Temptation
November 11th, 1994
Nearly a week has passed since the whole situation with The Pack and things have been relatively peaceful since, other than taking down the odd criminal here and there, which would be common for the gargoyles.
In a rough looking neighbourhood, in a garage, the trio, Liam and Griff were hanging out, mainly because Lexington was working on a project that the trio found four days ago: a motorcycle. With him learning how to work with machinery and mechanics, Lexington decided to rebuild it and he was currently welding the last piece to finish things up.
"Isn't it finished? We've been here every night for several days." Broadway said impatiently as Lexington finished and placed his welding torch and mask away.
"Come on, you've ridden one of these before." Brooklyn added, reminding Liam and Griff about the story the three told them of Lexington's disastrous attempt to ride one the night after they first awoke in the present.
"Have you two ever heard of the word 'patience'? These things take time." Liam told them as Lexington pulled the motorcycle up on its wheels.
"Besides, you rode a horse once. Could you build one from spare parts?" Lexington retorted, annoyed with their impatience.
Brooklyn shrugged before he grabbed a helmet on the table, punching two holes in it for his horns before he put it on as he was going to be the one riding the motorcycle.
"Why bother with a helmet? Your head's hard enough." Broadway remarked.
Brooklyn then had his wings wrap around his body so tightly that it was like he had a second skin before Griff grabbed a leather biker jacket and gave it to Brooklyn to put it on.
"Hey, it's all part of the look." Brooklyn replied to Broadway's remark.
"Even though I think Griff has a much better look in my opinion." Liam said, making Griff smile.
"Thank you." He said, pressing his beak in Liam's hair. Ever since Fox held Liam hostage, the two have been more open with their intimacy around the other gargoyles and Elisa, causing all of them to wonder if there's more going on between them than just friends.
Lexington had the side stand of the motorcycle out so that it could stay on its wheels.
"There! It's ready." Lexington told Brooklyn, who looked super eager and excited to ride it as he sat on it.
"Alright." He grinned as he put on a pair of sunglasses.
He started the engine and started revving before smoke kicked up from the wheels on the spot and then Brooklyn drove the motorcycle out of the garage and into the street.
"Go for it!" Lexington yelled after him.
"Looking good!" Broadway yelled.
"Boy can rock!" Lexington then yelled as he, Broadway, Liam and Griff cheered Brooklyn on before they fell silent.
"Hey, don't we get our turns?" Broadway asked.
"I guess you guys just have to wait until he's had his fun." Liam tried to assure them right before he had the feeling that they were being watched. He turned to look around and yet he saw nothing, not even a glimpse in the shadows.
"You alright?" Griff asked him.
"I don't know. It's probably nothing. Anyway, let's go gliding around the city." Liam suggested to Griff, wanting to take his mind off of what he just felt.
Griff carried Liam in his arms before they went to a high enough rooftop and glided through the city skyline.
The pair were silent for a while as they decided to see if they could find Brooklyn.
They were about to give up looking for him, when Liam saw his outline in the moonlight, heading for a roof with a fence surrounding it.
"Where's he going?" He asked Griff, pointing Brooklyn out. Why isn't he on his bike and what happened to his helmet, sunglasses and jacket?
"I don't know. But let's follow him and see what he's up to." Griff said and turned left, landing on a rooftop on the building next to the one Brooklyn is on.
They kept themselves out of sight as they noticed a shadow hiding from Brooklyn. As he stepped forward, much to their surprise, Demona showed herself alive and well.
"So she's still alive." Liam hissed in anger as she approached Brooklyn, who backed off right up to the fence.
Brookly got on the fence, about to leave Demona, but she talked to him. While the pair couldn't hear what they were saying, it seemed that she was trying to convince Brooklyn to listen to her. She then placed a hand on his shoulder, clearly a sign of manipulation.
"What is she telling him?" Griff whispered.
"Probably something about how humans are bad." Liam replied right as Demona stood on the fence next to Brooklyn, spreading her wings open and held a hand out to Brooklyn, which he accepted after hesitating for a moment.
"Let's keep watching them." Griff said and Liam got onto his back.
They followed Brooklyn and Demona, making sure to keep their distance so that they couldn't see them.
