Gargoyles- The Heart of Everything

by Sunmoonlight

Brooklyn has been living in a very lonely world and yearns to find love of his own. However, his life gets turned upside down when he meets the beautiful, young Human woman named Rose. Rose lives in a very similar world; one full of darkness, loneliness, and is haunted by one dark secret. Will they find the love and strength in each other to rise above the darkness?

36. Chapter 36- Unraveling

**The end is near! *screams*- I hope you all enjoy this chapter. It has been a lot to edit, but it's so much fun! Thank you for all the reviews- please keep them coming and let me know how you like this story/what I can do better. *Note* This chapter is action filled, is violent, and has some mature language. Now, without further adieu... the unraveling.**

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~Chapter Thirty-Six~

Unraveling

The sun began to slowly die beneath the snow clouds on the Manhattan horizon, casting a shadow upon the City and the Clan. Once its light completely disappeared, Brooklyn broke free of his snowy stone skin, roaring and stretching ferociously and immediately went to jump off the ledge and glide as fast as he could towards the Labyrinth. However, when he went to move, he realized that his wrists and ankles were in metal chains, and were stopping him from leaving.

He gasped in shock and anger; and instantly heard the same reactions from his other Clan mates; and even an enraged roar from Goliath. Brooklyn's eyes whitened in rage and tried to break the chains, but as he tried; as the others did, an electricity- so powerful and hot as fire- suddenly shot out from the chains and burned his skin; electrocuting him and every nerve in his body. Roaring in pain, he stopped fighting against them, collapsed to his knees, and then turned to see what was going on.

What met his enraged gaze was something out of the Wyvern massacre back in Scotland; and it instantly shocked him and broke his heart. The Castle was damaged greatly; with stone, glass, wood and cement scattered everywhere. It looked as though the Castle had been bombed.

As he surveyed more of this new situation, he quickly turned his attention to the Clan and found they were all chained up as well, and to his horror, right in front of them was a small army of masked Quarrymen. They were armed and standing at attention with their guns pointed at each of them. John Castaway, the Quarrymen leader, was standing in front of his small army with a sickening smile on his face.

Goliath suddenly roared a deafening roar, with his eyes lit up brightly, and tried to break out of the chains again- which instantly electrocuted him and passed on that voltage to the rest of the Clan, making Brooklyn roar out in pain once again- as well as every Gargoyle in his Clan. Goliath's roar of rage ended up being a scream of pain; and it brought him to his knees in submission, killing the electricity instantly.

"Hello, Goliath." Castaway said softly, smiling evilly up at him, enjoying the sight of him struggling against the chains. "It's good to see you again…"

Goliath took a couple of deep breaths, stood up and then roared.

"CASTAWAY! What is the meaning of this attack?!"

Castaway smiled darkly at him, and stepped forward slowly towards him.

"Really, Goliath?" He whispered breathlessly. "You've had this battle coming for you for some time now. I am merely a man who has seen a great evil rise in this City and has risen up to fight you and your evil kind."

"I have had my fill of you! THIS ENDS NOW!" Goliath roared, tugging on the chains once again- igniting its power for the third time.

"NO!" Lexington yelled out at him, realizing that they were all in the same chains. "GOLIATH, DON'T!"

But it was too late.

Goliath was encompassed in the electricity, and was instantly roaring in pain as the power fried all of his nerves. With his chains lit up with electricity, it spread to each Gargoyle, as they were all connected. Screams and roars of pain came from each Clan member and once it hit Brooklyn again, he closed his eyes- roaring out in pain- and instantly felt his energy, collected over his stone sleep, diminish greatly.

"Father!" Angela screamed out helplessly, being encompassed by its power and fell to her knees. Goliath quickly quit fighting and sank to his knees breathing and gasping in pain, as he realized that the chains were connected to his Clan and he was injuring them by trying to fight.

Once he quit fighting, the electricity stopped frying them all; leaving them all to pant and groan in pain. Goliath was panting, and was holding himself up with his shaking arms, and the sudden horrible realization of their predicament became apparent. He and his Clan could not escape the chains; and were surrounded by Castaway and the Quarrymen. Not only that, but Xanatos' security systems and weapons were compromised, and it was very likely that they were all about to be massacred. They had lost, before able to fight back, and the Quarrymen had the upper hand. Goliath slowly raised his horror-filled eyes to Castaway's gleeful ones, and stared at him as he began to laugh quietly.

"Do you like my new technology, Goliath…? " Castaway whispered, stepping closer to Goliath and knelt down just outside of his reach. "These new-electrified chains and black-market laser guns are stronger than you and your Clan with ever be." He grinned brightly again, stood, and began walking around the platform, with his hands behind his back, and began to lecture them as if they were a grade-school class.

"You see." He began to explain, smoothly, obviously very proud of himself. "Myself and the Quarrymen have been preparing for this night for a very long time. For one full year, we have been searching tirelessly for your kind- and though we've had many suspicions that you and your Clan lived here in this historical Castle, we simply did not have the evidence to prove it. And, since most of us were in hiding, I knew I had to be patient and time things out right. I knew we would come out on top soon… and good things would come to us by waiting. And now…" He paused and began to laugh evilly, gripping his gloved hands into fists.

"I am proud and happy to say that it has; and we are now finally taking control of your evil kind for good. You and your Clan must be exterminated… and I can see that it's all in good timing too…" He paused and then walked over to Angela, who was resting weakly against the wall of the ledge, and was whimpering quietly in pain. He pointed his fingers at her stomach, which was protruding enough to show that she was pregnant, and grinned maliciously "I'm destroying your kind before this female can deliver another… monster to plague this Earth."

Broadway's eyes lit up brightly, as Castaway mentioned his mate, and started to roar uncontrollably; fighting the chains, which immediately started to electrocute him and the Clan. Everyone roared out in pain, as the power electrocuted them, and he quickly stopped. At this point, everyone had sank to their knees, feeling completely drained and helpless. Broadway grit his teeth in rage, as tears filled his eyes; a hatred for Castaway obviously apparent.

"You…" He howled. "YOU BASTARD...you…"

Castaway's smile grew even bigger at Broadway's enraged defeat, as Angela suddenly gasped out in pain and leaned her head against the ledge wall, where she had collapsed.

"Broadway!" Angela cried out weakly.

Broadway quickly looked away from Castaway, and gasped as Angela's coloring paled terrifyingly. She was clutching her stomach in pain, and looked as though she was moments from passing out. At this, Goliath quickly looked over at his daughter, as did the rest of the Clan, in horror.

"Angela!" Broadway asked quietly, gently trying to reach her, without activating his chains. "My love, what is wrong?"

"The… electricity… has hurt… me and our child, I fear…" She answered weakly, her eyes closing and tears slowly escaped her eyes. "The Clan… must stop trying to fight past them. I… I don't think myself or our child can take another hit."

Broadway couldn't reach her and didn't dare start another powerful surge of electricity through the metal chains; as he could see that his mate and child were in danger. Brooklyn started to growl in protection for Angela, and he wasn't the only one. Goliath gasped, with tears in his own eyes, and crawled forward slightly, as much as the chains could allow, and pleaded before Castaway

"Please…" He begged quietly. "Castaway… I know that most Humans are capable of great amounts of good; as well as evil, just like the rest of us. We are all imperfect beings, but Gargoyles protect. That is our purpose and our nature, and right now, we are unable to protect ourselves. Please, dig deep within your soul and please give us mercy. My daughter is pregnant with her first child. The first child in our Clan in centuries. If your anger and vengeance is against me, then destroy me. But please, I'm begging you, spare my Clan, my daughter and her unborn child."

Silence followed Goliath's pleas, and the masked Quarrymen kept in their straight line, holding their large guns, but a few looked over at each other. However, Castaway smiled even larger at Goliath, stepped forward and knelt down on his knees in front of him.

"How touching… that must not have been an easy thing for you to say. You, a monstrous beast, begging the Quarrymen for mercy." He paused from his sneering, looked deeply into Goliath's eyes and then his face softened and he nodded as he continued to speak seriously. "And mercy, I do certainly hope you can obtain in the next life, Goliath. But tonight- I am your reckoning."

Goliath's eyes widened in horror at Castaway's words, as Castaway stood and backed away from him, gesturing to the army of masked Quarrymen, with high-tech guns in their hands, and spread his arms out; as if introducing them to the Clan.

"We are Quarrymen- and I am afraid we cannot allow your daughter and her unborn monster to live. But thank you for your humble pleas. It's wonderful to see that you finally respect us, and understand your rightful place before Humans."

Goliath's eyes widened in horror at Castaway's words; part of him wanted and needed to fight back for his Clan's sake, but couldn't risk Angela's health. He slowly turned to look at his Clan, lined up against the ledge with him, and met each of his family member's eyes with great sadness and sorrow.

Bronx was on the edge next to Angela, who was next to Broadway, then past him was Hudson, Lexington, Akira and then Brooklyn. They all looked back at him, and none of them knew what to say. Brooklyn kept down on one knee and once he met Goliath's gaze, they shared a brief moment of the burden of leadership and responsibility to the Clan's welfare, as Leader and Second-in-Command. The failure of them being able to protect the Clan was real, and it was about to be the death of their kind. Goliath closed his eyes and slowly looked away from Brooklyn, and right as he did that, Brooklyn's heart broke. He was crouched and sitting on one knee, and with tears in his eyes, he pressed his forehead into his knee.

Many thoughts were going through his mind at that time, and most of it was surrounding his Clan and family- and how they had been dealt a large blow. As he closed his eyes, he felt a powerful amount of grief, sorrow, and failure enter his heart and soul- darkening it and making it cold. They were unable to fight back, and even if they did, they risked Angela dying or losing her child- or both- and it wasn't a risk they were willing to try for. Not with all of the Quarrymen standing in line, ready to open fire upon them all, even if they did obtain a miracle in breaking past the chains.

As he kept his head on his knee, he felt hopeless despair. Not only were they about to die, but he didn't know where Rose was, or what had happened to her. He closed his eyes and willed himself to think of her, and connect with her; but to his terror and further sorrow- he felt nothing. Hudson stepped forward from his own crouch, placed a claw upon Goliath's shoulder for comfort and stood up proudly before Castaway.

"Why didn't ye just destroy us while we were stone then?" He asked courageously. "Why make a mess of your City and of this Castle? If ye wanted us all destroyed so badly; then why have us awake, but unable to fight back?"

"Because, old one," Castaway explained quietly, walking towards him now. "I wanted to look you in the eyes when I killed you and your clan, and wanted you all to see and understand how we the People feel about your kind and the evil you spread. Thanks to your existence; you have forced war upon us, and so a war you shall have! Killing you while you were stone and defenseless wasn't going to be as enjoyable of an experience for us…"

"War was never meant to be enjoyable." Hudson growled back at him. "Take this bit of wisdom from an old soldier. In times of war, killing someone is unfortunately; sometimes part of the package… but it is usually against those who are endangering your homes, communities and families. Gargoyles protect the innocent and have never placed any of you or your family in danger. So, this is not a war. What ye are doin' is a massacre of innocent lives, on unborn children, and my Clan- my family. We have done ye no wrong, man; nor the Humans you claim to represent. Ye are only killin' us out of bigotry and hatred. There is no honor in that."

"Oh, please." Castaway laughed. "Save us on your 'words of wisdom', old one. What I am doing is honorable. Your filthy kind is nothing but a monstrosity, and it must be destroyed."

"Believe what you want to…" Hudson continued to speak, glaring at Castaway. "However, from where I stand, ye might want to look in the mirror. For in that reflection, you will see the true monster here tonight."

The masked Quarrymen standing at attention behind Castaway, suddenly looked at each other, as if Hudson's words resonated with them a little bit. However, Castaway smirked at Hudson and then walked away.

"Thank you, old one, for your opinion on what war is…" Castaway whispered, looking sideways at his army of Quarrymen who were beginning to grow restless. He then turned back to Hudson and snarled, "However, it does not matter to us. You all are our enemy; so we'll go forward with our plans."

At that, he turned away from him, and faced Goliath with a finger pointed.

" Goliath, you're the mighty leader of this Gargoyle Clan, and as such; you get to watch your kind be destroyed right in front of you, before I mercifully grant you your own death. And for that mercy you so humbly asked me for… I shall grant that for you. Starting with your impregnated daughter. I will make hers and her unborn child's death quick- while the rest of you will be slowly electrocuted in a slow and painful death… "

"How can you be so cruel?!" Akira shrieked out suddenly, her voice full of tears and rage. "I have grown up in a Clan which lives among Humans for Centuries; and we have known nothing but peace and harmony! I cannot understand nor fathom your intentions! Hudson is right, we have done you no harm! You claim we are evil, but you are the one who has captured my family, plan on destroying all of us- who have no means of defense- and plan on killing an unborn child?! This is wrong!"

