanded.
"I was helped by a very noble man," Demona lied.
"They killed my wife," Brendan said, looking down.
"Castaway got life imprisonment for that," Demona said.
"They deserve to die for what they did," Brendan retorted with anger that Demona never thought the man was capable of, "My wife was a protector of this city. Half of the city's criminals and thieves are in jail because she prosecuted them! And the Quarrymen kill he as if she were one of the 'demons' they fight."
"You want revenge, don't you?" Demona asked with a wicked smile, "That's not like you."
"Don't you hate the Quarrymen for what they did you?" Brendan practically screamed.
"I hate the Quarrymen for totally different reasons," Demona answered, "But, yes, I do hate them."
Brendan looked at her for a few seconds without saying anything.
"Come along with me Mr. Yale," Demona said with a grin, "There might be a way we can get even with those racist bigots!"
Eyrie Building
Xanatos was busy inspecting some of Xanatos Enterprises new laser equipment which had been designed to work with everything from laser rifles to the lasers used in corrective eye surgery. Owen was with him holding a palm pilot.
"How soon can we put these on the market, Owen?" Xanatos asked.
"The first orders will be ready in three weeks, Mr. Xanatos, and the prototypes for pre-production presentation will be ready in two days," Owen answered.
"We're ahead of schedule then, aren't we?" Xanatos smirked.
Owen was about to answer, when on of the two doors to the room opened, and Goliath and his clan entered. 'Thailog' stood in the middle with Broadway and Brooklyn each holding one 'Thailog's' arms. When Xanatos saw the clone that he created, the clone that betrayed him his eyes narrowed.
"Isn't he supposed to be dead?" Xanatos growled.
"Despite his appearance," Goliath said, "We have reason to believe this isn't Thailog."
"How so?" Owen asked.
"He doesn't sound like Thailog," Lex explained.
"We thought that maybe Puck could help with the explanation of who this is?" Hudson said.
Owen looked to Xanatos and then back to the clan. When his eyes settled upon 'Thailog' he shifted from Owen to Puck.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Puck asked in a musical tone, "Out with it, black guy, I'm still on the ticker!"
"I am not Thailog," 'Thailog' said.
"Wow, your voice has changed!" Puck joked, "You using some new throat spray?"
"Be serious Puck," Elisa growled.
Puck settled down in one place, right in front of 'Thailog', "Well, tell us black guy, if you aren't Thailog, who do you suppose you are?"
"I-I-I am Macbeth," 'Thailog' stuttered in an embarrassed fashion.
"WHAT?!" screamed everyone in the room except for Puck and Thailog/Macbeth.
Nightstone Unlimited
"Twelve point three hours have passed," the computerized voice announced, "the clone is complete."
Sevarius chuckled to himself as the door to the clone chamber opened. Steam and various other liquids that were need for and a byproduct of the cloning process hissed out of the chamber as a naked man that looked exactly like Anton Sevarius stumbled out.
"Good evening Mr. Sevarius," Sevarius said, "I am Doctor Sevarius and you are my clone."
"You have good taste," the clone noted.
Sevarius laughed at the answer and motioned his arm toward the far door, "Come with me, I'll get you some clothes, and then we can get to business."
Unknown Location
The Mage sat by a window as Demona returned with a brown haired man. His powers over magic already deduced that this man was Brendan Yale, the husband of Margot Yale, who was murdered by Castaway during his brief rule over Manhattan.
Remembering Castaway made the Mage chuckle.
"I beat you two ways," the Mage thought to himself, "First I got what I wanted out of our deal. And second I actually increased the gargoyle population by one."
It took Demona a few minutes to lead Brendan Yale up to the room the Mage was in. When she entered the room, the Mage watched Brendan tentatively follow. He could sense that the man was nervous.
"Relax Mr. Yale, I have no intentions of harming you," the Mage said.
"You know me?" Brendan answered surprised.
"I know a great many things Mr. Yale," the Mage answered, "I am the noble man who saved Ms. Destine here from the Quarrymen. You may call me Mage."
"Mage?" Brendan asked.
"It's a knick-name I got in high school when I began practicing magic," the Mage answered.
"Magic?" Brendan stammered with his mouth dropping to the floor.
"You live in a city that has a clan of gargoyles in it and you don't believe in magic?" the Mage retorted, "Are you on drugs or something?"
"No, of course not," Brendan answered, trying to sound brave.
"Good, now what can I do for you?" the Mage asked.
Eyrie Building
"I am Macbeth," Thailog/Macbeth said again.
"That is impossible," Goliath said, "Macbeth is human, had has no contact with any sort of magic that could transform him into a gargoyle, let alone a clone of me."
"But Macbeth does have enemies with those connections," Puck said floating around, "Tell us your story Macbeth."
Thailog/Macbeth looked down, "I was in my home when Demona burst through my window. She stabbed me with a syringe of some sort, and I awoke in this body."
"Demona's been playing with Doctor Sevarius I see," Puck mused.
"What do you mean, Puck?" Goliath growled.
"Well, I'm not an expert on the Weird Sisters' spells, but I believe that Demona and Macbeth can not die unless they kill each other," Puck explained, "But since Demona practices a great deal of magic on her own and since Sevarius's field of science is in genetics, I think that the two of them conjured up something that would only kill Macbeth's body, but leave his soul intact."
"You can't do that," Goliath said, "When someone is killed, both the body and the soul die."
Puck smiled devilishly, "What about the soul transference spell I taught young Alexander? While Alex's soul was in Lexington here, Alex's body was technically dead. But since the body wasn't destroyed and he left it in perfect health, it was quite simple for my pupil to return to his own body."
"What are you saying?" Broadway asked.
"I'm saying this is only Thailog's body," Puck said, "Demona and Sevarius's little poison only forced Macbeth's soul out of his body. Now Macbeth's soul is in the body of Thailog."
"Then how did my soul get into Thailog?" Thailog/Macbeth asked, "I have no memory between Demona's attack on myself and my awakening in this body."