Eventually, Demona and Brooklyn stopped on a rooftop with a glass window on top. They landed nearby and saw that they were watching a woman getting her bag stolen from a man who ran off with it. She called for the police, but no one was there to help her.
Liam and Griff saw that Brooklyn was about to try and help, but Demona stopped him, trying to talk 'sense' into him.
They then glided elsewhere, Liam and Griff still following them until they stopped at a large manor. Liam and Griff hid in the bushes where they heard a couple arguing, which Demona and Brooklyn heard as they were right by the windows that the argument came from. A vase was heard breaking and then a boy ran out, crying.
They then went to where a crime scene was being investigated. Pictures were taken of an outline where a body once was and a gun was being placed in an evidence bag and a body was being loaded into a truck. The two were able to get near and above Demona and Brooklyn and were able to hear what they're saying.
It was clear to Liam and Griff that Demona was trying to make Brooklyn see only the negative and dark sides of humanity, too biassed to see that there were good and light sides to humanity.
"They hold each other's lives completely without worth. Do you really think they would accept us with open arms?" Demona said to Brooklyn.
"No." Brooklyn sighed.
"And this is not the worst of it. We must make Goliath see the truth. Humanity will never trust or accept us." Demona then said, placing a 'tender' hand on Brooklyn's beak.
"But not all humans are like that. Elisa and Liam are our friends. Liam even has Griff, who he's known for a few years." Brooklyn pointed out.
"Perhaps they are the exceptions that proves the rule. But can they keep you safe from the rest of humanity?" Demona asked back. "Only we can protect each other, Brooklyn. We must be united and strong. And willing to deal with the humans, as they would with us." Her eyes glowed red on her last sentence.
"Goliath thinks we can hide in the midst like mice and hope for their understanding. This is not possible. Remember what happened to Goliath, Lexington, Griff and Liam? They were hunted like animals because Lexington trusted The Pack." She then said. It didn't surprise Liam and Griff that she knew of what happened with The Pack, Liam discovered that Xanatos formed the group, so it would make sense if he told Demona about the incident.
"How did you know?" Brooklyn asked.
"If you think I'm wrong, then show yourself to them." Demona said, pointing down at the people below. Brooklyn just stayed where he was, clearly being swayed by her manipulation.
"Very wise, my young friend. They would shoot you down like a dog." Demona said with satisfaction. Liam hated seeing Brooklyn being taken advantage of.
"Let's say you're right. What can we do?" He asked Demona. "Goliath still believes humanity will accept us eventually."
"Goliath must be made to see the truth for the good of us all. There is a way, Brooklyn. The Grimorum Arcanorum, Bring it to me. There is a spell of truth in its pages. With it, I can open Goliath's eyes. Once Goliath understands, the rest will follow him." Demona explained, making Liam and Griff look at each other, already knowing that they'll have to try and stop Demona from succeeding.
Eventually, the police left the crime scene below,
Demona and Brooklyn then parted ways after the former told Brooklyn to meet her at the Cloisters.
After a short while, Liam and Griff glided after Brooklyn, heading back to the castle.
Back at the castle, all the other gargoyles were waiting for Liam, Griff and Brooklyn and eventually, they saw Brooklyn approaching and land on a ledge on the tower they all have Stone Sleep on.
"How was your… joyride?" Goliath asked him, Hudson and Bronx standing on either side of him.
"Uh… illuminating." Brooklyn said after he jumped down from the ledge.
That was when both Liam and Griff landed.
"Where have you two been?" Goliath asked.
"Just gliding all over the city." Griff replied, not wanting to let Brooklyn know that he and Liam followed him and Demona around.
"Goliath!" Elisa's voice called out as she walked up the stairs to the top of the tower. "I'm glad I caught you before dawn."
"Yes Elisa, is something wrong?" Goliath asked her.
"There will be. Xanatos' sentence is almost up. He'll be out of jail in a month." Elisa revealed, which caused Liam and Griff to be concerned, especially since Goliath will just continue disregarding how this is bad.
"So you said before. Why does this concern you?" Goliath said with annoyance ebbing ever so slightly in his voice.
"It concerns you! You'll have to find another place to live. But don't worry, I think I've found the perfect place." Elisa said, having told Liam and Griff about the clocktower over the 23rd Precinct, where Elisa works.
