Chapter 8: Mirror Mirror
Review Repiles
Memnon45: Another great chapter, can't wait to read the next chapter and I'm wondering will the Sobek bracelet and Baron Samedi jewelry be explained in the story at some point? I'm just a little curious about those things, I understand he's from Louisiana which can explain the Baron Samedi necklace but given his curse I figured he would have a dislike of Voodoo. Keep up the great work.
ThermalsnieprN7: We'll explain those when we figure out how to. We've accidentally lost our step a bit with this story.
Dragon Emperor0: We have something in mind, it just requires a bit of tweaking.
Raidentensho: Very nice. hmm, i do wonder if another Sobek transformation is in the works by getting exposed to the energies of Odin's eye. I can also see Fox being a lot more toned as a tradeoff after getting a bit of Sobek's energies to both heal any damage from the eye, and more in tune with her hidden heritage as a result. looking forward to it and more. until then, later!
ThermalsniperN7: Jean's transformation could be triggered by other magic relics, that's a good point. And yeah, Fox could be more toned as a result of getting a bit of Sobek's energy.
Dragon Emperor0: I'll make a mental note.
Drakobloodwing555: All I hear is Killer Croc from the animated series the one voiced by hellboy.
Dragon Emperor0: Ron Pickman as Jean's VA… Ah do say we have a winner.
ThermalsniperN7: I find myself agreeing.
-New York Sewers, Residence of Jean LeBeau-
Helena moaned as she felt herself get slammed against the wall of the trolly house that she was currently in, her legs wrapped halfway around the waist of the reptilian man that just manhandled her–the top half of her body being completely devoid of clothing, showing her now bare DD-cup rack.
"You sure you want this, cher? There's no goin' back if you commit." Jean told her, holding her by the waist as gently yet firmly as his reptilian muscles would allow.
"I think we crossed that line when we started tossing off clothes." The woman told him as she started to let her hips go lower, allowing her jeans to slide off of her lower body, leaving her in just her underwear save for her already naked chest.
After ditching her panties, though, she was fully naked in front of her soon-to-be reptilian lover.
"I think you need to lose a few things yourself, don't you think?" Helena commented with a coy smirk.
"... Right." The gator man nodded as he just as coyly removed his jacket and was about to do so with his belt when Hyena decided to do it for him, pressing her ear to his stomach as she let the last garment fall.
"... Is that a clock I'm hearing in there?" She questioned, hearing a ticking noise from inside the man's stomach.
"Ah, that's–Probably the one Ah swallowed as a kid." He replied awkwardly.
"We gotta get that thing outta there sometime." The brunette told him. "Seriously, that ain't healthy." She added.
"Nah. I like being similar to Tic Toc Croc." Jean quipped with a grin. Helena couldn't help but chuckle at this before the larger man suddenly grabbed both of her arms and held them behind her back as he turned her around.
He then lined his well above human level member with her entrance and slammed himself in, letting out a low growl that was common among crocodilians, while Helena let out a loud gasp and moan.
(The following evening)
Elisa was currently in the process of going up to the Police Station clock tower to get it ready for when the guys woke up from their stone cold slumber.
The task was rather simple and easy, but it at times was a bit of a hassle due to how conspicuous going up to the storage room at the same time nearly every day looked like from an outside perspective.
As she continued tidying up, she came to where Brooklyn, Lexington and Broadway had been playing poker with Jean the previous night—and noticed a certain Pack styled walkie-talkie on the gator man's currently vacant seat.
"You've gotta be kidding me…" She groaned as she went and picked it up.
It was at this moment that the sun set over the horizon and the Gargoyles burst to life on the ledge, showering the pedestrians below with stone fragments.
"*Yawn* Morning Elisa." Broadway yawned as he entered the room. "Whatcha got there?" He asked, pointing at the small radio as everyone followed suit.
"It's the radio Jean carries with him all the time." The detective explained, handing it to the gargoyle. "Seems he left it here by mistake." She continued. "Notice anything odd about it?" She questioned, prompting Brooklyn and Lexington to look at the device as well.
"Why does Jean have a Pack radio?" Lex wondered, though his tone seemed measuredly angry.
"I hope this doesn't mean what I think it means…" The red skinned gargoyle groaned.
"… Whaddya think it means?" Broadway questioned, causing the other two to facepalm.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, back in the sewers, the very topic of the Gargoyle's conversation was soon beginning to wake up after having slept basically all day. And as he woke, he found himself still without his usual clothes and with Helena (who was also unclothed) on top of him, their bodies covered by the New Orleans patches quilt that his Mere Mere sewed over fifty years ago.
