The process of Brooklyn's healing had taken quite a toll on the clan to be able to take care of him. Brooklyn mostly stayed in bed for a lot of the time while Coldfire remained at his bedside, sometimes giving him the healthy food he needed.
His weight was slowly showing signs of receding, almost close to being back to its normal look, which had been relieving Brooklyn. He didn't feel as bloated as he did when they first brought him home.
Brooklyn had loved being in a 'mother's' care for a while, Coldfire always attending to his needs but sometimes knew he needed some solitude. His mind wasn't as fragile as it used to be anymore while she tucked him in bed again.
"M-Mom? Maybe… I can have some alone time for a bit?" Brooklyn asked, gazing up at her questioningly. She turned in some surprise.
"Are you sure? You still might not be well enough." Coldfire insisted, caressing his cheek motherly. Brooklyn took it weakly.
"I-I'll be fine, I promise," Brooklyn begged her, wanting to be alone with his thoughts, which weren't not too good right now.
Coldfire could tell but decided he could rest anyway, her eyes soft when she kisses his cheek before heading out, Brooklyn smiling at her when she left. It was the first smile he had in a long time. Meanwhile, Bronx had come in to keep Brooklyn company, Brooklyn giving him some pets.
But what Brooklyn didn't realize was that his greatest enemy had been planning to get him back and was about to make his move.
….
In another warehouse building that was in a part of the East Village, Coldsteel had grouped together a lot of his followers, laying out his plans for them to distract the clan away. He didn't want any of them there to protect his vessel.
"You two will cause a fire that will take the clan far away. Make sure the police come along too to keep them occupied. I will sneak in through the back and get Brooklyn." Grinned Coldsteel. The rest of the men nodded, laughing eagerly, wanting to get the job done so they could go back to hurting that devil.
Two of Coldsteel's men went out in their car to the desired place to set a blaze, which was an abandoned store. They poured gasoline all around it, and soon lit a match that caught fire quickly. Feeling satisfied, they went back into their car before the police spotted them.
….
Back at the castle, Brooklyn himself had been watching the tv that Hudson at one point brought in for him to enjoy while being bedridden. Brooklyn was relaxed during his movie hour when a sudden news announcement came up.
Brooklyn's ears perked in surprise. "Hey! What?" He gasped, seeing a burning building on the screen. It instantly made him nervous, wondering who would do that. "Goliath! GUYS!" Brooklyn roared, stress in his body, as the rest of the clan came in, seeing their sick second looking rather scared.
"Are you alright?" Goliath asked in concern, Brooklyn tensing a little from their presence but knew he couldn't let his fear keep him down from his family.
"Fire in-interrupted my movie," he complained, the flames making his PTSD come back again, mostly from his time with being nearly hit with a flamethrower from Coldsteel's men.
Lexington glared at the screen. "We gotta go and see if it's the Pack that's behind this!" He growled; hands balled into fists. Hudson wound up agreeing, taking the remote, then changing the channel. "Here, lad. You'll have to stay here while we check it out."
Brooklyn's eyes filled with tears. It was like they didn't need him anymore. "I w-want to help," he begged softly, while watching Broadway and Angela with some fear, thinking they still resented him from the previous possession.
Goliath had a gentle hand on his arm. "Not in your still unstable condition. You may look ok, but your mind still needs healing. Bronx and Coldfire will look after you."
It made the red gargoyle sad that he couldn't do things by himself still, wondering if he was really better off having Coldsteel take him over after all, his emotions wrecking him again.
Angela's ears fell. "Hey, it's alright. You'll be back out with us before you know it." She tried a smile, though Brooklyn just looked away. He still hadn't opened up to the clan about what the visions of them in the maze said, and what Coldsteel did to him fully.
"Come on," Goliath murmured, looking at his second in sadness, the rest of the clan following behind. Hudson gave Brooklyn one more hug before he left.
They first went to inform Fox and Coldfire about what was going on. Coldfire at first wanted to go see Brooklyn, but Hudson told her he just needed some quiet time still. Nodding, she allowed the clan to leave on their patrol, continuing to help Fox with Alex for a while.
….