"There is no need for that. Xanatos has been beaten. The castle is ours now." Goliath told her.
"How do we know that? What if he tries to reclaim it?" Brooklyn retorted on his ledge, making Goliath walk right up to him.
"We will deal with that if and when it happens, but we are not leaving our home." Goliath firmly told him, spreading his wings out.
"But Goliath -" Brooklyn was cut off because the sun appeared over the horizon, putting all the gargoyles into Stone Sleep.
"What a way to interrupt a conversation." Liam remarked.
"Tell me about it." Elisa said. "What do you think it'll take for Goliath to realise that he has to leave the castle?"
"Probably all his clan to side against him. One opinion against many isn't strong, even if he's their leader." Liam said as they started to leave the castle.
The following night, the gargoyles awoke, all of them, except for Griff, were surprised to see that Liam wasn't there to greet them, like he always does every night.
Both Goliath and Hudson glided down to one of the courtyards and Bronx ran down the stairs to join the two. Griff decided to stay on the tower, looking out over the city.
"Let's get some breakfast." Broadway suggested to Brooklyn and Lexington.
"You coming, Brooklyn?" Lexington said, noticing how spaced out he seemed.
"Maybe later." Brooklyn told them before they glided off the tower.
Griff looked out of the corner of his eye as Brooklyn glided off in a different direction.
Brooklyn landed in another courtyard and pressed himself by an archway, making sure no one was watching him before he entered the castle.
He entered into a room that housed various significant items, one of which was placed on a podium with a glass casing around it and a keypad under it. This item was an ancient book, the Grimorum Arcanorum.
Brooklyn slashed at the keypad and lifted the glass to grab the book. He then looked around again to see that no one was watching and ran out of there.
However, he didn't realise that Liam was there, stepping out of the shadows, having seen what he had done, having entered this room earlier before sunset.
He went and informed Griff that Brooklyn took the book, Griff then telling him that he saw Brooklun glide off.
"Now we just wait for Brooklyn to come back and take Goliath to Demona." Griff then said.
During their waiting, Goliath joined them at the tower. They all looked out at the city in comfortable silence.
Several minutes later, Brooklyn came back and landed on the ledge on Goliath's left.
"Goliath, I found a fascinating place." He informed his leader.
"How so?" Goliath asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's like the world we came from. It's called the Cloisters. Would you like to see it?" Brooklyn asked him.
Goliath smirked, liking the sound of that.
And so he and Brooklyn glided off with the latter leading him.
After letting them have their distance, Griff grabbed Liam and glided after them.
Following them down the Hudson River, they reached the Cloisters and the pair landed on the roof above the courtyard that Goliath and Brooklyn landed on.
"It's beautiful. I wish we'd brought the others." Goliath said as he looked around, amazed by how the architecture reminded him of his time.
"It's good you didn't. Because we wanted you here alone." Demona told him as she appeared before him with the Grimorum Arcanorum in her arms, Brooklyn stepping away and standing by her side as she opened the book.
Goliath was understandably shocked to see that she still lives.
"Demona… so you did survive." He said.
"I always survive." She smirked evilly.
"The Grimorum. Brooklyn, what is happening here?" Goliath demanded an explanation.
"Just listen to her Goliath, please. She has something very important to say to you." Brooklyn told him.
"He's right, Goliath. Listen and obey." She said before she looked down at the book, ready to speak an incantation, her hand aiming at Goliath.
"Sine Dubio, Instantatum." She said, green energy forming in her hand.
Liam and Griff decided now was the time to show themselves as Goliath charged at Demona, only for the energy to be shot at him, hitting him right in the chest. It consumed him, making him writhe in pain before it stopped.
"What have you done to Goliath?" Liam barked at Demona, surprising her and Brooklyn by his and Griff's sudden appearance.
"What are you two doing here?" Brooklyn asked.
"We've been following you ever since Demona showed up last night. She's been using you, Brooklyn." Griff said, pointing an accusing talon at Demona, who grinned evilly as she closed the book, causing some green energy to shoot out from a page.
Goliath looked up and his eyes were now entirely green.
