Chapter I

Previously on Gargoyles:

FEAR: Goliath: Brooklyn befriended a human female however I feel that in someway he is attracted to her. Rushing into things and being very protective. He denies any suggestions and I have no intension of prying by after I had tested him under pressure I may have done more harm than good while during his test his friend was attacked. He now blames me and has suffered a bad wound after aiding Broadway's life. I have a feeling though that the true test for my second in command is coming very soon and will have devastating results on us all...

The sun set and as usual we awoke to find Elisa standing behind us. Goliath as normal greeted her first

"It is a pleasant sight to see you Elisa," he said "Yeah well its great to wait up for a friend. Thought we could catch a movie," she said smiling "A movie?" he repeated

I smirked Goliath was not one to enjoy this periods entertainment to the extent that my rookery brothers and I did and I didn't care. It had been two weeks since Broadway had broken my wing and it still stung with pain that really shot through me when I spread them as I as usual began to stretch all the muscles in my body.

"How are you Brooklyn" I hear Angela ask "Fine" I said coldly as every night it was always how was I and I was sick of it made me feel like a hatchling "You do not have to say it in that tone of voice Brooklyn" Broadway bellowed at me "Well it is the only way people seem to understand" I fought back not really thinking what I was saying "Stop treating me like I am a hatchling I can glide with it can't I" "Aye but every time ya do I see the painful expression on your face lad" I heard Hudson say "If it still hurts after so many weeks you should see a doctor" Elisa suggested. I simply turned with a go away look written on my face that made Goliath notice me "I have read from magazines and books that doctors can use foreign objects to aid the healing process of broken or damaged joints" He told me "I don't care I don't want to see a doctor. I am a Gargoyle and it maybe stiff and sore but I will heal" I told him "So you admit it hurts" Angela said "Why is it you are the first to mix my words do you have a listening problem?" I said getting very frustrated "You got an attitude problem Brooklyn" was Broadways response to stand up to me I grinned and replied "If it wasn't for you I'd never have broken my talon in the first place" "That is enough" Goliath bellowed from behind. Taking the opportunity I leapt to the battlements "Brooklyn wait" he said "Why so I can be harassed I don't think so" I replied and took off feeling a pain like needle feeling in my talon

"He needs medical attention if he keeps pushing himself he may loose the ability to glide altogether" Angela said as she looked at Goliath "We need to show him that he can't lie to himself and that sooner or later he is going to have an accident" Lexington spoke up "But we cannot force him to do what he chooses not to. We have displayed our concern and he must decide whether or not to take our advise" Goliath added. "So we leave him with his broken wing?" Broadway asked "Till he swallows his pride lad" Hudson replied back "He knows that without his wings he will be defenseless and useless to us" "How can you say that Hudson" Angela said with a hint of anger in her voice "Lass Brooklyn hasn't had an easy life, he has suffered rejection from females or all sorts and the burden of second in command has forced him to grow up" he then sighed "Because of this he has only his own strength. If he looses it with news that he is not going to be able to help his clan he will suffer a traumatic time" "Then we need to show him before it is too late" Lexington replied "We have tried reason with no success. We need to show him action" Broadway replied tightening his hand into a fist "How do we do that lad?" Hudson said placing his hands on his hips "We could injure him more" "Can't we talk to Xanatos to move him during the day and when he awakens we force him to have treatment?" Lexington said stroking his chin "I do not want to force him into doing anything" Goliath said then sighed "It would drive a wedge and show that we do not trust his perspective and may drive him away from our clan" Goliath then looked into the sky "We must patrol the city. If he wishes to stand defiant then we will support him if he wants medical aid we will allow it but I will not allow him to leave our clan on the assumption that we do not trust him and have to force him against his will is that understood?" Goliath reported

The other Gargoyles and Elisa nodded and they took gliding positions as the others took off Goliath remained looking at the stars hoping one would suggest a solution to the current crisis...

I reached the Xanatos building after time to think about what the others were trying to say. As I came into a land I stretched my wings to reduce speed where I felt a sharp pain and suddenly lost attitude fast I grabbed onto the outer wall with only inches to spare and climbed to the top where Lexington was there looking at me with a caring look on his face

"I saw what happened then Brooklyn. You are lying about being able to glide aren't you" he said "No I just hit a air pocket or something" I replied not wanting him to say I told you so "Will you please see Xanato's doctor he knows of us and said he is always willing to help if we..." "NO" I shouted at him seeing fear strike his eyes. "Your as bad as our so called leader" I spurted out "What does that mean" I heard him say as I turned my back to him "It means what kind of leader is reckless enough to abandon his clan in a time of need where people need protecting" "You mean you wanted to help Alena and he disappeared" "This has nothing to do with it" I grunted at him "To hell it doesn't you blame him for her attack" "Why would I hold a grudge for the sake of one person it isn't like me Lex" "Your right" He said, finally I had won an argument but then he spouted out something unexpected "It is one person to us but is more to you cause you love her" "Love, she is a human I'm a Gargoyle" I said "Well you aren't an ugly one. Most would run but she would trust he life with you and you like the feeling" "And that is your basis for love" I questioned "No" he replied "But it is the truth and you can lie to me but not yourself" "Whatever" was the best I could come up with as I thought that maybe he was right

Then Goliath and Hudson landed as the sky started to change lighter to signify that the sun was on its way

"How, no never mind" Goliath started "I am glad you are safe" this response came as a shock to me as I was expecting the argument from earlier to pick off where I had ended it.

Angela with Broadway returned and Angela looked at me sympathetically

"Is it causing problems" Angela asked "No" was my response "So how come it is bleeding?" Broadway asked me

I looked and saw that it was and I never noticed. I tried to cover it up but Goliath had turned his attention to me

"Let me see" was his response as he tried to take hold off my bloody wing

I hissed and jetted back a step and felt full of rage to the point where my predator instincts cut in and I knew my eyes were glowing at him as I hissed

"Brooklyn you cannot deceive yourself like this. Swallow your pride and seek treatment before it is too late" "This is my body and when I fear for its safety then I'll act but I feel fine" I said angrily "Stop fowling yourself lad" Hudson replied "Who will protect Alena if you can't" Lexington spoke then it hit me that he was right. If my wing was damaged and may never set, my ignorance may harm Alena. "Maybe you are right" I admitted "It is a good thing to admit Brooklyn" Goliath said as I felt his hands rest on my shoulders "Will you seek treatment?" he asked

I thought about how to end all this annoyance, what would make them all keep of my back. I hated doctors, on the Television and in the newspapers there were reports of us and how people would pay handsomely for us for research and to slay us. If I was going to be defenseless what better time for someone to attack. Then who would protect Alena and other citizens of the city?

"Only on the one condition" I said after a pause "What might that be?" Goliath said smiling at me "I go alone, no one follows me to this doctor. I want to be left alone both before and after whatever is going to be done to my wing. If you do not trust me then after I am healed I am gone forever as I have tolerated you long enough" I said with a hint of hatred "There is no need for treats Brooklyn. We will all patrol tomorrow night and allow you space and time to see the doctor privately if you like" "Elisa too" I said to make sure "She is on duty for the next 3 nights she will not bother you" "Fine" I said

The heat from the sun started to warm the air as I started feeling sleepy and then everything faded to black...