Immortal: the Virtual Series
Episode 3.1: In the Eye of the Beholder
Written by The Main Slayer
Airdate: February 25, 2006
Episode rating: K+

PART ONE

Creation

He stood before the river. His eyes closed and his mind in a deep concentration. It was over, his brother had won and now he was alone. Alone to watch over the souls of the dearly departed and watch as they moved around with no end in mind. He had to create her. His brother had left him no choice. He needed a Queen. Beside him stood what could be called a side table. On top was an old, torn book that looked to be thousands of years old, even though the world was only new. He moved towards the book and placed his hands on either side. Slowly he opened his eyes and took hold of the book walking towards the mouth of the giant river. On the opposite side a spirit stood awaiting its master commands. On the ground at the spirits feet, if you could call floating in mid-air feet, was some human remains, blood in a large glass goblet, and a withered vine. At his master's command, the spirit would throw the items into the river and depart. The Lord spoke,

"From the depths will arise a Queen. She will live with the Lord and be his forever. With the offering of bones, blood, and natural life, she will burst through the parted waters and be his to control." The Lord looked to his spirit; the spirit threw the items into the water and left the area. The Lord continued,

"Arise O Queen and look upon your New World and your new husband. Arise O Queen, and help destroy the world around you, and rule the souls of the dead for all eternity!" The Lord looked up and slammed the book shut. The water in front of him bubbled and turned from black to red. Ripples formed at the surface and the waters began to part. Slowly, a figure rose from the water. She was magnificent. Her hair was the darkest shade of black, her face and skin as pale as newly fallen snow, her lips as red as the rose, thin, tall, voluptuous, and when her eyes finally opened they were as black as the night sky. She stood in silence for a few moments, gathering her new sense and her new surroundings. Before now, she was only a shadow and now she had form. She floated away from the water and stepped onto the land where the Lord awaited her. She wore nothing, but in the Lords hand was a red cloak made from the finest silk. She walked up to him and turned. He placed the cloak around her slender shoulders and placed his hands down upon her. She turned, and smiled.

"Welcome my Queen." The Lord said to her.

"Thank you my Lord." The Queen followed her Lord as they left the river. The Lord never realized what he truly created. For if he had read the prophecy correctly, he would have learned before, that she would become more independent as the years rolled by, and soon she would no longer need a husband.

CREDITS ROLE

Present – 2006

Buffy walked up to the large set of double doors and slowly pushed them open. She entered the large lobby like she had two years previous, unsure of what was waiting for her. She thought that she would be taken down upon entering or someone would be waiting for her, but all she saw was a busy lobby with lawyers, clients, and monsters. That is what was to be expected from Wolfram & Hart. Angel had walked out on this job almost two years ago, at the time, Buffy thought it was the best idea he had ever come up with but now with having children Buffy wasn't so sure. She waited for someone to approach her, but when no one did she moved to the front desk were a familiar blonde vampire worked. Buffy stopped in front of the desk and rang the small silver bell on the table. The vampire looked up.

"Oh my god!" She cried, "Buffy what are you doing here!" Buffy smiled as Harmony ran out form behind her desk and wrapped her arms around the Slayer. Buffy returned the hug and moved away.

"Oh, not much. I was hoping to speak to your new CEO." Buffy asked. Harmony looked at her and smiled.

"Sure. Let me call it in." Harmony went back behind her desk and picked up the phone. It took three minutes to relay her message and when she was finished she put the phone down and looked back at Buffy.

"He will see you as soon as possible." Harmony said.

"Great," Buffy replied, "When exactly will that be?"

"Ten minutes tops, he is in a meeting." Buffy nodded her head and sat down on one of the large sofas. She held Kera close to her as she watched the lawyers and demons walk around the front office. She waited exactly ten minutes when Harmony walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"The boss will see you now." She said. Buffy stood and walked over to the large oak doors with Harmony by her side. Harmony knocked twice and a male voice sounded.

"Come in." Harmony opened the doors and announced Buffy, "Mr. Summers, Buffy Summers is here to see you."

Mr. Summers? Buffy thought. She walked to the middle of the room, eyes wide, as her father stared back at her.

"Hello Buffy." Buffy's heart beat rapidly in her chest, as she looked upon the new CEO of Wolfram & Hart, her father.