"I don't know," Puck answered, "That is probably something to be answered by either Demona or Sevarius."
"I don't think Demona knows how I got into this body," Macbeth/Thailog said, "The night before her abduction by the Quarrymen, I attacked her in her office. She seemed surprised at who I was or at least who I look like. She became hysterical when she realized that the voice she heard coming out of this mouth wasn't Thailog's but mine."
"Why didn't you kill her, and end all this?" Brooklyn asked, half growling.
"I wanted to, but the sun began to rise soon after I attacked, and I had to find a place to – uh- roost as you would say," Macbeth/Thailog answered, "I've been hunting Demona ever since, but I've had no luck. I came to you last night in hopes that you had seen her."
"We haven't seen her since my wedding," Elisa said.
"Ah yes, I forgot about your wedding," Macbeth/Thailog said with a bow, "Congratulations Ms. Maza. Now, may I ask how you became a gargoyle?"
"Let's just say there's one more wizard on this planet than you think," Elisa replied with a sigh.
Outside the Eyrie Building
A robotic form hovers in mid air, its hover jets blazing. The robot's optical sensors have the ability to see through the Eyrie's walls and it has also heard the discussion between Macbeth/Thailog, the clan, and Puck.
"Mage, your friend Demona's information was accurate," the robot said into a transceiver on its shoulder, "The Child of Oberon known as Puck is also the man named Owen Burnett."
"Thank you my friend," the Mage's voice answered through the transceiver, "You have the power within you, and you've carried out my mission. I release you. You may carry out your revenge."
Back inside, Macbeth/Thailog walked toward Puck.
"Is there someway I could get my soul back into my body?" he asked.
"It is possible," Puck answered, "But I will need to see the body first, and I will need a sample of the poison that Demona used on you."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Macbeth/Thailog answered.
"Then go get it!" Puck said in a kingly type tone, "I meanwhile must return to work before I'm fired!"
Central Park
Alex Linite strolled casually through Central Park with his wife Abbey and their two small children. He was nervous. It had been a month since he and his fellow Quarrymen had attacked the EyrieBuilding. A month since they were defeated and their leader began his path to prison. All he knew was that the entire organization was falling apart. To him the gargoyles were a threat to humanity. Even if they were going after criminals, they were going after human criminals. When the Quarrymen began, Castaway had told them all about the crimes that some gargoyles had committed, but were never prosecuted by other gargoyles for it. Alex Linite joined the Quarrymen because he believed the gargoyles were merely sinister creatures planning mankind's destruction one group at a time, starting with the lowest rungs of society so that humans would see them as heroes. But Castaway had taught everyone who joined the Quarrymen the true nature of these creatures. Alex Linite believed him.
"All we need is a new leader," Alex thought to himself.
Suddenly Abbey grabbed his arm, and pulled him back.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"That!" Abbey screamed pointing at a robotic figure in the sky.
It came done toward them like a cat descending on a mouse.
It screamed in a mechanical voice, "You killed my wife!" and then fired two laser cannon's built into its arms, reducing both Alex and Abbey Linite to ashes.
Unknown Location
"What connection does Goliath and his clan have to Avalon that requires his destruction?" the Mage asked.
"He has no connection to the third race," Demona answered, "But he is a hero. He will try to stop you. Also, the descendents of the Wyvern Clan are Avalon's Honor Guard. It is likely that Goliath would oppose you to protect them."
"I have no 'beef' with Avalon's Honor Guard, and if Oberon decides to use them against me, I have the perfect spell to distract them," the Mage answered, "Puck is our only concern at the EyrieBuilding."
"The clan MUST be destroyed!" Demona growled.
The Mage muttered something in Latin, and sparks of electricity flew from every inanimate object in the room toward Demona. She screamed in pain and fell to the floor.
"I enlisted you to help me achieve my goals," the Mage growled back, "Goliath and his clan are not my concern. The clan is preparing to leave the Eyrie Building soon. We are going to abduct Puck and bring him here."
"Why not just kill him?" Demona asked.
"Because, Demona, I intend to use Puck to open the gates to Avalon," the Mage answered with a wicked smile.
Avalon
Oberon sat on his throne in Avalon's castle and watched the unfolding battle in the mortal realm. A large mirror that was as tall as he was floated in front of him. It showed images of Puck talking with the clan. It showed images of Demona in human form talking with Brendan Yale. And thanks to Oberon's power, it was able to show a few scattered and short glimpses of the Mage himself.
"What concerns you my lord?" Titania asked.
"The Mage intends to use Puck as a key to opening the gates of Avalon," Oberon answered, "Did you return his powers to him?"
"That I did my lord," Titania answered, "Although I am unsure of our strategy, my Lord. Puck is strong, but not strong enough to face the Mage on his own, at least not yet. Perhaps we should do something. Try to slow him down?"
Oberon glared toward his wife, and smiled mischievously, "Well he is immortal."
Then Oberon focused his power on the mirror's image of the Mage and chanted:
"Immortal villain of ancient lore,
slow your attack to a gentle snore."
Back in the Mage's lair, blasts of emerald energy filled the room that Demona and the Mage were standing in. While Demona felt nothing, she did watch the Mage shriek with pain and then crumple over. After a few seconds the light subsided, and Demona stood up and checked on her new master. He was fast asleep, and it looked as though he wouldn't wake from it.
Demona then chuckled to herself, "Now I can deal with the clan. You'll thank me when you wake up Mage."
Macbeth's Mansion
The clan landed on Macbeth's roof with a series soft thumps. During the past month, Elisa had become much better at gliding, but in her mind she felt she still had a long way to go. Macbeth/Thailog had even more problems. It was clear to the clan that while Macbeth's soul had spent a month inside Thailog's body, Macbeth had taken little time to learn how to glide or land or take off.
"Which window did Demona fly through?" Goliath asked.
"That one," Macbeth/Thailog answered pointing to a window that was still shattered.
