Immortal: the Virtual Series
Episode 2.1: The Guardian
Written by the Main Slayer
Original airdate: February 5, 2005
Episode rating: K+

-Part 1-

Cordelia moved among the thousands of lit candles. Angelus lay bound to a steel table as he watched helplessly as she chanted silently. Angelus attempted time and again to break his restraints but he soon found that his efforts where pointless. He was not only restrained with rope, but with magic. Willow had cast a powerful spell in order to keep him compliant with the actives that were going on around him. The only mobility that Angelus possessed was the movement of his head. Turning his head to the right he saw the Receiver bound and gagged in the corner. Moving his eyes along the wall he noticed three vampire sacrifices. Vampire he had never seen before were going to be sacrificed to bring back the one being he hated the most. Again, averting his eyes, Angelus noticed that the entire group was present. Gunn and Lorne stood to the far right talking amongst Wesley and Giles. At his feet Faith stood with his son, Connor. He noticed that Faith was averting her eyes from Connor's gaze. Angelus laughed to himself, Someone's got it bad. Moving away from the pair he noticed that Angel's sister Kathy stood with Dawn and those two demon hunters. He moved his head to the left and saw Buffy. She was quiet in her little world. She hadn't spoken a word since he was found. She just simply looked at him. He knew exactly what she was thinking, but neither would say it. Angelus attempted to smile at her but found that he had no movement to smile. Moving his head back to stare at the ceiling as he listened even more closely to Cordelia and the Witch chant. This was it; he really was going to hell…forever.

4 months earlier

Angelus tore through Central Park as he attempted to outrun the Slayer. She had been on his tale for more than 2 weeks. Angelus' original plan was to leave New York and get away from the Slayer and her friends forever. But something kept drawing him back. Something he didn't understand. So he stayed. Watched her and made sure that the Slayer and all her asshole friends were on the wrong track. And then she came. They summoned Cordelia. The one person that could re-ensoul him and get rid of Angelus for good. He had to get out. When Cordelia had found him he had no chance to get away. He had attempted to take a ship out of New York but she had managed to find some way to keep him in the New York City limits. Angelus was trapped. Like an animal in a zoo. There was nothing he could do but sit and wait for them to find him. It had taken the Scoobies 3 and half months to actually find him. He had managed to elude them by moving around every week and never killing in the same spot. He never went out until just before the sun rose, so he always managed to stay one step ahead of them. Until he made a mistake.

As Angelus had been walking past the local corner pub he usual visited, he saw an old friend that had made Angel the man that he was. He had followed the demon all the way to Bay Street when he watched him enter his apartment. The good thing about a demon's apartment, he didn't need and invitation. Angelus figured this was the perfect time to get pay back on the asshole that introduced him to the Slayer in the first place. Who started all this crap. Angelus kicked the door in and started the demon.

"Whistler." Angelus snarled.

"Great. It's you."

"Yeah it's me. Is that all you have to say to me?"

"What more do I want to say to you?" He asked him.

"Well, I was kind of thinking about a apology." Angelus replied as he sauntered over to where the demon was sitting.

"Why bother," Whistler said, "you're going to kill me no matter what I say to you." Angelus laughed.

"You're right. I will. But still, you hurt my feelings and I want my apology before I kill you." Angelus smiled and looked down.

"It really doesn't matter what happens to me. Angel will come back and you'll be gone and my job will be done." Whistler replied. Whistler smiled as he headed for his fridge. He pulled out two glasses from the cupboard and filled them with whisky, "Drink?" He offered.

"Hmm. Sure. I've got nothing to lose at the moment." Angelus replied as he sat down.

"You're wrong," Whistler replied, "You have everything to lose." Angelus smiled at him and took the drink. He shot the whole drink back and put the glass down.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"What do you mean, what do I mean?" Whistler replied.

"Don't bullshit me!" Angelus yelled, "Tell me what you were talking about! What do you mean!"

"Buffy." Whistler replied. Angelus laughed at him again.

"You've got to be kidding me. I don't want Buffy, I never did."

"That's not true." Whistler said to him. Angelus glared at the little demon that was ruining his night.

"Don't even start with me. I fucked her yes, but that doesn't mean I want her." This time it was Whistler's turn to laugh.