--

Angel had spent a week trying to locate where Buffy and Kera had gone. It didn't take him long to realize where she was headed and why. Angel had asked Faith to go to England to try and speak with Giles, Willow and the Coven to try and find the location of the baby Buffy thought was hers. Angel knew that she was right, but everyone else was not so sure. Angel knew all to well how to erase memories and change people's perceptions of the world, and he knew the only place that was capable of doing it was back in Los Angeles. Angel had arrived only hours before Buffy did and managed to have a conversation with the new CEO before she walked through the large double doors. He knew what they would tell her, but he had already signed the papers. Angel waited as Buffy stood looking at her father thinking back to his arrival only hours before.

Angel stormed through the double doors and glared at Harmony. She looked scared as she rose for her former boss.

"Angel, what a pleasant surprise." She said brightly.

"I need to speak to you boss, now." Angel demanded. Harmony left the safety of her desk to go to the large oak doors to her right and knocked. She was told to enter and closed the door behind her. The lawyers and clients present in the large lobby looked at Angel. Some of them waved some of them wore looks of disgust and hatred. Angel really didn't care. He was only there because he knew that within the next few hours Buffy would be walking through those doors trying to discover what had happened to her son. Angel waited only a moment before Harmony reentered the lobby and walked up to Angel.

"He'll see you." She said.

"Good." Angel replied as he walked to the doors and entered the room unannounced. Behind his old desk stood a middle-aged man with gray and black hair, thin glasses, wearing a great black suit with a blue tie and a smile. He motioned for Angel to sit but Angel remained standing. There was something familiar about the man who stood before him, but Angel couldn't place him.


"Angel, what a pleasant surprise." He said, "I have heard so much about you. It is a great pleasure to meet you finally."

"Pleasures all yours." Angel replied as he walked to the window and looked out. He had almost forgotten how great it was to stand in this room and look out the window down at the busy streets of LA. There were times that he missed this city, but he would then remember who he worked for and was glad to be rid of it. Angel moved back to the new CEO and stood directly in front of him.

"Look, I am here for one reason and one reason only, Mr.…" Angel looked at him waiting for him to finish the sentence.

"Summers." He replied simply.

"Mr. Summers," Angel then paused. Summers? Angel looked at the man and finally realized where he had seen him before. It was in a picture that had been placed beside Buffy's bed when she was in high school. Hank Summers, he was Buffy's father. Angel sat down as he processed what just happened. How could Buffy's father be the CEO of Wolfram & Hart? He had thought that Buffy's dad was in real estate. Hank sat down at his desk and waited for Angel to speak. Angel held his resolve and stared back at him.

"Okay, this doesn't change a thing. I need to know what you did." Angel demanded.

"Whatever do you mean?" Hank asked.

"You know," Angel said anger dripping off his words, "Where is my son?"

"Connor? He is with you."

"Not Connor. Tristan. Where is he?" Angel asked again.

"Ah, the other one."

"So you know about him?" Angel asked.

"Of course we do. Do you think a miracle birth of twins by a vampire is going to go unnoticed by Wolfram & Hart?" Hank asked.

"No. Where is he?"

"I have no idea. We didn't remove him from reality. Someone else did."

"But you can get him back?" Angel questioned.

"What makes you ask that?"

"Because you did it once before, just do it again."

"That was different," Hank replied, "We were in control, with Tristan, we are not. We had nothing to do with his removal from time. It was done by another party who covered their tracks very well."

"Look," Angel said, "Buffy is going to be here in a matter of hours and she is going to demand the same thing from you. She wants her son back. I know you can fix this, so just do it." Hank looked down at the mention of his daughter's name. He hadn't spoken to Buffy since he learned the truth about who she was. He was scared to know who his daughter was and what she would become, until he learned about Wolfram & Hart and all about the world in which she was born into. It had taken him a long time to obtain his law degree and become a part of this company, but he did it. And now he understood what his daughter's life was like, but by then it was too late. The damage had been done and she would no longer speak with him. Dawn was the same. When Hank learned who Dawn really was, through Wolfram & Hart, he almost didn't want anything to do with her, but the memories created were real to him and she was his daughter but because he refused to speak with Buffy he also shut out his youngest child. Would they even speak to him now? He wasn't sure, but he was about to find out. If Angel was right, that meant Buffy would be here demanding the return of her son and her memories. Hank knew that he would never be able to say no to her, but the risk was too high. Wolfram & Hart could do many things, but this required the biggest sacrifice. Hank looked back up at Angel and realized that even Angel was prepared to do whatever it took to get his son back. Angel was more of a father than Hank was, and he was the undead being. Hank smiled and nodded.

