All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyrighted to Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I've taken the idea for the Unseelie Court from the TGS. Characters and concepts from Star Trek are property of Paramount and created by Gene Roddenberry. 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 of 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. Also, I am altering large sections of the Star Trek storyline, especially concerning events like WWIII and the Eugenics Wars, which without the Cold War as a backdrop probably wouldn't happen the way Roddenberry wrote them, if at all. This story takes place one day after "Reunited".
Once And Future King: Revealed
By SN/TVfan
Email: Sam_Nary
The Mansion
Arthur and Merlin sat quietly as Macbeth and Griff explained everything that had gone on in London as a result of the Illuminati 'invasion'. A part of him was very much relieved, while another part was very nervous.
"They've left you alone?" Arthur asked, "Not even bothered to rescue the members that they captured?"
"That puzzles me a bit," Macbeth admitted, "My best guess is that you're so much of a threat to them that they do not care about what I've done."
"But you said you have one of their Council members," Merlin pointed out, "surely that would be someone they'd want to liberate."
"One would guess that," Macbeth commented, "I don't really know why. Maybe their internal infrastructure is good enough that they can sustain and replace their losses, maybe the one we captured was unpopular, or maybe they're simply waiting for the final battle with you to come and get him."
"All of this is troubling," Arthur sighed, "especially if they're doing this because they feel I am a threat to them. I have no intention of toppling their organization… to be honest, I have no political ambitions. The House of Windsor is the ruling house now."
"And that is where you've probably made a mistake," Macbeth warned, "the soldier could prove helpful, but the truck driver has no training, and the Maza girl… well she is not the warrior her sister is. And the Fey is likely to only stay as long as Titania allows him to."
"The truck driver is free to go, although it may be difficult to find a safe place for him if the Illuminati decides to hunt him down," Merlin answered, "and while Beth Maza is not the police trained gargoyle that Elisa is now, her skills as a physician could prove invaluable. Not all of us have your immortality."
"She is a general practitioner, if we end up fighting battles, what we would need is an actual surgeon," Macbeth informed them, "trust me. I know."
"I'm sure," Griff nodded, "the stuff many RAF blokes suffered through in the Blitz was pretty rough too… although I don't know where or how we could find an actual surgeon."
Arthur and Merlin nodded in agreement to that. Macbeth conceded the point.
"I am just stating a point," Macbeth warned, "It may be safer for her if we could find a way to send her to New York until all of this could 'power' down."
Arthur and Merlin nodded again, but the 'argument' had been settled.
Meanwhile Leo was showing Reginald and Coyote the makeshift cells that they had their prisoners in.
"How have you been able to hold them…?" Reginald asked curiously.
"Magical reinforcement, I sense," Coyote commented, "won't stop them outright, but they'd be to tired to go any farther once they got out of the cell."
Leo nodded, "The bigger problem is that we have all the 'cells' we have full. We can't take any more prisoners. We don't have the room for them."
"You've been able to feed them?" Reginald questioned.
"Of course," Leo nodded, "Macbeth saw to it that we were well stocked when the mansion was procured, and even with that… no one has stopped him so far when he's gone to get food."
"Strange," Reginald spoke, "If they're running this like an invasion, they should be making sure that all potential enemies DON'T eat."
"Nothing about all of this has made any sense to me, sir," Leo told the soldier.
"Still, it might be safer to move them," Reginald then commented after a few moments, "having them here invites them attacking this place in force."
"Move them where though?" Leo asked, "from what the news on the teley has said, the anti-Illuminati forces have been driven into the mountains of Scotland and those in Wales have either surrendered or retreated to the islands between Britain and Ireland. We go driving around with these people, and we're bound to invite trouble."
Reginald then sighed. He was trying to offer suggestions based on his training, and so far the situation was proving far more complicated then his training could handle.
"Perhaps Avalon would be a better prison," Coyote suggested, "Titania's restored many of the safeguards that protect the island. Unless the Illuminati find an escaped fey from the Unseelie War or have the mortal incantation for the journey they can't go to Avalon."
"What about Oberon's Law?" Leo asked, "Titania may not like you interfering in 'mortal affairs'."