"You wanna know something, kid?" He said to him. Angelus sat back and rolled his eyes.

"Fine, tell me." Angelus replied.

"I wasn't sent to protect Angel. I was sent to keep you in line. Do you really think that those gypsies would have let you run lose whenever they wanted. I don't think so. I was sent to make sure that Angel stayed on the good path so that you would never get out again. I never suspected Buffy. Not for a second. But then, cute girl like her was bound to make an impression. When you emerged again and killed Jenny, I was sent back to watch you and try to keep you from killing. However, I didn't do my job right. Why, because you never once really slipped up. You didn't slip up because you knew that she would be there to pick up after your shit. You didn't want to spare her the pain of what you can really do…" Whistler was interrupted.

"Is there going to be a fucking intermission anytime soon because this is boring." He said to him.

"Don't worry, I'm getting to my point," Whistler sat back down in front of Angelus and put his elbows on his knees, "You see, you were always meant to come back. Only Willow managed to put your soul back so then you were gone and things were all right again. I left. And this shit happens. And you go and do something that makes no sense but has happened and can't be taken back."

"And what would that be?" Angelus asked as he stood and picked up a fire poker in one hand. Angelus had just about had enough of this crap. It was time to dispose of this asshole. Angelus moved to stand behind him as he positioned the poker at his neck.

"Remember, I'm not afraid to die. My job here is done. I have no further need to be here. I can finally move on." Whistler sat back and closed his eyes.

"What would it be that makes no sense?" Angelus asked as he raised the poker.

"You'll find out soon enough." With that the poker came down and Whistler fell back in his chair. Angelus licked the blood off his face and laughed. Idiot. He has no idea what he is talking about. Angelus left the scene and headed back to the hovel he called home. Three days later, Buffy had found his body. She knew the only thing that could have killed him was Angelus. That was when the search efforts doubled.

And now, here he was running through Central Park from the Slayer. Once again, he had to save his ass because of a stupid mistake that he couldn't help himself from doing. Steeling a glance behind him Angelus saw the brunette behind him. Without watching where he was going, Angelus ran into a tree and fell to the ground. He attempted to get him but was blocked by a very long stake pointed at his heart.

"I don't think that would be a good idea." Connor said to him. Angelus laughed and remained on the ground. Faith caught up to them and looked down at him.

"Hey baby. Finally got you didn't I?" She said to him.

"Yeah, It looks like you did." Faith took out a needle and injected the vampire with a heavy sedative and looked at Connor.

"Finally all this hard work has paid off huh?" He asked her.

"It finally has. Let's get him to Cordy so we can get this done." Connor nodded and helped Faith carry Angelus to the cavern where the group was waiting.

-Part 2-

Present

Cordelia knew that when she arrived this task wasn't going to be easy. She had been preparing for over 4 months for this ritual. She was about to destroy the life of the Receiver to save Angel. The higher beings didn't like it when they had to destroy a being that held the balance of good and evil. The consequences would be great for this one. She hadn't had any time with Jenny to discuss what to do, but she was sure that with her training she could pull it off. She could remember when she first came. They didn't have the Receiver or Angelus. The Slayer was a complete basket case…as usual…and the group was at a loss on how to get Angel's soul back. Cordelia smiled to herself as she put the ceremonial marks on the Receiver's forehead. She knew what she was doing, but the first day she was here, she had no clue.

5 months earlier

"I have no idea what to do!" Cordelia exclaimed. She paced the length of the cavern rubbing her head as she walked.

"Jenny said that you were the only one that could help us!" Willow exclaimed.

"What you are asking me to do is too hard. I've never done anything some complicated before." Cordelia replied. Connor moved towards her and took her hands in his.

"Yes you can. You can do anything." Connor replied. Cordelia smiled.

"Thanks Connor. But I can't. I wasn't that good with the visions and I know I'm not good with this. The other higher beings have told me that I'm not ready." Cordelia said.

"Who else would be willing to save Angel but you?" Giles asked her. Cordelia sighed.

"You're right Giles. No other higher being will do it. They hate killing Receivers. It costs so much in the balance of things. But Giles, this isn't me. I can't do it." Cordelia said as she sat down on the floor of the waterlogged cavern. Giles knelt before her and took her hands.