"Fine. I will do whatever it takes to keep Buffy from doing something she will regret. We do have the power to change what was done, but there is a serious price attached to it." Hank said bluntly.

"What is it?" Angel asked.

"A sacrifice, of the biggest kind."

"What?" Angel demanded again.

"The sacrifice of one life for another. We do not decide who will go in place of the return of your son, but know that if you do this and we bring back Tristan, you will lose someone close to either you or Buffy. It could mean, one of each other." Angel lowered his head. He hated these. There was always a catch to changing the past, or the future.

"It could be anyone?" Angel asked.

"Anyone." Hank replied, "Can you life with that?" Angel thought about it for a moment, he knew that if he didn't do it, she would. Angel nodded.

"You won't tell her the consequence? Just do it for her?" Angel asked.

"As you wish." Hank said. Angel looked into the eyes of the man sitting before him. He was signing a deal with the devil for a second time. What was he doing? Angel nodded a second time.

"Okay. Let's do it." Angel picked up a pen but Hank took a pin and pricked his finger before he reached for the pen in front of him. Angel laughed figures. Hank picked up the phone and beep Harmony. Harmony entered and handed Hank the contract. He placed it in front of Angel and motioned for him to sign it.

"Now, remember, you can never go back. Once you sign this, it is up to Fate who dies." Hank said. Angel signed the paper.

"I understand."

Now Angel stood as Buffy and her father spoke. As he promised he would change what was done and bring back her son. Before she left she made him promise that she would be at her wedding to Angel. Angel smiled and waited for her to leave the office. She was now on her way home, and Angel would be there to meet her. Angel emerged from his hiding place and stood beside Hank.

"Well?" He asked.

"It's done. When Buffy returns home, her son will be waiting for her."

"Good. Now, do you think you could pull another favour for me?" Angel asked.

"I will make sure you are home before her."

"Thanks," Angel replied as he headed for the door, "See you in a couple of months." Angel then left the office and the building of Wolfram & Hart for a second time.

PART TWO

The Queen could feel the change. All her hard work changed thanks to a large law firm run by mortals. She screamed as a ripple drifted through the room. She fell into her chair and lowered her head. Anger raged through her body like a virus. She had worked so hard to get rid of the brat and now he was back. Her eyes turned red as she stared into her large orb. There she could see the Slayer rush into the nursery and pick up the boy. The vampire walked in behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned and wrapped her arms around him and cried. The baby crying in her arms. Her memories had been restored and the plan to take over would have to wait a little bit longer. The boy's destiny was still very clouded but he was back and he was clearly the one in the prophecy meant to destroy her and her Beholders. She threw the orb across the room and it shattered. Some of the Beholders that were in the large room cried out at the large sudden sound, but continued on their way. The Queen rose from her seat and stormed out of the throne room. She headed down the hall and burst through her own chamber doors allowing them to crash behind her. Standing in the middle of her room was a man. A man she hadn't seen in years, centuries.

"What do you want?" She demanded as she tore through her room in search of her another seeing orb. She had broken many in her time, but she always had others to replace it.

"Here to see you fall." He replied. The Queen laughed and picked up a new orb and walked over to the Lord of the Underworld.

"I thought I managed to elude you." She said as she placed the seeing orb on a stand in front of a large bay window. The Lord laughed as he took hold of her arms and spun her around.

"You, my Queen, could never elude me. I am the Lord of the Underworld and I see even more than your orb. I always knew where you were, but was unable to pursue you, until recently." He let her go and moved away from the large window. The Queen remained where she was and stared at her creator.

"How is this?"

"The Fates." Damn! She knew she should have told her Beholders to kill them all. But only the one was attainable. The Queen moved towards him and pouted her lips and gave him a seductive look.

"Come now, my Lord, you didn't just come here to see me now did you, so why are you here?" She demanded. Business as usual. The Lord held her chin as he spoke to her.

