It was now 1997.
The nocturnal protectors of New York City, the gargoyles, had been protecting the city for three years now. They had accomplished much since they had been brought to Manhattan, New York. They had made enemies and new friends too along the way.
They were led by the mighty Goliath. He had a beautiful daughter named Angela that had his coloring, but in looks, favored Goliath's ex-mate, Demona. Brooklyn was Goliath's second in command, Lexington was the smallest and smartest, Hudson was the clan's eldest, and Broadway was the clan's cook, Bronx was their pet and like a secret weapon, and Elisa was their closest human ally.
The gargoyles all lived atop the Eyrie Building, Xanatos Enterprises. It was owned by billionaire David Xanatos. He was married to Fox, and they had a son, Alexander. Owen Burnett was their most trusted butler and assistant with running the building. He was also secretly a magical fae called Puck, who was also Alex's magic teacher.
Most of the time, everything went fine living peacefully in the castle. It was out on patrols of the city where the worst usually happened. The clan loved stopping bad guys and saving the innocent, and even though there were humans that accepted them for their help, others feared them. They liked it when the baddies feared them because it was often enough to stop their crimes.
Goliath and Elisa were a couple. Broadway and Angela were mates. Lexington was close friends with little Alex and interested in science technology. Hudson and Bronx were in the living room usually nightly when they weren't needed on patrol.
Brooklyn was the one gargoyle that felt didn't have anyone to hang out with. He was glad he had the title of second in command in the clan, as he would one day take over the leadership role if something happened to Goliath. He still had much to learn, though he had had a short time of experience being the leader when Goliath, Bronx, and Elisa had disappeared and brought Angela home from their quest.
Brooklyn longed to find a female to love as his own mate. But the chances of finding a gargess was slim to none in New York. There were plenty of human women, but most were scared to death of him because of his looks, the look of a devil-like creature. It sometimes made him feel bad even for protecting them when they showed no gratitude in return for his services. But as long as he remained part of the clan, Goliath would order that he keep on protecting the humans. It was their purpose.
...
The one other gargess that was living here in the city that happened to be Angela's mother, Demona, was having a change of heart these days. She was immortal and had lived a long time, from the tenth century. She had her peaceful times and her bad times. But she had been hunted by the Canmore family from the time of her having known her human counterpart, MacBeth.
Demona had betrayed the clan one too many times in the past and was wanting to make a fresh start. She had managed to get Angela on her side. She was the only one that she had only grown to care about from the clan.
Angela was her biological daughter, but she had been raised by humans. She didn't know everything about gargoyle ways and traditions, but she was learning them from her parents and clan. Demona was teaching her daughter a little more about science and learning how to do spells for defense or camouflage. It might be possible to be needed for the clan's protection someday.
Demona was glad that she had Angela on her side, but Angela was also trying to help her to try to learn to forgive the humans for what they had done to her. There was no getting rid of the humans, and she really needed to learn to come to terms with them, but there was nothing wrong with still being wary of them to know who to trust when she worked with them and such, as she had been given a gift from Puck to become human in the daytime.
Just because she was learning forgiveness of the humans didn't mean though that she would ever be accepted back into the clan though. But there was one soul in the clan that Demona was thinking about wanting to get forgiveness from the most: the red male, Brooklyn. Demona was done causing the clan trouble.
Demona had caused Brooklyn the most pain so long ago aside from Goliath from betraying him and his leader by enslaving Goliath's mind with a spell from the ancient spell book, the Grimorum Arcanorum. She had also tried to put a spell on Brooklyn as well and was willing to have him killed when he hadn't sided with her anymore.
Goliath these days was always uncomfortable with Angela going to see Demona, but Angela needed some female time too. There was only so much he could do for his daughter that he just couldn't teach her about. And Elisa was often busy doing her job on the police force. Angela needed to be around another female gargoyle at times. He just hoped Demona wasn't going to lead Angela down the wrong path.
As for Brooklyn, when he wasn't asked to patrol the city with his other clan mates, at home, he would sometimes watch tv with Hudson, spend time with Lex playing video games when Hudson was out, walk around the castle, or listen to rock 'n' roll music in the bedroom he had been given by Xanatos. He would also read books too in his room or the library. But he tried to avoid contact with Broadway and Angela as much as he could. He hated seeing their lovey-dovey behavior. It wouldn't bother him if he had a mate to call his own. It had also hurt him when Angela had chosen Broadway over him.
Since Brooklyn had failed in the romance department thus far, he wondered if he was meant to spend his life alone or if by any chance that there was a female out there for him somewhere. He sure hoped so.
