All the characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I'm taking the idea of the Unseelie Court from the TGS. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.

Note: I'm disregarding the events in the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. This story takes place one day after "The Second Front".

Decisions

By SN/TVfan

Email: Sam_Nary

London

"I agree with you, Arthur," Merlin said finally before the group, "I believe that this Lucius is a pawn of some sort."

"Whose pawn is he then?" Griff asked.

"I'd say Morrigan's," Macbeth said quickly, "His attacks against us and her escape with his help can not be coincidence."

"Close," Merlin sighed, "But in the grand scheme of things, Morrigan was likely not much more than a puppet either."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with the Unseelie Court, does it?" Chloe asked nervously from Macbeth's side.

The wizard nodded, "They have to be the ones behind Morrigan first monitoring us and the Lucius's appearance."

"What can we do then?" Arthur asked, "I've got a strong hunch that they wish us to stay here in London."

"We need to stop them entirely," Macbeth said firmly.

Griff and the Roman gargoyles nodded.

"I agree," Merlin sighed, "But we don't know where they're going. And in addition to that, there is another problem."

"What is it?" Leo asked curiously.

"The Grail," Merlin answered simply, "Madoc will eventually discover that the 'Grail' he used in what spell he needed it for was false. When that happens, he will either assume it was us or the Legionnaire."

"The Legionnaire has helped us," Julia commented, "He would not simply take the Grail from them for his own purposes."

"True, but the Legionnaire is tied to his religion along with the fey's Olympian Court that created him," Merlin answered, "Madoc knows this and thus knows the Grail's importance to them. And since he knows that the Legionnaire has provided aide to us, Madoc will come here searching for it."

"We do not have the ability to defend it, I wager?" Octavia said weakly.

Merlin slowly nodded, "Macbeth, Arthur, and Chloe are the only ones able to guard it twenty four hours a day, and even if we all could, I was never strong enough in magic to defeat the entire court."

"We've defeated some of them in the past," Arthur commented.

Merlin shook his head, "They may have been members of the Unseelie Court, but they were not powerful or they were not full fledged fey but merely a mortal servant or some mystical monster they had created. The Unseelie Court was also still weak and divided at that time. Recent events, however leads me to believe that Madoc has drawn the entire court together."

"Can we defeat them?" Una asked.

"Not from here," Arthur sighed in a frustrated tone, "We've already established that they have no intentions of attacking London right now."

Una sighed knowing the situation was growing further and further out of their control.

"Can we guess where they're going?" Chloe asked.

"Ultimately, Avalon," Merlin answered, "But where they're going is not what concerns us. It's what to do with the Grail. We can't defend it when they realize what went wrong and come looking for it."

"What about New York?" Griff offered, "We've been seeing all this stuff on the teley about Goliath's clan. Maybe they could guard it for us."

"Might be a good idea," Macbeth commented, rubbing his beard with one hand, "Goliath's clan is allied with David Xanatos. Between their clan and resources of one of the world's biggest corporations, I doubt that the Unseelie will have it easy against them."

"We must however be certain that we will get the Grail back," Arthur pointed out.

"Don't worry, Arthur," Merlin said, "If this 'David Xanatos' is allied with a clan of gargoyles, as we are allied with the remnants of the British and Roman clans, then I don't think that he will do anything stupid of that nature."

There was a short silence for a few moments before Merlin finally spoke again.

"Macbeth, you'd better get ready," Merlin said, "We're all going to have to make a little trip to New York."

Lucius's Headquarters, Two Hours Later

Lucius stood pondering the moment for a few moments after one of slaves had reported to him.

"It's a mansion on the north side of London," the slave repeated.

"So that's their hiding place," Lucius mused, "Who was there?"

"Everyone," the slave answered.

"Did you figure out what they were doing?" Lucius asked.

"No," the slave answered, "Do you wish me to return?"

Lucius waved his hand, "No. One of them is injured and they will be on their guard. We will go in force and find out what they're up to. If they appear off guard or look as if they're going to flee, we attack."

The slave bowed as Lucius turned to handle other matters.

Macbeth's Mansion

Griff and the other gargoyles had already gone a safe room inside the mansion to undergo their next day in stone, while Arthur and Macbeth began setting up things for the trip.