"Mmmhh…" Helena groaned as she started coming to before looking him in the eyes. "Well… That was one hell of a night." She sighed, listening to his heartbeat.
"Dat it was, cher. Dat it was." The crocodilian nodded as he stroked her hair with a clawed hand before she propped herself up and kissed him again, his arms holding her close to him.
As the two got up, Jean was quick to throw his clothes back on, including a new leather vest he found in a thrift store, while Hyena simply put on a black and gold New Orleans Saints bathrobe he had lying around. One that allowed the Cajun occasional glimpses of his lover's sexy legs or ample cleavage.
Beaudreux, meanwhile, was trotting along inside through the doggie door after tumbling back in the trolley. He then walked over to his bowls and plopped himself down, howling for one of his owners to feed him.
The gator man shook his head in amusement before he went to feed the little pupper, who eagerly dug in.
"Ya know, I think I could get used to this." The former action show star smiled as she leaned against Jean's chest, a mug of coffee (with chicory) in her hand, and a slender arm wrapped around the man's scaly neck.
"Used to what, cher? Coffee in the morning?" Jean joked a bit.
"That, and living like this." Helena chuckled in reply. "Living with you." She added, causing the Alligator's eyes to widen when he realized what she was inferring.
"Ah hope ya know whatcha askin' for, Helena." He told her seriously as he held her close by her waist.
"Oh, I know, alright." The woman told him in reply. "And you know what? I'm fine with it." She added, kissing him on the cheek.
Jean blushed a bit as he rubbed his cheek rather bashfully at this, before he nodded. "A'right. Just hope ya don't mind me digging out something for ya later." He told her.
"Like what?" Helena asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Hehehe, you'll see." The crocodilian chuckled while she pouted at his coy response. "Aw, now don't be like dat…" He told her as he started nuzzling the nape of her neck, causing the woman to laugh…
*Knock Knock Knock*
Right as there was a knock on the door.
"... Worst. Timing. Ever." Hyena grumbled, not appreciating whoever was visiting at this time.
"Better get your clothes on, cher." Jean told her.
"I'm not sure whoever's at the door will allow me that courtesy…" The woman said as another knock came, this time a bit more urgent.
Sighing, the Cajun went to the door and opened it, revealing it to be Elisa, Goliath, Brooklyn, Lexington and Broadway. Hudson and Bronx seemed to be nowhere to be found.
"Mornin' fellas, ya need somethin'?" He questioned.
"Yeah. You left this back at the clocktower." Elisa replied, holding up Jean's radio. "Something you wanna talk about?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Dat's a radio Ah plucked of o' Jackal when he decided to jump me awhile back. Been real useful since." The gator man responded as he plucked the device from the detective. "Though Ah fail to see how dat's anyone's business." He continued.
"Well, we did kinda think you were in league with the Pack." Lex supplied sheepishly, causing the Cajun gator to burst out laughing.
"As if Ah'd join them!" He guffawed.
"Honey, do yourself a favor and leave the cover stories to the professionals, alright?" The voice of Helena said as she came into view—still in her bathrobe—shocking everyone present as she laid her head on her lover's chest. "Though Jean is right. I wouldn't say he joined so much as he just called a truce." She added, all while the clan before them continued to look at her pensively.
"Jean, why would–" Lex started to rant before being cut off.
"Don't." The gator man interjected firmly. "Ah get that you have a gripe with the Pack, but don't rope me into it. Ah don't share grudges." He added.
"She tried to kill you." Brooklyn pointed out. "Twice." He added, holding up two claws.
"And those attempts backfired." Helena deadpanned. "I decided it wasn't worth getting killed over, so I decided to see what Jean was all about." She added with a shrug as she looked up at her man with loving eyes and an affectionate smile. "And I think I like what I've seen." She smiled, kissing his cheek again.
"Jalapeña…" Broadway said, smacking his forehead.
"You can say that again." Brooklyn groaned.
"Seriously, Jean?" Elisa sighed, rubbing her temples.
"What?" The gator man asked, not seeing much of a big deal.
"Hyena is a convicted felon, one on the run, at that." The woman told him.
"And what do ya want me to do? Waltz into the police department and hand her over?" Jean challenged. "Ah know Ah ain't welcome in society for obvious reasons. Ah'm just as much an outcast as she is." He added.
"She's still working with the Pack." Elisa stated.
"Temporarily." Helena chimed in. "No offense to my dear brother and the rest of the gang, but I'm honestly looking to retire." She stated. "This life on the run just isn't for me." She added.