"What's happened? I thought the spell was supposed to open his eyes." Brooklyn said to Demona.
"It will. Watch." She said, trying to soothe his concerns. "Humans are our enemies."
"Humans are our enemies." Goliath repeated blankly, like he was under a trance.
"No. This wasn't the plan. I wanted to free his mind, not enslave it." Brooklyn said, horrified by what is really going on.
"Face it, Brooklyn, Demona manipulated your emotions to make Goliath her little slave." Liam told him.
"You wanted him to know the truth. Now what we will tell him will be the only truth he knows." Demona told Brooklyn, who had to accept what Liam and Griff told him. She never cared, she just wanted her scheme to work.
"You're insane. Give me that book." He snarled, he and Griff launching at Demona, who threw herself back. Liam joined them.
"Brooklyn, wait! You must trust me." Demona tried to talk to him.
"I was a fool to trust you!" Brooklyn spat as his eyes started glowing white.
"And you'll pay for what you've done!" Griff added as he and Brooklyn were about to strike her.
"Goliath! Restrain them!" Demona ordered Goliath, who walked up to them like a zombie and grabbed the two gargoyles by their necks.
"You never cared for Brooklyn! You only cared for yourself!" Liam spat as he charged at Demona. She swung her tail at him, but he was able to narrowly dodge it from hitting his face and he tackled Demona, punching her repeatedly in the face.
Brooklyn and Griff were able to get out of Goliath's grip by headbutting him.
Demona started putting up a fight against Liam, punching him in the sides, but he kept going until her tail wrapped around his leg, throwing him away. Griff was able to grab him and hold him in his arms.
"Goliath, it's us, Brooklyn, Griff! Stop!" Brooklyn tried to talk Goliath down, but he attempted to grab them again, but they dodged this time, running towards a door, which they rammed into, knocking it off its hinges and ran into a large square room with a balcony above, stained glass windows and tapestries, hiding in a corner.
"We must get the book out of her hands." Liam said. "That's how she's controlling Goliath."
"How do we do that?" Brooklyn asked, knowing that she'll just sic Goliath on them the moment she sees them.
"I think I have an idea." Griff said.
As he told them his idea, Demona entered with Goliath in front of her, like some guard dog.
"Wait! Brooklyn! Griff! I won't hurt either of you. Don't you see? This is the only way. This is only temporary. He will obey whoever holds the spell. We can protect him from his naivety until we reach our goals." She said.
She looked all over for them, stepping out further into the room.
Brooklyn appeared from behind Goliath, running up to him and reaching for his face, only for Goliath to grab his wrist.
"Goliath, listen to me. You can't let Demona control you. You've got to snap out of it." Brooklyn tried talking sense into him, only for him to get thrown up against a pillar.
"I hate to do this, but you leave me no choice." Demona said, walking up to him and opening up the book, looking for a spell.
She was about to cast it when Griff appeared and tackled her to the ground, sending the book flying.
"Now, Liam!" Griff shouted and Liam ran out from the shadows, sliding on his knees and grabbing the book.
"Goliath, stop him!" Demona shouted as she was able to get Griff off of her and ran after Liam, who opened the book and was able to rip the spell out before she reached him, closing the book in time and hid the spell in his jacket.
She then grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
"You fool!" She snarled, ripping the book from his hand. "Do you think I have come this far just to let a human stop me now?"
She then threw Liam over her shoulder, making him land hard on the stone floor, which hurt a bit.
"Goliath, destroy them!" She then ordered Goliath, who didn't move an inch.
"I hold the book. You must obey me." She then said, frustrated.
"It doesn't automatically mean you hold the spell, moron." Liam mocked as he held out the page with the spell in his hand, Griff and Brooklun standing on either side of him.
Demona was flabbergasted and opened the book to see that the spell was indeed ripped out from it.
"Goliath, grab her!" Liam then ordered Goliath.
Demona threw the book to the side as Goliath charged at her, only for her to sidestep and hit his back. She then jumped off a small wall to glide in the room to the other side at a tapestry, which Goliath followed her and she then dropped the tapestry on top of him.
Demona then went back for the book and ran.
Goliath ripped the tapestry apart and chased after her as she reached the balcony.
