Disclaimer : Gargoyles belongs to Buena Vista, not me, so don't even bother to sue - you won't get much
****If any of you have read "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty," this fanfic is paritally inspired by that story. Enjoy!"****
The pilot of the bomber plane must have thought he was well concealed among the thick clouds. He was targeting. The fighter plane whisked in and out of the clouds. The pilot knew he was showing on the bomber plane's radar, and he knew it was foolish to take on the behemoth. He had the stamps to prove how foolish, and successful, he was. Bomber planes were not fast, but they bristled with big guns, and taking one out was tricky, almost impossible.
The fighter pilot looked at his altimeter; almost high enough. He was directly above the bomber plane now. Higher and higher the small plane climbed, the propeller beginning to shriek. The plane was nearly perpendicular to the ground; the pilot was beginning to see red. His sight began to tunnel inward; just a few more seconds, he had to stay awake. A familiar pull jerked his head back. The engine sputtered, coughed, and died, and the plane hung motionless in the air for an eternal moment.
A blast of cold air hit the pilot's face; the eject button had not been hart to find. It was always in the same place on the fighter planes. The parachute opened automatically, but the pilot severed the cords with his knife. Tucking himself into a ball, he fell, faster and faster, past his kamikaze plane, past the frantic crew of the bomber, past the thick line of clouds. Down, down, below the explosions and gunfire. Finally, the pilot reached back, grabbed the cord of his extra parachute, and pulled. The cute opened with a resounding pop, yanking the pilot upward. He knew his landing would be rough, and if he was lucky, he would blow away from the crashing planes. He looked up just in time to see a huge propeller bearing down on him -
"BROOKLYN!!"
Brooklyn sat up quickly, blinking his eyes.
"Wha..." He looked around to identify the source of the bellow.
"Have you been listening to me at all?" Goliath was towering over him. "Well?"
"Of-of course I've been listening...sir," Brooklyn muttered. Goliath grunted and moved his face nearer to Brooklyn's beak.
"If you were truly listening, perhaps you would like to tell me what your assignment is for this evening?"
"Um, yes..of course. I'm supposed to...to guard the cas..."
"No," Goliath interrupted, "You will be patrolling with me tonight. And I suggest you listen the next time I give orders."
"Yes, sir," Brooklyn replied meekly.
* * *
All these shiny cars, all these bald people...so many targets. But not tonight. The pigeon wheeled about the city at a breakneck pace. He was a lean bird, more so than the rest of his family. He gaily thought of the fun he would have tonight. He always had fun, but tonight his father was with him, which would make everything even more exciting. His dad despised of teenage antics, and it was a thrill to defy him, especially when he was around.
The pigeon looked back at his father. He was a massive bird, with a stern look on his face that seemed perpetual to the young fledgeling. He almost squealed in anticipation.
His opportunity came as they passed a large building; it had many edges jutting out into space, and the pigeon knew it was time to act. Whipping behind one of the edges, the young pigeon began to shriek. His father, who had passed the building already, turned around sharply.
"Help me father, please! A cat's got me!" The elder pigeon rushed toward the building. His stern expression quickly changed to one of concern. His son was in danger. Snickering, the young pigeon held his ground. Boy will daddy be angry when he finds his son safe and sound -
"Brooklyn, what are you doing? Get out of there!" Laughing, Brooklyn pushed his way out of the crevasse he had been hiding in.
"You thought I was in trouble, didn't you, dad?" Brooklyn flitted about Goliath happily, giggling.
"What has gotten into you?"
"I fooled you! Ha ha!"
"Brooklyn, stop this madness!"
"Madness?" Brooklyn looked at Goliath and lowered his eyes. "What madness? What are you talking about, Goliath?" Brooklyn dropped below Goliath and headed for a rooftop. Frowning, Goliath followed after him.
"What is all this, Brooklyn?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"The way you've been acting lately; explain it."
"How have I been acting?"
Goliath's frustration was beginning to mount, Brooklyn could see it in his eyes.