"You expect us to just believe that?" Brooklyn questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Believe whatever you want, red lips, I don't care." Helena shrugged, not particularly caring about what the gargoyles thought of her.
Goliath, meanwhile, was silent during the conversation before he leveled a measured glare at Jean. "Are you certain you know what you're doing?" He questioned.
"Ah am, Goliath. At this point, she has no real way to hurt me." Jean nodded in reply, standing firm. The gargoyle remained silent before letting out a heavy sigh.
"I only advise that you be careful. The pain of betrayal can hurt all the more when it is done by someone you love." Goliath told him seriously while Helena held onto Jean in a clear sign of affection. "It is a harsh reality I learned with Demona." He added.
"Ah don't blame you for wanting to stop that from happenin' to me." The gator man nodded. "But Ah'm made of tougher stuff. Ah can handle myself." He added.
"You won't have to worry about that, honey." The former TV star said as she jumped into his arms and made her hold her like she was his bride. "Cuz I'm never letting you go." She added before pulling him into a kiss.
"Oh man, I don't need to see this." Lex groaned as he walked off.
"Uh… Best wishes?" Broadway offered awkwardly as he backed out of the shack.
"Yeah, what they said." Brooklyn nodded in an equal amount of awkwardness as he followed his rookery brothers. Goliath gave a stoic nod at the two before he two left them be, while Elisa glared at Helena briefly as the gatorman went inside to tend to something.
"You may have Jean convinced that you've turned over a new leaf, Hyena, but you're not fooling me." The woman stated. "Just know that me and the guys got our eyes on you, one wrong move–and you're finished." She added.
"I'll keep that in mind, toots." The brunette fired back as she leaned in close to the detective's face. "Oh, and by the way, the name's not Hyena. Outside of costume, call me Helena, Helena Troy." She added.
"Noted." Elisa hissed.
"Come on, cher! Stop botherin' Elisa and come inside! Suppah's gettin' cold!" Jean called from the kitchen.
"Coming, lover!" The woman called back as she gave Elisa a smirk as she turned and walked away. "See you around, detective." She said with a purr. "Oh, and a word of advice?" She continued, leaning against the door in a saucy manner that reminded the detective of Catwoman. "You should really consider expanding your options outside of the human race when it comes to men." She said, looking over her shoulder at Jean as a delighted smile graced her lips. "I have. And let me tell you, I'm never looking back." She added as she walked inside. "Ta ta!" Was all that was said as Helena waved and closed the door.
(Elsewhere)
Later, back at the clock tower, the Gargoyles were ruminating on what they'd just witnessed in the sewers and their reactions were a set of… mixed results, to say the least.
"So the lad's found a woman who can look past his appearance." Hudson mused. "Good on him, then. Though his choice does seem to not be too wise, given who that woman is." He added, showing that like Elisa and the others, he too was skeptical.
"Boorf!" Brox barked in agreement.
"I too am concerned, we do not know Hyena's intentions." Goliath nodded. "She is nearly or just as cunning as Demona so we should be wary." He added.
The other three were silent as they idly watched the TV, Broadway munching on something as was his habit when he was upset.
"... All that aside, who wants to bet that Jackal and the rest of the pack will blow a gasket when they find out about this?" The turquoise Gargoyle questioned, causing the other two to perk up almost immediately.
"Twenty bucks says Wolf ends up throwing something." Lexington dared with a snicker.
"You're on!" Brooklyn challenged with a chuckle.
"... Well they bounced back quickly." Elisa noted, getting a hum and nod from Goliath.
(The next day)
Elisa sat at her desk as she typed on her computer, looking up something.
"Helena Troy. Please, that's gotta be an obvious alias…" She muttered as she clicked through Juvenile records.
Then she found Hyena's file and…
"... Wait, it's her actual name?" The policewoman blinked. "Helena Troy, born 1972 to Theodore and Hera Troy in Boston Massachusetts with her twin brother Ajax Troy–Gotta be Jackal's real name–and their parents immigrated here from Greece as teenagers." She read, scrolling through the file. "Heh, looks like those two were causing trouble even as kids. Ten arrests in elementary school for petty theft, no convictions. With twenty counts in highschool and only two convictions. Spent three years in separate Juvie halls." She continued. "... Still can't believe that's her real name." She added as Matt came up behind her with doughnuts and coffee.
"What's whose name?" The conspiracy theorist questioned.
"Hyena, from the Pack. Her real name is Helena Troy." His partner replied. "Her brother Jackal's real name, meanwhile, is Ajax." She added.
