Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: This is a new piece, first one of Angel. Kinda strange too, because I like Angel far better than Buffy. Gotta say that whenever she came into Angel she just pissed me off. Anyway, I've read quite few stories that start after 'Not Fade Away' and most of them have a big slayer rescue. What the fuck? I mostly read the comics and there will be some stuff from them. Not much though.
Chapter One: Hell Is A Place On Earth
He was running. Kind of, anyway.
That big guy in Wolfram & Hart sure could give a good beating. He even passed out for a second. Connor was heading towards his home. For once in his life, he actually listened to Angel. He needed to protect his family, even if it was all made up. His real family was probably fighting for his life right now. Connor rounded the corner. From all around him he could hear roaring, clattering, an unmistakable noise. Demons were coming, a lot of them. There was no way he'd out run them all. Angel said that it wasn't his fight. Maybe he was right. He shouldn't be there in the first place. Yet something forced him to go, some unrecognizable feeling in his gut told him to check it. Ugh, his family was a long way from here. He saw many people running from an alley just to his right. Followed by demons. Many, many demons. Connor sighed. He needed to get through.
***B***B***
Angel hoped that Connor got out unharmed. The more he fought, however, the more doubt started to creep in. These demons were just coming from everywhere. How could he think that they stood a chance against them? Well, he knew they didn't, but a tiny spark of hope was there. He wanted to show the whole world that he was still a champion. That he hadn't succumbed to the darkness. The price was high. Wesley and Fred were dead. Lorne left. This really wasn't for him and Angel respected that. He shouldn't bring his green friend in to this mess in the first place. Gunn? He didn't know what happened to him. Black man looked bad even before the battle. Seeing as now they all got separated, he could only guess how Gunn's path went. Spike probably was alive. There was simply no way that someone in this universe would cut Angel some slack and let the peroxide vampire die. Illyria was pretty much unkillable. Maybe not now, but still she possessed strength to stay alive in the battle. He cursed himself mentally for even thinking about a slayer rescue. They really forgot him, left him on his own. Didn't trust him anymore. After everything he had done for them, they let him die, they let many good people die. He knew he was angry at the moment, but he hoped that they'd burn in hell.
That was it. Almost whole his team was gone. But Angel refused to give up. He will fight. He will fight 'til death, show that even small group of champions could make a difference. With new determination, vampire forced his left arm to work properly. Grabbing a hold on nearest demon, he snapped it's neck.
***B***B***
His shirt was torn apart. It hung loosely on Connor, a gift after fighting with demons. He mostly sneaked his way through the city, killing only the demons he couldn't pass. He considered walking through the sewers, but they were tight. If something was there, he could easily be trapped. He stuck to the alleys. Main streets were wrecked now. Full of fire, blood and glass. Connor ran the last few meters to his street. His house. His breath stuck in his throat. His house was burning. Seconds later he was in, looking around the place. For any sight of his parents or his sister. None. Checking the whole house he went down to the basement. Demon. One, lonely, big sized demon. Ravaging through the remains of his family. His little sister's body was laying near the wall, dead eyes staring back at him. His mother's he recognized only by the sweater she saw her wear this morning. His dad's head, Connor saw on the ground. He flashed back to the night when he, Wesley and Cordelia were looking for Svea priestesses. It looked even worse and it made him sick. Letting out an outraged cry, he rushed at the unsuspecting demon.
It was his fight now.
The demon turned to Connor and made a step towards him, only to be stumbling back second later after Connor's fist made contact. It lashed out it's claw, but the boy ducked and sent the demon into the wall. He took out a knife he picked up earlier and stabbed it before it had time to retaliate. He repeated the process until he was sure that the thing was dead. He stood up and took a few steps back. So it was over. His new life ended right now. His family was dead, the whole city was overrun by demons. Connor was one of the few people around able to do something about it. He was sure that in less than 24 hours Los Angeles would stop existing the way it is. There'd be only ruins left. He needed to... to...
He didn't know what to do. Alone he couldn't really do anything. He had to get some weapons. Best place to find some is Hyperion. Maybe it's still intact. Find weapons, a place safe enough to stay in, maybe even save some people along the way. Connor had to find his father, or Wesley or someone familiar. Maybe then they'd do something. But mostly he needed to go back. To his old self. The Destroyer.