"I have heard of your failure my Queen. I thought I could be of some assistance."

"Playing both sides, that is very unlike you." She replied as she allowed him to caress her cheek.

"My dear wife, I play all sides." He removed his hand from her chin and snapped his fingers. On the Queen's large bed appeared a roll of parchment. He picked it up and handed it to her. As she opened it her mind whirled with the theories as to why her husband was here. She saw why.

"I have read this many times." She threw it back on her bed.

"I realize that considering you tried to steal it from me, but I do not believe you have read the missing section." The Queen moved towards him as he held out the missing piece of the prophecy.

"How did you get that!" She demanded. The Queen tried to take it, but the Lord of the Underworld moved it out of her reach.

"I have my ways." He said simply.

"Give it to me!"

"Why should I?" He asked her.

"Because I need it!"

"I realize that, but if I give it to you, there would be no reason for me to be here anymore." He said to her as he poured himself a glass of red wine. He had almost forgotten how good wine tasted. He smiled as he watched the rage and hatred pour off his wife like a heat wave. He laughed and stood. He walked over to her and handed her the paper. The Queen unraveled it and read it hastily.

And they will bring about the end.
One more powerful than the other. One meant for good, the other for evil.
The Beholder race will meet its fate when the child is of age.
When its destiny is revealed and when the young warrior brings peace to earth.

She is the great one.
She is the warrior to save the race of man.
To destroy the race of monstrous Beholders, and the man who will lead them.
Good versus evil.

She will destroy her other half and then end will appear.

The Queen dropped the parchment. She moved to her orb and glanced in. The Slayer held her son, the vampire his daughter. How could she have been so blind! It wasn't the son who was the threat, but the daughter. The Queen laughed and her eyes changed colours again. From red, to black with her newly found glee. The Lord of the Underworld smiled as he left the room. He knew that he meant to help the Fates, but why couldn't have some fun while he was at it?

--

Buffy held her son close to her as she rocked him to sleep. Angel placed Kera into her crib and smiled at Buffy. He really didn't know what to tell her. But he was sure that it no longer mattered because of the smile that played on her face.

"I'm sorry." Angel said to her and he knelt beside her. Buffy looked up and smiled.

"Don't be. We have him back. Everything is fine."

"I should have believed you." He said.

"I shouldn't have led you on and tied you to a bed." Buffy replied with a smirk. Angel smiled and lowered his head she had done that.

"I enjoyed it." Angel said. Buffy laughed and put her son to bed. She took hold of Angel's hand and smiled.

"I think that means I owe you one." She said as she led him to their room.

"I think it does." Angel replied as he closed the door behind him.

--

Faith had only spent two days in England before the spell wore off and she remembered Tristan. She spent another three days trying to help Willow and Giles figure out what had happened. When they turned up nothing, Faith decided it was time for her to go home. She missed Connor and she needed to see Buffy and the baby. The plane ride home was long and she couldn't wait to make it to her bed. Connor had said he would pick her up at the airport but when he wasn't there, she frowned. It was unlike Connor to forget about things, so when she called his cell phone and got the answering machine, she grew worried. She got a cab and headed back to their apartment. She unlocked the door and walked in. Sitting at the kitchen table, asleep on his laptop, was Connor. Faith sighed and dropped her back. God had he scared her. She moved towards him and kissed him lightly. He opened his eyes and sat upright.

"Faith?"

"Forget something, or someone?" She asked as she sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. Connor looked at his watch and frowned. He stood and moved towards where she sat. He sat down next to her and took her hand.

"I'm so sorry. It has been crazy the last week with papers and stuff at the university. I didn't mean to forget, you know that right?" He asked her.

"I know." Faith said with a smile. Faith moved so that her head rested in his lap as she closed her eyes.

"How was England?" He asked her.

"Fine. Uneventful, and well uneventful. Everything seems to be back to normal, but Giles and Willow are unsure on how it happened. They say that they will call if they find out, but for now, we should be happy things are back to normal." Faith opened her eyes to watch the TV but found she was more tired than she thought.

"Well that is good." Connor replied as he stroked her hair.

"Yeah. Have you been to see Tristan?"

"No, I just woke up remember." Connor said with a slight laugh.