"... Like the dish soap?" Matt questioned, biting into a donut.
"No, not the dish soap." Elisa snorted with a small grin. "Like the Greek hero." She added.
"Oh." Matt shrugged. "And I'm guessing Helena's in the same boat?" He asked.
"It's actually a Byzantine name. My guess is that it's a subtle reference to 'Helen of Troy'." The detective shrugged.
"Huh. Anyway, captain Chaves told me to tell you that she wants you to go down to the museum undercover tonight." Matt told her.
"Did she mention why?" Elisa questioned.
"Something about an anonymous tip she got about an antique mirror possibly being the target of a theft." The redhead shrugged as he flipped through his notepad. "Tip came from a Jean LeBeau." He , she rea
'What the–? Where did Jean find out about this? Helena?' She wondered with a blink before shaking her head. "Alright. I'll take care of it." She nodded.
"Cool." Matt nodded, handing her a pair of doughnuts.
"Thanks." The woman nodded as she ate one. She really needed sugar after this.
(Later)
It was nighttime now and Elisa was now in her undercover post as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum where the mirror in question was currently being held. Though the detective currently had no idea who was after it or why.
She had just finished talking with her 'employer' about what to do for the night, when she came to the mirror that was apparently the one that was being targeted.
It was tall and silver with a design that seemed angular and pyramidian in nature, with inscriptions on it that read in several old languages that Elisa recognized from historical texts but couldn't read.
"Does someone want to add this to their collection or something?" She wondered. She figured Xanatos would probably be interested in it, but shrugged that notion off. She highly doubted he would steal it from the museum outright, rather, he'd just buy it.
As Elisa walked away, however, she heard a commotion from behind her.
A familiar roar similar to a female jungle cat that followed clued her into just who broke in.
"Demona, of course." The detective whispered as she darted behind a corner, pulling her gun out in case she had to use it.
Seconds later, Demona came rushing in, a smirk on her face as she went to grab the mirror herself.
"Freeze!" Elisa yelled, gun pointed at the female gargoyle, prompting her to turn and face the woman. Though surprisingly, Demona didn't seem to recognize Elisa.
"You! The most useless member of a puny craven race! You think you can stop me?" Demona growled, eyes glowing red.
"First, rude. And second, I don't care what you think I can and can't do, because last I checked. I'm the one here holding a gun." The policewoman stated, her gaze not even slightly intimidated, in fact, she seemed rather annoyed.
Before the gargoyle woman could say anything, wary of the woman's weapon as she knew getting shot would hurt, Goliath made his entrance.
"Hello, Demona." He growled.
"Goliath…" Demona hissed. "How did you find out about this?" She snarled as the three circled each other.
"We got an anonymous tip from someone who said that there were thieves after that mirror." Elisa stated, gun still at the ready. "That your way of trying to throw off the scent so no one will assume one gargoyle did the job?" She questioned.
"Who told you? I'll skin them alive!" The redhead snarled.
"I doubt you'd succeed." The policewoman remarked, knowing that Demona would have quite the struggle in attempting to kill Jean.
"Grrr!" The gargoyle growled as she hurled a statue at them, which Goliath caught in order to keep it from hitting Elisa, before they gave chase after her.
Though as they did, two people dropped down to the floor from the roof. Apparently they were three hired thieves, likely under Demona's employ to get the mirror while she distracted the security.
"I'll say this about the lady, she does her homework." One of them mused as they packed the mirror up under a tarp and carried it off.
(Later)
The same thieves were now driving to where they were to drop off the mirror, but along the way they had to fill up with a gas can that was in the back. As they did this, one kept watch while the other two either filled up their van or sat in the driver's seat.
Unbeknownst to them, however, they were being watched from a nearby building, a reptilian hiss slipping through the air as an eye lense flashed over a narrowing pupil and a brown iris.
"Alright, we're full." The main man stated. "Now we just need to wait till the heat dies down and then drop off the mirror. Then we get our money, clear?" He added.
"Crystal." The second guy nodded, right as the third guy's goggles nearly fell off when he saw something directly above the car hood.
"Uh, speaking of heat!" The driver exclaimed, pointing at the shadow above them.
"Aw man, is that one of those gargoyle things we heard about?" The guy keeping watch questioned, right as a large figure dropped down on the hood, denting it rather seriously.
The figure looked up from his superhero landing as the driver tumbled out of the van and scuttled back to his friends, and grinned with his crocodilian-like teeth.