"Cordelia, you can do anything you set your mind to. All of us believe that you can do it and we need you to do it. Please?" Giles asked her with a soft smile. Cordelia smiled back at him and nodded her head.

"I will try," Cordelia rose up from her spot on the floor and looked to the group, "It is going to take time though. I need the Receiver and Angelus. I will also need time to prepare. These rituals can take up to a year to prepare for…let's make is shorter than that." The group nodded and headed for the exit. Cordelia moved towards the exit as well when a single thought struck her mind.

"Where is Buffy?" She asked.

Buffy sank to the bottom of the tree. Whistler stood before her and shook his head. Buffy was speechless. She had no words to form as she sat under the tree and cried. Whistler knelt before her and took her hands. Buffy batted him away and glared at him.

"Look kid. I'm sorry." He said to her.

"Don't!" Buffy yelled, "Don't sit there and tell me you're sorry. How you can you tell me this! Angel is gone! I'm never getting him back! Why would I want to do this without him!" Tears streamed down Buffy's face as she looked at the demon in front of her. A single thought crossed her mind, kill him. If she killed him then he wouldn't be here which would make him a liar. Buffy needed him gone. She couldn't handle all of this.

"I am sorry. Really. If there is anything I can do…" Whistler was cut off by Buffy's fist connecting with his face.

"The only thing you can do is to leave me alone! You are not welcome here every again. If I see your face again, I will kill you. I promise you that!" Buffy stood and moved away from him.

"Buffy what I'm tell you is true. You can't walk away from this. What's done is done. There is no changing it. Buffy, listen to me…"

"No! I'm done listening to you! Just stay away from me!" Buffy ran from the park as she left the demon behind her. She tore through the park with the tears stinging her eyes. She didn't want to believe what the demon was telling her. She couldn't. It had to be a lie. It had only been one night. It wasn't true. Buffy raced home and locked herself in her room. Buffy climbed onto the bed and hugged her knees. As Buffy rocked back and forth she began to cry. Tears were flowing down her face, as she looked up to the roof and for once in her life…Buffy prayed.

It had taken the gang over 2 months to locate the Receiver. Willow's spell had kept him from leaving the city but every time they got close to him, he managed to slip away. When the finally located him he was hiding in a small dive near the edge of the city with his one remain Lyphan. Willow had to use magic's, and non-magic's so subdue the Receiver and get him to the cavern where the ritual would be performed. Cordelia had been preparing nonstop making sure that the ritual was perfect. Giles had been coaching her on her Latin as she continued to prepare to destroy the Receiver. Another 2 months later they had found Angelus. Faith and Connor had tracked him down and hit him with sedative. The next time he woke up he would be in the cavern tied to a table. During this time, Willow and Cordelia spent their time perfecting the Spell of Restoration making it so that Angel would never lose his soul again. The gang had decided that they were sick and tired of Angelus rearing his ugly face so it was better to get rid of him for good instead of having the slight chance that he might come back. However the one member of the gang that they couldn't find was Buffy. She had been nowhere in sight for the entire time. She had no contacted anyone or said anything about leaving. Willow had performed several locator spells and found that she was still in the city but wasn't answering her pages. Giles had convinced the group not to go after Buffy until she was ready. Obviously her encounter with Angelus was more emotional then they all thought. Giles had attempted several times to see her but she only communicated with him through the door. Today was one such day.

"Buffy?" Giles questioned at the bathroom door.

"What?" Came from the room.

"Are you all right?" He asked her.

"I'm fine." Buffy replied. Giles wasn't completely convinced.

"Are you sure? You haven't seen anyone in months Buffy. You need to leave the house eventually," Giles waited for a sound but heard nothing, "We have the Receiver…and Angelus." Giles was hoping that the mention of Angelus would make Buffy come out of the bathroom but he was wrong.

"Good. When is Cordelia going to do the ritual?" She asked.

"Soon." Giles replied.

