The Chronicles of Angel Book 5
A/N: Can't believe we're in Book 5 of the series. What do I have in store for you guys? Lots and lots that's what. You guys ready for it? Here's chapter 1 and enjoy.
Summary: The continuation of the TCOA series. Angel has faced many enemies, the Master, Elizabeth, the Judge and the Mayor; Faith and Riley. He's closed the Hell Mouth four times and has diverted many apocalypses. But there is one thing he cannot win against. With everything beginning to fall apart in him and around him Angel feels the effects of being the slayer. A dark evil has come for the key that will jumpstart the apocalypse. But the key is something that is so close to Angel and everything that he has worked so hard to build is about to crash. A secret is kept but it will be known. Can Angel face this and win or is it the end for the first and only male slayer?
Everything belongs to the great and power Joss Whedon.
Rated M.
AU, role reversal
Oh, Death,
Oh Death,
Oh Death,
Won't you spare me over 'til another year?
But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands taking hold of me.
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,
who will have mercy on your soul?
Oh, Death,
Oh Death,
Oh Death,
Oh Death,
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul.
Oh, Death,
Well I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.
Oh, Death,
Oh Death,
My name is Death and the end is here...
O' Death by Jen Titus
Chapter 1 The Batman
It was a bright sunny summer day out on the beach. There was a nice surf and the seagulls flew by. You could smell the salt of the ocean in the air and the breeze kept you cool. Buffy's been to the beach but only at night never in the day. The moon lit beach was always nice but being out in the warm sun felt so good.
Of course Buffy wouldn't tan but it felt good to be laying out on a towel doing absolutely nothing. Cordelia was with her tanning as well and Willow sat on a towel reading a book. Oz was playing his guitar while Tara listened along with Anya. The boys were out by the water tossing the football around. It was just a relaxing day before they go on patrol and before the new Fall term begins.
Dawn, Angel's little sister wanted to come but this was more adult type things so she stayed in Sunnydale with her mother and Giles. Dawn rather be with the A-Team but she wasn't old enough. When Angel gets back home he'll hear Dawn complain about not going but he wanted to spend time with his friends and it not be a fight the hell beast save the world type of hanging out. Of course he loved his little sister but god he needed to get away for a few hours.
After the little ordeal Andy the demon hunter Angel stayed at his house most of the summer and Buffy tagged along. Joyce loved it as it was full house. But Angel and Buffy would be returning to the mansion in a few days. The summer days seemed to just breeze on by. While the guys were tossing a football around Angel looked to Buffy as she's just been laying there for a while. She was probably in her "zin" but it was time to come out of it. Doyle saw that Cordelia had yet to move so the slayer and the half demon both had a brilliant idea or it could mean the end for both of them.
The gang did bring some buckets because you're never too old to build sand castles. So Angel and Doyle grabbed a bucket each and let them filled with water. Xander knew they were dead men but it should be funny. Angel and Doyle walked over to the girls while everyone else watched waiting to the see the outcome. At the same time they dumped the buckets of water on Buffy and Cordelia. Buffy's eyes flashed open to the cold water and looked at the person who did it. Oh if only looks could kill.
"Oh…my…god," Buffy had enough the slayer was going to get it. She got up as Angel backed away knowing he made the lioness mad. She charged at him and he braced himself and picked her up. "Angel! No!" She yelled knowing what was about to happen. Angel made a dash to the water and started to scream but it was happy scream as they jumped into the water.
"What was that for?" Cordelia asked and Doyle shrugged.
"Just being cute and spontaneous." Doyle answered and Cordelia rolled her eyes as he smiled. Out in the water Angel and Buffy held each other and would go under water when a wave rolled around. Buffy didn't let go as she was all smiles as they would go under and then resurface. She smiled looking at Angel and he leaned in kissing her head. Out on the horizon though you could see a storm forming meaning the gang would have to pack it up soon.
That night the A-Team was out for patrol. Angel fired at an oncoming vampire but he was getting way too good at this and with the Initiative gone things were the way they should be. Angel took a drag on his cigarette and blew out some smoke for a moment. Buffy staked a vampire with no issues. Angel put the cigarette back in his mouth while he reloaded his crossbow and another vampire was charging at him.
But before Angel could kill him Buffy tackled the vampire down and staked him.
"Why do I even bother anymore?" Angel asked and put his cigarette out and Buffy shrugged.
"What this becoming too easy for you?" She asked getting closer to him as he lowered his crossbow. "Should we actually summon a nasty demon here for you to take out?" She asked as she walked closer to him. The Initiative was the hardest thing he's taken out. Yes Andy was tough but ever since that he's gotten board. "Do we need to step it up in the training room?" Angel then let his half seductive smile show as Buffy got closer to him.
"We can step it up somewhere else." He suggested and Buffy folded her arms across her chest smiling a little.