The clan heard on the news that the fire was in the East Village and headed there. It would take them far away from the castle and not be able to get back so fast, which was what Coldsteel wanted. From his spot on the other building, his vision was zooming in on the castle and he saw the majority of the clan head out to go confront what was going on about that fire.
Coldsteel smiled maliciously. This was just what he was waiting for. He departed from his building to go infiltrate the castle to find his chosen body.
….
In the castle, Coldfire visited Brooklyn to see how he was doing now that the clan was gone. She also let Bronx into Brooklyn's room, where the gar-dog went up to the bed. Bronx whined up at the red male and his cute puppy eyes and whimper made Brook smile back at him. "I'm fine, boy." Brooklyn petted him with a smile.
"Do you need anything right now, Brooklyn?" Coldfire asked. She was glad to see him smile after being sad for so long.
"No, I feel fine right now. I think I can get by for right now, thank you. Bronx being here with me is a big help too." Brook declared. "In fact, you've been doing quite a lot for me, and I'm grateful for that. Why don't you take a break?"
"Alright. Just let me know if you need anything." Coldfire stated.
"I will." Brooklyn replied. Then Coldfire left him alone. Coldfire went to go back to the nursery.
Brooklyn on the other hand, was also feeling a bit restless being in bed. "Want to go for a walk, boy?" Brooklyn asked happily. Bronx panted like a dog, wagging his tail in reply.
"Come on, let's go on a walk around the castle. I need to get out of my bed and my room, though I know I don't want to go missing again." Brooklyn decreed.
The red gargoyle removed his blankets and got out of his bed. He and Bronx left the warmth of his room to just go walking around the castle. They were heading for the outside area close to the kitchen. Brooklyn was wanting to get more fresh air minus a clan member watching his every move. He leaned against Bronx for support.
Coldsteel flew around the backside of the castle near the kitchen area. He began to go searching through the castle to find his red target.
Brooklyn and Bronx made their way from the bedroom area and headed towards the courtyard. The young gargoyle breathed in the fresh, crisp air of the night. It felt good to be able to see the sky again after his capture at the hands of Coldsteel and not being allowed to see the night sky anymore.
Coldsteel heard footsteps and hid behind a tree. He waited to see who it was. Then he saw that it was who he wanted, along with the clan's pet. He smiled in evil glee.
Brooklyn and Bronx got outside, and Brooklyn spied a good-sized stick. "Hey, boy. You wanna play fetch?" Brook said playfully. He picked up the stick.
Bronx got excited and wagged his tail playfully. He barked in reply.
"Okay, go get it!" Brooklyn threw the stick and Bronx chased after it.
Coldsteel watched his prey play happily with the gar-dog a few times. He wanted to see him happy for a moment, then planned to crush his happiness once and for all.
Brooklyn soon threw the stick in the direction that Coldsteel was positioned in, and the stick landed almost so close to where the rogue cyborg gargoyle was. Coldsteel knew this was his best chance.
"Good throws, my boy," Coldsteel said, stepping out from behind the tree.
Bronx stopped and growled, Brooklyn gasping in shock that his worst nightmare was here again. "NO! It can't be! You aren't here!" Brook exclaimed in fear, backing up.
"But I am, and you are coming back with me, Brooklyn, to finish our deal." Coldsteel smirked.
"No! I won't let you do it!" Brooklyn yelled.
"Oh, but you are." Coldsteel moved forward while the red one moved backwards. He then tried to take a step further and that was when Bronx wasn't going to allow this intruder to harm his master. Bronx snarled and jumped onto Coldsteel, knocking him down and chewing on one of his arms while Brooklyn chose to run back into the castle.
"HELP!" Brooklyn called out desperately.
Coldfire was on her way to the kitchen to get a jar of baby food for Alex when she suddenly heard a cry out from what sounded like Brooklyn. She had to take care of him.
Outside, Coldsteel wasn't letting his target get away. "Get off me!" He snarled angrily and he kicked Bronx in the stomach and kicked off into the nearby wall. The gar-dog was instantly knocked out after being winded.
Coldsteel then took off in the same direction as Brooklyn took into the castle. His robotic legs making those scary robot sounds. He heard running and he looked around a corner and saw Brooklyn running up a hallway. He took off after him but it wasn't too long that he caught up enough then ejected his tentacles out and grasped Brooklyn.