"Boys, I'mma whole different breed o' animal." A familiar Cajun accent said as Jean looked down at the guys he just startled.
"Who the fuck are you?!" The leader of the thieves demanded.
Jean chuckled as he waited for the driver, who was now holding a breaker bar, to move, and saw the mirror in the back of the van.
"Looks like you had a busy night." The gator man said as his eyes darted to the mirror. "That's good, cuz y'all work for me, now." He added, right as the driver tried to hit him—which he stopped by slamming him with his tail and then backhanding the second guy into the van's side. "You city boys need to learn yourselves some manners." He said as he stomped towards the leader.
Said man gulped as the massive reptile looked down at him and grinned, slapping his tail on the ground to make it shake, causing him to fall over.
"As for who I am." The reptile stated, getting real close, so close that the thief could smell his breath. "The name's Gator. Alli-gator, but you can call me Boss." He added with a rumbling hiss.
(Flashback)
Rewind to that morning and Jean was now lounging in the living room of his trolley car line house where Helena was passed out in the bedroom after he'd… given the former actor her fill, so to speak.
This made it where when the woman came in the room to meet him, dressed in the same robe as yesterday, she had a clear limp and loss of feeling in her lower extremities, as well as also being still glowing from the ravaging she'd just endured at the claws of her reptilian lover no less than half an hour earlier—not that she really minded, of course.
"You know, Jeanie, if you keep screwing me to the wall like this, I'm gonna end up needing some maternity clothes." The woman told him as she sat in his lap, laying on his chest while he flipped through the TV.
"Would you complain, though?" Jean quipped.
"No. Not at all." She smiled, kissing his jawline and moving his free hand to her abdomen, and held it there. "Ya know, I think a bit of a change is in order for you." The woman commented.
"What kind of change are you talkin' about, cher?" Jean questioned.
"You could actually make your life easier and curb crime here at the same time if you get a bunch of the city's low level crooks to work for you. Make them get your food, resources and anything else you need, and you get to take it easy for once." The woman told her reptilian lover.
Jean mulled this idea over, and the more he did, the more he found it appealing. If he could get a decent grip, he'd be able to kick back for once instead of foraging around.
And if that happened to also make the Gargoyles and Elisa's workloads even the slightest bit lighter as a result of his actions, then that was even better to think about.
"Ah think that'll come in handy." He nodded.
"Then I suggest you get started, big guy." His lover purred as she kissed him again, moaning in bliss as he held her close to him in a protective and even possessive manner.
(Flashback end)
"Why should we listen to you?!" The leader demanded, trying to sound tough, but that didn't count for much.
"Then don't, see what happens." Jean retorted, flexing his fingers. This caused the man to gulp, which made Jean smirk. "Good. Now, whatchy'all been up to tonight?" The gator man questioned as he stood over the shaking thief.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Demona was waiting at the mansion she used as a cover lair when the men she hired finally arrived.
"Well? What took you imbeciles so long?" She questioned.
"Got held up a bit, but we still got the mirror." The leader replied, leaving out that Jean was who held them up.
A moment later, the mailslot opened up to show an envelope that held their paycheck.
"Take your money and go while you still can." The female gargoyle growled.
The thieves did so and quickly got out of dodge. They knew when to clam up and just do what they were told.
After they left, Demona opened the door and pulled the mirror inside.
A short while later, she had a set of chains around the mirror while she got ready for a ritual.
"So far all my plans have been thwarted, I need to take control." The woman growled as she looked at the mirror, and noticed that something was moving behind her in the shadows. "Who—?" She said before a strong tail smash knocked her away from the mirror and then someone jumped on top of her.
"I wouldn't move if I were you, rose lips." Hyena said as she held her knife to the gargoyle's throat. She was in her Pack costume currently, but the lack of a logo showed that this costume was meant for non business outings. "Nice slap there baby, did half the work for me." She added, looking over her shoulder as Jean came out of the shadows.
"Not a problem, cher." The gator man nodded as he walked over to the mirror. "Now, what could you want with an old mirror like this, hm?" He hummed, circling the relic and glancing at Demona occasionally.
"Xanatos' rejected pet and the overgrown iguana, I should have guessed you two would know each other." Demona growled. "And don't touch that! Titania's mirror is no toy. I'd wager your puny walnut sized reptilian brain could even comprehend the very notion of the power it has!" She barked, struggling against Hyena's hold.
"Why do people always presume the size of my brain?" Jean sighed rhetorically. He then examined the odd mirror and picked up the Iron bell that Demona had on a table. "Hmmm…" He hummed as he rang the bell several times and then read the inscriptions on the mirror aloud—and then it suddenly glowed green.