"Oh you have no idea what you're asking for little boy." She was trying to tease him and before he could give a response someone interrupted their moment.
"Impressive hunt," A voice said and man came out of the shadows. Just then Buffy went into protection mood knowing who it was as Angel looked up. The man had long black hair, a pale face and dark eyes. He even wore a cape. Was this one of those wannabie vampires? "Elizabeth," The man seemed intrigued as Buffy stood there. "It's been awhile,"
"Not long enough." Buffy replied.
"Ok, who are you? And how do you know him?" Angel asked. But if Buffy knew him and that person called her by Elizabeth then it meant nothing good.
"Let me introduce myself, I am Count Dracula." The man said and Angel cocked an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" Angel didn't believe it. This was Dracula? Buffy stood there not looking all that pleased to have Dracula back in her life again. "So you're the real deal?" Angel asked. "Like the Dracula, the guy?" The vampire nodded.
"See you haven't ditched the look." Buffy jumped in and Dracula smiled.
"You were always feisty. I am here for him," Dracula looked to Angel.
"Why?" Angel snapped and Dracula smiled a little.
"You are the slayer the only male slayer." Dracula answered. "I've wanted to meet you because you are worthy adversary to me." Dracula explained further.
"You know me?" Angel asked and he couldn't help but feel a little proud. Dracula knew him and searched for him that was kind of cool.
"I've come to meet the most powerful killer next to me and Elizabeth." Dracula continued to stand there.
"Well I'm the slayer don't like the term killer." Angel corrected the vampire.
"But you're power is rooted in darkness." Dracula added. "Your power comes from demons you must feel it." Angel nodded a little.
"No, you know what I feel? Bored." Angel held up his crossbow and fired and it flew to Dracula but before it made contact Dracula disappeared. Angel lowered the crossbow a little never seeing something like that ever. "What the hell?" Angel muttered and looked to Buffy and she nodded meaning yes he can do that. Then Dracula reappeared.
"That's cheating." Buffy stated and then Xander and Willow came up walking together. Why is it these two walk in or stumble on the wrong time?
"Oh hey guys what's up?" Xander asked eating an ice cream. It was strange for the both of them to be eating ice cream while on patrol. But that's how easy things have become in the last few months.
"Xander leave," Buffy demand but then Angel saw Dracula again right next to Xander. "Get out." Buffy demanded but both Xander and Willow were interested in the man.
"Whoa who the hell dressed you?" Xander asked looking at the man all in black with a black cape. Angel sighed and buried his face in his hands as in this night was just not going well.
"I have no interest in you," Dracula said to Xander and Willow. "Leave us," He demanded and Xander looked to his friends.
"No we're not going to leave you." Xander then changed his accent to mock the man. Angel then sighed again thinking can't this get worse as Xander was going to mock Dracula. "Where did you get that accent Sesame Street?"
"Xander shut up." Angel demanded but that didn't work.
"Van, two, three. Three victims ma ha, ha, ha." Xander continued and Willow smiled, as Dracula stood there not amused.
"Xander I'm pretty sure that's Dracula." Buffy said to her friend and then at the same time Xander and Willow moved closer to Buffy and Angel.
"Wow really?" Willow asked half scared and half excited.
"Hey sorry man was just you know joking around." Xander apologized and Angel elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up before he got everyone killed.
"This is not the time," Dracula said to Angel. "I will see you soon." And then he turned into a bat and flew at the group as they ducked. Then he went up but came back down.
"Bat!" Buffy warned everyone as they tried to dodge him. They all tried swatting him away and now Buffy had enough and punched the bat sending off. Buffy then looked to Angel and he looked frustrated. "I hate him." Buffy stated clearly as they all watched the bat fly away.
They headed back to the mansion to talk about what they saw to everyone and Xander was telling the story.
"Buffy's all like look out and then friggin Dracula is standing right behind me." Xander said and everyone seemed amused but Buffy and Spike.
"Then he lunged at us like whoosh." Willow described and as Giles listened.
"He totally looks shorter in person." Xander commented.
"And he's heard of me." Angel added. "Me the Count knows me." Angel sounded a little star struck but Buffy didn't seem all that happy about it.
"Couldn't believe it the first twenty times you told us." Buffy stated. She and Dracula had a little fling once and she can't stand that vampire anymore.
"It's not that surprising that he's heard of Angel." Giles explained. "You did kill the Master and you're dating Elizabeth." Giles reminded him.
"I know it's just the way he said it." Willow stated and everyone looked to her. "He made it sound so sexy." And she had a little bit of a dreamy look in her eyes. "It's sexy that he made it sound sexy."
"Kind of." Buffy caved in just a little because she did date Dracula. Angel however didn't like what he just heard and looked to Buffy. "Dark penetrating eyes," Buffy said somewhat dreamily. "That little accent." Then Spike made a gagging sound.