***B***B***
It happened sooner than he thought. Nearly 10 hours later Los Angeles gave up. Connor picked up few survivors, but over the course of this time they died. He couldn't find anyone else so he chose to stay hidden. Besides he wasn't in good shape to do anything other than resting. He was in his old... home. The one he abandoned after Beast threw him out of window. The traps were still here and not many demons were around. Here he had a decent chance at defending himself. The city was ruined. Even here, he could feel the heat of the fire that swallowed a good part of it. He hoped that there were other survivors. Hiding in the city. He hoped that his father made it. Vampire was the only one who could explain to him what happened. Maybe others too. He'd look for them tomorrow. Connor carefully laid down on the bed and fell into a restless sleep.
***B***B***
Faith dropped her bag on the floor and stretched. She just got back from a mission in England, back to her home in Cleveland. Back to the Slayers stronghold. Or school, or whatever. That's where she lived and that's where she belonged. Sort of. The Scoobies were spread all around the world. Willow was in Brazil, Buffy in Rome and Giles in England. Xander stayed here and they, surprisingly, got along. They weren't of course best buddies, but a friendship was built. She dropped on her bed hoping to lay like that for a while.
A knock on the door.
''Yeah?''
''Faith, it's me.'' a voice answered.
She smiled and got up. ''What's up?''
Xander stood on the other side of the door, fidgeting nervously. ''I think you want to see it.''
Cautiously, she followed him downstairs and into the living room. Few young slayers were gathered there, watching the television. Faith looked at Xander. He pointed at it and Faith took few steps closer to see.
''It all started yesterday in the evening. It seems that the center of earthquake was below the buildings owned by Wolfram & Hart. Shortly after, Los Angeles was a victim of bizarre monsters that came from nowhere. This is the last footage taken from inside the city.''
From a reporter, the screen changed to a simple camera screen. The streets were tainted in blood and bodies. The orange sky suggested that it was burning. The camera shook and a person holding it started to run. Faith couldn't make out any sounds from between the yelling and explosions. Suddenly the camera dropped to the ground and the person holding it was torn to shreds by demons. It stopped after that.
''It's been over 6 hours since last contact with the city. We can only hope that someone made it.''
Wolfram & Hart. Angel knew something this big was coming and he didn't ask for help? She had no time.
''I'm going.'' she announced.
Xander followed her. ''What? Where?''
Now she was glad she didn't have time to unpack her things. Faith simply picked up her bag and went down the stairs. ''To L.A.''
''Are you kidding?''
''Don't think so.''
Xander sighed. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk her out of this. ''How? There aren't any planes to Los Angeles now.''
Faith stopped. ''I'll drive.''
''Then you're gonna be there in like, two days. What difference will it make?'' he asked.
''Fuck, I dunno!'' she said, losing her temper. ''I know I'm not gonna stay here and watch a city burn into the ground. I won't let Angel down.'' Faith walked to her car and got in. Xander followed her.
''What I'm supposed to do?''
She started the engine. ''Contact Giles, Buffy, whoever. Get them to send some help.'' With that she drove off.
***B***B***
Lorne didn't make it out of city in time. He was just leaving when it came. He felt like a traitor, leaving before the big fight. He just couldn't do it. He was pretty much useless ever since they came to work at Wolfram & Hart. So he asked for an out. Actually, he told Angel he was out. He did his last job, killing Lindsey and that's it. Yet here he was, still in L.A, hiding from the demons on the streets. Though he'd try to get out, deep down, Lorne knew that sooner or later, he will come across Angel.
***B***B***
Connor didn't sleep well. He got few hours, but the nightmares wouldn't let him rest. He saw his family, blaming him for their deaths. Trying to kill him, calling him a bastard... He shook his head and looked at the traps. All of them were as he left them. His body felt a lot more better. It should be day, but the sun rays didn't got through all the smoke hanging over the city. The day was dim, the streets seemed empty, but Connor knew better. The demons were out there. He didn't know what to do. Search for survivors? Fight the good fight? He knew he had no chance at finding anyone familiar. There were too many scents around to pick one. Some were stronger than the others. Blood. Death. With determination he started to collect his weapons. Carefully, not to set any of his own traps, Connor left his, once again, home.
He would find someone alive. He would protect them. Or he'd die trying.
***B***B***
Gunn opened his eyes. What the...