"Well come back when it is time. I'll join you then. No leave me alone." Buffy went silent and Giles moved away from the door. He motioned for the front door only to wait a beat to see if she would come out. No such luck. Giles sighed and left the apartment. Buffy waited for Giles to leave. She heard the door shut and opened the bathroom door. Connor, Kathy and Dawn had moved out to Faith's house at Buffy's request. She didn't want to be around anyone at the moment. She flushed the toilet and moved back to her bedroom. She was wearing one of Angel's shirts as she did at all times, and turned on the TV. She stood in front of the mirror and turned to see her profile. It had been almost 5 months since she had seen everyone. She smoothed the shirt over her belly. There was a reason that Buffy was hiding from the gang. A reason that she couldn't explain. She had to get Cordelia's help. She would be the only one that could help her and tell her why this had happened to her. Buffy moved her hands over her stomach and smiled slightly. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Buffy jumped. Buffy moved to the door and looked through the peephole.

"Who is it?" Buffy asked.

"Buffy, it's Dr. Walker. May I come in?" Buffy sighed and unlocked the door. She opened the door and let the doctor in.

"Yes you may." Buffy shut the door behind him and walked to her bedroom.

"Thank you," The doctor put down his kit as he entered Buffy's room, "Now lets take a look at the baby."

-Part 3-

Present

It had taken Buffy 5 months to work up the courage to tell her friends, her family, that she was pregnant with Angel's baby. She wasn't sure how it happened herself but she was sure that it had something to do with Whistler and his cameo in New York. He had said that he was there for a reason and that reason was over. Was that reasoning the baby? Was it to bring Angel back? She had never found out what it was. Her pride and anger had taken over and she was too late. When she found out that Angelus had killed Whistler she knew that she would never find out. She had to get to a Shaman before it was too late. Before she never found out. She had decided that she had to go to a medicine man to ask him what was happening to her. That had happened 1 month earlier…

1 month ago

Buffy had braved wind and rain to get to this medicine man. She had heard Angel tell her stories about how Darla had moved all over the world to find out who and what Connor was. Why he existed when she was dead herself. Buffy felt like Darla at that point in time. Desperate to know what was happening to her. Whistler had told her that his purpose was filled and it didn't matter what happened to him anymore, all that mattered was what happened to her. She had finally managed to track down this man. He was known as the Elder Who Saw All. The village people told her that he was called Emo. She wasn't sure why but she went along with it anyway. She had met with a translator who was going to tell her everything that man was saying. He may be stationed in New York, but he couldn't speak a word of English. When Buffy was invited into his tent, Emo wasn't there. She wasn't sure what to do until the translator told her to take a seat. The man she was with, her translator, his name was Emuti. He was a young man who had spent several years in an English speaking school where he learned how to communicate with the people around him. At first he wasn't too keen on helping her when they met for the first time, but he eventually relinquished.

"I shouldn't be helping you." He said to her.

"Please, you and your people are my last hope," Buffy replied as she reached across the table, "I need to know why and how this happened…well I know the how, but the why would be nice." She smiled at the young man and held his hands tight. Emuti sighed and lowered his head.

"All right. I will help you. One of our elders may have the answers you seek." They had made a meeting to meet each other in front of the Movie Theater where he would take her to his village outside of New York City.

And now, here she was about to learn why she was having this baby. Within seconds Emo came into the tent and looked towards Buffy and Emuti. He spoke only briefly and sat down. Buffy turned to Emuti and took his hand.

"What did he say?" She asked.

"He welcomed us into his tent." Buffy smiled and turned her attention back to the medicine man. He moved towards her and sat before her. He spoke again.

"He wants to know why you have come." Emuti replied.

"I want to know why this has happened to me. What is going on?" Buffy said as she looked into the old mans eyes. Emuti translated. The old man spoke again.

"He said that to understand the answer you must first understand the question."

"What does that mean?" Buffy asked. Emuti translated. Emo spoke.

"He said that your question is not the true question. Do you have something else you want to ask him?" Emuti directed the question to her. Buffy shook her head and looked at the man in front of her.

"I don't know what you mean. All I want to know is why me? Why has this happened? He, the father, is a vampire. It is not possible. I mean it happened once, but not a second time. It just makes no sense." Buffy's eyes bore through the Emo's, as she didn't let go of him. Emuti translated. Emo answered.