Goliath then rammed her through one of the windows and she was able to lose him and glide off, though he was able to glide after her before he could crash on the ground outdoors.
Brooklyn and Griff, with Liam on his back, chased after them.
Demona, still being chased by Goliath, decided to rip some pages out of the book before he ascended and dove at her, causing them to sharply descend towards some rocky terrain. Demona had them spin and she whacked Goliath with the book before they crashed. They then rolled and crashed through a tree and she then kicked Goliath off her while the book fell out of her hands.
They got on their feet and Demona ripped a huge rock out of the ground and launched it at Goliath, who dodged it, making it crash through the tree behind him.
"Even with no will of your own, you're a force to be reckoned with." She said in admiration.
Just then, she heard screeching from Brooklyn and Griif, making her turn to see that they and Liam had arrived.
Goliath attempted to grab her, but she moved out of the way and she grabbed the book, running over to a ledge.
"You've won this time!" She said as Brooklyn flew at her, preparing to throw the book down the ledge.
"NO!" Brooklyn yelled right before she tossed it. As Brooklyn raced down to grab it, Demona took this chance to glide away before Liam, Griff and Goliath could stop her, gliding over the river.
"What a sore loser." Liam grumbled as he and Griff landed next to Goliath.
Brooklyn made his way up to them with the book in his hand.
Demona screeched into the night, her figure being outlined by the full moon.
"We'll see her again. That's for sure." Griff said, making Brooklyn sigh.
"Goliath, follow us home." Liam then said, still holding the spell before they all glided their way back to the castle.
Once they made it back, after explaining what happened, they tried to get Goliath back to normal.
"I've gone through Grimorum page by page, but I don't know how to reverse the spell Demona put on Goliath." Brooklyn told everyone, even Elisa.
"You mean, he's going to be like this forever?" Broadway asked, sounding concerned.
"All because Demona tried to make him her mindless slave and obey her command." Liam shook his head in disgust, giving a sideways glance at Brooklyn.
"I don't know if you can understand me, Goliath, but… I'm sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn't let Demona talk me into stealing the Grimorum." Brooklyn apologised, looking so guilty that he may never forgive himself as Hudson placed a hand on his shoulder.
"How are we going to help him? We can't defeat the spell." Lexington said.
Elisa was thinking when an idea popped into her mind.
"Wait a minute. We don't defeat the spell. We use it. Here." She said, being handed the spell by Liam before stepping forward to Goliath.
"Okay, big guy. I'm holding the spell. And that means you have to do what I say. Goliath, I order you to act for the rest of your life exactly as you would if you were not under a spell." She then ordered.
Everyone was anxious to see if this works or not, but when Goliath closed his eyes and inhaled loudly, he shook his head and then opened his eyes again, no longer green and back to normal.
He then looked at everyone before Elisa.
"Very clever, Elisa, It worked." He said with a smile, making everyone cheer and let out a sigh of relief.
"I knew Demona was wrong about you two at least. Any species that has you as members can't be all that bad." Brooklyn said sheepishly to Liam and Elisa.
"Er… thanks. I think." Elisa said.
"There's bound to be others like us and my parents, Brooklyn, that's for sure." Liam added.
"Goliath… I'm sorry." Brooklyn apologised again to Goliath, who held his hand up.
"You apologised once already, Brooklyn. I could hear, even though I could not act." He reassured the beaked gargoyle.
"What Demona said sounded true at the time."
"Of course it did. It's a half truth that she has thoroughly embraced. But it's not the whole truth." Goliath pointed out to Brooklyn. "Come, the sun is rising and I for one could use some rest."
Brooklyn handed the Grimorum to Elisa before he and all the other gargoyles got onto ledges, ready for Stone Sleep.
"Hey, what happened to the motorcycle?" Lexington asked, remembering it all of a sudden, which made Brooklyn look embarrassed.
"Uh… it blew up." He revealed.
"Oh." Lexington said before he realised what Brooklyn told him, right as the sun was rising. "WHAT?"
His shocked expression was frozen in stone, amusing Liam and Elisa. The pair then left the tower to put the Grimorum away before leaving the Eyrie Building.
The next chapter is going to be an important one for Liam and Griff, and if you're familiar with the episode, you'll have a good idea as to why.