It had been a night since Brooklyn ran away from his clan since Goliath had lectured him and Angela deep down despite them all ignoring Brook, really missed her red brother.
And when she had heard about this 'Firebird' superhero, an idea formed in Angela's mind. If she could get Firebird to help her find Brooklyn, hopefully things in their clan could go back to normal.
On patrol, Angela went up to her father. "Goliath, I-I would like to do patrol for just by myself today, if that's alright?"
The lavender male narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his daughter. "And why? We're usually in pairs or groups." He said. Angela shrugged, looking away, hoping he didn't suspect.
"I kind of want to keep my eyes out for Brooklyn. I really do feel bad for me and Broadway just ignoring him that night when he came to say hi. I'll be safe father, I promise." Angela stated, giving Goliath a hug who nodded.
Soon Angela went on her way, Broadway and Lex watching from behind, Broadway hoping his mate didn't get hurt.
….
Brooklyn kept up his mascarade of playing a Miraculous Superhero, loving his new abilities to be able to fly without gliding. He wound up saving a couple from a mugging which they were really grateful for. The red male still felt amazed that humans accepted his superhero image more than his regular gargoyle one.
Though after stopping a robbery and changing back, some small pricks of doubt began to form in his head, Blaaze gazing at him questioningly. "Are you alright Brooklyn?" She asked softly.
It made Brook swallow, looking up at her. "I am but… are you sure this superhero thing will work even though all of them out there don't know I'm actually a gargoyle? I'm just feeling indifferent about this. It had been fun, but I…" Brooklyn curled up on himself, staring down at the hairpin in his hand, feeling homesick for his clan again.
Blaaze gave a gentle smile, hovering closer. "You miss your clan don't you?" She said, making Brooklyn glare a little but then give in, wrapping his wings. "I do want to go back. Though on the night I ran away, Goliath lectured and scolded me on how reckless on patrols I am. He must think I'm useless despite my Second in Command role." He grumbled.
His Kwami's eyes widened when hearing the word useless. "No, don't believe that Brooklyn. I am your friend. That's got to count as something. I don't believe you're useless. Otherwise my Miraculous wouldn't have chosen you."
Brook looked up with tears pricking his eyes. "You think?" He asked, wiping them. Blaaze nods. "I do. And you can't give up on these people either, gargoyle or Firebird. One day they'll accept you in your real form, I just know it."
Before Brooklyn could thank Blaaze, he heard sneering shouts, jumping to his feet. It was the Quarrymen. "Just perfect. Looks like Castaway's goons are at it again…" He grumbled. Brooklyn placed the hairpin on his hair. "Blaaze, flame on!"
Brook closed his eyes, feeling his outfit appearing on his body, his wings switching to the Phoenix flame ones, taking to the skies, wondering what could be happening.
….
Down in the streets Angela had been getting frustrated trying to find both Brooklyn and Firebird, still unaware that they were one in the same. But then after landing; she heard some voices, turning to find Quarrymen cornering her.
"Look at that, a she devil out here by herself. Have you been looking for someone sweets?" Purred one Quarryman, making Angela ball her fists up at being talked to like that, swishing her tail.
"None of your business, but I would love to beat you all up!" Angela snarled, the others laughing at her boldness. "Sure girlie. Like you can take on all of us without your clan!" The leader swung his hammer, igniting it which caught Angela in her shoulder. She screeched in pain from the lightning surges, falling down to the ground before she even had the chance to attack back.
Out of nowhere there was another loud roar and to her surprise; she looked upward at the sight of someone flying down into battle, his wings flaring a golden light. She gasped. Could it be Firebird?
Brooklyn landed in front of them, wearing his eye mask still so they wouldn't recognize him, the Quarrymen backing away. They had seen news about Firebird on tv and were informed to not mess with him since he had superpowers.
Baring his teeth, Firebird flapped his wings, sending a heatwave in the Quarrymen's direction and knocking them over causing them to yell out. He looked to Angela who stared in awe. "Are you alright?" He asked, trying to disguise his voice.
Angela nods breathlessly. "Y-yes. Go get them, Firebird!" She said with a smile, making the superhero grin, then roaring at the remaining Quarrymen, raising his wings once more, flashing brightly.
The leader yelped, covering his eyes, ordering the men to retreat. Firebird glanced back, seeing Angela lying down and holding her hurt shoulder, panting softly. He knelt down, looking at her gently.
"Easy, here." Firebird said softly, putting his hand on Angela's shoulder and a warm sensation went through it, making her face flush. Despite being mated with Broadway, Firebird really was handsome. And he had healing powers.
Angela breathed easily again after the fire healed her but remembered why she was here now. "Who… are you? I've been wondering who you were ever since I saw the news." There was just something about Firebird's beak and hands that seemed too familiar to her.
Firebird flinched, ears lowered, backing away. "I-I'd rather not reveal my identity." He said shakily, losing his calmness now that Angela was asking him personal stuff.
However Angela wouldn't give up, deciding to ask another question. "Please, if you aren't able to share your identity, at least help me find Brooklyn. He is my rookery brother, and was missing for 3 days."
Hearing that, Brooklyn inside began to pant, knowing now he couldn't avoid this. Turning to face her, Brooklyn decided now and then to drop his Firebird voice. "Alright… it's me Angela. Blaaze, flame off."
Brooklyn closed his eyes in shame, his costume fading away and revealing himself in full, Angela standing back in shock from it, tears showing up in her eyes. Brooklyn flushed redder than his usual skin, lowering his head and ears.
Angela reached out after getting over her shock, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, feeling him shaking softly. "You were Firebird? Why didn't you tell us? Your clan? And why did you run away?"
Clenching his fists, his stomach bubbling hot in anger, he glared back at her. "Ask Goliath. My superhero identity is the only thing keeping me from disappointing him. Blaaze so far had been my only friend. She is the one who gives me my powers." Angela saw the little bird bug looking thing hover near him. "And… don't even get me started on how you and Broadway are together. You guys won't even tone it down whenever I'm nearby!" He snarled, tears in his eyes.
Her heart thumping, Angela recalled that night she and Broadway snuggled on the couch together, realizing that Brooklyn had seen it. And it possibly hurt him. "Why do you guys even need me? I feel more free out here as Firebird, not second fiddle to Goliath!" Brooklyn fumed, swishing his tail harshly, making Blaaze's eyes widen from his outburst, not even seeing how angry her host was before.
Tears falling down his face further, Brooklyn backed away even more. "Don't even try getting me back home Angela. I'm better off as a loner. People love me when I'm Firebird, not Brooklyn." Brooklyn said in a choked tone, feeling all of his failures returning with just having Goliath's daughter this close.
Angela reached out with her hand. "Brook, wait, I'm—!" She tried apologizing but Brooklyn smacked her hand away. "Don't touch me!" He hissed, running off, climbing a wall with Blaaze following, gliding off into the night, ignoring Angela's pleas for him to come back.
Brooklyn soared through the night, hoping that Angela wouldn't make Goliath find him, Blaaze flying alongside him. "Brooklyn, she was trying to help you." Blaaze said in a sad voice, making Brook glare, taking off the hair pin, making Blaaze vanish, not wanting to talk.
He landed on the building with the gargoyle statues, leaning against the wall where his hideout was, the tears continuing to sting his eyes and hugging himself with his wings, wondering what to do now.