The clan arrived home and there was no sign of Brooklyn. They just hoped that Coldsteel hadn't been working for the one who had had him kidnapped in the first place.

They awoke the next night and went looking for their Second.

But it wasn't long before there was a shadow on the horizon. Bronx smelled it and he barked excitedly. The others all looked at him and watched the moon rising. There was the gargoyle silhouette coming at the castle. The clan hoped it was Brooklyn. It was.

Brooklyn couldn't have been happier to be home with his clan.

"Brooklyn, are you alright? We heard about Coldsteel taking you captive." Goliath declared. "We were just about ready to go looking for you."

"I'm fine, Goliath." Brook replied.

Angela came up and gave him a hug. She was just glad he was back. She hoped her mate wouldn't mind doing this to his brother. That would be all the further she went to show affection of any kind to him. Not flirtatious actions.

"We were just about ready to go look for you again." Broadway said.

"How's the baby, Lad?" Hudson asked.

"It's fine. And I was on a building in Little Tokyo town. I managed to make it back here." Brooklyn stated.

"How did you get away from Coldsteel?" Lex asked.

"With Demona's help. I convinced her to not harm me, especially with her having to reluctantly give up my secret to her." Brook replied.

"How did she help you get out of there?" Angela asked.

"I guess from all the things you've been worrying about with her that you've done well enough for her to set me free and put a spell over Coldsteel's mind." Brooklyn explained.

"That's good." Angela declared. Her mother was showing signs of not being the same old kind of Demona.

Brooklyn had always been the one to notice Demona's schemes before the rest of his clan did, like during the Hunter's Moon times that she was up to something. He hadn't known what it was but after she had stolen the canister, he knew that something was up. He knew that she never went out for a night on the town for fun. He knew she hated humans with a passion, but she also disliked that her clan liked humans, with the exception of Angela. But with this discovery of him being pregnant, he truly hoped she would keep her word and not harm him or his baby.

…

Back at the castle, Dr. Sato did an ultrasound to make sure that the baby and Brooklyn were alright. There was no lingering damage, but it had been a stressful time for them both.

Brooklyn told them the truth of what happened.

Goliath and the clan were amazed that Demona had actually helped him escape from Coldsteel and what she had done to stop him, considering she had helped him to nearly 'wipe them off the planet.' They were allied now with MacBeth at least, but it was through Angela that there were better relations with Demona. But she had done too much to them to ever be truly welcome back in the clan again.

….

The month finally passed and Brooklyn entered into his 6th month. He could really feel the child now more than ever. It was definitely more mobile inside him.

Dr. Sato was still wanting to do an amnio test. He really just wanted to make sure the fetus was alright. Brooklyn really didn't want another needle poked into his belly. It was going to be enough for him to await the night of when his child would be born in a few months. If it had been in an egg, the pregnancy would be about over, but from the last ultrasound, the fetus was not ready to leave the womb in the slightest.

"Look, Dr. Sato, can't you just use the ultrasound? I really don't want to have this test done on me or the baby." Brooklyn explained dramatically. He had a hand on his belly. "The baby's fine by now."

Sato could see he was making Brooklyn nervous.

"Brooklyn, this has never been done on gargoyles before and it might be useful information to see if gargoyles can have what humans can get. I'm sorry if I sound like a scientist, but I do have a little curiosity about it too." The doc declared.

The red male still felt uneasy about the procedure. "I don't know. Maybe I should talk to the clan or Fox first." He said.

"It's okay, but it must be done soon." Sato determined. "Right now, the baby is still small enough to where it's not filling the whole womb in there and there's more room to just collect the fluid."

"You're just collecting fluid, right?"

"Yes. I'm not going to touch the baby. That's why I have to use ultrasound too." Sato replied. "This test isn't usually done on such young mothers but given that you're a male and we don't know what the experiment may have done to your genetics, we can also find out what genetics are in the baby, like determine what the mother was."

That got Brooklyn's attention. He had wondered who the mother was of his child. He had no idea how the experiment had gotten started and was curious about it, but he wouldn't doubt that Ray had had him raped while he had been in his lab.

Why did pregnancy have to have so many complications and questions?

Brooklyn nervously made his decision. "Okay."

"You mean you're fine with it?"

"Yes. I'm sure the others would agree too, if mine or the baby's lives could be in danger or to find out something about it to know more about it."

"Good. I think they would too. I will talk to my assistant and we will come back tomorrow night or the next night to do the procedure." Sato declared. "I'll have Mr. Xanatos tell you."

"Okay."

"I wish I could get a sample too during the day, but that would be impossible."

"Yeah. A needle probably wouldn't go into my skin during the day."

"I'll study the stone skin perhaps when it's been shed though."

"Ray wanted to study my stone skin too." Brook stated. He shivered at remembering the guy at all.

"Did he do anything to harm you?" Sato asked in concern.