"He says that you have been chosen to carry a heavy burden. One that you cannot carry alone, you will need friends, family, and the man who is responsible. He also says that the child is meant to do great things. The first was only the beginning; he was not the prodigal child. But this one is." Buffy lowered her head. She was tired and frustrated. All modern doctors did was tell her that the baby was healthy and alive. She needed to know how it happened. Suddenly Emo turned away from them. He moved to pick up a small dish that lay on the floor. In it was some crushed up leaves and some lamb's blood. Buffy made a slight face. Emuti took her hand.

"Don't worry Buffy. All it does is help Emo see inside. Understand further." Buffy took comfort in his presence and allowed the medicine man to proceed. He placed on hand on Buffy's belly and moved in a counterclockwise motion. He closed his eyes and hummed. Suddenly his eyes sprung open and he removed his hand. Emo spoke again.

"He says that there is no more that you can do for. What is done is done and there is no way to understand the why. All he can tell you is to protect the child from all who oppose it. For this child has the ability to bring about the construction of worlds and the destruction of them. Your child is special. And the father will return to you and together you will make this child happy." Emo stood and took Buffy's hands. He kissed her hands and then bent to kiss her belly. Buffy smiled and bowed her head. Emo left the tent and Emuti and Buffy stood alone.

"The power to create and destroy worlds. Comforting isn't it?" Buffy said to him as she led the way out of the tent.

"Oh yes, very." Emuti followed her and smiled.

Present

Now Buffy knew. That it wasn't Connor that was seen as the prodigal child, but hers. Her baby was important and she had to do everything in her power to protect it and get Angel back. Buffy had finally worked up the courage to tell Giles when she had invited him over for dinner. She had no other way to tell him other than to show him. It had taken her over 2 hours to explain what had happened. Giles was more than pissed to learn that Buffy had fallen for Angelus, but as she stated, it was a spell and she had no control…

"Giles this baby is important. It was supposed to happen. What did you want me to do, get rid of it?"

"You heard what he said. You were there and you just told me, this child will have the ability to create and destroy worlds. How are we to know what it is capable of?" Giles took Buffy's hands. Buffy pushed him away and stood at the window staring out into the world of New York.

"I don't believe that. I believe that this baby will do well. I can feel it Giles. If I raise him or her right, everything is going to get better, not worse. If I pull this off, we may end up in a world where there is peace and harmony, no death and evil. I can do it Giles. I have to. And that's why it is so important to get Angel back. We have to. This spell of Cordelia's has to work." Buffy looked at Giles with tears in her eyes. Giles took Buffy into his embrace and hugged her.

"All right Buffy. I believe you. And we will get him back. Cordelia has been preparing for almost 5 months. This will work. And once it does, Angel won't be going anywhere for a long time." Buffy smiled at that and buried her head in Giles' shoulder.

Later that same day, Giles had taken Buffy to the cavern where Angelus and the Receiver where being held. The gang had been there since sun up preparing for the ritual. When she arrived, the looks of shock made her feel horrible for telling a lie. But really she had no choice. She needed the truth before she could say anything. Buffy was given hugs by all her friends and her family. She noticed that Angelus was bound to a table in the center of the room and for a moment she wondered if he knew she was there.

"He is unconscious Buffy. He has no idea where he is." Cordelia moved towards her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Buffy turned to her and looked her in the eye.

"Did you know about this? I mean before you came back?" Cordelia lowered her head and smiled.

"Yes."

"Do you know why?" Buffy asked her.

"Yes. As it was stated before, in order to destroy a Receiver, a new life must be created. Your baby is that new life. That is the why this has happened. You know the consequences, all Whistler had to do was implant it." Buffy raised an eye.

"So the baby isn't…"

"Don't worry Buffy. The baby is yours and Angel's. He or she is special. You must take care of him or her. It is important to the world Buffy. This baby was created out of love and necessity. Protect it with you life if necessary," Cordelia moved away from her and looked to the group, "It's time to begin." The group surround Angelus at the posts that they were assigned to. The Receiver had been previously strung up to the roof without his cloths on with ceremonial symbols on him. He was fully awake by this point and watched as Giles plunged a long sword into the stomach of his remaining Lyphan. The Receiver howled in pain as his beloved animal died before him. Tears fell down the Receiver's face as he closed his eyes. Soon my love I will be with you again. Thoughts of his wife and child flooded his mind as he prepared for his death. He heard Cordelia's words.