"They've already endangered a member of Clan Maza, whom I've long sworn to protect," Coyote answered, "that would trump Oberon's law… though Titania probably still won't be happy, but she is reasonable in many ways that Oberon wasn't."
"Avalon?" Reginald questioned.
"Original home of the Third Race," Coyote explained, "and don't worry about there being the worry of a 'foreign' power entering into a 'civil' war. Doing so would violate Oberon's Law, which commands that my race not interfere in the lives of mortals without invitation."
"I see," Reginald answered, not really understanding everything. A race of magical people with laws against messing things weaker then them?
He didn't say anything more as he didn't really know everything about this race that he had only just learned of, but if they could help in any way, it sounded like a good idea.
"It'd still be best to clear this up with Merlin, Arthur, and Macbeth," Leo commented, "it might be important for them to know about this idea of yours, Coyote."
Of course.
And in yet another section of the mansion, Beth was looking over the room she had been given to sleep in while she and Coyote were there.
"Thank you again for the room," Beth spoke politely.
"It is of no trouble," Una spoke from the doorway, "To be honest the mansion has more rooms then it has potential occupants."
"A shame this war is going on," Beth gave a weak chuckle, "you could make a fortune renting rooms out."
Una gave a weak chuckle as well, but mostly to acknowledge the joke.
"We generally prefer our privacy," Una told her, "before this war started, we were able to maintain ourselves through our owning of the shop, Macbeth's stockpiled fortune and pay from the university, and Arthur's clients."
"The Illuminati attack must have stopped a lot of that cold," Beth said weakly, not knowing what to say.
Una nodded, "We hope that we can find some way to slow them down, but something is telling me that the country will not return to the way it was."
"But don't you deserve a good future?" Beth asked confused.
"That will be dependent on what happens in the future," Una told her simply, "Leo and I have both learned the hard way that we can't look to restore the past."
"Coyote will surely try to help," Beth told her.
"And his help will be appreciated," Una nodded.
Elsewhere in London
"That is not a very optimistic report, General," Two said in a low voice.
"I'm sorry, my Lord, but it is the truth," the General answered, "this pursuit of Pendragon has slowed our advances in all sectors, particularly as troops are being moved back to this part of the British Isles."
"But Pendragon must be stopped," Two reminded him, "even if we conquer the country and he lives, his actions will violate the Mage's predictions."
"I'm not arguing that, sir," the General replied, "I am just reporting that with the resources given to us by the Council, we can not accomplish both as quickly or as easily as you would wish. It might even be wise to abandon the fight in Northern Ireland altogether until Pendragon can be dealt with."
Two grumbled again, mostly at not being as well funded by the Council for the fight with Pendragon and all that might support him in Britain. Although, the Council was more concerned with Khan in China at the moment then they really were with Pendragon and Merlin. So long as Merlin was powerless, they didn't care. But that wouldn't last long. Merlin had the ingredients and the instructions to undo the spell that had robbed him of his powers. He would certainly seek to follow them.
"We've got to do something to increase our fortunes in this war," Two spoke firmly, "we've already come into the open here in Britain… the 'conquest' can not be stopped. But Pendragon and Merlin must be stopped as well."
Two began to nervously pace where he was like a caged animal.
"We must get support from somewhere," Two grumbled.
"Perhaps from the people," the general offered his own advice.
"We do not have overflowing support from the people," Two answered, "the whole point of the Illuminati's rule is that we remain BEHIND scenes. Not in the open where we can be seen."
"Understandable, sir," the general answered, "but I'd tend to think that Pendragon and Merlin rely on the same thing, sir. Thus allowing them to hide in plain sight."
"Reveal them?" Two questioned.
"Not only reveal them but blame them as the reason for our invasion," the general said slowly, "the people wanting us to leave will likely turn on him… but even if they rally to him, they'll create a distraction for him that we can capitalize on with smaller forces."
"It would force us to pull our forces out," Two commented.
"Yes, but that would allow us to return to more secretive methods, which would benefit us more then this war," the general finished his point.
Two nodded at this.