"Here's the box," Macbeth commented as he lifted a large metal box onto a table, "You can place the Grail in this."

"That thing looks awfully heavy," Arthur commented.

"I know," Macbeth retorted, "But the box is made of iron and no one will be able to tell what it is with magic."

Arthur nodded and placed the ancient cup inside the iron box. Macbeth quickly shut the lid and lifted the box again.

"I'll get this out now," Macbeth instructed, "You'd best get onto the check list to make sure the mansion is safe while we're gone."

Macbeth ran into Chloe as he made his way to the garage. The former gargoyle was carrying a duffel bag on her one good arm as she approached.

"I think I've got everything," Chloe announced.

"Good, but I think we won't be dealing with clothes right now," Macbeth commented, "I'm mostly trying to get equipment we'll need onto my jet."

"We can't wear the same stuff every day," Chloe argued, "Although for me, that would be considerably easier, since I only have one hand to use. Besides since everything is going to get packed anyway, does it really matter?"

Macbeth offered a weak smile to her, "I guess not."

Chloe smiled back and followed Macbeth.

Chloe still found the condition she found herself in somewhat difficult. Some dealt with the fact that she was human, for the time being, and not a gargoyle. Others dealt with the cast on her arm and shoulder. Many of the fine details of these facts both confused her and at the same time, frustrated her.

"How's your arm doing?" Macbeth asked as they walked.

"It's as good as it can be, considering what's all happened to it," Chloe answered as she tossed her duffel bag through the car's open window and onto the passenger seat and then hurried to open the car's trunk.

"When are we going to leave?" Chloe asked.

"Hopefully sometime after dusk," Macbeth commented, "It'd be easier than trying to transport heavy gargoyle stone statues around London."

Airfield Outside of London

Chloe stood quietly by the car while Macbeth finished lugging the equipment they had brought with them on this first trip into the airplane.

"Do you remember that cave your parents hid you in when you were a hatchling?" Macbeth asked suddenly as he approached the car.

Chloe looked at him, "Of course, why are you asking this?"

Macbeth looked to some degree very nervous, "This war with the Unseelie Court will be very dangerous, and there will be no guarantee that we will win."

The medieval king paused for a moment and placed a hand on Chloe's good shoulder, "It might be safer for you if you were to go there until it's over."

"How would I know when it's over?" Chloe asked.

"I'd come get you," Macbeth answered, "I do not wish to see you hurt."

"They've already hurt me, and if they win, I doubt that cave would be of much use," Chloe answered, "They found us and figured out what we were doing before. They'd find me eventually. Plus if they win, I doubt you'd come back. They'd learn of your immortality and hold you prisoner."

"I can not allow you to come to harm," Macbeth insisted.

Chloe looked at him intently, "What makes you think I'll come to harm if I go with you? I will not abandon you because you fear I'll get hurt. You could get hurt too, you know."

Macbeth looked down, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll try not to," Chloe answered, "But I won't hide in a cave because something could be dangerous or because of what's happened."

"You're a very brave woman, Chloe," was all Macbeth said to her.

Lucius's Headquarters

Lucius stood before his assembled legions. Thanks to his brief journey beyond London and Garlon and Morrigan's work in London had rebuilt his numbers.

"From what we know, Pendragon and Macbeth are apparently trying to flee before us!" Lucius said confidently, "We must prepare to attack them before they can leave. If they leave, they may return stronger."

"Let's go attack his mansion then," one of the men that Morrigan and Garlon hired shouted in an enthusiastic voice.

"Let's not be hasty," Lucius said carefully, "Your rashness lead to your earlier defeat at the hands of Macbeth and the gargoyles."

Lucius muttered quietly to himself that it was also partially Garlon and Morrigan's fault getting them drunk before hand.

The Mansion

"Is everything ready?" Arthur asked as he strapped Excalibur to his back.

Chloe nodded, "Everything but sunset."

Arthur looked out the windows to see that the sun was still sitting above the horizon give a clear sign that the gargoyle had not yet awakened for the night.

"Where's Macbeth?" the Once and Future King asked looking around.

"He's gone ahead," Chloe answered, "We'll head out to the airfield once the clan's woke up."

Outside the house, Lucius watched as the sun set.