"Nothing that I know of while I was awake. He didn't harm me while being stone. But he knocked me out a few times and of course, did this to me." Brooklyn explained as he rubbed his belly, feeling the baby shift inside him.

"I see. He was a monster to do the things that he did to you despite the miracle of the baby." Sato said. "But how do you really feel about the baby? It didn't ask to be created, and the way it's being carried isn't natural."

Brooklyn knew he had a point, but there was even a line he didn't want to cross. "Doc, I know this isn't natural, but with feeling it move inside me, and our clan being so low in numbers, and I don't believe in taking an innocent life. Don't be asking me to do what I would regret doing. I have enough regrets in my life as it is." Brook explained.

"No, I'm not saying anything about abortion. I'm just asking how do you feel about the baby?"

"You should know that by now. I love the baby. I wouldn't let anyone take it from me. I want to be the best father I can be. I haven't met it in person yet, but just feeling it move inside me is an experience I'll never have again. It's such a bizarre feeling. Other males never get to feel their child move from the inside, just feeling it with their hands on their mates' bellies."

"That's true. Up till now, it's only the women who get to feel it. What about female gargoyles?"

"No. We all worry about the pregnancies yes, but they carry eggs. They don't get to experience this joy that I'm feeling." Brooklyn's face lit up in a glowing smile. He was proud to be pregnant by now.

Being pregnant had opened his eyes to the world of innocence again. It was a liability but also had for some other privileges like being able to stay at home more. Of course, he still wanted to go out sometimes but it was getting to be too much of a risk. Especially after what happened with Coldsteel. And what had seemed worse was that even Demona now knew about it.

Brooklyn really hoped Demona would keep her word and not come after him for the sake of wanting his baby to herself or something.

Sato left after that and he would return for the procedure in a couple nights' time.

Brooklyn went and talked to Fox. He asked her if she had had the test done and she said no. Being young herself, she hadn't needed one. But she wished him luck in doing so. Yeah, she agreed with the doc that having the test done could be something to look forward to, considering there was nothing known about baby gargoyles in their development being unborn.

He also told the clan about it and they were cautious about it but agreed too. It would be beneficial to the baby, Brooklyn, and even to gargoyle kind. The Second felt so nervous about the procedure, what it would entice.

….

Ray and his associates were really wanting the red gargoyle back and were looking all over New York for him. He wasn't seen. Ray was even back in his apartment and he didn't see him anymore. He was either still travelling or had gotten back and not come back to the area. Perhaps finding one of his clan members would be useful to get him to step into the open and give himself up.

…..

It was a few nights later that Sato and his assistant, Rhea came to the castle to get the test done on Brooklyn.

As much as it sounded useful, but the thought of how it would feel made Brooklyn want to take to the winds and skip it. He had an uneasy feeling in his stomach about it. His belly was one of his most tender spots, and right now, it was even more vulnerable, protecting a baby inside it. And he was about to allow someone to poke a sharp needle near his precious baby.

A shiver went through him and the baby kicked him. "Oh, it'll be alright, little one." He told it as he rubbed his belly.

Sato told the clan to keep an eye on Brooklyn to make sure he didn't take off because he knew he was nervous about this. They were guarding his room on all fronts. That's where he was right now. He was reading about the test prior to it.

All of what described it sounded nerve wracking. He knew what a needle to the stomach felt like back when he had run away. And this one was going to go even lower on his belly this time.

Soon, Sato and Rhea were ready for him. Brooklyn was escorted to the medical ward personally. He looked nervously at the others. They were all insisting it was for a good reason and he would be fine. "I want someone in there with me." He begged.

"I can go." Lex offered.

"It might be better if Lexington goes in. He's smaller and the rest of us would take up a lot more room." Angela explained. "And he knows more about science stuff than we do."

Goliath knew his daughter was wise about this, but he still was worried for his Second. And this wasn't even half as dramatic as to what it would become the night when the baby would be due to be born.

Sato was glad that it was Lex who came in with his brother to be of some support for him. He needed it to try to keep calm.

Brooklyn laid back on the table and he undid his belt and loincloth, to push it down some to make his lower belly more exposed. He was shaking super hard. Lex held his left hand.

His stomach was brushed down for the sterile procedure. It was wiped and the ultrasound wand was applied with the gel. Some plastic and a sheet were put over it. Brooklyn and Lex were watching nervously.

"You have to hold absolutely still for this, Brooklyn. One wrong move can make us poke the wrong thing. I know you're uncomfortable about this, that's why I'm telling you this." Sato explained. "And I know you're not from this time era where things weren't done like this even to women back in that time."

"At least we have much better medicine these days." Rhea smiled at him, sounding joyful.

She was nice. He just wanted it over. "Okay." He replied.

Sato had the spot secured and ready for the needle now. He got the needle ready and very slowly, he made a big poke into Brooklyn's belly. It made the gargoyle wince in pain, but he didn't make any violent moves. His hand had also tightened on Lex's for a moment.

