Something Unpredictable

Chapter 1: You Gotta Fight

By: Rogue-Slayer13

Disclaimer: The characters of Btvs and Ats belong to Joss Whedon, not myself.

Summary: I decided to rewrite this fic. It goes from Not Fade Away onwards and has a few changes that weren't on the show, mainly, Cordelia gets to stay, Lorne doesn't leave, and Wesley doesn't die fighting Vail.

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"Well, personally, I kind of want to slay the dragon."

"Of course you do." Cordelia put a hand on Angel's chest, effectively preventing him from stepping forward. "God, what is up with you men? You always think the bigger something is the more important it is, when in all actuality, the small things are just as deadly. Now, if we want to get through this alive, we need to think strategy."

Cordelia's take charge attitude brought a smile to everyone's face, despite the fact they had a huge demon horde barreling toward them.

"Perhaps taking out the dragon isn't that bad of an idea," stated Wesley.

"What do you mean?" asked Gunn.

"Well, if we take out the dragon, its body well land on the majority of the demons."

"Think you can conjure something up?" asked Angel.

"If I knew its weaknesses . . ."

"There is a weak spot in the scales on the top of the head as well as on the neck," informed Illyria. "The simplest of weapons could penetrate them."

Before anyone could say anything else, the dragon swooped down causing everyone to duck, except Spike, who grabbed a hold of the dragon's tail and began to climb.

"Where's Spike?" asked Gunn as everyone stood up.

"Fighting my dragon," ground out Angel.

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure there'll be others," said Cordelia.

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The group had been fighting the demon horde on the ground for several minutes when a gurgled cry from above got their attention. The group looked up just in time to be doused by a thick black substance.

"Please tell me this isn't what I think it is," stated Cordelia as she looked down at her now ruined blouse.

"Dragon blood," said Wesley.

"We should move." Gunn motioned to the sky where the dragon was rapidly approaching the ground.

The group had just enough time to get out of the way before the dragon and Spike both came tumbling to the ground. In one fluid movement Spike rammed his sword into the top of the dragon's head, killing it instantly.

"You killed my dragon," complained Angel.

"Sucks to be you mate," replied Spike as he wiped the dragon's blood off of his face with the back of his hand.

"You've crashed most of the enemy forces," stated Illyria as she surveyed the scene behind Spike. "The carcass should do a sufficient job of blocking their path."

"But how long till they hack their way through it?" asked Gunn.

"Hours, days if we're lucky," said Angel.

"I think this is a perfect time to regroup, preferably away from the giant demon horde," said Lorne.

"We don't have anywhere to go," said Gunn.

Everyone was quiet for a moment as they thought.

"The sewers."

"Huh?" Cordelia turned to look at Angel.

"We can regroup in the sewers," repeated the vampire.

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"I cannot believe that I have allowed myself to be lowered to the level of a common sewer rat," said Illyria in disgust as she walked through the sewers.

"I don't even think the rats come down 'ere Blue," replied Spike.

"I wish we weren't," commented Cordelia as she stepped over an unknown mass of something that was blocking the path.

"It's better then being shishkabobbed by that group of demons," said Lorne as he put his handkerchief over his mouth and nose.

"It's only for a little while." Angel shined his flashlight out in front of him.

"But now we have to go back through the goo that runs through here and fight the rest of the demons who have also had time to regroup," said Gunn.

Angel stopped at a ladder and looked up to the hatch it led to before looking back at the others.

"This should take us right by Wolfram Hart, or what's left of it at least." Angel climbed up the ladder followed by Spike.

"And we want to go there why?" asked Cordelia as she and the others followed the two vampires up the ladder and to the surface.

"Because you could use a hand?"

Cordelia looked up to see Willow, Andrew, Xander, and Faith standing a few feet in front of them.

"What are you doing here?" asked Cordelia. "Last I heard none of you trusted us."

"B doesn't trust you," corrected Faith. "And might I add, Spike, you look great for a pile of ashes at the bottom of the Hell Mouth."

"Thanks," replied the blonde.

"How'd you know we could use a little help?" asked Angel.

"Actually," said Willow. "Andrew was snooping and found the messages you left Giles when," Willow glanced over at Illyria. "And we were just coming for a visit."

"Just in time to help us kill what's left of Wolfram Hart's lackeys," said Gunn.

"Great," said Faith as she popped her neck. "I've been itching for a good fight."

"Trust me, you'll get one," said Lorne.

