Rivals, chapter 2 A. L. Balestra (balestra@glasscity.net) Started: September, 1996 Finished: (work in process) comments welcome DISCLAIMER: Gargoyles and the characters are the property of Disney and BVTV. The writer holds no claim. Chapter 2 "5... 4... 3... 2.... cue music!" "Good evening! I'm Travis Marshall, and this is Nightwatch. Tonight we continue our reporting of the story that has shook the world: The existance of real, live Gargoyles. Once thought to be fantasy, then urban myth, they were revelied to the pubic nearly a year ago. At first the reaction to these creatures was one of fear and hatred, but the events of three weeks ago have changed that. The Gargoyles daring rescuse of a train full a people as turned public perception of them from that of dangerous monsters to benevelent beings. However, not everyone is yet comfortable with these 'Angels In The Night'". From the screen behind Marshall, a video of a mousy woman appeared. "I'm still not sure of these Gargoyles yet. I know they are heroes and all, but they still look like bats. And I don't like bats!" "Returning to us in the studio is Assisstant District Procecutor, Margot Yale, and renowned medieval scholar, Lennox Macbeth. We were here once before nearly a year ago, but the two of you were on opposite sides of the Gargoyle issue then. However, that has changed as well". "That's right, Travis", Margot stated. " I want to admit I was wrong about the Gargoyles and that I am sorry for assusing them of any wrong-doing. I also wish to state that all charges against them have been dropped". "Aye! I guess that would mean I should apologise as well, Ms. Yale", Macbeth stated. "I wouldn't burn a witch like you in a thousand years". Yale shot Macbeth a look that could kill, but then her expresion softened. She realized this was Macbeth's way of saying, 'I told you so!'. "In any case", continued Marshall, desprately trying to change the subject in hopes it would avoid the reprise of last year's shouting match, "What about the fate of Quarrymen leader, John Castaway?" Yale answered, "Castaway is currently in police custody at Riker's, pending trial. But I assure you, he will have the book thown at him... after a fair trial, of course". "But what about the Gargoyles themselves? They have declined every offer to appear on Nightwatch. Have they gone camera-shy?" Macbeth answered this time, "Travis, Gargoyles are anything but shy. They are most likely overwelmed by all the attention they have been getting lately. Give them time". "Yes! Give them time to laul us into a false sence of secruity, and then they will attack and destroy us when we least expect it!" From the shadows behind the camera crew, a dark figure rushed rushed forward. He was dressed in tight black body armor, and carried a large hammer crackeling with blue fire. His face was hidden by a black, ghost-like hood. "Quarryman?!" Yale screamed. "That's right, Ms. Yale. But you were wrong to betray us; to betray humanity! And now you are going to pay", the Quarryman proclaimed. With a roar, the villian charged, his hammer held aloft to strike and kill. But as he was to reach his intended pray, a force connected with him that sent him flying across the studio, crashing into an assortment of lights and wires and other electrical equipment. Macbeth had timed his leap over the desk and flying kick perfectly. The District Procecutor was safe, but was visably shaken. "Go to commercal, NOW!" cried the director. As secrerity moved onto the scene to collect the barly concous Quarryman, Margot husband, Brendan, moved from behind the set to be at his wife side. He held her close, rocking her to calm her fears. He then looked up to Macbeth. "Thank you for saving my wife's life... but how...?" "I'm a man of many talents, Mr. Yale. But you are welcome". Finally breaking out of his state of shock, Marshall asked, "But were did that Quarryman come from? I thought they had all been arrested". "So did I..." Margot growled, her eyes narrowing. "I hope you have more news to report tonight, Travis, because this interview is over", stated Macbeth. "Let's go home, Honey", suggested Brendan, as he led his wife from the studio. "Twenty seconds until we're back", called the director. "Fine. Will just move on to the next story", said Marshall. "And were back in 5... 4... 3... 2......." "For those of you just tuning in, we were recovering the story of real Gargoyles in Manhattan. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to continue the interview we had planned tonight. Instead, we will cover a possible related story. Sources have informed Nightwatch of another comfermed Gargoyle sighting; this time over the skyline of Atlantic City. However, these sources report that this new Gargoyle is not like the kind we have in our city. Eyewitness accounts say that it looks like a robot. Is this a true Gargoyle, or a machanical hoax....?" It was at that moment Fox clicked off the TV. She had promised Hudson to keep his chair warm while the Gargoyles and David were off in Atlantic City. They had been gone over 24 hours, but David said they should be coming home soon. Perhaps in another day. But she just sighed then, looking down at her son, who sat in her lap and looked as if he was about to nod off. "I looks like your Father was right, Alex. We're not out off the woods yet". * * * The magesty of these mountains were very evident to her. The Appallations, the Humans called them. Even her electronic sensors and circuits could not completely inhibit her soul from being touched my their beauty. The stars shome brightly in the clear night sky, and the magesty, and the brightness, and the stillness took her back in time. One thousand years back, she went. Back to a time and a place far away, before the transfer... before the awakening... before the oblivion... before the betrayal. Over a thousand years ago, she and her love were flesh by night and stone by day. They were Gargoyles, then. But things had changed. They were metal, and mech-can-i-cal. Robot and cyborg, she and her mate were. *But were they still Gargoyles?*, she wondered. Then another menory came to her mind. A time and place separated from the rest of the world. A place of timelessness... a place of eternal summer. Her home? *No! How can this be? This place is not my home... is it?* Before she could answer her question, her radar picked up a low-flying object ten kilometers away and it was fast approching her. Her cybernetic eyes' telescopic imageing showed her exactly what it was, and she smiled. Her mate had returned. "How are you, My Love?" Coldfire asked, as he landed before her. "Did you find out where Coldsteel is now?" "I believe so", Coldstone answered. "This paper states that a metal Gargoyle has been seen flying over Atlantic City in New Jersey. It must be him". He handed the torn clipping to his mate. "Don't you think it strange, Coldstone, that her would make himself so visable. He knows we are tracking him down. It almost seems as if he is dareing us to find and catch him". "Yes, I've noticed. This could all be part of some plan of his to trap us", Coldstone responded. "But we have no choice. We must track my brother down, and stop him. He is our responsibility". "You are right, My Love. But since we will be traveling to Atlantic City, perhaps we can stop off in Manhattan, to see Goliath and the rest of our clan. We have been gone a long time. They may have wondered what happen to us". "We will see them, and warn them about Coldsteel... if they don't know already". And with that Coldstone turned and flew off. Coldfire followed just behind him. She was worried aobut him. It seems ever since her soul transfer to this new body, he has been less passionate toward her. But she never pressed the issue with him. Because, it seemed, the fire of her passion for him had become cold also. * * * Demona kneeled down beside the unconscious young Gargoyle, and ran her clawed fingers through his wet hair. "Who is he?" she asked Coldsteel. "I was hoping you could tell me", he replied. "You are the one who is supposed to know about all the Gargoyles in the world. But, I must admit, he looks familiar to me..." Indeed. Demona herself thought she felt a twinge of recognition for this male Gargoyle, as if... No! Something pushed the memory back into oblivion. She could not remember. But memory surfaced. Something in his features did look familar... "I guess we'll find out who he is soon enough. He is waking up", Demona pointed out. With her words, the young Gargoyle stirred. And with a moan, he opened his eyes... and they widened in horror. The night when the Archmage came to Avalon to gain ultamate power... and to destroy all who got in his way. But the evil wizard was not alone. The Weird Sisters allied with him, and there were two others. One was a man named Macbeth; the other was a Gargoyle named... "Demona!" Gabriel exclaimed. He tried to leap from the couch to get away from Demona's reach, but still weak from his near-drowning, stumbled and fell into a heap on the floor. "Stay back! Don't come near me!" he screamed as he scooted backward trying to get away. But the closed glass door prevented his excape. With his back to the glass, Gabriel stuggled to stand. If he was going to die, it would be done fighting with the last ounce of his strength. I would have to be, for an ounce was all the strength he had left. But Demona did not attack. In fact, she did nothing but stand there, dumnfounded. How did this young Gargoyle know her name? Why did he fear her? Had they met before? A memory tired to resurface again, but again something pushed it back. Coldsteel was equally confused, but he