Goliath scrambled along the roof on all fours toward the window. Macbeth/Thailog followed, although his movements were rather clumsy. Once inside the room, Goliath saw that there had been a battle here. A chair was broken and there were several tears in the carpet. Goliath could smell the remaining ashes of a fire. He quickly turned when heard Macbeth/Thailog landed face first on the floor.
"I'll never get used to this," Macbeth/Thailog grumbled.
"Come on," Goliath said.
The two proceeded to search the room. There was nothing there. Then as Macbeth/Thailog went to open a door to the hallway he found a piece of what was his old body nailed to the door. After seeing this, he screamed.
23rd Precinct Headquarters
Phones were ringing off the hook throughout the office as horrified people all over Manhattan called the cops. Matt hustled across the floor, hands over his ears trying to block out the noise. He quickly shuffled his way into Captain Chavez's office.
"What's going on?" Matt asked, "It seems like everyone is on the phone out there."
Chavez sighed, "Some robot or something like that is out there attacking and killing many of the confirmed Quarrymen members that weren't arrested."
Matt blinked. The only 'robots' that he heard of that would have a grudge against the Quarrymen were Coldsteel, Coldstone, and Coldfire. The clan had told him about their battles with them over the years. However, as far as the clan and Matt knew Coldsteel, Coldstone, and Coldfire were not in New York.
"I'll take the case," Matt said.
"You?" Chavez asked, "Why? I thought you wanted to prosecute the rest of the Quarrymen?"
"Not this way Captain Chavez," Matt answered, "The Quarrymen are evil, but murder is murder. Besides, only you, Morgan, and I have any real knowledge about some of the weird stuff that goes on in this city."
"Don't get started on aliens, Bluestone," Chavez warned.
"I'm not," Matt answered, "But do you think that your average cop who barely believes that gargoyles exist is going to believe that a robot is out there attacking members of the Quarrymen? Besides, the only 'robots' that I know of that could do this have connections to the clan."
Chavez sighed.
"We got to keep the clan safe," Matt continued, "Especially since they've gone through the great danger to reveal themselves to us."
Chavez then nodded, "The case is yours Bluestone. I want this guy brought in, and unharmed, and if he really is a robot, I want him undamaged."
"Yes Captain," Matt answered, as he turned to leave the room.
Unknown Location
Demona chanted over and over again in Latin. She was amazed at the lifestyle the Mage had lived. The house that they had been staying in was a mansion. She was currently in the mansion's garage. Before her thirteen cars of various models changed before her eyes. Twelve turned into Steel Clan robots that resembled her gargoyle form, instead of resembling Goliath. The thirteenth car changed into a stealth hovercraft.
"Now I'll deal with Goliath and his clan," Demona growled to herself, "Then the Mage will have no trouble dealing with Puck. We can destroy the third race. I can destroy humanity, and then I'll destroy him!"
Demona laughed wildly as she got into the hovercraft and took off into the night sky through an open skylight in the roof. The Steel Demona Clan followed.
Nightstone Unlimited
The clone Sevarius came out of the changing room that the real Sevarius had provided him. The clone now wore a black business suit with a red tie. The clone's hair had also been dyed white. The real Sevarius was waiting for him.
"How do I look?" the clone asked.
"Like a genius," the real Sevarius answered, "The women will love you."
Both men chuckled. Then the real Sevarius put his hand on the clone's shoulder.
"Now, the world can not have two Anton Sevariuses," the real Sevarius said, "Since you are my clone, you need to pick a new first name. I can simply say you my identical twin brother."
"Wouldn't your real parents know it was a lie?" the clone asked.
"They would if I hadn't already killed them," the real Sevarius answered.
Both men laughed again.
"I will be Alexander Sevarius," the clone said, "From what I remember; your former employer had a habit of naming things Alexander."
Anton Sevarius chuckled, "Yes, Xanatos had a habit of that, first with Goliath's clone and then with his son."
"What do you suppose will happen if they have a daughter?" Alexander Sevarius mused with a grin.
"She will probably be named Alexandra!" Anton Sevarius said back laughing.
Castle Wyvern
"Macbeth's soul is in Thailog's body?" Fox asked surprised.
"That's what Puck said," Xanatos answered as the two strolled along the castle's courtyard.
"But Thailog was killed," Fox protested, "Some of your crews pulled what was left of Thailog's body out of that roller coaster that Demona collapsed on him…"
"And then I had them destroy what was left," Xanatos finished, "The Thailog I had created is dead. I believe our old friend Sevarius has created an entirely new Thailog clone."
"But why would he want to create a new clone?" Fox asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably to gain control of Nightstone," Xanatos sighed.
"But he got Nightstone when the Quarrymen abducted Demona!" Fox replied, "Why would he need the clone?"
"Sevarius wants to rule the world, with everyone being his mutate slaves," Xanatos answered, "It is highly unlikely that he would have contacted the Quarrymen to remove Demona from Nightstone."
"Why?" Fox asked sounding nervous.
"Because the Quarrymen know about the mutates, and they know that mutates are creatures intended to copy gargoyles," Xanatos answered, "Therefore, they would view Sevarius as a race traitor for trying to turn humans into gargoyles. Castaway would have killed him the instant Sevarius contacted him."
"He's worse than you ever were," Fox growled.
"I don't know," Xanatos sighed again, "I did willingly EMPLOY him for a time."
They were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Xanatos looked behind him to see Owen leading Matthew Bluestone toward them.
"Detective Bluestone wishes to speak with you Mr. Xanatos," Owen announced.
Macbeth's Mansion
The clan was still sitting on the roof of Macbeth's mansion when Goliath and Macbeth/Thailog emerged out of the broken window. In Goliath's talons was a large syringe. Macbeth/Thailog held nothing.
"What about his body?" Angela called out.
Neither Goliath nor Macbeth/Thailog answered. Once they made it to where the clan was waiting, Hudson walked up to Macbeth/Thailog.
