1000 years ago

Superstition and the sword ruled
It was a time of darkness
It was a world of fear
It was the age of Gargoyles!

Stone by day, warriors by night
We were betrayed by the humans we had sworn to protect
Frozen in stone by a magic spell
For 1000 years

Now here in Manhattan
The spell is broken,

And we live again!

Sauda arrived at the same time as Brooklyn and Talon. "See? I told you they'd find nothing." Talon said. "I say we go after Xanatos and force him to Talk!"

Broadway and Lexington were quick to agree with Talon, but Brooklyn was apprehensive. "Hang on. What if Xanatos has nothing to do with this? I'm not sure it's a good idea to let him know that Goliath's missing."

"Then what do you want to do?" Talon challenged.

"Aye, lad." Hudson agreed. "It's your call as leader." Everyone then looked at Brooklyn expectantly.

"Forget it." He sighed. "Let's just go." When Sauda went to follow, Brooklyn stopped her. "Maybe you should stay. I definitely don't want Xanatos to know about you. Not yet, at least."

Sauda bowed. "Of course."

This made Brooklyn groan. "Please don't start acting like I'm leader, Sauda."

"No, I agree with you." She said. "I may not know this Xanatos person, but he sounds like someone to not take lightly. If it seems better for him to not know about me, then so be it."

"We'll stay here. There might be word." Hudson said.

"Whatever." Brooklyn scowled. He then turned to leave and slammed door.

Cagney rubbed against Hudson's leg and got his attention. "You're no Bronx," He said as he picked the cat up. "But you'll have to do."

Sauda sighed as she sat on the steps. "Goliath told me to help Brooklyn realize he must step up as leader, but I didn't realize his denial was this strong."

"He'll come around, lass. He definitely has the makings of a leader, he just doesn't want to lose hope for Goliath." Hudson explained.

"As long as there is even a small chance, then there will always be hope." She said.

The old gargoyle decided to help take her mind off the matter by asking a question. "Tell me. When Titania told you that you were her daughter, did you feel anything?"

"What do you mean?"

"It was said that when Oberon spoke to his children for the time, it was after they realized they had magical abilities. Since there are no stories of Titania having children, I was wondering what you may have felt."

"To be honest, the only thing I felt was clarity. All my life, I was different. But not the way gargoyles are naturally. I had felt as though I never belonged. My brothers were off rough-housing and I would watch the flowers. I would go off searching for animals that were hurt or sick and bring them back to heal. The occasional trick or joke on my brothers, yes. But for it to come from a fairy-heritage had suddenly made sense."

"Well, I will say this, lass. You are one of the best-looking of the fairy-folk. There's no doubt." Hudson said.

Sauda giggled and went to sit next to Hudson. They talked until the sun was almost up. As they stepped outside, the trio and Talon were just seen gliding back. They landed on the edge of the balcony and got ready for morning. Sauda jumped up and took her place next to Brooklyn, despite how tense he looked.

"Another night has passed and still no word." Hudson said.

"I'll be back tonight. We could all use some rest." Talon said before taking off.

"So," Hudson started as he turned to Brooklyn. "What's our next move, laddie?"

"Stop asking me that! I don't know!" Brooklyn shouted as he froze into stone with a frustrated look on his face.

Once the sun set, all five gargoyles broke free of their stone exterior and roared. Once they finished their stretching, they went inside the clock tower, where Cagney started hissing. "Chill, kitty. It's just us." Brooklyn said. But he then saw who Cagney was hissing at. "Maggie?"

"Fang's taken over the Labyrinth." She said. "He's got all sorts of weapons. And Talon...I couldn't help him." She then hugged Brooklyn with a silent sob. Sauda noticed the look on Brooklyn's face turn serious.

"What's all the commotion, then?" Hudson asked.

"Talon needs our help. Let's go!" Brooklyn ordered as he, Sauda and Maggie went outside to the ledge.

"I thought you didn't want to lead us, lad." Hudson said.

"This has nothing to do with what I want. Brooklyn said "You better come along this time, Hudson. We'll need all the help we can get."

"Is that an order, then?" The old gargoyle asked.