"Right," Faith sat up and kissed him, "I'm really tried. I need a power nap. Join me?"

"I would, but I have to finish this paper by tomorrow. Rain check?"

"You know it." Faith kissed him again and walked to the bedroom. She watched as Connor went back to his computer and began work again. She smiled. She wasn't sure if there was ever a time she wasn't this happy. She had no idea what she would do if she ever lost Connor. He happened to be one of the best things that had ever happened to her, besides Robin. Connor really did love her, and she was pretty sure she was falling for him too. Faith closed the bedroom door and got into the shower. It took her fifteen minutes to rinse herself off and crawl into bed. All she needed was a nap and she would be back to her old self. But her dreams were too much for her, and sleep was the farthest thing from her subconscious.

"Connor!" Faith yelled as she entered the apartment. Hadn't she just come home? She walked into the room and noticed a lamp on the floor. Glass surrounded it as she saw the picture mirror was shattered. Blood stained the glass and dripped down the sides. Panic filled the Slayer as she moved towards the living room. The kitchen table and its chairs were overturned. The kettle on the stove was screaming as steam billowed out of its spout. Faith walked to the stove and turned the kettle off and moved back towards the living room. The glass coffee table was smashed and blood had pooled at the base of it. Fear gripped the Slayers heart as she went to the phone to dial 9-1-1. The phone was dead. She put the receiver down and saw a soft light emitting from under the bedroom door. She walked towards it her whole body tense and slowly opened the door. He looked so peaceful. He could almost pass for asleep if it weren't for all the blood. Tears sprang to Faith's eyes as she ran to his side. His eyes were open and his face was pale. Blood soaked the sheets where he lay; Faith covered her mouth and tried to stifle a scream. Silent sobs erupted from her as she lowered her head to his body. She then saw the knife jutting out from his side. She took hold of it and looked at it. The knife had a stylized handle with a curved blade. Faith sank to the floor holding the knife, memorizing every detail before her eyes would snap open…

Faith's eyes snapped open and she sat upright. It was dark and she looked at the clock beside her bed. Midnight. Wow, she had slept that long. Connor lay beside her as silent as ever. She turned him over silently to make sure he was still breathing. He was. Faith decided that she would make sure to tell Buffy and Angel about her dream tomorrow. Quietly she got up and took out a piece of paper and a pencil. Quickly she sketched the knife before she forgot it. After finishing her sketch, she went the bathroom and took out her sleeping pills. She swallowed one and went back to bed. Now she knew how Buffy felt when she had dreams like this. It unnerved her that she had seen Connor dead, but now that she saw it, she could and would prevent it.

PART THREE

2017

Together father and daughter stood in front of a large bay window. He was tall wearing all black not looking over the age of twenty-seven. She was thin, short, and her hair hung past her shoulders. She didn't think she looked anything like him, but in small ways, her father was present in her personality. The daughter knew what she had to do but was terrified. She knew know that the evil race, the Beholders knew who she was. Her brother had made sure of that. In order to save her, her father was sending her to a time and place where she could change the future and save not only the world, but also her mother. It had been four months since her brother had murdered her mother. She didn't understand how he could just kill her. She had loved him, no matter who he had become. But he still killed her. Now her father turned to her and smiled.

"You are going to be fine." He said to her.

"I know, but daddy, I'm scared. What if I fail?" She asked him. Her father touched her cheek and smiled.

"You won't fail," He smiled and a tear fell from his eye, "You look just like your mother." His daughter looked down and raised her green eyes to meet his. Tears poured down her father's face. Her own pain masked by her resolve.

"I miss her."

"So do I," He said and turned from her looking out at the dark horizon and a black castle that loomed in the distance, "That is why you have to go. You have to change this, you have to save your mother and your brother." Anger flashed across her face.

"I hate him." She said as her own tears damped her skin.

"No you don't. He is a part of you and you of him. You love him that is why you have to save him. Her father handed her a small amulet that rested on a gold chain.

"This is all you need to get to where you are going. I will attempt to distract your brother long enough so that you can get away." He moved towards the front door and opened them.

"Daddy! Wait!" She yelled. She wrapped her arms around her father and hugged him tightly.

"Please, be here when I get back?"