"What happened to yer body, lad?" Hudson asked.
"Mutilated," Macbeth/Thailog answered, "I'm doomed to remain in this form forever!"
Goliath then sighed and looked to the clan, and then looked to the body of his clone that Macbeth's soul now occupied and controlled.
"You are welcome to join my clan, Macbeth," Goliath said, "We can help."
"Uh- I don't know…" Macbeth/Thailog answered.
"Don't worry," came a hissing voice, "None of you will live long enough to worry about the future any more!"
Castle Wyvern
Matt Bluestone and Xanatos had walked up to the battlements, and left Fox and Owen in the courtyard. Xanatos didn't mention what was going on with Macbeth being in Thailog's body. Somehow he knew that Detective Bluestone was not entirely in the mood to hear it.
"What do you want Detective?" Xanatos asked.
"How active have the Steel Clan been since the Quarrymen attack?" Matt demanded.
"The Steel Clan has been in its storage compartments since the attack, Detective," Xanatos answered, "And Owen is still filing the paperwork needed to make sure I don't get sued for using them."
Xanatos looked at Bluestone for a brief second.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Some robotic thing has been attacking and killing Quarrymen members around the city," Matt answered, "And since YOU'RE the king of all things robotic and creepy in this city, I assumed…"
"That I was the guilty party?" Xanatos asked.
"Yes."
"Detective, I know nothing of this, and you should know that I wouldn't do anything like this anymore," Xanatos said, "Goliath would kill me, and I've lost enough battles to him and his clan to know that Goliath is not one you want angry at you."
Matt sighed.
"How can Xanatos use humor at a time like this? People are dying. Evil people, yes, but murder is murder," Matt thought.
Matt then looked out over the New York City skyline, "Well if you aren't doing it, than who is? Are Coldfire and Coldstone back? Is Coldsteel back?"
"As far as I know, Coldstone and Coldfire have chased Coldsteel all the way to Utah, and are still chasing him," Xanatos answered.
Xanatos then made a motion with his arm, as if to say, "follow me".
"Come along with me Detective," Xanatos said, "If there is some killer robot out there, you're going to need something more powerful than a hand gun to deal with it."
Unknown Location
The Mage pulled himself up slowly from the floor of his mansion like lair. Oberon had cast a sleeping spell on him. Although the Mage was fairly certain that Oberon thought he'd be out for days rather than hours.
"Oberon, you never did know how to fight a war, did you?" the Mage growled to himself, "You can't just shoot spit wads at somebody who's prepared to use nukes."
The Mage stood up and began chanting in Latin. Then after a few brief seconds he began chanting again.
Avalon
Princess Catherine sat calmly in Avalon Castle's library, reading from an old book that was titled Chronicles of Scotland's Royalty. She found it rather interesting to read, although she was mostly reading it in the hopes of maybe getting some knowledge abut her mother, other than what she remembered her father saying about her. She took a brief break from her book to look out a nearby window. What she saw was very frightening. The entire sky seemed to be on fire, and the mists that surrounded Avalon were mysteriously missing. Shortly thereafter the mirror in the library, which allowed Oberon and his children to pass from room to room without using the castle's doors and alleyways, exploded, sending glass shards everywhere.
"TOM," she screamed running toward the door.
Oberon felt the Mage's direct attack on Avalon. Soon after every mirror was destroyed, the sky returned to normal, but he knew that the Mage had inflicted a serious defeat on him and his race.
"What has he done?" Titania asked.
"He has destroyed every mirror on Avalon," Oberon growled, "Unless we use a skiff or are summoned, we can not journey to the mortal realm. The Mage has practically trapped us here without any ability to contact Puck."
Titania's eyes narrowed, "Puck sounded nervous about facing the Mage when I returned his power."
"Of course he did," Oberon snarled, "He hasn't had any real power for three years, and he hasn't had to fight a foe as powerful as the Mage since the middle ages!"
"And even then, if it hadn't been for I, he would have died," Titania added.
"Let us hope that Puck's skills have advanced since then," Oberon sighed and then thought to himself, "This is rapidly getting out of control."
Macbeth's Mansion
Goliath looked up to something that perplexed him. A large hovercraft was directly above them, and standing on top of it was woman in white robes with flaming red hair. Hair that was kept the same way Demona kept her mane. Flying around the woman and the hovercraft were twelve gargoyle robots that resembled Demona.
"Demona in human form?" Elisa stammered.
"At night?" Macbeth/Thailog finished.
Demona became visibly angry, "Yes, a little gift from the Mage, at least until he is able to destroy the third race."
"You're in league with that nut aren't you?" Brooklyn demanded.
"How did you guess?" Demona laughed, "Now meet MY Steel Clan!"
The twelve Steel Demona Clan bots dove down toward them all. They fired lasers from their arms and from their eyes as they went. Lexington was hit almost immediately and knocked off of the roof. Two of the robots seized Broadway and began to carry him off. Hudson charged one that had landed on the roof, but as he stabbed his sword into the robot's chest, another shot him in the back with its optics lasers.
Demona watched the spectacle unfold. In her first strike, she had knocked Lexington out of the fight and Broadway and Hudson wouldn't be able to help in the near future. She watched Angela take off to catch the two Steel Demonas that were carrying off her mate. Brooklyn, Elisa, Goliath, and Macbeth/Thailog managed to dodge her robots fire, but they couldn't get airborne.
Macbeth/Thailog leaped off the roof and made a quick glide into window that Demona had long ago smashed in her attack against him. Demona motioned to two of her Steel Demonas.
"Follow him, I want him alive," she ordered.
When Demona turned her eyes back to the battle, Demona saw that Goliath had caught one of the Steel Demonas by the tail, and despite taking multiple laser hits to his wings and one in the shoulder, Goliath managed to tear the robot's head off. He then threw the rest of the lifeless robot at Demona's hovercraft.
The robot exploded on impact, and her ship immediately began to lose altitude.