Castaway blinked in surprise at Akira, as if he had just then realized that she was really there. With her outburst, he slowly walked over to her, and was grinning more maliciously at her. Lexington was breathing hard and his eyes lit up brightly, his own protective instincts going off for his beloved mate, and slowly Brooklyn raised his head from his knees. When he saw Castaway approaching Akira, he snarled his teeth at him, and slowly stood- him and Lexington stepping closer to her- showing Castaway their disdain for his approach to Akira. His eyes widened in humor at their reactions, so he stayed where he was; and Akira gently placed her claws on Lexington and Brooklyn's back; silently telling them to stand down. Akira stood still, and as petite as she was, she stared Castaway down with disappointment and disdain.

"Hmmm… you're a lovely new face aren't you?" Castaway smirked. "Let me guess- this little green one is your mate?"

When he asked her, Lexington responded with more hissing and snarling- his eyes lit up brightly- making Castaway begin to laugh out loud, as if the threat was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. "Oh yes, I can see it now. It's amazing that you two are so small, and yet talk so big; even when you have little chance at winning. Just like how the littlest of dogs seem to yap the loudest."

At his words, Akira's eyes lit up red and she too began to hiss at him. Castaway started laughing and stepped away from her- still speaking to the Clan, while answering her question.

"It is not wrong to eliminate a great threat to Humanity… and I will not discuss this further. But first- I want you all to say hello to your Human protectorate… the one who has failed you."

Castaway stepped to the side, as one of the Quarrymen stepped out from the doorway carrying a beat up, bloodied and bruised Xanatos. The Quarryman threw Xanatos at Castaway's feet; and was barely conscious.

The Clan gasped, as Goliath cried out in worry, "Xanatos!"

"Yes, Mr. David Xanatos… " Castaway sneered. "You would have thought with as wealthy as he is, that he would have spent an even greater amount of money on his security systems. While they were tough to take down- my weapons were even better. I got them off the black market and it's laughable how easy it was to tear down these ancient Castle walls… pathetic really."

Castaway then turned and kicked him in the abdomen, making Xanatos yelp out in pain; as blood was coming out of his mouth. He gazed up weakly and painfully at Goliath for a moment and the two shared a moment of silent pleadings and conversation.

"If… you survive and I don't…" Xanatos whispered through a mouthful of blood. "Please… take care of… Fox and… Alex. I'm… sorry… I couldn't… protect you all better…"

Goliath stared at his previous enemy; but current friend and ally, with tears in his eyes, and responded in a deep voice, "It is I who wishes we protected you better as well... but all the same… if we do survive, you have my word; my friend…"

Tears slowly escaped Xanatos' eyes, as he slowly bowed his head, gasping deeply having been severely beat up by the Quarrymen's electrified hammers and new laser guns.

"How touching," Castaway sneered coldly, as he suddenly picked Xanatos up by the arm and threw away from Goliath, into nearby Castle wall. "However, I'm not in the mood for touching conversations."

Upon impact with the wall, Xanatos yelled out in pain as he smacked his head and then crumbled to the ground, completely unconscious. Goliath raised his claws out to Xanatos, with wide and worried eyes, and then closed his fists and eyes, gritting his teeth.

"If you are destroy us…" Goliath snarled, breathing deeply. "Then what are you waiting for? DO IT! Claim that revenge you have been boasting about for so long, get it over with already."

Castaway turned to face him, with a gleeful smile on his face, and stayed silent as an approaching helicopter's blades were suddenly heard in the distance, coming closer to the Castle. With the approaching hum of blades, the Clan's attention perked up and began to look around for the source of the noise. Brooklyn blinked a few times,

"Oh, we will get started here in just one moment." Castaway answered Goliath darkly. "Don't you worry yourself. You and your kind will soon receive the death sentence you are now begging for. We have been waiting because your Clan isn't the only Gargoyle Clan that is going to be destroyed tonight. Nor is the blood being spilt tonight the only blood… there is a Human traitor that will be thoroughly dealt with, thanks to her association with all of you.. ."

Just as he said that, Brooklyn whipped his head up and an ice cold terror clung to his heart, as he suddenly realized what Castaway was saying. The only other Clan, other than theirs, was the Mutates and Clones… and since Kevin was nowhere to be found, he was suddenly terrified of his and Rose's silent connection. There was only one reasonable explanation for Rose's silence… and he feared that silence. If they had Rose, she was either severely injured, unconscious or even dead- and that would explain her silence in their soul connection.

His eyes widened, as another Quarryman helicopter approached from the distance, and slowly descended onto the Castle platform, down aways near the fountains where Lexington and Akira's mating ceremony was. Castaway looked up, with a gleeful smile, as the Helicopter lowered down on the stone; blowing dust and wind everywhere. Once settled on the stone, the engine was immediately killed; and the blades began to power down- still blowing an icy wind upon the battlement.

"The rest of my men and death party are here!" Castaway introduced loudly, grinning brightly. "Coming up all the way up into this high atmosphere, from way down from under the ground… the Labyrinth monsters..."

Brooklyn's heart sank, and he gasped out, "No!"

Goliath, and the others in the Clan, looked down at Brooklyn's horror-filled face, and realized the same thing he did. Not only were they going to die tonight, but many more Gargoyle lives were going to be slaughtered, and most likely- so would Rose.

From the helicopter, the doors suddenly opened to both of them and more masked Quarrymen with weapons walked out with the Mutates and all the Clones, in the same electrified chains; and looked like they had all been beaten up or captured while fighting. Talon, a very pregnant Maggie, Claw and all the Clones were in chains and were walking towards Castaway and thrown on their knees in front of him.

The Clan gasped at the sight of the other Gargoyles capture; and Brooklyn's eyes widened in horror as a very battered Talon, who looked around at the Clan and hung his head down low.

"I'm sorry, Goliath… I have failed." Talon mustered weakly, blood pouring out of his mouth. "There were too many; and their weapons were the most powerful I've seen… we weren't a match for them."

Before Goliath could answer him, Castaway stepped forward and mocked Talon.

"Of course, you weren't a match for us," Castaway snarled, looking at him with great disgust. "You and you're… abomination creations will all be destroyed tonight." He paused from speaking to Talon and then looked around at the cloned versions of Goliath's Clan- and then over to Delilah, whose head hung low. He exhaled sharply, looked back over at Goliath and snarled, "What in the hell kind of reproduction stunts is this, Goliath?! You couldn't live with your own kind, but had to clone them to double your Clan's strength? It's disgusting… evil… deplorable…." he paused again, sighed, and then continued speaking in a smoother voice, "But no matter. I will give them all the mercy they require."

He looked over at his army of Quarrymen, and then turned back to Talon.

"By the way- it's time you knew my name, monster." Castaway whispered quietly. "I am John Castaway- the leader of the Quarrymen, and savior to all mankind."

"Yeah… " Talon growled slowly and sarcastically, his eyes lit up bright white. "Some mighty hero you are… destroying innocent lives… "

"You're lives are worthless and anything but innocent!" Castaway yelled in his face. "I was unaware of your disgusting Clan, before a fellow spy of mine found your kind. And when I was plotting my revenge against Goliath's Clan- I knew you, and your monstrous kind must join Goliath's Clan in death…"

At his words, Maggie was silently crying, holding her larger stomach, as Claw stared at Castaway in wide-eyed, open snouted horror.

"What of my wife, Castaway?" Talon yelled out angrily. "We used to be Human before we were transformed into these winged-creatures! Maggie is my wife; and she is carrying my child!"

Castaway raised an eyebrow and glanced down at Maggie, who was trying to hide her stomach from him, but seeing how pregnant she was, his eyes widened and his face screwed up in rage, as a masked Quarryman approached him from behind.

"Sir," Marcus said, taking off his hood and smiling at him. "That is all the Gargoyles from the Labyrinth. "We've rounded them all up, and are ready to start exterminating them whenever you are."

"Ah, yes." Castaway replied, his anger puffing down slightly. "Thank you, Marcus… we are nearly there…"

Upon seeing Marcus, Brooklyn's eyes lit up bright white, he stood up, clenched his fists tightly and roared out in rage; all while being careful to not activate the voltage on his chains.

"You!" He roared, seething and pointed a talon at Marcus. "You are the homeless man who knocked Rose down in the Labyrinth and marked Rose's neck with that tracer… you… you're the reason for all of this!"

At Brooklyn's enraged comment, Marcus grinned maliciously at him and laughed; as Castaway slowly turned to face Brooklyn, again, almost realizing that he was another dangerous enemy that was needing to be dealt with. However, before any of them could speak; another figure, dressed in an all black-military styled outfit, a bullet-proof vest, black steel toed boots, and had guns, knives and all sorts of other weapons draped around his body stepped forward out of the sea of Quarrymen.

"He's not the reason for any of this…" The man suddenly said, in a soft but deadly-cold voice. "I am…"

Brooklyn's eyes stopped glowing and he felt his heart drop when he saw who it was. There, having just come from the helicopter, was a strong, yet gaunt looking man; with black eyes, all black military clothing, white teeth and gaunt white skin.

It was Brooklyn's sworn mortal enemy.

Kevin.

When he stopped next to him, his black eyes went immediately to Brooklyn's, and instantly the two males exchanged true looks of hatred and malice. As Brooklyn's eyes were looking at the evil Human before him, he couldn't believe the cold wave he was suddenly feeling in his soul. In all his years, Brooklyn had lived in darkness and fought away evil from innocent lives, but never had he ever seen such darkness and evil before, especially in one Human. As Kevin's black eyes pierced into his brown ones, he felt a rush of rage and hatred pulse through him. However, as he continued to glare at him, it became obvious that Kevin did not look pleased, or triumphant.

Brooklyn blinked, looked around suddenly and then slowly realized that Rose was nowhere to be seen. Once that fact dawned upon him, he exhaled out in relief, and then slowly met Kevin's gaze of hatred once more, with a triumphant smile- making Kevin grit his teeth in anger as the two of them had a silent conversation- Kevin did not have Rose- and for that Brooklyn grinned darkly at him, mocking him and willing Kevin's hatred to awaken the full-blown warrior Gargoyle defender living inside his soul. Now that Kevin was in front of him, he was going to fight. No matter what it took- he was going to kill Kevin.

Castaway looked over at Kevin with a slight look of disgust, before he cleared his throat, narrowed his eyes and slowly walked towards Brooklyn, tapping on his gun with his gloved finger as he went. Brooklyn forced his eyes off Kevin's and upon his new approaching enemy, set his jaw firmly and bared his sharp teeth at Castaway, growling fiercely. Castaway stopped just shy of where Brooklyn could create a surge of electricity again and try to maim him; his icy blue eyes boring into his own.

"Brooklyn, is it? " He whispered in a deadly and dangerous voice. "The red-Gargoyle who've I heard so much about. You've made yourself quite the target… more than you probably should have. As this… extermination of your kind… is all your fault."

Kevin smiled darkly over at him, taking his turn to mock Brooklyn as Castaway's words punched him in his gut. He internally blamed himself, but to have someone say it out loud was almost more than he could take. However, he continued to glare at Castaway, not giving into his poker face.

"What are you talking about?" Brooklyn whispered, trying to calm the terror and rage in his heart.

"What am I talking about?" Castaway asked him, raising his eyebrows, looking surprised. He then looked around at the army of Quarrymen and talked to them, as well as Kevin. "He doesn't know what we are truly here for men… the real reason his kind is being destroyed tonight!"

A few Quarrymen laughed darkly, as Castaway turned back to face him with his face screwed up in rage. He opened his mouth in a snarl, but Kevin stepped closer to them both and cracked his knuckles together.

"Perhaps, I can remind this… freak… of his sins and why we are here."

However, Castaway ignored Kevin and stepped towards Brooklyn, eyeing him with great hatred, making Kevin's anger more apparent- but this time towards Castaway. Brooklyn narrowed his eyes at them both, and it was obvious that there was a great divide in leadership and opinions. Kevin wasn't the kind of man who liked to be controlled or told what to do, that much he knew about him.

Castaway leaned his face closer to Brooklyn's, while his icy eyes bored into his own.

"Does being romantically and intimately involved with a Human girl ring any bell to you…?" Castaway whispered venomously.

At his question, all eyes remained on Brooklyn for a moment, from his Clan, to the Mutates and Clones, to the Quarrymen- who were getting more restless with every passing minute of standing there- to the pure fury and hatred of Kevin, to now Castaway's face. Knowing he was going to die anyway, he slowly smiled darkly at Castaway.

"I don't know what you are talking about…" Brooklyn whispered in a mocking tone, and only got to revel in Castaway's look of rage for one small moment, before he slapped the end of his large gun across Brooklyn's face.

Brooklyn grunted out in pain, as Akira gasped, "Brooklyn!"

Goliath gritted his teeth, and now that Castaway and the Quarrymen were beginning to physically harm members of their Clan, more tension raised and Goliath stood, growling furiously. Castaway ignored everyone's tension and restlessness and then pointed his finger at Brooklyn's face.

"LIAR!" Castaway seethed. "You know damn well what I am talking about, monster! It is an ABOMINATION to even think about procreating or having sexual intercourse with another species other than your own! My anger and desire for revenge against your kind was fulfilled when I heard about you and your darling Rose…"

At the mention of her name, Brooklyn slowly raised his face up to Castaway's and growled furiously. The butt of the gun hurt, but it more enraged him, now that they mentioned Rose's name. However, Castaway suddenly froze, and then quickly turned around to face Kevin and looked at him impatiently, noticing for once that the Human traitor, in which he was talking about, wasn't there.