Broadway, Lexington, and Brooklyn had once been the Trio, but ever since Angela had been brought home, they hadn't been the Trio much anymore. Only rarely when they patrolled together. Maybe occasionally they would do activities as the rookery brothers they were. But growing up meant changes such as finding mates and other adult duties in the clan. But they would always try to be friends, even though Brooklyn still glared at Broadway begrudgingly at times.
Trying to get the lonesome feeling out of his head or avoiding his clan, he would get out of the castle, trying to make it home before dawn. He would patrol the city on his own or just go for a glide to clear his head.
This was one such night when Brooklyn felt it in his mind and heart to just get out of the castle and find something outside to do. He was tired of the same old activities night after night. Sometimes it was worth it to sneak into concerts or movie theaters.
Brooklyn had flown to the East Village. Sure, he could have just gone to Central Park, but he wanted to look for something different this time. He flew to an apartment building that was near the old opera house where Demona had once attacked Goliath and Hudson.
Unbeknownst to him, he had been spotted.
Since leaving the castle a bit ago, he hadn't seen any crimes or anything. Just the usual horns of cars and sirens, dogs barking. He didn't hear any screams or explosions. It had felt good to feel the air in his face, under his wings, and through his hair. Brooklyn looked over the balcony. He only saw cars moving below him and some people walking.
"What does it take to find some excitement in this city?" Brooklyn asked aloud.
Then there was a swooping sound of wings behind him. "Perhaps it depends on what you're looking for." A reply came in the answer of a female voice he knew all too well.
Brooklyn turned around and glared at the replier. "Demona!" He got into a fighting stance, baring his teeth, and getting his talons ready for a fight.
"Brooklyn, wait. I haven't come here to fight you," Demona declared.
"Oh, really? Not! You always want to try to kill me or Goliath, or the others whenever you see us. What do you want?!" Brooklyn demanded fiercely.
"I saw you out gliding alone, and I have been wanting to talk to you, but it was how I was going to contact you was the problem. Angela has been coaching me on certain issues of the past to get things cleared up. To make amends," Demona explained as best she could. She was feeling a little nervous talking to him, not sure if he would respond the way she would have liked. He had responded once in the past and resulted in betrayal. Would he listen to her explanation?
"I listened to your story a long time ago, Demona. You got me on your side once and used me, only to betray me in the end. Why should I listen to anything you have to say now?" he growled at her.
"Because, Brooklyn, this is entirely different this time. I'm not here to hurt you. I just came to talk to you," she said.
"Uh huh. I remember that too."
"Last time, Angela wasn't part of the clan. This is different," Demona stated.
"What could you possibly have to say to me that would make me believe you?" he demanded, glaring at her.
"Brooklyn, in recent weeks and months, Angela has been helping me come to terms with my dark past. To try to let go of all the pain that I've caused. I know I'll never trust humans fully like she does," Demona started to explain.
"I know Angela is your daughter, but if you ever hurt her, I'll make sure to make you pay for it," Brooklyn exclaimed.
"I know you would. But just know that I have no intention of bringing her harm. I also don't want to bring harm to the clan anymore, Brooklyn. I am wanting to make amends with you most of all since I know I caused you a lot of pain in the past for what I did." Demona explained.
As Brooklyn watched the gargess warily, his eyes softened at hearing that, but he wasn't fully letting himself believe her just yet, but he was also hearing a different tone in her voice too. It was a much softer version of her voice versus her firm warrior voice (like in Future Tense).
"How do I know you're telling me the truth? That you're not going to just attack me when I turn my back?" he asked.
"Would I be talking to you like this if I wasn't?" Demona asked him. "I also have no weapons on me."
"It wasn't just me that you hurt, Demona. You also hurt Goliath, your Love at the time. He wanted so much to reach you, I know that, but he knows that he will never trust you again," Brooklyn declared.
"I just didn't want him caring more for the humans than for our clan. I know it'll always be his first priority, to protect the humans, and I know he is with the detective now," Demona explained. "But this is about you this night, Brooklyn. I am really, truly am sorry for the pain I caused you so long ago, and those other times too."
"You have no idea what damage you did to my mind, Demona!" Brooklyn felt tears coming to his eyes, feeling that pain return at the mention of it.
"I think I do know the feeling, Brooklyn. Feeling betrayed hurts and it feels like it's going to pull your guts out. That it seems impossible to ever feel normal again. That everything's changed. I know I ruined that childhood innocence that you had before that night so long ago. You are a young handsome and sweet male. That's what I knew you as. You are also good at strategic thinking. I can see why Goliath made you his new second in command. You are often keener on certain aspects of incidents gone wrong than Goliath will ever be," Demona explained her thinking of him. "The clan is lucky to have you as their second, ready to be leader one day."