What am I supposed to tell Goliath anyway? Brooklyn thought. That sometimes I'm an ace fighter pilot in World War 2, or a pigeon? That I'm crazy? I'm not crazy! I'm just tired...I've been really stressed lately, that's all...
Brooklyn began to pant. He looked at Goliath, but he was nothing more than a lavender blur. The sweat that had been blinding him slowly seeped past his nose into his beak, only to be replaced with more. Brooklyn's breathing became more shallow, and he could feel the tendrils of panic begin to work their way through him, tearing apart his insides.
Releasing a ferocious shriek, Brooklyn launched himself from the rooftop into the cool night air. Goliath stared at him a moment in shock, and leapt off the building in pursuit.
"WAIT!" Brooklyn barely heard the bellow; the pounding of his heart was almost deafening. He flapped his wings, trying to gain speed; he had to escape. He knew it was only Goliath behind him, trying to calm him down. Goliath was too big to catch him. Brooklyn, swiftly darting between buildings, lost him in a matter of minutes. As he settled down behind a dumpster to hide, he could still hear Goliath's yells, begging him to return.
* * *
Brooklyn shifted his weight from one taloned foot to the other; this was certainly not the best perch he had ever found. Brooklyn sighed. He knew he was in for a scolding when he returned home tomorrow night. He was late tonight, of course, but he was not worried about that; everyone loses track of the time. Lex had probably already told Goliath about what had happened. Brooklyn frowned. Once everyone had doted on him for returning home alive, he was sure to get a lecture. Brooklyn looked at the sky; dawn was fast approaching. Oh well, he thought, at least right now I can get some sleep.
* * *
Brooklyn shivered. Why was he remembering that night? The dumpster he was hiding behind was beginning to smell terribly, but he was reluctant to leave his hiding place. Sighing, Brooklyn looked up at the sky. The light of false dawn was beginning to show. He knew Goliath had given up his search by now; he was probably back at the castle talking to the others.
Brooklyn could feel the tears coming. He wanted to stop them, but he never could. It seemed as though he was crying all the time now, though no one had ever seen him; he was careful about that. Clutching the dumpster, Brooklyn closed his eyes. He could gain control; he had to. This time, he wept.
* * *
"Lex! Did you see that?" Brooklyn was practically bouncing on his perch.
"See what?"
"That black shape! It flew right past that window over there!"
"I didn't see anything!"
"Well, I did! C'mon!" Brooklyn leapt from the building. Lexington, rolling his eyes, followed suit.
Brooklyn could glide quickly, but whatever was in front of him was really fast. There was no way he could keep up. He watched as the black thing darted into an alley. He would never find it now. Brooklyn alighted on top of a building and waited for Lexington to catch up.
"Did it get away?"
"So, you saw it, huh?"
"Yeah, I saw it. That thing was FAST!"
"It had to be a gargoyle."
"Gargoyles can't fly that fast!"
"It had wings! What else coul..." An agonized shriek cut Brooklyn short.
"What was that?" Lexington's eyes were bigger than usual.
"It came from the alley! Something must be attacking that gargoyle!" Brooklyn jumped from the building and glided into the alley.
"Brooklyn...wait!" Lexington sighed. His rookery brother was rarely this foolish. Jumping from the building, Lexington followed Brooklyn once again.
* * *
"Damn it all!" Brooklyn yelled, wiping away his tears. He knew why he was so crazy; it was because of that night. He never should have gone into that blasted alley. Lex had been right to try to stop him, and he had been right to run away. Brooklyn knew he should have fled, but he also knew there was no way he could have. Not after what happened...
* * *
"Get away from me!"
"Never! You're mine!" Brooklyn recognized the second voice all too well, and he knew he was rushing in like an idiot, but he did not care.
"DEMONA!" He shrieked. Two faces gazed at him from the darkness.
"I don't have time for your meddling, gargoyle!" Demona shrieked at him. Brooklyn tackled her, but before he could sink his claws into her face, a bolt of blue energy shot from her hand into his stomach. Brooklyn was thrown back, howling in pain.
