~Author's Note~

This is a Fan-fiction–purely written out of my love and passion for Disney's "Gargoyles" by Greg Weisman. None of the characters belong to me; except for Rose Connelly, Emily Hansen, Kevin Morrison, Akira, and a few other supporting characters. Due to copy write laws; the intention of this book is for fun only and is fan-fiction. I have loved writing my own story about these characters and I hope you've enjoyed reading. The intention of this book is NOT to sell or publish for money; but just for enjoyment. This is my very first published story. Any and all reviews are welcome!

** Rating Note** While most of this book is rated PG-13; there are a few chapters in the end which contain more mature content.

(General story) Rated M: for brief strong language, violence and the depiction of abuse, and sexual content.

Summary from the Author's point of view:

The story of Rose and Brooklyn is one that is near and dear to my heart. I have always loved Brooklyn's character from the TV show and comics; and felt that he deserved a story and love of his own. Rose is a strong character; but is not without flaws. She has a dark past, once that is constantly threatening to devour her, and a past love that is both dangerous and poisonous Their journey of finding love, purpose, light , trust and courage to fight for each other despite their differences, is truly the heart of this story. It tells of bravery to stand up for what is right,to rise above darkness, and to protect the love in which we all strive for; but seldom find...

This is their story…

Gargoyles

The Heart of Everything~

Prologue

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 a thousand years.

Now, here in Manhattan, the spell is broken and we live again!

We are defenders of the night. We are Gargoyles!

~Chapter One~

A New/Old Life

It was hard to believe that it had been well over 1000 years since Brooklyn had last seen his homeland of Scotland, and the now dead members of his clan. So much had happened between that time and where him and his Clan were now. Sitting up top his 'go-to' spot of the Brooklyn Bridge and gazed melancholy out towards the massive City. He sighed, as his thoughts naturally drifted back to his homeland and the simpler times...

In 994 A.D.- at the Wyvern Castle in Scotland, Brooklyn's clan had lived, flourished, and protected the humans that lived there. Princess Catherine and her people lived in the Castle with the Gargoyles. They tolerated the Gargoyles, only out of the knowledge, that while the humans were mostly awake and active during the day, the Gargoyles were in their stone sleep, not bothering them. Whereas at night, while most of the humans slept, the Gargoyles shed their stone skin and were warriors and the protectors of the Castle.

Although most humans hated and rejected the Gargoyles, and took every opportunity to call them 'monsters'. The Gargoyles stood by their oath and biological duty to protect humans from any and all harm. It was the Gargoyle way… though it certainly was not the easy way.

Brooklyn could almost remember the smell of the ocean that lay peacefully behind the Wyvern Castle's cliffs. If he thought hard enough, he could almost feel that cool sea breeze on his wings. It brought slight sadness to his lingering thoughts. That cursed night, October 1st, 994 A.D., was the night that changed his small clan forever.

Vikings had been trying to infiltrate the castle for many months prior to that deadly night, and every attempt had been thwarted by Brooklyn's clan, and the Princesses' castle guards. It was refreshing to see Gargoyle and Human warriors work together to protect their home. However, that day while the Gargoyles were in their stone sleep, the Vikings changed their strategy and attacked in great numbers. They destroyed all visible Gargoyles in their stone sleep, and took all the living remaining humans captive.

Brooklyn's clan leader, Goliath, and one of their clan elders (now named Hudson) had left the Castle the night before, to try to scatter the Vikings. This plan was a ploy, they were tricked into leaving the Castle, by the Captain of the Guard- and supposed friend to the Gargoyles. They didn't realize the betrayal until the last moment, when the rising sun, stopped them stone cold… literally.

Brooklyn was sent to the rookery earlier that night, with his two brothers and their Gargoyle-Beast (Bronx), due to them mocking and causing some slight trouble with humans, who were bashing on, and throwing objects at them.

Brooklyn and his two brothers, now named Lexington and Broadway, came out of the rookery the next night- to see the bloodshed and utter destruction of their clan. They were soon found by a devastated Goliath, and Elder, and decided to take revenge on the Vikings and save the captive humans.

Of the remaining humans, Princess Catherine and her friend/magic adviser the Magus, was taken prisoner by the leader of the Vikings, Hakon; and the former Captain of the Guard, who was the betrayer of all Castle Wyvern.

Goliath, in full rage and vengeance, led the small remainder of the clan to charge the Vikings, and while Goliath searched for the princess, the rest of the clan tackled and conquered over the Viking army.