Brooklyn paused for a moment before looking back at his clan. "Yeah, I guess it is." He, Broadway and Lexington went outside. Hudson and Sauda exchanged knowing smiled before following suit.

"What do you say we drop in?" Lexington smirked as they dropped in through the ceiling. Fang, Claw and the two thugs from before had guns. And they at the gargoyles with horrible aim. The shots did more damage to the walls than anything else. While Broadway and Lexington took care of the thugs, Sauda helped the residents get to the safety of the tunnels. Once they were out, she went to the thugs and picked them up by the back of their collars. She then clapped them together, knocking them out cold.

Brooklyn had tackled Fang to the ground and grabbed at something on the mutate's chest. Fang used his electricity to shock the gargoyle off, but he over charged his weapon, causing it to explode.

Claw, when he saw Hudson hurdling toward him, sent an electric bolt to the old gargoyle, sending his blade from his hand. Brooklyn and Sauda saw this and went off towards them. Sauda went to help Hudson while Brooklyn tackled Claw.

Maggie went to help Talon. "Derek, are you alright?"

Fang then grabbed her. "I wouldn't be worrying about him if I were you." He made bolts dance in his hand, threatening to use them on Maggie, "Brooklyn! I've got no gripes with you. Leave now and Maggie goes free."

After a moment of silence, Brooklyn answered. "Alright, Fang. But she comes with us."

You're just leaving Talon?" Broadway asked.

"I'm the leader, and I say forget it!" Brooklyn shouted at him.

"Brooklyn!" Sauda gadped as she helped Hudson walk to join the clan.

"I like the way you give orders." Fang commented before he shoved Maggie to him.

"What makes you think I'd go with you and leave Derek?!" Maggie yelled.

Brooklyn angrily shoved something into Maggie's hands. "Then stay with him, for all I care! I'm sure you'll make wonderful cell mates." Maggie saw that Brooklyn gave her the key card used to unlock the clear-safe Talon was trapped in. She smiled, finally seeing what had happened. "Yeah, I thought that would shut you up! Now say goodbye to your boyfriend and let's go!"

Maggie nodded and went to Talon. "Goodbye, Derek. I won't forget you." She then unlocked the clear-safe.

"Hey, no hard feelings, guy." Fang said.

"Now!" Brooklyn yelled. Talon ran up behind Fang and tackled him to the ground.

"Claw! Do something!" Fang yelled. Claw looked scared, unsure of what to do. "C'mon, already!" Fang demanded. "You wanna be weak like them?!" That seemed to inspire Claw to break his weapon in defiance to Fang. "Aww man!" Talon and Brooklyn then dragged Fang to the clear-safe and locked him in.

The thugs who helped Fang were starting to come to. And the first thing they saw was an angry Talon. "Don't let me catch you around here again!" He growled, sending them running off. "From now on, all weapons are banished. In the Labyrinth, justice prevails, even for those who don't believe in it." Maggie all but tackled Talon with a strong hug. And he returned it. He then turned to Brooklyn. "Thanks for the save, Brooklyn. Seems neither of us can escape the role of leader."

"Yeah, try as I might." Brooklyn muttered.

"So, what are you gonna do now, lad?" Hudson asked.

"I'll lead thw best I can." He answered. "But that doesn't mean we give up hope. Or the search. We'll find them. I swear to it."

"Agreed." Talon added. "But our main responsibility is to protect those who are still here."

"Yeah, that's what Goliath and Elisa would want." Then both leaders shook hands. Brookly then turned to the clan. "Let's go home." And with that, they left.

Once home, Hudson, Broadway and Lexington went inside. Sauda was about to join them until she saw that Brooklyn decided to stay outside. "Are you okay?" She asked.

Brooklyn sighed. "No. I don't know why I even wanted to be second-in-command. I'm not fit to be the leader. I'm not the biggest or the strongest."

"Brooklyn, the best leader is not the biggest or the strongest. It's the one who, despite himself, does what is best for his people. And you were a great leader tonight." She then leaned in and kissed his cheek. After pulling away, she went inside to join the others.

Brooklyn's eyes were as wide as saucers. Sauda just kissed him. Kissed him! In a moment of absolute, uninhibited glee, Brooklyn turned to the city, reared his head back and roared in happiness.

To Be Continued...