The baby and womb were seen on the screen as the needle was being pushed down to it. Brooklyn tried so hard not to move. He bared his teeth and kept his head back into the pillow. Unlike the last needle, this one was in him deeply. He was breathing kind of slow and hard.

"Just try to relax, Brooklyn. The worst is over." Rhea said.

"And… it's not poking my baby?"

"No, of course not." Sato replied. "Now we have to get the fluid. I have to collect two syringes of it."

Rhea handed him the first syringe and Sato hooked it up to the needle, where it began to draw fluid as the button was pulled up to draw in the fluid.

"And this won't harm the baby?" Lex asked.

"No. The fetus has plenty of fluid surrounding it." Sato replied as he continued to get fluid.

He finished the first one and then did a second one. The gargoyles would have thought that he was doing two for the sake of twins rather than one. Brooklyn shuddered at the idea of carrying twins. Carrying one was scary enough. He hoped he wouldn't have any more kids until he found the right girl of his dreams.

Shortly after, the second syringe was filled and withdrawn.

'Please get that needle out of me!' Brooklyn's mind screamed. The needle was being taken out. He winced as he felt it being pulled out through his tissue.

The sterile sheets were taken off of him, the gel cleaned off his belly, and a bandaid was applied over the area. Brooklyn was finally allowed up and he let go of Lex. He sat up, rubbing his tender stomach.

"That hurt." Brooklyn declared.

"Sorry. Your belly must be sensitive." Rhea stated.

"Yeah, it is." Brook replied as he began to buckle his belt.

"Wait. Do you want to know what the gender is?" Sato asked.

Lex and Brooklyn were snapped out of their thoughts. The red one looked at green. "It's your call. It's your child." Lex said.

Brooklyn turned back. He swallowed. He had a hunch but replied, "Yes."

"You have a big, healthy boy!" Sato smiled at him.

Brooklyn had hoped for a girl, but perhaps it was too much. But at least, he would accept whatever he was having. It was another male to add to the clan. Angela sure deserved some female company but she would get it whenever more mates were added. Or if their clan ever joined other clans.

"Alex can have a little playmate in a couple of years." Lex declared with a smile.

"True." Sato stated.

Brooklyn was glad to know what he had. Now he would know what to look for when deciding the name. "Are you absolutely sure it's a boy?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I looked carefully around the legs and saw the penis. It's a boy." Sato replied.

"But could it have been a tail?" Lex asked.

"No!" Sato laughed. "I know what I saw."

"It's a boy, you two." Rhea laughed too.

"Hey, we had to be sure." Brooklyn said.

"Yes. We already have so many males in our clan of what's left over from our clan dying." Lex declared. "As long as the baby's healthy, that's what matters, right, Brook?"

"I'm so sorry." Rhea stated.

"Thank you." Brook replied.

"Every gargoyle counts, male or female. But I can understand in the need that you wanted a girl." Sato declared. "Give Angela some company."

"There just aren't enough females for us." Brooklyn stated. "And every breeding season, it's not like our kind produce a lot of eggs like birds and reptiles do."

"Eggs?" Rhea asked.

"That's typically how it's done. This was an experimental pregnancy done by scientists who did something extraordinary." Lex answered her.

"I can agree there." Rhea stated. They could all agree there.

"When can we know results?" Brook asked.

"In a couple of weeks for sure. It usually takes that long to get results back." Sato explained.

"Okay."

"Well, you're free to go and it was nice to meet you." Rhea said with a smile, shaking their hands on the way out.

"Same here." Brook replied.

They both went to tell the clan the results of what they did know.

They were in the waiting area and they saw that Brooklyn had a bandaid on his stomach. He put a hand on it, feeling some cramping inside him and a bit tender.

"How was it?" Broadway asked.

"It was painful for me." Brook replied.

"How long till we know anything of it?" Hudson asked.

"About two weeks." Brook replied.

"It'll be healed tomorrow night." Lex said. "But we also got some other news." Lex smiled.

"What?" Goliath asked.

"We found out the sex of the baby!" Lex was excited.

Brooklyn was calmer and he was still letting it sink in. "What is it, Brooklyn?" Angela asked him. "Huh? Oh, it's a boy." He stated.

"You don't look too happy." Angela inquired.

"Oh, I'm happy, I just kinda hoped for a girl is all. The clan needed another girl." Brooklyn explained.

"We will get more in time, Brooklyn. It is what it is." Goliath assured him. "At least you now know what you are having. None of us has ever been able to find out before they were born before what the gender is."

"Yeah, you're right." Brooklyn replied.

"Have you thought of a boy name yet?" Broadway asked.

"No. Haven't thought of any yet. Still looking." Brook replied.

"You'll find the right one eventually, Lad. Just glad you're alright." Hudson declared.

There was a special feast after to celebrate the knowing of the new baby being a boy. Now things could be themed rather than just guessing.