"Don't make me hurl." Spike spoke up.
"You think he knows Frankenstein" Xander asked with a shrugged as Anya rolled her eyes. Then Buffy looked back up to Angel and could see he was frustrated and mad. She was somewhat doing it on purpose because when Angel get's jealous he becomes extra cute to her.
"You think Dracula is sexy?" Angel asked Buffy.
"Oh no, no he's, no he's yuck." Buffy stammered and Anya nodded.
"Yeah except for the whole tall dark and handsome he's yucko." Anya deadpanned and then Xander looked to her.
"How would you know Dracula?" Xander asked.
"Oh we hung out a few times." Anya answered. "Back during my demon days. Once or twice he's pretty cool." And then Angel could see Xander's frustration and smiled a little.
"Sucks don't it?" Angel asked Xander and he looked at him and said nothing. Doyle was smiling the whole time as Cordelia sat in his lap. This was all rather funny. Tara and Oz also sat there a little amused.
"But what about when he turned himself into a bat that was awesome." Willow add but it was time for the storytelling to stop and a plan a way to kill him he is a vampire after all.
"How can he do that?" they all looked to Giles and he shrugged.
"I have no idea," Giles admitted. "There's a great deal of myth about Dracula and the trick to solving this is to separate the myths from the truths."
"Ok so we take this slow until we do some serious homework." Buffy stated and everyone agreed.
"Dracula's to slick to fall for the usual stuff so need to think outside the box." Anya said and Xander looked to her wondering if she meant or just buying Dracula time.
"Not saying that cause of his dark penetrating eyes?" Spike asked both Anya and Buffy.
"No," Buffy said. "His eyes," She then looked to Angel who also looked frustrated and jealous. "There was no penetration." Then Buffy stopped as everyone looked to her. "That came out wrong." Angel closed his eyes and leaned his head back in the chair trying to erase what his girlfriend just said and Cordelia did her best to hold back the laugh knowing it was wrong to laugh.
"Ok, ok Willow, Tara and Oz you guys start finding what magic's he could be using." Giles decide to take over before the men here go after Dracula with torches, pitchforks and stakes. "Doyle, Cordelia and myself we'll research on what's truth about Dracula and the rest of you just hang tight. I'll call Wesley and see if he knows anything." They all nodded and started to part. Angel waited until everyone cleared because he already knew Buffy knew Dracula and he had a feeling Spike did too.
"Ok so talk." Angel demanded to Buffy and Spike and they looked to each other. "What do you two know about Dracula?" He asked.
"What makes you think I know him?" Spike asked and Buffy rolled her eyes.
"The both of you are over two hundred so answer." Angel gave his argument.
"Pouncy owes me eleven pounds." Spike explained.
"He owes me fifteen." Buffy added remembering that night.
"He owes you money?" Angel asked. "Is that why you don't like him? Cause he beat you guys in a card game or something?" Angel asked and Buffy and Spike looked mad once again. "Vampires are weird." He stated and Spike had the look of resentment.
"Well I turned out just fine." Buffy stated and Angel said nothing; which could be good or bad.
"We're old rivals." Spike said and Buffy nodded. "Well, she's his old squeeze." Buffy then rolled her eyes again.
"Then he got famous," Buffy jumped in. "Forgot all about his foes."
"That glory hound's done more harm to vampires that\n you two have." Spike took over. "His story gets out and then suddenly everyone knows how to kill us." Spike finished and Buffy just listen to them knowing some of it was useful hopefully. "Like the mirror." Spike kept going.
"But he's not a regular vampire?" Angel asked. "He has special powers."
"Nothing but showy gypsy magic crap." Buffy answered.
"Did you just call magic crap?" Angel asked and Buffy shrugged.
"One thing's for sure you won't catch him napping in a crypt," Spike added and Angel listened because this was important. "The Count has to have his luxurious estate and his bug eaters and his special dirt."
"So mansions and nice places." Angel stated. "Hmm," Angel looked to Buffy. "Sounds like you." Buffy just glared at him and got up leaving and Spike looked to Angel.
"Oh mate you've done it now." Spike teased and Angel got up to find Buffy. There were only so many places to go in the mansion she can't get far.
Buffy walked into their bedroom and Angel caught up shutting the door and locking it.
"You'll always be my favorite vampire." Angel stated and Buffy faced him with a little smile and he got closer. They were only here at the mansion to inform Giles about Dracula but they'll go back to his place after tomorrow night. He didn't care about Buffy's past anymore not after what they've been through. She's come along away since she showed up here in Sunnydale. Angel pulled her closer and she giggled a little.