"Magic! Damn your sorcery!" Brooklyn yelled. He gasped as blue tentacles burrowed into his stomach, sizzling with white hot fire.
Lexington watched from just outside the alley. He was terrified. He knew he should be helping his brother, but there was nothing he could do. Brooklyn was being engulfed in a magical fire. Lexington knew if he came too close he would get blasted too. He had to get help. That was the only solution. Lexington, finally decisive, climbed up the building and took off into the night.
Brooklyn was writhing in pain. The fire in his stomach was beginning to spread, and though he could tell that he was not actually being burned, the pain was horrific. He looked around to see if Demona was near, but she was moving towards a black shape in the back of the alley.
"I knew you wouldn't run away. You want to help that beast over there." Demona glanced back at Brooklyn.
"He's your enemy, and that means he's on my side," the dark shape hissed.
"No one is on your side, monster!" Demona lifted her hand and began an incantation. The creature snarled and ran towards Brooklyn. He was barely conscious of two small clawed hands grabbing his shoulders. White fire crackled and popped the moment they touched him. In that same instant, Demona cast her spell. Brooklyn and the creature were engulfed in green and white fire. Shrieking, the creature lifted Brooklyn over it's shoulder and fled the alley.
"COME BACK HERE! I COMMAND YOU!" Demona was yelling. Her spell was supposed to bring the creature under her will. Instead, it was escaping, taking Brooklyn with it.
"Dammit!" Demona bellowed. She was tired; she had used up much of her strength in that last spell. Scowling, Demona headed deeper into the alley. Her plans had failed tonight, but there was always time.
* * *
Brooklyn groaned and opened his eyes. His claws had left long gashes in the dumpster. Brooklyn could see several tiny eyes peering out at him from the holes. Rats. Just what he wanted to deal with right now. Brooklyn snarled at the vermin, showing them his huge teeth. The rats scuttled away at the sound, leaving Brooklyn alone once again. Brooklyn looked eastward; the sun was rising. Instinct told him to pose. He knew deep inside he should be preparing for sleep. Common sense told him otherwise. He knew what would happen when the sun rose.
* * *
"Where am I?" Brooklyn groaned. He gazed at his surroundings curiously. He appeared to be in an apartment, and it was extremely shabby. The couch he was resting on was filled with slashes; he was covered with it's stuffing. The window had no glass, and in front of the couch was a small dresser with no drawers. Brooklyn could see nothing else from where he was situated, and he was reluctant to move. His stomach felt like it had a million needles sticking out of it.
"How are you feeling?" A soft voice asked from behind the couch. Brooklyn sat up quickly in his surprise, immediately regretting his movement. Groaning, he settled himself back on the couch.
"Are you thirsty?" A small female gargoyle stepped into Brooklyn's field of vision.
"I..I..I..." Brooklyn was agape. He had known the voice was female, but a female gargoyle? Stammering, Brooklyn looked at her closely. Her face was that of a fox; her large ears surrounded by a wild mane of wavy black hair. The rest of her body was covered in jet black fur, even her wings. Noticing his scrutiny, the small gargoyle backed into a shadowy corner. Brooklyn almost lost sight of her, so well did she blend into the darkness.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," Brooklyn said quietly, "I'm just not used to seeing gargoyles I don't know."
"It's ok," she replyed meekly, "I'm not used to being looked at. But please, don't call me a gargoyle." Brooklyn was surprised by this.
"What should I call you?"
"Monster."
"What? You don't look like a monster to me."
"Looks can be deceiving."
Brooklyn was unsure what to do. He knew she had to be the black shape in the alley. He could vaguely remember her picking him up and running from Demona, though he wondered how such a small creature could heft his bulk so easily.
"Look, I'm sorry if I scared you a moment ago," Brooklyn said, "My name is Brooklyn. What's yours?"
"I don't have a name," she replyed.
"Oh, everyone has a name."
"I used to have a name...please, no more questions..." Brooklyn could see that her eyes were beginning to glisten with unshed tears. He decided to change his strategy.