"Goliath you fool," Demona snarled, "I may be human for now, but the Mage has granted me the means to gain power that you can't even possibly imagine. I don't really need this hovercraft."
Demona then began to chant in Latin and then disappeared. When Demona did reappear, she was directly behind Elisa. Filling her fist with magical energy that she had gained from the Mage's 'magical vampire' spell, she punched Goliath's new mate in the back directly between her wings. Elisa screamed with pain and fell to her knees. A Steel Demona robot fired its laser cannons and knocked Elisa backward. The force of the impact through her backward and through the window that Macbeth/Thailog had just fled into.
"Elisa!" Goliath screamed in terror.
"Don't worry, she isn't dead, yet," Demona sneered, "She will live long enough to see the end of this battle, and you will live long enough to watch your whore die. Right before you!"
Goliath roared in anger and threw two Demona robots that were holding onto his arms. One collided with one that was chasing Brooklyn and exploded. The other hit Demona square in the face. Goliath then dived after Elisa.
Hudson was just getting to his feet when he saw Goliath dive back toward the window that he had earlier emerged from with Macbeth/Thailog. Demona commanded something that he couldn't hear to one of her Steal Demona Clan robots. It turned and began firing on him. Hudson was able to get airborne, but the robot took off much faster. With strength five times greater than Xanatos's Steel Clan ever had, the Demona robot punched him square in the chest. Hudson heard a bone snap. Just when he thought he was finished, Angela appeared out of nowhere. She landed on top of the Demona robot and tilted its wings so that the robot descended into the earth in a death spiral. Angela leaped off at the last second.
Hudson huddled on the ground. The pain in his chest was insurmountable.
"Hudson!" Angela cried out, "Are you alright?"
"No, lass, I think one of them Demona robots smashed me ribs!" Hudson answered.
"Relax here," Angela commanded, "It will be dawn soon. Broadway and I destroyed the two that had him. It seems they're only powerful when Demona is nearby."
Macbeth/Thailog watched Elisa come flying into the room, backwards. She hit one of the Steel Demona robots that were chasing him. The robot flew into a bookcase on the far wall and exploded. The resulting shockwave forced Macbeth/Thailog to his knees, and threw Elisa to the opposite wall. Macbeth/Thailog looked up to see Elisa crumple to the floor. Goliath came through the window a second later. The remaining Demona robot turned and fired its lasers. Goliath in his rage barely felt them nick his sides. He grabbed the robot and crushed its head with both hands.
A bolt of magical lightning then struck him in the back, as the human Demona entered the room. Goliath lay unconscious a few feet away from Macbeth/Thailog.
Lexington woke up on the ground. A bone in his tail was broken. He felt the pain, but he immediately began climbing up the walls of Macbeth's mansion. He could hear Broadway, Brooklyn and Angela roaring at the robotic Demonas that had attacked. By the time he got to the roof he saw that one had two were converging on Brooklyn and Broadway and Angela were both busy with two more. Lex made a desperate dive toward the closest one to him. He grabbed it by the ankle and pulled it down. The robot fired shortly after Lex grabbed it, and its shoot went wild, hitting the other Demona robot that was attacking Brooklyn.
Brooklyn turned and then punched the Demona robot that Lex had grabbed. It lost its footing, and Lex smashed the robot into the wall. Brooklyn helped him up.
"I don't think its going very well," Lex said.
"Ya think?" Brooklyn growled, "I'm going to help Goliath."
Brooklyn dived from the roof and maneuvered quickly through the smashed window. He found Goliath and Elisa both out cold and Macbeth/Thailog barely avoiding a series of magical lightning bolts being thrown at him by Demona. His eyes glowing white, Brooklyn launched himself at Demona, and brought a fist down on each side of her head. Demona crumpled to the ground.
Macbeth/Thailog came forward, "It's time that her threat to every race is ended."
But before Macbeth/Thailog could bring his toe talons down on Demona's neck and crush her wind pipe, she was enveloped in a wall of flame, and disappeared. Before Brooklyn or Macbeth/Thailog could do anything more, the sun rose and they turned to stone.
Streets of Manhattan
Matt drove along the streets as carefully as he could, and kept his eyes on the sky. He had driven around all night searching for this mysterious robot. A small laser pistol sat on the seat of the car beside him. Xanatos had given him the weapon, "in case things got rough".
Then as he turned onto one of the few apartment districts in Manhattan he saw a massive hole in the walls of one of the buildings. What amazed him even more, was that screams could be heard from inside.
"I bet this is my robot," Matt thought to himself, getting out of the car.
Running into the building he saw that the apartment's manager was in the building's small lobby, nervously calling the cops.
"I'm telling you, it sounds like some sort of robot is in there!" the man screamed, "It's raising a great ruckus and people are complaining of hearing terrified screams!"
Matt moved up to him, "Bluestone, 23rd Precinct, I'll hand this."
He took the phone from the man and put it to his ear.
"This is Detective Bluestone of the 23rd, I'm here to handle this," he said quickly, "Back up might be needed."
He quickly repeated the address of the apartment complex that the manager had written down, and then hung up.
"What room is this robot in?" Matt demanded.
"27D, on the second floor," the manager said in a very nervous and frightened tone.
Matt ran to the stairs before the man could give him better directions. He knew he had to hurry. This robot had already killed a fair number of people. He couldn't let it kill anymore.
It took him a few minutes to find the room, and upon finding it, he kicked the door in. Standing in the center of the room was a tall robotic human. It stood roughly six feet four inches and held a frightened man above its head with one arm. The robot was a bright silver color and the metal reflected every beam of light the hit it. The only other colors on the robot's body were a metallic brown metal around the top of its head, and its two red mechanical eyes.
"Put the man down," Matt ordered raising the laser pistol at the robot's chest.
"He killed my wife," the robot answered in voice that Matt almost immediately recognized, "He deserves to die."
"Brendan?!" Matt stammered too surprised if anything to say anything else.