did nothing. He would let Demona handle this. Besides, if things got out of hand, quick laser blast would take care of everything. "Who are you?" Demona demanded. Gabriel was standing now, but his back leaned against the glass. His legs were so weak, he feared they would buckle under him at any moment. Exhausted as he was, his better judgement left him. "My name is Gabriel, and that is all you'll get from me!" He then turned to smash the glass to make his excape. But as he turned, three tenticles, like steel cables, with viper quickness lashed out and wrapped around him. Gabriel was pulled back and off his feet. Coldsteel sneered, "You're not going anywhere, Young One". The robotic Gargoyle held Gabriel up to his face. "Now behave, if you know what is good for you". Demona was taken aback. Gabriel... Angela had told her about him... when she had spent that time with her... before her plans to win her back fell through... but the memory of that was just too painful. But Gabriel was one of her daughter's rookery brothers... on Avalon. A memory begain to surge. Imprisoned in Coldsteel's python grasp, Gabriel dipaired. The weary young Gargoyle lowered his head. He was too tired to fight any londer. "You may not be under the Weird Sisters' spell of control anymore, Demona, but I know you have no compassion for those that oppose you, Human or Gargoyle. If you want me killed, have your lacky get it over with. I'm too tired to play games". With that, Gabriel prepared himself for the end. His only regret being that he never got the chance to see Angela just one last time. That he never got the chance to tell her how much he loved her. A smurk appeared on Coldsteel's metal lips. "Well, if you are so eager to die... I would be happy to accomidate you". Coldsteel raised his arm-embedded laser so it was aimed between Gabriel's eyes. It would be fast and clean - the way the evil one liked it. Demona sttod there, watching thid final scene in almost a trance-like state. The young Gargoyle's last word had acted like a wrecking ball on her brain. The spell was broken. She remembered everything. *Avalon...* Her diabolical mind worked quickly, forming a new plan. "No, wait!" Demona cried. "Don't kill him. We don't betray our friends. Let him go". Coldsteel hasitated for a minute, but then he reliesed Gabriel from his tenticles. Gabriel fell to the floor, exhausted and unable to move. Coldsteel was not sure what Demona was up to, but he would trust her ... for now. Gabriel was shocked at what he heard, but he assumed that it was a trick. Just another mind game of her's that Goliath has warned him about. "What do you mean, 'we don't betray our friends'? Goliath told me that all you have ever gone is betray everyone you have ever known and loved", Gabriel remarked, still weak. "I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS BETRAYED!" Demona roared, forgetting herself. Taking in a breath, she regained control and continued: "It was the Humans that betrayed our clan. And it was Goliath that betrayed me. And now he is betraying us all". "You lie!" Gabriel snarled. Demona glanced up to look out the glass door. The glow from the far horizon told her that dawn was coming. "We shall see if I am lying, Young One, and when you see the truth, you'll agree that Goliath and all humans must be elimiated once and for all". Gabriel, trying to say something in response, has his words frozen on his lips as the morning sun's rays turned him to cold stone. Demona arched over in pain as she under-went her transformation from Gargoyle to Human. When it was finished, she still kneeled on the floor, attemping to catch her breath. The changing was always painful. "What the devil are you up to, Demona?" Coldsteel asked wiht annoyance. "You should be thinking of a way to get your program into Xanatos's main computer, not of new ways to deceive and manipulate. We should just destroy him and be done with it. If he knows Goliath like he says he does, he could be trouble". "No. We are going to need him if our plan is to succeed. Gabriel will be the final part to complete out greatest victory. It is going to be Goliath's trust in his clan that will be his ultimate downfall". Her eye's blazed as she laughed menically. * * * Xanatos and the Gargoyles had set off for Atlantic City the night after Elisa received Matt's call. Elisa could not go with them because of her duty to the city, but they were keeping her informed. They told her that after two nights of searching, they had found no trace of the mysterious Gargoyle. It had disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. They were coming home tonight. Elisa would be at the castle to greet them. "Hey! Watch the light!" Matt Bluestone cried out in alarm. Elisa slammed on the brakes as soon as she realized why matt cried out. Her daydreaming had nearly