"Leave me alone! Let me go!" Brooklyn shouted.
"You are mine now. You are coming back with me now, Slave." Coldsteel sneered.
"No, I won't let you do this to me again!" Brooklyn snarled angrily. He tried to get loose out of Iago's grasp, but it was no use. The tentacles were so tight on his middle.
"I see that you are also still well fed from what I gave you." Coldsteel remarked mockingly.
"I'll never eat the food you gave me anymore!" Brooklyn gasped as the grip tightened on his middle.
Then, Coldfire finally appeared before them. "Brother! Let him go!"
Coldsteel then looked over at the golden cyborg female. "Ah! Sister, you are right on time to watch me recapture my new body. I could also help you recapture the female, and you could still be my mate, my Love." He told her.
"We have been through this many times; I will never be your mate! Now let Brooklyn go!" Coldfire ordered to her evil brother. "You will not harm him."
"I wouldn't dream of harming him. I just aim to get into his body. He doesn't need it." Coldsteel mocked Brooklyn.
Brooklyn tried squirming. He was trying hard to breathe. "No… please…"
Coldfire had instantly pointed her hand at Coldsteel, flames starting to slowly appear. "You turn him loose or I'll burn you!" She hissed, her eyes a bright red, feeling her motherly instincts for Brooklyn making the urge to protect him grow strong. Brooklyn's eyes were staring at his mom in fear, still squirming.
The evil cyborg just laughed, holding Brooklyn like a shield before him. "And what will you do if I don't? Risk burning your precious hatchling. The clan is nowhere around to protect him, thanks to my men!"
Brooklyn himself looked to Coldsteel, his eyes wide. "What… did you do?" He flinched when Coldsteel's tentacles squeezed his middle again, hard.
"Just a little something for them to be distracted while you and I… have some fun."
Coldfire gasped in disbelief. "Goliath will realize this and get you!" She shouted, making Coldsteel laugh even more.
"Don't think so, sweet one. The fire should keep them busy for a time, enough for me to get away. And as for you, you know I need your body, hm?" Coldsteel asked in a mocking, simpering tone, making Brooklyn wince. He didn't want anyone to control his body!
Soon, Coldsteel began to touch Brooklyn in some pretty uncomfortable presses, enjoying feeling his little vessel to make Brooklyn remember his place.
Coldfire's eyes were shining with despair, not sure what to do without hurting Brooklyn herself, who was wincing, pleading at Coldsteel to stop. Coldsteel soon made Brooklyn hold still by gripping a rather sensitive area on his chest, which infuriated Coldfire, holding out her hand again.
"Ah, ah, ah! Don't you try to free him now, Sister. He doesn't need freedom or a body to have it in. I am to play with him a little." Coldsteel taunted, getting ready to really make Brooklyn writhe beneath him, Brook's heart pounding in his ears from those disgusting words, trying to get away, crying out to Coldfire.
"MOM!" Brooklyn screeched, tears flooding down his cheeks. Hearing that made Coldsteel laugh harder, gripping his chin and a sensitive part even lower to stifle his movements. "Shush, time now to soon take you away…" Coldsteel teased, Coldfire still trying to find the right time to make her move.
Meanwhile, back at the building, Goliath had found who set the fire, grabbing him and pushing him up against the wall. "Why did you set the fire?! Tell us now!" He bellowed, while police sirens rang in the air.
The man didn't even look scared whatsoever, a sneering grin on his features, the rest of the clan giving him cold looks. "Foolish creatures. This fire was only a ruse to get you away for Master Coldsteel to take back what is rightfully his!" He taunted viciously, making Lex's eyes grow big in anger, glowing white.
"We have to help Brooklyn!" Angela exclaimed in fear after the clan realized they'd been had, now desperate to return to the castle in case Coldsteel came along. Goliath tossed the man into the garbage bin nearby, knowing the police and the fire department could take care of the flames since Brooklyn's safety right now was more important.
All of them took to the air, gliding back to the castle as quickly as they could, hearing voices of despair and an evil one coming as well from the castle courtyard.