Quickly, he stood up. He was in a big room, empty room. Last thing he remembered was fighting for his life in an alley behind Hyperion. In first few minutes he lost his team and his memory became fuzzy. He was hurt. Lifting his shirt, Gunn looked at his stomach. There should be a big scar, but only a faded traces of it remained. He should be dead. The doors opened and few men walked in.
''What's going on?''
''Our master wishes to see you.'' one of them answered.
''Meaning?'' Gunn was still wary.
''Come on, we don't have all day.'' second one said annoyed.
Gunn followed them through few hallways, occasionally getting glimpses of some rooms. Most were empty, but in a few more people sat. He realized that they stopped. Man, a little shorter than him, spoke up.
''Charles Gunn. I have to say it's an honour.''
''Yeah, nice to meet you. '' he said after a while. ''Where am I? What happened?''
''Oh, yes. After your, I admit, glorious last stand, Los Angeles was destroyed. You're in one of the few safe places left.''
This was bad. ''What do you mean destroyed?''
''I mean that not even 24 hours earlier this city was fine. Now it's overrun by demons. It's a disaster, really.''
Man walked to the window. ''See for yourself.''
Gunn followed him and his breath caught in his throat. What he saw was one big junkyard. Before he could wrap his mind around it, something else got his attention. His breath didn't stuck in his throat. He didn't breath. At all.
Gunn took a few, hasty steps back. ''What did you do to me?''
Slowly, the man looked at him. ''I saved you. We found you in an alley, barely standing. It was matter of seconds before one of them would get you. You were dying anyway, so I couldn't miss that opportunity.'' He clapped and one of the doors opened, two men brought in a girl. She couldn't be more than fifteen.
Gunn heard her thundering heartbeat, his eyes locked themselves in her neck. His face changed.
''I guess you must be pretty hungry. So go on and we will talk a little more.''
Black man, or rather, vampire realized that he was in fact hungry. Starving. Before he knew what he was doing, Gunn was across the room, biting into young girl's neck, craving her blood. It flew to his throat. She was dead in moments. After dropping her body to the floor, it all caught up with him. He just killed a girl. No, it was worse. He drained her. He changed back to his normal face.
''You turned me.'' he said to the vampire.
''I did.''
An unbelievable rage flew through his mind, his body. He was a vampire hunter. He should be killing them, not be one of them! He broke the leg off of nearest chair and rushed at the vampire leader.
***B***B***
Illyria watched over Spike. The blond vampire was in a bad shape. She found him laying in the ground, under a mass of dead demons. Most likely the horde went right through and over him. Despite her desire to destroy things, she stopped and picked up the vampire champion. He was her pet. No one but her is allowed to pummel him down. He still didn't woke up. Her knowledge of vampires told her to bring him some blood. She got a dead body and fed the vampire. Though Spike was on a diet, she didn't care that much to go and find some animal blood. Besides human was much more tasty. It would heal him faster. Even though she was a king, Illyria felt some kind of responsibility to Angel's warriors. To Wesley. She knew that her shell's feelings were partially controlling her. They were resting in pretty much exposed place, but Illyria didn't worry. Most demons in a rage of battle after seeing her, fled. It was unlikely that some would dare to come now. Standing still, guarding her pet, Illyria waited.
***B***B***
He was in a deep shit. Connor thought that after destroying Los Angeles demons would spread to other cities. Judging by the looks, it seemed that either a whole lot of new came from somewhere, or they stayed here. But why would they stay in one city after practically burning it to the ground?
He was mostly sneaking his way through the city, occasionally killing unsuspecting demons and fleeing before some thing would spot him. Connor checked houses, abandoned buildings, everything that could serve as a safe haven. He had nothing so far. He found few bodies though, clearly he was too late. Continuing his search, he kept mostly out of center of Los Angeles. More demons were there. He heard an unmistakable noise of fists flying. Quickly he rushed to the window and watched as a young woman, maybe in her early twenties, fought off a vampire. She seemed to be winning, but the situation turned around when vampire grabbed her by the ponytail she had and brought her down. Connor jumped down, but before he landed vampire slammed woman's face into the ground. He moved her head, exposing neck. Armed only with white weapon, Connor grabbed the vampire by his back and flung across the alley. Vampire shook his head and ran at Connor, who took out his sword. He didn't stand a chance. In few second vampire doubled over after a nasty knee to his stomach and got his head cut off.