"Where is your wife, Kevin?" He asked him in a slow and dangerous voice.

"I don't know… but I'm about to find out." Kevin responded in a deadly voice, staring maliciously at Brooklyn. Castaway, however, looked from him to Brooklyn and narrowed his eyes, as though he could care less.

"She must have escaped the Labyrinth, somehow, and we can deal with her later. For now, we've got all the Gargoyles and it is time to put an end to them!"

The Quarrymen started making noises behind Castaway, as if they were growing more blood thirsty and excited to be able to finally take out the Gargoyles. However, before Castaway could turn to them and give them their orders, Kevin suddenly stepped past Castaway and stood in front of Brooklyn, his black eyes never leaving his. Both males stared each other down in cold hatred; but Brooklyn remained strong in his resolve against Kevin.

"No Kevin," Castaway said dangerously. "We don't have time for-"

"You've got your precious Gargoyles exactly where you wanted them!" Kevin snapped, turning to face Castaway. "They aren't going anywhere… all thanks to me. So, for that, you'll allow me this moment."

A few Quarrymen members began to make impatient noises, but Castaway held up a hand to silence them, all while staring at Kevin's black eyes. With a look of disgust, he slowly nodded his head, and instantly Kevin whipped his head back to look at Brooklyn- smiling darkly.

As Brooklyn stared into Kevin's evil eyes; he remembered Rose telling him how she felt whenever he would look at her when he would hurt her; and it was through those same black and evil filled eyes where Rose's deepest fears and memories lied. Brooklyn would not and could not allow Rose to be tormented by him anymore, and it was time to keep his promise to Rose that he made long ago. He wasn't going to let Kevin hurt her anymore, and he was going to protect her and kill him, even if it killed him first.

Kevin smirked darkly, all the sudden, right as Brooklyn thought those things and seemed to be thinking the exact same thing, and then turned to two Quarrymen next to him.

"Terry, Bones…search the Castle. Find Rose, and bring her to me… alive…" He whispered to them, his gaze not leaving Brooklyn's; as thunder was suddenly heard and an icy/sleet began to fall from the sky. The two masked men looked at each other, and then slowly looked over at Castaway, who silently nodded. With that, they quickly made their way inside the Castle, searching for the girl who was the root of the issue.

---

Rose was sitting outside of the window and didn't know what to do. There were so many Quarrymen facing the Clan, with their guns raised and were restlessly waiting to give into their orders from Castaway to kill her family. She rested her chin down upon her hands and was frozen solid, from the icy wind, that suddenly made her breath come out in white puffs, and her soul was frozen in fear.

She was racking her brain, trying to think of how best to deal with this, and the only thing she thought of was to just step out from her hiding place, and sacrifice herself to Kevin. But, that wouldn't solve anything with the Quarrymen, and wouldn't settle well with Brooklyn. Knowing him like she did- he would unravel and tug on those chains, endangering his life, and consequently the Clan's, to save hers and she couldn't allow that. She had to stop Kevin and the Quarrymen somehow, and had to do it right and quickly. The moment she made that jump, the waves would destroy everything and everyone she ever loved, much like that Hurricane in her dream.

Fear and panic pulsed through, making her gasp and shake- Brooklyn and the Clan were bound with chains, that electrified every time one of them moved and tugged on them, and Rose had to stop herself from screaming when she watched them all injure and weaken themselves; her fear particularly high for Angela and Maggie and their unborn children. Tears filled her eyes, and was fighting off a panic attack, when she suddenly felt a hand tightly grasp over her mouth, and an arm; made of stone, kept her from running off- and pulled her away from the window.

Rose gasped and instantly tried to fight the person off, but whoever it was, he was very strong.

"Shhh… Rose, don't struggle!" The strange man whispered in his familiar monotone voice. "Come with me-"

Rose's eyes widened, and suddenly stopped struggling. The man led her into the kitchens, where he finally released her and whipped her around to face him; and when she saw him, she gasped.

"Owen!" She cried out, but Owen quickly placed his good hand over her mouth, shushing her. As Rose looked over his face, he was sporting many bleeding lacerations and bruises on his face and lip, but his striking blue eyes were piercing hers with great anxiety.

"Keep your voice down!" He whispered fiercely. "I don't have much time… I have to find Fox and Alex and keep them safe at all costs. I know Xanatos is out there, and once I find Fox and Alex; and bring them to safety, then I will return and help fight."

"What are you talking about?" Rose asked him in a frantic voice. "You… you' re going to leave? But- the Gargoyles- Xanatos!"

"I know, I know!" Owen whispered in despair, holding her arms tightly. "I know this isn't the time to tell you this- but I am really a member of the Third Race, with the true name of Puck. Lord Oberon, and Queen Titania of Avalon have granted me the usage of my magic only to train Alex with magic, or to protect him as well as Fox. That's it- their safety is vital if I am to come back and help you finish off the Quarrymen. But I cannot explain the forbidden use of my magic to my Lord, if I haven't protected Fox and Alex first. Okay? I know this seems backwards, but that's why I'm telling you this now…"

Rose stared at him with wide eyes and an open mouth and then exhaled.

"I've heard… rumors… but-" She paused and then shook her head. "It doesn't matter! Owen, how can I help the Gargoyles? Our family? Please…"

"Rose, you have magic inside you!" Owen urged her, looking around for any approaching danger. "I have felt it awaken, and I have seen it when you healed Bronx. Rose… it's a magic that I haven't seen in a very, very long time. But, I know it's extremely powerful. You are capable of more than you'll ever know, especially when you are doing it to protect the ones you love. Channel into that magic, Rose, let it fill your soul and use that soul connection you have with Brooklyn to further it along. Focus solely on its power and what you want it to do… The entire safety of the Clan, Mutates and Mr. Xanatos rests on your shoulders right now."

At this moment, two voices were heard throughout the Castle, and Owen's eyes widened even more as he turned back to Rose, who was staring at him with a horrified expression.

"You can do this… okay?" He told her in a voice just barely above a whisper. "Just remember that energy is energy- whether it comes from science or sorcery. The greater the charge, the greater the impact- but too much can drain your power like a battery. So be aware of that."

Rose tried to follow Owen's strange advice, as more fear pulsed through her chest; her heart pounding frantically.

"Owen… what?" She gasped out, shaking her head; but he interrupted her.

"On my way to finding Fox and Alex, I will activate the Steel Clan to help fight the Quarrymen. Then, once I know mother and child are safe, I will return to help you."

Rose went to open her mouth to speak, but Owen quickly looked around and tore away from her; running away from the kitchens, leaving Rose to stand in a stupefied state.

She hadn't really thought about using her magic, as it never came to her mind; but she hadn't tried to wield it since she left the Castle and left Brooklyn. As she stood there; she was willing to give it a try- anything to save her Clan, to save Brooklyn. Breathing deeply, she turned from the kitchen and was about to leave through the door, when suddenly two masked Quarrymen entered. Upon seeing her, she gasped out and both their eyes went wide under their hoods.

"Bones!" One yelled out, holding a large gun in his hands. "There she is! Get her!"

Rose gasped out in fear and began to back away; as the one raised his gun at her.

"No, no please!" She begged them, raising her hands up. "You don't understand! My husband is crazy- he'll kill me, please!"

"Terry… wait!" The man named Bones said, reaching out to his partner who was advancing on Rose, but he didn't listen.

"Yeah," the man named Terry smirked. "Thanks to you- he's been ours to put up with. But once we deliver you to him, he'll no longer be ours to be bothered with."

Before Rose could do anything, he leapt forward grabbing her, tackled her down to the ground, and pinned her with his body; all while trying to reach for his hammer. Rose cried out, trying to fight him off her, but he was too strong.

"GET OFF ME!" She screamed out, trying to get out of his grasp as Terry was struggling to keep her under him.

"BONES!" He yelled out. "WHAT IN THE HELL IS YOU WAITIN' FOR! Help me get her to Kevin!"

Bones quickly took off his hood, and Rose saw that he was a younger man, closer to her age, had short dark brown and light blue eyes, and was watching them struggle; having his own internal struggle it seemed, as well. Rose used his hesitation, pulled Terry's hood off and saw that it was a man in his forties, with blonde hair and brown eyes, with a goatee of facial hair with many golden teeth in his mouth. Once his hood was off, she closed her eyes and focused her will and attention on her magic, awakening it.

Then, as quickly as she thought of and focused on it, the magic heated up in her palm and she smiled at herself. The man on top of her, Terry, was going to get a piece of her mind. Literally. However; before she could will the magic out of her hands- something hard hit Terry across the head; effectively knocking him unconscious.

Rose gasped out, as Terry grunted out in pain and then watched as his eyes rolled up into his head, and slowly rolled off Rose; landing face first on the kitchen tile. She gazed down at Terry with wide eyes, and then looked up to see that the man, Bones, had hit his partner across the head with a wooden rolling pin. He was looking down at her, and for a split second, they stared at each other; both unsure what was going on.

"What are you-?" She finally asked him, slowly standing up, but he interrupted her.

"Go." He said seriously, pointing to the kitchen door.

Stunned, Rose blinked a few times and gasped, "What?"

"Go!" He urged her again. "Before Kevin finds you. Go, now!"

However, with him pointing his finger towards the door, she still didn't budge an inch. Instead she narrowed her eyes and him and slowly stepped towards him.

"Y- You're a Quarryman." She stated quietly, still stepping towards him. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because I don't believe what Kevin is doing is right." He answered her, breathing deeply. "I have spent the last two months with that psycho; and he's a serial killer and needs the electric chair. The things he would say he did to you… he was proud of that shit, and it would make me physically sick."

Rose stared at him in amazement, and couldn't believe that this Quarryman was actually proving to have a heart or soul for that matter.

"But… you hunt Gargoyles and cause the same kind of terror…? Why would you care about what happens with me?" Rose bantered with him, easing her magic deep into her chest, not allowing it to be used just yet. There was a look of great uncertainty in his eyes; and she felt she could convince him to help her.

"Yeah," Bones sighed, looking even more confused. "But you're Human… and what we are doing to them is different… "

"How?" She asked him. "How is killing innocent Gargoyle lives any different than what my husband would do to me?"

"Because they are monsters." Bones said lamely; as if he had that answer programmed into his brain. Rose stared at him and slowly shook her head, looking deeply into Bones' eyes, stepping closer to him.

"No, they aren't." Rose whispered. "And I can see in your eyes… you don't really believe that either."

"How do you know what I believe in…?" Bones argued with her, glaring at her, but standing his ground. "You don't know me…"

"No," she said quietly. "But a true Quarryman acts just like your buddy, Terry, and wouldn't have helped me, like you did just now."

"If you want me to deliver you to Castaway… I will… I-"

"No, you won't." Rose said quietly, looking deeply into his eyes. "I don't believe you are capable of killing and hunting the Gargoyles. You wouldn't have helped me if you didn't have a heart…"

"I'm not discussing this!" Bones suddenly said angrily. "I am sparing your life because I don't want to see what Kevin has planned for you. Okay? So, take my act of mercy and leave."

"I'm not going anywhere." Rose said, crossing her arms over her chest and standing her ground.

"Why?!" Bones snarled in her face, throwing his hands up. "You're going to risk getting caught by psycho-man, and dying a cruel death… and for what? For…those… monsters?"

"Yes." She answered simply. "And the Gargoyles are not monsters… they are my family. You say that I don't know you, but you don't know them like I know them. They are good, kind-hearted, and protect innocent lives. Despite people hating them or being so afraid of them that they reject them… they still protect because that's who they are."

Bones exhaled sharply, turning away from her, and crossed his arms over his chest- not saying anything.

"What is your name?" Rose asked him quietly. Bones stayed silent for a few seconds, before he responded, still facing away from her.

"My name is Bones…"

"Your real name?" Rose asked him again, this time more gently. Bones ignored her for a few seconds, and Rose thought he wouldn't actually answer, until he slowly turned back to her and sighed.

"Mike." He answered gently. "My name is Mike."

Rose quickly reached out to him and placed her hands upon his arm and took his hands in hers; using any means she realistically could to dig deep into his humanity.

"Mike…?" Rose asked him quietly, her hazel eyes searching his blue ones frantically. "My name is Rose… and I know this is strange for you. But, I'm not leaving the Gargoyles to die. Please… please find it in yourself to help me. I am begging you… I cannot let Castaway or Kevin hurt them. Please help me…"

Mike's eyes grew large at her pleas, and with her hand clasping his- he knew he was in trouble. Rose was extremely beautiful; and while he did not hail himself as a hero, he seemed to melt in her terrified gaze and give into her plea, but his own fears came out first.

"If I turn on Castaway, then I will be beheaded for treason." Mike answered her quietly, shaking his head, but seemed mesmerized by her beauty and especially her hazel eyes. "I can't risk that… I'm sorry."

Rose lowered her head, but still kept her hands on his arms and took a few deep breaths. She was losing time. Nodding silently, she then looked back up into his face and gave him a teary nod.

