Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company as are all characters appearing in Marvel Comics. No infringement of these copyrights is intended and is not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Gargoyles A Different Choice – Episode Two Thrill of the Hunt

By Celgress

Castle Wyvern high atop the Eyrie Building October 7th, 2014 night

Xanatos was defeated along with his "glorious Steel Clan Robots". The scarlet-robed figure watched as Goliath reluctantly spared the billionaire's life after he mistakenly thought Xanatos killed his beloved in an explosion that destroyed a castle tower where she had stood. Although Xanatos had managed to deceive the Clan while they stole the discs he needed from Cyberbiotics for his replica gargoyle androids they almost immediately rebelled when he suggested they attack Stark Enterprises next. Xanatos, idiot that he was, wanted the plans for Ironman's latest exo-armor upgrade. In spite of his arrogance, Xanatos might still have tricked the gargoyles into helping him for a while longer if not for one factor no one could have seen coming, Elisa Maza.

For two nights while hidden in the shadows, the robed figure had watched as the gargoyles befriended Detective Elisa Maza. Maza gave them names mainly based upon geographical landmarks of Manhattan Island and surrounding evirons The only exception was the female Second who took the moniker "Demona" after Maza noted she fought "like a wildcat or a harpy (a she-demon Elisa explained when the Second sought elaboration)" when human & gargoyle were cornered by assailants in Central Park. It was also in Central Park were Maza earned Demona's trusted by guarding her a whole after she unexpectedly, from Elisa's point of view anyway, turned to stone. That Maza did either abandon her or take advantage of her vulnerability spoke volumes to Demona who had sworn never to again trust another human. But, Demona realized Maza was different than those other humans she had known so long ago. Maza genuinely cared about her well-being and those of her clan. The pair of females were becoming fast and fiercely loyal friends.

'Xanatos you egotistical fool," The robed figure mentally cursed its now entrapped partner as it retreated further into the shadows of a castle hallway. 'I warned you about Maza, but you wouldn't listen. I knew her growing influence over the gargoyles was dangerous. I hope you aren't counting on my assistance. I won't lift a finger to free you.' Like a ghost, the robed figure glided down a hallway and entered a hidden passageway by twisting a lighting fixture to one side. 'I'll return when the time is right. Until then, I best beat a hasty retreat. I don't want my presence here discovered, yet.'

Early November, evening

The six gargoyles and one gar beast broke free of their stone shells with mighty roars ready for another night of patrolling their adopted city. It had been nearly a month since the Clan had tackled Xanatos and his Steel Clan Robots. Ever since things had been rather peaceful for the newest protectors of New York City. Sure, the streets were still riddled with various petty criminals but they posed no real threat to the gargoyles. They easily defeated all those they had faced earning themselves a fearsome if shadowy reputation.

Inside the Clan's living area Hudson was soon seated in his lazy boy chair watching the television with Bronx faithfully seated alongside. What he was watching soon caught the attention of the young males. The Trio gathered around the HD screen.

"Hey, its' the Pack," Brooklyn said excitedly.

"I love this show," Broadway added.

"These guys are awesome!" Lexington declared his face beaming with admiration.

"Eh, they art okay but not when they art on every local channel. Where is the news?" Hudson grumbled folding his arms across his barrel chest. "I hate these 'TV specials'." He finished with an unhappy snort.

"Aw c'mon Hudson the Pack are great. They fight crime just like us." Lexington said shadowboxing an invisible opponent.

"Not quite like us," Demona said entering the room with Goliath and Elisa Maza. "I understand this Pack are characters from a play. They don't fight real criminals."

"I don't know Demona those ninjas they fought last week looked really tough." Broadway contended.

"They did," Brooklyn said in support nodding his head.

"Guys, Demona is right the whole thing is scripted," Elisa said. "Their 'victories' are part of the show. Their fights are all staged. Furthermore, the show is aimed at young children human children it isn't even meant to be realistic or taken seriously."

Elisa's last statement elicited groans, mumbles and vehement arguments from the Trio. Lexington seemed especially insulted by her disparaging of the Pack. Hudson joined in with Demona and Elisa by saying that the Pack's show was downright silly at times and that he didn't really care much for their antics. The heated debate only ended when Goliath verbally stepped in assigning patrols routes for the night. The Trio took the north side of the City while he and Demona took the southern route. As was becoming his custom Hudson remained behind with Bronx to "guard the Castle".

Over Northern NYC, sometime later

The Trio were once more talking about their love of the Pack. "I don't care what Demona, Hudson or Elisa think the Pack are still great," Lexington said.

"Yeah, Demona, Elisa & Hudson are out of touch with current trends," Brooklyn said.