"I want to thank you for saving me in the alley. I rushed into that battle like an idiot."
"Demona is your enemy. I had to help you."
"Yes, she is definitely my enemy." Brooklyn sighed. His stomach pain was beginning to subside, and dawn was fast approaching. He hated to leave this mysterious gargoyle, but there was no telling whether or not she would turn to stone when he did. He was not willing to take any chances, with all the sorcery he had seen in his short life.
"I have to leave for now, but if you want, I can come back again," Brooklyn said softly.
"I..I..don't know if you should..." she stammered. Brooklyn smiled.
"My lady, you couldn't keep me from here if you wanted to...you saved my life, and you can't expect me to just go away forever without at least knowing your name." With that, Brooklyn grinned at her and jumped from the window. The black gargoyle walked up to the window and sighed, letting the tears flow freely.
"I have a name, but you don't want to know it, Brooklyn. You don't want to know me..."
* * *
Yes, that was the night all this crap started, Brooklyn thought, looking into the sky with contempt, and I haven't seen you since. Brooklyn squinted his eyes at the sun, wishing for the millionth time that he would just go to sleep. He needed to rest, and he had no idea why he could not. It was making him crazy; he knew it was. He was also going crazy trying to find that girl. It was not her fault he was like this, but he was willing to bet that she knew why he could not sleep.
Brooklyn stood up and stretched. He was tired of the damn dumpster, and he was done crying. It was time to start his daily search for the fox-gargoyle. But what if she sleeps, just like any other gargoyle? Brooklyn's mind told him every day. But he knew he had seen her during the day; that black shape behind the sign, that shadow jumping into a window...
* * *
Brooklyn walked about the city, just as he did every day. It was dangerous for him to do in broad daylight, so he was forced to remain in alleys, constantly ducking into the shadows. His next stop would be her apartment. She was never there; he had been countless times searching for her.
Brooklyn climbed up the building. The apartment was on the top floor, but it was not a difficult climb for him. Suddenly, the brick began to shake beneath his claws. Looking up, he could see smoke billowing out of the apartment he was climbing to. Another explosion rocked the building, and Brooklyn took to the air. He no longer cared if anyone saw him. Something was going on up there, and his gargoyle was in the middle of it.
* * *
"This is it monster! I will get you today!"
"Never, demon!" The creature shrieked. Demona lifted her laser and fired once again, this time hitting her target in the stomach, doubling her over.
"My spell will work this time! You will be mine once again!" Demona lifted her hands and began her spell. A loud roar broke her concentration, and she had just enough time to see Brooklyn bearing down on her.
"NO! Why are you awake???" Demona shrieked, but she was caught off balance. She could not reach her laser in time, and with her spell shattered, she had no time to summon another. Brooklyn hit Demona with all his strength, and sent her sprawling. Her head slammed into the wall, knocking her partially unconscious. Brooklyn saw his chance and ran towards the black gargoyle. She had a horrible wound in her stomach from the laser, and Brooklyn was afraid to move her, even though he knew they had to escape.
"It's ok!" She rasped, "You can pick me up...we have...to...get...out of here!" Brooklyn did as he was told, and hefted her gently into his arms. She was incredibly light, and Brooklyn wondered how such a small creature could take such physical punishment. Banishing his thoughts, Brooklyn leapt from the window, fleeing the smoking apartment. He could only pray that Demona was still knocked out.
"Where..are...you...taking...me?" The black gargoyle rasped.
"I'm not sure. You need medical attention."
"I'll..be..fine! I just need..time..to heal."
"I'm taking you back to my home. My friends will be able to help you."
"NO! You can't!" The small gargoyle gasped.
"They won't hurt you, I promise."
"My name is Leah." Brooklyn stared at her.
"I thought you said you didn't have a name."
"That... was... my name, before.." She stopped.
"Before what?"
"I..can't..."
"It's ok, you need to rest now. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you..." Brooklyn could feel Leah relax in his arms. He could tell she still did not trust him completely, but she was letting him take her back to the castle. That was good enough for him. He had many questions to ask her, but at the moment, he just wanted to be home.