Not knowing that the Princess was alive, Magus cast a spell of stone sleep on Brooklyn and the rest of the Gargoyles, making them sleep until the Castle rose above the clouds. Goliath, had just come from saving the princess, stared at his clan in horror. Gargoyles who remained stone at night usually meant that they had died, or that they had been tampered with...usually with magic. The magus had apologized over and over again, realizing that the princess was alive (saved by Goliath) and that he had cast a spell that he could not undo.

Goliath asked the Magus, to cast the spell once more on himself, and asked to be placed on Castle Wyvern with his other clanmates to rest, until the spell was broken.

Brooklyn's thoughts were broken as distant sirens rang out in the clear night air. He let out a great sigh. So much had happened since that night when himself and his clan woke up, 1000 years later, it was a shock to find that their ancestral home; Castle Wyvern, was indeed above the clouds… but not where it used to be- or correct time for that matter. They woke up to a large, loud, bright and scary new world.

A billionaire, by the name of David Xanatos, had heard about the stories (that the Magus had wrote down in his magic spellbook); the Grimorum Arcanorum. The billionaire bought the Castle and brought it, as well as the stone Gargoyles, to the very top of his skyscraper on the island of Manhattan, in New York City.

A few years had gone by since 1994, when they woke up from their stone sleep, and it was now the year 1998. Four years had gone by since their awakening- and so many things had happened in those four years. They had lost their home to Xanatos, who was then evil and only desire was on destroying the Gargoyles, to now being their ally and friend. They had once lived in a clock tower, above the city's Police station, before it was destroyed by Gargoyle hunters. Goliath, and the Clan have been seen by some of the humans in New York City- and most were very distrusting, afraid, and hateful towards them. It sometimes seemed that there would never be peace between the humans and the Gargoyles.

Brooklyn had been sitting, on the Brooklyn Bridge for quite some time now. It was one of the places, in which he first discovered on his touring of the new city and his new home, and that is where he decided upon naming himself Brooklyn.

Before his time here, the Gargoyles did not have names. It was not the Gargoyle way to 'name' things like the humans did. However, the humans named Goliath, due to his large, powerful and majestic form- and he kept that rest of the Gargoyles named themselves after places they've found and searched in New York City- to suit their new lives.

Brooklyn took another breath in and out. He looked towards the horizon and knew that sunrise was approaching soon. Almost reluctantly, he stood up- stretched his long red wings and let out a great yawn.

He jumped off the top of the bridge- where he was crouched- and let his long, strong wings take a wind current back towards Castle Wyvern. His clan went out every night on patrol, to stop criminals, thugs, and other evil doings- to try to keep the city a peaceful and safe place. New York City was a vastly enormous city and it took a lot of energy to keep up with; often leaving Brooklyn exhausted by sunrise.

While there was a lot of crime and evil doings in his new home, Brooklyn often admired the city's beauty, and majesty. Humans have done amazing things since the Medieval times in Scotland. As he glided back home, he could smell the different scents that the city produced. Oil and gasoline- with a weirdly delicious mix of a culture of food. The city was always awake and busy, day and night, leaving plenty of entertaining things for him to do. Concerts, sporting games, movies and theater plays on Broadway...it was truly a remarkable city.

Peering down still; Brooklyn could make out the tiny forms of the humans on the streets below and smiled as he could see the small acts of kindness and goodness. For the most part; humans were good. Kind. Understanding.

But not to his kind, not yet anyway.

Goliath was sure that, through time and their consistent efforts in serving them; they would one day accept his kind. Brooklyn clung to that hope. He prayed that it was enough to keep his spirits up, but there was still a part of him that was still distrusting of Humans, and a bit more realistic. Humans had often show their true colors to his kind; while they were often good and kind to their own kind- Good or bad Humans alike; always found one common thing to be afraid of and hate; Gargoyles.

Brooklyn exhaled sharply at his worsening mood; and was done brooding. Letting the cool wind currents guide his wings towards the Castle, he began his descent onto the cold cobblestone platform below him. Brooklyn soon touched down on the gray stone of one of the castle's towers, where the remainder of his clan was preparing to roost for the day.

Goliath, his leader, stood with his bulging, muscular arms across his vastly large and stone-like chest and was watching him descend onto the platform. All of the Gargoyles were very unique and different looking. Goliath, being the tallest and largest/strongest, had a gray-lavender shade of skin, large bat-like wings, and mid-back length jet-black hair.