caused her to go through a red light. Her partner, Detective Bluestone, sighed in relief as he sat next to her in her car. Their shift was ending, and Elisa was taking Matt back to the newly repaired headquarters, leaving her to see the Gargoyles. It was unusal for them to have the day-shift, but Elisa didn't mind. It gave her more time to be with the Gargoyles... To be with Goliath. "Did you see Nightwatch last night?" Matt asked. "I can't believe there are any Quarrymen left considering the sweap of the city we did all last week. Plus, I'd like to know how the info on the Atlantic City Gargoyle slipped out to the press. Only you, me, and the Captain are the only cops who are supposed to know about that..." It was there he became silent. He noticed that Elisa was not really listening to him. "Is something wrong? You've been out of it for a few days". "No,... well, yes", she blurted out, noticing the light had turned green. "It's not Goliath, is it? Or maybe I'm getting too personal... I'm sorry". "No, it's not Goliath. It's Angela". "Angela? What's wrong with her?" "I can't tell you, Matt. I'm sorry, but I made a promise to Angela. But I can tell you that I really feel sorry for her. I feel so helpless. I don't know what I cna do for her". "I guess all you can do is be there for her, and be her friend", Matt suggested softly, putting his hand on her shoulder. Elisa smiled. Within minites of Matt's last words, the pair of detectives arrived at headquarters. Matt exited Elisa's car, and moved to be next to the driver's side window. Leaning down to look Elisa in the eye, Matt said, "I'm sure everyting will work out, Elisa". "Yeah,... yeah, I hope so, Matt". Without another word, Elisa shifted the car into gear and drove off toward the Eyrie Building. Matt watched Elisa's car disappear around a counter. He sighed softly, then turned to enter Police Headquarters. Night had already fallen when the elevator doors slid open, and Elisa stepped out on to the main floor of the Castle. Not to her surprise, Owen was there to greet her. "Ah, good, Detective Maza. Mr. Xanatos just radioed me to inform that he and the Gargoyles should be arriving home soon". Almost as if cued by Owen's words, the wirring sound of a helicopter's blades could be heard just outside. Both Maza and Bernett rushed outside to the landing pad. There they found Mrs. Xanatos holding Alexander. The helicopter landed with a thomp, and the blades slowed to a stop. The Gargoyles were home. The helicopter's door slid open, and the passagers filed out. "Not a bad landing, Lexington", Xanatos praised as he stepped out. "Thanks". "Yeah, better than your usual crashes, Lex", Brooklyn teased. Lexington gave his rookery brother a cross look but said nothing. Goliath did not look pleased. Even though Brooklyn saw his displeasure, the young second-in-command did not care. With her son cradiled in one arm, Fox wrapped the other around David's neck and kissed him fully on the lips. "Welcome home, David", she added softly. "It's good to be home, but I wish we had better luck finding that mysterious Gargoyle", Xanatos lamented. "Based on the descriptions from witnesses, there should be no doubt who the Gargoyle is. It has to be Coldsteel", Elisa assirted. "Elisa is right, Xanatos", Goliath agreed. "But still it makes me wonder... where are my roolery siblings, Coldstone and Coldfire. They swore to track Coldsteel down. I hope they are all right". "Sir, if I may", Owen interupted, "I wish to inform you that while you and the Gargoyles where gone, the upgrades to the new sercurity system have been completed, including the installation of the artifical intelligence. All it needs now is your approval and your start up codes". "So soon? I thought you said it would be another month before everyting was finished. Oh, well. It doesn't matter. This is excellent, Owen. Let's do it right now". "Wait one moment, Xanatos. What is this new 'security system', and why wasn't I told about this before?" Goliath questioned. "I'm sorry, Goliath. I was going to make it a surprise", Xanatos said with a grin. But Goliath frowned. He was not amused. "Don't be angry just yet", Xanatos assured. "Once you see everything I have done, I'm sure you'll like it". Everyone gathered in Xanatos's office. There on one side of the room was the main computer, but it was larger than the one that was there a few days before. This computer nearly took up the entire wall. There was one large main screen with six, much smaller screens in a row both above and below the main: Twelelve total. The small screens showed various sites in and around the castle and building. The large main screen was on, but it was blank. The console consitted of a simple keyboard and several other unidentifiable buttons. Xanatos stood in front of the computer. "Well, here it is", he