"What do you mean he's not there?" Lucius asked to the slave that had just reported back what he had heard from spying through the windows.

"Macbeth is not there," the slave said again.

Lucius growled and looked up to see the gargoyles carrying Arthur and a woman with one arm in a cast depart from the house.

"They're leaving too," Lucius mused, "Probably going to join with Macbeth. Come slaves. We will follow them. They mustn't get away!"

The gathered slaves nodded in obedience and followed Lucius.

Airfield

They set down somewhat nervously in front of Macbeth's mini-jet. The immortal Scottish King was waiting for them.

"Are you ready?" Macbeth asked.

Griff nodded as helped Chloe into the jet, "Yeah but I got a bad feeling about all this. What about this Lucius guy? If we leave, who will protect London from him? And why isn't he making our departure hard?"

Almost at that moment, Lucius's slaves appeared at the edge of the airfield. The newer ones who were armed with laser weapons began firing on the jet. Those armed with metal spears and swords moved behind them.

"Me and my big beak," Griff grumbled.

"Forget that," Arthur told him, "All we need to do is buy time for Macbeth to get the plane started.

Arthur was about to pull Excalibur from its scabbard when Macbeth tossed him one of his electric gun blasters.

"It doesn't take that long," Macbeth said, "Besides, that sword won't don't much against those with guns."

Julia and Octavia had already dived into the fray, by rushing the first set of Lucius's slaves before they had a chance to fire their weapons. The two Roman gargoyles easily tossed the men into their comrades, making it impossible for them to attack the two gargoyles.

Arthur added to the slave's confusion by firing a series of quick shots into other groups of slaves. Several fell unconscious while the others turned their fire toward Arthur and ignored Julia and Octavia.

Lucius watching the battle noticed that many of the slaves were beginning to focus on Pendragon.

"No!" Lucius roared, pulling out his sword, "Pendragon is mine. Deal with the gargoyles."

The other slaves turned to face the other three gargoyles coming to the aide of their allies. Lucius barely noticed a blue griffon-like gargoyle climb onto the roof of the jet. Lucius charged Arthur with his sword outstretched and attempted to hack his way through the Once and Future king. Arthur, still holding the electric blaster dodged Lucius's efforts and fired the weapon into the insane man's side. Lucius screamed with pain as the electricity forced him to the ground.

Merlin meanwhile viewed the battle from the roof of the jet. Julia and Octavia had charged straight through the center of Lucius's center. Arthur was locked in a one on one duel with Lucius. Leo and Una were grappling with a series of Lucius's most basic slaves while Griff was trying to get to the two Roman gargoyles.

"I think it's time we leveled the playing field," Merlin chuckled as he raised his hands.

The wizard chanted a quick sleeping spell and aimed it at a cluster of slaves that were beginning to surround Leo and Una. The unicorn-like female gargoyle couldn't help but smile as the attacking slaves suddenly fell unconscious.

"Serves 'em right," Leo commented beside her, "Attacking people who are friends with a sorcerer."

Macbeth hurried with multiple dials as the battle progressed outside the aircraft. A good part of him wanted to do battle himself with these people, that would leave Chloe alone in the plane, and she could neither defend herself nor pilot the aircraft. He smiled as he heard the engines roar to life.

"Chloe, call Merlin in," Macbeth told her, "The plane can take off vertically. We'll pick up the others one by one."

Lucius looked up from his battle with Arthur, who had found the time to draw Excalibur, to see the blue gargoyle retreat into the jet and soon after to see the jet rise into the air.

"NO!" Lucius yelled, "Shoot them down! They can't get away!"

Lucius couldn't do more as Arthur thrust the enchanted broadsword at Lucius's waist, forcing the insane man to dodge and block the blow with his own sword.

"Worry about your own fight," Arthur challenged.

A group of Lucius's slaves had managed to push Griff toward the chain-link fence that surrounded the small airfield. The griffon-like gargoyle would beat any that dared try to close with him, but there were still many and armed with spears and swords. Most of the slaves that were armed with laser weapons earlier had now discarded them as he and the other gargoyles brought the battle to close quarters.

"Give up, freak?" one man taunted as he trust his long metal spear out.