"Exactly they don't know what our generation likes, what's hip," Broadway added.

"Broadway where did you hear that word, 'hip'?" Lexington asked in awe.

"On a program for human teenagers talking about the 'generation gap' a few nights ago," Broadway replied.

"Hey remember it said on the TV that the Pack are making a rare public appearance tonight at Madison Square Garden after their TV Special is over. What say we go watch?" Brooklyn suggested.

"I don't know," Broadway said in a worried tone. "Goliath and Demona won't be pleased if they find out we have been slacking off."

"Who cares," Lexington declared loudly shocking his companions with his disregard for authority. "They don't understand us. Besides I'd like to see the Pack up close. I'm sure it'll take onky a few minutes. What harm could come of it?"

"True, let's go," Brooklyn said after a bit of thought.

"Okay," Broadway readily agreed his expression brightening. The Trio turned around in mid-air they were now headed toward Madison Square Garden.

Meanwhile at Madison Square Garden

"Damn I hate these live public appearances." The large gray-haired and bearded man called Pack member Wolf grumbled. "They are always full of hundreds of screaming kiddies." He like his comrades was clad in a dark red uniform with gold metallic trim around the joints, waist, and chest as well as golden shoulder pads.

"Try not to think about the kids but rather the juicy soccer moms who bring the brats." Laughed the medium built man with long brown hair going by the Pack moniker Jackal

"That is easy for you to say, Jackal. You and Dingo always get all the hot girls. All I get are the really weird and desperate ones like your sister over there." Wolf said thumbing towards Jackal's twin sister a spiky-haired girl who was known as Pack member Hyena.

"Thanks for the compliment big, hairy and gruesome," Hyena said sarcastically beaming her best insincere smile at Wolf.

"Stop the childish bickering you three," Dingo demanded in his thick Australian accent. He was a well-built dark-skinned man with a black mustache and matching Mohawk hairdo. "And listen up. Fox has something to say."

"The big boss booked us here tonight for a reason. Word is he wants us to deal with those gargoyle freaks on live TV tomorrow night. You don't want to disappoint him do you?" Said the red-haired young woman with a distinct birthmark over her right eye who was the leader. Her named was Fox.

"Of course not," Wolf said as an involuntary shudder ran up his spine.

Suddenly a chime sounded from Fox's belt. She pulled a grey colored smartphone of it. She tapped in a series of commands on the touch screen to answer the summons. "Yes, sir how may we be of service?"

"The four youngest Gargoyles shall soon arrive to watch your live performance." A blacked out silhouette said in an electronically scrambled voice. "I suspected they'd prove unable to resist the subliminal summons encoded into your most recent broadcast. It would appear I was right in my assumption."

"Would you like us to capture them following our performance?" Fox inquired.

"No, my plan remains unchanged. I want the five of you to beat the Gargoyles tomorrow night on live television. Think of the ratings, the profits and the prestige that will be generated by defeating the latest super powered threat to the city while everyone is watching. Your show will be revitalized and your careers will shoot straight into the Stratosphere. Tonight your task is simply to win their trust so that the younger Gargoyles will lure the rest of their so-called Clan into our trap. After you defeat them tomorrow night leave them unharmed. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir," Fox replied obediently. The Pack knew they owed their mysterious benefactor everything they had, literally. Without their benefactor, they'd be nothing more than random, unemployed thugs.

"Excellent," The mystery person said, "Do not disappoint me."

"You heard the man er woman er whatever, "Fox said turning to face her partners after clipping the smartphone back on her golden belt. "We have our marching orders."

"This should be fun," Wolf said cracking his knuckles loudly. A wide grin plastered on his face.

"Should it ever," Said the twin Pack members Jackal & Hyena in near perfect unison. Both of which boasted their own sinister smiles. Dingo merely nodded.

Later that night the Pack had finished their personal appearance. This included a staged fight where they defeated a group of 'evil ninjas', who were actually poorly trained stuntmen, followed by short interviews with the local, national and international media and then a lengthy autograph session. Once everyone else other than the Pack had departed the Trio of young gargoyles cautiously approached their heroes who acted shocked at first but soon seemingly warmed up to their strange new fans. After Brooklyn and Broadway had gotten autographs (free of charge as Fox pointed out) Lexington lingered behind alone for several minutes. When Lexington rejoined the others on the roof a short while later he informed them of the Pack's desire to meet the rest of the Clan in person, er gargoyle, at an address they had given him tomorrow night at 9:00 pm sharp. The others were unsure of what to think or say about this proposed meeting. Brooklyn, in particular, was aghast when Lexington informed him that he had already accepted the invitation upon behalf of the entire Clan. Broadway rightly told Lexington that Goliath, Demona & Hudson would "flip their lids" when they learned what he had done. Lexington swore the other gargoyles to secrecy by saying he would broach the subject with the adults tomorrow night.