"With the sacrifice of the living, we bring back the dead."

-Part 4-

As Cordelia proceeded with the Ritual, Angelus awoke. He could hear the screams of pain and his eyes flew open. He noticed that the Lyphan was dead and that the Receiver was now hanged above him. He attempted to struggle against his restraints again, but found that Willow's spell had not worn off. He noticed that around him the Scoobies were standing holding ceremonial knives. Buffy was to his left. She wore large cloths and held her hands in front of her stomach. He had no idea what was happening, but he didn't like it. He tried to speak but found that his voice was no longer at his disposal. Cordelia stood before him and smiled.

"Sorry sweetie. It looks like you're stuck once again. I am so sick of you showing your butt ugly fa...personality around here. It is time we put in a place where you can never get out again." She pulled an Orb of Thesilla out of her pocket and placed it on his chest. It was cold to the touch and Angelus for the first time in his life, was afraid. This can't be happening! There has to be a way for me to get out of this! Angelus attempted again to remove his restraints. But found that no matter how hard her tried there was no way he was getting out. Angelus turned to Buffy and gave her a pleading look. Please get me out of this! Buffy glared at him. She moved her hands away from her belly and moved to the side. Angelus' eyes widened.

"I think you've done enough." Buffy threw a punch at him and knocked him out cold. Cordelia smiled and Faith laughed. Buffy couldn't help but smile back.

"Go, B." Faith said. Cordelia raised a hand to hush her friends.

"Okay everyone. Time to get our friend back. Take your knives and hold them up towards the Receiver." The group did as they were told. Cordelia began to chant in Latin as she moved from person to person. She dropped some holy water on each blade as she moved around them and continued to chant. She stopped at the head of the table and motioned for the group to thrust their daggers forward. In unisons the group did as they were told. The Receiver cried out in pain as each blade struck him not once, not twice, but three times. The Receiver went limp as his blood drained out on the table to where Angelus was lying. Cordelia raised her arms up and looked towards the sky.

"To the elders before me we ask for your guidance. With the spilling of this blood," Cordelia dipped her hand in the blood of the Receiver and moved to Buffy. Scared Buffy attempted to move away but one look at Cordelia's reassuring face made her relax. Cordelia placed her hand on Buffy's stomach and smiled, "And the creation of a new life, we ask that you guide the lost souls form this form to their hosts. To their homes. Return them to where they belong and bring back the champion of the people," Cordelia returned to her post and closed her eyes, "For before you is the champion of the people. We need him. The world needs him. The prodigal needs him. Bring him back and the reward will be greater than all has been seen before." Cordelia silently chanted.

"Are we done yet?" Faith whispered. Giles hushed her and turned his attention back towards Cordelia. Cordelia finished her chant and moved away.

"Okay, everyone back away slowly and kneel on the ground. Lower your heads and fold your hands. Don't say a word." The group did as they were told. Even though the couldn't see what was going on around them, Buffy and the gang could hear energy crackling and sounds of screams fill the room. The souls of the departed where being released and being returned to the respective homes. Buffy attempted to take a peek but was silenced by Cordelia. NO. Buffy shut her eyes tighter and prayed. Soon the sound where gone. Cordelia stood and opened her eyes.

"You can all stand and open your eyes now." The group did so and looked up to the Receiver. He was nothing but bones. There was nothing left of him except a skeleton and rotting flesh. Buffy looked towards the table. Angel was still. There was no movement from the table as Cordelia received a vision from the Powers that Be. She looked at them and smiled.

"It worked. Every soul that was ever taken by this Receiver has been safely returned to the ether. Angel's soul has been restored. Not only that, but the Powers are sick and tired of him losing it so they put it back, permanently." The group smiled and looked at the body on the table.

"Is he all right?" Faith asked.

"Oh yeah. He should be waking up soon." And sure enough, Angel moved. Only slightly but he moved. Buffy took Angel's hand and held it tight. Slowly Angel's eyes opened as she looked into Buffy's eyes. Tears fell down her face as she stared into the eyes of her lover once again.

"Angel." Buffy said silently as she fell on his chest and wept.