A moment later, a figure burst out of the mirror, wrapped in the chains. Upon closer inspection, it looked like a male with long white hair and medieval clothes.
Though what really caught their attention was his pointed ears and almost fairy or elf-like appearance.
"Heybo! Ah know dis bloke!" The gator man exclaimed as he looked at the figure as he sat up. "Dat's Puck, the little smartass trickster from a Midsummer's night dream!" He added, much to Puck's chagrin.
"I prefer to think of myself as a paragon of wit, rather than a smart aleck." He huffed.
"Well, at least we know who he is." Hyena shrugged.
"You insufferable idiots! Let me go! That fairy is mine to command!" Demona growled, right before Helena knocked her out with a chop to the neck.
"That's enough out of you." She hissed.
"So, what does a mortal blessed by Sobek and Baron Samedi wish of me?" Puck questioned as he floated around a bit.
"How do you…?" Jean questioned.
"Your bracelets are a pretty dead giveaway, my friend. Though that does make me wonder how you came across them." The fairy said as he hummed, floating upside down as he looked at the jewelry in question before floating around the two. "My my my, you two are just overflowing with the sweet power of love and passion. Lord Eros must have been very kind to you." He noted as his fairy eyes saw a pink aura around the pair. "Ah-ha! I think I got it!" He piped up.
"You know what he's talking about?" The former actress questioned, getting a shrug in response as Puck floated to the mirror.
"You there, Hyena, was it?" The white haired fairy said as he tapped his foot on the floor directly in front of the mirror. "Stand right here, would you?" He prompted, a sly grin on his face.
"Um… Okay?" Helena nodded in confusion, wondering what Puck was up to as she walked and stood in front of the mirror.
"Now, I want you to imagine your image in the mirror as your ideal version of yourself. Not what you think you want to be, but what you really want to be." The trickster told her. "Ask yourself this question: Who and what is Helena 'Hyena' Troy, and how can you become that perfect ideal?" He added as he floated beside her and waited patiently.
Helena stared into the mirror, and the longer she stared, she saw her ideal self looking back. She knew what she had to do next to become that ideal.
"Oooh! Now this is interesting." Puck smiled, having seen what the woman envisioned. "You really are quite the animal Miss Troy." He smirked.
"Puck, work your magic." Helena told the fairy, a smile gliding across her face.
"With pleasure." The servant of Oberon nodded as he went to the mirror. "By mind's deception and heart's pure reflection, let your form change direction. Let the Hyena sloth off her old coat, and instead take on one of the true words in her throat!" He intoned on a sort of poem, before firing a green beam at the mirror, which reflected and zapped Helena instantly.
Jean covered his eyes from the bright light, and when it faded, he looked at Helena… and dropped his jaw at her new look.
She was still in her costume, but she was no longer human—in fact, she was now a female anthropomorphic hyena with long, brown hair, a pair of unique round and tufted ears, newly recolored eyes that were now an amber brown, and she also had hyena spots under her costume, and lastly a long bushy tail that seemed more like that of a or wolf.
Her figure also received an upgrade, becoming overall more voluptuous than before and her chest and other assets seemingly growing a size or two from before.
Helena looked over her new self and nodded with a grin on her now muzzled face.
"Oh yeah, this is definitely the best version of me." She nodded, flexing her newly acquired natural claws.
"Ah'll say." Jean nodded without thinking. The woman turned to face her lover before she tossed her hair back, swaying her hips enticingly while batting her lashes at him.
"Oh? Does that mean you like what you see, big guy?" She purred in her new huskier and even sexier voice.
"Very much." The gator man nodded in reply before looking at Puck. "Let me do somethin' about those chains for ya, pal." He said before he tore the chains off, letting the fairy go free.
"Ah, freedom." The fairy sighed. "Hmmm, you know. This whole transformation business gives me an idea." He said with a mischievous grin.
"Whaddy yappin' about?" The gator man questioned.
"Oh don't you worry your scaly head. Just let me handle your friend Demona here, you two just go home for now." He replied, brushing off the question asked to him.
Jean and Helena raised an eyebrow at his words, but shrugged them off in the end and left the house. Helena wanted to look at herself in the mirror naked at Jean's place anyway. After all, she did have a new body to get used to.
As the two left though, Demona slowly woke up with Puck hovering over her, tutting at her misfortune.
"Oh poor Demona, thwarted again, I see." The Robin of the Goodfellows sighed in sympathy. "I know what will raise your spirits. Come with me, I've got a glorious idea for you to see." He told her.