Pack Media owned warehouse the following day, dusk

"Everything is ready sir," Fox spoke into her smartphone. "Would you still prefer we capture these gargoyle freaks or destroy them instead?"

"If possible I'd prefer them alive with no lasting damage done so we can use them for experimentation purposes. However, if they should resist too greatly destroy them all with as much force as you deem necessary. Keep in mind if they do die on camera the more dramatic their demise the better. We must think of our ratings plus resale value of the resulting footage." The mystery person instructed.

"If the rest of 'em are as trusting as that little green one this should be like taking candy from a baby" Wolf laughed.

"True, he's a real nob," Hyena said laughing along with Wolf.

"The 'little green one', as far as we can tell, is the youngest, smallest and likely most inexperienced in dealing with non-gargoyles of the so-called Clan. You would best be advised not to underestimate the others' abilities based solely upon his naive actions." The mystery person warned sternly pointing a blacked out finger at Wolf for added emphasis.

"Yes, sir," Wolf said somewhat dejectedly.

"Are the recording devices positioned and ready for use?" The mystery person asked.

"Yes, they are sir," Dingo replied. "Everything is set up and ready the connections check out. All we have to do is switch over from internal to external broadcast on our, when ready."

"Excellent, I'll see you five on the other side, happy hunting." The mystery person said his or her image blinked out of existence an instant later.

"Pompous trumped up twerp," Wolf muttered barely under his breath.

"Best not let our benefactor hear you say that or else you'll be wearing your intestines as a scarf. I hear he is a real bad ass." Jackal laughed Hyena joined in. Wolf gritted his teeth but said no more.

Castle Wyvern high atop the Eyrie Building

"The three of you allowed this Pack to see you, why!?" asked a flabbergasted Goliath. He was taken aback by the revelation he had just heard from Lexington.

"Because we cannot hide from the world forever. Deoman let Elisa see her." Lexington offered defiantly.

"That was different," Demona said. "I had no choice she surprised me! What else could I have done?" Nearby Elisa flinched at the traumatic memory of nearly falling to her death.

"Besides the Pack are good people," Lexington said.

"You don't know that, Lexington, not with any degree of certainty," Elisa said.

"They were kind to us. Gave us their autographs free of charge and everything." Broadway pointed out.

"That is irrelevant!" Goliath fired back. "They are actors on a Television show. They are no different than the traveling troops who use to put on stage plays for the Prince in our own time. They are playing characters. We have no way of knowing their true nature or intentions towards us."

"You don't trust our judgment because we are not full adults. Admit it!" Lexington challenged. "I bet if it were Hudson or Demona who made contact with the Pack rather than me we wouldn't be having this debate! Well, I don't care what you say! I will not break my word! I'll meet with them tonight even if I have to do it alone!"

"Lexington lad what has gotten into ye?" Hudson asked startled by the youngster sudden show of disrespect. "This is nay way to talk with yer elders and Clan Leader." Broadway and Brooklyn each gasped shocked by Lexington's behavior.

"I don't care! I'm going and that's final!" Lexington said making ready to stomp out of the living area in dramatic fashion.

"Fine," Demona sighed. "If you must go I'll accompany you. There is no need to place the entire Clan in jeopardy until we determine the true intentions of this Pack. If they are indeed honorable the others can come later." She could tell Goliath wasn't about to go and Lexington wasn't going to back down. She swore at times her mate could be such a hatchling.

"Are you sure my angel of the night?" Goliath asked.

"Yes," Demona said simply.

"Alright," Lexington said. "That sounds fair, lets' go." Demona exited the living area. She then followed Lexington off into the night. The others told both gargoyles to be careful and wished them a safe and speedy return.

Pack Media owned warehouse, 9:00 pm

"Hello?" Lexington said. He and Demona had entered the warehouse moments ago via a conveniently open skylight. "Is anyone here? We came like I promised we would."

The entire structure remained dark and silent. There didn't seem to be anyone around. Without warning a series of floodlights illuminated the entire room temporarily blinding the two gargoyles' sensitive eyes.

"You said you'd bring your entire Clan. While we are flattered you want to introduce us to your mom, where are the others?" Fox's voice boomed over some type of PA system the other pack members were heard laughing at her words in the background. "There were more of you here last night. Where are they?"

"Don't worry they'll be along soon," Lexington said no longer blinking his eyesight restored.

"I guess we'll have to make do with the two of you, for the time being, roll 'em," Fox said.