Goliath could spot Coldfire there as well as Coldsteel and… Brooklyn in his grasp, seeing him squirming to get free. His eyes lit up white, baring his teeth and hating his old brother from going this far, gliding down into the courtyard, roaring in fury at the sight of him.
Brooklyn's tears were flooding down his cheeks, hearing his 'mom's' yells of fury to tell him to stop, Coldsteel's evil talons gripping every sensitive part on his upper body but not to seriously injure him, just to get him to be submissive again. "Stop… Agh! S-stop!" He screamed, Iago's laugh ringing in his soul.
"You'll come with me!" The cyborg threatened, beginning to drag Brooklyn, Coldfire beginning to get ready to tackle her 'brother.'
But suddenly, to everyone's surprise, there was a huge bellowing roar, Coldsteel turning around in disbelief and rage, spotting the clan flying down.
"LET… HIM… GO!" Goliath roared in fury, landing in front of the two. Coldsteel hauled up Brooklyn, whose face was contorted in fear, wanting nothing more than to get away!
Iago's eyes flared red, holding Brooklyn tight in his arms. "Oh, how lovely. Your clan actually came to save your pathetic hide." He mocked quietly, making Brooklyn whimper, ears lowered when seeing the others, feeling quite humiliated.
"If you want this loser so badly, you'll have to get me first!" Coldsteel snarked, starting to take a run for it. Lexington wouldn't allow his brother to go missing anymore, his eyes glowing white and big, running after the bigger gargoyle but Coldsteel only smacked him with his tail, knocking Lex away, who hit the wall.
Goliath and Hudson both charged down Coldsteel, who was going to find an opening. "We can't let him fly away. Brooklyn shouldn't be held hostage anymore!" Hudson exclaimed, Goliath nodding as soon Coldstone and Coldfire joined them in the chase. Coldfire was in whole mother bear mode, wanting now to tear Coldsteel to pieces.
Soon, they cornered Coldsteel out on the parapets, who was still gripping Brooklyn harshly, his legs kicking, gasping out when Coldsteel continued squeezing him. Hudson's face looked rather angry at their former brother doing this to the lad.
"You will let me leave with this worthless runt, or he gets it good," Coldsteel threatened, conjuring up a knife on his wrist and poked it into Brooklyn's neck, drawing a little blood. Brooklyn was crying out for them, his face pale in fear.
Broadway himself was glowering hatefully at the cyborg. "You'll pay for forcing that awful junk food on him!" He snarled, hands bared. Coldsteel just grinned.
"Was more than what the little runt deserved. Not like he would be eating with his own soul soon anyway," He mocked, Brooklyn's ears flattening and turning away.
It made the aqua gargoyle's eyes brighten in rage. "You're nothing more than a bully and a maniac!"
Those words merely made Coldsteel laugh further, ignoring the insults while squeezing Brook's middle harder with his tentacles.
But what Coldsteel didn't know was that Goliath had Coldstone fly around to corner Iago from behind. Goliath stepped forward, though not attacking. "Brooklyn is a valuable member of our clan. He is not worthless to us. Now let him go!" He snapped, his wings out in his anger, Coldsteel pressing the dagger harder.
Brooklyn whimpered, squirming from the painful poke in his neck, feeling himself grow woozy from all this stress. "Hmph. How silly that you think this one is worth anything. Just look at him, scrawnier than you? What makes him the right stature to be a leader?" He crooned, eyeing Brooklyn in contempt.
"I chose him because he has intelligence and spirit. The right kind of spirit to take my place," Goliath responded, not liking Coldsteel's insults at calling Brooklyn scrawny when he was just as strong as the others.
But before the evil cyborg could counter back at Goliath, there was a sound of engines and soon Coldstone appeared, sending a shockwave through Coldsteel, which caused him to let go of Brooklyn in surprise. Brooklyn stumbled to the floor in which Coldfire took the chance to run to her adopted hatchling, securing him in her arms then taking him back into the group.
Brooklyn sniffled while burying himself in Coldfire's arms, Coldfire shushing him gently.