"That may work," Two then spoke, "It'll take a little bit to get everything ready but it can be handled. We are still to build up our strength around Stonehenge in case they strike for it while we're setting the other measures up."
"Of course, sir," the General answered.
"And hopefully this finally works," Two gave a heavy sigh.
The Mansion
With their inspection over, Coyote and Reginald returned with Leo to the dining room where Macbeth and Griff had been updating Arthur on what had been going on in Britain while they were gone.
"So what do you think about our security?" Macbeth asked to Reginald, wondering what a professional soldier would think.
"Pretty good for setting up a prison within a private home," Reginald commented, "but then, most of its strength is through magic, so I'm not really an expert."
Macbeth and Arthur nodded. Both of them knew that it was Merlin that had really make their 'prison' work.
"The problem you have is that they are here," Reginald answered, "they will eventually make this manor a target for the Illuminati."
"That is likely to happen eventually," Macbeth grumbled, "since WE are here."
"Yes, but with them here, you're tied down to the manor if it means keeping your prisoners," Reginald pointed out.
"We can't just let them go," Arthur pointed out.
"That is where I come in, your majesty," Coyote spoke, "I believe that is where I might be of some service… even without having to do much in the way of magic."
"And how is that?" Macbeth questioned, "I could see you transforming them into something harmless or making them agree with us, but not much more then that."
"No, nothing like that," Coyote shook his head, "More like asking Queen Titania if we could borrow Avalon's dungeon."
"She would involve her Court in a 'civil' war in our country?" Merlin asked curiously.
"No, she'll likely allow me to help because of my connections with Beth, but her court would not get involved," Coyote explained, "but they might allow us to use the dungeons on Avalon's castle to hold your prisoners."
"Suppose the Illuminati have the spells to get to Avalon?" Arthur asked in a concerned voice.
"I doubt it," Coyote commented, "if they did, the Mage would have taken advantage of it long ago."
Merlin nodded. Reginald was unsure of who the Mage was, but Coyote's point seemed to buy them additional support.
"It would certainly solve one of our problems," Macbeth commented, "the other being what to do now. Even with Reginald and Coyote's help, we don't have enough strength to turn the tide of the war on the battlefield."
"We need to cure Merlin before we do anything of that nature," Arthur spoke, "they're all so focused on myself, anyway… maybe it would prove to be a distraction."
"Not enough to fully alter the tide," Macbeth spoke, "I'm certain that they've taken precautionary steps to insure it."
"Certainly we can slow it down, though, right?" Reginald asked.
"Yes, but unless we can deliver a decisive blow somewhere, it will only prolong the agony of the defeat," Macbeth commented, "we need something that can turn defeat into victory."
"Certainly curing Merlin would be a good start?" Arthur spoke.
"It might, provided the Illuminati are more focused on you then on the war they've started to 'reconquer' Britain," Macbeth nodded, "which wouldn't surprise me given some of the illogical moves they've made."
"The real question will be how to get to Stonehenge," Merlin commented, "we had all we could do to get into London, and it isn't the ultimate goal for that mission."
"And if Stonehenge is the final goal, you can beat they'll try to defend that area even fiercer then they defended London," Reginald commented.
"And it's an awful long way to go on foot or by wind," Griff commented, "and the vehicles we own would likely be identified by the Illuminati."
"I take it this would been another 'stealing' mission?" Arthur sighed heavily, still not liking the idea.
"Not unless you have a fully stocked factory underneath this mansion," Reginald answered, "but for the moment, some basic scouting will be more important. Even if they're not being smart about things, it is best to know what we are looking for and where it is."
"We can do that, easily," Griff volunteered, "if you have a description of what to look for."
"A wheeled vehicle," Reginald answered, "not necessarily one aimed for combat and scouting, but one like that would do if there is no other option. Preferably what we will need is a transport vehicle. It will allow you to get more to Stonehenge then you would otherwise."
"Why a vehicle like that?" Arthur wondered.
"More likely that there would be a vehicle like that alone on the road," Reginald answered, "if we were to steal a combat vehicle, we'd tip off our location by its very strengths. Tanks are commonly grouped together for added hitting power along with supporting foot or mechanized infantry."