Brooklyn softened his look some more and he let his body relax at her explanation of him. But he still wasn't fully letting his guard down. He had wiped the tears away. He wasn't going to just let himself appear vulnerable in front of an enemy.
"Uh, thanks, I guess," he replied. "And yes, what you said is true."
"Brooklyn, just know that when you come across me in the future after this night, that I am someone you can come to if you need anything, such as someone with an open ear to talk if you want," Demona told him. "Or if you're needing a place to stay and can't get home. I'll always be happy to lend a hand to help if the clan needs it in any situation, even if Goliath never lets me back in the clan."
"Even if you've changed your ways, Goliath is way too set in his ways to even listen," Brooklyn declared.
"I know, and when I face him eventually, I need someone besides Angela on my side." Demona said. "But you, Brooklyn, are far more forgiving than he is. Unfortunately, Goliath is way too stubborn to listen."
"I don't know if he'll even listen to me. I can give my input to him, and he still doesn't listen at times. It's usually Elisa that can talk sense to him."
"You will definitely make a fine leader someday, Brooklyn," Demona smiled at him.
"I know. But I'm still not fully ready for it to be bestowed on me just yet. There's still much more I can learn from Goliath," Brooklyn said.
"Learn as much as you can. It hurts when parental role-models are no longer there when it's their time to leave this life and you must step up," Demona stated.
Brooklyn knew what she meant. There were times when he still missed his other moms and dads. But more so when Goliath had disappeared over a year ago.
"Well, I need to know, can you forgive me for my past actions, Brooklyn? I promise that I'll keep on working on improving myself. I'm tired of my old ways. I see how it wasn't getting me anywhere anymore," Demona explained. "I just really need to hear it from you. Please."
Brooklyn heard a gentle but desperate tone in her voice. She clearly was wanting to have forgiveness from him.
"I don't know if I can." He replied.
"Angela says that holding on to all that pain is so toxic to your soul, Brooklyn. If you let it go, that you'll feel a lot better about yourself, that you'll feel free to let it go," Demona explained Angela's reasoning that she had been working with her on.
Just for remembering all the pain from so long ago was bringing tears to his eyes again. He felt like he was hearing one of his moms again, almost. This time, he couldn't help but let the tears go.
Demona saw the young male tensing up. He turned away. She knew what was happening to him. He had to be letting the pain go. She smiled. This was a good start, even if he was crying to let the pain go. She slowly walked over to him.
Brooklyn had begun crying silently because of all the pain he felt from the past, suddenly fleeing from his mind. Then he felt strong arms around his shoulders. "Here, if you need a helping hand to let it go," Demona offered herself.
Brooklyn grabbed onto her arms, tears flowing. She was hugging him too. She let him lean his body into hers as he let go of his pain. It had been a long time since he had cried like this. But it was a relief for him.
"I'm here, young one," Demona said comfortingly, like that of a mother.
"I'm sorry, too. I forgive you," Brooklyn finally managed to say.
"Thank you. I needed to hear you say that." Demona had tears too. She just wanted to let their past nightmares to go away too.
She held the red male until he couldn't cry anymore. He had needed a good cry. They stood there for an hour until Demona let go of him and he wiped his tears away. He stood up. They both ended up sitting on the edge of the balcony and he started talking.
"Sometimes, I feel like the clan doesn't need me anymore. It just doesn't feel like there's anything there for me. My nights when I'm not patrolling just feel so empty," Brooklyn declared.
"I get what you mean. Life can seem empty when you don't have someone that loves you for who you are," Demona said. "A special soulmate."
"Yeah," he replied. "It can be hard to go through life alone, but you have to find some way to go on until you find that special someone," Demona declared. "But know that your clan loves you still."
"I know they do. It's just not the same kind of love that I am wanting in return. Like what I wanted from Angela. I wish she had chosen me," Brooklyn broke his secret on that part.
"You are a hopeless romantic, Brooklyn. But any female would be making a mistake to turn you down," Demona said.
"Thanks." He replied. "Well, I really need to get home before dawn." He got up from his spot.
"Me too. I dread the meeting in the morning," Demona stated as she also stood up. "Thank you, Brooklyn, for forgiving me. I hope we can be friends." She also handed him a slip of paper.
"It's still going to be a long time to really work up to that, Demona, after all the trust that was lost between us. But eventually," Brooklyn replied.