Eyrie Building
Xanatos just came down to his office from Castle Wyvern. The gargoyle beast Bronx, whom the clan didn't take with them, had been visibly worried about its fellow gargoyles, who did not return before dawn. The garg-beast had been so worried that it kept Xanatos up all night with its howling and moaning. He sat with it all night patting its head, just to keep it quiet.
Once Xanatos got to his desk, he pressed the intercom button to Owen's office, "Owen, do you have any idea where the clan has gone?"
"No sir," Owen replied, "The clan was last seen on our city wide surveillance grid heading toward Macbeth's mansion, but were not seen returning."
"Could this Mage have attacked them?" Xanatos asked.
"Unlikely," Owen answered, "The Mage's chief concern has always been Oberon and the third race. If he has any interest in Goliath whatsoever, it is more likely that he would try and use the clan's natural distrust of the fey to his advantage."
Unknown Location
"What do you think you were doing?" the Mage screamed, sending another magical powered shockwave at Demona, throwing her across the room.
"I was trying to help you," Demona sneered, "Goliath and his clan may not trust the third race entirely, but they're not about to let you destroy them as part of some plan to conquer the world."
"Fine help you gave me," the Mage yelled back, "The cars you transformed weren't mine! This building isn't mine! The true owners are currently on vacation."
Demona looked at him.
"I moved in here when I saw the owners move out!" the Mage snarled, "Now I must waste my time, my valuable time, replacing what you destroyed!"
"Goliath and his clan MUST be destroyed if you're to kidnap Puck," Demona yelled, "They would not allow him to be taken by you."
"Puck was nowhere near that mansion!" the Mage growled, "If you wanted to help, you should have gone and picked up Puck while the gargoyles were away!"
The Mage paused, putting a hand to his head.
"Now, our alliance is going to be revealed to Puck and our enemies, and kidnapping him is now out of the question," the Mage said with a heavy sigh, "I've put Avalon in a total blackout, but if I know Oberon, he will decide to come here somehow, just so he can watch his own race's destruction."
"How does that help you?" Demona demanded.
"Oberon is the worst general you could ever imagine," the Mage replied, "He never takes risks. He only makes his moves when he is one hundred percent sure that his foe will be humiliated in the worst fashion. That's why all the mirrors that the third race use are capable of letting the third race see what all is going on in the world. Oberon will want to know of my progress against him, but without his precious mirrors he will have to come here, and he will be blind. Oberon will have to take a risk in this war. A risk I assure you he is not prepared to take."
Demona watched the Mage paced the room.
"I'm sorry I have to do this to you Ms. Demona, but your uncontrolled anger toward your former clan leaves me with little choice," the Mage sighed before chanting in Latin.
Emerald energy shot from his fingertips and then covered Demona entirely, before she collapsed to the floor.
Apartment Complex
"Brendan Yale?" Matt stammered, staring at the robot.
"Detective Bluestone," the robotic Brendan answered.
"What happened to you?" Matt asked.
"A wizard named the Mage did this to me, so I could have my revenge on the people that murdered my wife," Brendan said again.
"The person that murdered your wife is in jail, Brendan," Matt answered, "You've become the same monster that killed your wife. Only your victims are different from his."
Brendan's now robotic eyes dimmed, indicating that he blinked. He looked at the helpless man he held in the air. And then he looked at the small family that cowered in another corner of the room. He dropped the man suddenly.
"God what have I become?" Brendan then cried, falling to his knees.
"A monster," Matt answered, "A robotic monster."
"Can I be human again?" Brendan asked in a weak voice.
"You said the Mage did this to you?" Matt demanded.
"Yes," Brendan answered, "He agreed to help me, since he helped Dominique Destine get away from the Quarrymen."
"These Quarrymen," then added, pointing to the man on the floor.
"Brendan, from what I know, the Mage had Castaway kidnap Dominique Destine for his own purposes," Matt replied coldly, "Partially because Castaway is correct about the fact that Dominique Destine IS the gargoyle sorceress Demona."
"You mean that the Mage was working for Castaway?" Brendan asked.
"No, Castaway was working for the Mage," Matt answered, "He has used you to fulfill his own purposes, and it's likely that you will be like this forever."
"No," Brendan moaned collapsing to the floor.
"Now, Brendan Yale, you're under arrest for the various murders of various Quarrymen and women," Matt said, "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be and will be used against you in a court of law."
Brendan slowly got up and followed Matt. His head turned to the family of the Quarryman that he had attacked.
"I'm sorry," he stammered.
Matt hurried the robotic Brendan into the back seat of his car. No backup units had arrived yet. Matt called it off as quickly as he could, and then began driving. Brendan never looked from the floor until he noticed that Matt drove past the 23rd NYPD precinct headquarters.
"Where are we going?" Brendan asked, "Aren't you arresting me?"
"Brendan, I can understand that you were mourning your wife, that's why you did what you did," Matt said, "Overall though, I think you were duped by the Mage and Demona. You weren't acting like yourself, and they caught you in the worst position a person could be in."
"So where are we going?" Brendan asked again, nervously.
"The Eyrie Building," Matt answered, "Xanatos is the only guy that I can think of that can either provide the proper facilities to restrain you or help you get your life back on track. At least as back on track as a robotic human can be."
"Isn't that where those scary gargoyles live?" Brendan asked again.
"You've terrorized this city as a robotic humanoid wanting vengeance, and you have the nerve to call gargoyles scary?" Matt said angrily, "The gargoyles are protectors despite their appearance. According to Elisa and the clan's leader, Goliath, they've saved both the lives of you and your wife on more than one occasion."
Brendan only looked down, ashamed.
East Manhattan Docks
A small skiff appeared out of sudden mists with six figures aboard. Two were stone gargoyles. Two were the figures of Princess Catherine and the Guardian Tom. The other two were two humans who have never been seen before in New York City. Or on Avalon.
"We must wait here till Ophelia and Gabriel awaken," Catherine said.
The unknown man grunted, "And let the Mage destroy my race?"