"Trying to hide in plain sight," Macbeth chuckled.
"In a way," Reginald nodded.
"The clan can carry out the scouting mission," Griff volunteered.
Macbeth and Arthur exchanged glances, before Arthur responded.
"Very well, Griff," Arthur sighed, "You may carry out this scouting mission… but there is to be no fighting. Find what would be useful, see what the Illuminati's defenses are, and come back. I'll leave how many members of your clan that come along on this mission to you."
"Right-o, your Majesty," Griff spoke and left the room.
In the clan's main living room, a different sort of meeting was going on. Most of the rest of the London Clan, along with Rachel and Beth were following the news on the present 'war' in Britain. Though at the moment, Rachel was on a nearby phone desperately trying to make contact with her family.
"Still no answer," Rachel grumbled in a depressed voice as she put the phone down.
"Hadn't the Illuminati cut off phone lines?" Beth wondered, "at least to this mansion, anyway?"
"I had thought so," Octavia commented, "but then outside of the London Clan we do not have many contacts to call, so if the phone lines to the mansion were cut we wouldn't really notice…"
"And we weren't here," Rachel grumbled and turned to her cellphone.
"If she didn't answer on the normal line she probably won't answer a cellphone either," Beth commented slowly.
"Maybe they have blocked the land line and the cellphone is the more practical option," Rachel answered in a half hopeful voice, "she is my sister after all… I have to make sure she's alright."
"I know," Beth sighed, "You're worried about her… I'm sure Elisa and the rest of my family is worried about me in New York."
"You don't want to call them?" Rachel asked.
"I tried," Beth answered, "I couldn't even get a dial tone. I figured the Illuminati made it so that way I couldn't contact them."
It was at that time that Griff came into the room.
"What's up?" Lancelot asked quickly as he and Gawain jumped up.
"I'm going to need Julia for a scouting mission about finding some equipment we'll need to get Merlin to Stonehenge," Griff spoke.
"Just me?" Julia asked curiously.
"Yes," Griff answered, "the rest are to guard the mansion should the Illuminati decide to do anything direct against us. We aren't to attack them. Just find out what they have and what they're doing with it."
"Very well," Julia nodded.
"Good luck," Beth offered the two gargoyles.
"Thanks," Griff only gave a slight chuckle.
Avalon, A Little While Later
Coyote emerged with Reginald and the London clan's prisoners to the surprise of many in the Court. They were not expecting visitors obviously, especially considering one was a human that they were unfamiliar with, and two were prisoners.
"I take it there is an explanation for this Kachina?" said the Weird Sisters spoke as they came forward, even faster then Titania or any of the others could respond.
"There is," Coyote answered, "If you could tone down the roast me alive defense for a moment…"
"We are waiting, Coyote," Titania said from her throne, "you have not been known to take human prisoners."
"They aren't mine, your Majesty," Coyote answered respectfully, "they are Arthur and Macbeth's prisoners. I am mostly asking for your help in the problems they face."
"You know we can not intervene in human affairs and wars," Titania spoke.
"Not to intervene in the war, your Majesty," Coyote responded, "to house those that Arthur and Macbeth have taken prisoner to free their country. They do not have the facilities to safely house them."
"I see," Titania answered.
"And who is the armed human you bring with you?" the Sisters asked.
"This is Reginald, a soldier with the British Army fighting against the Illuminati," Coyote answered, "he's promised to take no hostile action against your Court, my Queen."
"I apologize if this all sudden or surprising," Reginald spoke nervously, "I mean you know harm."
"I can sense that, young soldier," Titania spoke, "and if Arthur trusts you to stand by his side, I suppose that would make you trustworthy."
"Thank you," Reginald relaxed a little.
"There is still the question of why you have broken Oberon's Law, Coyote," the Sisters spoke pointedly.
"I have not broken the Law," Coyote answered, "Arthur and Merlin's quest to find what they needed to cure Merlin took them to Arizona where the Illuminati went after both them and Beth. By my obligation to defend Clan Maza, I had to act."
"I trust you are not forcing her to remain in a dangerous position?" Titania asked.