****If any of you have read "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty," this fanfic is paritally inspired by that story. Enjoy!"****
The pilot of the bomber plane must have thought he was well concealed among the thick clouds. He was targeting. The fighter plane whisked in and out of the clouds. The pilot knew he was showing on the bomber plane's radar, and he knew it was foolish to take on the behemoth. He had the stamps to prove how foolish, and successful, he was. Bomber planes were not fast, but they bristled with big guns, and taking one out was tricky, almost impossible.
The fighter pilot looked at his altimeter; almost high enough. He was directly above the bomber plane now. Higher and higher the small plane climbed, the propeller beginning to shriek. The plane was nearly perpendicular to the ground; the pilot was beginning to see red. His sight began to tunnel inward; just a few more seconds, he had to stay awake. A familiar pull jerked his head back. The engine sputtered, coughed, and died, and the plane hung motionless in the air for an eternal moment.
A blast of cold air hit the pilot's face; the eject button had not been hart to find. It was always in the same place on the fighter planes. The parachute opened automatically, but the pilot severed the cords with his knife. Tucking himself into a ball, he fell, faster and faster, past his kamikaze plane, past the frantic crew of the bomber, past the thick line of clouds. Down, down, below the explosions and gunfire. Finally, the pilot reached back, grabbed the cord of his extra parachute, and pulled. The cute opened with a resounding pop, yanking the pilot upward. He knew his landing would be rough, and if he was lucky, he would blow away from the crashing planes. He looked up just in time to see a huge propeller bearing down on him -
"BROOKLYN!!"
Brooklyn sat up quickly, blinking his eyes.
"Wha..." He looked around to identify the source of the bellow.
"Have you been listening to me at all?" Goliath was towering over him. "Well?"
"Of-of course I've been listening...sir," Brooklyn muttered. Goliath grunted and moved his face nearer to Brooklyn's beak.
"If you were truly listening, perhaps you would like to tell me what your assignment is for this evening?"
"Um, yes..of course. I'm supposed to...to guard the cas..."
"No," Goliath interrupted, "You will be patrolling with me tonight. And I suggest you listen the next time I give orders."
"Yes, sir," Brooklyn replied meekly.
* * *
All these shiny cars, all these bald people...so many targets. But not tonight. The pigeon wheeled about the city at a breakneck pace. He was a lean bird, more so than the rest of his family. He gaily thought of the fun he would have tonight. He always had fun, but tonight his father was with him, which would make everything even more exciting. His dad despised of teenage antics, and it was a thrill to defy him, especially when he was around.
The pigeon looked back at his father. He was a massive bird, with a stern look on his face that seemed perpetual to the young fledgeling. He almost squealed in anticipation.
His opportunity came as they passed a large building; it had many edges jutting out into space, and the pigeon knew it was time to act. Whipping behind one of the edges, the young pigeon began to shriek. His father, who had passed the building already, turned around sharply.
"Help me father, please! A cat's got me!" The elder pigeon rushed toward the building. His stern expression quickly changed to one of concern. His son was in danger. Snickering, the young pigeon held his ground. Boy will daddy be angry when he finds his son safe and sound -
"Brooklyn, what are you doing? Get out of there!" Laughing, Brooklyn pushed his way out of the crevasse he had been hiding in.
"You thought I was in trouble, didn't you, dad?" Brooklyn flitted about Goliath happily, giggling.
"What has gotten into you?"
"I fooled you! Ha ha!"
"Brooklyn, stop this madness!"
"Madness?" Brooklyn looked at Goliath and lowered his eyes. "What madness? What are you talking about, Goliath?" Brooklyn dropped below Goliath and headed for a rooftop. Frowning, Goliath followed after him.
"What is all this, Brooklyn?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"The way you've been acting lately; explain it."
"How have I been acting?"
Goliath's frustration was beginning to mount, Brooklyn could see it in his eyes.