Griff angled his body so that the spear would go by him and simply grabbed it and threw the man into the air over the fence.

"No," Griff answered with a slight chuckle.

Griff then swung the end of the spear and knocked the rest of Lucius's slaves to the ground. He was about to charge toward Octavia and Julia's position and help them out when Macbeth's jet dropped in front of him at eye level. Merlin stood at its open door with an arm outstretched toward him.

"Time to go," Merlin chuckled to him as Griff took the wizard's hand.

Once Julia and Octavia made their way through the first few groups of Lucius's slaves, they once again found themselves in a relatively situation. While Lucius's slaves were well armed, they had no training, and their past experiences didn't seem to teach them much, either. Two rushed at them with swords drawn and screaming wildly. Octavia sidestepped and tripped one, while Julia leaped over the other. Octavia had just finished off another of Lucius's slaves as Macbeth's jet rushed in front of her.

"We're ready," Merlin said from the door.

Lucius's overall situation was getting more and more difficult. Nearly three fourths of his slaves were out cold, and none of the ones that were awake had any laser weapons and were clumsily trying to attack Leo and Una with metal spears and swords. Without the small spaces of hallways and rooms of the old shop, the two English gargoyles now had full room to maneuver out of the slave's attacks and launch their own strikes. Una herself had used her sleep spell on several of the slaves, while Leo relied on using the slaves' own attacks against them.

"We need to help Arthur!" Una exclaimed, glancing toward the Once and Future King.

"We got to get rid of these guys first," Leo growled in a frustrated tone.

Macbeth's jet then blocked his path.

"This way is quicker," Merlin chuckled from the door as some of the slaves on the other side tried in vain to break into the jet.

Una and Leo nodded to each other and hopped into the aircraft.

The sword fight between Arthur and Lucius had now begun to truly get out of hand for Arthur. Deprived of attacking Arthur's gargoyle allies, Lucius's remaining slaves now moved on Arthur. The former King of Britain was forced now into trying to dodge his opponents, rather than fight them. There were simply too many.

"Have you ever heard the expression 'fair fight'?" Arthur questioned.

"Never cared for it," Lucius smiled as he raised his arm to attack Arthur again.

Arthur moved to block Lucius's attack quickly when Macbeth's jet, coming at almost full speed, knocked Lucius senseless.

"So I guess you don't mind being knocked out by a jet that you can't damage?" Merlin mused as he pulled his former pupil into the plane.

"I never thought you were one to make jokes," Arthur commented.

"You learn things with over a thousand years experience," Merlin shrugged of, "And now we've got to make sure the Grail is safe before the Earth loses its next thousand years."

Arthur nodded and pushed the door shut, while Macbeth in the cockpit of the jet began to raise the plane's altitude and speed.

Lucius woke half an hour later to find Maddox standing above him.

"Pendragon and his companions have left London," Maddox said in a cold tone, "And you have failed me."

"I tried to stop them," Lucius answered with a false sense of confidence, "Even Rome lost a battle or two."

"And it fell as a result," Maddox answered, "I will not allow failure. You have proven to be a great disappointment to me."

"You've always sounded confident of beating Macbeth and Pendragon," Lucius argued.

"Ability and strategy are completely different," Maddox said coldly, "I did not wish to deal with Arthur and Macbeth at this time because while Arthur and the gargoyles are mortal, Merlin is immortal so long as he isn't exposed to iron and Macbeth is immortal so long as he doesn't kill or is killed by Demona. Defeating them in alliance will require some trickery. Trickery that will require no interference from the Manhattan Clan. Now I have to change my plans."

"You don't know they're going to Manhattan," Lucius argued.

"They are flying west," Maddox answered, "And along a route that goes to Manhattan, not any of America's other major cities. They also know of the Unseelie Court and I have no doubts that they may have somehow gained knowledge of my plans while they held the Morrigan captive when you failed to free her in a timely manner."

Lucius began to lose some of his courage.

"I can not simply kill you or your 'slaves' because you can still be of use to me," Maddox continued, "But I'm afraid your freewill will have to suffer."

To be continued in my current Gargoyles saga…

NOTE: This isn't the end of my Macbeth/Pendragon spin-off. However, with the events of this installment, it seems silly to have two sagas running while the characters from each are in the same place.