Blackest Night

By Nikon The Vampire

Author's note:

This story is again based off the series The Chronicles of Angel written by nurjen08. To read this story you must have read the five proceeding it.

The Chronicles of Angel Book 1

The Chronicles of Angel Book 2

The Chronicles of Angel Book 3

The Chronicles of Angel Book 4

The Chronicles of Angel Book 5

Summary: Just a month after losing the first male slayer, the A-Team is leaderless and still mourning the loss of their friend. Meanwhile, two ancient vampires come to Sunnydale with deadly intent.

PROLOGUE

I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

You used to captivate me by your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face—it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice—it chased away all the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

...me, me, me.

MY INMORTAL - EVANESCENCE

Dawn slowed her breathing. She could hear her own heart beat to a small rhythm. She was calm. Her senses were sharpening. She could hear the breeze outside. She sat crossed legged on the training mat in Buffy's mansion waiting. A long wooden staff lay in front of her. The fifteen-year-old brunette was barefoot wearing black sweat pants and a pink top.

Buffy looked at Dawn while she twirled her own wooden staff. The blonde vampire was dressed for a workout. The difference is she wore all black. Black top and black pants. Since Angel's death, Buffy had adopted a more somber look. The vampire circled Dawn slowly twirling her weapon. Buffy was swift as she pounced at the little girl.

Dawn opened her eyes the moment she felt Buffy's attack. She grabbed her own staff and blocked the vampire's initial blow. She pushed Buffy back and did a back roll in order to face her opponent. Buffy smiled at the speed Dawn had stood up. Not a slayer, but Dawn had speed.

"Remember," Buffy said. "Defense. Incapacitate. Wait for it". Buffy moved slower not showing her full speed and power. But enough to make Dawn sweat. Buffy placed well-aimed attacks, which Dawn blocked easily. Buffy noticed that Dawn walked backwards as Buffy pressured on. She also noticed Dawn was getting tired. Her knees buckled once or twice. Even though Buffy was not going full strength on Dawn. Dawn was still human and starting up. Her body could not take it.

Buffy was about to stop when she saw something in Dawn's eye. She saw fire, determination and will. Dawn had rage inside and she was holding it in. Buffy took a step back and nodded back at Dawn who was spent. The young girl fell to one knee. Dawn knew that Buffy was pushing her to her limits. 'One day,' Dawn thought 'I will take her.'

Buffy grabbed a towel and handed it to Dawn. The vampire kneeled next to Dawn and moved her dark hair behind her ears. Buffy looked at Dawn's eyes. The training was over but fire and the rage was still there.

"Breathe," Buffy instructed and Dawn listened to Buffy's word and started to breathe. Indeed a mixture of emotions flowed through her mind while she fended off Buffy. The images of Angel and her mother. The images Angel beating the living crap out of Glory. Images of Angel jumping to his death. 'Why?' she thought to herself. 'Why did he have to die?' The question fueled her emotions. She cleaned herself up and grabbed both wooden staffs. She knew training was over and started putting the weapons away.

Buffy looked at her younger sister in law. The vampire hated the term. Dawn was her little sister now. She cared for her and tended to her needs. Dawn's fifteen birthday just passed. There was no celebration. No balloons. In less the three months Dawn had lost all her family. And she continued to live. Not as a key, but as a normal human teen girl. Buffy knew Dawn hated the idea. She just didn't know how much.

Both girls were silent as Dawn put away the weapons. Both felt an emptiness in the mansion. People came and went all day. But they knew there was a big hole inside. A big black hole. And it was also present in both girl's hearts. For a moment Buffy only stared at Dawn's back. Her little sister than turned and her eyes were red with tears. Dawn's tears tore on Buffy's own broken and dead heart.

"I miss them," Dawn said sobbing as she fell to her knees. Buffy ran towards her and kneeled besides her. Dawn sobbed on Buffy's shoulder. The vampire stroked her little sister's hair. Buffy's tears rolled down her cheeks. She tried hard to be strong for Dawn. But it was so difficult. The pain was suffocating. Slowly, Buffy picked Dawn up and carried her up the stairs. She entered Dawn's room in the mansion and placed the young girl on the bed. Dawn turned towards Buffy and saw tears in the vampire's eyes. "Does it get better?", Dawn asked. "Does the pain ever go away?"

Buffy closed her eyes. The memory of Angel asking her that same question burned her mind. She wanted to lie to Dawn right then and there. Slowly Buffy cleaned Dawn's tears and shook her head. Dawn hugged Buffy wept as Buffy slowly stroked her little sister's hair.

Father Michael looked at the vampire sitting in front of him. Today they were in the last bench of the chapel. People were praying in front of them far from hearing distance.

"I can't do this", Buffy said tearing up again. "I can't continue. There is too much pain."

Father Michael had and empathic but stern look.

"You must give it time Buffy," The holy man said. "Time heals all wounds."

"What do I do?" Buffy asked she wanted to know so the pain can go away.

"Endure," Father Michael said. "Endure for the sake of your own redemption. Giving up will only mean evil has truly won" Buffy looked down. She looked for words of comfort from Father Michael, and though he tried, he was failing.

"How can I continue with my life without him?" Buffy asked because it felt impossible to do so. He gave her a reason and was the only one who could see passed her demons, no one else will ever be able to do that like him.

"You are a champion Buffy", Father Michael said and Buffy scoffed to that. If she was a champion like the Powers that Be had said, Angel would be alive today. She shook the thought off and wiped a tear away. "You will find a way. And others will follow." Buffy nodded and realized the responsibility she had on her shoulders. She had a gloom look on her face.

"I know the pain is horrible," Father Michael said putting his hand on Buffy's shoulder.

Buffy looked at the priest and smiled a soft smile.

"I think horrible is still coming," The vampire said. "Right now it is worse." Than Buffy's face contorted to pain. "Right now, I'm just trying to keep from dying." Buffy than started to sob. Father Michal just patted her shoulder for support. "It hurts so much." Buffy said while she wept.