"I understand." She answered him. "Thank you for saving me from Terry… but… I fear that my destiny is going to be death, no matter what I decide, or who tries to save me. The truth is this… I have to face my husband, and can't run away from him anymore. But more than that, I have to save my Clan- my family… and the true love of my life."

She let go of his arm and began to walk away, but was stunned when he grabbed her shoulder and stopped her from walking. She turned back to face him, and it looked like he was continuing to debate things in his mind.

"That red-Gargoyle…?" Mike suddenly asked her. "The one with the horns and beak? It's true, isn't it? Kevin and Castaway weren't kidding around… you really are intimately involved with him?"

Rose watched his face, and he seemed sick with just the thought of her being with a Gargoyle- but she was not ashamed of her love for Brooklyn.

"Yes," She whispered to him, tears entering her eyes. "But it's not what you may think… I love him, Mike- and he loves me. I know it doesn't make sense to you- or most Humans for that matter- but he's the best thing to ever happen to me. They aren't monsters… but feel the same feelings that Humans do, and I won't let them die… "

Mike watched her, with a horrified face as she explained her feelings about Brooklyn to him; but after a few seconds, he blinked and sighed heavily.

"And you would really give your life for him?" He asked Rose, with an inscrutable expression on his face. "For them all?"

"In a heartbeat." Rose answered him, smiling sadly as a few tears fell down her face. He looked stunned by her answer, and stayed silent for a few seconds, until he spoke up again, chuckling slightly.

"You know… I ran into your… Gargoyle lover two weeks ago." He admitted quietly. "We were following him and he engaged us in battle." He paused, smirked, and then shook his head slowly. "Then…before we knew it, he had us. And you know what? He surprised me. He could have slashed our necks open with his claws… or his teeth, killing Terry and I- but he didn't. I have never seen a Gargoyle up close before, or even talked with one, but he didn't have to spare my life. He even gave me a piece of advice… which surprised me even more…"

"What did he say to you?" Rose asked him, smiling at the thought of Brooklyn sparing his life and trying to help someone who he could have easily killed.

"He placed Terry and I next to a dumpster, and said while I was waitin' for the trashman to find us the next day, that I should reevaluate my life instead of literally throwing it away." He answered her, smiling slightly. "And I did. Later on that day, my ex-girlfriend called me up and told me that I had gotten her pregnant… and well… since then; I have been re-thinking a lot of things. And maybe that's why I helped you tonight…"

"Why?" Rose asked him softly.

"Because she's having a girl." Mike answered her, smiling. "And uh… the more that bastard, Kevin, was goin' off about hurting you and uh… even raping you when he captured you… I couldn't help but think about my own little girl. Yeah, my girlfriend and I aren't together anymore, but I am still gonna be a father. And though I don't know that little baby yet, I still can't imagine anything happening like that to her."

"Thank you," Rose answered him, feeling sick to her stomach. "Truly. But you now know why I can't stay here and let the ones I love get hurt by the Quarrymen or Kevin. And… I understand if you and I part ways- then that's okay. But, if there's a part of you that wants to fight for what's right, then please… Mike… I could really use your help. Against Kevin… against Castaway. Please…?"

He gazed down into her eyes and stayed silent for a few minutes, so much so, she wasn't sure if he was going to answer her or not. However, with precious seconds ticking down, she suddenly heard screaming and yelling from outside on the platform, and it sounded like Kevin. And from his tone; things were turning bad-fast.

With tears in her eyes, she whipped her head back to look at Mike and began to back away from him- when he placed his gloved hands upon her again, forcing her to look up into his face.

"Okay." He said seriously. "I'll help you…"

"What?!" She gasped out, holding her mouth; as he placed his Quarryman hood back on his face. "Really?!"

"Yes," he answered through the hood. "If what you say is true about those… Gargoyles… then I'm going to choose to trust you. God knows our world needs protection; and when my little girl gets here, I want to know that there is good creatures out there who'll keep our streets clean. I've really made a mess of my life, and have done a lot of things I regret. But, maybe leaving the Quarrymen and taking charge of my life, by helping you and your Gargoyles, will give me that chance."

"It will, I strongly believe that life will turn around for you- because starting now, you're making the right choice." Rose answered softly, tears filling her eyes. "Thank you so much."

"Thank me when we get out of this alive." Mike replied, looking around the kitchen, already getting to work with a plan.

"Do you have a way to get the Gargoyles out of those chains?" Rose asked him in a rush, feeling more anxious to get out there to save Brooklyn and the Clan. "With them still in those chains, the battle will be vastly overwhelming for us."

Mike quickly pulled a small key out of his vest and handed it to Rose, as he suddenly began to take Terry's black Quarryman jumpsuit off his unconscious body.

"What's this?" Rose asked him, looking at the small key in her hand.

"It's the key to the chains." He explained, pulling the clothes off Terry. "Place it against the chain, press the red button and hold it there for ten seconds- it'll turn off the electricity. Then your Gargoyles can burst through those chains I have no doubt."

Rose's eyes widened and felt relief pulse through, overwhelming her system. She had a way to get Brooklyn out of those chains, and once she did; she knew that they had a chance to win against the number of Quarrymen. Kevin… was still another story.

When Rose looked up at what he was doing, she blinked and stepped back slightly.

"What… are you doing?"

"Put these on." He said, throwing her Terry's uniform and hood. "I have a plan to get us both out there, undetected from Castaway and Kevin, and to get your Gargoyles free."

Without questioning him, she quickly put on the uniform, belt, and large hood on and quickly pocketed the small key in a pocket in her chest area. She had to get out to the Clan and Brooklyn as quickly as she could- and with her new friend she prayed and hoped that she could truly trust him; and had a chance to pull it off.

---

Kevin was standing in front of Brooklyn; eyeing him with great malice and hatred- one in which Brooklyn was returning. He stepped forward and whispered close to Brooklyn's face.

"So… you're the infamous Brooklyn? The red-skinned, winged freak who tried to attack me on Christmas? The one who is protecting and harboring my Rose from her rightful husband…? The monster… who is fucking my wife."

Brooklyn didn't say anything to Kevin, but began snarling; hating him, as a few of his Clan members hissed out their disapproval of Kevin's use of disgusting verbiage and language.

"She's not your wife," Brooklyn growled in a low and deadly voice, not breaking his eye contact with Kevin's. "Not anymore."

Kevin stared at him for a moment more, before he burst out laughing, in a shrill high-pitched and shallow laugh which sent a shiver down Brooklyn's spine.

"Oh… and uh… you think she's yours?" Kevin asked him, mockingly. "Tell me something, monster… what makes you think you can claim my wife as yours? Hmm? Is it some… animalistic hold you have over her? If so, I fear you're going to be bitterly disappointed." He paused, as Brooklyn didn't answer him, and stepped a little bit closer to him, glaring at him with great intensity. "She is not yours and will never be yours. I hope you have enjoyed your time with her; and sincerely hope the sex was worth it. Because when I get my hands upon her, I'm going to make her hurt and scream; and there's not a damn thing you can do to stop me."

Brooklyn's eyes lit up, bright white, and growled as Kevin; his hackles rising dangerous. He tightened his fists even tighter, and longed to pull on the chains and kill his true mortal enemy. If only Kevin was a little bit closer to him, Brooklyn could sink his long, strong jaw and sharp teeth around his small fleshy neck, like he's seen before in his and Rose's nightmares, and put an end to his evil. Hatred was pulsing through his veins and he craved Kevin's death more than anything.

When Brooklyn still wouldn't say anything, Kevin kept pushing Brooklyn's rage, wanting and desiring a reaction out of him. He smiled evilly at Brooklyn, getting exactly what he was wanting out of him, and then decided to take it a little further.

"In case you haven't guessed, you dull creature." He hissed at Brooklyn. "I am Kevin…and I have been waiting a long time for this… ."

Right as Kevin said those words, he slugged Brooklyn in the abdomen as hard as he could, making Brooklyn grunt in pain and collapse to his knees, his fists still caught in the chains. The metal hissed angrily at his movements; but didn't ignite.

"Brooklyn!" Akira cried out, who was standing next to him, and looked down in horror. "Leave him alone!"

"Shut up, bitch!" Kevin snarled at her, and then knelt down on the ground to look at Brooklyn's face, smiling triumphantly now. Brooklyn gritted his teeth and glared up into Kevin's black eyes, with true hatred, as Kevin began to laugh maliciously.

"I thought you… Gargoyles, were a lot tougher than you are, but it appears I still have the upper hand. Here I thought you would be difficult to fight." Kevin mocked him, laughing.

"Open these chains and I'll show how a Gargoyle can really fight." Brooklyn replied in a snarl, and stood up suddenly; making the chains hiss. Kevin's eyes widened in entertainment, as he was receiving the rage and reaction he was desiring from him.

"Ooh… scary." Kevin sneered, grinning maliciously, standing up to face him. "Why would I need to open the chains, when I have you right where you need to be? I have sent my men inside the Castle and any minute now, and we will find Rose. Our spy's led us to that wretched Labyrinth, which I must say was a great and cunning plan, but it's not clever enough. I know she's here; and when I find her… I'm going to tear her apart, limb from limb and kill her slowly, right in front of you."

"Good luck finding her." Brooklyn growled, shaking with anger; still not feeling anything in their connection. "She's not here, and you'll never get your hands on her ever again."

Kevin stared at Brooklyn, long and hard for a minute, before he broke out a slight smile; as if he believed Brooklyn's words for a moment, but then decided not to.

"You're a liar. I know she's here with you… I know you've been keeping her hidden from me." Kevin whispered, his voice only carrying over to Brooklyn. "But, the attempt was in vain, I'm afraid. I'm going to find her; and even if I have to keep you alive, while your monstrous kind die, I will. Because, I want you to see her writhe in pain by my hand. I want to watch your face as I stab, maul and then kill her in the cruelest way imaginable… "

Brooklyn's breathing began to increase, as Kevin's words were getting to him. As much as he tried to ignore his taunts, they were settling deep inside him. He closed his eyes, willing his mind to not be present; as he could no longer stand Kevin speaking about the woman he loved in such a disgusting way.

"She is beautiful… isn't she?" Kevin kept speaking, diverting in topics suddenly; as though he was searching for the perfect nerve to touch on Brooklyn, to get a larger reaction. "I mean… I guess I can't blame you for wanting her for yourself."

Brooklyn felt himself bubble up in more rage, as Kevin was now venturing down this sacred topic of conversation with him about Rose. Kevin sighed out, as though he was having a casual conversation with a friend and looked longingly into Brooklyn's eyes, as though remembering good times.

"Yeeaahh… I can never forget how I would feel whenever I touched her in such a pleasing way. I wonder, does it feel as good for you to touch my wife; as it does for me? Do you enjoy taking advantage of someone weaker than you? Someone who is unable to fight you off them?"

Brooklyn grit his teeth even harder as he knew where Kevin was going with this conversation, and wasn't about to allow him to talk about his love in such a way. Kevin smiled as he could see the internal torment he was causing Brooklyn and kept going even further.

"Do you enjoy making her scream out in pleasure?" He asked Brooklyn, in a voice barely above a whisper.. "If you do… then you and I are more like each other than you may realize…"

"I'll NEVER be like you!" Brooklyn suddenly yelled out, unable to contain himself anymore. Rage pulsed through him as hot as fire, his eyes lit up brightly, and pulled against the chains to launch at Kevin as hard as he could. The chains however, restrained him and he was instantly electrocuted- thus electrocuting this Clan. He yelled out in pain, as the excruciating power flowed through him, weakening him greatly; and he instantly regretted it as he heard Angela's shrieks of panic in his ears.

Protection shot through him for her; and though Angela and Akira weren't his mates, they were two females in which he loved and deeply cared for; and now the unborn hatchling inside Angela- who was his brother's kin. A defenseless and truly innocent member of his Clan- and he wouldn't allow it to come to harm. Once Brooklyn settled down, gasping out in pain, Kevin laughed gleefully as though that was the most entertaining and satisfying thing to watch, before he knelt down in front of him again.

"I bet that felt good, didn't it?" Kevin snarled. "You deserved it though, monster. You deserve to be punished for stealing her from me; for thinking that you'd ever have a chance with her! I'm going to enjoy killing her. And perhaps… before I kill her and move onto your death, I'll even give you some pointers on how best to have really fuck someone… I can demonstrate for you with Rose tonight, if you wish… I can make her scream for real… "

"SHUT UP! YOU DISGUSTING BASTARD!" Brooklyn roared out suddenly in a venomous voice, his eyes still lit, and his teeth bared at him. He didn't fight against the chains, but he stood up tall and towered over him, showing him his full standing stance; his body shaking as his Clan were also responding to Kevin's evil speaking.

Akira grit her teeth, hissing and snarling in a very venomous way, and she wasn't the only one. Everyone in the Clan, including Angela, began to snarl, hiss, and voice their disdain to his words, making Kevin's eyes light up in pleasure, as if their reaction was the one he really wanted from them. Brooklyn stepped forward, ignoring the hissing and humming of his chains as he raised a talon up to Kevin's face.

"You WILL hold your tongue from speaking about the woman I love." Brooklyn snarled. "I don't care about these CHAINS, I will rip your head off your shoulders and tear your tongue out myself..."