What am I supposed to tell Goliath anyway? Brooklyn thought. That sometimes I'm an ace fighter pilot in World War 2, or a pigeon? That I'm crazy? I'm not crazy! I'm just tired...I've been really stressed lately, that's all...
Brooklyn began to pant. He looked at Goliath, but he was nothing more than a lavender blur. The sweat that had been blinding him slowly seeped past his nose into his beak, only to be replaced with more. Brooklyn's breathing became more shallow, and he could feel the tendrils of panic begin to work their way through him, tearing apart his insides.
Releasing a ferocious shriek, Brooklyn launched himself from the rooftop into the cool night air. Goliath stared at him a moment in shock, and leapt off the building in pursuit.
"WAIT!" Brooklyn barely heard the bellow; the pounding of his heart was almost deafening. He flapped his wings, trying to gain speed; he had to escape. He knew it was only Goliath behind him, trying to calm him down. Goliath was too big to catch him. Brooklyn, swiftly darting between buildings, lost him in a matter of minutes. As he settled down behind a dumpster to hide, he could still hear Goliath's yells, begging him to return.
* * *
Brooklyn shifted his weight from one taloned foot to the other; this was certainly not the best perch he had ever found. Brooklyn sighed. He knew he was in for a scolding when he returned home tomorrow night. He was late tonight, of course, but he was not worried about that; everyone loses track of the time. Lex had probably already told Goliath about what had happened. Brooklyn frowned. Once everyone had doted on him for returning home alive, he was sure to get a lecture. Brooklyn looked at the sky; dawn was fast approaching. Oh well, he thought, at least right now I can get some sleep.
* * *
Brooklyn shivered. Why was he remembering that night? The dumpster he was hiding behind was beginning to smell terribly, but he was reluctant to leave his hiding place. Sighing, Brooklyn looked up at the sky. The light of false dawn was beginning to show. He knew Goliath had given up his search by now; he was probably back at the castle talking to the others.
Brooklyn could feel the tears coming. He wanted to stop them, but he never could. It seemed as though he was crying all the time now, though no one had ever seen him; he was careful about that. Clutching the dumpster, Brooklyn closed his eyes. He could gain control; he had to. This time, he wept.
* * *
"Lex! Did you see that?" Brooklyn was practically bouncing on his perch.
"See what?"
"That black shape! It flew right past that window over there!"
"I didn't see anything!"
"Well, I did! C'mon!" Brooklyn leapt from the building. Lexington, rolling his eyes, followed suit.
Brooklyn could glide quickly, but whatever was in front of him was really fast. There was no way he could keep up. He watched as the black thing darted into an alley. He would never find it now. Brooklyn alighted on top of a building and waited for Lexington to catch up.
"Did it get away?"
"So, you saw it, huh?"
"Yeah, I saw it. That thing was FAST!"
"It had to be a gargoyle."
"Gargoyles can't fly that fast!"
"It had wings! What else coul..." An agonized shriek cut Brooklyn short.
"What was that?" Lexington's eyes were bigger than usual.
"It came from the alley! Something must be attacking that gargoyle!" Brooklyn jumped from the building and glided into the alley.
"Brooklyn...wait!" Lexington sighed. His rookery brother was rarely this foolish. Jumping from the building, Lexington followed Brooklyn once again.
* * *
"Damn it all!" Brooklyn yelled, wiping away his tears. He knew why he was so crazy; it was because of that night. He never should have gone into that blasted alley. Lex had been right to try to stop him, and he had been right to run away. Brooklyn knew he should have fled, but he also knew there was no way he could have. Not after what happened...
* * *
"Get away from me!"
"Never! You're mine!" Brooklyn recognized the second voice all too well, and he knew he was rushing in like an idiot, but he did not care.
"DEMONA!" He shrieked. Two faces gazed at him from the darkness.
"I don't have time for your meddling, gargoyle!" Demona shrieked at him. Brooklyn tackled her, but before he could sink his claws into her face, a bolt of blue energy shot from her hand into his stomach. Brooklyn was thrown back, howling in pain.
