Ch.4: Captured!

Goliath and Lexington soon returned after finding nothing on patrol that night. However when they arrived home a shocking sight lay out before them. Hudson and Bronx had been bandaged after being, what it looked like, bruised, cut, and hurt.

A mess layed on the Clock Tower's floor showing that a struggle had taken place. Miniscule traces of blood could be seen spread out along the floor, along with signs of claw marks being dug into the floor. Broadway and Angela finally decided to step in. The two gargoyles were carrying both towels and rags in order to earse the mess shrewn about on the floor.

"What happened?" asked Goliath.

"Hudson was attacked by another gargoyle named Rage," said Angela.

"Gargoyle is to strong a word" said Broadway huffing as he started scrubbing away at the floors "he's a demon if I ever saw one,"

"You would be careful to watch what you say lad" said Hudson "for you do not know who lies under that Rage,"

After hearing 'Rage' mentioned twice Lexington asked "You mean that killer was here?"

Goliath's narrowed at the thought of what trouble Rage had caused while he had been here. From the looks of Hudson and Bronx it was obivous at what this monster had done. Approaching Hudson Goliath asked what the old gargoyle had meant by his recent statement.

"Ah, Goliath" sighed Hudson "I don't know how to tell you this lad, but that killer Rage is really Brooklyn,"

Silence grasped the confines of the room at Hudson's news. Brooklyn was Rage? He was the monster that attacked the old man? Not to mention Hudson and Bronx too! There was only one explianation Goliath could think of that Brooklyn had transformed into Rage. The dart.

"Demona's dart must have transformed Brooklyn into this monstrousity" said Goliath "it is our duty to bring him back,"

"But we don't even know where he is?" said Broadway.

"We'll find him" said Goliath "no matter what,"

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Meanwhile, Rage was out commiting more murders about the city and drinking in his victim's blood. It was hard to believe that Brooklyn had transformed into such a fiend, but his mind was no longer control for himself any more.

Dawn was close to rising and Rage seeked a safe place to roost for the day. Choosing the top of a building the monster-like gargoyle took his place and waited 'till the sun rose for his stone sleep. Little did Rage/Brooklyn know that he had been seen by a young woman had seen him land on top of the house.

Curiousity in the woman's eyes she traveled up to the top of the building and looked over the stone figure that now stood there.

"This must be my present mom sent for me while she went on that conference" said the girl "where did she get it?"

Taking a step closer the girl quietly observed the features of her new 'gift'. It was a gargoyle sure enough, but with a slight demonistic-dragon type apeal. And, she thought, didn't I just see it fly up here? Guessing she would never know the answer the girl strolled back into the house.

Later that night a scream interrupted the girl from her slumber. Darting out of bed she traveled off to the balcony searching for the source of the scream. To her amazement the statue that had been standing on the rooftop that morning had become alive.

The monster's glowing white eyes were searching the city as if looking for a meal worth sastifiying it's hunger. Even though aware of the dangerous aura surrounding the beast the girl called out to it.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Distracted by her call Rage turned his eyes toward the girl, who looked no older than sixteen. Gliding down from the rooftop above to the balcony below Rage/Brooklyn pinned the girl up againist one of the walls of the building. Brooklyn's dark counterpart was waiting for the girl to scream in terror before he devoured her flesh. When she didn't he asked why.

"You do not fear me" said the girl "so why should I fear you. Plus if you don't let go of me in exactly five seconds a squad of guards will arrive here and take you down,"

"That would mean you be caught in the blast" said Rage "my end would only cost the end of your life,"

"If that is how it should be" said the girl "so be it,"

Before she could press the button she had been hiding on her person however Rage let go of her and she dropped to the floor. A growl passed through Rage's closed beak showing that he wasn't happy that he had to spare this girl's life not at the risk at being killed, but at being discovered.

"Now like I asked earlier" said the girl "what is your name?"

"Rage" said the gargoyle "and you?"

"Kurai," said the girl.

Introductions out the way the two slowly but steadily started to build up a conversation between them. Rage still huffed and fumed, but the Brooklyn side of him was starting to admire this girl's spirit and cunning even in an totally unstable situation.

Finally Rage had had enough time talking, forcing the Brooklyn side of him to back off as he marched to the window. Turning back to the girl he spat "Consider yourself lucky that I haven't killed you this night, but I will soon enough,"

As he flew away Rage quickly made the decision to never again roost on a measley human's rooftop. His talk with Kurai had wasted many precious hours of the night and dawn was close to rising. Gliding downward to an alley below Rage lifted off the sewer lid in the street and crawled back underground.

The sound of voices reached the gargoyle's ears as soon as his feet touched the cold metal of the sewer pipe. The Brooklyn inside of Rage instantly recgonized the voices belonging to Fang, Claw, and Maggie. These three people were kind of friends to the gargoyles.

Long ago Xanatos had performed expermints on human sujects trying to make them stronger so they could destroy Goliath's clan. But Xanatos had made the mistake of of transforming Elisa's own brother into a part cat, part gargoyle type being. And that's who was speaking now.

"These murder's up above had to be caused by something very powerful" said Fang "Elisa says that whoever this Rage guy is his efforts had been ruthless, like he's devouring all his victim's down to the bone,"

"It is not our concern" demanded Claw "let humans deal with it in their own way,"

"I will not run the risk at seeing people suffer" said Fang "if this thing is allowed to continue everyone we care about could be at stake,"

"Including your sister," said Maggie softly.

Silence consumed the room as soon as Maggie had spoken, but that silence was about to be interrupted by Rage. Still hiding in the shadows the montrous gargoyle spoke loud enough for them to hear.

"Hello Fang,"

"Brooklyn?" said Fang "where are you?"

"Right here," said the gargoyle finally stepping out of the shadows.

Fang, Maggie, and Claw all gasped when Brooklyn came into the light. The red, beaked gargoyle had transformed into what only could be described as a demonistic like appearence. His eyes were glowing white with hunger as he spoke.

"Although, I go by the name of Rage now," said Brooklyn smiling deviously.

"You were the one who killed all those people?" said Maggie barely believing it.

Fang was more direct and said "Brooklyn how could you?"

"Easy" said Rage, now fully in control over Brooklyn's mind "thanks to Demona,"

Now Fang knew that something was definately wrong. Brooklyn hated Demona and would more likely kill her on sight than thank her. None of the less, just like Coldstone before him, Brooklyn had gained a split personality thanks to the silver dart's magic, and now his dark side was the one in control.

A fight was soon engaged between the two warring parties with the odds being three to one. None the less Rage put up quite a fight againist Fang and his warriors leaving bloody cuts stinging through all around their bodies.

Finally Fang and the others suddenly seemed to gain the advantage as they pushed Brooklyn into a steel bar cage and locked the door shut tight. Rage slashed about in the cage, swiping at the steel bars in order to free himself with his newly sharpened claws.

The cage was threatening to give under the sever damage it was going through, but luckily it held despite all the force being displayed upon it.

"Contact Goliath's clan" said Fang to Maggie "tell them...it's about Brooklyn,"