"If you succeed, we will all be here when you get back." He said, "so much like your mother." He turned from her and headed out of the house sword in hand. She watched her father leave as she moved back towards the center of the house. She stood at the center of a great star and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she was standing in the hallway of what appeared to be a public park. She knew what she had to do. Her father was counting on her she wouldn't fail him.

--

Present – 2006

The Fates saw her appear. It was only a subtle change, but a change nonetheless. They knew who she was. They were the Fates they knew everything. For over a week now, they had been forced to live human lives trying to find the vampire Slayer and Angelus. They were having no luck until they noticed the ripple. They watched as the young warrior left the crowd and headed to a phone booth. She was there for only a moment when she ripped out a page from the book hanging from the booth and walked away.

"We have to follow her." Rachel, the Fate of Death said.

"Okay." Madison, the Fate of Forgiveness replied. So they followed as their young warrior hailed a cab and climbed in. The Fates did the same and had the driver follow the yellow car speeding towards the university. The young girl left the cab and headed inside.

"This is not where they live!" Madison pointed out.

"I know. But why is she here?" Rachel asked herself. They got out and paid the driver. They headed into the building to their right, the Library. They looked for their young warrior and found she was in the restricted section reading through some books.

"What is she doing?"

"Preparing."

"Preparing for what?"

"To face her greatest enemy." Rachel said. The Fates left the young girl alone. They would have to keep an eye on her. The knew that the Lord of the Underworld would tell the Queen of the Beholders who was really the threat, so in order to make sure that she remained alive, they would have to shadow her until her true self was unveiled.

--

2017

The father walked. He approached an open courtyard just in front of the black castle. The great Queen stood before him smiling. Around him, her Beholders appeared. To his left, his son.

"You can not win vampire." She bellowed.

"We will see about that."

"Brave aren't we?" The Queen stated. The Queen clapped her hands and his son moved. He stared at his son as he circled him, "Lets see how brave you are now." The Queen clapped once more and his son moved towards him. The father braced himself as he watched his son's movements.

"Father. I knew you would come." His father said nothing as he waited for his son's first move. His son lunged at him and took hold of his right arm. Twisting free, his father moved away from him and glared.

"You killed her." He stated simply.

"You mean mother? Yes I killed her. She was foolish. Should have left it alone, but she couldn't."

"She loved you." He said to his son.

"Perhaps, but the Queen loves me more." His father ran at him and pointed his sword down. His son took hold of the tip and pushed backwards sending his father into the rocks around them.

"She doesn't love you. She is only using you to get to your sister." His father stated as he stood. His son's eyes grew dark at the mention of his sister.

"Speaking of, where is my darling little sister?"

"Safe."

"Not for long." His son moved towards him and punched him square in the jaw. He sent a high roundhouse kick to his head forcing his father to drop his sword. He staggered backwards and watched as his son broke the sword in half. He threw the pieces to the side, and moved towards his father. He took hold of his father's shoulders and head butted him so that he fell to his knees. His father was weak, old, and full of emotions for his dead mother. He would be easily defeated. The young man, who was his son, turned to face the Queen.

"What is your bidding?" The Queen raised her head and her eyes flashed scarlet.

"Kill him." She said simply. The son turned to his father.

"Any last words?"

"I'm sorry." His father stated.

"Sorry for what!"

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Tristan." His father said to him as he lowered his head and closed his eyes. Buffy. Was his final thought as his son took hold of a long gold sword that was attached to his hip. He swung the sword high and brought the blade down.

"Wait!" The Queen cried. Tristan stopped. She came to his side and put a hand on his shoulder, "In a moment." The Queen took hold of Tristan's father's head and closed her eyes. Her red eyes snapped open and she smiled. With a nod of her head, Tristan killed his father. Angel's body turned to ash the instant the blade sliced through his neck. Dust collected in Tristan's nostrils as he laughed. He turned to his Queen and smiled.

"Why did you have me stop?" He asked her.

"Because if we had killed him right away, I would not know where your sister was."

"Where is she?" Tristan asked.

"Not in this time. You must follow her, and stop her Tristan. Or our plan and world will die forever."

"I will do it my Queen. Anything."

"Good." The Queen moved towards her castle and handed Tristan a gold band. She told him where to find his sister, and with a nod, Tristan vanished. The Queen laughed.

TO BE CONTINUED...