"So," Buffy ran her hands up Angel's arms. "You were saying back in the cemetery about how we should step it up." She was suggesting something, which only made Angel smile. The slayer nodded and Buffy leaned in for a kiss and he gladly took it. They have gotten so close in the last year. They were best friends and they can talk about anything. Buffy even opened up about her past more to him and for Angel he got to know her better. He got to know the girl not the vampire. And with each day Buffy was becoming more human in nature. Buffy pushed Angel's jacket it off and it hit the floor, they'll get it later. Angel reached for the bottom of Buffy's shirt and pulled it up over her head and tossed it aside. She did likewise to his.
"Oops," She muttered as she let her hands glide up his bare chest. They smiled at each other again and went back to kissing. They'll finally go to bed at some point. Down the hall Doyle and Cordelia were also having some alone time together. Cordelia loved Columbia but she missed being away so she was now at UC Sunnydale. Giles was downstairs with the two witches and Oz researching while Anya and Xander went home. Spike left the mansion to go back to his crypt for the night.
Angel rolled over in bed looking at the time and it was four in the morning. He looked to Buffy who was asleep in his arms but now that he woke up he was hungry and had to use the bathroom. Angel got out of bed quietly and put on some sweats and went to the bathroom first. Then he went down the hall where everything was dark and quiet. Once he got down the stairs he went to second favorite place in the mansion the kitchen. There was some leftover Chinese food and that sounded perfect. Angel's mom always said he ate like a horse and slept like a rock. It still holds true to this day. And he stays muscular and toned.
Angel opened the refrigerator and found the Chinese food and grabbed it. He heated it up in the microwave and once it was done he started to eat. That was the other thing about being the slayer was nice, his metabolism was so high he had to eat all the time. He wasn't complaining he loved food. Angel stood t the counter and ate in peace for the moment but something unsettled him, something was in the home that was not welcomed.
"How did you get in, you need to be invited." Angel stated and Dracula smiled a little as he was in the kitchen.
"A vampire lives here, no need for an invitation." Dracula answered and now Angel was frozen and couldn't move. This has never happened before. Dracula got closer to the slayer and they were eye level now. Then Dracula noticed something. "You've been bitten," He said.
"Just a love bite." Angel answered and then over Dracula's shoulder he saw Buffy with a huge baseball bat sneaking up behind Dracula.
"She has tasted the male slayer. Elizabeth does know how to get around. I don't want to kill you." Dracula began as Buffy got closer. "You're kindred, you were born from demon. I've yearned for you to be with me."
"Oh my god you're gay." Buffy stated and Dracula turned around and Buffy swung the bat across his face. "Now get the hell out of my house." Angel went to charge at the vampire and so did Buffy but he disappeared and Angel and Buffy smacked right into each other and then fell to the floor. That was embarrassing to say the least as they both slowly sat up.
"That never happened." Angel stated and Buffy agreed as they looked around. Maybe they'll just watch TV until everyone wakes up for the day. They couldn't go back to sleep knowing Dracula could come back.
Morning came and Giles had gone to LA early that morning to pick up the Watcher. Wesley was already doing research on Dracula as soon as Giles called and was a little excited to be on the case. Wesley considered himself lucky. He has gotten to meet the first male slayer, seen two slayers co-exist, has met Elizabeth and now is about to face Dracula. This was a Watcher's dream. He and Giles were driving back to the mansion and it was a lovely day.
"Dracula will be a harder vampire for Angel more so because the truth and myth mix with him." Wesley said as he had a book trying to read up on more of the famous vampire. They pulled up to the mansion, got out of the car and went inside where the A-Team was waiting well some of them.
"Better go get Angel," Giles said and they looked to the study. There was yelling going on. It sounded like an argument and the two Watchers looked over to Willow and Oz.
"They've been yelling for forty minutes, Angel and Spike." Willow explained.
"I wouldn't go in there." Oz warned the Watchers. What could they yelling about? Dracula? Something else?
"It's bolex Angel!" Spike yelled. He, Angel, Buffy and Doyle were in the study and they were in a heated argument. Buffy and Doyle sat at the table listening to the slayer and the vampire yelling. "It's your brand of bolex from first to last."
"You can't see the big picture and I think you can't see any picture!" Angel yelled and Buffy sat there in silence but with a smirk on her face. Maybe she should just put them into a pit and let them have it. 'Maybe they can be shirtless and there could be oil.' She thought to herself.
"I am talking about something primal! Right? Savagery! Brutal animal instinct!" Spike argued.
"And what that wins out with you every time? You know the human race has evolved Spike!" Angel got into the vampire's face and he was done he didn't want to talk about this and he went to go sit at the table.
"Into a bunch nambi pambi," He followed Angel making funny faces and hand gestures. "Self analyzing wankers who could never hope to become,"
"We're bigger, we're smart," The argument continued on and Doyle just sat there listening. "Plus there's a thing called teamwork. Not to mention the superstition terror of your pure aggression!"