Fox alongside the other Pack members seemingly appeared out of nowhere. They advanced toward the two gargoyles each held a weapon in their hands. The weapons ranged from swords to clubs to maces.

"Greetings viewers from around the country and across the globe, tonight we the Pack eliminate the latest threat to public safety in New York City. The super criminals called the Gargoyles!" Jackal announced then added with a terrible laugh. "Smile for the cameras monsters."

"You'll regret this betrayal, humans!" Demona warned her eyes blazing red.

"You have attacked innocent people and stolen private property monsters!" Hyena spat taking a swing at Lexington with her mace which the young gargoyle dodged. "You and your kind need to be stopped!"

"We've done no such things!" Lexington yelled his own eyes a solid white.

"Of course you didn't." Dingo taunted. "You were framed like all the other evildoers we've put away over the years."

Dingo stabbed his spear forward followed by a swing and hit on Demona by the bo staff in Jackal's hands. Demona could dodge one blow but not two near-simultaneous ones from different directions. Demona stumbled back before falling victim to a vicious hit from Wolf's studded cricket bat shaped weapon which left her stunned on the floor.

"Demona, no!" Lexington screamed his eyes glowed whiter than ever.

Thinking fast Lexington jumped into the air. He dove into one light stand and then another, followed by a third. Lexington was rewarded for his efforts by triggering a domino effect that knocked down and knocked out every light in the place. Two of the light stands fell into Hyena and Jackal knocking them off their feet. Soon the Pack found themselves in total darkness and total chaos. The two gargoyles now held the advantage. In the murky confusion that ensued Demona was able to rally. Within a short time, the pair of gargoyles used their advantage of perfect night vision to pick off the frightened Pack members one by one. The entire battle was over in a matter of seconds. Demona and Lexington left the Pack tied up with wires from their own equipment. A short time later Goliath, Broadway, and Brooklyn were shocked to find Demona and Lexington on the roof when they arrived without any major injuries. The three had seen the Pack's announcement on the TV. After a bit of explaining by both sides, the five gargoyles returned home.

Castle Wyvern high atop the Eyrie Building, near dawn

As the Sun slowly rose over the NYC skyline Lexington was feeling rather blue. Demona and Goliath approached the young gargoyle. "I'm sorry. I guess you two were right. We, I, never should have trusted them." Lexington lamented his eyes downcast.

"While we may have been right about the Pack we were wrong about us living in isolation. You were correct when you said we cannot hide from the world forever that we must live it in. We must trust at least some humans again other than the one we have already met in this strange new land." Goliath said solemnly putting a hand on Lexington's shoulder.

"Just because the Pack proved evil doesn't mean that we should stop trying to make friends and allies here. We have to take chances, but we have to take the smart chances. If something seems to good to be true, it likely is." Demona said. "In spite of what happened tonight, I'm proud of you Lex. You proved yourself a clever warrior. You saved us both when we were in a tight spot. You should be proud." Lexington smiled up at Demona. He jumped up and gave her a hug which she returned with a warm smile. The two parted as they turned to stone for the day.

Rikers Island, later that morning

"In what most are calling a publicity stunt gone wrong the stars of the popular Pack Media show the Pack were found tied up and badly beaten in one of their studio warehouses downtown after their latest TV special failed to air last night, due to and we quote 'unforeseen technical difficulties' Representatives of Pack Media Studios were unavailable for further comment," Stated the morning news anchor on the TV room set.

"Hmmm," Xanatos said sitting back in his seat. Elisa Maza had him sent to prison for receiving stolen property that bitch. 'While I would have preferred the Pack had defeated the Gargoyles it would appear my experiment wasn't a total loss. Sure, only the adolescent gargoyles fell victim to the subliminal hypnotic suggestions I had Owen plant in the Pack broadcasts rather than the entire Clan. This information may still be of use later. In the meantime, these creatures must still be brought under firm control if my other schemes are to bear fruit. Plans A and B have failed, looks like it is time we implement Plan C. I hope our next recruits fare better than did the Pack and the Steel Clan Robots."

Later in his cell using a burner phone Xanatos prepared to place a call to his co-conspirator informing that person of the Pack's failure. He knew they'd be far from pleased by the news. He'd already had a hell of a time convincing them to wait until the Pack took a crack at the problem before taking further action of their own against the gargoyles. "Can't win them all," He shrugged dialing their number.

To Be Continued

Author's Note -

And we're from the dead folks! I hope you all enjoyed this humble little chapter. I did the time skip at the start because I just could not get motivated to write the rest of "Awakening". I don't like writing more or less unaltered canon material. I made an exception here as I love the Pack and needed to establish their characters in traditional fashion. Next up lots of original content. I love me some DemonaxGoliath and can't wait to continue this story.