"Shall we leave them to be smashed by some careless dockyard worker then?" Catherine said back, with some anger in her voice, "I made a promise to Goliath that would protect the eggs of his clan until I died. Tom has helped me by becoming their guardian. The Magus helped me by fighting the Archmage's attempt to conquer your island."
"Yes that may be true," the man grunted again, "But you aren't fighting the Archmage this time. You are fighting his teacher. The Mage is far smarter than the Archmage could ever have hoped to be."
The unknown woman put her hand on the unknown man's shoulder, "The least we can do is honor the Princess's promise. I do not sense any major activity by the Mage at this time. We can wait till dusk my lord."
23rd Precinct Headquarters, Captain Chavez's Office
Matt Bluestone came in slowly, and double checked to make sure they were alone.
"I heard you found your robot," Chavez noted.
"I did," Matt answered.
"Where is he?" Chavez asked.
"I left him at the Eyrie Building," Matt sighed, "It was Brendan Yale, Captain."
"What?" Chavez asked.
"Do you remember that 'Mage' guy, Captain?" Matt asked.
"The creep that turned one of my best detectives into a living statue?" Chavez growled.
"The one and the same," Matt answered, "Apparently he found Brendan wandering the streets of Manhattan, and offered to turn him into a sentient robotic being, so he could have his revenge."
Chavez only sighed, "First Maza, now this."
"Yes," Matt answered, "I don't think that Brendan is entirely responsible for his actions Captain. He was in mourning, and the Mage likely manipulated him in a fashion that he normally wouldn't listen to."
"He still committed the murders," Chavez pointed out.
"True, but then who will a judge more likely to convict? An evil sorcerer out to conquer the world? Or a mousy man who normally screams at the sight of a mouse?" Matt asked.
"The sorcerer," Chavez sighed, "You know Bluestone, when I first joined the force, these things were much simpler. Someone committed a crime, we caught them, and they were found guilty or innocent. Now we have evil gargoyles battling good gargoyles. Corporate CEOs with complex plans of world domination that legally keep them in the clear. Evil sorcerers trying to destroy everybody. What's next detective? Smurfs selling candy on the street?"
"Don't jinx the city, Captain," Matt warned.
Chavez didn't know whether to put her head down on her desk or laugh.
Eyrie Building
"Amazing," Xanatos said as he looked at the hologramatic blueprints of the now robotic Brendan Yale.
"Yes," Owen answered dryly, "Mr. Yale is now one complex machine. He can draw all the power he needs by burning food and beverages in a furnace in his 'stomach cavity'. He has two sets of laser canons on his arms. One on each bicep and one on each forearm. His eyes are capable of scanning through any material, with the exception of anything created by magic. The hydraulic systems in his arms and legs are quite compact, but apparently strong enough to allow him to lift the Eyrie Building from its foundation. His robotic body is made out of some sort of metal, similar to the metal made from the Cauldron of Life; it is immune to almost all forms of magic. It is also lined with large sums of Titanium and other transition metals. His auditory sensors can probably also pick up anything within a thousand square miles. He probably even can hear us talking, sir."
"Fascinating, can he be duplicated?" Xanatos asked.
"Not to the same extent, sir," Owen answered, "The software in his 'brain' are far beyond anything that we can produce. All of the metal from the Cauldron of Life is going into producing the new Coyote robot, and the sensor and power systems seem to have their abilities fueled by magic. Nothing Xanatos Enterprises has can compete with what the Mage has created."
"Pity," Xanatos answered, "An exact duplicate of the new Brendan Yale would provide the perfect opportunity for profit! Think of it! We could sell the army the ultimate warrior, while we could beat 'Mr. Clean' with the ultimate cleaning robot."
"Yes," Owen said with a slight smile.
"No one is duplicating me," Brendan said, coming into the room.
"No one is," Xanatos answered quickly, "We were just speculating as to what we could do if we could."
"Oh," Brendan answered.
Macbeth's Mansion, Dusk
The clan awoke with roars of both anger and fear, since none of them knew if Demona was still there. Goliath quickly got to his feet and ran toward Elisa.
"My love, are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Elisa answered, "But I'll tell you that I've had better nights."
Goliath nodded.
"Demona's gone Goliath," Brooklyn said, "Someone transported her away last night before Macbeth could kill her."
Goliath looked to Macbeth, whose soul was still inside the body of Thailog.
"You will have your revenge, Macbeth," Goliath said, "I assure you."
"Let's worry about that when it happens," Macbeth said, "Let's go get that syringe to Xanatos. It fell into a drain pipe when Demona attacked. Hopefully it wasn't broken."
The syringe luckily, wasn't broken. Lexington, Angela, and Broadway were waiting for them on the roof. Hudson was stretching on the ground below them.
"We must give this syringe to Xanatos before Demona attacks again," Goliath said, "Xanatos must also be warned that she has created a Steel Demona Clan."
Goliath received nods from the rest of the clan, and soon they all leaped into the air.
It took them only a short while to arrive at the Eyrie Building. They were greeted by a very excited Bronx and another being that they didn't recognize. A robotic human.
"The Mage has turned Brendan Yale into a robot," came a voice.
The clan in both gasps of shock and with their eyes as big as saucers turned to the voice to see Matt Bluestone come out onto the battlements.
When Matt saw the body of Thailog, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at him, "Goliath! Thailog's BEHIND YOU!"
"Only Thailog's body," Lex explained, "Demona and Sevarius created some way to remove someone's soul from their body, without using a fey soul transference spell, and used it on Macbeth."
"Demona used this syringe in her attack," Goliath explained, holding up the syringe.
"So let me guess, Macbeth's soul is controlling Thailog's body?" Matt asked.
"Bingo," Broadway answered, "Now how did Brendan Yale become a robot?"
"I was mad with grief over my wife's murder by the Quarrymen, and I got tricked by this guy called 'the Mage' into being turned into a robot," Brendan answered.