"… You best not try to trick me, Puck." The gargoyle warned. "I'm not in the mood." She added, getting up.
"Me? No, never!" The fairy chuckled heartily.
(Elsewhere)
Back with Jean and Helena, the now transformed woman was now examining herself in a standing mirror, running her hands along her new 'ideal' body, and admiring how her transformation into a Hyena woman had made her look and feel sexier than she'd felt in… well, ever.
She also took notice—out of the corner of her eye—of the fact that between her legs she had the same reproductive organs as a usual woman, and not the enlarged button/pseudo dick of a spotted Hyena. Probably because it likely wouldn't have really worked out for her like it did for the animals themselves.
"Words can't express how happy I feel about tonight's events." She grinned, running her hands along her new body. She then purred as she felt Jean hug her from behind, the reptilian man seemingly using her fur coat to warm himself up. "Keep hugging, big guy, cuz I'm not leaving anytime soon." She told him as she nuzzled his snout with her muzzle.
"Good, cuz Ah don't think letting you go is an option for me." He told her as he continued to give her a soft kiss.
"Sounds good to me." The brunette nodded as she faced him. "Now, didn't you say you had something to give me?" She questioned, her tail swishing in curiosity.
"This." Jean replied, holding a locket out for her.
Taking the little memento item, she opened it and saw two things: A ring, and a picture of someone that just had to be Jean's parents, who smiled in the image.
She was an African woman with ebony skin that was fair enough to be a mahogany shade, with hair that looked almost indigo as the night sky, and eyes that were a stark green. She had good features as well, looking like she may have been of mixed race, though the actress couldn't tell. It all made her look very beautiful.
Next to her was a Caucasian man with brown hair and eyes, who looked to clearly be of French blood due to his features and the well trimmed mustache and beard he had. His appearance kind of reminded her of the Pirate her lover shared a name with, Jean LeFeatte.
And finally, between the two parents, almost hidden by the platinum and rose gold diamond engagement ring that belonged to Jean's mother, was the picture of a small infant that had the appearance of that of an alligator, rather than a human.
"Jean… Is this what I think it is?" She gasped as she took in what she was looking at.
"My Mama's locket." The Gator nodded. "My daddy gave it to her on their third Anniversary, the year they had me." He continued as he took the trinkets in his large hands and gingerly put the locket around her neck. "Ah want you to have it." He told her, slipping his mother's right onto the Hyena woman's finger.
"Are– Are you sure?" Helena asked, looking taken aback by the unexpected gifts.
Jean nodded as he held her close. "Ah made a wrong choice when Ah was younger, Helena. I loved a girl who would never love me back." He told her. "But now? Ah think that's a mistake I'm far from ever repeating with you." He added.
"Then I'll make you a happy gator." Helena smiled as she kissed him on his scaly lips, even as they moved to sit on the couch.
However, as the two started to enter a passionate embrace, a green light flashed outside the trolley cars, though it went unnoticed by the couple as they laid on the couch, nuzzling each other.
"Hmmm, I think you two are indeed due for a proper honeymoon." Puck mused as he stroked his chin. "But where to send you…? Somewhere secluded, quiet, and preferably far from the bustle of the city so you can be alone. But close enough to some form of civilization so you aren't without all forms of luxury…" He hummed, pondering this nugget of a question as he tapped his foot.
Then he snapped his fingers as the ideal place hit him.
"Yes, that'll do swimmingly." He nodded before sending the little home to its destination. "After all, I hear from that charmer Xanatos that Port Clovis is beautiful this time of year!" He added before he disappeared too.
Leaving the sewer island where Jean LeBeau called home, all but completely bare.
(Timeskip)
It was two months later and now the Pack were now gathered in their headquarters. But they were notably short one member.
"Stone me, did ya hear about that stuff last month? Half o' Manhattan was turned into Gargoyles." Dingo stated.
"Heard? I saw it happen." Jackal nodded, flicking his knife. "The whole thing ended as quickly as it happened. But I saw a good few dozen people (close to a tenth of the island) still remaining Gargoyles. Last I saw them, they all went underground." He added. "Not like I can blame them." The man shrugged.
"And Hyena vanished." Wolf grunted. "I think it's safe to say she's turned traitor at this point." He added.
"Now what makes you say that, Wolfie?" Jackal questioned pensively, pointing his blade at his teammate.
"Yeah, could be that the Sheila's just takin' a vacation." Dingo chortled.
