"Well, would someone care to explain to me what went wrong?" Richard Wilkins III sat in his leather chair behind his desk in his office. Faith stood to his left with the followers of Monolith gathered before him, their arms draped behind their backs. "Did I not explain things well enough? Did the words 'destroy the Slayer' not come out clear?"
"She had help." One of the followers stepped forward. Unlike all the others who had just a red M over the left breast of their uniforms, his had a yellow military stripe bellow the M, which made it clear that he was the second in command. "It was Superman." The Mayor contemplated this news for a moment.
"Then I guess we have one more person to think about." Faith proceeded to walk around the desk toward the door to the office. Silently she closed the entry. "But I do not tolerate failure." The Mayor responded. The second in command pondered what he had said, then the expression on his face changed from a look of contemplation, to a look of absolute shock. A gasp escaped his lips as his head flopped down staring at the pointed end of a stake protruding from his chest. His head then swiveled to the right and there was Faith standing behind him with a smile on her face, her chin resting on his shoulder.
"Bye." She stated simply as his body fell to the floor in a heap of ash. The other vampires saw this and immediately fell back away from the girl. "What? You've never seen a Slayer before?" She looked to the Mayor and gave a shrugging what gives sign, then rejoined him behind his desk, placing the stake in front of him.
"She's a Slayer?" One of the demons was brave enough to ask. "I thought there was only one?" He looked at her then to the Mayor.
"Well there are two." Wilkins answered then looked to the girl with affection in his eyes. He picked up the stake and played with it in his hands. "But she's on our side."
"Why not have her take out the other Slayer?" The vampire was getting bolder with his words. He also noticed that Faith had a perplexed look on her face, as though the comment had hurt her.
"It wasn't her I asked." Wilkins threw the stake with such blinding speed that the demon had no time to react. But instead of penetrating his heart, the piece of wood struck below his right collar bone. The vamp doubled over in pain and was about to attack the Mayor himself, when he saw Faith holding another stake. "Got the Point?" Wilkins smiled. The vampire nodded as he ripped the wood from his body. "Good. The next time you question my orders, it'll be your heart the stake hits. Now, how many are there in your group?"
"There are 25..." He grunted, then looked at the pile of ash on the floor and amended. "24"
"You're in charge of the flock now. Recruit someone to take his place." The Mayor pointed to the ashes on the floor and then thought for a moment. "After that, recruit thirty more followers to join your ranks."
"Your honor..." the vampire was more careful with his words this time. "These men have gone through years of training."
"That's not a problem." Wilkins waived a dismissive hand. "We only need the new recruits as a distraction. Now go and do what I asked you to do." The leader bowed, as the group filed out the door, him being the last to leave. Faith walked around and took a seat in the chair across from Wilkins.
"Nice show of strength." She said after a long silence had permeated the room.
"Vampires these days!" His head fell backwards as his eyes rolled. "Give them eternal life and they think they can rule the world."
"So what do we do now?" Faith asked.
"Well," the Mayor rocked back and forth in his chair, fingers interlaced. "We know the book is at the museum."
"Want me to do some breaking and entering?"
"Breaking and entering is such a harsh term." The Mayor chided. "Not to mention illegal. No, I was thinking more along the lines of Mission Impossible."
"Cool. Espionage sounds fun." Faith smiled slightly. "Will you be there?"
"I'm afraid you're on your own for this one. Being the Mayor can be a downer when it come to stuff like this." Wilkins leaned forward and pressed the intercom on his phone. "Cassandra, could you please come to my office." He then looked to Faith with a smile drawn across his face. "But don't you worry your pretty little head off. I got all the back up you need."
"The goon squad?" Faith stuck a thumb to the door indicating the followers of Monolith.
"They may look like goons," a silky voice called from behind. Faith was out of her chair so fast that even Wilkins was impressed. A tall ravishing woman stood before the Slayer with long red hair draped over chalky white skin and crystal green eyes. She wore a long brown summer dress, and when she moved, it appeared as if she were floating on air. "But there is strength in numbers."
"Ah," Wilkins rose from his chair. "Cassandra, you look as ravishing as ever." He walked up, placing a hand on each of her shoulders, and then a kiss on each cheek.
"You're such the charmer, Richard." Cassandra returned the kisses on the cheeks, then turned to Faith. "And this must be Faith." She sized the girl up and down then licked her lips. "You are wickedly beautiful."
"You're a vamp." Faith backed away from her slightly. Mainly because of the last comment. Cassandra smiled, showing her fangs, but the rest of her face remained normal. "Isn't the rest of your face supposed to be transformed?"
"I have practiced magic's." Cassandra's face transformed fully. "That have given me insight on how to control my features." Her face returned to normal. "Among other things."
"What other things?" Faith asked. Cassandra smiled again as her body slowly dissolved. Turning to a fine mist, she snaked between the girl's legs and reformed behind her. "How old are you?" Faith asked as she spun 180 to face the vampire.
"Old enough." She answered, and there was an edge in her voice that told Faith not to press the issue.
"Cassandra will be part of your back up." Wilkins chimed in. He then turned to the demoness. "How's our boy doing."
