Ch.6: Demona's Demise pt.1

The next evening when the gargoyles of Goliath's clan awakened none seemed at tempt to smile. Looking over Goliath's body it was glad to say that his cuts and wounds had been healed thanks to the stone sleep. But now a new problem faced the clan. For now Brooklyn and Demona were working together againist them.

Broadway was the most furious. Even though he knew it wasn't Brooklyn's fault that he became Rage he had nearly killed Hudson and now had almost done the same thing to Goliath. He had never known how much destructive power Brooklyn had, and ever since his transformation into Rage it seemed like nothing could stop him now.

Both Lexington and Angela didn't know what to think after seeing Brooklyn in such a tarnished state. No longer the friend they knew. Now he was a gargoyle trapped in demon's clothing. Hudson eyed Goliath with a steady gaze. That gaze explianed what Goliath had already feared. Rage was winning.

"We have to find Brooklyn and break the spell Demona has cast," said Goliath.

"How?" asked Broadway.

"Xanatos,"

It didn't take that long of glide until the gargoyles landed on top of the roof of the Xanatos Building. The building stuck out like a sore thumb in this city, for it was the only one with a castle for a roof and plus it was tallest building anyone had ever seen.

As Goliath and the others strolled into the main hall they could see Xanatos was busy playing a game of chess with his wife, however the pieces were different. On the left side of the board, where Fox was sitting, little gargoyles that looked exactly like the members of Goliath's clan sat there. While on the opposite side, where Xanatos sat, there were only two figures. That of Brooklyn and Demona.

Just then Owen entered carrying the baby Alex in his arms. Alex squealed in delight when he saw Lexington and jiggled up and down in Owen's arms. The squeal of delight did not go unnoticed by either Xanatos or Fox as they turned to see Goliath and his clan.

"Ah Goliath" said Xanatos "to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit,"

"Demona has put Brooklyn under some kind of spell" said Goliath "we need your help in order to get him back,"

"Owen?" asked Xanatos.

Giving Alex to Lexington Owen responded "What do you know of before his transformation?"

"How did you know?" asked Broadway.

"You think we don't read the papers?" asked Fox "a girl named Kuria said that a gargoyle who called himself Rage was in her house threatening to kill her, but she threatened back. Turns out she had a device hidden in her clothes just in case it was nessacary to call the guards to kill the gargoyle at all costs. Even if meant sacrificing her. Needless to say the gargoyle surrendered and after a few more minutes left promising the next time he came he wouldn't show any mercy,"

"At least one life was spared during this madness" said Goliath and turned to Owen responding to the aid's previous question "on patrol a few nights ago Demona was trying to stick me with some sort of silver dart. A clash soon came between her and Brooklyn, but upon seeing Demona prepare to aim her weapon at me Brooklyn got in the dart's path and...,"

"A silver dart you say?" mused Owen "why that spell hasn't been cast in centuries. It was designed to create a being opposite to the others personality. From what the news reports I'd say it was working to perfection. Still, some of Brooklyn's old personality must be fighting againist his own dark personality if Rage was considerably forced to spare a life. He must have strong will indeed to be able to fight it so long,"

"Are you saying there's still a chance to save him?" asked Angela hopefully.

"Mabye" said Owen "if you find a way to bring Brooklyn's personality back through some sort of miracle. Other than that there's nothing I can do,"

Disappionted that Xanatos and family didn't have much help to offer in this situation Goliath and his clan glided off into the night, hoping a miracle would present itself soon. Just as soon as they left Xanatos eyed Owen seeing a troubled look in his assitant's eyes.

"You didn't tell them something didn't you?" he asked.

The look Owen gave betrayed him as he said "The spell that Goliath had explianed is very unstable. In the end it will be impossible to know whether Brooklyn will be brought back to normal, or...become worse,"

------------------------------------

Meanwhile Demona was waiting back in her old, abandoned tower for Rage to show. If Brooklyn's personality had gained the advantage over the spell's effects he surely would have rejected joining forces with Demona. Although right now his opposite personality was the one in control.

"Well Demona" said Rage as he landed inside the building "what do you have in mind for my former teammates?"

"Allow me to demonstrate," said Demona pushing a button on one of the old stone walls.

Spikes suddenly erupted from the ground reaching the ceiling. Looking closely Rage saw that the spikes had formed two seperate cages. Stalatites hung from the roof to form a pointy ceiling covering the two cages. Swiping his tail againist one of the stone pillars Rage predicted that this stone was about as strong as steel, mabye more.

His eyes met with Demona's and a nasty sneer curled up on both of their faces. Now all they needed... was the bait