"Magic! Damn your sorcery!" Brooklyn yelled. He gasped as blue tentacles burrowed into his stomach, sizzling with white hot fire.
Lexington watched from just outside the alley. He was terrified. He knew he should be helping his brother, but there was nothing he could do. Brooklyn was being engulfed in a magical fire. Lexington knew if he came too close he would get blasted too. He had to get help. That was the only solution. Lexington, finally decisive, climbed up the building and took off into the night.
Brooklyn was writhing in pain. The fire in his stomach was beginning to spread, and though he could tell that he was not actually being burned, the pain was horrific. He looked around to see if Demona was near, but she was moving towards a black shape in the back of the alley.
"I knew you wouldn't run away. You want to help that beast over there." Demona glanced back at Brooklyn.
"He's your enemy, and that means he's on my side," the dark shape hissed.
"No one is on your side, monster!" Demona lifted her hand and began an incantation. The creature snarled and ran towards Brooklyn. He was barely conscious of two small clawed hands grabbing his shoulders. White fire crackled and popped the moment they touched him. In that same instant, Demona cast her spell. Brooklyn and the creature were engulfed in green and white fire. Shrieking, the creature lifted Brooklyn over it's shoulder and fled the alley.
"COME BACK HERE! I COMMAND YOU!" Demona was yelling. Her spell was supposed to bring the creature under her will. Instead, it was escaping, taking Brooklyn with it.
"Dammit!" Demona bellowed. She was tired; she had used up much of her strength in that last spell. Scowling, Demona headed deeper into the alley. Her plans had failed tonight, but there was always time.
* * *
Brooklyn groaned and opened his eyes. His claws had left long gashes in the dumpster. Brooklyn could see several tiny eyes peering out at him from the holes. Rats. Just what he wanted to deal with right now. Brooklyn snarled at the vermin, showing them his huge teeth. The rats scuttled away at the sound, leaving Brooklyn alone once again. Brooklyn looked eastward; the sun was rising. Instinct told him to pose. He knew deep inside he should be preparing for sleep. Common sense told him otherwise. He knew what would happen when the sun rose.
* * *
"Where am I?" Brooklyn groaned. He gazed at his surroundings curiously. He appeared to be in an apartment, and it was extremely shabby. The couch he was resting on was filled with slashes; he was covered with it's stuffing. The window had no glass, and in front of the couch was a small dresser with no drawers. Brooklyn could see nothing else from where he was situated, and he was reluctant to move. His stomach felt like it had a million needles sticking out of it.
"How are you feeling?" A soft voice asked from behind the couch. Brooklyn sat up quickly in his surprise, immediately regretting his movement. Groaning, he settled himself back on the couch.
"Are you thirsty?" A small female gargoyle stepped into Brooklyn's field of vision.
"I..I..I..." Brooklyn was agape. He had known the voice was female, but a female gargoyle? Stammering, Brooklyn looked at her closely. Her face was that of a fox; her large ears surrounded by a wild mane of wavy black hair. The rest of her body was covered in jet black fur, even her wings. Noticing his scrutiny, the small gargoyle backed into a shadowy corner. Brooklyn almost lost sight of her, so well did she blend into the darkness.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," Brooklyn said quietly, "I'm just not used to seeing gargoyles I don't know."
"It's ok," she replyed meekly, "I'm not used to being looked at. But please, don't call me a gargoyle." Brooklyn was surprised by this.
"What should I call you?"
"Monster."
"What? You don't look like a monster to me."
"Looks can be deceiving."
Brooklyn was unsure what to do. He knew she had to be the black shape in the alley. He could vaguely remember her picking him up and running from Demona, though he wondered how such a small creature could heft his bulk so easily.
"Look, I'm sorry if I scared you a moment ago," Brooklyn said, "My name is Brooklyn. What's yours?"
"I don't have a name," she replyed.
"Oh, everyone has a name."
"I used to have a name...please, no more questions..." Brooklyn could see that her eyes were beginning to glisten with unshed tears. He decided to change his strategy.
"I want to thank you for saving me in the alley. I rushed into that battle like an idiot."