"The woman you love?" Kevin whispered in a deadly voice, recovering quickly from his outburst, and now it was his turn to seethe once again.

"Yes." Brooklyn snapped back, bringing his own face closer to Kevin's. "I have what you will NEVER have. I have her love and there is nothing you can do to stop us from being together."

Kevin's eyes widened suddenly as Brooklyn finally nicked one of his many nerves, and looked shocked. However, the shock was short lived as Kevin suddenly balled his fist up and slugged Brooklyn as hard as he could in his face. Brooklyn grunted out in pain as the force of Kevin's punch sent his head backwards, and he was amazed by how hard the frail human could punch; and though it hurt, it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. However, the thought about Kevin's fist against Rose's fragile face, enraged Brooklyn even more. If it hurt him as hard as his body was, then it must be excruciating for her.

However, Kevin wasn't finished with him. His eyes were lit up in a murderous frenzy, and he kept punching Brooklyn in the face as hard as he could. Brooklyn grunted out every time, but refused to give in. One punch, then two, then three… but Brooklyn kept taking it. The Clan started to cry out in anger at Kevin; but nothing stopped his actions. Finally, he stopped and stood up, his wild eyes staring down at Brooklyn's crumpled body, when Bones and Terry- his two side kick Quarryman stepped out from inside the side of the Castle.

"Sir," Bones said, speaking to Castaway and Kevin through his hood. "We've finished our search of this Castle, and there is no sign of the girl."

"What?" Kevin gasped, looking backwards at the masked Human.

Brooklyn looked up from the ground and smiled triumphantly at Kevin's sore loss. Wherever Rose was, he still hoped that she was safe. But, just as he thought about her; he suddenly felt the overwhelming tingling sensation of his soul connecting to hers, making him gasp out. His eyes widened and he suddenly felt like he was going to be ill. Not only was alive; but she was nearby.

"No…" Brooklyn gasped under his breath, willing his thoughts to somehow connect to her, wherever she was.

My LOVE! He screamed out in his head. I can feel you… stay away! Don't do this- don't come to me! Kevin is here… go! Leave me!

However, as he was breathing and thinking those things in his mind, he suddenly felt another wave of his connection with her; and he could feel her love. It was so overwhelming, it was as if she was right in front of him. Blinking, he quickly scanned the sea of dark blue masks, and couldn't see her anywhere, yet it felt like she was standing right next to him. Then, to his further feelings of panic, he heard her sweet and beautiful voice in his head.

Too late, I'm already here, and am not going anywhere. Her voice whispered. I love you… this ends tonight…

Kevin froze, and was breathing erratically, while Castaway seemed unconcerned.

"Oh well, it's of little impor-"

But he was cut off, when Kevin turned back to Brooklyn, in a murderous twisted face and grabbed Brooklyn again; punching him with his fists and the butt of his gun, making him hurt as much as he could- but Rose's voice was heard loud and clear in his voice.

NO! She screamed out in his mind.

There was chaos all the sudden, Castaway began to scream at Kevin, while the Clan roared out Brooklyn's name but didn't dare activate their own chains with electricity. Kevin was screaming out in rage, punching Brooklyn's face as hard as he could, and then finally settled for slugging him as hard as he could in his bare abdomen once again.

From the corner of Brooklyn's eye, the Quarryman named Bones- the same one he thought he tied up a few weeks ago- was standing with another shorter masked Quarryman, who did something strange. The masked person suddenly leapt forward, as if they were wanting to stop Kevin, but Bones quickly placed his arms around the person's waist, and whipped them back. No one seemed to notice, except Brooklyn, as he suddenly very drawn to that masked being- for some strange reason.

Brooklyn exhaled out in pain, as the pain started to grow more intense- so much so, he could feel blood pouring out from his mouth, which was rare for a Gargoyle to be injured so much to bleed; especially when punched. His body was way more equipped to take such a hit; but Kevin's punches kept coming.

"ENOUGH!" Castaway suddenly roared out, stepping forward and holding Kevin's fists, stopping him. "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

However, Kevin ignored Castaway's commands, grabbed Brooklyn by one of his horns and forced his face to look into his deranged one.

"WHERE IS ROSE?" Kevin screamed in Brooklyn's face. "WHERE IS SHE?!"

When Brooklyn didn't immediately answer, Kevin punched him as hard as he could in his abdomen again, causing Brooklyn to exhale out in pain. He took a few deep breaths, to keep himself from vomiting, but kept his face strong; forcing his eyes on Kevin's wild ones.

"I'd die… before I tell you anything. You can go to hell." He answered Kevin, taking short, gasping breaths.

Kevin grit his teeth, his rage boiling over now; and suddenly stepped away from Brooklyn releasing his horns. Kevin then whipped out a laser gun on his belt, cocked it, and shot it into Brooklyn's wing, causing him to yell out in true pain. When he looked over his left shoulder, he saw the gaping hole in his left wing just above his shoulder, and gasped. He grit his teeth against the pain, fell down to his knees and was breathing in small gasps as his wing throbbed in agony.

Again, the shorter Quarryman, standing to Brooklyn's left made a movement as if they were wanting to stop the violence, and at the same time, he heard Rose's voice in his head scream in panic and horror.

BROOKLYN! NOOO!

Kevin re-cocked the gun, ignoring Goliath, and aimed it towards Brooklyn again, but before he could pull the trigger, Castaway stepped in. He slapped Kevin's hand down, and screamed at his face, slapping the gun down.

"ENOUGH, I SAID!"

He then punched Kevin as hard as he could in the jaw, sending him staggering backwards on the ground. When he recovered, he looked up into Castaway's angry face in shock.

"I'M the one in who's in charge here, and I say enough!" Castaway screamed in his face. "WHO CARES where the girl is. YOU need to get your priorities straight. The real problem are these Gargoyles! We have them all, now it is time to destroy them by firing squad. Once they're dead, we can finally be free of their vileness!"

"You promised me that if I helped you find these Gargoyles; then you would help locate my wife!" Kevin snarled, stepping forward, forgetting his punched jaw. "I need these creatures alive until they tell me where she is at! I won't allow their deaths just yet… they know where she's at and I will make them tell me!"

Castaway took a deep breath, turned towards Kevin and glared at him.

"I don't care about your stupid lost wife anymore, Kevin." He sneered at him, showing his true colors to him now. " Yes, you've helped me find the Gargoyles, but I have no will in my soul to find her right now. The real war is in front of us. A war that I will end, right now."

Castaway then stepped away from Kevin, who was looking at Castaway in shock, and towards the line of Quarrymen who had been standing at attention; their guns next to their sides.

"Ready the weapons!" He yelled out, and upon his command, the Quarrymen all raised their guns from their sides and cocked the lasers into place; allowing them to warm up.

Brooklyn set his jaw firm and felt tears come to his eyes; he took a deep breath and then looked over at his Clan. They all were doing the same, exchanging looks of love with each other. Angela was crying, holding her stomach with one claw, as Broadway reached over and grabbed her other Claw. Each Gargoyle did so, holding each other's Claw's, connecting each other down the line of Gargoyles. The Quarrymen brought over the Clones, Maggie, Claw and Talon over to sit on their knees in front of Goliath's Clan- and all looked to be crying. Maggie was sobbing, unable to control herself as she realized that she was about to lose her unborn child and her mate.

Brooklyn exhaled deeply, sank to his knees in defeat, and then suddenly felt a soft claw grab his right claw. He looked up and saw that Akira had reached over to continue their line of holding each other's claws. Her eyes were filled with tears.

"At least Rose is safe… I love you my brother." Akira whispered. Brooklyn's eyes filled with tears and he was unable to speak, nodded at her and then looked down at the line of his Clan; where Goliath was in the middle. He was holding Hudson's and Broadway's Claw, and his eyes were also filled with tears.

"I love you all-" Goliath said firmly and emotionally. "Family is everything… and I pray the sun will shine upon us all in the next life when this nightmare is over."

"Ready!" Castaway screeched out, standing behind the line of Quarrymen; who had their guns raised at each Gargoyle. Kevin suddenly stood and yelled, "You promised that you would help me find her!"

Castaway ignored him, as he yelled louder, "AIM!"

"I NEED THEM ALIVE!" Kevin roared, his face growing more mad and deranged.

Brooklyn closed his eyes, holding onto Akira's claw tightly with his own. As he would drift off into the next world or life; he would think of Rose and he would love her always.

"I love you, Rose…" Brooklyn whispered to himself, allowing her love to fill his heart, hoping that she would live a fulfilling and happy life without him.

Wherever you are. He willed in his mind, closing his mind and willing his soul to connect to hers. Know that I love you. I will always love you. I wish we could have been together forever. Stay away… I'm sorry I was not strong enough to rid Kevin from your life. But you are my mate. My love. Good-bye… I loved you in our past life, I've loved you in this one, and I'll love you in the next. It is there that I will wait for you…

As he thought those things, he felt his connection to her soul pull him closer to her; and he could feel her so closely to him. She had to be next to him; there was no way she wasn't, unless she had learned to become invisible. He slowly turned to the masked Quarryman to his left and felt extremely drawn to them- which disgusted him.

Ignoring that pull, he willed his mind to imagine Rose and how beautiful she was; how much he loved her, and to focus on nothing else. Castaway was screaming for the Quarrymen to shoot them, while Kevin was pulling out his own gun. Brooklyn couldn't see Rose anywhere; but he knew she was there with him, and again he looked over at the masked Quarryman who was fidgeting frantically, as the one by the name of Bones, was holding them still.

Castaway opened his mouth to scream the word, 'fire', but couldn't when Kevin suddenly aimed his gun and shot Castaway in the head.

BANG!

Everyone gasped as blood exploded all over the place and Castaway's body fell to the ground- having been fatally killed. Brooklyn's eyes widened in shock; and silence followed his actions.

---

Rose felt like she was going to be sick, after watching Kevin brutally beat up Brooklyn, right in front of her eyes, but nothing could have prepared her for this. It happened in slow motion as Castaway was killed by a gunshot to the head, while Mike was holding her back and was preparing his own gun to shoot Kevin in the leg and create a diversion to allow her to release the Clan from their chains. Rose watched with wide eyes as Castaway's body fell to the ground, blood spilling out of his head.

"Oh my God!" Rose breathed under her mask, slowly looking up into Kevin's deranged face; having just witnessed him actually murder someone before her eyes. And though it was the Quarryman leader, it was still unnervingly terrifying to see.

"Holy shit!" Mike whispered under hood, talking to her. "Kevin's losing his shit here... okay, change of plans. Be ready to run and release the Gargoyles, okay? Order 42 is gonna happen now; and the Quarrymen have been ordered to kill him. Once the Gargoyles are released, you all leave as quickly as you can. Understand?"

Unable to speak, Rose slowly nodded, pulled the key out of her pocket and held it tightly in her hand; her eyes still on Kevin. From across the platform, Kevin was breathing deeply, his eyes on Castaway's bloodied body, and then slowly looked up and faced each Quarrymen's shocked looks through their masks. Their leader had been shot, however; they still had one order from Castaway. The leader took off his hood and stared at Kevin with wide eyes.

"He shot Castaway!" The brunette leader yelled, from behind him. "FOLLOW ORDER # 42- KILL HIM!"

"I knew Castaway was going to have no more need of me… and I no longer need any of you either." Kevin snarled, smiling darkly, watching as each Quarryman quickly lifted up their guns. The leader of the Quarrymen started to yell out his orders, but Kevin was faster in his instincts and started blasting each Quarrymen in the chest with his own gun.

BANG!

"You're dead!" Kevin yelled out, and then pulled on the trigger of the laser like a machine gun- taking them all down in vast numbers. "You're ALL dead!"

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

Gunshot after gunshot; Kevin was finally free to let out his aggression; and was violently shooting each Quarrymen down. Some were simply injured and stunned, but others were hit fatally. Kevin moved smoothly and quickly, shooting each Quarrymen who was coming near to him, and others he smacked down with his own fists.

"Shit!" Mike yelled out, firing his own gun- but Kevin was too fast and was taking out people in masks. "LOOK OUT!"

Rose screamed out, as Mike tackled her to the ground and covered her body with his, as bullet pelted through his body. Mike screamed out in pain, making Rose shriek; but her scream was lost in the chaos and screams of each Quarryman getting gunned down. Gunshot after gunshot, Kevin took each man and woman down. Once he was finished with the ones around him, he turned and sent a series of lasers towards the Quarrymen helicopter, where they hit the gasoline tank, igniting a fiery explosion.

BOOM!

Flames and smoke exploded as the Helicopter burst into flames; shutting down all communication for back- up. Brooklyn watched with shock and horror as this Human took down all of the Quarrymen, without hardly any effort. Kevin fired one last shot at the last Quarrymen; where they screamed out, and then fell to the ground. On the ground, Mike was grunting and groaning in pain; but Rose could hear that he was still alive.

"Oh, God!" She shrieked out. "Mike! Are you okay!?"

He was breathing deeply in her ear, and was in obvious pain.

"I… I don't know. One laser hit my bullet-proof vest; but it's a new gun from the black market." He told her, gasping out. " It's burned through it like paper; and the other is in my upper leg… God… this fucking hurts… GAH!"