"You just want it to be the way you want." Now they were back in each other's faces.
"It's not about what I want!" Angel yelled and now the two Watchers were in the room standing there. It was a very heated argument. What about though? Demons, vampires?
"Excuse me?" Giles interjected and everyone looked to him. "But is this something we should all be discussing?" Angel and Spike looked at each other and Angel went to sit at the table.
"No," Angel answered. Both Watchers looked confused because it sounded like it should be.
"It sounds a little serious," Wesley added.
"It was mostly theoretical," Angel explained and the room was uncomfortable.
"We were just," Spike continued on as Buffy and Doyle still sat there not making a sound. Spike went quiet for a moment then had an idea and these were Watchers. They were smart they knew everything. "Look, if cavemen and astronauts got into a fight who would win?" Giles and Wesley looked at each other. That's what the yelling was about.
"Yes this is really happening." Buffy answered the confused look on the two Watchers' faces. This group has saved the world so many times and yet these are the talks they have. Why hasn't the world ended yet?
"You've been at each other for forty minutes about this?" Wesley asked and Angel and Spike just sat there. Wesley let out a sigh and thought about it. "Do the astronauts have weapons?"
"No!" Angel, Spike, Buffy and Doyle said at the same time. Wesley nodded and started to think.
"You've got to be kidding me." Giles muttered and left. This was the A-Team at it's finest.
Now that everyone was here they all gathered at the dinning table and sat down for brunch. Giles and Wesley stopped at the doughnut shop on their way in from LA. Everyone grabbed the doughnuts they wanted and there was coffee, tea and orange juice on the table for everyone to enjoy. Angel took a glazed doughnut, well three and started to eat. While they were all enjoying a fattening yet delicious breakfast it was also time to figure out a way to kill Dracula.
"Willow I believe you have some important facts to share about Dracula." Giles spoke up as everyone ate with content because who doesn't love doughnuts. Willow nodded finishing with chewing her food and wiping her sticky fingers to start talking.
"Yeah," Willow agreed, going into research mode. "Well, aside from midnight snack attacks like last night, here are the Dracula factoids that I found." Willow started to get her notes together as Xander went on to his third doughnut. He knows how to pack them down.
"Like any of that is enough to fight the Dark Master," Xander commented as he shoved the doughnut in his mouth. Oz looked at his friend and then to Anya and she shrugged. Angel rolled his eyes and went back to finishing his meal. Willow shrugged it off, as did the rest of the group.
"A lot of it we already knew, or as recently been confirmed," Willow said looking around. "Turn offs: wood, fire, crosses, garlic. Turn ons: nice duds, minions, long slow bites that last for days…" She trailed off.
"He likes to live in style," Buffy spoke up. "We can rule out all the usual haunts. I'd look into the mansions around here." She suggested and everyone seemed to agree.
"Ah!" Xander yelled as if he figured something out. "But he's smart enough to figure out that we probably already know that. I'm guessing he's lying low." Xander then was quiet.
"Ok, you've had too much happy juice this morning." Buffy said to him.
"Or doughnuts." Cordelia added.
"Research supports Buffy's previous knowledge of Dracula," Giles replied to Xander who was now walking around the room.
"Xander?" Anya asked. "Everything ok?" Xander nodded and Willow rolled her eyes and went back to the notes.
"Okay, so we check out the more swanky places around here," Buffy agreed. "Any more fun facts?" And Tara nodded.
"Well, his M.O is different from most vampires, but I think we've already figured that out. He will kill to feed but he likes to have a connection with his victims. And he has all these mental powers to draw them in." Tara stated and Buffy nodded as she downed the last bit of blood for the morning.
"You were right about your idea that he can control minds," Angel added because last night he felt not in control.
"And Angel was right about his thrall. It's extremely potent. He can even appear in dreams." Giles continued on.
"Weird, crazy hypno-blue eyes," Buffy said remembering his features. "Let's kill him." Like it was easy and Angel nodded along with everyone else.
"I would agree," Giles said but his tone suggested otherwise and Angel looked up. What was wrong about killing him? He was a vampire and that's what they do well except Spike, Spike was special on many levels. This caused Buffy to look at him curiously. "Dracula goes through the motions of an intimate seduction, the end result is the same."
"He turns them into a vampire," Angel finished like yeah so what? "Let's kill the freak and move on." Dracula's plans were to turn him but do it slow that was sick.
"So he plays with his food?" Doyle asked
"Well, since you put it that way yeah." Giles answered looking around. "Guess his mom didn't raise him right." But the group was missing the point.
"Elizabeth use to play with her food." Doyle could see why Dracula and Elizabeth were together.
"I didn't play with my food." Buffy defended herself and Giles and Wesley were again baffled, how have they made it this far?
"Yeah you did." Doyle argued with her.