Coldsteel turned around, having gotten over the shocking to see his hated brother. Knowing he had lost, Coldsteel glanced threateningly to Brooklyn, who buried himself in Coldfire's embrace. "You won't be able to keep him safe forever, Sister, no matter how much you try! And as for you, little slave, don't think that I won't quit haunting your every living moment! I will soon inhabit your body, and that's a promise!" He snarled, eyes glowing red, shaking his fist. Brooklyn sobbed while flattening his ears from hearing his enemy's promise.
The evil gargoyle cyborg soon knocked his other brother out of the way, taking off into the sky; the others all disappointed they couldn't keep a hold on Coldsteel forever.
Goliath gave a sigh as he turned to Coldfire embracing Brooklyn, whispering comfort. "Brooklyn, are you alright?" He asked carefully, Brook jerking a little from the sound of his voice.
"I… guess." Brooklyn answered in a small voice, tears now falling freely, Coldsteel's threat still echoing in his mind. Hudson's ears were lowered, wishing he could end the lad's emotional pain.
Goliath had Coldfire put Brooklyn back into bed, which he was most grateful for, but wasn't done with what kind of idea he had to keep his Second safe, and to not risk another ambush.
"Brooklyn, I know this probably won't be easy, but… I have to make a decision to protect both you and our clan from Coldsteel's attacks. He cannot come here to take you ever again." Goliath said softly, Brooklyn wondering what he was talking about while sipping tea.
"What are you talking about?" Brook questioned in dread, not knowing what his leader was going to do.
Goliath sighed heavily. "You remember that summer home of Xanatos?" He asked, Brooklyn nodding tentatively. "I have been thinking that… maybe… it would be wise for you to recover there since you can't patrol. Coldsteel would probably never find you up there and it is secluded." He offered, trying not to scare Brooklyn but obviously, the red male's face split into a look of surprise and sadness.
"Goliath? Y-You want me to leave?" Brooklyn asked in a shaky tone, his eyes big in tears, not wanting to believe his words. Hudson took his hand.
"We don't want ye gone forever, Laddie, only while you're still in your condition," Hudson tried to assure but Brooklyn didn't feel too calmed down, his eyes now looking angry.
He gripped his bed sheets tight. "You all… really think I'm… useless. I'm fine! I-I can take on patrols!" Brooklyn tried to counter, wanting to stand up again but Coldfire prevented him. "He doesn't think that, Honey. We're just ensuring your safety until you can be strong enough to fight again."
Brooklyn though, felt a ringing in his ears, his heart beating, not liking the idea of being so far from his clan at all, quickly getting up from his bed, until he felt rather dizzy, not hearing his clan trying to talk to him and stumbling out of his room. Coldfire then knew he needed some time to think, her face sad and guilty that she didn't protect him better.
Out in the hallway, Brooklyn was stumbling, his hand on his forehead, still struggling to comprehend about the fact of being in a place separated from his home. Elisa had arrived back around that time when hearing what was going on and finding out that had the fire had been fake.
She spotted Brooklyn in the hall, trying to get his attention. "Brooklyn!" Elisa called out but it made Brooklyn jerk harshly from the sound of her voice, next going into a closet, closing the door. He didn't want to go out again if it meant him going to Xanadu. Brooklyn sat among the things in the closet, sobbing and hiding his face in his legs.
Elisa carefully went up to the door, knocking. "Brooklyn, sweetie, are you ok? What happened?" Brooklyn sniffled, swallowing, before he spoke.
"My clan doesn't… want me anymore… Coldsteel attacked and-and now Goliath thinks that… I'm a danger to them." Brooklyn whimpered from the excuse he came up with to stay. Elisa frowned. There had to be some explanation.
"Can you open the door? I don't want you in that closet forever," she said softly, a hand on it. Unsure if he wanted to, Brooklyn soon gave in, reaching up to open it, seeing Elisa there, before closing his eyes. Elisa carefully took his hand, helping Brooklyn to his feet, as the two walked together.
They ran into Coldfire, who Brooklyn stared at with flattened ears, until she hugged him too. "I'm sorry we scared you that way, little one. But me, Hudson, Elisa, Fox, and Bronx will all be with you when you go to Xanadu, trust me."
It made the red gargoyle sniffle but nod, slowly accepting as he didn't want Coldsteel to return and finish his promise, knowing he may have to be there for at least a few weeks or so, and that he would miss his brothers while he was gone.