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"Will, you think you could muster up a little mojo to clean this up?" asked Xander as he ducked a blow from a large demon. "Cause not everyone likes a fight as much as Faith and Spike do."

"I can try," replied Willow as she looked at the several hundred demons that were still left in the alley.

Willow made her way her way over to her bag that she'd placed behind a nearby dumpster. She took out the necessary supplies and began to chant while holding an urn in both hands.

"Invito il goddess grande per aiutarlo nel nostro periodo di bisogno. Banish coloro che non appartiene in questo mondo, di nuovo a dove hanno abitato una volta. La mia volont fatta, cos mote ."

I call upon the great goddess to aid us in our time of need. Banish those who do not belong in this world, back to where they once did dwell. My will be done, so mote it be.

As Willow said the last part, she smashed the urn onto the ground releasing a blast of energy that filled the alley. Every demon that the force touched seemed to be frozen in time. Spike and the others looked around at the force demons when they suddenly burst into clouds of dust, leaving behind only their weapons. A frightened cry brought everyone's attention to Illyria, who was kneeling on the ground.

"Illyria?" Wesley cautiously stepped forward.

Fred's warm brown's eyes looked up in terror before she turned and ran toward the Hyperion, flinging the door open with ease and rushing upstairs.

"What just happened?" asked Cordelia.

"Fred."

Everyone turned to Spike.

"Huh?" asked Gunn.

"It was Fred."

"That's impossible she's gone," said Wesley.

"I don't know how the bloody 'ell it 'appened, but that was Fred."

"Spike's right," said Angel. "I could smell her."

"Can i just throw in a big eww?" asked Cordelia.

"What do you mean you can smell her?" asked Andrew.

"Every human has a distinct scent. When it's Illyria, there's just . . . nothing," explained Angel.

"I sensed a change in the energy," added Willow.

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"It's Pylea all over again," said Cordelia with a sigh as she came down stairs. "I bet she'll start writing on the walls next."

"Give her some time," said Lorne.

"We don't have time," snapped Cordelia. "I'm surprised we haven't had twice as much demon activity then we have had."

"What can we do? She's practically catatonic," said Faith.

"We'll think of something," said Angel. "Right now though, we need to get some supplies."

"I'll go," said Willow.

"We'll give you a hand," said Xander volunteering himself and Andrew.

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Spike walked upstairs to Fred's room and stopped just outside the door. He took an unneeded breath before walking into the dark room. His enhanced eyesight allowed him to see Fred sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed staring blankly at the wall.

"Fred? Luv?" Spike slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. "Pet, look at me." Spike put his hand on Fred's shoulder.

Fred slowly turned to look at Spike. The two looked at each other for a moment before Fred threw her arms around Spike's neck and began sobbing into his chest.

"Shh Pet. You're safe now. Everything's gonna be fine." Spike rubbed gentle circles on Fred's back. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Fred's crying subsided slightly and she looked up at Spike.

"Did Wesley really hurt those people?"

"Who?"

"Knox and Gunn and that employee," stated Fred.

Spike was quiet for a moment.

"Yeah Pet, he did."

"Why would he do that?"

"Losing you nearly killed him."

Fred was quiet again.

"That's not the Wesley I loved. I mean, Gunn's our friend."

"Ya know it was Gunn who signed the papers that got Illyria's sarcophagus out of customs, right?"

"I thought he didn't know," said Fred.

"He didn't, but he still signed them."

"I'm sure he felt bad enough without being stabbed by one of his friends."

"Are you hungry?" asked Spike.

"Yeah."

"Okay, Willow, Xander, and Andrew went shopping. They should be back in a bit."

"Willow's here?"

"Yeah. Got 'ere day before yesterday," said Spike. "Let's go downstairs."

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Willow, Xander, and Andrew had just gotten back from the store when Spike came downstairs with Fred clinging to him.

"Freddikins!" Lorne rushed over and pulled Fred into a big hug.

"Hey Lorne," said Fred with a false smile.

"I'm glad you're doing better," said Willow. "We picked up some tacos just in case you were up."

"Thanks," said Fred as she took the bag and went over to eat on the stairs away from everyone.

"She's back," said Cordelia. "Distant, but back. Way to go Spike."

"She's still got a ways to go, but i think she's gonna be okay," said Spike as he looked over at Fred.

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To Be Continued . . .

It's not Fresley, so if you like that pairing, I'm sorry. It's just not my thing.

Love it? Hate it? Tell me what you think!