Brooklyn had awoke, hissing as his head suddenly hurt like hell, wondering what was wrong with him the next day. All he did was drink water as usual, and still had no food, making him look quite thin.

Ugh, how long have I been his prisoner? He thought wearily, seeing the sun filtering through his barred windows. It had to be two weeks.

Small tears moistened in the corners of his eyes, his family continuing to enter his thoughts, wondering what was taking them so long. He had to get away before Thailog's next test, which was quite soon.

Then his cell opened, and the usual guards arrived.

"It is time for your second test," said one. Brooklyn had a small frown on his features as he reluctantly let the guards take him from the comforts of his cell.

This room was different; it looked like some kind of gladiator arena. Brooklyn wondered what kind of new game Thailog had planned for him.

An image of him on a screen appeared.

"Welcome to your second test, Brooklyn. This one sees if you're actually strong to be a leader by facing something equal to or greater strength." Brooklyn's mouth fell open.

"Huh?! You're joking, aren't you?!" he shouted, while rubbing his still aching head. The dark gargoyle shook his head no.

A rumbling of a cage opening caught the red gargoyle's attention, as he looked to see who his opponent was. Low growling started. Brooklyn readied himself, though his legs shook from lack of food.

His eyes rounded as a huge grizzly emerged from the gateway, drooling at the mouth with sharp teeth, and overly large claws. The bear reared up on his hind legs, roaring loudly.

Oh, not good! Brook thought in terror, as the grizzly lunged for him, who rolled out of the way, panting heavily. His eyes glowed as Brooklyn growled back at his enemy, the bear towering over him.

"Just tell me if your enemy is too much for you, won't you?" sneered Thailog. But Brooklyn ignored him. He had to fight to prove himself that he wasn't gonna let Thailog's mind games get to him. He knelt on all fours, growling just as loud as the bear, charging.

Brooklyn flew into the air as much as his tender wings would allow him, tackling the grizzly from behind, just strong enough to pin it down. But the bear had another move, swiping with its claws, scratching Brooklyn's shoulder, and he cried out painfully, feeling himself flying through the air and hitting the ground.

There must be some way to beat this bear! He thought, studying the bear, and to his luck, there was rope nearby. Grinning, Brooklyn quickly ran to grab the rope, then getting the bear's attention.

"Hey, Ugly, I'm over here!" he taunted. The bear roared its fury, turning its lumbering body around, its black eyes glaring. Brooklyn ducked as the claws went for him again, starting to run around the bear with the rope, managing to tie the beast up with it.

Grunting, he lifted the now tied bear up, throwing it back into its cage, then reaching up and pulling the cage door down, closed.

That had really worn out Brooklyn's energy, sinking to his hands and knees, wincing from sore muscles, stomach, and head, even feeling a little dizzy, though he numbly wondered why when he shouldn't. He looked up blearily as Thailog spoke.

"You're quite strong for someone not as big as Goliath, but I bet that took away your energy, didn't it?" he purred. Brooklyn glared dangerously.

"I-I beat... two of your tests. I'm sure the next one I can handle, though I still don't want to do them," he said, feeling his surroundings spin.

Thailog's eyes glowed. "I'm afraid you have no choice or authority over me if you want to do them or not," he said cruelly. His thugs took Brooklyn up by his arms, but he hardly felt them. Everything was making him dizzy and sick, especially when he saw his own blood coming down from his shoulder.

...

He was back in his room again, lying weakly on the floor, grateful to be alone again. Brooklyn closed his eyes, wishing for everything to stop spinning. When he opened them again, there was another new glass of water.

Water will help... he decided, still sick to his stomach, crawling toward it, taking small drinks, sighing from the heavenly liquid touching his throat again. He even dipped his hand in to use the water to wash his wound, but he wished he had something to eat.

He cleaned himself as much as he could, Thailog's smirking taunting face flashing in front of Brooklyn's vision.

"I still don't believe you are worthy of being leader, weak one. I will break you until you have no choice but to accept and respect me to be leader of your pitiful family, and all of Manhattan..."

Brooklyn flinched, trying to block that voice out of his head, which felt like it was on fire. "No, no, I will be the new leader one day, I just gotta be, he chose me..." he said in a small voice, arms hugging his body, struggling to keep himself calm, heart racing a thousand miles an hour, moaning softly from the sickness in his stomach that wouldn't quit, despite drinking water.

No matter how hard the young gargoyle tried, it was difficult for him to block out the mocking laughter of Thailog, even though he wasn't in the room, that pesky doubt slowly began to flow through his veins...

I can't let him break me... for my family... Brooklyn thought, curling up, and slowly feeling himself falling victim to sleep.

...

Meanwhile, back at the Eyrie Building, Puck was still trying to find Brooklyn, but it was tricky. Thailog had taken him to a pretty secluded place.

Lex sat there, feeling his stress levels overflowing. He didn't want Thailog to severely hurt Brooklyn and take over as Second in Command. Angela comforted the small gargoyle.

"It will be alright, Lexington. Puck will find him, I know he will."

"But, I'm scared what we'll find, Angela. We may end up finding him all... all..." he couldn't finish, beginning to cry and have a small panic attack. Angela hugged her friend. She was also scared too.

"Don't panic... I'm sure we'll have Brooklyn safely home in no time." she said. Lexington hugged her back.

"I hope you're right," Lexington murmured sadly, seeing Brooklyn as his happy, carefree self in his mind suddenly change into a shell of what he used to be, no thanks to Thailog. He bared his teeth.

I swear, Thailog, when we find you, I'll kill you myself! Lex's mind snarled.