Introduction adapted from Joan the English Chick's transciption.
["You've endured the required trials".
"Bloody right I have". Slowly, painfully, Spike rolled onto his side and pushed himself up onto his knees. His face was swollen and bruised, more bruising and injuries on his chest and arms.
"So you'll give me what I want. Make me what I was. So Buffy can get what she deserves."
The demon's eyes glowed green. "Very well".
Spike watched the demon nervously.
"We will return..." The demon's hand reached out towards Spike's chest.]
Just then, a blinding ball of white light flew in and exploded between the two, sending the demon flying and crashing backwards into the cave wall, and Spike onto the floor on his tailbone. Spike could hear the demon roar in anger, as he struggled to regain his breath after getting the wind knocked out of him all over again. "First your pansy-assed demons, now this!" he thought. Just as he was about to launch a colourful verbal complaint, the demon had had him grabbed in a chokehold, lifting him several inches off the floor.
"Did you bring your friends with you?" it hissed close to Spike's face. Spike could smell its breath all the way to last night's revolting dinner. He choked out something indistinguishable in retort.
"Put him down," a woman's voice came from the shadows. "I brought myself here".
At that, the demon released its grip on Spike's neck ever so slightly, giving him some leverage. He adamantly removed himself from its grip and landed on his still-wobbly legs. "Who the bloody hell are you?" he demanded in irritation at the darkness around them, rubbing his newly-bruised neck.
"William, I know you must hurt but this isn't the way. The Powers that Be have gone through much trouble for you, to give you a second chance. Don't throw it away," the feminine voice returned, warm and soothing. In the air he could also sense...power. A great one.
"Look, I went through a lot of trouble to get what I came here for so piss off before I really get mad. All that your meddling Powers that Be have done is turned me into a nancy boy."
"Don't do this," the voice beseeched from all directions, more urgently this time. "You've been turned down, pushed away many times by the people who were meant to save you from the dark path. If you follow me, I promise everything will be different."
The emphathy struck a chord in him, making him bristle. "How the hell would you know what I'm going through? I used to be strong! I used to be powerful! Now I'm a disgrace to my own kind!"
"William the Bloody," the demon cut in impatiently. "Do you want this or not? I have enough to do instead of stand here and watch this pathetic display."
After a short silence, Spike turned to the demon. "Give me what I came for. I made my choice." The demon placed its hand on Spike's chest.
"NO!!" Another ball of white light, even more blinding than the first one, hurtled towards the demon. It barely had time to react before it exploded into pieces of fiery debris.
"I won't stand by and watch you destroy what's left of yourself," Spike heard the voice say before another ball of light rendered him into total darkness.