"What can I do?!" Rose asked anxiously, as he kept lying on top of her.

"Get to the Gargoyles, and set them free!" Mike groaned, pulling off his hood so he could breathe better, and then rolled off her. "Hurry! I was not expecting Kevin to shoot us all down like dogs. We need the Gargoyles now, or else we are both dead- especially when he finds out you're not really 'Terry.' Hold the sensor against their chains for ten seconds! I've got my gun… I'll cover you from down here."

Rose gasped out, quickly stood; holding her key in her gloved hand and quickly began to make her way over to Brooklyn; who had been closest to her. Tears filled her eyes as she recalled his parting thoughts to her, and wasn't going to allow him to die. When she stepped out with Mike, in her Quarryman disguise, their connection came to life and he knew she was there somewhere. It would have been hilarious, if not such a scary situation, because he kept looking straight at her and looked disgusted at her Quarryman disguise, but if only he knew… but for right now, he couldn't. Not until she set the whole Clan free, so that they could help her dispose of Kevin, once and for all.

---

Silence passed between everyone for a moment, before Kevin suddenly re-cocked the gun and turned towards the two remaining Quarrymen who were standing behind him. Bones had taken off his hood, and Terry was standing; looking unscathed. Kevin grinned at Bones, and saw that he had shot him- but since it was a sea of masks- he didn't care.

"Bones, Terry!" He snarled dangerously. "What's it going to be boys? Are you with me? Or do you wish to join the rest of your Quarrymen pals?"

Brooklyn looked over at Bones, the man who had taken the hood off, and recognized him as the same guy that he tied up at the garbage can the night the Quarryman scouts attacked him when they were moving Rose to the Labyrinth. Brooklyn's eyes narrowed at his wounds, and could see how much pain he was in, and he actually felt bad for him. Bones seemed to be the only Quarryman who actually seemed the most 'Human'. When Brooklyn spoke to him, he acted the least hostile, and had the potential to change- which was the most sad and disappointing to him. He could change, as could the other Quarrymen, but he was choosing hatred, bigotry and terrorism against an innocent species.

Bones looked from Kevin, over to Brooklyn and both of them looked at each other for a moment, before Kevin slowly began to step forward towards him and the other masked one who had frozen. As Brooklyn looked over at the one standing, he kept feeling Rose's connection and it was throwing him off- Rose was close to him, he could just feel it, but still didn't know where she was.

Though it was strange, the masked Quarryman closest to him was holding a small metal device in their gloved hand, and had hid it behind their leg… but unfortunately for them, Kevin saw that movement, chuckled darkly and slowly began to stalk forward holding the gun up, ready to shoot them both.

"Terry…?" Kevin asked the masked man, closest to Brooklyn. "Whatcha got in your hand?"

The masked Quarryman didn't respond, and simply stood there, either unsure what to say or were quickly coming up with something to tell Kevin. Kevin grit his teeth, stepping closer to the masked Quarryman, still rising his gun; while Lexington whispered so Akira, Hudson and Brooklyn could hear.

"That Quarryman isn't acting like a normal Quarryman…"

"Aye." Hudson said, narrowing his eyes. "Unless they hate Kevin more than us… ?"

Brooklyn, however, didn't say anything as Kevin stepped closer to the Quarryman. He felt his connection flowing from him and he was confused, because Rose was so close but yet, he still hadn't seen her. He narrowed his eyes and watched the Quarryman closest to him, with suspicion.

Rose…? Brooklyn asked her in his mind. I feel you… you're so close. Where are you?!

However, before he could wait for her response, Kevin approached the Quarryman and looked at their hands and grinned maliciously.

"Terry… why are you holding the metal key that deactivates the Gargoyles' chains from the electricity?" Kevin asked quietly, his voice cold and dangerous. "You wouldn't be so stupid to betray me and let them out? Now would you?"

At that, the Clan gasped and their eyes widened at the thought of a Quarryman assisting them and letting them out of their chains; as Kevin pressed the gun to the masked 'Terry', and suddenly as he did that, Brooklyn felt his familiar warning connection flow through him and seemed to electrify him; as the chains did. He gasped out at the pain, and felt that Rose was somehow in danger all of the sudden, right as Kevin placed the gun to the masked Quarryman's forehead.

"Brooklyn!" Akira asked him, looking at him with wide eyes. "What's wrong?!"

"Rose!" He whispered to her. "She- she's in danger!"

"What?" She gasped out, looking around. "Where is she?!"

Brooklyn was trying to feel for Rose's presence, but still felt her close to him, somehow.

"I-" he began to say, but then stopped, as Kevin suddenly whipped around to face him. He heard him speak Rose's name and then things happened in slow motion. Brooklyn's eyes widened as he suddenly realized what was going on and felt like he was going to die of shock; as it suddenly made sense why he felt connected to the masked Quarryman… because it wasn't a Quarryman at all.

It was Rose.

Kevin narrowed his eyes at Brooklyn, but then Bones fired his laser gun at Kevin and hit him in the chest; making him roar out in pain, all while "Terry' pulled their arm back and clocked Kevin in the face, knocking him down to the ground. However, he didn't stay down, but stood back up, whipped his gun out as 'Terry' made another movement towards Brooklyn with the key.

"KEVIN!" Mike yelled from the ground, stood and instantly charged for him in hand-to-hand combat. "DIE you son of a bitch!"

With that, both men began to engage in a massive fight, punching, kicking and tackling each other down to the ground, all while Bones screamed out to the masked Quarryman.

"GO! GET THE GARGOYLES OUT! GOOOO!"

The masked Quarryman wasted no time, and instantly ran up to the chain in between Brooklyn and Akira, and held out the metal key to deactivate the electricity. However, before they could, Brooklyn suddenly grabbed onto their wrist and stopped them.

"Brooklyn! What are you doing!?" Goliath roared out. "THEY ARE HELPING US!"

However, Brooklyn ignored him and still held the Quarryman tightly, growling and snarling, with his eyes lit up in anger. He didn't know what was happening but he needed answers.

"Who are you?!" Brooklyn snarled. "Why are you helping us?!"

"Brooklyn!" Lexington yelled at him. "WHO CARES! Get us out!"

But Brooklyn shook the Quarryman roughly and roared, "WHO ARE YOU!?"

The Quarryman, gave the metal disc over to Lexington suddenly, who looked at it in amazement, as 'Terry' used the free hand to remove their mask. Brooklyn's bright white eyes suddenly faded and he gasped, as 'Terry' was not a man at all. But his love- it was Rose all along. Her long- curly auburn hair fell out of the mask and cascaded down her back as she looked deeply into his eyes, not afraid of his anger, but instead stepped closer to him.

"Someone who loves you very much!" She replied passionately, her lips now inches from his.

The Clan gasped out her name, and a series of other greetings, as Brooklyn released his iron-tight grip on her wrist and stared at her in shock.

"Rose!?" He gasped out in relief and shock to see her revealed as that Quarryman. Rose grinned at him, with tears in her eyes and slowly brought her hands up to his face.

"Yes, my love. I am here."

He stared at her in amazement, and couldn't seem to wrap his head around what was going on, until it all clicked in his brain. Bones, the Quarryman was still fighting Kevin; and apparently was helping Rose all along. But with that, Kevin was a few feet away from his love and she was unprotected.

And then the horror hit him…

"Rose!" He gasped out. "What are you doing here!? You must leave! You-"

"No!" She suddenly interrupted and stepped away from him, grabbing the key from Lexington's claw. "I'm getting you guys out of here! This key needs to sit against the chain for ten seconds, and it'll disengage the power."

She instantly pressed the metal piece against the chain between Brooklyn and Akira, holding it there, and once it began beeping, she held the red button down counting in her head to ten.

"I'm so relieved to see you alive and all right, my sister!" Akira gasped out, tears falling out of her eyes.

"Same!" Rose gasped out, getting to five in her head. "I'll have you all out here in just a minute. Once it disengages, then you'll all be able to break out of the chains with ease! And then Kevin will be vastly outnumbered."

However, right as she said that, the fight suddenly ended with a loud yell of pain. Rose was at seven in her mind; and could see the device turning yellow, working at deactivating the electricity. She whipped her head around as Mike's voice was heard, screaming, "ROSE! LOOK OUT!"

Brooklyn had been watching Rose try to unlock the chains, but another BANG shot out in the night; and suddenly a laser beam flew straight into the back of Rose's hand and the key went flying, over the ledge of the Castle.

"AHH!" Rose screamed out in pain, holding her burned and shot hand close to her chest.

"ROSE!" Brooklyn yelled out, as the Clan gasped and cried out in horror. Rose cried out in pain and quickly grabbed onto her hand. Whipping around she looked over and saw that Kevin had bested Mike, and was slowly lowering the laser gun at her; his eyes growing wide at the sight of her. Brooklyn's eyes lit up in rage, at her pain, and the fact that he couldn't do anything for her, as Kevin now realized that she was there. His true nightmare was beginning to come true; even though they had come so close to being free from the chains. He was still stuck on the chains, unable to help her or his Clan, Kevin was there, and Rose was unprotected.

Kevin looked at Rose, up and down, like she was an object to be gawked at, and slowly his shocked face twisted up into a dark and truly evil smile. She looked so beautiful to him; even in the slushy snow which was wetting everything around them, and he felt as though his world of vengeance was complete.

"Finally… Rose…" Kevin breathed, his eyes growing wide with excitement, grinning evilly.

---

After recovering from having the key blasted from her hands, Rose's eyes widened in horror as she realized that Mike had been knocked unconscious, and Kevin's attention was now on her- his body and face frozen as if she had excited a wild animal.

"Rose…!" Brooklyn whispered from behind her, begging. "Run…"

Rose, however, ignored Brooklyn's quiet plea and slowly faced Kevin head on, glaring at him as she clenched her hands into fists. The key to letting Brooklyn and the Clan had been lost over the ledge of the Castle, and like Owen said, it was all up to her now.

"Hello… my darling wife." Kevin breathed, stepping towards her. "Oh, I have missed you…"

"I bet you have!" Rose snarled in anger, taking off her gloves; unzipped the Quarryman jumpsuit and kicked it away from her. His eyes widened as he saw her in her jeans and gray fashion sweater; and began to laugh.

"Ohh yes…" He drawled, gazing at her body up and down with lust and desire. "That certainly is better… isn't it?"

Rose grit her teeth at him gazing at her in that way- because according to her- he no longer had that privilege. Icy sleet began soaking her outfit and hair, and as she stood there, staring at Kevin; she felt her magic heat up her hands- fueled by the rage she suddenly felt for him and the hell he has brought her, the Clan, Xanatos, and Brooklyn. The tingling and electricity inside her was charging to deliver him a blow, one she hoped, that would kill him at first impact. However, before anyone could do anything, another voice joined their party.

"FREEZE! NYPD!"

Rose gasped, and looked over- Elisa had come charging out of the Castle, with her black glock gun raised towards Kevin.

"PUT THE GUN DOWN!" She screamed out, her fingers on the trigger. "DO IT, NOW!"

Goliath gasped out at seeing his mate and yelled out her name, while Rose saw Kevin's actions way before Elisa could. Kevin quickly raised the gun in his hands, turned to face Elisa and shot it.

BANG!

"ELISA!" Goliath roared out in pain as the powerful laser shot towards her, and at the same time, Elisa's gun went off, shooting into the night. However, before the laser could hit Elisa in the face, Rose raised her hand and shot out her own red-electrified power out of her hands, stopping the bright white laser in mid-air, inches from Elisa's face- all while Elisa's bullet hit Kevin in his bullet-proof vest. Gasping out in pain, he stumbled backwards a bit, and held onto his chest in shock, but then looked up to see what was going on- and what he saw made him freeze in horror.

Red, electric-like smoke was coming out of Rose's good hand, and her eyes were glowing red. With gritted teeth, she was willing the thin laser beam from hitting Elisa in the face.

Elisa's eyes widened, cried out, and then stepped backwards from the laser, which was hissing and spitting out electricity with angry energy- hovering in mid-air.

Brooklyn's eyes widened at her use of her power, and slowly a proud smile formed on his face. For a moment he had forgotten about Rose's magic, and though he had seen it many times before, it impressed him so much still. The Clan all gasped out in relief, as the Mutates cried out in shock.

"She-" Talon began to stamper. "She…"

"She has magic!" Maggie gasped out.

"YES! GO, ROSE, GO!" Akira screamed out triumphantly, as Elisa stepped out of the way of the laser, smiling triumphantly.

Seeing his plan blow up in his face, by Rose's unknown and unexpected magic, Kevin slowly turned and faced Rose with a wide-eyed look of horror and shock.

When Elisa was safely out of the way, Rose let the laser beam go and it hit into the side of the Castle, exploding some stone away. With her eyes still glowing with her red power, as well as her hands, she slowly stepped towards Kevin, who was gasping in pain, but raised the gun to her now.

"So…" He growled, glaring maliciously at her. "You're a witch now?"

Rose stared at the man she used to call her husband with great hatred, clenched her fists and felt her magic build up in a power she could barely contain- her hatred for him fueling it.

