Back at the Eyrie Building, anticipation for rescuing Brooklyn grew as they planned preparations for the big rescue.
Xanatos had his own doctor be ready in case they had to operate on Brooklyn for any infections. Angela packed some bandages and other portable medical supplies, worried about the idea of finding Brooklyn mangled in a cell at that building, making her shake slightly.
Lexington himself was feeling impatient again, and even had a nightmare one time in stone sleep about Brooklyn dying.
...
The olive gargoyle found himself standing in a strange place between life and death, wondering how to get out.
But then, he spotted somebody moving towards Death's door, and felt horror. It was Brooklyn.
Lex gasped, running to him, and grabbing his arm.
"Brooklyn, no!" he shouted in grief, tugging. But the second in command turned, his eyes were full of grief, sorrow, and hurt.
"You can't stop me, Lex. It's my time to go. Thailog hurt me in more ways than I care to explain," he murmured sadly, looking down.
Lex shook his head harshly. "I'm going to keep telling you, Brook, please keep fighting him! Don't let Thailog ruin your health and wanting to live! And I will come to bring you home to us!" he sobbed. Brooklyn pulled his hand away, a sad smile showing.
"There comes a time to let those you love move on. Perhaps it really is my time. We had great times together, that's what I'll miss the most. Tell Angela, Goliath and the others I love them and I'll miss them. Please help protect our clan." Brooklyn said softly, as he turned and kept walking towards Death, leaving Lexington behind, who felt broken beyond repair from seeing Death stealing his brother away.
Evil laughter came, and Thailog showed up next to Lexington.
"He was pathetic, but a fun plaything to use…" he purred, sending a rush of anger in Lex's soul. He turned, glowering.
"I'll kill you for this, Thailog! You murdered my brother!" he shrieked, eyes flashing greatly, as Thailog suddenly grabbed his throat.
"Soon, it will be your turn… my new plaything…" Thailog said in a soft tone, a hand caressing Lexington's cheek as he gasped painfully, struggling, Thailog laughing evilly…
….
"Aaah!" Lex screamed, waking up in a cold sweat from his stone sleep the next night, looking around in fear for Thailog. Goliath noted his louder scream after he woke.
"Lexington, are you okay?" he asked. Lex was shaking, hands clenched.
"No, I'm not the hell okay!" he screamed, baring his teeth. Broadway tried putting a hand around him but Lex pushed him back.
"I saw Brooklyn dying. We're still wasting time!" he shouted in a grief-filled voice, running into the building, hearing everyone calling him to come back.
Lexington ran into the most secluded part of the castle, and it was dark there too, where he hoped nobody would find him crying, seeing Brooklyn's bright cheerful face before him, making Lex sob and scratch the wall with his talons out of anger, his legs giving way, curling up tightly.
He still missed Brooklyn so much, it was hard for Lex to wait to rescue him, as he just lay there, crying.
A while later, there was a hand on his shoulder, making Lex jump in fear. It was Goliath.
"Bronx had sniffed you all the way here," Goliath said in a gentle tone, smiling. Lexington ignored his leader, staring into the darkness.
"I wish I was there to stop Thailog from taking Brooklyn," he said in a guilty hoarse voice, wiping his eyes. Goliath sat down. "There wasn't anything that could've been done. We were all separated on different patrols. Life always hits us in unexpected ways. We just need to learn how to prepare for it."
Lex couldn't talk for a while, just sniffling, and hating life for taking away his brother. But Goliath began speaking comfortingly to Lexington, taking the smaller gargoyle in his arms.
After a while, he brought Lexington back out of the dark, where he saw Broadway looking crestfallen from earlier, and he winced, realizing his harsh action hurt his remaining brother, going to talk to him while Goliath and Hudson discussed about the rescue plan before telling the others.
"Hey, I-I'm sorry about pushing you away like that, Broadway. I was just angry," Lex said in a small tone. Broadway then smiled, shrugging.
"It's good, at least we can look forward to being with Brooklyn again after we rescue him in the next couple weeks. Goliath thinks he's found a way. He'll brief and prepare us all for the mission. I for one want to punch Thailog in the face when I see him!" he said, punching his fist into his hand. Lex nodded.
"So do I!" he said in an angry, confident manner.
Goliath came over, determination and caution in his face. "I know you want to beat up my clone for this, but don't let it override your desire to make sure your brother is safe. But Brooklyn will come home!" he said, a hand on both of their shoulders, as the others in the room let out cheers, cheering for Brooklyn's survival.