"Demona is your enemy. I had to help you."
"Yes, she is definitely my enemy." Brooklyn sighed. His stomach pain was beginning to subside, and dawn was fast approaching. He hated to leave this mysterious gargoyle, but there was no telling whether or not she would turn to stone when he did. He was not willing to take any chances, with all the sorcery he had seen in his short life.
"I have to leave for now, but if you want, I can come back again," Brooklyn said softly.
"I..I..don't know if you should..." she stammered. Brooklyn smiled.
"My lady, you couldn't keep me from here if you wanted to...you saved my life, and you can't expect me to just go away forever without at least knowing your name." With that, Brooklyn grinned at her and jumped from the window. The black gargoyle walked up to the window and sighed, letting the tears flow freely.
"I have a name, but you don't want to know it, Brooklyn. You don't want to know me..."
* * *
Yes, that was the night all this crap started, Brooklyn thought, looking into the sky with contempt, and I haven't seen you since. Brooklyn squinted his eyes at the sun, wishing for the millionth time that he would just go to sleep. He needed to rest, and he had no idea why he could not. It was making him crazy; he knew it was. He was also going crazy trying to find that girl. It was not her fault he was like this, but he was willing to bet that she knew why he could not sleep.
Brooklyn stood up and stretched. He was tired of the damn dumpster, and he was done crying. It was time to start his daily search for the fox-gargoyle. But what if she sleeps, just like any other gargoyle? Brooklyn's mind told him every day. But he knew he had seen her during the day; that black shape behind the sign, that shadow jumping into a window...
* * *
Brooklyn walked about the city, just as he did every day. It was dangerous for him to do in broad daylight, so he was forced to remain in alleys, constantly ducking into the shadows. His next stop would be her apartment. She was never there; he had been countless times searching for her.
Brooklyn climbed up the building. The apartment was on the top floor, but it was not a difficult climb for him. Suddenly, the brick began to shake beneath his claws. Looking up, he could see smoke billowing out of the apartment he was climbing to. Another explosion rocked the building, and Brooklyn took to the air. He no longer cared if anyone saw him. Something was going on up there, and his gargoyle was in the middle of it.
* * *
"This is it monster! I will get you today!"
"Never, demon!" The creature shrieked. Demona lifted her laser and fired once again, this time hitting her target in the stomach, doubling her over.
"My spell will work this time! You will be mine once again!" Demona lifted her hands and began her spell. A loud roar broke her concentration, and she had just enough time to see Brooklyn bearing down on her.
"NO! Why are you awake???" Demona shrieked, but she was caught off balance. She could not reach her laser in time, and with her spell shattered, she had no time to summon another. Brooklyn hit Demona with all his strength, and sent her sprawling. Her head slammed into the wall, knocking her partially unconscious. Brooklyn saw his chance and ran towards the black gargoyle. She had a horrible wound in her stomach from the laser, and Brooklyn was afraid to move her, even though he knew they had to escape.
"It's ok!" She rasped, "You can pick me up...we have...to...get...out of here!" Brooklyn did as he was told, and hefted her gently into his arms. She was incredibly light, and Brooklyn wondered how such a small creature could take such physical punishment. Banishing his thoughts, Brooklyn leapt from the window, fleeing the smoking apartment. He could only pray that Demona was still knocked out.
"Where..are...you...taking...me?" The black gargoyle rasped.
"I'm not sure. You need medical attention."
"I'll..be..fine! I just need..time..to heal."
"I'm taking you back to my home. My friends will be able to help you."
"NO! You can't!" The small gargoyle gasped.
"They won't hurt you, I promise."
"My name is Leah." Brooklyn stared at her.
"I thought you said you didn't have a name."
"That... was... my name, before.." She stopped.
"Before what?"
"I..can't..."
"It's ok, you need to rest now. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you..." Brooklyn could feel Leah relax in his arms. He could tell she still did not trust him completely, but she was letting him take her back to the castle. That was good enough for him. He had many questions to ask her, but at the moment, he just wanted to be home.