He turned back to the woman, preparing to help her back up, but she was already standing. Her eyes stared at him and then moved to the pile of dust. She gingerly touched her cheek and groaned. He noticed that she seemed Latin. Her features darkened and with a purpose in her steps, she walked further into the alley. Connor followed her.
''Hey, what are you doing?'' He received no response. ''Look, I can help you. You need to rest.''
''If you want to help me, then come with me. This fucker was a part of the family that took someone important to me. I ain't resting until I kill them all and get my girl back.'' she told him. Connor blocked her path. ''You can't even take on one vampire. How do you expect to kill a whole nest?''
She tried to get past him. When he didn't let her go, without warning, she swung at him. He managed to catch her fist and pushed her against the wall. She head butted him, in return he punched her in the face. She fell to the floor. Connor stared at his hand. He hit a girl. He didn't ever do that before. Not in his new life. It started to come back.
Woman stared at him with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. ''Then I'm gonna die tryin'. I can't leave her there. I won't.''
He was conflicted. In few hours night will come. He'd like to be home by then. Connor knew that he couldn't leave her here. Alone she'd die today. A whole nest to take out. When the sun was gone he fought off against worse odds.
He offered her a hand. ''What's your name?''
She took it and stood up. ''Rain.''
''Okay, Rain. Show me the way.''
***B***B***
Gunn followed the sounds of fighting. Or rather the sounds of a beating. He was amazed at how big this nest was. He pretty much killed it. Every single vampire he could find. He was lucky that they were mostly spread. No more than three in one group. He kicked the doors and found two vampires pretty much having fun. Woman between them, was not. She was already bitten, hit and on a line of losing consciousness. She was half stripped. Obviously he walked in a good moment. He threw the stake at one vampire, body slamming the other. Woman fell to the floor. Vampire kicked Gunn off.
''What the fuck?''
Without explaining, Gunn picked up the first wooden thing he could find and charged. Thanks to the strength that now laid in his punches, he stunned the vampire long enough to stake him. He dropped his weapon and turned back to the woman. She was really pretty. Golden locks falling around her face, a chest worth to look at. Perfect legs. Something other caught Gunn's attention. Her blood. It was calling him, just waiting to be sucked. He vamped out and took a first step closer, when he stopped. He was about to kill another innocent victim. He returned to his normal face and walked away with disgust. Maybe she'll live, maybe she'll die. It's her choice now.
He looked through the windows. Slowly it was getting dark. He supposed that he could walk through the streets even during the day. Not enough sunlight to burn a vampire. He didn't know, however, how the demons would take it. Do they kill vampires? Gunn left the building without second guess. Time to find out.
***B***B***
''So, Connor, how old are you? 'Cuz lemme tell ya, you don't look more than twenty.'' Rain asked him as they sneaked their way through the city. It was almost dark by now, but the fog that came helped.
He stealthy jumped down the ladder. ''Almost twenty. You?''
She followed him. ''Twenty four.''
They fell into the silence. ''You seem to know a lot about those things.'' she noticed.
''You could say that. You didn't freak out about the vampire.'' he said.
''Yeah, kinda known 'bout 'em. Tried to stay outta trouble, but it always catches me.'' Rain looked around. They were getting really close. She pointed to her left. Connor nodded and they went there.
''What the hell is that about?''
He understood that she asked about the demons. ''To be honest I really don't know.''
''Great.''
They got to the end of the street and she stared at the building before them. ''We're here.''
Connor nodded and they walked to the doors. ''Look, I know there is no way you're gonna stay here-''
''Damn right I won't.''
He raised his eyebrows. She shot him a challenging look.
''Just stay behind me and don't fight.''
He slowly walked in. Connor expected a fight immediately. Nothing happened. He couldn't hear anything moving. As if this place was dead. He checked few nearest rooms. No one. Rain walked behind him.
''You sure it's here?'' he whispered to her.
''Would I be wrong about something like that?''
They searched the place. It was bigger than he thought. A really big nest must've been here. He noticed piles of dust. Guess someone did the job. ''It's empty. Someone killed the vamps.''
''I gotta be sure she ain't here.''