"I did not. Yes I fed but driving them crazy is not playing with them. Dracula bites and nibbles and then comes back. I never did that." Buffy made it clear and then Xander came back in.
"Dracula's gifting these ladies with his own blood. And blood…blood is life." Xander added and that made everyone looked to him and he shrugged. Something was odd and strange about him so Buffy turned to Anya and she shrugged. And then Xander left.
"What-the-hell?" Doyle asked looking to everyone and they all looked confused too.
"He's more annoying than usual," Angel said flatly and looked to everyone. "Maybe if I punch,"
"No!" Both Buffy and Anya said at the same time and Angel scoffed.
"Angel's right though." Giles said. "Something's off about him more so than the usual."
"He's been going on and on about Dracula and how cool he is," Oz added and glanced at Giles. "You don't think,"
"He's under Dracula's control?" Giles asked with his brow furrowing. "Possibly." They looked to where Xander walked off to.
"One way to find out." Angel stated and walked away. He then found Xander in the study room and he was in the corner doing something. He was tracking something and then caught a spider and ate it. It's a good thing Angel has seen many horrific things because that would have caused him to throw up if he didn't. Not much makes Angel sick but a person eating a spider that's nasty. "Xander?" Angel asked and he turned around still chewing on the spider and swallowed it. "Gross," He muttered to himself. "You report to the Master?" He asked and Xander nodded like it was no big secret.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to deliver you to the Master at sunset." Xander answered again like it was normal and Angel didn't say anything but they were right Xander was under his control. "There's this whole deal that I get to be immortal. You cool with that?" Angel shrugged.
"Take me to him." Angel stated, it couldn't get much easier than that.
Angel confirmed to everyone that Xander was under Dracula's control. The A-Team waited until sunset and once the sun went down everyone packed up their weapons and headed out and would follow Xander. Following Xander, oh the world has changed. On their way there they picked up Spike, more muscle plus he hated Dracula and wanted to get a good punch in.
The gang all got out the cars and continued to follow Xander into the night.
"Angel I don't like this," Buffy said warily as they walked a little behind Xander.
"What following Xander?" Angel asked and Buffy rolled her eyes.
"No, Xander's great at directions." Buffy said sarcastically and everyone smiled a little. "The plan I mean."
"I agree with Buffy," Giles added. "This is playing right into Dracula's hands." But no one said anything as they walked and stood before a mansion.
"The layer." Xander said with his arms wide opened.
"I don't like this." Wesley also added and Angel sighed if he had nickel for every time he heard the phrase 'I don't like this' he would be rich.
"Guys," Angel started and looked to the group "Look, it's not that difficult. Follow Xander in. Pretend to be all enthralled. Stake him. Game over." It was that simple and Buffy nodded with the plan.
"Yes well," Giles stammered. "I think we all know that sometimes, more often than not, plans tend to not unfold as originally, um, planned." Which was true half the plans they made never went the way they planned.
"You guys just worry about getting Xander out of there," Angel said as they neared a gigantic building.
"You know, we've all lived here for awhile," Doyle said as they rounded a corner and stopped looking at the huge building before them, like it was huge bigger than their own place. "Know what I never noticed this before?" And then it hit them; they really haven't seen this place before. They all stood there staring at it wondering how can they miss this.
"Uh, a castle?" Oz suggested as he stared at the building.
"A big honking castle," Buffy mumbled looking around.
"Seriously, how did we miss this?' Cordelia asked and that was a big mystery.
"Maybe we're oblivious to the obvious?" Willow added and Angel looked at the giant place.
"I'm supposed to deliver you to the Master now," Xander reminded them all and they looked at him. He was dead set on his mission and walked towards the castle steps. "Now," He was clear.
"Showtime," Buffy clapped and Angel sighed he just wanted this day to end and kill Dracula and move on. Xander led Angel in and now they had to wait a few moments before going in and getting Xander. Buffy would go in and help Angel finish Dracula off.
"So what now?" Doyle asked. "Just sit and cool our heels?" And Giles nodded but Buffy was antsy.
"You know, I'm two hundred and fifty one years old. You'd think you'd have more patience." She said as she walked inside and the others followed. She didn't want to leave Angel alone with Dracula. Buffy opened the door and looked around to the low-lit stoned halls.
"Looks just like the movies." Oz commented as they all filed in and Spike shut the door. They walked in a group but realized they wouldn't find Angel or Dracula or Xander in one big group.
"The Watchers take right," Buffy started to dish out the orders. "Doyle and Cordelia will take left. The witches and Oz will go up the staircase and Spike and I will go straight." Everyone nodded and they all headed off. Buffy and Spike headed down a hall and they stood in front of door. Spike reached to open it but it was locked so he got ready to kick the door in when it suddenly opened and none other than Xander appeared in the doorframe.