"Like he turned me into a gargoyle," Elisa answered, her eyes glowing red.
"Who are you?" Brendan asked.
"Elisa Maza, Detective, Second Class, NYPD," Elisa answered, "At least I was. Right now, and probably forever, I'm Elisa Maza, gargoyle, mate to Goliath."
"Who's Goliath?" Brendan asked, stepping back nervously.
"I am," the large male lavender gargoyle answered stepping forward, "This is my clan. From left to right there is Bronx, Brooklyn, Hudson, Broadway, Angela, myself, Elisa, and Lexington. Detective Bluestone is a friend of our clan, and Xanatos and his family are some of the clan's few allies. Now we must get this syringe to Xanatos so it can be examined."
Warehouse Near the East Manhattan Docks, Dusk
Princess Catherine and Tom stood relatively close to were Ophelia and Gabriel stood. As the sun went down, the two statues cracked open and the gargoyles within awoke and roared into the night.
"Where are we?" Gabriel asked.
"We're in Manhattan," Tom answered stepping forward from Catherine's side, "Oberon's long time enemy 'The Mage' has left Avalon completely in the dark as to what goes on outside it. Oberon and Titania are here to help fight him, and we have been brought along to help them."
"Can you fight a wizard, Guardian?" Ophelia asked.
"We'll soon find out!" Tom said.
"If you are ready, we must now go to Castle Wyvern," Oberon announced, coming out of the shadows, "I must converse with Puck."
"Wyvern? Isn't that where Angela is?" Ophelia and Gabriel asked in unison.
"Yes," Princess Catherine answered.
Castle Wyvern
"Yup, this would be an effective equal to a soul transference spell," Puck confirmed, "But since your body was mutilated, I don't believe we can put you back together again."
"I can't look like this," Macbeth growled, "Goliath himself said that this was the body of his evil clone. I refuse to live in it."
"And so you shall not!" Puck answered with a grin. Puck then began to chant:
"Noble Macbeth of ancient lore,
unable to go to the way he was before,
become your own gargoyle now,
and please don't have a cow!"
At the conclusion of the spell, emerald energy wrapped itself around Macbeth. When it faded the body of Thailog was gone, and the body of a whole new gargoyle stood there. Overall the body was grey, but both the outside and inside of its bat-like wings was black. Macbeth's eyes, nose, and mouth remained largely unchanged, except for the fact that his lower fangs protruded over his upper lip. His brow ridge and horns were almost identical to Hudson's. In the new form that Puck had given him, Macbeth was now slightly shorter than Goliath, and had much more athletic build than Goliath did.
Macbeth was wearing an outfit similar to what he normally wore as a human. He wore a large overcoat, with large holes in the back for his wings. A silver breastplate covered his chest. While he was still wearing a black loin cloth however.
Goliath watched his clan marvel at Macbeth's new form. He also noted the old Scottish King's reaction to it. It was apparent to him that Macbeth, despite Puck's help, and Goliath's invitation to join the clan, was quite uncomfortable with the situation. Goliath so far said nothing on the matter. His mind was dwelling on the information that he had gathered from Matt as to what happened to Brendan Yale. The story had brought back old memories from when his clan was put into its great one-thousand year sleep.
'Stone? At night? What sorcery is this?!'
'Sorcery indeed! And now you will join them!'
'Grrrr.'
'Princess?'
'Oh Magus, what have ye done?'
'I thought you were dead your highness. I was mad with grief and…'
'Reverse the spell. BRING THEM BACK!'
'I can't! The page with the counter spell was burned!'
Brendan Yale was now a modern testament to the consequences of anger over the loss of a loved one. While Goliath and the clan had no particular interest in Margot Yale, and Elisa may even have hated the woman, because of her continuously anti-gargoyle views, Goliath doubted that Margot Yale deserved what she received. The only difference that Goliath did note between the death of Margot Yale to Brendan, and the 'death' of Princess Catherine to the Magus was the end result. The Magus's revenge left Goliath alone. Brendan Yale's revenge left him alone.
Goliath moved from his position toward Macbeth first.
"What will you do now, Macbeth?" Goliath asked.
"I don't know," Macbeth answered, "I don't think I can live the type of life you live. I can't join your clan. I'm sorry. But, I will stay until Demona and this Mage are defeated."
"Thank you my friend," Goliath replied.
Goliath then turned toward Brendan. The robotic human was still shorter than Goliath and he stepped backward nervously as Goliath came closer.
"I hope your want for revenge is over?" Goliath asked.
"I never really wanted revenge," Brendan replied, "I was just overcome with grief that I was lashing out at anything."
"You must control your grief at all times," Goliath warned, "Many years ago another man became mad with grief and cast a spell that caused my clan to sleep until Xanatos brought us here. Your grief has already left you a humanoid robot for life."
"I don't want to be this way," Brendan moaned.
"But if the Mage did do this, it is impossible for you to return," Goliath said.
"I know," Brendan sighed, "I'm stuck in the form of a robotic monster for life. I can't go anywhere. Your kind could go to any Halloween party or some of those alternative voodoo clubs and be accepted, but no one's going to accept me as I am now."
"You could remain in the castle," Elisa offered, coming up behind Goliath, "We've seen our fair share of robots and my family is also no stranger to weirdness. Although I'm not really sure my folks are entirely okay with me being a gargoyle now. It's been a month since I've heard from them."
Brendan looked down, and then looked up again, "I guess I could stay here for awhile. I don't know if I can be of much help."
Goliath put his hand on Brendan's shoulder, "In time, you will get used to who and what you are. The clan and I are quite willing to help."
Then a sudden flash of light erupted through the room. When it cleared, Puck, Xanatos, and Fox were suddenly back in the room. They and the clan were arranged in a circle around six figures. Those figures were Oberon, Titania, Princess Catherine, Tom, Gabriel and Ophelia.
Oberon then spoke in a commanding voice, "The war between us and the Mage is escalating."
…To Be Continued