Hudson, their elder, was the next tallest Gargoyle. He had a slight gut to him, but he still had a great amount of strength to his old age. He was mostly brown in coloring, and had a large white beard, and semi-long white hair. Hudson had lost sight in one of his eyes, from an ancient battle, and now had a golden eye.

Their Gargoyle-Beast, Bronx, was a large blue, four legged beast and was usually Hudson's main company throughout the night. Brooklyn's rookery brothers, Broadway and Lexington were also very different looking. Broadway was an aqua blue Gargoyle, with large webbed ears, and an even larger gut to his tall form. It often drove Brooklyn and Lexington crazy, how often Broadway ate...and when he wasn't eating...he was thinking about food.

Lexington was the shortest, smallest, and youngest of the Gargoyles. He had olive green skin, with wings contracting from the side of his body to his arms, was the quickest and most tech-savvy out of them all. Lexington was great at figuring things out. He was always wondering the "how and why" of this new world. His hobby of tinkering with mechanical and technological objects made him very talented and smart. Coming to this new world, Lexington, took to the computer and video games like a champ.

Brooklyn was the third tallest Gargoyle and oldest of his brothers (Goliath, Hudson and Broadway being taller). He was brick-red in color, with long red/maroon wings, horns that crept up past his hairline and was the most leanest of his clan. While he was lean, he was very strong, and could hold his own very well in a fight. Brooklyn had white, waist-long mane of hair and a large beak for a mouth.

Almost three years ago- when Goliath was injured in a fight- Brooklyn was named Goliath's second-in-command. Shortly after, Goliath disappeared with Bronx and their human police friend, Elisa Maza, on a six-month quest to the magical island of Avalon- and Brooklyn was forced to step up and lead his clan. It happened against his will at-first. It was daunting to be responsible for their clan's actions and safety, in such a sudden amount of time.

Those long six-months were very trying for Brooklyn, and had taught him a lot of skills in responsibility and leadership...but he was also immensely relieved when Avalon released Goliath from their quest, and brought them back home to the clan.

With that quest, Goliath brought home his biological daughter- Angela- home to the clan. They had found that the clan's eggs were protected and raised by Princess Catherine and her people. Brooklyn smiled slightly at the thought of Angela.

Angela was the same coloring of her father, with long black hair, and beauty beyond belief. Angela's biological mother and Goliath's ex-mate- Demona; was an evil, cunning, but beautiful and very strong female Gargoyle warrior. Her hatred for the humans had driven a wedge between herself and the clan; and she was often a 'usual' criminal that the clan would infiltrate and stop. Her lust for vengeance against all humans- left her essentially banished from every joining their clan ever again.

She had become cold, hard, and unforgiving against all humanity- and though she once tempted Brooklyn to join her- he luckily realized how incredibly insane she had become- and he stopped her from brainwashing Goliath into helping her evil cause. Brooklyn shook his head at those memories- so much had happened in these past four years… and yet, everyone seemed to be 'moving on' with their lives while he felt that he was stuck in time.

Angela, whom Brooklyn still felt a fire of love for, ran past him into the arms of her chosen mate, his younger rookery brother, Broadway. They shared a sweet kiss and embrace, before making their way towards the ledge of the castle tower.

Bronx and Hudson were taking their place, next to each other, and Lexington was ending his "online" chat with his 'supposed' Japanese gargoyle girlfriend, Akira. Technology was still such an odd thing to Brooklyn, but it was even more strange to see his youngest brother, smiling and flirting with a female Gargoyle through a computer. They were thousands of miles apart- but the way they talked with each other was like they were in the same place.

A few months ago, Lexington had searched the internet and found Akira from the Ishimura Gargoyle clan in Japan. Goliath, Angela, and Elisa had found and met more Gargoyle clans, on their Avalon Quest, from all over the world. The Ishimura clan was one of the clans that they had met and befriended. After coming home from their Avalon voyage, and telling the rest of the clan about all of the Gargoyles they met throughout the world, they were all relieved to find that they weren't the last of their kind.

It didn't take long for Lexington to use his computer savvy-skills and find an equally smart and tech savvy female Gargoyle, across the world. The moment they started to chat online, and started video chatting with each other, it was love at first sight. He had found his equal- it was just taking time for her to convince her clan to let her go to New York.

Brooklyn felt the, all too familiar, pang of loneliness and heartache, as he looked from Broadway to Angela- who were sitting on the ledge of the castle in each other's embrace and conversing quietly- to Lexington and his cyberspace romance- and felt very out of place. Even Goliath had found himself his equal.