"I guess I am…" She answered him coldly, and right as she did- he raised his gun with a scream of rage. However, before he could shoot her, she raised her hand and willed the red-electricity of magic to explode out of her hand, striking him in his chest, with her own scream of rage.

With a yelp of pain, and wide eyes, he went flying backwards and slammed through the stone wall, in a loud explosion of her power and the stone. Much like she had destroyed her bathroom, before leaving for the Labyrinth, she felt her power flowing through her in rage. Once he was gone from her sight, most likely having been knocked unconscious, a dark smile twisted up in her face.

Right then, the Clan, the Clones, and the Mutates all roared out in joyous celebrations though not daring to activate their chains. Rose took a series of deep breaths, letting her magic fade, until it disappeared- however, because it was a lot of energy used; she sank to her knees, feeling dizzy.

Panting, Elisa pocketed her gun, and ran over to help her up.

"Rose!" Elisa cried out. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," She gasped out, standing up with Elisa's help. "We need to get the Gargoyles free; or else this night will truly end in more blood."

"I agree…" Elisa said, as they both ran towards the chained up Clan. "Any ideas?"

"There is a key, a metal device that the Quarrymen used to activate the electricity in their chains." Rose explained to her, turning back to the Clan. "Kevin blasted it out of my hands and it fell down to the ground below us. I have no idea if any of these Quarrymen will have a key on them… but that was the only way I know how to get them out! The voltage is the same as those guns. It's much more powerful than yours or any of Xanatos' guns-"

Thinking deeply, Elisa walked over to Goliath, placed her hand upon his chest, before reaching out to hold Angela's claw, worry etched all over her face, then she turned back to Rose.

"Do you think any of these guys will have a key?" Elisa asked, pointing to the dead of unconscious Quarrymen bodies. Rose opened her mouth to speak, looking uncertain, but was interrupted.

"I doubt we'll be able to find one… but we shouldn't waste anymore time.."

Everyone gasped, and Rose turned around with wide eyes to see that Xanatos had finally regained consciousness and was walking towards him, in his red Gargoyle exo-suit. He was sporting a limp, and his handsome face was bruised and bleeding, but he looked to be okay. The Clan gasped out his name, as Rose rushed forward and placed an arm around his waist to further help him over to them.

"Thank you, Rose." Xanatos said, smiling thankfully down at her as he continued to grimace in pain. "We can possibly use some of the Steel Clan to divert the current, but I am unsure how well that will actually work. Especially with the pregnant females; they are in a much more delicate state and can't take another hit of voltage"

"Xanatos is right!" Broadway said, holding onto Angela, as she was still on the ground. "We cannot activate our chains, without it affecting Maggie's and Angela's line… it's too dangerous."

"We'll find a way!" Elisa said, glancing around. "Kevin is now unconscious, as are most of the Quarrymen… that gives us only precious time to try to get you guys out! Xanatos, Rose… let's search the Quarrymen for a key! That is our best shot for now… "

Nodding, Xanatos, Rose, and Elisa split up searching each Quarryman frantically. Rose quickly checked every pocket or chest piece, in which Mike had taken the key out from, and then called out to them.

"Check their chest pieces! That's where Mike had his!"

Brooklyn watched them search for a key to let them out of their chains, but he blinked in confusion at how Rose knew the Quarryman's name- or how she gained his favor; and made it a mental note to ask her later. Seconds ticked into minutes; and with every passing minute, the Clan watched as they all came up with nothing. When Elisa had reached Castaway's body, she gasped out.

"Castaway is dead?!"

"You can thank Kevin for that…" Rose answered her darkly, feeling her anxiety rise- and with the mention of his name; Elisa and her quickly exchanged looks of horror.

"Speaking of… I need to handcuff him!" Elisa gasped out, quickly stood and ran towards the exploded stone wall, where Rose had sent Kevin through. Rose instantly stood and ran after Elisa, as Brooklyn yelled out after her.

"ROSE! NO!"

Rose and Elisa quickly scaled over the mess of stone; and both gasped. The wall had blasted through into the living room, but there wasn't a sign of Kevin. Seeing that he was no longer there; Rose felt her heart sink and panic set into her chest.

"He's gone!" Elisa gasped out, looking around, as Rose stared at the floor unblinking- frozen in shock. Elisa quickly looked over at her, grabbed her arms and shook her slightly. "Rose?"

Snapping out of it, Rose closed her eyes and whispered, "We have to get the Gargoyles out of those chains! We don't have any time to lose now!"

With that, Rose whipped around and ran back of the damage, with Elisa on her heels, and ran out to the platform. Brooklyn exhaled in relief when he saw that they were okay, but he could feel Rose's anxiety, as she ran towards him.

"What's going on?" Goliath asked, seeing the same distress on Elisa's face.

"Kevin is no longer there." Elisa quickly explained, looking around in panic, and then settled upon her mutated brother, Talon. "And we can't find a key anywhere… so we've got minimal time before we will see Kevin again... "

The Clan, Mutates, and Clones's eyes widened in shock, while some looked positively diminished of all hope. The icy sleet was pouring down upon them, and had soaked them all head to feet.

Xanatos stepped forward all the sudden, raised his arm gun from his exo-suit at the line between Broadway and Goliath.

"Not if I can help it!" Xanatos said, activating his own laser gun at the chain and began to hold it there. To the Clan's relief, it didn't activate the charge of the chains, but Xanatos' laser began to slowly overwhelm the charge in the line. Freezing cold, and soaked, Rose watched with hope as Xanatos took to holding the laser against the line, took a shaky breath, stepped towards Brooklyn and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying and needing to feel his love over her extreme worry and anxiety.

"I'm so sorry, Brooklyn!" She cried in his shoulder. "I have no idea if this will work, and I don't know what I will do if it doesn't. There is no key to let you guys out, and… Kevin…"

She cut off from speaking and grief pulsed through her, as he held onto him. Their connections pulsed through both of them, connecting them and their thoughts. Brooklyn could feel her grief and fear, but to Rose's greater fear; she felt his resolve on their predicament, and had accepted that he was going to die. Gasping, she quickly let him go, grabbed onto his face and shook her head.

"No…" She breathed, tears streaming down her wet face. "You aren't going to die… you…"

"Rose." Brooklyn interrupted, looking at her seriously while he gently reached his chained claws up to grasp her hands. "Kevin is awake… and probably regrouping somewhere to attack. I don't think Xanatos will get us out in time, and there is no way to get us out- not without endangering Angela's hatchling." He paused, held her closer to him as tears filled his eyes, and his voice shaking. "You have done beautifully… but now it's too late. You must get out of here before he comes back! Run as fast and as far away from here as you can, leave New York if you must. Take a bus- or train- go anywhere; hide, and if I make it through this night- I will find you… I promise. I'll never stop searching until I have you safely back in my arms. I'll search this entire planet if I have to… "

"No" Rose gasped through gritted teeth. "I won't leave you, Brooklyn!"

"Yes, you will!" Brooklyn ordered her, pulling her roughly closer to him, tears filling his own eyes. "My love- please…!"

"NO!" She yelled out, crying. "I WON'T!"

"Rose- listen to me!" He admonished through his teeth, holding her hands tighter in his grasp. "You have the chance to escape him, and escape him, you must! Please, go!"

"No!" Rose argued with him through gritted teeth, not caring that he was growing angry at her. "I'm NOT leaving you!"

Brooklyn opened his mouth in a snarl to yell at her, his body shaking with anger, however Rose stared deeply into his eyes; her own resolve stronger than his.

"No." She whispered firmly, repeating her argument and grabbed hold on his beaked face, forcing him to look into her angry eyes. Then, after a second, she glanced over his bloodied face and then to the gaping hole in his left wing. Her eyes widened at his injuries and felt herself become physically ill- as her anger faded and left her to worry for him. Over his left shoulder was a large hole in his wing, which was bleeding slowly and with every movement, he seemed to be in a great amount of pain.

"Oh, Brooklyn… your wing… " She gasped out, fussing with his wing, making him gasp out in pain.

"I don't give a damn about it! " Brooklyn yelled, becoming even more angry with her, grasping onto her arms tightly. "Listen to me and get this through your HEAD! I am chained up and unable to protect you! He'll KILL YOU if you don't leave!"

Tears fell down her face, as she relaxed her breathing and inhaled deeply- her own anger fading. She was going to win this argument by showing him how much she loved him, instead.

"Yes, my love.. I know… and I understand. But… I don't care." She breathed softly, sliding her arms around his neck and holding her against him, hugging him tightly again- shocking him. His eyes widened and his mouth opened in a snarl, but she pressed her face against his and placed a hand over his mouth. She closed her eyes and held him tenderly.

"I have been running for so long, Brooklyn." She whispered against his face. "We both have done all that we can- but I will not and cannot let Kevin continue his terror and evil intentions. No matter the outcome… I'm staying with you. To live… or to die; we will face him together."

"Rose… no… " Brooklyn argued weakly, giving into her touch against his better judgement, feeling afraid for the first time in a long time, tears falling down his face and he grabbed onto her arms, holding her close since he couldn't wrap his arms around her.

"Am I a part of this Clan?" She suddenly asked him firmly and seriously.

"Well… yes…"

"And am I going to be your mate?"

Brooklyn took a deep breath, and then urged, "Yes… but…"

"Then, I'm staying." Rose said flatly; taking his beak in her hands, her lips inches from his. "I'm staying with you, come hell or high water… I don't care. I'm not going to hide away anymore. We've tried that route already by hiding me away, twice; and it hasn't worked. What we need to do now is to work together to get rid of him."

"But… Rose… he's stronger than I thought." Brooklyn argued; his voice full of passion. "His will to kill you is unbelievable; and I'm chained up! Until we find a way out of these, I'm stuck, and can't help you."

"It doesn't matter how strong he is." Rose told him gently, running her fingers softly over his skin.

"It does!" Brooklyn cried out, grasping onto her arms tightly with his claws, the chains almost igniting them both in electricity. "Rose… I'm not strong enough… "

"Oh, please!" Rose groaned, rolling her eyes. "You are a GARGOYLE; there's nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it."

"That's not what I was meaning…" Brooklyn tried again, but Rose kept interrupting him.

"You are stronger than him, Brooklyn!" Rose said fiercely. "Once we get you out of these chains, then…"

"I CAN'T LOSE YOU!" Brooklyn suddenly yelled, shaking her slightly so she would finally listen. She stared into his tear-filled eyes and watched as he hung his head low; completely giving in.

"I can't, Rose. Please, babe! I can't bear the thought of you dying under his hands. The sickening and cruel things he was threatening to do to you in front of me, is more than I'm able to handle. I can't get out of these chains, and can't watch him hurt you… I'm not… strong enough for that."

Rose looked deeply into his eyes and could feel his pain and desperation. His love for her was strong, as was his fear of losing her. Tears streamed down her face, as she suddenly closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his, kissing him deeply for a few seconds. When she released him, he exhaled shakily and pressed his forehead against hers, crying now.

"Shhh..." Rose shushed him. "My love, it's going to be alright; we're together now, and that's all that matters. Our will to be together and love each other, is stronger than his will to destroy me. He's only one person against you and I. We can conquer him together, I just know it. We are stronger together… remember?"

Brooklyn stared deeply into her beautiful hazel eyes, which were unafraid and full of hope. Though they were nearing the end of the line; he could feel her strength and light radiating off her and it brought him a new sense of hope.

He smiled gently down at her, leaned his face closer to hers, and then sighed.

"Right…"

Rose smiled at him, as he leaned her lips closer to his to kiss her again, when Kevin's cold voice was suddenly heard.

"Isn't this just… precious?"

Rose gasped away from Brooklyn's lips, turned around, and didn't have time to react as Kevin swung his heavy gun like a baseball bat, slugging her as hard as he could across her face; sending her flying away from Brooklyn into the rubble.

"ROSE!" Akira and the Clan screamed out, over Brooklyn's roar. Rose slammed hard down on the cold, wet stone and cried out in pain, blinking away the black dots which were arising in her vision. She slowly tried to get up, whimpering, but found that she couldn't.

The Clan gasped out in shock, having not seen him sneak up- as they were too busy watching and praying that Xanatos' laser could free their chains. Xanatos stopped his laser, turned to face Kevin with wide eyes, but Kevin took his gun and blasted him in the chest, making him yell out in pain, and sent him flying away from the Gargoyles, as Elisa fell to the ground, protecting her head from the blast.

Brooklyn immediately reacted by roaring out in rage; his eyes lit up, and lunged for Kevin, tugging on the chains as hard as he could, making the electricity shoot through his system, enveloping him in great amounts of burning pain- which consequently charged through the line to his screaming Clan.

Thinking of Angela, he stopped and sank to his knees, breathing deeply, his circumstance becoming desperate. He had to get out of the chains to protect Rose from him, as his nightmares were now coming true; he was unable to help Rose. Kevin had injured her horribly, and for that he was going to die. With his eyes still lit, he began to roar and howl, while watching helplessly as Kevin started to stalk towards her, laughing evilly, and slapping his gun over his palm.