"Nobody harms my Master," Xander sounded serious but the two didn't take it seriously as they just stood there.
"Your Master?" Buffy repeated making sure she heard correctly.
"You want him? You come through me," Xander stated and Buffy nodded and in one quick move she punched him and caught him before hitting the ground. Buffy sighed as she laid him on the ground gently.
Angel was in a room and was trying to track Dracula but he was mist at the moment.
"Look face me like a real vampire. No bullshit." Angel demanded and then Dracula appeared standing behind him and she turned around. "See not so hard." But he stared at her. "Stop that." Angel demanded.
"So dark and powerful." Dracula said and motioned him to come closer and he did. Dracula then held up his wrist and bit causing him to bleed. Then he held out his wrist offering it to Angel. Angel didn't want to drink it and was fighting hard to break free. "Drink, become immortal the way you should be. Find it," Dracula urged. "Find your true nature. The darkness." Angel seemed to be under Dracula's control but this has happened before well something similar. He was mind was taken over the summer once but he beat it. He can beat this. Then Angel grabbed Dracula's wrist as if he was going to taste him but instead twisted his arm around and he yelped in pain.
"Sorry, did that hurt?" He asked but didn't care as she had his arm behind his back.
"You are resisting," Dracula stated sounding upset.
"Looks like it," Angel stated and then kicked him away and he turned around standing there.
"Come here," Dracula demanded using those hypnotic blue eyes. "Come to me," He said in a seductive tone and Angel paused for a moment. He had to find a way to break from this but how? Instead of taking a step forward Angel took a step back and Dracula looked shocked. Angel was resisting completely something that no one has done.
"You know, I think that whole thrall thing you go going on isn't good for a relationship," Buffy said and Dracula looked up seeing Buffy and Spike standing there.
"What is this?" Dracula asked seemingly truly confused.
"My true nature," Angel mocked and punched Dracula and kicked him and he went flying. Angel jumped over him and when she landed he promptly punched him in the face twice not even pausing before kicking him into the wall. Dracula got up again and charged and Angel grabbed him and threw him to the ground. Dracula for so long has used his mind tricks so fighting was not his style. Buffy then joined the fight.
"Its your lucky day." Buffy told him and threw a punch. Wasting no time both Buffy and Angel punched him over and over until he caught a fist and threw it off him. Spike managed a punch. Then they lunged at him falling to the floor as he turned to his magic to aid him and turned to dust. The three got up and then Angel could see where the vampire was going and made a quick dash over to the chair. Angel broke the chair and took a wooden piece and Dracula took physical form and Angel staked him.
"How do you like my darkness now?" He asked with a cocky smile and Dracula turned to dust. Buffy took a step back waving the dust away. "I'm good," Angel said to himself Buffy and Spike joined up with him. Just then the Watchers came in and the others rushed in to.
"Wow, Angel just killed Dracula." Cordelia smiled and everyone nodded. The mission went well for all intensive purposes and it felt good that Dracula was dead. But just then Xander rushed in carrying a torch looking ready to fight and everyone stood there.
"Where is he? Where is that creep that turned me into a spider-eating-man-bitch?" Xander asked and they all looked around all trying to keep a straight face.
"He's gone." Buffy reported and Xander scoffed and threw down the torch.
"Dammit!" He yelled looking so frustrated and angry. "You know what? I'm sick of this crap. I sick of being the guy who eats insects and gets funny syphilis. As of this moment, it's over! I'm tired of being everybody's butt-monkey!" He made it known and everyone did their best to hold back the laughter. Angel nodded a little trying not to smile but he needed to support his friend.
"Check. No more butt-monkey." Angel repeated and Buffy nodded trying not to laugh not only at Xander himself but for the black eye that was forming. But she didn't feel ashamed at all.
"At least you weren't making time with Dracula's Brides like Giles." Wes added and Giles scoffed.
"I was not making time!" Giles got defensive. "I…I was, uh, just about to kill those, uh, loathsome creatures when you interrupted me," Giles tried to clear that up and everyone smiled as he wrapped his torn shirt around himself getting self-conscious.
"Sure, because that's definitely what it looked like to me," Wesley added as they left.
"I was in complete control," Giles argued but he was failing. It's been a long night and everyone made their way out smiling. It was a long night but a funny one.
"Yeah because cuddling them to death was going to take them out." Buffy mocked. That's why Buffy's relationship ended with Dracula. He took her money and lied about his three brides. For Elizabeth back then and even now she can be the only woman in the relationship and she was with Angel. She's a bit self-centered like that, she doesn't like sharing he men like that. But now Dracula was gone, another vampire in the books for Angel and the A-Team.
"Oh will you shut up." Giles insisted as they all left.
The next day came and Angel walked the huge mansion looking for Giles before he left for his mom's place. He walked into a study and found Giles. Giles then looked up seeing him there and set the book aside. He knew that look; it was the look of 'we need to talk.'