"He took a while to mend." Cassandra answered. "But he's ready for his vengeance."
"Boy?" Faith asked. She felt as though she was out of way too many loops, and that didn't sit well with her.
"Monolith." Wilkins stuck his hands in his pockets and proceeded to rock back and forth on his feet. "He's harder to kill than Superman thought."
"Speaking of blue boy," Faith hated the notion that the Scoobies had such a powerhouse in their corner. "What if he's with them? Don't exactly have any Kryptonite on me."
"It's funny you should mention that." The Mayor giggled and walked to the closet that adorned the wall of his office. Opening it revealed dozens of occult objects that he had used in several rituals throughout the hundred or so years he had lived. "See I've always known that the Justice League could become a factor during my ascension. They used to make frequent visits to this town, until Ms. Summers showed up." He looked to both Cassandra and Faith, holding a black pouch he had taken from one of the shelves. "They know all about the Hellmouth because of a certain thorn in my side by the name of Dr. Fate. But since Ms. Summers showed up, they've backed off."
"Why?" The question came from Cassandra.
"Well, you see, a few years ago one of the Watcher's saved Superman's life. When the Justice League reformed, Superman established an informational link with the Watcher's Council." He handed Faith the bag. "This my dear is your insurance against the boy scout. Don't worry, it's lead lined."
Faith opened the pouch and a smile crossed both hers and Cassandra's faces as she pulled out the emerald rock.
"It's so pretty."
-
Buffy Summers screamed.
Not in anger. Not in pain. Not in sorrow.
Buffy Summers screamed out of pure joy as she soared 100 feet above the streets of Sunnydale. She looked to her right to see a wincing look on the faces of both Superman and Giles. The Man of Steel carried her and the Watcher in each of his arms as they flew through the night sky.
"Omigod! I'm sorry!" Buffy covered her mouth in shock, and then placed her hands over Superman's left ear as if that would alleviate the after effects of the scream.
"Warn a guy with superhearing next time please." A warm smile was on his face, and Buffy felt her cheeks turn two shades of red.
"I can image that was quite painful." Giles Stated as he looked across the nighttime sky.
"I've been put through worse." Kal-El admitted.
They flew across the streets, arriving to their destination; Sunnydale High School. They had touched down, and were about to enter the school when Superman stopped.
"What is it?" Giles asked. There was a blue and red streak as he flew through some bushes and then ascended into the sky. As he flew away, Buffy caught a glimpse of him carrying someone upward.
Angel looked down to see his feet dangling 30,000 feet from the earth. Had he been a normal human, he would surely be dead right now from lack of oxygen. Luckily he didn't breathe. He looked to his right to see a jet airliner passing him by, and then to the person who was holding him. He felt a sense of awe stir within, as he had heard the stories, but in all his long life had never actually met Superman.
"Who do you work for?" Superman asked.
"Would it help if I said I was on your side, and that I work with Buffy and Giles."
"No it wouldn't." Superman was stern in his tone. "See, you're a vampire and for all I know you could be lying."
"True." Angel consented. "But I'm a vampire with a soul. Big difference there."
"Right." There was somewhat of a smirk on Superman's face. "And I'm Shirley Temple."
"Loved you in 'Bright Eyes'."
Angel felt the wind whip his hair as he plummeted 30,000 feet to the ground. He never thought Superman would actually drop him, but figured the Bright Eyes comment was the last straw. He spread his arms and legs like a sky diver, figuring that he might as well enjoy it while it lasts. He didn't enjoy it for long as he felt a hand grab the back of his jacket and carry him off.
"You've just been granted a stay of execution." Superman said as they descended to the ground. Buffy and Giles were waiting for them. As they set down, Angel jerked free from Superman, stumbling as he straightened himself.
"You okay?" Buffy asked.
"Fine." Angel jerked away as Buffy ran her fingers through his hair mussing it up.
"Sorry." She smiled slightly. "You got icicles in your hair. I yelled to Superman telling him you were on our side." Buffy turned and proceeded to walk into the high school.
"Well," Angel looked to Giles. "At least my girlfriend doesn't totally hate me." He then followed her into the school.
"Girlfriend?" Superman raised an eyebrow.
"It's a long story." Giles said as he proceeded to explain to Superman about Angel's past and how he had acquired a gypsy curse that gave him a soul. He also filled him in about the events of the last few days involving Faith.
"Ah, Buffy!" Wesley stood prominent over everyone, as Xander and Willow sat at the table of the Library looking over books. Oz was absent, probably with his band, as was Cordelia, who hardly ever hung out with them since her break up with Xander. "You're here rather quickly."
"Well, look who's here." Xander shot from his chair and Angel was expecting words after the charade with Faith, when he was forced to punch Xander across the face. But Xander simply strode past him, walking up to Giles and Superman who had just entered the building. "S-Man! What's up!" The two shook hands as if they had known each other for ages.
"Hey!" Willow also jumped from her seat and ran up to the Man of Steel giving him a huge hug. Buffy looked to Wesley who had a dumbfounded look on his face. She then turned to Angel who shrugged not knowing what to make of it all. With irritation, Buffy placed two fingers to her mouth and let loose a long, loud whistle. Xander, Willow, Giles, and Superman's heads snapped to her direction.