"Of course not, my Queen," Coyote answered, "although returning with her to America might be difficult if the Illuminati have permanently made her a target for helping Arthur."
"Of course," Titania admitted and then glanced to the two Illuminati prisoners, one a werewolf, the other, one of the Illuminati's council members, the third prisoner was Lucius, "I suppose we can hold them for the duration of the present war in Britain. Is there anything that should be known about them?"
"Lucius will obviously need a cell he can not blast his way out of," Coyote spoke, gesturing to the mutate, "the council member will be fine in a normal cell, and the third is actually a werewolf hat serves the Illuminati."
"The one who bit the Winters woman," Luna spoke.
"I would guess so," Coyote answered.
"Sisters, Coyote, you may take the prisoners to the dungeons and insure that their cells are sufficiently strong enough to insure that they can not escape," Titania instructed, "the soldier will remain here."
Coyote and the Weird Sisters bowed and then left with the prisoners while Reginald stood nervously close to where he and Coyote had emerged onto the island.
London
It took them awhile to find a base that the Illuminati was using to store military equipment. There were some facilities like that around warehouses near the docks, but the vehicles there were constantly being moved. Griff guessed that it wouldn't be likely they could steal a vehicle from there. They were, however, successful in finding a facility that was not as well guarded on the northern end of London. It was an improvised base that had at least three tanks standing guard, but also had a host of smaller vehicles including a six wheeled vehicle with a long box like hull. It was officially a Thyssen Henschel Transportpanzer 1 (Fuchs) APC, a vehicle manufactured in Germany and in military service with several western nations including the US and the UK. Griff, however, didn't know that. He only knew that it fit the sort of description that Reginald had given him earlier.
"That ought to do well enough, if Reginald can drive it," Griff commented.
"Yes," Julia nodded as they stayed in the shadows of a large nearby tree, "the real question will be how to get past their defenses."
Griff then gave a heavy sigh. The base had roadblocks set up in the form of large concrete barricades. The only thing that could go straight through them would likely be a tank. The vehicle that Griff had spotted could maneuver through them, but that would take time, exposing it to fire from both inside the base and outside it.
There were also several tents and portable buildings that were constructed to serve various purposes, including a headquarters and hospital. In the corner closest to London and the farthest away from where Griff and Julia were was what looked like a munitions dump. The three tanks that were there moved around the base, as if ready to counter any move against the base.
"This is probably a garrison base," Griff commented, "set up to block any advance on London from the north or to counterattack any force in the area that has been forced to stop."
"Three tanks isn't much of an armored force," Julia commented.
"They probably have other bases in other sections of London," Griff answered, "this just happened to be the one we came across first."
"We'll still need Coyote's help to get into the place," Julia commented.
As she finished, a spot light from inside the base came on and illuminated the two gargoyles.
"Pendragon's followers!" a voice yelled faintly from inside the base.
Julia and Griff were quick to leave, although both where unsure as to how they had been spotted.
"They must have heard us," Julia commented as they glided away, gunfire echoing behind them, nearly all the shots that were fired went into the tree they had been in.
"I'd wonder how they could have," Griff grumbled, "we weren't talking that loud."
They went a little further before a shot echoed through the air and went passed them at a downward angle.
"What the…" Julia gasped and then looked up to see what looked like an enlarged hang-glider coming down toward them.
Two machine guns were mounted beneath the wings and it also looked like two small propellers had also been mounted n the back wings of the glider to allow it to fly for short distances before its weight would exhaust the engines.
"Must be some special unit…" Griff grumbled, "Veer right. I'll head left. If he chases me, circle back and disable his wings."
"And if he chases me, you'll do the same," Julia nodded, dissecting the plan.
The two divided presenting two different targets for their pursuer. After a few moments, Griff looked over his shoulder to see that the hang-glider pilot was chasing him. He immediate began weaving in tight turns and circles, remembering his days in the Battle of Britain. The hang-glider had no missiles and had to rely on getting a clear shot at him. If he went in a straight line, he would have to rely on going faster then his pursuer, which wasn't likely in the short term.