"It's a start," she agreed.
Then the two of them parted ways. Brooklyn made sure that she wasn't following him and going back on her word. She flew in the opposite direction. Brook then glanced at the piece of paper in his hand as he flew home. He opened it up and saw an address on it.
It was the address of where he could come if he felt he needed to or turn to someone in need. Angela went to this place too. Well, at least perhaps there could really be peace between him and Demona after all. It had seemed like they were going to remain enemies forever. He really hoped she would keep her word.
...
When he got home, Brooklyn went to find Angela. He had to know for sure if what her mom said was accurate. He found her with Broadway in the library. There was still time left before sunrise for a quick chat.
He walked into the library. "Hey," he said.
"Hi, Brooklyn," Angela replied.
"Hi, bro," Broadway said back.
"Angela, if you don't mind, could I have a word with you, privately?" Brooklyn asked of her.
Angela saw that Brooklyn had a concerned look on his face. "Yes. I'll be right back, Broadway," she said to her mate. She got off the couch and started walking out of the room. Broadway glared after them, hoping that his brother wouldn't do anything stupid.
Brooklyn and Angela went a short distance down the hall before stopping to talk. "Angela, while I was out in the Village tonight, I ran into Demona," he began.
Angela looked at him questioningly. "And, what happened?"
"I have to ask, is it true, that you've been talking to Demona about changing her ways and getting her to forgive the humans, and wanting me to forgive her?" Brooklyn asked firmly. His eyes were a look of hopefulness but still wariness.
"Yes, Brooklyn, what she said is true. I wanted her to try to talk to you to try to make amends for what happened so long ago. To help you let go of your pain because I see how you have felt that pain bottled up for far too long. I've been trying to help her let go of the pain of losing the clan too," Angela explained cordially.
"She told me of what you had been doing with her. She said she wanted to hear it from me if I would forgive her. She wanted to hear me say it. There was a certain way she was talking to me that I haven't heard from her before that made me break down in front of her. She also came over and held me in her arms," Brooklyn explained what had happened.
"She truly was wanting to make amends with you, Brooklyn. She knows she hurt you the most out of all of us, the younger crowd. So, do you truly forgive her? I know you'll never forget those terrible memories but it's better to let that pain go to free your soul," Angela proclaimed.
"Yeah. I told her I forgave her, but it's still going to take a long time for me to even feel I can trust her again," Brooklyn replied.
"That's alright. At least it was a start in the right direction, Brooklyn," Angela smiled at him, putting a hand on his. "I'm glad you're willing to forgive my mother."
"It's still a work in progress. But then there's Goliath," Brooklyn declared. "He'll be harder to convince."
"I know. Father can be stubborn in matters of my mother," Angela agreed.
"Well, I'll give it a chance for whenever I see her in the future to not attack her on sight. If she's really trying to change, she needs a chance to prove it," Brooklyn said.
"Thank you for giving her a chance, Brooklyn," The lavender gargess smiled.
He was also doing this for Angela too. He still loved her and didn't want to hurt her feelings either. But then, what if something happened in the future between him and Demona? If it went beyond just mere friendship, something more intimate.
They would worry about it if the time came. For the time being, Brooklyn still had no such plans to ever be mates with Demona. But he would do his best to be a friend to her, even though he knew it wouldn't be easy. That's all he would be to her. He would hold out for another female to be his mate, one day.
...
Whenever they saw each other from then on, Brooklyn didn't attack Demona like he used to, and that also pleased the clan too that he didn't get carried away like that anymore.
Goliath was told eventually about what was going on with Demona and she wanted Goliath's forgiveness too. He was shocked that Demona was trying to change, but he still didn't believe her. He would never trust her again and she was not welcome back in the clan. Angela was still welcome to go see her because she was her daughter.
But Demona did have a new friend in Brooklyn. This was a fresh start for them both. They would both work on their friendship.
...
It wasn't long afterward that Brooklyn was sent on his forty-year journey with the Phoenix Gate, and he finally gained what he had wanted all along: a Love of his own and a family. Katana was the name of his mate, their son, Nashville, and a new egg that would eventually hatch into a daughter that got named Tachi. Brooklyn himself was older now, even older than Goliath.
The clan welcomed their new family members with honor and respect. Demona would eventually meet them, and she was happy for Brooklyn that he had gained a mate of his own and a family. Though she had been surprised at how he had gained it. Things were just meant to be.
The End
I got this idea when I saw a picture of Demona hugging a sad Brooklyn online. I've been wanting to write a fic like this one for a little while. Hope you all enjoyed it. This was both part AU and canon.