Taking a deep breath, Brooklyn forced himself to look over at his strong leader- and saw Elisa Maza- the human female policewoman with whom had become the clan's greatest ally and friend. She was tall and athletic, with great female curves and features, and long jet black/blue hair. She had dark tan skin, and honey colored eyes. For a human, she was beautiful, and was certainly Goliath's equal, as she was strong, wise, kind and loyal.

From the moment the clan shed their stone skin after their thousand year sleep- Elisa had found the clan and had guided, protected and stood by the clan's side with unwavering friendship and loyalty. It was strange, at first, to see Goliath become friends with Elisa, especially after their human betrayal. However, as she made herself and her heart- of- gold known, it was easy to love and trust Elisa.

It took her and Goliath some time to come to terms with their feelings for each other- but once they did- Brooklyn had never seen Goliath so happy, not even with his ex-mate Demona. Elisa was smart, witty, clever, and often very funny- she was the one that made Goliath smile and laugh the most. Elisa always came to see the clan arise from their stone sleep and stayed with them till the moment they turn into stone at sunrise. It was often said to be "an honor" and a form of great trust to witness a Gargoyle shed their stone skin at night, especially for a human.

Elisa and Goliath, were looking deeply into each other's eyes and, again to Brooklyn's pang of loneliness, Goliath scooped his human mate up into a very loving embrace and kiss. Turning from the pair, Brooklyn made his way over to Lexington and peered over his shoulder into the computer screen. There, he saw a very attractive young female Gargoyle, with long black hair, and tan skin- with two small horns just above her pretty brown eyes looking at them through the computer screen.

"Alright babe, It's almost sunrise here, so I've got to get going." Lexington said to his computer girlfriend. His girlfriend, Akira, smiled sadly back at him and said in a soft japanese accent, "Lex… I wish we didn't have to say good-bye."

Lexington nodded in equal sadness, "Me too. What has your leader said about coming to join our clan here?"

"Our Taichou has been deliberating my decision to move to New York City- and though he was impressed by your Goliath when they visited from Avalon- he is still unsure of giving his daughter away to a Gargoyle that he has not not met yet." Akira said, still smiling sweetly. "But do not worry Lex- I know that we will soon be together."

Lexington smiled back, "Yeah… It's going to be great! You'll love New York! I also can't wait to show you that cool racing game that has just come out…"

Brooklyn rolled his eyes, his interest now gone.

They certainly were equals- as the two started into their "geek" talk (as Brooklyn called it). Lexington and Akira loved anything related to video was very happy for his clan, especially his rookery brothers. They were often called the "trio", as they were like the three musketeers, three amigos, peas in a pod. They were unstoppable together, and had a great and unshakable brotherhood.

However, it was still so hard to see them moving on with the one thing that Brooklyn had always wished and desired for the most… love. He longed for a mate and equal of his own, but with the circumstances being what they were, it was looking like it was never to happen for him.

Almost as though she could sense his downcast soul, he heard Akira say his name from the computer screen.

"Oh… hello Brooklyn! I didn't see you over Lexington's shoulder. How are you?"

Surprised, Lexington looked over his own shoulder and saw Brooklyn staring at his girlfriend, with a weird and depressed look on his face. He groaned slightly. Brooklyn's depressed and gloomy mood was really getting annoying to him- and to the rest of the clan.

"Brooklyn… are you going to just stand there and gawk at my girlfriend or are you going to say hello?" Lexington asked, in a slightly irritated tone.

This sudden break in his long, lost thoughts brought Brooklyn back to reality.

"Huh? Oh!… right… uh... hi Akira. I'm fine- how are you?" Brooklyn quickly managed to say. Lexington gave Brooklyn a quick glare before returning his attention to Akira.

"Brooklyn's been a bit depressed these past few… months."

If Brooklyn could have become more red in color by blushing, he would have. Glaring back at Lexington, he quickly turned muttering, "Have not…"

But Lexington wasn't going to let him go that easily, so he continued to press, "Yes you have! It's driving all of us crazy. Just because you don't have a girlfriend, doesn't mean that the rest of us have to suffer from your moodiness."

Brooklyn tried his best to ignore his brother, as he sat in his roost spot next to Lexington, to no avail. Clenching his fists slightly, he growled, "Leave it alone, Lex."

Before Lexington could prod much further, Akira piped up through the computer, "Oh Lexington, leave your poor brother be."