"Busy?" Angel asked and Giles shook his head no and Angel sat down. "I need to talk to you. Since Dracula blew into town and me dreaming of the first slayer something's been on my mind." Angel paused for a moment. "The first slayer and Dracula said something similar, that I'm a killer and my powers are rooted in darkness."
"They're partially correct." Giles answered. "The slayer's powers do come from demons." That didn't seem to sit well with Angel. "But you're not evil." He assured the slayer.
"Giles, I've been fighting for what five years now?" Angel asked and Giles nodded. "I understand the combat and skills but what I don't understand is me. I still don't know where I come from. I still don't know what I am or how I got here." Giles was interested in this because it's true, we still don't know why or how Angel began the slayer. "I need to know where I come from. I need to understand my powers. I need to know how to use it. I need you to be my Watcher again, fully."
"Of course." Giles agreed to it and Angel nodded. They were going try and do more deep thoughts and mediations rather than just combat. Angel knows how to fight but now he needs to know who he is and why he is here.
Wesley was taken back to LA and Angel went home. Buffy was with him as they went into the house. Dawn was just coming down the stairs and saw he brother and smiled and raced down the steps and went to hug him.
"I wasn't gone that long." Angel told her and she shrugged.
"Can we do something?" Dawn asked. School would be starting back up for her too and she was going to be a freshman in high school this year. That scared Angel more than he'll admit.
"How about a movie?" Buffy suggested and Dawn perked up.
"Nothing over PG thirteen." Joyce came in with her wallet giving Angel some extra cash so they could all go see the movie. "Be home for dinner."
"What's for dinner?" Angel asked as he took the money and stuck it in his wallet while Dawn had her arms wrapped around Angel's waist.
"Lasagna." Joyce answered. That was one of Angel's favorites and he won't pass that meal up.
"We'll be back." Angel answered.
"Oh, what happened yesterday?" Joyce asked meaning Angel and Buffy didn't come home.
"Oh, he just killed Dracula." Buffy answered like it was no big deal.
"Dracula?" Joyce asked being sure. "The Dracula? The Guy?" She asked and both Angel and Buffy nodded. "Wow," She was in a little bit of shock. "I guess congratulations." Angel walked over to his mom and gave her a quick hug and a kiss.
"See you in a few hours." He said and she nodded seeing the three off. Dawn raced to the Mustang excited to be out of the house. Joyce rested against the entranceway watching them leave but needed to take and aspirin, she's been getting headaches lately. Angel pulled out of the driveway and was going to spend the afternoon with his two girls and he was happy.
Well there you have it. Yes it's very much like the first episode almost. Also you can see the relationship between Angel and Dawn, very big brother little sister type relationship. You're going to see a difference in their relationship, which will be explained in the forum. We're finally underway so what's next? You get a sneak peek of chapter 2 here and a little bit of a longer look in the forum. So until the next post thanks for reading, comments and reviews are very welcomed.
Chapter 2 Big Brother, Little Sister
'Nobody knows who I am.' Dawn wrote in her diary. 'Not the real me. I feel a little lost especially after last year. I want to help now I'm old enough.' Dawn wrote on the paper. 'But my brother still thinks I'm five. But then again no one has a slayer for an older brother. He saves the world all the time. I remember when he told mom she freaked. But him being the slayer there's always something out there after him.' Dawn looked at the time knowing she needed to go soon. 'All my friends think he's hot. He also dates a vampire. I like Buffy; she's pretty and strong and tells Angel what to do. They're so in love and I think they're going to get married someday once she turns human. But I want to help and I want to fight. Angel was fifteen when he turned into a slayer so maybe in a year I can fight too. Angel and Buffy teach me things behind mom's back. They tell me its never to fight it's only in self defense, both say that they don't want me to become a victim. Angel didn't like it at first but we do train. He's pretty cool, sometimes annoying but cool.'
Angel pulled up to his mother's house and walked inside and went to the kitchen. He walked into the kitchen and even though he had breakfast he decided to grab a banana. Joyce then walked in and she looked a little frazzled.
"Slept in too late," She mumbled and then went to her purse and grabbed some money and handed it Angel. "For Dawn's school supplies," Angel took it and put it in his pocket and finished his snack. "How's the new training going?"
"It's different," Angel answered as he threw the banana peel away. "Alright guess we'll go."
"Oh, busy, busy, busy got to get the gallery ready, new show in a few days." Joyce said as Angel walked to the foot of the stairs.
"Kiwi!" Angel yelled up the stairs. "Let's go!" And it took a few seconds and the fourteen year old came down the stairs and the three left the house.
"See you two later for dinner?" Joyce asked and Angel nodded. There were a few days left before school so they had to enjoy the time together. Angel got in his car and Dawn got in the passenger side.