said with a flurish. "The AI Valiant 2000. The brains of our new sercurity system". "That's the AI Valiant 2001, Sir", Owen corrected. "The engineers at Cyberbiotics informed me that they needed to make a slight upgrade to work out some of the bugs they found in the origional programming. They assure me that the changes are minor and do not alter significantly Valiant's main operating peramiters". "Cyberbiotics?" Goliath questioned. "Do you mean to say that Renard is involved in this as well? And what is this 'AI'?" "Artifical Intelligence, Goliath", Lexington answered. "It means that this computer can think on its own. Cool!" "But to answer your first question...", Xanatos continued, "Yes, Renard is intimitly involved with this. He is concerned as I am about Alexander's safety. The secruity of our home has been briched too many times to take anymore chances. So Renard and I combined our resources to make this system possible. I provied the hardware: the surrvalence cameras, the weapons, the force field generators, etc.; while he provied Valiant". "The last time Cyberbiotics created a thinking computer", Elisa observed, "it nearly engulded the whole world, Xanatos. How can we be sure this computer will not run amok as well?" "We can be sure", Fox piped up, "because of Valiant's programming. Unlike Matrix, that had a single directive, but open-ended peramiters for carring out that directive; Valiant had very limited operating peramiters. It's single purpose is to protect this castle, this building, and all who reside within, and it doesn't have the ability to grow beyond that directive". "In other words, Valiant has all the intelliegence, tactical and stratigic skills, to out-think any invaders, but it doesn't have enough free-will of its own to cause any harm. It is completely under our control, and will do anything to assure out safety", Xanatos finished. "And when you mean 'our safety', you mean all of us?" Goliath questioned. "Of course", Xanatos assured. "As a matter of fact, Valiant will be instrumental in protecting you Gargoyles during the day when you are most vulndriable. Valiant even recognizes Detective Maza as one of its protectorates. With you Gargoyles working together with Valiant, our defences will become invincible. But first, we have to bring Valiant 2001 on-line". David Xanatos then turned toward the computer console. Hitting enter, a message appeared on the main screen: >PASSWORD: Xanatos typed something on the keyboard, but it didn't show on the screen. After a second, a new message appeared: >PASSWORD ACCEPTED. >ACCESS GRANTED. >PLEASE PLACE HAND ON PAD. He placed his right hand palm-down on the pad next ot the keyboard. The pad glowed with a pale blue light. >PALM-PRINT CONFIRMED. >STATE NAME AND VERBAL PASSWORD. "David Xanatos... 3-alpha, 30-omaga, chi-ro". >VOICE-PRINT AND VERBAL PASSWORD CONFIRMED. ....................................................................................................... >VISUAL RECOGNITION CONFIRMED. ....................................................................................................... >RENTNAL SCAN COMPLETE AND CONFIRMED. >PLEASE WAIT WHILE AI VALIANT 2001 IS DOWNLOADED. After a minute, the main screen went black, then a face appeared on the screen. It looked like a lavender, yet shadowy, out-line of Goliath's face. And the "face" spoke: "AI VALIANT 2001, NOW ON-LINE. WHAT IS YOUR COMMAND?" "Statsis, Valiant", stated Xanatos with authority. "PARIMITER IS SECURE. ALL CLEAR. ALL PROTECTED PARTIES ACCOUNTED FOR". "Good. Continue watch". "BY YOUR COMMAND". Xanatos turned around toward the group accembled. With a half-smile he added, "Well? What do you think?" "I take it the face was your idea", Elisa commented. "Yes, it was, Detective. I thought it was appropriate for what Valiant is supposed to do: protect the castle, and us. Just like the original does", said Xanatos. "That's all well and good, Xanatos... But how do we fit into all of this?" Hudson asked, expressing the concern of the whole clan. "With your headsets and microphones that you have been using already", Owen stated. "Valiant can tap into the radio frequency that you use, thus it can corrodiate defensive proceedures with you, by telling you where intruders are". "You mean we're going to take orders from this machine?" Brooklyn protested. "Nothing of the sort, Brooklyn", Xanatos assured. "As a matter of fact, all of you can give Valiant orders, as well as give orders to the Iron Clan robots..." "Iron Clan robots? There are still some left? I thought they were all destroyed", Goliath growled. "I had some more built. Twenty, to be exact. Plus, I had a small automated factory built below the building to produce more in case we need them. But I assure you, they cannot be used against you", said Xanatos. Goliath frowned. But in a moment's