When he walked into one of the rooms he picked up a familiar scent. Gunn's. Would it be possible that it was Gunn who cleaned up the nest? Connor backed to the hallway. The scent was here all along, he just didn't smell it at first. Good. It meant that Gunn was alive. He survived the battle.
''Connor!''
He quickly ran to the voice. He found Rain kneeling next to some woman's body. ''We gotta get some help.'' she said to him.
He kneeled next to her. Woman was pretty beat up, he noticed a bite mark. Her injures weren't mortal. He pressed his hand to it, trying to stop the bleeding. ''She'll be okay. She lost a lot of blood and she'll be unconscious for a while, but she'll live.''
Rain visibly relaxed at that.
''Let's go back to my place. It's safe.''
Rain caressed woman's face. ''How far is it?''
Connor took the woman into his arms. ''Pretty far.''
***B***B***
They got home nearly two hours later. Connor disarmed the traps and set unconscious blond woman on his bed.
''It's nice.'' commented Rain. She sat on the bed. ''Are you sure we weren't followed?''
''Yeah. Nothing can track us on the streets. And I made sure we weren't followed.'' Connor set the traps near the doors, leaving a space in the middle free. ''What's her name?''
Rain looked at him. ''I didn't tell you? Damn. Katherine, but she prefers Katie.''
''How old is she?''
''Twenty eight.''
He went to the bathroom for the first aid kit. It was still here. He noticed that Katie was rather tall, close to Angel's height. Rain was head shorter than him. They cleaned her up and Connor stretched. ''I have to go.''
Rain's head turned to him. ''What? Where?''
''Don't worry. Just a quick scope. I need to bring us some food.'' He went to the doors. ''There's a shower in the bathroom if you want one.'' he threw over his shoulder and left.
***B***B***
''What do you mean she can't?''
Faith was in a motel. She knew that she had to rest after driving a whole day and night. She still couldn't believe that Angel did something this big and didn't tell them. Maybe he didn't know. Maybe he did tell, but Faith didn't know it. She was really kept out of the loop. It was the Scoobies who made decisions, she was just pretty much a soldier. She wasn't great on big stuff. Sunnydale confirmed that.
''Apparently there is something going on in Rome. Buffy can't make it.'' Xander answered.
''Yeah, I bet. What about the others?''
''Giles and Willow can't make it. We're sending some of our slayers there.''
''Some? We need a fuckin' army and you know it.'' Faith snapped.
''It's not my fault, alright? This is big, I know, but we need to protect other places too. We can't just rush every slayer there.''
''So how does it look in L.A?''
''Apparently which is surprising, demons mostly stayed there. We have no idea why. Their number is increasing. Slowly, but surely.''
''What you sayin' is that they destroyed the city and what? Stayed there for cakes?'' Faith asked. This doesn't make any sense.
''When you'll be there?''
''Probably tomorrow. I'm not really sure when exactly.''
''Yeah. Well, our backup will come the day after or so. Stay alive until then.''
''Right.'' Faith thought for a second. ''Xand, you'd tell me if you knew something about Angel's involvement in this?''
''Sure.''
***B***B***
Rain got out of the shower. It had, surprisingly, hot water. Felt really good, too. She let her hair hang loosely. She considered looking out of window, but that would be too dangerous. Something could spot her. Instead she laid down next to Katie. Her whole body was bruised. Her perfect, beautiful face was damaged. She stirred and Rain watched her on alert. Nothing more. Sighing, Rain cuddled next to her, eventually falling asleep.
***B***B***
Lorne was running. They found his hiding place. He wished that he'd took the gun he used to kill Lindsey instead of leaving it behind. It would be pretty useful now. Demons lost him few blocks back. But he ran, knowing that he couldn't stay out for long. He shouldn't stay out at all. Green demon looked for another safe place, but none were good enough. Another problem was that his condition sucked. He had no strength to keep running. Checking that nothing was in sight, he tip-toed to a shop. Once there, he found the most unseen place and sat there, after grabbing a bottle of water to drink. He drank half of it and breathed heavily.
A bad feeling came over him. He was being watched. He slowly stood up, but saw nothing. ''Come on, whatever you are.'' he muttered. This was even worse than seeing some demon in front of him
''Lorne?'' a voice behind him asked. He quickly sprung around. There stood a boy with bags full of food in his hands.
''Do I know you?''
***B***B***
That's it for the first one. I'd love to get a review!