Julia, meanwhile, observed the hang-glider's pursuit of Griff. While Griff constantly turned to make himself a harder target, the hang-glider tried to stay as straight as possible, largely to try and gain a clear shot at Griff. That gave Julia the perfect opportunity to strike at the hang-glider pilot. She quickly gained altitude so that she could gain the speed she would need to catch up with the hang-glider.
It took Julia a few moments to gain the height needed, but to her relief the hang-glider pilot continued to follow Griff in a nearly straight and predictable pattern. As Griff made a turn around the increasingly taller buildings, Julia finally made her move. She folded her wings in and dove down toward the hang-glider. The pilot didn't seem to notice her until it was too late.
He tried to turn the craft, but with his engines recharging, he began to rapidly lose altitude and exposed the front edge of the wing to Julia, along with one of the guns. That was when Julia struck. In one swipe, her talons sliced through the leading edge of the wing, and she grabbed the barrel of the gun and ripped it off of the hang-glider taking a good bit of the wing with it. The hang-glider and its pilot then disappeared into the shadows, though Julia could hear the hard crashing noise of the hang-glider hitting the side of a building.
"And that is the end of him," Julia commented offhandedly as Griff circled back to glide beside her.
Griff did want to say that he hoped the pilot survived, but a good part of him knew that what the Illuminati had started was a war. And wars had a nasty habit of killing people, friend and foe alike. He still had a hard time though seeing a fellow citizen of the UK as an enemy though.
Mansion
It was later that night when Arthur and Merlin came out into the room where much of the rest of clan was watching the news coverage on the Illuminati invasion. The station covering it was being broadcast by the Illuminati, so it wasn't likely that the report wouldn't be bias free, but it would still be news.
"What are they saying?" Arthur asked.
"Saying that the fighting in the north is slowing down, but that nothing with stop them from possessing all of the island eventually," Beth commented, "but there is no detailed coverage on anything."
"Non news programming is nothing but reruns," Guinevere added.
"Much of it seems new to me," Rachel quipped.
Arthur ignored that for the moment. At that moment however, the screen turned back to the main reporter and away from the field reporter.
"We are sorry to interrupt the update on the capture of the British isles by the Illuminati, but it appears that there is a special announcement that has just come in," that reporter spoke.
The screen then switched to show Two standing in front of a large computer projector screen.
"Citizens of the United Kingdom, it will not be long before your nation is firmly under the control of the Illuminati Council," Two spoke in a supremely confident voice, "but there is the hope that you could save your Kingdom. A manner in which you would not need to sacrifice so much of your own youth in a doomed fight."
"What is he up to…" Merlin spoke as he looked toward the television.
"Our invasion was not triggered by any hatred of Britain but by a preemptive desire to save the world from the threat of three various men whom we know will do things that will destabilize the world in the future," Two continued.
The screen then showed to a black and white security camera footage showing Arthur and Macbeth battling for Excalibur in New York.
"These two are Arthur Pendragon, King of the Britons in the fifth Century," Two narrated, "and Macbeth mac Findlaích, King of Scotland in 1040 CE. These actions were captured of the two men fighting for what is believed to be the sword Excalibur in New York. We know they are active in London at present under alias that are fairly similar to their REAL names or to the play by Shakespeare… and as the footage portrayed, they are dangerous."
The screen then turned to security camera footage of Merlin's fight with Morgan le Fey when his great rival had attempted to kill him and the Queen. It specifically showed Merlin's use of magic.
"And this man is the worst of them all," Two continued, "he has used MANY aliases, but is in reality, the same man. Merlin Ambrosius. A wizard. A user of dark magic and one who has actively worked against the Illuminati and his own people's interests! After all… if he was so good in legend, why did Pendragon have to go into enchanted sleep on an island that supposedly is nothing but myth?"
"He's trying to turn the people against you guys," Beth commented, "Just like the Canmores turned New York against the Clan!"
"Revealing who I am to the world," Arthur said slowly.
"If anyone can bring them in, dead or alive," Two finished, "we would be very pleased and would even consider ending our invasion and letting Britain rule on its own. It is your choice."
"This bad," Merlin said slowly.
To Be Continued…