reflection, he added, "Fine. This is your home, as it is ours. Your have the right to protect your family as you see fit. But next time, I'd like to be told before-hand of any changes you make in the defence of our castle". "You have my word on that, Goliath", Xanatos promised. "ALERT! RADAR DETECTS TWO UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS APPROCHING FROM THE WEST. WILL BE IN VISUAL RANGE IN ONE MINUTE". "Put visual on main screen", Xanatos ordered Valiant. Valiant's "face" disappeared from the main screen, and was replaced by a view from the West side of the Eyrie Building. In the distance, two small flying figures could be seen. "Magnify the UFO's", commanded Xanatos. The image of the figures was magnified, clearly showing the approching flyers. "Coldstone and Coldfire!" Goliath gasped. "My rookery siblings! There here!" "VISUAL IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED. UFO'S ARE COLDSTONE AND COLDFIRE. NON-THREAT. STANDING DOWN YELLOW ALERT. ALL CLEAR. But no one was left in the office to hear Valiant's proclaimation. They all had left for the courtyard to greet the visitors. * * * It had been about a year since he and his mate had been in Manhattan. The last time they had been here, they were brought against their will. With three souls in one body, he, his dark brother, and his mate were taken to the brink of maddness. But Xanatos's Clan Robots had captured them, and brought them back to the Castle... their home, but no longer their home. Xanatos attempted to separate them using his science. He failed. It was a strange being by the name of Puck, one of Oberon's children, that was able to separate their souls into different bodies. He did it by first placing their souls into the bodies of members of their clan. It felt good to have a real flesh and blood body again... not this cold stone. It felt good to hold his mate close to him... to feel the warmth of her body. But it was not HER body. She had to give it up, just as he had to give up the flesh of his host. But there was one thing he had deceided since then: He enjoyed the flesh more than stone and steel. "Coldstone! Look! It is the Castle! We are home!" Coldfire cried out to him in joy. Flying over the city, they would reach Castle Wyvern in moments. But was it still their home? As the two of them appoached, they saw their clan enter the courtyard. Somehow the clan has known of their arrival. Barking wildly, Bronx was the first to greet them after they landed, jumping onto both of them with his tail wagging fiercely. It took a lot of petting from both Coldstone and Coldfire to calm him down. The other Gargoyles and Elisa gathered around to greet them as well, save Angela who still had a distant expresstion, and Brooklyn who lurked in the shadows. Xanatos, Fox and Owen stood off from the happy group as well. "Brother! Sister! It is good to see you again!" Goliath exclaimed. "The same is true for us, My Leader", concurred Coldfire, taking Goliath's hands in hers. "It has been too long, My Brother", said Coldstone, gently clasping Goliath's shoulder with his mechanical claw. "But I'm afraid we visit you for very serious reasons. Coldsteel is in Atlantic City, and we are going to investigate. We came here to warn you... " "We already know. We have spent the last two nights there. We searched, but found no trace of him", Golaith explained. "That is the way it has been for the past year", stated Coldstone. "Coldsteel worulf appear for a time, then disappear just as suddenly. These games fo his have grown tiresome". "Do you know what he many be planning?" Goliath asked. "No", Coldfire replied. "Then stay with us, and together as a clan we will face Coldsteel when he finally makes his intentions known", Goliath encouraged. "I agree", Xanatos finally said, stepping forward. "Besides, this is your home after all". Just as Xanatos was about to introduce his wife and son to the robotic pair, Owen interruped. "Sir. It appears Valiant has detected another UFO approaching, this time from the North... Valiant says it is a Gargoyle", Owen repeated as he listened to Valiant over his headset. "Is it Coldsteel?" Xanatos asked, as he put on his own headset. "No, Sir. And it is not Demona, either", answered Owen to Xanatos's unasked, but obvious next question. "It is a biological organism, and it is male. That is all the info Valiant can give". "Good. Valiant has a visual. We should be able to see this Gargoyle in a few moments", Xanatos said, as he listened to Valiant. A few moments pasted, and with the unaided eye, they where all able to see what Valiant had already. Even Brooklyn stepped out of the shadows to get a better look. But it was Angela, with a mix of surprise, bewilderment, and joy, that first made the identification. "I don't believe it... It's Gabriel!" * * * TO BE CONTINUED...