"Well, well, well," He said coldly, stepping towards Rose. "So, the rumors are true. I wanted to believe that somehow this affair with that monster wasn't real… but you've proven me wrong, Rose. You truly are a whore."

Rose tried to blink away her dizziness, as she scooted herself away from Kevin, but he stalked towards her, enjoying watching her try to crawl away from him. She closed her eyes, as her head was bleeding and splitting open with unbelievable pain. She tried to will her magic into her hands, but just like when she was injured by Adam; she couldn't wield her magic. Not with a head injury. Then, with a swirling storm of pain, she lost all strength and collapsed to the ground; Brooklyn's screams of horror in the background- and suddenly she heard Kevin's ice-cold voice in her world between consciousness and unconsciousness.

"I could be who you want, Rose." He whispered in her ear, grabbing her with a pincer-grip on the back of the head- keeping her in the world of consciousness. "If it's a monster that you prefer; I can be that monster. I can make you scream like he does…"

"Kevin!" Elisa suddenly yelled out, lunging for him to knock him down to the ground; but he saw her coming. He was holding the back of Rose's neck tightly, and was kneeling on the ground next to her body- stood- and with one more swing of his gun, he hit Elisa's face as though he were knocking a fastball out of the park. With a shriek of pain, Elisa went flying in the other direction, and fell to the ground at Goliath's feet; completely unconscious. Goliath's massive body strained against the chains and was roaring in complete rage; due to is mate being beaten down.

"ELISA!" Goliath roared out, feeling more helpless as this nightmare was continuing. Brooklyn gritted his teeth and stared at Rose, who was lying on the ground, and had not moved for a moment, before Xanatos stood up and began yelling out a battle cry.

"KEVIN!" Xanatos yelled, raising the guns on his exo-suit at him. "You're reign of terror is over!"

Kevin grinned maliciously at him and then started shooting at him without warning, not waiting for him to attack first. The guns in which Castaway had secured, were more powerful than his, and it easily took out the weapons system on Xanatos' suit. Xamatos yelled out in shock as the guns' lasers easily penetrated his suit and took out his weapons, just as they had on his Castle and his security system.

"Looks like I need to invest in new weapons," Xanatos muttered to himself. Throwing his fried gun down, he ran forward, yelling in rage, and began a hand- to- hand combat with Kevin.

"Too bad you don't have the weapons to STOP ME!" Kevin screamed back, hitting Xanatos hard with a mixture of his powerful lasers and his fists, making Xanatos yell out in pain.

Rose suddenly raised her head from the ground, and gasped as Kevin said that. He was right; the lasers the Quarrymen had shipped were a lot more powerful than she'd ever seen; and were the same voltage power that the chains were made out of; which meant that she could possibly use the guns' laser to short out the Gargoyle's chains.

Gasping that that sudden brilliant thought, she turned herself on the ground and noticed a laser gun was lying close to her, next to an unconscious Quarrymen member's body. Through a haze of pain, she gritted her teeth and began to army-crawl over to the gun. Once there, she grabbed it and then turned herself on the ground so that she was pointing the gun at the line between Lexington and Hudson.

Her world was very dizzy, and she was struggling to hold the gun up in her hands, but she had to get the Gargoyles free. Grunting out in pain, she forced herself to stand despite the vast swarming of her brain. though still very dizzy. The Gargoyles were all trying to get out of their chains, as Lexington yelled, "If only there was a way to divert the charge!"

"With this work?" Rose suggested weakly, walking over to them, holding the gun. Blood was seeping down her forehead, and she could hardly stand still, but she had to try to get them out. If they got out; Kevin's game was over.

Lexington's face suddenly lit up and exclaimed, "YES! The lasers seem to have the same effect; they must be made by the same manufacturer. Try it, it should work!"

"Good work, Rose." Goliath gasped, thoroughly exhausted and desperate. "Quickly now, try it! We must get out of these chains."

Rose quickly tried to figure out the large gun, and found that it was unlike an ordinary gun, she fumbled with it's different buttons and didn't know how to activate it's charge. She felt extremely dizzy, from Kevin's hit, and they were running out of time. Gasping out, she fell to her knees as her world was spinning violently- and she could barely raise the gun.

"Rose, are you all right?!" Brooklyn asked her, his eyes widening at her wounds. Her face was bruising up, and fresh blood was pouring out of her mouth, nose, and her forehead; due to Kevin's gun.

"I've been better..." she replied weakly, still trying to figure out how to work the gun, without losing consciousness. Kevin's grunts of rage and Xanatos' screams of pain was stressing her out greatly. Frustrated, she aimed the gun at the chain-link between Hudson's and Lexington's chains, choosing to just pull on the trigger and pray it worked. Once the voltage wires were fried, the Clan could all burst out of their chains without any problems.

"Come on, Lass!' Hudson encouraged her, his eyes wide with worry for her. "Divert the charge and we'll take this fight!"

"I-" she gasped out. "I can barely see straight…"

"Point it to my line, lass!" Hudson yelled out. "Hold the trigger down, and one laser will bound to set the charge free.."

"Yeah…" Rose argued weakly, looking up at him with wide-eyes. "... and killing you with it…"

"If that's the price for my Clan's freedom, safety as well as yours... then I'm willing to pay it." He told her seriously. "Do it, Rose. I'm old- I've lived a good life. Set my Clan free- live your life with Brooklyn, and be free of Kevin forever. Shoot the gun, Rose!"

Tears streamed down her face, and grief flowed through her- her love for Hudson was great.

"I… I can't." Rose whispered, shaking her head. "I can't do it... not knowing that I could kill you."

"Rose… listen to me!" Hudson exclaimed- and slowly Rose raised her head to look into his eyes, and they were filled with tears.

"Lass, you can do it… and ye must." He urged her. "Shoot the line… even if it hits me. Get the Clan free… it's okay. I'll be okay. I promise."

Rose stared at Hudson, with tears flowing down her face, and got lost in his eyes for a moment. But then, with a BANG- Rose was shocked out of it. Xanatos and Kevin were still hashing it out with each other; but with one blast of light, followed by Xanatos' yell, she knew she was out of time. Rose whipped her face around and saw that Kevin had beaten Xanatos and his robots, and had turned to see her with a gun in her hands.

Kevin roared out in rage, running towards her, as the Clans began to scream a warning at Rose. She was all that was left for him to take down.

"ROSE!" Brooklyn roared out, as Hudson yelled, "DO IT, LASS! DO IT NOW!"

Rose's head was spinning so badly, she couldn't see straight- but she stood, raised the gun, pointing it at Hudson's line, and prayed that she didn't kill him. Kevin's roar of rage was coming closer to her. He didn't have his gun, probably thanks to Xanatos, but he was going to beat her down, until he most likely killed her. Tears streamed down her face, grief pulsed through her, as she took a chance and pulled the trigger. With a bright white light, the laser shot out of the gun and exploded the line. Rose didn't know if it worked or not, because Kevin's body slammed into her ground, right as she shot it.

Rose and Kevin went slamming to the ground, and before she could even scream out in pain, Kevin's body rolled on top of her, and instantly began to punch her as hard as he could; with great strength and energy- and the pain was so great that she couldn't help but scream out as loudly as she could. With every blow to her head and face, she could feel her world fade into darkness, and Brooklyn's screams of rage were growing quieter. She hoped that Elisa's gunshot to his chest would have slowed Kevin down, but he was acting like a cockroach; impossible to kill or harm. Falling down to the ground painfully; she tried to brace herself, but with each punch, she was becoming weaker against him.

Just then, Kevin grabbed onto her long hair, hyper-extending her neck and roared in her face, "I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING! YOU UNGRATEFUL BITCH! AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!"

Then, he placed his hand over her throat, cutting off her screams, cutting off all her air; suffocating her. She was sure she was going to die and suddenly she felt herself connecting with Brooklyn; and closed her eyes- willing their connection to fill him with all of her remaining strength; giving him the boost he needed to break free.

"BROOKLYN!" Rose shrieked out desperately, over Kevin's grasp, feeling her world begin to fade. "HELP ME!"

But then, a bright light filled the night sky and then a deafening explosion was heard, along with his rage-filled roar...

---

Rose had just barely shot her gun at Hudson's line, before Kevin tackled her down to the ground, and was now maliciously beating her up.

"NOOOO! ROSE!" Brooklyn roared, tugging against the line once again; activating it's excruciating charge. "GET OFF OF HER!"

But just then, the laser shot at Hudson's line seemed to be doing something. The line began to fizzle and short angrily; and to everyone's relief, Hudson was uninjured, and Rose had managed to hit the line, dead center.

"IT'S WORKING!" Lexington yelled out triumphantly as the sizzling line began to overheat and increase in shorting the line out. The Clan was watching as the line was about to explode, when they suddenly heard Rose's screams from the ground. Her screams were physically painful for Brooklyn, and suddenly, he couldn't take it anymore. His body and mind connected to hers, and he could feel every blow to her fragile body- his hands tightly around her throat.

"BROOKLYN!" Rose managed to scream out- "HELP ME!"

And he came undone- his eyes lit up brightly, he grasped his claws into fists and roared out into the night with as much fury, rage, and unbelievable power he had within him; as if he was truly coming to life.

"EVERYONE TUG ON YOUR LINES!" Brooklyn roared. "ALL TOGETHER! FINISH THE FUSE OFF! NOW, NOW, NOW!"

"Aye," Hudson yelled back, over Rose's screams, his face screwed up in pain, at the sound of them. "We've got bigger issues, coming to, if we don't!"

Brooklyn whipped his head, to the right, to see what he was talking about; and to his horror, most of the Quarrymen, who were only stunned by Kevin's attacks, were beginning to wake up. Horrified at this new development, he looked over to his left and watched as Rose was screaming, rolling around on the ground, with Kevin was maliciously punching her still. Her screams were making his brain and heart fit to explode; this was their most desperate hour.

"NOW GUYS!" Brooklyn bellowed, feeling rage pulse through him, needing to get to her. The familiar electric sensation shot through him, making it difficult to breathe as Rose's scream echoed in his head. He grit his teeth and allowed the sensation to pulse through him, igniting his body with all the power and rage he could muster, they had to get out, and he wouldn't stop fighting the charge until they did.

All at once, Broadway, Goliath, Hudson, Lexington, Akira and Bronx all tugged on the chains with all their strength and might, as did Talon, Claw, and the Clones. Angela and Maggie stayed down, trying to protect their unborn from the electricity and hoped that they could get out first. Upon their force against the chains, electricity shot out into their limbs, burning and painfully electrocuting them all; causing all the Gargoyles to shriek in pain-deafening the air around the battle. Brooklyn held on with everything he had in himself, choosing to focus on his connections and the power he felt coursing through his veins. He willed the powerful connections to break the chains, his thoughts on Rose.

Come on, BREAK! He thought to himself, screaming. BREAK!

After a few seconds of pure hell and torture; he could start to feel the electricity on the chains start to finally fuse out; and then to everyone's relief, a large and deafening explosion came from inside the chains; and the electricity stopped, allowing each Gargoyle to break free. Brooklyn blasted the metal pieces away from his body; roaring out as though he had finally awoken for the night. Though his face, abdomen and wing was in tremendous pain; nothing mattered to him, except that Rose, his precious love, was being taken out by Kevin on the ground in front of him.

The Quarrymen who were waking up, which was at least close to fifteen of them, were suddenly aware of the free Gargoyles, and gasped out in horror. They all quickly stood, grabbed their guns, and began screaming, "They're free! KILL THE MONSTERS!"

Then the battle truly began.

The Clones, Gargoyles, Elisa and the Mutates leapt forward attacking the remaining Quarrymen, while Brooklyn lurched forward towards Rose and Kevin- his claws outstretched to Kevin. Roars, screams, and mad chaos ensued in the night air all around them; but Brooklyn could only hear Rose's screams in his head and felt her pure fear and desperation for relief.

---

From the ground, Rose was trying to protect herself with all her might, as Kevin threw himself at her, punching her face, repeatedly. She could feel blood already pouring out from her wounds and her head was pounding painfully; thanks to his blow to her head from his large gun. Kevin's black eyes were wide in anger and lust, when he suddenly glanced up as the night was filled with deafening roars and a bright white light. Rose looked over with a bloodied and bruised face; and saw Brooklyn, and the rest of the Clan, burst out of their metal chains.

She watched as Brooklyn's eyes were white with fury; every single muscle bulging angrily; and then, wasting no time, was suddenly charging towards them. Rose cried out in relief at the sight of her guardian angel Gargoyle rushed forward to save her, and closed her eyes as tears poured out. Brooklyn lurched at Kevin, with his sharp claws and teeth out, ready to kill him.

"You're a dead man!" Rose snarled in Kevin's face, smiling triumphantly, as Kevin looked around wildly, hatching up a quick plan. To her surprise, he suddenly lifted her body off the ground, holding her body tightly against his.

"Not as dead as you!" He hissed back, running them away from Brooklyn's quick figure. Rose reached her arms out to Brooklyn, but then watched as his brightly-lit eyes widened in horror and shock. Just then, Kevin tossed himself and Rose off the Castle ledge; so that they were now free-falling towards Earth below, with Rose's scream of terror following them.