"She would've at least told us that she's taking a vacation, wouldn't she?" Wolf challenged.
"If you think Hyena's one to divulge her personal plans, then you clearly don't know my sister." Ajax stated before turning thoughtful. "I will say this though, she had been acting differently the past few months before she disappeared." He noted.
"Different how?" Wolf questioned.
"She's been more outgoing than she usually was, seemed focused on something or someone, and maybe even smitten." Jackal listed. "Talking on a personal radio with this guy too." He added.
"Think you might know the guy?" Dingo inquired.
"No, but for some reason, I feel like I'm supposed to." Ajax replied with a contemplative frown.
"Hmph, figures. Women are always chasing after a 'Mr. Right'." Wolf scoffed right as the doors opened and in walked a newly repaired Coyote, this time with a silicon flesh coating that didn't resemble Xanatos, but rather a younger man that the men couldn't quite place.
"Morning gentlemen." The Android greeted, placing his coyote helmet on the table. "I take it you all got my message." He continued.
"We did, but some extra details never hurt anyone." Jackal commented in reply.
"Fair." Coyote conceded with a nod. "First, I'll be completely candid. My intel from Mr. Xanatos has informed me that Hyena has indeed voluntarily left the Pack." He began. "And it doesn't look like she'll be coming back anytime soon, if at all." He continued, looking at Ajax. "My apologies, Jackal, if only I had better news." He apologized.
"Don't worry about me. If I'm honest, part of me saw this coming." Ajax sighed. "She had been meaning to strike out to find something new, but I didn't expect it to be so soon." He added.
"Do ya at least know where she went?" Dingo asked.
"Our sources say she's settled somewhere in Fawtick Bayou, in Port Clovis." The Android replied.
"A swamp?" Wolf blinked. "That's not the kind of place I expected her to even think to go near." He commented.
"What's she want in a billabong?" The larger Australian questioned.
"That I'm not sure about." Coyote replied. "Though given that our recurring enemy Jean LeBeau has also gone missing, I can't say that it isn't a bit suspicious." He added.
"Quite…" Jackal couldn't help but grumble. "That aside, what else have you got?" He questioned.
"I have found a new member to replace Hyena." The android replied as the door opened. "Everyone, say hello to Alexios Kolmnivich." He continued as a man walked in. "Or as most people call him, The Rhino." He added.
The man in question was about average height, around the same as Jackal, with curly black hair, blue eyes, and he was wearing a costume that was yellow and gray. A yellow shirt with a gray chest plate, gray camo pants and yellow boots with a pair of gold knuckle dusters in the shape of a hammer and sickle.
"Oh great, a commi." Wolf whispered.
"So these are my new teammates, are they?" Alexios hummed as he looked around, his voice carrying a thick Russian accent.
"Aw come on, Coyote." Jackal groaned. "This is the best you could do? You couldn't have gotten someone a bit more intimidating?" He questioned, causing Alexios to look at him.
"You, your name is… Jackal, correct?" The man questioned.
"Yeah. What of it?" Jackal shot back with a raised eyebrow.
"I am of the personal belief that there is an animal inside all of us. One that connects to who we are." The man started as he walked towards them. "I think you know what I mean." He continued.
"Alright, but what's your point?" Wolf questioned.
"You say I'm not strong." Alexios said as he outstretched his arms. "But tell me." He continued, before his skin started to turn gray and rough. "Don't you want to know why they call me the Rhino?" He questioned before the man's silhouette started growling in size and sheer mass as a pair of horns appeared on it and it became more beastly, causing the men to all nearly fall over.
"RAAAUUUGRRRHHHHOOORRRRA!" Was all that was heard as the room shook and the lightbulbs popped, shrouding the room in utter darkness.
Dragon Emperor0: Well… That escalated… a tad quick. Looks like the Pack has officially gone from challenging but chumpish to seriously dangerous in the course of one introduction. That's—That's not good.
ThermalsniperN7: Uh, yeah. It sounds like Jean is gonna have a new nemesis based on this. On that topic… Hyena became her namesake and is owning it like a champ. And Puck has sent her and Jean to Port Clovis of all places… What's that gonna spell out…
Dragon Emperor0: Lord knows it's gonna be a real hoot, I'll say that much. And I just wonder how all this is going to affect the chapters going forward.
ThermalsniperN7: No idea, but it's gonna cause ripples. And since Jean and Helena are in Fawtick Bayou… What are the odds that they'll meet a certain Bull Shark?
Dragon Emperor0: That part's unclear, but very likely given the circumstances. Anyway, guys, see you all next time.