"Am I the only one hear who didn't know him before today?" She pointed to Kal-El.
"I didn't know him." Angel said in a low voice.
"Nor did I." Wesley still wore the dumbfounded look on his face.
"Ah well," Giles walked up to the Slayer. "When you took off during the summer, a rather nasty demon tried to stake a claim here in Sunnydale. The only thing that could defeat him was a scepter that was located in Metropolis."
"So naturally Giles sent yours truly," Xander pointed to himself. "Willow, Oz, and Cordelia to get the scepter." There was a pause in his words. "Since you weren't available." There was also a harsh tone to his voice that suggested he had not totally forgiven her for running away over the summer. "Supes here, along with two others helped us get the staff, and defeat the bad guy."
"Oh!" Buffy turned to Wesley. "So. What did you find out about Monolith?" The change in subject caught the new Watcher off guard as his attention was snapped back to reality.
"Well, we haven't exactly been able to find anything. None of these books have any records on him."
"There might be a book that will." Giles walked up the stairs, to the rows of shelves at the back of the library. He stopped at a shelf that was taller than his reach.
"Allow me." Superman floated up and over everyone's heads when he saw Giles looking for a ladder. "Which one?" Giles directed him to an older black and dust covered book. When he handed it to him, everyone noticed that his feet never touched the ground as he followed Giles down the stairs to the table. As the former Watcher thumbed through the book Superman looked at everyone, wondering why they were intently staring at him. He then realized that he was still floating. "Oops! Sorry!" He apologized as he regained his footing. "I sometimes forget that I'm floating."
"Do you have to consciously think about floating to do it?" Everyone was caught off guard by Buffy's question. Angel noticed that she was totally captivated by Kal-El's presence. A hint of jealousy started to creep into him.
"Actually it's just reflexive. I never think about it. I just do it."
"Hey guys." Everyone turned to see Oz walk into the library. He walked past everyone, including Superman and headed for the cage that was used to contain him when he turned into a werewolf each month. He stopped, and as if it were an after thought, turned to Superman. "Hey Kal."
"Oz." Superman nodded. "That time of the month?" The teen nodded as he unzipped a bag that held clothes for the next day.
"You want me to stay with you tonight?" Willow asked as she walked up to Oz and planted a kiss on his lips.
"That'd be cool." He smiled warmly, then turned to Superman. "What brings you to Sunnydale?" Superman was about to answer when he was interrupted by Wesley.
"Ureka!" The Watcher chirped, slapping Giles on the back, who gave an evil glare. "Sorry!" Wesley backed away slowly.
"Well, according to this," Giles began. "Oh dear!"
"That didn't sound like a healthy 'Oh dear' to me." Xander looked over the table at the book. "That was more like doom and gloom, 'Oh dear'"
"According to this text." Giles continued. "Monolith was born a resurrection demon."
"Uh, hold up!" Buffy raised her hand as if she were in class. "The Monolith I fought was purely a vampire. I think Kal can back me up on that." Superman nodded in agreement.
"Please Buffy, let me continue." Giles cleared his throat. "When he was killed, an ancient druid incantation was spoke, and Monolith would rise from the dead. Unfortunately Monolith was more human than demon, and therefore was mortal, age wise. He could be raised after being killed, but would continue to age and grow old. Eventually he would grow old and die. After that, the incantation would not work."
"Okay dumb question," Xander asked. "But why is he a vampire?"
"Yes..." Wesley intruded. "Demons don't normally become vampires."
"It doesn't say." Giles turned a few more pages, making sure he wasn't missing anything. "His history ends with the fall of the Druids."
"This guy is old." Everyone turned to Angel. "The Druids existed around 2000 BC. That's about the time that Stonehenge was built."
"So why didn't he have cloven feet and hands like Kakistos?" Buffy asked.
"Perhaps his demon aspects stayed with him." It was a guess, but the best that Wesley could offer.
"Okay reiterated question here. How did this guy become a vampire?" Xander grabbed the book and started flipping through pages.
"Who knows." Giles wiped his glasses. "There are many spells used to make people into vampires unnaturally. Perhaps the Druids performed one of them."
"If this guy is a resurrection demon with vampiric powers," Superman looked over Xander's shoulder. "Is it possible he could be brought back. Even as a Vampire."
"It is possible." Giles considered it.
"Would there be any record of a Slayer fighting him?" Willow asked. "Other than Buffy."
"I don't know." Giles headed back up the stairs to the book cases.
"Well, I think the first thing we need to be worrying about is the Mayor." Wesley's posture straightened as he took charge again. "And the fact that he may very well have the Five Books of Ascension."
"Books of Ascension?" Superman looked up from the text him and Xander were studying. "Do you mean the books that are used by a person to ascend to the realm of the Gods."
"Actually, they're used for ascending to demonhood" Wesley amended. "But yes those are the books. Why?"
"What if I were to tell you that the Mayor doesn't have the fifth book." Everyone was caught off guard.
Buffy sat bolt right up in her chair. "What do you mean he doesn't have the fifth book?"