Brooklyn grimaced even more, 'Poor?' That seemed to make Brooklyn even more angry, he did not need her pity. Closing his eyes, Brooklyn took a deep breath, willing the inevitable sun to rise already, and stop this assine conversation.

"Maybe Brooklyn needs to find a hobby!" he heard Akira say to Lexington. "Something to take his mind off of whatever is bothering him."

Brooklyn could feel Lexington look over at him as he replied, "Yeah… unfortunately, it's going to take a lot more than that. Trust me… anyway, enough about him, he's being rude and isn't wanting to talk anymore. I've gotta go my love."

Brooklyn rolled his eyes into closure and pinched the bridge of his short nose with his claws. His pointy elbows resting on his knees. He did everything he could to will his mind to drift again as Lexington and his Akira said their everlong sentimental goodbyes. It was sickening, really.

I'm happy for them, I'm happy for them… Brooklyn thought over and over again.

As much as he tried to feel happy for them, the loneliness in his soul seemed to be eating every happy feeling away. Brooklyn could almost feel the warm sun rays begin to rise, when he felt a firm claw on his shoulder. Already knowing who it was, Brooklyn opened his eyes, and thought it best to get this other inevitable conversation over with.

"Brooklyn, my friend. What has been bothering you?"

He took a deep breath and turned, still on his roost, to face his leader; Goliath. Goliath's dark eyes were looking into his own with slight worry. Brooklyn looked around at his other clan members and saw that they were all staring at him as well.

He sighed and said, looking back at Goliath, "Goliath… I'm fine, really. I'm sorry that I've been so… moody and off. I've just got a lot on my mind, as of late."

In reality, Brooklyn wasn't fine, but he knew that if he apologized to his leader; then it would buy him some time before his next set of questioning. Hoping that his apology was enough.

Brooklyn went to turn back towards the horizon, when Goliath said, "There needn't be anything to apologize for Brooklyn, you haven't done anything wrong. We are just concerned about you… "

"Aye Lad," Hudson added in his thick Scottish accent. "You've been all out of sorts as of late."

"Yeah…" Broadway suddenly pitched in, in a loud and slightly obnoxious voice. "You've been cranky and annoying." He stopped, as Angela glared at him, so he quickly added; "Perhaps you should eat more. Eating always makes me feel better!"

"Or get yourself a girlfriend," Lexington muttered, but loud enough for Brooklyn to hear. Brooklyn's eyes started to glow a light white as he turned to Lexington, growling slightly.

"Back...Off…," he snarled.

Lexington put his claws up in surrender.

"Hey! Don't bite my head off. But you know that is what's been bothering you. don't deny it!"

Lexington leaned in closer to Brooklyn, almost asking for a confrontation, his voice growing louder. "Ever since Angela and Broadway got together and I've found Akira, you've been moody and absolutely impossible to be around!"

"Or maybe… " Brooklyn suddenly snapped back. "It's all of you who are unbearable to be around!"

"Lexington, Brooklyn… that's enough!" Goliath said in his deep authoritative tone, silencing Lexington, to Brooklyn's relief. This game of twenty questions, however; didn't seem to be ending. Goliath turned his gaze back to Brooklyn, making him feel like a hatchling again.

There was pity in his eyes.

"Brooklyn…" Goliath started quietly, gently. "I know how you must be feeling. You've always been so close to your rookery brothers- and to see them all, as well as myself, find mates; it must be difficult and lonely…"

Again...there was that tone. Pity. Brooklyn felt his blood start to boil a bit as he clenched his fists up. Huffing out in annoyance, Brooklyn finally snapped.

"Look! I don't need anyone's pity!" He yelled. "Please just leave me alone… I'm…"

The sun had come up, and the conversation went to a stand still as the Gargoyles turned into their stone forms. Elisa watched her clan family turn to stone, and stared at Goliath's still form staring at Brooklyn's obviously annoyed form. Brooklyn was half standing and had his arms out wide, his face frozen in a state of anger and pain. Elisa shook her head and sighed. Everyone knew that Brooklyn was lonely; but if anyone tried to talk to him or help him, he went straight for anger and lashed out.

Elisa's long dark hair kept brushing into her face from the wind. Gently moving it from her face, she checked her watch.

"6:30am." She sighed. She had a long set of graveyard shifts ahead of her. Stretching, she gave her mate one last look of love, before heading back down into the Castle to catch up on some much-needed sleep before her shifts started.